Abstract: A home phototherapy system for producing vitamin D via skin exposure and associated methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the system includes a UV-emitting device that includes a housing and a UV light assembly carried by the housing. The UV light assembly can include an array of UVB light emitters and an optical component that, together, emit phototherapeutic UV radiation from an active side of the housing to promote vitamin D production in skin (e.g., a human torso) exposed to the UVB light. The system also includes a dose controller operably coupled to the UV light assembly that can create a dosing protocol for the UV light assembly and specific to the user. The dose controller can be implemented on an application in a mobile device, within the UV-emitting device, and/or a cloud server.

Abstract: Light emitters are made of one or more cladded flat optical fibers having opposite flat sides and disruptions along at least a portion of the length of the fibers to cause light entering at least one end to be emitted from at least one side. The ends of the flat optical fibers may have substantially the same thickness as a light source and a width substantially equal to or substantially greater than the width of the light source for ease of optically coupling one or more such light sources to the flat optical fiber ends.

Abstract: Lighting assembly comprises an optical fiber light guide panel member having a light conducting core cladded on opposite sides by cladding made of optically transparent material having a lower index of refraction than the light conducting core to cause total internal reflection of conducted light within the light conducting core at the core-cladding interface. Disruptions at one or more areas of the cladding cause conducted light within the light conducting core to be emitted from one or more areas of the panel member. Electrical circuitry is bonded to one or both sides of the cladding. One or more LEDs embedded in the panel member are in electrical conduct with the electrical circuitry and optically coupled to the light conducting core.

Abstract: A method of marring a fiber optic substrate by supporting a length of the substrate on a tapered surface of an elongate support and causing relative movement between at least one roller and the support lengthwise of the support with the roller pressing the substrate against the tapered surface and the roller rolling along the substrate. At least one of the roller and the support include an abrasive surface for marring the substrate during such relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: Lighting assembly comprises an optical fiber light guide panel member having a light conducting core cladded on opposite sides by cladding made of optically transparent material having a lower index of refraction than the light conducting core to cause total internal reflection of conducted light within the light conducting core at the core-cladding interface. Disruptions at one or more areas of the cladding cause conducted light within the light conducting core to be emitted from one or more areas of the panel member. Electrical circuitry is bonded to one or both sides of the cladding. One or more LEDs embedded in the panel member are in electrical conduct with the electrical circuitry and optically coupled to the light conducting core.

Abstract: Light emitters are made of one or more cladded flat optical fibers having opposite flat sides and disruptions along at least a portion of the length of the fibers to cause light entering at least one end to be emitted from at least one side. The ends of the flat optical fibers may have substantially the same thickness as a light source and a width substantially equal to or substantially greater than the width of the light source for ease of optically coupling one or more such light sources to the flat optical fiber ends.

Abstract: A method of marring a fiber optic substrate by supporting a length of the substrate on a tapered surface of an elongate support and causing relative movement between at least one roller and the support lengthwise of the support with the roller pressing the substrate against the tapered surface and the roller rolling along the substrate. At least one of the roller and the support include an abrasive surface for marring the substrate during such relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: A method of marring a fiber optic substrate by directing a water jet abrasive slurry at the substrate while causing relative movement between an elongate support for the substrate and the water jet abrasive slurry to produce a marring pattern on the substrate. The pressure of the water jet abrasive slurry and/or the rate of relative movement between the elongate support and the water jet abrasive slurry may be varied to produce a variable marring pattern on the substrate.

Abstract: Methods and systems for marring fiber optic substrates may include rollers with abrasive surfaces that press lengths of the substrates against elongated supports, which may be tapered, during relative lengthwise movement between the rollers and supports; abrasive sheets that are vibrated against the substrates; abrasive flap wheels that are rotated to cause flexible abrasive flaps on the wheels to strike the substrates; rotating blades that cut a transverse marring pattern in the substrates; hammers having abrasive surfaces that are oscillated to strike the substrates; and water jet abrasive slurries that are directed at the substrates.

Abstract: Methods and systems for marring fiber optic substrates may include rollers with abrasive surfaces that press lengths of the substrates against elongated supports, which may be tapered, during relative lengthwise movement between the rollers and supports; abrasive sheets that are vibrated against the substrates; abrasive flap wheels that are rotated to cause flexible abrasive flaps on the wheels to strike the substrates; rotating blades that cut a transverse marring pattern in the substrates; hammers having abrasive surfaces that are oscillated to strike the substrates; and water jet abrasive slurries that are directed at the substrates.

Abstract: A method of making an illuminator out of a light guide using a laser to cut a pattern of U shaped notches or grooves in at least one side of the light guide. The laser may be moved at a substantially constant or variable speed during continuous or intermittent pulsing of the laser to cut a plurality of notches or grooves of a desired depth, width, spacing, relative position, diameter and/or surface finish in the light guide.

Abstract: Methods and systems for marring fiber optic substrates may include rollers with abrasive surfaces that press lengths of the substrates against elongated supports, which may be tapered, during relative lengthwise movement between the rollers and supports; abrasive sheets that are vibrated against the substrates; abrasive flap wheels that are rotated to cause flexible abrasive flaps on the wheels to strike the substrates; rotating blades that cut a transverse marring pattern in the substrates; hammers having abrasive surfaces that are oscillated to strike the substrates; and water jet abrasive slurries that are directed at the substrates.

Abstract: Light emitters are made of one or more cladded flat optical fibers having opposite flat sides and disruptions along at least a portion of the length of the fibers to cause light entering at least one end to be emitted from at least one side. The ends of the flat optical fibers may have substantially the same thickness as a light source and a width substantially equal to or substantially greater than the width of the light source for ease of optically coupling one or more such light sources to the flat optical fiber ends.

Abstract: Light emitters are made of one or more cladded flat optical fibers having opposite flat sides and disruptions along at least a portion of the length of the fibers to cause light entering at least one end to be emitted from at least one side. The ends of the flat optical fibers may have substantially the same thickness as a light source and a width substantially equal to or substantially greater than the width of the light source for ease of optically coupling one or more such light sources to the flat optical fiber ends.

Abstract: An infrared identification device includes a light emitting panel member that receives light from an infrared light source for conduction within the panel member and emission from a light emitting surface area on one side of the panel member, which is relatively easy to detect at night when viewed through night vision equipment. The device may be capable of functioning in an interrogation mode, allowing the device to be activated remotely by a predetermined signal frequency, code signal or pulse signal and send out a signal response.