Light Control By Opaque Element Or Medium Movable In Or Through Light Path Patents (Class 359/227)
  • Publication number: 20140347601
    Abstract: A luminescent layer includes a series of down-converting luminophores dispersed in a matrix to collect ambient light energy over a range of wavelengths longer than a desired color band and a set of up-converting luminophores dispersed in the matrix. The series of down-converting luminophores transfer the ambient light energy to the set of up-converting luminophores, and the set of up-converting luminophores emits at least a portion of the ambient light energy in the desired color band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Gary Gibson, Xia Sheng, Richard H. Henze
  • Publication number: 20140300943
    Abstract: An aperture device includes: a board including an opening; a blade opening and closing the opening; and first and second receiving plates sandwiching the blade; wherein the first receiving plate includes a pressing portion partially pressing the blade toward the second plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO PRECISION INC.
    Inventors: Katsuhisa GOKITA, Kazuya SHIODA, Kenichi KUDO
  • Patent number: 8854712
    Abstract: A display device provided with an MEMS light valve, comprising: a substrate, a fixed optical grating located on the substrate, an MEMS light valve for controlling the opening and closing of the fixed optical grating, the MEMS light valve comprises a first light valve and a second light valve; the opening and closing of the fixed optical grating is controlled via controlling the movement of the first light valve and the second light valve, and the moving directions of the first light valve and the second light valve are opposite. Also disclosed is a method for forming a display device provided with an MEMS light valve. Thus the sensitivity of the MEMS light valve is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Lexvu Opto Microelectronics Technology (Shanghai) Ltd
    Inventors: Jianhong Mao, Deming Tang
  • Publication number: 20140293589
    Abstract: The present invention relates to medical devices, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a medical device that allows a surgeon to personally adjust the aperture of the light beam being projected from his or her surgical headlight during surgery, as often as necessary and without compromising the sterile field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicants: SteriClip LLC, SurgiRight LLC
    Inventors: Gareth Estwick, Rian Rifkin
  • Publication number: 20140266999
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a multi-state shutter assembly. The multi-state shutter assembly can be used in an electronic display. The shutter assembly can include a movable light obstructing component. The shutter assembly also can include first and second actuators configured to move the light obstructing component between three states, including a fully light obstructive state, a substantially transmissive state, and a partially transmissive state. At least one of the three states is a neutral state in which both the first and second actuators are in an unactuated state. The shutter assembly also can include a controller configured to control the first and second actuator to selectively move the light obstructing component into each of the three states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: PIXTRONIX, INC.
    Inventors: Joyce Wu, Tsutomu Kobayashi, Mark B. Andersson, Gianni Taraschi, Jasper Lodewyk Steyn
  • Publication number: 20140267196
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for modulating light to form an image on a display, as well as methods manufacturing such apparatus. The display apparatus includes shutters having asymmetric light obstructing portions extending out from opposing sides of a shutter aperture along an axis of motion of the shutter. Actuators move the shutters laterally along the axis of motion to move the shutter between fully closed, partially open, and fully open states to modulate light, thereby forming an image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: PIXTRONIX, INC.
    Inventors: Javier Villarreal, Timothy Brosnihan, Mark B. Andersson, Edward Buckley, Eugene Fike
  • Publication number: 20140268274
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for displaying images. Some such apparatus include an array of display elements coupled to a substrate and an elevated aperture layer (EAL) suspended over the array of display elements. The EAL is coupled to the substrate, and includes, for each of the display elements, at least one aperture for allowing passage of light therethrough. Methods for manufacturing such apparatus include at least one of forming etch holes through the EAL, employing an at least partially sublimatable sacrificial mold, employing a two phase release process, and releasing the apparatus such that a portion of a sacrificial mold remains surrounding portions of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: PIXTRONIX, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Brosnihan, Javier Villarreal, Michael Andrew Gingras
  • Patent number: 8837042
    Abstract: A transillumination device (150) for a microscope (100) comprises a flat panel light source (151), a diaphragm arrangement (152) arranged behind the flat panel light source (151) in the radiating direction (AR) that comprises two diaphragm elements movable relative to one another, at least one of the two diaphragm elements having a cutout, the two diaphragm elements defining, together with the at least one cutout, a diaphragm opening, wherein the dimensions of the diaphragm opening in two mutually perpendicular directions are determined by the position of the diaphragm elements relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventors: Robert Paulus, Harald Schnitzler, Didier Henry
  • Publication number: 20140246612
    Abstract: The invention relates to a laser assembly (100) having a laser (L) for generating primary laser pulses (1), beam splitting optics (15) for splitting a primary laser pulse into a plurality of temporally staggered sub-pulses, and having focusing optics (17-19) for focusing the sub-pulses in or on an object (20) so that every sub-pulse is focused in a separate focus volume (F). The invention is characterized in that the mutual spatial and/or temporal relationship of the focus volumes (F) of the sub-pulses originating from a common primary laser pulse is variably adjustable. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: LAVISION BIOTEC GmbH
    Inventor: Heinrich Spiecker
  • Patent number: 8817352
    Abstract: An optical switching assembly having an optical path therethrough includes an optical element, a base frame, an optical support that supports the optical element and is pivotably mounted to the base frame, and a linkage. The linkage interconnects the base frame and the optical support to effect movement of the optical support between an aligned position where the optical element is in the optical path and a non-aligned position removed from the aligned position. The linkage has two over-center positions that respectively correspond to the aligned position and the non-aligned position. No additional energy is required to hold the linkage in the over-center positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: David G. Anthony, Robert Stein
  • Publication number: 20140236092
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a display arrangement for a drug delivery device, comprising: a first display member comprising numerous surface portions having at least two different but interrelated appearances and being alternately arranged along a first direction, and a second display member comprising a light modulating structure to modulate visible light emanating from the first display member, wherein first and second display members are movably disposed relative to each other along the first direction to simultaneously reveal and/or to conceal at least two surface portions of interrelated appearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Steffen Raab, Ivana Berger, Sandra Brose
  • Publication number: 20140184621
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for modulating light to form an image on a display. A light modulator in the display may include a substrate, a shutter, a first actuator and a second actuator. The shutter can be configured to selectively obstruct an optical path through the substrate. The first actuator can be configured to move the shutter in a first direction along a first axis in a plane substantially parallel to a plane defined by the substrate, thereby moving the shutter from a first state to a second state. The second actuator can be configured to move the shutter in a second direction along a second axis. The second axis can be substantially orthogonal to the first axis and also within a plane parallel to the substrate. In some implementations, moving the shutter along the second axis moves the shutter into a third state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Brosnihan, Joyce H. Wu, Mark B. Andersson, Jasper Lodewyk Steyn
  • Patent number: 8760750
    Abstract: The thermally switched absorptive optical shutter may be a self-regulating “switchable absorber” device that may absorb approximately 100% of incoming light above a threshold temperature, and may absorb approximately 50% of incoming light below a threshold temperature. The shutter may be formed by placing a thermotropic depolarizes between two absorptive polarizers. This control over the flow of radiant energy may occur independently of the thermal conductivity or insulation of the shutter device and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. This has energy-efficiency implications as it can be used to regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. The shutter device has unique optical properties that are not found in traditional windows, skylights, stained glass, light fixtures, glass blocks, bricks, or other building materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Ravenbrick LLC
    Inventors: Richard M. Powers, Wil McCarthy
  • Patent number: 8755105
    Abstract: The thermally switched reflective optical shutter is a self-regulating “switchable mirror” device that reflects up to 100% of incident radiant energy above a threshold temperature, and reflects up to 50% of incident radiant energy below a threshold temperature. Control over the flow of radiant energy occurs independently of the thermal conductivity or insulating value of the device, and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. The device can be used as a construction material to efficiently regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. The device can be tailored to transmit sufficient visible light to see through in both the transparent and reflective states, while still providing significant control over the total energy transmission across the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Ravenbrick LLC
    Inventors: Richard M. Powers, Wil McCarthy
  • Publication number: 20140139899
    Abstract: A display device includes an image display, an optical component, a light control component. The image display emits light including an image. The optical component has a focal distance D1. The light control component is provided between the image display and the optical component on an optical path of the light. The light control component includes a central aperture transmitting a first portion of the light emitted, and a peripheral aperture provided around the central aperture and transmitting a second portion of the light. The light control component blocks a portion of the light other than the first and second portions. The focal distance D1, a distance D2 between the optical component and the light control component, and an aperture spacing d0 between the central aperture and the peripheral aperture satisfy a relationship: d0·D1/D2>2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Aira HOTTA, Akihisa MORIYA, Takashi SASAKI, Haruhiko OKUMURA, Masashi NISHIYAMA, Goh ITOH
  • Patent number: 8717428
    Abstract: A light diffusing composition that optimizes image clarity from a SSID comprising a translucent matrix further comprising a plurality of hollow micro-particles. The plurality of hollow micro-particles are dispersed throughout the translucent matrix and a fluid is disposed within the hollow micro-particle. A refractive index of the fluid within the hollow micro-particle is different than a refractive index of the translucent matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, David P. Marceau
  • Patent number: 8711461
    Abstract: An aperture stop 10A includes a filter area 1 formed on a flat-plate substrate 23, and an aperture area 2 formed inside the filter area 1. The filter area 1 transmits infrared light and reduces or blocks the transmission of visible light. The aperture area 2 transmits light in the wavelength range corresponding to fluorescent light from an observed area of a subject and light in the wavelength range corresponding to illumination light to the subject. The aperture stop 10A does not reduce the light in the wavelength range corresponding to fluorescent light from the observed area of the subject, but variably reduces visible light since the area of the aperture area 2 is variable. Therefore, it becomes possible to simultaneously and clearly observe, with a simple method, a subject image formed by illumination light in the visible light band and an observed image formed by weak fluorescent light from the observed area of the subject in the infrared light band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Yamano Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiro Yamano, Takayuki Sato
  • Patent number: 8687256
    Abstract: A lens barrier device includes a first barrier blade including a shielding portion, a connection portion, and an abutment portion. The abutment portion is connected, on an optical axis imaging surface side of the shielding portion, to the shielding portion via the connecting portion. Further, a second barrier blade is provided on an optical axis imaging surface side with respect to the shielding portion. A regulating portion is provided whose optical axis imaging surface side is configured to contact the abutment portion, wherein an outer peripheral portion of the second barrier blade, the connecting portion, and the abutment portion are located in this order from an optical axis center to an optical axis outer side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinnosuke Torii
  • Publication number: 20140063581
    Abstract: An optical switching assembly having an optical path therethrough includes an optical element, a base frame, an optical support that supports the optical element and is pivotably mounted to the base frame, and a linkage. The linkage interconnects the base frame and the optical support to effect movement of the optical support between an aligned position where the optical element is in the optical path and a non-aligned position removed from the aligned position. The linkage has two over-center positions that respectively correspond to the aligned position and the non-aligned position. No additional energy is required to hold the linkage in the over-center positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: David G. Anthony, Robert Stein
  • Publication number: 20140016125
    Abstract: An inspection system with selectable apodization includes an illumination source configured to illuminate a surface of a sample, a detector configured to detect at least a portion of light emanating from the surface of the sample, the illumination source and the detector being optically coupled via an optical pathway of an optical system, a selectably configurable apodization device disposed along the optical pathway, wherein the apodization device includes one or more apodization elements operatively coupled to one or more actuation stages configured to selectably actuate the one or more apodization elements along one or more directions, and a control system communicatively coupled to the one or more actuation and configured to selectably control apodization of illumination transmitted along the optical pathway by controlling an actuation state of the one or more apodization elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: KLA-TENCOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: KLA-Tencor Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130335799
    Abstract: A display device includes a light source unit that emits a first light with a first wavelength, an optical filter that converts the first light to a second light, and an optical shutter that transmits or reflects the first light or the second light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seon-Tae YOON, Jong Hyuk Kang, Jae Byung Park, Mun-Ki Sim, Dae Hyun Kim, Minki Nam, Haeil Park, Dong-Hoon Lee, Hyun Min Cho
  • Patent number: 8599461
    Abstract: A dimmer wheel which is formed to absorb large amounts of light and to disperse the light that is absorbed. The dimmer wheel has a bottom surface that is irregular, and a reflective material in that bottom surface to scatter the light. A light absorbing material also receives some of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: James Bornhorst
  • Patent number: 8599462
    Abstract: A display device includes a first substrate; a second substrate; a plurality of pixels; a shutter mechanism section formed in correspondence with each of the pixels, a fluid sealed in an space between the first substrate and the second substrate; and an impact absorption section located to face one substrate among the first substrate and the second substrate, on the side opposite to the side on which the fluid is located. The shutter mechanism section is formed on the second substrate and includes a movable shutter section for controlling a light transmittance of each of the pixels. The impact absorption section includes a third substrate located to face the one substrate, on the side opposite to the fluid, a sealing section for bringing together the one substrate and the third substrate, and a predetermined gap formed among the one substrate, the third substrate and the sealing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Takeomi Morita, Masataka Okamoto, Takahiko Muneyoshi, Shigeki Nishizawa, Katsumi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8564762
    Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes a light source for providing bursts of photolithographic exposure light, a mask for applying a pattern to the photolithographic exposure light, a variable length blind for blocking parts of an exposure window from receiving the photolithographic exposure light and a blind driver for controllably driving the variable length blind. The blind includes a plurality of movable blocking plates. The blind driver includes a plurality of motors and a motor control unit which are structured to rapidly return one or more of the blocking plates through the exposure window in a time duration between the bursts of photolithographic exposure light so that a return stain is not formed on the substrate. In one embodiment, the substrate is a mother substrate having a plurality of LCD daughter substrates being formed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Hoon Kim, Bo-Kyoung Ahn, Hong-Suk Yoo
  • Patent number: 8553309
    Abstract: A blade speed adjustable mechanism includes: a board having an opening; a shutter blade opening or closing the opening; a drive lever supported by the board and bringing the shutter blade into an overlapped operation or an expanded operation; a biasing member engaging the drive lever and biasing the shutter blade in an overlapped direction or in an expanded direction; a ratchet member engaging the biasing member and having ratchet teeth; an engagement member holding the ratchet member at a desired stop position and adjusting an biasing force of the biasing member by changing the stop position. The engagement member has a plurality of pawl portions different from each other in length. The pawl portion engages the ratchet tooth to hold the ratchet member at the stop position. A difference in length between the pawl portions is shorter than a distance corresponding to a pitch of the ratchet teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Precision Inc.
    Inventors: Yoichi Nakano, Hiroshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8545555
    Abstract: According to a first aspect, the invention relates to an electrically controlled focusing ophthalmic device (43) to be worn by a user, comprising:—at least one active liquid lens comprising a liquid/liquid interface movable by electrowetting under the application of a voltage,—a driver for applying a DC voltage to said active liquid lens, the amplitude of the voltage to be applied being a function of the desired focusing;—a sensor (41) for detecting eyelid closing events and/or microsaccades of the user;—a controller for synchronizing said sensor and the driver, such that the driver may reverse the polarization of the DC voltage during a microsaccade and/or an eyelid closing event of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Parrot
    Inventor: Bruno Berge
  • Patent number: 8542424
    Abstract: A heat resistant black coating film which is capable of making the surface of optical members to be low reflection property and black property, a black light shading plate having a resin film using the same as a base substrate, and a diaphragm, a diaphragm device for light intensity adjustment and a shutter using the same, and heat resistant light shading tape. They are provided by a black coating film (A), where a titanium oxide film containing titanium and oxygen as main components, and having an oxygen content of from 0.7 to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Abe, Katsushi Ono, Yukio Tsukakoshi
  • Publication number: 20130241973
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display panel and a backlight unit. The display panel includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate includes a first base substrate and a wavelength transforming member. The wavelength transforming member is formed on a first surface of the first base substrate to change a wavelength of light to emit visible light having a predetermined wavelength. The second substrate includes a second base substrate and a light shutter member. The second base substrate faces the first base substrate. The light shutter member is formed on a first surface of the second base substrate facing the first surface of the first base substrate. The light shutter member controls light transmittance of the light received from the wavelength transforming member. The backlight unit provides the display panel with the light. Thus, color purity of image is increased, thereby improving image display quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hae-Il Park, Jae-Byung Park
  • Publication number: 20130194648
    Abstract: An optical imaging apparatus operable to form a sharp stereo image in the air beside an observer, includes a flat plate-shaped light-controlling panel having numerous light-reflecting elements disposed side by side, each of which allowing light from the object to pass therethrough by reflecting the light by a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface disposed in a crossed arrangement with respect to the first reflective surface, wherein the light-controlling panel has a plurality of segment light-controlling panels in which the first reflective surfaces and the second reflective surfaces included are parallel, respectively, centerlines P of the respective segment light-controlling panels, when viewed from thereabove, intersect at a point O on the light-controlling panel, and bisectors which bisect crossing angles between the first and the second reflective surfaces of the light-reflecting elements existing on the centerlines P coincide with the centerlines P when viewed from thereabove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: ASUKANET COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Makoto Otsubo
  • Patent number: 8451527
    Abstract: A shutter includes micro-optics having first and second concentrator arrays. A transducer laterally displaces one of the first and second concentrator arrays between transmissive and shuttered modes. In the transmissive mode, the arrays of concentrators are optically aligned to permit electromagnetic energy passing through the first array of concentrators to pass through the second array of concentrators. In the shuttered mode, the electromagnetic radiation is blocked from passing through the second array of concentrators. The concentrators may be compound parabolic concentrators, or lenslets positioned on opposing plates with pinholes printed therethrough. The shutter may increase f-number of radiation passing therethrough, and may be used in a limited f-cone radiation source with shuttering abilities, for example reducing f-cone of radiation output from the radiation source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Bodkin Design and Engineering LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Bodkin
  • Publication number: 20130083384
    Abstract: An optical probe includes a laser light source that emits laser light, a collimator lens that converts the laser light into parallel light, a light shape changing section that converts the parallel light into linear laser light, an irradiating section to irradiate an object with a selected part of the linear laser light, an image pickup section that picks up an image of the object based on the laser light reflected from the object, and a controller that controls irradiation of the linear laser light. The linear laser light is composed of a plurality of parts including one end part and the other end part; and the irradiating section irradiates the object with the parts of the linear laser light sequentially from the one end part to the other end part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaoki Yamagata, Kentaro Nemoto
  • Patent number: 8405894
    Abstract: A light amount adjustment apparatus having a plurality of light-shielding blade members that can be so manufactured by simple machining as to reduce undesired reflection on end faces of the light-shielding blade members which are parallel with the optical axis and prevent degradation in image quality such as flare and ghosts. A driving force of a stepping motor is transmitted to the light-shielding blade members so that an aperture diameter can be changed. The light-shielding blade members are formed by injection molding of a light-shielding resin material. By performing blasting on an end face of each light-shielding blade member in a part that forms the aperture diameter, an aperture end face whose surface is roughened while substantially maintaining outside dimensions of the light-shielding blade member is formed, and an oblique portion tilted relative to the aperture end face is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Junichi Saito
  • Publication number: 20130057938
    Abstract: The present invention includes light valve section (10) having substrate (22) through which light that exits plurality of optical connection mechanisms (23) that switch between the transmitting state and the shading state of light emitted from light emitting element (25) transmits and plasmon coupling section (11) that is arranged in light valve section (10) and that causes plasmon coupling to occur with light that exits light emitting element (25). Plasmon coupling section (11) includes carrier generation layer (15) that generates carriers with light that exits light emitting element (25) and plasmon excitation layer (17) that has a higher plasma frequency than the frequency of light that is generated in carrier generation layer (15) excited with the light emitted from light emitting element (25). Wave number vector conversion layer (19) is arranged on substrate (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanao Natsumeda, Masao Imai, Shin Tominaga
  • Patent number: 8376589
    Abstract: A layered dimmer formed of different layers. The front layer may be a scattering layer, and the back layer may be a reflective layer. The light beam is scattered prior to reflecting, to avoid reflection back to form hotspots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: James Bornhorst
  • Patent number: 8289605
    Abstract: A dimmer wheel which is formed to absorb large amounts of light and to disperse the light that is absorbed. The dimmer wheel has a bottom surface that is irregular, and a reflective material in that bottom surface to scatter the light. A light absorbing material also receives some of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, L.L.C
    Inventor: James Bornhorst
  • Publication number: 20120250132
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a plurality of pixels including a first pixel. The first substrate includes first openings through which a light is transmitted. The pixels are disposed on at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate. The first pixel includes a first flexible electrode, a second flexible electrode, and a shutter including second openings and disposed between the first and second flexible electrodes. The first flexible electrode receives a first voltage. The second flexible electrode receives a second voltage different from the first voltage. The shutter receives a third voltage. The shutter moves to the first flexible electrode or the second flexible electrode according to a level of the third voltage, thereby controlling the position of the second openings relative to the first openings to control the transmission of the light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Seon-Tae YOON, Jae Byung Park, Hyun Min Cho, Dong-Hoon Lee, Mun-Ki Sim
  • Publication number: 20120251095
    Abstract: A black heat resistant light shading film usable as a shutter blade or a fixed diaphragm, a diaphragm blade for a diaphragm device for a light intensity adjusting module. The black heat resistant light shading film is formed with fine unevennesses at the both surfaces of a resin film having a heat resistance of 155° C. or higher. The resin film is a black film containing a black pigment and an inorganic filler and thickness of the black heat resistant light shading film is 25 ?m or less. Surface roughness (arithmetic average height Ra) of the both surfaces is 0.2 to 2.2 ?m and an average optical density, which is an index of light shading performance of light in a wavelength region of 380 to 780 nm, is 3.5 or higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsushi Ono, Tokuyuki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 8279510
    Abstract: A dual view or two-sided display system to display two different images in substantially opposite direction using a single transparent display to time-multiplex the images and two shutter devices to alternately block each side from being viewed according to the image being displayed. The system includes reflective devices between each side of the transparent display and the two shutter devices so light can be reflected from one side of the transparent display to the other side of the transparent display in order to supplement the light intensity of the image being displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick F. Kuhlman, Dwadasi H. R. Sarma, Andrew P. Harbach
  • Patent number: 8274725
    Abstract: A shutter includes micro-optics having first and second concentrator arrays. A transducer laterally displaces one of the first and second concentrator arrays between transmissive and shuttered modes. In the transmissive mode, the arrays of concentrators are optically aligned to permit electromagnetic energy passing through the first array of concentrators to pass through the second array of concentrators. In the shuttered mode, the electromagnetic radiation is blocked from passing through the second array of concentrators. The concentrators may be compound parabolic concentrators, or lenslets positioned on opposing plates with pinholes printed therethrough. The shutter may increase f-number of radiation passing therethrough, and may be used in a limited f-cone radiation source with shuttering abilities, for example reducing f-cone of radiation output from the radiation source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Bodkin Design and Engineering LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Bodkin
  • Publication number: 20120211647
    Abstract: An arrangement utilizes diffractive, reflective and/or refractive optical elements combined to intensify and homogenize electromagnetic energy, such as natural sunlight in the terrestrial environment, for purposes such as irradiating a target area with concentrated homogenized energy. A heat activated safety mechanism is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: SUNRGI, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas C. Forrester, Robert S. Block
  • Publication number: 20120200905
    Abstract: A transillumination device (150) for a microscope (100) comprises a flat panel light source (151), a diaphragm arrangement (152) arranged behind the flat panel light source (151) in the radiating direction (AR) that comprises two diaphragm elements movable relative to one another, at least one of the two diaphragm elements having a cutout, the two diaphragm elements defining, together with the at least one cutout, a diaphragm opening, wherein the dimensions of the diaphragm opening in two mutually perpendicular directions are determined by the position of the diaphragm elements relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS (SCHWEIZ) AG
    Inventors: Robert PAULUS, Harald SCHNITZLER, Didier Henry
  • Publication number: 20120200904
    Abstract: A viewing panel unit is disclosed, comprising: a first panel comprising one or more light transparent regions that are substantially transparent to visible light and one or more light hindering regions which substantially hinder transmission of visible light; a second panel comprising one or more light transparent regions that are substantially transparent to visible light and one or more light hindering regions which substantially hinder transmission of visible light; and an actuator (6) for moving the second panel relative to the first panel in a plane parallel to the plane of the first panel, wherein the actuator comprises: a cam (10) configured such that rotational movement of the cam causes linear movement of said second panel relative to said first panel; a shaft (8) extending through the cam; and an engaging member (15), wherein: the engaging member provides a non-rotatable connection between the shaft and the cam such that rotation of the shaft in use causes a corresponding rotation of said cam; the e
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: VISTAMATIC LIMITED
    Inventor: John D. Nerden
  • Patent number: 8233210
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for providing a hybrid illumination aperture in optical lithography are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Wallace, Matthew Tingey, Swaminathan Sivakumar
  • Publication number: 20120154885
    Abstract: Light control films, and a method for manufacturing tools used to microreplicate light control films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Vivian W. Jones, Silva K. Theiss, Mark E. Gardiner, Michael E. Lauters, Gary E. Gaides
  • Publication number: 20120154884
    Abstract: A light quantity adjustment apparatus includes a pair of substrates having a light-path aperture; a plurality of diaphragm blades disposed between the pair of substrates; a driving ring that opens and closes the plurality of diaphragm blades; and a driving device. The plurality of diaphragm blades is supported by the substrate via a first guide plate made of a resin film. The substrate and the first guide plate are provided with guide grooves fitted into protrusions formed in the plurality of diaphragm blades to guide the blades. Guide grooves of the substrate are formed of concave grooves. Guide grooves of the first guide plate are formed of through holes. The through holes of the first guide plate have a narrower width than the concave grooves of the substrate to engage in the protrusions of the diaphragm blades and to guide the diaphragm blades in the open and close direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Nisca Corporation
    Inventors: Naoto Mochizuki, Kenji Masuyama, Yosuke Sajiki, Takahiro Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 8184354
    Abstract: A light-amount adjusting apparatus includes a plurality of light-amount adjusting blades that causes a size of a light-passing aperture to change by rotation thereof. Each of the light-amount adjusting blades includes a base portion on which a rotation center portion and a driven portion are formed, and a blade portion that overlaps another light-amount adjusting blade in a light-passing direction so as to form the light-passing aperture. A thickness of the blade portion is thinner than that of the base portion. When the plurality of light-amount adjusting blades is rotated to set the light-passing aperture to be smaller than a full-opened aperture, a thickness of a portion that overlaps an adjacent stop blade is thinner than that of a portion that does not overlap the adjacent stop blade in each of the light-amount adjusting blades. The blades have high dimension accuracy, and deterioration of the optical performance of the apparatus is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masao Mizumaki, Hiroshi Akada
  • Patent number: 8169685
    Abstract: The thermally switched absorptive optical shutter may be a self-regulating “switchable absorber” device that may absorb approximately 100% of incoming light above a threshold temperature, and may absorb approximately 50% of incoming light below a threshold temperature. The shutter may be formed by placing a thermotropic depolarizer between two absorptive polarizers. This control over the flow of radiant energy may occur independently of the thermal conductivity or insulation of the shutter device and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. This has energy-efficiency implications as it can be used to regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. It also has aesthetic implications since the shutter device has unique optical properties that are not found in traditional windows, skylights, stained glass, light fixtures, glass blocks, bricks, or walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Ravenbrick, LLC
    Inventors: Richard M. Powers, Wil McCarthy
  • Patent number: 8167508
    Abstract: A light amount adjusting device includes: a cover plate having a light-passing hole; a first separator being sheet-shaped and having a hole; a second separator being elastically deformable and sheet-shaped, positioned on a side opposite to the cover plate with the first separator therebetween, and having a hole; a first light amount adjusting blade movable between the cover plate and the first separator; a second light amount adjusting blade being movable between the first separator and the second separator; a base body to which the cover plate, the first separator, and the second separator are mounted, having a throughhole and mounting grooves, the throughhole being formed to have a diameter larger than a diameter of the hole of the second separator, the mounting grooves allowing the second separator to be mounted therein and being opened toward the throughhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumasa Osoniwa, Yutaka Maeda, Hideo Ohkuma
  • Publication number: 20120092742
    Abstract: A light irradiation apparatus and a method of manufacture a photo-aligning layer are disclosed. A mask included in a light irradiation apparatus according to one embodiment is configured to irradiate the light having straightness at a high level of illumination to a subject that is apart from the mask with a certain distance. A photo-aligning layer with a desired alignment pattern can be fabricated using the mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Sin Young KIM, Kyung Ki HONG, Hyuk YOON, Won Cheul JU, Yong Il CHO, Moon Soo PARK, Dong Ho KO, Su Young RYU
  • Publication number: 20120082447
    Abstract: A light path adjustment apparatus includes a support plate that has a first through hole through which light passes and optical units that move between an open location where the first through hole is opened by the optical units moving toward an outside of the first through hole and a closing location where the first through hole is divided into a plurality of regions by the plurality of optical units moving toward the first through hole. The optical units block at least a part of the light in the closing location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-oh Jung, Cheol-eun Jang, Sung-wook Choi, Woo-jong Cho