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: 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: An improved fiber optic panel having a desired illumination pattern is assembled from at least two partial panels, each comprising a plurality of fully terminated parallel fibers. Two or more such partial arrays are combined to fabricate a optical fiber substrate having an arbitrary illumination pattern. The non-illuminated fiber lengths extending from the individual fiber terminations are removed before the two partial arrays are assembled, thus further enhancing the efficiency of the device. In a preferred embodiment the fibers of each partial array have a center-to-center spacing slightly greater than twice the fiber diameters, and the fibers of the two partial arrays are intermeshed to form a closely packed parallel array of fibers in which a fully terminated shorter fiber is located between two longer fibers.