Abstract: A wide-area waveguide illumination system is provided, including an optical waveguide formed from a sheet of optically transmissive material having a generally uniform thickness. The waveguide comprises a first broad-area surface, an opposing second broad-area surface, and a first light input edge. One or more solid-state light sources are optically coupled to the first light input edge. An image print, comprising a viewable surface, is disposed in an energy receiving relationship with the optical waveguide. The system also includes a two-dimensional pattern of light extraction features distributed over the area of the optical waveguide with variable areal density, defining a plurality of higher-density light extraction areas and a plurality of lower-density light extraction areas. The distances between the light extraction features in the higher-density light extraction areas are generally less than in the lower-density light extraction areas.

Abstract: A lighting fixture with segmented emission employing a sheet of an optically transmissive material having a first broad-area surface configured for light output, an opposing second broad-area surface extending parallel to the first broad-area surface and configured for light output, a first edge configured for light input, and an opposing second edge. The lighting fixture further employs a series of compact solid-state light sources optically coupled at least to the first edge, a plurality of patterned light extraction areas distributed over an area of the rectangular sheet and separated from one another and from the first and second edges by separation areas, and a housing encasing the light sources and one or more edges of the rectangular sheet. A width of the separation areas may be less than a length or width dimension of the patterned light extraction areas.

Abstract: A wide-area solid-state illumination system employing a waveguide with two-sided segmented light emission and one or more compact solid-state light sources, such as LEDs, coupled to an edge of the waveguide. The waveguide is made of a thin sheet of optically transmissive material with a uniform thickness and has a plurality of light extraction areas distributed over the waveguide's area according to a two-dimensional pattern. The light extraction areas are separated from one another by separation areas and have different densities of light extraction surface structures. The surface structures are configured to distribute light from both sides of the waveguide. At least some of the light extraction surface structures are formed by discrete surface microstructures spaced apart from one another by distances which are greater than sizes of the individual discrete surface microstructures and at least five times less than a width of the separation areas.

Abstract: A wide-area solid-state illumination system employing a waveguide with two-sided segmented light emission and one or more compact solid-state light sources, such as LEDs, coupled to an edge of the waveguide. The waveguide is made of a thin sheet of optically transmissive material with a uniform thickness and has a plurality of light extraction areas distributed over the waveguide's area according to a two-dimensional pattern. The light extraction areas are separated from one another by separation areas and have different densities of light extraction surface structures. The surface structures are configured to distribute light from both sides of the waveguide. At least some of the light extraction surface structures are formed by discrete surface microstructures spaced apart from one another by distances which are greater than sizes of the individual discrete surface microstructures and at least five times less than a width of the separation areas.

Abstract: A method for making a wide-area illumination panel that uses solid-state light sources is disclosed. The method includes providing a back sheet, a front sheet approximately the same size as the back sheet, and a light emitting panel comprising one or more solid-state light sources and having an area smaller than the front sheet. One or more strips of double sided adhesive tape or other adhesive material with a thickness approximately equal to or greater than the total thickness of the light emitting portion of the light emitting panel are also provided. The light emitting panel is placed between the front and back sheets, and the front sheet is attached to the back sheet along one or more perimeter edges using the adhesive tape or the adhesive material, creating a thin and hollow sheet-like structure enclosing at least part of the light emitting panel.

Abstract: Wide-area solid-state illumination system, including one or more linear arrays of compact solid-state light sources, such as LEDs, an optical waveguide, and a light distributing grid panel. The optical waveguide comprises a thin sheet of an optically transmissive material which is optically coupled to the plurality of compact solid-state light sources and configured to distribute light from a first broad-area surface and an opposing second broad-area surface. A light extraction pattern is formed in the first broad-area surface and defines a plurality of light extraction areas alternating with separation areas.

Abstract: Wide-area solid-state illumination devices and systems employing a front sheet, a back sheet approximately coextensive with the front sheet, a wide-area light emitting panel positioned between the front and back sheets and one or more strips of a two-sided adhesive tape joining an inner surface of the front sheet with an inner surface of the back sheet along one or more perimeter edges so as to form a thin and hollow sheet-form structure having a generally uniform thickness and at least partially enclosing the wide-area light emitting panel. The wide-area light emitting panel includes one or more solid-state light sources and has a total area which is less than total areas of each of the front and back sheets. The two-sided adhesive tape is configured at a thickness that is approximately equal to or greater than a total thickness of the wide-area light emitting structure. The wide-area light emitting structure may include a planar light guide and one or more LEDs optically coupled to the light guide.

Abstract: A lighting fixture lighting fixture with segmented emission employing a a sheet of an optically transmissive material having a first broad-area surface configured for light output, an opposing second broad-area surface extending parallel to the first broad-area surface and configured for light output, a first edge configured for light input, and an opposing second edge. The lighting fixture further employs a series of compact solid-state light sources optically coupled at least to the first edge, a plurality of patterned light extraction areas distributed over an area of the rectangular sheet and separated from one another and from the first and second edges by separation areas, and a housing encasing the light sources and one or more edges of the rectangular sheet. A width of the separation areas may be less than a length or width dimension of the patterned light extraction areas.

Abstract: A lighting fixture for direct and indirect lighting employing a generally rectangular sheet of an optically transmissive material having a first broad-area surface configured for light output, an opposing second broad-area surface extending parallel to the first broad-area surface and configured for light output, a first edge configured for light input, and an opposing second edge configured for light input. The lighting fixture further employs two series of compact solid-state light sources optically coupled to the first and second edges, a plurality of patterned light extraction areas distributed over an area of the rectangular sheet and separated from one another and from the first and second edges by separation areas, and a housing encasing the solid-state light sources and one or more edges of the rectangular sheet.

Abstract: Wide-area solid-state illumination devices and systems employing a front sheet, a back sheet approximately coextensive with the front sheet, a wide-area light emitting panel positioned between the front and back sheets and one or more strips of a two-sided adhesive tape joining an inner surface of the front sheet with an inner surface of the back sheet along one or more perimeter edges so as to form a thin and hollow sheet-form structure having a generally uniform thickness and at least partially enclosing the wide-area light emitting panel. The wide-area light emitting panel includes one or more solid-state light sources and has a total area which is less than total areas of each of the front and back sheets. The two-sided adhesive tape is configured at a thickness that is approximately equal to or greater than a total thickness of the wide-area light emitting structure. The wide-area light emitting structure may include a planar light guide and one or more LEDs optically coupled to the light guide.

Abstract: Wide-area solid-state illumination system, including one or more linear arrays of compact solid-state light sources, such as LEDs, an optical waveguide, and a light distributing grid panel. The optical waveguide comprises a thin sheet of an optically transmissive material which is optically coupled to the plurality of compact solid-state light sources and configured to distribute light from a first broad-area surface and an opposing second broad-area surface. A light extraction pattern is formed in the first broad-area surface and defines a plurality of light extraction areas alternating with separation areas.

Abstract: Wide-area solid-state illumination devices and systems, including one or more linear arrays of compact solid-state light sources, such as LEDs, a light guiding sheet of an optically transmissive material optically coupled to the light sources, and an optically opaque grid panel defining a series of openings for light passage. The light guiding sheet includes a light extraction surface pattern having a series of light extraction areas alternating with separation areas. The light guiding sheet is positioned over the grid panel such that the light extraction areas are disposed in registration with the openings in the grid panel.

Abstract: A lighting fixture for direct and indirect lighting employing a generally rectangular sheet of an optically transmissive material having a first broad-area surface configured for light output, an opposing second broad-area surface extending parallel to the first broad-area surface and configured for light output, a first edge configured for light input, and an opposing second edge configured for light input. The lighting fixture further employs two series of compact solid-state light sources optically coupled to the first and second edges, a plurality of patterned light extraction areas distributed over an area of the rectangular sheet and separated from one another and from the first and second edges by separation areas, and a housing encasing the solid-state light sources and one or more edges of the rectangular sheet.

Abstract: Wide-area solid-state illumination devices and systems employing a thin and flexible sheet of an optically transmissive material having at least one broad-area surface patterned with light scattering surface microstructures such as microdots of a non-absorbing UV curable ink. Light is input into the thin and flexible sheet using a number of compact solid-state light sources, such as LEDs, optically coupled to one or more edges or to one or two of the broad-area surfaces defining the thin and flexible sheet. Each surface microstructure forms a semi-opaque layer that extracts light from the thin and flexible sheet and causes light emission from both opposing broad-area surfaces of the sheet.

Abstract: Wide-area solid-state illumination devices and systems employing a light guide formed by a sheet of an optically transmissive material and selectively patterned in designated areas. Printed light extraction features are used to form a plurality of patterned areas are separated from each other and from edges of the light guide by separation areas which are generally free from the light extraction features. One or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) is optically coupled to the light guide and provides a light source. The light guide is sandwiched between a front sheet and a reflective back sheet. The front sheet includes opaque areas and a plurality of optically transmissive areas disposed in registration with the patterned areas.

Abstract: Wide-area solid-state illumination devices and systems employing a light guide formed by a sheet of an optically transmissive material and selectively patterned in designated areas. Printed light extraction features are used to form a plurality of patterned areas are separated from each other and from edges of the light guide by separation areas which are generally free from the light extraction features. One or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) is optically coupled to the light guide and provides a light source. The light guide is sandwiched between a front sheet and a reflective back sheet. The front sheet includes opaque areas and a plurality of optically transmissive areas disposed in registration with the patterned areas.

Abstract: Wide-area solid-state illumination devices and systems employing a thin and flexible sheet of an optically transmissive material having at least one broad-area surface patterned with light scattering surface microstructures such as microdots of a non-absorbing UV curable ink. Light is input into the thin and flexible sheet using a number of compact solid-state light sources, such as LEDs, optically coupled to one or more edges or to one or two of the broad-area surfaces defining the thin and flexible sheet. Each surface microstructure forms a semi-opaque layer that extracts light from the thin and flexible sheet and causes light emission from both opposing broad-area surfaces of the sheet.

Abstract: Wide-area solid-state illumination devices and systems, including one or more linear arrays of compact solid-state light sources, such as LEDs, a light guiding sheet of an optically transmissive material optically coupled to the light sources, and an optically opaque grid panel defining a series of openings for light passage. The light guiding sheet includes a light extraction surface pattern having a series of light extraction areas alternating with separation areas. The light guiding sheet is positioned over the grid panel such that the light extraction areas are disposed in registration with the openings in the grid panel.

Abstract: Wide-area solid-state illumination devices and systems employing a thin and flexible sheet of an optically transmissive material having at least one broad-area surface patterned with light scattering surface microstructures such as microdots of a non-absorbing UV curable ink. Light is input into the thin and flexible sheet using a number of compact solid-state light sources, such as LEDs, optically coupled to one or more edges or to one or two of the broad-area surfaces defining the thin and flexible sheet. Each surface microstructure forms a semi-opaque layer that extracts light from the thin and flexible sheet and causes light emission from both opposing broad-area surfaces of the sheet.

Abstract: Wide-area solid-state illumination devices and systems employing a thin and flexible sheet of an optically transmissive material having at least one broad-area surface patterned with light scattering surface microstructures such as microdots of a non-absorbing UV curable ink. Light is input into the thin and flexible sheet using a number of compact solid-state light sources, such as LEDs, optically coupled to one or more edges or to one or two of the broad-area surfaces defining the thin and flexible sheet. Each surface microstructure forms a semi-opaque layer that extracts light from the thin and flexible sheet and causes light emission from both opposing broad-area surfaces of the sheet.