Light emitting panel assemblies

• US 7,703,967 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2006
• Issued: 04/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Innovative Display Technologies LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Rambus International Ltd (Rambus Inc.)
• Inventors: Parker, Jeffery R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember; Thomas M
• Application Number:
  US11/504,204
• Publication Number:
  US 20060274555A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,351 Days
• Field of Search: 362/603, 362/606, 362/607, 362/610, 362617-619, 362/331, 200/310, 200/313, 200/314, 200/317
• 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

Light emitting assemblies include at least one light source, an optical film with deformities, an optical conductor, and at least one light input surface for receiving light from the light source. The optical conductor has a pattern of deformities on or in the front and back sides to cause light to be emitted from at least one light emitting surface on one of the sides. At least one planar or curved refractive surface on a transition area between the light source and the light emitting surface or on the light input surface aligned with the light source redirects a portion of the light entering the optical conductor to pass through the optical film. A tray may also be provided that holds the optical conductor and light source.

Claims

1. A backlight assembly for illuminating one or more switches, the assembly comprising a waveguide having opposite sides and at least one light input surface, the waveguide having at least two layers, at least one light source optically coupled to the at least one light input surface, one or more switches, and a plurality of discrete light emitting areas for providing backlighting for the one or more switches, each discrete light emitting area having associated projections or depressions on or in at least one side of the waveguide configured to cause light from the at least one light source to be emitted from respective ones of the discrete light emitting areas.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one light source is an LED light source.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the waveguide includes a plurality of light input surfaces, and one or more LED light sources are optically coupled to the plurality of light input surfaces for providing light for emission from the discrete light emitting areas.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the projections or depressions associated with at least one of the light emitting areas vary in density, size or depth.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the projections or depressions associated with two or more of the light emitting areas differ in density, size or depth.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least two layers are formed from different materials having different indices of refraction, and wherein the projections or depressions associated with at least one of the discrete light emitting areas are on or in at least one of the layers.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of the layers is a coating layer, and the projections or depressions are formed on or in the coating layer to cause light to be emitted from respective ones of the discrete light emitting areas.

8. A backlight assembly for illuminating one or more switches, the assembly comprising a waveguide having opposite sides and at least one light input surface, at least one LED light source optically coupled to the at least one light input surface, one or more switches, and a plurality of discrete light emitting areas for providing backlighting for the one or more switches, each discrete light emitting area having associated projections or depressions on or in at least one side of the waveguide configured to cause light from the at least one light source to be emitted from respective ones of the light emitting areas, wherein the projections or depressions associated with at least one of the light emitting areas vary in density, size or depth when compared to the projections or depressions associated with at least one other light emitting area.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the waveguide includes a plurality of light input surfaces, and one or more LED light sources are optically coupled to the plurality of light input surfaces for providing light for emission from the discrete light emitting areas.

10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the at least two layers are formed from different materials having different indices of refraction, and wherein the projections or depressions associated with at least one of the discrete light emitting areas are on or in at least one of the layers.

11. The assembly of claim 8 wherein at least one of the layers is a coating layer, and the projections or depressions are formed on or in the coating layer to cause light to be emitted from respective ones of the discrete light emitting areas.