Patent ID: 8727581
Filing Date: 2014-05-20
Classification: F21V,G02B,G09F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus configured to non-invasively inject light from a light source into a light transmitting medium having a first surface portion and a second surface portion directly opposite the first surface portion, the apparatus comprising: an optic having a planar exit surface and an input surface, the optic being symmetrical about a central axis of the optic; and at least one coupling material adjacent to the planar exit surface and having a refractive index greater than air, and configured for optically coupling and physically connecting the planar exit surface to the light transmitting medium; the input surface being subdivided into one or more regions or zones, each region or zone having a constant or smoothly changing surface tangent, and each region or zone being bounded by at least one discontinuity in the surface tangent so that, when the optic surrounds the light source and is optically coupled to the light transmitting medium by the planar exit surface and the at least one coupling material, the optic redirects a first amount of the light from the light source, that passes through the input surface, through the first surface portion, and into the light transmitting medium, within a range of angles between a critical angle of the second surface portion and a complementary angle to the critical angle, and redirects most or all of a remaining amount of the light from the light source, that passes through the input surface, through the first surface portion, and into the light transmitting medium, at angles greater than the complementary angle.