Abstract: An LED-based illumination system includes a layered optical sheet-form structure and a light source. The sheet-form structure comprises a first optically transmissive sheet with parallel channels formed in its first major surface. Each channel has a triangular cross-section with opposing planar walls configured for total internal reflection. A second optically transmissive sheet is bonded to the first sheet's surface using an optically transmissive adhesive, at least partially encapsulating the channels. An optically transmissive light diffusing sheet is provided as part of the sheet-form structure. The second sheet's outer surface has light deflecting microstructures. The light source comprises multiple LEDs configured to illuminate the layered structure at incidence angles from 0 to at least 75 degrees. The layered optical sheet-form structure may include additional features such as perpendicular channel arrays or specularly reflective side walls.

Abstract: A method for making a wide-area illumination panel that uses solid-state light sources is disclosed. The method includes providing a back sheet, a front sheet approximately the same size as the back sheet, and a light emitting panel comprising one or more solid-state light sources and having an area smaller than the front sheet. One or more strips of double sided adhesive tape or other adhesive material with a thickness approximately equal to or greater than the total thickness of the light emitting portion of the light emitting panel are also provided. The light emitting panel is placed between the front and back sheets, and the front sheet is attached to the back sheet along one or more perimeter edges using the adhesive tape or the adhesive material, creating a thin and hollow sheet-like structure enclosing at least part of the light emitting panel.

Abstract: A backlight unit for LCD displays including a planar light transmissive sheet with first and second broad-area surfaces and parallel first and second edges. The sheet guides light from the first edge to the second edge using total internal reflection. A patterned light extraction area with microstructures is located at a distance from the first edge, with a light mixing area located in between. A reflector is positioned adjacent to one broad-area surface. A side-emitting LED strip, comprising a flexible printed circuit with a linear array of LED packages, is optically coupled to the first edge. The LED packages' light-emitting surfaces are oriented perpendicular to the circuit's major surface and have at least one dimension greater than the sheet's thickness. The circuit's major surface is parallel to and in contact with one of the sheet's broad-area surfaces.

Abstract: A method of making suspended lighting fixtures that includes the use of flexible sheets of optically transmissive material, LED strips, and a linear heat-dissipating structure. The method comprises providing a first flexible sheet having a first major surface, an opposing second major surface, and a first edge having a first light input surface. A pair of flexible sheets of an optically transmissive material are provided, each having an edge with a light input surface. A first LED strip and a second LED strip are provided along with a linear heat-dissipating structure having a first channel and a second channel. The LED strips are positioned within the respective channels and attached to the body of the linear heat-dissipating structure. The edges of the flexible sheets are positioned within the respective channels and in proximity to the respective LED strips. The flexible sheets may be bent to a curved shape.

Abstract: An illumination system comprising a lighting module with a plurality of LEDs, a flexible optically transmissive sheet disposed in an energy-receiving relationship with the lighting module, and broad-area reflective surface configured to reflectively scatter light. The flexible optically transmissive sheet has a laminated structure with a generally rectangular shape and a thickness between 200 micrometers and 1 millimeter. The laminated structure comprises a first layer of an optically transmissive material, a second layer of an optically transmissive material, a first regular array of linear channels formed in the first layer extending parallel to one another between two edges of the flexible optically transmissive sheet, and a second regular array of linear channels formed in the second layer extending at an angle with respect to the first regular array of linear channels. The linear channels define side walls configured to reflect light using total internal reflection.

Abstract: An artificial intelligence (AI) assistant system and a method for providing a contextualized response to a user using AI are disclosed. The system comprises an audio input device for receiving voice input, an audio output device for providing output, a processor, a wireless communication device, a contextual memory unit for storing conversational context data on a sliding window basis, and a non-volatile system memory unit. The processor executes instructions to receive voice input, determine user identification, update conversational context data with user identification and a tokenized representation of the voice input, process the voice input using a transformer-based language model to generate a response, update the conversational context data with a tokenized representation of the generated response, and output the response via the audio output device.

Abstract: A stretchable electronic display comprising a substrate sheet of optically transmissive elastic material less than 1.5 mm thick with over 10% elastic range. The sheet has a display region occupying over 50% of its area and a peripheral region. A two-dimensional grid of flexible electrical connectors is disposed within the display region, defining connection nodes and openings. An array of 1-300 ?m digitally addressable solid-state light emitting devices are mounted on heat conductive support pads associated with the grid nodes. The substrate sheet is configured for repetitive and reversible stretching along at least one dimension. The display includes an adhesive layer coextensive with the substrate sheet and may have the grid of connectors embedded in the substrate. The light emitting devices can be micro LEDs or OLEDs with over 40000 per square meter average density. The substrate sheet may be moisture impermeable and foldable to a tight radius.

Abstract: A method of making a light converting optical system is described. The method includes providing a layered light trapping structure comprising a first optical layer with a plurality of linear grooves having triangular cross-sections for reflecting and deflecting light through total internal reflection and refraction. A diffuse reflector, made from a thin sheet of diffuse reflective material, is placed parallel to the first optical layer. A light converting film, positioned between the first optical layer and the diffuse reflector, contains an active layer with first and second light converting semiconductor materials of different bandgaps. The thickness of the active layer is below the minimum required to absorb all visible spectrum light in a single passage. The method further involves providing a light source and positioning the layered light trapping structure to receive energy from the light source.

Abstract: A method of making illumination systems for illuminating building interiors comprises positioning first and second opaque, rigid reflective side walls at a distance from one another with reflective surfaces facing each other. The method further comprises positioning a reflective grid panel with parallel longitudinal walls and parallel transverse walls joining the longitudinal walls between the side walls, defining rectangular light-transmitting openings. The method also includes positioning an LED light source above the grid panel to illuminate it at incidence angles ranging from 0° to at least 45°. Additionally, the method comprises positioning a light diffusing sheet of optically transmissive dielectric material approximately coextensive with the grid panel parallel to the grid panel between the side walls above the grid panel. The transverse walls of the grid panel and the reflective side walls are configured to diffusely reflect portions of light transmitted through the rectangular openings.

Abstract: A method for making a backlight unit for LCD displays is disclosed, involving a thin and flexible light transmissive sheet with first and second broad-area surfaces, and opposing first and second edges. A patterned light extraction area, comprising a two-dimensional pattern of microstructures, and a light mixing area, are formed on the sheet. A side-emitting LED strip is provided, with a flexible printed circuit, a linear array of side-emitting LED packages, and electrical contacts for power supply connection. The circuit's major surface is oriented parallel to the sheet and positioned in contact with one broad-area surface. A reflector is placed on one side of the sheet. The circuit and part of the light mixing area are covered with an opaque, heat-conductive housing. The light mixing area's width exceeds the sheet's thickness, and the light-emitting surface of each LED package is at least 1.5 times the sheet's thickness.

Abstract: A method of making a light converting optical system is described. The method includes providing a layered light trapping structure comprising a first optical layer with a plurality of linear grooves having triangular cross-sections for reflecting and deflecting light through total internal reflection and refraction. A diffuse reflector, made from a thin sheet of diffuse reflective material, is placed parallel to the first optical layer. A light converting film, positioned between the first optical layer and the diffuse reflector, contains an active layer with first and second light converting semiconductor materials of different bandgaps. The thickness of the active layer is below the minimum required to absorb all visible spectrum light in a single passage. The method further involves providing a light source and positioning the layered light trapping structure to receive energy from the light source.

Abstract: A backlit image panel comprising an image print layer and a planar light guide with a light input edge and a light extraction area. The panel includes one or more light sources positioned near the light input edge to illuminate the light guide, and a housing covering the light sources and the light input edge. A two-dimensional pattern of discrete light extraction structures is formed on a major surface of the planar light guide. The pattern has areas of varying areal distribution densities of the light extraction structures characterized by areas of relatively lower and higher areal distribution densities of the light extraction structures providing a segmented emission from the light guide.

Abstract: A method of making multi-layer light converting optical structures including providing an artificial light source, an optically transmissive sheet having a parallel array of linear grooves, a reflective back cover, and a planar light converting layered structure which is approximately coextensive with the planar optically transmissive sheet. Each of the linear groves has a V-shaped cross-sectional profile defined by a pair of planar walls forming an acute angle. The light converting layered structure includes a partially transmissive layer of a light absorbing medium sandwiched between two transparent layers. The light absorbing medium includes light absorbing elements distributed in a volume of an optically transmissive material and configured to absorb light in a first wavelength more weakly than in a second wavelength.

Abstract: A method for detecting occupancy and controlling electrical load based on the presence of mobile devices in a space is disclosed. An electric lighting fixture emits control signals into a surrounding area which triggers responses from nearby mobile phones that are not necessarily engaged in an active call. The lighting fixture receives response signals from mobile devices in the area and determines occupancy based on detection of the devices. The power delivery to the lighting fixture may be controlled based on occupancy. The method may further include providing audible or visual indicators of occupancy detection, requesting registration information from mobiles, storing mobile device IDs to ignore known devices, adjusting sensitivity of detection, controlling other electrical loads based on occupancy, and interfacing with a security system.

Abstract: A wide-area waveguide illumination system is provided, including an optical waveguide formed from a sheet of optically transmissive material having a generally uniform thickness. The waveguide comprises a first broad-area surface, an opposing second broad-area surface, and a first light input edge. One or more solid-state light sources are optically coupled to the first light input edge. An image print, comprising a viewable surface, is disposed in an energy receiving relationship with the optical waveguide. The system also includes a two-dimensional pattern of light extraction features distributed over the area of the optical waveguide with variable areal density, defining a plurality of higher-density light extraction areas and a plurality of lower-density light extraction areas. The distances between the light extraction features in the higher-density light extraction areas are generally less than in the lower-density light extraction areas.

Abstract: A method for making a lighting fixture for building interiors is disclosed. The method includes providing an optically transmissive sheet with a rectangular shape, having a first broad-area surface and a second broad-area surface with a two-dimensional pattern of light deflecting surface structures. The fixture uses two groups of dimmable LEDs emitting light at different color temperatures. The optically transmissive sheet is positioned to receive energy from both groups of LEDs. The method further involves providing an LED driver with a first and a second LED intensity control channel, as well as one or more pulse width modulation (PWM) circuits. The LED driver is electrically connected to the dimmable LEDs, controlling the light emission intensity from each group of LEDs and adjusting the intensity of LED emissions in response to changes in incident light intensity on the fixture's area.

Abstract: A method for making a backlight unit for LCD displays is disclosed, involving a thin and flexible light transmissive sheet with first and second broad-area surfaces, and opposing first and second edges. A patterned light extraction area, comprising a two-dimensional pattern of microstructures, and a light mixing area, are formed on the sheet. A side-emitting LED strip is provided, with a flexible printed circuit, a linear array of side-emitting LED packages, and electrical contacts for power supply connection. The circuit's major surface is oriented parallel to the sheet and positioned in contact with one broad-area surface. A reflector is placed on one side of the sheet. The circuit and part of the light mixing area are covered with an opaque, heat-conductive housing. The light mixing area's width exceeds the sheet's thickness, and the light-emitting surface of each LED package is at least 1.5 times the sheet's thickness.

Abstract: A lighting fixture with segmented emission employing a sheet of an optically transmissive material having a first broad-area surface configured for light output, an opposing second broad-area surface extending parallel to the first broad-area surface and configured for light output, a first edge configured for light input, and an opposing second edge. The lighting fixture further employs a series of compact solid-state light sources optically coupled at least to the first edge, a plurality of patterned light extraction areas distributed over an area of the rectangular sheet and separated from one another and from the first and second edges by separation areas, and a housing encasing the light sources and one or more edges of the rectangular sheet. A width of the separation areas may be less than a length or width dimension of the patterned light extraction areas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a light converting optical system. The method involves providing a first optical layer having a microstructured front surface comprising an array of linear grooves that reflect first light rays using total internal reflection and deflect second light rays using refraction. A thin sheet of reflective light scattering material is positioned parallel to the first optical layer. A second optical layer is provided with a microstructured front surface. A continuous photoabsorptive film layer comprising a light converting semiconductor material is positioned between the first optical layer and the reflective material, with a thickness less than the minimum thickness required for absorbing all light traversing through the film layer. The method further involves providing a light source and positioning the second optical layer on the light path between the light source and the photoabsorptive film layer.

Abstract: An edge-lit waveguide illumination system with a thin, flexible layer of optically transmissive material designed for guiding light through optical transmission and total internal reflection. The system features a randomized two-dimensional pattern of discrete cavities formed on its back surface, and an array of linear cylindrical lenses on its front surface. Light is emitted by a plurality of LEDs positioned along a light input edge. A sheet of reflective material is positioned coextensively on the back surface. At least one cavity features a curved wall with a specific angle. Additional components may include a photoresponsive layer, a heat-dissipating metallic substrate with side-emitting LEDs, and optical adhesives or encapsulants. The system may also incorporate luminescent centers and/or a light-diffusing layer for altering light characteristics.