Patents Examined by James P. Hughes
  • Patent number: 7515213
    Abstract: A three-dimensional image display unit comprising a liquid crystal parallax barrier provided on the surface of an image display unit such as a transmitting liquid crystal display unit across a transparent plate, wherein a shielding member such as a black mask for shielding the outgoing light of a light incident from the side surface of the transparent plate is provided in the vicinity of the boundary of the effective display area of the parallax barrier. The shielding member may be provided inside or outside the parallax barrier. Such a construction can prevent blur forming in the vicinity of the boundary of the effective display area or a deterioration in display quality such as insufficient black displaying at a part that should be black-displayed, thereby providing a three-dimensional image display unit giving a good display quality in the vicinity of the boundary of the effective display area even if it is enlarged in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Tottori Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Aramatsu
  • Patent number: 7515787
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for optically extracting discrete features of an object. With this method and device, small regions of interest or features within a relatively large object are optically extracted and collated into a single, condensed image. The condensed image contains all of the features in the original object, but not the parts of the object that are between the features. Thus, the optically extracted features can be viewed at high resolution, but in a limited field of view. Examples of objects that may be optically extracted according to the invention include spots of biomaterial on a biochip, material in wells of a microtiter plate, etc. In addition, this device and method can be used for non-planar objects. In this case, the device and method allow simultaneous visualization of spatially separated features on a surface of a 3-dimensional object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignees: The Board of Trustees of the Lelland Stanford Junior University, National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: John A. Coller, Jr., Michael J. Fero, Ian C. Hsu, Ching-Lung Huang
  • Patent number: 7512295
    Abstract: A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) chip comprising an array of modulated sources, each providing a modulated signal output at a channel wavelength different from the channel wavelength of other modulated sources and a wavelength selective combiner having an input optically coupled to received all the signal outputs from the modulated sources and provide a combined output signal on an output waveguide from the chip. The modulated sources, combiner and output waveguide are all integrated on the same chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: David F. Welch, Vincent G. Dominic, Fred A. Kish, Jr., Mark J. Missey, Radhakrishnan L. Nagarajan, Atul Mathur, Frank H. Peters, Robert B. Taylor, Matthew L. Mitchell, Alan C. Nilsson, Stephen G. Grubb, Richard P. Schneider, Charles H. Joyner, Jonas Webjorn, Drew D. Perkins
  • Patent number: 7511780
    Abstract: An active matrix liquid crystal display device includes a pixel transistor, a wiring layer, a first insulating layer, a lower electrode layer, a second insulating layer, and an upper electrode layer. The wiring layer is connected to the pixel transistor. The first insulating layer is provided on the pixel transistor and the wiring layer. The lower electrode layer is provided on the first insulating layer and used as one of a common electrode layer and a pixel electrode layer. The second insulating layer is provided on the lower electrode layer. The upper electrode layer is provided on the second insulating layer and used as the other of the common electrode layer and the pixel electrode layer. The thickness t of the second insulating layer satisfies t<[(?0?/W)×{(0.025381/P)2/6}]/(100×10?9) and t>[(?0?/W)×{(0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Epson Imaging Devices Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohide Onogi, Yasuo Segawa
  • Patent number: 7512293
    Abstract: A header-replaceable hybrid waveguide sensor comprises a header coupling section including a dielectric layer having an optical signal input section and an optical signal output section formed in one end thereof, the dielectric layer having two lines of protrusions formed on the upper surface thereof; and a polymer layer formed on and under the dielectric layer; and a sensor header including a dielectric layer having a protrusion formed on the upper surface thereof and a predetermined size of thin metal film provided therein; a polymer layer formed on and under the dielectric layer and having an opening formed in a portion corresponding to the thin metal film, the opening having a larger width than the thin metal film; and a receptor layer formed on the upper surface of the dielectric layer exposed by the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo Jin Jung, Il Kweon Joung, Dong Ho Shin, Won Hoe Koo, Gwan Su Lee
  • Patent number: 7507035
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new arrangement of the stem and the cap resistance-welded to the stem, in which the deformation induced by the welding in a portion adjacent to the projection does not cause the failure for the assembly of the module. The cap and the stem of the present module provided first and second portions. The diameter of the second portion is greater than that of the first portion such that, even the welding deforms the first portions of the cap and the stem; the deformed portion is inside of respective second portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Yabe
  • Patent number: 7502537
    Abstract: A fiber-bundle disclosed has: a bundle of a plurality of optical fibers each receives a light beam in one end and emits the light beam from the other end; and an adjuster to adjust positions of a plurality of optical fibers. The configuration can realize a wide variety of irradiation patterns easily and freely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Shinsuke Kurahashi
  • Patent number: 7502541
    Abstract: A resonator is provided which is produced by a defect formed in a three-dimensional photonic crystal. The three-dimensional photonic crystal can include layers containing a plurality of columnar structures with discrete structures in sublayers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akinari Takagi, Hikaru Hoshi, Kiyokatsu Ikemoto
  • Patent number: 7499612
    Abstract: A spectral filter comprises a planar optical waveguide having at least one set of diffractive elements. The waveguide confines in one transverse dimension an optical signal propagating in two other dimensions therein. The waveguide supports multiple transverse modes. Each diffractive element set routes, between input and output ports, a diffracted portion of the optical signal propagating in the planar waveguide and diffracted by the diffractive elements. The diffracted portion of the optical signal reaches the output port as a superposition of multiple transverse modes. A multimode optical source may launch the optical signal into the planar waveguide, through the corresponding input optical port, as a superposition of multiple transverse modes. A multimode output waveguide may receive, through the output port, the diffracted portion of the optical signal. Multiple diffractive element sets may route corresponding diffracted portions of optical signal between one or more corresponding input and output ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas W. Mossberg, Christoph M. Greiner, Dmitri Iazikov
  • Patent number: 7499611
    Abstract: A composite evanescent waveguide can include a first structured dielectric layer and a second dielectric material oriented adjacent one another to form a wave propagation interface between the first structured dielectric layer and second dielectric material. Each of the first structured dielectric layer and second dielectric material are formed of materials such that the wave propagation interface can be capable of propagating an all-evanescent surface wave. The resulting propagating surface waves tend to have low losses and can be suitable for optical communications, surface analysis, sensors, and a variety of other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Pavel Kornilovich
  • Patent number: 7489846
    Abstract: Photonic crystal sensors may be created from two and three dimensional photonic crystals by introducing defects. The localization of the optical field in the defect region affords the ability to sense small volumes of analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Annette Grot, Kai-Cheung Chow, Laura Wills Mirkarimi, Mihail M. Sigalas
  • Patent number: 7489838
    Abstract: An optical transmitter comprises an array of modulated sources having different operating wavelengths approximating a standardized wavelength grid and providing signal outputs of different wavelengths. Signal outputs of the modulated sources are optically coupled to inputs of the wavelength selective combiner to produce a combined signal output from the combiner. The wavelength selective combiner has a wavelength grid passband response approximating the wavelength grid of the standardized wavelength grid. A first wavelength tuning element is coupled to each of the modulated sources and a second wavelength tuning element is coupled to the wavelength selective combiner. A wavelength monitoring unit is coupled to receive a sampled portion the combined signal output from the wavelength selective combiner. A wavelength control system is coupled to the first and second wavelength tuning elements and to the wavelength monitoring unit to receive the sampled portion of the combined signal output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: Fred A. Kish, Jr., Charles H. Joyner, David F. Welch, Robert B. Taylor, Alan C. Nilsson
  • Patent number: 7488122
    Abstract: An optical waveguide or first optical fiber whose one end optically connects with a light exit plane and/or light incidence plane of an optical element and whose other end optically connects with an second optical fiber and a connector for mechanically connecting the optical waveguide or the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber are included. The optical waveguide or first optical fiber is bent in order to change the traveling direction of light so that the light incoming from one end is emitted from the other end substantially in parallel with a board and the light incoming substantially in parallel with the board to the optical waveguide or first optical fiber from the other end is emitted from one end toward the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Youichi Hashimoto, Junichi Sasaki, Ichiro Hatakeyama, Kazuhiko Kurata
  • Patent number: 7486849
    Abstract: An optical switch, comprising an optical resonator, a first input optical waveguide optically coupled to the optical resonator for guiding a first optical signal to the optical resonator; a second input optical waveguide optically coupled to the optical resonator for guiding a second optical signal to the optical resonator; and an output optical waveguide optically coupled to the optical resonator for guiding a third optical signal from the optical resonator, wherein the optical resonator has a first region and at least one separate second region made of different materials, at least one of which is non-linear to cause different resonance frequencies of the optical resonator for different intensities of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Rainer F. Mahrt, Nikolaj Moll
  • Patent number: 7484898
    Abstract: An optical connector included a ferrule defining an optical axis and a holding member holding the ferrule. The ferrule includes a flange portion having a positioned portion. The holding member includes a first and a second beam portions faced to each other, a third beam portion adjacent to the first and the second beam portions, and a fourth beam portion faced to the third beam portion. At least one of the first and the second beam portions has elasticity. At least one of the third and the fourth beam portions has elasticity. At least one of the first and the second beam portions includes a contacting portion contacted with the flange portion in an optical axis direction and holding the ferrule. At least one of the third and the fourth beam portions includes a positioning portion engaged with the positioned portion to prevent the ferrule from being rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Naoki Katagiyama, Yuichi Koreeda, Yasutaka Hiroki
  • Patent number: 7483614
    Abstract: There is disclosed an optical fiber wherein an absolute value of the fourth order dispersion ?4 of fourth derivative ?4 of propagation constant ? with respect to angular frequency ? at a mean zero dispersion wavelength ?0 in an overall length is not more than 5×10?56 s4/m and wherein a fluctuation of a zero dispersion wavelength along a longitudinal direction is not more than ±0.6 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Hirano, Tetsuya Nakanishi, Toshiaki Okuno
  • Patent number: 7483099
    Abstract: A liquid crystal device includes a pair of substrates that face each other, a liquid crystal layer that is interposed between the pair of substrates, electrodes that are formed on opposing surfaces of the pair of substrates so as form a plurality of subpixel regions, in each of which a reflective display region having a light-reflective film reflecting light and a transmissive display region transmitting light are provided, and an insulating layer that is formed between one of the pair of substrates and the liquid crystal layer such that a thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the reflective display region is smaller than a thickness of the liquid crystal layer in the transmissive display region. The insulating layer is formed to have a first film thickness in the reflective display region, and is provided between the transmissive display region of a predetermined subpixel region and the transmissive display region of a subpixel region adjacent to the predetermined subpixel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Epson Imaging Devices Corporation
    Inventors: Kimitaka Kamijo, Hideki Kaneko, Katsuhiro Imai, Tomoyuki Nakano
  • Patent number: 7477347
    Abstract: A liquid crystal device in which a reflective display region for performing reflective display and a transmissive display region for performing transmissive display are provided in one dot region, includes a first substrate and a second substrate disposed so as to be opposite to each other with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween; a first electrode and a second electrode provided on a surface of the first substrate which faces the liquid crystal layer, each of the first and second electrodes applying an in-plane electric field to the liquid crystal layer in the one dot region, and a reflective portion dielectric film provided on the first electrode and/or the second electrode in the reflective display region, the reflective portion dielectric film making a capacitance between the first and second electrodes in the reflective display region smaller than a capacitance between the first and second electrodes in the transmissive display region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiharu Matsushima, Hideki Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7477822
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of components with optical fibers and of associated optical fibers. The invention relates, on the one hand, to a component with optical fiber including an at least partly bent optical fiber (2) which successively comprises, from the center to the periphery, an optical core (10) based on silica, an optical cladding (11) based on silica, and a coating (12) having a transparency to infrared radiation larger than 85%. On the other hand, the invention relates to an optical fiber, successively comprising, from the center to the periphery, an optical core (10) based on silica, an optical cladding (11) based on silica, and a coating (12) having a transparency infrared radiation larger than 85%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Draka Comteq B.V.
    Inventors: Damien Lariviere, Sebastien Andre, Stephane Gauchard
  • Patent number: 7477807
    Abstract: A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) chip comprising an array of modulated sources, each providing a modulated signal output at a channel wavelength different from the channel wavelength of other modulated sources and a wavelength selective combiner having an input optically coupled to received all the signal outputs from the modulated sources and provide a combined output signal on an output waveguide from the chip. The modulated sources, combiner and output waveguide are all integrated on the same chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Infinera Corporation
    Inventors: David F. Welch, Vincent G. Dominic, Fred A. Kish, Jr., Mark J. Missey, Radhakrishnan L. Nagarajan, Atul Mathur, Frank H. Peters, Robert B. Taylor, Matthew L. Mitchell, Alan C. Nilsson, Stephen G. Grubb, Richard P. Schneider, Charles H. Joyner, Jonas Webjorn, Drew D. Perkins