Abstract: A light tunnel with a gradient filter layer includes a light tunnel body and a gradient filter layer. In this case, the gradient filter layer is disposed at a light emerging side. The transmission rate at the central area of the gradient filter layer is smaller than the transmission rate at the edge area of the gradient filter layer.

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: The invention comprises a lighting and/or signalling device in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising: at least one light source illuminating a light guide, part of whose surface has locally diffusing and/or reflective areas able to diffuse/reflect towards the inside part of the light propagating in the guide, at least one end face of the guide remote from the source comprising a means of reflecting light towards the inside of the guide, the reflection means comprising: at least one cube corner projecting outwards having three facets in a trirectangular trihedron, this cube corner being provided in the material of the light guide so as to cause three successive reflections of rays falling on one of the facets under total reflection conditions, in order to return them in the guide in a direction substantially parallel to the incident direction of the said rays, or at least one said cube corner and at least one corner projecting outwards and bevelled, having two facets, this corner being designed to return

Abstract: A light guide (30) for illuminating a keypad (20) including a plurality of keys (22) includes a plurality of apertures (300) corresponding to the keys, and a plurality of projecting portions (340). The projecting portions protrude from a face of the light guide away from the keypad.

Abstract: A backlight unit for a liquid crystal display. The backlight unit in a liquid crystal display includes a light source having a plurality of basic cell structures. Each basic cell structure consists of three unique colors of first, second, and third light emitting diodes, arranged in a first equilateral triangle. An LCD utilizing the backlight unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A light system, includes a light guide, an attachment structure, and an optically active element. The light guide has first and second major surfaces and an edge surface. The attachment structure is insert molded to the light guide at the edge surface of the light guide, wherein the light guide is molded around at least a portion of the attachment structure. The optically active element is attached to the attachment structure.

Abstract: A projection display including first through third light source units to radiate first through third light beams having different colors, respectively, a light path combining unit to combine paths of the first through third light beams, an optical modulator to sequentially modulate the first through third light beams according to image information, and a projection lens unit to magnify and project the modulated light beams onto a screen. The light path combining unit includes first and second prisms. The first prism includes first and second incidence surfaces, through which the first and second light beams are incident, respectively, a first emission surface, and a first selective reflection surface to transmit the second light beam toward the first emission surface.

Abstract: An illumination push switch unit is provided in which driving units for driving first and second detecting units are formed at side walls other than adjacent side walls of peripheral walls of first and second sliders with a barrier walls of a case interposed therebetween, notch portions are provided at the bottom surface side of the barrier wall and the bottom surface sides of the adjacent side walls of the peripheral walls with the barrier wall interposed therebetween, and a space portion, which becomes an optical path toward the display surfaces of the first and second operation members, is formed between the top surface of the insulating substrate and the notch portions through the notch portions.

Abstract: An illumination device includes a control knob having a display portion, a tubular case combined with a back side of the control knob, a light guide plate attached to seal an upper opening of the tubular case, and LEDs disposed at a lower opening of the tubular case. Light emitted from the LEDs is applied to the display portion through the light guide plate. A plurality of retaining projections and a plurality of push-up projections are provided on an inner surface of the tubular case adjacent to the upper opening. An upper surface of an outer edge of the light guide plate is retained by lower ends of the retaining projections, and a lower surface of the outer edge is pushed up by upper ends of the push-up projections so that the light guide plate is held inside the tubular case while being bent upwardly.

Abstract: An illuminated indicator is disclosed. The illuminated indicator includes graphics disposed on a rear surface of a lightpipe and a housing that supports the rear surface of lightpipe. The housing defines an outer perimeter light channel. The illuminated indicator also includes a plurality of light sources that are disposed about the outer perimeter light channel. The outer perimeter light channel directs light from the plurality of light sources to an outer perimeter edge of the lightpipe to evenly illuminate the graphics.

Abstract: When guiding diffused light to an optical member that has optical surfaces parallel to the optical axis, illumination unevenness is efficiently uniformized at the light emitting surface without an overall increase in length. There is provided a light guiding member, wherein a plurality of tapered rod sections which abut along a central axis direction passing substantially through the centers of an incident end disposed on a light source side and an emitting end disposed on an optical member side are provided between the incident end and the emitting end, and each tapered rod section is shaped to widen gradually from the incident end side towards the emitting end side at a constant taper angle, and a taper angle of each tapered rod section is set smaller than a taper angle of the adjacent tapered rod section on the incident end side.

Abstract: A locating device for measuring distances between dots of a light guide plate includes a sheet having a plurality of reference points marked thereon. The plurality of reference points is configured for locating of the dots during measuring, and a distribution density of the reference points is lower than a distribution of the dots. A preferred method for using a locating device to measure distances between dots of a light guide plate includes the steps of: providing the locating device having a plurality of reference points marked thereon, the plurality of reference points being configured for locating of the dots, a distribution density of the reference points being lower than a distribution density of the dots; attaching the locating device to a surface of the light guide plate that is opposite to the dots; and gauging distances between the dots using a microscope.

Abstract: Various optical techniques are described for obtaining a specified light output from an LED source. One technique uses a parabolic reflector surrounding an LED or LED array to create a collimated beam, and the light exit opening of the parabolic reflector is defined by a reflective disc with an opening of the desired size. Any generated light that is outside of the opening is reflected back into the parabolic reflector and re-reflected until the light exits the opening. For mixing different light colors from different LEDs or energized phosphors, a mixing tunnel is used. The mixing tunnel includes angled dichroic mirrors or angled polarizer mirrors that selectively reflect and pass selected colors or polarizations of light to a single output port of the mixing tunnel. Efficient and compact ways to energize phosphors are also described. Other optical techniques are also described.

Abstract: An illumination device has a light-transmitting member formed in the shape of a toroid having a light-receiving surface and a light-emitting surface, the light-transmitting member defining a central axis, a light source located along the light-transmitting member central axis, and a light-directing housing for guiding light from the light source into the light-receiving surface of the light-transmitting member. The light-transmitting member may have optical waveguide and light-scattering characteristics, whereby the light-transmitting member emits light having a substantially uniform intensity along the light-emitting surface. The light-directing housing has a top reflector member and a bottom reflector member positioned on opposing side of the light source and cooperating with the light-transmitting member such that light is emitted only through the light-transmitting member.

Abstract: An illumination device and display device using it display motion pictures without a blur and make a light utilizing efficiency of a backlight improved. An illumination device having a light pipe of a substantially parallel flat-form sheet, whose one surface is an outgoing light surface and a light source unit is placed at one side and both side edges, is equipped with a light axis of lights after having entered the light pipe from the light source unit being unparallel to the outgoing light surface of the light pipe, and a reflection body unit consisting of plural unit reflection bodies divided into m in a vertical direction of the light source unit at an opposite side surface of the outgoing light surface of the light pipe, wherein the reflection body unit can contact and separate from the opposite side surface the outgoing light surface of the light pipe for every unit reflection bodies.

Abstract: A lighting unit of the present invention includes a light guiding plate (3), a light source (2) disposed so as to face an end face of the light guiding plate, a reflector (4) disposed so as to surround the light source, a housing (6) disposed so as to have a light guiding plate-retaining portion (6a) that retains at least the reflector and is partially interposed between the light source and the end face of the light guiding plate so as to retain the light guiding plate, and a reflecting sheet (5) disposed on one of principal surfaces of the light guiding plate, the lighting unit being configured such that light from the light source enter into the end face of the light guiding plate and goes out from another principal surface of the light guiding plate. The reflecting sheet is disposed so that an edge portion (5a) is bent so as to be positioned between the light guiding plate-retaining portion of the housing and the end face of the light guiding plate.

Abstract: An illuminated knob assembly includes a base. The base includes an annular track on an upper base surface of the base. A PC board is disposed in the track. The PC board includes a plurality of light sources disposed on an upper board surface of the board. A light transmitting plate is positioned over the PC board so as to transmit light therethrough from the light sources. A bezel is fitted over the light transmitting plate and includes gradated openings corresponding to different conditions of operation. The openings permit light to pass therethrough from the light transmitting plate and a knob is disposed adjacent the bezel. The knob includes a light pointer configured to receive and transmit light from the light transmitting plate.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) including an LCD panel having a plurality of gate lines running in parallel in one direction and a plurality of data lines running in parallel perpendicular to the gate lines, gate input drivers for providing gate signals to the gate lines of the LCD panel, data input drivers for providing data signals to the data lines of the LCD panel and a back light unit on a lower part of the LCD panel having a light guide plate and at least two light emitting elements in the same plane with the light guide plate on opposite sides of the light guide plate, wherein the two light emitting elements are turned on and off alternately with respect to each other.

Abstract: A display includes a display lightguide, on which a shape of a display character is formed in three dimensions, a light source, emitting a light toward the display lightguide, and a light collection portion, provided between the light source and the display lightguide, and having a light reflection face formed like a parabolic face which employs a straight line perpendicular to a light receiving face of the display lightguide as an axis thereof.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a lighting apparatus comprising a light hue modulating device that generates compensating light to adjust the light to a desired hue within a space regardless of the hue of the ambient light within the room.

Abstract: A gauge of a vehicle instrument cluster includes a dial having indicia thereon. A pointer is rotatably mounted in the instrument cluster and movable to a plurality of positions relative to the dial. A light source is disposed in the gauge and adapted to direct light in a first direction. A light diverting member is disposed adjacent to the light source and receives light from the light source. The light diverting member includes a first and a second light exit areas. The first light exit area is adapted to direct a first portion of the light generally away from the dial. The second light exit area is adapted to direct a second portion of the light generally toward the dial.

Abstract: A light emitting panel having first and second panels that are constructed of a generally transparent material and that are connected such that the second panel is angularly positioned relative to the first panel. The first panel has first and second opposing surface, wherein at least a portion of the surfaces have a reflective material disposed thereon and an aperture through the reflective material is positioned on the first surface. A light source is associated with the second panel and a contact-less switch sensor is positioned at the second surface.

Abstract: A luminous pointer of a displaying instrument has a pointer body with a light emitting area that is divided into subsections with prisms. The subsections are illuminated at different timing. A light emitting circuit, including light emitting diodes (LEDs) for illuminating the light emitting area, and resistors and zener diodes for driving the LEDs, is arranged in a boss of the pointer body. With this configuration, an increase in weight of the pointer body, especially at a tip of the pointer body, is less likely to occur.

Abstract: A lighting device has a light guide plate having light projecting surfaces at least on the one sides thereof, and at least one brightness enhancement film having a plurality of prisms and disposed adjacently to one of both sides of the light guide plate.

Abstract: A many-faceted LCD display, comprising a light guide pipe, a light source, a first optical means, a second optical means, a first LCD panel and a second LCD panel, is disclosed. The light guide pipe comprises a first surface capable and optional of attaching a reflector, a second surface capable and optional of attaching a reflector, a first edge, and a second edge capable and optional of attaching a reflector. The light source is provided at the first edge and capable of generating and emitting light into the light guide pipe. The first optical means is provided on the first surface of the light guide pipe, and the second optical means is provided on the second surface of the light guide pipe. The first LCD panel is provided on the first optical means, and the second LCD panel is provided on the second optical means.

Abstract: A reflecting apparatus for a backlight module of a plane display is disclosed. The backlight module includes a light guide distal from the reflecting apparatus, and a plurality of diffusers. The apparatus comprises a light source, a reflector, and two substantially parallel sets of partially overlapped light deflectors wherein a gap exists between either two adjacent light deflectors of the same set or one light deflector and the reflector. A portion of emitted light is directed to the light guide after being reflected from the reflector. The remaining portion of light is directed to the light guide either after it has been deflected by the light deflectors or deflected by the light deflectors prior to being reflected by the reflector. Parallel light received at the light guide is deflected to the plane display as a backlight source of the plane display after passing the diffusers.

Abstract: A communication transmitting module with a rigid light pipe, the communication transmitting module has thereon a protrusion with a pair of recesses near its bottom, and has on its bottom side an engaging block with a bevel surface. The rigid light pipe in the shape of “L” includes an upper and a lower portion, the upper portion is formed thereon an engaging hole for extending therethrough of the protrusion of the communication transmitting module, the engaging hole is formed near it a raised portion engageable in the recesses of the communication transmitting module; and the bottom of the lower portion provided with LEDs has a hook extendible from the bevel surface on the bottom side of the communication transmitting module to engage in the engaging block. The present invention can be easily and firmly assembled.

Abstract: A hidden touch pad structure adopted for an electronic product has a plate, a touch pad arranged inside the plate, a circuit board disposed under and retained against the plate and the touch pad simultaneously, and a lighting device surrounding the touch pad and received inside the plate. The circuit board receives a pressure signal via the plate and the touch pad, and drives the lighting device to provide light. The touch pad is recognized via the lighting device surrounding thereof.

Abstract: A light-guide plate comprising a light-guide board having a first refractive index and at least one light-guide part buried inside the light-guide board is provided. The light-guide part has a second refractive index larger than the first refractive index. The light-guide board and the light-guide part buried therein have different refractive indices so that the total reflection may occur for improving the light transmission efficiency in the light-guide plate.

Abstract: An illuminated pointer for an instrument includes an arm section for indicating a display parameter on the instrument, a tail section, and a bridge section extending between the tail section and the arm section. The tail section is configured to focus light received from a light source through the bridge section and into the arm section to more evenly illuminate and/or enhance the brightness of the arm section.

Abstract: A backlighting device includes a light guide plate having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, and a point light source to generate light incident on the first side of the light guide plate. The light guide plate has a plurality of longitudinal diffraction microstructures which are arranged and oriented according to the location of the point light source. The microstructures are varied gradually at least in size, position, density, or shape relative to the location of the point light source. When light is incident on the light guide plate from the point light source, the microstructures, which are varied gradually at least in size, position, density, or shape, function to regulate and adjust the illuminance of bright and dark areas in the light guide plate so as to provide uniform brightness.

Abstract: According to the backlight module in the present invention, a plurality of reflective members is used in this module to reflect light from lamps. Each lamp is arranged between any two adjacent reflective members. These reflective members are respectively arranged between any two adjacent lamps. The reflective members can concentrate the light to avoid the generation of shadows in specific regions on the LCD panel.

Abstract: A back light system (2) includes a light guide plate (50). The light guide plate includes an array of prisms (55) formed thereon, and a nano-particle layer (80) formed on the prisms for diffusing light beams propagating therethrough. The nano-particle layer contains a mass of transparent nano-particles with diameters preferably in the range from 30˜100 nm. A material of the particles may be TiO2 (titanium oxide), SiO2 (silicon dioxide), or Al2O3 (aluminum oxide). Each light beam passing through the nano-particle layer is scattered, and most of the scattering occurs over a limited range of angles. The scattered light beams exit the nano-particle layer mostly over the limited range of angles, with a medial direction of propagation in the range of angles being substantially parallel to a viewing direction. The back light system can yield high brightness and uniform luminescence, and is relatively simple in construction and inexpensive.

Abstract: An instrument for a vehicle, by which an instrument board thereof can be seen as well at night as in the daytime is provided. In the instrument, an illuminating panel 50 including a prism sheet 50a transforms light from an LED 50b into planar light illumination for the instrument board 40, the prism sheet 50a on which prisms arranged in a sawtooth shape to form a prism alley P at a vehicle driver side thereof.

Abstract: A backlight assembly for an LCD apparatus comprises a lamp emitting light; a light guide plate including a light-entering surface through which the light from the lamp enters, and a light-emitting surface through which the light is emitted; a lamp reflector having an opening toward the light-entering surface and combined to the light guide plate, accommodating and covering the lamp; and a light interceptive part interposed between the light-emitting surface and the lamp reflector, and preventing the light from the lamp from entering through an edge at which the light-entering surface and the light-emitting surface are intersected. With this configuration, the present invention provides a backlight assembly for an LCD apparatus, which is improved in preventing a bright-line occurring on a front area adjacent to a light-entering surface of a light guide plate and in enhancing the brightness.

Abstract: Optical devices such as backlight assemblies, according to the present invention include a multilayer optical film in which at least one of the layers comprises an oriented birefringent polymer. The multilayer optical film exhibits low absorptivity and can reflect light approaching at shallow angles as well as normal to the film.

Abstract: A light guide assembly as a linear light source for enhancing the uniformity of beaming light within the beaming light's effective focal range comprising a light guide bar connected to a light source assembly and a reflective housing encasing the light guide bar. One surface of the light guide bar is a light-scattering/light-emission surface, and other surfaces are all reflective. The emission plane has gradually changing indentations for adjusting the light refractive and reflecting indexes to ensure the light uniformity. The reflective housing covering the light guide bar is used for enhancing the light reflection and intensity. An opening is formed in the reflective housing corresponding to the emission plane of the light guide bar, and a reflecting flange is formed at one side of the opening.

Abstract: A direct backlight module has a light guide plate, a plurality of lamp tubes, a reflecting plate and a frame. The light guide plate has a upper surface and a lower surface, and at least one surface of the light guide plate is coated with an ink layer. The lamp tubes are located below the light guide plate. The reflection plate is located below the lamp tubes. The frame covers the reflecting plate, lamp tubes and light guide plate. The ink layer contains a plurality of diffusing granules for diffusing lights to produce uniform lights.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display device, especially in a motor vehicle, comprising a display (2) which can be illuminated by a light source (1), and a light guide (7) which is arranged between the light source (1) and the display (2). Said light source (1) comprises a plurality of individual light sources (10), the entire light-radiating surface of said light sources being larger than the surface of the display (2). In order to increase the light efficiency, the light guide (7) comprises, on the light source side, individual light guiding sections (12) which are associated with the individual light sources (10), said sections forming a common light guiding section (13) on the display side.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an illumination device. When the light from the, light emitting element is guided to the first illuminating portion of the light guide plate, the light is radiated from the whole upper surface of the first illuminating portion to illuminate the upper surface side of the light guide plate. Also, when the light from the light emitting element is guided to the second illuminating portion of the light guide plate, the light is radiated from the whole lower surface of the second illuminating portion to illuminate the lower surface side of the light guide plate. The upper and lower surface sides of the light guide plate can be excellently illuminated with one light guide plate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel gauge lighting structure, mainly comprising the gauge panel, the lighting guide element and the lighting supply element. The gauge panel is very broadly used on the instrument cluster of the transportation vehicles. The gauge panel is an empty round housing with a glass pane mounted on the top for seeing through the signs or the record on the panel. The lighting guide element is a curve tube made of lighting sensitive material. The lighting supply element supplies the lighting from one end or two ends of the lighting guide tube. The lighting guide tube will absorb and transmit the lighting coming from the lighting supply and illuminate the inside of the gauge panel. The luminance of the lighting supply element is well controlled to regulate the sensitive lighting in the light guide tube to obtain clear signal signs and decorative blinking.

Abstract: A measuring gauge includes a rotatable LED pointer having a light output. As the pointer is rotated about a lens at a constant rate, the output of the LED pointer appears as an arc of light to a user. The arc of light represents a quantity of a desired display unit. A brushless motor and a rotary transformer are magnetically coupled to the LED pointer. A high speed controller is coupled to the motor and the rotary transformer. The controller receives an indication of the quantity and is responsively programmed to actuate the rotary transformer in order to illuminate the LED pointer as it rotates radially about a face of a graduated lens at a substantially constant speed and to activate and deactivate the LED pointer so as to adjust the length of the arc of light and thereby to indicate the quantity of the desired display unit to the user.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a display portion with a monitor, an operating portion, a button portion and an illuminant. The operating portion is pivotally connected to the display portion, and includes a casing and a touch unit located inside the casing. The button portion is located in the casing and facing to the touch unit. There is no through seam provided between the button portion and the casing. At least one part of the button portion is pervious to light. The illuminant is installed in the casing and near the button portion.

Abstract: A display device with a face, a pointer, a drive unit, a light guide, a housing member, a first light source and a plurality of second light sources. The face has translucent face indicia and a plurality of translucent indicators. The pointer is disposed on a front side of the dial face and is driven by an output shaft of the drive unit. The light guide, which is disposed rearwardly of the dial face and surrounds the output shaft, includes a guide structure into which a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart apertures are formed. Each of the apertures are aligned to an associated one of the indicators. The housing member is disposed rearwardly of the light guide and includes a plurality of light tunnels, each of which extending into an associated one of the apertures. The first light source disposed rearwardly of the light guide and disposed about the output shaft.

Abstract: A privacy keypad providing privacy for keypad character entry and concealment of a joint in an escutcheon. A privacy keypad may include a faceplate, a keypad disposed on the faceplate, and at least one protrusion integral with the faceplate. An escutcheon for a door lock may include a housing, a keypad disposed on the housing for unlocking the door lock, and at least one protrusion integral with the housing. The protrusion may obstruct at least partially a line of sight to the keypad. An escutcheon may include top and bottom covers with the top cover projecting outward from the surface of a door more than the lower cover, resulting in an at least partially hidden joint between covers. Top and bottom covers may be interchangeable with covers having similar edges.

Abstract: A surface lighting device has one single light source and a light-guide-board. The board includes a light-guiding-section and a light-emitting-section. A shorter side of the light-guiding-section is not more than 8 mm, and an area of the light-emitting-section is not less than 500 mm2. The light-emitting-section has the following features: (1) a ratio of min. luminance vs. max. luminance is not less than 0.3; (2) an average luminance ranges from 1 cd/m2 to 200 cd/m2, and (3) a change in luminance per unit length is not more than (average luminance)×100 cd/m3. Employing plural light-emitting-elements in one light source allows the lighting device to produce versatile colors. The light source, light-guide-board and a holder are structured and shaped in optimum way, so that unevenness in luminance of the device is reduced. An LCD unit incorporating this surface lighting device increases its display quality, and a portable terminal incorporating this LCD unit produces easy-to-lead display.

Abstract: The present invention is an automobile instrument panel lighting structure providing a gentle illuminant effect on the display card through a halo effect and illuminating the hand without having an external light-source, thereby facilitating a driver's reading when driving at the dark environment.

Abstract: A display device used for a display unit of portable electronic equipment, a light source device therefor and a light guide plate, suppressing dispersion in the brightness and featuring a high contrast and a good display quality. The constitution includes a light incidence surface on where light emitted from an LED falls, a light reflection surface formed facing the light incidence surface and reflects light from the light incidence surface, a light outgoing surface arranged between the light incidence surface and the light reflection surface, and has a circularly polarizing plate intimately adhered onto the surface thereof, and an opposing surface formed facing the light outgoing surface and in which there are alternately arranged first opposing surfaces for guiding the incident light to the light outgoing surface as well as to the light reflection surface, and second opposing surfaces for emitting the light reflected by the light reflection surface through the light outgoing surface.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus has a light-emitting element and a light-emitting portion. An output light from the light-emitting element is guided by a frame-like member having serrations and radiated toward the light-emitting portion. This causes the light-emitting portion to emit light reliably, and improves the decorativeness of the apparatus.

Abstract: A compact light source module includes a compact light source and a collimator that includes a parabolic first reflective surface to reduce a radiation angle at which a light beam radiates from the compact light source, so as to emit the light beam through a side aperture and a plane second reflective surface which is located under the first reflective surface and comprises an incident portion through which the light beam radiates from the compact light source. The compact light source is located in the vicinity of a focal point of the first reflective surface.