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:
Dec. 04, 2007
Filed:
Dec. 23, 2003
David J. Lamb, Oakdale, MN (US);
Keith M. Kotchick, Saint Paul, MN (US);
Mark E. Gardiner, Santa Rosa, CA (US);
Kenneth A. Epstein, Saint Paul, MN (US);
David J. Lamb, Oakdale, MN (US);
Keith M. Kotchick, Saint Paul, MN (US);
Mark E. Gardiner, Santa Rosa, CA (US);
Kenneth A. Epstein, Saint Paul, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, Saint Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to backlighting systems, which include first and second lightguides, at least one light source optically connected to an edge of the first lightguide and at least one light source optically connected to an edge of the second lightguide for supplying light into their respective interiors. In the appropriate exemplary embodiments, the backlighting systems of the present disclosure include an extractor disposed at a surface of the second lightguide for diffuse extraction of light from the interior of the second lightguide. In such exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of the light supplied into the interior of the second lightguide and then diffusely extracted therefrom enters the interior of the first lightguide through a substantially optically clear surface. In some exemplary embodiments, the backlighting systems of the present disclosure include recycling enhancement structures, which may be attached to the first lightguide.