Abstract: Methods and apparatus for marring a surface of a fiber optic substrate by sandblasting one or more sides of the substrate during movement of the substrate past one or more sandblasting nozzles to produce a specific illumination pattern. The nozzles may be operated intermittently to produce intermittent light emitting areas along the length of the substrate. Alternatively, the substrate may be moved past the nozzles at a variable speed, or the pressure of the nozzles or spacing of the nozzles from the surface of the substrate may be regulated during movement of the substrate past the nozzles in order to produce a specific illumination pattern. Also, a perforated plate may be placed between the nozzles and substrate in order to produce a specific illumination pattern. After the sandblasting operation, the substrate may be cleaned and cut to desired lengths, and permanently heat formed into any desired shape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for marring the surface of a fiber optic substrate by feeding the substrate between a pair of rotating rollers. One of the rollers is coated with an abrasive. The second roller may be hard or have a deformable cover. Alternatively, one or both rollers may be serrated to produce a ripple pattern in the substrate. A hydraulic, pneumatic or other device is used for either manually and/or automatically adjusting the gap between the rollers. One or both rollers may also be heated to further enhance the marring action. A cam mechanism may also be used to adjust the pressure in the nip.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing an abraded fiber optic ribbon are provided. This system uses a flat abrasion panel containing a design, such as a company logo, and contacting it directly with a fiber optic ribbon, pressing devices to feed and press the panel and the fiber optic ribbon against each other as the design is being processed onto the fiber optic ribbon, and adjustable speed and differential pressure devices are used to drive the pressing devices. In addition, at least one of the pressing devices may be heated to enhance the processing of the pattern onto the fiber optic ribbon. Particularly, the pressing includes a first roller and a second roller defining a nip through which the panel and the fiber optic ribbon are being fed and pressed against each other. Alternatively, the pressing includes a first plate and a second plate defining a pressing zone in which the panel and the fiber optic ribbon are being fed and pressed against each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for marring the surface of a fiber optic substrate by feeding the substrate between a pair of rotating rollers. One of the rollers is coated with an abrasive. The second roller may be hard or have a deformable cover. Alternatively, one or both rollers may be serrated to produce a ripple pattern in the substrate. A hydraulic, pneumatic or other device is used for either manually and/or automatically adjusting the gap between the rollers. One or both rollers may also be heated to further enhance the marring action. A cam mechanism may also be used to adjust the pressure in the nip.

Abstract: An improved fiber optic backlighting panel provides uniform and increased background illumination in devices, such as rubber keypads, membrane switches, liquid crystal displays, rigid panels or the like. The fiber optic panel comprises a light source and a layer of optical fibers arranged adjacent each other, which transmit light to different locations throughout the device, thereby providing efficient background illumination relative to the amount of light beamed in. The optical fibers are selectively terminated at these locations by forming a series of angular cuts through the layer of optical fibers with a laser, according to a predetermined geometric zig-zag or sawtooth pattern stored in a computer memory. The zig-zag pattern extends across the entire length and width of the panel such that each optical fiber is cut only once to provide increased and consistent illumination throughout the device.

Abstract: Fiber optic backlighting substrates having a predetermined shape are manufactured by a special rotating fixture having a deep, narrow peripheral groove in which several windings of the fiber may be stacked on top of one another, to provide a closely packed spiral array having a thickness on the order of one fiber diameter and a radial extent equal to several times the diameter of a single fiber thick and several fibers wide. At least one wall of the groove is preferably hinged or otherwise removable, to provide convenient access to the spiral and to permit it to be removed from the fixture, whereupon the spiral may be cut radially to form a fiber optic substrate comprising a flat array of closely packed curved fibers, from which extends one or more bundles of loose fibers. By providing a cam-shaped groove having a non-constant depth relative to the rotational axis of the fixture, fiber arrays having segments of varying radii may be fabricated.

Abstract: An improved fiber optic backlighting panel provides increased background illumination relative to the amount of light transmitted therethrough, in devices such as rubber keypads, membrane switches, liquid crystal displays, rigid panels or the like. The fiber optic panel comprises a light source and a layer of optical fibers arranged adjacent each other which transmit the light beamed therein to different locations throughout the device, to provide increased and uniform intensity of light at specific locations or uniformly distributed light throughout the device. The optical fibers are selectively terminated at the different locations by forming holes through the layer of optical fibers with a laser, according to a predetermined geometric pattern of dot locations stored in a computer memory. In one specific embodiment for application in liquid crystal displays, a layer of foam is used to diffuse and scatter light to provide uniform illumination.

Abstract: A fiber optic panel provides backlighting in devices such as rubber keypads, membrane switches, liquid crystal displays, rigid panels, or the like. The fiber optic panel comprises a light source for emitting light and a fiber optic cable which transmits the light to a plurality of different locations throughout the device. The fiber optic cable comprises a plurality of optical fibers, each of which individually terminates at one of a plurality of different locations to illuminate that location. Alternatively, the optical fibers individually terminate at evenly spaced locations throughout the device to illuminate a region uniformly.

Abstract: A vehicle viewing system for use on vehicles to enhance the vehicles' safe operation by minimizing blind spots. The system has an objective assembly mountable on the vehicle with its field of view substantially encompassing a blind spot. The images within the field of view are carried from the objective assembly to a viewer assembly via an image relay system. The image relay system may be a conventional fiber optic cable or a periscope assembly mounted between two fiber optic cables to extend the image transmission. The periscope assembly utilizes a lens assembly to relay images. The viewer assembly is mountable in an easy-to-see location on the vehicle suitable for viewing by the vehicle operator. The objective assembly has a lens system to enable the system to present continuous color images for viewing.

Abstract: A dental impression tray constructed from an optically transmissive material prepared with appropriately positioned recesses to direct light towards a U-shaped channel formed in the body of the tray. The channel is dimensioned to receive a portion of a patient's teeth. The recesses are formed in the outermost surfaces of the dental tray sides. In particular, multiple, spaced-apart recesses are formed in the outermost surfaces of the tray sides to deflect light into the channel area, which may have deposited therein a light polymerizable or curable material. Light is introduced into the tray through at least a first light portal which is integrally formed in a side of the tray.

Abstract: An illuminator formed from an optically transmissive body which is characterized by internal reflection and which has formed at discrete locations along its length one or more recesses. Each of these recesses includes two opposing surfaces which depend angularly inward from the body to define an included angle therebetween. This illuminator may be used in conjunction with a panel formed with discrete locations of transparency which are positioned contiguous to one or more of the recesses to insure that light passing out from the illuminator will be directed through the transparent location of the panel.