US5661531A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tiled, flat-panel display having invisible seams
Assignee: TRANSPACIFIC EXCHANGE LLC
•
Filing: 1996-01-29
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Granted: 1997-08-26
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Expires: 2016-01-29
Abstract
Abstract The present invention features a tiled, substantially flat, panel display having the characteristic of visually imperceptible seams between the tiles for the intended viewing conditions, which include the perception thresholds of the human eye, the view distance, the display brightness and the level of the ambient light. The panel consists of an image source plane having spaced-apart pixels containing light-transmitting elements comprising single or multiple lightvalves. These lightvalves transmit monochromatic light, or primary color light spectra, for example, red, green and blue, in gray-scale and color displays, respectively. Each of the pixels is located along the image source plane at a uniform pitch greater than approximately 0.2 mm. Many adjacently-situated tiles are located in a plane in proximity to the image source plane. Secondary light rays can be controlled via light shields, aperture plates, masks and optical elements. The view angles of the tiled display may be further enhanced by using dispersive, optical elements such as microlens arrays. If desired, the brightness of the tiled display can be enhanced by increasing the backlight intensity or the collection of light by using optical, focusing elements such as microlens arrays.
Inventors
- 👤 Ray G. Greene
- 👤 Robert H. Katyl
- 👤 J. Peter Krusius
- 👤 Che-Yu Li
- 👤 Donald P. Seraphim
- 👤 Boris Yost
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 06:27
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1335; G02F1/133509; G02F1/133512; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/20; G02F1/13336; G09G2300/00; G09G2300/04; G09G2300/0421; G09G2300/0426
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A tiled, substantially flat, panel display composed of a plurality of joined, smaller tiles, having the characteristic of visually imperceptible seams between tiles disposed in an interior portion thereof, such that said panel display can be viewed as though it were a single, monolithic display, comprising: a) means defining an image source plane having spaced-apart, pixel-active areas, with each of said pixel-active areas being disposed along said image source plane at a given pitch distance; b) a plurality of adjacently disposed tiles, each having a predetermined thickness, disposed in a plane adjacent said image source plane; c) means defining seams disposed between adjacent tiles; d) masking means in conjunction with light collimating means, said masking means being proximate said seams for blocking direct and selectively scattered light from said seams towards a viewer of said display, thereby rendering said seams substantially visually imperceptible to said viewer, notwithstanding any angle at which said display is viewed thereby; and e) means defining a viewing plane adjacent said masking means for transmitting light from said image source plane to said viewer, with substantially no light from said seams.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
A tiled, substantially flat, panel display composed of a plurality of joined, smaller tiles, having the characteristic of visually imperceptible seams between tiles disposed in an interior portion thereof, such that said panel display can be viewed as though it were a single, monolithic display, comprising: a) means defining an image source plane having spaced-apart, pixel-active areas, with each of said pixel-active areas being disposed along said image source plane at a given pitch distance; b) a plurality of adjacently disposed tiles, each having a predetermined thickness, disposed in a plane adjacent said image source plane; c) means defining seams disposed between adjacent tiles; d) masking means in conjunction with light collimating means, said masking means being proximate said seams for blocking direct and selectively scattered light from said seams towards a viewer of said display, thereby rendering said seams substantially visually imperceptible to said viewer, notwithstanding any angle at which said display is viewed thereby; and e) means defining a viewing plane adjacent said masking means for transmitting light from said image source plane to said viewer, with substantially no light from said seams.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 1, wherein said tiles comprise an upper and a lower layer each having a predetermined thickness, and said distance from said image source plane to said viewing plane is between approximately the geometrical mean of said thicknesses of said layers and one order of magnitude greater than said given distance of said spaced-apart pixel-active areas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 1, wherein said viewing plane comprises a lens layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 1, wherein said viewing plane comprises a screen layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a color filter layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of said pixel-active areas comprises a group of primary color elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 1, wherein said image source plane comprises a substantially non-diverging, light-intensity distribution characteristic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 1, further comprising at least two polarizing layers, one of said polarizing layers being disposed between said image source plane and the viewing plane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 2, wherein said pitch distance of pixel-active areas is greater than approximately 0.2 mm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 2, wherein said distance from said image source plane to said viewing plans is less than approximately five times said tile thickness.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tiled, substantially flat, display panel in accordance with claim 1, wherein said masking means comprises light-shielding material disposed in said image source plane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tiled, substantially flat, display panel in accordance with claim 1, wherein said masking means comprises light-shielding material disposed above said image source plane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The tiled, substantially flat, display panel in accordance with claim 1, wherein said masking means comprises light-shielding material disposed below said image source plane, so that additional light collimation is provided along predetermined channels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The tiled, substantially flat, display panel in accordance with claim 1, wherein said masking means comprises light-shielding material disposed within said seams.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: f) a compound disposed in said seams, having optical properties that are substantially similar to the optical properties of said tiles.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in a accordance with claim 1, further comprising: f) a plurality of light-directing means disposed proximate at least one of said planes for eliminating superfluous secondary light paths from said viewing plane.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: f) a base plate for supporting said planes, said tiles and said masking means, and for providing an electrical, optical and mechanical interface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 17, further comprising: g) a tile carrier for supporting said tiles.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 18, further comprising: h) a plurality of focusing devices for coupling light into said image source plane.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 19, wherein said plurality of focusing devices comprises any one of the group comprising refractive microlenses, off-axis lenses and holographic lens devices.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 13, further comprising f) a plurality of focusing devices for coupling light in said predetermined collimating channels.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 19, wherein said plurality of focusing devices is integrated into said substantially flat, panel display.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 1, wherein said masking means and said viewing plane comprise a single, integrated structure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an anti-reflective coating.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of said pixel-active areas is dimensionally non-identical to the others of said pixel-active areas.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
144 words
A tiled, substantially flat, panel display composed of a plurality of joined, smaller tiles, having the characteristic of a visually imperceptible seam, such that said panel display can be viewed as though it were a single, monolithic display, comprising: a) means defining an image source plane having spaced-apart, pixel-active areas; b) a plurality of tiles disposed in a plane adjacent said image source plane; c) means defining a seam disposed between adjacently disposed tiles; d) masking means in conjunction with light collimating means, said masking means being disposed proximate said seam for blocking direct and selectively scattered light directed from said seam towards a viewer of said display, thereby making said seam substantially visually imperceptible to said viewer, notwithstanding any angle at which said display is viewed thereby; and e) means defining a viewing plane comprising a light-transmitting layer disposed adjacent said masking means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
144 words
A tiled, substantially flat, panel display composed of a plurality of joined, smaller tiles, having the characteristic of a visually imperceptible seam, such that said panel display can be viewed as though it were a single, monolithic display, comprising: a) means defining an image source plane having spaced-apart, pixel-active areas; b) a plurality of tiles disposed in a plane adjacent said image source plane; c) means defining a seam disposed between adjacently disposed tiles; d) masking means in conjunction with light collimating means, said masking means being disposed proximate said seam for blocking direct and selectively scattered light directed from said seam towards a viewer of said display, thereby making said seam substantially visually imperceptible to said viewer, notwithstanding any angle at which said display is viewed thereby; and e) means defining a viewing plane comprising a light-transmitting layer disposed adjacent said masking means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 26, further comprising a color filter layer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The tiled, substantially flat, display panel in accordance with claim 26, wherein said masking means comprises light-shielding material disposed in said image source plane for providing additional light collimation along predetermined channels.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 26, further comprising: f) a compound disposed in said seam having optical properties that are substantially similar to the optical properties of said tiles.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 29, further comprising: g) a plurality of focusing devices for coupling light into said image source plane.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
169 words
A tiled, substantially, flat panel composed of a plurality of joined, smaller tiles, display having the characteristic of visually imperceptible seams between tiles disposed in an interior portion thereof, such that said panel display can be viewed as though it were a single, monolithic display, comprising: a) means defining an image source plane having spaced-apart, pixel-active areas, with each of said pixel-active areas being disposed along said image source plane at a given pitch distance; b) a plurality of adjacently disposed tiles, each having a predetermined thickness, disposed in a plane adjacent said image source plane; c) means defining seams disposed between adjacent tiles; d) a compound disposed in said seams, having optical properties that are substantially similar to the optical properties of said tiles, whereby light passing through said seams is substantially less refracted and/or scattered than in the absence of said compound; and e) means defining a viewing plane for transmitting light from said image source plane to said viewer, with substantially no light from said seams.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
169 words
A tiled, substantially, flat panel composed of a plurality of joined, smaller tiles, display having the characteristic of visually imperceptible seams between tiles disposed in an interior portion thereof, such that said panel display can be viewed as though it were a single, monolithic display, comprising: a) means defining an image source plane having spaced-apart, pixel-active areas, with each of said pixel-active areas being disposed along said image source plane at a given pitch distance; b) a plurality of adjacently disposed tiles, each having a predetermined thickness, disposed in a plane adjacent said image source plane; c) means defining seams disposed between adjacent tiles; d) a compound disposed in said seams, having optical properties that are substantially similar to the optical properties of said tiles, whereby light passing through said seams is substantially less refracted and/or scattered than in the absence of said compound; and e) means defining a viewing plane for transmitting light from said image source plane to said viewer, with substantially no light from said seams.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
38 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 31, wherein distance from said image source plane to said viewing plane is within one order of magnitude of said given pitch distance of said spaced-apart, pixel-active areas.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 31, wherein said viewing plane comprises a lens layer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 31, wherein said viewing plane comprises a screen layer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 31, further comprising a color filter layer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 31, wherein each of said pixel-active areas comprises a group of primary color elements.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 31, wherein said image source plane comprises a substantially non-diverging, light-intensity distribution characteristic.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
34 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 31, further comprising at least two polarizing layers, one of said polarizing layers being disposed between said image source plane and said viewing plane.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 32, wherein said pitch distance of pixel-active areas is greater than approximately 0.2 mm.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
34 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 32, wherein said distance from said image source plane to said viewing layer is less than approximately five times the thickness of said tiles.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 31, further comprising: f) a compound disposed in said seams having optical properties that are substantially similar to the optical properties of said tiles.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
38 words
A tiled, substantially flat, panel display in a accordance with claim 31, further comprising: f) a plurality of light-directing means disposed proximate at least one of said planes for eliminating superfluous secondary light paths from said viewing plane.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
36 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 31, further comprising: f) a base plate for supporting said planes, said tiles and said masking means, and for providing an electrical, optical and mechanical interface.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 43, further comprising: g) a tile carrier for supporting said tiles.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 31, further comprising: h) a plurality of focusing devices for coupling light into said image source plane.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
32 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 31, wherein said plurality of focusing devices comprises any one of the group comprising refractive microlenses, off-axis lenses and holographic lens devices.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 31, further comprising: f) a plurality of focusing devices for coupling light in said predetermined collimating channels.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 45, wherein said plurality of focusing devices is integrated into said substantially flat, panel display.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 31, further comprising an anti-reflective coating.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tiled, substantially flat, panel display in accordance with claim 31, wherein at least one of said pixel-active areas is dimensionally non-identical to the others of said pixel-active areas.
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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) | 2000-08-25 | 2001-02-24 | 2001-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-08-25 | 2005-02-24 | 2005-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-08-25 | 2009-02-24 | 2009-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |