Patents Examined by Christopher Mahoney
  • Patent number: 9500856
    Abstract: An optical device may include a flat optical member; a reinforcement member which is bonded to a back side of the optical member and demonstrates stronger rigidity in a center area thereof than two side portions thereof when curved in a thickness direction in a first direction within an in-plane direction; and a driving device which switches a shape of the optical member together with the reinforcement member between a flat state and a curved state in which the optical member is curved in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Yoshikawa, Masaaki Ando, Tsuneo Sato
  • Patent number: 9500674
    Abstract: A probe structure includes a sleeve, a needle shaft and an elastic member. The needle shaft is accommodated in the sleeve and includes a first groove for accommodating the elastic member. The probe structure further includes a conductive component installed at the bottom of the sleeve and having an end connected into the first groove, and a second groove, so that the elastic member is situated in the first and second grooves. When the needle shaft is pressed and moved, the inner wall of the second groove is contacted with an outer sidewall of the conductive component to define a second conductive channel. With the two conductive channels, the effects of maintaining stable current transmission efficiency, reducing poor contact or disconnection, and providing good structural stability are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: C.C.P. CONTACT PROBES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Min Cheng, You-Yu Lo, Chien-Yu Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9500942
    Abstract: A projection screen that allows sound to pass through the screen while video is reflected is provided. This screen is provided using a first non-perforated reflecting screen of a first density, and at least one perforated reflecting screen of a second density, wherein the first density is greater than the second density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: MOMENTOR ANS
    Inventor: Jon-Eivind Lygren
  • Patent number: 9496823
    Abstract: A fault diagnosis method utilizing a fault diagnosis system for diagnosing a photovoltaic module by estimating a fault location, the fault diagnosis system including a signal generator for generating and inputting an input signal into a positive terminal or a negative terminal of the photovoltaic module, a waveform observer for observing a reflected output signal from an open end or the fault location, a diagnosis unit for estimating the fault location based on the output signal, a conductive body, and an alignment unit for controlling the positions of the conductive body and/or the photovoltaic module. The diagnosis method includes controlling the positions of the conductive body and/or the photovoltaic module, observing the output signal of the input signal, and estimating the fault location based on two reflected output signals of input signals inputted into the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the photovoltaic module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: System JD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Shigemura, Shigenori Matsuo, Hiroyuki Yamashita, Hiroshi Date
  • Patent number: 9491347
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masafumi Oikawa, Kazuharu Imafuji, Shigeo Takahashi, Shunji Nagaya
  • Patent number: 9471009
    Abstract: A developer container includes a container body, a rotary shaft, a rotary stirrer, and a flexible blade. The container body contains developer and has a discharge port. The rotary stirrer includes a rotary support and rotates about the rotary shaft to stir and transport the developer. The rotary support includes a base end rotatable integrally with the rotary shaft, a free end spaced away from an inner wall of the container body, and a holding surface provided at the free end or at a position shifted toward the rotary shaft away from the free end. The holding surface is parallel to or inclined relative to a rotation direction of the rotary support. The flexible blade includes a base end portion held on the holding surface and a distal end to contact the inner wall and transport the developer to the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Teppei Kikuchi, Hideki Kosugi, Tatsuya Kubo, Shinnosuke Koshizuka, Kazunori Suzuki, Atsushi Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 9464773
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a novel construction for an illuminated light splitter in a mirror-lined light duct. In particular, the present disclosure addresses the ability to split partially collimated light travelling through a light duct into two different light ducts using light diverters, while extracting a portion of the light from each of the light ducts and also from the common intersection region. In some cases, the visual appearance of the illumination in the intersection region can appear non-uniform due to the presence of the light diverters, and the present disclosure provides an illuminated light duct splitter (100, 200, 300) configuration that homogenizes the output from the illuminated duct within the intersection region (117, 217, 317).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Karl J. L. Geisler, David G. Freier
  • Patent number: 9465284
    Abstract: Screen vibration systems are provided that can vibrate theater screens using acoustical, electromagnetic, or another type of energy while reducing the presence of image artifacts that may otherwise be visible as result of vibrating the screen. In one example of a screen vibration system, the system includes a screen, a permanent magnet mounted to the screen, and a magnetic source positioned with respect to the permanent magnet and uncoupled from the screen. The screen is moveable in response to a changing magnetic field from the magnetic source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: IMAX Theatres International Limited
    Inventors: Hamed Herati, Denis Gilles Tremblay, Oliver Nicholas Komarnycky
  • Patent number: 9448465
    Abstract: A projection screen has a gold coated projection receiving surface that reflects light. The projection screen includes a support structure and an adhesive layer on top of the support structure. A fiber support is adhered to the support structure using the adhesive layer. A chalk and adhesive layer is applied on to the fiber support and a clay and adhesive layer is applied on to chalk and adhesive layer. A gold layer is applied to the clay and adhesive layer. A light or a portion thereof passes through each of the multiple ordered layers, including the gold layer, the clay and adhesive layer, the chalk and adhesive layer and reflects back a lustrous, iridescent image that has motion and depth qualities with transmuted color characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: Joseph Luis Ramirez
  • Patent number: 9448466
    Abstract: A display device having a simple circuit configuration and capable of lowering power consumption, and a drive method for the display device are provided. Rectangular wave voltage which changes between positive voltage V11 and 0 volt in cycle which is two times of cycle during which an optical state of an optical layer is changed is applied to an opposite electrode of a screen in a reverse mode. Pulse voltage which becomes a potential difference between electrodes of which optical state is changed when the optical state of the optical layer is changed is applied to a control electrode in a superimposed manner on rectangular wave voltage which changes between positive voltage V12 and 0 volt, which has the same cycle and the same phase as the rectangular wave voltage applied to the opposite electrode and which has the same value as V11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihiro Yoshioka, Haruhito Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 9417825
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a printer, an interface through which print data includes at least one of a first setting to form a first image with a decolorable colorant and a second setting to form a second image with a non-decolorable colorant, and a controller that determines whether the print data includes a layout setting to form a plurality of images on a sheet. If the print data includes the layout setting and only one of the first and the second setting, the printer forms the images with a corresponding one of the decolorable colorant and the non-decolorable colorant on the sheet based on the layout setting. If the print data includes the layout setting, the first setting and the second setting, the printer forms each of the first image and the second image on different sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichiro Saito, Mikio Kakizaki, Atsushi Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 9416542
    Abstract: The present subject matter comprises a simple, passive skylight dome with relatively tall partially vertical sides comprising partially transparent material which diffuses the transmitted light, and a mostly opaque sun shade near the top of the relatively tall partially vertical sides. The partially vertical sides are able to better intercept sunlight from low sun elevation angles than conventional horizontal skylights. The mostly opaque sun shade is able to block sunlight from high sun elevation angles to prevent such sunlight from entering the building below the dome. By enhancing the collection of low-sun-elevation-angle light, the subject matter improves the daylight performance of the skylight early and late in the day, and all day in the winter months. By reducing the collection of high-sun-elevation-angle light, the subject matter reduces the solar heat gain near solar noon in the summer months, thereby reducing air conditioning loads and related costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Entech Solar, Inc.
    Inventor: David Gelbaum
  • Patent number: 9411169
    Abstract: There is disclosed a screen including a first diffusion plate for transmitting a laser light for image display, a second diffusion plate spaced apart a preset distance from the first diffusion plate, and a plurality of optical transmission tubes arranged between the first diffusion plate and the second diffusion plate to transfer the laser light transmitted from the first diffusion plate to the second diffusion plate, wherein the optical transmission tube includes a body portion comprising a first surface facing the first diffusion plate and a second surface facing the second diffusion plate, vided in the body portion to a central region of the second surface provided in the body portion, and at least one optical fiber arranged in the through hole to transfer the laser light, only to reduce speckle noise of laser, and a laser display apparatus using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Woojae Park, Jaewook Kwon, Chanyoung Yoon
  • Patent number: 9400420
    Abstract: The present invention relates to rear-projection film with “day/night” effect comprising at least two layers, where the film comprises at least one grey layer comprising at least one thermoplastic with transmittance of from 10% to 70% in the visible wavelength range and at least one layer comprising at least one thermoplastic and scattering particles, and also to the use of the said films as rear-projection areas in the vehicle interior sector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Covestro Deutschland AG
    Inventors: Heinz Pudleiner, Dirk Pophusen, Roland Kuenzel, Manfred Lindner, Juergen Wojatschek, Bernd Straub
  • Patent number: 9395615
    Abstract: A projection screen apparatus is disclosed for displaying an image projected by a projector. The projection screen apparatus includes a frame and a screen. The frame includes a plurality of side frame members and corner frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Draper, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Risher
  • Patent number: 9395616
    Abstract: A projection screen that includes a transparent substrate, a plurality of micro-lens structures, a Fresnel lens structure, a light absorption layer, and a diffusive reflection layer is provided. The transparent substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The micro-lens structures are located at the first surface of the transparent substrate. The Fresnel lens structure is located at the second surface of the transparent substrate. The light absorption layer includes a light absorption portion. The diffusive reflection layer includes a plurality of dispersive diffusive reflection portions connected to the Fresnel lens structure. The deviation degrees of the diffusive reflection portions with respect to a plurality of optical axes of the corresponding micro-lens structures increase together with an increase in slopes of inclined surfaces of the Fresnel lens structure on the corresponding optical axes. A manufacturing method of the projection screen is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Fu-Ming Chuang, Hung-Ta Chien, Fang-Hsuan Su
  • Patent number: 9389497
    Abstract: An example micro-projection-display device includes: a projection lens, an elastic projection screen, a stretchable projection framework and a sliding block. At least one point of the stretchable projection framework is connected with the elastic projection screen, so that the stretchable projection framework is configured to control the elastic projection screen to stretch or retract. The sliding block is connected with the stretchable projection framework. The sliding block is configured to cause the stretchable projection framework to stretch or retract, so as to cause the elastic projection screen to stretch or retract. The projection lens is configured to project light onto the stretched elastic projection screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited
    Inventor: Jianbei Yang
  • Patent number: 9366403
    Abstract: A daylighting sheet is provided which efficiently performs daylighting and in which, when the daylighting sheet is applied to an opening portion, such as a window of a building, it is possible to see an outdoor side from an indoor side. The daylighting sheet is formed by stacking a plurality of layers, the layers include: a translucent base material layer; and a light deflection layer that is formed on the base material layer, and the light deflection layer includes: light transmission portions that are aligned along one surface of the base material layer so as to be able to transmit light; and light deflection portions that are formed between the light transmission portions and deflect the light reaching the light deflection portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Kashiwagi, Kazunobu Ogawa, Hideki Miyata, Tatsuaki Inoue, Hiroshi Kojima
  • Patent number: 9367021
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a controller and multiple image forming units each of which includes an image bearer, a toner image forming device to form a toner image on the image bearer, a transfer device to transfer the toner image from the image bearer onto a transfer medium, a cleaning device to remove toner from a surface of the image bearer, a waste-toner tube through which toner removed by the cleaning device is transported, and a toner conveying member to transport toner by rotation and disposed inside the waste-toner tube. The controller changes a rotation speed of the toner conveying member for each of the multiple image forming units according to toner type including a first toner and a second toner having poorer flow properties than the first toner, and at least one image forming units uses the second toner and the rest use the first toner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Ishizuka, Takeshi Shintani, Nobuo Kuwabara, Kenji Honjoh, Yasuhito Kuboshima
  • Patent number: 9360747
    Abstract: This is to provide a transmission type screen where a viewing angle at which an image projected by a projector can be visually recognized is extremely wide, and image visibility from the both surfaces of the screen is excellent. The present invention relates to a transmission type screen comprising a light transmissive support and a light diffusion layer on at least one surface of the light transmissive support, wherein the light diffusion layer contains light diffusion fine particles and a xerogel. It preferably relates to the above-mentioned transmission type screen wherein the xerogel contains inorganic fine particles and a resin binder, and the inorganic fine particles are particles dispersed in an aggregated form having an average primary particle diameter of 18 nm or less and an average secondary particle diameter of 500 nm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI PAPER MILLS LIMITED
    Inventor: Yukio Tokunaga