Illumination device for simulating neon or similar lighting using phosphorescent dye

An illumination device, comprising:

• a plurality of light-emitting diodes emitting light of a predetermined first color;
• and
• a light color conversion system, including:
• a light-receiving surface positioned adjacent said light-emitting diodes;
• a light-emitting surface;
• and
• phosphorescing dye emitting light of a predetermined hue following absorption of light from said light-emitting diodes, wherein light observed along the light-emitting surface of said light color conversion system is perceived as having a color different than the predetermined first color of light emitted by said light-emitting diodes;
• and
• a substantially rod-like member having a predetermined length, a light-receiving surface and a light-emitting surface, said rod-like member being composed of a material that has both optical waveguide and light scattering properties, the light-receiving surface of said rod-like member being positioned adjacent the light-emitting surface of said light color conversion system for receiving light from the light-emitting surface of the light color conversion system, the light-emitting surface of the rod-like member for emitting said light with a substantially uniform intensity distribution to simulate neon lighting.

An illumination device, comprising:

• a light source emitting light of a predetermined first hue;
• a substantially rod-like member having a predetermined length and positioned adjacent said light source, said member being composed of a material that has both optical waveguide and light scattering properties so as to preferentially scatter light along the length of said rod-like member;
• and
• a light-transmitting medium generally composed of a matrix of light-transmitting material and a phosphorescing dye, said light-transmitting medium including a light-receiving surface for receiving light emitted from said light source and a light-emitting surface for emitting light into said rod-like member, said phosphorescing dye emitting light of a second hue following absorption of light from said light source, wherein a collective light ultimately emitted from said rod-like member has a substantially uniform intensity along the length of said rod-like member.

An illumination device, comprising:

• a plurality of light-emitting diodes arranged in an elongated pattern and emitting light of a predetermined first color;
• and
• a light color conversion system, including:
• a substantially rod-like member having a predetermined length, a light-receiving surface along the length of said rod-like member, and a light-emitting surface, the light-receiving surface of said rod-like member being positioned adjacent the light-emitting diodes for receiving light from the light-emitting diodes;
• and
• phosphorescing dye contained in said substantially rod-like member, said phosphorescing dye for emitting light of a predetermined hue following absorption of light from said light-emitting diodes, wherein light observed along the light-emitting surface of said rod-like member is perceived as having a color different than the predetermined first color of light emitted by said light-emitting diodes.

An illumination device comprising:

• a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for emitting light of a predetermined first hue;
• a light-transmitting medium composed of a matrix of substantially translucent material doped with a predetermined density of phosphorescent dye, said light-transmitting medium positioned adjacent said plurality of LEDs for receiving said light of said first hue, converting a portion of said light of said first hue to a second hue, and emitting light of said second hue;
• and
• a waveguide positioned adjacent said light-transmitting medium, said waveguide having a light-receiving surface and a light-emitting surface, said waveguide having both optical waveguide and light scattering properties;
• wherein a portion of said light of said first hue passes around the light-transmitting medium and reaches said waveguide directly, without passing through said light-transmitting medium;
• and
• wherein said light of said first hue and light of said second hue are received by the light-receiving surface of said waveguide and mixed to create a perceived hue along the light-emitting surface of said waveguide.

An illumination device for simulating neon or similar lighting comprising:

• a light source for emitting light of a predetermined first hue;
• a light-transmitting medium composed of a matrix of substantially translucent material having a first region that is substantially transparent, a second region that is doped with a predetermined density of a first phosphorescent dye, and a third region that is doped with a predetermined density of a second phosphorescent dye, said light-transmitting medium positioned adjacent said light source for receiving said light of said first hue, and emitting:
• light of said first hue passing through said first region;
• light of a second hue converted by said first phosphorescent dye from said second region;
• and
• light of a third hue converted by said second phosphorescent dye from said third region;
• and
• an elongated, rod-like waveguide positioned adjacent said light-transmitting medium, said waveguide having a light-receiving surface and a light-emitting surface, said waveguide having both optical waveguide and light scattering properties, whereby said light of said first hue, light of said second hue, and light of said third hue are received by the light-receiving surface of said waveguide, mixed to create a perceived hue and a substantially uniform intensity, and emitted at the light-emitting surface of said waveguide to simulate neon lighting.

An illumination device, comprising:

• a plurality of light-emitting diodes emitting light of a predetermined first color;
• and
• a light color conversion system, including:
• a light-receiving surface positioned adjacent said light-emitting diodes;
• a light-emitting surface;
• and
• phosphorescing dye emitting light of a predetermined hue following absorption of light from said light-emitting diodes, wherein light observed along the light-emitting surface of said light color conversion system is perceived as having a color different than the predetermined first color of light emitted by said light-emitting diodes;
• a substantially rod-like member having a predetermined length, a light-receiving surface and a light-emitting surface, said rod-like member being composed of a material that has both optical waveguide and light scattering properties, the light-receiving surface of said rod-like member being positioned adjacent the light-emitting surface of said light color conversion system for receiving light from the light-emitting surface of the light color conversion system, the light-emitting surface of the rod-like member for emitting said light with a substantially uniform intensity distribution to simulate neon lighting;
• and
• a housing extending substantially the predetermined length of said rod-like member and housing said plurality of light-emitting diodes and associated electrical accessories.

An illumination device, comprising:

• a light source emitting light of a predetermined first hue;
• a substantially rod-like member having a predetermined length and positioned adjacent said light source, said member being composed of a material that has both optical waveguide and light scattering properties so as to preferentially scatter light along the length of said rod-like member;
• a light-transmitting medium generally composed of a matrix of light-transmitting material and a phosphorescing dye, said light-transmitting medium including a light-receiving surface for receiving light emitted from said light source and a light-emitting surface for emitting light into said rod-like member, said phosphorescing dye emitting light of a second hue following absorption of light from said light source, wherein a collective light ultimately emitted from said rod-like member has a substantially uniform intensity along the length of said rod-like member;
• and
• a housing extending substantially the predetermined length of said rod-like member and housing said light source and associated electrical accessories.