초록

An apparatus for visual illumination comprised of a display surface, including a phosphor material. At least one light emitting semi-conductor device is (LED) positioned to radiate the phosphor material. The LED emits electromagnetic radiation in a range which excites the phosphor material.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for illumination comprising a display surface including a patterned phosphor or phosphor containing material and shaped to illuminate a gauge or dial, and at least one light emitting semi-conductor device or laser diode positioned to excite said phosphor material, said light emitting

1. An apparatus for illumination comprising a display surface including a patterned phosphor or phosphor containing material and shaped to illuminate a gauge or dial, and at least one light emitting semi-conductor device or laser diode positioned to excite said phosphor material, said light emitting semi-conductor device emitting electromagnetic radiation in a range which excites said phosphor material.2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said patterned phosphor or phosphor containing material is in a shape of letters or numbers.3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least two phosphors having different radiation excitation states are included.4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein multiple light emitting semi-conductor devices or laser diodes are employed.5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein at least two of said multiple light emitting semi-conductor devices or laser diodes emit radiation at different wavelengths.6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a diffuser is provided between said light emitting semi-conductor device or laser diode and said patterned phosphor or phosphor containing material.7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light emitting semi-conductor or laser diode emits electromagnetic radiation in the blue or UV range.8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said patterned phosphor or phosphor containing material is dispersed within the display surface.9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said patterned phosphor or phosphor containing material is coated on the surface of the display element.10. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said at least two phosphors having different radiation excitation states are used as separate patterns in said display surface.11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least two phosphors generating radiation at different wavelengths are included.12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said at least two phosphors are excited at the same wavelength.13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said display surface is generally planar.14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said display surface is generally non-planar.15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a filter blocking transmission of at least a portion of the light by said light-emitting semi-conductor device, said filter positioned between said at least one light emitting semi-conductor and an inlead portion for viewing the display surface.16. A vehicle dashboard comprising a display surface including a plurality of gauges or dials, a plurality of LED(s) positioned to radiate electromagnetic radiation on said display surface, and said gauges or dials including at least one phosphor which is excited by the electromagnetic radiation of said LED(s) to produce light in a visible spectrum.17. An apparatus for illumination comprising a display surface including a patterned phosphor disposed on or in a film, said film being laminated to the display surface, and at least one light emitting semi-conductor device or laser diode positioned to excite said phosphor material, said light emitting semi-conductor device emitting electromagnetic radiation in a range which excites said phosphor material.18. An apparatus for illumination comprising a display surface including a patterned phosphor or phosphor containing material and at least one unpackaged light emitting semi-conductor device or laser diode positioned to excite said phosphor material, said light emitting semi-conductor device emitting electromagnetic radiation in a range which excites said phosphor material.