Patent · US Expired

Linear illumination source

US6568822B2 · kind B2 · utility

20Cited by
16References
38Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 6, 2001
Grant dateMay 27, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 6, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02B6/4298
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Shaped refractive articles having compound curved surfaces enable a light source to provide substantially uniform illumination of a linear or planar target. The refractive articles can comprise an input edge or face and an output edge or face, the input edge or face having at least one shaped notch or cavity that can at least partially envelop a light source, wherein the notch or cavity has at least two oppositely signed curved portions shaped to provide substantially uniform illumination of a target by the source. The articles can also be optically coupled to and at least partially envelop a light source, and can have an output edge or surface having at least two oppositely signed curved portions shaped to provide substantially uniform illumination of a target region by the source. The shaped articles can be used in, for example, lighting devices, frontlights, backlights and electronic displays.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.