Integrated modulator illumination

Abstract

A spatial light modulator includes an array of elements to modulate light in accordance with image data. The modulator has a display panel having first and second surfaces arranged adjacent to the array of elements such that the second surface is directly adjacent the array of elements to allow a viewer to view an image produced by modulation of light. The modulator may also include a light source to provide light to the display panel and illumination dots on the first surface of the display panel to reflect light from the source to the array of elements.

1 . A display device comprising:
 a transparent substrate having a front side and a back side;   an array of reflective display elements disposed behind the substrate and configured to reflect light through the substrate and out the front side of the substrate;   a light source configured to inject light into the substrate, wherein the substrate is configured to propagate the injected light therein by to total internal reflection off the front and back sides of the substrate; and   reflective features on the substrate, the reflective features configured to reflect the light to the array of display elements.   
     
     
         2 . The display device of  claim 1 , wherein the display elements include spatial light modulators. 
     
     
         3 . The display device of  claim 2 , wherein the display elements include interferometric modulators. 
     
     
         4 . The display device of  claim 1 , wherein the display elements are disposed directly on the substrate. 
     
     
         5 . The display device of  claim 1 , further comprising a diffuser disposed on the front side of the substrate. 
     
     
         6 . The display device of  claim 5 , wherein the reflective features are disposed at an interface between the diffuser and the substrate. 
     
     
         7 . The display device of  claim 5 , wherein the reflective features are disposed on a surface of the diffuser. 
     
     
         8 . The display device of  claim 1 , further comprising an anti-reflective layer on the front side of the substrate. 
     
     
         9 . The display device of  claim 1 , wherein the reflective features include illumination dots. 
     
     
         10 . The display device of  claim 9 , wherein the illumination dots include a first layer that is reflective towards the display elements and a second layer that is absorbing towards the viewer. 
     
     
         11 . The display device of  claim 9 , wherein the illumination dots have a size below the resolution of a human eye. 
     
     
         12 . The display device of  claim 1 , wherein the light source includes at least one of:
 a light emitting diode disposed at an edge of the substrate, a cold cathode fluorescent tube disposed at an edge of the substrate, and an edge emitting light pipe.   
     
     
         13 . A method of manufacturing a display device, the method comprising:
 providing a transparent substrate having a front side and a back side;   providing an array of display elements behind the substrate, the display elements configured to reflect light through the substrate and out the front side of the substrate;   providing a light source configured to inject light into the substrate, wherein the substrate is configured to propagate the injected light therein by total internal reflection off the front and back sides of the substrate; and   providing reflective features on the front side of the substrate, the reflective features configured to reflect the light to the array of display elements.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the display elements include reflective spatial light modulators. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the display elements include interferometric modulators. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein providing the display elements includes fabricating the display elements directly on the substrate. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising providing a diffuser on the front side of the substrate. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein providing the reflective features include disposing the reflective features at an interface between the diffuser and the substrate. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein providing the reflective features include disposing the reflective features on a surface of the diffuser. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising providing an anti-reflective coating on the front side of the substrate. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein providing the reflective features includes forming illumination dots. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein forming the illumination dots includes forming a first layer that is reflective towards the display elements and forming a second layer that is absorbing towards the viewer. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the illumination dots have a size below the resolution of a human eye. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein providing a light source includes providing a light emitting diode at an edge of the substrate, providing a cold cathode fluorescent tube at an edge of the substrate, or providing an edge emitting light pipe at an edge of the substrate.