Condition Responsive Patents (Class 362/276)
  • Patent number: 10198948
    Abstract: A low power sensor system and protocol are provided. Particular embodiments of the invention include a sensor controlled switch that senses conditions. While the sensor controlled switch is sensing conditions and the switch that it controls is open, power is conserved. When a valid condition is sensed, the switch is closed which enables a sensor system to receive power. The powered sensor system can then perform tasks such as listen for radio transmissions from a human interface device and respond to these. In another embodiment of the invention a delayed shutdown is executed, wherein the sensor system is put in a low power state for a period of time before responding to further conditions sensed by the sensor controlled switch. An example application is in a battery powered vehicle camera system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Trail Ridge Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: D. Mitchel Hanks, Robert A. Morain
  • Patent number: 10194296
    Abstract: A pass through wall power plug is equipped with multiple transceivers for remote communication. The power plug may be equipped with transceivers operative in different modes or protocols. The power plug may function as a bridge between radio devices. It may function as a centralized access point for receiving and/or storing information from and transmitting information multiple connected electronic devices. The power plug may be equipped with a night light, power meter, relay switch, voltage meter, beacon, proximity sensor or other electronic components. The power plug may be made rotatable around its prongs, and may be configured to be stackable within a standard column of electrical outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: IDEVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Tetreault, Eric Ferguson, David Davis, Shawn Monteith, Michael Murray
  • Patent number: 10146047
    Abstract: An optical base station including a base, a light source, a rotation plate and an optical fiber is provided. The light source is disposed on the base for providing a light beam. The rotation plate is disposed on the base. The optical fiber is disposed on the base and has an input end and a first output end. The rotation plate drives the optical fiber to rotate around a rotation axis. The rotation axis passes through the input end. The light beam enters the optical fiber from the input end and is output from the first output end after being transmitted in the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventor: Yen-Fang Cheng
  • Patent number: 10136534
    Abstract: A cover for an electrical receptacle including a faceplate. The cover also includes a first transmission tab configured to be electrically connected to a first power line of the electrical receptacle and a second transmission tab configured to be electrically connected to a second power line of the electrical receptacle. Additionally, the cover includes a device (such as a light source, circuit, port, or sensor) in communication with the first transmission tab and the second transmission tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Inventor: Cordell Eldred Ebeling
  • Patent number: 10129953
    Abstract: A controlled lamp device (1), comprising: a lamp housing (2) with a light exit opening (3), a sensor unit (4) for detecting a contactless manual intervention (15, 16-1, 16-2, 17) of an operator of the lamp device in an intervention region (5, 5-1, 5-2), and an evaluation and control device (6) for evaluating the intervention of the operator detected by the sensor unit and for influencing a control parameter for the operation of the lamp device depending on a result of the evaluation, wherein the sensor unit (4) is provided in and/or on the light housing (2) laterally adjacent to the light exit opening (3), and the evaluation and control device (6) is designed such that it only influences the control parameter if the evaluation carried out by the evaluation and control device (6) shows that a predefined path in an intervention region has been covered in a gesture-like manner during the intervention of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Steinel GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Moeller
  • Patent number: 10081294
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lighting apparatus for a vehicle that makes information images to be shown in a low-beam area clear by showing information on a road with high visibility using light for a high beam and that has a small layout by showing information on a road using the function of a high beam and is manufactured at a low manufacturing cost with a small weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Byoung Suk Ahn, Jik Soo Shin, Keon Soo Jin, Jung Wook Lim, Ki Hong Lee
  • Patent number: 10066816
    Abstract: A headlight incorporates an infrared sensor enabling the light to be turned ON and OFF without physical contact. The system includes a light source and a mechanism for coupling the light source to eyeglass frames or to a headband. A power supply and control unit is disposed remotely from the light source and is interconnected to the light source through an electrical cable. An infrared (IR) motion sensor is interconnected to the power supply and control unit, and electrical circuitry within the power supply and control unit is operative to turn the light source ON and OFF is response to the detection of a hand or other body part by the sensor. In the preferred embodiment, the light source includes a light-emitting diode (LED), and the IR detector is user-adjustable to set the ON/OFF activation distance in accordance with user preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: General Scientific Corp.
    Inventor: Byung J. Chang
  • Patent number: 10062258
    Abstract: Floodlight controllers with wireless audio/video recording and communication features in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure are provided. In one embodiment, a floodlight controller for activating and deactivating a floodlight device may include a camera including an image sensor and having a field of view, a switch having an open condition and a closed condition, and a processor operatively connected to the camera and operatively connected to the switch, wherein the processor is configured to receive an input from the camera and produce an output to the switch to cause the switch to transition from the open condition to the closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Siminoff, Stephen Grant Russell
  • Patent number: 10059004
    Abstract: A robot includes a three-dimensional shape detecting sensor to detect a three dimensional shape of a travel surface existing in a forward travelling direction of the robot, a posture stabilizer to stabilize a posture of a body of the robot, a feature data generator to generate feature data of the detected three dimensional shape, an inclination angle prediction generator to generate a prediction value of an inclination angle of the body when the robot is to reach a position on the travel surface in the forward travelling direction at a future time point based on the feature data and a prediction model, and an overturn prevention controller to control the posture stabilizer to prevent an overturn of the robot based on the prediction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Daiki Inaba, Wataru Hatanaka, Hiroshi Shimura, Atsuo Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 10034360
    Abstract: A computing unit (10) and a method are provided. The method comprises obtaining data being indicative of operational statuses and geographic positions of a plurality of street devices (11), and obtaining region description data for a region in which the street devices are located. Further, the geographic positions and operational statuses of the street devices are correlated with the region description data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Yuan Shu, Alexandre Georgievich Sinitsyn, Ingrid Christina Maria Flinsenberg, Yi Qiang Yu
  • Patent number: 10028360
    Abstract: A selectively controlled lighted artificial tree with visual timing function indication, comprising: a tree trunk having a plurality of branches; a plurality of lighting assemblies including light elements, the plurality of lighting assemblies distributed about the plurality of branches; a plurality of wires in electrical connection with the plurality of light elements, the plurality of wires for transmitting electrical power to the plurality of light elements; a controller in electrical communication with the plurality of lighting assemblies, the controller including a push-button switch and a logic-control circuit with a processor, the controller configured to selectively cause power to be transmitted to one or more of the plurality of light elements for a power-on duration, and to cause one or more of the plurality of light elements to selectively be powered on and off to provide a visual indication of the power-on duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Willis Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Johnny Chen
  • Patent number: 10025138
    Abstract: A display mirror assembly having a housing. An electro-optic element is disposed within the housing. A light gathering structure is operably coupled with a first side of the electro-optic element and is configured to draw ambient light from outside the housing. A display module is disposed within the housing and is operable between an on state and an off state. A light relaying structure is operably coupled with a second side of the electro-optic element and is configured to relay light from the electro-optic element to a first edge of the display module. A backlit module is disposed at a second edge of the display module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: James D. Collins, II, Michael F. Lisowski, Steven J. Veenman
  • Patent number: 10002509
    Abstract: A notification appliance is disclosed. The notification appliance may be a strobe notification appliance, such as an LED strobe notification appliance. The notification appliance may be wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted. Further, the notification appliance may include an optic that is configured to shape the light output from the notification appliance. For example, in a wall-mount, the optic may be mounted off-axis of a plane defined by a back plate of the notification appliance. Further, the notification appliance may be composed of a back plate, a driver board, and a front housing, with the front housing being attached to one or both of the back plate and the driver board. Moreover, the notification appliance may be used with an adapter bracket, which may be used to connect the notification appliance with one or more types of junction boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
    Inventors: Kenneth Savage, Jr., Steven Varieur
  • Patent number: 9997036
    Abstract: A security system can can be configured to mount to a power outlet. The security system can include a detection system comprising a camera, motion detector, speaker, microphone, and a pair of electrical prongs arranged and configured to protrude into the power outlet to receive power for the detection system. The security system can also include a remote computing device communicatively coupled to the detection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SkyBell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Frank Scalisi
  • Patent number: 9992389
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a power adapter, a security camera portion and a socket adapter. The power adapter may be configured to receive an AC power source and generate DC power. The security camera may be configured to receive DC power from the power adapter. The socket adapter may comprise a first connector a second connector and a third connector. A camera module may be integrated in a cavity of the security camera portion. The power adapter may be within the socket adapter. The first connector may be removably connected to a light bulb and the second connector may be removably connected to a light fixture. The power adapter may receive the AC power source from an electrical connection to the light fixture. The security camera may be configured to connect to the third connector to receive the DC power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: KUNA SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sai-Wai Fu, Haomiao Huang, Harold G. Sampson
  • Patent number: 9913350
    Abstract: The invention relates to an interface device for supplying power to a variable number of loads, which are configured to be coupled to the interface device by means of a supply line and which are configured to communicate with the interface device, to a system comprising such interface device and one or more loads, to a corresponding method for supplying power and to a corresponding software product. A particular feature of the present invention is that the interface device functions as an intermediate between an USB power source and the loads connected to the interface device by supplying power while being flexible to both sides, i.e. to the supplying side as well as to the load side, in allowing for a flexible number of loads to be coupled to the interface device (i.e. to be supplied by the interface device with power) and in also providing a negotiation with the power supply depending on the necessary power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Matthias Wendt, Marcel Beij, Martinus Petrus Creusen
  • Patent number: 9902318
    Abstract: A lighting system of a vehicle is provided herein. A light sensor is coupled to a front windshield and is oriented to face in a vehicle-forward direction. A light source is disposed inside the vehicle and a controller is configured to adjust a brightness of the light source based on a light level measured by the light sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo
  • Patent number: 9863641
    Abstract: A heater includes: a controller; a user input operatively connected to the controller; and a lighting system operatively connected to, and controlled by, the controller, the lighting system configured to illuminate outside the heater along a length of the heater. A method of displaying light includes: attaching a lighting system to a heater; operatively connecting the lighting system to a controller; operatively connecting a user input device to the controller; and configure the controller to illuminate the light system to provide indirect lighting to a room in which the heater is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: MARLEY ENGINEERED PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventor: Michael P. Boyd
  • Patent number: 9860957
    Abstract: Systems and methods of adjusting a correlated color temperature (CCT) of a color-tunable light source based on one or more luminosity (lux) sensors, and without a CCT sensor, comprise receiving, at a controller, one or more signals from one or more lux sensors, the one or more signals representative of a luminous flux of natural light; determining, with the controller, a CCT of the natural light based on, at least in part, the luminous flux of the natural light; and transmitting an output signal from the controller based, at least in part, on the determined CCT of the natural light, the output signal configured to control the CCT of the color-tunable light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventors: Emily Peterson, Helmar Adler
  • Patent number: 9857048
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a body portion, a collar having a first end coupled to the body portion, a plate coupled to a second end of the collar, a light source disposed at the second end of the collar, and a shade including a sidewall and a cap defining a plurality of interfaces. The plurality of interfaces and the plate cooperate to releasably secure the shade in a storage orientation and an extended orientation. The light source includes one or more LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Goal Zero LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Workman, Norman L. Krantz, Jaremy T. Butler, Fred K. Lillywhite
  • Patent number: 9835324
    Abstract: Briefly described, light generating, light emitting, and/or sound producing finials are disclosed for both utility and decorative purposes. These finials may be used for dim lighting of a room such as to replace night lamps or for romantic occasions, and can be changed based on seasonal traditions or holiday customs. In some embodiments the finials have their own batteries and LED lights and in other embodiments the finials' rechargeable batteries may be charged by the light emitting from the lamp on which the finials are mounted. In some embodiments the finials may be screwed to the finial stud of the lamp harp, and in some other embodiments the finials may merely be placed on a substantially horizontal support plate screwed or attached to the top of the lamp harp, which may also act as a charging station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Inventor: Jershyang Jerry Lee
  • Patent number: 9808735
    Abstract: A decorative lawn ornament including a rotatable carrier having a plurality of blades. At least one light-emitting device is arranged on each of the plurality of blades to emit light from the blades. A solar panel is provided to receive and collect sunlight, and a photoswitch is automatically operable between an activated state during instances of insufficient sunlight to thereby activate the light-emitting device, and a deactivated state during instances of sunlight to thereby deactivate the light-emitting device. The decorative lawn ornament is operable such that when a flow of air strikes it, the blades rotate and a decorative member rotates to control an orientation of the blades and the light emitted by the light-emitting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Plow & Hearth, LLC
    Inventors: Fei Qiu, Chengyong Tu, Richard Koval
  • Patent number: 9745079
    Abstract: An aircraft light unit (2), has a support portion (4), a light source having at least one LED (6), the light source being arranged on the support portion (4) and in operation emitting light with a source-side light intensity distribution, and an optical element (8) for transforming the source-side light intensity distribution into an output light intensity distribution. The optical element (8) has at least two transformation segments (10, 20, 30), covering different angular ranges of the source-side light intensity distribution in a first cross-sectional plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: GOODRICH LIGHTING SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Anil Kumar Jha
  • Patent number: 9723681
    Abstract: An LED lamp system with different color temperatures and various operation modes can resolve the problems occurred in the prior arts. By switching the AC current continuously, not only the LED lamp sets can emit lights of different color temperatures, and moreover, at the same time, the light sensitive detector and moving object detection circuit serve to detect environmental light intensity and the moving objects so as to auto-control the lighting and light intensity of the LED lamp sets so as to match the requirements of environment protection and power saving As a result, intellectual light control for LED lamps is achieved. This is beneficial to the applications of LED lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventors: Hsiao Chang Tsai, Xiao Bing Tu
  • Patent number: 9717135
    Abstract: The invention relates to an illumination system comprising a luminaire which is configured to provide light according to a plurality of preset combinations of illumination level and color temperature, controlled via a control protocol. The system further comprises a user interface comprising means to (manually) select the illumination level and color temperature from said plurality of preset combinations. The number of preset combinations is at least three. The control protocol comprises transition times for transitions between said preset combinations, said transition times being in the range of about 2 seconds to about 5 minutes. The invention further relates to an illumination method using the illumination system and to a controller uploaded with said preset lighting settings. The use of the system in dependence on the activity, time of day or atmosphere in the classroom has been proven to improve the learning behavior of children. It therefore is a learning tool for teachers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Bianca Maria Irma Van Der Zande, Peter Johannus Cornelis Sleegers, Nienke Marcella Moolenaar, Mirjam Galetzka
  • Patent number: 9699856
    Abstract: A lighting fixture includes an outer frame, a solid-state light source, a lens, and a sensor module connector. Driver circuitry is coupled to the outer frame and provides one or more drive signals for powering the light source. The lens is supported by and attached to the outer frame. The solid-state light source is mounted to the outer frame and at least partially surrounded by the lens, such that at least a portion of the light provided by the solid-state light source is transmitted through the lens towards an area of interest. The sensor module connector is mounted to the outer frame and configured to accept a connector from a sensor module such that when the sensor module is installed in the lighting fixture, a surface of the sensor module faces the area of interest towards which light from the solid-state light source is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John Roberts, James Michael Lay, Michael James Harris, Randy Bernard, Nathan R. Snell, Ethan Creasman
  • Patent number: 9688186
    Abstract: A decal for a vehicle is provided herein. The decal includes a plurality of light sources and a photoluminescent structure configured to luminesce in response to excitation by at least a portion of the light sources. A decorative layer has a pattern that is at least partially illuminated by the photoluminescent structure when the photoluminescent structure is in luminescent state is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stuart C. Salter, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Michael A. Musleh, James J. Surman
  • Patent number: 9677753
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a lighting device may include at least one heat sink and a base configured to accommodate at least one light source and at least one device connected to the lighting device configured to generate a cooling media flow, wherein the cooling media flow runs predominantly parallel to the plane of the base of the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: OSRAM GmbH
    Inventor: Nicole Breidenassel
  • Patent number: 9674927
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing inadvertent deactivation of an illumination device or other device are provided. The method includes detecting a first input to deactivate an active illumination device; determining whether the first input to deactivate is inadvertent based on context information; and performing a function if the determining determines that the first input to deactivate the active illumination device is inadvertent. The apparatus and method may be used in a vehicle or other apparatus to prevent inadvertent deactivation of devices at inopportune times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Darren C. Williams
  • Patent number: 9656603
    Abstract: A vehicle interior illumination device includes an illumination lamp that is provided in a vehicle interior and is configured to be turned on to illuminate the vehicle interior, a detector that detects a condition to have the illumination lamp to be turned on, and a controller that controls a lighting of the illumination lamp. When the condition is detected by the detector, the controller lights the illumination lamp with a first light amount and when the condition is not detected by the detector, the controller lights the illumination lamp with a second light amount smaller than the first light amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignees: YAZAKI CORPORATION, TOYOTA SHATAI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Terumitsu Sugimoto, Hiroko Aono, Yasushi Ohba, Nobuyoshi Imaeda, Makoto Sunohara, Hisanori Kato, Masahiro Kasai
  • Patent number: 9661280
    Abstract: A rearview obstruction camera system provides rearward view if visibility to a driver as a result of cargo impacts a view directly out the rear windshield. Likewise, an occupant(s) sitting in the rear seats can obstruct the view of the driver out the rear the vehicle. In both instances the rearward view is potentially compromised. By using a sensor(s), the rearview obstruction camera system can detect if the line of sight of the driver out the rear of the vehicle is obstructed. If obstructed, the rearview camera captures a live feed of traffic behind a vehicle and the image is displayed in front of the driver (e.g. on the rearview mirror, navigation display, or the like).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yousuf Riad, Stephen Mullaly
  • Patent number: 9635735
    Abstract: A master illuminating device may include an illuminating module, and a signal acquisition and processing unit for detecting the surrounding and outputting a control signal. The illuminating module is designed to receive the control signal and is driven according to the control signal. The illuminating device further include a signal transmission unit which is designed to receive the control signal and is designed to transmit the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: OSRAM GmbH
    Inventors: XiHe Zhuang, Middel Tjaco, Daxin Lin, Xuewei Dai, Zesheng Ye
  • Patent number: 9622311
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sub-assembly for a searchlight signal comprising three distinct light emitting diodes and an interface module for connecting the three diodes to a controller. The interface module comprises: a light input adapted to receive a signal for feeding a light emitting diode, a first relay having an active position and an inactive position, and a second relay having an active position and an inactive position, such that: when the second relay and the first relay are in the inactive position, the light input is fed to a first LED, when the first relay is in the active position, the light input is fed to a second LED, and when the second relay is in the active position, the light input is fed to a third LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Jeffrey Fries, Brian Tiemann, Charles Crawford
  • Patent number: 9589080
    Abstract: A method for validating an illumination-range test value of a light cone of at least one headlight of a vehicle. The method includes reading in a reflection intensity of a point on at least one road marking illuminated by the light cone; generating a reflection intensity model for the road marking, based on the obtained reflection intensity and a particular distance of the point from the vehicle, the reflection intensity model being designed to assign different reflection intensities to different positions on the road marking in front of the vehicle; determining an illumination-range plausibility value, at which, according to the reflection intensity model, a reflection intensity is reached, which corresponds to a reflection-intensity threshold value; and comparing the illumination-range plausibility value to the illumination-range test value, to validate the illumination-range test value, if the illumination-range plausibility value is inside a tolerance range around the illumination-range test value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Tobias Rentschler, Christian Renner
  • Patent number: 9572236
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlling a plurality of electric lighting devices and in some embodiments preventing the theft of those devices. A microprocessor can be used to analyze information about the devices and send one or more commands to the devices. A user interface allows a user to send a command to at least one of the electric lighting devices, which may alter at least one of a brightness of light emitted, a color of light emitted or other effects of the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Luminara Worldwide, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas Patton
  • Patent number: 9555610
    Abstract: An LED light bulb device that includes a bulb body, a plurality of flexible circuit strips, and at least one LED. The flexible circuit strips are formed to a shape of, and adhered directly to, an interior face of the bulb body. At least one of the flexible circuit strips defines a plurality of stress-relieving notches. At least one LED is mounted to a corresponding one of the flexible circuit strips and is electrically connected to a conductive trace formed by the flexible circuit strip. The LEDs are arranged to aim inwardly relative to the bulb body. In some embodiments, a rear surface of each of the flexible circuit strips is adhesively attached to the interior face of the bulb body. In some embodiments, a plurality of LEDs are provided and arranged to provide one or both of uniform light distribution and diverse heat distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Forever Bulb, LLC
    Inventors: David W. Carroll, Wendell Carroll, Bruce Johnson
  • Patent number: 9554457
    Abstract: Substrates and packages for LED-based light devices can significantly improve thermal performance and provide separate electrical and thermal paths through the substrate. One substrate includes multiple electrically insulating base layers. On a top one of these layers are disposed top-side electrical contacts, including light device pads to accommodate a plurality of light devices. External electrical contacts are disposed on an exterior surface of the substrate. Electrical paths connect the top-side electrical contacts to the external electrical contacts. At least portions of some of the electrical paths are disposed between the electrically insulating base layers. The electrical paths can be arranged such that different subsets of the light device pads are addressable independently of each other. A heat dissipation plate can be formed on the bottom surface of a bottom one of the base layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: LedEngin, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiantao Yan
  • Patent number: 9469242
    Abstract: In a headlamp light distribution control device, a light source configured by a pair of lamps mounted in a forward vehicle is extracted from an image of the forward vehicle if a distance to the forward vehicle is less than a predetermined value, and the number of the extracted light sources is judged. When the number of the extracted light sources is two, an irradiation direction of a headlamp is controlled such that a shielded area is set in an irradiation area to prevent an area including the lamp of the forward vehicle from being irradiated. When the number of the extracted light sources is one, the irradiation direction is controlled such that a shielded area is set in the irradiation area to have a margin in right and left directions larger than the shielded area set when the number of the extracted light sources is two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Imaeda, Kentarou Shiota
  • Patent number: 9453629
    Abstract: At least a part of light emitted from a light source passes through a projection lens. A rotary shade is disposed at the rear side of the projection lens to block a part of the light emitted from the light source. The rotary shade includes a twist end surface. A swivel actuator changes an optical axis direction of the projection lens. A shade driving mechanism rotates the rotary shade around the rotary axis. A first information acquisition unit acquires first information on a rudder angle of the vehicle. A second information acquisition unit acquires second information on the front area of the vehicle. A first control unit controls the swivel actuator to determine the optical axis direction based on the first information. A second control unit controls the shade driving mechanism to determine the position of the twist end surface based on the second information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Mochizuki, Teruaki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9420661
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an outdoor lighting fixture, including a solar panel, light source, rechargeable battery, and control circuit enclosed within a reversibly sealed housing, further includes a magnetic switch in communication with the control circuit. The switch enables an operator to adjust the settings and functions of the fixture without opening the housing, which would expose the control circuit, battery, light source, and other electrical components to the environment. In certain embodiments, the light source is one or more light emitting diodes powered by the solar panel via the battery and control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Lake Lite, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Martzall
  • Patent number: 9357610
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) lighting system may include a plurality of LED modules and a server. The plurality of LED modules can include LED lighting devices and provide a human detection signal and distance information regarding a distance from a human, in the case of human detection, respectively. The server may control the LED lighting devices upon receiving the human detection signal and the distance information from the plurality of LED modules. The server may compare the distance information with a pre-set reference distance and controls brightness of the LED lighting devices according to the comparison results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: SOLUM CO., LTD
    Inventor: Young Seo Park
  • Patent number: 9333319
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an illumination device arranged for reducing sleep inertia and/or for controlling alertness of a human being. The illumination device is arranged for reducing sleep inertia and/or controlling alertness by light radiation. The illumination device comprises one or more light sources for generating a first illumination output and a second illumination output. The first illumination output comprises light with a dominant wavelength in the range of 590-770 nm. The second illumination output comprises light with a dominant wavelength in the range of 400-560 nm. Thus, colored light is used. Alternatively, the first illumination output comprises white light with a color temperature below 4100 K, i.e. warm white light. The second color temperature then comprises white light with a color temperature above 4900 K.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Lucas Josef Maria Schlangen, Vanja Hommes
  • Patent number: 9319597
    Abstract: A camera for enhanced color imaging in a low light environment including: one or more illuminators for illuminating a R, a G, and a B light at different time periods; an image sensor for capturing R G and B image frames; and a processor configured to generate an intermediate color frame from each of the R, G and B image frames; determine moving pixels in the each of the intermediate color frames; determine a true color for the moving pixels in each intermediate color frame; generate a true color frame for each intermediate color frame by substituting color of the moving pixels with respective true colors of the moving pixels, in intermediate color frame; calculate scene color metrics from the true color frame or intermediate color frame; and adaptively adjust illumination of one or more of the R, G, and B lights to enhance a next frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: ARECONT VISION, LLC.
    Inventor: Sri Rama Prasanna Pavani
  • Patent number: 9298169
    Abstract: A wake-up appliance (100; 200; 300) comprises: an alarm device (20) generating an alarm signal; a control device (10) controlling the alarm device; at least one controllable light-generating device (1000; 2000; 3000) controlled by the control device. When the control device finds that an actual time becomes equal to a predetermined alarm time, it activates the alarm device. When the control device receives a user input signal at a snooze input, it stops the alarm signal and increases the intensity of at least a portion of the light generated in a blue range of the light spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Inge Van De Wouw, Robert Godlieb, Vanja Hommes, Willem Henderikus Veldhuis
  • Patent number: 9295236
    Abstract: An aquarium having an adjustable lighting system for enhancing the display of fluorescent objects, such as fluorescent fish, contained within the aquarium under various external lighting conditions, such as a dark room or a brightly lit room. The aquarium comprises a tank and a plurality of light sources. Each light source emits light at a different wavelength spectrum which is selected to enhance the display of the fluorescent object under each type of external lighting condition. An electronic control is provided to control the operation of the plurality of light sources such that each light source may be selectively turned on/off based on the external lighting condition, or chronological criteria, to provide the best viewing experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: YORKTOWN TECHNOLOGIES, L.P.
    Inventor: Alan Blake
  • Patent number: 9274406
    Abstract: A projector can prevent a flicker from being caused by rotation of a rotating phosphor plate. The projector includes a solid-state light source that emits excitation light, a rotating phosphor plate that converts the excitation light into phosphor light, a liquid-crystal light modulating device that modulates the light from the rotating phosphor plate, a projection optical system that projects the modulated light onto a screen, and a control device that controls the solid-state light source and the rotating phosphor plate so as to satisfy any one of a conditional expression A=B, a conditional expression A=2B, and a conditional expression |A?B| is greater than or equal to 20 and |A?2B| is greater than or equal to 20, where A represents a pulse width modulation control frequency in hertz of the solid-state light source and B represents a rotation frequency in hertz of the rotating phosphor plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Toyooka, Makoto Zakoji
  • Patent number: 9259130
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a light module for a pool cleaner. The light module can include a housing, a paddle wheel, a generator, and at least one light emitting diode (LED). The housing can be removably coupled to the pool cleaner and can include a flow directing portion positioned in a fluid path of the pool cleaner. The paddle wheel can be located adjacent to the flow directing portion and can rotate in response to fluid flow through the fluid path. The generator can be coupled to the paddle wheel and can generate power through rotation of the paddle wheel. The LED can be coupled to the generator and can receive the generated power from the generator to illuminate an area adjacent to the pool cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Pentair Water Prool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Deery, John Lipski, Leonard Richiuso, Suresh Gopalan
  • Patent number: 9247626
    Abstract: A light emitting module testing apparatus includes a sensing unit and a controller. The sensing unit includes a photodiode array sensing light emitted from a light emitting module serving as a test object. The controller generates luminance information based on light sensed by the sensing unit, and sets an operating condition of the light emitting module serving as the test object by comparing the generated luminance information with a pre-set reference range. The light emitting module testing apparatus thereby senses luminance of light emitted from the light emitting module serving as a test object, and sets the operating condition of the light emitting module to have an appropriate luminance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sun Ki Kim
  • Patent number: 9235110
    Abstract: A projector can prevent a flicker from being caused by rotation of a rotating phosphor plate. The projector includes a solid-state light source that emits excitation light, a rotating phosphor plate that converts the excitation light into phosphor light, a liquid-crystal light modulating device that modulates the light from the rotating phosphor plate, a projection optical system that projects the modulated light onto a screen, and a control device that controls the solid-state light source and the rotating phosphor plate so as to satisfy any one of a conditional expression A=B, a conditional expression A=2B, and a conditional expression |A?B| is greater than or equal to 20 and |A?2B| is greater than or equal to 20, where A represents a pulse width modulation control frequency in hertz of the solid-state light source and B represents a rotation frequency in hertz of the rotating phosphor plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Toyooka, Makoto Zakoji
  • Patent number: 9226374
    Abstract: An illumination light source includes: a light-emitting unit; a disturbance detecting unit which detects a specific disturbance; a timer circuit that times a first period and a second period, the first period starting from when the disturbance detecting unit detects the specific disturbance, a second period immediately following after the first period; and a driving circuit that turns ON the light-emitting unit at a start of the first period, causes the light-emitting unit to emit light during the first period, causes the light-emitting unit to emit light that is different from the light emitted during the second period, and turns OFF the light-emitting unit at an end of the second period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Takeda, Kazushige Sugita, Akira Takahashi, Tatsumi Setomoto, Tomohiro Kamitsu