Patents Examined by Christ Mahoney
  • Patent number: 8979403
    Abstract: A main CPU (a mounting determination part) in a camera body makes a determination by detecting voltage, at a lens detection terminal, n1 consecutive times at time intervals of dl, at the time of turning on a power supply with a power switch. After a result of the determination turns out to be non-mounting, the main CPU makes a determination by detecting voltage, at the lens detection terminal, n2 consecutive times at time intervals of d2 (where n2 and d2 are equal to or greater than to n1 and d1, respectively) on condition that any one of conditional expressions d1<d2 and n1<n2 is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kenshi Imamura
  • Patent number: 8982467
    Abstract: Lighting devices and methods for providing daylight to the interior of a structure are disclosed. Some embodiments disclosed herein provide a daylighting device including a tube having a sidewall with a reflective interior surface, a light collecting structure, and a light reflector positioned to reflect daylight into the light collector. In some embodiments, the light collector is associated with one or more light-turning and/or light reflecting structures configured to increase the amount of light captured by the daylighting device. Optical elements may allow for the absorption and/or selective transmission of infrared light away from an interior of the daylighting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul August Jaster
  • Patent number: 8965188
    Abstract: A shake correction apparatus comprises a shake detection unit which detects a shake of an image capture apparatus, a calculation unit which calculates a shake correction amount for correcting an image blur based on an output from the shake detection unit, a shake correction unit which corrects the image blur based on the shake correction amount, a shake level determination unit which determines a shake level of the image capture apparatus based on an output from the shake detection unit, an offset determination unit which determines an offset value based on the shake correction amount and the shake level, and a subtraction unit which subtracts the offset value from the output from the shake detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobushige Wakamatsu
  • Patent number: 8965071
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products identify first biologic data in a region of interest in a first image and calculate a first biologic volume histogram from the first biologic data. Second biologic data in the same region of interest is identified in a second image and a second biologic volume histogram is calculated from the second biologic data. A difference in intensity for the region of interest is determined using the first biologic volume histogram and the second biologic volume histogram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Emory University
    Inventors: Tim Fox, Ian Crocker, Paul Pantalone, Eduard Schreibmann
  • Patent number: 8958157
    Abstract: Certain disclosed embodiments provide internally-reflective tube assemblies for use in a tubular daylighting device configured to direct daylight into an interior of a building when installed on a roof of the building. A tube assembly may include multiple tube segments including connection projections, such as hook-type structures, for weaving or otherwise connecting and/or securing tube segments together. In some embodiments, sidewalls of tube segments connected together are substantially parallel to one another at or near the connection region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Solatube International, Inc.
    Inventors: David Windsor Rillie, Thomas P. Griego, Jeffrey S. Robertson
  • Patent number: 8941917
    Abstract: A projection screen apparatus having a perimeter frame and a substantially blank screen is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Draper, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven E. Enochs
  • Patent number: 8942553
    Abstract: A lens device includes a movable optical element, a rotary member; first and second magnetic recording scales fixedly disposed on an outer periphery of the rotary member to extend along a peripheral direction of the rotary member; a signal detecting unit which detects first to fourth signals; and a position detecting unit which detects a position of the movable optical element based on the detected signals, in which the position detecting unit includes: a phase difference calculating unit which calculates a phase difference between the first signal and the third signal, based on the detected first to fourth signals for one cycle; a phase average calculating unit which calculates an average of the phase differences respectively calculated for n cycles; and an absolute position detecting unit which detects an absolute position of the movable optical element based on the calculated average.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Mamoru Miyashita
  • Patent number: 8937765
    Abstract: A display unit includes a projection screen for a head-up display. The projection screen is mounted and arranged in a carrier element in such a way that it can pivot about an axis of inclination, the incline of the screen being adjustable by a pivoting device. The pivoting device includes at least one worm gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Hopf, Alexander Noel, Horst Rumpf
  • Patent number: 8934173
    Abstract: A sheet-form light-redirecting optical article for illuminating building interiors with sunlight. At least one embodiment comprises a sheet of optically transmissive rigid material, preferably Poly(methyl methacrylate), in which a plurality of deep and narrow parallel channels are formed and arranged in two perpendicular arrays. Each channel has opposing walls configured for reflecting light by means of a Total Internal Reflection (TIR). At least a portion of off-axis rays incident onto the surface of the sheet is redirected by the TIR walls of the light-guiding channels. At least one embodiment comprises a grid formed by intersecting specular reflectors and further comprises a light diffusing element optically coupled to the grid. Disclosed also are a method for making the intersecting arrays of light-redirecting channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: SVV Technology Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Sergiy Vasylyev
  • Patent number: 8928981
    Abstract: Sunlight redirector (30) incorporates closely proximate mirror arrays (32, 34) having parallel, uniformly spaced, longitudinal mirror segments (38, 44). Prismatic sheet (36) is positioned behind and closely proximate second array (34). Segments (38) extend in first direction (x). Segments (44) extend in second direction (y) perpendicular to direction (x) segments (38, 44)have normal vectors (42, 48). Segments (38) are interconnected for simultaneous pivotal movement (40), such that their normal vectors (42) remain parallel. Segments (44) are interconnected for simultaneous pivotal movement (46), such that their normal vectors (48) remain parallel. Arrays (32, 34) redirect incident light toward sheet (36), which redirects the light into a desired fixed direction, e.g. parallel to the sunlight redirect's normal vectors (50). Segments (38, 44) may have inward and outward segments (60A, 60B) which can be adjustably positioned to maximize redirection of incident sunlight rays in a desired direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: The University of British Columbia
    Inventor: Lorne A. Whitehead
  • Patent number: 8922888
    Abstract: A light diffusing optical construction is disclosed. The optical construction includes a symmetric optical diffuser that scatters light in a first direction with a first viewing angle AH and in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction with a second viewing angle AV, where AV is substantially equal to AH. The symmetric optical diffuser includes an optically transparent first layer and a plurality of randomly arranged optically transparent beads partially embedded in the first layer leaving portions of the beads exposed. The optical construction also includes a specular reflector that reflects light that is not scattered by the symmetric optical diffuser. The specular reflector has a first average reflectance Ro in the visible at zero incident angle and a second average reflectance R60 in the visible at 60 degree incident angle. Ro/R60 is at least about 1.5. The optical construction also includes a light absorbing layer that absorbs light that is not reflected by the specular reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Yufeng Liu, David T. Yust
  • Patent number: 8913814
    Abstract: A scanner is used for scanning an object (3, 4, 5), in particular a tooth or a plurality of teeth or a dental cast. The scanner (1) comprises a projector (2) for projecting a pattern (7) onto the object (3, 4, 5) and a camera which comprises a recording optics and an image sensor (18). To improve such scanner, the recording optics comprises a first imaging optics (9) and a second imaging optics (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Steinbichler Optotechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Gandyra
  • Patent number: 8913904
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a plurality of cartridges each of which includes a photoconductor and a charger configured to charge the photoconductor is detachably installable in a main body housing. Chargers are connected in parallel to a voltage application unit configured to apply a voltage to the chargers. A cartridge installation determination unit is configured to determine whether or not each of the cartridges is installed. Control over the voltage application unit exercised by a controller includes a constant-voltage control and a constant-current control. The controller is configured to execute the constant-voltage control upon startup of an initial operation for preparation of printing and to switch from the constant-voltage control to the constant-current control if the cartridge installation determination unit determines that all the cartridges are installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukiko Takami
  • Patent number: 8902505
    Abstract: A light collecting and disseminating apparatus is provided for use in harvesting sunlight from the exterior of a man-made structure, and providing light to the inside of the structure, via an opto-mechanical joint where sunlight would not normally be available. The internal arrangement of the collector allows for improved optical accuracy and performance over prior efforts. The apparatus is also characterized as possessing a low profile so as not to alter the appearance of buildings furnished with the invention. Further, light can be collected from any orientation and redirected through the opto-mechanical joint to a stationary light receiving port independent of the orientation of the collectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: SunCentral, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon David Edward Scott, Allen James Upward, Peter George Friedel, Mark Richard Mosher
  • Patent number: 8896924
    Abstract: An improved tubular daylighting system comprises a plurality of tubular shaft sections connected to a skylight lens for transmitting light through the shaft sections to the interior of a building. Adjoining top and bottom shaft sections have different diameters to enable one to be inserted into the other, the top shaft section having a plurality of tabs, the bottom section having a plurality of slots which register with the tabs of the top shaft section, such that selectively bending the tabs outwardly or inwardly from the shaft wall of the top shaft section through the slots of the bottom shaft section interconnects the top and bottom shaft sections in coaxial alignment. In one embodiment an inverted dome diffuser is mounted below the skylight lens atop the shaft sections to diffuse light entering the shaft sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding, LLC
    Inventor: Scott Weaver
  • Patent number: 8867947
    Abstract: A power supply control device includes a switching regulator, a linear regulator, a switching unit, a consumed current detection unit, a current determination unit, and a power determination unit. The consumed current detection unit detects a consumed current of the regulator serving as a power supply to the load. The current determination unit determines whether or not the consumed current is greater than or equal to a predetermined current. The power determination unit determines whether or not a consumed power of the regulator is greater than or equal to a predetermined power. The switching unit connects the linear regulator to the load when the consumed current is lower than the predetermined current and the consumed power is lower than the predetermined power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Mariko Yamazawa
  • Patent number: 8824046
    Abstract: A projection screen structure and method of making same is described wherein a projection screen material is formed to the desired size and shape and defining a central viewing area of selected shape and aspect ratio surrounded by a digitally printed border. The digitally printed border typically has a matte or flat black appearance for enhanced light absorbency and reduced reflectivity, and reduces or substantially eliminates the appearance of overscan in an image displayed on the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Stewart Filmscreen Corporation
    Inventor: Grant W. Stewart
  • Patent number: 8662766
    Abstract: A light path adjustment apparatus includes a support plate that has a first through hole through which light passes and optical units that move between an open location where the first through hole is opened by the optical units moving toward an outside of the first through hole and a closing location where the first through hole is divided into a plurality of regions by the plurality of optical units moving toward the first through hole. The optical units block at least a part of the light in the closing location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-oh Jung, Cheol-eun Jang, Sung-wook Choi, Woo-jong Cho
  • Patent number: 8320753
    Abstract: A handshake correction apparatus for correcting shake of a camera includes Hall sensors that detect current position of a correction lens. The Hall sensors include a pair disposed along a virtual extension line crossing a correction lens. The apparatus also includes an actuator that drives the correction lens in response to a control signal calculated according to the current position and a target position of the correction lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung-bae Lee, Kwang-seok Byon
  • Patent number: 8223431
    Abstract: Provided is a reflective screen. The reflective screen can be widely and commercially used, easily manufactured at low costs, and realize a sufficient reflection image. The reflective screen includes a substrate, a light diffusion layer in front of the substrate, a light reflecting material reflecting projection light, a light absorbing material absorbing external light, and a light absorption reflection layer containing at least the light reflecting material and the light absorbing material together. The light absorption reflection layer being disposed in the rear of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Hee Bum Kang