# US 2014/0192391 A1 · Methods, Systems, and Products for Illuminating Displays

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- Number: US 2014/0192391 A1
- Document ID: US20140192391A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/210,760
- Filed: 2014-03-14
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2010-12-03
- Assignees: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
- Applicants: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
- Inventors: Kevin A. Li
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140192391A1

## CPC

- G02B 26/0816: {by means of one or more reflecting elements}
- G02B 6/005: {provided by one optical element, or plurality thereof, placed on the light output side of the light guide}
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

Methods, systems, and products illuminate display devices. Light in a waveguide is frustrated to illuminate an array of picture elements.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method, comprising:
injecting light into a waveguide to create total internal reflectance;
frustrating the total internal reflectance of the light at a surface of the waveguide; and
withdrawing frustrated light from the surface of the waveguide onto an array of picture elements,
wherein the frustrated light illuminates an image created by the array of picture elements.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising reflecting the frustrated light from the array of picture elements.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising reflecting the frustrated light from the array of picture elements through the waveguide.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a voltage to the array of picture elements.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein injecting the light comprises injecting visible light.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising arranging the array of picture elements below the waveguide.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising arranging the array of picture elements above the waveguide.

### Claim 8

An apparatus, comprising:
an array of picture elements;
a waveguide having total internal reflectance of light; and
a frustrator for withdrawing frustrated light from the waveguide onto the array of picture elements,
wherein the frustrated light illuminates an output produced by the array of picture elements.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a source injecting the light into the waveguide.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the frustrator comprises a layer of material that frustrates the total internal reflectance in the waveguide.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the frustrator comprises a coating that frustrates the total internal reflectance in the waveguide.

### Claim 12 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the frustrator comprises a film that frustrates the total internal reflectance in the waveguide.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a circuit that applies a voltage to the array of picture elements.

### Claim 14 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a processor that controls the array of picture elements.

### Claim 15 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a magnifier that optically magnifies the output produced by the array of picture elements.

### Claim 16

An apparatus, comprising:
a waveguide;
a source for injecting light to create total internal reflectance in the waveguide;
an array of picture elements for producing an output; and
a frustrator for withdrawing frustrated light from the waveguide that illuminates the output.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the frustrator comprises a layer of material that frustrates the total internal reflectance in the waveguide.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the frustrator comprises a coating that frustrates the total internal reflectance in the waveguide.

### Claim 19 (depends on 16)

The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the frustrator comprises a film that frustrates the total internal reflectance in the waveguide.

### Claim 20 (depends on 16)

The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a circuit that applies a voltage to the array of picture elements.