Dual film light guide for illuminating displays

• US 7,733,439 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2007
• Issued: 06/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snaptrack Incorporated (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies Incorporated (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gruhlke, Russell W., Xu, Gang, Bita, Ion, Sampsell, Jeffrey B., Mienko, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): KIANNI, KAVEH C
• Application Number:
  US11/742,299
• Publication Number:
  US 20080267572A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,135 Days
• Field of Search: 349/62, 349/67
• US Class Current: 349/62
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/001 based on interference in an adjustable optical cavity interference filters G02B5/28; devices or arrangements using multiple reflections in spectrometry or monochromators G01J3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0053 Prismatic sheet or layer; Brightness enhancement element, sheet or layer

Abstract

A front light guide panel including a plurality of embedded surface features is provided. The front light panel is configured to deliver uniform illumination from an artificial light source disposed at one side of the font light panel to an array of display elements located behind the front light guide while allowing for the option of illumination from ambient lighting transmitted through the light guide panel. The surface embedded surface relief features create air pockets within the light guide panel. Light incident on the side surface of the light guide propagates though the light guide until it strikes an air/light material guide interface at one on the air pockets. The light is then turned by total internal reflection through a large angle such that it exits an output face disposed in front of the array of display elements.

Claims

1. A light guide comprising:

a cover layer having a planar surface;

a film having first and second surfaces, said first surface comprising a plurality of concave surface relief features and said second surface being planar; and

a light guide plate having top and bottom planar surfaces, said light guide plate being thicker than said cover layer;

wherein said film is disposed between said cover layer and said light guide plate,

wherein said film is disposed on said light guide plate such that said planar second surface is adjacent said light guide plate and said concave surface relief features of said first surface face away from said light guide plate; and

wherein said cover layer is disposed adjacent said film such that the planar surface of said cover layer and the concave surface features of said film form cavities between said cover layer and said film such that light guided within the cover layer, light guide plate, and film is totally internally reflected from the cavities such that the light is no longer guided in the cover layer, light guide plate, or film.

2. The light guide of claim 1, wherein the light guide plate is disposed over an array of display elements, said light guide plate being closer to said display elements than said cover layer.

3. The light guide of claim 1, wherein the cover layer is disposed over an array of display elements, said cover layer being closer to said display elements than said light guide plate.

4. The light guide of claim 1, wherein the cover layer comprises an array of display elements.

5. The light guide of claim 1, wherein the plurality of concave surface features form elongate microprisms.

6. The light guide of claim 5, wherein the plurality of concave surface relief features comprise at least two adjacent facets angled with respect to one another.

7. The light guide of claim 5, wherein the plurality of concave surface relief features comprises two vertical facets.

8. The light guide of claim 6, wherein the two adjacent facets comprise curved surfaces.

9. The light guide of claim 5, wherein the microprisms comprise adjacent sides that are multifaceted.

10. The light guide of claim 1, wherein the plurality of concave surface features have a reflective coating thereon.

11. The light guide of claim 1, wherein the cavities comprise air pockets.

12. The light guide of claim 1, wherein the cavities are filled with a filler material.

13. The light guide of claim 1, wherein the filler material is reflective.

14. The light guide of claim 1, wherein the film is disposed on the top planar surface of the light guide plate.

15. The light guide of claim 1, wherein the film is disposed on the bottom planar surface of the light guide plate.

16. The light guide of claim 1, wherein the cover layer is disposed over an array of display elements.

17. The light guide of claim 1, wherein the cover layer comprises a film having top and bottom planar surfaces.

18. The light guide of claim 1, wherein the film, cover layer and light guide plate have the same index of refraction.

19. The light guide of claim 1, wherein said light guide includes an edge through which light can be injected, said injected light being scattered out of said light guide at said cavities.

20. The light guide of claim 19, wherein the plurality of concave surface relief features comprise at least two adjacent facets angled with respect to one another such that light injected through said edges is refracted at said cavities.

21. The light guide of claim 19, wherein the plurality of concave surface relief features comprise at least two adjacent facets angled with respect to one another such that light injected through said edges is turned via total internal reflection at said cavities.

22. The light guide of claim 1, the cover layer further comprising:

a viewing face positioned opposite said planar surface.

23. The light guide of claim 22, the viewing face being planar.

24. The light guide of claim 22, the viewing face being non-planar.