Abstract: A light expanding system for converting light beams generated from point-like light sources into a collimated planar light beam is described herein. The light expanding system is especially suitable for backlighting a liquid crystal flat panel display or other such arrangement requiring backlighting with LEDs as the light source. According to an embodiment of the invention, a system for producing a planar light beam includes a light pipe with microprisms on one of its surfaces, and a beam collector which has microprisms in a plane perpendicular to the microprisms in the light guide. According to another embodiment, the light guide has microprisms on two opposite surfaces, and is capable of multiple mode operation. This multiple mode backlight is capable of illuminating a given active area uniformly with light of different spectrum.

Abstract: A system especially suitable for illuminating the front side of an object, as viewed by an observer is disclosed herein. This system includes a light pipe assembly having opposing forward and rearward faces; an arrangement for directing light into the light pipe assembly in a predetermined way; and an arrangement of optical components forming part of the light pipe assembly. This latter assembly is provide for reflecting substantially all of the light directed into the light pipe in a forward direction through the forward face of the light pipe. The light pipe assembly including the arrangement of optical components is substantially transparent to visible light or electromagnetic wave of a particular wavelength in the direction across the opposing forward and rearward faces of the assembly such that the light pipe assembly can be positioned between the object being illuminated and the observer or the detector without in any significant way disrupting the observer's or detector's view of the object.

Abstract: An assembly backlighting a liquid crystal flat panel display or other such arrangement requiring backlighting is disclosed herein. The assembly includes a plurality of light pipes and is capable of a multi-mode operation as well as achieving an enhanced dimming. This assembly is composed of two or more light pipes placed in a stacked configuration. Each light pipe has a set of specially configured microprisms which, cooperating with the light pipe, provides an efficient backlighting technique with a controllable degree of collimation. The disclosed assembly is particularly useful for displays which require a very bright backlighting, a wide dimming range and which must be capable of illuminating a given active area with light of different spectra.

Abstract: A system especially suitable for illuminating the front side of an object, as viewed by an observer is disclosed herein. This system includes a light pipe assembly having opposing forward and rearward faces; an arrangement for directing light into the light pipe assembly in a predetermined way; and an arrangement of optical components forming part of the light pipe assembly. This latter assembly is provide for reflecting substantially all of the light directed into the light pipe in a forward direction through the forward face of the light pipe. The light pipe assembly including the arrangement of optical components is substantially transparent to visible light or electro-magnetic wave of a particular wavelength in the direction across the opposing forward and rearward faces of the assembly such that the light pipe assembly can be positioned between the object being illuminated and the observer or the detector without in any significant way disrupting the observer's or detector's view of the object.

Abstract: A light expanding system for converting a light beam generated from a point-like light source into a collimated linear or planar light beam is disclosed herein. According to an embodiment of the invention, a system for producing a linear light beam includes a beam collector and a light pipe adjacent to which a multiplicity of specially configured microprisms are located. The light expanding system according to this embodiment is suitable for use in devices utilizing a linear light beam, such as a scanner. According to another embodiment of the invention, a system for producing a planar light beam includes, in addition to the beam collector and light pipe described above, an additional light pipe with adjacent microprisms. The light expanding system according to this embodiment of the invention can be used, for example, in displays, road signs, medical research equipment, instrument meters or jewelry; to light pictures or art work; or as part of a see-through lighting system far use in dentistry and surgery.

Abstract: A system especially suitable for illuminating the front side of an object, as viewed by an observer is disclosed herein. This system includes a light pipe assembly having opposing forward and rearward faces; an arrangement for directing light into the light pipe assembly in a predetermined way; and an arrangement of optical components forming part of the light pipe assembly. This latter assembly is provide for reflecting substantially all of the light directed into the light pipe in a forward direction through the forward face of the light pipe. The light pipe assembly including the arrangement of optical components is substantially transparent to visible light or electro-magnetic wave of a particular wavelength in the direction across the opposing forward and rearward faces of the assembly such that the light pipe assembly can be positioned between the object being illuminated and the observer or the detector without in any significant way disrupting the observer's or detector's view of the object.

Abstract: A light expanding system for converting a light beam generated from a point-like light source into a collimated linear or planar light beam is disclosed herein. According to an embodiment of the invention, a system for producing a linear light beam includes a beam collector and a light pipe adjacent to which a multiplicity of specially configured microprisms are located. The light expanding system according to this embodiment is suitable for use in devices utilizing a linear light beam, such as a scanner. According to another embodiment of the invention, a system for producing a planar light beam includes, in addition to the beam collector and light pipe described above, an additional light pipe with adjacent microprisms. The light expanding system according to this embodiment of the invention can be used, for example, in displays, road signs, medical research equipment, instrument meters or jewelry; to light pictures or art work; or as part of a see-through lighting system for use in dentistry and surgery.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transmissive type display which uses ambient light for enhanced backlighting and which can be used with or without an artificial light source which is either built-in or external to the unit. The backlighting display assembly includes a light pipe with an arrangement of immediately adjacent microprisms serving as the back surface of the light pipe and a light injecting system. The backlighting system may also include a compensating plate or film which also has an immediately adjacent surface profile complementing that of the light pipe. The compensating plate, placed on top of the light pipe, is used to provide uniform illumination. Since outdoor ambient light provided by the sun usually comes from overhead, a light bending film may also be included in the backlighting system so that the display utilizes the overhead light effectively.

Abstract: A light expanding system for converting a light beam generated from a point-like light source into a collimated linear or planar light beam is disclosed herein. According to an embodiment of the invention, a system for producing a linear light beam includes a beam collector and a light pipe adjacent to which a multiplicity of specially configured microprisms are located. The light expanding system according to this embodiment is suitable for use in devices utilizing a linear light beam, such as a scanner. According to another embodiment of the invention, a system for producing a planar light beam includes, in addition to the beam collector and light pipe described above, an additional light pipe with adjacent microprisms. The light expanding system according to this embodiment of the invention can be used, for example, in displays, road signs, medical research equipment, instrument meters or jewelry; to light pictures or art work; or as part of a see-through lighting system for use in dentistry and surgery.