Edge Illuminated Patents (Class 40/546)
  • Patent number: 11934000
    Abstract: The light emitting sheet excellent in light guiding performance according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a base film; and a light guide pattern portion in which a pattern set on a surface of the base film is repeatedly formed, wherein the light guide pattern portion has a hexagonal shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: EZ GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Joo Young Kim, Ji Won Kang, Eun Seong Kim
  • Patent number: 11892672
    Abstract: A display device includes a light guide plate a first area, a plurality of first eccentric microstructures positioned in the first area with a first eccentric orientation, a second area arranged at one side of the first area, and second eccentric microstructures positioned in the second area with a second eccentric orientation. An angle between the first eccentric orientation and the second eccentric orientation is less than 90 degrees. First and second light sources are disposed on a first side of the light guide, and configured to project light towards a corresponding one of the first and second eccentric microstructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: TPK TOUCH SOLUTIONS (XIAMEN) INC.
    Inventors: Ming-Chuan Lin, Sheh-Jung Lai, Kuo-Hsin Wang, Yu-Ling Chen
  • Patent number: 11506353
    Abstract: A light guide for a lamp of an automobile includes at least one body made of elastic material adapted to conduct, at least partly, light rays within itself by total internal reflection; a supporting structure adapted to connect the at least one body to the lamp. The body comprises: at least one light inlet portion, from which the light rays emitted by at least one light source enter the body; a plurality of light emission portions, from which the light rays exit the light guide, so as to be visible to an observer. The light guide comprises at least two connection elements adapted to permit fastening the body to the supporting structure. The body includes at least one pliable portion between the at least two connection elements so that the body can be bent and/or curved to take a plurality of different conformations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: OLSA S.P.A.
    Inventor: Frank Hallitschke
  • Patent number: 11460626
    Abstract: The technology involves an in-vehicle communication system with a console that is positioned within the cabin of the vehicle, for instance between the front seats so that passengers in the second row can view and access it. The console is configured to provide contextual information to passengers. The console includes a monitor assembly that has a display screen and a notification region. The notification region includes one or more displayable icons and at least one receptacle for a communication device of a passenger. The notification region has a first section comprising an outer cover layer with a first series of masking, diffuser and illuminating layers to selectively illuminate the one or more displayable icons. The notification region has a second section comprising the outer cover layer with a second series of masking, diffuser and illuminating layers to selectively illuminate the at least one receptacle for the communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: WAYMO LLC
    Inventors: Richard Morabito, Choon Ping Chng, Joongmin Yoon
  • Patent number: 11360259
    Abstract: A static multiview display includes a plurality of light emitters offset in a longitudinal direction; a light guide configured to guide light in the longitudinal direction; a collimating light coupler configured to receive light from the light emitters and coupling the light to the light guide; and an array of diffraction gratings to extract light guided by the light guide to provide a multiview image having a direction that is a function of both color and a propagation angle of light guided by the light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: LEIA INC.
    Inventors: Xuejian Li, David A. Fattal, Francesco Aieta, Ming Ma
  • Patent number: 11354965
    Abstract: A vending machine has an interactive customer experience. Some embodiments of the vending machine include a transparent front wall with a plurality of display units located behind the front wall. Each of the display units may contain an example of a product available for vending. Based on input received from a customer and other information, the vending machine may provide a recommendation for a product or products to select for purchase. The vending machine may highlight the recommendation by selectively illuminating the product display units that contain the recommended products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Emad Jafa, Xuejun Li, Yong Serock, Cheuk Chi Lau, Martyn Thomas Mitchell, Euan Morrison, Wai Ting Chan, Samuel Luke Johnstone, Erik David Williams
  • Patent number: 11340394
    Abstract: A display includes a light guide plate having an incident edge surface and an output surface; a plurality of light sources arranged opposed to the incident edge surface; and a plurality of prisms arranged in a main pattern on a surface, each prism having a reflective surface configured to reflect light from any of the plurality of light sources towards the output surface. A curvature of the reflective surface of a first prism arranged in a first sub-pattern of the main pattern, is different from a curvature of the reflective surface of a second prism arranged in a second sub-pattern of the main pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Okuda, Junya Fujita
  • Patent number: 11256018
    Abstract: A light assembly includes a core, a light source, and a functional layer. The core extends along a centerline, and includes a base end, a distal end, a first side spanning axially between the base and distal ends, and a second side opposite the first side and spanning axially between the base and distal ends. The second side includes an unbinding element axially extending partially between the base and distal ends. The light source is adapted to emit light rays into the core at the base end. The functional layer is laterally spaced from the first side, axially extends partially between the base and distal ends, and is axially aligned to the unbinding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: VARROC LIGHTING SYSTEMS, S.R.O
    Inventors: Derrick Defever, Glenn McCarter, Dylan Schickel
  • Patent number: 11186222
    Abstract: The invention relates to a trim part designed as a molded part for a vehicle interior, comprising a decorative layer and a carrier arranged on a reverse side thereof. The decorative layer comprises a decorative ply and a light-conducting optical layer with a first refractive index, wherein the optical layer is arranged on a front/visible side of the decorative layer, wherein at least one light source is provided on or in the molded part for illuminating the optical layer, wherein the light source is arranged such that light emanating from the light source is laterally into the optical layer. A light-conducting additional layer with a second refractive index is provided in the decorative layer between the decorative ply and the optical layer, adjoining the optical layer. The first refractive index of the optical layer is greater than the second refractive index of the additional layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: NOVEM CAR INTERIOR DESIGN GMBH
    Inventor: Philipp Weih
  • Patent number: 11150402
    Abstract: A lighting device is provided and comprises a housing, a light source module, a light guiding module, and a positioning member. The housing has an accommodating space. The light source module is disposed in the accommodating space. The light guiding module is configured to receive the light emitted from the light source module, and the light guiding module includes at least two light guiding plates. The positioning member is slidably disposed in the accommodating space of the housing. The two light guide plates are configured in the accommodating space of the housing and are coupled to the opposite sides of the positioning member, so that the positioning member supports and positions the two light guide plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignees: RADIANT OPTO-ELECTRONICS (SUZHOU) CO., LTD., RADIANT OPTO-ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pai-Ho Hsu, Jui-Fang Wu, Ming-Huang Yang
  • Patent number: 11131880
    Abstract: A lighting device and a light housing are provided. The lighting device includes a housing, and the housing is provided with a light exit and an accommodating cavity extending inward from the light exit; the lighting device further includes a first light source, a second light source, and a controller. The controller controls at most one selected from a group consisting of the first light source and the second light source to emit light. Both the first light source and the second light source are disposed in the accommodating cavity. The first light source is used for an auxiliary lighting mode, in the case where the first light source emits light, the background image is visible from the light exit; and the second light source is used for a main lighting mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignees: Opple Lighting Co., Ltd., Suzhou Opple Lighting Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Haitao Jiang
  • Patent number: 11131802
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a mounting assembly for an optical element of a lighting lamp, including a base, a top frame and at least two side frames, one end of each of the at least two side frames is connected to the base and the other end is connected to the top frame; the at least two side frames, the base and the top frame enclose a mounting space for fixing the optical element, and the at least two side frames are configured to be distributed around the optical element and are configured to be connected to a side edge of the optical element. The present disclosure further discloses a light source module and a lighting lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignees: Opple Lighting Co., Ltd., Suzhou Opple Lighting Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiaolei Wang
  • Patent number: 11002572
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an optical encoder for an electronic device. The optical encoder includes a spindle and an encoded pattern disposed around a circumference of the spindle. The encoded pattern may include one or more surface features that create a direction-dependent reflective region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Paisith P. Boonsom, Serhan O. Isikman, Richard Ruh, Prashanth S. Holenarsipur, Colin M. Ely, William N. Pickeral, Jairam Manjunathaiah, David G. Havskjold, Anant Rai, Maegan K. Spencer, Milind S. Bhagavat
  • Patent number: 10991339
    Abstract: A display backlight includes an illumination layer and an optical layer. The illumination layer includes a two-dimensional array of light sources, which generate illumination light. An image of the illumination light is captured and analyzed for light uniformity. In response to the analysis of the illumination light, ink patterns are printed on the optical layer of a display backlight to increase light uniformity of the illumination light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Agnes Lee
  • Patent number: 10902758
    Abstract: An illuminant comprising a transparent substrate layer with a first index of refraction, a connecting layer with a second index of refraction that differs from the first index of refraction, and a metallic, translucent layer, wherein the connecting layer is arranged between the substrate layer and the metallic layer, and wherein on the side facing the connecting layer the substrate layer comprises a plurality of decoupling structures suitable for decoupling light that propagates within the substrate layer from the substrate layer in the direction towards the metallic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Singulus Technologies AG
    Inventor: Kilian Kruse
  • Patent number: 10830940
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a light guide plate and a manufacturing method thereof, a backlight assembly, and a display assembly. The light guide plate of the present disclosure includes: a light guide plate body; a first light outgoing surface formed on one surface of two opposite surfaces of the light guide plate body which have a largest area; a second light outgoing surface formed on the other surface of the two opposite surfaces of the light guide plate body which have the largest area; a light incoming surface formed on a side surface of the light guide plate body extending in a direction perpendicular to the first and the second outgoing surfaces; and a plurality of light diffusion structures formed on a plane inside the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., K-TRONICS (SUZHOU) TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Liri Chen, Qingen Zhou, Rongshun Zhang
  • Patent number: 10820727
    Abstract: In one aspect, a back-lit digital photograph frame system is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Inventor: Norion Michael Ubechel
  • Patent number: 10663650
    Abstract: A lighting device is provided, including a housing, a light source module, a light guiding module, and a protective member. The housing has an accommodating space, and the light source module is disposed in the accommodating space. The light guiding module has a top surface, a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, a first lateral surface, and a second lateral surface opposite to the first lateral surface. The light from the light source module can be received by the top surface. The first and second lateral surfaces connect the top surface to the bottom surface. The protective member surrounds the first lateral surface, the bottom surface, and the second lateral surface. The opposite ends of the protective member are connected to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignees: RADIANT OPTO-ELECTRONICS (SUZHOU) CO., LTD, RADIANT OPTO-ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jui-Fang Wu, Pin-Tsung Wang, Ming-Huang Yang
  • Patent number: 10663647
    Abstract: A backlight unit includes a light guide plate; a wavelength conversion member disposed on a surface of the light guide plate; and a housing which houses the wavelength conversion member and is fused to the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Woo Suk Seo, Kwang Wook Choi, Yong Hoon Kwon, Sung Chul Kim, Seok Hyun Nam, Si Joon Song
  • Patent number: 10558235
    Abstract: A border assembly includes a semi-tubular reflector segment and a semi-tubular diffuser segment in front of the reflector segment. The reflector segment includes an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall, and a cavity therebetween. The cavity includes a backspace midway along the reflector segment and a front exit spaced therefrom. The reflector segment is configured, in relation to light emanated from the backspace, to discharge light originating from the emanated light through the front exit all along the reflector segment with a regular intensity, with the discharged light including reflections of the emanated light off the outer sidewall. The diffuser segment includes a back face positioned over the front exit and a front face spaced therefrom. The diffuser segment is configured to diffusively transmit the discharged light, resulting in the front face casting a glow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher Ryan Levay, Jesse John Moellers, Praveenkumar Hanakuntimath
  • Patent number: 10338297
    Abstract: Provided is a lighting device capable of implementing optical images having desired shapes through a pattern design, the lighting device including: a light source portion having light sources; a light guide portion having a larger thickness than a height of a light emitting surface of the respective light sources and irradiating an incident beam from a side; a three-dimensional forming portion provided inside the light guide portion, on a first surface or on a second surface; and a reflective portion on the light guide portion or the three-dimensional effect forming portion, wherein the three-dimensional effect forming portion includes multiple patterns sequentially arranged and having respective inclined surfaces with inclination angles with respect to the first surface, wherein the multiple patterns guide light passing along the light guide portion into a first surface direction or a second surface direction, thereby implementing line shaped beams of a first path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Hyuk Jang, Jin Su Kim, Seung Jong Baek, Dong Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 10243510
    Abstract: An illumination panel includes a transparent structural core having two opposing surfaces, a matrix of light releasing dots substantially covering both the opposing surfaces, and a protective panel in abutting contact with each of the opposing surfaces whereby the dots are an adhesive for bonding the core to the protective panels and wherein the density or size of the dots increases across the illumination panel in a direction away from an illumination panel edge adjacent a light emitting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: PIXALUX INNOVATIONS PTY LTD
    Inventor: John Matyear
  • Patent number: 10114271
    Abstract: A system for evenly-scattered adaptable subject lighting for mobile device photography, comprising a case configured to enclose and securely fasten a mobile device and an illuminating portion, the illuminating portion configured to produce light based on input received from a plurality of sensors. The system further comprising a plurality of programming instructions stored in a memory and operating on a processor of a network-connected computing device, and configured to direct the operation of the illuminating portion comprising at least a sensor processor and an image capture device, wherein the sensor processor adjusts the illuminating portion based on preconfigured thresholds to provide evenly-scatter lighting for capturing images of subjects via the image capture device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: SMPL Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Thomas Hennings, Jeremy Cox
  • Patent number: 10082724
    Abstract: A system for evenly-scattered adaptable subject lighting for mobile device photography, comprising a case configured to enclose and securely fasten a mobile device and an illuminating portion, the illuminating portion configured to produce light based on input received from a plurality of sensors. The system further comprising a plurality of programming instructions stored in a memory and operating on a processor of a network-connected computing device, and configured to direct the operation of the illuminating portion comprising at least a sensor processor and an image capture device, wherein the sensor processor adjusts the illuminating portion based on preconfigured thresholds to provide evenly-scatter lighting for capturing images of subjects via the image capture device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: SMPL Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Thomas Hennings, Jeremy Cox
  • Patent number: 10037720
    Abstract: A system and method for presenting a visual message by illumination. The system includes an LED light source and a transparent sheet. The transparent sheet is a transmission medium that includes a modified surface that refracts light in designated areas. The LED source illuminates the transparent sheet so that the LED illumination of the sheet achieves a visual effect of a neon filled glass tube lighting. The illumination system, however, is neon-free. The modified surface includes a disruption pattern or a printed ink layer, or the sheet includes two modified surfaces, one modified with a disruption pattern and another one modified with a printed ink layer. The LED light source includes multiple LED emitters on a circuit board. The LED light source projects light through the sheet in a direction that is parallel to a surface plane of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Technographix, LLC
    Inventors: Darrell Brown, Delbert Billingsley, Kyle Hensley
  • Patent number: 10012011
    Abstract: A device for sealing a container door are configured for the sake of a container security in such a way that the device for sealing a container door is installed at a locking device of a container door so as to detect if the container door is forcibly opened or closed by an unauthorized person during a container transportation from a freight-loaded place to a freight-unloaded place, and a result of such a detection is wirelessly transmitted to a container security system. The device for sealing a container door includes a main body, a locking member, a fixing unit, a stopper unit, a seal-release authentication unit, a holding unit, a seal-sensing unit, a LED state display unit, a battery, and a control board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: S-WINNUS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyungrim Choi, Jaejoong Kim, Jaekee Lee, Soongoo Hong, Chaesoo Kim, Gwanghoon Kwark, Gangbae Lee, Eunkyu Lee, Jungrock Son, Sungpill Choi, Youngsik Moon, Joongjo Shin, Jinwook Lee, Heemok Son, Woocheol Choi, Yoonji Kim, Junwoo Jung, Minjung Kim, Minho Kim, Hansoo Park, Jaeseong Oh
  • Patent number: 9907869
    Abstract: A solution for disinfecting a screen of an item using ultraviolet radiation is provided. The solution can provide an electronic device including a screen utilized by a user of the electronic device. The screen can be an ultraviolet transparent screen that covers at least some of the internal portion of the electronic device and a set of ultraviolet radiation sources can be located adjacent to the transparent screen. The set of ultraviolet radiation sources can be configured to generate ultraviolet radiation directed towards an external surface of the ultraviolet transparent screen. The electronic device can further include a monitoring and control system, which can manage the ultraviolet radiation generation by monitoring a set of attributes relating to the external surface of the screen and controlling, based on the monitoring, ultraviolet radiation directed at the external surface of the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuri Bilenko, Alexander Dobrinsky, Michael Shur
  • Patent number: 9865184
    Abstract: A display panel including a translucent carrier element that has an inner side, an outer side, and a display area is provided. At least one display element is arranged within the display area, the display element being formed by geometric structures realized as protrusions and/or depressions on both of the inner side and the outer side of the translucent carrier element. The display panel can be used in an information display that in particular comprises at least a light emitting element for backlighting the display element. The information display can be used in an appliance such as an electric toothbrush, wherein the protrusions and/or depressions integrally formed with the translucent carrier element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: BRAUN GMBH
    Inventors: Uwe Jungnickel, Wolfgang Stegmann
  • Patent number: 9857520
    Abstract: A lighting assembly includes a light guide having opposed major surfaces between which light propagates by total internal reflection and a light input edge. The light assembly also includes a light engine. The light engine has a heat conductive armature having a receptacle for a portion of the light guide that includes the light input edge and a light source retained by and thermally coupled to the armature. The armature functions as a heat sink for dissipating heat generated by the light source. The light guide is mechanically retained in the receptacle, and the light guide and the armature cooperate to align the light input edge with the light source for inputting light from the light source into the light guide through the light input edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Rambus Delaware LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery R Parker, Timothy A McCollum, Martin E Ligas, Joseph Crookston, Fumitomo Hide, Alexey Titov, Ian Hardcastle
  • Patent number: 9747820
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for displaying illuminated images. In some embodiments a light box is capable of receiving a wide variety of images, which may be changed as desired by a user. The light box may be framed independently for wall hanging or display on a stand, or incorporated within or attached to pieces of furniture, including but not limited to beds, dressers, changing tables, book shelves, chests of drawers, toy chests, and the like. In various embodiments, the light box may include a dimmer, a timed dimmer, a motion sensor, and/or equipment for playing music or generating white noise. In certain embodiments, a single light box may be used, while in other embodiments a plurality of light boxes and/or digital picture frames may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald R. Sanders
  • Patent number: 9740083
    Abstract: A system for evenly-scattered adaptable subject lighting for mobile device photography, comprising a case configured to enclose and securely fasten a mobile device and an illuminating portion, the illuminating portion configured to produce light based on input received from a plurality of sensors. The system further comprising a plurality of programming instructions stored in a memory and operating on a processor of a network-connected computing device, and configured to direct the operation of the illuminating portion comprising at least a sensor processor and an image capture device, wherein the sensor processor adjusts the illuminating portion based on preconfigured thresholds to provide evenly-scatter lighting for capturing images of subjects via the image capture device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventors: Mark Thomas Hennings, Jeremy Cox
  • Patent number: 9726809
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting unit can include a first LED and a second LED each having a different color; a first light guiding lens and a second light guiding lens disposed in front of the first and second LEDs, respectively, configured to guide light rays from the first and second LED, respectively, to cause the light rays to exit therethrough forward; and a diffusion lens disposed in front of the first and second light guiding lenses, configured to diffuse the light rays from the first and second light guiding lenses. The light exiting faces of the first and second light guiding lenses can be configured to be long and adjacent to each other in the vertical direction with the lengthwise directions coincide with each other. The diffusion lens can have a long shape so as to cover the entire front light exiting faces of the first and second light guiding lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Koji Sato
  • Patent number: 9719666
    Abstract: A luminous element holder for fastening to at least one body, includes a slot-like interior chamber, wherein, by means of at least one web protruding laterally into the interior chamber, the interior chamber is divided into a slot-like insertion chamber for receiving the at least one body and a receiving chamber, openly adjoining the insertion chamber, for at least one luminous element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: OSRAM GMBH
    Inventor: Ludwig Nieberle
  • Patent number: 9638387
    Abstract: A lighting unit (85) for use by a vulnerable road user such as a cyclist, the lighting unit being intended for use as a front light or a rear light, wherein the lighting unit displays a symbol or word that identifies the category of vulnerable road user. It may incorporate two distinct lights: one which is set to achieve light delivery comparable to current standard white front and red rear bike lights, whilst the other is the symbol or word display. The symbol or word display is designed to increase driver recognition, to improve driver reaction time, and to prime appropriate driving behaviour. For example the lighting unit (95) may be a rear light or a front light for a bicycle (10), arranged to display (80) the word BIKE or a symbol of a cyclist on a bicycle. The lighting unit (95) may also include a light source (103) with an external focusing lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: Crawford Hollingworth
  • Patent number: 9589487
    Abstract: A system can combine edgelit signage and edgelit illumination. The system can comprise two edgelit lightguide sections, one supporting signage and another supporting illumination. The lightguide section that supports signage can comprise a backlit face inscribed with text or graphics conveying an emergency message. The lightguide section that supports illumination can comprise a face patterned with features that release light, for example for emergency illumination. The two lightguide sections can be two areas of a single edgelit lightguide. The two lightguide sections can alternatively formed from two separate lightguides. In some examples, one or more illumination lightguide sections can be configured as a trim plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Kraig Kasler, Westly Davis Hetrick, Scott Formel, Dylan Isaac James, Reed Alan Bradford, Scott David Wegner
  • Patent number: 9574736
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a backlight device. The device includes: a light emitting element; a lens having an incident surface on which light emitted by the light emitting element is incident, and an outgoing surface which has an ability to converge the light and from which the light incident on the incident surface goes out; a light guide plate having a light incidence plane and introducing through the incidence plane the light going out from the outgoing surface, so as to perform surface light emission; and a reflective member operative to reflect a portion of the light going out from the outgoing surface of the lens, toward the incidence plane of the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takeo Arai
  • Patent number: 9443453
    Abstract: An illuminated display board includes a frame, a light-transmissive panel, and a light source. The light source is positioned within the frame, and adjacent the light-transmissive panel. The light source is oriented at an angle of between about 25 degrees and about 50 degrees with respect to the light-transmissive panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Green Light Innovations
    Inventor: Timothy G. Fallon
  • Patent number: 9388948
    Abstract: An LED lamp includes an elongated at least partially optically transmissive enclosure having a first end and a second end. LEDs are located in the enclosure and are operable to emit light through the enclosure when energized through an electrical path. A first pair of pins are mounted to the first end of the enclosure and a second pair of pins are mounted to the second end of the enclosure, the pins being in the electrical path. The LEDs are mounted on an LED board. A support structure for supporting the LED board is formed as one-piece with the enclosure and is formed of an optical material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Randolph C. Demuynck, Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9374869
    Abstract: An edge-lit lighting device includes a light emitting panel (LEP), a first plurality of light sources, and a second plurality of light sources. The first plurality of LEDs are positioned proximal to a first narrow side of the LEP and are configured to emit a first light into the LEP through the first narrow side. The first light has a first intensity level. The second plurality of LEDs are positioned proximal to a second narrow side of the LEP and are configured to emit a second light into the LEP through the second narrow side. The second light has a second intensity level that is different from the first intensity level. The first intensity level and the second intensity level are set to achieve a particular distribution pattern of an output light emitted out through a broad side of the LEP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Timothy Glen Wright, Adam Moore Foy, Eric Allyn Snyder
  • Patent number: 9285530
    Abstract: A system for illuminating a reflective display or other material from a planar front device and a method of manufacture thereof. The system includes a light guide plate that conducts light from an edge light source across the face of a reflective display. Micro lenses are formed on the inner or outer surface of the light guide and direct the light conducted in the light guide toward the display. A stepped index layer is formed on the surface of light guide plate containing the micro lenses. The stepped index layer has an index of refraction lower than an index of refraction of the light guide plate to assist in the total internal reflection of light injected into the light guide plate. A top layer protective coat or touch screen can be laminated to the outside of the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: NOOK DIGITAL, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Neugebauer, Jason Wong, Sam Niansheng Qiu, David Klawon
  • Patent number: 9261250
    Abstract: The invention relates to an illuminated display assembly including at least one electrically conductive cable (14), at least two display panels (12) connected to one another via said at least one cable (14), each display panel (12) including light elements (18), and an electrical power source (16) which supplies electrical power to the light elements (18) of said at least two display panels (12) and which is located upstream from the display panels (12). Two consecutive display panels (12) define an upstream display panel (14) and a downstream display panel (14) relative to the electrical power source (16). Each display panel (12) includes a transmission device (28) for transmitting electrical power through said panel (12), such that a given panel (12) is electrically connected to the electrical power source via the transmission device (28) of the upstream display panel (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: VDP
    Inventor: Benjamin Champagne
  • Patent number: 9237630
    Abstract: A planar light emitting device includes a light-emitting element having a light-transmitting substrate on one side; and a front film in contact with the light-emitting element on the side of the light-transmitting substrate, the front film includes at least three layers including a substrate film and particle-containing resin layers on both surfaces of the substrate film; wherein the resin layer (a first particle-containing layer) on the light incidence side of the front film contains 1 to 50% by weight of the particles and the resin layer (a second particle-containing layer) on the light exiting side of the front film contains 20 to 80% by weight of the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Wakahara, Motoyuki Suzuki, Yuji Kawata
  • Patent number: 9223078
    Abstract: A positioning signal transmitter module, adapted to use with a cursor-controlling device corporately for a cursor controlling, includes a light-guide element and at least one light source. The light-guide element has a light-emission surface and at least one light-incidence surface adjacent to the light-emission surface. The light source is disposed beside the light-incidence surface(s), and each light source is configured to provide a light signal to its corresponding light-incidence surface. The light signal emits out from the light-emission surface. Moreover, an electronic product with a cursor-controllable function using the aforementioned positioning signal transmitter module is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Chao-Chien Huang, Chun-Yi Lu, Meng-Huan Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9135839
    Abstract: A unique scrolling backlit display used for advertising or the like features two sets of spools carrying separate webs thereon that respectively contain background and foreground imagery, whereby scrolling of one web relative the other increases the number of distinct visuals that can be attained with the device, and also allows dynamic animation-like displays in which foreground images change over a maintained background, or vice-versa. Multi-color LED light sources in the backlighting device are operable to create vibrant, dynamic lighting effects, while illumination of the display housing further increases the visual appeal of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Inventor: Tobin Remenda
  • Patent number: 9110214
    Abstract: A backlight assembly includes an optical member, a receiving container and a combining member. The optical member is configured to change optical characteristics of light. The receiving container includes a bottom plate and a sidewall. The bottom plate is disposed under the optical member and is configured to receive the optical member thereon. The sidewall extends from the bottom plate to form a receiving space with the bottom plate. The optical member is received in the receiving space. The combining member includes a first frame, a second frame and a third frame. The first frame partially covers a bottom surface of the optical member. The second frame protrudes upwards from the first frame. The third frame protrudes from an inner surface of the second frame to partially cover an upper surface of the optical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ki-Chang Lee, Jong-Myeong Park, Chung-Hui Lee
  • Patent number: 9097833
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a light source including an inorganic material substrate, a light emitting element mounted on a mounting surface of the inorganic material substrate, and a metalized pattern formed on a non-mounting surface of the inorganic material substrate on which the light emitting element is not mounted, a mounting substrate including an mounting surface on which the light source is mounted, and a conductor pattern formed on the mounting surface and bonded to the metalized pattern, and an optical member disposed on the mounting surface of the mounting substrate so as to guide a light emitted from the light source in a predetermined direction. The optical member includes a heat absorbing surface at least a part of which faces the conductor pattern of the mounting substrate, and a heat radiating surface that radiates heat of the light source conducted from the conductor pattern via the heat absorbing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Suehiro, Koji Tasumi, Osamu Ito
  • Patent number: 9062846
    Abstract: The linear light source apparatus includes an elongated rectangular wiring substrate; a plurality of light-emitting devices which are aligned on a straight line on the top surface of the wiring substrate; reflectors provided on the top surface such that each reflector corresponds to one light-emitting device; a sealing resin portion which seals each of the light-emitting devices; and a heat radiation sheet provided on the bottom surface of the wiring substrate. A plurality of grooves are provided on the bottom surface of the substrate. Each groove is formed so as to have a line shape and to extend in a lateral direction of the wiring substrate. Each of the grooves is located between adjacent light-emitting devices. The heat radiation sheet is provided on the entire bottom surface of the wiring substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kinji Hayashi, Hitoshi Omori
  • Patent number: 9049499
    Abstract: A communication network device and corresponding patch field system are disclosed. The device includes a port module, ports, and an appliqué attached to a face of the port module. The appliqué includes a printed circuit board (PCB) with conductive pads. A patch cord connects the device with an intelligent patch panel. The patch cord contains at least one system wire. The patch panel is adapted to measure a resistance associated with each port via the system wire. An open circuit indicates that no patch cord is attached to the port, a resistance within a first range indicates that the patch cord is attached only to the port of the intelligent patch panel, and a resistance within a second range less than the first range indicates that the patch cord connects the intelligent patch panel and the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Nordin, Jack E. Caveney
  • Patent number: 9028127
    Abstract: A lighting module comprises a light guide plate including a predetermined pattern; a case covering both sides of the light guide plate; and a light source which is disposed in the case and is configured to emit light to the both sides of the light guide plate, wherein the light guide plate is configured to emit the light from the light source through a top surface and a bottom surface of light guide plate, and wherein the lighting module is configured to emit first light upward from the top surface of the light guide plate, and second light downward from the bottom surface of the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han Gyoul Kim, Young Kuk Kwak, Sang Jun Hong, Young Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 8997387
    Abstract: The lighting apparatus 10 includes a light guide plate 11 made of a transparent material and having a pair of faces 12a, 12b opposing each other and an end face adjoining the faces, a silkscreen-printed dot pattern 13 used to diffuse light, provided only on the face 12a of the light guide plate 11 and formed with a special ink, and an LED light source 20 disposed so as to face the end face of the light guide plate 11. The face 12a of the light guide plate 11 provided with the silkscreen-printed pattern 13 serves, as it is, as a light-emitting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Hayamizu Denki Kogyo KabushikiKaisha
    Inventor: Koji Oki