Backside reflection optical display

An optical display comprising:

• a light source capable of outputting alternating pulses of light;
• a light guide coupled with the light source andadapted to conduct light under conditions of total internal reflection;
• a deformable layer adapted to conduct light under conditions of total internal reflection, the deformable layer having an upper surface disposed on a first surface of the light guide, the entire upper surface parallel to a second surface of the light guide;
• an active layer disposed on a deformable first surface of the light guide the deformable layer;
• and
• a driving layer coupled with the active layer and operable to selectively deform portions of the active layer that cause deformations in a lower surface of the deformable layer such that light within the deformable layer is reflected off the deformations and ejected from the second surface of the light guide in a controlled fashion.

An optical display comprising:

• a light source capable of outputting alternating pulses of light;
• a light guide coupled with the light source and adapted to conduct light under conditions of total internal reflection, each of a plurality of portions of the light guide being selectively deformable:
• an active layer disposed on a deformable first surface of the light guide;
• a driving layer coupled with the active layer and operable to selectively deform portions of the active layer such that light is ciected from a second surface of the light guide in a controlled fashion;
• a plurality of standoffs, each standoff situated between two of the plurality of deformable portions.

An optical display comprising:

• a light source capable of outputting alternating pulses of light;
• a light guide coupled with the light source and adapted to conduct light under conditions of total internal reflection, at least a portion of the light guide, being deformable;
• a deformable layer adapted to conduct light under conditions of total internal reflection, the deformable layer having an upper surface disposed on a first surface of the light guide, the entire upper surface parallel to a second surface of the light guide;
• a plurality of modular active layers disposed in an arrayed manner on a deformable first surface of the light guide;
• and
• a plurality of modular driving layers, each driving layer module coupled with at least one of the modular active layers and operable to selectively deform at least a portion of the particular active layer to cause a deformation in a lower surface of the deformable layer such that light within the deformable layer is reflected off the deformation and ejected from the second surface of the light guide.

A method for fabricating an optical display comprising:

• selecting a light guide adapted to conduct light under conditions of total internal reflection;
• selecting a deformable layer adapted to conduct light under conditions of total internal reflection, the deformable layer having an upper surface disposed on a first surface of the light guide, the entire upper surface parallel to a second surface of the light guide;
• coupling a light source, capable of outputting alternating pulses of light, to the light guide;
• and
• arranging a plurality of modules on the deformable layer, each module comprising an active layer and a driving layer wherein the active layer is disposed on a lower surface of the deformable layer such that upon selective deformation of the active layer by the driving layer the active layer forms a deformation in a lower surface of the deformable layer that reflects the light and causes the light to eject from the second surface of the light guide.

An optical component comprising:

• a light guide adapted to conduct light under conditions of total internal reflection;
• a deformable layer adapted to conduct light under conditions of total internal reflection, the deformable layer having an upper surface disposed on a first surface of the light guide, the entire upper surface parallel to a second surface of the light guide;
• and
• an active layer comprising a plurality of small asperities on the surface of the active layer. the active layer selectively reflects light by contacting the plurality of small asperities with a lower surface of the deformable layer thereby forming multiple reflection points in the lower surface of the deformable layer such that the light within the deformable layer is reflected off the multiple reflection points and ejected from some portion of the second surface of the light guide.