Illumination – Light source and modifier – Including reflector
Patent
1982-12-07
1985-04-09
Walsh, Donald P.
Illumination
Light source and modifier
Including reflector
362296, 362308, 362309, F21V 1304, G02B 1900
Patent
active
045105600
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a device for controlling light images and which can be used as a surface illumination device, a picture image forming device, a light transmission device, and the like by operations such as causing light rays from a light spot (or luminous point) or a group of light spots to be reflected by a reflection device thereby to be projected, as incident light in a state wherein it has been so controlled as to have a specific light ray distribution, toward a surface for changing light directions and such as causing incident light directed toward a surface for changing light directions to be reflected by a reflecting device thereby to be transmitted in reverse toward the position of a light spot or a group of light spots.
BACKGROUND ART
A surface light source is not limited to merely illumination but is desired in many fields for decorations, advertisements, optical devices, etc.
As a prior art surface light source, electro-luminescence is in the spotlight, but, in actuality, it has not reached the point of practicality. A surface light source of this type is limited in its emitted light colors, and further its light quantity (or luminous energy) is not sufficient. Other than this, as a system for obtaining a surface light source, there is a system using light-guiding prisms, but with this system, a surface light-emitting source of small thickness cannot be obtained, and, moreover, there are problems with the light quantity and price.
At present, a common surface light source in practical use is a type wherein a plural number of fluorescent lamps are arranged in a row, and a diffusion plate is disposed in front thereof. However, with this system, in order to obtain a surface in which the light quantity has been equalized to an extent such that the forms of the fluorescent lamps cannot be distinguished, two or more diffusion plates must be used in superposition which greatly reduces the quantity if light transmitted from the light source. On one hand, with a surface light source of this type, since a light source, or sources, must always be disposed behind the light-emitting surface, the installation of the surface light source device is impossible in a case such as where there is no space for installation of the light source behind the light-emitting surface.
It is an object of this invention to provide a device for controlling light images which can be used as a surface light source device without the problems as described hereinbefore and, at the same time, also as a device for forming again or projecting a light image at a position remote therefrom and, further, can be used for various uses by causing light to pass through reverse paths.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The device for controlling light images of this invention has means having a position (or positions) for forming a light spot or a light spot group, a reflection device which, upon receiving light rays from a light spot or light spot group, reflects the same, and a surface for changing light directions provided at a position reached by reflected light reflected by this reflection device, the above described reflection device having a reflecting surface of a shape such as to spread of the reflected light reflected thereby in a surface shape with a controlled specific light-ray distribution at the light direction changing surface.
Since, as a matter of natural course, the path of propagation of light has reversibility, if light is passed in the reverse direction from behind the light direction changing surface in the above described device for controlling light images, the light will travel in reverse and be reflected by the reflecting surface to reach the light spot or light spot group. Accordingly, this light image controlling device can be used for various purposes as described hereinafter by passing light in the reverse direction.
A light spot is geometrically a point, but in the case where the electric lamp is very small, it can be regarded to be substantially a point, while a volumetric light source
REFERENCES:
patent: 3588492 (1971-06-01), Pollock
patent: 3725697 (1973-04-01), Wince
patent: 4263641 (1981-04-01), Ferrero
patent: 4369488 (1983-01-01), Brun
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