LIGHT EMITTING PANEL ASSEMBLIES
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.