Signage using a diffusion chamber
First Claim
1. A sign comprising:
- a diffusion chamber having a reflective interior surface, at least a portion of which exhibits a diffuse reflectivity;
at least one light source within the diffusion chamber for generating visible light, each light source supplying visible light to enter the diffusion chamber in such a manner that substantially all light emitted from each light source reflects diffusely at least once within the diffusion chamber; and
a sign panel transmissive to visible light coupled to the diffusion chamber;
wherein the diffusion chamber is configured to provide reflection of light having uniform intensity and illumination for emission through the sign panel and wherein the light sources are located so as not to be directly observable through the sign panel.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A signage system to provide advertising and the like. In a first example, the sign includes a cavity in a housing with a diffusely reflective interior surface at the back of the housing and a sign panel at the front of the housing with an aperture for allowing emission of light from the cavity. In still another example, the sign is a channel letter with a clear or translucent sign panel and with light sources mounted on a shelf facing the back of the housing. The light sources preferably use LED'"'"'s or other solid state devices. Where the light sources emit multiple wavelengths, control of the intensity of emission of the LED light sources determines a spectral characteristic of the light output through the aperture.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A sign comprising:
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a diffusion chamber having a reflective interior surface, at least a portion of which exhibits a diffuse reflectivity;
at least one light source within the diffusion chamber for generating visible light, each light source supplying visible light to enter the diffusion chamber in such a manner that substantially all light emitted from each light source reflects diffusely at least once within the diffusion chamber; and
a sign panel transmissive to visible light coupled to the diffusion chamber;
wherein the diffusion chamber is configured to provide reflection of light having uniform intensity and illumination for emission through the sign panel and wherein the light sources are located so as not to be directly observable through the sign panel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A sign for conveying information comprising:
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a sign panel having a mask having low transmissivity to visible light;
an opening formed through the mask, the opening having a substantially higher transmissivity to visible light and having a shape to present information content to an observer of the sign panel;
a diffusion chamber formed behind a rear face of the sign panel, the chamber having an interior which is at least substantially reflective to visible light, a portion of an interior surface of the chamber opposite the opening exhibiting a substantially diffuse reflectivity with respect to visible light;
at least one light source comprising a body having an optical cavity, an optical aperture, a first light emitting element generating a first color of visible light and second light emitting element generating a second color of light different from the first color;
wherein the first and second colors of light are combined in the optical integrating cavity, the combined light emerging from the optical cavity and into the interior of the diffusion chamber through the optical aperture, the diffusively reflected light from the diffusion chamber emerging through the opening in the mask; and
a controller coupled to the first and second light emitting sources to control amount of color of visible light from the first and second light emitting elements emerging through the opening so as to control the color of illumination. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A sign comprising:
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a body having a sign panel and a diffusion chamber having a reflective interior surface in the body, at least a portion of the chamber exhibits a diffuse reflectivity;
a shelf along a portion of a perimeter of the body and spaced from the sign panel and from the reflective interior surface; and
a plurality of light sources for generating visible light, each light source coupled to the shelf and facing the reflective interior surface and supplying visible light to enter the diffusion chamber in such a manner that substantially all light emitted from each light source reflects diffusely at least once within the diffusion chamber;
wherein the diffusion chamber is configured to supply the combined light for emission through the clear front panel and the light sources are not directly observable through the clear front panel. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification