Patents Examined by Sean P. Gramling
  • Methods, apparatus and systems for providing occupancy-based variable lighting
    Patent number: 11339927
    Abstract: A presence or an absence of an occupant is detected, and an occupancy sensor signal is generated representative of an active state in which the presence of the occupant is detected, and an inactive state in which the absence of the occupant is detected. An ambient light sensor detects the ambient light level and generates an ambient light sensor signal representative of the ambient light level. Dimmable illumination is generated at a first dimming level, based on the ambient light level, corresponding to the active state and a second dimming level corresponding to the inactive state. A transition delay time between an onset of the inactive state and a transition between the first dimming level and the second dimming level may be controlled. The first dimming level, the second dimming level, and/or the transition delay time may be variably set or controlled locally or via a remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Chemel, Frederick Morgan, Christopher L. Elledge, John Egan
  • Apparatus for high efficiency laser static phosphor module
    Patent number: 11340520
    Abstract: In described examples, a body includes an opening in a central portion of a surface, a cavity having sides extending from the opening into the body, and a bottom surface within the body supporting a phosphor configured to emit light when energized by incoming light. In a further arrangement, the sides are tapered from the opening to the bottom surface, such that a cross sectional area of the opening is greater than a cross sectional area of the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Zhongyan Sheng, Terry Alan Bartlett
  • Light emitting device including variable transmission film to control intensity and pattern
    Patent number: 11333323
    Abstract: A lamp includes a variable transmissive film and a light source arranged to transmit light through the variable transmissive film. The variable transmissive film includes an encapsulated dispersion containing a plurality of electrically charged particles and a fluid, the charged particles being movable by application of an electric field and capable of being switched between an open state and a diffusing state. In some embodiments, one portion of the variable transmission film is in the open state and one portion is in the closed state, thereby allowing light from the source to be shaped, e.g., into task lighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Antranig Baronian, Brian D. Bean, George G. Harris
  • Foldable lighted sphere
    Patent number: 11333331
    Abstract: A foldable, three-dimensional structure, such as a sphere, which is lighted to provide a decorative display. The sphere includes a clean-lined display defined by collapsible lighted frame ribs. The frame ribs rotate about the central support to achieve a compact position for improved storage and shipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Wintergreen corporation
    Inventors: William Hale, Frank Skinner
  • Cooling device, light source device, and medical observation system
    Patent number: 11320134
    Abstract: A cooling device includes: a casing including an air intake port and an air exhaust port; a single heat releaser including a plurality of fins arranged in a gas flow path from the air intake port to the air exhaust port; a first heat diffuser arranged in the casing, connected to a first heat generation body generating heat at time of driving and the single heat releaser in a heat-transferable manner, and arranged at a position forming a part of the gas flow path passing through a space between the plurality of fins; and a second heat diffuser arranged in the casing, connected to a second heat generation body generating heat at time of driving and the single heat releaser in a heat-transferable manner, and arranged at a position forming a part of the gas flow path passing through the space between the plurality of fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignees: SONY CORPORATION, SONY OLYMPUS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventors: Motoki Ozeki, Yoichiro Sakanoue
  • Automatic stage lighting tracking system and a control method therefor
    Patent number: 11324095
    Abstract: An automatic stage lighting tracking system comprises an emitting element detachably mounted on a target to be tracked, a stage light source element for illuminating the tracked target, an upper computer software having an OpenCV computer vision library and a DMX512 console, and a photographing element for detecting a position of the emitting element and photographing an image of the target, and transmitting the image and position signal to the upper computer software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventor: Weikai Jiang
  • Display illumination using a wedge waveguide
    Patent number: 11307347
    Abstract: A device for illuminating a spatial light modulator includes a light source and an optical element. The light source is configured to provide illumination light. The optical element has a first surface, a second surface that is distinct from and non-parallel to the first surface, and a third surface that is distinct from and non-parallel to the first surface and the second surface. The optical element is configured to receive the illumination light at the first surface, propagate the illumination light via total internal reflection, and output the illumination light from the third surface. Also disclosed is a method performed by the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ying Geng, Adrian Travis, Gang Li
  • Electronic device displays with curved surfaces
    Patent number: 11309370
    Abstract: A plurality of fibers may be included in an electronic device display to allow the display to have a curved output surface. Each fiber may guide light from one or more display pixels on the display panel to a display output surface. The fibers may be bent, allowing light from the display pixels to be displayed on a three-dimensional display output surface of any desired shape. The fibers may be formed from a high refractive index core surrounded by a cladding. The fibers may be formed from an activated photoactive material. The fibers may cover the entire display panel, the periphery of the display panel, or the corners of the display panel. The display panel may have one or more bends. Polarizing fibers may be used to both guide light from the display panel and serve as a linear polarizer for the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Brown, Yi Qiao, Tyler R. Kakuda, Alexis G. Soyseven, Jean-Pierre S. Guillou
  • Anti-loosing structure and backlight module
    Patent number: 11300274
    Abstract: An anti-loosing structure includes a first buckle element and a second buckle element. The first buckle element has a first substrate and a clamping portion disposed on the first substrate. The second buckle element has a second substrate, an embedding portion disposed on the second substrate, and an anti-loosing block. The embedding portion is made of an elastic material, the anti-loosing block is movably disposed in the embedding portion, and is configured to cause the embedding portion to be elastically expanded. The embedding portion is configured to be inserted into the clamping portion, causing the embedding portion to connect to the clamping portion by interference fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignees: Futaijing Precision Electronics (Yantai) Co., Ltd., FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventors: Hun-Yi Chou, Chih-Cheng Lee
  • Compact multi-material cut-off tool
    Patent number: 11298793
    Abstract: A compact multi-material cut-off tool includes a housing, and an arbor rotatably supported by the housing upon which a cutting disk is attachable for co-rotation therewith. A motor is coupled to the arbor to provide torque thereto. A controller is operable to selectively drive the motor in a first rotational direction and an opposite, second rotational direction. A first lighting element is coupled to a first portion of the housing, and a second lighting element is coupled to a second portion of the housing. One of the first lighting element and the second lighting element is configured to be activated by the controller in response to the motor being driven in the first rotational direction. The other of the first lighting element and the second lighting element is configured to be activated by the controller in response to the motor being driven in the second rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: TECHTRONIC CORDLESS GP
    Inventors: Ronald C. McCurry, Adam Gathers, Kyle B. Yeomans, Brian D. Mertel, M. Grayson Jacoway, Brandon L. Hicks, Jesse J. Jerabek, Nicholas S. Norton
  • Diffuse lighting systems
    Patent number: 11280457
    Abstract: Light fixtures often have bright spots caused by the light sources that can be unpleasant or uncomfortable to look at. A light system is provided that diffuses the light. The light system includes an exterior body defining a void therein and an internal structure positioned within the void. The internal structure comprises at least a web and a flange extending from the web, and one or more lights positioned along the length of the web. The internal structure supports the exterior body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: MOLO DESIGN, LTD.
    Inventors: Todd P. MacAllen, Stephanie J. Forsythe
  • Multi-array lighting system for providing high intensity narrow spectrum light
    Patent number: 11272594
    Abstract: Multisource LED systems for providing high intensity narrow spectrum light are provided. In one example embodiment, a lighting system includes one or more first light sources configured to emit high intensity narrow spectrum (HINS) light. The lighting system can include one or more second light sources configured to emit non-HINS light. The system can include a power circuit configured to provide power to the one or more first light sources and the one or more second light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Pritam Yadav, Douglas M. Hamilton, Christopher Lane Bailey
  • Rotating and removable light bar and case for transport/storage of the same
    Patent number: 11268664
    Abstract: A light bar may include a body, a battery housed inside the body, a lighting element housed inside the body, a switch operably coupled to the lighting element and the battery to enable control of lighting intensity of the lighting element based on a position of the switch, a first fixing assembly formed at opposing longitudinal ends of the body, and a second fixing assembly. The first fixing assembly may be configured to enable the light bar to be removable and rotatable relative to a case. The second fixing assembly may be disposed at a portion of the body that is between the opposing longitudinal ends, the second fixing assembly being configured to enable the light bar to be affixed to an object when the light bar is removed from the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Apex Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Pugh, II, Chad Aaron Miley, Russell J. Bohart, Eric Jon Van Fossen, Brandon Rowlan Stumpf
  • Lamp apparatus
    Patent number: 11255507
    Abstract: A lamp apparatus may include: a housing; a board housed in the housing; a plurality of light source modules mounted on the board and configured to generate light; an optic unit through which lights emitted from the plurality of light source modules enter and exit; a lens unit installed in the housing, and installed in front of the optic unit; and a control unit configured to individually turn on/off the plurality of light source modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kyung Gu Min
  • Backlight module and display apparatus
    Patent number: 11248756
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a backlight module and a display apparatus. In one embodiment, the backlight module includes: a frame body defining a cavity therein and having an opening communicated with the cavity; and a light strip disposed at the opening of the frame body and detachably connected to the frame body, wherein the light strip comprises a lamp bead that is disposed toward the cavity through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignees: K-TRONICS (SUZHOU) TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jun Xiao
  • Light beam forming module, especially in the vehicle external lighting system
    Patent number: 11248771
    Abstract: A light beam forming module, in particular in the vehicle external lighting system, is in the form of a monolithic body formed of a plurality of contiguous cross-sectional segments, each of which includes an entrance surface facing the light source, an exit surface, and a first total internal reflection surface and at least another total internal reflection surface. A first total internal reflection surface is positioned downstream of the entrance surface, and at least one further total internal reflection surface has a shaped optical structure formed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: VARROC LIGHTING SYSTEMS, S.R.O.
    Inventors: Aleksandra Wolak-Gorczyca, Bartosz Glowacz
  • Patterned light guide structure and method to form the same
    Patent number: 11249245
    Abstract: A patterned light guide structure includes a transparent substrate with a first side and with a second side, an anti-reflective layer directly attached to the first side, a first light-shielding layer directly disposed on the anti-reflective layer, a second light-shielding layer directly disposed on the second side, and a protecting layer directly disposed on the first light-shielding layer to keep the first light-shielding layer from any deteriorating damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: HIMAX TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Yu-Jui Hsieh, Po-Nan Chen, Ya-Jing Yang
  • Ceiling light apparatus
    Patent number: 11242968
    Abstract: A ceiling light apparatus includes a base plate, a light passing cover, a driver and a light source module. The base plate has a center protrusion portion and a peripheral protrusion portion. In addition, the base plate has a peripheral wall. The driver is disposed in the center protrusion portion. The light source module is disposed on the front side of the base plate. The driver is disposed on the front side of the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: XIAMEN ECO LIGHTING CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Shouqiang Hou, Yongzhe Dong, Xiaoliang Wen, Wenjin Peng
  • Reflector for a supplementary beam
    Patent number: 11242971
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp assembly, a reflector for the headlamp assembly, and a method for generating a supplementary beam using the reflector are provided. The vehicle headlamp assembly includes a light source and a reflector. The reflector includes a plurality of facets. Each facet of the plurality of facets is configured to contribute to a section of a beam pattern of a light beam of the headlamp assembly by reflecting light emitted by the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Brant Potter
  • Dock light apparatus
    Patent number: 11236873
    Abstract: A dock light apparatus comprises a light fixture and an elongated arm including an axially straight portion coupled to an axially curved portion having a rigid bend. The straight portion is configured to mount to a wall and the curved portion is configured to support the light fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: TRI LITE, INC.
    Inventor: Michael P. Mackin