Plural Or Compound Patents (Class 362/616)
  • Patent number: 9028123
    Abstract: A reflective display includes a reflective spatial light modulator and a frontlight. The frontlight includes a lightguide formed from a film. The lightguide includes an array of coupling lightguides continuous with a lightguide region of the lightguide. One or more light sources emit light into the array of coupling lightguides. Light from each coupling lightguide combines and totally internally reflects within the lightguide region. Light extraction features frustrate totally internally reflect light within the lightguide region such that the light exits the lightguide toward the reflective spatial light modulator in a light emitting region of the film. A cladding region is optically coupled to the lightguide so light from the light source propagates into the cladding region. A light extracting region is operatively coupled to the cladding region opposite the lightguide, and light in the cladding region is extracted. A method of producing a display is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: FLEx Lighting II, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony John Nichol, Zane Arthur Coleman
  • Patent number: 9016922
    Abstract: An escalator, a moving walkway or an elevator cage includes at least one illuminable transparent panel. The illuminable transparent panel has a construction containing a plurality of layers. The two side surfaces of each layer are bounded in the area dimension thereof by an edge region. The layers of the construction are arranged with the side surfaces against one another. The layer sequence of the construction is defined, wherein a first layer is a first glass pane, a second layer is a first transparent polymer layer, a third layer is a second glass pane, a fourth layer is a transparent polymer material plate containing light-dispersing particles, a fifth layer is a third glass pane, a sixth layer is a second transparent polymer layer and a seventh layer is a fourth glass pane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Michael Matheisl, Gunther Niedermayer
  • Patent number: 9016923
    Abstract: A lighting device includes light sources arranged at an end, light guide portions arranged along an arrangement direction of the light sources and receiving light from the light sources, and light output portions arranged along a direction crossing the arrangement direction and exiting light from the light guide portions. The light output portions include at least a first light output portion and a second light output portion. The first light output portion is arranged relatively close to the light sources and the second light output portion is arranged relatively farther from the light sources with respect to the first light output portion. The light guide portions include at least a first light guide portion and a second light guide portion, and the first light guide portion is optically connected to the first light output portion and the second light guide portion is optically connected to the second light output portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kosaka, Toshinori Sugihara, Tomofumi Osaki, Takehisa Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8998436
    Abstract: A light source apparatus includes a light guide plate, a number of optical fibers, at least two first light emitting diodes, and at least two second LEDs. Each fiber has a light exiting surface facing the light guide and at least two light entrances at both ends of the fiber. The second LEDs are located on both sides of the light guide plate. Light generated by the first LEDs has a wavelength longer than that generated by the second LEDs. The light generated from the first LEDs enters the light guide plate after travelling through the optical fiber to mix with the light generated from the second LEDs to provide a good color rendering property of the light generated by the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Zhongshan Innocloud Intellectual Property Services Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Hsun Ke, Ming-Ta Tsai, Pu-Xian Hsu
  • Publication number: 20150092447
    Abstract: An image compensating apparatus located on a display panel includes a light incident surface set on the display region, a light emitting surface parallel with the light incident surface, and a plurality of light guiding channels parallel with each other. The display panel includes a display region displaying an image and a non-display region encircling a periphery of the display region. The light guiding channel interconnects with the light incident surface and the light emitting surface, and angles with the light incident surface. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the light incident surface, the light guiding channel moves an image displayed on the display region for a predetermined distance for covering at least partial of the non-display region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: I-WEI WU
  • Patent number: 8985828
    Abstract: Flat illuminating display device with light emitting means to illuminate a film for display of an image applied to a display area, wherein the light emitting means are embodied as at least one light coupling unit arranged laterally at a translucent film thus forming a light duct, wherein the light such fed into the adjacent edge area into the film is reflected by a reflective layer, which is applied on at least one side, to homogeneously spread within the film, wherein a reflection screen to obtain a light emission is provided opposite of the display area to create said display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Sabine Metzech, Karsten Hesse, Angelo Librizzi, Jörg Günther
  • Patent number: 8979291
    Abstract: A lighting device for emitting direct light and indirect light, includes a first transparent light panel comprising at least one organic light emitting device, the first transparent light panel emitting direct light and indirect light during operation thereof; and at least a second transparent light panel comprising at least one organic light emitting device, the second transparent light panel emitting direct light and indirect light during operation thereof, the second transparent light panel being positioned so that at least a portion of indirect light emitted from the first transparent light is transmitted through the second transparent light panel and at least a portion of direct light emitted from the second transparent light panel is transmitted through the first transparent light panel, wherein the first transparent light panel is controllable independently from the second transparent light panel to control a ratio of direct light to indirect light emitted by the lighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Universal Display Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Hack, Ruiqing Ma, Duncan Jackson, Eoin Billings
  • Patent number: 8979349
    Abstract: Illumination devices and methods of making same are disclosed. In one embodiment, an illumination apparatus includes a light source, a light guide having a planar first surface, a first end and a second end, and a length therebetween, the light guide positioned to receive light from the light source into the light guide first end, and the light guide configured such that light from the light source provided into the first end of the light guide propagates towards the second end, and a plurality of light turning features that are configured to reflect light propagating towards the second end of the light guide out of the planar first surface of the light guide, each light turning feature having a turning surface and an interferometric stack formed on the turning surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ion Bita, Sapna Patel, Clayton Ka Tsun Chan, SuryaPrakash Ganti, Brian W. Arbuckle
  • Patent number: 8974070
    Abstract: A display device includes a display panel which displays an image, a backlight unit which supplies the display panel with light, an upper cover, and a lower cover. The upper and lower covers accommodate the display panel and the backlight unit. The backlight unit includes light guide plates spaced apart from each other, a light source part, an optical member and an optical diffusion member overlapping a space between the light guide plates. The optical diffusion member includes a diffusing part and a supporting part. The diffusing part faces the optical member, overlaps the space between the light guide plates, and diffuses light emitted from the light source part toward the optical member through the space between the light guide plates. The supporting part protrudes from a surface of the diffusing part which is opposite to the optical member, and is in a space between the light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung Hwan Baek, Eui Jeong Kang, Chan-Jae Park, Young-keun Lee
  • Publication number: 20150062868
    Abstract: A display with an electro-optical display module has a display area, with a light-transmissive cover arranged between the display area and a possible observer of the display area. The light-transmissive cover is bonded onto the display area by an adhesive, and provision is made for the surface of the light-transmission cover to be configured in a three-dimensional fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Helmut Marquardt, Wolfgang-Peter Pawusch, Hans Wedel
  • Patent number: 8956037
    Abstract: A light guide plate includes a light incident surface and a plurality of micro cylinders protruding from the light incident surface in parallel. Each of the micro cylinders has a circumference surface and two opposite end surfaces. The circumference surface is connected to the light incident surface. The two end surfaces are positioned on two opposite ends of the circumference surface, and are perpendicular to the light incident surface. Each of the two end surfaces is circular arc-shaped, and the radius of each of the two end surfaces is in the range of 0.04 ?m to 0.07 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Li-Ying Wang He
  • Patent number: 8956034
    Abstract: The present invention is a display assembly including: a display and a backlight module, the backlight module including a prism structure. The backlight module generates light rays and directs the light rays to the display for illuminating the display. The prism structure of the backlight module is configured for causing the light rays to be directed to the display and for causing substantially all of the light rays to be emitted from the display assembly via the display into a pre-determined viewing envelope (ex.—towards an eye position of a viewer of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Ricky J. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8956038
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a light guide structure. The light guide structure is arranged in tiers by a plurality of thin-film modules in which a portion of a first surface of each lower one of the plurality of light guide layers is covered by an upper one of the plurality of light guide layers to form an uncovered portion of the first surface. Each of the thin-film modules is configured to transmit light therein emitted from light emitting diodes (LEDs) to the uncovered portion and emit the light from the uncovered portion of the first surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Takahisa Kusuura
  • Publication number: 20150043044
    Abstract: A linear light source module comprises a holder, a first light guide, a second light guide, a first light-emitting element and a second light-emitting element. The first and second light guides are mounted on the holder and arranged in series, where the first light guide has a first emitting surface and the second light guide has a second emitting surface. The holder partially surrounds the first and second light guides. The first light-emitting element is disposed close to a first end of the first light guide, and a light beam emitted by the first light-emitting element is reflected and converted by the first light guide into first linear light emitted from the first emitting surface. The second light-emitting element is disposed close to a first end of the second light guide, and a light beam emitted by the second light-emitting element is reflected and converted by the second light guide into second linear light emitted from the second emitting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: SUNG-PO CHENG, THOMAS SHENG
  • Patent number: 8937595
    Abstract: An optical touch control apparatus, for detecting displacement between an object and the optical touch control apparatus. The optical touch control apparatus comprises: an object detecting apparatus, for detecting the object to generate an object image, having a first detecting area in a first mode and having a second detecting area in a second mode, wherein the first detecting area is larger than the second detecting area; an image sensor, for capturing at least one frame of the object image; and a control unit, for adjusting an image capturing area of the image sensor, according which one of the first detecting area and the second detecting area the object detecting apparatus utilizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Hsin-Chia Chen, Feng-Cheng Yang, Ching-Lin Chung, Ming-Tsan Kao
  • Patent number: 8926160
    Abstract: The light guide plate has at least two layers which are superposed on each other in the direction almost perpendicular to the light exit surface and contain the scattering particles at different particle concentrations, the scattering particles are polydisperse particles including a mixture of particles with different particle sizes, and the combined particle concentrations in each portion of the light guide plate is different by changing the thicknesses of the first layer and the second layer in the direction almost perpendicular to the exit surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 8928839
    Abstract: A display device includes a liquid crystal display panel that varies a phase of polarized light via liquid crystal molecules, wherein second recessed patterns of a second light guide plate are directly faced with first recessed patterns of a first light guide plate to form a first empty space, and wherein first flat surfaces of the first light guide plate are directly faced with second flat surfaces of the second light guide plate to form a second empty space narrower than the first empty space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Se Hong Park, Jae Seok Park, Kyung Ha Lee
  • Patent number: 8926112
    Abstract: The backlight device is configured in a planar geometry by the combination of a plurality of light emitting units. The light guide plate of the light emitting unit has a light guide unit that guides light from the light source and a light emission surface that emits light from the light guide unit. Adjacent light emitting units are arranged to cross to each other and the light emission surface of a light emitting unit overlaps with the light guide unit of another light emitting unit such that the light guide unit of each light guide plate of the light emitting unit does not extend outside the light emission region of the backlight device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Uchiike, Masanao Kurita
  • Patent number: 8920015
    Abstract: A backlight includes a visible light transmissive body having a light guide portion and a light input portion. The visible light transmissive body primarily propagates light by TIR and includes a light input surface and a light output surface. 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. A light source is disposed adjacent to the light input surface and emits light into the light input portion. A specularly reflective layer is disposed adjacent to but not in intimate contact with the opposing side surfaces and reflects more than 80% of visible light incident on the specularly reflective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Patrick R. Destain
  • Publication number: 20140374864
    Abstract: A light guide unit includes, a first light guide that takes a light incident upon one end surface and emits a light from other end surface and from a light emitter on a side surface of the first light guide, and a second light guide that takes the light emitted from the other end surface of the first light guide then incident upon one end surface of the second light guide, and emits the light from a light emitter on a side surface of the second light guide. The first light guide includes a first mating member, and the second light guide includes a second mating member engaging with a first alignment member such that the side surface of the first light guide having the light emitter and the side surface of the second light guide having the light emitter are flush with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Ichihiro Abe, Koichiro Okamura, Yohei Nokami
  • Patent number: 8915640
    Abstract: Disclosed is a display device including a plurality of channels for forming a specific pattern, in which each of the channels includes: a light source module comprising one or more light sources for generating optical signals having different wavelengths; a driving module for controlling on/off or strength of the optical signal generated in the light source module; an optical waveguide for transferring the optical signal generated in the light source module to an outside without a loss of the optical signal; and a scattering pattern for scattering the optical signal transferred through the optical waveguide and displaying the scattered optical signal to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Suntak Park, Seung Koo Park, Min-Su Kim, Ki Uk Kyung
  • Patent number: 8915639
    Abstract: A lighting system including a light guide plate having a groove, a light source module arranged in the groove, and a projection from a side of the groove in the light guide plate toward the light source module for guiding a light from the light source module to the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Moon Jeong Kim
  • Patent number: 8911132
    Abstract: Optic entrance features may be used to optically control light transfer from a light source to a light emitting panel (LEP). In a particular embodiment, an LEP includes a first LEP side configured to emit light. The LEP also includes a second LEP side. The first LEP side and the second LEP side are opposite sides of the LEP. The LEP further includes a cutout area providing an air gap in the LEP through the first LEP side and the second LEP side. The LEP also includes a light receiving side. The cutout area is proximal to the light receiving side, and the light receiving side is configured to pass light through towards the cutout area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Adam Moore Foy, Scott David Wegner
  • Patent number: 8899808
    Abstract: A luminaire module includes at least one light-emitting element (LEE); a light guide (LG) extending in a first direction from a first end of LG to a second end of LG to receive at the first end light emitted by the LEE and configured to guide the light to the second end; and an optical extractor (OE) optically coupled to LG at the second end to receive light from the LEE guided from the first end to the second end of LG. OE includes a first interface configured to reflect a first portion of the light exiting the LG and transmit a second portion of the light exiting the LG so that the second portion of the light exits OE to an ambient environment in the first direction, and a second interface configured to transmit light incident thereon to the ambient environment in a direction different from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Ingo Speier, Wilson Dau, Robert C. Gardner, George Lerman, Louis Lerman, Christopher H. Lowery, Brian D. Ogonowsky, George E. Smith, Robert V. Steele, Jacqueline Teng, Allan Brent York
  • Patent number: 8899815
    Abstract: A uniform reflective light-guide for accompanying an edge light source to form a backlight module for an LCD display includes a light-guiding layer and a reflective layer. The light-guiding layer further defines a light-introducing surface and a light-exiting surface. The light-introducing surface is to allow lights emitted from the edge light source to enter the light-guiding layer. The light-exiting surface perpendicular to the light-introducing surface is to allow at least a portion of the lights to leave the light-guiding layer. The reflective layer is to reflect the incident lights back to the light-guiding layer. The reflective layer and the light-guiding layer are manufactured integrally into a unique piece by a co-extrusion process so as to avoid possible existence of an air spacing in between. A reflective surface is defined to interface the reflective layer and the light-guiding layer, and a three-dimensional micro-structure is constructed on the reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Entire Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jia-Jen Chen, Yu-Chun Tao, Yan Zuo Chen, Hao-Xiang Lin, Cheng-Yu Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8894265
    Abstract: The light guide plate includes a light guide plate body and a first medium, wherein the refractive index of the light guide plate body is greater than the refractive index of the first medium. The light guide plate body includes a plurality of gaps parallel with each other, wherein the first medium is disposed in those gaps. The light guide plate body further includes a light entrance end, wherein the gaps extend in directions both away and toward the light entrance end. Furthermore, an active region is defined on the light guide plate body and the gaps are located in the active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Wei-Tien Chang, Kuang-Tao Sung
  • Patent number: 8888356
    Abstract: A backlight assembly that is adapted for use with an image displaying flat panel includes a light guide plate assembly and one or more light sources disposed under the light guide plate assembly. An upper portion of the light guide plate assembly is overlapped by a display area of the flat panel while a lower portion is disposed under the upper portion, and includes light guiding material for redirecting sourced light as well as reflectors for also redirecting light sourced from small, light sourcing areas underneath the upper portion for redistribution into the larger area of light guiding material provided in the upper portion of the light guide plate assembly. The upper portion also has one or more light reflectors. In one embodiment, opposed ones of light sources are angled so they don't shine light directly into one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Ran Son, Cheol-Yong Noh, Ju-Hwa Ha
  • Patent number: 8888352
    Abstract: A backlight structure includes a light source module and a light guiding plate. The light source module includes a circuit board, a lighting unit arranged on the circuit board, and a hollow baffle plate surrounding the lighting unit. The circuit board defines a groove in a surface thereof, and a bottom end of the baffle plate is embedded in the groove. The lighting unit is located between the light guiding plate and the circuit board, and the light guiding plate is disposed on the baffle plate. A method for manufacturing the backlight structure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Chen Lai
  • Patent number: 8885231
    Abstract: Provided are: a light source that emits light; a light guide including: a curved portion including a light incident surface from which the light from the light source enters; and a linear portion including a light emission surface from which the light is emitted to an original, the linear portion coupled to the curved portion and extended in a main-scan direction, the curved portion reflecting the light entered from the light incident surface to the linear portion; and a frame that houses the light source, and the light guide, wherein the light guide includes an inclined portion inclined in a direction that increases an incident angle ? of the light, the inclined portion formed in a range of the linear portion where the light reflected by the curved portion enters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Tsumekawa
  • Patent number: 8882328
    Abstract: A light guide includes a substrate having opposing first and second major surfaces and an input edge coupler disposed along an edge of the substrate. The ratio of a light guide input edge thickness to a light guide thickness is greater than 2:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Brian A. Kinder
  • Patent number: 8870433
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a backlight unit including a plurality of light guide plates, each discretely arranged with an interval, one or more light sources formed at a lateral surface of the plurality of light guide plates, and a filling material filled among the plurality of light guide plates and having a lower refractive index than that of the light guide plate, whereby each of the plurality of light guide plates can be split-driven to guarantee a uniform luminance at an interval among the plurality of light guide plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keetae Um
  • Publication number: 20140313776
    Abstract: An edge-lit light fixture includes a first edge-lit light guide panel that has a first light guide. The edge-lit light fixture also includes a second edge-lit light guide panel that has a second light guide. The edge-lit light fixture further includes a center spine that has a protrusion. The first edge-lit light guide panel and the second edge-lit light guide panel are positioned on opposite sides of the protrusion. The protrusion separates a narrow edge of the first light guide from a narrow edge of the second light guide. A portion of the protrusion is positioned below the first light guide and the second light guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventor: Valerica Grigore
  • Publication number: 20140313778
    Abstract: A multi-wing edge-lit structure includes a first edge-lit light guide panel, a second edge-lit light guide panel, and a joiner unit. The first edge-lit light guide panel is adjustably attached to the joiner unit on a first side of the joiner unit. The second edge-lit light guide panel is adjustably attached to the joiner unit on a second side of the joiner unit. The first side and the second side are opposite sides of the joiner unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: William Edward Getzinger, Marc Raymond O'Leary, Bradley Stephen Garrett, Travis William Francis Boyle
  • Patent number: 8864360
    Abstract: A lighting assembly includes a light guide having opposed major surfaces between which light propagates by total internal reflection and a light input edge. The light assembly also includes a light engine. The light engine has a heat conductive armature having a receptacle for a portion of the light guide that includes the light input edge and a light source retained by and thermally coupled to the armature. The armature functions as a heat sink for dissipating heat generated by the light source. The light guide is mechanically retained in the receptacle, and the light guide and the armature cooperate to align the light input edge with the light source for inputting light from the light source into the light guide through the light input edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Rambus Delaware LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery R. Parker, Timothy A. McCollum, Martin E. Ligas, Joseph Crookston, Fumitomo Hide, Alexey Titov, Ian Hardcastle
  • Patent number: 8864359
    Abstract: An ultra thin lighting element including at least one light source (1b). A lightguide element (2c) includes one lightguide layer comprising a plurality of discrete fine optic surface relief structures (3e) on at least one portion of at least one surface. Each surface relief structure (3e) includes basic structural features on the order of about 10 microns or less in height, and on the order of about 10 microns or less in each lateral dimension. The number, arrangement and size of each surface relief structure (3e) and height and lateral dimensions of the structural features of the surface relief structures (3e) being varied to provide a desired degree of outcoupling modulation of light incoupled into the light guide element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Modilis Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Kari J. Rinko
  • Publication number: 20140307476
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus for illuminating a license plate includes a light source and a multilayer light guide. The multilayer light guide is configured to carry light from the light source and to cast light onto the license plate. The multilayer light guide includes a first layer having an exterior surface opposite the location of the license plate. A second layer is disposed between the first layer and the location of the license plate and directly abuts the light source. A third layer is disposed between the second layer and the location of the license plate. The second layer has greater index of refraction than at least one of the first layer and the third layer. In some configurations, the layer carrying light, which may be referred to as the light guide, may be formed from a multilayer optical film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey Jose' Calderas
  • Publication number: 20140307473
    Abstract: A display device includes at least two display panels and a frame for supporting the display panels. The frame includes a partition wall configured for supporting at least an end portion of the display panels. A backlight unit is located at one side of the display panels and provides light to the display panels. The backlight unit includes a strip light source, a longitudinal edge of which is extended along a longitudinal edge of the partition wall for emitting light to the display panels disposed at opposite side of the partition wall and two light-guiding plates disposed at opposite sides of the strip light source for guiding the light emitted from the strip light source into the display panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Nan-Jui CHEN, Chao-Heng TU, Shih-Ting CHEN
  • Patent number: 8858011
    Abstract: The backlight unit includes a plurality of light source groups, each of which includes at least one light source, and a light guide plate to guide light irradiated from the plurality of light source groups, and the light guide plate includes first grooves disposed in a first direction, the plurality of light source groups being disposed within the first grooves, and at least one second groove disposed in a second direction differing from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min Sang Kim, Jung In Seo
  • Publication number: 20140300843
    Abstract: A light guiding system includes an ambient light gathering system for absorbing the ambient light to generate absorbed light; multiple light guiding devices each of which includes a light input end near the ambient light gathering system and a light output end near an incident side of a light guiding plate, and multiple light diffusion devices between the light output end and the incident side of the light guiding plate, for broadening a light-emitting angle of the light output end. The absorbed light enters the light input end and is guided to the light output end to form a backlight source. The light guiding system utilizes a light diffusion device to broaden the light-emitting angle of the light output end such that the light uniformity of the light output end is improved and the optical quality of the edge-lighting backlight module is raised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Che-chang Hu, Hu He
  • Publication number: 20140301109
    Abstract: A light guide plate comprises a transparent light guide plate body; and a plurality of reflection sheets disposed inside the light guide plate body adjacent to a bottom surface of the light guide plate body, wherein a surface of the reflection sheet away from the bottom surface is configured as a reflection surface, regions of the light guide plate body except the reflection sheets are configured as light transmission regions, and the light transmission regions and the reflection sheets are alternately arranged. Since the reflection sheets are provided inside the light guide plate body, the reflection sheet reflects the light which is directed from the one surface and passes through the display panel, and prevents the light, which is directed from the other surface of the display apparatus, from passing through the display panel and interfering with the normal display of the one surface. In this way, the display apparatus can achieve the double-surface display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: BOE Technology Group Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Heecheol Kim, Yan Wei, Chao Xu, Chunfang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140286048
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a switchable see-through luminescent system, e.g. for luminous signage, characterized by its mode to exist in two different states, transparent (‘off-state’) and luminescent (‘on-state’), due to the presence of a luminescent material (20), coated on to the transparent surface (10), capable of being excited on command by means of lighting sources (30) (e.g. LEDs) characterized by suitable emission spectra. In the off-state of the luminescent material (20), the surface appears transparent and it is not evident any significant modifications of the optical properties (transparency, color, etc.) of the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Pietro Riello, Francesco Enrichi, Luca Bellotto, Isidora Freris, Simone Bellan
  • Patent number: 8840275
    Abstract: A lighting assembly includes a light guide having opposed major surfaces between which light propagates by total internal reflection, a light input edge, and two light output regions of different optical characteristics and at least one of which is associated with a corresponding one of the major surfaces. The lighting assembly also includes a light source located adjacent the light input edge. The light source and the light guide variably positionable relative to one another to vary a location on the light input edge at which the light is input to the light guide such that the light is emitted from the light guide selectively apportioned between the light output regions so that a characteristic of the light output from the lighting assembly is modified based on the optical characteristics associated with the light output regions and the relative positioning of the light source and the light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Rambus Delaware LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery R. Parker, Timothy A. McCollum, Fumitomo Hide, Alexey Titov, Ian Hardcastle
  • Patent number: 8840295
    Abstract: A backlight system includes a first light guide layer, first light sources, a second light guide layer and second light sources. The first light sources are configured to emit first light into the first light guide layer. The second light guide layer is arranged on a first surface of the first light guide layer. The second light guide layer contains light-excited fluorophores. The second light sources are configured to emit second light into the second light guide layer in synchronization with the emission of the first light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventors: Shunichiro Kuroki, Kenichi Hashizume
  • Patent number: 8842237
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel, a first back light module (BLU), a polarizer, a second BLU and a pattern retarder. The first BLU is disposed below the liquid crystal display panel for emitting light. The polarizer is disposed on the first BLU, to convert the light into a first light. The second BLU is disposed between the liquid crystal display panel and the first BLU for emitting a second light. The pattern retarder is disposed between the liquid crystal display panel and the first BLU. The pattern retarder includes plural first and second polarizing regions with orthogonal polarization states, and the first and second polarizing regions are arranged in an interlaced order. Also, the polarization state of the first light is orthogonal to the polarization state of the second polarizing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Innolux Corporation
    Inventor: Yen-Liang Chen
  • Publication number: 20140268875
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical waveguide body having a first surface that includes one or more tapered portions displaced between an input surface and an end surface or edge of the waveguide body. A second surface displaced from and opposite the first surface may also include one or more tapered portions between the input surface wherein the furthest tapered portions of the first and second surface forms and end surface or edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: John W. Durkee
  • Patent number: 8834003
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display panel, a light guide plate, point light sources, a passivation layer and a first light adjusting layer. The light guide plate is disposed above the display panel and has an upper surface, an opposite lower surface, a light incident surface, a first and a second light guiding blocks. The display panel is disposed corresponding to the first light guiding block, and the second light guiding block extends outside the display panel. A portion of the upper surface located on the first light guiding block is an even surface. The first light guiding block is located between the passivation layer and the display panel. The first light adjusting layer is disposed on the second light guiding block and located on the upper surface or the lower surface. There is a first rough interface between the first light adjusting layer and the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: E Ink Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Hsin-Tao Huang, I-Jeng Chen, Yu-Nan Pao, Yu-Nan Tsao, Chin-Ju Hsu, Sheng-Chieh Tai
  • Patent number: 8833955
    Abstract: A backlight module has a light guide plate, a back plate and light emitting assemblies. The light guide plate is substantially prism-like. The back plate has a shape corresponding to that of the light guide plate, and has an inclined first side plate and an inclined second side plate opposite to the first side plate. Each of the first and second side plates has at least one receiving recess, and the light emitting assemblies are received in the receiving recesses. In comparison with a side-light type backlight module, the present invention saves a heat-dissipation aluminum extrusion member. In comparison with a direct-light type backlight module, the present invention shortens the light mixing distance in a vertical direction, so as to reduce the module thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lindong Fang, Yicheng Kuo
  • Patent number: 8833997
    Abstract: A light guide bar and an optical touch panel utilizing the light guide bar are provided. The light guide bar is applied to an optical touch panel with a sensing area. The light guide bar includes a bar body and a plurality of prisms. The bar body has a first receiving end, a light-exiting surface, and a structure surface. The light-exiting surface is opposite to the structure surface and faces the sensing area while the first receiving end is connected between an end of the light-exiting surface and an end of the structure surface. The prisms are formed on the structure surface. Each prism includes a first surface and a second surface respectively having a first angle and a second angle with respect to the structure surface, wherein the second surface is closer to the first receiving end than the first surface, and the second angle is larger than or equal to the first angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Briview Corporation
    Inventor: Huang-Jen Chen
  • Patent number: 8827533
    Abstract: A spread illuminating apparatus includes a point-like light source, and a light guiding plate with a light incident face at which the point-like light source direct and an emission surface that exits spread illuminated light emitted from the point-like source and then introduced through the light incident face. A pair of inclined surfaces is provided between the adjacent point-like light sources arranged at the light incident face, the inclined surfaces being configured to incline and narrow as moving toward a front of the light guiding plate in a light emitted direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahito Yoshida, Makoto Furuta
  • Patent number: RE45229
    Abstract: A backlight for a color liquid crystal display apparatus includes a first light-guide plate; a first incidence part for receiving light of a first primary color in a first area on a first lateral surface of the first light-guide plate; a second incidence part for receiving light of a second primary color light in a second area on a second lateral surface that is opposite to the first lateral surface of the first light-guide plate; and a third incidence part for receiving light of a third primary color in a third area on a rear surface of the first light-guide plate. The number of superposition steps is thereby reduced, light-guide plates can easily be superposed onto an LCD panel with high accuracy, and a lightweight and inexpensive backlight for a color liquid crystal display apparatus can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Getner Foundation LLC
    Inventor: Mitsuasa Takahashi