Shape Patents (Class 362/628)
  • Patent number: 11945365
    Abstract: A lighting assembly includes one or more spheroid lenses and a lighting insert configured to hold the spheroid lens or lenses and to cover a hole in a vehicle body panel. The lighting insert is further configured to form a water-tight seal with each of the vehicle body panel and the spheroid lens or lenses. The lighting insert defines a lens aperture configured to hold a corresponding spheroid lens. The lens aperture is substantially smaller than the hole in the vehicle body panel, and the lighting insert is further configured to form a water-tight seal with each of the vehicle body panel and the spheroid lens. The lighting insert may define a circle shape that is configured to cover a circle-shaped hole in the vehicle body panel. The lighting insert may define an oval shape that is configured to cover an oval-shaped hole in the vehicle body panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Lund, Inc.
    Inventors: Josh Foster, Terrel Lindsay
  • Patent number: 11947149
    Abstract: A display comprises a film-based lightguide, a light source positioned to emit light into the lightguide, and a light turning film with light turning features comprising a first surface with a first coating of a first material with a first refractive index that redirects light extracted from lightguide toward a reflective spatial light modulator wherein the light turning features also comprise a second surface that does not comprise a coating of the first material or comprises a coating of a thickness of the first material less than 500 nanometers. The light turning film may comprise a base layer of a second material with a second refractive index, and the first refractive index is less than the second refractive index. The first surface may be an angled planar surface oriented at an angle the surface of the light turning film or comprise a curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Azumo, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Nichol, Zane Coleman
  • Patent number: 11892729
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a backlight module and a display device. The backlight module includes: a backplane, a bezel, a protrusion and a plurality of dimming film layers, wherein the bezel is connected to the backplane and includes: a fixing structure and a plurality of bezel sidewalls on which the fixing structure is disposed, the fixing structure has an orthographic projection on the backplane located within an orthographic projection of the bezel sidewalls on the backplane, the plurality of bezel sidewalls and the backplane define an accommodation space in which the dimming film layers are provided, and the protrusion is fixedly disposed on a side surface of at least one of the dimming film layers and fixed to the bezel sidewalls via the fixing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignees: K-Tronics (Suzhou) Technology Co., Ltd., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ronghui Lin
  • Patent number: 11859774
    Abstract: A method is provided, wherein a lighting device (200, 300, 400, 500) comprising an at least partly light transmitting envelope (110) and a solid state light source (120) is manufactured. The method comprises arranging (710) an at least partly light transmitting plastic material (140) in a mold (130) having a surface structure (132) arranged on an inner surface portion of the mold and blow molding (720) the plastic material so as to form the envelope. During the blow molding, the surface structure is at least partly transferred to the at least partly light transmitting plastic material, thereby forming an optical structure (150) on a portion of an outer surface of the envelope. The envelope is then removed (730) from the mold and arranged (740) to at least partly enclose the solid state light source. The optical structure may be formed to generate a desired optical effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Eliav Itzhak Haskal, Hugo Johan Cornelissen, Maarten Van Lierop, Henricus Franciscus Bonekamp
  • Patent number: 11807593
    Abstract: An organic compound represented by formula (1). In the formula (1), R1 to R18 are each independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and a substituent. At least one of R1 to R18 represents a substituent. The substituent is an aryl group having at least one cyano group or a heterocyclic group having at least one cyano group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Yamada, Jun Kamatani, Hiroki Ohrui, Yosuke Nishide, Hirokazu Miyashita, Satoru Shiobara
  • Patent number: 11789301
    Abstract: A light guide plate includes: a light guide plate body having two light-exit surfaces that are opposite and parallel, and at least one light-incident surface that intersects the two light-exit surfaces; and a mounting portion located on a non-light-incident side of the light guide plate body. The mounting portion and the light guide plate body are an integrated structure, and a portion of the mounting portion located on a light-exit side of each light-exit surface of the two light-exit surfaces is configured to mount an optical film group and a display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignees: BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jixing Sun, Xinrui Wang, Xiaoyang Guan
  • Patent number: 11774670
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a display panel, a method for manufacturing a display panel and a display device. The display panel includes a back frame, a backlight module and a panel, where the backlight module and the panel are arranged in the back frame, the back frame includes a back plate, and the back plate is provided with a hollow-out area. The backlight module is arranged between the back plate and the panel and includes a light transmissive area and a light emitting area, and the light transmissive area corresponds to the hollow-out area. The panel is arranged on a side of the backlight module away from the back plate, and includes a display area and a transparent area, where the display area corresponds to the light emitting area, and the transparent area corresponds to the light transmissive area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignees: Beijing BOE Display Technology Co., Ltd., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xuefei Qin, Guangyun Tong, Yu Zhang, Bochang Wang
  • Patent number: 11754773
    Abstract: A luminaire includes a housing with a cavity, a non-planar lens, and a light emitter. The non-planar lens is coupled to the housing. The lens defines a generally circular footprint and a concavo-convex shape. The light emitter is positioned proximate an edge of the cavity and is configured to emit light into an edge of the lens and toward a center of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: HLI SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Qianshan Li, Michael Neuer, Tomi Lin, Syed Raza, Dean Dal Ponte, Prathika Appaiah, Paul Lewis, Kevin Lu
  • Patent number: 11592609
    Abstract: A single edge lit lighting module is disclosed which produces tailored light distributions valuable in many illumination applications. The lighting module comprises a unique light scattering optical element with volumetric light scattering properties which works in combination with configured reflective surfaces and optional surface relief features, Light distributions attainable using the invention are non-lambertian and anisotropic. Light distributions with one or more lobes of peak intensity can be produced which include, but are not limited to, symmetric and asymmetric batwing distributions, asymmetric distributions for perimeter lighting and symmetric distributions. The invention's unique single edge lit construction provide the means for achieving this without need for conventional two lit edges and within a compact form factor with narrow width, particularly well-suited for linear lighting fixtures that are suspended, surface mounted or recessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignees: Fusion Optix, Inc., Axis Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Terence Yeo, Timothy Kelly, Howard Yaphe, Stephane Beland, Jean Gagne, Andrew Miles
  • Patent number: 11525952
    Abstract: A light guide plate includes a main body, stripe structures, and light-adjusting structures. The main body includes a light-incident surface and an optical surface. The stripe structures are disposed on the optical surface. The light-adjusting structures are disposed between two adjacent stripe structures. Each of the light-adjusting structures includes a first light active surface and a second light active surface. The first light active surface faces towards the light-incident surface. The second light active surface faces towards an opposite light-incident surface. The first light active surface and the second light active surface are inclined towards different directions and formed a non-symmetrical shape. A first included angle is formed between the first light active surface and the optical surface. A second included angle is formed between the second light active surface and the optical surface. The first included angle and the second included angle are acute angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignees: RADIANT(GUANGZHOU) OPTO-ELECTRONICS CO., LTD, RADIANT OPTO-ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chia-Yin Chang, Chin-Ting Weng, Hao Chen, Yi-Ching Chung
  • Patent number: 11333822
    Abstract: A single edge lit lighting module produces bi-lobed light distributions which provide targeted control of light output. The compact form factor of module embodiments having narrow width are particularly well-suited for use in linear lighting fixtures for suspended and downlighting configurations typically used to illuminate floors and/or ceilings. Embodiments of the single edge lit lighting module utilize reflectors in combination with light guides having volumetric light scattering properties and surface features to control peak intensities, output angles, and shapes of the two light output lobes. A variety of light distributions can be achieved including symmetrical distributions conventionally achieved by double edge lit modules. Further embodiments utilize selective alignment of light guide with reflector to achieve different light distributions thereby providing a fixture assembler with more design choices without need of additional components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignees: Fusion Optix, Inc., Axis Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Terence Yeo, Timothy Kelly, Howard Yaphe, Stephane Beland, Jean Gagne, Andrew Miles
  • Patent number: 10816717
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a backlight module, a display device and a terminal, in the field of display technology. The backlight module includes a back plate, a light guide plate and at least one elastic mechanism. The back plate includes a base plate and a lateral plate. The light guide plate is stacked on the base plate. The elastic mechanism is between a side surface of the light guide plate and the lateral plate, and the elastic mechanism is connected to the side surface of the light guide plate and the lateral plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignees: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd., Beijing BOE Chatani Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qilin Li, Guowei Li, Tengfei Lou
  • Patent number: 10768354
    Abstract: A display device includes light guide plate, a light source, and a concealing plate. The light guide plate propagates light incident from an incident end surface, reflects the light with a prism provided on a reflection surface, and causes the light to emit from an emission surface facing the reflection surface. The light guide plate has a plurality of inclined surfaces on a side end surface excluding an incident end surface of the light guide plate and a facing end surface facing the incident end surface, and a line segment connecting a center of sides of the plurality of inclined surfaces and a center of the light source, and the sides of the inclined surfaces are substantially perpendicular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Takata, Wahei Agemizu
  • Patent number: 10443813
    Abstract: A lens (1) comprising a centrally extending axis (A) being perpendicular to a lens axis (L) of the lens, the lens being adapted for retracting light rays from a light source positioned off-axis with respect to the centrally extending axis, the lens comprising a first plurality of slits (21, 22, 23, 24) extending entirely in an interior of the lens and comprising a length (l) extending perpendicular to the centrally extending axis, a width (w) extending parallel to the centrally extending axis and a thickness (t) extending perpendicular to both the length and the width, the first plurality of slits being mutually parallel and covering between 40% and 60% of a plane in which both the centrally extending axis (A) and the length (l) and width (w) of the first plurality of slits (21, 22, 23, 24) extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventors: Anna Wilhelmina Maria Wondergem-De Best, Michel Cornelis Josephus Marie Vissenberg, Johannes Petrus Maria Ansems, Ludovicus Johannes Lambertus Haenen, Dirk Jan Van Kaathoven
  • Patent number: 10443806
    Abstract: A homogenous light-emitting diode (LED) lamp for an automotive vehicle is provided that includes multiple LEDs configured as a LED array and a diffusion sheet. The diffusion sheet has a curvature aligned with the LED array for smoothing and bending light emitted by the LEDs for the purpose of creating a lighting appearance substantially lacking hotspots. An automotive vehicle lamp for producing homogenous light is provided. The vehicle lamp includes multiple LEDs each positioned a first distance apart from one another to form an array of LEDs, and a diffusion sheet positioned a second distance from the array of LEDs for smoothing light emitted from the array of LEDs. The first distance and the second distance are arranged for the purpose of providing a substantially homogenous light output from the vehicle lamp when viewed through the diffusion sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Les Sullivan, Todd Nykerk
  • Patent number: 10302839
    Abstract: A light guide structure includes a first light guide and a second light guide configured to guide light therein. and a bridge integrally formed with the first light guide and the second light guide. The bridge includes a first end connected to the first light guide, a second end connected to the second light guide, and a light trap section formed between the first end and the second end. The light trap section includes an inwardly V-shaped wall section and a outwardly V-shaped wall section on opposing sides from each other, the inwardly V-shaped wall section configured with a greater V-angle than the outwardly V-shaped wall section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc., DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Amol Deshmukh
  • Patent number: 9933564
    Abstract: Disclosed are back light module and display device. The back light module comprises a light source, a back plate, a light guide plate and a positioning member. The back plate is formed with a frame for receiving the light guide plate; the light source is provided on an inside surface of a side panel of the back plate and oppositely to a light incident surface of the light guide plate. The positioning member is provided at both ends of the back plate on a side where the light source is formed and interposed between the light incident surface of light guide plate and the light source. The back light module herein ensures that the gap between the light incident surface of light guide plate and the light source has fixed value, thereby improving evenness of display images of display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yongda Ma, Yuxin Zhang, Yong Qiao
  • Patent number: 9791613
    Abstract: A display device includes a first light source module, a display panel and a transparent filling. The first light source module includes at least one first light source and a first light guide plate (LGP). The first LGP includes a first light-incident surface and a first light-emitting surface. The first light-emitting surface connects the first light-incident surface. The display panel is disposed adjacent to the first LGP. The transparent filling connects the display panel and the first light-emitting surface. The refractive index of the transparent filling is smaller than that of the first LGP and smaller than or equal to that of a surface material of the display panel. The first light source emits a first light beam into the first LGP through the first light-incident surface, and the first light beam is emitted from the first light-emitting surface and transmitted to the display panel through the transparent filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: E Ink Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Tsai-Wei Shei, Hsin-Tao Huang
  • Patent number: 9678383
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate and an LED attached to the substrate via conductive pads on a first side of the LED. The LED includes a first reflective element disposed adjacent the first side of the LED so as to reflect light in a direction away from the substrate, and a second reflective element disposed adjacent a second side of the LED that opposes the first side of the LED. The second reflective element disposed so as to reflect light primarily in a direction toward the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Rohinni, LLC
    Inventors: Cody Peterson, Andrew Huska, Monica Hansen, Clinton Adams
  • Patent number: 9500328
    Abstract: The light fixture includes a frame, an optically transmissive panel assembly, a set of light emitting diodes (LEDs), and driving circuitry. The frame has a frame length measured along a length axis and a frame width measured along a width axis, wherein the frame length is greater than the frame width. The optically transmissive panel assembly receives light from the set of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and emits light from an emission area in a patterned luminous intensity, using patterning optics adjacent a light guide plate. The driving circuitry is disposed within the frame and is operatively coupled to the set of LEDs and to a power supply external to the light fixture. The driving circuitry may include a first circuitry segment disposed within a first edge channel of the frame, and a second circuitry segment disposed within a second edge channel of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Pixi Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Richard Myers, Arthur B. Moore
  • Patent number: 9477102
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of promoting brightness uniformity of a liquid crystal module, comprising steps of: step 1, employing CCD to measure a transmittance distribution of a liquid crystal panel; step 2, calculating an ideal relative brightness distribution of a back light module according to the transmittance distribution of the liquid crystal panel; step 3, manufacturing and optimizing a light guide plate mesh dots structure of the back light module according to the ideal relative brightness distribution of the back light module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Jiangfeng Wang
  • Patent number: 9395482
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes a light-emitting unit and an apparatus-holding section. The light-emitting unit includes a light guide plate with a center portion being opened, a light source that inputs light from a side of an inner wall of the light guide plate, and a reflective film formed on a side of an upper surface of the light guide plate to reflect light propagated in the light guide plate. The light-emitting unit outputs light from a light output surface in opposite to the upper surface of the light guide plate. The apparatus-holding section detachably holds an electronic apparatus, is capable of removing the electronic apparatus from a side of an output direction of light from the light output surface, and includes a center of a surface parallel to the light output surface, which is positioned inside a light output area of the light output surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Yokosawa
  • Patent number: 9383499
    Abstract: This surface light source device has; a case; multiple light-emitting devices arranged on the inner surfaces of a pair of side walls within the case; a reflecting member that protrudes from the base surface of the case, and that reflects light emitted from the light-emitting devices toward an aperture part of the case; and a light-emitting surface member that has a light-diffusing property and a light-transmitting property, and that covers the aperture part. The light-emitting devices are arranged on the side walls such that the light axis of the light-emitting elements is parallel to the base surface of the case. The light-reflecting member has a ridge line that is parallel to the side surfaces and the ceiling surface of the case, and the light-reflecting member is formed with a curved surface, with the ridge line being contained in the apex thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Takatori
  • Patent number: 9291337
    Abstract: A paintless dent removal LED light module has a plurality of selectively illuminated LED strips. There is a small gap between a generally planar diffuser panel and the LED strips, so an image formed upon the diffuser panel has parallel bright strips separated by dark regions. The LED strips are supported upon a tray bottom surface, the tray also having a circumferential and vertically rising side wall, and a lip defining a second plane generally parallel with but displaced from the tray bottom. The diffuser panel rests upon the lip, and is secured by a band having an elastomeric exterior. The tray bottom may incorporate one or more ribs to provide additional strength and rigidity. A power supply has an entirely non-marring exterior with a supporting suction cup. A ball and socket neck having an entirely non-marring exterior mechanically and electrically couples the PDR light to the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: William L. Hulett
  • Patent number: 9285528
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an edge-type lighting device which is configured such that when a light guide plate thermally expands, a light source is prevented from being pressed. In the lighting device according to the present invention, a light guide plate (2) is slidably supported so that the light guide plate (2) can expand in the planar direction, and a light source (3) disposed on an edge of the light guide plate (2) is movably supported in the same direction. A light-guide-plate stopper (4b) is disposed at a position facing an edge (2A) of the light guide plate (2) to prevent the light guide plate (2) from expanding excessively. Thus, the light source (3) can be prevented from being pressed toward a frame member (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignees: NextEye Co., Ltd., Kowa Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seog Joon Kim, Mee Suk Rho, Taek Kyu Kim, Kazuhiro Kashiwagi, Isao Koike, Kunitoshi Shimizu, Akira Ikemoto
  • Patent number: 9207392
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a backlight unit, a display device therewith, and a lighting system therewith, the backlight unit including a first reflector and a second reflector, at least one light source disposed between the first reflector and the second reflector, an upper cover plate and a lower cover plate separate from each other, and a heat dissipation unit for holding the light source and being disposed between the upper cover plate and the lower cover plate to dissipate heat from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tae Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 9081126
    Abstract: Disclosed is an edge-light type illumination device that saves space while increasing the heat dissipation efficiency of heat emitted from a light source. The disclosed illumination device is provided with: a light source (17); a light guide plate (18) having a light-receiving surface (18a) disposed facing the light source (17) and receiving light from the light source (17), and a light-emitting surface (18b) from which the light is emitted; a chassis (14) having a bottom plate (14a) arranged in parallel with the light emitting surface (18b), with the light source (17) arranged on an edge of the bottom plate (14a); and a heat dissipating member (30) having a mounting section (31) that faces the light-receiving surface (18a) and that has the light source (17) mounted thereon, and a heat-dissipating section (32) connected with the mounting section (31) so as to transfer heat and being in contact with the bottom plate (14a) of the chassis (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshitake Ishimoto
  • Patent number: 9028129
    Abstract: An LED lamp or LED lighting assembly includes a light guide having opposed major surfaces configured to propagate light by total internal reflection and a light input edge extending between the major surfaces. A light source is adjacent to the light input edge and is configured to edge light the light guide. In some embodiments, the light source is moveable relative to the light input edge, and the spectrum of the light output from the light guide may be adjusted by movement of the light source relative to the light input edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Rambus Delaware LLC
    Inventors: Timothy A. McCollum, Laszlo A. Takacs, Gregg M. Podojil, Matthew R. Wancata, Fumitomo Hide, Christopher R. Ruhland
  • Publication number: 20150098249
    Abstract: Disclosed is a light guide plate including a base sheet and a first light transmissive adhesive layer disposed on a surface of the base sheet. The first light transmissive adhesive layer together with the base sheet define a light entrance portion. The thickness of the first light transmissive adhesive layer becomes gradually smaller from the light entrance portion toward a center portion of the base sheet. A backlight assembly includes the light guide plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min Young SONG, Dong Yeon KANG, Rae Young KIM, Joo Young KIM, Hyoung Joo KIM, Sung Kyu SHIM
  • Patent number: 8979349
    Abstract: Illumination devices and methods of making same are disclosed. In one embodiment, an illumination apparatus includes a light source, a light guide having a planar first surface, a first end and a second end, and a length therebetween, the light guide positioned to receive light from the light source into the light guide first end, and the light guide configured such that light from the light source provided into the first end of the light guide propagates towards the second end, and a plurality of light turning features that are configured to reflect light propagating towards the second end of the light guide out of the planar first surface of the light guide, each light turning feature having a turning surface and an interferometric stack formed on the turning surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ion Bita, Sapna Patel, Clayton Ka Tsun Chan, SuryaPrakash Ganti, Brian W. Arbuckle
  • Publication number: 20150062968
    Abstract: A luminaire of the embodiment includes: a light guide portion having a ring shape; a light-emitting portion having a light-emitting element and configured to irradiate the light guide portion with light; and an incident portion provided on an outer peripheral surface of the light guide portion at one end thereof and facing the light-emitting portion at the other end thereof. An angle between an axial line of the incident portion and a line passing through a center of a connecting portion between the incident portion and the light guide portion and coming into contact with an inner peripheral surface of the light guide portion exceeds 0°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: TOSHIBA LIGHTING & TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiromitsu Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 8958029
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal cell, light source devices and a light guide plate. The light guide plate applies, to a rear surface of the liquid crystal cell, light beams from the light source devices. The light guide plate includes a first light input portion at a first-shorter-side side surface and a second light input portion at a second-shorter-side side surface. The light guide plate includes a flat first surface opposed to the rear surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The second surface includes a first slant surface inclined so that a thickness of the light guide plate decreases as a position goes from the first-shorter-side side surface to an approximately central portion and a second slant surface inclined so that the thickness decreases as a position goes from the second-shorter-side side surface to the approximately central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Shinji Matsuo
  • Patent number: 8953926
    Abstract: Optical and thermal splines are integrated in the external envelope of a non-planar lamp allowing the optical output of discrete light sources such as LEDs to be distributed for uniform output and the achievement of desired light distributions such as omnidirectional output. Integrated thermal splines and perimeter location of light sources allow for improved thermal management without significantly compromised optical performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Fusion Optix, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Kelly, Terence Yeo, David Morin
  • Patent number: 8948564
    Abstract: Optical and thermal splines are integrated in the external envelope of a non-planar lamp allowing the optical output of discrete light sources such as LEDs to be distributed for uniform output and the achievement of desired light distributions such as omnidirectional output. Opposing orientation of light sources is utilized to create integrated optical and thermal splines for improved thermal and optical performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Fusion Uptix, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Sherman, David Morin, Timothy Kelly, Terence Yeo
  • Publication number: 20150029754
    Abstract: A backlight system for a display is described. The system can include an anamorphic light guide that comprises a light receiving portion, a light diverting portion, and a light output portion. The light receiving portion receives light having an area illuminating a first aspect ratio and the output light portion outputs light having an area illuminating a second aspect ratio, the second aspect ratio greater than the first aspect ratio by at least an order of magnitude. The light input face is substantially perpendicular to light output face. The etendue of the light is substantially preserved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Justina Sze Ying Lee, Ravi Palaniswamy, Arokiaraj Jesudoss, Kelly Reed Ingham
  • Patent number: 8939596
    Abstract: Disclosed is a condensing type optical sheet for use in a liquid crystal display, which prevents the generation of a yellow band or a rainbow phenomenon without using a protective sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Kolon Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun Soo Lee, Chang Pyo Hong, Chung Seock Kang
  • Patent number: 8931945
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus is held by a chassis and includes a plurality of LED modules emitting light toward an outer edge portion of the chassis and a light guiding plate for controlling the direction of light emission from the plurality of LED modules to perform illumination. The LED module is not arranged at the outer edge portion of the chassis so that moment acting on the chassis as the apparatus main body holding the LED module can be reduced as compared with the case where the LED module is arranged at the outer edge portion of the chassis. Therefore, the deformation such as bending of the chassis can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Yamagami
  • Patent number: 8926161
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a display apparatus includes a first step of arranging a display panel (110) inside a housing (130); a second step including a light guide lens formation step of forming a curved surface (151b) of a light guide lens (151) into a concave-convex surface having surface roughness of 40-250 ?m, and a cover layer formation step of forming a light guide member (150) in such a manner that the curved surface (151b) of the light guide lens (151) is covered by a cover layer (152) to form an image-display-side surface of the cover layer (152) into a non-concave-convex surface; and a third step of bonding the light guide member (150) to a surface of an outer peripheral edge part of the display panel (110) and a surface of the window frame (130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Moriwaki, Kenya Ito
  • Patent number: 8911132
    Abstract: Optic entrance features may be used to optically control light transfer from a light source to a light emitting panel (LEP). In a particular embodiment, an LEP includes a first LEP side configured to emit light. The LEP also includes a second LEP side. The first LEP side and the second LEP side are opposite sides of the LEP. The LEP further includes a cutout area providing an air gap in the LEP through the first LEP side and the second LEP side. The LEP also includes a light receiving side. The cutout area is proximal to the light receiving side, and the light receiving side is configured to pass light through towards the cutout area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Adam Moore Foy, Scott David Wegner
  • Patent number: 8894265
    Abstract: The light guide plate includes a light guide plate body and a first medium, wherein the refractive index of the light guide plate body is greater than the refractive index of the first medium. The light guide plate body includes a plurality of gaps parallel with each other, wherein the first medium is disposed in those gaps. The light guide plate body further includes a light entrance end, wherein the gaps extend in directions both away and toward the light entrance end. Furthermore, an active region is defined on the light guide plate body and the gaps are located in the active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Wei-Tien Chang, Kuang-Tao Sung
  • Patent number: 8882328
    Abstract: A light guide includes a substrate having opposing first and second major surfaces and an input edge coupler disposed along an edge of the substrate. The ratio of a light guide input edge thickness to a light guide thickness is greater than 2:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Brian A. Kinder
  • Patent number: 8882323
    Abstract: Flexible unitary lightguide and a method of making the same are disclosed. The lightguide includes a structured input side that includes a first pattern having smaller features superimposed on a second pattern having larger features. The lightguide further includes a structured top surface that includes a first region and a different second region. The first region includes a plurality of discrete light extractors for extracting light that propagates within the flexible unitary lightguide by total internal reflection. The second region includes a taper portion for directing light from the structured input side to the first region. The light extractors form a periodic array that has a first period along the length of the flexible unitary lightguide. The first period is such that substantially no visible moir fringes occur when the flexible unitary lightguide is used as a backlight in a pixelated display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Solomon, Brian A. Kinder, Gary T. Boyd
  • Patent number: 8870434
    Abstract: A planar light guide film for a backlight unit having at least one point light source is disclosed. The light guide film includes a light input surface for receiving light from the point light source, a light redirecting surface for redirecting light received from the light input surface and a light output surface for outputting at least the light redirected from the light redirecting surface. The light input surface further includes a composite lens structure having a first and second circular tip segment each circular tip segment with a first contact angle, and a first and second circular base segment each circular base segment with a top and bottom contact angle, the contact angles of the circular base segments being less than the contact angle of the circular tip segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: SKC Haas Display Films Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qi Hong, Karen A. Malburne
  • Patent number: 8870433
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a backlight unit including a plurality of light guide plates, each discretely arranged with an interval, one or more light sources formed at a lateral surface of the plurality of light guide plates, and a filling material filled among the plurality of light guide plates and having a lower refractive index than that of the light guide plate, whereby each of the plurality of light guide plates can be split-driven to guarantee a uniform luminance at an interval among the plurality of light guide plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keetae Um
  • Patent number: 8858056
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a light guide plate and a corresponding backlight module. The light guide plate has a plate body, a light-exiting prism structure and a reflecting prism structure. The reflecting prism structure is mounted on a reflecting area on a light-exiting surface of the plate body. The light guide plate and the corresponding backlight module can reduce light leakage at the junction between the light guide and a fixing plastic frame by the reflecting prism structure mounted at sides of the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuangyao Chang
  • Patent number: 8858058
    Abstract: A planar light guide film for a backlight unit having at least one point light source is disclosed. The light guide film includes a light input surface for receiving light from the point light source, a light redirecting surface for redirecting light received from the light input surface and a light output surface for outputting at least the light redirected from the light redirecting surface. The light input surface includes a composite lens structure having a first and second circular tip segment each circular tip segment with a first contact angle, and a first and second circular base segment each circular base segment with a top and bottom contact angle, the contact angles of the circular base segments being greater than the contact angle of the circular tip segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: SKC Haas Display Films Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qi Hong, Karen A. Malburne
  • Patent number: 8845174
    Abstract: A light-weight and energy-efficient lighting panel is constructed from a light-transmissive and light diffusive extrusion formed to have elongated hollows, which are hollow structures or volumes between two surfaces, at least one of which is transmissive and diffusive. Light projected into the hollow flows through the hollow and part of the light is emitted through the light transmissive and diffusive surfaces. Even though the light sources are located at the edges of a panel, the surface of the panel appears to be uniformly light by light sources distribute directly behind the panels rather than along the edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: Nicholas Jackson, Brian Retzke
  • Patent number: 8840297
    Abstract: A back-light module including a light guide plate (LGP), first light-emitting devices, and second light-emitting devices is provided. The LGP has a top-emitting surface, a bottom surface and a side surface. The LGP has at least one indentation. The indentation has a first light-incident sidewall and a pair of second light-incident sidewalls. The second light-incident sidewalls are located on two sides of the first light-incident sidewall and adjacent to the first light-incident sidewall. Normal vectors of the second light-incident sidewalls and the first light-incident sidewall are not parallel. The first light-emitting devices are located in the indentation, and a first light beam propagating toward the first light-incident sidewall is emitted from each of the first light-emitting devices. The second light-emitting devices are located in the indentation, and a second light beam propagating toward one of the second light-incident sidewalls is emitted from each of the second light-emitting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Wen-Kuei Liu, Sheng-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 8840746
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of manufacturing sheets with varying concentrations of particles are described. In one embodiment, a method comprises manufacturing a first sheet having a varying concentration of particles. A second sheet having a second concentration of particles and a first shape with varying thickness is provided. A third sheet having a third concentration of particles and a second shape with varying thickness is provided. The second sheet and the third sheet are merged to generate the first sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: I2iC Corporation
    Inventors: Udayan Kanade, Balaji Ganapathy
  • Publication number: 20140268875
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical waveguide body having a first surface that includes one or more tapered portions displaced between an input surface and an end surface or edge of the waveguide body. A second surface displaced from and opposite the first surface may also include one or more tapered portions between the input surface wherein the furthest tapered portions of the first and second surface forms and end surface or edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: John W. Durkee