Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
  • G09G3/00—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
  • G09G3/20—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters
  • G09G3/34—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters by control of light from an independent source
  • G09G3/3433—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters by control of light from an independent source using light modulating elements actuated by an electric field and being other than liquid crystal devices and electrochromic devices
  • G09G3/3473—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters by control of light from an independent source using light modulating elements actuated by an electric field and being other than liquid crystal devices and electrochromic devices based on light coupled out of a light guide, e.g. due to scattering, by contracting the light guide with external means
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
  • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
  • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
  • G02F1/19—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on variable-reflection or variable-refraction elements not provided for in groups G02F1/015 - G02F1/169
  • G02F1/195—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on variable-reflection or variable-refraction elements not provided for in groups G02F1/015 - G02F1/169 by using frustrated reflection
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
  • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
  • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
  • G02B6/0033—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide
  • G02B6/005—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide provided by one optical element, or plurality thereof, placed on the light output side of the light guide
  • G02B6/0051—Diffusing sheet or layer
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
  • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
  • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
  • G02B6/0066—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form characterised by the light source being coupled to the light guide
  • G02B6/0068—Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
  • G09G2310/00—Command of the display device
  • G09G2310/02—Addressing, scanning or driving the display screen or processing steps related thereto
  • G09G2310/0235—Field-sequential colour display
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
  • G09G3/00—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
  • G09G3/20—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters
  • G09G3/2007—Display of intermediate tones
  • G09G3/2014—Display of intermediate tones by modulation of the duration of a single pulse during which the logic level remains constant
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
  • G09G3/00—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
  • G09G3/20—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters
  • G09G3/34—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters by control of light from an independent source
  • G09G3/3406—Control of illumination source
  • G09G3/3413—Details of control of colour illumination sources

Definitions

• This invention relates generally to light display devices, and more particularly may include an optical system to control the direction light travels as it exits a light guide.
• BEFs prism type "brightness enhancing films”
• U.S. Patent 5,467,208 "Liquid Crystal Display” by Shozo Kokawa, et al., issued Nov. 14, 1995.
• This reference discusses the prior art of prism type films and discloses improvements to the art.
• One drawback to prism films is that they have only limited control of the angles of the light output. Changes to the prism features result in only slight variations in the light output.
• the prism films are also limited to a two dimensional structure. If an application requires control of the light in three dimensions, at least two BEFs must be deployed.
• the Yamaguchi reference discloses another device to control light as it enters an LCD panel.
• the patent discloses light sources, a substrate (not used as a light guide), apertures, and reflective regions on the substrate. The light is either reflected by the reflective surface or passes through the apertures. The light that passes through the apertures is captured by a lens used to control the direction of the light.
• Yamaguchi teaches restriction of the angle of the output light to concentrate more light directly at the viewer of an LCD type display.
• the Yamaguchi device provides much greater control of the output light than can be had with a BEF device. But a drawback to the Yamaguchi device is that it is extremely inefficient.
• Various aspects include a light guide to guide light.
• Some embodiments include an optic system for a light guide that controls the angle of the light as it exits the system. It may be used in many applications from LCD to overhead lighting.
• the LCD displays are of the type used in cellular phones, laptop computers, computer monitors, TVs and commercial displays.
• the light guide may transmit light from the light guide at discrete points and/or over areas. Using the extraction elements in combination with a reflector, the output light of the device can be controlled to be parallel, divergent or convergent.
• the reflectors can be two dimensional or three dimensional.
• An advantage of the optic system of the present invention is that it accurately controls the angles of the output light.
• Another advantage of the optic system of the present invention is that it transmits light more efficiently relative to power consumption than do prior art devices.
• Yet another advantage of optic system of the present invention is that it is simple in construction, and therefore easy and economical to manufacture.
• Fig. 2 is a partial, magnified side view of the light guide with optics shown in Fig.
• Fig. 4 shows two dimensional type reflectors.
• Fig. 5 is a broken side view of the light guide, LCD, and end reflectors.
• Fig. 6 is a partial, magnified side view of a different construction of the optic system.
• Fig. 7 shows a magnified side view of another construction of the optic system.
• Fig. 8 illustrates an optic system utilizing a divergent type reflector.
• Fig. 9 shows a magnified side view of another construction of the optic system.
• Fig. 10 illustrates an embodiment.
• Fig. 11 illustrates an embodiment.
• the light guide assembly 1 of the present invention comprises a light guide 2 with a planar surface and a plurality of LEDs 3.
• the LEDs 3 may be located along a surface, such as a lower edge of the light guide 2.
• the number of colors of LEDs 3 and the side of the light guide 2 where the LEDs 3 are located may be a function of the size, shape and application of the light guide 2.
• the LEDs 3 may be situated on more than one side of the light guide 2.
• the LEDs 3 may require electronics to drive them at the proper level. A person knowledgeable in LED driver electronics could devise many different circuits to accomplish this task.
• the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a total of 27 LEDs 3 shown generally equally spaced along the bottom edge of the light guide 2. It should be recognized that other types of light sources such as a laser, incandescent light, fluorescent light, or even natural light, could suffice in the place of the LEDs 3.
• the light guide 2 is shown in a magnified side view in Fig. 2.
• Fig. 2 shows a sampling of light rays 17 emanating from the LED 3.
• Upper light ray 10 is depicted as striking the upper surface 11 of the light guide 2.
• the contact or incident angle of light ray 10 with the surface of the light guide 2 is shallow, the light reflects off of the surface of the light guide 2. This reflection is governed by the equation:
• NIg is the index of refraction of the light guide and Ns is the index of refraction of the medium outside the light guide.
• An angle "A" is an angle from normal to the surface of the light guide and is defined by Ns and NIg.
• An angle of incidence may be defined as 90° - A.
• Ns may be 1.35 or less.
• NIg might be 1.5.
• Angle A for these values may be approximately 64°.
• An angle of incidence below which light may be totally internally reflected might be approximately 26 degrees.
• TIR total internal reflection
• reflected light 13 continues in a downward direction where it encounters a window to a reflector disposed on a contact dome 14.
• the contact dome 14 is preferably the same or greater in index of refraction than the light guide 2. If the indexes of the light guide 2 and the contact dome 14 are the same, the light 13 travels from the body of the light guide into the contact dome at substantially all angles of incidence.
• the light 13 may be refracted. If the indexes of refraction are slightly different, the light 13 may be refracted. If the indexes are much different, and the contact dome 14 has a lesser index of refraction, light might reflect from the "window" region. For most applications, it is undesirable to have any light TIR in the window where the contact dome 14 makes contact with the light guide 2. Selecting a contact dome 14 with an index of refraction equal to or greater than that of the light guide 2 may aid passage of the light from light guide 2 to contact dome 14. Choosing a contact dome 14 having the same index of refraction as the body of the light guide may aid passage of light reflected by the contact dome back into the body of the light guide. [0029] The upper reflected light 13 continues through the contact dome 14 and strikes a reflector 15.
• the surface of the reflector 15 may be coated with a reflective material to reflect the light.
• the reflective material could be aluminum, silver, a dielectric interference type mirror, or other reflective materials or methods. If the reflector 15 is configured with angles that fall within the stated TIR formula, the reflector 15 may be uncoated. The incident light 13 reflects off the surface of the reflector 15.
• the reflector 15 structures are at least partially optically isolated from light passing from the light guide 2 from regions other than the contact window between light guide 2 and contact dome 14. In the configuration illustrated in Fig. 2, the isolation is accomplished by providing a slight air gap 16 between the light guide 2 and the structure comprising the reflectors 15. (An alternative method, discussed below with reference to Fig. 9, is to install a layer of a low index material between the light guide 2 and the reflector 15 structure.)
• an angular dependence of reflectivity may be created, such that low angle light is reflected off the portions of the surface having an air gap, while contact windows transmit substantially all incident light to contact dome 14.
• the shape of the reflectors 15 may determine the direction the light is reflected back into light guide 2 and therefore the nature of the output light output by light guide 2.
• Fig. 2 illustrates the reflector 15 as being generally elliptical.
• An ellipse shaped reflector 15 focuses the light to a point, or causes the light to exit the reflector 15 at multiple angles. If reflector 15 is parabolic shaped, the light exiting the light guide 2 may be generally parallel for a contact window that approaches a "point source" of the reflector. If an elliptical reflector or parabolic reflector is chosen, the focal point of the reflectors could be located at the contact window where the contact dome 14 and the light guide 2 meet.
• the reflectors 15 are shown as three dimensional type reflectors.
• the reflectors 15 could as easily be selected to be two dimensional, linear type reflectors, such as that shown in Fig. 4. Again, the choice of which type of reflector 15 is used depends on the application being considered. A user could also select many combinations of reflector shapes, and could employ them in either a two dimensional or three dimensional type configuration. Both the two dimensional and the three dimensional reflectors are shown as an array of reflectors 15 in Figs. 3 and 4. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many other types of reflector arrays could also be deployed.
• Fig. 5 shows a magnified side view of the light guide 2, an LED 3, and the end reflectors 20 and 21.
• Light will often travel through the light guide from the LED 3 and not reflect off a contact dome 14 that is in an on position and therefore extracting light from the light guide 2. In that situation, the light would travel the full length of the light guide 2.
• the end reflector 21 is formed from a material with high reflectance. Interference type or metal reflectors are two possible alternatives for the end reflector 21.
• a third possibility would be an angled, retro type reflector.
• the light will reach the originating end of the light guide 2, the end where the LEDs 3 are located. At this end of the light guide 2, the light may strike the area between the LEDs 3 or it may strike the LEDs 3. When the light strikes the area between the LEDs 3, it may be reflected by the end reflector 20. If the light guide 2 has only a few LEDs 3, the light may almost always reflect off of the high reflectance end reflector 20. In the cases of the light reflecting off an LED 3, the LED 3 might absorb a portion of the light, and the remainder of the light will be reflected.
• Light may travel up and down the light guide 2 a number of times before it is extracted by a contact dome 14. This may be the case when there are only a few contact domes 14 in the particular light guide assembly 1. If many of the contact domes 14 were present in the light guide 2, the likelihood of light making more than one or two passes along the light guide 2 may be small. Even in the case of a large number of reflections with the light making multiple passes along the light guide 2, the loss of light may be small.
• the end reflectors 20, 21 may have reflectance efficiencies of 98% or better, and good quality light guide material absorbs very little light.
• FIG. 6 An alternate configuration of the light guide assembly 1 is shown in Fig. 6, in which the reflectors 15 are hollow rather than made from a solid material as is typically the case.
• the contact dome 14 employs a tapered or spherical surface 22 so the upper reflected light 13 passes through the contact dome 14 and continues along a generally straight path toward the surface of the reflector 15 when the contact dome is in the on position.
• the function of the light guide assembly 1 illustrated in Fig. 6 is the same as for the guide assembly 1 illustrated in Fig. 2, the only difference being the utilization of hollow reflectors 15'.
• FIG. 7 Another configuration of the light guide assembly 1 is illustrated in Fig. 7. In the configuration shown in Fig. 7, the features of the contact dome 14 are cut into the surface of the light guide 2.
• Fig. 8 shows a configuration of the light guide assembly 1 in which the output light is spread as opposed to being directed to a focal point.
• the shape of the reflectors 15 controls the output effect of the light.
• the shape of the reflectors 15 is chosen to scatter the reflected light rays 18, as opposed to directing the light to a focal point.
• a thin layer 30 of a material with a low index of refraction separates the light guide 2 from the structure supporting the reflectors 15.
• the thickness of the low index layer 30 in Fig. 9 is not necessarily to scale. In practice, the low index layer 30 might be microns thick. The thin layer 30 may be deposited with a lithographic process. The reflectors 15 and contact domes 14" might be molded in direct contact with (e.g., welded to) the light guide 2 and the thin layer 30. Adhesive can be used as the low index material 30. Choosing an adhesive as the low index material 30 may be beneficial to the manufacturing process.
• FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment.
• Light 1000 may be transmitted through light guide 1010.
• Light guide 1010 may have a first index of refraction and may include one or more surfaces between light guide 1010 and another medium (e.g., a solid, liquid, air, or even vacuum) having a second index of refraction. Surfaces may be substantially planar, curved, elongated (e.g., having one dimension much greater than another dimension, such as ten times or even 100 times greater) and other shapes.
• Light guide 1010 may include a first surface 1020 configured to receive light from a light source (not shown), a second surface 1030 (e.g., from which light may exit light guide 1010), and a third surface 1040 associated with various light control apparatus.
• Light guide 1010 may include one or more fourth surfaces 1050.
• fourth surface 1050 may receive light from a light source.
• fourth surface 1050 may be at least partially mirrored.
• fourth surface 1050 may include a fully reflecting mirror, which may reflect light incident on fourth surface 1050 from within light guide 1010 back into light guide 1010.
• Light guide 1010 may be characterized by one or more lengths, such as length 1012 and thickness 1014. Lengths may be chosen according to various application specifications (e.g., cell phone screen, household lighting form factor, TV size, and the like).
• Lengths may be chosen according to various materials properties (e.g., thickness 1014 may be chosen according to the index of refraction of light guide 1010, an angle associated with TIR in light guide 1010, a specification for light quality exiting light guide 1010 (e.g., a requirement that light be within a few degrees of normal to second surface 1030), and the like.
• First surface 1020 may be at least partially reflecting (e.g., a half mirror), and may be configured to reflect light arriving at first surface 1020 from within light guide 1010 back into light guide 1010.
• First surface 1020 may be flat, curved, or otherwise shaped.
• First surface 1020 may be disposed at an angle 1022 with respect to one or more other surfaces of light guide 1010. Angle 1022 may be between 45 and 135 degrees, between 70 and 110 degrees, and/or between 80 and 100 degrees. In some cases, angle 1022 may be chosen according to various predicted angles of internal reflection within light guide 1010.
• Light from a light source may be transmitted through fourth surface 1050 into light guide 1010.
• Fourth surface 1050 may be at least partially reflecting (e.g., a half mirror), and may be configured to reflect light arriving at fourth surface 1050 from within light guide 1010 back into light guide 1010.
• Fourth surface 1050 may be flat, curved, or otherwise shaped.
• Fourth surface 1050 may be disposed at an angle 1052 with respect to one or more other surfaces of light guide 1010. Angle 1052 may be between 45 and 135 degrees, between 70 and 110 degrees, and/or between 80 and 100 degrees. In some cases, angle 1052 may be chosen according to various predicted angles of internal reflection within light guide 1010.
• Some surfaces may be configured to reflect light (incident on the surface from within light guide 1010) back into light guide 1010 at one or more preferred directions. In some cases, surfaces may reflect light in a manner that minimizes undesirable transmission of reflected light out of light guide 1010. In certain cases, light may be reflected at angles less than an incident angle associated with TIR from another surface (such as second surface 1030 and/or third surface 1040).
• Some surfaces e.g., third surface 1040 and/or optionally second surface 1030
• An angular dependence of reflectivity may be created via control of the indices of refraction on either side of the surface.
• An angular dependence of the reflectivity may be created via other methods, such as nanostructuring of the surface, the use of surface coatings, and the like.
• surfaces are designed such that incident light at a low angle of incidence (e.g., below 45 degrees, below 30 degrees, below 20 degrees, or even below 10 degrees) is reflected.
• surfaces are designed such that incident light at a high angle of incidence (e.g., normal to the surface, within 2 degrees of normal, within 5 degrees of normal, within 10 degrees of normal, and/or within 20 degrees of normal) may pass through the surface.
• a surface of light guide 1010 may include one or more windows 1060.
• a window 1060 is disposed in third surface 1040, and light exits light guide 1010 via second surface 1030.
• Some implementations include tens, hundreds, thousands, millions, or even billions of windows 1060.
• Certain implementations include one, two, three, five, or ten windows 1060.
• a window 1060 may be characterized by one or more dimensions 1062, such as a length, width, radius, and/or other dimensions characterizing various aspects of window 1060.
• Windows 1060 may be characterized as "transparent" to substantially all incident light, and may allow for the transmission of light from within the "body" of light guide 1010 to other structures (such as contact domes, reflectors, and the like).
• Reflectors may be a variety of shapes (parabolic, elliptical, linear, curved, flat, and other shapes).
• a window may have different reflectors associated with different directions of incident light.
• a shape of reflector 1070 may be chosen according to a preferential receipt of light incident from a direction associated with first surface 1020
• reflector 1072 may be chosen according to a preferential receipt of light incident from a direction associated with fourth surface 1050.
• Windows 1060 provide for the passage of light through the window to one or more reflectors.
• reflectors 1070 and 1072 are disposed in a position to reflect incident light.
• Reflectors may generally be full mirrors (e.g., completely and/or specularly reflective).
• Reflectors may be characterized by one or more dimensions.
• reflectors may be characterized by dimensions 1074, 1076, and 1078, and may optionally be characterized by other dimensions (e.g., normal to the page).
• third surface 1040 functions as an angularly dependent mirror via a reflectivity induced by different indices of refraction on either side of the surface.
• Such an implementation may include reflectors 1070 and 1072 disposed on a contact dome 1080 fabricated from the same material as light guide 1010. Reflective portions of third surface 1040 may include an air gap, and window 1060 may include an optically transparent bond between the contact dome 1080 and the "body" of light guide 1010, as described previously.
• Light having a shallow incidence angle on third surface 1040 may reflect off third surface 1040.
• Light (e.g., light 1000) passing through window 1060 may be reflected by a reflector (e.g., reflector 1070) back toward a surface (e.g., third surface 1040).
• a reflector e.g., reflector 1070
• Such as reflection may result in reflected light 1000 having a large angle of incidence with respect to third surface 1040 and/or second surface 1030, which may result in passage of the light out of light guide 1010 (e.g., via second surface 1030).
• Such angles are schematically shown in FIG. 10 via smaller angles, with respect to surface normals, than TIR angles A.
• Various dimensions may be chosen according to application requirements. For example, as a radius 1062 of a round window 1060 decreases, light passing through window 1060 may increasingly behave as if arriving at reflector 1070 from a "point source," which may provide for utilization of a specific geometery for reflector 1070 (e.g., parabolic) that results in light exiting light guide 1010 via second surface 1030 at a substantially normal angle to second surface 1030.
• a point source may provide for utilization of a specific geometery for reflector 1070 (e.g., parabolic) that results in light exiting light guide 1010 via second surface 1030 at a substantially normal angle to second surface 1030.
• FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment.
• Light 1100 may be guided by light guide 1110.
• Light guide 1110 may include surface 1130 and surface 1140.
• Surface 1140 may be at least partially reflective, and may reflect incident light that arrives at an angle of incidence shallower (with respect to the surface) or larger (with respect to the surface normal) of an angle A associated with TIR.
• Surface 1140 may include a window 1160, which may be in optical communication with a reflector 1170.
• Reflector 1170 may be characterized by a dimension 1172.
• dimension 1172 may be approximately equal to (e.g., within 10% of, 5% of, 2% of, or even 1% of) the size of a pixel of a display device configured to display light guided by light guide 1110.
• a light source provides light that is guided by light guide 1110.
• each pixel associated with a display device may be associated with a window 1160 and/or reflector 1170.
• Surface 1130 may include a "lens" or other shape associated with transmission of light through surface 1130.
• a shape of this lens may be chosen to modify an angle of transmittance of light from surface 1130. For example, mildly divergent light may be modified to become parallel and/or normal to a plane associated with light guide 1100.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
• Nonlinear Science (AREA)
• Devices For Indicating Variable Information By Combining Individual Elements (AREA)
• Planar Illumination Modules (AREA)
• Optical Elements Other Than Lenses (AREA)
• Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)
• Measurement Of The Respiration, Hearing Ability, Form, And Blood Characteristics Of Living Organisms (AREA)
• Mechanical Light Control Or Optical Switches (AREA)
• Control Of Indicators Other Than Cathode Ray Tubes (AREA)

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• 2009
  • 2009-12-31 CN CN2009801562728A patent/CN102395922A/zh active Pending
  • 2009-12-31 CN CN2009801562709A patent/CN102341748A/zh active Pending
  • 2009-12-31 EP EP09809010A patent/EP2384455A2/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2009-12-31 WO PCT/US2009/006763 patent/WO2010077367A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2009-12-31 JP JP2011544418A patent/JP2012514761A/ja not_active Withdrawn
  • 2009-12-31 WO PCT/US2009/006757 patent/WO2010077363A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2009-12-31 JP JP2011544420A patent/JP2012514835A/ja not_active Withdrawn
  • 2009-12-31 KR KR1020117018090A patent/KR20110139194A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2009-12-31 KR KR1020117018088A patent/KR20110139193A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2009-12-31 EP EP09799444A patent/EP2384454A1/en not_active Withdrawn

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