KR100903159B1 - A display and a method of providing a display - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a display for use in, for example, a mobile phone, including a light transmitting display, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), with a light transmitting plate underneath adapted for guiding light through the light transmitting display therein. . Between the light emitters and the plate, a number of tapered light passages are provided so that the space between the tapers can be used, for example for electronic components. The use of light passages provides more space for the electronic component and moreover provides more free positioning of the light emitters.

Description

A display and a method of providing a display}

The present invention relates to a display, such as a backlit LCD display, which occupies less space than conventional displays and may have a number of deformed shapes as compared to conventional displays, and a method for providing such a display.

In the prior art, LCD displays direct light in the vertical direction as in EP-A-0 271 956 or along the face of the display as in US-A-6,241,919, 4,799,771, 4,630,895, and JP-A-11305229. Back light is provided by guiding the light into the light path and then providing light provided in the light paths that deliver the light from the light path to the display from a direction perpendicular to the display.

Of course, a disadvantage of the first type of display is that the depth of the display is large. A disadvantage with the latter type of display is that rectangular light emitters must be installed, for example, to provide light along the entire side of the display, or small area light emitters are provided along their side, such that dark spots are interposed between the light emitters on the display. Is provided. The areas between the active area of the display and the light emitters become damaged or broken because these areas are not illuminated uniformly.

The object of the present invention is related to facilitating the use of regions of a non-uniformly backlit display. Such use can also be made for other electrical components.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a more natural positioning function of the light emitters related to a light transmitting display such as an LCD display.

In a first embodiment, the invention is directed to a display, wherein the display is

Light transmissive display,

One or more light emitters, and

A light path plate at least partially parallel to the light transmissive display and at least partially overlapping on the light transmissive display, the light path plate receiving light from the light emitter (s) and transmitting light received therein at least substantially to the light transmissive display And a light passage plate adapted to guide side by side and to transmit light through the light transmitting display,

The display has at least one taper wherein each tapered light path extends between the plate and one or more light emitter (s) and each tapered light path is adapted for transferring light from at least one light emitter to the plate. It further comprises a light path.

In this context, a light transmissive display is typically a display in which elements are employed that change color or polarization such that light can be transmitted and the transmitted light changes characteristics as the elements change. This type of display is a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).

In the context of the present invention, the overlapping of the light transmissive display and the plate is an overlap when projected onto the plane defined by the light transmissive display. Usually, the light transmitting display and the plate are flat and the light guided by the plate is guided along at least substantially the face.

Of course, the curved shapes of the plate / light transmitting display are very feasible and may be necessary for many applications. In such a case, the plate and the light transmissive display are still side-by-side in that the plate and the light transmissive display will have a corresponding shape (usually equidistant), such as two tubes having the same central axis. The only difference is that the light transmissive display has an uneven shape. The plate will perform exactly the same function as the face plate (guiding light until the light is directed towards the light transmitting display).

In the following, the area of the plate overlapping the light transmissive display will appear as the active area of the plate.

There are a number of ways for the light path plate to transmit light from the light path plate and through the light transmitting display. The present invention is likewise suitable for all such methods.

In the context of the present invention, the tapered passages have a narrow portion in the light emitters and a wide portion in the plate. In this way the passages avoid the loss of the active area of the plate by facilitating the expansion of light rays from the light emitters to the plate. Usually, the introduction of the best light is when light is introduced at least substantially parallel to the direction of the face and the plate at the light input position / side.

Of course, the tapered passages are flat and can be arranged in the plane defined by the plate. Alternatively, the tapered passages may have other shapes that allow positioning of the light emitters at more freely selectable positions.

The loss of the active area of the plate is such that the tapered light path (s) are employed to introduce light into a predetermined side of the plate, the light path (s) being of the length of the side of the plate at the side of the plate. It can be reduced when extended together up to at least 80%, such as at least 90%, preferably at least 95%. In this way, dark and useless areas of the plate between light input areas on the side of the plate can be reduced.

In one embodiment, the light passages are a single monolithic element. In this case or when the plate also forms part of the monolithic element, adjacent portions of two adjacent tapered light passages are preferably defined in a rounded shape. This rounded shape between these elements avoids micro cracking, which can be formed due to the thermal or physical stress of the light paths.

In a preferred embodiment, the space between the tapered elements and / or light emitters is used for example for the retention / storage of the electrical elements.

In a preferred embodiment, each light emitter has a largest physical dimension that is considerably shorter than the largest physical dimension of the plate. In this case, the dimension is that of the light emitting portion, in the case where the light emitter comprises other parts such as a housing, a connector and the like.

The largest physical dimension can be diameter or diagonal, for example at least 50 times larger than the largest dimension of the light emitter, preferably at least 10 times larger, such as at least 100 times larger than the largest dimension of the light emitter.

Thus, suitable lighting can still be obtained, for example, leaving room for other components.

In this regard, preferably, the display comprises at most 10 light emitters, for example at most 5 light emitters, preferably at most 3 light emitters. Due to the fact that the light emitters can be arranged more freely in relation to the plate, fewer light emitters can still be used while obtaining the desired illumination. Light emitters such as LEDs are very expensive.

One of the advantages is that light emitters with less divergence of emitted light rays require longer lengths to reach the plate to illuminate certain areas. The tapered light passages of the present invention are still useful without excessive area loss due to the area between the tapers.

In one embodiment, each of the light transmissive display and the plate has a side facing the other light transmissive display and the plate, wherein the side of the plate has an area no greater than 110% of the side area of the light transmissive display. . Therefore, only surface loss of the plate is less than 10%. In this embodiment, a predetermined plate side facing the tapered light path has a predetermined length, and between the light emitters 25% of the length, such as, for example, a length exceeding 50% of the length. There is an excess length. Thus, long lengths can be obtained between light emitting diodes even if small surface losses are obtained.

A second embodiment of the invention relates to mobile telephones comprising the display mentioned above. In mobile phones, there is a lack of space, and the possibility of placing electronic elements between light emitters is likely to place electronic elements between light emitters, such as the possibility of actually having the freer positioning function of the light emitters. Is allowed.

A third embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a display, which method

Providing a light transmitting display,

Providing a light transmitting plate to overlap on the light transmitting display in a predetermined region of the light transmitting plate, and

Providing one or more light emitters adapted to emit light into the light transmitting plate,

Providing the plate includes removing tapered portions of the plate to provide a tapered portion of the plate between each group of one or more light emitters and a predetermined region of the plate.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a display, wherein the method

Providing a light transmitting display,

Providing a light transmitting plate to overlap on the light transmitting display in a predetermined area of the light transmitting plate,

Providing one or more light emitters adapted to emit light in the light transmitting plate, and

Providing one or more tapered light passages between each group of one or more light emitters and a predetermined region of the plate.

Such a display corresponds to the first embodiment of the invention mentioned above.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view from above of a prior art backlit LCD display.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the display of FIG. 1; FIG.

3 is a view from above of a first embodiment according to the present invention;

4 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

5 shows details of another preferred embodiment according to the invention.

6 is a view showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2 show a prior art LCD display, the prior art LCD display has a real LCD 20 and the LCD 20 overlaps the top of the light transmitting plate 10 for backlighting, The light transmitting plate 10 for backlighting has an area extending outside the area of the LCD 20. In this figure, reference numeral 16 denotes an area of the plate 10 that overlaps with the LCD (when projected onto the surface on which the plate 10 is formed). On the outer edge of the plate 10, four (as an example) light emitters 12 are arranged to provide light into the plate at the plate side.

Clearly, all types of light transmissive displays can be used in place of the LCD.

However, due to the light emitting properties of the light emitters 12, dark and bright spots or areas are present in the area between the light emitters 12 and the area 16. This is actually the reason for the additional area.

Fans or tapers 14 show the light emitted from the light emitters 12. It can be seen that the areas 18 between the tapers 14 are dark and cannot be used for backlighting of the LCD 20, which is why from the light emitters 12 it is possible to illuminate the LCD sufficiently uniformly. It is arranged only in the region 16 which is disposed far enough.

3 and 4 show a first embodiment of the invention in which four light emitters 12 are used again, such as when the area 16 overlaps the LCD 20 for simplicity. However, in this embodiment, the plate currently indicated by reference numeral 10 'is made smaller. In practice, the plate 10 ′ may be adapted to mate with the region 16. Also, instead of having an area with light / dark areas 14, 18, a tapered tape is employed to receive light from the light emitters 12 and direct it to the edge 24 of the plate 10 ′. Light passages 22 are provided. In this way, areas corresponding to the dark areas 18 of the prior art can be used for example for the electronic components 19.

The electronic component 19 may be components that are usually used for controlling the LCD 20 and for other uses according to the actual use of the display 30. Thus, if desired, in a square 21 As shown, when the display 30 is used in a mobile phone, the electronic components 19 may be components for use in other functions of the phone 21.

As in the prior art, the plate 10 'and tapers 22 may be made of light transmitting plastics, glass or other light passage material.

Of course, the light emitting features (such as the radiating angles, etc.) of the light emitters 12 and the tapering shape and angle of the tapers 22 are the result of how light is input to the plate 10 ', resulting in This defines how the LCD 20 is backlit. However, these choices are very simple. One example has a shape that is adapted to maintain the overall light emission of the light emitter 12 and for example provides tapers 22 which are arranged only to guide the emitted light without displacing the light beam in the other direction. will be. This type of taper 22 directs light to the plate 10 'in the same manner as the area 14 in the plate 10. Another possibility is the use of tapers 22 to actually form the light rays emitted into the plate 10 '. Thus, good diffusion (such as by providing diffusion surfaces of the taper) may be provided and desired dispersion of light may be provided by simply providing a mirror / lens function on the taper.

The plate 10 ′ and the tapers 22 may be made as a monolithic element, or may be made of individual elements assembled using, for example, standard index matching glues. have.

5 shows an embodiment in which the area on the surface 24 between two tapers 22 can be rounded. This rounded shape 26 is in such a way simply by molding the monolithic element or the tapers 22 or through a combined drill / cutting operation of the monolithic element and the tapers 22. Can be provided. This rounded shape is intended to attempt to prevent micro cracks in the elements due to thermal or physical stresses.

6 illustrates various uses of the present invention in that only two light emitters 12 are used for illumination of the LCD. In this embodiment, the light emitters 12 are for example at the extension of the two opposite edges of the plate 10 'or at the two opposite edges of the plate 10' to provide more space for electrical components. Is provided near the extension of the field. The tapers 22 are adapted to illuminate all areas 16 in a manner in which the light emitted from the light emitters 12 is sufficient.

Obviously, the light emitters 12 need a certain distance so that the light rays of the light emitters 12 illuminate all regions 16. When made according to FIG. 1, this requires a particularly large area of plate 10.

It can be seen in this embodiment that the distance D between the light emitters is equal to the length L of the edge 24. It is also noted that although typically provided as an LED, it is preferred that the light be provided by other means and that the physical of the light emitters 12 can be provided to the locations 12 using, for example, optical fibers. The dimensions are much smaller than L.

Also, it can be seen that when only two light emitters 12 or taper 22 are used, the tapers 22 are wider at the surface 24 to block dark spots in the plate 10 '. (Each has a width (I)). In this way, the area of the plate 10 ′ may be the same as or close to the area 16.

Of course, it is possible to use more than one light emitter 12 for each taper 22.

Therefore, it is clear that the positions of the light emitters 12 can be chosen much more freely and that the tapers 22 can be used to guide light to the plate 10 'while providing the desired LCD illumination. will be.

Claims (11)

In the display, Light transmissive display, One or more light emitters, and A light path plate at least partially parallel to the light transmissive display and at least partially overlapping on the light transmissive display, the light path plate receiving light from the light emitter (s) and transmitting light received therein at least substantially to the light transmissive display And a light passage plate adapted to guide side by side and to transmit light through the light transmitting display, The display has at least one taper wherein each tapered light path extends between the plate and one or more light emitter (s) and each tapered light path is adapted for transferring light from at least one light emitter to the plate. And further comprising a true light path. The method of claim 1, wherein the tapered light path (s) are employed to introduce light into a predetermined side of the plate, the light path (s) being at least 80 of the length of the side of the plate at the side of the plate. A display characterized by extending together up to%. The display of claim 1, wherein the light paths are single monolithic elements. 4. A display according to claim 3, wherein adjacent portions of two adjacent tapered light passages are defined in a rounded shape. The method of claim 1, The display, Further comprising electrical elements disposed between the tapered elements and / or light emitters. The display of claim 1, wherein each light emitter has a largest physical dimension less than the largest physical dimension of the plate. The method of claim 6, The display, A display comprising up to ten light emitters. The display of claim 1, wherein each of the light transmissive display and the plate has a side facing the other light transmissive display and the other plate, the side of the plate defining an area no greater than 110% of the side area of the light transmissive display. And a predetermined side surface of the plate facing the tapered light path has a predetermined length and there is a length in excess of 25% of the length between the light emitters. A mobile telephone comprising the display of claim 1. In the method of manufacturing a display, The method, Providing a light transmitting display, Providing a light transmitting plate to overlap on the light transmitting display in a predetermined region of the light transmitting plate, and Providing one or more light emitters adapted to emit light into the light transmitting plate, Providing the plate comprises removing tapered portions of the plate to provide a tapered portion of the plate between each group of one or more light emitters and a predetermined region of the plate. Manufacturing method. In the method of manufacturing a display, The method, Providing a light transmitting display, Providing a light transmitting plate to overlap on the light transmitting display in a predetermined area of the light transmitting plate, Providing one or more light emitters adapted to emit light in the light transmitting plate, and Providing one or more tapered light paths between each group of one or more light emitters and a predetermined area of the plate.

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