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`only available from the USPTO in electronic form. 
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`been removed if you requested your order with “no references”. Please 
`contact Reed Tech with any questions about your order. 
`
`LGE_000025
`
`LG Electronics Ex. 1002
`
`

`
`(12) United States Patent
`Parker et al.
`
`(10) Patent NO.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,434,973 B2
`*Oct. 14,2008
`
`LIGHT EMITTING PANEL ASSEMBLIES
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`Inventors: Jeffery R. Parker, Strongsville, OH
`(US); Gregory A. Coghlan, Olmsted
`Falls, OH (US); Robert M. Ezell,
`Copley, OH (US)
`
`Assignee: Solid State Opto Limited (VG)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`Appl. No.: 111673,302
`
`Filed:
`
`Feb. 9,2007
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,043,947 A
`3,070,913 A
`3,328,570 A
`3,543,014 A
`3,571,585 A
`3,752,974 A
`3,761,703 A
`3,892,959 A
`3,958,113 A
`4,043,636 A
`4,118,111 A
`4,177,501 A
`4,183,628 A
`4,257,084 A
`
`711962 Albinger, Jr.
`111963 Miller
`611967 Balchunas
`1111970 Bustad
`311971 Schermerhorn
`811973 Baker et al.
`911973 Mund et al.
`711975 Pulles
`511976 Termohlen
`811977 Eberhardt et a1
`1011978 Laesser
`1211979 Karlin
`111980 Laesser
`311981 Reynolds
`
`(Continued)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 200710147087 A1
`Jun. 28,2007
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`Continuation of application No. 101619,815, filed on
`Jul. 15, 2003, now Pat. No. 7,195,389, which is a
`continuation of application No. 091256,275, filed on
`Feb. 23, 1999, now Pat. No. 6,712,481, which is a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 081778,089,
`filed on Jan. 2, 1997, now Pat. No. 6,079,838, which is
`a division of application No. 081495,176, filed on Jun.
`27, 1995, now Pat. No. 5,613,751.
`Int. C1.
`F2l V 7/00
`(2006.01)
`U.S. C1. ....................... 3621606; 3621613; 3621618;
`3621619
`Field of Classification Search ................. 3621800,
`3621606-610,612-613,617-620,615,623-629;
`349165, 63, 62
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`Primary Examiner-Sandra O'Shea
`Assistant Examiner-Bao Q Truong
`(74) Attornq, Agent, or Firm-Renner, Otto, Boisselle &
`Sklar, LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Light emitting panel assemblies include a light emitting panel
`member having at least one light source optically coupled to
`a portion of an input edge of the panel member. A plurality of
`individual light extracting deformities on or in at least one
`panel surface of the panel member are of well defined shape
`and have a length and width substantially smaller than the
`length and width of the panel surface. At least some of the
`deformities have at least one surface that is angled at different
`orientations relative to the input edge depending on the loca-
`tion of the deformities on the panel surface to face a portion of
`the input edge to which a light source is optically coupled.
`
`14 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets
`
`LGE_000026
`
`

`
`US 7,434,973 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,282,560 A
`4,290,093 A
`4,446,508 A
`4,460,940 A *
`
`811981 Kringel et al.
`911981 Thompson et al.
`511984 Kinzie
`7/1984 Mori ..................
`911985 Whitehead
`311986 Bournay, Jr. et al.
`1211986 Abdala, Jr. et al.
`12/1987 Lang
`311988 Baba
`611988 Abrams
`811988 Awai et al.
`8/1988 Cheslak
`311990 Cobb, Jr.
`1111990 Shaw
`1211990 Bond et al.
`12/1990 Irwin
`411991 Pristash et al.
`611991 Schoniger et al.
`1011991 Cobb, Jr.
`12/199 1 Kitazawa et al.
`311992 Kashima et al.
`711992 Yokoyama
`811992 Schoniger et al.
`1/1993 Murase et al.
`511993 Murase et al.
`1111993 Kashima et al.
`211994 Murase et al.
`4/1994 Winston et al.
`411994 Gaudette
`811994 Rudisill et al.
`911994 Blonder et al.
`5,375,043 A * 12/1994 Tokunaga ...........
`1211994 Kojima et al.
`5,377,084 A
`211995 Mari-Roca et al.
`5,390,085 A
`211995 Watanabe et al.
`5,394,308 A
`3/1995 Beeson et al. ....... .......... 349/62
`5.396.350 A *
`5,442,523A
`811995 Kashimaetal.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`1111995 Kokawa et al.
`11/1995 Nakamura et al.
`111996 Qiao et al.
`411996 Tai et al.
`511996 Barley et al.
`11/1996 Schatz
`1111996 Lengyel
`111997 Simms
`111997 Zimmerman et al.
`2/ 1997 Suzuki et al.
`411997 Kashima et al.
`711997 Matsumoto
`911997 Redmond et al.
`9/1997 Taietal.
`111998 Hotta
`..................
`211998 Shono et al.
`349165
`611998 Wortman et al.
`711998 Yoshikawa et al.
`711998 Saito et al.
`711998 Ishikawa et al.
`911998 Ando et al.
`1211998 Ohara et al.
`411999 Saito
`611999 O'Neill et al.
`711999 Cobb, Jr. et al.
`811999 Akahane et al.
`1011999 Hira et al.
`1011999 Ishikawa et al.
`112000 Miyashita et al.
`3i2000 Iimura
`712000 Gardiner et al.
`912000 Mimura et al.
`1012000 Jannson et al.
`11/2000 Kim
`112001 Koike et al.
`312007 Parker et al.
`
`................
`
`3621606
`
`LGE_000027
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`O C ~ . 14,2008
`
`Sheet 1 of 14
`
`LGE_000028
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`act. 14,2008
`
`Sheet 2 of 14
`
`FIG. 7
`
`LGE_000029
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`O C ~ . 14,2008
`
`Sheet 3 of 14
`
`[" 52
`
`<53
`0
`
`I
`
`FIG
`
`\
`/
`52
`
`53
`
`FIG. I0
`
`LGE_000030
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`O C ~ . 14,2008
`
`Sheet 4 of 14
`
`US 7,434,973 B2
`
`73
`
`1
`7 1
`
`f 0 72
`
`77
`
`FIG. 13
`
`94
`
`95
`
`FIG. 15
`
`LGE_000031
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`O C ~ . 14,2008
`
`Sheet 5 of 14
`
`US 7,434,973 B2
`
`FIG, 16
`
`FIG, 17
`
`FIG. 19
`
`FIG. 21
`
`LGE_000032
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`O C ~ . 14,2008
`
`Sheet 6 of 14
`
`FIG. 22
`
`FIG. 23
`
`LGE_000033
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`O C ~ . 14,2008
`
`Sheet 7 of 14
`
`FIG, 26
`
`LGE_000034
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`O C ~ . 14,2008
`
`Sheet 8 of 14
`
`IG. 31
`
`LGE_000035
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`O C ~ . 14,2008
`
`Sheet 9 of 14
`
`US 7,434,973 B2
`
`FIG, 34
`
`LGE_000036
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`

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`US7,434,973B2
`
`Vl-v-1
`9-.
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`id
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`.:
`m
`
`OC
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`0c
`
`
`
`Oct.14,2008
`
`
`
`U.S.Patent
`
`LGE_000037
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`act. 14,2008
`
`Sheet 11 of 14
`
`LGE_000038
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`act. 14,2008
`
`Sheet 12 of 14
`
`US 7,434,973 B2
`
`LGE_000039
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`O C ~ . 14,2008
`
`Sheet 13 of 14
`
`US 7,434,973 B2
`
`LGE_000040
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`act. 14,2008
`
`Sheet 14 of 14
`
`LGE_000041
`
`

`
`1
`LIGHT EMITTING PANEL ASSEMBLIES
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica-
`tionSer.No. 101619,815, filed Jul. 15,2003 n0wU.S. Pat.No.
`7,195,389, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 091256,275, filed Feb. 23, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No.
`6,712,481, dated Mar. 30, 2004, which is a continuation-in-
`part 0fU.S. patent application Ser. No. 081778,089, filed Jan.
`2, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,838, dated Jun. 27, 2000,
`which is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 081495,
`176, filed Jun. 27, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,751, dated
`Mar. 25. 1997.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates generally, as indicated, to light emit-
`ting panel assemblies.
`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 more efficient utilization of light to suit a particular
`application.
`
`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 pattern of individual light extracting defor-
`mities of well defined 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 reflective or refrac-
`tive surface of a predetermined slope for more precisely con-
`trolling 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 reflective
`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.
`
`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 distribution
`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 orienta-
`tion 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 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 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 fol-
`lowing description and the-exed
`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 accor-
`dance 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, c 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 5-5 thereof;
`FIG. 6 is a schematic aersaective 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 invention;
`. .
`FIG. 8 is a schematic versvective 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 invention;
`FIG. 10 is a schematic top planview of still another form of
`light emitting panel assembly in accordance with this inven-
`tion;
`FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the light emitting panel
`assembly of FIG. 10;
`
`L
`
`L
`
`LGE_000042
`
`

`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`ing surfaces ofthe deformities at different locations across the
`FIG. l l a is a fragmentary side elevation view showing a
`width of the panel surface oriented to face the different por-
`tapered or rounded end on the panel member in place of the
`tions of the width of the input edge to which the different light
`prismatic surface shown in FIGS. 10 and 11;
`sources are optically coupled and the deformities in close
`FIG. 12 is a schematic top plan view of another form of
`light emitting panel assembly in accordance with this inven- 5 proximity to the input edge increasing in density, size and
`tion;
`depth or height as the distance of the deformities from the
`FIG. 13 is a schematic side elevation view of the light
`respective light sources increases across the width of the
`emitting panel assembly of FIG. 12;
`panel surface.
`FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematic perspective views of still
`FIGS. 41 and 42 are enlarged perspective views schemati-
`other forms of light emitting panel assemblies in accordance l o cally showing how exemplary light rays emitted from a
`with this invention;
`focused light source are reflected or refracted by different
`FIGS. 16 and 17 are enlarged schematic fragmentary plan
`individual light extracting deformities of well defined shapes
`views of a surface area of a light panel assembly showing still
`in accordance with this invention;
`other forms of light extracting deformities in accordance with
`FIG. 43 is a schematic perspective view showing a light
`this invention formed on or in a surface of the panel member; 1s emitting panel assembly similar to FIG. 42 placed on a front
`FIGS. 18 and 19 are enlarged longitudinal sections through
`face of a display to provide front lighting for the display;
`one of the light extracting deformities of FIGS. 16 and 17,
`FIG. 44 is a schematic top plan view of another form of
`respectively;
`light emitting panel assembly in accordance with this inven-
`FIGS. 20 and 21 are enlarged schematic longitudinal sec-
`tion for use in phototherapy treatment and the like; and
`FIGS. 45 through 47 are schematic side elevation views of
`tions through light extracting deformities similar to FIGS. 18 20
`and 19, respectively, except that the deformity end walls are
`still other forms of light emitting panel assemblies in accor-
`shown extending substantially perpendicular to the panel sur-
`dance with this invention for use in phototherapy treatment
`face instead of perpendicular to their respective reflective1
`and the like.
`refractive surfaces as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19;
`FIGS. 22 through 30 are enlarged schematic perspective 25
`views of panel surface areas containing various patterns of
`individual light extracting deformities of other well defined
`Referring now in detail to the drawings, and initially to
`shapes in accordance with this invention;
`FIG. 1, there is schematically shown one form of light emit-
`FIG. 31 is an enlarged schematic longitudinal section
`through another form of light extracting deformity in actor- 30 ting panel assembly 1 in accordance with this invention
`including a transparent light emitting panel 2 and one or more
`dance with this invention;
`light sources 3 which emit light in a predetermined pattern in
`FIGS. 32 and 33 are enlarged schematic top plan views of
`a light transition member or area 4 used to make the transition
`panel surface areas containing light extracting deformities
`from the light source 3 to the light emitting panel 2, as well
`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 35 known in the art. The light that is transmitted by the light
`transition area 4 to the transparent light emitting panel 2 may
`panel surface area;
`be emitted along the entire length of the panel or from one or
`FIGS. 34 and 35 are enlarged schematic top plan views of
`more light output areas along the length of the panel as
`panel surface areas containing light extracting deformities
`desired to produce a desired light output distribution to fit a
`also similar in shape to those shown in FIGS. 28 and 29
`arranged in staggered rows along the length of the panel 40 particular application.
`In FIG. 1 the light transition area 4 is shown as an integral
`surface areas;
`extension of one end of the light emitting panel 2 and as being
`FIGS. 36 and 37 are enlarged schematic top plan views of
`generally rectangular in shape. However, the light transition
`panel surface areas containing a random or variable pattern of
`area may be of other shapes suitable for embedding, potting,
`different sized light emitting deformities on the panel surface
`45 bonding or otherwise mounting the light source. Also, reflec-
`areas;
`tive or refractive surfaces may be provided to increase effi-
`FIG. 38 is an enlarged schematic perspective view of a
`ciency. Moreover, the light transition area 4 may be a separate
`panel surface area showing light extracting deformities in
`piece suitably attached to the light input surface 13 of the
`accordance with this invention increasing in size as the dis-
`panel member if desired. Also, the sides of the light transition
`tance of the deformities from the light source increases or
`intensity of the light increases along the length of the panel 50 area may be curved to more efficiently reflect or refract a
`portion of the light emitted from the light source through the
`surface area;
`light emitting panel at an acceptable angle.
`FIGS. 39 and 40 are schematic perspective views showing
`different angular orientations of the light extracting deformi-
`FIG. 2 shows another form of light emitting panel assem-
`ties along the length and width of a panel surface area;
`bly 5 in accordance with this invention including a panel light
`FIG. 39A is an enlarged schematic top plan view of the 55 transition area 6 at one end of the light emitting panel 7 with
`panel surface area of FIG. 39 showing the reflective or refrac-
`sides 8 , 9 around and behind the light source 3 shaped to more
`tive surfaces of the light extracting deformities oriented to
`efficiently reflect and/or refract and focus the light emitted
`face the portion of the width of the input edge to which the
`from the light source 3 that impinges on these surfaces back
`light source is optically coupled across the width of the panel
`through the light transition area 6 at an acceptable angle for
`surface and the deformities in close proximity to the input 60 entering the light input surface 18 at one end of the light
`edge increasing in density, size and depth or height as the
`emittingpanel7.Als0, a suitable reflective material or coating
`distance of the deformities from the light source increases
`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
`across the width of the panel surface.
`FIG. 39B is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view similar
`which a portion of the light impinges for maximizing the
`to FIG. 39A but showing a plurality of light sources optically 65 amount of light or otherwise changing the light that is
`coupled to different portions of the width of the input edge of
`reflected back through the light transition areas and into the
`the panel surface with the reflective or refractive light extract-
`light emitting panels.
`
`LGE_000043
`
`

`
`US 7,434,973 B2
`
`6
`5
`The panel assemblies shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 include a
`A pattern of light extracting deformities or disruptions may
`be provided on one or both sides of the panel members or on
`single light source 3, whereas FIG. 3 shows another light
`one or more selected areas on one or both sides of the panel
`emitting panel assembly 11 in accordance with this invention
`members, as desired. FIG. 4a schematically Shows one such
`including two light sources 3. Of course, it will be appreciated
`light surface area 20 on which a Pattern of light extracting
`that the panel assemblies of the present invention may be 5
`deformities or disruptions 21 is provided. As used herein, the
`provided with any number of light sources as desired,
`term deformities or disruptions are used interchangeably to
`depending on the particular application.
`mean any change in the shape Or geometry of the pane'
`The panel assembly 11 of FIG. 3 includes a light transition
`surface andor coating or surface treatment that causes a
`area 12 at one end of the light emitting
`14 having
`refractive surfaces 15 around and behind 10 portion of the light to be emitted. The pattern of light extract-
`reflective
`ing deformities 21 shown in FIG. 4a includes a variable
`each light source 3, These surfaces 15 may be appropriately
`pattern which breaks up the light rays such that the
`shaped including for example curved, straight and/or faceted
`the light rays
`a portion
`be great
`surfaces, and if desired, suitable reflective materials or coat-
`enough to cause the light rays either to be emitted out of the
`ings may be provided on portions of these surfaces to more
`refract and focus a portion of the 15 panel through the side or sides on which the light extracting
`efficiently reflect
`deformities 21 are provided Or reflected back
`the
`light emitted for example from an incandescent light source
`pane' and emitted Out the other side.
`which emits light in a 360" pattern through the light transition
`21 can be produced in a
`These deformities Or
`areas 12 into the light input surface 19 of the light emitting
`variety of manners, for example, by providing a painted pat-
`panel 14.
`20 tern, an etched pattern, a machined pattern, a printed pattern,
`in any suit-
`The light
`may be
`a hot ,tamped pattern, or a molded pattern or the like on
`l6 machined,
`manner in
`members, An ink or
`cavities Or
`selected light output areas of the
`molded or otherwise formed in the light transition areas of the
`pattern may be applied for example by pad printing,
`preferably the light
`panel
`are
`silk screening, ink jet, heat transfer film process or the like,
`embedded, potted or bonded in the light transition areas in 25 The deformities may also be printed on a sheet or film which
`is used to apply the deformities to the panel member, This
`order to eliminate any air gaps or air interface surfaces
`sheet or film may become a permanent part of the light
`between the light sources and surrounding light transition
`reducing light loss and increasing the light
`areas,
`assembly for example by attaching or otherwise positioning
`the light emitting panels. Such
`Output emitted
`the sheet or film against one or both sides of the panel member
`the light
`be
`for
`30 similar to the sheet or film 27 shown in FIGS, 3 and 5 in order
`ing the light sources 3 in the slots, cavities or openings 16 in
`to produce a desired effect,
`the light transition areas using a sufficient quantity of a suit-
`By varying the density, opaqueness or translucence, shape,
`17. The
`potting Or
`depth, color, area, index of refraction, or type of deformities
`l6 may be On the
`sides Or
`cavities Or
`21 on an area or areas of the panels, the light output of the
`back of the light transition areas. Bonding can also be accom- 35 panels can be controlled, The deformities or disruptions may
`that do
`be Used to control the percent of light emitted from any area
`plished
`a variety
`extra
`heat
`for
`of the panels, For example, less and/or smaller size deformi-
`sonic or plastic welding or the like. Other methods of bonding
`ties 21 may be placed on
`areas where less light output is
`the light
`insert
`and casting
`wanted, Conversely, a greater percentage of and/or larger
`A transparent light emitting material of any suitable type, 40 deformities may be placed on areas of the panels where
`for example acrylic or polycarbonate, may be used for the
`greater light output is desired,
`light emitting panels. Also, the panels may be substantially
`varying the percentages andor size of deformities in dif-
`flat, orcurved, may beasinglela~erormulti-la~ers, andmay
`ferent areas of the panel is necessary in order to provide a
`have different thicknesses and shapes. Moreover, the panels
`uniform light output distribution. For example, the amount of
`may be flexible, or rigid, and may be made out of avariet~ of 45 light traveling through the panels will ordinarily be greater in
`compounds. Further, the panels may be hollow, filled with
`areas closer to the light source than in other areas further
`liquid, air, or be solid, and may have holes or ridges in the
`removed from the light source. A pattern of light extracting
`panels.
`deformities 21 may be used to adjust for the light variances
`Each light source 3 may also be of any suitable type includ-
`within the panel members, for example, by providing a denser
`ing, for example, any of the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 50 concentration of light extracting deformities with increased
`distance from the light source 3 thereby resulting in a more
`4,897,771 and5,005,108, assignedto the sameassignee as the
`present application, the entire disclosures of which are incor-
`uniform light output distribution from the light emitting pan-
`porated herein by reference. In particular, the light sources 3
`els.
`The deformities 21 may also be used to control the output
`may be an arc lamp, an incandescent bulb which also may be
`colored, filtered or painted, a lens end bulb, a line light, a 55 ray angle distribution of the emitted light to suit a particular
`halogen lamp, a light emitting diode (LED), a chip from an
`application. For example, if the panel assemblies are used to
`LED, a neon bulb, a fluorescent tube, a fiber optic light pipe
`provide a liquid crystal display back light, the light output
`will be more efficient if the deformities 21 cause the light rays
`transmitting from a remote source, a laser or laser diode, or
`any other suitable light source. Additionally, the light sources
`to emit from the panels at predetermined ray angles such that
`3 may be a multiple colored LED, or a combination of mul- 60 they will pass through the liquid crystal display with low loss.
`tiple colored radiation sources in order to provide a desired
`Additionally, the pattern of light extracting deformities
`colored or white light output distribution. For example, a
`may be used to adjust for light output variances attributed to
`plurality of colored lights such as LEDs of different colors
`light extractions of the panel members. The pattern of light
`extracting deformities 21 may be printed on the light output
`(red, blue, green) or a single LED withmultiple colored chips
`may be employed to create white light or any other colored 65 areas utilizing a wide spectrum of paints, inks, coatings,
`light output distribution by varying the intensities of each
`epoxies, or the like, ranging from glossy to opaque or both,
`individual colored light.
`and may employ half-tone separation techniques to vary the
`
`LGE_000044
`
`

`
`deformity 21 coverage. Moreover, the pattern of light extract-
`along the side edges of the panel, and if desired the end edge
`opposite the light transition areas 12, but not over the entire
`ing deformities 21 may be multiple layers or vary in index of
`surface area or areas of the panel because of the difficulty in
`refraction.
`Print patterns of light extracting deformities 21 may vary in
`consistently applying a uniform coating of adhesive to the
`shapes such as dots, squares, diamonds, ellipses, stars, ran- 5 panel. Also, the adhesive changes the internal critical angle of
`the light in a less controllable manner than the air gaps 30 (see
`dom shapes, and the like, and are desirably 0.006 square inch
`FIG. 5 ) which are formed between the respective panel sur-
`per deformitylelement or less. Also, print patterns that are 60
`faces and the back reflector 26 and/or film 27 when only
`lines per inch or finer are desirably employed, thus making
`the deformities or shapes 21 in the print patterns nearly invis-
`adhered along the peripheral edges. Additionally, longer
`ible to the human eye in a particular application thereby l o panel members are achievable when air gaps 30 are used. If
`eliminating the detection of gradient or banding lines that are
`adhesive were to be used over the entire surface, the pattern of
`common to light extracting patterns utilizing larger elements.
`deformities could be adjusted to account for the additional
`Additionally, the deformities may vary in shape and/or size
`attenuation in the light caused by the adhesive.
`Referring further to FIG. 2, the panel assembly 5 shown
`along the length and/or width of the panel members. Also, a
`random placement pattern of the deformities may be utilized 1s therein also includes molded posts 31 at one or more corners
`of the panel 7 (four such posts being shown) which may be
`throughout the length and/or width of the panel members. The
`deformities may have shapes or a pattern with no specific
`used to facilitate mounting of the panel assembly and provid-
`angles to reduce moiri. or other interference effects.
`ing structural support for other parts or components, for
`Examples of methods to create these random patterns are
`example, a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel
`printing a pattern of shapes using stochastic print pattern 20 as desired.
`FIG. 6 shows another form of light emitting panel assem-
`techniques, frequency modulated half tone patterns, or ran-
`bly 32 in accordance with this invention including a panel
`dom dot half tones. Moreover, the deformities may be colored
`member 33, one or more light sources 3 , and one or more light
`in order to effect color correction in the panel members. The
`output areas 34. In addition, the panel assembly 32 includes a
`color of the deformities may also vary throughout the panel
`members, for example to provide different colors for the same 25 tray 35 having a cavity or recess 36 in which the panel assem-
`bly 32 is received. The tray 35 may act as a back reflector as
`or different light output areas.
`well as end edge and/or side edge reflectors for the panel 33
`In addition to or in lieu of the patterns of light extracting
`deformities 21 shown in FIG. 4a, other light extracting defor-
`and side and/or back reflectors 37 for the light sources 3 .
`mities including prismatic surfaces, depressions or raised
`Additionally, one or more secondary reflective or refractive
`surfaces of various shapes using more complex shapes in a 30 surfaces 38 may be provided on the panel member 33 and/or
`tray 35 to reflect a portion of the light around one or more
`mold pattern may be molded, etched, stamped, thermo-
`formed, hot stamped or the like into or on one or more areas
`corners or curves in a non-rectangular shaped panel member
`of the panel member. FIGS. 4b and 4c show panel areas 22 on
`33. These secondary reflectivelrefractive surfaces 38 may be
`which prismatic surfaces 23 or depressions 24 are formed in
`flat, angled, faceted or curved, and may be used to extract a
`the panel areas, whereas FIG. 4d shows prismatic or other 35 portion of the light away from the panel member in a prede-
`termined pattern. FIG. 6 also shows multiple light output
`reflective or refractive surfaces 25 formed on the exterior of
`areas 34 on the panel member that emit light from one or more
`the panel area. The prismatic surfaces, depressions or raised
`light sources 3 .
`surfaces will cause a portion of the light rays contacted
`FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of still another form of
`thereby to be emitted from the panel member. Also, the angles
`of the prisms, depressions or other