# US 2010/0166407 A1 · Lighting device, image pickup apparatus and portable terminal unit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0166407 A1 - Document ID: US20100166407A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/817,264 - Filed: 2007-03-22 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2006-03-30 - Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba - Inventors: Hiroki Iwanaga; Akio Amano; Kenji Shimomura; Kazuaki Ootsuka; Hideto Furuyama - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100166407A1 ## CPC - G03B 15/05: Combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units - H04N 23/56: provided with illuminating means - G03B 2215/0503: Built-in units - G03B 2215/0567: Solid-state light source, e.g. LED, laser - H10H 20/856: Reflecting means - H10W 90/00: Package configurations - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - H10H: INORGANIC LIGHT-EMITTING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES HAVING POTENTIAL BARRIERS - H10W: GENERIC PACKAGES, INTERCONNECTIONS, CONNECTORS OR OTHER CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF DEVICES COVERED BY CLASS H10 ## Abstract A lighting device including a substrate (10), and at least three light emitting elements (11) mounted on the substrate, each having an upper light emitting surface in rectangular shape and side light emitting surfaces in rectangular shape. The light emitting elements are positioned to surround a light-gathering region (12) where the light emitting elements are not located, and one of the side light emitting surfaces of each light emitting element is directed to face approximately a central portion of the light-gathering region. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A lighting device comprising: a substrate; and at least three light emitting elements mounted on the substrate, each having an upper light emitting surface in rectangular shape and side light emitting surfaces in rectangular shape, wherein the light emitting elements are positioned to surround a light-gathering region where the light emitting elements are not located, and one of the side light emitting surfaces of each light emitting element is directed to face approximately a central portion of the light-gathering region. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein a reflector is arranged in the light-gathering region, the reflector having a shape selected from the group consisting of a cone, pyramid, truncated cone and truncated pyramid, and having a slant surface which is directed to face one of the side light emitting surfaces of each of the light emitting elements. ### Claim 3 A lighting device comprising: a substrate; and at least three light emitting elements mounted on the substrate, each having an upper light emitting surface in rectangular shape and side light emitting surfaces in rectangular shape, the light emitting elements comprising a first, second, and third light emitting elements, wherein one of the side light emitting surfaces of the first light emitting element is directed to face one of the side light emitting surfaces of the second light emitting element, with a light-gathering region, where the light emitting elements are not located, being interposed therebetween; the third light emitting element is disposed close to the first and second light emitting elements; a first vertical side line forming a boundary between neighboring side light emitting surfaces of the first light emitting element is directed to face one of third vertical side lines forming boundaries between neighboring side light emitting surfaces of the third light emitting element; and a second vertical side line forming a boundary between neighboring side light emitting surfaces of the second light emitting element is directed to face another one of third vertical side lines forming boundaries between neighboring side light emitting surfaces of the third light emitting element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The lighting device according to claim 3, wherein the first vertical side line and the one of third vertical side lines exist on a vertical plane including approximately central axes of the first and third light emitting elements; and the second vertical side line and the other one of third vertical side lines exist on a vertical plane including approximately central axes of the second and third light emitting elements. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein a reflection plate is disposed around and/or beneath the region where the light emitting elements are disposed. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting elements emit near-ultraviolet or blue light. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A flash comprising the lighting device claimed in claim 1. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) An image pickup apparatus comprising the flash claimed in claim 7 equipped therewith. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A portable terminal unit comprising the image pickup apparatus claimed in claim 8 equipped therewith. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting element comprises a fluorescent layer containing a rare earth complex wherein β-diketone and a phosphine oxide compound are coordinated to a rare earth atom. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A lighting device according to claim 10, wherein the rare earth atom is europium. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) A lighting device according to claim 10, wherein the rare earth complex is represented by the following general formula (1): wherein R1 to R6 are a group selected from the group consisting of linear or branched alkyl group, fluoroalkyl group, alkoxy group, fluoroalkoxy group, aromatic group, and substituted aromatic group; and n is an odd number of 3 or more. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) A lighting device according to claim 10, wherein the rare earth complex is represented by the following general formula (2): wherein R7 to R14 are a group selected from the group consisting of linear or branched alkyl group, fluoroalkyl group, alkoxy group, fluoroalkoxy group, aromatic group, and substituted aromatic group; and m, n, o and p are an integer.