Abstract: The light redirecting films of the present invention have a pattern of individual optical elements that may intersect and/or interlock each other to achieve substantially complete surface coverage of at least one of the surfaces occupied by the optical elements. At least some of the optical elements may have at least one flat surface and at least one curved surface that may intersect each other to a greater extent on the curved surface than on the flat surface to increase the relative percentage of flat surface area to curved surface area of the intersecting optical elements to increase the on axis gain of light passing through the film.

Abstract: Light emitting assemblies include a tray that forms a cavity or recess containing one or more light sources. A sheet, film or substrate is positioned over the cavity or recess for controlling the light emitted from the assembly. The tray acts as a back, side or edge reflector, and has one or more secondary reflective or refractive surfaces.

Abstract: Light emitting assemblies include a light emitting panel member having at least one light source positioned, embedded, potted, bonded or otherwise mounted in a shaped slot, cavity, recess, opening or hole in the panel member. Deformities on at least one surface of the panel member may vary to cause light to be emitted from the panel member. At least one angled, faceted or curved reflective or refractive surface in close proximity to the light source redirects some of the light to fit a particular application.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light redirecting polymeric film comprising a plurality of polymeric individual optical elements wherein the elements comprise curved wedge shaped features in the plane of the film, having a length in the range of 800 to 4000 micrometers.

Abstract: The light redirecting films include a thin optically transparent substrate having a pattern of non-interlocking individual optical elements oriented and placed to produce a desired surface coverage of at least one of the surfaces of the transparent substrate of the transparent substrate occupied by the optical elements. At least some of the optical elements may have at least one flat surface and at least one curved surface that may intersect each other to a greater extent on the curved surface than on the flat surface to increase the relative percentage of flat surface area to curved surface area of the intersecting optical elements to increase the on axis gain of light passing through the film.

Abstract: Light redirecting films and film systems include a thin optically transparent substrate having a pattern of individual optical elements of well defined shape on or in the substrate. At least some of the optical elements may vary at different locations on the substrate to redistribute or redirect light passing through the substrate.

Abstract: Light emitting assemblies include a light emitting panel assembly having a light transition area for receiving light from at least one light source, and at least one angled or curved reflective or refractive surface at the junction between the transition area and the panel member that causes at least some of the light in the transition area to reflect or refract. A pattern of light extracting deformities on at least one surface of the panel member may vary to cause light to be emitted from the panel member in a desired light output distribution.

Abstract: Optical assemblies include a light emitter having at least one layer of a transparent film, sheet or plate through which light emitted by the light emitter passes. A pattern of deformities of well defined shape on or in at least one side of the film, sheet or plate control an output ray angle distribution of light emitted by the assemblies to suit a particular application. The film, sheet or plate causes a change in color or color correction in the light emitted by the assemblies.

Abstract: Light emitting assemblies include at least one light source and at least one film, sheet, plate or substrate having optical elements or deformities of well defined shape on at least one surface that have reflective or refractive surfaces for controlling the light output ray angle distribution of the emitted light. The film, sheet, plate or substrate may be positioned near the light emitting surface of a light emitting panel member with an air gap therebetween or over a cavity or recess in a tray through which light from a light source in the cavity or recess is emitted.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include a light guide having a uniform or variable pattern of individual deformities of well defined shapes that are projections or depressions on or in one or more surface areas of the light guide. The deformities are quite small in relation to the width and length of the light guide. At least some of the deformities may have two or more surfaces that come together to form a ridge having a total length that is quite small in relation to the width and length of the light guide.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include a light emitting panel member having a uniform or variable pattern of light extracting deformities of well defined shapes in or on one or more surface areas of the light emitting panel member. The size and shape as well as the depth and angular orientation and position or location of the light extracting deformities may vary along the length and/or width of a panel surface area to obtain a desired light output distribution from the panel surface area. Also, at least some of the deformities may have planar surfaces in parallel spaced relation to a panel surface area. A focused light source may be insert molded or cast within a light transition area of the light emitting panel member to focus the light on an input surface of the light transition area with predetermined ray angles to fit a particular application. Molded supports may be provided on the panel member for supporting other parts or components in spaced relation therefrom.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include a hollow light emitting panel member having a sheet, film or substrate attached or positioned against one or both sides thereof to produce a desired effect. A pattern of deformities or disruptions may be provided on or in the sheet, film or substrate to control the output ray angle distribution to suit a particular application.

Abstract: Light emitting assemblies include a multilayer light emitting panel member that receives light from at least one light source. The panel member may have at least one solid light conducting or transmitting layer and at least one hollow light conducting or transmitting layer.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include a light emitting panel member having two or more inserts, components or parts that may be supported by a structural member. A pattern of light extracting deformities may be on or in one or more of the inserts, components or parts for providing a desired light output distribution.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include one or more light emitting panel members each having at least one pattern of optical deformities that may be varied in size, shape, density, placement, angle, rotation and/or type to obtain at least one light output distribution having a form or shape of at least one of text, graphics, logo or image. At least some of the optical deformities may be shaped or oriented preferentially to cause different colored light propagating through the panel member in different directions to create a multi-colored light output distribution. Also, a plurality of panel members each having a different light output distribution may be placed in overlying relation to one another to produce a composite output distribution when viewed through the panel members or a display overlying the panel members.

Abstract: The method of selecting a light redirecting film or optical panel includes the steps of providing a length of film or substrate having a pattern of optical elements that varies, then selecting an area of the film or substrate that has a pattern of the optical elements that best suits a particular application, and removing the selected area from the film or substrate to provide the light redirecting film or optical panel. The pattern may be a repeating pattern that varies at different locations on the film or substrate and may comprise a roll of the film or substrate from which the selected area(s) is removed.

Abstract: A phototherapy device includes a transparent member and one or more light sources mounted in relation to the transparent member for directing light through the transparent member for distribution of the light to a body part of a patient receiving phototherapy. The light source may comprise an array of LEDs supported by a base having supports for positioning the transparent member in relation to the LEDs. Also a gap may be provided between the light source and transparent member to facilitate in dissipating heat produced by the light source. Further the transparent member may be curved to fit a body part of a patient receiving phototherapy.

Abstract: Optical assembly includes a light emitter and a film through which light passes from the light emitter. The film has a uniform or variable pattern of individual deformities of well defined shape that are projections or depressions on or in one or more surface areas of the film. The deformities are quite small in relation to the width and length of the film. At least some of the deformities may have two or more surfaces that come together to form a ridge having a total length that is quite small in relation to the width and length of the film.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include in one form of the invention a light emitting panel member made of a transparent resiliently deformable elastomeric material that absorbs impact without breakage for use in automotive lighting applications of various types. In another form of the invention, a rigid light emitting panel member may be used with dome switches for switch area lighting or to backlight control buttons/key pads. Also, a rigid light emitting panel member may be used as a structural member, and two or more such light emitting panel members may be stacked together and used to light an instrument panel or the like.

Abstract: The transreflectors may comprise a transparent substrate having reflective surfaces and other light transmissive surfaces for respectively reflecting and transmitting a greater portion of the light striking opposite sides of the substrate. Alternatively, the transreflectors may comprise two or more transparent substrates of different indices of refraction bonded together, with a pattern of optical deformities in the mating side of one of the substrates and an inverse pattern of optical deformities in the mating side of an other substrate in mating engagement with each other. The transreflectors are used in a transreflector system or display to transmit more of the light emitted by a backlight or other light source incident on one side of the transreflectors and reflect more of the light incident on the opposite side of the transreflectors. The transreflectors and backlight may be tuned to each other to enable the transreflectors to better transmit more of the light emitted by the backlight.