Patents Issued in August 14, 2007
  • Patent number: 7255417
    Abstract: An ink ejection amount error is acquired for each of a plurality of same ink nozzle arrays for ejecting same ink. Line sets consisting of N adjacent main scan lines are classified into a plurality of line set types LT11 to LT13 according to a ratio of the pixel counts allocated to the plurality of nozzle arrays on the line set. Using the ink ejection amount error of each nozzle array, the average ink ejection error ? is obtained for each of the line set types LT11 to LT13. The ink amount data on each main scan line of each line set is corrected using the average ink ejection amount error for each line set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Yamazaki, Toshiaki Kakutani
  • Patent number: 7255418
    Abstract: An ink supply port is opened in an Si substrate on which an ink discharge energy generating element is formed, by anisotropic etching, from a back surface opposite to a surface on which the ink discharge energy generating element is formed. When the anisotropic etching is effected, OSF (oxidation induced laminate defect) is remained on the back surface of the Si substrate with OSF density equal to or greater than 2×104 parts/cm2 and a length of OSF equal to or greater than 2 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuji Koyama, Teruo Ozaki, Shingo Nagata
  • Patent number: 7255419
    Abstract: A printer is disclosed which comprises: (a) a pagewidth printhead assembly having a pagewidth printhead and a plurality of nozzles located along the printhead for delivering ink onto print media as it is transported past the printhead, and (b) a capping/purging mechanism having (i) a capping/purging member having a length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead, (ii) a first actuating mechanism arranged to move the printhead in a arcuate first direction from a first position to a second position and a third position, and (iii) a second actuating mechanism arranged to move the capping/purging member in an arcuate second direction opposite to that of the first direction to effect nozzle capping engagement of the printhead when it is in the second position and to permit purging of the nozzles when the printhead is in the third position. The capping/purging mechanism is also disclosed in relation to a printer having a printhead assembly with two pagewidth printheads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Norman Michael Berry, Akira Nakazawa, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7255420
    Abstract: A droplet jetting apparatus having a droplet jetting head including a nozzle opening formed in a nozzle formation surface, from which droplets of a predetermined liquid are jetted, and a capping device for capping the nozzle opening of the head. A moisture retentive liquid supply device connected to the capping device is provided for supplying a moisture retentive liquid with respect to the predetermined liquid to a space formed by the nozzle formation surface and the capping portion. The weight and the size of the head and its periphery, which is a movable body, are not specifically increased, and accordingly, increase in the cost for motors for driving the droplet jetting head is prevented, thereby effectively avoiding clogging in the nozzle opening of the droplet jetting head. In addition, it is unnecessary to move the droplet jetting head when the moisture retentive liquid is supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hidenori Usuda
  • Patent number: 7255421
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a carrier housing having an attachment feature, a carrier belt to transmit a translation to the carrier housing in a bi-directional scanning direction; and an interface device interposed between and coupled to both the carrier housing and the carrier belt. The interface device includes a body having a wing and a base. The wing is defined by a span and by a chord length. At least one of the wing and the base is mounted via the attachment feature to the carrier housing. The span extends in the bi-directional scanning direction, and the chord length is substantially perpendicular to the span.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Alan Herwald, Brian Andrew Naro, Bryan Christopher Scharf
  • Patent number: 7255422
    Abstract: The invention relates to a franking machine comprising an inkjet printing unit with two printing heads (301A, 301B), for printing on flat posted objects which can be inserted or run through the unit, such as letters or postcards. Said machine further comprises a guide piece (317), arranged around the print heads (301A, 301B) and projecting relative to the common jet opening plane thereof. A transport device for the posted objects is connected to said guide piece, with two drive rollers which, together with the guide piece, form a transport path and which are mounted before and after the print head, relative to the transport direction. The printing heads (301A, 301B) form a common jet opening plane and on the jet opening plane are rectangular in form, arranged at a steep angle to the direction of travel of the posted objects and mutually offset from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Frama AG
    Inventor: Werner Haug
  • Patent number: 7255423
    Abstract: A printhead assembly is provided, comprising at least one printhead module 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 at least two printhead integrated circuits, and a casing in which the at least one printhead module is removably mounted. The support member has at least one longitudinally extending channel for carrying the printing fluid for the printhead integrated circuits, and two fluid connectors are provided to each connect with a longitudinal end of the at least one printhead module, each of the fluid connectors being arranged to connect at least one fluid delivery hose from a fluid supply to the at least one channel at the corresponding longitudinal end of the at least one printhead module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Norman Micheal Berry, Garry Raymond Jackson, Akira Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 7255424
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ink nozzle. The ink nozzle includes a lever terminating with a piston head at one end and a first magnetic pole at the other end. The first magnetic pole defines a plurality of apertures through which ink can be ejected. The ink nozzle also includes a solenoid and a second magnetic pole consecutively located in register with the first magnetic pole so that, when the solenoid is activated, the poles move further together and eject ink from the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7255425
    Abstract: An ink-ejection unit of an inkjet printhead integrates an ink-channel wafer onto a CMOS wafer with a heating element fabricated therein. A nozzle film with a nozzle orifice is formed on the backside of the CMOS wafer, which allows two-dimensional ink ejecting from the backside of the CMOS wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung-Mu Lai, Hua-Shu Wu, Ming-Chih Chang
  • Patent number: 7255426
    Abstract: A number of steps is reduced by manufacturing an electrode pad connecting a liquid discharge head to an external wiring by the same step of a common wiring for supplying an electric power to a discharge energy generating portion. A number of manufacturing steps of a head is reduced by forming a substrate for a liquid discharge head having an electrode pad and a common wiring for supplying an electric power to a discharge energy as a metal film made of the same material as the electrode pad in accordance with a plating in a step of forming the common wiring of the metal film in accordance with a plating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Ibe, Teruo Ozaki, Yoshiyuki Imanaka, Takuya Hatsui, Kenji Ono, Ichiro Saito, Sakai Yokoyama, Toshiyasu Sakai, Kazuaki Shibata
  • Patent number: 7255427
    Abstract: The liquid ejection device comprises: an ejection head including a plurality of nozzles which eject droplets of liquid onto an ejection receiving medium; a liquid flow speed determining device which determines a flow speed of the liquid in each of the nozzles, the liquid flow speed determining device being arranged in each of the nozzles; an ejection abnormality detecting device which detects an ejection abnormality in each of the nozzles according to the flow speed of the liquid determined by the liquid flow speed determining device; an ejection direction deflecting device which deflects a direction of ejection of a droplet of the liquid ejected from each of the nozzles, the ejection direction deflecting device being arranged in each of the nozzles; and an ejection compensation control device which performs control in such a manner that, when an abnormal one of the nozzles having an ejection abnormality is detected by the ejection abnormality detecting device, a compensatory ejection is performed by deflecti
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Mataki
  • Patent number: 7255428
    Abstract: There is provided a droplet ejection head that is small in size, provides high productivity, and is extremely reliable. The droplet ejection head of the present invention includes pressure generating chambers that are connected to nozzle apertures, an elastic membrane (i.e., a diaphragm) that constitutes a portion of the pressure generating chambers, piezoelectric elements that are placed on a surface of the elastic membrane on the opposite side from the pressure generating chambers, and cause pressure changes to be generated inside the pressure generating chambers, and drive IC (i.e., drive elements) that drive the piezoelectric elements. In this droplet ejection head, the drive IC are flip-chip bonded to terminals that are provided on the piezoelectric elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kazumi Hara
  • Patent number: 7255429
    Abstract: An inkjet print head including a cavity unit which defines: (a) a plurality of nozzles; (b) pressure chambers arranged in a row or rows to be held in communication with the respective nozzles; and (c) at least one common chamber which stores an ink to refill the pressure chambers. Each common chamber is elongated along the corresponding row of the pressure chambers, such that the pressure chambers arranged in the corresponding row overlap the common chamber as viewed in the vertical direction. At least one of the pressure chambers arranged in the corresponding row overlaps the common chamber differently from the other pressure chambers arranged in the corresponding row. The cavity unit further defines at least one open-space chamber located between the pressure chambers and the common chamber or chambers in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Ito
  • Patent number: 7255430
    Abstract: An ink refill unit for replenishing an ink cartridge in an inkjet printer, the ink cartridge having an interface for engaging the ink refill, an ink storage compartment partially defined by a tubular flexible wall, and a constrictor mechanism for constricting the flexible tubular wall by a predetermined amount, the ink refill unit comprising: a body containing a quantity of ink; a docking portion for engaging the interface of the cartridge, the docking portion having an ink outlet for connection to an inlet port on the interface, and a plurality of constrictor actuators for actuating the constrictor mechanism as the ink refill unit engages the interface and releases the constrictor mechanism as the ink refill unit disengages the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Akira Nakazawa, Christopher Hibbard, Paul Ian MacKey, Norman Micheal Berry, Garry Raymond Jackson
  • Patent number: 7255431
    Abstract: An ink cartridge is disclosed and includes a hollow ink tank body, a cover member connected to the body, a pressure regulator mounted on the bottom of the body, a tank disposed under the body and connected to the bottom thereof, and a hollow tube. The body is defined with a cavity therein and an outlet port formed on a bottom thereof. The cover member has a filling inlet and an air vent formed thereon. The tank corresponds to and communicates with the pressure regulator, and further has a venthole and a porous member disposed therein. The hollow tube communicates with the air vent of the cover member and the venthole of the tank. Therefore, the atmospheric air passes into the body via the hollow tube and the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Monitek Electronics Limited
    Inventor: Pui-Kuong Lui
  • Patent number: 7255432
    Abstract: An ink cartridge includes a hollow ink tank body, a cover member connected to the hollow ink tank body, a hollow tube and a pressure regulator arranged inside the hollow ink tank body. The cover member has an air vent penetrating therethrough, and a first through-hole protrusion adjacent to the air vent and extending forwards the hollow ink tank body. The pressure regulator includes a holder, a resilient member arranged inside the holder, an elastic plate connected to the resilient member and abutting against the holder, a secure member disposed over the elastic plate, and a thin film covered the secure member. The pressure regulator further has a through-hole projection extending outwardly therefrom for connecting the hollow tube that connects to the first through-hole protrusion of the cover, so that the atmospheric air passes through the pressure regulator via the hollow tube after a sealing film is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Monitek Electronics Limited
    Inventor: Pui-Kuong Lui
  • Patent number: 7255433
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multiple pass printing process for generating MICR-readable indicia using a MICR ink-jet ink composition with a magnetic pigment loading less than that needed to generate the nominal signal level according to the ANSI standard with single pass printing, and to a printed substrate, prepared by the process, which bears MICR-readable indicia having at least two layers of the MICR ink-jet ink composition and which demonstrates a MICR signal level of greater than or equal to the nominal signal value according to the ANSI standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Nu-Kote International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. McElligott, Thomas W. Martin, Donald E. Snyder, Jr., Dennis M. Lengyel, Philip Theodore
  • Patent number: 7255434
    Abstract: A sheet feeding device is adapted to feed a recording medium including a first medium provided as a cut-sheet form and a second medium provided as a rolled-sheet form to a recording section at which a recording operation is performed with respect to the recording medium, by ejecting ink droplets thereto. A first sheet feeder is operable to feed the first medium stacked thereon to the recording section. A second sheet feeder is adapted to be detachably attached the first sheet feeder, and operable to feed the second medium to the recording section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Kodama
  • Patent number: 7255435
    Abstract: An article of an eye wear worn externally upon an eye, having an article which article comprises a wavelength transmission blocker. The wavelength transmission blocker has a lutein assimilated therein for preventing radical damage in the eye. The wavelength transmission blocker is sized and configured to maximize visual acuity and block at least 80% of light wavelengths throughout a blue light spectrum set in a range from about 400 nm to about 510 nm. Preferably, the wavelength transmission blocker is operative to block substantially 100% of light wavelengths lower than 420 nm, and to block about 99% light wavelength at 420 nm and about 20% of light wavelength at 510 nm. Preferably, the wavelength transmission blocker blocks a gradually reduced percentage of light wavelengths between 420 nm to 510 nm. The wavelength transmission blocker is also operative to block a portion of light wavelengths between 510 nm to 650 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventor: Steven G. Pratt
  • Patent number: 7255436
    Abstract: An eyeglass retention device that allows eyewear to be securely worn and alternately securely retained on headwear. This device provides the above in a sporty, practical, yet low profile manner for all types of eyewear users, and with all types of headwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventor: Michael Tracy
  • Patent number: 7255437
    Abstract: In one embodiment, eyewear having an activity monitoring capability is disclosed. Activity, such as motion, steps or distance, can be measured by an activity detector. The measured activity can then be used in providing activity-related information to a user of the eyewear. Advantageously, the user of the eyewear is able to easily monitor their degree of activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas A. Howell, David Chao, C. Douglass Thomas, Peter P. Tong
  • Patent number: 7255438
    Abstract: A method comprises the steps of (a) providing a water based ink in at least one cliché with a contact lens pattern; (b) transferring the water based ink from the cliché to at least a surface of at least a contact lens forming mold by means of at least a transfer pad; (c) at least partially curing the ink transferred on the mold to form a colored film; (d) dispensing a hydrogel lens-forming material into a lens-forming cavity of the mold; and (e) curing the lens-forming material within the lens-forming cavity to form the contact lens, whereby the colored film detaches from the molding surface and becomes integral with the body of the contact lens; characterized in that the relative air humidity in the immediate vicinities of the transfer pad/s is kept higher than 50% at standard temperature and pressure conditions during ink transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Barry L. Atkins, Norbert Doerr, Alfred Fischer, Michael Hugh Quinn, Roland Schmieder, Robert Carey Tucker
  • Patent number: 7255439
    Abstract: An eye diversion assembly includes a base that has a top wall, a bottom wall and a perimeter wall. A pair of supports extends upwardly from the top wall. An axle is rotatably coupled to and extends between the supports. The axle extends through a plurality of panels. The axle extends through a central area of each of the panels. At least one of the panels is fixedly coupled to the axle and at least one of the panels is rotatably coupled to the axle. Each of a plurality of magnets is attached to one of the panels. A drive assembly mounted in the base is mechanically coupled to the axle. The drive assembly is configured to selectively rotate the axle. A power supply is electrically coupled to the drive assembly. A person's eyes are diverted toward the panels when the drive assembly is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventor: Nikul Patel
  • Patent number: 7255440
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a corneal-ablation-data determining apparatus and a corneal-ablation-data determining program capable of controlling corneal ablation amount distribution and expanding ablation applicability. In the present invention, the corneal-ablation-data determining apparatus for use in keratorefractive surgery for ablating a corneal surface to correct a refractive error has input means for inputting measurement data on any one of wavefront aberration distribution and refractive power distribution of a patient's eye, decentering means for decentering a reference axis being a calculation reference for a corneal ablation amount, and calculation means for obtaining the corneal ablation amount based on the measurement data and data on eccentricity of the reference axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Hanebuchi
  • Patent number: 7255441
    Abstract: A pupil measuring device includes a portion that is positioned adjacent to a subject's eye and which includes a plurality of concentric circles on a lens as well as an opaque film that moves to cover the circles. Each circle is marked and the film is aligned with the subject's pupil to be circumjacent thereto. The diameter of the pupil can then be read manually or using electronic circuits with the opaque film being used as the indicator of the measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventor: Elom A. Koami
  • Patent number: 7255442
    Abstract: Device for measuring aberrations in an eye includes, an illumination path with an illumination diaphragm and a test path, imaging member and elements for positioning the eye in relation to the imaging member, a stray reflection filter element, which is centered on the measurement axis of the imaging member, and elements for the optical conjugation of the pupil of the eye with the plane of the illumination diaphragm and the test plane. The illumination beam path converges at the center of the filtration element. The filtration element, the illumination path, the test path and the conjugation elements are all interdependent and positioned on a platform that can move in relation to the imaging member along the axis. The illumination diaphragm is off-center in relation to the axis such that stray light flux reflected by the imaging member is deflected from the test path by filtration element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Imagine Eyes
    Inventors: Samuel Henri Bucourt, Jean-Frances Xavier Levecq
  • Patent number: 7255443
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a quantitatively analysis method for the phenomena of glare. The method includes the steps of reading light source picture information from a memory part and displaying the light source picture on a display part, reading position information of the circumference of the glare when a patient suffering from the phenomena of glare draws circumference line of the glare by means of a pointing device and calculating area of circumference of glare and outputting the calculated area. The output of the area indicates the condition of illness and the degree of remedy of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventor: Chul Myung Choe
  • Patent number: 7255444
    Abstract: A technique according to the present invention allows a projection-type image display system to suppress the temperature rise of the polarization split devices and secure high image quality. Polarization split means has a polarization split device arranged in a medium with a refractive index larger than 1. The polarization split device has a polarization split surface on which a diffractive grating structure is formed to polarize and split light. An air layer is formed in contact with the polarization split surface. In a projection type image display apparatus or an optical unit using this apparatus, light fluxes are polarized and split by the polarization split means before irradiated to light valves and after modulated by the light valves and color composition is made from the polarized and split light fluxes before enlarged and projected by a projection lens unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Nakashima, Masahiko Yatsu, Koji Hirata
  • Patent number: 7255445
    Abstract: A projection type image display device is formed including projecting means for projecting an image onto a screen for image display by scanning laser light. The laser light includes a plurality of laser beams. The projecting means irradiates a substantially identical position on the screen with the plurality of laser beams with a time difference. An image signal applied to each of the laser beams has a time difference such that a preceding laser beam is delayed with respect to a succeeding laser beam so as to correspond to the time difference in irradiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Kojima
  • Patent number: 7255446
    Abstract: A projection type video display capable of reducing components in number, and attempting to improve a cooling efficiency and a silencing of the video display is provided. Three cooling fans are provided on a plate member arranged within a chassis of the video display of a liquid crystal projector. The plate member is arranged in such a manner as to be spaced apart from a bottom plate of a chassis of the video display in order to form a single external-air introducing duct. Double-bottomed structure is formed by the plate member, and the plate member is used as a bottom for arranging components. Each cooling fan sucks external air from the single external-air introducing duct, and blows the external air from a blowing duct to an object to be cooled (a light source, a liquid crystal display, and others).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumihiko Hamada, Akira Miyanaga, Masaaki Miyamoto, Takaharu Adachi
  • Patent number: 7255447
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting a projection mirror of a rear projection device, that may be utilized to properly align an image projected by an image source within a desired projection area of the projection screen by adjusting the positional orientation of an image reflected by the adjustable projection mirror relative to a projection screen of the projection device based on one or more measured characteristics of light reflected by the projection mirror for projection onto the projection screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventor: Thitipant Tantasirikorn
  • Patent number: 7255448
    Abstract: A display system includes a light source, a spatial light homogenizer, and imaging optics. The spatial light modulator has a plurality of modulator pixels. The display system also includes a pixelated plate illuminated by the light source. The pixelated plate has a plurality of individually defined pixels formed thereon. The spatial light modulator is in optical communication with the pixelated color management device by the imaging optics and each of the modulator pixels is associated with at least one of the individually defined pixels of the pixelated plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael Greer, David C. Collins, William J. Allen, Timothy F Myers
  • Patent number: 7255449
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for stabilizing components is provided. In some embodiments, an apparatus for positioning an optical component relative to a frame is provided including a stabilizer. The stabilizer may be configured to be coupled to the optical component and the frame, wherein in a first configuration the stabilizer is configured to enable select adjustment of the optical component in at least two directions and in a second configuration a position of the optical component may be fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventor: T. Scott Engle
  • Patent number: 7255450
    Abstract: The present invention provides a small projection type display apparatus capable of suppressing an optical path of incident light and an optical path of output light in a reflection type light valve from being overlapped with each other and obtaining a projected image of high quality; a rear projector and a multi-vision system using the same. The lens element 5 is composed of one piano-convex lens, and is placed between the reflection type light valve and the projection lens system with a convex surface directed to the projection lens system. The illumination light passes through the lens element to illuminate the reflection type light valve, and the modulated light output from the reflection type light valve passes through the lens element to be incident upon the projection lens system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Fushimi, Yoshihiro Masumoto, Mitsuhiro Wada
  • Patent number: 7255451
    Abstract: A reflective element assembly for a variable reflectance vehicular mirror includes a front substrate having a transparent conductive coating disposed on a second surface, and a rear substrate having a third surface conductive coating disposed on its third surface and preferably, a fourth surface conductive coating disposed on its fourth surface. At least a portion of the third surface conductive coating may wrap around an edge portion of the rear substrate and at least a portion of the fourth surface conductive coating may wrap around at least a second portion of the perimeter edge so as to establish electrical continuity between the fourth surface conductive coating on the fourth surface and the third surface conductive coating on the third surface. The rear substrate may have a smaller dimension than the front substrate so as to provide an overhang region, preferably at the wraparound region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Ian A. McCabe, Hamid Habibi, Niall R. Lynam, Donald L. Bareman
  • Patent number: 7255452
    Abstract: A mirror assembly particularly adapted for use with an exterior automotive fender includes a plastic housing and plastic reflective surface element or lens. The housing has a slot formed therein which receives a tab formed on the lens to enable the housing and the lens to be snap-fitted together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventor: William Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7255453
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel including an upper substrate, a lower substrate attached to the upper substrate, and a liquid crystal layer between the upper and lower substrates, a backlight unit disposed at a back side of the liquid crystal display panel, the backlight unit including a plurality of lamps, each of the lamps having a quadrangular-like shape and two external electrodes at two ends thereof, respectively, and a bottom cover holding the plurality of lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Bum Kim, Yong Yun Kim
  • Patent number: 7255454
    Abstract: An improved system and method for providing emergency lighting and directional exit indication in the event of power outage and/or smoke/fire events. The system provides a lighted pathway consisting of discrete points of light, some of which strobe or trace toward the exits and others of which burn steadily for general area emergency lighting. The method consists of detecting the emergency condition and illuminating the appropriate emergency lighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventor: John W. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7255455
    Abstract: A candle extinguisher includes a body of thin-plate, non-combustible material, the body having a ring-shaped part defining an inner space, with an inner diameter at least slightly exceeding the outer diameter of a candle on which the extinguisher is to be positioned. The body has a plurality of flexible finger elements extending upwardly from the ring-shaped part, each of the finger elements having a proximal part and a distal part. The proximal finger parts extend substantially in coplanar relationship with the ring-shaped part and are bendable outwardly relative to the inner space defined by the ring-shaped part. The distal finger parts are bent substantially perpendicularly relative to a respective proximal part and extend inwardly relative to the inner space defined by the ring-shaped part, each of the distal parts having a length exceeding one half of the width of the inner space defined by the ring-shaped part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventor: Knud Erik Johansen
  • Patent number: 7255456
    Abstract: A direct backlight module is disclosed, which comprises: a frame; at least a light source, being arranged in the frame; a diffuser, being disposed over the frame; and at least an optical film, being disposed over the diffuser, comprising a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface; wherein a diffusion unit and a collimation unit are formed on the top surface while using the diffusion unit for diffusing light incident to the bottom surface and the collimation unit for collimating light incident to the bottom surface. The direct backlight module of the invention is capable of enhancing luminous efficiency, and further, it has a comparatively simple structure so that the manufacturing cost of the optical film can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Po-Hung Yao, Yu-Nan Pao, Hsiu-Chen Hsu, Yi-Ting Sun, Ben-Sheng Lin
  • Patent number: 7255457
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating essentially white light. In one example, a white light generating apparatus comprises at least one first white LED characterized by a first spectrum, and at least one second white LED characterized by a second spectrum, wherein the first spectrum is substantially different than the second spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Color Kinetics Incorporated
    Inventors: Alfred D. Ducharme, Frederick M. Morgan, Ihor A. Lys, Kevin J. Dowling, George G. Mueller
  • Patent number: 7255458
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for the diffusion of illumination from discrete light sources such that the illumination is blended and directed in one or more desired directions. The illumination system comprises a substrate having a plurality of light-emitting elements thereon which are arranged in an array, wherein these light-emitting elements produce illumination at one or more wavelengths. Proximate to the light-emitting elements is a diffuser, which collects the illumination produced by the discrete light-emitting elements and redirects this illumination in one or more predetermined directions, thereby blending together the one or more wavelengths of illumination and concentrating the illumination in the predetermined directions. The illumination system further comprises a power system, which provides energy to the light-emitting elements thereby resulting in their activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Tir Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ian Ashdown
  • Patent number: 7255459
    Abstract: A light emitting diode light source including a reflective cover and a plurality of light emitting diodes is provided. The reflective cover has an inner surface and an opening for irradiating light. The light emitting diodes are disposed on the inner surface of the reflective cover. The light emitted from the light emitting diodes is incident upon the inner surface of the reflective cover and then reflected toward the opening from the inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: United Microdisplay Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Da-Shuang Kuan, Tony Whitehead, Chi-Tai Meng
  • Patent number: 7255460
    Abstract: In addition to the effect of harmonized illumination and increased heat radiation, a LED illumination lamp provides an improved effect of hermetic seal, anti-vibration and waterproofing between components and assures prolonged life span. The illumination lamp comprises a body adapted to be placed on or around a target illumination object, a LED module lying inside the body and a cover mounted on a seat part of the body. The LED module has a printed circuit board affixed to the body and a group of red, green and blue LEDs attached to the printed circuit. The cover is provided with a semitransparent color-producing part capable of harmonizing colors of the light emitted from the LEDs and an air passageway for permitting the heat generated from the LED module to dissipate to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Nuriplan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 7255461
    Abstract: A lamp comprising a light source (18) and a reflector (26), wherein the reflector is of non-circular cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lamp and comprises several panels (20). Each panel has an undulating surface (22) that diffuses the light and so provides a relatively uniform level of illumination. The reflector panels may be concave and preferably form a hexagonal or square section reflector that is closed by a transparent cover (24). The lamp is provided for use as a recessed ceiling light and is secured by a circlip (44) and a sprung bracket mount (30). Also disclosed is a lamp with a non-circular section reflector formed from concave reflector panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Aurora Limited
    Inventor: An Xue Yang
  • Patent number: 7255462
    Abstract: At least one light distribution device is provided in the spacing between adjacent light sources to allow light diffused from both sides of the light sources to be properly refracted and reflect so as to more evenly diffuse light toward a diffuser plate and thereby, eliminate the dark bands between adjacent light sources for effectively solving the bright bands and dark bands problem observed in prior art LCD modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: K-Bridge Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Pao Tseng
  • Patent number: 7255463
    Abstract: A light module includes a lighting unit, a heat-dissipation plate and an insulative plate. The lighting unit has a leading contact. The heat-dissipation plate contacts the lighting module closely and has a channel corresponding to the leading contact. The insulative plate is disposed under the heat-dissipation plate, and has a predetermined conductive pattern arranged thereon and a through hole corresponding to the channel. The leading contact of the lighting unit penetrates through the channel of the heat-dissipation plate and the through hole of the insulative plate to electrically connect with the predetermined conductive pattern of the insulative plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Harvatek Corporation
    Inventors: Bily Wang, Jonnie Chuang, Chun-Cheng Weng
  • Patent number: 7255464
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rear-view mirror for vehicles, which consists of compatible, combinable and exchangeable modules such as: (A) and (B), or integrated (A+B), functional, signal, lighting and sensor modules, and structural (C), (D) and (E) modules; cover-housing, body-housing and support which may include functional modules. (A), (B) and (A+B) fulfill their function even if the rear-view mirror is folded. They use a multifocal light source of LED's inserted into a flexible and orientable circuit and/or a mixed rigid-flexible circuit-combining LED's+bulbs and other lighting elements, with variable optical and reflective means enabling more than one signal from one same transparent surface with direct light output, indirect-reflected light output and/or through intermediate optical light guides depending on the directions required in the front, the side, the back and the lateral ground for different commands, applications and safety signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventors: Alejandro Rodriguez Barros, Jose Manuel Rodriguez Fernandez
  • Patent number: 7255465
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a field of view rearward of the vehicle when the interior mirror assembly is attached at a portion of the interior of the vehicle. The interior mirror assembly includes at least one pivot element enabling a driver of the vehicle to adjust the rearward field of view of the reflective element to that driver's desired setting and the interior mirror assembly comprises a mirror support having a mounting portion for attaching the interior mirror assembly to the portion of the interior of the vehicle. The mirror support includes at least one pivot element and the reflective element is disposed in a mirror housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan E DeLine, Roger L Veldman, Niall R Lynam
  • Patent number: 7255466
    Abstract: A vehicular control device includes a trim member having a plurality of graphics for identifying a plurality of manual activation regions and a printed circuit board having a plurality of proximity sensors. Each of the plurality of proximity sensors generates a respective electromagnetic field within a respective manual activation region and is responsive to an object disposed in the respective manual activation region. The printed circuit board is semi-translucent and includes a plurality of illumination elements for illuminating light away from the printed circuit board. A back cover member is adaptable to the trim member for encasing the printed circuit board therebetween. A sealing member is disposed between the trim member and the back cover member. The illuminating light from the plurality of illumination elements is reflected toward the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Schmidt, David A. Hein, Roberto Tomassi