Abstract: An illumination apparatus provides an output with high spatial uniformity of luminance. The illumination apparatus includes a cavity that has reflective surfaces and an output area. At least one light source is disposed in the cavity, with the light source including a point source (such as an LED) and an optical diverter having a flared (e.g., cuspated) reflecting surface. Light from the point source is distributed by the optical diverter towards the reflective surfaces within the cavity. Before exiting the device, light passes through an optical conditioning element that is positioned over the output area of the cavity. The optical conditioning element includes at least a diffuser, such as a translucent film or plastic sheet, and preferably also includes one or more prism sheets such as a brightness-enhancing film.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus comprises a lighting segment that includes a plurality of lighting sections. Each of the sections comprises a printed circuit board having a solid state optical emitter mounted thereon. The sections are interconnected by printed circuit board connectors, which serially position the printed circuit boards with edges of adjacent printed circuit boards proximate to each other. The connectors are deformable to alter the orientation in response to an applied force. The sections are electrically connected to each other such that the solid state optical emitters are electrically connected in series. The segment has a current regulator that controls current through the solid state optical emitter.

Abstract: A light source useful for a wide variety of lighting applications such as signage, architectural or automotive designs, as well as cosmetic and/or functional features for other products can be created by combining a light collector comprising a sheet of material having a fluorescent substance incorporated therein and an optical element juxtaposed adjacent the collector. Light incident on the collector induces fluorescence that is trapped by total internal reflection, concentrated, and radiated from an edge of the collector. The size of collector plate with respect to its thickness is such that it provides an intensified image along its edge that is readily visible during both daytime and nighttime. The optical element modifies the distribution of light output from an edge of the collector. The optical element is preferably configured to decrease divergence of light emitted from the edge. The optical element may also direct the light emitted from the collector above or below the plane of the collector.

Abstract: A non-imaging optical coupler that is a figure of revolution combining a light-transmitting body defining a recessed input cavity, a transparent droplet-shaped encapsulant of a light-emitting diode, or array of diodes in the cavity, the body having a curved side wall shaped to totally internally reflect all the light emitted from the LED and encapsulant, traveling toward the side wall, within a predetermined distance from the diode or center of array, the body having a cylindrical transition section extending from a curved side wall and forwardly, and a planar exit face at the forward end of the body, transverse to the central axis of the figure of revolution.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus comprises a lighting segment that includes a plurality of lighting sections. Each of the sections comprises a printed circuit board having a solid state optical emitter mounted thereon. The sections are interconnected by printed circuit board connectors, which serially position the printed circuit boards with edges of adjacent printed circuit boards proximate to each other. The connectors are deformable to alter the orientation in response to an applied force. The sections are electrically connected to each other such that the solid state optical emitters are electrically connected in series. The segment has a current regulator that controls current through the solid state optical emitter.

Abstract: A light delivery apparatus comprises a waveguide, a pump source and a fluorescent emitter. Pump light from the pump source is transmitted through the waveguide to the emitter. The emitter comprises a plurality of quantum dots. The pump light is absorbed by the quantum dots and re-emitted as light with a predetermined wavelength that is longer than the wavelength of the pump light. The predetermined wavelength of the emitted light is selected to match one or more activation wavelength(s) of a photoactivated chemical.

Abstract: Disclosed is a low profile lighting apparatus that is particularly advantageous for use as a backlight for illuminating a display. The lighting apparatus includes a waveguide coupled to a light source for injecting light into the waveguide. The waveguide includes a plurality of elongate structures for ejecting light propagating within the waveguide through a predetermined surface of the waveguide. Another embodiment of the waveguide includes a central region of reduced thickness that redirects light propagating within the waveguide. The lighting apparatus has a low profile so it is particularly useful in areas of limited space.

Abstract: The combination that includes an LED, and a light transmitting pyramid mounted with respect to the LED to transmit light therefrom, the pyramid having at least three sides, the sides defining planes extending upwardly toward an apex that is spaced in a longitudinal direction from the LED, the planes angled in excess of 45° relative to a lateral plane normal to longitudinal direction such that essentially all LED light incident on the three sides from within the pyramid is extracted from the sides.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus comprises an elongated waveguide having proximal and distal ends and a central longitudinal axis. The waveguide includes an elongated forward side for outputting light and an elongated rearward side having an elongated reflective surface for reflecting light towards the forward side. A light source such as a solid state light emitter may be situated on the proximal end of the waveguide introduces light into the waveguide in the form of a beam which propagates from the proximal end to the distal end. Light traveling within the waveguide is reflected from the reflective surface along the elongated rearward side towards the forward side for viewing.

Abstract: A fluorescent structure comprising a plurality of quantum dots that radiate emission in response to optical pumping. These quantum dots are disposed in relation to a waveguide so as to be able to propagate this emission through the waveguide. Preferably, the fluorescent structure comprises a layer of quantum dots sandwiched between two layers, at least one layer being optically transmissive to the pump radiate and at least one of the layers being optically transmissive to emission from the quantum dots.

Abstract: Pixels for a large video display which employs solid-state emitters, such as colored light emitting diodes, as light source are formed by outfitting each colored solid state emitter within the pixel with an individually tailored miniature intensity-enhancing optical system. Each of these miniature optical systems comprises a set of four wide field-of-view Lambertian reflectors 34, a pair of narrow field-of-view Lambertian reflectors 36, and a beam-shaping lens 38. The miniature intensity-enhancing optical system can be specifically designed to restrict emission in the vertical field-of-view, while providing a Lambertian intensity dependence throughout an unrestricted horizontal view. For example, the field-of-view in the vertical direction may be limited to about ±30° while the field-of-view is about ±90° in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: In apparatus to extract light from an LED, the combination includes a cylindrical body consisting of light transmitting material, the body having a cylindrical outer wall; a pyramidal body having at least three sides and consisting of light transmitting material, the pyramidal body located longitudinally endwise of the cylindrical body, to expose the three or more sides, the planar sides defining planes which intersect said cylindrical body outer wall at curved edges, the cylindrical outer wall terminating at said curved edges; and an LED located in a spaced relation to the pyramidal body, and oriented to transmit light in the cylindrical body and toward the pyramidal body.

Abstract: An illumination device comprises a waveguide having a peripheral edge. A series of point light sources are mounted in spaced relationship adjacent a peripheral portion of the waveguide. A series of diffusive reflective surfaces, preferably formed by posts, are disposed adjacent the peripheral portion of the waveguide, between pairs of the point light sources. The diffusive reflective surfaces are oriented relative to the series of point light sources and the waveguide so as to introduce light into regions of the waveguide between pairs of the point light sources, whereby the peripheral portion of the waveguide is substantially uniformly illuminated.

Abstract: A light source for a display panel of the type used in notebook computers. The light source consists of a housing having diffusively reflecting bottom and side interior surfaces that form a cavity. The housing defines an aperture that is juxtaposed with a rear surface of the display panel. A first series of LEDs is mounted within the cavity around the perimeter of the aperture and is shielded from the aperture by perimeter baffles that extend around the periphery of the aperture. A second series of LEDs is mounted within the cavity on the bottom wall of the housing. A series of baffles is interposed between the second series of LEDs and the aperture. A series of light quality enhancing films is interposed between the cavity and the display panel. The light source produces light of a uniform character with relatively high intensity and whiteness.

Abstract: The golf game system of the present invention includes at least two magnetic induction coil sensors to simulate the speed and the direction of a golf swing by a golfer. A magnetic strip adhesively attached to the end of the golf club locates the position of the golf club with respect to the sensors. An electronic circuitry panel translates the information provided by the magnetic induction coil sensors into information that is acceptable to the customized software package. The magnetic sensing system interfaces with standard software packages for a personal computer to allow a user to swing a real golf club and have the results entered and displayed by the software package. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the magnetic sensing system and electronic circuitry panel interfacing with the personal computer are integrated into a golf mat. The magnetic induction coil sensors may be flat induction coils built into the mat to minimize mat thickness.

Abstract: A radiant energy redirecting system comprising a radiant energy transmitting body structure; the structure comprising multiple elements, each of which acts as a radiant energy redirecting module, having on its cross-sectional perimeter an entry face to receive incidence of the energy into the interior of the perimeter, an exit face to pass the energy to the exterior of the perimeter in a direction towards the reverse side of the body from the side of the incidence, and a Totally Internally Reflecting face angled relative to the entry and exit faces to redirect towards the exit face the radiant energy incident from the entry face; the body structure generally redirecting incident radiant energy towards a predetermined target zone situated apart from and on the reverse side of the body relative to the side of the incidence; and lens structure associated with at least one of the faces for redirecting radiant energy passing between the entry and exit faces via the Totally Internally Reflecting face.

Abstract: The golf game system of the present invention includes a pair of magnetic induction coil sensors to simulate the speed and, optionally, the direction of a golf swing by a golfer. The magnetic sensing system interfaces with standard software packages for a personal computer to allow a user to swing a real golf club and have the results entered and displayed by the software package. The golf game system of the present invention is useful for its recreational and entertainment value, permitting the user to practice his golf swing, and possibly for golf training and teaching applications. A magnetic strip adhesively attached to the end of the golf club locates the position of the golf club with respect to the sensors, without the need for optical sensing. An electronic circuitry panel translates the information provided by the magnetic induction coil sensors into information that is acceptable to the customized software package.

Abstract: Radiant electromagnetic energy transmitting apparatus, comprising an elongated body consisting of electromagnetic energy transmitting material, the energy injected into the body to travel therein and to be trapped during the travel by total internal reflecting off walls defined by the body, and there being at least one site within the body having variegated surface relief acting to scatter incident radiant energy for ejection from the body as rays defining a selected solid angle.

Abstract: A radiant energy redirecting system comprising a radiant energy transmitting body structure; the structure comprising multiple elements, each of which acts as a radiant energy redirecting module, having on its cross-sectional perimeter an entry face to receive incidence of the energy into the interior of the perimeter, an exit face to pass the energy to the exterior of the perimeter in a direction towards the reverse side of the body from the side of the incidence, and a Totally Internally Reflecting face angled relative to the entry and exit faces to redirect towards the exit face the radiant energy incident from the entry face; the body structure generally redirecting incident radiant energy towards a predetermined target zone situated apart from and on the reverse side of the body relative to the side of the incidence; and lens structure associated with at least one of the faces for redirecting radiant energy passing between the entry and exit faces via the Totally Internally Reflecting face.

Abstract: A radiant energy redirecting system, comprising at least two light-emitting sources, each emitting different frequency light; an optical cavity receiving light output from the sources, to mix therein, and act as a secondary emitter; a light receiver positioned to be illuminated by light from the secondary emitter.