Patents by Inventor Kenneth L. Walker
Kenneth L. Walker has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 12656641Abstract: A BLU includes a 2D array of LEDs producing light with an angular distribution of nominally ±90 degrees around a center. A transparent solid material layer is positioned with a bottom surface over the 2D array of LEDs and configured to transform the light produced by the 2D array into light having an angular distribution of nominally less than ±90 degrees around the at a top surface of the transparent solid material layer. A diffuser film is positioned over the top surface of the transparent solid material layer configured to provide a FWHM of greater than 60 degrees and configured to diffuse the light produced at the top surface of the transparent solid material layer to produce diffused light at a top surface of the diffuser film. A BEF positioned over the top surface of the diffuser film and comprising a plurality of prism microstructures, where at least some prism microstructures have an apex angle of approximately ninety degrees.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2025Date of Patent: June 16, 2026Assignee: BrightView Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Walker, Matthew K. Pope
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Publication number: 20250369589Abstract: A deglaring film includes a substrate having a first surface that accepts input light along a nadir and having an input light distribution comprising a Lambertian light distribution and a second surface comprising a plurality of prism microstructures each prism microstructure having a peak-shaped cross section. The deglaring film transforms the input light to output light emerging from the second surface along the nadir and having an output light distribution with an intensity of light angles greater than 60 degrees from the nadir being less an intensity of light of the input light distribution greater than 60 degrees from the nadir, wherein an apex angle of some of the plurality of prism microstructures being chosen such that the output light distribution has a glare below a predetermined level in an axis oriented along the apex direction and an output light distribution axis orthogonal to the apex direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2025Publication date: December 4, 2025Applicant: BrightView Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Karl Kissa, Bing Shen, Kenneth L. Walker
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Publication number: 20250314926Abstract: An edge-lit back light unit includes a specular reflector and an edge-lit light guide film positioned above the specular reflector, both configured to provide peak optical distribution and FWHM angle of diffusion along a light propagation direction. A diffuser film above the edge-lit light guide film has a bottom-side that faces the edge-lit light guide film and a top-side that faces away from the edge-lit light guide film, and has a plurality of parallel prism microstructures on the bottom-side, some have an apex direction that is generally along the light propagation direction. The diffuser film has a plurality of parallel prism microstructures on the top-side having an apex direction that is rotated with respect to the apex direction of the plurality of parallel prism microstructures on the bottom-side such that the apex direction of the parallel prism microstructures on the top-side is generally perpendicular to the light propagation direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2025Publication date: October 9, 2025Applicant: BrightView Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Walker, Bing Shen, Matthew K. Pope
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Patent number: 12360418Abstract: An edge-lit back light unit includes a specular reflector and an edge-lit light guide film positioned above the specular reflector, both configured to provide peak optical distribution and FWHM angle of diffusion along a light propagation direction. A diffuser film above the edge-lit light guide film has a bottom-side that faces the edge-lit light guide film and a top-side that faces away from the edge-lit light guide film, and has a plurality of parallel prism microstructures on the bottom-side, some have an apex direction that is generally along the light propagation direction. The diffuser film has a plurality of parallel prism microstructures on the top-side having an apex direction that is rotated with respect to the apex direction of the plurality of parallel prism microstructures on the bottom-side such that the apex direction of the parallel prism microstructures on the top-side is generally perpendicular to the light propagation direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2024Date of Patent: July 15, 2025Assignee: BrightView Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Walker, Bing Shen, Matthew K. Pope
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Publication number: 20250180947Abstract: A BLU includes a 2D array of LEDs producing light with an angular distribution of nominally ±90 degrees around a center. A transparent solid material layer is positioned with a bottom surface over the 2D array of LEDs and configured to transform the light produced by the 2D array into light having an angular distribution of nominally less than ±90 degrees around the at a top surface of the transparent solid material layer. A diffuser film is positioned over the top surface of the transparent solid material layer configured to provide a FWHM of greater than 60 degrees and configured to diffuse the light produced at the top surface of the transparent solid material layer to produce diffused light at a top surface of the diffuser film. A BEF positioned over the top surface of the diffuser film and comprising a plurality of prism microstructures, where at least some prism microstructures have an apex angle of approximately ninety degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2025Publication date: June 5, 2025Applicant: BrightView Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Walker, Matthew K. Pope
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Patent number: 12228818Abstract: A BLU includes a 2D array of LEDs, wherein a number of rows in the two-dimensional array is less than a number of columns in the two-dimensional array, and at least one LED in the two-dimensional array produces light with an angular distribution of nominally ±90 degrees around a center of the at least one LED. A transparent solid material layer is positioned with a bottom surface over the 2D array of LEDs that is configured to transform the light produced by the 2D array of LEDs into light having an angular distribution of nominally less than ±90 degrees around the center of the at least one LED at a top surface of the transparent solid material layer. A diffuser film is positioned over the top surface of the transparent solid material layer and is configured to provide a FWHM of greater than 60 degrees and configured to diffuse the light produced at the top surface of the transparent solid material layer to produce diffused light at a top surface of the diffuser film.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2024Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignee: BrightView Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Walker, Matthew K. Pope
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Publication number: 20240393639Abstract: A BLU includes a 2D array of LEDs producing light with an angular distribution of nominally ±90 degrees around a center. A transparent solid material layer is positioned with a bottom surface over the 2D array of LEDs and configured to transform the light produced by the 2D array into light having an angular distribution of nominally less than ±90 degrees around the at a top surface of the transparent solid material layer. A diffuser film is positioned over the top surface of the transparent solid material layer configured to provide a FWHM of greater than 60 degrees and configured to diffuse the light produced at the top surface of the transparent solid material layer to produce diffused light at a top surface of the diffuser film. A BEF positioned over the top surface of the diffuser film and comprising a plurality of prism microstructures, where at least some prism microstructures have an apex angle of approximately ninety degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2024Publication date: November 28, 2024Applicant: BrightView Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Walker, Matthew K. Pope
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Publication number: 20240302693Abstract: An edge-lit back light unit includes a specular reflector and an edge-lit light guide film positioned above the specular reflector, both configured to provide peak optical distribution and FWHM angle of diffusion along a light propagation direction. A diffuser film above the edge-lit light guide film has a bottom-side that faces the edge-lit light guide film and a top-side that faces away from the edge-lit light guide film, and has a plurality of parallel prism microstructures on the bottom-side, some have an apex direction that is generally along the light propagation direction. The diffuser film has a plurality of parallel prism microstructures on the top-side having an apex direction that is rotated with respect to the apex direction of the plurality of parallel prism microstructures on the bottom-side such that the apex direction of the parallel prism microstructures on the top-side is generally perpendicular to the light propagation direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2024Publication date: September 12, 2024Applicant: BrightView Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Walker, Bing Shen, Matthew K. Pope
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Patent number: 12050381Abstract: A color conversion film for a backlight unit comprising an array of light emitting diodes includes a substantially planar base portion configured to receive light from a light source positioned below the substantially planar base portion. A plurality of three-dimensional structures are configured to extend from the substantially planar base portion in a direction away from the light source, where each of the plurality of three-dimensional structures having at least one sloped surface at an angle ? relative to the substantially planar base portion such that each of the plurality of three-dimensional structures comprises a decreasing cross-section as light travels away from the light source.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2022Date of Patent: July 30, 2024Assignee: BrightView Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Walker, Juhyun J. Lee
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Patent number: 12032242Abstract: A BLU includes a 2D array of LEDs producing light with an angular distribution of nominally ±90 degrees around a center. A transparent solid material layer is positioned with a bottom surface over the 2D array of LEDs and configured to transform the light produced by the 2D array into light having an angular distribution of nominally less than ±90 degrees around the at a top surface of the transparent solid material layer. A diffuser film is positioned over the top surface of the transparent solid material layer configured to provide a FWHM of greater than 60 degrees and configured to diffuse the light produced at the top surface of the transparent solid material layer to produce diffused light at a top surface of the diffuser film. A BEF positioned over the top surface of the diffuser film and comprising a plurality of prism microstructures, where at least some prism microstructures have an apex angle of approximately ninety degrees.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2024Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: BrightView Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Walker, Matthew K. Pope
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Patent number: 12001097Abstract: An edge-lit back light unit for a backlit display includes a reflector, an edge-lit light guide film, a diffuser film, and a pair of crossed brightness enhancement films with increased efficiency. The diffuser film has an angular light distribution output that is matched to light acceptance angles of the pair of crossed brightness enhancement films to provide increased on-axis brightness without having to increase power to the edge-lit back light unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2023Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: BrightView Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Walker, Bing Shen, Matthew K. Pope
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Patent number: 11906842Abstract: An optical film for a back light unit that includes an array of light emitting diodes. The optical film includes a substrate, and a plurality of regions of spatially modulated microstructures on at least one side of the substrate. The spatially modulated microstructures have different sizes and/or shapes configured to create a gradient structure within each region. The gradient structure within each region is constructed and arranged to cause more spreading of light when positioned directly above an individual light emitting diode and less spreading of light at locations not directly above an individual light emitting diode. Within the back light unit, the gradient structure converts light beams emitted by the respective light emitting diode at different angles into a more uniform and higher on-axis luminance upon exiting the back light unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2022Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: BrightView Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jennifer Aspell, Thomas A. Rinehart, Bing Shen, Kenneth L. Walker
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Patent number: 11822158Abstract: A back light unit includes an array of LEDs positioned in rows and columns that emit light from a top surface. A light splitting optical film includes a plurality of inverted pyramids positioned on a first side facing the top surface of the array where each of the plurality of inverted pyramids forms an apex oriented in a direction away from the top surface of the array. A plurality of linear prisms is positioned in a parallel configuration on a second side facing away from the top surface of the array where at least some of the linear prisms form an apex being oriented such that a direction of the apex forms a desired angle with respect to a direction of a row of the array of light emitting diodes.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2023Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: BrightView Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Walker, Bing Shen, Matthew K. Pope
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Publication number: 20230273479Abstract: An edge-lit back light unit for a backlit display includes a reflector, an edge-lit light guide film, a diffuser film, and a pair of crossed brightness enhancement films with increased efficiency. The diffuser film has an angular light distribution output that is matched to light acceptance angles of the pair of crossed brightness enhancement films to provide increased on-axis brightness without having to increase power to the edge-lit back light unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Applicant: BrightView Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Walker, Bing Shen, Matthew K. Pope
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Publication number: 20230213814Abstract: A back light unit includes an array of LEDs positioned in rows and columns that emit light from a top surface. A light splitting optical film includes a plurality of inverted pyramids positioned on a first side facing the top surface of the array where each of the plurality of inverted pyramids forms an apex oriented in a direction away from the top surface of the array. A plurality of linear prisms is positioned in a parallel configuration on a second side facing away from the top surface of the array where at least some of the linear prisms form an apex being oriented such that a direction of the apex forms a desired angle with respect to a direction of a row of the array of light emitting diodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2023Publication date: July 6, 2023Applicant: BrightView Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. WALKER, Bing SHEN, Matthew K. POPE
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Patent number: 11668975Abstract: An edge-lit back light unit for a backlit display includes a reflector, an edge-lit light guide film, a diffuser film, and a pair of crossed brightness enhancement films with increased efficiency. The diffuser film has an angular light distribution output that is matched to light acceptance angles of the pair of crossed brightness enhancement films to provide increased on-axis brightness without having to increase power to the edge-lit back light unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: BrightView Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Walker, Bing A. Shen, Matthew K. Pope
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Patent number: 11630346Abstract: A back light unit includes an array of light emitting diodes, at least two optical films positioned above the array of light emitting diodes, and a pair of brightness enhancement films positioned above the at least two optical films. A majority of the optical films are light splitting optical films having a plurality of light splitting microstructures on at least one surface thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: BRIGHTVIEW TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Kenneth L. Walker, Bing Shen, Matthew K. Pope
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Publication number: 20230079565Abstract: An optical film for a back light unit that includes an array of light emitting diodes. The optical film includes a substrate, and a plurality of regions of spatially modulated microstructures on at least one side of the substrate. The spatially modulated microstructures have different sizes and/or shapes configured to create a gradient structure within each region. The gradient structure within each region is constructed and arranged to cause more spreading of light when positioned directly above an individual light emitting diode and less spreading of light at locations not directly above an individual light emitting diode. Within the back light unit, the gradient structure converts light beams emitted by the respective light emitting diode at different angles into a more uniform and higher on-axis luminance upon exiting the back light unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2022Publication date: March 16, 2023Applicant: BrightView Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jennifer Aspell, Thomas A. Rinehart, Bing Shen, Kenneth L. Walker
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Publication number: 20230061049Abstract: A color conversion film for a backlight unit that includes an array of light emitting diodes. The color conversion film includes a substantially planar base portion, and a plurality of three-dimensional structures extending from the substantially planar base portion. Each of the three-dimensional structures has at least one sloped surface with a base angle of about 55°-75° relative to the substantially planar base portion. The color conversion film includes a material having a refractive index of about 1.5-1.7.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2022Publication date: March 2, 2023Applicant: BrightView Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Walker, Juhyun J. Lee
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Patent number: 11531232Abstract: An optical film for a back light unit that includes an array of light emitting diodes. The optical film includes a substrate, and a plurality of regions of spatially modulated microstructures on at least one side of the substrate. The spatially modulated microstructures have different sizes and/or shapes configured to create a gradient structure within each region. The gradient structure within each region is constructed and arranged to cause more spreading of light when positioned directly above an individual light emitting diode and less spreading of light at locations not directly above an individual light emitting diode. Within the back light unit, the gradient structure converts light beams emitted by the respective light emitting diode at different angles into a more uniform and higher on-axis luminance upon exiting the back light unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2021Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Inventors: Jennifer Aspell, Thomas A. Rinehart, Bing Shen, Kenneth L. Walker