PROGRAMMABLE LIGHT SOURCE

• US 3,760,174 A
• Filed: 05/31/1972
• Issued: 09/18/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Anthony T. Nasuta Jr, Robert A. Boenning
• Original Assignee: Anthony T. Nasuta Jr, Robert A. Boenning
• Inventors: Boenning, Robert A., Nasuta, Anthony T. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moses, Richard L.
• Application Number:
  US05/258,376
• Time in Patent Office: 475 Days
• Field of Search: 240/1R,3.1,20 350/96T 355/67,70
• US Class Current: 315/312
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/502 Reproducing the colour component signals dot-sequentially or simultaneously in a single or in adjacent picture-element positions

Abstract

A programmable light source in which the intensity and chromaticity of the light output signal can be modulated in accordance with a predetermined program is disclosed. The output of a plurality of light emitting diodes is combined in a light funnel to produce a composite light signal. The current through each of the diodes is selectively controlled to intensity and chromatically modulate the composite signal.

Claims

1. A programmable light source, comprising in combination:

a. a plurality of light sources for generating a plurality of light signals;

b. first means for combining said plurality of light signals to produce a composite light signal;

c. second means for selectively and independently modulating the intensity of each of said light signals such that the chromaticity and the intensity of said composite light signal are independently and selectively changed.

2. A light source in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first means for combining said plurality of light signals comprises a light funnel formed by a truncated cone shaped member of optically transparent material with the outer surface of said member being highly polished, said light funnel being positioned such that said plurality of light signals enter the larger end of said funnel and said composite light signal emerges at the smaller end thereof.

3. A light source in accordance with claim 2 wherein each of said plurality of light sources comprises a solid-state light emitting diodes.

4. A light source in accordance with claim 3 wherein the intensity of the output signal of each of said light sources is selectively controlled by varying the current through the light emitting diode producing each of said light signals.

5. A light source having variable intensity and chromaticity, comprising in combination:

a. a plurality of light sources for generating a plurality of light signals each of said light sources comprising a light emitting diode;

b. first means for combining said plurality of light signals to produce a composite light signal; and

c. second means for selectively modulating the intensity of said light signals thereby selectively controlling the chromaticity and the intensity of said composite signal.

6. A light source in accordance with claim 5 wherein said plurality of light sources includes at least three solid-state diodes for emitting light radiation in the red, blue and green portions of the visible spectrum.

7. A light source in accordance with claim 5 wherein said means for combining said plurality of light signals comprises an optically transparent truncated cone shaped member having polished outer surfaces.

8. A light source in accordance with claim 7 wherein said plurality of light signals are efficiently combined to form said composite light signal as said light signals pass through said truncated cone shaped member due to total internal reflection at the curved surfaces of said truncated cone shaped member.