An optical article for directing and distributing light including an optically transmissive layer having one or more arrays of TIR channels and a light diffusing element disposed in optical communication with the optically transmissive layer. The TIR channels define reflective surfaces extending perpendicular or near-perpendicular to a prevailing plane of the optically transmissive layer. The TIR channels and the light diffusing element operate concurrently to redirect and redistribute a beam of light received from a light source such as daylight or an LED over a broad angular range.

A external light control device for equatorially located building utilizes tilting external light shelves that are capable of tilting backward (toward the building) from a vertical orientation to reflect low am (or late pm) sun away from occupants, but are deployed at a tilt away from the building exterior to capture more sun closer to noon time. The structure preferably integrate IR rejecting coating for incident light which is re-directed by TIR surface disposed normal to the thin film layers in a multi-layer IR reflective coating. The panel may be monolithic or comprise tilting louvers, which can be metallic, dielectric, or TIR reflectors. The louvers preferably also tilt in response to the determined sun position with the panel to optimize light utilization.

Lighting devices and methods for providing daylight to the interior of a structure are disclosed. Some embodiments disclosed herein provide a daylighting device including a tube having a sidewall with a reflective interior surface, a light collecting structure, and a light reflector positioned to reflect daylight into the light collector. In some embodiments, the light collector is associated with one or more light-turning and/or light reflecting structures configured to increase the amount of light captured by the daylighting device. Optical elements may allow for the absorption and/or selective transmission of infrared light away from an interior of the daylighting device.

An example optical device for backlighting includes a receiver disposed in a mobile device to receive ambient light. The optical device also includes a concentrator to concentrate the received ambient light received through the receiver. The optical device further includes a channeler to direct the ambient light beneath a surface of the mobile device to a digital display of the mobile device.

A daylighting device of the present invention is provided with a planar optical member 1 and a support member. The planar optical member 1 is provided with a planar structure body which has a plurality of linear bodies 3 formed of optically transparent materials which are arrayed substantially in parallel and a plurality of binding members which are arranged in a direction which intersects with the plurality of the linear bodies 3 and which bind the plurality of the linear bodies 3 in a state of being arrayed substantially in parallel. The linear bodies 3 have reflective surfaces which reflect light which is incident to the linear body 3 along a direction which intersects with a length direction of the linear body 3 and refractive surfaces which refract the light. In at least a part of a planar structure body, the orientations of reflective surfaces of at least some of the linear bodies out of the plurality of linear bodies 3 substantially match and the orientations of the refractive surfaces of at least some of the linear bodies substantially match.

A daylighting device of the present invention is provided with a planar optical member 1 and a support member. The planar optical member 1 is provided with a planar structure body which has a plurality of linear bodies 3 formed of optically transparent materials which are arrayed substantially in parallel and a plurality of binding members which are arranged in a direction which intersects with the plurality of the linear bodies 3 and which bind the plurality of the linear bodies 3 in a state of being arrayed substantially in parallel. The linear bodies 3 have reflective surfaces which reflect light which is incident to the linear body 3 along a direction which intersects with a length direction of the linear body 3 and refractive surfaces which refract the light. In at least a part of a planar structure body, the orientations of reflective surfaces of at least some of the linear bodies out of the plurality of linear bodies 3 substantially match and the orientations of the refractive surfaces of at least some of the linear bodies substantially match.

A lighting device includes a lighting film including a prism layer that emits incident light in a prescribed direction, and a rigid body that includes a receiving unit having a prescribed cross-sectional rigidity and supporting the lighting film, and a retaining unit that fixes the lighting film to the receiving unit.

A daylight illumination system for integration into a building or larger vehicle comprises a translucent facade element (800) containing a glass sheet and a light redirection element (302 or 708), and a light transport channel (801) for guiding light about horizontally into an interior of the building, the light transport channel comprising one opening attached to the interior side of said facade element and at least one opening towards the interior of the building, characterised in that the light redirection element (302 or 708) is formed as a structured polymer film or sheet attached to a glass sheet of the facade element (800) and is configured for changing the direction of incident light into the about horizontal light transport channel.

A daylight illumination system for integration into a building or larger vehicle comprises a translucent facade element (800) containing a glass sheet and a light redirection element (302 or 708), and a light transport channel (801) for guiding light about horizontally into an interior of the building, the light transport channel comprising one opening attached to the interior side of said facade element and at least one opening towards the interior of the building, characterised in that the light redirection element (302 or 708) is formed as a structured polymer film or sheet attached to a glass sheet of the facade element (800) and is configured for changing the direction of incident light into the about horizontal light transport channel.

The disclosure presents methods and apparatus of light transmission control, comprising two layers of film separated by air, wherein each film is inlaid with a convex micro-lenses array. The first film will focus incoming light through the microlens, whereas the second film contains a grid of opaque areas that will be structured to block or un-block the focal planes of light depending on the thickness of the air layer. When the light is unblocked, the micro lens array in the second film will disperse the light to the other side of the film so it appears transparent or translucent. An attached hand pump can control the thickness of the air layer. The method and apparatus to control light levels is effective, reliable, affordable, intuitive and easy to use. The films can be attached to existing surfaces provide full transparency, a dimming effect, or complete blackout.