News

11 November 2010

 

Luminus awarded 50th US patent for ‘big-chip’ LEDs

Luminus Devices Inc of Billerica, MA, USA, which develops and manufactures large-chip PhlatLight (photonic lattice) LEDs for illumination applications, says that the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has awarded the firm its 50th patent.

Luminus says that, having pioneered ‘big-chip’ LED technology, it has aggressively filed intellectual property (IP) for protection of big-chip LED devices, packages and systems. It has also been granted 13 non-US issued patents in China, Korea and Taiwan, extending big-chip LED protection into those countries.

“The rapid allowance of our patents is a testament to the novelty of our approach in the solid-state lighting industry,” reckons founder & chief technology officer Alexei Erchak. “We have more than 100 additional patents pending in the US and in other countries that further extend our coverage,” he adds.

Luminus also has a track record of granting licenses to other LED firms, starting with Japan’s Nichia Corp in January 2009, then Taiwan’s Formosa Epitaxy (Forepi) this March and, most recently, Taiwan’s Epistar in August.

“The innovative technologies developed at Luminus can help advance the entire solid-state industry at a more rapid pace,” believes Erchak. “We therefore welcome licensing opportunities that complement our core manufacturing business while simultaneously helping other LED companies benefit from our technology,” he adds. “As the industry begins to become more and more interested in the value of big-chip LEDs, we are seeing companies respect our IP position and many licensing opportunities continue to develop.”

Designed to provide an ultra-bright, reliable light source, PhlatLight big-chip LEDs are used in display applications by some of the world's largest electronics and lighting companies, such as Acer, Guth, LG, Philips Lighting and Samsung. Luminus says that they enable new general illumination applications in lighting markets such as architectural, entertainment, retail, residential, roadways, industrial high-bay lighting, digital displays and signage and UV for industrial processing.

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