Patent · US Expired

Polarizing back-lighting system for direct view liquid crystal displays

US6285423A · kind A · utility

13Cited by
8References
31Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 26, 1999
Grant dateSep 4, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 26, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02F1/133615
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A polarizing light source for providing polarized illumination over a two-dimensional surface has a slab-like light guide with an entrance face at one end thereof for admitting unpolarized light from a linear source, a planar front face for emitting polarized light, a planar back face, and an end face. A polarizing device is located on said back face for reflecting light of a first polarization and transmitting light of a second polarization at non-normal angles of incidence. The reflected light is directed in the light guide to the end face. A reflective arrangement under the polarizing device returns the transmitted light to the light guide in a direction substantially normal to the polarizing device such that it passes unaffected through the polarizing device for exit through the front face. A polarization converter on the end face changes the polarization of the reflected light and directs it into the reflective arrangement through the polarizing device as light of the second polarization for return to the light guide through the polarizing device in a direction substantially normal to the polarizing device such that it passes unaffected through the polarizing device from the r…

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