Patents Examined by Alexander Garlen
  • Patent number: 10300844
    Abstract: A device for indicating lock status of a motor vehicle door includes a door lock status indicator carried on a window of the motor vehicle door. A device for indicating a turn signal of a motor vehicle includes a turn signal indicator carried on a window of the motor vehicle. These devices may be combined into a single lighting module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Thomas F. Boettger
  • Patent number: 10234121
    Abstract: A sensor module for a lighting fixture includes a light sensor and a sensor cover over the light sensor. The sensor cover includes a front surface and a light focusing surface opposite the front surface. The front surface is configured to face an area of interest that is generally illuminated by the lighting fixture. The light focusing surface is opposite the front surface and includes a number of lens sections, each of which is configured to focus light from a different portion of the area of interest toward the light sensor. By including a number of lens sections each focusing light from a different portion of the area of interest, a relatively large area of interest can be observed while maintaining desirable aesthetics of the sensor module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt S. Wilcox, Jin Hong Lim, Andrew Bendtsen, Mike Walters
  • Patent number: 10203103
    Abstract: In one aspect, luminaires are described herein enabling independent thermal management of driver and LED assemblies. For example, a luminaire comprises a driver assembly vertically integrated with a LED assembly, the driver assembly comprising a driver heatsink having an interior in which a circuit board assembly is positioned, and the LED assembly comprising an array of LEDs and LED heatsink, wherein a barrier is positioned between the driver heatsink and the LED heatsink, separating convective cooling of the driver assembly from convective cooling of the LED assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Bendtsen, Kurt Wilcox, Boris Karpichev, John Durkee, John Roberts, David Goelz, Douglas E. Keiter, Randy Bernard
  • Patent number: 10180529
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an illumination device includes a light-guiding unit having a light output surface which outputs light and a back surface facing the light output surface, wherein the light-guiding unit has a curved surface in a region of the back surface farther than a first position on the back surface that is away by a first distance from an axis passing the light output surface and the back surface, and a rough surface in a region of the light output surface farther than a second position on the light output surface that is away by a second distance from the axis in a same direction as a direction from the axis toward the first position, and where an intersection of the axis and the back surface is an origin point, and a direction of the axis from the back surface to the light output surface is positive, a normal line of the curved surface intersects with the axis at the positive side of the axis, and an angle formed by a normal line vector at the second position in a direction toward the light output s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ohno, Yuichiro Yamamoto, Mitsuaki Kato, Tomonao Takamatsu, Masataka Shiratsuchi, Hiromichi Hayashihara, Hideo Tamura, Masahiko Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10162219
    Abstract: Provided is a backlight unit and a display device including the backlight unit. A backlight unit may include a frame, at least one substrate, a plurality of light sources installed over the at least one substrate, a reflecting sheet, and an optical sheet. The reflecting sheet may include a first sheet region, a second sheet region that extends outward from the first sheet region and inclined relative to the first sheet region, and a third sheet region provided in the first sheet region and having a protrusion that protrudes from the first sheet region toward a front side of the backlight unit. The reflecting sheet may include a plurality of patterns provided on the second sheet region and the third sheet region configured to reduce reflectivity of light emitted from the plurality of light sources. The plurality of patterns may be formed by dots arranged to form the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Simdong Yeo
  • Patent number: 10165678
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display panel which displays an image with light and a backlight unit which provides the light to the display panel. The backlight unit includes a first light source, a second light source and a circuit board. The circuit board includes in a top plan view, a first edge lengthwise extending parallel to a first direction and a second edge lengthwise extending parallel to a second direction crossing the first direction, and a sidewall portion extending from the bottom portion. In a third direction crossing the first and second directions, the sidewall portion includes first and second sidewall portions respectively extending from the first and second edges, and on which the first and second light sources are mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Minsu Jung, Dong-wook Kim, Jaesul An
  • Patent number: 10151451
    Abstract: An LED bulb, lamp holder, or adaptor includes a module that extends beyond a shade, cover, or other light blocking element to permit signal or light transmission to or from the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventor: Tseng-Lu Chien
  • Patent number: 10149439
    Abstract: A grow light system for growing plants. The grow light system can have a carrier board assembly containing a plurality of apertures and a plurality of LED modules removably engaged with the carrier board in the apertures and forming a gap between LED module and the carrier board. The grow light system can be configured to draw air through the gap over the LEDs and along the heat sink fin to reduce the temperature of the LED module. A plurality of the LED modules can be connected in series and the carrier board can include a dedicated receptacle for a single LED module that is not connected in series with the remaining LED modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Spectra Harvest Lighting, LLC
    Inventors: James Jeffery Hanson, Ricky Joe Sullivan McIntosh
  • Patent number: 10151436
    Abstract: A lighting assembly for use with a vehicle body has outboard and inboard ends with respect to the vehicle body, as well as a housing connectable to the vehicle body. Additionally, a light fixture is positioned proximate the outboard end and has a plurality of light sources. An elongated light transfer optical system connects to the light fixture, has a distal end proximate the inboard end, and is configured to direct light from one or more of the light sources from the outboard end to the distal end such that some of the directed light is emitted through the distal end of the light transfer optical system. An outer lens is connected to the housing such that the light fixture and the light transfer optical system are encapsulated by the connected housing and outer lens. A vehicle includes the vehicle body and the lighting assembly, e.g., a front headlight assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andrzej Wasilewski, Jeffrey T. Zawacki
  • Patent number: 10139557
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a backlight module and a display device. The backlight module includes: a conductive adhesive tape configured for adhering the backlight module to a display panel to transfer electrostatic charges in the display panel to the backlight module; and a first wire configured to lead the electrostatic charges out from the backlight module, the electrostatic charges led out from the backlight module at least including the electrostatic charges transferred from the display panel to the backlight module, electrostatic charges generated in the backlight module, or a combination thereof. Electrostatic charges in the display panel are led into the backlight module through the conductive adhesive tape, and are led out via the first wire of the backlight module, so that no wire needs to be provided in the display panel for leading out the electrostatic charges, that is, it is not necessary to adjust wirings in the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Liang Gao, Gongtao Zhang, Haiwei Sun, Jian Sang, Xiujun Cai, Shuanhu Di, Junjie Ma
  • Patent number: 10139081
    Abstract: The invention provides a lighting module for use in a reflector which comprises at least one first light source emitting first light having a first light distribution with a first main direction and at least one second light source emitting second light having a second light distribution with a second main direction opposite to the first main direction. A base connects the lighting module to a luminaire socket. The base has a longitudinal axis extending from the base. The first light source is positioned on the longitudinal axis and the second light source is positioned at a non-zero distance to the longitudinal axis. The first main direction and the second main direction are substantially perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Johannes Martinus Bukkems, Johannes Petrus Maria Ansems, Johannes Gerrit Jan Beijer
  • Patent number: 10132482
    Abstract: A rescue torch apparatus utilizes coherent and incoherent light sources to help firefighters navigate through smoke and fire filled environments. The rescue torch apparatus includes a coherent-light emitter, an incoherent-light emitter, an elongated body, a rotatable-activation mechanism, a portable power unit, and an inductive receiver. The incoherent-light emitter emits continuous light for general illumination or short bursts of light to activate photo-luminescent display panels worn by firefighters. The coherent-light emitter emits beams of coherent light that penetrate through smoke filled environments and outline obstacles. The elongated body houses and protects the coherent-light emitter and the incoherent-light emitter. The rotatable-activation mechanism allows for hands-free operation of the light sources. Power is provided by a portable power unit mated to an inductive receiver for wireless recharging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Inventors: Richard Redpath, James Redpath
  • Patent number: 10132986
    Abstract: Illumination systems are described for illuminating a target area, e.g., a floor of a room, using active illumination devices in optical communication with passive illumination devices. The active and passive illumination devices of the illumination system are configured and arranged relative to each other in a variety of ways so a variety of intensity distributions can be provided by the illumination system. Such illumination system is implemented to provide light for particular lighting applications, including office lighting, garage lighting, or cabinet lighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Quarkstar LLC
    Inventors: Hans Peter Stormberg, Louis Lerman, Robert C. Gardner, Ingo Speier, Allan Brent York
  • Patent number: 10125948
    Abstract: Provided are an optical member capable of implementing optical images having desired shapes through a pattern design, and a lighting device using the optical member, the optical member including: a base substrate; multiple patterns sequentially arranged on a first surface of the base substrate and having inclined surfaces with an inclination angle with respect to the first surfaces; and a reflective portion on the base substrate or the multiple patterns, wherein the multiple patterns implement a line shaped beam of a first path crossing at right angles to respective pattern extension directions of the multiple patterns by guiding a first incident beam into a first surface direction toward which the first surface looks or a second surface direction toward which a second surface of the base substrate opposite to the first surface looks, through refraction or reflection from the inclined surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Jong Baek, Jin Su Kim, Dong Hyun Lee, Jae Hyuk Jang
  • Patent number: 10118206
    Abstract: There is provided a signaling apparatus including a plurality of LED elements provided in a signal lamp body; a transparent panel provided in the LED elements and configured to transmit outgoing light from the LED elements on a rear side to a front surface to which snow adheres; a frame unit provided on an outer periphery of the panel; and vibration generators provided in the frame unit and configured to vibrate the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasushi Kuribayashi
  • Patent number: 10120124
    Abstract: A backlight module, a method of assembling the backlight module, and a display device are disclosed. The backlight module includes a fixing frame that has a light exit and a side plate provided with a first opening; an optical unit that is inserted into the fixing frame through the first opening and has a light emitting side opposite to the light exit; and a sealing piece that is engaged with the first opening to close the first opening. Embodiments of the present disclosure can reduce the manufacture difficulty and also material cost of the backlight module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., K-TRONICS (SUZHOU) TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shaofeng Niu, Rongshun Zhang, Chuanbo Zou
  • Patent number: 10107483
    Abstract: A headlight of the type worn by medical and dental professionals includes a housing having an opening therein. A light source is positioned in the housing to output light through the opening. A singlet lens is mounted in the housing proximate the opening, and a doublet lens is disposed between the light source and the singlet lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Kerr Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Christopher Oren
  • Patent number: 10106078
    Abstract: A vehicle overhead console is provided herein. The vehicle overhead console includes a housing and a substrate defining a cavity therebetween. A light source is within the cavity. A reflector has a first end portion that surrounds the light source and a second end portion proximate a first lens. A trim member has a thickness that varies laterally. A second lens is offset from the first lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Linsheng Chen, Steven J. Antilla, Jason Robert Emrich, Satyanarayana Raju Vemulapati, Wei Xu
  • Patent number: 10101580
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp is provided including a road surface pattern-rendering unit and a dust removal device. The road surface pattern-rendering unit is installed to a headlamp unit provided to a front end section of a vehicle, and forms a specific light distribution pattern by causing light shone from a light source to be reflected by a MEMS mirror toward a vehicle front side. The dust removal device is provided to the headlamp unit and removes dust adhering to the MEMS mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumihiko Mouri, Yusuke Nakada, Yoshiyuki Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 10094531
    Abstract: A support for one or more light sources for a lighting and/or light-signaling module for an automotive vehicle, comprising a substrate made of heat-conducting material, preferably made of a metal material, at least one light source of light-emitting diode type with one face for mounting on the substrate, in thermal contact with the latter and a circuit for controlling the electrical power supply of the one or more light sources. The circuit for controlling the power supply is electrically connected to the one or more light sources by means of metal wires that are soldered to the surface 044-using the technique commonly referred to as “wire/ribbon bonding”. A method for assembling such a support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: VALEO VISION
    Inventors: Marc Duarte, Zdravko Zojceski