초록 ▼

An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of referaction n1l, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination .phi.. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to

An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of referaction n1l, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination .phi.. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n2. The first layer index n2 causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An optical device for operating on light from a source and for selectively outputting light to a viewer, comprising:a base layer having at least a first and second surface, said base layer further including a back surface spanning said first and second surfaces, and the light exiting said base la

1. An optical device for operating on light from a source and for selectively outputting light to a viewer, comprising:a base layer having at least a first and second surface, said base layer further including a back surface spanning said first and second surfaces, and the light exiting said base layer when the light being reflected therein decreases its angle relative to a normal to at least one of said first and second surfaces at the point of light incidence and achieves an angle of incidence less than a critical angle .theta.c relative to the normal at the point of light incidence on said surfaces; a layer for preferably outputting light of a first polarization state compared to a second polarization state, said layer disposed beyond at least one of said first and second surfaces relative to said base layer and said layer further enabling reflection of at least part of the light having the second polarization state; and a light control layer for at least one of reflecting, transmitting and diffusing light output from said layer, thereby providing polarized light of first polarization state of controlled angular distribution; and an imaging layer for forming an image from the light of the first polarization state for display to the viewer.