Method and apparatus for distributing light to the user interface of an electronic device
AssigneeNokia Mobile Phones Ltd.
InventorMarko Parikka
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method is described for distributing light within a light guide which is used for illuminating the user interface of an electronic device. The light guide is formed as a thin film and impressed with a pattern of input and output diffraction gratings to control the transmission of light into and out of the light guide to efficiently illuminate the user interface.
Claims20
In an electronic device having a circuit board with first and second sides, operating components connected to said first side of said circuit board, and a user interface assembled on said second side, a system for illuminating the user interface comprising:
- a source of light operatively connected to the circuit board on said first side, said light source aligned with an opening constructed in said circuit board which allows said light to be transmitted from said first side to said second side;
- a light guide assembled between said user interface and said second side to receive light transmitted by said light source;
- and
- an input diffraction optical element positioned within said light guide to diffract the light transmitted into the light guide to distribute said light within the light guide.
A light guide for distributing light within an electronic device for illuminating the user interface thereof comprising:
- a light guiding panel to receive light from a light source at a predetermined location on said panel;
- and
- an input diffraction optical element positioned within said light guide to diffract the light transmitted into the light guide to distribute said light within the light guide.
In an electronic device having a circuit board with first and second sides, operating components connected to said first side of said circuit board, and a user interface assembled on said second side, a method for illuminating the user interface thereof comprising the steps of:
- constructing openings in the circuit board extending from said first side through said second side to allow the transmission of light;
- connecting an array of light emitting diodes on the first side of said circuit board to transmit light through said openings;
- positioning a light guide on the second side of said circuit board to receive light transmitted through the openings;
- and
- constructing a series of input diffraction optical elements positioned within said light guide to diffract the light transmitted into the light guide to distribute said light within the light guide.
A method of constructing a light guide for distributing light within an electronic device for illuminating the user interface thereof comprising the steps of:
- constructing a light guiding panel in the form of a thin film to receive light from a light source at a predetermined location on said panel;
- designing a pattern of input diffraction gratings for operative association with said light guide to diffract the light transmitted into the light guide at an angle optimized to maximize the dispersion of light within the light guide;
- designing a pattern of output diffraction gratings for association with said light guide to diffract light within the light guide out of the light guide in spatial relation to said user interface;
- and
- generating a form representing said combined input and output diffraction grating patterns;
- and
- impressing said combined pattern into said light guide during the construction thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.