Patents Examined by Jason Han
  • Patent number: 7114840
    Abstract: An exit sign comprising a housing and a plurality of red and green color LEDs having the capability of being selectively activated to produce either red light or green light. The plurality of LEDs are mounted in a mutual lighting association in the housing. A switch is manually operable to selectively activate the plurality of red color LEDs to produce the red light and in the alternative, to selectively activate of the plurality of the green color LEDs to produce the green light. Means for passing light from the selected red light or selected green light in the form of indicia symbolizing an exit enables viewing by an observer, such means include a stencil having four independent letters forming the word EXIT. DC circuitry is in operative electrical connection with the plurality of LEDs. A source of DC electrical power activates the DC circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Inventor: Douglas Hamrick
  • Patent number: 7111969
    Abstract: An automotive tail light. An LED emits its light laterally. A reflection part surrounding the LED picks up the light and reflects it towards the light dish. A low height light is thus provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Bottesch, Otto Rolf Müller
  • Patent number: 7108398
    Abstract: A luminaire has a plurality of reflecting lamellae between side reflectors. The lamellae each have an outer edge, an inner surface facing away from the outer edge, and a plane of symmetry through the outer edge and the inner surface. The lamellae have a resin body and a recess in the inner surface, in the plane of symmetry. The recess has a bottom surface transverse to the plane of symmetry and substantially parallel walls along said plane. The recess may widen stepwise from the bottom plane towards the inner surface. The lamellae, as compared with metal lamellae, provide a greater freedom to choose their shape and are less expensive. They nevertheless avoid the occurrence of reflections on the side reflectors, which cause unpleasant bright spots within the cut-off angle of the luminaire. A lamellae grid suitable for the luminaire has strips interconnecting, and integral with, the lamellae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventor: Petrus Adrianus Josephus Holten
  • Patent number: 7108414
    Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include one or more light emitting panel members each having at least one pattern of optical deformities that may be varied in size, shape, density, placement, angle, rotation and/or type to obtain at least one light output distribution having a form or shape of at least one of text, graphics, logo or image. At least some of the optical deformities may be shaped or oriented preferentially to cause different colored light propagating through the panel member in different directions to create a multi-colored light output distribution. Also, a plurality of panel members each having a different light output distribution may be placed in overlying relation to one another to produce a composite output distribution when viewed through the panel members or a display overlying the panel members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Solid State Opto Limited
    Inventors: Timothy A. McCollum, Jeffery R. Parker, Robert M. Ezell
  • Patent number: 7101062
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a headlight device comprising in particular a light source, a mirror exhibiting a reflecting surface and a transparent optical deflection element positioned in front of the mirror, the mirror being capable of interacting with the light source in order to generate a beam bounded by a line of interruption, and the deflection element being capable of providing a horizontal displacement of the light without modifying the vertical distribution of the latter, and at least one detachment element arranged on at least one of the surfaces of the mirror or of the optical deflection element reached by the light to obtain a line of interruption of the light beam that is not flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Pierre Albou, Stephanie Figuiere
  • Patent number: 7097318
    Abstract: A mobile phone provided with lighting devices capable of capturing not only a still image but also a moving image in the dark. When a user sets the lighting of a light emitting section to ON at the time of capturing an image, the light emitting section is controlled so as to illuminate a subject for the most suitable time for capturing the image regardless of capturing a still image or moving image. Accordingly, it becomes possible to capture an image in the dark successfully. Moreover, the mobile phone can be used as a flashlight by continuously turning on the light emitting section that would be used when capturing an image. Accordingly, the mobile phone may be used for lighting when finding a keyhole, searching for something, etc. in the dark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeo Yoshihara
  • Patent number: 7093963
    Abstract: A light axis adjusting apparatus for a vehicle headlamp has an inclination sensor which receives at least two ultrasonic signals transmitted toward a road surface in a vehicle width direction, and detects the inclined state of a vehicle relative to the road surface based on a receiving time difference between the respective ultrasonic signals. Processings are performed such that the inclination angle ?? of the vehicle is detected based on the results of detection of the inclination sensor; an actuator is driven based on the inclination angle ?? to correct the inclination angle of the headlamp; and the abnormality of the inclination sensor is detected based on the state of reception of the ultrasonic signals. Thus, the inclined state of the vehicle is detected constantly with high accuracy, and the light axis of the headlamp can be adjusted appropriately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Hayashi, Masayuki Kayano
  • Patent number: 7093962
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for strategically illuminating a darkened area. The present invention may be used by law enforcement to illuminate an area without law enforcement officials having to reveal their position, which is the case if flashlights or other lighting means are used. The light emitting device comprises a substantially transparent housing. A circuit comprising light emitting means and battery means is contained within the housing. The circuit further comprises a time delay means, which delays the energizing of the light emitting means. The circuit comprises a switch which, upon activation, closes the circuit providing current from the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Inventor: Michael J. Mahoney
  • Patent number: 7086747
    Abstract: An energy-efficient lighting apparatus is disclosed. The lighting apparatus includes a ballast cover. The ballast cover includes a plurality of ballast cover holes. The lighting apparatus also includes a circuit board comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes. The circuit board is positioned adjacent the ballast cover so that the plurality of light-emitting diodes protrude through the plurality of ballast cover holes in the ballast cover. The lighting apparatus may also include a battery for supplying power to the plurality of light-emitting diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: SAFEexit, Inc.
    Inventors: Lyman O. Nielson, Norman B. Hess
  • Patent number: 7070294
    Abstract: A paver light having a masonry structure with an aperture that has a substantially constant diameter from an exterior surface to an interior surface of the masonry structure, and a lighting fixture positioned within the aperture of the masonry structure. The lighting fixture includes a support member with an internal cavity, an electrical socket removably received within the cavity of the support member, and a modular light assembly removably mounted to the support member. The modular light assembly is releasably connected to the socket such that the socket is removed from the cavity of the support member as the modular light assembly is removed from the support member. Upon removal of the modular light assembly from the support member, the modular light assembly can be disconnected from the socket for the purposes of repair or replacement externally of the masonry structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Inventor: Anthony Patti
  • Patent number: 7070290
    Abstract: An input device allowing the user to quickly differentiate between the input states is provided. The input device includes a cap, a first light source, a second light source and a control module. The first light source radiates a first light of a first color and the second light source radiates a second light of a second color. The cap includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion displays the light of the first light. The second portion displays the light of the second light. When the input device is in a first state, the control module controls the first light source to radiate the first light to illuminate the first portion. When the input device is in a second state, the control module controls the second light source to radiate the second light to illuminate the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Benq Corporation
    Inventor: Ta-Yuan Lee
  • Patent number: 7063428
    Abstract: A photography lightbank is extendable axially and radially to a larger size by an extension ring, which is removably attachable to the distal (front) end of the lightbank shroud. Extension rod connectors are configured for attachment of extension rods, which support the extension ring in outstretched configuration, to the distal ends of the primary support rods that support the lightbank shroud, while releasable fasteners attach the proximal end of the extension ring to the distal end of the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Chimera Company
    Inventor: Gregory Lowe
  • Patent number: 7063429
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus has a light-emitting element and a light-emitting portion. An output light from the light-emitting element is guided by a frame-like member having serrations and radiated toward the light-emitting portion. This causes the light-emitting portion to emit light reliably, and improves the decorativeness of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadao Hirano, Masato Ueno, Shinichi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7063436
    Abstract: An instrument for providing illumination of intraocular tissue during surgery generally includes a hand held light source which includes a light emitting diode, a power source for driving the diode and a control switch for interconnecting the diode with the power source. At least one fiber optic having a proximal end in light communication with the LED and a distal end size for insertion into an eye for illumination of intraocular tissue is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Medical Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Steen, Kenneth E. Kadziauskas
  • Patent number: 7059736
    Abstract: A backlight module includes a reflector, a support, a lamp, and a diffuser plate. The support is disposed on the reflector, and the lamp is disposed in the support. The diffuser plate is disposed on the reflector, and a predetermined gap is formed between the support and the diffuser plate. Thus, when the support is expanded, the diffuser plate is abutted by the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chuan-Pei Yu, Chien-Hung Kuo, Han-Chou Liu
  • Patent number: 7055986
    Abstract: An apparatus for emulating various known night sky illumination conditions. The apparatus comprises a plurality of electrically-powerable LEDs which are disposed in an array and have respective spectral curves centered at different wavelengths in the visible to the short wave infrared wavebands, and means for fixing the temperatures of the LEDs to avoid temperature-induced changes in their spectral curves. Additionally, the apparatus includes means for varying the light intensities of the individual LEDs so that the combination of their spectral curves matches the spectrum of the known night sky illumination condition to be emulated, and means for regulating the total amount of light collected from the array so that the cumulative spectrum has the same intensity as the known night sky illumination condition to be emulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Roy T. Littleton
  • Patent number: 7052155
    Abstract: An illuminated magnetic retrieval apparatus includes an illumination module which includes a handle portion which houses a battery power supply and which houses illumination circuit means powered by the battery power supply. A flexible optical fiber light conveyance is connected to the handle portion for receiving light from the illumination circuit means. The illumination circuit means include an illumination actuation switch and a light source operated by the illumination actuation switch. The handle portion further includes a housing-mounted electrical connector and an electromagnet actuation switch that is electrically connected to the housing-mounted electrical connector. An electromagnetic retrieval module is connected to the illumination module with cap-shaped handle connection means. The electromagnetic retrieval module also includes a flexible tube for jacketing the flexible optical fiber light conveyance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Gavin, William A. Sampson
  • Patent number: 7051391
    Abstract: An emergency escape tool for helping people escaping from a vehicle while emergency has a member on which has a hole and a recess. The main member is provided with a hammer and a cutting device respectively at opposite ends thereof and two covers detachably mounted on the main member to shield the hammer and the cutting device. A whistle is received in the hole of the main member on which has a light emitting device. A clip and a holder are mounted on the main member to fasten the main member on a seat belt of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Lo-Pin Wang
  • Patent number: 7052167
    Abstract: Therapeutic devices and methods for applying therapy. In an exemplary embodiment, a therapeutic device generally includes one or more light sources for emitting therapeutic light. The therapeutic device can also include means for applying hot therapy and/or cold therapy to a user's body when the therapeutic device is positioned on the user's body. The therapeutic device can further include a massager and/or an adhesive bandage strip for attaching the lighted therapeutic device to the user's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Carl R. Vanderschuit
  • Patent number: 7048402
    Abstract: A lamp assembly for a microscope, the microscope having a stand, comprising a female member comprising a first electrical socket, the socket arranged to provide a source of electricity for a lamp, the female receptacle located inside the microscope stand, and, a male member comprising at least two electrical pin terminals arranged to matingly engage the first electrical socket to receive electricity therefrom, and, a second socket electrically connected to the at least two electrical pin terminals, the second socket arranged to hold the lamp and provide electricity thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems CMS GmbH
    Inventors: Jasna Roeth, Manfred Gilbert, Kenneth M. Northem, Paul M. Harrison