US 7936415

An analysis of United States Patent 7,936,415 reveals the following details regarding its invention and legal status.

Title: Light source apparatus and liquid crystal display having the same

Current Assignee: As of the latest assignment recorded on July 10, 2024, the assignee for US Patent 7,936,415 is Light Guide Innovations LLC. The original assignee was LG Innotek Co Ltd.

Inventor: Jun Seok Park

Filing Date: August 8, 2007

Issue Date: May 3, 2011

Abstract: The patent describes a light source apparatus, primarily for a liquid crystal display (LCD), that features a modular design. The apparatus includes a housing with a groove that holds at least one module substrate (a circuit board) with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on it. These module substrates have connecting terminals at both ends, allowing them to be linked together by separate connecting substrates.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims

The patent includes three independent claims, which define the core of the invention.

• Claim 1: This claim outlines a light source apparatus built from at least one LED-outfitted circuit board (module substrate). A key aspect of this claim is the use of multiple smaller connecting substrates to link these main boards. It specifically claims a "termination connecting substrate" which is used at the end of a series of connected boards to create a closed electrical loop.

• Claim 12: This claim describes a light source apparatus that includes a housing with a receiving groove for holding at least one module substrate with LEDs. Similar to the first claim, it details the use of connecting substrates to link these modules. A distinguishing feature of this claim is the "termination connecting substrate" which allows the connecting terminal at the end of the final module substrate to be "feedback in a form of a closed loop."

• Claim 16: This claim covers a full liquid crystal display that incorporates the light source unit. The light unit is situated below the liquid crystal panel. The claim specifies that the module substrates have first and second connecting terminals at their ends. The core of this claim is the "termination connecting substrate" which has a pre-designed "closed loop pattern" to connect to the second terminal of the final module substrate, thereby forming a closed circuit.

In essence, the independent claims describe a modular and extendable LED lighting system. The central inventive concept is the method of connecting multiple LED boards in series using separate, smaller connecting substrates, and importantly, using a specially designed "termination" substrate to complete the electrical circuit at the end of the line. This modular approach could simplify manufacturing and allow for the creation of light bars of varying lengths from standardized components.

CAFC Docket Search

A search of the CAFC (Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit) dockets for 2026 for proceedings related to US Patent 7,936,415 has been conducted. As of today's date, May 13, 2026, there are no records of any cases involving this patent in the CAFC dockets for the year 2026.