Abstract: An automobile comprises a light transmitting film with a thickness not greater than 0.5 millimeters with a core layer, a lightguide region of the film comprises a light emitting region with light extracting features positioned to receive and extract light from at least one light source propagating by total internal reflection within the core layer out of the core layer, and a light mixing region positioned between the at least one light source and the light emitting region, wherein a surface of the portion of the automobile is visible through the light emitting region of the film when the at least one light source is not emitting light and the light transmitting film is conformal with the surface of the portion of the automobile. The surface of the film may have arcuate cross-sectional shape conforming to a curved surface of the portion of the automobile.

Abstract: An automobile comprises a light transmitting film with a thickness not greater than 0.5 millimeters with a core layer, a lightguide region of the film comprises a light emitting region with light extracting features positioned to receive and extract light from at least one light source propagating by total internal reflection within the core layer out of the core layer, and a light mixing region positioned between the at least one light source and the light emitting region, wherein a surface of the portion of the automobile is visible through the light emitting region of the film when the at least one light source is not emitting light and the light transmitting film is conformal with the surface of the portion of the automobile. The surface of the film may have arcuate cross-sectional shape conforming to a curved surface of the portion of the automobile.

Abstract: A device comprises a film with an adhesive layer on a first side of a core layer, a major sheet area of the film bounded by edges of the film with a light extracting region positioned to receive and extract light propagating by total internal reflection within the core layer out of the major sheet area, and a minor sheet between the major sheet area and an array of strips. The strips extend from the minor sheet area of the film, and each strip of the array of strips is folded within a fold region and stacked. The device further comprises a component extending a width of the array of strips where they extend from the minor sheet area, wherein the adhesive layer adheres the component to the film between fold region and the light extracting region. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer is a cladding layer.

Abstract: A device comprises a film with an adhesive layer on a first side of a core layer, a major sheet area of the film bounded by edges of the film with a light extracting region positioned to receive and extract light propagating by total internal reflection within the core layer out of the major sheet area, and a minor sheet between the major sheet area and an array of strips. The strips extend from the minor sheet area of the film, and each strip of the array of strips is folded within a fold region and stacked. The device further comprises a component extending a width of the array of strips where they extend from the minor sheet area, wherein the adhesive layer adheres the component to the film between fold region and the light extracting region. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer is a cladding layer.

Abstract: A film-based lightguide comprises a major sheet area comprising a light extracting region and a minor sheet area positioned between the major sheet area and an array of strips extended from the minor sheet area. Each strip of the array of strips is bent and stacked such that stacked ends of the array of strips define an input surface. The lightguide further comprises a bend in the minor sheet area that positions the array of strips behind the major sheet area in a thickness direction of the film in the major sheet area. In one embodiment, the bend in the minor sheet area bends the film by an angle of 180 degrees. In another embodiment, the bend in the minor sheet area positions the light input surface behind the major sheet area in the thickness direction of the film in the major sheet area.

Abstract: A display includes a reflective spatial light modulator; a lightguide having a core layer, at least a first cladding layer, and a light emitting region with a plurality of light extraction features arranged in a pattern that varies spatially in the light emitting region such that light exits the core layer in the light emitting region; a light source positioned to emit light into the core layer; a light redirecting optical element optically coupled to the second side of the first cladding layer including a plurality of light redirecting features directing light exiting the core layer toward the reflective spatial light modulator. The largest dimension of the light emitting region divided by the average thickness of the core layer in the light emitting region is greater than 100.

Abstract: A film-based lightguide comprises a major sheet area comprising a light extracting region and a minor sheet area positioned between the major sheet area and an array of strips extended from the minor sheet area. Each strip of the array of strips is bent and stacked such that stacked ends of the array of strips define an input surface. The lightguide further comprises a bend in the minor sheet area that positions the array of strips behind the major sheet area in a thickness direction of the film in the major sheet area. In one embodiment, the bend in the minor sheet area bends the film by an angle of 180 degrees. In another embodiment, the bend in the minor sheet area positions the light input surface behind the major sheet area in the thickness direction of the film in the major sheet area.

Abstract: A light emitting device disclosed herein includes a light source and component thermally coupled to the component. The device further 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, the component thermally conducts heat from the light source, and the component at least partially restrains the film relative to the component.

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. In some embodiments the largest dimension of the light emitting region divided by the average thickness of the core layer in the light emitting region is greater than 100.

Abstract: A light emitting device disclosed herein includes a light source and component thermally coupled to the component. The device further 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, the component thermally conducts heat from the light source, and the component at least partially restrains the film relative to the component.

Abstract: A lightguide, formed from a film with a thickness not greater than 0.5 mm, includes an array of coupling lightguide strips with bounding edges, a light mixing region, and a light emitting region. The coupling lightguides are folded such that the bounding edges are stacked together, and a light source is positioned to emit light into the lightguide through the stacked bounding edges, to conduct light into the light mixing region and then into the light emitting region. At least a portion of the light mixing region of the lightguide is wrapped around the stack of coupling lightguides such that it surrounds the stack of coupling lightguides and/or is in contact with at least two sides of the stack of coupling lightguides. The light mixing region might include a cladding with a pressure sensitive adhesive material.

Abstract: A light emitting device disclosed herein includes at least one light source and an array of coupling lightguide strips continuous with a lightguide region of a lightguide formed from a film, light extraction features, a cladding layer in the light emitting region of the film, and a light input surface defined by the stacked bounding edges of the coupling lightguide strips, wherein an area percentage of the light input surface comprising a core region is at least 98 percent. In another embodiment, the light from the at least one light source is not directly coupled into the cladding layer at the light input surface. In a further embodiment, a total thickness of the coupling lightguide strips at the light input surface is less than (n) times a thickness of the lightguide region of the lightguide where (n) is the number of coupling lightguide strips.

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: 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 light emitting device disclosed herein includes at least one light source and an array of coupling lightguide strips continuous with a lightguide region of a lightguide formed from a film, light extraction features, a cladding layer in the light emitting region of the film, and a light input surface defined by the stacked bounding edges of the coupling lightguide strips, wherein an area percentage of the light input surface comprising a core region is at least 98 percent. In another embodiment, the light from the at least one light source is not directly coupled into the cladding layer at the light input surface. In a further embodiment, a total thickness of the coupling lightguide strips at the light input surface is less than (n) times a thickness of the lightguide region of the lightguide where (n) is the number of coupling lightguide strips.

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 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 light emitting device includes a film lightguide. The lightguide includes a lightguide region and an array of coupling lightguides continuous with the lightguide region, each terminating in a bounding edge and folded such that the bounding edges define a light input surface. A light source emits light into the light input surface. Light propagates within each coupling lightguide to the lightguide region, with light from each coupling lightguide combining with light from one or more other coupling lightguides and totally internally reflecting within the lightguide region. One or more light extraction features frustrate the totally internally reflected light such that light exits the lightguide in a light emitting region. Surface relief features on a surface of a low contact area cover are adjacent to a region of the lightguide with one or more of the surface relief features contacting the lightguide. A method of producing a device is disclosed.

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 through a cladding region toward a light redirecting optical element that redirects the light toward a reflective spatial light modulator. A method of producing a display is also disclosed.

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.