Abstract: A system for self-decontaminating a surface of an object is disclosed herein. The system includes a light emitting member and photocatalytic material which can be mounted on or within the object to be decontaminated. Activation of the system releases an oxidizing agent effective in deactivating chemically or biologically active agents at or near the surface. The system is robust, non-destructive, can be activated on demand, and does not require regeneration or expose a user to harmful materials such as UV irradiation. Also disclosed are objects containing the system, methods for self-decontaminating objects using the system, and methods for fabricating self-decontaminating surfaces on an object.

Abstract: Substrate structure embodiments generally have first and second sides and are configured to form at least one opening that communicates between the first and second sides. A circuit path is carried on the first side and extended over the opening wherein the circuit path has a near side facing the substrate and has a far side facing away from the substrate. A circuit element has at least one bonding pad and is inserted into the opening after which the conductive bump is arranged to join the pad to the path. In another embodiment, the bump joins the pad to the near side of the path. In another embodiment, the path defines a hole and the bump fills the hole. In yet another system embodiment, the opening comprises a recess and associated vias. These embodiments may also have a second conductive circuit path carried on the first side and having a near side facing the substrate and a far side facing away from the substrate.

Abstract: A hybrid chip-on-heatsink device comprises at least one LED die, at least one printed circuit board (PCB), and a thermally conductive substrate or heatsink. The LED die is physically and thermally coupled to the thermally conductive substrate. The PCB is physically coupled to the thermally conductive substrate. The LED die is electrically coupled to the PCB. The thermally conductive substrate acts as a spreader and as a heatsink, whereby heat is efficiently dissipated away from the LED die. The PCB may optionally contain other electrical components, and circuitry to create a “smart” LED package or light engine.

Abstract: Illumination device embodiments are provided which include a transparent bulb that carries at least one phosphor. A redirector is positioned within the bulb and at least one light-emitting diode (LED) is positioned over the redirector to be energized and emit light that excites the phosphor. The redirector helps to diffuse the resultant mix of LED-emitted light and phosphor-emitted light that issues from the device. The redirector also provides a heat path away from the LEDs. In a device embodiment, LEDS form first and second diode groups that have emission peaks in different regions. Selectively energizing these groups alters the color temperature of the device's light. Energizing both groups and varying currents of each group also alters the color temperature of the device's light. In other device embodiments, the redirector has a portion outside the bulb which may also define protuberances that enhance heat radiation. In yet other device embodiments, each LED may have an associated phosphor.

Abstract: Substrate structure embodiments generally have first and second sides and are configured to form at least one opening that communicates between the first and second sides. A circuit path is carried on the first side and extended over the opening wherein the circuit path has a near side facing the substrate and has a far side facing away from the substrate. A circuit element has at least one bonding pad and is inserted into the opening after which the conductive bump is arranged to join the pad to the path. In another embodiment, the bump joins the pad to the near side of the path. In another embodiment, the path defines a hole and the bump fills the hole. In yet another system embodiment, the opening comprises a recess and associated vias. These embodiments may also have a second conductive circuit path carried on the first side and having a near side facing the substrate and a far side facing away from the substrate.

Abstract: A system for self-decontaminating a surface of an object is disclosed herein. The system includes a light emitting member and photocatalytic material which can be mounted on or within the object to be decontaminated. Activation of the system releases an oxidizing agent effective in deactivating chemically or biologically active agents at or near the surface. The system is robust, non-destructive, can be activated on demand, and does not require regeneration or expose a user to harmful materials such as UV irradiation. Also disclosed are objects containing the system, methods for self-decontaminating objects using the system, and methods for fabricating self-decontaminating surfaces on an object.

Abstract: Light-emitting structures of reduced size are realized with combinations of light-emitting diodes, resistive and conductive films, and interconnect members. Other embodiments are provided which simplify fabrication and assembly.

Abstract: Interactive transaction card structures and methods are disclosed which configure and arrange card elements (e.g., contacts, keypads, displays, memories, and microprocessors) to facilitate substantial expansion of the transactions available with conventional cards.

Abstract: Light display structures are provided that are simple and comprise few parts so that they can be economically fabricated from various polymers and quickly assembled. They are especially suited for carrying light-emitting elements and lend themselves for realization in a variety of forms such as elongate display structures and sheet-like display structures. They are based upon a plurality of light-emitting elements (e.g., light-emitting diodes) that are coupled between first and second conductors with the addition of other structures (e.g., spacers, wire bonds, tabs) that facilitate the energizing of the light-emitting elements.

Abstract: Light display structures are provided that are simple and comprise few parts so that they can be economically fabricated from various polymers and quickly assembled. They are especially suited for carrying light-emitting elements and lend themselves for realization in a variety of forms such as elongate display structures and sheet-like display structures. They are based upon a plurality of light-emitting elements (e.g., light-emitting diodes) that are coupled between first and second conductors with the addition of other structures (e.g., spacers, wire bonds, tabs) that facilitate the energizing of the light-emitting elements.

Abstract: Light-emitting diode display systems are provided which have enhanced light intensity. The enhanced intensity is realized with first and second electrodes, a plurality of light-emitting diodes and a reflector. The first and second electrodes respectively form first and second sets of first and second fingers respectively wherein the first and second fingers are arranged in an interdigitated relationship. Each of the light-emitting diodes is coupled between a respective one of the first fingers and a respective one of the second fingers and the reflector is arranged and positioned to reflect light from the light-emitting diodes. A plurality of diodes are thus positioned so that the reflector combines their light into a beam of enhanced intensity.

Abstract: A container having a bottom, a side wall and a rim defining the container top can be filled with a fluid such as water. An enclosure holding an energy source (e.g. a battery) and a switch is disposed at the container bottom, preferably within the container. A resilient cover on the enclosure defines a movable contact of the switch and provides open and closed states with a fixed contact within the enclosure. A member disposed externally of the enclosure and defining an electrical circuit with the energy source and the switch becomes illuminated in accordance with the flexing of the cover. A button disposed at the container bottom extends through the container bottom in a sealed relationship with the container bottom and engages the resilient cover when the container is disposed with a particular force on a support surface or when the container on the support surface becomes at least partially filled with fluid.

Abstract: A device for use in footwear for producing pulsed light can be disposed in the sole of a shoe. The device includes a circuit having a switch responsive to pressure from the wearer's foot that activates a lighting circuit for a predetermined period of time or until the switch is operated again. The lighting circuit produces a pulsed light visible exteriorly of the sole of the shoe. The circuit can be controlled to operate either when the wearer's foot is brought into contact with, or when it is removed from, the ground.

Abstract: The front end of a body portion on a hat (e.g. cap) may be continuous and the rear end may have separable sections. The hat may have a visor to form a cap defined by two (2) cloth layers separated by a backing member (e.g. cardboard). The backing member and the visor lower layer may have matching apertures to receive a module defined by a container and a cover pivotable on the container between open and closed positions. A switch, a battery and a printed circuit board may be disposed in the container. The switch may be manually closed, with the container closed, to energize electrical circuitry on the board. Such energizing may illuminate a member (e.g. LED) preferably disposed on the body portion and optically coupled to a display member to illuminate an individual design on the display member. The display member may be attached to the continuous front external surface of the body portion. Alternatively, the hat may have a band on the internal surface of the body portion.

Abstract: A member made from a suitable material such as a polyurethane epoxy designed to withstand impact against an object is provided as a support member. For example, the member may constitute an insert disposed on or in the heel of a shoe but a wide variety of other applications are possible. A suitable member such as a piezoelectric member is disposed on the support member to produce a signal when the support member is impacted against the object or when the impact is released. This signal is amplified by an amplifier which is powered by a suitable source such as a battery. The amplified signals are introduced to a light emitting member such as a light emitting diode which provides an illuminated indication of the impact of the support member against the object. A member such as a resistance may be disposed in the circuit with the battery and the amplifier to limit the current flow through the amplifier during the times that the piezoelectric member is energized.

Abstract: A member made from a suitable material such as a polyurethane epoxy designed to withstand impact against an object is provided as a support member. For example, the member may constitute an insert disposed on or in the heel of a shoe but a wide variety of other applications are possible. A suitable member such as a piezoelectric member is disposed on the support member to produce a signal when the support member is impacted against the object or when the impact is released. This signal is amplified by an amplifier which is powered by a suitable source such as a battery. The amplified signals are introduced to a light emitting member such as a light emitting diode which provides an illuminated indication of the impact of the support member against the object. A member such as a resistance may be disposed in the circuit with the battery and the amplifier to limit the current flow through the amplifier during the times that the piezoelectric member is energized.