Patents Issued in January 9, 2007
  • Patent number: 7159953
    Abstract: This invention mainly relates to a reaction-disk device, to its manufacturing process and to a pneumatic servomotor for an assisted braking, including such reaction device. A reaction device according to the present invention comprises a receiving cavity, fitted with a reaction disk made of incompressible or substantially incompressible materials, comprising: a) an applying surface for the plunger (or a similar member, connected to a member, actuated by the driver, such as the brake pedal, and advantageously connected to at least one element of the three-way valve of a pneumatic assistance servomotor); b) an applying surface for the push rod (or a similar member for a force transmission to the master cylinder, more particularly a tandem master cylinder); and c) a surface with a resilient response to the working pressures exerted on the reaction disk, so as to be elastically deformable on braking or, at the very least, during an emergency braking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Juan Simon Bacardit
  • Patent number: 7159954
    Abstract: A system for controlling at least one of the slip threshold and the time period for an extended wheel slippage for a vehicle that is operating in the off-road ABS mode. When driving in a curve pattern and/or at high speeds, the individual wheel speeds are controlled with a lower slip threshold and/or shorter time period for the extended wheel slippage than when driving straight ahead and/or at a lower vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Hermann J. Goebels, Andreas Ziegler
  • Patent number: 7159955
    Abstract: This invention relates to an endless traction band that is used to propel band laying vehicles [i.e., vehicles which use endless traction bands rather than tires to contact the terrain over which they are driven, e.g., tractors, tanks, bulldozers, etc.]. A novel sprocket wheel having a plurality of radially extending and offset teeth cooperates with an endless traction band having a plurality of holes. Longitudinally consecutive holes define either meshing areas or clip areas. The meshing areas are adapted to be engaged by the sprocket wheel and the clip areas are adapted to support clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Soucy International Inc.
    Inventors: Yves St-Pierre, Hugo Bastien, Eric Blais, Chad Olson
  • Patent number: 7159956
    Abstract: A disc case holding apparatus includes a plurality of housings. Each of the housings has a bottom wall and a peripheral wall that is attached to and extends upwardly away from the bottom wall such that a pair of lateral sides, a front side and a back side are defined. An upper edge of the peripheral wall defines an opening extending into the housing. Each of a plurality of securing members is attached to one of the housings for selectively extending over the opening and securing a disc case within the housing. A base has an outer surface. A plurality of couplers is mounted on the base. Each of the couplers is attached to one of the bottom walls such that each of the bottom walls is pivotally attached to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Sheila A. Hatchell
  • Patent number: 7159957
    Abstract: A movable portion of an article of furniture, in particular a drawer, flap or door, includes at least one preferably electrical drive unit and a triggering device for actuation of the drive unit. The triggering device is at least partially arranged at the movable portion of the article of furniture, and has at least three different switching states. The triggering device has two touch switches (5a, 5b), preferably mechanical touch switches, IR-touch switches or capacitive touch switches, and the direction of actuation (Y1, Y2, Z1, z2) of the switches is identical to the desired direction of movement (X1, X2) of the moved portion of the article of furniture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Julius Blum Gesellschaft M.B.H.
    Inventors: Edgar Huber, Klaus Mattle
  • Patent number: 7159958
    Abstract: A sliding rail assembly auto locking structure includes a holder base affixed to the outer rail of a sliding rail assembly, the holder base having two longitudinal sliding slots and two locating holes respectively downwardly extended from the front end of the longitudinal sliding slots, a movable hook slidably mounted in the longitudinal sliding slots and biasable when the front guide rod thereof entered the locating holes, a spring member connected between the holder base and the movable hook, and a locating block affixed to the inner sliding rail of the sliding rail assembly and forced into engagement with the movable hook to turn the movable hook out of the locating holes and to move with the movable hook to the back side upon return stroke of the inner sliding rail with the drawer, the locating block forcing the movable hook into the locating holes and moving away from the movable hook upon forward stroke of the inner sliding rail with the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Chun-Min Lu
  • Patent number: 7159959
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable media for identifying print errors caused by erroneous print pattern data received at the printhead of a printer. Methods, systems and computer readable media are also provided for preventing printing according to erroneous printing pattern data received at the printhead. Methods, systems and computer readable media are provided for enhancing the printing speed of a system adapted to identify or prevent printing errors. Further, methods and systems for providing delayed clocking are used for accurate clocking of a printing signal that is sent back from the printhead to the printhead controller for purposes of comparison with a locally stored set of printhead pattern data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald J. Schremp
  • Patent number: 7159960
    Abstract: Liquid droplets, which are ejected toward a region that is outside of a medium, are to be prevented from floating and liquid droplets are to be inhibited from adhering to unanticipated sites when ejecting droplets of liquid to form dots up to the edges of a medium. In a liquid ejecting apparatus provided with a liquid ejecting section for ejecting liquid droplets of a plurality of sizes toward a medium, the liquid ejecting section ejects liquid droplets toward the medium, and the liquid droplets of the smallest size of the liquid droplets, among a plurality of sizes, are not included in the liquid droplets that are outside of and that do not land on the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Nunokawa, Yukimitsu Fujimori, Kentaro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7159961
    Abstract: The apparatus has valve units capable of blocking respectively liquid feed paths connecting a liquid storage unit and a liquid jet head, and control unit. The control unit has a function for executing a pressure reduction step of putting the valve unit corresponding to the kind of liquid to be cleaned into an open state, simultaneously putting the other valve units into a closed state, exhausting a closed space formed by a capping unit with the head and generating a negative pressure state therein, a totally-closing step of switching the valve unit in the open state to the closed state and putting all the valve units into the closed state almost simultaneously with stopping exhausting or immediately before it, and a totally-opening step of putting all the valve units into the open state after a lapse of a predetermined time. Cleaning is executed only for a specific kind of liquid free of obstacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Izumi Nozawa, Shuhei Harada, Nobuhito Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7159962
    Abstract: A wiper assembly is used to mount large size wiper blades for use in industrial inkjet printers. In order to provide an even wiping action over the length of a print head the wiper is sideways clamped in a rigid wiper blade holder and held in place by a clamping block. Preferably the wiper assembly clamps the wiper over about 20% of the wiper height. The assembly allows for use of individual wiper blades having different characteristics. Separate wiper blades are more easily fabricated and can be replaced easily. The wiper blades may be provided with a heel which enhances mounting efficiency. The wiper assembly may include provisions for easy mounting to allow for rapid exchange of the whole wiper assembly in a printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert N.V.
    Inventor: Paul Wouters
  • Patent number: 7159963
    Abstract: An image recording apparatus is disclosed having a recording head including a plurality of nozzles for jetting an ink and a maintenance unit for performing a maintenance operation to the nozzles. The maintenance unit includes an absorbing member to wipe an ink adhered to the nozzles and receive an ink residue purged from the nozzles during the maintenance operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventor: Satoshi Nishino
  • Patent number: 7159964
    Abstract: A first inkjet printer spit cup assembly includes a spit cup having a mounting hole and inner teeth, includes a cylindrical post attached to a base portion and positioned in the mounting hole, and includes a wing. The wing and inner teeth are adapted to permit rotation, and to prevent counter-rotation, of the spit cup about the cylindrical post. A second inkjet printer spit cup assembly includes a spit cup having a mounting hole and bottom teeth, includes a cylindrical post attached to a base portion and positioned in the mounting hole, and includes a top tooth extending from the base portion. The top tooth and bottom teeth are adapted to permit rotation, and to prevent counter-rotation, of the spit cup about the cylindrical post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: John N. Funk, Terry L. King, Bryan C. Scharf
  • Patent number: 7159965
    Abstract: A wide format printer includes an elongate support structure interposed between a pair of legs. A wide format printhead assembly is mounted on the support structure. The printhead assembly includes a series of elongate printhead integrated circuits oriented to span a wide format printing zone and to carry out a printing operation on print media fed through the printing zone. A feed mechanism is mounted on the support structure to feed print media through the printing zone. A housing is mounted on the support structure to house the printhead assembly and the feed mechanism. A print media supply arrangement is interposed between the legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7159966
    Abstract: An ink-jet head comprises a passage unit formed with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink, a reservoir unit bonded to the passage unit, and actuator units for applying an ejection energy to ink in the passage unit. The reservoir unit is formed therein with an ink reservoir extending along a bonding surface between the reservoir unit and the passage unit. The ink reservoir reserves ink supplied from an ink tank and supplies the reserved ink to the passage unit. The ink reservoir is formed therein with a plurality of pillars supporting upper and lower walls of the ink reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Taira
  • Patent number: 7159967
    Abstract: A micro-electromechanical liquid ejection device includes a substrate that defines a liquid inlet. Integrated drive circuitry is positioned on the substrate. A nozzle chamber assembly defines a nozzle chamber and a liquid ejection port in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. The nozzle chamber assembly incorporates a liquid ejection component that is movable with respect to the substrate to eject liquid from the nozzle chamber, via the port. At least two actuators are connected to the drive circuitry and are operatively arranged with respect to the liquid ejection component to move the liquid ejection component. The actuators are oriented and engaged with the liquid ejection component so that movement of the liquid ejection component is substantially rectilinear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7159968
    Abstract: A printhead integrated circuit comprising a drive circuitry and a plurality of nozzles is provided. Each nozzle comprises a chamber for holding ink to be ejected, the chamber having an opening defined in a roof structure; and a thermal bend actuator for ejecting droplets of ink from the chamber through the opening. The bend actuator is configured as a cantilever with one end of the cantilever anchored to a base and the opposite end supporting a paddle. The actuator has a deflector section constructed of a material having a high coefficient of thermal expansion and a barrier layer constructed of a dielectric material having low thermal conductivity. A supply of current from the drive circuitry to the deflector section causes differential thermal expansion between the deflector section and the barrier layer, such that the actuator bends and the paddle ejects a droplet of ink from the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7159969
    Abstract: The composite printhead (1) is made up of an active module (7), consisting of a thin plate (8) of silicon, on which a plurality of chambers (14) is produced, housing corresponding heating resistors (10), electrically connected through an interconnection network to corresponding external contact pads (37, 42), and of a support element (3) for the active module, in turn consisting of a portion of plate (22) of a rigid, insulating material, provided with an elongated slot shape, ink feeding duct (5), traversing the thickness of the support element (3). The active module (7) is built separately from the support element (3) and later mounted integrally upon the support element (3). Also mounted later to the support (3) is a frame (16) surrounding the active module (7) to provide hydraulic sealing. Finally the module (7) and the frame (16) are covered with a metallic or resin lamina (17), bearing an array of nozzles (18) aligned with and facing the ejection chambers (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Telecom Italia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Renato Conta, Enrico Manini
  • Patent number: 7159970
    Abstract: A flow path unit is provided with an individual ink flow path including a pressure chamber opposite to a sub-manifold 5a and an individual ink flow path including a pressure chamber not opposite to the sub-manifold. The sub-manifold is provided with a beam connecting an upper surface and a lower surface of the sub-manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7159971
    Abstract: A multi-nozzle ink jet head formed through semiconductor processes. The multi-nozzle head has a head substrate in which are formed a plurality of nozzles and a plurality of pressure chambers, a diaphragm that acts as a common electrode and covers the plurality of pressure chambers, piezoelectric body layers that are provided in correspondence with the pressure chambers on the diaphragm, and individual electrode layers that are provided on the piezoelectric body layers and have individual electrode parts corresponding to the pressure chambers and wiring parts for the individual electrode parts. By interposing a low-dielectric-constant layer or an insulating layer in the region of the wiring parts, or not disposing the common electrode in the region of the wiring parts, the electrical capacitance of the driving parts is reduced, and hence a driving lag is prevented from occurring, and moreover unwanted vibration of the piezoelectric bodies is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Koike, Yoshiaki Sakamoto, Tomohisa Shingai
  • Patent number: 7159972
    Abstract: A printhead module for a printhead assembly is provided comprising at least two printhead integrated circuits, each of which has nozzles formed therein for delivering printing fluid onto the surface of print media, and a support member supporting the printhead integrated circuits. The support member has a plurality of longitudinally extending channels for carrying different printing fluids for the printhead integrated circuits, the support member, and therefore the number of channels provided, is selectable to meet specific requirements as to the number of said printing fluids to be employed for printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Norman Micheal Berry, Garry Raymond Jackson, Akira Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 7159973
    Abstract: A replacement component for printing operations that includes a recess that is adapted to be engaged by a projection of a replacement component holder associated with a printing apparatus to mount the replacement component to the replacement component holder, the replacement component also including an actuatable release adapted to operatively contact at least one of the projection and the recess to substantially disengage the projection from the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery James Buchanan, Steven Robert Komplin
  • Patent number: 7159974
    Abstract: An inkjet assembly comprising a vented ink reservoir for containing a liquid ink therein, the vented ink reservoir defining an internal volume occupied at least in part by a semipermeable membrane in fluid communication with a vent that automatically adjusts for pressure differentials by enabling gaseous diffusion between an environment external to the vented ink reservoir and the internal volume of the vented ink reservoir, while inhibiting liquid diffusion therethrough. A method is also disclosed for mounting the semipermeable membrane to at least one of an ink reservoir cap and an ink tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor D. Gray, Matthew J. Russell, Ann M. Trebolo
  • Patent number: 7159975
    Abstract: A marking fluid or fixing fluid for inkjet printing consisting a buffering agent with both a first functional group with a pKa at most 1.0 units away from the pH of the marking fluid or fixing fluid and a second functional group with a pKa at least 2.0 pH units away from the pH of the marking fluid or fixing fluid such that at the marking fluid or fixing fluid pH the second functional group is in its completely charged form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Shungiong Yue, Christian Schmid
  • Patent number: 7159976
    Abstract: An ink set for ink-jet recording of the present invention includes a black ink which has a surface tension of not less than 40 mN/m at 25° C., and a color ink which has a surface tension of not less than 40 mN/m at 25° C. The viscosity ratio of the color ink with respect to the black ink is not less than 1.3. The feathering of the ink is avoided, and the bleeding, which would otherwise appear at the boundary between the black ink and the color ink, is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masateru Kawamura, Narumi Koga, Naomichi Kobayashi, Hideo Ohira, Shunichi Higashiyama, Masaya Fujioka
  • Patent number: 7159977
    Abstract: A transport protector is provided for an inkjet cartridge wherein the inkjet cartridge includes a cartridge body, an inkwell extending from the cartridge body and a nozzle on the inkwell. The protector includes a protector body having a recess shaped to receive an inkwell of an inkjet cartridge and cover a nozzle of the inkjet cartridge. The protector further including a lid hingedly connected to the body. The lid pivots between an opened condition and a closed condition and engages the inkjet cartridge to evenly urge the cartridge into the recess when in the closed condition. The lid also includes a lid lock for releasably engaging the protector body to maintain the protector in the closed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Nu-Kote International, Inc.
    Inventors: William Allen Putman, Stephen Abb Anderson
  • Patent number: 7159978
    Abstract: A temple construction arrangement for eyewear incorporating a retractable retaining strap in a hollow temple to form a part of and be attached to eyewear such as eye sight correction glasses, sunglasses, safety and protection goggles, and the like. The temple is separated or split lengthwise into two haves and a rotatable bearing, positioned transverse the length or longitudinal axis of the temple, is placed at the temple end attachable to the lens holding frame between the two halves. The retractable strap is disposed within and along the length of one side of the temple and, in combination with a longitudinal stretchable retracting member such as a spring or elastic cord, passes around the bearing. The attached retracting member is disposed along the length of the opposite side of the temple from that of the strap providing a retraction force for the retaining strap. The temple halves are then joined together to enclose the bearing, retaining strap, and retracting member as a finished unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: John Michael Skuro
  • Patent number: 7159979
    Abstract: The invention provides a lens in which the lens periphery is controlled as to each of thickness differential and both the rate of change from thinner to thicker regions and the shape of the transition from thinner to thicker regions within each of the dual thin zones. The lens of the invention substantially reduces the time for the lens' auto-positioning. Additionally, the lenses of the invention maintain their on-eye orientation better as compared to conventionally stabilized lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe F. Jubin, Susan W. Neadle, Sheila B. Hickson-Curran, Timothy A. Clutterbuck, Matias Dieter Heinrich, Christopher Wildsmith
  • Patent number: 7159980
    Abstract: A progressive power lens is conventionally so designed that a distance portion and a near portion are linked together in a successive manner, and thus framing cannot be done in a manner as to fully achieve the best optical properties of the near portion. The present invention provides, on the other hand, a progressive power lens that is designed to make the near portion closer to an eyeball without impairing the optical properties of the progressive power lens. Accordingly, both the distance portion and the near portion can be framed with the ideal fitting, and the resulting eyeglasses can be less in distortion and fluctuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 7159981
    Abstract: It has been difficult to manufacture an inside surface progressive-power lens which is as thin as an outside surface progressive-power lens due to a limited configuration of an object-side refractive surface of the inside surface progressive-power lens. However, a thin progressive-power lens with less blur and distortion can be provided at a reduced cost by forming its object-side refractive surface from an aspherical surface which is symmetric with respect to a rotational axis and has a smaller curvature at a distance reference point than that at a near reference point, and by forming an eyeball-side refractive surface from a combination of a progressive surface, an astigmatic refraction surface and an “as-worn” corrective aspherical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 7159982
    Abstract: A method for providing design data and a system for providing design data that enable a lens processor to manufacture a desired inner-surface progressive addition lens corresponding to prescription data. A design data providing system is a system such that a design data creator provides design data of an inner-surface progressive addition lens to a lens processor in the case where the lens processor has agreed upon a contract to the effect that the lens processor receives provision of the design data of the inner-surface progressive addition lens from the design data creator on the condition that the lens processor pays a consideration. The design data providing system has a server device as a host computer device, a terminal computer device, and a network for connecting the server device to the terminal computer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihide Shinohara, Kazutoshi Kato, Tadashi Kaga, Satoshi Kubota, Masaaki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 7159983
    Abstract: The invention provides lenses suitable for use by pre-presbyopic individuals. The lenses of the invention have one or more non-conic, aspheric surfaces having substantially no noticeable unwanted astigmatism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)
    Inventors: Edgar V. Menezes, Pierre Y. Gerligand
  • Patent number: 7159984
    Abstract: Disclosed is a subjective optometric apparatus in which the earpiece members and the nose pad member for attaching the main body of the device to the subject can be easily adjusted without involving any effort. The subjective optometric apparatus has a horizontal frame and an inner tube inserted into the horizontal frame, with a support bar for supporting a nose pad member being passed through the horizontal frame and the inner tube. In a state in which the inner tube is being biased by a spring, a rubber member provided in a through-hole of the inner tube abuts the peripheral surface of the support bar to lock the support bar, thereby bringing the nose pad member into a locked state. Further, when a push-button is pushed in against the biasing force of the spring, the inner tube is displaced and the rubber member is detached from the peripheral surface of the support bar, with the result that the nose pad member is released from the locked state and becomes capable of being displaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventors: Yasufumi Fukuma, Yukihiro Noda, Yasuo Kato
  • Patent number: 7159985
    Abstract: A projector includes: an illumination device including a light source that emits a parallel illuminating light beam, lens integrators each having a first lens array to split the illuminating light beam into a plurality of secondary light beams, a second lens array, and a superimposing lens that superimposes the secondary light beams; an electro-optic modulating device that modulates the illuminating light beam; a projection optical system that projects the modulated illuminating light beam; a mode-selecting device that selects a normal mode in which an image-forming region is illuminated in lengthwise or crosswise directions, and a persistence-of-vision-relaxed mode in which the image-forming region is illuminated in lengthwise or crosswise directions and partially illuminated in the other direction; and a scanning system to scan the image-forming region of the electro-optic modulating device along the other direction in synchronization with a frame rate of the electro-optic modulating device when in a persis
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Akiyama
  • Patent number: 7159986
    Abstract: A collimator is compact and uses power efficient light emitting diodes as the illumination source to generate a test image in collimated space. The collimator provides a test image across a wide field of view, which is useful for calibration of optical devices that have a wide field of regard. An optical projection system in the collimator utilizes an array of light emitting diodes, whose light is converged by a Fresnel lens, through a holographic diffuser plate, onto a target plate bearing the test pattern to be projected out into collimated space through a converging lens. An alignment structure provides translation of the target plate along the main axis of the collimator and provides rotational freedom about two axes (vertical and horizontal) via a gimbal structure mounted on the translation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Swales & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Bremer, Bert A. Pasquale, Tmitri J. Zukowski, Barbara J. Zukowski, Shahriar Etemad, Robert E. Prince
  • Patent number: 7159987
    Abstract: The object is to provide a display device that is capable of displaying an image with high luminance and a wide color reproduction range under simple control. The display device includes a light source device that emits first to fourth illumination lights, a spatial light modulator that modulates the illumination lights, and a controller. The controller allows the first and the second illumination lights to time-sequentially enter an identical illumination area of the spatial light modulator, and allows the third and the fourth illumination lights to individually enter the spatial light modulator so as to avoid them from being superimposed on the first and the second illumination lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hidefumi Sakata
  • Patent number: 7159988
    Abstract: A projection optical unit has two lens groups. A first projection optical unit disposed closest to an image display element, temporarily forms a first enlarged image (magnification: M1) at the image display element side, rather than at a second projection optical unit. The first enlarged image is subsequently projected in an enlarged form (magnification: M2, wherein M2>M1) onto a screen via the second projection optical unit. A field lens group having positive refractive power is disposed between the first projection optical unit and the second projection optical unit. Consequently, the relationship between F2, which is the F-value of the second projection optical unit, and F1, which is the F-value of the first projection optical unit, becomes F2=F1/M1, whereby it is possible to realize very-wide-angle imaging at a field angle exceeding 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Yatsu, Koji Hirata, Hidehiro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7159989
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an image display apparatus comprising an illumination optical system (2) for illuminating a light valve (1) including a reflection electrode, and a projection lens (3) for forming an image of the light valve (1), wherein reflection plane surface (4) is disposed between the illumination optical system (2) and the light value (1) to bent, by the reflection plane surface (4), an optical path of illumination light extending from the illumination optical system (2) to the light valve (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoya Yano
  • Patent number: 7159990
    Abstract: A reflective mirror manufacturing method for manufacturing a reflective mirror used in an illumination device including an arc tube including a light-emitting portion and a reflective mirror including a reflective surface that reflects light from the light-emitting portion in a predetermined direction, includes: a first step of forming a tube by heating a tube including a material of the reflective mirror, thereafter putting the tube in a form block, applying internal pressure with an inert gas to cause a center portion of the tube to expand, so that part of an inner surface of the expanded center portion includes a shape corresponding to the reflective surface of the reflective mirror; a second step of cutting the tube at the center portion to form a reflective mirror member; and a third step of forming a reflective layer on an inner surface of the reflective mirror member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Hashizume
  • Patent number: 7159991
    Abstract: A rod integrator, which has a light incident face and a light exit face, inclines its axis at a predetermined angle with respect to a light emitting direction of a light source. The light incident face is a inclined plane with respect to an axial direction of the rod integrator and deflects the incident light in the axial direction. The light exit face is in parallel with the light incident face and deflects the exit light in a parallel direction to the light emitting direction of the light source. These deflections at the light incident and exit faces bend a light axis of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki Ito
  • Patent number: 7159992
    Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly is provided which can be moved via a power-transmitting assembly between folded and unfolded positions and the unfolded position and an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Magna Donnelly Mirrors North America, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Keith D. Foote
  • Patent number: 7159993
    Abstract: An auxiliary light device for a key comprises a base, a lighting element, two batteries and a casing assembly. The base is to be fixed permanently on a gripping portion of a key, in the base are formed two battery chambers, in a front portion of the base is defined a notch facing the shaft of the key, the notch is connected to the battery chambers via a groove, in a rear portion of the base is formed a threaded hole. The lighting element is inserted in the notch of the base, two conductive terminals of the lighting element are engaged in the groove of the base and extended into the chambers. The two batteries are disposed in the chambers of the base and connected to the two conductive terminals, respectively. The casing assembly serves to cover the abovementioned components and includes a cover, a button and a partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Ta-Wei Lu
  • Patent number: 7159994
    Abstract: A system for creating a flickering effect comprises a light communicating cable, at least one light receiving cable secured on a rotatable mount rotatable about a horizontal axis, a light diffuser element in communication with the at least one light receiving cable and a rod connected to the diffuser element for causing rotary motion of the light diffuser surface about the horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Schnuckle, Holger Irmler, Alfredo Ayala, Jamie Robertson, Bryan S. Tye
  • Patent number: 7159995
    Abstract: A display device and light source thereof. The light source is disposed in a housing. An electrode is connected to the light source. A first connecting portion having a first threaded surface is connected to the electrode. A second connecting portion having a second threaded surface is connected to an electric wire. The first threaded surface is electrically connected to the second threaded surface to connect the electric wire and the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Kai-Yu Sun, Cheng-You Liu
  • Patent number: 7159996
    Abstract: A backlight system (10) includes a light source (30) having a light emitting portion (31) and a wire (32); and a bracket (20) having a plurality of fastener (24) which holds the light emitting portion thereby mounting the light source on the bracket, the wire are electrically connected with the bracket. The backlight system can stably fix the light sources in the bracket, and it is convenient and safe to exchange the light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignees: Innocom Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Innolux Display Corp.
    Inventors: Chung-Sung Huang, Sheng-Ming Wen
  • Patent number: 7159997
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a linear lighting apparatus. The apparatus includes a plurality of light emitting diodes, a primary optical assembly, and a secondary optical assembly. The light emitting diodes produce light towards the primary optical assembly. The primary optical assembly refracts this light towards the secondary optical assembly. The secondary optical assembly receives this light and refracts the light again so that the light emanates from the linear lighting apparatus. The present invention also provides a method for improving lighting efficiency from a linear lighting apparatus. The method includes emitting light from a plurality of light emitting diodes, refracting the light in a primary optical assembly, receiving this light refracted by the primary optical assembly, and refracting this light in a secondary optical assembly so as to direct the light from the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: lo Lighting
    Inventors: Ann Reo, Graeme Watt
  • Patent number: 7159998
    Abstract: The present invention is a kit or a channel system useful for the removable mounting (installation and removal) of ornamental light strings onto buildings such as houses, offices, stores, and the like. The system according to the present invention has at least one, preferably a series of, display channel pieces, or tracks, that are attached to a surface of a building, such as a house, store, office, or the like. The channel pieces are coupled together with coupling tabs. Slide mounts moveably fit within, and work with, channels within the channel pieces and are used to moveably secure ornamental light strings to the system when in use. Beveled edges located on distal ends of projections on the channel pieces allow for variable positioning of light strings using the channels system of the present invention. A slide mount guide is used to urge the mounted light string from a storage channel piece to the display channel pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Karren Moreland
  • Patent number: 7159999
    Abstract: In a backlight assembly and a liquid crystal display apparatus, a plurality of lamps disposed in a receiving space of the backlight assembly is spaced apart from each other by various intervals between the lamps depending upon positions at which the lamps are disposed. Each of the lamps may also have an external electrode having a different area from each other or due to the positions at which the lamps are disposed. Furthermore, each of the lamps may have a different amount of discharge gas injected thereinto due to the positions at which the lamps are disposed. Accordingly, the liquid crystal display apparatus may provide a uniform brightness, and prevent deterioration of display quality thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyeong-Suk Yoo, Joong-Hyun Kim, Seok-Hyun Nam, Jong-Sun Lim, Seock-Hwan Kang, Jin-Seob Byun
  • Patent number: 7160000
    Abstract: A unique, collapsible light display frame and kit therefore is disclosed formed from a plurality of pivotally connecting elongate members having segments which can be removed for changing dimensions, and holes which enable connection of the members in a variety of different sized and shaped, generally polygonal forms, holes enabling the connection of strings of mini-lights thereto within the geometric form of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventors: Kathleen A. Eldridge, Timothy E. Brown
  • Patent number: 7160001
    Abstract: A focus assembly for a luminaire includes a socket, having wires extending therefrom, for receiving a lamp; a mounting cup for securing the socket to the luminaire; a socket focusing mechanism for axially translating the mounting cup relative to a stationary reflector; and a wire guide tab, extending from the mounting cup, for shielding the wires from the socket focus mechanism during translation of the mounting cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Cooper Industries
    Inventor: Paul Bartlett
  • Patent number: 7160002
    Abstract: An optical assembly for architectural illumination having a quasi point source surrounded by a collimating ring lens designed to radially project collimated beams. A segmented off axis parabolic reflector to collect and reflect light (not gathered by the collimating ring lens) as collimated beams and a segmented ring reflector, the segments of which are arranged to gather beams from both the collimating ring lens and the off axis reflector and then direct them in substantially the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Jerome H. Simon