WO2007026285A1

WO2007026285A1 - Ambient lighting for displays through transparent materials

Info

Publication number: WO2007026285A1
Application number: PCT/IB2006/052929
Authority: WO
Inventors: Derk Tiekink
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.; U.S. Philips Corporation
Priority date: 2005-08-30
Filing date: 2006-08-23
Publication date: 2007-03-08

Abstract

A display system includes a display unit (15) and a diffuser system to broadcast ambient light into an ambient space. The diffuser system includes a plate (25) substantially adjacent the display unit, and extends away from the display unit. The plate is configured to receive input light and to provide the ambient light. The plate includes interruptions (40) of varying sizes and/or densities. The interruptions are configured to guide the ambient light out of the plate. A mirror (86) located at one end of the plate directs the input light toward the interruptions for reflection and exit as the ambient light .

Description

AMBIENT LIGHTING FOR DISPLAYS THROUGH TRANSPARENT MATERIALS

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/713,185 (Docket 002307), entitled "Ambient Lighting Trough a Hidden Frame", filed as a Provisional Application for Derk Tiekink and Theodorus Franciscus Emilius Maria Overes, and assigned to the assignee hereof, contains subject matter related to the subject matter of the present patent application. The contents of this patent application are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates to video display units and the production of ambient lighting effects therefrom. More particularly, it relates to video displays and diffusers having an extended transparent plate which receives, mixes and guides light for exit as ambient light which may be related to or derived from the displayed content or ambient conditions.

Philips Electronics and other companies have disclosed means for changing ambient or peripheral lighting to enhance video content for typical home or business applications. Ambient lighting added to a video display or television has been shown to reduce viewer fatigue and improve realism and depth of experience. Currently, Philips Electronics has a line of flat panel televisions (Flat TVs) with ambient lighting, where a frame around the Flat TV includes ambient light sources that project ambient light on the back wall that supports or is near the Flat TV. Projecting ambient light on the back wall works very well, as long as the color of the wall is a white (or a light neutral shade, but not glossy white), the distance to the wall is relatively short, and there are no obstacles between the ambient light source and the wall. Further, the back wall should be parallel to the Flat TV to have the same ambient light impressions to the left and right (as well as top and bottom) of the Flat TV screen. If the Flat TV is too far away from the back wall, then the visibility of light spot on the back wall decreases dramatically. Further, if the Flat TV is not parallel enough to the back wall, then the light spot is bigger and less intense on the side that is further away from the wall. In addition, the frame around the display is perceived as annoying since it is perceived to disrupt the video content displayed on the TV. This frame or bezel is used to hold all the parts of the display together.

Thus, proper effect from the ambient light source of televisions requires a robust environment, such as a proper wall color, distance and obstacle free environment between the back wall and the TV. Accordingly, there is a need for an ambient light system that provides desired effects substantially independent of the environment and that also hides the frame which is perceived as being annoying.

To overcome the problems mentioned above as well as other problems and disadvantage, an ambient light system is disclosed according to one illustrative embodiment herein, where the ambient light is made visible by interruptions (e.g., made by printing, or other techniques) on or in a plate which may by transparent, semi-transparent, opaque or the like. The plate may be part of and integrated with the display device (e.g.,

TV or other content providing devices), or a separate unit for retrofit on existing display devices as desired. The pattern of the interruptions on the transparent plate defines the way of light out-coupling or exit of the ambient light from the transparent plate.

According to illustrative embodiments of the invention, a display system, a diffuser system, and a method of broadcasting ambient light are provided. The diffuser system may be a stand alone system or part of the display system. In one illustrative embodiment, the display system includes a unit, such as a display unit for example, and the diffuser system to broadcast ambient light into an ambient space.

The diffuser system includes a plate substantially adjacent the display unit for example.

Illustratively, the plate extends away from the display unit. The plate is configured to receive input light and to provide the ambient light. Illustratively, the plate includes interruptions of varying sizes and/or densities. The interruptions are configured to guide the ambient light out of the plate. A mirror located at one end of the plate facilitates reflections from the interruptions for exit as the ambient light.

In another illustrative embodiment, a method is disclosed for broadcasting ambient light about a unit (such as a display unit or any content providing unit for example) from a diffuser system (or from the display unit incorporating such a diffuser system). The method includes providing input light to the plate which is optically, electrically and/or mechanically coupled to the display unit. Illustratively, the plate is substantially adjacent to and extends away from the display unit. The method further includes reflecting the input light from interruptions of the plate for exit as ambient light. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the apparatus and methods of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: FIGs 1 A-IB show frontal and expanded views of a display system according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIGs 2A-2B show side views of the display system shown in FIG IA;

FIGs 3A-3B show expanded views of plate corners having mirrors according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGs 4A-4B show expanded views of plate corners having mirrors with holes according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

The various embodiments described herein emit ambient light to an ambient space about a flat panel television (or any other content providing device) using active or passive light. However, any type of a video display unit may be used, such as other type of televisions, display devices, monitors or the like. Other types and sources of information may also be used instead of video content and a video display unit, including audio and multimedia content, devices, or the like. Therefore, without limiting the applicability of the invention to a flat panel television, the invention will be described in such an environment. It should also be noted that the particular arrangement and configuration of elements shown in the figures are by way of example only, and not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Other embodiments and modification would be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the disclosure herein.

Referring now to FIG IA, there is shown a frontal view of a flat panel television or display system 10 according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that the figures are not drawn to scale, and any relative changes in dimensions are envisioned herein. The display system 10 includes a display unit 15 configured to display video information. Illustratively, the display unit 15 is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or PDP (Plasma Display Panel) flat television. However, the display unit or monitor 15 can be of any type and use any technology or platform, such as

CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), FED (Field Emission Display), projection displays, thin-film printed optically-active polymer displays, or displays using any other technologies or displays. It is even applicable, for many embodiments, to any transmissive medium for the delivery of video or visual information, such as found in a window of a building. For clarity of discussion, video displays shall be used here for illustrative purposes.

Optionally, a frame or bezel 20 surrounds the display unit or TV 15 and holds parts of the TV together, for example. Illustratively, the frame 20 may be a metal rim that surround and is part of the LCD unit 15. Typically for an LCD panel 15, there is no pixel light behind this metal frame 20 which keeps the separate parts of the LCD display together. In principle, all displays have an area around the active video display area where no video content or pixel light is generated. For example, instead of the metal frame 20 typically present for LCD displays, a PDP typically has a seal area around the PDP glass with connection foils where there is no pixel light. Nevertheless, in the case where pixel light is available at frontal edges the display, the frame 20 can be made of a number of commonly available transparent or translucent materials that allow optical communication of the pixel light to the transparent plate 25. Such transparent or translucent materials include clear plastics like Lexan®, Lucite®, and many other polymer resins, such as PET and ABS resin, and formed using known fabrication techniques. Any material can be used that has requisite mechanical and/or optical properties for a frame capable of supporting the TV or monitor 15. If desired, the plate 25 may also be of the type which is capable of allowing optical communication, such as allowing passage of pixel light to the transparent plate 25 as will be described.

The display unit 15 is encased or surrounded (e.g., peripherally,) by a diffuser system 22 to broadcast ambient light into an ambient space. The diffuser system 22 includes a transparent plate 25, such as glass, plastic, or the like. It should be understood that the plate 25 may also be semi-transparent, opaque or the like. However, as will be apparent, it is more desirable to use a plate 25 which is transparent. Nevertheless, the plate 25 can embody various diffuser effects to produce light mixing, as well as translucence or other phenomena, such as a frosted or glazed surface; or ribbed glass or plastic; or apertured structures, such as by using metal or other internal blockers, depending on the visual effect desired. A simple plate 25 is shown in FIGs IA and 2 A for clarity. The diffuser system 22 is configured to form the ambient light from an input light 110 provided by a controlled light source 100, as will be shown below.

Instead of being a single transparent plate 25 all around the display unit, e.g., the LCD panel or TV 15, such as being integrated with and totally encasing or surrounding the LCD panel 15 or being disposed in front or behind the display unit 15, the transparent plate 25 may partially encase or surround the display unit 15 in at least one direction (such as above and below, or to the right and left of the LCD panel 15). Alternatively, the transparent plate 25 may be part of a separate stand alone diffuser system 22 mechanically and optically coupled to the LCD panel 15, or coupled to any other source of information or devices, including video, audio, multimedia or the like.

The stand alone diffuser system 22 may be retrofitted on existing TV's for example, and may have portions that are contoured to the shape of existing TV's for easy attachments so that at least one transparent plate extends away from the TV in at least one direction for providing ambient light in a desired direction.

Similar to the integrated system, the stand alone diffuser system 22 may be attached substantially adjacent to the LCD panel 15 or the frame 20 and/or be disposed in front or behind the display unit 15. Of course, the stand alone diffuser system 22 may also partially or totally encase or surround the LCD panel 15, similar to the embodiment where the diffuser system 22 is integrated with the LCD panel 15.

The transparent plate 25 may be in addition to other transparent plate(s) of the TV or LCD panel 15. Illustratively, the transparent plate 25 extends away from the center of LCD panel 15 in all four directions for providing illumination/ambient light including from the corners between the four directions, for example, to form a rectangular, square or any other desired shape, such as a circle, oval, octagon, pentagon, free-form or the like. Alternatively, the transparent plate 25 extends away from the LCD panel 15 in the right and left directions, or up and down directions, for example. The transparent plate 25 is configured to receive input light and to provide ambient light as will be described. For improved output of ambient light, the transparent plate 25 includes interruptions 40 shown in FIGs IA and 2A-2B. The interruptions 40 may be in the transparent plate 25 or surfaces thereof, and are made by printing or other techniques, for example. Illustratively, the interruptions 40 are small bubbles made with a laser in transparent glass or plastic plate 25 itself, for example, instead of being on the surface of plate 25. With such a laser technique, it is possible to make the bubbles 40 in any 3- dimensional shape. Such bubbles 40 redirect the light 110 for exit out of the plate 25 as ambient light 50 towards the viewer, for example. One advantage of the bubbles as compared to interruption made by printing, include forming at least one bubble which is more easily configured to direct ambient light in various desired direction(s), such as in one or both front directed ambient light 50 and/or back spill 60 ambient light directed behind the plate 25. By contrast, light reflected from interruptions made by printing, or other interruptions in the glass surface, are typically configured to exit the ambient light in only direction.

Illustratively, the interruptions 40 are located near or at the back surface of the transparent plate 25 and are configured to guide, e.g., reflect, the ambient light 50 out of the transparent plate 25 toward a front of the LCD panel 15, for example, toward a viewer 55. Of course, ambient light can also be guided toward the back of the LCD panel 15 to exit the plate 25 as back spill 60, by having properly configured interruptions 70 that provide for light exit from the back of the transparent plate 25. As noted above, bubbles formed with a laser may be used as interruptions that are configured to direct ambient light in more than one direction.

For illustrative purposes, interruptions 70 configured to provide back spill 60 are shown in FIG 2 A as being located at or near the front surface of the transparent plate 25. Further, as desired, a clear portion 80 of the transparent plate 25 may be devoid of interruptions and thus appear to be colored in accordance with the color of the ambient light but with minimal outward projection. The rear interruptions 40, front interruptions 70 (and/or bubbles), and the clear portion 80 may be located any place on the transparent plate 25 and have any desired pattern. Various embodiments of the transparent plate 25 are contemplated that may have clear portions and different types of interruptions for guiding exit of the ambient light in any desired direction(s). Typically, the transparent plate 25 has a pattern of interruptions configured to direct exit of the ambient light toward the viewer 55 located in front of the LCD panel 15.

As shown in FIGs 1 A-IB, it should be noted that the ambient light 50 can also exit the inner periphery, at the interface of the transparent plate 25 and the LCD panel 15, including inner corners 85 of the transparent plate 25, thus illuminating such inner periphery and inner corners 85, and providing ambient light 50 therefrom. In particular as shown in FIG IB, the inner periphery and each inner corner 85 may have a mirror 86, which may have a curved portion 87 at the inner corners 85 for example, connecting the two, e.g., top 88 and side 89, portions of the mirror 86. Of course, portion 87 may have other shapes including a straight shape at any angle, such as a 45 degree angle with respect to at least one or both of the two portion 88, 89 of the mirror 86. Similar mirrors at the outer periphery, including outer corners or edges of the transparent plate 25 may be provided to reflect ambient light 50 from such outer corners or edges. Such mirrors at the outer corners or edges may be configured to reflect ambient light to any desired direction, including front, back, top, bottom and/or sides the transparent plate 25.

For clarity, and without limiting the applicability of various types of transparent plates 25, the following discussion will be primarily directed to the illustrative embodiment having a transparent plate 25 with front directing interruptions (e.g., only rear interruptions 40) that direct ambient light 50 toward the viewer 55 located in front of the LCD panel 15. However, it should be understand that such discussions are equally applicable (with modifications, if any,) to other embodiments having any one or combinations of rear interruptions 40, front interruptions 70, and the clear portions 80, as discerned by those skilled in the art in view of the current disclosure. Further, it should be understood that the terms 'rear and front' interruptions do not limit the location of such interruptions which may be anywhere in the transparent plate 25, including on or near surfaces thereof or in the plate itself. Rather, rear interruptions 40 are meant to describe interruptions configured to provide forward directed ambient light 50, while front interruptions 70 are meant to describe interruptions configured to provide backward directed ambient light 60 or back spill.

The pattern of interruptions 40 of the plate 25 may be any desired pattern. For example, the plate 25 (or portions thereof) may be fully populated with rear interruptions 40 in the shape of circles or any other desired shape, where there is nearly full coverage or solid area near the screen or LCD panel 15, and less coverage further away from the LCD panel 15, as shown in FIG IA. In addition to the changing density of the interruptions 40, the size, e.g., diameter, of the interruptions 40 may also change with distance from the LCD panel 15. Illustratively, the diameter of the interruptions 40 changes from "large" (e.g., 2.5 mm) closest to the solid area to "small" (0.6 mm) further away from the screen or LCD panel 15.

The interruptions 40 allow the ambient light 50 to become more clearly and uniformly visible to the viewer 55. For example, when the input light 110 enters the back side of the transparent plate 25, due to total internal reflection off the walls of the transparent plate 25, the light will stay in the plate 25. As is well know in optics, total internal reflection off the walls of the plate 25 occurs as long as the incident angles within the plate 25 are less then the critical angle for total reflection as is the case for the light in the plate 25. As it is apparent to one skilled in the art, the input light 110 does not simply travel in one or straight direction. Rather, the input light 110 travels though many paths in the plate 25. Another such path is shown in FIG 2B, where the input light 110 reflects off the walls of the plate 25 and stays in the transparent glass or plastic plate 25, for example, due to total internal reflection. When the input light 110 hits an interruption 40, the reflected light has a different angle which is larger than the critical angle thus preventing total internal reflection. Rather than internal reflection, the input light 110 that reflects from an interruption 40 exits the plate 25 as ambient light 50. That is, the interruptions 40 are configured to change the reflection angle of the light to make it possible for the light to exit the transparent plate 25 as ambient light 50 in the direction of the viewer 55. Of course the interruption 40 may also be configured to direct light out of the transparent plate 25 in any other desired direction(s), such as the back direction for exit as back spill ambient light 60. The interruption 40 could also be configured to reflect light out the transparent plate 25 only in the desired direction(s). For example, if the desired exit direction of light from the transparent plate 25 is the front direction toward the viewer 55, as ambient light 50 (or back spill 60 toward the back of the LCD unit 15), then any light remaining in the transparent plate 25 that has not already exited as ambient light 50 (or back spill 60) is absorbed or reflected back into the transparent plate 25 in order the give it a second chance to hit the interruptions 40 and reflect out of the transparent plate 25 in the desired direction as ambient light 50 (or back spill 60).

The interruptions 40 are further configured to be minimally visible and reflect all colors substantially similarly, including but not limited to the basic three colors of red, green and blue. Thus, when the Flat TV or LCD panel 15 is off, the plate 25 is transparent and allows a view of material behind it. Accordingly, the Flat TV appears less bulky than the case where the plate 25 is not transparent. Further, when the Flat TV is on, then ambient light 50 is provided to the viewer 55 independent of the environment, thus alleviating the need for a properly colored back wall, having a small distance and being parallel to the Flat TV, as is the case for Flat TV's that project the ambient light toward the back wall. Illustratively, the interruptions 40 include white dots printed on the surface of the plate 25, or small pits in the plate surface that act as mirrors or reflectors, or any other configuration that reflects light, such as reflecting all colors of light substantially similarly. The display system 10 further includes a controllable light source 100 configured to provide input light 110 to the transparent plate 25 for exit as the front and/or back ambient light 50, 60. The light source 100 may be located either in the diffuser system 22 or in the TV or LCD panel 15 since the plate 25 is transparent or semi transparent, for example. The input light 110 is guided through the transparent plate 25. In particular, as shown in FIGs 2A-2B and 3 A, the transparent plate 25 has a mirror 120 at front angled or curved edges to reflect the input light 110 toward ends of the transparent plate 25. As is appreciated by those skilled in the art, for a 90 degree reflection, the mirror 120 is angled 45 degrees. Of course, the mirror and ends of the transparent plate 25 may be curved or angled at any desired angle in relation to each other and in relation to the LCD panel 15. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the mirror may have other shapes, such as an elliptical shape as shown in FIG 3B. The mirror 120 may be affixed, e.g., by gluing, directly on the corners of the transparent plate 25 if the corners have the proper shape. If the shape of the corners does not match the shape of the mirror, then there may be air, or any other media, between the corners and portions of the mirrors, where edges of the mirror that are in contact with the transparent plate 25 are affixed to the transparent plate 25. The mirror 120 can be made semi transparent or a hole pattern can be made in the mirror to increase the illuminated area seen by the viewer 55. FIGs 4A-4B show the mirror 120 (angled or curved) having holes 160. In addition, a lens 105 shown in FIG 2 A may be included in front of the light source 100, such as a collimating lens 105 that collimates the light more directly onto the mirror 120. It should be noted that for the first part of the plate 25 (from the light source 100 to the mirror 120, in addition to using transparent material (such as glass, plastic or the like), air (such as an air pipe, guide, or the like) or other media with similar optical properties may also be used, particularly when used in conjunction with the lens 105. If air is used, then the walls of this first part of the plate 25 should be mirrors or any other reflective material.

The light is coupled into this first part of the plate 25 for optimal color mixing, and guided through the transparent material (including air) and the mirror 120 to the front part of transparent plate 25. The second or front part of the plate 25 which is substantially in the same or parallel plane as the display unit 25, is made of a transparent material such as glass, plastic or any other similar transparent material, to provide a canvas for exit of ambient light that may follow, e.g., change colors, hues, saturation, brightness and/or intensity to follow, the content of the picture displayed on the TV 15, such as the video displayed near the periphery of the TV 15.

The light source 100 may be any illumination system that provides changing colors, hues, saturation and/or intensity. For example, the light source 100 may include red, green and blue light emitting diodes (LEDs) separately controllable to provide desired characteristics such as color mixing, hues, saturation and/or intensity. Alternatively or in addition, the light source 100 may include any other type of light source(s), alone or in combination, such as incandescent, gaseous discharge, fluorescent, phosphorescence, laser, photo-luminescent, electro-luminescent, cathode-luminescent, galvano-luminescent, crystallo-luminescent, kine-luminescent, thermo-luminescent, tribo-luminescent, sono- luminescent and/or radio-luminescent sources, as described in International Publication No. WO 2005/062608 A2, (Docket PHNL031504), entitled "Supplementary Visual Display System", filed on December 20, 2004, published on July 7 2005, and assigned to the assignee hereof, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The light source 100 (and consequently the input light 110) may be controlled by a processor 130 shown as dashed lines in FIG IA, in response to the content information displayed on the video display unit such as the LCD panel 15, such as via RF signals received by the LCD panel 15, or video signals derived from the RF signals using modulators or other circuits needed for such controlled operation, as described in the above noted International Publication No. WO 2005/062608 A2, (Docket PHNL031504), and as described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 60/584,199 (Docket PHUS040282), filed on June 30, 2004, entitled "Passive Diffuser Frame System for Ambient Lighting Using a Video Display Unit as a Light Source" and assigned to the assignee hereof, and as described in U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 60/584,200 (Docket PHUS040283), filed on June 30, 2004, entitled "Active Frame System for Ambient Lighting Using a Video Display as a Signal Source", and assigned to the assignee hereof, the contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Accordingly, the ambient light 50, 60 will be related to, and/or derived from, the content displayed on LCD panel 15 under the control of the processor 130. As described in the above noted International Publication No. WO 2005/062608 A2, (Docket PHNL031504), the processor 130 may be configured to control the light source 100 to provide ambient light 50, 60 that follows color and intensity of the content displayed on the TV 15, especially the edges of the display region. For example, in response to a beach scene with blue skies and yellowish sand (at the bottom of the display region), the ambient light from the top potion of the transparent plate 25 will be bluish, while the ambient light from the bottom potion of the plate 25 will be yellowish. The colors and intensities of the ambient light may be graduated spatially, such as becoming less blue and less intense further away from the top of the display area of the TV 15 showing a blue sky, and may eventually become closer to the color of nearby walls or room furniture/accessories/lighting, thus providing a blending effect. Thus for example, ambient light from the extreme lateral edges of the plate 25 furthest away from the center of the TV 15, may follow or track room illumination and wall color immediately behind the TV 15 and seen as background by the viewer 55. Alternatively, the processor 130 may be configured to control the light source 100 to provide ambient light 50, 60 in response to the surrounding conditions as measured via sensors, such as the color any surrounding wall, the color and intensity of room lighting and the like. A user interface, such as via the remote control of the TV 15, may be provided to allow the user to chose various modes, including selecting portions or panels of the plates 25 for providing ambient light, in the case where the plate 25 includes separately controllable panels. For example, the user may select to disable the lower panel so no ambient light is provided from the lower portion of the plate 25.

The user may also control the mode of the ambient light, such as having the ambient light follow the displayed content, or be responsive to room lighting condition, or even have a manual mode to provide any desired color or color combination. Of course, predetermined ambient modes may also be included, such as an action mode, a romantic mode etc., where the ambient light may be any predetermined color combination, intensities, hues, and/or saturation, and is provided in any desired, predetermined, and/or user controllable or user-programmable sequence. One mode may be a disco mode or action, as described in the above noted International Publication No. WO 2005/062608 A2, (Docket PHNL031504), the light source includes discharge tubes such as xenon one, or strobe type light source, to provide bright flashes of light for special effects, such as explosions, thunder or the like. In such cases, the processor 100 is configured to control the light source 100 in response to audio signals of the content, where audio sensors may be used to monitor or detect the audio content, of the audio signal can be monitored directly by the processor or any other suitable sensors. The transparent plate 25 may be part of a stand-alone diffuser system 22 that may include the processor 130. The light source 100 is also part of the diffuser system 22 in the case of an active diffuser system. Of course, the light source 100 may not be configured to follow content of the displayed video for a passive diffuser system, in which case the light source 100 provides a single color, combination and/or sequence of colors under the control of the processor 130, as described in the above referenced U. S. Patent Applications Serial Numbers 60/584,199 and 60/584,200, which also describes various active diffuser systems where light output from the displayed content or the light source is modified or controlled in various ways to provide ambient light that follows or relates to the displayed content, such as via using various combination of sensors, electromagnetic couplers, modulators and light source(s). For example as described above, the processor 130 may be pre-programmed with defined settings selectable by the user such settings for mood (e.g., romantic) or for content type (e.g., action, comedy), or can be programmed by the user to provide a desired ambient light (e.g., color, hue, saturation, intensity) from the light source 100 via any interface device, such as via a remote control, keyboard, mouse or buttons provided on the TV or LCD panel 15.

The processor 130 may be dedicated to the diffuser system 22 or part of the television, monitor or LCD panel 15. The processor 130 may include micro-processors, central processing units (CPUs), digital signal processors (DSPs), ASICs, or any other processor(s) or controller(s) such as digital optical devices, or analog electrical circuits that perform the same functions, and employ electronic techniques and architecture. The processor 130 is typically under software control for example, and has or communicates with memory that stores the software and other data such as user preferences. The processor 130 is configured to relate the ambient light (front and/or back) 50, 60 to video information displayed on the LCD panel 15. The processor 130 may also include any intelligent device that can allow controlling directly or indirectly the light source so that character of the output light made therefrom changes, such as by changing any of the color, hue, saturation, intensity, or other photometric quality, e.g., specular reflection properties, retroreflective properties, etc. This shall include controlling an on/off duty cycle for a plurality of light generating devices, controlling modulators, changing the luminous output of an electroluminescent device, adjusting the effectiveness of a goniophotometric element that may be located on the front face of the plate 25, or any other modifications which change the ambient light character directly or indirectly as a function of content information signal (RF, video, audio or the like) or as a function of the image displayed on the TV, monitor or LCD panel 15.

One advantage of the plate 25 being transparent (or semi transparent) is that when the TV is off, the plate is transparent (or semi transparent) and thus does not obstruct views behind it. Additionally, the TV appears less bulky than the case where the plate is not transparent. Of course, if desired, the plate can be non-transparent and act as a canvas for the ambient light, instead of the back wall acting as the canvas. Whether the plate 25 is transparent or not, the interruptions 40 reflect the ambient light 50 toward the viewer 55, for example, and thus act as a canvas eliminating the need for the back wall and associated disadvantages, such as a proper color, distance and orientation of the TV in relation to the back wall.

In view of the present disclosure, other modifications would be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, control of the light source is particularly suited to be carried out by a computer software program. Such software can of course be embodied in a computer-readable medium, such as an integrated chip, a peripheral device or memory coupled to the processor which may be a dedicated processor for performing in accordance with the present invention or may be a general-purpose processor wherein only one of many functions operates for performing in accordance with the present invention. The processor may operate utilizing a program portion, multiple program segments, or may be a hardware device utilizing a dedicated or multi-purpose integrated circuit. Each of the above systems for providing ambient light may be utilized in conjunction with further systems.

Finally, the above-discussion is intended to be merely illustrative of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the appended claims to any particular embodiment or group of embodiments. Thus, while the present invention has been described in particular detail with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof, it should also be appreciated that numerous modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader and intended spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative manner and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

In interpreting the appended claims, it should be understood that: a) the word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or acts than those listed in a given claim; b) the word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements ; c) any reference signs in the claims do not limit their scope; d) several "means" may be represented by the same item or hardware or software implemented structure or function; e) any of the disclosed elements may be comprised of hardware portions (e.g., including discrete and integrated electronic circuitry), software portions (e.g., computer programming), and any combination thereof; f) hardware portions may be comprised of one or both of analog and digital portions; g) any of the disclosed devices or portions thereof may be combined together or separated into further portions unless specifically stated otherwise; and h) no specific sequence of acts is intended to be required unless specifically indicated.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A display system comprising: a unit configured to provide information; and a plate which is substantially transparent and adjacent to said unit, said plate extending away from said unit in at least one direction and being configured to receive input light and to provide ambient light.

2. The display system of claim 1, wherein said plate includes interruptions configured to guide said ambient light out of said plate.

3. The display system of claim 1, wherein at least one of a density and a size of said interruptions vary.

4. The display system of claim 1, further comprising a controllable light source configured to provide said input light to said plate for exit as said ambient light.

5. The display system of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to provide said ambient light based on a predetermined setting.

6. The display system of claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to relate said ambient light to information provided by said unit.

7. The display system of claim 1, wherein said plate includes a mirror configured to direct said input light toward an end of said plate, said end extending away from and substantially parallel to said unit.

8. The display system of claim 1, wherein said plate includes a mirror configured to direct said input light to said plate, said mirror being semi-transparent or having a hole pattern.

9. The display system of claim 1, further comprising a lens configured to collimate said input light.

10. A diffuser system for a unit to broadcast ambient light into an ambient space, the diffuser system comprising a plate which is configured to receive input light and to provide said ambient light, wherein said plate includes interruptions configured to guide said ambient light out of said plate.

11. The diffuser system of claim 10, wherein at least one of a density and a size of said interruptions vary.

12. The diffuser system of claim 10, further comprising a controllable light source configured to provide said input light to said plate for exit as said ambient light.

13. The diffuser system of claim 10, wherein said input light is generated based on a predetermined setting.

14. The diffuser system of claim 10, further comprising a controller configured to relate said ambient light to information provided by said unit.

15. The diffuser system of claim 10, wherein said plate includes a mirror configured to direct said input light toward an end of said plate, said end extending away from and substantially parallel to said unit.

16. The diffuser system of claim 10, wherein said plate includes a mirror configured to direct said input light to said plate, said mirror being semi-transparent or having a hole pattern.

17. The diffuser system of claim 10, further comprising a lens configured to collimate said input light.

18. A method for broadcasting ambient light about a unit comprising the acts of: providing input light to a plate which is coupled to said unit; and reflecting said input light from interruptions of said plate for exit as said ambient light.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising varying at least one of a density and a size of said interruptions.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising reflecting said input light from a mirror located at one end of said plate to facilitate said reflecting from interruptions.