Plural Light Sources Or Light Source Supports Patents (Class 362/11)
  • Patent number: 7606479
    Abstract: A digital camera is provided with an emission section which emits independently controlled light to each of multiple emission areas and a light measurement/distance measurement CPU which calculates the amount of light to be emitted at actual emission based on the amount of reflected light of pre-emission and causes the emission section to perform actual emission with the calculated amount of emitted light. The light measurement/distance measurement CPU causes a relatively large amount of light to be emitted to a part of the multiple emission areas in comparison with the other emission areas when pre-emission is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Endo
  • Patent number: 7600892
    Abstract: A multiparameter light is disclosed, which incorporates an LED (light emitting diode) tracking ring surrounding a main output lens. The LED tracking ring is capable of additive color mixing and in turn can simulate the color of the main projected light projecting from the main output aperture or output lens of the multiparameter light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Barco Lighting Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Belliveau, Michael Bell, David Dahly, David Karl Peck
  • Patent number: 7600891
    Abstract: A multiparameter light is disclosed, which incorporates an LED (light emitting diode) tracking ring surrounding a main output lens. The LED tracking ring is capable of additive color mixing and in turn can simulate the color of the main projected light projecting from the main output aperture or output lens of the multiparameter light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Inventors: Richard S. Belliveau, Michael Bell, David Dahly, David Karl Peck
  • Patent number: 7588339
    Abstract: Blue component light emitted from blue LEDs is reflected to a Fresnel lens at a reflecting member having a parabolic cross-section. The fluorescent material is added substantially uniformly in the Fresnel lens. Part of the blue component light is transmitted through the Fresnel lens while another part of blue component light undergoes wavelength conversion at the Fresnel lens. By the wavelength conversion, the fluorescent material in the Fresnel lens is excited by the blue component light and the fluorescent light thus excited emits light containing a yellow color component. The yellow component light resulting from the wavelength conversion is projected via the Fresnel lens as uniform light with the blue component light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Matsui
  • Publication number: 20090161337
    Abstract: An illuminating device for photographing includes: an illuminating unit having a plurality of current-controlled light emitting elements, which illuminates a subject with light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements; a storage unit in which light emission brightness information is stored in correspondence to each of the plurality of light emitting elements; and a light emission control unit that controls light emission at the plurality of light emitting elements based upon the light emission brightness information stored in the storage unit so that the plurality of light emitting elements achieve uniform brightness levels at the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Matsui
  • Publication number: 20090153797
    Abstract: A system and method are presented for use in imaging the patient's retina. A light source unit is provided including a light emitting diode (LED) arrangement comprising multiple LEDs of different wavelength ranges. A light guide arrangement is used with the LEDs arrangement and is configured for coupling light from the LEDs and providing output light beams of a desired shape. The illuminating light is directed towards a region on the retina, and light returned from the illuminated region is collected and directed to an image detector unit. The invention enables the use of LED light at high intensity as required in the eye retina imaging, while maintaining the required high-quality imaging. Also, the invention provides for simultaneous or quasi-simultaneous as well as high-speed imaging in FA and ICG imaging procedures, thereby satisfying a long felt need in ophthalmology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicants: MEDIVISION MEDICAL IMAGING LTD., ELOP ELECTRO-OPTICAL INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: Noam Allon, Israel Grossinger, Michael Golub, Moshe Bril
  • Patent number: 7543955
    Abstract: A multiparameter light is disclosed, which incorporates an LED (light emitting diode) tracking ring surrounding a main output lens. The LED tracking ring is capable of additive color mixing and in turn can simulate the color of the main projected light projecting from the main output aperture or output lens of the multiparameter light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Barco Lighting Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Belliveau, Michael Bell, David Dahly, David Karl Peck
  • Patent number: 7527389
    Abstract: A multiparameter light is disclosed, which incorporates an LED (light emitting diode) tracking ring surrounding a main output lens. The LED tracking ring is capable of additive color mixing and in turn can simulate the color of the main projected light projecting from the main output aperture or output lens of the multiparameter light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Barco Lighting Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Belliveau, Michael Bell, David Dahly, David Karl Peck
  • Patent number: 7510289
    Abstract: A light emitting diode comprises light-emitting elements inside a cup structure and a lens part that condenses the light from these elements. Light-emitting element placed at the center along the optical axis of the lens emits an outgoing beam of light with a narrow directional angle along this optical axis, and light-emitting element placed away from the optical axis emits an outgoing beam of light in an oblique direction. The light-emitting elements are individually turned on and off in accordance with the distance of the subject to be photographed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Takekuma
  • Patent number: 7510290
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus comprises a light panel having a panel frame, and a plurality of LEDs or other light elements secured to the panel frame. A self-contained battery unit securably attaches to the outside of the panel frame. The light panel may have a dimmer switch, and may also be capable of receiving power from a source other than the self-contained battery unit. The lighting apparatus can be mounted to a camera or a stand through adapters. Diffusion lenses or color gels can be integrated with or detachable from the light panel. The lighting apparatus may conveniently be provided in the form of a kit, with one or more of a light panel, self-contained battery unit, compact stand, connecting cable(s), adapter(s), lenses or color gels, and so on, provided in a single package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Litepanels LLC
    Inventors: Rudy G. Pohlert, Pat Grosswendt, Kevin Baxter, Ken S. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20090080175
    Abstract: A light source device which causes a sufficiently bright subject image to be obtained is provided. The light source device includes a first light-emitting diode 10-1 which generates illumination light to be applied to a subject, a second light-emitting diode 10-2 which generates illumination light with wavelength different from the illumination light generated from the first light-emitting diode 10-1, and a light-emitting diode drive control section 3 which independently controls integrated output values (light emission intensities, light emission periods) of the first light-emitting diode 10-1 and second light-emitting diode 10-2 in synchronism with image pickup timing at which the subject is photographed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Kyosuke Mizuno, Shinji Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20090034958
    Abstract: An apparatus for attracting the gaze of a subject to be photographed is disclosed. The subject may, for example, be an infant, young child or pet. The apparatus may include a plurality of light sources disposed about a lens of the image-capturing device. Once activated, the device may cause one or more of the plurality of light sources to flash, thereby attracting the gaze of the subject. Once the gaze is attracted, an image of the subject may be captured where the subject is looking into the camera lens. The plurality of light sources may be light emitting diodes (LEDs). The apparatus may be operable to be mounted to an existing lens. The apparatus may be a lens or camera with the plurality of light sources attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Karl Allen Dierenbach
  • Publication number: 20090003810
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, which can comprise a dome. The dome can have a truncated four-sided pyramid shape. The system can comprise a crown adapted to be operatively coupled to an apex portion of the dome. The system can comprise a plurality of light sources adapted to illuminate an object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Sheila Bergeron Dunn, Michael C. Messina
  • Patent number: 7457536
    Abstract: A flash device includes at least one light emitting unit is attachable to a plurality of connection portions. A shielding portion shields the connection portion without an attached light emitting unit. A capacitor accumulates an electric charges and is charged by a charging circuit. A control circuit includes judges both (1) whether or not all the plurality of connection portions are shielded and (2) whether or not the light emitting unit is attached to at least one of the plurality of connection portions, and permits the capacitor to be charged if both all the connection portions are shielded and the light emitting unit is attached to at least one of the plurality of connection portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignees: Olympus Corporation, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Hamada, Takanaru Kobayashi, Akira Iwamoto, Satsuki Ishibashi
  • Publication number: 20080260372
    Abstract: Provided are a flash apparatus and a portable terminal having the same. The flash apparatus includes a main body, a light emitting diode, a lens, a lens housing, and a lens transfer part. The main body has an opening part, and the light emitting diode is disposed in the opening part. The lens is disposed on a light emitting path of the light emitting diode. The lens housing is disposed in the inside of the opening part to fix the lens, and the lens transfer part moves the lens housing in one of an upper direction and a lower direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: Kyung Ho Shin
  • Patent number: 7436403
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus may be configured to illuminate a subject while the subject is undergoing a motion during a time period. An imaging system may be configured to generate image data representative of a sequence of frames of the moving subject. A controller may be configured to drive the lighting apparatus and the imaging system so that the lighting apparatus sequentially illuminates the moving subject with a time-multiplexed series of lighting conditions, and so that each one of the frames shows the subject illuminated with a respective one of the lighting conditions. The controller may be further configured to process the image data to generate re-illumination data representative of novel illumination conditions under which the subject can be re-illuminated, subsequent to the time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventor: Paul E. Debevec
  • Publication number: 20080245952
    Abstract: In an actively illuminated imaging system, illumination of a segmented scene is synchronized with an image sensing period. A scene is segmented into a plurality of scene portions utilizing a segmented lens. In an aspect, a first scene portion is illuminated when an imager is actively collecting photogenerated charge from the first scene portion, and a second scene portion is illuminated when an imager is actively collecting photogenerated charge from the second scene portion. The sensitivity of an image sensor is maximized, while simultaneously minimizing the amount of light that must be supplied to illuminate a scene. An irradiance pattern is varied allowing a more uniform distribution of light. Bands of varying wavelength, polarization, and light intensity may be variously applied to illuminate individual scene segments, as needed to enhance an identification of an object in the scene. The present invention is particularly useful with high frame rate imaging systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: John R. Troxell, Ronald M. Taylor, Siddharth S. Rege
  • Patent number: 7429117
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus comprises a light panel having a panel frame, and a plurality of LEDs or other light elements secured to the panel frame. A self-contained battery unit securably attaches to the outside of the panel frame. The light panel may have a dimmer switch, and may also be capable of receiving power from a source other than the self-contained battery unit. The lighting apparatus can be mounted to a camera or a stand through adapters. Diffusion lenses or color gels can be integrated with or detachable from the light panel. The lighting apparatus may conveniently be provided in the form of a kit, with one or more of a light panel, self-contained battery unit, compact stand, connecting cable(s), adapter(s), lenses or color gels, and so on, provided in a single package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Litepanels LLC
    Inventors: Rudy G. Pohlert, Pat Grosswendt, Kevin Baxter, Ken S. Fisher
  • Patent number: 7422353
    Abstract: A light-emitting device is disclosed which enables efficient use of luminous flux and achieves a desired light emission characteristic. The light-emitting device has an optical member which has an emergence surface and a plurality of optical portions, each of the optical portions including a first surface which directs light incident thereon to the emergence surface. The plurality of first surfaces are inclined on the same side with respect to the emergence surface. The light-emitting device also has a light guiding member which directs light from a light source to the plurality of optical portions from one side of a direction in which the plurality of optical portions are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Tenmyo
  • Patent number: 7415202
    Abstract: An image taking device with a lighting device includes a light irradiating portion for irradiating light to a subject and a light receiving portion for receiving reflected light from the subject that is irradiated by the light. The light irradiating portion is structured to have a plurality of light sources that are arranged so as to surround the light receiving portion. Each of the light sources is adjusted to emit light of an intensity corresponding to an arrangement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Naoyuki Fujimoto, Takayuki Sugiura, Kiyoshi Chinzei, Mieko Nakano, Atsushi Miki, Shuji Kimura, Mitsuhiro Gotoh, Satoshi Fukui, Toshio Endoh, Takahiro Aoki, Mitsuaki Fukuda, Masaki Watanabe, Shigeru Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7406256
    Abstract: An automated studio and control system for taking photographs is disclosed that alleviates many exposure problems and simplifies variables with which the photographer must deal in order to achieve consistent high quality photographs. The studio includes a multi-light portrait lighting system, a subject location verification system and a system for varying backgrounds, all of which are tied to an integrated control system and synchronized to a camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Inventors: Earl J. Adolphi, Michael J. Surma, Gerald A. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20080137323
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system comprising: a diffuser defining a camera lens hole in a top portion of said diffuser, said diffuser adapted to receive at least one set of low angle lights; and a plurality of lights mounted on said diffuser in proximity to said camera lens hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Timothy M. Pastore
  • Patent number: 7333710
    Abstract: A display includes a casing, a terminal module, and a light source. The terminal module is mounted on an exterior of the casing, and includes a terminal unit. The light source is mounted on the casing and the terminal module, and serves to illuminate the terminal unit of the terminal module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: DigiMedia Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yea-Jye Hou, Yao-Tsung Ko, Wei-Hsin Hsieh, Yeuan-Ren Moh
  • Patent number: 7318651
    Abstract: A flash module includes a first light source emitting a first primary light has a first wavelength-converting overlay disposed on the first light source to provide a first color of light. The first wavelength-converting overlay includes a first plurality of quantum dots dispersed in a matrix material. The flash module also includes a second light source providing a second color of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Janet Bee Yin Chua, Klan Shin Lee, Kee Yean Ng
  • Patent number: 7318652
    Abstract: A lighting effects system comprises an arrangement of lamp elements, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light elements, on a panel or frame. The panel or frame may be relatively lightweight, and may include one or more circuit boards for direct mounting of the lamp elements. The panel or frame may have an opening through which a camera can view. A mounting bracket and assembly may be used for attaching the panel or frame to a camera. The lamp elements may be electronically controllable so as to provide differing intensity levels, collectively, individually, or in designated groups, and may be strobed, dimmed or otherwise controlled according to manually selected or programmable patterns. Different color lamp elements may be mounted on the same panel/frame, and, in particular, daylight and tungsten colored lamp elements may be mounted on the same panel/frame and their relative intensities selectively controlled by control circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Litepanels LLC
    Inventors: Rudy Pohlert, Pat Grosswendt, Ken Fisher, Kevin Baxter
  • Patent number: 7290893
    Abstract: Lighting apparatus for an image-gathering device, includes a light frame supporting a plurality of light emitting diode lamps configured to emit light at a tungsten balanced colour temperature, and a focussing frame comprising a plurality of light focussing lenses configured to focus light emitted from said light frame into an elliptical beam. The focussing frame is configured to focus light into an elliptical beam to complement a subject illumination area frame having a ratio 16:9. The light emitting diode lamps are configured to emit light at a colour temperature of 3200 Kelvin or 5600 Kelvin, and to emit light having a colour rendering index of 90. The focussing frame is releasably mountable to the light frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Gekko Technology Limited
    Inventor: David Richard Amphlett
  • Patent number: 7284871
    Abstract: A flash module has a first light-emitting diode (“LED”) optically coupled to a first lens having a first viewing angle, and a second LED optically coupled to a second lens having a second viewing angle. The second viewing angle is greater than the first viewing angle. A first control signal line coupled to the first LED allows selectively activating the first LED. A second control signal line coupled to the second LED activates the second LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Avago Technologies ECB4 IP (Singapore) Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Su Lin Oon, Kian Shin Lee, Meng Ee Lee, Siew It Pang, Hong Huat Yeoh
  • Patent number: 7246925
    Abstract: This light modifier assembly is a continuous light source for still and video imagemakers. More specifically, the continuous light source provides a constant light source for still, digital, video or high definition image capture. In a preferred embodiment, the light source comprises a multiplicity of lamps with a control configured to run multiple combinations of lamps together with no shift in color temperature and to set up multiple lighting ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: The F.J. Westcott Co.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Waltz, Kelly Mondora
  • Patent number: 7244043
    Abstract: A method and system are described for illuminating a document, such as passports, identity documents or other types of documents, using illumination means under control of a processor to effectively control the angle and direction of light on such documents to expose optically variable devices such as holograms, intaglio printing and optically variable coating and inks contained in or on the documents and the material laminating the documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventors: Bruce C. Monk, Joseph E. Funk, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7237919
    Abstract: The invention provides a range finder capable of carrying out three-dimensional measurement stably for a long period of time. A light pattern is projected on a subject by using a light source array unit in which a plurality of light sources, such as LEDs, are arranged. Even when each LED has a small light quantity, a sufficiently large quantity of light can be projected on the subject by the entire light source array unit, and hence, the three-dimensional measurement can be stably carried out. Also, a plurality of light patterns can be generated by electrically controlling a light emitting state of each LED of the light source array unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenya Uomori, Atsushi Morimura, Joji Wada, Takeo Azuma
  • Patent number: 7226178
    Abstract: A lamp for an underwater camera to illuminate and photograph or film objects in the macrorange including a minimum of three LED diodes that emit white light which are arranged concentrically and at the same distance from each other around, and at a specific angle to, the optical axis of an underwater camera. An annular lamp holder may be used or the lamps may be directly integrated into the housing of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Inventor: Arnold Upmeyer
  • Patent number: 7215317
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for modulating backlight sources for flat panel displays (FPD), which comprises: lowing steps: step 31: turning on a display screen; step 32: identifying whether the total number of the BLL groups provided on the backlight module is an odd number or an even number; step 33: turning on the one BLL group located at the center-most region of the backlight module while the total number of the BLL groups is an odd number; step 34: turning on the two BLL groups located at the center-most region of the screen while the total number of the BLL groups is an even number; step 35: turning on the two backlight groups located at the two outer side of the center turned-on backlight groups while turning off the center turned-on backlight groups, and similarly, progressing the turning-on and the turning-off from the center region to the two outer edge of the backlight module and then reverse-progressing respectively from the two edges to the center region, so as to complete a full cycl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chang Ho Liou, Bou Chi Chang, Chung-Yi Chang, Wei-Jen Chang
  • Patent number: 7209652
    Abstract: A lighting control apparatus of a photographing apparatus, comprises a plurality of lighting devices, a continuous imaging control processor, and a pulse-signal generating and control processor. The plurality of lighting devices illuminate a photographic subject by receiving a pulse signal which has a certain cycle in the exposure time. The continuous imaging control processor performs a continuous imaging operation where a plurality of images of the photographic subject are continuously imaged. The pulse-signal generating and controlling processor supplies a pulse signal to each of the lighting devices, cyclically every exposure time, so that one lighting device is illuminated at any given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Pentax Corporation
    Inventor: Yukio Uenaka
  • Patent number: 7177537
    Abstract: An automated studio and control system for taking photographs is disclosed that alleviates many exposure problems and simplifies variables with which the photographer must deal in order to achieve consistent high quality photographs. The studio includes a multi-light portrait lighting system, a subject location verification system and a system for varying backgrounds, all of which are tied to an integrated control system and synchronized to a camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Lifetouch, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl J. Adolphi, Michael J. Surma, Gerald A. Jensen
  • Patent number: 7163302
    Abstract: A lighting effects system comprises an arrangement of lamp elements, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light elements, on a panel or frame. The panel or frame may be relatively lightweight, and may include one or more circuit boards for direct mounting of the lamp elements. The panel or frame may have an opening through which a camera can view. A mounting bracket and assembly may be used for attaching the panel or frame to a camera. The lamp elements may be electronically controllable so as to provide differing intensity levels, collectively, individually, or in designated groups, and may be strobed, dimmed or otherwise controlled according to manually selected or programmable patterns. Different color lamp elements may be mounted on the same panel/frame, and, in particular, daylight and tungsten colored lamp elements may be mounted on the same panel/frame and their relative intensities selectively controlled by control circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Litepanels LLC
    Inventors: Rudy G. Pohlert, Pat Grosswendt, Kevin Baxter, Ken S. Fisher
  • Patent number: 7152996
    Abstract: A lighting system for stage, theatrical and architectural lighting, comprising a frame for supporting a plurality of light emitting diodes. The diodes are mounted to the frame so that each diode is both secured to the frame and also simultaneously positioned wherein each discrete diode light beam is directed to a prescribed remote focal point (target zone) and thereupon directed to a predetermined illumination area. Electrical power for transmitting and controlling electrical voltage to light emitting diodes by electrical circuitry integral with the frame. The frame can be configured as any hollow volume such a cone, a semi-ellipse, and a semi-sphere or can be configured as planar. Flexible blanks having apertures and pads for electrical connections can be used to construct rigid frames. An imaging gate a collimating lens and a focusing lens can be interposed between the frame and the illumination area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Altman Stage Lighting Co., Inc.
    Inventor: John F. Luk
  • Patent number: 7140742
    Abstract: A lighting effects system comprises an arrangement of lamp elements, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light elements, on a panel or frame. The panel or frame may be relatively lightweight, and may include one or more circuit boards for direct mounting of the lamp elements. The panel or frame may have an opening through which a camera can view. A mounting bracket and assembly may be used for attaching the panel or frame to a camera. The lamp elements may be electronically controllable so as to provide differing intensity levels, collectively, individually, or in designated groups, and may be strobed, dimmed or otherwise controlled according to manually selected or programmable patterns. Different color lamp elements may be mounted on the same panel/frame, and, in particular, daylight and tungsten colored lamp elements may be mounted on the same panel/frame and their relative intensities selectively controlled by control circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Litepanels LLC
    Inventors: Rudy G. Pohlert, Pat Grosswendt, Kevin Baxter, Ken S. Fisher
  • Patent number: 7136582
    Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a lighting apparatus which is to be installed in a color camera, which is capable of providing the stable quantity of light from a light source such as an LED, and which is capable of stabilizing color tones of an image captured with the color camera. In order to attain this object, in the lighting apparatus according to the present invention, the temperature control for the camera is also simultaneously carried out using a thermal transfer member for enhancing heat transfer between a Peltier element used for the temperature control for an LED case with built-in LEDs, and the LED case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Hayami, Masaaki Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7131753
    Abstract: This invention provides a high-output industrial light fixture that employs a plurality of commercially available fluorescent light sources in an array of adjustable arm assemblies each housing one or more light sources (fluorescent bulbs) in an associated reflector box or other source housing structure. By adjusting the arm assemblies, a more-precise spread of light onto the target surface can be achieved. Arm mounting brackets can be provided with one or more locking positions to facilitate multi-position angular placement of each individual arm. A plurality of arm assemblies can be provided around a center housing or hub, each directed outwardly in a radial direction from a central point or axis of the center housing/hub. Each arm's source reflector box/source housing structure can be located to project light either downwardly or upwardly and can be angled at a plurality of angular adjustment positions with respect to the center housing in each of the upward and/or downward positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Edwards Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Richard D. Edwards, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7128423
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus comprises a plurality of luminous bodies as light sources, luminous body drive portions configured to drive to light each of the plurality of luminous bodies, an optical member configured to lead and apply light exiting from a luminous body lighted by the luminous body drive portion to an illumination target area, a light control member configured to perform change of a light path of the light exiting from the luminous body with which the illumination target area is illuminated and/or movement of the luminous body, a movable portion configured to operably drive the light control member, and a light selection portion configured to control the movable portion and/or the luminous body drive portion in such a manner that light with which the illumination target area is selected from light exiting from the plurality of luminous bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Imade, Shinzo Matsui, Kazunari Hanano, Naoaki Tani, Naoto Shimada, Katsunori Kumai
  • Patent number: 7090366
    Abstract: An inspecting apparatus (4) for inspecting light guide plates and/or backlight modules includes a working table (400), a cover device (480), a light-emitting diode unit (420), a movable electric clip (470), and a holding device (460). The cover device is adjustably set on the working table, and includes a cover (486) and a first light-emitting diode (482) fixed on the cover, the cover is pivotable relative to the working table. The light-emitting diode unit is movable, and includes a second light-emitting diode (422). The movable electric clip has a printed circuit board (471) fixed at one end thereof. The holding device is used for holding a light guide plate or a backlight module on the working table. The inspecting apparatus can be used to inspect light guide plates and/or backlight modules of various different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Innolux Display Corp.
    Inventors: Chung-Sung Huang, Jian-Jun Yang
  • Patent number: 7083293
    Abstract: A selectable lighting system and method that uses multiple cool burning compact fluorescent light bulbs of different color temperatures to provide lighting that is a mix of different color temperatures that can be selected and/or mixed to illuminate subjects of video or photographic recording as desired by the videographer. The mix of different color temperature bulbs also makes this lighting system very beneficial as a reading light, a general purpose work light or detail work task light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Inventor: Arthur A. Kalinski
  • Patent number: 7052151
    Abstract: Light source devices for photography using LED elements as a light source known in the prior art provide insufficient quantity of light, and the inability to avoid size increases in order to generate a sufficient quantity of light has been problematic. A photography light source device 1 according to the present invention has a light source comprising a plurality of LED elements 2 generating white light or light of the three primaries and arranged in one or more rows parallel with the direction of the longer side of the photograph, a case 3 having a lens on which linear fresnel cuts 3a have been applied in a linear direction parallel to the arrangement direction is mounted on the LED element 2, and upon lighting of the LED element 2, drive is performed with a current of between 3 and 50 times the magnitude of the rated current thereof and a lighting duration of between 10 and 600 msec.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Terada, Keizo Sekido, Shigekazu Kato, Kimihiro Iritono
  • Patent number: 7046926
    Abstract: Light emitting semiconductor device(s) of the present invention is/are provided with three LED elements by way of lead frame(s) on substrate(s) Reflector(s)—having parabolically curved surface(s) at inner wall(s) thereof is/are installed at periphery or peripheries of these LED elements. Radiative angle(s) of light radiating from such reflector(s) is/are controlled by alteration of height(s) of reflector(s). Such height(s) may be lowered to increase radiative angle(s) ? of light therefrom so as to establish broader irradiative locus or loci and/or such height(s) may be raised to decrease radiative angle(s) ? of light radiating therefrom so as to establish narrower irradiative locus or loci.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Chikugawa
  • Patent number: 7044613
    Abstract: An illumination reproduction apparatus and process for illuminating a subject with the illumination at a location in a scene when the subject is not in the scene. Scene illumination data is generated that specifies the illumination at the location in the scene from a plurality of spatial directions. The subject is then illuminated with the illumination at the location in the scene by driving a plurality of light sources surrounding the subject with the scene illumination data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventor: Paul E. Debevec
  • Patent number: 6979093
    Abstract: This invention discloses an accessory illuminating device of a mobile phone, of which a switch is built in the mobile phone or embedded into a base of the mobile phone for controlling a battery to power on or off the illuminating device, and providing the illumination for an object photographed by a camera lens of the mobile phone. A circuit for driving a battery charger to charge the battery can be installed to the device, if needed. The lamp of the mobile phone is lit to provide an illumination in the photographing direction of an object or a scene, so that the photograph of such object or scene can be taken at night or in a dark environment, when electric power is supplied by controlling the switch. This invention provides the light for taking photographs by using the camera function of a mobile phone under poor lighting conditions, transmits clear photographs, and acts as a portable flashlight for a multiple of purposes and applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: Wen-Feng Tsay
  • Patent number: 6948823
    Abstract: A lighting effects system comprises an arrangement of lamp elements, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light elements, on a panel or frame. The panel or frame may be relatively lightweight, and may include one or more circuit boards for direct mounting of the lamp elements. The panel or frame may have an opening through which a camera can view. A mounting bracket and assembly may be used for attaching the panel or frame to a camera. The lamp elements may be electronically controllable so as to provide differing intensity levels, collectively, individually, or in designated groups, and may be strobed, dimmed or otherwise controlled according to manually selected or programmable patterns. Different color lamp elements may be mounted on the same panel/frame, and, in particular, daylight and tungsten colored lamp elements may be mounted on the same panel/frame and their relative intensities selectively controlled by control circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Contrast Lighting Services
    Inventors: Rudy G. Pohlert, Pat Grosswendt, Kevin Baxter, Ken S. Fisher
  • Patent number: 6947666
    Abstract: A support apparatus for a camera and strobe lights includes a mounting plate for holding the camera substantially normal to and at a fixed distance from the photograph area, a set of legs attached to one or more portions of the apparatus providing support and positions for mounting and a set of strobe lights affixed to the legs at known positions relative to the focal plane of the camera and directed towards the photograph area to facilitate acquisition of multiple photographic images for use in one or image processing operations. The support apparatus can be automated through the use of one or more mobile strobe lights slidably coupled to each leg, capable of self-propelled linear motion along the axis of the leg and providing indication of its position along the leg to facilitate acquisition of multiple photographic images and position data for the image processing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Charles B Chapman, Ryan Wilshusen, Daniel George Gelb, Thomas Malzbender
  • Patent number: 6937377
    Abstract: An illumination system is disclosed, which includes a first light source and a second light source configured to emit light when the first light source is not emitting light. A polarizing element accepts light from the first and second light sources. The polarizing element emits, along a light path, light from the first light source with a first polarization orientation. The polarizing element emits, along the light path, light from the second light source with a second polarization orientation. A homogenizing element receives and homogenizes polarized light from the polarizing element. A polarization rotator receives light from the homogenizing element. The polarization rotator selectively rotates one of the first and second polarization orientations to ensure light emitted therefrom maintains a constant polarization orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins
    Inventors: Robert D. Brown, David H. Modro
  • Patent number: 6929375
    Abstract: An apparatus according to an embodiment of this invention is an apparatus which comprises a lens for reading the image and a plurality of light sources which are arranged into a circular shape that partially surrounds the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Takeshi Satomi