Thin Edge-Lighting Illuminates Indicia Without Adding Thickness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional LEDs are limited in their ability to illuminate indicia on devices like laptop lids or mobile devices without increasing thickness or battery drain, as they require continuous backlighting, which is inefficient and not feasible when the device is in hibernate or sleep mode.

Innovation Solution

The use of thin edge-lighting and surface-mounted light-generating sources, such as unpackaged LEDs or dLEDs, which can be integrated along the edges of the device or affixed to substrates, allowing for illumination of indicia independently of the device's display state, reducing thickness and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If conventional LEDs are used to illuminate indicia on device lids, then the indicia can be illuminated, but the device thickness increases substantially

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindicia illuminationVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from conventional top-down LED illumination to edge-mounted LED illumination, utilizing the lateral dimension of the device housing. LEDs are positioned along the perimeter edges of the indicium, allowing light to illuminate the indicium from the sides, thereby eliminating the need for thick central lighting structures and achieving thin-profile device lids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The illumination system is segmented into multiple discrete LED elements positioned at different locations around the indicium perimeter. These segmented LED sources work collectively to provide uniform illumination of the indicium surface, replacing the need for a single thick lighting structure and enabling thinner overall device design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Illumination intensity

If the backlight is kept lit to illuminate the logo when the lid is shut, then the logo remains illuminated, but battery energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelogo illuminationVSAvoidbattery energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination system is made dynamic and context-aware, with LEDs that can be selectively activated or deactivated based on device state. The system distinguishes between different operational modes (open/closed lid, sleep/hibernate) and adjusts illumination accordingly, allowing the logo to be illuminated when needed without continuously consuming battery power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local control of illumination by positioning LEDs at specific locations around the indicium perimeter and enabling independent control of each LED or LED group. This allows selective illumination of the indicium without requiring continuous operation of the entire backlight system, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining illumination capability when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional lighting elements are added to illuminate the logo, then the logo can be illuminated independently, but the device thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent indicium illuminationVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The edge-mounted LEDs serve multiple functions simultaneously: they illuminate the indicium, provide ambient lighting for the device housing, and can be controlled independently of the main display backlight. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated illumination elements, achieving independent indicium illumination without proportionally increasing device thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables continuous illumination of indicia without increasing device thickness or battery drain, even when the device is in hibernate or sleep mode, by using thin light guides and flexible substrates that allow for efficient light diffusion and emission.

Implementation Method 1

thin light guides and flexible substrates that allow for efficient light diffusion and emission

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight diffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

Light-emitting diode (LED) technology provides a lighting means

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 3

unpackaged LEDs or dLEDs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS11789196B2Electronic device with light-generating sources to illuminate an indicium

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 ROHINNI LLC

AI summary

An apparatus includes a first display, an indicium, and a second display. The second display can include a light-generating source deposited on a substrate. The second display illuminates the indicium and the second display has a thickness of less than 0.25 millimeters. The apparatus also includes one or more controllers communicatively coupled to the first display and the second display and configured to control states of the first display and the second display.