Patents Examined by Meghan K. Dunwiddie
  • Patent number: 8366300
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an ornamental pond fish feeding indicator that has a housing with an indicator end. A first LED is enclosed in the housing at the indicator end of the housing. A second LED is also enclosed in the housing at the indicator end of the housing. A temperature sensing circuit is enclosed in the housing. The temperature sensing circuit transmits a signal to the first LED and the second LED. A float is attached to the housing. Using this invention, a pond owner can simply glance at his or her pond and determine whether or not to feed their fish based on the color of the light on top. The light on top of the indicator is red when pond water is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If the pond water is 50 degrees or over, the light is green.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: K & H Manufacturing
    Inventor: James Donald Koskey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8087810
    Abstract: Modular panels can be attached to a substratum, e.g. a wall or ceiling, to display an actively lighted star field. Each panel displays a respective subarea of the star field, the panels being attached onto the substratum in edgewise juxtaposed relationship according to the star field. Each panel defines a set of apertures extending through the panel and distributed over the panel according to the panel's respective subarea. On a back face of each panel is a set of light pipes respectively corresponding to the panel's set of apertures, each light pipe being illuminated by a light emitting diode. Panels can include twinkling stars, constant stars, and/or shooting stars, and energization of the corresponding light emitting diodes is constant or varied accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: Chris Isaacson
  • Patent number: 8079744
    Abstract: An illuminating brick includes a block and at least one light-emitting element mounted in the brick. The brick has a top face, a bottom face and a plurality of lateral side surfaces interconnecting the top and bottom faces. The at least one light-emitting element is engaged in and optically coupled to at least one of the bottom face and lateral side surfaces. The lateral side surfaces and the bottom face are configured for reflecting and directing light emitted from the at least a light-emitting element to exit through the top face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Foxsemicon Integrated Technology, Inc
    Inventors: Chih-Chung Tsao, Shu-Hui Hsieh, Mei-Jiun Lin, Hung-Chih Yang, Ping-Yu Chen, Tse-An Lee
  • Patent number: 8061864
    Abstract: Furniture components, such as office furniture components, that are configured to include electronic components that transfer electrical power to peripheral electronic devices via wireless technologies, including conductive and inductive technologies. The articles of furniture may include grommet devices received within work surfaces, the grommet devices incorporating or housing the electronics of wireless power systems. The articles of furniture may also include the electronics of wireless power systems physically embedded or integrated within work surfaces in a manner in which the continuous surfaces of the work surfaces are maintained, and the work surfaces may optionally further include lighting or other indication features to indicate the locations of the electronics to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Kimball International, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Metcalf, Terry Carroll, Jay M. Henriott, Samial Keith Johnson, Donald Woods
  • Patent number: 8047691
    Abstract: A cargo lamp assembly includes a lamp housing with first and second ends having first and second adjacent cavities. A first incandescent light source is disposed in the first cavity and a second incandescent light source is disposed in the second cavity. A first outboard light-emitting diode is disposed proximate the first end of the lamp housing and a second outboard light-emitting diode is disposed proximate the second end of the lamp housing. An intermediate identification light source is disposed between the first and second cavities of the lamp housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael V. Leese, Scott Tate, Dennis Salciccioli, Paul Wrona, Kelley Maria Adams-Campos
  • Patent number: 8033674
    Abstract: The present invention provides a polarization-sensitive light homogenizer and a backlight and display using the same. The homogenizer improves the spatial luminance and color uniformity, increases the luminance in a direction normal to the homogenizer and provides increased luminance through polarized light recycling within the light homogenizer and backlight. In one embodiment, the homogenizer includes a polarization-sensitive anisotropic light-scattering (PDALS) region, a non-polarization-sensitive anisotropic light-scattering region, and a substantially non-scattering region. In a further embodiment, the non-scattering region is birefringent. The spatially non-uniform incident light flux from a backlight including one or more non-extended light emitting sources is scattered efficiently by the NPDASL region and is incident on the PDALS region which backscatters light orthogonal to the polarization state desired for efficient illumination of a liquid crystal display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Fusion Optix, Inc.
    Inventors: Zane Coleman, Terence Yeo, Timothy Kelly
  • Patent number: 8029155
    Abstract: There is provided a lighting device comprising one or more groups of solid state light emitters and one or more groups of lumiphors, which emits mixed illumination having x, y color coordinates within a region defined by (0.32, 0.40), (0.36, 0.38), (0.41, 0.455), and (0.36, 0.48). Also, such lighting devices which emit light having x, y color coordinates within other specified regions. Also, such lighting devices with respective groups which emit light within two specified regions, and which mix to produce light within such regions. Also, methods of lighting light from such emitters and/or lumiphors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Antony Paul Van De Ven, Gerald H. Negley
  • Patent number: 8021016
    Abstract: A mounting system and method for a light source includes a light source support structure. The light source support structure positions the light source with respect to a source of electrical power which, when connected to the light source, will cause the light source to emit light energy. Further included in the mounting system and method of present invention is a mounting for a pair of electrical contacts which enable connection between the source of electrical power and the light source. Still further included in mounting system is a heat sink which is attachable to the light source support structure for conducting heat energy away from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Lucifer Lighting Company
    Inventor: Pat Ward
  • Patent number: 8021021
    Abstract: Systems and methods permit use of efficient solid state emitters for broad spectrum continuous spectrum lighting defined by illumination data. The illumination data, which can be sold as a commercial product, can be recorded or authored and include spectral, temporal, and spatial information. Intensities of individual emitters such as LEDs can be controlled through a combination of pulse width modulation (PWM) and amplitude modulation (AM) of drive currents. The combination of PWM and AM permits fine tuning of the spectrum of emissions and creation of free space optical data channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Telelumen, LLC
    Inventor: Steven Paolini
  • Patent number: 8016466
    Abstract: A reflector 30 is constituted as an aspherical mirror that forms a light distribution S1 in which spread of reflected light in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle is larger than spread of reflected light in a lateral direction of the vehicle. The light distribution expanded in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle 3 makes the light less likely to impinge on a side surface of the vehicle 3, so that the rear part of the vehicle 3 can be illuminated efficiently. As a result, maximum illumination can be achieved with the minimum amount of light. In addition, because the range of illumination is long in the longitudinal direction, not only the area around an occupant's feet outside a front door 5 but also an area around the feet outside a rear door 6 can be illuminated easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Murakami Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Sato
  • Patent number: 8002429
    Abstract: A lantern candle comprises a candle and a cup for receiving it, wherein the cup comprises a casing made of absorbent material such as paper or cardboard or a multi-layer laminate based thereon, which is soaked with a wax so that the casing is substantially immediately translucent upon lighting the candle. A method for making a lantern candle comprises the steps of forming a casing by preparing an absorbent material such as paper or cardboard or a multi-layer laminate based thereon, forming a cup for receiving a candle by joining a bottom to the casing, introducing a candle wax and a wick into the prepared cup, and soaking the absorbent material or the paper or cardboard with wax, so as to render it substantially immediately translucent upon lighting the candle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: SER S.p.A
    Inventors: Piergiorgio Ambroggio, Giuseppe Ambroggio
  • Patent number: 7997761
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a lighting apparatus for hazardous locations. In one embodiment, the lighting apparatus comprises a light engine, a heat sink coupled to the light engine, a stalk coupled to the light engine for externally coupling a power supply to the light engine and an electrical wiring splice box coupled to the stalk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Dialight Corporation
    Inventors: John Patrick Peck, Kevin A. Hebborn, Kenneth J. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 7993037
    Abstract: A recessed light fixture is provided with a movable junction box. The light fixture has a frame for supporting a lamp housing and lamp socket. A plurality of connection areas are also provided along the frame. A junction box is removably attached to any one of the connection areas using a connection piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: John Jeffrey Buse
  • Patent number: 7993029
    Abstract: A backlight module includes a light guide plate and a flexible, looped strip. The light guide plate includes a light emitting surface for emitting light outwardly therefrom. The strip loop includes a brightness enhancement portion and a light-pervious base portion connected end to end. The strip loop is rotatable relative to the light guide plate such that the brightness enhancement portion and the light-pervious base portion can be selectively aligned with and face towards the light emitting surface. The light guide plate is positioned between the brightness enhancement portion and the light-pervious base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Han-Lung Lee
  • Patent number: 7988327
    Abstract: A LED luminaire comprises a heat sink disposed above an LED array and in thermal communication with the LED array, the LED array having at least one red LED and a plurality of cool white LEDs, the at least one red LED providing a warmer correlated color temperature for an output light and the plurality of white LEDs providing a higher efficacy, a diffuser positioned to enclose the LED array between the heat sink and the diffuser, the diffuser color mixing the at least one red LED and the plurality of cool white LEDs rendering a red light from the at least one red LED indiscernible from a cool white light of the plurality of white LEDs, a reflector positioned adjacent the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: David W. Knoble, Khosrow Jamasbi
  • Patent number: 7988340
    Abstract: A prism sheet including a transparent substrate, a plurality of prism rods and at least one optical grating structure is provided. The transparent substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The prism rods are disposed on the first surface, wherein each of the prism rods extends along a first direction, and the prism rods are arranged along a second direction. The optical grating structure is disposed on the first surface and located between two adjacent ones of the prism rods, wherein the optical grating structure extends along the first direction. In addition, a backlight module using the above-mentioned prism sheet is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Nano Precision Corporation
    Inventor: Hao-Jan Kuo
  • Patent number: 7980714
    Abstract: A display device including a display panel which displays an image and a backlight unit which illuminates a light to the display panel, include the backlight unit with a fixing member fixed on a device casing; a flexible printed circuit substrate which is fixed on the fixing member; and a spacer which is fixed on the flexible printed circuit substrate, wherein the flexible printed circuit substrate in an end part of the display panel is sandwiched between the fixing member and the spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: NEC LCD Technologies, Ltd
    Inventor: Hideki Itaya
  • Patent number: 7980746
    Abstract: A hollow type planar illuminating device having uniform luminance distribution over the entire light emitting is described. A reflecting surface member is arranged on the bottom side of a hollow unit case, a light emitting surface member is arranged on the side facing the reflecting surface member of the unit case, and a space sandwiched between the reflecting surface member and the light emitting surface member of the unit case forms a hollow light guide space. An LED light source unit emits light into the hollow light guide space with a light collecting lens arranged between the LED light source unit and an end surface of the hollow light guide space. The light collecting lens reduces the directivity angle of light emitted from the LED light source unit in the device thickness direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Harison Toshiba Lighting Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuji Tsuchiya, Yoji Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 7976210
    Abstract: The backlight system is provided with: a plurality of LED-substrates (12) equipped with a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) (21), a circuit that supplies driving current to the plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) (21), and metallic film islands that conduct heat generated by the plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) (21); a backlight frame (11) that loads the plurality of LED-substrates (12); and bolts (17) that fix the plurality of LED-substrates (12) on the backlight frame (11) and that conduct heat through the metallic film islands to the backlight frame (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventor: Kenji Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 7976200
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical projection device. Said optical projection device comprises a plurality of light-emitting diode chips and at least one optical element comprising a light input surface which is associated with at least one of the light-emitting diode chips. The light decoupling surface of the light-emitting diode chip, which is adapted to the refraction index, is optically connected to the light input surface of the associated optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Grötsch