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:
Apr. 22, 2008
Filed:
Dec. 29, 2006
Gordon D. Henson, Lake Elmo, MN (US);
Barbara A. Debaun, Woodbury, MN (US);
Michael A. Meis, Stillwater, MN (US);
John C. Schultz, Afton, MN (US);
John J. Simbal, Lakeway, TX (US);
Ronald D. Davis, Cottage Grove, MN (US);
Gordon D. Henson, Lake Elmo, MN (US);
Barbara A. DeBaun, Woodbury, MN (US);
Michael A. Meis, Stillwater, MN (US);
John C. Schultz, Afton, MN (US);
John J. Simbal, Lakeway, TX (US);
Ronald D. Davis, Cottage Grove, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
An illumination system includes a plurality of radiation generating sources, such as LED dies. A corresponding plurality of optical waveguides is also provided, with each waveguide having a first and a second end, with each first end being in optical communication with the corresponding LED die. An array of corresponding passive optical elements is interposed between the plurality of LED dies and the corresponding first ends of the plurality of optical waveguides. The illumination system provides for substantially high light coupling efficiency and an incoherent light output that can appear to the human observer as arising from a single point of light. In addition, the light can be output remotely at one or more locations and in one or more directions.