LIGHT EMITTING PANEL ASSEMBLIES

• US 20150003112A1
• Filed: 07/08/2014
• Published: 01/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rambus Delaware LLC (Rambus Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rambus Delaware LLC (Rambus Inc.)
• Inventors: McCollum, Timothy A., Parker, Jeffery R., Ezell, Robert M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,625,633 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/613
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/309 using white LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0013 Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide coupling light into light guides in general G02B6/42
• 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: G02B 6/0073 Light emitting diode [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/18 Edge-illuminated signs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/1804 Achieving homogeneous illumination
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/07 transparent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/812 Signs

Abstract

An optical assembly comprises light sources and a light emitting panel member having an input edge to which each of the light sources is optically coupled at a different location along the input edge. Different sets of individual optical deformities on or in at least one of the sides of the panel member each have at least one surface that is shaped or oriented to extract light propagating in the same direction through the panel member in different directions for viewing from different angles through one of the sides of the panel member.

Claims

1. A light emitting assembly comprising:

a light guide having opposite sides and first and second opposing light input edges;

a first set of light sources optically coupled to one of the light input edges for propagating light through the light guide in one direction;

a second set of light sources optically coupled to the other light input edge for propagating light through the light guide in a direction opposite the one direction;

and first and second sets of optical deformities on or in at least one of the sides of the light guide for creating a light output distribution from the light guide;

wherein the optical deformities of one of the sets are shaped or oriented for extracting light from the light guide entering through one of the light input edges; and

the optical deformities of the other set are shaped or oriented for extracting light from the light guide entering through the other light input edge.