Composite Or Echelon Mirrors Or Light Concentrating Array Patents (Class 359/851)
  • Patent number: 11650323
    Abstract: A meteorological lidar performs highly precise meteorological observation by primarily removing elastically scattered light and by detecting rotational Raman-scattered light without filtering it out. The meteorological lidar according to embodiments measures scattered light of a laser beam, and includes: a diffraction grating diffracting rotational Raman-scattered light contained in scattered light in accordance with the wavelength of rotational Raman-scattered light; a detector detecting the diffracted rotational Raman-scattered light; and a removing element primarily removing elastically scattered light of a specific wavelength contained in the scattered light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: EKO INSTRUMENTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Hasegawa, Eiji Takeuchi, Makoto Tsukamoto, Masanori Yabuki
  • Patent number: 11586049
    Abstract: A system including a steerable mirror, a waveguide, first optics, intermediate optics, and final optics. The system includes a first light path for a foveal image element, the first light path including the first optics, the steerable mirror to steer a position of the foveal image element to a particular orientation, intermediate optics, and the final optics to direct the foveal image element to an in-coupling region of the waveguide. The system further includes a second light path for a field image element, the second light path including final optics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Avegant Corp.
    Inventors: Aaron Matthew Eash, Andrew John Gross, Christopher David Westra, Edward Chia Ning Tang, Warren Cornelius Welch, III
  • Patent number: 11112617
    Abstract: A spreading optics system distributes electromagnetic (EM) waves emitted by an emitter having an emission vector. The spreading optics system includes reflective surfaces. The reflective surfaces include concave first reflector having a concave cross section in a plane substantially perpendicular the emission vector. The reflective surfaces further include a convex second reflector arranged further from the emitter than the concave first reflector. The convex second reflector has a convex cross section in a second plane substantially parallel the first plane. The reflective surfaces are configured to divergently redirect the EM waves into a vector fan at a predetermined angle relative to the emission vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH START-UP PLATFORM NORTH AMERICA, LLC, SERIES 1
    Inventors: Todd Louis Harris, William Weber, Audrey Steever
  • Patent number: 10937187
    Abstract: A method for providing position information for controlling at least one function of an environment provided with an environment coordinate system comprises the steps of receiving image information associated with at least one image of at least one part of the environment captured by a camera of a mobile device, the mobile device being separate from the environment, determining a position associated with the mobile device in the environment coordinate system according to the image information associated with the at least one image, and providing position information indicative of the position associated with the mobile device in the environment coordinate system to control at least one function of the environment according to the position. There is also provided a method and system which provides movement information indicative of a movement associated with the mobile device relative to the environment coordinate system to control at least one function of the environment according to the movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Alt, Lejing Wang
  • Patent number: 10775619
    Abstract: A virtual image display device includes: a projection member that projects an image; and a projection optical system that forms a virtual image. A virtual image distance from an observer to the virtual image is not less than 2,500 mm. The projection optical system has one or more reflectors. A reflection surface of a final reflector that is included in one or more reflectors and finally reflects a light ray satisfies the following Conditional Relation 1: 10°?|?z max??z min|?30°??Conditional Relation 1 where ?z is an angle between a normal vector perpendicular to a tangent plane passing through an origin of the final reflector and a normal vector with respect to a tangent plane at any given point on the final reflector, ?z max is a maximum value of ?z, and ?z min is a minimum value of ?z. This arrangement provides a small-size virtual image display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoaki Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 10777092
    Abstract: The present invention as described herein is a compact and portable ballet training station or kit. The training station comprises a collapsible bane with supporting bases, a foldable ballet mat, a folding mirror, and a compact carrying case. The collapsible barre is comprised of three bars, each bar with semi detachable segments positioned equidistant along each bar. Upon assembly the bars connect to each other to form a bane which is supported by bases. The foldable mat is made of one contiguous flexible matter which is sufficient to support and cushion the weight of a ballerina. The foldable mirror is made of one contiguous material capable of being coated with reflective material on one side and opaque material on the opposing side. These components are collapsed or folded into a hard shell quadrilateral shaped carrying case for easy storage and transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Inventor: Tamara Mudarra
  • Patent number: 10418932
    Abstract: A method and system for generating electrical energy, comprises a plurality of photovoltaic panels positioned in a core area, a plurality of ground mirrors positioned in a plurality of land areas and a plurality of reverse mirror systems held at each of the plurality of reflection centers for increasing the amount of solar energy falling on the core area. Each of the plurality of reverse mirror systems further comprises a high rising cylindrical pole having a hollow horizontal support and a vertical support, a plurality of adjustable supports and a reverse mirror placed in a mirror support frame and rigidly or hingedly connected to the vertical support. The plurality of ground mirrors and the plurality of reverse mirror systems are positioned to maximize the concentration of solar energy falling on the plurality of photovoltaic panels and thereby to increase the amount of electric energy produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Inventor: Eustratios N. Carabateas
  • Patent number: 10386177
    Abstract: A device and method and system for utilizing confocal measurement and an optical arrangement to produce 3D color images. A color measurement optical path and a 3D measurement optical path may coincide at least at an object side of the device, and a minimal amount of light is extracted from a monitoring beam for color measurement without affecting 3D measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: DENTSPLY SIRONA INC.
    Inventors: Michael Tewes, Markus Berner
  • Patent number: 10386712
    Abstract: A general purpose image and visual effects display apparatus, with associated methods, which is comprised of an array of independently angled reflective or refractive elements wherein the varying angle pattern of each element across said array is designed to reflect or refract specifically designed as well as fortuitously located existing colors, in precisely determined patterns, to make apparent to specific viewing or receiving locations a wide range of complex emergent visual and other effects. In some embodiments very high resolution and high color fidelity image display is possible. In other embodiments moving images akin to video can be displayed, using no electronics or moving parts. In other embodiments true binocular 3D images can be displayed directly to viewers, without the need for special 3D viewing glasses. Many of the embodiments and methods are applicable to non-visible light and other reflectable wave-based phenomena.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Inventor: James Yett
  • Patent number: 10379270
    Abstract: An internal check mirror for an overhead bin comprises a Fresnel mirror having a convex mirror function which comprises a substrate of a transparent resin, a plurality of minute grooves having V-shaped cross-sections formed on a back surface side of the substrate, a reflective film covering a surface of the plurality of minute grooves and a protective layer covering the reflective film. A thickness of the Fresnel mirror is from 0.1 to 1.0 mm and a radius of curvature based on inclined surfaces of the plurality of the minute grooves is from 200 to 1000 nm. The Fresnel mirror has a width direction dimension of from 200 to 800 mm and a longitudinal directional dimension of from 150 to 600 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Komy Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Yokota, Tsuyoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10312091
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for using charged particle beams (CPBs) to write different die-specific, non-volatile, electronically readable data to different dies on a substrate. CPBs can fully write die-specific data within the chip interconnect structure during the device fabrication process, at high resolution and within a small area, allowing one or multiple usefully-sized values to be securely written to service device functions. CPBs can write die-specific data in areas readable or unreadable through a (or any) communications bus. Die-specific data can be used for, e.g.: encryption keys; communications addresses; manufacturing information (including die identification numbers); random number generator improvements; or single, nested, or compartmentalized security codes. Die-specific data and locations for writing die-specific data can be kept in encrypted form when not being written to the substrate to conditionally or permanently prevent any knowledge of said data and locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Inventors: Michael C. Smayling, David K. Lam
  • Patent number: 10228550
    Abstract: Certain embodiments pertain to laser-based Fourier ptychographic (LFP) imaging systems, angle direction devices used in the LFP imaging systems, optical switches used in the LFP imaging systems, and LFP imaging methods. The LFP systems include an angle direction device for directing laser light to a sample plane at a plurality of illumination angles at different sample times. The LFP systems also include an optical system and a light detector. The optical system receives light issuing from the sample being imaged and propagates and focuses the light to the light detector acquiring raw intensity images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Xiaoze Ou, Jaebum Chung, Changhuei Yang
  • Patent number: 10203091
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lighting system including: a lighting device capable of emitting a light beam, a projection device having a projection lens, and an array of micro-mirrors having micro-mirrors mounted in a pivoting manner about a pivot axis. Each micro-mirror is capable of pivoting to the maximum by an angle, referred to as the maximum pivoting angle. The light beam emitted by the lighting device exhibits an angle at the upper vertex greater than the maximum pivoting angle and wherein the at least one projection lens viewed in a frontal section has the form of a rectangle having a longitudinal side extending in a direction that is substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the micro-mirrors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Inventor: Weicheng Luo
  • Patent number: 10061183
    Abstract: An example assembly includes a top ring, a bottom ring, and a brace connected to the top and bottom rings. The brace spaces the top ring from the bottom ring, such as along a longitudinal axis of the assembly. The assembly further includes a sidewall extending from the top ring to the bottom ring and defining at least part of an interior space of the assembly. The assembly also includes at least one mirror disposed external to the interior space and opposite the sidewall. The mirror is moveable, and is configured to direct ambient light to the interior space via the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan G. McGuire, Brent George
  • Patent number: 9886065
    Abstract: An enclosure for a portable computing device can include a cover glass affixed to an enclosure without trim pieces disposed between the cover glass and the disclosure. In one embodiment, the enclosure can include an edge profile that can define a relatively large contact pad about the enclosure. The contact pad can distribute impact forces over a relatively large area and thereby protect the cover glass integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: John Raff
  • Patent number: 9696557
    Abstract: An example optical device includes a first optical element and a second optical element. The first optical element has first and second surfaces. A first light emitted by a display is incident on the first surface. The first optical element includes transmissive portions and non-transmissive portions. Each of the transmissive portions extends in a first direction parallel to the first surface. The non-transmissive portions are respectively disposed in regions between the transmissive portions. A light transmittance of the non-transmissive portions is lower than that of the transmissive portions. A second light emitted from the second surface is incident on the second optical element, which emits a third light by condensing the second light. An optical axis of the third light is tilted with respect to an optical axis of the second light in a plane parallel to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takashi Sasaki, Kazuo Horiuchi, Haruhiko Okumura, Tomoya Tsuruyama, Aira Hotta, Yoshiyuki Kokojima, Masahiro Baba
  • Patent number: 9576377
    Abstract: A general purpose image and visual effects display apparatus, with associated methods, which is comprised of an array of independently angled reflective or refractive elements wherein the varying angle pattern of each element across said array is designed to reflect or refract specifically designed light and color sources as well as fortuitously located existing colors, in precisely determined patterns, to make apparent to designated viewing or receiving locations a wide range of complex visual effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: James Yett
  • Patent number: 9375064
    Abstract: Multiple mirror panels are stowed for transport within an interior of a transport case and at a point of use are mounted on a support structure which is erected on the transport case to form a partial or complete full-length mirror at the point of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Inventor: Lize Nuculaj
  • Patent number: 9255726
    Abstract: A solar trough system of the invention comprises at least one trough-shaped reflector surface (1) directing beams coming from the sun to the focal axis (F); at least one thermal receiver (2) disposed at the focal axis (F) and extending along the reflector (1). Furthermore, the system comprises at least one first arm (L1) and a second arm (L2), one end of each of which are connected to two fixed points (P1, P2) with swivel joint; at least one third arm (L3) which is connected to the other ends of these two arms (L, L2) from two points (P3, P4) with swivel joint wherein the thermal receiver (2) is connected with swivel joint to a linear movement point (E1) on the third arm (L3) which moves with rotation of the first and second arms (L1, L2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: HSE Hitit Solar Enerji Anonim Sirketi
    Inventor: Rahmi Oguz Capan
  • Patent number: 9201177
    Abstract: Provided is a safety confirmation mirror whereby a blind spot near a corner of a passageway can be easily seen more clearly. The safety confirmation mirror includes, as a reflective surface (2), a portion of a Fresnel mirror (3) offset to one side of the widthwise center (C1). Accordingly, when the safety confirmation mirror is installed on a wall surface of a passageway at a T-shaped, L-shaped, or cross intersection, the reflective surface 2 reflects the blind spot of a passageway in one direction that a person is going to turn, and the person can see the conditions thereof. Moreover, the reflective surface 2 does not reflect the conditions in the unnecessary direction. Accordingly, the person looking at the safety confirmation mirror (1) is not confused by the unnecessary image and can easily see the blind spot near the corner of the passageway more clearly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: KOMY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sakae Komiyama, Hiroshi Nishiyama, Katsumi Machida, Hisanaga Takeda, Yoshiyuki Iwata
  • Patent number: 9139140
    Abstract: A camera for a vehicle, in particular for monitoring the exterior environment. The camera having: an imager having a plurality of pixels, having different imager regions for different object distances, and an objective situated before the imager. Between the objective and the imager there is provided an additional optical unit that has in particular optical microelements, e.g., microlenses, the additional optical unit having different imaging properties for the imager regions of the imager, in particular for the compensation of different object distances and/or image distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Matthias Karl
  • Patent number: 9039213
    Abstract: An optical device is disclosed including: a non-imaging secondary concentrator having an entry aperture and an exit aperture, and configured to receive light focused by a primary focusing element from a source onto the entry aperture. The non-imaging secondary concentrator includes: a first portion proximal the entry aperture; and a second portion proximal the exit aperture which is not rotationally symmetric about an optic axis. The optical device further comprises a means for homogenizing the light focused onto the entry aperture of the secondary concentrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Roland Winston, Weiya Zhang, Kevin Michael Balkoski
  • Publication number: 20150124188
    Abstract: A color conversion substrate and liquid crystal display device of the present invention simplify the manufacturing process thereof and reduce deviations in intensity distribution of emitted light. The color conversion substrate includes a transparent substrate having a first main surface, a phosphor layer having a plurality of phosphors arranged along the first main surface and a plurality of transparent first boundary parts formed so as to surround the respective phosphors, and a plurality of first reflective parts formed on the outer peripheral surface of the respective plurality of first boundary parts. The portions of the first boundary parts where the respective first reflective parts are formed are curved, and the curvature thereof is 0.50/d1 to 0.83/d1, where d1 is the thickness of the respective first boundary parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinya Kadowaki, Ryuzo Yuki
  • Publication number: 20150108218
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for deflecting and for widening a visible range of a camera (24) is provided, wherein the apparatus (10) has a first mirror element (12) which is tilted with respect to the optical axis of the camera (24) in a longitudinal direction in order to supply light to the camera (24) from a visible range lying laterally with respect to the optical axis. In this connection the first mirror element (12) is additionally tilted in a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the apparatus has a second mirror element (14) besides the first mirror element (12) which is tilted in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction with respect to the first mirror element (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Christoph ANSELMENT, Helmut WEBER, Johannes ASCHENBRENNER, Christofer ROSER, Norbert SCHNURR, Dirk STROHMEIER
  • Publication number: 20150049321
    Abstract: Illumination optical unit for illuminating an object field in a projection exposure apparatus, comprising a first facet mirror with a structure, which has a spatial frequency of at least 0.2 mm?1 in at least one direction, and a second facet mirror, comprising a multiplicity of facets, wherein the facets are respectively provided with a mechanism for damping spatial frequencies of the structure of the first facet mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Stig Bieling, Markus Deguenther, Johannes Wangler
  • Publication number: 20150043096
    Abstract: Structures for representing images comprise a plurality of tile elements which, when illuminated by a light source, each direct an amount of light toward an observer at a viewing location dependent on their orientation angles. The orientation angles of each tile element may be selected based on a characteristic of a corresponding pixel of an image, such that the observer sees a representation of that image created by the varying amount of light directed to the viewing location by the tile elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Roderick Thomas QUIN
  • Patent number: 8938881
    Abstract: System for manufacturing facets comprising a frame a series of mirrors and multiple securing parts in which said parts are the key to the invention and are formed by a rod and a circular metal sheet provided with a series of small circular perforations, where the rod and the circular sheet are attached by electric arc welding or any other equivalent fixation and the purpose of which is to secure a curved mirror to the rear structure or frame of a heliostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Abengoa Solar New Technologies, S.A.
    Inventors: Francisco Ceron Garcia, Valerio Fernandez Quero, Antonio Esteban Garmendia
  • Publication number: 20140362584
    Abstract: A magnifying imaging optical unit has at least four mirrors to image an object field in an object plane into an image field in an image plane. An absolute value of the Petzval radius of the image field is greater than 500 mm. The imaging optical unit can be used to inspect with sufficient imaging quality relatively large mask sections of lithography masks used during projection exposure to produce large scale integrated semiconductor components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Hans-Juergen Mann
  • Publication number: 20140204474
    Abstract: An imaging element array includes a plurality of imaging elements that are arranged side by side. Each imaging element is integrally molded and includes an incident surface, an emission surface, and a plurality of reflective surfaces which is provided between the incident surface and the emission surface. The imaging element includes a first reflective element. In the first reflective element, at least one of the plurality of reflective surfaces is formed on a top of a convex portion which protrudes outwardly and has reflective sidewalls extending therefrom. In the first reflective element, a width of the reflective surface, which is formed on the top of the convex portion, in an arrangement direction thereof is less than a distance from an entrance into the concave portion to the top of the convex surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi SHIRAISHI
  • Patent number: 8770767
    Abstract: The sliding mirror system permits a 360° view of an object or subject to be viewed. The system includes a plurality of panels, at least one panel being movable relative to the other panels. The movable panel(s) is mounted on rails or the like for sliding movement. Each panel is configured as a portion of an arc. Multiple mirrors are mounted on the face of each panel. Each mirror may also assume an arc-shaped configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: Edwine A. Billiot
  • Publication number: 20140158199
    Abstract: A light trapping optical cover employing an optically transparent layer with a plurality of light deflecting elements. The transparent layer is configured for an unimpeded light passage through its body and has a broad light input surface and an opposing broad light output surface. The light deflecting elements deflect light incident into the transparent layer at a sufficiently high bend angle with respect to a surface normal and direct the deflected light toward a light harvesting device adjacent to the light output surface. The deflected light is retained by means of at least TIR in the system formed by the optical cover and the light harvesting device which allows for longer light propagation paths through the photoabsorptive layer of the device and for an improved light absorption. The optical cover may further employ a focusing array of light collectors being pairwise associated with the respective light deflecting elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: Sergiy Vasylyev
  • Patent number: 8724082
    Abstract: A semiconductor laser driver includes a light detection circuit to detect a quantity of light as a detected light emission intensity and output the detected light emission intensity to the control circuit, and a control circuit to control a light emission intensity for the semiconductor laser based on the detected light emission intensity and on a predetermined light emission intensity setting value. The light detection circuit includes a photoelectric conversion element to convert the quantity of light emitted from the semiconductor laser into an electrical current and output the converted electrical current, a current magnification setting circuit to amplify the electrical current output from the photoelectric conversion element to a predetermined amplified current at one of multiple different predetermined magnifications, a detection resistor to convert the amplified current output from the current magnification setting circuit into a voltage and output the voltage as the detected light emission intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroaki Kyogoku
  • Publication number: 20140111785
    Abstract: An illumination optical unit for projection lithography has a first polarization mirror device to reflect and polarize of illumination light. A second mirror device, which is disposed downstream of the polarization mirror device reflects an illumination light beam. At least one drive device is operatively connected to at least one of the two mirror devices. The two mirror devices are displaceable relative to one another via the drive device between a first relative position, which leads to a first beam geometry of the illumination light beam after reflection at the second mirror device, and a second relative position, which leads to a second beam geometry of the illumination light beam after reflection at the second mirror device, which is different from the first beam geometry. This results in a flexible predefinition of different illumination geometries, in particular of different illumination geometries with rotationally symmetrical illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: Christoph Hennerkes, Ingo Saenger, Joerg Zimmermann, Johannes Ruoff, Martin Meier, Frank Schlesener
  • Publication number: 20140092283
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display mounted in a housing. The display may have an array of display pixels that provide light to a user. The array of display pixels may form active display structures with a rectangular shape. The rectangular active display structures may be surrounded by an inactive border region. Reflector structures may be used to reflect light that is emitted from peripheral portions of the active display structures to a portion of the display overlapping the inactive border region, thereby providing the display with an effective active area that is larger than the area of the active display structures. The reflector structures may include rotatable reflectors. Control circuitry may use a rotatable positioner to rotate rotatable reflector structures in synchronization with controlling which pixel data is displayed by the display pixels in the peripheral portions of the active display structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tseng-Mau Yang, Dale N. Memering, Christopher D. Prest
  • Patent number: 8684545
    Abstract: An optical device is disclosed including: a non-imaging secondary concentrator having an entry aperture and an exit aperture, and configured to receive light focused by a primary focusing element from a source onto the entry aperture. The non-imaging secondary concentrator includes: a first portion proximal the entry aperture which is rotationally symmetric about an optic axis; and a second portion proximal the exit aperture which is not rotationally symmetric about the optic axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Roland Winston, Weiya Zhang, Kevin Michael Balkoski
  • Patent number: 8680391
    Abstract: A solar concentrator comprises a pair of concentric reflectors having a spindle toroid geometry for focusing the collected solar radiation into a ring-shaped focal area, as opposed to the “point” or “line” focus of prior art configurations. In a preferred embodiment, each reflector is formed of a plurality of curved petals that are disposed in a contiguous, keystone arrangement that requires no additional fixturing to hold the petals in place. Such an arrangement reduces the weight, complexity and cost of the final solar concentrator structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cewa Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Stewart Fangman, Michael E. Fangman, John Matthew Fangman, Sudhakar Neti, Arati Shah-Yukich
  • Patent number: 8672494
    Abstract: Asymmetric sectioned mirrors are presented. The mirrors include, for example, constant radius of curvature sections that are selected to increase the sizes and improve the definitions of images, for example images of children milling, walking and/or standing about either the front or alongside regions of a school bus. The mirrors may be asymmetric in either or both the horizontal and vertical directions. The mirrors may include a mounting system capable of using both ball mounts and tunnel mounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Rosco Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Englander, Julian Serer
  • Patent number: 8672496
    Abstract: A mirror ball adapted to engage the socket of a ceiling mounted electric light fixture in order to be suspended and powered therefrom. A tubular stem having a proximal portion threaded in the manner of an Edision screw is provided extending downward from the fixture to a lower base. A lightweight mirrored sphere or globe having a void through its (vertical) polar axis is rotatably engaged on the stem and retained in place by the lower base which houses power systems, a controller and a motor engaged to an annular gear at the lower pole of the mirrored sphere in order to slowly rotate the globe. A power supply is used to reduce line voltage to 12 v DC to drive the motor and operate one or more LED lighting elements directed at the mirrored surface and mounted at the ends of one or more arms radiating from the lower housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Mona O'Kane
  • Publication number: 20140071419
    Abstract: A fly's eye mirror including first and second complementary M×N arrays, each including a plurality of faceted reflective surfaces arranged along both the first and the second axes. When assembled, the two complementary arrays are integrated together and mounted onto a common base plate. With the increased lineal length of each array along both axes, the faceted reflective surfaces of each array are in rotational or tilt alignment with a base plate along both axes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Alton H. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8629974
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical component for a maskless exposure apparatus, and more particularly, to a micro-prism array or a micro-mirror array which is an optical component capable of screening diffused light such that the image of a pixel of a digital micro-mirror display (DMD) formed by a first image-forming lens in the maskless exposure apparatus has no influence on the image of a neighboring pixel and of totally reflecting the light after reflection or diffraction at the same time, thus improving exposure performance by using the quantity of light being transmitted without a loss and increasing numerical apertures (NAs) at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventor: Jin Ho Jung
  • Publication number: 20140009836
    Abstract: A decorative film having a wood-like 3-dimensional appearance includes a plurality of Fresnel mirrors extending generally parallel to an in-plane axis, a diffuser disposed to scatter light reflected by the Fresnel mirrors, and wood-grain indicia disposed to cover the Fresnel mirrors. Embodiments of the film can be made to simulate highly figured wood such as flame maple, also called fiddleback maple. Other decorative articles that utilize Fresnel mirrors are also disclosed. At least some of these other articles do not have a wood-like appearance, and they may include a Fresnel mirror film in combination with other components such as a Fresnel lens film or other light-transmissive film(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Tommie W. Kelley, Lynn E. Lorimor, Gilles J.B. Benoit, James M. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8622557
    Abstract: A Micromirror Array Lens with self-tilted micromirrors comprising a plurality of self-tilted micromirrors and configured to form a designed optical surface profile by self-tilted micromirrors. Each self-tilted micromirror comprises a substrate, at least one stiction plate configured to be attracted to the substrate by adhesion force, a micromirror plate having a reflective surface, coupled to the stiction plate elastically and configured to have a required motion when the stiction plate is attracted to the substrate, and at least one pivot structure disposed between the substrate and the micromirror plate and configured to provide a tilting point or area for the motion of the micromirror plate. The designed optical surface profile determines the required motion of the micromirror plate and a surface profile shape memory is built in the structure of the micro-mechanical elements of the self-tilted micromirrors so that each micromirror plate has the required motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignees: Stereo Display, Inc., Angstrom Inc.
    Inventors: Gyoung Il Cho, Jin Young Sohn, Hye Young Kim, Cheong Soo Seo
  • Publication number: 20130284095
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to apparatus for heating substrates. The apparatus generally include a process chamber having a substrate support therein. A plurality of lamps is positioned to provide radiant energy through an optically transparent dome to a substrate positioned on the substrate support. A light focusing assembly is positioned within the chamber to influence heating and temperature distribution on the substrate and to facilitate formation of a film on a substrate having uniform properties, such as density. The light focusing assembly can include one or more reflectors, light pipes, or refractive lenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: Joseph M. Ranish
  • Publication number: 20130279035
    Abstract: A planar collimator has first and second sections each intersecting at a junction between a first axis and a second axis normal to the first axis. Each of the first and second sections have geometries configured to receive light from a source point located on the first axis and collimate the light at respective positive and negative tilting angles relative to the second axis. The first and second sections direct the collimated light to respective first and second sides of a focusing mirror and away from a gap between the first and second sides of the focusing mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Chubing Peng, Kaizhong Gao, Frank Edgar Stageberg
  • Publication number: 20130194686
    Abstract: Provided is a safety confirmation mirror whereby a blind spot near a corner of a passageway can be easily seen more clearly. The safety confirmation mirror includes, as a reflective surface (2), a portion of a Fresnel mirror (3) offset to one side of the widthwise center (C1). Accordingly, when the safety confirmation mirror is installed on a wall surface of a passageway at a T-shaped, L-shaped, or cross intersection, the reflective surface 2 reflects the blind spot of a passageway in one direction that a person is going to turn, and the person can see the conditions thereof. Moreover, the reflective surface 2 does not reflect the conditions in the unnecessary direction. Accordingly, the person looking at the safety confirmation mirror (1) is not confused by the unnecessary image and can easily see the blind spot near the corner of the passageway more clearly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: KOMY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sakae Komiyama, Hiroshi Nishiyama, Katsumi Machida, Hisanaga Takeda, Yoshiyuki Iwata
  • Patent number: 8496358
    Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating solar radiation includes a number of modules. Each module has three receivers for receiving reflected radiation and a reflecting surface. The receivers form a triangle in a plane approximately parallel to the reflecting surface. The reflecting surface has a number of reflectors. Each of the reflectors includes three mirrored facets which are each oriented such that light reflected from the facet is directed to one of the three receivers. Further, each of the reflectors is positioned with respect to the receivers and the other reflectors to reduce facet shading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventor: John McEntee
  • Patent number: 8467124
    Abstract: A solar reflecting mirror having a curved reflective surface includes a plurality of transparent shaped segments held together by securing facilities to provide a shaped transparent substrate having a convex surface and an opposite concave surface, the concave surface having a focal area. A solar reflecting coating is provided over the convex surface of the shaped substrate to reflect visible and infrared waves of the electromagnetic scale to the focal area of the shaped transparent substrate. A method of making the solar mirror is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Thiel
  • Publication number: 20130135749
    Abstract: An image display device includes an image generating device, a light guide unit which includes a light guide plate and first and second deflection sections, and a light beam extension device which extends light incident from the image generating device, along a Z direction when an incident direction of light incident on the light guide plate is set to be an X direction and a direction of propagation of light in the light guide plate is set to be a Y direction, and emits the light to the light guide unit, wherein the light beam extension device includes a first reflecting mirror on which light from the image generating device is incident, and a second reflecting mirror which emits light incident from the first reflecting mirror to the light guide unit, and each of the first and second reflecting mirrors has a light reflecting surface having a sawtooth-shaped cross-sectional shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Sony Corporation
  • Patent number: 8451427
    Abstract: An illumination optical system which illuminates a surface to be illuminated on the basis of light from a light source has a first optical path in which a diffractive optical element can be arranged at a first position thereof; a second optical path in which a spatial light modulator with a plurality of optical elements arrayed two-dimensionally and controlled individually can be arranged at a second position thereof; and a third optical path which is an optical path of light having passed via at least one of the first optical path and the second optical path and in which a distribution forming optical system is arranged. The distribution forming optical system forms a predetermined light intensity distribution on an illumination pupil located in the third optical path, based on the light having passed via at least one of the first and second optical paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Tanitsu
  • 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