Illuminated transparent display with microtextured back reflector

Abstract

Applicants have discovered that a particularly efficient illuminating device for a transparent display comprises a microtextured reflecting surface formed on a major surface of a transparent substrate and a light source for directing light into the transparent substrate approximately parallel to the major surface. Preferably the substrate has two major surfaces separated by a thickness in the range 0.5 to 1.0 mm so that the substrate acts as a light guide. A substantial portion of the light passing into the substrate undergoes total internal reflection until it hits a microelement and is reflected out of the substrate. The result is an efficient illuminating device particularly useful for lighting transparent displays.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.