US4874228A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Back-lit display
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1989-01-03
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Granted: 1989-10-17
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Expires: 2009-01-03
Abstract
Abstract A back-lit display utilizes a light transmissive film having a smooth surface and a structured surface. The structured surface has a series of triangular prisms running parallel or concentric to one another. A reflector is placed adjacent to the smooth surface so that light entering the film at an angle that is close to parallel to the smooth surface will emerge from the film at a predetermined angle with respect to the incoming beam. A display, that could be a liquid crystal display, is positioned so that light reflected by the film passes through it.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth A. Aho
- 👤 Jeffrey J. Melby
- 👤 Richard A. Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:34
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0011; G02B6/0013; G02B6/0023; G02B6/0026; A; A01; A01N; A01N37/00; A01N37/18; A01N37/26; F; F21; F21S; F21S43/00; F21S43/30; F21S43/31; F21S43/315; F21S43/40; F21V; F21V7/00; F21V7/0091; G02B5/00; G02B5/04; G02B5/045; G02B6/0031; G02B6/0033; G02B6/0035; G02B6/0038; G02B6/005; G02B6/0055; G02B6/0066; G02B6/0068; G02B6/0073; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/04; G09F13/0418; G09F13/0422; G09F13/14; F21Y; F21Y2103/00; G09F2013/145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A back-lit display comprising: a housing defining an optical cavity having an optical window; a light reflecting film in said optical cavity, said light reflecting film having first and second major surfaces, said first surface being a structured surface having a plurality of triangular prisms thereon and said second surface being a smooth surface, and a light reflecting means adjacent said second surface for reflecting light approaching said second surface from said first surface; a first light source positioned so that light rays approach said film in a direction that is almost parallel to said second surface of said film; and display means in said optical window.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A back-lit display comprising: a housing defining an optical cavity having an optical window; a light reflecting film in said optical cavity, said light reflecting film having first and second major surfaces, said first surface being a structured surface having a plurality of triangular prisms thereon and said second surface being a smooth surface, and a light reflecting means adjacent said second surface for reflecting light approaching said second surface from said first surface; a first light source positioned so that light rays approach said film in a direction that is almost parallel to said second surface of said film; and display means in said optical window.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The back-lit display of claim 1 wherein said display means includes a liquid crystal display.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The back-lit display of claim 1 further comprising light diffusing means between said reflective film and said display means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The back-lit display of claim 1 wherein said light source is positioned so that light rays approach said film in a direction that makes an angle of no more than 20° with said second surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The back-lit display of claim 1 further comprising a second light source positioned so that light rays approach said film in a direction that is almost parallel to said second surface of said film, said first and second light source being positioned adjacent opposite ends of said film.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The back-lit display of claim 5 wherein said display means includes a liquid crystal display.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The back-lit display of claim 5 further comprising light diffusing means between said reflective film and said display means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The back-lit display of claim 5 wherein both of said light sources are positioned so that light rays approach said film in a direction that makes an angle of no more than 20° with said second surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The back-lit display of claim 8 wherein said display means includes a liquid crystal display.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The back-lit display of claim 9 further comprising light diffusing means between said reflective film and said display means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The back-lit display of claim 1 wherein said light source is positioned adjacent one end of said film and said film curves so that said end of said film adjacent said light source is more distant from said display means than the opposite end of said film.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The back-lit display of claim 11 wherein said display means includes a liquid crystal display.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The back-lit display of claim 11 further comprising light diffusing means between said reflective film and said display means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The back-lit display of claim 11 wherein said light source is positioned so that light rays approach said film in a direction that makes an angle of no more than 20° with said second surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The back-lit display of claim 14 wherein said display means includes a liquid crystal display.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The back-lit display of claim 15 further comprising light diffusing means between said reflective film and said display means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
96 words
The back-lit display of claim 1 wherein said light source comprises: a light reflecting film having first and second major surfaces, said first surface being a structured surface having a plurality of triangular prisms thereon and said second surface being a smooth surface and a light reflecting means adjacent said second surface for reflecting light approaching said second surface from said first surface; and a light emitting means positioned so that light rays approach said light source reflecting film in a direction that is almost parallel to said second surface of said light source reflecting film.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The back-lit display of claim 17 wherein said display means includes a liquid crystal display.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-10-16 | 1993-04-17 | 1993-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-16 | 1997-04-17 | 1997-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-16 | 2001-04-17 | 2001-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |