Optical waveguides – With optical coupler – Switch
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-02
2001-04-10
Palmer, Phan T. H. (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
With optical coupler
Switch
C385S016000, C385S147000, C385S901000, C359S618000, C349S063000, C362S554000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06215920
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
A reflective display device and method of controllably frustrating total internal reflection at an interface between materials having different refractive indices.
BACKGROUND
The '161 application discloses a multiple pixel image display device. Each pixel has at least one element having a reflective state in which incident light undergoes total internal reflection (“TIR”), and having a non-reflective state in which TIR is prevented (i.e. “frustrated”). Such prevention is achieved by modifying the evanescent wave associated with TIR. Specifically, a member is positioned adjacent the element and deformed between first and second positions. In the first position, a gap remains between the member and the element to allow the evanescent wave to have the usual characteristics for TIR. In the second position, the member is in optical contact with the element (that is, the gap thickness is substantially less than an optical wavelength), substantially interfering with the evanescent wave, thus preventing TIR.
The '214 application discloses a number of improvements to the invention disclosed in the '161 application, including the use of electrophoresis to control the TIR phenomenon, redirection of light through two prismatic surfaces in a manner which permits the TIR phenomenon to occur and to be controlled at a flat surface, and the use of both electrophoresis and dual prismatic surfaces to achieve gapless control of the TIR phenomenon at a flat surface.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention further improves upon the image displays disclosed in the '161 and '214 applications. In one embodiment, charged particles suspended in a medium such as Fluorinert™ Electronic Liquid are used to electrophoretically control the TIR phenomenon at a retro-reflective surface on a high refractive index material. A second embodiment uses a prismatic structure to redirect ambient light from an overhead light source toward a display image and then from the image to the viewing region in front of the image, yielding a high contrast reflective display. A third embodiment uses a transparent planar waveguide to frontlight a colour display. A fourth embodiment controls the TIR phenomenon at a retro-reflective surface by means of a vapour-liquid phase transition. A fifth embodiment controls the TIR phenomenon by changing the absorption coefficient of a material using electrical, chemical and/or electrochemical methods.
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“Patented fiber switch revs speed, cuts cost”, George Kotelly, in “Lightwave” Oct., 1995 web site publication of PennWell Publishing Co., Tulsa, OK.
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Coope Robin John Noel
Grandmaison Dmitri Nikolaevich
Kotlicki Andrzej
Mossman Michele Ann
Whitehead Lorne A.
Oyen Wiggs Green & Mutala
Palmer Phan T. H.
The University of British Columbia
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