Particular Application Patents (Class 362/602)
  • Patent number: 8714801
    Abstract: An input device with multiple layers of luminous patterns is provided. The input device includes an input interface, a first light-emitting element, a second light-emitting element, and a light guide plate. The light guide plate includes an upper light-guiding layer, a lower light-guiding layer, and a gap. The upper light-guiding layer and the lower light-guiding layer are separated from each other by the gap. The light guide plate has multiple layers of luminous patterns, which are selectively visible. Consequently, the overall thickness of the input device is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Yuan Chen
  • Patent number: 8708538
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a plurality of light sources, and a light guide plate configured to emit light to the front side of the lamp from a second surface facing a first surface by internally reflecting light, which is emitted from the respective light sources, by a plurality of reflective elements formed on the first surface after causing the light to enter the light guide plate from a rear end face of the light guide plate. The light guide plate is curved to the first surface and gradually becomes thinner toward the front side. The reflective elements are disposed at a predetermined interval in a longitudinal direction and extend in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Natsume, Hiroya Koizumi
  • Patent number: 8702296
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display panel which receives a light and displays an image, a bottom chassis which accommodates the display panel, and a top chassis which faces the bottom chassis with the display panel therebetween. The top chassis overlaps a portion of the display panel and includes a first thru-hole which extends through a thickness of a side portion thereof. The display apparatus includes a printed circuit board and a coupling member. The printed circuit board applies an electrical signal to the display panel, is under the side portion, and includes a second thru-hole which corresponds to the first thru-hole. The coupling member extends through the first thru-hole and the second thru-hole, and couples the top chassis and the printed circuit board to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang-Wook Choi, YongWoo Lee, Joo Woan Cho, Seongsik Choi
  • Patent number: 8690407
    Abstract: An illumination unit includes an LED and a tabular light guide plate having a light emitting surface for emitting light from the LED as planar light, wherein a recessed portion is formed in the opposite surface of the tight emitting surface of the light guide plate, and wherein the LED is provided in the recessed portion so that the optical axis of the LED becomes parallel to the light emitting surface of the light guide plate. Further, a plurality of LEDs are arranged along the longer direction of the recessed portion, a dimming pattern is provided at a location corresponding to each of a plurality of LED of the light emitting surface of the light guide plate, and the shape or the size of the dimming pattern is varied with a location on the light emitting surface of the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Consumer Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Shiraishi, Masayuki Tanabe, Mika Tanimura, Shoji Yamamoto, Kenji Takano, Yoshifumi Shimane, Yasuaki Ohara, Reiji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8690410
    Abstract: Methods and aparatuses disclosed herein relate to backlit visual display elements. A visual display element may include a base layer defining one or more microperforations and a light guide coupled to a light source. The light guide may be positioned adjacent the base layer and include one or more microlenses in alignment with the one or more microperforations along at least one vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Gregory L. Tice
  • Publication number: 20140092624
    Abstract: An operation device includes a cover and a substrate on which a plurality of electrodes which detects a capacitance and which is provided corresponding to each of a plurality of touch switches is mounted. The operation device includes a laminated structure in which at least an elastic sheet that is self-tacking and closely contacts a plurality of electrodes is inserted between the cover and the substrate. At least one through hole is formed at a location on the substrate facing the elastic sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhito Tsubakimoto, Hiroshi Ogushi, Noboru Shimoyama, Yasushi Ishida
  • Patent number: 8684579
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a display module, a base and a keyboard module. The display module is pivoted on the base. The keyboard module is disposed on the base. The keyboard module has a plurality of keys. Each of the keys includes a main body and an imprinted structure. The main body has a top surface. The imprinted structure is disposed on the top surface of the main body and includes a light guiding portion and a light scattering portion. A light emitted by the display module illuminates the keyboard module. The light is guided towards a specific direction when the light passes through the light guiding portion, and the light is scattered in other directions when the light passes through the light scattering portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Compal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Wan-Li Chuang, Chien-Min Chang, Li-Jung Yu, Mei-Hsiung Tsai, Yung-Ching Chang, Ju-Chen Chiu
  • Patent number: 8657477
    Abstract: An illumination unit includes LEDs and a tabular light guide plate having a light emitting surface for emitting light from the LEDs as planar light, wherein a recessed portion is formed in the opposite surface of the light emitting surface of the light guide plate, and the LED is provided in the recessed portion so that the optical axis of the LED becomes parallel to the light emitting surface of the light guide plate. Here, a dimming pattern is provided at a location corresponding to the LED of the light emitting surface of the light guide plate, and furthermore a first light guide pattern is provided on the light emitting surface of the light guide plate and a second light guide pattern is provided on a rear surface that is a reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Consumer Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Shiraishi, Masayuki Tanabe, Mika Tanimura, Shoji Yamamoto, Kenji Takano, Yoshifumi Shimane, Yasuaki Ohara, Reiji Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20140049980
    Abstract: The invention relates to a solid state lighting strip (100) for mounting in or on a panel support element (210) of a modular panel system (200). The strip comprises a plurality of solid state lighting elements (110, 110?), a light extraction layer (120) and a glare reducing layer (130). The solid state lighting elements are arranged such that the light emitted by said elements is coupled into the glare reducing layer via the light extraction layer. The solid state lighting strip (100) can be used as part of alighting system, a panel support element (210) and a modular panel system (200).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Fetze Pijlman, Wilhelmus Petrus Adrianus Johannus Michiels, Cornelis Gerardus Maria de Haas, Menno Van Baardwijk, Jochen Renaat Van Gheluwe, Siebe Tjerk De Zwart, Theodorus Johannes Petrus Van Den Biggel, Michel Cornelis Josephus Marie Vissenberg, Maarten Marinus Johannes Wilhelmus Van Herpen
  • Publication number: 20140049727
    Abstract: Electronic device backlight structures may be used to provide backlight for a display. The backlight structures may include a light source such as an array of light-emitting diodes. Light from the light source may be coupled into an edge of a light guide plate. The light guide plate may distribute the light laterally across the display. The light guide plate and other display structures may be mounted in an electronic device housing such as a metal housing having metal housing walls. A gap may separate an edge of the light guide plate from the metal housing walls. Mismatch between the coefficients of thermal expansion of the housing and the light guide plate may be minimized to minimize the size of the gap. The light guide plate may be formed from a layer of glass with printed light-scattering structures or from polymer with a filler and molded or printed light-scattering structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventors: Jun Qi, Victor H. Yin, Wei Chen, Dinesh C. Mathew, Bryan W. Posner, Adam T. Garelli
  • Patent number: 8654081
    Abstract: A mobile terminal is disclosed, by which the feel of manipulation of a mobile terminal keypad is enhanced and by which brightness deviation of keypad illumination is minimized. The present invention includes at least one or more light sources, a keypad having a plurality of manipulating buttons, each having a button protrusion provided to a bottom of the corresponding manipulating button, a light guide film configured to have light provided by the at least one light source enter a lateral side thereof, the light guide film having a plurality of insertion holes configured to have the button protrusions pass through, respectively, and a printed circuit board having a dome switch pressurized by the button protrusion of the keypad and an electrode part selectively coming contact with the dome switch, wherein a width of at least one of the insertion holes provided to the light guide film is different from a length thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Yun Taek Jung
  • Patent number: 8646961
    Abstract: A directional prism reflective plate includes a prism surface (11) and a smoothing plane (12). A plurality of prism bodies (111) are arranged on the prism surface (11). The prism bodies (111) are continuously arranged in continuous zigzag form, and symmetrically or asymmetrically arranged relative to the center plane. Respective cross-section triangles of the prism bodies (111) have same shape and area, the distances from the vertexes of the cross-section triangle to the smoothing plane (12) are gradually reduced, so as to reflect the sunlight entirely. It is also provide a planar lamp and a planar lamp fixture including the reflective plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventor: Dingguo Pan
  • Patent number: 8646962
    Abstract: Provided is a light guide plate that is suited for a compact illumination device emitting high-grade light and that allows the orientation thereof to be recognized with ease, an illumination device equipped with the light guide plate, and a display device equipped with the illumination device. Two protrusions (12A, 12B) are formed on a light-receiving face (11r) of a light guide plate (11), and these protrusions (12A, 12B) serve as a recognition member that allows the orientation of a top surface (11u) of the light guide plate (11) to be recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroaki Isobe
  • Publication number: 20140029293
    Abstract: An LCD shower includes a body part with waterway, an information acquisition module, a transparent or semitransparent display module, a CPU connected to the information acquisition module and the display module and a power module to supply power to the information acquisition module, the display module and the CPU; the body part is disposed with a through hole, the display module is assembled in the through hole, wherein the display module includes a LCD screen, a first light guiding panel and a second light guiding panel, the LCD screen is sealed and disposed between the first light guiding panel and the second light guiding panel. User can see the display information of the LCD screen from one side of the first light guiding panel or the second light guiding panel; at the same time, as the display module is transparent or semi-transparent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicants: XIAMEN SOLEX HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Huasong ZHOU, XIAMEN SOLEX HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20140003085
    Abstract: The asymmetric prism structure contains multiple asymmetric prisms arranged in parallel where each asymmetric prism has a first slant face, a second slant face, and a bottom face, connected end-to-end together. The first slant face directs light beams propagating perpendicular to the prism direction to a lateral side, and the second slant face directs light beams propagating perpendicular to the prism direction to the other lateral side. The present invention further provides a light guide plate, a backlight module, and a related application utilizing the asymmetric prism structure. When vertical asymmetry is present in the timing sequences for the backlight scanning and the signal to the LCD panel, the asymmetric prism structure can reduce the cross-talk near a side from the error signal, thereby enhancing the video quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Kuangyao Chang
  • Patent number: 8616748
    Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments regarding systems and methods for providing a lightweight and durable portable computing device having a thin profile. The portable computing device can take the form of a laptop computer. The laptop computer can include a uni-body top case having an integrated support system formed therein, the integrated support system providing structural support that distributes applied loads through the top case preventing warping and bowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett W. Degner, Christiaan A. Ligtenberg, Ron A. Hopkinson, Bartley K. Andre, Jeremy Bataillou, Jay S Nigen, Matthew S. Theobald, Matthew P. Casebolt, Charles A. Schwalbach, Brandon S. Smith, William F. Leggett
  • Patent number: 8613539
    Abstract: A computer bezel includes a bezel body, a light-guide structure mounted to the bezel body, and two light sources mounted on the bezel body. The light-guide structure includes a guiding portion and a lighting portion extending from the guiding portion. The lighting portion defines an outer surface to be exposed out of the bezel body. The guiding portion includes a bottom surface and two side surfaces. The bottom surface is connected between the two side surfaces. The guiding portion defines two cutouts recessed along the bottom surface. The two cutouts are located in the guiding portion symmetrically. Each light source corresponds to one of the two side surfaces. The guiding portion is configured to guide a plurality of light beams emitted from the two light sources to the lighting portion to enable the plurality of light beams to be refracted from the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fu-Kuo Huang
  • Patent number: 8608361
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (“3D”) image display device includes a backlight unit. The backlight unit includes a light guide part including a plurality of light guide units. Each of the light guide units includes a light guide plate including a light emission surface through which supplied light is emitted, a bottom surface which faces the light emission surface, and side surfaces which connect the light emission surface to the bottom surface, a plurality of light sources which emit light toward at least one of the side surfaces, and a band pass filter between the side surface to which the light is emitted and the light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: JoongHyun Kim, Jinsung Choi, Byoung Dae Ye, Taeho Lee, Yongkyu Kang, Sangwon Lee
  • Publication number: 20130329451
    Abstract: A surgical light includes a light guide plate and a plurality of LEDs. The light guide plate has a light incident surface, a reflecting surface and a light exit surface. The reflecting surface defines an optical axis passing through the center of the light guide plate. A plurality of reflecting structures are formed on the reflecting surface, and are distributed symmetrically about the optical axis. The light emitted by the plurality of LEDs enters the light guide plate in the same direction, is then reflected by the reflecting structures, and exits from the light exit surface. The exited light defines a plurality of focal points, which are spaced apart from the conducting plate at different distances and cooperatively define a predetermined depth of focus so that an object within the depth of focus can receive adequate luminous intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Falcon Lin, Cheng-Yi Huang, Sung-Min Lin
  • Publication number: 20130329449
    Abstract: A low profile illuminated ATM surround is provided. The surround is used with ATMs which are mounted through a wall. The surround is attached to the wall, providing a broad illuminated advertising area around the ATM while maintaining a very low profile, allowing the surround to be used in locations where minimal space is available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Mark Harling, David Jay Black, Alfred Douglas Welch, Porfirio Andrades
  • Publication number: 20130329450
    Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments regarding systems and methods for providing a lightweight and durable portable computing device having a thin profile. The portable computing device can take the form of a laptop computer. The laptop computer can include a uni-body top case having an integrated support system formed therein, the integrated support system providing structural support that distributes applied loads through the top case preventing warping and bowing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brett W. DEGNER, Christiaan A. LIGTENBERG, Ron A. HOPKINSON, Bartley K. ANDRE, Jeremy BATAILLOU, Jay S. NIGEN, Matthew S. THEOBALD, Matthew P. CASEBOLT, Charles A. SCHWALBACH, Brandon S. SMITH, William F. LEGGETT
  • Patent number: 8602623
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed, which includes a housing, a touch pad structure, and a light-guiding structure. The light-guiding structure includes a light-guiding plate and a plurality of light-emitting units. The light-guiding plate has a main body and a thru-opening formed on the main body. The main body has a pair of opposing first edge portions and a pair of opposing second edge portions. A light-guiding member is formed on the main body around the thru-opening. The light-emitting units are disposed on or beyond the light-guiding pate and around the light-guiding member and illuminate toward the first and second edge portions. The touch pad structure is received in the thru-opening and surrounded by the light-guiding member. The touch pad structure and the light-guiding member are exposed through a slot of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignees: Lite-On Electronics (Guangzhou) Limited, Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Hui-Ling Lin, Chih-Wei Wang, Shih-Chung Lo
  • Publication number: 20130321496
    Abstract: An edge-lit backlight assembly is provided for backlighting a display. The backlight assembly may include: a light guide having a first segment and a second segment disposed within a common plane; a first light emitting diode disposed along an edge of the first segment of the light guide such that light emitted from the first light emitting diode propagates through the first segment; and a second light emitting diode disposed along an edge of the second segment of the light guide such that light emitted from the second light emitting diode propagates through the second segment. The first segment of the light guide is at least partially optically isolated from the second segment such that light emitted from the first light emitting diode is at least partially blocked from propagating through the second segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Andrew D. Weller, John A. VanderPloeg, Ethan J. Lee
  • Publication number: 20130322110
    Abstract: A lighted floor system has been invented to facilitate quick temporary installation, and ease of removal whereby the floor is particularly suitable for highly durable applications. A durable and inexpensive modular system permits these devices to be used as flooring for high-performance lighted stage is suitable for use in concerts and other performing art expositions. In particular, these lighted floor systems presented herein are formed of a ‘repeat unit’ element which may be affixed to similar or identical units in a paving scheme to cover a large area floor space. Each repeat unit includes one or more light panels to provide highly dynamic color light outputs of high uniformity with respect to the illumination fields. These panels include a construction suitable for high durability—i.e. they support being walked on; highly portable they support quick installation—uninstallation; and are quite inexpensive due to their unique construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Jose Cantu, Alfredo Gomez
  • Publication number: 20130314941
    Abstract: A time sequence energy saving color splitting system includes at least one light source provided on a surface of the guide module and composed of multiple light illuminating elements capable of illuminating light beams with different wavelengths and arranged in array, the at least one light source being able to illuminate light beams with specific wavelengths in two time sequences and entering the guide module and a color splitting module provided on the guide module, comprised of a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is a collar structure per unit cycle and the second surface is a non-spherical structure per unit cycle, the non-spherical structure per unit cycle corresponds to the collar structure every two unit cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: FENG CHIA UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Chi-Hung Lee
  • Patent number: 8591089
    Abstract: Described is an illumination structure suitable for a keyboard light of a portable computer. An example illumination structure includes a transparent acrylic board, a light source, and a light guide. The acrylic board may have a front surface and a rear surface, each of which is flat. The light source is provided at a tilt angle q at which an optical axis is almost at a critical angle with respect to the rear surface of the acrylic board. The light guide is located between the light source and the rear surface. Further, light rays radiated from the light source are refracted by the light guide and the optically-transparent panel, and travel towards the front surface, so as to illuminate the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Gang Ji, Moriyuki Tsuchihashi, Hidenori Kinoshita, Hiroyuki Noguchi, Fumitake Mizoguchi
  • Publication number: 20130307420
    Abstract: A luminaire is provided that is configured as a window having a light guide with one or more light sources coupled to one or more edges of the light guide. Light emitted from the light guide can be used e.g., to supplement natural light passing through the window or to provide illumination when natural light is not available. Because the light source (or light sources) is incorporated into the window along one or more edges of the light guide, the light source can be either partially or totally concealed from view so as to create an appearance that can have aesthetic advantages. For example, exemplary embodiments of the present invention can have an appearance that is the same or similar to a conventional window/skylight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Benjamin Lee YODER, Thomas Alexander Knapp
  • Patent number: 8585264
    Abstract: The cup receptacle has an annular outer wall configured to receive a cup and a light source operably attached to the cup receptacle. The outer wall of the cup receptacle is constructed of a light transmitting material that is uniformly illuminated by light emitted from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Ignition Company
    Inventor: Brent H. Robbins
  • Patent number: 8585271
    Abstract: A door sill lighting for a motor vehicle is described. The door sill lighting comprises an outer sill trim having a plurality of seamlessly interconnected layers. A partial region of an outer layer is transparent and cooperates with at least one light source. The partial region of the outer layer comprises edge sides and an optical fiber layer. The optical fiber layer has distributed light-scattering nanoparticles in its volume. Light from the light source can be coupled into an edge side of the optical fiber layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Dino Demma
  • Patent number: 8585270
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicular lamp with a light guide that extends along a curve which becomes a convexed shape forwardly. A first area of the light guide positioned on an inner peripheral side of the curve is configured by a plane that extends in a direction inclined toward a left end surface side with respect to a second area other than first area. As a result, light which is incident on the light guide from the first area to which light from an LED is emitted is largely refracted forwardly to prevent the light from directly reaching a reflection element positioned in the vicinity of the right end surface. In addition, point light is prevented from being generated as the light totally reflected by the reflection element is extremely brighter than the light that is totally reflected by another reflection element as in the related art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Asami Nakada
  • Patent number: 8579488
    Abstract: A computer bezel includes a bezel body, a light-guide structure, and a light source. The light-guide structure includes a guiding portion and a lighting portion. The lighting portion defines an outer surface exposed out of the bezel body. The guiding portion includes a first bottom surface and a first end surface. The lighting portion includes an end portion. The end portion defines a first distal surface. The lighting portion defines a second distal surface, a second bottom surface connected between the first distal surface and the second distal surface, a third distal surface, and a connecting surface connected between the third distal surface and the second distal surface. The guiding portion is configured to guide a plurality of light beams emitted from the light source to the lighting portion to enable the light beams to be refracted from the outer surface so as to be visible to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fu-Kuo Huang
  • Publication number: 20130286677
    Abstract: A display device and a backlight module thereof are provided. The display device comprises a backlight module and a panel. The backlight module includes a bottom frame, a light guide, an optical film structure and a top frame. The light guide is disposed above the bottom frame. The optical film structure is disposed above the light guide. The top frame covers a periphery of the optical film structure and covers a lateral side of the bottom frame. The panel is disposed above the top frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicants: CHIMEI INNOLUX CORPORATION, INNOCOM TECHNOLOGY(SHENZHEN)CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Adjo Poorter, Jozef Martha Johanna Notermans
  • Publication number: 20130286678
    Abstract: A display device includes: a first light source which emits light; a second light source which emits light; a display panel which displays an image; a first light guide plate and a second light guide plate which guide, to the display panel, the light from the first light source and the light from the second light source, respectively; and a control unit which causes one of the first light source and the second light source to emit the light. A first divergence angle obtained when the light from the first light source enters the first light guide plate is larger than a second divergence angle obtained when the light from the second light source enters the second light guide plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Keiji Sugiyama, Shinichi Shikii
  • Publication number: 20130278846
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing illumination in, for example, a display device. One or more light emitters can emit light into a light guide plate that is configured to distribute the light across an array of display elements. A substantially etendue-preserving reflector between the light emitters and the light guide can at least partially collimate light propagating in a single plane of collimation. In some implementations, a lenticular film, or other optical elements, can be used to increase divergence of the light in a plane orthogonal to the plane of collimation. The light guide can include light extraction elements, which can be frusta-shaped features for turning light out of the light guide for illuminating the display. In some implementations, a flexible electrical interconnection circuit can be used to provide power and/or signals to the light emitters, thereby providing a flexible circuit illumination system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Holman, Matthew B. Sampsell
  • Publication number: 20130279190
    Abstract: An illumination assembly is adapted to illuminate a display module that is visible by reflecting environmental lights. The illumination assembly includes a substrate, a visual-light source, and a light guide. The substrate includes a top surface. The visual-light source is disposed on the top surface and is provided for emitting a visual light. The light guide is disposed corresponding to the top surface of the substrate. The light guide includes a light-incidence surface and a light-emergence surface. The visual light enters the light guide through the light-incidence surface and is reflected at least once. The visual light then exits the light guide through the light-emergence surface and travels along a light-emergence direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Sheng-Shan HUANG
  • Publication number: 20130278448
    Abstract: An illuminated keyboard includes a first housing and a second housing having a slot, and between the first housing and the second housing, an illumination module, a circuit board, a shield member and a plurality of keys are disposed therein in sequence. The illumination module includes a cover and a luminescence unit, light generated by the luminescence unit is transmitted into a trough of the cover and then travels from a light incident surface to a light emitting surface of the cover. The keys respectively are inserted in a plurality of openings of the shield member, and the light from the light emitting surface projected on the keys through the circuit board and the openings of the shield member and then pass through the slot of the second housing. This prevents brightness non-uniformity of keys and light leakage between adjacent keys of the keyboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Shu I Chen
  • Patent number: 8556439
    Abstract: A household appliance including an information light device that allows a user of the household appliance to determine when the household device is in operation, and a method thereof. The information light device may include a light guide structured to indicate an operating status of the household appliance. The light guide may be disposed at a lower portion of the household appliance, and embodied as a wave guide where at least part of the light that exits the light guide is guided in a direction that is perpendicular to the light guide and onto a floor where the household appliance is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventors: Lindsay Eng, Michael Georg Rosenbauer, Metin Tastan, Ralf Winkler
  • Publication number: 20130265800
    Abstract: A mobile terminal includes a signal input module for inputting a signal as an opening formed at a case of a terminal body is pressed, and the signal input module includes an input key, a light guiding unit, a key mold, a light emitting unit, a circuit board, a dome switch and an actuator, which are all integrally fixed together and moved by being pressed. The light emitting unit is accommodated in a key mold having an opening for allowing light to be transferred to the light guiding unit. The input key, the light guiding unit, the key mold and the light emitting unit are mounted onto one surface of the circuit board, the circuit board is moved by being pressed, and the dome switch mounted onto another surface of the circuit board is transformed so as to generate a signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Sungjoon Hong, Minkyu Si
  • Publication number: 20130265523
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) and a backlight module thereof are proposed. The backlight module includes a light guide plate (LGP), a first prism sheet, and a second prism sheet. The first prism sheet is disposed on the LGP. The second prism sheet is disposed on the first prism sheet. The first and second prism sheets both include a plurality of prisms. The plurality of prisms of the first prism sheet are perpendicular to a longer side of the LGP. The plurality of prisms of the second prism sheet form an angle with the longer side of the LGP, and the angle measures between 15 and 45 degrees. Since the backlight module and the plurality of prisms of the second prism sheet both form the angle between 15 and 45 degrees with the longer side of the LGP, brightness at a frontal viewing angle is enhanced and a viewing angle becomes wider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO LTD.
    Inventors: Zanjia Su, Kuang-Yao Chang, Hu He
  • Publication number: 20130265799
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a display module, a base and a keyboard module. The display module is pivoted on the base. The keyboard module is disposed on the base. The keyboard module has a plurality of keys. Each of the keys includes a main body and an imprinted structure. The main body has a top surface. The imprinted structure is disposed on the top surface of the main body and includes a light guiding portion and a light scattering portion. A light emitted by the display module illuminates the keyboard module. The light is guided towards a specific direction when the light passes through the light guiding portion, and the light is scattered in other directions when the light passes through the light scattering portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: COMPAL ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Wan-Li Chuang, Chien-Min Chang, Li-Jung Yu, Mei-Hsiung Tsai, Yung-Ching Chang, Ju-Chen Chiu
  • Publication number: 20130258703
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a display device and a backlight module. The backlight module comprises a waveguide, a reflector, a backframe and a shimming device. The reflector arranged behind the waveguide. The backframe carries and supports the waveguide and the reflector. An light inlet edge of the waveguide and the backframe is defined with a gap in which a shimming device is seated within the gap so as to effectively support the waveguide. This arrangement can effectively prevent the warpage or bending of the waveguide in the area of the light inlet area. Stabilizing the efficiency of illumination of the backlight module. As a result, the insufficient of illumination of the waveguide encountered by the prior art is avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: Quan Li
  • Publication number: 20130258701
    Abstract: Light guide techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a housing, a light guide supported by the housing, a light engine disposed within the housing and optically coupled to the light guide, and one or more modules disposed within the housing and implemented at least partially in hardware. The one or more modules are configured to cause the light engine to output a user interface for display using the light guide along an image plane focused at infinity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: William J. Westerinen, Steven John Robbins, Rajeev Badyal, Rod G. Fleck
  • Publication number: 20130258704
    Abstract: An LCD device includes a panel module and a back light module. The back light module includes a light guide plate having a light incident surface; a bezel for receiving the light guide plate, including a bottom plate and side walls surrounding the bottom plate; a reflective sheet disposed between the light guide plate and the bottom plate of the bezel; at least one lighting unit disposed in a position corresponding to the light incident surface; and a fixing unit including at least two fixing members, each fixing member has a base position and a bent portion vertically extending from at least one end of the base position. The top surface and the inner surface of the base position are closely attached to the light guide plate and the outer surface of the bent portion opposite to the inner surface thereof is closely attached to the side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Shih-Hsiang Chen, Gege Zhou
  • Publication number: 20130258702
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display unit which displays an image, a backlight unit which provides the display unit with a light, a receiving container which accommodates the backlight unit, and a supporting frame which is coupled to the receiving container and supports the display unit. The backlight unit includes a light incident area from which the light is emitted. The receiving container includes a guide bar which is adjacent to the light incident area of the backlight unit and coupled to the supporting frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Gyunsoo KIM
  • Patent number: 8545080
    Abstract: In a switch module which is arranged in opposition to a key substrate, the switch module is provided which is able to reduce an amount of light leaking out from the vicinity of an end of a light guiding member in the direction of key parts, so that the key parts can be illuminated in a uniform manner by the light which advances in the interior of the light guiding member. A switch module is provided with a circuit substrate that has a metal dome sheet mounted on a surface thereof which is arranged in opposition to a key substrate, a light guiding sheet that is arranged between the key substrate and the circuit substrate, an LED, and a reflector that makes the light emitted from the LED incident into the light guiding sheet from an end thereof, wherein key parts are able to be illuminated by the switch module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Nippon Mektron, Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Ohrui, Takahisa Akatsuka, Hitoshi Uchida, Kazuki Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8545087
    Abstract: In a light-emitting assembly and a display apparatus having the light-emitting assembly, the light-emitting assembly includes a light guide plate, a first light-emitting module and a second light-emitting module. The light guide plate includes a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface and including a light incident portion and a light exiting portion, and a third surface connecting the first surface with the second surface and inclined toward the first surface. The first light-emitting module is on the light incident portion of the second surface and emits a first light to the light incident portion. The second light-emitting module faces the third surface and emits a second light having a wavelength different from the first light, to the third surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Kwon Kim, Ju-Hwa Ha, Kwang-Hoon Lee, Jeong-Min Seo, Won-Seok Kim
  • Patent number: 8545037
    Abstract: Lightguides, devices incorporating lightguides, and processes for making lightguides are described. A lightguide includes light extractors arranged in a pattern on a surface of the lightguide. The pattern of light extractors is arranged to enhance uniformity of light output across a surface of the lightguide and to provide enhanced defect hiding. The efficiency of the light extractors is controlled by a shape factor. The areal density of the light extractors across the surface of the lightguide may be substantially constant or may decrease along the direction of propagation of light from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: David Adams Ender
  • Patent number: 8545035
    Abstract: The color patterned front light (CPFL) may be implemented by shining light through a side of a CPFL panel that is situated adjacent to and in front of a monochromic reflective display (MRD). The CPFL may direct one of red, green, blue, or white light through a rear surface of the panel and onto each of the pixels in the MRD. The pixels may be grouped in blocks, such as n-by-m or n-by-n blocks of pixels. The pixels in the block may be selectively activated by the MRD to either absorb the light or reflect the light shone on the respective pixel. By adjusting the representation of the pixels in the MRD, the block may appear to change color based on the colored light from the CPFL that is reflected outward from the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Julien G. Beguin, Jano D. Banks, Kari Rinko, Ilya D. Rosenberg
  • Publication number: 20130250607
    Abstract: The present invention provides in one aspect a light device having a light guide. The light guide (20) has at least one major side defining a light extraction side (26). The light device further has at least one fibrous layer (30), typically a non-woven or woven fibrous layer, disposed on the major side of said light guide defining said light extraction side. At the light extraction side, the light device has a plurality of discrete bonding areas (40) at which the at least one fibrous layer is bonded to the major side of said light guide. In a particular aspect, the bonding areas define light extraction elements on the light extraction side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric Schmuck, Hans-Gerd Vollmers, Manfred Bosler, Tilo Remhof
  • Publication number: 20130250606
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a backlight module and a liquid crystal display (LCD). A light out surface of a light guide plate is provided with a plurality of micro structures. Each of the micro structures comprises a first light out surface and a second light out surface which are along the longitude direction and correspondingly been the inclined plane to each other. Besides, along a light in direction, at least one of the first oblique angle and the second oblique angle is changed with the increasing of distance from the light source, so that the lights can be uniformly emitted out through the micro structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gang Yu, Kuojun Fang