Patent · US Expired

Light processing apparatus for creating visual effects

US5588235A · kind A · utility

5Cited by
29References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 31, 1994
Grant dateDec 31, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 31, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S385/901
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Light processing apparatus creates a number of visual effects which simulate movement with light from a light source. A multiplicity of flexible fibre optic light guides having optically finished input and output ends are grouped into groups, with each group being assigned to create a particular effect. The input ends of each group of light guides are placed in adjacent receptor zones of pre-selected geometry, and the output ends of each group of light guides are located on an effects surface in a pre-selected pattern. Light from the light source is filtered by a color changer having a plurality of discrete moveable colored filter zones shaped to correlate with the receptor zones, and is then received by the input ends of the light guides and distributed to the output ends of the light guides. The color changer may be a rotatable color wheel filter, an endless band filter or a cylindrical filter. When the filter is activated, the filter zones successively register with and sweep across the receptor zones, thereby changing the color of the light which is transmitted to the input ends of the various groups of light guides. The subject apparatus also includes a configuration structure…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.