Abstract: A segmented light or optical power emitting device and an illumination device are described. The segmented device includes a die having a light or optical power emitting semiconductor structure that includes an active layer disposed between an n-layer and a p-layer. Trenches are formed in at least the semiconductor structure and separate the die into individually addressable segments. The active layer emits light or optical power having a first color point or spectrum. At least one wavelength converting layer is adjacent the die and converts the light or optical power to light or optical power having at least one second color point or spectrum and limits an energy ratio of the pump light or optical power that passes through the at least one wavelength converting layer unconverted to total light or optical power emitted by the light or optical power emitting device to less than 10%.

Abstract: A method includes capturing a first image of a scene, detecting a face in a section of the scene from the first image, and activating an infrared (IR) light source to selectively illuminate the section of the scene with IR light. The IR light source includes an array of IR light emitting diodes (LEDs). The method includes capturing a second image of the scene under selective IR lighting from the IR light source, detecting the face in the second image, and identifying a person based on the face in the second image.

Abstract: A backlight uses an array of red, green, and blue LEDs in a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber has reflecting surfaces and a top opening for illuminating LCD layers. A desired brightness profile and better color uniformity are obtained by using techniques including arranging the LEDs in certain sequences and patterns, providing a specular ring at the base of each LED, attenuating the brightness of the LEDs at the edges, and using widely separated diffusers in the mixing chamber. The arrangement, selection, and control of the multicolored LEDs may be tailored to achieve any desired white point specified by the display manufacturer.

Abstract: A plurality of light emitting diode dies (LED) with associated secondary optics, which produce different light distribution patterns, are combined to produce an efficient light source having a desired illumination pattern. By way of example, a first LED may include a lens that produces a light distribution pattern with a maximum intensity at the center while a second LED may use a lens that produces a light distribution pattern with a maximum intensity that surrounds the maximum intensity of the pattern produced by the first LED. The light from the LEDs can then be combined to produce a desired illumination pattern. Additional LEDs and lenses, e.g., having different light distribution patterns may be used if desired. Moreover, a variable current driver may be used to vary the amount of current to the different LEDs, such that the combined illumination pattern may be varied as desired.

Abstract: A light-guiding system comprising a plate-like light-emitting element (20) provided with means for emitting light through at least part of its front surface (22). Light is coupled in by a plate-like light-guiding member (21) connected to a lateral side of said lightemitting element (20). One or more interstices (25) are present between said light-emitting element (20) and said light-guiding member (21).

Abstract: A light-guiding system comprising a plate-like light-guiding element (20) having a substantially flat lateral surface and means for coupling in light through said lateral surface. Said means comprise a light-guiding member (1,21) substantially having a flat platelike and triangular shape, wherein a shorter side (2) comprises light-coupling means (5) for coupling in light into said light-guiding member (1,21). A longer side of the triangle comprises a coupling-out surface (7) which faces said lateral surface for coupling in light into said light-guiding element (20). The third side (8) of the triangle comprises a number of surfaces (10) that are positioned at an angle to the direction of said third side (8).

Abstract: A light-guiding system comprising a plate-like light-guiding member (1) provided with a lateral surface for coupling in light into said light-guiding member (1). The ends of a number of light transmission rods (6) are connected to said lateral surface, while said light-guiding member (1) and said light transmission rods (6) are one piece of the same material.

Abstract: A vehicle fitted with at least one tail light (1) and a rear license plate (8) to be illuminated, a light source (2) for emitting a light beam to a optical waveguide (4) disposed adjacent the light source is provided, said optical waveguide being provided with an input surface (5) facing towards the light source for inputting at least part of the light beam from the light source, as well as with at least one output surface (6) for outputting a light beam that is being passed through the optical waveguide to the license plate and/or the at least one tail light. The light source can be a light emitting diode.

Abstract: A mixing chamber includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. At least two light emitting diodes are disposed along the first surface. At least a portion of the first surface is reflective, and the second surface includes a reflective region and a plurality of openings formed in the reflective region. In some embodiments, the first surface and the second surface are separated by at least one side surface. Light emitted from the light emitting diodes is reflected off the first surface, reflective region of the second surface, and side surfaces of the mixing chamber until it is emitted from the openings of the second surface.

Abstract: An illumination system, preferably for illumination in a car, comprising at least one plain or slightly curved, solid light guide (4) made of transparent material, said light guide receiving light from a light (2) source and being provided with means (5, 6) for extracting light from said light guide, the means for extracting light from said light guide have. Reflecting surfaces (7, 8, 9, 10) the slopes of which are varied as a function of the position of the extracting means in the light guide as well as the position of a reading plane, so as to direct the light flux to a desired reading plane position. Preferably the illumination system a laminated structure of light guide layers, said layers being formed of a light guide layer for diffuse homogeneous illumination (1) and at least one light guide layer (4) for spot illumination of a reading plane.

Abstract: A compact backlight system has a light-emitting panel (1) with a front wall (2), a rear wall (3) situated opposite thereto, and furthermore, between the front and the rear wall (2, 3), a first edge surface (4) and, opposite thereto, a second edge surface (5). A first light source (6) is associated with the first edge surface (4) which is light-transmitting. According to the invention, the light-emitting panel (1) widens over a widening section (100) from the first edge surface (4) in a direction towards the second edge surface (5), and the rear wall (3) is provided over the widening section (100) with a multiplicity of steps (13, 13?, . . . ) of which a surface (17) facing the front wall (2) is substantially parallel to the front wall (2). Preferably, the ratio of the surface area S1 of the first edge surface (4) and the surface area S2 of the second edge surface (5) ranges from 1.5<S2/S1<3.

Abstract: A compact backlight system has a light-emitting panel (1) with a front wall (2), a rear wall (3) situated opposite thereto, and furthermore, between the front and the rear wall (2, 3), a translucent input edge surface (4) for coupling light into the light-emitting panel (1). A light source (6, 6?, . . . ) is associated with the input edge surface (4). According to the invention, the rear wall (3) in a first portion (12) of the light-emitting panel (1) is provided with a multiplicity of steps (13, 13?, . . . ), and a second portion (22) of the light-emitting panel (1) widens from the input edge surface (4) in a direction facing the first portion (12). Preferably, a surface (17) of the steps (13, 13?, . . . ) facing the input edge surface (4) makes an angle ?av?5° (with respect to a normal on a bisecting plane (20) bisecting the light-emitting panel (1).

Abstract: A compact backlighting system for illuminating a display device (12) comprises a light-emitting panel (1) having a front wall (2), an opposing rear wall (3) and edge areas (4). At least one of the edge areas (4) is capable of transmitting light. The backlighting system includes a light source (6) comprising at least one LED, and a light-mixing panel 5 for mixing the light originating from the light source (6). Light originating from the light source (6) is coupled into the light-mixing panel (5) via a light input surface (7), which light is mixed in the light-mixing panel (5) and coupled out via a light output surface (8). The light-mixing panel (5) and the light-emitting panel (1) are arranged so as to extend substantially parallel to each other. Between the light-mixing panel 5 and the light-emitting panel 1, the backlighting system comprises a light transport chamber (9) for transporting the light from the light-mixing panel (5) to the light-emitting panel (1).

Abstract: A backlight uses an array of red, green, and blue LEDs in a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber has reflecting surfaces and a top opening for illuminating LCD layers. A desired brightness profile and better color uniformity are obtained by using techniques including arranging the LEDs in certain sequences and patterns, providing a specular ring at the base of each LED, attenuating the brightness of the LEDs at the edges, and using widely separated diffusers in the mixing chamber. The arrangement, selection, and control of the multicolored LEDs may be tailored to achieve any desired white point specified by the display manufacturer.

Abstract: A mixing chamber includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. At least two light emitting diodes are disposed along the first surface. At least a portion of the first surface is reflective, and the second surface includes a reflective region and a plurality of openings formed in the reflective region. In some embodiments, the first surface and the second surface are separated by at least one side surface. Light emitted from the light emitting diodes is reflected off the first surface, reflective region of the second surface, and side surfaces of the mixing chamber until it is emitted from the openings of the second surface. In another embodiment, a structure includes a light emitting diode, a lens overlying the light emitting diode, and a diverting optic overlying the lens. The diverting optic may include, for example, a specular or diffuse reflector, a bulk or film diffuser, and a transparent material.