Patents Assigned to Vision
  • Patent number: 6025825
    Abstract: A magnetically operated display unit includes a frame of a color, a plate pivotably mounted on the frame which includes a first surface of a color different from that of the frame and a second surface of a color identical to that of the frame, a magnet embedded in the plate, a U-shaped ferromagnetic element mounted on the frame so that two tips of the magnet are located between two tips of the U-shaped ferromagnetic element, a solenoid mounted on the U-shaped ferromagnetic element and a light emitting diode mounted on the frame. The plate contains a cutout designed for receiving the light emitting diode and one of the tips of the U-shaped ferromagnetic element. The tip of the light emitting diode is located on a level between the plate and the tips of the U-shaped ferromagnetic element. The light emitting diode is visible sufficiently above the surface of the plate so that its light can shine on that surface. Two opposite currents are selectively directed through the solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Lite Vision Corporation of Taiwan
    Inventor: Pin-chi Kao
  • Patent number: 6024473
    Abstract: A motor vehicle headlight reflector and a headlight constructed therefrom, wherein the reflector comprises a plurality of laterally juxtaposed zones bounding transition lines with a break of slope. Each zone has a smooth reflective surface and is adapted to spread light horizontally between two limits obtained in the immediate vicinity of the transition lines. The limits of horizontal spread in each zone varies progressively with displacement along the transition line concerned. The invention also includes a method of making the motor vehicle headlight reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Kamislav Fadel
  • Patent number: 6023730
    Abstract: A communication system includes a control communication network for transferring control data, and a data communication network for transferring stream data. A communication node is set on the communication system in response to a request on the stream transfer. The communication node is connected to both of the above networks and transfers data via the data communication network under the control based on the control data. The communication node controls access by an application and transfer of stream data by referring to a transfer control table which holds the relation of connection with another control communication node which transfers the common data and the corresponding relation to a control node (application) associated with data transfer defined by the connecting relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Digital Vision Laboratories Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Tani
  • Patent number: 6022124
    Abstract: An illumination method and apparatus for machine-vision systems, including a ring-light source (e.g., LEDs arranged in one or more circular rows), and a reflective-ring focusing element. The illumination source exhibits multidirectional ring-illumination properties which are useful for illumination of small components (which are being inspected or measured) without unwanted shadows. One embodiment provides a darkfield illumination system. One embodiment of the present invention uses a strobed (or pulsed) power supply to drive the LEDs. Yet another embodiment of the present invention uses a xenon strobe ring-light source and a backplane slit in place of the row of LEDs 25. In one such xenon strobe embodiment, a color filter is also placed in series with the light path in order to obtain a monochromatic light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: PPT Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles T. Bourn, Gary A. Lebens
  • Patent number: 6018931
    Abstract: A method and a support for supporting a package in a steam sterilizer, featuring support members configured and positioned to support only at least a portion of at least two opposed side edges, but not a side face, of the package. A diamond shape is particularly preferred for the support members as, when rotated at an angle, its facets provide line contact with appropriate side edges of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David Clarence Byram, Gregory Scott Duncan, Marlaine Gail Mills, James Malcolm Peck, Kenneth Kurt Pricer
  • Patent number: 6020445
    Abstract: This invention relates to polymers that are formed by polymerizing a reaction mixture that comprises at least one silicone-containing monomer and at least one hydrophilic monomer. More particularly, this invention relates to polymers formed by polymerizing a reaction mixture that comprises at least one silicone-containing monomer and at least one hydrophilic monomer in the presence of a diluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas G. Vanderlaan, Ivan M. Nunez, Marcie Hargiss
  • Patent number: 6017257
    Abstract: A self-gettering electron field emitter has a first portion formed of a low-work-function material for emitting electrons, and it has an integral second portion that acts both as a low-resistance electrical conductor and as a gettering surface. The self-gettering emitter is formed by disposing a thin film of the low-work-function material parallel to a substrate and by disposing a thin film of the low-resistance gettering material parallel to the substrate and in contact with the thin film of the low-work-function material. The self-gettering emitter is particularly suitable for use in lateral field emission devices. The preferred emitter structure has a tapered edge, with a salient portion of the low-work-function material extending a small distance beyond an edge of the gettering and low resistance material. A fabrication process specially adapted for in situ formation of the self-gettering electron field emitters while fabricating microelectronic field emission devices is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Advanced Vision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D Potter
  • Patent number: 6017138
    Abstract: A motor vehicle headlamp has a discharge lamp, a reflector and a smooth or nearly smooth cover lens, the reflector being adapted to generate a beam below a cut-off line. At least two masks are associated with the discharge lamp, and define two shadow zones on the reflector; the reflector includes at least two reflective zones for forming portions of the beam below the cut-off line, with different amounts of sideways spreading of the light; and these zones of the reflector are separated by generally radial transition planes, at least some of which extend into the shadow zones. A particular application is to enable wide cruising beams to be produced to European standards without any optical anomalies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Benoit Reiss, Jean-Pierre Aynie
  • Patent number: 6015435
    Abstract: A phakic intraocular lens (IOL) for the correction of visual disorders such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia. The lens is made from a biocompatible, elastomeric material such as silicone. The lens further includes one or more annular surfaces that protrude from the anterior surface of the lens or surrounds the lens such that when placed in the eye, it makes contact with the iris. As the iris dilates and constricts, the contact with the iris places a centering force on the implanted lens. The lens is not in contact with the natural lens of the eye and floats in the posterior chamber without insult or abrasion to surrounding tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: International Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Valunin, George W. Rozakis
  • Patent number: 6016225
    Abstract: A data card, such as a credit or debit card, having first and second sides, wherein the first side includes data card information stored on a magnetic strip and embodied in embossed alpha-numeric indicia, and the second side includes a surface having a series of optically related image lines thereon, and an optically transparent layer attached thereto and forming a lenticular lens, the optically transparent layer and optically related image lines forming a lenticular optical system capable of alternately displaying images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Vision International Production, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6015324
    Abstract: A device useful as a display element has an electron emitter and an anode disposed to receive electrons emitted from the emitter. The anode has surface portions differing in resistivity, providing an electron sink portion at the surface portion of lowest resistivity. A preferred embodiment has a lateral field-emission electron emitter and has an anode formed by processes specially adapted to provide anode portions of differing resistivity, including the electron sink portion. The electron sink portion is preferably disposed at a position laterally spaced apart from the emitting tip of the device's electron emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Advanced Vision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D Potter
  • Patent number: 6015326
    Abstract: An electron field-emission display comprises one or more display cell structures, each having a field-emission cathode and an anode comprising at least one of several cathodoluminescent phosphors disclosed which are stimulable by electrons of very low energy. The display cell structures may also have gate elements for controlling electron current flowing from cathode to anode when suitable electrical bias voltages are applied. A preferred fabrication process integrates an etch stop with an in situ phosphor formation process. The etch stop precisely defines the depth of an opening in the display cell structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Advanced Vision Technologies,Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D Potter
  • Patent number: 6015220
    Abstract: The invention relates to a headlamp for an automobile vehicle comprising an elliptical reflector, a light source positioned in a region of the first focus of the reflector, a lens, the focus of which is in a region of the second focus of the reflector, and a mask interposed between the reflector and the lens to effect a cut-off of the light beam emitted. A mirror is located in front of the mask and adapted to return direct light rays emitted by the light source onto the front face of the mask which thereby diffuses them towards the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Eric Blusseau
  • Patent number: 6014116
    Abstract: An electroluminescent display system for displaying images having an electroluminescent display unit with a plurality of electroluminescent pixels, a receiver for receiving a signal that contains information regarding an image to be displayed on the unit, a signal processor for processing the information contained in the signal and a signal cable to convey the processed signal to the electroluminescent display so as to activate selected pixels. Because of its light weight, small size and flexibility, the electroluminescent display system is conformable to any shaped surfaces and transportable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Add-Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan D. Haynes, Mark Lipsky, Jay Sarno
  • Patent number: 6012471
    Abstract: An automated means for hydrating and packaging a molded hydrophilic contact lens in one of the mold parts used to mold the lens is provided in which a first robotic assembly removes a plurality of contact lens molds from a production line carrier, each of the lens molds having a contact lens adhered therein. The first robotic assembly transports the molds to a first staging area where the lens molds are sandwiched between a lens mold carrier and a top chamber plate to form a first hydration carrier. The hydration carrier is then transported through a plurality of flushing or extraction stations wherein fresh deionized water is introduced into the hydration chambers at each hydration station to flush leachable substances from the hydration chamber. At each flushing station, fresh deionized water is introduced into the hydration chamber to remove previously extracted impurities and the products of hydrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Olin W. Calvin, Mark E. Schlagel, Darren S. Keene, Ture Kindt-Larsen, Craig W. Walker, Wallace A. Martin, John C. Heaton
  • Patent number: 6012829
    Abstract: A device for correcting the orientation of a motor vehicle headlight beam has a casing containing an electric motor, a rotatable output shaft and a speed reducer working between the motor shaft and the output shaft of the device, for the purpose of making running adjustments to the beam orientation. The device also includes a manual adjusting knob which is rotatable in the casing, with a selective transmission means between the manual knob and the output shaft, for putting the latter into a reference position when the knob is rotated. The speed reducing motor drive is coupled to the output shaft through a dog clutch which is disengaged, to convert the device from electrical to manual operation, by axial declutching movement of the manual knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventor: Philippe Natchoo
  • Patent number: 6011255
    Abstract: A laser scanning method and system for determining an outline of an object. A laser beam is projected at the object and a surface underlying the object. The surface is configured to reflect the laser beam differently than the object. The laser beam is reflected off the object and the surface producing reflected beams. The reflected beams are received by a control which determines whether the beam was reflected from the object or the surface. By identifying this with the laser position the control can identify the part outline. As the laser beam is scanned over successive positions along the surface, the outline of the object is precisely determined. In a preferred embodiment, the laser scanning system further includes a transparent support for supporting the object a predetermined distance from the surface thereby increasing the scanning resolution and improving the accuracy of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Virtek Vision Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt D. Rueb, Wayne R. Miller
  • Patent number: 6011352
    Abstract: Disclosed are thin, flexible electroluminescent lamps. The lamps comprise bubbles of a light emitting material distributed in a matrix. The bubbles can be formed as voids or transparent shells filled with a light emitting material. The bubbles may also include a conductive material and may be aligned in the matrix. Insulating material may be applied to the lamp's external electrodes to protect the lamp from the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Add-Vision, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan D. Haynes
  • Patent number: 6008299
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to optic devices such as ophthalmic lenses, lens blanks, and lens preforms, made from a thermoplastic material of a specific formula and a process for forming the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignees: Innotech, Inc., Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. McGrath, Venkateshwaran N. Sekharipuram
  • Patent number: D420065
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Global Vision Network (GVN) Ltd.
    Inventor: Kevin Robert Ashbridge