Abstract: An edge-light type light guide plate (30) is provided that has a first surface (31) and a second surface (32) that are opposed to each other, and a peripheral edge surface extending between the peripheral edges of the first and second surfaces. A part of the peripheral edge surface is defined as a light entrance plane (30a). The first surface (31) has a series of parallel elongated raised surfaces (31a) of arcuate cross-section that extend in a direction substantially normal to the light entrance plane (30a). The second surface (32) has a series of parallel elongated recessed surfaces (32a) of triangular cross-section that extend in a direction substantially normal to the elongated raised surfaces (31a) on the first surface.

Abstract: A light guide plate capable of omitting use of a directional sheet such as a prism sheet as much as possible and ensuring a viewing angle without decreasing brightness in the vertical direction. A light guide plate 1 is used for an edge-light surface illuminant device 10. The light guide plate comprises an emission plane 6, a bottom plane 7 facing the emission plane 6 and an incident end face 8 which enters light emitted from a primary light source 4 provided in a side face between the emission plane 6 and the bottom plane 7. Each of the emission plane 6 and the bottom plane 7 comprises a pattern having convex portions and/or concave portions formed at predetermined pitches. The pattern formed on the emission plane 6 is orthogonal to the incident end face 8 and also the pattern formed on the bottom plane 6 is parallel to the incident end face 8. The emission plane 6 or the bottom plane 7 comprises a trapezoidal convex portion 2 and a trapezoidal concave portion 3 which are alternately arranged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a prism sheet employed in a backlight unit. The prism sheet according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a coating layer having a resin transmitting the incident light from the outside; and a plurality of beads contained in the resin and scattering the incident light; a base film disposed on the coating layer and transmitting the light; and a plurality of prisms disposed on the base film, and refracting and condensing the light transmitted from the base film. The prism sheet of the present invention may not be deformed even if the temperature of the backlight unit is increased.

Abstract: A backlight module includes at least a light guide board, a reflector film, an optic film, and a light scarce. The light guide board has a light emitting surface on which a plurality of light: converging elements is formed The optic film has a surface on which a plurality of rib-like micro light guides is formed. Each micro light guide includes a plurality of ridges, which are of different heights and show variation of height Either a high ridge or a low ridge of the micro light guide is made a continuous left-and-right wavy configuration and/or a continuous up-and-down height-variation configuration. Thus, light transmitting through, the optic film and converged by the micro light guides leaves the optic film in a form that is not very regular so as to facilitate subsequent use of the light in for example a liquid crystal display panel.

Abstract: In an optical sheet which is used for light control illumination in a backlight unit for a display, in order from an incident side of an illuminating light, there are provided at least a light scattering layer which scatters the illuminating light toward an outgoing surface side, an adhesion layer or an adhesive layer, a light reflection layer which reflects light scattered by the light scattering layer toward the light scattering layer side, and a lens sheet whose flat rear face is fixed to the other side of the light reflection layer, and in which a plurality of unit lenses are disposed on the surface. Opening portions corresponding to the respective unit lenses one-to-one are provided to the light reflection layer, and thickness of the adhesion layer or the adhesive layer is thinner than that of the light reflection layer.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems device fabricated on a pre-patterned substrate having grooves formed therein. A lower electrode is deposited over the substrate and separated by an orthogonal upper electrode by a cavity. The upper electrode is configured to be movable to modulate reflected light. A semi-reflective layer and a transparent material are formed over the movable upper electrode.

Abstract: An exemplary light guide plate (500) includes: a light incident portion (51) for receiving a light; a light reflecting portion (52) for reflecting the light input through the light incident portion; and a light emitting portion (53) opposite to the light reflecting portion, for outputting the reflected light. The light incident portion includes a first diffractive optical element (512) located thereat. The first diffractive optical element includes a plurality of protrusions (512a) each having a curved surface, with the protrusions being arranged symmetrically opposite to each other across a central axis of symmetry of the first diffractive optical element. The light emitting portion may include a second diffractive optical element (532) located thereat. The second diffractive optical element includes a plurality of elongate protrusions, with the protrusions being arranged symmetrically opposite to each other across a central axis of symmetry of the second diffractive optical element.

Abstract: A high-output light guide panel and a backlight unit and display device using the high-output light guide panel are provided. The light guide panel includes a first layer having an incidence surface on which light is incident from at least one light source, an opposite surface disposed opposite the incidence surface, and an emission surface from which light is emitted; a second layer disposed on the first layer and having an emission unit in which prisms are serially and repetitively arranged; and a third layer disposed on the second layer and formed of an anisotropic material. The light guide panel also includes a plurality of light distribution controllers disposed in the second layer which totally reflect light transmitted through the first layer toward the first layer, such that the amount of totally reflected light gradually decreases from a region near the light source toward a region far from the light source.

Abstract: The light redirecting films include a thin optically transparent substrate having a pattern of non-interlocking individual optical elements oriented and placed to produce a desired surface coverage of at least one of the surfaces of the transparent substrate of the transparent substrate occupied by the optical elements. At least some of the optical elements may have at least one flat surface and at least one curved surface that may intersect each other to a greater extent on the curved surface than on the flat surface to increase the relative percentage of flat surface area to curved surface area of the intersecting optical elements to increase the on axis gain of light passing through the film.

Abstract: A backlight unit for a flat panel display and a flat panel display apparatus having the same. The backlight unit for a flat panel display displaying a predetermined image includes: a light source which emits light; a light guide panel having an incident surface facing the light source and which totally reflects light incident through the incident surface toward the flat panel display; and a holographic pattern that includes a plurality of diffraction gratings that are continuously repeated on at least one of an exit surface of the light guide panel and the opposing surface and diffracts light incident into the light guide panel. A depth of the diffraction grating progressively increases away from the incident surface along a length direction of the light guide panel.

Abstract: Light redirecting films and film systems include a thin optically transparent substrate having a pattern of individual optical elements of well defined shape on or in the substrate. At least some of the optical elements may vary at different locations on the substrate to redistribute or redirect light passing through the substrate.

Abstract: Various embodiments comprise light recycling films comprising an array of parallel ridges and grooves that form prisms that selectively reflect or transmit light. In some embodiments, the light recycling film may be used in displays that include spatial light modulators comprising a plurality of pixels. The light recycling film can limit the field-of-view of the display and enhance the luminance within that field-of-view. Various embodiments comprising multiple arrays of ridges and/or grooves can enhance uniformity of illumination of the pixels in the spatial light modulator and reduce Moiré effects.

Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a light source, a light-guide plate, a reflective sheet, a first prism sheet, a second prism sheet and a lateral reflective sheet. The light source generates light. The light-guide plate guides the light and has a plurality of first prism patterns adjacent to each other. The first prism patterns are formed on a first surface of the light-guide plate. The reflective sheet is disposed adjacent the first surface of the light-guide plate. The first and second prism sheets are disposed on a second surface of the light-guide plate. The lateral reflective sheet is disposed on the second prism sheet. The lateral reflective sheet includes reflective protrusions substantially parallel with a longitudinal direction of the light source. Therefore, brightness and display quality may be enhanced.

Abstract: At the light emission surface of a light-guiding plate, first and second grooves and second grooves are formed. Each of the first grooves has a pair of slope parts, and each slope part has an easy slope and a steep slope. The second grooves intersect the first grooves at predetermined angles. Each of the second grooves has a pair of slope parts, and each slope part has an easy slope and a steep slope. With the first grooves and the second grooves intersecting each other, at the light emission surface, a plurality of minute prisms are formed in flat quadrangular pyramid shapes to be dented toward the surface opposite to the light emission surface of the light-guiding plate.

Abstract: A reflector for use in a backlight module, and a method for making the same are disclosed. The backlight module includes a light source and a light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a light-entry surface and a light-emitting surface, substantially normal to the light-entry surface. After the light-entry surface of the light guide plate receives the first portion of light emitted from the light source, the light is emitted out of the light-emitting surface via the inner portion of the light guide plate. The reflector comprises a body and a protruding structure. The body defines a space for receiving the light source. The body comprises a first end portion and a second end portion which define the opening. The light-entry surface of the light guide plate substantially faces the light source through the opening. The first end portion is disposed proximal to the light-emitting surface, whereas the second end portion is disposed distal to the light-emitting surface.

Abstract: A lightpipe includes at least first and second projections extending outwardly from the body of the lightpipe, where the first projection is opposite the second projection.

Abstract: A light guide plate has a light exiting side, a reflection side opposite to the light exiting side, and a light entering side. A plurality of miniature diffusing entities, each having a curved surface and two slant surfaces extending from the two ends of the curved surface, are formed on the light entering side. The combination of the curved surface and the two slant surfaces cause light emitted from point-like light sources to have wider incident angles and be uniformly scattered into the light guide plate.

Abstract: Direct backlight modules are provided. A direct backlight module includes a liquid crystal panel, a plurality of light tubes disposed below the liquid crystal panel, a reflecting plate disposed below the light tubes, and a transparent plate disposed between the light tubes and the liquid crystal panel. Additionally, a lens array is formed on one surface of the transparent plate facing the light tubes and a prism array is formed on the other surface of the transparent plate facing the liquid crystal panel.

Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a light generating unit, a light guide plate guiding light supplied from the light generating unit, at least one optical sheet disposed over the light guide plate, and a protection sheet disposed over the optical sheet. The protection sheet includes a diffusion layer formed on a first side of the protection sheet facing the optical sheet. The diffusion layer has a thickness in a range from about 5 ?m to about 100 ?m. The protection sheet further includes a scratch prevention layer formed on a second side located opposite the first side. The scratch prevention layer has a thickness in a range from about 1 ?m to about 10 ?m.

Abstract: An optical sheet allowing light which has entered the sheet through a sheet back surface to exit the sheet through a sheet front surface on which a prism portion is provided, includes an optical function part provided on a sheet end face extending between a circumferential edge of the sheet back surface and a circumferential edge of the sheet front surface for preventing leakage light from exiting the sheet through the sheet end face to return the light back into the sheet.

Abstract: A light guide device includes a main body and a plurality of parallel elongate first V-shaped microstructures. The main body has an incident surface; an emitting surface adjoining the incident surface; and a reflecting surface opposite to the emitting surface. The first V-shaped microstructures are provided on the reflecting surface. Each of the first V-shaped microstructures has a triangular cross-section having a first base angle nearest the incident surface, a second base angle furthest from the incident surface and a vertex angle. A pitch between adjacent microstructures is configured to be substantially constant. A size of each of the first V-shaped microstructures is defined by the equation is y=9.2637×10?6x2?0.0003x+0.0232, wherein x is a distance from a given first V-shaped microstructures to the incident surface (in units of micrometers), and wherein y is a base width of the given first V-shaped microstructures (in units of micrometers).

Abstract: A backlight apparatus comprises (a) a light source; (b) a light guiding plate; and (c) a light redirecting article for redirecting light toward various angles, the light redirecting article comprising a plurality of prismatic structures with a selected apex angle, a selected first base angle, a selected second base angle and comprising a material having a selected refractive index value, the selections being sufficient to provide improved luminance at a 60° polar angle wherein the prismatic structures are essentially parallel to the length direction of the light guiding plate.

Abstract: A plurality of microstructures is provided, with each microstructure having at least a first side and at least a second side terminating at a peak. At least some of the peaks can include an elevated portion to space the peaks away from adjacent optical sheets, surfaces, films, substrates, or other layers to minimize wet-out, Newton's rings, abrasions, moiré fringes, or other undesirable optical conditions. In other embodiments, an optical film is also provided that includes a first plurality of microstructures having a base, a first side, and a second side, and a second plurality of microstructures having a base, a first side, and a second side, the first side including a first planar surface, and the second side including a second planar surface and a third planar surface.

Abstract: There is provided an optical substrate. The optical substrate includes at least one prism structure. Each of the at least one prism structures has a first surface characterized by a first surface structure function modulated by a second surface structure function, the first surface structure function having characteristics to provide that each of the at least one prism structures has a cross section with at least one curved side to provide defocusing diffusion to light incident on the substrate. The second surface structure function has characteristics to provide additional diffusion to the light incident on the substrate.

Abstract: Light guide plate 4 is provided with an emission-directivity-giving-means (such as projection rows on a back face) to modify directivity of emission from emission face 10. L light control member 11 disposed on emission face 10 is provided with a plurality of prismatic projection rows 15 running in a direction inclined anticlockwise (or clockwise). Each of incidence control portions 12 formed on incidence face 5 has an asymmetric configuration providing first and second side face (convex face) 13, 14 different from each other in curvature. Light emitted by LED 6 enters into light guide plate 4 through each incidence control portion 12, generating inner propagation light which spreads like a sector having a center axis inclined clockwise (or anticlockwise). The first and second side faces may have other configurations such as “concave faces different from each other in curvature”, “flat slopes different from each other in inclination” or “flat face and curved face”.

Abstract: A prism sheet, a backlight assembly having the prism sheet, and an LCD device having the prism sheet, the prism sheet includes a first surface, a second surface and a reflecting member. A light is incident upon the first surface. The second surface includes a prism pattern. The incident light exits through the second surface. The reflecting member is provided on the first surface to partially reflect irradiated light that is received on the first surface.

Abstract: Provided are a high output light guide panel and a backlight unit employing the same. The light guide panel includes a first layer having an incident surface on which light emitted from a light source is incident, a surface opposite the incident surface, and an upper surface through which the light exists. A second layer is disposed on the first layer and includes a continuous and periodic array of exit units and planar portions formed between the exit units, each exit unit having a first prism and a second prism which is equal to or larger than the first prism. A third layer is formed of an anisotropic material and is disposed on the second layer.

Abstract: An illuminating assembly includes a light source, and a refracting member disposed beside the light source for refracting a light generated by the light source, the refracting member includes a bottom portion having a light refracting device or one or more bulges for refracting the light generated by the light source, and includes an upper portion having another light refracting device or one or more swellings for refracting the light refracted from the first light refracting device. The bulge and the swelling each include two surfaces for forming an included angle between the surfaces, the bulge is preferably perpendicular to the swelling.

Abstract: A backlight assembly of an LCD is provided. The backlight assembly includes a lamp for generating a light, a light guide plate disposed at a side of the lamp, for guiding the light, and a diffusion sheet and a prism sheet disposed on the light guide plate, for enhancing efficiency of the light outputted from the light guide plate, wherein the prism sheet comprises a body part and a plurality of protrusion parts each having a concavely inclined surface formed on the body part.

Abstract: A light guide panel has upper and lower surfaces, which are opposite from each other, and first and second side surfaces, which are opposite from each other, to guide light rays inputted therein through the first side surface, toward the second side surface through internal reflection between the upper and lower surfaces. The light guide panel includes a plurality of dot patterns formed on the lower surface to reflect and diffuse incident light rays; first prism projections formed on the upper surface and extending parallel to one another to transmit and concentrate light rays reflected by the dot patterns; and second prism projections formed on the upper surface to be crossed with the first prism projections and extending parallel to one another to transmit and concentrate light rays reflected by the dot patterns.

Abstract: In a planar light guiding device and a display device, plural light guiding rods are arranged in parallel to one another in a housing having an opening portion serving as a light emission face at the upper surface thereof, and a point light source (LED) 2 is disposed so as to oppose to at least one of both the end faces 1a of each light guiding rod through a space, thereby constituting a light source unit. These light source units are arranged in the metal housing to thereby form the planar light guiding device.

Abstract: An area light source device includes a light source, a light guide including a first side surface on which emission light from the light source is incident, and a first major surface and a second major surface, which are opposed to each other and from which the incident light on the first side surface emerges, an optical sheet that is disposed on the second major surface side of the light guide and has a reflective surface on a side thereof that is opposed to the second major surface, and a film member that is disposed between the light guide and the optical sheet, has light transmissivity and has a projection-and-recess-shaped portion on a surface thereof.

Abstract: A backlight module includes a light source, a light guide plate for guiding light from the light source, and a brightness enhancement film having a plurality of spherical surface microlenses for gathering light from the light guide plate. In contrast to traditional prism sheets, the brightness enhancement film having the plurality of spherical surface microlenses have better efficiency of light-gathering.

Abstract: A film for use with a backlit display has prismatic structure on one surface. The structures have a serpentine shape. The average periods and amplitudes of the serpentine shapes may be optimized to minimize moiré interference with the pixels of the display.

Abstract: A spread illuminating apparatus includes at least one spot light source; and a light conductive plate which has the at least one spot light source disposed at one end surface thereof, and which has a plurality of ridges formed on at least one of two major surfaces thereof and extending from the one end surface toward another end surface opposite to the one end surface. The plurality of ridges are configured to meander.

Abstract: A prismatic light-guide plate has a prismatic surface, which is provided with a plurality of prisms that reflect light that is incident from a light-incident end thereof, and an emission surface opposite to the prismatic surface, which completely reflects the light that is incident thereto to propagate the same, and which also emits emitted light that is reflected from the prisms. The prismatic light-guide plate has scattering portions provided in a region of the emission surface that emits the emitted light at a high density, for scattering the emitted light and broadening an angle of view of light.

Abstract: An optic film has a surface on which a plurality of rib-like micro light guides is formed. Each light guide includes a plurality of ridges, which are of different height and shows variation of height. Either a high ridge or a low ridge of the light guide is made a continuous left-and-right wavy configuration and/or a continuous up-and-down height-variation configuration. Thus, light transmitting through the optic film and converged by the light guides leaves the optic film in a form that is not very regular so as to facilitate subsequent use of the light in for example a liquid crystal panel.

Abstract: An illuminating device is disclosed., which is high brightness and able to reduce leaking light and preferably made thin. A front light has a light guide plate, a bar light guide body and a light emitting element. A prism shape for reflecting propagating light within the light guide plate and emitting this propagating light to the side of an emitting face of the light guide plate is formed on the emitting face of the light guide plate.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus comprises: (a) at least one light source; (b) a light guide for accepting light from the at least one light source and for guiding the light using total internal reflection, the light guide having a top surface; (c) a light extracting film having an input surface optically coupled with the top surface and an output surface for providing light, wherein the input surface comprises a plurality of features which are optically coupled to the top surface of the light guide, such features having: (i) a first side comprising two or more planar segments; and (ii) a second side comprising two or more planar segments, and wherein either the length of at least some of the features is less than the width of the film or the first and second sides intersect at an apex.

Abstract: A light guide plate (30) includes an emitting surface (32) having a plurality of V-shaped prisms (33) thereat, a bottom surface (34) opposite to the emitting surface, the bottom surface having a plurality of arc-shaped grooves (35) thereon, and a cutout portion at a corner between two adjacent sides of the light guide plate, the cutout portion defining a light incident surface (31). When light beams enter the light guide plate and are reflected by the arc-shaped grooves, the parallel V-shaped prisms significantly reduce or even eliminate further reflection of the reflected light back into the light guide plate. Most or all reflected light beams reaching the emitting surface transmits out from the light guide plate and are utilized. Therefore, the light guide plate and the backlight module can provide highly efficient utilization of light beams.

Abstract: A backlight module includes a light source, a light guide disposed on one side of the light source, a reflector disposed under the light guide, a lower diffuser disposed on the light guide, and a brightness enhancement film, which is disposed on the lower diffuser and includes a main part and several prism structures disposed side by side on a main part plane of the main part. Each prism structure includes first to third triangular prisms. The second triangular prism is adjacent to one side of the first triangular prism, and an adjacent angle adjacent to a base angle of the first triangular prism is a right angle. The third triangular prism is adjacent to another side of the first triangular prism, and an adjacent angle adjacent to another base angle of the first triangular prism is a right angle.

Abstract: A light guide panel (LGP), a backlight unit, and a display using the LGP are provided. The LGP includes: a first layer having an incident surface on which light emitted from a light source is incident, a surface opposite to the incident surface, and a top surface through which light exits; a second layer disposed on the first layer and including a periodic array of exit units, each exit unit having a concave portion and a convex prism; and a third layer of an anisotropic material disposed on the second layer, wherein light having a first polarization that is transmitted through the concave portion is totally reflected by the prism and is transmitted upward through the third layer, while light having a second polarization is totally reflected at a top surface of the third layer.

Abstract: A prism sheet of an LCD includes a body part made of a transparent resin material and a plurality of polypyramid-shaped optical unit structures formed in a intaglio type on the body part. The plurality of optical unit structures have intaglio-type polypyramid shapes in an inside of their polygonal structure. A center of the intaglio portion corresponds to a vertex of the polypyramid, thereby forming a point.

Abstract: A sheet of material and package made using the sheet of material. The sheet of material having an having an outer diffuse layer and an inner light piping layer adjacent the diffuse layer. The sheet transmits light to the outer surface of the outer diffuse layer. The outer diffuse layer has a specular area formed thereon through which light from the light piping layer can exit in a substantially non-diffuse manner from the outer surface of the outer diffuse layer.

Abstract: A side light type spread illuminating apparatus comprises: a light conductive plate having a plurality of prisms formed on a light exit surface thereof, point light sources; and a prism sheet disposed on the light conductive plate, wherein the prisms have respective circular arc configurations with a common curvature in cross section taken along a line orthogonal to the direction the prisms extend, and are arrayed such that distances each defined between apexes of adjacent two of the prisms differ irregularly from one another within a range of 10 to 200 ?m, and such that overall tangential angles at respective ends of the prisms vary irregularly within a range of 40 to 70 degrees, and wherein the respective ridges of the prisms are located on a common virtual plane, whereby the prism sheet are supported evenly by all of the prisms of the light conductive plate.

Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a light guide plate for emitting a light in two directions and a brightness control member for controlling the brightness ratio of the light emitting in the two directions. An LCD apparatus including first and second LCD panels, displays images in the two directions, with individual brightnesses which are similar to one another or different from one another depending on the brightness control member.

Abstract: A prism sheet for a LCD backlight module is provided. The prism sheet contains a base layer and a prism layer formed on a side of the base layer. The prism layer contains multiple parallel latitudinal and longitudinal prism lenses intersecting with each other. As such, the prism sheet could provide both latitudinal and longitudinal convergence for the scattered lights from the diffusion film. Additionally, by adjusting the apex angles, shapes, and heights of the prism lenses, optimal horizontal and vertical viewing angles of the LCD display could be achieved.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include a light guide having a uniform or variable pattern of individual deformities of well defined shapes that are projections or depressions on or in one or more surface areas of the light guide. The deformities are quite small in relation to the width and length of the light guide. At least some of the deformities may have two or more surfaces that come together to form a ridge having a total length that is quite small in relation to the width and length of the light guide.

Abstract: Backlighting systems are disclosed, which include a lightguide with at least one light source optically connected to an edge of the lightguide for supplying light into its interior and a reflective cavity with at least one light source optically connected to the reflective cavity for supplying light into its interior. The reflective cavity may include a first reflector and a second reflector and at least one source may be disposed at an edge of the reflective cavity. Alternatively, the reflective cavity may include a back reflector portion and light sources may be disposed at the back reflector portion.

Abstract: A front light including a light-guiding plate for receiving light from a light-entering surface and emitting the light from a light-emitting surface, an intermediate light-guiding body disposed along the light-entering surface, light-emitting elements disposed at longitudinal ends of the intermediate light-guiding body. A side surface of the intermediate light-guiding body adjacent to the light-entering surface of the light-guiding plate is a light-emitting surface for emitting light from the light-emitting elements to the light-guiding plate. A side surface opposite to the light-emitting surface is a reflective surface. The total length of the intermediate light-guiding body and the light-emitting elements is the same as the width of the light-guiding plate, the length of at least the light-emitting surface of the intermediate light-guiding body is the same as the width of the light-guiding plate, and the length of the reflective surface is smaller than the length of the light-emitting surface.