LIGHT EMITTING PANEL ASSEMBLIES

US 20070153549A1
Filed: 10/11/2006
Published: 07/05/2007
Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1995
Status: Active Grant

First Claim

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1. A light emitting panel assembly comprising at least one light source, an optical panel member having at least one input edge for receiving light from a light source, the panel member having front and back sides and a greater cross sectional width than thickness, both the front and back sides having a pattern of light extracting deformities that are projections or depressions on or in the sides to cause light to be emitted from the panel member in a predetermined output distribution, where the pattern of light extracting deformities on or in at least one of the sides varies along at least one of the length and width of the panel member and at least some of the light extracting deformities on or in one of the sides are of a different type or shape than the light extracting deformities on or in the other side of the panel member.

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Abstract

Light emitting panel assemblies include an optical panel member having a pattern of light extracting deformities on or in one or both sides to cause light to be emitted in a predetermined output distribution. The pattern of light extracting deformities on or in one side may have two or more different types or shapes of deformities and at least one of the types or shapes may vary along the length or width of the panel member. Where the light extracting deformities are on or in both sides, at least some of the deformities on or in one side may be of a different type or shape or vary in a different way or manner than the deformities on or in the other side.

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54 Claims

1. A light emitting panel assembly comprising at least one light source, an optical panel member having at least one input edge for receiving light from a light source, the panel member having front and back sides and a greater cross sectional width than thickness, both the front and back sides having a pattern of light extracting deformities that are projections or depressions on or in the sides to cause light to be emitted from the panel member in a predetermined output distribution, where the pattern of light extracting deformities on or in at least one of the sides varies along at least one of the length and width of the panel member and at least some of the light extracting deformities on or in one of the sides are of a different type or shape than the light extracting deformities on or in the other side of the panel member.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
- - 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities on or in one of the sides are prismatic.
  - 3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities on or in one of the sides are lenticular.
  - 4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities on or in one of the sides run the full length or width of the one side.
  - 5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities on or in one of the sides are quite small in relation to the length and width of the panel member.
  - 6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities on or in one of the sides have at least one diffuse surface.
  - 7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities on or in one of the sides are etched dots.
  - 8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities on or in one of the sides vary randomly.
  - 9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the panel member is flat.
  - 10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the panel member is tapered.
  - 11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities on or in one of the sides vary in at least one of the following characteristics:
    - slope angle, density, position, orientation, height or depth, and size.
  - 12. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one film, sheet or substrate overlying at least a portion of one of the sides of the panel member to change the output distribution of the emitted light such that the light will pass through a liquid crystal display with low loss.
  - 13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein at least one side of the sheet, film or substrate has deformities or optical elements.
  - 14. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the panel member has a transition region between the input edge and the pattern of light extracting deformities to allow the light from the light source to mix and spread.
  - 15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein at least one side of the transition region contains optical elements for reflecting or refracting light.
  - 16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the optical elements are faceted.

17. A light emitting panel assembly comprising at least one light source, an optical panel member having at least one input edge for receiving light from a light source, the panel member having front and back sides and a greater cross sectional width than thickness, at least one of the sides having a pattern of light extracting deformities that are projections or depressions on or in the at least one side to cause light to be emitted from the panel member in a predetermined output distribution, where the pattern of light extracting deformities on or in the at least one side has at least two different types or shapes of light extracting deformities and at least one of the types or shapes of deformities varies along at least one of the length and width of the panel member.
- View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
- - 18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein at least one of the types or shapes of deformities is prismatic.
  - 19. The assembly of claim 17 wherein at least one of the types or shapes of deformities is lenticular.
  - 20. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the deformities on or in the one side run the full length or width of the one side.
  - 21. The assembly of claim 17 wherein at least one of the types or shapes of deformities is quite small in relation to the length and width of the panel member.
  - 22. The assembly of claim 17 wherein at least one of the types or shapes of deformities has at least one diffuse surface.
  - 23. The assembly of claim 17 wherein at least one of the types or shapes of deformities is etched dots.
  - 24. The assembly of claim 17 wherein at least one of the types or shapes of deformities varies randomly.
  - 25. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the panel member is flat.
  - 26. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the panel member is tapered.
  - 27. The assembly of claim 17 wherein at least one of the types or shapes of deformities varies in at least one of the following characteristics:
    - slope angle, density, position, orientation, height or depth, and size.
  - 28. The assembly of claim 17 further comprising at least one film, sheet or substrate overlying at least a portion of one of the sides of the panel member to change the output distribution of the emitted light such that the light will pass through a liquid crystal display with low loss.
  - 29. The assembly of claim 28 wherein at least one side of the film, sheet or substrate has deformities or optical elements.
  - 30. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the panel member has a transition region between the input edge and the pattern of light extracting deformities to allow the light from the light source to mix and spread.
  - 31. The assembly of claim 30 wherein at least one side of the transition region contains optical elements for reflecting or refracting light.
  - 32. The assembly of claim 31 wherein the optical elements are faceted.

33. A light emitting panel assembly comprising at least one light source, an optical panel member having at least one input edge for receiving light from a light source, the panel member having front and back sides and a greater cross sectional width than thickness, both the front and back sides having a pattern of light extracting deformities that are projections or depressions on or in the sides to cause light to be emitted from the panel member in a predetermined output distribution, where the pattern of light extracting deformities on or in at least one of the sides varies along at least one of the length and width of the panel member and at least some of the light extracting deformities on or in one of the sides vary in a different way or manner than the light extracting deformities on or in the other side of the panel member.
- View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
- - 34. The assembly of claim 33 wherein at least some of the deformities on or in at least one side vary in density.
  - 35. The assembly of claim 33 wherein at least some of the deformities on or in at least one side vary in slope angle.
  - 36. The assembly of claim 33 wherein at least some of the deformities on or in at least one side vary in position.
  - 37. The assembly of claim 33 wherein at least some of the deformities on or in at least one side vary in orientation.
  - 38. The assembly of claim 33 wherein at least some of the deformities on or in at least one side vary in height or depth.
  - 39. The assembly of claim 33 wherein at least some of the deformities on or in at least one side vary in size.
  - 40. The assembly of claim 33 wherein at least some of the deformities on or in at least one side do not vary.
  - 41. The assembly of claim 33 wherein at least some of the deformities on or in at least one side vary randomly.
  - 42. The assembly of claim 33 wherein at least one of the types or shapes of deformities is prismatic.
  - 43. The assembly of claim 33 wherein at least one of the types or shapes of deformities is lenticular.
  - 44. The assembly of claim 33 wherein the deformities on or in one of the sides run the full length or width of the one side.
  - 45. The assembly of claim 33 wherein at least one of the types or shapes of deformities is quite small in relation to the length and width of the panel member.
  - 46. The assembly of claim 33 wherein at least one of the types or shapes of deformities has at least one diffuse surface.
  - 47. The assembly of claim 33 wherein at least one of the types or shapes of deformities is etched dots.
  - 48. The assembly of claim 33 wherein the panel member is flat.
  - 49. The assembly of claim 33 wherein the panel member is tapered.
  - 50. The assembly of claim 33 further comprising at least one film, sheet or substrate overlying at least a portion of one of the sides of the panel member to change the output distribution of the emitted light such that the light will pass through a liquid crystal display with low loss.
  - 51. The assembly of claim 50 wherein at least one side of the sheet, film or substrate has deformities or optical elements.
  - 52. The assembly of claim 33 wherein the panel member has a transition region between the input edge and the pattern of light extracting deformities to allow the light from the light source to mix and spread.
  - 53. The assembly of claim 52 wherein at least one side of the transition region contains optical elements for reflecting or refracting light.
  - 54. The assembly of claim 53 wherein the optical elements are faceted.

Specification

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Current Assignee
Innovative Display Technologies LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
Original Assignee
Solid State Opto Limited (Global Lighting Technologies Inc.)
Inventors
Parker, Jeffery

Granted Patent

US 7,537,370 B2
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

362/619
CPC Class Codes

A61B 2090/309   using white LEDs

A61M 2021/0044   by the sight sense

A61M 21/02   for inducing sleep or relax...

A61N 2005/063   comprising light transmitti...

A61N 2005/0652   Arrays of diodes

A61N 5/0621   Hyperbilirubinemia, jaundic...

F21V 5/10   comprising photoluminescent...

G02B 6/0018   Redirecting means on the su...

G02B 6/002   by shaping at least a porti...

G02B 6/0021   for housing at least a part...

G02B 6/0028   Light guide, e.g. taper

G02B 6/0031   Reflecting element, sheet o...

G02B 6/0036   2-D arrangement of prisms, ...

G02B 6/0038   Linear indentations or groo...

G02B 6/0043   provided on the surface of ...

G02B 6/006   to produce indicia, symbols...

G02B 6/0061   to provide homogeneous ligh...

G02B 6/0068   Arrangements of plural sour...

H01H 2219/062   Light conductor

H01H 2221/07   transparent

Y10S 362/80 : Light emitting diode

Y10S 362/804 : Surgical or dental spotlight

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LIGHT EMITTING PANEL ASSEMBLIES

First Claim

6 Assignments

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

90 Citations

54 Claims

Specification

Solutions

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LIGHT EMITTING PANEL ASSEMBLIES

First Claim

6 Assignments

Subscription Required

Subscription Required

0 Petitions

Subscription Required

Accused Products

Subscription Required

Abstract

90 Citations

54 Claims

Specification

Subscription Required

Solutions

Use Cases

Quick Links