Specifically For Guiding Light In A Front-lit Device Patents (Class 349/63)
  • Patent number: 7768605
    Abstract: A display stack-up (300) is provided for a mobile electronic device (100) having an internal and external display, for example, a clamshell style mobile phone. The display stack-up comprises a backlight unit (114) and an external display device (110) having bi-stable optical states. The external display device (110) is placed in contact with, and is optically coupled to, the backlight unit (114). The display stack-up further comprises an internal display device (106) which is placed in contact with, and is optically coupled to, the external display device (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Polak
  • Patent number: 7760284
    Abstract: A liquid crystal device includes a liquid crystal panel; light sources; a light guide plate, opposed to the light sources, for guiding light emitted from the light sources to the liquid crystal panel; a flexible printed circuit board electrically connected to the liquid crystal panel; and a housing accommodating the liquid crystal panel and the light guide plate. The flexible printed circuit board is fixed to the rear face of the light guide plate in such a state that the flexible printed circuit board is curved. The liquid crystal panel is fixed to the housing with a light-shielding double-faced tape placed outside a display region including a sub-region containing the light sources. The light sources are spaced from the light-shielding double-faced tape with an adhesion-preventing member disposed therebetween or adhesion-preventing treatment is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Epson Imaging Devices Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuji Murase
  • Patent number: 7760296
    Abstract: The present invention provides for improved contrast in the transmissive mode of a transflective liquid crystal display having a rear stack polarizing means (302) which is transmissive for light having a desired polarization and reflective for light having an opposite, undesired polarization. The contrast is improved due to enhancements of the black state provided by the inclusion of a reflection preventing means (306). The reflection preventing means is arranged between the transflector (301) and the rear stack polarizer (302), and serves to stop light transmitted through the rear stack polarizer (302) towards the transflector (301) from being reflected by the transflector (301) back to the rear polarizer (302). Thereby undesired reflections having wrong polarization are stopped from being transmitted through the transflector (301) and thus from affecting the transmissive mode black state of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: TPO Hong Kong Holding Limited
    Inventors: Nicole Alide Christianne Maria Gotink-Meinders, Rudolf Jozef Marie Beeren
  • Publication number: 20100149456
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device (100) according to the present invention includes: a scattering liquid crystal panel (110) including a scattering-type liquid crystal layer (140) which is capable of taking a transparent state; and a scattering state and a retroreflection plate (150). The scattering liquid crystal panel (110) before being combined with the retroreflection plate (150) satisfies the relationship of 0.45?log(I0-10/I20-30)?1.48, where, regarding light which enters through a rear face (110b) of the scattering liquid crystal panel (110) and goes out through a front face (110a), I0-10 represents a mean value of scattering intensity of light which goes out at an angle in a range from 0 degrees to 10 degrees with respect to a normal direction of the front face (110a), and I20-30 represents a mean value of scattering intensity of light which goes out in a range from 20 degrees to 30 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Sayuri Fujiwara, Kiyoshi Minoura, Eiji Satoh, Yasushi Asaoka
  • Patent number: 7733437
    Abstract: Provided are a display device and a mobile terminal having the same. The display device comprises a transmissive liquid crystal panel, a first backlight unit on a rear side of the transmissive liquid crystal panel, a second backlight unit on a front side of the transmissive liquid crystal panel, and an optical shutter outside at least one of the first and second backlight units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Ha Hwang, Seung Gon Kang
  • Patent number: 7714956
    Abstract: A front-illuminating device of the present invention, which is placed over the entire surface of an object to be illuminated such as a reflection-type liquid crystal display device when it is used, is provided with a light source and a light-directing body. The light-directing body has an incident surface on which light from the light source (light-source light) is made incident, a first light-releasing surface for releasing the light toward the object to be illuminated, and a second light-releasing surface which faces the first light-releasing surface and releases reflected light from the object to be illuminated. The second light-releasing surface is formed into a step shape in which slanting portions and flat portions are alternately placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaka Sawayama, Yukihiro Sumida, Takeshi Masuda, Tsuyoshi Ebi
  • Patent number: 7708451
    Abstract: A bottom frame for a liquid crystal display device includes a bottom surface, four side surfaces attached to the bottom surface, the four side surfaces along with the bottom surface define a space, first and second holes in two side surfaces, the first and second holes opposite to each other in two opposite side surfaces, and affixing structures at the bottom surface and spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myong-Gi Jang, Hak-Mo Hwang
  • Publication number: 20100053501
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes at least a liquid crystal display panel, which uses a pair of transparent substrates which are arranged to face each other with liquid crystal disposed therebetween as an envelope, and a light guide plate, which guides light from a light source, being sequentially arranged from a viewer side. The liquid crystal display panel forms light reflection layers on a liquid-crystal-side surface of the light-guide-plate side transparent substrate using portions of respective pixels and forms color filters which face the light reflection layers on the liquid-crystal-side surface of one transparent substrate or a liquid-crystal-side surface of the other transparent substrate which faces the one transparent substrate. Light from the light source is irradiated such that respective colors thereof, which constitute three primary colors, are sequentially changed over.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Nakayoshi, Kazuhiko Yanagawa
  • Patent number: 7661835
    Abstract: A direct type backlight has a plate and a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) rows. The LED rows are disposed on the plate, and every two adjacent LED rows have a row gap positioned therebetween. The one of these gaps, which is nearest to the center of the direct type backlight, is a minimum gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Shen-Hong Chou, Hui-Kai Chou
  • Patent number: 7643105
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a system that displays interactive messages by light emission of preset response depending on the direction of the light from indefinite light source; a light collecting device is used to collect the incidental light from an indefinite light source into clustered beam with higher luminance to be projected into one end of a light guide device before being projected in one direction or multi directions from another end of the light guide device, or light emitted display of selected text or graphics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 7639317
    Abstract: A backlight unit of a liquid crystal display device includes a mold frame having a receiving space for receiving a reflection sheet, a prism sheet a diffusion sheet, a plurality of light-emitting diodes, and a shielding tape for affixing the reflection sheet, the prism sheet, the plurality of light-emitting diodes and the diffusion sheet within the receiving space, wherein a first color is colored at a plurality of first colored areas at a lower surface of the shielding tape corresponding to the plurality of light-emitting diodes and a second color is colored at a remaining area of the lower surface of the shielding tape other than the plurality of first colored areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ki Hyun Cho
  • Publication number: 20090316071
    Abstract: A dual liquid crystal display (LCD) device including a first LCD panel displaying an image on a first surface; a second LCD panel formed on the same substrate to display an image on a second surface; a light source disposed at an adjacent side under the first LCD panel; a light guide disposed under the first and second LCD panels and including a first light guide block corresponding to the first LCD panel and having dot patterns formed in a first surface and a second light guide block corresponding to the second LCD panel and having taper-cascade grooves formed on a first surface; and a housing settling the first and second LCD panels, the light source and the light guide and having an opening to correspond to an image display surface of the second LCD panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Kyu-Han Bae, Shawn Kim, James Kim, Chang-Won Lee, David Lee, Hwal Choi
  • Publication number: 20090303399
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a reflective liquid crystal display apparatus which includes a polarization beam splitter having a polarization split film used as both a polarizer and an analyzer; a reflective liquid crystal display device; a quarter wave plate; and a projection optical system; where the absolute value of phase difference of diffracted light generated by the reflective liquid crystal display device in a black display state is reduced by the phase difference of the quarter wave plate, and thus the amount of stray light of the diffracted light guided from the polarizing beam splitter to the projection optical system decreases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masayuki Abe
  • Patent number: 7623197
    Abstract: A flat screen comprises a liquid-crystal element, such as an LCD element, for representing an image. Further, a plurality of point light sources, such as LEDs, are provided. Between the point light sources and the liquid-crystal element a light-guiding element is arranged. For rendering the brightness distribution more uniform, the light-guiding element comprises at a surface thereof a plurality of diffractive surface elements arranged in cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Nanogate Advanced Materials GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Klenke
  • Publication number: 20090284684
    Abstract: An optical coupling device for coupling light with an optical waveguide comprises a mirror formed within an optical waveguide. The mirror comprises a first material, a first reflective end, and a second reflective end. The first material is light conducting and has a first refractive index. The first and second reflective ends reflect and transmit light. The mirror has an axis line. The optical coupling device is useful for extracting light from a waveguide and providing a backlight for a liquid crystal display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Roger F. Dangel, Folkert Horst, Tobias P. Lamprecht, Bert Jan Offrein
  • Patent number: 7618178
    Abstract: A backlight unit comprises: (1) a light source; (2) a light guide plate (LGP) having an incident face toward the light source and having a refractive index nLGP; (3) a reflective polarizer having formed birefringence in optical contact with the LGP including a layer having parameters of the reflective polarizer selected to provide R0>0.8 for one polarization state and T90>0.8 for the orthogonal polarization state, for light of wavelength of 550 nm, for least one reflective polarizer angle of light incidence ?a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: SKC Haas Display Films Co., Lt.d
    Inventors: Xiang-Dong Mi, Junwon Lee, David Kessler
  • Patent number: 7609248
    Abstract: A luminance control apparatus of a liquid crystal display device (LCD) is presented. The LCD includes a liquid crystal display panel divided into areas, lamps, an arithmetic unit, and a lamp driver. Fewer lamps are present than the number of areas. The arithmetic unit scans pixels of each area, extracts a peak value of the gray level of pixels of the area, and calculates a maximum peak brightness value and an average value of the area. The lamp driver controls the brightness of the lamps in accordance with the average value and the maximum peak brightness value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: LG. Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee Jung Hong, Kyung Joon Kwon
  • Publication number: 20090231512
    Abstract: A display is provided that comprises a reflection board and a display element. The reflection board includes a plurality of first inclinations and a plurality of second inclinations which are alternately arranged to form an uneven reflective surface to reflect and diffuse incident light. The display element has controllable transparency at each pixel and is disposed in front of the reflective surface. The mean inclination angle of the first inclination occurs within a range of 10 to 25 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicants: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY, HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuo UCHIDA, Takahiro ISHINABE, Yoshito SUZUKI, Keiji SAWANOBORI
  • Patent number: 7583327
    Abstract: A liquid crystal layer, a color filter, a thick resin layer, and a parallax barrier layer are provided between two transparent substrates. The separation between the color filter and the parallax barrier layer is adjusted using the thick resin layer to a short distance suitable for dual image displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoo Takatani
  • Patent number: 7576811
    Abstract: A planar light source unit includes a metal frame retaining a light source panel provided with an light guide for inducing emission of light from a light source and a plastic frame that supports at least part of a peripheral edge of the light guide. The outer peripheral surface of the plastic frame with a fitting structure between the metal frame and the plastic frame and an outer frame portion contiguous to the support plate portion and sandwiched between the fixing means and the outer frame portion of the metal frame. A liquid crystal display panel is provided with a display region in which plural display pixels are arrayed and the planar light source unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ida Kazushige
  • Patent number: 7570320
    Abstract: A waveguide having an adjustable index of refraction (or an adjustable optical path length, or for providing an adjustable optical phase delay) based in part on thermal effects in the waveguide. In one example, the waveguide may include a core for guiding a light beam through the waveguide; at least one cladding; liquid crystal material disposed within the waveguide; and at least one temperature control element, such as resistive heater, for receiving at least one control signal to control a temperature of at least a portion of the liquid crystal material; wherein the index of refraction (or the optical path length, or the optical phase delay of the light beam) of the waveguide is altered by an amount that is controlled by the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Vescent Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael H. Anderson, Scott D. Rommel, Scott R. Davis
  • Patent number: 7568827
    Abstract: A light guide member for guiding light incident thereon from a light source, the light guide member including a plurality of the first grooves extending along a first direction on a first side of the light guide member, a plurality of second grooves extending along a second direction on the first side of the light guide member, the first direction may cross the second direction such that the first grooves and the second grooves may form a matrix pattern on the first side of the light guide member, wherein a polygonal shaped projection is formed between every two adjacent ones of the second grooves and a corresponding two adjacent ones of the first grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Mobile Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Ho Lee, Won Ki Cho, Jang Hwan Hwang
  • Patent number: 7561231
    Abstract: A double-sided display which can suitable carry out black display both in a well-lighted place and a dark place is provided. The following members are disposed in the B direction: a first polarizing plate (14) which allows only a linearly polarized light component to pass through; a liquid crystal layer (13) which, when a voltage is applied thereto, optically rotates and causes linearly polarized light in one direction to be linearly polarized light in the other direction, while, when no voltage is applied, does not alter the direction of the linearly polarized light; a polarizing selective reflector (16) which reflects the linearly polarized light in one direction while allows the linearly polarized light in the other direction to pass through; and a second polarizing plate (15) which absorbs the light in one direction while allows the light in the other direction to pass through. The polarizing selective reflector (16) is disposed only in the B direction of the liquid crystal layer (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Kanbe, Kazuhiko Tsuda, Kozo Nakamura, Tokio Taguchi, Shun Ueki, Satoru Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 7557876
    Abstract: The backlight system including, an anisotropic fluorescent thin crystal film with the optical parameters matched to the spectral characteristics of a light source, and a liquid crystal display incorporating the backlight system are disclosed. The backlight system comprises at least one light source having an emission spectrum with at least one peak in the wavelength range between 250 and 450 nanometers, and an anisotropic fluorescent thin crystal film (AF TCF) placed on at least one element of the backlight system so that it is on a light path of the light emitted by the light source. The anisotropic fluorescent thin crystal film is formed by rodlike supramolecules composed of disc-shaped molecules of at least one polycyclic organic compound with conjugated ?-system, emitting polarized visible light when irradiated by light from said wavelength range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Pavel I. Lazarev, Michael V. Paukshto
  • Patent number: 7557874
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a higher contrast in a display device having a lighting device as a front light. A lighting portion is attached to a reflective liquid crystal display portion. A first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate made of a glass substrate etc. are attached to each other with a sealing layer coated on those peripheral portions therebetween. The back surface of the first transparent substrate is attached to the reflective liquid crystal display portion, and an organic EL element is formed on the front surface of the first transparent substrate. The organic EL element is sealed in a space surrounded by the first transparent substrate, the second transparent substrate, and the sealing layer. The organic EL element is formed in a region corresponding to a pixel region of the reflective liquid crystal display portion. A desiccant layer is formed on the front surface of the second transparent substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Epson Imaging Devices Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Tanase, Kazunobu Mameno, Norio Koma, Manabu Takemoto
  • Patent number: 7545455
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device is provided. The LCD device includes a top case, an inverter and a bracket. The top case surrounds a periphery of a liquid crystal display panel which displays a picture. The inverter supplies a high voltage AC power to a lamp which projects a light to the liquid crystal display panel. The bracket fastens to the top case and includes at least two fastening parts for insertion of opposite ends of the inverter, thereby reducing fabrication times for devices implementing the present invention and improving productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong Sang Kim
  • Publication number: 20090135334
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the provision of a high-contrast display apparatus. The display apparatus of the present invention includes a light source, a display section having an electro-optical conversion device for transmitting or scattering light introduced from the light source, light control means for reflecting the light introduced from the light source at a prescribed reflection angle, and a light reflecting member for causing the light reflected by the light control means and transmitted through the electro-optical conversion device to be reflected outside the field of view of a viewer who is viewing the display section straight on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Takashi Akiyama, Sachiko Kawada
  • Publication number: 20090122226
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes: a transreflective liquid crystal panel; a front light unit supplying light to the transreflective liquid crystal panel; and a polarizer disposed on the transreflective liquid crystal panel and having an upper surface where fine protrusions are formed. In another aspect of the present invention, a liquid crystal display device includes: a transreflective liquid crystal panel; a first retardation compensation film formed under the transreflective liquid crystal panel; a first polarizer formed under the first retardation compensation film; a second retardation compensation film formed on the transreflective liquid crystal panel; and a second polarizer formed on the second retardation compensation film and having an upper surface where fine protrusions are formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Hyun Ha HWANG, Seung Gon KANG
  • Publication number: 20090091685
    Abstract: In front of a liquid crystal display element, a surface light source is arranged which emits a light toward the liquid crystal display element and lets lights coming from its front and its back permeate therethrough. The liquid crystal display element has reflection/permeation means which is provided behind a liquid crystal cell and a liquid crystal layer, and which reflects a part of a light that comes to each of a plurality of pixels from the front of the liquid crystal cell, and lets the other part of the light permeate the reflection/permeation means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Nishino, Norihiro Arai, Kunpei Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7515223
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a panel, a first light source, a second light source, a first light guide plate, a second light guide plate, and a processor. The panel includes a first area for displaying a first data and a second area for displaying a second data. The first light guide plate corresponding to the first area reflects the light provided by the first light source to the first area. The second light guide plate corresponding to the second area reflects the light provided by the second light source to the second area. The processor determines the states of the first light source and the second light source. The first or second light source is not operated all the time so as to conserve the power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Qisda Corporation
    Inventors: Ta-Yuan Lee, Hsin-Che Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7505093
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display module includes a backlight assembly having a lamp, a lamp housing surrounding the lamp and having an open portion along a first side, a light guide plate disposed adjacent to the open portion of the lamp housing, and a plurality of optical sheets disposed on the light guide plate, edge portions of the plurality of optical sheets are disposed spaced apart from the light guide plate by interposing a top portion of the lamp housing between a periphery of the light guide plate and the edge portions of the plurality of optical sheet, a liquid crystal panel disposed over the plurality of optical sheets, a main support disposed over the lamp housing and accommodating the liquid crystal panel, a top case surrounding edge portions of the liquid crystal panel, and a bottom case supporting and accommodating the backlight assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Moon-Soo Yeom
  • Patent number: 7502081
    Abstract: A reflection type liquid-crystal display device has a reflection type liquid-crystal display panel, at least one illuminator, and an optical path control layer. The reflection type liquid-crystal display panel includes a liquid-crystal cell and a reflector, the liquid-crystal cell having a visual-side substrate, a back-side substrate and a liquid crystal. The visual-side substrate includes a transparent substrate, a transparent layer lower in reflective index than the transparent substrate, and a transparent electrode. The back-side substrate has an electrode, and the liquid crystal is held between the visual-side and back-side substrates so that respective electrode sides of the visual-side and back-side substrates are disposed opposite to each other. The reflector is disposed on the back-side substrate side. The illuminator is disposed on one of side surfaces of the reflection type liquid-crystal display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Umemoto, Toshihiko Ariyoshi, Takao Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7494234
    Abstract: A polarizer includes a first prism plate having a plurality of first micro-prisms; a polarizing film formed on surfaces of the first micro-prisms; and a second prism plate having a plurality of second micro-prisms, the micro-prisms of the first prism plate and the micro-prisms of the second prism plate meshed with each other and integrated the polarizing film therebetween, the polarizing film being in direct contact with the first prism plate and the second prism plate. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing the polarizer and a backlight module using the polarizer is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jen-Tsorng Chang
  • Publication number: 20090046218
    Abstract: An electronic device, such as personal computer, incorporating a liquid crystal panel which uses LEDs as an illuminating light source for a liquid crystal panel to reduce power consumption and size of the electronic device. When 3-color LED lamps 13R, 13G, 13B of the LED light source 12 are lit, red, green and blue rays emitted from respective LED lamps enter the scatterplate 11 where they are scattered and mixed to produce white light LW which goes out from the entire surface of the scatterplate 11 to illuminate the entire rear surface of the transmission type liquid crystal panel 10. The white light LW that has entered the liquid crystal panel 10 is modulated according to the alignment of the liquid crystal material and passes through the color filters of the counter substrate. The user can view the transmitted light LT from the liquid crystal panel 10 as a color image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shunpei YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20090015751
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a transflective liquid crystal panel, a front light unit for supplying a light for displaying an image, and a micro lens sheet for receiving the light incident from the front light unit, and condensing the incident light on the transflective liquid crystal panel. In addition, a mobile communication terminal includes a liquid crystal display device having a transflective liquid crystal panel, a front light unit for supplying a light to display an image, and a micro lens sheet for receiving the light incident from the front light unit, and condensing the incident light on the transflective liquid crystal panel, a communication unit for communicating with an exterior, and a control unit for controlling the communication unit and the liquid crystal display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Ho Kim, Hyun Ha Hwang
  • Publication number: 20080278658
    Abstract: A front light unit and a flat panel display apparatus including the front light unit are provided. The front light unit includes a light source unit and a light guide plate (LGP) which has a plate shape and which guides light emitted by the light source unit. The LGP has a rear surface through which the guided light exits and a front surface opposing the rear surface. The front light unit also includes a front polarizing plate disposed opposite the front surface of the LGP. The front polarizing plate has a polarizer which transmits only light polarized in one direction. The flat panel display apparatus including the front light unit can provide an improved contrast ratio on a front side thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young-chan Kim, Jee-hong Min, Moon-gyu Lee, Kyu-min Choe
  • Patent number: 7436469
    Abstract: In a directly-illuminated liquid crystal display (LCD), for example an LCD monitor or an LCD-TV, a number of light management layers lie between the light source and the LCD panel to provide bright, uniform illumination. The light management layers, including, for example, a diffuser, a reflective polarizer and a brightness enhancing layer, are contained in a light management unit that is formed from two subassemblies. The two subassemblies each contain a substrate and are attached together so as to leave a gap between the two subassemblies. The diffuser is located in one of the subassemblies, and the other light management layers may be in either of the subassemblies, or may be disposed in the gap between the subassemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mark D. Gehlsen, Chingwen Chen, Byungsoo Ko, Robert M. Emmons, James W. Laumer, Ryan T. Fabick, Linda M. Rivard, Kenneth A. Epstein, Youngsoo Park, Chideuk Kim, James A. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 7430028
    Abstract: A viewing-angle adjustable liquid crystal display includes a display panel, a backlight unit, and a sidelight unit. The backlight unit is located under the sidelight unit, and the sidelight unit is disposed under the display panel. The sidelight unit includes a first sidelight source and a light-guide plate. The first sidelight source is disposed at one end of the light-guide plate. The displaying method includes providing direct light to the display panel in response to the narrow-viewing-angle-mode signal; and providing scattering light to the display panel in response to the wide-viewing-angel-mode signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Meng-Chang Tsai, Yung-Lun Lin, Chih-Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 7423708
    Abstract: A multiple layer reflective polarizer 12 is described. This element is placed between and optical cavity 24 and an LCD module 16 to form an optical display. The reflective polarizer reflects some light into the optical cavity 24 where it is randomized and may ultimately emerge with the correct polarization to be transmitted out of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Olester Benson, Jr., Sanford Cobb, Jr., James M. Jonza, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, David L. Wortman, Carl A. Stover
  • Publication number: 20080170175
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) includes a rear substrate and a front substrate, an LC (liquid crystal) layer placed between the rear substrate and the front substrate, and a reflecting region which reflects external light in at least a portion of a region toward the LC layer at a side of the rear substrate to illuminate the LC layer, and the reflecting region includes an array of a plurality of reflecting surfaces which are formed so that at least a portion toward the front substrate of a side of the rear substrate is not parallel to the front substrate, a first medium layer having a first index of refraction and formed to have a flat surface on the reflecting surfaces, a second medium layer having a second index of refraction that is smaller than the first medium layer, and a third medium layer having a third index of refraction that is larger than the second medium layer, and a portion of light that travels from the rear substrate at an interface between the first medium layer and the second medium layer is
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sung Nae CHO
  • Patent number: 7397984
    Abstract: In a particular embodiment, the louver device includes a transparent layer of material having a first surface and, parallel thereto, a second surface. A plurality of shaped louver members are disposed within the transparent layer of material. The shaped louver members are aligned to receive light entering the first surface at a first angle relative to the first surface and direct the light out the second surface at a plurality of angles relative to the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Huei Pei Kuo, Lawrence M. Hubby, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7397521
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display according to the present invention includes: a liquid crystal cell 10, in which pixels having independently driven reflecting and transmitting members are arranged in a matrix, that is composed of a first substrate 15, a second substrate 17 having pixel driving members, and a liquid crystal 16 sandwiched between the first substrate 15 and the second substrate 17; a first polarizing means 13 disposed facing the first substrate 15; a second polarizing means 19 disposed facing the second substrate 17; a first front light 6 disposed outside the first polarizing means 13; and a second front light 7 disposed outside the second polarizing means 19. Owing to the configuration of the display, images can be displayed on both sides of the liquid crystal display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akimasa Yuuki, Naoki Nakagawa, Naoko Iwasaki, Shin Tahata, Keiichi Ito, Tomohiro Sasagawa, Takashi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7391485
    Abstract: A dual LCD device includes a liquid crystal panel having a liquid crystal layer interposed between a first substrate and a second substrate, first and second polarizing plates attached to opposing surfaces of the liquid crystal panel, a first front light unit attached to a front side of the liquid crystal panel, and a second front light unit attached to a rear side of the liquid crystal panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyeong Jin Kim, Hoon Kang
  • Patent number: 7385654
    Abstract: A display includes a polarizing member and a reflective display element behind an EL element. The EL element self-emits light to display information and doubles as a display-use light source for the reflective display element. In a sufficiently bright environment, ambient light enters a liquid crystal layer after passing through a frontal substrate of the reflective display element, and is reflected from a metal electrode to produce displays. In addition to the direct light from the EL element, light that enters the liquid crystal layer is simultaneously used. In a dark environment, the EL element emits light, and displayed contents are visible owing to the reflection from the metal electrode as well as directly exiting light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiichi Mitsui, Masaaki Kabe, Teiyu Sako, Hideki Uchida
  • Patent number: 7382360
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for producing a light effect on a touchpad or other position sensor. In one aspect, a position sensor for detecting a position of an object suitably includes a sensor, a light source, and a light conductor at least partially located between the sensor and the object. The light conductor is configured to transmit light from the light source to produce a light effect that alters the appearance of the position sensor. Because the light conductor is located between the sensor and the object, the sensor need not be made from transparent or translucent material, thereby significantly reducing the cost of the sensor. In a further aspect, the position sensor includes at least one marking or pattern in proximity to the light conductor such that the marking can be made visible by at least a component of the light to produce an image of a soft control, logo, ornamental design, status indicator or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Bob Lee Mackey, Shawn P. Day, Alfred Woo, Mark Jennings
  • Publication number: 20080111947
    Abstract: A directly illuminated display unit has a display panel and one or more light sources disposed behind the display panel. A diffuser is disposed between the light source unit and the display panel and a light diverting layer is disposed between the one or more light sources and the diffuser. The light diverting layer has light diverting elements on a first side of the light diverting layer facing the diffuser. Surfaces of the light diverting elements are disposed at more than one angle relative to a normal to the light diverting layer and also include one or more sharp changes of surface slope. The light diverting elements spread the illumination light so as to be more uniform. Different light diverting elements can have different apex angles. Also, different sides of a light diverting element can have best fit centers of curvature that are non-coincident.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Epstein, Kenneth J. Hanley, James A. Stevenson, Robert M. Emmons
  • Patent number: 7366393
    Abstract: Various embodiments comprise light recycling films comprising an array of parallel ridges and grooves that form prisms that selectively reflect or transmit light. In some embodiments, the light recycling film may be used in displays that include spatial light modulators comprising a plurality of pixels. The light recycling film can limit the field-of-view of the display and enhance the luminance within that field-of-view. Various embodiments comprising multiple arrays of ridges and/or grooves can enhance uniformity of illumination of the pixels in the spatial light modulator and reduce Moiré effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignees: Optical Research Associates, Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Cassarly, Steven R. Chapman
  • Patent number: 7364316
    Abstract: A backlight unit includes a case; a plurality of fluorescent lamps on the case, each fluorescent lamp having ends arranged in one direction, and having first and second electrodes provided at respective ends; a first power supply line connected with the first electrode; a second power supply line connected with the second electrode; a common electrode PCB arranged adjacent to the ends of the fluorescent lamps; a first common electrode on the common electrode PCB and connected with the first power supply line; a second common electrode on the common electrode PCB and connected with the second power supply line, the first and second common electrodes being spaced apart from each other; and an inverter to apply voltages to the first and second common electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hoon Jang, Jong Hyun Choi
  • Patent number: 7359011
    Abstract: To suppress a decrease in the contrast caused by the reflection on the interface to the air layer without decreasing the quality of display. A reflection-type liquid crystal display device includes a light guide plate having a polarizing element stuck or adhered thereto on the side facing a reflection-type liquid crystal display panel, a source of light arranged on an end surface side of the light guide plate, and the reflection-type liquid crystal display panel arranged maintaining a predetermined gap relative to the light guide plate, wherein a light-diffusing function is imparted to the surface of the reflection-type liquid crystal display panel on the side facing the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Hamada, Kunihiro Tashiro, Mari Sugawara, Toshihiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7355661
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display module includes a light source that generates light. A light guide panel has a first refractive index. Light from the light source propagates through the light guide panel. A low refractive index layer is disposed on the light guide panel and has a second refractive index which is lower than that of the light guide panel. A transmissive liquid crystal display panel is disposed on the upper part of the lower refractive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: LG. Philips LCD. Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hyung Ki Hong