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: An exemplary optical plate includes at least one transparent plate unit. The transparent plate unit includes a first surface, a second surface, a plurality of first protrusions, a plurality of second protrusions and a lamp-receiving portion. The second surface is opposite to the first surface. The first protrusions are formed at the first surface, and each first protrusion is a rectangular pyramidal protrusion. The second protrusions are formed at the second surface, and each second protrusion is a conical frustum protrusion. The lamp-receiving portion is defined in one of the first surface and the second surface. A backlight module using the optical plate is also provided.

Abstract: A diffuser sheet which compensates for chromatic dispersion generated in a hologram light guide plate, and an illumination apparatus employing the diffuser sheet are provided. The diffuser sheet includes a plate type light-transmissive substrate and a light diffusion layer disposed on a light emission surface of the light-emission substrate. A light-incident surface of the light-transmissive substrate has declined surfaces and flat surfaces which are alternatively and repeatedly formed thereon. The declined surfaces are declined at a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A light guide device (52) includes a light guide substrate (520) and a sub-wavelength grating (527). The light guide substrate has a light input surface (521), a light output surface (522) adjacent to the light input surface (521), a bottom surface (523) opposite to the light output surface (522). In the light guide plate, stress-induced birefringence is introduced to achieve the polarization state conversion. The SWG 527 located on the light output surface includes a top layer (525) and a bottom layer (526). The SWG 527 is configured to work as a reflective polarizing beam splitter, consistent with the principle of rigorous coupled-wave theory.

Abstract: A backlight module includes a light guide plate, a light source disposed at a side of the light guide plate, a diffuser sheet positioned over the light guide plate but not directly contacting the light guide plate, and a light mixing space positioned between the light guide plate and the diffuser sheet so that light emitted from the light guide plate efficiently mixes in the light mixing space before entering the diffuser sheet and emitted out of the backlight module.

Abstract: An exemplary optical plate includes at least one transparent plate unit. The transparent plate unit includes a first surface, a second surface, a plurality of conical frustum protrusions, a plurality of spherical protrusions and a lamp-receiving portion. The second surface is opposite to the first surface. The conical frustum protrusions are formed at the first surface. The spherical protrusions are formed at the second surface. The lamp-receiving portion is defined in at least one of the first surface and the second surface. A backlight module using the present optical plate is also provided.

Abstract: An exemplary optical plate includes at least one transparent plate unit and a diffusion layer. The transparent plate unit includes a light output surface, a bottom surface, a plurality of elongated V-shaped protrusions, and a lamp-receiving portion. The bottom surface is opposite to the light output surface. The elongated V-shaped protrusions are formed at the bottom surface. The lamp-receiving portion is defined in the bottom surface. The diffusion layer is formed on the light output surface of the transparent plate unit. A backlight module using the present optical plate is also provided.

Abstract: An exemplary prism sheet includes a transparent main body. The main body includes a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a plurality of spherical depressions formed in the first surface, and a plurality of triangular pyramidal depressions and hexagonal pyramidal depressions formed in the second surface. Each of the triangular pyramidal depressions is surrounded by three adjacent hexagonal pyramidal depressions. A backlight module using the present prism sheet is also provided.

Abstract: An exemplary prism sheet (20) includes a transparent main body. The main body includes a first surface (201), a second surface (202) opposite to the first surface, a plurality of first micro-depressions (203) defined in the first surface, and a plurality of second micro-depressions (204) defined in the second surface. Each of the first micro-depressions is conical frustum-shaped. Each of the first micro-depressions has four inner side surfaces connected to each other. A transverse width of each inner side surface of the first micro-depressions progressively decreases with increasing distance from its bottom surface that are coplanar with one of the first surface of the transparent main body. A backlight module (200) using the present prism sheet is also provided.

Abstract: A light guide includes a body having an elongate shape and a plurality of light-reflecting faces and light-emitting faces extending along the body. The light-reflecting faces extend in a stepped fashion along the body in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the light guide and are configured to reflect light rays by the principle of total internal reflection. Each light-emitting face is disposed along the body opposite a corresponding light-reflecting face. Each light-emitting face is configured to emit light reflected by the corresponding light-reflecting face. The light-emitting faces are also disposed on the body in a stepped fashion. Steps of the light-emitting faces correspond to steps of the light-reflecting faces. In another aspect, the light-reflecting faces are separated by stepped-down faces. The stepped-down faces are oriented at a stepped-down angle in the range of about 1 and 10 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the light guide.

Abstract: An exemplary prism sheet includes a transparent main body. The main body includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is opposite to the second surface. A plurality of elongated arc-shaped depressions are defined in the first surface. A plurality of micro-depressions are defined in the second surface. Each micro-depression is defined by at least three connecting sidewalls. A transverse width of each sidewall of each micro-depression progressively decreases with increasing distance from the second surface. A backlight module using the present prism sheet is also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a back light unit having a light guide buffer plate. The back light unit having a light guide buffer plate includes a light source for generating the light when a power source is applied; a light guide panel whose light-receiving vertical surface that the light emitted from the light source enters is provided with a first prism pattern and whose bottom surface is provided with a refraction pattern, thereby converting the incident light from the light-receiving vertical surface into a surface light source; a reflection unit disposed in a bottom surface of the light guide panel to reflect light toward the light guide panel; and a buffer disposed between the light source and the light guide panel and whose light-emitting vertical surface corresponding to the light-receiving vertical surface of the light guide panel is provided with a second prism pattern.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device of high quality having high brightness and uniform brightness distribution by focusing the light radiation direction from a light guide plate in the vertical direction with respect to a light radiation surface of the light guide plate. The liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel and a flat lighting device which radiates an illumination light to a back surface of the liquid crystal display panel. The flat lighting device includes a light guide plate which has an upper surface facing a back surface of the liquid crystal display panel in an opposed manner and constituting a light radiation surface and a bottom surface which is arranged opposite to the upper surface. One LED is arranged at a first corner portion of the light guide plate and another LED is arranged at a second corner portion of the light guide plate arranged adjacent to the first corner portion.

Abstract: An optical device for collecting and distributing light from a quasi point light source which includes a planar light guide having surfaces through which optical axes are periodically spaced. There is at least one quasi point light source, the optical axis of each being coincident with the optical axes of the surfaces. There is also at least one optical element depressed within the edges or adjacent surfaces of the light guide at least partially rotated about the optical axis, and having a focal point at the quasi point light source.

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 light guide plate includes a main body having opposing side faces, and front and rear faces connected to the opposing side faces, the front face being adapted to output light incident on at least one of the side faces, a plurality of front prisms disposed at the front face of the main body, and a plurality of dot prisms disposed in an array at the rear face of the main body, the dot prisms being spaced apart from each other, each of the dot prisms including prism parts, sizes of the dot prisms increasing as a distance from the at least one side face increases.

Abstract: A light diffusion module and a back light module using the same. The light diffusion module is disposed corresponding to the light source module of the back light module. The light diffusion module includes a first diffusion layer and the second diffusion layer. The first diffusion layer is disposed on top of the light source module and the top light exit surface has a plurality of first micro structures juxtapositioned to each other. The second diffusion layer is disposed on top of the first diffusion layer, and the top surface has a plurality of second micro structures juxtapositioned to each other. The ratio of the width of each first micro structure to the width of each second micro structure is between 1.1 and 1.8. The ratio of the height of each first micro structure to the height of each second micro structure is between 0.8 and 1.5.

Abstract: In a backlight assembly and an LCD apparatus having the same, the backlight assembly includes a lamp that generates light and a light guiding plate. The light guiding plate includes a light incident surface, a light reflecting surface and a light exiting surface. The light generated from the lamp is incident into the light incident surface. The light reflecting surface is extended from a side of the light incident surface. The light reflecting surface has a prism pattern. The light exiting surface is extended from another side of the light incident surface. An angle formed between the light incident surface and the light exiting surface is smaller than about 90 degrees, and the light incident surface and the light reflecting surface face each other.

Abstract: In an illuminating device, a plurality of light reflecting portions each including a plurality of prisms adjacent to one another are formed on one of an opposing surface and an exit surface of a light guide plate so as to be spaced apart from one another. Each of the plurality of prisms is in a shape of a triangle in section with one of the opposing surface and the exit surface being a base of the triangle, and is formed so as to protrude therefrom. Light introduced from a light source is reflected by the plurality of prisms to be illuminating light having directivity in a vertical direction. Light which has passed through a prism which is nearer to the light input portion is again taken into the light guide plate by an adjacent prism at a subsequent stage and can be reused.

Abstract: It is a light guide plate characterized by having a groove in a snaking pattern formed on a transparent plate made of acrylic or other materials with light transmitting characteristics. It substantially increases efficiency and its manufacturing cost can be greatly reduced.

Abstract: A light guide plate includes a light incidence surface, a light reflection surface, and a light emission surface. The light reflection surface forms a plurality of light-guiding structures extending in a direction substantially parallel to a light source. The light reflection surface has an edge margin section adjacent to the light incidence surface and having opposite end zones each containing auxiliary light-guiding structures that extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the light source and has an irregular V-shaped cross-section defined by a long inclined side, which faces endwise, and a short inclined side. The auxiliary light-guiding structures are distributed from a densest condition at each end portion toward a sparsest condition at a middle portion of the edge margin section. The long side helps to redirect a greater amount of light to a desired light emission direction thereby enhancing uniformity of light emission of the light guide plate.

Abstract: A light guide plate is adapted for use with at least one light source that is capable of providing source light beams. The light guide plate includes a plate body, and a plurality of light-guiding structures that are distributed on the plate body. Each of the light-guiding structures is in a substantially quadrilateral pyramidal form, and includes a quadrilateral lower end that has four corners, and a tapered upper end that is disposed opposite to the lower end. Each of the light-guiding structures further includes four sides, each of which is defined by the upper end and a corresponding adjacent pair of the corners, adjacent ones of the sides being interconnected.

Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a light source, a light-guide plate (LGP), a reflective sheet and at least one optical sheet. The light source emits light. The LGP includes a light-incident surface, a light-reflecting surface and a light-emitting surface. The light-incident surface receives the light from the light source. The light-reflecting surface has a plurality of first prism patterns spaced apart from each other and flat portions formed between the first prism patterns, which are substantially perpendicular to the light-incident surface. The light-emitting surface has a plurality of second prism patterns formed thereon. The reflective sheet is disposed below the LGP. At least one optical sheet is disposed on the LGP.

Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a light source for emitting light; and a light guiding plate for guiding the light emitted from the light source. A plurality of prisms is discontinuously formed on a surface of the light guiding plate in a longitudinal direction thereof.

Abstract: An edge-light type light guide plate 30 is provided and 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 convex surfaces 31a that have an arcuate cross-section and extend in a direction substantially perpendicularly intersecting the light entrance plane 30a. The second surface 32 has a series of parallel elongated concave surfaces 32a that have an arcuate cross-section and extend in a direction substantially perpendicularly intersecting the elongated convex surfaces 31a on the first surface.

Abstract: An optical deflector element has a light incoming surface (41) in which light enters and a light outgoing surface (42) located opposite the light incoming surface and from which light exits. In the light incoming surface (41) are arranged elongated prisms (41A) in parallel to each other. Each of the elongated prisms (41A) is formed by a top end flat face (46) located at the top end of the elongated prism and having an inclination angle (b) of 1 to 50 degrees, a first prism face (44) located at one side of the flat face, and a second prism face (45) at the other side. A light source device is formed by combining the optical deflector element, light guide and a primary light source. The light guide has a light incident face in which light emitted from the primary light source enters, and a light emitting face from which guided light exits.

Abstract: [The present invention provides] a light source device comprising: a light conductor which has a first light incident end surface, a second light incident end surface and a light emitting surface; a first primary light source and a second primary light source which are disposed respectively adjacent to the first light incident end surface and second light incident end surface; and a light deflecting element which has a light incident surface disposed facing the light emitting surface and a light emitting surface, wherein a directional light emitting functional part with an average inclination angle of 0.5 to 15° is formed on at least one surface of the light conductor, i.e.

Abstract: A backlight unit includes a planar light source member that has a light-emitting surface and that emits light having directivity in a perpendicular direction to the light-emitting surface. An optical member has a light-receiving surface opposed to the light-emitting surface of the planar light source member and a light-emitting surface opposite to the light-receiving surface. The light-receiving surface has a multiplicity of prisms. By the prism action, the optical member emits the light having directivity in the perpendicular direction from the planar light source member as light having directivity in at least two directions on opposite sides of the perpendicular direction. The directions of light directivity are changed by varying the apex angle of the prisms.

Abstract: A backlight device for a display comprising (1) a side-lit light source, (2) a light guide plate and (3) a turning film comprising a light entry and a light exit surface comprising lenticular elements on the exit surface and prismatic structures on the entry surface, wherein the average values of the parameters of the features and the thickness of the film are selected to provide a peak output angle of ±10° from normal to the light exit surface of the light guide plate and an optical gain of at least 1.25. Also disclosed are methods of making the turning film and a display incorporating the backlight.

Abstract: A double-sided emitting backlight unit has a first light-emitting surface for illuminating a first liquid crystal display panel disposed to face the first light-emitting surface, a second light-emitting surface provided parallel to the first light-emitting surface to illuminate a second liquid crystal display panel that is smaller than the first liquid crystal display panel and disposed to face the second light-emitting surface, and a peripheral surface extending between the first and second light-emitting surfaces and each groove having a light-receiving surface that receives light from a light source. The second light-emitting surface is a prism surface provided with a multiplicity of grooves extending parallel to the light-receiving surface and having a triangular section.

Abstract: A light guide plate (12) has a light incidence surface (121) for receiving light, a light emitting surface (123) for emitting light, and a bottom surface (122). The bottom surface has a plurality of diffusion elements (124) arranged thereat. Each diffusion element defines a diffraction grating unit (125) therein. A grating direction of each diffraction grating unit is substantially perpendicular to a main direction of light beams received by the diffraction grating unit. Areas of the diffraction grating units progressively increase with increasing distance away from the light incidence surface. Diffractive capabilities of the diffraction grating units progressively increase with increasing distance away from the light incidence surface. These features improve the overall efficiency of utilization of light, and enable the light emitting surface to output highly uniform light.

Abstract: A back-light assembly for uniformly illuminating large area displays. The back-light assembly includes a uniformly thin waveguide, a reflector and a plurality of light sources evenly distributed along the display area between the waveguide and the reflector. Prismatic facets are provided along the lower surface of the waveguide for effectively coupling light emitted from light sources into the waveguide.

Abstract: The wedge-shaped light guide plate has a number of reflection structures with gaps therebetween arranged along the light reflection plane. Each reflection structure from a previous gap contains sequentially a slant surface extended away from the light emission surface, a second reflection surface further slanting away from the light emission plane, and a first reflection surface slanting towards the light emission plane to connect to a next gap. The second and first reflection surfaces form a prism element. In one embodiment of the present invention, the reflection structures are more densely arranged as they are more distant from the light source. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the reflection structures are arranged uniformly.

Abstract: A multifunctional-type backlight unit, including a light guiding plate having a first incident/exit surface and a second incident/exit surface which are capable of receiving and emitting light, a light emitting device disposed to face the first incident/exit surface and configured to supply light to the first incident/exit surface, and a light receiving device disposed to face the first incident/exit surface and configured to receive light emitted from the first incident/exit surface, the light guiding plate being configured so that the light emitted from the light emitting device enters the light guiding plate, passes through the light guiding plate, and is emitted from the second incident/exit surface, and the light guiding plate being configured so that the light which enters the second incident/exit surface, passes through the light guiding plate emits from the first incident/exit surface is received by the light receiving device.

Abstract: An exemplary backlight module (1) includes a light guide plate (10) and a light source (12) arranged to provide light beams to the light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a light emitting surface (102), a bottom surface (102) opposite to the light emitting surface, and a plurality of reflective structures (104) at the bottom surface. The reflective structures substantially define a plurality of isosceles triangular profiles, and each of the reflective structures maintains a pair of base angles relative to the bottom surface. The base angles of each reflective structure are the same, the base angles of all the reflective structures are the same, and the common base angle is in the range from 45° to 55°.

Abstract: An illumination system includes a light guide having an entrance face, an exit face and an aperture in which a light source can be arranged Various elements are arranged in the light guide to increase the angle of light beams incident in the light guide with respect to the optical axis of the system and to create a homogeneous illumination at the exit face of the light guide. With this arrangement, the length of a given light guide is reduced, making the illumination system smaller, lighter and more compact with even illumination and a high optical efficiency. The illumination system can be included in a display system.

Abstract: A backlight apparatus for directing light toward a display panel and the resulting display device comprises a solid lightguide comprising opposite TIR surfaces, containing a desired pattern of light redirecting surface features located between the TIR surfaces and interrupting one of the TIR surfaces, the features having a refractive index differing from that of the solid material of the light guide. Such an apparatus provides a more even light distribution to the display.

Abstract: A back light unit and a manufacturing method thereof capable of improving efficiency of a manufacturing process are disclosed. The back light unit includes a light source, a light guiding plate which uniformly transmits a light beam generated by the light source, and a cover portion which forms an external appearance and fixes the light guiding plate, wherein a resin material is charged between the light guiding plate and the cover portion to couple the light guiding plate and the cover portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to an illumination device, particularly for automobiles, with a light source and a light conductor that emits the light from the light source conducted within it via a light decoupling surface, whereby light decoupling elements are positioned on the side opposite the light decoupling surface that divert light toward the light decoupling surface, whereby the light decoupling elements possess at least two diverting surfaces, and the first diverting surface is positioned closer to the light source than the second diverting surface of a light decoupling element, each of which subtends an angle with the light decoupling surface whereby the angles of the diverting surfaces are so selected that at least a portion of the light striking the second diverting surface is transmittable through it under refraction, and may be again coupled into the light conductor by means of the first diverting surface of the subsequent decoupling element, whereby this light is at least partially conducted from the f

Abstract: Disclosed is a prism sheet structure that can control optical coupling between contact surfaces of two prism sheets in a backlight unit. The prism sheet includes: a structural surface (14) having non-planar peaks (11) with maximum height and minimum height along a length direction thereof; and a curved layer (17) having the same cycle as a cycle of height variation of the peak. The curved layer is formed at a boundary surface (16) between the structural surface 14 and the flat surface to maintain the right-angled isosceles triangular prisms formed due to a difference between the highest point and the lowest point of each of the peaks to have a predetermined size, so that distance between the valleys (12) is uniform along the length direction. Although shapes of prisms are identical, the cycle of the peak height variation allows the moiré´ patterns to be suppressed or removed.

Abstract: A backlight module and an application thereof are disclosed. The backlight module comprises at least one light source and a light guide plate. The light guide plate is disposed at one side of the light source, wherein the light guide plate has a reducing region formed at one side of the light guide plate and close to the light source. The thickness of the light guide plate in the reducing region is decreased with the increasing distance away from the light source. The backlight module is applicable to a liquid crystal display (LCD) apparatus.

Abstract: A light guide plate includes a light incident surface for receiving light, first and second light emission surfaces for emitting light at a first light emission angle with respect to the first and second light emission surfaces, and a light reflection pattern formed on the first light emission surface, for reflecting the light toward the second light emission surface. The reflected light from the light reflection pattern exits the second light emission surface at a second light emission angle with respect to the second light emission surface, and the second light emission angle is larger than the first light emission angle. The light reflection pattern includes multiple dots each having a prim pattern on their surface and light reflecting surfaces elongated in a selected direction. The adjacent light reflecting surfaces meet each other at their elongated edges to form a prism shape.

Abstract: The light source device of a display device according to the present invention has an optical waveguide, a cone sheet, and a light source disposed along the side surface of the optical waveguide. The light-emitting surface of the optical waveguide is flat, and a tilted surface that is tilted towards the light source with respect to the light-emitting surface is formed on the light-diffusing surface. The cone sheet has a flat plate and a plurality of circular cones arranged two-dimensionally on the light-incident surface of the flat plate. The central axes of the circular cones are parallel to each other. The invention provides a light source device that can be made thin and is capable of increasing the directivity of emitted light in two dimensions.

Abstract: A light guiding plate includes: an X axis direction light distribution control section; and a diffuse reflection section. The X axis direction light distribution control section performs light distribution control by which the incident light is deflected such that a tilt of an X axis direction with respect to a normal direction approaches to zero, and outputted from the light emitting surface. A direction of the incident light is the X axis direction, a direction orthogonal to the X axis direction and parallel to the light emitting surface is a Y axis direction, and a direction vertical to the X axis direction and the Y axis direction is the normal direction. The diffuse reflection section reflects the guided incident light from the light incident surface to diffuse in the Y axis direction inside of the light guiding plate and guides to the X axis direction light distribution control section.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical element and an illuminating device. The optical element includes: an incident surface; and an emitting section formed on an opposite side to the incident surface. The emitting section includes a plurality of protrusions. When each of the plurality of protrusions is projected onto a reference plane perpendicular to the incident surface to form a reference contour, the reference contour is substantially a trapezoid. A height of the reference contour and a height of a triangle formed by extending two legs of the reference contour satisfy a predefined condition.

Abstract: An illumination device includes a light guide plate having an incident end face and a reflecting surface, and a plurality of light sources provided at the incident end face of the light guide plate. The reflecting surface of the light guide plate has a diffusing pattern for diffusing incident light, the diffusing pattern has a plurality of ridgelines arranged perpendicularly to a propagating direction of the incident light to diffuse the incident light, and the ridgelines are discontinuous in the propagating direction.

Abstract: An exemplary optical plate includes at least one transparent plate unit. The transparent plate unit includes a light output surface, a bottom surface, a plurality of microstructures and at least a lamp-receiving portion. The bottom surface is opposite to the light output surface. The microstructures are formed on the light output surface and the bottom surface respectively. Each microstructure includes at least three side surfaces connected with each other, a transverse width of each side surface decreasing along a direction away from the base surface of the microstructure. The lamp-receiving portion is defined in the bottom surface. A backlight module using the present optical plate is also provided.

Abstract: An optical member enables a display apparatus to be improved in visibility of its display screen as viewed from a plurality of predetermined directions other than the directly forward direction. The optical member includes a lenticular lens member (3) having a plurality of convex lenses (2) and a light-reflecting layer (5) disposed on the back surface of the lenticular lens member. The light-reflecting layer (5) is provided with optical windows (6) each at a position corresponding to a midpoint between the apexes of mutually adjacent convex lenses. Light emitted from a planar light source, passed through each optical window (6), and configured to enter the mutually adjacent convex lenses (2) corresponding to the optical window is directed in mutually different directions by the mutually adjacent convex lenses, respectively.

Abstract: A surface light source device capable of suppressing generation of bright line and preventing generation of crush of pattern forming on a light guide plate even when pressure is applied, includes a plurality of deflection patterns and diffusion patterns wherein the diffusion pattern is formed on the light source side of the deflection pattern. Further, the diffusion pattern is provided so as not to protrude outwards from the light guide plate from the plane opposite to the light-emitting plane and the diffusion pattern diffuses the light incident from a light guide direction to a direction different from the light guide direction seen from a direction perpendicular to the light emitting plane.

Abstract: A solid waveguide comprises opposite TIR surfaces further comprising: a) at least one light input surface for coupling light from a solid state light source; b) at least one mixing section; c) at least one light emitting surface; and d) a desired pattern of light redirecting features located on one TIR surface or between the TIR surfaces.