Abstract: Optical transmission structures include a waveguide and an optical lens wherein the optical lens has a sufficiently large thickness to allow the formation of a curved front lens surface that collimates transmitted light rays so that they travel within a plane that is coplanar to a working surface. The present invention also relates to a technique for manufacturing the optical transmission structure, which involves the use of a photopolymer material. The optical transmission structure can be implemented in various systems such as a system for optical data input.

Abstract: A coherent light source includes a plurality of light emitting points arranged in one-dimensional array. A beam shaping unit shapes a light beam so that a diameter of a light emitted from the coherent light source in a direction perpendicular to a direction of the light emitting point array is larger than a diameter in the direction of the light emitting point array, and an intensity distribution of the light emitted from each of the light emitting points is uniform. A magnification of a focusing optical system is set such that a light emitted from the beam shaping unit is coupled to an optical fiber based on a maximum diameter of the light emitted from the beam shaping unit.

Abstract: An illumination system for a flat panel display device includes: a light guide plate made of an optically isotropic material; a light source disposed at a side of the light guide plate; an upper layer disposed on a top surface of the light guide plate and made of an optically anisotropic material; and a polarization selection emitting structure which is disposed at an interface of the light guide plate and the upper layer. The upper layer has two different refractive indices and one of the two refractive indices is the same as a refractive index of the light guide plate. In the polarization selection emitting structure differently polarized light is differently refracted, reflected, diffracted, or scattered based on polarization direction.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel and an illumination device. The illumination device has a light guide plate and at least one spot light source on at least one side surface of the light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a large number of upper-surface arcuate cross-sectional grooves in a direction orthogonal to the one side surface on a surface thereof which faces the liquid crystal panel, and a large number of light-incident-surface arcuate cross-sectional grooves are formed in a thickness direction of the light guide plate on at least a portion of the one side surface which faces a position at which the spot light source is arranged. A relationship is provided between a contact angle Oa of the upper-surface arcuate cross-sectional grooves and a contact angle Ea of the light-incident-surface arcuate cross-sectional grooves.

Abstract: In a light source device, a row of fibers is provided in which a plurality of optical fibers is arrayed in a single row in parallel fashion separately from each other. A light-direction controller is disposed on one side of the optical fibers, main fibers is disposed above and below the light-direction controller, and a main fiber is disposed at the other end of the row of fibers. Light sources are connected to each of the end portions of the main fibers. Three types of mirrors that mutually differ in direction are formed on the surface of the light-direction controller, light emitted from a main fiber enters the optical fibers by way of a first mirror, and light emitted from a main fiber enters the optical fibers by way of a second mirror.

Abstract: An LCD includes an LCD panel, a light guiding plate disposed at a rear of the LCD panel and having a light incident surface on which a curved surface pattern is formed, and a point light source facing the light incident surface and disposed closer to the LCD panel than to a center of thickness of the light incident surface. Accordingly, the LCD including the point light source has excellent light efficiency and brightness uniformity.

Abstract: An exemplary backlight module (200) includes a light emitting unit (220). The light emitting unit includes a plurality of light sources (227, 228, 229) configured for providing color light beams respectively, and a mixer (222) configured for mixing the color light beams into white color beams. The mixer includes a plurality of light guide structures (223) respectively corresponding to the light sources and a mixing body (226) connected to the light guide structures. The light guide structures are configured for guiding color light beams emitted from the light sources to the mixing body. The color light beams emitted from all the light sources being partially mixed into white light beams in the mixing body.

Abstract: A light conducting unit is disposed between a light source and a region which is to be illuminated. In addition, a light conducting unit includes a polygonal prism made from a first medium with a first coefficient of refraction, a first light conducting unit which directs light to be incident upon a first surface of the polygonal prism, and a second light conducting unit upon which light emitted from a second surface of the polygonal prism is incident, wherein the polygonal prism includes a reflective device which reflects light which is incident into the polygonal prism from the first surface towards the second surface, and a second medium with a second coefficient of refraction which is less than the first coefficient of refraction is provided at the first surface and the second surface.

Abstract: Provided is a lighting apparatus capable of uniformly and efficiently lighting a spatial light modulator. The lighting apparatus includes: a light source for outputting laser light; a multimode optical fiber in which the laser light outputted from the light source propagates through an internal core whose lateral cross section is a substantially polygonal outer diameter shape; and spatial light modulator for producing an image with illumination light from the multimode optical fiber. In the lighting apparatus, the laser light is outputted from the light source and is propagated to the multimode optical fiber in which an outer diameter shape of the lateral cross section of the core is a substantially polygonal shape, whereby the spatial light modulator can be uniformly and efficiently lighted.

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

Abstract: Display systems that utilize digital micro-mirror device (DMD) technology are finding wide application in the areas of projection systems for color display. The common name for such systems is digital light processing projection systems or DLP projection systems. The systems and methods described herein utilize the non-imaging light to monitor and calibrate the projected image since the high levels of illumination and extreme temperatures of the imaging light require careful attention to the manner of light collection. Light collection is accomplished in a waste gate area by a light collector, e.g., an optical fiber mat, and the collected light is communicated to an associated sensor. The technique is non-invasive and may be applied to existing designs with minimal modification.

Abstract: A light guide (1) formed from an unclad flexible polyurethane fiber produces significant side scattering (2) over distances of up to several meters. The polyurethane fiber is in the form of a solid fiber or a tube and may comprise light scattering particles. The polyurethane fiber may comprise a transparent flexible polyurethane UV resistant outer cladding. Embodiments include illuminated shoe laces, a power cord safety indicator, an illuminated dental suction tube and a dental curing tip.

Abstract: A launch system and method for microscopy having an optical fiber positioned proximate a sample slide with an optical fiber mounting element so as to deliver an EMR from the optical fiber into a first sample slide and to a surface of a second sample slide at a critical angle for total internal reflection at an interface of the surface of the second sample slide and a sample positioned proximate to the surface of the second sample slide.

Abstract: A light-guiding plate, an optical source device and an electronic device. The light-guiding plate including an incident surface, and an emission surface substantially perpendicular to the incident surface. The incident surface has a surface substantially perpendicular to the incident surface, and has projections or depressions extending substantially parallel to the emission surface. The incident surface has flat planes among the projections or depressions.

Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of refraction n1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination ?. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n2. The first layer index n2 causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.

Abstract: An optical element comprises a stack of at least three juxtaposed films with at least one inner optical film and two outer transparent films exhibiting high dimensional stability, wherein a controlled tensile force is applied in at least one direction to the two outer films but not the at least one inner film.

Abstract: A three-dimensional-optical waveguide is formed by laminating planar substrates such as a plurality of lens substrates and, an isolator substrate and a wavelength division multiplexing filter, the optical substrates at least include a waveguide substrate having a waveguide and a reflecting surface. In the three-dimensional optical waveguide, the planar substrates are positioned by markers integrally formed on at least two of the planar substrates. Light directed into the waveguide is reflected by a reflecting surface and passes through the lens substrates and the isolator substrate.

Abstract: Provided are a light guide panel and a display device employing the same. The light guide panel includes: an incidence surface facing a plurality of light sources separated apart a predetermined distance; at least one dark portion reducing unit that is formed on the incidence surface between adjacent pairs of the slight sources and at both edges of the incidence surface, and reflects the light incident from the light sources to reduce the creation of dark portion units; an upper surface transmitting a portion of incident light and reflecting the rest of the incident light; and a lower surface facing the upper surface and reflecting the light incident from the incidence surfaces and dark portion reducing units.

Abstract: In a light modulating plate, a backlight assembly having the light modulating plate and a display device having the light modulating plate, the light modulating plate includes a light modulating layer and a light characteristics improving member. The light modulating layer includes a foam layer to modulate a light. The light characteristics improving member is integrally formed with the light modulating layer to improve optical characteristics of the light that has passed through the light modulating layer. Therefore, the backlight assembly is easily fabricated, and an image display quality is improved.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a light pipe having an improved structure of prisms. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a hollow light pipe comprises an inner-surface including a linear array of prisms; and a substantially smooth outer-surface, wherein a pitch of prisms in a first region is wider than a pitch of prisms in a second region. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a hollow light pipe comprises a hollow base pipe; and an insertion inserted into the base pipe and having a structured surface including an array of prisms, wherein a pitch of prisms in a first region is wider than a pitch of prisms in a second region.

Abstract: An exemplary optical plate includes at least one transparent plate unit. The transparent plate unit includes a light output surface, a bottom surface, a plurality of microstructures, and at least a lamp-receiving portion. The bottom surface is opposite to the light output surface. The microstructures are formed at the light output surface and the bottom surface respectively. Each microstructure has circular cross-sections taken along a plane parallel to its base surface thereof, a diameter of the circular cross-sections decreasing along a direction away from its base surface thereof. The lamp-receiving portion is defined in the bottom surface. A backlight module using the present optical plate is also provided.

Abstract: A side type backlight module including a first light guide plate (LGP), a plurality of second LGPs, a plurality of red point light sources, a plurality of green point light sources, and a plurality of blue point light sources is provided. The first LGP has a first light emitting surface, a bottom surface, and a first light incident surface connecting the first light exit surface and the bottom surface. The second LGPs are disposed beside the first light incident surface. Further, a plurality of red, green, and blue point light sources is respectively disposed beside the second LGPs. The lights emitted by the red point light sources, the green point light sources, and the blue point light sources are blended to be a white light by each of the second LGPs and then incident to the first light incident surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for employing ambient light collected from an external light source to detect a user's fingers that are gripping at least a relatively transparent portion of a case. The ends of a plurality of waveguides are coupled at relatively unequal or equidistant positions to the interior surface of the transparent portion, where they are arranged to collect light from the exterior light source if the user's finger(s) are not gripping the mobile device at that position. If the light collected by the wave guides is blocked by one or more of the user's fingers, a profile can be determined for the placement, orientation (left handed or right handed), and size of the user's fingers and hand gripping the mobile device. Also, interactions of the fingers with the mobile device can be detected, such as lifting away, pressing, or sliding one or more fingers at the transparent portion for a short or relatively lengthy period of time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fiber-based light source device, which includes a plurality of first, second or third light-emitting devices for respectively emitting a plurality of first, second or third lights, a plurality of first, second or third directional couplers for respectively coupling the first, second or third lights in their order so as to generate a first, second or third coupled light, a fourth directional coupler for coupling the first coupled light and the second coupled light so as to generate a fourth coupled light, and a fifth directional coupler for coupling the third coupled light and the fourth coupled light so as to generate an output light source. With coupling light beams from light-emitting devices and switching of those light-emitting devices in a sequential manner, the energy loss could be minimized and good heat dissipation could be obtained.

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: The backlight device includes a plurality of packages, and a light guide plate. The package includes a housing for package, and a plurality of light sources. The housing for package includes a tubular part having a wall surrounding the circumference, a bottom wall provided at one end of the tubular part, and a passing part provided at the other end of the tubular part for passing the light from inside to outside of the tubular part. The plurality of light sources are contained in the housing for package and disposed in the bottom wall, and emit light. The plurality of packages are arrayed in one direction. At least part of the layout of light sources relative to the incident plane is different from mutually adjacent packages.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, the fractional coverage louver device includes a transparent layer of material having a first surface and a second surface parallel thereto. A plurality of louver members disposed within the transparent layer of material provide fractional reflective coverage across the width of the transparent material. The louver members are aligned to receive light entering the first surface at a shallow angle relative to the first surface and direct the light out the second surface at a high angle relative to the second surface, thereby increasing the angular viewing range. Transparent areas between louver members allow a portion of incident ambient light to pass through the louver device without being reflected back to a viewer. As such, the louver device has advantageous contrast properties.

Abstract: An imaging device illumination system comprises first and second elongate light guides configured to emit light toward an object to be imaged, each of the first and second light guides having an input window at one end thereof for receiving light from a light source and an end face at an opposite end thereof, wherein the input window of the first light guide is disposed proximate to the end face of the second light guide.

Abstract: The disclosed is a light guide unit and a surface illuminator illuminating a liquid crystal display (LCD). The light guide unit (100) is composed of a surface lighting light guide (30) having a light emitting major surface (30a) and a light receiving side surface (30c); a channel light guide (20) having optical cores (21) to form a fiber optic channel array having light entrance core surfaces (21a) and light exit core surfaces (21b); and a distribution light guide (10) having a light distribution guide surface (10d) and a light receiving portion (10b) receiving light from the LED (200). The light guides (10, 20 and 30) are positioned respectively in that order to form a light guide unit (100). Each width (w1) and/or a pitch (p) of the optical cores (21) may change in accordance with a distance from the light receiving portion (10b). The channel light guide (20)/the distribution light guide (10) may have a linear shape or a nonlinear shape with “L”, “U” or “O” shape.

Abstract: A light guide plate includes a light incidence surface, a light reflection surface, and a light emission surface. The light emission surface forms a plurality of light-guiding structures, which are extended in a direction substantially perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of a light source. The light-guiding structures have a substantially V-shaped cross-section and, among the light-guiding structures, those arranged in opposite endwise zones of the light emission surface in the lengthwise direction have an irregular V-shaped cross-section defined by a long inclined side, which faces endwise, and a short inclined side. The long and short sides respectively form first and second inclined angles with respect to the light emission surface and the first included angle is smaller than the second included angle and the first inclined angle gets smaller with the associated light-guiding structure located closer to the lengthwise end.

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: A light source structure of a backlight module includes a casing, a heat sink, a plurality of light source generators, a first reflecting element and a second reflecting element. If a light emitting component of the light source generator is lit, a spot light source of the light emitting component is passed through an optical lens in a light pipe and converted into a linear light source to be projected onto an oblique surface of the first reflecting element. The oblique surface converts the linear light source into a planar light source to be projected from an opening of a casing to an oblique surface of the second reflecting element. The oblique surface of the second reflecting element guides the planar light source into the light guide plate, such that the light in the light guide plate is diffused uniformly to provide sufficient brightness to the light guide plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a displaying unit using a display panel and provides a reinforcing configuration that reinforces an optical guide plate without impairing a degree of freedom in the back space of the optical guide plate. A displaying unit includes an optical guide plate that guides light of a light source for display on a display panel and includes a reinforcing member (reinforcing beam) that bridges over the optical guide plate between side surfaces in the incident direction and the crossing direction of the light.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display device having a fiber-optic plate and a display with an image plane on which the image information of the display is generated, the fiber-optic plate comprising a fiber bundle with a multiplicity of fiber cores extending beside one another, which are enclosed by a cladding material and which transmit light from an entry face of the fiber-optic plate, facing the display, to an exit face of the fiber-optic plate, wherein the entry face of the fiber-optic plate lies further away from the image plane than the lateral dimension of the smallest image information representable by the display.

Abstract: A compound optical and electrical conductor includes a fiberoptic light transmitting element (multiple fibers or single solid rod) with at least one solar cell with LED therewith. The electrical conductor or conductors may be imbedded or otherwise secured within the optically conducting element or its surrounding jacket or sheath (20), or may be contained in a separate elongate retainer which may be provided to hold the optically conducting element in place as desired. The conductors may include a jacket or retainer (112) which is optically open along one side thereof, allowing the optical conductor (14) to emit light laterally therefrom subtending an angle defined by the optical gap in the jacket or retainer. One or more compound connectors may be provided, for linking two or more such compound conductors together as desired. The connectors provide for both the concentric alignment of the optical conductors, and also the electrical connection of the electrical conductors (16a-16c) of the compound devices.

Abstract: A lighting device, for illuminating display designed parts on a display plate arranged parts at-least-partially around a center axis, includes a light source for emitting light and arranged at a rear side of the display plate, and a light guide body having at least one light guide portion including an inner portion and an outer portion. The inner portion has a rear side surface for receiving the light from the light source and a front side surface with a curvature for reflecting the light to change a forward-backward direction of the flight inputted from the light source toward an outwardly radial direction to guide the light so that the light can travel in the outer portion in approximately radial directions centered on the center axis and be suppressed from diffusion from a central line passing through though the center axis and the light source.

Abstract: A retro-reflect type light pipe, an illumination device including the same, and a projection display including the illumination device are provided. The retro-reflective type light pipe includes an incident portion through which light is incident, a guide portion which guides the incident light such that the incident light propagates internally therewithin while being reflected at inner walls thereof, and which thereby mixes the incident light thus providing uniform light. A retro-reflective portion, provided at one end of the guide portion, re-reflects the incident light toward the incident portion. The illumination device includes a light source, the retro-reflective type light pipe, and an optical path-changing member provided between the light source and the retro-reflective type light pipe, which changes the direction of the light emitted from the light source such that the light from the light source propagates toward the retro-reflective type light pipe.

Abstract: A system of digitally controlling light output by producing separate control signals for different colors of light. The light is contained in an optical waveguide, either prior to shaping or after shaping. Each of the control signals is coupled to a digitally controlled device which controls the shape of the light output. The digital controlling device can be digital mirror devices, for example.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention can provide an illuminating device and the like capable of efficiently supplying polarized light in a particular oscillation direction and suitable for a projector having a liquid crystal type spatial light modulator. The device can include a light source that supplies light, a collimating optical system that collimates the light from the light source into a substantially parallel light, and a reflecting type polarizing plate that transmits polarized light in a particular oscillation direction in the light from the collimating optical system and reflects polarized light in an oscillation direction different from the particular oscillation direction. The light source can include a reflecting portion that reflects light reflected by the reflecting type polarizing plate and advancing in the direction of the light source toward the collimating optical system.

Abstract: An illuminator includes a polarization converter that converts source light into first polarized light, a polarization separation member that separates the first polarized light of from the polarization converter and second polarized light different from the first polarized light, by reflection and transmission, a polarization switch member that reflects the first polarized light passed through the polarization separation member and changes same into the second polarized light, and a light guide having a first rod arranged between the polarization converter and the polarization separation member, a second rod arranged between the polarization separation member and the polarization switch member, and a third rod arranged on an optical path of the second polarized light separated by the polarization separation member.

Abstract: A light emitting device is provided that can effectively dissipate heat generated by high power operation and has superior workability in mounting and less positional displacement. The light emitting device includes a planar base substrate made of a metal, a package member bonded to a main surface side of the base substrate, and an insulating member and a conductive member which are provided at least partially between the base substrate and the package member, wherein the package member has opening portions where the insulating member and the conductive member are exposed at bottom parts thereof, and the opening portions include a first opening portion in which a light emitting element is mounted and a second opening portion located separate from the first opening portion and also opening from a side surface of the package member.

Abstract: A microstructure optical adapter or tip according to the present disclosure may incorporate precision micro structure optical components engaging the input or output end of light energy delivery devices for customized light delivery of the light energy. The incorporation of precision micro structure optical components in injection molded plastic or glass parts will allow for inexpensive modification of the output light while also serving to protect the end of the illumination device. The micro structure optical components may also be incorporated in an adapter to tailor the light energy to the subsequent device.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display has a light guide plate having a light-emitting plane on its one end surface, a light source arranged on a side surface of the light guide plate, and a liquid crystal panel arranged opposite the light-emitting plane of the light guide plate. Deflection patterns are formed on a surface opposite the light-emitting plane of the light guide plate, and the deflection patterns are arranged so that two independent components on the surface opposite the light-emitting plane of the light guide plate are random. In a certain region on the surface opposite the light-emitting plane, when an average value of the number of the deflection patterns included in each region opposite each pixel of the liquid crystal panel is designated by ?n and a standard deviation is designated by on, their ratio satisfies the relationship: 0<?n/?n?0.154.

Abstract: A lighting and/or signalling device, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one light source emitting light rays and at least one optical guide in which the light beam spreads, the at least one optical guide comprising at at least one of its ends an input face coupling the at least one optical guide and the at least one light source, a first surface forming an output face for the light beam, and a second surface, in particular remote from the output face, forming a face for reflection of the light rays, such that the at least one optical guide has at least one bend, the at least one optical guide in the region of the at least one bend having at least one corner protruding toward the outside of the at least one bend and bevelled by having two facets in order to send back the incident rays into the at least one optical guide.

Abstract: A light-guiding device having a coupling-in surface (46) for coupling-in light radiation substantially in a first main direction (41) perpendicular to said coupling-in surface (26;46), and having a coupling-out surface (47,48,49) for coupling-out light radiation substantially in a second main direction (42) perpendicular to said coupling-out surface. The coupling-out surface has other dimensions than the coupling-in surface (46). The device comprises a number of plate-like light-guiding members (43,44,45), each having a substantially rectangular lateral coupling-in surface and a substantially rectangular lateral coupling-out surface (47,48,49). A number of the plate-like light-guiding members are stacked together to create the coupling-in surface (46) formed by said lateral coupling-in surfaces abutting each other at their long sides. The coupling-out surface (47,48,49) is created by said lateral coupling-out surfaces abutting each other at their short sides.

Abstract: An illuminating apparatus includes: a light source that emits a source light; and a light guiding module that has an overlap rod portion which can pass luminous fluxes traveling in different directions therethrough and has a returning member which returns the luminous fluxes having passed through the overlap rod portion at least once so that the luminous fluxes enter the overlap rod portion in directions different from the previous time, whereby the source light is made uniform.

Abstract: An optical unit, a method of manufacturing the same, a backlight assembly having the same and a display device have the same are provided. The optical unit includes a transparent body, a diffusion part and a luminance increasing part. The diffusion part is formed on or in the body to diffuse light. The luminance increasing part includes an embossing pattern formed on the body to increase a luminance of the diffused light when viewed on a plane.

Abstract: The present invention is related to assemblies of luminous ornaments having optical fiber cables arranged in parallel, each formed by luminous optical fibers sheathed with a transparent tube, with interlaced connection elements formed therebetween, thereby forming a luminous net when being expanded.

Abstract: A launch system and method for microscopy having an optical fiber positioned proximate a sample slide with an optical fiber mounting element so as to deliver an EMR from a terminal end of the optical fiber across a surface of the sample slide to an opposing side surface at a desired incident angle.

Abstract: A signage device comprising one or more light sources, a waveguide or arrangement of waveguides and photoluminescent features coupled thereto. In one embodiment, a waveguide is adapted to receive light of a first wavelength and the photoluminescent features are adapted to emit light of a second wavelength in response to receiving light of the first wavelength.