Illumination – Light source and modifier – Laser type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-09
2001-06-26
Sember, Thomas M. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Light source and modifier
Laser type
C362S551000, C362S235000, C362S800000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250775
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to light display systems and, more particularly, to light-emitting diode display systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Incandescent and fluorescent lights (typically referred to as “neon lights”) are used in great quantities to form advertising signs, billboards, shop signs, window displays and the like. Although fluorescent tubes, in particular, are provided in various attractive colors and can be arranged in a variety of light display forms (e.g., letters and numbers), they require high voltages (e.g., 12,000-20,000 volts), are extremely fragile, require substantial support to decrease breakage and are expensive to fabricate.
In contrast, light-emitting diode display systems are available in various colors and operate with low voltages. They have been combined with optical fibers to simulate fluorescent tubes and this combination is comparatively rugged and relatively simple to fabricate. Conventional light-emitting diode display systems, however, typically generate light with single-diode units that utilize bond wires in their assembly. This structure limits the emitted intensity of these systems and, accordingly, it has limited their acceptance as light display systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to light-emitting diode display systems which have enhanced light intensity. In one display embodiment, the enhanced intensity is realized with first and second electrodes, a plurality of light-emitting diodes and a reflector. The first and second electrodes respectively form first and second sets of first and second fingers respectively wherein the first and second fingers are arranged in an interdigitated relationship.
Each of the light-emitting diodes is coupled between a respective one of the first fingers and a respective one of the second fingers and the reflector is arranged and positioned to reflect light from all of the light-emitting diodes. The reflected light combines the emission of all diodes and, accordingly, its intensity is substantially enhanced.
In another light display embodiment, an optical fiber is coupled to the reflector and preferably arranged to form at least one light display form (e.g., a letter and/or number). Emission light intensity from the fiber is enhanced with elongate light-emission structures (e.g., elongate reflectors and elongate cladding perturbations) that facilitate light propagation through the fiber's cladding.
In another light display embodiment, a plurality of light displays are each formed of first and second interdigitated electrodes, a plurality of light-emitting diodes and a reflector. The light displays are coupled between first and second master electrodes so that they can be simultaneously or selectively activated.
The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention will be best understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4301616 (1981-11-01), Gudgel
patent: 4725128 (1988-02-01), Bornzin
patent: 5521799 (1996-05-01), VerKamp
patent: 5564819 (1996-10-01), Yamaguchi
patent: 5813148 (1998-09-01), Guerra
Markus, John, et al.,McGraw Hill Electronics Dictionary, McGraw-Hill, Inc, New York, fifth edition, 1994, definition of interdigital structure.
Mirriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary,Merriam-Webster, Inc, Springfield, Mass., tenth edition, 1993, definition of interdigitate.
Graf, Rudolf F.,Modern Dictionary of Electronics,Macmillan Computer Publishing, Carmel, Indiana, sixth edition, 1991 definition of interdigital transducer.
Zanger, Harry, et al.,Fiber Optics, Communications and Other Applications, Macmillan Publishing, New York, 1991, pp. 179-182 and 250-252.
Koppel & Jacobs
Marpole International Inc.
Sember Thomas M.
LandOfFree
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