Light illumination of displays with front light guide and coupling elements
US7949213B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 7, 2007 |
| Grant date | May 24, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 7, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49826
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In various embodiments described herein, a display device includes a front illumination apparatus that comprises a first light guide disposed forward of an array of display elements, such as an array of interferometric modulators, to distribute light across the array of display elements. The light guide panel is edge illuminated by a light source positioned behind the array display elements. The light from such a light source is coupled to a second light guide disposed behind the array of display elements and positioned laterally with respect to the light source. The light in the second light guide is coupled into the first light guide using a small optical coupling element such as a turning mirror. In some embodiments the second light guide may comprise the backplate of the display device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.