WO2000007039A1 - Displays - Google Patents
Displays Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2000007039A1 WO2000007039A1 PCT/GB1999/002482 GB9902482W WO0007039A1 WO 2000007039 A1 WO2000007039 A1 WO 2000007039A1 GB 9902482 W GB9902482 W GB 9902482W WO 0007039 A1 WO0007039 A1 WO 0007039A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- light
- polymer
- fluorescent
- fluorescent dye
- doped
- Prior art date
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/0126—Opto-optical modulation, i.e. control of one light beam by another light beam, not otherwise provided for in this subclass
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B1/00—Optical elements characterised by the material of which they are made; Optical coatings for optical elements
- G02B1/04—Optical elements characterised by the material of which they are made; Optical coatings for optical elements made of organic materials, e.g. plastics
- G02B1/045—Light guides
- G02B1/046—Light guides characterised by the core material
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
- G02B6/0003—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being doped with fluorescent agents
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- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/011—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour in optical waveguides, not otherwise provided for in this subclass
Definitions
- the present invention describes a method in which polymers doped with 7 fluorescent dyes can be used to fabricate display elements and illumination systems 8 for use in applications such as road signs, advertisement displays, toys etc whereby 9 the use of external electrical power is not required.
- the fluorescent dyes with o which these polymers are doped absorb ambient light, before emitting light which 1 is conducted by the polymer host material to the end of the fibre where the emitted 2 light is of a much greater light power density than the light power density of the 3 ambient light.
- the optical power density from the fluorescent polymer is higher than the optical power of the ambient light.
- the ratio between these optical power densities does not depend on the ambient light conditions as long as they are sufficient for excitation of the fluorescent dye.
- the suggested new technology does not require any external electrical power because it is extracting light power directly from ambient light (sunlight or artificial light).
- the suggested new technology is inherently safer compared to conventional electrical power based technologies it does not use any external or internal voltages and/or currents for its operation.
- Another advantage of using the suggested new technology is associated with the fact that it does not require maintenance since it does not use electrical cables.
- Fluorescent dye doped polymers are used to collect ambient light through the introduction of red, green and blue light emitting fluorescent dyes into a polymer host material. The colour of the emitted light can be changed into a required specification through variation of the dyes incorporated into the polymer.
- the light power density at the end of the fibre can be made much larger than the light power density of the ambient light and therefore can be used for illumination or display applications. Furthermore, the contrast between the light power density at the end of the fibre and the light power density of the ambient light remains constant because this parameter only depends on the geometrical and material parameters for a given polymer, but does not depend on the ambient light conditions.
- the end of the fibres can be used as light emitting pixels in an array. By modulating the light intensity at the end of each fibre selectively, the fibre array can be used as a display device.
- FIG. 1 The principle of operation is shown in Figure 1 wherein an optical fibre polymer is shown to be doped with fluorescent dye molecules.
- a transparent polymer film or sheet could also be chemically doped or blended with a fluorescent dye.
- the fluorescent dye should have a high quantum efficiency for converting natural light or indoor light into some visible colour.
- an optically transparent polymer such as an optical fibre, a film or sheet which is doped or blended with organic fluorescent dye molecules for use in visual display wherein fluorescent light is generated when artificial ambient light, daylight or sunlight enters the doped polymer or optical fibres.
- the transparent polymer is chosen from the group comprising PMMA, polycarbonate and polystyrene. 1
- 3 fluorescent dye molecules are chosen from the group comprising PBD, Bis-MSB,
- the preferred polymer constitutes an optical fibre
- the length of the fibre is between 0.2 and 1.6 meters.
- the devices may further comprise shutters to control emission from the individual 8 fibres in a device.
- 9 o Preferably where there exists a flat panel display or sheet embodiment of this 1 invention, the bottom surfaces and edges of the polymer film are covered with a highly reflective additional layer which acts as a mirror performing the role of total internal reflection of all light entering into the polymer.
- the top surface of the polymer shall be covered with a dielectric stack mirror.
- this stack it is constituted of an alternating sequence of two dielectric films with alternately high and low refractive indices.
- composition of this dielectric stack is such that the aforementioned stack shall act as an interference filter to allow nearly 100% transmission of light from air into the polymer for wavelengths used for excitation of the dye. Further this aforementioned stack has nearly 100% reflection for light wavelengths emitted from the fluorescent dyes.
- the dielectric layers can be vacuum evaporated, spin coated or sputtered onto the surface of the polymer.
- thin films of two different polymers can be applied to the polymer surface sequentially and vacuum pressed and/or thermally treated for each layer.
- This method has the advantage that it allows larger areas to be covered by the dielectric stack mirror.
- cladding can also be used for the same purpose although the efficiency is not as good as with the dielectric stack mirror.
- the present invention can be adapted for display purposes as the fluorescent light emitted from the dye can be coupled out from the polymer at the top surface by emitting or removing the dielectric stack mirror at a given surface area and by making an uneven or grated surface at the polymer air interface.
- the grating structure should be maximised for maximum diffraction for the emitted fluorescent light wavelength.
- the replacement of the bottom mirror layer of the dielectric stack mirror, identical to the one applied to the top surface allows a combined reflective and transmissive mode of light collection and display operation.
- an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention provides a further combination of dielectric stack and mirror combinations while using the principles previously described.
- the dielectric stack mirror is applied on both sides of the transparent polymer-dye matrix but no side mirrors are applied. Consequently the fluorescent light generated inside the polymer will be waveguided towards the edges of the polymer.
- the invention also provides methods for producing displays as set out herein.
- Figure 1 describes the principles of Fluorescent Dye Doped Optical
- Figure 2 shows Absorption- Emission spectra of Nile Red in Polystyrene
- Figure 3 shows Absorption-Emission spectra of Coumarin 6 in Polystyrene
- Figure 4 shows Absorption-Emission spectra of BisMSB in Polystyrene
- Figure 5 shows NR 0.04 wt% + C6 in Polystyrene vs. wavelength.
- Figure 6 illustrates Nile Red + Coumarine 6 in Polystyrene.
- Figure 7 illustrates Abso ⁇ tion - Emission Area of Nile Red 0.04 % + Coumarine 6 + Bis MSB.
- Figure 8 illustrates Quantum Yield of Coumarin 6 in polystyrene.
- Figure 9 shows Abso ⁇ tion - Emission Area of Coumarin 6 in Polystyrene.
- Figure 10 shows Quantum Yield of Bis MSB in Polystyrene.
- Figure 11 illustrates Arrangement for light scattering/ Abso ⁇ tion measurements.
- Figure 12 describes Scattered light intensity from polycarbonate red and green fibres.
- Figure 13 demonstrates Polycarbonate Fibres/ Polycarbonate with red/green laser
- Figure 14 demonstrates Intensity of green/red fibre in sunlight while fibres are partially covered (normalised and an average of 7 measurements/ y-errors equal 2 sigma.
- Figure 15 shows Structure of Light Emitting Polymer in combined reflective and transmissive mode.
- Figure 16 shows the structure of Light Emitting Polymer in the Edge emitting.
- Figure 18 demonstrates GREEN1 Transmittance.
- Figure 20 demonstrates RED1 Transmittance l Figure 21 shows a display in full sunlight conditions.
- Figure 23 shows a display in late evening condition (two hours after sunset).
- the intensity of the fluorescent light at the end of the optical waveguide depends 0 on the following physical parameters; 1 2 Ambient light intensity 3 Overlap of the spectral distribution of the ambient light and the light abso ⁇ tion of 4 the fluorescent dye 5 Abso ⁇ tion coefficient of the dye in the light abso ⁇ tion region 6 Abso ⁇ tion coefficient of the polymer core and polymer cladding in the light 7 abso ⁇ tion region 8 Abso ⁇ tion coefficient of the polymer core and polymer cladding in the fluorescent 9
- optical power flux emitted at a selected spectrum of wavelengths from the end of the waveguide at an increased flux than the flux of the ambient light i.e. optical amplification is obtained.
- Figure 2 Absorption-Emission spectra of Nile Red in Polystyrene; shows the abso ⁇ tion (excitation) and emission spectra of polystyrene polymer doped with 0.01, 0.02 and 0.05 wt% of Nile Red fluorescent dye.
- the dye absorbs the ambient light in the wavelength region from ⁇ 300 nm to -570 nm and re-emits the light in the wavelength region from ⁇ 570 nm to ⁇ 670 nm.
- Figure 3 Absorption-Emission spectra of Coumarin 6 in Polystyrene; shows the abso ⁇ tion and emission spectra of polystyrene polymer doped with 0.07, 0.09 and 0.15 wt% of Coumarin fluorescent dye.
- the dye absorbs the ambient light in the wavelength region from ⁇ ⁇ 250 nm to ⁇ - 510 nm and re-emits the fluorescent light in the wavelength region from ⁇ ⁇ 510nm to ⁇ 560 nm.
- Figure 4 Absorption-Emission spectra of BisMSB in Polystyrene; shows the abso ⁇ tion and emission spectra of polystyrene polymer doped with 0.02 and 0.04 wt% of Bis MSB fluorescent dye.
- the dye absorbs the ambient light in the wavelength region from ⁇ - 250 nm to ⁇ - 410 nm and re-emits the fluorescent light in the wavelength region from ⁇ ⁇ 410 nm to ⁇ ⁇ 470 nm.
- Figure 14 Intensity of green/red fibre in sunlight while fibres are partially covered (normalised and an average of 7 measurements/ y-errors equal 2 sigma); demonstrates that the fluorescent light generation under sunlight excitation is saturated after ⁇ 60 cm length of the fibre. This is because the extra light generated in the middle of the fibre is scattered out or absorbed within the core. Comparison of Figure 14 with Figure 13, shows a good agreement, confirming the nature of light losses.
- Figure 15 Structure of Light Emitting Polymer in combined reflective and transmissive mode; shows the structure of a polymer and the positioning of a dielectric stack relative to it.
- Figure 16 Structure of Light Emitting Polymer in the Edge emitting Mode; shows the dielectric stack use in relation to an optical fibre polymer, where the dielectric stack mirror provides a band pass antireflection - reflection layer which acts as an abso ⁇ tion free band pass filter for transmitting all of the spectral region of the ambient light for excitation of the fluorescent dye but reflects all of the emitted fluorescent light back to the sample.
- Figure 17 GREEN Reflectance; demonstrates the Reflectance spectrum of the dielectric stack described in Table II. The reflectance is nearly zero in the wavelength region from ⁇ 350 nm to 430 nm. This means that this spectral region
- Figure 18 GREEN1 Transmittance; demonstrates the Transmittance spectrum 8 of the same dielectric stack as described in Table H
- the Transmittance is ⁇ 80 % 9 in the spectral region from ⁇ 350 nm to 430 nm. This allows the light to be o transmitted for excitation.
- the transmittance is nearly zero in the 1 spectral region from 450 nm to 550 nm.
- Comparison of Figure 18 with Figure 3 2 shows that the zero transmittance region corresponds to the spectral region of green 3 fluorescent light emitted by C6.
- FIG. 19 RED1 Reflectance; demonstrates the reflectance spectrum of a 9 dielectric stack for a dielectric stack mirror designed with specification detailed in o Table fll. The reflectance has a nearly zero value in the spectral region from - 350 1 nm to - 500 nm. Comparison of Figure 19 with Figure 2 shows that the zero reflectance region corresponds to the abso ⁇ tion region of the Nile Red dye in Polystyrene. Alternatively, nearly 100 % reflectance region ( ⁇ 530 nm to 650 nm ) corresponds to the light emission spectral region of the Nile Red in Polystyrene.
- Figure 20 RED1 Transmittance; demonstrates the transmittance spectrum of the same dielectric stack as described in Table III. Comparison of Figure 20 with Figure 2. confirms that the high transmittance region corresponds to the spectral region of Nile Red abso ⁇ tion in Polystyrene.
- Figures 21, 22 and 23 show a constant contrast of fluorescent polymer based i display; where Figure 21 shows the display in full sunlight conditions, Figure 22 2 shows the display in cloudy conditions and Figure 23 shows the display in late 3 evening condition (two hours after sunset).
- the photographs shown in figures 20, 4 21 and 22 demonstrate the concept of "constant contrast" between the light emitted s from the end of the fibres and the intensity of the ambient light. 6 7 It is already stated earlier that the contrast between the light power flux emitted 8 from the end of the fibre and the ambient light power flux is constant because this 9 property does not depend on the ambient light intensity.
- any transparent polymer can be used as core and/or cladding material.
- the choice is limited by the compatibility of the polymer core with the 6 fluorescent dye and the requirement for employing high refractive index material 7 for the polymer core and low refractive index material for the polymer cladding. 8 Polymers are favoured over glasses for several reasons such as low temperature 9 processing capability (for fibres and polymer mouldings), compatibility with 0 organic fluorescent dyes and good mechanical properties (strength and flexibility).
- any fluorescent dye compatible with any transparent polymer can be used for this pu ⁇ ose.
- the choice is limited by the compatibility of the fluorescent dye with the polymer core, the required colour, and the stability and lifetime.
- the contrast between the light power density emitted from the polymer and the light power density of the ambient light remains constant because this parameter is not effected by ambient light conditions as long as they are above a critical level and instead relies on the material parameters.
- Typical examples for the core are; polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene, polycarbonate, cyclic olefin copolymers, or any similar transparent polymer, commercially available as either monomers of polymers from Aldrich, BASF, Bayer, GE Plastics, Ticona or other suppliers.
- PMMA polymethylmethacrylate
- polystyrene polystyrene
- polycarbonate polycarbonate
- cyclic olefin copolymers or any similar transparent polymer, commercially available as either monomers of polymers from Aldrich, BASF, Bayer, GE Plastics, Ticona or other suppliers.
- fluorescent dye examples include; Coumarin 6 (green fluorescent dye) , Coumarin 7 (green fluorescent dye), Coumarine 314 (green fluorescent dye) 1,8- Diphenyl-1,3,5,7, - octatetrene (yellow fluorescent dye) Nile Red (red fluorescent dye), Bis-MSB (blue fluorescent dye), Cresyl Violet Perchlorate (red fluorescent dye), Sulforhodamine 101 (red fluorescent dye) , Sulforhodamine 640 (red fluorescent dye), commercially available from Aldrich or Exciton, or other suppliers.
- the fluorescent dyes can be inco ⁇ orated into the core polymers by any suitable method, including: 1. Dissolving the dyes in the monomer and then carrying out bulk polymerisation to produce a cast sheet or rod preform (for fibre drawing). 2. Melt compounding of dyes into polymer using either a batch internal mixer, or continuous compounding equipment (such a single screw extruder or a twin screw extruder).
- Polymerisation is carried out directly from the monomer (with dye dissolved in it) or more often from a monomer-polymer syrup approximately 20-40 weight percent of polymer.
- the fluorescent dye Prior to polymerisation, the fluorescent dye is dissolved in the monomer. This is a preferred method for dissolution because of the simplicity of the process and because there is no need to apply an extra solvent which would decrease the efficiency of the dye in the host matrix.
- the fluorescent dye concentration in the monomer is in the range of 0.005 weight % to 0.2 weight %.
- the polymerisation is carried out in the temperature range from 20°C to 50°C in steps over 5 hours and keeping the material for 12 hours at 50°C.
- the slow process helps control the exotherm effect during polymerisation. If the material is overheated during the polymerisation, volatile monomer can produce bubbles inside the material resulting in defects and optical non-uniformities within the final polymer product. Therefore it is important to control the polymerisation temperature range.
- other polymerisation techniques may be used, for example using ultra-violet light. By such a method rods can be cast in glass tubes to produce polymer (dye) rods approximately 25 mm in diameter and 1 metre in length suitable for drawing into optical fibres.
- Optical fibre drawing of the rods can be based on the rod in tube method using a process similar to that used for glass optical fibre (though at a very much lower temperature).
- a polystyrene (Coumarin 6) rod is placed inside a PMMA tube.
- the rod in tube structure is surrounded by an oven which has a temperature around 265°C.
- the oven heats up the rod in tube structure and consequently the viscosity of both the rod and the tube decreases to a value close to that of the liquid phase.
- a tension is applied via a wheel and belt system to the rod in tube structure. The combined effect of temperature and tension results in fibres drawn from the rod in tube.
- the internal core is drawn from the rod and the outer cladding is drawn from the tube.
- Polystyrene has a higher refractive index so it is used as the core material and polymethylmethactrylate has a lower refractive index so it is used as the cladding material.
- polymer (dye) -polymer, core- clad fibre such as continuous extrusion.
- the core is extruded and the cladding applied by: coextrusion at the die-head; downline by crosshead die extrusion (similar to that used for wire covering); or solution coating.
- a typical example of co-extruded fibre is polycarbonate core with fluoropolymer cladding, but the same method can be used for polystyrene fibres clad with polymethylmethacrylate.
- a polycarbonate (dye) core with a suitable low refractive index fluoropolymer such as FEP or amo ⁇ hous Teflon, (both produced by DuPont) for cladding can be used to make fluorescent optical fibres.
- Figure 1 describes the structure of the light emitting polymer in reflective mode.
- the transparent polymer is chemically doped or blended with a fluorescent dye.
- the fluorescent dye should have a high quantum efficiency for converting natural light or indoor light into some visible colour.
- the bottom surface and edges of the polymer are covered with a highly reflective additional layer which acts as a mirror and ensures that all light entering through the top surface is fully reflected back into the polymer.
- the top surface of the polymer is covered with a dielectric stack mirror which comprises two dielectric films with alternating high and low refractive indices.
- This dielectric stack serves as an interference filter allowing 100% transmission of light from the air to the polymer for the wavelengths used for excitation of the fluorescent dyes doped within the polymer.
- the dielectric stack however has a near 100% reflection for light wavelengths emitted from the fluorescent dyes doped within the polymer.
- the dielectric layers can be vacuum evaporated, spin coated or sputtered onto the surface of the polymer.
- thin films of two different polymers with two different refractive indices can also be applied to the polymer surface sequentially vacuum pressed and/or thermally treated for each layer. This method allows larger areas to be covered by the dielectric stack mirror.
- cladding can also be applied for the same pu ⁇ ose although the efficiency is not as good as with dielectric stack mirror.
- the fluorescent light emitted from the dye can be coupled out from the polymer at the top surface by emitting or removing the dielectric stack mirror at a given surface area and by making an uneven or grated surface at the polymer/air interface.
- the grating structure should be maximised for maximum diffraction for the emitted fluorescent light wavelength.
- the contrast of the display defined as the intensity of the fluorescent light
- the device described above can be used to display letters, characters, symbols etc i by using natural or artificial light from the environment and converting this light 2 into a characteristic colour of fluorescent light and directing it (by total internal 3 reflection or by interference) into the display area.
- By selecting the appropriate 4 dye-polymer combination and by maximising the ratio of light collecting area 5 divided by light emitting display area of a contrast of 10: 1 or larger can be 6 achieved for display pu ⁇ oses.
- This contrast is independent from the ambient 7 lighting conditions. It is emphasised again that this device does not consume any 8 electrical power. However, the device will not provide enough light for the display 9 pu ⁇ oses when the ambient light intensity decreases below a critical level.
- FIG. 15 An alternative example of the invention is shown in Figure 15.
- a combined reflective and transmissive mode of light collection 7 and display operation is also possible.
- the principle of operation is shown in 8 Figure 15.
- a combined reflective and transmissive mode of operation is 9 particularly useful for displays fixed on the inside of shop windows. Again as in o the reflective mode of operation, the contrast for displaying information is 1 independent of ambient lighting conditions.
- a third mode of operation is shown in Figure 15.
- a dielectric stack mirror is applied on both sides of the transparent polymer-dye matrix but no side mirrors are applied. Consequently the fluorescent light generated inside the polymer will be waveguided towards the edges.
- the value of fluorescent light intensity 12 (mW/cm7nm) at the edges is directly proportional to the R2;
- the devices described above can be used to display letters, characters, symbols etc by using natural or artificial light from the environment and converting this light into a characteristic colour of fluorescent light and directing it by total internal reflection or by interference into the display area.
- a contrast of 10: 1 or larger can be achieved for display pu ⁇ oses. This contrast being independent from ambient lighting conditions.
- a method in which fluorescent dye doped polymer based optical wave-guide structures such as optical fibres, arrays of fibres, woven arrays of fibres, rods, sheets, folded sheets and moulded shapes of arbitrary geometry can be used to fabricate display and/or illumination elements for a range of applications such as road signs, traffic signs, safety signs, fixed advertisements, animation, dynamic display elements, toys, games lamps etc., without the usage of external electrical power thus saving energy.
- a method in which display elements fabricated from fluorescent dye doped polymer wave-guide structures can provide a constant contrast between the light 1 power flux emitted from the wave-guide structure and the light power flux of the ambient light. This is a unique feature as compared to conventional electrically powered display elements.
- a method in which a dielectric stack mirror layer fabricated on the surface of flat panels, sheets, and/or moulded surfaces and any other optical elements described above can be used to improve the efficiency and the contrast of those optical
- 9 o A method in which the efficiency of the fluorescent dye doped polymer based i optical wave-guide structures can be improved by optimising the refractive index 2 of the cladding layer.
- 3 4 A method in which fluorescent dye doped polymer based optical wave-guide s structures can provide optical amplification of the emitted fluorescent light by 6 optimising the wave-guide geometry, the composition of the dye (or dye mixtures) 7 the dye concentrations, and the polymer host.
- 8 9 A method in which fluorescent dye doped polymer based optical wave-guide 0 structures can provide a range of colours in the visible spectrum (from red to blue) i by absorbing the ambient light (artificial and/or sunlight) and converting them into 2 the required colour specification depending on the specific choice of the dye and 3 the polymer.
- 9 panel charges the battery during the daylight hours, when the light source is not 0 required.
- An example of such a device and the principles involved, is shown in i Figure 23. 2 3 24 hour' traffic lights. 4 5
- a 6 system can be designed to simulate traffic lights, with the sequence control 7 circuitry, light sensor and night light powered using the solar panel / battery 8 combination (as detailed in "24 hour' road signs' application).
- An example of such 9 a device and the principles involved, is shown in Figure 24. 0 1 2 Fixed advertisements: 3 4 These can take one of several primary forms, or combinations of these forms.
- the 5 first form is that of fibres / rods, as used in the '24 hour road signs, but without 6 using any shuttering process, i.e. they continuously display an unchanging image, 7 whether that image is in the form of characters, symbols, logos, or in the style of a 8 picture, or in some combination of these. 9
- the lengths of fibres / rods would not be shown, only the artwork as would be seen o from the front is displayed.
- the second form is that of a contoured sheet format, where the edges of the sheet emit light and form the display; this can take the form of characters, shapes, logos.
- the third format is that of a sheet which has a dielectric stack mirror coated onto the surface.
- An example of such a device and the principles involved, is shown in Figure 25.
- the pu ⁇ ose of the coating is to allow sunlight to penetrate into the sheet material, and to energise the inco ⁇ orated dye, but then to trap the fluorescent light produced within the sheet, by reflecting these fluorescent wavelengths back from the surface coating.
- By selectively removing parts of the coating light is permitted to escape from the sheet, and this forms the basis of a display. In this way, characters, symbols, logos, diagrams etc. can be produced.
- Operation of doped material during the hours of darkness can also be achieved using material which can absorb light from street lights (from the sodium D lines 589.0 and 589.6 nm) and convert it to red fluorescent light.
- material which can absorb light from street lights (from the sodium D lines 589.0 and 589.6 nm) and convert it to red fluorescent light Typical materials, along with their maximum excitation wavelength ( ⁇ acm! ⁇ ) and their maximum emission wavelength ( ⁇ emx _. ) are :
- Fibres can be transformed into flowers, where the long stem gathers the sunlight and the head / petals etc. emit the fluorescent light. Doll's hair and cat's whiskers can also use this approach.
- Sheet format can be used to produce structures which are colorful and strong, yet virtually transparent, where its edges emit fluorescent light e.g. a doll's house, where the interior decoration / furniture can be viewed through the exterior walls, and the light is emitted from around the windows / door / roof edges etc. to give the impression of a 'magic' house.
- Moulding of the material into different shapes can be done. These shapes may either be hollow or solid, and could produce a range of toys which are tough and durable, yet can inco ⁇ orate special features, such as 'shining' eyes, ears, a laser gun which emits 'laser' light, or a number of other accessories for toys / movie theme characters .
- a car track can be designed to reveal an effect similar to 'shining' cat's eyes; a toy garage can have its sign illuminated; lights illuminating the floor of a small swimming pool; windows which appear to have a light switched on inside the room of a toy house etc.
- Games which utilise the capture of sunlight, with the subsequent emission of a range of visible colours can be designed.
- the peg As the peg is pushed through the sheet of light absorbing material, it comes into contact with the sheet of light-emitting material, and this allows the light to pass into the peg, which then becomes illuminated.
- Fibres have a certain amount of light 'leaking' out along its length. This is dependant upon the refractive indices of both the doped material and the substance in contact with this material, and also on the amount the material is bent. From these facts, there are three techniques which can be applied to improve peoples' l safety in dark conditions or when poor visibility exists.
- the second and third techniques involve the same principles of injecting light into 0 the fibre as the one just described.
- the second technique makes use of the i fact that a bend in the fibre will cause an increased amount of light to leak out. This 2 may be useful where an increased amount of light is necessary in order to be seen 3 (e.g. in smoke-filled rooms). Also, the spacings between the bends can be utilised 4 to inform the people which is the quickest way out of the room (e.g. decreasing 5 spaces indicates the way out).
- the third technique makes use of the substance in contact with the doped material. s If a substance which has a refractive index similar to the doped material is placed 9 in contact with it, then an increased quantity of light will leak out.
- Jogging shoes could also benefit in a similar way. They would be more easily seen by motorists, and so help to avoid accidents.
- Cars, motorcycles and cyclists can also benefit from fitting sections of this fluorescent material onto their external surfaces, so that other motorists / pedestrians can see them more easily.
- This can take the form of a warning strip which can be seen on e.g. all four sides of a car.
- This application would be for daytime use, and the existing system of runway lighting would be used during the hours of darkness.
- a range of accessories can be designed to take advantages of the materials' light- emitting qualities. These include raincoats with edges that shine, clothes or cloth, patches, broches, rings, jewellery, necklaces, bangles etc.
- candles with a light-emitting 'flame' and Christmas tree lights 24 hour bus arrival scheduler.
- a solar panel can be used to charge a battery which provides power for the communications receiver and the electronically-controlled shuttering for the display.
- a back-up night light can be provided to enhance the visibility of the display in conditions where the street lights are poor. This would also be powered by the battery.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU52938/99A AU5293899A (en) | 1998-07-29 | 1999-07-29 | Displays |
GB0102045A GB2357515B (en) | 1998-07-29 | 1999-07-29 | Displays |
DE69927165T DE69927165T2 (en) | 1998-07-29 | 1999-07-29 | Optical fiber for display applications |
AT99938430T ATE304181T1 (en) | 1998-07-29 | 1999-07-29 | OPTICAL FIBER FOR DISPLAY APPLICATIONS |
EP99938430A EP1110108B1 (en) | 1998-07-29 | 1999-07-29 | Optical fibre for display application |
CA002338860A CA2338860A1 (en) | 1998-07-29 | 1999-07-29 | Optical fibre for display application |
US11/014,390 US7260297B2 (en) | 1998-07-29 | 2004-12-16 | Displays |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB9816490.8A GB9816490D0 (en) | 1998-07-29 | 1998-07-29 | Fluourescent fibres |
GB9816490.8 | 1998-07-29 | ||
GBGB9820064.5A GB9820064D0 (en) | 1998-09-16 | 1998-09-16 | Energy saving displays |
GB9820064.5 | 1998-09-16 |
Related Child Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09744709 A-371-Of-International | 1999-07-29 | ||
US11/014,390 Continuation US7260297B2 (en) | 1998-07-29 | 2004-12-16 | Displays |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2000007039A1 true WO2000007039A1 (en) | 2000-02-10 |
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PCT/GB1999/002482 WO2000007039A1 (en) | 1998-07-29 | 1999-07-29 | Displays |
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US (1) | US7260297B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1110108B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE304181T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU5293899A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2338860A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69927165T2 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2357515B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2000007039A1 (en) |
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Cited By (5)
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WO2004042272A1 (en) * | 2002-11-05 | 2004-05-21 | Fluorosolar Systems Limited | A light collector |
WO2009010060A1 (en) * | 2007-07-13 | 2009-01-22 | Lkf Vejmarkering A/S | A light emitting device using a woven fabric, a pole unit, and a system for using such |
EP2487218A1 (en) * | 2011-02-09 | 2012-08-15 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Polymeric matrix with organic phosphor and manufactory thereof |
WO2012107852A1 (en) * | 2011-02-09 | 2012-08-16 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Polymeric matrix with organic phosphor and manufactory thereof |
US9153753B2 (en) | 2011-02-09 | 2015-10-06 | Koninklijke Philips N.V. | Polymeric matrix with organic phosphor and manufactory thereof |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE69927165T2 (en) | 2006-06-14 |
AU5293899A (en) | 2000-02-21 |
DE69927165D1 (en) | 2005-10-13 |
US20050111813A1 (en) | 2005-05-26 |
ATE304181T1 (en) | 2005-09-15 |
EP1110108A1 (en) | 2001-06-27 |
GB2357515A (en) | 2001-06-27 |
CA2338860A1 (en) | 2000-02-10 |
GB0102045D0 (en) | 2001-03-14 |
EP1110108B1 (en) | 2005-09-07 |
GB2357515B (en) | 2003-04-09 |
US7260297B2 (en) | 2007-08-21 |
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