Particular Application Patents (Class 362/602)
  • Publication number: 20110109843
    Abstract: A light guide panel, a backlight unit and a display apparatus are provided. A display apparatus includes a light guide panel including a first surface having a first pattern that increases luminance of backlight emitted from a light emitting unit, and a second surface having a second pattern that increases uniformity of luminance of the backlight emitted from the light emitting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Il-yong JUNG
  • Patent number: 7891829
    Abstract: A keyboard apparatus. The apparatus has a housing including a plurality of key pads, including at least twenty six key pads spatially disposed within the housing. Each of the key pads is depressible upon touch by a user. An optically transparent circuit board is coupled to a backside of each of the key pads. The apparatus has a light guide characterized by a planar optically transparent material having a surface region, a width, a length, and a backside region, and a thickness provided between the surface region and the backside region. The apparatus has a plurality of patterns disposed on the surface region and optically coupled respectively to each of the twenty six key members. In a specific embodiment, the apparatus has a light emitting diode provided within a center region of the surface region to emit electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshisada Takeda, Satoshi Kawashima, Junji Yuasa, Yohei Ishii
  • Patent number: 7878669
    Abstract: A knob deco for a laundry machine is provided. The knob deco may include a knob guard in which a dial knob is inserted, and a lamp window main body mounted at a rear surface of the knob guard. Lamp windows may be formed in the knob guard for transmitting light emitted from a rear side of the knob guard to a front side of the knob guard, and lamp window shielding members may be provided at the lamp windows to partially shield light transmitted through the lamp window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electrnics Inc.
    Inventors: Ho-Sung Jang, Chang-Woo Son, Gil-Yong Lee, Yong-Min Jeon, Han-Ki Cho
  • Patent number: 7873279
    Abstract: An electronic device [200] includes a housing [100] for containing circuitry [205] that generates a light beam. The electronic device includes pivotal portions [105, 110] of the housing. A light receiver [245] is associated with one of the housing pivotal portions. A light redirecting mechanism [215] is mounted at a predetermined location of the housing other than to the one pivotal portion thereof and is configured to redirect the light beam in a plurality of predetermined optical paths in which the light receiver is disposed with relative pivoting between the housing pivotal portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc.
    Inventors: Rachid M. Alameh, Mark A. Barabolak, Maninder S. Sehmbey, David R. Zeiger, Robert A. Zurek
  • Publication number: 20110002140
    Abstract: A phosphor sheet having a laminated structure including a first barrier material, a first barrier material, a first color conversion layer, a second color conversion layer, and a second barrier layer and a display unit and an illuminating device including display unit is provided. A diffusion plate and a display unit including a diffusion plate are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsubasa Tsukahara, Naoji Nada, Ryo Kasegawa, Yasushi Ito, Yoshihiro Oshima
  • Patent number: 7864385
    Abstract: A planar light source for use in a scanning apparatus includes a light-emitting element, a first light-guiding portion and a second light-guiding portion. The light-emitting element is arranged at a side of the scanning platform opposite to the carriage module for providing a source light. The first light-guiding portion is disposed at a first side of the light-emitting element for diffusing the source light as a first planar light to be provided for a carriage module through a scanning platform of the scanning apparatus. The second light-guiding portion is disposed at a second side of the light-emitting element opposite to the first side for diffusing the source light as a second planar light to be provided for the carriage module through the scanning platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventors: Chung-Kai Wang, Chien-Kuo Kuan
  • Publication number: 20100302799
    Abstract: A plurality of light sources are arranged with a light-guide structure such that light emitted by the sources propagates longitudinally through the light-guide structure. The light-guide structure scatters and/or redirects the emitted light and outputs the scattered and/or redirected light laterally. A controller is configured to dynamically correlate the light emitted from the plurality of light sources and to dynamically tune intensity of the light emitted from the plurality of light sources. The result is a dynamic light effect that appears to the observer as moving light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Christian Romer Rosberg, Casper Angelo, Herman Scherling
  • Publication number: 20100290246
    Abstract: A light-emitting module includes a light guide plate and a light source unit in accordance with an embodiment. The light guide plate include an upper surface, a lower surface facing the upper surface, a plurality of side surfaces connecting the upper surface and the lower surface, and a cross-sectional surface connected to at least one of the side surfaces. The light source unit includes a substrate disposed in correspondence with the cross-sectional surface and a point light source mounted on the substrate to emit light to the cross-sectional surface. Thus, light-emitting efficiency may be enhanced and the arrangement of point light sources may be optimized, so that a required amount of emitted light may be obtained using a small number of the point light sources. In addition, uniformity of luminance and heat-radiating efficiency may also be enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Hyoung-Joo Kim, Ju-Young Yoon, Jae-Joong Kwon, Chi-O Cho, Jin-Hee Park, Joo-Young Kim, Sung-Kyu Shim
  • Publication number: 20100283718
    Abstract: A light source unit is provided that includes a plurality of transparent substrates on which a plurality of light sources are mounted and which are arranged in a plurality of rows. A plurality of light guide plates (LGPs) are interposed between the plurality of transparent substrates, wherein the light source emits light so that the light penetrates the LGP and faces the transparent substrate at a next row.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Suk-ju CHOI, Kye-hoon LEE, Kyoung-ae KIM
  • Patent number: 7824078
    Abstract: A cover of an electronic device has a body inside and is penetrable by light yield from an illumination device. The body has an inner surface having a region impenetrable by light as a light-blocking region and the remaining region penetrable by light as a light-passing region. The body further has an outer surface having a region impenetrable by light as another light-blocking region and the remaining region penetrable by light as another light-passing region. The light-blocking region of the outer surface correspond to the light-passing region of the inner surface in shape, but in a size that is smaller, so that when light pass through the body, light can give an effect that the shape of the light-blocking region looks three-dimensional.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Hsueh-Chih Peng, Yan-Lin Kuo
  • Publication number: 20100271838
    Abstract: A surface light source device illuminating a displaying member of a display comprises stacked first and second light guide plates between which a low-refractive-index-layer is interposed. The light guide plates are disposed so that side end faces of light incidence sides of the light guide plates located oppositely to each other and an emission face of the first light guide plate is opposite to a back face of the second light guide plate across the low-refractive-index-layer interposed between the light guide plates. Each of light guide plates has an emission-restraint-region, an emission-gradual-increase-region and an emission-promotion-region which are formed as to be located in order away from an incidence side toward a distal end face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventor: Masao Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20100271839
    Abstract: A light guide display includes a printed overlay layer, a first light guide layer, and a second light guide layer. The printed overlay layer includes an input region with a symbol that is at least partially translucent. The first light guide layer is disposed on a back side of the printed overlay layer to illuminate the symbol of the printed overlay layer in response to illumination of the first light guide layer. The second light guide layer is disposed on a front side of the printed overlay layer, opposite the first light guide layer. The second light guide layer includes a separate symbol that is distinct from the symbol of the printed overlay layer. The second light guide layer illuminates the separate symbol of the second light guide layer in response to illumination of the second light guide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte.Ltd.
    Inventors: Chuan Hoe Chan, Sian Tatt Lee, Choon Guan Ko, Fook Chuin Ng
  • Publication number: 20100265737
    Abstract: A light guiding plate may include a substrate, a waveguide, and a reflective metal. The waveguide and the reflective metal may be formed on the substrate. The waveguide may guide light. The reflective metal may reflect the light guided along the waveguide to change a propagation direction of the light. A light guiding plate may include a substrate, a cladding layer, and a plurality of waveguides. The cladding layer may be formed on the substrate. The cladding layer may include a first insulating layer having a first refractive index. The plurality of waveguides may be formed on the cladding layer. The plurality of waveguides may include a second insulating layer having a second refractive index. The second refractive index may be higher than the first refractive index. The plurality of waveguides may guide light provided by a light emitting element. At least two of the waveguides may have different lengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Yu-Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 7810961
    Abstract: An energy-saving light-emitting module is provided, comprising: a light guide plate having a light-incident surface, a bottom surface intersecting the light-incident surface and a light-emitting surface opposite the bottom surface, wherein a plurality of recesses are provided at the bottom surface; a light source placed at one side of the light-incident surface of the light guide plate; and a reflective plate placed at the bottom of the light guide plate for reflecting light rays from the light source into the light guide plate. The light rays emitted by the light source reach the arc surface of each recess at the bottom side of the light guide plate, and the light rays are then reflected to the light-emitting surface. Meanwhile, during the light-emitting process, light rays are concentrated at the arc surface of each recess. The concentration of light rays increases overall luminance produced by the module, and thus, energy is saved effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching Cheng Tsai, Chia Hsin Chen
  • Patent number: 7806582
    Abstract: A luminous module for mounting in a household appliance has a housing that is embodied in such a way as to receive a luminous element. The luminous module further contains a first optical wave guide having a light admission surface via which light emitted by the luminous element enters the first optical wave guide, and a light output surface via which the light emerges from the luminous module. The housing is embodied in such a way as to alternatively receive a first luminous element and a second luminous element that is different from the first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Mayer, Roland Vetter
  • Patent number: 7800708
    Abstract: A backlight for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display apparatus includes a light guide formed from a plurality of segments. Each segment has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and a first surface extending between the first and second sides and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface substantially re-directs light and the second surface substantially transmits light. The plurality of segments are arranged substantially in parallel with the second surfaces transmitting light in substantially the same direction to provide backlighting for a stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display. A light source is disposed along only one of the first side or second side of each segment for transmitting light into the light guide from either the first side or second side. Each segment light source is selectively turned on and off in a particular pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert L. Brott, Dale L. Ehnes, David J. Lundin, Michael A. Meis, John C. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7771099
    Abstract: An electronic device comprises a housing having a half-mirror region molded into the housing, and a light source disposed within the electronic device and configured to transmit light through the half-mirror region to an exterior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Massaro, William Adam Gralewski, Brittany Davis
  • Patent number: 7758226
    Abstract: An exemplary billboard includes a backlight module, a light transmissive canvas, a pattern layer and a light converging layer. The light transmissive canvas is adjacent to the backlight module. The light transmissive canvas includes a first surface facing the backlight module and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The pattern layer is formed on the second surface. The light converging layer covers the pattern layer and comprises a plurality of microstructures formed thereon distal from the light transmissive canvas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Foxsemicon Integrated Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Meng-Hua Wang, Feng-Cheng Chung, Chih-Ming Lai
  • Patent number: 7758225
    Abstract: A key pad lighting apparatus for a portable terminal includes: a waveguide in which a plurality of key buttons are arranged at one surface thereof; at least one light source provided at one side of the waveguide for introducing the light into the waveguide; and a guide member surrounding the light source for preventing a discharge of the light and for guiding the light into the waveguide. The key pad lighting apparatus can uniformly illuminate the key buttons installed in the key pad with a few light source using less light sources which helps to reduce the power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sun-Tae Jung, Joo-Hoon Lee
  • Publication number: 20100177533
    Abstract: Embodiments of a panel lighting apparatus and methods of its manufacture are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus can include a light source, an at least partially transparent panel comprising a planar front surface and a planar back surface, the panel disposed in conjunction with the light source such that light from the light source is input into at least one edge of the panel and guided therein, and a plurality of light extraction dots disposed on the planar back surface, the plurality of light extraction dots configured to reflect light incident on the planar back surface and extract light from the light source propagating in the panel through the planar front surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Griffiths, Gaurav Sethi, James R. Webster
  • Publication number: 20100165657
    Abstract: A flexible printed circuit board (PCB) for a light emitting diode backlight unit includes a flexible base film; a plurality of metal lines on a first surface of the flexible base film; a cover layer on the metal lines and covering a center portion of the first surface of the flexible base film; a first gold-plating pattern on the metal lines and at both ends of the first surface of the flexible base film; a metal pattern on a second surface of the flexible base film and including a first sub-pattern at one end of the second surface, a second sub-pattern at the other end of the second surface and a plurality of third-sub patterns between the first and second sub-patterns of the metal pattern; and a second gold-plating pattern on the metal pattern and including a fourth sub-pattern on the first sub-pattern, a fifth sub-pattern on the second sub-pattern, and a plurality of sixth-sub patterns each on the third sub-patterns, wherein a first groove between a first double-layered pattern of the first sub-pattern and
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Rok-hee LEE, Geun-woo Lee, Koo-hwa Lee
  • Patent number: 7742123
    Abstract: A color-filterless liquid crystal display (LCD) having a large screen. The color-filterless LCD further including a light guide plate uniformly emitting light, which is incident from both lateral sides, through a top surface thereof; first and second light sources disposed on both the lateral sides of the light guide plate; a color separation sheet that is disposed on the top surface of the light guide plate and is adapted to separate incident light into red, green, and blue light beams and emit them at different exit angles; a liquid crystal panel having a liquid crystal layer that is divided into a plurality of pixels; and an optical element sheet that is disposed on a bottom surface of the liquid crystal panel and includes a plurality of optical elements focusing the red, green, and blue light beams separated by the color separation sheet on three different pixels that are continuously arranged, where the first and second light sources are turned on alternately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Il-yong Jung
  • Patent number: 7736042
    Abstract: Provided is a back light unit. The back light unit includes a light guide plate having a light guide pattern part; at least one light emitting unit provided at a sidewall of the light guide plate, and irradiating light to the light guide plate; a keypad positioned over the light guide plate, and comprising a resin layer, a base resin layer, a character opening part having a character shape, a key assembly provided at one side, and a key adherence film provided on an upper surface of the base resin layer; and a printed circuit board comprising a metal dome switch positioned under a lower surface of the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: LS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Deuk II Park, Choong Yop Rhew, Ki Yong Balk, Young Jin Hyun, Jun Kyu Lee, Hyun Jung Cho, Kyu Jin Choi
  • Patent number: 7733437
    Abstract: Provided are a display device and a mobile terminal having the same. The display device comprises a transmissive liquid crystal panel, a first backlight unit on a rear side of the transmissive liquid crystal panel, a second backlight unit on a front side of the transmissive liquid crystal panel, and an optical shutter outside at least one of the first and second backlight units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Ha Hwang, Seung Gon Kang
  • Patent number: 7731408
    Abstract: A system in at least some embodiments comprises a housing containing a processor and a base coupled and supporting the housing. The housing comprises a slot adapted to receive a removable template. A slot is provided within the housing. The slot is adapted to receive a removable template. The housing also comprises a light source that shines through the template on to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Szolyga, Ashwin V. Lodhia, Mark C. Solomon
  • Patent number: 7717600
    Abstract: Disclosed is a backlight unit and an LCD device having the same. The backlight unit comprises a plurality of light sources for generating light, a light guide plate for converting linear light generated from the light source into planar light and irradiating the light onto an LCD panel, a plurality of optical patterns formed on the light guide plate, wherein the optical patterns have different sizes for uniformly applying light incident onto the LCD panel to the entire LCD panel, and a diffusion sheet for transmitting light emitted from the light guide plate in a direction substantially perpendicular to the LCD panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-San Lim, In-Jae Chung, Jin-Hwan Jeon
  • Patent number: 7712917
    Abstract: Methods of controlling a backlight unit including a plurality of solid state light emitting devices include receiving a request to set a color point of the backlight unit at a requested color point, and determining if the requested color point is within an acceptable range. In response to the requested color point being outside the acceptable range, a modified color point is selected in response to the requested color point, and a color point of the backlight unit is set at the modified color point. Corresponding solid state lighting units are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Keith J. Vadas
  • Publication number: 20100110723
    Abstract: An exemplary billboard includes a frame, a light emitting diode (LED) light source, a display board and a reflect board. The LED light source is fixed on the frame and for emitting lights. The display board is fixed on the frame. The display board includes a light incident surface, a light emitting surface opposite to light incident surface, and at least one through hole extending through the light incident surface and the light emitting surface, the at least one through hole forms a predetermined logo. The reflect board is fixed on the frame and includes a light reflecting surface facing towards the light incident surface of the display board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: FOXSEMICON INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: CHUN-WEI WANG, CHIH-MING LAI, HUNG-KUANG HSU
  • Patent number: 7699512
    Abstract: A fitting, especially a roof liner for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle is provided with a flat light source having a plate-shaped light guide which radiates light in the direction of the visible side of the fitting. The front surface of the plate-shaped light guide protrudes at least partially above the flat side of the interior fitting opposite the visible side and actively cooperates with a source of illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Mueller, Johan Vissers, Robin Ndagijimana
  • Patent number: 7695149
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic apparatus, including: a base chassis formed as a unitary member from a transparent material and having two faces positioned on the opposite sides to each other and individually formed as first and second mounting face sections; a display unit having a display panel thereon and attached to said first mounting face section; a control circuit board attached to said second mounting face section; a rear cover attached to said second mounting face section and configured to cover said control circuit board; a device mounting board having a semiconductor light emitting element disposed thereon; and a luminous lamp section formed at a position of said base chassis on the outer side of said display unit and configured to receive and emit light having been emitted from said semiconductor light emitting element and passed through the inside of said base chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shuhei Yukawa, Masafumi Tanaka, Yutaka Ogasawara, Tooru Kuronuma
  • Patent number: 7692733
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus comprises first and second light emitting sections for emitting light with respective spreading angles that are different from each other and a liquid crystal display device arranged at the viewing side of the apparatus. The first light emitting section includes a first light guide plate for receiving light from a light incident end surface and diffusing it within a first angular range of spreading angle centered at the normal direction of a light emitting surface before emitting it from the light emitting surface and first light emitting elements. The second light emitting section includes a second light guide plate for receiving light from a light incident end surface and emitting it in directions within a second angular range of spreading angle smaller than the first angular range while transmitting light emitted from the first light guide plate and second light emitting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Daiku
  • Patent number: 7690827
    Abstract: A light guide member illuminates with uniform light intensity distribution using the point light source light. On the lower end of the light guide member having a pair of side faces disposed oppositely, a groove is provided for receiving light output from each point light source and diffusing the above received light to at least three directions from the incident side toward the output side. Light components having directions using side-face reflection are generated in the light guide member, enabling light output to multiple directions from the cylindrical-shaped light guide member, and uniform illumination over a wide range. By using the ring-shaped light guide member, cost reduction is effectively achieved, and miniaturization of the illumination mechanism and the image capturing mechanism can also be attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignees: Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Frontech Limited
    Inventors: Koichi Matsuo, Chikara Nishio
  • Publication number: 20100067253
    Abstract: An outside mirror lighting assembly (100) and method inlcludes a housing (108) and a first glass panel (101) where one or more light emitting devices (107) are positioned at an edge of the first glass panel (101). Light rays from the at least one light emitting device (107) propagate within the glass panel for illumining its outer periphery. Words, logos, or other indicia (125) may be also be illuminated by direct or indirect light emitted into an etched area of the glass. The mirror assembly supplies a soft illuminated glow around the outer periphery and/or the indicia for proving a unique and pleasing appearance to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Edmund Fehn, David J. Cammenga, Richard T. Fish, JR., Darin D. Tuttle, Mark A. Snyder
  • Patent number: 7677782
    Abstract: An LED flat lamp including a housing with a light-emitting area at the bottom thereof. The internal side thereof undergoes a reflexion treatment. At least one LED is disposed within the housing. A power connector is extended from the LED to the outside. The LED is installed on a circuit board. A light guide plate is installed at one side of the LED within the housing. The light exit side of the light guide plate is provided with a microstructure for a uniform light exit. Moreover, an optical film unit is attached to the bottom of the light guide plate such that the light-emitting area of the housing is covered with the optical film unit. The optical film unit consists of one or several brightness enhancement films and one or several diffusers. In this way, the problem of glaring light directly emitted by the prior art is resolved. The LED flat lamp in accordance with the invention can emit a non-glaring light and can be modularized into a standardized product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Arima Optoelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chang-Yao Lin, Ren-Cheng Chao, Yung-Chung Sung
  • Patent number: 7677781
    Abstract: A sheet switch module including a circuit board (22), at least one key switch (25) disposed on the circuit board, and a flexible light guiding sheet (31) which is disposed on the key switch and configured to cover the circuit board, the light guiding sheet being configured to flexibly fit over and follow the shape of the key switch along an outer surface of the key switch, when the light guiding sheet is disposed on the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignees: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd., Fuji Polymer Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Ishihara, Kosuke Tsuchiya, Akira Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7677748
    Abstract: Disclosed is a light guide device for a water spraying device. The light guide device includes a light guide block that is a light-transmitting block having a refractive index greater than one. The light guide block has a circumferential face in which a plurality of mounting holes is defined for receiving and retaining light-emitting elements. A plurality of through holes is defined through the light guide blocks and extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the mounting holes. Each through hole has a roughened inside surface. The through holes are in fluid communication with water discharge holes of the water spraying device so that water jets supplied from the water spraying device can flow through the through holes for discharging. The light-emitting elements emit light rays that transmit through the light guide block and get into the through holes and the water jets. The rays are subject to reflection inside the water jets to provide lighting or luminous effect to the water jets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Inventors: Tsung-Chih Hou, Liang-Tsai Chen, Liang-Wen Chen
  • Publication number: 20100060822
    Abstract: A display apparatus (100?) includes a substrate (115a) and a light switch (210). A light source (310?) is provided at the side of the substrate (115a) and emits light of which wavelength is in the range of ultraviolet or cyan. A polarizing sheet (116), as well as a photoluminescence film (110?), is provided in front of the light source (310?). Under the excitation of the light source (310?), the photoluminescence film (110?) can emit red light, green light, blue light and/or intermediate color light among red, green and blue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Runwen Sun
  • Patent number: 7654717
    Abstract: There is provided an illuminated surface mounted on a base surface. The illuminated surface includes a plurality of transmissive tiles configured to allow light to pass therethrough. Each of the transmissive tiles includes an exterior surface, an attaching surface and a plurality of lateral sides disposed between the exterior and attaching surfaces. The attaching surface is affixable to the base surface. The transmissive tiles are arranged in spaced relation to each other to define a cable channel. The cable channel is defined by opposing lateral sides of adjacent transmissive tiles. A fiber optic cable is in optical communication a light source and receives light therefrom. The fiber optic cable includes a longitudinal axis and a first segment disposed within the cable channel. The first segment is configured to radially radiate light along the longitudinal axis into the lateral sides of the adjacent transmissive tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Trujillo
  • Patent number: 7642479
    Abstract: A touch pad includes a first substrate, a second substrate and a joining layer. The joining layer joins the first substrate and the second substrate together. The first substrate provides a refection layer at a lateral side or both sides thereof with at least a light emitting component being disposed at the periphery of said reflection layer. The second substrate provides an electrical circuit with a first conductor to connect with the light emitting component. The reflection layer is provided with a size less than said first substrate and has an upper side to adhere said first substrate so as to be fixed in said joining layer. the electrical circuit is capable of determining if the touch pad is touched with an object by means of receiving a change of coupling capacity of a sensing locus and capable of controlling luminosity of said light emitting component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Sentalic Corporation
    Inventors: Jao-Ching Lin, Chung-Yi Shen, Lin-Abel Chu, Yen-Fu Liu
  • Patent number: 7631996
    Abstract: A lamp shade includes a light permeable bottom layer and a light reflection structure provided on the light permeable bottom layer and including a plurality of reflective stripes formed and distributed on a surface of a side of the light permeable bottom layer and a plurality of recessed gaps formed between the reflective stripes and each located between any two adjacent reflective stripes. Each of the recessed gaps has a depth direction extending into a thickness direction of the light permeable bottom layer. Thus, the light patterns of the lamp shade will produce variations by provision of the reflective stripes and the recessed gaps of the light reflection structure, thereby enhancing the aesthetic quality of the lamp shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Inventor: Chao-Chun Huang
  • Patent number: 7628525
    Abstract: A light source for a refrigerator includes a power supply and a light emitting diode (LED) module. A light emitting portion of the LED module may be located in the interior of a rear end of a shelf plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Bong Kook Lee, Ki Cheol Woo
  • Patent number: 7616849
    Abstract: An optical device for collecting and distributing light from a quasi point light source which includes a planar light guide having surfaces through which optical axes are periodically spaced. There is at least one quasi point light source, the optical axis of each being coincident with the optical axes of the surfaces. There is also at least one optical element depressed within the edges or adjacent surfaces of the light guide at least partially rotated about the optical axis, and having a focal point at the quasi point light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Inventor: Jerome H. Simon
  • Publication number: 20090268483
    Abstract: An illuminable marking device includes a light guide panel overlaid with an illuminable pressure-sensitive film. Light is injected into the light guide panel at an angle of incidence sufficient to establish total internal reflection of the light between the surfaces of the light guide panel. When pressure is applied at selected points on the illuminable pressure-sensitive film, contact points on the film then interface with the light guide panel. The total internal reflection of light at that contact point is frustrated, allowing light to be extracted from the light guide panel and transmitted into the illuminable pressure-sensitive film. The viewer then sees illumination at the selected points. The illuminable marking device can be toy where children can create illuminated markings and drawings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: DONAHUE INVENTIONS LLC
    Inventor: Kevin G. Donahue
  • Patent number: 7607812
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode panel fixture including a light guide panel, a light-emitting diode strip at an edge of the light guide panel, a base encompassing the light-emitting diode strip and attached to the light guide panel, and a trim attached to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventor: Steven Kim
  • Publication number: 20090251920
    Abstract: A scuff plate has a first light guide element having a groove of predetermined shape formed in an underside of the element when viewed from below, a first light source that guides light to the first light guide element, light emission unit that is disposed below the first light guide element and that upwardly emits light differing in color from the first light source, and a half mirror layer interposed between the first light guide element and the light emission unit. Light from the first light source is guided to the first light guide element, and the guided light undergoes reflective diffusion at the groove (a character section). As a consequence, a desired character, or the like, is luminously displayed. In the meantime, light generated by the light emission unit exits through the first light guide element, whereupon an area (a background area) other than the groove (the character section) is illuminated in color that differs from the color of light from the first light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norihito Kino, Satoshi Inagaki
  • Patent number: 7597462
    Abstract: Product cabinet having an illumination element, wherein the illumination element is fastened to the product cabinet and further comprises: a light-conducting luminous body which has a planar front side from which light emerges and which has a side surface into which light is fed, wherein the luminous body is configured so that the light entering laterally is deflected within the luminous body to the front side, so that it emerges there; and at least one light source, which emits light onto the side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Gesa Form + Funktion Displaybau GmbH
    Inventor: Timm Misof
  • Patent number: 7589870
    Abstract: A dual-mode scanning apparatus is capable of scanning both transmissive and reflective objects. An opaque object or a light-transmissible object is placed on the scanning platform when either of the reflective or transmissive scanning modes is performed. The carriage module is arranged under the scanning platform, and has therein an active light source for emitting light. The light emitted by the active light source is reflected by the opaque object to enter the carriage module in the reflective scanning mode. On the other hand, a light-guiding member arranged over the scanning platform guides the light emitted by the active light source to the light-transmissible object. The light penetrates through the object to enter the carriage module in the transmissive scanning mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Inventor: Nien-Hua Pai
  • Patent number: 7581865
    Abstract: A panel light-emitting structure includes a front panel, a light guide plate, a light-emitting portion, a guide, etc. The light guide plate is formed in a transversely elongated shape having a long side and a short side, and includes an elongated hole extending in a direction of the long side. This forms two light transmission areas. A notch is provided outside the elongated hole at the short side section. This enables an incident light from an LED to the light transmission areas. An outer surface of the light guide plate is formed by an R curved surface. Accordingly, almost all of the light from the LED is totally reflected by the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Wakitani, Junji Takamoto, Yasuhisa Kitano
  • Patent number: 7566143
    Abstract: Herein disclosed a backlight apparatus for illuminating a color display panel from the back side, which may include a light source section having a composite light source, a light detecting light introducing plate, a plurality of light amount sensors for the individual colors, and control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Norimasa Furukawa, Mitsunari Hoshi, Yoshihiro Katsu, Mitsuru Okabe
  • Publication number: 20090168451
    Abstract: An exemplary billboard includes a backlight module, a light transmissive canvas, a pattern layer and a light converging layer. The light transmissive canvas is adjacent to the backlight module. The light transmissive canvas includes a first surface facing the backlight module and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The pattern layer is formed on the second surface. The light converging layer covers the pattern layer and comprises a plurality of microstructures formed thereon distal from the light transmissive canvas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: FOXSEMICON INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: MENG-HUA WANG, FENG-CHENG CHUNG, CHIH-MING LAI