Particular Application Patents (Class 362/602)
  • Patent number: 7093967
    Abstract: A backlight module, at least includes an outer frame, a bottom frame, an upper frame, a reflector and a light source. The upper frame and the bottom frame are mounted within the outer frame and are removably coupled to each other. The upper frame is disposed above the bottom frame and the bottom frame can be separated from the outer frame when the backlight module is inverted. The reflector is disposed under the upper frame and on the bottom frame and the reflector can be removed after the bottom frame is separated from the outer frame. The light source disposed under the upper frame and above the reflector and the light source can be changed after the reflector is removed. This backlight module enables users to directly exchange the light source by just simply taking out the bottom frame and the reflector sequentially. By this, the damage of the display panel, the multilayer optical film and the light guide plate caused by hitting and scratching during the exchanging process is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Che-Chih Chang, Han-Ping Kuo
  • Patent number: 7095943
    Abstract: An integrated optical assembly including a light management component with an entry surface and a light delivery component having an exit surface attached to the entry surface of the light management component is disclosed The light management component and the light delivery component are attached together in a manner that defines voids between the entry surface of the light management component and the exit surface of the light delivery component. The voids between the light management component and the light delivery component may provide an air interface over substantial portions of the entry surface of the light management component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Emmons, David J. Lamb, Yaoqi J. Liu, Ying-Yuh Lu, Larry A. Meixner, Robert S. Moshrefzadeh, Richard J. Pokorny, Steven J. Rhyner, Philip E. Watson, Leland R. Whitney, Jie Yang
  • Patent number: 7086768
    Abstract: An illumination device LK comprises a planar light guiding element 3 having a first face 3c and a second face 3d, which are substantially parallel to each other, and a predetermined number (equal to or greater than one) of light sources 2-1, 2-2 for emitting light from a light emitting side along a main light emission axis A. The planar light guiding element 3 has inserting means 3h for allowing insertion of at least one of the light sources 2-1, 2-2 separately so that the main light emission axis A is substantially parallel to the first face 3c and the second face 3d.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Nitto Jushi Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Suwa, Eizaburou Higuchi
  • Patent number: 7086771
    Abstract: A lighting unit includes a reflector, a plurality of light-emitting elements and a controller. The light-emitting elements are respectively provided on the reflector for a plurality of light-emitting regions. The controller supplies a periodic drive signal to each of the light-emitting elements, thereby defining a state of the light-emitting element. The lighting unit illuminates a display panel including a light modulating layer with light that has been emitted from the light-emitting elements. The controller supplies drive signals of substantially different types to at least two of the light-emitting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masae Kawabata, Makoto Shiomi
  • Patent number: 7070314
    Abstract: A method for producing a light channelling panel by making an array of angled cuts in a first transparent plastic sheet, making a similarly spaced array of angled cuts in a second plastic sheet, transposing or flipping the second sheet and fixing it in contact with the first sheet to form a panel with an array of internal light channels. Alternatively, by making an array of angled cuts in the surface of a transparent plastic sheet and an array of similarly spaced angled cuts in the opposite surface of the transparent plastic sheet to form a panel with an array of internal light channels. Said light channelling panel when positioned in a window of a building channels substantially all sunlight incident on the panel through the panel and over the ceiling in the building thereby illuminating the building with daylight and shading work areas near the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Inventor: Ian Robert Edmonds
  • Patent number: 7021810
    Abstract: An illuminated remote control device providing illumination in the visible spectrum and the functionality of a wireless signal transmitter. Light projects from one or more translucent portions of the remote control device. The illuminated remote control device comprises a housing defining an outer surface and a cavity therein. The housing comprises at least one translucent portion adapted for the transmission of light from the cavity to the outer surface of the housing. At least one control feature is provided to operate transmitter electronics and/or the light source housed in the cavity. The light source produces light within the cavity, the light being then guided from the cavity to the surface by a translucent portion of the housing. The illumination provides the user with an increased ability to see or be seen in the dark and provides illumination that is visually appealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Lawrence Andrew Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7010212
    Abstract: An integrated optical assembly including a light management component with an entry surface and a light delivery component having an exit surface attached to the entry surface of the light management component is disclosed The light management component and the light delivery component are attached together in a manner that defines voids between the entry surface of the light management component and the exit surface of the light delivery component. The voids between the light management component and the light delivery component may provide an air interface over substantial portions of the entry surface of the light management component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Emmons, David J. Lamb, Yaoqi J. Liu, Ying-Yuh Lu, Larry A. Meixner, Robert S. Moshrefzadeh, Richard J. Pokorny, Steven J. Rhyner, Philip E. Watson, Leland R. Whitney, Jie Yang
  • Patent number: 6966683
    Abstract: The proposed device uses a plastic of any color with a cavity introduced in it and preferably with a polished inner surface, instead of a reflector or a light guide, to utilize increased reflection with grazing incidence (large angle of incidence versus the normal to the surface). The light from a light source is transported to the symbol by reflection in this cavity and on the inner surface. The light source is preferably of a flat structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Preh-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Haiko Glienicke
  • Patent number: 6955459
    Abstract: A vehicular marker lamp including an auxiliary light emitting portion disposed near a tail/stop lamp (a main light emitting portion) having a red exterior appearance which is a lamp function color of the tail/stop lamp. The auxiliary light emitting portion is structured by a colorless and transparent light guide plate and a plurality of red light emitting diodes disposed so as to allow light from the light emitting diodes to be incident to the light guide plate so that when the tail/stop lamp is lit the light guide plate emits red light by the light which is incident from the light emitting diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Miki Mochizuki, Kazunori Natsume