Patents Examined by Tuyen Q Tra
  • Patent number: 7637616
    Abstract: A retinal scanning display device is disclosed which is configured to include: a light source emitting a light beam; a scanner scanning onto a viewer's retina the light beam emitted from the light source; a light exit at which the light beam scanned by the scanner exits the retinal scanning display device; and a pupil expanding element operable to expand an exit pupil of the retinal scanning display device. The pupil expanding element may be disposed at a position which is offset from an intermediate image plane occurring between the light source and the light exit, along and within an optical path defined between the light source and the light exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuyoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7635185
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for enabling a user of a personal computer, a television, or the like to relieve his or her fatigue without difficulties. The present invention provides a fatigue relief supporting apparatus wherein the apparatus has image generating means for generating an image of a predetermined object which shuttles on a screen of an image display device in a horizontal direction and displaying the object image on the screen of the image display device, and wherein the user looks down to follow the object image with the user's eyes to relieve the user's fatigue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Scalar Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Matsuo, Masao Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7631971
    Abstract: To provide an ophthalmic apparatus by which an examiner can provide assistance such as lifting an examinee's eyelid while easily observing an observation image of an examinee's eye displayed on a monitor. The ophthalmic apparatus has a measurement part including a measurement optical system for examining or measuring the examinee's eye, a fixed support part which supports the measurement part to be movable, an observation optical system provided in the measurement part and having an image-pickup element, for observing an anterior segment of the eye, a monitor which displays an image of the anterior segment picked up by the element, and a holding unit which holds the monitor to be movable with respect to the measurement part or the fixed support part to change a placement position of the monitor between a first position where its screen is approximately vertical and a second position where the screen is approximately horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Mimura
  • Patent number: 7633670
    Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for steering optical beams. The devices use arrays and at least one optical element to steer an input beam to a desired location. Additionally, devices and methods are provided for changing the array dimensions of arrays of input beam positions. The devices use arrays and a plurality of optical elements to rearrange an input array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: The Ohio State University
    Inventors: Betty Lise Anderson, Victor Argueta-Diaz, Carolyn Warnky
  • Patent number: 7630114
    Abstract: Described herein is the use of a diffusion barrier layer between metallic layers in MEMS devices. The diffusion barrier layer prevents mixing of the two metals, which can alter desired physical characteristics and complicate processing. In one example, the diffusion barrier layer may be used as part of a movable reflective structure in interferometric modulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: IDC, LLC
    Inventors: Hsin-Fu Wang, Ming-Hau Tung, Stephen Zee
  • Patent number: 7630122
    Abstract: An electro-optical device includes a pair of substrates arranged so as to face each other, an electro-optical material layer interposed between the pair of substrates, a through hole penetrating through the pair of substrates and the electro-optical material, and a encapsulating member disposed in the through hole for sealing the electro-optical material layer while being disposed between the pair of substrates, in which the encapsulating member is disposed closer to the electro-optical material layer than an outer surface of a display substrate of the pair of substrates and outside an entrance portion of the through hole, in a plan view, the entrance portion being on an outer surface side of the display substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masami Uchida
  • Patent number: 7626750
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electro-optical device including: a plurality of electro-optical elements of which the intensity of emitted light is controlled according to drive signals; a plurality of unit circuits which output the drive signals; and a plurality of signal generation circuits which generate control signals according to correction data, wherein the plurality of unit circuits include a plurality of independent unit circuits which generate the drive signals according to the control signal generated by any of the plurality of signal generation circuits and gray scale levels of the electro-optical elements, and a dependent unit circuit which generates the drive signal according to a control signal supplied to a first independent unit circuit and a control signal supplied to a second independent unit circuit among the plurality of independent unit circuits and the gray scale levels of the electro-optical elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Kasai
  • Patent number: 7616372
    Abstract: The micro-electro-mechanical mirror device according to the present invention includes a platform pivotable about two perpendicular axes, and a hinge structure disposed beneath the platform. The hinge structure includes first and second hinges and a gimbal ring fabricated in a single layer beneath the platform layer. One end of the hinge structure extends from the undersurface of the platform, while the other end extends from a pedestal, which extends upwardly from a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: John Michael Miller, Barrie Keyworth
  • Patent number: 7616370
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a device that has an improved usable lifetime due to the presence of a lubricant that reduces the likelihood of stiction occurring between the various moving parts in an electromechanical device. Embodiments of the present invention also generally include a device, and a method of forming a device, that has one or more surfaces or regions that have a volume of lubricant disposed thereon that acts as a ready supply of “fresh” lubricant to prevent stiction occurring between interacting components found within the device. In one aspect, components within the volume of lubricant form a gas or vapor phase that reduces the chances of stiction-related failure in the formed device. In one example, aspects of this invention may be especially useful for fabricating and using micromechanical devices, such as MEMS devices, NEMS devices, or other similar thermal or fluidic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Miradia, Inc.
    Inventors: Dongmin Chen, Fulin Xiong, Spencer Worley
  • Patent number: 7609436
    Abstract: An electro-optically active display device including at least one individually addressable pixel, each pixel being provided with an obstructing element, such as a reservoir light shield, a black matrix or a mirror element. A portion of at least one electrical component is positioned beneath the obstructing element in such a way that the portion is not visible for a viewer of the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Mark Thomas Johnson, Alexander Victor Henzen, Hugo Johan Cornelissen
  • Patent number: 7605970
    Abstract: A tunable laser system is provided. The tunable laser system includes a light source, a grating, a corner mirror array, and a receiver. In which, the light source emits a beam, and the grating is located in front of the light source for reflecting the beam to form a first reflective beam. Also, the corner mirror array is located in front of the grating for receiving the first reflective beam and forms a second reflective beam accordingly. In addition, the receiver is used to receive a third reflective beam formed from reflecting the second reflective beam through the grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Walsin Lihwa Corp.
    Inventors: Long-Sun Huang, Chao-Sen Chang, Ta-Shun Chu, Son-Nan Chen
  • Patent number: 7593155
    Abstract: A system and method for the temporal and phase modulation of beams through a series of electronically controlled grating modulators, as acousto optic devices (AODs), is provided where incoming electromagnetic radiation may be advanced or retarded by introducing a time delay of the associated optical phase fronts and implementing a varying chirped wave on an AOD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Boeing Company
    Inventor: Paul Richard Herz
  • Patent number: 7593154
    Abstract: An improved ion conductor layer for use in electrochromic devices and other applications is disclosed. The improved ion-conductor layer is comprised of at least two ion transport layers and a buffer layer, wherein the at least two ion transport layers and the buffer layer alternate within the ion conductor layer such that the ion transport layers are in communication with a first and a second electrode. Electrochromic devices utilizing such an improved ion conductor layer color more deeply by virtue of the increased voltage developed across the ion conductor layer prior to electronic breakdown while reducing the amount of electronic leakage. Also disclosed are methods of making electrochromic devices incorporating the improved ion conductor layer disclosed herein and methods of making ion conductors for use in other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: SAGE Electrochromics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Samuel Burdis, Bryan D. Greer, Douglas Glenn John Weir
  • Patent number: 7580181
    Abstract: A display that has a plurality of charged particles between a pair of substrates and displays images by moving the plurality of charged particles. The display comprises one substrate formed with a pixel electrode; the other substrate that is disposed to face the one surface and is formed with a counter electrode; a plurality of partitions for dividing the gap between the pair of substrates into a plurality of regions; and an insulating layer formed to have an insulating part and openings on the pixel electrode, and displays images by changing the potential difference applied between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ohshima, Tatsuya Sugita
  • Patent number: 7570416
    Abstract: An electromechanical system comprising a substrate including a surface region and a flexible member coupled at a first end to the surface region. The system further comprises a base region and a tip region. The system also comprises a reflective member coupled to the flexible member, including a reflective surface and a backside region, the backside region being coupled to the second end of the flexible member, the reflective surface being substantially parallel to the surface region while the reflective member is in a first state and being substantially non-parallel to the surface region while the reflective member is in a second state. The flexible member moves from a first position characterized by the first state to a second position characterized by the second state and the angle between the first state and the second state is greater than 12°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Miradia Inc.
    Inventor: Xiao Yang
  • Patent number: 7566129
    Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus is disclosed. In one aspect, the apparatus includes an ocular fundus photographing systems for forming an ocular fundus image of the examined eye, based on a reflective beam from the ocular fundus of the examined eye, and an ocular fundus tracking controller for detecting a gaze direction of the examined eye by receiving the reflective beam reflected at a reflective region of an illumination region illuminated on the ocular fundus and for tracking the ocular fundus based on the detection results of the gaze direction. The ocular fundus tracking controller may include scanning mirrors for scanning an area to detect a reflective beam from the ocular fundus, tracking mirrors for controlling tracking to the ocular fundus, an objective lens disposed opposite to the examined, and an offset mirror M19 for adjusting a detection axis in a gaze direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventors: Masayuki Hideshima, Kazuo Nunokawa, Makoto Fujino, Yoichiro Iwa, Akemi Miwa, Yoshiaki Goto, Gaku Takeuchi, Takao Tanabe
  • Patent number: 7567375
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a MEMS device, including the actions of: providing a substrate having a back and front surface essentially in parallel with each other, defining in said substrate at least one hidden support by removing material from said substrate, connecting said at least one hidden support onto a wafer with at least one actuation electrode capable to actuate at least a part of said substrate, wherein a rotational axis of said reflective surface is essentially perpendicular to said hidden support. The invention also relates to the MEMS as such.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Micronic Laser Systems AB
    Inventors: Peter Enoksson, Martin Bring
  • Patent number: 7564613
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical device (MEMS) utilizing a porous electrode surface for reducing stiction is disclosed. In one embodiment, a microelectromechanical device is an interferometric modulator that includes a transparent electrode having a first surface; and a movable reflective electrode with a second surface facing the first surface. The movable reflective electrode is movable between a relaxed and actuated (collapsed) position. An aluminum layer is provided on either the first or second surface. The aluminum layer is then anodized to provide an aluminum oxide layer which has a porous surface. The porous surface, in the actuated position, decreases contact area between the electrodes, thus reducing stiction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Teruo Sasagawa, Lior Kogut
  • Patent number: 7562981
    Abstract: The invention relates to a biological information acquisition and presentation kit that enables a general able-bodied person or subject to measure the subject's own biological or emotional index in a ready way. The kit 1 is characterized by comprising a positioning means capable of being positioned on an axial focus position of a taking optical system that allows a subject to take an image of a subject's eyeball by herself or himself, an imaging means adapted to take an image of the subject's eyeball, a measurement means adapted to measure a physiological index from the image taken of the eyeball, a conversion means adapted to convert the physiological index detected by said measurement means into an emotional index, and a recording means adapted to record said physiological index or said emotional index, and further comprising a presentation means adapted to present comparative information with a recorded past emotional index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Takayoshi Togino
  • Patent number: 7564615
    Abstract: Provided are a color electrophoretic display and a method of manufacturing the same. The color electrophoretic display includes: a plurality of lower electrodes arranged on a lower layer and disposed with a predetermined interval therebetween; a plurality of first to third photoresist chambers arranged on the plurality of lower electrodes; first to third electronic inks accommodated in the plurality of first to third photoresist chambers respectively, and discriminatively operating to an electric field to independently display red, green, and blue colors; and a plurality of upper electrodes disposed with a predetermined interval therebetween and facing the plurality of lower electrodes with the plurality of first to third photoresist chambers being held therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Seong Deok Ahn, Seung Youl Kang, Chul Am Kim, In Kyu You, Gi Heon Kim, Ji Young Oh, Kyu Ha Baek, Kyung Soo Suh