Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Plural physical display element control system – Display elements arranged in matrix
Reexamination Certificate
1995-05-04
2001-09-11
Saras, Steven J. (Department: 2775)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Plural physical display element control system
Display elements arranged in matrix
C340S815420, C385S116000, C362S035000, C349S062000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06288700
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a light emitting flat panel device. This kind of flat panel device is used for a mono-color and/or multi-color image display device which is operated by electronic signal, and/or flat light source which emits uniform light. And more particularly, it relates to a light emitting flat panel device equipped with a plurality of dot light emitting parts which can be used as a back-light for a thin transit type monocolor and/or multi-color display device with electronic shutter board or film.
The electronic shutter has electrode matrix at each image element point on a transparent electrode panel as liquid crystal display. And also, this invention relates to mono-color or multi-color uniform light emitting flat panel device which can be used for illumination and/or decoration purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Light emitting flat panel devices have previously been proposed:
A. A device which has light scattering semi-transparent flat panel with fluorescent lamp at the backward or sideward of the panel has been used for mono-color and/or multi-color LCD devices. In this case, there are many problems on:
a. Thinness of the device is limited because there is a limitation to decrease diameter of fluorescent lamp.
b. Unsuitable for portable equipment because consumption of electric power of a fluorescent lamp is comparably large.
c. When the device is used for color display, it requires three kind of numerous color filters for each image element, because the fluorescent lamp emits mono-color. It means increase of manufacturing cost. In addition, since the color filter absorb much light power, intensity of fluorescent lamp must be increased, which means increase of electric power consumption.
B. Among other light emitting flat panel devices, there is a one using many side leak type optical fibers (Japanese Patent Application No. 86-68742, Japanese Patent Publication No.94-64272, Aug. 22, 1994). In this case, it requires complicated process as explained below, which invites increase of cost.
a. It needs a precision process which arranges many optical fibers at the very right position accurately.
b. It needs a precision process to make small holes of detailed dimensions and shapes on the accurate position on the side of each optical fiber.
c. It needs a sophisticated assembling process to bundle one end or both ends of optical fibers in group by color, which transport color light from each light source respectively.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The light emitting flat panel device of this invention can be used as a back light of image display device, or as an uniform light emitting flat panel device. The purpose of this invention is to solve problems occurred in previous devices, and to realize a light emitting flat panel which has the following progressed merits in comparison with the previous devices;
very thin type;
very bright because no filter is used;
low power consumption;
any size from small to large can be realized;
low manufacturing cost because of easy manufacturing process.
The First Invention
The dot type light emitting flat panel device of the first invention provides a thin and flat panel made of transparent material as plastics or glass. The flat panel integrates many light guide routes, several light dividing routes, and several LEDs in one body. And the panel emits numerous mono-color or multi-colors dot type of lights from the surface of the panel.
The light guide routes and the light dividing routes are made of a fine transparent cylindrical material which reflective index is respectively larger than that of the flat panel body. Therefore they guide the light with low loss. A number of light guide routes are placed in parallel and adjacent each other, inside but considerably near to the flat panel surface.
A light dividing route made of the same material with that of the light guide route has several smaller branches in one side and one bigger branch in the opposite side. Each small branch becomes to each light guide route, and a LED is placed at the end of a bigger branch. In order to be emitted a number of dot lights from one side of the flat panel, lots of small holes are provided at even intervals on the flat panel alongside the light guide routes.
The form and dimensions of the small holes shall be appropriate ones. When it is necessary, each small hole can be filled up with the same material to the light guide routes and light dividing routes, or each lens can be provided in each light emitting part. By the method stated above, an integrated one-body light emitting flat panel device with lots of dot light emitting points is constructed, and light from one LED light source can be thrown into plural light guides routes in parallel. Such an integrated flat panel can be easily mass-produced by plastic injection mold process or similar, and not require a complicated and precise process required hitherto. Therefor, a drastic cut of production cost can be realized.
By providing a thin panel or film type electronic shutter which has many small electronic shutters on the light emitting face of the panel, and according strictly each small shutter position to each light emitting point, then controlling each shutter by electronic signal, a picture image can be displayed through the electronic shutter panel or film.
The picture can be displayed in multi-color, when three primary color LEDs (Red, Green, and Blue) are used as the source of light. By using LEDs, the device will be thinner and lower in power consumption comparing with using of fluorescent lamp. Besides, the color filter which required in former technology is not necessary. A lot of merits including saving production cost will be obtained. As for electronic shutter, the existing liquid crystal shutter for mono-color display use can be used for multi-color by using the light emitting flat panel of this invention. However, a high dielectric crystal film is recommended by the inventor of this invention, considering easy process for thin and large size, rapid response speed, low cost etc. When the light guide routes and the light dividing routes are made of elbium or any other material which becomes light amplification medium, they can be composed of the light amplification routes. By this method, intensity of light source can be decreased.
The Second Invention
Instead of the electronic shutter stated in the above paragraphs, when a light scattering film like Japanese Washi paper or similar material is placed in face of the flat panel, a uniform light emitting flat panel device is obtainable. In this case, it is easy to get any voluntary color-tone and brightness of flat light source by switching or adjusting brightness of each LED individually. When higher brightness is required, a higher power lamp such as halogen lamp can be used instead of LED. Those uniformed light emitting flat panel devices will be widely used for illumination, decoration etc.
The Third Invention
For the uniformed light emitting flat panel devices, the other methods than making small holes stated in the first invention are considered. By making line type ditch on the surface of one side or two sides of the flat panel alongside the light guide routes, light can be emitted in line from one side or two sides of the flat panel. Or instead of making ditch stated above, by placing the light guide routes near to the surface of the flat panel, or by placing them as the part of light guide routes be exposed on the surface of the panel, light will be emitted in line form, too.
By means of present invention as mentioned above, many problems contained in the hitherto technology can be solved, and new picture image display devices and flat panel lightning devices with the following merits can be realized;
High brightness;
Large size;
Thinner size;
Lower production cost;
Lower power consumption.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3871747 (1975-03-01), Andrews
patent: 3962702 (1976-06-01), Kriege
patent: 4378956 (1983-04-01), Lester
patent: 4573766 (1986-03-01), Bournay, Jr. et al.
patent: 4578709 (1986-03-01), Lang et al.
pate
Bell Paul A
Saras Steven J.
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