US6011602A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lighting apparatus with a light guiding body having projections in the shape of a trapezoid
Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1996-11-06
•
Granted: 2000-01-04
•
Expires: 2016-11-06
Abstract
Abstract A reflection layer is provided on a surface of a light guiding body on which projections are formed with intervals, except the side surfaces of the projections. A light emitting element is provided close to one end surface of a light guiding element. Most of the light from the light emitting element is input to the light guiding body through the light input surface. The light travels through the light guiding body to be output from the side surfaces of the projections. After passing through a directional change element, the light is input to the light receiving element in a direction substantially perpendicular to a light receiving element. Outside light passes through the light receiving element and is then input to a lighting apparatus. In the lighting apparatus, the outside light passes through the directional change element to be reflected by a reflection layer on the light-output-side surface of the light guiding body and then again passes perpendicularly through the directional change element toward the light receiving element. When the light passes through the light receiving element, a displayed image can be viewed. The reflection layer can reflect the light with a small loss. In addition, if the outside light is input at an angle of other than 90° to the light receiving element at first, the light can be reflected by the reflection layer with a small loss.
Inventors
- 👤 Satoru Miyashita
- 👤 Osamu Yokoyama
- 👤 Tatsuaki Funamoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:21
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1335; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0011; G02B6/0033; G02B6/0035; G02B6/0038; G02B6/005; G02B6/0053; G02B6/0055; G02B6/0056; G02B6/0058; G02B6/0061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A lighting apparatus comprising: light guiding means provided at the back of a light receiving element; and at least one light emitting means provided at the side of said light guiding means; wherein said light guiding means comprises: wherein the light from said light emitting means is transmitted to the back surface of said light receiving element for lighting said light receiving element; a light guiding body having at least one light input surface facing said light emitting means, a light-output-side surface facing said light receiving element, and a flat surface which is opposite to said light-output-side surface; and a plurality of projections extending from said light-output-side surface of said light guiding body, each of said projections having a top surface which is substantially parallel to said light-output-side surface, a vertical section of each of said projections being substantially a trapezoid, and side surfaces of said projections being inclined at an angle of 10 degrees or less from a plane which is perpendicular to said light-output-side surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A lighting apparatus comprising: light guiding means provided at the back of a light receiving element; and at least one light emitting means provided at the side of said light guiding means; wherein said light guiding means comprises: wherein the light from said light emitting means is transmitted to the back surface of said light receiving element for lighting said light receiving element; a light guiding body having at least one light input surface facing said light emitting means, a light-output-side surface facing said light receiving element, and a flat surface which is opposite to said light-output-side surface; and a plurality of projections extending from said light-output-side surface of said light guiding body, each of said projections having a top surface which is substantially parallel to said light-output-side surface, a vertical section of each of said projections being substantially a trapezoid, and side surfaces of said projections being inclined at an angle of 10 degrees or less from a plane which is perpendicular to said light-output-side surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said projections have a different refractive index from said light guiding body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the ratio of width of said top surface to height of each of said projections is substantially 1:1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said top surface of each of said projections has a width ranging from 10 μm to 50 μm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein a reflection layer is provided on said light-output-side surface of said light guiding body for reflecting the light from outside and the light transmitted through said light guiding body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said reflection layer is further provided on said top surface of each of said projections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said reflection layer is further provided on one of said side surfaces of each of said projections when said one of said side surfaces looks toward said light emitting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said light guiding body is provided with said reflection layer on all side surfaces except said light input surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said reflection layer is made of a thin metal film.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said reflection layer provided on said light guiding body is made of a mirror sheet, a reflecting surface of said mirror sheet facing said light guiding body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said projections are in the form of a grating on said light-output-side surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the number of said projections per unit area is smaller nearer to said light emitting means than the number of said projections farther from said light emitting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein a vertical-sectional area of each of said projections is larger farther from said light emitting means than a vertical-sectional area nearer to said light emitting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising directional change means for changing the direction of the light which is output from said light guiding means to a direction substantially perpendicular to said light receiving element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
71 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said light emitting means is in the form of a cylinder extending along said light input surface of said light guiding body; and wherein said directional change means includes a prism array which comprises a plurality of prisms arranged in parallel to each other and to said light emitting means, each of said prisms having an apex pointing to said light-output-side surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein a vertical section of each of said prisms is substantially a triangular, an angle of said apex ranging from 50 degrees to 70 degrees.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein each of said prisms has a first surface for receiving the light and a second surface, said apex being formed by said first and second surfaces; and wherein said first surface comprises a plurality of planes, the normals to said planes being different from each other.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
57 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein said first surface comprises a plane tilted at an angle of about 20 degrees from the plane which is perpendicular to said light-output-side surface; and wherein said second surface is tilted at an angle of about 30 degrees from the plane which is perpendicular to said light-output-side surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said directional change means has a structure of diffraction grating which is provided parallel to said light-output-side surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein said directional change means includes a hologram element which has a photosensitive layer made of a photosensitive material, said structure of diffraction grating being recorded on said photosensitive layer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein said structure of diffraction grating of said directional change means is a blazed grating which has a sawtooth vertical section.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 14, further comprising polarizing means which is provided between said light receiving element and said directional change means to convert the light which is output from said directional change means into linearly-polarized light.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
77 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 14, further comprising polarizing means which is provided between said light receiving element and said directional change means to convert the light which is output from said directional change means into linearly-polarized light; wherein said polarizing means comprises: a cholesteric liquid crystal layer provided to face said prism array; and a quarter wave film which generates retardation by a quarter wavelength and is provided on said cholesteric liquid crystal layer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
138 words
A lighting apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: said light guiding means guides the light from said light emitting means through said light-output-side surface toward a light receiving element with an improved directivity; said lighting apparatus further comprises directional change means for changing the direction of the light which is output from said light guiding means to a direction substantially perpendicular to said light receiving element; said directional change means includes a prism array which comprises a plurality of prisms, each of said prisms having an apex pointing to said light-output-side surface; each of said prisms has a first surface for receiving the light and a second surface, said apex being formed by said first and second surfaces; and said first surface comprises a plurality of planes, the normals to said planes being different from each other.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
A liquid crystal display system comprising a lighting apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said light receiving element is a liquid crystal display panel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
39 words
The liquid crystal display system as defined in claim 25, wherein a mirror sheet which reflects the light input to said light guiding means is provided at the opposite side to said light-output-side surface of said light guiding means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
51 words
A liquid crystal display system comprising: a lighting apparatus as defined in claim 1; a liquid crystal display panel which receives the light from said lighting apparatus; and light diffusing means provided at the front of said liquid crystal display panel to diffuse the light from said liquid crystal display panel.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
Electronic equipment comprising a liquid crystal display system as defined in claim 1.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said projections has side surfaces which are substantially perpendicular to said light-output-side surface.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein light diffusing means for diffusing the light from said light guiding means is provided between said light receiving element and said light guiding means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
The liquid crystal display system as defined in claim 26, wherein light diffusing means for diffusing the light is provided at the front of said liquid crystal display panel.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 29, wherein said projections have a different refractive index from said light guiding body.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 29, wherein the ratio of width of said top surface to height of each of said projections is substantially 1:1.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
49 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 29, wherein a vertical section of each of said projections is substantially a trapezoid; and wherein said side surfaces of said projections are inclined at an angle of 10 degrees or less from a plane which is perpendicular to said light-output-side surface.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 29, wherein said top surface of each of said projections has a width ranging from 10 μm to 50 μm.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
38 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 29, wherein a reflection layer is provided on said light-output-side surface of said light guiding body for reflecting the light from outside and the light transmitted through said light guiding body.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 36, wherein said reflection layer is further provided on said top surface of each of said projections.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
39 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 36, wherein said reflection layer is further provided on one of said side surfaces of each of said projections when said one of said side surfaces looks toward said light emitting means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 36, wherein said light guiding body is provided with said reflection layer on all side surfaces except said light input surface.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 36, wherein said reflection layer is made of a thin metal film.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
36 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 39, wherein said reflection layer provided on said light guiding body is made of a mirror sheet, a reflecting surface of said mirror sheet facing said light guiding body.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 29, wherein said projections are in the form of a grating on said light-output-side surface.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
37 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 29, wherein the number of said projections per unit area is smaller nearer to said light emitting means than the number of said projections farther from said light emitting means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
35 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 29, wherein a vertical-sectional area of each of said projections is larger farther from said light emitting means than a vertical-sectional area nearer to said light emitting means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
38 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 29, further comprising directional change means for changing the direction of the light which is output from said light guiding means to a direction substantially perpendicular to said light receiving element.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
70 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 45, wherein said light emitting means is in the form of a cylinder extending along said light input surface of said light guiding body; and wherein said directional change means includes a prism array which comprises a plurality of prisms arranged in parallel to each other and to said light emitting means, each of said prisms having an apex pointing said light-output-side surface.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
32 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 46, wherein a vertical section of each of said prisms is substantially triangular, an angle of said apex ranging from 50 degrees to 70 degrees.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
55 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 46, wherein each of said prisms has a first surface for receiving the light and a second surface, said apex being formed by said first and second surfaces; and wherein said first surface comprises a plurality of planes, the normals to said planes being different from each other.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
57 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 48, wherein said first surface comprises a plane tilted at an angle of about 20 degrees from the plane which is perpendicular to said light-output-side surface; and wherein said second surface is tilted at an angle of about 30 degrees from the plane which is perpendicular to said light-output-side surface.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 45, wherein said directional change means has a structure of diffraction grating which is provided parallel to said light-output-side surface.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
38 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 50, wherein said directional change means includes a hologram element which has a photosensitive layer made of a photosensitive material, said structure of diffraction grating being recorded on said photosensitive layer.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
29 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 50, wherein said structure of diffraction grating of said directional change means is a blazed grating which has a sawtooth vertical section.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
40 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 45, further comprising polarizing means which is provided between said light receiving element and said directional change means to convert the light which is output from said directional change means into linearly-polarized light.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
77 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 45, further comprising polarizing means which is provided between said light receiving element and said directional change means to convert the light which is output from said directional change means into linearly-polarized light; wherein said polarizing means comprises: a cholesteric liquid crystal layer provided to face said prism array; and a quarter wave film which generates retardation by a quarter wavelength and is provided on said cholesteric liquid crystal layer.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
25 words
A liquid crystal display system comprising a lighting apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein said light receiving element is a liquid crystal display panel.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
39 words
The liquid crystal display system as defined in claim 55, wherein a mirror sheet which reflects the light input to said light guiding means is provided at the opposite side to said light-output-side surface of said light guiding means.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
51 words
A liquid crystal display system comprising: a lighting apparatus as defined in claim 24, a liquid crystal display panel which receives the light from said lighting apparatus; and light diffusing means provided at the front of said liquid crystal display panel to diffuse the light from said liquid crystal display panel.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
13 words
Electronic equipment comprising a liquid crystal display system as defined in claim 55.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
29 words
The liquid crystal display system as defined in claim 56, wherein light diffusing means for diffusing the light is provided at the front of said liquid crystal display panel.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
25 words
A liquid crystal display system comprising a lighting apparatus as defined in claim 29, wherein said light receiving element is a liquid crystal display panel.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
39 words
The liquid crystal display system as defined in claim 60, wherein a mirror sheet which reflects the light input to said light guiding means is provided at the opposite side to said light-output-side surface of said light guiding means.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
51 words
A liquid crystal display system comprising: a lighting apparatus as defined in claim 29, a liquid crystal display panel which receives the light from said lighting apparatus; and light diffusing means provided at the front of said liquid crystal display panel to diffuse the light from said liquid crystal display panel.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
13 words
Electronic equipment comprising a liquid crystal display system as defined in claim 60.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
33 words
The lighting apparatus as defined in claim 29, wherein light diffusing means for diffusing the light from said light guiding means is provided between said light receiving element and said light guiding means.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
29 words
The liquid crystal display system as defined in claim 61, wherein light diffusing means for diffusing the light is provided at the front of said liquid crystal display panel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-03 | 2003-07-05 | 2004-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-03 | 2007-07-05 | 2008-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-03 | 2011-07-05 | 2012-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |