Abstract: An apparatus for distributing light from a planar waveguide through an array of linear cylindrical lenses formed in a major surface of the waveguide, and a method of making the same. Light received on an edge of the waveguide is propagated transmissively and retained by total internal reflection, except in response to impinging upon light deflecting elements which sufficiently redirect the light to escape the waveguide such that the extracted from the waveguide is further redirected and redistributed through the array of linear cylindrical lenses.

Abstract: A light trapping optical structure employing an optically transmissive layer with a plurality of light deflecting elements. The transparent layer is defined by opposing broad-area surfaces extending parallel to each other. The light deflecting elements deflect light propagating transversely through the optically transmissive layer at a sufficiently high bend angle with respect to a surface normal, above a critical angle of a Total Internal Reflection. The deflected light is retained by means of at least TIR in the system which allows for longer light propagation paths through a photoabsorptive layer that may be associated with the optically transmissive layer for an improved light absorption. The light trapping optical structure may further employ a focusing array of light collectors being pairwise associated with the respective light deflecting elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing light from a planar waveguide through an array of elongated surface relief features formed in a major surface of the waveguide. Light received within a waveguide is propagated transmissively and retained by total internal reflection, except in response to impinging upon light deflecting elements which sufficiently redirect the light to escape the waveguide through the array of elongated surface relief features that further redirects and redistributes the light.

Abstract: An optical article employing a lenticular lens array associated with a layer of optically transmissive material and illuminated by a light source. The layer of optically transmissive material includes discrete microscopic surface relief features formed in a surface opposite to the lenses forming the lenticular lens array. The discrete microscopic surface relief features deflect light propagating through the layer of optically transmissive material and direct the light out of the layer. The optical article may be further associated with a reflective surface and/or a photoabsorptive layer configured to partially transmit and partially absorb and convert light.

Abstract: A stepped light guide illumination system employing a planar sheet of an optically transmissive material having a stepped light guiding structure and one or more parallel arrays of channels. Light is input into the stepped light guiding structure using a number of light sources, such as LEDs, located within the channels and coupled to the stepped light guiding structure at multiple locations. Light is extracted from the stepped light guiding structure by two-dimensional patterns of light extraction features provided within the parallel channels and in surface areas of the stepped light guiding structure located between the parallel channels.

Abstract: A face-lit waveguide illumination system employing a planar slab or plate of an optically transmissive material. A light source is optically coupled a linear optical element which is formed in or attached to a face of the waveguide and is configured to inject light at an angle permitting for light propagation by means of a total internal reflection. Light is propagated through the waveguide towards a predetermined direction in response to optical transmission and total internal reflection. Light extraction features located along the prevailing path of light propagation extract light from the waveguide and emit such light towards a surface normal direction.

Abstract: Wide-area solid-state illumination devices and systems employing a thin and flexible sheet of an optically transmissive material having at least one broad-area surface patterned with light scattering surface microstructures such as microdots of a non-absorbing UV curable ink. Light is input into the thin and flexible sheet using a number of compact solid-state light sources, such as LEDs, optically coupled to one or more edges or to one or two of the broad-area surfaces defining the thin and flexible sheet. Each surface microstructure forms a semi-opaque layer that extracts light from the thin and flexible sheet and causes light emission from both opposing broad-area surfaces of the sheet.

Abstract: A retractable window covering for natural illumination of building interiors by redirecting the incident daylight at angles that promote its deeper penetration into the interior space. The window covering comprises an optically transmissive, flexible polymeric sheet having reflective surfaces incorporated into its material and configured to redirect at least a portion of light propagating through the sheet towards a desired direction. The window covering is operable from a closed to an open position so as to increase or decrease the amount of redirected and/or admitted light.

Abstract: An occupancy sensing load control system is disclosed. The occupancy sensing load control system includes a detector unit, an occupancy/vacancy signal generator and a load control circuit. The detector unit detects RF signals emitted by cell phones or similar mobile communication devices within an area being monitored. The occupancy/vacancy signal generator generates a control signal for the load control circuit based on the detection of a qualified RF signal or the absence of such signal within a predetermined time interval. The occupancy sensing load control system may also include a signal-generating unit for generating a pseudo base station signal based on zone information of neighboring base stations for transmission to a mobile phone in the detection area.

Abstract: An illumination panel including an optically transmissive, hollow multiwall structure and an array of LED strips distributed within a series of hollow chambers formed by the multiwall structure. The hollow multiwall structure is formed by two or more sheets of optically clear or translucent material joined by a plurality of transverse ribs. Each LED strip includes an array of interconnected light emitting diodes and is preferably provided with one or more light diffusing or beam-shaping elements included into one or more hollow chambers.

Abstract: A light converting optical system employing a planar light trapping optical structure illuminated by a monochromatic light source. The light trapping optical structure includes a photoresponsive layer including semiconductor quantum dots. The photoresponsive layer is configured at a relatively low thickness and located between opposing broad-area surfaces that confine and redistribute light within the structure and cause multiple transverse propagation of unabsorbed light through the photoresponsive layer to enhance absorption. The light trapping optical structure further incorporates various microstructured surfaces including light-distributing surface relief features such as linear microlenses, prismatic surface relief features and/or linear grooves.

Abstract: A flexible illumination device having a layered sheet-form configuration and including a bottom flexible sheet or mesh of a rigid material, a two-dimensional array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted to the bottom flexible sheet or mesh, and a top flexible sheet formed by an optically transmissive material having a relatively low Young's modulus and hermetically encapsulating the array of LEDs. The LEDs may be further associated with rigid substrates (submounts) attached to the bottom flexible sheet or mesh.

Abstract: A light converting optical system employing a planar light trapping optical structure illuminated by a source of monochromatic light. The light trapping optical structure includes a photoresponsive layer including semiconductor quantum dots. The photoresponsive layer is configured at a relatively low thickness and located between opposing broad-area surfaces that confine and redistribute light within the light trapping structure and cause multiple transverse propagation of light through the photoresponsive layer to enhance absorption. The light trapping optical structure further incorporates optical elements configured for injecting light into the light trapping structure.

Abstract: A light converting optical system employing a planar light trapping optical structure. The light trapping optical structure includes a monochromatic light source, a light guiding layer, a lenticular lens array incorporating a plurality of linear cylindrical microlenses, a broad-area reflective surface, and a generally planar photoresponsive layer located between the lens array and the reflective surface. The photoresponsive layer is configured at a sufficiently low thickness to transmit at least a portion of incident light without absorption in a single pass. A portion of the unabsorbed light is trapped within the light trapping optical structure and redirected back to the photoresponsive layer.

Abstract: A shaped illumination panel having a broad-area sheet-form configuration and including a flexible sheet of an optically transmissive material and one or more light sources optically coupled to an edge of the flexible sheet. The flexible sheet may include forward-deflecting or forward-scattering elements configured to extract light from one location of the flexible sheet and direct the extracted light to a second location of the flexible sheet where the extracted light can be transversely propagated through and reemitted from the flexible sheet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making reflective surfaces within optically transmissive materials. The method includes steps of providing a blade having a sharp cutting edge, penetrating an optically transmissive material with the cutting edge to a predetermined penetration depth and moving the blade relative to the transmissive material to produce a continuous slit with reflective walls. The apparatus includes a material feeding mechanism configured to feed a flexible sheet in predefined stepped increments, a slitting blade with a surface portion having a root mean square surface profile roughness parameter below 100 nanometers, and a linear drive operatively associated with the slitting blade to reciprocally move the slitting blade perpendicular to a feed direction of the flexible sheet, where a stepped feed operation of the material feeding mechanism is alternating with a reciprocal operation of the linear drive.