Abstract

Viewing range of a liquid crystal display can be controlled by a liquid crystal device inserted between a light source and a light-guide of an edge-lit backlight unit. Here, we propose an output coupler with a vertical optical window through which light is extracted from a light-guide. Rays with large propagation angles and those with small angles have a comparable probability of hitting this window. As a result, a single set of these output couplers can provide uniform light extraction for both settings of a wide viewing range and a narrow one. Ray tracing simulations confirm these findings.

©2008 Optical Society of America

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References

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  1. Y. Hisatake, Y. Kawata, and A. Murayama, “Viewing angle controllable LCD using variable optical compensator and variable diffuser,” Digest of Technical Papers, Society for Information Display 36, 1218–1221 (2005).
  2. K-W. Chien, Y-J. Hsu, and H-M. Chen, “Dual light source for backlight systems for smart viewing adjustable LCDs,” Digest of Technical Papers, Society for Information Display 37, 1425–1427 (2006).
  3. J-I. Baek, Y-H. Kwon, J. C. Kim, and T-H. Yoon, “Dual-mode switching of a liquid crystal panel for viewing angle control,” Appl. Phys. Lett 90, 101104 (2007).
    [Crossref]
  4. I. Fujieda, Y. Takagi, and F. Rahadian, “Design considerations for a backlight with switchable viewing angles,” Proc. SPIE 6338, 63380H (2006).
    [Crossref]
  5. I. Fujieda, Y. Takagi, K. Imai, Y. Inaba, and T. Fujii, “Thin backlight with electronic control of luminance angular distribution,” Proc. of 13th International Display Workshops, 937–940 (2006).
  6. I. Fujieda, K. Imai, and Y. Takagi, “Light sources and output couplers for a backlight with switchable emission angles,” Proc. SPIE 6670, 66700N (2007).
    [Crossref]
  7. A. Nagasawa and K. Fujisawa, “An ultra slim backlight system using optical-patterned film,” Digest of Technical Papers, Society for Information Display 36, 570–573 (2005).
  8. A. Nagasawa, T. Eguchi, Y. Sanai, and K. Fujisawa, “A novel backlight system with the unified component,” Proc. of 12th International Display Workshops, 1285–1288 (2005).
  9. K. Fujisawa, I. Onishi, and Y. Fujiwara, “Edge-light backlight unit using Optically Patterned Film,” Jpn. J. Appl. Phys 46, 194–199 (2007).
    [Crossref]
  10. A. Nagasawa, T. Eguchi, Y. Sanai, and K. Fujisawa, “A slim and bendable backlight system manufactured by a roll-to-roll continuous process,” Proc. of 13th International Display Workshops,945–948 (2006).
  11. G. Kurata, K. Sakurai, M. Ohira, Y. Kawabata, A. Funamoto, and S. Aoyama, “Sheetless backlight system for mobile phone,” Proc. of 13th International Display Workshops, 1727–1730 (2006).
  12. D. Feng, Y. Yan, X. Yang, G. Jin, and S. Fan, “Novel integrated light-guide plates for liquid crystal display backlight,” J. Opt. A: Pure Appl. Opt 7, 111–117 (2005).
    [Crossref]
  13. Y. Inaba, Y. Nagai, and I. Fujieda, “Edge-lit backlight utilizing a laser diode and an optical fiber,” Proc. of 14th International Display Workshops, 705–708 (2007).
  14. M. Jansen, S. Brittain, G. Giaretta, J. Green, G. Niven, C. Stuart, and W. Wu, “Large venue laser-based projectors,” Proc. of 14th International Display Workshops, 2353–2356 (2007).
  15. I. Fujieda, “Liquid crystal phase grating based on in-plane switching,” Appl. Opt 40, 6252–6259 (2001).
    [Crossref]
  16. K. Imai and I. Fujieda, “Design of output couplers for an edge-lit backlight with viewing-angle control,” Proc. of 14th International Display Workshops, 689–692 (2007).

2007 (3)

J-I. Baek, Y-H. Kwon, J. C. Kim, and T-H. Yoon, “Dual-mode switching of a liquid crystal panel for viewing angle control,” Appl. Phys. Lett 90, 101104 (2007).
[Crossref]

K. Fujisawa, I. Onishi, and Y. Fujiwara, “Edge-light backlight unit using Optically Patterned Film,” Jpn. J. Appl. Phys 46, 194–199 (2007).
[Crossref]

I. Fujieda, K. Imai, and Y. Takagi, “Light sources and output couplers for a backlight with switchable emission angles,” Proc. SPIE 6670, 66700N (2007).
[Crossref]

2006 (3)

A. Nagasawa, T. Eguchi, Y. Sanai, and K. Fujisawa, “A slim and bendable backlight system manufactured by a roll-to-roll continuous process,” Proc. of 13th International Display Workshops,945–948 (2006).

I. Fujieda, Y. Takagi, and F. Rahadian, “Design considerations for a backlight with switchable viewing angles,” Proc. SPIE 6338, 63380H (2006).
[Crossref]

K-W. Chien, Y-J. Hsu, and H-M. Chen, “Dual light source for backlight systems for smart viewing adjustable LCDs,” Digest of Technical Papers, Society for Information Display 37, 1425–1427 (2006).

2005 (3)

Y. Hisatake, Y. Kawata, and A. Murayama, “Viewing angle controllable LCD using variable optical compensator and variable diffuser,” Digest of Technical Papers, Society for Information Display 36, 1218–1221 (2005).

D. Feng, Y. Yan, X. Yang, G. Jin, and S. Fan, “Novel integrated light-guide plates for liquid crystal display backlight,” J. Opt. A: Pure Appl. Opt 7, 111–117 (2005).
[Crossref]

A. Nagasawa and K. Fujisawa, “An ultra slim backlight system using optical-patterned film,” Digest of Technical Papers, Society for Information Display 36, 570–573 (2005).

2001 (1)

I. Fujieda, “Liquid crystal phase grating based on in-plane switching,” Appl. Opt 40, 6252–6259 (2001).
[Crossref]

Aoyama, S.

G. Kurata, K. Sakurai, M. Ohira, Y. Kawabata, A. Funamoto, and S. Aoyama, “Sheetless backlight system for mobile phone,” Proc. of 13th International Display Workshops, 1727–1730 (2006).

Baek, J-I.

J-I. Baek, Y-H. Kwon, J. C. Kim, and T-H. Yoon, “Dual-mode switching of a liquid crystal panel for viewing angle control,” Appl. Phys. Lett 90, 101104 (2007).
[Crossref]

Brittain, S.

M. Jansen, S. Brittain, G. Giaretta, J. Green, G. Niven, C. Stuart, and W. Wu, “Large venue laser-based projectors,” Proc. of 14th International Display Workshops, 2353–2356 (2007).

Chen, H-M.

K-W. Chien, Y-J. Hsu, and H-M. Chen, “Dual light source for backlight systems for smart viewing adjustable LCDs,” Digest of Technical Papers, Society for Information Display 37, 1425–1427 (2006).

Chien, K-W.

K-W. Chien, Y-J. Hsu, and H-M. Chen, “Dual light source for backlight systems for smart viewing adjustable LCDs,” Digest of Technical Papers, Society for Information Display 37, 1425–1427 (2006).

Eguchi, T.

A. Nagasawa, T. Eguchi, Y. Sanai, and K. Fujisawa, “A slim and bendable backlight system manufactured by a roll-to-roll continuous process,” Proc. of 13th International Display Workshops,945–948 (2006).

A. Nagasawa, T. Eguchi, Y. Sanai, and K. Fujisawa, “A novel backlight system with the unified component,” Proc. of 12th International Display Workshops, 1285–1288 (2005).

Fan, S.

D. Feng, Y. Yan, X. Yang, G. Jin, and S. Fan, “Novel integrated light-guide plates for liquid crystal display backlight,” J. Opt. A: Pure Appl. Opt 7, 111–117 (2005).
[Crossref]

Feng, D.

D. Feng, Y. Yan, X. Yang, G. Jin, and S. Fan, “Novel integrated light-guide plates for liquid crystal display backlight,” J. Opt. A: Pure Appl. Opt 7, 111–117 (2005).
[Crossref]

Fujieda, I.

I. Fujieda, K. Imai, and Y. Takagi, “Light sources and output couplers for a backlight with switchable emission angles,” Proc. SPIE 6670, 66700N (2007).
[Crossref]

I. Fujieda, Y. Takagi, and F. Rahadian, “Design considerations for a backlight with switchable viewing angles,” Proc. SPIE 6338, 63380H (2006).
[Crossref]

I. Fujieda, “Liquid crystal phase grating based on in-plane switching,” Appl. Opt 40, 6252–6259 (2001).
[Crossref]

K. Imai and I. Fujieda, “Design of output couplers for an edge-lit backlight with viewing-angle control,” Proc. of 14th International Display Workshops, 689–692 (2007).

Y. Inaba, Y. Nagai, and I. Fujieda, “Edge-lit backlight utilizing a laser diode and an optical fiber,” Proc. of 14th International Display Workshops, 705–708 (2007).

I. Fujieda, Y. Takagi, K. Imai, Y. Inaba, and T. Fujii, “Thin backlight with electronic control of luminance angular distribution,” Proc. of 13th International Display Workshops, 937–940 (2006).

Fujii, T.

I. Fujieda, Y. Takagi, K. Imai, Y. Inaba, and T. Fujii, “Thin backlight with electronic control of luminance angular distribution,” Proc. of 13th International Display Workshops, 937–940 (2006).

Fujisawa, K.

K. Fujisawa, I. Onishi, and Y. Fujiwara, “Edge-light backlight unit using Optically Patterned Film,” Jpn. J. Appl. Phys 46, 194–199 (2007).
[Crossref]

A. Nagasawa, T. Eguchi, Y. Sanai, and K. Fujisawa, “A slim and bendable backlight system manufactured by a roll-to-roll continuous process,” Proc. of 13th International Display Workshops,945–948 (2006).

A. Nagasawa and K. Fujisawa, “An ultra slim backlight system using optical-patterned film,” Digest of Technical Papers, Society for Information Display 36, 570–573 (2005).

A. Nagasawa, T. Eguchi, Y. Sanai, and K. Fujisawa, “A novel backlight system with the unified component,” Proc. of 12th International Display Workshops, 1285–1288 (2005).

Fujiwara, Y.

K. Fujisawa, I. Onishi, and Y. Fujiwara, “Edge-light backlight unit using Optically Patterned Film,” Jpn. J. Appl. Phys 46, 194–199 (2007).
[Crossref]

Funamoto, A.

G. Kurata, K. Sakurai, M. Ohira, Y. Kawabata, A. Funamoto, and S. Aoyama, “Sheetless backlight system for mobile phone,” Proc. of 13th International Display Workshops, 1727–1730 (2006).

Giaretta, G.

M. Jansen, S. Brittain, G. Giaretta, J. Green, G. Niven, C. Stuart, and W. Wu, “Large venue laser-based projectors,” Proc. of 14th International Display Workshops, 2353–2356 (2007).

Green, J.

M. Jansen, S. Brittain, G. Giaretta, J. Green, G. Niven, C. Stuart, and W. Wu, “Large venue laser-based projectors,” Proc. of 14th International Display Workshops, 2353–2356 (2007).

Hisatake, Y.

Y. Hisatake, Y. Kawata, and A. Murayama, “Viewing angle controllable LCD using variable optical compensator and variable diffuser,” Digest of Technical Papers, Society for Information Display 36, 1218–1221 (2005).

Hsu, Y-J.

K-W. Chien, Y-J. Hsu, and H-M. Chen, “Dual light source for backlight systems for smart viewing adjustable LCDs,” Digest of Technical Papers, Society for Information Display 37, 1425–1427 (2006).

Imai, K.

I. Fujieda, K. Imai, and Y. Takagi, “Light sources and output couplers for a backlight with switchable emission angles,” Proc. SPIE 6670, 66700N (2007).
[Crossref]

I. Fujieda, Y. Takagi, K. Imai, Y. Inaba, and T. Fujii, “Thin backlight with electronic control of luminance angular distribution,” Proc. of 13th International Display Workshops, 937–940 (2006).

K. Imai and I. Fujieda, “Design of output couplers for an edge-lit backlight with viewing-angle control,” Proc. of 14th International Display Workshops, 689–692 (2007).

Inaba, Y.

Y. Inaba, Y. Nagai, and I. Fujieda, “Edge-lit backlight utilizing a laser diode and an optical fiber,” Proc. of 14th International Display Workshops, 705–708 (2007).

I. Fujieda, Y. Takagi, K. Imai, Y. Inaba, and T. Fujii, “Thin backlight with electronic control of luminance angular distribution,” Proc. of 13th International Display Workshops, 937–940 (2006).

Jansen, M.

M. Jansen, S. Brittain, G. Giaretta, J. Green, G. Niven, C. Stuart, and W. Wu, “Large venue laser-based projectors,” Proc. of 14th International Display Workshops, 2353–2356 (2007).

Jin, G.

D. Feng, Y. Yan, X. Yang, G. Jin, and S. Fan, “Novel integrated light-guide plates for liquid crystal display backlight,” J. Opt. A: Pure Appl. Opt 7, 111–117 (2005).
[Crossref]

Kawabata, Y.

G. Kurata, K. Sakurai, M. Ohira, Y. Kawabata, A. Funamoto, and S. Aoyama, “Sheetless backlight system for mobile phone,” Proc. of 13th International Display Workshops, 1727–1730 (2006).

Kawata, Y.

Y. Hisatake, Y. Kawata, and A. Murayama, “Viewing angle controllable LCD using variable optical compensator and variable diffuser,” Digest of Technical Papers, Society for Information Display 36, 1218–1221 (2005).

Kim, J. C.

J-I. Baek, Y-H. Kwon, J. C. Kim, and T-H. Yoon, “Dual-mode switching of a liquid crystal panel for viewing angle control,” Appl. Phys. Lett 90, 101104 (2007).
[Crossref]

Kurata, G.

G. Kurata, K. Sakurai, M. Ohira, Y. Kawabata, A. Funamoto, and S. Aoyama, “Sheetless backlight system for mobile phone,” Proc. of 13th International Display Workshops, 1727–1730 (2006).

Kwon, Y-H.

J-I. Baek, Y-H. Kwon, J. C. Kim, and T-H. Yoon, “Dual-mode switching of a liquid crystal panel for viewing angle control,” Appl. Phys. Lett 90, 101104 (2007).
[Crossref]

Murayama, A.

Y. Hisatake, Y. Kawata, and A. Murayama, “Viewing angle controllable LCD using variable optical compensator and variable diffuser,” Digest of Technical Papers, Society for Information Display 36, 1218–1221 (2005).

Nagai, Y.

Y. Inaba, Y. Nagai, and I. Fujieda, “Edge-lit backlight utilizing a laser diode and an optical fiber,” Proc. of 14th International Display Workshops, 705–708 (2007).

Nagasawa, A.

A. Nagasawa, T. Eguchi, Y. Sanai, and K. Fujisawa, “A slim and bendable backlight system manufactured by a roll-to-roll continuous process,” Proc. of 13th International Display Workshops,945–948 (2006).

A. Nagasawa and K. Fujisawa, “An ultra slim backlight system using optical-patterned film,” Digest of Technical Papers, Society for Information Display 36, 570–573 (2005).

A. Nagasawa, T. Eguchi, Y. Sanai, and K. Fujisawa, “A novel backlight system with the unified component,” Proc. of 12th International Display Workshops, 1285–1288 (2005).

Niven, G.

M. Jansen, S. Brittain, G. Giaretta, J. Green, G. Niven, C. Stuart, and W. Wu, “Large venue laser-based projectors,” Proc. of 14th International Display Workshops, 2353–2356 (2007).

Ohira, M.

G. Kurata, K. Sakurai, M. Ohira, Y. Kawabata, A. Funamoto, and S. Aoyama, “Sheetless backlight system for mobile phone,” Proc. of 13th International Display Workshops, 1727–1730 (2006).

Onishi, I.

K. Fujisawa, I. Onishi, and Y. Fujiwara, “Edge-light backlight unit using Optically Patterned Film,” Jpn. J. Appl. Phys 46, 194–199 (2007).
[Crossref]

Rahadian, F.

I. Fujieda, Y. Takagi, and F. Rahadian, “Design considerations for a backlight with switchable viewing angles,” Proc. SPIE 6338, 63380H (2006).
[Crossref]

Sakurai, K.

G. Kurata, K. Sakurai, M. Ohira, Y. Kawabata, A. Funamoto, and S. Aoyama, “Sheetless backlight system for mobile phone,” Proc. of 13th International Display Workshops, 1727–1730 (2006).

Sanai, Y.

A. Nagasawa, T. Eguchi, Y. Sanai, and K. Fujisawa, “A slim and bendable backlight system manufactured by a roll-to-roll continuous process,” Proc. of 13th International Display Workshops,945–948 (2006).

A. Nagasawa, T. Eguchi, Y. Sanai, and K. Fujisawa, “A novel backlight system with the unified component,” Proc. of 12th International Display Workshops, 1285–1288 (2005).

Stuart, C.

M. Jansen, S. Brittain, G. Giaretta, J. Green, G. Niven, C. Stuart, and W. Wu, “Large venue laser-based projectors,” Proc. of 14th International Display Workshops, 2353–2356 (2007).

Takagi, Y.

I. Fujieda, K. Imai, and Y. Takagi, “Light sources and output couplers for a backlight with switchable emission angles,” Proc. SPIE 6670, 66700N (2007).
[Crossref]

I. Fujieda, Y. Takagi, and F. Rahadian, “Design considerations for a backlight with switchable viewing angles,” Proc. SPIE 6338, 63380H (2006).
[Crossref]

I. Fujieda, Y. Takagi, K. Imai, Y. Inaba, and T. Fujii, “Thin backlight with electronic control of luminance angular distribution,” Proc. of 13th International Display Workshops, 937–940 (2006).

Wu, W.

M. Jansen, S. Brittain, G. Giaretta, J. Green, G. Niven, C. Stuart, and W. Wu, “Large venue laser-based projectors,” Proc. of 14th International Display Workshops, 2353–2356 (2007).

Yan, Y.

D. Feng, Y. Yan, X. Yang, G. Jin, and S. Fan, “Novel integrated light-guide plates for liquid crystal display backlight,” J. Opt. A: Pure Appl. Opt 7, 111–117 (2005).
[Crossref]

Yang, X.

D. Feng, Y. Yan, X. Yang, G. Jin, and S. Fan, “Novel integrated light-guide plates for liquid crystal display backlight,” J. Opt. A: Pure Appl. Opt 7, 111–117 (2005).
[Crossref]

Yoon, T-H.

J-I. Baek, Y-H. Kwon, J. C. Kim, and T-H. Yoon, “Dual-mode switching of a liquid crystal panel for viewing angle control,” Appl. Phys. Lett 90, 101104 (2007).
[Crossref]

Appl. Opt (1)

I. Fujieda, “Liquid crystal phase grating based on in-plane switching,” Appl. Opt 40, 6252–6259 (2001).
[Crossref]

Appl. Phys. Lett (1)

J-I. Baek, Y-H. Kwon, J. C. Kim, and T-H. Yoon, “Dual-mode switching of a liquid crystal panel for viewing angle control,” Appl. Phys. Lett 90, 101104 (2007).
[Crossref]

J. Opt. A: Pure Appl. Opt (1)

D. Feng, Y. Yan, X. Yang, G. Jin, and S. Fan, “Novel integrated light-guide plates for liquid crystal display backlight,” J. Opt. A: Pure Appl. Opt 7, 111–117 (2005).
[Crossref]

Jpn. J. Appl. Phys (1)

K. Fujisawa, I. Onishi, and Y. Fujiwara, “Edge-light backlight unit using Optically Patterned Film,” Jpn. J. Appl. Phys 46, 194–199 (2007).
[Crossref]

Proc. SPIE (2)

I. Fujieda, K. Imai, and Y. Takagi, “Light sources and output couplers for a backlight with switchable emission angles,” Proc. SPIE 6670, 66700N (2007).
[Crossref]

I. Fujieda, Y. Takagi, and F. Rahadian, “Design considerations for a backlight with switchable viewing angles,” Proc. SPIE 6338, 63380H (2006).
[Crossref]

Other (10)

I. Fujieda, Y. Takagi, K. Imai, Y. Inaba, and T. Fujii, “Thin backlight with electronic control of luminance angular distribution,” Proc. of 13th International Display Workshops, 937–940 (2006).

Y. Hisatake, Y. Kawata, and A. Murayama, “Viewing angle controllable LCD using variable optical compensator and variable diffuser,” Digest of Technical Papers, Society for Information Display 36, 1218–1221 (2005).

K-W. Chien, Y-J. Hsu, and H-M. Chen, “Dual light source for backlight systems for smart viewing adjustable LCDs,” Digest of Technical Papers, Society for Information Display 37, 1425–1427 (2006).

A. Nagasawa and K. Fujisawa, “An ultra slim backlight system using optical-patterned film,” Digest of Technical Papers, Society for Information Display 36, 570–573 (2005).

A. Nagasawa, T. Eguchi, Y. Sanai, and K. Fujisawa, “A novel backlight system with the unified component,” Proc. of 12th International Display Workshops, 1285–1288 (2005).

A. Nagasawa, T. Eguchi, Y. Sanai, and K. Fujisawa, “A slim and bendable backlight system manufactured by a roll-to-roll continuous process,” Proc. of 13th International Display Workshops,945–948 (2006).

G. Kurata, K. Sakurai, M. Ohira, Y. Kawabata, A. Funamoto, and S. Aoyama, “Sheetless backlight system for mobile phone,” Proc. of 13th International Display Workshops, 1727–1730 (2006).

Y. Inaba, Y. Nagai, and I. Fujieda, “Edge-lit backlight utilizing a laser diode and an optical fiber,” Proc. of 14th International Display Workshops, 705–708 (2007).

M. Jansen, S. Brittain, G. Giaretta, J. Green, G. Niven, C. Stuart, and W. Wu, “Large venue laser-based projectors,” Proc. of 14th International Display Workshops, 2353–2356 (2007).

K. Imai and I. Fujieda, “Design of output couplers for an edge-lit backlight with viewing-angle control,” Proc. of 14th International Display Workshops, 689–692 (2007).

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Figures (5)

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1. Configuration of our proposed backlight with emission angle control.

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Fig. 2.
Fig. 2. A vertical optical window extracts the propagating light with different angles equally.

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Fig. 3.
Fig. 3. Model for analyzing illumination uniformity and angular range switching characteristics

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Fig. 4.
Fig. 4. To obtain uniform illumination, the intervals between the output couplers are adjusted.

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Fig. 5.
Fig. 5. Angular distributions of the light emitted at the three locations along the z axis.

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