Abstract: An illuminating device includes: an illuminating board having a plate-like transparent board, a reflector provided on a back surface of the transparent board to reflect light, and a cloudy, translucent medium provided on a front surface of the transparent board; a support member supporting an end of the illuminating board in a cantilever fashion, so as to provide a free end for the other end of the illuminating board; a light emitting portion, arranged beside the supported end of the illuminating board, that emits light to the transparent board at the supported end; and an emission control unit that causes the light emitting portion to emit light.

Abstract: An image display apparatus (100) comprises: a display device (104) for displaying an image 900 by emission of display light (210) in a first direction; a scattering layer (902) disposed in front of the display device (104), for scattering at least a portion of ambient light (208); a transparent plate-shaped light source (950), arranged parallel to the scattering layer (902) and being optically coupled to the scattering layer (902). The plate-shaped light source (950) may be a passive light source, in which case at least one light source (967) is arranged along an edge of the plate-shaped light source (950). When the display device (104) is ON, the scattering layer (902) and the plate-shaped light source (950) are transparent. When the display device (104) is OFF, the scattering layer (902) is scattering and the plate-shaped light source (950) is ON.

Abstract: A layered dimmer formed of different layers. The front layer may be a scattering layer, and the back layer may be a reflective layer. The light beam is scattered prior to reflecting, to avoid reflection back to form hotspots.

Abstract: Disclosed is a modular light emitting diode (LED) light pod having heat dissipation structures. A reflective optic plate, which may be made in various modular sizes and designs, having a plurality of recesses is seated on an LED board having a plurality of LEDs, such that the plurality of LEDs fit within the plurality optical recesses. The optical recesses serve to collimate light in a desirable manner based on predetermined dimensional ratios of the optical recesses. A heat dissipation system involves a heat sink housing acting in combination with a heat extraction plate having a plurality thermally conductive posts extending perpendicularly from a top and bottom surface, and a heat dissipation plate to create a thermally conductive path for moving heat away from the LED board when the light pod is in use.

Abstract: A light-emitting device (1) includes: a base (11); a light-emitting element (12) that is disposed on one principal surface (11a) of the base (11); and a light distribution control reflector (14) that is disposed so as to surround the light-emitting element (12). The light distribution control reflector (14) is at least part of a substantial paraboloid of revolution, and a substantial paraboloid-of-revolution surface (14a) that constitutes an inner surface of the light distribution control reflector (14) is a light-reflecting surface for collecting light emitted from the light-emitting element (12). The light-emitting element (12) is disposed at a position of a substantial focal point of the substantial paraboloid-of-revolution surface (14a), and a normal (N) to the one principal surface (11a) of the base (11) is inclined toward a vertex (P) of the substantial paraboloid of revolution with respect to a direction orthogonal to an axis (X) of the substantial paraboloid of revolution.

Abstract: An illumination device includes a light source 45, a reflection plate 41 for reflecting the light irradiated from the light source 45, and a transmissive and diffusive member 42 for transmitting and diffusing the light from the light source 45 and the reflected light from the reflection plate 41, so that the light transmitted and diffused in the member 42 may be used for illumination. With this indirect illuminating system, an entire area can be uniformly illuminated with high efficiency, almost free of luminance spots. When the illuminating device is used in a plant growth apparatus, uniformity of plant growth is enhanced and the yield of the plants is improved. In addition, space for planting can be utilized to the maximum so that the number of grown plants significantly increases as compared with the conventional direct illumination system.

Abstract: A lighting device has a light source, a light pipe, two convex magnifying lenses, and an adjusting mechanism for moving the two magnifying lenses relative to the light source. The light emitted from the light source is dispersed and directed into the light pipe by a reflector. The light pipe transfers collimated light through the first and second magnifier lenses which redirects the light to produce a circular spotlight beam having uniform intensity. The size of the spotlight beam is adjusted by an adjusting mechanism.

Abstract: A flip-chip type light-emitting device and manufacturing method thereof provides a curved surface formed on the transparent electrode layer and a reflective layer transferred with the curved surface of the transparent electrode layer is additionally formed on the transparent electrode layer, so that the light generated from the active layer is incident to the reflective layer through the p-type nitride layer and the transparent electrode layer, and then is reflected from the curved surface of the reflective layer so as to exhibit an effect of extracting a larger amount of light in a vertical direction as compared to the conventional light-emitting device.

Abstract: An optical member enables a display apparatus to be improved in visibility of its display screen as viewed from a plurality of predetermined directions other than the directly forward direction. The optical member includes a lenticular lens member (3) having a plurality of convex lenses (2) and a light-reflecting layer (5) disposed on the back surface of the lenticular lens member. The light-reflecting layer (5) is provided with optical windows (6) each at a position corresponding to a midpoint between the apexes of mutually adjacent convex lenses. Light emitted from a planar light source, passed through each optical window (6), and configured to enter the mutually adjacent convex lenses (2) corresponding to the optical window is directed in mutually different directions by the mutually adjacent convex lenses, respectively.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus is disclosed. The lighting apparatus comprises a casing, at least one light source and a microstructure cover. The light source is disposed on one side of the casing. The microstructure cover is mounted on the casing opposite to the reflective face thereof. The microstructure cover has a plurality of guiding micro-structures to guide light and a plurality of dispersing micro-structures to disperse light.

Abstract: A lighting device with a light source followed by an optical apparatus in an emission direction, and a primary optics element with a light inlet and a light outlet being arranged between the light source and the optical apparatus. The primary optics element is designed such that desired characteristics of the light beam are formed within the primary optics element by deliberate reflections on specially shaped reflective surfaces of the primary optics element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an LED package having a large beam angle of light emitted from an LED, simplifying a shape of a lens and an assembly process, and to a backlight unit using the same. The LED package includes a housing with a seating recess formed therein and at least one LED seated in the seating recess. The LED package also includes a lens having a predetermined sag on an upper side thereof, covering an upper part of the LED. The LED package and the backlight unit using the same can emit light uniformly without bright spots formed in an output screen, uses a simpler shaped lens with an increased beam angle, and minimizes a color mixing region to achieve miniaturization.

Abstract: A lens and an LED using the lens to achieve homogeneous illumination include a region. The region around the optical axis of a lens is designed to be concave and form a divergent surface. The upper surface of the lens is a continuous curved surface to diverge the high-intensity light emitted by the LED in the vicinity of the optical axis through refractions. Therefore, the LED can homogeneously illuminate a larger area.

Abstract: A side light-emitting device including a light-emitting device to generate light and a side emitter to emit the light incident from the light-emitting device in a lateral direction. The side emitter includes a first reflecting surface to reflect the light emitted from the light-emitting device into the side emitter, a second reflecting surface that is formed at a portion of the side emitter that contacts the light-emitting device to reflect a first light that is reflected from the first reflecting surface in the lateral direction, and a refracting surface to refract a second light that is reflected from the first reflecting surface and proceeding directly toward the refracting surface and the first light that is reflected from the first reflecting surface to the second reflecting surface and is reflected again from the second reflecting surface to exit the side emitter in the lateral direction.

Abstract: A surface light source device includes a light source facing a reflective surface of a reflecting member, and a light-controlling member composed of a transparent material and disposed across the light source from the reflecting member in such a manner as to face the reflective surface, the light-controlling member guiding light emitted from the light source in a predetermined direction. The light-controlling member has on a surface thereof remote from the reflective surface projections arranged on a plane. The projections have profiles of at least one kind, each having a symmetry axis or a symmetry plane. The symmetry axes or the symmetry planes of the projections are tilted at a predetermined angle with respect to a direction in which the light controlling member faces the reflecting member.

Abstract: A direct-indirect luminaire including a pair of sockets for receiving at least one tubular fluorescent lamp; a louver, arranged on one side of the lamp socket, for controlling downlight from the lamp; and a shutter, arranged on an opposite side of the lamp socket, for controlling uplight from the lamp. The shutter may include a plurality of adjustably sizeable apertures which may be formed by adjacent members that are slidable relative to each other, with matching patterns of overlapping openings. The adjacent members may further include nested concave surfaces facing the lamp, such as channel-shaped members with openings that are arranged on at least two walls of the channel. A positioner may also be provided for designating a size of the apertures. For example, the positioner may include a protuberance on one of the adjacent members for engaging a hole in the other of the adjacent members.

Abstract: A light emitting apparatus includes a support having circuitry disposed thereon, at least one light emitting diode (LED) chip mounted on the support and in electrical communication with the circuitry and a reflective layer on the support adjacent the at least one chip.

Abstract: An illumination device includes a light emitting module (20) and a mounting housing (10) for receiving the light emitting module therein. The light emitting module includes a light guide plate (21) and a light source (23) optically coupled to the light guide plate. The mounting housing includes a top plate (12), a mounting plate (14) and a side plate (16) interconnected between the top plate and the mounting plate. A receiving space (15) is cooperatively formed by the top plate, the mounting plate and the side plate of the mounting housing for receiving the light guide plate therein. A gap (120) is defined in the top plate above the light emitting module. An opening (160) is defined in one end of the side plate for allowing the light emitting module to insert into the receiving space.

Abstract: A flat panel display having an LCD panel, a light source to emit light, and a reflection plate including a reflection part to reflect the light emitted from the light source and a light guide part to guide the light emitted from the light source toward the LCD panel, which are integrally formed with each other. The reflection plate may be a double injection molded object in which the reflection part and the light guide part are integrally formed.

Abstract: A headlight for a motor vehicle designed to fulfill several functions, in particular a dual functions. One of the functions is a beam with cut-off, wherein the headlight comprises a light source, a main elliptical reflector having a scalloped part and an optical axis; a main lens disposed in front of the main elliptical reflector; a retractable shield movable between at least one active position for the cut-off beam and a retracted position for another type of beam; a secondary elliptical reflector coupled to the scalloped part of the main elliptical reflector and having a optical axis inclined with respect to that of the main reflector; and an additional lens disposed in front of the secondary elliptical reflector having an optical axis essentially parallel to that of the main lens.

Abstract: A side light-emitting device, a backlight unit using the side light-emitting device as a light source, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) apparatus employing the backlight unit. The side light-emitting device includes a light-emitting device to generate light and a side emitter disposed adjacent to the light-emitting device to emit the light incident from the light-emitting device in a lateral direction. The side emitter includes a reflecting surface to reflect incident light, and a reflecting/refracting surface to totally internally reflect light incident directly from the light-emitting device to the reflecting surface and to refract the light incident from the reflecting surface so that the refracted light propagates in the lateral direction. Since the side light-emitting device emits most the light in the lateral direction, using the side light-emitting device as a light source in a backlight unit allows light to be mixed evenly.

Abstract: An LED lamp 100 includes: an LED chip 10; a phosphor resin portion 12 that covers the LED chip 10; and a light-transmissive member 20 that covers the phosphor resin portion 12. The phosphor resin portion 12 includes: a phosphor for converting the emission of the LED chip 10 into light that has a longer wavelength than the emission; and a resin in which the phosphor is dispersed. The surface of the light-transmissive member 20 includes an upper surface portion 22 located over the LED chip 10 and a side surface portion 24 located around and below the upper surface portion 22. At least a part (low-transmittance part 26) of the side surface portion 24 of the light-transmissive member 20 has lower transmittance than the upper surface portion 22.

Abstract: An illumination system includes an LED and a solid light pipe. The solid light pipe includes an incident surface, an emitting surface opposite to the incident surface, and four reflecting side surfaces joining the incident surface and the emitting surface. An area of the incident surface is smaller than an area of the emitting surface. The LED is positioned in front of the incident surface of the solid light pipe.

Abstract: This invention relates to light fittings and in particular light fittings which produce a uniform and soft light or a predetermined focused beam of light.

Abstract: A ring generating LED lamp includes a lens section which employs internal reflection to direct the light energy from a hemispherical emitter into a ring shaped output distribution. The ring shaped distribution projects above and below the plane of the LED source. The lens has multiple internal surfaces that direct light from the LED source to provide a ring shaped output distribution.

Abstract: A color-tunable illumination system for imaging illumination having a tuning means and at least two light sources of different colors. The illumination system comprises a reflector having a reflector contour, the light sources being accommodated in the vicinity of the reflector contour, and a compact diffusing medium accommodated at the focal point of the reflector. The light from the light sources is directed substantially onto the diffusing medium and then, from there, is diffused onto the reflector contour, electronic driving of the light sources making it possible to regulate the intensity of the light sources separately from one another, with the result that the light leaving the reflector can be color-tuned.

Abstract: A light engine has a light source front surface that emits non-collimated light. A collection lens collects the non-collimated light and provides incompletely collimated light. A collimating lens receives the incompletely collimated light and provides a collimated image. A non-orthogonal polarizing filter receives the collimated image and passes a polarized portion of the collimated image as a direct component of the polarized light engine image. The non-orthogonal polarizing filter reflects a recycled image back to the front surface. The non-orthogonal shape of the polarizing filter is selected according to the pattern of light on the light source front surface.

Abstract: An illumination lamp (40) includes at least one solid-state lighting member (41) for radiating light, and a lampshade (10) being arranged corresponding to the at least one solid-state lighting member. The lampshade includes an array of lenses (11). Each lens has an incidence surface (110) for incidence of the light into the lampshade, and an opposite emitting surface (112) for emission of the light from the lampshade into ambient. At least one of the incidence surface and the emitting surface is a concave surface. The concave surface extends along a first direction. At least one micro-structure (111) is formed on the concave surface. The at least one micro-structure is long and narrow, and extends along the first direction. The micro-structure is configured for increasing radiating area of the light entering into the lampshade along a second direction intersecting the first direction.

Abstract: A component assembly includes a first part having a transparent section. The first part defines an outer surface. A second part is fixedly secured to the first part at a portion of the transparent section. The first and second parts create a connecting seam through the portion of the transparent section. An optically covering surface extends between the connecting seam and the outer surface of the first part to cover the connecting seam from view from the outer surface.

Abstract: A light source device includes a shade that is capable of reflecting light from both of its front and back surfaces and is wider than a hot-cathode tube. The shade is disposed between the hot-cathode tube and the optical member so as to maintain a certain distance from the optical member. Light radiated from the hot-cathode tube to the optical member side is reflected by the shade, and thereby prevented from directly illuminating the optical member. Further, the shade functions as a pseudo light source wider than the hot-cathode tube due to the reflectivity of the optical member side surface of the shade, and thereby formation of lamp images can be suppressed.

Abstract: A LED illumination device includes a tapered light guiding member, a LED, a reflective polarizer and a quarter-wave retarder. The light guiding member includes a light input surface and an opposite light output surface. The LED includes a LED chip and a reflective substrate on which the LED chip is mounted. The LED chip faces toward the light input surface. The reflective polarizer faces toward the light output surface, and allows a first polarization light to pass therethrough and reflects a second polarization light back into the light guiding member. The quarter-wave retarder is provided between the LED and the reflective polarizer. The reflective substrate reflects the second polarization light reflected by the reflective polarizer so as to make the second polarization light convert into the first polarization light after the light passes through the quarter-wave retarder a plurality of times.

Abstract: The invention relates to an LED lighting device, in particular for motor vehicle headlamps, which comprises an LED element (3), a collimator (1) which emits the light emitted by the LED element (3) through a collimator opening (5) in a collimated manner, and a reflector (7) which has a semiparabolic concave reflective surface (8), an irradiated plane (9), a focal point (F) in the irradiated face (9) and an emission plane (10) which emits light in an emission direction of the reflector (7) and encloses an angle with the irradiated face (9). According to the invention, the collimator (1) is designed and/or arranged in such a way that the collimated light coming from the collimator (1), as seen in the emission direction, is irradiated into the irradiated face (9) either completely in front of or completely behind the focal point (F).

Abstract: A device for creating a predetermined light output distribution having a substantially rectangular shape in angle space is provided having a lens with a revolved inner surface and a complex outer surface. The inner surface has a combination of reflective and refractive surface facets swept about an axis of revolution perpendicular to the optical axis of the device. The outer surface has a non-planar, non-circular, non-spherical shape. This outer surface generates an appropriate intensity distribution in a direction generally parallel to the major axis of the output rectangle and may also distribute energy generally parallelly to the minor axis of the output rectangle as well. The optical efficiency improvement in the design of this improved preferably LED-based product has several direct benefits including; increased reliability, lower operating temperature, reduced electrical requirements, greater product life and significantly reduced cost as compared to existing LED products.

Abstract: A method for forming a reflector includes depositing a decoupling material on an ultraviolet light and infra-red light absorption layer that is supported by a substrate which is spun.

Abstract: A light emitting diode illuminator includes a reflecting shell (120), a light emitting diode light source (140) and a transparent cover (160). The reflecting shell includes a plurality of sequentially connected hollow tapered bodies (122, 124) having different taper angles. The tapered bodies cooperatively form a receiving space (123). The light source is installed at an end of the receiving space. The transparent cover is disposed at an opposite end of the reflecting shell away from to the light source and configured for directing light emitted from the light source out from the light emitting diode illuminator.

Abstract: A light emitting module including a light source set and a light guide member is provided. The light source set is suitable for providing a light and the light guide member is disposed above the light source set. The light guide member has a top surface, an opposite light incident surface, a first reflection surface, and an opposite light emergent surface connected between the top surface and the light incident surface. The top surface has a first concave surface serving a second reflection surface suitable for reflecting the light. Besides, a portion of the light reflected by the second reflection surface emerges from the light emergent surface through the reflection of the first reflection surface, and the other portion of the light directly emerges from the light emergent surface. Additionally, a surface light source device having the light emitting module is also provided.

Abstract: A recognition module is applied in recognizing counterfeit of a card or a face of the card. The recognition module includes a sealed space, a light emitter, a light receiver and a transparent dustproof plate. The sealed space has two corresponding side inclinations and a transparent cover surface which covers two side inclinations. The light emitter and the light receiver are disposed to the side inclinations respectively. Moreover, the transparent dustproof plate is disposed on the light emitter and the light receiver, and is also disposed under the transparent cover surface. Accordingly, the light emitter and/or the light receiver may not be covered by dust and mists to influence the light-transmitting/receiving efficiency. The recognition rate regarding counterfeit of the card or the face of the card may not be influenced either.

Abstract: It is sought to provide an indicator lamp, which is excellent not only in short distance visual recognition property but also in long distance one, as well as being further excellent in sight field angle property. An indicator lamp includes a light-emitting element 1 and a light-emitting element lens 2 having a light-emitting element mounting cavity 3 formed at the bottom, in which the light-emitting element disposed in the cavity 3 emits light to be fully reflected by the peripheral surface of the lens 1 and proceeds as emission light flux forwardly of the lens 1. The slope angle of the peripheral surface with respect to the lens axis is reduced progressively from the bottom toward the lens front surface 5 in three stages, thus forming circumferential corners 7 and 8 as boundaries between adjacent ones of the three stages. The circumferential corners scatter light emitted from the light emitting element 2 to provide concentric emission light fluxes as viewed from the side of the lens front.

Abstract: An exemplary optical plate includes one or more transparent plate unit. The transparent plate unit includes a light output surface, a bottom surface, a plurality of elongated V-shaped protrusions, a plurality of conical frustum protrusions, and a lamp-receiving portion. The light output surface is opposite to the bottom surface. The elongated V-shaped protrusions are formed on the bottom surface. The conical frustum protrusions are formed on the light output surface. The lamp-receiving portion is defined in the bottom surface. A backlight module using the present optical plate is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for increasing usable light to a target area. One aspect of the invention includes a lighting fixture with a visor. The visor includes an opening through which a controlled amount of light is allowed generally upwardly. A controlled amount of light within provides some uplighting above the target area or above the fixtures. In another aspect of the invention, a lighting system with a plurality of lighting fixtures would have at least some of the fixtures fitted with the visors with the openings to create a cumulative uplighting effect.

Abstract: An exemplary LED lamp includes a housing having an opening, a printed circuit board, at least one LED, a light reflective element, at least one light-shielding sheet and a lamp cover. The printed circuit board is positioned on a bottom of the housing. The LED is electrically connected with the printed circuit board. The light reflective element defines at least one through hole, the LED passing through the corresponding through hole. The at least one light-shielding sheet corresponds to the at least one LED respectively. Each light-shielding sheet comprises a bottom reflective plate and a pair of opposite sidewalls extending from two opposite ends of the bottom reflective plate. A plurality of light holes is defined at ends of the bottom reflective plate adjacent to the two opposite sidewalls. The lamp cover is fixed on the opening of the housing. The LED lamp assembly has a uniform luminance.

Abstract: A LED lighting device includes a light hood, a base and a LED. The light hood has a hood wall and an open side. The base is disposed in and joined to the hood wall to be opposite to the open side. The LED is disposed in and attached to the base. A polygon surface shaped light-pervious plate is disposed at the open side and light emitted from the LED is capable of being spread outward through the polygon surface shaped light-pervious plate.

Abstract: A LED lighting device includes a light hood, a base and a LED. The light hood has a hood wall and an open side. The base is disposed in and joined to the hood wall to be opposite to the open side. The LED is disposed in and attached to the base. A quartz light-pervious plate is disposed at the open side and light emitted from the LED is capable of being spread outward through the quartz-pervious plate.

Abstract: The lamp includes an inflatable balloon-like enclosure composed of translucent or transparent material. When the lamp is not in use, the enclosure may be deflated and stowed within a receptacle which serves as a base for the lamp. The lamp is illuminated by a strip of one or more rings of light emitting diodes suspended within the enclosure. Alternatively. The lamp may be illuminated by incandescent or fluorescent bulbs or white or black halide lights suspended within the enclosure.

Abstract: A light control device implemented as a luminaire exhibits an ultra-wide batwing luminous intensity distribution in an upper hemisphere that provides substantially uniform illumination of a ceiling surface, even when the luminaire is mounted very close to the ceiling. Luminous side panel diffusers facilitate blending the luminaire with the ceiling surface as they create a batwing luminous intensity distribution in a lower hemisphere to evenly illuminate a work plane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal display (LCD) device in which low power LEDs with a dual lens structure re configured for application in a backlight device to increase the optical efficiency at low power, thus enhancing the brightness, such LCD device including: a lower cover; PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards) disposed on the lower cover for receiving power from the exterior; a main body mounted on the PCBs; R, G and B LED (Light Emitting Diode) devices disposed on the main body for emitting light; a first lens having a first curvature and mounted on the main body and housing the R, G and B LED devices; a second lens covering the outside of the first lens and having an inner curved surface with a second curvature having a varying radius of curvature, and an outer curved surface with a third curvature, wherein the second curvature of the inner curved surface is gradually increased from an edge portion toward a central portion; and a liquid crystal panel spaced apart from the second lens by a certain interval and to

Abstract: A light emitting diode includes a base board, at least one light emitting diodes fitted on an upper side of the base board, and a light shade made of either of glass and quartz, which is secured over said at least one light emitting diodes on the base board; the light shade has a fluorescent powder layer on a top thereof for changing color of light; the light shade has a reflecting layer on lateral wall portions thereof for reflecting light produced by the light emitting diodes such that light gathers at the top of the light shade to be brighter; furthermore, in manufacturing, the lateral wall portions of the light shade are soaked in and etched with hydrofluoric acid so as to have irregular depressions and lumps on the surfaces to enhance reflectivity of the reflecting layer.

Abstract: A lighting system and method enables the generation of light in a manner that reduces the generation of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and/or radio frequency interference (RFI). In one embodiment, a light source emits light upon receiving a substantially linear signal that is generated in response to a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal.

Abstract: An exemplary LED lamp assembly includes a housing (21), a printed circuit board (22), a LED (23), a light reflective member (24) and a lamp cover (25). The housing includes a top cover (211), a base board (213), a plurality of sidewalls (215) connecting with the top cover and the base board, and an opening (218) defined on one of the sidewalls. The printed circuit board is positioned on the base board. The LED is electrically connected to the printed circuit board. The LED includes a light emitting side surface (233) and a top surface (235) adjoining to the light emitting side surface, a portion of the light emitting side surface facing the opening, and the top surface facing the top cover. The light reflective member is located in the housing for reflecting light from the LED and out via the opening. The lamp cover covers the opening.

Abstract: An exemplary LED lamp assembly includes a housing (21), a printed circuit board (22), one or more LEDs (23), a light reflective module (24) and a lamp cover (25). The housing includes a top cover (211), a base sheet (213), a plurality of sidewalls (215), and an opening (218). LEDs are electrically connected to the printed circuit board on the base sheet includes a light-emitting side surface (233) and a top surface (235), a portion of the light-emitting side surface facing the opening, and the top surface facing the top cover. The reflective module defines a through hole (247) for allowing the LED passing therethrough. The first-light-distributing member (26) is located in the housing between the LED and the opening. The lamp cover covers the opening.