Patents Issued in August 7, 2007
  • Patent number: 7252356
    Abstract: A recording apparatus is configured to record an image on a recording medium by repeating a recording operation and a conveying operation. The recording operation is operative to apply a recording agent to the recording medium using a recording head while moving the recording head for scanning in a direction different from a predetermined direction. The recording head includes a plurality of recording elements arranged in the predetermined direction and adapted to apply the recording agent. The conveying operation is operative to convey the recording medium in a direction transverse to the scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisaku Ide, Hitoshi Nishikori, Takeshi Yazawa, Atsuhiko Masuyama, Akiko Maru, Satoshi Seki, Hirokazu Yoshikawa, Hideaki Takamiya, Kosuke Yamamoto, Hiroshi Tajika
  • Patent number: 7252357
    Abstract: In the present apparatus, nozzle openings of a pair of adjacent nozzle rows among a plurality of nozzle rows are shifted relative to each other with respect to a direction in which the nozzle rows extend. Liquid of the lightest color is supplied to the nozzle row nearest to an end of a liquid ejecting head with respect to a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the nozzle rows extend, and liquid of the darkest color is supplied to the nozzle row at a middle part of the liquid ejecting head with respect to the direction in which the nozzle rows extend. A controller controls the liquid ejecting head to eject liquids through the nozzle openings of all the plurality of nozzle rows of the liquid ejecting head while the liquid ejecting head is moving for forward and backward scanning strokes. The deterioration of image quality and the increase of approach regions due to the increase of the length of the liquid ejecting head can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Satoru Hosono
  • Patent number: 7252358
    Abstract: A recording apparatus comprising: a printing head which has a plurality of recording elements and performs recording on the recording medium; a head holder which holds the printing head; a flexible wiring board comprising a flexible insulating band and a plurality of conductive wires and a driver element for actuating the printing head, which are provided on the flexible insulating band; and a heatsink for releasing heat generated by the driver element, wherein the heatsink is disposed between the flexible wiring board and the head holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoki Katayama
  • Patent number: 7252359
    Abstract: An inkjet recording device according to the present invention performs preliminary ejection, not at an interval of fixed time but at a time detected by the inkjet recording device, to reduce the number of preliminary ejection for high-quality image recording or to reduce the number of preliminary ejection and the required time for higher throughput and faster image recording. A setting data count unit 1009 counts the number of occurrences of consecutive count patterns predetermined for each nozzle block according to the count patterns that are set in a preliminary ejection setting unit 1008 and the analysis result of the command analysis unit 1003. A preliminary ejection control unit checks, for each block, if the count value has reached a predetermined value and, if the count value has reached the predetermined value in at least one block, starts preliminary ejection for the recording head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Finetech Inc.
    Inventor: Kenichi Udagawa
  • Patent number: 7252360
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a method and a computing system for deducing ink thickness variations from spectral reflectance measurements performed on a printing press or on a printer. The computed ink thickness variations enable controlling the ink deposition and therefore the color accuracy, both in the case of high-speed printing presses and of network printers. Ink thickness variations are expressed as ink thickness variation factors incorporated into a spectral prediction model. The method for computing ink thickness variations comprises both calibration and ink thickness variation computation steps. The calibration steps comprise the calculation of ink transmittances from measured reflectances and the computation of possibly wavelength-dependent ink thicknesses of solid superposed inks. Wavelength-dependent ink thicknesses account for the scattering behavior of non-transparent inks or of inks partly entering into the paper bulk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Roger D. Hersch, Peter Amrhyn, Matthias Riepenhoff
  • Patent number: 7252361
    Abstract: An apparatus is capable of securely cleaning foreign matter, such as ink, attached to a discharge port surface with good efficiency, even in the case of a broad discharge port surface such as in a full-line type apparatus, and capable of preventing a discharge defect of the ink or deviation in a discharge direction, so as to perform satisfactory recording. The apparatus includes: an absorbing roller, formed of a rotatable roller-shaped porous absorbing material, for wiping/removing foreign matter, such as ink, attached to a discharge port surface, and wipers, formed of plate-shaped rubber-like elastic materials, for sweeping/removing the foreign matter attached to the discharge port surface. The absorbing roller is moved ahead when both the absorbing roller and the wiper are brought into contact with the discharge port surface and moved in an arrangement direction of discharge ports along the discharge port surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsumasa Nishikawa, Yasushi Murayama
  • Patent number: 7252362
    Abstract: A printing apparatus having a printhead for printing by discharging liquid on a printing medium performs a toggle preliminary discharge operation of alternately performing discharge from main nozzles and dummy nozzles in order to establish a good discharge state of the liquid from the main nozzles. The main nozzles and the dummy nozzles communicate with liquid chambers, which in turn communicate with a common liquid chamber. A control circuit for the printhead and a control method are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuji Katsu, Toru Nakayama, Yuji Hamasaki, Norihiro Kawatoko, Atsushi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 7252363
    Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a recording head, a conveyance mechanism, a shutter, a storage portion, and a moving mechanism. The recording head includes an ejection surface in which an ejection port for ejecting ink is defined. The conveyance mechanism conveys a printing medium while the printing medium is facing the ejection surface. The shutter covers the ejection surface. The storage portion stores the shutter. The moving mechanism moves the shutter from the storage portion to a facing position while the shutter is separate from the ejection surface. The shutter faces and covers the ejection surface at the facing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Takagi, Tsugio Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7252364
    Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus prints by scanning an inkjet printhead for discharging ink and a printing medium relative to each other. The printhead includes a first nozzle group used to print a dot having a first density, and a second nozzle group used to print a dot having a second density. The inkjet printing apparatus has a first printing mode in which only one of the first and second nozzle groups is used during one printing scan, and a second printing mode in which the first and second nozzle groups are driven at different timings during one printing scan. In this inkjet printing apparatus, a pattern for adjusting the relative printing positions of the nozzle rows in the first printing mode is printed. From this pattern, set values of relative printing positions in the first printing mode are specified. On the basis of the specified set values, set values of the relative printing positions of the nozzle rows in the second printing mode are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Chikuma, Hisatsugu Naito, Hidehiko Kanda
  • Patent number: 7252365
    Abstract: A printing system and a method for printing in a multi-pass, bi-directional mode is provided. The method includes printing some boundary portions of an image in a first print-direction such that a non-printed area is traversed before a printed area and printing other boundary portions of the image in the opposite print-direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Igor Yakubov, Matty Litvak, Yosi Kaplan
  • Patent number: 7252366
    Abstract: Inkjet printheads with high nozzle areal density are disclosed. Various structures are shown where the areal density of nozzles is greater than 200 million per square meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7252367
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead is provided having a plurality of ink ejection nozzles. Each nozzle has a displaceable actuator arm, a paddle for ejecting ink through an aperture defined in a roof of the nozzle, and a motion-transmitting structure interconnecting the actuator arm and the paddle, the motion-transmitting structure comprising a lever arm formation interposed between effort and load formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7252368
    Abstract: The fluid injector includes a base, a first through hole, a fluid actuator, a passivation layer, and a thick hydrophobic film. The base includes a chamber and a surface. The first through hole communicates with the chamber, and is disposed in the base. The fluid actuator is disposed on the surface near the first through hole, and is located outside the chamber. The passivation layer is disposed on the surface. The thick hydrophobic film formed of a crosslink defines a second through hole, and is disposed on the passivation layer outside the chamber. The second through hole communicates with the first through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Benq Corporation
    Inventors: Wei-Lin Chen, Hung-Sheng Hu
  • Patent number: 7252369
    Abstract: An inkjet printer head including: (a) a front head unit having (a-i) an outside surface which is to be opposed to a print media, (a-ii) an inside surface opposite to the outside surface, (a-iii) a plurality of nozzles opening in the outside surface and arranged in row, and (a-iv) an ink inlet opening in the inside surface; (b) an ink-channel defining unit supplying an ink into the front head unit through the ink inlet; (c) a head holder holding the front head unit; and (d) a reinforcement member fixed to the inside surface of the front head unit. The front head unit and the head holder are fixed to each other, with the reinforcement member being interposed therebetween. The ink-channel defining unit is fixed to one of opposite side surfaces of the reinforcement member that is remote from the front head unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirotake Nakamura, Seiji Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7252370
    Abstract: An inkjet printing head includes: an actuator unit; and a flow path unit onto whose surface the actuator unit is fixed, the flow path unit including: a common ink chamber having a plurality of outlets; a plurality of individual ink flow paths having a plurality of pressure chambers of which the volumes are changed by the actuator unit, the individual ink flow paths for leading ink from the respective outlets of the common ink chamber to respective nozzles through respective pressure chambers, the pressure chambers arranged along a plane in a form of matrix and each connected to the respective nozzles; and a plurality of adjustment portions provided at a side opposite to the actuator unit with respect to the pressure chambers and adjust compliances of each of the pressure chambers to be equalized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Hirota
  • Patent number: 7252371
    Abstract: A liquid delivering device including: (a) a cavity unit defining pressure chambers; and (b) a piezoelectric actuator unit superposed on the cavity unit, and having active portions opposed to the respective pressure chambers and selectively deformable upon application of a drive voltage thereto so as to deliver a liquid from the corresponding pressure chambers to the exterior. The actuator unit includes first and second flexible layers, and a piezoelectric material layer interposed between the first and second flexible layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroto Sugahara
  • Patent number: 7252372
    Abstract: The liquid ejection apparatus comprises: an ejection head having ejection holes which eject liquid droplets to land on an ejection receiving medium; a conveyance device which causes the ejection head and the ejection receiving medium to move relative to each other in one direction, by conveying at least one of the ejection head and the ejection receiving medium in a relative conveyance direction substantially perpendicular to a breadthways direction of the ejection receiving medium; a direction of flight deflecting device which deflects direction of flight of the liquid droplets ejected from the ejection head in a direction which includes at least a component that is substantially parallel to the relative conveyance direction; and a deflection control device which controls the direction of flight deflecting device, wherein when droplets are ejected during relative conveyance of the ejection receiving medium and a row of dots is formed in which dots that are mutually adjacent in the relative conveyance directi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kusunoki, Tetsuzo Kadomatsu
  • Patent number: 7252373
    Abstract: A system and method of aligning a charge tunnel of a continuous inkjet printer with a drop generator and a catcher, wherein the charge tunnel passes through an outer wall of a charge tunnel unit, including adjusting a linear position of the charge tunnel unit, and adjusting a rotary position of the charge tunnel unit. The adjusting steps are performed to ensure that the charge tunnel is aligned with the drop generator and the catcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Videojet Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dilip Shrivastava
  • Patent number: 7252374
    Abstract: An ink-jet recording apparatus, includes an ink-extracting member which has an ink-extract passage as an inner passage formed therein and which is to be removably connected to an ink cartridge. The ink-extracting member is to be connected to the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge includes an ink-outlet valve member which shuts off a flow of the ink from the ink cartridge, and which establishes a state in which the ink can be extracted from the ink cartridge by the ink-extracting member when the ink-outlet valve member is pressed by the ink-extracting member. The ink-extracting member further includes, at an end portion thereof, an end face which abuts on the ink-outlet valve member, and at least one ink-extract communication opening which is formed at the end portion and which is formed in a peripheral wall of the ink-extracting member, so as to communicate with the ink-extract passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takamasa Usui, Toyonori Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7252375
    Abstract: An ink jet type printing apparatus in which an ink supply needle is located near one side in a direction perpendicular to the reciprocated directions of a carriage, a circuit board is mounted on a wall of an ink cartridge in the vicinity of the side on which an ink supply port is formed and plural contacts for connecting to external control means are formed on the exposed surface of the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Shinada, Fujio Akahane, Minoru Usui, Takao Kobayashi, Makoto Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 7252376
    Abstract: A recording liquid container for containing liquid for recording to be supplied to recording means, said recording liquid container being detachably mountable to a mounting portion of a recording device, said recording liquid container includes an Information memory medium storing predetermined information; a wireless sending element capable of wireless sending of a predetermined information in said information memory medium within a predetermined range; a wireless communication antenna for wirelessly sending radio wave; and communication property changing element for changing a communication property of the wireless sending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Hatasa, Hajime Yamamoto, Eiichiro Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7252377
    Abstract: An ink tank of the foam type which is provided with a detected portion capable of exactly and surely detecting the amount of ink used by the printer or remaining in the ink tank. The ink tank includes a sub ink chamber that is diposed or formed between a main ink chamber and an ink outlet of an ink tank of a foam type. When an amount of air flowing into the sub ink chamber increases, one or more reflecting surfaces of a right-angled prism, which function as ink interfaces, resume their original function of reflecting surfaces, thereby enabling the detection of an ink end. Air bubbles having entered the sub ink chamber are surely led onto the one or more reflecting surfaces by a bubble storage part. At an ink passage having a narrow width, which is defined by the one or more reflecting surfaces, air bubbles are pressed against the one or more reflecting surfaces to be put to a crushed state and in surface contact with the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Nishioka, Yukihiro Hanaoka, Manabu Yamada
  • Patent number: 7252378
    Abstract: Provided is an ink cartridge. The ink cartridge includes a first chamber, which retains ink and communicates with a print head, a second chamber with an air vent, a third chamber, which includes a first end communicating with the first chamber and a second end communicating with the second chamber and is filled with a porous member creating a negative pressure by capillary action, and selective permeable member installed at the air vent, which allows inflow of air and prevents outflow of the ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-cheol Lee
  • Patent number: 7252379
    Abstract: A manually moveable printer (20) is designed to print onto a page of print media (20) as a user swipes (21) the printer across the page. The printer has a printhead arrangement, which includes a number of ink ejection nozzles. The printer has a speed sensor designed to measure the speed at which the printhead arrangement is moved relative to the print media and to generate speed data. The printer also has a print controller designed to receive image data from an image source, convert the image data into a number of drop ejection signals, receive the speed data from the speed sensor and operate the ink ejection nozzles. The nozzles are operated in accordance with the drop ejection control signals at a rate determined using the speed data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7252380
    Abstract: Ophthalmologic analysis system for measuring the thickness of the corneal tissue on an eye to be examined having a projection device with which defined regions of the corneal tissue are illuminated, whereby the projection device cooperates with an observation system by means of which the illuminated regions of the corneal tissue can be observed and recorded at an angle in relation to the beam path of the projection device. A second projection device is provided on the analysis system, whereby the second projection device cooperates with a second observation system by means of which the illuminated regions of the corneal tissue are observed and recorded such that the curvature of the corneal tissue can be derived from the image information of the second observation system in the analysis device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Oculus Optikgeraete GmBH
    Inventor: Gert Koest
  • Patent number: 7252381
    Abstract: An ophthalmoscope has illuminating optics (10) for projecting a beam of light into an eye under examination and imaging optics (14) for creating an image of said eye for viewing by a user. The imaging optics comprises an objective lens system (16) and an eye piece lens system (20). Two corneal reflex stops (138 and 148) are positioned one on either side of the corneal image formed by the objective lens system. The stops block reflections from the cornea of the eye under examination over a range of distances of the ophthalmoscope from the eye. The use of the two corneal reflex stops results in the precise positioning of the ophthalmoscope relative to the eye under examination not being critical to the blocking of the corneal reflex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Keeler Limited
    Inventors: Clive Harrold Thomas Burrows, Kelvyn Church, Stephen Church, David Ernest Lane Freeman, James Robert Arnold Matthews
  • Patent number: 7252382
    Abstract: The apparatus for measuring differences in the transmission of light through a lens of an eye is an eye chart has two main sections including a test section that displays a shade of a test color and a reference section that displays either a spectrum of shades, or a different shade of, the test color. The chart is displayed in a box, projected on a wall or displayed as a chart hung on a wall. The chart is illuminated using a constant or variable intensity light source. A patient is required to find or make a match between the shades disposed on the chart. When the variable intensity light is used, the patient will be required to adjust the light intensity of the section it illuminates until a match in color shades is made. The chart may be used in conjunction with a Snellen eye chart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: S. Fred Brunk
  • Patent number: 7252383
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved wireless audio output assembly for projectors, which comprises a system unit having a projector circuit therein and a projector lens disposed on the exterior of the system unit, and the system unit has a card-type wireless audio output circuit installed therein and a wireless active speaker installed on the exterior of the system unit, so that a projector can be used as a standalone device without connecting to external cables to read data from a memory card, view video images, and read audio/video signals of an optical disk. The projector can be upgraded to the user's desired wireless audio output circuit by inserting various different cards for the expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Meiloon Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Francis Ho, Henry Chien, Yu-Chin Li, Wen-Hung Hsu, Chung-Hua Tsai, Minglu Chen
  • Patent number: 7252384
    Abstract: A three-panel projection display apparatus displays a color image by separating light emitted from a light source into lights of three primaries, i.e., red, green, and blue, with dichroic mirrors, by irradiating liquid crystal light valves with the respective separated lights, by combining the lights modulated by the respective liquid crystal light valves with a cross dichroic prism, and by projecting the combined light through a single projection lens onto a screen. The lengths of the light paths for the separated blue and green lights are equal to each other. The distance between a condenser lens and the liquid crystal light valve in the blue light path is shorter than the distance between a condenser lens and the liquid crystal light valve in the green light path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Viewtechnology, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiro Osaka
  • Patent number: 7252385
    Abstract: A projection apparatus comprises a Light Emitting Diode (LED) and a cooling arrangement is described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventors: T. Scott Engle, David E. Slobodin
  • Patent number: 7252386
    Abstract: The method comprises the steps of: capturing an output image projected on an actual projection surface; outputting imaging information that includes brightness information having a correlation to a brightness; and correcting a distortion of the output image in relation to the input image according to the imaging information. The distortion correcting step comprises the steps of: providing the image projector with a correction image for using in compensation of the distortion of output image; and determining a peak position movement amount, and also distorting in advance the input image so as to compensate for the distortion. The correction image is configured such that an angle change amount of the peak position according to the peak position movement amount, seen from the image projector is closer to the angle of the slope than an all white pattern image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Morio Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7252387
    Abstract: A method adjusts a pose of a projector with respect to a display surface. A homography HD,P is determined between a display surface and a projector. The homography HD,P is decomposed into rotation and translation parameters expressing a pose MP of the projector. An ideal pose M0 of the projector corresponding to an ideal homography H0 is determined. A pose adjustment MA is determined according to MA=M0(MP)?1. The pose adjustment MA is decomposed into rotation and translation adjustment parameters. Then, the projector is adjusted mechanically to the ideal pose M0 according to the rotation and translation adjustment parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramesh Raskar, Jeroen van Baar
  • Patent number: 7252388
    Abstract: A projector includes two range sensors of a phase difference method. The range sensors are laid out near a projection lens in such a way that a line connecting the centers of two photo-sensor arrays incorporated in one of the range sensors crosses a line connecting the centers of two photo-sensor arrays incorporated in the other range sensors approximately at the right angles. A control section controls those range sensors to measure distances to a plurality of ranging points on a screen. The control section computes the tilt angle of the screen based on the measured distances and supplies the computed tilt angle to a trapezoid correcting section and an optical mechanism section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Ogawa
  • Patent number: 7252389
    Abstract: A projection optical system is disclosed with which undistorted images can be obtained at any image position within a specification range, and whose projection angle can be changed. The projection optical system includes a plurality of optical elements and a first optical system constituted by at least one of the plurality of optical elements having the ability to form an image with light onto a predetermined surface different from the projection surface. A projection image of the original image can be moved by rotating a first optical element of the plurality of optical elements substantially around a center of an exit pupil position of the first optical system as the rotation center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koshi Hatakeyama, Toshihiro Sunaga
  • Patent number: 7252390
    Abstract: A projecting optical system for decreasing a height of an optical system is provided. The system includes a lamp for irradiating light, a color divider for dividing colors of light irradiated from the lamp, an illumination mixer for irradiating the light with equal light intensity, a channel-changing prism for changing a channel of light irradiated from the illumination mixer to upward and downward, and a TIR prism for changing a direction and angle of light to a predetermined direction and angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Seung Gyu Lee
  • Patent number: 7252391
    Abstract: A method of producing an image comprising impinging a beam of light on first region of a dynamic filter. The dynamic filter comprising at least two regions having different light transmission characteristics. A first region of the dynamic filter transmits a first transmitted portion of the beam of light and reflects a first reflected portion of the beam of light. Impinging at least some of the first reflected portion of the beam of light on a second region of the dynamic filter. The second region of the dynamic filter transmitting a second transmitted portion. The first and second transmitted portions are modulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Duane S. Dewald, Steven M. Penn, Michael T. Davis
  • Patent number: 7252392
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus which applies light from light emitting members to a region to be illuminated. The apparatus includes an emitted light quantity control unit which controls emitted light quantities of the members, and a light transmissibility changing unit which controls transmissibility of each light path which transmits output light of the light emitting member to the region. The controls of the emitted light quantity control unit and the light transmissibility changing unit are performed in such a manner that an illuminative light quantity in the region during intermittent lighting of a predetermined number of light emitting members which are some of the light emitting members at a driving current value larger than a rated current in a predetermined period is larger than an illuminative light quantity in the region during constant lighting of the predetermined number of light emitting members at a rated driving current in the predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Shinzo Matsui
  • Patent number: 7252393
    Abstract: A dual lamp coupling system is provided using a single equilateral 60 degree triangle prism in front of the integrator rod to homogenize the focused light from two lamps, with increased projection brightness. According to one embodiment, the equilateral 60 degree triangular prism is integrated into the end of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Christie Digital Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Ma
  • Patent number: 7252394
    Abstract: A projection display system includes a light source emitting a light beam, and a reflecting mirror system for scanning the light beam over an image to illuminate the image. The light source can be solid state such as a laser diode. The reflecting mirror system can be one or more MEMS scanning mirrors that rotate to raster scan the light beam over the image. The image can be an advertisement located on a wall, a screen, a sign, or a billboard. The image can also be a semi-transparent image that is projected onto a medium to produce a larger image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced NuMicro Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Yee-Chung Fu
  • Patent number: 7252395
    Abstract: A micromirror array fabricated on a semiconductor substrate. The array is comprised of three operating layers. An addressing layer is fabricated on the substrate. A hinge layer is spaced above the addressing layer by an air gap. A mirror layer is spaced over the hinge layer by a second air gap. The hinge layer has a hinge under and attached to the mirror, the hinge permitting the mirror to tilt. The hinge layer further has spring tips under the mirror, which are attached to the addressing layer. These spring tips provide a stationary landing surface for the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Anthony DiCarlo, Patrick I. Oden, Richard L. Knipe, Rabah Mezenner, James D. Huffman
  • Patent number: 7252396
    Abstract: A retroreflective article having at least one valve is disclosed. Each valve may include a channel extending from a first major surface to a second major surface of the retroreflective material, and at least one movable member proximate the channel. The at least one movable member is movable between a closed position and an open position. When in the closed position, the at least one movable member obstructs at least a portion of the channel. A method of making a retroreflective article having at least one valve is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Paul E. Marecki, James G. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7252397
    Abstract: An angle selective reflection sheet which is comprised of an angle selective transparent sheet having a characteristic of selectively reflecting light according to an incident angle of incident light to the angle selective transparent sheet, and a reflection layer laminated on a surface of the angle selective transparent sheet. The angle selective reflection sheet is preferably applied to surface members of an instrument panel, a door trim, a rear parcel shelf, a pillar garnish and a steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Harata, Hiroaki Miura
  • Patent number: 7252398
    Abstract: A mirror mounting assembly for mounting a mirror on a vehicle bulkhead. The assembly includes a generally Z-shaped mirror mounting bracket configured for attachment to a structural portion of the vehicle inside an engine bay of the vehicle, and a support member connected to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes a first flange and a second flange extending laterally in opposite directions from opposed edges of a connecting web. The first flange has two through-holes sized and positioned for connection to the structural portion inside engine bay by existing body panel mounting screws. The second flange and the connecting web are sized and configured so that the second flange extends out of the engine bay upon installation of the bracket. The support member carries a pivot element sized and configured to pivotally support a first support arm assembly for a rear view mirror unit and a second support arm assembly for a cross view mirror unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Rosco, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Englander
  • Patent number: 7252399
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a folded front end unit used in a light engine of a projection display device. The front end unit comprises a light source for generating a beam of light, and a lightpipe for providing spatial uniformity to the beam of light. Polarization-dependent front end units include polarization beam splitters for separating the light into orthogonally polarized sub-beams, and a polarization rotating element, e.g. a waveplate, for rotating the polarization of one of the sub-beams. In accordance with the present invention, a prism is positioned between the light source and the lightpipe for reflecting the light into the lightpipe. The difference in refractive index between the air and the prism decreases the cone angle of the beam of light enough to effectively increase the distance between the light source and the lightpipe to compensate for the added distance required to fold the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: John Ferri, Michael Newell, Clark Pentico
  • Patent number: 7252400
    Abstract: An illuminated indicator is disclosed. The illuminated indicator includes graphics disposed on a rear surface of a lightpipe and a housing that supports the rear surface of lightpipe. The housing defines an outer perimeter light channel. The illuminated indicator also includes a plurality of light sources that are disposed about the outer perimeter light channel. The outer perimeter light channel directs light from the plurality of light sources to an outer perimeter edge of the lightpipe to evenly illuminate the graphics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Clugston, David L. Brooks, Kenneth D. Perry, Randall J. Heidtman, Gail M. Sylvester, Douglas A. Best
  • Patent number: 7252401
    Abstract: A plurality of signal wands having a handle and a signaling portion comprising photoluminescent material and a high visibility pigment are stored in a lighted receptacle for use in either high light or low light conditions. Openings provided in one wall of the receptacle permit the signaling portion of each signal wand to be inserted into an internal chamber of the receptacle, which houses a plurality of full spectrum light bulbs. The signal wands and light bulbs are oriented relative to one another in a pattern that ensures that the signaling portions are substantially surrounded by light. Exposed to light for as little as five minutes, the signaling portion of the signal wands glow with sufficient intensity and for a sufficient duration to signal vehicles, such as aircraft operating near airport gates, in low light conditions. The high visibility pigment associated with the signaling portion enables the signal wands also to be used for daytime signaling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Steve F. Plaszcz
  • Patent number: 7252402
    Abstract: A lighting device for illuminating the inside of a baking oven containing an oven muffle and a front flap or door including a viewing window. The lighting device having a light beam path inside of the front flap and at least one mirror arranged in the front flap for distributing light from the lighting device light beam path into the oven muffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Götz, Walter Gramlich
  • Patent number: 7252403
    Abstract: This invention related to a star and crescent structure and method thereof. More particularly it relates to a structure comprising a star which is secured to a crescent via at least one link, and method thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Dinpanah, Inc.
    Inventors: Aziz Mohammad Ahsan, Sadaf Raoof Ahsan, Shahzad Saeed Ahsan
  • Patent number: 7252404
    Abstract: This is a toolbox, which combines many features and which will allow the worker to simply carry one toolbox into an area and effectuate all repairs. It will provide a means to provide illumination for any areas, which are poorly or dimly lit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Douglas J. Messamore
  • Patent number: 7252405
    Abstract: A lighting device having a plurality of LEDs mounted on a heat sink that serves to transfer heat from the LEDs to the outside environment. The lighting device is positioned within a fresnel lens to produce a distribution of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Automatic Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen E. Trenchard, Alan Trojanowski