Light-emitting apparatus having a plurality of adjacent, overlapping light-guide plates
First Claim
1. Light-emitting apparatus, comprising:
- a plurality of adjacent, overlapping light-guide plates formed of substantially transparent material, wherein each of the light-guide plates has i) first and second ends, ii) one or more substantially transparent surfaces through which light is emitted, and iii) one or more reflective surfaces to redirect light within the light-guide plate;
wherein, where first and second light-guide plates are adjacent, the first end of the first light-guide plate A) underhangs the second end of the second light-guide plate, and B) is positioned opposite a primary light-emitting side of the apparatus; and
a plurality of light sources, optically coupled to the first ends of the light-guide plates to illuminate the interiors of the light-guide plates.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In one embodiment, a light-emitting apparatus includes a plurality of adjacent, overlapping light-guide plates formed of substantially transparent material, and a plurality of light sources. Each of the light-guide plates has i) first and second ends, ii) one or more substantially transparent surfaces through which light is emitted, and iii) one or more reflective surfaces to redirect light within the light-guide plate. Where first and second light-guide plates are adjacent, the first end of the first light-guide plate A) underhangs the second end of the second light-guide plate, and B) is positioned opposite a primary light-emitting side of the apparatus. The plurality of light sources are optically coupled to the first ends of the light-guide plates so as to illuminate the interiors of the light-guide plates.
-
Citations
39 Claims
-
1. Light-emitting apparatus, comprising:
-
a plurality of adjacent, overlapping light-guide plates formed of substantially transparent material, wherein each of the light-guide plates has i) first and second ends, ii) one or more substantially transparent surfaces through which light is emitted, and iii) one or more reflective surfaces to redirect light within the light-guide plate;
wherein, where first and second light-guide plates are adjacent, the first end of the first light-guide plate A) underhangs the second end of the second light-guide plate, and B) is positioned opposite a primary light-emitting side of the apparatus; and
a plurality of light sources, optically coupled to the first ends of the light-guide plates to illuminate the interiors of the light-guide plates. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
-
-
34. A liquid crystal display, comprising:
-
a liquid crystal display panel having a plurality of LCD elements;
a backlight positioned behind the display panel, the backlight comprising;
a plurality of adjacent, overlapping light-guide plates formed of substantially transparent material, wherein each of the light-guide plates has i) first and second ends, ii) one or more substantially transparent surfaces through which light is emitted, and iii) one or more reflective surfaces to redirect light within the light-guide plate;
wherein, where first and second light-guide plates are adjacent, the first end of the first light-guide plate A) underhangs the second end of the second light-guide plate, and B) is positioned opposite a primary light-emitting side of the apparatus; and
a plurality of light sources, optically coupled to the first ends of the light-guide plates to illuminate the interiors of the light-guide plates. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38)
-
-
39. A substantially transparent light-guide plate, comprising:
-
first and second ends, the first end of which is adapted to receive light emitted by a light source;
a first reflective surface extending between said first and second ends;
a second reflective surface, substantially opposite the first reflective surface and extending from said first end;
a substantially transparent surface, substantially opposite the first reflective surface and extending from said second end; and
a surface that intersects and joins said second reflective surface to said substantially transparent surface;
wherein the first reflective surface forms an acute angle with said substantially transparent surface.
-
Specification