Back to results
US 8,045,421 B2Granted
Watch with planar light diffusion channel
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorRichard D. Harley, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Structures are disclosed that can improve the visibility of instrument displays. With some implementations, an instrument is provided with an illumination system having a light source and a light diffusion device proximal to the light source. The light diffusion device has at least one surface parallel to a primary plane of the display of the instrument. When the light source is activated, light propagates through the light diffusion device toward the display of the instrument.
Claims27
An instrument, comprising:
- a first portion of an instrument display oriented substantially parallel to a plane;
- at least two light sources;
- and
- a light diffusion device having at least a first surface parallel to the plane and at least one side angled with respect to the plane, the at least one side extending entirely around the first surface, wherein the at least two light sources are positioned proximal to the at least one side of the light diffusion device, and wherein light from the at least two light sources is diffused by the light diffusion device and propagates through said first surface parallel to the plane to backlight the first portion of the instrument display,
- wherein the light diffusion device further includes a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the first portion of the instrument display is located proximal to the first surface, and wherein the plate is positioned proximal to the second surface, and
- wherein the at least one side surface extends between the first surface and the second surface.
3 more elements
An instrument, comprising:
- an instrument mechanism;
- a first light source and a second light source electrically coupled to receive power from a battery;
- a light diffusion device having a first substantially planar surface and at least one side angled with respect to the first substantially planar surface, the at least one side extending entirely around the first substantially planar surface, wherein the first light source and the second light source are located proximal to the at least one side of the light diffusion device, the light diffusion device further including a second substantially planar surface and the at least one side extending from the first substantially planar surface to the second substantially planar surface;
- and
- an instrument display controlled by the instrument mechanism, wherein light from at least one of the first light source and the second light source is diffused by the light diffusion device and propagates through the first substantially planar surface to backlight the instrument display.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.