System and method for processing light in an electronic display system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device comprising:
- an elongated pre-polarizing element including an optically transparent material having an interlace therein to separate randomly polarized light into vertically polarized and horizontally polarized components;
a re-polarizing layer thereon to change a polarization of a first one of the separated components; and
a reflective edge to reflect a second one of the separated components;
the device further comprising a diffuser, wherein the elongated pre-polarizing element is arranged along an edge of the diffuser.
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a device for polarizing light in a backlighting system of an electronic display to conserve energy. Embodiments of the invention may comprise an optically transparent material that includes an interface therein to separate randomly polarized light into vertically polarized and horizontally polarized components. The optically transparent material may have a re-polarizing layer thereon to change a polarization of one of the separated components, and a reflective edge disposed at an angle substantially parallel to the interface.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A device comprising:
an elongated pre-polarizing element including an optically transparent material having an interlace therein to separate randomly polarized light into vertically polarized and horizontally polarized components;
a re-polarizing layer thereon to change a polarization of a first one of the separated components; and
a reflective edge to reflect a second one of the separated components;
the device further comprising a diffuser, wherein the elongated pre-polarizing element is arranged along an edge of the diffuser. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A device comprising:
an elongated pre-polarizing element including an optically transparent material having;
an interface therein;
a first outer edge, the interface being at a pre-determined angle with respect to the first outer edge;
a second outer edge having a re-polarizing layer thereon; and
a third outer edge having a reflective material thereon;
the device further comprising a diffuser, wherein the elongated pre-polarizing element is arranged along an edge of the diffuser. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. An electronic display system comprising:
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a light source;
a diffuser; and
a device arranged between the light source and the diffuser, the device including an elongated pre-polarizing element including an optically transparent material having an interface therein to separate randomly polarized light into vertically polarized and horizontally polarized components;
a re-polarizing layer thereon to change a polarization of one of the separated components; and
a reflective edge to reflect the other separated component;
wherein the elongated pre-polarizing element is arranged along an edge of the diffuser. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A device for polarizing light in an electronic display system, comprising:
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diffusing means;
first means to pass horizontally polarized light in randomly polarized light from a light source, while reflecting vertically polarized light in the randomly polarized light;
second means to convert the horizontally polarized light passed by the first means into vertically polarized light; and
third means to direct the vertically polarized light reflected by the first means in a pre-determined direction;
wherein the first, second and third means are formed as an elongated member arranged along an edge of the diffusing means. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method for processing light in an electronic display system, comprising:
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(i) arranging a diffuser and an elongated pre-polarizing element adjacent to a light source, wherein the elongated pre-polarizing element is disposed along an edge of the diffuser;
(ii) separating randomly polarized light from the light source using the elongated pre-polarizing element into a horizontally polarized component and a vertically polarized component;
(iii) converting the polarization type of a first one of the separated components into the polarization type of a second one of the separated components; and
(iv) directing both the converted component and the component not converted toward the diffuser. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification