U.S. patent application number 14/031528 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-20 for illuminator with device for scattering light.
This patent application is currently assigned to Venntis Technologies LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Venntis Technologies LLC. Invention is credited to David Wayne Caldwell, Justin Teitt.
Application Number | 20140078722 14/031528 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50274275 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140078722 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Caldwell; David Wayne ; et
al. |
March 20, 2014 |
ILLUMINATOR WITH DEVICE FOR SCATTERING LIGHT
Abstract
An illuminator includes a body configured to be interconnected
to a source of power and having a light source carried thereon. A
scattering device associated with the body and in register with the
light source includes a light coupler configured for placement
adjacent to the light source. The light coupler includes a first
region proximal the at least one light source and a second region
abutting the first region and defining a boundary therebetween.
Light emitted from the light source is scattered as a result of
travelling through the first region and the second region.
Inventors: |
Caldwell; David Wayne;
(Holland, MI) ; Teitt; Justin; (Holland,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Venntis Technologies LLC |
Holland |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Venntis Technologies LLC
Holland
MI
|
Family ID: |
50274275 |
Appl. No.: |
14/031528 |
Filed: |
September 19, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61702792 |
Sep 19, 2012 |
|
|
|
61702794 |
Sep 19, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/157 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 19/0028 20130101;
F21V 5/00 20130101; F21S 9/02 20130101; F21V 7/0091 20130101; G02B
19/0061 20130101; F21Y 2115/10 20160801; F21V 13/04 20130101; G02B
5/0236 20130101; F21L 4/00 20130101; F21K 9/60 20160801; F21K 9/232
20160801 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/157 |
International
Class: |
F21V 5/00 20060101
F21V005/00; F21L 4/00 20060101 F21L004/00 |
Claims
1. An illuminator comprising: a body configured to be
interconnected to a source of power and having at least one light
source carried thereon; a scattering device associated with the
body in register with the at least one light source, the scattering
device comprising a light coupler configured for placement adjacent
to the at least one light source having a first region proximal the
at least one light source, the first region having a first index of
refraction; and a second region abutting the first region defining
a boundary therebetween, and being distal to the at least one light
source, the second region having a second index of refraction that
is less than or equal to the first index of refraction; whereby
light emitted from the at least one light source is scattered as a
result of travelling through the first region and the second
region.
2. The illuminator of claim 1 wherein the source of power comprises
at least one battery.
3. The illuminator of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a
lantern.
4. The illuminator of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a
flashlight.
5. The illuminator of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a mobile
telecommunications device, the source of power comprises a battery
operably interconnected to the mobile telecommunications device,
and the light source comprises a light source provided on the
mobile telecommunications device and actuatable by controls on the
mobile telecommunications device.
6. The illuminator of claim 5 wherein the scattering device is
mounted to a case for the mobile telecommunications device in
register with the light source on the mobile telecommunications
device, whereby actuation of the light source on the mobile
telecommunications device emits light to the scattering device so
that the scattering device widely disperses light received from the
actuated light source and the mobile telecommunications device can
be used as a general purpose lamp.
7. An illuminator comprising: a body configured to be
interconnected to a source of power and having at least one light
source carried thereon; a scattering device associated with the
body in register with the at least one light source, the scattering
device comprising a light coupler configured for placement adjacent
to the at least one light source having a first region proximal the
at least one light source, the first region having a first index of
refraction; and a second region abutting the first region defining
a boundary therebetween, and being distal to the at least one light
source, the second region having a second index of refraction that
is greater than the first index of refraction; whereby light
emitted from the at least one light source is scattered as a result
of travelling through the first region and the second region
8. The illuminator of claim 7 wherein the source of power comprises
at least one battery.
9. The illuminator of claim 7 wherein the body comprises one of a
lantern or a flashlight or mobile telecommunications device.
10. The illuminator of claim 9 wherein the source of power
comprises a battery operably interconnected to the mobile
telecommunications device, and the light source comprises a light
source provided on the mobile telecommunications device and
actuatable by controls on the mobile telecommunications device.
11. An illuminator comprising: a body configured to be
interconnected to a source of power and having at least one light
source carried thereon; a scattering device associated with the
body in register with the at least one light source, the scattering
device comprising a light coupler configured for placement adjacent
to the at least one light source having a first region proximal the
at least one light source, the first region having a first index of
refraction; the first region has an arcuate outer surface in which
the arcuate outer surface is concave with respect to the at least
one light source, and further comprising a reflector disposed on at
least a portion of the arcuate outer surface of the first region;
whereby light emitted from the at least one light source is
scattered as a result of travelling through the first region and
impinging on the reflector disposed on the outer surface of the
first region.
12. The illuminator of claim 11 wherein the source of power
comprises at least one battery.
13. The illuminator of claim 19 wherein the body comprises one of a
lantern or a flashlight or mobile telecommunications device.
14. The illuminator of claim 19 wherein the source of power
comprises a battery operably interconnected to the mobile
telecommunications device, and the light source comprises a light
source provided on the mobile telecommunications device and
actuatable by controls on the mobile telecommunications device.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/702,792 filed Sep. 19, 2012 and U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/702,794 filed Sep. 19, 2012,
which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] An incandescent light bulb 10 as shown in FIG. 1 is an
electric lamp that produces light by heating a filament wire 12
typically made of tungsten to a high temperature by passing an
electric current through it. The hot filament 12 is protected from
oxidation with a glass or quartz bulb 14 that is filled with inert
gas or evacuated. The light bulb 10 is supplied with electrical
current by terminals 16 in the glass. Most bulbs are mounted in a
socket 18 to provide mechanical support, electrical connections and
a standard by which it may be easily used in many applications. The
most commonly used light bulb for general purpose lighting is the
A19 bulb where the term "A19" encodes the width of the bulb at its
widest point. The socket of the "A19" bulb is typically an Edison
socket which includes a conventional screw base. The incandescent
lamp is widely used in consumer and commercial lighting, for
portable lighting such as table lamps, car headlamps, and
flashlights, and for decorative and advertising lighting.
[0003] However, incandescent bulbs are much less efficient than
most other types of lighting; most incandescent bulbs convert less
than 5% of the energy they use into visible light whereas the
remaining energy is converted into heat. The luminous efficacy of a
typical incandescent bulb is 16 lumens per watt, compared to a
range of 46 to 200 lm/W of a light-emitting diode (LED) lamp.
Incandescent bulbs also have short lifetimes compared with other
types of lighting; around 1000 hours for home light bulbs versus a
range of 25,000 to 100,000 hours for LED lamps. Because of these
inefficiencies, incandescent light bulbs are gradually being
replaced in many applications by other types of electric lights,
such as fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), cold
cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL), high-intensity discharge lamps,
and light-emitting diode lamps (LED). Some jurisdictions, such as
the European Union, are in the process of phasing out the use of
incandescent light bulbs.
[0004] FIG. 2 illustrates a typical LED-based lighting device 20
using an LED module 22 for replacing the standard A19 incandescent
light bulb comprising a light lens 24, a heat sink and power supply
enclosure 26 and an Edison socket 28. The LED module 22 that is
used in LED-based lighting devices 20 predominately provides a
Lambertian distribution. Because LEDs do not emit light in all
directions, the directional characteristic of the output light is a
major design consideration for LED lamps.
[0005] US20110215707 entitled "Constrained Folded Path Resonant
White Light Scintillator" discloses an optical emitter 30 that can
enable a more efficient disbursement of light by a light source
such as an LED. Referring now to FIG. 3, (copy of FIG. 1 of patent
application Ser. No. 12/716,337 entitled "Constrained Folded Path
Resonant White Light Scintillator"), the optical emitter 30
includes a first conic reflector 32 that further includes an
optical element 38 for defining an aperture for passing light into
the optical emitter 30 from an LED. The optical emitter 30 includes
a second conic reflector 34 opposite the first reflector 32 for
collimating light admitted through the aperture. A volumetric light
conversion element 36 between the first and second reflectors
converts light from a first wavelength to a second, longer
wavelength and then emits the converted light. The light conversion
element 36 is substantially solid and includes an annular outer
surface 37 through which light emits from the optical emitter 30 in
a generally toroidal pattern. The light conversion element 36 can
include phosphor dispersed in resin.
[0006] FIG. 4 illustrates the optical emitter 30 of FIG. 3 mounted
on an LED-based lighting device 40 similar to that shown in FIG. 2.
The optical emitter 30, along with a light lens 24, a heat sink and
power supply enclosure 26 and an Edison socket 28 provide an
alternative to the standard A19 incandescent light bulb. The
subsequent distribution of light (i.e. the toroidal distribution)
emitted from the optical emitter 30 may be less focused and more
evenly distributed spherically than that of a typical LED-based
lamp.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0007] One aspect of the invention relates to an illuminator
comprising a body configured to be interconnected to a source of
power and having one or more light sources carried thereon. The
illuminator includes a scattering device associated with the body
in register with the light source. The scattering device has a
light coupler configured for placement adjacent to the light
source, and has a first region proximal to the light source with a
first index of refraction. The scattering device has a second
region abutting the first region defining a boundary therebetween,
and is distal to the light source. The second region has a second
index of refraction that is less than or equal to the first index
of refraction. With this structure, light emitted from the light
source is scattered as a result of travelling through the first
region and the second region.
[0008] Another aspect of the invention relates to an illuminator
comprising a body configured to be interconnected to a source of
power and having one or more light sources carried thereon. The
illuminator includes a scattering device associated with the body
in register with the light source. The scattering device has a
light coupler configured for placement adjacent to the light
source, and has a first region proximal to the light source with a
first index of refraction. The scattering device has a second
region abutting the first region defining a boundary therebetween,
and is distal to the light source. The second region has a second
index of refraction that is greater than or equal to the first
index of refraction. With this structure, light emitted from the
light source is scattered as a result of travelling through the
first region and the second region.
[0009] Another aspect of the invention relates to an illuminator
comprising a body configured to be interconnected to a source of
power and having one or more light sources carried thereon. The
illuminator includes a scattering device associated with the body
in register with light source. The scattering device has a light
coupler configured for placement adjacent to the light source, and
has a first region proximal to the light source with a first index
of refraction. The first region has an arcuate outer surface in
which the arcuate outer surface is concave with respect to the
light source. The scattering device further has a reflector
disposed on a portion of the arcuate outer surface of the first
region. With this structure, light emitted from the at least one
light source is scattered as a result of travelling through the
first region and impinging on the reflector disposed on the outer
surface of the first region.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] In the drawings:
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional prior art incandescent
light bulb mounted to a socket.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art typical lighting device using
a LED module for replacing standard A19 incandescent light
bulb.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a prior art optical unit that increases
the efficiency of the distribution of light from a light
aperture.
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates the optical unit in FIG. 3 mounted to a
socket.
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a volumetric optical unit mounted to a
socket according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates the basic principle of Snell's law that
determines the refraction (bending) of light based on incident
angles of light from a light source or a series of light
sources.
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a condition of Snell's law depicted in
FIG. 7 where an incidence angle will cause incident light to
totally reflect within a material.
[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates an implementation of the volumetric
optical unit of FIG. 5 that could be used to change the direction
of light from a light source according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates a volumetric optical unit similar to that
of FIG. 8 with the addition of a scattering medium according to
another embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates a volumetric optical unit according to
another embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 11 illustrates a volumetric optical unit similar to
that of FIG. 10 with the addition of a scattering medium according
to another embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 12 illustrates a volumetric optical unit with a concave
type reflector that would generally reflect light rays towards the
center of the volumetric optical unit according to another
embodiment of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 13 illustrates a volumetric optical unit with a convex
type reflector that would generally reflect light rays away from
the center of the volumetric optical unit according to another
embodiment of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 14 illustrates a volumetric optical unit without a
curved bottom reflector according to another embodiment of the
invention.
[0025] FIG. 15 illustrates a volumetric optical unit where
substantially parallel light rays enters the unit from the bottom
as a distributed source according to another embodiment of the
invention.
[0026] FIG. 16 illustrates a volumetric optical unit mounted to a
socket according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 17 illustrates a prior art camping lantern that uses a
combustible liquid or gas fuel source which is burned to produce
light via blackbody radiation.
[0028] FIG. 18 illustrates a camping lantern with a volumetric
optical unit according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 19 illustrates a camping lantern with a volumetric
optical unit according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 20 illustrates a camping lantern with the optical unit
in FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0031] FIG. 21 illustrates a prior art flashlight.
[0032] FIG. 22 illustrates attaching a volumetric optical unit to a
flashlight according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0033] FIG. 23 illustrates a volumetric optical unit attached to a
flashlight according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0034] FIG. 24 illustrates a prior art flashlight.
[0035] FIG. 25 illustrates attaching a volumetric optical unit to a
flashlight according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0036] FIG. 26 illustrates a volumetric optical unit attached to a
flashlight according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0037] FIG. 27 illustrates a prior art flashlight.
[0038] FIG. 28 illustrates attaching a volumetric optical unit to a
flashlight according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0039] FIG. 29 illustrates a volumetric optical unit attached to a
flashlight according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0040] FIG. 30 illustrates a prior art flashlight.
[0041] FIG. 31 illustrates attaching a volumetric optical unit to a
flashlight according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0042] FIG. 32 illustrates a volumetric optical unit attached to a
flashlight according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0043] FIG. 33 illustrates a prior art flashlight.
[0044] FIG. 34 illustrates attaching a volumetric optical unit to a
flashlight according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0045] FIG. 35 illustrates a volumetric optical unit attached to a
flashlight according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0046] FIG. 36 illustrates a prior art flashlight.
[0047] FIG. 37 illustrates attaching the optical unit in FIG. 3 to
a flashlight according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0048] FIG. 38 illustrates the optical unit in FIG. 3 attached to a
flashlight according to an embodiment of the invention
[0049] FIG. 39 illustrates a prior art mobile device.
[0050] FIG. 40 illustrates attaching a volumetric optical unit to a
mobile device according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0051] FIG. 41 illustrates a volumetric optical unit attached to a
mobile device according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0052] The present invention is provided to maximize the scattering
and disbursement of light from a light source or series of light
sources. FIG. 5 illustrates a lighting device 50, using a
volumetric optical unit 52 according to the present invention, for
replacing the standard A19 incandescent light bulb or current
LED-based alternatives comprising a light lens 54, a heat sink and
power supply enclosure 56 and an Edison socket 58. As will be
described below, the volumetric optical unit 52 (of which the upper
portion may be seen in FIG. 5) may provide a generally isotropic or
spherical distribution of light by control of the amount of
refraction and reflection inherent to the structure of the
volumetric optical unit 52. The redirection and, ultimately, the
scattering of light from light sources is designed into the
volumetric optical unit 52 by utilizing reflection and refraction
at boundaries, including in some embodiments a mismatch of the
index of refraction between or among optical materials integrated
into the volumetric optical unit 52 and/or surrounding the
volumetric optical unit 52.
[0053] Snell's law characterizes the reflection and refraction of
light when impinging on an interface between two volumes of
differing indices of refraction. FIG. 6 illustrates the basic
principle of Snell's law 100 that can be used to determine the
refraction of light based on incidence angles of light from a light
source or a series of light sources. In FIG. 6, n.sub.1 and n.sub.2
are the indices of refraction 112, 114 for two different media 110,
111 adjoined at the interface boundary 116 and .theta..sub.1 118
and .theta..sub.2 120 are the angles of incidence and refraction
with respect to the normal 122 to the interface boundary 116. When
a light ray 124 meets the interface boundary 116 at a given angle
of incidence .theta..sub.1 118, the light ray 124 will refract and
exit on the opposite side of incidence of the boundary 116 at an
angle of refraction .theta..sub.2 120 defined by Snell's law. If
the light ray originates in the higher index material,
.theta..sub.2 120 will tend to be greater (relative to the normal
122, 90 degrees) with the relationship of:
sin(.theta..sub.1)*n.sub.1=sin(.theta..sub.2)*n.sub.2
sin(.theta..sub.2)*n.sub.1=sin(.theta..sub.1)*n.sub.2
.theta..sub.2=arcsin [n.sub.1*sin(.theta..sub.1)/n.sub.2]
[0054] When .theta..sub.2 reaches 90 degrees, .theta..sub.1 is said
to be at the critical angle and can be calculated as:
.theta..sub.1=arcsin [n.sub.2*sin(.theta..sub.2)/n.sub.1]=arcsin
[n.sub.2/n.sub.1]
[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 7, .theta..sub.crit is the critical
angle of which if the incident angle 119 is greater will cause the
incident light 128 to completely reflect 130 within the n.sub.1 112
material of the medium 110. This is referred to as total internal
reflection.
[0056] FIG. 8 illustrates the volumetric optical unit 52 from FIG.
5 and demonstrates how the structure manipulates the direction of
light from the light source 210. The light source 210 may be a
single element such as an LED, an incandescent light source, or an
aperture that allows the light to enter the volumetric optical unit
interior 220. To enable efficient coupling of the light from the
light source 210 to the volumetric optical unit interior 220, the
light source 210 may be adjacent to or embedded within the
volumetric optical unit interior 220.
[0057] The volumetric optical unit interior 220 may comprise one or
more materials configured to make two distinct regions or volumes
216, 218. Proximal to the light source 210, the first region 216
may be formed of a material having a first index of refraction.
Abutting the first region 216 to define a boundary 214 therebetween
and distal to the light source 210, the second region 218 may be
formed of a material having a second index of refraction. At least
one material in the volumetric optical unit interior 220 may be
selected to match the material of the light source 210. For
example, if the light source 210 were an LED, the selected material
for the first region 216 may have a relatively high index of
refraction to match the index of refraction for the material of
which LED's are typically constructed.
[0058] The first region 216 may have an arcuate outer surface
adjacent or surrounding the light source 310. The arcuate surface
may form a reflector for reflecting light emitted from the light
source 310 towards the second region 218. Depending upon the
implementation, the reflector disposed on the arcuate surface of
the first region 216 may be parabolic in cross-section. In this
way, the reflector may be configured to collimate light impinging
on the reflector in a generally parallel fashion toward the second
region 218.
[0059] The two indices of refraction of the first region 216 and
second region 218 may be the same or different depending upon the
implementation. In one embodiment, the second index of refraction
is less than or equal to the first index of refraction but in other
embodiments the second index of refraction may be equal to or
greater than the first index of refraction in order to increase the
net distribution of light by optimizing reflection and/or
refraction. As an example, the first region 216 may be formed of a
high index optical material to be complementary to the light source
210 and the second region 218 may be a different material with a
different index of refraction, or it may be a void with air. The
first index of refraction may range from about 1.30 and lower to
about 1.41 for silicones, and from about 1.54 to about 1.59 and
higher for epoxies. The second index of refraction may range from
about 1.00 for air to about 1.59 and higher for epoxies.
[0060] Some of the light from the light source 210 will be
reflected off the reflector 212 as shown with light rays 222 and
then directed across the boundary 214 separating the two regions
216, 218. As illustrated in FIG. 8, other rays of light 226, 224
originating from the light source 210 may be refracted (light ray
226) or reflected (light ray 224) at the boundary of the volumetric
optical unit interior 220 and an outer medium 221 such as air.
Subsequent reflections inside the volumetric optical unit interior
220 will result in light rays refracting across the boundary of the
volumetric optical unit interior 220 and the outer medium 221.
[0061] The nature of the material or materials within the
volumetric optical unit interior 220 is selected to allow the light
to efficiently move towards the next interface such as the
reflector 212 or the boundary 214 between the regions 216, 218 or
the boundary condition between the air and the volumetric optical
unit interior 220. Additionally, the overall shape of the
volumetric optical unit interior 220 and the relative values of the
indices of refraction between the two regions 216 and 218 determine
the light distribution pattern output from the volumetric optical
unit 52 into the surrounding medium 221. It is one goal of the
invention to output a highly spherical (or isotropic) light
distribution from the volumetric optical unit 52 when coupled with
an LED light source 210. To that effect, internally reflected light
rays 224 contribute to the isotropic nature of the output scattered
light by impinging the boundary between the volumetric optical unit
52 into the surrounding medium 221 at a wide distribution of
incidence angles. As shown in FIG. 8, the second region 218 may be
formed with an arcuate outer surface. Other shapes are contemplated
and will be described below, but in general, the outer surface of
the second region 218 is selected to enable scattering of light to
form a more isotropic illumination pattern for the volumetric
optical unit 52. An additional objective is to scatter the light by
minimizing the mean free path of any light ray. The longer the mean
free path of any light ray and the more reflections said light ray
undergoes, the more attenuation the light ray will exhibit in the
volumetric material and at the reflection surfaces thereby reducing
the light output and, ultimately, the efficiency of the device. The
smaller the optical unit dimensionally, the more reflections there
will be per mean free path of a given light ray and therefore
greater attenuation. This will tend to necessitate larger volumes
than smaller volumes for the volumetric optical unit 52. It is an
important aspect of this invention to spread and scatter the light
and minimize the mean free path. Also the size of the light source
210 will have an effect on the volume of the volumetric optical
unit 52 and therefore the height of the device. Also, the height of
regions 216, 218 will tend to require an increase as the size of
the light source 210 is increased in dimension and volume. Also,
just as in an incandescent light as shown in FIG. 1, if the final
emission of light is generated at a height that is greater than the
width of the base there will be more downlight inherently generated
by the device. This same attribute is true for the volumetric
optical unit 52. As the volume in region 218 is made greater by the
increasing the height of the volumetric optical unit 52, the more
downlight will be inherently generated that will pass the base
formed by volume 216,
[0062] One of the first and second regions 216, 218 may be made
from a material comprising at least one of an epoxy or a silicone
such as a MS-1003 Moldable Silicone manufactured by Dow Corning
with corporate offices at 5300 11 Mile Road, Auburn, Mich.
48611.
[0063] The other of the first and second regions 216, 218 may be
made from a material comprising at least one of air or an epoxy or
a silicone such as a Sylgard 184 Silicone Elastomer manufactured by
Dow Corning with corporate offices at 5300 11 Mile Road, Auburn,
Mich. 48611.
[0064] FIG. 9 illustrates a volumetric optical unit 300 similar to
that illustrated in FIG. 8 with the addition of a scattering medium
310 according to another embodiment of the invention. The
scattering medium 310 serves as an interference structure and
causes the light to scatter in a more isotropic manner. The
scattering medium 310 comprises a plurality of particles each of
which has dimensions that are much smaller than the regions 216,
218 of the volumetric optical unit interior 220. The scattering
medium 310 may be dispersed within at least one region 216, 218 of
the volumetric optical unit interior 220. For example, as shown in
FIG. 9, the scattering medium 310 is dispersed in only the second
region 218 of the volumetric optical unit interior 220. Preferably,
the dispersed scattering medium 310 may be uniformly distributed in
the region, however other distributions are contemplated. For
example, the scattering medium 310 may be distributed in a gradient
such that the density of scattering media in the region is
proportional to the distance from the light source 210.
[0065] The scattering medium 310 may be made of generally
reflective materials or other materials such as down-converting
phosphors, fluorescents, dyes, quantum dots, nano-particles, and
other materials that have generally small features relative to the
regions 216, 218 of the volumetric optical unit interior 220. The
scattering medium 310 may be made of materials that change the
wavelength of the light from the light source to a different
wavelength. Alternatively, the scattering medium 310 may simply
comprise small voids or bubbles in the volumetric optical unit
interior 220 that may cause the impinging rays of light to change
direction when passing through. The volumetric optical units
described herein may be used to generate more than white light such
as different color temperatures of white light as well as various
light colors by using light sources that generate specific
blackbody radiation, specific wavelengths as emitted by discrete
wavelength devices such as LEDs or the mixing of light generated by
multiple light sources including LEDs. A combination of
down-conversion or up-conversion from light sources as described by
utilizing phosphors, fluorescent materials, dyes, quantum dots, or
nano-particles may be used to generate different spectra of light
from below infrared to ultraviolet. Also by using reflective and
other scattering media, the mixing and scattering of light may be
enhanced by mixing reflective materials and other scattering
materials into the volumetric optical unit 300.
[0066] An exemplary phosphor material may comprise less than two
percent by weight of the volume of the second region. An exemplary
phosphor material may have a particle size less than 50 .mu.m, and
it may even be smaller than 20 .mu.m.
[0067] In addition to the scattering of the light rays from the
light source 210 by way of reflection and refraction through the
two regions 216, 218 and across the boundary 214 between the two
regions 216, 218, the scattering medium 310 may cause the light to
scatter such that the entirety of the region or regions in which
the scattering medium 310 is dispersed acts as a plurality of light
sources distributed throughout the volumetric optical unit interior
220. Additionally, light rays emitted from or refracted by the
scattering medium 310 may impinge on additional particles of the
scattering medium 310 further scattering the light. Consequently,
the resulting distribution of output light may become more
isotropic with the presence of the scattering medium 310.
[0068] FIG. 10 illustrates a volumetric optical unit 400 according
to another embodiment of the invention. The second region 418 has
an inverted conical shape in which a base portion of the conical
shape abuts the first region 216 at the boundary 214. The inverted
conical shape of the second region 418 may increase the internal
reflections by controlling the angle of the incident light at the
boundary between the volumetric optical unit interior 420 and the
external medium such as air. In this way, the angle of incidence is
equal to or less than the critical angle 410 based on the ratio of
indices of refraction of air and the volumetric optical unit
interior 420. Consequently, as shown as an example in FIG. 10, the
critical angle 410 may be selected by design of the inverted
conical shape of the second region 418 and the index of refraction
of the second region 418 such that all light rays 222 initially
collimated by the reflector 212 along the arcuate surface in first
region 216 are initially internally reflected at the boundary
between the second region 418 and the air. Then, the light ray 412
may impinge and pass across the boundary at a second location. FIG.
11 illustrates a volumetric optical unit 500 similar to that
described in FIG. 10 with the addition of the scattering media 310
as described previously to increase the amount of scattering of
light.
[0069] While the volumetric optical units described above and
illustrated in FIGS. 8-11 illustrate the use of one reflector 212
disposed along the arcuate outer surface of the first region 216
for reflecting light emitted from the light source toward the
second region, additional reflective surfaces are contemplated.
FIGS. 12-13 illustrate the attributes of described for FIGS. 8-11
with an additional top reflector disposed on a surface of the
second region. Referring now to FIG. 12, a volumetric optical unit
600 may have a second region 618 with an arcuate outer surface in
which the arcuate outer surface is concave with respect to light
source 210. FIG. 12 illustrates a concave-type reflector 610
disposed on the surface of the second region 618 that may generally
reflect incident light rays 612 towards the center of the optical
unit. Similarly, referring to FIG. 13, a volumetric optical unit
700 may have a second region 718 with an arcuate outer surface in
which the arcuate outer surface is convex with respect to light
source 210. FIG. 13 illustrates a convex-type of reflector 710
disposed on the surface of the second region 718 that generally
reflects the light rays 712 outwards and away from the center of
the optical unit. In addition to the reflective elements described
here, the volumetric optical units 600, 700 shown in FIGS. 12 and
13 respectively may incorporate any of the features discussed
herein including the addition of a scattering medium into one or
more of the regions of the volumetric optical unit interior
220.
[0070] FIG. 14 illustrates a volumetric optical unit 800 according
to an embodiment of the invention without an integrated bottom
reflector surrounding the light source 210. Therefore, the light
rays do not move in parallel towards the top of the volumetric
optical unit 800 away from the bottom as has been described
previously. Instead, the volumetric optical unit 800 includes a
first region 818 proximal to the light source 210. The first region
818 has an arcuate outer surface 812 that is concave with respect
to the light source, and further includes a reflector 810 disposed
on at least a portion of the arcuate outer surface 812 of the first
region 818. As shown in FIG. 14, the reflector 810 is a convex-type
reflector, though other reflector geometries including a
concave-type reflector are contemplated.
[0071] Light emitted from the light source 210 is scattered, in
part, as a result of travelling through the first region 818,
impinging on the reflector 810 disposed on the outer surface of the
first region 818 and changing direction via reflection. Other
methods of scattering previously described, including by reflection
and refraction at the boundary between the surface of the first
region and the air and by interaction of light with a scattering
medium 310 disposed in the first region 818 may contribute to the
pattern of illumination emitted by the volumetric optical unit 800.
In addition to the elements described here, the volumetric optical
unit 800 shown in FIG. 14 may incorporate any of the features
discussed herein.
[0072] FIG. 15 illustrates a volumetric optical unit 900 similar to
that shown in FIG. 14 including the scattering medium 310 disposed
in the first region 818 where substantially extended collimated
light (represented as parallel light rays 910) impinge the unit
from the bottom as a distributed light source according to another
embodiment of the invention. While shown as a plurality of parallel
light rays, the light entering the volumetric optical unit 900 need
only to be spatially distributed; that is, the light may enter from
the bottom of the unit with the light rays in a non-parallel
orientation indicative of either a diverging or converging beam or
may be scattered. The volumetric optical unit 900 may include a
reflector 812, shown as a convex-type reflector. The light rays
moving towards the top of the unit include light rays 914 refracted
around the reflector 912. In addition to the elements described
here, the volumetric optical unit 900 shown in FIG. 15 may
incorporate any of the features discussed herein.
[0073] All of the volumetric optical units discussed so far
naturally mix the light from the light source by the natural
reflections based on the differences in index of refraction of the
different materials within the structure and air or based on mixing
from the reflection based on the reflectors or by a combination of
both. If the light source were to consist of light from multiple
light sources of different wavelengths, the light would then mix
based on the inherent mixing characteristics in the volumetric
optical materials in the structures described in FIGS. 8 through
15. As an example, the light source may consist of multiple LEDs
with a variety of different wavelengths such as "blue", "red", and
"green" which when mixed will create a "white" light. The color
temperature of the "white" would be dependent on the intensity and
wavelength of the different LEDs.
[0074] Also, if phosphors or other quantum converting material that
absorb a particular wavelength and remit at a different wavelength
are dispersed within the volumetric optical materials in the
volumetric optical units described herein, then selection of
multiple LEDs with multiple wavelengths that can be matched with
the selection of phosphors or other quantum converting material to
achieve a particular light output then the ability to achieve a
maximum efficiency, lower cost, higher quality light output, with
proper spectral content and light distribution may be achieved.
[0075] Referring now to FIG. 16, any of the volumetric optical
units described in FIGS. 8-15 may be integrated into a lighting
device 1000 similar to that described in FIG. 5. By using a
volumetric optical unit 1010 according to the present invention for
replacing the standard A19 incandescent light bulb or current
LED-based alternatives that include a light lens 54, a heat sink
and power supply enclosure 56 and an Edison socket 58, an efficient
illuminator that maximizes the scattering and disbursement of light
from a light source or series of light sources may be realized.
[0076] When LED devices are advantageous to the use of portable
lighting devices, all of the methods and structures described above
may be used to provide for the use of LED lighting with outputs
that are more generally isotropic. This is particularly true for
camping lanterns as sold by the Coleman Company, Inc. with
corporate offices at 3600 North Hydraulic, Wichita, Kans. 67219.
Referring now to FIG. 17, a conventional camping fuel-burning
lantern 1100 is a pressure lamp that generally includes a fuel
source 1110 such as kerosene, naptha, propane etc, that when
burning provides heat to a mantle 1112. The mantle 1112 generates a
generally bright light when heated. A camping lantern generally
includes controls 1114 for controlling the light output by
regulating the burning of the fuel source 1110 and additionally
includes an optically transparent enclosure 1116 and hood 1118. The
appearance of the optical devices described above, and in the
patent application Ser. No. 12/716,337 entitled "Constrained Folded
Path Resonant White Light Scintillator" is very much alike, all of
which provide light output in a generally similar way as the mantle
1112 in the standard fuel-burning lantern 1100. This familiar look
is a distinguishing attribute that could be maintained, but with
LED lighting. From an aesthetic standpoint, the products shown in
FIGS. 18 through 20 emit light that look very similar to the light
output provided by the mantle 1112 in the fuel-burning lantern 1100
illustrated in FIG. 17.
[0077] FIG. 18 illustrates a camping lantern 1200 with a volumetric
optical unit 1216 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. The camping lantern 1200 includes a body 1210 that
contains a battery compartment for the storage of a battery. The
body 1216 is configured to interconnect the battery to a light
source. The light source may be adjacent to or integrated into the
volumetric optical unit 1216. The volumetric optical unit 1216 is a
scattering device associated with the body in register with the
light source. As described above the volumetric optical unit 1216
when configured for placement adjacent to the at least one light
source has a first region proximal to the light source and the
first region has a first index of refraction. The volumetric
optical unit 1216 may have a second region abutting the first
region with boundary defined therebetween. If provided, the second
region may be distal to the light source and may have a second
index of refraction that is greater than the first index of
refraction. Light emitted from light source is scattered as a
result of travelling through the first region and the second
region, if provided. As shown in FIG. 18, the top portion of the
volumetric optical unit previously described in FIGS. 8-11 is
shown.
[0078] Additional elements may include a light control adjustment
1214 for controlling the electrical power supplied to the light
source in the volumetric optical unit 1216 to vary the light
intensity and in some cases the light color by varying the
wavelength of the emitted light and an optional transparent
enclosure 1116 and hood 1118. The transparent enclosure 1116 may be
optional because the temperatures produced by the electric lighting
(most generally LEDs) are much lower than that produced by a
combustible fuel system with a mantle. The hood 1118 may be
optional because the volumetric optical unit 1216 may be
constructed as a sealed, molded subassembly protecting the
electrical components thereby eliminating the need for a protective
hood.
[0079] FIG. 19 illustrates a camping lantern 1300 with a volumetric
optical unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The volumetric optical unit 1316 may be any of the units with a top
reflector 1318 as described above in FIGS. 12-15. FIG. 20
illustrates a camping lantern 1400 with the prior art optical unit
1416 described in FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0080] At times it may be desirable for the light emitted from a
flashlight not be directional but more isotropic and behave as a
lantern with distributed light. By adding a volumetric optical unit
to a flashlight similar to the volumetric optical units described
above and in US20110215707 entitled "Constrained Folded Path
Resonant White Light Scintillator", a flashlight may be converted
to a device that emits light in a more isotropic distribution.
Consider a flashlight 1500 generically illustrated in FIG. 21. The
flashlight 1500 includes a body 1510 that contains a battery
compartment for the storage of a battery. The body 1510 is
configured to interconnect the battery to a light source 1514.
Usually the light source 1514 is a small incandescent light bulb or
LED mounted in a reflector and lens and may be configured to direct
a narrow beam light 1512. Referring now to FIG. 22, a volumetric
optical unit 1516 as described above, particularly in reference to
FIGS. 8-11, may be attached to the flashlight 1500.
[0081] As described above, the volumetric optical unit 1516 when
configured for placement adjacent to the at least one light source
1514 has a first region 1518 proximal to the light source 1514 and
the first region 1518 has a first index of refraction. The
volumetric optical unit 1516 may have a second region 1520 abutting
the first region with a boundary 1522 defined therebetween. If
provided, the second region 1520 may be distal to the light source
1512 and may have a second index of refraction that is less than
the first index of refraction. Light emitted from the light source
1514 is scattered as a result of travelling through the first
region 1518 and the second region 1520, if provided. The volumetric
optical unit 1516 may be mechanically attached and held by
friction, molded in snaps or other means. Depending upon the
particular configuration and means of attachment, only some top
portion of the volumetric optical unit 1516 may be visible when
assembled. As shown as a complete assembly in FIG. 23, the
flashlight 1500 may be converted from outputting a narrow beam
light 1512 to an emitter of an omnidirectional, more isotropic
light 1524.
[0082] Similar results may be achieved by applying the volumetric
optical unit 1516 to a flashlight 1600 configured to output a broad
beam of light 1612 such as a floodlight. Referring to FIG. 24, the
broad beam flashlight 1600 includes a body 1610 that contains a
battery compartment for the storage of a battery. The body 1610 is
configured to interconnect the battery to a light source 1614. As
previously stated, the light source 1614 may be a small
incandescent light bulb or LED mounted in a reflector and lens and
may configured to direct a broad beam light 1612. Referring now to
FIG. 25, the volumetric optical unit 1516 as described above in
reference to FIGS. 22 and 23 may be attached to the flashlight 1600
mechanically and held by friction, molded in snaps or other means.
As shown as a complete assembly in FIG. 26, the flashlight 1600 may
be converted from outputting a broad beam of light 1512 to an
emitter of an omnidirectional, more isotropic light 1524.
[0083] FIGS. 27-29 illustrate a conventional flashlight 1500 that
is converted from emitting a narrow beam of light 1512 to emitting
an omnidirectional, more isotropic light 1714 by attachment of a
volumetric optical unit 1710 according to an embodiment of the
present invention. The volumetric optical unit 1710 may be any of
the units with a top reflector 1712 as described above in FIGS.
12-15. Similarly, FIGS. 30-32 illustrate a conventional flashlight
1600 that is converted from emitting a broad beam of light 1612 to
emitting an omnidirectional, more isotropic light 1810 by
attachment of a volumetric optical unit 1710 according to an
embodiment of the present invention. As previously stated, the
volumetric optical unit 1710 may be any of the units with a top
reflector 1712 as described above in FIGS. 12-15.
[0084] Analogous to the integration of a volumetric optical unit of
the present invention and described above, FIGS. 33-35 illustrate a
conventional flashlight 1500 that is converted from emitting a
narrow beam of light 1512 to emitting an omnidirectional, more
isotropic light 1916 by attachment of the prior art optical unit
1910 described above in FIG. 3. The optical unit 1910 includes a
top reflector 1912 and a bottom reflector 1914 with an aperture for
receiving light as described above in FIG. 3. Similarly, FIGS.
36-38 illustrate a conventional flashlight 1600 that is converted
from emitting a broad beam of light 1612 to emitting an
omnidirectional, more isotropic light 2010 by attachment of the
optical unit 1910 shown in FIGS. 34 and 35. The optical unit 1910
may be attached to the flashlight mechanically and held by
friction, molded in snaps or by other means.
[0085] FIG. 39 illustrates a mobile device in the form of a mobile
telecommunications device such as a smart phone 2100 capable of
providing light 2114 by a light source 2110. While many mobile
devices include light sources 2110, ostensibly for use as a flash
for a camera 2112, the light source 2110, usually in form of an
LED, is often co-opted to act as a flashlight. For example,
consider the numerous "flashlight" applications available for
download for smart phones. The smart phone 2100 is typically formed
as a body that contains a battery compartment for the storage of a
battery. The body of the smart phone 2100 is configured to
interconnect the battery to the light source 2110. The light source
2110 may be adjacent to or integrated into the volumetric optical
unit 1216. Referring now to FIGS. 40 and 41, a volumetric optical
unit 2116 may be attached to the smart phone 2100 to convert the
light 2114 to an omnidirectional, more isotropic light 2118. As
described above the volumetric optical unit 2116 is a scattering
device associated with the body in register with the light source
2110. Also, as described above and in greater detail in FIGS. 8-11,
the volumetric optical unit 2116 when configured for placement
adjacent to the light source 2110 has a first region proximal to
the light source and the first region has a first index of
refraction. The volumetric optical unit 2116 may have a second
region abutting the first region with boundary defined
therebetween. If provided, the second region may be distal to the
light source and may have a second index of refraction that is
greater than the first index of refraction. Light emitted from
light source is scattered as a result of travelling through the
first region and the second region, if provided. The actuation of
the light source on the mobile telecommunications device emits
light to the scattering device so that the scattering device widely
disperses light received from the actuated light source and the
mobile telecommunications device can be used as a general purpose
lamp. Consequently, the mobile telecommunications device and the
light source disposed on the mobile device may be converted to act
as a lantern or provide alternative lighting measures for use with
the camera 2112.
[0086] Any one or more of the following concepts or features may be
combined in any combination or permutation to achieve various
aspects of the invention: [0087] 1. A device for scattering light
emitted from at least one light source comprising: [0088] a
volumetric optical unit configured to couple to the at least one
light source and having: [0089] a first region disposed to be
proximal to the at least one light source, the first region having
a first index of refraction; and [0090] a second region disposed to
be distal to the at least one light source, abutting the first
region at a boundary therebetween, and having one of a reflecting
medium, a reflector, or a second index of refraction that is
different from the first index of refraction; [0091] whereby light
rays emitted from the at least one light source will be scattered
as they travel through the first region or the second region or
across the boundary. [0092] 2. The device of 1 wherein the volume
of the first region is smaller than the volume of the second
region. [0093] 3. The device of 1 wherein the first region
comprises a material selected to have the first index of refraction
be complementary to the at least one light source. [0094] 4. The
device of 1 wherein the first index of refraction ranges from about
1.30 and lower to about 1.41. [0095] 5. The device of 1 wherein the
second index of refraction range from about 1.00 to about 1.59 and
higher. [0096] 6. The device of 1 wherein the first region has an
arcuate outer surface adjacent to the at least one light source.
[0097] 7. The device of 6 and further comprising a reflector
disposed along the arcuate outer surface of the first region for
reflecting light emitted from the at least one light source toward
the second region. [0098] 8. The device of 6 wherein the arcuate
surface of the first region is parabolic. [0099] 9. The device of 6
wherein the reflector has a surface configured to collimate light
impinging on the reflector in a generally parallel fashion toward
the second region. [0100] 10. The device of 1 wherein the second
region has an arcuate outer surface adjacent the at least one light
source. [0101] 11. The device of 1 wherein the first region
comprises a material including at least one of epoxy or silicone.
[0102] 12. The device of 1 wherein the second region comprises a
material including at least one of: air, epoxy or silicone. [0103]
13. The device of 1 wherein the second region has a scattering
medium distributed throughout the second region for redirecting
light travelling through the second region which impinges on the
scattering medium. [0104] 14. The device of 13 wherein the
scattering medium comprises at least one of a phosphor material,
generally reflective materials, down-converting phosphors,
fluorophores, dyes, quantum dots, or nano-particles. [0105] 15. The
device of 1 wherein the second region includes at least one
phosphor material distributed throughout the second region. [0106]
16. The device of 15 wherein the at least one phosphor material is
uniformly distributed throughout the second region. [0107] 17. The
device of 15 wherein the at least one phosphor material comprises
less than two percent by weight of the volume of the second region.
[0108] 18. The device of 15 wherein the at least one phosphor
material has a particle size less than 50 .mu.m. [0109] 19. The
device of 1 wherein the second region has an arcuate outer surface
in which the arcuate outer surface is convex with respect to the at
least one light source. [0110] 20. The device of 19 and further
comprising a reflector disposed on at least a portion of the
arcuate outer surface of the second region. [0111] 21. The device
of 1 wherein the second region has an arcuate outer surface in
which the arcuate outer surface is concave with respect to the at
least one light source. [0112] 22. The device of 21 and further
comprising a reflector disposed on at least a portion of the
arcuate outer surface of the second region. [0113] 23. The device
of 1 wherein the second region has an inverted conical shape in
which a base portion of the conical shape abuts the first region at
the boundary therebetween. [0114] 24. The device of 1 wherein the
height of the first region is greater than or equal to the width of
the second region. [0115] 25. The device of 1 wherein the second
region has a second index of refraction that is less than or equal
to the first index of refraction. [0116] 26. The device of 1
wherein the second region has a second index of refraction that is
greater than or equal to the first index of refraction. [0117] 27.
A device for scattering light emitted from at least one light
source comprising: [0118] a volumetric optical unit configured to
couple to the at least one light source and having: [0119] a first
region disposed to be proximal to the at least one light source,
the first region having a first index of refraction, wherein the
first region has an arcuate outer surface in which the arcuate
outer surface is concave with respect to the at least one light
source, and further comprising a reflector disposed on at least a
portion of the arcuate outer surface of the first region [0120]
whereby light emitted from the at least one light source is
scattered as a result of travelling through the first region and
impinging on the reflector disposed on the outer surface of the
first region. [0121] 28. The device of 27 wherein the first region
has a scattering medium distributed throughout the first region for
redirecting light travelling through the first region which
impinges on the scattering substance. [0122] 29. The device of 28
wherein the scattering medium comprises at least one of a phosphor
material, generally reflective materials, down-converting
phosphors, fluorescents, quantum dots, nano-particles. [0123] 30.
The device of 27 wherein the first region is provided with at least
one phosphor material distributed throughout the first region.
[0124] 31. The device of 27 wherein the at least one phosphor
material is uniformly distributed throughout the first region.
[0125] 32. The device of 27 wherein the at least one phosphor
material comprises less than two percent by weight of the volume of
the first region. [0126] 33. The device of 27 wherein the at least
one phosphor material has a particle size less than 50 .mu.m.
[0127] 34. An illuminator comprising: [0128] a body configured to
be interconnected to a source of power and having at least one
light source carried thereon; [0129] a scattering device associated
with the body in register with the at least one light source, the
scattering device comprising a light coupler configured for
placement adjacent to the at least one light source having a first
region proximal the at least one light source, the first region
having a first index of refraction; and a second region abutting
the first region defining a boundary therebetween, and being distal
to the at least one light source, the second region having a second
index of refraction that is less than or equal to the first index
of refraction; [0130] whereby light emitted from the at least one
light source is scattered as a result of travelling through the
first region and the second region [0131] 35. The illuminator of 34
wherein the source of power comprises at least one battery. [0132]
36. The illuminator of 35 wherein the body comprises a lantern.
[0133] 37. The illuminator of 35 wherein the body comprises a
flashlight. [0134] 38. The illuminator of 35 wherein the body
comprises a mobile telecommunications device, the source of power
comprises a battery operably interconnected to the mobile
telecommunications device, and the light source comprises a light
source provided on the mobile telecommunications device and
actuatable by controls on the mobile telecommunications device.
[0135] 39. The illuminator of 38 wherein the scattering device is
mounted to a case for the mobile telecommunications device in
register with the light source on the mobile telecommunications
device, whereby actuation of the light source on the mobile
telecommunications device emits light to the scattering device so
that the scattering device widely disperses light received from the
actuated light source and the mobile telecommunications device can
be used as a general purpose lamp. [0136] 40. An illuminator
comprising: [0137] a body configured to be interconnected to a
source of power and having at least one light source carried
thereon; [0138] a scattering device associated with the body in
register with the at least one light source, the scattering device
comprising a light coupler configured for placement adjacent to the
at least one light source having a first region proximal the at
least one light source, the first region having a first index of
refraction; and a second region abutting the first region defining
a boundary therebetween, and being distal to the at least one light
source, the second region having a second index of refraction that
is greater than the first index of refraction; [0139] whereby light
emitted from the at least one light source is scattered as a result
of travelling through the first region and the second region [0140]
41. The illuminator of 40 wherein the source of power comprises at
least one battery. [0141] 42. The illuminator of 40 wherein the
body comprises a lantern. [0142] 43. The illuminator of 40 wherein
the body comprises a flashlight. [0143] 44. The illuminator of 40
wherein the body comprises a mobile telecommunications device, the
source of power comprises a battery operably interconnected to the
mobile telecommunications device, and the light source comprises a
light source provided on the mobile telecommunications device and
actuatable by controls on the mobile telecommunications device.
[0144] 45. The illuminator of 44 wherein the scattering device is
mounted to a case for the mobile telecommunications device in
register with the light source on the mobile telecommunications
device, whereby actuation of the light source on the mobile
telecommunications device emits light to the scattering device so
that the scattering device widely disperses light received from the
actuated light source and the mobile telecommunications device can
be used as a general purpose lamp. [0145] 46. An illuminator
comprising: [0146] a body configured to be interconnected to a
source of power and having at least one light source carried
thereon; [0147] a scattering device associated with the body in
register with the at least one light source, the scattering device
comprising a light coupler configured for placement adjacent to the
at least one light source having a first region proximal the at
least one light source, the first region having a first index of
refraction; and a second region abutting the first region defining
a boundary therebetween, and being distal to the at least one light
source, the second region having a second index of refraction that
is less than or equal to the first index of refraction; [0148]
whereby light emitted from the at least one light source is
scattered as a result of travelling through the first region and
the second region [0149] 47. The illuminator 46 wherein the source
of power comprises at least one battery. [0150] 48. The illuminator
of 46 wherein the body comprises a lantern. [0151] 49. The
illuminator of 46 wherein the body comprises a flashlight. [0152]
50. The illuminator of 46 wherein the body comprises a mobile
telecommunications device, the source of power comprises a battery
operably interconnected to the mobile telecommunications device,
and the light source comprises a light source provided on the
mobile telecommunications device and actuatable by controls on the
mobile telecommunications device. [0153] 51. The illuminator of 50
wherein the scattering device is mounted to a case for the mobile
telecommunications device in register with the light source on the
mobile telecommunications device, whereby actuation of the light
source on the mobile telecommunications device emits light to the
scattering device so that the scattering device widely disperses
light received from the actuated light source and the mobile
telecommunications device can be used as a general purpose lamp.
[0154] 52. An illuminator comprising: [0155] a body configured to
be interconnected to a source of power and having at least one
light source carried thereon; [0156] a scattering device associated
with the body in register with the at least one light source, the
scattering device comprising a light coupler configured for
placement adjacent to the at least one light source having a first
region proximal the at least one light source, the first region
having a first index of refraction; the first region has an arcuate
outer surface in which the arcuate outer surface is concave with
respect to the at least one light source, and further comprising a
reflector disposed on at least a portion of the arcuate outer
surface of the first region; [0157] whereby light emitted from the
at least one light source is scattered as a result of travelling
through the first region and impinging on the reflector disposed on
the outer surface of the first region. [0158] 53. The illuminator
of 52 wherein the source of power comprises at least one battery.
[0159] 54. The illuminator of 52 wherein the body comprises a
lantern. [0160] 55. The illuminator of 52 wherein the body
comprises a flashlight. [0161] 56. The illuminator of 52 wherein
the body comprises a mobile telecommunications device, the source
of power comprises a battery operably interconnected to the mobile
telecommunications device, and the light source comprises a light
source provided on the mobile telecommunications device and
actuatable by controls on the mobile telecommunications device.
[0162] 57. The illuminator of 56 wherein the scattering device is
mounted to a case for the mobile telecommunications device in
register with the light source on the mobile telecommunications
device, whereby actuation of the light source on the mobile
telecommunications device emits light to the scattering device so
that the scattering device [0163] 58. An illuminator comprising:
[0164] a body configured to be interconnected to a source of power
and having at least one light source carried thereon; [0165] a
scattering device associated with the body in register with the at
least one light source, the scattering device comprising a light
coupler configured for placement adjacent to the at least one light
source having a first region proximal the at least one light
source, the first region having a first index of refraction; the
first region has an arcuate outer surface in which the arcuate
outer surface is convex with respect to the at least one light
source, and further comprising a reflector disposed on at least a
portion of the arcuate outer surface of the first region; [0166]
whereby light emitted from the at least one light source is
scattered as a result of travelling through the first region and
impinging on the reflector disposed on the outer surface of the
first region.
[0167] 59. The illuminator of 58 wherein the source of power
comprises at least one battery. [0168] 60. The illuminator of 58
wherein the body comprises a lantern. [0169] 61. The illuminator of
58 wherein the body comprises a flashlight. [0170] 62. The
illuminator of 58 wherein the body comprises a mobile
telecommunications device, the source of power comprises a battery
operably interconnected to the mobile telecommunications device,
and the light source comprises a light source provided on the
mobile telecommunications device and actuatable by controls on the
mobile telecommunications device. [0171] 63. The illuminator of 62
wherein the scattering device is mounted to a case for the mobile
telecommunications device in register with the light source on the
mobile telecommunications device, whereby actuation of the light
source on the mobile telecommunications device emits light to the
scattering device so that the scattering device widely disperses
light received from the actuated light source and the mobile
telecommunications device can be used as a general purpose
lamp.
[0172] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems. The patentable scope of the invention
is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur
to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be
within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements
that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if
they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial
differences from the literal languages of the claims.
* * * * *