Patent ID: 6879354
Filing Date: 2005-04-12
Classification: G02B,G02F

Abstract:
1. A front-illuminating device comprising: a light source; and a first light-directing body that is placed disposed in front: of an object to be illuminated, the firs light-directing body having an incident surface on which light from the light source is made incident, a first light-releasing surface from which light is released to the object to be illuminated and a second light-releasing surface, placed face to face with the first light-releasing surface, for releasing light reflected from the object to be illuminated, a second light-directing body having a first surface and a second surface that faces the first surface, the second light directing body being disposed between the first light-directing body and the object to be illuminated such that the first surface of the second light-directing body faces the first light-releasing surface of the first light-directing body and the second surface of the second light-directing body releases light that has been made incident thereon from the first light-directing body through the first surface to the object to be illuminated; wherein the second light-releasing surface of the first light directing body is formed into a step shape in which slanting portions for reflecting light mainly from the light source toward the first light-releasing surface and flat portions for transmitting light reflected mainly from the object to be illuminated are alternately placed; and the second light directing body is configured and arranged so a distance from each of the slanting portions on the second light-releasing surface of the fist light-directing body to the surface of the second surface of the second light-directing body is essentially uniform.