Integrated low profile display

• US 7,175,304 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2004
• Issued: 02/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Touchsensor Technologies LLC (Methode Electronics Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Touchsensor Technologies LLC (Methode Electronics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Caldwell, David W., Wadia, Bahar N.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea; Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Truong; Bao Q.
• Application Number:
  US10/764,170
• Publication Number:
  US 20040228145A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,118 Days
• Field of Search: 363/560, 363/558, 363/241, 363/249, 363/247, 363/276, 363/800, 200/600, 362/560, 362/559, 362/558, 362/555, 362/241, 362/249, 362/247, 362/276, 362/800, 362/235, 362/336, 362/243, 362/244, 362/246, 362/307, 362/311, 362/26, 362/23, 362/28, 362/245, 362/237
• US Class Current: 362/241
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/33 being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

A panel, such as a component carrier or substrate, is provided with one or more penetrations. A light source associated with a surface of the panel and the corresponding end of each penetration provides light to the interior of the penetration, which guides the light to the other end of the penetration and corresponding surface of the panel. The penetration can be coated with a reflective material to improve its performance as a light guide. Alternatively or additionally, the penetration can be filled with a refractive material. A diffuser can be provided to diffuse light exiting the penetration. The light sources provides light to selected penetrations on demand such that the penetrations function as displays or elements of a display.

Claims

1. An integrated low profile display apparatus, comprising:

a substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

said substrate defining at least one penetration extending through said substrate from said first surface to said second surface;

each said penetration having a side wall, an entrance opening defined by said first surface, and an exit opening defined by said second surface;

at least one light emitting device; and

a light diffuser associated with said exit opening of said penetration;

each said light emitting device mounted to said first surface of said substrate proximate the entrance opening of a corresponding penetration and adapted to selectively admit light to said penetration via said entrance opening; and

each said light emitting device being electrically connected to a corresponding electrical conductor attached to said first surface of said substrate.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said substrate is of substantially uniform thickness.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said substrate is of varying cross-section.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said substrate comprises a printed wiring board.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said substrate comprises a user interface panel.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said side wall is covered with a substantially opaque material.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said substantially opaque material is a reflective material.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said reflective material is a paint.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said reflective material is a reflective coating.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a light guide within said penetration.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said light guide comprises a material having a high index of refraction.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said material having a high index of refraction comprises a light transmissive epoxy.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said substrate comprises a substantially opaque material.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said substrate comprises a material substantially impervious to light transmission.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said at least one penetrations are arranged to form a multiple element display.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said diffuser comprises a layer of light transmissive material applied over said exit opening.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light emitting device comprises a light emitting diode.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light emitting device comprises a lamp.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light emitting device comprises an OLED.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light emitting device comprises a PLED.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said display comprises a single element defined by a single penetration.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said display comprises plural elements defined by plural penetrations.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one electronic component mounted on said substrate.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said electronic component comprises a sensor.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said sensor comprises at least a first electrode disposed on said substrate.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said sensor further comprises a second electrode disposed on said substrate.

27. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said sensor further comprises an active component electrically coupled to said first electrode.

28. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said sensor further comprises an integrated control circuit electrically coupled to said first electrode.

56. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said at least one penetrations are arranged to form a seven-segment display.

29. An integrated low profile display apparatus, comprising:

a substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

said substrate defining at least one cavity;

said cavity having a substantially opaque side wall, an entrance opening defined by said first surface, and a closed end; and

at least one light emitting device;

each said light emitting device mounted to said first surface of said substrate proximate the entrance opening of a corresponding cavity and adapted to selectively admit light to said cavity via said entrance opening, and each said light emitting device electrically coupled to an electrical conductor attached to said first surface of said substrate.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said substrate is of substantially uniform thickness.

31. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said substrate is of varying cross-section.

32. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said substrate comprises a printed wiring board.

33. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said substrate comprises a user interface panel.

34. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said side wall is covered with a substantially opaque material.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said substantially opaque material is a reflective material.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said reflective material is a paint.

37. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said reflective material is a reflective coating.

38. The apparatus of claim 29 further comprising a light guide within said cavity.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said light guide comprises a material having a high index of refraction.

40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said material having a high index of refraction comprises a light transmissive epoxy.

41. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said substrate comprises a substantially opaque material.

42. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said substrate comprises a material substantially impervious to light transmission.

43. The apparatus of claim 29 further comprising a light diffuser associated with said closed end of said cavity.

44. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein said diffuser comprises a layer of light transmissive material applied over said closed end of said cavity.

45. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said light emitting device comprises a light emitting diode.

46. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said light emitting device comprises a lamp.

47. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said light emitting device comprises an OLED.

48. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said light emitting device comprises a PLED.

49. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said display comprises a single element defined by a single cavity.

50. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said display comprises plural elements defined by plural cavities.

51. The apparatus of claim 29 further comprising at least one sensor mounted on said substrate.

52. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein said sensor comprises at least a first electrode disposed on said substrate.

53. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein said sensor further comprises a second electrode disposed on said substrate.

54. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein said sensor further comprises an active component electrically coupled to said first electrode.

55. The apparatus of claim 52 wherein said sensor further comprises an integrated control circuit electrically coupled to said first electrode.

57. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein a plurality of said at least one cavities are arranged to form a multiple element display.

58. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein a plurality of said at least one cavities are arranged to form a seven-segment display.