Flexible Light Guide Film for Electronic Activation and Control

• US 20180203189A1
• Filed: 08/18/2016
• Published: 07/19/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United States Secretary of the Navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Boulais, Kevin A., Fugate, Michael H., Feng, Simin, Sessions, Walter D., Nichols, Robert B., Gehman, JR., Victor H.
• Granted Patent: US 10,852,475 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12109 Filter
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12138 Sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/12004 Combinations of two or more optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4214 the intermediate optical element having redirecting reflective means, e.g. mirrors, prisms for deflecting the radiation from horizontal to down- or upward direction toward a device G02B6/4246 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/43 Arrangements comprising a plurality of opto-electronic elements and associated optical interconnections

Abstract

A light transmission system is provided for operating an optically responsive circuit. The system includes a light guide film (LGF) to transmit light emitted from its edge, and a scattering node for directing the light to the circuit. The circuit is disposed on a proximate face of the LGF. The scattering node is disposed on a distal face of the LGF opposite the circuit. The circuit can be an integrated circuit, a light detection sensor or a photovoltaic cell.

Claims

1. An electronic system for optically responding to light, said system comprising:

a flexible light guide film (LGF) substrate having proximate and distal faces with an edge therebetween, said edge receiving the light to pass between said proximate and distal faces;

an optically responsive circuit disposed on said proximate face of said LGF substrate, said circuit activating as a switch upon receipt of the light; and

a scattering node on said distal face of said LGF substrate opposite said circuit, wherein

said node redirects the light to said circuit.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said circuit switches at least one of electrical power and control responsive to said receipt of the light.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said LGF substrate includes first and second LGF layers, each layer having a corresponding scattering node for switching a corresponding circuit.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said LGF substrate includes a band-pass filter at said proximate face for restricting the light to a select wavelength band.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said circuit is one of an integrated circuit, a light detection sensor and a photovoltaic cell.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said LGF substrate is deformably flexible for wearing on skin.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said circuit on said proximate face comprises a plurality of circuits with corresponding nodes at said distal face, each circuit of said plurality being one of an integrated circuit, a light detection sensor and a photovoltaic cell.