Abstract: Optical assembly includes a light emitting panel member having at least one light input area for receiving light from two or more different colored light sources. A pattern of individual optical deformities on or in at least one surface area of the panel member contains at least two different configurations of optical deformities to promote color mixing within the panel member and cause light of a preferred color to be emitted therefrom.

Abstract: Optical assembly includes a reflector layer, a generally planar first surface located on a first major plane, and a generally planar second surface located on a second major plane approximately parallel to the first major plane and superimposed thereon. The first and second surfaces have first and second patterns of well defined optical elements that are quite small in relation to the length and width of the optical assembly. At least some of the optical elements of the first pattern include a first sloped surface for reflecting at least some light (that is emitted from at least one light source that is quite small relative to the length and width of the optical assembly) towards at least some of the optical elements of the second pattern and for transmitting or refracting at least some light towards the reflector.

Abstract: Optical assembly includes a generally planar light output surface located on a first major plane, and a generally planar second surface located on a second major plane approximately parallel to the first major plane and superimposed thereon. Both the light output surface and the second surface have respective first and second patterns of well defined optical elements that are quite small in relation to the length and width of the optical assembly. The optical elements of the first pattern have an apex angle formed by a first sloped surface that is larger in an area closer to at least one light input edge of the optical assembly and smaller in another area further away from the light input edge.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include a light emitting panel member having at least one light source optically coupled to a portion of an input edge of the panel member. A plurality of individual light extracting deformities on or in at least one panel surface of the panel member are of well defined shape and have a length and width substantially smaller than the length and width of the panel surface. At least some of the deformities have at least one surface that is angled at different orientations relative to the input edge depending on the location of the deformities on the panel surface to face a portion of the input edge to which a light source is optically coupled.

Abstract: Light redirecting films and film systems include a thin optically transparent substrate having a pattern of individual optical elements of well defined shape on or in the substrate. At least some of the optical elements may vary at different locations on the substrate to redistribute or redirect light passing through the substrate.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include a light guide having a pattern of individual deformities of well defined shape that are projections or depressions on or in at least one side of the light guide. At least some of the deformities are quite small in relation to the width and length of the light guide and have two or more surfaces that come together to form ridges. At least some of the ridges are nonlinear over a majority of their length and have opposite end points that intersect the light guide or other deformities where the ridges end.

Abstract: Light redirecting films and film systems include a thin optically transparent substrate having a pattern of individual optical elements of well defined shape on or in the substrate. At least some of the optical elements may vary at different locations on the substrate to redistribute or redirect light passing through the substrate.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include a light guide having a uniform or variable pattern of individual deformities of well defined shapes that are projections or depressions on or in one or more surface areas of the light guide. The deformities are quite small in relation to the width and length of the light guide. At least some of the deformities may have two or more surfaces that come together to form a ridge having a total length that is quite small in relation to the width and length of the light guide.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include a light emitting panel member having a uniform or variable pattern of light extracting deformities of well defined shapes in or on one or more surface areas of the light emitting panel member. The size and shape as well as the depth and angular orientation and position or location of the light extracting deformities may vary along the length and/or width of a panel surface area to obtain a desired light output distribution from the panel surface area. Also, at least some of the deformities may have planar surfaces in parallel spaced relation to a panel surface area. A focused light source may be insert molded or cast within a light transition area of the light emitting panel member to focus the light on an input surface of the light transition area with predetermined ray angles to fit a particular application. Molded supports may be provided on the panel member for supporting other parts or components in spaced relation therefrom.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include one or more light emitting panel members each having at least one pattern of optical deformities that may be varied in size, shape, density, placement, angle, rotation and/or type to obtain at least one light output distribution having a form or shape of at least one of text, graphics, logo or image. At least some of the optical deformities may be shaped or oriented preferentially to cause different colored light propagating through the panel member in different directions to create a multi-colored light output distribution. Also, a plurality of panel members each having a different light output distribution may be placed in overlying relation to one another to produce a composite output distribution when viewed through the panel members or a display overlying the panel members.

Abstract: The method of selecting a light redirecting film or optical panel includes the steps of providing a length of film or substrate having a pattern of optical elements that varies, then selecting an area of the film or substrate that has a pattern of the optical elements that best suits a particular application, and removing the selected area from the film or substrate to provide the light redirecting film or optical panel. The pattern may be a repeating pattern that varies at different locations on the film or substrate and may comprise a roll of the film or substrate from which the selected area(s) is removed.

Abstract: Optical assembly includes a light emitter and a film through which light passes from the light emitter. The film has a uniform or variable pattern of individual deformities of well defined shape that are projections or depressions on or in one or more surface areas of the film. The deformities are quite small in relation to the width and length of the film. At least some of the deformities may have two or more surfaces that come together to form a ridge having a total length that is quite small in relation to the width and length of the film.

Abstract: Light redirecting films include a pattern of individual optical elements of well defined shape on the light exit surface of the films for refracting the light entering the entrance surface of the films from a backlight toward a direction normal to the exit surface. The individual optical elements overlap and intersect each other. Also, the orientation, size and/or shape of the optical elements may be tailored to redirect more of the incident light from the backlight within a desired viewing angle.

Abstract: Light redirecting films include a pattern of individual optical elements of well defined shape on the light exit surface of the films for refracting the light entering the entrance surface of the films from a backlight toward a direction normal to the exit surface. The individual optical elements overlap and intersect each other. Also, the orientation, size and/or shape of the optical elements may be tailored to redirect more of the incident light from the backlight within a desired viewing angle.

Abstract: Optical assembly includes a light emitter and a film through which light passes from the light emitter. The film has a uniform or variable pattern of individual deformities of well defined shape that are projections or depressions on or in one or more surface areas of the film. The deformities are quite small in relation to the width and length of the film. At least some of the deformities may have two or more surfaces that come together to form a ridge having a total length that is quite small in relation to the width and length of the film.

Abstract: Optical assembly includes a light emitter and a film through which light passes from the light emitter. The film has a uniform or variable pattern of individual deformities of well defined shape that are projections or depressions on or in one or more surface areas of the film. The deformities are quite small in relation to the width and length of the film. At least some of the deformities may have two or more surfaces that come together to form a ridge having a total length that is quite small in relation to the width and length of the film.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include a light emitting panel member having a uniform or variable pattern of light extracting deformities of well defined shapes in or on one or more surface areas of the light emitting panel member. The size and shape as well as the depth and angular orientation and position or location of the light extracting deformities may vary along the length and/or width of a panel surface area to obtain a desired light output distribution from the panel surface area. Also, at least some of the deformities may have planar surfaces in parallel spaced relation to a panel surface area. A focused light source may be insert molded or cast within a light transition area of the light emitting panel member to focus the light on an input surface of the light transition area with predetermined ray angles to fit a particular application. Molded supports may be provided on the panel member for supporting other parts or components in spaced relation therefrom.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include a light emitting panel member having a uniform or variable pattern of light extracting deformities of well defined shapes in or on one or more surface areas of the light emitting panel member. The size and shape as well as the depth and angular orientation and position or location of the light extracting deformities may vary along the length and/or width of a panel surface area to obtain a desired light output distribution from the panel surface area. Also, at least some of the deformities may have planar surfaces in parallel spaced relation to a panel surface area. A focused light source may be insert molded or cast within a light transition area of the light emitting panel member to focus the light on an input surface of the light transition area with predetermined ray angles to fit a particular application. Molded supports may be provided on the panel member for supporting other parts or components in spaced relation therefrom.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include a light guide having a uniform or variable pattern of individual deformities of well defined shapes that are projections or depressions on or in one or more surface areas of the light guide. The deformities are quite small in relation to the width and length of the light guide. At least some of the deformities may have two or more surfaces that come together to form a ridge having a total length that is quite small in relation to the width and length of the light guide.

Abstract: Optical assembly includes a light emitter and a film through which light passes from the light emitter. The film has a uniform or variable pattern of individual deformities of well defined shape that are projections or depressions on or in one or more surface areas of the film. The deformities are quite small in relation to the width and length of the film. At least some of the deformities may have two or more surfaces that come together to form a ridge having a total length that is quite small in relation to the width and length of the film.