Multimode display for NVIS compatible operation

• US 7,924,371 B1
• Filed: 08/29/2008
• Issued: 04/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Davis, Joshua V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kianni; K. Cyrus
• Application Number:
  US12/231,221
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• Field of Search: 349/61, 349/64, 349/68
• US Class Current: 349/68
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133603 with LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133624 characterised by their spectral emissions
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133626 providing two modes of illumination, e.g. day-night
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/11 involving infrared radiation

Abstract

A multimode display for night vision imaging system (NVIS) compatible operation including a display assembly including a display subassembly having a display component; and, a backlight printed wiring board (PWB) assembly positioned behind the display subassembly. The backlight printed wiring board (PWB) assembly includes a printed wiring board (PWB). A top side mounted LED array is mounted on a first side of the printed wiring board (PWB) including a top side plurality of LEDs including a top side set of white LEDs. A reverse-mounted LED array is mounted on a second side of the printed wiring board (PWB) including a reverse-mounted plurality of LEDs including a reverse-mounted set of white LEDs. A dedicated primary IR filtering means is operatively associated with the reverse-mounted LED array for conditioning light emitted from the reverse-mounted LED array for NVIS compatible operation. In a day mode of operation the forward-side mounted LED array illuminates the display subassembly. In an NVIS mode of operation filtered light from the reverse-mounted LED array illuminates the display subassembly.

Claims

1. A multimode display for night vision imaging system (NVIS) compatible operation, comprising:

a) a display assembly including a display subassembly, said display subassembly comprising a display component;

b) a backlight printed wiring board (PWB) assembly positioned behind said display subassembly, comprising,

i) a printed wiring board (PWB);

ii) a top side mounted LED array mounted on a first side of said printed wiring board (PWB) comprising a top side plurality of LEDs including a top side set of white LEDs;

iii) a reverse-mounted LED array mounted on a second side of said printed wiring board (PWB) comprising a reverse-mounted plurality of LEDs including a reverse-mounted set of white LEDs; and

,

iv) dedicated primary IR filtering means operatively associated with said reverse-mounted LED array for conditioning light emitted from said reverse-mounted LED array for NVIS compatible operation; and

c) a secondary IR filter positioned between said backlight printed wiring board (PWB) and said display subassembly,

wherein in a day mode of operation said forward-side mounted LED array illuminates said display subassembly; and

, in an NVIS mode of operation filtered light from said reverse-mounted LED array illuminates said display subassembly.

2. The multimode display of claim 1 wherein said top side plurality of LEDs further includes a top side set of red LEDs.

3. The multimode display of claim 1 wherein said reverse-mounted plurality of LEDs further includes a reverse-mounted set of red LEDs.

4. The multimode display of claim 1 wherein said top side plurality of LEDs further includes a top side set of green LEDs.

5. The multimode display of claim 1 wherein said top side plurality of LEDs further includes a top side set of blue LEDs.

6. The multimode display of claim 1 wherein said dedicated primary IR filtering means comprises a plurality of primary NVIS filters, each mounted on the top of an opening for one or more of said reverse-mounted LEDs.

7. The multimode display of claim 1 wherein said dedicated primary IR filtering means comprises a plurality of primary NVIS filters, each mounted in an opening directly on top of an associated one of said reverse-mounted LEDs in an opening of said PWB.

8. The multimode display of claim 1 wherein said dedicated primary IR filtering means comprises a primary NVIS filter sheet mounted on top of said reverse-mounted plurality of LEDs.

9. The multimode display of claim 1 wherein said dedicated primary IR filtering means further includes a NVIS filter light leak gasket.

10. The multimode display of claim 1 wherein said display assembly, comprises:

a display frame chassis serving as a spacing and supporting element for said display subassembly.

11. The multimode display of claim 1 further including a backlight reflector positioned between said PWB assembly and said display subassembly.

12. The multimode display of claim 1 further including a backlight heatsink operatively positioned relative to said PWB assembly to dissipate heat therefrom.

13. The multimode display of claim 1 wherein said display component comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) stack.

14. The multimode display of claim 1 wherein said display component comprises an active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) stack.

15. The multimode display of claim 1 wherein said dedicated primary IR filtering means is partitioned into individual means specifically designed for optimal performance of each independent color being filtered.

16. A multimode display for night vision imaging system (NVIS) compatible operation, comprising:

a) a display assembly including a display subassembly, said display subassembly comprising a display component; and

b) a backlight printed wiring board (PWB) assembly positioned behind said display subassembly, comprising,

i) a printed wiring board (PWB);

ii) a top side mounted LED array mounted on a first side of said printed wiring board (PWB) comprising a top side plurality of LEDs including a top side set of white LEDs;

iii) a reverse-mounted LED array mounted on a second side of said printed wiring board (PWB) comprising a reverse-mounted plurality of LEDs including a reverse-mounted set of white LEDs; and

,

iv) dedicated primary IR filtering means operatively associated with said reverse-mounted LED array for conditioning light emitted from said reverse-mounted LED array for NVIS compatible operation, wherein said dedicated primary IR filtering means further includes a NVIS filter light leak gasket,

wherein in a day mode of operation said forward-side mounted LED array illuminates said display subassembly; and

, in an NVIS mode of operation filtered light from said reverse-mounted LED array illuminates said display subassembly.

17. The multimode display of claim 16 wherein said top side plurality of LEDs further includes a top side set of red LEDs.

18. The multimode display of claim 16 wherein said reverse-mounted plurality of LEDs further includes a reverse-mounted set of red LEDs.

19. The multimode display of claim 16 wherein said top side plurality of LEDs further includes a top side set of green LEDs.

20. The multimode display of claim 16 wherein said top side plurality of LEDs further includes a top side set of blue LEDs.

21. The multimode display of claim 16 wherein said dedicated primary IR filtering means comprises a plurality of primary NVIS filters, each mounted on the top of an opening for one or more of said reverse-mounted LEDs.

22. The multimode display of claim 16 wherein said dedicated primary IR filtering means comprises a plurality of primary NVIS filters, each mounted in an opening directly on top of an associated one of said reverse-mounted LEDs in an opening of said PWB.

23. The multimode display of claim 16 wherein said dedicated primary IR filtering means comprises a primary NVIS filter sheet mounted on top of said reverse-mounted plurality of LEDs.

24. The multimode display of claim 16 further including a secondary IR filter positioned between said backlight printed wiring board (PWB) and said display subassembly.

25. The multimode display of claim 16 wherein said display assembly, comprises:

a display frame chassis serving as a spacing and supporting element for said display subassembly.

26. The multimode display of claim 16 further including a backlight reflector positioned between said PWB assembly and said display subassembly.

27. The multimode display of claim 16 further including a backlight heatsink operatively positioned relative to said PWB assembly to dissipate heat therefrom.

28. The multimode display of claim 16 wherein said display component comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) stack.

29. The multimode display of claim 16 wherein said display component comprises an active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) stack.

30. The multimode display of claim 16 wherein said dedicated primary IR filtering means is partitioned into individual means specifically designed for optimal performance of each independent color being filtered.