Efficient diffuse light source assembly and method
First Claim
1. A diffuse light source assembly, comprising:
- a light source for generating forward propagating light;
a solid lightguide disposed adjacent the light source and having an input face for receiving the forward propagating light, a sidewall for conveying the forward propagating light via total internal reflection, and an output face for transmitting the forward propagating light;
a diffuser disposed for diffusing the forward propagating light;
wherein a portion of the forward propagating light is transformed into reverse propagating light by the output face, which is conveyed by the sidewall via total internal reflection and transmitted by the input face; and
a back reflecting surface disposed adjacent the light source for reflecting the reverse propagating light back into the lightguide via the input face.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A diffuse light source assembly and method including a light source for generating forward propagating light, a solid lightguide disposed adjacent the light source, a diffuser and a back reflecting surface. The solid lightguide includes an input face for receiving the forward propagating light, a sidewall for conveying the forward propagating light via total internal reflection, and an output face for transmitting the forward propagating light. The diffuser is disposed adjacent the output face for diffusing the transmitted forward propagating light, wherein a portion of the forward propagating light is transformed into reverse propagating light, by at least one of the output face and the diffuser, that is conveyed by sidewall via total internal reflection and transmitted by the input face. The back reflecting surface is disposed adjacent the light source for reflecting the reverse propagating light back into the lightguide via the input face.
128 Citations
44 Claims
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1. A diffuse light source assembly, comprising:
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a light source for generating forward propagating light;
a solid lightguide disposed adjacent the light source and having an input face for receiving the forward propagating light, a sidewall for conveying the forward propagating light via total internal reflection, and an output face for transmitting the forward propagating light;
a diffuser disposed for diffusing the forward propagating light;
wherein a portion of the forward propagating light is transformed into reverse propagating light by the output face, which is conveyed by the sidewall via total internal reflection and transmitted by the input face; and
a back reflecting surface disposed adjacent the light source for reflecting the reverse propagating light back into the lightguide via the input face. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A diffuse light source assembly, comprising:
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a light source for generating forward propagating light;
a solid lightguide disposed adjacent the light source and having an input face for receiving the forward propagating light, a sidewall for conveying the forward propagating light via total internal reflection, and an output face for transmitting the forward propagating light;
a diffuser disposed adjacent the output face for diffusing the transmitted forward propagating light;
wherein a portion of the forward propagating light is transformed into reverse propagating light by the diffuser that is conveyed by the sidewall via total internal reflection and transmitted by the input face; and
a back reflecting surface disposed adjacent the light source for reflecting the reverse propagating light back into the lightguide via the input face. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of generating diffuse light, comprising:
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generating forward propagating light;
conveying the forward propagating light using a solid lightguide having an input face for receiving the forward propagating light, a sidewall for conveying the forward propagating light via total internal reflection, and an output face for transmitting the forward propagating light;
diffusing the forward propagating light using a diffuser;
wherein a portion of the forward propagating light is transformed into reverse propagating light by the output face, which is conveyed by the sidewall via total internal reflection and transmitted by the input face; and
reflecting the reverse propagating light back into the lightguide through the input face using a back reflecting surface disposed adjacent the light source. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of generating diffuse light, comprising:
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generating forward propagating light;
conveying the forward propagating light using a solid lightguide having an input face for receiving the forward propagating light, a sidewall for conveying the forward propagating light via total internal reflection, and an output face for transmitting the forward propagating light;
diffusing the forward propagating light using a diffuser;
wherein a portion of the forward propagating light is transformed into reverse propagating light by the diffuser which is conveyed by the sidewall via total internal reflection and transmitted by the input face; and
reflecting the reverse propagating light back into the lightguide through the input face using a back reflecting surface disposed adjacent the light source. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification