US5526146A — Back-lighting system for transmissive display

Claim 1

Independent Claim 140 words

Back-lighted display apparatus having a light source of reduced intensity and power consumption, comprising: display means having a predetermined area for continuously displaying a current frame of transmissive data for a period longer than human eye persistence; a light source for continuously generating flood light of predetermined intensity; and optical imaging means disposed between said light source and said display means for imaging said light source through said display means onto an image plane on an opposite side of said display means for direct viewing simultaneously by both eyes of a human positioned at said image plane; the intensity of said light source being appropriate for direct human viewing of said transmissive data, wherein the intensity and power consumption of said light source are reduced as a consequence of light concentration in said image plane by said optical imaging means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 140 words

Back-lighted display apparatus having a light source of reduced intensity and power consumption, comprising: display means having a predetermined area for continuously displaying a current frame of transmissive data for a period longer than human eye persistence; a light source for continuously generating flood light of predetermined intensity; and optical imaging means disposed between said light source and said display means for imaging said light source through said display means onto an image plane on an opposite side of said display means for direct viewing simultaneously by both eyes of a human positioned at said image plane; the intensity of said light source being appropriate for direct human viewing of said transmissive data, wherein the intensity and power consumption of said light source are reduced as a consequence of light concentration in said image plane by said optical imaging means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 24 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 and further including diffuser means disposed between said light source and said display means for diffusing said light.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 15 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said optical imaging means comprises a positive lens.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 15 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said positive lens comprises a circular Fresnel lens.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 158 words

Back-lighted display apparatus having a light source with reduced power consumption, comprising: display means having a predetermined generally planar area for continuously displaying a current frame of transmissive data for a period longer than human eye persistence; a light source for continuously generating flood light of predetermined intensity; a circular Fresnel lens disposed between said light source and said display means, said circular Fresnel lens imaging said light source through said display means and onto an image plane on an opposite side of said display means for direct viewing simultaneously by both eyes of a human positioned at said image plane; and diffusing means disposed between said light source and said display means for diffusing said light; the intensity of said light source being appropriate for direct human viewing of said transmissive data, wherein the power consumption of said light source is reduced as a consequence of light concentration in said image plane by said circular Fresnel lens.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 158 words

Back-lighted display apparatus having a light source with reduced power consumption, comprising: display means having a predetermined generally planar area for continuously displaying a current frame of transmissive data for a period longer than human eye persistence; a light source for continuously generating flood light of predetermined intensity; a circular Fresnel lens disposed between said light source and said display means, said circular Fresnel lens imaging said light source through said display means and onto an image plane on an opposite side of said display means for direct viewing simultaneously by both eyes of a human positioned at said image plane; and diffusing means disposed between said light source and said display means for diffusing said light; the intensity of said light source being appropriate for direct human viewing of said transmissive data, wherein the power consumption of said light source is reduced as a consequence of light concentration in said image plane by said circular Fresnel lens.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 24 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said Fresnel lens is selected to have a focal length in the range of about 15-20 cm.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 14 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said diffusing means comprises a small-angle diffuser.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 16 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said display means comprises a liquid crystal display panel.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 14 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said light source comprises a fluorescent lamp.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 21 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said diffuser means and said Fresnel lens are positioned adjacent to said display means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 24 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein: said light source includes a reflecting surface; and said diffusing means is disposed on said reflecting surface.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 144 words

Apparatus comprising; a transmissive display having a predetermined generally planar area for displaying transmissive data; a light source for generating light of predetermined intensity; a small-angle light diffuser positioned intermediate said light source and said transmissive display for diffusing said light; a circular Fresnel lens disposed between said light source and said transmissive display for imaging said light source through said transmissive display onto an image plane on an opposite side of said display means for direct viewing by a human eye positioned at said image plane; the intensity of said light source being appropriate for direct human viewing of said transmissive display at a distance in the range of about 20 cm to 200 cm; and wherein said transmissive display, said light source, said diffuser and said Fresnel lens are relatively positioned to provide a region of diverging illumination for a human viewer.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 144 words

Apparatus comprising; a transmissive display having a predetermined generally planar area for displaying transmissive data; a light source for generating light of predetermined intensity; a small-angle light diffuser positioned intermediate said light source and said transmissive display for diffusing said light; a circular Fresnel lens disposed between said light source and said transmissive display for imaging said light source through said transmissive display onto an image plane on an opposite side of said display means for direct viewing by a human eye positioned at said image plane; the intensity of said light source being appropriate for direct human viewing of said transmissive display at a distance in the range of about 20 cm to 200 cm; and wherein said transmissive display, said light source, said diffuser and said Fresnel lens are relatively positioned to provide a region of diverging illumination for a human viewer.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 145 words

Apparatus comprising: a transmissive display having a predetermined generally planar area for displaying transmissive data; a light source for generating light of predetermined intensity: a small-angle light diffuser positioned intermediate said light source and said transmissive display for diffusing said light; a circular Fresnel lens disposed between said light source and said transmissive display for imaging said light source through said transmissive display onto an image plane on an opposite side of said display means for direct viewing by a human eye positioned at said image plane; the intensity of said light source being appropriate for direct human viewing of said transmissive display at a distance in the range of about 20 cm to 200 cm; and wherein said transmissive display, said light source, said diffuser and said Fresnel lens are relatively positioned to provide a region of generally collimated illumination for a human viewer.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 145 words

Apparatus comprising: a transmissive display having a predetermined generally planar area for displaying transmissive data; a light source for generating light of predetermined intensity: a small-angle light diffuser positioned intermediate said light source and said transmissive display for diffusing said light; a circular Fresnel lens disposed between said light source and said transmissive display for imaging said light source through said transmissive display onto an image plane on an opposite side of said display means for direct viewing by a human eye positioned at said image plane; the intensity of said light source being appropriate for direct human viewing of said transmissive display at a distance in the range of about 20 cm to 200 cm; and wherein said transmissive display, said light source, said diffuser and said Fresnel lens are relatively positioned to provide a region of generally collimated illumination for a human viewer.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 161 words

Back-lighted display apparatus having a light source of reduced intensity and power consumption, comprising: a transmissive display having a predetermined generally planar area for displaying transmissive data; a light source for continuously generating flood light of predetermined intensity; a small-angle light diffuser positioned intermediate said light source and said transmissive display for diffusing said light; a circular Fresnel lens disposed between said light source and said transmissive display for imaging said light source through said transmissive display onto an image plane on an opposite side of said display means for direct viewing simultaneously by both eyes of a human positioned at said image plane; and the intensity of said light source being appropriate for direct human viewing of said transmissive display at a distance in the range of about 20 cm to 200 cm, wherein the intensity and power consumption of said light source are reduced as a consequence of light concentration in said image plane by said circular Fresnel lens.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 161 words

Back-lighted display apparatus having a light source of reduced intensity and power consumption, comprising: a transmissive display having a predetermined generally planar area for displaying transmissive data; a light source for continuously generating flood light of predetermined intensity; a small-angle light diffuser positioned intermediate said light source and said transmissive display for diffusing said light; a circular Fresnel lens disposed between said light source and said transmissive display for imaging said light source through said transmissive display onto an image plane on an opposite side of said display means for direct viewing simultaneously by both eyes of a human positioned at said image plane; and the intensity of said light source being appropriate for direct human viewing of said transmissive display at a distance in the range of about 20 cm to 200 cm, wherein the intensity and power consumption of said light source are reduced as a consequence of light concentration in said image plane by said circular Fresnel lens.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 16 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said transmissive display comprises a liquid crystal display panel.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 49 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 14 integrated into a portable computing system, said computing system further comprising: data entry means; battery means for providing power to said light source; and means for providing electronic signals to said transmissive display whereby to generate data or images on said transmissive display.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 39 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said transmissive display, said light source, said diffuser and said Fresnel lens are relatively positioned to provide a region of narrowed illumination for private viewing of said data by a human viewer.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 16 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said Fresnel lens is selectively removable from said apparatus.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 27 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 14 incorporated into a portable communications device further including: means for entering data; and means for transmitting data to a remote location.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 20 words

Apparatus in accordance with claim 14 incorporated into an airplane passenger compartment for providing personal viewing for an airline passenger.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 71 words

A method for displaying data, comprising the steps of: displaying transmissive date; providing a light source of predetermined intensity; and imaging said light source through said transmissive data onto an image plane on an opposite side of said transmission data for direct viewing simultaneously by both eyes of a human positioned at said image plane; the intensity of said light source being appropriate for direct human viewing of said transmissive data.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 71 words

A method for displaying data, comprising the steps of: displaying transmissive date; providing a light source of predetermined intensity; and imaging said light source through said transmissive data onto an image plane on an opposite side of said transmission data for direct viewing simultaneously by both eyes of a human positioned at said image plane; the intensity of said light source being appropriate for direct human viewing of said transmissive data.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 25 words

A method in accordance with claim 21 and further including the step of diffusing said light before said light is imaged through said transmissive data.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 115 words

A method comprising the steps of: displaying transmissive data in a predetermined, generally planar area; providing a light source for generating light of predetermined intensity; diffusing said light; and imaging said light source, using a circular Fresnel lens, through said transmissive data and onto an image plane on an opposite side of said transmissive data for direct viewing simultaneously by both eyes of a human positioned at said image plane; the intensity of said imaged diffused light source being appropriate for direct human viewing of said transmissive data, wherein the intensity and power consumption of said light source are reduced as a consequence of light concentration in said image plane by said circular Fresnel lens.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 115 words

A method comprising the steps of: displaying transmissive data in a predetermined, generally planar area; providing a light source for generating light of predetermined intensity; diffusing said light; and imaging said light source, using a circular Fresnel lens, through said transmissive data and onto an image plane on an opposite side of said transmissive data for direct viewing simultaneously by both eyes of a human positioned at said image plane; the intensity of said imaged diffused light source being appropriate for direct human viewing of said transmissive data, wherein the intensity and power consumption of said light source are reduced as a consequence of light concentration in said image plane by said circular Fresnel lens.

Claim 31

Independent Claim 142 words

A method comprising the steps of: displaying transmissive data in a predetermined planar area of a transmissive display screen; providing a light source for generating light of predetermined intensity; diffusing said light; and imaging said light source, using a circular Fresnel lens positioned between said light source and said transmissive display screen, through said transmissive display screen and onto an image plane on an opposite side of said transmissive data for direct viewing simultaneously by both eyes of a human positioned at said image plane; the intensity of said diffused imaged light source being appropriate for direct human viewing of said transmissive display screen at a distance in the range of about 20 cm to 200 cm, wherein the power consumption of said light source is reduced as a consequence of light concentration in said image plane by said circular Fresnel lens.

Claim 32

Independent Claim 142 words

A method comprising the steps of: displaying transmissive data in a predetermined planar area of a transmissive display screen; providing a light source for generating light of predetermined intensity; diffusing said light; and imaging said light source, using a circular Fresnel lens positioned between said light source and said transmissive display screen, through said transmissive display screen and onto an image plane on an opposite side of said transmissive data for direct viewing simultaneously by both eyes of a human positioned at said image plane; the intensity of said diffused imaged light source being appropriate for direct human viewing of said transmissive display screen at a distance in the range of about 20 cm to 200 cm, wherein the power consumption of said light source is reduced as a consequence of light concentration in said image plane by said circular Fresnel lens.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 186 words

A portable computing system comprising; a portable case including a cover for supporting a display assembly; a battery contained in said case for providing power for said portable computing system; an input device for providing electronic data to said portable computing system; an electronic circuit for processing said electronic data; said display assembly comprising: display means having a predetermined generally planar area for displaying said electronic data; a light source for generating light of predetermined intensity; a circular Fresnel lens disposed between said light source and said display means, said circular Fresnel lens imaging said light source through said display means and onto an image plane on an opposite side of said display means for direct viewing simultaneously by both eyes of a human positioned at said image plane; and diffuser means disposed between said light source and said display means for diffusing said light; the intensity of said light source being appropriate for direct human viewing of said electronic data, wherein the power consumption of said light source is reduced as a consequence of light concentration in said image plane by said circular Fresnel lens.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 186 words

A portable computing system comprising; a portable case including a cover for supporting a display assembly; a battery contained in said case for providing power for said portable computing system; an input device for providing electronic data to said portable computing system; an electronic circuit for processing said electronic data; said display assembly comprising: display means having a predetermined generally planar area for displaying said electronic data; a light source for generating light of predetermined intensity; a circular Fresnel lens disposed between said light source and said display means, said circular Fresnel lens imaging said light source through said display means and onto an image plane on an opposite side of said display means for direct viewing simultaneously by both eyes of a human positioned at said image plane; and diffuser means disposed between said light source and said display means for diffusing said light; the intensity of said light source being appropriate for direct human viewing of said electronic data, wherein the power consumption of said light source is reduced as a consequence of light concentration in said image plane by said circular Fresnel lens.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-06-11	1999-12-11	2000-06-11	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-06-11	2003-12-11	2004-06-11	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-06-11	2007-12-11	2008-06-11	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Back-lighting system for transmissive display

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