`(12) United States Patent
`Parker et al.
`Parker et al.
`
`US006886956B2
`US006886956B2
`US 6,886,956 B2
`US 6,886,956 B2
`May 3,2005
`*May 3, 2005
`*
`
`(io) Patent No.:
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) LIGHT EMITTING PANEL
`ASSEMBLIES
`(54) LIGHT EMITTING PANEL ASSEMBLIES
`FOR USE IN AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS
`FOR USE IN AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS
`
`AND THE T
`IKE
`AND THE LIKE
`
`(56)
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Inventors: Jeffery R. Parker, Richfield, OH (US);
`(75)
`(75) Inventors: Je?'ery R. Parker, Rich?eld, OH (US);
`Mark D. Miller, Parma, OH (US);
`Mark D. Miller, Parma, OH (US);
`Thomas A. Hough, Lakewood, OH
`Thomas A. Hough, Lakewood, OH
`(US)
`(Us)
`(73) Assignee: Solid State Opto Limited (VG)
`(73) Assignee: Solid State Opto Limited (VG)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`* N '
`ot1ce:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer,
`the
`
`term this
`s bj
`yd' 1 '
`h
`r h'
`u ect to an 1sc a1mer, t e term 0 t is
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis
`claimer.
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/298,367
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/298,367
`Nov. 18, 2002
`(22) Filed:
`(22) Filed:
`Nov. 18, 2002
`Prior Publication Data
`(65)
`(65)
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2003/0095398
`Al May 22, 2003
`US 2003/0095398 A1 May 22, 2003
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Related US. Application Data
`
`2,945,313 A
`2,945,313 A
`3,043,947 A
`3,043,947 A
`3,070,913 A
`3,070,913 A
`
`7/1960 Hardesty
`7/1960 Hardesty
`7/1962 Albinger, Jr.
`7/1962 Albinger, Jr.
`1/1963 Miller
`1/1963 Miller
`
`(Continued)
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`12/1991
`A-78486/91
`12/1991
`A-78486/91
`10/1991
`0 453 092 Al
`0 453 092 A1 10/1991
`523706
`3/1939
`523706
`3/1939
`7/1995
`2285518 A
`2285518 A
`7/1995
`4/1992
`WO 92/05535
`WO 92/05535
`4/1992
`WO 96/17207
`6/1996
`WO 96/17207
`6/1996
`WO 96/27757
`9/1996
`WO 96/27757
`9/1996
`
`of
`AU
`AU
`EP
`EP
`GB
`GB
`GB
`GB
`WO
`W0
`WO
`W0
`wo
`W0
`
`Primary Examiner—Fayez G. Assaf
`Primary Examiner—FayeZ G. Assaf
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Renner, Otto, Boisselle &
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Renner, Otto, Boisselle &
`Sklar, LLP
`Sklar, LLP
`
`(57)
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`ABSTRACT
`
`Light emitting panel assemblies include
`in
`
`one form of the
`Light emitting panel assemblies include in one form of the
`(60) Continuation of application No.
`10/005,090, filed on Dec.
`5,
`(60) Continuation of application No. 10/005,090, ?led on Dec. 5,
`invention a light emitting panel member made of a trans
`invention a light emitting panel member made of a trans
`2001, now Pat. No. 6,508,563, which is a continuation of
`2001, now Pat. No. 6,508,563, which is a continuation of
`parent resiliently deformable elastomeric material that
`parent resiliently deformable elastomeric material that
`application No. 09/703,088, filed on Oct.
`31,
`2000,
`now
`Pat.
`application No. 09/703,088, ?led on Oct. 31, 2000, now Pat.
`absorbs impact without breakage for use in automotive
`absorbs impact without breakage for use in automotive
`No. 6,367,940, which is a continuation of application No.
`No. 6,367,940, which is a continuation of application No.
`lighting applications of various
`types. In another form
`09/167,949, filed on Oct. 7, 1998, now Pat. No. 6,158,867,
`lighting applications of various types. In another form of the
`09/167,949, ?led on Oct. 7, 1998, now Pat. No. 6,158,867,
`which is a division of application No. 08/585,062, filed on
`invention, a rigid light emitting panel member may be used
`which is a division of application No. 08/585,062, ?led on
`invention, a rigid light emitting panel member may be used
`Jan. 16, 1996, now Pat. No. 5,895,115.
`Jan. 16, 1996, now Pat. No. 5,895,115.
`with dome switches for switch area lighting or to backlight
`with dome switches for switch area lighting or to backlight
`control buttons/key pads. Also, a rigid light emitting panel
`G01D 11/28
`control buttons/key pads. Also, a rigid light emitting panel
`(51) Int. CI.7
`(51) Int. Cl.7 .............................................. .. G01D 11/28
`member may be used as a structural member, and two or
`. 362/29; 362/85; 362/26;
`(52) U.S. CI.
`member may be used as a structural member, and two or
`(52) US. Cl. ........................... .. 362/29; 362/85; 362/26;
`more such light emitting panel members may be stacked
`more such light emitting panel members may be stacked
`362/30; 362/487; 362/543
`362/30; 362/487; 362/543
`together and used to light an instrument panel or the like.
`together and used to light an instrument panel or the like.
`362/278, 503,
`(58) Field of Search
`(58) Field of Search ............................... .. 362/278, 503,
`362/540, 85, 511, 543, 545, 487, 459, 26,
`362/540, 85, 511, 543, 545, 487, 459, 26,
`27, 29, 30; 40/556
`27, 29, 30, 40/556
`
`33 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`33 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`of
`
`the
`
`10
`
`27
`
`/ (
`9, 3P 26
`
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`
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`
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`
`BMW Exhibit 1001
`
`Page 1 of 14
`
`
`
`US 6,886,956 B2
`US 6,886,956 B2
`Page 2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,328,570 A
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`7
`7
`/
`C “met on‘
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`-
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`4,177,501 A 12/1979 Karlrn
`1/1980 Laesser
`4,183,628 A
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`-
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`-
`-
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`.
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`.
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`4.714.983 A
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`4,729,185 A
`3/1988 Baba
`-
`362/503
`4,733,335 A *
`3/1988 Serizawa et al. ..
`4,733,335 A
`3/1988 SerrZaWa et a1. ......... .. 362/503
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`4,751,615 A
`4,751,615 A
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`.
`4.763.984 A
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`4,763,984 A
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`4,765,701 A
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`4,906,070 A
`3/1990 Cobb, Jr.
`4,974,122 A
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`4,975,808 A
`12/1990 Bond et al.
`4,975,808 A 12/1990 Bond et a1.
`-
`4,978,952 A
`12/1990 Irwin
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`4,989,956 A
`4,989,956 A
`2/1991 Wu et a1.
`.
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`4/1991 Prrstash et al.
`.
`6/1991 Schoniger et al.
`5,027,258 A
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`6/1991 Schonrger et a1.
`10/1991 Cobb, Jr.
`5,056,892 A
`5,056,892 A 10/1991 Cobb, Jr.
`-
`5,070,431 A
`12/1991 Kitazawa et al.
`5,070,431 A 12/1991 KltaZaWa et a1.
`.
`3/1992 Kashima et al.
`5,093,765 A
`5,093,765 A
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`7/1992 Kenmochi
`5,128,842 A
`5,128,842 A
`7/1992 Kenmochi
`5,134,549 A
`7/1992 Yokoyama
`5,134,549 A
`7/1992 Yokoyama
`5,136,483 A
`8/1992 Schoniger et al.
`5,136,483 A
`8/1992 Schoniger et a1.
`
`5/1993 Murase et al.
`5,207,493 A
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`11/1993 Kashima et al.
`5.262.928 A
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`2/1994 Murase et al.
`5,283,673 A
`5,283,673 A
`2/1994 Murase et al.
`4/1994 Winston et al.
`5,303,322 A
`5,303,322 A
`4/1994 Winston et a1.
`4/1994 Gaudette
`5,307,244 A
`5,307,244 A
`4/1994 Gaudette
`.
`.
`8/1994 Rudisill et al.
`5,339,179 A
`5,339,179 A
`8/1994 Rudrsrll et a1.
`9/1994 Blonder et al.
`5,349,503 A
`5,349,503 A
`9/1994 Blonder et a1.
`12/1994 Tokunaga
`5,375,043 A
`5,375,043 A 12/1994 Tokunaga
`,,
`12/1994 Kojima et al.
`5.377.084 A
`5,377,084 A 12/1994 Ko]1ma et a1.
`_
`2/1995 Mari-Roca et al.
`5.390.085 A
`5,390,085 A
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`5,394,308 A
`2/1995 Watanabe et a1.
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`5,396,350 A
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`3/1995 Beeson et a1.
`.
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`5,442,523 A
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`5,467,208 A
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`5,467,417 A 11/1995 Nakamura et al.
`_
`1/1996 Qiao et al.
`5,485,291 A
`5,485,291 A
`1/1996 Qrao et a1.
`_
`4/1996 Tai et al.
`5.506.929 A
`5,506,929 A
`4/1996 Tar et a1.
`5/1996 Barley et al.
`5,521,342 A
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`11/1996 Schatz
`5,576,078 A
`5,576,078 A 11/1996 Schatz
`11/1996 Lengyel
`5,579,134 A
`5,579,134 A 11/1996 Lengyel
`.
`.
`1/1997 Nishio et al.
`5.598.280 A
`5,598,280 A
`1/1997 Nrshro et a1.
`.
`1/1997 Zimmerman et al.
`5.598.281 A
`5,598,281 A
`1/1997 Zrmmerman et al.
`.
`2/1997 Suzuki et al.
`5,600,462 A
`5,600,462 A
`2/1997 Suzukr et a1.
`362/31
`3/1997 Parker et al
`5,613,751 A *
`5,613,751 A * 3/1997 Parker et a1. ............... .. 362/31
`.
`4/1997 Kashima et al.
`5,618,095 A
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`5,664,862 A
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`.
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`5,671,994 A
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`5,711,592 A
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`5,771,328 A
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`.
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`.
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`_
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`.
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`_
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`70000 G d.
`6 091 547 A
`t
`1
`6,091,547 A
`7
`7
`at 1n“ e a‘
`
`* cited by examiner
`* cited by examiner
`
`Page 2 of 14
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 3, 2005
`May 3,2005
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`Sheet 1 0f 5
`
`US 6,886,956 B2
`US 6,886,956 B2
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`Page 3 of 14
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`
`
`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 3,2005
`May 3,2005
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`Sheet 2 0f 5
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`US 6,886,956 B2
`US 6,886,956 B2
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`Page 4 of 14
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`
`
`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 3, 2005
`May 3,2005
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`Sheet 3 0f 5
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`US 6,886,956 B2
`US 6,886,956 B2
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`Page 5 of 14
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`
`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`May 3, 2005
`May 3,2005
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`Sheet 4 0f 5
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`US 6,886,956 B2
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`Page 6 of 14
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 3, 2005
`May 3, 2005
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`Sheet 5 0f 5
`
`US 6,886,956 B2
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`
`117'
`127
`
`9\
`,0N A
`
`I y9
`
`D
`"
`^124
`
`125
`
`127
`
`FIG. 22
`
`Page 7 of 14
`
`
`
`US 6,886,956 B2
`US 6,886,956 B2
`
`1
`1
`LIGHT EMITTING PANEL ASSEMBLIES
`LIGHT EMITTING PANEL ASSEMBLIES
`FOR USE IN AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS
`FOR USE IN AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS
`AND THE LIKE
`AND THE LIKE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE
`TO RELATED
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`APPLICATIONS
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates generally as indicated to light
`This invention relates generally as indicated to light
`emitting panel assemblies especially for automotive appli
`emitting panel assemblies
`especially for automotive appli
`cations.
`cations.
`
`10
`10
`
`45
`
`2
`2
`in the bumper or other exterior body portions of a vehicle.
`in the bumper or other exterior body portions of a vehicle.
`The light emitting panel member may also be incorporated
`The light emitting panel member may also be incorporated
`into a trunk lid of a vehicle
`to
`
`provide running
`lights
`and/or
`into a trunk lid of a vehicle to provide running lights and/or
`license plate or logo illumination
`in the trunk lid. In appli-
`license plate or logo illumination in the trunk lid. In appli
`5 cations where the trunk lid is recessed, the panel member
`cations Where the trunk lid is recessed, the panel member
`may be rigid. However, if the trunk
`lid is substantially
`flush
`may be rigid. HoWever, if the trunk lid is substantially ?ush
`with the body exterior, the panel member is desirably
`With the body exterior, the panel member is desirably
`Ser.
`This application
`
`
`a is continuation of Application
`No.
`This application is a continuation of Application Ser. No.
`resiliently deformable
`to
`withstand
`impacts
`resiliently deformable to Withstand impacts during accidents
`No.
`6,508,563
`10/005,090, filed Dec. 5, 2001
`now
`U.S.
`Pat.
`10/005,090, ?led Dec. 5, 2001 now US. Pat. No. 6,508,563
`without breakage of the panel member.
`Without breakage of the panel member.
`B2, which
`
`is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/703,
`B2, Which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/703,
`In accordance with
`another
`aspect
`of
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, one or
`No.
`6,367,940,
`dated
`088, filed Oct. 31, 2000,
`now
`U.S.
`Pat.
`088, ?led Oct. 31, 2000, now US. Pat. No. 6,367,940, dated
`more light
`sources may
`be
`
`mounted or more
`light
`more light sources may be mounted Within one or more light
`of
`application
`Ser.
`Apr. 9, 2002, which
`is
`a
`continuation
`Apr. 9, 2002, Which is a continuation of application Ser. No.
`transition areas or regions adjacent one or more light input
`transition areas or regions adjacent one or more light input
`09/167,949, filed Oct. 7,1998,
`now
`
`U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,867,
`09/167,949, ?led Oct. 7, 1998, now US. Pat. No. 6,158,867,
`surfaces of a light emitting panel member.
`surfaces of a light emitting panel member.
`dated Dec.
`12,
`
`2000, is a division of application Ser. which
`
`dated Dec. 12, 2000, Which is a division of application Ser.
`In accordance with
`another
`aspect
`of
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, one or
`No. 08/585,062, filed Jan. 16, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No.
`No. 08/585,062, ?led Jan. 16, 1996, now US. Pat. No.
`15
`15 more light sources may be positioned adjacent one side of
`more light sources may be positioned adjacent one side of
`
`5,895,115, dated Apr. 20, 1999.
`5,895,115, dated Apr. 20, 1999.
`the panel member for causing light to shine through the
`the panel member for causing light to shine through the
`panel member or through holes in the panel member for
`panel member or through holes in the panel member for
`performing speci?ed lighting functions, for example, pro
`performing specified lighting functions, for example, pro
`viding brake or turn signal lights and/or turning or backup
`viding brake or turn signal lights and/or turning or backup
`20
`20 illumination
`for a vehicle.
`illumination for a vehicle.
`In accordance with
`another
`aspect
`of
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, one or
`more light sources may be selectively positioned along an
`more light sources may be selectively positioned along an
`BACKGROUND
`OF THE INVENTION
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`edge or side of the panel member for increasing the light
`edge or side of the panel member for increasing the light
`The
`Light emitting
`panel
`
`assemblies are generally
`known.
`Light emitting panel assemblies are generally knoWn. The
`output from selected light output areas/regions on one or
`output from selected light output areas/regions on one or
`present invention relates to certain improvements in light 25
`present invention relates to certain improvements in light
`25
`both sides of the panel member.
`both sides of the panel member.
`emitting panel assemblies especially for automotive appli
`emitting panel assemblies
`especially for automotive appli
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, a
`cations. Also, this invention is concerned with passing/
`cations. Also, this invention is concerned With passing/
`resiliently deformable light emitting panel member may be
`resiliently deformable light emitting panel member may be
`shining light directly through a light emitting panel member
`emitting
`panel
`shining
`light directly
`through
`a
`
`light member
`used to backlight a liquid crystal display (LCD) and/or
`used to backlight a liquid crystal display (LCD) and/or
`or through holes
`
`in the panel member for performing
`speci
`or through holes in the panel member for performing speci
`multiple control switches or key pads of a radio or other
`multiple control sWitches or key pads of a radio or other
`fied lighting
`functions,
`for
`example,
`providing
`brake
`or
`turn
`?ed lighting functions, for example, providing brake or turn
`30
`30
`electrical device.
`Such
`a
`panel
`member
`electrical device. Such a panel member upon being engaged
`signal lights and/or turning or backup illumination for a
`signal lights and/or turning or backup illumination for a
`by a control button/key pad
`
`will deformed be
`
`into
`electrical
`by a control button/key pad Will be deformed into electrical
`vehicle.
`vehicle.
`contact with a switch or other circuitry such as a printed
`contact With a sWitch or other circuitry such as a printed
`circuit inwardly of the panel member for performing a
`circuit inWardly of the panel member for performing a
`SUMMARY OF
`
`THE INVENTION
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`selected switching function.
`selected sWitching function.
`35
`In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the light 35
`In accordance With one aspect of the invention, the light
`In accordance with
`another
`aspect
`of
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, a rigid
`emitting panel assemblies of the present invention may
`emitting panel assemblies of the present invention may
`light emitting panel member may be used to backlight an
`light emitting panel member may be used to backlight an
`made
`out
`of
`a
`include a
`light
`emitting
`panel
`member
`include a light emitting panel member made out of a suitable
`LCD and/or multiple control buttons/key
`
`pads of a radio or
`LCD and/or multiple control buttons/key pads of a radio or
`transparent resiliently deformable elastomeric material that
`transparent resiliently deformable elastomeric material that
`other electrical device by providing holes or openings
`other electrical device by providing holes or openings
`absorbs impact without breakage. Such
`panel members are
`absorbs impact Without breakage. Such panel members are
`through
`the
`
`
`of panel member for movement a portion of the
`through the panel member for movement of a portion of the
`40
`especially
`suitable
`
`
`
`for both in use interior automotive
`light- 40
`especially suitable for use both in interior automotive light
`control buttons/key pads into and out of electrical contact
`control buttons/key pads into and out of electrical contact
`to
`ing applications
`to
`reduce
`
`
`
`the of serious possibility injury
`ing applications to reduce the possibility of serious injury to
`with a printed
`circuit
`inwardly
`of
`the
`With a printed circuit inWardly of the panel member. Surface
`a driver or passenger of a vehicle when thrown into
`contact
`a driver or passenger of a vehicle When throWn into contact
`irregularities such
`as
`patterns
`or
`irregularities such as print patterns or molded in shapes may
`with the panel member during a traffic accident, and in
`With the panel member during a traf?c accident, and in
`be provided on the
`panel
`surfaces
`around
`be provided on the panel surfaces around the holes/openings
`light. with
`exterior automotive lighting applications to help eliminate
`exterior automotive lighting applications to help eliminate
`to flood
`the areas
`
`around the
`buttons/key pads
`
`to ?ood the areas around the buttons/key pads With light.
`damage to the panel member if impacted during a traffic
`damage to the panel member if impacted during a traf?c
`In accordance with
`another
`aspect
`of
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, a rigid
`accident.
`accident.
`light emitting panel member may be used with dome and
`light emitting panel member may be used With dome and
`deformable
`Examples where
`such
`a
`
`resiliently light emit
`Examples Where such a resiliently deformable light emit
`other such switches
`for switch area lighting. One or more
`other such sWitches for sWitch area lighting. One or more
`ting panel member may be effectively used in interior
`ting panel member may be effectively used in interior
`such rigid light emitting panel members each with its own
`such rigid light emitting panel members each With its oWn
`automotive lighting applications to reduce injury during
`light source and transition region may support a
`automotive lighting applications to reduce injury during 50 separate
`separate light source and transition region may support a
`accidents are steering wheel and dash lighting applications
`accidents are steering Wheel and dash lighting applications
`series of push buttons that float on the panel members to
`series of push buttons that ?oat on the panel members to
`for lighting controls,
`switches,
`instrument
`panels,
`headliner
`for lighting controls, sWitches, instrument panels, headliner
`permit the push buttons to be moved into contact with the
`permit the push buttons to be moved into contact With the
`lighting, logos and/or accent lighting.
`lighting,
`logos and/or accent lighting.
`dome switches.
`dome sWitches.
`In steering wheel applications, a resiliently deformable
`In steering Wheel applications, a resiliently deformable
`In accordance with
`another
`aspect
`of
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, tWo or
`light emitting panel member may be mounted in the hub
`light emitting panel member may be mounted in the hub 55 more stacked light emitting
`panel members may
`
`be used to
`more stacked light emitting panel members may be used to
`55
`portion of the steering Wheel outWardly of an air bag for
`portion of the steering wheel outwardly of an air bag for
`light an instrument panel or the like. One of the panel
`light an instrument panel or the like. One of the panel
`lighting controls and/or sWitches or logos on the steering
`lighting controls and/or switches or logos on the steering
`members may be used to provide general backlighting for
`members may be used to provide general backlighting for
`Wheel hub and for accent lighting.
`wheel hub and for accent lighting.
`graphic displays
`
`on the instrument panel, whereas an other
`graphic displays on the instrument panel, Whereas an other
`When used on a dash or other flush mount applications
`panel member may be used to light dial pointers or other
`panel member may be used to light dial pointers or other
`When used on a dash or other ?ush mount applications
`such as instrument panels and headliner lighting, a resil- 60 elements on the
`instrument
`panel.
`Common
`such as instrument panels and headliner lighting, a resil
`elements on the instrument panel. Common or separate light
`60
`iently deformable panel member will absorb impact/shock,
`iently deformable panel member Will absorb impact/shock,
`sources may be
`used
`to
`supply to input surfaces
`
`
`light of
`sources may be used to supply light to input surfaces of tWo
`and may be
`contoured
`to
`
`
`match shape of the
`
`
`the dash or other
`or more panel members.
`Also,
`separate
`and may be contoured to match the shape of the dash or other
`or more panel members. Also, separate indicator lights may
`surface.
`be provided behind the panel members for providing
`be provided behind the panel members for providing
`surface.
`through
`illumination
`to
`indicators
`on
`through illumination to indicators on the graphic displays of
`Examples where such a resiliently deformable panel
`Examples Where such a resiliently deformable panel
`the instrument panel.
`member may be effectively used in exterior automotive 65 the instrument panel,
`member may be effectively used in exterior automotive
`65
`lighting applications
`to reduce or eliminate damage to the
`In accordance with
`another
`aspect
`of
`lighting applications to reduce or eliminate damage to the
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, a rigid
`panel member
`during accidents are
`
`running or accent lights
`light emitting panel member may be used as a structural
`panel member during accidents are running or accent lights
`light emitting panel member may be used as a structural
`
`during
`
`the
`within
`
`No.
`
`invention,
`
`the
`
`invention,
`
`the
`
`invention,
`
`upon
`
`the
`
`invention,
`
`suitable
`
`panel
`molded
`the
`
`the
`
`invention,
`
`the
`
`invention,
`
`or
`
`indicator
`
`two
`
`the
`
`graphic
`
`the
`
`invention,
`
`Petitioners Koito et al. - Exhibit 1001 - Page 8
`
`Page 8 of 14
`
`
`
`US 6,886,956 B2
`US 6,886,956 B2
`
`20
`
`35
`
`4
`3
`3
`4
`pads either molded
`a series of key
`
`into
`the
`contoured
`member for graphic overlays or decals, to provide for
`member for graphic overlays or decals, to provide for
`a series of key pads either molded into the contoured surface
`example lighting for designating the gear shift lever posi
`or extending through openings therein;
`example lighting
`for designating the gear shift lever posi
`or eXtending through openings therein;
`tions of a vehicle. One or more light sources may be
`tions of a vehicle. One or more light sources may be
`FIG. 9
`is a
`schematic
`side
`elevation
`FIG. 9 is a schematic side elevation vieW of another form
`inserted/embedded within light transition regions at one or
`inserted/embedded Within light transition regions at one or
`of light emitting panel assembly in accordance With this
`of light emitting panel assembly in accordance with this
`more locations along the length of the panel member to 5
`more locations along the length of the panel member to
`invention used for supporting and illuminating a series of
`invention used for supporting and illuminating a series of
`direct light into input surfaces of the panel member. Indi
`direct light into input surfaces of the panel member. Indi
`floating push buttons above a series of dome switches;
`?oating push buttons above a series of dome sWitches;
`
`
`be cator lights may provided adjacent
`
`
`an edge or side of the
`cator lights may be provided adjacent an edge or side of the
`FIG. 10 is a transverse
`section through the assembly of
`FIG. 10 is a transverse section through the assembly of
`panel member in line with each indicator position for
`panel member in line With each indicator position for
`FIG. 9 taken on the plane of the line 10—10
`thereof;
`FIG. 9 taken on the plane of the line 10—10 thereof;
`providing increased light output at the selected position.
`providing increased light output at the selected position.
`FIG. 11 is a top plan view of another form of light
`FIG. 11 is a top plan vieW of another form of light
`Also, a movable color filter may be provided between the 10
`Also, a movable color ?lter may be provided betWeen the
`10
`emitting panel assembly in accordance With this invention
`emitting panel assembly in accordance with this invention
`panel member and label to provide a different colored
`light
`panel member and label to provide a different colored light
`which is also used to support and illuminate a series of
`Which is also used to support and illuminate a series of
`output at any selected gear shift position. For example, a
`output at any selected gear shift position. For example, a
`?oating push buttons;
`floating push buttons;
`movable red filter may be used to change the color of the
`movable red ?lter may be used to change the color of the
`FIG. 12
`is a
`schematic
`
`vertical through an instru-section
`
`FIG. 12 is a schematic vertical section through an instru
`light output at the selected gear shift lever position from
`light output at the selected gear shift lever position from
`ment panel incorporating other forms of light emitting panel
`other
`forms
`of
`15 ment panel incorporating
`white to red.
`White to red.
`15
`assemblies
`in accordance with this invention;
`assemblies in accordance With this invention;
`In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
`In accordance With another aspect of the invention, the
`FIG. 13
`is a top plan view of a graphic overlay for the
`FIG. 13 is a top plan vieW of a graphic overlay for the
`light emitting panel member may have a secondary
`light emitting panel member may have a secondary
`instrument panel of FIG. 12 as seen from the plane of the
`instrument panel of FIG. 12 as seen from the plane of the
`reflective/refractive surface for reflecting/refracting a por
`re?ective/refractive surface for re?ecting/refracting a por
`line 13—13
`thereof;
`line 13—13 thereof;
`tion of the light entering an input surface of the panel
`tion of the light entering an input surface of the panel
`FIG. 14 is a top plan view of one light emitting panel
`FIG. 14 is a top plan vieW of one light emitting panel
`member around a corner of the panel member.
`member around a corner of the panel member.
`assembly
`in accordance with this invention
`
`incorporated in
`assembly in accordance With this invention incorporated in
`ends,
`To the accomplishment
`
`of the foregoing
`and
`related
`To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends,
`the instrument
`panel
`
`
`FIG. of 12 as seen from the plane
`of
`the instrument panel of FIG. 12 as seen from the plane of the
`the invention, then, comprises
`the
`
`features hereinafter
`fully
`the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully
`line 14—14 thereof;
`line 14—14 thereof;
`described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the
`described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the
`FIG. 15 is a top plan view of another form of light
`FIG. 15 is a top plan vieW of another form of light
`folloWing description and the annexed draWings setting forth
`drawings
`following description
`and
`the
`
`annexed setting forth
`emitting panel assembly in accordance With this invention
`25
`in detail certain illustrative
`embodiments of the invention, 25 emitting panel assembly in accordance with this invention
`in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention,
`incorporated
`in
`the
`instrument
`
`panel seen from of
`incorporated in the instrument panel of FIG. 12 as seen from
`these being
`indicative,
`
`
`
`the however, of but several of various
`these being indicative, hoWever, of but several of the va