Light emitting panel assemblies

• US 7,322,730 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2004
• Issued: 01/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Innovative Display Technologies LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Solid State Opto Limited (Global Lighting Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Parker, Jeffery R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US10/915,575
• Publication Number:
  US 20050007759A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,267 Days
• Field of Search: 362/602, 362/603, 362/612, 362/613, 362/617, 362/618, 362/619, 362/620, 362/627, 362/293, 362/330, 362/339, 362/332, 362335-337
• US Class Current: 362/606
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/309 using white LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/0044 by the sight sense
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/02 for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/063 comprising light transmitting means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/0652 Arrays of diodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/0621 Hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice treatment
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/10 comprising photoluminescent material
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0018 Redirecting means on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/002 by shaping at least a portion of the light guide, e.g. with collimating, focussing or diverging surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0021 for housing at least a part of the light source, e.g. by forming holes or recesses
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0028 Light guide, e.g. taper
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0031 Reflecting element, sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0036 2-D arrangement of prisms, protrusions, indentations or roughened surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0043 provided on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/006 to produce indicia, symbols, texts or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0061 to provide homogeneous light output intensity
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0068 Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/07 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 : Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/804 : Surgical or dental spotlight

Abstract

Optical assemblies include a light emitter having at least one layer of a transparent film, sheet or plate through which light emitted by the light emitter passes. A pattern of deformities of well defined shape on or in at least one side of the film, sheet or plate control an output ray angle distribution of light emitted by the assemblies to suit a particular application. The film, sheet or plate causes a change in color or color correction in the light emitted by the assemblies.

Claims

1. An optical film assembly comprising at least a light emitter and at least one layer of film, wherein light emitted from at least one surface of the light emitter passes through the film, a pattern of deformities of well defined shape that are projections or depressions on or in at least one side of the film for controlling an output ray angle distribution of light emitted by the assembly to suit a particular application, at least some of the deformities having at least two surfaces that come together to form a ridge, said film and deformities being colored to effect a change in color or color correction in the light emitted from the light emitter.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the predetermined angular distribution is normal to the substrate.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the change in color or color correction causes a color shift in the light emitted from the light emitter.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the film is a single layer.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the film is a single material.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the material is polycarbonate.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities are molded, etched, embossed, thermoformed or hot stamped onto or into the film.

8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities are prismatic or lenticular grooves.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the deformities are quite small in relation to the length and width of the film.

10. A backlight assembly comprising a light emitter having at least one light emitting area, a separate transparent sheet or film overlying the light emitting area with an air gap therebetween, a pattern of deformities on at least one side of the sheet or film, the deformities varying at different locations on the sheet or film to direct the light that is emitted by the light emitter such that the light will pass through a liquid crystal with low loss, wherein the separate transparent sheet or film also causes a change in color or color correction in the assembly.

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the deformities vary in one or more of size, shape, placement, density, angle, height, depth and type.

12. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the deformities vary randomly in one or more of size, shape, placement, density, angle, height, depth and type.

13. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the deformities are depressions.

14. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the deformities are projections.

15. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the film or sheet has a coating or surface treatment to cause light to pass through the liquid crystal with low loss.

16. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the deformities are prismatic or lenticular.

17. An optical assembly comprising at least a light emitter, at least one layer of a transparent film, sheet or plate, and a display, wherein light emitted from at least one surface area of the light emitter passes through the film, sheet or plate, a pattern of deformities of well defined shape that are projections or depressions on or in at least one side of the film, sheet or plate for controlling an output ray angle distribution of light emitted by the assembly to suit a particular application, the structure of the film, sheet or plate being a single material, wherein the film, sheet or plate causes a change in color or color correction in the light emitted by the assembly.

18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the film, sheet or plate is colored or tinted.

19. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the material is polycarbonate.

20. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the material is acrylic.

21. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the film, sheet or plate is formed by molding, etching, stamping, thermoforming or stamping.