Patents Issued in February 13, 2007
  • Patent number: 7177061
    Abstract: An optical modulator comprises a first waveguide layer and a barrier layer, and a quantum well layer sandwiched between the first waveguide layer and the barrier layer, where the quantum well layer has a graded composition that varies the bandgap energy of the quantum well layer between a minimum bandgap energy and the bandgap energy of at least one of the first waveguide layer and the barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Avago Technologies Fiber IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: David P. Bour, Jintian Zhu
  • Patent number: 7177062
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a display method of performing image display, which comprises outputting corresponding subfield data every plural subfields by pulse width modulation to thereby drive a display element. In driving the display element, rewrite operations of all display pictures are completed in such a manner that subfield data are simultaneously outputted within one field time period, and respective plural subfield data are simultaneously outputted also at any time point within one field time period so that display drive is performed. By employing such display drive, rewrite operations with respect to respective subfields are completed after one field time period is completed. Thus, transfer speed (rate) of data to be transferred in correspondence with the minimum time width can be lowered to much degree as compared to display drive by the conventional subfield system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoya Yano
  • Patent number: 7177063
    Abstract: A MEMS apparatus for scanning an optical beam comprises a mirror operative to perform a rotational motion to a maximum rotation angle around a mirror rotation axis formed in a double active layer silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. The apparatus may include a bouncing mechanism operative to provide a bouncing event and to reverse the rotational motion. The bouncing event provides the mirror with a piecewise linear response to actuation by intrinsically nonlinear electrostatic forces. In a particular embodiment, the bouncing mechanism includes a vertical comb drive stator built in the same active layer of the double active layer SOI substrate, while actuator comb drive stators are built in a different active layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Terraop Ltd.
    Inventors: Slava Krylov, Moshe Medina, Avigdor Huber, Ronen Lalezar
  • Patent number: 7177064
    Abstract: Disclosed is a display device using a printed circuit board (PCB) as a substrate of a display panel. The display device includes the PCB formed with a via hole, a display panel having an electrode aligned adjacent to one side of the via hole formed in the PCB in order to apply an electric signal to a pixel or a segment, a driving circuit section for applying an electric signal to the display panel, and a wiring section for electrically connecting the electrode of the display panel to the driving circuit section through the via hole. The electric signal of the driving circuit is directly applied to the lower electrode through the via hole of the PCB, so the length of the electrode line used for wiring can be significantly reduced, thereby improving the response speed of the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kee Yong Park
  • Patent number: 7177065
    Abstract: An optical element which includes a reflection portion capable of reflecting a light beam in a desired direction is provided. The optical element comprises a substrate 21, a light reflection portion 101, and a support portion 102 which supports the light reflection portion 101 over the substrate 21. Each of the light reflection portion 101 and the support portion 102 is constructed of at least one film. The support portion 102 has one end 102c fixed to the substrate 21 and has the other end 102d joined with the film constructing the light reflection portion 101, and it bends from one end 102c toward the other end 102d, thereby to support the principal plane of the film constructing the light reflection portion 101, non-parallelly, for example, perpendicularly to the principal plane of the substrate 21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Tohru Ishizuya, Junji Suzuki, Yoshihiko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7177066
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for reducing reverse bias in an electrophoretic display. The system and method include the application of varying levels of voltages across an array of electrophoretic display cells of the electrophoretic display to move the cells towards a stable state in a driving cycle. In addition, the system and method disconnect the voltages from the electrophoretic display cells at a time duration prior to reaching step transitions of the voltages during the driving cycle. Pre-driving approaches apply a first pre-driving voltage at a first polarity to the display cells before driving the display cells with a second driving voltage at a second, opposite polarity. Varying the time duration and amplitude of the pre-driving signals produces further beneficial reduction in reverse bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Sipix Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Chung, Wanheng Wang, Yajuan Chen, Wei Yao, Jack Hou, Li-Yang Chu
  • Patent number: 7177067
    Abstract: A color electronic paper display device is provided which is easy to fabricate and can provide bright display. The color electronic paper display device includes a CF (Color Filter)-formed TFT (Thin Film Transistor) substrate in which a concave/convex layer is formed and reflecting electrode controlling TFTs and pixel electrode controlling TFTs are arranged on a glass substrate and reflecting electrodes are formed on the concave/convex layer and a colored layer made up of color filters each being for one color out of RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is formed, and each of comb-teeth shaped pixel electrodes is formed in a position corresponding to a color filter for one color, an EPD (Electrophoretic Display Device) film laminated onto an upper surface of the TFT substrate having a plurality of microcapsules making up electrophoretic elements spreading within the EPD film, and a facing substrate laminated onto an upper surface of the EPD film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: NEC LCD Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Michiaki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 7177068
    Abstract: An arrangement for a micro-mechanical beam includes a support structure to provide an increase in bending stiffness of the micro-mechanical beam without significantly influencing torsional stiffness, where the support structure is configured to directly attach to the micro-mechanical beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Niendorf, Wilhelm Frey, Zhiyu Pan
  • Patent number: 7177069
    Abstract: A white light source has a light emission device, in particular an IR laser diode, whose emitted radiation beam is converted, in a nonlinear-optical element and a conversion element, into a radiation beam with wavelengths ?1, . . . ?n which can be perceived as white light and can have a higher power rating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Späth, Rüdiger Müller
  • Patent number: 7177070
    Abstract: Two grooves 10 are diced in parallel along the light passage direction in a quartz quasi-phase matching element 1. Consequently, as is shown in (b) and (c), a protruding part 11 which is positioned between the two grooves 10 is formed on the upper surface side (in the figures), and a ridge type waveguide 9 is formed inside this protruding part. Accordingly, if light is caused to pass through this ridge type waveguide 9, the light can be caused to pass through the portions with inverted crystal axes (polarization inversion regions) 4, and can be subjected to a wavelength conversion, in a state in which the light is confined into the ridge type wavelength guide 9. As a result, a state can be produced in which the energy of the light is high inside the wavelength conversion region, so that a high wavelength conversion efficiency can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Sunao Kurimura, Masaki Harada
  • Patent number: 7177071
    Abstract: A terahertz wave-generating semiconductor crystal includes a zincblende-type III-V compound semiconductor crystal that generates terahertz wave pulses upon application of an ultrashort light pulse in the optical communication band serving as a pump beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ohtake, Toshiharu Sugiura, Toshiaki Bessho, Koichiro Tanaka, Masaya Nagai, Yutaka Kadoya
  • Patent number: 7177072
    Abstract: A photosensitive resist layer is formed on one surface of a single-polarized ferroelectric substance having nonlinear optical effects. The resist layer has properties such that, when light is irradiated to the resist layer, only exposed areas of the resist layer or only unexposed areas of the resist layer become soluble in a developing solvent. The resist layer is then exposed to near-field light in a periodic pattern with a device, which receives exposure light and produces the near-field light in the periodic pattern. The resist layer is then developed to form a periodic pattern. A periodic electrode is then formed on the one surface of the ferroelectric substance by utilizing the periodic pattern of the resist layer as a mask, the periodic electrode being formed at positions corresponding to opening areas of the mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasukazu Nihei, Masayuki Naya
  • Patent number: 7177073
    Abstract: A Raman amplifier for use in an optical fiber communication system with dispersion compensation has a first order Raman pump source and a second order Raman pump source both coupled to the input ports of a four-port optical coupler having two input ports and two output ports. One output port is connected to an optical fiber length to inject a pump light signal into the fiber length for second-order Raman amplification and the other output port is connected to a dispersion compensating fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Gabriel Charlet, Patrice Tran
  • Patent number: 7177074
    Abstract: A circuit and associated method for safety shutdown of an optical amplifier, wherein the power of an amplified spontaneous emission ASE is subject to a correction factor and subtracted from a measured signal extracted from the optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Lutz Rapp
  • Patent number: 7177075
    Abstract: A combination of filters for filtering selected wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation is provided on a transparent substrate such as a plastic film or glazing of a window. The combination of filters prevents or attenuates the passage of wavelengths through the substrate which would pose a security risk. The combination of filters is useful to prevent unauthorized data collection and information exchange from or within buildings or otherwise prevent such unauthorized data collection and information exchange from, for example, computer monitors or screens, personal digital assistance, and local area networks. The substrate with the combination of filters may be in the form of a bag or a tent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignees: Astic Signals Defenses, LLC, CPFilms, Inc.
    Inventors: Deron Simpson, Lisa Y. Winckler, Ronald L. Spraker
  • Patent number: 7177076
    Abstract: There is provided a microlithographic projector lens for EUV-lithography with a wavelegth in a range of 10–30 nm, an incident aperture diaphragm and an emergent aperture diaphragm for the transformation of an object field in an object plane into an image field in an image plane. The invention has a microlithographic projector lens that includes a first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth mirror, and a beam path from the object plane to the image plane that is free from obscuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT AG
    Inventors: Hans-Jürgen Mann, Wilhelm Ulrich, Günther Seitz
  • Patent number: 7177077
    Abstract: A solar telescope is disclosed that facilitates safe observation of the sun with minimal setup, targeting effort or operator skill. The folded solar telescope of the invention includes a friction stabilized telescope support system that is capable of maintaining a specified telescope orientation. The telescope further includes a targeting system that comprises one or more pointing aids to simplify the process of aligning the telescope with the sun so a solar image is projected onto a viewing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Learning Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Philip M Sadler
  • Patent number: 7177078
    Abstract: A projection type display apparatus, wherein a common case can be used for housing an illumination optical system even when a shape of an image display element and an optical path length in a prism are different, is provided: wherein a light source for emitting an illumination light, an image display device, an illumination optical system for irradiating the illumination light from the light source to the image display device, and a projection optical system for projecting an image formed by said image display device are provided; the illumination optical system comprises a first fly-eye lens and a second fly-eye lens arranged at each other's focal points, a first lens group and a second lens group arranged over a mirror for bending an optical path; the first and second lens groups have a same focal length but a different back focus; and predetermined condition formulas are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignees: Kyocera Corporation, NEC Viewtechnology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuuji Yamada, Hiroshi Gouda, Katsuyuki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 7177079
    Abstract: A system and method for providing biosynchronized therapy to a patient that creates a therapeutic environment and therapeutic stimulations that are sensitive to psychological and sensory human issues, including those particular to the patient, and that reduce psychological stress experienced by the patient so that other forms of treatment provided to the patient are enhanced and benefited. In one embodiment, the environment and stimulations can be predetermined. The therapy is applied using an overhead system that includes a suspended, multi-function that performs predetermined tasks and a lighting system, both of which provide the room with natural ambient light, artificial ambient light and predetermined task lighting. An image display system is also included for applying preselected images to the canopy over a bed of the patient. The overhead system can be used in a variety of circumstances such as a home, commercial facilities and health care facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Archie E. Cromer, Bonnie K. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7177080
    Abstract: A viewing arrangement includes an image generator having a single, two-sided display screen having a front and a back side which display a front image and a back image, respectively, of a translucent or transparent image generated by the image generator; two eyepieces suitable for viewing the front and back images via respective eyes of a person using the arrangement; and an optical imaging system which images and transmits the front image to one eye of the person using the arrangement via the first eyepiece, and the back image to another eye of the person using the arrangement via the second eyepiece. A corresponding method includes generating an image; processing the image with an optical imaging system into front and back images; displaying the front and back images on a two-sided display; and transmitting the front and back images to first and second eyepieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Flir Systems AB
    Inventor: Michel Soderlindh
  • Patent number: 7177081
    Abstract: A grating light valve has with a plurality of spaced reflective ribbons are spatially arranged over a substrate with reflective surfaces. The grating light valve is configured to optimized the conditions for constructive and destructive interference with an incident light source having a wavelength ?. The grating light valve preferably has a set of movable active ribbons alternating between the set of stationary bias ribbons. The active ribbons and the bias ribbons are spatially separated over the substrate surface such that reflective regions of the substrate surface correspond to the spaces between the ribbons. The ribbons and reflective regions of the substrate optically and geometrically optimized for to generate the conditions for constrictive and destructive interference with the incident light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Silicon Light Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Tomita, David Thomas Amm, Michael J. Daneman, James Hunter, Bryan Staker
  • Patent number: 7177082
    Abstract: A lens array 4 is formed as an erect 1:1 imaging lens by superimposing two lens plates 40 and 40 together. Each lens plate 40 consists of a number of micro lenses 41 which are regularly provided at a predetermined pitch and in a two-dimensional manner. This lens plate 40 is for example made by press molding the ultraviolet curing resin in a soft condition using a transparent mold and by irradiating the ultraviolet light on the ultraviolet curing resin from outside for hardening. Since the lens array 4 is provided with micro lenses 41 in rows in a sub-scanning direction, deterioration of an amount of light level resulting from the displacement between a light axis of the lens and an image sensor 6 is not generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahide Wakisaka, Hiroyuki Nemoto, Takashi Kishimoto, Harunobu Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7177083
    Abstract: A display device is provided for generating an image which is perceivable, by a viewer (M) of an object located in an object plane (O), as being superimposed on the object, said device comprising an image generating device (1) for generating the image in an image plane (B) and a superimposing unit (7), wherein the image generating device (1) and the superimposing unit (7) are mounted on a support device (12), which is placeable on the head of the viewer (M), and the image generating device (1) comprises a focusing unit (3) by which the distance from the image plane (B) to the support device (12) is changeable and which includes a lens (4) having a variable refractive index as well as a control unit (6) for adjusting the refractive index of the lens (4), wherein, when the support device (12) is placed on the head of the viewer (M), the superimposing unit (7) effects superposition of the generated image on the object for the viewer (M) and the control unit (6) adjusts the refractive index of the lens (4) such t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung Trading AS
    Inventor: Frank Holler
  • Patent number: 7177084
    Abstract: An optical combining device for combining the paths of two light beams having different polarizations is provided. The device includes a scroll direction change prism and a polarized beam splitter. The scroll direction change prism is disposed in the path of a first light beam and changes a scroll direction of the first light beam to as to be the same as that of a second light beam. The polarized beam splitter is disposed in the path of both the first light beam, reflected from the scroll direction change prism, and the second light beam and combines the first and second beams by selectively transmitting or reflecting them according to the polarization direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-sik Kim, Kun-ho Cho, Sung-ha Kim
  • Patent number: 7177085
    Abstract: An optical system of the present invention produces multiple simultaneous adjoining images on a single image plane. The optical system includes a first optical sub-system, a second optical sub-system, an aperture stop located between the first optical sub-system and the second optical sub-system, and a beam separating sub-system located at a plane substantially coincident with the aperture stop. The beam separating sub-system can receive electromagnetic radiation from the first optical sub-system and can separate the received electromagnetic radiation into multiple beams of electromagnetic radiation. The second optical sub-system images the multiple beams of electromagnetic radiation received from the beam separating sub-system into multiple images on an image plane. The beam separating sub-system includes one or more beam separating components and a mid-system filter system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Science & Engineering Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Tocci, Nora C. Tocci, Gregory C. Mooradian
  • Patent number: 7177086
    Abstract: If after manufacture it is found that the thickness of a solid immersion lens is less than a target thickness value, an adjustment portion is adhered thereto by vapor deposition so as to reduce the amount of thickness deficiency. If the solid immersion lens is made of quartz glass, SiO2 is used as the material which is vapor deposited. If the thickness of the solid immersion lens is greater than the target value, then it is reduced by etching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Hori
  • Patent number: 7177087
    Abstract: An ocular or eyepiece lens assembly for a riflescope or spotting scope or other types of telescopic optical systems which may include a three element lens assembly comprised of materials of three different refractive indices, at least one of the lens elements composed of optical plastic material, for example, an acrylic polymer, and having at least one aspheric surface. In one configuration, the ocular includes a first lens component on the objective side which is a positive singlet lens element having at least one aspheric surface, and a second lens component on the eyepoint side (i.e. the side of the observer's eye), the second lens component being a doublet lens composed of a cemented lens pair. The singlet lens is configured to correct aberrations accumulated from the previous optics, such as for the objective lens assembly and the erector lens assembly of a riflescope, and also pre-correct the aberrations caused by the doublet lens located on the eyepoint side of the aspheric singlet lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
    Inventor: Chung-Chieh Cheng
  • Patent number: 7177088
    Abstract: By reducing the outer diameter, increasing the overall length, and correcting chromatic aberration well, the invention realizes an objective optical system and examination apparatus that are suitable for in-vivo examination with a sufficiently increased length and widened observation range. The invention provides a compact objective optical system and an examination apparatus comprising, in order from an object side: a first lens group having positive power; a second lens group including a compound lens; a third lens group formed of a biconvex lens; a fourth lens group having positive power and including a compound lens; and a fifth lens group having positive power. Joining surfaces of the compound lens included in the second lens group and the compound lens included in the fourth lens group have negative power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Tadashi Hirata
  • Patent number: 7177089
    Abstract: An objective is used in an optical pickup apparatus which conducts reproducing and/or recording information for three different types of optical information recording media each having different thickness protective substrate by using three different wavelength light fluxes respectively. The objective comprises a first diffractive structure and in which the diffraction order for the maximum diffraction efficiency is the same for all of light fluxes, and a second diffractive structure that diffracts the second light flux without diffracting the first and third light fluxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventor: Tohru Kimura
  • Patent number: 7177090
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to provide a telecentric zoom lens capable of attaining a small numerical aperture, a wide angle of view, reduced distortion, high resolution, reduced chromatic aberration, small aperture, and yet avoiding a cost increase and also to provide the telecentric zoom lens that shows a unified imaging ability relative to a varied distance to the screen and has a minimum projection distance to the screen got shorter. The telecentric zoom lens is comprised of a first group of lenses negative in power, a second group of lenses positive in power, and a third group of lenses positive in power, and a focal length fw at a wide angle of view can be given in relation with focal lengths f1, f2 and f3 of the first, second and third groups of lenses respectively, as follows: 2.5?|f1/fw|?1.5, 4?f2/fw?2.5, and 13?f3/fw?3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Tamron Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeo Arai, Kentaro Yano
  • Patent number: 7177091
    Abstract: Disclosed is a zoom lens having a first lens group having a negative refractive power, a second lens group having a positive refractive power, and a third lens group having a positive refractive power arranged in the mentioned order from an object side, wherein the first lens group includes a negative lens and a positive lens having at least one aspherical surface arranged in the mentioned order from the object side and satisfies a following inequality (1): 0.4<D1/fw<0.66 ??(1) where D1 represents a distance, inside the first lens group, between a lens surface closest to an object and a lens surface closest to an image, and fw represents a focal distance with the zoom lens set to a wide-angle position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshito Iwasawa, Nobuyuki Adachi, Masayuki Murata
  • Patent number: 7177092
    Abstract: The invention relates to a four- or five-group zoom lens that ensures wide-angle performance, high zoom ratios and high quality with a more reduced number of lenses than ever before. The zoom lens comprises, in order from its object side, a first lens group G1 having positive power, a second lens group G2 having negative power, a third lens group G3 having positive power, a fourth lens group G4 having negative power and a fifth lens group G5 having positive power. The fourth lens group G4 comprises one lens. For zooming, all the spacings between the respective lens groups vary and the first lens group G1 moves in such a way as to arrive at the object side at the telephoto end position rather than at the wide-angle end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Satori, Masashi Hankawa
  • Patent number: 7177093
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an afocal zoom system, particularly for use in microscopes, comprising at least four optical assemblies, two of which assemblies are movable relative to one another and to the rest of the assemblies for the purpose of changing the magnification. It is the object of the invention to develop an afocal zoom system which enables a relatively small structural size for a microscope also in combination with a suitable drive mechanism. This object is met by an afocal zoom system of the type described above in which every adjustable magnification can be achieved by a displacing movement of the two movable optical assemblies in the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Huettel, Johannes Winterot
  • Patent number: 7177094
    Abstract: The invention relates to a zoom lens that has high optical performance specifications such as high zoom ratios, wide angles of view, reduced F-numbers and limited aberrations, and enables an optical path to be easily bent. The zoom lens comprises a moving lens group B(G2) that has positive refracting power and moves only toward the object side upon zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, and a lens group A(G1) remaining fixed during zooming, which is located on the object side of the zoom lens with respect to the moving lens group B and has negative refracting power. The moving lens group B is composed of, in order from its object side, a positive lens element, a positive lens element and a negative lens element, three lens elements in all.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Mihara, Ayami Imamura
  • Patent number: 7177095
    Abstract: A zoom lens comprises, from the object side to the image side, a first lens group, a second lens group, and a rear group including one or more lens groups, where the first and second lens groups can move at the time of zooming, and wherein the first lens group comprises, from the object side to the image side, a first lens of negative refractive power, and a second lens of positive refractive power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takayuki Sugiyama, Nobuyuki Tochigi, Motomu Fukasawa, Kazuyuki Kondo
  • Patent number: 7177096
    Abstract: A zoom lens system includes a negative first lens group and a positive second lens group. The negative first lens group includes a negative lens element and a positive lens element. The positive second lens group includes a positive lens element, a negative lens element, and a positive lens element. At least the object-side positive lens element and the negative lens element are cemented together. The zoom lens system of the present invention satisfies the following conditions: 1.5<f2G/(fT/fW)<3.0??(1) 1<f2G(mW?mT)/(fT/fW)<3??(2) wherein f2G: the focal length of the positive second lens group; mW: the lateral magnification of the positive second lens group at the short focal length extremity; and mT: the lateral magnification of the positive second lens group at the long focal length extremity; fT: the focal length of the entire zoom lens system at the long focal length extremity; and fW: the focal length of the entire zoom lens system at the short focal length extremity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Takashi Enomoto
  • Patent number: 7177097
    Abstract: Described is a light pipe having a first end receiving light beams from a light source, a light pipe body through which the light beams travel and a second end including a dispersion structure with a light emitting surface, the dispersion structure being a substantially conical shaped depression in the second end, the light beams being emitted from the light emitting surface of the dispersion structure at a plurality of angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hui-Leng Lim, Igor Vinogradov, Patrick Wallace
  • Patent number: 7177098
    Abstract: An image pickup lens can form an excellent optical image on a compact image pickup element having a large number of pixels. The image pickup lens includes, sequentially from the object side, an optical aperture, a first lens made of glass and having at least a spherical surface at the object side and a positive refracting power, a second lens made of resin and having two a spherical surfaces and a negative refracting power, a third lens made of glass and having at least a spherical surface at the object side and a positive refracting power, and a fourth lens made of resin and having two a spherical surfaces and a negative refracting power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takeo Arai
  • Patent number: 7177099
    Abstract: A 1× projection optical system for deep ultra-violet (DUV) photolithography is disclosed. The optical system is a modified Dyson system capable of imaging a relatively large field at high numerical apertures at DUV wavelengths. The optical system includes a lens group having first and second prisms and four lenses having a positive-negative-positive negative arrangement as arranged in order from the prisms toward the mirror. A projection photolithography system that employs the projection optical system of the invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Ultratech, Inc.
    Inventors: Romeo I. Mercado, Shiyu Zhang
  • Patent number: 7177100
    Abstract: A three lens group zoom lens is provided and includes three lens groups of negative, positive, and positive in this order from an object side and varies a magnification by changing distances among respective lens groups. A first group includes, in order from the object side, a negative lens in a meniscus shape directing a convex surface on the object side, a negative lens in a meniscus shape directing a convex surface on the object side, and a positive lens in a meniscus shape directing a convex surface on the object side. A second group includes, in order from the object side, a cemented lens including a bi-convex lens and a bi-concave lens, and a lens in a meniscus shape directing a concave surface on the object side. A third group includes a positive lens. Each of the first group and the second group includes an aspherical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Ryoko Tomioka
  • Patent number: 7177101
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical head apparatus comprising: a light source; a collimating means of converting a beam of light emitted from the light source into a substantially parallel beam of light; a focusing means of focusing the light onto an information medium surface; a beam splitting means of splitting the beam of light modulated by the information medium; and a light receiving means of receiving the light modulated by the information medium, wherein a lens having a negative power and a lens having a positive power are arranged in this order as viewed from the collimating means side between the collimating means and the focusing means, and at least either one of the lenses is moved along an optical axis to correct spherical aberration occurring on the information medium surface, and wherein the distance from the lens having the positive power to the focusing means is set substantially equal to the focal length of the lens having the positive power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Tanaka, Tomohiko Sasano, Michihiro Yamagata, Daisuke Ogata
  • Patent number: 7177102
    Abstract: A lens body tube configured to support at least one lens inside an inner tube such that the at least one lens can be translated along the optical axis direction of the lens body tube includes a cam ring configured to be rotatably supported around the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube, the at least one lens being configured to be translated along the optical axis direction accompanied by the rotation of the cam ring, a plurality of cams provided on the inner circumferential surface of the cam ring, and a plurality of cam followers provided on a lens frame supporting each of the at least one lens. Each of the plurality of cam followers is engaged with a corresponding one of the plurality of cams. The plurality of cams includes at least two protruded cams. The at least two protruded cams are connected with a part of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoaki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7177103
    Abstract: When a voltage is applied between outside electrodes and a common electrode that constitute driving parts of a driving unit provided between a holder holding a lens and a lens barrel, as shown in FIG. 9, respective dielectric elastomers provided in the driving parts are slightly deformed in a direction that is crushed in an X1–X2 direction. Thus, the entire lens can be slightly moved in the direction of an arrow (X2-direction). This enables an optical axis O?—O? of the lens to coincide with or get closer to a reference optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsumaro Yamashita, Hitoshi Yoshiyuki, Masamichi Hayashi, Eiki Matsuo
  • Patent number: 7177104
    Abstract: An image-taking optical system for forming an optical image of an object on the light-receiving surface of an image sensor includes a plurality of optical blocks. The optical blocks each have a prism unit provided with a curved surface and an optical unit composed of a member different from a member composing the prism unit. The prism unit uses the curved surface as a total reflection surface and also as a transmission surface. The optical unit has near the curved surface a curved surface identically or substantially identically shaped therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Shimo, Soh Ohzawa, Jun Ishihara, Kenji Konno
  • Patent number: 7177105
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for writing data to a hard disk drive synchronous with an apparent disk speed. The apparatus, method, and system has a phase-locked loop (PLL) to generate am output clock signal, wherein a clock interpolator responsive to phase rotation control is in the PLL feedback loop. The phase rotation control is proportional to the apparent disk speed, and the PLL output clock signal is also proportional to the apparent disk speed. A second clock interpolator further modifies the PLL output clock signal to provide pre-compensation control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventor: Pantas Sutardja
  • Patent number: 7177106
    Abstract: A disk storage apparatus including a position detection section for producing position error information corresponding to the current position of a head from servo information which has been previously recorded on a disk and is detected by the head, a position control section for producing position control information corresponding to the position error information, a voltage detection section for detecting a voltage generated in driving an actuator for positioning the head with respect to the disk, and for outputting a voltage signal, a disturbance estimation section for estimating the magnitude of a disturbance exerted on the head from the voltage signal by the voltage detection section and from a drive signal by a drive section of the actuator, and producing disturbance estimation information, a correction section for correcting the position control information by the position control section with the disturbance estimation information and producing the drive signal, and a disturbance monitor section for m
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Inaji, Hiroshi Kohso
  • Patent number: 7177107
    Abstract: In one illustrative example disclosed, a magnetic storage device includes at least one magnetic disk; a magnetic head which includes first and second read sensors; a suspension which supports the magnetic head relative to the magnetic disk; and read circuitry which includes a preamplifier. The preamplifier has a first input port coupled to the first read sensor; a second input port coupled to the second read sensor; a first bias source coupled to the first input port for actively current/voltage biasing the first read sensor; a second bias source coupled to the second input port for zero biasing the second read sensor; and a subtractor having first and second inputs coupled to the first and the second input ports, respectively. The first input of the subtractor is provided with a first signal which includes a read sensor data signal and an interference signal, whereas the second input of the subtractor is provided with a second signal which includes the interference signal but not the read sensor data signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: John Thomas Contreras, Klaas Berend Klaassen, Jacobus Cornelis Leonardus Van Peppen
  • Patent number: 7177108
    Abstract: A system and method of operating a storage system is provided. The storage system includes a tape drive for reading and writing data to a magnetic tape medium of a tape storage media device, and an auxiliary memory emulator for receiving I/O commands to perform I/O operations on an auxiliary memory and for rerouting the commands to perform the I/O operations on the magnetic tape medium of the tape storage media device. The method includes receiving I/O commands to perform I/O operations on an auxiliary memory on a tape storage media device, wherein the tape storage media device includes a magnetic tape medium and does not include the auxiliary memory, and routing the I/O commands to the magnetic tape medium provided in the tape storage media device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Quantum Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Payne, Dwayne A. Edling, Douglas F. Barbian, Theron S. White
  • Patent number: 7177109
    Abstract: Methods are provided for selecting write elements, that can be used in a media-writer, for writing servo burst patterns that have a desired width. Methods for writing preferred servo patterns are also provided. Methods for controlling a write current to produce servo bursts have a desired width are also provided. In accordance with specific embodiments of the present invention, the desired burst width is three-fourths of a data track wide. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures and the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard M. Ehrlich, Thorsten Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7177110
    Abstract: Systems for writing preferred servo patterns, and rotatable storage media including preferred servo patterns, are provided. Systems for controlling write currents to produce servo bursts having a desired width are also provided. In accordance with specific embodiments, the desired burst width is three-fourths of a data track wide. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects, and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures and the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard M. Ehrlich, Thorsten Schmidt