Abstract: A light source device includes a first light source 33, a second light source 35 having an emission wavelength that is different from the first light source 33, and a phosphor 43 that is disposed to be distant from the first light source 33 and the second light source 35 and absorbs light in a predetermined excitation wavelength band to emit fluorescence. The phosphor 43 is disposed on an emission light optical path that is shared by the first light source 33 and the second light source 35. The emission wavelength of the first light source 33 is in the predetermined excitation wavelength band. The emission wavelength of the second light source 35 is outside of the predetermined excitation wavelength band.

Abstract: An illumination device for use in an endoscope includes a light source, an optical fiber and a wavelength conversion member. The optical fiber guides light to a tip end of an endoscope insertion portion of the endoscope. The wavelength conversion member is provided at an emission end of the optical fiber. The wavelength conversion member configured to be excited by the light source. The illumination device can provide white illumination light obtained by mixing light emitted from the optical fiber and light obtained by exciting the wavelength conversion member by the light emitted from the optical fiber. Also, the illumination device can provide illumination light being different from the white illumination light, by using other excitation light.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes: a light irradiation section that irradiates a subject with a plurality of irradiation light rays resulting from combining light rays having respectively different spectrum forms in respectively different combinations, at respectively different timings; and an image capturing section that captures a plurality of images of the subject irradiated with the plurality of irradiation light rays, at respectively different timings.

Abstract: The endoscope light source device includes a semiconductor light source, optical fibers that are inserted into an endoscope, guide first light beams from the semiconductor light source, and are arranged in plural rows in at least an angle portion of the endoscope, an optical coupling circuit that is arranged at a distal end side of the endoscope with respect to the angle portion, and couples the first light beams guided by the optical fibers arranged in the plural rows to obtain a coupled light beam and a wavelength conversion part that is arranged at a distal end side of an endoscope insertion section in the optical coupling circuit, and converts a part or all of the coupled light beam from the optical coupling circuit into a converted light beam having a given wavelength by a phosphor.

Abstract: A surface light-source device is composed of a light guide plate, luminescent panels and reflector sheets. The light guide plate is composed of three light guide units respectively formed in a rectangular plate-like shape having a rectangular light emission surface, a thick portion, a thin side portion, an incline rear portion and a parallel groove. The luminescent panel includes two element lines formed by aligning LEDs. The parallel groove is formed so as to be symmetrical about a center line, which is perpendicular to the light emission surface, and so as to dwindle its width toward the light emission surface. The light emitted from the LED toward an overhead portion and having the highest brightness is diffused by a groove surface of the parallel groove and is taken into the light guide unit. Thus, brightness unevenness is reduced at the light emission surface.

Abstract: A light source apparatus is provided with a diode as a light source that emits excitation light for exciting phosphors in an illuminator of an electronic endoscope. As excited, the phosphors emit fluorescent light, and the illuminator projects illumination light composed of the excitation light and the fluorescent light. The light source is driven by drive current supplied in the form of pulses in an exposure period of an imaging device of the endoscope. The number of pulses, the pulse width or the pulse amplitude is so controlled that the integral light volume and chromaticity of the illumination light are made proper regardless of individual variability in oscillation frequency of the light source.

Abstract: There is disclosed a liquid crystal shutter that uses two kinds of spacers having different spherical diameters from each other. The spacers are formed to satisfy the condition: r<R??R??r?P wherein “R” represents a spherical diameter of the first kind spacer, “r” represents a spherical diameter of the second kind spacer, “?R” and “?r” represent standard deviations of these spherical diameters, and “P” represents a permissible amount of dent of a liquid crystal layer. The spacers are dispersed so as to satisfy the condition: [{?·D·(R2/2)+?·d·(r2/2)}/x·y]<1/10c wherein “D” represents a dispersal density of the first kind spacers, “d” represents a dispersal density of the second kind spacers, “x·y” represents a cavity size of a cell, in which the liquid crystal layer is enclosed, and “C” represents a contrast of the liquid crystal shutter required at the opening and closing thereof.

Abstract: A surface light-source device of a display unit comprises a light source, light guide plates and reflector sheets. The light guide plate has an emission surface for emitting the light of the light source as planar light. The reflector sheet reflects the light of the light source, which has entered the light guide plate, toward the emission surface. At rear surfaces of the light guide plates, grooves and incline surfaces are formed. The grooves contain the light source. The incline surfaces have a V-shaped section and reflect the light of the light source, which has entered the light guide plate, toward the emission surface. The light guide plates are disposed such that the rear surfaces thereof closely confront each other so as to interpose the light source between the grooves.

Abstract: A surface light-source device is composed of a light guide plate, luminescent panels and reflector sheets. The light guide plate is composed of three light guide units respectively formed in a rectangular plate-like shape having a rectangular light emission surface, a thick portion, a thin side portion, an incline rear portion and a parallel groove. The luminescent panel includes two element lines formed by aligning LEDs. The parallel groove is formed so as to be symmetrical about a center line, which is perpendicular to the light emission surface, and so as to dwindle its width toward the light emission surface. The light emitted from the LED toward an overhead portion and having the highest brightness is diffused by a groove surface of the parallel groove and is taken into the light guide unit. Thus, brightness unevenness is reduced at the light emission surface.

Abstract: A surface light-source device of a display unit comprises a light source, light guide plates and reflector sheets. The light guide plate has an emission surface for emitting the light of the light source as planar light. The reflector sheet reflects the light of the light source, which has entered the light guide plate, toward the emission surface. At rear surfaces of the light guide plates, grooves and incline surfaces are formed. The grooves contain the light source. The incline surfaces have a V-shaped section and reflect the light of the light source, which has entered the light guide plate, toward the emission surface. The light guide plates are disposed such that the rear surfaces thereof closely confront each other so as to interpose the light source between the grooves.

Abstract: There is disclosed a liquid crystal shutter that uses two kinds of spacers having different spherical diameters from each other. The spacers are formed to satisfy the condition: r<R??R??r?P wherein “R” represents a spherical diameter of the first kind spacer, “r” represents a spherical diameter of the second kind spacer, “?R” and “or” represent standard deviations of these spherical diameters, and “P” represents a permissible amount of dent of a liquid crystal layer. The spacers are dispersed so as to satisfy the condition: [{?·D·(R2/2)+?·d·(r2/2)}/x·y]<1/10c wherein “D” represents a dispersal density of the first kind spacers, “d” represents a dispersal density of the second kind spacers, “x·y” represents a cavity size of a cell, in which the liquid crystal layer is enclosed, and “C” represents a contrast of the liquid crystal shutter required at the opening and closing thereof.

Abstract: Light-emitting element arrays having aligned LEDs are fixed to a stand integrally formed with a heat sink. An attachment surface of the stand is formed with V-shaped grooves working as reflection planes for improving irradiation efficiency. The arrays are separated from printed-circuit boards to be bonded therewith by wires. The array is placed at the bottom of the groove. The printed-circuit board is placed on a step formed at a wall of the groove. Since the array is separated from the resinous printed-circuit board having inferior heat conductance, high efficiency of heat radiation is obtained. Further, since the array is disposed close to the wall, unevenness of intensity distribution of the LEDs is prevented from being enlarged.

Abstract: The present invention provides a picture taking device comprising: an image storage device which stores image; an image information code generation device which generates an image information code by encoding at least one of accessory information attached to the image data and shooter information stored in advance; and a display device which displays the image data and the image information code. The picture taking device displays the image information code together with the image data. A person can receive a URL of a Web sire to which the image data is uploaded or an E-mail address of a picture taker by taking an image of the displayed image information code corresponding to the image data. In this way, image data of a large volume can be easily distributed to a large number of destinations.

Abstract: In a light emitting device, a light emitting element which includes a transparent substrate and a stack of GaN-based compound semiconductor layers formed on the first surface of the transparent substrate is mounted on a lead frame or a printed circuit board so that the transparent substrate is located on the side of the stack of GaN-based compound semiconductor layers opposite to the lead frame or the printed circuit board. The second surface of the transparent substrate opposite to the first surface contains a portion inclined with respect to the first surface. Alternatively, an optical member is arranged in contact with the second surface of the transparent substrate, where a surface of the optical member located on the opposite side to the transparent substrate contains a portion inclined with respect to the first surface of the transparent substrate.

Abstract: A color thermal printer includes a light source assembly for photo fixation of thermosensitive recording material. Element arrays of plural LEDs emit fixing light in a prescribed wavelength range. Each one lens passes the fixing light from one of the LEDs toward a front. A ring or loop-shaped ridge is formed to project from a connection surface of the lens, and has a ring shape. A tilted surface is disposed outside the same. An element receiving recess is disposed inside for containing at least one of the LEDs. A reflection layer of metal is overlaid on the tilted surface, receives fixing light emitted by a lateral surface of the LEDs and upon entry in the loop-shaped ridge, and reflects the fixing light toward the front. Also, the reflection layer is formed by vapor deposition of a metallic material.

Abstract: Before shipment, an LED column in the direct color thermal printer is driven by a maximum current for maximum light emission. While driving, a voltmeter and a light amount sensor measure temporal change in drive voltage and light amount of the LED column. The system controller, based on the measurement result, obtains a slope and an intercept of the first-order equation representing the linear portion for the response of the light amount to variation of the drive voltage, and a threshold voltage at a point the response changes from linear to nonlinear. These values are stored in EEPROM. When driving the two dimensional LED array, the system controller obtains a target drive voltage with referring to the drive profile, then controls the current such that the drive voltage of the light emitting element becomes the target drive voltage and does not become below the threshold voltage.

Abstract: A rib is provided at a position to overlap with an alignment surface of LED in a lower surface (front surface) of a paper guide and prevents a color thermal recording paper from adhering to the paper guide caused by static electricity. A recess part having a curved surface corresponding to a projecting surface of the rib is formed on a position corresponding to the rib. The recess part diffuses fixing light emitted from a yellow LED array. The fixing light is irradiated to a recording surface of the color thermal recording paper corresponding to an edge of the rib, so that it is possible to vanish a shadow cast on the recording paper due to the edge so as to prevent fixing unevenness in a width direction of the color thermal recording paper.

Abstract: A width of an LED array in a scanning direction is determined in accordance with a width of thermosensitive recording paper. A plurality of LEDs is arranged in the LED array in such a way that an arranging pitch between the LEDs are lessened from a center area toward side edge areas of the LED array. Thus, an arranging density of the LEDs increases from the center area toward the side edge areas of the LED array, so that radiated fixing light becomes uniform in a width direction of the thermosensitive recording paper. As a result, unevenness in fixing is prevented. Further, irradiation efficiency in the side edge areas of the LED array is improved by providing reflectors on both side edges of the LED array. Accordingly, the unevenness in fixing is prevented more efficiently.

Abstract: A light emission device is constituted of LED chips, a driver circuit, and a wiring pattern for connecting the individual LED chips to the driver circuit. The wiring pattern is formed by weaving line members into a cross grid, the line member being formed by coating an electro conductive core with an isolating material. The lateral line members are connected to a negative electrode of the driver circuit, while the longitudinal line members are connected to a positive electrode of the driver circuit. Connectors are formed at cross points between the line members Negative poles of the LED chips are connected to the connectors that are formed on the lateral line members, while positive poles of the LED chips are connected to the connectors that are formed on the longitudinal line members. The wiring pattern is affixed to a heat sink through an adhesive agent.

Abstract: Light-emitting element arrays having aligned LEDs are fixed to a stand integrally formed with a heat sink. An attachment surface of the stand is formed with V-shaped grooves working as reflection planes for improving irradiation efficiency. The arrays are separated from printed-circuit boards to be bonded therewith by wires. The array is placed at the bottom of the groove. The printed-circuit board is placed on a step formed at a wall of the groove. Since the array is separated from the resinous printed-circuit board having inferior heat conductance, high efficiency of heat radiation is obtained. Further, since the array is disposed close to the wall, unevenness of intensity distribution of the LEDs is prevented from being enlarged.