Abstract: An ultra thin lighting element including at least one light source. A lightguide element includes one lightguide layer comprising a plurality of discrete fine optic surface relief structures on at least one portion of at least one surface. Each surface relief structure 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 and height and lateral dimensions of the structural features of the surface relief structures being varied to provide a desired degree of outcoupling modulation of light incoupled into the light guide element.

Abstract: A light guide includes a light interface surface, top and bottom surfaces, a surface feature pattern, and a cut line. The light interface surface receives light into the light guide from a light source. The light received through the light interface surface reflects according to total internal reflection (TIR) within the light guide between portions of the top and bottom surfaces. The surface feature pattern disrupts the TIR and scatters at least some of the light outside of at least one surface of the top and bottom surfaces. The cut line redirects at least some of the light from a first direction to a second direction within the light guide. The first direction is a direction other than towards the surface feature pattern, while the second direction is a direction substantially towards the surface feature pattern. The light guide may back-illuminate an optical keypad with a plurality of push buttons.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for illumination devices. In one aspect, an illumination device having a longitudinal axis includes a light source and a light guide. The light guide has a peripheral edge, a transmissive illumination surface, a center portion, and an upper surface. The transmissive illumination surface is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and disposed between the center portion and the peripheral edge. The upper surface is oriented relative to the illumination surface to define an angle ? therebetween. In some implementations, the angle ? can be greater than 15 degrees, for example.

Abstract: A light guide plate includes a transparent substrate and a plurality of micro structures. The transparent substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and the micro structures are disposed at least on the first surface of the transparent substrate and are separate from each other. Each of the micro structures includes a first coating layer and a second coating layer. The first coating layer is formed on the first surface and includes an adhesive material. The second coating layer is formed on at least a part of the first coating layer and includes a light-diffusing material.

Abstract: To solve an uneven light quantity caused in a case where a light guide plate, in which light from a spot light source such as an LED enters an surface, changes by 90 degrees and exits the light to the outside, is used as a backlight. The light guide plate of the invention includes a light flux unifying region. The light flux unifying region has an incident surface, a first surface, and an exit surface. Light fluxes emitted from a light source enter the incident surface. The first surface is almost perpendicular to the incident surface and the intensity distribution of the light fluxes having entered is unified at the first surface. The exit surface is disposed almost parallel with the incident surface and the unified light fluxes exit from the exit surface. A boundary line between the incident surface and the first surface has a zigzag surface.

Abstract: A lighting device has a light source, a light guiding plate having first and second opposite main surfaces, and a reflector confronting the second main surface of the light guiding plate. The light guiding plate has a light entrance part that introduces light from the light source into the light guiding plate and reflecting parts formed on one of the first and second main surfaces for reflecting light introduced into the light guiding plate toward the first main surface. The reflecting parts are arranged on respective sets of arcs of concentric circles with each concentric circle having the light entrance part as its center. Each of the reflecting parts has a long axis extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to a line connected between a center of the corresponding reflecting part and the center of the light entrance part.

Abstract: A light guide plate includes an incident face, a bottom surface, a main reflective structure and an auxiliary reflective structure. The bottom surface is connected to the incident face. The main reflective structure is disposed on the bottom surface and has a first and a second inclined surface. The auxiliary reflective structure is disposed on the bottom surface and has a third and a fourth inclined surface. The auxiliary reflective structure and the main reflective structure have an interval therebetween, in which the interval ranges between 0.2 micrometer and 0.5 micrometer, and a bottom width of the auxiliary reflective structure on the bottom surface is smaller than a bottom width of the main reflective structure on the bottom surface. A liquid crystal display is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: An integrated light guide plate having axial directional luminance distribution has a substrate. The substrate has a light incident plane, a light emission plane and a bottom surface opposite to the light emission surface. The light incident plane has a plurality of V-cuts formed thereon to serve as prisms. The included angle of the V-cuts is between 85° and 105°. A plurality of pyramidal recesses is formed on the bottom surface of the substrate. Given the formation of the V-cuts and the pyramidal recesses, the integrated light guide plate of the present invention provides an enhanced axial luminous intensity without requiring additional diffuser sheets and prism sheets. Accordingly, the integrated light guide plate has a good directional axial luminance.

Abstract: Light guides and backlight systems are disclosed that include one or more groups of geometric light redirectors whose density and/or orientation across the surface of a light guide varies to improve light emission uniformity and to reduce visual artifacts.

Abstract: A light guide plate includes a main body, a main reflective structure and an auxiliary reflective structure. The main reflective structure has a first included angle and a second included angle with respect to a bottom surface of the main body. The auxiliary reflective structure is adjacent to the main reflective structure and has a third included angle and a fourth included angle with respect to the bottom surface. A height difference between the main reflective structure and the auxiliary reflective structure ranges between 1.5 micrometer and 5 micrometer, and a bottom width of the auxiliary reflective structure on the bottom surface is smaller than a bottom width of the main reflective structure on the bottom surface. A liquid crystal display is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A display device has at least one light source for emitting light and a light guide plate having a first surface for inputting light emitted from the at least one light source, a second surface for outputting illumination light, and a third surface opposite to the second surface. A display element having dots for displaying image information is arranged over the second surface of the light guide plate for receiving the illumination light. At least two microprisms are arranged on the third surface of the light guide plate in areas overlapping the dots of the display element. Each microprism has a height in the range of from 1 ?m to 10 ?m and a mirror surface for reflecting light emitted from the at least one light source. Each mirror surface has a base disposed perpendicular to a light path of the light emitted from the at least one light source.

Abstract: A backlight is provided for illuminating an at least partially transmissive display. The backlight includes a light source. A lightguide receives the light from an edge surface and guides the light by total internal reflection. The lightguide also has features that exist on one or more lightguide surfaces in the shape of a triangular wedge that reduces the range of angles in the vertical direction within the lightguide. This arrangement enables improved angular performance from out-coupled light.

Abstract: Display devices are used in portable computer systems, imaging systems, and other electronic devices. Many of these display devices require a source of light to illuminate a display screen. The invention relates to an illumination system for illuminating said display devices. The invention also relates to a display device provided with such an illumination system.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and method for collecting and directing light from a source via a light guide and modulated display assembly in an efficient manner through the design and use of prismatic optical structures, diffusers and/or light redirectors.

Abstract: A display including a display panel and a backlight module adjacent to the display panel is provided. The backlight module includes a light source emitting a light beam and at least one light diffraction member. The light diffraction member includes a first surface, a second surface, an azimuth convergence structure and a light diffraction structure. The second surface is opposite the first surface, and the light beam enters the light diffraction member through the second surface and leaves the light diffraction member from the first surface. The azimuth convergence structure is disposed on the second surface for converging the azimuth of the light beam incident thereon. The light diffraction structure is disposed on the first surface for adjusting the emergence angle of the light beam.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid-crystal display device which includes a diffuser board that does not produce striped mura on the surface of a liquid crystal panel even if point light sources are used as light sources of a backlight. A backlight apparatus 103 is provided with a diffuser board 103b having diffusion portions 103b1. At each of the diffusion portions 103b1, the light L emitted by a LED module 104 included in a light source unit 103a is reflected by prism patterns P and diffused around the LED module 104. Then, the diffused light is reflected again by a reflecting surface formed on the inner surface of a housing 103c and emitted from the backlight apparatus 103, thereby achieving illuminating light without mura.

Abstract: A light guide plate includes an incident face, a bottom surface, a main reflective structure and an auxiliary reflective structure. The bottom surface is connected to the incident face. The main reflective structure is disposed on the bottom surface and has a first and a second inclined surface. The auxiliary reflective structure is disposed on the bottom surface and has a third and a fourth inclined surface. The auxiliary reflective structure and the main reflective structure have an interval therebetween, in which the interval ranges between 0.2 micrometer and 0.5 micrometer, and a bottom width of the auxiliary reflective structure on the bottom surface is smaller than a bottom width of the main reflective structure on the bottom surface. A liquid crystal display is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A backlight unit (110) according to the present invention includes: a light source (102) for emitting light; a light guiding member (103) for receiving light emitted from the light source (102) at an end face (103c), and propagating the received light in a first direction (P); a prism sheet (104) disposed at the front face (103a) of the light guiding member (103); and a reflection section (105) disposed at the rear face (103b) side of the light guiding member (103), and the reflection section (105) has a reflection surface (105a) for light being emitted from the rear face (103b) of the light guiding member (103) and having a component in the first direction, the light being reflected toward the rear face (103b) of the light guiding member (103) as light having a component in a second direction which is the opposite direction to the first direction.

Abstract: A light guide plate and a side-emitting backlight module having the same are disclosed. The light guide plate includes a transparent substrate, a plurality of prisms and a plurality of condensing lenses. The prisms are arranged side by side on one surface of the transparent substrate. The condensing lenses are disposed between two adjacent prisms, and distributed from sparsely to densely along a direction of a crest line of each of the prisms.

Abstract: A backlight unit capable of implementing slimness and preventing stain defects is disclosed. The backlight unit includes a plurality of LEDs arranged in a fixed interval, a reflection sheet disposed under the LEDs and configured to reflect light, a diffusion plate disposed on the LEDs and configured to diffuse light, and a plurality of inversed pyramid patterns formed along a diagonal direction in the center of one side of the diffusion plate on the upper surface of the diffusion plate. The plural LEDs include a plurality of odd-numbered line LEDs and a plurality of even-numbered line LEDs arranged in zigzags.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device which can make the surface brightness of an edge-light-type backlight uniform is provided. The liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel and a backlight which radiates light to the liquid crystal display panel. The backlight includes a light guide plate which is arranged on a back side of the liquid crystal display panel, a light source arranged on an outer peripheral portion of a first main surface of the light guide plate which faces the liquid crystal display panel in an opposed manner, and a reflection sheet which is arranged on a back side of the light guide plate as viewed from the liquid crystal display panel. The light guide plate is made of a transparent resin having a refractive index of 1.53 or less.

Abstract: A light guide with optics accurately controls the light exiting the guide. The device achieves accurate control of the reflected light by extracting light from a limited area of the light guide. The configuration of the reflectors used for the selective extraction determines the nature of the output light. The reflectors are preferably located on a side of the light guide opposite to an output side of the light guide.

Abstract: A light guide plate including a body and a plurality of prism microstructures is provided. The body has a bottom surface, a light emitting surface opposite to the bottom surface, and a plurality of side surfaces. The light emitting surface has a central area and at least one peripheral area outside the central area. The prism microstructures are disposed on the light emitting surface and the bottom surface. The prism microstructure disposed on the light emitting surface includes a plurality of first prism microstructures in the central area and a plurality of second prism microstructures in the peripheral area. A top angle ?2 of the second prism microstructure is greater than a top angle ?1 of the first prism microstructure. A backlight module including the above-mentioned light guide plate is also provided.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a liquid crystal display panel and an illuminator disposed at the back of the panel for emitting at least two illumination lights having directivities in different directions toward the panel. The illuminator includes a light guide plate made of transparent material whose one end surface serves as a light entrance end surface, whose one plate surface serves as a light exit surface, and whose other plate surface serves as a light direction changing surface for changing the advancing direction of light entering from the light entrance end surface. The light direction changing surface has a plurality of circular-arcing slanted surfaces shaped into semicircles formed on concentric circles centered at the center of the longer dimension of the light entrance end surface. Light emitting elements are disposed on the light entrance end surface at two positions on left and right sides of the center equidistantly apart therefrom.

Abstract: A surface light emitter comprising a surface-emitting device is notably increased in the front brightness of light outputted from the surface-emitting device. In the surface light emitter comprising the surface-emitting device 20 and a light control sheet 10, a repetitive concavo-convex pattern of trapezoidal from in section is formed at least on one side of the light control sheet and has planar portions 12a at distal ends of projections of the concavo-convex pattern tightly bonded to an output surface 21a of the surface-emitting device. The light control sheet satisfies a condition 0.75>D>4[(sin ??1/n)2+0.

Abstract: A light guide plate includes a plurality of micro dots. The micro dots are provided uniformly on one side of the light guide plate and are integrated with the light guide plate. Each dot is coated by a fluorescent layer, and the fluorescent layer emits light when excited by an ultraviolet light.

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

Abstract: A light guide member of the present invention is made of a light transmitting material. The light guide includes a light emitting surface 13, which extends in direction x and includes a lens surface 31 for converging light in direction y. The light guide also includes a light incident surface 11 provided at one of the ends spaced from each other in the direction x. The light emitting surface 13 includes a transitional region 13a adjacent to the light incident surface 11, where the transitional region includes the lens surface 31 and a round pillar surface 32. In the transitional region 13a, the lens surface 31 becomes less dominant in area as proceeding in the direction x toward the light incident surface 11.

Abstract: A surface light source device includes a light source facing a reflective surface of a reflecting member, and a light-controlling member composed of a transparent material and disposed across the light source from the reflecting member in such a manner as to face the reflective surface, the light-controlling member guiding light emitted from the light source in a predetermined direction. The light-controlling member has on a surface thereof remote from the reflective surface projections arranged on a plane. The projections have profiles of at least one kind, each having a symmetry axis or a symmetry plane. The symmetry axes or the symmetry planes of the projections are tilted at a predetermined angle with respect to a direction in which the light controlling member faces the reflecting member.

Abstract: Optical assembly includes a generally planar light output surface located on a first major plane, and a generally planar second surface located on a second major plane approximately parallel to the first major plane and superimposed thereon. Both the light output surface and the second surface have respective first and second patterns of well defined optical elements that are quite small in relation to the length and width of the optical assembly. The optical elements of the first pattern have an apex angle formed by a first sloped surface that is larger in an area closer to at least one light input edge of the optical assembly and smaller in another area further away from the light input edge.

Abstract: A first light guide plate of a light-emitting element is formed by a plurality of strip-shaped light guide bodies arranged in parallel with each other, where each strip-shaped light guide body has a light incident surface on which light from a light source is incident, and a light-emitting surface from which light from the light incident surface is emitted, and on which a plurality of prisms are formed. A second light guide plate of the light-emitting element is positioned so as to face the light-emitting surface side of the first light guide plate, has prisms formed on a surface of the first light guide plate side in a shape that meshes with a shape of the prisms of the first light guide plate, and is formed by a fewer number of light guide bodies arranged in parallel than the strip-shaped light guide bodies.

Abstract: A light guide plate microstructure is provided. The light guide plate microstructure is located on at least one surface of the light guide plate and has a plurality of groove units. Each groove unit has multiple V-shaped grooves, and each V-shaped groove has an apex angle within a range of about 80°-160°. Furthermore, at least two of the V-shaped grooves of a groove unit have different apex angles.

Abstract: An illumination device which can be used as a front light or a back light by improving brightness unevenness in the vicinity of an LED without dropping entire brightness and a liquid crystal display device using the same. This illumination device 10 has a light source on a light entering face 27 of a light guide plate 20 and a light guide plate 20 in which prisms 25 for reflecting by polarization or emitting light out of the light guide plate 20 are formed on a light emission face or a light reflecting face thereof and a cylindrical lens 26 for orienting and magnifying light is formed on the other face.

Abstract: A backlight unit for a liquid crystal display panel includes a lamp, a plurality of optical sheets, a light guide that guides light from the lamp toward the optical sheets, and a reflector facing a rear surface of the light guide. The light guide includes a first plurality of geometric shapes at the rear surface thereof that substantially directs the light incident on the light guide toward the optical sheets, and a second plurality of geometric shapes at a peripheral portion of the rear surface thereof to prevent the reflector from sticking to the light guide, a density of the second plurality of geometric shapes is less than the density of the first plurality of geometric shapes.

Abstract: A light guide plate according to the present invention includes an incident plane into which a light flux from a light source is incident, and a plurality of prisms having reflection planes reflecting the light flux incident from the incident plane, wherein the reflection planes of the plurality of prisms are extended to cross in a direction in which the light flux from the light source incident into the incident plane travels, and of the reflection planes of the plurality of prisms, the reflection plane of at least one prism closest to the incident plane is formed in a recess shape with respect to the incident plane. Thereby nonuniformity of backlight illumination can be improved and a display device can be uniformly and efficiently illuminated.

Abstract: A plurality of mirror surfaces (5), which extend in a direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to a light incident surface (2a), are formed side by side in a longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the light incident surface (2a) on a light distribution control surface (4a) of both surfaces (4a, 4b) of a light guide plate (1) in a thickness direction (Z-axis direction) thereof, and a plurality of prisms (7) extending in the Y-axis direction are formed side by side in the X-axis direction in areas other than the mirror surfaces (5). The mirror surfaces 5 are formed in such a way that Y-axis direction widths thereof vary in the X-axis direction.

Abstract: A stereoscopic 3D liquid crystal display apparatus includes a liquid crystal display panel, a backlight positioned to provide light to the liquid crystal display panel, and a double sided prism film disposed between the liquid crystal display panel and the backlight. The backlight includes a light guide having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and having a first surface extending between the first and second sides and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface substantially re-directs light and the second surface substantially transmits light. A plurality of first light sources is arranged along the first side of the light guide for transmitting light into the light guide from the first side. A plurality of second light sources is arranged along the second side of the light guide for transmitting light into the light guide from the second side. The second surface includes a regular array of linear prism or lenticular features.

Abstract: An optical sheet, a backlight unit including the optical sheet, and a liquid crystal display including the backlight unit are provided. The optical sheet includes a base film including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and a plurality of projections on the base film. A first thickness between the first surface and the second surface is different from a second thickness between the first surface and the second surface.

Abstract: An optical plate includes a first surface, an opposite second surface, a plurality of triangular pyramidal micro-depressions formed in the first surface, and a plurality of elongated arc-shaped depressions formed in the second surface. A backlight module using the present optical plate is also provided.

Abstract: A light guide plate includes a light input surface, a light output surface adjoining the light input surface, and a reflecting surface opposite the light output surface. One of the light output surface and the reflecting surface defines a plurality of scattering microstructures. Each scattering microstructure includes a spherical protrusion having a substantially spherical surface, and a substantially ring-shaped groove defined around a periphery of the spherical protrusion. At least half of the spherical surface is as smooth as a mirror. A method for manufacturing the light guide plate and a backlight module using the light guide plate are also provided.

Abstract: A gaming machine according to one embodiment of the invention has a rotating reel display device that variably displays a plurality of kinds of identification information required for a game, and a transmissive image display device 30 to enable symbol information of the rotating reel display device to be visually recognized. The transmissive image display device 30 has a liquid crystal panel 34 that displays an image, and a light guide plate 37 that is provided on the back side of the display panel 34 and that irradiates the display panel while having display windows 37L, 37C and 37R formed therein to cause the symbol information of the rotating reel display device to be visually recognized, and prism sheets 40, each of which deflects the introduced light introduced to inside the light guide plate 37 toward the vertex area of the rotating reel, are provided in frame portions 37L, 37C and 37R of the display windows.

Abstract: A light-emitting panel (50) includes a first light source (511) for emitting first light of a first single color, a second light source (512) for emitting second light of a second single color and a light guide plate (52). The light guide plate (52) includes a light incident surface (55) for receiving the first and second light and a display surface (53). A plurality of first microstructures (561) and second microstructures (562) are formed at the display surface (53). The first and second microstructures (561,562) are configured for allowing the first and second light to exit therethrough. The first and second microstructures (561,562) are respectively arranged to form a first pattern (58) and a second pattern (59). A first dye material and second dye material are respectively applied to the first and second microstructures (561,562).

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a display panel, a backlight which radiates light to the display panel, a light emitting element which is mounted on the backlight, and a light guide plate on which light from the light emitting element is incident. The light guide plate has an upper surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface has grooves formed therein delimited by at least one surface which extends at a slant with respect to the bottom surface. A reflection sheet is provided which reflects the light radiated from the bottom surface. The grooves are formed to produce a first light which is reflected on the grooves and a second light which is radiated from the grooves and is reflected on the reflection sheet, and an asymmetric prism sheet is arranged on the light guide plate.

Abstract: In various embodiments of the invention, an interferometric display device is provided having an external film with a plurality of structures that redirect light from an inactive area of the display to an active area of the display. Light incident on the external film that would normally continue towards an inactive area of the display is either reflected, refracted, or scattered towards an active area of the display comprising moveable and static reflective surfaces that form an optical cavity.

Abstract: A light guide includes a light guide substrate having a top surface through which light is to be emitted, a bottom surface, an incident edge surface through which incident light is to be introduced into the light guide substrate, and another edge surface. The another edge surface includes at least one micro structure operative to reflect at least a portion of the incident light, which travels through the light guide substrate and is incident on the another edge surface, back within the light guide substrate.

Abstract: A backlight unit including a light guide panel which has opposite upper and lower faces, and guides light, introduced into an inside thereof, between the upper and lower faces through internal reflection, and a prism sheet which collects and transmits the light, introduced from the light guide panel, and has, on its surface, a plurality of prism patterns, each having a first main inclined face, to which light introduced from the light guide panel is incident, a second main inclined face having a curvature or a plane which reflects light incident from the first main inclined face, and two auxiliary inclined faces which are opposite to each other between the first and second main inclined faces, and define a side face of the prism pattern.

Abstract: Described are a backlight, a backlight assembly for use in an electronic device and an electronic device configured to activate the backlight's first light source and to activate the backlight's second light source independently of one another. The described double-sided backlight may illuminate either the primary display or the secondary display. The disclosed backlight includes two light sources, each used to direct light in opposite directions from the double-sided backlight. The light guide of the backlight is configured to direct light from the first light source in a first direction to exit the light guide via its first face, and to direct light from the second light source in a second direction different from the first direction to exit the light guide via its second face.

Abstract: A light source includes a plurality of light emitting elements, and each light emitting element is disposed in such a manner that a direction of an optical axis of the light emitting element having a highest luminance is disposed at a predetermined inclination angle relative to a plane of the liquid crystal display. The optical guide member has an optical guide portion of a wedge shape having a first flat plane generally perpendicular to the optical axis of each light emitting element for receiving light from each light emitting element and a second flat plane having a predetermined angle relative to the optical axis and intersecting the first flat plane at an acute angle for reflecting light. A plurality of optical guide portions are disposed in a plane and formed integrally along a predetermined direction corresponding to the inclination direction of the light emitting elements.

Abstract: A light guide panel includes a lateral side configured to transmit light to an interior of the light guide panel, a rear side configured to reflect light to the interior of the light guide panel, and a front side configured to emit light from the interior of the light guide panel, wherein the rear side includes a repeating pattern of regions, each region having a plurality of wedge-shaped rear prisms disposed therein, and the wedge-shaped rear prisms include at least one of a side having a predetermined radius of curvature and a side having a point of inflection.

Abstract: Light emitting assembly includes an optical conductor having a pattern of deformities on or in front and back sides of the optical conductor to cause light to be emitted from a light emitting surface on at least one of the sides. At least one of the deformities varies, and at least one planar or curved refractive surface is aligned with at least one light source to redirect a portion of the light from the light source entering the optical conductor in a predetermined manner to cause the light emitted from the light emitting surface to pass through an optical film, which redirects the light through a liquid crystal display with no loss.