Abstract: A reflector of a lighting apparatus such as a flashlight has a cupped body with a first pair of opposing walls and a second pair of opposing walls extending from an aperture at the cupped body center to a rectangular opening. The internal surfaces of the walls are reflective. Each of the first pair of walls is concavely curved with a focus point in front of a filament light source inside the cupped body and each of the second pair of walls is convexly curved with a focus point exterior to the cupped body. The first pair of opposing walls and the second pair of opposing walls are shaped to reflect light from the filament light source through the rectangular opening to form a predetermined flood beam by breaking up the filament image and reflecting the resulting light.

Abstract: A nonimaging illumination optical device for producing a selected far field illuminance over an angular range. The optical device includes a light source 102, a light reflecting surface 108, and a family of light edge rays defined along a reference line 104 with the reflecting surface 108 defined in terms of the reference line 104 as a parametric function R(t) where t is a scalar parameter position and R(t)=k(t)+Du(t) where k(t) is a parameterization of the reference line 104, and D is a distance from a point on the reference line 104 to the reflection surface 108 along the desired edge ray through the point.

Abstract: A single elongated light source fixture is disclosed. The fixture, comprising a hyperbolic reflector combined with a single elongated light source such as a fluorescent tube, provides adequate levels of illumination while substantially saving energy usage compared to existing light fixtures.

Abstract: A backlight luminaire (50) is provided with at least two tubular fluorescent lamps (44, 45), with portions of the lamps (44, 45) exhibiting a variation in spectral characteristic in the longitudinal direction. The portions of the lamps are so positioned relative to each other that the spectral characteristic of a portion of a first lamp (44) and the spectral characteristic of a portion of a second lamp (45), which portions are arranged one beside the other, vary in opposite directions. The luminaire is further provided with a plurality of sub-reflectors (42, 43), the majority of the sub-reflectors (43) being provided with said portion of the first lamp (44) and said portion of the second lamp (45). Preferably, the majority of the lamps (44, 45) is distributed over more than one sub-reflector (43). Preferably, the lamps (44, 45) are U-shaped and alternately connected in series.

Abstract: A concave light reflecting device for providing substantially uniform illumination across a plane comprising a parabolic reflecting surface, an involute reflecting surface, and a segmented reflecting surface. The parabolic reflecting surface having a first end and a second end, wherein the parabolic radius of the first end is less than the parabolic radius of the second end. The involute reflecting surface having a first end, a second end, and a focal point within the concave portion of the device. Wherein, the distance from the focal point to the involute reflecting surface increases from the first end to the second end. The second end of the involute reflecting surface transitions to the first end of the parabolic reflecting surface, and the first end of the involute reflecting surface is connected to the segmented reflecting surface. The segmented reflecting surface extends outward from the focal point of the involute reflecting surface for decreasing glare from the device.

Abstract: A backlight luminaire (50) comprising a plurality of fluorescent lamps (44, 45) and a plurality of sub-reflectors (42, 43) is characterized in that the majority of the sub-reflectors (43) are provided with a portion of more than one lamp. In addition, the majority of the lamps (44, 45) are distributed over more than one sub-reflector (43). The lamps (44, 45) are preferably U-shaped and alternately connected in series. The backlight luminaire (50) is employed in liquid-crystal display devices (51) to attain a uniform light distribution.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for illuminating medical diagnostic imaging film with significantly enhanced contrast and resolution. The apparatus includes an enclosure having a first end and a second end in opposing relationship therewith, and a concave mirror or the like located in the enclosure proximate to the first end and receiving light from a light source such as a light pipe. The mirror projects at least a portion of the received light, in the form of a collimated beam, toward the second end of the enclosure. The apparatus further includes a light transmissive panel positioned across the second end of the enclosure to support the film in the path of the collimated beam, for illumination thereby. In one embodiment, the film support panel is selectively curved to minimize reduction in field of view.

Abstract: A wall-mountable strobe unit emits radiant energy over a one hundred eighty degree arc in a horizontal plane and over a ninety degree arc in a vertical plane when so mounted. The unit includes a reflector and an elongated light source. The elongated light source is symmetrically positioned on the reflector with one end thereof carried on the reflector with the light source extending in the horizontal plane when so mounted. The reflector includes first and second planar elements symmetrically located with respect to the light source. The planar elements are joined by symmetrically located curved elements formed of partial parabolic surfaces. The partial parabolic surfaces extend from the planar elements first rising a predetermined amount from the planar elements and then falling back toward the planar elements.

Abstract: A illuminated surgical instrument (11) includes an optical fiber (21) with a proximal end and a distal end, a connector (15) disposed at the proximal end of the optical fiber, and a handpiece (13) disposed generally at the distal end of the optical fiber. The handpiece has a handpiece body and a needle (25) extending distally from the handpiece body, the optical fiber (21) extending generally through the handpiece and extending slightly past the distal end of the needle (25). The handpiece (13) is suitable for one-handed operation by a human user, and the needle (25) is of a size suitable for insertion into a human eye. The instrument (11) includes structures at the distal end of the optical fiber (21) for dispersing light passing from an illumination source through the cable to broaden the area on which light impinges, and a shield (47) disposed proximally of a portion of the dispersing structure to prevent light from impinging upon a predetermined area.

Abstract: A reflector used in a lighting fixture wherein a relatively thin, flexible, reflecting surface is placed against a precisely formed curve in a frame. The reflecting surface is then clamped against the precisely formed curve and adopts the shape of precisely formed curve. A method according to the invention cuts the precisely formed curve from a piece and then uses both parts of the piece to clamp the reflective surface in place. It is preferred that the reflective sheet be placed against and clamped at least at opposite edges.

Abstract: A reflector system for lighting fixtures having a frame in which one or more bulbs and a reflector is mounted. The reflector is formed of at least one sheet of PVC. Preferably, the PVC is a single integral member curved to focus the reflected light.

Abstract: The light radiation beam emitted by a source of finite dimension, integrated in a transparent plate or in contact therewith, is initially reflected inside the plate by a first surface located on the side of the plate (3) which is more remote from the source. The reflected light rays pass through plate and are again reflected by a second surface having micro projections and then directed outwardly, according to a micro-telescope arrangement.

Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation source, such as an arc lamp, is located at a point displaced from the optical axis of a concave toroidal reflecting surface. The concave primary reflector focuses the radiation from the source at an off-axis image point that is displaced from the optical axis. The use of a toroidal reflecting surface enhances the collection efficiency into a small target, such as an optical fiber, relative to a spherical reflecting surface by substantially reducing aberrations caused by the off-axis geometry. A second concave reflector is placed opposite to the first reflector to enhance further the total flux collected by a small target.

Abstract: A headlamp has a complex reflector, a refractor, and a light source. The refractor is composed of upper and lower paraboloidal segments shaped such that the focal distance of the upper paraboloidal segment is shorter than the focal distance of the lower segment. The segments are provided with optical elements in the form of parabolic cylinders with a horizontal forming axis. The profile of the parabolic cylinders form is identical to the profile of the paraboloidal segments. The axis of the light source is located above the axis of the headlamp and the focii of the upper and lower paraboloidal segments are located adjacent the light source end faces.

Abstract: An apparatus for projecting electromagnetic radiation onto a curing surface. The apparatus includes a housing containing the curing surface. The housing also includes a source of electromagnetic radiation and an elongate primary concave reflector. The source of electromagnetic radiation is positioned within an expanse defined by the primary reflector. The housing also includes a secondary reflector positioned adjacently exterior to the primary reflector expanse. The primary reflector and the secondary reflector operate to reflect and redirect radiation emanating from said source onto said curing surface.

Abstract: A nonimaging illumination optical device for producing a selected far field illuminance over an angular range. The optical device includes a light source 102, a light reflecting surface 108, and a family of light edge rays defined along a reference line 104 with the reflecting surface 108 defined in terms of the reference line 104 as a parametric function R(t) where t is a scalar parameter position and R(t)=k(t)+Du(t) where k(t) is a parameterization of the reference line 104, and D is a distance from a point on the reference line 104 to the reflection surface 108 along the desired edge ray through the point.

Abstract: A photographic contact printing device has a point-like light source (17) and two uni-directionally curved parabolically cylindrical mirrors (18, 19) the axis of curvature (22, 23) of which are perpendicular to each other, and one axis (23) being parallel to the exposure plane.

Abstract: An adjustable beam flashlight according to this invention is based in part on the teachings of Ellion U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,984,140 and 5,459,649 but adds important new concepts to describe a theoretical reflector having a broad beam that is uniformly illuminated with no bright and dull rings and no unilluminated center disc. This theoretical reflector requires manufacturing tolerances that are not available with conventional machine tools. A method is described to modify this theoretical reflector so that a practical reflector can be produced using existing machine tools. In one embodiment, the practical reflector surface is made up of a multitude of small concentric cones which reflect the light in the form of small fans. A uniformly illuminated broad beam is formed by fabricating specific groups of these cones of varying size and slope to form the reflector surface in order to project the light so as to overlap the required number of fans to produce the uniformity of illumination.

Abstract: Downlight and downlight wall wash reflectors particularly useful with compact fluorescent lamps and other large-area light sources, the reflector optics of the invention maximize the efficiency of the luminaire while providing brightness control and avoidance of high angle glare or "flash". Downlight reflectors according to the invention provide a truly uniform illuminance distribution across the illuminated area when applied in a rectangular grid with maximum use of available light by providing an upper amplifying reflector section which reflects normally underutilized light to a lower distribution reflector section which radiates a large percentage of generated light effectively from the bottom of the light source, thus reducing the apparent size of the light source and increasing optical control. The lower reflector section reflects light only into zones where the light is needed and avoids high angle zones, most of the light being reflected into zones from 35.degree. to 45.degree.

Abstract: A medical lamp having a reflector in the shape of an ellipsoid of rotation containing on its interior side a plurality of facets which provide for a largely shadow-free illumination of the area to be lit. An opening is provided in the reflector, which is surrounded by a ring flange. A lamp having a spiral-wound filament therein is inserted into the ring flange so that its bulb is oriented towards the surface of the reflector where the light exits, whereby the spiral-wound filament in the bulb is positioned along the reflector axis. The bulb has a base with a cylindrical portion which is adjacent to a plate flange. The cylindrical portion of the base is encircled by the ring flange of the reflector opening in such a manner that the bulb is secured against shifting in the radial direction of the reflector axis.

Abstract: An unsymmetrical elliptical reflector for spatial illumination. The invention includes a novel reflector and a novel illumination system including the novel reflector. The novel reflector includes first and second, non-symmetrical, elliptical elongate reflector surfaces. The eccentricities of the first and second reflector surfaces are different such that they have common first foci and different conjugate foci. The novel illumination system incorporates the novel reflector and provides intense, focused illumination at two foci positioned at two heights above a conveyor surface. The illumination intensity between the two foci is sufficiently intense to provide adequate illumination of encoded labels carried on package surfaces at heights between the two foci.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of the profile of reflective elements of a light as well as the lights obtained by this process, the light comprising at least two cylindrical reflective elements (5, 5'). This process is characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting of:defining the position of one end (R.sub.o) of the profile of each reflective element (5, 5')defining an illumination function E(.theta.) corresponding to a desired illumination curve, connected to a luminance function L(.theta.) by the formula:E(.theta.)=L(.theta.).multidot.cos.sup.2 .theta.=k?s.multidot.cos.theta.+.rho.r.multidot.sin (.phi.-.theta.)-.rho.r.sub.o sin (.phi..sub.o -.theta.)! cos.sup.2 .theta.if said end (Ro) of the profile of the reflective element (5, 5') is the downstream end of this latter, and an illumination function:E(.theta.)=L(.theta.).multidot.cos.sup.2 .theta.=k?s.multidot.cos.theta.-.rho.r.multidot.sin (.phi.-.theta.)+.rho.r.sub.o .multidot.sin (.phi..sub.o -.theta.)! cos.sup.2 .

Abstract: An improved apparatus for illuminating a display, such as a lens, includes a source of nonwhite light of a first color at an energy level which can be perceived by the human eye. The nonwhite light of a first color is reflected from a reflector to obtain white light. In one embodiment of the invention, the nonwhite light source was a solid state device (light emitting diode) which produced blue light at a high-energy level and green and red light at relatively low energy levels with the result that the green and red light could not be perceived by a human eye simultaneously with the blue light. The light from the solid state light source was reflected from a reflector having a gold (yellow) reflecting surface. The light reflected from the reflecting surface interfered with light emitted directly form the solid state light source with a chromatic shift of light energy. The resulting light from the reflector was white light.

Abstract: In brief, the objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by a reflector for an ornamental luminaire. The reflector includes a member formed of a metal material, the metal member having a predetermined thickness and being perforated with spaced apart apertures of a selected diameter and selected density. The metal member has a predefined reflector shape with the spaced apart apertures and the predefined reflector shape arranged to provide control of both an upper illumination distribution and a lower illumination distribution. The reflector metal member includes a plurality of positioning portions arranged for press-fit engagement within the ornamental luminaire. A hydroforming technique is used to form the metal member into the predefined reflector shape. The reflector is trimmed via a stamping process to a desired diameter and to provide the plurality of positioning portions in a precompression state.

Abstract: An illuminating optical apparatus comprises a light source providing a light beam; a rotationally symmetrical mirror having an aperture of a predetermined shape; a collimating optical system for converting the light beam, coming from the light source and condensed by the rotationally symmetrical mirror, into a substantially parallel light beam; a multiple light source forming device for forming plural secondary light sources by said substantially parallel light beam; and a condenser optical system for condensing the light beam from the multiple light source forming device, thereby uniformly illuminating an object of illumination. The collimating optical system is adapted to form an image of the reflecting surface of the rotationally symmetrical mirror on a predetermined plane of the multiple light source forming device.

Abstract: An optical system for scanning a transparency. The optical system includes a light source that emits a longitudinally and laterally diverging beam of light. A torodial shaped mirror is positioned to refocus the light beam along both its longitudinal and lateral axes so that it becomes a focused light beam. The inwardly converging light beam is directed onto the transparency to be scanned. A complementary light sensor is positioned to receive the illuminated beam of light formed as a consequence of the transparency scanning.

Abstract: A light guide illumination system is provided for coupling light from an illumination source to a number of output "light guides", which are used for a variety of purposes, such as illuminating pools, spas, hazardous material zones, jail cells, and other applications where direct lighting is dangerous, difficult to maintain, or subject to vandalism. The illumination system employs an illumination reflector which has been customized to maximize the efficiency of light transmission between the illumination source, such as an arc lamp, and the cores of the output light guides. A method of fabricating the customized illumination reflector includes mapping the radiation patterns of the particular illumination source to be utilized, creating a database of those radiation patterns, and utilizing the database to generate an optimal illumination reflector configuration. The computer-generated reflector will virtually always be a non-conic section, because the illumination source is not ideal.

Abstract: A surgical illumination probe includes an optical fiber with a proximal end and a distal end, a connector disposed at the proximal end of the optical fiber (the connector being adapted for connection to a source of illumination and for holding the proximal end of the optical fiber in position to accept light from the illumination source), and a handpiece disposed generally at the distal end of the optical fiber. The handpiece has a handpiece body and a needle extending distally from the handpiece body, with the optical fiber extending generally through the handpiece and extending slightly past the distal end of the needle. The handpiece is of a size suitable for one-handed operation by a human user, and the needle is of a size suitable for insertion into a human eye.

Abstract: An optical element for X-ray reflection according to the present invention is provided with a number of fine convex surfaces or concave surfaces regularly arranged on a substrate. Multilayer films reflecting X-rays are formed over the convex surfaces or concave surfaces. The convex surfaces or concave surfaces have such a shape that when X-rays enter each concave surface or convex surface, they are reflected with a certain diverging angle by the multilayer films and as a result that a plurality of secondary X-ray sources having the diverging angle are formed on a same plane located a certain distance apart from the concave surfaces or convex surfaces. By this, a number of secondary X-ray sources are formed to enable uniform irradiation of X-rays in a wide region.

Abstract: In order to provide an approximately straight line of light on an original document that is to be read, for example, by an image reading system, a light-supplying optical device includes a light source that produces a bow-shaped (i.e., curved) line of light in order to nullify the line bow phenomenon caused by an optical member such as, for example, a toric mirror that reflects the light towards the original document.

Abstract: A hollow light guide illumination system is provided for coupling light from an illumination source to a hollow light guide, which is used for a variety of purposes, such as tunnels, hallways, and large rooms where direct lighting is dangerous, difficult to maintain, or subject to vandalism. The illumination system employs an illumination reflector which has been customized to maximize the efficiency of light transmission between the illumination source, such as an arc lamp, and the core of the hollow light guide. A method of fabricating the customized illumination reflector includes mapping the radiation patterns of the particular illumination source to be utilized, creating a database of those radiation patterns, and utilizing the database to generate an optimal illumination reflector configuration. The computer-generated reflector will virtually always be a non-conic section, because the illumination source is not ideal.

Abstract: A thin illumination device providing uniform luminance distribution on the diffusing plate comprising a reflecting plate, linear light sources arranged in the vicinity of the reflecting plate and a diffusing plate arranged on the opposite side of the reflecting plate with regard to the light sources, section of the reflecting plate having a shape of continuous curves having different curvature.

Abstract: An optical illumination system according to the present invention is provided with an optical reflector for illuminating a surface to be illuminated in the shape of arc or annulus. A reflective plane of the optical reflector is shaped in a special curved surface. Specifically, an arbitrary parabola with a first axis passing through the vertex and the focus of the parabola is rotated about a second axis passing through a point located on the opposite side of the directrix of the parabola with respect to the focus and being parallel to the directrix. The rotation of the parabola yields a parabolic toric surface. The reflective plane of the optical reflector has the curved surface constituting at least a part of the parabolic toric surface. The reflective plane so shaped reflects a light source image emitted from a light source system to illuminate the surface to be illuminated in the shape of arc or annulus.

Abstract: At least part of a reflector surface covering a rod-shaped light source is a continuous body having such a shape that in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the rod-shaped light source, a ray emitted from a light emitting point on the surface of the rod-shaped light source in the tangential direction going away from a light conducting plate is reflected back to the vicinity of the light emitting point. According to another aspect, at least part of a reflector surface covering a rod-shaped light source located between the rod-shaped light source and the light conducting plate is part of a parabola whose focus is substantially located on the side face of the light conducting plate in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the rod-shaped light source.

Abstract: A lightweight reflector is fabricated from corrugated plastic sheet by bonding a mirrored film on a cover layer having a great number of closely spaced lengthwise depressions so that a corresponding series of striations form a reflector surface having a multitude of facets, the sheet to be formed into a concavely curved shape which shape may be held with a wire secured crosswise to the sheet at a point intermediate the ends. In the preferred embodiment, single faced corrugated plastic sheeting is used which can readily be shaped in a curved shape.

Abstract: A nonimaging illumination optical device for producing a selected far field illuminance over an angular range. The optical device includes a light source 102, a light reflecting surface 108, and a family of light edge rays defined along a reference line 104 with the reflecting surface 108 defined in terms of the reference line 104 as a parametric function R(t) where t is a scalar parameter position and R(t)=k(t)+Du(t) where k(t) is a parameterization of the reference line 104, and D is a distance from a point on the reference line 104 to the reflection surface 108 along the desired edge ray through the point.

Abstract: This method for making a luminaire reflector comprises: (a) providing a sheet of metal having two generally parallel edges and a mid-plane extending perpendicular to said edges; (b) cutting from this sheet a blank that comprises (i) two primary portions, each in the shape of a trapezoid having a major base extending along one edge of the sheet, a minor base spaced from the major base, side edges extending between the ends of the major and minor bases, (ii) a junction portion interconnecting the minor bases, and (iii) end-paneling portions at opposite sides of the mid-plane, each of the end-paneling portions comprising a plurality of sections, one section joined to a side edge of one of the primary portions, another section joined to a side edge of the other primary portion and a third section joined to the junction portion.

Abstract: A reflection surface is divided into four reflection areas by means of a horizontal surface, a vertical surface and a surface inclined with respect to the horizontal surface, the three surfaces respectively including the optical axis of the reflector. The four reflection areas include a basic surface. The basic surface is an aggregate (envelope surface) of intersection lines obtained when a virtual paraboloid of revolution, which includes a reference parabola in the horizontal surface or inclined surface and has as a focus (second focus) a point on an optical axis passing through the vertex and focus of the reference parabola and situated in front of or to the rear of a focus (first focus) with respect to the vertex, is cut by vertical surfaces respectively including the optical axis.

Abstract: An arrangement for two side-by-side elongated lamps in a lighting fixture in which lampholders are alternately mounted on opposite sideplates or brackets of the lighting fixture. The lighting fixture has an inside dimension that is longer than the length of each lamp/lampholder combination by a length sufficient to prevent the distal end of each lamp from overlapping the exposed plug portion and the lampholder of any of the adjacent lamps. The lamps are tightly gathered, and are close enough together to simulate a hairline light source having an optical centerline coincident with the optical centerline of the fixture.

Abstract: A multiple element reflector usable with an elongated light source in a strobe unit provides wide fields of view in both horizontal and vertical directions when the unit is mounted on a wall. The reflector includes a first, elongated, curved reflector element which extends generally parallel to the elongated light source. At least second and third centrally located reflector elements extend between the first reflector element and the light source. The first reflector element provides illumination generally in horizontal and vertical directions perpendicular to the elongated source. The second and third centrally located reflector elements provide illumination in a direction generally along the elongated source.

Abstract: A brilliance control apparatus of light source in an optical scanner particularly contemplating for a transparency scanner includes a generally rectangular lamp stand and a lamp shade which has an asymmetrical curvature surface and has a black reflector with a curved surface disposed therein. And is capable of performing filtering and darkening processes at the same time.

Abstract: An improved light emitting diode (LED) package structure for an LED lighting device comprises a reflector having a bowl-shaped reflecting surface formed by a pressing technique. A stand member extends from the center of the reflecting surface to the focus point of the reflector to support an LED die thereon. This arrangement allows the reflecting surface to extend toward the center thereof in order to increase the reflecting surface area and thus increasing the luminance of the LED display.

Abstract: A quartz halogen outdoor floodlight assembly, having an improved lamp, reflector, and housing therefor for increased adjustability and overall performance. The housing comprises a two component unit, having upper and lower separable housing members, interconnected through a quarter turn fastening system comprising at least one key extending from the lower housing member, a receiving keyway formed in the upper housing member, and a camming ramp formed internally in the upper housing member. A lens in secured to the face of the upper housing member by a sealing adhesive, which simultaneously retains a reflector within the upper housing. A lamp operatively secured within a socket disposed in the lower housing member is operatively positioned in the reflector upon assembly. The lamp preferably includes an internal reflector which aligns with the external reflector to increase longitudinal light output.

Abstract: An improved task light is comprised of a housing having a center cavity portion, a light passage opening below the center cavity portion, and an edge cavity for supporting a light source that emits light from the housing's edge cavity portion into its center cavity portion. A reflector, at least a portion of which spans the center cavity portion of the housing and which portion has a proximal and distal edge in relation to the light source, lies along a path that curves inwardly of the housing such that, when the reflector is viewed through the housing's light passage opening from the level of a task surface below the task light and from any position to the front of the task light, the luminance of the spanning portion of the reflector from reflected source light is substantially uniform over substantially the entirety of the spanning portion of the reflector.

Abstract: A reflecting surface is divided into first and second reflecting sectors by a plane inclined from the horizontal plane including the optical axis to occupy the upper half and the lower half of the reflecting surface, respectively. A fundamental surface of the first and second reflecting sectors has a reference parabola in the inclined plane, and is a collection of intersecting lines each obtained by cutting an imaginary paraboloid of revolution having an axis extending in a direction taken by a ray after being emitted from a reference point and then reflected at a reflecting point on a parabola that is an orthogonal projection of the reference parabola onto the horizontal plane, passing through the reflecting point, and having a focus at the reference point by a vertical plane including the ray vector. The focus of the reference parabola is set at the center of a filament.

Abstract: A tail light assembly for an automotive vehicle has a housing provided with a back panel and a translucent cover secured to and cooperating with the back panel in defining a tail light chamber. A row of light bulbs is mounted in the chamber in spaced apart relation. A reflector is secured to the back panel behind the light bulbs. The reflector is of the Fresnel-type having annular reflector segments encircling each bulb and shaped to reflect the rays of light from the bulbs along substantially parallel paths. The reflector is in the form of a substantially flat plate having an edge along the row of light bulbs which is substantially straight or only slightly curved and visually perceptible through the translucent cover when the light bulbs are illuminated. Electrical circuitry for the light bulbs is disposed within the housing sandwiched between the back panel of the housing and the reflector plate. Preferably, the circuitry is disposed in a recess in the back panel.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a system for condensing and collecting electromagnetic radiation having a primary reflector disposed on one side of an electromagnetic radiation source and a target disposed on the opposite side of the source. The primary reflector includes a concave reflecting surface portion, which preferably forms the entire surface of the reflector. The concave surface portion of the primary reflector, which is preferably of a substantially toroidal shape, defines an optical axis and a primary center of curvature disposed along the optical axis. The source of electromagnetic radiation is located approximately on the optical axis but axially offset a first distance from the center of curvature in a direction toward the concave surface portion.

Abstract: The distance between the base point of the light source and the curvature start point of the virtual reflection mirror is preset. Then the distance between the curvature start point of the virtual reflection mirror and the start point of the object being illumined is set. The ray of light striking the entire object is determined by the fourth straight line. As the fourth straight line is progressively moved, the third straight line is also progressively moved from the curvature start point of the virtual reflection mirror to describe the locus of the curvature of the virtual reflection mirror. This locus is obtained as the light distribution data for the object.

Abstract: A backlight comprising a serpentine fluorescent tube nested in a uniquely shaped reflector. Much of the light emitted from the tube is directly emitted to a bounded image plane. The reflector reflects a substantial portion of the rest of the light emitted by the tube to the image plane in such a manner that a very bright and uniform image is formed at the image plane.

Abstract: An illuminator for use with a light source having a light distribution pattern within a solid angle of 2.pi. steradians. The light source comprises or includes a series of LED's or light pipes positioned at or near a focal point of a reflective surface and inclined at an angle to a focal axis of the reflective surface such that all of the light from the light source is collected and distributed by the reflective surface. Whereby the reflective surface is optimized to confine the light output only to the required photometric zones thus maximizing the efficiency of the illuminator.