Patents Examined by Danielle Allen
  • Patent number: 7789529
    Abstract: An LED light unit includes a tile, a plurality of discrete LED light sources, and an edge connector. The LED light sources are on and dispersed across a major surface of the tile and are electrically connected to electrical pads along an edge region of the tile. The edge connector includes a plurality of contacts that are connected to a plurality of wires extending away from the edge connector, and is configured to releasably connect to an edge of the tile so that the contacts directly connect to the pads and electrically connect the wires of the edge connector to the LED light sources. An LED lighting assembly includes a plurality of the discrete tiles mounted to a plurality of bars, and a plurality of edge connectors that are each connected to an end one of the tiles along different ones of the bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Paul E. Sims
  • Patent number: 7784992
    Abstract: An apparatus for a solar window nightlight includes at least one battery contained within a circuit housing. Solar panels are disposed on an outside surface of the circuit housing for charging the battery. Control circuitry connects the battery, the solar panels and LED lights to control operations of the LED lights and charging of the at least one battery. A photocell is connected to the control circuitry where when ambient light falls below a predetermined level, the control circuitry activates the LED lights. Translucent lenses include a bore hole in a base for receiving one of the LED lights and reflective material on outside edges. Suction cups retain the apparatus on a window surface where, during day light hours, there is sufficient ambient light to charge the battery and, during night hours, the translucent lenses illuminate a desired area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Ron Gustaveson
  • Patent number: 7784956
    Abstract: A light source is used to extend the operating period of light-activated materials in gazing globes and other decorative or ornamental objects. A gazing globe according to the invention includes a hollow glass globe supported on a stand. Photoluminescent, fluorescent or phosphorescent material is deposited on, or embedded in, the globe. A light-emitting diode (LED) is supported within the globe to activate the material. A solar cell is used to charge one or more batteries, and a light detector is used to switch power from the battery to the source of light when a sufficient level of darkness is detected. A violet or ultraviolet LED may be used as the light source, with the solar cell is supported on the stand. The material deposited on, or embedded in, the globe may intentionally glow in a swirling pattern when activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: RSR Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Cohen
  • Patent number: 7775686
    Abstract: A lighting device which is adapted to be converted between a flashlight mode and an area light mode includes a housing to receive a power supply, a light source associated with the housing and a tubular lens surrounding the light source, a reflector mounted to said device so as to slide relative to the tubular lens, the reflector including an aperture through which the light source can pass, the aperture having a shutter associated therewith whereby the shutter closes the aperture when the reflector is in a position which allows the device to be used in the area light mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Dalton, John R. Brown, Angelo Kotsis
  • Patent number: 7771096
    Abstract: An illumination device for a cigar lighter or for a multifunction socket, comprising a single-piece component made from material at least partially transmitting light, the component comprising an illuminating ring and a housing for a printed circuit provided with at least one light-emitting diode and electrical connection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Michel Andrieu, Jean-Louis Bonnet, Francis Lau, Jérôme Monnot
  • Patent number: 7758213
    Abstract: A light source unit which has a concave reflector and a discharge lamp with bilateral hermetically sealing parts of which a first of the hermetically sealing parts is mounted in a base component that is mounted in an opening of a neck of the concave reflector. An outer lead proceeds directly from the first hermetically sealing part to the base component and is connected to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Goto, Manami Aoki
  • Patent number: 7758204
    Abstract: An LED spotlight is made with at least one light emitting diode and a lens placed forward of the light emitting diode to collimate the light from the light emitting diode into a beam. The light emitting diode is preferably a type with a nominal power of at least 1 watt, requiring heatsinking, and having a nominal radiation pattern width of 100 degrees or more. The lens is preferably concavo-convex. The lens can have a thickness less than the distance between the rear surface of the lens and the light emitting diode. The LED spotlight can be mounted on headwear that would be worn on a person's head. The LED spotlight can be in the form of a flashlight. The LED spotlight can be in the form of an inspection lamp suitable for causing visible fluorescence of fluorescent materials, such as leaks of fluids that have suitable fluorescent dyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Brasscorp Limited
    Inventors: Donald L. Klipstein, Jack Brass, Robert Tod Whitfield
  • Patent number: 7758224
    Abstract: A light emitting device, comprises: an excitation light source that emits excitation light; a wavelength conversion member that absorbs the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source, converts its wavelength, and releases light of a predetermined wavelength band; a light guide in which the center part (core) of its cross section has a refractive index that is higher than the refractive index of the peripheral portion (cladding), and which guides the light emitted from the wavelength conversion member to the outside; and wherein the wavelength conversion member is produced by laminating a plurality of layers that wavelength-convert different wavelengths of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Nichia Corporation
    Inventors: Atsutomo Hama, Tomotaka Honda, Shinichi Nagahama, Junji Takeichi, Yoshinori Murazaki, Hiroto Tamaki, Yukihiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7758208
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical assembly which improves color uniformity and improved collimation of light produced by multiple LED light sources in a light engine. The optical assembly is specifically tailored to match the placement of the solid-state emitters making up the light engine or light producing element. Specifically, a shaped free-form spline patch inner collimation lens having an optimized cross-sectional shape and micro-ridges is used to disperse light; multi-lobe TIR collimation lens having an optimized cross-sectional shape and micro-ridges is used to disperse and redistribute phase as well as provide collimation; primary mixing lenslet array having an optimized surface is used to disperse light from the light emitter; a spline profile reflector further mixes and collimates the light; a secondary lenslet array further mixes the light; and a secondary collimation lens further collimates the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Lighting Science Group Corporation
    Inventor: Edward Bailey
  • Patent number: 7753577
    Abstract: Devices, apparatus, systems, and methods of installing LED (light emitting diodes) for glass tiles and glass blocks. The LEDs can be housed in flexible strips having flexible bendable transparent housing sleeves with ends that can interconnect by male and female ends to one another with various types of interconnectors. Each separate sleeve can house up to 33 LEDs in a transparent plastic sleeve. A transparent connector sleeve can be slid over the interconnected ends and heat shrunk in place. The glass tiles can be laid out to uniform joints spacings between the glass tiles of approximately 3/16 of an inch. The LED strips can be placed on a surface layer of transparent grout that has been laid in the joint spacing, followed by a top layer of transparent grout. The transparent grout can be removable grout and include clear Silicon. The LED strips can have peel and stick back layers with adhesive backing that allows mounting to the lower surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: New Herizon Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Rachel Teeters
  • Patent number: 7744255
    Abstract: A panel assembly includes a panel (13), a light-reflecting member (30) and a light-shielding board (50). The panel includes a light-pervious area. The light-reflecting member is coupled to the light-pervious area of the panel. The light-reflecting member forms a light-guiding wall (363) with a plurality of spaced slots (361) therein. The light-shielding board is positioned between the light-guiding wall and the light-pervious area. The light-shielding board defines a plurality of spaced slots (513) corresponding to the slots of the light-guiding wall, light-shielding bars (517) are formed between adjacent slots respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Lung Chen, Yu-Ming Xiao
  • Patent number: 7736023
    Abstract: A multiparameter lighting apparatus is disclosed that allows an operator of a central controller to remotely choose a first rotation of a selected gobo of the multiparameter lighting apparatus. The first rotation is typically a substantially smooth rotation. A second rotation can also be chosen, wherein the second rotation causes an animation of the selected gobo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: BARCO Lightning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Belliveau, David K. Peck
  • Patent number: 7726849
    Abstract: A luminaire adapted to being mounted at the top of a post having a design reducing maintenance costs. The luminaire has a capital with a globe mounted thereon forming an optical chamber, the capital has a front access area with a front access door hingedly attached thereto and optionally has a tool-less latch capable of holding the front access door over the front access area. The capital has an opening in a top portion thereof into the optical chamber, optionally, a relamping module extends from the inside of the capital, through the opening and up into a central portion of the optical chamber and has a lamp socket thereon. The relamping module may be removed without manipulation of the globe or globe roof. The luminaire may also have electrical gear within the capital attached to a tray wherein the tray is removably attached to an internal portion of the capital. The globe and globe roof may remain stationary during typical maintenance processes such as relamping or maintenance of electrical gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Eric Haddad, Jason Metzler
  • Patent number: 7717605
    Abstract: A liquid-crystal display device is provided which has a backlight that applies light onto a liquid crystal panel. The backlight includes a light guide having an LED as a light-emitting device. The light guide has recesses on the light incident surface, in which electric elements are disposed. Disposing the electric elements connected to external driving circuit in the backlight can reduce the area for mounting the electric elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignees: Hitachi Displays, Ltd., Hitachi Display Devices, Ltd.
    Inventor: Michihide Shibata
  • Patent number: 7717597
    Abstract: A light engine for use in systems such as automotive lighting systems employs two or more semiconductor light sources, such as LEDs. Light emitted from the light sources is captured by light pipes which are mounted such that the light capturing surface of the light pipes are properly positioned, with respect to the semiconductor light sources, substantially independent of changes in the dimensions of the light pipes which may result from thermal expansion or contraction of the light pipes. The light pipes transfer substantially all of the light captured from the semiconductor light sources to light emitting surfaces of the light pipes which can be appropriately located adjacent the output optics of the lighting system. The light engine can be easily assembled as the light pipes are retained in slots on a positioning member which is mounted at a known position with respect to the semiconductor light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventors: Micheal D. Dolson, Ronald O. Woodward, James R. McFadden
  • Patent number: 7712914
    Abstract: A device is provided to apply make-up (10) in low-light situations. The device has a body tube (14), with a first and a second and a intermediate portion therebetween. The first end has a radial cross-section with an inner portion and an annular outer portion. Mounted in the inner portion of the first end is a make-up (10) applying means (16). Surrounding the make-up applying means (16) is an illuminating means (22) for illuminating, positioned in the annular outer portion of the first end. It is adapted to project the illumination axially outwardly. The illuminating means (22) is power by a powering means (24) is activated by a switch (621).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventors: Bradford Levy, Robert DuGrenier
  • Patent number: 7712911
    Abstract: The light diffusion component in accordance with the present invention includes light transmission pieces that are juxtaposed at predetermined intervals in one direction and have a substantially trapezoidal section, and a light absorption piece that is juxtaposed alternately to the light transmission pieces and has a substantially wedged section. The upper base of the substantially trapezoidal section of each light transmission piece adjoins the base of the substantially wedged section of the light absorption piece. The area of the substantially wedged section of the light absorption piece is equal to or larger than one-third of the area of a trapezoid bordering the substantially wedged section, and equal to or smaller than two-thirds thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Yatsu, Koji Hirata, Kei Adachi
  • Patent number: 7670019
    Abstract: A backlight assembly including a universal lamp unit with a common connecting structure coupling a lamp and an inverter through a lamp socket and a conductor when connecting the lamp and the inverter with each other, a liquid crystal display including the same and a method of manufacturing thereof. Backlight assembly includes a mold frame including a receiving space therein and a lamp unit disposed in the receiving space of the mold frame. The lamp unit includes at least one lamp, and at least one pair of lamp sockets disposed on the mold frame. The pair of lamp sockets secure the lamp and apply electric power to the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyung Kang
  • Patent number: 7661868
    Abstract: A diffuser sheet which compensates for chromatic dispersion generated in a hologram light guide plate, and an illumination apparatus employing the diffuser sheet are provided. The diffuser sheet includes a plate type light-transmissive substrate and a light diffusion layer disposed on a light emission surface of the light-emission substrate. A light-incident surface of the light-transmissive substrate has declined surfaces and flat surfaces which are alternatively and repeatedly formed thereon. The declined surfaces are declined at a predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jin-hwan Kim, Jin-Seung Choi, Jee-hong Min, Jae-ho You, Su-mi Lee, Yoon-sun Choi
  • Patent number: 7658519
    Abstract: A display device includes a first light source for emitting first light in blue, a second light source for emitting second light, and a color filter. The filter has a translucent sheet, a first printed area part for passing the first light to provide a first display excluding an overlapped portion of the first display and a second display and preventing the second light from passing therethrough, a second printed area part for passing the second light to provide the second display excluding the overlapped portion and preventing the first light from passing therethrough, a third printed area part for dimming and passing the first and second lights to provide the overlapped portion, a background printed area part for preventing the first and second lights from passing therethrough, and a white light converting part for the first light passing therethrough into white light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Chikara Mita, Shigeru Egami