Colored light source providing intensification of initial source illumination
First Claim
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1. A light concentrator for an optical scanning input device, comprising:
- concentrator means having a relatively large, diverging end, a relatively small converging end, and an enclosing wall joining said relatively large, diverging end with said relatively small converging end, said enclosing wall having an inner surface, anda plurality of light sources arranged to supply a plurality of respective colors of light, said plurality of light sources being positioned adjacent said large, diverging end of said concentrator means so that light from said plurality of sources is directed into said large, diverging end,said concentrator means being hollow and having a substantially parabolic shape when seen in axial cross section such that (a) when said light is directed into said large, diverging end, it will be reflected only once from said inner surface of said enclosing wall and then emerge out of said converging end, and (b) the intensity of light at said large, diverging end.
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Abstract
A light concentrator, preferably for use with a color optical scanning device includes a reflector (34) with parabolic reflecting walls (36). Green LEDs (22), red LEDs (24), and blue LEDs (26) are situated at the base of the reflector (34) and a diffuser (30) is attached to the opposite end thereof. An electric switch (32) controls the LED array. When an input page is scanned, the switch (32) activates one type of LEDs at a time. The reflector (34) concentrates the emitted light at the surface of the diffuser (30). The photodetector array of the xerographic device receives three monochromatic images which are then superimposed to provide a color image.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A light concentrator for an optical scanning input device, comprising:
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concentrator means having a relatively large, diverging end, a relatively small converging end, and an enclosing wall joining said relatively large, diverging end with said relatively small converging end, said enclosing wall having an inner surface, and a plurality of light sources arranged to supply a plurality of respective colors of light, said plurality of light sources being positioned adjacent said large, diverging end of said concentrator means so that light from said plurality of sources is directed into said large, diverging end, said concentrator means being hollow and having a substantially parabolic shape when seen in axial cross section such that (a) when said light is directed into said large, diverging end, it will be reflected only once from said inner surface of said enclosing wall and then emerge out of said converging end, and (b) the intensity of light at said large, diverging end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A light concentrator for an optical scanning input device, comprising:
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concentrator means having a relatively large, diverging end, a relatively small converging end, and an enclosing wall joining said relatively large, diverging end with said relatively small converging end, said enclosing wall having an inner surface, a plurality of light sources arranged to supply a plurality of respective colors of light, said plurality of light sources being positioned adjacent said large, diverging end of said concentrator means so that light from said plurality of sources is directed into said large, diverging end, said concentrator means being hollow and having a substantially parabolic shape when seen in axial cross section such that (a) when said light is directed into said large, diverging end, it will be reflected only once from said inner surface of said enclosing wall and then emerge out of said converging end and (b) the intensity of light emerging from said small converging end is greater than the intensity of light at said large, diverging end, a light diffuser positioned at said converging end; and an electronic switch arranged to control said light sources. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A light concentrator for an optical scanning input device, comprising:
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concentrator means having a relatively large, diverging end, a relatively small converging end, and an enclosing wall joining said relatively large, diverging end with said relatively small converging end, said enclosing wall having a substantially parabolic shape when seen in axial cross section, and an inner surface, said walls being coated on the inside with reflective material; an array of red, green, and blue light-emitting diodes positioned at said diverging end of said reflector; a sheet of light diffusing material situated at said converging end of said reflector; and an electronic switch arranged to switch on or off said array of light-emitting diodes, said switch being able to activate one color of said light-emitting diodes at a time. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification