U.S. patent number RE45,796 [Application Number 13/169,359] was granted by the patent office on 2015-11-10 for light emitting diode arrays for direct backlighting of liquid crystal displays.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Cree, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Norbert Hiller, Gerald H. Negley, Antony P. van de Ven. Invention is credited to Norbert Hiller, Gerald H. Negley, Antony P. van de Ven.
United States Patent |
RE45,796 |
Negley , et al. |
November 10, 2015 |
Light emitting diode arrays for direct backlighting of liquid
crystal displays
Abstract
A display panel for a flat panel display includes a planar array
of LCD devices and a planar array of LED devices that is closely
spaced apart from the planar array of LCD devices, at least some of
the LED devices being disposed within a periphery of the array of
LCD devices such that, in operation, the planar array of LED
devices provides backlighting for the planar array of LCD devices.
The planar array of LED devices can include at least one solid
metal block having first and second opposing metal faces. The first
metal face includes therein an array of reflector cavities, and the
second metal face includes therein heat sink fins that are exposed
at the back face of the flat panel display.
Inventors: |
Negley; Gerald H. (Chapel Hill,
NC), van de Ven; Antony P. (Hong Kong, HK),
Hiller; Norbert (Chapel Hill, NC) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Negley; Gerald H.
van de Ven; Antony P.
Hiller; Norbert |
Chapel Hill
Hong Kong
Chapel Hill |
NC
N/A
NC |
US
HK
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Cree, Inc. (Durham,
NC)
|
Family
ID: |
36087663 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/169,359 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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12696050 |
Jan 28, 2010 |
RE42598 |
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Reissue of: |
11022332 |
Dec 23, 2004 |
7322732 |
Jan 29, 2008 |
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Reissue of: |
11022332 |
Dec 23, 2004 |
7322732 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02F
1/133603 (20130101); G02F 1/133628 (20210101); G02F
1/133605 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F21V
7/04 (20060101); G02F 1/1335 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;362/459-549,97.1-97.4 |
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|
Primary Examiner: Menefee; James
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec,
P.A.
Parent Case Text
.Iadd.CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION.Iaddend.
.Iadd.This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. Section 120
as a continuation reissue application of U.S. application Ser. No.
12/696,050, filed Jan. 28, 2010, now U.S. Reissue Pat. No. Re.
42,598, which is a reissue of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/022,332,
filed Dec. 23, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,732. Each of these
applications is assigned to the assignee of the present
application, and the disclosures of each of the above referenced
applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety as if set forth fully herein..Iaddend.
.Iadd.MULTIPLE REISSUE APPLICATIONS.Iaddend.
.Iadd.More than one reissue application has been filed for the
reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,732. The reissue applications are
U.S. application Ser. No. 12/696,050, now U.S. Reissue Pat. No. Re.
42,598, and the present U.S. application Ser. No. 13/169,359, filed
Jun. 24, 2011. The present U.S. application Ser. No. 13/169,359,
filed on Jun. 27, 2011 is a continuation reissue application of
U.S. application Ser. No. 12/696,050, filed on Jan. 28, 2010, which
is a reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,732..Iaddend.
Claims
What is claimed is:
.[.1. A display panel for a flat panel display comprising: a front
face comprising a planar array of liquid crystal display (LCD)
devices; and a back face comprising at least one solid metal block
including first and second opposing metal faces that extend
parallel to the array of LCD devices, wherein the first metal face
is facing toward the array of LCD devices and the second metal face
is facing away from the array of LCD devices, the first metal face
including therein an array of reflector cavities and the second
metal face including therein a plurality of heat sink fins that are
exposed at the back face of the flat panel display; and at least
one LED device mounted in a respective reflector cavity such that,
in operation, the reflector cavity reflects light that is emitted
by the at least one LED device that is mounted therein away from
the reflector cavity; wherein the at least one solid metal block
comprises a plurality of solid metal block tiles that are arranged
in an array that is congruent to the planar array of LCD
devices..].
.[.2. A display panel according to claim 1 in combination with a
frame that is configured to surround the front and back faces of
the display panel..].
.[.3. A display panel according to claim 2 in further combination
with an electronics module that is supported by the frame and that
is configured to control the array of LCD devices and the at least
one LED device..].
.[.4. A display panel according to claim 1 wherein the planar array
of LCD devices is at least 17 inches in size along a diagonal
thereof..].
.[.5. A display panel according to claim 1 wherein the at least one
LED device is configured to emit light that appears as white
light..].
.[.6. A display panel according to claim 5 wherein the at least one
LED device that is mounted in a respective reflector cavity and
that is configured to emit light that appears as white light
consists of: a red LED device; a blue LED device; and two green LED
devices..].
.[.7. A display panel according to claim 6 wherein the two green
LED devices emit green light at different frequencies..].
.[.8. A display panel according to claim 1 further comprising: a
planar optical film that is located between the planar array of LCD
devices and the at least one LED device such that, in operation,
the at least one LED device transmits light through the planar
optical film and to the planar array of LCD devices..].
.[.9. A display panel according to claim 1 in combination with
other electrical and/or mechanical elements to provide a computer
monitor and/or a television..].
.[.10. A display panel for a flat panel display comprising: a front
face comprising a planar array of liquid crystal display (LCD)
devices; and a back face comprising at least one solid metal block
including first and second opposing metal faces that extend
parallel to the array of LCD devices, wherein the first metal face
is facing toward the array of LCD devices and the second metal face
is facing away from the array of LCD devices, the first metal face
including therein an array of reflector cavities and the second
metal face including therein a plurality of heat sink fins that are
exposed at the back face of the flat panel display; and at least
one LED device mounted in a respective reflector cavity such that,
in operation, the reflector cavity reflects light that is emitted
by the at least one LED device that is mounted therein away from
the reflector cavity; wherein the at least one solid metal block
comprises a plurality of solid metal block bars that are arranged
face-to-face to be congruent to the planar array of LCD
devices..].
.[.11. A display panel according to claim 10 in combination with a
frame that is configured to surround the front and back faces of
the display panel..].
.[.12. A display panel according to claim 11 in further combination
with an electronics module that is supported by the frame and that
is configured to control the array of LCD devices and the at least
one LED device..].
.[.13. A display panel according to claim 10 wherein the planar
array of LCD devices is at least 17 inches in size along a diagonal
thereof..].
.[.14. A display panel according to claim 10 wherein the at least
one LED device is configured to emit light that appears as white
light..].
.[.15. A display panel according to claim 14 wherein the at least
one LED device that is mounted in a respective reflector cavity and
that is configured to emit light that appears as white light
consists of: a red LED device; a blue LED device; and two green LED
devices..].
.[.16. A display panel according to claim 15 wherein the two green
LED devices emit green light at different frequencies..].
.[.17. A display panel according to claim 10 further comprising: a
planar optical film that is located between the planar array of LCD
devices and the at least one LED device such that, in operation,
the at least one LED device transmits light through the planar
optical film and to the planar array of LCD devices..].
.[.18. A display panel according to claim 10 in combination with
other electrical and/or mechanical elements to provide a computer
monitor and/or a television..].
.[.19. A display panel for a flat panel display comprising: a front
face comprising a planar array of liquid crystal display (LCD)
devices; and a back face comprising at least one solid metal block
including first and second opposing metal faces that extend
parallel to the array of LCD devices, wherein the first metal face
is facing toward the array of LCD devices and the second metal face
is facing away from the array of LCD devices, the second metal face
including therein a plurality of heat sink fins that are exposed at
the back face of the flat panel display; and a plurality of LED
devices mounted on the first metal face; wherein the at least one
solid metal block comprises a plurality of solid metal block tiles
that are arranged in an array that is congruent to the planar array
of LCD devices..].
.[.20. A display panel according to claim 19 in combination with a
frame that is configured to surround the front and back faces of
the display panel..].
.[.21. A display panel according to claim 20 in further combination
with an electronics module that is supported by the frame and that
is configured to control the array of LCD devices and the at least
one LED device..].
.[.22. A display panel according to claim 19 wherein the planar
array of LCD devices is at least 17 inches in size along a diagonal
thereof..].
.[.23. A display panel according to claim 19 wherein the at least
one LED device is configured to emit light that appears as white
light..].
.[.24. A display panel according to claim 23 wherein the at least
one LED device that is mounted in a respective reflector cavity and
that is configured to emit light that appears as white light
consists of: a red LED device; a blue LED device; and two green LED
devices..].
.[.25. A display panel according to claim 24 wherein the two green
LED devices emit green light at different frequencies..].
.[.26. A display panel according to claim 19 further comprising: a
planar optical film that is located between the planar array of LCD
devices and the at least one LED device such that, in operation,
the at least one LED device transmits light through the planar
optical film and to the planar array of LCD devices..].
.[.27. A display panel according to claim 19 in combination with
other electrical and/or mechanical elements to provide a computer
monitor and/or a television..].
.[.28. A display panel for a flat panel display comprising: a front
face comprising a planar array of liquid crystal display (LCD)
devices; and a back face comprising at least one solid metal block
including first and second opposing metal faces that extend
parallel to the array of LCD devices, wherein the first metal face
is facing toward the array of LCD devices and the second metal face
is facing away from the array of LCD devices, the second metal face
including therein a plurality of heat sink fins that are exposed at
the back face of the flat panel display; and a plurality of LED
devices mounted on the first metal face; wherein the at least one
solid metal block comprises a plurality of solid metal block bars
that are arranged face-to-face to be congruent to the planar array
of LCD devices..].
.[.29. A display panel according to claim 28 in combination with a
frame that is configured to surround the front and back faces of
the display panel..].
.[.30. A display panel according to claim 29 in further combination
with an electronics module that is supported by the frame and that
is configured to control the array of LCD devices and the at least
one LED device..].
.[.31. A display panel according to claim 28 wherein the planar
array of LCD devices is at least 17 inches in size along a diagonal
thereof..].
.[.32. A display panel according to claim 28 wherein the at least
one LED device is configured to emit light that appears as white
light..].
.[.33. A display panel according to claim 32 wherein the at least
one LED device that is mounted in a respective reflector cavity and
that is configured to emit light that appears as white light
consists of: a red LED device; a blue LED device; and two green LED
devices..].
.[.34. A display panel according to claim 33 wherein the two green
LED devices emit green light at different frequencies..].
.[.35. A display panel according to claim 28 further comprising: a
planar optical film that is located between the planar array of LCD
devices and the at least one LED device such that, in operation,
the at least one LED device transmits light through the planar
optical film and to the planar array of LCD devices..].
.[.36. A display panel according to claim 28 in combination with
other electrical and/or mechanical elements to provide a computer
monitor and/or a television..].
.Iadd.37. A flat panel comprising: a plurality of solid metal block
tiles, a respective one of which includes first and second opposing
faces and four ends therebetween, the plurality of solid metal
block tiles being connected end-to-end in the flat panel, the
plurality of solid metal block tiles including mating surfaces
therebetween; and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), a
respective one of which is mounted on the first face of a
respective solid metal block tile in the flat panel..Iaddend.
.Iadd.38. A flat panel according to claim 37 wherein the plurality
of solid metal block tiles are connected end-to-end in the flat
panel in a two-dimensional array of solid metal block
tiles..Iaddend.
.Iadd.39. A flat panel according to claim 37 in combination with a
flat panel frame that is configured to surround the plurality of
solid metal block tiles..Iaddend.
.Iadd.40. A flat panel according to claim 39 in further combination
with a flat panel electronics module that is supported by the flat
panel frame and that is configured to control the at least one of
the LEDs..Iaddend.
.Iadd.41. A flat panel according to claim 37 wherein the plurality
of solid metal block tiles that are connected end-to-end in the
flat panel is at least 17 inches in size along a diagonal
thereof..Iaddend.
.Iadd.42. A flat panel according to claim 37 wherein at least one
of the LEDs is configured to emit light that appears as white
light..Iaddend.
.Iadd.43. A flat panel according to claim 37 wherein a respective
first face of a respective solid metal block tile includes a
respective reflective cavity therein, and wherein the respective
one of the LEDs is mounted in the respective reflective
cavity..Iaddend.
.Iadd.44. A flat panel according to claim 37 in further combination
with other electrical and/or mechanical elements of the flat
panel..Iaddend.
.Iadd.45. A flat panel according to claim 37 wherein the second
face includes therein a plurality of metal heat sink
fins..Iaddend.
.Iadd.46. A flat panel comprising: a plurality of solid metal block
bars, a respective one of which includes first and second opposing
faces and four ends therebetween, the plurality of solid metal
block bars being connected end-to-end in the flat panel, the
plurality of solid metal block bars including mating surfaces
therebetween; and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), a
respective one of which is mounted on the first face of a
respective solid metal block bar in the flat panel..Iaddend.
.Iadd.47. A flat panel according to claim 46 wherein the plurality
of solid metal block bars are connected end-to-end in the flat
panel in a one-dimensional array of bars..Iaddend.
.Iadd.48. A flat panel according to claim 46 in combination with a
flat panel frame that is configured to surround the plurality of
solid metal block bars..Iaddend.
.Iadd.49. A flat panel according to claim 48 in further combination
with a flat panel electronics module that is supported by the flat
panel frame and that is configured to control the at least one of
the LEDs..Iaddend.
.Iadd.50. A flat panel according to claim 46 wherein the plurality
of solid metal block bars that are connected end-to-end in the flat
panel is at least 17 inches in size along a diagonal
thereof..Iaddend.
.Iadd.51. A flat panel according to claim 46 wherein at least one
of the LEDs is configured to emit light that appears as white
light..Iaddend.
.Iadd.52. A flat panel according to claim 46 wherein a respective
first face of a respective solid metal block bar includes a
respective reflective cavity therein, and wherein the respective
one of the LEDs is mounted in the respective reflective
cavity..Iaddend.
.Iadd.53. A flat panel according to claim 46 in further combination
with other electrical and/or mechanical elements of the flat
panel..Iaddend.
.Iadd.54. A flat panel according to claim 46 wherein the second
face includes therein a plurality of metal heat sink fins..Iaddend.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) devices, and
more particularly, to backlighting of LCD devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
LCD devices are widely used in flat panel displays for monitors,
televisions and/or other displays. As is well known to those having
skill in the art, an LCD display generally includes a planar array
of LCD devices that act as an array of optical shutters.
Transmissive LCD displays employ backlighting using fluorescent
tubes above, beside and sometimes behind the array of LCD devices.
A diffusion panel behind the LCD devices can be used to redirect
and scatter the light evenly to provide a more uniform display.
For example, it is known to use one or more fluorescent cold
cathode tubes adjacent one or more edges of the planar array of LCD
devices, and a light guide or light pipe that directs the light
from the fluorescent cold cathode tubes, to illuminate the face of
the planar array of LCD devices. Unfortunately, such edge lighting
may be inefficient, with up to 50% or more of the light being
lost.
It is also known to provide an array of fluorescent cold cathode
tubes behind and facing the planar array of LCD devices.
Unfortunately, an array of fluorescent cold cathode tubes may
increase the thickness of the LCD display and/or increase the power
consumption thereof. It also may be difficult to uniformly
illuminate the planar array of LCD devices with the array of
fluorescent cold cathode tubes.
Semiconductor light emitting devices, such as Light Emitting Diode
(LED) devices, also may be used for edge illumination of a planar
array of LCD devices. For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/898,608, filed Jul. 23, 2004, entitled Reflective Optical
Elements for Semiconductor Light Emitting Devices, to coinventor
Negley, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety as if set forth fully herein, describes side emission
LEDs that may be used for large area LCD and/or television
backlighting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a display panel
for a flat panel display that includes a planar (i.e., a two
dimensional) array of LCD devices and a planar array of LED devices
that is closely spaced apart from the planar array of LCD devices,
at least some of the LED devices being disposed within a periphery
of the array of LCD devices such that, in operation, the planar
array of LED devices provides backlighting for the planar array of
LCD devices. In some embodiments, the planar arrays of LCD and LED
devices are at least 17 inches in size along a diagonal thereof. In
other embodiments, the planar array of LED devices is configured to
emit light that appears as white light. In still other embodiments
of the present invention, the LED devices in the planar array of
LED devices are spaced sufficiently close to one another so as to
provide uniform backlighting of the planar array of LCD
devices.
In some embodiments, the planar array of LED devices is configured
to transmit light from the planar array of LED devices through the
planar array of LCD devices, along a light path that extends
generally perpendicular to the planar arrays of LCD and LED
devices. In other embodiments, the light path does not redirect the
light to be parallel to the planar arrays of LCD and LED devices.
In still other embodiments, a reflector-free light path is provided
between the planar array of LED devices and the planar array of LCD
devices. In yet other embodiments, the planar array of LED devices
is configured to emit light generally parallel to the planar array
of LCD devices. In these embodiments, an array of reflectors may be
configured to redirect the light that is emitted generally parallel
to the planar array of LCD devices along a light path that extends
generally perpendicular to the planar arrays of LCD and LED
devices.
In other embodiments, a planar optical film is located between the
planar array of LCD devices and the planar array of LED devices,
such that, in operation, the planar array of LED devices transmits
light through the planar optical film and to the planar array of
LCD devices. The planar optical film may include polarizers,
scatterers and/or other optical elements.
In some embodiments of the invention, the planar array of LED
devices includes at least one solid metal block having first and
second opposing metal faces that extend parallel to the array of
LCD devices. The first metal face is facing toward the array of LCD
devices, and the second metal face is facing away from the array of
LCD devices. The first metal face includes therein an array of
reflector cavities, and the second metal face includes therein a
plurality of heat sink fins. At least one LED device is mounted in
a respective reflector cavity such that, in operation, the
reflector cavity reflects light that is emitted by the at least one
LED device that is mounted therein away from the reflector cavity.
In some embodiments, the at least one LED device that is mounted in
the respective reflector cavity is configured to emit light that
appears as white light in operation. In other embodiments, the at
least one LED device that is mounted in the respective reflector
cavity consists of a red LED device, a blue LED device and two
green LED devices. In some embodiments, the two green LED devices
emit green light at different frequencies.
It will be understood that embodiments of the invention have been
described above in connection with display panels for flat panel
displays. However, other embodiments of the invention can provide
an LED-based backlighting system for an LCD display, according to
any of the embodiments that were described above. Moreover, still
other embodiments of the invention can add other components such as
a frame and/or electronics to provide a flat panel display.
Analogous backlighting methods also may be provided.
Other embodiments of the present invention provide a flat panel
display that includes a front face comprising a planar (i.e., two
dimensional) array of LCD devices, and a back face comprising at
least one solid metal block. The solid metal block includes first
and second opposing metal faces that extend parallel to the array
of LCD devices. The first metal face is facing toward the array of
LCD devices, and the second metal face is facing away from the
array of LCD devices. The first metal face includes therein an
array of reflector cavities and the second metal face includes
therein a plurality of heat sink fins that are exposed at the back
face of the flat panel display. At least one LED device is mounted
in a respective reflector cavity such that, in operation, the
reflector cavity reflects light that is emitted by the at least one
LED device that is mounted therein away from the reflector
cavity.
In some embodiments, the solid metal block is a single solid metal
block that is congruent to the planar array of LCD devices. In
other embodiments, the at least one solid metal block includes a
plurality of solid metal block tiles that are arranged in an array
that is congruent to the planar array of LCD devices. In still
other embodiments, the at least one solid metal block includes a
plurality of solid metal block bars that are arranged
.[.face-to-face.]. to be congruent to the planar array of LCD
devices.
In still other embodiments, a frame is provided that is configured
to surround the front and back faces of the flat panel displays.
The planar array of LCD devices may be at least 17 inches diagonal,
the LED devices may be configured to emit light that appears as
white light, the at least one LED device can include a red LED, a
blue LED and two green LEDs, and/or an electronics module may be
provided that is supported by the frame and is configured to
control the LCD and LED devices, according to any of the
embodiments that were described above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of display panels for flat panel
displays according to various embodiments of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of display panels for flat panel
displays of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of a display panel for a
flat panel display of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of display panels for flat panel
displays according to other embodiments of the present
invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of flat panel displays according
to still other embodiments of the present invention.
FIGS. 6 and 7 are plan views of flat panel displays of FIG. 5
according to still other embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a portion of a first face of a solid metal
block of an array of LED devices according to various embodiments
of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of display panels for flat panel
displays according to various other embodiments of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments
of the invention are shown. However, this invention should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the
thickness of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity. Like
numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein the term
"and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the
associated listed items and may be abbreviated as "/".
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
It will be understood that when an element such as a layer or
region is referred to as being "on" or extending "onto" another
element, it can be directly on or extend directly onto the other
element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast,
when an element is referred to as being "directly on" or extending
"directly onto" another element, there are no intervening elements
present. It will also be understood that when an element is
referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element,
it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or
intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element
is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled"
to another element, there are no intervening elements present.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.
may be used herein to describe various elements, components,
regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components,
regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these
terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element,
component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or
section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section
discussed below could be termed a second element, component,
region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of
the present invention.
Furthermore, relative terms, such as "lower", "base", or
"horizontal", and "upper", "top", or "vertical" may be used herein
to describe one element's relationship to another element as
illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that relative
terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the
device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. For
example, if the device in the Figures is turned over, elements
described as being on the "lower" side of other elements would then
be oriented on "upper" sides of the other elements. The exemplary
term "lower", can therefore, encompasses both an orientation of
"lower" and "upper," depending on the particular orientation of the
figure. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned
over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements
would then be oriented "above" the other elements. The exemplary
terms "below" or "beneath" can, therefore, encompass both an
orientation of above and below. Moreover, the terms "front" and
"back" are used herein to describe opposing outward faces of a flat
panel display. Conventionally, the viewing face is deemed the
front, but the viewing face may also be deemed the back, depending
on orientation.
Embodiments of the present invention are described herein with
reference to cross section illustrations that are schematic
illustrations of idealized embodiments of the present invention. As
such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result,
for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to
be expected. Thus, embodiments of the present invention should not
be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions
illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that
result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a region
illustrated or described as flat may, typically, have rough and/or
nonlinear features. Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated,
typically, may be rounded. Thus, the regions illustrated in the
figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended
to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are not intended to
limit the scope of the present invention.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such
as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be
interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be
interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly
so defined herein.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of display panels for flat panel
displays according to various embodiments of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, these display panels 100 according to various
embodiments of the present invention, include a planar (i.e., two
dimensional) array 110 of LCD devices, and a planar array 120 of
LED devices 130 that is closely spaced apart from the planar array
110 of LCD devices, at least some of the LED devices 130 being
disposed within a periphery 110a of the array 110 of LCD devices
such that, in operation, the planar array 120 of LED devices 130
provides backlighting for the planar array 110 of LCD devices.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of flat panel displays of FIG. 1
according to various embodiments of the present invention. As shown
in FIG. 2, the LED devices 130 in the planar array 120 may be
spaced apart from one another so as to provide substantially
uniform backlighting of the planar array of LCD devices 110. The
LED devices 130 may be packed in a random array, a grid array,
and/or using hexagonal packing, as shown in FIG. 2. Uniform and/or
non-uniform packing may be provided.
Embodiments of the present invention may provide uniform
backlighting for large area display panels. The display panels may
be combined with other electrical and/or mechanical elements to
provide computer monitors, televisions and/or other flat panel
displays. As used herein, "uniform" backlighting means that an
ordinary viewer, who views the display at a conventional viewing
distance, is not aware of any variation in backlighting intensity.
In some embodiments, variations of less than about 25% may provide
uniform intensity, whereas, in other embodiments, variations of
less than 5% may provide uniform intensity. In some embodiments,
these displays are rectangular and, in some embodiments, may be
square. As used herein, a large area display has a diagonal size D
of at least 17''. However, other embodiments of the invention may
be used with displays that are smaller than 17'' diagonal.
Moreover, the pitch P between adjacent LED devices 130 in the array
also may be arranged to allow a uniform backlighting of the planar
array of LCD devices, according to some embodiments of the
invention, as will be described in detail below.
Embodiments of the present invention that are described in FIGS. 1
and 2 can provide direct backlighting of flat panel liquid crystal
displays. In particular, as shown in FIG. 1, the planar array 120
of LED devices 130 is configured to transmit light from the planar
array 120 of LED devices 130 to the planar array 110 of LCD devices
along a light path 140 that extend generally perpendicular to the
planar arrays 110, 120 of LCD and LED devices. In some embodiments,
the light path 140 does not redirect the light to be parallel to
the planar arrays 110, 120 of LCD and LED devices. In other
embodiments, the light path between the planar array 120 of LED
devices 130 and the planar array 110 of LCD devices is
reflector-free. In yet other embodiments, at least some of the LED
devices 130 are disposed within a periphery of the array 110 of LCD
devices.
By providing direct backlighting, the thickness of the display
panel 100 may be reduced and/or the optical efficiency may be
enhanced compared to edge backlighting. Moreover, in some
embodiments, the need for diffusing and/or light guide elements
between the planar array 110 of LCD devices and the planar array
120 of LED devices 130 also may be reduced or eliminated.
As was described above, in some embodiments of the present
invention, the LED devices 130 in the planar array 120 of LED
devices 130 are spaced sufficiently close to one another, so as to
provide uniform backlighting of the planar array 110 of LCD
devices. In particular, the light path 140 of FIG. 1 is illustrated
by showing the half angle of illumination, i.e., the angle of
illumination wherein the light output falls by one half the light
output on the optical axis. By placing the LEDs sufficiently close
so that the half angles of illumination just overlap, as shown in
FIG. 1, uniform illumination of the array 110 of LCD devices may be
provided, according to some embodiments of the present
invention.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a portion of the display panel for
the flat panel display of FIG. 1, illustrating geometries that can
provide uniform direct illumination according to various
embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the half
angle of illumination is denoted by .theta., the spacing between
the planar array 110 of LCD devices and the planar array 120 of LED
devices 130 is denoted by x, and the pitch between adjacent LED
devices 130 is 2y. It will be understood by those having skill in
the art that smaller pitches than 2y may be used, but may not be
needed to provide uniform illumination. Moreover, larger pitches
may provide non-uniform illumination or may provide uniform
illumination using diffusers and/or other optical elements in the
light path.
As was described above, some embodiments of the present invention
can eliminate the need for at least some optical films that are
conventionally used in some flat panel displays. Conventionally,
these optical films may include polarizers, light scattering films,
light guide films, etc. In other embodiments of the invention, some
of these optical films may be eliminated, but other optical films
may still be used. For example, a polarizing film still may be
used. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 4, an optical film 410 may be
placed between the array 110 of LCD devices and the array 120 of
LED devices 130.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of flat panel displays 600
according to other embodiments of the present invention. In these
embodiments, the planar array 120 of LED devices 130 includes at
least one solid metal block 500 including first and second opposing
metal faces 500a, 500b, respectively, that extend parallel to the
array 110 of LCD devices. The first metal face 500a faces toward
the array 110 of LCD devices, and the second metal face 500b faces
away from the array 110 of LCD devices. The first metal face 500a
includes therein an array of reflector cavities 510, and the second
metal face 500b includes therein a plurality of heat sink fins 530.
At least one LED device 130 is mounted in a respective reflector
cavity 510 such that, in operation, the reflector cavity 510
reflects light that is emitted by the at least one LED device 130
that is mounted therein from the reflector cavity 510 along the
optical path 140, as shown in FIG. 5.
In some embodiments, the reflector cavity 510 includes at least one
sidewall 502 that is configured to reflect light that is emitted
from the LED 130 in the cavity 510 along the optical path 140.
Moreover, in some embodiments, a flexible film 1420 also may be
provided that extends across one or more of the cavities 510. The
flexible film 560 may include therein optical elements such as
lenses, phosphor and/or other optical elements therein.
Many different embodiments of planar arrays 120 of LED devices 130
may be provided according to various embodiments of the present
invention, as are described, for example, in U.S. Publication No.
2006/0097385, published May 11, 2006, entitled Solid Metal Block
Semiconductor Light Emitting Device Mounting Substrates and
Packages Including Cavities and Heat Sinks, and Methods of
Packaging Same, to coinventor Negley, and U.S. Publication No.
2006/0124953, published Jun. 15, 2006, entitled Semiconductor Light
Emitting Device Mounting Substrates and Packages Including Cavities
and Cover Plates, and Methods Of Packaging Same, to coinventor
Negley, both of which are assigned to the assignee of the present
invention, the disclosures of both which are hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety as if set forth fully
herein.
In particular, as described in the abstract of U.S. Publication No.
2006/0097385, published May 11, 2006, a mounting substrate for a
semiconductor light emitting device includes a solid metal block
having first and second opposing metal faces. The first metal face
includes a cavity that is configured to mount at least one
semiconductor light emitting device therein, and to reflect light
that is emitted by at least one semiconductor light emitting device
that is mounted therein away from the cavity. The second metal face
includes heat sink fins therein. One or more semiconductor light
emitting devices are mounted in the cavity. Reflective coatings,
conductive traces, insulating layers, pedestals, through holes,
lenses, flexible films, optical elements, phosphor, integrated
circuits and/or optical coupling media also may be provided in the
package. Related packaging methods also may be provided.
Moreover, as described in the abstract of U.S. Publication No.
2006/0124953, published Jun. 15, 2006, a mounting substrate for a
semiconductor light emitting device includes a solid metal block
having first and second opposing metal faces. The first metal face
includes a cavity that is configured to mount at least one
semiconductor light emitting device therein, and to reflect light
that is emitted by at least one semiconductor light emitting device
that is mounted therein away from the cavity. One or more
semiconductor light emitting devices are mounted in the cavity. A
cap having an aperture is configured to matingly attach to the
solid metal block adjacent the first metal face such that the
aperture is aligned to the cavity. Reflective coatings, conductive
traces, insulating layers, pedestals, through holes, lenses,
flexible films, optical elements, phosphor, integrated circuits,
optical coupling media, recesses and/or meniscus control regions
also may be provided in the package. Related packaging methods also
may be provided.
Still referring to FIG. 5, the planar array 120 of LED devices 130
may be configured to act as the back face of a flat panel display
600 according to various embodiments of the present invention. More
particularly, the display 600 of FIG. 5 includes a front face 570a
that comprises the planar array 110 of LCD devices. A back face
570b comprises the at least one solid metal block 500 including the
first and second opposing metal faces 500a, 500b, respectively,
that extend parallel to the array 110 of LCD devices. The first
metal face 500a is facing toward the array 110 of LCD devices, and
the second metal face 120b is facing away from the array 110 of LCD
devices. The first metal face 500a includes therein an array of
reflective cavities 510, and the second metal face 500b includes
therein a plurality of heat sink fins 530 that are exposed at the
back face 570b of the flat panel display 600. At least one LED
device 130 is mounted in a respective reflector cavity 510 such
that, in operation, the reflector cavity 510 reflects light that is
emitted by the at least one LED device 130 that is mounted therein
away from the reflector cavity 510. Accordingly, the at least one
solid metal block 500 forms an exposed back face of the flat panel
display 100. An electronics module 550 also may be included that is
electrically connected to the LED devices 130 and the LCD devices
110. A frame 540 and/or other mechanical elements may be used to
maintain the array of LCD devices 110 and the array 120 of LED
devices 130 in closely spaced apart relation facing one another.
The electronics module 550 also may be supported by the frame
540.
Various configurations of solid metal blocks 500 may be used
according to various embodiments of the present invention. For
example, as shown in FIG. 5, the solid metal block 500 may be a
single solid metal block that is congruent to the planar array of
LCD devices 110. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, a
plurality of solid metal block bars 600 are arranged
.[.face-to-face,.]. to be congruent to the planar array 110 of LCD
devices. In still other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, a
plurality of solid metal block tiles 700 are arranged in an array
that is congruent to the planar array 110 of LCD devices. The solid
metal block bars 600 and/or tiles 700 may be maintained in place by
the frame 540 and/or by various interconnection schemes, including
mating surfaces and/or fasteners on the bars and/or tiles that can
provide mechanical and/or electrical interconnection of the LED
devices 130 on the various bars 600 and/or tiles 700.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of a portion of the first face 500a of a
solid metal block 500 according to various embodiments of the
present invention, illustrating how multiple LEDs may be placed in
a single cavity according to various embodiments of the present
invention. In particular, as shown in FIG. 8, a semiconductor white
light pixel 800 includes a red LED device 810R, a blue LED device
810B, a first green LED device 810G1 and a second green LED device
810G2. The first and second green LED devices 810G1 and 810G2,
respectively, emit light at different green frequencies. For
example, in some embodiments, the first green LED device 810G1 can
emit at 534 nm and the second green LED device 810G2 can emit at
528 nm. The red LED device 810R can emit at 625 nm and the blue LED
device 810B can emit at 460 nm. The red, blue, first green and
second green LED devices 810R, 810B, 810G1, 810G2, respectively,
are configured to emit light that appears as a pixel of white light
in operation.
In other embodiments, a single red, green and blue LED device may
be configured to emit light that appears as a pixel of white light
in operation. For example, in some embodiments, the die size of the
red, green and/or blue LED devices may be selected to meet a
desired brightness and/or intensity balancing. In one embodiment,
standard LEDs marketed by the assignee of the present invention may
be used wherein, for example, a C460XT290-Sxx00-A blue LED (290
.mu.m.times.290 .mu.m), a green C527XB500-S0100-A LED and a
conventional red LED may be used. The larger green LED die can
provide sufficient optical brightness and may reduce assembly costs
compared to a pixel that includes, red, blue, first green and
second green LED devices. Other configurations may be used to
provide a desired lumen requirements using properly sized die.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of display panels for flat panel
displays according to other embodiments of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 9, these display panels 900 according to other
embodiments of the present invention include at least one solid
metal block 500 including first and second opposing faces 500a,
500b, respectively, that extend generally parallel to the array 110
of LCD devices. The first metal face 500a includes therein an array
of reflector cavities 510 and the second metal face 500b includes
therein a plurality of heat sink fins 530. At least one LED device
130 is mounted in a respective reflector cavity 510 such that, in
operation, the reflector cavity 510 reflects light that is emitted
by the at least one LED device 130 that is mounted therein from the
reflector cavity along an optical path 140, as shown in FIG. 9.
In embodiments of FIG. 9, the planar array of LED devices 130 is
configured to emit light generally parallel to the planar array of
LCD devices 110. Moreover, an array of reflectors 910 also is
provided. The reflectors 910 are generally oblique with respect to
the first space 500a, and are configured to redirect the light that
is emitted generally parallel to the planar array of LCD devices
110 along the light path 140 that extends generally perpendicular
to the planar arrays of LCD and LED devices. Accordingly, some
geometries according to embodiments of the present invention can
provide optical cavities that are generally perpendicular or
oblique to the first face 500a and can use a secondary optical
reflector 910 to move the photons from generally parallel to the
first face 500a to generally orthogonal to the first face 500a. In
some embodiments, a flexible film including optical elements may
extend parallel to the arrays of LCD and LED devices, similar to
the flexible film 560 of FIG. 5. In other embodiments, separate
flexible films may be provided across the cavities 510, extending
generally orthogonal to the arrays of LCD and LED devices.
It also will be understood by those having skill in the art that
various combinations and subcombinations of embodiments of FIGS.
1-9 may be provided according to other embodiments of the present
invention. Thus, for example, embodiments of FIG. 9 may be combined
with embodiments of FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and/or 8.
In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed
embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are
employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and
not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being
set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *
References