Patents Examined by Bao Truong
  • Patent number: 7090388
    Abstract: A light source device which is uniform in the intensity of distribution of an emitted light and high in the optical utilization efficiency, a display device which is high in recognability and is energy-saving, and an information terminal are provided. A reflecting portion is formed on a surface opposed to an emitting surface of a linear light guide. The reflecting portion is periodically formed with a total reflecting surface guiding a light incident on a linear light guide from a point light source, a light extracting surface allowing the light to reflect in such a way as to emit the light guiding the linear light guide from the emitting surface, and a re-incidence plane which takes the light transmitted but not reflected on the light extracting surface into the linear light guide again. By changing the size of the light extracting surface and the re-incidence plane, the intensity of distribution of the emitting light from the linear light guide can be made uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshie Yagi, Masao Imai, Goro Saito, Koji Mimura
  • Patent number: 6932487
    Abstract: Lighting device for equipping a mounting, particularly textile, comprising a case provided with a rechargeable or dry battery or batteries that power a lamp bulb, characterized in that the case has a housing on its front surface that contains the lamp, the front surface of said lamp being positioned against the inner surface of the textile mounting which has an opening in this region that is more or less the same size as the lamp, the case being held in position by means of the textile mounting being gripped by a movable outer ring that operates in conjunction with the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: Jacques Aknine
  • Patent number: 6807604
    Abstract: A method of refreshing a dynamic memory intended for storing variables involved in operations performed by a processor, includes a step of planning 10 in the course of which an order and a timing of the operations are established, a step of estimating 13 a retention time specific to each variable, a step of forecasting 14 at least one instant at which each variable must be refreshed, a step of placement 15 in the course of which the variables are placed in the memory, a step of refreshing 16 in the course of which the variables are refreshed at the instants defined during the forecasting step 14. The method allows a reduction in the latency times and in the consumption of current which are related to the refreshing. It is of particular benefit in systems where the real time constraint is important, for example, video data processing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Marc Duranton
  • Patent number: 6772271
    Abstract: A data processing apparatus has a main memory and a plurality of memory banks. A bank switching instruction designating a particular bank address of the first memory bank is stored in an arbitrary memory space in the main memory. A main return instruction designating a particular main address of the main memory is stored in the memory address represented by a particular bank address of the nth memory bank. When the bank switching instruction is read, the readout destination is branched to the first memory bank. Data stored in the first memory bank, the second memory bank, . . . , and the nth memory bank are successively read. When the main return instruction is read from the nth memory bank, the readout destination returns to the main memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yasunori Fujii
  • Patent number: 6742914
    Abstract: A lighting fixture that has a plurality of differently fashioned regions wherein different light emission properties occur. The fixture includes at least one hollow light guide having a cavity, one or more bulbs that emit light into the cavity of the hollow light guide, and at least one light output device having a light-refractive structure for outputting light from the cavity of the hollow light guide to a light exit face. The light output device forms at least a part of the wall of the hollow light guide and the light of at least one bulb that directs light into the hollow light guide is beamed out in different regions of the lighting fixture that have different light emission properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Siteco Beleuchtungatechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Prodell
  • Patent number: 6736528
    Abstract: A lighting system operating using a digital mirror as its operative device. The digital mirror is used to shape the light which is a passed through advanced optical devices in order to produce an output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Light and Sound Design, Ltd.
    Inventors: William Hewlett, Ian Clarke, Nigel Evans, Richard Parker, Mark A. Hunt, Michael Hughes
  • Patent number: 6733145
    Abstract: A folding softbox is disclosed including a collapsible frame that is provided in a manner of an umbrella frame, i.e., a central post with ribs that projects outwardly from a first end of the post and curve toward a second end of the post. A strut extends between a mid-span portion of each rib and the post to hold the ribs away from the post in an operative position. The inner ends of the struts are interconnected and are selectively slidable coaxially about the post. When the inner ends of the struts are slid toward the second end of the post, the outer ends of the struts are pulled inwardly toward the post and, thus, pull the ribs inwardly toward the post into a second or collapsed position. The folding softbox includes a mounting apparatus adapted for releasably connecting to any of a wide variety of light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: John E. Shirilla
  • Patent number: 6726344
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a decorative lamp stand with interchangeable retaining ring assembly, having a design having a malleable stand and retaining rings, mainly using a square latch member as link between intervals by the axle of the stand, and the circumference of the retaining ring is coupled to an embedded connecting section, and such connecting section member has 4 sets of corner bars, and the inner angle at the end of each bar is substantially 90° in both directions with respect to the latching surface. A curved board separates two corner bars such that a fixing groove in a cross shape in the middle of the four corner bars can make adjustment to the variable angles of 90° in both directions or 180° for the coupling and positioning of the square latch member at every interval at the end of the embedded stand. The formative design or figure of a bendable stand is used to enhance the diversification, utility and performance of the media and the advertising on industrial operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: Han-Ming Lee
  • Patent number: 6715897
    Abstract: A portable disc flashlight, able to be secured to a user's hand, is disclosed herein. The device has a top portion, a base portion and securing means. The top portion includes a lens cover portion that threads onto the base portion. A ribbed ring portion is rotatably connected peripherally around said lens cover portion. The base portion includes an electrically energized light source and a power source for energizing said light source. A nylon strap, secured by a hook and loop fastening system allows the device to be fastened to either the palm or the back of the hand. The device further has a three-position switch that allows for off, on or flashing modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Inventors: Jack R. Rowe, Lynn F. Rowe
  • Patent number: 6702454
    Abstract: A recessed luminaire (1), has a dome-shaped reflector (6), a light source (8) arranged therein, a mounting ring (9) which engages around the reflector (6) near to its edge. A holder ring (41) for additional components, such as a glass plate or the like, to be attached to the mounting ring (9), is also provided, the holder ring (41) having connection means for fastening it on the mounting ring (9). At least two plug-in elements (45) having plug-in pins (46a) and radially developing plug-in recesses (46a) are provided on the mounting ring (9), for plugging-in of the plug-in pins (46b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Zumtobel Staff GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Grajetzky, Heike Schmidtpott
  • Patent number: 6695460
    Abstract: LED Christmas tree for drag racing starting and timing having light emitting diode signal lights arranged on an upper display tier and on a lower display tier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Daktronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason C. Warne
  • Patent number: 6692142
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for lighting includes one or more moveable bases, one or more lighting arrays, and one or more extendable poles. The base, pole, and array are designed to allow elevation of the array to heights exceeding 35′, yet the combination is transportable by conventional over-the-road trucks. In one form, a plurality of bases, poles, and arrays are designed to fit on a conventional over-the-road trailer for transport on one trailer to a lighting location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Musco Corporation
    Inventors: Myron K. Gordin, Greg Kubbe, Thomas A. Stone, James Whitson, James Marshall
  • Patent number: 6679620
    Abstract: A light fixture (10) is disclosed which includes junction box (11), an annular mounting plate, a canopy (21), a collar loop (23), a collar nut (25) and a light assembly (34) which includes a length of electric cord (41). The canopy (21) includes an outer shell (29) and central winding spool (30) which is mounted concentrically within the canopy outer shell (29) and concentrically about a mounting opening (22) within the canopy (21). The central winding spool (30) has a generally cylindrical central portion (31) and an annular flange portion (32) extending from the top of the central portion (31). The slack portion of the electric cord (41) may be wound about the winding spool (30) in order to stow it in a safe and efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
    Inventors: Jason D. Patz, Robert E. Wilson, Robert J. Pape, Brian S. Sibson
  • Patent number: 6679619
    Abstract: A portable battery powered high intensity lighting system that produces solar quality illumination at four to six times the efficiency of comparable incandescent lighting systems includes a light head and a power source. The light head contains an HID (high intensity discharge) arc lamp. A sealed enclosure containing a ballast is attached immediately adjacent to the lamp assembly. The ballast enclosure is preferably potted with a thermally conductive epoxy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventor: Carl Saieva
  • Patent number: 6676278
    Abstract: The present invention provides a miniature lighting system which is durable, inexpensive and yet versatile. The lighting system has a light source and electrical component assembly located within a housing. The electrical component assembly is surrounded by a sealant in order to prevent any water or moisture from reaching the electrical connections and to permanently seal and unitize the circuitry with the housing. The housing is shaped so as to surround and protect the light source without allowing the sealant to reach or coat the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Suncor Stainless, Inc.
    Inventors: Roman F. Striebel, Donald McLeish
  • Patent number: 6669349
    Abstract: This invention provides a beam light source which enables a light guide plate for receiving light to have a smooth end surface. A light emitting surface of the beam-shaped light guide for dispersing and emitting light emitted from a point light source in a form of beam light faces to a channel bottom surface as a scattering reflecting surface of a reflecting member. The light emitted from the light emitting surface is irregularly reflected on the channel bottom surface of the reflecting member so as to make viewing angle characteristics uniform. The light having the uniform viewing angle characteristics is transmitted from the light emitting surface of the beam-shaped light guide through a side surface opposite to the light emitting surface, and is emitted from another side surface opposite to the above side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Mabuchi
  • Patent number: 6663266
    Abstract: A lighting fixture includes a supporting device clamped or standing on a table or surface; a main arm pivotally mounted on the supporting device; a cantilever pivotally secured to the main arm; a lamp device having a lamp and a lamp shade pivotally connected to the cantilever; and a linear restoring spring set resiliently retained between the supporting device and an adapter secured at a distal (outer) end portion of the cantilever for securing the lamp device with the adapter, with the linear restoring spring set linearly concealed and built in the cantilever and the main arm for forming a compact appearance of the lighting fixture and for statically balancing the weight of the lamp device in order for optionally positioning the lamp device at a desired orientation or position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Nan-Jung Huang
  • Patent number: 6663261
    Abstract: A light fixture including a housing formed by a pan having parallel side walls terminating in mounting phalanges formed with O-ring rungs and further including retainer rails which engage the opposite side of a flexible lens to hold the lens against an O-ring in the O-ring runs to maintain a moisture resistant seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Thin-Lite Corporation
    Inventor: Shin W. Rhee
  • Patent number: 6659615
    Abstract: A light pipe has a transparent resin plate having an average in-plane retardation of not larger than 20 nm, a transparent film having an average in-plane retardation of not larger than 20 nm, and an adhesive layer having a refractive index different by 0.1 or less from that of the transparent film. The transparent film is bonded to the transparent resin plate through the adhesive layer and wherein in the transparent film includes a repetitive prismatic structure constituted by optical path control slopes which are disposed on an outer surface of the transparent film and which are aligned in a substantially predetermined direction so that each of the optical path control slopes is inclined at an inclination angle in a range of from 35 to 48 degrees with respect to a film plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventor: Seiji Umemoto
  • Patent number: 6648490
    Abstract: A parabolic reflector lighting fixture for use as an in-the-wall or in-the-floor or in-the-ceiling light has its lamp shiftable in a lumen plane perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the parabolic reflector through the focal point. The parabolic reflector is limited to reflect light only between the intersection of this lumen plane and the reflector and between this intersection and the apex of the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Erco Leuchten GmbH
    Inventor: Leonard Klose