Abstract: A fiberoptic illuminator has a housing with an interface enabling an end fitting of a fiber optic bundle of a medical device to be connected to the housing. The illuminator includes a lamp assembly mounted within the housing for directing a high intensity beam of light through an optics assembly and into the fiber optic bundle. The lamp assembly includes a ceramic xenon lamp of greater than 300 watts. Preferably, the ceramic xenon lamp is at least 400 watts.

Abstract: An illumination system having a light source, an integration rod and a color wheel is provided. The light source is suitable for providing a light beam. The light integration rod and the color wheel are disposed in the transmission path of the light beam. The color wheel is disposed between the light source and the light integration rod. The light integration rod has a light input end adjacent to the color wheel and a light output end opposite the light input end. The light integration rod has two indentations at the light input end to form an airflow channel. The noise caused by the rotating color wheel is reduced through the airflow channel.

Abstract: A solid-state light source includes a semiconductor light source for emitting light and an optical system having a fiber optic element. The fiber optic element has an input for receiving emitted light from the semiconductor light source. The fiber optic element also has an output for emitting light received from the solid-state light source. The semiconductor light source and the fiber optic element in aggregate form an illumination path.

Abstract: A projector comprises a light source, an Ultraviolet/Infrared Radiation (UV/IR) filter, a color wheel and means for guiding the light beam reflected by the color wheel toward directions away from the light source. The light source is for providing a light beam. The UV/IR filter is disposed with a tilt angle ranging from 13 degrees to 30 degrees. The color wheel for receiving the light beam transmits a primary color light beam of the light beam in a predetermined time section, and the other color light beam of the light beam is reflected by the color wheel. The means for guiding the light beam reflected by the color wheel toward directions away from the light source further guide a invisible light beam of the light beam reflected from the UV/IR filter.

Abstract: A light source assembly (212) for providing a homogenized light beam (224) includes a first light source (234), a second light source (236), and an optical pipe (228) that defines a pipe passageway (228A). The first light source (234) generates a first light (234A) that is directed into the pipe passageway (228A) at a first region (228I). The second light source (236) generates a second light (236A) that is directed into the pipe passageway (228A) at a second region (228H) that is different than the first region (228I). The optical pipe (228) homogenizing the first light (234A) and the second light (236A). Additionally, the light source assembly (212) can include a third light source (238) that generates a third light (238A) that is directed into the optical pipe (228) at a third region (228G) that is different than the first region (228I) and the second region (228H).

Abstract: A compact, light weight, efficient and cost-effective illumination system for optical displays is disclosed. The illumination system is capable of producing a self-luminous light beam of selected cross-section and spatial distribution in terms of intensity and angle. The illumination system can efficiently couple light from light sources having wide variety of sizes and shapes into light valves of various shapes and sizes. The illumination system includes a light recovery system or a polarization conversion system or a suitable combination of the foregoing.

Abstract: A multi-lamp arrangement for optical systems includes plural lamps and a collective light guide, where each lamp is positioned such as to transmit light into respective light guides that are both optically connected to the collective light guide. In one embodiment, one of the lamps is optically connected to the collective light guide by a mirror and-prism arrangement and an intermediate light guide and an intermediate mirror-and-prism arrangement. An augmented color modulator may be provided with a number of color fields, where the number of identical color fields is equal to the number of lamps.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a folded front end unit used in a light engine of a projection display device. The front end unit comprises a light source for generating a beam of light, and a lightpipe for providing spatial uniformity to the beam of light. Polarization-dependent front end units include polarization beam splitters for separating the light into orthogonally polarized sub-beams, and a polarization rotating element, e.g. a waveplate, for rotating the polarization of one of the sub-beams. In accordance with the present invention, a prism is positioned between the light source and the lightpipe for reflecting the light into the lightpipe. The difference in refractive index between the air and the prism decreases the cone angle of the beam of light enough to effectively increase the distance between the light source and the lightpipe to compensate for the added distance required to fold the light.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a light source device having a reflector including a light source lamp and an opening for emitting light for reflecting light radiated from the light source lamp arranged within the reflector to emit the light from the opening, and a glass arranged ahead of the opening of the reflector inclinedly by a predetermined angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of light emitted from the reflector. According to the light source device, the light source lamp is prevented from temperature rise and consequent overheat caused by light reflected on the glass thereby to return into the reflector.

Abstract: An illumination system comprising a light source that emits light of a first sense and a second sense. The illumination system also comprises a collimator that collimates light from the light source along an optical axis and within a maximum angle with respect to the optical axis. The illumination system further comprises a filter that reflects light of the first sense, the filter positioned at an angle other than normal to the optical axis and other than 45 degrees from the optical axis. Further, the illumination system also includes an optical system positioned along the optical axis to accept light that passes through the filter and transmits the portion of the light within the maximum angle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include an apparatus, method and system for an illumination arrangement including a color recycling subsystem to receive reflected light from a transflective color filter along a reflectance axis that is non-coincident with an incident axis. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating for deficiency in the illumination light from a light source is provided, where the spectrum in the visible range of light from the light source is determined, and a deficiency at a wavelength or band of wavelengths in the visible range of light is determined therefrom, a color sequencing device is provided having a set of filters comprising red, green and blue filter segments, and an additional color balancing filter segment, and wherein a the color balancing segment is constructed so as to preferentially pass a band or bands of wavelengths, which band or bands are determined based on the determined deficiency of the light source.

Abstract: A candle light-diversifying device is mounted at a bottom side of a candle which includes a tunnel running through an imaginary central axis thereof, and a candlewick received in the tunnel. The candle light-diversifying device includes a housing having three through holes and an insertion hole; a light-emitting module mounted inside the housing and having a power source, a control circuit, three illuminants, and a photosensitive element, the three illuminants running through the through the three through holes to be exposed outside the housing for emitting red light, blue light, and green light respectively, the photosensitive element having a concavity formed at a top end thereof; and the optical fiber having a spherical portion formed at a bottom end thereof and fixedly mounted in the concavity to be received in the tunnel of the candle. Thus, the candle light-diversifying device enables the candle to emit colorful light.

Abstract: Light is mixed within a mixing cavity. Light is transported from the mixing cavity, through an optical cable, to a color sensor. The transported light is sampled by the color sensor. Light color within the mixing cavity is controlled based on information from the transported light sampled by the color sensor.

Abstract: A light pipe for separating incident light according to color, a color illumination system adopting the light pipe, and a projection system adopting the color illumination system are provided. Since the projection system is a single-panel projection system adopting a scrolling unit, its optical configuration is simplified. Also, the light pipe of the projection system is comprised of different-sized color separation units, thus improving the color gamut and the color temperature. Further, the light pipe includes color selection polarizers, each of which changes the polarization direction of a color beam with a specific wavelength, thereby improving light efficiency.

Abstract: A multi-lamp arrangement for optical systems comprising two lamps or more (10, 15) and a collective light guide (58), where each lamp is positioned such as to transmit light (20) into respective light guides (36, 46) that are both optically connected to the collective light guide (58). In one embodiment, one of the lamps is optically connected to the collective light guide by means of a mirror (38)-and-prism (40) arrangement and an intermediate light guide (30) and an intermediate mirror (32)-and-prism (34) arrangement. The invention also comprises an augmented color modulator (62) with a number of color fields, where the number of identical color fields are equal to the number of lamps. The invented multi-lamp system will produce a flux level that is equal to or better than known systems but with fewer lamps, thus yielding reduced material cost, manufaturing cost and operating costs, reduced power consumption and reduced product temeperature.

Abstract: A light distribution apparatus includes a light distribution hub and at least one light source a reference light wavelength emission. The light distribution hub includes color converter that is enclosed in a light house and converts the reference light wavelength emission to a converted light emission. The color converter is distributed through an aperture in the light house.

Abstract: A light collection system comprises a light source with a bulbous section for emitting radiant energy in the direction of first and second portions of the bulbous section. A reflecting surface directs visible light from the light source to the first portion. Another reflecting surface directs UV energy from the light source to the second portion. A first angle-to-area converter receives visible light in the first portion and decreases the angle of the visible light to a desired angle. A second angle-to-area converter receives UV energy in the second portion and decreases the angle of the UV energy to a desired angle. A phosphor layer receives UV energy downstream of the second angle-to-area converter and converts the UV energy to visible light. A third angle-to-area converter receives visible light from the phosphor and reducing the angle of such light to an angle optimized for entering a fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for remotely monitoring the status of a variety of illumination devices. A fiber optic cable coupled to a light fixture transmits a light display. Based on the light received, the status of the light is determined. The status is determined without the use of elegant and expensive electronics that are more subject to failure and with minimal power consumption.

Abstract: The invention provides a rod integrator or the like having high efficiency for light utilization and suitable for a color-recapture system. The present invention can include a rod integrator having a reflective inner circumference (reflecting surface) for emitting light incident on an incident-end opening from a light source through an emerging-end opening. An end face on the outer periphery of the emerging-end opening can be a scattering surface for reflecting the incident light on the end face toward the optical axis that agrees with the central axis of the rod integrator.

Abstract: A polarization recovery system includes a polarizing beam splitter transmitting light of a useful polarization in an output direction and reflecting light of a non-useful polarization in a first orthogonal direction substantially orthogonal to the output direction. An initial reflector may reflect the non-useful polarization light in a second orthogonal direction substantially orthogonal to the output direction and the first orthogonal direction, and a final reflector may reflect the non-useful polarization light in the output direction. The non-useful polarization light may be rotated substantially to light of the useful polarization by the initial and final reflectors.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for illuminating a dartboard comprising filtering of an illumination source from direct view by the player while protecting the illumination source from damage or breakage by darts or other objects.

Abstract: A tissue illumination apparatus is useful in identifying caries, calculus, fractures, diseases or other defects in tissues within the oral cavity. The tissue illumination apparatus includes a light emitting device and at least one focusing lens. The lens may be configured to be integrally or releasably attached to the light emitting device. The tissue illumination apparatus may optionally include one or more intermediate focusing lenses. The fluorescing lens and/or any intermediate focusing lenses are made from any desired material that may be impregnated or coated with one or more fluorescing compounds and/or one or more light-absorbing dyes or pigments. The fluorescing lens converts light emitted by the light emitting device into light having a longer wavelength in order to transilluminate oral tissues and render certain dental tissues and/or defects therein visible to a dental practitioner.

Abstract: Headlamp assemblies utilize a solid optical body made of glass or another heat resistant, light transmissive material. The solid optical body has an axially positioned cavity therethrough which receives a bulb that injects light through a cylindrical wall of the cavity into the optical body. In order to reflect light from the bulb, the optical body has a rear surface which is coated with a reflecting material, such as aluminize or a dichroic material. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention in which a plastic lens is used, the optical body is made of glass with a dichroic coating configured so that the infrared component of light from the bulb is transmitted through the dichroic coating and emitted through the rear of the optical body. This reduces transmission of heat from the bulb to the plastic lens so that the lens can be positioned closer to the optical body, which decreases the fore/aft extent of the headlamp assemblies.

Abstract: A low voltage lamp assembly includes a lamp housing having an illumination bore extending along an optical axis and that receives a light transmission member. A low voltage light source is situated within the bore and is axially aligned with the optical axis. A bushing is positioned within the bore and surrounds a portion of the light source. First and second wires extending from the lamp assembly for establishing an electrical connection to the light source. The wires are received by a strain relief pod separated from the lamp housing. The strain relief pod includes a current limiter therein.

Abstract: An illumination system for a reflective display is particularly useful for microdisplays that use reflective displays. The light source and the reflective image display unit are mounted in a coplanar manner, thus permitting the light source and the display unit to be mounted on a single board, or even on a single substrate. The display unit may include a first light source directing light generally along a first axis and a reflective image display unit disposed with an optical axis substantially parallel to the first axis. A reflective polarizing film is disposed to direct light from the first light source to the reflective image light display unit.

Abstract: Illuminators and systems that permit the production of a beam of electromagnetic radiation having selected peak wavelength, bandwidth, intensity, pulse frequency and pulse duration for a variety of analytical and therapeutic applications. Multiple beam illuminators use filter elements arranged into filter arrays, having characteristic wavelength absorption properties. By providing a series of filter arrays formed into tracks having defined wavelength offsets, radiation passing through a portion of a track can be modified to include selected peak wavelength and bandwidth. Selection of peak wavelength(s) and bandwidth can be accomplished using mechanical interrupters, mechanical shutters, or electro-optical devices including liquid crystal device. Multiple output beams permit the coordinated illumination of a target, and sensors provide feedback regarding the effects of illumination on a target.

Abstract: A light integrator is mounted in a housing or cover that allows aligning the light integrator relative to a color wheel or other sequential color element. In some embodiments, a plate is attached to one end of a light rod and supports the light rod in the cover in a cantilever fashion or in combination with other support. The light rod is aligned to a light source, such as a lamp, and then the color wheel is aligned to the output of the light rod without altering the relationship between the light rod and the lamp.

Abstract: A lighting unit having a plurality of light-emitting diode (LED) light sources arranged in parallel, a plurality of light-guiding members arranged along a direction wherein the LED light sources are arranged, a light reflecting part arranged on one side face of the light-guiding members, a light diffusion part arranged on an other side face of the light-guiding members, a light semi-transmitting reflection part arranged between the LED light source and the light diffusion part, and an optical path changing part arranged above the light-guiding members. A side of the light-guiding members that faces the light diffusion part is flat.

Abstract: Use of a bi-color light source, a single light conduit and two color filters visually produce two status indications in an information handling system. The bi-color light source produces a blue color light when in a first state and an amber color light when in a second state. The blue color light passes through one of the color filters to a first portion of a single status indicator and the amber color light passes through the other color filter to a second portion of the single status indicator.

Abstract: On the light radiation device X6A side, a box structure is provided in which a lens is held one by one proximate to or close to the light emission end of each optical fiber. On the light source device side, a common casing houses a first light source lens that generally collimates the radiation light beams radiated from an LED and a second light source lens that condenses the light beams from the first light source lens and introduces the condensed light beams to the light introduction end of the optical fiber bundle. Thus, the current demands of tests on a piece of work can be fully satisfied in view of the light condensing area and the light condensing efficiency while making the best of the characteristics of the illumination system in which the light radiation device and the light source device are separated with an intervention of the optical fibers.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes at least two light-emitting elements, the light-emitting elements having at least two light-emitting zones which are disposed in a regular pattern throughout the entire length and allow light to be emitted in different light-emission intensities, each of the light-emitting elements allowing light to be emitted in continuous sequence from the light-emitting zones in one direction, wherein adjacent light-emitting elements are positioned with a predetermined distance deviation.

Abstract: The invention relates to optical filters comprising an opacified portion. The optical filters are preferably suitable for use in illuminators for weathering devices.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a light unit for a display device, which is used as a back light of a liquid crystal display(LCD) panel. This is adapted to allow light entered thereinto from the side to exit in a direction perpendicular to the light unit.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a color separation disc assembly combinable with both a lightning ball and an article formed of optical fibers having a color separation disc able to rotate along with a shaft of a motor for generating different colors on ends of optical fibers by separating light emitted from a light source therethrough, and a glass ball adjacent to the article electrically connected to a high voltage generation circuit for generating lightning therein, enabling the article to have a colorful appearance within a dazzling environment

Abstract: Optical means including an optical source, selection means and optical guiding means, the optical source includes means for producing a plurality of optical regions of different colours, the optical guiding means include a plurality of elongated optical guides for guiding light coupled to the upstream ends of the optical guides to their downstream ends, the selection means includes means for selectively aligning the upstream ends of the optical guides to one or a plurality of the optical regions.

Abstract: An efficient redundant light distribution system includes redundant light generation enclosures providing light to a collector array 10, coupled to an ultraviolet to red converter 20, a combination array 30, a distribution array 40 and multiple projection lenses 4.

Abstract: A polarization sensitive optical substrate comprises a planar surface and a first thin film applied to the planar surface. The first film has a thickness of &lgr;/4/h, where &lgr; is the wavelength of light incident upon the first film and n is the refractive index of the first film. A prismatic surface is optionally also thin film coated, and is in opposition to the planar surface.

Abstract: A lighting system 10″ comprises a plurality of arms 12 each of which support a plurality of optical fibre strands 14. The arms 12 are retained by a housing part 28b which is able to rotate relative to the housing part 28a. A length 20 at a distal end of each strand 14 extends from its corresponding arm 12 and is able to freely move. The arms 12 are rotated about their respective longitudinal axes by a transmission system 22 which receives drive from a motor 110 located in the housing part 28a. A lighting system 112 produces light of remotely controllable variable wavelength which is channelled through the optical fibre strands 14. By the use of a hand-held remote transmitter, the user is able to select a desired wavelength or combination of wavelengths of light to be emitted by the lighting system 112.

Abstract: A series of different embodiments of illuminated translucent devices, each include lighting at at least one end thereof and a channel or passage therethrough or therealong for installing connecting electrical wiring therein. An opaque sleeve or the like is provided about the passage to conceal the passage and any wiring or other element(s) installed therein. The lighting elements may be any suitable type, but LEDs are preferred. The external cross sectional shape of the device may be round, or any other shape as desired for use as a free standing column or support, or as a wall mounted sconce or the like. Some embodiments include a structural member therein or opaque structural sleeve therearound, with the outer sleeve having a series of light passages formed therethrough. The devices may be used as floor lamp or ceiling fan columns, guard or bannister rails, vehicle guards and racks, etc., as desired.

Abstract: A light-guide light is described that is capable of providing a substantially monochromatic beam of light, and is suitable for use as a signal lamp in an automotive vehicle. The light (1) comprises a housing defining a light-guiding optical cavity (4) having first and second major faces (5, 6), and a light source (11) arranged to direct light into the cavity from one side. The light source may be an array of light emitting diodes providing substantially monochromatic light. The first major face (5) comprises an interference film (for example, a multilayer polymeric film) that, for light at the design wavelength, substantially transmits light that is incident on the film over a limited angular range and substantially reflects light that is incident at other angles. The second major face (6) comprises a scattering reflective material having a reflectance of at least 85%, for example a highly-efficient reflective material provided with a suitable textured pattern.

Abstract: An optical system forms an image of a light source, such as a short arc lamp, particularly of a high numerical aperture, via a spherical, concave reflector onto the entrance surface of a light guide. The reflector is asymmetrically arranged to the light source, and the latter has a relative large angular distance from the axis of symmetry of the reflector, so that the light guide in the path of reflected rays has also a large angular distance from this axis of symmetry and, hence, from the hot light source. In the path of rays between the light source and the spherical, concave reflector is a cylindrical lens, preferably a circular cylindrical lens, of positive diffraction.

Abstract: The color temperature of light emitted by a luminaire having a hollow prismatic light guide is varied to counteract aesthetically undesirable reddening gradient of the emitted light. Reddening is caused by the light guide's dielectric material, which absorbs blue light rays such that proportionately more red than blue rays are guided to the light guide's far end than to points near the guide's light input end. Flare light rays which escape through the light guide near its light input end are color filtered and reflected back into the light guide. The filter color lies within a CIE-1931 chromaticity diagram {4800° Kelvin; 570 nm; 600 nm} color gamut triangle. Color filtering absorbs blue flare rays as a function of distance along the guide, imparting a near-end reddening gradient to the emitted light in inverse proportion to the far-end reddening gradient, giving the emitted light a constant apparent color, independent of distance along the guide.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in one aspect to an image replication system comprising a light guide (2), a light source (8) arranged to direct emitted light into a first end (2a) of a light guide (2), a reflective spatial light modulator (6) and focussing means (16). In a preferred embodiment, the light guide (2) is in the form of an elongate glass rod having first and second parallel polygonal end faces (2a, 2b) which are parallel to the long axis of the rod, the rod having a uniform polygonal cross section along its length. The spatial light modulator (6) is optically coupled to the second end face (2b) of the light guide (2) and the focussing means (16) is arranged to receive light reflected back through the rod from the spatial light modulator (6), whereby to form multiple images of said spatial light modulator in an image plane (18).

Abstract: A light collection system comprises a light source with a bulbous section for emitting radiant energy in the direction of first and second portions of the bulbous section. A reflecting surface directs visible light from the light source to the first portion. Another reflecting surface directs UV energy from the light source to the second portion. A first angle-to-area converter receives visible light in the first portion and decreases the angle of the visible light to a desired angle. A second angle-to-area converter receives UV energy in the second portion and decreases the angle of the UV energy to a desired angle. A phosphor layer receives UV energy downstream of the second angle-to-area converter and converts the UV energy to visible light. A third angle-to-area converter receives visible light from the phosphor and reducing the angle of such light to an angle optimized for entering a fiber optic cable.

Abstract: An illuminating apparatus for image processing type measuring machines that is capable of coping with a wide diversity of objects to be measured to enable accurate imaging the object and rarely unable to meet any space restrictions is provided. This illuminating apparatus the light to the object to be measured so as to enable determination of the size and shape of the object on the basis of an image of the same thereby obtained, and includes light sources; a plurality of optical fibers receiving the light sent out from the light sources at one of their ends, outputting the light from their output ends toward the object and divided at their incident ends into at least three groups; and, red, green and blue color filters inserted between the incident ends of the optical fiber groups and the light sources.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for polarization conversion and recycling by using a half-pyramid shaped reflector with multiple reflective surfaces, or said reflector assembly, to obtain a desirable polarization rotation effect. The disclosed half-pyramid reflector comprises a plurality of reflective surfaces, which are formed so that an incoming beam passing perpendicularly through the entrant surface is reflected three times inside the device and leaves the exit surface with the direction of polarization being rotated 90 degrees. The preferred embodiments of polarization conversion systems using the invented apparatus are included. Without employing any waveplate component, the disclosed system is not sensitive to wavelength variations of the light source, temperature changes, and polarization alignment errors.

Abstract: There is provided in accordance with the present invention a lighting system comprising a light source providing optimal spectral characteristics for plant growth, a means for focusing light from said light source into a fibre optic transmission medium, a fibre optic cable for transmitting light from said remote light source to a light distribution means, and a light distribution means, to distribute light over a specified area above the plants.

Abstract: A light integrator is mounted in a housing or cover that allows aligning the light integrator relative to a color wheel or other sequential color element. In some embodiments, a plate is attached to one end of a light rod and supports the light rod in the cover in a cantilever fashion or in combination with other support. The light rod is aligned to a light source, such as a lamp, and then the color wheel is aligned to the output of the light rod without altering the relationship between the light rod and the lamp.

Abstract: A fiberoptic-driving ceramic arc lamp system comprises a ceramic arc lamp fitted with as many as three filters attached to the lamp unit and its heat sinks. A heat-collecting ring is nested into matching groves in the front of the lamp unit and is thermally connected to the lamp's heatsinks and cooling system. A hot mirror is disposed in the heat-collecting ring nearest the lamp unit's window. Such mirror is coated on its near side with IR reflecting materials and is coated on its distal side with UV reflecting materials. A heat-absorbing glass is also disposed in the heat-collecting ring after the hot mirror. It collects more of the IR that was missed by the hot mirror and disperses it as heat through the cooling system. The remaining light can then be focused onto the input end of a fiberoptic bundle without danger of overheating and melting the fiberoptic materials.