Abstract: In one aspect, an illumination device with integrated touch sensor capability includes a light guide having a metalized light-turning feature and an electrode system for sensing changes to the capacitance between electrodes in the electrode system induced by the proximity of an electrically conductive body, such as a human finger. The metalized light-turning features may be electrically connected to and/or part of the electrode system.

Abstract: In one aspect, an illumination device with integrated touch sensor capability includes a light guide having a metalized light-turning feature and an electrode system for sensing changes to the capacitance between electrodes in the electrode system induced by the proximity of an electrically conductive body, such as a human finger. The metalized light-turning features may be electrically connected to and/or part of the electrode system.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a front illumination device with metalized light-turning features. In one aspect, an illumination device with integrated touch sensor capability includes a light guide having a metalized light-turning feature and an electrode system for sensing changes to the capacitance between electrodes in the electrode system induced by the proximity of an electrically conductive body, such as a human finger. The metalized light-turning features may be electrically connected to and/or part of the electrode system.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a front illumination device with metalized light-turning features. In one aspect, an illumination device with integrated touch sensor capability includes a light guide having a metalized light-turning feature and an electrode system for sensing changes to the capacitance between electrodes in the electrode system induced by the proximity of an electrically conductive body, such as a human finger. The metalized light-turning features may be electrically connected to and/or part of the electrode system.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a front illumination device with metalized light-turning features. In one aspect, an illumination device includes a light guide having light-turning features that include recesses formed on the light guide and that extend down into the light guide. The recesses may be coated with a material where the material also forms an auxiliary structure outside of the recesses on the light guide. The auxiliary structure may be conductive and may form, for example, an electrode.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a front illumination device with metalized light-turning features. In one aspect, an illumination device with integrated touch sensor capability includes a light guide having a metalized light-turning feature and an electrode system for sensing changes to the capacitance between electrodes in the electrode system induced by the proximity of an electrically conductive body, such as a human finger. The metalized light-turning features may be electrically connected to and/or part of the electrode system.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for improving brightness, contrast, and viewable angle of a reflective display. In one aspect, a display includes a structure having a steering layer including steering features. The steering features are configured to direct light away from inactive regions of a display and towards active regions of the display. The structure may also include a diffuser for scattering light incident on the display and reflected by the display.

Abstract: A light guide device includes a light guide body and two or more pluralities of spaced-apart slits. The slits are formed by undercuts in the light guide body. Sidewalls of the slits form facets that redirect light impinging on the facets. In some embodiments, the light guide body is attached to a light source. The light source emits light that is injected into the light guide body and the slits redirect the light out of the light guide body and towards a desired target. In some embodiments, the target is a display and a first plurality of slits directs light from the light source across the light guide body and over the face of the display. A second plurality of slits then directs light out of the light guide body and towards the display.

Abstract: A illumination device comprises a light guide having a first end for receiving light and configured to support propagation of light along the length of the light guide. A turning microstructure is disposed on a first side of the light guide configured to turn light incident on the first side and to direct the light out a second opposite side of the light guide, wherein the turning microstructure comprises a plurality of indentations. A cover is physically coupled to the light guide and disposed over the turning microstructure. An interlayer is between the cover and the light guide, wherein the interlayer physically couples the cover to the light guide. A plurality of open regions is between the interlayer and the plurality of indentations. Various embodiments include methods of coupling the cover to the light guide while preserving open regions between the cover and plurality of indentations.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An edge bar having features that discriminate between light propagating in one direction versus the opposite direction may be configured so as to couple light into a light guide while significantly mitigating against edge shadow artifact.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a front illumination device with metalized light-turning features. In one aspect, an illumination device includes a light guide having light-turning features that include recesses formed on the light guide and that extend down into the light guide. The recesses may be coated with a material where the material also forms an auxiliary structure outside of the recesses on the light guide. The auxiliary structure may be conductive and may form, for example, an electrode.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a front illumination device with metalized light-turning features. In one aspect, an illumination device with integrated touch sensor capability includes a light guide having a metalized light-turning feature and an electrode system for sensing changes to the capacitance between electrodes in the electrode system induced by the proximity of an electrically conductive body, such as a human finger. The metalized light-turning features may be electrically connected to and/or part of the electrode system.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclose an illumination apparatus. The apparatus may comprise a light guide supporting propagation of light and having at least a portion of one of its edges comprising an array of microstructures. These microstructures may be incorporated in the input window of the light guide to control the light intensity distributed within the light guide. In certain embodiments, the directional intensity of the light entering the light guide may be modified to achieve a desired distribution across the light guide.

Abstract: Illumination device and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, an illumination device includes a light source, a light guide having a first planar surface, a first end and a second end, and a length therebetween, the light guide positioned to receive light from the light source into the light guide first end, and the light guide configured such that light from the light source provided into the first end of the light guide propagates towards the second end, a plurality of light turning features that are configured to reflect light propagating towards the second end of the light guide out of the planar first surface, and one or more light redirection features configured to redirect light within the light guide at more useful angles.

Abstract: A shielding material that can be arranged with respect to display elements to reduce potential damage or degraded performance caused by incident EM, such as UV and/or IR. The shielding material can be configured to be substantially transparent in visible light wavelengths. The shielding material can include inorganic materials, such as oxides including zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Display elements can include a shielding material and an outer coating to reduce undesirable optical characteristics of an air/shielding material interface. The shielding material can be electrically conductive and function as a conductive layer in a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. In some embodiments, the shielding material can be disposed forward (closer to the viewer) of the electrodes of the display elements to prevent the high energy UV light from building up electrical charge in the electrodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for illuminating interferometric modulator reflective displays are disclosed. One embodiment includes a display including a plurality of interferometric modulators configured to reflect a spectrum of radiation having a reflectance response peak at one or more wavelengths. A plurality of quantum dots are configured to emit radiation having a peak wavelength substantially at said one or more wavelengths, and the display is configured such that light emitted from the quantum dots irradiates the plurality of interferometric modulators.

Abstract: A light guide device includes a light guide body and two or more pluralities of spaced-apart slits. The slits are formed by undercuts in the light guide body. Sidewalls of the slits form facets that redirect light impinging on the facets. In some embodiments, the light guide body is attached to a light source. The light source emits light that is injected into the light guide body and the slits redirect the light out of the light guide body and towards a desired target. In some embodiments, the target is a display and a first plurality of slits directs light from the light source across the light guide body and over the face of the display. A second plurality of slits then directs light out of the light guide body and towards the display.

Abstract: A illumination device comprises a light guide having a first end for receiving light and configured to support propagation of light along the length of the light guide. A turning microstructure is disposed on a first side of the light guide configured to turn light incident on the first side and to direct the light out a second opposite side of the light guide, wherein the turning microstructure comprises a plurality of indentations. A cover is physically coupled to the light guide and disposed over the turning microstructure. An interlayer is between the cover and the light guide, wherein the interlayer physically couples the cover to the light guide. A plurality of open regions is between the interlayer and the plurality of indentations. Various embodiments include methods of coupling the cover to the light guide while preserving open regions between the cover and plurality of indentations.