Illuminant and method

Abstract

An illuminant that also functions as decorative wallpaper or as an architectural decoration is disclosed. The illuminant may include a light generation part such as an organic light emitting material, a light guide such as a tapered light guide, and a surface pattern. The light source generates the light that is guided to small opening in the surface pattern to provide illumination. The surface pattern may be formed as a decoration or subsequently processed to form the decoration.

1 - 13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . A method of making an illuminant comprising: 
 forming a light guide that guides light emitted from an organic light emitting material into a plurality of apertures of a surface pattern; and    decorating the surface pattern with a colorant material such that a desired pattern results.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the desired pattern is decorative.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the desired pattern is functional.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the desired pattern is formed by dying the surface pattern.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the desired pattern is formed by printing a colored material on the surface pattern.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the desired pattern is formed from a photosensitive material.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the photosensitive material is a positive photosensitive material.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the photosensitive material is developed by light emitted from the plurality of apertures.  
   
   
       22 - 32 . (canceled)  
   
   
       33 . A method of forming an illuminant comprising: 
 coating an array of tapered light guides with a negative photoresist, the array of tapered light guides having tips;    passing light through the array of tapered light guides to illuminate a portion of the negative photoresist;    developing the negative photoresist;    depositing a material on the array of tapered light guides to form a layer;    stripping the portion of the negative photoresist such that the layer adjacent the tips is removed; and    depositing a resin after stripping the portion of the negative photoresist.    
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the layer is a decorative layer.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the decorative layer is formed from a colored material.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the decorative layer is a metal film.