Patent ID: 7565054
Filing Date: 2009-07-21
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An ultra thin lighting element, comprising: at least one light source; and a flexible lightguide element comprising one lightguide layer comprising a plurality of discrete groups of fine optic surface relief structures on at least one portion of at least one surface, each discrete group comprising basic structural features on the order of about 10microns or less in height, and on the order of about 10 microns or less in eaeh one lateral dimension, wherein the surface relief structures are arranged in a regular pattern within each discrete group, wherein the at least one light source is arranged at at least one edge of the lightguide element, wherein the lightguide element laterally incouples light from the at least one lightsource into the lightguide element transmits the light through the lightguide element and outcouples light from a surface of the lightguide element, wherein at least a portion of the light is outcoupled from the surface of the lightguide element in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the lightguide element in the vicinity of the outcoupling, wherein the number, arrangement and size of each surface relief structure and height and lateral dimensions of the structural features of the surface relief structures being varied to provide a desired degree of outcoupling modulation of light incoupled into the light guide element.