Lens Patents (Class 359/440)
  • Patent number: 11561420
    Abstract: The invention relates to a display device comprising a display plane, on which one or more planar display regions 10, 11 are arranged, said planar regions 10, 11 being covered by transparent coverings. A single transparent covering 3 covers all the planar display regions 10, 11 of the display device, is formed three-dimensionally on the viewer's side by regions of differing thicknesses and is connected on the side facing away from the viewer to the planar display regions 10, 11 by means of optical bonding. The refractive index of the material of the covering 3 corresponds to the refractive index of the optical-bonding material 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Moeller, Thomas Kaeppeler, Humberto Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 10765182
    Abstract: Proposed is a decorative element containing (a) a gemstone, (b) an electrically conductive layer on at least a partial area of the gemstone; and (c) an electronic sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: D. Swarovski KG
    Inventors: Christof Gapp, Martin Scholz, Annemarie Leber, Mathias Mair, Franz Lexer, Ernst Altenberger
  • Patent number: 8360618
    Abstract: An LED unit includes a printed circuit board, an LED mounted on the printed circuit board, and a lens covering the LED and fixed on the printed circuit board. The lens includes a pedestal and an optical element connected to the pedestal. The lens has a light-incident face formed in an interior thereof for receiving light emitted from the LED into the lens, and a light-emergent face formed on an outside thereof for refracting the light out of the lens. The optical element has two opposite sides longer than the other two opposite sides thereof so that the light pattern modulated by the optical element has two opposite ends wider than a middle thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ren-Tao Fu, Chin-Chung Chen
  • Patent number: 8047657
    Abstract: Screens are positioned at front areas of respective placing tables which form placing spaces for placing an article. Each of the screens is a transmission-type screen capable of transmitting projection image light projected on a back side of the screen. A first optical system and a second optical system are arranged inside the display shelf. The first optical system leads first partial image light, which is included in projection image light projected from a projector in the display shelf, to the back sides of the screens. And the second optical system leads second partial image light, which is included in the projection image light, to at least one of the placing spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Toshiba TEC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Ikeda, Hiroki Mochizuki
  • Publication number: 20110001796
    Abstract: An emergency vision apparatus for providing an operator visual access to information during a smoke emergency, comprises an enclosure made of airtight material having spaced apart front and rear panels, the front panel being transparent, the front panel including fasteners for attachment to an instrument panel; an image capture device attached to said rear panel, the image capture device being oriented to view the instrument panel through the transparent front panel; an image viewing device for being disposed in front of one of the operator's eyes, the image viewing device being operably associated with the image capture device; and a support structure to support said viewing lens in front of one of the operator's eyes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Bertil R.L. Werjefelt, David Jenkins
  • Patent number: 7630149
    Abstract: A magnifying assembly for use in enlarging information disposed on a container. In a preferred embodiment, the magnifying assembly comprises a container holder assembly for holding the container; and a magnifying lens coupled to the container holder assembly, wherein the magnifying lens is movable towards and away from the container while the container remains held by the container holder assembly; whereby information disposed on the container appears enlarged when viewed through the magnifying lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignees: Carson Optical, Inc., Leading Extreme Optimist Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gin Fai Yip, Bryan Yip, Richard Cameron
  • Patent number: 7589314
    Abstract: An optical encoder for measuring a relative movement of a first scale plate and a second scale plate, comprises: a light source; a first scale plate which converts light from the light source into a cyclic light quantity distribution; a second scale plate which cyclically makes spatial modulation on the light beams from the first scale plate; a third scale plate having slits which allow the light beams from the second scale plate to pass therethrough; and a light-receiving element which receives the light beams from the third scale plate; a lens which converts light from the light source into substantially parallel light beams; and an optic array which converges or diffuses light beams in the direction of periodic change and generates a cyclic light quantity distribution on the first scale plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Oka, Yoichi Ohmura
  • Patent number: 7535635
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and a transparent housing cover for a meter index for communicating optical signals through an optical port formed on a front face of the transparent housing cover, for further communicating optical signals in a straight line past one side of the meter index; and for re-directing the optical signals at an angle of approximately ninety degrees to or from an optical transceiver. The cover includes an integrally formed light pipe, the light pipe further forming the optical port near the front of the body and the light pipe extending along one side of the body and behind the meter index; and the light pipe includes a surface at a back end for reflecting light at approximately ninety degrees to and from a light transceiver positioned behind the meter index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Badger Meter, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Benson, John A. Olson
  • Publication number: 20090066532
    Abstract: An enhanced color messaging instrument gauge assembly is disclosed having a lens with one or more surface interruptions. A lens covering an instrument cluster transmits colored light longitudinally from at least one light source near its edge. Light encountering the surface interruption causes the surface interruption to illuminate. In one embodiment, different colored light can be coordinated with activation of symbols on the instrument cluster to attract the attention of an operator to an abnormal operating condition or to reinforce other information being communicated to the operator on the instrument cluster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Karen M. Kraus
  • Patent number: 7468786
    Abstract: The present invention is an engraved gemstone viewer for viewing a flat, smooth surface of a gemstone that has been micro or nano etched with an inscription such as an identification number. The gemstone is mounted on a piece of jewelry or can remain unmounted when placed inside or otherwise received by the viewer. A source of light directs a light beam toward a magnifying lens coated with a reflection enhancing coating. The lens reflects the light beam along a path incident to the surface of the gemstone containing the inscription. The smooth flat gemstone surface spectrally reflects the light beam along a path back toward the magnifying lens, which produces a viewable light image that reveals the inscription. The inscription is shown as a dark or lightless region of the light image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: GemEx Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall M. Wagner, Kurt Schoeckert
  • Publication number: 20080278803
    Abstract: A lens for use with a display panel configured to emit light and display images is provided. The lens has a light-emitting surface and a plurality of enhancement portions. A first enhancement portion is configured to physically correspond to a first image displayed on the display screen. The first enhancement portion is further configured to collect at least a portion of the light emitted by the display screen and emit the light through the light-emitting surface of the lens. A second enhancement portion is configured to physically correspond to a second image displayed on the display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Karen M. Kraus
  • Patent number: 7029132
    Abstract: Adjustment of the illumination range to a liquid crystal panel of a liquid crystal projector requires time in fixing upon adjustment and accordingly it is an object to make the adjustment effectively. In an adjustment mechanism of the illumination range of illumination means to the liquid crystal panel in an optical engine unit of the liquid projector, the spring property is provided in a lens holder for holding a lens and the lens is temporarily held by friction of the spring portion to the optical engine case after adjustment. Then, the adhesion processing is made to complete the adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fusamitsu Tsubata, Kazumasa Ueoka, Mikio Shiraishi, Hiroto Miura, Nobuyuki Honda
  • Patent number: 6870695
    Abstract: An optical configuration suited to the monitoring of a process flow through the wall of a containment vessel for producing a high-quality, high-NA sample focus and reduced residual positive spherical aberration. The invention includes an optical path with a window extending through, and sealed to, the wall of the containment vessel, and an optical surface disposed in the optical path associated with minimizing aberration, increasing numerical aperture, or both. The window has a surface facing into the process flow and a surface facing away from the process flow and, the surface facing away from the process flow is associated with minimizing aberration or increasing numerical aperture. A lens is disposed outside the containment vessel and in the optical path, with the surface of the window facing the lens being substantially spherical. With such an arrangement, the light rays of the optical path are generally normal to the surface of the window facing the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Kaiser Optical Systems
    Inventors: Joseph B. Slater, Kevin L. Davis
  • Publication number: 20040085633
    Abstract: The present invention concerns the structure of and methods of constructing indicating instruments with slim profiles. The indicating instrument comprises a meter movement and a circuit board. The main body of the meter movement is situated in an aperture in the circuit board. With this placement, the front end of the body of the meter movement extends a distance in front of the circuit board and the back end of the meter movement body extends a distance behind the circuit board. Through appropriate selection and arrangement of any components on the circuit board, the circuit board can be constructed such that none of its components extend beyond the distance that the meter movement extends on either side of the circuit board. In this manner the space needed for the meter movement and the circuit board and its components collapses into the same area. A light plate may be added to the circuit board and meter movement. The light plate provides a structural framework for the indicating instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Vincent H. Rose
  • Patent number: 6621629
    Abstract: A magnifier for use upon labels such as labels found on medication containers or the like includes a flexible generally planar sidewall having a predisposed inward resilient curvature causing the sidewall to tend to wrap inwardly upon itself. The sidewall supports an enlarged magnifying lens portion. The sidewalls may be flexed outwardly to enlarge the enclosed volume therein and facilitate insertion of a conventional container having printed information on the outer surface or a label thereof. The portion of the printed material beneath the magnifying lens portion is enlarged to facilitate easier reading thereof. In an alternate embodiment, a cylindrical sidewall is supported by the movable cap portion of a child proof container cap and further supports a magnifying lens portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventors: Denis Blumenthal, Paul S. Entin
  • Patent number: 6594928
    Abstract: An apparatus to facilitate identifying information located on a container, for example, a pharmaceutical container, includes at least one member adapted to be secured, for example, removably secured, to a container, and includes a magnifying lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventors: Burrell E. Clawson, Joan U. Clawson
  • Patent number: 6549345
    Abstract: A magnification device for assisting people to read the small print on medicine vials/bottles. The device including a magnifying lens having the ability to move towards or away from the indicia on the bottle to further aid the user to focus per their particular level of eyesight. A pair of rods are coaxial disposed within a corresponding pair of channels to enable the lens to be focused by pushing or pulling the lens. The present invention is designed to be used with virtually all manufactured bottle caps. The device can either be permanently affixed to the bottle cap, and thereby be disposable with the cap; or it can be removably connected and therefore be reusable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Venanzio Cardarelli
  • Patent number: 6511739
    Abstract: Transparent solid, fused microspheres are provided. In one embodiment, the microspheres contain alumina, zirconia, and silica in a total content of at least about 70% by weight, based on the total weight of the solid, fused microspheres, wherein the total content of alumina and zirconia is greater than the content of silica, and further wherein the microspheres have an index of refraction of at least about 1.6 and are useful as lens elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Toshihiro Kasai, Kenton D. Budd, Stephen L. Lieder, James A. Laird, Chikafumi Yokoyama, Toshinori Naruse, Kenji Matsumoto, Hirohiko Ono
  • Patent number: 6504657
    Abstract: An optical member having a toric functional surface has a marking which is made by a configuration of a mold used to form the optical member. The marking is formed in the optical member outside an effective area of the functional surface of the optical member. In one embodiment, the optical member is an optical member for a scanning optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Ono, Etsuko Shibata
  • Publication number: 20020101656
    Abstract: A magnifier for use upon labels such as labels found on medication containers or the like includes a flexible generally planar sidewall having a predisposed inward resilient curvature causing the sidewall to tend to wrap inwardly upon itself. The sidewall supports an enlarged magnifying lens portion. The sidewalls may be flexed outwardly to enlarge the enclosed volume therein and facilitate insertion of a conventional container having printed information on the outer surface or a label thereof. The portion of the printed material beneath the magnifying lens portion is enlarged to facilitate easier reading thereof. In an alternate embodiment, a cylindrical sidewall is supported by the movable cap portion of a child proof container cap and further supports a magnifying lens portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Denis Blumenthal, Paul S. Entin
  • Patent number: 6366415
    Abstract: An underwater seeing device for enabling the user to see underwater without having to bend over. The underwater seeing device includes an elongate tubular member having a main portion, a neck portion, a front end portion, and a passageway extending therethrough; and also includes magnifying lens being disposed in the elongate tubular member; and further includes a handle member being securely attached to the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Gary R. Reiff
  • Patent number: 6366401
    Abstract: A transparent or partially transparent container is described with a convex portion on one side wall and an image adhering to an opposite and spaced apart second side wall which appears magnified as viewed through the convex opening. The magnified image improves the aesthetics of the packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Unilever Home and Personal Care USA
    Inventors: Frank Edward Gonda, Paul Kiryakos Metaxatos, Krista M Kuehn
  • Patent number: 6359742
    Abstract: The invention provides a sightglass assembly for viewing the interior of a vessel, such as a reaction vessel for chemical or biochemical reactions, and is adapted to be welded to a vessel wall. The sightglass assembly comprises a window disc fused to a metal frame having a flange extending radially therefrom. The assembly is set into an appropriately sized opening in the vessel wall and the outer perimeter of the flange is welded to the vessel wall. An annular groove in the flange, surrounding the frame and window disc, absorbs stresses created by the heat of welding and thus protects the integrity of the entire unit. When installed, the sightglass assembly and inner face of the tank wall provide an easily cleanable smooth continuous surface, free of recesses and crevasses where bacteria can collect and grow or product from previous batches can accumulate and cause contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: J. M. Canty, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Canty, Paul J. O'Brien, Michael Rizzo
  • Patent number: 6278545
    Abstract: The apparatus (10) for providing magnification for a package (1,2) is designed to provide the user with an apparatus that will allow the user to have a magnification unit to enable him or her to read the instructions of directions on the side of a package (1,2). This is especially valuable for use on prescription bottles used by elderly individuals in situations where improper use of medicines could lead to disastrous consequences. The magnification apparatus (10) for packaging (1,2) comprises a cap (12) that contains a magnifying lens (11) that is molded or manufactured into the cap (12). The focal length of the lens is designed to be longer than the package (1,2) that is positioned upon in order to minimize any problems caused by light at the focal point. The lens (11) can be clear, opaque or colored as determined by the contents of the package (1,2). The user adjusts the apparatus (10) as necessary to read the instructions on the side of the packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventor: A. David Napier
  • Patent number: 6275333
    Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a magnification device for being removably mounted onto the display window 14 of a cell phone 12 or the like. The device discloses a housing member 20 having a plurality of removable magnifying lenses 16 contained therein. The lenses 16 may be removable by being stacked onto each other or mounted in slots 24 disposed in the housing 20. A strap 22 is provided having mating hook and loop material 34 on its ends for attachment about a cell phone 12 or the like. An additional external hook and loop member 36 is provided to allow attachment of the strap 22 and cell phone 12 to a proximate object 40. A removable clip 44 may also be provided for attachment of the strap 22 and cell phone 12 to an article of clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Wendy E Shaffer
  • Patent number: 6191899
    Abstract: An emergency visual assistance device which provides an operator at an operator station access to operationally necessary visual information when that visual information is obscured by smoke or other vision-obstructing matter, and a method for using that device. In the device's basic version, a transparent panel is attached to either end of an elongated rigid hollow spacer tube in a manner which provides a substantially airtight seal. The preferred embodiment includes flexible skirts at each end of the device, and an illumination means mounted within the device. The flexible skirts serve mainly to exclude smoke from the operator's visual pathway, and the illumination means provides light for illuminating the visual information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Jan Peter Fuchs
  • Patent number: 6081392
    Abstract: A magnification device for removable attachment to an object to magnify the surface of the object for improved viewing includes a magnification member of substantially uniform thickness and an attachment part including a front part connected to the magnification member and a pair of spaced apart arms extending from the front part, each of the arms including a clamping portion for compressively engaging the outer surface of the object. Once the magnification device is clamped onto the object, any indicia or labeling on the surface of the object, when viewed through the magnification member, appears enlarged and easier to read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: Mildred A. Pensmith
  • Patent number: 6023382
    Abstract: An underwater viewing apparatus is provided including a housing with a hollow configuration. Also included is a lens assembly comprising a magnifying lens secured within the housing for magnifying items beneath the housing when viewed through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventors: Donald R. Hollingsworth, Chester W. Champion
  • Patent number: 5917651
    Abstract: A reflecting surface is formed at a rear side of a thick portion so that when viewed from the center front relative to the thick portion, light is reflected by the reflecting surface to let the color of the panel be seen as the color of the thick portion. With this, the confusing visual aspect of the window member of the indicator unit that occurs when the color of the thick portion of the window member looks different from the color of the other portion of the window member can be eliminated without having to color the rear surface side of the thick portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Zexel Corporation
    Inventor: Noriaki Yahata
  • Patent number: 5491589
    Abstract: A cylindrical viewing tube for reading submerged water meters, comprising a clear, high strength polycarbonate viewing tube, a closed bottom end for engaging a submerged meter face, the bottom end being replacable and being threaded onto the viewing tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Inventor: David L. Haymond
  • Patent number: 5275019
    Abstract: A functional ring having the particular characteristic of comprising, in various forms of decorative elements indicative of cardinal orientation or temperature, as well as differently formed lens elements in order to confer a true and proper utility to an object. Specifically, a ring is disclosed including a solid transparent sphere for magnification of objects seen therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: C.T.P. S.p.A.
    Inventor: Carlo Pagani
  • Patent number: 5144481
    Abstract: A submerged meter reading apparatus for enabling a human user to visually read a meter submerged in water or the like, having an elongated tubular body member with a sidewall defining an interior chamber, an upper end constructed to allow a user to look into the interior chamber, a lower end sealed with a transparent cap for positioning adjacent a submerged meter to be read therewith, a magnifying lens positioned in the interior chamber of the body member for producing a magnified image of the meter, a light for illuminating the meter, and a meter cap opening device for enabling a user to open a cap on the meter to be read.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Inventor: John J. Pettito, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5075799
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for the magnification of an information display on a selective call receiver. The apparatus comprises an optical lens system coupled in a manner which provides for its easy attachment and removal from the selective call receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerrold S. Pine, David H. Rubin