Abstract: In one aspect, a light emitting device comprises a film-based lightguide including folded and stacked strips extending from a lightguide region of the film. In one aspect, the film comprises light extracting features defining light emitting regions that extract light from at least one light source positioned to emit light into the stacked end of strips. The light emitting device may include a light reflecting layer physically coupled to the light emitting device, laminated to a layer of the film, or printed onto a layer of the film proximate the light emitting region of the film. The light emitting device may also include a fastener configured to attach the light emitting device to a wall or ceiling.

Abstract: In one aspect, a light emitting device comprises a film-based lightguide including folded and stacked strips extending from a lightguide region of the film. In one aspect, the film comprises light extracting features defining light emitting regions that extract light from at least one light source positioned to emit light into the stacked end of strips. In one aspect, a flux of light emitted in a first direction by the light extracting features is greater than 70% of a total flux emitted from the light emitting regions, the light emitting regions have an average luminous transmittance greater than 70%, and the outermost surface of the device has an ASTM D523-89 60 degree gloss less than 50 gloss units. In one aspect, the device is a light fixture and the color of the object, such as a wall or ceiling, behind the film is unchanged when looking through the film.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a light emitting device comprises a lightguide formed from a film having an array of coupling lightguide strips extending from a lightguide region of the film, the coupling lightguides are folded and stacked and a light source is positioned to emit light into edges of the stacked coupling lightguides to propagate into a light mixing region and then into a light emitting region, wherein the light mixing region wraps completely around the stack of coupling lightguides such that it surrounds the stack of coupling lightguides. In one embodiment, the light mixing region wraps is in contact with at least two sides of the stack of coupling lightguides. In another emobidment, the light mixing region comprises a cladding comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive material.

Abstract: In one aspect, a light emitting device comprises a film-based lightguide including folded and stacked strips extending from a lightguide region of the film. In one aspect, the film comprises light extracting features defining light emitting regions that extract light from at least one light source positioned to emit light into the stacked end of strips. In one aspect, a flux of light emitted in a first direction by the light extracting features is greater than 70% of a total flux emitted from the light emitting regions, the light emitting regions have an average luminous transmittance greater than 70%, and the outermost surface of the device has an ASTM D523-89 60 degree gloss less than 50 gloss units. In one aspect, the device is a light fixture and the color of the object, such as a wall or ceiling, behind the film is unchanged when looking through the film.

Abstract: A lightguide includes a film including a body having a light emitting region and a light mixing region adjacent the light emitting region. A first bend with a first diameter in a first plane is formed in the film within the light mixing region, wherein a first portion of the light mixing region is positioned behind the light emitting region. A second bend is formed in the film within the light mixing region.

Abstract: A display includes a reflective spatial light modulator having a reflective surface, a lightguide comprising a core layer, a first cladding layer, and a light emitting region comprising a plurality of light extraction features arranged in a pattern that varies spatially in the light emitting region to frustrate totally internally reflected light propagating within the core layer such that light exits the core layer in the light emitting region into the first cladding layer. A light redirecting optical element is optically coupled to the second side of the first cladding layer, and includes a plurality of light redirecting features directing frustrated totally internally reflected light from the plurality of light extraction features toward the reflective spatial light modulator.

Abstract: A directional front illumination device includes a film-based lightguide, a plurality of strips of the film extended from a lightguide region of the film along one side of the film with the strips folded and stacked such that they are parallel to each other with their ends forming a light input surface, and light extraction features defining a light emitting region of the film where the light emitting region has a high optical clarity and greater than 90% of the flux is emitted in a first direction toward an object. In one embodiment, the optical clarity of the light emitting region is greater than 70%. In another embodiment, the light extraction features have a fill-factor area percentage less than 20%.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lightguide includes cutting into a first region of a film using a first cutting process with a first cutting device to form a plurality of slits in the film defining lateral edges for each of a plurality of coupling lightguides extending from a body of a film, and cutting in a second region of the film different than the first region using a second cutting process different than the first cutting process with a second cutting device.

Abstract: A reflective display includes a reflective spatial light modulator and a front light having a lightguide formed by an array of film-based lightguides coupled into a lightguide region of the lightguide. One or more light sources emit light into the array of lightguides, with light extraction features frustrating totally internally reflect light within the lightguide region such that the light exits the lightguide through a cladding region toward a light redirecting optical element that redirects the light toward a reflective spatial light modulator.

Abstract: A device disclosed herein includes a component having a frame and an array of protruding teeth extending from the frame. Each tooth of the array of protruding teeth has an angled edge. The device also includes a lightguide formed from a film. The lightguide includes an array of strips extending from an area of the film. The array of strips is positioned adjacent the array of protruding teeth, and the component at least partially restrains the film when each strip of the array of strips is folded across an angled edge of a corresponding tooth of the array of protruding teeth.

Abstract: A reflective display includes a reflective spatial light modulator and a frontlight. The frontlight includes a lightguide formed from a film. The lightguide includes an array of coupling lightguides continuous with a lightguide region of the lightguide. One or more light sources emit light into the array of coupling lightguides. Light from each coupling lightguide combines and totally internally reflects within the lightguide region. Light extraction features frustrate totally internally reflect light within the lightguide region such that the light exits the lightguide toward the reflective spatial light modulator in a light emitting region of the film. A cladding region is optically coupled to the lightguide so light from the light source propagates into the cladding region. A light extracting region is operatively coupled to the cladding region opposite the lightguide, and light in the cladding region is extracted. A method of producing a display is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device disclosed herein includes a component having a frame and an array of protruding teeth extending from the frame. Each tooth of the array of protruding teeth has an angled edge. The device also includes a lightguide formed from a film. The lightguide includes an array of strips extending from an area of the film. The array of strips is positioned adjacent the array of protruding teeth, and the component at least partially restrains the film when each strip of the array of strips is folded across an angled edge of a corresponding tooth of the array of protruding teeth.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a light emitting device comprises an array of legs extending from a body of film with the bounding edges of the legs stacked, a first light source emitting light of a first color and a second light source emitting light of a second color into the stacked bounding edges where the light emitting region defined within the body is configured to extract light of a third color. In another embodiment, a light emitting device comprises three light sources positioned to direct light into a stacked array of bounding edges. In one embodiment, a method of generating light of adjustable color exiting a surface of a film is disclosed.

Abstract: In embodiments of this invention, light emitting devices comprise film-based lightguides comprising at least one light input coupler and an array of coupling lightguides that are folded or bent and disposed substantially above one another. The edges of the coupling lightguides may form part of a light input surface. The light emitting device may comprise more than one light input coupler and the film may be less than 500 microns in thickness. In embodiments of this invention, methods of manufacturing lightguides and light input couplers comprise steps that translate linear fold regions of the coupling lightguides relative to each other such that the coupling lightguides are bent or folded above each other. In other embodiments of this invention, an electroluminescent sign, light fixture, frontlight for a reflective display, or a backlight for a transmissive display comprises a lightguide and light input coupler comprising coupling lightguides.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device includes a light transmitting film defining a body and having opposing faces with a thickness between the opposing faces not greater than 0.5 millimeters. A first region is defined within the body representing a region of one or more of a pattern, an indicia, a graphic, and an image that is visible by light extraction when illuminated by light propagating within the film in a waveguide condition. The first region includes a plurality of light extraction features that redirect a portion of light traveling within the film in a waveguide condition that mixes within the legs and the body out of one or more of the opposing faces of the film in the first region. A method of producing a device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A film sheet having a series of strips extending from an edge may have the film strips gathered and folded into a stacked array wherein the strips are in parallel abutment. The collected ends of the stacked strips are then suitable for receiving light for transmission into (and emission from) the body of the film sheet. A pair of frame members, when urged toward each other about the strips, may automatically collect and fold the strips into a parallel spaced array. This array may then be gathered by hand, or by a cover member translating adjacent the frame members, to generate the stacked array of parallel abutting strips. The resulting illumination device is particularly useful for illumination of display panels such as liquid crystal displays, organic light-emitting diode displays, or simply signs formed of paper, plastic, and/or other materials.

Abstract: A flexible translucent sheet is folded to have portions of its bounding edge closely situated in overlapping relationship, and these overlapping portions are illuminated by a light source. The illumination is transmitted through the interior of the sheet to any adjacent unfolded area of the sheet, which may bear emission areas which are treated so that the light emits from the sheet at these areas. Preferred versions of the invention have a series of legs cut into one edge of the sheet, and the legs are then bundled in stacked relationship, with a light source providing light input into the bundle.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a light emitting device comprises an array of legs extending from a body of film with the bounding edges of the legs stacked, a first light source emitting light of a first color and a second light source emitting light of a second color into the stacked bounding edges where the light emitting region defined within the body is configured to extract light of a third color. In another embodiment, a light emitting device comprises three light sources positioned to direct light into a stacked array of bounding edges. In one embodiment, a method of generating light of adjustable color exiting a surface of a film is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a light emitting device includes separating a plurality of regions in a film with a thickness not greater than 0.5 millimeters to form a plurality of legs continuous with a body of film, folding the plurality of legs such that each leg terminates in a stack of bounding edges, disposing the stack of bounding edges proximate at least one light source such that light from the at least one light source propagates through the legs and the body by total internal reflection, and treating the film to form a plurality of light scattering features therein such that frustrated totally internally reflected light exits the light emitting device at a visible light emitting area and the light emitting area is at most barely visible when not illuminated by the at least one light source.

Abstract: A light emitting sign including a lightguide having a thickness not greater than 0.5 millimeters. The lightguide having an array of elongated legs extending therefrom, wherein each leg terminates in a bounding edge and is folded such that the bounding edges are stacked. At least one light source emits light into the stacked bounding edges. The light travels within the legs to the lightguide, with the light from each leg combining and totally internally reflecting within the lightguide. A plurality of light scattering features frustrate totally internally reflected light within the lightguide such that the light exits the sign in a light emitting area.