Film Or Coating Patents (Class 362/618)
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Patent number: 8727577Abstract: An optical film is provided herein which may include a base film including a material having optical transmittance and a thermal resistance, a matrix layer disposed on the base film and including a fluorescent material, and a viscous layer disposed on the matrix layer including a material having adhesive property, wherein the viscous layer may have a prescribed thickness.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2013Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.Inventors: Young Joo Ahn, Jongchan Park, Young Jin Kim, AnNa Han
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Patent number: 8708543Abstract: There is herein described a light engine that emits a light. The light engine includes a light source, a light guide, a plurality of extraction optical elements, and a plurality of phosphors. The light guide receives the light. The extraction optical elements are on the surface of the light guide. The extraction optical elements extract at least a portion of the light out of the light guide. The phosphors are disposed on top of at least some of the extraction optical elements.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2011Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.Inventors: Dongxue Wang, Matthew A Stough, Martin Zachau
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Publication number: 20140112019Abstract: A display device having a simplified assembly of components. The display device includes a display panel, a circuit board, a light guide plate disposed under the display panel to guide a light toward the display panel, a molding member disposed between the display panel and the light guide plate, and a covering member extending from a lower surface of the light guide plate to an upper surface of the display panel. The light guide plate has a supporting portion that protrudes from a side surface of the light guide plate to support the circuit board disposed adjacent to an edge of the display panel. The molding member supports the display panel. The covering member fixes the components of the display device. This way a display device is provided that does not need a bottom chassis, thereby the assembling of the display panel is simplified.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.Inventors: In-Su Baek, Myoung-Seok Son
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Patent number: 8696183Abstract: A backlight module has a light guide plate, a notch structure, a light absorption layer, and at least one light source. The light guide plate has a light-emitting surface and at least one side surface forming an angle with the light-emitting surface. The notch structure is continuously formed on the side surface and concave towards the inside of the light guide plate. The light absorption layer is distributed on an area substantially overlapping the notch structure, and the light source is stored in the notch structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Coretronic CorporationInventors: Yi-Pai Huang, Ching-Yi Hsu, Chih-Hung Ting, Che-Hsuan Yang
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Patent number: 8684583Abstract: A backlight unit 12 includes a chassis 14, a plurality of cold cathode tubes 18, an optical member 16 and a plurality of support members 20. The chassis 14 has an opening on a light exit side. The cold cathode tubes 18 are light sources arranged in a parallel layout and housed in the chassis 14. The optical member 16 is arranged on the light exit side outer than the cold cathode tubes 18 so as to cover the opening of the chassis 14. The support members 20 are arranged in a parallel layout along a parallel arrangement direction of the cold cathode tubes 18. The support members 20 are formed such that support positions of the optical member 16 are relatively closer to the cold cathode tubes 18 around the center and relatively farther from the cold cathode tubes 18 near the edges. The cold cathode tubes 18 are arranged at relatively smaller intervals around the center and at relatively larger intervals near the edges.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2009Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masashi Yokota
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Publication number: 20140085576Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided with backlight structures that provide backlight illumination for a display. The backlight structures include a light source such as an array of light-emitting diodes that launches light into an edge of a light guide plate. The light guide plate distributes the light laterally across display layers in the display. One or more optical films such as brightness enhancement films and diffuser layers are interposed between the display layers and the light guide plate. The light guide plate includes light guide plate alignment features that mate with corresponding optical film alignment features in the optical films. The light guide plate alignment features may be protrusions that extend into openings such as notches or holes in the optical films. The light guide plate may have a protruding portion that extends around a periphery of the light guide plate and surrounds a perimeter of the optical films.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2012Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Eric Benson, Adam T. Garelli, Dinesh C. Mathew, Bryan W. Posner, Jun Qi, Victor H. Yin
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Patent number: 8681423Abstract: A light modulator includes a light guide to guide light, a diffraction grating at a surface of the light guide, and a fluid having a refractive index substantially matched to a refractive index of the diffraction grating. The diffraction grating is to couple out a portion of guided light from the light guide using diffractive coupling. The index-matched fluid is to be selectively moved both into contact with the diffractive grating to defeat the diffractive coupling and out of contact with the diffraction grating to facilitate the diffractive coupling to modulate the coupled out guided light.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2013Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Gary Gibson, David A Fattal
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Patent number: 8668371Abstract: Light redirecting film comprises a thin optically transparent substrate having a pattern of individual optical elements formed as projections on a light exit surface of the film. At least some of the projections comprise a dome-shaped surface on the light exit surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2012Date of Patent: March 11, 2014Assignee: Rambus Delaware LLCInventors: Jeffery R. Parker, Timothy A. McCollum, Robert M. Ezell
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Patent number: 8664683Abstract: A method for providing, on a carrier (40), an insulative spacer layer (26) which is patterned such that a cavity (27) is formed which enables connection of an optical semiconductor element (41) to the intended conductor structure (22) when placed inside the cavity (27). The cavity (27) is formed such that it, through its shape, extension and/or depth, accurately defines a location of an optical element (45; 61) in relation to the optical semiconductor element (41). Through the provision of such a patterned insulative spacer layer, compact and cost-efficient optical semiconductor devices can be mass-produced based on such a carrier without the need for prolonged development or acquisition of new and expensive manufacturing equipment.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2007Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.Inventor: Gerardus Henricus Franciscus Willebrordus Steenbruggen
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Patent number: 8651725Abstract: A backlight module provided includes a light source, a first light-guided plate, and a second light-guided plate stacked on the first light-guided plate. The first light-guided plate includes a plate body and an extension disposed on an edge of the plate body and extending towards the second light-guided plate aside a lateral side of the second light-guided plate. The plate body and the extension form a seamless light incident surface. The extension has a reflection surface. The reflection surface connects the light incident surface or the surface of the plate body. The light source is disposed at a light incident surface of the first light-guided plate for projecting light into the light-guided plate.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Global Lighting Technology Inc.Inventors: Jiun-Hau Ie, Tung-Chuan Su, Yu-Jeng Lin
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Publication number: 20140029305Abstract: A light source module including a light emitting element and a light guiding element is provided. The light guiding element has a light incident surface, a light emitting surface, a first surface, a second surface, a first reflective layer, and a second reflective layer. The light emitting element faces to the light incident surface. The light incident surface is connected to the light emitting surface. The first surface is connected to the light emitting surface and opposite to the light incident surface. The first surface is non-parallel to the light incident surface. The second surface is connected to the first surface and opposite to the light emitting surface. The first reflective layer is disposed on the first surface. The second reflective layer is disposed on the second surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2012Publication date: January 30, 2014Inventors: Zhi-Ting Ye, Ming-Chuan Lin, Kuo-Jui Huang
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Patent number: 8628255Abstract: A lighting system for generating an illumination product comprises an excitation source, blue/UV LED, operable to generate excitation radiation and a remotely located phosphor, photo luminescent material. Excitation radiation is guided from the excitation source to the phosphor by a waveguiding medium, the waveguiding medium being configured such that the distance the radiation travels from the excitation source to the phosphor layer is at least one centimeter in length. The UV/blue excitation source provides excitation radiation to the phosphor(s), causing the phosphor(s) to photo luminesce, and it may also provide a component of the final illumination product. The configuration of the waveguide allows a greater flexibility in lighting system configurations, such as hanging lighting fixtures, desk lighting fixtures, floor standing lighting fixtures, desk lamps, track lighting, spot lighting, accent lighting, lighting panels, inspection lamps and endoscopes.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2010Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Intematix CorporationInventor: Yi-Qun Li
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Publication number: 20130334406Abstract: A light guide module is disclosed in the present invention. The light guide module includes a light guide plate, and an optical reflecting structure disposed on a bottom of the light guide plate. A beam is transmitted into the light guide plate through its side surface. Total internal reflection characters of the light guide plate is interfered by the optical reflecting structure, so that the beam can emit out of the light guide plate through a light emitting surface of the light guide plate. The optical reflecting structure includes a first reflecting layer disposed on the bottom, and a second reflecting layer formed above the first reflecting layer. The beam is absorbed by the first reflecting layer. The beam is reflected out of the light emitting surface via the second reflecting layer, and the second reflecting layer is between the first reflecting layer and the light guide plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2012Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicant: PIXART IMAGING INC.Inventors: Tien-Chia Liu, Hui-Hsuan Chen
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Patent number: 8596809Abstract: Suspended optical film assemblies including a frame, an optical film, and an elastomeric film are disclosed. The elastomeric films include a first attachment region, a second attachment region, and a free region between the first and second attachment regions. The first attachment region is affixed to the frame; the second attachment region is affixed to the optical film, so that the free region is in tension and supports the optical film within the frame. The tension in the elastomeric film free region can help maintain flatness and reduce distortion in the optical film during environmental changes that influence dimensional changes in the frame, optical film, and elastomeric film.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2009Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Raymond P. Johnston, David G. Freier, Mieczyslaw H. Mazurek, Martin Kristoffersen, John A. Wheatley
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Patent number: 8596854Abstract: A light-guide module including a light-guide sheet and a light source is provided. The light-guide sheet includes a light-emergent region and a plurality of localized micro-structures located at a first surface of the light-guide sheet, wherein the localized micro-structures are distributed except the light-emergent region. The localized micro-structures include a plurality of arc grooves disposed on a first region. The light source includes a plurality of light-emitting devices. A light-emergent area of each of the light-emitting devices is A. In the localized micro-structures of the first region covered by the light-emitting devices, an area occupied by the arc grooves having aspect ratios greater than 0.5 is greater than or substantially equal to 0.5 A.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2012Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Po-Ling Shiao, Chih-Chiang Chao, Mei-Chun Lai
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Patent number: 8580372Abstract: The present invention provides an optical film comprising a substrate having a first optical surface and a second surface and a micro structure layer on the first optical surface of the substrate, wherein the micro structure layer comprises a plurality of first light-adjusting structures selected from the group consisting of prism columnar structures, conical columnar structures, solid angle structures and orange-segment like structures and a combination thereof and a plurality of second light-adjusting structures selected from the group consisting of arc columnar structures, lens-like structures, and capsule-like structures and a combination thereof, wherein at least a portion of the second light-adjusting structures has a height greater than those of all the first light-adjusting structures. The optical film of the present invention will not suffer the damage caused on the microstructure layers while achieving a light-gathering effect and effectively reducing optical interference.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2008Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Eternal Chemical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ting-Yuang Wu, Hsung-Hsing Wang, Yi-Chia Wang
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Publication number: 20130279202Abstract: Improved side-light distribution systems are disclosed. One exemplary system includes a light source and a side-light distribution member. The light source supplies light to the side-light distribution member having (1) an net port on the first end of the member for receiving the light and (2) a second end having a reflective means. The inlet port consists of part of the surface area of the first end of the member. The reflective means associated with the second end of the member receives light from the first end and directs light towards the first end. At least part of a surface area of the first end of outside of the inlet port includes a reflective means for receiving the light from the second end and directing the light towards the second end of the rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2012Publication date: October 24, 2013Inventors: Gregory P. Frankiewicz, Roger F. Buelow, II, David Bina
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Patent number: 8550686Abstract: A display panel and a light source device used therein are provided. The display panel includes a light-guide thin-film circuit substrate, a light source and a polarizing layer. The light-guide thin-film circuit substrate has a light entrance end and a light exit top surface, and the light source is disposed corresponding to the light entrance end. The polarizing layer is disposed on the light-guide thin-film circuit substrate and parallels the light exit top surface of the light-guide thin-film circuit substrate. The light produced by the light source enters the circuit substrate through the light entrance end, guided and transmitted through the circuit substrate, and then leaves the circuit substrate through the light exit top surface and enters the polarizing layer. The light after passing through the polarizing layer is turned into a polarized light having flat light source effect as a backlight source for the system.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2011Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: AU Optronics CorporationInventors: Hsin-Tao Huang, Deng-Kuen Shiau, Chun-Chi Hsu, Chun-Chung Hsiao, Mao-Wei Lin
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Publication number: 20130250618Abstract: In one embodiment, a light emitting device comprises an array of legs extending from a body of film with the bounding edges of the legs stacked, a first light source emitting light of a first color and a second light source emitting light of a second color into the stacked bounding edges where the light emitting region defined within the body is configured to extract light of a third color. In another embodiment, a light emitting device comprises three light sources positioned to direct light into a stacked array of bounding edges. In one embodiment, a method of generating light of adjustable color exiting a surface of a film is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: FLEX LIGHTING II, LLCInventors: Anthony J. Nichol, Zane A. Coleman
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Interleaved lighting system for 2D-3D display having orthogonally arranged light extraction features
Patent number: 8534900Abstract: A light guide plate for a backlight comprises a light transmissive medium. The light transmissive medium preferably has two pairs of opposing sides and a top surface. Also provided is a plurality of interleaved regions of elongated light extraction features on the top surface of the light transmissive medium. Each light extraction figure is configured to extract light injected into the light guide plate and into a direction away from the top surface of the light guide plate. Each elongated light extraction feature has a long dimension and a short dimension. The light extraction features in a first set of the regions are arranged with their long dimension orthogonal to the long dimension of the light extraction features in a second set of the regions.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Unipixel Displays, Inc.Inventors: Ying Zhou, Daniel K. Van Ostrand -
Patent number: 8531625Abstract: A light guide plate for displaying a three-dimensional (3D) image, and a 3D image display apparatus employing the same. The light guide plate includes a transparent body formed in a flat panel shape, and for guiding light with total internal reflection in the transparent body; and a plurality of viewing zone separation units aligned inside the transparent body. Light incident on two side surfaces of the light guide plate is separated into different viewing zones by reflective surfaces of the viewing zone separation units.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2010Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Byung-hee Sohn, Young-hwan Kim, Hong-seok Lee, Hee-kyung Kim
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Patent number: 8517552Abstract: The optical film may include a base film including a material having optical transmittance and a thermal resistance, a matrix layer disposed on the base film which may include a fluorescent material, and a protective layer disposed on the matrix layer and which may include a material having adhesive property.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2010Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.Inventors: Young Joo Ahn, Jongchan Park, Young Jin Kim, AnNa Han
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Patent number: 8517590Abstract: A light source structure includes a light-emitting diode, an optical component, a frame and a mounting substrate. The light-emitting diode emits light. The frame has an inside face defining an inside area and outside face with an attachment opening extending between the inside and outside faces. The light-emitting diode is disposed in the attachment opening to emit the light toward the inside area of the frame. The frame houses the optical component in the inside area of the frame. The mounting substrate has a base member, a copper layer that is laminated on the base member, and a resist film that is laminated on the copper layer. The resist film has a first aperture with the light-emitting diode extending through the first aperture such that the light-emitting diode is electrically coupled to and mounted on the copper layer. The mounting substrate is disposed on the outside face of the frame.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2011Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomohisa Tajiri, Yuto Suzuki
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Patent number: 8511884Abstract: A one-way see-through illumination system is constructed from a light guide panel, a front-illumination image film, and a light injector. The light injector injects light into the light guide panel at a suitable angle for total internal reflection of the injected light at the surfaces of the light guide panel. The image film includes a half-toned front-illuminable image pattern that extracts light from the light guide panel. When active, light from the light guide panel front illuminates the image pattern for viewing by a front-side view, while a back-side viewer can see through the image pattern.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2011Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Inventor: Kevin G. Donahue
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Patent number: 8500318Abstract: The present invention provides a light guide plate and a manufacturing method thereof. The manufacturing method firstly forms a plurality of spherical recesses arranged at intervals on a light-emitting surface of a light guide plate body when the light guide plate body is formed by pressing, and then applies a diffuser particle with corresponding shape on a surface of each of the spherical recesses, so as to complete the manufacture of the light guide plate. When being mounted in a backlight module, the light guide plate benefits the backlight module of reducing the use of diffuser films, so as to reduce the thickness and weight of the backlight module.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2010Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Lindong Fang, Yicheng Kuo
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Publication number: 20130182200Abstract: A light guide plate (11) has: a light incidence surface (11c) through which light from a light source enters the light guide plate; a back surface (11b) for changing a direction of the light which has entered the light guide plate (11) through the light incidence surface (11c); and a light exit surface (11a). The back surface (11b) has a plurality of dot holes (12) each of which has an inclined surface for changing the direction of the light which has entered the light guide plate (11) through the light incidence surface (11a), and an angle ? between the inclined surface of each of the plurality of dot holes 12 and the back surface satisfies 53°???56°.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2011Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takashi Ishizumi
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Patent number: 8469578Abstract: An optical element includes a first optical member with at least one indentation at a first surface thereof, and a second optical member attached to the first surface. The second optical member conforms to the at least one indentation in the first optical member. The optical element further includes at least one reflector at an interface between the first and second optical members, where the at least one reflector is located at the at least one indentation. The reflector is formed by an interface between a cavity formed between the first and second optical members and at least one of the first and second optical members.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2008Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Hugo Johan Cornelissen, Hendrik Johannes Boudewijn Jagt, Willem Lubertus Ijzerman
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Patent number: 8465193Abstract: A passive backlight film stack can be composed of several light shaping diffusers, which do not use brightness-enhancing films, light pipes or directional turning films. The passive diffuser stack can be used with direct-view backlights or with the diffuser films, each from 100 to 300 micrometers thick, stacked on top of one another. The passive stack assembly can be formed by two elliptical diffuser films (having different light distribution profiles in horizontal and vertical planes) and one circular diffuser film (with homogeneous distribution in both planes). Each film within the stack has a micro-relief surface diffuser pattern ranging from 5 to 200 microns on a rigid substrate achieved by means of single beam recording in photosensitive media. The light shaping diffusers in the proposed stack have special physical and geometrical characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2008Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Luminit LLCInventors: Engin B. Arik, Evgeni Y. Poliakov
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Patent number: 8459859Abstract: A light guide module capable of illuminating and being applied in a device for decoration is provided. The light guide module includes a reflective layer, a light guide with a plurality of diffusing particles, and a light source. The light guide has a side surface, a reflective surface and a light-exiting surface, thereby allowing a light from the light source to enter and reflect and exit the light guide respectively. The reflective layer is disposed on the reflective surface of the light guide for reflecting the light to the light-exiting surface. The light guide forms a portion of an outer surface of the device.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2011Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Compal Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Yin-Ta Chen, Kuang-Cheng Fan, Shih-Wei Li
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Patent number: 8439548Abstract: The present invention provides a planar light guide film for a backlight unit having at least one point light source, the light guide film comprising a light input surface for receiving light from the point light source, a light redirecting surface for redirecting light received from the light input surface and a light output surface for outputting at least the light redirected from the light redirecting surface. The light input surface further comprises a composite lens structure having a circular tip segment with a first contact angle, and a first and second circular base segments with a second contact angle, the second contact angle being greater than the first contact angle and the second contact angle being equal to each other. Further, the circular tip segment satisfies the following equation: y1=a1+?{square root over ((r12?x2))} and the circular base segments satisfies the following equations: y2=b2+?{square root over ((r22?(x+a2)2))} y3=b3+?{square root over ((r32?(x?a3)2))}.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: SKC Haas Display Films Co., Ltd.Inventor: Qi Hong
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Patent number: 8439546Abstract: Embodiments of a panel lighting apparatus and methods of its manufacture are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus can include a light source, an at least partially transparent panel comprising a planar front surface and a planar back surface, the panel disposed in conjunction with the light source such that light from the light source is input into at least one edge of the panel and guided therein, and a plurality of light extraction dots disposed on the planar back surface, the plurality of light extraction dots configured to reflect light incident on the planar back surface and extract light from the light source propagating in the panel through the planar front surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2012Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan C Griffiths, Gaurav Sethi, James R Webster
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Patent number: 8419260Abstract: A display includes a display panel and a backlight module. The backlight module is configured below the display panel and includes a light guide plate (LGP), a light source, an optical film, and a pad. The light source is located near the LGP. The optical film is configured on the LGP. The pad is located between the optical film and the display panel. A first surface of the pad is fixed to the optical film, and a second surface of the pad is slidable relative to the display panel.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2011Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Au Optronics CorporationInventors: Ruei-Hung Tsai, Chi-Feng Chiu, Shih-Yao Lin
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Patent number: 8419259Abstract: A backlight unit does not show decrease of brightness for the frontal direction even when made thin-shaped. An edge light type backlight unit 1 includes a light conducting plate 14, a light source 13 disposed along at least one end portion of the light conducting plate 14, and a light diffusing film 15 disposed on a light projecting surface of the light conducting plate 14. The light conducting plate 14 has a thickness of 1.0 mm or smaller, the light diffusing film 15 has a light diffusing layer formed from a binder resin and a light diffusing agent, wherein the coefficient of variation of particle size distribution of the light diffusing agent is in the range of 30% or smaller.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2008Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Kimoto Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Yokota, Yasumaro Toshima
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Patent number: 8419200Abstract: A backlight unit includes a light guide plate, at least one lamp provided at one or both sides of the light guide plate, a lamp housing surrounding the lamp, a lamp reflection plate positioned under the light guide plate to reflect light emitted from the lamp towards the light guide plate, and a polarization layer on an upper surface of the light guide plate and having an embossed pattern of protrusions and grooves on an upper surface thereof. A method for forming the backlight unit and a liquid crystal display device comprising the same are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2006Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.Inventors: Gee Sung Chae, Jin Wuk Kimq
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Patent number: 8414173Abstract: An illumination device includes a plurality of light source units (20) each having a light guide plate and at least one light source. The light guide plate is provided with an illumination region (4) through which an incident beam of light from the at least one light source is emitted outward and a light guide region (3) through which the incident beam of light from the at least one light source is guided toward the illumination region (4), with the illumination region (4) and the light guide region (3) laid side-by-side. Light source units (20) adjacent to each other along a direction of an optical axis of the at least one light source are disposed so that the illumination region (4) of one of the light source units (20) covers at least a part of the light guide region (3) of the other light source unit (20).Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2008Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takeshi Masuda, Yuhsaku Ajichi, Yukihide Kohtoku
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Patent number: 8408778Abstract: A display device including a light unit is provided. The light unit may include a light guide plate, a light emitting module, and a color coordinate conversion sheet. The light emitting module may include a plurality of light emitting diodes configured to emit light to a side of the light guide plate. The color coordinate conversion sheet may be positioned on the light guide plate to convert a color coordinate distribution of the light emitted by the light emitting module to a color coordinate distribution that falls within a target distribution range.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hyung Hwa Park
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Patent number: 8408773Abstract: An illuminated component for motor vehicles and the like includes a light source that may comprise one or more LEDs. A sheet of light-transmitting material has a first side surface that is coated with ink or other opaque material. Some of the opaque material is removed to form areas that may be illuminated by the light source. The opaque material may be removed utilizing a laser-engraving/etching process according to a specific pattern or design provided by a customer from a remote location.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Innotec CorporationInventor: Michael K. Judge
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Patent number: 8408774Abstract: A light reflector comprising a resin film having a reflection angle peak ratio [i.e. (reflection peak value when a light ray is applied at an angle of 45° to the perpendicular line of the reflection surface)/(reflection peak value when a light ray is applied at an angle of 15° to the perpendicular line of the reflection surface)] of from 1.3 to 10, and a specular reflectance [i.e. (reflectance)?(diffuse reflectance)] of from 1.4% to 10%. This light reflector can prevent generation of a bright line even when it is used in an illumination device having a plurality of light sources.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2006Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Yupo CorporationInventors: Takahiko Ueda, Hiroshi Koyama, Haruto Nagakusa
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Patent number: 8403550Abstract: A surface light source device can be configured to increase front luminance as compared to certain conventional light sources. The surface light source device can include a light guiding plate having a first end surface and a second end surface, a light exiting surface formed to have a light exiting portion and a tapered surface disposed opposite to the light exiting surface. A light source can be disposed along the first end surface of the light guiding plate, and a reflection sheet can be disposed on the tapered surface of the light guiding plate. A prism sheet having a prism surface can face toward the light exiting portion of the light guiding plate. The light exiting portion can be disposed a predetermined entrance length away from the first end surface along the light exiting surface so that the light exiting surface can form a predetermined taper angle with the tapered surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2011Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Junji Nakamura, Yoji Oki, Fumitoshi Isobe
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Publication number: 20130039094Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to patterned gradient polymer films and methods for making the same, and more particularly to patterned gradient optical films that have regions that include variations in optical properties such as refractive index, haze, transmission, clarity, or a combination thereof. The variation in optical properties can occur across a transverse plane of the film as well as through a thickness direction of the film.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2010Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William Blake Kolb, Michael Benton Free, Brant U. Kolb, Fei Lu, John A. Wheatley
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Publication number: 20130033900Abstract: A lighting assembly includes an edge-lit light guide and a light redirecting member. Light extracting elements at the light guide extract light from the light guide as intermediate light. Light redirecting elements at the light redirecting film are configured to redirect the intermediate light received from the light guide to illuminate a target surface in accordance with a defined illumination profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2012Publication date: February 7, 2013Applicant: RAMBUS INC.Inventors: Timothy A. McCollum, Robert M. Ezell, Jeffery R. Parker, Kurt R. Starkey, Ian Hardcastle, Fumitomo Hide
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Patent number: 8366309Abstract: The present invention discloses a light guide plate and a backlight module having the same. The light guide plate includes a light emitting surface, a light incident surface, a light reflecting surface, and a plurality of prisms disposed on the light reflecting surface. The disposition direction of the prisms can be parallel or perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the light reflecting surface. An inclined angle may exist between the disposition direction of the prisms and the lengthwise of the light reflecting surface. The backlight module includes a light guide plate, a light source, and an optical film set, wherein the light source is disposed near the light incident surface. The optical film set partially covers the light emitting surface, wherein a distance exists between a vertex of the prism and an edge of the optical film set.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2009Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Au Optronics CorporationInventors: Yen-Chang Huang, Kang-Chung Liu, Wen-Yuan Cheng
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Publication number: 20130027635Abstract: An end of a light guide plate used for a liquid crystal display and a lighting unit, which is positioned on one side in a first direction, is provided with a depressed portion, and another end of the light guide plate, which is positioned on the other side in the first direction, is provided with a projecting portion. Using the depressed portion and the projecting portion, the light guide plate is placed in a predetermined position of a frame body. The depressed portion and the projecting portion are formed at positions opposite each other in the first direction, and the projecting portion is equal to or smaller than the depressed portion in size.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Nobutaka URANO, Yoichi MOMOSE
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Publication number: 20120287675Abstract: An image display apparatus includes an image forming device, a collimating optical system, and an optical device. The optical device includes a light guide plate, a first deflecting member that deflects light incident on the light guide plate, and a second deflecting member that deflects the light, which propagates in the light guide plate by total reflection, a plurality of times. The first and second deflecting members are provided in the light guide plate. Light having one wavelength emitted from at least one pixel satisfies the following condition: 2t·sin ??2?WY?2t·sin ?+2 where an axial direction of the light guide plate is the Y-direction, WY prepresents the width in the Y-direction of the light incident on the light guide plate, t represents the thickness of the light guide plate, and ? represents the total reflection angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: SONY CORPORATIONInventor: Hiroshi Mukawa
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Patent number: 8308336Abstract: A multi-segmented light guide for keypad and display apparatus has been disclosed. The light guide film may comprise a plurality of light segments configured to transmit light independently. The boundaries of the light segments may be defined by a plurality of micro-optic structures. The micro-optic structures may have a height at least half the thickness of the light guide.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2010Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Intellectual Discovery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sian Tatt Lee, Muh Fong Chung, Choon Guan Ko, Fook Chuin Ng
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Patent number: 8279369Abstract: A polarized light emitting light guide plate includes: a transparent substrate of optically isotropic material, in which the light incident through a lateral side thereof travels; an anisotropic liquid crystal polymer layer formed on an upper surface of the substrate and having first and second refractive indices with respect to first and second perpendicular polarization components; and a polarization separation microstructure formed at an interface between the transparent substrate and the liquid crystal polymer layer, which refracts or reflects the first polarization component and transmits the second polarization component. The refractive index of the polarization separation microstructure is substantially equal to the refractive index of the substrate; the first refractive index of the liquid crystal polymer layer is greater than the refractive index of the substrate, and the second refractive index of the liquid crystal polymer layer light is substantially equal to the refractive index of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2010Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Seong-mo Hwang, Dong-ho Wee, Seung-ho Nam
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Patent number: 8256932Abstract: An exemplary light diffusion plate includes a main body, and a plurality of diffusion particles dispersed in the main body. The main body includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface are on opposite sides of the main body. The first surface is a flat surface. The second surface defines a plurality of rectangular structures. Each rectangular structure defines four adjacent triangular pyramid depressions. A backlight module using the light diffusion plate is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2008Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shao-Han Chang
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Patent number: 8248554Abstract: An edge-lit backlight unit for a display is provided. In one embodiment, the backlight unit may include a light guide configured to receive light from a source and emit such light in a broad distribution to a turning film disposed over the light guide. The turning film may be configured to redirect light received from the light guide toward a normal of the turning film. In one embodiment, the light guide may be configured such that peak light distribution therefrom occurs at an incident angle of approximately sixty degrees, with broad light distribution substantially occurring over an angular range between incident angles of thirty-five and eighty-five degrees. Additionally, in one embodiment, the turning film may include multiple prisms that receive and redirect the light emitted from the light guide, and that include apex angles of less than or about sixty degrees. Additional edge-lit backlight units and methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jun Qi, Victor H. Yin, John Z. Zhong, Wei Chen
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Patent number: 8224391Abstract: A mobile terminal having a display unit provided with an LED backlight and controlling method thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes a housing, a display unit including a liquid crystal display provided to one side of the housing and a backlight unit including a plurality of light emitting diodes for a backlight provided to a backside of the liquid crystal display and a control unit controlling the backlight unit to selectively adjust brightness of the light emitting diodes in part. Accordingly, a mobile terminal according to at least one of embodiments of the present invention controls light emission of an LED backlight locally, thereby providing more various display visual effects. And, a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention is able to use at least one portion of the light emitted from an LED BLU of a display unit as an illumination of a main body without using a separate light source for external illumination.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2010Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Sang Joon Kim, Byung Hyun Lee
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Patent number: 8215815Abstract: In one aspect, an illumination apparatus includes a waveguide, embedded in which are a light-emitting source and a photoluminescent material. Output light is emitted from at least a portion of a first surface of the waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Oree, Inc.Inventors: Noam Meir, Eran Fine