Abstract: A luminance enhancement film having a built-in light diffusing structure. The support substrate incorporates a dispersion of particles for light diffusion. In accordance with the present invention, a separate particle layer is not required in addition to the support substrate layer. The particles are integrated in the unitary support substrate layer. In one aspect of the present invention, the particles are dispersed near at least one of the planar surfaces of the support substrate (i.e., the light input surface light output surface or both of the support substrate. All the particles may be embedded below the surface of the support substrate, or some of the particles may protrude above the surface of the support substrate. In one embodiment of the present invention, the support substrate contains particles that are dispersed only close to its surface and form protrusions at the surface (i.e., the particle dispersed surface is not smooth).

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: An illuminable marking device includes a light guide panel overlaid with an illuminable pressure-sensitive film. Light is injected into the light guide panel at an angle of incidence sufficient to establish total internal reflection of the light between the surfaces of the light guide panel. When pressure is applied at selected points on the illuminable pressure-sensitive film, contact points on the film then interface with the light guide panel. The total internal reflection of light at that contact point is frustrated, allowing light to be extracted from the light guide panel and transmitted into the illuminable pressure-sensitive film. The viewer then sees illumination at the selected points. The illuminable marking device can be toy where children can create illuminated markings and drawings.

Abstract: A light guide module and a display device with the light guide module are disclosed. The light guide module includes a rigid light guide film and a soft light guide film. The soft light guide film is pasted on the rigid light guide film. The soft light guide film has a first surface, and a pattern is formed on the first surface. The area of the first surface without the pattern is pasted on the rigid light guide film. The pattern is positioned between the soft light guide film and the rigid light guide film. The display device includes at least one light guide module and a light source located at one side of the light guide module. When the light source is on, the pattern is lit and visible.

Abstract: An exemplary optical plate (20) includes a transparent plate (21) and a light diffusion layer (22). The transparent plate includes a light output surface (212), a light input surface (211) opposite to the light output surface, and a plurality of elongated recessed portions (213) formed at the light input surface. The light diffusion layer is coated in the elongated recessed portions. The light diffusion layer and the light input surface cooperatively define a flat surface. A backlight module using the present optical plate is also provided. The present backlight module using the optical plate can have a thin body with a good optical performance.

Abstract: Color non-uniformity due to LED light sources of a liquid crystal display (LCD) device is improved. A light quantity control film is arranged between an LED source and the entrance surface of a mixing light guide plate. This light quantity control film is arranged in the part which reduces the quantity of light of the LED with the strongest light quantity among a plurality of same colors.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a panel, a light guide, and light sources. The panel defines a light area, and includes a transparent main body, an optical clear coating layer painted on the main body, and a light tight coating layer painted on the optical clear coating layer without covering the light area. The light guide is disposed beneath the panel. The light guide fills up the whole light area. The light sources are configured for illuminating the light guide.

Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a frame, a light source, and at least one optical film. The light source is disposed on the frame. The optical film has at least one positioning flange. The frame has a first, a second and a third member to form a polygonal accommodating area and is adapted to receive the optical film. First and second containing regions are positioned adjacent to a place which the third member is connected to the first member and the third member is connected to the second member, respectively. The first containing region projects into the first and third members, and the second containing region projects into the second and third members, so that the first containing region and the second containing region are adapted to receive the shaped positioning flange of the optical film.

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

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical sheet includes: discharging a liquid droplet discharged to one side surface of a sheet substrate; and curing the liquid droplet so that a protrusion is formed in the one side surface to allow light from the one side surface to be refracted and emitted, wherein a supporting substrate that supports the sheet substrate is adhered to another side surface of the sheet substrate before the liquid droplet is discharged.

Abstract: A backlight unit for a display device is disclosed. The backlight unit includes a first optical sheet, a light source to supply light to the first optical sheet, and a first antireflection layer on a surface of the first optical sheet.

Abstract: A reflection type display apparatus has a front light unit (FLU), and includes a display panel, a light guide disposed on the upper surface of the display panel, a light transparent adhesive layer attaching the lower surface of the light guide to the upper surface of the display panel, and a light source located at a side of the light guide for emitting light to the light guide. A protection window covers the light guide and the light source. By covering the display panel installed on the lower surface of the protection window and the light guide with a moisture-proof and light-shield film, moisture-proofing and light-shielding effects are obtained simultaneously. Further, by forming a light absorption layer at the edge of the light guide adjacent to the light source, generation of a hot spot at the edge of the light guide may be inhibited.

Abstract: A light guide plate having a light-emitting surface with reduced luminance unevenness and a backlight unit using the light guide plate are provided. The light guide plate has a light entrance surface with two opposite lateral edges and a pair of widthwise edges extending between the lateral edges. Two opposite side surfaces extend from the lateral edges of the light entrance surface substantially at right angles to the light entrance surface. A light exit surface extends from one of the widthwise edges substantially at right angles to the light entrance surface. The light guide plate further has a surface opposite to the light exit surface that extends from the other of the widthwise edges. The side surfaces have respective light-scattering regions near the light entrance surface to scatter and reflect light entering the light guide plate through the light entrance surface and reaching the light-scattering regions.

Abstract: A display comprises a light source and a light redirecting polymeric film containing a structured surface on at least one side of the film and bearing a polymeric coating over at least part of the structured surface wherein the coating exhibits a variable thickness.

Abstract: A key pad assembly includes a printed circuit board, a first elastic layer, a second elastic layer, a light-shielding layer, a keycap group, a light-emitting element and a light-shielding piece. The second elastic layer has a light-guiding plate thereon. The light-guiding plate has a chain-like light-shielding structure. The light-shielding structure is constituted of a plurality of penetrating holes with neighboring ones arranged alternatively and divides the light-guiding plate into two light-guiding sections. When the lights with different colors are introduced from the outside of the two light-guiding sections into the light-guiding plate, and the light of either light-guiding section passes through the light-shielding structure, the intensity of the light passing through the penetrating hole is so reduced that it cannot achieve the other light-guiding section, thereby to avoid the mutual interference and mixing of the lights of the two light-guiding sections.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical film comprising a substrate having a first optical surface and a second surface and a microstructure layer on the first optical surface of the substrate, wherein the microstructure layer comprises a plurality of first light-adjusting structures selected from the group consisting of prism columnar structures, conical columnar structures, solid angle structures and orange-segment like structures and a combination thereof and a plurality of second light-adjusting structures selected from the group consisting of arc columnar structures, lens-like structures, and capsule-like structures and a combination thereof, wherein at least a portion of the second light-adjusting structures has a height greater than those of all the first light-adjusting structures. The optical film of the present invention will not suffer the damage caused on the microstructure layers while achieving a light-gathering effect and effectively reducing optical interference.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display comprising a light source and a light redirecting polymeric film containing a structured surface on at least one side of the film and bearing a discontinuous population of adherent beads bonded to the structured surface.

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: An optic film includes a surface on which a plurality of densely distributed rib-like light guides is formed. Among the light guides, some are straight linear, while the others are of a continuous left-and-right wavy configuration. Thus, when light passes through the optic film and is converged thereby, the converged light is not completely in a regular distribution. In a backlight module using the optic film, light emitted from the backlight module does not cause diffraction and thus interference pattern is prevented from occurring.

Abstract: In a new packaging method for light management films in displays, such as liquid crystal displays, a stack of two or more optical films is held together before insertion into the display frame. The stack includes at least two of the films that are adhered together using adhesive positioned outside the viewing area of the films. In some embodiments, the adhesive is provided at one or more tabs provided around the periphery of the film stack.

Abstract: A backlight unit includes a lamp to generate and radiate an ultraviolet ray, a light guide plate including a light receiving portion to receive the ultraviolet ray, an optical sheet disposed on the light guide plate to change the ultraviolet ray into a visible ray, the optical sheet including a fluorescent material, and a reflective sheet arranged under the light guide plate.

Abstract: An optical plate (32) includes a transparent plate (321) and a light diffusion layer (322). The transparent plate includes a light output surface (3211), a light input surface (3213) opposite to the light output surface, and a plurality of spot-shaped depressions (3215) at the light input surface. The light diffusion layer is coated on the light input surface and the spot-shaped depressions, and covers the light input surface completely. The light diffusion layer includes transparent resin matrix material, and first and second light diffusion particles dispersed in the transparent resin matrix material uniformly. A refractive index of the second light diffusion particles is greater than that of the first light diffusion articles. A backlight module (30) using the present optical plate is also provided. The backlight module using the optical plate can have a thin body with a good optical performance.

Abstract: An apparatus having a light source, light pipe, and light conversion layer is disclosed. The light source includes a plurality of LED dies arranged in an array, each LED emitting light having an excitation wavelength, the light source emitting light within a cone of angles. The light pipe is positioned to receive the light within the cone of angles through an edge surface such that the light within the predetermined cone of angles is totally reflected from the top surface. The light pipe has features that redirect some of the light at angles such that some of the redirected light exits through the top surface. The light conversion layer overlies the top surface and converts light of the excitation wavelength to light in an output spectrum having wavelengths different from the excitation wavelength. A display layer can be placed such that it is illuminated by light from the light pipe.

Abstract: An exemplary optical plate (30) includes a transparent plate (321) and a light diffusion layer (322). The transparent plate includes a light output surface (3213), a light input surface (3211) opposite to the light output surface, and a plurality of elongated depressions (3215) formed on the light input surface. The light diffusion layer is coated on the light input surface and filled with the elongated depressions. The light diffusion layer covers the light input surface. The tight diffusion layer includes transparent resin matrix material, first light diffusion particles and second light diffusion particles dispersed in the transparent resin matrix material uniformly. A refractive index of the second light diffusion particles is greater than that of the first light diffusion particles. A backlight module using the present optical plate is also provided. The present backlight module using the optical plate can have a thin body with a good optical performance.

Abstract: A display system combines the principles of total internal reflection and halftone reflection. The display system includes a light guide, a light-reflecting see-through image disposed on the surface of the light guide, and a light-blocking see-through layer disposed over the image. A person viewing the light-blocking layer at a certain distance can see through the light guide without seeing the image. The display system can include a pair of eyeglasses that can provide self-illumination for night reading or serve as a hands-free flashlight. Also, novelty glasses can emit different colored lights as well as colored, lighted images. The display system can also include one-way see-through windows that emit lighted text and images for signage and advertising.

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: The transreflectors may comprise a transparent substrate having reflective surfaces and other light transmissive surfaces for respectively reflecting and transmitting a greater portion of the light striking opposite sides of the substrate. Alternatively, the transreflectors may comprise two or more transparent substrates of different indices of refraction bonded together, with a pattern of optical deformities in the mating side of one of the substrates and an inverse pattern of optical deformities in the mating side of an other substrate in mating engagement with each other. The transreflectors are used in a transreflector system or display to transmit more of the light emitted by a backlight or other light source incident on one side of the transreflectors and reflect more of the light incident on the opposite side of the transreflectors. The transreflectors and backlight may be tuned to each other to enable the transreflectors to better transmit more of the light emitted by the backlight.

Abstract: An exemplary light guide plate includes a light input surface, a bottom surface, a light output surface opposite to the bottom surface, and a plurality of dots. The dots are arranged on the bottom surface in series of adjacent columns parallel to the light input surface. Each dot column defines a column axis that passes through centers of the dots. A distance between two adjacent column axes increases with increasing distance from the first light input surface. A distance between centers of two adjacent dots in the same column increase with increasing distance from a center of the column to each of two opposite ends of the column. A backlight module using the light guide plate is also provided.

Abstract: A light source apparatus is provided. The light source apparatus includes: a light-emitting portion; a light-guiding plate having the light-emitting portion disposed at a side surface thereof, light beams being emitted from a top surface of the light-guiding plate; and a light path converting sheet above the light-guiding plate, formed of a prism sheet including cylindrical prisms, a cross-section of which is an isosceles triangle. Each of the prisms includes a light incidence plane that forms a first equilateral constituting an apex angle of the isosceles triangle, a reflection plane that forms a base of the isosceles triangle and a light exit plane that forms a second equilateral constituting the apex angle of the isosceles triangle The prism is disposed such that the light incidence plane is approximately perpendicular to a direction of light beams with highest luminous intensity among the light beams emitted from the top surface of the light-guiding plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a printed light guide plate includes a working platform (23), and a heater (24) coupled to the working platform. A transparent slab (21) is disposed on the working platform. The purpose of coupling the heater to the working platform is to maintain the transparent slab a constant temperature in the range from about 40° C. to about 45° C., such that as few water molecules as possible are absorbed into the transparent slab. The quality of the manufactured printed light guide plate is thus improved.

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

Abstract: Light emitting assembly includes at least one film, sheet, plate or substrate positioned between a light source and a display for redirecting at least some of the light emitted by the light source. One side of the film, sheet, plate or substrate may have a pattern of reflective or refractive surfaces or deformities and the other side may have corresponding or aligned optical deformities of well defined shape. Light emitted from the light source that strikes a reflective or refractive surface or deformity on the one side of the film, sheet, plate or substrate passes through the film, sheet, plate or substrate and is redirected by at least one corresponding optical deformity on the other side of the film, sheet, plate or substrate.

Abstract: A light-transmitting film that has a predetermined polarization split function, in addition to a light-collecting function is provided. The index of refraction nx in a prism extension direction and the index of refraction in a prism alignment direction differ from each other. By generating a difference in the indices of refraction in the prism extension direction and the prism alignment direction orthogonal thereto, for the light incident on the light-transmitting film, the polarization component Lx oscillating in the prism extension direction and the polarization component Ly oscillating in the prism alignment direction can have different transmission characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display comprising a light source and a light redirecting polymeric film containing a structured surface on at least one side of the film and bearing a discontinuous population of adherent beads bonded to the structured surface.

Abstract: A display comprises a light source and a light redirecting polymeric film containing a structured surface on at least one side of the film and bearing a polymeric coating over at least part of the structured surface wherein the coating exhibits a variable thickness.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to optical devices including a light source and an optical film having a first surface disposed to receive light from the light source and a second surface facing away from the light source. The second surface includes a two-dimensional array of closely packed substantially hemispherically-shaped structures. In some implementations of the present disclosure, the optical film further includes a substrate portion having an optical characteristic different from optical characteristics of the second surface comprising the two dimensional array.

Abstract: In a new packaging method for light management films in displays, such as liquid crystal displays, a stack of two or more optical films is held together before insertion into the display frame. The stack includes at least two of the films that are adhered together using adhesive positioned outside the viewing area of the films. In some embodiments, the adhesive is provided at one or more tabs provided around the periphery of the film stack.

Abstract: A light collection system includes at least one light source, a light tunnel having reflective walls and a collimating plate at the light output end of the tunnel. The collimating plate includes an optical element array. The element array receives the light emitted from the light source and outputs part of the light at a desired cone angle and reflects the remainder back into the tunnel toward the light source. The light is “recycled” in the tunnel until the light either exits the collection system through the collimating plate or gets absorbed within the collection system.

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

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, the louver device includes a transparent layer of material having a first surface and, parallel thereto, a second surface. A plurality of shaped louver members are disposed within the transparent layer of material. The shaped louver members are aligned to receive light entering the first surface at a first angle relative to the first surface and direct the light out the second surface at a plurality of angles relative to the second surface.

Abstract: A surface light source (4) includes a light guide plate (2) and a light source (5). The light guide plate has an incident surface (21) and an emitting surface (22). The light source is adjacent to the incident surface of the light guide plate for radiating light beams into the light guide plate through the incident surface. The emitting surface defines a large number of prisms (221), in which the distance (L) separating each two adjacent prisms changes according to an intensity of the light beams received from the light source. In particular, the pitch between two prisms decreases with increasing distance away from the light source. By the cooperation of the prisms and the light source, the surface light source has uniform illumination over the whole emitting surface.

Abstract: A backlight system has a light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a transparent plate having a light incidence surface and an opposite light emitting surface, and a light transmittance enhancement layer. The light transmittance enhancement layer is provided on either or both of the light emitting surface and the light incidence surface, and is made of silicon dioxide or magnesium fluoride. The thickness of the light transmittance enhancement layer is in the range from 58˜69 nanometers.

Abstract: An optical film device made of flexible material; the optical film having at least one optical projections or optical recesses; wherein when light emits upon the optical film; illumination of the optical projection or optical recess will different from that of the optical film. The optical film is used as a backlight source device with an optical film by adding a light source; and a metal dome sheet below the metal dome sheet. A reflecting sheet is installed below the metal dome sheet. The optical film is installed with at least one optical projection and at least one optical recess for focusing or dispersing light so as to present different illuminations. The flexible optical film is suitable for plane or non-plane structure. Moreover, the flexible optical film can uniformly distribute light by using only one light source with low power consumption.

Abstract: A backlight module includes a light guide plate having an incident surface, an emitting surface adjacent to the incident surface, and a reflective surface opposite to the emitting surface. At least one light source is disposed adjacent the incident surface. The light source has a luminescent surface; and at least one reflecting device is disposed adjacent the light source. The reflecting device has a reflective surface facing the incident surface. At least one semi-transmissive and semi-reflective film disposed on the incident surface of the light guide plate. The semi-transmissive and semi-reflective film and the reflecting device together are disposed for cooperatively reflecting some (i.e., a fraction) of the light beams emitted from the light source and redirecting the fraction of the light beams into the light guide plate through the incident surface, distant from the light source.

Abstract: The invention is an illumination system that incorporates a light emitting diode and a side-emitting light-recycling lens. The side-emitting light-recycling lens recycles part of the light internally generated by a light emitting diode back to the light emitting diode as externally incident light. The light emitting diode reflects a portion of the recycled light, thereby increasing the effective brightness of the light emitting diode. The light reflected by the light emitting diode is directed though the side-emitting light-recycling lens and exits the illumination system, thereby increasing the output brightness and efficiency of the illumination system. The light emitting diode reflects externally incident light with a reflectivity greater than 40 percent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light redirecting polymeric film comprising a plurality of polymeric individual optical elements wherein the elements comprise curved wedge shaped features in the plane of the film, having a length in the range of 800 to 4000 micrometers.

Abstract: A diffusion film consists of a transparent film layer, a coating layer on one side of the transparent film layer, and a stickiness prevention layer on the other side of the transparent film layer; to make the stickiness prevention layer, first the transparent film layer is coated with a layer of viscous resin, and next a roller, which has a raised pattern on its surface, is rolled over the viscous resin coating for the coating to have raised and sunken portions arranged in regularly repeated manner on its surface, and the viscous resin coating is fixed into shape; the diffusion film is positioned such that the stickiness-prevention layer touches the light guide plate for preventing the diffusion film and the light guide plate from sticking together and preventing optical interference; consequently, the backlight module has a uniform light.

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

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

Abstract: A system for providing a backlight module has a light guide plate and at least a light source set positioned adjacent to the incident surface. The light source set contains a plurality of light sources stacking along a direction parallel with the incident surface of the light guide plate.