초록 ▼

Systems and methods for providing an LCD with a collimated backlight and a non-Lambertian diffuser are described. An LCD system includes: an illumination source for producing light; a collimating waveguide optically connected to the illumination source, the collimating waveguide including a top surf

Systems and methods for providing an LCD with a collimated backlight and a non-Lambertian diffuser are described. An LCD system includes: an illumination source for producing light; a collimating waveguide optically connected to the illumination source, the collimating waveguide including a top surface, an incident end and a plurality of substantially parallel optical elements for redirecting light from the incident end to, and through, the top surface, each of the plurality of substantially parallel optical elements including a first facet that is nonparallel to the top surface and a second facet that is nonparallel to the top surface; a reflector optically connected to the light source and optically connected to the collimating waveguide, the reflector (1) at least partially surrounding the illumination source, and (2) reflecting light from said illumination source to said incident end by direct reflection; a liquid crystal display optically connected to the collimating waveguide; and a non-Lambertian diffuser optically connected to the liquid crystal display for directing light from said liquid crystal display. The light from the reflector is directly incident upon the incident end. The systems and methods provide advantages in that the light from the LCD is bright and homogenous.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus, comprising:an illumination source for producing light;a first collimating waveguide optically connected to said illumination source, said first collimating waveguide including a top surface, an incident end and a first plurality of substantially parallel opt

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus, comprising:an illumination source for producing light;a first collimating waveguide optically connected to said illumination source, said first collimating waveguide including a top surface, an incident end and a first plurality of substantially parallel optical elements for redirecting light from said incident end to, and through, said top surface by total internal reflection, each of said first plurality of optical elements including a concave first facet that is nonparallel to said top surface and a second facet that is nonparallel to said top surface, said second facet being concave with respect to said top surface;a second collimating waveguide optically connected to said first collimating waveguide, said second collimating waveguide including an upper surface and a second plurality of optical elements for redirecting light from said top surface through said upper surface;a diffuser for homogenizing light optically connected to said second collimating waveguide; anda reflector optically connected to said light source and optically connected to said first distributed wedge collimating waveguide, said reflector (1) at least partially surrounding said illumination source, and (2) reflecting light from said illumination source to said incident end by direct reflection.