Abstract: A selectable threshold multimode gain control apparatus and method for a charge coupled device (CCD) or CMOS imaging system includes an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit which continuously controls gain in said CCD system to produce a mutually continuous combined target gain level. A processing system for an imager device includes a camera system for producing an imager signal, a correlated double sample (CDS) circuit for receiving data from an imager, a variable gain amplifier (VGA), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to said CDS circuit, a digital gain circuit (DGC) coupled to said ADC, and an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit coupled to said DGC for controlling the CDS circuit and the DGC, as well as shutter timing for shutter gain.

Abstract: An illumination device arrangeable on a front part of a vehicle has a tubular receptacle formed on the front part, a light-permeable cover member covering a light outlet opening, a cup-shaped housing, at least one reflector provided with at least one light source and supported on the housing, the housing being mountable on the receptacle, the cover member being mountable on the front part, the housing having a front edge region facing a light outlet direction and being mountable with the front edge region on a rear-side edge region of the receptacle--facing opposite to the light outlet direction, the cover member, the receptacle and the housing together limiting a closed inner chamber in which the at least one reflector with the at least one light source is arranged.

Abstract: An LED sealing lens cap, comprising in combination a lens cap body defining a recess to forwardly receive an LED, a shoulder on the body to face rearwardly toward a mounting panel, and a seal carried on the body to face outwardly, and located proximate the shoulder.

Abstract: The present invention improves upon existing trouble lights by providing a multi-purpose trouble light having a handle upon which are positioned two electrical receptacles suitable for engagement with standard electrical plugs of the type having two flat male blades and a cylindrical male pin positioned in a standard triangular configuration. The electrical plugs are inserted into the receptacles in the handle inverted with respect to each other. A first and second female terminals and a ground terminal are positioned within the trouble light. The first and second female terminals, each having two channels, are positioned within the handle so that each male blade of the two electrical plugs is received within one of the channels. The third terminal provides a ground connection for the cylindrical male pins of the electrical plugs. This efficient and compact terminal configuration enables two electrical receptacles to be provided in a compact and conveniently-sized handle.

Abstract: An alternate valve assembly for a smoke re-combustion device of a engine includes a pair of alternate valves which are symmetrically installed at each inlet of filters connected with branches of an exhaust manifold.

Abstract: A vehicular lamp having an improved external appearance, wherein a proximate part of a corner part of the reflective surface and a part (approximately the upper half) of the adjacent non-reflective surface are segmented in the diagonal direction in the prescribed width, and a plurality of small reflective surfaces are formed in a step-like manner in the diagonal direction in this segmental part. The front-view appearance of the lamp when the bulb is illuminated is improved thus through illumination of the reflector to the most exterior point at the corner part with the reflected light provided from the small reflective surfaces. The available solid angles on both sides of the segmental part are wider than in the case where the entire areas of the reflector are formed as a multiple reflection surface so as to eliminate every non-reflective surface at the corner part, and thus the influence on the light distributing performance is minimized.

Abstract: A ground floodlight for an aircraft having a fuselage including a forward cargo door includes a generally flat lens having a first region for directing light toward the front cargo door and a second region for directing light generally forward to illuminate ground in front of the aircraft. The lens is generally flat and smooth and is adapted for flush mounting in the fuselage. A corresponding method for improving ground floodlight illumination includes directing light generated from a lamp within the fuselage in an outward direction and then redirecting first and second portions of the light toward the front cargo door and the ground in front of the aircraft, respectively.

Abstract: A ceiling lighting fixture, including a rectangular bottom-open casing having a plurality of parallel partition frames and an electric connector connected to external power supply, a plurality of lamp tubes respectively mounted in the casing and separated by the partition frames and electrically connected to the electric connector, and a cylindrical sensor-controlled switch adapted for detecting the presence of persons and switching on/off the electric connector subject to its detection result, one of the partition frames having a rounded switch mounting hole and a plurality of bendable locating strips respectively projecting into the switch mounting hole at different angles, the cylindrical sensor-controlled switch being mounted in the rounded switch mounting hole and connected to the electric connector, having a plurality of recessed holes spaced around the periphery and forced into engagement with the locating strips.

Abstract: A medical lamp having a reflector in the shape of an ellipsoid of rotation containing on its interior side a plurality of facets which provide for a largely shadow-free illumination of the area to be lit. An opening is provided in the reflector, which is surrounded by a ring flange. A lamp having a spiral-wound filament therein is inserted into the ring flange so that its bulb is oriented towards the surface of the reflector where the light exits, whereby the spiral-wound filament in the bulb is positioned along the reflector axis. The bulb has a base with a cylindrical portion which is adjacent to a plate flange. The cylindrical portion of the base is encircled by the ring flange of the reflector opening in such a manner that the bulb is secured against shifting in the radial direction of the reflector axis.

Abstract: An improved tubular bulb supporting clip is disclosed. This clip allows for multiple modes of movement between the bulb supporting portion and the stationary stem of the clip. This structure allows for proper support of the tubular bulb even if the bulb has imperfections therein or the clips are not precisely positioned.

Abstract: A decorative illuminating mobile apparatus includes a support member that has an engaging surface that fits a generally flat adjacent anchoring surface such as a ceiling, floor, wall or the like. A first swivel member extends away from the support member. A plurality of separately rotatable appendages are connection sequentially together by a series of addition swivel members that space each appendage a part from another adjacent appendage and away from the support member engaging surface. This arrangement stacks the rotatable appendages vertically so there is a highest appendage and a lowest appendage with a plurality of appendages therebetween for example. At least some of the appendages include a light source that is powered by electricity. An electrical supply is provided for illuminating each light source, the electrical supply including rotational light electrical supply connection at the swivels.

Abstract: A lighting system for an automotive vehicle includes a remote laser light source coupled with a light transmitting fiber optic light guide bundle which illuminates a uniform thickness thin sheet optical element having a plurality of micro-optical wedges formed thereon and a plurality of diffractive optical elements disposed intermediate the fiber optic light guide bundle and the uniform thickness thin sheet optical element for receiving light and redirecting the light to predetermined regions of the plurality of micro-optical wedges.

Abstract: The specification describes a system for the thermal treatment of energetic materials which generate a tremendous volume of gaseous products upon combustion. The system includes a containment system which maintains an interface between hot exhaust gas products and a cooler gas, yet allows the relatively slow removal and treatment of the exhaust gas products from the containment system while permitting the inflow of gas into the containment system to replace an equivalent volume of exhaust gas products removed therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light pipe which includes a more effective light collector which transmits a larger amount of illumination to a lens located adjacent the light pipe. A lamp assembly includes a housing having walls defining a chamber and an open front. A lamp is mounted in the housing as well as a lens which covers the open front of the housing. The lens has a portion which extends laterally of the housing chamber. A light pipe is mounted to the housing adjacent the lens for collecting and distributing the light from the lamp along the laterally-extending portion of the lens. For more effective transmission of the light in a light distribution portion of the light pipe, the light-distributing portion can be provided with grooves along a surface distal from the lens to direct light from the light-collecting portion toward the lens.

Abstract: An outdoor illumination device of the type used for holiday decoration by aligning a plurality of such illumination devices in a linear array includes a body having walls forming a cavity therein with a base formed at one end thereof and an access opening formed at an opposite end thereof with the body being configured for emission of at least some light when illumination occurs within the cavity, and an assembly for supporting the candle forming the base, and an assembly for supporting an electric lamp socket formed in the base with the candle support assembly and the electric lamp support assembly being juxtaposed and configured for non-simultaneous accommodation of a candle and an electric lamp.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light string fixing structure which mainly includes a fixing seat and a lampholder detachably connected to the fixing seat. The fixing seat can be fixedly mounted onto a desired position by extending a nail or screw through a centered hole of the fixing seat into a wall surface or by glue or double-side adhesive tape. The lampholder is provided around a rear end with a flange and the fixing seat is provided around a periphery with claws, such that when the lampholder is backward pushed into the fixedly mounted fixing seat, it is retained in place in the fixing seat by the engagement of the claws with the flange. Whereby light strings using the fixing structure can be easily installed to form desired patterns and lamps connected to the lampholders contained in the light strings are protected from swinging or colliding and broken caused by wind or an outcoming force.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp light-up control apparatus for use in a refrigerator having a plurality of fluorescent lamps which are installed in a plurality of cooling compartments, for illuminating a corresponding cooling compartment is provided, which includes a preheating starter which is commonly connected to the plurality of fluorescent lamps, a switch for selectively connecting the starter to one of the plurality of fluorescent lamps, and a light-up controller for controlling the switching means so that the starter is connected to the fluorescent lamp in an opened cooling compartment when a door of one of the plurality of cooling compartments is opened, thereby performing a preheating operation necessary for lighting up each fluorescent lamp installed in a fresh food compartment and a freezing compartment by using a single starter, which provides an economic product.

Abstract: An airport inset light adjustable alignment container set provides a light fixture and support for airport runway, taxiway, or other aircraft ground traffic areas and variable length extension means for rotatably adjusting height by a vertical displacement range of up to six inches (15 cm) or more. For previously installed, old airport inset lights, a variable length extension assembly of the present invention can be connected to a fixed connecting flange for rotatably adjusting the height and azimuth alignment of a conventional, prior art airport inset light, e.g., one which has been previously installed without the benefit of the present invention. A novel top flange is adapted to receive various different designs of inset lights and to provide a protection ring "mud dam." Rotation locking means are provided for securing the rotatable adjustment apparatus from further rotation.

Abstract: A surface light source apparatus is constituted such that an overhang portion overhanging a light source is provided on part of an end surface where the light source of an optical guide plate is arranged in such a manner that it is flush with the front surface of the optical guide plate and that an incident light control unit formed from a resin for diffusing and attenuating light is provided integratedly on at least an overhang portion side out of the overhang portion and the end surface of the optical guide plate, and accordingly light from the light source is transmitted through the overhang portion, radiated in an illumination direction, and diffused and attenuated by the incident light control unit to equalize the amount of light so that it can be used as illumination light. Thereby, the total area of the light emitting portions is increased.

Abstract: In a device for adjusting the tilt of a motor vehicle headlight, using a stepping motor that adjusts the inclination of the headlight as a drive motor which is controlled in accordance with a tilt set value, the stepping frequency of the stepping motor, depending on the headlight operating temperature, is smaller for low temperatures than for higher temperatures.