Abstract: An edge lit locally dimmed display has a spatial light modulator illuminated by a light source. The light source is positioned at an edge and behind the spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator is illuminated with a low resolution version of a desired image. The illumination may comprise a series of lighting elements that vary smoothly from one element to another at the spatial light modulator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for coupling light into a light source in the form of a surface are disclosed. According to one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a linear light source including a light diffuser. The apparatus also has a sheet having a first edge with the linear light source placed along the first edge. The linear light source diffuses light such that the light emanates in a predetermined pattern along the first edge of the sheet.

Abstract: The present invention includes decorative, architectural, and building materials and methods of making these materials, using them or both. The present invention relates to an article of manufacture that includes a light source and a substrate with a plurality of volumes of material, where each volume is capable of transmitting light from one location to a second location on a surface of the substrate. The present invention also relates to an article of manufacture having a substrate with a first surface, and a volume of material contained within the substrate and adapted to transmit light from a first location on the first surface to at least a second location. The present invention also relates to methods of making the articles and to methods of transmitting information.

Abstract: In various embodiments of the invention, an interferometric display device is provided having an external film with a plurality of structures that redirect light from an inactive area of the display to an active area of the display. Light incident on the external film that would normally continue towards an inactive area of the display is either reflected, refracted, or scattered towards an active area of the display comprising moveable and static reflective surfaces that form an optical cavity.

Abstract: Provided are a backlight assembly and a display device having the same. The backlight assembly includes a light source unit which generates light; and a light guide plate which comprises an incident light surface through which the light from the light source unit enters the light guide plate, an upper surface joined to the incident light surface and that includes a prism pattern, and a lower surface opposing the upper surface and formed with a plurality of concave portions. A diffusing pattern is formed on one of the upper surface and the lower surface.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display equipped with a side edge backlight device, visualization of “a dot provided to a light guide plate” in the vicinity of the light source while keeping the luminance of the display screen. The shapes and the arrangement of the light diffusing dots (dots) provided to the principal surface of the light guide plate of the backlight device are made different between the area of the principal surface in the vicinity of the light source and the other areas, thereby adjusting the whiteness of the light guide plate in the vicinity of the light source. The plurality of dots formed in the vicinity of the light source are each composed of a first section for diffusing the light propagating the light guide plate, and a second section surrounded by the first section and less capable of diffusing the light, and are disposed in the vicinity of the light source in a zigzag manner.

Abstract: In various embodiments described herein, a display device includes a front illumination apparatus that comprises a first light guide disposed forward of an array of display elements, such as an array of interferometric modulators, to distribute light across the array of display elements. The light guide panel is edge illuminated by a light source positioned behind the array display elements. The light from such a light source is coupled to a second light guide disposed behind the array of display elements and positioned laterally with respect to the light source. The light in the second light guide is coupled into the first light guide using a small optical coupling element such as a turning mirror. In some embodiments the second light guide may comprise the backplate of the display device.

Abstract: A multifunction lamp comprises: a light source; a first reflector receiving and reflecting the projected light from the light source; a second reflector receiving and reflecting the reflected light from the first reflector; a first light-guide member which is provided between the light source and the first reflector or and the end of the first reflector away form the light source; and a second light-guide member guiding the light reflected by the second reflector out of the lamp.

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.

Abstract: A backlight assembly includes first and second backlight units independently operating based on driving modes, and a light blocking member interposed between the first and second backlight units. The first backlight assembly includes a first light source generating and supplying a first light to a main display part of a display panel in a main mode and turned-off in a sub mode. The second backlight assembly includes a second light source generating and supplying a second light having different color from the first light to a sub display part of the display panel in a main mode and a sub mode.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve the color reproduction capability of a liquid crystal display backlight using white LEDs. A backlight of the present invention includes: a light guide plate 6; a light diffusing optical waveguide 3 disposed adjacent the light guide plate 6; a plurality of white LEDs 1 disposed on the light diffusing optical waveguide 3; and single color LEDs (red LEDs) 2 disposed on respective opposite sides of the light diffusing optical waveguide 3; wherein light from the white LEDs 1 passes through the light diffusing optical waveguide 3 and enters the light guide plate 6 through a side thereof, whereas light from the single color LEDs 2 is diffused by the light diffusing optical waveguide 3 before entering the light guide plate 6 through the same side thereof. Thus, the light diffusing optical waveguide 3 mixes light from the white LEDs 1 and single color LEDs 2, resulting in improved color reproduction capability of the backlight.

Abstract: A backlight unit and a liquid crystal display device improve uniformity of a luminance and a color of a display surface. The backlight unit includes a light source device and a circuit board, the light source device including a first board and a plurality of point light sources connected in series, the plurality of point light sources being arranged on the first board, and the circuit board including a second board, a driving circuit for the plurality of point light sources, and a variable resistance device, the driving circuit for the plurality of point light sources and the variable resistance device being arranged on the second board, wherein a resistance adjusting element of the variable resistance device is exposed to an outside, and at least one point light source arranged on an end side among the plurality of point light sources is connected in parallel to the variable resistance device.

Abstract: A backlight assembly of an LCD device which is capable of securing a enough space to mount a light guide plate by guiding lamp wires in the direction of a rear surface of the backlight assembly includes a lamp, a light guide plate configured to guide light emitted from the lamp, an optical sheet formed at an upper surface of the light guide plate, a mold frame accommodating the lamp, the light guide plate, and the optical sheet, a back cover formed at one side of a rear surface of the mold frame to protect the lamp and light guide plate, lamp wires connected at both ends of the lamp, and a wire outlet penetrating the back cover.

Abstract: A display device includes: a display element for showing information as a screen image; and an ornamental member disposed on a display surface of the display element and having a shape corresponding to the screen image. The ornamental member includes a light transparent element and a light nontransparent element. The screen image includes a designed image on a position of the display surface corresponding to the light transparent element. The display element outputs a screen image light from the display surface. The screen image light corresponding to the designed image passes through the light transparent element so that the screen image light is outputted from the ornamental member to the display side.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus and method for a display device designed such that light is incident on a hologram or hologram pattern at an angle for which diffraction efficiency is the highest. The illumination apparatus includes at least one point light source which emits light and a light guide plate (LGP) which has the at least one point light source disposed on a side thereof and a hologram pattern on a top surface which permits the light incident from the point light source to exit from the top surface. The side of the LGP facing the point light source is inclined such that the light is incident obliquely on the hologram pattern at an altitude angle which provides high diffraction efficiency.

Abstract: A light source device, a backlight unit, and a liquid crystal display device are each capable of improving uniformity of a luminance and a color of a display surface. The light source device includes a board; a plurality of point light sources arranged on a surface of the board and connected in series; and a variable resistor, wherein the variable resistor is disposed on the surface on which the plurality of point light sources are arranged of the board; at least one point light source arranged on an end side among the plurality of point light sources is connected in parallel to the variable resistor; and the board has a through-hole in a region where a variable resistor is located.

Abstract: A lighting device includes: a plurality of backlights each having a light guide plate disposed in the back of a lighting object to guide light and emit the light to the lighting object and a light source disposed on a side surface of the light guide late to emit the light to the light guide plate; and connection portions connecting the plurality of backlights. Here, the plurality of backlights connected to each other forms a backlight unit to emit light to the lighting object.

Abstract: A backlight for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display apparatus includes a light guide formed from a plurality of segments. Each segment has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and a first surface extending between the first and second sides and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface substantially re-directs light and the second surface substantially transmits light. The plurality of segments are arranged substantially in parallel with the second surfaces transmitting light in substantially the same direction to provide backlighting for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display. A light source is disposed along only one of the first side or second side of each segment for transmitting light into the light guide from either the first side or second side. Each segment light source is selectively turned on and off in a particular pattern.

Abstract: A light guide plate is provided. The light guide plate includes a light source hole part configured to accommodate a light source, the light source hole part provided at a back surface on the opposite side of a light emitting surface; and a recessed part provided on the side of said light emitting surface opposed to the light source hole part. The recessed part has, at the bottom portion of the recessed part, a slant surface inclined against the light emitting surface.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention include an interferometric optical modulator comprising a substrate layer and a light direction layer. Such an interferometric modulator may be integrated with a diffuser layer in a display device in a way that physically integrates the diffuser layer into the light direction layer in a way where the diff-user layer does not interact with light propagating within the light direction layer. As a result, most of the light propagating within the light direction layer does not penetrate into the diffuser which would inhibit performance of the display. In some embodiments, the interface between the diffuser layer and the light direction layer has a lower index of refraction than the light direction layer and the transparent substrate so that total internal reflection occurs at the interface.

Abstract: A lighting device is provided for projecting a pixelated lighting pattern to be viewed onto a surface facing said device is provided. The device comprises a plurality of independently controllable lighting units (1), each lighting unit comprising at least one light-emitting diode (3, 4, 5, 6), and a controller (7) for controlling the emission of light from said lighting units. A device according to the present invention allows ambient illumination of a surface and projection of images and patterns.

Abstract: An illuminated cymbal, including: a light transmitting cymbal body; top and bottom coverings on opposite sides of portions of the cymbal body; a light source mounted to emit light into the cymbal body, wherein the light source is positioned such that the light is reflected between the top and bottom coverings to reflect radially outwards through the cymbal body to illuminate the cymbal body; and a striking sensor pad mounted on top of the cymbal body.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a lighting unit comprising: a reflector panel; a plurality of substantially U-shaped cold cathode tubes held parallel relative to the reflector panel; an inverter substrate; cold cathode tube holders for holding the cold cathode tubes parallel relative to the reflector panel in such a manner that terminals of the cold cathode tubes are arranged in a row along one side of the reflector panel; a substrate holder for holding the inverter substrate to be vertically relative to the reflector panel in such a manner that a lower side of the inverter substrate reaches a positions where the terminals are arranged in a row; a plurality of notches upwardly cut deep from the lower side of the inverter substrate so as to receive the terminals; and solders provided for making electrical connections between the terminals and electrical supply patterns formed in the notches.

Abstract: Various devices and methods of lighting a display are disclosed. In one embodiment, for example, a display device includes a transmissive display configured to be illuminated through a back surface and a reflective display configured to be illuminated through a front surface. A light source is disposed with respect to the back of the transmissive display to illuminate the transmissive display through the back surface. A light pipe is disposed with respect to the light source to receive light from the light source and is configured to propagate the light such that this light provides front illumination of the reflective display.

Abstract: A hidden touch pad structure adapted for an electronic product has a plate, a touch pad arranged inside the plate, a circuit board disposed under and retained against the plate and the touch pad simultaneously, and a lighting device surrounding the touch pad and received inside the plate. The circuit board receives a pressure signal via the plate and the touch pad and drives the lighting device to provide light. The touch pad is recognized via the lighting device surrounding the touch pad.

Abstract: Disclosed is a backlight unit and an LCD device having the same. The backlight unit comprises a plurality of light sources for generating light, a light guide plate for converting linear light generated from the light source into planar light and irradiating the light onto an LCD panel, a plurality of optical patterns formed on the light guide plate, wherein the optical patterns have different sizes for uniformly applying light incident onto the LCD panel to the entire LCD panel, and a diffusion sheet for transmitting light emitted from the light guide plate in a direction substantially perpendicular to the LCD panel.

Abstract: Provided is an all-in-one type light guide plate including a plurality of prism-shaped structures that are integrally formed on the all-in-one light guide plate and which totally internally reflect light incident from a light source and emit the totally internally reflected light.

Abstract: Devices and assemblies for providing light to a display panel, including methods of attaching such devices and assemblies to a circuit board, are disclosed. An illustrative device can include a light emitting panel including at least one light interface for receiving light from a light source. The light interface may define an aperture adapted to receive a portion of the light source, forming an air gap between the light source and interface. A number of centering ribs and/or beveled sections can be used to align the light source within the aperture during assembly of the device to a circuit board.

Abstract: A light emitting module of a lighting device has a casing, a heat radiating member and terminals. The terminals extend from the casing and connects to a circuit board disposed along a light diffusing member. The heat radiating member extends in a direction perpendicular to the terminals. Alternatively, the terminals are connected to heat radiating lands formed on a second circuit board that is provided separately from a first circuit board and the heat radiating member is connected to a heat radiating land formed on the second circuit board. Further, the heat radiating member can be connected to a heat radiating plate overlapping with the second circuit board, in place of the heat radiating land.

Abstract: A back light module where one of the top and bottom surfaces of the light guide contain a micro Fresnel lens array which is off-axis so that a portion of the light won't initially escape from the back light module. The light is reflected down the length of the light guide, spreading the light across the back light module. In one embodiment, the Fresnel lens array is designed to have its efficiency vary across the back light. A smaller percentage of the light is directed out of the module near the light source, with most of the light being directed down the light guide. In an LED embodiment, the LED is mounted on the top or bottom edge of the light guide with a diffraction structure on the opposite side to diffract the light down the light guide.

Abstract: An illuminating device has a light pipe that is elongate in shape and has a light-emitting face running in the direction of a longitudinal axis. A light-reflecting face is disposed opposite the light-emitting face, and the light-reflecting face has a plurality of prismatic cuts. Each prismatic cut includes a front face oriented at an angle B from a normal axis, the normal axis being 90 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the light pipe. The angle B is in the range of about 5 degrees to about 45 degrees and is such that it allows light to refract through at least one prismatic cut and then be internally reflected.

Abstract: An illuminated, shallow weatherproof signage character has individual three dimensional back-lighted/front/side and/or silhouette-lighting, with frosted areas of plastic, with virtually no limitation on the size or number of individual characters, which may be moulded or machined from solid plastic, which is U/V protected. Miniature, preferably LED lamps are concealed in the character. The life of the LED lamps is extended by limiting the applied voltage and the “on” time. The signage characters are usually elevated from their supporting surface, to effect back-lighting. Colored LED's or a RBG LED, can be used selectively to color the plastic signage.

Abstract: Various embodiments comprise light recycling films comprising an array of parallel ridges and grooves that form prisms that selectively reflect or transmit light. In some embodiments, the light recycling film may be used in displays that include spatial light modulators comprising a plurality of pixels. The light recycling film can limit the field-of-view of the display and enhance the luminance within that field-of-view. Various embodiments comprising multiple arrays of ridges and/or grooves can enhance uniformity of illumination of the pixels in the spatial light modulator and reduce Moiré effects.

Abstract: The backlight assembly includes a lamp unit, a light guide plate and a receiving container. The light guide plate includes a light exiting surface, a light reflecting surface facing the light exiting surface, and side surfaces. The receiving container includes a frame plate and sidewall protruding from an outer edge of the frame plate to form a receiving space for receiving the lamp unit and the light guide plate. The first distance between an inner surface of the sidewall and an outer surface of the light guide plate at a first region is greater than a second distance between the inner surface of the sidewall and the outer surface of the light guide plate at a second region. The light guide plate is more spaced apart from the sidewall at the corners where much noise was made, in a general backlight assembly, so that the noise is reduced.

Abstract: A fixing structure and a backlight module using the same are provided. The fixing structure is used for fixing a circuit board. The circuit board with several openings has an upper surface and a lower surface. The fixing structure includes a back plate and several hooks. The back plate has a contact surface. These hooks are disposed on the contact surface. The hooks go through the openings so that the contact surface contacts the lower surface. The hooks move toward the walls of the openings and press against the upper surface so as to fix the circuit board onto the back plate.

Abstract: A LED package structure including a carrier, LED chips, and a package body is provided. The carrier defines a cave with two opposite first side walls, two opposite second side walls and a rectangular bottom surface. An included angle between the first side wall and the bottom surface differs from that between the second side wall and the bottom surface. The LED chips are disposed in a straight-line arrangement on a center line of the bottom surface and electrically connected to the carrier. The center line is parallel to a long side of the bottom surface. The package body is formed on the carrier to cover the LED chips. Since the included angle between the first side wall and the bottom surface differs from that between the second side wall and the bottom surface, light provided by the LED package structure has different spatial radiation patterns in different directions.

Abstract: A portable display device includes a display panel, a light source supplying light to the display panel, a mold frame supporting the display panel and surrounding at least two sides of the light source, and a relief unit between the mold frame and the light source.

Abstract: A backlight assembly includes at least one U-shaped lamp, a first connecting member, and a second connecting member. The U-shaped lamp includes a U-shaped lamp tube, a first external electrode covering a first end portion of the U-shaped lamp tube, and a second external electrode covering a second end portion of the U-shaped lamp tube. The U-shaped lamp tube generates light when a first driving voltage is applied to the first external electrode and a second driving voltage is applied to the second external electrode. The first connecting member is electrically connected to the first external electrode for applying the first driving voltage to the first external electrode. The second connecting member is electrically connected to the second external electrode for applying the second driving voltage to the second external electrode. Therefore, interference between a wire for applying power to the U-shaped lamp and the U-shaped lamp is reduced.

Abstract: A point holder, for a glass panel provided with holes, has a first mounting part reaching over a front edge of the glass panel hole in an installed position, a second mounting part reaching over a rear edge of the glass panel hole and, where appropriate, a housing part located at least partly in the glass panel hole. A mounting device is provided for load-transmitting fastening of the point holder on a supporting structure. The point holder has an electro-optical device, at least a partial area of which is located on or between the first and second mounting parts, and by which energy and/or signals can be coupled into the glass panel and/or the area around the point holder, and an electro-optical supply line. The first or second mounting part, or both mounting parts, have a lead-through for the supply line located outside the load-transmitting mounting device.

Abstract: A method for providing a hot spot filter for a light guide is provided by taking an image of the light output pattern of an illuminated light guide. The hot spot filter may be a film, a layer, or an additional liquid crystal display dedicated to attenuating bright spots from the light guide. The hot spot filter may be incorporated into the image display by adjusting the grey scale of individual pixels to provide sufficient compensation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a backlight unit which illuminates a display panel from a rear surface thereof, including at least: tubular lamps arranged in parallel to the panel; and a reflecting member which reflects light from the lamps toward the panel, wherein the reflecting member is divided into a first region opposed to an area near an electrode provided in an end portion of the lamp and a second region nearer to a middle area than the first region, the first region having a higher reflectance than the second region. In another backlight unit, a reflecting member is divided, with respect to the arrangement direction of the lamps, into an end lamp near region which is opposed to a lamp arranged in end portion and a middle region which is nearer to a middle area than the end lamp region, the end lamp region having a higher reflectance than the middle region.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a light emitting diode (LED) and a structured surface. The structured surface has a plurality of prismatic structures arranged radially with respect to a reference point, and is disposed relative to the LED such that the reference point is substantially aligned with a light emission axis of the LED. Arrays of such assemblies and backlights and displays including same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pointer comprises an attached portion and a main body. The attached portion is attached to an instrument. The main body is fixed to the attached portion at a basic portion thereof and extending toward a free portion thereof. The main body has a reflective surface and a foil-stamping layer. The reflective surface is formed at an inclined surface of the basic portion and inclined to a traveling direction of light entering the main body. The foil-stamping layer is formed on a bottom surface of the main body and diffusely reflects light reflected by the reflective surface. The reflective surface is curved like a collective convex lens in a transverse direction of the inclined surface and a diffusive concave lens in a vertical direction of the inclined surface.

Abstract: A light emitting module of a lighting device has a casing, a heat radiating member and terminals. The terminals extend from the casing and connects to a circuit board disposed along a light diffusing member. The heat radiating member extends in a direction perpendicular to the terminals. Alternatively, the terminals are connected to heat radiating lands formed on a second circuit board that is provided separately from a first circuit board and the heat radiating member is connected to a heat radiating land formed on the second circuit board. Further, the heat radiating member can be connected to a heat radiating plate overlapping with the second circuit board, in place of the heat radiating land.

Abstract: A lamp-supporting unit includes a mold frame and a lamp-fixing member. The mold frame includes a bottom face, a side face upwardly extending from an edge of the bottom face, and a top face horizontally extending from an upper end of the side face and being opposite to the bottom face. The side face has openings through which lamps are moved. The lamp-fixing member is installed on the bottom face of the mold frame and fixes an end of each of the lamps.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention include an interferometric optical modulator comprising a substrate layer and a light direction layer. Such an interferometric modulator may be integrated with a diffuser layer in a display device in a way that physically integrates the diffuser layer into the light direction layer in a way where the diff-user layer does not interact with light propagating within the light direction layer. As a result, most of the light propagating within the light direction layer does not penetrate into the diffuser which would inhibit performance of the display. In some embodiments, the interface between the diffuser layer and the light direction layer has a lower index of refraction than the light direction layer and the transparent substrate so that total internal reflection occurs at the interface.

Abstract: A decorative light tile includes a base, a light source adjacent to the perimeter of the base positioned to illuminate at least a slanted light reflecting area of the base, and a cover mounted on the base adapted to be illuminated by light from the light source reflected off the slanted light reflecting area. Additionally, the light tile includes a bus bar system. The bus bar system includes positioned along a perimeter of the light tile. The bus bar system is electrically connected to the light source and provides a circuit for supplying power to the light source. A light tile system includes a plurality of light tiles, a decorative sheet positioned adjacent to each light tile and illuminated by the light source within the light tile, and a power supply. Each light tile includes a bus bar system connected to a light source within the light tile and the light tiles may be positioned contiguous to each other so that the bus bar systems are in electrical contact with each other.

Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a light source, a light guide plate, and a receiving container having a combination guide part. The coupling guide part is inwardly protruded with respect to the sidewalls of the receiving container. The coupling guide part corresponds with a guide recess on the light guide plate to guide the light guide plate to a proper position. The coupling guide part may also include a screw thread to couple the receiving container with an external case. Therefore, the receiving container may be easily coupled with the external case and the light guide plate may be guided to a proper position via the combination guide part to thereby simplify a manufacturing process of the backlight assembly and reduce its size.

Abstract: A backlight unit for a liquid crystal display device includes: a lamp; a light guide plate adjacent to the lamp; a reflector under the light guide plate; a lamp housing covering the lamp, the lamp housing being combined with edges of the light guide plate and the reflector; and a housing pad under the lamp housing, the housing pad overlapping an edge of the lamp housing.

Abstract: A brightness enhancement article and illumination system provides light from a two-dimensional surface. The brightness enhancement article has a plurality of light collecting structures wherein each light collecting structure is longitudinally extended in a length direction along the surface. The structures may have various lengthwise shapes such as being curved, concentric, radial, or of varying thickness.