Michael E Stack

US Patent:

20030112639, Jun 19, 2003

Filed:

Dec 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/321881

Inventors:

Michael Stack - Chicago IL, US

International Classification:

F21V008/00

US Classification:

362/552000, 362/231000, 362/555000, 362/580000

Abstract:

A compact, long-life illuminator for an optical fiber or bundle of fibers uses an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to selectively illuminate and color such fibers from within an enclosure which may be a compact, multipurpose, sealed housing. The illuminator is composed of solid-state components with no moving parts. It performs in several lighting and signage applications and has a surprisingly long life. The brightness and color of the light output from the LEDs, and changes in same over time in pre-set or variable cycles, can be set, changed, and carried out through an internal or external control board. That control board can be used in combination with an external digital multiplex (DMX) device, either hard wired or wirelessly controlled, and may be programmed by a computer system operating through a data bus management system.