Patents Issued in September 18, 2007
  • Patent number: 7270410
    Abstract: A digital stamp is described which can print out a message using a moveable inkjet printhead (30) which can be moved by a mechanical arrangement of arm (35) and pivots (33, 36). A cartridge (20) containing ink feeds the printhead (30) with monochrome or color ink via lines (52). Movement of the upper section (10) of the housing towards the lower section (12) of the housing moves the arm (35) to slide the printhead (30) across the aperture (34) in the lower section (12) while at the same time electronic signals fed to the printhead (30) print out the stored message. A spring (42) returns the printhead (30) to its inoperative position once having traversed the opening (34). The stored message may be fixed, replaceable or programmable or may be one from a fixed number of stored or updateable messages or images or can be input by an attached apparatus, for example, a CCD imager, to record an image and to print it via the printhead (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7270411
    Abstract: The basic object of this invention is the use of light selective materials and fabrics to increase the utility of a garment or sports article. The invention is the novel idea that light selective materials and fabrics can radically improve the usefulness, pleasure, and appeal obtained from sportswear and other garments. Examples taught include life vests, ski vests, ski pants, ski helmet/hat, and sunglasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Kroll Family Trust
    Inventor: Mark Kroll
  • Patent number: 7270412
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a contact lens design and methods of manufacturing, fitting and using such lenses. The contact lens may be designed for use in a corneal refractive therapy (CRT) program. The lens provides a design which allows proper fitting of a patient, whether for corrective contact lenses or for a CRT program. Due to the rational design of the lenses according to the present invention, a minimal number of lens parameter increments can be identified to cover the range of common corneas. It is therefore possible to provide pre-formed lens buttons or blanks which are easily formed into a final design, thereby simplifying and speeding up the treatment process. Further, any adjustment of the lens design which may be required based upon trial fitting or the like, is easily envisioned and implemented by the fitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: CRT Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome A. Legerton, William E. Meyers
  • Patent number: 7270413
    Abstract: It is possible to estimate optical characteristic according to a pupil diameter in daily life of an examinee, correction data near to the optimal prescription value, eyesight, and sensitivity. A calculation section receives measurement data indicating refractive power distribution of an eye to be examined and pupil data on the eye and calculates lower order and higher order aberrations according to the measurement data and the pupil data (S101 to 105). For example, a pupil edge is detected from the anterior ocular segment image and a pupil diameter is calculated. By using this pupil diameter, lower order and higher order aberrations are calculated. According to the lower order and higher order aberrations obtained, the calculation section performs simulation of a retina image by using high contrast or low contrast target and estimates the eyesight by comparing the result to a template and/or obtains sensitivity (S107).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventors: Yoko Hirohara, Toshifumi Mihashi
  • Patent number: 7270414
    Abstract: An ophthalmic photographic apparatus is provided that is readily able to capture dynamic and still eye fundus images by infrared light-excited fluorescence. A CCD device that is sensitive to infrared light is used to capture images of the eye fundus as dynamic and still images. When the shutter button is pressed, infrared light-excited fluorescence images are obtained as still images and stored in a recording unit. The infrared light-excited fluorescence image of the eye fundus is captured as a still image with or without a flash from a strobe light source. Such an arrangement makes it possible to capture still images even when dynamic images are being recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Kowa Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Matsumura, Masaharu Mizuochi
  • Patent number: 7270415
    Abstract: It is possible to improve the quality of an image of an eyeground, thereby acquiring an optimal image. An eyeground observation system (3) acquires an eyeground image via a compensation optical section (70) correcting the image of the eyeground obtained by illumination of an eyeground illumination system (2). A wave front correction system (1) measures wave front measurement data including a wave front aberration of the eye to be checked and/or aberration to be corrected, thereby acquiring the optical characteristic of the eye to be checked. An image data formation section (14-2) performs simulation of viewing at the eyeground, thereby calculating the simulation image data or MTF data. A correction amount decision section (14-3) decides a correction amount according to a voltage change template stored in a memory (14-4) and outputs it to a control section (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventors: Tatsuo Yamaguchi, Toshifumi Mihashi
  • Patent number: 7270416
    Abstract: A light modulating unit includes first and second light modulating sections each of which modulates an illumination light on the basis of a video signal to generate a projection light that is a linearly polarized light, a light path synthesizing section which synthesizes the projection lights generated by the first and second light modulating sections using the nature that directions of polarizations of the projection lights cross at right angles, and a beam shifting section which sets beams of the projection lights synthesized by the light path synthesizing section, in a shifted state or a non-shifted state on the basis of the directions of polarizations of the projection lights, the beam shifting section switching the shifted state and the non-shifted state synchronously with modulation timings for the first and second light modulating sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuya Yamanaka, Hiroyoshi Kobayashi, Susumu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7270417
    Abstract: A concept of improving a resolution by using human's visual characteristics is provided. An image can be displayed at a more improved resolution than an actual physical resolution, thereby obtaining the same effect that the resolution is physically improved. An image signal corresponding to one frame is split into a first image signal and a second image signal, and a first image and a second image are formed based on the first image signal and the second image signal. Then, the first image and the second image are respectively displayed at a first location and a second location. As a result, a viewer can view the image at an improved resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: In Ho Choi, Sam Nyol Hong, Young Joong Kim, Kyung Taek Lee
  • Patent number: 7270418
    Abstract: An optical device body (440) includes: three optical modulator holders (446) respectively holding three liquid crystal panels (441) and having cooling chambers with cooling fluid sealed therein to respectively cool the three liquid crystal panels (441) with the cooling fluid in the respective cooling chambers; a plurality of fluid circulators (448) intercommunicated with the three optical modulator holders (446) to guide the cooling fluid to the outside of the respective cooling chambers and re-introduce the cooling fluid into the respective cooling chambers; and a flow volume changer (449) disposed in a flow path of the cooling fluid and capable of changing flow volumes of the cooling fluid flown into the respective optical modulator holders (446) in accordance with heat values of the three liquid crystal panels (441).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Motoyuki Fujimori, Masami Murata
  • Patent number: 7270419
    Abstract: In a projection device including a casing having an inlet vent and an outlet vent, and a plurality of components including a light source disposed within the casing, a blower system is provided, wherein the blower system includes a plurality of blower portions operable to draw air into the casing through an inlet vent, circulate air among the plurality of components, and eject circulated air from the casing through an outlet vent; and a blower motor configured to operate the plurality of blower portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Russell, Pamela Deshon-Stepp
  • Patent number: 7270420
    Abstract: An optical scanner suitable for scanning a vertical object. The optical scanner has a scanning body, a focusing device and a scanning module. The scanning body has a transparent window, the focusing device has an arm, a reflective mirror and a lens. One end of the arm is coupled to the scanning body, and the reflecting mirror and the lens are disposed on the arm. The scanning module is disposed in the scanning body with a shell, a lens and an optical sensor. The shell has a light cone opening, and the lens and optical sensor are disposed within the shell. The image of the vertical object is focused by the focusing device on the transparent window, incident to the scanning module via the light cone opening, and refracted by the lens to form an image on the optical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Transpacific IP, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jen-Shou Tseng, Shih-Zheng Kuo, Chang-Lun Chiang
  • Patent number: 7270421
    Abstract: A projection system is provided which includes a projection lens and a spatial optical modulation device (SOM) for projecting an image in response to an inputted picture signal. A control unit enables the selection, via an image adjustment menu, of at least one of a rotational deformation adjustment in which a projected image is rotated and a keystone deformation adjustment in which the projected image is deformed into a rectangle, and the control unit applies a rotational deformation adjustment and a keystone deformation adjustment to the projected image based on an item selected in the image adjustment menu in response to a deformation indication inputted from a keys/indicators unit, so as to deform the projected image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 7270422
    Abstract: A projector includes an image projection section, a sensor that senses a projected first calibration image at a low resolution and generates first sensing information, senses the first calibration image at a high resolution and generates third sensing information, and senses a second calibration image at a high resolution and generates second sensing information, a projection area detection section that generates projection area information, based on the first and second sensing information, a projection-target area detection section that generates projection-target area information, based on the first, second, and third sensing information, and an image distortion correction section that corrects distortion of an image projected by the image projection section, based on the projection area information and the projection-target area information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Matsuda, Masanobu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7270423
    Abstract: To provide a projection display that can easily switch between rear and front projection modes with a transmission screen, a projector, and a mirror exposed to the outside, a projection display has a projector to project projection light applied to a display image, a mirror to introduce the projection light from the projector, a screen to allow the projection light introduced by the mirror to pass through from the rear to project light in a rear mode, and a frame to hold the projector and the screen. The projection display has the screen, the projector, and the mirror exposed to the outside, and the projector is installed so that it can be attached to and detached from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Katase
  • Patent number: 7270424
    Abstract: A color separation prism assembly. The color separation prism assembly includes a polarizing beam splitter and a plurality of prism blocks. The polarizing beam splitter is coated with a polarizing beam splitter coating on a diagonal plane thereof. A first filter and a second filter, each corresponding to a specific color band, are respectively formed on two adjacent bounding surfaces of the polarizing beam splitter. A first prism block and a second prism block are connected to the polarizing beam splitter through the first filter and the second filter, respectively. The second prism block is a rectangular prism with a third filter formed on a base surface thereof. A third prism block is connected to the rectangular prism through the third filter. An angle formed by an inclined side of the rectangular prism and the base surface of the third filter is no more than 30°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Fang-Chuan Ho
  • Patent number: 7270425
    Abstract: An optimal processing portion (21) inputs a video signal (RGB signals) and analyzes 1-frame video in the video signal. For example, if the intensity of red color is 0 percent in all dots in 1-frame video, the optimal processing portion (21) applies to a light source gain adjustment portion (22) a control signal for rendering a gain of the illuminating device (1R) 0 percent (minimum amount of light). The light source gain adjustment portion (22) receives the control signal and controls power supply to the illuminating device (1R). In addition, the optimal processing portion (21) applies a driving instruction for rendering the amount of light transmission 0 percent with regard to all dots of the liquid crystal display panel (3R), for example, to a LCD signal processing portion (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Arai, Yasuo Funazou
  • Patent number: 7270426
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments uniformize light intensity during projection, by tiling, in a state having an overlap of projection images respectively from a plurality of projectors in part thereof. A semi-transmissive shadow plate to adjust the amount of light to an overlap is provided inner of a projector housing than a projection lens, e.g., on a light-exit side surface of a cross dichroic prism. The semi-transmissive shadow plate can be movably arranged to cope with a form, size and position of the overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yasunaga Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 7270427
    Abstract: The object is to provide a display device that is capable of displaying an image with high luminance and a wide color reproduction range under simple control. The display device includes a light source device that emits first to fourth illumination lights, a spatial light modulator that modulates the illumination lights, and a controller. The controller allows the first and the second illumination lights to time-sequentially enter an identical illumination area of the spatial light modulator, and allows the third and the fourth illumination lights to individually enter the spatial light modulator so as to avoid them from being superimposed on the first and the second illumination lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hidefumi Sakata
  • Patent number: 7270428
    Abstract: The present solution relates to a 2D/3D data projector, which comprises: A data projector, the data projector comprising: at least one micro display having an image to be projected, at least one source unit comprising at least one light source chip and at least one beam forming component, each beam forming component comprising at least one diffractive element, and each source unit being designed to preserve etendue as far as possible, to minimize photon loss, to provide a desired projection shape and a uniform illumination onto the micro display, and a focusing optical unit for projecting the image of the micro display on a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Upstream Engineering Oy
    Inventors: Mikko Petteri Alasaarela, Ilkka Antero Alasaarela
  • Patent number: 7270429
    Abstract: The invention relates to an exterior vehicle mirror having a mirror assembly mounted to a vehicle. A drive assembly comprises a drive screw coupled to a motor and a drive nut threadably mounted on the drive screw. The rotation of the drive screw by the motor causes the drive nut to traverse the drive screw. As the drive nut traverses the drive screw, it causes the extension and retraction of the mirror assembly. A slip clutch is interposed between the motor and the drive screw to enable the motor to continue to operate without damage if the mirror assembly reaches full extension or retraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Magna Donnelly Mirrors North America L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7270430
    Abstract: A vehicle external review-view mirror assembly having an extension and retraction mechanism for a telescopic arm support that connects a mirror head to a mirror mounting bracket is disclosed. The assembly comprises: a hollow outer arm extending from the bracket, an inner arm mounted to the head and extending into the outer arm for relative sliding movement out of and into the outer arm; a driving wheel rotatably mounted to the inner arm or the head; a driven wheel rotatably mounted to the inner arm and positioned within the outer arm at a location spaced apart from the driven wheel; and a toothed belt extending between the driving wheel and the driven wheel for power transmission between them. A pair of laterally spaced apart contact rollers are mounted coaxially with the driven wheel, the pair of contact rollers engaging spaced apart bearing surfaces depending from the outer arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems Australia Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark L. Olijnyk, Daniel J. Flynn
  • Patent number: 7270431
    Abstract: To provide an illumination beam (5) which is essentially homogeneous in cross-section, in particular for a laser scanning microscope (15), an illumination device is used which provides an original beam which is essentially rotationally symmetric in cross-section and is incident at a converting unit which then transmits the desired illumination beam (5) and which comprises, for this purpose, an aspherical, convex mirror (1) which is more strongly curved in the area of the point of incidence of the original beam (3) than in the areas removed from the point of incidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Goelles, Ralf Wolleschensky, Dieter Graefe, Matthias Wald
  • Patent number: 7270432
    Abstract: A mirror (18) having a specular surface changeable in orientation using an actuator (16) is provided with an angle detection capability at reduced cost. A plate pivot (10) can change its orientation together with the specular surface so as to orient in a direction in which the specular surface is orienting. A slide block (20) is stressed toward the plate pivot (10) so that rotation of the plate pivot (10) causes the slide block (20) to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the specular surface by an amount proportional to an amount of the rotation of the plate pivot (10). A magnet (26) moves in the direction of movement of the slide block (20) by an amount proportional to an amount of the movement of the slide block (20), and a magnetism sensing element (202) detects magnetism derived from the magnet (26) and outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of movement of the magnet (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Murakami Corporation
    Inventors: Ayako Yamada, Hidenori Sato
  • Patent number: 7270433
    Abstract: A mirror switch assembly that may be incorporated with a mirror unit for tilting a mirror. A set of contacts rotates when the mirror unit is rotated between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation. The set of contacts is electrically coupled to two motors and to a set of terminals. The set of terminals is electrically coupled to at least one mirror adjustment switch that is located in the interior of the vehicle. When the set of contacts rotate, the connections between the terminals and the motors are reconfigured to compensate for a change in orientation of the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc
    Inventors: Daniel J. Danek, Robert L. Spike
  • Patent number: 7270434
    Abstract: An indicator lighting device in which light introduction efficiency into a indication portion can be improved, brightness is good and unevenness in lighting is small is provided; wherein an indicator 7 which has a translucent indication member (indication portion) 72 and a light introduction member (light introduction portion) 73 and is operated around an axis by a drive shaft 1 of a drive unit 2, light sources L which are disposed around the drive shaft 1 and illuminate the indication member 72 through the light introduction member 73 are provided, and the light introduction member 73 has a light receiving surface 73a for receiving light from the light sources L, a first reflective surface 73b for focusing light introduced from the light receiving surface 73a to a position of a rotation axis Va of the drive shaft 1, a second reflective surface 73c which is formed between the first reflective surface 73b and the rotation axis and reflects light from the first reflective surface 73b in a direction along the ro
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Obata, Naoji Shoji
  • Patent number: 7270435
    Abstract: A mobile phone holder includes: a bottom plate having a first coupling part; a top plate having a second coupling part; and a light emitting unit mounted on the top plate. The top plate is connected movably to the bottom plate, and is movable between an unfolded position and a folded position, where the top plate is disposed above the bottom plate and cooperates with the bottom plate to confine a receiving space. The top plate is formed with an access hole in spatial communication with the receiving space when the top plate is disposed at the folded position, thereby permitting insertion of a mobile phone into the receiving space via the access hole. The second coupling part is capable of removable engagement with the first coupling part when the top plate is disposed at the folded position, thereby retaining releasably the top plate at the folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Beta Emblems & Dies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Lin
  • Patent number: 7270436
    Abstract: A cover plate (5) for use with an electrical supply. In one embodiment, the backlit cover plate comprises a plate (5), the plate (5) including a window (15) therein; and backlighting, the backlighting powered by the electrical supply (55), the backlighting (20) disposed to be mounted on the plate (5) so as to shine through the window (15). Optional labels (45) may be provided through which the backlighting may shine, thereby illuminating data on the labels (45) from behind. In a disclosed embodiment, the backlighting (20) comprises electroluminescent lighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventor: Michael Jasper
  • Patent number: 7270437
    Abstract: An illumination device for illuminating a guest check presenter has a housing having a top surface and a bottom surface connected by a sidewall; an adhesive element disposed on the bottom surface and adapted to mount the device on the guest check presenter; the sidewall separating the top and bottom surfaces by a distance (D) that is small enough to enable the guest check presenter to be closed when the illumination device is mounted on the guest check presenter; an illumination LED mounted adjacent the sidewall for illuminating the guest check presenter; a battery mounted within the housing; and a switch operably connecting the battery with the illumination LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventors: Eric Racoosin, Jeff Timper
  • Patent number: 7270438
    Abstract: A backpack with compartments are accessible by fasteners and includes a front panel having padded areas, a middle panel extending in parallel with the front panel and having top and side extensions for joining with the front panel via a first reclosable fastener, a side panel joined with the middle panel at its lower edges, a back panel joined at its top and side edges to the middle panel via a second reclosable fastener, and a bottom panel for joining bottom edges of the front and rear panels along a borderline. A pair of shoulder straps adjustably connects between the top and bottom edges of the front panel. The borderline extends along a curved bottom end of the back panel and carries a glowing cable along the length thereof. The cable is optically connected with an LED, which is energized by a driver/controller through wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventor: Jimmy Chen
  • Patent number: 7270439
    Abstract: A compact, self-contained lighting system is attachable to a surgical tool to enable a user to selectively direct light at a site where the tool is to be applied. The system has a power unit that may contain rechargeable power cells, a malleable electrical connection element, and a light-emitting element powered thereby to emit high intensity white light, preferably from an LED. The system ensures against tissue damage due to inadvertent overheating by continuously removing byproduct heat from the light-emitting element, via the connection element, to the power unit with portions of each of these components serving as respective heat sinks and/or as thermal conduits to facilitate this process. The removed heat is dissipated to the ambient atmosphere, the surgical tool and even the user, and permits safe prolonged operations in confined regions of a patient's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventors: Robin S. Horrell, David Bibelhausen, Mickey M. Karram, John F. Love
  • Patent number: 7270440
    Abstract: A device is provided to apply make-up (10) in low-light situations. The device has a body tube (14), with a first and a second and a intermediate portion therebetween. The first end has a radial cross-section with an inner portion and an annular outer portion. Mounted in the inner portion of the first end is a make-up (10) applying means (16). Surrounding the make-up applying means (16) is an illuminating means (22) for illuminating, positioned in the annular outer portion of the first end. It is adapted to project the illumination axially outwardly. The illuminating means (22) is power by a powering means (24) is activated by a switch (621). In some embodiments, a second make-up applying means (16) is mounted in the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventors: Brad Levy, Robert Dugrenier
  • Patent number: 7270441
    Abstract: A luminaire has a ballasting circuit assembly for a gas discharge lamp, with an input power connector assembly suitable for receiving and connecting with a mating multi-conductor connector assembly. A ballasting circuit in the ballasting circuit assembly is suitable for powering a gas discharge lamp. Output leads suitable for connecting to a gas-discharge lamp socket with the wiring therefore are contained within the luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventor: Dale E. Fiene
  • Patent number: 7270442
    Abstract: System and method for monitoring status of a visual signal lamp. The system includes at least one optical fiber comprising a first end and a second end. The first end is positioned proximate to the signal lamp and is oriented to capture a portion of light signal emitted by the signal lamp when the signal lamp is illuminated. The system also includes a photodetector positioned proximate to the second end of the optical fiber and configured to receive the portion of light signal. The system further includes a threshold detection circuitry connected to the photodetector and configured to detect a lighting parameter in relation to the signal lamp according to a predetermined criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Michael Davenport, John Erik Hershey, Todd Ryan Tolliver
  • Patent number: 7270443
    Abstract: A directional lighting fixture can receive an elongated lamp. The fixture has a spaced pair of connective devices each having a barrel with an electrical contact adapted to connect to opposite ends of the lamp. A tubular lamp cover has a light transmissive section and a light reflective section. Each section is contiguous to the other and trough-shaped. The lamp cover is rotatably mounted around the barrels of the connective devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Kurtz, Edward Ma
  • Patent number: 7270444
    Abstract: A stage lighting lamp unit includes a processor for receiving control data from a remote console. Beam orientation data for the lamp unit is passed to the lamp in the form of the x, y and z co-ordinates of a point in space through which the beam is to pass. The processor divides the required lamp travel into a number of stages dependent on execution duration data sent with the position data, and calculates, for each stage, a new value for pan and tilt angles for the lamp. These values are passed to pan and tilt controlling co-processors which control servo-motors for pan and tilt operation. The lamp unit also incorporates a rotatable shutter for interrupting the lamp beam when required. The shutters of all the lamps in a system can be instructed from the remote console to open and close in synchronism, thereby providing a stroboscopic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Mark A. Hunt, Keith J. Owen, Michael D. Hughes
  • Patent number: 7270445
    Abstract: A lighting system for illuminating artwork includes a housing; a lamp mounted within said housing and including a halogen bulb and a reflector, said reflector having a dichroic coating; a linear spread lens positioned in front of said lamp and having an etched portion covering less than one hundred percent of a first surface of said lens; and a door associated with said housing and defining an opening therein, said opening having a flattened portion and a rounded portion, said linear spread lens positioned over said opening, and the light emitted by the lighting system being directed through said linear spread lens and said opening. The resulting lighting system produces safe light diffused evenly substantially over the entire surface of a piece of artwork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventor: David Munson
  • Patent number: 7270446
    Abstract: A light module comprises a light unit, a heat transferring plate or a plurality of heat transferring pipes, and a plurality of heat dissipating fins. The heat transferring plate or heat transferring pipes are positioned on the bottom surface of the light unit to transfer heat generated by the light unit. When the heat transferring plate is used, the heat dissipating fins are arranged under the heat transferring plate and perpendicular to the bottom surface of the heat transferring plate. The heat dissipating fins have a recess for the accommodation of the heat transferring plate and the light unit. When the heat transferring pipes are used, the heat dissipating fins each contact the heat transferring pipes. Uniform heat dissipation is thus attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Lighthouse Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Chih-Chin Chang, Teng-Huei Huang, Chien-Lung Lee
  • Patent number: 7270447
    Abstract: A lens for an LED having a lens body providing total internal reflection of light emitted by the LED from a first emission point disposed proximate a first junction of the lens body and centerplane. The lens includes an arcuate light-diffusing edge for diffusing light emitted by the LED and reflected by the angular base and sidewall assembly, the light being diffused by the lens at substantially uniform luminance across a sector of at least 150 degrees centered and measured about the first junction. The light diffused by the lens provides for substantially uniform mixing of at least two different colors of light emitted by a multi-color LED apparatus disposed at the first emission point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: GE Security
    Inventors: René Goulet, Guy Drouin, Martin Beaumont
  • Patent number: 7270448
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus, including: a light fixture having a concave reflector disposed on a rear surface thereof; and at least one LED directed at a concavity of the concave reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Techlite Inc.
    Inventor: William B. Maley, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7270449
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for lighting are provided with a reflector with paraboloidal segments. One lighting system includes a reflector having one or more reflector segments. Each reflector segment is substantially paraboloidal and has a central axis of syrmetry. The lighting system also includes an illumination portion having one or more light sources. Each light source corresponds to one of the reflector segments and has a central illumination axis. The central illumination axis is directed toward the corresponding segment and substantially perpendicular to the central axis of symmetry of the corresponding segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventor: Alan Uke
  • Patent number: 7270450
    Abstract: A lighting and flashing Christmas tree structure apparatus employs a low power control circuit to control the flashing sequence of LED light strings, capable of randomly altering distribution of the light strings with free choice of colors. A plug-free magnetic power system supplies electrical power to a cuboidal body where each of the four sides thereon has an electrical power receptacle free for user selection. With a LED device controller, a magnificent blinking is emitting from the LED light source to delight Christmas atmosphere. The electrical power offered by the present invention is limited below 24 V, which is within the safety range of the electrical properties code for body contact, therefore being free of safety concerns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Topson Optoelectronics Semi-conductor Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsung-Wen Chan
  • Patent number: 7270451
    Abstract: A torchiere lamp which includes a plurality of at least three dedicated compact fluorescent bulbs which are disposed internally of an upwardly directed pan shaped member carried by a stem supported upon a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Lamps Plus, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis K. Swanson
  • Patent number: 7270452
    Abstract: A light emitting handle includes a handle body, a light emitting device mounted on the handle body to emit light outward, and a light guide device mounted on the handle body to guide and reflect the light of the light emitting device outward from the handle body. The light emitting handle is mounted on the door of a car or on two sides of the tail portion of a motorcycle. Thus, the light emitting handle emits light outward constantly so that the light emitting handle has a lightening effect when the car or motorcycle is turned around so as to provide a warning effect to other person, thereby preventing the car or motorcycle from incurring a traffic accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Yu Lin Enterprise Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Ming-Cheng Wang
  • Patent number: 7270453
    Abstract: A molded plastic lamp component includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a first portion formed from a first material having a first heat distortion temperature, and a second portion formed from a second material having a second heat distortion temperature. The first heat distortion temperature is higher than the second heat distortion temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James R. Wilson, Peter Zuber
  • Patent number: 7270454
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp in which a luminous flux utilization factor is enhanced by a structure of a light-emitting element that is disposed to face forward with respect to a vehicular lamp and covered from its front side with a translucent member. The circumferential region of the translucent member forms a reflected light control portion that allows light from the light-emitting element which has impinged on the translucent member to be internally reflected by the rear face of the translucent member and turned into parallel light which travels forward, and the reflected light control portion further allows the parallel light to emit forward from the front face of the reflected light control portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Amano
  • Patent number: 7270455
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automotive light which is characterized in that a reflector with at least one first light source associated with the reflector forms a first lighting system whose light can be guided onto a translucent cover pane. The reflector further comprises a screen preceding the light source in relation to the cover pane. The screen is configured as a second, front lighting system having at least one second light source. Both lighting systems can be adjusted to different luminous intensities. The invention also relates to a method for indicating different signal patterns of an automotive light, which is characterized in that two lighting systems which are located one behind the other and whose light-emitting surfaces partially overlap can be individually controlled with different luminous intensities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Carsten Befelein
  • Patent number: 7270456
    Abstract: An illuminated hair ornament with fiber optics emitting lines of light and increased points of light is provided, where the illuminated ornament has a housing, a power supply coupled to the housing, a light source electrically coupled to the power supply, at least one fiber optic positioned to receive light from the light source, and includes one end protruding out and away from the housing. In one embodiment a reflective coating may be applied to the end of the fiber optic protruding from the housing, and in another embodiment, the one end protruding out and away from the hosing is cut at an angle to maximize observed brightness of the light. A sealant material may be applied to the fiber optics near the light source to prevent light from escaping from between the fiber optics. Also disclosed is a method for creating patterns of light across a user's hair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventors: Christopher C. Bonang, Nancy A. Booher
  • Patent number: 7270457
    Abstract: A light source device and projector using the same is provided. The light source device includes multiple light source modules and a multi-channel optical light tube. The multi-channel optical light tube includes multiple channels, each of which has a light guiding portion and corresponds to one or more of the light source modules. The light source module transmits the output light to the corresponding light channel, and the light guiding portion of each light channel is provided with a reflective surface for combining the light input through the light channels to the multi-channel optical light tube, thus providing the output of the light source device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Huang-Chen Guo, Chi-Xiang Tseng
  • Patent number: 7270458
    Abstract: Provided is a curved light guide screen. A plurality of vertically aligned light guides are arranged into light guide magnifying layers. Spacers are disposed between any two adjacent light guide magnifying layers, proximate to the magnifying output ends, to position the magnifying layers and define an orientation for the magnifying output ends. A curved viewing surface is defined having a concave, convex or complex curvature shape depending on the size, shape and positioning of the spacers. The spacers may have a variety of shapes, and may be flexible, semi-rigid or rigid. A case houses the light guide magnifying layers and spacers, as well as an image source and associated lenses. A related method of making a curved light guide screen is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Huei Pei Kuo, Lawrence M. Hubby, Jr., Steven L. Naberhuis
  • Patent number: 7270459
    Abstract: A light guide is configured to direct light from a light source. The light guide has an outer guide member and an inner guide member located in the outer guide member. A light passage is defined through the light guide between the inner and outer guide members. When a first end of the light guide is positioned adjacent a light source, light is permitted to pass from the light source through only the light passage in the light guide. The configuration of the light guide reduces passage of light off-angle to the length of the light passage through the guide, such that light is directed substantially parallel to the light passage. The light guide is thus effective in eliminating light dispersion and associated light banding and in focusing light upon a particular object or area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventor: Patrick S. Waring