Abstract: Provided is a lighting apparatus having high light entrance efficiency with respect to a light guide plate, and being excellent in tint of light emitted from the light guide plate. The lighting apparatus of the present invention includes: an LED package; a light guide plate, which includes a main surface serving as a light emission surface, and a side surface serving as a light entrance surface, and which is arranged so that the side surface is opposed to the LED package; and a low-refractive index layer arranged between the LED package and the light guide plate.

Abstract: A LED lighting system includes a power supply, a LED controller, and a light guide plate having a top, a bottom, and an edge. A printed circuit board connected to the power supply is positioned at least partially under the bottom of the light guide plate. At least one surface-emitting LED is positioned on the printed circuit board adjacent to the light guide plate and directed to emit light vertically. A partially transmissive reflector is attached to extend between the top of the edge of the light guide plate and the printed circuit board to direct vertically emitted light from the at least one surface-emitting LED into the edge of the light guide plate.

Abstract: A switchable directional backlight for a privacy display comprises a waveguide with first and second opposing input ends and a turning film arranged to collect light output from the waveguide for input into a spatial light modulator. The waveguide has an array of light deflecting features arranged on one guiding surface and an opposing planar surface. Light deflecting features are arranged such that light input from the first input end is output with a narrow angular range and light input from the second input end is output with a wide angular range.

Abstract: An optical assembly, a vehicle lamp and a motor vehicle are disclosed. The optical assembly includes a light guide, the light guide at least having a first light guide section, a second light guide section and a bridging light guide section. The first light guide section and the second light guide section are connected together at one end to form an end region and bifurcating from the end region, the end region having an end face for the in-coupling of light. The bridging light guide section is arranged between the first light guide section and the second light guide section. The bridging light guide section is spaced apart from a bifurcation position of the first light guide section and the second light guide section, and the bridging light guide section has a light in-coupling face facing the bifurcation position, and a light out-coupling face.

Abstract: A display device has two flat regions and a bending region located between the two flat regions. The display device includes a reflective display device, a cover structure, and a light guide plate. The cover structure is located above the reflective display device. The light guide plate is located between the reflective display device and the cover structure. The light guide plate has a microstructure, and the microstructure is located on a top surface of the light guide plate close to the cover structure. The microstructure has a plurality of second microstructures located at the bending region, and the sizes of the second microstructures vary along with the distances between the second microstructures and a center position of the light guide plate.

Abstract: A switchable directional backlight for a privacy display comprises a waveguide with first and second opposing input ends and a turning film arranged to collect light output from the waveguide for input into a spatial light modulator. The waveguide has an array of light deflecting features arranged on one guiding surface and an opposing planar surface. Light deflecting features are arranged such that light input from the first input end is output with a narrow angular range and light input from the second input end is output with a wide angular range.

Abstract: Provided is a light source device including: a housing body; a light source substrate located over and accommodated in the housing body; a plurality of inorganic light-emitting elements over the light source substrate; an optical sheet located over the plurality of inorganic light-emitting elements, accommodated in the housing body, and spaced away from the light source substrate; and at least one spacer accommodated in the housing body and in contact with a bottom surface of the optical sheet. A region of an upper surface of the light source substrate overlapping the plurality of inorganic light-emitting elements does not overlap the at least one spacer.

Abstract: A display may have a pixel array such as a liquid crystal pixel array. The pixel array may be illuminated with backlight illumination from a direct-lit backlight unit. The backlight unit may include an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on a printed circuit board. The display may have a notch to accommodate an input-output component. Reflective layers may be included in the notch. The backlight may include a color conversion layer with a property that varies as a function of position. The light-emitting diodes may be covered by a slab of encapsulant with recesses in an upper surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure proposes a light-emitting device and a backlight module thereof. The light-emitting elements includes a substrate, a plurality of light-emitting elements, a light guide layer, a plurality of first light adjustment patterns, and a plurality of second light adjustment patterns. The light-emitting elements are disposed on the substrate. The light guide layer covers the substrate and the light-emitting elements. The first light adjustment patterns are disposed over or embedded within the light guide layer, and each of the first light adjustment patterns is located above each of the light-emitting elements, respectively. The second light adjustment patterns are disposed on or embedded in the light guide layer, and the second light adjustment patterns surround the corresponding first light adjustment patterns, respectively. The first light adjustment patterns and second light adjustment patterns have a refractive index smaller than that of the light guide layer.

Abstract: In order to minimize an increase in a bezel of a mobile terminal, provided is a mobile terminal comprising: a display panel; a window coupled to the front surface of the display panel so as to cover the front surface of the display panel; and a seating frame in which the display panel is mounted, wherein the seating frame comprises: a panel seating portion in which at least one region of the display panel is seated; a window seating portion which receives an edge region of the rear surface of the window and forms a large separation space from the rear surface of the window inward; and a sidewall portion forming a sidewall connecting the window seating portion and the panel seating portion, wherein the sidewall portion is recessed outward in a region corresponding to a side portion of the display panel.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, a display, a light source, a light guide plate, and a mark portion. The light source is provided inside the housing and below the display. The mark portion is provided in the rear surface of the housing and includes a portion that shines as light from the light source passes therethrough. A lower end of the mark portion is defined as a first end and an upper end of the mark portion is defined as a second end. When viewed in a direction from the rear surface toward the front surface, the light source is located between the first end and the second end, and a distance from the second end to the light source is longer than a distance from the first end to the light source.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an optical member including: a first layer that includes a first region having a refractive index n1 and a second region having a refractive index n3; and a second layer disposed on a first main surface of the first layer so as to be in contact with the first region and the second region, the second layer having a refractive index n2. The first layer includes a plurality of said second regions adjoining the first region along a planar direction of the first layer; the plurality of second regions constitute a geometric pattern; and n1 to n3 satisfy the relationship n1<n3<n2. When an optical member according to the present invention is integrated with a lightguide in use, excellent light extraction function is exhibited and leakage of light due to light scattering is suppressed, while attaining good mechanical strength at the same time.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a backlight module and a display device. The backlight module comprises a light guide plate and a light-emitting assembly configured to emit light rays and cause the light rays as emitted to be incident to the light guide plate in parallel. The light guide plate further comprises a light incident surface, a bottom surface, a light emitting surface on the top thereof, and at least one reflective sloped surface. The reflective sloped surface is positioned between the bottom surface and the light emitting surface, and an angle between the at least one reflective sloped surface and a plane of the bottom surface extending in a direction away from the light incident surface is less than 90°. The light incident surface is located on a side of the light guide plate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an optical member including: a first layer that includes a first region having a refractive index n1 and a second region having a refractive index n3; and a second layer disposed on a first main surface of the first layer so as to be in contact with the first region and the second region, the second layer having a refractive index n2. The first layer includes a plurality of said second regions adjoining the first region along a planar direction of the first layer; the plurality of second regions constitute a geometric pattern; and n1 to n3 satisfy the relationship n1<n3<n2. When an optical member according to the present invention is integrated with a lightguide in use, excellent light extraction function is exhibited and leakage of light due to light scattering is suppressed, while attaining good mechanical strength at the same time.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a backlight module and a display device. The backlight module includes an outer housing, wherein the outer housing includes a first housing and a second housing vertically connected to a periphery of the first housing. The first housing and the second housing encircle to form a cavity. The backlight module further includes a first brightness enhancement film (BEF) disposed on the cavity, wherein the first BEF extends to the second housing. A lateral side of the first BEF near the first housing is aligned with an outer side of the second housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle turn indicator luminous device (1) comprising: an optical element (10) having a controlled caustic generator surface (12) so as to propagate a pattern over a usable range, a mounting part (2) on which is intended to be mounted a beam generator (3) of rays incident on said generator surface, the optical element being such that the propagated pattern is projected onto a target surface, visible from the exterior of the lighting device and situated in the usable range.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a display device includes a first light guide including a first main surface, a second main surface, a first end portion opposed to light-emitting elements, and a second end portion, a first layer which is arranged to be in contact with the first main surface, and a second layer which is arranged to be in contact with the first main surface, and is located between the first layer and the second end portion, wherein the first light guide has a first refractive index, the first layer has a second refractive index lower than the first refractive index, the second layer has a third refractive index higher than the second refractive index, and the first layer is located at a position closer to the first end portion than the second layer.

Abstract: A headset includes a backlight assembly, a display panel, and an optics block. The backlight assembly includes an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs), a diffusing element, and a brightness enhancement film. The array of LEDs and the brightness enhancement film are configured in a way such that the light generated by the backlight assembly has a non-uniform brightness distribution. The display panel receives the light and convert the light to image light. The image light has at least the non-uniform brightness distribution. The optics block includes one or more optical elements that direct the image light to an eyebox of the headset. The optics block adds another non-uniform brightness distribution to the image light to offset the non-uniform brightness distribution from the backlight assembly, such that the image light directed to the eyebox has a target brightness distribution.

Abstract: An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display device is provided in the present invention, including a flexible substrate, a thin film transistor (TFT) layer, an OLED light emitting layer, a light extraction film layer, an inorganic protection film layer, and a packaging film layer. The light extraction film layer includes a first light extraction film layer and a second light extraction film layer. A nano-imprint process is performed on the second light extraction film layer to form a micro-lens array. The present invention also provides a manufacturing method of the OLED display device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a light guide device and a method for sequentially lighting the same. In one embodiment, the light guide device includes: a light guide including a light-emitting surface, light incident surfaces formed on both sides of the light-emitting surface and configured to receive light, and a light-reflecting surface formed opposite to the light-emitting surface and configured to reflect the received light to the light-emitting surface; a first light source unit and second light source unit disposed on the light-incident surfaces, respectively, and configured to irradiate light; and a light transmission control layer formed above the light-emitting surface and configured to control the transmittance of light emitted, wherein the light transmission control layer has a light transmittance which decreases from one end to the other end of the light transmission control layer.

Abstract: A light guide plate, a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device are provided. The light guide plate includes a glass substrate, an adhesive layer arranged at a surface of the glass substrate, a reflector arranged at a surface of the adhesive layer away from the glass substrate, and a total reflection structure distributed in the adhesive layer.

Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus that conditions introduced air includes an ultraviolet sterilizer that emits ultraviolet ray to the air. The ultraviolet sterilizer includes a sterilizing light screen forming unit that forms a screen-shaped sterilizing light screen based on the emitted ultraviolet ray.

Abstract: Vehicle light comprising a container body, a lenticular body, a light guide, including a body having a prevailing longitudinal extension (L) that defines the propagation direction of the light beam inside the body by total internal reflection. The body has a first breakline that extends from the first to the second side wall. The first breakline includes a plurality of first holes that produce, through successive refractions, a scattering the light rays (Ri) towards the light outlet wall so as to emit a light beam with opalescent effect. The first holes are adjacent to each other without interruption, and the first holes of the first breakline are pass-through with respect to a thickness of the body of the light guide, penetrating from a first face to a second face of the body for a depth equal to the thickness.

Abstract: A bulb-type light source apparatus includes a light source and a light guide member. The light source is provided annularly. The light guide member includes an outer surface, a light-incident end surface opposing the light source, and an optical pattern portion configured to emit, from the outer surface, light that enters from the light-incident end surface.

Abstract: Grating-based backlighting includes a light guide and a plurality of reflective grating islands spaced apart from one another and optically coupled to the light guide. The light guide is to guide a light beam at a non-zero propagation angle and a reflective grating island includes a reflection mode diffraction grating that is configured to diffractively couple out a portion of the guided light beam as a coupled-out light beam at a predetermined principal angular direction.

Abstract: An optical member and a display device including the same. The optical member includes a light guide plate including a surface disposed on a plane defined by a first direction and a second direction crossing the first direction, a low refractive index pattern disposed on the surface of the light guide plate and including an opening for exposing the surface of the light guide plate, a wavelength conversion layer disposed on the low refractive index pattern, and a passivation layer disposed on the wavelength conversion layer and covering a side surface of the wavelength conversion layer and a side surface of the low refractive index pattern at least one side portion. The low refractive index pattern has a lower index of refraction than the light guide plate, and a ratio of an area occupied by the low refractive index pattern to an area of the surface of the light guide plate decreases in the first direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an illuminating keyboard including a keyboard module and a light emitting module. The keyboard module has an opaque region. The light emitting module includes a light guiding plate, a first light emitting component and a second light emitting component. The light guiding plate includes an accommodating groove corresponding to the opaque region. The accommodating groove has a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a first light divergence segment and a second light divergence segment. The first light divergence segment and the second light divergence segment are disposed on the first sidewall and the second sidewall, respectively. The first light emitting component and the second light emitting component are located in the accommodating groove and are disposed toward the first sidewall and the second sidewall, respectively. The light beams are injected into the light guiding plate via the first and the second light divergence segment.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to backlit electronic displays that may help to avoid apparent non-uniform image brightness across a displayed image. One example provides an electronic display comprising a light guide, an image-forming layer, and a light-steering layer. The light guide is configured to release light over a display area. The image-forming layer is configured to form a display image by modulating the light released by the light guide. The light-steering layer is configured to steer together the light released from a peripheral region of the light guide and the light released from a central region of the light guide.

Abstract: A light guide for a vehicle lamp includes a rod-shaped portion and a plate-shaped portion. The rod-shaped portion includes a rod-shaped light guide portion and a connecting projection portion projecting from a peripheral surface of the rod-shaped light guide portion and extending along the rod-shaped light guide portion. The plate-shaped portion includes two principal surfaces facing opposite to each other and a plate-shaped portion side surface connecting the two principal surfaces. The light guide is a multi-color molded product in which the rod-shaped portion is formed of a first resin material and the plate-shaped portion is formed of a second resin material containing a light diffusing agent. The rod-shaped light guide portion is connected to the side surface of the plate-shaped portion by the connecting projection portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a light guide plate, comprising a light guide plate body. In such a light guide plate, the light guide plate body comprises: a first surface serving as a light exit surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, as well as a first side surface adjacent to the first surface and serving as a light incident surface. Furthermore, the first surface further comprises a light source bright region and a light source dark region, wherein the light source dark region is located on a side of the light source bright region remote from the first side surface. Besides, an optical structure for changing an angle of light emitted out from the first surface is further provided in the light source dark region. The present disclosure further relates to a backlight module and a display device comprising such a light guide plate.

Abstract: An optical member including a light guide plate including a surface disposed on a plane defined by a first direction and a second direction crossing the first direction, a low refractive index pattern disposed on the surface of the light guide plate and including an opening for exposing the surface of the light guide plate, a wavelength conversion layer disposed on the low refractive index pattern, and a passivation layer disposed on the wavelength conversion layer and covering a side surface of the wavelength conversion layer and a side surface of the low refractive index pattern at least one side portion. The low refractive index pattern has a lower index of refraction than the light guide plate, and a ratio of an area occupied by the low refractive index pattern to an area of the surface of the light guide plate decreases in the first direction.

Abstract: Discussed is a touch display device able to sense a touch position of a user touch and an amount of user touching force. A case disposed below the backlight unit is used as a touching force sensing electrode, enabling a touch display device to sense touch force using the case. A gap is formed by an open area in the bottom cover of the backlight unit, enabling the user touching force to be sensed without an increase in the thickness of the touch display device.

Abstract: A device for contact-based capture of human autopodial prints using disturbed total internal reflection, comprising a protective body with a contact surface, a sensor layer comprising light-sensor elements in an array for detecting light of a predefined wavelength range, and a light guide. Passband areas transparent for light of the predefined range are between the sensor elements. The light guide is transparent to light in the range and includes parallel lower and upper faces. The faces define a coupling-in surface for light emitted from a light source in a limited angular range around a preferred direction. Due to the directed angle of incidence, light entering the light guide is totally internally reflected at the faces. A mirror layer between the sensors and the guide reflects some light back into the light guide and transmits other light. Light exiting the guide is homogenized dependent upon a distance to the light source.

Abstract: A topside control panel for a bathing unit system is provided. The topside control panel comprises a housing including a top surface and a bottom surface opposed to the top surface and a display touch or presence-sensitive assembly positioned upon the top surface of the housing. The topside control panel also includes a circuit board assembly positioned upon the bottom surface the housing. In some embodiments, the bottom surface may be circumscribed by a bottom peripheral wall, which with the bottom surface defines a recess in which is positioned the circuit board assembly. A back panel may be secured to the housing so as to enclose the second recess and form an enclosed space. The back panel may include a ventilation member configured for allowing air communication between the enclosed space and a space external to the topside control panel.

Abstract: The aspects disclosed herein relate to a display unit and a method for producing a display unit, is to provide a display unit which is easy to produce and is not susceptible to compressive and tensile stresses acting on the protective housing. This object is achieved in that the TFT module is disposed within a first housing half and the backlighting unit is disposed within a second housing half, and in that the first housing half is connected to the second housing half by means of a plurality of mounting elements, the mounting elements having predetermined breaking points.

Abstract: In some examples, a display includes a plurality of display backlight groups, and one or more controller to determine one or more one-dimensional backlight group brightness level adjustments, to determine one or more two-dimensional backlight group brightness level adjustments, and to adjust a brightness of one or more of the backlight groups in response to content of a display image.

Abstract: A display apparatus configured for displaying different images at the same time, a vehicle having the same, and a method for controlling the same, may include a backlight device; and a display panel separate from the backlight device and configured to output an image using light of the backlight device, and the backlight device includes a first light source device configured to emit light; a second light source device separate from the first light source device, and a light guide plate disposed between the first light source device and the second light source device, and provided with a light guide portion configured to guide light in a first optical path when the light of the first light source device is incident and configured to guide light in a second optical path when the light of the second light source device is incident.

Abstract: A display device includes a display panel curved with respect to a plane defined by a first direction and a second direction crossing the first direction and about a first reference axis substantially parallel to the first direction, a light guide plate disposed under the display panel and including a first surface facing the display panel and a second surface facing the display panel such that the first surface is disposed between the second surface and the display panel, a light source which provides a light to the light guide plate, and a bottom chassis which accommodates the light guide plate and the light source. The first surface is curved with respect to the plane about a second reference axis substantially parallel to the first direction, and the second surface is substantially parallel to the plane.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses an edge-lit type backlight module, a display and a light guide plate. The edge-lit type backlight module includes at least two light guide plates disposed to be overlapped. Each of the light guide plates respectively includes a light-emitting surface, a bottom surface and at least one light incident surface. The bottom surface of the light guide plate on an upper layer and the light-emitting surface of the light guide plate on a lower layer are disposed opposite. Light sources are disposed on the light incident surfaces of each of the light guide plates, and disposed to be mutually independent. In travel directions of light of the light sources, each of the light guide plates is disposed with light-emitting regions and total reflection regions disposed alternately. The light emitted from the light sources is totally reflected in the total reflection regions.

Abstract: A front light module including a light guide plate, a light source, a transparent cover lens and an annular connecting unit is provided. The light guide plate includes a first surface, a plurality of micro-structure groups, a second surface and a light entering surface. The first surface includes a first area and a second area surrounding the first area. The micro-structure groups are disposed on the first surface and within the first area. The micro-structure groups have a plurality of adjacent micro-structures, and the micro-structures groups are separate from each other. The light entering surface connects the first surface and the second surface. The light source is disposed beside the light entering surface. The annular connecting unit connects the second area of the first surface and the transparent cover lens, and keeps a gap between the micro-structure groups and the transparent cover lens. A display device is also provided.

Abstract: A display device component includes an optical waveguide having a surface; a first material formed on a portion of the surface of the optical waveguide; and a second material formed on a portion of the first material. The first material has light scattering properties.

Abstract: A sensing device for sensing a backlight density of a panel module is disclosed. The panel module includes a panel, a back plate and a holding frame. The back plate has an opening formed thereon and is for installing the panel onto the holding frame. The sensing device includes a sensor module and a base. The sensor module is for sensing a light projected via the opening and generated by the panel. The base is disposed between the back plate and the holding frame. The base includes a main body and a resilient structure. The main body is for containing the sensor module. The resilient structure extends from the main body and resiliently abuts against the holding frame. The resilient structure presses the main body onto the back plate when resilient abutting against the holding frame, such that the back plate and the main body cooperatively covers the sensor module.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display panel, a backlight unit, a bottom cover, a printed circuit board (“PCB”) electrically connected to the display panel, a shield cover disposed on a lower surface of the PCB, and including a planar part on which a hook opening part is defined, and a bent part bent from the planar part to face the side wall part, and a top cover which is coupled to the bottom cover and includes a side surface part surrounding the side wall part, and a hook part extending from one end of the side surface part, inserted into the hook opening part, and coupled to the shield cover.

Abstract: A directional display may include a waveguide. The waveguide may include light extraction features arranged to direct light from an array of light sources by total internal reflection to an array of viewing windows and a reflector arranged to direct light from the waveguide by transmission through extraction features of the waveguide to the same array of viewing windows. The brightness of the directional display can be increased. An efficient and bright autostereoscopic display system can be achieved.

Abstract: A mobile terminal including a light guide plate; a plurality of light sources disposed on at least one side of the light guide plate; a display positioned on a front surface of the light guide plate; and a controller configured to control the display to operate in one of operation states including a first state, in which all of the plurality of light sources are activated such that an entire portion of the display is illuminated, and a second state, in which at least one light source corresponding to a partial portion of the display among the plurality of light sources is selectively activated such that the partial portion of the display is illuminated, perform an operation in accordance with a first touch input applied to the partial portion of the display in the second state, and not perform an operation in accordance with a second touch input applied to a remaining portion excluding the partial portion of the display in the second state.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a heat-dissipation base, a light source mounted on the heat-dissipation base, a lightguide having a light incident surface for receiving light from the light source, a light outgoing surface for projecting a portion of light received from the light source, opposite upper and bottom surfaces disposed between the light incident and light outgoing surfaces, and a light-guiding structure formed on the upper surface. The lightguide is configured to guide a portion of a light beam entering the light incident surface to the light outgoing surface, with the light-guiding structure configured to guide another portion of the light beam entering the light incident surface to be outputted through the bottom surface. A condensing lens is further provided to receive light from the light outgoing surface and the bottom surface.

Abstract: An illuminating device may include optical sources, a diffusion plate having emission regions corresponding to the optical sources, and a control unit configured to control lighting-up/lighting-out and an emission intensity of the optical sources based upon a schedule when carrying out performance on an optical travel by the diffusion plate. The emission regions each may have a predetermined length and extend in a longitudinal direction of the diffusion plate. In the schedule, a light-up/light-out state of each optical source and an emission intensity of an optical source to be lit up are set based upon an average illuminance in an illuminance distribution of the diffusion plate by combining illuminances of lights emitted from the emission regions. For realizing a temporal change of the average illuminance set, the light-up/light-out state of each optical source and emission intensity of the optical source to be lit up in each time point are set.

Abstract: A light-guiding pillar used in a vehicle lamp includes a major structure and a light-guiding structure. The major structure has a light incident surface, a light outgoing surface, an upper surface, and a bottom surface. The upper surface and the bottom surface are disposed between the light incident surface and the light outgoing surface, in which the upper surface and the bottom surface are opposite to each other. The major structure is configured to guide a portion of a light beam entering the major structure through the light incident surface to the light caving surface. The light-guiding structure is disposed on the upper surface and configured to guide another portion of the light beam entering the major structure through the light incident surface from the upper surface to the bottom surface with passing through the bottom surface.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a light emitting assembly for an instrument panel, which includes a light guide assembly a light guide assembly body and at least one light transmissive leg extending from the light guide assembly body. The leg has a light input surface along an edge in close proximity to a light emitting diode. The leg may be integral with the body at an intersection that forms a prismatic Y shaped light reflective structure at the body. The prismatic Y shaped light reflective structure forms an angle of reflection surface at the intersection with the body of a predetermined angle of reflection to reflect light from the leg to the light guide assembly body. The reflected light ray is refracted substantially uniformly through the light guide assembly body to produce substantially uniform illumination of the light guide assembly.

Abstract: Provided is a method of fabricating a thick film of a large area substrate. The method of fabricating comprises applying a first rein on a base substrate to form a rein partition, and applying a second resin on an inner area formed by the resin partition. According to the present invention, by forming a first partition formed with resin when a film of a large area is coated and then by coating the film, uniformity and reliability of the coating can be improved.