Illumination devices for watches and other instruments
AssigneeLuminary Logic Ltd.
InventorsMichelle Jillian Fuwausa, James L. Thompson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A UV emitter is incorporated into a variety of different illumination devices suitable for illuminating indicia associated with dials on watches, gauges and other instruments, as well as ornaments. The indicia is made of a material responsive to UV emissions to render the indicia visible. The devices may be used in motor vehicles and other devices. In addition, a conductor arrangement is also provided that can be used to support the UV emitter under the transparent cover of watches or gauges, with the UV emitter oriented to direct the UV emissions toward the indicia. Embodiments are presented for UV emitters on top of dials with indicia, laterally from the dials, or even under the dials.
Claims20
In a watch having a case with a dial and a crystal disposed on top of said dial, an illumination apparatus comprising:
- a radiation emitter disposed in said watch and including a lensless semiconductor junction adapted to generate radiation in the UV region and generating a broad UV light beam;
- and
- at least one indicia disposed on said dial, said indicia being responsive to said UV light beam, wherein said indicia is made of a material selected from the group consisting of a phosphorescent and fluorescent material.
An ornamental device comprising:
- a case having a base and a transparent cover, with an image affixed to said base and visible through said cover, said image including image elements responsive to UV light, said image elements being made of a material selected from the group consisting of a phosohorescent and fluorescent material;
- and
- a radiation emitter disposed above said base and including a lensless semiconductor junction arranged to form a UV light beam directed to said image.
In a vehicle having at least one device, an illumination apparatus comprising:
- a radiation emitter disposed in said vehicle and including a semiconductor junction without a focusing lens adapted to generate a wide UV beam;
- and
- indicia responsive to said UV beam and attached to said device, said indicia being made of a material selected from the group consisting of a phosphorescent and fluorescent material.
In a watch having a case with a dial and a crystal disposed on top of said dial, an illumination apparatus comprising:
- a radiation emitter disposed in said watch and including a semiconductor junction adapted to generate radiation in the UV region and generating a broad UV beam;
- and
- at least one indicia disposed on said dial, said indicia being responsive to said UV beam, wherein said indicia is made of a material selected from the group consisting of a phosphorescent and fluorescent material.
In a vehicle having at least one device, an illumination apparatus comprising:
- a radiation emitter disposed in said device including a semiconductor junction adapted to generate a wide UV beam;
- and
- indicia responsive to said UV beam and attached to said device, said indicia being made of a material selected from the group consisting of a phosphorescent and fluorescent material.
An apparatus for providing illumination for an electronic device having a plurality keys, comprising:
- a radiation emitter including a semiconductor junction adapted to generate a wide UV beam;
- and
- indicia associated with said keys and responsive to said UV beam, said indicia being made of a material selected from the group consisting of a phosphorescent and fluorescent material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.