US 5,293,437 A · Fiber optic display with direct driven optical fibers

Abstract

An image transfer system includes a display (10), which has associated therewith a plurality of pixels formed by optical fiber ends (12) which provide the terminating end of a plurality of optical fibers disposed in a fiber optic bundle (14). The opposite end of the optical fibers in the fiber optic bundle (14) are disposed on a display module (16), which is operable to generate a transferred image through the fiber optic bundle (14). Each of the optical fibers associated with the display module (16) have associated therewith a light emitting diode (LED) (20). Each of the LEDs (20) are operable to directly drive each of the associated optical fibers. The LEDs (20) are arranged in a display array (30) and are controlled to generate information associated with a given pixel. The optical fiber ends (12) are fabricated with a tapered configuration such that the end of each of the associated optical fibers tapers from a narrow dimension to a wider diameter, this being a linear taper on the end thereof. This provides an expansion of the optical fiber along its length.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An image transfer device, comprising:

a two dimensional display surface defining a two dimensional array of pixels;
a plurality of optical fibers having first and second ends with said second ends arranged in a two dimensional array corresponding to said two dimensional array of pixels on said display, each of said second ends abutting against a corresponding one of said pixels on said display surface, and said first ends arranged in a two dimensional array;
a plurality of light emitters arranged in a two dimensional array on a monolithic planar substrate, each of said light emitters associated with a corresponding one of said first ends of said optical fibers and each of said light emitters operable to emit light at a predetermined wavelength into said associated first end of said optical fibers, each of said light emitters operable to be selectively turned off or on and have the light intensity thereof varied when on;
and
a pattern generator for controlling each of said light emitters to be on or off and also for controlling the light intensity thereof when on, said pattern generator determining which of said light emitters is on in order to emit light in accordance with a predetermined pattern and also controlling the intensity of the emitted light in accordance with said predetermined pattern.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fiber optic display with direct driven optical fibers

Life of this patent

Fiber optic display with direct driven optical fibers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16