Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for illuminating a display. In certain embodiments, the illumination apparatus includes a light guide that receives light from a light generator along an edge of the light guide and directs the received light via light extractor features (e.g., grooves) towards a display. The light guide includes at least two sets of light extractor features that are rotated with respect to each other so as to reduce a shadowing effect on the display when the display is viewed from within a specific range of viewing angles. In further embodiments, the spacing or orientation of each or one of the extractor feature sets may also be adjusted so that other visual artifacts, such as a Moiré effect, are reduced.

Abstract: An electro-optical device includes: an electro-optical panel that includes a plurality of pixels each of which is equipped with a light transmissive region are arranged along a plane, the light transmissive regions being formed with a first arrangement period in a first direction in the plane, and being formed with a second arrangement period, which is larger than the first arrangement period, in a second direction in the plane that is orthogonal to the first direction; a backlight that illuminates a light beam to the electro-optical panel; a first condensing layer that is disposed between the electro-optical panel and the backlight and has a first optical structural period substantially along the first direction; and a second condensing layer that is disposed between the electro-optical panel and the first condensing layer and has a second optical structural period substantially along the second direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighting device (10). The device comprises a light guide plate (12), and at least one array (14) of light emitting diodes (LEDs) (16), which LEDs are accommodated in holes (20) arranged in the light guide plate. The device is characterized by an array (24) of lenses (26) arranged such that light emitted by the LEDs passing the lens array is at least partly directed towards areas (28) of the light guide plate free from holes.

Abstract: An optical waveguide device is provided which is capable of distributing light beams from a light source equally to long and short sides of a rectangular panel and which does not require a high degree of accuracy for alignment between the light source and a core. The optical waveguide device includes the light source provided on an edgewise extending frame part of a rectangular panel, and an optical waveguide provided on the frame part and including the branched core having a common portion closer to the light source, the branched core being divided from the common portion into a first core portion and a second core portion orthogonal to each other. The common portion is disposed at a corner of the frame part. The second core portion has a width greater than the width of the first core portion.

Abstract: A display backlight assembly providing improved optical coupling between a solid state light source and a display optical light guide. The assembly includes an optical coupler to couple the solid state light source and display optical light guide together. In addition, the optical coupler may include a light mixing element for improved mixing of the multi-colored or mono-chromatic light produced by the solid state light source.

Abstract: An illuminating brick includes a block and at least one light-emitting element mounted in the brick. The brick has a top face, a bottom face and a plurality of lateral side surfaces interconnecting the top and bottom faces. The at least one light-emitting element is engaged in and optically coupled to at least one of the bottom face and lateral side surfaces. The lateral side surfaces and the bottom face are configured for reflecting and directing light emitted from the at least a light-emitting element to exit through the top face.

Abstract: Light incoupling structures for lighting applications, such as lightguides. The incoupling structures include an optically substantially transparent medium for transporting light emitted by a light source and an optical element including at least one hole in the medium for coupling light together with optional further optical elements. A lighting element includes a light source with related integrated optics.

Abstract: A lighting device includes a plurality of light-transmitting guide plates 1, 2, 3 laminated in at least three layers and a plurality of light emitting elements 4, 5, 6 arranged so as to oppose to respective lateral sides of the light-transmitting guide plates 1, 2, 3 to allow luminance flux in different color with respect to each light-transmitting guide plate to be incident on the corresponding light-transmitting guide plate. Each of the light-transmitting guide plates 1, 2, 3 has a plurality of reflecting surfaces 7, 8, 9 formed on the backside of the plate to change a propagation direction of the luminance flux propagated in the each light-transmitting guide plate, allowing the luminance flux, of which propagation direction has been changed by the reflecting surfaces 7, 8, 9, to be emitted from the front side of the each light-transmitting guide plates.

Abstract: A backlight is disclosed and includes a visible light transmissive body primarily propagating light by TIR with a light input surface and a light output surface and a light guide portion and a light input portion. The light guide portion has a light reflection surface and a light emission surface. The light input portion has opposing side surfaces that are not parallel. One of the opposing surfaces is co-planar with either the light emission surface or the light reflection surface. A light source is disposed adjacent to the light input surface. The light source emits light into the light input portion. A reflective layer is disposed adjacent to or on the opposing side surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed are a light guide member and a keypad assembly including the same. The light guide member includes a light guide plate for guiding light propagated inside, and at least one recess formed in a direction perpendicular to a direction of guidance of light coupled to the inside of the light guide plate so that light guided by the light guide plate is reflected to the light guide plate. The keypad assembly includes a keypad having at least one key button and an elastic sheet fixing the key button, a light guide member positioned beneath the keypad, the light guide member having a light guide plate for guiding light coupled to an inside and at least one recess for reflecting light guided by the light guide plate to the light guide plate, and a switch pad positioned beneath the light guide member so as to establish an electric contact when the key button is pressed.

Abstract: A lighting device and a display device are provided. The lighting device includes: a light source; a light dividing member; and a beam shaper. The light dividing member includes a light receiving surface, on which light is incident, and divides the incident light into a plurality of light beam groups each having a predetermined width and interval therebetween. The beam shaper is disposed between the light source and the light dividing member. Light from the light source is incident on the beam shaper, and light emitted form the beam shaper is parallel and has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the shape of the light receiving surface of the light dividing member.

Abstract: A point light source is converted into a plane light source having a satisfactory uniformity. The point light source is converted into a line light source by means of a linear light guiding plate, and further into the plane light source by means of a plane-like light guiding plate. Light from the point light source is reflected at a lamp reflector to be incident on at least two side surfaces of the plane-like light guiding plate.

Abstract: The present invention discloses improvements on an apparatus for reading a document by illuminating it with a beam of focused light, directing the reflected light to an array of optical sensors, digitalizing the resulting image and storing it for future use. It discloses several aspects of the light pipe element aimed at improving the illumination of the targeted area for the aforementioned purpose, including the shape of the light pipe ends, the use of a refracting coat on the back of the light pipe and the shaping of the light pipe front surface to focus the light rays on the target surface.

Abstract: Laser lights emitted from a light source 30 are diffused in a direction parallel to main surfaces of a light guide plate 9 by a one-dimensional diffuser 5. The diffused laser lights are converted to parallel lights by a first cylindrical lens 6, and are then converged in a direction of the thickness of the light guide plate 9 by a second cylindrical lens 7. The converged laser lights are reflected 90 degrees twice by a mirror 8, and are guided to a side surface of the light guide plate 9.

Abstract: A light guide with input and output faces 2, 3a is polar-symmetric about the first face 2 and has optical properties such that the angle at which a ray is injected into the first face determines the position at which it leaves the second face 3a, or, if operated in the reverse direction, the position at which the ray enters the second face determines the angle at which the ray leaves the second face. The light guide includes a tapered transparent sheet 3, light from the first face entering at the thick end of this sheet, and the second face forming one face of the tapered sheet. An input/output slab 4 adjoins the tapered sheet 3 for fan-out of light from the first face 2 to the tapered sheet, and a transition region 8 is located between flat and tapered sheets. The polar symmetry means that light rays always travel in line with the taper direction, which suppresses banding.

Abstract: A system and method for compensating for non-uniform illumination from a light guide for a display in an electronics device is provided. The system comprises: a memory device storing a data representing a first compensation pattern for generation on the display to block light from a first portion of the light guide relative to light from a second portion of the light guide; a first module to incorporate the stored representation into an image to be displayed on the display; and a second module to generate the image with the stored representation for display on the display. In the system, when the first module generates the first compensation pattern on the display, the first compensation pattern aligns with the first and second portions to reduce an intensity of light from a light source passing through the first compensation pattern from the first portion relative to an intensity of light passing through the first compensation pattern from the second portion from the light source.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed are a waveguide member and a keypad assembly including the same. The waveguide member includes a waveguide for guiding light propagated inside, and at least one recess formed in a direction perpendicular to a direction of guidance of light coupled to the inside of the waveguide so that light guided by the waveguide is reflected to the waveguide. The keypad assembly includes a keypad having at least one key button and an elastic sheet fixing the key button, a waveguide member positioned beneath the keypad, the waveguide member having a waveguide for guiding light coupled to an inside and at least one recess for reflecting light guided by the waveguide to the waveguide, and a switch pad positioned beneath the waveguide member so as to establish an electric contact when the key button is pressed.

Abstract: A backlight module includes a frame, a diffuser, a first light source, and a light guiding plate. The diffuser is disposed in the frame. A plurality of diffusing particles is doped into the diffuser. The refractive index of the plurality of diffusing particles is less than that of the diffuser. Furthermore, the diffuser has a first light entrance surface and a light exit surface. The first light source is disposed in a long-axial direction of the diffuser and is located at a side of the first light entrance surface. The light guide plate is disposed at a side of the light exit surface.

Abstract: An illumination device is specified which has a light source (1) suitable for coupling divergent electromagnetic radiation (6) into an optical waveguide (2), the electromagnetic radiation (6) being guided in the optical waveguide (2) on the basis of total reflection the optical waveguide (2) being suitable for changing a main radiating direction (17) of the electromagnetic radiation (6), and the optical waveguide (2) being formed in one piece. Light-emitting diodes are preferably used as the light source (1). The illumination device is particularly well suited to the backlighting of displays.

Abstract: A light guide including a transparent substrate; a plurality of guide members formed on a first surface of a transparent substrate, the guides have guide bases separated by an open area on the first surface of the transparent substrate having a width “a”, and the guide bases overlapping an area on the first surface of the transparent substrate having a width “b”, facing sides of adjacent guides each forming an obtuse angle with the first surface of the transparent substrate and, wherein the ratio “b” divided by “a” is substantially equal to N where N is an integer greater than 2 a transparent substrate having an incidence surface and a transmitting surface; and a plurality of guides each formed on the incidence surface of the transparent substrate and each guide having opposing side surfaces each forming an angle with the incidence surface.

Abstract: A backlight is disclosed and includes a visible light transmissive body primarily propagating light by TIR with a light input surface and a light output surface and a light guide portion and a light input portion. The light guide portion has a light reflection surface and a light emission surface. The light input portion has opposing side surfaces that are not parallel. One of the opposing surfaces is co-planar with either the light emission surface or the light reflection surface. A light source is disposed adjacent to the light input surface. The light source emits light into the light input portion. A reflective layer is disposed adjacent to or on the opposing side surfaces.

Abstract: A LCD system including multiple light sources optically coupled through different light entry regions to at least one waveguide element positioned to backlight a LCD panel. A LCD system including multiple light sources coupled to light entry regions of two or more waveguides comprising a waveguide system positioned to backlight a LCD panel. Waveguides of various configurations and promoting even lighting of associated LCD panels are provided. Resulting LCD systems enable uniformly lit panels having diagonal measurements in excess of 12 to 14 inches, but the invention is not limited to panels of any particular size.

Abstract: A backlight assembly for a display panel includes a light pipe that is divided into a plurality of horizontal portions, a light source including a plurality of selectively illuminated lamps arranged at lateral sides of each of the horizontal portions for emitting light into the light pipe, a plurality of diffusion surfaces, each of the diffusion surfaces being provided on a selected area of a respective one of the plurality of the horizontal portions, wherein each of the diffusion surfaces causes light to be emitted from the selected area of the respective horizontal portion when the light pipe is illuminated by the lamp associated therewith.

Abstract: An organic electro luminescent display with auxiliary layers on a cathode contact and an encapsulating junction region to easily remove polymer organic layers of the junction. The organic electro luminescent display has the first electrode formed on a lower insulating substrate, a pixel defining layer formed to make some portions of the first electrode opened over the entire surface of the lower insulating substrate, an organic emission layer formed on an opening of the first electrode, the second electrode formed on the organic emission layer, an upper substrate for encapsulating the first electrode, the organic emission layer and the second electrode, and auxiliary layers formed on the cathode contact and the encapsulating junction region of the lower insulating substrate.

Abstract: Provided is a backlight unit including a plurality of light guide plates that each include a first side surface having a housing groove, an upper surface extending from an edge of the first side surface, a flat lower surface facing the upper surface, and a second side surface facing the first side surface of an adjacent light guide plate, and are disposed in parallel; a plurality of light source units that are disposed in the housing grooves of the respective light guide plates; and a bottom case that houses the light guide plates and the light source units.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve the color reproduction capability of a liquid crystal display backlight using white LEDs. A backlight of the present invention includes: a light guide plate 6; a light diffusing optical waveguide 3 disposed adjacent the light guide plate 6; a plurality of white LEDs 1 disposed on the light diffusing optical waveguide 3; and single color LEDs (red LEDs) 2 disposed on respective opposite sides of the light diffusing optical waveguide 3; wherein light from the white LEDs 1 passes through the light diffusing optical waveguide 3 and enters the light guide plate 6 through a side thereof, whereas light from the single color LEDs 2 is diffused by the light diffusing optical waveguide 3 before entering the light guide plate 6 through the same side thereof. Thus, the light diffusing optical waveguide 3 mixes light from the white LEDs 1 and single color LEDs 2, resulting in improved color reproduction capability of the backlight.

Abstract: A light-guiding member is provided with two light source groups on its both terminals and the light-guiding board comprises two light mixing areas which have a cross section form which is symmetry for its center line, and a light outputting area between these. The light mixing areas function as an area in which the lights from each adjacent light source group are mixed and at the same time function as an area to output the mixed lights from each remote light source group. The light outputting area functions as an area to pass a part of the mixed lights from the two light source groups and at the same time functions as an area to output the rest.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides an illuminating device including point-light-sources arranged in a line, that emit light; an optical guide member formed by injection molding and one end face of the optical guide member facing the point-light-sources, that guides light emitted from the point-light-sources to a surface to be illuminated such that the light emitted from the point-light-sources is incident on the one end face and the light incident on the one end face exits from the other end face; and first pin marks formed by projection pins used when removing the optical guide member when injection molding, the first pin marks being formed on one of faces of the optical guide member facing in a thickness direction of the optical guide member at the one end face side, and being formed in positions offset from the point-light-sources in a direction along which the point-light-sources are arranged.

Abstract: Provided is an optical guide bar including: a light exit portion; light incident portions, on which light is incident, formed on both sides of the light exit portion; and a reflective portion facing the light exit portion and including a prism pattern that reflects light transmitted through the light incident portions towards the light exit portion. A shape of the reflective portion is determined in consideration of an effective light emission width of the light incident portion so that the intensity of light at any portion of the reflective portion is uniform.

Abstract: A planar illumination device is provided that can achieve even distributions of mixed colors and luminance, downsizing and weight saving without lowering the luminous efficiency of LED chips. In addition, a liquid crystal display device using the planar illumination device as a backlight is provided. A polygonal flat plate-like light guide plate GLB is combined with a plurality of LED chips D1, D2, D3 emitting light with different colors from each other to constitute a color mixing unit DUT. A plurality of the color mixing units are arranged on printed circuit boards RFB having a reflection function to constitute a planar illumination device. The planer illumination device is installed on the back of a liquid crystal display panel, thus constituting a liquid crystal display device.

Abstract: A backlight device includes a main light guide plate, auxiliary light guide portions provided on the side of an opposed surface of the main light guide plate, and light sources arranged to emit light into the auxiliary light guide portions. A reflector is arranged to surround the introduction surface of the main light guide plate and the auxiliary light guide portions. Furthermore, an optical path forming member is provided on the inside of the reflector so as to form a dedicated optical path from the auxiliary light guide plate to the main light guide plate. Thereby, the light emitted from one auxiliary light guide portion is prevented from entering into another auxiliary light guide portion.

Abstract: A backlight module comprises a light guide plate and at least two light sources. The light guide plate is divided into at least two regions made up of a substrate and a plurality of elongate light guide elements disposed on a surface of the substrate and located in the regions. The light sources respectively correspond to the regions of the light guide plate to provide the elongate light guide elements in the regions with light.

Abstract: A luminous module for mounting in a household appliance has a housing that is embodied in such a way as to receive a luminous element. The luminous module further contains a first optical wave guide having a light admission surface via which light emitted by the luminous element enters the first optical wave guide, and a light output surface via which the light emerges from the luminous module. The housing is embodied in such a way as to alternatively receive a first luminous element and a second luminous element that is different from the first.

Abstract: A lighting device includes a plurality of light-transmitting guide plates 1, 2, 3 laminated in at least three layers and a plurality of light emitting elements 4, 5, 6 arranged so as to oppose to respective lateral sides of the light-transmitting guide plates 1, 2, 3 to allow luminance flux in different color with respect to each light-transmitting guide plate to be incident on the corresponding light-transmitting guide plate. Each of the light-transmitting guide plates 1, 2, 3 has a plurality of reflecting surfaces 7, 8, 9 formed on the backside of the plate to change a propagation direction of the luminance flux propagated in the each light-transmitting guide plate, allowing the luminance flux, of which propagation direction has been changed by the reflecting surfaces 7, 8, 9, to be emitted from the front side of the each light-transmitting guide plates.

Abstract: A luminaire 31 has a transparent light waveguide 33, which includes a perimeter edge 41, 43, at least one light feed edge portion 41 along its perimeter edge, a visible surface 34, and light extracting means 38. A support structure 49 supports the light waveguide along at least a portion of its perimeter edge, and a light source, such as LEDs 45, is provided for introducing light into the light feed edge portion of the waveguide. Light is extracted from only a portion of the waveguide by the light extracting means. The light extracting means produces one or more luminous areas on a portion of the visible surface of the waveguide, and are positioned on the waveguide such that the luminous area or areas produced thereby give the appearance of a source of light for the luminaire that is substantially detached from the luminaire's support structure.

Abstract: A solid waveguide comprises opposite TIR surfaces further comprising: a) at least one light input surface for coupling light from a solid state light source; b) at least one mixing section; c) at least one light emitting surface; and d) a desired pattern of light redirecting features located on one TIR surface or between the TIR surfaces.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention include an interferometric optical modulator comprising a substrate layer and a light direction layer. Such an interferometric modulator may be integrated with a diffuser layer in a display device in a way that physically integrates the diffuser layer into the light direction layer in a way where the diff-user layer does not interact with light propagating within the light direction layer. As a result, most of the light propagating within the light direction layer does not penetrate into the diffuser which would inhibit performance of the display. In some embodiments, the interface between the diffuser layer and the light direction layer has a lower index of refraction than the light direction layer and the transparent substrate so that total internal reflection occurs at the interface.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises a housing having a half-mirror region molded into the housing, and a light source disposed within the electronic device and configured to transmit light through the half-mirror region to an exterior of the housing.

Abstract: To shorten the distance from a point light source to an effective light emitting area and reduce the size of a back light.

Abstract: A liquid crystal module includes a liquid crystal panel, a lamp unit, a light guide plate, a rear frame and a light reflecting sheet. The lamp unit is configured to emit light. The light guide plate is configured to guide the light emitted by the lamp unit, and has a peripheral face. The rear frame is disposed rearward of the light guide plate, and has a facing portion facing a part of the peripheral face of the light guide plate. The light reflecting sheet is disposed between the light guide plate and the rear frame, and has a tab portion that is sandwiched between the part of the peripheral face of the light guide plate and the facing portion of the rear frame.

Abstract: A surface light source device according to the invention includes a housing having an opening portion on at least one face, an LED light source held by one face of the housing opposing the opening portion, and a light guiding plate arranged at a position so as to cover the opening portion and the LED light source. The light guiding plate includes a recess provided at a position corresponding to the LED light source for storing a part of the LED light source. A light quantity adjusting means is provided at a bottom part of the recess for adjusting light from the LED light source. The light quantity adjusting means includes a reflection sheet having a reflection function and a transmission function in which a total light transmittance t satisfies t??r2 cos ?/{(1?cos ?)(S??r2)}, supposing that an average radius is defined as r, a distance from the LED light source is defined as H, a light-emitting area of the LED light source is defined as S, and a total light quantity is defined as L.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a case, a display panel and a backlight module. The case has at least a hole. The display panel is disposed in the case to display information. The backlight module is disposed in the case as a light source of the display panel. The backlight module has at least a light emitting element, a light-guide plate and at least a light-guide tube. The light-guide plate guides the light emitted by the light emitting element to the display panel. The light-guide tube has a light input end and a light output end. The light input end is disposed at the hole of the case and is exposed outside, and the light output end is located at one side of the light-guide plate. Therefore, the light-guide tube can guide external environment light to the light-guide plate.

Abstract: An enhanced light fixture containing a volumetric, anisotropic diffuser to control the spatial luminance uniformity and angular spread of light from the light fixture is disclosed. The anisotropic diffuser provides increased spatial luminance uniformity and efficient control over the illuminance such that power reductions, reduced cost or reduced size may be achieved. The anisotropic diffuser contains one or more regions of asymmetrically shaped light scattering particles. The spread of illumination of light from a light emitting source can be efficiently controlled by using a thin, low cost, volumetric, asymmetric diffuser to direct the light in the desired direction. This allows the reduction in number of light sources, a reduction in power requirements, or a more tailored illumination. When the anisotropic diffuser is used in combination with a waveguide to extract light, the light is efficiently coupled out of the waveguide in a thin, planar surface.

Abstract: A novel optical irradiation apparatus includes a light source and a light guide. The light source is configured to radially irradiate a light beam. The light guide is configured to include a transparent material configured to lead the light beam irradiated from the light source in a specific direction and to emit the light beam. The light guide also includes an incidence plane, an exit plane, and plural connecting planes. The incidence plane is configured to receive the light beam. The exit plane is configured to emit the light beam to so as to irradiate an object. The plural connecting planes are configured to connect the incidence plane to the exit plane. A part of at least one of the plural connecting planes is inclined with respect to an axis of the light beam.

Abstract: An illumination light source includes an incoherent solid state light source adapted to emit light over at least one light emission surface and having a total light emission surface area S0; a light circulation device including at least one light receiving surface adapted to receive the light from the incoherent solid state light source, and a light extraction area having a first surface area S1; and a light extraction device for extracting the light from the light circulation device at the light extraction area, wherein S1<S0. Accordingly, the apparent brightness of the light is increased by distributing it over a smaller area.

Abstract: A backlight unit includes a light-source substrate having mounted thereon a plurality of light-emitting elements emitting illumination light; a light guide plate having a side surface with the light-source substrate attached thereto so as to receive the illumination light from the light-emitting elements, the light guide plate also having a first surface extending substantially perpendicular to the side surface, and a second surface; a reflective sheet attached to the first surface and reflecting the illumination light towards the second surface; and an optical sheet layer attached to the second surface and including a plurality of stacked optical sheets. The side surface has a reflective portion that reflects at least a part of the illumination light. The at least a part of the illumination light to be reflected at the reflective portion is incident on the reflective portion at an incidence angle equal to or above a critical angle.

Abstract: Light emitting assemblies include a light emitting panel member having at least one light input surface for receiving light from at least one light source and a pattern of deformities that vary on or in at least one surface to cause light to be emitted from the panel member. At least a portion of the light input surface may have faceted reflective or refractive surfaces or a lens array in close proximity to each light source for maximizing or otherwise changing the light emitted from each light source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an illumination system (200) including a first sub-system (205) comprising a first set (201) of at least two differently colored light sources where the first set (201) has a first spectral distribution, and a first light mixing device (203) arranged in a direction of emission of light from the first set of light sources and configured to mix light emitted by the first set of light sources. The illumination system further includes a second sub-system (206) comprising a second set (202) of at least two light sources where the second (202) set has a second spectral distribution, and a second light mixing device (204), also arranged in a direction of emission of light from the second set of light sources and configured to mix light emitted by the second set of light sources.

Abstract: A lighting and/or signaling device for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one light source emitting a light beam and at least one optical guide in which the light beam propagates, the optical guide comprising: a first face forming an exit face for the light beam, and a second face, opposite to the exit face, forming a reflection face for the light beam, such that the light guide is associated with a diffusing screen disposed opposite the reflection face of the light guide.