Patents Examined by Thanh X. Luu
  • Patent number: 8011790
    Abstract: An image display apparatus is provided that allows a user to check image content even in a place where there is no projection screen. A projector that is one mode of the image display apparatus includes a casing, a projection aperture provided in the casing, and an internal projection mirror and a built-in screen that are provided in a casing. When the projector is being folded, laser light emitted from the projection aperture is reflected by the internal projection mirror. The reflected light is projected onto the built-in screen, whereby an image is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Nagashima, Atsuhiko Chikaoka, Seiji Takemoto, Hiroki Matsubara
  • Patent number: 8013285
    Abstract: An apparatus for capturing images. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises: a coded lens array including a plurality of lenses arranged in a coded pattern and with opaque material blocking array elements that do not contain lenses; and a light-sensitive semiconductor sensor coupled to the coded lens array and positioned at a specified distance behind the coded lens array, the light-sensitive sensor configured to sense light transmitted through the lenses in the coded lens array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Rearden, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen G. Perlman, Axel Busboom, Pamela Greene, Tim S. Cotter, John Speck, Roger van der Laan
  • Patent number: 8008610
    Abstract: An image measuring instrument includes a camera that images a plurality of measured points based on a preset measuring procedure, and an illumination unit that irradiates the measured points. The image measuring instrument measures a dimension and a shape of a to-be-measured object while the illumination unit irradiates light having illumination light quantity corresponding to an illumination preset value with reference to the illumination preset value that is preliminarily set for every measured point. An illumination light quantity setting method includes a command signal output step that outputs a command signal for irradiating light having the illumination light quantity corresponding to the illumination preset value for every measured point, an offset value assigning step that assigns an offset value to the command signal to be sent to the illumination unit, and a setting step that sets the offset value to be variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Hidemitsu Asano, Sadayuki Matsumiya
  • Patent number: 8007111
    Abstract: A projector includes: an image pickup unit which obtains an image of a subject; an image signal processing unit which cuts an image corresponding to a projection display area of the subject contained in an image obtained by the image pickup unit, and processes an image signal such that the cut image has a predetermined size to produce a projection image signal; and a projection unit which produces an image according to the image signal produced by the image signal processing unit and projects the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyoto Kojima
  • Patent number: 8003931
    Abstract: A transparent-front vending machine includes an optical vend-sensing system with an article sensing subsystem arranged athwart a vend space. The article sensing subsystem has two emitter/detector arrays, each having at least one emitter and a plurality of detectors. The emitter/detector arrays are arranged so that at least some electromagnetic radiation emitted by an emitter of the first array can be detected by at least two active detectors of the second array, and at least some electromagnetic radiation emitted by an emitter of the second array can be detected by at least two active detectors of the first array so that articles falling through the vend space will interrupt electromagnetic radiation between an emitter and at least one detector. At least two emitters are active at one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Automated Mechandising Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul L. Mason, David A. Sprankle
  • Patent number: 7997735
    Abstract: A laser projection system including a system controller, a visible light source, and a light disrupting element is provided. The visible light source includes at least one laser and the laser projection system is programmed to scan a scanned optical signal of the visible light source across a plurality of image pixels. The scanned optical signal comprises a low spatial frequency beam and a high spatial frequency beam, and the low spatial frequency beam generates a low spatial frequency image having spatial frequencies below a spatial frequency threshold, the high spatial frequency beam generates a high spatial frequency image having spatial frequencies that are above the spatial frequency threshold, and the scanned laser image is a sum of the high spatial frequency image and the low spatial frequency image. The low spatial frequency beam is altered by an out of focus light disrupting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Jacques Gollier
  • Patent number: 7994460
    Abstract: An method and system for laser beam tracking and pointing is based on a conventional position sensing detector (PSD) or quadrant cell but with the use of amplitude-modulated light. A combination of logarithmic automatic gain control, filtering, and synchronous detection offers high angular precision with exceptional dynamic range and sensitivity, while maintaining wide bandwidth. Use of modulated light enables the tracking of multiple beams simultaneously through the use of different modulation frequencies. It also makes the system resistant to interfering light sources such as ambient light. Beam pointing is accomplished by feeding back errors in the measured beam position to a beam steering element, such as a steering mirror. Closed-loop tracking performance is superior to existing methods, especially under conditions of atmospheric scintillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Robert F. Steinkraus, Jr., Gary W. Johnson, Anthony J. Ruggiero
  • Patent number: 7989746
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rail-type solar tracking system with a focusing function. The invention includes a plurality of support elements, a Fresnel lens, a rail platform, a load bearing platform and a pushing device. The system moves a solar cell on the load bearing platform to a focus position where sunlight is focused by the Fresnel lens to collect solar energy. Hence, the invention collects solar energy without moving heavy lens so as to reduce power consumption and improve the electric power generating efficiency of the solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Hsuan-Tsung Chen, Pei-Ying Yeh, Nien-Chen Lin, Jia-Yush Yen
  • Patent number: 7989788
    Abstract: A method for determining a position of a mechanical edge of a reference edge of a sheet of recording media relative to a first edge of a drum slot in a cylindrical surface of an imaging drum, the method includes mounting the sheet of recording media on the imaging drum in an orientation wherein the reference edge extends along the cylindrical surface of the imaging drum in a substantially axial direction and wherein the reference edge extends over the first edge of the drum slot; establishing at least one acute apex diffuse light source in the slot; capturing at least one digital camera image of the reference edge and the at least one acute apex diffuse light source; and determining from the at least one digital camera image a location of at least one point on the mechanical edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Peter J. Hawes, Allan Warnes
  • Patent number: 7988296
    Abstract: An apparatus for creating two identical images with matching geometry and luminosity from a single two-dimensional image or series of moving images whereby they may be projected simultaneously or sequentially along two axis at substantially equal focal distance from the projection screen by a single film or digital projector as a pseudo-stereoscopic pair of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventor: Zoran Perisic
  • Patent number: 7980704
    Abstract: There is a need for being able to excellently audiovisually receive contents without disordering a room atmosphere. An audiovisual room 1 is provided with one wall including an inner wall 2 and an outer wall 3. Part or all of the inner wall 2 forms a rear-projection screen 6C or a diaphragm (speaker unit) 6A. Equipment such as a projector 10 and an amplifier is placed in a space between the inner wall 2 and the outer wall 3. The space is large enough for a person to enter. Accordingly, a serviceperson etc. can enter the space to easily do works such as maintaining the equipment. The equipment such as the projector is not placed in the audiovisual room 1, making it possible to audiovisually receive contents without disordering a room atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Tetsushi Kokubo, Yasushi Tatehira, Kenji Tanaka, Hitoshi Mukai, Hirofumi Hibi, Kazumasa Tanaka, Akihiko Arimitsu, Junichi Shima, Tsugihiko Haga, Nobuyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7973300
    Abstract: It is intended to achieve a high level of positioning accuracy for a substrate assuming a two-layer structure constituted with a transparent layer with a high level of light transmissivity and a nontransparent layer with a low level of light transmissivity. A substrate positioning device according to the present invention characterized in that only the edge of the nontransparent layer, not the edge of the transparent layer, is exclusively detected and the substrate is positioned based upon the detection results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takahashi, Chikara Tokida
  • Patent number: 7972003
    Abstract: A visible laser beam projection system determines a target point of position to which a visible laser beam is to be projected, a start point and a trajectory from the start point and the target point based on data of conditions inside and outside of a vehicle. The system starts projecting the visible laser beam from the start point, moves the visible laser beam while it is being projected along the trajectory and stops the projection of the visible laser beam. The start point, target point and the trajectory may be changed depending on contents to be indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Mori, Yoshihisa Sato, Tetsuya Enokizaka
  • Patent number: 7972010
    Abstract: A projector that includes: a projector body including an image optical system for image creation and projection, and an image circuit that operates the image optical system; an auxiliary input unit that forms an auxiliary signal for exercising control over an operating state of the projector body; and a distribution unit that transfers the auxiliary signal formed by the auxiliary input unit to the image circuit and an external display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Miyasaka
  • Patent number: 7972014
    Abstract: A scanning projection apparatus for displaying image comprises a light source for generating a light beam, a beam scanner which deflects the light beam to project a two dimensional image field, a modulation means for modulating the intensity of the light beam, and a sensor to detect the scanned light beam. The light source may consist of a plurality of semiconductor lasers and/or solid state lasers to generate light beams with wavelengths of red, green and blue colors aligned into a single light path. The image field is divided into an active image field for displaying image and a dark field in the perimeter of the image field wherein the light beam is switched off to reduce inherent image defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Opus Microsystems Corporation
    Inventors: Chang-Li Hung, Ta-Wei Lin
  • Patent number: 7972011
    Abstract: An image projector according to the present invention includes a light source for emitting a laser beam, of which the intensity has been modulated in accordance with a modulation signal representing an image to be projected, and a beam deflection section for deflecting the laser beam two-dimensionally such that the image is produced by repeatedly scanning a screen with the laser beam in a predetermined pattern. The predetermined pattern has a repetitive frequency that is lower than a frame rate of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Kurozuka, Hironori Tomita
  • Patent number: 7972012
    Abstract: A projector includes a cooling device for performing cooling of a target object housed inside a housing, a first temperature sensor disposed in an anterior stage of the target object on a cooling path formed by the cooling device inside the housing, and for measuring a first detection temperature in an anterior area of the cooling among peripheral areas of the target object, a second temperature sensor disposed in a posterior stage of the target object on the cooling path, and for measuring a second detection temperature in a posterior area of the cooling among the peripheral areas, and a control device for performing calculation regarding the temperature of the target object from the first detection temperature and the second detection temperature, and controlling the cooling device based on the result of the calculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hisamaro Kato
  • Patent number: 7968860
    Abstract: A measurement system for measuring a degree of moisture stratification in a flat sheet product, such as paper, board or other materials. The system uses a combination of a reflection gauge and a transmission gauge to provide output signals indicative of surface moisture of a first side and of moisture in the body of the flat sheet product. The output signals are processed by a controller or computer to provide a measurement of the moisture stratification. An additional reflection gauge and an additional transmission gauge can also be used to provide additional output signals indicative of surface moisture of a second side of the flat sheet product and of moisture in the body. Narrow band radiation is used with modulation to distinguish from ambient radiation as well as radiation incident on the opposite side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
    Inventor: Frank M Haran
  • Patent number: 7967453
    Abstract: A member to be held is held in an external cabinet having a combination of a first cabinet and a second cabinet. A first supporting section is provided in the first cabinet and a second supporting section is provided in the second cabinet. A section to be sandwiched is provided in the member to be held, and the member to be held is held in the external cabinet by sandwiching this section to be sandwiched by the first supporting section and the second supporting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaharu Adachi, Shinichi Okuno, Ryuhei Amano, Takashi Ikeda, Takashi Miwa
  • Patent number: 7964833
    Abstract: The invention pertains to methods, components, and operations of multi-focal intraocular lens systems, including range finding for driving same and for discriminating between multiple objects and varying brightness conditions. The invention also pertains to intraocular photosensors and range-finding methods to be used with intra-ocular lens systems, and components, that provide multi-focal IOL capabilities in dynamic visual environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Elenza, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack T. Holladay