Patents Examined by Diane Lee
  • Patent number: 10011221
    Abstract: A visor assembly including a visor, a mirror attached to the visor a diffused light source, and a directional light source. The diffused light source and directional light sources are disposed in a modular housing that is removable from the mirror assembly. The diffused light source is powered by the vehicle electrical system. The directional light source is independently operable and powered by a separate rechargeable battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Guillermo Alanis, Ramiro Chable Hernandez, David Huelke
  • Patent number: 9885823
    Abstract: Disclosed is a backlight module and a liquid crystal display device including the backlight module. The backlight module includes a rear plate, a light guide plate, an optical film, a reflection sheet, and a position transformation mechanism. The position transformation mechanism is used to interchange the positions of the optical film and the reflection sheet, so that the optical film is located at one of a front surface and a back surface of the light guide plate, and the reflection sheet is located at the other one of the front surface and the back surface of the light guide plate. The backlight module broadens the application scope of liquid crystal display devices, thus providing users with more human-oriented services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dehua Li
  • Patent number: 9733416
    Abstract: The invention provides a lighting unit comprising a waveguide for providing first light (111) having a first spectral distribution and second light (121) having a second spectral distribution emanating from a waveguide (100) in different directions, wherein the first spectral distribution and second spectral distribution differ. For instance, the first light (111) and the second light (121) have different color temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Rifat Ata Mustafa Hikmet, Ties Van Bommel
  • Patent number: 9657935
    Abstract: In another implementation, a signaling apparatus includes a glove that is configured to be worn on a hand of a user; a first light source that extends along and is affixed to at least a portion of a lateral side of the glove, the lateral side of the glove corresponding to a lateral side of the user's hand that includes, at least, the user's fifth digit, fifth metacarpal, and ulna bone; and a second light source that extends along and is affixed to at least a portion of a medial side of the glove, the medial side of the glove corresponding to a medial side of the user's hand that includes, at least, the user's radial bone and one or more of: (i) the user's first metacarpal and first digit, and (ii) the user's second metacarpal and second digit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventor: Benjamin M. Wilson
  • Patent number: 9631781
    Abstract: The invention is directed to the provision of an optical integrated device wherein provisions are made to be able to mount components on a substrate with high accuracy and high packing density without having to heat the components. The optical integrated device includes a substrate, an optical device optically coupled to a first device, and an electrical device mounted on top of the optical device or on top of a second device, wherein the optical device is bonded to the substrate by surface activated bonding via a first bonding portion formed from a metallic material on the substrate, and the electrical device is bonded to the optical device or the second device by surface activated bonding via a second bonding portion formed from a metallic material on the optical device or the second device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masafumi Ide, Kaoru Yoda
  • Patent number: 9618185
    Abstract: An LED lighting assembly is provided as a drop-in replacement for standard flourescent tubes. An LED lighting assembly and corresponding method for its assembly comprises a substrate having an LED array mounted thereon. The LED array can be mounted in traditional wirebonded or flip chip arrangements. The assembly further includes a heat sink layer, a light diffusion layer, a UV filter layer, and a structural frame for supporting the assembly. The structural frame can be adjusted to replace any length flourescent tube. A voltage controller is provided to filter out voltage spikes from a power source. A microcontroller is provided for receiving any control instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher P. Ricci, Gary Fong
  • Patent number: 9581316
    Abstract: A module comprising: one or more vials containing tritium; one or more tritium covers; and an open space within the one or more tritium covers, wherein the one or more vials containing tritium are located within the open space of the one or more tritium covers so that the one or more tritium covers protect the one or more vials containing tritium, and wherein the one or more tritium covers are made from a material that exhibits sufficient strength so that the module protects the one or more vials containing tritium from damage when dropped from a distance of 1 m or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Cammenga Company, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Karchon, Alexander J. Karchon, Robert J. Henderson
  • Patent number: 9581307
    Abstract: A light module for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The light module includes a light source and a reflecting unit. The light module also includes an optical waveguide, wherein the waveguide is formed by a plate-shaped body having an L-shaped cross section, the light-reflecting unit comprises a reflector arranged in front of a shorter input part of the waveguide, and wherein at a place where a shorter inlet part of the waveguide passes into a longer outlet part of the waveguide, an angled surface is provided for total reflection of light passing through the shorter inlet part of the waveguide to the longer outlet part of the waveguide, wherewith a bottom area and an adjacent face of the outlet part of the waveguide are provided with a white coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: VARROC LIGHTING SYSTEMS S.R.O.
    Inventors: Miroslav Kropac, Ludek Mazal, Tomas Mateju, Libor Juttner
  • Patent number: 9576537
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display panel including a plurality of pixels, and a backlight unit disposed at a rear surface of the display panel and supplying a light to the display panel, where the backlight unit includes a first light source which provides a first color light to the display panel, a second light source which provides a second color light to the display panel, and a third light sources which provides a third color light to the display panel, spectral bands of the first, second and third color light are different from each other, and the first color light and the second color light have substantially the same color as each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junghyun Kwon, Jae Byung Park, Jong Hyuk Kang, Dong-Hoon Lee, Hyundeok Im
  • Patent number: 9534762
    Abstract: A touch key control and icon display apparatus includes a first substrate, a light-emitting element, a second substrate, and a body portion. The light-emitting element is disposed adjacent to the first substrate. The second substrate includes a circuit layer configured to sense a touch. The body portion is disposed between the first and second substrates and includes a reflective surface that defines a chamber. The chamber is formed through the body portion and configured to receive the light-emitting element. The circuit layer includes an icon disposed adjacent to an opening of the chamber. A portion of light, from the light-emitting element, incident on the circuit layer can pass through the circuit layer, and another portion of the light can be reflected by the circuit layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Myson Century, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsen-Shau Yang, Yuan-Chih Chung, Yi-Chuan Peng
  • Patent number: 9482395
    Abstract: An LED luminaire includes a thermal management system and features minimal glare while allowing for use of traditional luminaire housing. The luminaire of the depicted embodiments includes a luminaire housing, an LED light module, an LED driver, a diffuser, and reflectors. The LED light module includes at least one LED array, a primary thermal interface, and a secondary thermal interface. These thermal interfaces, particularly when used in conjunction with a conductive housing, allow for optimal thermal management by utilizing both natural convection and conduction to remove the heat from inside the luminaire into the surrounding air. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the position of the LED arrays within the housing in combination with the reflector design creates an optical path resulting in an indirect light source that minimizes glare, while providing a uniform distribution of light, unlike traditional LED luminaires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Atlas Lighting Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott T. Ellingson, Henry Skoczylas
  • Patent number: 9459492
    Abstract: A display includes a backlight (40). In addition, the display includes for each of at least one wavelength band, a plurality of layers placed above the backlight (40). The plurality of layers includes an absorption layer (13,23,33), a luminescent layer (14,24,34) and a reflective layer (15,25,35). The absorption layer (12,22,32) is capable of absorbing light in a wavelength band while being substantially transparent to light in other wavelength bands. The luminescent layer (14,24,34) is capable, in response to light from the backlight (40), of emitting light within the wavelength band. The reflective layer (15,25,35) is adapted to reflect light in the wavelength band while being substantially transparent to light in other wavelength bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Adrian Derek Geisow, Stephen Christopher Kitson, Gary Alfred Gibson
  • Patent number: 9341933
    Abstract: A wavelength conversion and filtering module that includes a plurality of optical regions is provided. The optical regions are adapted to move, and at least one of the optical regions includes a reflection unit, a wavelength conversion unit, a prism sheet, and a filter unit. The wavelength conversion unit is located between the reflection unit and the prism sheet. The prism sheet is located between the wavelength conversion unit and the filter unit. A light source system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Kun-Liang Jao, Hao-Wei Chiu, Chi-Hsun Wang, Ko-Shun Chen, Chia-He Hsu
  • Patent number: 9326347
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an illumination device comprising: a first group of light sources and a number of light collecting means, said light collecting means collect light from said first group of light sources and convert said collected light into a number of source light beams; a second group of light sources arranged in an array of pixels, each of said pixel comprises at least one light source and each of said pixels are individually controllable; where said first group of light sources and said second group of light sources are individually controllable and where at least one of said pixels is adapted to emit light at an area between at least two of said source light beams. The present invention relates also to illumination system comprising such illumination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Martin Professional ApS
    Inventors: Thomas Vinther, Claus Hansen
  • Patent number: 9316382
    Abstract: Connector devices, systems, and related methods for connecting light emitting diode (LED) modules to thermal substrates and/or optical elements are disclosed. In some aspects, a connector device can include a connector body having a first side configured to engage an LED module and a second side configured to engage an optical element for mechanically coupling the LED module to the optical element. The connector device can further include a housing configured to receive a portion of an electrical wire for electrically coupling the LED module to the electrical wire. A connector system can include an annular body defining an opening and at least one LED module disposed in a portion of the connector. The connector can be configured to cover a portion of the LED module and leave another portion of the LED module exposed or visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Rowlette
  • Patent number: 9299516
    Abstract: A luminous keyboard device includes a keypad module, a supporting plate, a light-mixing type light-emitting element, a first light guide plate, and a second light guide plate. The supporting plate has a partition part. By the partition part, a first color light beam and a second color light beam from the light-mixing type light-emitting element are not mixed with each other. The first color light beam is guided by the first light guide plate to a first light-outputting zone and a third light-outputting zone of the keypad module. The second color light beam is guided by the second light guide plate to a second light-outputting zone and the third light-outputting zone of the keypad module. The first color light beam and the second color light beam projected on the third light-outputting zone are mixed as a third color light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Yuan Chen, Hsuan-Wei Ho
  • Patent number: 9297514
    Abstract: A lighting system having a reflector with a plurality of reflecting surfaces. The plurality of reflecting surfaces have at least one optical axis, and the reflecting surfaces further include a linearly projected cross-section along a respective linear axis. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are positioned in a line generally parallel to the linearly projected cross-section of the plurality of reflecting surfaces. The LEDs are oriented relative to an associated reflecting surface such that a central light-emitting axis of the plurality of LEDs is angled relative to the at least one optical axis of the associated reflecting surface at about 45°. The reflecting surfaces redirect and collimate a light output of the plurality of LEDs at an angle of about 45° with respect to the central light emitting axis of the plurality of LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: HUGHEY & PHILLIPS, LLC
    Inventor: Charles A. Roudeski
  • Patent number: 9285530
    Abstract: A system for illuminating a reflective display or other material from a planar front device and a method of manufacture thereof. The system includes a light guide plate that conducts light from an edge light source across the face of a reflective display. Micro lenses are formed on the inner or outer surface of the light guide and direct the light conducted in the light guide toward the display. A stepped index layer is formed on the surface of light guide plate containing the micro lenses. The stepped index layer has an index of refraction lower than an index of refraction of the light guide plate to assist in the total internal reflection of light injected into the light guide plate. A top layer protective coat or touch screen can be laminated to the outside of the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: NOOK DIGITAL, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Neugebauer, Jason Wong, Sam Niansheng Qiu, David Klawon
  • Patent number: 9267663
    Abstract: Light having little color inconsistency is effectively emitted with a simple structure achieving favorable productivity. A plurality of multi-color light emitting diodes comprising a plurality of LED chips having different light emission colors is disposed on the same surface such that the light emitted by the plurality of the multi-color light emitting diodes is mixed and emitted in a illumination device, wherein at least one multi-color light emitting diode from among the plurality of multi-color light emitting diodes is disposed while being rotated by a prescribed angle with reference to one other multi-color light emitting diode in such a manner that when translating the one multi-color light emitting diode so as to overlap with the one other multi-color light emitting diode, LED chips having the same light emission color do not overlap with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: JAPAN APPLIED OPTICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigeru Arai
  • Patent number: 9243779
    Abstract: A multi display system (10) includes a plurality of display panels (100) disposed adjacently to each other via a boundary portion (20), and a translucent cover (113) disposed on the plurality of display panels (100). The translucent cover (113) is disposed so as to cover the boundary portion (20) and overlapping with both of the plurality of display panels (100) which are disposed adjacently. The translucent cover (113) is constituted by a supporting portion (113P) which covers at least part of the display panel excluding the boundary portion (20), and a portion which is continuous to the supporting portion (113P) and includes a concave portion (113C) formed on the observer side in a position facing the boundary portion (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigetsugu Yamanaka