Abstract: The display device (1) comprises a light transmitting first plate (2), a second plate (4) facing the first plate (2), a movable element (3) between the first plate (2) and the second plate (4) able to decouple light out of the first plate (2). The first plate (2) has a first surface (40) facing away from the movable element (3) and a second surface (14) facing the movable element (3), and electrodes (5,6,25) on the first plate (2), the second plate (4) and the movable element (3), able to locally bring the movable element (3) into contact with the first plate (2) by applying voltages to the electrodes (5,6,25).

Abstract: A foil display device has a passive plate (4) and a light guide (2) and a flexible foil (3) arranged between them. The foil (3) can selectively be brought into contact with the light guide (2) to decouple light from the light guide (2). Reflecting means (6) are located on the side of the light guide (2) which is opposite the side towards the flexible foil (3). The reflecting means (6) reflects back-scattered light back to the position from where it was scattered and thus enhances the brightness of the display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light generating device comprising a slab light guide (1), at least one light input unit (2) arranged on at least one side (10) of said light guide (1) comprising at least one light source (20) and a light incoupling means (21) for coupling light into said light guide (1), and at least one light output unit (3) arranged on at least one side (11) of said light guide (1). In order to provide a device that provides polarized light of a high homogeneity the light output unit (3) according to the present invention comprises a polarized light emitting waveguide plate (31) for selectively coupling light of a first polarization state out of said light guide (1). The present invention further relates to a display device, in particular an LCD, comprising a light generating device according to the invention.

Abstract: Display apparatus comprising an image-generating screen (46) repetitively scanned at a predetermined rate to display images, and a backlight for illuminating the screen. The backlight includes a light guide (10) arranged to constrain light by total internal reflection, the light guide having an output surface (22) with various locations from which light may be selectively coupled using a scanning arrangement (44). The scanning arrangement sequentially and repeatedly illuminates selected areas of said screen in synchronism with the repetitive scanning of the screen.

Abstract: A display device is described, which comprises a movable element (17) and selection means (15, 16) for locally bringing the movable element into contact with a selected one of two light guides (11, 12), arranged on either sides of the movable element. This provides an essentially symmetric display device, with one light guide on each side of the movable element. The display can display information in two directions, and the selection means can be controlled in a suitable way to activate selected portions of the guides. The invention can be used to provide a bi-directional display.

Abstract: A display device comprises row (5) and column (6) electrodes and a movable element (3) and means (17) for supplying voltages to the electrodes. A controllable image element is formed thereby on a crossing of the electrodes. In dependence on driving pulses received by the electrodes the movable element can be set either to the front plate or the back plate. On one side of the light guide light from a light source is coupled in the light guide; when the movable element is in contact with the light guide light is tapped from the light guide at that place. The display device can be addressed by a multiple line addressing scheme. By evenly distributing the respective lines of the different groups over the display, the homogeneity of the display is improved. In case this distribution of rows is applied to a color sequential dynamic foil display the color flash effect is reduced.

Abstract: A backlight including a light guide (10) wherein light from one or more light sources (32) is constrained by total internal reflection and from which light may be output to provide backlighting for a display screen, and a light reservoir (34) for feeding said light guide with light. The light guide has an input surface (20) including incoupling elements (24) rising therefrom and extending into the light reservoir, the incoupling elements having at least three mutually non-coplanar sidewall sections (26) extending transversely from the input surface, each sidewall section covering a different part of the input surface. The light reservoir is arranged such that light passing through one area of the light reservoir is capable of entering the light guide through each of said sidewall sections.

Abstract: A display device comprises row (5) and column (6) electrodes provided on a front plate and a light guide, a moveable element (3) provided with a common electrode (7), and means (17) for supplying voltages to the electrodes. A controllable image element is thereby formed on a crossing of the row and column electrodes. In dependence on driving pulses received by the electrodes, the moveable element can be set either to the front plate or the back plate. At one side of the light guide, light generated by a light source is coupled into the light guide. When the moveable element is in contact with the light guide, light is coupled out of the light guide at that location. Collimating means situated between the light source and the light guide improve the uniformity of the display device.