With Reflector Patents (Class 362/327)
  • Publication number: 20080158881
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a coupling lens system, which comprises a collimation lens for collimating light from light source to a first direction; a first lens surface for total internal reflecting light from light source to the first direction; and a second lens surface for total internal reflecting light from the first direction to a second direction. Wherein an angle between the first direction and the second direction can be larger than, smaller than or equal to 90 degrees, and preferably between 70 to 100 degrees. Additionally, the system further comprises at least one extra surface parallel to the second lens surface, wherein at least one extra surface has a length L and is parallel to each other. At the same time, each surface and another surface has a distance D in between, and the length L can be equaled to or larger than the distance D according to purposes and further modifies a shape of the coupling lens system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying LIU, Chen-Jung Tsai
  • Patent number: 7390109
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) component includes a circuit board, an LED chip installed on the circuit board for emitting light, and a light direction-changing unit. The LED chip is composed of a plurality of light-emitting points. The unit has a covering surface covering the LED chip, and a reflecting surface having a plurality of reflecting points. A smallest included angle of a plurality of included angles between a normal line of at least one of the reflecting points and a plurality of connection lines passing through the reflecting point and the light-emitting points is larger than sin?1(1/n), where n is the reflection index of the light direction-changing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Zhi-Feng Li, Yung-Fu Wu, Po-Hsien Lee
  • Publication number: 20080137346
    Abstract: An optical sheet and a display device including the optical sheet are disclosed. The optical sheet includes a first lens sheet having a plurality of first three-dimensional structures arrayed to extend to one surface thereof, and a reflective polarizer sheet for transmitting either one of p-polarization component and s-polarization component of incident light and reflecting the other of p-polarization component and s-polarization component of the incident light. Head portions of the first three-dimensional structures are bonded to the reflective polarizer sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiji Ohta, Shigehiro Yamakita, Makoto Aoki, Toru Abiko
  • Publication number: 20080123350
    Abstract: A light guide unit and a backlight unit and display device using the light guide unit are provided. The light guide unit includes a light guide body that is formed of a transparent material and has at least one concave portion with a concavely depressed bottom surface to accommodate a light source. The light guide body includes a first incidence surface forming a top surface of the concave portion, the first incidence surface patterned such that upwardly incident light is refracted at an oblique angle in a lateral direction; a second incidence surface forming a lateral surface of the concave portion, the second incidence surface to which lateral light is incident; a reflection surface disposed on a bottom surface of the light guide body, which extends from the concave portion; and a refraction surface forming a top surface of the light guide body, the refraction surface through which incident light is refracted and transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyu-min CHOE, Moon-gyu Lee, Jee-hong Min
  • Patent number: 7378686
    Abstract: The invention is an illumination system that incorporates a light emitting diode and a side-emitting light-recycling lens. The side-emitting light-recycling lens recycles part of the light internally generated by a light emitting diode back to the light emitting diode as externally incident light. The light emitting diode reflects a portion of the recycled light, thereby increasing the effective brightness of the light emitting diode. The light reflected by the light emitting diode is directed though the side-emitting light-recycling lens and exits the illumination system, thereby increasing the output brightness and efficiency of the illumination system. The light emitting diode reflects externally incident light with a reflectivity greater than 40 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Goldeneye, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl W. Beeson, Scott M. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 7374312
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bottom lighting backlight module comprising: a light reflecting plate, a plurality of light sources such as lamp and LED; and a diffusion sheet; wherein said diffusion sheet has an excavated structure of shape with cross-section of an inverted triangle having a specific apex angle ranging from 110 degrees to 130 degrees. Some of the light incident on the excavated structure inside the diffusion sheet can be totally reflected and redirected sideways, so that it is possible to reduce the local brightness for area around each light source but significantly improve the evenness of brightness for the whole module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: National Chiao Tung University
    Inventors: Chih-Hua Feng, Mao-Hong Lu
  • Publication number: 20080112166
    Abstract: A light guide is disclosed. The light guide includes an incident surface, an exit surface, and a light guide section. Light emitted from a plurality of light emitting devices disposed in line enters from the incident surface. The exit surface is formed in a shape causing light to be concentrated. The light which has entered from the incident surface exits from the exit surface. The light guide section is bent. The volume of the light guide gradually increases in a direction from the incident surface to the exit surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akinori Kakizaki, Takayoshi Shimomura, Yoshinori Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7370993
    Abstract: This invention is an illumination system that incorporates a light emitting diode and a partially reflecting optical element. The light emitting diode emits internally generated light having a first angular range and reflects incident light with high reflectivity. The partially reflecting optical element transmits a first portion of the internally generated light with a second angular range, smaller than the first angular range, and reflects a second portion of the internally generated light back to the light emitting diode, where the second portion is reflected by the light emitting diode. The partially reflecting optical element can be a pyramid, an array of pyramids, a first and second orthogonal arrays of prisms or a bandpass filter. Utilizing a partially reflecting optical element and light recycling can increase the effective brightness and the output efficiency of the illumination system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Goldeneye, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl W. Beeson, Scott M. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20080106903
    Abstract: A light guide may be made from a plurality of substantially planar, light transmissive arms paralleling and radiating from a common axis. The planar arms in combination define a common cavity extending along the axis sufficiently large to envelope a light source. At least one arm has an input window facing the common cavity, a reflective wall aligned with respect to the common cavity and an input window. Light received from the direction of the common cavity through the input window is generally reflected in an axial direction. The light guide has an output window extending from an intersection point with the reflective wall towards the axis. The plurality of arms is preferably supported on a base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventor: Robert Lee King
  • Publication number: 20080074888
    Abstract: An exemplary light emitting diode includes a light output unit, an optical lens, and a reflective resin member. The optical lens is mounted on the light output unit. The optical lens includes a light input surface facing the light output unit, a top interface distal from the light input surface, and a light output surface generally between the light input surface and the top interface. The reflective resin member is formed on the top interface of the optical lens. Methods for making the light emitting diode are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SHAO-HAN CHANG
  • Patent number: 7347603
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode 1 according to the present invention includes: a semiconductor light-emitting device 4 mounted on the surface of lead frames 2 and 3; and a transparent resin package 5 covering the front side of the semiconductor light-emitting device 4. A convex lens portion 8 for concentrating light emitted from the semiconductor light-emitting device 4 toward the front is provided in a surface part of the resin package 5. A circular flat portion 11 for diffusing light emitted from the semiconductor light-emitting device 4 toward the sides is provided in a part of the convex lens portion 8 intersecting the optical axis of the convex lens portion 8. Part of the convex lens portion 8 surrounding the circular flat portion 11 is a convex-lens side face. A recess 7 whose side wall is partly the convex-lens side face is provided to surround the convex lens portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadaaki Ikeda, Shinji Tokutomi, Noriaki Koga
  • Patent number: 7347590
    Abstract: A lens used for a light-emitting diode (LED) includes a body having an axis and a retaining part, wherein the body of the lens is symmetrical about the axis. The lens is mounted onto an LED and further includes a first lens part and a second lens part. When entering into the first lens part, light rays will be totally reflected through the first lens part and the light rays emitted from the first lens part will approximately parallel to the axis. When the light rays emitted from the first lens part enter into the second lens part, they will be totally reflected, and the light rays emitted from the second lens part will be approximately perpendicular to the axis. Thus, the lens has a structure that may control the emitting direction of light emitted from an LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Chi Lin Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventors: I-Chang Lee, Shen-Yin Tsai
  • Patent number: 7349163
    Abstract: There is provided a lighting module of the type having a solid-state light source, in particular a LED, a supporting plate, and a lens; the lens has a recess housing the light source; the lens is supported by and projects from the plate by means of supporting members (25) carried by the lens and for fitting the lens directly to the plate; and the supporting members are formed in one piece with the lens, and are spaced apart and separated from one another by cooling windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Fraen Corporation S.R.L.
    Inventors: Marco Angelini, Claudia Bigliati, Natale Baraldo, Luca Scodes
  • Patent number: 7333276
    Abstract: An optical element that condenses light emitted from a light source has: an entrance surface where the light enters; an exit surface from which the light entering inside via the entrance surface; and a reflection surface that directs, to the exit surface by total reflection, part of the light entering the inside via the entrance surface. The reflection surface has an axis of symmetry of sixfold or higher-order-fold rotation. The optical element fulfills conditional formula: 0.3<a/b<1.4, where a denotes the maximum length of the exit surface in the direction perpendicular to the axis of symmetry; and b denotes a surface gap on the axis of symmetry between the entrance surface and the exit surface. As a result, an optical element can be provided which achieves highly efficient condensation at low costs and with simple configuration and also which achieves compactification by reducing the diameter of the optical element for the size of the light emitting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventors: Keiko Ikuno, Kenji Konno
  • Patent number: 7325952
    Abstract: A tail light (lamp) for a motorcycle with improved visibility and outward appearance includes a bulb, a reflector that reflects light from the bulb in a predetermined direction, and a lens that transmits the reflected light. Flux density is varied about a set point, which is distant from the bulb, according to a distance from the set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsumitsu Wakamatsu, Kazuo Nakamura, Toshiaki Ozawa
  • Patent number: 7322729
    Abstract: A light guide unit, a light guide unit assembly, and a lighting device are provided which can efficiently use light emitted from a light source and uniformly radiate light from an elongate rectangular radiating surface. The light guide unit has at least one radiation direction in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daisuke Nagabuchi
  • Patent number: 7322721
    Abstract: A side emitting device, a backlight unit using the same as a light source, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) employing the backlight unit. The side emitting device includes a light-emitting device to emit light, and a side emitter to change the path of at least part of the light emitted from the light-emitting device. The side emitter includes a first reflecting surface reflecting light emitted from the light-emitting device in a first range of angles close to a central axis, a first refracting surface refracting the light reflected by the first reflecting surface obliquely downward from the horizontal axis, and a second refracting surface refracting light emitted from the light-emitting device in a second range of angles complementary to the first range of angles. The backlight unit includes at least an array of side emitting devices, a reflection diffusion plate and a first transmission diffusion plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji-whan Noh, Joon-chan Park, Dong-ha Kim, Jong-min Wang, Ju-seong Hwang
  • Publication number: 20080019138
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reflector having reflection prisms that has a holder for a luminous means, and to a luminaire in the case of which the reflector is permanently connected to the luminous means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Andreas Otte, Steffen Koerner, Eberhard Kurek, Michael Heinen, Ralf Becker
  • Patent number: 7306351
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes an LED package bases, an LED chip disposed on the LED package base, and a lens disposed on the LED package base. The lens includes a frustum shape having an inclined outer peripheral surface, and having a relatively smaller lower portion for attaching onto the LED package base, and having a relatively greater upper portion spaced away from the LED package base, the lens includes a longitudinal axis arranged to have an included angle ? formed between the longitudinal axis and the inclined outer peripheral surface of the lens, for reflecting light sidewise. The lens may include a curved recess formed in the upper portion for such as light diffusing purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Chung Yuan Christian University
    Inventors: Chang Po Chao, Lun De Liao, Cho Wei Chiu
  • Patent number: 7300183
    Abstract: On a front wall of a mold resin (13) sealing a light emitter (12), a direct emission region (18), through which the light emitted from the light emitter (12) directly passes to the outside, and a total reflection region (19), by which the light emitted from the light emitter (12) is totally reflected, are formed. The direct emission region (18) is formed into a shape of a convex lens. A light reflection portion (20) which is made of a concave mirror is provided on the rear face of the mold resin (13). When a part of the light emitted from the light emitter (12) passes through the direct emission region (18), it is affected by the lens to be emitted to the front direction. After another part of the light emitted from the light emitter (12) is totally reflected by the total reflection region (19), it is reflected by the light reflection portion (20) to be emitted to the front direction through the total reflection region (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Hironobu Kiyomoto, Hayami Hosokawa, Naru Yasuda, Kenji Homma, Yukari Terakawa
  • Patent number: 7293890
    Abstract: A button device, which is disposed beside a display unit, comprises at least a button unit. The button unit includes a first part, a second part, and a third part. In this case, the second part is adjacent to the first part. At least a light beam emitted from the display unit passes through the second part. The third part faces the first part. At least a light beam passing through the second part is transmitted to the third part, and then the light beam transmitted to the third part is reflected by the third part and passes through the first part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
    Inventor: En-Bair Chang
  • Patent number: 7284884
    Abstract: Primary light is directed to a light path control plate from at least one point-like light source. The light path control plate has an inner face on which projection-like transmission-reflection portions and curved-for-refraction portions are alternately formed along a leaving-direction from an optical axis direction of the point-like light source, wherein each transmission-reflection portion is composed of a transmission face permitting primary light to transmit through the transmission face and a reflection face which reflects the transmitted light as to bring changed light paths directed to an outer face of the light path control plate while each curved-for-refraction portion refracts primary light as to bring changed light paths directed to the outer face of the light path control plate. First light reaching the outer face via the transmission-reflection portions and second light reaching the outer face via the curved-for-refraction portions are generated from primary light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventor: Shingo Ohkawa
  • Patent number: 7275849
    Abstract: A LED bulb and light module utilizes a LED light source and directs light therefrom in a manner which improves efficiency and illumination. Ideally, the LED bulb is structured to create a virtual image whereby the efficiency of light directed out of the module is greatly improved, even with a single LED light source. The LED bulb generally includes a light pipe receiving light from the LED light source and guides the light downstream to a downstream portion which redirects the light radially outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeyachandrabose Chinniah, Jeffrey Allen Erion, Chris Eichelberger, John Li
  • Patent number: 7273305
    Abstract: A lighting device especially suitable for automotive center-high-mounted-stop-light (CHMSL) and brake light applications is provided. The lighting device comprises a display panel having at least two interfaces therein, with at least one interface configured as a light reflective interface and at least one interface configured as a light emitting interface. At least a portion of light from a light source propagates through the display panel into contact with the light reflective interface and is reflected by the light reflective interface towards the light emitting interface using total internal reflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Collins & Aikman Development Company
    Inventor: Ching Fong
  • Patent number: 7270447
    Abstract: A lens for an LED having a lens body providing total internal reflection of light emitted by the LED from a first emission point disposed proximate a first junction of the lens body and centerplane. The lens includes an arcuate light-diffusing edge for diffusing light emitted by the LED and reflected by the angular base and sidewall assembly, the light being diffused by the lens at substantially uniform luminance across a sector of at least 150 degrees centered and measured about the first junction. The light diffused by the lens provides for substantially uniform mixing of at least two different colors of light emitted by a multi-color LED apparatus disposed at the first emission point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: GE Security
    Inventors: René Goulet, Guy Drouin, Martin Beaumont
  • Patent number: 7267451
    Abstract: A backlight module without a light guiding plate and a diffusing plate is disclosed, in which a reflective layer having a light scattering structure is first disposed on a backplate and then at least a reflective mirror is provided on the reflective layer of the backplate. Further, a transparent plate is disposed on the at least reflective mirror. The backplate, the at least a reflective mirror, the reflective layer and the transparent plate form an enclosed space and thus the backlight module without a light guiding plate and a diffusing plate is completed. In another form of the backlight module without a light guiding plate and a diffusing plate, the light scattered structure is formed directly on the backplate. When a light-emitting unit emits a light source, the light source is uniformly given off through the light scattering structure, promoting use efficiency of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Chi-Lin Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yao-Yuan Kuo, Chin-Lung Kuo
  • Patent number: 7258457
    Abstract: An illumination optical system includes a light source and an optical member disposed in a direction of irradiation of light from the light source. The optical member is made of a particle-containing material with particles having a particle size smaller than 1 ?m contained in a base material made of a resin material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Tenmyo
  • Patent number: 7252411
    Abstract: A device for depicting a linear optical marking (36, 38) in a room, including a housing (11) with a light source (16, 18) that emits the light along an optical axis (15, 17), as well as a lens (28, 30) that both reflects the light and allows it to pass through, that is arranged in front of the light source and through which the optical axis extends. In order to be able to illuminate an area of the room with simple design measures, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Stabila Messgerate Gustav Ullrich GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Busam, Gabriel Kallabis
  • Patent number: 7254309
    Abstract: A lens of a side emitting LED includes a bottom surface, an incident surface, a reflective surface, a first refractive surface, a second refractive surface and a third refractive surface. An light emitted by a LED enters the lens through the incident surface. A portion of the light is reflected by the reflective surface in an internal total reflection manner to the second refractive surface and emits out of the lens along a first optical path. The other portion of light directly emits out of the lens through the first refractive surface and the third refractive surface. A transitive surface is located between the first refractive surface and the reflective surface. Such a design allows the light entered the lens through the incident surface not cross with the transitive surface. Hence an improper reflection or refraction can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Wen-Bin Chou, Tzeng-Ke Shiau, Teng-Chao Hou
  • Patent number: 7246931
    Abstract: A tube type light emitting diode light source including a light source generator, a light guide and a diffuser is provided. The light source generator includes LEDs arranging in a line. The light guide has a grooved light incident surface and a grooved light-guiding surface. The grooved light incident surface encompasses the LEDs, and the grooved light-guiding surface is adapted for changing the propagating direction of an incident light. The diffuser covers the light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Epistar Corporation
    Inventors: Min-Hsun Hsieh, Chou-Chih Yin, Chia-Liang Hsu, Jen-Shui Wang, Chia-Fen Tsai, Chien-Yuan Wang
  • Patent number: 7246917
    Abstract: An LED having a predetermined direction of radiation is combined with a first and second reflector. The first reflector opposes the LED and has a predetermined direction of reflection. The direction of reflection of the first reflector opposes the direction of radiation of the LED. The second reflector has a predetermined azimuthal direction of reflection. The second reflector positioned relative to the first reflector to receive light from the first reflector and redirect the light into the azimuthal direction of reflection. The LED, first and second reflectors collectively comprise an illumination unit. A plurality of illumination units are axially stacked. In one embodiment of the stack, at least one illumination unit comprises an LED and second reflector of one illumination unit and a first reflector of an adjacent illumination unit in the stack of illumination units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Illumination Management Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Rhoads, Ronald Garrison Holder
  • Patent number: 7244050
    Abstract: A full cutoff luminaire having a housing with an open bottom, a vertically mounted lamp centrally located within the housing, a radial reflector surrounding a portion of the lamp and a downwardly extending optic lens having an open top enshrouding a lower portion of the lamp wherein light emitted from the luminaire does not exceed 90° above nadir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Genlyte Thomas Group, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Summerford, Claude Barozzini, Jerome H. Simon
  • Patent number: 7244924
    Abstract: This invention improves the use efficiency of light emitted by a solid light emitter such as a light emitting diode, and realizes a desired directional pattern. On a front boundary surface of a mold resin 13 sealing a light emitter 12, there are formed a direct emission region 18 for emitting the light from the light emitter 12 and a total reflection region 19 for totally reflecting the light from the light emitter 12. The direct emission region 18 is convex lens-shaped. A light reflecting portion 20 having a concave mirror shape is disposed on a rear wall of the mold resin 13. A part of light emitted from the light emitter 12 is emitted forward by receiving an optical lens action when it passes through the direct emission region 18. Another part of the light emitted by from the light emitter 12 is totally reflected by the total reflection region 19, and is reflected by the light reflecting portion 20, and emitted forward from the total reflection region 19.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Hironobu Kiyomoto, Hayami Hosokawa, Naru Yasuda, Kenji Homma, Yukari Terakawa
  • Patent number: 7222995
    Abstract: A unitary lens and light emitting device combination is provided that produces a highly uniform beam of light, corrected for distortions and gaps in illumination, throughout a full output beam width. The unitary lens incorporates all of the necessary optical surfaces to provide the output beam, including a pattern-correcting spherical refracting surface that smooths intensity variations in the overall illumination pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Bayco Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bijan Bayat, James Newton, Michael Thomas
  • Patent number: 7222994
    Abstract: An illumination system comprising, a) a light source; b) a light-directing assembly (1) in close proximity to the light source and comprising a plurality of microprisms (6), each microprism comprising an input surface (7) that admits light radiating from the light source, an output surface (8) distal from and parallel to the input surface (7), and at least one sidewall (9) disposed between and contiguous with the input and output surfaces and forming an obtuse tilt angle with respect to the input surface (7) and further positioned for effecting total reflection of the light rays received by the input surface (7), the sidewalls (9) of the microprisms (6) defining interstitial regions (10) between the microprisms (6); c) at least one blocking means (11) positioned to block the passage of light through the sidewalls (9); and d) an optical means (2, 3, 4) located between the light source and the light-directing assembly (1), with the special feature that e) said optical means (2, 3, 4) comprise a reflective powde
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Marra, Harald Glaeser
  • Patent number: 7207699
    Abstract: A system composed of a plurality of light units with each light unit having different light emission properties. The component parts of each of the light units, such as optically effective components that influence the beam path of the light emitted by the lamp, and end cap reflectors are of a standard dimension so that light units of different configurations can use the same elements to reduce the number of different parts required for the group of different light units of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Siteco Beleuchtungstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Paola Belloni, Joachim Leibig, Peter Prodell, Jürgen Brüggemann, Sonja Ferdows, Hans-Peter Königstein, Martin Kroke, Reinhold Priller, Josef Wolkersdorfer, Thomas Klimiont
  • Patent number: 7198390
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a reflector made of heat-resistant glass. It is another object of the present invention to provide a projective display which uses the reflector. A projector device having: a light source emitting white light; a reflector reflecting a light emitted from the light source; a light valve modulating illumination beam of light; and a projective lens projecting image light from the light valve, wherein the reflector is made of a glass containing SiO2 as a major ingredient and at least one rare-earth element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu, and the glass has a thermal expansion coefficient lower than 40×10?7/° C. and a transition temperature higher than 500° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Motoyuki Miyata, Masahiko Yatsu, Hiroyuki Akata, Masaharu Deguchi, Katsuyuki Watanabe, Takashi Naitou, Koji Hirata
  • Patent number: 7181378
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide for apparatuses, and methods for manufacturing apparatuses to convert a first distribution of an input radiation to a second distribution of output radiation. The apparatus can be defined in some embodiments by generating a two-dimensional representation of three active optical surfaces including calculating a segment of first, entry and second surfaces based on first second, and third generalized Cartesian ovals, respectively, and successively repeating the calculating of the segments of the first and second surfaces, and rotationally sweeping the two-dimensional representation about a central axis providing a three-dimensional representation. In some embodiments, portion of the first and/or second surfaces can be totally internally reflective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Light Prescriptions Innovators, LLC
    Inventors: Pablo Benitez, Juan C. Minano, Fernando Munoz
  • Patent number: 7172319
    Abstract: A reflector for a light source, such as an LED, is provided with a shape which efficiently collects and directs energy to an illumined surface whereby almost 100% of the light is collected and distributed into a designer composite beam. The shape in one embodiment is comprised of three zones beginning with a parabolic surface of revolution at the base of the reflector, followed by a transition or straight conic zone and ending with an elliptical zone. In another embodiment the reflector shape is determined according to a transfer function which allows for arbitrary designer control of the reflected rays at each point on the reflector, which when combined with direct radiation from the source, results in a designer controlled composite beam or illumination. The device is more than 90% energy efficient and allows replacement of higher power, less energy efficient light sources with no loss in illumination intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Illumination Management Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Holder, Greg Rhoads
  • Patent number: 7168839
    Abstract: A LED bulb and light module utilizes a LED light source and directs light therefrom in a manner which improves efficiency and illumination. Ideally, the LED bulb is structured to create a virtual image whereby the efficiency of light directed out of the module is greatly improved, even with a single LED light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeyachandrabose Chinniah, Christopher L. Eichelberger, Jeffrey Allen Erion, John Li
  • Patent number: 7153002
    Abstract: A lens for light emitting diode (LED) light sources which allows light emitted from an LED light source to exit the lens in a direction perpendicular to a vertical center axis of the lens. The lens of the present invention includes an inner space which is defined in a lens body having both a bottom surface and an upper reflective surface, so that light passing through the inner space is partially reflected by total internal reflection on a portion (selective transmission surface, inner reflective surface, inside reflective surface) of a boundary surface between the inner space and the lens body. Thus, light emitted from an LED light source efficiently exits the lens through a side surface. Accordingly, the lens of the present invention is used in efficient display and illumination optical systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Jong Kim, Ho Seop Jeong, Sang Hyuck Lee, Joo Hee Jun
  • Patent number: 7142769
    Abstract: An illumination package is disclosed in the invention. The illumination package includes an optical element, package base, and a light emitter. The optical element is designed to redirect a majority of light emitted from the light emitter to a direction approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the optical element. In one embodiment, the optical element includes an flared portion and a base portion. The flared portion is constructed by an upper surface forming a recess, a side surface adjacent to the upper surface and curved, and a lower surface connecting to the base portion. In another embodiment, a concave lens is formed on the upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Epistar Corporation
    Inventors: Min-Hsun Hsieh, Chou-Chih Yin
  • Patent number: 7140762
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Pixon Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Rong-Yaw Wu, Chih-Ming Yen, Shih-Che Chen
  • Patent number: 7131750
    Abstract: A backlight apparatus includes a plurality of support members that maintain a diffuser plate in a fixed and level position with respect to the lamps and the housing that contains the lamps, to produce uniform illumination. The support members extend from the diffuser plate disposed at an open face of the housing, to the opposed back part of the housing, and include male-female interlocking parts to provide support. The support members include a set of cooperating portions, an upper and lower portion. The upper and lower portions may combine to provide a cavity in the support member. A cold cathode fluorescent lamp may extend through the cavity and the upper and lower portions may be secured to the diffuser plate and housing, respectively, by extending through openings formed in the diffuser plate or housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Cheng-You Liu, Kai-Yu Sun
  • Patent number: 7121693
    Abstract: A lamp assembly having a lens plate covering the opening and spaced from the lamp. The lens plate is provided with a multiplicity of microlenses such that the lens plate and lamp assembly generates a well defined light cone with a sharp demarcation between the dark region outside the light cone and the illuminated region within the light cone and the illumination within the light cone is homogeneous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Erco Leuchten GmbH
    Inventor: Leonard Klose
  • Patent number: 7114838
    Abstract: The backlight module includes a reflective sheet, at least one point light unit with a dish lens on the reflective sheet. The dish lens has a light-permeable surface formed on the bottom of the dish lens, a light-reflecting surface formed on top of the dish lens, two smooth curve surfaces formed on two side of the dish lens for connecting the light-reflecting surface and the light-permeable surface, and a light-scattering surface on the center of the light-reflecting surface. The profile of the light-permeable surface and the light-reflecting surface are a substantially concave shape. The profile of the light-scattering surface is a substantially convex shape. A light emitting diode (LED) device includes a light emitting semiconductor device and a dish lens encapsulating the light emitting semiconductor device. The dish lens allows the light beams emitted by the LED to diffuse more uniformly, resulting in a more uniform backlight emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventor: Meng-Chai Wu
  • Patent number: 7097334
    Abstract: A light source unit capable of considerably reducing the size of a vehicular lamp. An LED is mounted on an optical axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with its light output directed upward, and a reflector is provided above the LED having a first reflecting surface for collecting the light emitted by the LED and reflecting the light generally in the direction of the optical axis Ax. The reflector is formed by a reflective coating formed on the surface of a translucent block covering the LED. Consequently, the size of the reflector can be considerably reduced as compared with reflectors employed in conventional vehicular lamps. Moreover, since the LED used as a light source emits little heat, the reflector can be designed without having to take into account the influence of heat generated by the light source. Furthermore, the LED can be treated substantially as a point light source so that proper reflection control can be carried out even if the size of the reflector is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ishida, Masashi Tatsukawa
  • Patent number: 7083313
    Abstract: A side-emitting collimator employs a combination of refraction and internal reflection to organize light from a light source into oppositely directed collimated beams. A light source chamber over the light source is defined by substantially cylindrical and aspheric refracting surfaces positioned to gather light into the collimating lens. The aspheric refracting surfaces redirect a portion of the light from the light source into a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the light source. The substantially cylindrical surfaces refract light from the light source onto an aspheric upper reflecting surface. Light incident upon the aspheric upper reflecting surface is collimated into a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the light source. The side-emitting collimator includes mirror image collimator halves, each producing a collimated beam. The collimator halves are rotationally symmetric about a common axis of symmetry above a plane including the axis of symmetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd J. Smith
  • Patent number: 7077536
    Abstract: The double-sided edge lighting-type display sign of the present invention comprises at least two illuminating light sources: two or one display signages; and a light-directing panel. Preferably, a display sign housing accommodates and supports the other elements of the present invention. Namely, the light box housing supports at least two light sources, the display signages and the light-directing panel. The light-directing panel of the present invention is at least partially light reflective and at least partially light passing. The light directing panel directs and redirects light from the included at least two edge lighting-type light source to the included display signages. The light ultimately incident on the display signages is greater than it would normally be without the light-directing panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Apostol Konomi
  • Patent number: 7073931
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp used in au automobile, includes: a light source for generating light; a light transmitting member formed from material transmitting the light; a reflector, formed on at least a part of a surface of the light transmitting member, for reflecting the light incident via the light transmitting member from the light source, the reflector having an optical center near the light source; and a lens formed integrally with the light transmitting member for deflecting the light reflected by the reflector to direct the light to the outside of the vehicular headlamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Ishida