Material Patents (Class 362/629)
  • Patent number: 7364340
    Abstract: A backlight unit for a flat panel display and a flat panel display apparatus having the same. The backlight unit for a flat panel display displaying a predetermined image includes: a light source which emits light; a light guide panel having an incident surface facing the light source and which totally reflects light incident through the incident surface toward the flat panel display; and a holographic pattern that includes a plurality of diffraction gratings that are continuously repeated on at least one of an exit surface of the light guide panel and the opposing surface and diffracts light incident into the light guide panel. A depth of the diffraction grating progressively increases away from the incident surface along a length direction of the light guide panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-sun Choi, Jin-Seung Choi, Jee-hong Min, Jin-hwan Kim, Su-mi Lee
  • Patent number: 7347612
    Abstract: A backlight module 200 is provided, which includes a light guide plate 22 and a nonspecular reflective device 28, 34. The light guide plate 22 has a light-incident surface 221, a light-emitting surface 223, and a bottom surface 222 opposite to the light-emitting surface 223. The nonspecular reflective device 28, 34 arranged on and within an elongate section of the bottom surface 222. The elongate section of the bottom surface 222 is proximate to or adjacent the light-incident surface 221 of the light guide plate 22. The backlight module 200 can also include a light source 21 and a reflective plate 23. The light source 21 is disposed facing the light-incident surface 221, and the reflective plate 23 is disposed below the bottom surface 222.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guo-Han Yue, Wen-Wu Zhu, Jing Chen
  • Patent number: 7338196
    Abstract: Low profile, thin panels using a layer of clear cast polymer with a reflective, mirrored backing and edges and a light diffusing face sheet, carrying light sources using fiber optic lenses or diodes on all or any sides thereof. The reflective sides direct the light beams generated at the edges toward the center and opposing sides, reflecting light beams within the cast plate, diffusing the light towards the open surface. Overall thickness of the panels is not more than ½? and light sources are inserted into the edging before a liquid polymer mix is cast over them, to create an integral element upon curing. The liquid polymer mix, with any additives to deliver different colors, is poured into a tray with reflective inner surface and side edges, which houses the light sources. The finished panels may have framing to cover any wiring or exposed edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Inventor: Bahram Bahramian
  • Patent number: 7325961
    Abstract: A polarized light source, has an illuminant for generating light having a transparent tube which is filled with mercury vapor and which has a fluorescent material disposed thereon; a reflective film surrounding the illuminant and having an opening for emitting the light; and a plurality of metal grid wires disposed at the opening for transmitting the light with a predetermined polarization therethrough; wherein the reflective film and the metal grid wires are disposed on the transparent tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Hannstar Display Corp.
    Inventors: Wei Chou Chen, Kei Hsiung Yang
  • Patent number: 7264390
    Abstract: A polarized light source device comprises a light source, a reflector, a transparent substrate, an antireflection layer, and a plurality of metal grid wires. The reflector surrounds the light source for reflecting the light, and has an opening for emitting the light. The transparent substrate is disposed at the opening. The antireflection layer is disposed on the transparent substrate. The metal grid wires are disposed on the antireflection layer for transmitting the light with a predetermined polarization therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Hannstar Display Corp.
    Inventors: Wei Chou Chen, Kei Hsiung Yang
  • Patent number: 7252425
    Abstract: A light guide panel usable with a backlight unit is capable of enhancing brightness uniformity and reducing light loss. The light guide panel includes a transparent plate one side of which is a plane of incidence. An interior of the light guide panel is divided by a plurality of planes inclined with respect to the plane of incidence, and each of the respective inclined planes is partial-reflection-coated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Joon-chan Park
  • Patent number: 7226200
    Abstract: A backlight module (1) has a light guiding device (2) and a light source (200). The light guiding device has a single light guide plate (20), and a reflection member (26). The single light guide plate has a light incidence surface (211), a top light emitting surface (23), and an opposite bottom light emitting surface (22). The single light guide plate further has a plate cavity (not labeled) formed therein for receiving the reflection member. The reflection member has a top reflection surface (28) and an opposite bottom reflection surface (29). The top reflection surface of the reflection member faces toward the top light emitting surface of the light guide plate, and the bottom reflection surface of the reflection member faces toward the bottom light emitting surface of the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Kun-Jung Tsai
  • Patent number: 7223007
    Abstract: A device and method for optimizing lighting for a display (108) in a multi-display electronic device (100), is disclosed. The method includes emitting light waves (302) from at least one light source (244), to a back surface (122, 132) of each display in a plurality of displays (108, 110), thereby back-lighting the plurality of displays (108, 110). At least one display of the plurality of displays is selectively back-lighted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Fredley, Julio C. Castaneda, Abraham M. Haidar
  • Patent number: 7188989
    Abstract: The light guide plate 32 has a light receiving portion 36 on one side thereof to receive light emitted by the LED 24 and a flexible light guide body 35 for transforming the light received by the light receiving portion 36 into planar light. The light guide body 35 is arranged along the liquid crystal panel 23 and has a plurality of light scattering portions 30 arranged on an outer surface thereof in a propagation direction of light emitted by the LED 24. Since the light guide plate 32 comprises a flexible member and thus can be arranged in a curved shape conforming to the liquid crystal panel 23 having a curved surface portion, the curved surface portion of the liquid crystal panel 23 can be illuminated uniformly. Further, the provision of the light scattering portions 30 can enhance a light reception efficiency and light emission efficiency even if the light guide plate 32 is thin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Miyashita
  • Patent number: 7186015
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for backlighting a translucent image. At least one polymer thick film conductive strip is applied to a glass substrate, connecting a plurality of light emitting devices, a dropping resistor, and a power supply connection. The glass substrate is positioned behind a translucent image that is backlit by the light emitting devices. The method includes applying a conductive polymer thick film ink to a substrate to form conductive traces, applying at least one light emitting device to the substrate, applying a dropping resistor to the substrate, and curing the ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Polymore Circuit Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Kimmet, Troy T. Bachman
  • Patent number: 7077557
    Abstract: A surface light source device. A light guide plate has an incident end face, an emitting face, at least one full-reflective face, and a plurality of light adjusters. The full-reflective face reflects light onto the incident end face for direction to the emitting face for transmission. The light adjusters are disposed in the light guide plate with a density discontinuously varied in at least one area of the light guide plate to adjust light collection for emission from the different areas of the emitting face, hereby providing discontinuous light intensity. The light source is disposed in the vicinity of the incident end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Wistron Optronics Corporation
    Inventor: Hong-Da Liu
  • Patent number: 7018059
    Abstract: A direct type backlight module. The backlight module includes a reflector, a diffuser plate, lamps, and a light-distributing device. The diffuser plate is disposed on the reflector, and the lamps are disposed between the reflector and the diffuser plate. The light-distributing device is disposed between the lamp and the diffuser plate, and guides light from the lamp to the diffuser plate. A space is defined between the light-distributing device and the diffuser plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chuan-Pei Yu, Chien-Hung Kuo, Han-Chou Liu
  • Patent number: 7014351
    Abstract: A planar surface illuminator (20) for installation below a liquid crystal display panel includes a light guide plate (22) and a plurality of light emitting diodes (21). The light guide plate has a bottom surface (223), an end surface (221) and a number of dots (23) formed on the bottom surface. The light emitting diodes are positioned adjacent the end surface to irradiate the light guide plate. Shortfall areas (223a) in the light guide plate between each two adjacent light emitting diodes are lightened by placing special dots (23a) therein, which special dots are made of melamine-based fluorescent particles. The melamine-based fluorescent particles function as small light sources, thus lightening the shortfall areas. The brightness of the planar surface illuminator is thereby balanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Charles Leu, Ga-Lane Chen
  • Patent number: 6966686
    Abstract: A surface light source device used in an LCD includes a panel-shaped light guide plate (200), a pair of light sources (100) for emitting light, and two pairs of light source holders (300). The light sources are installed adjacent to two end surfaces of the light guide plate. The light source holders are integrally formed with the light guide plate for receiving and fixing two end portions of each light source respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mi-Chien Chen