This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing illumination by using a light guide to distribute light. In one aspect, the light guide has a surface, such as an edge, into which light is injected. The surface is treated to create a diffusive interface with a light source. For example, the surface may be subjected to abrasion to form a frosted surface that acts as the diffusive interface, or a diffusive structure may be attached to the edge, with the attached diffusive structure functioning as the diffusive interface. The diffusive interface diffuses light entering into the light guide, and can thereby increase the uniformity of light propagating within the light guide. The light guide may be provided with light turning features that redirect light out of the light guide. In some implementations, the redirected light may be applied to illuminate a display.

Claims

44 · 5 independent · depth 6

44 granted claims

›1.independentAn illumination system, comprising:na light guide having a frosted light input surface on an edge of the light guide; anda light source configured to …+13

›2.↳ 1The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the frosted light input surface has a surface roughness Ra of about 0.1-5 μm.d2+1

›4.↳ 1The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the striations are non-uniform and irregularly spaced apart.d2

›5.↳ 1The illumination system of claim 1, wherein the light guide includes a plurality of light turning features configured to eject light propagating withi…d2+9

›6.↳ 5The illumination system of claim 5, further comprising a display having a major surface facing the major surface of the light guide, wherein the light…d3+8

›7.↳ 6The illumination system of claim 6, wherein the light guide forms part of a front light.d4

›8.↳ 6The illumination system of claim 6, wherein the display is a reflective display including an array of inteferometric modulators.d4

›9.↳ 6The illumination system of claim 6, further comprising:na processor that is configured to communicate with the display, the processor being configured…d4+5

›15.independentA method for manufacturing an illumination system, comprising:nproviding a light guide having a frosted light input surface on an edge of the light gu…+4

›20.independentAn illumination system, comprising:na light guide having a light input surface;a diffuser coupled to the light input surface, the diffuser having a fr…+9

›21.↳ 20The illumination system of claim 20, wherein the diffuser is attached to an edge of the light guide.d2+1

›23.↳ 20The illumination system of claim 20, wherein the frosted light input surface is configured to pass light to the light input surface of the light guide…d2+1

›25.↳ 20The illumination system of claim 20, wherein embedded structures configured to diffuse light are distributed within the diffuser.d2

›26.↳ 20The illumination system of claim 20, wherein the light source is embedded in a cavity in the diffuser.d2+1

›28.↳ 20The illumination system of claim 20, further comprising a display, wherein the light guide includes a plurality of light turning features configured t…d2+1

›30.independentA method for manufacturing an illumination system, comprising:nproviding a light guide having a light input surface;providing a diffuser coupled to th…+5

›36.independentAn illumination system, comprising:na light guide having a light input interface;a light source configured to inject light into the light guide via th…+8

›37.↳ 36The illumination system of claim 36, wherein the light source is a light emitting diode.d2

›38.↳ 36The illumination system of claim 36, wherein the light input interface is an edge of the light guide.d2

›39.↳ 36The illumination system of claim 36, wherein the means for diffusing light is a frosted surface of the light input interface.d2+2

›42.↳ 36The illumination system of claim 36, wherein the means for diffusing light is a coating applied to the light input interface or an optically diffusive…d2+2

Classifications

3 codes

IPC · International Patent Classification

Section F — Mechanical engineering; lighting; heating; weapons

F21V7/04

USPC · US Patent Classification

362/621362/622

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File wrapper

Pendency

2.8 y

1,012 days filing → grant

Office actions

non-final + final

Responses

4 RCE

Interviews

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Examiner

Anne Hines

art unit 2879 · TC 2800

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Citations: 208 back · 0 forward

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Priority chain

2 priority documents

Priority

16 Nov 2010

earliest claimed

›Priority documents — 2

Type	Document	Date
provisional	US 61414345	16 Nov 2010
related publication	US 20120120080 A1	17 May 2012

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