Ornamental Or Decorative Patents (Class 362/605)
  • Patent number: 11993981
    Abstract: A visibility control device includes one or more light sources to provide input light, a waveguiding substrate, which has a first major surface and a second major surface, and a plurality of light-deflecting grooves implemented on at least one major surface of the substrate. The device is arranged to form guided light by coupling the input light into the substrate, The grooves are arranged to form deflected light by coupling the guided light out of the substrate through the second major surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventors: Teemu Ruotsalainen, Tapio Mäkelä, Asko Sneck
  • Patent number: 11927789
    Abstract: A lighting fixture with segmented emission employing a sheet of an optically transmissive material having a first broad-area surface configured for light output, an opposing second broad-area surface extending parallel to the first broad-area surface and configured for light output, a first edge configured for light input, and an opposing second edge. The lighting fixture further employs a series of compact solid-state light sources optically coupled at least to the first edge, a plurality of patterned light extraction areas distributed over an area of the rectangular sheet and separated from one another and from the first and second edges by separation areas, and a housing encasing the light sources and one or more edges of the rectangular sheet. A width of the separation areas may be less than a length or width dimension of the patterned light extraction areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: S.V.V. TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Sergiy Vasylyev, Mykola Masalitin
  • Patent number: 10935844
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a light source. The light source of the present disclosure comprises a substrate and a light emitting portion. The light emitting portion comprises a first light emitting component, a second light emitting component, and a separation component. The first light emitting component is provided on the substrate. The second light emitting component is disposed on the substrate and can emit light independently from the first light emitting component. The separation component is located between the first light emitting component and the second light emitting component and is a light reflective structure, such that the first light emitting component and the second light emitting component emit light toward directions away from the reflective structure respectively. The present disclosure also provides a backlight module including the light source and a light guide plate, a display device including the backlight module, and an electronic device including the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignees: Hefei BOE Display Lighting Co., Ltd., BOE Technoloev Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiaoli Xia
  • Patent number: 10759332
    Abstract: A component (1) is disclosed. The component (1) comprises at least one flat decorative element (2) having a visible side (3) and a back side (4), at least one layer (5, 5) having a front side (6) and a back side (7), which layer is arranged on the back side (4) of the flat decorative element (2), wherein the front side (6) faces the back side (4) of the flat decorative element (2), at least one housing (8) having an inner side (9) and an outer side (10), wherein the inner side (9) faces the back side (7) of the layer (5), wherein the housing (8) is made of a material which has a hardness that is different from the hardness of a material of which the layer (5, 5?) is made, and wherein the housing (8) engages in at least one recess (26) arranged in the layer (5, 5?) and/or the layer (5, 5?) engages in at least one recess arranged in the housing (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: WEIDPLAS GMBH
    Inventors: Marcel Stossel, Klemen Jakopic, Enrico Dal Vecchio, Peter Zweifel
  • Patent number: 10101527
    Abstract: A display device includes a display panel and a light transmission layer disposed on the display panel. The display panel has an active area having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side and outputting a main image, and an auxiliary area located outside of and distributed along the first side and outputting an auxiliary image. The light transmission layer has a bottom surface facing the active area and receiving the main image. A light entrance surface and a reflective surface are located at sides of the bottom surface corresponding to the first side for receiving the auxiliary image and to the second side while inclining outward away from the bottom surface, respectively. After entering the light entrance surface, the auxiliary image is transmitted to the reflective surface and reflected outside one side of the main image corresponding to the second side via the reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: AU OPTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tzu-Chin Huang, Chia-Chun Chang
  • Patent number: 9835791
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a back plate having a rear wall and a peripheral wall that cooperatively define an accommodation space, a light guide plate disposed in the accommodation space, a display panel disposed in the accommodation space forwardly of the light guide plate, a plurality of stacked optical films disposed between the light guide plate and the display panel, and a panel fixing device including a first limiting unit and a second limiting unit that cooperate with each other to clamp and fix a peripheral edge portion of the display panel therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Radiant Opto-Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yong-Wei Zhao, Li-Hui Chen, Wei-Chung Lu
  • Patent number: 9341331
    Abstract: A twinkling door hanger mainly includes: a main body, being 3D body modeling, a front side thereof having a pair of slots opposite to each other, a wall of each slot being configured with a light transmissive hole; at least two light guiding plates, stacked together and inserted in the slots in a separable way, each thereof having a light incidence face corresponding to the light transmissive hole, and a plate face of each light guiding plate perpendicular to the light incidence face having a decorative pattern, and the decorative pattern of each light guiding plate being staggered; and a circuit unit, fixed to one side of the main body, having a control circuit in connection with a battery and providing electricity, at least having two light-emitting elements and a control circuit adapted to control each light-emitting element to wink in sequence, each light-emitting element illuminating toward the corresponding light incidence face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Inventor: Hua-Cheng Pan
  • Patent number: 9296162
    Abstract: The present invention solves glare of an embossed matte film of a conventional product produced and sold by the applicant of the present application, and provides a light diffusion film and the like having a surface shape of an irregular pattern that significantly suppresses the glare even when an LED light source is used and also maintains the good optical characteristics. The following is believed sufficient for maintaining good optical characteristics of an embossed matte film and also for solving the glare. To maintain the optical characteristics, the surface shape was defined by use of an inclination angle histogram profile of an embossed surface. In order to solve the glare, the size of unit patterns which make up an entire pattern and do not cause glare was defined by use of the value of the average length RSm of the roughness curve element of the embossed surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignees: MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL COMPANY, INC., MGC FILSHEET CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koshi Koide, Kishin Ozawa, Yasutaka Fukunaga
  • Patent number: 9268083
    Abstract: A flashing brooch includes: a fastener to be attached to a fabric, a base, a circuit module, and a light guide unit. The light guide unit includes two light spreader plates that are parallel to each other and are mounted to one side of the fastener. The circuit module includes a light-emitting element corresponding to each of the light spreader plates and a control circuit that controls each of the light-emitting elements to get lightening and darkening in a given sequence and further includes a power switch that activates/de-activates the supply of electricity. As such, when each of the light-emitting elements get lightening and darkening in sequence, the light spreader plate corresponding thereto shows an effect of light flashing in response thereto to thereby improve decoration of the brooch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Inventor: Hua-Cheng Pan
  • Patent number: 8967839
    Abstract: An instrument cluster includes a housing that provides a chamber. A light source is in communication with the chamber. A non-opaque display element is in communication with the chamber and has an exterior surface. An indicium is etched interiorly of the exterior surface without the indicium providing a portion of the exterior surface. The light source is configured to illuminate the indicium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Heath D. Zietz
  • Patent number: 8894232
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) system to retrofit a light fixture has a frame configured to be installed under an existing light fixture and a LED lighting assembly couplable to the frame. In one example, the frame is formed as a plurality of rails having a flange to be installed between the light fixture and a grid member of a ceiling suspension system. The frame may be installed without removal of the existing light fixture. The LED lighting assembly includes an LED array and an optical waveguide for dispersing light from the LED array. The LED system maintains a thin profile, enabling it to retrofit existing light fixtures. Installation time is reduced, thereby reducing labor costs, while the LED lighting provides more light with less energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ecolite Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Edward Nicholas Caferro, Timothy Lee Treto
  • Patent number: 8879026
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a light source, a light guide, a display unit and a frame. The light source provides a light beam. The light guide includes a light emitting surface and a light entering surface, wherein the light beam enters the light guide through the light entering surface, and is emitted from the light emitting surface. The display unit is corresponding to the light emitting surface, wherein the light beam is partially emitted from the light guide, passes through the display unit to display an image. The frame covers the display unit and the light guide, wherein the frame has a display portion and a transparent portion, the image is displayed in the display portion, and the light beam is partially emitted from the light guide toward the transparent portion and passes through the transparent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corp.
    Inventors: Wen-Chin Wu, Chih-Kang Chen, Kuo-Hsing Wang
  • Patent number: 8876352
    Abstract: An edge lighting device, and a method of providing edge lighting, including providing a lighting device with at least one light emitting diode (LED) chip embedded therein, wherein the LED chip(s) generates light photons. A path of the light photons within the lighting device that are emitted by the LED chip(s) from a top surface of the LED chip(s), are redirected from a first edge of the lighting device back through the lighting device to a second edge of the lighting device opposite to the first edge. The first edge and the second edge of the lighting device are perpendicular to the top surface of the LED chip(s). The photons which were redirected from the first edge of the lighting device then follow a path through the second edge of the device and are then output from the edge lighting device at the second edge of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Grote Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Stanley D. Robbins, Richard C. Bozich, Martin J. Marx, James E. Roberts, Jennifer M. Ehlers, Al Bolander
  • Patent number: 8864362
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Audrey A. Sherman, Kevin R. Schaffer, Michael A. Meis, Soemantri Widagdo
  • Patent number: 8851700
    Abstract: A system and method for creating a trompe-l'oeil skylight in a ceiling where a light emitting image of the sky is provided in a structure configured to emulate a skylight frame, including an embodiment of a unified non-rectangular sky image area in a substantially rectangular fixture which mount as a single unit into a substantially rectangular hole in a ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: The Sky Factory, LC
    Inventors: Radim Schreiber, Skye Witherspoon
  • Publication number: 20140268866
    Abstract: The present invention provides a decoration of water lantern which mainly comprises a body, a light guide unit, and a base. The body can be filled with flow liquid inside. The light guide unit comprises a light guide plate provided inside the body, the light guide plate comprises an incident light portion contacting with the bottom of the body, and the surface of the light guide plate is provided with patterns. The base is used to fasten the body. A circuit module is provided inside the base. The circuit module is provided with at least one light-emitting diode corresponding to the incident light portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: CHIN-SHENG YANG
  • Patent number: 8783929
    Abstract: Provided are decorative glass and light-transmitting decorative glass products which are outstandingly decorative by processing a surface of a translucent glass plate, typically used as building materials or for other uses, without impairing the strength of the glass itself. The surface of the translucent glass plate 1, which is 4 to 25 mm in thickness, is impressed to form a plurality of radial cracks 7 each having a diameter of 0.01 to 3.0 mm, so that dots of the cracks 7 form an arbitrary character or pattern to thereby manufacture the decorative glass product. The light-transmitting decorative glass product includes the decorative glass, and a light source which is disposed so as to allow a highly directive irradiating beam to be incident upon any one of the four sides of the translucent glass plate 1 and enter the translucent glass plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventor: Kazuto Habu
  • Patent number: 8770815
    Abstract: A bezel for a TV display has two or more bezel elements, one being more diffusive of light from a source juxtaposed with the bezel assembly than the other element. One element can laterally border the other element or one element can be directly behind the other. More than two bezel elements may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Rafael Calderon, Steven Richman
  • Patent number: 8767144
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a light source, a light guide, a display unit and a frame. The light source provides a light beam. The light guide includes a light emitting surface and a light entering surface, wherein the light beam enters the light guide through the light entering surface, and is emitted from the light emitting surface. The display unit is corresponding to the light emitting surface, wherein the light beam is partially emitted from the light guide, passes through the display unit to display an image. The frame covers the display unit and the light guide, wherein the frame has a display portion and a transparent portion, the image is displayed in the display portion, and the light beam is partially emitted from the light guide toward the transparent portion and passes through the transparent portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corp.
    Inventors: Wen-Chin Wu, Chih-Kang Chen, Kuo-Hsing Wang
  • Patent number: 8764216
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) system to retrofit a light fixture has a frame configured to be installed under an existing light fixture and a LED lighting assembly couplable to the frame. In one example, the frame is formed as a plurality of rails having a flange to be installed between the light fixture and a grid member of a ceiling suspension system. The frame may be installed without removal of the existing light fixture. The LED lighting assembly includes an LED array and an optical waveguide for dispersing light from the LED array. The LED system maintains a thin profile, enabling it to retrofit existing light fixtures. Installation time is reduced, thereby reducing labor costs, while the LED lighting provides more light with less energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ecolite Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Edward Nicholas Caferro, Timothy Lee Treto
  • Patent number: 8727552
    Abstract: The invention relates to an illumination device, in particular in the form of a luminous emitter (14) for TV recordings, stages, etc. The luminous emitter (14) comprises a light source (29) and a plate-type element (25) arranged in the beam path of the light source (29). The plate-type element (25) comprises two transparent plates (26) with a layer of liquid crystals (22) arranged in between. The liquid crystals (22) are disordered in a first state. The liquid crystals (22) are aligned with one another in a second state. An electrical voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer in order to change between the states. The invention enables a rapid change between direct illumination and diffuse illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Sebastian Heise
  • Patent number: 8708538
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a plurality of light sources, and a light guide plate configured to emit light to the front side of the lamp from a second surface facing a first surface by internally reflecting light, which is emitted from the respective light sources, by a plurality of reflective elements formed on the first surface after causing the light to enter the light guide plate from a rear end face of the light guide plate. The light guide plate is curved to the first surface and gradually becomes thinner toward the front side. The reflective elements are disposed at a predetermined interval in a longitudinal direction and extend in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Natsume, Hiroya Koizumi
  • Patent number: 8690410
    Abstract: Methods and aparatuses disclosed herein relate to backlit visual display elements. A visual display element may include a base layer defining one or more microperforations and a light guide coupled to a light source. The light guide may be positioned adjacent the base layer and include one or more microlenses in alignment with the one or more microperforations along at least one vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Gregory L. Tice
  • Patent number: 8585271
    Abstract: A door sill lighting for a motor vehicle is described. The door sill lighting comprises an outer sill trim having a plurality of seamlessly interconnected layers. A partial region of an outer layer is transparent and cooperates with at least one light source. The partial region of the outer layer comprises edge sides and an optical fiber layer. The optical fiber layer has distributed light-scattering nanoparticles in its volume. Light from the light source can be coupled into an edge side of the optical fiber layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Dino Demma
  • Patent number: 8567975
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mobile terminal and a method for fabricating a case thereof, the mobile terminal comprising a case defining an appearance of the mobile terminal, wherein the case includes a first base formed of a transparent material, a plurality of recess portions recessed into one surface of the first base, and a second base having a surface facing the plurality of recess portions, and disposed to be overlaid on the plurality of recess portions so as to form empty spaces defined by the plurality of recess portions and the surface facing the plurality of recess portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Inseok Yoo
  • Patent number: 8562182
    Abstract: A lighting fixture and method for creating visual effects include a light box having an interior, a reflective inner surface and an opening, a plate covering the opening, a 3-dimentional image on the plate having a first depth, at least one light source disposed in the interior for illuminating the image with evenly spread light. The light source is disposed at a second depth behind the image. A ratio of first to second depths is between 7:7 and 7:21. A plurality of interchangeable plates may be provided with respective 3-dimentional images for creating different effects. A method for creating a distorted image includes preparing a 2-dimensional image, sculpting a 3-dimensional model, vacuum forming and running a 3-dimentional grid, drawing a distorted outline onto a 2-dimentional grid with photo management software, digitally matching and stretching an original image to match the outline and removing the outline leaving the distorted image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: FacesMe, LLC
    Inventor: Eli Cohen
  • Publication number: 20130272021
    Abstract: A decoration device (6) includes at least one light source (12) emitting light having directivity, a diffusion member (11a) having a diffuse reflective surface for diffusely reflecting light from the light source (12), and a light guide member (13) arranged around the diffusion member at a position anterior to the diffuse reflective surface. The light guide member (13) includes at least one incident surface (13a) facing the at least one light source (12) and an end face (13d) facing the diffusion member of the light guide member (13), wherein the light guide member (13) causes light from the light source (12), the light entering the light guide member (13) through the incident surface (13a), to propagate so as to spread within the light guide member (13), so that the light from the light source (12) exits from an area of the end face (13d), the area being larger than the incident surface (13a), toward the diffuse reflective surface (11a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Kirino, Junya Fujita
  • Patent number: 8556490
    Abstract: A light module for providing an array of quantum dot disks and methods for manufacturing the same are described herein. The light module may include at least one light emitting diode (LED) light source in an edge lighting configuration emitting light into a waveguide, such as a frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) waveguide. At least a portion of the waveguide includes a nanophosphor material, such as a quantum dot disk. Moreover, the waveguide includes at least one aperture on a surface of the waveguide optically aligned with the nanophosphor material. The light module further includes a lens optically aligned with the aperture of the waveguide, such as an over-optic. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the light module may includes at least one LED light source optically aligned with a quantum dot disk remotely located from the LED light source and optically aligned with an over-optic lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: Christopher Lee Bohler
  • Patent number: 8540410
    Abstract: A submerged planar illumination device for providing specified, substantially uniform distribution of light in liquid from one or few light sources such as LED. The device comprises a light guiding plate having an entrance edge to which the LEDs are fixed, a collimator for redirecting the light and forming substrate light which is coupled to a light guiding plate having at least one light extracting surface. Light extracting surface are optionally on both large surfaces of the light guiding plate. Each light extracting surface is covered with a pattern of light extracting and scattering elements capable of collecting, scattering and extracting light propagating in the light guiding plate into the liquid ambient medium in which the device is submerged. A cover, sealed to the entrance edge of the light guiding plate, protects the light emitting element from the liquid ambient medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventors: Leon Eisen, Jacob Stern, Abraham Rotem, Yoav Evron
  • Patent number: 8480277
    Abstract: The invention discloses a LED illumination device comprising a LED light source and a light guide device. The LED light source provides a light. The light guide device comprises a light-receiving surface, a light-emitting surface, and a body. The light-receiving surface receives the light from the light source. The body has a light channel for guiding the light toward the light-emitting surface. In addition, the body comprises at least one light splitter, and a part of the light within the light channel penetrates the body through the light splitter. Specially, the light guide device with the light splitter can reduce the amount of light emitting devices. The illumination system can be conspicuous at night.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Shen-Ko Tseng
  • Publication number: 20130155718
    Abstract: Provided are decorative glass and light-transmitting decorative glass products which are outstandingly decorative by processing a surface of a translucent glass plate, typically used as building materials or for other uses, without impairing the strength of the glass itself. The surface of the translucent glass plate 1, which is 4 to 25 mm in thickness, is impressed to form a plurality of radial cracks 7 each having a diameter of 0.01 to 3.0 mm, so that dots of the cracks 7 form an arbitrary character or pattern to thereby manufacture the decorative glass product. The light-transmitting decorative glass product includes the decorative glass, and a light source which is disposed so as to allow a highly directive irradiating beam to be incident upon any one of the four sides of the translucent glass plate 1 and enter the translucent glass plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventor: Kazuto Habu
  • Patent number: 8459859
    Abstract: A light guide module capable of illuminating and being applied in a device for decoration is provided. The light guide module includes a reflective layer, a light guide with a plurality of diffusing particles, and a light source. The light guide has a side surface, a reflective surface and a light-exiting surface, thereby allowing a light from the light source to enter and reflect and exit the light guide respectively. The reflective layer is disposed on the reflective surface of the light guide for reflecting the light to the light-exiting surface. The light guide forms a portion of an outer surface of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Compal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Yin-Ta Chen, Kuang-Cheng Fan, Shih-Wei Li
  • Patent number: 8439546
    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: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan C Griffiths, Gaurav Sethi, James R Webster
  • Patent number: 8408773
    Abstract: An illuminated component for motor vehicles and the like includes a light source that may comprise one or more LEDs. A sheet of light-transmitting material has a first side surface that is coated with ink or other opaque material. Some of the opaque material is removed to form areas that may be illuminated by the light source. The opaque material may be removed utilizing a laser-engraving/etching process according to a specific pattern or design provided by a customer from a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Innotec Corporation
    Inventor: Michael K. Judge
  • Publication number: 20130058129
    Abstract: An illuminated mouse pad having a light guide having a top side, a bottom side and a perimeter side, a light source for directing emitted light through a first portion of the perimeter of the light guide, and an array of light diffusers located on the bottom side of the light guide, said light diffusers capable of diffusing or spreading out or scattering light emitted by the light source to give a soft back light to the top side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventor: Jamie Limber
  • Patent number: 8330595
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a functional and ornamental vehicle accessory are provided. The vehicle accessory includes a housing and a mounting mechanism for coupling the accessory to a vehicle. The vehicle accessory can also include a light source or light conducting member. Wiring for electrically connecting the light source can be included such that the vehicle accessory can illuminate during a variety of vehicle functions. The vehicle accessory can also operate as a communication hub for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Rajiv Lal
    Inventor: Rajiv Lal
  • Patent number: 8303151
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses disclosed herein relate to backlit visual display elements. A visual display element may include a base layer defining one or more microperforations and a light guide coupled to a light source. The light guide may be positioned adjacent the base layer and include one or more microlenses in alignment with the one or more microperforations along at least one vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksandar Pance, Gregory L. Tice
  • Patent number: 8272770
    Abstract: A flat panel display uses pixels that are turned on or off by the enabling or disabling total internal reflection, TIR, of a light guide. A reflective surface directs the switched light towards the viewer. An optional mask can be employed to provide extremely high contrast ratios in low and in high ambient lighting conditions. The elements that enable TIR can be enabled quickly because of their small size and weight, resulting in a very fast switching speed. The fast switching speed allows colors to be generated and displayed in a sequential manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Rambus International Ltd.
    Inventor: Brian Edward Richardson
  • Publication number: 20120230053
    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: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Griffiths, Gaurav Sethi, James R. Webster
  • Publication number: 20120230054
    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: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Griffiths, Gaurav Sethi, James R. Webster
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8177407
    Abstract: A light unit which includes a plurality of light-emitting diode (LED) light sources arranged in parallel, a light-guiding member arranged on said LED light sources, a light reflecting part for reflecting light from said LED light sources forward, a light diffusion part for outgoing light from the surface of said light-guiding member to outside, and an optical path changing part arranged above said light-diffusion part, wherein a side of said light-guiding member that faces said light diffusion part is flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignees: Hitachi Displays, Ltd., Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Adachi, Ikuo Hiyama, Makoto Tsumura, Shusuke Endo
  • Publication number: 20120087147
    Abstract: Light emitting decorative panels using a light source at the edge thereof that may have a desired uniformity of light emission from a pattern thereon, and which are not subject to local shadows (shading) in a pattern part from patterns or pattern parts between the respective pattern or pattern part and the light source. The elimination of shading is achieved by the depressions of a given geometry disposed in an arc having a center at the light source, and sizes each depression or arc segment of a depression in being chosen accordance with 1), the distance of the respective depression or depression segment from the source of light, and 2), the number of depressions between the respective depression and the source of light, with a second order correction for the position of depressions between the respective depression and the source of light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: SHOOT THE MOON PRODUCTS II, LLC
    Inventors: William J. Hudson, Christopher B. Schmidt, David B. Small
  • Publication number: 20120087145
    Abstract: Light emitting decorative panels using a light source at the edge thereof that may have a desired uniformity of light emission from a pattern thereon, and which are not subject to local shadows (shading) in a pattern part from patterns or pattern parts between the respective pattern or pattern part and the light source. The elimination of shading is achieved by the depressions of a given geometry disposed in an arc having a center at the light source, and sizes each depression or arc segment of a depression in being chosen accordance with 1), the distance of the respective depression or depression segment from the source of light, and 2), the number of depressions between the respective depression and the source of light, with a second order correction for the position of depressions between the respective depression and the source of light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: SHOOT THE MOON PRODUCTS II, LLC
    Inventors: William J. Hudson, Christopher B. Schmidt, David B. Small
  • Patent number: 8128270
    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: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Trujillo
  • Patent number: 7988322
    Abstract: A decorative lamp includes an opaque bracket, an opaque cover, a transparent light source consisting of a plurality of LEDs and a light guiding sheet. The cover engages with the bracket to define a chamber between the bracket and the cover. A slit is defined in the cover and communicates with the chamber. The light source is received in the chamber of the bracket and the cover and thermally connects with a heat sink in the chamber. The light guiding sheet includes a first end filled in the slit of the cover and a terminal second end opposite to the first end and located at outside of the cover. Light emitted from the light source travels to an outside of the decorative lamp along the light guiding sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shi-Song Zheng
  • Patent number: 7874693
    Abstract: An illuminated cap in one embodiment includes a crown having a visor and a nonrigid arc member around a bottom edge of an inner surface of the crown. A light source assembly includes a circuit board, light emitting members connected to the circuit board, a switch connected to the circuit board, and at least one cell on the circuit board. A transparent member on a rear strap of the crown has a groove, with the light emitting members mounted therein. The transparent member is lit when the light emitting members are activated. A translucent member on an outer surface of the transparent member includes openings arranged as a predetermined shape. Emitted light is adapted to pass through the transparent member and to further pass through the openings to show the predetermined shape as a warning to rear incoming vehicles in the night.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Chuan Cheng Hat Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-Yie Liao
  • Patent number: 7862220
    Abstract: A relatively thin printed LED backlight device with an integral diffuser may be integrated into an interior trim component using a molding process, such as injection molding, compression molding and reaction injection molding. The display portion may be placed behind a textile surface or molded grille or may form a portion of the outer surface of the trim component to provide light to low light areas of the vehicle. Electronic circuitry and components may be printed on to the substrate of the device as part of an in-line continuous process at the molding station to allow low inventory and customization of each backlight device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc
    Inventors: Carter Scott Cannon, Oliver Hierl
  • Patent number: 7771073
    Abstract: A luminous water bottle includes a bottle body, a lid, and a lighting assembly. The bottle body has a bottom wall, and a surrounding wall extending upwardly from a periphery of the bottom wall and cooperating with the bottom wall to define a space. The surrounding wall has an upper end opposite to the bottom wall. The lid is releasably engaged with the upper end of the surrounding wall. The lighting assembly is disposed at least partially in the space and includes a light-generating unit for generating and emitting light, and an illumination member for dispersing the light emitted by the light-generating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Co-Union Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Chang Chen
  • 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