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.

Abstract: A wide-area solid-state illumination system employing a waveguide with two-sided segmented light emission and one or more compact solid-state light sources, such as LEDs, coupled to an edge of the waveguide. The waveguide is made of a thin sheet of optically transmissive material with a uniform thickness and has a plurality of light extraction areas distributed over the waveguide's area according to a two-dimensional pattern. The light extraction areas are separated from one another by separation areas and have different densities of light extraction surface structures. The surface structures are configured to distribute light from both sides of the waveguide. At least some of the light extraction surface structures are formed by discrete surface microstructures spaced apart from one another by distances which are greater than sizes of the individual discrete surface microstructures and at least five times less than a width of the separation areas.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a backlight unit for LCD displays. The method includes providing a thin and flexible light transmissive sheet and forming a patterned light extraction area and a light mixing area by forming a plurality of light extraction microstructures on surface of the sheet according to an area-distributed two-dimensional pattern. A side-emitting LED strip comprising a linear array of side-emitting LED packages is also provided, along with electrical contacts for connecting the strip to a power supply. The major surface of the flexible printed circuit is oriented parallel to the light transmissive sheet and positioned in contact with one of the broad-area surfaces. A reflective layer is positioned on one side of the light transmissive sheet, and the flexible printed circuit and a portion of the light mixing area are covered using an opaque housing with a heat conductive element.

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 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: An illumination panel employing two or more groups of light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to emit light in different color temperatures, an optically transmissive sheet with light deflecting surface structures, and an LED driver electrically connected to the LEDs. The illumination panel further incorporates two or more LED intensity control channels and one or more pulse width modulation (PWM) circuits. The LED intensity control channels are configured to independently control the light output from the individual LED groups and the LED driver is further configured to provide dimming of the LEDs in response to a change of the intensity of incident natural daylight.

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 method of making a daylight redirecting window film having a layered structure with a total thickness of less than one millimeter and having at least two optical films bonded together. One of the optical films has a first light redirecting layer disposed on a first side of the film and including a linear array of light redirecting structures configured to reflect light using a total internal reflection and defining a parallel array of narrow channels, and a second light redirecting layers disposed on an opposite second side of the film and including light scattering surface microstructures. The method includes coating a surface of at least one of the films with an optical adhesive, positioning the optical films such that the top portions of the light redirecting structures face inwards, and bonding the films together to form a monolithic multi-layer light redirecting film structure.

Abstract: An illumination system having a base sheet and at least two planar optical waveguides attached to a back surface of the base sheet at different locations and each having light extraction structures. Each waveguide is optically coupled to an LED source at its edge and is configured to emit light towards the base sheet. Various embodiments incorporate flexibility of the base sheet, variable densities of the light extraction structures, positioning of LED sources, and distinct light extraction patterns. The base sheet may include optically transmissive and opaque areas. Additional aspects involve reflective or light-diffusing materials near the optical waveguides, side-emitting LED packages, and opaque materials located between the waveguides or LED sources. The system is adaptable for multiple planar optical waveguides distributed over the base sheet, covered by one or more reflective sheets.

Abstract: A method of making an angular selective light control sheeting is disclosed. The method includes providing a sheet of an optically transmissive elastic material, providing a slitting blade, advancing the slitting blade into the optically transmissive elastic material to a predetermined depth, moving the slitting blade relatively to the sheet along a straight or curvilinear path so as to form a channel in the elastic material, and introducing an opaque material into the channel.

Abstract: An optical article for illuminating building interiors including a reflective grid panel, an LED light source positioned above the reflective grid panel and configured to illuminate the reflective grid panel at incidence angles ranging from a minimum angle of 0° to a maximum angle of at least 45°, a light diffusing sheet of an optically transmissive dielectric material approximately coextensive with and oriented generally parallel to the reflective grid panel, and a pair of reflective side walls flanking a space between the reflective grid panel and the light diffusing sheet. The reflective grid panel incorporates a plurality of parallel longitudinal walls and a plurality of parallel transverse walls joining the walls and defining a plurality of rectangular openings configured to transmit light.

Abstract: A stretchable sheet-form electronic display having a generally rectangular shape with four edges, a thickness of less than 1.5 mm, and a longer dimension of at least 100 mm. The stretchable sheet-form electronic display includes an elastic substrate sheet comprising a thin layer of an optically transmissive material having a relatively high elastic range, a grid of flexible connecting members and a two-dimensional array of at least 100,000 digitally addressable solid-state light emitting devices such as micro OLEDs or LEDs. At least some of the solid-state light emitting devices may be arranged into light emitting clusters and directly or indirectly mounted to a plurality of support pads. The solid-state light emitting devices within the clusters may be configured for emitting light in different colors such as blue, red, and green.

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: 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 employing an elongated waveguide having a non-round transversal cross-section and having at least a portion of its surface shaped in the form of a linear collimating element. The waveguide further employs at least one array of light extracting features distributed along a longitudinal axis of the waveguide and disposed in the focal area of the respective linear collimating element. Each light extracting feature has an active aperture which is substantially less than the light receiving aperture of the linear collimating element and is configured to redirect light propagating in the waveguide generally towards a normal direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the waveguide. Light rays redirected by the light extracting features are further collimated by the linear collimating element and exit from the waveguide in the form of a directional beam.