Prismatic Type Patents (Class 362/339)
  • Patent number: 8016475
    Abstract: A selectively light-reflecting sheet (30) includes a prismatic film (1) with parallel prisms (10) on its face, a low-index film (3) on the prisms and a layer (5) on the low-index film, this layer having a substantially flat surface. This results in a low effective index, which means that light incident at steeper angles on the prismatic film (1) will pass through it. This “leaky” effect can be used in conjunction with a reflector sheet (20) in a tapered-waveguide arrangement to construct a lightweight backlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Adrian Travis
  • Patent number: 8013950
    Abstract: An optical sheet combination structure disposed between a polarizer and a surface emitting unit, includes a first optical sheet having a number of columnar cubic structures of curing resin arrayed on a transparent base, a valley portion between adjacent cubic structures contacting a surface of the transparent base, and a second optical sheet disposed nearer to the side of the polarizer than the first optical sheet, having a number of columnar cubit structures arrayed on a surface, and a refractive index of the cubic structures along an extension direction thereof being different from a refractive index of the cubic structures along an array direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Mizuno, Akihiro Horii, Noriyuki Hirai, Kei Obata, Mitsunari Hoshi, Kiyohiro Kimura, Jun Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8007138
    Abstract: A lighting device can be configured to prevent light beams emitted from a light source from passing through an outer peripheral surface of a lens and from being projected outside of the illumination direction of the lighting device. In the lighting device, the light source can be disposed within a lighting chamber defined by a substrate and the lens. The lens can have a lens cut portion on the rear surface thereof. A reflection surface can be formed in the outer peripheral surface of the lens. The substrate can also have a reflecting portion configured to project light beams reflected by the outer peripheral surface of the lens in the illumination direction. The reflecting portion can be disposed on the front side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichi Bamba, Yosuke Mizuki
  • Patent number: 7997771
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) array comprises an array of LEDs mounted to a substrate. The LEDs emit light in a direction generally perpendicular to the substrate. An optical sheet is disposed over the LEDs. At least a portion of light entering one side of the optical sheet from the LEDs is guided within the optical sheet in a direction generally parallel to the substrate. Light extraction features direct light from the optical sheet in a generally forward direction. Such an array is useful for several applications, including space lighting, direct information display and backlighting of liquid crystal displays. The light spreading effect of the optical sheet reduces the amount of black space between LED pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Epstein, Hung T. Tran, John C. Schultz, Robert M. Emmons
  • Patent number: 7997783
    Abstract: The front light unit includes a light source and a light guide plate that guides light emitted from the light source. The light guide plate includes a rear surface through which the guided light is emitted and a front surface facing the rear surface, and a plurality of prism shape structures which are provided in one unit with the light guide plate and emits light totally reflected from the front surface of the light guide plate. The light guide plate and the prism shape structures are formed of a transparent elastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hoon Song, Hong-seok Lee, Jun-bo Yoon, Joo-hyung Lee
  • Patent number: 7995298
    Abstract: An illumination system including at least one coherent light source, a light uniforming element, and a prism is provided. The coherent light source is capable of emitting a coherent beam. The light uniforming element is disposed on a transmission path of the coherent beam. The prism is disposed on the transmission path of the coherent beam and between the coherent light source and the light uniforming element. The prism has a light incident end and a light exit end. The light incident end has at least one incident polygonal pyramid portion protruding away from the light exit end. The prism is capable of rotating about an axis, and the axis extends from the light incident end to the light exit end. The illumination system effectively reduces the degree of the speckle phenomenon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Young Optics Inc.
    Inventor: S-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 7993020
    Abstract: An optical plate includes a light output surface and a bottom surface opposite to the light output surface. The light output surface defines a plurality of triangular pyramidal depressions and a plurality of four-sided pyramidal depressions. Each four-sided pyramidal depression is surrounded by four triangular pyramidal depressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Han Chang
  • Patent number: 7972052
    Abstract: A backlight unit including a light guide panel which has opposite upper and lower faces, and guides light, introduced into an inside thereof, between the upper and lower faces through internal reflection, and a prism sheet which collects and transmits the light, introduced from the light guide panel, and has, on its surface, a plurality of prism patterns, each having a first main inclined face, to which light introduced from the light guide panel is incident, a second main inclined face having a curvature or a plane which reflects light incident from the first main inclined face, and two auxiliary inclined faces which are opposite to each other between the first and second main inclined faces, and define a side face of the prism pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seong-Ha Park
  • Patent number: 7967462
    Abstract: A light source includes a plurality of light emitting elements, and each light emitting element is disposed in such a manner that a direction of an optical axis of the light emitting element having a highest luminance is disposed at a predetermined inclination angle relative to a plane of the liquid crystal display. The optical guide member has an optical guide portion of a wedge shape having a first flat plane generally perpendicular to the optical axis of each light emitting element for receiving light from each light emitting element and a second flat plane having a predetermined angle relative to the optical axis and intersecting the first flat plane at an acute angle for reflecting light. A plurality of optical guide portions are disposed in a plane and formed integrally along a predetermined direction corresponding to the inclination direction of the light emitting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Ogiro, Nobuo Masuoka, Kouji Fujita
  • Patent number: 7967479
    Abstract: An LED signal that includes a lens having an optical segment configured to direct at least some of the incoming generally collimated light rays from the sun passing through the lens away from an LED found in the traffic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: GE Lighting Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Eden Dubuc
  • Patent number: 7957082
    Abstract: The present invention provides a light redirecting article for redirecting light toward a target angle, the light redirecting article comprising: an input surface comprising a plurality of light redirecting structures each light redirecting structure having a near surface having two slopes, sloping away from normal in one direction as defined by a first inclination base angle ?1, a second inclination angle ?2, and a first half apex angle ?2, for accepting incident illumination over a range of incident angles and a far surface sloping away from normal, in the opposite direction relative to the input surface, as defined by a second base angle ?1 and a second half apex angle ?1. The invention further provides an output surface opposing to the input surface wherein the near and far surfaces are opposed to each other at an angle (?1+?2) that is in the range from 60 to 70 degrees, and the base angle ?1 is in the range from 82 to 87 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: SKC Haas Display Films Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiang-Dong Mi, Xinyu Zhu
  • Patent number: 7931396
    Abstract: A backlight is provided for illuminating an at least partially transmissive display. The backlight includes a light source. A light guide receives the light from an edge surface and guides the light by total internal reflection. Groove structures which are located on at least one of the major surfaces of the light guide permit redistribution of light around obstacles that may be present within the light guide structure, thereby maintaining brightness uniformity of the backlight or illumination panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: James Rowland Suckling, Tong Zhang, David James Montgomery, Ioannis Papakonstantinou
  • Patent number: 7926996
    Abstract: A light emitting element is mounted on the surface of a board. The light emitting element emits light. The light passes through a translucent optical member. The light enters the translucent optical member through a incident surface. The lines of protrusions make the incident surface jagged. The jagged surface resulting from the protrusions enables diffusion of the light entering through the incident surface. The light spreads along the surface of the board. Simultaneously, the emitted light is partly reflected on the incident surface. The reflected light is reflected on a reflecting surface placed behind the light emitting element. The reflected light then enters the translucent optical member. The translucent optical member is thus allowed to illuminate over a wide range with a sufficient brightness. An impressive illumination can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Takehisa Ishikawa, Yoshifumi Kajiwara, Hiroaki Sakashita, Yoshiya Matsumoto, Kazunori Maruyama, Atsuko Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7926962
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a main body, a camera positioned in the main body, a fill-in light emitting unit positioned in the main body adjacent to the camera, and an optical lens positioned between the fill-in light emitting unit and outside of the main body. The optical lens includes an incident surface facing the fill-in light emitting unit, a light emitting surface opposite to the incident surface, and a plurality of elongated V-shaped ridges formed on the incident surface. The elongated V-shaped ridges are substantially parallel to each other and symmetrical about a central portion of the optical lens. Vertex angles between symmetric elongated V-shaped ridges progressively increase along a direction away from the fill-in light emitting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ching-Sen Tsai
  • Patent number: 7929213
    Abstract: An exemplary prism sheet includes a transparent main body. The transparent main body includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface are on opposite sides of the transparent main body. The first surface defines a plurality of a plurality of elongated arc-shaped grooves. The second surface defines a plurality of parallelogram microstructures. Each parallelogram microstructure defines four adjacent triangular pyramid depressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Han Chang
  • Patent number: 7914179
    Abstract: An optical plate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. A plurality of elongated, arc-shaped depressions is defined in the first surface. A plurality of first elongated, V-shaped protrusions aligned in a first direction and a plurality of second elongated, V-shaped protrusions aligned in a second direction are protruded from the second surface. The first direction and the second direction cooperatively define an angle which is larger than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Han Chang
  • Publication number: 20110058389
    Abstract: A brightness enhancement film (BEF) includes a light transmissive substrate, a plurality of optical structures, a reflective layer, and a prism layer. The light transmissive substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The optical structures are disposed on the first surface. The reflective layer is disposed on the second surface and has a plurality of light transmissive openings. The prism layer covers the reflective layer and the second surface and includes a plurality of prism structures protruded away from the second surface. A backlight module is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: CORETRONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tzeng-Ke Shiau, Ching-Shiang Li, Kuo-Tung Tiao
  • Patent number: 7891856
    Abstract: The subject invention provides an optical film comprising a transparent substrate and a structured surface layer, wherein the structured layer is positioned on the upper surface of the substrate and comprises a plurality of non-parallel, adjacent columnar structures. The optical film according to the subject invention can effectively enhance the brightness of a liquid crystal display and reduce the optical interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Eternal Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yi Chuang, Guo-Long Wu
  • Patent number: 7887221
    Abstract: One face of a substrate of a diffuser with a light condensing function is disposed with a plurality of prism rods; at least one inclined face of parts of prism rods is disposed with a rough diffusion face; the diffusion face may be positioned on any position of the inclined face of the prism rod; the diffusion face is disposed with a plurality of irregularly arranged raised and indented stripes perpendicular, not perpendicular or parallel to a crest line of the prism rod; chromatid dispersion can be reduced and stripes of the prism rods can be atomized effectively by utilizing the diffusion face to eliminate the occurrence of moiré fringes and elevate the yield factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Optivision Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Whey-Bin Lor, Kuang-Lin Yuan, Wen-Hao Liu
  • Publication number: 20110007494
    Abstract: There are provided an optical member which does not degrade image quality even if it undergoes changes of temperature and humidity with time inside a liquid crystal display etc. and a backlight device using the same. The optical member 1 of the present invention is constituted by forming a functional resin layer formed from a composition containing a resin having a glass transition temperature of 45° C. or higher on a base material, and curving the optical member 1 to protrude on the base material side. The backlight device 10 of the present invention is constituted by incorporating such an optical member 1. Preferably, curved surface of the optical member 1 is constituted to have a curvature radius in the range of 1.5 to 9.0 m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventor: Masashi Takai
  • Patent number: 7866855
    Abstract: A reflector (14) for a luminaire comprises a generally parabolic wall (28) having series of main right-angled prisms (16) and an interleaved series of transition prisms (18). The main and transition prisms have essentially the same shapes and follow the same overall curvature to control the illumination. The transition prisms transition into the main prisms by merging a peak of a transition prism into the valley between adjacent main prisms in a short transition zone (20). Thus, the transition zone has only a small effect on the overall lighting pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC.
    Inventor: Yaser S. Abdelsamed
  • Patent number: 7862192
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a housing, a plurality of LEDs arranged on a base of the housing, and a first optical plate positioned above the LEDs. The first optical plate includes a light input surface, a light output surface opposite to the light input surface, and a plurality of V-shaped ridges aligned in at least two different directions formed on the light output surface. The V-shaped ridges aligned in different directions intersect with one another. The lighting device may be used as a backlight module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Han Chang
  • Patent number: 7864267
    Abstract: An optical sheet capable of eliminating rapid lowering of the luminance view angle while minimizing the lowering amount of the front luminance, or while avoiding the lowering of the front luminance is provided. The optical sheet includes a first light transmissive film and a second light transmissive film. The first light transmissive film and the second light transmissive film are layered on each other, the first light transmissive film has a plurality of first convexes that extend in a given direction and are arranged in parallel in a direction crossing the given direction in-plane on the second light transmissive film side, and the second light transmissive film has a plurality of second convexes that are arranged in parallel in one direction and are arranged in parallel in a direction crossing the one direction in-plane on the first light transmissive film side, and has shape anisotropy and refractive index anisotropy in-plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Hirai, Akihiro Horii, Hiroshi Mizuno, Kei Obata, Mitsunari Hoshi
  • Patent number: 7859611
    Abstract: A diffuser prism sheet includes a transparent base film having a first surface and a second surface, a light refractor at the first surface of the base film, the light refractor including a plurality of unit prisms having a major axis extending in a first direction and having a predetermined cross sectional shape that defines valleys between adjacent unit prisms, and light diffusers including amorphous polygonal bosses in the valleys between adjacent unit prisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Cheil Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Seok Hoon Jang, Man Suk Kim, Jun Hyeak Choi, Ju Yeol Choi
  • Patent number: 7857471
    Abstract: The optical sheet includes a first lens sheet having a plurality of first three-dimensional structures arrayed to extend to one surface thereof, and a reflective polarizer sheet for transmitting either one of p-polarization component and s-polarization component of incident light and reflecting the other of p-polarization component and s-polarization component of the incident light. Head portions of the first three-dimensional structures are bonded to the reflective polarizer sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Ohta, Shigehiro Yamakita, Makoto Aoki, Toru Abiko
  • Patent number: 7857475
    Abstract: Provided is a direct-type backlight device having a sufficient luminance in a front direction and capable of suppressing a luminance unevenness on a light emitting plane with a reduced electric power consumption. In the direct-type backlight device having linear light sources 2, a reflecting plate 3 and a light diffusing member 1, a distance (a) between centers of the adjacent two linear light sources is 30 to 65 mm. The light diffusing member 1 has an approximately flat light incident plane 1A and a light outgoing plane 1B on which multiple linear prisms 4 are aligned. The linear prism 4 has two inclined surfaces 4A having an approximately equal tilt angle against a plane which is perpendicular to a thickness direction of the light diffusing member 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Zeon Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Kusano
  • Publication number: 20100296265
    Abstract: An illumination lens including a first part being free of prismatic patterns, a second part including prismatic patterns on both sides of the first part and configured to increase light distribution in the both sides of the first part, and a lens cover covering the first and second parts with the first and second parts being disposed on a substantially same plane under the lens cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Eun Hwa KIM, Dong Nyung Lim, Hyun Min Kim, Sung Ho Hong
  • Patent number: 7837359
    Abstract: An optical device for distributing light produced by a white LED or other light-producing device includes a lens portion that refracts the light to provide a desired light intensity distribution, and a collimating portion that internally reflects light from the white LED. The optical device may be molded from an acrylic polymer material or the like. The reduced thickness of the device facilitates low cycle times and reduces warpage or other distortion that would otherwise be generated during the molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Innotec Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua M. Danek, Thomas J. Veenstra
  • Publication number: 20100284191
    Abstract: The invention relates to a special headlight lens and a special lamp provided with said headlight lens having low energy consumption, low diffused light loss and a rectangular light field. The invention further relates to the range of possible applications for the professional lighting of large areas or as component of beamers, projectors, and medical luminaires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: IMC EST.
    Inventor: Daniel Duchowicz
  • Patent number: 7830629
    Abstract: An exemplary prism sheet includes a transparent main body. The transparent main body includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface are on opposite sides of the transparent main body. The first surface defines a plurality of micro-depressions. Each micro-depression forms four inner sidewalls connected with each other. A transverse width of each inner sidewall progressively decreases with increasing distance from the first surface. The second surface defines a plurality of parallelogram microstructures. Each parallelogram microstructure defines four adjacent triangular pyramid depressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Han Chang
  • Patent number: 7819558
    Abstract: Light emitting assembly includes at least one film, sheet, plate or substrate positioned between a light source and a display for redirecting at least some of the light emitted by the light source. One side of the film, sheet, plate or substrate may have a pattern of reflective or refractive surfaces or deformities and the other side may have corresponding or aligned optical deformities of well defined shape. Light emitted from the light source that strikes a reflective or refractive surface or deformity on the one side of the film, sheet, plate or substrate passes through the film, sheet, plate or substrate and is redirected by at least one corresponding optical deformity on the other side of the film, sheet, plate or substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Rambus International Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeffery R. Parker, Timothy A. McCollum
  • Publication number: 20100259939
    Abstract: A brightness enhancement film having a composite lens and prism structure is described. The brightness enhancement film having a composite lens and prism structure includes a substrate layer and a composite structure layer. The substrate layer has an optical incident surface and an optical emission surface. The composite structure layer is positioned on the optical emission surface of the substrate layer and has a lens-type layer and a prism-type layer. The lens-type layer has a plurality of protrusion units and the prism-type layer has a plurality of prismatic units. The protrusion units are uniformly arranged among the prismatic units. An area ratio of the region of the protrusion units to the region of the prismatic units based on a predetermined unit area of the composite structure layer can be changed for adjusting a convergent angle when a light beam penetrates through the composite structure layer via the optical emission surface of the substrate layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: DAYU optoelectronics
    Inventors: Chi-feng Chen, Jauh-jung Yang
  • Publication number: 20100245717
    Abstract: Provided is a prism sheet which has high effects of suppressing Moiré fringes, high front luminance and reduced number of components when it is used as a prism sheet for a backlight unit for a liquid crystal display device. The prism sheet has a prism row having ridges formed in parallel to each other at equivalent intervals on one surface and a light diffusion layer containing porous particles on the other surface. The prism sheet preferably has the prism row on one surface and the light diffusion layer on the other surface by having a light-transmissive substrate in between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: DIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masashi Miyamoto, Masanao Takashima, Ryuichi Saga
  • Patent number: 7802905
    Abstract: The present invention provides a light diffuser plate, the surface of which is less likely to be scratched, capable of laminating a film base material (3) with a high lamination strength. The light diffuser plate (1) of the present invention includes a transparent material and a light diffusing agent dispersed in the transparent material, wherein one or both surfaces are rough surfaces (1a) having a ten-point average roughness (Rz) of 20 to 40 ?m. A film-laminated light diffuser plate (4) can be obtained by laminating an adhesive film (5) comprising the film base material (3) and an adhesive layer (2) formed on at least one surface of the film base material on the rough surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hiroko Kanaya, Akiyoshi Kanemitsu
  • Patent number: 7789548
    Abstract: An optical diffusion structure includes an optical diffusion structure comprising a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions. Each convex portion is adjacent to a plurality of concave portions and each concave portion is adjacent to a plurality of convex portions. The convex portions, the concave portions and each junction of the convex and concave portions have a curvature different from 0. The optical diffusion structure further includes a diffusion plate having a first surface, wherein the optical diffusion structure is formed on the first surface, and the convex portions are arranged in a two dimensional array along a first direction and a second direction, and the concave portions are arranged in a two dimensional array along a third direction and a fourth direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chih-Chiang Chao, Po-Ling Shiao, Yu-Tsan Tseng, Cheng-Hsuan Lin, Mei Chun Lai
  • Patent number: 7776424
    Abstract: An optical sheet includes a substrate, a light diffusion layer formed on the substrate, and a light gathering layer formed on the light diffusion layer. The light diffusion layer includes a polymeric resin having a plurality of bubbles mixed therein. The light gathering layer has at least one microstructure. The optical sheet of the subject invention can be used in LCD's as a photo-diffusive brightness enhancement film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Eternal Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Yi Chuang, Chao-Yi Tsai
  • Patent number: 7777831
    Abstract: An optical sheet includes a first plane, a second plane facing the first plane and a plurality of optical patterns. The optical patterns are formed on the second plane along a plurality of columns. An optical pattern includes a plurality of convex light-condensing portions. End portions of the light-condensing portions are connected to each other continuously and form crests and troughs. The optical patterns disposed in adjacent columns share a common side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joong-Hyun Kim, In-Sun Hwang, Seong-Yong Hwang, Kang-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 7771074
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for projecting a linear optical marking onto at least one boundary of a room, such as floor surface for example, comprising a light source (12) that emits laser radiation along an optical axis (16) as well as a cuboid lens (14) connected in series with the light source, penetrated by the optical axis and reflecting as well as refracting the radiation. To facilitate fanning and reflecting of light originating from the light source through constructively simple means, the invention proposes that provided in the frontal surface (20) is a channel-shaped depression (40) and provided in the rear surface (22) is a projection (24), both of which are geometrically designed and arranged so that the radiation can be totally reflected and that totally reflected radiation striking the depression can be fanned out, where the optical marking runs to both transverse surfaces of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Stabila Messgerate Gustav Ullrich GmbH
    Inventors: Gabriel Kallabis, Daniel Busam
  • Patent number: 7766515
    Abstract: A light transforming method and device that includes a lens having one or more specifically shaped surfaces designed to generate an output image by directing the appropriate amount of electromagnetic energy from a substantially collimated beam to the required regions of the output image for the purpose of recreating the output image. The lens has one or more non-imaging radiant energy distribution surfaces that is of a non-uniform. shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Dragonfish Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Jeffery Condon, Mark Bryan Pruss
  • Patent number: 7753565
    Abstract: An exemplary prism sheet includes a transparent main body. The main body includes a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of spherical micro-depressions and a plurality of triangular pyramidal micro-depressions. The first surface and the second surface are on opposite sides of the main body. The spherical micro-depressions are formed in the first surface and the triangular pyramidal micro-depressions are formed in the second surfaces. A backlight module using the present prism sheet is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tung-Ming Hsu, Shao-Han Chang
  • Patent number: 7750989
    Abstract: An exemplary prism sheet includes a transparent main body. The transparent main body has a surface. A plurality of first elongated micro-protrusions and second elongated micro-protrusions protrude from the surface of the main body. Each of the first elongated micro-protrusions extends along a first direction. Widths and heights of each of the first elongated micro-protrusions vary along the first direction. Each of the second elongated micro-protrusions extends along a second direction that intersects with the first direction. Widths and heights of each of the second elongated micro-protrusions vary along the second direction. A method for making the prism sheet and a liquid crystal display device using the prism sheet are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tung-Ming Hsu, Shao-Han Chang
  • Patent number: 7748874
    Abstract: A light pipe and an illuminating device having the light pipe are provided. The light pipe includes an optical film including a plurality of prisms and being rolled to have a cavity extending along a longitudinal direction of the prisms; and a supporter surrounding the optical film having the cavity, wherein a side surface of one of the prisms has the maximum surface roughness of about 600 nm to about 1.5 ?. Accordingly, it is possible to emit a light toward a distant area through the diffraction of light and thus to provide uniform luminance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Han Kyu Cho
  • Patent number: 7744245
    Abstract: An exemplary prism sheet includes a transparent main body. The main body includes a first surface, a second surface and a plurality of conical frustum micro-depressions and a plurality of triangular pyramidal micro-depressions. The first surface and the second surface are on opposite sides of the main body. The conical frustum micro-depressions are formed in the first surface and the triangular pyramidal micro-depressions are formed in the second surfaces. A backlight module using the present prism sheet is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tung-Ming Hsu, Shao-Han Chang
  • Patent number: 7740383
    Abstract: An exemplary optical plate includes a transparent layer and a light diffusion layer. The transparent layer includes a light input interface, a light output surface opposite to the light input interface, and a plurality of micro-depressions formed on the light output surface. The micro-depressions are arranged along a plurality of imaginary, separate, circular arcs. Each micro-depression has at least three side surfaces connected to each other, and a transverse width of each side surface increases along a direction away from the light diffusion layer. The light diffusion layer is integrally formed in immediate contact with the light input interface of the transparent layer, and free of air or gas pockets trapped in an interface therebetween. The light diffusion layer includes a transparent matrix resin and a plurality of diffusion particles dispersed in the transparent matrix resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Han Chang
  • Patent number: 7731366
    Abstract: An optical system is provided. The optical system comprises a first polarizing beamsplitter (PBS), a first reflecting image-forming device, and a first quarter-wave retarding element. An optical system is also provided that comprises an image-forming device, a reflective polarizing layer, at least a first birefringent element disposed on an optical path between the image-forming device and the polarizing layer, and a quarter-wave retarding element. Further provided is an optical system comprising a color combiner unit, at least two polarizing beamsplitters (PBSs), and a first quarter-wave retarding element. The present application also provides methods of compensating for birefringence in an image projection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David J. W. Aastuen, Charles L. Bruzzone, Jiaying Ma
  • Publication number: 20100118519
    Abstract: A light guiding plate to enhance uniformity of brightness and a backlight assembly and a display device having the same in one or more embodiments. In one embodiment, the light guiding plate includes a plurality of the linear shaped prisms on a back surface thereof, and the linear shaped prisms are omitted partially at the incident portion of the light guiding plate such that a non-prism area, connection area, and prism area are formed in stated order from the incident portion end on the back surface of the light guiding plate. Therefore, the display device having the light guiding plate is adapted to increase a uniformity of brightness of the edge type backlight, and the display quality can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Sang-Min YI, Young-Bee Chu, Jeong-Min Seo, Jae-Lok Cha, Ah-Ram Lee
  • Patent number: 7715132
    Abstract: An exemplary prism sheet includes a transparent main body. The transparent main body includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface are on opposite sides of the main body. The first surface of transparent main body defines a plurality of first elongated arc-shaped grooves and a plurality of second elongated arc-shaped grooves. The first elongated arc-shaped grooves intersect with the second elongated arc-shaped grooves. The second surface defining a plurality of rectangular structures. Each rectangular structure defining four adjacent triangular pyramid depressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Han Chang
  • Patent number: 7712908
    Abstract: A light-transmitting film that has a predetermined polarization split function, in addition to a light-collecting function is provided. The index of refraction nx in a prism extension direction and the index of refraction in a prism alignment direction differ from each other. By generating a difference in the indices of refraction in the prism extension direction and the prism alignment direction orthogonal thereto, for the light incident on the light-transmitting film, the polarization component Lx oscillating in the prism extension direction and the polarization component Ly oscillating in the prism alignment direction can have different transmission characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsunari Hoshi, Kei Obata, Akihiro Horii, Hiroshi Mizuno
  • Patent number: 7712930
    Abstract: An optical module for projecting a light beam comprises a solid body of transparent material into which a light source is sunk and which is delimited by an annular surface and by a central surface, and a substantially annular reflecting surface arranged around the solid body. The central and annular surfaces are suitable for receiving respective distinct portions of the luminous flux produced by the source. The reflecting surface may have a reflecting coating or may form part of a transparent body, in which case it works by total internal reflection. The reflecting surface reflects a portion of luminous flux refracted by the annular surface and shapes the flux into a predetermined distribution of luminous intensity about the principal axis. The annular surface is designed in a manner such as to reduce the overall thickness of the module by moving the refracted ray away from the principal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Piermario Repetto, Denis Bollea, Stefano Bernard, Davide Capello
  • Patent number: 7712944
    Abstract: An optical substrate possesses a structured surface that enhances luminance or brightness and reduces chatter phenomenon. A structured surface is provided, in which some of the valleys (low valleys) are coplanar to the surface of the underlying support layer and other valleys (high valleys) are not coplanar on the support layer. The low valleys have bottom thickness that is substantially smaller than that of the high valleys. The distance from the valleys to the support layer remains substantially similar for a first number of adjacent valleys, but is substantially zero for a second number of adjacent valleys after every n-th adjacent valleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Ubright Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kong-Hua Wang, Craig Lin, Daniel Yaw-Chung Ko