The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 10, 2003
Filed:
Sep. 11, 1998
Yasuhiro Osawa, Sendai, JP;
Tetsuro Saitoh, Sendai, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An optical apparatus uses an array of light-emitting elements (LEDs or ELs) and a focusing optical system. Light emitted from the light-emitting elements of the array is directed to the focusing optical system within narrowed solid angles, thereby raising overall light utilization efficiency, with the help of recesses, each shaped as an inverted conical frustum, centered at respective light-emitting elements, to collect light from the light-emitting elements and deliver it to the focusing system within narrower solid angles, as both direct light and indirect light reflected from the slanting side walls of the recesses. The side walls of the recesses can have a reflecting film to further enhance overall light utilization efficiency. Lenses can be formed integrally with the array, to further help focus the light delivered to the focusing optical system.