Filterless chromatically variable light source
First Claim
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1. Filterless solid state apparatus for providing light at plural wavelengths comprising:
- a plurality of light emitters, said light emitters each generating light lying within a narrow frequency band centered about a predetermined wavelength in response to energization by an electrical control signal, the predetermined wavelengths being different for each of said light emitters;
means for selectively generating control signals for energizing said light emitters whereby said light emitters may be selectively caused to generate light; and
means for transmitting light generated by said light emitters to a common output port, said light transmitting means including;
a plurality of light transmissive optical fiber means, said optical fiber means each comprising a first optical fiber having oppositely disposed first and second ends;
means for coupling light generated by said light emitters into said first ends of respective of said first optical fibers; and
means disposed at the second ends of said first optical fibers for combining light coupled into said first optical fibers from said light emitters, said combining means extending from said second ends of said first optical fibers to said output port.
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Abstract
A chromatically variable light source includes a plurality of light emitting diodes which generate substantially monochromatic light at different wavelengths. The light source includes circuitry for selectively energizing one or more of the light emitting diodes and for controlling the intensity of the generated light. The light generated by the light emitting diodes is combined in a single light pipe and delivered to an output port for use.
70 Citations
24 Claims
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1. Filterless solid state apparatus for providing light at plural wavelengths comprising:
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a plurality of light emitters, said light emitters each generating light lying within a narrow frequency band centered about a predetermined wavelength in response to energization by an electrical control signal, the predetermined wavelengths being different for each of said light emitters; means for selectively generating control signals for energizing said light emitters whereby said light emitters may be selectively caused to generate light; and means for transmitting light generated by said light emitters to a common output port, said light transmitting means including; a plurality of light transmissive optical fiber means, said optical fiber means each comprising a first optical fiber having oppositely disposed first and second ends; means for coupling light generated by said light emitters into said first ends of respective of said first optical fibers; and means disposed at the second ends of said first optical fibers for combining light coupled into said first optical fibers from said light emitters, said combining means extending from said second ends of said first optical fibers to said output port. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. Filterless solid state apparatus for providing light at plural wavelengths comprising:
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a plurality of light emitters, said light emitters each generating light lying within a narrow frequency band centered about a predetermined wavelength in response to energization by an electrical control signal, the predetermined wavelengths being deferent for each of said light emitters; means for selectively generating control signals for energizing said light emitters whereby said light emitters may be selectively caused to generate light at its predetermined wavelength; and means for transmitting light generated by said light emitters to a common output port, said light transmitting means including; a plurality of light transmissive optical fiber means, said optical fiber means each comprising a first optical fiber having first and second ends and an axis, said first optical fibers each having substantially the same diameter, said second ends of said first optical fibers being collected into a bundle wherein the axes of said first optical fibers at said second ends thereof are substantially parallel; means for coupling light generated by said light emitters into said first ends of respective of said first optical fibers; and means for combining light coupled into said first optical fibers from said light emitters, said combining means including a further optical fiber, said further optical fiber having an axis and also having a diameter which is greater than the diameter of said first optical fibers, a first end of said further optical fiber being juxtapositioned to said second ends of said first optical fibers in said bundle, the axis of said further optical fiber being substantially parallel to the axes of said first fiber second ends, said further optical fiber extending from said second ends of said first optical fibers to said output port. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. Filterless solid state apparatus for providing light at plural wavelengths comprising:
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a plurality of light emitters, said light emitters each generating light lying within a narrow frequency band centered about a predetermined wavelength in response to energization by an electrical control signal, the predetermined wavelength being different for each of said light emitters; means for selectively generating control signals for energizing said light emitters whereby said emitters may be selectively caused to generate light at its predetermined wavelength; and means for transmitting light generated by said light emitters to a common output port, said light transmitting means including; a plurality of light transmissive optical fiber means, said optical fiber means each comprising a first optical fiber having first and second oppositely disposed ends, said first optical fibers each having an axis; means for coupling light generated by said light emitters into a said first ends of a respective of a said first optical fibers; sleeve means for receiving said second ends of said first optical fibers, said sleeve means arranging said first optical fiber second ends in close proximity to one another with their axes substantially parallel, said arranged second ends of said first optical fibers defining a bundle of optical fibers; a further optical fiber having a diameter which is at least equal to the maximum transverse width of said bundle defined by said first optical fiber second ends, said further optical fiber having first and second oppositely disposed ends, said first end of said further optical fiber being disposed in said sleeve means in juxtapositioned relationship to said first optical fiber second ends, said further optical fiber extending from said first end thereof to said output port; and an optically clear adhesive bonding said first optical fiber second ends to said first end of said further optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification