Patents Examined by Thanh X. Luu
  • Patent number: 7887199
    Abstract: A dual purpose projectable projector frame comprises a main frame body, a upper end thereof is disposed with a first through hole; the first through hole being surrounded with two side walls; two side walls are pivotally coupled to two sides of a reflector; a projecting image emitted from a projection head is projected to the front or the back of the main frame body by adjusting an angle of a reflection face of the reflector reflecting light projected from a projector to allow the projector to have a dual purpose function of a general projection and capability of projecting an image onto a table face to enable the application of the projector to be broader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Aopen Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng-Hsiung Cheng, Yao-Wen Hsu
  • Patent number: 7888644
    Abstract: An imaging system (30, 30?) and corresponding method has a two-dimensional imaging sensor array (32) and an associated optical system. The optical system includes at least one optical arrangement (34, 36a, 36b) defining a field of view (38a, 38b) of given angular dimensions and an optical switching mechanism (40) for alternately switching an optical axis of the imaging system between two directions (42a, 42b). The optical switching mechanism and the optical arrangement(s) are deployed such that the imaging sensor array generates images of at least two generally non-overlapping fields of view of equal angular dimensions and with diverging optical axes in fixed spatial relation. Rapid switching between the fields of view allows quasi-continuous monitoring of a larger field of view than would otherwise be possible while maintaining sensitivity to transient events. Also disclosed is an infrared search and tracking system based on such imaging systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Assa Fine, Chanoch Miller
  • Patent number: 7887196
    Abstract: A method for operating a projection system (1) is described, wherein a brightness level (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6) in an image (IM) is represented by the total length of a number of light switch-on phases within a particular image cycle (VT). A high pressure discharge lamp (2) of the projection system (1) is operated via a lamp driver with an essentially square-wave alternating current (IL) SO that an overshoot sequence (0), which occurs in the alternating current (IL) after a current zero crossing during operation of the high pressure discharge lamp (2), has a frequency so high that for each possible brightness level at least one full period (P) of the overshoot sequence (0) lies essentially within a light switch-on or switch-off phase (ts) following the zero crossing. A projection system (1) and a lamp driver (10) for a high pressure discharge lamp (2) in such a projection system (1) are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Carsten Deppe, Tom Munters, Christofher Daniel Charles Hooijer, Hans Feijen, Sander Habets
  • Patent number: 7884987
    Abstract: A scanning display device is disclosed. The scanning display device includes: first to M-th scan mirrors (where M is an integer of at least 2), each of which scans a light signal in a first direction; and a scanning unit for scanning the light signal scanned by each of the first to M-th scan mirrors in a second direction, wherein a m-th scan mirror (where 1?m?M?1) scans the light signal in the first direction, and a n-th scan mirror (where 2?n?M) adjacent to the m-th scan mirror scans the light signal scanned by the m-th scan mirror in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jae Wook Kwon
  • Patent number: 7884313
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement includes at least one transparent elevation, which is formed on the surface. The transparent elevation is made of a first transparent material. At least one first facet of the transparent elevation defines a first angle with the surface. This first angle is larger than an angle at which a total-reflection occurs at an interface of the first transparent material and air and is at the same time smaller than an angle at which a total reflection occurs at an interface of the first transparent material and the liquid. A light source is arranged for emitting an incident ray into a first direction passing through the surface into the transparent elevation such that in a presence of a liquid at the first facet, an incident ray is transmitted through the first facet. In an absence of a liquid, the incident ray is reflected due to a total reflection at the facets. A light detector is provided for detecting the reflected ray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Matthieu Richard
  • Patent number: 7880132
    Abstract: A camera module lens cap is provided to protect a camera module in a mobile device where the camera module is exposed. The camera module lens cap includes an optically transparent member for positioning adjacent a camera lens, and a housing for carrying the optically transparent member. The housing includes an overhanging lip for engaging a base of the camera module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited, STMicroelectronics Pte Ltd, STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventors: Stuart Brodie, Hazel McInnes, Kum Weng Loo, Mickael Miglietti, Eric Saugier
  • Patent number: 7875870
    Abstract: According to the present invention, during identification of recording medium type, positioning of a recording medium at a measurement position for measuring the recording medium is facilitated, and the number of sensors for measuring the recording medium is reduced. In addition to identifying recording medium type, the top/reverse of the inserted recording medium can also be identified by way of a simple construction. A recording medium identification device, which identifies the type of a recording medium inserted through an insertion slot, comprises a plurality of sensors arranged in a band-like region having a predetermined width, in a depth direction, and a plurality of sensors arranged in a band-like region having a predetermined width, in a width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahito Maruyama
  • Patent number: 7871168
    Abstract: An illumination system includes a first light source, a second light source, a light-uniforming component and a color wheel. The first light source is disposed at a side of the color wheel and provides a first light beam, and the second light source is disposed at another side of the color wheel and provides a second light beam. The light-uniforming component has a light incidence end and a light emitting end opposite to the light incidence end, and the first light source and the second light source are disposed beside the light incidence end. The color wheel includes a plurality of filter units with different colors, each includes a transmissive portion and a reflective portion for respectively making a part of the first light beam pass through to reach the light incidence end, and reflecting a part of the second light beam to reach the light incidence end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Chin-Ku Liu, Chien-Chung Liao
  • Patent number: 7868284
    Abstract: An imaging optical module is designed to be placed in front of an optical image sensor of a semiconductor component. The module includes at least one element which has a refractive index that varies between its optical axis and its periphery, over at least an annular part and/or over its central part. The element may be a tablet in front of the semiconductor sensor or a lens in front of the semiconductor sensor. The direction of variation in refractive index may be oppositely oriented with respect to the table and lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Emmanuelle Vigier-Blanc, Guillaume Cassar
  • Patent number: 7868278
    Abstract: An auto darkening eye protection device comprising a shutter assembly and a control circuit. The shutter assembly is adjustable between a light state and a dark state. The control circuit comprises a sensing circuit, a weld detect circuit, a positive voltage generator, and a negative voltage generator. The sensing circuit senses incident light and provides an output indicative of the incident light. The weld detect circuit receives the output of the sensing circuit, and enables a dark state drive signal to be delivered to the shutter assembly. The positive and negative voltage generators output the dark state drive signal to the shutter assembly to switch the shutter assembly from the light state to the dark state upon enablement by the weld detect circuit. The dark state drive signal includes a high voltage pulse followed by a stable AC waveform. The high voltage pulse is formed by a positive voltage signal and a negative voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Jackson Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 7863554
    Abstract: While high-purity hexagonal boron nitride monocrystal (hBN) obtained by way of a high temperature/high-pressure treatment in the presence of a high-purity solvent has excellent properties in terms of far-UV luminescence characteristics, it has drawbacks including that it can be easily adversely affected by mechanical vibrations and impetus, that monocrystal shows a poor morphological retentiveness and that the luminescence characteristics fluctuate to shift the selected and set wavelength. The present invention can overcome the drawbacks of being easily affected by vibrations and showing a poor morphological retentiveness by grinding down the monocrystal obtained by a solvent/refining process into powder and applying the powder to a light emitting surface. Thus, the present invention provides crystal powder to be used for a far-UV luminescence device showing excellent luminescence characteristics that are stable and do not fluctuate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Kenji Watanabe, Takashi Taniguchi, Hisao Kanda
  • Patent number: 7863551
    Abstract: A system, method and medium tracks a motion of a subject using a laser by synchronizing an incident axis of the input image with an exit axis of the laser in order to radiate the laser based on an input image. The system includes a half mirror to reflect a predetermined amount of incident light and to transmit a remaining amount of the incident light, an image input unit to input an image reflected from the half mirror, a position identifying unit to identify a position of a first subject included in the input image, and a target tracking unit to track the first subject with reference to the identified position by radiating a laser transmitted through the half mirror onto the first subject along an axis from the half mirror and onto the first subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won-chul Bang, Kyu-yong Kim, Yeun-bae Kim
  • Patent number: 7857466
    Abstract: A projection-type image display device has a solid light source and a light valve, and causes light emitted from the solid light source to perform scanning on the light valve along a predetermined scanning line. The projection-type image display device is provided with a modulation amount controller configured to control a modulation amount of the light valve according to an input video signal which is a video signal inputted to the projection-type image display device, and an output controller configured to determine a reference output according to the input video signal. The output controller controls an output of the solid light source according to the reference output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Masutaka Inoue, Susumu Tanase, Takaaki Abe
  • Patent number: 7858916
    Abstract: An imager having a switching circuit that couples pixel columns to different sample and hold circuits to reduce the noticeability of column-wise fixed pattern noise. A controller randomly couples a pixel column to a sample and hold circuit, therefore fixed pattern noise emanating from a particular sample and hold circuit is not always associated with a single pixel column. Therefore the visual perception of fixed pattern noise associated with a particular sample and hold circuit is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Hai Yan
  • Patent number: 7858911
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer inspection system and method is provided which uses a multiple element arrangement, such as an offset fly lens array. The preferred embodiment uses a laser to transmit light energy toward a beam expander, which expands the light energy to create an illumination field. An offset fly lens array converts light energy from the illumination field into an offset pattern of illumination spots. A lensing arrangement, including a first lens, a transmitter/reflector, an objective, and a Mag tube imparts light energy onto the specimen and passes the light energy toward a pinhole mask. The pinhole mask is mechanically aligned with the offset fly lens array. Light energy passing through each pinhole in the pinhole mask is directed toward a relay lens, which guides light energy onto a sensor. The offset fly lens array corresponds to the pinhole mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher R. Fairley, Tao-Yi Fu, Bin-Ming Benjanim Tsai, Scott A. Young
  • Patent number: 7851736
    Abstract: A method and a device for optimizing the image display on imaging apparatuses register whether an operator is looking at the imaging apparatus. The image display of the imaging apparatus is optimized, when it is registered that the operator is looking at the imaging apparatus and namely by dimming the room lighting and/or by increasing the contrast of the imaging apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Martin Spahn
  • Patent number: 7851735
    Abstract: An auto focus device and method are provided. The device comprises a beam splitter set; a laser emitting device disposed at a first side of the beam splitter set for providing a laser beam to the beam splitter; a lens set disposed at a second side of the beam splitter set and opposing to the testing subject positioned at a third side of the beam splitter set for refracting a reflected beam from a testing subject for generating a light spot; and a photo detecting device disposed with respect to the lens set for receiving the light spot and generating a driving signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Technology Research Center National Applied Research Laboratories
    Inventors: Wei-Yao Hsu, Chien-Shing Lee, Nien-Tsu Chen, Po-Jui Chen, Cheng-Fang Ho, Fang-Hsuan Su, Fong-Zhi Chen, Chien-Jen Chen
  • Patent number: 7847237
    Abstract: A method for evaluating performance of a solar cell, comprising: a current passing step (S1) of passing, in a forward direction, a direct current with respect to a solar cell element constituting the solar cell; a temperature control step (S2) of heating the solar cell element and controlling a heating temperature of the solar cell element; and a light emission detecting step (S3) of detecting light emission characteristics of light generated from the solar cell element due to the passing of the direct current in the current passing step and the heating of the solar cell element in the temperature control step (S2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignees: National University Corporation Nara
    Inventor: Takashi Fuyuki
  • Patent number: 7845805
    Abstract: A discharge lamp lighting apparatus for lighting a discharge lamp, comprises an inverter which reverses a polarity of an output voltage and applies alternating voltage to the discharge lamp, and an inverter control circuit which generates an inverter control signal defining a polarity reversal operation of the inverter, based on a polarity reversal timing signal, wherein when the number of polarity reversals in one cycle of the polarity reversal timing signal is even, the inverter control circuit intermittently performs a first operation in which successive pulse-like part of the polarity reversal operation based on the polarity reversal timing signal is disregarded by odd number of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Ushio Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masashi Okamoto, Takanori Samejima, Akihiko Sugitani, Yoshihiro Horikawa
  • Patent number: 7847226
    Abstract: A light detection device includes a lens array of a plurality of lenses arranged in the form of a honeycomb; and a photoelectric device array of a plurality of photoelectric devices for each of the plurality of lenses. The plurality of photoelectric devices is arranged under each of the plurality of lenses. Also disclosed are a focus detection device provided with the light detection device, and an imaging apparatus provided with the focus detection device as well as a method of producing such a light detection device and a method of detecting a focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Toru Iwane