Optical Waveguide Patents (Class 362/610)
  • Patent number: 11874546
    Abstract: A display device includes a display panel including a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal layer between a pair of substrates, a transparent substrate disposed on at least one side of the display panel, and a lighting unit configured to project light from the side of the transparent substrate. The lighting unit includes at least one light source, at least one light guide incident with the light emitted from the light source, and a support member having an L-shaped cross section and extending along one side of the display panel to which the at least one light source and the at least one light guide are fixed. The at least one light source and the at least one light guide are disposed on different sides of the support member. The lighting unit is fixed to the transparent substrate or the display panel by the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuki Ichihara, Naoyuki Asano, Motoki Tsuda
  • Patent number: 11867941
    Abstract: A light guide assembly, comprising: a substrate and a light guide disposed on the substrate, wherein the top surface of the body comprises a first protrusion having a first slanting surface and a second slanting surface opposite to the first slanting surface for reflecting lights entering into the body, wherein a first outer surface of the body extends from a first lateral surface to the first slanting surface, wherein a highest point of the first slanting surface is located between the first lateral surface and a second lateral surface opposite to the first lateral surface, and a highest point of the second slanting surface is located between the first lateral surface and a lowest point of the second slanting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: CYNTEC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chi-Jui Yang
  • Patent number: 11856169
    Abstract: A display device includes a non-translucent cover, a light source provided inside the cover, and a translucent light display that is transmissive to light from the light source. The light display has a protrusion disposed in a through opening of the cover. The protrusion fitted into the through opening from the inside spans a first side surface and a second side surface of the cover, and protrudes outward from the outer surface of the cover to form a light guide. The light guide has a smaller thickness in a corner portion corresponding to a connection region between the first side surface and the second side surface than in other portions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takenori Ohtoshi
  • Patent number: 11556152
    Abstract: A keyboard device includes a keyboard module and an illumination module. The keyboard module includes plural first keys and at least one second key. The illumination module includes a light guide plate and a circuit board. The light guide plate includes plural first mapping zones and a second mapping zone. The first mapping zones are located under the corresponding first keys. The second mapping zone is located under the second key. Moreover, at least one side-view light-emitting element and at least one top-view light-emitting element are installed on the circuit board. The side-view light-emitting element emits a first light beam. The top-view light-emitting element emits a second light beam. The first light beam is extracted through the corresponding first mapping zone and transferred to the corresponding first key. The second light beam is transferred to the second key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: PRIMAX ELECTRONICS LTD.
    Inventors: Ding-Hsiang Pan, Hui-Ling Lin, Yi-Chao Huang
  • Patent number: 11536896
    Abstract: A light distribution structure 10 and a related element 100, such as a light guide, are provided. The structure 10 is preferably an optically functional layer comprising an at least one feature pattern 11, 11A established in a light-transmitting carrier by a plurality of three-dimensional optical features variable in terms of at least one of the cross-sectional profile, dimensions, periodicity, orientation and disposition thereof within the feature pattern. In some instances, the optical features are embodied as internal optical cavities 12 capable to establish the total internal reflection (TIR) function at a horizontal surface and at an essentially vertical surface thereof. A method for manufacturing the light distribution structure is further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kari Rinko
  • Patent number: 11506829
    Abstract: A light-transmissible element and a lamp device using the light-transmissible element are provided. The light-transmissible element includes a light-inputting surface, a first light-outputting surface, a second light-outputting surface and plural microstructures. The first light-outputting surface and the second light-outputting surface are located beside two opposite sides of the light-inputting surface. The plural microstructures are formed on the second light-outputting surface. The plural light beams from the light-inputting surface are received and refracted by the plural microstructures. Consequently, a luminous flux of the light beams received and refracted by each first refractive surface is higher than a luminous flux of the light beams received and refracted by each second refractive surface. Due to this design, the light extraction efficiency of the overall lamp device is increased, the light output range is adjustable and the generation of the light spots is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: LIVINGSTYLE ENTERPRISES LIMITED
    Inventor: Ming-Yun Chen
  • Patent number: 11500244
    Abstract: Disclosed is a backlight unit using a mini light-emitting diode (LED) or a micro LED as a light source according to various embodiments of the present invention. The backlight unit may comprise: a color conversion sheet for converting the color of light emitted from the mini LED or the micro LED; a first diffusion lens sheet disposed on one side of the color conversion sheet and having a plurality of first lenses having a triangular pyramid shape formed to be arranged in a first direction on one surface thereof; and a second diffusion lens sheet disposed on one side of the first diffusion lens sheet, and having a plurality of second lenses having a triangular pyramid shape formed to be arranged in a second direction on one surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: LMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin Hwan Kim, Hyuck Yi Kwon, Young Man Kim
  • Patent number: 11493679
    Abstract: A backlight unit for a display device includes: a light guide including a light incident surface; a substrate facing the light incident surface; a plurality of light sources on one surface of the substrate facing the light incident surface; and a first member disposed between the substrate and the light incident surface to space the light sources apart from the light guide. The first member includes: a support on one surface of the substrate that do not include the light source, the support having a first surface facing the light incident surface and a second surface facing the light sources; and a first layer disposed on the first surface and the second surface of the support to improve luminance uniformity across the light incident surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Hyang Kim, Hyun Jeong Kim, Ji Eun Nam, Young Keun Lee, Hyeon Mi Lee
  • Patent number: 11467416
    Abstract: Illuminations systems that separate different colors into laterally displaced beams may be used to direct different color image content into an eyepiece for displaying images in the eye. Such an eyepiece may be used, for example, for an augmented reality head mounted display. Illumination systems may be provided that utilize one or more waveguides to direct light from a light source towards a spatial light modulator. Light from the spatial light modulator may be directed towards an eyepiece. Some aspects of the invention provide for light of different colors to be outcoupled at different angles from the one or more waveguides and directed along different beam paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Hui-Chuan Cheng, Chulwoo Oh, Clinton Carlisle, Michael Anthony Klug, William J. Molteni, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11112560
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a side-emitting LED panel lamp, where the side-emitting LED panel lamp includes a frame, a light-emitting element, a driving power supply, a backboard, a pressing bar, a light guide plate, and a diffusion plate; the light-emitting element, the driving power supply, and the backboard are disposed on a lower surface of the frame; the pressing bar is disposed around the backboard and covers the driving power supply; the driving power supply is electrically connected to the light-emitting element; the light guide plate is disposed on a lower surface of the backboard; the light guide plate is flush with the light-emitting element; and the diffusion plate is disposed on a lower surface of the light guide plate. In the present invention, all the components are integrally assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: LEDLUCKY Holdings Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Jinming Li
  • Patent number: 11016306
    Abstract: A display device is provided with (A) a frame that is worn on a head of a viewer, and (B) an image display device 100 mounted to the frame. The image display device is provided with (B-1) an image forming device 111, and (B-2) an optical device 120 that forms a virtual image on the basis of light emitted from the image forming device 111. The light from the image forming device 111 enters a pupil 21 of the viewer 20 through the optical device 120. The optical device 120 is provided at least with a first glass plate 121, a second glass plate 122 that faces the first glass plate 121, and a shock absorbing layer 123 sandwiched between the first glass plate 121 and the second glass plate 122.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuji Yoshida, Mieko Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 10952323
    Abstract: An electronic assembly and a method of forming an electronic assembly. The electronic assembly including a printed circuit board including a first face, a flexible printed circuit connected to the first face of the printed circuit board, a filler component arranged over a first portion of the first face of the printed circuit board, a housing defining a cavity, wherein the filler component is arranged in the cavity, a channel guide extending from the housing, wherein the flexible printed circuit sits in the channel guide, and a substrate positioned adjacent to a second face of the printed circuit board, wherein the second face opposes the first face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: DUS OPERATING INC.
    Inventors: Ron G. Gipson, Bhanumurthy Veeragandham, Indraneel Page
  • Patent number: 10910589
    Abstract: A flexible display apparatus includes a flexible substrate including an active area and an inactive area, the inactive area comprising a first area disposed adjacent to the active area, a second area where a circuit board is disposed, and a bending area disposed between the first area and the second area, a first support layer disposed below the active area and the first area, and a second support layer disposed below the second area, an encapsulation layer disposed over the active area and the first area, and a polarization film disposed over the encapsulation layer. The polarization film extends up to at least a portion of the second area via the bending area, thereby reducing defects generated during bezel bending. Accordingly, a more stable display apparatus can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hae-Yong Jeong, Dong-Soo Shin
  • Patent number: 10775545
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a display system is provided. The display system comprises a plurality of light pipes and a plurality of light sources configured to emit light into the light pipes. The display system also comprises a spatial light modulator configured to modulate light received from the light pipes to form images. The display system may also comprise one or more waveguides configured to receive modulated light from the spatial light modulator and to relay that light to a viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Curtis, Heidi Leising Hall, Pierre St. Hilaire, David Tinch
  • Patent number: 10777627
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an organic light emitting display substrate and a method for manufacturing the same. The organic light emitting display substrate includes a substrate, and a drive transistor and an organic light emitting diode disposed on the substrate. In a direction away from the substrate, the organic light emitting diode successively includes: a first reflective electrode, an organic light emitting layer, and a second reflective electrode. A drain of the drive transistor is electrically coupled to the first reflective electrode. The organic light emitting display substrate further includes a light guide layer. One side surface of the light guide layer is the light incident surface. The light incident surface is disposed opposite to the light outgoing surface of the organic light emitting diode so that the light emitted from the light outgoing surface enters the light guide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhen Song, Guoying Wang
  • Patent number: 10624593
    Abstract: Systems are provided for a photomultiplier device. In one embodiment, a photomultiplier device includes a microcell including an active area coupled to a quenching resistor and a signal line coupled to the quenching resistor, the signal line including a first side surface, a second side surface, and a base, the first side surface and second side surface angled inward toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Chang Lyong Kim
  • Patent number: 10613305
    Abstract: A tiled display panel and a tiled display device are disclosed. The tiled display panel includes: at least first and second adjacent display areas; a splice area disposed between the first and second adjacent display areas; a first optical element and a second optical element respectively disposed on the first and second display areas and located on two sides of the splice area; and a reflective element disposed on the splice area. Each of the first optical element and the second optical element is configured to direct at least a portion of light emitted from its respective display area to the reflective element, such that the at least a portion of light is reflected by the reflective element and then emitted out from the splice area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lili Jia, Hao Zhou, Weihao Hu, Liang Zhang, Yu Zhang
  • Patent number: 10600941
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic device and a method for fabricating the same. The electronic device includes a driving-circuit substrate, light-emitting elements, an optical layer, and an adhesive layer. The light-emitting elements are disposed on the driving-circuit substrate, and the optical layer is disposed on the light-emitting elements. The adhesive layer is disposed between the optical layer and the light-emitting elements. The optical layer includes a first surface and a second surface that are opposite to each other. The first surface of the optical layer has a plurality of first convex lens structures, and at least a part of the first convex lens structures are at least partially overlapped with the light-emitting elements in the vertical projection direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: AU OPTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yi-Cheng Liu, Ho-Cheng Lee, Wen-Wei Yang
  • Patent number: 10591658
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a display system is provided. The display system comprises a plurality of light pipes and a plurality of light sources configured to emit light into the light pipes. The display system also comprises a spatial light modulator configured to modulate light received from the light pipes to form images. The display system may also comprise one or more waveguides configured to receive modulated light from the spatial light modulator and to relay that light to a viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Curtis, Heidi Leising Hall, Pierre St. Hilaire, David Tinch
  • Patent number: 10578916
    Abstract: A backlight unit includes: a light guide plate through which light is provided to a display panel which displays an image with the light; a light source which emits the light to the light guide plate, the light source disposed facing a light incident side surface of the light guide plate; and a wavelength-converting film through which emitted light from the light source is wavelength-converted and provided to the light incident side surface of the light guide plate. The wavelength-converting film includes: a first end portion thereof connected to the light guide plate, a central portion thereof disposed between the light source and the light incident side surface of the light guide plate, and glass in which wavelength-converting particles are dispersed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Young Hye Son, Eui Jeong Kang, Yong Hoon Kwon, Won Jin Kim, Jung Hyun Kim, Woo Suk Seo, Si Joon Song, Sang Woo Ha
  • Patent number: 10302838
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a display panel and a light assembly configured to provide light to the display panel, wherein the light assembly includes: a light-emitting device configured to emit first light; a light guide positioned to receive the first light; and a quantum dot sheet positioned on the light guide and positioned to receive the first light from the light guide, the quantum dot sheet configured to emit second light responsive to the received first light. The quantum dot sheet includes a nanophosphor and an antioxidant, and the antioxidant includes at least one compound selected from a group including a phenol-based compound, a phosphorus-based compound, and a sulfur-based compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Baek Hee Lee, Young Min Kim, Min Ki Nam, Kyoung Won Park, Hae Il Park
  • Patent number: 10260695
    Abstract: The invention describes a light conversion module (100) comprising a transparent substrate (120), a conversion layer (110) attached to a light exit side of the substrate (120), wherein the conversion layer (110) is arranged to convert a part of laser light (10) of a first wavelength range entering the substrate (120) via a light entrance side to converted laser light (20) of a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range, and to transmit another part of the laser light (10), such that a mixture of the transmitted laser light (15) and of a part of the converted laser light (20) leaves the conversion layer (110) in forward direction opposite to the side where the conversion layer (110) is attached to the light exit side of the substrate (120), and wherein the substrate (120) is arranged such that converted laser light (20) entering the substrate via the light exit side is inhibited to re-enter the conversion layer (110) via the light exit side by arranging a thickness of the substrate (120)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: LUMILEDS HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Ulrich Hechtfischer, Steffen Zozgornik
  • Patent number: 10209432
    Abstract: A backlight device (12) includes a light guide plate (14), and LEDs (17), and wiring portions (18c). The light guide plate (14) has a substantially circular outer shape and has fan-shaped areas (SA) defined by segment lines (SL) extending through a center (C) thereof. All the segment lines (SL) meet at the center (C). The LEDs (17) are arranged such that middle positions between LEDs (17) each located at an end in the circumferential direction in the respective sets of the LEDs (17) provided for the fan-shaped areas (SA) adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction coincides with the segment lines (SL). The wiring portions (18c) are equal or larger in number than the LEDs (17) included in each of the sets of LEDs (17) provided for the fan-shaped areas (SA) and are configured to supply electric power to the respective LEDs (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Murata, Ryuzo Yuki, Hisashi Watanabe, Shinya Kadowaki, Takeshi Ishida, Takeshi Masuda
  • Patent number: 9964683
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a light guide plate, a backlight module and a liquid crystal module. The light guide plate includes a plurality of light guide blocks; the light guide blocks are doped with scattering particles. Since the light guide plate includes a plurality of light guide blocks, this can simplify the cutting of the light guide plate and the making of grid points. The light guide blocks are doped with scattering particles, so that most of rays incident upon the light guide blocks are scattered in a preset direction and guided to a middle part and the light-far end of the backlight module to compensate the brightness of the middle part and the light-far end, thus making the brightness of the side light type backlight display uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu Zhang, Wenwen Ma, Lili Jia, Qing Ma, Daekeun Yoon
  • Patent number: 9964682
    Abstract: A light source module including a light guide plate, a light source set and a light modulating device is provided. The light guide plate includes a light entering surface. The light source set is disposed beside the light entering surface. The light source set is adapted to emit a first light beam. The light modulating device is disposed between the lightsource set and the light guide plate. The light modulating device includes a light filtering portion. The first light enters the light entering surface through the light modulating device, and the light modulating device makes a divergence angle of the first light converge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Young Lighting Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Chin-Ku Liu, Jhong-Hao Wu
  • Patent number: 9952373
    Abstract: A light source module including a light guide plate, a light source set and a light modulating device is provided. The light guide plate includes a light entering surface. The light source set is disposed beside the light entering surface. The light-source is adapted to emit a first light beam. The light modulating device is disposed between the light source set and the light guide plate. The light modulating device includes a light reflection portion. The first light enters the light entering surface through the light modulating device, and the light modulating device makes the divergence angle of the first light converge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Young Lighting Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Chin-Ku Liu, Jhong-Hao Wu
  • Patent number: 9851488
    Abstract: Disclosed are a light guide plate and a backlight unit including the same. The light guide plate includes: a light guide plate including: a light output surface for outputting light to the outside; a reflective surface which is located in the opposite side of the light guide plate; and a light incident surface which is provided in at least one side surface among side surfaces connecting the light output surface and the reflective surface, and to which the light emitted from a light source is incident. A flat portion having a constant thickness is provided in a space which is spaced apart from the light incident surface, and a light input portion is formed in a space between the light incident surface and the flat portion, and a thickness of the light input portion is changed in a greater range than that of the flat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: New Optics, Ltd
    Inventors: Dong-Yong Kim, Jong-Moon Yoon, Min-Kyoung Park
  • Patent number: 9454010
    Abstract: A display system for a head mounted device that provides a wide field-of-view image to the user. The system may use a pair of displays angled relative to one another, and a lens or lenses between the displays and the user's eyes to generate a wide field-of-view image. Lenses may be for example gradient index lenses, Fresnel lenses, or holographic optical elements in order to provide significant and complex bending of light across the field of view with relatively thin lenses. The system may provide lower resolution images at the periphery of the user's field of view, using for example light emitting elements at the periphery that are directed by the lens or lenses towards the outside edges of the field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ariadne's Thread (USA), Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Gregory Passmore, Adam Li
  • Patent number: 9383508
    Abstract: A multi-wing edge-lit structure includes a first edge-lit light guide panel, a second edge-lit light guide panel, and a joiner unit. The first edge-lit light guide panel is adjustably attached to the joiner unit on a first side of the joiner unit. The second edge-lit light guide panel is adjustably attached to the joiner unit on a second side of the joiner unit. The first side and the second side are opposite sides of the joiner unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: William Edward Getzinger, Marc Raymond O'Leary, Bradley Stephen Garrett, Travis William Francis Boyle
  • Patent number: 9244215
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display. Backlight structures may be used to provide backlight for the display. The backlight structures may include a light guide plate. A rectangular ring-shaped chassis may have a rectangular opening that receives the light guide plate. One or more edges of the chassis may be provided with an array of notches that receive light-emitting diodes or other light sources. The light sources may launch light into edge portions of the light guide plate. The chassis may include a first plastic structure such as a light reflecting structure formed from a material such as white plastic. The first plastic structure may surround two or more peripheral edges of the light guide plate. The chassis may also include a second plastic structure such as a light blocking structure formed from a material such as black plastic that helps prevent light leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn R. Gettemy, Joshua G. Wurzel, David A. Doyle, Alexander D. Schlaupitz
  • Patent number: 9201190
    Abstract: A display device includes a display panel, a light guide plate (LGP), a light source, and a positioning component. The LGP is disposed on a display surface of the display panel and has an upper surface and a lower surface opposite to each other, a light-incident surface, a first light-guiding block, and a second light-guiding block. A display area of the display panel corresponds to the first light-guiding block. The second light-guiding block extends outside the display area and has at least one recess portion. The recess portion is located on at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface and extends to the light-incident surface. The light source is disposed beside the light-incident surface. The positioning component is disposed on the second light-guiding block and located in the recess portion. Besides, the positioning component extends outside the recess portion and fixes the location of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: E Ink Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng-Chieh Tai, I-Jeng Chen
  • Patent number: 9128224
    Abstract: A surface light source device has a light source, and a light guide plate introducing light of the light source from a light incidence surface and emitting the light from a light exit surface to outside. The light source being is provided at a position facing the light incidence surface of the light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a light introducing part for enclosing the light from the light source entering from the light incidence surface and a light guide plate main body having a thickness smaller than a maximum thickness of the light introducing part, provided so as to be continued to the light introducing part, and emitting the enclosed light from the light exit surface by light emitting portion to outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Gouo Kurata, Masayuki Shinohara
  • Patent number: 9039266
    Abstract: A reflective color pixel has a top surface for receiving ambient light for front lighting, a plurality of sub-pixels including a first sub-pixel, and a waveguide disposed underneath the sub-pixels for transmitting light for backlighting to the sub-pixels. The first sub-pixel includes a first luminescent material configured to absorb either the ambient light or the light for backlighting and generate light of a first color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Gary Gibson
  • Publication number: 20150131317
    Abstract: The present invention aims at providing an illumination device and a display device that can suppress uneven brightness while improving light use efficiency and brightness. The illumination device includes a plurality of light sources arranged next to each other, a light guide member that guides light from the light sources, and protrusions that protrude towards the respective light sources from an end face of the light guide member. The protrusions each have side faces formed such that light emitted so as to spread in the arrangement direction of the light sources exits the light guide member and then re-enters from the end face thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuzo Yuki, Takeshi Ishida
  • Publication number: 20150124480
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing one or more components for a display system, particularly for producing diffused light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: David Eugene Baker, Michael Etienne, Stephan Lvovich Logunov, Daniel Aloysius Nolan, Wageesha Senaratne, Luis Alberto Zenteno
  • Patent number: 9022635
    Abstract: Disclosed are a light guide plate and a backlight unit. The backlight unit according to the present invention includes: a light guide plate; a light source disposed on one side of the light guide plate; and a reflective plate disposed under the light guide plate, wherein, in the cross section of one side of the light guide plate, the light guide plate includes a plurality of unit slits including a first slit and a second slit, wherein the first slit and the second slit are inclined from a top surface toward the inside of the light guide plate with respect to a vertical direction of the top surface, and wherein the first slit and the second slit are symmetrical to each other with respect to the middle portion of the unit slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Jun-Bo Yoon, Joo-Hyung Lee, Jeong-Ho Yeon
  • Patent number: 9022590
    Abstract: A luminous keyboard device includes plural keys, a light-emitting element, and a light guide plate. By the light guide plate, a light beam emitted by the light-emitting element is guided to the plural keys. The light guide plate includes plural elongated slots and a light-absorbing part. The plural elongated slots are located near a lateral edge of the light guide plate. After the light beam transferred within the light guide plate is transmitted through the elongated slots and departed from the light guide plate, the fraction of the light beam introduced into the lateral edge of the light guide plate is reduced. The light-absorbing part is located at the lateral edge of the light guide plate for absorbing the portion of the light beam which is introduced into the lateral edge of the light guide plate. Consequently, the lateral light leakage of the light guide plate can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Yuan Chen, Hsuan-Wei Ho
  • Patent number: 9019199
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrophoretic display apparatus switchable between a black-white mode and a color mode. The electrophoretic display apparatus includes an electrophoretic display panel, a light guide, a light source, a light-splitting element and a lens element. The light guide is disposed in front of a display area of the electrophoretic display panel. The light source is operable to emit a light, which is directed to the display area by the light guide. The light-splitting element is disposed between the light guide and the electrophoretic display panel, and is operable to split the light into a first, a second and a third beam each having a principal wavelength different from the others. The lens element is disposed between the light-splitting element and the display area, and is operable to direct the first, second and third beams to corresponding sub-pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: E Ink Holdings Inc.
    Inventor: Shih-Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 9007693
    Abstract: An exemplary video wall includes two display panels and a polygonal mullion elimination lens. Each of the display panels includes a main body and a bezel surrounding the main body. The polygonal mullion elimination lens includes a central first concave surface configured to reflect internal light incident thereon, two flat surfaces respectively attached to the main bodies of the display panels, a central second concave surface opposite to the first concave surface, and two lateral surfaces each connecting between a corresponding one of the flat surfaces and the second concave surface. Portions of light emitted by the main bodies of the display panels can enter the mullion elimination lens via the flat surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han-Lung Lee, Shan-Fu Huang, Ho-Chiang Liu
  • Patent number: 9008486
    Abstract: A backlight is disclosed and includes a visible light transmissive body primarily propagating light by TIR with a light input surface and a light output surface and a light guide portion and a light input portion. The light guide portion has a light reflection surface and a light emission surface. The light input portion has opposing side surfaces that are not parallel. One of the opposing surfaces is co-planar with either the light emission surface or the light reflection surface. A light source is disposed adjacent to the light input surface. The light source emits light into the light input portion. A reflective layer is disposed adjacent to or on the opposing side surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William J. Bryan, John C. Schultz, Michael A. Meis, Patrick R. Destain
  • Patent number: 8998436
    Abstract: A light source apparatus includes a light guide plate, a number of optical fibers, at least two first light emitting diodes, and at least two second LEDs. Each fiber has a light exiting surface facing the light guide and at least two light entrances at both ends of the fiber. The second LEDs are located on both sides of the light guide plate. Light generated by the first LEDs has a wavelength longer than that generated by the second LEDs. The light generated from the first LEDs enters the light guide plate after travelling through the optical fiber to mix with the light generated from the second LEDs to provide a good color rendering property of the light generated by the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Zhongshan Innocloud Intellectual Property Services Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Hsun Ke, Ming-Ta Tsai, Pu-Xian Hsu
  • Patent number: 8998474
    Abstract: A surface light source device includes a surface light-emitting light-guiding unit; an LED light source disposed at an outside position on a side of a direction of the light incident surface; a plurality of laser light sources disposed at an outside position on a side of a direction of a rear surface of the surface light-emitting light-guiding unit; and a laser-light-ray guiding unit arranged on a side of a rear surface of the surface light-emitting light-guiding unit. The laser-light-ray guiding unit guides the laser light rays emitted from the laser light sources so that the laser light rays enter through a light incident end surface, travel in a direction opposite to a direction in which the LED light source emits the LED light ray, and thereafter are reflected by a light bending part to enter through the light incident surface of the surface light-emitting light-guiding unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Rena Nishitani, Nami Nakano, Shuichi Kagawa, Muneharu Kuwata, Kuniko Kojima
  • Patent number: 8979292
    Abstract: This display includes point light sources, a light guide plate including a light-receiving surface on which light emitted from the point light sources is directly incident, opposed to the point light sources, and a display cell provided on a surface of the light guide plate, while a plurality of projecting portions each having a width smaller than a width of each of the point light sources in an extensional direction of a side of the light guide plate provided with the light-receiving surface are provided on a region of the light-receiving surface of the light guide plate opposed to the point light sources, and the plurality of projecting portions of the light guide plate are formed to have irregularly different shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohisa Tajiri
  • Patent number: 8979339
    Abstract: A light source module includes a light source and a light guiding pole. The light guiding pole is made of transparent material and has a light incident surface and at least one side surface connected to the light incident surface. The light source emits light rays, and faces the light incident surface. The light incident surface guides the light rays into the light guide pole, and the at least one side surface totally reflects the light rays. At least one slot is defined at the at least one side surface, and extends along a lengthwise direction of the light guiding pole. The at least one slot destroys the totally reflective path of a portion of the light rays arriving the at least one side surface, and thus the portion of the light rays emits from the at least one side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Li-Ying Wang He
  • Patent number: 8979345
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a surface light emitting apparatus including: a light source bar including a light source for generating an optical signal; at least one optical distributor for dividing the optical signal generated in the light source into a plurality of optical signals; a light guide plate for confining the plurality of optical signals divided by the optical distributor in an inside thereof and transfer the optical signals; and a scattering pattern formed on a surface of the light guide plate and for emitting a light by the optical signal transferred through the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Suntak Park, Seung Koo Park, Min-Su Kim, Ki Uk Kyung
  • Patent number: 8979346
    Abstract: The present invention provides a backlight module and a display apparatus. The display apparatus comprises the backlight module and a display panel. The backlight module comprises a light collector, at least one optical fiber, a fiber arrangement substrate and a light guide plate. The optical fiber is connected between the light collector and the fiber arrangement substrate. The light guide plate is disposed at one side of the fiber arrangement substrate. The present invention can use ambient light rays to form a backlight source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chechang Hu, Li-Yi Chen, Kuangyao Chang, Yong Fan, Chao Ning
  • Publication number: 20150070932
    Abstract: A light source unit includes: a light guiding plate having a front surface and a rear surface facing each other, and a side surface between the front surface and the rear surface; a light guiding bar disposed on the side surface of the light guiding plate; a quantum dot package disposed on a surface of the light guiding bar; and a dot light source which provides light to the quantum dot package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Dong Earn KIM, Jeong Hee LEE, Eun Joo JANG, Min Jong BAE, Sang Eui LEE
  • Patent number: 8974104
    Abstract: A backlight module includes a light guide plate, at least one light source, and a light-reflecting plate. The light guide plate includes a light-emitting surface, a bottom surface, a light-incident surface, and a guiding tilt surface. One end of guiding tilt surface and light-emitting surface are intersected at a first boundary, and the other end connects to a top edge of light-incident surface. The guiding tilt surface extends toward a direction of protruding the light-emitting surface. The horizontal distance between the first boundary and light-incident surface is L. The light-reflecting plate is disposed under the bottom surface. When the horizontal distance d between light-incident surface and an end of light-reflecting plate near light-incident surface is less than L, the horizontal distance between a vertical projection of the end on light-emitting surface and first boundary is not more than 0.5 mm. When d is more than L, x is at least 0.5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yi-Wen Chang, Fu-Cheng Fan
  • Publication number: 20150062967
    Abstract: A light source unit includes a light guide plate which includes a front surface and a rear surface which are opposite to each other and a side between and connecting the front surface and the rear surface, a light conversion device on the side of the light guide plate; and a light source which generates and supplies light to the light conversion device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min Jong BAE, Jeong Hee LEE, Dong Earn KIM, Sang Eui LEE, Na Youn Won, Hyun A KANG, Shin Ae JUN
  • Publication number: 20150029752
    Abstract: A display device includes a light guide plate, at least one illuminating element, a side frame, and a display panel. The light guide plate includes a main body and at least one light-incident protrusion part. The main body has a light-emitting surface. The light-incident protrusion part is connected to the main body and has a light-incident surface. The illuminating element is arranged along the light-incident surface and is capable of emitting a light beam. The light beam enters the light guide plate from the light-incident surface and leaves the light guide plate from the light-emitting surface. The side frame is located on the light guide plate. The display panel is located between the light guide plate and the side frame. The side frame and the display panel expose the light-incident protrusion part. The side frame of the display device described herein has the small width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: YOUNG LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Wu-Hsieh Lee, Hung-Sen Lin, Chao-Chung Tsen, Wei-Kai Liao, Chi-Lun Chen