Light expanding system for producing a linear or planar light beam from a point-like light source

• US 5,835,661 A
• Filed: 11/26/1996
• Issued: 11/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CLIO Technologies
• Original Assignee: Han Zou, Ping-Kaung Tai
• Inventors: Zou, Han, Tai, Ping-Kaung
• Primary Examiner(s): Bovernick, Rodney
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wise, Robert E.
• Application Number:
  US08/756,571
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 385/10, 385/36, 385/146
• US Class Current: 385/146
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/237 rod-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/239 plate-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/243 emitting light from one or more of its extremities
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/245 emitting light from one or more of its major surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/247 with a single light source being coupled into the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/02 of prismatic shape F21V5/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/00 Reflectors for light sources characterised by cooling arrangements F21V29/505
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/28 characterised by coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/04 for filtering out infrared radiation dichroic reflectors F21V7/22; using liquid-filled chambers F21V9/12
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/08 for producing coloured light, e.g. monochromatic; for reducing intensity of light with provision for controlling the colour F21V9/40
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/20 Lighting for medical use
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/405 for shop-windows or displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/045 Prism arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0028 Light guide, e.g. taper
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0068 Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0076 Stacked arrangements of multiple light guides of the same or different cross-sectional area
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 385/901 Illuminating or display apparatus

Abstract

A light expanding system for converting a light beam generated from a point-like light source into a collimated linear or planar light beam is disclosed herein. According to an embodiment of the invention, a system for producing a linear light beam includes a beam collector and a light pipe adjacent to which a multiplicity of specially configured microprisms are located. The light expanding system according to this embodiment is suitable for use in devices utilizing a linear light beam, such as a scanner. According to another embodiment of the invention, a system for producing a planar light beam includes, in addition to the beam collector and light pipe described above, an additional light pipe with adjacent microprisms. The light expanding system according to this embodiment of the invention can be used, for example, in displays, road signs, medical research equipment, instrument meters or jewelry; to light pictures or art work; or as part of a see-through lighting system far use in dentistry and surgery.

Claims

1. An optical conversion system, comprising:

means for producing light from a point-like light source;

an optical arrangement including microprisms for converting the light from the point-like light source to a linear light beam; and

an optical arrangement for converting the linear light beam into a planar light beam.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein said optical arrangement is an elongated beam collector comprising:

at least one end configured to receive light from a point-like light source;

a first side configured to be adjacent to a light pipe; and

a second side having microprisms configured to reflect light into said light pipe.

3. A system as in claim 1 wherein said microprisms include a light reflecting surface and wherein said light reflect surfaces are varied in a systematic way so that the light reflected out of the light propagates in a predetermined direction.

4. A system as in claim 1 wherein said light source generates colored light.

5. A system as in claim 1 wherein at least some of said microprisms include a light reflecting surface and wherein a least a portion of the light reflecting surface of said microprisms is curved.

6. A system as in claim 1 wherein at least some of said microprisms include a light reflecting surface and a base surface and wherein said microprisms include at least two sections that form different angles with respect to the base surface.

7. A method for optical conversion, comprising steps of:

producing light from a point-like light source;

converting the light from the point-like light source to a linear light beam; and

converting the linear light beam to a planar light beam.

8. A method as in claim 8 wherein said step of converting includes the steps of:

providing an optical arrangement which is an elongated beam collector comprising;

at least one end configured to receive light from a point-like light source;

a first side configured to be adjacent to a light pipe; and

a second side having microprisms configured to reflect light into said light pipe.

9. A method as in claim 8 wherein at least some of said microprisms include a light reflecting surface and wherein said light reflect surfaces are varied in a systematic way so that the light reflected out of the light propagates in a predetermined direction.

10. A method as in claim 8 wherein at least some of said microprisms include a light reflecting surface and wherein a least a portion of the light reflecting surface of said microprisms is curved.

11. A system as in claim 8 wherein at least some of said microprisms include a light reflecting surface and a base surface and wherein said microprisms include at least two sections that form different angles with respect to the base surface.

12. A beam collector which transmits light from a point-like light source, such light being collimated to a predetermined degree for transmission into a light pipe, comprising:

at least one end configured to receive light from a point-like light source;

at least one side configured to be adjacent to a light pipe; and

at least one side having microprisms configured to reflect light into said light pipe.

13. A beam collector as in claim 12 wherein at least some of said microprisms are configured to convert the light generated by a point-like light source to a linear light beam.

14. A beam collector as in claim 13 wherein at least some of said microprisms are configured to convert the linear light beam to a planar light beam.

15. A beam collector as in claim 12 wherein at least some of said microprisms include a light reflecting surface and wherein said light reflect surfaces are varied in a systematic way so that the light reflected out of the light propagates in a predetermined direction.

16. A beam collector as in claim 12 wherein said light source generates colored light.

17. A beam collector as in claim 12 wherein at least some of said microprism includes a light reflecting surface and wherein a least a portion of the light reflecting surface of said microprisms is curved.

18. A beam collector as in claim 12 wherein at least some of said microprism includes a light reflecting surface and a base surface and wherein said microprisms include at least two sections that form different angles with respect to the base surface.