Light emitting sign and display surface therefor

• US 20070240346A1
• Filed: 03/06/2007
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intematix Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intematix Corporation
• Inventors: Dong, Yi, Li, Yi-Qun, Caruso, James, Edwards, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 7,937,865 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 40/544
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0404 the light source being enclosed in a box forming the character of the sign
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/20 with luminescent surfaces or parts luminescent compositions C09K11/00; light sources using luminescence F21K2/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00

Abstract

A light emitting sign comprising a light emitting display surface including at least one phosphor, and at least one radiation source configured to irradiate the display surface with excitation energy such that the phosphor emits light of a selected color. The sign further comprises a filter which is substantially transparent to light emitted by the display surface, filtering other colors of light. The display surface may be configured into a shape of a character, a symbol, or a device. Alternatively, a mask having at least one window substantially transparent to the emitted light and/or at least one light blocking region may be provided in which the window and/or light blocking region define a character, a symbol, or a device.

Claims

1. A light emitting sign comprising:

a light emitting display surface including at least one phosphor; and

at least one radiation source operable to generate and radiate excitation energy of a selected wavelength range, the source being configured to irradiate the display surface with excitation energy such that the phosphor emits radiation of a selected color and wherein the display surface is selectable to give a different selected color of emitted light from the same radiation source.

2. The sign of claim 1, wherein the at least one phosphor is selected from the group consisting:

being provided on at least a part of an inner surface of the display surface;

being provided on at least a part of an outer surface of the display surface;

being incorporated within at least a part of the display surface and a combination thereof.

3. The sign of claim 1, further comprising first and second phosphors selected from the group consisting:

being provided on at least a part of an inner surface of the display surface;

being provided on at least a part of an outer surface of the display surface;

providing the first phosphor on at least a part of an inner surface of the display surface and the second phosphor on at least a part of an outer surface of the display surface;

being incorporated within at least a part of the display surface and a combination thereof.

4. The sign of claim 3, wherein the first and second phosphors are selected from the group consisting of:

being provided as respective layers;

being provided as a mixture in at least one layer; and

being provided adjacent each other.

5. The sign of claim 1, further comprising a filter which is substantially transparent to light emitted by the display surface and filters other colors of light.

6. The sign of claim 5, wherein the filter is disposed in front of the display surface such that light reflected by the filter appears to be substantially the same color as light emitted by the display surface.

7. The sign of claim 1, wherein the display surface further comprises light diffusing means.

8. The sign of claim 1, wherein the display surface is configured in a shape from a group consisting of:

a character, a symbol and a device.

9. The sign of claim 1, further comprising a mask having at least one window, the window being substantially transparent to the emitted light and selected from a group consisting of:

a character, a symbol and a device.

10. The sign of claim 1, further comprising at least one light blocking region, the light blocking region being selected from a group consisting of:

a character, a symbol and a device.

11. The sign of claim 1, wherein the display surface comprises a wave guiding medium and wherein the excitation source is configured to couple the excitation energy into the display surface.

12. The sign of claim 11, wherein the display surface is a substantially planar surface and the excitation energy is coupled into at least a part of an edge of the display surface.

13. The sign of claim 12, further comprising a reflector on at least a part of the surface opposite to the light emitting surface.

14. The sign of claim 11, wherein the display surface is elongate in form and wherein the excitation energy is coupled into at least a part of an end of the display surface.

15. The sign of claim 14, wherein the display surface is tubular and includes a bore.

16. The sign of claim 15, further comprising a reflector on at least a part of the surface of the bore.

17. The sign of claim 14, wherein the display surface is solid in form and further comprising a reflector on a part of an outer surface of the display surface.

18. The sign of claim 1, wherein the display surface is selected from a group consisting:

a substantially planar surface;

a tubular form having a bore in which the at least one excitation source is provided and solid elongate in form in which the at least one excitation source is incorporated.

19. The sign of claim 1, wherein the display surface is selected from a group consisting:

a plastics material, polycarbonate, a thermoplastics material, a glass, acrylic, polythene, and a silicone material.

20. The sign of claim 1, wherein the excitation source comprises a light emitting diode.

21. The sign of claim 1, wherein the excitation source is operable to emit radiation of wavelength in a range 350 to 500 nm.

22. The sign of claim 1, wherein the excitation source is operable to emit radiation of wavelength in a range 410 to 470 nm.

23. The sign of claim 1, wherein the sign is configured from the group consisting:

a name sign, advertising sign, emergency indicator sign, traffic signal, road sign, direction indicator sign.

24. A light emitting display surface for a light emitting sign of a type comprising the display surface including at least one phosphor;

and at least one radiation source operable to generate and radiate excitation energy of a selected wavelength range, the source being configured to irradiate the display surface with excitation energy such that the phosphor emits radiation of a selected color and wherein the display surface is selectable to give a different selected color of emitted light from the same radiation source.

25. The display surface of claim 24, wherein the at least one phosphor is selected from the group consisting:

being provided on at least a part of an inner surface of the display surface;

being provided on at least a part of an outer surface of the display surface;

being incorporated within at least a part of the display surface and a combination thereof.

26. The display surface of claim 24, further comprising first and second phosphors selected from the group consisting:

being provided on at least a part of an inner surface of the display surface;

being provided on at least a part of an outer surface of the display surface;

providing the first phosphor on at least a part of an inner surface of the display surface and the second phosphor on at least a part of an outer surface of the display surface;

being incorporated within at least a part of the display surface and a combination thereof.

27. The display surface of claim 26, wherein the first and second phosphors are selected from the group consisting of:

being provided as respective layers;

being provided as a mixture in at least one layer; and

being provided adjacent each other.

28. The display surface of claim 24, further comprising a filter which is substantially transparent to light emitted by the display surface and filters other colors of light.

29. The display surface of claim 28, wherein the filter is disposed in front of the display surface such that light reflected by the filter appears to be substantially the same color as light emitted by the display surface.

30. The display surface of claim 24, wherein the display surface further comprises light diffusing means.

31. The display surface of claim 24, wherein the display surface is configured in a shape from a group consisting of:

a character, a symbol and a device.

32. The display surface of claim 24, further comprising a mask having at least one window, the window being substantially transparent to the emitted light and selected from a group consisting of:

a character, a symbol and a device.

33. The display surface of claim 24, further comprising at least one light blocking region, the light blocking region being selected from a group consisting of:

a character, a symbol and a device.

34. The display surface of claim 24, wherein the display surface comprises a wave guiding medium and wherein the excitation source is configured to couple the excitation energy into the display surface.

35. The display surface of claim 34, wherein the display surface is a substantially planar surface and the excitation energy is coupled into at least a part of an edge of the display surface.

36. The display surface of claim 35, further comprising a reflector on at least a part of the surface opposite to the light emitting surface.

37. The display surface of claim 34, wherein the display surface is elongate in form and wherein the excitation energy is coupled into at least a part of an end of the display surface.

38. The display surface of claim 37, wherein the display surface is tubular and includes a bore.

39. The display surface of claim 38, further comprising a reflector on at least a part of the surface of the bore.

40. The display surface of claim 37, wherein the display surface is solid in form and further comprising a reflector on a part of an outer surface of the display surface.

41. The display surface of claim 24, wherein the display surface is selected from a group consisting:

a substantially planar surface;

a tubular form having a bore in which the at least one excitation source is provided and solid elongate in form in which the at least one excitation source is incorporated.

42. The display surface of claim 24, wherein the display surface is selected from a group consisting:

a plastics material, polycarbonate, a thermoplastics material, a glass, acrylic, polythene, and a silicone material.

43. The display surface of claim 24, wherein the phosphor is excitable by radiation of wavelength in a range 350 to 500 nm.

44. The display surface of claim 24, wherein the phosphor is excitable by radiation of wavelength in a range 410 to 470 nm.

45. The display surface of claim 24, wherein the display surface comprises a part of a sign configured from the group consisting:

a name sign, advertising sign, emergency indicator sign, traffic signal, road sign, direction indicator sign.

46. A light emitting sign comprising:

a light emitting display surface including at least one phosphor;

at least one radiation source operable to generate and radiate excitation energy of a selected wavelength range, the source being configured to irradiate the display surface with excitation energy such that the phosphor emits radiation of a selected color; and

a filter which is substantially transparent to light emitted by the display surface and filters other colors of light.

47. The sign of claim 46, wherein the filter is disposed in front of the display surface such that light reflected by the filter appears to be substantially the same color as light emitted by the display surface.

48. The sign of claim 46, wherein the at least one phosphor is selected from the group consisting:

being provided on at least a part of an inner surface of the display surface;

being provided on at least a part of an outer surface of the display surface;

being incorporated within at least a part of the display surface and a combination thereof.

49. The sign of claim 46, further comprising first and second phosphors selected from the group consisting:

being provided on at least a part of an inner surface of the display surface;

being provided on at least a part of an outer surface of the display surface;

providing the first phosphor on at least a part of an inner surface of the display surface and the second phosphor on at least a part of an outer surface of the display surface;

being incorporated within at least a part of the display surface and a combination thereof.

50. The sign of claim 49, wherein the first and second phosphors are selected from the group consisting of:

being provided as respective layers;

being provided as a mixture in at least one layer; and

being provided adjacent each other.

51. The sign of claim 46, further comprising light diffusing means.

52. The sign of claim 46, wherein the display surface is configured in a shape from a group consisting of:

a character, a symbol and a device.

53. The sign of claim 46, further comprising a mask having at least one window, the window being substantially transparent to the emitted light and selected from a group consisting of:

a character, a symbol and a device.

54. The sign of claim 46, further comprising at least one light blocking region, the light blocking region being selected from a group consisting of:

a character, a symbol and a device.

55. The sign of claim 46, wherein the display surface comprises a wave guiding medium and wherein the excitation source is configured to couple the excitation energy into the display surface.

56. The sign of claim 55, wherein the display surface is a substantially planar surface and the excitation energy is coupled into at least a part of an edge of the display surface.

57. The sign of claim 56, further comprising a reflector on at least a part of the surface opposite to the light emitting surface.

58. The sign of claim 55, wherein the display surface is elongate in form and wherein the excitation energy is coupled into at least a part of an end of the display surface.

59. The sign of claim 58, wherein the display surface is tubular and includes a bore.

60. The sign of claim 59, further comprising a reflector on at least a part of the surface of the bore.

61. The sign of claim 58, wherein the display surface is solid in form and further comprising a reflector on a part of an outer surface of the display surface.

62. The sign of claim 46, wherein the display surface is selected from a group consisting:

a substantially planar surface;

a tubular form having a bore in which the at least one excitation source is provided and solid elongate in form in which the at least one excitation source is incorporated.

63. The sign of claim 46, wherein the display surface is selected from a group consisting:

a plastics material, polycarbonate, a thermoplastics material, a glass, acrylic, polythene, and a silicone material.

64. The sign of claim 46, wherein the excitation source comprises a light emitting diode.

65. The sign of claim 46, wherein the excitation source is operable to emit radiation of wavelength in a range 350 to 500 nm.

66. The sign of claim 46, wherein the excitation source is operable to emit radiation of wavelength in a range 410 to 470 nm.

67. The sign of claim 46, wherein the sign is configured from the group consisting:

a name sign, advertising sign, emergency indicator sign, traffic signal, road sign, direction indicator sign.

68. A light source comprising:

a light emitting surface including at least one phosphor; and

at least one radiation source operable to generate and radiate excitation energy of a selected wavelength range, the source being configured to irradiate the light emitting surface with excitation energy such that the phosphor emits radiation of a selected color and wherein the light emitting surface is selectable to give a different selected color of emitted light from the same radiation source.

69. The light source of claim 68, wherein the at least one phosphor is selected from the group consisting:

being provided on at least a part of an inner surface of the light emitting surface;

being provided on at least a part of an outer surface of the light emitting surface;

being incorporated within at least a part of the light emitting surface and a combination thereof.

70. The light source of claim 68, further comprising first and second phosphors selected from the group consisting:

being provided on at least a part of an inner surface of the light emitting surface;

being provided on at least a part of an outer surface of the light emitting surface;

providing the first phosphor on at least a part of an inner surface of the light emitting surface and the second phosphor on at least a part of an outer surface of the light emitting surface;

being incorporated within at least a part of the light emitting surface and a combination thereof.

71. The light source of claim 70, wherein the first and second phosphors are selected from the group consisting of:

being provided as respective layers;

being provided as a mixture in at least one layer; and

being provided adjacent each other.

72. The light source of claim 68, wherein the light emitting surface further comprises light diffusing means.

73. The light source of claim 68, wherein the light emitting surface comprises a wave guiding medium and wherein the excitation source is configured to couple the excitation energy into the light emitting surface.

74. The light source of claim 73, wherein the light emitting surface is a substantially planar surface and the excitation energy is coupled into at least a part of an edge of the light emitting surface.

75. The light source of claim 74, further comprising a reflector on at least a part of the surface of the light emitting surface opposite to the surface which emits light.

76. The light source of claim 73, wherein the light emitting surface is elongate in form and wherein the excitation energy is coupled into at least a part of an end of the light emitting surface.

77. The light source of claim 76, wherein the light emitting surface is tubular and includes a bore.

78. The light source of claim 77, further comprising a reflector on at least a part of the surface of the bore.

79. The light source of claim 76, wherein the light emitting surface is solid in form and further comprising a reflector on a part of an outer surface of the light emitting surface.

80. The light source of claim 68, wherein the light emitting surface is selected from a group consisting:

a substantially planar surface;

a tubular form having a bore in which the at least one excitation source is provided and solid elongate in form in which the at least one excitation source is incorporated.

81. The light source of claim 68, wherein the light emitting surface is selected from a group consisting:

a plastics material, polycarbonate, a thermoplastics material, a glass, acrylic, polythene, and a silicone material.

82. The light source of claim 68, wherein the excitation source comprises a light emitting diode.

83. The light source of claim 68, wherein the excitation source (4) is operable to emit radiation of wavelength in a range 350 to 500 nm.

84. The light source of claim 68, wherein the excitation source is operable to emit radiation of wavelength in a range 410 to 470 nm.

85-90. -90. (canceled)