Particular Application Patents (Class 362/602)
  • Publication number: 20120236588
    Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a light guiding plate and a plurality of first light sources. The light guiding plate includes a light exiting surface through which light can exit, a light guiding surface positioned opposite to the light exiting surface, and a first surface extending between the light guiding surface and the light exiting surface and inclined with respect to the light guiding surface by a first angle. The first angle is an acute angle. The first light sources can generate light, and are disposed under the light guiding plate. These first light sources are disposed adjacent to a first edge connecting the first surface with the light guiding surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Dong-Lyoul SHIN, Jae-Chang CHOI, Tae-Ho LEE, Je-Won YOO, Su-Chang RYU
  • Patent number: 8267562
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for visually indicating a circuit breaker, such as a multi-pole circuit breaker, has been tripped are provided. An exemplary light guide comprises a plurality of light conduits adapted to transmit light from two or more light sources within a circuit breaker assembly to an exterior of the circuit breaker assembly; a beam that connects the light conduits; and one or more retention features coupled to one or more of the light conduits, wherein each retention feature is adapted to mate with a retention feature interface of the circuit breaker assembly. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Biedrzycki, Russell T. Watford, Brian Timothy McCoy
  • Publication number: 20120230051
    Abstract: A lower case for a display apparatus includes a receiving part and a sidewall part. The receiving part has a planar bottom plate extending in a first direction and a side portion substantially perpendicular to and extending from the bottom plate in a second direction normal to the bottom plate. The sidewall part is disposed along an edge of the bottom plate that forms a first receiving space with the bottom plate for receiving a backlight assembly having a light source assembly. The sidewall part further includes a first sidewall not adjacent to the light source unit, a second sidewall adjacent to the light source unit, and a third receiving space surrounding the first receiving space for receiving a wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: MAN-SOO KIM, Tae-Gil Kang
  • Publication number: 20120230052
    Abstract: An LCD indicator unit contains an LCD indicator with a display portion that includes set temperature and current temperature display portions, a diffusion sheet disposed on the rear surface side of the LCD indicator, a reflective frame body disposed on the rear surface side of the diffusion sheet, a light guide plate disposed on the rear surface side of the reflective frame body such that an outer peripheral portion thereof is covered with the reflective frame body, and an LCD indicator control substrate disposed on the rear surface side of the light guide plate, with LEDs serving as light sources for the LCD indicator mounted on a right-side outer peripheral portion on the front surface side of the LCD indicator control substrate. Light emitted from the LEDs is caused to enter a side wall surface portion of the light guide plate to irradiate the display portion of the LCD indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Wakabayashi, Kazuto Ishida
  • Publication number: 20120230050
    Abstract: In a light-emitting assembly and a display apparatus having the light-emitting assembly, the light-emitting assembly includes a light guide plate, a first light-emitting module and a second light-emitting module. The light guide plate includes a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface and including a light incident portion and a light exiting portion, and a third surface connecting the first surface with the second surface and inclined toward the first surface. The first light-emitting module is on the light incident portion of the second surface and emits a first light to the light incident portion. The second light-emitting module faces the third surface and emits a second light having a wavelength different from the first light, to the third surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong-Kwon KIM, Ju-Hwa HA, Kwang-Hoon LEE, Jeong-Min SEO, Won-Seok KIM
  • Publication number: 20120224106
    Abstract: A lighting device includes light sources arranged at an end, light guide portions arranged along an arrangement direction of the light sources and receiving light from the light sources, and light output portions arranged along a direction crossing the arrangement direction and exiting light from the light guide portions. The light output portions include at least a first light output portion and a second light output portion. The first light output portion is arranged relatively close to the light sources and the second light output portion is arranged relatively farther from the light sources with respect to the first light output portion. The light guide portions include at least a first light guide portion and a second light guide portion, and the first light guide portion is optically connected to the first light output portion and the second light guide portion is optically connected to the second light output portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kosaka, Toshinori Sugihara, Tomofumi Osaki, Takehisa Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8258984
    Abstract: A light guide includes a main body and a curved refracting face formed in the main body. As light enters the main body, a bright zone and a secondary bright zone less brighter than the bright zone are formed in the main body. The curved refracting face can be an inner wall face of a curved groove or a cavity disposed in the main body. Through the formation of the curved refracting face, the light in the secondary bright zone can be directed such that, when the light guide is disposed in a thin film keyboard, the brightness of a portion of the keyboard that corresponds to the secondary bright zone has improved brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Cheng-Ju Lee, Chih-Feng Yeh
  • Publication number: 20120218775
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicular lamp with a light guide that extends along a curve which becomes a convexed shape forwardly. A first area of the light guide positioned on an inner peripheral side of the curve is configured by a plane that extends in a direction inclined toward a left end surface side with respect to a second area other than first area. As a result, light which is incident on the light guide from the first area to which light from an LED is emitted is largely refracted forwardly to prevent the light from directly reaching a reflection element positioned in the vicinity of the right end surface. In addition, point light is prevented from being generated as the light totally reflected by the reflection element is extremely brighter than the light that is totally reflected by another reflection element as in the related art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Asami NAKADA
  • Publication number: 20120212974
    Abstract: A display module and display apparatus are disclosed. The display module including a light guide member, a bottom chassis disposed under the light guide member, and at least one light-emitting diode which irradiates light toward a side face of the light guide member. The diode is disposed to be in contact with the bottom chassis. Thus, heat generated from the light-emitting diode may be efficiently discharged from the bottom chassis. The display apparatus includes the display module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Kyun KIM, Jee Hoon SUNG
  • Publication number: 20120212973
    Abstract: A display module and a display device using the same are provided. The display module comprises a back plate support, a display panel, the frame and a light source. The display panel is disposed on the back plate support. The frame is disposed adjacent to the back plate support and has a bending portion. The light source is disposed adjacent to the bending portion and connected to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: CHIMEI INNOLUX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuan-Li Lin, Cheng-Yu Cheng
  • Publication number: 20120206321
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a display apparatus comprising front display unit (10) and rear display unit (50), wherein the front display unit (10) and the rear display unit (50) are arranged such that an image on the rear display unit (50) is visible through a portion of the front display unit (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Kyoung Chan Lee, Chan Hwan Kim, Gun Ho Lee
  • Publication number: 20120206937
    Abstract: Embodiments of optical collimators are disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment comprises an optical waveguide having a first end, a second end opposing the first end, a viewing surface extending at least partially between the first end and the second end, and a back surface opposing the viewing surface. The viewing surface comprises a first critical angle of internal reflection, and the back surface is configured to be reflective at the first critical angle of internal reflection. Further, a collimating end reflector comprising a faceted lens structure having a plurality of facets is disposed at the second end of the optical waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adrian Travis, Timothy Large, Neil Emerton, Steven Bathiche
  • Publication number: 20120206938
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light-guide (100), an illumination system (200), a luminaire (400), a scanning backlight system (200) and a display device. The light-guide comprises a plurality of light-guide segments (10), each light-guide segment being substantially optically separated from a neighboring light-guide segment. Each light-guide segment comprises light-extraction means (40) for extracting at least part of the distributed light via a front wall (20) to illuminate in operation a light output window (220). A distance (D) between the front wall and the light output window being smaller at a center (C) of the front wall compared to a predefined edge (50) of the front wall. The predefined edge of the front wall is an edge at which the light-guide segment is arranged adjacent to the neighboring light-guide segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Gabriel-Eugen Onac, Marcellinus Petrus Carolus Michael Krijn
  • Publication number: 20120206935
    Abstract: Provided is a display device. The display device includes a light guide plate; a light source disposed at a lateral side of the light guide plate; and an optical path conversion unit converting a path of the light emitted from the light source. A first area corresponding to a light emitting plane of the light guide plate and a second area adjacent to the first area are defined. The optical path conversion unit is disposed in the second area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun Sung Seo, Ki Cheol Kim, In Jae Yeo
  • Publication number: 20120206934
    Abstract: Disclosed are a light emitting diode package and a backlight unit having the same. The light emitting diode package includes a light emitting diode including generating a light in response to a driving voltage applied from the outside, first and second main leads connected to first and second electrodes, respectively, and a body section provided therein with the light emitting diode and fixes the first and second main leads thereto. The light emitting diode package includes a first sub-lead having one end portion connected to the first main lead, and a second sub-lead having one end portion connected to the second main lead and an opposite end portion spaced apart from an opposite end portion of the first sub-lead at a predetermined distance while facing the opposite end portion of the first sub-lead. The backlight unit includes a plurality of the light emitting diode packages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyuk-Hwan KIM, Seokhyun NAM, Sijoon SONG, Yong Suk CHO, Sang-Chul BYUN
  • Publication number: 20120206936
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus 1 is provided with an apparatus main body 2 for performing a predetermined process on a sheet, a cover 34 openable and closable relative to the apparatus main body 2, a light emitting unit 51 provided in the apparatus main body 2 and including an emission source 511 for generating light, a control board 512 for controlling the emission source 511 and causing it to generate the light and wiring 513 electrically connected to the control board 512, and a display member 52 provided in the cover 34, arranged to face the emission source 511 and including an incident portion 521 on which the light is incident, an output portion 522 for outputting the light to the outside and a light guide portion 523 for guiding the light from the incident portion 521 to the output portion 522.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Takehiko OKADA
  • Patent number: 8240903
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a semitransparent housing and a light module. The light module is mounted in the housing, and includes a light source, a light guide, and a light tight shield. The light guide includes a logo. The light tight shield covers the light guide, and defines an opening aligned with and exposing the logo to the housing. Light emitted by the light source illuminates the logo through the light guide and spreads out from the opening. The logo is not visible when not being illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhi-Liang Wu, Kenneth Zhao, Chi-Hsien Fong
  • Publication number: 20120201049
    Abstract: An illumination device is disclosed, having a lightguide optically coupled to a light source and a transducer for supplying power to the light source by converting energy received from a remote transmitter. Energy received from a remote transmitter can comprise radiofrequency waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet light, sunlight, sound waves or heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Audrey A. Sherman, Kevin R. Schaffer, Michael A. Meis, Soemantri Widagdo
  • Publication number: 20120201046
    Abstract: A flat panel light source (100) for a transillumination device of a microscope comprises a plate-shaped light guide (110) having a lower and an upper boundary surface, and at least one lateral surface (113 to 116), and having at least one light-emitting means (120, 122) arranged to radiate light into the light guide (110) from at least two different directions, via at least one lateral surface serving as a light entrance surface, such that the light propagates in the light guide (110) as a result of total reflection, the total reflection being disrupted in defined fashion, by an element (140) abutting against a contact surface at the lower boundary surface of the light guide (110), so that an outcoupling of light occurs on the upper boundary surface of the light guide (110), the planar area of the contact surface being smaller than the planar area of the lower boundary surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS (SCHWEIZ) AG
    Inventors: Robert PAULUS, Reto Züst, Harald Schnitzler
  • Publication number: 20120201048
    Abstract: Apparatus for illuminating one or more components of an electronic device having a visual display (e.g., a backlit display), such as one or more keys of keyboards, one or more interface ports, or one or more external surfaces are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a component illumination apparatus has a visual display and a light guide optically coupled to the visual display and that is adapted to illuminate one or more components external to the visual display. Methods of component illumination and illumination systems are described, as are other embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: BAYER HEALTHCARE LLC
    Inventor: Eugene Prais
  • Publication number: 20120201045
    Abstract: A light guide plate shaped substantially like a plate includes a light incident surface, a light exit surface and a reflective surface, which is opposite to the light exit surface, configured to reflect light toward the light exit surface. A plurality of optical units is arranged along the reflective surface in a direction orthogonal to the light incident surface. Each optical unit is shaped substantially like a quadratic prism that is convex toward the reflective surface and has a top surface and two slopes being formed opposite to each other with respect to the top surface. A dimension of the top surface is constant in a direction of arrangement of the optical units and an interval between adjacent optical units becomes greater as the adjacent optical units lie further away from the light incident surface in the direction of arrangement of the optical units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Gotou, Hiroshi Sekiguchi, Hiroshi Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20120201044
    Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a light guide plate, a light source, a mold and a main frame. The light guide plate includes a first surface and a second surface extending from the first surface. The light source is disposed adjacent to the first surface of the light guide plate. The mold includes an upper portion, a lower portion and a side portion. The side portion connects to the upper and lower portions to form a receiving space, and the receiving space receives the light source and the first surface of the light guide plate. The main frame includes side walls and an upper wall extending from an upper portion of the side walls, and the mold is disposed in an opening below the upper wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Heu-Gon Kim, Jin-Hee Park, Sung-Kyu Shim, Jae-Hyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20120201047
    Abstract: A flat panel light source (100) for a transillumination device of a microscope comprises a plate-shaped light guide (110) having a lower and an upper boundary surface and at least one lateral surface (113 to 116), and at least one light-emitting means (120, 122) arranged to radiate light (130) into the light guide (110) from at least two different directions, via at least one lateral surface serving as a light entrance surface, such that light propagates in the light guide (110) by total reflection, the total reflection being disrupted in defined fashion by an element (140) abutting against a contact surface at the lower boundary surface of the light guide (110) so an outcoupling of light occurs on the upper boundary surface, the planar area of the contact surface being smaller than that of the lower boundary surface, the element (140) producing a directed reflection of the light (130).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventors: Robert PAULUS, Reto ZÜST, Harald SCHNITZLER
  • Publication number: 20120195064
    Abstract: Provided is a display device including: a light guide plate arranged so that an edge surface thereof is opposed to a light source, the light guide plate being configured to internally reflect light entering from the edge surface to cause planar light emission from a front surface of the light guide plate; and a reflective sheet arranged so as to be opposed to a rear surface of the light guide plate. Irregularities are formed on the front surface. The irregularities are formed to have a shape of a combination of first convex portions and second convex portions, each of the first convex portions including a first ridge line which continuously extends along a first direction corresponding to a light traveling direction, each of the second convex portions including a second ridge line which continuously extends along a second direction intersecting the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Kentaro OKU, Yasuhisa SHIRAISHI, Masao UEHARA, Akiyoshi TOBE, Takashi KUWABARA
  • Publication number: 20120195065
    Abstract: The present invention provides a light guide plate capable of emitting light from a light-emitting surface at a higher luminance, a surface light source device and a transmission-type image display device having the light guide plate, a light guide plate manufacturing method, and a UV curable inkjet ink for the light guide plate. A light guide plate includes: a transparent resin sheet having a light-emitting surface that emits light incident from an end face and having a rear face on the opposite side of the light-emitting surface; and a plurality of reflective dots provided on the rear face of the transparent resin sheet and formed by photo-curing of dot-shaped ink. The ink contains a pigment, a photopolymerizable component, and a photopolymerization initiator. In addition, the rear face is a liquid repellent-treated surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicants: SEIREN CO., LTD., SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Kentarou HYAKUTA, Hideyuki TERASAWA
  • Publication number: 20120195063
    Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a plurality of light sources generating light, a light guide plate and a prism sheet. The light sources include first light sources and second light sources having a different emitting angle from the first light sources. The light guide plate includes an incident surface to which the light is incident, an exiting surface extended from the incident surface, opposing to the incident surface and emitting the incident light and an opposing surface extended from the exiting surface. The opposing surface meets the exiting surface at a substantially straight line. The prism sheet converts the emitted light from the light guide plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guk-Hyun KIM, Byoung-Ho CHEONG
  • Publication number: 20120195066
    Abstract: A display may be based on a display unit that is mounted within a chassis. The display unit may be a liquid crystal display unit. A backlight may be used to illuminate the display unit. The backlight may include a light guide plate. Light from a light source may be launched into an edge of the light guide plate. Scattered light from the light guide plate may travel vertically along a vertical axis that is perpendicular to the plane that contains the light guide plate. The scattered light may pass through the display unit and may serve as backlight for the display. The light guide plate may be mounted within a rectangular opening in the chassis. The edges of the rectangular opening and the edges of the light guide plate may be configured to reduce excessive reflections. These edges may have reflection-reducing coatings, non-planar surfaces, and other reflection-reducing configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: David A. Doyle, Joshua G. Wurzel, Shawn R. Gettemy
  • Patent number: 8231257
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Griffiths, Gaurav Sethi, James R. Webster
  • Publication number: 20120188789
    Abstract: The backlight device includes: a light guide plate having a rectangular shape; LEDs arranged on end surfaces of side surface portions formed of long and short sides of the light guide plate; and LED board having a long and thin shape and on which the LEDs are mounted, wherein a plurality of LED boards of a same type are arranged on the long and short sides of the light guide plate, and the plurality of LED boards are continuously arranged corresponding to the entire area of the end surface of each side of the light guide plate, and at the same time, the LED boards of any one of long and short sides are not arranged but a predetermined interval is formed at an edge portion constituting a point of contact between the long and short sides of the light guide plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: JVC KENWOOD CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigehiro MASUJI
  • Publication number: 20120188788
    Abstract: A light guiding bar includes first and second light incident portions, a light exit portion and a reflecting portion. The first and second light incident portions are at opposite ends of the light guiding bar and receive light. The light exit portion extends in a first direction, and partially totally reflects and partially emits the light according to an incident angle. The reflecting portion extends in the first direction, is adjacent to the light exit portion and includes a plurality of reflecting surfaces. Each of the reflecting surfaces has a wedge shape and reflects the light in a direction inclined with respect to a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The light incident into the first and second light incident portions and directly on the light exit portion is totally reflected by the light exit portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young-Chan KIM, Hwan-Young CHOI, Moon-Gyu LEE, Byoung-Ho CHEONG
  • Publication number: 20120188790
    Abstract: An illuminating device (3) includes a mounting board (14) on which a plurality of light emitting diodes (8) are arranged in a line, a light guide plate (9) including a light incident surface (9a) for receiving light of the light emitting diodes (8), and a frame (12) including a side face (12b) to which the mounting board (14) is attached, and a bottom face (12a) on which the light guide plate (9) is disposed. The frame (12) includes a groove (12e) in which the end portion of the mounting board (14) is placed, and the groove (12e) is formed between the side face (12b) and the bottom face (12a) on the opposite side of the bottom face (12a) from the light guide plate (9). A supporting member (support) (16) for supporting the light guide plate (9) is placed in the groove (12e).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroaki Isobe
  • Publication number: 20120188465
    Abstract: A thickness of a backlight unit is reduced and brightness in a middle portion of a display device is improved. The backlight unit includes a first LED unit 23; a first light guide plate 20 including a light entering surface 20b, and a light exiting surface 20a; and a second light guide plate 21 including a light entering surface 21b, and a light exiting surface 21a. The light exiting surface 21a of the second light guide plate 21 is disposed to overlap at least a portion F of the light existing surface 20a of the first light guide plate 20 that is farthest from the first LED unit 23. Light outputted from the light exiting surface 21a of the second light guide plate 21 enters the first light guide plate 20 at least through a surface of the first light guide plate 20 opposite to the light exiting surface 20a thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Susumu Ohyama
  • Patent number: 8226259
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light emitting device comprising a light emitting element (100) and a light guide (101) arranged on a textile substrate (102). The light guide has a back surface (103) facing the textile substrate, a front surface (104) facing away from the substrate, and a light receiving surface (105). The light emitting element (100) is arranged such that at least part of the light emitted by the light emitting element (100) is coupled into the light guide (101) through the light receiving surface (105), and is subject to total internal reflection in the light guide (101). Furthermore, the light guide (101) is arranged such that at least part of the light coupled into the light guide (101) exits the light guide (101) through the front surface (104) and/or the back surface (103).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Liesbeth Van Pieterson, Jan Cornelis Kriege, Hugo Johan Cornelissen, Rabin Bhattacharya, Maarten Marinus Johannes Wilhelmus Van Herpen, Bart Andre Salters
  • Publication number: 20120182759
    Abstract: A planar light source apparatus includes a light source substrate including: a point light source; a mount part, on which the point light source is mounted; and a wiring part, which has a wiring pattern to supply power to the point light source; a frame including: one face, along which the mount part of the light source substrate is arranged: and an attachment part, which is formed on the one face, wherein the light source substrate has either of a cutout or hole at a position corresponding to the attachment part of the frame, and wherein an area of the wiring part is continuously provided from the mount part and is bent with respect to the one face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takafumi KOKUSHO
  • Publication number: 20120182760
    Abstract: In a switch module which is arranged in opposition to a key substrate, the switch module is provided which is able to reduce an amount of light leaking out from the vicinity of an end of a light guiding member in the direction of key parts, so that the key parts can be illuminated in a uniform manner by the light which advances in the interior of the light guiding member. A switch module is provided with a circuit substrate that has a metal dome sheet mounted on a surface thereof which is arranged in opposition to a key substrate, a light guiding sheet that is arranged between the key substrate and the circuit substrate, an LED, and a reflector that makes the light emitted from the LED incident into the light guiding sheet from an end thereof, wherein key parts are able to be illuminated by the switch module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Nippon Mektron, Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Ohrui, Takahisa Akatsuka, Hitoshi Uchida, Kazuyuki Ozaki
  • Publication number: 20120176811
    Abstract: A light-emitting element includes: a light source; a light guide member having a columnar shape and comprising a plurality of side surfaces containing a pair of parallel total reflection principal surfaces and other surfaces than the total reflection principal surfaces, an upper bottom surface disposed so that light from the light source reaches the total reflection principal surfaces, and a lower bottom surface disposed opposite to the upper bottom surface; clad portions provided on the other side surfaces of the light guide member than the total reflection principal surfaces, the clad portions having a smaller refractive index than that of the light guide member; and a light extraction portion provided on one part of the total reflection principal surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yutaka NAKAI, Tsuyoshi HIOKI
  • Publication number: 20120169968
    Abstract: Provided is a light-emitting device which can reduce grainy texture, suppress color unevenness and luminance unevenness. A light-emitting device according to the present invention includes: a board; a plurality of light-emitting parts each of which includes (i) a LED chip mounted on the board and (ii) a phosphor-containing resin including a light wavelength converter and covering the LED chip. Further, the light-emitting device includes a light-guiding member provided on the board, between the light-emitting parts which are adjacent to each other. Furthermore, the light-guiding member is formed to cover part of the phosphor-containing resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsuyoshi Ishimori, Yasuharu Ueno, Kazuyuki Kobashi, Yoshihiko Kanayama
  • Publication number: 20120170307
    Abstract: A light device comprising a housing having a front side through which light can be emitted, and at least one transparent retro-reflective sheet arranged on the front side of the housing. Arranged in the housing is: (i) at least one light guide having a first major side facing towards the front side of the housing and a second major side facing towards the back side of the housing; (ii) at least one light source arranged along at least a portion of at least one side face of the light guide for coupling light into the light guide; (iii) a first non-woven fibrous layer arranged between the second major side of the light guide and the back side of the housing; and (iv) a second translucent non-woven fibrous layer arranged on the first major side of the light guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventor: Arnold Eberwein
  • Publication number: 20120170306
    Abstract: A light keyboard includes a base, a plurality of keyswitches and a backlight module. The keyswitches are disposed on the base. The backlight module includes a light shielding plate, a light guiding plate and a reflecting plate. The light shielding plate is disposed under the base. The light guiding plate is disposed under the light shielding plate. The reflecting plate is disposed under the light guiding plate. The light shielding plate, the light guiding plate and the reflecting plate are stacked with each other so as to form a middle area of the backlight module. An edge of one of the light shielding plate and the reflecting plate is folded and stacked with the other one of the light shielding plate and the reflecting plate so as to form an edge area of the backlight module. The middle area and the edge area are at equal height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Liang-Yu Yao, Hsuan-Wei Ho
  • Publication number: 20120163019
    Abstract: A light guide plate according to an embodiment of the present invention is one in which light scattering dots are formed on at least one surface 12c of a light guide substrate 12. A plurality of light scattering dots 24 are formed in each of individual areas A1-A10 resulting from division of the at least one surface 12c of the light guide substrate 12 into a plurality of areas. In each of individual areas A1-A5 where a contrast ratio by the light scattering dots 24 is not more than 50%, the light scattering dots 24 include light scattering dots 24a, 24b of two or more sizes and the light scattering dots 24a, 24b of two or more sizes are arranged in an irregular order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicants: SEIREN CO., LTD., SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Yasuhiro SEKIGUCHI, Kentarou HYAKUTA, Norihisa TERANISHI, Syuuji KADOYA
  • Publication number: 20120163018
    Abstract: A backlight unit of an embodiment includes: a light emitting module including a plurality of light emitting diodes and a module substrate on which the light emitting diodes are mounted; a bottom cover accommodating the light emitting module; a board on the bottom cover; a transformer mounted on a lower portion of the board, and including a core and a coil surrounding at least one portion of the core; a transformer cover covering the transformer; and a heat dissipating cover between the transformer cover and the bottom cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: YONG HEE LEE
  • Publication number: 20120155110
    Abstract: The invention relates to a light guide (10) for illuminating a light output window (120) of an illumination system (100), the illumination system, a backlighting system (100) and a display device (200). The light guide comprises a first light guide part (10A) comprising a first light guide extension (70A) extending from a first edge wall (40A) of the first light guide part (10A), and comprises a second light guide part (10B) comprising a second light guide extension (70B) extending from a second edge wall (40B) of the second light guide part (10B), the first light guide extension (70A) being configured for positioning a first light input window (80A) at a side of the second light guide part (10?) facing a rear wall (30B) of the second light guide part (10B), the second light guide extension (70B) being configured for positioning a second light input window (80B) at a side of the first light guide part (10A) facing the rear wall (30A) of the first light guide part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Fetze Pijlman, Maarten Marinus Johannes Wilhelm Van Herpen, Menno Van Baardwijk
  • Publication number: 20120155109
    Abstract: A light guide plate unit (10) includes: a light guide plate (1) having a light incidence section (1f) provided along at least one side face (1a) of the light guide plate; and a plurality of light sources (2a,2b) that cause light to enter the light guide plate (1) through the light incidence section (1f), the light incidence section (1f) including: a plurality of light incidence planes (1d) arranged along the side face (1a); a plurality of light guide sections (1c) formed in such a manner as to protrude outward from spaces between the plurality of light incidence planes (1d) on the side face (1a), respectively; and a plurality of light incidence planes (1e) positioned as protruding surfaces of the plurality of light guide sections (1c), respectively, the plurality of light sources (2a,2b) including: a plurality of light sources (2a) provided in such a manner as to face the plurality of light incidence planes (1d), respectively; and a plurality of light sources (2b) provided in such a manner as to face the plur
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tokumi Hayashi, Kenichi Hatsuda
  • Patent number: 8201983
    Abstract: An illuminating device includes a tubular light guide, a plurality of light-emitting devices, and a base. The tubular light guide has a light input edge and an inner space. The light-emitting devices are distributed at the light input edge to provide lights into the tubular light guide. The base supports the light-emitting devices and the tubular light guide. The base also has an electronic circuit to provide power to the light-emitting devices. The base has at least one air circulation hole for connecting an outer space with the inner space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Young Lighting Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Chih Wang, Udo Custodis, Wen-Chiao Chang
  • Patent number: 8201973
    Abstract: A flame detector is provided. A circuit board is disposed in a housing. A first light source emits first light. A light guide member comprised of translucent material guides the first light from the first light source to a light emission portion of the light guide member. A first light receiving element detects second light having a predetermined wavelength unique to the flames. A second light source emits third light to a translucent cover which is disposed between an opening of the housing and the first light receiving element. A second light receiving element detects the third light passed through the translucent cover to test the translucency. The first light source, the second light source and the second light receiving element are mounted on the circuit board. The light emission portion is formed into a substantially annular shape which encloses the first light receiving element at a front side of the housing to limit a field of view of the first light receiving element to a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Lixil Nittan Company, Limited
    Inventors: Akihisa Kudoh, Kazuyoshi Sakurai, Hiroshi Kaneko, Nobuyuki Akiyama, Masahiro Katagiri
  • Publication number: 20120147294
    Abstract: “A backlight unit having a LED light source which includes a light guide plate partitioned in areas having a tapered shape formed of a thick and thin portion. The light guide plate forms a thick and thin portion repeated at certain intervals, and the repeated thick portions and the repeated thin portions gradually decrease in thickness. The LED light source is attached to a lateral side of thick portions. Grooves are formed in the light irradiation direction of the LED light source and in a direction perpendicularly intersecting the light irradiation direction. Each of the grooves is formed in an concave shape. There is a relation 0.2/30<=W/D<0.1 where D denotes the distance between the light guide plate and a light diffusion plate, and W denotes the width of each of the grooves. An inclination angle 0 relative to the center of each of the grooves is between 9 and 15 degrees inclusive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi Consumer Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Ouchi, Koichi Sakita, Hajime Inoue, Seiji Murata
  • Publication number: 20120147277
    Abstract: To provide a back light unit that reduces an uneven brightness and has a spatially uniform brightness distribution. According to an aspect of the present invention, the back light unit comprises an LED and a light guide plate for guiding light from the LED to a liquid crystal panel side, wherein a recess is provided on the back surface side of the light guide plate, wherein a plurality of LEDs are housed in the recess, and wherein a light amount limiting member is provided at a position facing the recess on s light exit surface side of the light guide plate. The light amount limiting member is configured, for example, by applying an ink with a predetermined optical property to a transparent sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Shoji Yamamoto, Satoshi Ouchi, Mayumi Nagayoshi, Hajime Inoue
  • Publication number: 20120139843
    Abstract: A light guide is provided for illuminating innumerable constructions, but which is ideally suited for illuminating the keys of a keyboard. The light guide includes a translucent planar plate having a top, a bottom and sides. Further, the light guide includes one or more cavities which project upwardly into the translucent plate from its bottom surface. The cavities are hollow or filled with a translucent material so that the translucent plate and the one or more cavities form translucent interfaces where the cavities interface with the plate. The light guide also includes a reflector which covers the plate bottom and cavity openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Shipman, David G. Duckworth
  • Publication number: 20120140514
    Abstract: A backlight assembly and a display device having the same, the backlight assembly including a light guide panel that guides fight, a light source to generate light, being mounted to at least one end of the light guide panel, and a bottom chassis made of a reflective resin capable of reflecting light and mounted to cover a rear side of the light guide panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Dae Hyoun Byoun, Seung Bum Kim, Jun Seok An
  • Publication number: 20120140513
    Abstract: An illumination device (10) includes (i) a light guide plate (1) made from a light-transmitting material, (ii) a light extracting layer (7) including (a) a light reflecting member, which is provided on a first surface (lower surface (1a)) side of the light guide plate (1), for reflecting light (3) that enters from the light guide plate (1) such that the light (3) is emitted from a second surface (upper surface (1b)) side of the light guide plate (1), the second surface facing the first surface of the light guide plate (1) and (b) a shutter member for switching between transmission and non-transmission of light, and (iii) LEDs (2) each serving as a primary light source. The light guide plate (1) includes a plurality of pillar regions (4) which are provided in a direction perpendicular to an in-plane direction of the light guide plate (1), and which have a refractive index different from that of the light-transmitting material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Shibata, Tsuyoshi Kamada, Hideki Uchida