Panel Type Patents (Class 362/330)
  • Patent number: 8789998
    Abstract: A planar ion-exchanged glass sheet for out-of-plane light beam coupling includes a first surface, a ion-exchanged first glass region adjacent and parallel to the first surface, a core glass region adjacent and parallel to the first glass region, a ion-exchanged second glass region adjacent and parallel to the core glass region, and a second surface adjacent and parallel to the second glass region. One edge of the glass sheet has an angled end face that is inclined to the plane extends across a thickness of at least one of the glass regions. Methods of making the planar ion-exchanged glass sheet, coupling an out-of-plane light beam into a plane using the planar ion-exchanged glass sheet, and scattering the coupled light to illuminate at least select regions of an exposed surface of the glass sheet are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Vitor M. Schneider, Alana M. Whittier
  • Patent number: 8783915
    Abstract: Surface-textured encapsulations for use with light emitting diodes. In an aspect, a light emitting diode (LED) array apparatus includes a plurality of LEDs mounted to a substrate and an encapsulation covering the LEDs and having a surface texturing configured to extract light, wherein the surface texturing is includes at least one light extracting feature having a diameter larger than two or more of the LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Bridgelux, Inc.
    Inventor: Tao Xu
  • Patent number: 8770774
    Abstract: A ventilation fan with lights includes an exhaust fan, a lid, and an illumination apparatus. The lid covers an entrance of the exhaust fan. The lid has plural exhaust gratings and an opening. The exhaust gratings are arranged at least adjacent to opposite sides of the opening. The illumination apparatus is embedded in the opening of the lid. The illumination apparatus includes a lamp housing, a lamp plate, plural light emitting diodes (LEDs), a lampshade, and plural scattering microstructures. LEDs are arranged on the lamp plate. The lampshade covers the lamp housing. The lampshade and the lamp housing cooperate to define a lamp chamber therebetween. The lamp plate and the LEDs are disposed in the lamp chamber. The scattering microstructures are disposed on an inner surface of the lampshade facing the lamp chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Long-Sing Ye, Yueh-Shan Lin, Wen-Hsiang Lin, Te-Chung Liu
  • Publication number: 20140185304
    Abstract: An optical plate includes a substrate having a light emitting surface, a rear surface opposite to the light emitting surface, and a plurality of microstructures that cooperatively define the light emitting surface and each of which parallelly extends in a light traveling direction. Each of the microstructures includes first and second convex portions and a concave portion disposed between and interconnecting the first and second convex portions, and two adjacent ones of the microstructures are connected. Intersections between the microstructures cooperatively define an imaginary plane, and a lowest point of the concave portion is disposed at one side of the imaginary plane opposite to the rear surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: CHI MEI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hsiu-Fang HSIAO, Chueh-Yang TSAI, Chun-Liang KUO, Hsin-Hung CHEN, Chung-Ping HUANG
  • Patent number: 8764216
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) system to retrofit a light fixture has a frame configured to be installed under an existing light fixture and a LED lighting assembly couplable to the frame. In one example, the frame is formed as a plurality of rails having a flange to be installed between the light fixture and a grid member of a ceiling suspension system. The frame may be installed without removal of the existing light fixture. The LED lighting assembly includes an LED array and an optical waveguide for dispersing light from the LED array. The LED system maintains a thin profile, enabling it to retrofit existing light fixtures. Installation time is reduced, thereby reducing labor costs, while the LED lighting provides more light with less energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ecolite Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Edward Nicholas Caferro, Timothy Lee Treto
  • Publication number: 20140146249
    Abstract: A light-based touch-sensitive surface, including a housing, a surface attached to the housing for receiving touch input, a plurality of light sources in the housing for emitting light that crosses the surface, a plurality of light receivers in the housing for detecting the light emitted by the light sources, a curved lens adjacent to the surface through which the light emitted by the light sources passes, including two substantially similarly curved exterior panels, one of which forms a curved rim for the surface, and a calculating unit in said housing, connected to the light receivers, for calculating a touch location based on an absence of light expected to be received by the receivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Neonode Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Holmgren, Lars Sparf, John Karlsson, Anders Jansson, Thomas Eriksson, Joseph Shain, Niklas Kvist, Robert Pettersson
  • Publication number: 20140133160
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical plate and an illuminating member, and particularly an optical plate for reducing UGR, which has a plurality of micro lens patterns formed on a base substrate, a fill factor of the micro lens patterns being in range of 0.5 to 1.0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Beom Sun Hong, Dong Mug Seong, Jun Phill Eom, Dong Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 8714780
    Abstract: Display devices with a grooved luminance enhancement film on its viewing side and at least an auxiliary layer and/or edge sealing. The luminance enhancement film comprises columns and grooves in alternating order and each of the grooves has a cross-section comprising an apex angle and two edge lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: SiPix Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Ho, Bryan Chan, Craig Lin, Robert A. Sprague
  • Publication number: 20140111975
    Abstract: A light guide plate includes a plate body and a supporting unit. The plate body has a light-exiting face and a lateral side, wherein the supporting unit is disposed along the lateral side. The supporting unit has a top surface and an outer lateral surface, the top surface is above the light-exiting face, the lateral surface protrudes from an end surface of the lateral side of the plate body, wherein a portion of the end surface away from the light-exiting face is exposed to form a recess. A backlight module includes the light guide plate mentioned above and a back plate, wherein the light guide plate is disposed on the back plate. A periphery of the back plate has a side wall formed thereon and extending into the recess. A display device includes the light guide plate mentioned above and a display panel, wherein the display panel is disposed on the light guide plate and is supported by the top surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: AU Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chia-Hao Wu, Han-Ping Kuo
  • Publication number: 20140104872
    Abstract: A set of optical sheets may perform at least one of diffusion, refraction, and condensation of light. The set of optical sheets may include a first optical sheet that includes a first base film and a first distinction unit disposed outside the first base film. The set of optical sheets may further include a second optical sheet that includes a second base film and a second distinction unit disposed outside the second base film. The second distinction unit may be spaced from the first distinction unit in a plan view of the set of optical sheets if the second base film complete overlaps the first base film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chul SHIN, Sungmu KIM, Geun-kyu SONG, Myung-Ho WON, Seok-Kun YOON, Sang-Won LEE
  • Publication number: 20140104827
    Abstract: Inventive methods and apparatus for an optical assembly for a lighting fixture are disclosed. The optical assembly includes a lens (20A, 20B) having an interior face and an optical film (40A, 40B) provided atop the interior face of the lens. A deformable structure may be positioned adjacent the optical film (40A, 40B) and exert force on the optical film (40A, 40B), thereby compressing the optical film (40A, 40B) against the lens (20A, 20B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Steven William Johns, Zoltan Mezo
  • Patent number: 8692464
    Abstract: A light guiding plate and a backlight module and a display device applying the light guiding plate are provided, in which a structure of prisms on a light emergence surface of the light guiding plate is designed by, for example, adopting a mixed structure of prisms in different specifications, regulating the specifications of the prisms, such as a vertex angle and a corresponding reprint ratio, varying the reprint ratio of the prisms with respect to a distance from a light incident surface of the light guiding plate, or combining the aforementioned design solutions, thereby adjusting a light emitting effect of the light guiding plate, increasing uniformity of backlight, and improving display quality of the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chiung-Han Wang, Shau-Yu Tsai
  • Patent number: 8668371
    Abstract: Light redirecting film comprises a thin optically transparent substrate having a pattern of individual optical elements formed as projections on a light exit surface of the film. At least some of the projections comprise a dome-shaped surface on the light exit surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Rambus Delaware LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery R. Parker, Timothy A. McCollum, Robert M. Ezell
  • Patent number: 8657472
    Abstract: A light redirecting film (100) includes a first major surface (110) that includes first microstructures (150) that extend along a first direction and a second major surface (120), which may form part of a matte layer, the second major surface being opposite to the first major surface and including second microstructures (160). The second major surface has an optical haze that is not greater than about 3% and an optical clarity that is not greater than about 85%. The light redirecting film has an average effective transmission that is not less than about 1.75. The light redirecting film (100) may comprise particles. The second microstructures may have a slope distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joseph T. Aronson, Slah Jendoubi, Mitchell A. F. Johnson, Scott R. Kaytor, Tri D. Pham, Robert A. Yapel, Joseph A. Zigal, Steven J. McMan, Steven D. Solomonson, Steven H. Kong, Fei Lu, Gary T. Boyd
  • Publication number: 20140016327
    Abstract: Disclosed are a lighting device and a method of manufacturing the same, the lighting device includes a diffusion layer diffusing and emitting light incident from a light source; a bead layer adjacently formed to a light emitting surface of the diffusion layer, including a plurality of beads, and having a separation part formed in a region in which the plurality of beads are not present; and a condensing layer formed on the bead layer and condensing light transmitting the separation part to a predetermined portion. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention can form the separation part on the diffusion layer and the condensing layer by bonding beads to the diffusion layer and thus, can condense the light transmitting the diffusion layer to the condensing layer through the separation part, thereby easily reducing the UGR without disposing the separate barrier rib structure between the diffusion layer and the condensing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Hyun Lee, Dong Mug Seong, Beom Sun Hong, Jun Phill Eom
  • Patent number: 8622562
    Abstract: Systems and methods for OLED lighting panels are provided in which a light extraction block is optically coupled to a light source. The light extraction block includes a plurality of non-parallel light emitting surface normals. At least one light diffusing layer covers a surface of the light extraction block. The light diffusing layer may be positioned, for example, on a light emitting surface of the light extraction block and/or on a mating surface of the light extraction block. The plurality of light emitting surface normals may be located on different non-parallel light emitting surfaces of the light extraction block, or on different points of a curved emitting surface. All of the light emitting surfaces and/or the mating surface, of the light extraction block may be covered by a light diffusing layer. The optical emission intensity and/or the optical emission color from the plurality of light emitting surface normals may be substantially equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Display Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Levermore
  • Patent number: 8616753
    Abstract: An optical sheet includes a light-passing base sheet, a plurality of light-passing first patterns formed on a front major surface of the base sheet, and a plurality of light-passing second patterns formed on a rear major surface of the base sheet. The first patterns protrude from the front surface of the base sheet, a top portion of each of the second patterns makes contact with the rear surface of the second patterns while a larger lower surface of each of the second patterns is exposed to serve as a light receiving surface. Voids having relatively low refractive indices are formed between the light-passing second patterns. The optical sheet employs just one base sheet in one embodiment, thereby reducing a manufacturing cost of the optical sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-Mo Kim, Jinsung Choi, Donghoon Kim, Seunghwan Chung
  • Patent number: 8613533
    Abstract: A light emitting device package is disclosed. The light emitting device package includes a body having a cavity, a light source mounted in the cavity, and at least one optical sheet located on the body to cover the cavity. The optical sheet includes a first layer and a second layer formed on the first layer, wherein the second layer includes a plurality of linear prism parts. At least one of the first layer and the second layer contains a light diffusive member. The light emitting device package has enhanced light emission efficiency and light distribution uniformity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: BumChul Cho
  • Patent number: 8602628
    Abstract: The present invention provides a light guide plate comprising an input surface for receiving light from a plurality of discrete light sources, an output surface for emitting light, and a bottom surface opposing to the output surface, wherein at least one of the output surface and the bottom surface has a micro-pattern, the micro-pattern consisting of a plurality of substantially identical micro-lenses, each micro-lens having a width, a length, and an orientation angle. The light guide plate further provides an area density D(x, y) of the micro-lenses varies in a first direction y-axis that is parallel to the length direction and in a second direction x-axis that is parallel to the width direction for y between starting line y0 and ending line, the area density D(x, y=y0) at the starting line y0 varying between a minimal value Dmin and a maximum value Dmax such that Dmin?1% and 100?Dmax/Dmin?2, and wherein the area density D(x,y) repeats in pitch P in the x-axis such that D(x,y)=D(x+P,y).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: SKC Haas Display Films Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiang-Dong Mi, Ju-Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 8602629
    Abstract: The present invention provides a light guide plate comprising a light guide plate comprising an input surface for receiving light from a plurality of discrete light sources, an output surface for emitting light, and a bottom surface opposing to the output surface. At least one of the output surface and the bottom surface has a micro-pattern, the micro-pattern comprising micro-lenses distributed in a first direction y-axis that is parallel to the length direction and in a second direction x-axis that is parallel to the width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: SKC Haas Display Films Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiang-Dong Mi
  • Patent number: 8602630
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes: a light guiding member; a plurality of light-emitting elements; and a reflection member. A light reflection/exit surface of the light guiding member has a concave-convex pattern including a plurality of convex portions reflecting light emitted from the light-emitting elements inward. On the assumption that L is a distance between the light-emitting elements, t is a thickness of the light guiding member, an incident angle ? of the light on the light reflection/exit surface is an angle between a line segment obtained by projecting a light path from the light-emitting element to the light reflection/exit surface and a line segment extending from a central point of the light-emitting element to the light reflection/exit surface, and ? is a maximum angle range of reflected light, a value of the angle range ? decreases as a value of the incident angle ? increases in a range of 0<?<tan-1 (L/t).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shingo Ohkawa
  • Patent number: 8596817
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to lighting system covers that include AR-coated textured glass, and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, at least one light source is provided proximate to a cover comprising a glass substrate. The glass substrate includes an anti-reflective (AR) coating on the surface that is closer to the at least one light source, and the glass substrate is textured (e.g., such that it is substantially prismatic in texture) on the surface opposite the AR-coated surface. The surface of the glass substrate on which the AR coating is formed may be a flat, irregular, or textured matte. An optional AR coating also may be formed on the textured surface of the glass substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Yiwei Lu, Jim St. Jean, Nathan P. Mellott, Zhongming Wang
  • Publication number: 20130294090
    Abstract: A door assembly for a lighting fixture. Embodiments of the door assembly include a door frame defined by two frame sides and two frame ends that define a frame opening. A diffuser panel is positioned within the door frame to span the frame opening and a refractor extends along the length of the door frame. The refractor is retained on the door assembly at its ends. More specifically, in some embodiments an aperture having the profile of the refractor is provided in the end plate on each frame end. The ends of the refractor are inserted into the apertures of the end plates to retain the refractor on the door assembly by its ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: ABL IP HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: John T. Mayfield, III, Russell Vern Rouse
  • Patent number: 8568002
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include system apparatus for providing a light diffusion and condensing fixture. According to an example embodiment, a light fixture is configured for illuminating subjects and it includes an enclosure cavity. The enclosure defines a cavity with an opening and one or more reflective inner surfaces. The light fixture also includes a frame structure defining an optical aperture and the frame structure is disposed proximate to the opening. The light fixture also includes two or more film tensioners associated with the frame structure. The light fixture also includes at least one light source positioned between the one or more reflective surface and a plane defined by the optical aperture. The light fixture further includes at least one optical film comprising at least one lenticular lens surface and the at least one optical film is suspended substantially parallel to the optical aperture by the two or more tensioners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International Inc., Trustee of the LDH Trust
    Inventor: Leslie D. Howe
  • Publication number: 20130279177
    Abstract: A display apparatus capable of reliably supporting a display panel and making a juncture between displays inconspicuous is provided. A display includes a liquid crystal panel having a front surface and a back surface, a module containing a backlight unit for driving the liquid crystal panel, a rear surface side housing for protecting and holding the backlight unit, and a convex lens arranged to cover a frame region of the liquid crystal panel, for guiding light from the front surface of the liquid crystal panel to a front surface side of the frame region and supporting the liquid crystal panel from the front surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Moriwaki, Kazutaka Hanaoka, Yozo Narutaki, Hisashi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20130265752
    Abstract: An LED lamp includes: a plurality of light source units, each of which includes one or more LED chips and an emission surface through which light from the LED chips is emitted; and a lens unit having a plurality of lenses, each of which is located in front of the emission surface of each of the plurality of light source units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: Hirotaka SHIMIZU
  • Patent number: 8550668
    Abstract: A light control member includes a plate-like member including a first flat surface and a second surface facing the first surface. The second surface has at least three prism line groups, each group including a plurality of substantially parallel linear prisms. Each one of the linear prisms of one prism line group intersects the linear prisms of other prism line groups at one intersection point, and each linear prism is formed into a convex shape having a substantially curved outer edge when viewed along its longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Ohkawa, Atsushi Seki, Kotaro Shima
  • Patent number: 8545062
    Abstract: A light uniformization structure including a first material layer having a plurality of microstructures in a surface thereof, a second material layer having a plurality of microstructures in a surface thereof, and a spacer layer located between the first material layer and the second material layer. The refractive index of the spacer layer is smaller than a refractive index of the first material layer and a refractive index of the second material layer. A light emitting module including the light uniformization structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Hui Hsiung Lin, Chi Hung Liao, Wen Hsun Yang, Han-Tsung Hsueh
  • Patent number: 8517573
    Abstract: An optical substrate having a structured surface that enhances brightness and reduces moiré effect. The optical substrate has a three-dimensionally varying, structured light output surface that comprises an irregular prismatic structure. The irregular prismatic structure may be viewed as comprising longitudinal prism blocks or rows thereof, arranged laterally defining peaks and valleys. Adjacent peaks, adjacent valleys, and/or adjacent peak and valley may be parallel or non-parallel, in an orderly, semi-orderly, random, or quasi-random manner. The lateral adjacent peaks, adjacent valleys, and/or adjacent peak and valley are not parallel. The adjacent irregular prism blocks may be irregular longitudinal sections having the same length, or random or quasi-random irregular sections having different lengths. The facets of each prism block may be flat, or curved (convexly and/or concavely).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Ubright Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kong-Hua Wang, Craig Lin, Daniel Yaw-Chung Ko
  • Patent number: 8506149
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical sheet for use in liquid crystal displays, which simultaneously functions to uniformly diffuse light emitted from a light guide plate and a diffusion plate and to increase brightness, decreases the loss of light, and enables the fabrication of thinner liquid crystal displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Kolon Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyung Nam Kim, Hyun Jung Kim, Sang Kyun Kim, Hyun Jin Kim, Jong Min Park, Chung Seock Kang
  • Patent number: 8500310
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an indication plate including: a plate member including a light-transmitting material; and an indication part provided at a surface on one side with respect to the thickness direction of the plate member, wherein the indication part includes a light-shielding part including a light-shielding material and covering the surface on one side, and a convex portion including the light-transmitting material, the convex portion projecting from the surface on one side and being exposed from the light-shielding part; the convex portion has a circumferential surface projecting from the light-shielding part, and an end face connecting tip portions of the circumferential surface to each other, and a metallic foil having a light-transmitting property is attached to the end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 8496361
    Abstract: An illumination unit including: a light source; a light guide-diffuser that guides and diffuses source light from the light source; a selective translucent unit that reflects external light or reduces the transmission of external light, while also transmitting light guided from the light guide-diffuser; and a presentation surface that presents the source light that has been guided from the light guide-diffuser and transmitted through the selective translucent unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masamichi Watanabe, Ryo Hattori, Hidekatsu Kobayashi, Shoh Tsuchiya, Nariyasu Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 8491176
    Abstract: A light guide plate (LGP) includes a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of light incident surfaces. The first surface is a light-emitting surface. The light incident surfaces connect the first surface and the second surface. The second surface has a plurality of ring-shaped grooves. Depths of the ring-shaped grooves are gradually decreased from a place close to a center of the LGP towards places close to the light incident surfaces. Each of the ring-shaped grooves has a first ring-shaped side wall surface and a second ring-shaped side wall surface. The second ring-shaped side wall surface is opposite to the first ring-shaped side wall surface and located between a geometry center of the ring-shaped groove and the first ring-shaped side wall surface. The first ring-shaped side wall surface is a tilted surface. In addition, a light source apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Young Lighting Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng-Hung Lin, Jung-Min Hwang, Udo Custodis, Shih-Yuan Yu
  • Patent number: 8485711
    Abstract: A light plate includes a light guide plate and four light source modules. The light source modules are disposed around the light guide plate. Each of the light source modules includes a first white light emitting element and a second white light emitting element. The first white light emitting element is capable of emitting a first white beam. The second white light emitting element disposed beside the first white light emitting element is capable of emitting a second white beam. The first white light emitting elements of the light source modules are mirror-symmetrical with respect to a first reference plane and a second reference plane. The second white light emitting elements of the light source modules are mirror-symmetrical with respect to the first reference plane and the second reference plane. The correlated color temperature (CCT) of the first white beam is greater than the CCT of the second white beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Young Lighting Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Chih Wang, Wei-Chun Yang, Lei-Ken Hung
  • Patent number: 8430526
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a spatially uniform irradiance in an image plane are provided. The apparatus includes an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) which generate light (i.e., an image). The apparatus combines the outputs of an array of the LEDs in such a way as to produce a spatially uniform irradiance in an image plane some distance away. The apparatus includes an array of lenslets to form images of the emitting areas of the individual LEDs. The lenslets have a magnification, size and spacing such that the images produced by the respective LEDs are adjacent to one another and not overlapping. The irradiance distribution in the image plane is equivalent to an image of an LED whose emitting area is equal to the total area of the LED array, and whose total power is equal to the total power of the LEDs in the LED array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventor: George William Gigioli, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8425104
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes; a plurality of light sources which emit a light, a display panel which displaying an image using the light, a light guide plate which guides the light emitted from the light sources to the display panel, and a plurality of reflection members that are spaced apart from each other and coupled with a first side of the light guide plate and a second side of the light guide plate facing the first side to reflect light traveling inside the light guide plate to the first and second sides, wherein the plurality of light sources include; a plurality of first light sources, each of the plurality of first light sources being arranged corresponding to an area between two adjacent reflection members of the plurality of reflection members on the first side and a plurality of second light sources each being arranged corresponding to an area between two reflection members on the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taek-Sun Shin, Seunghwan Chung, Seungin Baek, Jaejoong Kwon, Young-Min Park, Dong-Yeol Yeom, Kwang-Wook Choi, Rae-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 8422840
    Abstract: A light guide of the tapered-waveguide type includes an input slab for expanding a projected image between an input end and an output end, and an output slab arranged to receive rays from the said output end, and to emit them at a point on its face that corresponds to the angle at which the ray is received. The input slab and output waveguide are matched so that all rays injected into the input end undergo the same number of reflections before leaving the output surface. With the invention, the input slab is itself tapered slightly towards the output waveguide. This means that input and output waveguides can be made the same length, in the direction of ray travel, and can therefore be folded over each other with no wasted space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy Large
  • Patent number: 8403549
    Abstract: An edge-type backlight module and a direct-type backlight module with a optical device are provided. The optical device comprises an array layer and a second refractive layer. The array layer has a first refractive index (n1) and contains pluralities of lenticular lens disposed on a base surface side by side. The lenticular lens contains a curving structure with a peak, a trough, a curvature radius (R), a width (P) and an altitude (H) between the peak and the trough. The trough is disposed on the base1 surface. The array layer has a first critical angle (?1c) relative to the normal of the base surface and satisfies ? 1 ? c = sin - 1 ? ( 1 n 1 ) and H = R 1 + K ? [ 1 - 1 - ( 1 + K ) ? ( P 2 ? R ) 2 ] . The conical constant (K) of the lenticular lens ranges from ?2.1 to ?1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Entire Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hao Xiang Lin, Yan Zuo Chen, Wen Feng Cheng, Jui Hsiang Chang
  • Patent number: 8403539
    Abstract: A light guide guides light from a light emitter that is adjacent to an aperture of an electronic device. The light is eventually emitted from the aperture, to thereby provide lighting. The light guide can include a plurality of prisms which can thereby permit reduction in the overall thickness of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Hsin Chin Lee, Antanas Matthew Broga
  • Patent number: 8403511
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical assembly, a backlight unit, and a display apparatus thereof. According to an embodiment of the present invention, an optical assembly includes a first layer; a plurality of light sources disposed over the first layer; and a second layer that is disposed above the first layer and cover the plurality of light sources on the first layer, wherein the plurality of light sources are disposed as a first light source array and a second light source array, the first light source array including first lines of light sources among the plurality of light sources, the second light source array including second lines of light sources among the plurality of light sources, the first and second lines being alternatively disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seung Choon Bae, Sung Woo Kim, Soon Hyung Kwon, Bup Sung Jung, Sang Tae Park, Bu Wan Seo
  • Patent number: 8398274
    Abstract: Light redirecting film including a thin optically transparent substrate having a pattern of individual optical elements of well-defined shape on at least one surface that are quite small relative to the length and width of the surface. At least some of the optical elements have at least one flat surface and at least one curved surface, and intersecting each other over an intersection volume of the intersecting optical elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Rambus International Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeffery R. Parker, Timothy A. McCollum
  • Patent number: 8360619
    Abstract: A brightness enhancement film including a light transmissive substrate, convex lens portions, concave lens portions, and a reflective layer is provided. The light transmissive substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The convex lens portions are disposed on the first surface. Each of the convex lens portions has a curved convex surface facing away from the light transmissive substrate. The concave lens portions are disposed on the first surface. The convex lens portions and the concave lens portions are alternately arranged. Each of the concave lens portions has a curved concave surface facing away from the light transmissive substrate. A wavy continuous curve surface is formed by the curved convex surfaces and the curved concave surfaces. The reflective layer is disposed on the second surface and has light passing openings respectively on the optical axes of the convex lens portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Chao-Hung Weng, Tzeng-Ke Shiau
  • Patent number: 8354806
    Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed that relate to scanning the direction of light emitted from optical collimators. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a system for scanning collimated light, the system comprising an optical wedge, a light injection system, and a controller. The optical wedge comprises a thin end, a thick end opposite the thin end, a viewing surface extending at least partially between the thick end and the thin end, and a back surface opposite the viewing surface. The thick end of the optical wedge further comprises an end reflector comprising a faceted lens structure. The light injection system is configured to inject light into the thin end of the optical wedge, and the controller is configured to control the location along the thin end of the optical wedge at which the light injection system injects light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Adrian Travis, Timothy Large, Neil Emerton, Steven Bathiche
  • Patent number: 8353616
    Abstract: The invention relates to an illumination device (10) for illuminating a surface (101), with at least one lighting element (20) and an illuminating body (30), wherein the lighting element (20) emits an artificial light (21,21), a housing element (40) comprises the lighting element (20) and supports the illuminating body (30), the illuminating body (30) comprises a transparent light conductive material suitable to illuminate the surface (101) lying subjacent. The invention discloses, that the illuminating body (30) comprises a surface pattern (80), forming a Fresnel-type lens to optically magnify the surface (101).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Giovanni Cennini, Hugo Johan Cornelissen, Cornelis Reinder Ronda, Yadong Liu
  • Publication number: 20120300471
    Abstract: Certain embodiments may include system apparatus for providing optical film lens assemblies, light fixtures, and film tensioning frame. According to an example embodiment, a lens assembly is configured for modifying light from a light source associated with a light fixture enclosure, wherein the lens assembly is characterized by one or more optical films that are characterized by at least one or more lenticular surfaces. The lens assembly is further characterized by a curved plane. According to an example embodiment, a film-tensioning frame is characterized by a frame with four corners, wherein one or more film sheets are attached to the top or bottom of the frame at least at the four corners of the frame, and wherein the one or more film sheets are tensioned on the frame by elastic potential energy imparted into the frame before attachment of the one or more film sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: Leslie Howe
  • Patent number: 8317368
    Abstract: Light redirecting film including a thin optically transparent substrate having a pattern of individual optical elements of well-defined shape on at least one surface that are quite small relative to the length and width of the surface. At least some of the optical elements have at least one flat surface and at least one curved surface, and intersecting each other over an intersection volume of the intersecting optical elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Rambus International Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeffery R. Parker, Timothy A. McCollum
  • Patent number: 8317360
    Abstract: Certain examples relate to lighting system covers that include AR-coated textured glass, and/or methods of making the same. In certain examples, at least one light source is provided proximate to a cover comprising a glass substrate. The glass substrate includes an anti-reflective (AR) coating on the surface that is closer to the at least one light source, and the glass substrate is textured (e.g., such that it is substantially prismatic in texture) on the surface opposite the AR-coated surface. The surface of the glass substrate on which the AR coating is formed may be a flat, irregular, or textured matte. An optional AR coating also may be formed on the textured surface of the glass substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Yiwei Lu, Jim St. Jean, Nathan P. Mellott, Zhongming Wang
  • Patent number: 8310622
    Abstract: An optical plate having improved light scattering power, a method of manufacturing the same and a liquid crystal display having the same. An optical plate includes a base material layer, and a lens portion having a plurality of unit lenses formed on one surface of the base material layer, each of the unit lenses having a convex shape, wherein a diffusion portion is formed in each of the unit lenses. The amount and cost of the light diffusing agent can be reduced, light transmittance can be improved, light uniformity can be enhanced without occurrence of bright lines, and intensity of light to be viewed is improved, thereby enhancing luminance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju-Hwa Ha, Jung-Wook Paek, Myung-Woon Lee
  • Patent number: RE44227
    Abstract: A backlight unit for a display device includes a mold frame and a light guide panel. The mold frame includes a groove having at least one rounded corner. The light guide panel is on the mold frame and includes a light guide projection in the groove, having at least one rounded corner corresponding to the at least one rounded corner of the mold frame groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ik-Soo Lee
  • Patent number: RE44575
    Abstract: The present invention features a system for uniformly distributing luminance and a high degree of collimation from a back light module for flat-panel, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) simultaneously. A constant and uniform luminance output of the back light module in two directions is obtained through appropriate selection of lamps, geometry and optical components. An appropriate balance of lamps, lamp spacing, diffusers and light collimating optics are chosen to produce a high brightness back light module with very high intensity output over two very large surfaces. Variations in intensity over the illuminated area are minimized using light recycling in conjunction with the reflective diffusers and collimating optics. Precision collimators eliminate light beyond a defined angle, as required in tiled or monolithic flat-panel LCDs with predetermined display specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Donald P. Seraphim, Dean W. Skinner