Patents Examined by Thomas Sember
  • Patent number: 8733999
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a display backlight having a substrate and a plurality of light-receiving channels formed in that substrate. At least some of these channels have a depth that varies as a gradient along a longitudinal axis of the channel that is substantially axially aligned with a light-receiving input for the channel. These channels can be formed substantially parallel to one another. The aforementioned light-receiving inputs can, if desired, be formed at either end of each such channel and can be disposed inwardly of an edge of the substrate. Also if desired, at least some of these channels can be disposed other than at an orthogonal angle with respect to such substrate edges. So configured, light rays that orthogonally enter the light-receiving inputs will have an opportunity to contact the edges of the channels and be reflected outwardly of the channel to provide the desired backlighting effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventors: Reuven Rahamim, John Souter
  • Patent number: 8733959
    Abstract: It is an object to manufacture a highly reliable backlight device with less color unevenness and less luminance unevenness, and a high-performance and highly reliable display device including the backlight device, which can display a high quality image. A light emitting diode (LED) is used as a light source of a backlight device and thermoelectric elements are provided in a chassis for holding the light emitting diode so as to surround the light emitting diode (the thermoelectric elements are provided under the light emitting diode and on the four sides thereof). A temperature in the backlight device is adjusted by cooling and heating by the thermoelectric elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Moriya, Takeshi Nishi
  • Patent number: 8733958
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flat panel display device, which includes a backlight system and a display panel. The backlight system includes a reflector plate and a back frame that carries the reflector, wherein the back frame includes at least two primary assembling pieces, the at least two primary assembling pieces being joined to form a main frame structure of the back frame; and the reflector plate includes a substrate layer and a reflection layer formed on the substrate layer, the substrate layer having a surface that is away from the reflection layer and comprises an ink layer printed thereon. The present invention also provides a stereoscopic display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Wen Que, Yi-Cheng Kuo, Yu-Chun Hsiao
  • Patent number: 8727556
    Abstract: Embodiments include a method and apparatus for an integrated illumination device mount and for mounting the integrated illumination device and mount to a firearm or helmet. In some embodiments, the integrated illumination device mount is a low profile mount. In some embodiments, the integrated illumination device mount allows rigid mounting of an illumination device to a rail of a firearm. In other embodiments, the integrated illumination device allows pivotal mounting of the illumination device to a rail of a firearm. In yet other embodiments, the integrated illumination device mount allows pivotal mounting of the illumination device to a rail of a helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: S & S Precision, LLC
    Inventor: Johnny E. Swan
  • Patent number: 8727594
    Abstract: The end surface of the light guide plate has a flat surface and a protruding surface which protrudes with respect to the flat surface. Light traveling from the light source in a direction perpendicular to the flat surface enters the light guide plate in an expanded manner due to refraction at the protruding surface. The protruding surface has a shape in which cylindrical surfaces are integrated, the respective cylindrical surfaces being formed about central axes which are orthogonal to the front surface from which the light exits. A pair of cylindrical surfaces, which is positioned at both end portions of the protruding surface in an arraying direction of the cylindrical surfaces, is each adjacent to the flat surface. Adjacent cylindrical surfaces are connected to each other at a position shifted in a protruding direction of the protruding surface with respect to the flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventors: Shuta Ando, Takashi Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 8721142
    Abstract: A novel vehicular light fixture (10) is disclosed. The light fixture (10) is compact, yet efficient, and employs semiconductor light sources (44) to produce output light in desired patterns. The fixture (10) can be used to produce fog lamps, driving lamps and other non-headlamp vehicle lighting functions. Depending upon the light output required, one or more semiconductor light sources (44) and a corresponding number of optical bodies (64) are employed in the fixture (10) to produce the desired light pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Chad D. Lambert, James R. McFadden, Ronald O. Woodward, Ronald G. Hare
  • Patent number: 8721114
    Abstract: A device for illuminating a space comprising is discussed. In one variation, the device includes: a central body portion, with a length and a width, and including two plates running along the length of the central body portion wherein the two plates are separated by a spacer; an opening for the removal of heat during operation of the device that extends along a portion of the length of the central body portion, a light emitting diode on the central body portion; a reflector, extending from the central body portion, for reflecting light emitted by the light emitting diode towards the illuminated space. Other variations are also discussed as are methods for using suitable variations for retrofitting existing non-light emitting diode light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Appalachian Lighting Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Wassel, R. Douglas Falk
  • Patent number: 8714779
    Abstract: An independent friction joint structure including: at least one plug part having a connection to a device, the device comprising a lamp head; at least one joint part holding the at least one plug part in place, the at least one joint part having at least one holding structure; at least one side part having the ability to generate frictional rotational resistance to keep the at least one plug part in a predetermined position; at least one electrical contact between the at least one side part and the at least one holding structure of the at least one joint part; and at least one screw to fit all the components of the independent friction joint structure together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Koncept Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Hon Kit Peter Ng, Kenneth Yat Chung Ng, Edmund Yat Kwong Ng
  • Patent number: 8714801
    Abstract: An input device with multiple layers of luminous patterns is provided. The input device includes an input interface, a first light-emitting element, a second light-emitting element, and a light guide plate. The light guide plate includes an upper light-guiding layer, a lower light-guiding layer, and a gap. The upper light-guiding layer and the lower light-guiding layer are separated from each other by the gap. The light guide plate has multiple layers of luminous patterns, which are selectively visible. Consequently, the overall thickness of the input device is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Yuan Chen
  • Patent number: 8714767
    Abstract: The present invention includes a modular stair unit, and kit for assembling the modular stair unit, that may be utilized as either a stair tread or stair riser. The modular stair unit includes a body, housing adjoined therewith, and light source within the housing. The body includes a generally planar dorsal surface and a ventral surface and forms a void between the dorsal surface and the ventral surface, which allows light passage. It is preferred that interior surfaces of the housing are fabricated of a substantially diffusive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Ernest Halsey Sears
  • Patent number: 8708545
    Abstract: A frame structure of a light module is described. The frame structure includes a rear plate including first side plates, a plastic frame and a front frame. Each first side plate is set with at least one fixing hole and includes top positioning protrusions. The plastic frame includes second side plates disposed on the first side plates. Each second side plate includes a connecting part disposed on the first side plate, at least one fixing element connected to the connecting part and lodged in the fixing hole, and positioning elements protruded on the connecting part. Each positioning element has a positioning slot. The top positioning protrusions are embedded in the positioning slots. The front frame includes side rims disposed on the second side plates. Each side rim is set with positioning holes. The positioning elements of each second side plate are embedded in the positioning holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Radiant Opto-Electronics (Nanjing) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Jen Chiu, Ma-Xin Liu
  • Patent number: 8708531
    Abstract: A light-emitting device illumination apparatus includes a housing having a barrier wall that defines a first space and a second space in the housing; a light-emitting device module disposed on a first surface of the barrier wall and including a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed on the first surface and a plurality of light-emitting device chips disposed on the PCB; and a power supplier disposed on a second surface of the barrier wall, the second surface facing the first surface, and for applying a voltage to the light-emitting device module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wuk-chul Joung, Jin-woo Bae
  • Patent number: 8708527
    Abstract: A light module includes a light source and an optical lens. The light source emits light to the optical lens. The light source is a single unit and has a parallelizing surface, a first plane, a wave surface, and a second plane in sequence. The light source emits light to the optical lens and through the parallelizing surface, the first plane, the wave surface, and the second plane in sequence to form a parallel linear light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Hua-tang Liu, Ching-Shiang Wang
  • Patent number: 8696179
    Abstract: A lighted exterior mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a housing that houses a reflectance element. A turn signal indicator unit is disposed at a portion of the housing and has an enclosure and a light-transmitting cover joined with the enclosure. The turn signal indicator unit includes a plurality of light emitting diodes. At least some light emitting diodes of the plurality of light emitting diodes, when individually operating at about 25 degrees C. at a forward voltage of at least about 2 volts and at a forward current of at least about 20 mA, may individually emit light with a luminous intensity of at least about 500 mcd. When the plurality of light emitting diodes is powered, the pattern of light emitted by the turn signal indicator unit may be principally directed away from the side of the vehicle at which the lighted exterior mirror assembly is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd W. Pastrick
  • Patent number: 8690387
    Abstract: A lamp module is provided. The lamp module includes a main body and a plurality of light emitting diodes. The light emitting diodes are disposed on the main body. Each light emitting diode emits a light to a illuminated region and form a corresponding light region. The light regions formed on the illuminated region by the light emitted by adjacent light emitting diodes are at least partially overlapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignees: Dongguan Masstop Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd., Wintek Corporation
    Inventors: Zhi-Ting Ye, Kuo-Jui Huang, Hsiu-Ping Lee
  • Patent number: 8684589
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an LED lamp includes a housing, a base, an LED module, an LED lighting circuit board, and a globe. The base is attached to one end of the housing, and is supplied with electric power. The LED module is attached to the other end of the housing, and is equipped with LEDs. The LED lighting circuit board is accommodated in the housing, and the LED lighting circuit board is equipped with a lighting circuit. The globe covers the LEDs, and diffuses and radiates light emitted from the LEDs, and is attached to the housing. The housing is formed of resin having high thermal conductivity containing carbon-based filler. The light emitting module is attached to the housing through a heat transfer plate a part of which is exposed from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Hisayasu, Shinji Nakata, Hiroshi Kubota
  • Patent number: 8684580
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a semiconductor light emitting device package including a body, first and second reflective cups disposed under a top surface of the body and spaced apart, a first connection pad disposed under the top surface of the body and spaced apart from the first and second reflective cups, a second connection pad disposed under the top surface of the body and spaced apart from the first and second reflective cups and the first connection pad, a first semiconductor light emitting device disposed within the first reflective cup, and a second semiconductor light emitting device disposed within the second reflective cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bong Kul Min
  • Patent number: 8672498
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical assembly, a backlight unit, and a display apparatus thereof. According to an embodiment of the present invention, an optical assembly includes a first layer, a plurality of light sources disposed over the first layer, a second layer that is disposed above the first layer and covering the plurality of light sources, and a pattern layer disposed above or in the second layer, wherein the pattern layer includes a plurality of patterns disposed at positions substantially corresponding to the light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seung Choon Bae, Sung Woo Kim, Soon Hyung Kwon, Bup Sung Jung, Sang Tae Park, Bu Wan Seo
  • Patent number: 8668356
    Abstract: A heat sink includes a thermally conductive layer comprising at least one of fullerenes and nanotubes disposed in a polymeric host. The thermally conductive layer may be disposed on a heat sink body, which may be thermally insulating and/or plastic, and may include surface area enhancing heat radiating structures, such as fins, with the thermally conductive layer being disposed over at least the surface area enhancing heat radiating structures. A light emitting diode (LED)-based lamp embodiment includes the heat sink and an LED module including one or more LED devices secured with and in thermal communication with the heat sink. A method embodiment includes forming the heat sink body and disposing the thermally conductive layer on the heat sink body. The disposing may comprise spray coating. An external energy field may be applied during spray coating to impart a non-random orientation to nanotubes in the polymeric host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: GE Lighting Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Ashfaqul I. Chowdhury, Gary R. Allen, Joshua I. Rintamaki
  • Patent number: 8668357
    Abstract: The invention relates to a luminaire with LED technology, which comprises a power supply, wiring, a plurality of electronic components (7), a translucent or transparent closure (5), a protective housing (3) for the lighting system, and at least one electronic base plate (1) having a plurality of LEDs (2), the luminaire being characterized in that it comprises a thin film which is made of highly reflective material and is applied to at least 5% of a first surface (4a) defined by the surface of said at least one electronic base plate (1) and the electronic components (7) adjacent thereto; and/or is applied to at least 5% of a second surface (4b) defined by the inner surface of the protective housing (3) between said at least one electronic base plate (1) and the translucent or transparent closure (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Luxintec, S.L.
    Inventor: Moisés Domingo Garcia