Microperforation Illumination

• US 20130063972A1
• Filed: 11/06/2012
• Published: 03/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Pance, Aleksandar, Tice, Gregory L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,690,410 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/607
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0041 provided in the bulk of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0045 by shaping at least a portion of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/005 provided by one optical element, or plurality thereof, placed on the light output side of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/006 to produce indicia, symbols, texts or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/32 the control being dependent upon ambient noise level or sound level
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49895 Associating parts by use of aligning means [e.g., use of a drift pin or a "fixture"]

Abstract

Methods and aparatuses disclosed herein relate to backlit visual display elements. A visual display element may include a base layer defining one or more microperforations and a light guide coupled to a light source. The light guide may be positioned adjacent the base layer and include one or more microlenses in alignment with the one or more microperforations along at least one vertical axis.

Claims

1. A visual display element, comprising:

a base layer defining one or more microperforations; and

a light guide coupled to a light source, the light guide positioned adjacent the base layer and including one or more concave microlenses in alignment with the one or more microperforations along at least one vertical axis.

2. The visual display element of claim 1, wherein the light guide comprises:

a first surface facing the base layer;

a second surface opposite the first surface; and

a third surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, wherein;

the light source is coupled to the third surface of the light guide.

3. The visual display element of claim 1, wherein the base layer comprises:

a first surface facing the light guide; and

a second surface opposite the first surface;

wherein

the one or more microperforations taper in cross-section toward the second surface.

4. The visual display element of claim 1, wherein the microlenses are configured to transmit light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the base layer.

5. The visual display element of claim 4, wherein the light guide comprises:

a first surface facing the base layer; and

a second surface opposite the first surface;

wherein

the one or more microlenses have a conical configuration and taper toward the second surface of the light guide.

6. The visual display element of claim 4, wherein:

a first end of the one or more microperforations has a first diameter;

a second end of the one or more microperforations has a second diameter larger than the first diameter; and

the second diameter of the one or more microperforations is substantially equal to a diameter of the one or more microlenses.

7. The visual display element of claim 1, wherein:

the one or more microperforations comprise a first microperforation having a first end defining a first diameter and a second end defining a second diameter larger than the first diameter; and

the one or more microperforations further comprise a second microperforation having a third end having a third diameter and a fourth end defining a fourth diameter larger than the third diameter;

the second microperforation is further from the light source than the first microperforation, and

the third diameter of the second microperforation is larger than the first diameter of the first microperforation.

8. The visual display element of claim 1, further comprising an input device coupled to the light source.

9. The visual display element of claim 8, wherein the input device is positioned between the base layer and the light guide.

10. The visual display element of claim 9, wherein the input device is a capacitive sensor comprising indium tin oxide.

11. A visual display element, comprising:

a base layer defining a first microperforation, the first microperforation including a first microperforation wall defining a first gradient; and

a light guide coupled to a light source, the light guide including a first microlens, the first microlens including a first lens wall defining a second gradient;

wherein the first gradient is substantially equal to the second gradient.

12. The visual display element of claim 11, wherein the first microlens is configured to transmit light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the base layer.

13. The visual display element of claim 11, wherein the first microperforation takes the shape of a truncated cone.

14. The visual display element of claim 13, wherein the first microlens is concave.

15. The visual display element of claim 11, wherein the first microperforation has a first end having a first diameter and a second end opposite the first end and having a second diameter larger than the first diameter, the first microlens has a third diameter, and the second diameter of the first microperforation is substantially equal to the third diameter of the first microlens.

16. The visual display element of claim 15, wherein the first microlens is substantially aligned with the second end of the first microperforation along at least one vertical axis.

17. A method for manufacturing a visual display element, comprising:

forming one or more microperforations on a surface of a base layer;

providing a light guide configured to transmit light from a light source and including one or more microlenses; and

aligning the one or more microlenses with the one or more microperforations so that light transmitted by the light guide is directed through the one or more microperforations.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

providing an input device between the light guide and the base layer.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the input-output device is at least semi-transparent.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the base layer comprises an external housing of an electronic device.