Illumination devices for watches and other instruments

• US 6,729,738 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2002
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Luminary Logic Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Luminary Logic Ltd.
• Inventors: Fuwausa, Michelle Jillian, Thompson, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Truong, Bao Q.
• Application Number:
  US10/139,660
• Publication Number:
  US 20020176245A1
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 250/458.1, 250/461.1, 250/462.1, 250/463.1, 250/465.1, 250/466.1, 250/483.1, 405/42, 405/43, 368/24, 368/67, 368/227, 362/84, 362/23, 362/85, 362/800, 362/28, 362/30, 362/29, 362/806, 362/490, 362/493
• US Class Current: 362/84
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1438 Touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/33 Illumination features
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/336 Light guides
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/12 lighting onto the surface to be illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/14 lighting through the surface to be illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/76 for spotlighting, e.g. reading lamps spotlighting on or for specific fittings B60Q3/20; spotlighting in mass transit vehicles B60Q3/44
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/005 the device being a pocket lamp F21L4/022, F21L4/045, F21L4/085 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0052 Audio or video equipment, e.g. televisions, telephones, cameras or computers; Remote control devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 13/20 with luminescent markings
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 13/28 with luminescent markings
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 19/30 Illumination of dials or hands dials in general G04B19/06; moving indicating means with numbers or hands, in general G04B19/20; arrangements for indicating different local apparent times by means of a globe illuminated from inside G04B19/22; continuous indication of the time by non-electric light sources G04B25/00, e.g. by electric lamps G04C17/02; illumination by electric lamps which function at fixed times or periodically G04C19/02; illuminated panels G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 19/32 by luminescent substances disc or drum shaped indicating means with marks or windows G04B19/04; with numbers or number-marks G04B19/20; cases for housing the electrical parts G04G17/00; projection of hands and/or scales on weighing apparatus G01G19/00; on measuring instruments G01D5/262; for advertising G09F19/18
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 17/02 by electric lamps
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/0041 Illumination devices
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/20 : with luminescent surfaces or parts luminescent compositions C09K11/00; light sources using luminescence F21K2/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/10 : by an adhesive layer
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 : Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 : Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 : the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/3025 : Electromagnetic shielding
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/60 : Reflective elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/62 : Arrangements for conducting electric current to or from the semiconductor body, e.g. lead-frames, wire-bonds or solder balls

Abstract

A UV emitter is incorporated into a variety of different illumination devices suitable for illuminating indicia associated with dials on watches, gauges and other instruments, as well as ornaments. The indicia is made of a material responsive to UV emissions to render the indicia visible. The devices may be used in motor vehicles and other devices. In addition, a conductor arrangement is also provided that can be used to support the UV emitter under the transparent cover of watches or gauges, with the UV emitter oriented to direct the UV emissions toward the indicia. Embodiments are presented for UV emitters on top of dials with indicia, laterally from the dials, or even under the dials.

Claims

1. In a watch having a case with a dial and a crystal disposed on top of said dial, an illumination apparatus comprising:

a radiation emitter disposed in said watch and including a lensless semiconductor junction adapted to generate radiation in the UV region and generating a broad UV light beam; and

at least one indicia disposed on said dial, said indicia being responsive to said UV light beam, wherein said indicia is made of a material selected from the group consisting of a phosphorescent and fluorescent material.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said dial is transparent.

3. The illumination apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radiation emitter is arranged to direct said UV beam laterally from sidewalls of said case.

4. An ornamental device comprising:

a case having a base and a transparent cover, with an image affixed to said base and visible through said cover, said image including image elements responsive to UV light, said image elements being made of a material selected from the group consisting of a phosohorescent and fluorescent material; and

a radiation emitter disposed above said base and including a lensless semiconductor junction arranged to form a UV light beam directed to said image.

5. The ornamental device of claim 4 wherein said radiation emitter includes a semiconductor junction adapted to emit UV radiation.

6. In a vehicle having at least one device, an illumination apparatus comprising:

a radiation emitter disposed in said vehicle and including a semiconductor junction without a focusing lens adapted to generate a wide UV beam; and

indicia responsive to said UV beam and attached to said device, said indicia being made of a material selected from the group consisting of a phosphorescent and fluorescent material.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said device is an instrument having a dial and said indicia is attached to said dial.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said instrument includes a transparent, cover extending on said dial and said radiation emitter is mounted on said cover.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising several radiation emitters, each emitter generating beams toward said indicia.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the vehicle has a structural member remote from the device and wherein said radiation emitter is attached to the structural member.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the vehicle has a roof and said radiation emitter is attached to the roof.

12. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said device is an instrument having a moving member and said indicia is attached to said moving member.

13. In a watch having a case with a dial and a crystal disposed on top of said dial, an illumination apparatus comprising:

a radiation emitter disposed in said watch and including a semiconductor junction adapted to generate radiation in the UV region and generating a broad UV beam; and

at least one indicia disposed on said dial, said indicia being responsive to said UV beam, wherein said indicia is made of a material selected from the group consisting of a phosphorescent and fluorescent material.

14. In a vehicle having at least one device, an illumination apparatus comprising:

a radiation emitter disposed in said device including a semiconductor junction adapted to generate a wide UV beam; and

indicia responsive to said UV beam and attached to said device, said indicia being made of a material selected from the group consisting of a phosphorescent and fluorescent material.

15. An apparatus for providing illumination for an electronic device having a plurality keys, comprising:

a radiation emitter including a semiconductor junction adapted to generate a wide UV beam; and

indicia associated with said keys and responsive to said UV beam, said indicia being made of a material selected from the group consisting of a phosphorescent and fluorescent material.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said device is a keyboard.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said device is a hand held device.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said electronic device includes an accessory port, said apparatus further comprising an elongated flexible member having the radiation emitter at one end and a coupler at the other end for coupling with said accessory port.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said coupler is a USB connector.

20. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said indicia is attached to the keys.