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: A method of making an illumination system with enhanced light utilization using an optical waveguide and a linear array of discrete side-emitting light emitting diode (LED) packages which provide a light source. The method includes providing an optical waveguide formed from a thin and flexible light transmissive sheet having a light input edge, a patterned light extraction area located at a distance from the light input edge, and a light mixing area located between the light input edge and the light extraction area. The LEDs are arranged on a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) which is positioned parallel to the light transmissive sheet and has a substantial portion of its area disposed in a space between the light input edge and an opposite edge.

Abstract: A daylight redirecting window film formed by a flexible multi-layer film laminate with a total thickness of less than one millimeter and configured to be applied to an indoor-facing window surface of a building facade. The window film includes a pair of outer film substrates flanking a light redirecting core layer. The core layer includes a parallel array of channels defining total internal reflection (TIR) surfaces and linear optically transmissive structures protruding transversely thought the core layer and bonded to the outer film substrates. A light output surface of the outer film substrate which is disposed on an indoor-facing side of the laminate includes a two-dimensional pattern of light scattering microstructures which are configured to spread light at least in a plane that is perpendicular to the channels.

Abstract: A method of making a light converting optical system comprising providing a first optical layer, a thin sheet of reflective light scattering material, a light source, a second optical layer approximately coextensive with the first optical layer, a continuous broad-area photoabsorptive film layer approximately coextensive with the first optical layer, positioning the thin sheet of reflective light scattering material parallel to the first optical layer, positioning the continuous broad-area photoabsorptive film layer between and parallel to the first optical layer and the thin sheet of reflective material, and positioning the second optical layer on a light path between the light source and the continuous broad-area photoabsorptive film layer. The first optical layer has a microstructured broad-area front surface comprising an array of linear grooves disposed side by side and extending along a straight line between two edges of the layer.

Abstract: A foldable electronic display having a layered sheet-form structure including a flexible support substrate sheet having a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners and a longer dimension of at least 100 mm and including a layer of a relatively hard optically transparent material having a substantially uniform thickness and a Young's modulus of at least 1 GPa, a flexible front sheet, a flexible PCB substrate, a two-dimensional array of at least 1,000,000 individually digitally addressable solid-state light emitting devices distributed over an area of the flexible PCB substrate and arranged into parallel rows and columns, one or more layers of an adhesive material, a plurality of rigid heat-conductive substrates spaced apart from one another and each having a metallic layer, and one or more fold areas located in spaces between the rigid heat-conductive substrates.

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: A structurally reinforced illumination panel which includes a multiwall structural panel having a pair of optically transmissive sheets joined using transverse ribs that define a series of linear hollow chambers. The linear hollow chambers extend parallel to each other between opposite edges of the panel. The panel further includes two or more strips of a thin and flexible substrate material positioned within the respective chambers, and two or more linear arrays of electrically interconnected LED sources which are distributed over a length of the respective strips and mounted to the surfaces of the strips. A thickness of the optically transmissive sheets is less than 1 mm, and thickness of at least one of the transverse ribs is less than the thickness of the optically transmissive sheets.

Abstract: A method of making an illumination system with enhanced light utilization using an optical waveguide and a linear array of discrete side-emitting light emitting diode (LED) packages which provide a light source. The method includes providing an optical waveguide formed from a thin and flexible light transmissive sheet having a light input edge, a patterned light extraction area located at a distance from the light input edge, and a light mixing area located between the light input edge and the light extraction area. The LEDs are arranged on a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) which is positioned parallel to the light transmissive sheet and has a substantial portion of its area disposed in a space between the light input edge and an opposite edge.

Abstract: A light converting optical system employing a planar light trapping optical structure illuminated by a source of monochromatic light. The light trapping optical structure includes a photoabsorptive layer including quantum dots. The photoabsorptive layer is configured at a relatively low thickness and located between a broad-area optically transmissive surface configured to reflect light using a total internal reflection and an opposing broad-area reflective surface formed by a thin sheet of material configured to diffusely reflect light. The opposing surfaces confine and redistribute light within the light trapping structure, causing multiple transverse propagation of light through the photoabsorptive layer and enhanced absorption and light conversion. The light trapping optical structure may further incorporate an array of lenses or other optical elements located on a light path between the light source and the photoabsorptive layer.

Abstract: A method of making light directing structures using a prismatic optical film and a low-refractive index resin. The prismatic optical film has a plurality of linear refractive prisms formed in its surface. The prisms extend parallel to one another and define a series of refractive walls. The resin is applied to the prism-carrying surface of the film so as to form a generally uniform optical layer. The resin may be further cured to a solid form to form a monolithic layered light bending structure incorporating an embedded corrugated optical interface with a stepped change in a refractive index and having generally smooth outer surfaces.

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: An illumination system with enhanced light coupling employing an optical waveguide and a linear array of discrete side-emitting light emitting diode (LED) packages which provide a light source. The optical waveguide is formed from a thin and flexible light transmissive sheet having a thickness between 0.2 mm and 2 mm and including a light input edge, a patterned light extraction area located at a distance from the light input edge, and a light mixing area located between the light input edge and the light extraction area. The LEDs are arranged on a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) which is positioned parallel to the light transmissive sheet and has a substantial portion of its area disposed in a space between the light input edge and an opposite edge. The light mixing area may include one or more light coupling structures and the flexible PCB may be bonded to the optical waveguide using adhesive.

Abstract: An occupancy sensing lighting control system is disclosed. The occupancy sensing lighting control system includes an electric lighting fixture configured to illuminate a surrounding area, a wireless communication unit associated with the electric lighting fixture, a signal-generating device, a signal detector, an occupancy condition generating device, and a load control device configured to control the current supplied to the electric lighting fixture. The signal-generating device generates control signals detectable by a mobile cellular phone device which is located within the surrounding area and is not being in an active call mode. The signal detector detects communication signals generated by the mobile cellular phone device and the occupancy condition generating device determines occupancy condition in response to a detection of communication signals from the mobile cellular phone device.

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: An optical article for illuminating building interiors including a reflective grid panel, an LED light source positioned above the reflective grid panel and configured to illuminate the reflective grid panel at incidence angles ranging from a minimum angle of 0° to a maximum angle of at least 45°, a light diffusing sheet of an optically transmissive dielectric material approximately coextensive with and oriented generally parallel to the reflective grid panel, and a pair of reflective side walls flanking a space between the reflective grid panel and the light diffusing sheet. The reflective grid panel incorporates a plurality of parallel longitudinal walls and a plurality of parallel transverse walls joining the walls and defining a plurality of rectangular openings configured to transmit light.

Abstract: Light directing film structure employing at least two layers having different refractive indices and forming a continuous corrugated boundary between major surfaces of the film. The corrugated boundary forms a plurality of alternating facets forming different dihedral angles with a prevalent plane of the film structure. The facets may longitudinally extend along an arcuate or circular path. Light received by a major surface of the film structure is internally redirected by interacting with the facets of the corrugated inter-layer boundary and may be emitted from the opposing major surface towards a new propagation direction which is different from the original propagation direction.

Abstract: An illumination system with enhanced light coupling employing an optical waveguide and a linear array of discrete side-emitting light emitting diode (LED) packages which provide a light source. The optical waveguide is formed from a thin and flexible light transmissive sheet having a thickness between 0.2 mm and 2 mm and including a light input edge, a patterned light extraction area located at a distance from the light input edge, and a light mixing area located between the light input edge and the light extraction area. The LEDs are arranged on a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) which is positioned parallel to the light transmissive sheet and has a substantial portion of its area disposed in a space between the light input edge and an opposite edge. The light mixing area may include one or more light coupling structures and the flexible PCB may be bonded to the optical waveguide using adhesive.

Abstract: A foldable electronic display having a layered sheet-form structure including a flexible support substrate sheet having a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners and a longer dimension of at least 100 mm and including a layer of a relatively hard optically transparent material having a substantially uniform thickness and a Young's modulus of at least 1 GPa, a flexible front sheet, a flexible PCB substrate, a two-dimensional array of at least 1,000,000 individually digitally addressable solid-state light emitting devices distributed over an area of the flexible PCB substrate and arranged into parallel rows and columns, one or more layers of an adhesive material, a plurality of rigid heat-conductive substrates spaced apart from one another and each having a metallic layer, and one or more fold areas located in spaces between the rigid heat-conductive substrates.