Abstract: A backlight apparatus can include a light emitting element configured to emit visible light. The backlight apparatus can include a polarizing device including a prism situated to receive the visible light and to polarize the visible light to generate polarized light. The backlight apparatus can include a light guide panel configured to receive the polarized light at an input surface facing the polarizing device and to distribute the polarized light to a major surface of the light guide panel facing a display screen.

Abstract: An apparatus can include a lens that can shape light emerging from a light emitting diode (LED). The emergent light from the LED can be substantially centered around an LED axis. An incident surface of the lens can be positioned to face the LED. The incident surface can include a concave portion. The concave portion can be substantially smooth, so as not to substantially scatter light that strikes the concave portion. The concave portion can be substantially centered around a concave portion axis that is non-coaxial with the LED axis. The incident surface can include a scattering portion, positioned away from the concave portion, which can be textured so as to scatter light that strikes the scattering portion. An exiting surface of the lens can optionally include a generally planar portion that at least partially surrounds a substantially smooth convex portion.

Abstract: An apparatus can include a lens that can shape light emerging from a light emitting diode (LED). The emergent light from the LED can be substantially centered around an LED axis. An incident surface of the lens can be positioned to face the LED. The incident surface can include a concave portion. The concave portion can be substantially smooth, so as not to substantially scatter light that strikes the concave portion. The concave portion can be substantially centered around a concave portion axis that is non-coaxial with the LED axis. The incident surface can include a scattering portion, positioned away from the concave portion, which can be textured so as to scatter light that strikes the scattering portion. An exiting surface of the lens can optionally include a generally planar portion that at least partially surrounds a substantially smooth convex portion.