US5655832A — Multiple wavelength light processor

Claim 1

Independent Claim 60 words

A radiant energy redirecting system, comprising in combination: a) at least two light-emitting sources, each emitting different frequency light, b) an optical cavity receiving light output from the sources, to mix therein, and act as a secondary emitter, c) a light receiver positioned to be illuminated by light from said secondary emitter, d) said cavity having light reflective wall means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 60 words

A radiant energy redirecting system, comprising in combination: a) at least two light-emitting sources, each emitting different frequency light, b) an optical cavity receiving light output from the sources, to mix therein, and act as a secondary emitter, c) a light receiver positioned to be illuminated by light from said secondary emitter, d) said cavity having light reflective wall means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 12 words

The combination of claim 1 wherein said receiver is a TIR lens.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 12 words

The combination of claim 1 wherein said wall means is diffusively reflective.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 18 words

The combination of claim 1 wherein said optical cavity is located between said sources and said light receiver.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 12 words

The combination of claim 1 wherein there are three of said sources.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 15 words

The combination of claim 5 wherein said three sources provide red, green and blue light.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 10 words

The combination of claim 6 wherein said sources are clustered.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 58 words

A radiant energy redirecting system, comprising in combination: a) at least two light-emitting sources, each emitting different frequency light, b) an optical cavity receiving light output from the sources, to mix therein, and act as a secondary emitter, c) a light receiver positioned to be illuminated by light from said secondary emitter, d) said sources being LED dice.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 58 words

A radiant energy redirecting system, comprising in combination: a) at least two light-emitting sources, each emitting different frequency light, b) an optical cavity receiving light output from the sources, to mix therein, and act as a secondary emitter, c) a light receiver positioned to be illuminated by light from said secondary emitter, d) said sources being LED dice.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 11 words

The combination of claim 6 wherein said sources are LED dice.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 15 words

The combination of claim 1 including control means for controlling electrical energization of said sources.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 16 words

The combination of claim 9 including control means for controlling electrical energization of said LED dice.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 61 words

A radiant energy redirecting system, comprising in combination: a) at least two light-emitting sources, each emitting different frequency light, b) an optical cavity receiving light output from the sources, to mix therein, and act as a secondary emitter, c) a light receiver positioned to be illuminated by light from said secondary emitter, d) and wherein said receiver includes a TIR lens.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 61 words

A radiant energy redirecting system, comprising in combination: a) at least two light-emitting sources, each emitting different frequency light, b) an optical cavity receiving light output from the sources, to mix therein, and act as a secondary emitter, c) a light receiver positioned to be illuminated by light from said secondary emitter, d) and wherein said receiver includes a TIR lens.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 12 words

The combination of claim 9 wherein said receiver is a TIR lens.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 27 words

The combination of claim 12 wherein said receiver is a mirror associated with said cavity to reflect light originating at said secondary emitter toward said TIR lens.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 143 words

A radiant energy redirecting system, comprising in combination: a) at least two light-emitting sources, each emitting different frequency light, b) an optical cavity receiving light output from the sources, to mix therein, and act as a secondary emitter, c) a light receiver positioned to be illuminated by light from said secondary emitter, d) there being thee of said sources providing red, green and blue light, e) and including control means operatively connected with said sources to drive them in accordance with one of the following: i) all three dice are driven simultaneously to produce white light emitted from the secondary emitter, ii) the three dice are relatively driven to produce a selected color light emitted from the secondary emitter, iii) the three dice are driven in sequence to produce red, green and blue light emitted on different time increments by the secondary emitter.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 143 words

A radiant energy redirecting system, comprising in combination: a) at least two light-emitting sources, each emitting different frequency light, b) an optical cavity receiving light output from the sources, to mix therein, and act as a secondary emitter, c) a light receiver positioned to be illuminated by light from said secondary emitter, d) there being thee of said sources providing red, green and blue light, e) and including control means operatively connected with said sources to drive them in accordance with one of the following: i) all three dice are driven simultaneously to produce white light emitted from the secondary emitter, ii) the three dice are relatively driven to produce a selected color light emitted from the secondary emitter, iii) the three dice are driven in sequence to produce red, green and blue light emitted on different time increments by the secondary emitter.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 158 words

A radiant energy redirecting system, comprising in combination: a) at least two light-emitting sources, each emitting different frequency light, b) an optical cavity receiving light output from the sources, to mix therein, and act as a secondary emitter, c) a light receiver positioned to be illuminated by light from said secondary emitter, d) and wherein said receiver comprises: i) a radiant energy transmitting body means, ii) said means comprising multiple elements, each of which acts as a radiant energy redirecting module, having on its cross-sectional perimeter an entry face to receive incidence of said energy into the interior of said perimeter, an exit face to pass said energy to the exterior of said perimeter in a direction towards the reverse side of the body from the side of said incidence, and a Totally Internally Reflecting face angled relative to said entry and exit faces to redirect towards said exit face the radiant energy incident from said entry face.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 158 words

A radiant energy redirecting system, comprising in combination: a) at least two light-emitting sources, each emitting different frequency light, b) an optical cavity receiving light output from the sources, to mix therein, and act as a secondary emitter, c) a light receiver positioned to be illuminated by light from said secondary emitter, d) and wherein said receiver comprises: i) a radiant energy transmitting body means, ii) said means comprising multiple elements, each of which acts as a radiant energy redirecting module, having on its cross-sectional perimeter an entry face to receive incidence of said energy into the interior of said perimeter, an exit face to pass said energy to the exterior of said perimeter in a direction towards the reverse side of the body from the side of said incidence, and a Totally Internally Reflecting face angled relative to said entry and exit faces to redirect towards said exit face the radiant energy incident from said entry face.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 41 words

The combination of claim 16 wherein iii) said body means is located for generally redirecting incident radiant energy towards a predetermined target zone situated apart from and on the reverse side of said body relative to the side of said incidence.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 65 words

The combination of claim 17 including iv) first lens means associated with at least one of said faces for redirecting radiant energy passing between said entry and exit faces via said Totally Internally Reflecting face, said redirected radiant energy being collimated, v) and second lens means spaced from said exit face to receive said collimated radiant energy and to redirect same toward said target zone.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 18 wherein said first lens means is defined at least in part by said Totally Internally Reflecting face.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 15 words

The system of claim 18 wherein said second lens means is a focusing Fresnel lens.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system of claim 20 including a wavelength selection filter in the path of said radiant energy collimated and redirected toward said target zone.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 68 words

The system of claim 16 wherein the Totally Internally Reflecting face is a body boundary, so that the index of refraction "n" of the substance of said transparent body means at said boundary gives total internal reflection of all radiant energy whose incident angle with the normal of said boundary at the point of incidence exceeds Brewster's angle, which equals the inverse sine of the reciprocal of "n".

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 37 words

The system of claim 16 wherein said perimeters of said elements project from said cross section to extend linearly, in parallel relation, said entry faces facing said incident radiant energy, said exit faces facing said target zone.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 40 words

The system of claim 16 wherein said perimeters of said elements project from said cross section to extend annularly about, and define a common axis, said entry faces facing said incident radiant energy, said exit faces facing said target zone.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 37 words

The system of claim 16 including a Fresnel lens associated with said body means and located in a mid-portion of said body means so as to redirect radiant energy through relatively small angles toward the target zone.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 26 words

The system of claim 17 including a retroreflecting means spaced behind and facing said target zone so as to redirect radiant energy upon said target zone.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 24 words

The system of claim 16 including a radiant energy redirecting means located to redirect light originating at said secondary emitter toward said TIR lens.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 51 words

In combination: a) a TIR lens, b) a light source means for said lens, and optically coupled therewith, c) said source means comprising LED means, d) and optical cavity means receiving light output from said source means to reflect light for mixing in said cavity means for illuminating said TIR lens.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 51 words

In combination: a) a TIR lens, b) a light source means for said lens, and optically coupled therewith, c) said source means comprising LED means, d) and optical cavity means receiving light output from said source means to reflect light for mixing in said cavity means for illuminating said TIR lens.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 21 words

The combination of claim 28 wherein said LED means includes multiple LED dice that emit light at different frequencies, when energized.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2000-08-11	2001-02-10	2001-08-12	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2004-08-11	2005-02-10	2005-08-12	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2008-08-11	2009-02-10	2009-08-12	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Multiple wavelength light processor

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