Abstract: A light control sheet, used in a surface light source device having a light source to control a travel direction of light emitted from the light source, including: a base layer; a lens layer having unit lenses arranged on the light outgoing side of the base layer; a light selection layer disposed on the light incident side of the base layer and a light selection layer disposed on the light incident side of the base layer and having light transmission parts transmitting the light therethrough and the light reflection parts reflecting the light; and a support layer disposed on the light incident side of the light selection layer. Each light transmission part is disposed in a region including a position opposite to an apex of each corresponding unit lens in a normal direction to the sheet surface. The light reflection parts are respectively arranged alternately to the transmission parts.

Abstract: An LED optical assembly is provided having a heatsink, a support surface having a plurality of light emitting diodes, a plurality of reflectors, and a plurality of optical lenses. The heatsink is in thermal connectivity with the support surface. Each reflector is positioned over a corresponding light emitting diode and at least one optical lens is placed over a corresponding reflector.

Abstract: An optical device for coupling the luminous output of a light-emitting diode (LED) to a predominantly spherical pattern comprises a transfer section that receives the LED's light within it and an ejector positioned adjacent the transfer section to receive light from the transfer section and spread the light generally spherically. A base of the transfer section is optically aligned and/or coupled to the LED so that the LED's light enters the transfer section. The transfer section can comprises a compound elliptic concentrator operating via total internal reflection. The ejector section can have a variety of shapes, and can have diffusive features on its surface as well. The transfer section can in some implementations be polygonal, V-grooved, faceted and other configurations.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a light source, preferably an LED, a reflector, a light-conducting element mounted on the light source for directing light from the light source to an end of the light-conducting element, and a lens mounted on the end of the light-conducting element for directing light into a central beam. Light from the light source is directed to the reflector into a peripheral beam. The central and peripheral beams comprise substantially all of the light generated by the light source. The lens is in effect mounted on a pedestal above the LED. The pedestal transmits all the light rays in the central solid angle to the lens without loss.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a side illumination lens and a luminescent device using the same, and provides a body, a total reflection surface with a total reflection slope with respect to a central axis of the body, and a linear and/or curved refractive surface(s) formed to extend from a periphery of the total reflection surface; and a luminescent device including the lens. According to the present invention, a lens with total internal reflection surfaces with different slopes, and a linear and/or curved refractive surface(s) allows light emitted forward from a luminescent chip to be guided to a side of the lens. Further, a linear surface(s) formed in a direction perpendicular or parallel to a central axis of a lens and a curved surface are formed on an edge of the lens so that a process of fabricating the lens is facilitated, thereby reducing a defective rate and fabrication costs of the lens.

Abstract: Illumination lenses (1806, 1902, 2002, 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500, 2600, 2700, 2800, 3006, 3100) having surfaces shaped according to given differential equations in order to distribute light in a highly controlled manner with minimum reflection losses are provided. Both primary lenses and secondary lenses are provided. The secondary lenses include outer surfaces that are defined as loci of constant optical distance from an origin at which a light source is located. Versions are provided of both the primary and secondary lenses having Total Internal Reflection (TIR) wings. These are useful in the case that narrower distributions of light are required. A method of refining the shape of the lenses to obtain more obtain lenses that produce better fidelity ideal light distributions is also provided.

Abstract: An LED unit includes an LED and an envelope receiving the LED therein. The envelope includes a bottom substrate fixing the LED thereon, a sidewall angling upwardly from the substrate and surrounding the LED, and a lens formed in the sidewall and located above the LED. The lens has two aspheric surfaces with different curvatures to collect light deflected at a small angle relative to an axis of the LED into a parallel pattern. The sidewall has upper and lower conical inner circumferences and a parabolic outer circumference to direct light deflected at a large angle relative to the axis of the LED into parallel pattern. The lower inner circumference of the sidewall has an angle of 2?/5 to 13?/30, and the upper inner circumference of the sidewall has an angle of 5?/36 to 7?/36.

Abstract: An exemplary light source module includes a base, a plurality of light sources, a reflecting member, and a collimating lens. The base has a recess formed therein. The light sources are mounted on a sidewall of the recess. The reflecting member is positioned in the recess, and has a reflecting surface facing the light sources. The collimating lens is positioned on the reflecting member, and includes a light incident surface facing the light sources and the reflecting surface, and a light output surface. The collimating lens is configured for collimating incident light beams and outputting parallel light from the light output surface.

Abstract: A condensing device for LED includes a base arranged with LED on a surface thereof and a projecting lens aligned to a center of the base. Lights from the LED will be concentrated by the projecting lens without scattering.

Abstract: A thin direct-type backlight capable of realizing high brightness uniformity is provided by a specific configuration of the direct-type backlight whereby high light beam utilization ratio is maintained while periodical unevenness of the light emitting surface is suppressed. In a direct-type backlight device having a plurality of linear light sources in parallel, a reflection plate and a light diffusion plate, at least one of main surfaces of the light diffusion plate is provided with a prismatic ridges having a sawtooth-shaped cross-section. The apex angle “y” (degree) of the prismatic ridge of the light diffusion plate, the distance “a” (mm) between centers of the adjacent linear light sources, and the distance “b” (mm) from a center of the linear light sources to a surface of the light diffusion plate facing the light source satisfy the relationship of 80×(b/a)+15<y<180×(b/a)+70.

Abstract: A lamp unit for a headlamp of a vehicle includes a projection lens, a light emitting device disposed on a rear side of the projection lens, a reflector, and a mirror member having an upwardly reflecting surface. The reflector forwardly reflects light from the light emitting device toward an optical axis, and the upwardly reflecting surface upwardly reflects part of the light reflected by the reflector. The upwardly reflecting surface includes a first horizontal surface disposed on a self-lane side of the optical axis, a second horizontal surface disposed on an opposing-lane side of the optical axis, and an intermediate slope surface connecting the first and second horizontal surfaces. The intermediate slope surface includes a front slope surface and a rear slope surface on the rear side of the front slope surface, and the rear slope surface is curved.

Abstract: A lamp unit of a vehicular headlamp includes a projection lens with an optical axis; a light source formed from a semiconductor light-emitting element; a first reflector that reflects light from the light source so as to condense such light on or near the optical axis; and a shade positioned between the light source and the projection lens so as to extend along the optical axis direction. The shade shields part of the light reflected by the first reflector. In the lamp unit of the vehicular headlamp, a shielding surface extends rearward from a front end of the shade, where the shade is positioned near a rearward focal point Rf of the projection lens. The shielding surfaces serve as a second reflector that reflects light from the first reflector toward the projection lens.

Abstract: An optical module for projecting a light beam comprises a solid body of transparent material into which a light source is sunk and which is delimited by an annular surface and by a central surface, and a substantially annular reflecting surface arranged around the solid body. The central and annular surfaces are suitable for receiving respective distinct portions of the luminous flux produced by the source. The reflecting surface may have a reflecting coating or may form part of a transparent body, in which case it works by total internal reflection. The reflecting surface reflects a portion of luminous flux refracted by the annular surface and shapes the flux into a predetermined distribution of luminous intensity about the principal axis. The annular surface is designed in a manner such as to reduce the overall thickness of the module by moving the refracted ray away from the principal axis.

Abstract: An optical element is configured for use in conjunction with a directional light source such as an LED to form an illuminator. The optical element includes a light entry surface, a reflector and an emission surface. Each of the light entry, reflector and emission surfaces are surfaces of revolution defined by revolving straight or curved lines about an axis of revolution. The light entry, reflector and emission surfaces are configured to produce a radiation pattern from the illuminator that is collimated in a first direction and divergent or swept in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical projection illumination module that projects highly uniform radiative energy (e.g., visible light, ultraviolet radiation, infrared radiation, etc.) onto a target area. More particularly, the illumination module comprises a radiative energy source (e.g., a LED) configured to provide divergent radiative energy (e.g., a non-uniform illumination) directly to a reflective tunnel (e.g., a total internal reflection tunnel), separated from the radiative energy source by a small gap and optically in contact (e.g., physically coupled) to a front optical element (e.g., collimator lens). The reflective tunnel mixes the divergent radiative energy, and outputs a substantially uniform radiative energy to a front optical element. One or more downstream optical elements image the output of the reflective tunnel directly to the target area (i.e., the object imaged on to the target area is located on an image plane embedded between the reflective tunnel and the front optical element).

Abstract: A condensing element, array, and methods thereof include a bowl-shaped outer section and a lens-shaped inner section. The outer section provides substantially total internal reflection of light entering at an input surface of the outer section. The inner section is recessed within the outer section at a distance from the entering light that is within the focal position of the inner section. The outer and inner sections are configured in a preferred embodiment so that substantially all the light exiting the condensing element is substantially parallel to the optical axis of the entering light. In an alternate embodiment, the configuration of the condensing element can be modified to selectively adjust the desired degree of collimation of the exiting light.

Abstract: An illumination system for imaging illumination having at least one compact light source. The illumination system comprises a reflector having a reflector contour, the light source being accommodated in the vicinity of the reflector contour. A compact diffusing medium is accommodated at the focal point of the reflector, the light from the light sources being directed substantially onto the diffusing medium and, from there, being diffused onto the reflector contour, with the result that the light leaving the reflector is emitted homogeneously.

Abstract: Practical for use to make a road divider/reflector or a solar collector, a light distribution panel is disclosed to include four faces that can be planar or arched faces and constitute a light distribution curve to control the moving direction of light. When used in a lamp, light is evenly distributed onto the expected illumination area, avoiding formation of Gauss distribution and providing broad area illumination. When used as a road reflector, the light distribution panel provides excellent driving safety effect. When used in a solar collector system, the light distribution panel collects a wide range of incident light.

Abstract: A light source unit that prevents deterioration of display qualities, caused by “sagging” of a diffuser, includes a light source, a diffuser, and a light source chassis, the diffuser having a main surface facing the light source, the diffuser being arranged within the light source chassis. The light source unit includes a mounting base at least below a corner of the diffuser, the mounting base includes a diffuser-mounted portion and a projection portion, the projection portion being arranged along an outer edge of the diffuser, the projection portion has a light-shielding property, and the projection portion is arranged to be above a level of an upper surface of the diffuser.

Abstract: A wavelength conversion material with an omni-directional reflector is utilized to enhance the optical efficiency of an illumination system. Light guides with restricted output apertures, micro-element plates and optical elements are utilized to enhance the brightness of delivered light through light recycling. In addition, micro-element plates may be used to provide control over the spatial distribution of light in terms of intensity and angle. Efficient and compact illumination systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A light source is combined with an optic and a reflector. Light incident onto to the reflector is reflected with a single reflection. The reflector occupies a portion of a solid angle around the light source to the exclusion of the optic at least with respect to any optical function. The reflector directly receives a second portion of light. The optic occupies substantially all of the remaining portion of the predetermined solid angle to directly receive a first portion of light from the light source. A reflected beam from the reflector is reflected into a predetermined reflection pattern. The inner and/or outer surface of the optic is shaped to refract or direct light which is directly transmitted into the optic from the light source from a first portion of light and/or reflected into the optic from the reflector from the reflected beam into a predetermined beam.

Abstract: A lamp module is disclosed, in particular for projectors for data or video projection, having at least one lamp (2) which is inserted into a reflector (4) and has a discharge vessel (6) with two lamp shafts (8, 10) arranged diametrically opposite one another. According to the invention, a light-deflecting optical lens (12) is provided in order to deflect the radiation emitted from the lamp from the outlet-side lamp shaft (10).

Abstract: An LED luminescent device comprises an LED light source, a reflector, a light shade and a projecting lens. The LED light source comprises at least one LED element having a light-emitting surface emitting light. The reflector faces the light-emitting surface of the at least one LED element and has multiple reflection surfaces of different curvatures reflecting the light form the light-emitting surface of the at least one LED element. The light shade adjusts the light reflected by the reflector to provide a required light distribution pattern. The projecting lens projects the required light distribution pattern. Thus the device and a vehicle lamp comprising the device can prevent light energy from losing.

Abstract: An exemplary optical lens (300) includes a top surface (301), a base portion (304) opposite to the top surface, and a peripheral side surface defining a first refractive portion (302). The top surface is a generally funnel-shaped top surface. The first refractive portion is corrugated with a plurality of protruding ridge structures, and each of the ridge structures includes a refractive surface (3021). An exemplary light emitting device incorporating the optical lens is also provided.

Abstract: An improved lampshade of an LED lamp, assembled onto the port of hold tank on the main body of LED lamp so that light-reflection modules located between port of hold tank and LED modules in the hold tank are positioned securely. The lampshade has a circumferential locating surface and a limitation surface. The circumferential locating surface is adapted with the wall edge of hold tank to define an inner edge and an external edge. The limitation surface is recessed into the circumferential locating. A snapping portion is placed at the coupling portion of the circumferential locating surface and wall edge of the hold tank for positioning of the lampshade.

Abstract: A lens arrangement with an achromatic homogenizer and collimator for multiple LEDs. The lens arrangement combines the hemispherical emittance profiles from one or more LEDS into a collimated beam without chromatic aberration. The lens arrangement has one or more LEDs, a homogenizer, a solid lightpipe, an internal parabolic reflector, a retroreflector, and a refractor. The emittance profiles of the LEDs are distributed evenly over space and angle by multiple reflections inside a diffusely reflecting cavity of the homogenizer. The internal reflector has a numerical aperture of 1.0, which defines a hemispherical solid angle of collection within air. The retroreflector directs rays away from the LEDs. The retroreflection permits space for the electronics of high radiance LEDs. The refractor converts the retroreflector rays in a plurality of shapes. The lens is optimally designed for applications with high standards for color mixing, uniformity, and efficient conversion of electrical power into light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to two-sided illumination LED lens and LED module and an LED two-sided illumination system using the same; and, more particularly, to two-sided illumination LED lens and LED module including an incidence unit on which light impinges; a first exit unit corresponding to the incidence unit and transmitting a portion of the light upward; a reflection unit extended from the first exit unit and reflecting another portion of the light; and a second exit unit facing the first exit unit and transmitting the light reflected at the reflection unit downward, and an LED two-sided illumination system using the same.

Abstract: The invention provides a light irradiation apparatus that can adjust widening/narrowing of a light irradiation area and can guide almost whole of light emitted from an LED to the light irradiation area. The apparatus has an LED 11 and an optical unit 2 for making light for the LED 11 pass through itself and emit from its apical surface 21, and is equipped further with a supporting body 1A for holding the LED on the apical surface and a position adjustment mechanism for adjusting a relative position of the optical unit 2 to the LED 11 along an optical axis C direction.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a light emitting diode (LED) and a structured surface. The structured surface has a plurality of prismatic structures arranged radially with respect to a reference point, and is disposed relative to the LED such that the reference point is substantially aligned with a light emission axis of the LED. Arrays of such assemblies and backlights and displays including same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A projection optical system for use in an image projection apparatus illuminating an image display panel forming an image in accordance with a modulating signal with illumination light from a light source. The projection optical system includes first and second optical systems arranged along an optical path defining an upstream-downstream direction in the order described from upstream to downstream on the downstream side of the image display panel. The first optical system includes at least one dioptric system and has positive power. The second optical system includes at least one reflecting surface having power and has positive power. The image formed by the image display panel is formed as an intermediate image in the optical path, and the intermediate image is magnified and projected.

Abstract: Light that is emitted from an LED chip at a first angle of incidence or less relative to the LED chip is permitted to leave the LED package. Light emitted from the LED chip at an angle of incidence greater than that is kept from leaving the LED package and is recycled back within the LED package. The recycled light is reemitted from the LED package after its angle of incidence relative to the LED chip has been changed, for example by passing it through a diffuser.

Abstract: A projection optical system for use in an image projection apparatus illuminating an image display panel forming an image in accordance with a modulating signal with illumination light from a light source. The projection optical system includes first and second optical systems arranged along an optical path defining an upstream-downstream direction in the order described from upstream to downstream on the downstream side of the image display panel. The first optical system includes at least one dioptric system and has positive power. The second optical system includes at least one reflecting surface having power and has positive power. The image formed by the image display panel is formed as an intermediate image in the optical path, and the intermediate image is magnified and projected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spread lens and a light emitting device assembly using the spread lens for miniaturization and improving a spread characteristic of a lens. In accordance with the present invention, a spread lens spreading light emitted from a light emitting device may include a first lens surface through which the emitted light from the light emitting device is inputted; a second lens surface spreading the light inputted through the first lens surface to an outside; refraction parts which extend between both side ends of each of the first and second lens surfaces, are formed in a concave-convex shape, and refract the emitted light from the light emitting device; and support parts which extend at both side ends of the second lens surface and separate the refraction parts and the light emitting device from each other.

Abstract: There is provided a lens formed from a circular bottom face (11), lateral face (14) and top face (15) and having a surface light source (13) of a finite size disposed at the center of the bottom face (11). The top face (15) is an aspheric surface rotational symmetric with respect to a z-axis and which totally reflects a part of a component, whose polar angle is smaller than a polar angle ?0 at the intersection between the lateral face (14) and top face (15), of light emitted from the surface light source (13). The lateral face (14) is an aspheric surface rotational symmetric with respect to the z-axis and pervious to a component, whose polar angle is larger than the polar angle ?0, and component, totally reflected at the top face (15), of the light emitted from the surface light source (13).

Abstract: An illumination unit for emitting light along an optic axis for a projection system includes an LED die and a collimator lens. The collimator lens includes a central part and a peripheral part. The central part has a first light transmission surface and a second light transmission surface opposite to the first light transmission surface. The peripheral part which is around the central part has an inner refraction wall coupled to the first light transmission surface to form a hollow for situating the LED die, an outer reflection wall opposite to the inner refraction wall, and a refraction surface connecting to the second light transmission surface and the outer reflection wall. Both the central part and the peripheral part of the collimator lens are rotationally asymmetrical corresponding to the optic axis.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method for configuring consumption of service includes identifying a service to be consumed by a user, identifying a plurality of bearer technologies across which at least one electronic device can access the service, selecting one of the plurality of bearer technologies for use in configuring the at least one electronic device, and configuring the at least one electronic device for the service using one of a plurality of management frameworks according to the selected bearer technology.

Abstract: A package structure for light emitting diode (LED) comprises a base, an LED die, an optical lens and a lens holder. The base comprises at least one holder cavity formed on its surface and at least one chase formed on its side surface. The lens holder comprises an opening, at least one holder stem and at least one wedge. The optical lens is arranged between the lens holder and the base, and also through the opening. The lens holder is fastened on the base by wedging the wedge with the chase and positioned on the base by embedding the holder stem into the holder cavity to enhance the positioning between the optical lens and the base, such that the optical lens can generate a desired light pattern. Therefore, the required time of a packaging process can be reduced, and the lens holder can be removed simply for replacing the optical lens, so the objective of changing the light pattern quickly can be achieved.

Abstract: A point light source includes a light-emitting element, an optical lens, and at least two reflective members. The light-emitting element emits a point light. The optical lens is disposed over the light-emitting element. The reflective members are disposed in the optical lens. The reflective members confine an optical path of the light emitted from the light-emitting element, thereby substantially preventing the illumination areas of the point light sources from overlapping each other.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a small-sized stroboscopic light emitting device that controls disorder in light distribution (orientation) characteristic caused by a shape of the reflector, and achieves a homogeneous light quantity distribution. The stroboscopic light emitting device includes an illuminator 1, a reflector 2 for reflecting light from the reflector, and a lens 3 for allowing the light reflected by the reflector 2 to pass through and illuminate outwardly, and the lens 3 contains a filler 4 in the base material. A refractive index and a mean particle size of the filler are between or equal to 1.3 to 2.8 and between or equal to 0.1 ?m to 20 ?m, respectively, and the filler is contained in the base material at the rate between or equal to 0.1 parts by weight to 3.0 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the base material.

Abstract: Lighting assemblies with light sources are disclosed for use in place of fluorescent lights. A support member can be attached to brackets, which can snap into a spring lampholder brackets used for a fluorescent light. For holding a support member, an offset bracket can be used or alternatively, a bracket with a tab or set screw can be used. The disclosed lighting assemblies are particularly well suited for providing light from light emitting diodes. Methods for manufacturing light strip assemblies are also disclosed. Each support member can be positioned on a supporting surface so that a support surface of the light strip is substantially horizontal. A lens can be formed on each light source. Application to refrigerated cases is described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting assembly (10) comprising a housing (12), with one or more openings (26, 28, 30). A lighting means (40) is arranged in this housing emitting radiation through the openings (26, 28, 30) in angular ranges. Means (72) for shielding said radiation from a distant observer are provided. The invention comprises a first transparent cover (32; 72) for covering the openings of the housing. The cover has a micro structure profile (102) to shield unwanted radiation from selected portions of the angular ranges. A second transparent cover (70) protects the micro structure profile of the first cover.

Abstract: The light emitting diode (LED) light string system includes a plurality of lamp systems. Each lamp system includes a single LED, a base, and a globe to cover the LED. The LED light string system appears similar to the conventional incandescent light string system, but instead illuminates via LEDs. Each LED is covered by the globe similar to those available in incandescent systems, which provides refraction of the illuminated LED to produce an LED light string that has the look of a conventional incandescent light string.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises a housing having a panel with an opening extending therethrough, a light source disposed within the electronic device and configured to transmit light through the opening, an optically-transmissive layer located on a side of the panel opposite a side of the light source and extending over the opening, and a reflective element disposed on the optically-transmissive layer and located at least partially coincident with a location of the opening.

Abstract: A direct type illuminating device includes a light source unit, a reflector plate, a diffuser plate, and a lens module. The light source unit provides source light beams. The reflector plate and the diffuser plate are spaced at an interval from each other, and the light source unit is interposed between the reflector plate and the diffuser plate. The lens module surrounds the light source unit such that the lens module is interposed between the light source unit and the reflector and diffuser plates. An outer curved surface of the lens module has a radius of curvature different from a radius of curvature of an outer curved surface of the light source unit such that the source light beams provided by the light source unit are refracted by the lens module to result in change of traveling directions of the source light beams.

Abstract: A light fixture for directing light emitted from a light source toward an area to be illuminated, including a reflector assembly within which the light source is positioned and a lens assembly detachably secured to a portion of the reflector assembly such that a lens of the lens assembly overlies the light source and such that substantially all of the light emitted from the light source passes through the lens assembly.

Abstract: An illuminating device includes a light-emitting unit and a light-reflecting unit. The light-emitting unit includes a housing and a light source disposed in the housing. The housing has one end formed with a light exit opening that is disposed along an optical path of light emitted by the light source. The light-reflecting unit is mounted detachably to the housing at the light exit opening, and includes a light-reflecting component for reflecting the light emitted by the light source. The housing is configured with a side light window disposed along a path of the light reflected by the light-reflecting component. The light emitted by the light source exits the housing via the light exit opening when the light-reflecting unit is detached from the housing, and exits the housing via the side light window when the light-reflecting unit is attached to the housing.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) lighting device has a base, a hood, an LED module, a light gathering element and a lens. The base has a container having an inner bottom. The inner bottom comprises a parallel surface and a mounting surface being connected to the parallel surface at an included angle. The hood has a reflective inner surface and is mounted in the container of the base. The LED module is mounted on the mounting surface of the container in the base, is covered by the hood and emits light beams at various angles. The light gathering element is mounted on the LED module to reflect light beams not emitted directly to the inner surface of the hood to ensure a greater percentage of light is reflected by the reflective surface to increase brightness of the LED lighting device.

Abstract: An underwater light that can include a mounting assembly attachable to a pool wall without having to make a niche in the wall, a housing coupled to the mounting assembly and including a light source cavity, a reflector in the light source cavity, a light source in front of the reflector, and a lens in front of the light source. The lens can include a plurality of contiguous parallel concave lens elements extending in a single direction to disperse light perpendicular to the single direction. The underwater light can include a removable lens cover that is at least one of red, green, yellow, and blue, in order to shine colored light into the pool.

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.