Emission of visible light in response to absorption of excitation light

• US 7,213,923 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2005
• Issued: 05/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sun Innovations Inc.
• Original Assignee: SuperImaging, Inc. (Sun Innovations Inc.)
• Inventors: Sun, Xiao-Dong, Liu, Jian-Qiang
• Primary Examiner(s): Dowling; William C.
• Application Number:
  US11/107,204
• Publication Number:
  US 20050231652A1
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• Field of Search: 353/31, 353/34, 353/37, 353/11, 353/12, 353/79, 353/122, 359443-461
• US Class Current: 353/31
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/14 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/56 Projection screens

Abstract

In accordance with embodiments, viewable images can be created in glass. Viewable images may be created in glass by using a projector which projects ultraviolet light to excite light emitting material. Clear images may be created in glass because the size the light emitting particles in the glass is less than 400 nanometers. In embodiments, the visible illumination of a transparent substrate to display an image is possible, while the transparent substrate remains transparent. Accordingly, for example, drivers of automobiles may view images (e.g. map images) on their windshield while they are driving. As another example, window shoppers may view enhanced advertisements in the windows of stores that they are approaching.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising light emitting material integrated into a substantially transparent substrate, wherein:

the light emitting material is configured to emit visible light in response to absorption of excitation light;

the wavelength of the visible light varies according to the wavelength of the excitation light;

the light emitting material comprises a plurality of light emitting particles; and

each of the plurality of light emitting particles has a diameter less than about 500 nanometers.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the light emitting material comprises a plurality of different materials; and

each of the plurality of different materials emits a different range of wavelengths of visible light.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein:

each of the plurality of different materials emits visible light in response to absorption of a different range of wavelengths of excitation light.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of different materials are integrated into the substantially transparent substrate in different regions.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the regions are pixels.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the regions are stripes.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of different materials are integrated into the substantially transparent substrate in layers.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein each layer of the layers comprises a different material of the plurality of different materials.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of different materials are integrated into the substantially transparent substrate as a mixture.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of different materials are integrated into the substantially transparent substrate by being coated onto the substantially transparent substrate.

11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of different materials are integrated into the substantially transparent substrate by be dispersed into the substantially transparent substrate.

12. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of different materials which comprise Europium which emits red light.

13. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of different materials which comprise Terbium which emits green light.

14. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of different materials which comprise Cerium which emits at least one of blue light and yellow light.

15. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of different materials which comprise Erbium which emits green light.

16. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of different materials which comprises at least one organic fluorescent dye and organic pigment.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said at least one organic dye and organic pigment is at least one organo-metalic dye and organo-metalic pigment.

18. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of different materials comprises:

a first type of material configured to emit visible light having a first color; and

a second type of material configured to emit visible light having a second color.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein:

the first type of material emits visible light having a first color in response to a first wavelength range of excitation light; and

the second type of material emits visible light having a second color in response to a second wavelength range of excitation light.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein first wavelength range and the second wavelength range partially overlap.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first wavelength range completely overlaps the second wavelength range.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first wavelength range substantially overlaps the second wavelength range.

23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first wavelength range of excitation light and the second wavelength range of excitation light are emitted from at least one light source.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the at least one light source is at least one projector.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the at least one projector is a digital micro mirror device projector.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the at least one light source is at least one laser.

27. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the at least one light source is a single discharge light source.

28. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein at least one of the first color and the second color is a primary color.

29. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein at least one of the first color and the second color is a non-primary color.

30. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein:

the plurality of different materials comprises a third type of material configured to emit visible light having a third color;

the first color is red;

the second color is blue; and

the third color is green.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the plurality of different materials comprises a fourth type of material configured to emit visible light having a fourth color.

32. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of light emitting particles has a diameter less than about 400 nanometers.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein each of the plurality of light emitting particles has a diameter less than about 300 nanometers.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein each of the plurality of light emitting particles has a diameter less than about 200 nanometers.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein each of the plurality of light emitting particles has a diameter less than about 100 nanometers.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein each of the plurality of light emitting particles has a diameter less than about 50 nanometers.

37. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of light emitting particles is an individual molecule.

38. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of light emitting particles is an individual atom.

39. A method comprising integrating light emitting material into a substantially transparent substrate, wherein:

the light emitting material is configured to emit visible light in response to absorption of excitation light;

the wavelength of the visible light varies according to the wavelength of the excitation light;

the light emitting material comprises a plurality of light emitting particles; and

each of the plurality of light emitting particles has a diameter less than about 500 nanometers.

40. A method comprising emitting visible light from light emitting material in response to absorption of excitation light, wherein:

the light emitting material is integrated into a substantially transparent substrate;

the wavelength of the visible light varies according to the wavelength of the excitation light;

the light emitting material comprises a plurality of light emitting particles; and

each of the plurality of light emitting particles has a diameter less than about 500 nanometers.