The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 26, 2002
Filed:
Mar. 13, 2000
Keiji Iimura, Tokyo, JP;
Other;
Abstract
A light diffusing apparatus using light guide comprises at least first light guide portion for light leakage, second light guide portion solely for light transmission; and third light guide portion for an optical communication with first and second light guide portion. The first light guide portion has first end (or side surface) and second light guide portion has second end which is optically opposed to the first end. The third light guide portion forms substantially non-linear (or curved) cross-section and the first, second and third light guide portions form substantially a single-piece construction. At least a single transparent panel-like member (or, sheet-like, plate-like or film-like member) may be used for the first, second and third light guide portions. At least a ribbon-like optical fiber cable (i.e. tape-like or film-like optical fiber cable) may be used for the first, second and third light guide portions, having a plurality of optical fibers which are aligned in parallel each other. The light diffusing apparatus can output light with a desired predetermined distribution pattern of surface brightness i.e. luminance. The distribution pattern of output light may produce uniform i.e. even surface brightness i.e. luminance. Therefore, the light diffusing apparatus may be suitably used typically in surface light sources, photographic film viewers, backlights or front lights of a passive displays such as liquid crystal displays, light indicators and vehicle lights, etc.