Lens Type Patents (Class 340/815.76)
  • Patent number: 11852850
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes lighting assemblies (e.g., taillight assemblies) for vehicles that diffuse and block light transmission from a centralized light source, which inhibits (if not entirely prevents) the creation and perception of hotspots from one or more points-of-view (e.g., from the sides and/or the rear of the vehicle) while producing a more homogenous overall appearance. In one embodiment of the disclosure, the lighting assembly includes: a light source; a diffuser that is spaced axially from the light source; a lens that is spaced axially from the diffuser; and a shield that is located axially between the diffuser and the lens. The diffuser includes first and second lateral ends and is configured to receive and disperse light from the light source through the lighting assembly. The shield is configured to interfere with light transmission from the light source through the at least one lens and thereby inhibit hotspot perception.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Chiray Fischer, Jason Nantais
  • Patent number: 11215338
    Abstract: A luminaire featuring a light diffusing housing assembly with a batwing style catadioptric lens element with properties capable of producing a more uniform field of illumination in concert with a secondary diffusing lens element and optional internal light reflecting elements to maximize light output from a point light source including an LED, or a plurality of individual point light sources including an LED strip or LED array and other source of linear chromatic light or linear illumination sources including a light bar, fluorescent lamp, compressed-gas discharge tube and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: VODE LIGHTING, LLC
    Inventors: Scott S Yu, Richard Wong
  • Patent number: 10942303
    Abstract: An optical member having a concentric diffraction surface facing the outside, wherein the projection having a inclined surface concentric to the diffraction surface having an angle of inclination ? smaller than the angle of inclination ? is provided outside the diffraction surface having the largest ?, so that an interference of a cutting tool is avoided, and simultaneously, deterioration of a surface roughness may be restrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masato Tanaka, Makoto Kojima, Tomonao Nakayasu, Yukinobu Okura
  • Patent number: 10907795
    Abstract: A catadioptric lens assembly is disclosed for use with various light emitting sources. The lens assembly includes an upper section and a lower section, right and left portions thereof being symmetrically disposed about a center vertical optical axis defining a plane normal to and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis. The upper section includes two lens lobes with surfaces exhibiting a positively curved elliptical, circular or parabolic shape, being bilaterally symmetric about the vertical optical axis. The lower section includes a single lens lobe with a surface exhibiting a negatively curved spherical shape, bilaterally symmetric about the vertical optical axis, connecting to symmetric linear transition regions on both sides of the lower section and transitioning to edge support regions shared by the upper section of the lens assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: VODE LIGHTING, INC
    Inventors: Scott S Yu, Richard Wong
  • Patent number: 10782518
    Abstract: In one aspect, a light module is disclosed, which includes a housing providing a hollow chamber extending from a proximal end to a distal end, and a lens positioned in the hollow chamber, where the lens has a lens body comprising an input surface for receiving light from a light source and an output surface through which light exits the lens body, said lens further comprising a collar at least partially encircling said lens body. The light module further includes at least one shoulder on which the lens collar can be seated for positioning the lens within the housing. A light source, e.g., an LED, is coupled to the hollow chamber, e.g., at its proximal end, for providing light to the lens. In some embodiments, an optical window is disposed in the hollow chamber and is optically coupled to the output surface of the lens such that the light exiting the lens passes through the optical window before exiting the light module. In some embodiments, the shoulder can be formed as part of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Acera LLC
    Inventors: Thomas V. Root, Thomas Davis, Michael Cook, Carlton Jones, David Leo, Michael S. Epstein
  • Patent number: 10344961
    Abstract: An optical apparatus has a LED plate, a lens plate, a cup body, a driver plate and two metal pins. The lens plate has a central lens and a plurality of micro optical structures. The cup body has a dome portion, a tube portion and a bottom portion. The dome portion and the tube portion are manufactured together as a single body. A portion of light emitting from the LED plate runs through the central lens of the lens plate to form a focus light beam and another portion of light emitting from the LED modules running through the plurality of micro optical structures to form soft light. Two input terminals of the driver plate are inserted into the two metal pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: LEEDARSON AMERICA INC.
    Inventor: Yongchuan Li
  • Patent number: 10325456
    Abstract: Communication devices are disclosed. In an example embodiment, a communication device may include a communication module including an illumination source and a body element. The body element may be configured to allow illumination generated by the illumination source to propagate within and illuminate at least a portion of an outer surface of the body element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: FINISAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rafik Ward, Stephen T. Nelson, Frank Flens, Cindy Hsin-I Hsieh, Lucy G. Hosking, Joshua Moore
  • Patent number: 10222628
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device for displaying a reticle or a target mark in a measuring or sighting telescope, comprising a reticle plate with a reticle disposed on one surface, a light source for illuminating this reticle, and the reticle plate has an entry surface for a beam path disposed to the side of the surface provided with the reticle, and at least one retroreflector is disposed on at least one light exit surface of the reticle plate, and a reflective layer of the retroreflector is directed towards the reticle plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Swarovski-Optik KG.
    Inventors: Alois Zangerl, Johannes Obleitner
  • Patent number: 10007101
    Abstract: An illumination device for a microscope or an optical 3D surface measuring apparatus, more particularly according to the principle of focus variation. The illumination device includes LEDs arranged in a planar fashion, and an illumination optical unit for imaging the illumination spectrum onto an object to be examined. The illumination optical unit includes an arrangement of converging lenses and one Fresnel lens, and the light beams emitted by the LEDs firstly impinge on the converging lenses and then impinge in a parallel-directed manner on the Fresnel lens. The Fresnel lens is oriented in reflective arrangement such that lens vertices of a prism structure are arranged at a light exit side of the Fresnel lens, facing away from the converging lenses. The converging lenses are formed by annular segments, and adjacent annular segments adjoin one another in a planar fashion at a segment side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: ALICONA IMAGING GMBH
    Inventors: Manfred Prantl, Stefan Scherer, Franz Helmli, Attila Saghy
  • Patent number: 9970603
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an illumination device. The illumination device includes a cap structure. The cap structure is partially coated with a reflective material operable to reflect light. The illumination device includes one or more lighting-emitting devices disposed within the cap structure. The light-emitting devices may be light-emitting diode (LED) chips. The illumination device also includes a thermal dissipation structure. The thermal dissipation structure is coupled to the cap structure in a first direction. The thermal dissipation structure and the cap structure have a coupling interface. The coupling interface extends in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The thermal dissipation structure has a portion that intersects the coupling interface at an angle. The angle is in a range from about 60 degrees to about 90 degrees according to some embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Epistar Corporation
    Inventors: Chih-Hsuan Sun, Wei-Yu Yeh, Hsueh-Hung Fu, Dong Jung Suen
  • Patent number: 9885428
    Abstract: A magnet valve coil unit includes a magnet coil and a circuit board connected thereto, encased by a molding material. An LED on the circuit board signals a switching status of the magnet coil. The LED is surrounded by the molding material at least in part. A light guide element is arranged in contact with the LED such that it directs light radiated from the LED to an external surface of the magnet valve coil unit. The magnet valve coil unit is manufactured by applying a deformable, transparent mass on the LED of a pre-assembled component containing the magnet coil and the circuit board on which the LED is arranged, and placing the pre-assembled component in a tool mold. The light guide element is arranged to be in contact with the transparent mass, and the pre-assembled component is encased with a molding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: BUERKERT WERKE GMB
    Inventors: Christian Bezold, Daniel Bierut, Martin Hettinger, Sebastian Kahl, Ottmar Mueller, Christian Weber
  • Patent number: 9632214
    Abstract: An optical element has an optical body and a number of microstructures. The optical body takes the form of a half-shell and has an inner face and an outer face. The microstructures form the inner and/or outer face of the optical body at least in places and are light-scattering refractive structures. The invention further relates to a radiation-emitting device having at least one semiconductor component and one such optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Streppel, Ales Markytan, Christian Gaertner
  • Patent number: 9307663
    Abstract: An external operation detection structure body including: a sensor casing having an aperture window; an external operation detection sensor arranged at a formation zone of the aperture window; a sheet-like interface member that covers a front face of the detection sensor and closes the aperture window; an outer peripheral wall protruding out from a rear face of an outer periphery of the interface member and penetrating into the aperture window so as to be arranged between the detection sensor and the sensor casing; and front and rear face seal protrusions extending respectively from front and rear edges of the outer peripheral wall toward an outer peripheral side so as to be superposed respectively with front and rear faces of a peripheral edge of the aperture window of the sensor casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RIKO COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Koichi Hasegawa, Tomonori Hayakawa, Atsushi Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 9200776
    Abstract: An illumination device includes a light source, and a light collector having a central lens part and a peripheral lens part surrounding at least a part of the central lens part. The central lens part is aligned along an optical axis of the light source and includes a central entrance surface, a central exit surface, and an extension part positioned between the central entry surface and the central exit surface. The light collector also has a peripheral lens part surrounding at least a part of the central lens part, the peripheral lens including a peripheral entrance surface, a peripheral reflection surface and a peripheral exit surface. The extension part protrudes from the peripheral exit surface and elevates the central exit surface a distance above the peripheral exit surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Martin Professional ApS
    Inventors: Dennis Jørgensen, Thøger Jensen, Jesper Gadegaard
  • Patent number: 8937538
    Abstract: A charging state displaying device includes a casing, a board, a plurality of light sources, and display units. The casing includes a light blocking part. The board is mounted on the light blocking part and is accommodated in the casing. The light sources are disposed on the board so as to be separated by the board. The display units have light-permeability and are provided at positions of the casing corresponding to the light sources respectively. The board is configured to prevent leakage and mixture of lights emitted from the light sources in a cooperation with the light blocking part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Kosuke Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8269637
    Abstract: An alarm system notification device that comprises a single strobe, an input selector, and a controller is disclosed. The single strobe may be configured to operate at a first wavelength band in a first configuration and at a second wavelength band in a second configuration, the first wavelength band being different from the second wavelength band. The configuration of the single strobe (either in the first or second configuration) is determined based on a command that is input by the input selector. In response to receiving the command, the controller may control the single strobe so that the single strobe is configured to operate at one of the first wavelength band in the first configuration or the second wavelength band in the second configuration as indicated in the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: SimplexGrinnell LP
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Savage, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8049632
    Abstract: An alarm system notification device that comprises a single strobe, an input selector, and a controller is disclosed. The single strobe may be configured to operate at a first wavelength band in a first configuration and at a second wavelength band in a second configuration, the first wavelength band being different from the second wavelength band. The configuration of the single strobe (either in the first or second configuration) is determined based on a command that is input by the input selector. In response to receiving the command, the controller may control the single strobe so that the single strobe is configured to operate at one of the first wavelength band in the first configuration or the second wavelength band in the second configuration as indicated in the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: SimplexGrinnell LP
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Savage, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7872592
    Abstract: A warning light assembly includes a source of electrical power, an LED light source, electrical circuitry operably coupling the source of electrical power to the light source and a lens assembly. The lens assembly encloses the LED light source such that light from the source is directed outwardly from the lens assembly. The lens assembly is triangular in shape. In certain embodiments, the electrical power source includes a rechargeable battery and the assembly further comprises a solar panel operably connected to the rechargeable battery. A triangular lens assembly may be connected at a vertex to a housing which holds the electrical power source. The solar panel may be mounted on a peripheral surface of the lens assembly opposite the vertex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Pan's Innovative Science and Technology, LLC
    Inventor: William J. Greenhoe
  • Patent number: 7581342
    Abstract: A display device includes an ultraviolet light source, a color light source, and a filter selectively hit by their lights. The filter has a first area part for displaying the first display contents excluding an overlapped parts when the ultraviolet light is emitted, a second area part for the second display contents excluding the overlapped parts when the color light is emitted, and a third display part for displaying the overlapped parts when one of the ultraviolet and color light is emitted. The first area part blocks the color light and produces visible light when the ultraviolet light hits the first area part, the second area part allows the ultraviolet and color lights to pass therethrough, and the third area part allows the ultraviolet and color lights to pass therethrough and produces the visible light when the ultraviolet light hits the third area part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Egami, Kazuo Arai
  • Patent number: 7342513
    Abstract: A wireless communications system suitable for use within an aircraft, such as a part of a wireless emergency lighting system (WELS) is provided. In an aircraft, EXIT signs are located throughout the interior of the aircraft, including the ceiling (general illumination), seats (floor proximity) and EXIT doors (locator/identifier). A wireless communications system uses an integrated lens antenna system that takes advantage of the quantity and location of emergency lights such that any given light will have a direct radio frequency (RF) path to several other lights. A virtual network can be created such that if the path between any two lights becomes disrupted, alternate paths will be constructed under software control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Goodrich Lighting Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6741225
    Abstract: In order to provide a device for generating an image on an image surface with N×M image elements which can be illuminated individually, comprising a plurality of semiconductor radiation sources, each of which generates radiation with at least one color, an optical imaging means with a beam guidance, by means of which a plurality of image elements can be illuminated with each of the semiconductor radiation sources, with which it is possible to generate an image on an image surface in as simple a manner as possible using radiation sources, it is suggested that the image surface (12) be divided into a plurality of continuous image surface sections (14), each comprising a two-dimensional ensemble of image elements (16), that an illumination unit (20, 220, 320) be associated with each of the image surface sections (14) and that each illumination unit (20, 220, 320) have at least one semiconductor radiation source (30) and at least one optical imaging means (40, 240, 340) of its own associated with this illum
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Uwe Brauch, Hans Opower
  • Patent number: 6380864
    Abstract: An indicating display for a motor vehicle, for example a raised stop light unit, includes a plurality of aligned light sources, optical means for concentrating the luminous flux emitted by the light sources in a general emission direction, and a lens which is provided with optical means for diffusing the light. The optical concentrating means consist of a parabolic mirror which is bounded by two planes both of which lie on the same side of its optical axis, and which are in line with the lens, while the light sources are offset vertically from the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Hervé Richard
  • Patent number: 6195016
    Abstract: A fiber optic display sign has an optical system with enhanced light efficiency so that the display system is suitable for outdoor use. A number of fiber optics have light receiving ends arranged in a compact bundle for receiving an image from an image generator, the fiber optics coupling the image to the output ends thereof for display. An array of lenses is positioned adjacent the output ends of the fiber optics for directing or aiming the light from the fiber optics to control the viewing angle of the image displayed. The array of lenses may be fixed with respect to the output ends of the fiber optics or the lens array may be movable with respect thereto so as to vary the viewing angle. The image generator employs a light source formed of a densely packed array of white light emitting diodes to provide enhanced brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Advance Display Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Shankle, Gregory L. Heacock, Steven J. Shankle