Patents Examined by Christopher Mahoney
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Patent number: 9817161Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to light management constructions comprising microstructured prismatic elements useful in the preparation of sun-facing light redirecting films having reduced glare.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2015Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Bing Hao, Manoj Nirmal, Charles A. Marttila, Owen M. Anderson, Scott M. Tapio, Erik A. Aho, Raghunath Padiyath, Jonathan F. Mansheim, John F. Reed
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Patent number: 9816675Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 21, 2016Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: SOLATUBE INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Paul August Jaster
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Patent number: 9816676Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 18, 2016Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: SOLATUBE INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Paul August Jaster
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Patent number: 9810389Abstract: A daylighting device of the present invention is provided with a planar optical member 1 and a support member. The planar optical member 1 is provided with a planar structure body which has a plurality of linear bodies 3 formed of optically transparent materials which are arrayed substantially in parallel and a plurality of binding members which are arranged in a direction which intersects with the plurality of the linear bodies 3 and which bind the plurality of the linear bodies 3 in a state of being arrayed substantially in parallel. The linear bodies 3 have reflective surfaces which reflect light which is incident to the linear body 3 along a direction which intersects with a length direction of the linear body 3 and refractive surfaces which refract the light.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomoko Nango, Tsuyoshi Kamada, Shun Ueki, Takashi Katayama, Kazuyoshi Sakuragi, Masahiro Tsujimoto, Daisuke Shinozaki
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Patent number: 9803818Abstract: A lighting film which includes a base member having optical transparency, a plurality of protrusions having optical transparency, which are formed to be adjacent to each other on one surface of the base member, and a gap portion formed between the protrusions, in which an area of an end surface of the protrusion on a base member side is greater than an area of an end surface of the protrusion on a side opposite to the base member, and a ratio s/w of an interval s of two adjacent protrusions among the plurality of protrusions to a width w of the protrusion is equal to or less than 0.1.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2014Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomoko Nango, Shun Ueki, Tsuyoshi Kamada, Kazuyoshi Sakuragi, Masahiro Tsujimoto
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Patent number: 9798142Abstract: A display element includes a projection screen for a head-up display and a pivot apparatus for adjusting an inclination of the projection screen about a horizontal inclination axis. The pivot apparatus includes an eccentric unit for adjusting the inclination. The eccentric unit is mechanically coupled directly to the projection screen. The eccentric unit includes a first gearwheel and an eccentric element which is formed eccentrically with respect to the first gearwheel and is fastened on the first gearwheel. The eccentric element is in the form of a disk and an area of a narrow side of the disk-shaped eccentric element is arranged eccentrically with respect to the first gearwheel.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2014Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Gerhard Pitz
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Patent number: 9791768Abstract: A projection screen for forming an image by converting light pixel pulses from a digital projector comprises a three-dimensional sheet matrix made of a transparent composite. Functional inclusions for light-scattering, light-absorbing and luminescence of the light from the projector are distributed through the matrix thickness to thereby enable that the conversion of the light pulses into the image for direct perception by eyesight be performed throughout the volume of the matrix. The matrix thickness between the frontal and rear surfaces of the matrix is selected for digital image sources between an inter-pixel grid width and tenfold diagonal size of a pixel of a digitized image on the screen. The object of the invention is to reproduce identifying features of informational models of real objects in a wide angle of image perception under side lighting.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2014Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Inventors: Denis V. Korenev, Alexander S. Gaidarov
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Patent number: 9791697Abstract: A screen disclosed herein is a screen having a reflectivity, which causes diffuse reflection of an image projected by a projector, and a transparency, which allows transmission of a background, and including an uneven sheet, a semi-transmissive reflecting layer, and a transparent layer. The uneven sheet includes a transparent material, and has one principal surface that is flat and the other principal surface that is an uneven surface provided with a plurality of recesses and protrusions. The first principal surface and the second principal surface are opposite to each other. The reflecting layer is formed on the uneven surface of the uneven sheet. The transparent layer covers the reflecting layer. The reflecting layer is a thin film having a thickness ranging from 2 nm to 1 ?m.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2016Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Kazuhiro Yamada
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Patent number: 9784030Abstract: Generally plano rectangular louvers are capable of being ganged in a stacked tiltable array to enhance light re-direction when titled to follow the solar elevation. Combinations of features and optical characteristic avoid optical artifacts and enhance efficiency of light utilization and manufacturing. Different louvers can be combined in alternative ways in such arrays.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2015Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: SerraLux Inc.Inventors: Mark E Gardiner, Robert Somers Ford
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Patent number: 9778285Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for providing electrical current and/or voltage sensor probes or tags integrated with measurement circuitry. For example, an electrical sensor is provided that includes a probe adapted to be arranged to at least partially encircle a conductor to be measured, wherein the probe has a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end terminating in a base portion that houses measurement circuitry. The base portion may also include electrical components suitable for displaying, wirelessly transmitting, and/or otherwise conveying the measured electrical parameters. In some embodiments, the distal end of the probe may be removably received by the base portion, such that the probe forms a loop encircling the conductor when measuring it. In other embodiments, the probe may resiliently clip on to the conductor. In another example, an electrical sensor includes an attachable tag that can be mounted to the conductor to be measured.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.Inventor: Michael Fox
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Patent number: 9778304Abstract: A circuit assembly is provided for producing a test voltage for testing a test object, comprising two high voltage sources for producing a positive and negative high voltage of variable amplitude at respective outputs thereof and a high voltage switch assembly, which is arranged between the outputs of the two high voltage sources and the test object and which can be switched suitably in order to successively charge and discharge the test object, wherein furthermore a closed-loop controller is provided, which measures the present test voltage on the test object and acts on the high-voltage switch assembly in order to charge and discharge the test object in a defined manner in dependence on the measured test voltage.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: B2 Electronic GmbHInventors: Rudolf Blank, Michael Furxer, Stefan Baldauf
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Patent number: 9772080Abstract: An optical article for directing and distributing light including an optically transmissive layer having one or more arrays of TIR channels and a light diffusing element disposed in optical communication with the optically transmissive layer. The TIR channels define reflective surfaces extending perpendicular or near-perpendicular to a prevailing plane of the optically transmissive layer. The TIR channels and the light diffusing element operate concurrently to redirect and redistribute a beam of light received from a light source such as daylight or an LED over a broad angular range.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2015Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: SVV TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS, INC.Inventor: Sergiy Vasylyev
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Patent number: 9774777Abstract: An exchangeable lens includes: a mount unit at which a camera body is detachably engaged; a plurality of drive target members, conditions of which change as a drive force is applied thereto; an initialization unit that executes initialization processing for each of the plurality of drive target members; an initialization status transmission unit that transmits initialization statuses, each indicating a status of the initialization processing executed for one of the drive target members, to the camera body via a first transmission path over predetermined first cycles; and a drive condition transmission unit that transmits a drive condition of at least one drive target member among the plurality of drive target members to the camera body via a second transmission path different from the first transmission path over predetermined second cycles different from the predetermined first cycles.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2016Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Masafumi Oikawa, Kazuharu Imafuji, Shigeo Takahashi, Shunji Nagaya
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Patent number: 9772550Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms to provide for improved image display in an area of overlapping projections. In an embodiment, a multi-layer projection screen comprises light sources and collimation structures each disposed over a corresponding one of such light sources. A first collimation structure disposed over a first light source collimates first light from the first light source. The first collimation structure further receives and redirects second light from a second light source disposed under a second collimation structure that adjoins the first collimation structure. In another embodiment, the first collimation structure redirects the other light from the second light source away from the direction of collimation of the first light. A stray light rejection layer of the multi-layer projection screen passes a majority of the first light for inclusion as part of a projected image, and prevents a majority of the second light from inclusion in the projected image.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2015Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: X Development LLCInventors: Serge Joel Armand Bierhuizen, Philip Edwin Watson, Adam Eales Norton, Andrei Kazmierski
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Patent number: 9753361Abstract: A transparent display device includes a screen that has a plurality of light deflecting elements that are separated by transparent areas, and a projector device. The projector device is configured to direct light onto the light deflecting elements and not onto the transparent areas. The display device may include a first screen and a second screen separated longitudinally relative to the projector, wherein each screen respectively has a plurality of light deflecting elements. The projector is configured to direct light onto the light deflecting elements and not onto the transparent areas of the two screens such that light from the first and second light deflecting elements appear in different virtual depth planes. Alternatively, a single screen may have first and second pluralities of light deflecting elements of different optical powers, such that light from the first and second light deflecting elements appear in different virtual depth planes.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2014Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: David James Montgomery
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Patent number: 9746148Abstract: A sunlight redirector has a first mirror array formed of a first plurality of substantially parallel, uniformly spaced, longitudinal outward mirror segments; and a second mirror array formed of a second plurality of substantially parallel, uniformly spaced, longitudinal inward mirror segments. Each mirror segment has a normal vector. The outward mirror segments are adjustably positionable, such that their normal vectors remain parallel. The first mirror array is rotatable about a normal vector of the sunlight redirector. The inward mirror segments may remain fixed in position at all times; or they may be moved, twice per day, between first and second fixed positions.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2014Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: The University of British ColumbiaInventors: Lorne Whitehead, Allen James Upward, Peter George Friedel, Jon David Edward Scott
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Patent number: 9747825Abstract: A flexible display device includes a display panel, at least one inspection part, and a detector. The display panel includes at least one bending portion and a display area. The inspection part is located on the bending portion and bends in a manner similar to the bending portion. The detector applies an inspection signal to the inspection part and receives an output signal from the inspection part. A crack in the inspection part is then determined based on a comparison of the inspection and output signals.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2013Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.Inventor: Eunah Kim
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Patent number: 9740160Abstract: An image formation device includes a power controller that controls transition to an energy-saving mode to reduce power consumption in a standby state and starts up out of the energy-saving mode and a timer in which a timing schedule that starts up the device out of the energy-saving mode is set. The power controller controls the surface temperature of the fixing roller of the image generator to be a temperature lower than the fixing temperature that enables image formation when the image formation device is started up out of the energy-saving mode according to the timing schedule set in the timer.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hiroyuki Ishikura
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Patent number: 9740089Abstract: A modular curved projection screen includes an outer structural component formed of multiple compound curved interlocking sections. Multiple inner compound curved screen components are each supported by a corresponding compound curved interlocking section and extend beyond edges of the interlocking sections. Responsive to interlocking the multiple compound curved interlocking sections, edges of adjacent screen components are compressed against each other to form a smooth concave projection viewing area supported by the outer structural component.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: The Elumenati, LLCInventor: D'nardo Colucci
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Patent number: 9739840Abstract: A system and method to detect the loss or disruption of one or more phases of a three phase alternating current (AC) power source used in the operation of a valve actuator. The loss of one or more phases of a three phase AC power source may cause a peak in AC power output. While a peak in AC power output may not affect an operation of electronic circuitry, all three phases are often required to safely operate other hardware components, such as an AC motor that is associated with the valve actuator. Therefore, in response to detecting the loss or disruption of at least one phase of a three phase AC power source, this disclosure presents a system and method to inhibit damaging operations such as operating an AC motor associated with a valve actuator, and continuing to operate communications and diagnostic circuitry to report the condition.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Tri-Tec Manufacturing, LLCInventors: Richard Lynn Cordray, Michael M. Van Schoiack, Roy Gilbert