Abstract: LCD panel 12 is mounted on surface light source device 11 outputting an oblique preferential emission under emission promotion by scattering pattern formed on emission face 13C. Back face 13B provides a light control face correcting directivity toward a frontal direction in a plane parallel to incidence end face 13A. Directivity is further corrected toward a frontal direction in a plane perpendicular to face 13A by a prism sheet 21 which is coupled with panel 12 to provide a composite optical element unified with a polarization film 16. Output light from liquid crystal 18 impinges onto a polarization film 20. Light component corresponding to a transmission polarization plane of polarization film 20 is outputted out of the device after being transmitting film 20. Prism sheet 21 may be coupled with another member like polarization separating sheet member. Prism projection rows avoid from being damaged or deformed.

Abstract: A LCD comprises a surface light source device of side light type for auxiliary lighting. A fluorescent lamp is turned on to supply primary light to be introduced into a guide plate. A back face (upper face) of the guide plate provides a light control face including an emission promoting surface to promote emission from an illumination output face (lower face). The illumination output face provides a specular face without scattering power. Illumination light L2 introduced into the guide plate escapes gradually from the back face and the illumination output face on the way of propagation.

Abstract: A LCD comprises a surface light source device of side light type for auxiliary lighting. A fluorescent lamp is turned on to supply primary light to be introduced into a guide plate. A back face (upper face) of the guide plate provides a light control face including an emission promoting surface to promote emission from an illumination output face (lower face). The illumination output face provides a specular face without scattering power. Illumination light L2 introduced into the guide plate escapes gradually from the back face and the illumination output face on the way of propagation.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a surface light source device of a side light type for lighting. On lighting a fluorescent lamp, primary light is introduced into a guide plate and propagates within the guide plate. Much of the illumination light enters into any one of a number of ridges on an emission-function face, being followed by inner impingement upon a flank face, which is more remote from an incidence end face, at an entry angle greater than a critical angle &thgr; 1. Much of the light which has undergone such inner impingement is supplied to a liquid crystal display panel almost frontward via a top face. The ridges are inclined at a predetermined inclination angle &agr; with respect to the incidence end face of the guide plate. Inclination angle &agr; preferably falls within a range from 5 degrees to 45 degrees, in particular, from 15 degrees to 30 degrees. Employment of size-reduced ridges is realizable, leading to less conspicuous ridges without reducing emission function.

Abstract: A LCD comprises a surface light source device of side light type for auxiliary lighting. A fluorescent lamp is turned on to supply primary light to be introduce into a guide plate. A back face (upper face) of the guide plate provides a light control face including an emission promoting surface to promote emission from an illumination output face (lower face). The illumination output face provides a specular face without scattering power. Illumination light L2 introduced into the guide plate escapes gradually from the back face and the illumination output face on the way of propagation. Some of illumination light emitted from the illumination output face reaches a reflection plate after transmitting a liquid crystal cell and polarization plates. Quantity of light reaching the reflection plate depends on directions of transmission polarization planes of first and second polarization plates as well as state of a liquid crystal layer (depending on voltage applied to transparent electrodes).

Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel of a display is illuminated by a surface light source device. The surface light source device comprises a primary light source consisting of, for example, a point-like light source and a light guide plate which is supplied with light to be introduced through an incidence face and to be emitted through an emission face. A back face is provided with repeatedly configurated slopes having inclinations such that a backward inner propagation light is converted into an inner reflection light directed to the emission face in order to urge the backward inner propagation light to be emitted preferentially through the emission face. A forward inner propagation light travelling toward a distal end face from an incidence face is rather restrained from being emitted.

Abstract: A light guide plate has a back face provided with a first light diffusion pattern which tends to get denser according to an increasing distance from a primary light source. The light guide plate has an emission face provided with a second light diffusion pattern covering rate of is the largest at an approximately center portion (particular partial region) of the emission face. The first and second light diffusion patterns consist of a great number of fine light diffusion elements, respectively. Each fine light diffusion element of the second light diffusion pattern has a smaller size as compared with that of the first light diffusion pattern. The emission face of the light guide plate has an effective emission area to provide an emission light which is supplied to an LCD panel or other objects to be illuminated, via a light control member such as prism sheet. The approximately center portion and/or other one or more particular partial regions in the emission face show an intentionally heightened brightness.

Abstract: A handpiece for topical application of electromagnetic radiation is disclosed, consisting of a single monolithic transparent block covered by a semitransparent coating on the faces of the block not directed toward a treatment site. The block and coating are transparent to visible radiation, allowing the user a direct view of the treatment site. At the same time, for the safety of the user and a patient, the monolithic block has a coating of radiation blocking or absorbing material to selectively prevent treatment radiation from harming a user or patient. In a preferred embodiment, an optical fiber or fiber bundle coupled to a suitable power source is directly molded into the monolithic block. This invention is useful for a broad variety of laser applications, including the treatment of dermatological diseases and paint removal. The simple monolithic structure allows the device to be portable and practical in open environments.

Abstract: A light guide plate has a back face provided with a first light diffusion pattern which tends to get denser according to an increasing distance from a primary light source. The light guide plate has an emission face provided with a second light diffusion pattern covering rate of is the largest at an approximately center portion (particular partial region) of the emission face. The first and second light diffusion patterns consist of a great number of fine light diffusion elements, respectively. Each fine light diffusion element of the second light diffusion pattern has a smaller size as compared with that of the first light diffusion pattern. The emission face of the light guide plate has an effective emission area to provide an emission light which is supplied to an LCD panel or other objects to be illuminated, via a light control member such as prism sheet. The approximately center portion and/or other one or more particular partial regions in the emission face show an intentionally heightened brightness.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel of a display is illuminated by a surface light source device. The surface light source device comprises a primary light source consisting of, for example, a point-like light source and a light guide plate which is supplied with light to be introduced through an incidence face and to be emitted through an emission face. A back face is provided with repeatedly configurated slopes having inclinations such that a backward inner propagation light is converted into an inner reflection light directed to the emission face in order to urge the backward inner propagation light to be emitted preferentially through the emission face. A forward inner propagation light travelling toward a distal end face from an incidence face is rather restrained from being emitted.

Abstract: A light regulator and a surface light source device employing the light regulator. For liquid-crystal display applications, the surface light source device can effectively prevent degradation in the quality of the emitted light and can reliably provide the required directivity correction. The light regulator is formed by laminatedly arranging a light scattering surface between first and second sheet-like members. The two sheet-like members mutually differ in shape, material and refractive index. Scattering means arranged between the first and second sheet-like members prevents Newton's rings due to spaces between the two sheet-like members from occurring. A light diffusion sheet may be disposed between the first and second sheet-like members.