Backlight module and system for displaying images

A system for displaying images comprising:

• a backlight module comprising:
• a channel exhibiting a series of waves arranged along a length thereof;
• a fluorescent material located within the channel;
• and
• a cathode and an anode spaced from each other along the length of the channel, wherein the channel is formed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the cathode;
• wherein the series of waves forms an increased effective length of the channel through which electrons travel between the cathode and the anode, and within which the electrons excite a discharging gas to generate ultra-violet light;
• wherein, responsive to the ultra-violet light, the fluorescent material emits visible light;
• and
• a display module, located adjacent to the backlight module, for receiving light provided by the backlight module.

A system for displaying images comprising:

• a display device having a display module and a backlight module;
• the display module being operative to receive light emitted from the backlight module;
• the backlight module comprising:
• a channel having sides and exhibiting a serpentine shape, the sides of the channel undulating along a length thereof such that waves of the undulating channel are superimposed on the serpentine shape;
• and
• a fluorescent material located within the channel;
• wherein the channel restricts electrons to travel along a length thereof, the electrons being operative to excite a discharging gas to generate ultra-violet light such that the fluorescent material emits visible light.

A backlight module comprising:

• a lower substrate;
• an upper substrate overlying and spaced from the lower substrate;
• a channel located between the lower substrate and the upper substrate, wherein the channel comprises a first barrier wall and a second barrier wall spaced from the first barrier wall, and both of the first and second barrier walls undulate along their respective lengths;
• an anode located adjacent a first end of the channel;
• a cathode located adjacent a second end of the channel, wherein the cathode is operative to provide electrons to excite a discharging gas, thereby causing the discharging gas to generate ultra-violet light;
• and
• a fluorescent material, located within the channel, for emitting visible light in response to the ultra-violet light.

A backlight module comprising:

• a lower substrate;
• an upper substrate overlying and spaced from the lower substrate;
• a first channel located between the lower substrate and the upper substrate, wherein the first channel undulates along a length thereof;
• a second channel located between the lower substrate and the upper substrate and isolated from the first channel, wherein the second channel undulates along a length thereof;
• an anode located adjacent one end of the first channel and one end of the second channel;
• a cathode located adjacent the other end of the first channel and the other end of the second channel, wherein the cathode is operative to provide electrons to excite a discharging gas, thereby causing the discharging gas to generate ultra-violet light;
• and
• a fluorescent material, located within the first and second channels, for emitting visible light in response to the ultra-violet light.