JPS6298501A - Light transmitter, flash and display - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to light transmission, flicker and display devices. The device of the present invention is particularly useful for use in conjunction with any display device that transmits axial light from the device and performs flickering so that it can be viewed by a viewer.

In general, the present invention provides for transmitting light at a particular location within the optical fiber to the outside of the optical fiber such that a viewer external to the optical fiber device sees the concentrated light at the transmission location within the optical fiber. It consists of

The flickering effect occurs due to the retransmission of light into the interior of the optical fiber,
The light is concentrated and localized by providing cuts in the optical fiber at specified locations.

The use of optical fibers is currently known and used in the optical spray equipment industry. These optical fibers are designed and operated as follows. To produce attenuation by more than one amount, separate lengths of each optical fiber are required. It was necessary to have a predetermined length of separate optical image fibers for the light flicker locations 6 apart.

Therefore.

In order for the viewer to see "n" light flashes, "n" optical fibers were required. Here, "n" is an integer larger than O. Each length of optical fiber used a respective light source for illumination of each length of optical fiber. Therefore, if "n" optical fibers of different lengths were used, "n" light sources were used. Here, "n" is an integer greater than or equal to 0.

By using a large number of light sources, the energy demands for these light sources were great, no matter what energy source was used.

If the device used only one energy source to provide the entire energy to illuminate multiple light sources, that energy source would be consumed much more quickly than if it were needed, for example, to illuminate only one light source. It's probably hidden away. This energy consumption reduced the useful life of the self-contained blinking device, resulting in the need for more frequent regeneration of the energy source, for example by battery replacement.

Generally, many working parts were required, a large amount of space was used, and a large amount of cost was incurred.

Typical designs, arrangements and operations used heretofore may be given by way of example. It has "n" light blinking parts and "
A greeting card, where "n" is an integer on the QIJ, required "n" appropriately sized and spaced separate predetermined lengths of optical fiber. Only a localized amount of dimming effect was generated and visible at the end of each optical fiber. Therefore, careful placement of the "n" endpoints of the optical fiber was required. This has created problems over and above the small space available in many display devices. Therefore, each separated predetermined length of optical fiber was flashed by the light source. The flickering effect was generated by periodic excitation and de-excitation of this light source by commonly used circuits and current regulators.

The present invention includes a light transmitting, flickering device that requires only one length of optical fiber, one light source, and one power source to provide multiple flickers. The present invention provides an improved flickering light system having a minimum number of components that produce a greater or equal number of flickering parts than previously available. In practice.

The present invention is inexpensive and easy to design, as the number of components is reduced and the amount of energy required for the energy source is reduced.

The devices disclosed herein generally include a light source or light emitter, a device for regulating the transmission of light from the light emitter, and a predetermined device in communication with the light emitter disposed within the notch for transmitting light from within the optical fiber to the exterior of the optical fiber. Consisting of a length of optical fiber.

In a preferred embodiment, the optical fiber includes appropriately spaced incisions or transmission locations positioned within the optical g&force body and suitably spaced apart. These cuts allow light to be transmitted from the interior of the optical fiber body to the exterior of the optical fiber at those locations. By intermittently transmitting the light back into the optical fiber, a flickering effect is obtained, and the flickering effect can be produced at any cut in the optical fiber. These notches provide optical mIa to enable external transmission of light at these locations along a length of optical fiber.
It can be created at any desired location within the The number of transmissions of light into the optical fiber during a given time interval is controlled and essentially the excitation and de-excitation of the emitter produces a flickering effect.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a display device in which this light transmitting, flickering device is fixed so as to provide a flickering effect in combination with the display device.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to include "n" blinking lights in the optical fiber body and have "k" optical fibers, where = n if n-1, and "n" is 1. The object of the present invention is to provide a device in which "k" is within or equal to "n" for integers greater than or equal to "n".

The manner, method and apparatus by which these and other objects of the invention may be accomplished will become more apparent from the detailed description of preferred embodiments and other aspects that follow and the accompanying drawings.

Optical fibers currently exist in a variety of sizes, grades, and qualities. These optical fibers are generally referred to in the art industry as transparent dielectric fibers. As long as the diameters of these fibers are large compared to the wavelength of the radiant light energy, the propagation of light through the optical fibers follows the usual laws of geometric optics. Hecht, E. and Zaja, Optics, Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Ltd.
c, A,, 0PTIC8, AddiSOn-Wesl
ey Publishing Co.) 1974,
See page 135. Optical fibers are commercially available today in a wide range of diameters from about 2 microns to about 0.6351"FF1 (1/4 inch) in diameter, but
Diameters in the size range of about 10 microns or less, equal to d, are rare.

It is believed that the present invention can be practiced with optical fibers of practical dimensions that, when prepared in accordance with the present invention, permit transmission of light from within the optical fiber to the outside. Greeting
In a preferred embodiment of the card display device, the optical fiber used is rE, a product of Mitsubishi Rayon Corporation.
sKAJ (trademark). The fiber is made with a core of high purity polymethyl acrylate and has a thin cladding of transparent fluoropolymer. This fiber has a diameter of 1
．． The manufacturer classifies it as JK-40 grade.

In the preferred embodiment of the Greeting Party Cart0 display device, only one length of optical fiber needs to be provided with many different flashing locations. In FIG. 1 one type of preferred embodiment of the device can be seen. A predetermined length of optical fiber 1 made in a circular shape is connected at both ends to a light emitter 2, the light emitters being light emitting diodes, i.e., E, D, which are sequentially controlled by a blinking control unit 3. . The entire system is powered from a power source, which can use a battery 4. A series of notches 5 are provided around the circumference of the optical fiber, spaced approximately equidistantly from each other.

2 and 3 show a combination of a unit according to the invention with a single optical fiber 1 and/or a light emitter 2. FIGS. Fourth
The figure illustrates the use of the device within a greeting card display device. The greeting card 6 has an illustration of a Christmas tree or a /ξ-in tree 7 on the outside of the card. Suitably spaced holes 8 are provided around the periphery of this nomine tree illustration. These holes are spaced accordingly to provide precise alignment with the notches 5 in a given length of optical fiber LK. This alignment allows the source transmitted from inside the optical fiber at the notch to pass through the hole on the exterior of the greeting card and then be visible to a viewer outside the card. The entire device is fixed in place inside the greeting card.

The light emitter 2 is in reliable communication with one or all of the optical fibers I. Blinking control unit 3
When excited by the power source 4, the emitter transmits light into the optical fiber body. As light travels through the optical fiber, it encounters notches in the optical fiber. Each cut 5 in the optical fiber is designed to flash at the cut and provide an image of a concentrated light effect at the cut location in the optical fiber. These cuts facilitate the transmission of light from the interior of the optical fiber to the exterior of the optical fiber throughout the optical fiber. These transmissions result in a flashing notch or "light bulb" effect at the notch.

1, 2 and 3 illustrate various device arrangements of the present invention. Both ends of the optical fiber are shown attached to a single light emitter. This attachment of both ends is useful in many applications, although the style is not essential. By attaching light emitting diodes to both ends of the optical fiber, light can be simultaneously transmitted in both directions around the optical fiber.

The flickering effect itself is generated by re-entering or periodically transmitting light from the emitter 2 into the optical fiber 1. Any regulating device including a flicker control unit 3 and a power source 4 is connected to the light emitter. The flicker control unit may be any integrated circuit or mechanism that causes re-transmission of light by a light emitter powered by a battery or equivalent suitable power source. The regulating device is connected directly to the light emitter.

FIG. 5 illustrates the schematic circuit arrangement of the blinking control unit with respect to two optical fibers connected to the control unit.

The entire device can be energized by any type of "on-off" mechanism that connects directly to the regulating device. The switch is on.”
When in position, power can again flow to the light emitter via the flicker control unit 2 which controls the periodicity of the light transmission. As a result, light is periodically or recurrently transmitted from the emitter into the optical fiber. By configuring the adjustment device in a suitable manner, light can be transmitted more or less frequently as the current to the emitter is adjusted. Therefore, a more or less frequent flickering effect will be seen in each notch. If a flickering effect is not desired, but only a constant illumination of the notch, only a continuous transmission of light into the optical fiber is required.

The notch itself is a notch or wedge cut out from a section of optical fiber. These notches can be cut-outs or wedge-shaped cuts in the optical fiber and can each vary in depth or angle to allow light transmission and illumination at the notches. Examples are listed below.

Details of the notch in the optical fiber are shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8.
This will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings. The optical fiber 9 itself is a three-dimensional solid having a solid cylindrical shape. For purposes of explaining the geometry, this optical fiber is sometimes referred to as a "cylinder." The cylinder has a longitudinal axis 10 extending over its entire length. This longitudinal axis 10 is an imaginary circular cross section of the cylinder.

This is an imaginary line that includes the center points of all surfaces 11. Each cross section 11
is circular and has a diameter or transverse axis L2i which intersects the longitudinal axis at the imaginary center point 13 of the circular cross-section and is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The cylinder has a diameter of A
and radius B'r.

The depth of the notch provided inside the cylinder is C.

In a detailed embodiment, the cut is a wedge removed from the body of the cylinder. The wedge is bounded by a chord 17 parallel to the transverse axis 12 across the cylinder. Further boundaries of this wedge are the two segments of the intersecting plane 18,19.

These intersecting planes 18,19 intersect each other at all points along the chord 17 within the cylinder. Chord 17 is a chord connecting two points of transverse arc 20 that are part of circular cross-section 11 . This transverse arc 20 delimits the chord 17. The two intersecting planes 18, 19 are symmetrical around the circumference of the chord 17 and intersect each other at an angle in all openings within the cylinder.

Once the desired location of the notch is determined, for example by positioning the notch within the interior of a greeting card display device, the cylinder is positioned with reference to the viewer's perspective relative to the notch. In Figure 6,
Eye 15 is the position of the viewer's eye in the detailed embodiment of the invention. The eye 15 is located on the opposite side of the notch provided in the cylindrical body, and is indicated by a line of sight 16 extending from the eye ↓ to the mouth 15, and the line of sight is further connected to the string 1.
7 and the longitudinal axis 10 at right angles to their intersection. Preferably, the viewer is positioned about the relative position of the eye 15 to the notch. Therefore, the illuminated cut portion can be visually recognized with excellent illuminance and concentration.

Suitably precise cutting and measuring tools or methods can be used to prepare the incision. In a preferred embodiment, ESK
A optical fiber is used. This fiber has a diameter A of IB and a radius B of 0.5 ML. The depth C of the notch is 0.3
It is m. The intersection angle between the two intersecting planes 18 and 19 is 30 degrees. The line of sight 16 is the chord 17 and the longitudinal axis 10
is perpendicular to both.

Other optical fibers of any diameter that allow light to be transmitted out of the optical fiber can be used. The depth of cut C and the intersection angle can be changed. These variations in cut depth C and intersection angle inherently affect the intensity and concentration of light seen from any viewpoint. A cut depth C of 0.31° and a cross angle of 30° have been found to be an effective method of producing a centrally illuminated cut when viewed along line of sight 16 from the opposite side of the cut. There is. However, the viewer need not be on the opposite side of the notch as the illuminated notch can be viewed from many relative positions with respect to the fiber optic notch.

A preferred embodiment of a greeting card display system using a flickering device as generally shown in FIG. 4 can be assembled and operated as follows. The device is fixed in place inside the card in the design illustrated in FIG. The holes 8 should be provided at opposite positions of each optical fiber 5.

The installation of an "on/off" switch within the flashing portion can be provided by any practical mechanism known in the art. The power source 4 can be a suitably sized battery. When the card is closed to close the device, the "r on" switch energizes the flicker device, and the power from the power supply 4 flows to the full flicker control unit 3, which transmits the electrical energy again to the light emitting diode 2, which On the contrary, the light is transmitted intermittently into the optical fiber 1. As the light travels through the optical fiber and encounters each notch 5, it is transmitted to the outside of the optical fiber, passes through the hole 8, illuminates the notch, and illuminates the branches of the depicted Guin tree 7. to make the light flicker.

According to the present invention, many light flickering parts can be provided at many places on the main body of only one optical fiber, and the light source or light emitter is one
Only one piece is required. If the user's needs require "n" flickering sections, where "n" is an integer greater than or equal to 1, then "n" notches are created in the optical fiber. These "n" number of blinkers can be provided by using only "k" optical fibers. Therefore, “k”
optical fibers are required, where if n=1 then =n, and if "n" is an integer greater than or equal to 1 then "k" is "n"
Below IJ or equal to "n". Furthermore.

While creating ``n'' incisions in one or more optical fiber bodies, ``k'' light emitters or light sources are required to provide ``n'' blinking portions. Therefore, “k
'' light emitters are required, where = n if n = 1, and if ``n'' is an integer greater than or equal to 1, then ``k'' is jn
JIg below or equal to "n".

The present invention also includes a display device in combination with this light transmitting, flickering device.

Examples include, but are not limited to, the following display devices. In other words, toys and consumer electronics.

Stationery, gift products, decorations, posters, picture frames, boxes, greeting cards, boards, badges, badges, buttons,
Labels, signs, hats, album covers, candlesticks, decorations and many other display devices. Other combinations with musical instruments and instruments are also available.

The above examples are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but rather are illustrative of the many embodiments and applications of the invention.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the technical spirit and scope of the following claims are not necessarily limited to the description of the preferred embodiments contained in this specification.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a light transmission according to the invention, comprising one optical fiber, one light source, one blinking control unit and one power source;
1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the general form and relationship of a preferred embodiment of a flickering device; FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a light transmission blinking device including two optical fibers, two optical fibers, a blinking control unit and a power source. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a light transmission, light blinking device comprising two optical fibers, a light source, a blinking control unit and a power source. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a greeting card display device including a light transmitting, blinking device showing the precise alignment of the holes in the front face of the greeting card display device with notches in the optical fibers. figure. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a blinking control unit for a preferred embodiment including an integrated circuit (IC) known as IC4049UB. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the optical fiber showing the angle and depth of one cut in the optical fiber body. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the optical fiber taken along line 7--7 in FIG. 6, looking at the notch in the optical fiber body in FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the cut wedge-shaped portion removed from the optical fiber body and the dimensions and shape of the cut wedge. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Optical fiber 2... Light emitter 3... Blinking control unit 4... Battery 5... Notch part 6... Greeting card 8... Hole procedure name booklet ( Form) February 27, 1986 Michibe Uga, Director General of the Patent Office 1, Indication of the case: Japanese Patent Application No. 1988-236528 2, Title of the invention: Light transmission, light flickering device and display device 3, Person making amendment case Relationship with Patent applicant address California, United States 9005
70 Sanpils Suit 201 West Eighth
S1 ~ REIT 2120 Name Tradevest International Corporation Representative Daywicz N, Macaus Nationality American 1 Tsuryoku United States 4, Amendment of Agent Proceedings October 31, 1985 Commissioner of the Patent Office Black 1) Mr. Akio 1 , Indication of the case Japanese Patent Application No. 1982-236528 2 Title of the invention Light transmission, light flickering device and display device 3 Relationship with the person making the amendment Patent applicant address California 9005, United States of America
70 Sanzels Suite 201 West 1 ~ 8th Street 2120 Name Tradevest International Corporation Representative David N., Macaws Nationality United States 6″′.1″″′″annuoa+ L-,,-17,
Contents of the amendment (1) The claims of the specification are amended as shown in the attached sheet. (2) The 12th line of page 4 of the specification is corrected to read ``This energy is wasted and the oil temperature increases.'' (3) "One or more" in lines 9 to 10 of page 7 of the specification is corrected to "greater than 1." (4) "Less than" on page 7, line 10 of the specification is amended to "less than". (5) Change “at the notch” in page 10, line 15 of the specification to “
Correct the notch. (6) Delete "Oeru" and "Image of" on page 10, line 16 of the specification. (7>"Thewhole" in page 10, line 18 of the specification is 1 total length.)
and correct it. (8) From page 11, line 10 to line 11 of the specification, “Light is generated.” was changed to “RecurrOnt transmission of light along the length direction.”
or periodic transmission
sion). ” he corrected. (9) Amend "one or more" in the first line of page 17 of the specification to "greater than one." (10) “One or more” in line 6 of page 17 of the specification is changed to “1”
"It's bigger," he corrected. (11) From line 12 to line 13 of page 17 of the specification, “
"1 or more" is corrected to "greater than 1." Claim 1 includes a light emitter, a device for adjusting the transmission of light from the light emitter, and at least a part 14i) connected to the light emitter, and enables transmission of light from the light emitter into the optical fiber body. A light transmission and light blinking device made of an optical fiber including a cut portion that transmits light from the inside of the optical fiber body to the outside of the optical fiber at the cut portion. 2. The light transmission and light flickering device according to claim 1, wherein the device for adjusting light transmission performs light transmission within a predetermined time interval. 3. The light transmission and light blinking device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitter is a light emitting diode. 4. Consisting of r+j notches and ni optical fibers, when n=1, =n, and when nj is an integer greater than 1, ni is smaller than n. Or “
2. A light transmitting, light blinking device according to claim 1, wherein the light transmitting light flickering device is equal to "n". 5, trn" optical fibers and "kj light emitters, where n = 1, then = n, and if "n" is an integer greater than 1, then "kj or "nj A light transmitting, light blinking device according to claim 1, wherein the light transmitting, light blinking device is less than or equal to "n". 6. A light emitter, a device for adjusting the transmission of light from the light emitter, and an optical fiber body having at least one end connected to the light emitter and enabling transmission of light from the light emitter into the optical fiber body. A display tearer comprising an optical fiber including a notch portion for transmitting light from the inside to the outside of the optical fiber at a notch portion, and having a light blinking device inside. 7. A display device according to claim 6, wherein the display device further includes holes in its surface allowing the passage of transmitted light from devices within the display device to a viewer of the display device. that's all

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) A light emitter, a device for adjusting the transmission of light from the light emitter, and at least one end connected to the light emitter, and capable of transmitting light from the light emitter into the optical fiber body. A light transmitting and flickering device comprising an optical fiber including a cut portion for transmitting light from the inside of the optical fiber body to the outside of the optical fiber at the cut portion. 2) The light transmission and light blinking device according to claim 1, wherein the device for adjusting the transmission of light retransmits the light within a predetermined time interval. 3) Claim 1 in which the light emitter is a light emitting diode
) The light transmission and light flickering device described in paragraph 2.). 4) Consisting of "n" notches and "k" optical fibers,
When n=1, k=n, and when "n" is an integer of 1 or more, "k" is less than or equal to "n", as set forth in claim 1). Light transmission, light flickering device. 5) having “n” optical fibers and “k” light emitters;
Here, when n=1, k=n, and when "n" is an integer of 1 or more, "k" is less than or equal to "n" according to claim 1). Light transmission, light flickering device. 6) a light emitter, a device for adjusting the transmission of light from the light emitter, and an optical fiber body having at least one end connected to the light emitter and capable of transmitting light from the light emitter into the optical fiber body; A display device comprising a light transmission and light blinking device inside the optical fiber including a notch portion for transmitting light from the inside of the optical fiber to the outside of the optical fiber at the notch portion. 7) A display device according to claim 6, wherein the display device further includes holes on its surface that allow the passage of transmitted light from devices within the display device to a viewer of the display device. .