초록 ▼

A light source comprises an array of contiguous transparent blocks, each of which contains a light emitter such as a cold cathode fluorescent tube. The blocks have a transparent front surface which may be optically diffusing, the other surfaces being coated with a thin optically reflective layer so

A light source comprises an array of contiguous transparent blocks, each of which contains a light emitter such as a cold cathode fluorescent tube. The blocks have a transparent front surface which may be optically diffusing, the other surfaces being coated with a thin optically reflective layer so that each block acts as a light guide. The tubes are independently controllable, for instance so as to simulate a moving light source which may be controlled so as to track the position of an observer of a 3D display.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A light source, comprising:a plurality of optical waveguides, each optical waveguide comprising a block having a light emitting face from which light is emitted towards an observer, an end face opposite the light emitting face, and two side faces opposing each other and e

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A light source, comprising:a plurality of optical waveguides, each optical waveguide comprising a block having a light emitting face from which light is emitted towards an observer, an end face opposite the light emitting face, and two side faces opposing each other and extending between the light emitting face and the end face with a distance between the light emitting face and the end face being greater than a distance between the side faces,wherein the plurality of optical waveguides are positioned adjacent each other such that the side face of one optical waveguide is substantially adjacent the side face of an adjacent optical waveguide, the light emitting faces of the plurality of optical waveguides are substantially contiguous with each other, and the side faces of the plurality of optical waveguides each include a fully optically reflective surface; andthe light source further comprises a plurality of individually controllable light emitting means each comprising at least one light emitter, wherein a corresponding one of the individually controllable light emitting means is located proximate the end face of a respective optical waveguide such that the respective optical waveguide receives light only from the individually controllable light emitting means while substantially preventing passage of light from the other light emitting means between adjacent waveguides, andwherein substantially non-collimated light provided from each corresponding individually controllable light emitting means propagates through the respective optical waveguide from the end face towards the light emitting face by interacting with the reflective surfaces, and is emitted as substantially non-collimated light from the light emitting face so as to provide output light across adjacent light emitting faces having a generally uniform profile.