Method and system for illuminating an object and light source for use therein
OwnerMyron J. Czubko, G. Neil Haven +1inventors
InventorsMyron J. Czubko, G. Neil Haven, Terry J. Stefanski
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Abstract
A method, system and light source provide concentrated illumination from a multi-fiber optical light guide suitable for use where intense illumination is needed. The light from a plurality of high-intensity light emitting diodes is physically coupled into a corresponding plurality of sub-millimeter diameter optical fibers. The optical fibers are combined with appropriate optics to form a flexible illumination system ideal for the intense illumination of small areas. This method and system are designed for applications such as medicine and dentistry where size, weight, wattage, lifetime, and operating temperature of the light source are important considerations.
Claims21
A method for illuminating an object, the method comprising:
- controllably emitting light at a first array of separate locations;
- collecting a portion of the light emitted at the first array of separate locations at a corresponding second array of separate locations adjacent the first array of separate locations;
- transmitting the light collected at the second array of separate locations to an illumination plane;
- and
- substantially collimating transmitted light passing through the illumination plane to form a frustum of light for illuminating the object.
A system for illuminating an object, the system comprising:
- an array of discrete light sources;
- a controller for controllably energizing the discrete light sources so that the light sources emit light;
- a light guide including an array of optical fibers supported adjacent the array of discrete light sources for collecting a portion of light emitted by the array of discrete light sources and transmitting the collected light to an illumination plane;
- and
- an optical element positioned adjacent the illumination plane for substantially collimating transmitted light passing through the illumination plane to form a frustum of light for illuminating the object.
A multi-colored light source for use in a system which illuminates a part of a human with high intensity light, the light source comprising:
- a substrate;
- and
- an array of multi-colored, separately controllable, LEDs supported on the substrate and arranged so that color balance and level of intensity are controllable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.