Case 6:20-cv-00139-ADA Document 1-5 Filed 02/21/20 Page 1 of 55
`111111
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US009880342B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Vasylyev
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,880,342 B2
`Jan.30,2018
`
`(54) COLLIMATING ILLUMINATION SYSTEMS
`EMPLOYING PLANAR WAVEGUIDE
`
`(71) Applicant: Sergiy Vasylyev, Elk Grove, CA (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventor: Sergiy Vasylyev, Elk Grove, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: SVV TECHNOLOGY
`INNOVATIONS, INC., Sacramento,
`CA (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 123 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 14/969,898
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec. 15, 2015
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2016/0097890 Al
`
`Apr. 7, 2016
`
`(63)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`Continuation of application No. 12/764,867, filed on
`Apr. 21, 2010, now Pat. No. 9,256,007.
`(Continued)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2014.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G02B 6132
`F21V 8100
`G02B 3100
`G03B 21120
`HOJL 311054
`G02F 1/1335
`U.S. Cl.
`CPC ............. G02B 61005 (2013.01); G02B 31005
`(2013.01); G02B 310056 (2013.01); G02B
`610038 (2013.01); G02B 610055 (2013.01);
`G03B 211208 (2013.01); G03B 2112066
`(2013.01); HOJL 3110547 (2014.12); HOJL
`3110549 (2014.12); G02B 6/0053 (2013.01);
`
`G02F 1/133605 (2013.01); G02F 2001/133607
`(2013.01); G02F 2001/133628 (2013.01);
`Y02E 10/52 (2013.01)
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC .... G02B 6/0038; G02B 6/0053; G02B 3/005;
`G02B 3/0056; G02F 1/133605; G02F
`2001/133607; G02F 2001/133628; H01L
`31/0547; HOlL 31/0549
`USPC .................. 385/33-36; 349/56-67; 136/246,
`136/256-257; 362/600-629
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,973,994 A
`4,143,234 A
`
`8/1976 Redfield
`3/1979 Johnson et a!.
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`wo
`
`4016665
`2010033859
`
`1111991
`3/2010
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`U.S. Appl. No. 61/098,279, filed Sep. 19, 2008-inventors Joseph
`Ford and Jason Karp, pp. 1-65.
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner- Thomas A Hollweg
`Assistant Examiner- Guy Anderson
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`An apparatus for distributing light from a planar waveguide
`through a collimating array. Light received within a wave(cid:173)
`guide is propagated transmissively and retained by total
`internal reflection, except in response to impinging upon
`deflector elements which sufficiently redirect the light to
`escape the waveguide into a collimator array that further
`aligns and distributes the light.
`
`33 Claims, 23 Drawing Sheets
`
`

`

`Case 6:20-cv-00139-ADA Document 1-5 Filed 02/21/20 Page 2 of 55
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`US 9,880,342 B2
`Page 2
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`7,278,775 B2 * 10/2007 Yeo.
`
`G02B 6/0041
`362/19
`
`(60)
`
`(56)
`
`Provisional application No. 61/214,331, filed on Apr.
`21, 2009, provisional application No. 61/339,512,
`filed on Mar. 6, 2010.
`
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`3/1985 Tremblay
`4,505,264 A
`4/1985 Mori
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`7/1985 Daniel
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`4,638,110 A
`9/1987 Afian eta!.
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`9/1989 Afian eta!.
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`2/1992 Nakamura
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`12/1993 Ando eta!.
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`6,274,860 B1 * 8/2001 Rosenberg .
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`
`5/2003 Legrand et a!.
`5/2004 Sasaoka et a!.
`8/2004 Steiner et a!.
`10/2004 Atwater et a!.
`1112004 Fein
`112005 Pemer
`9/2005 Beach eta!.
`
`G06K 7/10702
`250/227.24
`
`F24J 2/06
`136/259
`
`G02B 6/0018
`349/62
`
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`
`2006/0077123 A1 * 4/2006 Gaily.
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`
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`
`G02B 3/005
`362/615
`G02B 3/0043
`349/62
`G01N 15/14
`385/141
`2006/0050533 A1 * 3/2006 Yang ................. G02F 11133606
`362/613
`G02B 6/0053
`345/32
`G02B 26/001
`345/85
`G02B 6/0061
`703/6
`2008/0271776 A1 * 1112008 Morgan ................... F21S 11100
`136/246
`G02B 6/0016
`362/268
`F24J 2/067
`126/685
`F24J 2/06
`385/33
`F24J 2/067
`136/259
`G02B 5/0221
`349/64
`G02B 6/0053
`349/64
`2009/0262528 A1 * 10/2009 Chang ............... G02F 11133606
`362/235
`F24J 2/067
`136/259
`
`2009/0016057 A1 *
`2009/0064993 A1 * 3/2009 Ghosh.
`
`112009 Rinko
`
`2009/0067784 A1 * 3/2009 Ghosh.
`
`2009/0126792 A1 * 5/2009 Gruhlke .
`2009/0147179 A1 * 6/2009 Yamashita
`
`2009/0195729 A1 * 8/2009 Little
`
`201110226332 A1 * 9/2011 Ford
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`WIPO, counterpart PCT Application No. PCT/US20101031949,
`International Publicatino No. W02010124028 dated Oct. 28, 2010,
`inclUding international search report and written opinion dated Nov.
`30, 2010, pp. 1-141.
`* cited by examiner
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 1 of 23
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`US 9,880,342 B2
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`D
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`75
`
`FIG. 1A
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`D
`
`FIG. 1 B
`(PRIOR ART)
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`

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`Sheet 2 of 23
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`US 9,880,342 B2
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`14
`FIG. 2
`
`2
`~
`
`5
`
`4
`
`FIG. 3
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 3 of 23
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`US 9,880,342 B2
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`F\G. 4A
`
`14
`
`11
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`F\G. 48
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`6
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`5
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`

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`Sheet 4 of 23
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`US 9,880,342 B2
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`FIG. 5
`
`FIG. 6
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`

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`Sheet 5 of 23
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`US 9,880,342 B2
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`10
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`Case 6:20-cv-00139-ADA Document 1-5 Filed 02/21/20 Page 8 of 55
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`Sheet 6 of 23
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`US 9,880,342 B2
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`10
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`FIG. 9
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`26 n2
`14
`FIG. 1 OA
`
`FIG. 108
`
`FIG. 1 OC
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`

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`Case 6:20-cv-00139-ADA Document 1-5 Filed 02/21/20 Page 9 of 55
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`Sheet 7 of 23
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`US 9,880,342 B2
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`FIG. 1 OD
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`14
`FIG. 1 OE
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`Case 6:20-cv-00139-ADA Document 1-5 Filed 02/21/20 Page 10 of 55
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`Sheet 8 of 23
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`US 9,880,342 B2
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`6
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`FIG. 12
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`FIG. 13
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`Case 6:20-cv-00139-ADA Document 1-5 Filed 02/21/20 Page 11 of 55
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`6
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`Case 6:20-cv-00139-ADA Document 1-5 Filed 02/21/20 Page 12 of 55
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 30, 2018
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`Sheet 10 of 23
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`US 9,880,342 B2
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`6
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`FIG. 16A
`
`FIG. 168
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`Case 6:20-cv-00139-ADA Document 1-5 Filed 02/21/20 Page 13 of 55
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`U.s. Patent
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`Sheet 11 of 23
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`US 9,880,342 B2
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`Case 6:20-cv-00139-ADA Document 1-5 Filed 02/21/20 Page 14 of 55
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 12 of 23
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`US 9,880,342 B2
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`Case 6:20-cv-00139-ADA Document 1-5 Filed 02/21/20 Page 15 of 55
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan.30,2018
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`Sheet 13 of 23
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`US 9,880,342 B2
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`2
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`FIG. 21
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`FIG. 22
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`

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`Case 6:20-cv-00139-ADA Document 1-5 Filed 02/21/20 Page 16 of 55
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan.30,2018
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`Sheet 14 of 23
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`US 9,880,342 B2
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`2
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`Case 6:20-cv-00139-ADA Document 1-5 Filed 02/21/20 Page 17 of 55
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan.30,2018
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`Sheet 15 of 23
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`Case 6:20-cv-00139-ADA Document 1-5 Filed 02/21/20 Page 18 of 55
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`Case 6:20-cv-00139-ADA Document 1-5 Filed 02/21/20 Page 19 of 55
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan.30,2018
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`Sheet 17 of 23
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`US 9,880,342 B2
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`FIG. 28
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan.30,2018
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`Sheet 18 of 23
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`US 9,880,342 B2
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`FIG. 30A
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`FIG. 308
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`FIG. 30C
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`FIG. 300
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`FIG. 30E
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`

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`Sheet 19 of 23
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`US 9,880,342 B2
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`Sheet 20 of 23
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`US 9,880,342 B2
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`Case 6:20-cv-00139-ADA Document 1-5 Filed 02/21/20 Page 23 of 55
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`Case 6:20-cv-00139-ADA Document 1-5 Filed 02/21/20 Page 24 of 55
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`Jan. 30,2018
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`Sheet 22 of 23
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`U.S. -patent
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`Case 6:20-cv-00139-ADA Document 1-5 Filed 02/21/20 Page 25 of 55
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`Sheet 23 of 23
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`US 9,880,342 B2
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`FIG. 38
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`

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`Case 6:20-cv-00139-ADA Document 1-5 Filed 02/21/20 Page 26 of 55
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`US 9,880,342 B2
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`1
`COLLIMATING ILLUMINATION SYSTEMS
`EMPLOYING PLANAR WAVEGUIDE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
`12/764,867 filed on Apr. 21, 2010, now allowed, which
`claims priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No.
`61/214,331 filed on Apr. 21, 2009, incorporated herein by
`reference in its entirety, and from U.S. provisional applica(cid:173)
`tion Ser. No. 61/339,512 filed on Mar. 6, 2010, incorporated
`herein by reference in its entirety.
`
`STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY
`SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
`
`Not Applicable
`
`INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF
`MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT
`DISC
`
`Not Applicable
`
`NOTICE OF MATERIAL SUBJECT TO
`COPYRIGHT PROTECTION
`
`5
`
`2
`shortcomings, the utility of the devices is hampered while
`numerous spatially-sensitive applications are rendered
`impractical.
`Luminescent concentrators are also found in the industry
`for trapping incident radiation in a light guide by absorbing
`and re-radiating it in the form of scattered light at a longer
`wavelength using luminescent centers distributed in the
`volume of the light guide. However, because of the scattered
`nature of the reradiated light, only a portion of it can become
`10 trapped in the light guide by the total internal reflection,
`while the rest of the light escapes from the light guide.
`Furthermore, the luminescent centers can absorb or scatter
`already trapped light thus making the light guide less
`15 transparent and less efficient.
`A holographic concentrator known in the art, utilizes a
`hologram layer that bends the incident light by means of
`diffraction so that it becomes trapped in a transparent light
`guide. However, at least a portion of the diffracted light is
`20 lost at each bounce from the same holographic layer guide
`due to re-coupling.
`None of the previous efforts provides an efficient solution
`for light collection or concentration into a waveguide
`through its longitudinal face while maintaining a low system
`25 profile.
`Conventional reflective mirror and refractive lens devices
`collimate electromagnetic energy across a broad energy
`spectrum from the entire area of the device and either focus
`it onto a smaller area disposed at a considerable distance
`above or beneath the device or collimate and direct it into a
`predetermined direction or onto a target. These devices are
`fairly bulky structures occupying substantial volume.
`For example, in a conventional system, the primary
`35 optical element (e.g., mirror or lens) is focused at the
`location where the light emitting or light receiving element
`is disposed. Considering that the focus is usually located at
`a considerable distance from the primary optical element,
`the resulting volume formed by a three-dimensional shape
`40 enveloping the optical element's aperture and the focal point
`is considerably larger than the volume of the optical element
`itself. This increases system size, weight, and cost, while
`hampering utility of the system.
`Many applications require the optical system to provide
`45 homogeneous irradiance distribution or another desired illu(cid:173)
`mination pattern on a target. Examples are projection display
`systems requiring uniform light distribution from a light
`source on a target screen or optical collector where the light
`has to be collected and more evenly distributed across a light
`50 receiving device.
`Numerous light processing systems require light to be
`input into a waveguide, propagated along the waveguide,
`and extracted from the waveguide to illuminate a designated
`target or pattern. In a conventional system, the light is
`55 extracted from a waveguide through one of its terminal ends
`and is further collimated by an optical system whose focus
`is disposed in the vicinity of the area where the light exits the
`waveguide. The inclusion of additional optics increases cost
`and system volume rendering the designs impractical in
`60 space-limited applications.
`In another conventional system a planar waveguide is
`employed which extracts light from a lateral face of the
`waveguide by means of a number of light deflecting ele(cid:173)
`ments embedded into the waveguide or attached to its lateral
`65 face. Although this latter approach is more space efficient
`than the former one, the light comes out of the waveguide
`substantially uncollimated due to the inherent divergence of
`
`A portion of the material in this patent document is subject
`to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the 30
`United States and of other countries. The owner of the
`copyright rights has no objection to the facsimile reproduc(cid:173)
`tion by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclo(cid:173)
`sure, as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark
`Office publicly available file or records, but otherwise
`reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. The copyright
`owner does not hereby waive any of its rights to have this
`patent document maintained in secrecy, including without
`limitation its rights pursuant to 37 C.P.R. §1.14.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a optical reflecting
`devices and more particularly to an apparatus for collecting
`or distributing radiant energy, into or from an optical wave(cid:173)
`guide.
`2. Description of Background Art
`Devices for collecting or concentrating a parallel beam of
`electromagnetic energy have conventionally employed
`reflective mirrors or refractive lenses. These devices collect
`energy in a broad spectrum from the entire area of the device
`and focus it onto a smaller area disposed at a considerable
`distance above or beneath the device and requires a fairly
`complex structure which occupies substantial volume.
`Increasingly, light collection systems, including light
`detectors and concentrators, need to be configured for input(cid:173)
`ting light into a waveguide, such as an optical fiber or
`transparent rectangular plate, so it can be propagated along
`the waveguide by means of total internal reflection. In a
`conventional system, the spatially distributed light flux is
`input into a waveguide through one of its terminal ends
`using relatively large optical elements such as lenses and
`mirrors. Although the light guides themselves are typically
`slim and space efficient, the additional optics necessary for
`collecting or distributing the light over a large area leads to
`increased cost and system volume. In response to these
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`3
`the light propagating in the waveguide which results in the
`substantial divergence of light extracted from the wave(cid:173)
`guide.
`In addition, modem illumination systems often utilize
`compact and discrete light sources, such as Light Emitting
`Diodes (LEDs). Use of these light sources often results in
`unwanted glare problems, particularly in some general light(cid:173)
`ing applications or display lights. Typically, these problems
`are addressed by adding conventional and bulky optical
`systems, collimators and diffusers that at least partially
`negate the advantages of LEDs such as compactness and
`energy efficiency.
`Accordingly, prior illumination efforts have failed to
`provide an efficient solution for extracting light from a
`waveguide through its longitudinal face with efficient light
`collimation. These needs and others are met within the
`present invention, which provides an improved optical sys(cid:173)
`tem for distributing light along a waveguide and extracting
`the distributed light from the waveguide with minimum
`space consumption and improved light collimation.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`10
`
`4
`where the concentrated flux is intercepted and further trans(cid:173)
`formed by the secondary collector. In addition to efficient
`concentrating of radiant energy such as sunlight, the system
`can provide uniformity or a desired energy distribution in the
`concentrated flux.
`A second portion of the invention describes a device and
`method for collimating and distributing radiant energy, more
`particularly, to guiding the light by an optical waveguide
`(light guide) and extracting the light from the waveguide
`with improved light collimation. More generally, it also
`relates to a device intercepting the divergent light from a
`light source and directing the light into a collimated beam
`such as flashlights, spotlights, flood lights, LED collimators,
`lanterns, headlamps, backlight or projection display sys(cid:173)
`tems, accent lights, various other illumination devices, opti-
`15 cal couplers and switches, and the like. In at least one
`embodiment, the present invention describes an illuminator
`which provides light collimation by extracting light from a
`planar waveguide through its lateral light conducting face in
`response to an array of discrete light deflecting means
`20 optically coupled to the waveguide and further collimated by
`a matching array of light collimating means. Other objects
`and advantages of this invention will be apparent to those
`skilled in the art from the following disclosure.
`The invention is amenable to being embodied in a number
`25 of ways, including but not limited to the following descrip(cid:173)
`tions.
`At least one embodiment of the invention is configured as
`an apparatus for light collimation and distribution, compris(cid:173)
`ing: (a) a planar waveguide having an optically transparent
`planar material having edges disposed between a first planar
`surface and a second planar surface; in which the planar
`waveguide is configured to receive light on one edge of the
`planar material, and to propagate the received light through
`the planar waveguide in response to optical transmission and
`total internal reflection; (b) a plurality of light collimating
`35 elements within a collimating array which is disposed in an
`optical receiving relationship with a planar surface of the
`planar waveguide; and (c) a plurality of light deflecting
`elements optically coupled to the waveguide and configured
`for deflecting light propagating through the planar wave-
`40 guide at a sufficiently low angle, below the predetermined
`critical angle for total internal reflection (TIR), with respect
`to a surface normal direction of an exterior surface of the
`planar waveguide to exit the planar waveguide and enter the
`collimating array. Each of the plurality of light deflecting
`45 elements is in a predetermined alignment with each of the
`plurality of light collimating elements. The device operates
`in response to light received on the edge of the planar
`waveguide being angularly redirected, collimated, and dis(cid:173)
`tributed from the surface of the collimating array which is
`50 optically coupled to the planar waveguide.
`In at least one implementation, the plurality of light
`collimating elements comprises a parallel array of elongated
`lenticular lenses, or parallel array of elongated focus mir(cid:173)
`rors. In at least one implementation, the plurality of deflect-
`55 ing elements comprises a parallel array of grooves. These
`elements and grooves are preferably elongated, such as in
`response to comprising a one-dimensional array spanning
`across a width equivalent to the entire waveguide surface, or
`a substantial portion thereof. In at least one implementation,
`60 the grooves are configured at a slope angle 830 which is
`bounded by the relation
`
`30
`
`The present invention solves a number of light collection
`and distribution problems within a compact system. Light is
`directed through a waveguide configured with deflection
`means for redirecting light to/from a collimating means.
`In a first portion of the invention, apparatus and methods
`are described for collecting and concentrating radiant
`energy, more particularly, to collecting light from a distant
`light source and injecting the light into an optical light guide
`(also referenced heretofore as a "waveguide"), concentrating
`light guides, radiation detectors, optical couplers, solar
`thermal and photovoltaic concentrators, and day lighting
`systems. In at least one embodiment, the present invention
`describes a collector which provides light collection in
`response to collecting incident light by a collector array and
`injecting the light into a planar waveguide through its light
`conducting wall, trapping the light in the waveguide by
`means of at least a total internal reflection and guiding the
`light to a terminal end of the waveguide.
`A compact light collection system including a planar
`waveguide and a collector array are described. The wave(cid:173)
`guide comprises a plurality of light deflecting elements
`optically coupled to the waveguide. The collector array
`comprises a plurality of mini-collectors configured to collect
`light from a larger area and focus the incident light onto
`respective light deflecting elements characterized by a sub(cid:173)
`stantially smaller area. Each light deflecting element is
`configured to receive a light beam and redirect it at an angle
`with respect to a surface normal angle (perpendicular to both
`axis) of the prevailing plane of the waveguide greater than
`a critical angle at which the light beam becomes trapped in
`the waveguide and can propagate toward the terminal end of
`the waveguide by optical transmission and total internal
`reflection (TIR).
`Disposed in the radiant energy flux transformation system
`is a primary linear focus concentrating collector formed by
`a plurality of cylindrical slat-like reflectors and a secondary
`elongated collector. The reflectors of the primary collector
`generally have concave or planar transversal profiles and are
`positioned in a stepped arrangement with longitudinal axes
`being parallel to each other and to the secondary collector.
`The reflectors are tilted away from the direction of the
`source of radiant energy at a range of angles being less than 65
`45° to reflect and direct the incident energy flux to a
`common focal region located below the primary collector
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`5
`in which n 1 is the refractive index of the planar waveguide
`and n2 is the refractive index of an outside medium.
`In alternative implementations, the grooves can be con(cid:173)
`figured in different ways. In at least one implementation, the
`plurality of light deflecting elements comprises grooves
`within (e.g., cut or molded into) the planar waveguide
`configured for redirecting the received light in response to
`reflection from at least one surface of the groove toward the
`collimating array. In at least one implementation, the light
`deflecting elements comprise grooves formed within each of
`a plurality of blocks that are attached and in optical com(cid:173)
`munication with the planar waveguide, and the grooves are
`configured for redirecting the received light in response to
`reflection from at least one surface of the groove toward the
`collimating array. In at least one implementation, each of the 15
`grooves has a transparent surface and a reflective surface,
`and light received from the planar waveguide passes through
`the transparent surface of each of the grooves to be reflected
`from the reflective surface of each of the grooves toward the
`collimating array. In at least one implementation, the 20
`grooves comprise a prismatic groove or ridge formed in a
`surface of the planar waveguide disposed toward the colli(cid:173)
`mating array for refractively deflecting the received light
`impinging on the prismatic groove to pass through the
`prismatic groove or ridge to exit the planar waveguide.
`In at least one implementation, the plurality of light
`collimating elements is selected from the group consisting of
`imaging
`lenses, non-imaging
`lenses, spherical
`lenses,
`aspherical lenses, lens arrays, Fresnel lenses, TIR lenses,
`gradient index lenses, diffraction lenses, mirrors, Fresnel 30
`mirrors, spherical mirrors, parabolic mirrors, mirror arrays,
`and trough mirrors.
`In at least one implementation, the plurality of light
`deflecting elements is selected from the group consisting of
`planar mirrors, curved mirrors, prisms, prism arrays, pris- 35
`matic grooves, surface relief features, reflective surfaces,
`refractive surfaces, diffraction gratings, holograms, and light
`scattering elements.
`In at least one implementation, an optical interface layer
`is disposed between the planar waveguide and the collimat- 40
`ing array. In at least one implementation, the optical inter(cid:173)
`face layer has a lower refractive index than the planar
`waveguide, and in at least one implementation, the optical
`interface layer comprises air. In at least one implementation,
`the optical interface layer is selected from the group of 45
`optical materials consisting of low refractive index mono(cid:173)
`mers, polymers, fluoropolymers, !ow-n optical adhesives,
`thin films, and optical waveguide cladding materials.
`In at least one implementation, at least one illumination
`source is optically coupled to at least one edge of the planar 50
`waveguide. In at least one implementation, one or more
`illumination sources is optically coupled to the edges of one
`or more cutouts within the planar waveguide.
`In at least one implementation, both the collimating array
`and the planar waveguide have a round or sectorial shape, 55
`such as obtainable in response to revolving a cross section
`of the collimating array and the planar waveguide around an
`aXIS.
`In at least one implementation, the collimator array com(cid:173)
`prises point focus lenses, or mirrors, having a shape selected
`from the group consisting of round, rectangular, square, and
`hexagonal.
`In at least one implementation, the planar waveguide
`comprises a rectangular plate having a first terminal edge, a
`second terminal edge, a first side wall, a second side wall,
`the first planar surface and the second planar surface.
`Although it should be appreciated that the rectangular plate
`
`6
`can be bent, or otherwise slightly curved, while retaining a
`substantially rectangular planform. And more particularly,
`the combination of collimator and waveguide, along with
`any intermediary layers, are adapted in at least one imple(cid:173)
`mentation to support bent and/or rolled configurations. In at
`least one implementation, a mirrored surface is added to one
`or more of the first terminal edge, the second terminal edge,
`the first side wall and the second side wall. In at least one
`implementation, a cladding layer is added to one or more of
`10 the first terminal edge, the second terminal edge, the first
`side wall and the second side wall.
`In at least one implementation, the planar waveguide and
`collimator array are adapted for being retained in a trans(cid:173)
`lated, a reversed and/or a rotated orientation relative to each
`other toward achieving a adjusting the light distribution or
`collimation pattern. In at least one implementation, the
`planar waveguide and collimator array are adapted for being
`retained in a movable relationship with one another toward
`adjusting the light distribution or collimation pattern. In at
`least one implementation, a coating is disposed on the
`exterior of said planar waveguide and/or said collimator
`array, such as including any of the following coatings or
`combination of coatings thereof: anti-reflective, protective,
`encapsulates, reflective, diffusive, radiation protective,
`25 scratch and stain resistant, and light filtering.
`At least one embodiment of the invention is configured as
`an apparatus for light collimation and distribution, compris(cid:173)
`ing: (a) a planar waveguide having an optically transparent
`planar material configured to receive light on one edge of the
`planar material, and to propagate the received light through
`the planar waveguide in response to optical transmission and
`total internal reflection; (b) a parallel collimating array
`having a plurality of elongated light collimating lenses
`disposed in an optical receiving relationship with a planar
`surface of the planar waveguide; and (c) a parallel deflecting
`array having a plurality of elongated light deflecting grooves
`within the planar waveguide which are configured for
`deflecting light propagating through the waveguide at a
`sufficiently low angle, below the predetermined critical
`angle for total internal reflection (TIR), with respect to a
`surface normal direction of an exterior surface of the planar
`waveguide to exit the planar waveguide and enter the
`parallel collimating array. Each of elongated light deflecting
`grooves is preferably positioned in a predetermined align(cid:173)
`ment with each of the plurality of elongated light collimating
`lenses. In operation, the light received on the edge of the
`planar waveguide is angularly redirected, collimated, and
`distributed from the surface of the parallel collimating array
`which is optically coupled to the planar waveguide.
`At least one embodiment of the invention is configured as
`a method for distributing radiant energy comprising: (a)
`receiving radiant energy into an edge of an optical wave(cid:173)
`guide having edges disposed between a first planar surface
`and a second planar surface; (b) propagating the radiant
`energy by optical transmission and total internal reflection in
`an optical material disposed between the first planar surface
`and the second planar surface along the length of the optical
`waveguide; (c) deflecting the radiant energy at a plurality of
`deflecting elements distributed along the first planar surface
`60 and/or second planar surface of the optical waveguide to a
`sufficiently low angle, below the predetermined critical
`angle for total internal reflection (TIR) which is with respect
`to a surface normal direction of the first planar surface or
`second planar surface of the optical waveguide, causing the
`65 radiant energy to exit the surface of the optical waveguide
`through the first planar surface and/or the second planar
`surface; and (d) collimating the radiant energy exiting the
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`Case 6:20-cv-00139-ADA Document 1-5 Filed 02/21/20 Page 29 of 55
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`US 9,880,342 B2
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`7
`optical waveguide at a plurality of focal zones in response to
`the radiant energy passing through a plurality of radiation
`collimating elements.
`At