Display device having front illuminator with turning features

Abstract

In various embodiments described herein, a display device includes a front illumination device that comprises a light guide disposed forward of an array of display elements, such as an array of interferometric modulators, to distribute light across the array of display elements. The light guide panel may include a turning layer to deliver uniform illumination from a light source to the array of display elements. For many portable display applications, the light guide panel comprises the substrate used in fabricating the display elements. The light guide panel may include additional films as well. The light guide panel, for example, may include a diffuser and/or an optical isolation layer to further enhance the optical imaging characteristics of the display.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates to microelectromechanical systems (MEMS).

2. Description of the Related Art

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) include micro mechanical elements, actuators, and electronics. Micromechanical elements may be created using deposition, etching, and/or other micromachining processes that etch away parts of substrates and/or deposited material layers or that add layers to form electrical and electromechanical devices. One type of MEMS device is called an interferometric modulator. As used herein, the term interferometric modulator or interferometric light modulator refers to a device that selectively absorbs and/or reflects light using the principles of optical interference. In certain embodiments, an interferometric modulator may comprise a pair of conductive plates, one or both of which may be transparent and/or reflective in whole or part and capable of relative motion upon application of an appropriate electrical signal. In a particular embodiment, one plate may comprise a stationary layer deposited on a substrate and the other plate may comprise a metallic membrane separated from the stationary layer by an air gap. As described herein in more detail, the position of one plate in relation to another can change the optical interference of light incident on the interferometric modulator. Such devices have a wide range of applications, and it would be beneficial in the art to utilize and/or modify the characteristics of these types of devices so that their features can be exploited in improving existing products and creating new products that have not yet been developed.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments described herein comprise light guides for distributing light across an array of display elements. The light guide may include surface relief features to turn light propagating in a light guide onto the array of display elements. The surface relief features may comprise facets that reflect light. To protect these facets, the facets are embedded within the light guide. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

One embodiment of the invention discloses a display device comprising a substrate having front and rear sides, a plurality of display elements on the rear side of the substrate, a plurality of turning features on the front side of the substrate and a diffuser on the front side of the substrate between the turning features and the substrate.

In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a display device is disclosed. The method of fabricating comprises providing a substrate having front and rear sides, forming a plurality of display elements on the rear side of the substrate, disposing a plurality of turning features on the front side of the substrate and disposing a diffuser on the front side of the substrate between the turning features and the substrate.

Another embodiment of the invention discloses a display device comprising means for displaying an image, means for supporting the displaying means during fabrication, the supporting means having front and rear sides, the displaying means disposed on the rear side of the supporting means, the supporting means configured to guide light between the front and rear sides. The display device further comprises means for turning the light guided in the supporting means toward the displaying means, the light turning means disposed on the front side of the supporting means and means for diffusing light disposed on the front side of the supporting means between the turning means and the supporting means.

An embodiment of the invention discloses a display device comprising a substrate having front and rear sides, a plurality of display elements on the rear side of the substrate, a plurality of turning features on the front side of the substrate and a diffuser between the substrate and the plurality of display elements.

In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a display device is disclosed comprising providing a substrate having front and rear sides, forming a plurality of display elements on the rear side of the substrate, disposing a plurality of turning features on the front side of the substrate and disposing a diffuser between the substrate and the plurality of display elements.

Another embodiment of the invention discloses a display device comprising means for displaying an image, means for supporting the displaying means during fabrication, the supporting means having front and rear sides, the displaying means disposed on the rear side of the supporting means, the supporting means configured to guide light between the front and rear sides. The display device further comprises means for turning the light guided in the supporting means toward the displaying means, the turning means disposed on the front side of the supporting means and means for diffusing light, the means for diffusing light disposed between the supporting means and the displaying means.

An alternate embodiment of the invention discloses a display device comprising a substrate having front and rear sides, a plurality of display elements on the rear side of the substrate, a plurality of turning features on the rear side of the substrate between the substrate and the plurality of display elements and a diffuser on the rear side of the substrate between the turning features and the plurality of display elements.

In one embodiment, a method of fabricating a display device is disclosed comprising providing a substrate having front and rear sides, forming a plurality of display elements on the rear side of the substrate, disposing plurality of turning features on the rear side of the substrate between the substrate and the plurality of display elements and disposing a diffuser on the rear side of the substrate between the turning features and the plurality of display elements.

Another embodiment of the invention discloses a display device comprising means for displaying an image, means for supporting the displaying means during fabrication, the supporting means having front and rear sides, the displaying means disposed on the rear side of the supporting means, the supporting means configured to guide light between the front and rear sides. The display device further comprises means for turning the light guided in the supporting means toward the displaying means, the turning means disposed on the rear side of the supporting means between the supporting means and the displaying means and means for diffusing said light, the diffusing means disposed on the rear side of the supporting means between the turning means and the displaying means.

One embodiment of the invention discloses a display device comprising a substrate having front and rear sides, a plurality of display elements on the rear side of the substrate, a plurality of turning features on the rear side of the substrate between the substrate and the plurality of display elements and an optical isolation layer on the rear side of the substrate between the turning features and the plurality of display elements.

In another embodiment, a method of fabricating a display device is disclosed comprising providing a substrate having front and rear sides, forming a plurality of display elements on the rear side of the substrate, disposing plurality of turning features on the rear side of the substrate between the substrate and the plurality of display elements and disposing an optical isolation layer on the rear side of the substrate between the turning features and the plurality of display elements.

Another embodiment of the invention discloses a display device comprising means for displaying an image, means for supporting the displaying means during fabrication, the supporting means having front and rear sides, the displaying means disposed on the rear side of the supporting means, the supporting means configured to guide light between the front and rear sides. The display device further comprises means for turning the light guided in the supporting means toward the displaying means, the turning means disposed on the rear side of the supporting means between the supporting means and the displaying means and means for optical isolating the displaying means from the supporting means, the means for optically isolating on the rear side of the supporting means between the turning means and the displaying means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view depicting a portion of one embodiment of an interferometric modulator display in which a movable reflective layer of a first interferometric modulator is in a relaxed position and a movable reflective layer of a second interferometric modulator is in an actuated position.

FIG. 2 is a system block diagram illustrating one embodiment of an electronic device incorporating a 3×3 interferometric modulator display.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of movable mirror position versus applied voltage for one exemplary embodiment of an interferometric modulator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a set of row and column voltages that may be used to drive an interferometric modulator display.

FIG. 5A illustrates one exemplary frame of display data in the 3×3 interferometric modulator display of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5B illustrates one exemplary timing diagram for row and column signals that may be used to write the frame of FIG. 5A.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are system block diagrams illustrating an embodiment of a visual display device comprising a plurality of interferometric modulators.

FIG. 7A is a cross section of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7B is a cross section of an alternative embodiment of an interferometric modulator.

FIG. 7C is a cross section of another alternative embodiment of an interferometric modulator.

FIG. 7D is a cross section of yet another alternative embodiment of an interferometric modulator.

FIG. 7E is a cross section of an additional alternative embodiment of an interferometric modulator.

FIG. 8 is a cross section of a portion of a display device comprising a turning layer and a diffuser disposed on an opposite side of a substrate on which display elements are formed.

FIG. 8A is a cross section of a portion of an alternative embodiment of a display device comprising a turning layer and a diffuser on one side of a substrate and an optical isolation layer disposed on the opposite side of the substrate where the display elements are formed.

FIG. 9 is a cross section of a portion of an alternative embodiment of a display device comprising a turning layer on one side of a substrate and an optical isolation layer and a diffuser disposed on the opposite side of a substrate where the display elements are formed.

FIG. 10 is a cross section of a portion of an embodiment of a display device comprising a turning layer, an optical isolation layer and a diffuser disposed the same side of a substrate on which display elements are formed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied in a multitude of different ways. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout. As will be apparent from the following description, the embodiments may be implemented in any device that is configured to display an image, whether in motion (e.g., video) or stationary (e.g., still image), and whether textual or pictorial. More particularly, it is contemplated that the embodiments may be implemented in or associated with a variety of electronic devices such as, but not limited to, mobile telephones, wireless devices, personal data assistants (PDAs), hand-held or portable computers, GPS receivers/navigators, cameras, MP3 players, camcorders, game consoles, wrist watches, clocks, calculators, television monitors, flat panel displays, computer monitors, auto displays (e.g., odometer display, etc.), cockpit controls and/or displays, display of camera views (e.g., display of a rear view camera in a vehicle), electronic photographs, electronic billboards or signs, projectors, architectural structures, packaging, and aesthetic structures (e.g., display of images on a piece of jewelry). MEMS devices of similar structure to those described herein can also be used in non-display applications such as in electronic switching devices.

In various embodiments described herein, the display device includes a front illumination device that comprises a light guide disposed forward of an array of display elements, such as an array of interferometric modulators, to distribute light across the array of display elements. For example, a light guide panel that includes a turning layer may be disposed in front of the array of display elements to deliver uniform illumination from a light source to the array of display elements while allowing for the option of illumination from ambient lighting of the array of display elements. For many portable display applications, however, it is important that the display be very thin. Accordingly, in various embodiments described herein, the light guide panel comprises the substrate used in fabricating the display elements. The light guide panel may include additional films as well. The light guide panel, for example, may include a turning layer deposited or laminated on the top or bottom surface of the glass substrate supporting the array of display elements. As a consequence, the overall thickness of the entire display is only slightly increased beyond that of the display elements themselves which are necessarily formed on a substrate. Certain embodiments include additional optical layers, such as a diffuser and/or an optical isolation layer to further enhance the optical imaging characteristics of the display.

One interferometric modulator display embodiment comprising an interferometric MEMS display element is illustrated in FIG. 1. In these devices, the pixels are in either a bright or dark state. In the bright (“on” or “open”) state, the display element reflects a large portion of incident visible light to a user. When in the dark (“off” or “closed”) state, the display element reflects little incident visible light to the user. Depending on the embodiment, the light reflectance properties of the “on” and “off” states may be reversed. MEMS pixels can be configured to reflect predominantly at selected colors, allowing for a color display in addition to black and white.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view depicting two adjacent pixels in a series of pixels of a visual display, wherein each pixel comprises a MEMS interferometric modulator. In some embodiments, an interferometric modulator display comprises a row/column array of these interferometric modulators. Each interferometric modulator includes a pair of reflective layers positioned at a variable and controllable distance from each other to form a resonant optical gap with at least one variable dimension. In one embodiment, one of the reflective layers may be moved between two positions. In the first position, referred to herein as the relaxed position, the movable reflective layer is positioned at a relatively large distance from a fixed partially reflective layer. In the second position, referred to herein as the actuated position, the movable reflective layer is positioned more closely adjacent to the partially reflective layer. Incident light that reflects from the two layers interferes constructively or destructively depending on the position of the movable reflective layer, producing either an overall reflective or non-reflective state for each pixel.

The depicted portion of the pixel array in FIG. 1 includes two adjacent interferometric modulators 12a and 12b. In the interferometric modulator 12a on the left, a movable reflective layer 14a is illustrated in a relaxed position at a predetermined distance from an optical stack 16a, which includes a partially reflective layer. In the interferometric modulator 12b on the right, the movable reflective layer 14b is illustrated in an actuated position adjacent to the optical stack 16b.

The optical stacks 16a and 16b (collectively referred to as optical stack 16), as referenced herein, typically comprise several fused layers, which can include an electrode layer, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), a partially reflective layer, such as chromium, and a transparent dielectric. The optical stack 16 is thus electrically conductive, partially transparent, and partially reflective, and may be fabricated, for example, by depositing one or more of the above layers onto a transparent substrate 20. The partially reflective layer can be formed from a variety of materials that are partially reflective such as various metals, semiconductors, and dielectrics. The partially reflective layer can be formed of one or more layers of materials, and each of the layers can be formed of a single material or a combination of materials.

In some embodiments, the layers of the optical stack 16 are patterned into parallel strips, and may form row electrodes in a display device as described further below. The movable reflective layers 14a, 14b may be formed as a series of parallel strips of a deposited metal layer or layers (orthogonal to the row electrodes of 16a, 16b) deposited on top of posts 18 and an intervening sacrificial material deposited between the posts 18. When the sacrificial material is etched away, the movable reflective layers 14a, 14b are separated from the optical stacks 16a, 16b by a defined gap 19. A highly conductive and reflective material such as aluminum may be used for the reflective layers 14, and these strips may form column electrodes in a display device.

With no applied voltage, the gap 19 remains between the movable reflective layer 14a and optical stack 16a, with the movable reflective layer 14a in a mechanically relaxed state, as illustrated by the pixel 12a in FIG. 1. However, when a potential difference is applied to a selected row and column, the capacitor formed at the intersection of the row and column electrodes at the corresponding pixel becomes charged, and electrostatic forces pull the electrodes together. If the voltage is high enough, the movable reflective layer 14 is deformed and is forced against the optical stack 16. A dielectric layer (not illustrated in this Figure) within the optical stack 16 may prevent shorting and control the separation distance between layers 14 and 16, as illustrated by pixel 12b on the right in FIG. 1. The behavior is the same regardless of the polarity of the applied potential difference. In this way, row/column actuation that can control the reflective vs. non-reflective pixel states is analogous in many ways to that used in conventional LCD and other display technologies.

FIGS. 2 through 5B illustrate one exemplary process and system for using an array of interferometric modulators in a display application.

FIG. 2 is a system block diagram illustrating one embodiment of an electronic device that may incorporate aspects of the invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the electronic device includes a processor 21 which may be any general purpose single- or multi-chip microprocessor such as an ARM, Pentium®, Pentium II®, Pentium III®, Pentium IV®, Pentium® Pro, an 8051, a MIPS®, a Power PC®, an ALPHA®, or any special purpose microprocessor such as a digital signal processor, microcontroller, or a programmable gate array. As is conventional in the art, the processor 21 may be configured to execute one or more software modules. In addition to executing an operating system, the processor may be configured to execute one or more software applications, including a web browser, a telephone application, an email program, or any other software application.

In one embodiment, the processor 21 is also configured to communicate with an array driver 22. In one embodiment, the array driver 22 includes a row driver circuit 24 and a column driver circuit 26 that provide signals to a display array or panel 30. The cross section of the array illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown by the lines 1-1 in FIG. 2. For MEMS interferometric modulators, the row/column actuation protocol may take advantage of a hysteresis property of these devices illustrated in FIG. 3. It may require, for example, a 10 volt potential difference to cause a movable layer to deform from the relaxed state to the actuated state. However, when the voltage is reduced from that value, the movable layer maintains its state as the voltage drops back below 10 volts. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the movable layer does not relax completely until the voltage drops below 2 volts. Thus, there exists a window of applied voltage, about 3 to 7 V in the example illustrated in FIG. 3, within which the device is stable in either the relaxed or actuated state. This is referred to herein as the “hysteresis window” or “stability window.” For a display array having the hysteresis characteristics of FIG. 3, the row/column actuation protocol can be designed such that during row strobing, pixels in the strobed row that are to be actuated are exposed to a voltage difference of about 10 volts, and pixels that are to be relaxed are exposed to a voltage difference of close to zero volts. After the strobe, the pixels are exposed to a steady state voltage difference of about 5 volts such that they remain in whatever state the row strobe put them in. After being written, each pixel sees a potential difference within the “stability window” of 3-7 volts in this example. This feature makes the pixel design illustrated in FIG. 1 stable under the same applied voltage conditions in either an actuated or relaxed pre-existing state. Since each pixel of the interferometric modulator, whether in the actuated or relaxed state, is essentially a capacitor formed by the fixed and moving reflective layers, this stable state can be held at a voltage within the hysteresis window with almost no power dissipation. Essentially no current flows into the pixel if the applied potential is fixed.

In typical applications, a display frame may be created by asserting the set of column electrodes in accordance with the desired set of actuated pixels in the first row. A row pulse is then applied to the row 1 electrode, actuating the pixels corresponding to the asserted column lines. The asserted set of column electrodes is then changed to correspond to the desired set of actuated pixels in the second row. A pulse is then applied to the row 2 electrode, actuating the appropriate pixels in row 2 in accordance with the asserted column electrodes. The row 1 pixels are unaffected by the row 2 pulse, and remain in the state they were set to during the row 1 pulse. This may be repeated for the entire series of rows in a sequential fashion to produce the frame. Generally, the frames are refreshed and/or updated with new display data by continually repeating this process at some desired number of frames per second. A wide variety of protocols for driving row and column electrodes of pixel arrays to produce display frames are also well known and may be used in conjunction with the present invention.

FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B illustrate one possible actuation protocol for creating a display frame on the 3×3 array of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 illustrates a possible set of column and row voltage levels that may be used for pixels exhibiting the hysteresis curves of FIG. 3. In the FIG. 4 embodiment, actuating a pixel involves setting the appropriate column to −V_bias, and the appropriate row to, +ΔV, which may correspond to −5 volts and +5 volts, respectively Relaxing the pixel is accomplished by setting the appropriate column to +V_bias, and the appropriate row to the same +ΔV, producing a zero volt potential difference across the pixel. In those rows where the row voltage is held at zero volts, the pixels are stable in whatever state they were originally in, regardless of whether the column is at +V_bias, or −V_bias. As is also illustrated in FIG. 4, it will be appreciated that voltages of opposite polarity than those described above can be used, e.g., actuating a pixel can involve setting the appropriate column to +V_bias, and the appropriate row to −ΔV. In this embodiment, releasing the pixel is accomplished by setting the appropriate column to −V_bias, and the appropriate row to the same −ΔV, producing a zero volt potential difference across the pixel.

FIG. 5B is a timing diagram showing a series of row and column signals applied to the 3×3 array of FIG. 2 which will result in the display arrangement illustrated in FIG. 5A, where actuated pixels are non-reflective. Prior to writing the frame illustrated in FIG. 5A, the pixels can be in any state, and in this example, all the rows are at 0 volts, and all the columns are at +5 volts. With these applied voltages, all pixels are stable in their existing actuated or relaxed states.

In the FIG. 5A frame, pixels (1,1), (1,2), (2,2), (3,2) and (3,3) are actuated. To accomplish this, during a “line time” for row 1, columns 1 and 2 are set to −5 volts, and column 3 is set to +5 volts. This does not change the state of any pixels, because all the pixels remain in the 3-7 volt stability window. Row 1 is then strobed with a pulse that goes from 0, up to 5 volts, and back to zero. This actuates the (1,1) and (1,2) pixels and relaxes the (1,3) pixel. No other pixels in the array are affected. To set row 2 as desired, column 2 is set to −5 volts, and columns 1 and 3 are set to +5 volts. The same strobe applied to row 2 will then actuate pixel (2,2) and relax pixels (2,1) and (2,3). Again, no other pixels of the array are affected. Row 3 is similarly set by setting columns 2 and 3 to −5 volts, and column 1 to +5 volts. The row 3 strobe sets the row 3 pixels as shown in FIG. 5A. After writing the frame, the row potentials are zero, and the column potentials can remain at either +5 or −5 volts, and the display is then stable in the arrangement of FIG. 5A. It will be appreciated that the same procedure can be employed for arrays of dozens or hundreds of rows and columns. It will also be appreciated that the timing, sequence, and levels of voltages used to perform row and column actuation can be varied widely within the general principles outlined above, and the above example is exemplary only, and any actuation voltage method can be used with the systems and methods described herein.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are system block diagrams illustrating an embodiment of a display device 40. The display device 40 can be, for example, a cellular or mobile telephone. However, the same components of display device 40 or slight variations thereof are also illustrative of various types of display devices such as televisions and portable media players.

The display device 40 includes a housing 41, a display 30, an antenna 43, a speaker 45, an input device 48, and a microphone 46. The housing 41 is generally formed from any of a variety of manufacturing processes as are well known to those of skill in the art, including injection molding and vacuum forming. In addition, the housing 41 may be made from any of a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, glass, rubber, and ceramic, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the housing 41 includes removable portions (not shown) that may be interchanged with other removable portions of different color, or containing different logos, pictures, or symbols.

The display 30 of exemplary display device 40 may be any of a variety of displays, including a bi-stable display, as described herein. In other embodiments, the display 30 includes a flat-panel display, such as plasma, EL, OLED, STN LCD, or TFT LCD as described above, or a non-flat-panel display, such as a CRT or other tube device, as is well known to those of skill in the art. However, for purposes of describing the present embodiment, the display 30 includes an interferometric modulator display, as described herein.

The components of one embodiment of exemplary display device 40 are schematically illustrated in FIG. 6B. The illustrated exemplary display device 40 includes a housing 41 and can include additional components at least partially enclosed therein. For example, in one embodiment, the exemplary display device 40 includes a network interface 27 that includes an antenna 43, which is coupled to a transceiver 47. The transceiver 47 is connected to a processor 21, which is connected to conditioning hardware 52. The conditioning hardware 52 may be configured to condition a signal (e.g., filter a signal). The conditioning hardware 52 is connected to a speaker 45 and a microphone 46. The processor 21 is also connected to an input device 48 and a driver controller 29. The driver controller 29 is coupled to a frame buffer 28 and to an array driver 22, which in turn is coupled to a display array 30. A power supply 50 provides power to all components as required by the particular exemplary display device 40 design.

The network interface 27 includes the antenna 43 and the transceiver 47 so that the exemplary display device 40 can communicate with one or more devices over a network. In one embodiment, the network interface 27 may also have some processing capabilities to relieve requirements of the processor 21. The antenna 43 is any antenna known to those of skill in the art for transmitting and receiving signals. In one embodiment, the antenna transmits and receives RF signals according to the IEEE 802.11 standard, including IEEE 802.11(a), (b), or (g). In another embodiment, the antenna transmits and receives RF signals according to the BLUETOOTH standard. In the case of a cellular telephone, the antenna is designed to receive CDMA, GSM, AMPS, or other known signals that are used to communicate within a wireless cell phone network. The transceiver 47 pre-processes the signals received from the antenna 43 so that they may be received by and further manipulated by the processor 21. The transceiver 47 also processes signals received from the processor 21 so that they may be transmitted from the exemplary display device 40 via the antenna 43.

In an alternative embodiment, the transceiver 47 can be replaced by a receiver. In yet another alternative embodiment, network interface 27 can be replaced by an image source, which can store or generate image data to be sent to the processor 21. For example, the image source can be a digital video disc (DVD) or a hard-disc drive that contains image data, or a software module that generates image data.

Processor 21 generally controls the overall operation of the exemplary display device 40. The processor 21 receives data, such as compressed image data from the network interface 27 or an image source, and processes the data into raw image data or into a format that is readily processed into raw image data. The processor 21 then sends the processed data to the driver controller 29 or to frame buffer 28 for storage. Raw data typically refers to the information that identifies the image characteristics at each location within an image. For example, such image characteristics can include color, saturation, and gray-scale level.

In one embodiment, the processor 21 includes a microcontroller, CPU, or logic unit to control operation of the exemplary display device 40. Conditioning hardware 52 generally includes amplifiers and filters for transmitting signals to the speaker 45, and for receiving signals from the microphone 46. Conditioning hardware 52 may be discrete components within the exemplary display device 40, or may be incorporated within the processor 21 or other components.

The driver controller 29 takes the raw image data generated by the processor 21 either directly from the processor 21 or from the frame buffer 28 and reformats the raw image data appropriately for high speed transmission to the array driver 22. Specifically, the driver controller 29 reformats the raw image data into a data flow having a raster-like format, such that it has a time order suitable for scanning across the display array 30. Then the driver controller 29 sends the formatted information to the array driver 22. Although a driver controller 29, such as a LCD controller, is often associated with the system processor 21 as a stand-alone Integrated Circuit (IC), such controllers may be implemented in many ways. They may be embedded in the processor 21 as hardware, embedded in the processor 21 as software, or fully integrated in hardware with the array driver 22.

Typically, the array driver 22 receives the formatted information from the driver controller 29 and reformats the video data into a parallel set of waveforms that are applied many times per second to the hundreds and sometimes thousands of leads coming From the display's x-y matrix of pixels.

In one embodiment, the driver controller 29, array driver 22, and display array 30 are appropriate for any of the types of displays described herein. For example, in one embodiment, driver controller 29 is a conventional display controller or a bi-stable display controller (e.g., an interferometric modulator controller). In another embodiment, array driver 22 is a conventional driver or a bi-stable display driver (e.g., an interferometric modulator display). In one embodiment, a driver controller 29 is integrated with the array driver 22. Such an embodiment is common in highly integrated systems such as cellular phones, watches, and other small area displays. In yet another embodiment, display array 30 is a typical display array or a bi-stable display array (e.g., a display including an array of interferometric modulators).

The input device 48 allows a user to control the operation of the exemplary display device 40. In one embodiment, input device 48 includes a keypad, such as a QWERTY keyboard or a telephone keypad, a button, a switch, a touch-sensitive screen, or a pressure- or heat-sensitive membrane. In one embodiment, the microphone 46 is an input device for the exemplary display device 40. When the microphone 46 is used to input data to the device, voice commands may be provided by a user for controlling operations of the exemplary display device 40.

Power supply 50 can include a variety of energy storage devices as are well known in the art. For example, in one embodiment, power supply 50 is a rechargeable battery, such as a nickel-cadmium battery or a lithium ion battery. In another embodiment, power supply 50 is a renewable energy source, a capacitor, or a solar cell including a plastic solar cell, and solar-cell paint. In another embodiment, power supply 50 is configured to receive power from a wall outlet.

In some embodiments, control programmability resides, as described above, in a driver controller which can be located in several places in the electronic display system. In some embodiments, control programmability resides in the array driver 22. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the above-described optimizations may be implemented in any number of hardware and/or software components and in various configurations.

The details of the structure of interferometric modulators that operate in accordance with the principles set forth above may vary widely. For example, FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate five different embodiments of the movable reflective layer 14 and it's supporting structures. FIG. 7A is a cross section of the embodiment of FIG. 1, where a strip of metal material 14 is deposited on orthogonally extending supports 18. In FIG. 7B, the moveable reflective layer 14 is attached to supports at the corners only, on tethers 32. In FIG. 7C, the moveable reflective layer 14 is suspended from a deformable layer 34, which may comprise a flexible metal. The deformable layer 34 connects, directly or indirectly, to the substrate 20 around the perimeter of the deformable layer 34. These connections are herein referred to as support posts. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7D has support post plugs 42 upon which the deformable layer 34 rests. The movable reflective layer 14 remains suspended over the gap, as in FIGS. 7A-7C, but the deformable layer 34 does not form the support posts by filling holes between the deformable layer 34 and the optical stack 16. Rather, the support posts are formed of a planarization material, which is used to form support post plugs 42. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7E is based on the embodiment shown in FIG. 7D, but may also be adapted to work with any of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C, as well as additional embodiments not shown. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7E, an extra layer of metal or other conductive material has been used to form a bus structure 44. This allows signal routing along the back of the interferometric modulators, eliminating a number of electrodes that may otherwise have had to be formed on the substrate 20.

In embodiments such as those shown in FIG. 7, the interferometric modulators function as direct-view devices, in which images are viewed from the front side of the transparent substrate 20, the side opposite to that upon which the modulator is arranged. In these embodiments, the reflective layer 14 optically shields the portions of the interferometric modulator on the side of the reflective layer opposite the substrate 20, including the deformable layer 34. This allows the shielded areas to be configured and operated upon without negatively affecting the image quality. Such shielding allows the bus structure 44 in FIG. 7E, which provides the ability to separate the optical properties of the modulator from the electromechanical properties of the modulator, such as addressing and the movements that result from that addressing. This separable modulator architecture allows the structural design and materials used for the electromechanical aspects and the optical aspects of the modulator to be selected and to function independently of each other. Moreover, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7C-7E have additional benefits deriving from the decoupling of the optical properties of the reflective layer 14 from its mechanical properties, which are carried out by the deformable layer 34. This allows the structural design and materials used for the reflective layer 14 to be optimized with respect to the optical properties, and the structural design and materials used for the deformable layer 34 to be optimized with respect to desired mechanical properties.

As described above, the interferometric modulators are reflective and rely on ambient lighting in daylight or well-lit environments. In addition, an internal source of illumination is often provided for illumination of interferometric modulators in dark ambient environments. The illumination source for interferometric modulator displays may, for example, comprise a front light that uses a light guide to collect light through a narrow rectangular edge of the light guide and redirect it towards the interferometric modulators, preferably spreading light uniformly across the array of display elements. In certain embodiments, the light guide may comprise a plastic or glass slab, sheet, or plate that is then disposed in front of the interferometric modulators. A turning layer may be laminated to or deposited on the slab or sheet to redirect light propagating along the light guide toward the display elements. In various designs, such light guides comprise a slab of plastic approximately 1 mm thick. However, for certain applications, the light guide should have a reduced or minimal thickness, for example, of less than about one-half a millimeter, to keep the overall display device thin.

One way to reduce or minimize the overall thickness of the display is to incorporate the turning layer on a structural component of the interferometric modulators, such as the substrate on which the interferometric modulators are formed. This substrate may comprise glass. Alternatively the substrate may comprise plastic or another substantially optically transmissive material. By depositing the turning layer on a structural component of the interferometric modulators, such as the glass substrate, the light from the artificial light source can be coupled into the glass substrate layer of the interferometric modulators and turned toward the interferometric modulators by the turning layer. The separate glass or plastic slab or sheet is no longer necessary and thus the thickness of the overall display device can be significantly reduced. In certain embodiments, one or more additional optical layers, such as a diffuser or an optical isolation layer may also be disposed on the substrate of the interferometric modulators to enhance the efficiency of the light guiding portion of the display or to otherwise improve the optical performance of the display. For example, a diffuser layer may be provided to scatter light incident on the interferometric modulators providing more uniform light to the interferometric modulators and thereby reducing or minimizing bright spots. A diffuser can also provide a more diffuse look to the display which may otherwise be too mirror-like. Alternatively or in addition, an optical isolation layer may be provided between the light guiding portion of the display and the interferometric modulators to prevent the interferometric modulators from absorbing light propagating through the light guiding portion. As described herein, the geometric arrangement of the turning layer and additional optical films on the substrate relative to the interferometric modulator may be selected to further enhance the optical performance of the overall display.

The display device may be formed using any of a variety of manufacturing processes known to those skilled in the art to adhere one or more of the optical layers described herein on the glass or plastic substrate of the array of display elements. The glass or plastic substrate comprises a support layer upon which the display elements, such as an array of interferometric modulators, are fabricated. As disclosed herein, the substrate may be further used to support one or more optical layers of the display device. In one embodiment, a turning layer may be deposited or laminated to the substrate. For example, the turning layer may be laminated to a top surface of substrate using a pressure sensitive adhesive. Alternatively, the turning layer may be deposited on the substrate using techniques known in the art or other techniques yet to be developed. The turning layer may be disposed on the opposite surface of the substrate from the array of display elements or alternatively, the turning surface may be disposed in between the glass substrate and the array of display elements. A diffuser may also be adhered to the glass substrate at any one of several locations relative to the array of display elements and the turning layer. For example, in certain embodiments the diffuser may be disposed on the substrate, with the diffuser being between the array of display elements and the substrate. Alternatively, the diffuser may be disposed between the turning layer and the substrate. The diffuser may be coated, deposited or laminated or etched on the substrate using any suitable techniques known in the art or yet to be developed. For example, the diffuser may be spin cast, or alternatively the diffuser may comprise a thin film grown directly on the surface of the substrate. In some embodiments the diffuser comprises adhesive with particulates therein for scattering, for example a pressure-sensitive adhesive with diffusing features, used to laminate the turning layer to the substrate, while in other embodiments it may be a volume diffuser sheet laminated to the substrate. In certain embodiments, an optical isolation layer may be disposed between the glass substrate and the array of display elements. For example, the optical isolation layer may be laminated or deposited on the surface of the substrate between the glass substrate and the array of display elements or alternatively between the glass substrate and the diffuser. Moreover, a wide variety of variation is possible. Films, layers, components, and/or elements may be added, removed, or rearranged. Additionally, processing steps may be added, removed, or reordered. Also, although the terms film and layer have been used herein, such terms as used herein include film stacks and multilayers. Such film stacks and multilayers may be adhered to other structures using adhesive or may be formed on other structures using deposition techniques or in other manners. Thus, it is apparent that any one of several geometric arrangements of the multiple optical layers can be produced on the substrate of the display elements using known manufacturing techniques to provide a thin display device having certain desired optical characteristics.

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a portion of a display device 80 in which a turning layer 82 is placed on the top surface of a glass substrate 85 for an array of display elements 86, for example a reflective display including an array of interferometric modulators (IMODs). Here, the light guiding portion 81 of the display device 80 comprises the turning layer 82, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer (PSA) 83, a diffuser 84 and the glass substrate 85 of the display elements 86. However, the overall thickness of the display device 80 due to the light guide is only increased by the addition of the turning layer and the pressure sensitive adhesive, since the glass substrate 85 is a structural component of the display elements 86 and the diffuser 84 is an element of the display device 80 used to address the specular nature of the display elements 86. The need for a separate glass or plastic slab or sheet for the light guide has been eliminated by adhering the turning layer 82 directly to the glass substrate 85 of the display elements 86. Consequently, the overall thickness of the display device 80 is only increased by the thickness of the turning layer 82, which is generally between about 100-300 microns, and the pressure sensitive adhesive 83, which is generally about 25-50 microns. There may be more layers than illustrated in the Figures, for example there may be a PSA (not shown) between the diffuser 84 and the glass 85 of FIG. 8.

A light injection system, not shown here, transforms light from a point source (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED)) into a line source. This light injection system may, for example, comprise a light bar. The light 5 from the linear light source 2 is injected in to an edge of the light guiding portion 81 of the display device 80. Thus, the light 5 is injected into the edge of the turning layer 82, the PSA layer 83, the diffuser 84 and the glass substrate 85. The light 5 is propagated along the length, L, of the light guiding portion 81 at least in part through total internal reflection due to the difference in index of refraction between the turning layer 82 and air. For example, the turning layer typically comprises a material such as polycarbonate, acrylics such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), or acrylate copolymers such as poly(styrene-methylmethacrylate) polymers (PS-PMMA, sold under the name of Zylar), and other optically transparent plastics. The index of refraction of polycarbonate is approximately 1.59 and for Zylar is approximately 1.54 for wavelengths in the visible spectrum. Since the index of refraction is greater than that of air, which is 1.0, light incident on the turning layer/air interface at an angle greater than the critical angle will be reflected back into the light guiding portion and will continue to propagate along the length of the light guiding portion 81. The light may also reflect from the display elements 86 additionally supporting propagation of the light along the length of the light guide. The display elements 86, such as IMODs, may however, be absorbing and thus may absorb some of the light incident thereon as is discussed more fully below. In certain embodiments, the indices of refraction of the multiple optical layers comprising the light guiding portion 81, here the turning layer 82, the PSA 83, the diffuser 84 and the glass substrate 85, are advantageously close such that light may be transmitted through the multiple optical layers without being substantially reflected or refracted.

The turning layer 82 further comprises a plurality of turning features for turning light normally guided in the light guide 81 such that said light is redirected towards the display elements 86 and such that the propagation direction of said turned light forms an angle smaller than 45 degrees from the normal to the surface of the display elements. Accordingly, light is redirected through the thickness, T, of the light guiding portion 81 substantially normal to the light guide and the array of display elements 86 and is transmitted to the display elements 86 preferably at normal incidence. In certain embodiments, the turning features may comprise a plurality of surface features or volume features. In some embodiments, the turning layer 82 comprises diffractive optical elements extending across the length of the turning layer 82. In alternative embodiments, the turning layer 82 comprises holograms, such as holographic volume gratings, extending across the length of the turning layer 82. In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the turning features may comprise a plurality of microprisms 88 extending along the length of the turning layer 82. The microprisms 88 may be configured to receive light 5 propagating along the length, L, of the turning layer 82 and turn the light 5 through a large angle, usually between about 70-90°. The prismatic microstructures 88 may comprise two or more turning facets 88a and 88b angled with respect to one another for reflecting the light at the air/facet interface via total internal reflection and causing the light to be turned toward the array of display elements 86 at near normal incidence thereto. The plurality of pairs of adjacent facets 88a and 88b may comprise, for example, one shallow, long facet and a much shorter but more steeply inclined facet. If light strikes the first, shallow facet 88a and then the second steeper facet 88b sequentially, total internal reflection occurs at both facet/air interfaces and the light is turned through a large angle. The light following this path is then transmitted through the thickness, T, of the light guiding portion 81 toward the display elements 86 where it may be modulated and reflected back through the light guiding portion 81 towards a viewer disposed in front of the display device 80 to provide an image on the display device 80.

Note that the size and separation of the turning features has been exaggerated for illustrative purposes. Other arrangement of facets can be used with varying tilt angles and lengths. Additionally, different shapes and configuration may be employed.

In an alternative embodiment, the turning features may comprise one or more diffractive optical elements configured to receive light normally guided in the light guide 81 and turn the light such that said light is redirected towards the display elements 86 and such that the propagation direction of said turned light forms an angle smaller than 45 degrees from the normal to the surface of the display elements 86. Alternatively, the turning features may comprise one or more holograms (e.g., volume holograms) configured to receive light normally guided in the light guide 81 and turn the light such that said light is redirected towards the display elements 86 and such that the propagation direction of said turned light forms an angle smaller than 45 degrees from the normal to the surface of the display elements. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, which is discussed more fully below, a holographic turning layer 82 with a flat-surface layer may be used. As described above, the light is preferably directed at normal or near normal incidence to the display elements 86.

Referring back to FIG. 8, the light guiding portion 81 further comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) layer 83 and a diffuser 84. The PSA layer 83 is used to adhere the turning layer 82 to the diffuser layer 84 and glass substrate 85. The PSA layer 83 is preferably transparent with an index of refraction of between about 1.47-1.53 such that the index of refraction matches the index of refraction of glass substrate 85, generally about 1.52 for wavelengths in the visible spectrum. For example, in certain embodiments, the index of refraction of the PSA layer 83 is about 1.53. As discussed above, matching the indices of refraction of the PSA layer 83 and the glass substrate 85 is advantageous in preventing unwanted reflections at the interface between the PSA layer 83 and the glass substrate 85 for light rays originating from the ambient or from the light source of the light guide. Such unwanted reflections may prevent guided light inside the glass from entering the turning layer 82 at the critical angle and being turned towards the display elements 86.

In an alternative embodiment, the PSA layer 83 and the diffuser 84 may be merged into a single optical layer. For example, the PSA/diffuser layer may comprise a transparent adhesive with light diffusing filler material interspersed therein to provide the light diffusing characteristics. This design may further decrease the thickness of the overall display device 80 by removing the need for a separate diffuser layer 84, which may be between about 25-100 microns thick in some embodiments.

In an alternative embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 8A, the display device may further comprise an optical isolation layer disposed between the glass substrate 85 and the array of display elements 86. In some embodiments the display elements 86 may be absorptive structures, for light rays guided at an angle of 45-90 degrees measured from the normal to the display elements. Thus, some of the light propagating through the light guiding portion 81 and incident on the display elements 86 at an oblique angle may be substantially absorbed by the display elements 86 after a sufficient number of reflections. In order to reduce, minimize, or prevent this loss of light due to absorption, an optical isolation layer 97 may be disposed between the glass substrate 85 and the display elements 86. The optical isolation layer 97, as discussed in more detail below, advantageously has an index of refraction substantially lower than the glass substrate 85, such that light traveling through the light guiding portion 81 and striking the glass/optical isolation film interface at an oblique or grazing angle, for example, greater than the critical angle (e.g., greater than 60° or 80°), will be totally internally reflected back into the light guiding portion 81 of the display device 80. However, light propagating through the light guiding portion 81 at steep angles (closer to the display elements' normal), such as light turned substantially normal to the light guiding portion 81 by the turning layer 82, or ambient light, will be transmitted through the glass/optical isolation film interface. This normally incident light or near normally incident light preferably looses less than about 0.5% of its power or flux, and more preferably looses less than about 0.1% of its power or flux. Thus the optical isolation layer 97 forms a boundary for the light guiding portion 81 such that the light propagating through the light guiding portion 81 at oblique or grazing angles prior to being turned by the turning layer 82 may reflect back into, and continue to propagate through the light guiding portion 81 until it is turned toward the display elements 86 by the turning features of the turning layer 82, thereby providing a more illuminated display device.

As discussed above, for example, with reference to FIG. 8, the light guiding portion 81 comprises the turning layer 82, glass substrate 85, and a diffuser 84. Here, due to the arrangement of the optical stack in the display device 80 such that the diffuser layer 84 is part of the light guiding portion 81, some of the light 5 propagating through the light guiding portion 81 that should be reflected within the light guiding portion 81 via total internal reflection may be scattered by the diffuser 84 and therefore lost. In addition, the display elements 86 may be absorptive. Thus, some of the light propagating through the light guiding portion and incident on the display elements at an oblique angle may be absorbed by the display elements 86. Furthermore, the diffuser layer 84 may compound the loss to the display elements 86 by directing some of the light propagating through the light guiding portion 81 towards the oblique angles that are absorbed by the display elements 86. As such, some light propagating through the light guiding portion 81 is lost when it could more advantageously be internally reflected to provide more light to display elements 86 at the distal end of the display device 80.

To reduce this loss in the light guided by total internal reflection in the light guiding portion 81 as described above, it may be advantageous in certain embodiments to use an anisotropic diffuser. The anisotropic diffuser may have stronger diffusing ability to light traveling substantially normal to the surface of the substrate reflected from the display elements compared to the light guided within the light guiding portion 81 via total internal reflection and compared to light normally incident on the display elements. The anisotropic diffuser may be implemented in a variety of ways. For example, in some embodiments, the anisotropic diffuser may be formed by disposing non-spherical particles inside a PSA matrix. In other embodiments, the anisotropic diffuser may be implemented by forming one or more holograms such as holographic diffusers, for example, volume holographics based on diffractive optics. The anisotropic diffuser may diffuse light reflected from the array of display elements at normal or near normal incidence. The anisotropic diffuser, however, may substantially reduce the loss for light guided within the light guiding portion 81. The diffuser may have also be less diffusing for ambient light directed at normal incidence onto the substrate and the display elements, thereby illuminating a portable reflective display like an array of IMO Ds.

In certain other embodiments, to reduce the loss due to the presence of a diffuser present inside the light guiding path it may be advantageous to use a diffuser that can be electrically switched on. The diffuser may be switched on when the supplementary light source is on and the diffuser may be switched off when the supplementary artificial light source (e.g., LED light source) is off. When a display is viewed under ambient light the supplementary light source may not be used, however, a diffuser may be helpful for viewing the display clearly when the viewer is not positioned in the specular reflecting angle of the ambient illumination. Thus, the diffuser may be electrically switched on when the display is viewed under ambient light and the supplementary light source is not being used.

When the display is used, for example, in dark ambient conditions, the supplementary illumination may be turned on. The viewability of the display will likely not be affected by a reduction in diffusing properties of the diffuser when the display is viewed within the viewing cone of the supplementary light source. Thus in such cases the supplementary light source may be turned on while the diffuser may be turned off. An electrically switchable diffuser may be implemented, for example, by polymer dispersed liquid crystal or other electro-optical material and/or configuration. A hologram for example may comprise polymer dispersed liquid crystal and be switched by applying a voltage thereto. Electrodes (e.g., substantially optically transmissive or transparent electrodes) may be disposed with respect to the diffuser layer to apply the electrical signal.

In another embodiment, the optical layers comprising the display device may be arranged such that the diffuser layer is optically decoupled from the light guiding portion. One way to increase the internal reflection of light propagating at oblique angles is to create an air gap between the diffuser and the light guide. However, this configuration requires a separate substrate for the turning layer which thereby increases the thickness of the display device. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, an optical isolation layer 97 may be provided between the light guiding portion 91 of the display device 90 and the diffuser 84 to optically isolate the light guiding portion 91 from the diffuser 84 and the display elements 86.

With reference to FIG. 9, the display device 90 comprises a turning layer 82 laminated or otherwise disposed on the glass substrate 85, an optical isolation layer 97 and a diffuser 84 disposed between the glass substrate 85 and the display elements 86. The light guiding portion 91 of the display device comprises the turning layer 82 and the glass substrate 85.

Light 5, for example, from a linear light source 2 is injected into the edges of the turning layer 82 and the glass substrate 85. As discussed above, the light is propagated along the length, L, of the light guiding portion 91 through total internal reflection. For example, when the light 5 strikes the air/turning layer interface at an angle greater than the critical angle, the light is totally internally reflected at oblique angles such that it remains propagating along the length of the light guiding portion 91. In addition, when the light 5 strikes the glass substrate/optical isolation layer interface at an angle greater than the critical angle, the light is totally internally reflected at oblique angles such that it remains propagating along the length of the light guiding portion 91. As the light propagates along the length of the light guiding portion 91, portions of the light are redirected towards the display elements 86 by the turning features such that the propagation direction of said turned light forms an angle smaller than 45 degrees from the normal to the surface of the display elements 86.

Additionally, the optical isolation layer 97 substantially reduces the guided light from being scattered by the diffuser 84 and/or absorbed by the display elements 86 as it propagates along the length of the light guiding portion. As illustrated, this optical isolation layer 97 is disposed between the light guiding portion 91 and the diffuser 84 and display elements 86. Thus, light propagating through the light guiding portion 91 at oblique angles is not incident on an adjacent diffuser 84 or display elements 86. Rather the light may reflect back into, and continue to propagate through the light guiding portion 91 until it is turned toward the display elements 86 by the turning features of the turning layer 82, thereby providing a more illuminated and more uniform display device 80.

Accordingly, the optical isolation film 97 is configured such that light propagating through the light guiding portion 91 at oblique angles does not interact with the diffuser 84 and display elements 86, but also such that light propagating through the light guiding portion 91 at steep angles normal to the glass substrate and/or array of display elements 86 (e.g., due to being turned towards the array of display elements 86 by the turning layer 82 or from the ambient light) may interact with the diffuser 84 and the array of display elements 86.

In one example embodiment, the optical isolation film may comprise a low index layer, such as silicon dioxide which has an index of refraction of approximately 1.46, fluorinated SiO₂ with index of refraction of approximately 1.4 or fluoropolymers (e.g., amorphous fluoropolymers such as DuPont NC-211) having good adhesion to glass and plastics and indices of refraction between about 1.3 and 1.4, and any other suitable material with an index of refraction substantially lower than the index of refraction of the glass substrate layer 85, generally about 1.52 at visible wavelengths. By providing an optical isolation layer 97 with an index of refraction substantially lower than the glass substrate 85, light traveling through the light guiding portion 91 and striking the glass/optical isolation film interface at an oblique angle, greater than the critical angle (e.g., greater than about 60° or 80°), will be totally internally reflected back into the light guiding portion 91 of the display device 90. In contrast, light propagating through the light guiding portion 91 at steep angles (e.g., less than 20°, 10°, or 5°), such as light turned substantially normal to the light guiding portion 91 by the turning layer 82 or ambient light, is transmitted through the glass/optical isolation film interface and loses less than about 0.5% of its intensity in certain embodiments, and more preferably loses less than about 0.1% of its intensity in other embodiments. Values outside these ranges, however, are also possible.

In an alternative embodiment, the optical isolation layer 97 may comprise a dielectric thin film stack configured to cause interference such that the light propagating through the light guiding portion 91 does not penetrate into the diffuser 84 or display elements 86. For example, the optical isolation film 97 may comprise an interference stack of alternating optical layers having high and low indices of refraction, such that the oblique light from the light guiding portion 91 is effectively prevented from being transmitted therethrough yet normal incident light is transmitted therethrough. The design and fabrication of multilayer interference filters is well known in the art.

In an alternative embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 10, the turning layer 102 may be disposed below and in particular on the bottom surface of the glass substrate 85, such that the turning layer 102 is located in between the glass substrate 85 and the display elements 86. The display device 110 may further comprise a diffuser 84 disposed in between the turning layer 102 and the display elements 86. Additionally, the display device 110 may include an optical isolation layer 97 to optically decouple the light guiding portion 111 from the optical loss layers, e.g. the diffuser 84 and the display elements 86.

Here, the light guiding portion 111 comprises the turning layer 102 and the glass substrate 85. Light 5 from a linear light source 2 is injected into the edges of the turning layer 102 and the glass substrate 85. As discussed above, the light 5 is propagated through the light guiding portion 111 via total internal reflection. Here, the glass substrate 85 has a higher index of refraction, typically about 1.52 for light in the visible spectrum, than air which is 1.0, such that light striking the glass/air interface at an oblique angle greater than the critical angle will be totally internally reflected back into the light guiding portion 111, similar to as described above with respect to light striking the turning layer/air interface. The turning layer 102 also has a higher index of refraction than the optical isolation layer 97 and the glass substrate, such that light striking the turning layer/optical isolation layer interface at an oblique angle greater than the critical angle will be totally internally reflected back into the light guiding portion 111. The light 5 will then continue to propagate along the length of the light guiding portion 111 until it is turned towards the display elements 86 by the turning features of the turning layer 102. As discussed above, the turning layer 102 comprises a plurality of turning features, such as surface relief or volume features, features forming one or more diffractive optical elements or holograms (e.g., holographic volume gratings) extending along the film, that are configured to redirect incident light over a large angle such that the propagation direction of said redirected light forms an angle smaller than 45 degrees from the normal to the surface of the display elements 86.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the turning layer 102 comprises a plurality of microprisms 106 extending along the surface of the turning layer 102. When the contoured surface of the turning layer 102 is disposed on the planar surface of the glass substrate 85, a plurality of air pockets 104 are embedded therebetween. In use, light striking an interface between one of the facets of the microprisms 106 and the embedded air pocket 104 will undergo total internal reflection at that interface and thereby be redirected though a large angle, such that the propagation direction of said redirected light forms an angle smaller than 45 degrees from the normal to the surface of the display elements. The shape and size of the microprisms 106, and thus the resulting air pockets 104, may also be chosen to provide the optimum or desired turning angle. In other embodiments holographic light turning elements or other light turning means based on diffractive optics can be used.

As described above, the display device 110 further comprises the optical isolation film 97 disposed between the turning layer 102 and the diffuser 84 and display elements 86. The optical isolation layer 97 provides a lower boundary for the light guiding portion 111 of the display device 110 by totally internally reflecting light propagating through the light guide at oblique angles back into the light guiding portion 111 at the turning layer/optical isolation film interface. For example, as discussed above, the optical isolation film 97 may comprise an optical film, such as silicon dioxide or fluorinated SiO₂, that has an index of refraction substantially lower than the index of refraction of the turning layer 102, typically about 1.54-1.59 at visible wavelengths. Thus, light incident on the turning layer/optical isolation film interface at an oblique angle greater than the critical angle will be reflected back into the light guiding portion 111 and will not be transmitted through to the diffuser 84 or the display elements 86 where it would be scattered and/or absorbed. However, light incident on the turning layer/optical isolation film interface at a steep (more normal) angle, such as light turned towards the display elements 86 by the turning layer or ambient light, will be transmitted through the interface towards the display elements 86 where it will be modulated and reflected back through the optical layers of the display device 110 to create an image on the display device.

As discussed above, since the turning layer 102 is disposed directly on the glass substrate 85 of the spatial light modulator 86 in the embodiment shown, the overall thickness of the display device is reduced or minimized. Here, the glass substrate, generally about 700 microns thick or less is a structural component of the display elements 86. Thus, the light guiding portion 111 of the display only increases the total thickness of the display device 80 by the thickness of the turning layer 102, generally about 100-300 microns thick, and the optical isolation film 97, generally about 1000 nanometers thick. Thus, the total thickness of the display device 111 may be maintained relatively thin.

A wide variety of alternative configurations are possible. For example, components (e.g., layers) may be added, removed, or rearranged. Similarly, processing and method steps may be added, removed, or reordered. Also, although the terms film and layer have been used herein, such terms as used herein include film stacks and multilayers. Such film stacks and multilayers may be adhered to other structures using adhesive or may be formed on other structures using deposition or in other manners.

Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while several variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with, or substituted for, one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A display device comprising: a substrate having front and rear sides and a plurality of edges between the front and rear sides;a plurality of display elements on the rear side of the substrate and supported by the substrate;a plurality of turning features on the front side of the substrate; a diffuser on the front side of the substrate between the turning features and the substrate; anda light source configured to inject light into the substrate through at least one edge of the substrate.

2. The display device of claim 1, wherein the substrate includes glass or plastic.

3. The display device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of display elements includes interferometric modulators.

4. The display device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of turning features is disposed in a film on the front side of the substrate.

5. The display device of claim 1, wherein the diffuser includes adhesive with particulates therein.

6. The display device of claim 1, wherein the diffuser includes an anisotropic diffuser.

7. The display device of claim 6, wherein the diffuser includes one or more volume holograms.

8. The display device of claim 1, wherein the diffuser can be electrically controlled.

9. The display device of claim 8, wherein the diffuser includes polymer dispersed liquid crystal.

10. The display device of claim 1, further comprising an optical isolation layer between the substrate and the display elements.

11. The display device of claim 10, wherein the optical isolation layer is directly adjacent the substrate.

12. The display device of claim 1, wherein the diffuser is directly adjacent the substrate or directly adhered to the substrate with an adhesive.

13. The display device of claim 1, wherein the turning features are included in a film directly adjacent the diffuser or directly adhered to the diffuser with an adhesive.

14. The display device of claim 1 further comprising: a processor that is in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of display elements, the processor being configured to process image data; and a memory device in electrical communication with the processor.

15. The display device of claim 14, further comprising: a driver circuit configured to send at least one signal to the at least one of the plurality of display elements.

16. The display device of claim 15, further comprising: a controller configured to send at least a portion of the image data to the driver circuit.

17. The display device of claim 14, further comprising: an image source module configured to send the image data to the processor.

18. The display device of claim 17, wherein the image source module includes at least one of a receiver, transceiver, and transmitter.

19. The display device of claim 14, further comprising: an input device configured to receive input data and to communicate the input data to the processor.

20. The display device of claim 1, wherein the light is reflected by the turning features toward the plurality of display elements.

21. A display device comprising: a substrate having front and rear sides and a plurality of edges between the front and rear sides;a plurality of display elements on the rear side of the substrate, wherein the plurality of display elements is supported by the substrate;a plurality of turning features on the front side of the substrate;a diffuser between the substrate and the plurality of display elements; anda light source configured to inject light into the substrate through at least one edge of the substrate.

22. A display device comprising: a substrate having front and rear sides;a plurality of display elements on the rear side of the substrate, the plurality of display elements being supported by the substrate;a plurality of turning features on the rear side of the substrate between the substrate and the plurality of display elements;a diffuser on the rear side of the substrate between the turning features and the plurality of display elements, and a light source configured to inject light into the substrate through at least one edge of the substrate.

23. A display device comprising: a substrate having front and rear sides;a plurality of display elements on the rear side of the substrate;a plurality of turning features on the rear side of the substrate between the substrate and the plurality of display elements;an optical isolation layer on the rear side of the substrate between the turning features and the plurality of display elements, anda light source configured to inject light into the substrate through at least one edge of the substrate.