Illumination – Plural light sources – With modifier
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-27
2001-02-27
Husar, Stephen (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Plural light sources
With modifier
C362S301000, C362S800000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193392
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention broadly relates to the field of lighting sources for dispensing machines, particularly gaming machines and specifically to the use of Light-Emitting Diode LED) Arrays as light sources for such machines.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Dispensing machines need a variety of light sources, including optical sensing to discriminate the currency bills being fed into the dispensing machine, indicating the status of whether a particular product is available, displaying instructions for operating the dispensing machine, including how a currency bill should be inserted, or displaying an advertisement of the product or trade name.
Although incandescent light bulbs are currently popular light sources for dispensing machines, there are some inherent shortcomings in their application. Thus, there is a need to find a different light source for dispensing machines. For example, the incandescent bulb's life expectancy is quite short in comparison to that of a Light Emitting Diode (LED) which can be expected to last approximately five to ten times longer. Therefore, there would be a reduction in replacement labor costs if LEDs were used as the light sources.
LEDs are much more efficient at converting electrical power into usable light. This is because LEDs are monochromatic; they emit light within a very narrow set of wavelengths rather than waste power emitting light over a wide frequency spectrum. This characteristic makes an LED light source an energy saving device which saves money in electric bills. In gaming casinos where there are thousands of dispensing machines such as gaming machines and money changing machines, the total energy savings can be significant.
The power conversion inefficiency of incandescent lights contributes to the problem of heat damage to surrounding components and the housing structure of the light. Since a relatively large quantity of input power into the incandescent light is not converted into usable light, the unusued power dissipates as heat to the light's surroundings. In its application to dispensing machines where the light source is usually enclosed, heat damage to surrounding components, such as melted plastic parts, dried-up electrical wires, etc., or to the housing structure is more probable. LEDs, with their much lower power requirements and their more efficient power conversion eliminates some heat damage by its reduction in heat emittance.
Also, unlike the incandescent bulb which typically uses a metal filament placed inside a glass bulb, the LED is constructed out of semiconductor materials which are extremely rugged. Dispensing machines are frequently subject to abuse by its users. In particular, it is not uncommon for a user to hit a dispensing machine because the wrong change or the wrong product was delivered. And, an angry gambler's fist may delivere blows to a gaming machine, causing the metal filament or the glass bulb of an incandescent light to break. In dispensing machines with large quantities of cash, vandalism acts such as trying to kick open the machine are likely to cause the incandescent light to break. There are several more advantages to using LEDs as the light sources of dispensing machines. Only a few are mentioned above.
The above-mentioned shortcomings are overcome by the present invention as discussed hereafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an array of LEDs mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) with a multi-directional, multi-functional reflector disposed on the PCB. The reflector reflects the light into multi-directions and also encloses the total light radiation to a pre-defined surface area. In one embodiment, the reflector is sandwiched between the LEDs and the PCB.
The LEDs are mounted on a PCB. In one embodiment, voltage regulators and resistors are also mounted on the PCB to convert the voltage and current intended for use with an incandescent light into a form suitable for the LEDs. The PCB is etched with electrically conductive material on at least one surface, electrically integrating the LEDs with the voltage regulators and resistors mounted on the PCB. In other embodiments, the electronic components may also include (but is not limited to) voltage surge protectors, capacitors and transistors. The type and quantity of the electronic components necessary for a particular LED array is determined by the desired electrical characteristics of that LED array. The type and quantity of the electronic components shown in the figures are for illustration purposes only and are not indicative of the only type and/or quantity of the electronic components associated with the different embodiments presented in the present application or of other embodiments of the present invention that can be fabricated and be within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
The present invention also includes a multi-directional, multi-functional reflector. The reflector is made from a single piece of lightweight material and comprises a flat main section and a plurality of flap sections surrounding the main section. In one embodiment, the flap sections are bent at 90 degree angles from the main section. Other angular relationships are also possible depending on structural surroundings. The main section also includes cut-outs where the LEDs are inserted through. The main section and each of the flap sections reflect light from a particular LED in different directions, depending on the geometrical relationship of that particular LED and each of the reflector sections. The specific reflection pattern is well known to persons skilled in the art for a given angular relationship between the LED and a reflector section. Additionally, the flap sections serve to confine the illumination from the LEDs to a predefined area or surface.
The reflector also serves to provide a more uniform light intensity throughout the illuminated surface. Without the reflector, each LED correspondingly lights up a discrete spot on the illuminated surface. Thus, the luminance projected by the discrete number of LEDs will not appear to be uniform to the viewer, and there will be an overall “spotty” appearance with portions of the surface having a higher light intensity than other portions.
The reflector of the present invention can also be used with incandescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs have even a greater problem of “spotty” appearances. The power conversion inefficiency of incandescent bulbs causes the illumination pattern of an incandescent bulb to be very bright in the center and dramatically less bright in the surrounding areas. The reflector of the present invention can help temper the dramatic change in brightness between the center and the surrounding areas.
Accordingly, one of the objects of the invention is to provide a light source with uniform light intensity throughout the display surface.
It is the further object of the invention to provide a light source that reduces power consumption.
Another object of the invention is to provide a light source that reduces heat emittance.
Another object of the invention is to provide a light source that is rugged.
Another object of the invention is to provide a light source with long life expectancy.
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Husar Stephen
Lyon & Lyon LLP
LandOfFree
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