Patent · US Expired

Backlight assembly for improved illumination employing tapered optical elements

US5598281A · kind A · utility

224Cited by
38References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 19, 1993
Grant dateJan 28, 1997
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 19, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02F1/133607
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An improved backlight assembly comprising an array of apertures in close proximity to a light source, an array of tapered optical elements that have a light input surface area smaller than the light output surface area. Light rays pass through the apertures and are directed to the optical elements which transmit the light rays via internal reflection to provide a partially collimated light source. The light rays then pass through an array of microlenses that transmit the light rays via refraction and provide a substantially more collimated light source for the display elements of a display. The backlight assembly is advantageously used as a backlighting means for electro-optical displays, especially those designed for military and avionics applications.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.