Abstract: A spread illuminating apparatus includes a point light source, a light conductor plate having a light inlet surface facing the point light source, and a housing frame to hold the point light source and the light conductor plate, wherein the housing frame includes an inner frame member and an outer frame member to enclose the inner frame member, the point light source is disposed at an end wall of the outer frame member, the light conductor plate is held in the inner frame member by joint mechanisms such that the light inlet surface of the light conductor plate is positioned inward of a forefront face of the inner frame member with a predetermined distance therefrom, and wherein the inner frame member is housed in the outer frame member with a predetermined constant clearance provided between the point light source and the light inlet surface of the light conductor plate.

Abstract: A backlight unit includes a light source emitting light and a light diffusing plate diffusing light emitted from the light source, the light diffusing plate having an ellipsoidal microlens, the ellipsoidal microlens being provided in a plural number and a major axis direction of the microlens being substantially orthogonal to a longer axis direction of the light source.

Abstract: A light-guiding structure includes a light-guiding plate, and an LED set matched with the light-guiding plate. The characteristic is that the light-guiding plate has a light-entering surface, and there are a plurality of ditches on the light-entering surface. A light-entering interface is formed between two adjacent ditches. The LED set corresponds to the light-entering surface of the light-guiding plate, and each of the LEDs of the LED set corresponds to one light-entering interface. By utilizing the light-entering interface and the ditches, the light is uniformly spread. The light is uniformly spread at the light-entering surface of the light-guiding plate so that the bright point does not occur. The light is uniformly emitted from the light-emitting surface and the illumination is enhanced.

Abstract: Systems for displaying images are provided. An embodiment of a system comprises a liquid crystal display module, and the liquid crystal display module comprises a backlight assembly. The backlight module primarily includes a circuit board and at least an LED disposed on a first planar side of the circuit board. The circuit board comprises at least a hole and a heat conductor extending through the hole. Heat from the LED on the first planar side is dissipated to a second planar side of the circuit board by the heat conductor through the hole.

Abstract: A display unit includes a light source and at least one or more transparent display plates. Each transparent display plate has a plurality of fine dimples formed on at least one surface thereof. Light rays from the light source are respectively made incident on the transparent display plates and are reflected by the plurality of fine dimples so that a pattern of at least one of characters, graphics, and symbols is made visually observed uniformly.

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 plate 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 light source apparatus permits an angular range of illumination light to be changed, wherein the apparatus can be made thin. A related display apparatus permits a visible angular range to be changed using the light source apparatus. The display apparatus can be mounted in a terminal device, ahd an optical member and an optical unit can be incorporated in the light source apparatus. The light source apparatus is provided with a light guide plate with a conical sheet. Two light sources are provided on side surfaces of the light guide plate. Two inclined surfaces whose inclination angles to a light output surface differ from each other are formed at a light diffusion surface of the light guide plate. The conical sheet is provided with a flat plate portion on which a plurality of cones are formed. The cones protrude toward the light guide plate.

Abstract: An enhanced electroluminescent sign containing a volumetric, anisotropic scattering element to control the angular spread of light from the sign and the spatial luminance uniformity of the sign. The anisotropic scattering element contains one or more regions of asymmetrically-shaped light scattering particles. The angular spread of light leaving a sign from a light emitting source can be efficiently controlled by using a thin, low cost, volumetric, anisotropic scattering elements to angularly and spatially distribute light, permitting the reduction in number of light sources, a reduction in power requirements, or a more tailored viewing angle.

Abstract: An edge-lit backlight having a light recycling cavity with concave transflector is disclosed. The edge-lit backlight has an output area and includes a back reflector facing the output area of the backlight. The backlight further includes a transflector that partially transmits and partially reflects incident light, the transflector being shaped to form a concave structure facing the back reflector to provide one or more recycling cavities therebetween, where the one or more recycling cavities substantially fill the output area of the backlight. The backlight further includes at least one light source positioned adjacent a first edge of the backlight. The at least one light source is operable to inject light into the one or more recycling cavities through an input surface of the one or more recycling cavities, where the input surface is substantially orthogonal to the output area, and where the at least one concave structure converges with the back reflector in a direction distal from the input surface.

Abstract: A light guide plate (30) includes a light incident surface (31), a light emitting surface (32) and a bottom surface (33). The light emitting surface adjoins the light incident surface. The bottom surface faces an opposite direction of the light emitting surface. A number of first microstructure units (321) and second microstructure units (323) are interlaced and formed on the light emitting surface. Each first microstructure unit has a number of first prism lenses (3211) extending out from the light emitting surface parallel to the light incident surface, and each second microstructure unit has a number of second prism lenses (3231) extending out from the light emitting surface perpendicular to the light incident surface.

Abstract: A surface light-source device is composed of a light guide plate, luminescent panels and reflector sheets. The light guide plate is composed of three light guide units respectively formed in a rectangular plate-like shape having a rectangular light emission surface, a thick portion, a thin side portion, an incline rear portion and a parallel groove. The luminescent panel includes two element lines formed by aligning LEDs. The parallel groove is formed so as to be symmetrical about a center line, which is perpendicular to the light emission surface, and so as to dwindle its width toward the light emission surface. The light emitted from the LED toward an overhead portion and having the highest brightness is diffused by a groove surface of the parallel groove and is taken into the light guide unit. Thus, brightness unevenness is reduced at the light emission surface.

Abstract: A domestic appliance includes an operation indicator having an illumination element for emitting a light beam by means of which a gap between the domestic appliance and a surface adjacent to the domestic appliance can be illuminated, and a reflection element in the gap for directing or bundling light emitted by the illumination element.

Abstract: One or more LEDs are mounted within an LCD without the use of any printed circuit board (PCB), thus reducing the thickness of the LCD by about the thickness of the conventional PCB. In one embodiment, the LED and submount are mounted so that the submount is opposing the liquid crystal layer side of the LCD, so that the liquid crystal layers provide the mechanical support for the submount and LED die. The LED die (mounted on the submount) may be inserted into a cavity formed in the “top” surface of the light guide, and the top surface of the light guide is abutted against the liquid crystal layers. In such a configuration, the LED light source, including all supporting components, adds no thickness to the LCD. In another embodiment, on the “bottom” surface of the LCD opposing the LED die is an electrically switchable mirror that is either reflective or transparent. In its transparent state, the LED in the LCD may be used as a flash in a cell phone camera, while the LCD may be viewed to take the picture.

Abstract: A backlight module includes a light box, at least one light guide tube, and at least one light source. The light box has a light exit side. The light guide tube has a plurality of microstructures which are spaced apart along a length of the light guide tube. The light guide tube and the microstructures are disposed in the light box in a particular arrangement so that the microstructures are placed substantially in a matrix array within the light box. The light source is disposed adjacent to the light guide tube, and is operable so as to emit a light beam to the light guide tube. The microstructures disperse the light beam from the light guide tube.

Abstract: [The present invention provides] a light source device comprising: a light conductor which has a first light incident end surface, a second light incident end surface and a light emitting surface; a first primary light source and a second primary light source which are disposed respectively adjacent to the first light incident end surface and second light incident end surface; and a light deflecting element which has a light incident surface disposed facing the light emitting surface and a light emitting surface, wherein a directional light emitting functional part with an average inclination angle of 0.5 to 15° is formed on at least one surface of the light conductor, i.e.

Abstract: An imaging device illumination system comprises first and second elongate light guides configured to emit light toward an object to be imaged, each of the first and second light guides having an input window at one end thereof for receiving light from a light source and an end face at an opposite end thereof, wherein the input window of the first light guide is disposed proximate to the end face of the second light guide.

Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a receiving container including a bottom plate having a lower face and an upper face opposite the lower face, a sidewall part protruding from edge portions of the bottom plate, and a plurality of light property controlling parts disposed on the upper face and having a substantially wedge shaped cross-section. The backlight further includes a light source disposed between adjacent light property controlling parts, and the light source is received by the receiving container, wherein a distance between a center of the light source and the upper face is substantially equal to a height of at least one of the plurality of light property controlling parts. The backlight assembly may increase the brightness and brightness-uniformity of light.

Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a receiving container, a first side mold, a printed circuit board and a plurality of lamps. The first side mold is on the side of the receiving container. The printed circuit board is combined with the first side mold, the printed circuit board including a plurality of conductive clips and a power supply line assembly for transmitting a lamp driving electric power. The lamps are combined with the conductive clips to generate light based on the lamp driving electric power. The power supply line assembly includes a first conductive line electrically connected to a subgroup of conductive clips and a second conductive line electrically connected to the other conductive clips. The first and second conductive lines are supplied with the lamp driving electric powers that have reverse phases to each other. Therefore, noise is decreased according to its waterfall curve to improve an image display quality.

Abstract: An edge light display unit includes light generating sources, a substrate mounting the light generating sources, a lens, a diffusion plate expanding light input in a side surface of the diffusion plate as to irradiate a front surface of the diffusion plate, and a heat sink thermally contacted with the substrate. A base portion of the heat sink has a substrate mounting surface and a fin constituting surface substantially perpendicular to the substrate mounting surface. At least one fin extends from the fin constituting surface in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto and along the plurality of light generating sources in a direction parallel to substrate. An air supply and exhaust surface of a cooling air are formed in a back surface side of the display unit.

Abstract: An illuminator for a display device is provided on a back side of a display panel, and includes a plurality of rod-shaped light sources each having a length extending in a first direction and having substantially the same length. The plurality of rod-shaped light sources include a plurality of first rod-shaped light sources arranged so as to be substantially parallel and spaced from one another in a second direction that is generally perpendicular to the first direction, and a plurality of second rod-shaped light sources arranged to be substantially parallel and spaced from one another in the second direction, each second rod-shaped light source being arranged to be collinear with and spaced in the first direction from a corresponding one of the plurality of first rod-shaped light sources.

Abstract: A backlight unit including: a light source that irradiates light; and a diffusing plate that diffuses the light irradiated from the light source, wherein the diffusing plate is provided with a first microlens of ellipsoid form, and a second microlens of ellipsoid form disposed in such a manner that long axes of the first microlens and the second microlens are approximately perpendicular to each other, and a long axis direction of the first microlens and a long axis direction of the light source are arranged approximately parallel to each other, and a long axis direction of the second microlens and the long axis direction of the light source are arranged approximately perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: A light source structure of a backlight module includes a casing, a heat sink, a plurality of light source generators, a first reflecting element and a second reflecting element. If a light emitting component of the light source generator is lit, a spot light source of the light emitting component is passed through an optical lens in a light pipe and converted into a linear light source to be projected onto an oblique surface of the first reflecting element. The oblique surface converts the linear light source into a planar light source to be projected from an opening of a casing to an oblique surface of the second reflecting element. The oblique surface of the second reflecting element guides the planar light source into the light guide plate, such that the light in the light guide plate is diffused uniformly to provide sufficient brightness to the light guide plate.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a liquid crystal display panel and an illuminator disposed at the back of the panel for emitting at least two illumination lights having directivities in different directions toward the panel. The illuminator includes a light guide plate made of transparent material whose one end surface serves as a light entrance end surface, whose one plate surface serves as a light exit surface, and whose other plate surface serves as a light direction changing surface for changing the advancing direction of light entering from the light entrance end surface. The light direction changing surface has a plurality of circular-arcing slanted surfaces shaped into semicircles formed on concentric circles centered at the center of the longer dimension of the light entrance end surface. Light emitting elements are disposed on the light entrance end surface at two positions on left and right sides of the center equidistantly apart therefrom.

Abstract: An illumination system for use in illuminating a spatial light modulator for a head up display system. The illumination system includes a high power light emitting diode (LED) array assembly; and, a Fresnel lens array operatively associated with the LED array assembly for receiving light produced by the LED and providing a nearly collimated light output for use by the spatial light modulator. Utilization of the ultra bright LED array and Fresnel lens array provides the capability of the illumination source to be made very thin, light weight, and efficient. The Fresnel lens array, which converges the light to be nearly collimated, enhances the harvest of the available flux thus increasing the system efficiency and providing a system that gives the illusion of having an image at infinity. Additional components such as holographic elements, optical compensation films, and brightness enhancement films can be used to tailor the light if required.

Abstract: A plane source of light (back light) of the type of emitting light from both surfaces featuring a good light utilization efficiency and without permitting the external light to transmit through a display device even when it is combined with display panels of the transmission type. Light is introduced from a point source of light into a light guide plate. Many deflecting patterns of a triangular shape in cross section are formed in a recessed manner in a surface (pattern surface) on the side opposite to a light-leaving surface of the light guide plate. A prism sheet forming a plurality of arcuate prisms is arranged on a position facing the pattern surface of the light guide plate. Light propagating through the light guide plate is totally reflected by the deflecting pattern and goes out from the light-leaving surface nearly perpendicularly thereto.

Abstract: A light diffusion film 1 according to the present invention comprises a transparent substrate 11 and a light-diffusing layer 15 provided on the transparent substrate 11, and the light-diffusing layer 15 comprises an ionizing radiation curing resin and an ultraviolet light absorber and has, on its surface, fine irregularities 17 that have a function of diffusing light. The ultraviolet light absorber is one, or two or more compounds selected from benzotriazole ultraviolet light absorbers, salicylate ultraviolet light absorbers, and benzophenone ultraviolet light absorbers. The light-diffusing layer 15 does not contain any filler having a function of diffusing light but has, on its surface, fine irregularities 17 made by DPS (Drum Printing System).

Abstract: A modulated lighting device is applied to provide modulated illumination toward a selected region. The device comprises a light box shell, a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), and a plurality of modulation assemblies. The light box shell comprises at least one illumination opening, the LEDs are arranged within the shell for providing a plurality of injection light beams, and the modulation assemblies are arranged in a preset array and pivotally connected with the light box shell neighboring to the illumination opening. Each modulation assembly comprises at least one reflection element to reflect the injection light beams for generating at least one illumination light beam. Thereafter, the illuminating light beams generated from the modulation assemblies pass through the illumination opening, and each of the illuminating light beams is modulated with the neighbor illuminating light beams to provide modulated illuminating toward the selected region.

Abstract: A backlight module includes a rear plate, at least one light source disposed on the rear plate, at least two support elements respectively disposed on two opposite sides of the rear plate, and at least one optical film disposed above the light source. The optical film includes at least two fixing holes respectively corresponding to the support elements. The support elements respectively engage with the fixing holes to tension the optical film with at least one pair of tensile forces oriented in opposite directions.

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.

Abstract: A method of producing an edge-light type light guide plate having a light exiting surface and a light reflecting surface having light reflective dots formed thereon in a scattered fashion. The method includes (a) producing a first prototype of the light guide plate having primary dots formed on the light reflecting surface, (b) examining optical characteristics of the first prototype relating to light exiting from the light exiting surface thereof, and (c) producing a second prototype of the lightguide plate when the examined first prototype exhibits unsatisfactory optical characteristics. The second prototype has primary dots that are the same as the primary dots of the first prototype in size and distribution, and secondary dots arranged between the primary dots in at least part of the light reflecting surface. The steps (b) and (c) are repeated until a prototype is produced which exhibits satisfactory optical characteristics.

Abstract: Area light source 10 used for LCD device 1 includes light guide 12 and LED devices 18 and 19 disposed at a side portion of light guide 12. A light receiving portion at a side edge portion of light guide 12 is provided with prisms 24 and 25 of saw-tooth prism group 22. Apex angles of prisms 24 and 25 are set to be more acute up to the middle point of prisms 24 and 25 as prisms 24 and 25 are farther from LED devices 18 and 19, respectively.

Abstract: A noise reduction device for use in a backlight module includes a plurality of noise reduction devices, each comprising a main body and an extension portion. The extension portion is adapted to cushion the interface between a lamp holder and a back bezel of the backlight module, so as to reduce pop noises generated by contact during temperature changes.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display assembly includes a liquid crystal display, and a surface light source device that illuminates the liquid crystal display from a back surface. The surface light source device includes a housing including a bottom plate, a light source that is arranged on the bottom plate and illuminates the liquid crystal display, and a plurality of radiator fins arranged at a spacing from each other. Each of the radiator fins includes a first fin portion formed by bending a part of the bottom plate in a direction away from the liquid crystal display, the first fin portion extending substantially perpendicularly to the bottom plate, and a second fin portion formed by bending a part of the first fin portion in a direction away from the liquid crystal display, the second fin portion extending substantially parallel to the bottom plate.

Abstract: A signage device comprising one or more light sources, a waveguide or arrangement of waveguides and photoluminescent features coupled thereto. In one embodiment, a waveguide is adapted to receive light of a first wavelength and the photoluminescent features are adapted to emit light of a second wavelength in response to receiving light of the first wavelength.

Abstract: An illuminated sign includes a housing and/or a frame, a plate of a light-transmitting material and at least one three-dimensional body, likewise of a light-transmitting material such as a convex strip, in the form of figure, a sign, a decoration or the like, and a light source, which is mounted on the housing and/or the frame. The illuminated sign further includes one or more light guides for coupling light from the light source into the three-dimensional body or bodies. The light guide(s) make(s) it possible to capture light from, for example, one centrally disposed TL tube and couple said light into at least one three-dimensional body, so that an effective lighting of said body is obtained.

Abstract: A proposed backlight is suitable for a large size liquid crystal display. A backlight 2 for illuminating a liquid crystal panel 3 from the rear, is formed by combining a plurality of backlight units 10, 10, . . . By providing a transparent acrylic board 4 between the backlight 2 and the liquid crystal panel 3, it becomes possible to prevent brightness unevenness from occurring at a junction section of the backlight units 10, 10, . . . , even when the backlight is formed by combining the plurality of the backlight units 10, 10, . . . .

Abstract: A plurality of LEDs are arrayed in a single row between the opposing end faces of a pair of first and second light guide plates that are disposed so that the end faces thereof face each other. A reflective sheet is disposed on the lower surfaces of the pair of first and second light guide plates, and a separation plate is disposed so as to cover the upper surfaces of the first and second light guide plates and the gap therebetween. A reflecting body for guiding light emitted upward from the LEDs to the first and second light guide plates is disposed in the area immediately above the LEDs on the lower surface of the separation plate. A diffusion plate is disposed with a fixed gap above the separation plate, and a hollow area is formed between the diffusion plate and the separation plate.

Abstract: An edge type backlight module includes a diffusion plate, at least a lamp-fixing unit, at least a light source and a reflective plate. The lamp-fixing unit is disposed under one edge of the diffusion plate. The lamp-fixing unit includes an inner surface facing the inner area underneath the diffusion plate, an outer surface opposite to the inner surface, and a plurality of fin structures defined on the outer surface. The light source is fixed on the inner surface of the lamp-fixing unit. The reflective plate is disposed adjacent the lamp-fixing unit and under the diffusion plate, facing the light source. Light rays emitted from the light source being uniformly reflected toward the diffusion plate by the reflective plate. The present backlight module has a thin body and also has a good heat dissipation capability.

Abstract: A self-supporting roof lighting system that accepts low elevation light and rejects high elevation light may be produced by making arrays of parallel laser cuts through, or partly through, a flat sheet of transparent acrylic, cutting the segment containing the arrays from the sheet, positioning the segment over linear heating elements to soften the acrylic along the lines between adjoining laser cut arrays, folding the segment along the softened lines through the angle necessary to form a multi-faceted structure of saddle, pyramid or higher order form and allowing this structure to cool and solidify to produce a self-supporting angle-selective roof lighting system with an array of light redirecting laser cuts on each facet.

Abstract: A lighting device is disclosed comprising a plurality of semiconductor light sources disposed on a carrier, wherein the light from the light sources is coupled into assigned lightguides at a set angle to the surface normals of the carrier and the lightguides are provided with reflecting and light exit faces such that the envelope of the light outcoupling faces forms a curved surface segment.

Abstract: A backlight module includes at least a light source generator, a housing, at least a thermal detector, and an inverter. The thermal detector is disposed in the housing for measuring the temperature within the housing when the light source generator is operating, and the inverter is electrically connected to the thermal detector and the light source generator for adjusting the electrical current of the light source generator according to the temperature measured by the thermal detector.

Abstract: A back-light driving circuit controlling red (R), green (G), and blue (B) back lights providing light to a liquid crystal panel in a field sequential liquid crystal display. The back-light driving circuit includes a driving voltage generator that provides a driving voltage to each of the R, G, and B back-lights to cause them to emit light having a predetermined luminance. The back-light driving circuit also includes a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generator for providing a PWM signal to each of the R, G, and B back-lights to control the chromaticity of the light emitted from each back-light. The driving voltages and/or PWM signals provided to each of the R, G, and B back-lights are catered to the particular characteristics of the corresponding back-light to cause them to emit color having a desired luminance and/or chromaticity.

Abstract: A surface light source device has a light-conductor plate operable to conduct light inside and allows the light to exit at a light-exit surface to outside, a light source that is small compared to a width of the light-conductor plate, having a first surface arranged opposite to a light incident surface of the light-conductor plate, and a second surface opposite the first surface, and a fixture having fit pieces engaged on fit areas formed on the light conductor plate, an abutment piece urged to a push area formed on the second surface of the light source, and clamp pieces urged to clamp steps formed on the light source. The abutment piece urges the push area to the light incident surface by an elastic reactive force generated by elastic deformation of the fixture between the fixture and the abutment piece.

Abstract: Light emitting assemblies include a light emitting panel member having at least one light source positioned, embedded, potted, bonded or otherwise mounted in a shaped slot, cavity, recess, opening or hole in the panel member. Deformities on at least one surface of the panel member may vary to cause light to be emitted from the panel member. At least one angled, faceted or curved reflective or refractive surface in close proximity to the light source redirects some of the light to fit a particular application.

Abstract: A directly illuminated display unit has a display panel and one or more light sources disposed behind the display panel. A diffuser is disposed between the one or more light sources and the display panel, and a light diverting layer is disposed between the one or more light sources and the diffuser. The light diverting layer has a first light-diverting surface facing the one or more light sources and a second light diverting surface facing the display panel. The light diverting layer diverts light passing from the one or more light sources to the diffuser, thus improving the uniformity of the light in the display unit.

Abstract: The display panel (21) comprises a light guide (2), a second plate (4) and a movable element (3) between both plates for locally decoupling light out of the light guide (2). Voltages, applied to electrodes (5,6 resp. 25), associated with the light guide (2), the second plate (4) and the movable element (3), locally bring the movable element (3) into 5 contact with the light guide plate (2) or the second plate (4). If, between the light guide (2) and the first electrodes (5) a layer (51) is present with a second refractive index being smaller than the first refractive index of the light guide (2), and the light guide (2) is positioned between the first electrodes (5) and the movable element (3), absorption of the light transported through the light guide plate (2) is reduced, providing a display panel (21) with 10 improved power efficiency.

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: A system for providing a backlight module has a light guide plate and at least a light source set positioned adjacent to the incident surface. The light source set contains a plurality of light sources stacking along a direction parallel with the incident surface of the light guide plate.

Abstract: At the light emission surface of a light-guiding plate, first and second grooves and second grooves are formed. Each of the first grooves has a pair of slope parts, and each slope part has an easy slope and a steep slope. The second grooves intersect the first grooves at predetermined angles. Each of the second grooves has a pair of slope parts, and each slope part has an easy slope and a steep slope. With the first grooves and the second grooves intersecting each other, at the light emission surface, a plurality of minute prisms are formed in flat quadrangular pyramid shapes to be dented toward the surface opposite to the light emission surface of the light-guiding plate.

Abstract: An interactive display that uses a planar radiation guide (such as a planar light guide) to perform display and/or imaging. The planar radiation guide has a radiation propagation portion and a radiation interface portion. The radiation propagation portion propagates the radiation by the principles of total internal reflection (with perhaps some minor leakage). The planar radiation guide also has a radiation interface portion where radiation is more apt to exit or enter the planar radiation guide. The interactive display performs both display and imaging, while the planar radiation guide is used to perform at least one (but perhaps both) of the display and imaging operations.