US007 l 953 89B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Parker et a].
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,195,389 B2
`*Mar. 27, 2007
`
`(54) LIGHT EMITTING PANEL ASSEMBLIES
`
`(75) Inventors: Je?ery R. Parker, Rich?eld, OH (US);
`Gregory A. Coghlan, Olmsted Falls,
`OH (US); Robert M. Ezell, Brunswick,
`OH (US)
`
`3,070,913 A
`3,328,570 A
`
`1/1963 Miller
`6/1967 Balchunas
`
`(Continued)
`
`(73) Assignee: Solid State Opto Limited (VG)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`USC 154(b) by 247 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`Claimen
`
`(21) Appl. N0.: 10/619,815
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`J11]. 15, 2003
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2004/0012946 A1
`Jan. 22, 2004
`
`Related US- Application Data
`(60) Continuation of application No. 09/256,275, ?led on
`Feb' 23 1999 HOW Pat' No‘ 6 712 481 which is a
`C ominuéti On_i;1_p an of application ’NO ’08/778 089
`?led on Jan 2 1997 HOW Pat NO 6 07'9 838
`is a divisiol'l 0} application N'O 087455 {76 filed on
`Jun 27 1995 HOW Pat NO 5 '613 751’
`’
`'
`’
`’
`'
`'
`’
`’
`'
`(51) Int_ CL
`(200601)
`F2 1V 7/00
`362/606 362/613_ 362/618
`(52) U 5 Cl
`’
`’ 362/619’
`'
`l
`l """""""""" "
`362/231
`(58) Field of Classi?cation Search
`’
`""""""" "
`661;; 661026’ 661037’ 661179’
`362/545’ 800’
`See application ?le for complete’searéh history’
`'
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U S PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`
`0 453 092 A1 10/1991
`
`(Continued)
`Primary ExamineriThomas M. Sember
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiRenner, Otto, Boisselle &
`Sklar’ LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Light emitting panel assemblies include a light emitting
`panel member having a uniform or variable pattern of light
`extracting deformities of Well de?ned shapes in or on one or
`more Surface areas of the hght emlmng panel member‘ The
`s1Ze and shape as Well as the depth and angular orientatron
`and position or location of the light extracting deformities
`may vary along the length and/or Width of a panel surface
`area to obtain a desired light output distribution from the
`panel surface area. Also, at least some of the deformities
`may have planar surfaces in parallel spaced relation to a
`panel surface area. A focused light source may be insert
`molded or cast Within a light transition area of the light
`emitting panel member to focus the light on an input surface
`of the light transition area With predetermined ray angles to
`?t a particular application. Molded supports may be pro
`vided on the panel member for supporting other parts or
`components in spaced relation therefrom. In another
`embodiment of the invention, an array of light sources may
`be mounted on a printed circuit board for directing light
`through a diifuser or lens mounted in spaced relation to the
`light sources for use in phototherapy treatment or the like.
`
`3,043,947 A
`
`7/1962 Albinger, Jr.
`
`10 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets
`
`LGD_000446
`
`LG Display Ex. 1007
`
`

`
`US 7,195,389 B2
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,543,014 A 11/1970 Bustad
`3,571,585 A
`3/1971 Schermerhorn
`3,752,974 A
`8/1973 Baker et 31
`3,761,703 A
`9/1973 Mund et a1~
`3,892,959 A
`7/1975 Pulles
`3,958,113 A
`5/1976 Termohlen
`4,043,636 A
`8/1977 Eberhardt et a1.
`4,118,111 A 10/1978 Laesser
`4,177,501 A 12/1979 Karlin
`4,183,628 A
`1/1980 Laesser
`4,257,084 A
`3/1981 Reynolds
`4282560 A
`8/1981 Kringel @191‘
`4,290,093 A
`9/1981 Thompson et 91-
`4,446,508 A
`5/1984 KinZie
`4,542,449 A
`9/1985 Whitehead
`4,573,766 A
`3/1986 Bournay, Jr. et 31.
`4,630,895 A 12/1986 Abdala, Jr. et a1.
`4,714,983 A 12/1987 Lang
`4,729,185 A
`3/1988 Baba
`4,751,615 A
`6/1988 Abrams
`4,763,984 A
`8/1988 AWai @1111
`4,765,701 A
`8/1988 Cheslak
`4,906,070 A
`3/1990 Cobb, 11
`4,974,122 A 11/1990 Shaw
`4,975,808 A 12/1990 Bond eta1~
`4,978,952 A 12/1990 Irwin
`5,005,108 A
`4/1991 Pristash et 211.
`5,027,258 A
`6/1991 Schoniger et a1.
`5,056,892 A 10/1991 (3913b, Jr
`5,070,431 A 12/ 1991 Kltazawa @1111
`5,093,765 A
`3/1992 Kashima et a1.
`5,134,549 A
`7/1992 Yokoyama
`5,136,483 A
`8/1992 Schoniger et a1.
`5,178,447 A
`1/1993 Mumse eta1~
`5,207,493 A
`5/1993 Murase et a1.
`5,262,928 A 11/1993 Kashima et a1.
`5,283,673 A
`2/1994 Murase et a1.
`5,303,322 A
`4/ 1994 Winston et a1.
`5,307,244 A
`4/1994 Gaudette
`5,339,179 A
`8/1994 Rudisill et 31.
`5,349,503 A
`9/1994 Blonder et a1.
`5,375,043 A 12/1994 Tokunaga
`5,377,084 A 12/1994 Kojima et a1.
`5,390,085 A
`2/1995 Mari-Roca et a1.
`
`2/1995 Watanabe et a1.
`5,394,308 A
`3/1995 Beeson et a1.
`5,396,350 A
`8/1995 Kashima @1211.
`5,442,523 A
`5,467,208 A l1/1995 Kokawa et 31‘
`5,467,417 A 11/1995 Nakamura et 31.
`5,485,291 A
`1/1996 Qiao et a1.
`5,506,929 A
`4/1996 Tai et a1.
`5,521,342 A
`5/1996 Barley et a1.
`5,576,078 A l1/1996 Schatz
`5,579,134 A l1/1996 Lengyel
`5,590,945 A
`M997 Simms
`5,598,281 A
`1/1997 Zimmerman et 31.
`5,600,462 A
`2/1997 Suzuki et a1.
`5,618,095 A
`4/1997 Kashima @1211.
`5,649,754 A
`7/1997 Matsumoto
`5,664,862 A
`9/1997 Redmond @1211.
`5,671,994 A
`9/1997 Tai et a1.
`5,711,592 A
`1/1998 Hotta
`5,719,649 A
`2/1998 Shono et 31‘
`5,771,328 A
`6/1998 WoItman @1211.
`5,775,791 A
`7/1998 Yoshikawa @1211.
`5,779,337 A
`7/1998 Saito @1211.
`5,779,338 A
`7/1998 Ishikawa @1211.
`5,808,784 A
`9/1998 Ando @1211.
`5,844,720 A 12/1998 Ohara @1211.
`5,890,791 A
`4/1999 Saito
`5,917,664 A
`6/1999 O’Neill et 31.
`5,919,551 A
`7/1999 Cobb, Jr. et a1.
`5,931,555 A
`8/1999 Akahane et 31‘
`5,961,198 A 10/1999 Him et a1‘
`5,971,559 A 10/1999 Ishikawa @1211.
`6,011,602 A
`1/2000 Miyashita @1211.
`6,036,329 A
`3/2000 Iimura
`6,091,547 A
`7/2000 Gardiner et :11.
`6,120,280 A
`9/2000 Mimum et a1‘
`6,130,730 A 10/2000 Jannson @1211.
`6,151,169 A 11/2000 Kim
`6,172,809 B1
`1/2001 Koike et 31‘
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`TW
`W0
`W0
`W0
`W0
`
`368610
`WO 96/17207
`W0 96/27757
`W0 98/50806
`W0 99/42861
`
`9/1999
`6/1996
`9/1996
`11/1998
`8/1999
`
`LGD_000447
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 27, 2007
`
`Sheet 1 0f 14
`
`US 7,195,389 B2
`
`FIG .4c
`
`LGD_000448
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 27, 2007
`
`Sheet 2 0f 14
`
`US 7,195,389 B2
`
`48
`
`FIG.8
`
`LGD_000449
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 27, 2007
`
`Sheet 3 0f 14
`
`US 7,195,389 B2
`
`54
`
`55
`
`52 j
`
`FIG.9
`
`65
`
`FIG. H
`r70
`
`FIG. Has
`
`__/-72
`
`FIG. l2
`
`LGD_000450
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 27, 2007
`
`Sheet 4 0f 14
`
`US 7,195,389 B2
`
`LGD_000451
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 27, 2007
`
`Sheet 5 0f 14
`
`US 7,195,389 B2
`
`FIG. l8
`
`FIG. I9
`
`was
`
`I01 /98
`99
`\-I\L\(/"22
`
`98
`'/
`
`'00 22
`
`FIG. 20
`
`FIG. 2|
`
`LGD_000452
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 27, 2007
`
`Sheet 6 0f 14
`
`US 7,195,389 B2
`
`FIG. 22
`
`FIG. 23>
`
`LGD_000453
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 27, 2007
`
`Sheet 7 0f 14
`
`US 7,195,389 B2
`
`LGD_000454
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 27, 2007
`
`Sheet 8 0f 14
`
`US 7,195,389 B2
`
`FIG. 3C)
`
`I29
`\
`
`I
`
`:30
`
`22
`
`l28
`
`FIG. 3|
`
`LGD_000455
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 27, 2007
`
`Sheet 9 of 14
`
`US 7,195,389 B2
`
`I25
`
`22
`
`
`
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`LG D_000456
`
`LGD_000456
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 27, 2007
`
`Sheet 10 0f 14
`
`US 7,195,389 B2
`
`|09\
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 27, 2007
`
`Sheet 11 0f 14
`
`US 7,195,389 B2
`
`LGD_000458
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 27, 2007
`
`Sheet 12 0f 14
`
`US 7,195,389 B2
`
`LGD_000459
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 27, 2007
`
`Sheet 13 0f 14
`
`US 7,195,389 B2
`
`NW .QE
`
`LGD_000460
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 27, 2007
`
`Sheet 14 0f 14
`
`US 7,195,389 B2
`
`mlk?js
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`
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`
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`F|G.47
`
`LGD_000461
`
`

`
`US 7,195,389 B2
`
`1
`LIGHT EMITTING PANEL ASSEMBLIES
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of US. patent applica
`tion Ser. No. 09/256,275, ?led Feb. 23, 1999, now US. Pat.
`No. 6,712,481 Which is a continuation-in-part of US. patent
`application Ser. No. 08/778,089, ?led Jan. 2, 1997, now US.
`Pat. No. 6,079,838, dated Jun. 27, 2000, Which is a division
`ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/495,176, ?led Jun. 27,
`1995, now US. Pat. No. 5,613,751, dated Mar. 25, 1997.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates generally, as indicated, to light
`emitting panel assemblies.
`Light emitting panel assemblies are generally knoWn.
`HoWever, the present invention relates to several different
`light emitting panel assembly con?gurations Which provide
`for better control of the light output from the panel assem
`blies and more ef?cient utiliZation of light to suit a particular
`application.
`
`20
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`25
`
`In accordance With one aspect of the invention, the light
`emitting panel assemblies include a light emitting panel
`member having a pattern of individual light extracting
`deformities of Well de?ned shapes on or in one or more
`surface areas of the light emitting panel member.
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, each
`of the light extracting deformities includes a re?ective or
`refractive surface of a predetermined slope for more pre
`cisely controlling the emission of light by each of said
`deformities.
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, each
`of the light extracting deformities has an end Wall that
`produces a relatively small projected surface area on the
`panel surface area to alloW the number of deformities on or
`in the panel surface areas to be increased.
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, the
`light extracting deformities have straight side Walls.
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, the
`light extracting deformities have rounded side Walls.
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, the
`light extracting deformities have planar surfaces in parallel
`spaced relation to the panel surface areas.
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, the
`panel member is transparent and includes one or more panel
`portions having opposite sides that are free of any re?ective
`material, Whereby light is free to pass through such opposite
`sides.
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, defor
`mities on or in one or more of the panel portions are shaped
`to cause more of the light entering the panel member through
`an input edge to be emitted from one of the sides of the panel
`portions than the other side.
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, the
`one side of the panel portion through Which more of the light
`is emitted may be placed in close proximity to a front face
`of a display for front lighting the display.
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, the
`light emitting deformities have planar surfaces through
`Which light from the display passes With minimal optical
`distortion.
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, the
`pattern of light extracting deformities may be uniform or
`variable as desired to obtain a desired light output distribu
`tion form the panel surface areas.
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, the
`siZe and shape as Well as the depth or height and angular
`orientation and location of the light extracting deformities
`may vary along the length and/or Width of any given panel
`surface area to obtain a desired light output distribution from
`the panel member.
`In accordance With yet another aspect of the invention, a
`focused light source may be insert molded or cast Within a
`light transition area of the light emitting panel member.
`In accordance With still another aspect of the invention,
`molded supports may be provided on the panel member for
`supporting other parts or components in spaced relation
`from the panel member.
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, an
`array of light sources may be mounted on a printed circuit
`board for directing light through a diffuser or lens mounted
`in spaced relation to the light sources for use in phototherapy
`treatment and the like.
`The various light emitting panel assemblies of the present
`invention are relatively ef?cient panel assemblies that may
`be used to produce increased uniformity and higher light
`output from the panel members With loWer poWer require
`ments, and alloW the panel members to be made thinner
`and/or longer, and/or of various shapes and siZes.
`To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends,
`the invention then comprises the features hereinafter fully
`described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the
`folloWing description and the annexed draWings setting forth
`in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention,
`these being indicative, hoWever, of but several of the various
`Ways in Which the principles of the invention may be
`employed.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`In the annexed draWings:
`FIGS. 1 through 3 are schematic perspective vieWs of
`three different forms of light emitting panel assemblies in
`accordance With this invention;
`FIG. 4a is an enlarged plan vieW of a portion of a light
`output area of a panel assembly shoWing one form of pattern
`of light extracting deformities on the light output area;
`FIGS. 4b, 0 and d are enlarged schematic perspective
`vieWs of a portion of a light output area of a panel assembly
`shoWing other forms of light extracting deformities formed
`in or on the light output area;
`FIG. 5 is an enlarged transverse section through the light
`emitting panel assembly of FIG. 3 taken generally on the
`plane of the line SiS thereof;
`FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective vieW of another form of
`light emitting panel assembly in accordance With this inven
`tion;
`FIG. 7 is a schematic top plan vieW of another form of
`light emitting panel assembly in accordance With this inven
`tion;
`FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective vieW of another form of
`light emitting panel assembly in accordance With this inven
`tion;
`FIG. 9 is a schematic top plan vieW of another form of
`light emitting panel assembly in accordance With this inven
`tion;
`
`LGD_000462
`
`

`
`US 7,195,389 B2
`
`3
`FIG. 10 is a schematic top plan vieW of still another form
`of light emitting panel assembly in accordance With this
`invention;
`FIG. 11 is a side elevation vieW of the light emitting panel
`assembly of FIG. 10;
`FIG. 11a is a fragmentary side elevation vieW shoWing a
`tapered or rounded end on the panel member in place of the
`prismatic surface shoWn in FIGS. 10 and 11;
`FIG. 12 is a schematic top plan vieW of another form of
`light emitting panel assembly in accordance With this inven
`tion;
`FIG. 13 is a schematic side elevation vieW of the light
`emitting panel assembly of FIG. 12;
`FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematic perspective vieWs of still
`other forms of light emitting panel assemblies in accordance
`With this invention;
`FIGS. 16 and 17 are enlarged schematic fragmentary plan
`vieWs of a surface area of a light panel assembly shoWing
`still other forms of light extracting deformities in accordance
`With this invention formed on or in a surface of the panel
`member;
`FIGS. 18 and 19 are enlarged longitudinal sections
`through one of the light extracting deformities of FIGS. 16
`and 17, respectively;
`FIGS. 20 and 21 are enlarged schematic longitudinal
`sections through light extracting deformities similar to
`FIGS. 18 and 19, respectively, except that the deformity end
`Walls are shoWn extending substantially perpendicular to the
`panel surface instead of perpendicular to their respective
`re?ective/refractive surfaces as shoWn in FIGS. 18 and 19;
`FIGS. 22 through 30 are enlarged schematic perspective
`vieWs of panel surface areas containing various patterns of
`individual light extracting deformities of other Well de?ned
`shapes in accordance With this invention;
`FIG. 31 is an enlarged schematic longitudinal section
`through another form of light extracting deformity in accor
`dance With this invention;
`FIGS. 32 and 33 are enlarged schematic top plan vieWs of
`panel surface areas containing light extracting deformities
`similar in shape to those shoWn in FIGS. 28 and 29 arranged
`in a plurality of straight roWs along the length and Width of
`the panel surface area;
`FIGS. 39B and 40B shoW a plurality of light sources 3
`optically coupled to different portions of the Width of the
`input edge of the panel surface areas 22 and the re?ective or
`refractive light extracting surfaces 101' of different ones of
`the deformities 135 at different locations across the panel
`surface areas oriented at different angles to face different
`portions of the input edge to Which the different light sources
`are optically coupled.
`FIGS. 34 and 35 are enlarged schematic top plan vieWs of
`panel surface areas containing light extracting deformities
`also similar in shape to those shoWn in FIGS. 28 and 29
`arranged in staggered roWs along the length of the panel
`surface areas;
`FIGS. 36 and 37 are enlarged schematic top plan vieWs of
`panel surface areas containing a random or variable pattern
`of different siZed light emitting deformities on the panel
`surface areas;
`FIG. 38 is an enlarged schematic perspective vieW of a
`panel surface area shoWing light extracting deformities in
`accordance With this invention increasing in siZe as the
`distance of the deformities from the light source increases or
`intensity of the light increases along the length of the panel
`surface area;
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`FIGS. 39 and 40 are schematic perspective vieWs shoWing
`different angular orientations of the light extracting defor
`mities along the length and Width of a panel surface area;
`FIGS. 39A and 40A are enlarged fragmentary schematic
`top plan vieWs of the panel surface areas of FIGS. 39 and 40,
`respectively, shoWing the different annular orientations of
`the re?ective or refractive light extracting surfaces of the
`deformities along the length and Width of the panel surface
`areas:
`FIGS. 39B and 40B are enlarged fragmentary schematic
`top plan vieWs similar to FIGS. 39A and 40A. respectively,
`except that they shoW a plurality of light sources optically
`coupled to different portions of the Width of the input edge
`of the panel surface areas and the re?ective or refractive
`light extracting surfaces of different ones of the deformities
`at different locations across the panel surface areas oriented
`at different angles to face different portions of the input edge
`to Which the different light sources are optically coupled;
`FIGS. 41 and 42 are enlarged perspective vieWs sche
`matically shoWing hoW exemplary light rays emitted from a
`focused light source are re?ected or refracted by different
`individual light extracting deformities of Well de?ned shapes
`in accordance With this invention;
`FIG. 43 is a schematic perspective vieW shoWing a light
`emitting panel assembly similar to FIG. 42 placed on a front
`face of a display to provide front lighting for the display;
`FIG. 44 is a schematic top plan vieW of another form of
`light emitting panel assembly in accordance With this inven
`tion for use in phototherapy treatment and the like; and
`FIGS. 45 through 47 are schematic side elevation vieWs
`of still other forms of light emitting panel assemblies in
`accordance With this invention for use in phototherapy
`treatment and the like.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`Referring noW in detail to the draWings, and initially to
`FIG. 1, there is schematically shoWn one form of light
`emitting panel assembly 1 in accordance With this invention
`including a transparent light emitting panel 2 and one or
`more light sources 3 Which emit light in a predetermined
`pattern in a light transition member or area 4 used to make
`the transition from the light source 3 to the light emitting
`panel 2, as Well knoWn in the art. The light that is transmitted
`by the light transition area 4 to the transparent light emitting
`panel 2 may be emitted along the entire length of the panel
`or from one or more light output areas along the length of the
`panel as desired to produce a desired light output distribu
`tion to ?t a particular application.
`In FIG. 1 the light transition area 4 is shoWn as an integral
`extension of one end of the light emitting panel 2 and as
`being generally rectangular in shape. HoWever, the light
`transition area may be of other shapes suitable for embed
`ding, potting, bonding or otherWise mounting the light
`source. Also, re?ective or refractive surfaces may be pro
`vided to increase e?iciency. Moreover, the light transition
`area 4 may be a separate piece suitably attached to the light
`input surface 13 of the panel member if desired. Also, the
`sides of the light transition area may be curved to more
`e?iciently re?ect or refract a portion of the light emitted
`from the light source through the light emitting panel at an
`acceptable angle.
`FIG. 2 shoWs another form of light emitting panel assem
`bly 5 in accordance With this invention including a panel
`light transition area 6 at one end of the light emitting panel
`7 With sides 8, 9 around and behind the light source 3 shaped
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`to more ef?ciently re?ect and/or refract and focus the light
`emitted from the light source 3 that impinges on these
`surfaces back through the light transition area 6 at an
`acceptable angle for entering the light input surface 18 at one
`end of the light emitting panel 7. Also, a suitable re?ective
`material or coating 10 may be provided on the portions of
`the sides of the light transition areas of the panel assemblies
`of FIGS. 1 and 2 on Which a portion of the light impinges
`for maximizing the amount of light or otherWise changing
`the light that is re?ected back through the light transition
`areas and into the light emitting panels.
`The panel assemblies shoWn in FIGS. 1 and 2 include a
`single light source 3, Whereas FIG. 3 shoWs another light
`emitting panel assembly 11 in accordance With this inven
`tion including tWo light sources 3. Of course, it Will be
`appreciated that the panel assemblies of the present inven
`tion may be provided With any number of light sources as
`desired, depending on the particular application.
`The panel assembly 11 of FIG. 3 includes a light transition
`area 12 at one end of the light emitting panel 14 having
`re?ective and/or refractive surfaces 15 around and behind
`each light source 3. These surfaces 15 may be appropriately
`shaped including for example curved, straight and/or faceted
`surfaces, and if desired, suitable re?ective materials or
`coatings may be provided on portions of these surfaces to
`more e?iciently re?ect and/or refract and focus a portion of
`the light emitted for example from an incandescent light
`source Which emits light in a 360° pattern through the light
`transition areas 12 into the light input surface 19 of the light
`emitting panel 14.
`The light sources 3 may be mechanically held in any
`suitable manner in slots, cavities or openings 16 machined,
`molded or otherWise formed in the light transition areas of
`the panel assemblies. HoWever, preferably the light sources
`3 are embedded, potted or bonded in the light transition
`areas in order to eliminate any air gaps or air interface
`surfaces betWeen the light sources and surrounding light
`transition areas, thereby reducing light loss and increasing
`the light output emitted by the light emitting panels. Such
`mounting of the light sources may be accomplished, for
`example, by bonding the light sources 3 in the slots, cavities
`or openings 16 in the light transition areas using a su?icient
`quantity of a suitable embedding, potting or bonding mate
`rial 17. The slots, cavities or openings 16 may be on the top,
`bottom, sides or back of the light transition areas. Bonding
`can also be accomplished by a variety of methods that do not
`incorporate extra material, for example, thermal bonding,
`heat staking, ultrasonic or plastic Welding or the like. Other
`methods of bonding include insert molding and casting
`around the light source(s).
`Atransparent light emitting material of any suitable type,
`for example acrylic or polycarbonate, may be used for the
`light emitting panels. Also, the panels may be substantially
`?at, or curved, may be a single layer or multi-layers, and
`may have di?‘erent thicknesses and shapes. Moreover, the
`panels may be ?exible, or rigid, and may be made out of a
`variety of compounds. Further, the panels may be holloW,
`?lled With liquid, air, or be solid, and may have holes or
`ridges in the panels.
`Each light source 3 may also be of any suitable type
`including, for example, any of the types disclosed in Us.
`Pat. Nos. 4,897,771 and 5,005,108, assigned to the same
`assignee as the present application, the entire disclosures of
`Which are incorporated herein by reference. In particular, the
`light sources 3 may be an arc lamp, an incandescent bulb
`Which also may be colored, ?ltered or painted, a lens end
`bulb, a line light, a halogen lamp, a light emitting diode
`
`5
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`(LED), a chip from an LED, a neon bulb, a ?uorescent tube,
`a ?ber optic light pipe transmitting from a remote source, a
`laser or laser diode, or any other suitable light source.
`Additionally, the light sources 3 may be a multiple colored
`LED, or a combination of multiple colored radiation sources
`in order to provide a desired colored or White light output
`distribution. For example, a plurality of colored lights such
`as LEDs of di?‘erent colors (red, blue, green) or a single
`LED With multiple colored chips may be employed to create
`White light or any other colored light output distribution by
`varying the intensities of each individual colored light.
`A pattern of light extracting deformities or disruptions
`may be provided on one or both sides of the panel members
`or on one or more selected areas on one or both sides of the
`panel members, as desired. FIG. 4a schematically shoWs one
`such light surface area 20 on Which a pattern of light
`extracting deformities or disruptions 21 is provided. As used
`herein, the term deformities or disruptions are used inter
`changeably to mean any change in the shape or geometry of
`the panel surface and/or coating or surface treatment that
`causes a portion of the light to be emitted. The pattern of
`light extracting deformities 21 shoWn in FIG. 411 includes a
`variable pattern Which breaks up the light rays such that the
`internal angle of re?ection of a portion of the light rays Will
`be great enough to cause the light rays either to be emitted
`out of the panel through the side or sides on Which the light
`extracting deformities 21 are provided or re?ected back
`through the panel and emitted out the other side.
`These deformities or disruptions 21 can be produced in a
`variety of manners, for example, by providing a painted
`pattern, an etched pattern, a machined pattern, a printed
`pattern, a hot stamped pattern, or a molded pattern or the like
`on selected light output areas of the panel members. An ink
`or printed pattern may be applied for example by pad
`printing, silk screening, ink jet, heat transfer ?lm process or
`the like. The deformities may also be printed on a sheet or
`?lm Which is used to apply the deformities to the panel
`member. This sheet or ?lm may become a permanent part of
`the light panel assembly for example by attaching or other
`Wise positioning the sheet or ?lm against one or both sides
`of the panel member similar to the sheet or ?lm 27 shoWn
`in FIGS. 3 and 5 in order to produce a desired e?‘ect.
`By varying the density, opaqueness or translucence,
`shape, depth, color, area, index of refraction, or type of
`deformities 21 on an area or areas of the panels, the light
`output of the panels can be controlled. The deformities or
`disruptions may be used to control the percent of light
`emitted from any area of the panels. For example, less and/or
`smaller siZe deformities 21 may be placed on panel areas
`Where less light output is Wanted. Conversely, a greater
`percentage of and/or larger deformities may be placed on
`areas of the panels Where greater light output is desired.
`Varying the percentages and/or siZe of deformities in
`di?‘erent areas of the panel is necessary in order to provide
`a uniform light output distribution. For example, the amount
`of light traveling through the panels Will ordinarily be
`greater in areas closer to the light source than in other areas
`further removed from the light source. A pattern of light
`extracting deformities 21 may be used to adjust for the light
`variances Within the panel members, for example, by pro
`viding a denser concentration of light extracting deformities
`With increased distance from the light source 3 thereby
`resulting in a more uniform light output distribution from the
`light emitting panels.
`The deformities 21 may also be used to control the output
`ray angle distribution of the emitted light to suit a particular
`application. For example, if the panel assemblies are used to
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`provide a liquid crystal display back light, the light output
`Will be more e?icient if the deformities 21 cause the light
`rays to emit from the panels at predetermined ray angles
`such that they Will pass through the liquid crystal display
`With loW loss.
`Additionally, the pattern of light extracting deformities
`may be used to adjust for light output variances attributed to
`light extractions of the panel members. The pattern of light
`extracting deformities 21 may be printed on the light output
`areas utiliZing a Wide spectrum of paints, inks, coatings,
`epoxies, or the like, ranging from glossy to opaque or both,
`and may employ half-tone separation techniques to vary the
`deformity 21 coverage. Moreover, the pattern of light
`extracting deformities 21 may be multiple layers or vary in
`index of refraction.
`Print patterns of light extracting deformities 21 may vary
`in shapes such as dots, squares, diamonds, ellipses, stars,
`random shapes, and the like, and are desirably 0.006 square
`inch per deformity/ element or less. Also, print patterns that
`are 60 lines per inch or ?ner are desirably employed, thus
`making the deformities or shapes 21 in the print patterns
`nearly invisible to the human eye in a particular application
`thereby eliminating the detection of gradient or banding
`lines that are common to light extracting patterns utiliZing
`larger elements. Additionally, the deformities may vary in
`shape and/ or siZe along the length and/ or Width of the panel
`members. Also, a random placement pattern of the defor
`mities may be utiliZed throughout the length and/or Width of
`the panel members. The deformities may have shapes or a
`pattern With no speci?c angles to reduce moire or other
`interference effects. Examples of methods to create these
`random patterns are printing a pattern of shapes using
`stochastic print pattern techniques, frequency modulated
`half tone patterns, or random dot half tones. Moreover, the
`deformities may be colored in order to effect color correction
`in the panel members. The color of the deformities may also
`vary throughout the panel members, for example to provide
`different colors for the same or different light output areas.
`In addition to or in lieu of the patterns of light extracting
`deformities 21 shoWn in FIG. 411, other light extracting
`deformities including prismatic surfaces, depressions or
`raised surfaces of various shapes using more complex
`shapes in a mold pattern may be molded, etched, stamped,
`thermoformed, hot stamped or the like into or on one or
`more areas of the panel member. FIGS. 4b and 40 show
`panel areas 22 on Which prismatic surfaces 23 or depressions
`24 are formed in the panel areas, Whereas FIG. 4d shoWs
`prismatic or other re?ective or refractive surfaces 25 formed
`on the exterior of the panel area. The prismatic surfaces,
`depressions or raised surfaces Will cause a portion of the
`light rays contacted thereby to be emitted from the panel
`member. Also, the angles of the prisms, depressions or other
`surfaces may be varied to direct the light in different
`directions to produce a desired light output distribution or
`effect. Moreover, the re?ective or refractive surfaces may
`have shapes or a pattern With no speci?c angles to reduce