Articles with diffuse reflection of light from light fibers
First Claim
1. An article configured for emitting diffuse light in a predetermined set of directions when coupled with a light source, comprising:
- a light fiber having a light receiving end for coupling to the light source, the light fiber emitting light when coupled to the light source, the light fiber comprising a core and a cladding disposed around the core, the cladding having a lower index of refraction than the core and a generally smooth outer surface; and
a diffuse reflective sheet material disposed around at least a portion of the light fiber to direct at least a portion of the light emitted by the light fiber toward the predetermined set of directions.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An article configured for emitting diffuse light in a predetermined set of directions when coupled with a light source includes a light fiber and a diffuse reflective sheet material disposed around at least a portion of the light fiber to direct at least a portion of the light emitted by the light fiber toward the predetermined set of directions. The light fiber has a light receiving end for coupling to the light source and the light fiber emitting light when coupled to the light source. A variety of diffuse reflective sheet materials can be used including, for example, microvoided sheet materials, such as those made by the TIPS ("thermally induced phase separation") method, and microporous sheet materials.
82 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An article configured for emitting diffuse light in a predetermined set of directions when coupled with a light source, comprising:
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a light fiber having a light receiving end for coupling to the light source, the light fiber emitting light when coupled to the light source, the light fiber comprising a core and a cladding disposed around the core, the cladding having a lower index of refraction than the core and a generally smooth outer surface; and a diffuse reflective sheet material disposed around at least a portion of the light fiber to direct at least a portion of the light emitted by the light fiber toward the predetermined set of directions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 26, 27)
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19. An illuminated article comprising:
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a light source; a light fiber having a light receiving end coupled to the light source to receive light therefrom, the light fiber comprising a core and a cladding disposed around the core, the cladding having a lower index of refraction than the core and a generally smooth outer surface; and a diffuse reflective sheet material disposed around at least a portion of the light fiber to direct light emitted from the light fiber toward a predetermined set of direction. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A method of making a diffusive illumination device, comprising:
disposing a diffuse reflective sheet material around at least a portion of a light fiber, the light fiber comprising a core and a cladding disposed around the core, the cladding having a lower index of refraction than the core and a generally smooth outer surface. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of providing diffuse illumination in a predetermined set of directions, comprising:
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disposing a diffuse reflective sheet material around at least a portion of a light fiber to direct light emitted from the light fiber in the predetermined set of direction, the light fiber comprising a core and a cladding disposed around the core, the cladding having a lower index of refraction than the core and a generally smooth outer surface; and coupling a light source to a receiving end of the light fiber.
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Specification