Abstract: A light guiding plate guides light from a light source and irradiates the light onto a display portion. The light guiding plate has an incidence plane, which permits light to enter the light guiding plate, an opposite and plane opposite to the incidence plane an exit plane facing the display portion, and a reflection-exit plane opposite to the exit plane. A plurality of grooves are formed on the reflection exit plane. In any adjacent pair of the grooves, the depth of the groove closer to the opposite end plane is equal to or greater than the depth of the groove closer to the incidence plane. The depth of the grooves substantially increase from the incidence plane toward the opposite end plane. This improves the uniformity of brightness distribution.

Abstract: A front light module includes a light guide plate having opposite ends and a front surface and an opposite back surface connected to each other by the ends. The front surface forms sets of raised ridges, each raised ridge having opposite inclined faces. The front surface also forms a recessed trough between adjacent sets of ridges. Each trough has opposite inclined faces. A light source is mounted to each end of the light guide plate for projecting a light into the light guide plate. A reflector is arranged adjacent to and spaced from the back surface of the light guide plate for accommodating a display board between the reflector and the light guide plate. The light from the light source is incident onto the inclined faces of the troughs and reflected thereby toward the reflector. The troughs have different depths whereby the inclined faces thereof are of different surface areas for reflecting different amount of light in order to provide a uniform brightness over the whole module.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a liquid crystal display device. The liquid crystal display device comprises first and second light sources, a light guide plate, and a liquid crystal unit. The first light source is disposed on one of two opposing side surfaces of the light guide plate. The second light source is disposed on the other of the two opposing side surfaces of the light guide plate. A first plurality of substantially parallel grooves are formed in a first surface of the light guide plate which is substantially parallel with a display surface of the liquid crystal unit. A second plurality of substantially parallel grooves are formed in a second surface opposing the first surface of the light guide plate. At least one of a dimension and density of the first plurality of grooves substantially monotonically changes from one in the vicinity of one of the light sources to one in the vicinity of the other of the light sources.

Abstract: A backlight system includes at least first and second light-emitting panels (1; 11) having a front wall (2; 12), an opposing rear wall (3; 13) and opposite edge surfaces (4, 14; 5, 15). At least one of the edge surfaces (4; 14) is light-transmitting and associated with a light source (6; 16). Light originating from the light source is diffused in the light-emitting panels and coupled out of the light-emitting panels in the direction of a display device (25), preferably a LCD device. The light source associated with the first light-emitting panel (1) has clusters of red and blue or red and green LEDs. The light source (16) associated with the second light-emitting panel (11) has clusters of blue and green LEDs or only green LEDs.

Abstract: An optical light guide member according to the present invention includes a tubular portion in which an annular light incident end surface for entering light is formed on a one end thereof, a funnel-shaped expanded section having a one end side thereof continuously extending to the other end of the tubular portion, a flat section which has on a front side thereof a light exit surface extending along a flat plane intersecting an axis of the tubular portion, and which extends continuously to the one end side of the funnel-shaped expanded section, and a plurality of light deflection elements formed at least on the back side of the flat section each for altering the traveling direction of the light. An incident light on the tubular portion from the light incident end surface is emitted with a uniform intensity distribution from the light exit end surface.

Abstract: A plurality of light sources are provided at a front side of a lighting panel made of a transparent resin. The lighting panel has a light discharge side, and a reflection side opposite to the light discharge side. A plurality of refracting recesses are formed in the front side disposed to receive light emitted from the light source. The refracting recess has a sectional shape so as to cause the light to refract close to the front side in the lighting panel.

Abstract: The illuminating apparatus of the present invention has two light conductive bars which have one spot-like light source in common on their end surfaces, and which are disposed with their respective side surfaces facing each other and along the end surface of a light conductive plate. The spot-like light source has the center of its light emitting surface positioned to an interface portion between the two light conductive bars, whereby non-uniformity in brightness of lights at the end surfaces of the light conductive bars is diminished at the end surface of the light conductive plate with respect to the length direction of the light conductive bars while the lights emitted from the spot-like light source and introduced into the light conductive bars have their optical paths changed at respective optical path conversion means formed on the light conductive bars, and travel into the light conductive plate.

Abstract: A spread illuminating apparatus having a light conductive plate made of a light transmissible material and a bar-like lamp disposed along and close to an end face of the light conductive plate. The spread illuminating apparatus also having a light reflection pattern having a stair-like configuration from a cross-sectional perspective. The light reflection pattern is formed on a major face of the light conductive plate. The spread illuminating apparatus also has a light dispersive-reflection pattern which has, for example, a plurality of convex surfaces which are formed on a major face of the light conductive plate opposite to the major face of the light conductive plate, which is provided with the light reflection pattern.

Abstract: A surface light source device and liquid crystal display are capable of direction-conversion effectively through a double reflections. A back face of a light guide plate 10 is provided with micro-reflectors projecting from a general plane of the back face. A main input light H1 to a micro-reflector 20 is incident to an incidence end face 12 (at point a) and inputted in a somewhat downward inclined direction. An inner input light is inner-reflected mainly by a gently inclined slope 21 (point b) and then impinges on a slope 22 to be reflected again (point c), becoming an inner output light IO. The inner output light IO is emitted from an emission face 13 (point d), being supplied to an LCD panel or the like after transmitting through a light diffusion sheet DF (points e and f). A reflection member RF having an irregular reflectivity, if disposed, recovers light leaking through the slope 22 to use the light efficiently again, thereby providing a reduced fine-unevenness in brightness.

Abstract: An illumination light supply system that can save users from the task of replacing defective light source lamps with proper ones, enabling the users to use illumination light over an extended time period, and can easily change the lighting atmosphere as requested by the user. The illumination light supply system comprises: two or more light source units that generate and output lights of different colors; mixing means for mixing the lights output from the two or more light source units; adjustment means for adjusting an amount of light supplied from each light source unit to the mixing means; light transfer means for transferring the mixed light output from the mixing means to a user; and an illumination unit that radiates the transferred light into a space for the user.

Abstract: A structure of an illumination apparatus is described. The structure has a light guide rod arranged at one lateral side of a light guide plate, and plural light sources located below the light guide rod. The light guide rod has at least one tilt plane formed thereon in order to guide the light emitted from the light sources to the light guide plate such that uniform planar light could be generated therefrom. A plurality of notches is formed in the tilt plane, and a plurality of depressed or protruding dispersion dots is formed on an out-going plane of the light guide rod. The structure further includes an anti-reflection layer positioned between the light guide rod and the light guide plate.

Abstract: A relatively small-diameter aperture fluorescent lamp is manufactured easily with high yield and at low cost. An aperture portion is formed in a manner that a thread-like member is inserted into a glass tube having an ultraviolet ray reflection layer and a phosphor layer formed on its inner surface, the glass tube is bent in a predetermined shape by using a bending jig, the thread-like member is pressed to the phosphor layer formed in a predetermined region in the bending member side of the glass tube while both ends thereof are pulled tight, the thread-like member is reciprocated, and phosphor of the phosphor layer in this region is exfoliated.

Abstract: A backlight unit assembly using a light emitting diode array in a liquid crystal display device is disclosed in the present invention. The backlight unit assembly includes a light emitting diode array having a plurality of red, green, and blue light emitting diodes emitting respective light, a first housing concentrating the light emitted from the light emitting diode array to a first direction, a sub-light guiding plate positioned at one side of the light emitting diode array mixing the light to form white light, a main-light guiding plate guiding the light incident on the sub-light guiding plate to a second direction, and a pair of holders at the left and right side portions of the light emitting diode array preventing the light from leaking to the outside of the backlight unit assembly.

Abstract: A direct-type backlight module with photo sensors has a plurality of lamps, a plurality of the photo sensors for detecting illumination of corresponding lamps, a comparative and arithmetic unit for processing signals generated by the photo sensors, and a main lamp driving loop for receiving feedback signals generated by the comparative and arithmetic unit and adjusting a lamp current voltage outputted by a minor lamp driving loop of each lamp, so as to achieve an uniform illumination of each lamp.

Abstract: Backlighting devices and methods for supporting and illuminating a display panel are disclosed. A display retainer and backlight device in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention may comprise one or more light pipes operatively coupled to a retainer housing that supports and illuminates an attached display panel. The retainer housing includes an optical waveguide that receives light collected by the one or more light pipes. A light scattering element and reflector may be employed to disperse and reflect the light rays to illuminate the backside of the display panel. A slot extending through a portion of the retainer housing may be configured to tightly receive an elastomeric zebra-strip, which electrically connects the circuit board to the display panel. A clip, tab or other fastening mechanism may be used to secure the retainer housing and display panel to the circuit board.

Abstract: A lamp assembly including a number of light sources each utilized in conjunction with an optical element. The optical elements include a body of light transmitting material which further includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface and a plurality of facets. The facets receive light through the front surface and reflect light through the top surface. The assembly further includes a manifold defined by the optical elements. When viewed in a direction toward the top surface, a majority of the optical elements have a common shape, preferably a pie wedge shape.

Abstract: A light emitting apparatus includes a light guiding member that projects light, incident on an end face thereof, through a principal plane; and a plurality of light emitting diodes that are optically coupled with the end face. The light guiding member has a protruding surface formed in part of the end face thereof and comprises a first light introducing portion that is formed on the protruding surface and is optically coupled to a first light emitting diode, and a second light introducing portion that is optically coupled to a second light emitting diode and is formed on the rest of the end face. The first and second light emitting diodes are capable of emitting color-blended light having two or more peaks in the spectrum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to illumination of an instrument for displaying information. In particular the invention relates to illumination for an instrument suitable for use in a vehicle. Such instruments, located on the dashboard of an automotive vehicle, require illumination to allow the driver to read the information when it is dark. An instrument suitable for use in a vehicle is thus provided, generally comprising a housing, an information bearing surface, a transparent protective cover having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a first light source coupled to the protective cover. The protective cover acts as a light guide and is arranged to allow light to escape at a selected location into the interior of the instrument to illuminate a portion of the information bearing surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement for a light guide structure for light guide plate so as to resolve the problems of illumination and degree of uniformity of the conventional light guide plate. The light guide plate of the present invention has line-shaped passages which are located in parallel with the direction of light from the light emitting diodes. The depth of the passages becomes deeper gradually from one end to the other, wherein the source of light is located close to the shallow end, thereby the light from the light emitting diodes is transmitted to the remote areas that are located far from the source of light. The present invention increases the total illumination and the degree of uniformity, and the efficiency of the light emitting diode is also increased.

Abstract: A backlight device which includes a light-guiding plate having an upper face, a lower face and lateral sides, at least one light source provided at least at one lateral side for transferring light emanating from said light source to said upper face, and a fixing mechanism surrounding the light source and at least a portion of the light-guiding plate for reflecting the light toward the light-guiding plate.

Abstract: At least one transparent plate member has a first main surface facing to the inside of a gaming machine, a second main surface facing to the outside of the gaming machine, and side surfaces connecting the first main surface and the second main surface. At least one illuminator emits a colored light beam, so as to be incident on at least one of the side surfaces. At least one light director is provided in the plate member to direct the incident colored light beam toward the outside of the gaming machine.

Abstract: In a spread Illuminating apparatus basically comprising a light conductive plate and a lamp, the lamp comprises at least two light conductive bars and a spot-like light source disposed on one or both end surfaces of the light conductive bars, and is disposed close a side surface of the light conductive plate. An optical path conversion means comprising grooves and flat portions is formed on a side surface of each of the at least two light conductive bars. Light-and-dark striping generated on the light conductive plate by light reflected by one optical path conversion means of one light conductive bar of the at least two is corrected by light reflected by the other optical path conversion means of the other light conductive bars.

Abstract: A line-illuminating device 10, 20 having a light guide 11, 21 of which the cross-sectional shape is rectangular and its one corner is chamfered to form an emission plane 11a, 21a is provided, in which the light guide 11, 21 is housed in a light guide casing 12, 22, wherein the chamfer dimension of the emission plane 11a, 21a is more than 40% of a height dimension of the light guide 11, 21. By enlarging the chamfer dimension and broadening the width of the emission plane 11a, 21a, the directional characteristics of the emitted light is expanded. In this manner, it is possible to reduce the extent of decrease in the quantity of illuminating light on a document surface when the document surface is elevated.

Abstract: A prism member is interposed between an LED board and a light incidence surface of a light guide plate. The prism member includes a prism sheet consisting of minute prisms that are arranged along the LED board and that have a function of refracting light that is emitted from each LED and thereby inputting, to the light incidence surface, refracted light that is scattered to both sides in the longitudinal direction of the light incidence surface. As a result, chrominance or luminance unevenness can be prevented even if the distance between the LED board and the light incidence surface is short.

Abstract: A backlight module is employed to provide a light source for LCD panel. The backlight module has a wedge-shaped distributor, three light pipes and two reflective arcs. The distributor is modified from rectangular-shaped to wedge-shaped so as to reduce its weight. Three light pipes are divided into two groups. One group having only one light pipe is positioned at first edge of the wedge-shaped distributor while the other group having two pipes is positioned at an edge opposite the first edge. The two groups of light pipes are rounded up respectively by two reflective arcs.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include in one form of the invention a light emitting panel member made of a transparent resiliently deformable elastomeric material that absorbs impact without breakage for use in automotive lighting applications of various types. In another form of the invention, a rigid light emitting panel member may be used with dome switches for switch area lighting or to backlight control buttons/key pads. Also, a rigid light emitting panel member may be used as a structural member, and two or more such light emitting panel members may be stacked together and used to light an instrument panel or the like.

Abstract: The illuminating device includes a light source and a light guide plate. The light guide plate has a first side surface receiving light emitted from the light source, a second side surface facing the first side surface, a third side surface, a fourth side surface, an emitting surface and an opposing surface. The third and fourth side surfaces are located between the first and second side surfaces so as to face each other, and the emitting surface and the opposing surface face each other. The light guide plate is formed from a first light guide layer and a second light guide layer. The first light guide layer has a plurality of reflecting films therein for reflecting light entering the light guide plate through the first side surface toward the emitting surface. The second light guide layer has no reflecting film.

Abstract: A lamp structure is constructed to include a transparent opencell housing with a predetermined wall thickness, the housing comprising an inner mirror layer and an outer mirror layer respectively coated on the inner and outer surfaces thereof, a light admitting face in the outside peripheral rim thereof neighboring the mirror layers, and a light source installed in a lamp socket formed integral with the housing and controlled to emit light into the predetermined wall thickness, for enabling light rays to be mutually reflected between the mirror layers and guided toward the light admitting face in the outside peripheral rim of the housing to form a light ring.

Abstract: A point light source is converted into a plane light source having a satisfactory uniformity. The point light source is converted into a line light source by means of a linear light guiding plate, and further into the plane light source by means of a plane-like light guiding plate. Light from the point light source is reflected at a lamp reflector to be incident on at least two side surfaces of the plane-like light guiding plate.

Abstract: A linear light source device is provided having a main body that includes at least a light-guided bar and a light source assembly. The light-guided bar is a polygonal column with one striped surface forming, a reflective plane. The plane the opposite to reflective plane is a light-exiting plane having a convex profile, with the remaining planes being reflective planes. At least one of the ends of the polygonal column is an incident plane for a light beam to enter. The light beam is uniformly transmitted through the convex-shaped light-exiting plane.

Abstract: There is disclosed a backlight assembly for maximizing a light incidence efficiency by changing a construction of a light guide plate and a liquid crystal display device having the same. A light incidence surface of the light guide plate receiving a light from a lamp is inclined to make an obtuse angle with a light-emitting surface through which the light is transferred to the display unit. An open surface of a lamp cover that is disposed to face towards the light incidence surface is formed to have the same inclined angle as the light incidence surface of the light guide plate. In addition, a light reflecting plate and an optical sheet are respectively disposed on the top and bottom surfaces of the light guide plate, on which light absorbing layers, for absorbing light that leaks from the light guide plate, are formed at both ends thereof.

Abstract: A display includesa display lightguide, on which a shape of a display character is formed in three dimensions, a light source, emitting a light toward the display lightguide, anda light collection portion, provided between the light source and the display lightguide, and having a light reflection face formed like a parabolic face which employs a straight line perpendicular to a light receiving face of the display lightguide as an axis thereof.

Abstract: To replace an old lamp unit, first, resilient projections are pushed outward through engaging holes of a resin frame with some tool and the lamp unit is pulled out through a lamp unit guide hole. Then, a new lamp unit is inserted with the resilient projections deformed to the lamp side by utilizing their resiliency. When the lamp unit is inserted to the regular position, the projections are opposed to the respective engaging holes of the resin frame and return to their original shapes because of their resiliency to go into the respective holes. As a result, the lamp unit is positioned with respect to the resin frame and fixed to the latter. Even when external impact acts on the liquid crystal display device, the lamp unit does not fall off.

Abstract: A housing for computer or the like includes a front wall, a refractive planer member attached to the housing and having a rib or a swelling engaged into the housing, and a light device disposed in the housing for generating light through the planer member and toward the rib and the swelling, and for allowing the light to be seen through the rib or the swelling. The rib has two curved ends for flushing with the curved sides of the housing. The planer member includes a curved recess formed in a bulge and facing toward the light device for receiving the light generated by the light device.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a structure for locally illuminating a roulette wheel, particularly an automatic or electronic one. The structure consists of a support (4) which in conjunction with a spacer ring (5) forms a slit (9), wherein a band (7) with lamps (8) is mounted. On the inner periphery along the spacer ring (5) there is an optical ring (10). A cover 6is placed over the band (7), the lamps (8), and the ring (10) in such a way as to rigidly fix them.

Abstract: A backlight unit of a liquid crystal display device includes a prism light guide plate (3) supported by a frame-like chassis (7). The light guide plate (3) includes a light incident surface (3i) having two ends, near which stainless steel metal stoppers (11A, 11B) are attached respectively. The metal stoppers (11A, 11B) include pawls (11Ap, 11Bp) which, upon the attachment, come inward from sides of the light incident surface (3i) of the light guide plate (3) to between the light incident surface (3i) and a lamp (8) (lamp holders (10)). When the liquid crystal display device is subjected to an impact from outside, the metal stoppers (11A, 11B) prevent the light guide plate (3) from moving toward the lamp (8) thereby offering improved impact resistance.

Abstract: A backlight system (100) in accordance with the present invention includes a plurality of light sources (110) for emitting light beams and a light guide plate (120) for receiving the light beams emitted by the light sources. The light guide plate includes a light input surface (121) and a light output surface (122) joining the light input surface. The light input surface has a plurality of protrusions (124) thereon. The light beams are refracted and diffused by the protrusions, and are then transmitted through the light guide plate to be emitted with a high degree of uniformity through the light output surface.

Abstract: A simple and inexpensive planar lighting device realizing a high luminance is provided, including: a light guide plate having a pair of opposite light entry faces, a light emitting face extending perpendicularly to the light entry faces, a plurality of hemispherical surfaces formed on the light emitting face, and a light non-emitting face opposite to the light emitting face; a light source disposed to extend along each of the light entry faces; a reflector for reflecting light from the light source toward a respective one of the light entry faces; a reflecting plate disposed to extend along the light non-emitting face for reflecting light leaking from the light guide plate toward the light guide plate; and a lens sheet disposed to extend along the light emitting face and formed with a plurality of first ridges extending parallel with the light entry faces on a face thereof opposite to the light emitting face, the first ridges each having a triangular section.

Abstract: The present invention includes an illuminated sign display assembly comprising: a transparent panel having two oppositely facing planar surfaces separated by a surface forming a linear edge between said oppositely faced surfaces, one of said oppositely facing surfaces adapted to support a sign; a light source on or adjacent to said linear edge for transmitting light between said opposite facing surfaces; characterised in that at least one of said oppositely facing surfaces has applied thereon at least one single continuous line forming a matrix extending substantially over the entire surface of said at least one of said oppositely facing surfaces. The applicants have found that the sign display assembly of the present invention enables even distribution of transmitted light and effectively illuminates the entire panel even at distances remote from the light source.

Abstract: A display apparatus adapted to be mounted on an audio/video player or the like comprises a housing having a window. A backlight unit having a plate mounted in said housing and made of transparent materials which has a front surface and a back surface, and a plurality of reflecting pieces disposed on the back surface of said plate and being gradually enlarged by distance. A light set has a LED arranged beside the plate of the backlight unit nearby said the reflecting pieces of smaller sizes to emit light to the backlight unit and reflected by the reflecting pieces to the front surface of the plate. A screen is mounted in the housing and disposed in front of the front surface of the backlight unit corresponding in location to the window of the housing, the screen is capable of passing the light reflected by said backlight unit.

Abstract: The light guide plate 32 has a light receiving portion 36 on one side thereof to receive light emitted by the LED 24 and a flexible light guide body 35 for transforming the light received by the light receiving portion 36 into planar light. The light guide body 35 is arranged along the liquid crystal panel 23 and has a plurality of light scattering portions 30 arranged on an outer surface thereof in a propagation direction of light emitted by the LED 24. Since the light guide plate 32 comprises a flexible member and thus can be arranged in a curved shape conforming to the liquid crystal panel 23 having a curved surface portion, the curved surface portion of the liquid crystal panel 23 can be illuminated uniformly. Further, the provision of the light scattering portions 30 can enhance a light reception efficiency and light emission efficiency even if the light guide plate 32 is thin.

Abstract: A front light module includes a light guide plate having opposite ends and a front surface and an opposite back surface connected to each other by the ends. The front surface forms sets of raised ridges, each raised ridge having opposite inclined faces. The front surface also forms a recessed trough between adjacent sets of ridges. Each trough has opposite inclined faces. A light source is mounted to each end of the light guide plate for projecting a light into the light guide plate. A reflector is arranged adjacent to and spaced from the back surface of the light guide plate for accommodating a display board between the reflector and the light guide plate. The light from the light source is incident onto the inclined faces of the troughs and reflected thereby toward the reflector. The troughs have different depths whereby the inclined faces thereof are of different surface areas for reflecting different amount of light in order to provide a uniform brightness over the whole module.

Abstract: A back light unit includes a light guiding plate for guiding and redirecting light and two light sources located on one end of the light guiding plate and arranged in a line with the light guiding plate. A reflector covers the light sources entirely and is fixed to the end the light guiding plate. The reflector forms curved reflecting surfaces respectively corresponding to the light sources in position and contour for reflecting and redirecting light emitted from the sources toward the light guiding plate.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include a sheet, film or plate overlying a light emitting member. The sheet, film or plate has a pattern of deformities on one or both sides that may vary or be random in size, shape or geometry, placement, index of refraction, density, angle, depth, height and type for controlling the light output distribution to suit a particular application. Also the sheet, film or plate may have a coating or surface treatment for causing the light to pass through a liquid crystal display with low loss.

Abstract: A surface light source device comprises a light guide plate having an emission face and, opposite with the emission face, a back face which is provided with a great number of micro-reflectors, for example, shaped like pyramids and a fine-unevenness surface is formed among the micro-reflectors. The light guide plate has an incidence face through which an illumination light is introduced into the light guide plate to be then being emitted from the emission face with the help of the micro-reflectors and the fine-unevenness surface. Each micro-reflector has at least a pair of slopes which meet each other as to form a ridge that gets closer with an increasing distance from the incidence face. A large part of an inner propagation light is inner-reflected twice by the slopes successively and direction-converted as to be directed to the emission face.

Abstract: Disclosed are an illumination device capable of improving an optical efficiency of a light generated from a light source and a reflection type liquid crystal device using the illumination device. Between at least one light source and a first light guiding plate, which is provided to uniformly project the light incident from a first side towards a second side, a second light guiding plate for projecting the incident light towards the first side of the first light guiding plate is provided. A distance between a light projecting portion of the second light guiding plate and a light reflecting portion opposite the light projecting portion becomes narrow as an amount of light flux of the light emitted from at least one light source decreases. Accordingly, the light efficiency can be improved by increasing the probability of variation in optical routes for the light generated from each light source, though the number of the light sources disposed at a side of the second light guiding plate is increased.

Abstract: A backlight module (3) includes a light source group (31) and a light guide plate (32). The light source group includes at least a light sources (not labeled), the light guide plate has a light input surface (321) for receiving light and a light output surface (322) for emitting light. The light source group faces the light input surface, which is a curved and its curvature matches with the light distribution of the light source group.

Abstract: A light conductive bar has a plurality of flat portions parallel to a side surface thereof facing a light conductive plate and formed on a side surface thereof opposite to the side surface and a plurality of inclined surfaces descending from one end surface facing a spot-like light source toward the other end surface, wherein the flat portions step down gradually from the one end surface to the other end surface. When light introduced into the light conductive bar from the one end surface is repeatedly reflected at the flat portions and the side surface facing the light conductive plate, angles of reflections thereat can stay larger than the critical angle because the flat portions are parallel to the side surface. Accordingly, the light can travel to the other end surface without leakage, thereby improving the luminance of the apparatus.

Abstract: In an LCD apparatus having a backlight assembly, a light guide plate includes an incident surface for receiving light, a reflecting surface for reflecting the light and an emitting surface for emitting the light. A linear distance between the reflecting and emitting surfaces is smaller than a height of the incident surface. An optical sheet is positioned at the emitting surface having a height lower than the height of the incident surface. Accordingly, although the height of the incident surface increases, the linear distance between the reflecting and emitting surfaces does not increase. Therefore, the light guide plate can obtain an area of the incident surface appropriate to efficiently receive the light, thereby improving a light efficiency of the backlight assembly and preventing an increase in a thickness of the backlight assembly.

Abstract: A lighted switch device includes one rotary knob (first operating knob); first to fourth push knobs (second operating knobs); a case; a switch element and a light-emitting diode (light source), which are accommodated in the case; and an annular light conductor for transmitting exiting light from the light-emitting diode to the outer peripheral portion of the rotary knob. Plate-shaped light-shielding members are disposed at the first and third push knobs, and recesses for inserting ends of the light-shielding members are formed in portions of the second and fourth push knobs opposing their respective light-shielding members.