7478344
`
`May 15, 2014
`
`THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT ANNEXED IS A TRUE COPY FROM THE
`RECORDS OF THIS OFFICE OF THE FILE WRAPPER AND CONTENTS
`OF:
`
`APPLICATION NUMBER: 11/244,544
`FILING DATE: October 06, 2005
`PATENT NUMBER: 7384177
`ISSUE DATE: June 10, 2008
`
`Page 1 of 117
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`TOYOTA EXHIBIT 1015
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`

`

`ATTORNEY DOCKET GLOLPO1OBUSAB
`
`EXPRESS MAIL NO. EV671713584US
`
`TITLE:
`
`LIGHT EMITTING PANEL ASSEMBLIES
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a division of U.S. Patent Application No. 10l784.527.
`
`filed February 23. 2004, which is a division of U.S. Patent Application No.
`
`091256.275. filed February 23, 1999, now US. Patent No. 6,712,481. dated
`
`March 30. 2004. which is a continuation-in-part of US. Patent Application No.
`
`081778.089. filed January 2. 1997, now US. Patent No. 6,079,838, dated June
`
`27, 2000. which is a division of U.S. Patent Application No. 08l495.176. filed June
`
`27. 1995. now US. Patent No. 5,613,751. dated March 25, 1997.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates generally, as indicated. to light emitting panel
`
`assemblies each including a transparent panel member for efficiently conducting
`
`light. and controlling the light conducted by the panel member to be emitted from
`
`one or more light output areas along the length thereof.
`
`Light emitting panel assemblies are generally known. However. the
`
`present invention relates to several different light emitting panel assembly
`
`configurations which provide for better control of the light output from the panel
`
`assemblies and for more efficient utilization of light. which results in greater light
`
`output from the panel assemblies.
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`1O
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In accordance with one aspect of the invention. the light emitting panel
`
`assemblies include a light emitting panel member having a light transition area in
`
`which at least one light source is suitably mounted for transmission of light to the
`
`30
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`light input surface of the panel member.
`
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention. the light source is
`
`desirably embedded, potted or bonded to the light transition area to eliminate any
`
`air gaps. decrease surface reflections and/or eliminate any lens effect between
`
`the light source and light transition area, thereby reducing light loss and
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`35
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`increasing the light output from the panel assembly.
`1
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`In accordance with another aspect of the invention. the panel assemblies
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`may include reflective or refractive surfaces for changing the path of a portion of
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`the light, emitted from the light source. that would not normally enter the panel
`
`members at an acceptable angle that allows the light to remain in the panel
`
`5 members for a longer period of time andlor increase the efficiency of the panel
`
`members.
`
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention. the light emitting panel
`
`members include a pattern of light extracting deformities or disruptions which
`
`provide a desired light output distribution from the panel members by changing
`
`10
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`the angle of refraction of a portion of the light from one or more light output areas
`
`of the panel members.
`
`In accordance with still another aspect of the invention. the tight source
`
`may include multiple colored light sources for supplying light to one or more light
`
`output areas. and for providing a colored or white light output distribution.
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`15
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`In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention. the panel
`
`assemblies include a transition area for mixing the multiple colored lights. prior to
`
`the light entering the panel members. in order to effect a desired colored or white
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`light output distribution.
`
`The various light emitting panel assemblies of the present invention are
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`20
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`very efficient panel assemblies that may be used to produce increased uniformity
`
`and higher light output from the panel members with lower power requirements.
`
`and allow the panel members to be made thinner andlor longer. andlor of various
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`shapes and sizes.
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`To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends. the invention
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`25
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`then comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed
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`out in the claims. the following description and the annexed drawings setting forth
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`in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention. these being indicative.
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`however. of but several of the various ways in which the principles of the
`
`invention may be employed.
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`30
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`Page 3 of 117
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`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;
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`5
`
`Fig. 4a is an enlarged plan view of a portion of a light output area of a
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`panel assembly showing one form of pattern of light extracting deformities on the
`
`light output area;
`
`Figs. 4b. c and d are enlarged schematic perspective views of a portion of
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`a light output area of a panel assembly showing other forms of light extracting
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`10
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`deformities formed in or on the light output area;
`
`Fig. 5 is an enlarged transverse section through the light emitting panel
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`assembly of Fig. 3 taken generally on the plane of the line 5-5 thereof;
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`Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of another form of light emitting
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`panel assembly in accordance with this invention;
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`15
`
`Fig. 7 is a schematic top plan view of another form of light emitting panel
`
`assembly in accordance with this invention:
`
`Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of another form of light emitting
`
`panel assembly in accordance with this invention:
`
`Fig. 9 is a schematic top plan view of another form of light emitting panel
`
`20
`
`assembly in accordance with this invention;
`
`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;
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`25
`
`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 invention;
`
`30
`
`Fig. 13 is a schematic side elevation view of the light emitting panel
`
`assembly of Fig. 12; and
`
`Figs. 14 and 15 are schematic perspective views of still other forms of light
`
`emitting panel assemblies in accordance with this invention.
`
`3
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`Page 4 of 117
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`Page 4 of 117
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`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
`
`5
`
`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
`
`10
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`length of the panel as desired to produce a desired light output distribution to fit 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 embedding,
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`15
`
`potting. bonding or othewvise mounting the light source. Also. reflective or
`
`refractive surfaces may be provided to increase efficiency. 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 efficiently reflect or refract a portion of the light
`
`20
`
`emitted from the light source through the light emitting panel at an acceptable
`
`angle.
`
`Fig. 2 shows another form of light emitting panel assembly 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
`
`25
`
`shaped to more efficiently reflect and/or retract 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 reflective material or
`
`coating 10 may be provided on the portions of the sides of the light transition
`
`30
`
`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
`
`reflected back through the light transition areas and into the light emitting panels.
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`Page 5 of 117
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`Page 5 of 117
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`The panel assemblies shown in Figs. 1 and 2 include a single light source
`
`3, whereas Fig. 3 shows another light emitting panel assembly 1 1 in accordance
`
`with this invention including two light sources 3. Of course, it will be appreciated
`
`that the panel assemblies of the present invention may be provided with any
`
`5
`
`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 reflective andlor 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
`
`10
`
`desired. suitable reflective materials or coatings may be provided on portions of
`
`these surfaces to more efficiently reflect andfor 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.
`
`15
`
`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
`
`20
`
`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 sufficient quantity of a suitable
`
`embedding. potting or bonding material 17. The slots. cavities or openings 16
`
`25 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).
`
`30
`
`A transparent 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 flat. or curved, may be a single layer or multi-layers,
`
`and may have different thicknesses and shapes. Moreover. the panels may be
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`5
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`Page 6 of 117
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`Page 6 of 117
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`flexible. or rigid. and may be made out of a variety of compounds. Further. the
`
`panels may be hollow, filled with liquid. air, or be solid. and may have holes or
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`ridges in the panels.
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`Each light source 3 may also be of any suitable type including. for
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`5
`
`example. any of the types disclosed in U.S. Patent 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.
`
`filtered or painted. a lens and bulb. a line light, a halogen lamp. a light emitting
`
`10
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`diode (LED). a chip from an LED. a neon bulb. a fluorescent tube. a fiber 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
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`15
`
`colored lights such as LEDs of different 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
`
`20
`
`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 interchangeably to mean any change in the shape or geometry of the
`
`25
`
`panel surface andlor coating or surface treatment that causes a portion of the
`
`light to be emitted. The pattern of light extracting deformities 21 shown in Fig. 4a
`
`includes a variable pattern which breaks up the light rays such that the internal
`
`angle of reflection of a portion of the light rays will be great enough to cause the
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`light rays either to be emitted out of the panel through the side or sides on which
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`30
`
`the light extracting deformities 21 are provided or reflected back through the
`
`panel and emitted out the other side.
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`These deformities or disruptions 21 can be produced in a variety of
`
`manners. for example. by providing a painted pattern. an etched pattern. a
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`6
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`Page 7 of 117
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`Page 7 of 117
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`machined pattern, a printed pattem. a hot stamped pattern. or a molded pattern
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`or the like on selected light output areas of the panel members. An ink or printed
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`pattern may be applied for example by pad printing. silk screening. ink jet. heat
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`transfer film process or the like. The deformities may also be printed on a sheet
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`5
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`or film which is used to apply the deformities to the panel member. This sheet or
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`film may become a permanent part of the light panel assembly for example by
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`attaching or otherwise positioning the sheet or film against one or both sides of
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`the panel member similar to the sheet or film 27 shown in Figs. 3 and 5 in order
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`to produce a desired effect.
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`10
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`By varying the density. opaqueness or translucence. shape. depth. color.
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`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 andfor smaller size deformities 21 may be placed
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`15
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`on panel areas where less light output is wanted. Conversely. a greater
`
`percentage of andfor larger deformities may be placed on areas of the panels
`
`where greater light output is desired.
`
`Varying the percentages andlor size of deformities in different areas of the
`
`panel is necessary in order to provide a uniform light output distribution. For
`
`20
`
`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 providing a denser
`
`concentration of light extracting deformities with increased distance from the light
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`25
`
`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
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`panel assemblies are used to provide a liquid crystal display backlight. the light
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`30
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`output will be more efficient 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
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`crystal display with low loss.
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`Page 8 of 117
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`Additionally. the pattern of light extracting deformities may be used to
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`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 spectmm of paints. inks. coatings. epoxies. or
`
`5
`
`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
`
`10
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`dots. squares. diamonds. ellipses. stars. random shapes. and the like. and are
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`desirably .006 square inch per deformityielement or less. Also. print patterns that
`
`are 60 lines per inch or finer 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
`
`15
`
`common to light extracting patterns utilizing larger elements. Additionally. the
`
`deformities may vary in shape andlor size along the length andlor width of the
`
`panel members. Also. a random placement pattern of the deformities may be
`
`utilized throughout the length and/or width of the panel members. The
`
`deformities may have shapes or a pattern with no specific angles to reduce moiré
`
`20
`
`or other interference effects. Examples of methods to create these random
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`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
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`25 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. 48. other light extracting deformities including prismatic surfaces.
`
`depressions or raised surfaces of various shapes using more complex shapes in
`
`30
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`a mold pattern may be molded. etched. stamped. therrnoformed. hot stamped or
`
`the like into or on one or more areas of the panel member. Figs. 4b and 4c show
`
`panel areas 22 on which prismatic surfaces 23 or depressions 24 are formed in
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`the panel areas. whereas Fig. 4d shows prismatic or other reflective or refractive
`
`8
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`Page 9 of 117
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`Page 9 of 117
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`surfaces 25 formed on the exterior of the panel area. The prismatic surfaces.
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`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
`
`5
`
`directions to produce a desired light output distribution or effect. Moreover, the
`
`reflective or refractive surfaces may have shapes or a pattern with no specific
`
`angles to reduce moire or other interference effects.
`
`As best seen in the cross sectional View of Fig. 5. a back reflector
`
`(including trans reflectors) 26 may be attached or positioned against one side of
`
`10
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`the panel member 14 of Fig. 3 using a suitable adhesive 28 or other method in
`
`order to improve light output efficiency of the panel assembly 11 by reflecting the
`
`light emitted from that side back through the panel for emission through the
`
`opposite side. Additionally. a pattern of light extracting deformities 21. 23. 24
`
`andfor 25 may be provided on one or both sides of the panel member in order to
`
`1 5
`
`change the path of the light so that the internal critical angle is exceeded and a
`
`portion of the light is emitted from one or both sides of the panel. Moreover. a
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`transparent film. sheet or plate 27 may be attached or positioned against the side
`
`or sides of the panel member from which light is emitted using a suitable
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`adhesive 28 or other method in order to produce a desired effect.
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`20
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`The member 27 may be used to further improve the uniformity of the light
`
`output distribution. For example. the member 27 may be a colored film. a
`
`diffuser. or a label or display. a portion of which may be a transparent overlay that
`
`may be colored andlor have text or an image thereon.
`
`If adhesive 28 is used to adhere the back reflector 26 andi'or film 27 to the
`
`25
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`panel. the adhesive is preferably applied only along the side edges of the panel.
`
`and if desired the and edge opposite the light transition areas 12. but not over the
`
`entire surface area or areas of the panel because of the difficulty in consistently
`
`applying a uniform coating of adhesive to the panel. Also. the adhesive changes
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`the internal critical angle of the light in a less controllable manner than the air
`
`30
`
`gaps 30 (see Fig. 5) which are formed between the respective panel surfaces
`
`and the back reflector 26 andfor film 27 when only adhered along the peripheral
`
`edges. Additionally. longer panel members are achievable when air gaps 30 are
`
`used.
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`If adhesive were to be used over the entire surface. the pattern of
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`9
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`deformities could be adjusted to account for the additional attenuation in the light
`
`caused by the adhesive.
`
`Referring further to Fig. 2. the panel assembly 5 shown therein also
`
`includes molded posts 31 at one or more corners of the panel 7 (four such posts
`
`5
`
`being shown) which may be used to facilitate mounting of the panel assembly
`
`and providing structural support for other parts or components. for example, a
`
`display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel as desired.
`
`Fig. 6 shows another form of light emitting panel assembly 32 in
`
`accordance with this invention including a panel member 33, one or more light
`
`10
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`sources 3, and one or more light output areas 34.
`
`In addition. the panel
`
`assembly 32 includes a tray 35 having a cavity or recess 36 in which the panel
`
`assembly 32 is received. The tray 35 may act as a back reflector as well as end
`
`edge andl’or side edge reflectors for the panel 33 and side andlor back reflectors
`
`37 for the light sources 3. Additionally. one or more secondary reflective or
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`15
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`refractive surfaces 38 may be provided on the panel member 33 andlor tray 35 to
`
`reflect a portion of the light around one or more comers or curves in a non-
`
`rectangular shaped panel member 33. These secondary reflectivelrefractive
`
`surfaces 38 may be flat, angled. faceted or curved. and may be used to extract a
`
`portion of the light away from the panel member in a predetermined pattern. Fig.
`
`20
`
`6 also shows multiple light output areas 34 on the panel member that emit light
`
`from one or more light sources 3.
`
`Fig. 7 is a schematic illustration of still another form of light emitting panel
`
`assembly 40 in accordance with this invention including a panel member 41
`
`having one or more light output areas 42 and one or more light transition areas
`
`25
`
`(mixing areas) 43 containing a plurality of light sources 3 at one or both ends of
`
`the panel. Each transition area mixes the light from one or more light sources
`
`having different colors and/or intensities.
`
`In this particular embodiment. each of
`
`the light sources 3 desirably employs three colored LEDs (red. blue. green) in
`
`each transition mixing area 43 so that the light from the three LEDs can be mixed
`
`30
`
`to produce a desired light output color that will be emitted from the light output
`
`area 42. Alternatively, each light source may be a single LED having multiple
`
`colored chips bonded to the lead film. Also. two colored LEDs or a single LED
`
`having two colored chips may be used for a particular application. By varying the
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`10
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`intensities of the individual respective LEDs. virtually any colored light output or
`
`white light distribution can be achieved.
`
`Fig. 8 shows yet another form of light emitting panel assembly 45 in
`
`accordance with this invention including a light emitting panel member 46 and a
`
`5
`
`light source 3 in a light transition area 48 integral with one end of the panel
`
`member.
`
`In this particular embodiment. the panel member 46 is three-
`
`dimensionally curved. for example, such that light rays may be emitted in a
`
`manner that facilitates aesthetic design of a lighted display.
`
`Fig. 9 schematically shows another form of light emitting panel assembly
`
`10
`
`50 in accordance with this invention. including a panel member 51 having
`
`multiple light output areas 52. and mounting posts andfor mounting tabs 53. This
`
`particular panel assembly 50 may serve as a structural member to support other
`
`parts or components as by providing holes or cavities 54. 55 in the panel member
`
`51 which allow for the insertion of modular components or other parts into the
`
`15
`
`panel member. Moreover. a separate cavity or recess 56 may be provided in the
`
`panel member 51 for receipt of a correspondingly shaped light transition area 57
`
`having one or more light sources 3 embedded. bonded. cast, insert molded.
`
`epoxied. or otherwise mounted or positioned therein and a curved reflective or
`
`refractive surface 58 on the transition area 5? andfor wall of the cavity or recess
`
`20
`
`56 to redirect a portion of the light in a predetermined manner.
`
`In this way the
`
`light transition area 57 andi'or panel member may be in the form of a separate
`
`insert which facilitates the easy placement of the light source in a modular
`
`manner. A reflector 58 may be placed on the reflective or refractive surface of
`
`the cavity or recess 56 or insert 57. Where the reflector 58 is placed on the
`
`25
`
`reflective or refractive surface of the cavity or recess 56. the cavity or recess may
`
`act as a mold permitting transparent material from which the transition area 57 is
`
`made to be cast around one or more light sources 3.
`
`Figs. 10 and 11 schematically show another form of light emitting panel
`
`assembly 60 in accordance with this invention including a panel member 61
`
`30
`
`having one or more light output areas 62.
`
`In this particular embodiment. an off-
`
`axis light transition area 63 is provided that is thicker in cross section than the
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`panel member to permit use of one or more light sources 3 embedded or
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`otherwise mounted in the light transition area that are dimensionally thicker than
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`11
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`the panel member. Also. a three-dimensional reflective surface 64 (Fig. 11) may
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`be provided on the transition area 63. Moreover, a prism 65 (Fig. 11) or tapered,
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`rounded. or otherwise shaped end 66 (Fig. 11a) may be provided at the end of
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`the panel opposite the light sources 3 to perform the function of an end reflector.
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`The light sources 3 may be oriented at different angles relative to each other and
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`offset to facilitate better mixing of the light rays 67 in the transition area 63 as
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`schematically shown in Fig. 10 andfor to permit a shorter length transition area 63
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`to be used.
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`Figs. 12 and 13 schematically show still another form of light emitting
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`panel assembly 70 in accordance with this invention which includes one or more
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`light transition areas 71 at one or both ends of the panel member 72 each
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`containing a single light source 73. The transition area or areas 71 shown in
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`Figs. 12 and 13 collect light with multiple or three-dimensional surfaces andlor
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`collect light in more than one plane. For example each transition area 71 shown
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`in Figs. 12 and 13 has elliptical and parabolic shape surfaces 74 and 75 in
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`different planes for directing the light rays 76 into the panel member at a desired
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`angle.
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`Providing one or more transition areas at one or both ends of the panel
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`member of any desired dimension to accommodate one or more light sources.
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`with reflective and/or refractive surfaces on the transition areas for redirecting the
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`light rays into the panel member at relatively low angles allows the light emitting
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`panel member to be made much longer and thinner than would otherwise be
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`possible. For example the panel members of the present invention may be made
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`very thin. r“.e.. 0.125 inch thick or less.
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`Fig. 14 schematically illustrates still another form of light emitting panel
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`assembly 80 in accordance with this invention including a light emitting panel 81
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`and one or more light sources 3 positioned , embedded, potted, bonded or
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`othenivise mounted in a light transition area 82 that is at an angle relative to the
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`panel member 81 to permit more efficient use of space. An angled or curved
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`reflective or refractive surface 83 is provided at the junction of the panel member
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`81 with the transition area 82 in order to reflect/retract light from the light source 3
`into the body of the panel member 81 for emission of light from one or more light
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`emitting areas 84 along the length of the panel member.
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`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`Fig. 15 schematically iilustrates still another form of light emitting panel
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`assembly 90 in accordance with this invention including a light transition area 91
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`at one or both ends of a light emitting panei member 92 containing a slot 93 for
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`sliding receipt of an LED or other suitable light source 3. Preferably the slot 93
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`5
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`extends into the transition area 91 from the back edge 94. whereby the light
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`source 3 may be slid andfor snapped in place in the slot from the back. thus
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`allowing the transition area to be made shorter andlor thinner. The light source 3
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`may be provided with wings. tabs or other surfaces 95 for engagement in
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`correspondingly shaped recesses or grooves 96 or the like in the transition area
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`10
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`91 for locating and. ifdesired. securing the light source in place. Also. the light
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`source 3 may be embedded, potted. bonded or othenivise secured within the slot
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`93 in the light transition area 91 of the panel member 92. Light from a secondary
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`light source 97 may be projected through the panel member 92 for indication or
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`some other effect.
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`15
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`The various light emitting panel assemblies disclosed herein may be used
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`for a great many different applications including for example LCD back lighting or
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`lighting in general. decorative and display lighting. automotive lighting, dental
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`lighting, phototherapy or other medical tighting. membrane switch lighting, and
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`sporting goods and apparel lighting or the like. Also the panel assemblies may
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`20
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`be made such that the panel members and deformities are transparent without a
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`back reflector. This allows the panel assemblies to be used for example to front
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`light an LCD or other display such that the display is viewed through the
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`transparent panel members.
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`Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to
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`25
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`certain preferred embodiments. it is obvious that equivalent alterations and
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`modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and
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`understanding of the specification. The present invention includes all such
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`equivalent alterations and modifications. and is limited only by the scope of the
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`claims.
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`QOQOOI.iiiiiliiiiiiiiiiiii
` GLOLPOlOfiUSAB
`
`iiiii
`
`UTILITY
`
`PATENT APPLICATION
`TRANSMI'I'I'AL
`
`Attorney Docket No.
`
`First inventor
`
`Jeffery R. Parker
`
`Title
`
`LIGHT EMITTING PANEL .
`
`.
`
`.
`
`worsens {09-01}
`Approved for use Ilu'Dugh orratrzoos. 0MB asst-0032
`us. Patent and Trademark Ofiioe. we. DEPARTMENT or: COMMERCE
`- wired to res- - rid to e Deflection ofinforrnation nless It dis - Ia - a who DHB oonool number.
`
`{Only for new nonprovisionat applications under 3? CFR 1.53M}
`
`APPLICATION ELEMENTS
`Sea MFEP chapter 500 concerning u'tri'ity patent apptbeuon contents.
`
`Express Mail Label No. “5 71713 53405
`Commlssloner for Patents
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria VA 22313-1450
`
`ADDRESS T0:
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`1.
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`2. I:
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`4.
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`I.
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`
`Fee Transmittal Form [e.g.. Prorserm
`(Submli an original and a duplitata for lee procesthg)
`Applicant claims small entity stable.
`See 37 CFR 1.27.
`la
`[TotaiPogae
`3.. Specification
`30111 the claims and abstract must start on a new page
`(For Milo-t on tire grater-rad meant. no MPEF 608mm]
`Drawingtsl