Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are disclosed for increasing light extraction efficiency in a light guide optical system. The light guide optical system may comprise a light emitting source. The light emitting source may be, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED) or plurality of LEDS. The light guide optical system may also comprise a light guide plate (LGP). The LGP may include light extraction features located on surfaces of the LGP. The LGP may also include a shaped injection surface on an input surface of the LGP. The shaped injection surface may be angled to deviate near-parallel light emitted from the LED to enable the near-parallel light emitted from the LED to be extracted from the LGP via the light extraction features. The shaped injection surface may be a split edge (i.e. a V-groove) or a curved edge.

Abstract: An interface currents channeling circuit may be used to convert two current channels of a conventional two-channel driver into three driving currents for the three strings of LEDs. By doing so, the same two channel driver can be used for applications requiring just two LED arrays as well as three LED arrays.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising: a light guide having an opening formed thereon; an illumination source at least partially disposed in the opening, the illumination source including a plurality of LEDs disposed on a flexible circuit that is wrapped around a base, which may be thermally conductive, the base having a central opening, and the flexible circuit including a plurality of legs, each leg including electrical wiring for independently operating a different one of the LEDs, each leg being wrapped around a bottom edge of the base, and into the central opening, to come above the illumination source and connect to a control board that is situated above the illumination source; and a heat-dissipating element disposed over the illumination source, the heat-dissipating element being thermally coupled to the base to dissipate heat generated by the LEDs that is supplied to the heat dissipating element via the base.

Abstract: A method to make light-emitting diode (LED) units include arranging LEDs in a pattern, forming an optically transparent spacer layer over the LEDs, forming an optically reflective layer over the LEDs, and singulating the LEDs into LED units. The method may further include, after forming the optically transparent spacer layer and before singulating the LEDs, forming a secondary light-emitting layer that conforms to the LEDs, cutting the LEDs to form LED groups having a same arrangement, spacing the LED groups on a support, and forming the optically reflective layer in spaces between the LED groups.

Abstract: Interlocking light emitting diode (“LED”) light guide tiles are disclosed. The tiles have interlocking edge features that provide physical interlock fitting between tiles and present a continuous appearance, both in an “on,” where LEDs are powered on and emitting light state and an “off” state, where LEDs are powered off and not emitting light. The LED light guide tiles interface with LEDs (housed in or embodied as integrated circuit LED packages) to output light through the surfaces of the light guide. The interlocking edge features of the light guide tiles are shaped to obscure or block an image of the LED packages from being seen by observers looking at the light guide tiles. Light guide tile assemblies or installations can be easily formed out of interchangeable tiles with little or no requirement for relative directional alignment of the tiles.

Abstract: A light engine is disclosed in which the light engine contains a core comprising an opening extending completely through the core and independently addressable LED segments. The opening defines an inner surface of the core. Each segment has multiple LEDs. A PCB contains a body adjacent to one of an inner or outer surface of the core and to which the LED segments are attached and legs extending from the body and bent to be adjacent and traverse to the other of the inner or outer surface. Each leg is associated with a different LED segment. Control circuitry is connected with the legs of the flexible PCB and independently controls parameters of the LED segments to provide a preset illumination distribution and intensity based on user input.

Abstract: A light-emitting device comprising: a light source; and a light guide that is optically coupled to the light source, the light guide including a plurality of first non-fluorescent light extraction elements and a plurality of second non-fluorescent light extraction elements that are printed on the light guide, each of the first light extraction elements having a reflectance that is higher than a reflectance of any of the second light extraction elements, each of the first light extraction elements having a light transmittance that is lower than a light transmittance of any the second light extraction elements, each of the first light extraction elements having the same shape and size as any other one of the plurality first light extraction elements, and each of the second light extraction elements having the same shape and size as any other one of the plurality of second light extraction elements.

Abstract: A light engine is disclosed in which the light engine contains a core having an opening extending completely therethrough and independently addressable LED segments. The opening defines an inner surface of the core. Each segment has LEDs and is attached to a flexible PCB. The PCB has a flexible body attached to one of an inner or outer surface of the core and to which the segments are mounted, and flexible legs extending from the body, along the core, and traverse and adjacent to the other of the inner or outer surface. A light guide plate (LGP) receives and guides light from the segments so that the light exits to provide illumination. The segments emit light in all directions of a plane created by the LGP. A reflector opposes and covers a top surface of the LGP and the segments and reflects light from the LGP back into the LGP.

Abstract: A light-emitting device comprising: a light source; and a light guide that is optically coupled to the light source, the light guide including a plurality of first non-fluorescent light extraction elements and a plurality of second non-fluorescent light extraction elements that are printed on the light guide, each of the first light extraction elements having a reflectance that is higher than a reflectance of any of the second light extraction elements, each of the first light extraction elements having a light transmittance that is lower than a light transmittance of any the second light extraction elements, each of the first light extraction elements having the same shape and size as any other one of the plurality first light extraction elements, and each of the second light extraction elements having the same shape and size as any other one of the plurality of second light extraction elements.

Abstract: A light emitting device comprises a detector circuit and a light emitting diode (LED) die. The LED die includes a semiconductor stack grown on a substrate. The LED includes an emitter segment formed from one segment of the semiconductor stack. The LED die includes a photosensor segment formed from another segment of the semiconductor stack. The LED die includes a segmentation layer formed between the emitter segment and the photosensor segment. The segmentation layer electrically isolates the emitter segment from the photosensor segment. The LED die includes first electrodes configured to provide power to energize the emitter segment. The LED die includes second electrodes configured to send the current to the detector circuit. The detector circuit is configured to convert the current to a signal which provides operational feedback with respect to the emitter segment.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are disclosed for increasing light extraction efficiency in a light guide optical system. The light guide optical system may comprise a light emitting source. The light emitting source may be, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED) or plurality of LEDS. The light guide optical system may also comprise a light guide plate (LGP). The LGP may include light extraction features located on surfaces of the LGP. The LGP may also include a shaped injection surface on an input surface of the LGP. The shaped injection surface may be angled to deviate near-parallel light emitted from the LED to enable the near-parallel light emitted from the LED to be extracted from the LGP via the light extraction features. The shaped injection surface may be a split edge (i.e., a V-groove) or a curved edge.

Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) strip is disclosed. The LED strip includes: an input terminal for receiving a first reference signal, a first LED coupled to an end of a power bus and driven by a first current signal, the first current signal being supplied to the first LED via the power bus; a current-copying circuit arranged to control a flow rate of the first current signal based on the first reference signal; and a first switching element arranged to re-couple the first LED to the power bus when the first LED is disconnected from the end of the power bus as a result of the LED strip being cut at a first location.

Abstract: A light engine is disclosed in which the light engine contains a core having an opening extending completely therethrough and independently addressable LED segments. The opening defines an inner surface of the core. Each segment has LEDs and is attached to a flexible PCB. The PCB has a flexible body attached to one of an inner or outer surface of the core and to which the segments are mounted, and flexible legs extending from the body, along the core, and traverse and adjacent to the other of the inner or outer surface. A light guide plate (LGP) receives and guides light from the segments so that the light exits to provide illumination. The segments emit light in all directions of a plane created by the LGP. A reflector opposes and covers a top surface of the LGP and the segments and reflects light from the LGP back into the LGP.

Abstract: A light emitting device comprises a detector circuit and a light emitting diode (LED) die. The LED die includes a semiconductor stack grown on a substrate. The LED includes an emitter segment formed from one segment of the semiconductor stack. The LED die includes a photosensor segment formed from another segment of the semiconductor stack. The LED die includes a segmentation layer formed between the emitter segment and the photosensor segment. The segmentation layer electrically isolates the emitter segment from the photosensor segment. The LED die includes first electrodes configured to provide power to energize the emitter segment. The LED die includes second electrodes configured to send the current to the detector circuit. The detector circuit is configured to convert the current to a signal which provides operational feedback with respect to the emitter segment.

Abstract: A light engine system is disclosed in which the light engine system comprises a light engine. The light engine comprises independently addressable LED segments, each LED segment comprising LEDs and a flexible PCB to which the segments are attached. A light guide plate (LGP) is provided into which light from the segments is introduced, in which the light is guided, and from which the light exits to provide illumination. The segments emit light in all directions of a plane created by the LGP. A diffuser opposes a first surface of the LGP over substantially the entirety of the LGP. The diffuser diffuses light exiting the LGP into the environment away from the light engine.

Abstract: A light-emitting device comprising: a light source; and a light guide that is optically coupled to the light source, the light guide including a plurality of first non-fluorescent light extraction elements and a plurality of second non-fluorescent light extraction elements that are printed on the light guide, each of the first light extraction elements having a reflectance that is higher than a reflectance of any of the second light extraction elements, each of the first light extraction elements having a light transmittance that is lower than a light transmittance of any the second light extraction elements, each of the first light extraction elements having the same shape and size as any other one of the plurality first light extraction elements, and each of the second light extraction elements having the same shape and size as any other one of the plurality of second light extraction elements.

Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) strip is disclosed. The LED strip includes: an input terminal for receiving a first reference signal, a first LED coupled to an end of a power bus and driven by a first current signal, the first current signal being supplied to the first LED via the power bus; a current-copying circuit arranged to control a flow rate of the first current signal based on the first reference signal; and a first switching element arranged to re-couple the first LED to the power bus when the first LED is disconnected from the end of the power bus as a result of the LED strip being cut at a first location.

Abstract: A flexible printed circuit board and method of fabrication are disclosed. The flexible printed circuit board has a flexible body with multiple segments. Each segment has multiple body contacts that are electrically isolated from body contacts of each other segment. The flexible printed circuit further has multiple flexible legs in which each leg extends from a different segment and contains multiple leg contacts disposed proximate to a distal end of the leg from the body. Each leg contact is connected with a different body contact of the leg. The flexible printed circuit board is formed from a multilayer structure that includes: a dielectric layer, a metal layer adjacent to the dielectric layer, and a solder mask layer adjacent to the metal layer, the solder mask layer exposing portions of the metal layer to form the body contacts.

Abstract: A light engine and system using the light engine are disclosed. The light engine includes a core and independently addressable LED segments. Each LED segment has multiple LEDs. A flexible PCB contains a body to which the LED segments are attached and legs. Each leg provides electrical contact for a different LED segment. The body is attached to the core. A light guide plate (LGP) is disposed such that light from the LED segments is introduced thereto, guided, and from which the light exits to provide illumination. The LED segments emit light in all directions of a plane created by the LGP.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed and include a vehicle interior lighting system comprising that includes a light engine with a plurality of independently addressable light emitting diode (LED) segments, each independently addressable LED segment including at least one LED, a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) having a base and plurality of legs extending from the base, each leg supporting an independently addressable LED segment, and a light guide plate configured to provide illumination from the plurality of independently addressable LED segments inside the vehicle. A processor may be configured to receive information from a o vehicle sensing system, a vehicle communication system, or a detection system, and may generate a signal. A controller may be configured to provide one or more light control signals to modify at least one light characteristic of at least one of the plurality of independently addressable LED segments based on the signal.