Light-emitting apparatus having a plurality of adjacent, overlapping light-guide plates
First Claim
1. A light-emitting apparatus, comprising:
- a plurality of adjacent, overlapping light-guide plates formed of light-transmissive material, wherein each of the light-guide plates has i) first and second ends, ii) one or more light-emitting surfaces, 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;
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; and
a substantially rigid and thermally conductive substrate on which the light-guide plates are assembled, the substrate comprising, for each of the light-guide plates, an elongate planar member which comprises a primary end and a secondary end, the planar member extending in a first direction from the primary end to the secondary end, the primary end comprising a stepped member which comprises;
a first planar section that extends upwardly from the elongate planar member, the first planar section comprising an upper end and a lower end; and
a second planar section at the upper end of the first planar section, the second planar section extending rearwardly from the first planar section in a second direction which is opposite from the first direction.
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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.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A light-emitting apparatus, comprising:
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a plurality of adjacent, overlapping light-guide plates formed of light-transmissive material, wherein each of the light-guide plates has i) first and second ends, ii) one or more light-emitting surfaces, 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; 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; and a substantially rigid and thermally conductive substrate on which the light-guide plates are assembled, the substrate comprising, for each of the light-guide plates, an elongate planar member which comprises a primary end and a secondary end, the planar member extending in a first direction from the primary end to the secondary end, the primary end comprising a stepped member which comprises; a first planar section that extends upwardly from the elongate planar member, the first planar section comprising an upper end and a lower end; and a second planar section at the upper end of the first planar section, the second planar section extending rearwardly from the first planar section in a second direction which is opposite from the first direction. - 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, 38)
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32. A liquid crystal display, comprising:
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a liquid crystal display panel having a plurality of LCD elements; and a backlight positioned behind the display panel, the backlight comprising; a plurality of adjacent, overlapping light-guide plates formed of light-transmissive material, wherein each of the light-guide plates has I) first and second ends, ii) one or more light-emitting surfaces, 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;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; and a substantially rigid and thermally conductive substrate on which the light-guide plates are assembled, the substrate comprising, for each of the light-guide plates, an elongate planar member which comprises a primary end and a secondary end, the planar member extending in a first direction from the primary end to the secondary end, the primary end comprising a stepped member which comprises; a first planar section that extends upwardly from the elongate planar member, the first planar section comprising an upper end and a lower end; and a second planar section at the upper end of the first planar section, the second planar section extending rearwardly from the first planar section in a second direction which is opposite from the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A light-emitting apparatus, comprising:
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a plurality of adjacent, overlapping light-guide plates, at least one of the light-guide plates including; 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, opposite the first reflective surface and extending from said first end; a light-emitting surface, opposite the first reflective surface and extending from said second end; a surface that intersects and joins said second reflective surface to said light-emitting surface; wherein the first reflective surface forms an acute angle with said light-emitting surface; and a substantially rigid and thermally conductive substrate on which the light-guide plates are assembled, the substrate comprising, for each of the light-guide plates, an elongate planar member which comprises a primary end and a secondary end, the planar member extending in a first direction from the primary end to the secondary end, the primary end comprising a stepped member which comprises; a first planar section that extends upwardly from the elongate planar member the first planar section comprising an upper end and a lower end; and a second planar section at the upper end of the first planar section, the second planar section extending rearwardly from the first planar section in a second direction which is opposite from the first direction.
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Specification