Basic Overview of Visual Display Elements

Electronic devices are ubiquitous in society and could be found in everything from household appliances to computers. Many electronic devices include visual display elements that could be used for various purposes, such as visual indicators for indicating the status of a device, in conjunction with a user input device, and so on and so forth. In some cases, input devices (such as keyboards, mice and the like) may be selectively or fully backlit and thus also function as a display element. Other visual display elements may have a purely aesthetic function.

While providing attractive visual display elements and indicators for a user is very important in many electronic devices, much of the aesthetic appeal of a device could quickly be compromised if the visual display elements do not transmit enough light to be adequately perceived by a user. The aesthetic appeal of a device may also be diminished if inactive visual display elements remain perceptible to the user when in an "off" state.

Additionally, the light source required for many visual display elements could quickly drain the power source of the electronic device, which may be a problem, for example, when the electronic device is running on battery power or some other depletable power source. Likewise, uneven or inadequate lighting may make a display element difficult to read.

While many designs for providing displays, lights and other visual indicators on electronic and personal devices have generally worked well in the past, there is always a desire to provide new and improved designs or techniques that result in even more aesthetically pleasing and power-efficient visual display elements. In particular, the ability to provide visual display elements on electronic and personal devices in a manner that could generate a sufficient amount of light to fulfill a purpose, while conserving space and power is desirable.

Microperforations and Microlenses

In February of this year, Apple was granted a patent for a Light Transmissive Display System that utilized a laser beam system to create microperforations and/or tapered holes to create special lighting on the MacBook or Apple's keyboard and so forth. It covered the MacBook backlit logo illumination. Another patent that covered some of this technology in relation to a MacBook trackpad and/or its replacement surfaced in April 2010 that's worth checking out as well.So there's no need to rehash that technology which has been established.

However, there are some new ideas in this area that touch on microlenses and Apple hints of how these new techniques could apply to a wider range of products including appliances such as refrigerators, microwave ovens and televisions. While that may seem out of sync with Apple's product lines today, I've seen patents that they've acquired that go beyond their current market reach. But that's a story for another day.

Apple's patent FIG. 1C above illustrates a close-up and partially cutaway view of the visual display element on the laptop of FIG. 1B; FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up and partially cutaway side cross-sectional view of the visual display element of FIG. 1B; FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating operations of a method for manufacturing a visual display element.

New Microlenses

What's new to the table is that Apple's invention introduces new microlenses. Apple states that the light guide used in future products may include an array of concave microlenses. As shown in FIG. 2 above, the microlenses noted as patent points 225 may each have a tapered configuration.

In one embodiment, the microlenses may have a substantially conical or cone-like configuration, in which the bottom end of each microlens is pointed. In other embodiments, the microlenses may define truncated cones, in which the bottoms of the microlenses form a substantially flat surface.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the microlenses may include a curved concave surface. The microlenses may or may not define a hole that penetrates through the light guide. In some embodiments, the microlenses may be thickened, denser, or a shaped section of the same material of the light guide. Accordingly, the microlenses may be made of the light guide material, rather than representing a hole in or lack of material.

Power Savings

The use of microlenses on the light guide (220) may afford many benefits to an associated electronic device. For example, the microlenses may impart a power savings. More particularly, the microlenses may allow for the use of a lower-power light source (or operating a light source at a lower power) by more efficiently transmitting light from the light source (222) through the microperforations (101 of Fig 1C).

Additionally, the microlenses may also conserve space within the electronic device, allowing for a more compact design. For example, because the microlenses reduce the amount of light lost over the length of the light guide due to scattering and/or diffraction, the light source may be side-coupled to the light guide rather than bottom or top-coupled, and output similar light through the microperforations. Accordingly, the thickness of the base layer, as coupled to the light guide, may be less than 1 millimeter.

Devices, Appliances

The housing input element may be implemented in a variety of electronic devices including, but not limited to, portable computing devices, cell phones, televisions, personal computers, smart phones, personal digital assistants, media players, appliances such as refrigerators, microwave ovens, etc. and any other suitable electronic devices – such as a mouse. In another interesting embodiment, Apple states that they could use microperforation to backlight a trackpad for a MacBook.

Side-Firing LEDs

Some embodiments may use side-firing light sources, such as side-firing LEDs. In one example, two side-firing light sources may be positioned on opposite sides of a light guide. Other embodiments may utilize different colored light sources. For example, one embodiment may use multiple light sources of different colors to convey status and/or input device information. Some notebook backlit keyboards use side-firing LEDs, although I'm not sure that Apple does at the moment. If someone knows otherwise, please send me an email. In the bigger picture, Apple notes that their system could apply to future consumer products like appliciances which could provide such a system with some leg room for development.    

Apple's patent application was originally filed in Q2 2010 by inventors Aleksandar Pance and Gregory Tice.

Other Noteworthy Patent Applications Published Today

We may list other patent applications here later today.

Notice: Patently Apple presents a detailed summary of patent applications with associated graphics for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent application should be read in its entirety for full and accurate details. Revelations found in patent applications shouldn't be interpreted as rumor or fast-tracked according to rumor timetables. Apple's patent applications have provided the Mac community with a clear heads-up on some of Apple's greatest product trends including the iPod, iPhone, iPad, iOS cameras, LED displays, iCloud services for iTunes and more. About Comments: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit comments.