US6487350B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-clad black display panel
Assignee: Brookhaven Science Associates LLC
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Filing: 1999-06-18
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Granted: 2002-11-26
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Expires: 2019-06-18
Abstract
Abstract A multi-clad black display panel, and a method of making a multi-clad black display panel, are disclosed, wherein a plurality of waveguides, each of which includes a light-transmissive core placed between an opposing pair of transparent cladding layers and a black layer disposed between transparent cladding layers, are stacked together and sawed at an angle to produce a wedge-shaped optical panel having an inlet face and an outlet face.
Inventors
- 👤 James T. Veligdan
- 👤 Cyrus Biscardi
- 👤 Calvin Brewster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:02
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/04; G02B6/06; G02B6/08; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S385/00; Y10S385/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
An optical display panel for displaying a projected image, said optical display panel comprising: a plurality of stacked planar optical waveguides, wherein each waveguide has a receiving end and an outlet end, which plurality of receiving ends form an inlet face and which plurality of outlet ends form an outlet face, wherein each waveguide receives image light at the inlet face, and outlets the image light at the outlet face, wherein each waveguide is formed of a core between an opposing pair of cladding layers, and wherein each of said cladding layers extends from the inlet face to the outlet face; and a black layer disposed between adjoining cladding layers, wherein each of said black layers extends from the inlet face to the outlet face.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
An optical display panel for displaying a projected image, said optical display panel comprising: a plurality of stacked planar optical waveguides, wherein each waveguide has a receiving end and an outlet end, which plurality of receiving ends form an inlet face and which plurality of outlet ends form an outlet face, wherein each waveguide receives image light at the inlet face, and outlets the image light at the outlet face, wherein each waveguide is formed of a core between an opposing pair of cladding layers, and wherein each of said cladding layers extends from the inlet face to the outlet face; and a black layer disposed between adjoining cladding layers, wherein each of said black layers extends from the inlet face to the outlet face.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical display panel of claim 1 , wherein the image light is displayed at the outlet face as a video image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical display panel of claim 1 , wherein the image light is displayed at the outlet face as an illuminated button.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The optical display panel of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of waveguides are stacked at an angle, thereby disposing the outlet face obliquely with the inlet face.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The optical display panel of claim 4 , wherein the outlet face is disposed perpendicularly to the inlet face, thereby forming the panel into a triangular wedge shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical display panel of claim 5 , wherein the triangular wedge has an angle in the range of about 1 to 10 degrees.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical display panel of claim 6 , wherein the triangular wedge has an angle in the range of about 5 degrees.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical display panel of claim 1 , further comprising a light generator which generates the image light.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical display panel of claim 8 , wherein said light generator includes: a light source; a light modulator; and imaging optics.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical display panel of claim 9 , wherein said light source is chosen from the group consisting of an incandescent bulb, a laser, an LED, and an arc lamp.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical display panel of claim 9 , wherein the image light from said light source is modulated by said light modulator to define pixels.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical display panel of claim 11 , wherein horizontal resolution at the outlet face is controlled by modulation of the image light from said light source.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The optical display panel of claim 11 , wherein said light modulator is chosen from the group consisting of a liquid crystal display, a digital micromirror device, a vector scanner, a raster scanner, an FED, and a CRT.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical display panel of claim 9 , wherein said imaging optics include at least one light folding mirror and at least one lens.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The optical display panel of claim 9 , wherein said imaging optics are optically aligned between the inlet face and said light modulator for compressing, expanding, and focusing the light to fit the inlet face.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The optical display panel of claim 1 , wherein said black layer is disposed at an angle in order to absorb ambient light.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical display panel of claim 16 , wherein each of said black layers is exposed at the opposed end which outlets the image light.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical display panel of claim 1 , wherein each of said waveguides is bi-directional.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical display panel of claim 1 , wherein the core is laminated between the cladding layers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The optical display panel of claim 1 , wherein said core has a first index of refraction and wherein said cladding layer has a second index of refraction which is lower than the first index of refraction.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The optical display panel of claim 1 , wherein said core is transparent.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical display panel of claim 21 , wherein each of said cladding layers is transparent.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The optical display panel of claim 1 , wherein said outlet face is frosted.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical display panel of claim 1 , wherein each of said cores is a glass sheet.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical display panel of claim 24 , wherein the glass sheet is about 0.004″ in thickness.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical display panel of claim 24 , wherein the glass sheet is of type BK-7.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical display panel of claim 1 , wherein each of said cores is a plastic laminate.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The optical display panel of claim 27 , wherein the plastic laminate is Lexan®.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical display panel of claim 1 , wherein each of said cores is plexiglass.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical display panel of claim 1 , wherein each of said cladding layers is a clear coat.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical display panel of claim 1 , wherein each of said cladding layers is formed of polyurethane.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical display panel of claim 1 , wherein each of said cladding layers is a polymethylmethacrylate sheet.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical display panel of claim 1 , wherein each of said black layers is a plastic laminate.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical display panel of claim 33 , wherein the plastic laminate is bonded between adjoining cladding layers.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optical display panel of claim 1 , further comprising at least one light redirection element connected at the outlet face.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
43 words
The optical display panel of claim 35 , wherein said light redirection element is chosen from the group consisting of a holographic coating, a series of lenses, a series of mirrors, a series of micro-lenses, a plurality of serrations, and a Fresnel prism.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optical display panel of claim 1 , wherein each waveguide extends horizontally, and the plurality of stacked waveguides extends vertically.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
52 words
The optical display panel of claim 37 , wherein the panel has a width along a horizontal of the outlet face, a height along a vertical of the outlet face, a top, and a bottom along the inlet face, which bottom has a depth from the outlet face to the back face.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical display panel of claim 38 , wherein the width to the height is an aspect ratio of 4:3.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical display panel of claim 38 , wherein the width to the height is an aspect ratio of 16:9.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
43 words
The optical display panel of claim 38 , wherein the depth of the bottom is in the range of about 5.0 to 8.0 cm, and wherein the height of the panel is 100 cm and the width of the panel is 133 cm.
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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) | 2005-11-25 | 2006-05-27 | 2006-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-11-25 | 2010-05-27 | 2010-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-11-25 | 2014-05-27 | 2014-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |