Patents Examined by Mark Tsidulko
  • Patent number: 7527406
    Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a receiving container, a first side mold, a printed circuit board and a plurality of lamps. The first side mold is on the side of the receiving container. The printed circuit board is combined with the first side mold, the printed circuit board including a plurality of conductive clips and a power supply line assembly for transmitting a lamp driving electric power. The lamps are combined with the conductive clips to generate light based on the lamp driving electric power. The power supply line assembly includes a first conductive line electrically connected to a subgroup of conductive clips and a second conductive line electrically connected to the other conductive clips. The first and second conductive lines are supplied with the lamp driving electric powers that have reverse phases to each other. Therefore, noise is decreased according to its waterfall curve to improve an image display quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-Soo Kwon, Jung-Tae Kang, Sang-Hoon Park, Jin-Ho Ha, Woong-Jae Chang
  • Patent number: 7520645
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp includes: a first light source module having semiconductor light emitting elements; a first optical member for applying light generated by the first light source module to an area of the light distribution pattern of the vehicular headlamp; a second light source module that has semiconductor light emitting elements and generates light having the brightness higher than that of the light of the first light source module; and a second optical member for applying the light generated by the second light source module to an area narrower than the area to which the light is applied by the first optical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Ishida
  • Patent number: 7517125
    Abstract: A backlight unit including: a light source that irradiates light; and a diffusing plate that diffuses the light irradiated from the light source, wherein the diffusing plate is provided with a first microlens of ellipsoid form, and a second microlens of ellipsoid form disposed in such a manner that long axes of the first microlens and the second microlens are approximately perpendicular to each other, and a long axis direction of the first microlens and a long axis direction of the light source are arranged approximately parallel to each other, and a long axis direction of the second microlens and the long axis direction of the light source are arranged approximately perpendicular to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hironori Hasei, Akira Inagaki, Kazumi Aruga
  • Patent number: 7513654
    Abstract: A lighting device for a vehicle has a light-emitting element disposed on an optical axis, a first reflection surface for reflecting light emitted from the light-emitting element in an outer radial direction of the optical axis, and a second reflection surface for reflecting the light reflected by the first reflection surface forward. A cross-sectional shape of the first reflection surface taken along a predetermined plane including the optical axis is an ellipse. The ellipse has a light-emitting center as a first focus and an axis line crossing the optical axis as a major axis. The second reflection surface is disposed between the first focus and a second focus of the ellipse. A cross-sectional shape of the second reflection surface taken along the predetermined plane is a parabola having the second focus of the ellipse as a focus and a point located forward of the focus as a vertex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Noriko Okada
  • Patent number: 7513662
    Abstract: A portable light intended for mounting on a garment as support includes two LED light sources spaced apart towards the rear of the portable light. A clipped base below on anchor facilitates locating a garment between the anchor and the base, and a spring action urges the base toward the anchor. A hingedly movable head for the LEDs is mounted on the housing to move to and form the housing. An opening of the housing causes a switch in the housing to move between an opened and closed position such that a circuit actives or de activates the LED lights when the head opens or closes relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Pelican Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Parker, Kevin Deighton, Mac Kidakarn
  • Patent number: 7513668
    Abstract: An illumination system for use in illuminating a spatial light modulator for a head up display system. The illumination system includes a high power light emitting diode (LED) array assembly; and, a Fresnel lens array operatively associated with the LED array assembly for receiving light produced by the LED and providing a nearly collimated light output for use by the spatial light modulator. Utilization of the ultra bright LED array and Fresnel lens array provides the capability of the illumination source to be made very thin, light weight, and efficient. The Fresnel lens array, which converges the light to be nearly collimated, enhances the harvest of the available flux thus increasing the system efficiency and providing a system that gives the illusion of having an image at infinity. Additional components such as holographic elements, optical compensation films, and brightness enhancement films can be used to tailor the light if required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Guolin Peng, Martin J. Steffensmeier
  • Patent number: 7470037
    Abstract: Disclosed is an airport light base including a light base container having an upper end with an inverted first flange having a first outer face, an opposing first inner face facing into the light base container, a continuous inwardly directed first edge bounding a first opening into the light base container, and ring segments affixed to the inner face of the first flange forming an inverted second flange under the first opening outboard of the first edge, the second flange for reception of an inset light fixture thereon and having a second outer face facing the first opening, an opposing second inner face facing into the light base container, and a continuous inwardly directed second edge bounding a second opening into the light base container, wherein the second opening is smaller than the first opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Inventors: Roger Bieberdorf, Gordon R. Fritz
  • Patent number: 7452117
    Abstract: A noise reduction device for use in a backlight module includes a plurality of noise reduction devices, each comprising a main body and an extension portion. The extension portion is adapted to cushion the interface between a lamp holder and a back bezel of the backlight module, so as to reduce pop noises generated by contact during temperature changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Shin-Li Chen, Fei-Ling Chou
  • Patent number: 7452113
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in controlling the direction of light rays and apparatus incorporating the improvements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Mark W. Newton, John K. Roberts, Timothy A. Bonardi, Jeremy A. Fogg, Timothy J. Thomas, Darin D. Tuttle, Jeremy A. Walser
  • Patent number: 7452100
    Abstract: A retractable, automatic, on/off flashlight system includes a retriever having a retriever spring and a line to be retracted by the retriever spring into the retriever in a retraction direction. A flashlight has a light source, a power source and a switch connected in a circuit. The switch has an actuator connected to the line. The actuator closes the switch and turns on the light source upon pulling the flashlight and the line away from the retriever in an extension direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Peggy Swartfager
  • Patent number: 7434955
    Abstract: An energy efficient flashlight system having multiple lighting display modes and a single operating switch that enables a user to step through the modes. The flashlight illuminates via the use of a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that preferably contain at least two colors, such as red and white, and are designed to coordinate in order to provide the plurality of modes including an emergency signaling mode, a red map reading mode or directional pointing mode and a bright illumination mode. The flashlight enables a user to hold, operate and toggle between modes using a single hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Premierlight Limited
    Inventors: John M. Vickers, Ben O. Scruggs
  • Patent number: 7425087
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a better design, and a uniform and bright lighting to a cover lens. A lamp holder holds a lamp L and a lamp bezel holds the lamp holder. The lamp bezel is attached to a roof of a vehicle. The cover lens covers a front side of the lamp bezel and the lamp holder. A part of the cover lens is embossed so as that the lamp holder is hardly visible through the cover lens from a front side of the cover lens. The part is thinly embossed as approaching to a periphery of the part in order to increase a light transmittance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Sawayanagi, Katsutoshi Kamiya, Kazutaka Toyoda
  • Patent number: 7387406
    Abstract: A modular light emitting diode (LED) mounting configuration is provided including a light source module having at least one LED. The module includes a heat conductive body portion adapted to conduct heat generated by the LED away from the LED. As a result, the LED can be operated with a higher current than normally allowed. Thus, LED brightness and performance is increased without decreasing life expectancy. An adhesive connects the LED module to the mount surface. A plurality of such LED modules can be pre-wired together in a substantially continuous fashion and provided in a dispenser, such as a roll or box. Thus, to install a plurality of such LED modules, a worker simply pulls modules from the dispenser as needed, secures the appropriate number of modules in place, and connects the assembled modules to a power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Permlight Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jagath Swaris, Scott Van Ness
  • Patent number: 7384165
    Abstract: A water feature having a housing with an electronics section and a water channel. A printed circuit board with an at least one light emitting diode (LED) where at least a portion of the at least one LED is in direct contact with the water while the electrical section remains waterproof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Inventor: Kevin Doyle
  • Patent number: 7384170
    Abstract: A counter light fixture has a fixture housing with a downward facing reflector and lamp sockets under the reflector, and a window panel hinged to the housing for access to the lamp sockets. The fixture housing is formed as a continuous extrusion including a wiring compartment which extends the length of the housing. The extrusion has a downwardly facing concave top section joined to an upwardly facing concave rear section. The reflector is under the downwardly facing concave top section, one or more lamp sockets are mounted under the reflector, the window panel is supported between opposite end caps of the housing under the downwardly facing concave top section, and the electrical wiring is contained in the upwardly facing concave rear section. The window panel slides away from a closed condition and then swings down to an open condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Troy-CSL Lighting, Inc.
    Inventor: Maer Skegin
  • Patent number: 7367706
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device according to the present invention has a lighting unit (UT) comprising a light guiding plate (3), a light source (2), a reflector (4), a reflecting sheet (5) and a housing (10), and a liquid crystal display panel (1). In the liquid crystal display device, increase in temperature of the light source (2) is prevented by providing an opening portion (S1) on the housing (10) such that the opening portion (S1) reaches the reflector (4). In the liquid crystal display device, light emission intensity of the lighting unit (UT) is not lowered during operation of the device, and further, a lifetime of the light source (2) is not shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshihiko Ura
  • Patent number: 7360926
    Abstract: A flash adornment includes a base, a shining mechanism held in the base, and an upper lid secured over the base; the base has several connecting holes near to the edge; the shining mechanism includes a circuit board, and light emitting elements; the circuit board has through holes facing respective connecting holes of the base; the upper lid has a hollowness, over which a transparent protective cover is secured; the upper lid has several fixing parts and posts on an edge of an inner side; each fixing part has a fitting room therein, which holds a respective one of the light emitting elements; the posts each have a hole, and they are passed through respective ones of the through holes of the circuit board; screws are passed through the connecting holes and into the holes of the posts to secure the upper lid to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Inventor: Ching-Hui Lee
  • Patent number: 7357523
    Abstract: An illuminating keyboard is provided. An illuminating keyboard includes a key module, a light guide plate, and a light source. The key module includes one or more keys. The light guide plate is disposed beneath the key module and includes a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings is formed outside any area directly beneath the one or more keys. The light source is disposed adjacent to the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Ko-Chia Kao, Chih-Kuang Chen, Hui-Kai Chou
  • Patent number: 7354175
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for an environmentally resistant germicidal lamp are disclosed. A cover may have a material resistant to at least one of dripping, light splashing, light spraying of liquid and condensation. The cover may have a first section having an opening for receiving a base of a lamp, and an inner surface for encompassing and being slightly larger than an outer cross section of the base when the first section receives the base. The cover may have a second section having an opening for receiving a socket of an electric discharge lamp fixture, and an inner surface for encompassing and being slightly larger than an outer cross section of the socket when the second section receives the socket. The cover may shield and partially enclose electrical contacts of either the base or the socket from at least one of dripping, light splashing, light spraying of liquid and condensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Steril-Aire, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Culbert, William Ryczek
  • Patent number: 7347576
    Abstract: An instrument cluster assembly includes a first instrument cluster graphic and a second instrument cluster graphic. The second instrument cluster graphic is superimposed on the first instrument cluster graphic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Continential Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Taochuan Bruce Wang, Vyacheslav B. Birman, Richard Sanders, Werner Eckardt, Christopher J. Volpe