For Protection Patents (Class 349/14)
  • Patent number: 11514816
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods are disclosed relating to augmented reality welding systems. In some examples, an augmented reality welding system is configured to apply a visual effect to a simulated rendering of the augmented reality welding system when a simulated arc is present, so as to emulate an auto-darkening lens of a welding helmet. In some examples, the visual effect is impacted by several user adjustable settings. The settings may be adjusted by a user, such as via a helmet interface and/or the user interface of the augmented reality welding system, for example. In some examples, the settings may emulate auto-darkening settings found on conventional auto-darkening welding helmets (e.g., shade, sensitivity, and/or delay). In some examples, the settings may also include other settings unique to the augmented reality welding system, such as, for example a helmet model/type, a difficulty setting, a realism setting, and/or an effect area setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc., Seabery North America Inc.
    Inventors: Pedro Marquinez, William Joshua Becker, Pavel Gunia
  • Patent number: 11493791
    Abstract: A light blocking screen includes a liquid crystal array mounted to a window. The liquid crystal array has a plurality of liquid crystal (LC) pixels, each of which is selectively darkenable. A controller is operatively connected to the liquid crystal array and configured to darken a set of the LC pixels, such that the darkened set of LC pixels limits light passage through the window in one or more selected areas. The LC pixels need not limit light passage through the entire window. The controller may determine a location of a glare source relative to the window and a location of a user proximate the window, and then darken the set of the LC pixels in an area between the glare source and the user, such that the glare source is limited from shining onto the user. The screen may be incorporated into vehicles or buildings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Benjamin J. Richards
  • Patent number: 11360353
    Abstract: A spatial light modulator (SLM) includes a first liquid crystal panel and a second liquid crystal panel that are oppositely configured, and a polarization adjustment part configured between the first liquid crystal panel and the second liquid crystal panel. An alignment direction of the first liquid crystal panel is parallel to an alignment direction of the second liquid crystal panel. The first liquid crystal panel is configured to perform a phase modulation on incident linear-polarized light. The polarization adjustment part is configured to rotate, by a preset angle, a polarization direction of linear-polarized light exited from the first liquid crystal panel. The second liquid crystal panel is configured to adjust a polarization state of linear-polarized light exited from the polarization adjustment part to adjust an amplitude of exited light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Shanghai Tianma Micro-Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yang Zeng, Xiaoyue Su, Shihao Tang
  • Patent number: 11160687
    Abstract: Protective headgear including an automatic darkening filter with an array of switchable shutters, and including a shutter control system, at least one workview image acquisition device, and at least one eye position monitoring device, wherein the shutter control system is controllably connected to each switchable shutter of the array of switchable shutters so as to control the switching of each of the switchable shutters, and is receivably connected to the at least one workview image acquisition device and to the at least one eye position monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Britton G. Billingsley, Kenneth Jarefors, Kristina M. Magnusson
  • Patent number: 11054871
    Abstract: A display device, including a display panel configured to display an image in a front direction; an optical layer arranged at a front side of the display panel; and a radiant heat blocking layer arranged at a foremost plane of the display panel, and arranged on a front surface of the optical layer, wherein the radiant heat blocking layer is configured to block radiant heat produced by the display panel or produced behind the display panel from transferring forward from the radiant heat blocking layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jinhyun Cho, Jeayou Kim, Heungbom Kim, Su-Yoel Ryu, Seungyong Han
  • Patent number: 10890792
    Abstract: An auto darkening filter, comprising: a first positive liquid crystal (LCD1) a second positive liquid crystal (LCD2); a first liquid crystal control circuit (A) configured to control the first positive liquid crystal (LCD1) and the second positive liquid crystal (LCD2) based on a received control signal; a negative-phase liquid crystal (LCD3) provided between the first positive liquid crystal (LCD1) and the second positive liquid crystal (LCD2); a second liquid crystal control circuit (B) configured to control the negative-phase liquid crystal (LCD3) based on a received control signal; a UV/IR filter configured to filter a welding arc; a light control circuit configured to detect the welding arc, generate a corresponding control signal based on the detected intensity of the welding arc, and output the corresponding control signal to a main control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Tecmen Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ziqian Wu
  • Patent number: 10884292
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a display device including a first substrate including a plurality of unit regions, a unit electrode portion disposed on the first substrate in one unit region, an opposed electrode facing the unit electrode portion, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the unit electrode portion and the opposed electrode, and a protrusion interposed between the first substrate and the liquid crystal layer and protruded toward the liquid crystal layer. The protrusion includes a pair of horizontal portions facing each other and including a side parallel to a first direction, a pair of vertical portions facing each other and including a side parallel to a second direction different from the first direction, and at least one corner portion including a first oblique side parallel to a direction oblique with respect to the first and second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Inventors: Jeong Man Son, Min Wook Park, Jong-Keun Kim, Sang-Je Lee
  • Patent number: 10690942
    Abstract: The invention is based on a sun protection device, in particular sunglasses, with at least one optical sun protection filter comprising at least one liquid-crystal cell, and with at least one sensor unit, which is configured for capturing a solar irradiation. It is proposed that at least one sensor cover, which covers a sensor surface of the at least one sensor unit at least partly and which is, at least partly, at least substantially opaque with respect to an irradiation of a visible light spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Optrel Holding AG
    Inventors: Ramon Hofer-Kraner, Martin Esposito, Daniel Bloechlinger
  • Patent number: 10548774
    Abstract: An auto-darkening welding helmet includes a helmet housing; a headband structure connected to the helmet housing; an auto-darkening filter provided on the helmet housing; and an adjustment device by which operating parameters of the auto-darkening filter are adjustable, wherein the adjustment device is a touchable operating screen which faces towards an operator after the operator wears the welding helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Tecmen Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ziqian Wu
  • Patent number: 9704937
    Abstract: A pixel circuit and a pixel structure having high aperture ratio are provided. A first gate electrode, a layer including a first source electrode and a first drain electrode, and an etching stopper layer, a first semiconductor layer, and a gate isolation layer sandwiched between the first gate electrode and the layer of the first source electrode and the first drain electrode construct a first thin film transistor. A second gate electrode, a layer including a second source electrode and a second drain electrode, and an etching stopper layer, a second semiconductor layer, and the gate isolation layer sandwiched between the second gate electrode and the layer of the second source electrode and the second drain electrode construct a second thin film transistor. A transparent electrode, a pixel electrode and a flat isolation layer sandwiched between the transparent electrode and the pixel electrode construct a transparent capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Wenhui Li, Changcheng Lo, Chihyuan Tseng, Yutong Hu
  • Patent number: 9335565
    Abstract: A light attenuating optical arrangement for assembly to an eye-shielding device includes an optical element having an electronically controlled guest-host liquid crystal cell for variably attenuating transmission of light, the liquid crystal cell including first and second plastic substrates. A controller is electrically connected to the liquid crystal cell and is configured to selectively supply a voltage across the liquid crystal cell. The controller is provided with a means for electrically connecting the controller to a power source, and a means for attaching the controller to the eye-shielding device. The optical element is provided with a means for attaching an outer periphery of the optical element to a surface of a viewing lens of an eye-shielding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: ALPHAMICRON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Roy E. Miller, IV, Bahman Taheri, Tamas Kosa, Jonathan Figler, Damien Burt, Christine Martincic, Eui-Yeul Park
  • Patent number: 9116370
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal light variable device having a liquid crystal cell, comprising a mixture of a liquid crystal material and one or more dichroic dyes interposed between a first and a second substrate, each substrate having a conductive layer disposed thereon. The device further includes a voltage supply or controller coupled with the conductive layers for application of a voltage waveform across the liquid crystal cell. The liquid crystal cell is configured so that based on the voltage waveform applied, the device transitions between a low-haze low-tint state (“clear state”), a low-haze high-tint state (“tinted state”), and a high-haze high-tint state (“opaque state”). The high-haze state is caused by dynamic scattering in the liquid crystal-dye mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: ALPHAMICRON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Bahman Taheri, David Baker, Elliott Bardun, Tamas Kosa, Ludmila Sukhomlinova, Paul Luchette
  • Patent number: 9073138
    Abstract: Arc welding systems, methods, and apparatus that provide dual-spectrum, real-time viewable, enhanced user-discrimination between arc welding characteristics during an arc welding process. Welding headgear is configured to shield a user from harmful radiation and to include a digital camera or cameras to provide dual-spectrum (i.e., both visible spectrum and infrared spectrum) real-time digital video image frames. The welding headgear is also configured with an optical display assembly for displaying real-time digital video image frames to the user while wearing the headgear during an arc welding process. Image processing is performed on the visible and infrared spectrum video image frames to generate dual-spectrum video image frames providing an integrated and optimized view of both the visible and thermal characteristics of the arc welding process which can be viewed by the user on the optical display assembly in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Alan Wills, William T. Matthews
  • Publication number: 20150062469
    Abstract: Adaptive glasses for drivers or passengers of a motor vehicle, the glasses comprising lenses having a screen whose coefficient of transmission is variable between a maximum value (CTMAX) and a minimum value (CTmin). According to one embodiment of the invention, the coefficient of transmission (CT) of the glasses lenses (28) is controlled according to a wireless communication protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Benoist Fleury
  • Patent number: 8953104
    Abstract: An automatic shading electric welding lens comprises a view window and a side frame. The view window is composed of an optical filter and a liquid crystal sheet sequentially overlapped. The automatic shading electric welding lens is provided with an illuminating device. The illuminating device includes a lighting body, a switch and a power supply electrically connected to each other to form a loop. The lighting body is arranged on a surface of the side frame facing a welding object. The lighting body is a light emitting diode. The switch is a time-delay switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hangzhou Rainbow Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiangdong Ge, Senwen Wang
  • Publication number: 20150001378
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic welding filter that changes from a light transmission state to a dark transmission state in response to incident welding light and includes a colour-tunable filter whose spectral transmittance can be varied to optimise the visual appearance of a welding task. The colour-tunable filter comprises at least one low twist liquid crystal cell disposed between polarisation filters having substantially parallel polarisation directions. The user is able to adjust the colour of the automatic welding filter in the dark transmission state, independently of the shade, in response to a user selected colour signal which alters the birefringence properties of the low twist liquid crystal cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Kristina M. Magnusson, Kenneth Jarefors
  • Publication number: 20140320771
    Abstract: A method for operating an auto-darkening welding filter for protecting a welder's eye in the course of a pulse mode welding process. During the pulse mode welding process at least a first time interval with strong light emission and a second time interval with reduced and/or negligible light emission are repeated with a repetition rate, and a point in time of a beginning of the first time interval is associated with a raising edge event. The method includes the step of darkening the auto-darkening welding filter to a first darkening level at a point in time of the raising edge event that is associated with a next first time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Optrel AG
    Inventors: Leo Keller, Martin Schreiber, Tobias Tetzel
  • Patent number: 8836871
    Abstract: An automatic shading electric welding lens comprises a view window and a side frame. The view window is composed of an optical filter and a liquid crystal sheet sequentially overlapped. The automatic shading electric welding lens is provided with an illuminating device. The illuminating device includes a lighting body, a switch and a power supply electrically connected to each other to form a loop. The lighting body is arranged on a surface of the side frame facing a welding object. The lighting body is a light emitting diode. The switch is a time-delay switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hangzhou Rainbow Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiangdong Ge, Senwen Wang
  • Patent number: 8767133
    Abstract: Herein are disclosed methods by which a layer of oriented chromonic material may be transferred from a flexible substrate to a receiving substrate, so as to form a subassembly for use in the assembly of liquid crystal cells. The oriented chromonic material layer may function as an alignment layer for aligning liquid crystal material, and may also incorporate a pleochroic dye so to function as a polarizing layer. An oriented chromonic material layer of relatively large area can be transferred, which enables the production of relatively large liquid crystal cells for use in, e.g., autodarkening filters such as used for eye protection in welding operations. Curved liquid crystal cells are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Hassan Sahouani, Feng Bai
  • Publication number: 20140168546
    Abstract: An automatic-darkening filter 10, 10? that comprises a first polarizer 14, a second polarizer 18, a first liquid-crystal cell 16, and a sensor 64. The first polarizer 14 has a first polarization direction, and the second polarizer 18 has a second polarization direction. The liquid crystal cell 16 is disposed between the first and second polarizers 14, 18 and contains first and second optically-transparent, flexible, glass layers 40 and 42 with the liquid crystal layer 48 being located between these layers. The sensor 64 detects incident light and causes a signal to be sent, which causes molecular rotation within the liquid crystal layer. The inventive automatic-darkening filter is beneficial in that overall product weight can be reduced and the view field can be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Kristina M. Magnusson, Britton G. Billingsley, Kenneth Jarefors, Larissa Zuravskaja, Joy L. Manske
  • Publication number: 20140092328
    Abstract: Electro-optical glare protection device comprising a liquid crystal (LCD) and an electronic control circuit (75) for controlling same, whereby a plane-parallel liquid crystal cell (LCD) is joint face to have at least on one side with a plane lens (33, 34, 37, 33, 42, 43, 46, 47, 52, 53, 56, 57) in order to form a neutral lens (31, 35) or an ophthalmic lens (41, 45, 51, 55) and in particular a multi-focal or progressive lens. This electro-optical glare protection device is preferably operated in a “normally-black” mode and comprises a wearing-switch (78) which detects whether the anti-glare device is worn or if it is pushed aside or put aside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: EYEREX AG
    Inventors: Rene Werthmuller, Livio Ghisleni
  • Publication number: 20140063377
    Abstract: Electro-optical glare protection device for protective glasses, protective helmets or protective masks comprising at least two optical sensors, which are equipped to detect the luminance of an object field and which have a different characteristic for the angle-dependent relative sensitivity (S0). In particular, at least a first sensor comprises a first photodiode (1) having a narrow detection angle ?1<45° and a second sensor comprises a second photodiode (2) with a wide detection angle ?2>45°. An electronic circuitry for controlling the optical transmittance of a liquid crystal cell comprises differential circuit which generates a differential current (i?) from photocurrents (i1, i2) generated by the respective photodiocies (1, 2), which differential current (i?) serves as a control signal for controlling the liquid crystal cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Donata Castelberg, Stefan Gunz, Manfred Castelberg
  • Publication number: 20130278846
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing illumination in, for example, a display device. One or more light emitters can emit light into a light guide plate that is configured to distribute the light across an array of display elements. A substantially etendue-preserving reflector between the light emitters and the light guide can at least partially collimate light propagating in a single plane of collimation. In some implementations, a lenticular film, or other optical elements, can be used to increase divergence of the light in a plane orthogonal to the plane of collimation. The light guide can include light extraction elements, which can be frusta-shaped features for turning light out of the light guide for illuminating the display. In some implementations, a flexible electrical interconnection circuit can be used to provide power and/or signals to the light emitters, thereby providing a flexible circuit illumination system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Holman, Matthew B. Sampsell
  • Patent number: 8542325
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to contact lenses. Specifically, this invention relates to contact lenses that change color based on one or more stimuli. The present application provides for a color changing contact lens that can change its color based on one or more stimuli. The color changing contact lens is constructed of an inner layer, an outer layer and a supply of liquid crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventor: Ehren Ray Burton
  • Publication number: 20130235286
    Abstract: A real-time auto-dimming safety lens device is adapted to assemble a dimmable lens, position various and fix a light sensor, controller and power supply, where the controller receives accurate visible-light illumination signals from a light sensor immediately and calculates the best transmittance or color of a dimmable lens, controls the transmittance or color of the environmental visible light penetrating the dimmable lens immediately and accurately so as to allow human's eyes to reach the farthest visible distance, be in the most comfortable state, and get the clearest environment scene. Therefore, a user can use the real-time auto-dimming safety lens device of the present invention to allow the user's eyes to reach the farthest visible distance, be in the most comfortable state, and get the clearest scene while the use locates in a particular environment (e.g. raining day, fogginess, snowfield).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventor: PAI-FU HUNG
  • Patent number: 8531629
    Abstract: According to example embodiments, a reflective display device includes a plurality of pixel units. Each of the plurality of pixel units may include a reflective plate having at least one concave reflective surface, a first electrode on the reflective plate, a second electrode separate from the first electrode, at least one light-absorbing member corresponding to the at least one concave reflective surface, and a polymer dispersed liquid crystal PDLC layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. The PDLC layer includes a polymer and liquid crystals. The light-absorbing member may be at a focus position of the at least one concave reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gae-hwang Lee, Kyu-young Hwang, Jae-eun Jung
  • Patent number: 8523460
    Abstract: A device includes a female connector to receive a male network connector of a network conduit, and a first male connector optically communicating with the female connector, where the first male connector includes a first indicator that identifies a first wavelength optical signal. The device also includes a second male connector optically communicating with the female connector, where the second male connector includes a second indicator that identifies a second wavelength optical signal. The device further includes a wavelength splitter to receive an optical signal from the network conduit via the female connector, provide the optical signal to the first male connector when the optical signal corresponds to the first wavelength optical signal, and provide the optical signal to the second male connector when the optical signal corresponds to the second wavelength optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Tiejun J. Xia, Glenn A. Wellbrock, Nee-Ben Gee
  • Publication number: 20130222710
    Abstract: The present invention relates to sunglasses and goggles, and more particularly relates to a system for adjusting optical characteristics such as the color or the optical transmittance of sunglasses or goggles lens and relates to sunglasses and goggles equipped with the adjusting system. Provided is an optical characteristics adjusting system for sunglasses or goggles lenses, the system comprising: lenses equipped with an LCD panel; a lens drive unit equipped with an LCD drive unit for applying a driving voltage to the LCD panel; an illuminance detecting sensor for sensing the ambient illuminance; and a control unit for controlling the action of the lens drive unit in response to a signal from the illuminance detecting sensor. Also provided are sunglasses and goggles equipped with the optical characteristics adjusting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: OTOS WING. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Moon-Young Huh, Sung-Won Huh
  • Publication number: 20130128135
    Abstract: Herein is disclosed an automatic darkening filter apparatus comprising a shutter control system configured to cause a shutter to switch from a dark state to an intermediate state in response to a change from high intensity incident light to low intensity incident light being detected. The control system is further configured to maintain the shutter in the intermediate state for a period of time, unless during this period of time high intensity light is detected, in which case the control system causes the shutter to switch to the dark state. If, at the end of the period of time, high intensity light is not detected, the shutter is caused to switch from the intermediate state to a light state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
  • Patent number: 8436788
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a display system. The display system can include a display module having a configurable optical characteristic that varies from substantially transmissive to substantially reflective, at least one data capturing device configured to capture data to form a display image, and at least a first projector configured to project the display image to the display module. Therefore, the display image can be overlaid with a real image according to an optical configuration of the display module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Mathew P. Kier, Michael J. Dailey, Jon C. Hunter, Richard A. Sanoske, Raymond G Roberts
  • Patent number: 8390533
    Abstract: A beam-scan display apparatus (10) displays an image by scanning a beam on a retina of a user, the beam-scan display apparatus (10) includes a case (11) housing (i) a light source (101) emitting a beam for drawing each of pixels constituting the image, and (ii) a scan unit (103) two-dimensionally scanning the beam emitted from the light source (101). Further, the beam-scan apparatus includes a contact lens (12) having a deflection unit (104) deflecting, toward the retina of an eye of the user wearing the case (11), the beam scanned by the scan unit (103), wherein the contact lens (12) is separate from the case (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kakuya Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20130009059
    Abstract: Device with at least one filter, in particular for a relieving and preventive eye protection as glasses, sun glasses or pane, wherein the device comprises at least one filter for influencing and filtering UV, blue light and infrared radiation, wherein the at least one filter is characterized by specific limit values defined in their combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventor: Nunzio Giuseppe Caruso
  • Patent number: 8264265
    Abstract: An apparatus and methodology for operating an automatic darkening filter (ADF) eye protection device alternately applies an operating voltage to a pair of control terminals of an ADF device circuit in a continuing sequence, where a first polarity voltage is applied to the pair of terminals and then reversed. A delay period is provided between application of the alternating polarities. In some embodiments ground potential is applied to both terminals of the pair of terminals during the delay period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald William Greiner, Thomas Joe Hamilton
  • Patent number: 8253903
    Abstract: A first sub-pixel area and a second sub-pixel area that are provided in each of pixel areas so as to sandwich a scanning signal line 2. A first sub-pixel is arranged to include the first sub-pixel area and a section of the counter substrate which section corresponds to the first sub-pixel, area and the second sub-pixel is arranged to include the second sub-pixel area and a section of the counter substrate which section corresponds to the second sub-pixel area. A first alignment control structure is provided in the first sub-pixel and a second alignment control structure is provided in the second sub-pixel. The first alignment control structure (L1 and S1 to S4) provided in one pixel (55x) of two adjacent pixels has a shape obtained by rotating by 180° the first alignment control structure (L11, S11 to S14) provided in the other one pixel (55y) of the two adjacent pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kentaroh Irie, Toshihide Tsubata, Naoshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 8231995
    Abstract: A goggle includes a lens assembly which comprises a front lens, a rear lens spaced apart from the front lens, and a liquid crystal device disposed on one of the lenses. The goggle includes a frame, which defines an aperture and a peripheral channel. The peripheral channel receives the front lens and the rear lens is positioned rearward of the channel so that the aperture receives the lens assembly. A power unit includes a battery and a drive circuit, wherein the drive circuit is connected to a pair of prongs that are electrically connectable to the liquid crystal device for operation thereof. The power unit provides a master switch connected to the battery to control application of power to the drive circuit, and a state change switch to control application of power from the drive circuit, through the prongs, to the liquid crystal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Alphamicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Eui-Yeul Park, Roy Miller, Tamas Kosa, Bahman Taheri
  • Patent number: 8199263
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multi-touch LCD panel. A conductive colloidal mixture formed by mixing a plurality of conductive particles and a colloid is coated on the electrode layer of the counter substrate and is solidified to make the conductive particles electrically connect to the corresponding sensing electrodes of the array substrate. Consequently, when an external force is applied to one touching position on the counter substrate, the conductive particles electrically connect the sensing electrodes to the electrode layer and the touching signal of the position can be obtained. Due to the integration of the conductive particles into the liquid crystal cell gap, the multi-touch LCD panel has the advantages of slimness and lightness. Moreover, the manufacturing process of the conductive particles is introduced after the conventional counter substrate manufacturing method, and the objective of simple process, low cost and high yields can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Century Display(ShenZhen)Co.,Ltd.
    Inventor: De-Jiun Li
  • Patent number: 8164706
    Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device 100 provided by the present invention, at least a part of a circuit board 16 can be held on an outer side surface 30B of a frame 30 by a board clip 50 mounted on the outer side surface 30B of the frame 30. The board clip 50 includes a plate-like main body portion 52 located so as to face the outer side surface 30B of the frame 30, front-side engaging portions 54 and 55, and a pair of rear-side engaging portions 56 and 57. A bezel receiving portion 60 contactable with a part of a peripheral portion of a bezel 20 is formed in the vicinity of the front-side engaging portions 54 and 55.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Saori Nambo, Eriko Wakabayashi, Masanori Shimo, Takafumi Hara
  • Patent number: 8119974
    Abstract: An auto darkening eye protection device comprising a shutter assembly and a control circuit in electrical communication with the shutter assembly. The shutter assembly is adjustable between a clear state and a dark state. The control circuit comprises a microcontroller programmed to store a plurality of memory presets including at least one setting corresponding to the operation of the shutter assembly. At least two of the plurality of memory presets are individually configured for a specific type of welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hamilton, Barry D. Scott
  • Patent number: 8102476
    Abstract: A display device including an oxide semiconductor thin film transistor is provided. The display device includes at least one thin film transistor, and at least one storage capacitor. The storage capacitor includes a storage electrode formed of a transparent oxide semiconductor, and a pixel electrode over the storage electrode. The pixel electrode may be separated from the storage electrode by a desired distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoung-seok Son, Sang-yoon Lee, Myung-kwan Ryu, Tae-sang Kim, Jang-yeon Kwon, Kyung-bae Park, Ji-sim Jung
  • Publication number: 20120002121
    Abstract: A new concept of the LCD light-switching optical filter allowing for very high, electrically controlled, continuously variable light attenuation (up to ?100,000) optimized/symmetrized for the light incidence along the normal to the LCD plane is proposed. The new LCD light-switching optical filter also exhibits very low light attenuation dependence for the oblique incidence of light within a limited cone of angles off the normal incidence direction in compliance with the international safety and quality regulation EN 379 for personal protection equipment. According to the invention the problem is solved by specific, novel modification of the general principle of highly twisted nematic LCDs, allowing for the adaptation of the light transmission/driving voltage characteristics to specific requirements of the driving electronics as well as “symmetrizing” the overall optical birefringent properties, which in turn results in a high degree of their angular compensation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Janez PIRS, Matej Bazec, Silvija Pirs, Bojan Marin, Bernarda Urankar, Dusan Ponikvar
  • Patent number: 8089424
    Abstract: Disclosed is a functional display type anti-blinding device having an anti-blinding plate for indication and control of a screen display condition and variation in light transmittance. The anti-blinding plate includes a filter to selectively filter light, a polarizer to polarize the filtered light, a shutter LCD having a variable light transmittance based on control of a light transmission control unit, a transparent dot-matrix LCD to indicate the screen display condition based on control of a display control unit, and a glass protector at the rear of the transparent dot-matrix LCD. The shutter LCD flickers several times to indicate an initial state and is turned off. The transparent dot-matrix LCD is turned on upon turn-off of the shutter LCD to indicate the screen display condition. The shutter LCD is turned on upon turn-off of the transparent dot-matrix LCD to transmit light based on preset light transmittance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Otos Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Moon young Huh
  • Patent number: 8081262
    Abstract: A pair of safety sunglass, particularly for use when arc welding, includes auto darkening lenses having suitable characteristics for providing high intensity light protection during welding procedures. The sunglasses have a tight fitting frame conforming to an individual's face curvature. When an arc is struck, or another high intensity light source is present, the lenses instantly and automatically darken to protect the individual's eyes from damage. Each lens includes a plurality of layers for prohibiting the high intensity direct light rays from passing therethrough. A feature and benefit of such eyewear is that welding operations may be performed in confined spaces where a conventional welding face shield can not fit. When the welding is completed, the eyeglasses would quickly return to their sun tinted state allowing them to be used as a conventional pair of sunglasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: Jose R. Perez
  • Patent number: 8049151
    Abstract: Disclosed is a digital type anti-glare device capable of conveniently performing input, operation and adjustment, and a method of controlling the same. The digital type anti-glare device includes a touch sensor input unit recognizing a shade degree and a grind mode level by direct selective operation or adjustment of a user as a digital contact signal and inputting the shade degree and the grind model level to the control unit, and an encoder switch input unit recognizing a sensitivity level and an opening delay level by the selective operation or adjustment of the user and inputting the sensitivity level and the opening delay level to the control unit. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent operation failure due to switch contact, dust or humidity or the like by a touch sensor and encoder input and to facilitate input, operation and adjustment even in a state in which an operator wears gloves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Otos Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Moon Young Huh
  • Patent number: 8035761
    Abstract: Disclosed is a shading device for a welding helmet in which a circuit portion (the second frame) having a high error rate and the remaining portion can be separated from each other and only the circuit portion separated from the device can be repaired or changed, thereby the maintenance and repair are harmoniously. The shading device for a welding helmet comprising a first frame comprises a first body having a LCD module with contacting portions formed at both sides of a LCD window and a first joint portion formed at one end portion of the first body, a second frame comprising a second body 32 having a power supplying portion and a second joint portion attachable and deattachable to the first joint portion of the first frame at one end portion thereof, a pair of electrodes having one side thereof electrically contacted with the contacting portions respectively, and an electrically conductive means for electrically connecting the power supplying portion with the corresponded electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Won Su Seo
  • Patent number: 7995070
    Abstract: In order to obtain an excellent color processing result by calculating an optimal white point in partial adaptation, first white point data which indicates white of a device is input, the first white point data is projected onto a predetermined curve, and white point data in the partial adaptation located on the predetermined curve is calculated using the projected first white point data and the second white point data located on the predetermined curve. Color processing of input color data is performed using the white point data in the partial adaptation, which is corrected in accordance with the positional relationship between the first white point data and projected first white point data, and the color reproduction characteristics of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kosei Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7995153
    Abstract: An image processing system includes a display device, a liquid crystal module, and a control device. The display device is used for outputting a first set of images and a second set of images. The first set of images and the second set of images have different visual angles. The liquid crystal module is disposed at a side of the display device. The control device is electrically coupled to the display device and the liquid crystal module. The control device includes a power source and a control unit. The control unit is electrically coupled to the power source for controlling whether the power source should input an electric field to a twisted nematic liquid layer of the liquid crystal module or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Yao-Tsung Chang
  • Patent number: 7884888
    Abstract: A protective automatic darkening filter construction 10 includes two low twist liquid crystal cells 26, 30 interspersed between a series of offset polarizers 24, 28, 32. The resulting construction provides improved homogeneity in the dark state as viewed by the user over a large viewing angle. By reducing variations in shade, visibility through the filter may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kristina M. Magnusson, Kenneth Jarefors, Per-Olav Dahlin
  • Patent number: 7868278
    Abstract: An auto darkening eye protection device comprising a shutter assembly and a control circuit. The shutter assembly is adjustable between a light state and a dark state. The control circuit comprises a sensing circuit, a weld detect circuit, a positive voltage generator, and a negative voltage generator. The sensing circuit senses incident light and provides an output indicative of the incident light. The weld detect circuit receives the output of the sensing circuit, and enables a dark state drive signal to be delivered to the shutter assembly. The positive and negative voltage generators output the dark state drive signal to the shutter assembly to switch the shutter assembly from the light state to the dark state upon enablement by the weld detect circuit. The dark state drive signal includes a high voltage pulse followed by a stable AC waveform. The high voltage pulse is formed by a positive voltage signal and a negative voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Jackson Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20100283957
    Abstract: An article of polarized eyewear has a lens, with a first substrate lens material transparent to visible light and a pattern of elongated structures formed from at least a second material having a complex index of refraction, wherein the second material is deposited directly onto a curved surface of the first substrate lens material. A pitch between adjacent elongated structures is less than 300 nm and a width of each elongated structure is less than 90% of the pitch. A photochromic material is deposited onto the polarized eyewear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: SOL-GRID, LLC
    Inventors: Pasquale Matera, David Kessler
  • Publication number: 20100265421
    Abstract: Herein is disclosed an automatic darkening filter apparatus comprising a shutter control system configured to cause a shutter to switch from a dark state to an intermediate state in response to a change from high intensity incident light to low intensity incident light being detected. The control system is further configured to maintain the shutter in the intermediate state for a period of time, unless during this period of time high intensity light is detected, in which case the control system causes the shutter to switch to the dark state. If, at the end of the period of time, high intensity light is not detected, the shutter is caused to switch from the intermediate state to a light state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Ingvar Sundell