Patents Examined by William Carter
  • Patent number: 9239135
    Abstract: An LED connector has an LED component and a heat sink. The heat sink includes a plurality of conductors having mounting pads. The conductors are formed from an electrically and thermally conductive material. The LED component is mounted to the mounting pads. The conductors define both electrical circuits and thermal heat sinks for the LED connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazukiro Goto, Dragos Luca, Andras Gyimes, Boguslaw Bombski
  • Patent number: 9222652
    Abstract: A lighting module (1) having a connection end (2) for connection to a lamp holder (3), and a light output end (4) for outputting light, wherein the lighting module (1), at the light output end (4), is provided with a mechanical interface comprising first (6) and second (7) protrusions extending in a direction parallel with a longitudinal axis (13) of the lighting module and being configured to interact with corresponding protrusions (6?,7?) on an identical mechanical interface to transfer at least one of a rotational force and a pulling force to the lighting module (1), so that a device (1?) provided with such an identical mechanical interface can be used as a tool for connecting/disconnecting the lighting module (1). An advantage is that it is possible to utilize one lighting module as a tool to connect/disconnect another lighting module from a lamp holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Peter Hubertus Franciscus Deurenberg, Antonius Petrus Marinus Dingemans, Martinus Petrus Creusen, Merijn Keser, Mathew Lee Bembridge, Dick Joep Marco Janssen
  • Patent number: 9222647
    Abstract: A hybrid backlight unit embeddable in liquid crystal display and method for fabricating the same is disclosed. The hybrid backlight unit uses chemically toughened glass as substrate, which, after optical layers are stacked thereon using photochemical lithography and coating-printing process, laminates with a polarizing film to form an optical substrate with hybrid planar light source capable of producing polarization effect. The optical substrate with hybrid planar light source may be incorporated in the fabrication of liquid crystal panel as its lower glass substrate and lower polarizing film. Finally an external structure is attached to the liquid crystal panel to form a hybrid backlight unit embeddable in liquid crystal display. The hybrid backlight unit embeddable in liquid crystal display described above offers the advantages of high luminance, ultra thinness and high efficiency in fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventor: Shui-Lung Chen
  • Patent number: 9222650
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to switchable light extractors and in particular to switchable light extractors useful for extracting light from light ducts used for interior lighting of a building. The disclosure also relates to lighting systems that include the light extractors, and methods of extracting light from a lighting system. The switchable light extractors generally include a first and a second reflective film, each having a plurality of voids that can aligned to extract light from a light duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David G. Freier, Rolf W. Biernath, Thomas R. Hoffend, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9211005
    Abstract: A furniture article that comprises a furniture housing which is configured to rest on a surface, and a cord-retractor that is configured to supply power from a wall outlet to an outlet located in or on the furniture housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventor: Sharon Lynne Smith
  • Patent number: 9212795
    Abstract: A modular lighting system may include a support structure, a plurality of heat sink modules physically supported by the support structure, and one or more light source modules coupled to the plurality of heat sink modules. The plurality of heat sink modules may be arranged in a modular manner such that the heat sink modules in the modular lighting system is variable, and each heat sink module may be an integral molded structure defining at least one opening or passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Christopher Ladewig, Christopher Michael Bryant, Philip Dean Winters
  • Patent number: 9206953
    Abstract: A lighting assembly for installing through a fitting aperture defined by a handrail. The lighting assembly including: a retaining element that is removably insertable through the fitting aperture; a body device for providing a light source, the body device comprising a coupling element releasably engageable to the retaining element; and wherein, with the retaining element inserted through the fitting aperture and located within the handrail, insertion of the body device through the fitting aperture enables the coupling element to engage the retaining element thereby releasably retaining the body device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: KLIK SYSTEMS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
    Inventor: Paul Jan Roos
  • Patent number: 9207389
    Abstract: A light emitting module is disclosed. The light emitting module includes a circuit board, a plurality of light emitting devices mounted on the circuit board and spaced apart from each other, molding parts wrapping the respective light emitting devices, and a reflective member disposed on the circuit board to surround the light emitting devices. The reflective member has a height greater than that of each of the molding parts. The reflective member has a plurality of openings exposing the light emitting devices, and each of the openings has a reflective side wall extending upward from the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yon Tae Moon, Hiroshi Kodaira
  • Patent number: 9182086
    Abstract: The invention relates to a diffusing plate structure and a backlight module. The diffusing plate structure is corresponding to a light source and comprises an incidence surface, an emergence surface, a side surface, and a light diffusing structure. The incidence surface is opposite to the emergence surface. The light diffusing structure is disposed on at least one of the incidence surface and the emergence surface, and includes a plurality of unit blocks distributed evenly. Every unit block includes a first micro diffusing structure or a second micro diffusing structure. The first micro diffusing structure includes a first transparent area for transmitting light and a first opaque area for reflecting and diffusing light. The first opaque area surrounds the first transparent area. The second micro diffusing structure includes a second transparent area for transmitting light and a second opaque area for reflecting and diffusing light. The second transparent area surrounds the second opaque area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: TPV Display Technology (Xiamen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junyi Zheng, Po-Iem Lin, Chih-Ming Wang, Her-Dong Shih
  • Patent number: 9175838
    Abstract: A helmet-mounted or helmet-integrated combination personnel marker/identification light and active “Identification Friend or Foe” (IFF) includes infrared interrogation and response capabilities. The IFF function provides acquisition and processing of an incoming IR laser IFF interrogation and then sends one or more user-defined responses to the interrogator and/or the user/wearer. A photo sensor array is designed to detect and identify incoming infrared signals. The array is arranged to provide omni-directional, line-of-sight sensing over more than a full hemisphere. A detachable user feedback module comprised of a vibratory pad and cable provides a user/wearer alert when infrared interrogation has been detected. An operating status switch allows the user/wearer to confirm that the device is in an active mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Arcachon Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Gary Leegate, Marcia Baldwin
  • Patent number: 9175837
    Abstract: A marker system includes a controller with a plurality of emitters electrically interfaced to the controller such that, upon the controller initiating a flow of electric current though one or more of the emitters, the one or more of the emitters emit light. There is also at least one detector electrically interfaced to the controller. The detector(s) are for detecting light in of a specific wavelength and converting the light to an electrical signal that is then received by the controller. Software is stored on a non-transitory storage associated with the controller. The software monitors the at least one detector for an incoming IFF signal and the software initiating the flow of electric current through a selected set of the plurality of emitters responsive to receiving the incoming IFF signal from the at least one detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Arcachon Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Gary Leegate, Marcia Baldwin, Jamey Marcus Caldwell
  • Patent number: 9163797
    Abstract: An atmosphere light with interacting functions includes a body formed with a plurality of polygon-shaped blocks which are connected to each other, a plurality of lenses respectively covering the blocks, a receiving space defined between the lens and the block, a light source located in the receiving space and mounted at the center on the bottom of the block, a cover assembled in the receiving space and covering the light source, a controller assembled in the body and electrically connected to the light source so that the light source is varied by the controller. Under this arrangement, when the light beams from the light source are transmitted to the lenses, the light beams are refracted by the lenses and passes through the lenses; consequently, the light beam is formed as a virtual image at the center of the body via the refraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: National Central University
    Inventors: Ching-Cherng Sun, Yeh-Wei Yu, Yu-Huan Wang
  • Patent number: 9144261
    Abstract: The device is a helmet-mounted or helmet-integrated combination personnel marker/identification light and active “Identification Friend or Foe” (IFF) infrared interrogation and response device. The IFF function provides acquisition and processing of an incoming IR laser IFF interrogation and then sends one or more user-defined responses to the interrogator and/or the user/wearer. A photo sensor array is designed to detect and identify incoming infrared signals. The array is arranged to provide omni-directional, line-of-sight sensing over more than a full hemisphere. A detachable user feedback module comprised of a vibratory pad and cable provides a user/wearer alert when infrared interrogation has been detected. An operating status switch allows the user/wearer to confirm that the device is in an active mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: ARCACHON HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Gary Leegate, Marcia Baldwin
  • Patent number: 9140843
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a light guide. A first light input section receives light in a first direction into said light guide. First direction-dependent outcoupling structures selectively couple out light propagating in said first direction in said light guide. A second light input section receives light in a second direction into said light guide. Said second direction is different than said first direction. Second direction-dependent outcoupling structures selectively couple out light propagating in said second direction in said light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Core Wireless Licensing S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Pentti Ahlgren, Pauli Laitinen
  • Patent number: 9132740
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle capable of receiving power from a remote power source includes an exterior lamp assembly integrated with the vehicle. The lamp assembly includes an illumination source, and an electrical port configured to be electrically connected with the remote power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Duane M. Grider, Bala Chander
  • Patent number: 9120421
    Abstract: A light projection device that can change a light projection pattern is provided. The light projection device includes: a plurality of excitation light sources that emit excitation light; a fluorescent member that is excited by the excitation light from the excitation light sources; a control portion that controls outputs of the excitation light sources; and a light projection member that projects light emitted from the fluorescent member. The fluorescent member includes a plurality of application regions to which the excitation light is applied, and the control portion controls the outputs of the excitation light sources so as to individually control the excitation states of the application regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Koji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9116281
    Abstract: Provided are a complex optical film and a light source assembly including the same. The complex optical film includes a first substrate, a light shielding layer formed on a bottom surface of the first substrate, an optical pattern layer formed on a top surface of the first substrate and including concavo-convex portions, a second substrate disposed on the first substrate, and a first adhesive layer disposed under the second substrate, wherein the light shielding layer includes a binder and organic particles and inorganic particles dispersed in the binder, the convex portions of the optical pattern layer at least partially penetrate into the first adhesive layer to be combined with the first adhesive layer, and a low-refraction area having a lower refractive index than the optical pattern layer and the first adhesive layer is defined between the first adhesive layer and the optical pattern layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: SHINWHA INTERTEK CORP.
    Inventors: Jin-Tae Woo, Jae-Soon Lee, Min-cheol Kook, Jong-Yoon Lim, Sung-Keun Kim, Il-ho Jeon, Yong-Jun Choi
  • Patent number: 9109772
    Abstract: A vehicle light assembly includes an array of light sources mounted in a generally planar base. An optical element includes a first surface having a first optical design and a second surface having second optical design. The second optical design includes a wedge having a first wedge wall and a second wedge wall that converges with the first wedge wall. The second wedge wall extends at an angle to the first wedge wall. A bezel surrounds the base and the optical element, and an outer lens is positioned adjacent the outside surface of the optical element. The optical element is between the base and the outer lens, and the outer lens has an inner surface including an optical design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: David A. Brown
  • Patent number: 9091414
    Abstract: The pendant device contains the following components. A base member contains a power element having at least a battery to provide electricity to the pendant device. A lighting member is configured on top of and electrically connected to the power element of the base member. A hollow, transparent, and spherical shell member is made of a plastic material and is joined to the base member. The shell member has a bottom opening and a graphical pattern formed by laser engraving on the shell member's circumferential wall. The lighting member is mainly housed inside the shell member. A cap member is configured on top of the shell member. The cap member has a hanging element which is a ring-shaped spring. The hanging element allows the pendant device to be conveniently hung from all places. The hook element can be used to hang objects such as a Christmas stocking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Inventor: Chin-Sheng Yang
  • Patent number: 9086197
    Abstract: A modular light emitting diode (LED) space light including a top plate including a top plate slot; a bottom plate including a bottom plate slot; at least one module having at least one light emitting diode (LED), wherein the at least one module is adapted to fit between the top plate and the bottom plate correspondingly in the top plate slot and the bottom plate slot; and at least one passive heat sink coupled to the at least one module to dissipate heat generated by the at least one LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignees: Raleigh Enterprises, LLC, Special T Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: James Audette, John Audette, Victor Druan, Kelly Koskella