Method and apparatus for lighting a display device

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for providing lighting in a display are provided. In one embodiment, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) is provided that includes a transparent substrate and a plurality of interferometric modulators. The interferometric modulators include an optical stack coupled to the transparent substrate, a reflective layer over the optical stack, and one or more posts to support the reflective layer and to provide a path for light from a backlight for lighting the display.

1 . A display comprising:
 a plurality of display elements having a viewing side;   a backlight positioned on a side of the plurality of display elements opposite the viewing side; and   one or more waveguides positioned between the display elements, the one or more waveguides configured to provide a path for light emitted by the backlight to illuminate the display elements.   
     
     
         2 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more waveguides comprises one or more posts configured to support at least a portion of the display elements. 
     
     
         3 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more waveguides are configured to direct the light emitted by the backlight to the viewing side of the display elements. 
     
     
         4 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the display elements are reflective display elements. 
     
     
         5 . The display of  claim 1 , where in the display elements are micro electromechanical display elements. 
     
     
         6 . The display of  claim 5 , wherein the display elements comprise interferometric modulators. 
     
     
         7 . The display of  claim 6 , wherein the interferometric modulators comprise:
 an optical stack coupled to a transparent substrate;   a reflective layer over the optical stack; and   one or more posts to support the reflective layer, the one or more posts comprising the one or more waveguides.   
     
     
         8 . The display of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of light scatterers or reflectors configured to redirect the light passing through the one or more waveguides to the display elements. 
     
     
         9 . The display of  claim 8 , further comprising one or more reflecting surfaces arranged to direct light emitted by the one or more waveguides to the plurality of light scatterers or reflectors. 
     
     
         10 . The display of  claim 8 , further comprising a glass layer on the viewing side of the display elements, the glass layer including the plurality of light scatterers or reflectors. 
     
     
         11 . The display of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a processor in electrical communication with the display elements, the processor configured to process image data; and   a memory device in electrical communication with the processor.   
     
     
         12 . A display comprising:
 a plurality of means for modulating light, the plurality of light modulating means having a viewing side;   a means for emitting light positioned on a side of the plurality of light modulating means opposite the viewing side; and   one or more means for guiding light positioned between the plurality of light modulating means, the one or more light guiding means configured to provide a path for light emitted by the light emitting means to illuminate the plurality of light modulating means.   
     
     
         13 . The display of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more light guiding means comprise one or more means for supporting at least a portion of the light modulating means. 
     
     
         14 . The display of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more light guiding means are configured to direct the light emitted by the light emitting means to the viewing side of the plurality of light modulating means. 
     
     
         15 . The display of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of light modulating means comprise:
 an first means for reflecting coupled to a transparent substrate means;   a second means for reflecting, said second reflecting means being movable and positioned over the first reflecting means; and   means for supporting the second reflecting means, wherein the supporting means comprises the light guiding means.   
     
     
         16 . The display of  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of means for scattering or reflecting light configured to redirect the light passing through the light guiding means to the light modulating means. 
     
     
         17 . The display of  claim 16 , further comprising a third means for reflecting arranged to direct light from the light guiding means to the plurality of light scattering or reflecting means. 
     
     
         18 . The display of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of light modulating means comprises a plurality of display elements, or wherein the light emitting means comprises a backlight, or wherein the one or more light guiding means comprises one or more light guides. 
     
     
         19 . A method for providing a display, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of display elements having a viewing side;   positioning a backlight on a side of the plurality of display elements opposite the viewing side; and   forming one or more waveguides between the display elements, wherein the one or more waveguides are configured to provide a path for light emitted by the backlight to illuminate the display elements.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein providing a plurality of display elements comprises:
 providing a transparent substrate; and   forming a plurality of interferometric modulators including:
 coupling an optical stack to the transparent substrate; 
 forming a reflective layer over the optical stack; and 
 forming one or more posts to support the reflective layer, the one or more posts comprising the one or more waveguides.