US5521725A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illumination system employing an array of microprisms
Assignee: ADVANCED DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES OF TEXAS LLC
•
Filing: 1995-01-03
•
Granted: 1996-05-28
•
Expires: 2015-01-03
Abstract
Abstract An optical illumination system comprising a waveguide that accepts light generated by a diffuse light source and transmits the light via total internal reflection. Attached on one surface of the waveguide is a low index of refraction layer and an array of microprisms, with each microprism having an light input surface and at least one sidewall tilted at an angle from the direction normal to the surface of the waveguide such that light escapes from the waveguide, reflects off the tilted sidewalls and emerges from the microprism as a spatially-directed light source. The low index of refraction layer prevents low angle light from entering the microprisms. An array of microlenses may be positioned to accept the output of the microprisms so that the light exiting from the microlenses is a substantially collimated light source. The optical illumination system is advantageous for any application that requires a non diffuse or substantially collimated that is both energy efficient and contained in a low profile assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl W. Beeson
- 👤 Ivan B. Steiner
- 👤 Scott M. Zimmerman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 05:15
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0011; G02B6/0033; G02B6/005; G02B6/0053; F; F21; F21V; F21V5/00; F21V5/02; F21Y; F21Y2103/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S385/00; Y10S385/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
An illumination assembly for providing a spatially-directed light source comprising: (a) a light transmitting means having a first light accepting surface in close proximity to a first diffuse light source, wherein said light transmitting means transports light emanating from said first diffuse light source; (b) an array of microprisms wherein each microprism comprises: (i) a light input surface optically coupled to said light transmitting means; (ii) a first pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls wherein at least one of said sidewalls forms a first tilt angle with respect to the normal of the surface of said light transmitting means; and (iii) a second pair of oppositely disposed tilted sidewalls wherein at least one of said sidewalls forms a second tilt angle with respect to the normal of the surface of said light transmitting means; and (c) a low index of refraction layer disposed between said light transmitting means and said light input surfaces; wherein, a first portion of said light reflecting through said light transmitting means enters said array of microprisms through said light input surfaces, is redirected by said sidewalls and emerges from said microprisms as a spatially-directed light source and a second portion of said light reflecting through said light transmitting means is prevented from entering said light input surfaces by said low index of refraction layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
An illumination assembly for providing a spatially-directed light source comprising: (a) a light transmitting means having a first light accepting surface in close proximity to a first diffuse light source, wherein said light transmitting means transports light emanating from said first diffuse light source; (b) an array of microprisms wherein each microprism comprises: (i) a light input surface optically coupled to said light transmitting means; (ii) a first pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls wherein at least one of said sidewalls forms a first tilt angle with respect to the normal of the surface of said light transmitting means; and (iii) a second pair of oppositely disposed tilted sidewalls wherein at least one of said sidewalls forms a second tilt angle with respect to the normal of the surface of said light transmitting means; and (c) a low index of refraction layer disposed between said light transmitting means and said light input surfaces; wherein, a first portion of said light reflecting through said light transmitting means enters said array of microprisms through said light input surfaces, is redirected by said sidewalls and emerges from said microprisms as a spatially-directed light source and a second portion of said light reflecting through said light transmitting means is prevented from entering said light input surfaces by said low index of refraction layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The illumination assembly of claim 1 wherein said light transmitting means is a wedge-shaped waveguide and at least some of said second portion of said light is recycled within said waveguide and enters said array of microprisms through said light input surfaces, is redirected by said sidewalls and emerges from said microprisms as a spatially-directed light source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The illumination assembly of claim 1 further comprising an array of microlenses, wherein the output of each microprism is directed to at least one corresponding microlens and said light transmitted through said microlenses emerges as a substantially collimated light source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The illumination assembly of claim 3 wherein said microprisms and microlenses are constructed from organic polymeric material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The illumination assembly of claim 1 wherein said first tilt angle is between 15 to 50 degrees to the normal of the surface of said light transmitting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The illumination assembly of claim 5 wherein said first tilt angle is between 20 and 40 degrees.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The illumination assembly of claim 1 wherein said second tilt angle is between 0 to 25 degrees to the normal of the surface of said light transmitting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The illumination assembly of claim 7 wherein said second tilt angle is between 2 to 20 degrees.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
93 words
The illumination assembly of claim 1 wherein said first pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls intersect said low index of refraction layer wherein the lines of intersection are substantially parallel to said first light accepting surface and further define a width dimension and said second pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls intersect said low index of refraction layer wherein the lines of intersection are substantially perpendicular to said first light accepting surface and further define a length dimension, wherein the ratio of said length dimension to said width dimension is between about 1.2:1 to 5:1.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The illumination assembly of claim 1 wherein said light transmitting means further comprises a second light accepting surface in close proximity to a second diffuse light source, wherein said light transmitting means transports light emanating from said second diffuse light.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The illumination assembly of claim 3 wherein said microprisms, microlenses, and light transmitting means have an index of refraction of between about 1.45 and about 1.65.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The illumination assembly of claim 11 further comprising an interstitial region between said microprisms having an index of refraction less than the index of refraction of said microprisms.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The illumination assembly of claim 11 wherein said low index of refraction layer has an index of refraction less than that of said light transmitting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
286 words
An illumination assembly for providing a spatially-directed light source comprising: (a) a light transmitting means having a first light accepting surface in close proximity to a first diffuse light source, and a second light accepting surface in close proximity to a reflecting means for reflecting light generated by said first diffuse light source wherein said light transmitting means transports light emanating from said first diffuse light source; (b) an array of microprisms wherein each microprism comprises: (i) a light input surface optically coupled to said light transmitting means; (ii) a light output surface having a surface area greater than the surface area of said light input surface; (iii) first pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls wherein each of said sidewalls forms a first tilt angle to the normal of the surface of said light transmitting means; (iv) a second pair of oppositely disposed tired sidewalls wherein each of said sidewalls forms a second tilt angle to the normal of the surface of said light transmitting means; and (c) a low index of refraction layer disposed between said light transmitting means and said light input surface; wherein, a first portion of said light reflecting through said light transmitting means enters said array of microprisms through said light input surfaces, is redirected by said sidewalls and emerges from said microprisms as a spatially-directed light source and a second portion of said light reflecting through said light transmitting means is prevented from entering said light input surfaces by said low index of refraction layer and is recycled within said waveguide by said reflecting means and enters said array of microprisms through said light input surfaces, is redirected by said sidewalls and emerges from said microprisms as a spatially-directed light source.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
286 words
An illumination assembly for providing a spatially-directed light source comprising: (a) a light transmitting means having a first light accepting surface in close proximity to a first diffuse light source, and a second light accepting surface in close proximity to a reflecting means for reflecting light generated by said first diffuse light source wherein said light transmitting means transports light emanating from said first diffuse light source; (b) an array of microprisms wherein each microprism comprises: (i) a light input surface optically coupled to said light transmitting means; (ii) a light output surface having a surface area greater than the surface area of said light input surface; (iii) first pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls wherein each of said sidewalls forms a first tilt angle to the normal of the surface of said light transmitting means; (iv) a second pair of oppositely disposed tired sidewalls wherein each of said sidewalls forms a second tilt angle to the normal of the surface of said light transmitting means; and (c) a low index of refraction layer disposed between said light transmitting means and said light input surface; wherein, a first portion of said light reflecting through said light transmitting means enters said array of microprisms through said light input surfaces, is redirected by said sidewalls and emerges from said microprisms as a spatially-directed light source and a second portion of said light reflecting through said light transmitting means is prevented from entering said light input surfaces by said low index of refraction layer and is recycled within said waveguide by said reflecting means and enters said array of microprisms through said light input surfaces, is redirected by said sidewalls and emerges from said microprisms as a spatially-directed light source.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The illumination assembly of claim 14 further comprising an array of microlenses, wherein the output of each microprism is directed to at least one corresponding microlens and said light transmitted through said microlenses emerges as a substantially collimated light source.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The illumination assembly of claim 14 wherein said first light accepting surface and said second light accepting surface are oppositely disposed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The illumination assembly of claim 14 wherein said reflecting means is a second diffuse light source and said light transmitting means transports light emanating from said second diffuse light source.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The illumination assembly of claim 14 wherein said first tilt angle is between 20 and 40 degrees.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The illumination assembly of claim 14 wherein said second tilt angle is between 0 to 25 degrees to the normal of the surface of said light transmitting means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The illumination assembly of claim 19 wherein said second tilt angle is between 2 to 20 degrees.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The illumination assembly of claim 14 wherein said microprisms, microlenses, and light transmitting means have an index of refraction of between about 1.45 and about 1.65.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The illumination assembly of claim 21 further comprising an interstitial region between said microprisms having an index of refraction less than the index of refraction of said microprisms.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The illumination assembly of claim 21 wherein said low index of refraction layer has an index of refraction less than said light transmitting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3863246A
Cited
US4043636A
Cited
DE2736486A1
Cited
US4365869A
Cited
US4330813A
Cited
US4686519A
Cited
JPS60201326A
Cited
JPS6223022A
Cited
US4726662A
Cited
US4874228A
Cited
US4799137A
Cited
JPS6435416A
Cited
US5126882A
Cited
US5099343A
Cited
US5151801A
Cited
US5101279A
Cited
US5040878A
Cited
US5128783A
Cited
US5276538A
Cited
US5262880A
Cited
US5161041A
Cited
US5206746A
Cited
JPH0486620A
Cited
EP0500960A1
Cited
US5050946A
Cited
US5202950A
Cited
US5128787A
Cited
JPH0560908A
Cited
US5262928A
Cited
JPH0545505A
Cited
JPH05224020A
Cited
US5295048A
Cited
US5267062A
Cited
US5182663A
Cited
JPH0589827A
Cited
JPH05127159A
Cited
US5253151A
Cited
US5253089A
Cited
US5341231A
Cited
JPH0618879A
Cited
US5211463A
Cited
US5303322A
Cited
US5237641A
Cited
JPH05333334A
Cited
US5467208A
Cited
US5278545A
Cited
JPH05341132A
Cited
WO1994000780A1
Cited
US5267063A
Cited
JPH0682634A
Cited
US5280371A
Cited
JPH0627327A
Cited
JPH0667178A
Cited
WO1994006051A1
Cited
US5467417A
Cited
WO1994009395A1
Cited
JPH06202107A
Cited
US5359691A
Cited
JPH06180446A
Cited
JPH06194648A
Cited
JPH06208113A
Cited
JPH06250182A
Cited
US5461547A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-05-28 | 1999-11-27 | 2000-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-05-28 | 2003-11-27 | 2004-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-05-28 | 2007-11-27 | 2008-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |