2965results about "Fibre light guides" patented technology

Various exemplary implementations of light emitting diode (LED) based illumination products and methods are disclosed including, but not limited to, glow sticks, key chains, toys, balls, various game accessories, light bulbs, night lights, wall lights, wall switches, wall sockets, wall panels, modular lights, flexible lights, automotive lights, wearable accessories, light ropes, decorative lights such as icicles and icicle strings, light tubes, insect control lights and methods, and lighted air fresheners / scent dispensers. Any of the foregoing devices may be equipped with various types of user interfaces (both “local” and “remote”) to control light generated from the device. Additionally, devices may be controlled via light control information or programs stored in device memory and / or transmitted or downloaded to the devices (e.g., devices may be controlled individually or collectively in groups via a network, glow sticks or other products may be downloaded with programming information that is stored in memory, etc.). Devices also may include sensors so that the generated light may change in response to various operating and / or environmental conditions or a user input. Various optical processing devices which may be used with any of the devices (e.g., reflectors, diffusers, etc.) also are disclosed.

Disclosed is an optical valve or light valve for providing large area collimated illumination from localized light sources, and system and method thereof for 2D, 3D, and / or autosteroscopic displays. An optical valve may include a stepped structure, in which the steps include separated extraction features which may be optically hidden to light propagating in a first direction. Light propagating in a second direction may be refracted, diffracted, or reflected by the features to provide illumination beams exiting from the top surface of the optical valve. Such controlled illumination may provide for efficient, multi-user autostereoscopic displays as well as improved 2D display functionality.

Methods and apparatus for downloading one or more lighting programs including one or more lighting effects. The lighting program(s) may be downloaded from a web site to one or more LED-based lighting devices that are configured to execute the downloaded lighting program(s) so as to reproduce the lighting effect(s). In various examples, a variety of programming devices may be employed to facilitate wired or wireless downloading, including one or more computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones, media players (e.g., MP3 players), and the like. Information may be uploaded to the web site to facilitate selection and / or creation of lighting effect(s) that are included in the downloaded lighting program(s).

An optical transmission tube for illumination is uniquely incorporated into any one of a variety of automotive, commercial, retail, structural, architectural, safety, or other products including running boards, vehicle interior compartments such as a glove box, approximate the license plate attachment area on a vehicle, a trunk, a vehicle hood, on a vehicle door, a vehicle bumper, a vehicle luggage rack, a picture frame, a flashlight, a building, a guard rail, a construction barrier, a bicycle, a sign, an appliance interior compartment such as a refrigerator, a part bin, a retail display shelf, a clipboard, a step, a tractor trailer, a desk, a walkway, a room or storage chamber, a runway, an instrument panel, a railroad crossing gate, an emergency sign, an elevator doorway, a swimming pool, a dog collar, a fish tank, a baby crib a hand rail, an inline skate an island in a parking lot or on a street, affixed to a curb, or on safety clothing.

An illumination device simulates neon lighting using a light source for emitting light of a predetermined first hue and a light-transmitting medium having a predetermined density of phosphorescent dye positioned adjacent to the light source. The phosphorescent dye will absorb light emitted by the light source and emit light of a second hue. An observer of the device perceives light that is of a hue that is different from the predetermined first hue. A means for varying the intensity of the light emitted by the light source creates color changing effects in the illumination device. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are a suitable light source. A waveguide having both optical waveguide and light scattering properties is used to diffuse the combined light and simulate the uniform appearance of a neon tube. Alternatively, the waveguide itself can be doped with phosphorescent dye to emit light having the perceived hue.

The invention is directed to provide a virtual image display device capable of setting the aspect ratio of the image light entering the eyes of the observer as a virtual image to a desired state while fulfilling the design limitations. In the invention, the aspect ratio of the virtual image can be converted to the aspect ratio (16:9) laterally longer than the aspect ratio (4:3) of the image area due to the conversion in the aspect ratio conversion optical system. Thus, the aspect ratio of the image light to be recognized by the eye of the observer as a virtual image can be adjusted to a desired state even in the case in which, for example, the lateral width of the image forming device with respect to the whole of the virtual image display device is limited by a design requirement.

Illumination systems, devices, and methods for cultivating biomasses. A bioreactor system is operable for growing photosynthetic organisms. The bioreactor system includes a bioreactor and an illumination system. The illumination system includes one more optical waveguides configured to light at least some of a plurality of photosynthetic organisms retained in the bioreactor. In some embodiments, the one or more optical waveguides include a plurality of structures configured to direct light energy from a solar energy collector, and a plurality of artificial light sources, along the interior of the waveguide. In some embodiments, the one more optical waveguides include a plurality of light-diffusing structures configured to guide at least a portion of the light from the solar energy collector and a plurality of artificial light sources directed along the interior of the waveguide, to the exterior of the waveguide.

A lighting system for generating an illumination product comprises an excitation source, blue / UV LED, operable to generate excitation radiation and a remotely located phosphor, photo luminescent material. Excitation radiation is guided from the excitation source to the phosphor by a waveguiding medium, the waveguiding medium being configured such that the distance the radiation travels from the excitation source to the phosphor layer is at least one centimeter in length. The UV / blue excitation source provides excitation radiation to the phosphor(s), causing the phosphor(s) to photo luminesce, and it may also provide a component of the final illumination product. The configuration of the waveguide allows a greater flexibility in lighting system configurations, such as hanging lighting fixtures, desk lighting fixtures, floor standing lighting fixtures, desk lamps, track lighting, spot lighting, accent lighting, lighting panels, inspection lamps and endoscopes.

A system for creating a flickering effect comprising a simulated candle housing, a light communicating channel on the housing, a source of ultraviolet light disposed in the channel, and a simulated flame having ultraviolet material thereon movable back and forth from its vertical axis mounted in the housing, the light focused on the simulated flame simulating a flickering flame.

A light source injects light into a translucent light guide, particularly using high-power LEDs. A core to the light guide contains a homogenous mixture of fluid and a light dispersing agent to effect scattering. Scattered light passes though the light guide and may be used for illumination. A high power LED is provided with a reflector and heat sink to disperse waste heat, increasing the efficiency and life of the LED.

A micro-projector comprises an LED layer, a light pipe coupled to the LED, a LCOS panel, a projection lens, a PBS, an aperture layer coupled to the output end of the light pipe which has a transmissive opening for transmitting a portion of the light output and a reflective surface for reflecting the remaining portion of the light output toward the input end of the light pipe. Thus, the remaining portion of the light output is recycled back to the LED to increase the brightness of the light output of the LED. The micro-projector also comprises a reflective polarizer disposed between the light pipe and the aperture layer for transmitting the light output of a predetermined polarization and reflecting other polarization of the light output, thereby recycling unused polarization of the light output back to the LED to increase the brightness of the light output of the LED.

An LED system that simulates bare or exposed neon in appearance. The curvilinear LED light source comprises a rigid, formable light guide having a generally circular cross-section and a flexible LED light engine. The light guide is made of a material or materials that can be heated and formed into a desired shape. The light guide retains the desired shape upon cooling. The flexible light engine is inserted into a groove in the light engine.

Illuminated surgical retractors include at least one retractor blade and a light delivery system. In some embodiments of the invention, the light delivery system includes a light emitter in the form of an elongated light emitting blade portion extending along the length of the retractor blade. The light emitter may be coupled to a light source integral with the retractor for illuminating all or a portion of the length of the light emitter or retractor blade. In other embodiments of the invention, the light delivery system may include an array of lights which may be attached directly to the retractor blade or to a support in the shape of an elongated blade that extends along the length of the retractor blade for illuminating all or a portion of the length of the retractor blade.

A system for creating a flickering effect comprising a simulated candle housing, a light communicating channel on the housing, a source of ultraviolet light disposed in the channel, and a simulated flame having ultraviolet material thereon movable back and forth from its vertical axis mounted in the housing, the light focused on the simulated flame simulating a flickering flame.

An illumination system generating light having at least one wavelength within 200 nm a plurality of nano-sized structures (e.g., voids). The optical fiber coupled to the light source. The light diffusing optical fiber has a core and a cladding. The plurality of nano-sized structures is situated either within said core or at a core-cladding boundary. The optical fiber also includes an outer surface. The optical fiber is configured to scatter guided light via the nano-sized structures away from the core and through the outer surface, to form a light-source fiber portion having a length that emits substantially uniform radiation over its length, said fiber having a scattering-induced attenuation greater than 50 dB / km for the wavelength(s) within 200 nm to 2000 nm range.

An elongated LED lighting arrangement comprises an elongated light pipe with homogeneous optical material between first and second ends. In an exemplary embodiment, an LED provides blue light to the light pipe via a first dichroic mirror tuned to pass blue light. Down-converting means on sidewall of the light pipe, tuned to receive blue light, absorbs blue light from the LED and to emit lower-energy light outside of the light pipe at respectively higher wavelengths. Light-extracting means on the sidewall extract from the light pipe some blue light without changing the wavelengths of the foregoing light. Light from the down-converting means and the light-extracting means are combined to provide a composite color. The first dichroic mirror receives some light emitted by the down-converting means and reflects back into the light pipe more than 80 percent of the light received by the mirror.

Illuminators include transparent light emitting members having a pattern of rounded shallow notches or grooves in one or more surfaces of the members for causing internally reflected light to be emitted from the members. The notches or grooves may be cut using a circular cutting tool. The relative speed of the cutting tool and feed rate of the cutting tool relative to the members may be controlled to produce a roughened surface on the notches or grooves.

A runway and taxiway lighting system (of FIG. 1). The system (100) includes a housing (105) as part of a light assembly (102), which light assembly (102) includes a light source (120) for emitting light (123), and a light pipe (126). The light pipe (126) has a first end (124) in close association with the light source (120) for coupling the light (123) thereinto, and a second end (128) from which the light (123) is dispersed. The system (100) also includes a power source encased in a power box (108), and operatively connected to the light assembly (120) for providing power thereto.

Various embodiments described herein comprise mixers comprising a light pipe having input and output ends and a central region therebetween. An optical path extends in a longitudinal direction from the input end through the central region to the output end. The central region of the light pipe comprises one or more rippled reflective sidewalls having a plurality of elongate ridges and valleys and sloping surfaces therebetween. Light from the input end propagating along the optical path reflects from the sloping surfaces and is redirected at a different azimuthal direction toward the output end thereby mixing the light at the output end. Illuminance and / or color mixing can therefore be provided.

An illumination system employing a waveguide. Light received from an edge or an end of a waveguide is propagated in response to transmission and total internal reflection. Light deflecting elements distributed along the propagation path of light continuously change the out-of-plane propagation angle of light rays and cause decoupling of portions of the propagated light from the core of the waveguide at different distances from the light input edge or end. Light escapes from the waveguide into an intermediate layer at low out-of-plane angles and is further redirected by light extraction features out of the system. In one embodiment, the illumination system is configured to emit collimated light. In one embodiment, the illumination system includes shallow surface relief features. In one embodiment, the light deflecting elements include forward-scattering particles distributed throughout the volume of the waveguide. Additional collimating and non-collimating illumination units and methods are also disclosed.

A light therapy device (40) for delivering light energy to treat medical conditions in tissues (200) includes a light source (300) with one or more light emitters, which provides input light (305). A light coupling means comprised of one or more optical fibers (310) for coupling the input light into a bandage portion (100) comprising a flexible optical substrate (50). A light extraction means (30) directs a portion of the input light out of the bandage and towards one or more localized areas of the tissues. A semi-permeable transparent membrane (400), attached directly or indirectly to the substrate, controls a flow of moisture and moisture vapor to and from the tissues. A controller (16) means controls a light dosage emitted from the light therapy device.

An exterior lighting device based on a light emitting diode in conjunction with an optic fiber is disclosed. The device has a cylindrical housing having a closed end and an open end. The light emitting diode is placed on the interior of the on the closed end of the cylindrical housing. A clear lens having one end in proximity with the light emitting diode and an opposite end with a flat surface is provided. A top cap is installed over the open end of the cylindrical housing. The top cap forms a water tight seal with the cylindrical housing using O-rings. A retaining plate is held in place between the top cap and the cylindrical housing. The retaining plate is locked with the flat surface of the lens thus holding the lens in place over the light emitting diode. An optic fiber has a receiving end held by the retaining plate in proximity to the light emitting diode and an opposite emitting end extending from a socket in the top cap. A coupling assembly sits in the socket in the top cap and holds the optic fiber in relation to the top cap.

A flexible and optionally highly elastic waveguide capable of propagating and emitting light is disclosed. The flexible waveguide comprises a flexible material having a surface and an end, wherein a first portion of the light is emitted through at least a portion of the surface of the flexible waveguide, and a second portion of the light is emitted through the end. The flexible waveguide can be used, for example as an area illuminator for many applications. Additionally disclosed is a clothing device for providing illumination. The clothing device comprises clothing (or even optionally a sheet) and a light source for providing light. In one embodiment the clothing device comprises the flexible waveguide.

A solid waveguide comprises opposite TIR surfaces further comprising:a) at least one light input surface for coupling light from a solid state light source;b) at least one mixing section;c) at least one light emitting surface; andd) a desired pattern of light redirecting features located on one TIR surface or between the TIR surfaces.

An LED system that simulates bare or exposed neon in appearance. The curvilinear LED light source comprises a rigid, formable light guide having a generally circular cross-section and a flexible LED light engine. The light guide is made of a material or materials that can be heated and formed into a desired shape. The light guide retains the desired shape upon cooling. The flexible light engine is inserted into a groove in the light engine.

A light emitting device, comprises: an excitation light source that emits excitation light; a wavelength conversion member that absorbs the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source, converts its wavelength, and releases light of a predetermined wavelength band; a light guide in which the center part (core) of its cross section has a refractive index that is higher than the refractive index of the peripheral portion (cladding), and which guides the light emitted from the wavelength conversion member to the outside; and wherein the wavelength conversion member is produced by laminating a plurality of layers that wavelength-convert different wavelengths of light.

A lit-up marking device for floors includes a section with a generally U-shaped layout defined by a flat base and by two end wings. Intermediate inlets for the pressure-fitting of a translucent protector are at the flat base. Lighting is positioned on a longitudinal support housed in the section and a translucent protector has a central portion and two side feet forming an arrow-head for fitting into the section. The wings of the section have, on their interior end, respective concavities which face concavities formed on the exterior in the initial zone of the side legs of the translucent protector. The cavities form one cavity with an opening for inserting optional elements for fixing the translucent protector onto the section.