Method and apparatus for illumination and entertainment by light emitted from a guide via scattering
US6629772B2 · kind B2 · utility
26Cited by
5References
18Claims
0Family size
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 25, 2001 |
| Grant date | Oct 7, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 25, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S362/80
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for illumination and entertainment by light emitted from a guide via scattering provides a new form of visible lighting. An illumination source is coupled to an optical guide to produce a beam within the guide. The beam is disrupted by a emitting surface which may have design features embedded thereon. The disruption causes scattering of the beam, producing an illuminated body. The disruption may be a matte coating on a side wall of the guide, a lens with a matte image thereon at the end of the guide, or other discontinuity that results in an entertaining or pleasing illumination pattern.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.