Timex Corporation

Jose Santana

Harold Thorgersen

Andrew C Ledesma

John T Houlihan

Bruce H Kamens

Lyman R Daigle

Surendar K Bhan

John Dixon

A lighting system utilizing an optical fiber is provided. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, light rays from a light source are focused into an outer end of the optical fiber wound in a spiral shape. The light rays are focused in by a ball lens. In one embodiment, the spiral shape optical fiber is enclosed by a casing having a reflective inner surface along the periphery and the bottom; however, there is an aperture in the casing to permit light rays from the light source to reach the outer end of the spiral shape optical fiber.

Fiber optic lighting system

The method and structure for providing surface designs to electroluminescent (EL) lamps involves two essential steps. First, a layer of transflective material is introduced to the EL lamp comprising a transparent substrate and front and back electrodes sandwiching an electroluminescent layer and an insulating layer. The layer of transflective material reflects incident ambient light and transmits light emitted by an energized electroluminescent layer. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the layer of transflective material replaces the front electrode of the EL lamp. Second, a predetermined surface design is provided to the transparent substrate to enhance diffusion and fringing of both the reflected incident ambient light and the light emitted by the energized electroluminescent layer. This enhanced diffusion and fringing leads to a visually appealing appearance.

Method of manufacturing electroluminescent lamps having surface designs

An alarm clock has a motion sensor, a time display comprising an electroluminescent dial, a manual alarm actuator with a lip cover and a flashlight actuator. When the manual alarm actuator is set in the ON position, any movement (e.g., waving a hand) in the field of view of the motion sensor causes the electroluminescent dial to become activated to a first brightness level. Furthermore, when the alarm is sounding, any movement in the field of view of the motion sensor silences the alarm for a preselected time interval, before the sounding of the alarm is resumed ('snooze' function). In the OFF position for the manual alarm actuator, the lip cover covers the motion sensor so that motion detection is prevented. When the flashlight actuator is actuated, the electroluminescent dial becomes activated to a second brightness level. The second brightness level is noticeably brighter than the first brightness level. The alarm clock has circuit means coupled to a driving circuit for the electroluminescent dial for selecting either the first or the second brightness level.

Motion controlled clock with alarm and flashlight features

The method of manufacturing electroluminescent timepiece dials having three-dimensional indicia and to timepiece dials produced by this method. A subdial having the indicia projecting therefrom is affixed to the bottom of the electroluminescent dial. Three-dimensional effect is created when the projecting indicia are received by apertures in the electroluminescent dial.

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Woodbury, CT, United States of America

Jose Santana