Abstract: A lighting unit is incorporated in an LC display. The lighting unit includes a light guide and a light source adjacent to the light guide. The light guide includes a rear surface facing an LC panel, a front surface opposite to the rear surface, a first side surface between the rear and the front surfaces, and a second side surface spaced widthwise from the first side surface. The light from the light source travels into the light guide, and from the first toward the second side surfaces. A reflector for reflecting the light incident on the second side surface toward the first side surface is formed on the second side surface. The front surface of the light guide is formed with first and second slant portions. Each first slant portion reflects the light, traveling from the first toward the second side surfaces, toward the rear surface of the light guide. Each second slant portion reflects the light, traveling from the second toward the first side surfaces, toward the rear surface of the light guide.

Abstract: A light guide plate (10) includes a bottom surface (11), a light incident surface (12) adjacent to the bottom surface, a light emitting surface (13) opposite to the bottom surface, and a plurality of V-shaped grooves adjacent to the bottom surface, each of the V-shaped grooves defining two bottom angles (?, ?) and a top line (101), the bottom angles being different. The top line of each V-shaped groove is configured so as to maximize the areas of the interfaces of the V-shaped groove, having regard to the top lines of all the V-shaped grooves also being configured to provide a desired distribution of intensity of light beams that emit from the emitting surface in a desired direction. For example, the configurations of the top lines can be such that a maximum luminance of the light guide plate is at a center region of the light emission surface.

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: 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: An edge-light type backlight system including a point light source, a light guide panel including a light incident part into which light enters from the point light source and a light emitting surface from which light is emitted, and an optical path-changing unit which changes a propagation path of light traveling inside the light guide panel. The light incident part includes a light incident surface on which a prism pattern is formed, the light incident surface facing the point light source, and first and second surfaces extending from the light incident surface in a direction in which light travels inside the light guide panel and adapted to reflect light passing through the light incident surface to reduce a direction angle, the first and second surfaces being opposite to each other with respect to an optical axis.

Abstract: A light guide plate includes two opposite incident surfaces for receiving light beams, an emitting surface joining the two incident surfaces and a bottom surface opposite to the emitting surface. The emitting surface has a V-shaped profile defined by two symmetric oblique surfaces slanting down toward each other at a predetermined angle. Further, each of the oblique surfaces defines a plurality of grooves extending therein and being arranged along an oblique direction thereof. The surface light source incorporating the light guide plate is inexpensive and has higher intensity of illumination at the center region thereof. Thus a liquid crystal display incorporating the surface light source satisfactorily illuminates a main visible range thereof.

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 light source device, comprising a light guide (3) having two light incident surfaces opposed to each other for receiving incident light radiated from a primary light source and a light outgoing surface (33) for emitting the incident light and a light deflection element (4) disposed adjacent to the light emitting surface side of the light guide, the light deflection element (4) further comprising a light receiving surface (41) for receiving incident light and a light emitting surface (42) positioned on the opposite side thereof and emitting the incident light, wherein a plurality of elongated prisms formed of two prism faces are disposed on the light receiving surface (41) generally parallel with each other, the prism surfaces are formed of at least two faces (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51) with different inclination angles, and the inclination angles are larger for the faces positioned nearer the light emitting surface (42).

Abstract: A display system includes respective light sources disposed at two opposed light input ends of a light guiding plate. A double-sided prism sheet is disposed on a light-emitting side of the light guiding plate and includes, on a first surface facing the light guiding plate, a triangular prism bank extending in a direction parallel to the light input ends of the light guiding plate. The double-sided prism sheet includes, on a second surface, opposite to the first surface, a cylindrical lens bank extending in a direction parallel to the triangular prism bank. A transmissive display panel is disposed on a light-emitting side of the double-sided prism sheet. A synchronization driving section alternatively illuminates the respective light sources so the transmissive display panel displays two different images.

Abstract: A rod-shaped light transmission body that has a plurality of prisms and converts light incident from a light source to linear light through the prisms to output the linear light, the prisms including a first prism having a function of totally reflecting the incident light to output the light from the rod-shaped light transmission body, and second and third prisms that are positioned on both sides of the first prism, each of the second and the third prisms having a function of transmitting and deflecting the incident light.

Abstract: A light guide plate (32), which is made from a transparent plastic sheet, defines an emission surface (37) and a bottom surface (35) on a top end and a bottom end respectively. A number of arcuate recesses (34) are defined in the bottom end thereof. The arcuate recesses are parallel to each other, and adjacent arcuate recesses are separated each other a uniform predetermined distance. A surface lighting device (3) incorporating such light guide plate further includes a number of light sources (31) received in the arcuate recesses respectively, and a reflection board (31) arranged adjacent the bottom surface for reflecting light.

Abstract: A backlight is disposed on a rear surface side of a subject to be irradiated and illuminates the subject to be irradiated from the rear surface side. The backlight includes: a light guide plate; an intermediate light guide disposed along an end surface on one side of the light guide plate; and a light source disposed to an end portion of the intermediate light guide. One surface side of the light guide plate is formed into a reflection surface on which a concavoconvex shape is formed so as to reflect light propagating inside thereof. The other surface side of the light guide plate is formed into an exit surface that outputs the light reflected by the reflection surface. The reflection surface includes a plurality of grooves that are formed of a gentle slope portion and a steep slope portion. The subject to be irradiated is disposed outside of the exit surface.

Abstract: A planar light source device includes a primary light source (1), a light guide (3) which leads the light emitted from the primary light source (1), and having a light incident face (31) to which the light emitted from the primary light source (1) comes in, and a light emitting face from which the led light goes out, a light deflection element (4) arranged adjacent to the light emitting face (33) of the light guide (3), and a polarization separation element (6) disposed on the side of a light outgoing surface (42) of the light deflection element (4), and having a function of transmitting one of polarization components of the incident light and reflecting the other of the polarization components. The full width at half maximum of the luminance distribution of the incident light upon the polarization separation element (6) in an XY plane parallel to the travel direction of the light in the light guide (3) is 25° or less. The reference symbol 7 indicates a liquid crystal display element.

Abstract: A light guide plate (2) into which light beams are introduced from a light source has a light incident surface (21) receiving the light beams, a light emitting surface (22) transmitting the light beams therethrough, and a bottom surface (23) opposite to the light emitting surface. The light incident surface is between the bottom surface and the light emitting surface. The bottom surface has at least two sets of diffusing elements (231, 232) for diffusing and reflecting light beams toward the light emitting surface. Each set forms a continuous region at the bottom surface, and the at least two sets totally cover the bottom surface. The at least two sets of include diffusing elements that are formed along two different directions. By utilization of the at least two sets of diffusing elements, the light guide plate provides a uniform luminance over the whole of the light emitting surface.

Abstract: A compact backlight system has a light-emitting panel (1) with a front wall (2), a rear wall (3) situated opposite thereto, and furthermore, between the front and the rear wall (2, 3), a translucent input edge surface (4) for coupling light into the light-emitting panel (1). A light source (6, 6?, . . . ) is associated with the input edge surface (4). According to the invention, the rear wall (3) in a first portion (12) of the light-emitting panel (1) is provided with a multiplicity of steps (13, 13?, . . . ), and a second portion (22) of the light-emitting panel (1) widens from the input edge surface (4) in a direction facing the first portion (12). Preferably, a surface (17) of the steps (13, 13?, . . . ) facing the input edge surface (4) makes an angle ?av?5° (with respect to a normal on a bisecting plane (20) bisecting the light-emitting panel (1).

Abstract: A backlight 10 includes a light source 13, a light guide plate 12 for introducing light emitted from the light source 13 from an incidence surface 12a provided on an end and for emitting the light from one surface, a diffusive reflector 15 provided such that the surface having a minute concavo-convex portion 15d faces the other surface of the light guide plate 12, and a light directivity control sheet 17 provided on the one surface of the light guide plate 12 such that the apexes 17c of pyramid-shaped objects 17b face the opposite side to the light guide plate 12.

Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include a light emitting panel member having two or more inserts, components or parts that may be supported by a structural member. A pattern of light extracting deformities may be on or in one or more of the inserts, components or parts for providing a desired light output distribution.

Abstract: Light emitted from a light source and incident on a light distributor of a light guide plate is partially emitted from the light guide plate as it is, and is predominantly reflected toward a prism section. Light incident on the prism section from the light distributor and light incident on the prism section directly from the light source are refracted and reflected by the prism section, and are then emitted from a light emission plane of the light guide plate in a region away from the light source in which the light distributor is not disposed, in a direction perpendicular to the light emission plane and substantially away from light source.

Abstract: A surface light source apparatus includes a primary light source (1), an optical guide (3) for guiding light emitted from the primary light source and having a light incoming surface (31) and a light outgoing surface (32), a light deflection element (4) arranged adjacent to the light outgoing surface of the optical guide and having a light incoming surface (41) and a light outgoing surface (42), and a light diffusion element (6) arranged adjacent to the light outgoing surface of the light deflection element. The light incoming surface (41) of the light deflection element has a plurality of prism strings arranged substantially parallel to each other and each having two prism surfaces. At least one of the prism surfaces of these prism strings has a prism surface consisting of at least two planes having different inclination angles. As the plane approaches the light going surface, the inclination becomes larger.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an illumination device. When the light from the, light emitting element is guided to the first illuminating portion of the light guide plate, the light is radiated from the whole upper surface of the first illuminating portion to illuminate the upper surface side of the light guide plate. Also, when the light from the light emitting element is guided to the second illuminating portion of the light guide plate, the light is radiated from the whole lower surface of the second illuminating portion to illuminate the lower surface side of the light guide plate. The upper and lower surface sides of the light guide plate can be excellently illuminated with one light guide plate.

Abstract: A light source device comprising at least a primary light source (1), a light guide (3) guiding light beamed from the primary light source and having a light incident surface (31) and a light outgoing surface (33), an optical deflector (4) disposed adjacent to the light guide's light outgoing surface and having a light incident surface (41) and a light outgoing surface (42), and a light diffuser (6) disposed adjacent to the optical deflector's light outgoing surface and having a light incident surface (61) and a light out going surface (62), wherein the optical deflector's light incident surface is formed with a plurality of rows of prisms arranged in parallel to each other, and the light diffuser has the full width half maximum of an outgoing light intensity of 1–13 degrees when parallel rays of light are incident, whereby providing a light source device excellent in light utilization efficiency of a primary light source, and also excellent in viewing angle characteristics and quality as an image forming ill

Abstract: Disclosed is a lightguide in the form of a plate (1), a first surface of which is provided with first straight parallel grooves (8) (diffusing the light circulating in the guide). The inventive lightguide is characterized by the fact that it is provided with second straight parallel grooves (9) (diffusing the light circulating in the guide) which extend in an oblique direction, particularly in an orthogonal direction, relative to the first grooves such that the guide diffuses in a uniform manner the light that is introduced into the guide via three or four edges thereof.

Abstract: A point-light-source type light emitting portion faces a light incident face located at a corner portion of a light guide plate. A light diffusion pattern for emitting the light in the light guide plate from a light emission face is on the lower surface of the light guide plate. A diffusion prism sheet is on the light emission face. A prism sheet including prisms each having a concentric shape with the light emitting portion at the center is on the lower surface of the diffusion prism sheet, and an uneven diffusion plate is on the upper surface of the diffusion prism sheet. Light emitted from the light emission face of the light guide plate along the light emission face is deflected in the direction perpendicular to the light guide plate by the prism sheet, and the angle of beam spread of the light is spread by the uneven diffusion plate.

Abstract: A plurality of first light reflection parts 20a in the form of a first V-shaped groove, for reflecting light entering from a first light source 12a and a plurality of light reflection parts 20b in the form of a second V-shaped groove, for reflecting light entering from a second light source 12b are formed, an intersection angle ?P of the planes of the first V-shaped groove and an intersection angle ?P of the planes of the second V-shaped grooves are substantially equal to each other, the planes of said plurality of first light reflection parts and the planes of said plurality of second light reflection parts are tilted at respective angles at which the light exits in the direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the linear light conductor 14, said plurality of first light reflection parts are formed in at least a region near the end of the linear light conductor, opposite to the end thereof near which the first light source is disposed, and said plurality of second reflection part

Abstract: There is provided a backlight unit that is capable of making it possible to highly condense light while simultaneously reducing costs. A backlight unit according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a light source for generating light; a lamp housing installed to cover the light source and for reflecting the light; and a light guide panel whereon there are formed a plurality of engraved patterns with a specific gap and a specific depth at the lower surface thereof, and wherein the vertical angle of the engraved pattern, which faces an out-coming surface of the light guide panel, is in a range of 30˜95°. Accordingly, it can be applicable to display panels of various sizes and a picture is improved at the same time. Also, in the backlight unit, it is possible to get rid of at least one of a prism sheet, a diffusion sheet and a reflecting sheet, thereby reducing costs.

Abstract: A light source device which is uniform in the intensity of distribution of an emitted light and high in the optical utilization efficiency, a display device which is high in recognability and is energy-saving, and an information terminal are provided. A reflecting portion is formed on a surface opposed to an emitting surface of a linear light guide. The reflecting portion is periodically formed with a total reflecting surface guiding a light incident on a linear light guide from a point light source, a light extracting surface allowing the light to reflect in such a way as to emit the light guiding the linear light guide from the emitting surface, and a re-incidence plane which takes the light transmitted but not reflected on the light extracting surface into the linear light guide again. By changing the size of the light extracting surface and the re-incidence plane, the intensity of distribution of the emitting light from the linear light guide can be made uniform.

Abstract: A light guide plate made of a transparent resin includes a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface. The first main surface has a surface portion provided with convex portions having a height in the range of 5×10?7 m to 6×10?5 m each and a pitch in the range of 5×10?7 m to 4×10?4 m. The light guide plate having tip portions of at least 80% of the total convex portions with a radius of curvature of 2×10?6 m or less, or the surface of the convex portions having a surface roughness of 3×10?7 m or less.

Abstract: In a front light, an intermediate light guide protrudes from a light guide plate toward a light emitting element in the direction along a light incident face of the light guide plate. A side face of the intermediate light guide opposing the light incident face serves as an emergent face from which light from the light emitting element is emitted to the light guide plate, and an outer side face remote from the emergent face serves as a reflecting face for reflecting light propagating inside the intermediate light guide. The outer side face of the intermediate light guide is provided with a prism face having a plurality of grooves of wedge-shaped cross section, and a reflective film formed thereon. The prism face is provided distant from an end face of the intermediate light guide close to the light emitting element.

Abstract: The invention provides a signaling device for a motor vehicle, the signaling device being constituted by a skin of translucent material presenting an outside face to be seen from outside the vehicle when said device is mounted on the vehicle, and an inside face opposite the outside face. Projecting from its inside face, translucent skin has at least one rib made integrally with the skin and out of the same translucent material as the skin. The thickness of the rib is greater than the thickness of the translucent skin.

Abstract: A planar light source of this invention is formed with chamfered portions at an upper end of the light receiving side surface where the light receiving side surface and the light emitting surface of the light guide plate intersect and at a lower end of the light receiving side surface where the light receiving side surface and the reflection surface of the light guide plate intersect. The chamfered portions can make indistinguishable the bright lines, that may be produced during illumination, to prevent a dark-bright fringe pattern from showing up, thereby preventing a possible degradation of liquid crystal display quality.

Abstract: A front light includes: a light source, a light guide plate, and a plurality of prism-shaped lenses, each being in contact with a lower surface of the light guide plate. A cross-section of each of the prism-shaped lenses, in a plane perpendicular to the side surfaces thereof, has a shape of equally-sided trapezoid. An obtuse angle ?out of the equally-sided trapezoidal cross-section and a critical angle ?c for the total reflection of the prism-shaped lenses satisfy the relationship of 90°<? out?90°+?c. When the light emitted from the light source enters the prism-shaped lens, the light is allowed to be reflected at a side surface defined by side-edges of the trapezoidal cross-section and thereafter exit through a lower surface. Thus, the light can illuminate pixel electrodes in a liquid crystal panel from a direction normal thereto.

Abstract: A brightness enhancement article for improving luminance from a light source includes a light-collecting prism surface forms a series of longitudinal trapezoidal prism elements in which each has a face plane disposed toward the light source and first and second legs extending back from the face plane, forming first and second base angles? with the face plane wherein both first and second base angles? satisfy: 90 degrees<base angle ?<120 degrees.

Abstract: A light-source device having a light guide (3) for guiding light emitted from a primary light source and emitting light obliquely from a light emission face (33) thereof, and a light deflecting device (4) disposed so as to be adjacent to the light emission face. Plural elongated prisms are arranged in parallel to one another at a light incident surface (41) of the light deflecting device. Virtual elongated prisms (I) each having a vertical angle ? of 50 to 70° arranged in the same arrangement pitch as the elongated prisms are assumed so that the peak emission light in the light emission distribution of light emitted from the light emission face is incident on one virtual prism face of the virtual elongated prism, internally totally reflected by another virtual prism face and then emitted in a desired direction from a light emission surface (42) of the light deflecting device.

Abstract: A lighting device includes a light source, a light conducting plate having an incident surface receiving light emitted from the light source, a back surface and a light-emitting surface, and a reflection member having a first portion facing the back surface, and a second portion located on a side opposite to a side of the light conducting plate on which the light source is located. The second portion is spaced apart from the light conducting plate so that light emitted from the light conducting plate is oriented toward an emission surface of the lighting device.

Abstract: An illumination device includes a light source and a planar illuminator for emitting light of the light source portion from one surface thereby to illuminate a liquid crystal panel. The planar illuminator has a reflection surface, on which minute concavo-convex shapes are substantially randomly formed. Surface emission is performed by diffuse reflecting the light irradiated from the light source portion by the reflection surface.

Abstract: A light guiding plate guides light from a light source and irradiates the light onto a display portion. The light guiding plate has an exit plate facing the display portion, and a reflection-exit plane opposite to the exit plane. The reflection-exit plane has a first end intersecting an incidence plane and a second end intersecting an opposite end plane. An inclination angle, defined by the exit plane and a line that contains the first end and the second end, is greater than 0.20° and less than 0.75°. The reflection-exit plane includes a light admission portion that reflects light entering through or reflected on the incidence plane to the exit plane.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus (10) includes a wave guide (14) formed from a translucent material. The wave guide has a top surface (30), a bottom surface (32) that has a pre-defined curvature, and at least one side surface (34) that receives light (40) injected therein. A plurality of microstructures (36) is arranged on selected areas of the bottom surface (32) of the wave guide (14). The plurality of microstructures (36) cooperates with the pre-defined curvature of the bottom surface (32) to scatter at least a portion of the light (40) injected into the at least one side surface (34). The scattered light (42) exits the wave guide (14) through the top surface (30). At least one light emitting diode (16) injects light (40) into the at least one side surface (34) of the wave guide (14). The scattered light (42) that exits the wave guide (14) forms at least one symbol viewable by an associated observer.

Abstract: A lighting device has a light source for emitting lighting light for illuminating a display, and a light guide plate for changing the direction of the lighting light to the display. A polarization separation film is provided for separating polarization of the lighting light into P-polarized light and S-polarized light for illuminating the display.

Abstract: LEDs 5 serving as light sources are arranged so as to face an incidence surface 4 of a light guide plate 3. Light emitted from the LEDs 5 is incident on the incidence surface 4 of the light guide plate 3 to enter the light guide plate 3 to be propagated through the light guide plate 3. When the angle of incidence of the light on an emission surface 6 of the light guide plate 3 is a critical angle or less while the light is propagated, the light leaves the emission surface 6. On at least one of the emission surface 6 of the light guide plate 6 and a surface 10 opposite to the emission surface 6 of the light guide plate 6, a large number of prism protrusions 12 extending in parallel to such a direction that a distance from the incidence surface 4 increases are formed along the incidence surface 4. A side-face side portion 10b of the prism protrusions 12 is formed so as to have a height gradually decreasing as a distance from the incidence surface 4 decreases.