Patent ID: 7513072
Filing Date: 2009-04-07
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A manufacturing method for production of an edge-illuminated sign with one or more figures having a large relief effect and a strong luminescence, the method comprising: providing a transparent, light guiding material having a surface; forming a relief of a figure having a surface recessed in the light guiding material by using a laser beam to vaporize the light guiding material in proportion to an input amplitude- and frequency-controlled amount of laser power; and controlling the laser beam using a master program that makes the laser beam scan a line pattern for burning light guiding material to create the relief at the same time as the laser beam is modulated by a frequency that controls the amplitude of the input power to the laser and thereby creates a microscopic screen pattern on the surface of the relief at the same time as an image program is superposed to control the amplitude and scanning frequency, so that the input laser power with amplitude variations proportional to the relief of the figure will burn at different depths and thereby form the relief of the figure such that the entire relief of the figure is recessed in the light guiding material, wherein the microscopic screen pattern provides a strong luminescence.