Light emitting panel assemblies

Abstract

Backlight assembly includes a waveguide having a greater width than height and at least one light emitting area for illuminating a display. A light source assembly optically coupled to the panel includes a light emitting source and at least a reflective or refractive surface to disperse light emitted from the light emitting source more along the width than height of the panel.

1 . A backlight assembly comprising a waveguide panel having a greater width than height, and having at least one light emitting area for illuminating a display, at least one light source assembly optically coupled to the panel, wherein the light source assembly comprises a light emitting source and at least a reflective surface or a refractive surface to disperse light emitted from the light emitting source more along the width than the height of the panel. 
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the surface is a curved refractive surface. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2  wherein the curved refractive surface curves around an axis perpendicular to the width of the panel to define a cylindrical surface. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3  wherein the refractive surface is integral to the light emitting source. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein the panel defines a cavity, slot or recess to receive the light source assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the surface is a refractive surface that is around or behind the light emitting source. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6  wherein the refractive surface is curved, straight or faceted. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7  wherein a transition area is between the light source assembly and the light emitting area. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8  wherein the panel defines a slot, cavity or recess to receive the light source assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the reflective surface or the refractive surface is defined in the panel. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a tray, frame or substrate to hold the light emitting source, wherein the surface is a refractive surface that is defined in the tray, frame or substrate. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11  wherein the tray, frame or substrate defines a slot, cavity or recess to receive the light source assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 11  wherein the tray, frame or substrate has at least one of a back reflector, an end edge reflector, or a side edge reflector for the panel, or at least one of a side reflector or a back reflector for the light source.