Autonomous visual-attraction enhancement utilizing edge-illuminated panel

Abstract

Abstract The visual attractiveness of a variety of otherwise-autonomous articles may be significantly enhanced through the inclusion of an apertured, internally light-transmissive, peripherally light-intrareflective panel which is edge-illuminated and energized by elements self-contained within the article body. Article apertures of distributed area, point size or both may be thusly illuminated. Distributed-area display effects may be enhanced through aperture-aligned light-concentrative discontinuities formed in the panel. Enhancement of point-display effects may similarly be achieved through point-aperture-aligned, light-concentrative point discontinuities likewise formed in the panel. Point effects may also be enhanced through the employment of an end-illuminated, aperture-aligned, point-discontinuous optical fiber in conjunction with a subject apertured panel. Bi-directional display effects in subject autonomous articles may be achieved by means of a layered panel having oppositely-projective surfaces. For realizations where increased article thickness is tolerable, color-variation effects may be achieved by the inclusion of an illuminating optical-fiber array whose input ends are themselves illuminated through a multicolored filter ring rotatably-interposed in front of an originating light source. Specific realizations of the present invention include greeting cards, key-chain medallions, campaign buttons, tree ornaments, dolls and picture-carrying plaques.

Inventors

• 👤 Ming-ho Ku

Bibliographic Details