Abstract:
A UV-LED is incorporated into a variety of different illumination and radiation devices suitable for illuminating indicia associated with a CD/CDRW/DVD storage medium, gauges, promotional displays, knobs or buttons for automotive or electronic devices, as well as ornaments and air purification by decomposition. The indicia are made of a material responsive to UV emissions to render the indicia visible. The devices may be used in motor vehicles, commercial promotions and displays, electronic devices with the UV-LED&#39;s oriented to direct the UV emissions toward the indicia and even positioned in a manner for air purification. Embodiments are presented for UV-LED&#39;s from above, the side, and underneath said embodiments of the invention.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/437,425 filed Jan. 2, 2003; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/465,460 filed Apr. 28, 2003; incorporated herein by reference. This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/751,204 filed Jan. 2, 2004.  
         [0002]     The subject matter of this application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/139,660 filed May 7, 2002, entitled “Improvements in Illumination Devices for Watches and other Instruments”, incorporated herein by reference, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,738. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     A. Field of the Invention  
         [0004]     This invention relates generally to an improvement in illumination devices such as indicator gauges, which may comprise a meter panel, directional gauges, used for example in motor vehicles, illumination of a storage medium such as a DVD or CD, poster or picture which are illuminated under poor lighting conditions and an air purification system all of which utilize UV-LED&#39;s.  
         [0005]     B. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0006]     In my U.S. patent Pending application Ser. No. 10/139,660 and a notice of allowance on Nov. 4, 2003, incorporated herein by reference, I have described various applications using UV-LED&#39;s. The following concepts comprise various extensions to the basic patented invention of the patent.  
       OBJECTIVE AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     It is, accordingly, an objective of the present invention to extend the above-mentioned uses of UV-LED&#39;s and provide a new and improved system through which sufficient illumination or radiation can be provided to both indicia of interest as well as logos and other decorative elements.  
         [0008]     It is another objective of the present invention to provide an improved illumination device for viewing storage medium such as DVD&#39;s or CD&#39;s in low light or in the dark.  
         [0009]     Another objective of the invention is to provide an improved illumination of indicia, numbers, or logos on knobs or control buttons in a vehicle or an electronic device such as a stereo system.  
         [0010]     Another objective of the invention is to provide illumination from underneath or behind an instrument or gauge for use in an automobile.  
         [0011]     Another objective of the invention is to provide illumination of commercial or consumer advertising such as posters or pictures.  
         [0012]     A further objective is to provide an air purification system using UV-LED&#39;s that would decompose organic materials rather than absorb.  
         [0013]     The present invention seeks to attain these objectives by disposing a light emitting element, on, inside or in close proximity of the center, sides, above or behind in an orderly, systematic or random placement and rendered light emissive or is activated by means of an electronic circuit which is installed within or in close proximity of said article.  
         [0014]     More particularly, the light source is disposed either on an inner surface or is imbedded within the cover or article itself, in such a manner that is aesthetic but functional and virtually invisible to the viewer.  
         [0015]     In many instances various objects must be observable in the dark or under low lighting conditions. In instances where it is not possible, or it is inconvenient to provide full illumination, low level lighting is provided to light the observed object either directly, laterally, using edge-effect type lighting or using backlight type illumination (wherein the light source is built into or disposed behind the object to be observed). However, these solutions have been found to be unsatisfactory because they provide mediocre lighting at best. Moreover, in many instances these types of devices are not pleasing esthetically.  
         [0016]     For example, most automobiles, motorcycles or aeronautical vehicles use some form of interior and/or instrument illumination for visibility at night or in low visibility conditions. This illumination system is usually based on electroluminescent (EL), incandescent or LED devices, which require special controls, power supplies, dimmers and so on.  
         [0017]     Another example where improved illumination would be useful are knobs and buttons for automotive and electronics such as a stereos. Under poor lighting conditions most knobs or buttons are provided with little or no illumination and accordingly they are very hard to see.  
         [0018]     One effective means of lighting objects comprise so-called black lights. This type of lighting is particularly desirable for providing illumination under low lighting conditions and are especially useful when used in combination with fluorescent inks or objects having fluorescent colors applied on the object being illuminated. However, until now, all black light sources comprised high voltage tubes or incandescent lamps that have been coated with a filter adapted to transmit UV light and block most visible light. Typically these filters do allow a small amount of light to escape from the tube in the violet range so that the light can be seen with the naked eye when turned on.  
         [0019]     Similarly, a UV light source can be positioned in close proximity or within the housing of a CD/DVD and used to illuminate a fluorescent or phosphorescent treated storage medium such as a CD or DVD for viewing in low light or in the dark.  
         [0020]     As an integrated unit within a commercial display unit or around a frame or template the UV light source would be positioned for maximum illumination. Under the most efficient circumstances a single UV-LED light source could be positioned above the illuminated object at a predetermined distance for effective illumination but in manner that insures that it will not interfere with the users vision or periphery. The UV light source could be made to provide a broad radial pattern over the entire area or modified with a directional cone or shield focusing the light to the desired area for illumination.  
         [0021]     Inks or other materials responsive to UV light (such as fluorescent and phosphorescent inks etc.) are applied onto or processed into the storage medium such as a CD or DVD, knob or button, and could be made into shapes, diagrams, logos, images or numerals in multiple colors such as red, green, yellow, orange, blue or purple.  
         [0022]     A UV light source can also be used to decompose organic material. This can prove to be most effective in air purification when the UV source is positioned to intersect the airflow in a manner that would irradiate airborne organic material. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0023]     The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the appended drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate like parts, and in which:  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of a storage medium;  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  shows a laptop computer adapted to provide lighting in accordance with this invention;  
         [0026]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show a storage medium in accordance with this invention;  
         [0027]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  shows a front view of a storage medium in a protective jewel case;  
         [0028]      FIG. 5  shows a device for displaying and promotion of items in accordance with this invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 6  shows schematically an automotive center console with various lighting arrangements in accordance with this invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 7A -C show of a picture frame;  
         [0031]      FIG. 8A -E show a knob;  
         [0032]      FIG. 9A -G shows details of a gauge; and  
         [0033]      FIG. 10A -D shows a device for air purification. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]      FIG. 1  shows a typical storage media  18  such as CD, a DVD, a CDRW or other similar electronic storage medium. The media has a top surface that is provided with a label  22  that has been preferably treated with fluorescent or phosphorescent ink or other similar material that is responsive to UV light, as discussed in more detail below. The term label is used herein broadly to cover a pure layer of UV responsive material deposited directly on the disc, as well as labels formed of substrates with inks deposited thereon. Moreover, disc  18  may have one or more such labels on its top side, bottom side and/or circumferential perimeter.  
         [0035]     The label may include or be provided in the form of a design, image, logo or indicia and, because it is responsive to UV light, it glows or fluoresces when exposed to a UV light source. It is important to note that phosphorescent materials store the UV radiation and release the energy as visible illumination for an extended length of time even when the UV source is removed or disabled. This is especially helpful for identification or inspection purposes or during low visibility conditions.  
         [0036]     The labels can produce commercially, or using an office or home printer with software capable of designing and printing labels using fluorescent or phosphor inks.  
         [0037]      FIG. 2  shows a laptop computer  10  with a keyboard  12  illuminated by a UV source  14 . In addition, on one side, the laptop has a drive including a tray  16  for selectively holding a disc  18 , as shown. At least one UV source such as a UV-LED  20  is positioned inside or over the tray to illuminate the disc  18 . The UV-LED may also be positioned adjacent to the tray, in close proximity to the tray, could pivot from a protected position within the tray or the housing of the laptop  10 . The UV-LED can be spring loaded so that as the tray  16  is opened, the UV-LED pops-up in a position from which it can illuminate the label  22  on disc  18 . The same principles may be used to position the UV-LED in a standard computer, a portable clam shell device such as a Sony Walkman®, a clam shell device on a vertical or horizontal electronic stereo system, or even in a container used to store the disc  18 .  
         [0038]     In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , when the tray  16  opens the UV-LED  20  activates, remaining in the ‘on’ position until the tray is closed. The UV-LED  20  can also be activated by a button (not shown) that is remotely operated, or positioned near the tray  16 . The button can also be on the surface of the disc  18 . The button could also be preprogrammed to activate in different increments, such as in three-second intervals, or randomly.  
         [0039]     A disc body  18 A can also be provided with a prepackaged label  22  to form the disc  18 , the label bearing a design, image, logo or indicia and treated with phosphorescent or fluorescent materials allowing illumination under ultraviolet light, as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B .  
         [0040]     What makes this idea novel is that a disc can be viewed in the dark using ultraviolet light. This reading of the disc is both novel and practical in a dark room, a club or vehicle. With the advent of UV-LEDs it will make it practical to focus a single LED onto the treated storage medium and read the, artist, song, design, image, logo or indicia without activation of visible illumination.  
         [0041]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  shows a case (or jewel box)  24  holding disc  18  with a transparent or translucent cover  26 . At least one light source, preferably a UV-LED  28  is positioned above the disc  18 , for example secured to cover  26 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 4B , two or more UV-LEDs  28  may be positioned in the case around the disc  18  as shown. When the UV-LED is activated, it excites the phosphorescent or fluorescent inks on the label  22 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 5  shows a display case  30  having a display zone holding several discs  18  with or without cases  26 . The display case  30  further includes lateral walls  34  and an end wall  36  with a horizontal extension  42 . At least one but preferably a plurality of UV-LEDs  38  are positioned on the sidewalls  34  or the extension  42 . The UV-LEDs are systematically or random activated in order to excite the images, logos, designs or indicia which could be located on the display case, such as the wall  40 , as well as the jewel boxes  26  within the display zone  32 . Moreover, the zone  32  could also be used to hold watches or other products that have elements treated with phosphorescent or fluorescent materials. This display case  30  is effective for retail sales, trade shows and to draw attention to the products contained therein.  
         [0043]      FIG. 6  shows at least one UV-LED  50  positioned in automotive dashboard  52  in close proximity to the ejection system of a CD or DVD player  56 . An automotive player  56  does not customarily have a tray but ejects the disc  18 . The UV-LED  50  could be located from within the dashboard  52 , over, or from the side but in close proximity of the ejection area and when the disc is ejected it could illuminate in preprogrammed or random increments; such as three-second intervals. A separate activation button could be placed on the face of the electronic system, or on a remote control.  
         [0044]     Other UV-LEDs can be positioned on, or in close proximity of other parts of the automotive center console  58 . The UV-LEDs are positioned over, in a recessed or indented cavity, from the side but nonetheless provide individual UV illumination for a button, knob or the like. This button or knob could be for adjustment of the heat, cold, ventilation, or even a clock. The button, knob or clock face could be treated with a phosphorescent or fluorescent material, which absorbs the electromagnetic radiation and releases the stored energy as visible illumination even after the UV-LED is deactivated.  
         [0045]      FIGS. 7A, 7B , and  7 C show a picture frame  70  holding a picture  72  formed of an image, logo or design  74  on a substrate  76  of canvas, paper or other materials. The picture frame can hold, for instance, a promotional movie poster in a movie theatre. The picture  72  is encased or surrounded by edges  68  and a back panel (not shown). The edges  68  have a thickness and ability to support a plurality of UV-LEDs  78 . Each UV-LED  78  (in this, and all the other embodiments) can be mounted on a flexible circuit  75  shown in FIG.  7 B imbedded in the edges  68 . As seen in  FIG. 7A , the UV-LEDs  78  are positioned to radiate and to provide illumination to the picture  72  and excite the UV responsive elements  74 . Preferably, a 10× UV-LED “tin can” structure is used with a wide radial pattern but UV-LEDs with narrow radial patterns can be pinpointed to specific areas of the picture  72 . The UV-LED “tin can” package could be connected to the flexible circuit  75  and could be positioned along the inner recesses of a frame or structure for cosmetic and esthetic reasons. The zones  74  are made from or treated with fluorescent and/or phosphorescent materials together with visible paints.  
         [0046]     Alternatively, instead of being imbedded in the frame, the UV-LEDs can be mounted on cantilevered supports extending over the picture  72 . The frame  70  can also include a protective sheet  77  made of plastic or glass, and the cantilevered UV-LEDs can be secured to the sheet  77 . The UV-LEDs  78  can also be mounted straight on the sheet  77  and connected to thin, almost invisible conductors, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,486,561 incorporated herein by reference. The UV-LEDs would be angled to illuminate radiation towards, or from the side or from behind the picture  72 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 7C  shows a frame  70 C that is a smaller version of the frame  70  in  FIG. 7A , and can provide UV illumination for a smaller picture  72 C. The UV-LEDs  78 C are positioned to illuminate radiation towards or along the surface, the sides or from behind the picture. The UV-LEDs are provided in “tin can” packages soldered to a flexible circuit or could be independently positioned to allow maximum illumination in a specified location. Ideally the illumination would provide an even distribution of illumination along the surface, sides or from behind the picture  72 C.  
         [0048]      FIGS. 8A, 8B  show an electromagnetic radiation device, preferably a UV-LED “tin can”  80  positioned under a knob  82  in a recessed area with the radiation pointed downward or sideways at a surrounding disc- or saucer-shaped dial  84  that is treated with phosphorescent or fluorescent material. The dial  84  is provided with an image, logo, design, numerals or other indicia  33  and glows when it becomes excited by the UV radiation. The knob  82  and dial  84  can be part of an electronic device. The image or indicia on dial  84  can have varying degrees of color intensity starting, for example, from the 7 o&#39;clock position  86  toward the 5 o&#39;clock position  88 . The UV-LEDs render the indicia clearly visible under low lighting conditions or in the dark.  
         [0049]      FIG. 8C , shows the top view of another knob  82 C and dial  84 C. The knob  82  C includes at least one UV-LED  80 C positioned and oriented to radiate at an angle downward, sideways or towards the indicia  83 C made from or treated with phosphorescent or fluorescent materials. As the knob  82 C or dial  84 C is turned the UV-LED excites only the portion of the indicia  83 C directly in front of, or below the UV-LED  80 C. The indicia  83 C can also have numerous colors, which can correspond to various parameters, such as volume or intensity. Alternatively, the UV-LED  80 ,  80 C is connected to a current source that has a variable output indicative of a preselected parameter, and the intensity of the image  83 ,  83 C is then related to the parameter. The intensity of the UV-LED  80 ,  80 C can also be varied as the knob  82 ,  82 C is turned around its axis.  
         [0050]     Another embodiment (not shown) includes an electromagnetic radiation device, preferably a UV-LED, on or around the interior center aperture or on the inside of the outer perimeter of a knob that could have an image (including logo, indicia or information recessed so that the UV-LED is angled from the side but could be above the image. The image is treated with or made from phosphorescent or fluorescent materials so that when the UV-LED emits radiation, the image stores the energy and releases it as visible illumination even after the UV-LED is turned off. The recessed knob can have a clear or translucent cover over the entire knob so that the image is not worn from daily usage and also act as a protective cover from damage. This recessed knob is very effective in automotive, motorcycles, or aeronautics for viewing in low light or in the dark.  
         [0051]      FIGS. 8D and 8E  show one or more electronic storage mediums such as a CD or DVD  81  mounted in an appropriate player  85 . The player includes a read head  87  using a cantilever support. At least one UV-LED  80  is positioned on the top, the side, underneath or in close proximity of the read head and releasing electromagnetic radiation toward the surface of medium  81  to excite the image  83 D formed thereon. The player  85  includes several knobs  82  and dials  84  as shown.  
         [0052]      FIGS. 9A-9F  show another type of a gauge  90  on an instrument panel. For example, the gauge can be a speedometer or tachometer on a dashboard of a vehicle. The gauge includes a disc shaped top layer  91  with a central flange  92 .  
         [0053]     The second layer  93  of the gauge shown in  FIG. 9B , is in the shape of a saucer or plate with a center aperture  94  receiving the flange  91 . On the outer perimeter of second layer there are images  95  that may include numbers, dashes or other indicia. The images  95  are made from or include fluorescent or phosphorescent materials  
         [0054]      FIG. 9C  shows the two layers  91  and  93  jointed connected at the center flange  92 .  
         [0055]      FIG. 9D  shows a circuit board  96  with a center aperture  97  and a plurality of UV-LEDs  98 . Additional electronics (not diagramed) are also deposited on the circuit board  96  as required. The electronics and the UV-LEDs  98  are provided with power by conductors  96 A ending with connecting terminals  96 B.  
         [0056]     As shown in  FIG. 9E , the circuit board  96  sandwiched between the layers  91  and  93 . The UV light from the UV-LEDs  98  travel between the two layers to illuminate the images  95  on the outer perimeter.  
         [0057]     The embodiment of  FIG. 9F  is similar to  9 E with the exception that the circuit board  96  is attached to the undersurface of layer  91 . The undersurface of layer  91  and the top surface of layer  93 , could have reflective coatings therefore allowing the maximum electromagnetic radiation to reach the outer perimeter and image  95 .  
         [0058]      FIG. 9G , is a top view of the gauge  90 . When the UV-LEDs  98  are activated the phosphorescent or fluorescent image  95  is excited and releases energy as visible illumination. A needle  99  is mounted on top of the layer  91  and is rotatable by a shaft (not shown) passing through layers  91  and  93 .  
         [0059]     Alternatively, 4 UV-LEDs in “tin cans” can be mounted just underneath the surface of the tachometer or speedometers face, allowing only the top part of the “tin can” to show through the surface, but far enough through the surface to allow the 180-degree electromagnetic radial pattern along the top of the surface. If any part of the perimeter were treated with fluorescent or phosphorescent material, it would become excited and release the stored energy as visible illumination.  
         [0060]      FIG. 10A-10D  show a device that uses high intensity UV-LEDs  100  that are set up to generate a cross hatching effect, creating an invisible sheet or plane of UV-rays  102 . The UV-LEDs  100  generate radiation the ultraviolet spectrum, providing an effective solid-state method of air purification where the organic materials are decomposed, eliminating airborne bacteria. The UV-LEDs  100  could be spaced evenly, randomly, in a cluster or in a radial alignment on a frame  104  to provide a radiation zone. The frame  104  is attached to or integrated with an air processing apparatus such as an air conditioner, humidifier, dehumidifier, heater, etc., in a car, airplane, office, home, etc. The frame  104  is positioned so that an air flow or stream A from or within the apparatus passes through the field  102  and airborne bacteria particles are destroyed. The UV-LEDs could be positioned in front or behind an exiting air filter. The UV-LEDs could be designed to activate when the air processing apparatus is turned on, allowing outside air into the interior of the automobile or air purification during an emergency situation. As the airborne particles or bacteria enters the ventilation and is passed through the UV-LED&#39;s electromagnetic radiation, they are quickly and efficiently decomposed, providing safety from outside airborne particles and bacteria.  
         [0061]     Obviously, numerous other modifications may be made to the invention without departing from its scope as defined in the appended claims.