US5889567A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illumination system for color displays
Assignee: Kopin Corp
•
Filing: 1995-11-30
•
Granted: 1999-03-30
•
Expires: 2015-11-30
Abstract
Abstract Binary optics are used in an illumination system for a color projection display. In one embodiment a broad spectrum light source illuminates a multilevel optical phase element which disperses the broad spectrum light from the light source by diffraction. A display having a number of pixel elements, each capable of transmitting a predetermined spectral region, is positioned within the near field region of the multilevel optical phase element so as to receive the light dispersed by the multilevel phase element.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary J. Swanson
- 👤 Ronald P. Gale
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:56
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10D; H10D1/00; H10D1/60; H10D1/68; H10D1/692; G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/09; G02B27/0938; G02B27/0994; G02B5/00; G02B5/02; G02B5/18; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1335; G02F1/133504; G02F1/1336; G02F1/133621; H04; H04N; H04N9/00; H04N9/12; H04N9/31; H04N9/3102; H04N9/3105; H04N9/3108; H04N9/3141; H04N9/315; H10D1/696; H04N5/00; H04N5/74; H04N5/7416; H04N5/7441; H10D1/682; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S359/00; Y10S359/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A transmissive active matrix liquid crystal display device comprising: an active matrix array of transistor circuits and pixel electrodes over an insulating layer, each pixel electrode being electrically connected to a transistor circuit that actuates the pixel electrode; an optically transmissive substrate bonded to the active matrix array with an adhesive layer on a first side of the insulating layer; a layer of liquid crystal material positioned between a second side of the insulating layer and a counterelectrode to form a transmissive display structure such that actuation of the pixel electrodes controls transmission of light through a volume of the liquid crystal material; a diffractive optical element aligned with the active matrix array to disperse light of different colors through different volumes of the liquid crystal material; and a housing that contains the transmissive display structure and the diffractive optical element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A transmissive active matrix liquid crystal display device comprising: an active matrix array of transistor circuits and pixel electrodes over an insulating layer, each pixel electrode being electrically connected to a transistor circuit that actuates the pixel electrode; an optically transmissive substrate bonded to the active matrix array with an adhesive layer on a first side of the insulating layer; a layer of liquid crystal material positioned between a second side of the insulating layer and a counterelectrode to form a transmissive display structure such that actuation of the pixel electrodes controls transmission of light through a volume of the liquid crystal material; a diffractive optical element aligned with the active matrix array to disperse light of different colors through different volumes of the liquid crystal material; and a housing that contains the transmissive display structure and the diffractive optical element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The display device of claim 1 wherein the diffractive optical element is bonded to the active matrix array.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The display device of claim 1 wherein the diffractive optical element includes a light polarizer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The display device of claim 1 wherein the housing forms a direct-view display device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The display device of claim 1 wherein the housing forms a projected-view display device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The display device of claim 1 further comprising an illumination system for providing light to the diffractive optical element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The display device of claim 6 wherein the illumination system includes a light pipe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The display device of claim 7 wherein the light pipe is a folded light pipe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The display device of claim 6 wherein the illumination system includes a reflective box light source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The display device of claim 6 wherein the illumination system includes a lenslet array, the lenslet array being optically aligned with the diffractive optical element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The display device of claim 1 further comprising a viewing optic.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The display device of claim 11 wherein the viewing optic includes a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
A reflective display device comprising: an array of light reflective pixels; a diffractive optical element aligned with the array of pixels to disperse light of different colors onto different pixels; an optical system that couples light from the diffractive optical element onto the reflective pixels; and a housing that contains the array of light reflective pixels and the diffractive optical element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
61 words
A reflective display device comprising: an array of light reflective pixels; a diffractive optical element aligned with the array of pixels to disperse light of different colors onto different pixels; an optical system that couples light from the diffractive optical element onto the reflective pixels; and a housing that contains the array of light reflective pixels and the diffractive optical element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The display device of claim 13 when the pixels are electromechanically actuated.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The display device of claim 13 further comprising a layer of electrically actuated light valve material disposed between the array of pixels and the diffractive optical element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The display device of claim 13 further comprising a total internal reflection (TIR) mirror to guide source light from a light source to the array of pixels and reflected light from pixels toward a viewer.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of fabricating a transmissive active matrix liquid crystal display device comprising the steps of: providing an active matrix array of transistor circuits and pixel electrodes on an insulating layer, each pixel electrode being electrically connected to a transistor circuit that actuates the pixel electrode; bonding an optically transmissive substrate to the active matrix array with an adhesive layer; forming a transmissive display structure by positioning a layer of liquid crystal material between the insulating layer and a counterelectrode such that actuation of the pixel electrodes controls transmission of light through a respective volume of the liquid crystal material; aligning a diffractive optical element with the active matrix array to disperse light of different colors through different volumes of the liquid crystal material; and enclosing the transmissive display structure and the diffractive optical element within a housing.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of fabricating a transmissive active matrix liquid crystal display device comprising the steps of: providing an active matrix array of transistor circuits and pixel electrodes on an insulating layer, each pixel electrode being electrically connected to a transistor circuit that actuates the pixel electrode; bonding an optically transmissive substrate to the active matrix array with an adhesive layer; forming a transmissive display structure by positioning a layer of liquid crystal material between the insulating layer and a counterelectrode such that actuation of the pixel electrodes controls transmission of light through a respective volume of the liquid crystal material; aligning a diffractive optical element with the active matrix array to disperse light of different colors through different volumes of the liquid crystal material; and enclosing the transmissive display structure and the diffractive optical element within a housing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of bonding the diffractive optical element to the active matrix array.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the diffractive optical element includes a light polarizer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the step of enclosing forms a direct-view display device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the step of enclosing forms a projected-view display device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of providing light to the diffractive optical element from an illumination system.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the illumination system includes a light pipe.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The display device of claim 23 wherein the light pipe is a folded light pipe.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The display device of claim 22 wherein the illumination system includes a reflective box light source.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
The display device of claim 22 wherein the illumination system includes a lenslet array and the step of providing light includes optically aligning the lenslet array with the diffractive optical element.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The display device of claim 17 further comprising the step of optically aligning a viewing optic with the acting matrix array.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The display device of claim 27 wherein the viewing optic includes a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3860955A
Cited
US4079411A
Cited
US4105289A
Cited
US4277138A
Cited
DE2742596A1
Cited
US4255019A
Cited
US4748614A
Cited
GB2152724A
Cited
US4686519A
Cited
JPS60165623A
Cited
JPS60165624A
Cited
US4649351A
Cited
JPS6294826A
Cited
JPS62150317A
Cited
US4882619A
Cited
US4846552A
Cited
JPS62293223A
Cited
JPS62293222A
Cited
US4933649A
Cited
JPS63118125A
Cited
US4807978A
Cited
US5161059A
Cited
US4895790A
Cited
US5218471A
Cited
US4798448A
Cited
JPH01281426A
Cited
JPH02296213A
Cited
US4983032A
Cited
EP0421855A1
Cited
US5272551A
Cited
US5027359A
Cited
US5124843A
Cited
US5442480A
Cited
US5089023A
Cited
US5033060A
Cited
US5161042A
Cited
US5148157A
Cited
JPH04367817A
Cited
US5231432A
Cited
US5233385A
Cited
US5264880A
Cited
JPH05249318A
Cited
US5311360A
Cited
US5497269A
Cited
EP0583150A1
Cited
US5615024A
Cited
US5382961A
Cited
US5344447A
Cited
US5457493A
Cited
EP0657760A1
Cited
EP0663770A1
Cited
US5442411A
Cited
US5448314A
Cited
WO1995022773A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-03-29 | 2002-09-28 | 2003-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-03-29 | 2006-09-28 | 2007-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-03-29 | 2010-09-28 | 2011-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |