IP Library Granted Patent US 7,375,379
Granted Patent B2
US 7,375,379 · App. 11/313,120 · Granted May 20, 2008

Light-emitting device

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,375,379
App. No.
11/313,120
Granted
May 20, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention provides a light-emitting device and a method of illumination. The light-emitting device includes one or more semiconductor layers, a reflective bottom surface, and a top surface coupled to semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layers include an active region where a primary light is generated. The relative position of the top surface, the reflective bottom surface and the active region is adjusted to substantially transmit the primary light through the sides of the light-emitting device.

Claims (51)

1. A light-emitting device comprising:

a. at least one semiconductor layer, the at least one semiconductor layer comprising an active region, wherein a primary light is generated in the active region;

b. a reflective bottom surface, the reflective bottom surface coupled to the at least one semiconductor layer; and

c. a top surface, the top surface coupled to the at least one semiconductor layer, the top surface comprising a solid reflective layer, substantially parallel to the active region and substantially completely overlying the active region, the solid reflective layer reflecting a first portion of the primary light;

wherein the top surface and the reflective bottom surface redirect the primary light in one or more radial directions, the solid reflective layer substantially preventing any light from being emitted through the solid reflective layer, the one or more radial directions including directions being substantially parallel to the central plane of the active region.

2. The light-emitting device of claim 1 , wherein the reflective bottom surface, the at least one semiconductor layer and the top surface form a stack.

3. The light-emitting device of claim 1 , wherein the relative position of the active region, the reflective bottom surface and the top surface is adjusted to substantially transmit the primary light in the one or more radial directions.

4. The light-emitting device of claim 1 further comprising an optically transparent overmold to protect the at least one semiconductor layer and the top surface.

5. A light-emitting device comprising:

a. at least one semiconductor layer, the at least one semiconductor layer comprising an active region, wherein a primary light is generated in the active region;

b. a reflective bottom surface, the reflective bottom surface coupled to the at least one semiconductor layer;

c. a top surface, the top surface coupled to the at least one semiconductor layer, the top surface comprising a solid reflective layer, substantially parallel to the active region, the reflective layer reflecting a first portion of the primary light;

wherein the top surface and the reflective bottom surface redirect the primary light in one or more radial directions, the solid reflective layer substantially preventing any light from being emitted through the solid reflective layer, the one or more radial directions including directions being substantially parallel to the central plane of the active region; and

d. an optical concentrator, the optical concentrator coupled to the top surface, the top surface transmitting a second portion of the primary light, the optical concentrator redirecting the second portion of the primary light substantially parallel to the central plane of the active region, the solid reflective layer being only located at a central area overlying the active region to block light being emitted through a central area of the optical concentrator.

6. The light-emitting device of claim 5 , wherein the optical concentrator is symmetrical about the central axis of the light-emitting device.

7. The light-emitting device of claim 5 , wherein at least one surface of the optical concentrator comprises a reflective surface.

8. A light-emitting device comprising:

a. at least one semiconductor layer, the at least one semiconductor layer comprising an active region, wherein a primary light is generated in the active region;

b. a reflective bottom surface, the reflective bottom surface coupled to the at least one semiconductor layer;

c. a top surface, the top surface coupled to the at least one semiconductor layer, the top surface comprising a solid reflective layer, substantially parallel to the active region and substantially completely overlying the active region, the solid reflective layer reflecting a first portion of the primary light;

wherein the top surface and the reflective bottom surface redirect the primary light in one or more radial directions, the solid reflective layer substantially preventing any light from being emitted through the solid reflective layer, the one or more radial directions including directions being substantially parallel to the central plane of the active region; and

d. a wavelength converter, the wavelength converter optically coupled to the at least one semiconductor layer, the wavelength converter converting the primary light to a secondary light.

9. The light-emitting device of claim 8 , wherein the wavelength converter comprises a phosphor layer.

10. An illumination system comprising:

a. one or more light-emitting devices, each of the one or more light-emitting devices comprising:

i. at least one semiconductor layer, the at least one semiconductor layer comprising an active region, wherein a primary light is generated in the active region;

ii. a reflective bottom surface, the reflective bottom surface coupled to the at least one semiconductor layer; and

iii. a top surface, the top surface coupled to the at least one semiconductor layer, the top surface comprising a solid reflective layer, substantially parallel to the active region and substantially completely overlying the active region, the solid reflective layer reflecting a first portion of the primary light;

wherein the top surface and the reflective bottom surface redirect the primary light in one or more radial directions, the solid reflective layer substantially preventing any light from being emitted through the solid reflective layer, the one or more radial directions including directions being substantially parallel to the central plane of the active region; and

b. a light-transmitting zone, the light-transmitting zone optically coupled to the one or more light-emitting devices.

11. The light-emitting device of claim 10 , wherein the reflective bottom surface, the at least one semiconductor layer and the top surface form a stack.

12. The illumination system of claim 10 , wherein the relative position of the active region, the reflective bottom surface and the top surface is adjusted to substantially transmit the primary light in the one or more radial directions.

13. The illumination system of claim 10 , wherein each of the one or more light-emitting devices further comprises an optically transparent overmold to protect the at least one semiconductor layer and the top surface.

14. The illumination system of claim 10 , wherein the light-transmitting zone comprises a tapered waveguide.

15. The illumination system of claim 10 , wherein the light-transmitting zone comprises at least one reflective surface.

16. An illumination system comprising:

a. one or more light-emitting devices, each of the one or more light-emitting devices comprising:

i. at least one semiconductor layer, the at least one semiconductor layer comprising an active region, wherein a primary light is generated in the active region;

ii. a reflective bottom surface, the reflective bottom surface coupled to the at least one semiconductor layer; and

iii. a top surface, the top surface coupled to the at least one semiconductor layer, the top surface comprising a solid reflective layer, substantially parallel to the active region, the solid reflective layer reflecting a first portion of the primary light;

wherein the top surface and the reflective bottom surface redirect the primary light in one or more radial directions, the solid reflective layer substantially preventing any light from being emitted through the solid reflective layer, the one or more radial directions including directions being substantially parallel to the central plane of the active region; and

b. a light-transmitting zone, the light-transmitting zone optically coupled to the one or more light-emitting devices;

wherein each of the one or more light-emitting devices further comprises an optical concentrator, the optical concentrator coupled to the top surface, the top surface transmitting a second portion of the primary light, the optical concentrator redirecting the second portion of the primary light substantially parallel to the central plane of the active region, the solid reflective layer being only located at a central area overlying the active region to block light being emitted through a central area of the optical concentrator.

17. An illumination system comprising:

a. one or more light-emitting devices, each of the one or more light-emitting devices comprising:

i. at least one semiconductor layer, the at least one semiconductor layer comprising an active region, wherein a primary light is generated in the active region;

ii. a reflective bottom surface, the reflective bottom surface coupled to the at least one semiconductor layer; and

iii. a top surface, the top surface coupled to the at least one semiconductor layer, the top surface comprising a solid reflective layer, substantially parallel to the active region and substantially completely overlying the active region, the solid reflective layer reflecting a first portion of the primary light;

wherein the top surface and the reflective bottom surface redirect the primary light in one or more radial directions, the solid reflective layer substantially preventing any light from being emitted through the solid reflective layer, the one or more radial directions including directions being substantially parallel to the central plane of the active region; and

b. a light-transmitting zone, the light-transmitting zone optically coupled to the one or more light-emitting devices;

wherein each of the one or more light-emitting devices farther comprises a wavelength converter, the wavelength converter coupled to the at least one semiconductor layer, the wavelength converter converting the primary light to a secondary light.

Assignments (7)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 10, 2025
From: LUMILEDS LLC
To: LUMILEDS SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 071888/0086 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2025
From: SOUND POINT AGENCY LLC
To: LUMILEDS LLC; LUMILEDS HOLDING B.V.
Reel/Frame 070046/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 5, 2023
From: LUMILEDS LLC; LUMILEDS HOLDING B.V.
To: SOUND POINT AGENCY LLC
Reel/Frame 062299/0338 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 19, 2018
From: PHILIPS LUMILEDS LIGHTING COMPANY, LLC
To: LUMILEDS LLC
Reel/Frame 046111/0261 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 7, 2017
From: LUMILEDS LLC
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 043108/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 15, 2011
From: LUMILEDS LIGHTING U.S., LLC; LUMILEDS LIGHTING, U.S., LLC; LUMILEDS LIGHTING, U.S. LLC; LUMILEDS LIGHTING U.S. LLC
To: PHILIPS LUMILEDS LIGHTING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 025850/0770 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 19, 2005
From: PUGH, MARK; HARBERS, GERARD; WEST, ROBERT SCOTT
To: LUMILEDS LIGHTING U.S., LLC
Reel/Frame 017358/0810 →