Patents Examined by Seth D. Vail
  • Patent number: 5684497
    Abstract: A compact, virtual image electronic display system is provided for forming a compound magnified virtual image of a source object. The display system includes a microdisplay for producing the source object, a first reflective magnification optic, and a second magnification optic which, in combination with the first magnification optic, forms a compound magnified virtual image. The first and second magnification optics may be separate optics. Alternatively, a single beamsplitting magnification optic may be used as both the first and second magnification optic. When a single beamsplitting magnification optic is employed, the beamsplitting magnification optic serves as both a first, reflective magnification optic to produce a magnified virtual image and as a second, transmissive magnification optic to produce a compound magnified virtual image which is seen by the observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Siliscape, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred P. Hildebrand, Gregory J. Kintz
  • Patent number: 5682172
    Abstract: A headset for operably disposing speakers and a visual display on the head of a wearer. The headset includes a beam extending over the vertex of the head for contacting the brow at one end and cooperating with a nape strap on the posterior end for adjusting the fit. Rigid arms extend from the posterior end adjacent the head to terminate in the vicinity of the ears. The arms include compressible compensators to substantially accommodate any size head therein. A visor is pivotally connected to the support beam adjacent the brow piece. The attachment of the visor to the support beam permits the visor to be disposed in a donning position away from the face or an operable position adjacent the face, without requiring a weight bearing surface on the face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Forte Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Travers, Robert E. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5677700
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for achieving optical data protection and intimacy for users of computer terminals. The apparatus includes a searcher screen positioned in front of an optical system and adjustable to the user which communicates in a binocular manner with the user. A tactile contact surface with a sensor grid or raster arranged underneath is present below the searcher screen. A video camera is installed over the tactile contact surface, wherein finger movements of the user taking place on the tactile contact surface are copied by means of the video camera into a virtual image positioned on the searcher screen. The fingers, which are controlled by the user himself, are guided to particular positions of the virtual image, wherein given positions in a virtual image correspond to those on the tactile contact surface where the fingers are currently positioned, and the data input takes place via an associated sensor grid or raster by touching this position of the tactile contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Inventors: Henrik Schwalba, Henry Rudolph
  • Patent number: 5677701
    Abstract: All components and parts of a head-up displaying device are formed in a unit and secured to a dashboard or a rear panel of a vehicle. The displaying device has a case composed of a base member, a bottom plate and a cover. The base member is secured to the dashboard or the rear panel and forms a turntable with the bottom plate. An image projection unit, a control unit and a reflecting member are housed in the case, and a foldable flat combiner is pivotally secured to the cover of the case. A shade member is formed on the cover to prevent the image projection unit from coming into the driver's line of sight. The combiner is held by a holder which forms a hinge using clips secured to the case and shafts formed on the sides of the holder so that the inclination angle of the combiner may be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Okuyama, Naohito Kanamori
  • Patent number: 5670978
    Abstract: In a liquid crystal thick cell light modulator using ferroelectric liquid crystal, a series of voltage pulses with an asymmetrical duty ratio (that is, duty ratio of 55-85%) is applied between a pair of electrode plates containing the ferroelectric liquid crystal. In another liquid crystal thick cell light modulator using ferroelectric liquid crystal, a DC bias voltage is added to the voltage pulses, where the magnitude of the DC bias voltage is 20-50% of the half amplitude of the voltage pulses. In still another liquid crystal thick cell light modulator, the gap length between the electrode plates is larger than 50 .mu.m, and the helical pitch in smectic C phase of the ferroelectric liquid crystal is 0.7 to 0.95 times the gap length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Junya Kobayashi, Junichi Kita
  • Patent number: 5659328
    Abstract: An electron beam generating apparatus for an electron beam source having surface conduction electron emitting devices formed on a substrate; includes a measuring unit for measuring a device current flowing through each of the surface conduction electron emitting devices, an a device current storage unit for storing data measured by the measuring unit. In addition comparing unit compares latest data measured by the measuring unit with the data stored in the device current storage unit, a correction value storage unit stores a correction value for correcting a driving signal to be applied to each surface conduction electron emitting device, and an adjusting unit adjusts the correction value stored in the correction value storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Todokoro, Hidetoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5648797
    Abstract: Apparatus for generating a pulsed triggering signal for use with a computer game system including a joystick. The apparatus includes a detection unit for detecting a coordinate signal between a joystick output port and a game input port of a computer, and a pulse generation unit for generating a pulsed triggering signal responsive to the detected coordinate signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: STD Electronic International Ltd
    Inventor: Hang-Yick Lam