Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for providing illumination for lighting systems. One or more light emitters can be disposed about a longitudinal axis, such as in an at least partial polygonal shape, so that the light sources emit light radially outwardly away from the longitudinal axis. A collimating reflector can be disposed radially outward of the one or more light emitters and can be configured to at least partially collimate the light and to substantially preserve etendue of the light emitted from the light emitters. The one or more light emitters can substantially fill an input aperture of the collimating reflector in a direction of the longitudinal axis. The light can be coupled into a light guide, which can be configured to distribute the light to a target lighting area.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for providing illumination. In one aspect, a light guide can be configured to propagate light received from a light source. The light can be propagated by total internal reflection (TIR) within the light guide. The light guide can include an output surface configured to output light and one or more light extraction elements, which are configured to redirect the light propagating in the light guide so that the light exits the light guide through the output surface. The light guide can have tapered side walls that are configured to at least partially collimate the light that is to exit out of the output surface. In some implementations, the light guide can be used to provide illumination for display devices, other electromechanical systems, or for lighting a room or task area.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing illumination in, for example, a display device. One or more light emitters can emit light into a light guide plate that is configured to distribute the light across an array of display elements. A substantially etendue-preserving reflector between the light emitters and the light guide can at least partially collimate light propagating in a single plane of collimation. In some implementations, a lenticular film, or other optical elements, can be used to increase divergence of the light in a plane orthogonal to the plane of collimation. The light guide can include light extraction elements, which can be frusta-shaped features for turning light out of the light guide for illuminating the display. In some implementations, a flexible electrical interconnection circuit can be used to provide power and/or signals to the light emitters, thereby providing a flexible circuit illumination system.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing illumination in, for example, a display device. One or more light emitters can emit light into a light guide plate that is configured to distribute the light across an array of display elements. A substantially etendue-preserving reflector between the light emitters and the light guide can at least partially collimate light propagating in a single plane of collimation. In some implementations, a lenticular film, or other optical elements, can be used to increase divergence of the light in a plane orthogonal to the plane of collimation. The light guide can include light extraction elements, which can be frusta-shaped features for turning light out of the light guide for illuminating the display. In some implementations, a flexible electrical interconnection circuit can be used to provide power and/or signals to the light emitters, thereby providing a flexible circuit illumination system.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for lighting devices. In one aspect, a lighting device includes a light engine and a connection portion. The connection portion can include a first end coupled to the light engine and a base connector disposed at the second end of the connection portion. In some implementations, the connection portion has a length dimension that is adjustable between at least a first length that positions the base connector at a first position relative to the light engine and a second length that positions the base connector at a second position relative to the light engine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for flash illumination are disclosed. In one aspect, a flash illumination system includes sections each including a light source and a reflector. Each of the light sources includes a single light-emitting region having a first centroid and a package surrounding the single light-emitting region. The package has an exit aperture having a second centroid. The first centroid can be laterally offset from the second centroid. The reflectors include an input aperture, an output aperture, and one or more sidewalls therebetween. The input aperture is optically coupled to the exit aperture. One or more sidewalls are configured to collimate light propagating from the light source.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for illumination. In one aspect, a lampshade includes a light source coupled to a tapered light guide sheet. The light guide sheet extends laterally and is curved around a vertical axis. The light source injects light into the wide end of the tapered light guide sheet and the tapered sidewalls of the light guide sheet allow the light to escape out of the light guide sheet and in the general direction of the narrow end of the tapered light guide sheet, thereby allowing the lampshade to act as an up-light or down-light, depending on the direction that the narrow end is pointing. The lampshade may include light extracting and turning features and/or a reflector configured to eject light laterally outward from the light guide sheet, thereby allowing the lampshade to illuminate objects on the same plane as the lampshade.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for provided masked structures on an embossed substrate. In one aspect, these masked structures may be reflected facets for use as part of a frontlight film. In another aspect, these masked structures may be masked wiring for use as part of a capacitive touchscreen array. In one aspect, the structures may have a discrete mask formed thereon, while in other aspects, these structures may have self-masking attributes, and may include an interferometric black mask.

Abstract: The present invention introduces a new class of thin doubly collimating light distributing engines for use in a variety of general lighting applications, especially those benefiting from thinness. Output illumination from these slim-profile illumination systems whether square, rectangular or circular in physical aperture shape is directional, square, rectangular or circular in beam cross-section, and spatially uniform and sharply cutoff outside the system's adjustable far-field angular cone. Field coverage extends from +/?5- to +/?60-degrees and more in each meridian, including all asymmetric combinations in between, both by internal design, by addition of angle spreading film sheets, and angular tilts. Engine brightness is held to safe levels by expanding the size of the engine's output-aperture without sacrifice in the directionality of illumination. One form of the present invention has a single input light emitter, a square output aperture and the capacity to supply hundreds of lumens per engine.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for illumination devices. In one aspect, an illumination device having a longitudinal axis includes a light source and a light guide. The light guide has a peripheral edge, a transmissive illumination surface, a center portion, and an upper surface. The transmissive illumination surface is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and disposed between the center portion and the peripheral edge. The upper surface is oriented relative to the illumination surface to define an angle ? therebetween. In some implementations, the angle ? can be greater than 15 degrees, for example.

Abstract: The present invention introduces a new class of lightweight tile-based illumination systems for uses wherein thin directionally-illuminating light distributing engines are embedded into the body of otherwise standard building materials like conventional ceiling tiles along with associated means of electrical control and electrical power interconnection. As a new class of composite light emitting ceiling materials, the present invention enables a lighter weight more flexibly distributed overhead lighting system alternatives for commercial office buildings and residential housing without changing the existing materials. One or more spot lighting, task lighting, flood lighting and wall washing elements having cross-sectional thickness matched to that of the building material or tile into which they are embedded, are contained and interconnected within the material body's cross-section.

Abstract: The present invention introduces a new class of thin doubly collimating light distributing engines for use in a variety of general lighting applications, especially those benefiting from thinness. Output illumination from these slim-profile illumination systems whether square, rectangular or circular in physical aperture shape is directional, square, rectangular or circular in beam cross-section, and spatially uniform and sharply cutoff outside the system's adjustable far-field angular cone. Field coverage extends from +/?5- to +/?60-degrees and more in each meridian, including all asymmetric combinations in between, both by internal design, by addition of angle spreading film sheets, and angular tilts. Engine brightness is held to safe levels by expanding the size of the engine's output-aperture without sacrifice in the directionality of illumination. One form of the present invention has a single input light emitter, a square output aperture and the capacity to supply hundreds of lumens per engine.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes a light bar, a plurality of indentations in the light bar on a first side of the light bar, and a contoured reflective surface including a plurality of protruding surface portions, such that the surface portions reflect light transmitted through sloping sidewalls of the indentations. The light bar has a first end for receiving light from a light source. The light bar includes material that supports propagation of the light along the length of the light bar. The turning microstructure is configured to turn at least a substantial portion of the light incident on the first side and to direct the portion of light out the second opposite side of the light bar. The protrusions on the contoured reflective surface and the indentations on the light bar can have complimentary shapes and/or aligned in certain embodiments.

Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of refraction n1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination ?. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n2. The first layer index n2 causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.

Abstract: In various embodiments described herein, a front light guide panel comprises a plurality surface relief features having a variety of different sloping surface portions. Light injected into an edge of the light guide propagates though the light guide until it strikes one of the surface relief features. The light is then turned by total internal reflection such that the light is directed onto a reflective modulator array rearward of the light guide panel. The light reflects from the modulator array and is transmitted back through the surface features of the light guide panel. However, depending upon where the light is incident on the surface features, the light will be refracted at different angles by the different sloping surface portions. As a result, light reflected from a single point on the modulator array appears to originate from different locations, and ghost images appear.

Abstract: A compact and efficient optical illumination system featuring planar multi-layered LED light source arrays concentrating their polarized or un-polarized output within a limited angular range. The optical system manipulates light emitted by a planar array of electrically-interconnected LED chips positioned within the input apertures of a corresponding array of shaped metallic reflecting bins using at least one of elevated prismatic films, polarization converting films, micro-lens arrays and external hemispherical or ellipsoidal reflecting elements. Practical applications of the LED array illumination systems include compact LCD or DMD video image projectors, as well as general lighting, automotive lighting, and LCD backlighting.

Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of referaction n1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination ?. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n2. The first layer index n2 causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.

Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of referaction n1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angle of inclination ?. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n2. The first layer index n2 causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such, as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.

Abstract: A compact and efficient optical illumination system featuring planar multi-layered LED light source arrays concentrating their polarized or un-polarized output within a limited angular range. The optical system manipulates light emitted by a planar light emitters such as electrically-interconnected LED chips. Each light emitting region in the array is surrounded by reflecting sidewalls whose output is processed by elevated prismatic films, polarization converting films, or both. The optical interaction between light emitters, reflecting sidewalls, and the elevated prismatic films create overlapping virtual images between emitting regions that contribute to the greater optical uniformity. Practical illumination applications of such uniform light source arrays include compact LCD or DMD video image projectors, as well as general lighting, automotive lighting, and LCD backlighting.

Abstract: A compact and efficient optical illumination system featuring planar multi-layered LED light source arrays concentrating their polarized or un-polarized output within a limited angular range. The optical system manipulates light emitted by a planar array of electrically-interconnected LED chips positioned within the input apertures of a corresponding array of shaped metallic reflecting bins using at least one of elevated prismatic films, polarization converting films, micro-lens arrays and external hemispherical or ellipsoidal reflecting elements. Practical applications of the LED array illumination systems include compact LCD or DMD video image projectors, as well as general lighting, automotive lighting, and LCD backlighting.