Osram in the lead:

170 patents world-wide relating to luminescence converters for LEDs

REGENSBURG - Osram is now the leading company for patents relating to LED luminescence converters, with around 170 relevant patent applications world-wide in the key markets (Europe, USA, Asia). It is the customers who will profit most from this bundled wealth of knowledge, as in future Osram will be able to produce LEDs to match precise color requirements.

Source: OSRAM

Color on demand - production of LEDs to customer specification
This is made possible by the process of luminescence conversion. In this process, the light emitted from a blue LED excites, for example, a fluorescent luminous substance which in turn emits yellow light. The mixture of blue and converted yellow light appears white to the naked eye. It will be possible to generate any other color in the spectrum in a similar way, even to the point of company-specific colors. Particularly in lighting applications in advertising these LED solutions will offer a good alternative to the previous more complex combinations of a white light source and color filters.

World-wide rights protected by patents
As a global player, Osram is in a position to secure research findings from developers from all of the associated company sectors right across the globe. The US subsidiary Osram Sylvania and the specialists at the Osram plant in Schwabmünchen, Germany offer many years of experience with luminescence converters for fluorescent lamps. Osram Opto Semiconductors has the relevant experience and knowledge when it comes to the use of luminescence converters in LED applications. With an extensive understanding of semiconductors, luminescence converters and packages, Osram combines the three main pillars for the production of powerful LEDs and lasers in one company.

A cross-licensing agreement with the key competitor Nichia, which specifically covers issues around protected industry rights for gallium-nitride and indium-gallium-nitride based semiconductors, has been secured in a move designed to safeguard Osram’s leading position. These Osram products are now protected world-wide by patents and can therefore also be used in global markets.

In the general field of optical semiconductor technology, Osram Opto Semiconductors has a total of more than 2000 patents.

About Osram Opto Semiconductors
Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH, Regensburg, is a subsidiary of Osram, one of the world’s three largest lamp manufacturers. They offer their customers a range of solutions based on semiconductor technology in the areas of lighting, sensory mechanisms and visualization. The company operates facilities in Regensburg (Germany), San José (USA) and Penang (Malaysia). Further information is available at www.osram-os.com.

Press contact:

OSRAM

Marion Brand
Tel: +49-941-850-1693
Fax: +49-941-850-3305
Email: marion.brand@osram-os.com