Abstract: A light spreading device and a backlight module utilizing the same. The backlight module includes a light guide, a plurality of point lights, and a plurality of light spreading devices. The light guide includes an entrance surface. The point lights are disposed near the entrance surface. Each light spreading device, corresponding to one of the point lights, is disposed between the light guide and the corresponding point light.

Abstract: A light guide plate includes having a block body includes a bottom surface, a light emitting surface on an opposite side of the light guide plate to the bottom surface, at least three spaced light incident surfaces, and at least three fresnel lens portions provided on the respective at least three light incident surfaces of the block body. A backlight module with the light guide plate and at least three light sources is also provided.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention has a lighting unit (UT) comprising a light guiding plate (3), a light source (2), a reflector (4), a reflecting sheet (5) and a housing (10), and a liquid crystal display panel (1). In the liquid crystal display device, increase in temperature of the light source (2) is prevented by providing an opening portion (S1) on the housing (10) such that the opening portion (S1) reaches the reflector (4). In the liquid crystal display device, light emission intensity of the lighting unit (UT) is not lowered during operation of the device, and further, a lifetime of the light source (2) is not shortened.

Abstract: A light guide for a keypad includes a plurality of through hole portions adapted to correspond respectively to keys on the keypad. Each of the through hole portions is adapted to receive at least a part of the corresponding key, and to receive light incident thereinto from at least one light source. Each of selected ones of the through hole portions has a contour with a non-curved contour portion that includes a light incident face and a reflecting face forming an angle with the light incident face. Light incident on the reflecting face is reflected into at least one other through hole portion. The light guide can also be configured to have a tree-like structure.

Abstract: A light guide plate includes having a block body includes a bottom surface, a light emitting surface on an opposite side of the light guide plate to the bottom surface, at least three spaced light incident surfaces, and at least three fresnel lens portions provided on the respective at least three light incident surfaces of the block body. A backlight module with the light guide plate and at least three light sources is also provided.

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

Abstract: A light guide plate comprises: a plate ember having a light transmitting capability; and a light incidence face provided on a side surface of the plate member; wherein the plate member changes a path of light emitted from a light source arranged to face the light incidence face and emits planar illumination light from an upper surface of the plate member onto an object to be illuminated; wherein an undulated surface portion is formed on the light incidence face. Further, the undulated surface portion is formed by smoothly connecting curved recessed portions and curved raised portions. This arrangement prevents bright lines from being produced near the light source and also prevents brightness variations, thus making uniform an intensity distribution of light that has entered the light guide plate.

Abstract: A light guide plate of an LED backlight unit is disclosed. The light guide plate comprises a pair of wide planes facing each other, and a narrow plane formed between the pair of wide planes and constituting a thickness of the light guide plate. The narrow plane has an incident plane formed on a section of the narrow plane facing the LED light source, and one of the wide planes constitutes an exiting plane from which light entered from the LED light source exits. The incident plane has a plurality of elliptic cylinder-shaped grooves carved into the incident plane in a thickness direction of the light guide plate. As such, the elliptic cylinder-shaped grooves are carved into the incident plane of the light guide plate in the thickness direction, widening an incidence angle of which light can be transmitted therethrough.

Abstract: Disclosed is an illuminating device which, as a light source for a backlight device, mixes the colors of light rays of three prime colors radiated by light emitting diodes to emit white light.

Abstract: An image reading device includes light-emitting diode chips (11A-11C) and a light guide (3) having a main region (3A) and a subsidiary region (3B). The subsidiary region (3B) includes a light incident surface (31) located above the light source (11A-11C) and an inclined surface (32). The light source (11A-11C) is offset in a direction receding from the main region (3A) with respect to the center (C2) as viewed in the primary scanning direction of the light incident surface (31).

Abstract: An illuminating unit having a plurality of light emitting devices and collimators and a projection type image display apparatus using the same are provided. The illuminating unit includes: a plurality of light emitting devices which output light beams of predetermined wavelengths; a plurality of collimators, each having a parabolic reflection surface for reflecting the light beam in a predetermined direction, a mounting section for locating the light emitting device at the focal point of the parabolic reflection surface, a light output surface opposite to the parabolic reflection surface, and a light guide section for guiding the light beam reflected from the parabolic reflection surface to the light output surface; and one or more fixing members having two or more steps for mounting the light emitting devices and the collimators on their top surface. A plurality of light emitting devices and collimators are efficiently arranged in a small space.

Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a housing having a stamped section recessed relative to a front of the housing and circumferentially surrounding a loading opening to a rotatably mounted drum of the appliance. A door is disposed on the front of the housing for closing the loading opening. An edge of the door and a surrounding edge of the stamped section form a gap area between them when the door is in a closed position. An illumination device is disposed in the stamped section so as to be concealed behind the door when the door is in the closed position. Light of the illumination device is reflected at an edge surface of the stamped section and a surface of the door edge so as to provide an illuminating ring visible at the front of the housing in the gap area.

Abstract: A lighting fixture includes a backlight module comprised of a light diffusion board and multiple light guide sticks arranged on multiple sides of the light diffusion board and multiple point light sources respectively oriented in facing those light guide sticks to guide light streams emitted form those point light sources to the light diffusion board for increasing the luminance and creating visual effects of generalized glow.

Abstract: A bar-like side-emitting light guide suitable for re-directing an incident light beam such that the light beam emerges from each side of the structure. The guide structure includes a light guiding bar having an upper surface and a lower surface and extending along a longitudinal direction. On a cross-sectional plane of the light guiding bar, there is a first line interval on the upper surface. A second line interval, a third line interval and a coupling part are located at the lower surface. The coupling part couples with the second line interval and the third line interval. The distance from the lower surface of the light guiding bar to a reference plane of the upper surface varies such that the thickness gradually decreases from the coupling part to the sides. In addition, a planar light source module can be constructed by arranging the foregoing light guiding bars in parallel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combined instrument including a printed board, on which a light source is provided that generates light for illuminating a display, and including a frame, inside of which the printed board is accommodated. The display field is directly mounted on the printed board and a light guide is provided, which is accommodated inside the frame in an area adjoining the printed board. The light guide is arranged in such a manner that light emitted by the light source is fed into the light guide and radiated onto the display field.

Abstract: Provided is a black matrix light guide screen display. In a particular embodiment, provided are a plurality of aligned light guides, each having an input end, a midsection and a magnifying output end. A black matrix material is disposed adjacent to the light guides proximate to the magnifying output ends. The plurality of aligned light guides are arranged into a plurality of light guide layers, each layer one light guide thick. The magnifying output ends of each layer are aligned in substantially contiguous parallel contact with interposed black spacers to provide substantially the same magnification vertically and horizontally.

Abstract: A line light source includes an illuminating bar having end portions opposite each other, and a light emitting diode disposed on each end portion of the illuminating bar. The end portions of the illuminating bar are each slant with respect to a vertical axis thereof at a predetermined slant angle. The illuminating bar includes a fluorescent material or a phosphorescent material.

Abstract: A light expanding system for converting light beams generated from point-like light sources into a collimated planar light beam is described herein. The light expanding system is especially suitable for backlighting a liquid crystal flat panel display or other such arrangement requiring backlighting with LEDs as the light source. According to an embodiment of the invention, a system for producing a planar light beam includes a light pipe with microprisms on one of its surfaces, and a beam collector which has microprisms in a plane perpendicular to the microprisms in the light guide. According to another embodiment, the light guide has microprisms on two opposite surfaces, and is capable of multiple mode operation. This multiple mode backlight is capable of illuminating a given active area uniformly with light of different spectrum.

Abstract: A lamp can include LED lamps as a light source. An optical guide path including a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface can be provided between the LED lamp and a lens that radiates an illumination light. The optical guide path can be integrally composed of a high-refractivity material. Thus, the light passing through the optical guide path can more efficiently reach the lens. In addition, the integral optical guide path requires less assembly and thus can improve accuracy of assembly and can possibly result in a large gain in the amount of light emitted from the lamp.

Abstract: The invention relates to a moonroof for a motor vehicle, the moonroof comprising a transparent wedge-shaped essentially solid body having a surface that is to be turned toward an interior space of a motor vehicle, and having a surface opposite the surface that is to be turned toward the interior space of the motor vehicle, the surface that is to be turned toward the interior space of the motor vehicle being inclined to the surface opposite the surface to be turned toward the interior space of the motor vehicle and the moonroof comprising a light source for introducing light into the transparent wedge-shaped essentially solid body.

Abstract: A planar waveguide system includes a planar waveguide having a planar surface for emitting light, a back panel opposite the planar surface, and edge sides between the planar surface and the back panel. To reduce light energy losses during delivery of light from the light source to the planar surface, the system uses a transparent dielectric sleeve for holding a light source that is positioned adjacent to an edge side of the planar waveguide to enable light from the light source through the sleeve and incident into the planar waveguide.

Abstract: Provided is a backlight having a light source and an all-in-one type light guide plate that has a light exit surface and a plurality of prisms integrally formed on the light exit surface, wherein the prisms totally reflect light to be emitted upwards.

Abstract: An edge light type backlight unit having an improved light-reception portion. The backlight unit includes one or more light sources that emit light, a light guide panel that guides the propagation of light incident on one side edge thereof, one or more light-reception portions having a first entrance face slanted opposite the side edge of the light guide panel on which the light is incident at a predetermined angle, and one or more reflecting elements that are disposed between each of the light-reception portions and each of the light sources and guides the light emitted by the light source so that it is incident on the first entrance face.

Abstract: An illuminatable windshield assembly, preferably for use on a motorcycle, but adaptable for use on all types of vehicles. The illuminatable windshield assembly includes a windshield comprised of a translucent panel having an outer peripheral surface wherein the panel has an opening formed therein defining an edge in the panel, a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted within the opening and arranged to emit light into the edge for illuminating at least a portion of the windshield, a source of electrical power for the light emitting diodes, and an electrical circuit connecting the light emitting diodes to the source of electrical power. Preferably, the source of electrical power is a battery for a motorcycle, and the windshield has an ornamental design etched therein which is illuminated by the light emitting diodes.

Abstract: An area light source device includes an L-shaped cold-cathode fluorescent lamp, a wedge-shaped light guide having an incidence surface, on which emission light from the cold-cathode fluorescent lamp is incident, and a reflector that surrounds the cold-cathode fluorescent lamp, has an opening facing the incidence surface, and reflects the emission light from the cold-cathode fluorescent lamp toward the light guide, wherein the opening of the reflector has a shape corresponding to shapes of two mutually neighboring incidence surfaces of the light guide.

Abstract: In a light guide body, a flat part is provided at an edge part of a fluorescent tube vicinal part (part that receives strong light), and a pear-skin texture pattern having a sine wave shape boundary is formed inside the flat part. Therefore, it is possible to alternately provide, along a direction to which the fluorescent tube extends, small pear-skin texture regions and small flat regions. In certain example embodiments, scattering intensity of the light guide body is set so that it becomes stronger gradually from the edge part close to the fluorescent tube toward the inside far from the fluorescent tube.

Abstract: A front light including a light-guiding plate for receiving light from a light-entering surface and emitting the light from a light-emitting surface, an intermediate light-guiding body disposed along the light-entering surface, light-emitting elements disposed at longitudinal ends of the intermediate light-guiding body. A side surface of the intermediate light-guiding body adjacent to the light-entering surface of the light-guiding plate is a light-emitting surface for emitting light from the light-emitting elements to the light-guiding plate. A side surface opposite to the light-emitting surface is a reflective surface. The total length of the intermediate light-guiding body and the light-emitting elements is the same as the width of the light-guiding plate, the length of at least the light-emitting surface of the intermediate light-guiding body is the same as the width of the light-guiding plate, and the length of the reflective surface is smaller than the length of the light-emitting surface.

Abstract: A backlight unit is provided including a light guide panel (LGP), a point light source emitting light at an edge of the LGP; and a refraction member being positioned between the point light source and the LGP and refracting the light emitted from the point light source toward the optical axis of the point light source in order to reduce the azimuth angle of the light that is incident upon the LGP. The refraction member includes a prism array in which a V-shaped prism pattern is repeatedly arrayed, the apex of the prism pattern facing the edge of the LGP, and a transparent portion that prevents the light from being totally reflected by the prism pattern in a region along an optical axis of the light source.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus is a surface illuminator i.e. surface light source typically used in lighting for liquid crystal displays (LCDs). The surface illuminator using point light source may comprise a first light guide member for a surface lighting having a first light exiting surface and a first light entering surface; a second light guide member for a light distribution having a second light exiting surface and a second light entering surface; at least one point light source (LED) optically communicated with the second light entering surface; a channel light guide member having a fiber optic channel array having a plurality of light guiding portions optically isolated one another; and wherein the channel light guide member is disposed between the first light guide member and the second light guide member. The second light guide member may be an elongated light guide member having a linear or nonlinear elongated member.

Abstract: A backlight unit assembly using a light emitting diode array in a liquid crystal display device is disclosed in the present invention. The backlight unit assembly includes a light emitting diode array having a plurality of red, green, and blue light emitting diodes emitting respective light, a first housing concentrating the light emitted from the light emitting diode array to a first direction, a sub-light guiding plate positioned at one side of the light emitting diode array mixing the light to form white light, a main-light guiding plate guiding the light incident on the sub-light guiding plate to a second direction, and a pair of holders at the left and right side portions of the light emitting diode array preventing the light from leaking to the outside of the backlight unit assembly.

Abstract: A spread illuminating apparatus includes at least one light source, a light conductive plate having the at least one light source disposed toward one end surface thereof, and at least one light controlling means disposed between the at least one light source and the light conductive plate. The at least one light controlling means is formed such that a plurality of transparent rectangular solids are stacked one over another vertically and horizontally, and that the transparent rectangular solids are put together by means of adhesive which can transmit light emitted from the at least one light source. The at least one light controlling means has a refractive index profile formed in both directions parallel to and vertical to the light exit surface of the light conductive plate thereby controlling light with respect to the both directions.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a light-conductive pipe is described comprising the steps of: forming a light pipe mold having an elongated cavity with two optical end faces and an opening for injecting molten material into the cavity distant from either optical end face; providing molten material from a supply of molten material; injecting the molten material through the opening; and cooling and solidifying the molten material to form a light-conductive pipe having an input optical face and an output optical face connected by an elongated body of light-conductive material. Also described are injection molded light-pipes formed by the method, and integrated linear arrays of injection molded light-conductive pipes formed by the method.

Abstract: A backlight module has a light guide plate having a transparent plate and a light-mixing structure. The light-mixing structure contains a light-convergence body and a light-dispersing body connected with each other to form an hourglass-shaped structure. With the light-mixing structure, the light guide plate can mix light beams of different colors to produce white light beams.

Abstract: In order to spread the light being emitted from an LED, an LED light spreader has a light conductive end, an optical path conversion side, and a light transmitting side. The present invention enables a single LED to simulate the effect of having several discrete LEDs on a circuit board or may be configured to give the effect of having a single elongated light source.

Abstract: A compact backlight system has a light-emitting panel (1) with a front wall (2), a rear wall (3) situated opposite thereto, and furthermore, between the front and the rear wall (2, 3), a translucent input edge surface (4) for coupling light into the light-emitting panel (1). A light source (6, 6?, . . . ) is associated with the input edge surface (4). According to the invention, the rear wall (3) in a first portion (12) of the light-emitting panel (1) is provided with a multiplicity of steps (13, 13?, . . . ), and a second portion (22) of the light-emitting panel (1) widens from the input edge surface (4) in a direction facing the first portion (12). Preferably, a surface (17) of the steps (13, 13?, . . . ) facing the input edge surface (4) makes an angle ?av?5° (with respect to a normal on a bisecting plane (20) bisecting the light-emitting panel (1).

Abstract: A planar integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate having a substrate surface and a trench in the substrate, a waveguide medium in the trench having a top surface and a light propagation axis, the trench having a sufficient depth for the waveguide medium to be at or below said substrate surface, and at least one Schottky barrier electrode formed on the top surface of said waveguide medium and defining a Schottky barrier detector consisting of the electrode and the portion of the waveguide medium underlying the Schottky barrier electrode, at least the underlying portion of the waveguide medium being a semiconductor and defining an electrode-semiconductor interface parallel to the light propagation axis so that light of a predetermined wavelength from said waveguide medium propagates along the interface as a plasmon-polariton wave.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus having a display zone, such as a liquid crystal screen (4), and including an optical device for forming a decorative pattern in the form of a figurative image. The optical device for forming a figurative image includes an optical guide (1), at least partially superposed onto the display zone (4) and having two large faces (10, 11) and one lateral face (12). Optical extractors (20) each having at least one surface (21) for reflecting light are arranged in a first group in at least one of the large faces (11). A light source (8, 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) is arranged so as to emit light in the direction of the reflective surfaces (21) via the lateral face (12) of the optical guide. Thus, each of the reflective surfaces causes a reflected light beam to be formed in a well defined direction, the set of the light beams forming a figurative image in that direction, which can typically be chosen to be the normal in relation to the mid-plane of the optical guide.

Abstract: A backlight module including an independent light source is provided. The backlight module includes a light generation device, a light transmission device, a light mixing device and a planar light generation device. The light generation device may include one or more light emitting components. The light transmission device may be adopted for receiving and transmitting the light emitted by the light generation device. The light mixing device may be adopted for mixing the light emitted by the light transmission device to generate a mixed linear light. The planar light generation device may comprise a light distributing portion for receiving the mixed linear light to generate a planar light.

Abstract: A light-guide plate comprising a light-guide board having a first refractive index and at least one light-guide part buried inside the light-guide board is provided. The light-guide part has a second refractive index larger than the first refractive index. The light-guide board and the light-guide part buried therein have different refractive indices so that the total reflection may occur for improving the light transmission efficiency in the light-guide plate.

Abstract: A lighting unit and a liquid crystal display device which can improve the efficiency of usable light. The lighting unit includes a light source, a light guide plate, and a truncated pyramid located between the light guide plate and the light source. The truncated pyramid has a base, a top smaller than the base, and a slope linking the base and the top. The light source is placed in close contact with the top of the truncated pyramid, and the light guide plate is placed in close contact with the base of the truncated pyramid. Light is propagated from a light emitting part of the light source to the light guide plate without passing through any air layer. Also, an unnecessary light removing structure is provided in the light guide plate near the incidence surface thereof.

Abstract: A light guide assembly as a linear light source for enhancing the uniformity of beaming light within the beaming light's effective focal range comprising a light guide bar connected to a light source assembly and a reflective housing encasing the light guide bar. One surface of the light guide bar is a light-scattering/light-emission surface, and other surfaces are all reflective. The emission plane has gradually changing indentations for adjusting the light refractive and reflecting indexes to ensure the light uniformity. The reflective housing covering the light guide bar is used for enhancing the light reflection and intensity. An opening is formed in the reflective housing corresponding to the emission plane of the light guide bar, and a reflecting flange is formed at one side of the opening.

Abstract: An image display device of the present invention is provided with a liquid crystal display panel for displaying an image in accordance with an input of a chrominance signal, a sensor for sensing light characteristics of external light, and a chrominance signal converter for converting a chrominance signal to be inputted into an image display section in accordance with an output of the sensor. The chrominance signal converter includes a target display color setting section for setting a color to display as an image agreeable with chromatic adaptation characteristics of human, according to the output of the sensor, and a color reproduction section for reproducing a target color set by the target display color setting section, by using three primary color with chromaticities suitable for the output of the sensor. The target display color setting section converts the chrominance signal into a chrominance signal of the target display color reproduced by the color reproduction section.

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

Abstract: A surface illuminant comprises a light source 11 consisting of LEDs, a light guide plate 12 which is optically coupled to said light source for guiding the light to one side thereof and a reflective film 13 which is disposed on the other opposite side of said light guide plate. The light guide plate 12 is made of a material into which a wave length converting material 14 or a light storage material 15 such as fluorescent material is incorporated. A desired color light can be obtained by converting the wave length of the light from the light source 11 or light can be emitted by storing the light when the light source is turned off.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light guide, a line-illuminating device, and an image-scanning device that provide excellent uniformity in the amount of light produced. A light-reflecting portion comprised of spherical concave surfaces becomes a reflecting surface having spherical convex surfaces when it is seen from the inside of the light guide. Even when the incident angle of light from the light source unit is slightly offset, the reflection angle in spherical convex surfaces significantly changes, and light is reflected uniformly toward the upper surface serving as a light-emitting surface. In particular, when the fine spherical concave portions of the light-reflecting portion have a small depth, the incident light from the end surface is reflected toward the upper surface, serving as a light-emitting surface, and both side surfaces without reflecting back to the light-emitting unit side, so that uniform reflection can be achieved.

Abstract: A light guide, a line-illuminating device, and an image-scanning device are provided which are excellent in uniformity of the light amount. A light-reflecting portion comprised of tubular concave surfaces becomes a reflecting surface having tubular convex surfaces when seen from the inside of the light guide. With such structure, even when the incident angle of light from a light source unit slightly displaces, the reflection angle in the tubular convex surfaces significantly changes. In an irregular surface having a triangular shape, as in a conventional example, the incident angle becomes almost uniform in the area far from the light source unit, and thereby the reflection angle also becomes uniform. Consequently, it is difficult to achieve uniform reflection in the main-scanning direction. However, with the tubular concave surfaces, light is reflected uniformly toward the upper surface as a light-emitting surface.

Abstract: A spread illuminating apparatus comprises a plurality of LED's as light sources, a light conductive plate, and a light controlling means disposed between the LED's and the light conductive plate. The light controlling means includes a plurality of transparent resin films which have respective different refractive indexes, which are laminated over one another in a direction parallel to a major surface as a light exit surface of the light conductive plate thereby forming a refractive index profile in the direction parallel to the light exit surface of the light conductive plate, and two adjacent ones of which are put together by adhesive that can transmit light emitted from the LED.

Abstract: Backlighting devices and methods for supporting and illuminating a display panel are disclosed. A display retainer and backlight device in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention may comprise one or more light pipes operatively coupled to a retainer housing that supports and illuminates an attached display panel. The retainer housing includes an optical waveguide that receives light collected by the one or more light pipes. A light scattering element and reflector may be employed to disperse and reflect the light rays to illuminate the backside of the display panel. A slot extending through a portion of the retainer housing may be configured to tightly receive an elastomeric zebra-strip, which electrically connects the circuit board to the display panel. A clip, tab or other fastening mechanism may be used to secure the retainer housing and display panel to the circuit board.

Abstract: A light guide module (10) for use in a flat panel display (21) comprises a light guide pipe (20) having a light emitting surface (21), and a light incident surface (25) orthogonal to the light emitting surface. A light diffusion arrangement (30) is deployed over the light emitting surface and includes organic scattering balls (31) homogenously mixed within a bonding agent (33). At least a light source (60) is arranged adjacent the light incident surface to project light beams into the light guide module.

Abstract: A lighting device including a light guide plate, a light source unit disposed on the side of the light guide plate and a polarization separation element disposed between the light guide plate and the light source unit. The polarization separation element is used for transmitting linearly polarized light in a first polarized direction and reflecting linearly polarized light in a polarized direction normal to the first polarized direction. The light source unit includes a pillar-shaped light guide which light exits at a first side surface, a spot light emission source disposed on the end surface of the pillar-shaped light guide, and a reflecting layer disposed on a second side surface of a prism surface opposed to the first side surface for reflecting light from the spot light emission source.