Abstract: A light emitting sheet module includes a light guiding sheet to cover a plurality of key switches, at least one LED disposed on at least one end portion of the light guiding sheet, and a circuit board disposed on the one end portion of the light guiding sheet on which the LED is disposed. When the light emitting sheet module is, mounted on a switch board, it is capable of adaptation to key switches in a wide variety of forms and to illuminate the key switches with light emission of high brightness.

Abstract: An illumination device comprising an LED (14) mounted on a rear of a PCB (12), and a light pipe (16) to direct light from the LED through an aperture (18) in the PCB to illuminate a legend (10) on the front of the PCB, the light pipe diffusing the light so as to prevent uneven illumination of the legend.

Abstract: A pointer for an instrument panel which is actively lighted and, more specifically, an actively lighted pointer including a flex circuit.

Abstract: An illuminated pointer assembly for a gauge scale having an outer periphery includes a pointer that moves about a periphery of the gauge scale and is illuminated by a light guide. The light guide is disposed on a plane below the pointer and the gauge scale. The light guide includes at least two LEDs that are disposed adjacent first and second ends of the light guide. The light guide also includes a plurality of reflective elements. The plurality of reflective elements is disposed in sets that are orientated with regard to each of the LEDs. The reflective elements provide for the transmission and direction of light within the light guide into the guide body portion of the pointer.

Abstract: A sheet switch module including a circuit board (22), at least one key switch (25) disposed on the circuit board, and a flexible light guiding sheet (31) which is disposed on the key switch and configured to cover the circuit board, the light guiding sheet being configured to flexibly fit over and follow the shape of the key switch along an outer surface of the key switch, when the light guiding sheet is disposed on the circuit board.

Abstract: An exemplary process for making a light guide includes the steps of: providing a transparent base sheet; punching the base sheet to form an array of first apertures therein; coating a melted resin material in the first apertures and making the melted resin material fill up the first apertures; solidifying the melted resin material to form a plurality of resin blocks; punching the base sheet to form an array of second apertures in the resin blocks, the second apertures configured for illuminating the keys via at least one light source; and trimming the base sheet with the second apertures to form a light guide. A light guide made by the process is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control panel assembly in which a light emitted from a single lamp is prevented from being dispersed nearby. A control panel assembly for a laundry machine, the control panel assembly includes a lamp supporter in which a plurality of lamps are installed to display functions selected by a user; a deco formed corresponding to the plurality of the lamps, the deco including a plurality of light-emitting holes through which a light emitted from each of the lamps passes; a light window including a light dispersion preventing part provided between the lamp supporter and the deco to prevent the light emitted from each of the lamps from being emitted through the other light-emitting holes except a single light-emitting hole corresponding each of the lamps.

Abstract: An illumination device for an indicating needle includes a plurality of light sources, an indicating needle, a guiding member, and a luminance control unit. The indicating needle includes a needle body and a needle base. The base has an entrance surface and a reflection surface. A luminance control unit controls luminance of the light sources in response to turning of the indicating needle such that the luminance is lowest when a light emitted perpendicularly from a center of an emitting surface of the light source is reflected off a reflection surface's region which a longitudinal central line of the needle body intersects with, and that the luminance gradually increases as the light emitted by the light source from the center of the emitting surface thereof is reflected off a region that is more distant from the region which the longitudinal central line of the needle body intersects with.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a slim backlighted keyboard comprising a plurality of press members; and a support plate arranged below the press members. The support plate includes a first plane and a second plane interconnecting to each other optically. The first plane has at least one elastic support element corresponding to the press members. The second plane is on the opposite side of the first plane and has at least one light conduction groove. The light propagating inside the light conduction grooves penetrates the support plate and reaches the first plane to illuminate the press members. Thereby, the present invention can reduce the thickness of a backlighted keyboard and facilitate fabricating a slim backlighted keyboard.

Abstract: The present invention relates to illumination of an instrument for displaying information. In particular the invention relates to illumination for an instrument suitable for use in a vehicle. The invention provides an illumination system suitable for illuminating an instrument, comprising an information bearing surface, a substantially transparent protective cover, and a first light source coupled to the protective cover, wherein a surface of the protective cover is treated at a peripheral portion such that light escapes from substantially the peripheral portion to illuminate a portion of the information bearing surface.

Abstract: A lens for use with a display panel configured to emit light and display images is provided. The lens has a light-emitting surface and a plurality of enhancement portions. A first enhancement portion is configured to physically correspond to a first image displayed on the display screen. The first enhancement portion is further configured to collect at least a portion of the light emitted by the display screen and emit the light through the light-emitting surface of the lens. A second enhancement portion is configured to physically correspond to a second image displayed on the display screen.

Abstract: An example light guide assembly for illuminating a display of an instrument cluster includes a light receiving portion, a light propagating portion and a reflective surface between the light receiving portion and the light propagating portion. The light receiving portion extends along a first axis, and the light propagating portion extends along a second axis which is transverse to the first axis. The reflective surface includes a stepped surface transverse to the reflective surface.

Abstract: A pointer comprises an attached portion and a main body. The attached portion is attached to an instrument. The main body is fixed to the attached portion at a basic portion thereof and extending toward a free portion thereof. The main body has a reflective surface and a foil-stamping layer. The reflective surface is formed at an inclined surface of the basic portion and inclined to a traveling direction of light entering the main body. The foil-stamping layer is formed on a bottom surface of the main body and diffusely reflects light reflected by the reflective surface. The reflective surface is curved like a collective convex lens in a transverse direction of the inclined surface and a diffusive concave lens in a vertical direction of the inclined surface.

Abstract: The pointer illuminator includes: an optically transparent pointer member having a reflecting surface for a pointer, which surface reflects, light incident on a predetermined surface of incidence and guides the light to a tip of the pointer; a light source arranged around a drive shaft of the pointer member; and an optically transparent light-guiding member, which guides light from the light source to the surface of incidence and includes a first light-guiding reflecting surface provided on a face of the light-guiding member, an angle which the face forms with a center axis of the light source becoming smaller as the face leaves the light source so that the first light-guiding reflecting surface reflects the light from the light source to convert the light into approximately parallel light rays, whereby the light-guiding member guides the parallel light rays to the surface of incidence.

Abstract: A lamp-supporting unit includes a mold frame and a lamp-fixing member. The mold frame includes a bottom face, a side face upwardly extending from an edge of the bottom face, and a top face horizontally extending from an upper end of the side face and being opposite to the bottom face. The side face has openings through which lamps are moved. The lamp-fixing member is installed on the bottom face of the mold frame and fixes an end of each of the lamps.

Abstract: A safety trailer has semi-tractor hitches at both ends and a safety wall that is fixed to one side of the trailer. That side, however, can be changed to the right or left side of the road, depending on the end to which the truck attaches. A caboose can be attached at the end of the trailer opposite the tractor to provide additional lighting and impact protection. Optionally, the trailer can be equipped with overhead protection, lighting, ventilation, onboard hydraulics, compressors, generators and other equipment, as well as related fuel, water, storage and restroom facilities and other amenities.

Abstract: An optical device for collecting and distributing light from a quasi point light source which includes a planar light guide having surfaces through which optical axes are periodically spaced. There is at least one quasi point light source, the optical axis of each being coincident with the optical axes of the surfaces. There is also at least one optical element depressed within the edges or adjacent surfaces of the light guide at least partially rotated about the optical axis, and having a focal point at the quasi point light source.

Abstract: A backlight assembly and a liquid crystal display having the same which can prevent a lamp wire from being damaged, simplify the manufacturing process, and reduce the manufacturing cost. The backlight assembly includes a receiving container for receiving a lamp, a lamp wire, connected to the lamp, for supplying power to the lamp, and a lamp holder, coupled to the receiving container and connected to the lamp, for guiding the lamp wire in parallel with the lamp.

Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a light source, a light guide plate, and a receiving container having a combination guide part. The coupling guide part is inwardly protruded with respect to the sidewalls of the receiving container. The coupling guide part corresponds with a guide recess on the light guide plate to guide the light guide plate to a proper position. The coupling guide part may also include a screw thread to couple the receiving container with an external case. Therefore, the receiving container may be easily coupled with the external case and the light guide plate may be guided to a proper position via the combination guide part to thereby simplify a manufacturing process of the backlight assembly and reduce its size.

Abstract: Optical devices for guiding illumination are provided each having a body of optical material with staircase or acutely angled ramp structures on its top surface for distributing light inputted from one end of the device from the front exit faces of such structures along certain angular orientations, while at least a substantial portion of the light is totally internally reflected within the body until distributed from such front exit faces. Optical devices are also provided each have a body of optical material having a bottom surface with acutely angled ramp structures and falling structures which alternate with each other, such that light is totally internally reflected within the device until reflected by such ramp structures along the bottom surface to exit the top surface of the device or transmitted through the ramp structures to an adjacent falling structure back into the device.

Abstract: An example light guide assembly for illuminating a display of an instrument cluster includes a light receiving portion, a light propagating portion and a conical surface positioned between the light receiving portion and the light propagating portion. An exterior surface of the light propagating portion includes a plurality of lobes that uniformly illuminate the display as light propagates from the light receiving portion to the conical surface and through the light propagating portion.

Abstract: A spread illuminating apparatus includes a point light source, a light conductor plate having a light inlet surface facing the point light source, and a housing frame to hold the point light source and the light conductor plate, wherein the housing frame includes an inner frame member and an outer frame member to enclose the inner frame member, the point light source is disposed at an end wall of the outer frame member, the light conductor plate is held in the inner frame member by joint mechanisms such that the light inlet surface of the light conductor plate is positioned inward of a forefront face of the inner frame member with a predetermined distance therefrom, and wherein the inner frame member is housed in the outer frame member with a predetermined constant clearance provided between the point light source and the light inlet surface of the light conductor plate.

Abstract: A key module with a multi-layer light guiding structure includes a plurality of keys, light guiding structure and a plurality of light blocks corresponding to the light guiding structure. The light guiding structure includes a plurality of light guiding plates. Each of the light guiding plate includes at least one light guiding strip corresponding to specific keys, which are staggered to each other or corresponding to each other. The light guiding strip is provided with a color layer. An electronic device using the key module individually or selectively lights light emitting elements for each layer of the light guiding plates. Therefore, different lights are emitted from the light guiding strips or a mixed light is produced from the light guiding strips to illuminate the keys. The keys have lights of different color to manifest symbols or alphabets on the keys.

Abstract: A safety trailer has semi-tractor hitches at both ends and a safety wall that is fixed to one side of the trailer. That side, however, can be changed to the right or left side of the road, depending on the end to which the truck attaches. A caboose can be attached at the end of the trailer opposite the tractor to provide additional lighting and impact protection. Optionally, the trailer can be equipped with overhead protection, lighting, ventilation, onboard hydraulics, compressors, generators and other equipment, as well as related fuel, water, storage and restroom facilities and other amenities.

Abstract: An illuminated display assembly includes a user display for displaying information to a user, wherein the user display includes a display medium and a movable display device having an indicator pointer for providing to the user a position indication on the display medium and an illumination source to emit an optical radiation for illuminating the indicator pointer and the display medium, wherein the movable display device includes a light pipe arranged to receive and convey the optical radiation from the illumination source, the light pipe having a dispersing feature arranged to disperse from the light pipe a first portion of the optical radiation to provide back illumination of the display medium and a second portion of the optical radiation conveyed by the light pipe to provide illumination of the indicator pointer.

Abstract: A light guiding body configured utilize light emitted by a light source for lighting and a lighting apparatus having the light guiding body are provided. The light guiding body has a base, lighting portions and leg portions. The base is formed by a light intake surface that is located in front of an LED. The lighting portions are formed by light emission surfaces. The leg portions individually extend from the base to the lighting portions. Each of the leg portions has a root portion that partially overlaps an area in front of the LED so that the leg portion can receive radiating light entering through the light intake surface. The lights received by the leg portions are respectively guided to the light emission surfaces.

Abstract: A backlight unit includes a light source emitting light and a light diffusing plate diffusing light emitted from the light source, the light diffusing plate having an ellipsoidal microlens, the ellipsoidal microlens being provided in a plural number and a major axis direction of the microlens being substantially orthogonal to a longer axis direction of the light source.

Abstract: An ultra thin lighting element including at least one light source. A lightguide element includes one lightguide layer comprising a plurality of discrete fine optic surface relief structures on at least one portion of at least one surface. Each surface relief structure includes basic structural features on the order of about 10 microns or less in height, and on the order of about 10 microns or less in each lateral dimension. The number, arrangement and size of each surface relief structure and height and lateral dimensions of the structural features of the surface relief structures being varied to provide a desired degree of outcoupling modulation of light incoupled into the light guide element.

Abstract: A light diffusion device for uniformly dispersing light across a gauge dial plate having indicia associated therewith includes an annular member of transparent or translucent material having front and rear annular surfaces each merging with an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface. The inner peripheral surface is a frusto-conical widening in a direction from the rear surface toward the front surface to reflect light rays toward the outer peripheral and front surfaces thereby effecting uniform illumination across the front surface, and the outer peripheral surface and frusto-conical inner peripheral surface share a coincident axis of generation.

Abstract: A gauge with a light transmitting pointer and a light-transmitting dial plate having a surface with indicia for a variable represented by the dial, at least one light source facing a hub of the pointer and positioned rearwardly from the rear surface of the dial plate for illuminating the dial plate. The light-transmitting pointer is mounted for rotational movement about an axis normal to the dial plate. The pointer hub is concentric with the axis, extending through the dial plate and projecting both forwardly and rearwardly from the plate, and an indicator projecting laterally from the hub across a portion of the front surface of the dial plate. The portion of the hub extending rearwardly of the dial plate is shaped to capture light directly from the light source so that light enters the hub and propagates forwardly through the hub, and then laterally from the hub into the indicator to illuminate the indicator.

Abstract: A tubular light source having a semiconductor light source and a tube is disclosed. The tube includes a transparent medium, the tube having a side tube surface, a center curve, one end surface, a length, and a maximum cross-sectional dimension. The tube includes scattering centers that cause light traveling in the tube to be reflected at angles such that the reflected light leaves the tube through the side tube surface. The semiconductor light source is positioned to emit light into the tube within a cone of angles such that the light will not leave the side tube surface in the absence of the scattering centers. The scattering centers can be dispersed in the transparent medium or located on the side tube surface. The transparent medium can be rigid or flexible.

Abstract: A projection display includes three illumination units to emit red, green, and blue beams, at least one optical modulator to modulate the red, green, and blue beams to be suitable for image data, and projection optics to magnify and project the light beams emitted from the at least one optical modulator. Each of the illumination units includes: a collimator including a parabolic first reflective surface; a compact light source located at a focal point of the first reflective surface; a polarizer that transforms a light beam emitted from the collimator into a P- or S-polarized beam; and an integrator that transforms the light beam emitted from the polarizer to be emitted at a uniform intensity of light.

Abstract: One or more LEDs are mounted within an LCD without the use of any printed circuit board (PCB), thus reducing the thickness of the LCD by about the thickness of the conventional PCB. In one embodiment, the LED and submount are mounted so that the submount is opposing the liquid crystal layer side of the LCD, so that the liquid crystal layers provide the mechanical support for the submount and LED die. The LED die (mounted on the submount) may be inserted into a cavity formed in the “top” surface of the light guide, and the top surface of the light guide is abutted against the liquid crystal layers. In such a configuration, the LED light source, including all supporting components, adds no thickness to the LCD. In another embodiment, on the “bottom” surface of the LCD opposing the LED die is an electrically switchable mirror that is either reflective or transparent. In its transparent state, the LED in the LCD may be used as a flash in a cell phone camera, while the LCD may be viewed to take the picture.

Abstract: A backlight module includes a light box, at least one light guide tube, and at least one light source. The light box has a light exit side. The light guide tube has a plurality of microstructures which are spaced apart along a length of the light guide tube. The light guide tube and the microstructures are disposed in the light box in a particular arrangement so that the microstructures are placed substantially in a matrix array within the light box. The light source is disposed adjacent to the light guide tube, and is operable so as to emit a light beam to the light guide tube. The microstructures disperse the light beam from the light guide tube.

Abstract: A vehicle display having an LCD display that is employed to communicate a first type of vehicle information and a second set of vehicle information in which the information that is to be communicated can include or consist of symbols. A display light guide is employed to distribute light from two light sources to selectively illuminate portions of the display screen of the LCD display. The LCD display can be employed to generate telltale warning indicators. The LCD display provides flexibility in the display of information so that a relatively large quantity of telltale warning indicators can be handled without specifically dedicating a light source, a light tunnel and space on the vehicle display for each telltale warning indicator that may be employed in a vehicle.

Abstract: A positioning device for positioning an integration rod module disposed in an optical path between a light source device and a projection lens within a projection apparatus includes a flexible element having a fixing plate section mounted securely on an inner surface of a casing interconnecting the light source device and the projection lens and enclosing the integration rod module, and a first distal plate section extending integrally from one end of the fixing plate section toward a rod cover mounted on the casing for resiliently urging a holder of the rod module to press against the inner surface of the casing at a position opposite to the flexible element. A stop member is disposed securely on the holder adjacent to the rod cover to facilitate abutment of the first distal plate section of the flexible element against the holder to enhance retention of the rod module within the casing.

Abstract: A backlight module (20) includes a light source (21), a prism sheet (23) and a light guide plate (22). The light guide plate includes an incident surface (221), an emitting surface (223), a bottom surface (222) and a plurality of depressions (224). The emitting surface is located adjoining the incident surface. The depressions are formed on the emitting surface. Each depression has a refractive surface (225) and a reflective surface (226) adjoining the refractive surface. The reflective surface faces the incident surface, and the refractive surface faces away from the incident surface. The light source is arranged besides the light guide plate and facing the incident surface. The prism sheet has a prism surface facing the emitting surface of the light guide plate and forms a plurality of prisms (241) on the prism surface.

Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a receiving container, a first side mold, a printed circuit board and a plurality of lamps. The first side mold is on the side of the receiving container. The printed circuit board is combined with the first side mold, the printed circuit board including a plurality of conductive clips and a power supply line assembly for transmitting a lamp driving electric power. The lamps are combined with the conductive clips to generate light based on the lamp driving electric power. The power supply line assembly includes a first conductive line electrically connected to a subgroup of conductive clips and a second conductive line electrically connected to the other conductive clips. The first and second conductive lines are supplied with the lamp driving electric powers that have reverse phases to each other. Therefore, noise is decreased according to its waterfall curve to improve an image display quality.

Abstract: This invention relates to a light guide (1) for a control knob, particularly an instrument panel of a vehicle. The knob is fitted with an index (3) free to move in rotation about an axis (A). The light guide (1) will be inserted between a light source (2) and the index (3) and comprises at least one entry surface (4) for light rays emitted by the light source (2), a first exit surface (6) of light rays towards the index (3) and side faces (5) inserted between the entry surface (4) and the first exit surface (6). The light guide comprises first optical means (4, 8, 15, 16) to orient received light rays approximately parallel to the rotation axis (A) of the index (3), and second optical means (5, 22, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20) to focus the previously reoriented light rays towards at least the first exit surface (6).

Abstract: Edge lit light emitting assembly includes a panel member having a light input surface at one end of a greater width than thickness and an array of LEDs positioned in close proximity to the light input surface that emit light out of the side of the LEDs closest to the light input surface. At least one reflector around one or more of the LEDs collects light emitted by the LEDs and is shaped to reflect and focus the light at an acceptable angle for entering the light input surface, the focused light being shaped to have a greater cross-sectional width than height corresponding to the width and thickness of the light input surface.

Abstract: In a display device, a display member for displaying information as an image receives a light from a light source arranged behind and is illuminated by the light. A decorative member is arranged on the front surface of the display member to partly cover the display member. The decorative member is illuminated by the light passing through the display member. The decorative member rises from the front surface of the display member and illuminates, thereby providing an enhanced three-dimensional appearance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a displaying unit using a display panel and provides a reinforcing configuration that reinforces an optical guide plate without impairing a degree of freedom in the back space of the optical guide plate. A displaying unit includes an optical guide plate that guides light of a light source for display on a display panel and includes a reinforcing member (reinforcing beam) that bridges over the optical guide plate between side surfaces in the incident direction and the crossing direction of the light.

Abstract: A backlight unit including: a light source that irradiates light; and a diffusing plate that diffuses the light irradiated from the light source, wherein the diffusing plate is provided with a first microlens of ellipsoid form, and a second microlens of ellipsoid form disposed in such a manner that long axes of the first microlens and the second microlens are approximately perpendicular to each other, and a long axis direction of the first microlens and a long axis direction of the light source are arranged approximately parallel to each other, and a long axis direction of the second microlens and the long axis direction of the light source are arranged approximately perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: A keypad with increased refractive index includes a light-guiding elastic element, an optical refractive layer and at least one light-emitting element. The optical refractive layer is applied on an upper surface of the light-guiding elastic element. The light-emitting element is provided on one side of the light-guiding elastic element. The refractive index of air is defined as a real number x. The refractive index of the light-guiding elastic element is defined as a real number y. The refractive index of the optical refractive layer is defined as a real number z. The refractive index z is larger than the refractive index x. Since the optical refractive layer is applied on the light-guiding elastic element and the refractive index of the optical refractive layer is different from that of the light-guiding elastic element, the angle of total reflection of the light in the light-guiding elastic element can be changed.

Abstract: A lighting device including an LED, which is located immediately below a first illumination window, for illuminating not only the first illumination window but also a second illumination window. The lighting device includes a light guide plate for transmitting light from the LED. The light guide plate includes first and second recess groups defined at locations corresponding to the first illumination window. The light guide plate further includes a third recess group defined at a location corresponding to the second illumination window.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assembly includes an optically conductive panel member having at least one input surface and a greater cross-sectional width than thickness, and at least one light transition emitter having a light emitting surface in close proximity to the light input surface. The light emitting surface has an output distribution defined by a greater width component than height component, a thickness equal to or less than the thickness of the panel member and a greater width than thickness in the width direction of the panel member. A reflector extends around the light source and is shaped to reflect and focus the light emitted from the light source at an acceptable angle for entering the light source.

Abstract: An illumination system for use in illuminating a spatial light modulator for a head up display system. The illumination system includes a high power light emitting diode (LED) array assembly; and, a Fresnel lens array operatively associated with the LED array assembly for receiving light produced by the LED and providing a nearly collimated light output for use by the spatial light modulator. Utilization of the ultra bright LED array and Fresnel lens array provides the capability of the illumination source to be made very thin, light weight, and efficient. The Fresnel lens array, which converges the light to be nearly collimated, enhances the harvest of the available flux thus increasing the system efficiency and providing a system that gives the illusion of having an image at infinity. Additional components such as holographic elements, optical compensation films, and brightness enhancement films can be used to tailor the light if required.

Abstract: A keypad structure includes a circuit board, a reflecting plate, a second light guide plate, a second light guide plate, a shading strip, a first light guide plate, an elastic layer, a keypad module and a light source module. A shading strip is provided for attaching the second light guide plate to the first light guide plate. A hole at an overlapped position of the first and second light guide plates is provided for exposing the first light guide plate. A light emitting element of the second light guide plate is lit to project a single-color light onto a corresponding keypad. When the light emitting element of the first light guide plate is lit, different color lights are produced, such that a light transmission effect of single-color light or mixed multiple-color light occurs at the surface of the keypad corresponding to the first light guide plate.

Abstract: A lighting device, for illuminating display designed parts on a display plate arranged parts at-least-partially around a center axis, includes a light source for emitting light and arranged at a rear side of the display plate, and a light guide body having at least one light guide portion including an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion has a rear side surface for receiving the light from the light source and a front side surface with a curvature for reflecting the light to change a forward-backward direction of the flight inputted from the light source toward an outwardly radial direction to guide the light so that the light can travel in the outer portion in approximately radial directions centered on the center axis and be suppressed from diffusion from a central line passing through though the center axis and the light source.

Abstract: An annular light guide is provided. The annular light guide is made of optically transparent material, and is provided with an annular body that is an integrated combination of a light inlet and a light outlet. A light source is disposed in a cavity formed in the light inlet. Illumination light is emitted from the front surface 16c of the light outlet.