Patents Issued in February 12, 2008
  • Patent number: 7328986
    Abstract: An inkjet printer ink cartridge, which improves upon the ink cartridge of a conventional inkjet ink cartridge, whereby need for sponge within the ink cartridge is eliminated, and a siphon device is configured within the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge utilizes a siphoning phenomenon to prevent leakage of ink from contact area of a nozzle of the inkjet printer and from an area of the siphon. Reusability of the ink cartridge is realized without affecting quality of printing of the ink cartridge, and without causing problems in environmental protection recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventor: Alex Kuo-Shen Wang
  • Patent number: 7328987
    Abstract: An ink cartridge has a cartridge body to which an ink supply pipe extending from an inkjet printer is detachably attached, and which has an ink storing space for storing an ink to be supplied to the inkjet printer via the ink supply pipe, and a valve mechanism that opens and closes both an ink path which, when the ink supply pipe is attached to the cartridge body, communicates with the ink supply pipe, and an atmospheric air path through which atmospheric air is introduced into the ink storing space, the valve mechanism including a valve member having a first opening-closing portion which is relatively movable with respect to the cartridge body, and which opens and closes the ink path and a second opening-closing portion which is relatively movable with respect to the cartridge body, and which opens and closes the atmospheric air path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Katayama, Shota Iijima
  • Patent number: 7328988
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ink composition for spacer formation and a spacer element using the same, and more particularly to an ink composition for spacer formation including a) 10 to 70 parts by weight (dry weight) of a polymer emulsion; b) 0.1 to 50 parts by weight of weight of wetting agent; and c) 20 to 90 parts by weight of solvent, and a spacer element using the same. The ink composition of the present invention has a significantly low viscosity and can be sprayed easily by inkjet, so that it is useful for spacer formation in liquid crystal displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Joon-Hyung Kim, Young-Sun Kong, Kyung-Jun Kim
  • Patent number: 7328989
    Abstract: An ink set for ink-jet recording comprises a pigment ink and a dye ink containing a pigment and a dye as coloring agent, respectively. The pigment ink contains water, a water-soluble organic solvent, and a negatively charged pigment wherein potassium ion and sodium ion have a total ion concentration of not more than 200 ppm, and divalent or multivalent metal ion or ions have a total ion concentration of not more than 10 ppm. The dye ink contains water, a water-soluble organic solvent, and a dye associated with a counter ion of lithium ion wherein potassium ion and sodium ion have a total ion concentration of not more than 400 ppm, and divalent or multivalent metal ion or ions have a total ion concentration of not more than 10 ppm. In the ink set, the pigment and dye inks can be used in combination without complicating a maintenance system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Ohira, Yoshito Toyoda, Masahito Kato, Ryuji Kato, Akihiko Taniguchi, Kazuma Goto, Masaya Fujioka, Shunichi Higashiyama
  • Patent number: 7328990
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ink-jet ink set including an ink-jet ink containing a colorant and a surfactant, and a treatment liquid, wherein an ink droplet formed by bringing the ink-jet ink into contact with the treatment liquid has a ratio (H/R) of height (H) to contact-area diameter (R) of from 0.15 to 0.30, the ratio (H/R) is detected at a point 100 milliseconds (ms) after ejecting the ink droplet onto a plain paper. The present invention also provides an ink-jet recording method and ink-jet recording apparatus using the ink-jet ink set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Taiga Iinuma
  • Patent number: 7328991
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ink including a coloring material, a resin and a solvent, wherein the resin is a block copolymer of a polyvinyl ether structure having a hydrophilic segment and a hydrophobic segment, and the hydrophilic segment of the block copolymer has a number average molecular weight of 1,000 to 50,000 and an HLB value of 4 to 18.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Sato, Ikuo Nakazawa, Sakae Suda, Masayuki Ikegami, Junko Morioka, Takayuki Okawa
  • Patent number: 7328992
    Abstract: An inkjet recording method includes: generating image data for forming a thinned-out image according to an thinning-out pattern without regularity; and printing a color image with respective inks, by scanning a recording head multiple times on a same recording area and forming the thinned-out image in each scanning, the recording head having a plurality of nozzle sections for jetting inks, wherein the nozzle pitch thereof is from 10 to 50 ?m, the respective inks contains pigments, at least one organic solvent with high boiling point and water, a surface tension of the respective inks is from 30 to 50 mN/m, the pigments are dispersed by a polymeric dispersant, a transferred amount at 0.04 sec of time by Bristow method is 10 ml/m2 or more, and the recording medium has a micro-porous layer containing inorganic fine particles with a mean particle size of 15 to 100 nm and a hydrophilic binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Atsushi Tomotake, Takahiro Matsuzawa, Kenzo Nakazawa, Miyako Sugihara
  • Patent number: 7328993
    Abstract: A printer including a printhead which is displaceable at the level of a print surface in a main scanning direction and in a sub-scanning direction with respect to a substrate situated in the print surface, and a supply unit for storing the substrate which is disposed on a core and delivering the substrate for transport to the print surface, said supply unit including support means for supporting the core at its end portions so that the core, while being supported, can rotate with the unwinding of substrate from the core, said support means containing an element for exerting a force on the core in the axial direction during the rotation thereof, whereby the core is pressed against a stop which occupies a substantially fixed position in the axial direction with respect to the print surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Océ-Technologies B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrikus J. J. Van Soest, Jeroen J. G. Coenen
  • Patent number: 7328994
    Abstract: A print engine assembly includes an elongate chassis that defines a channel and a slot. A printhead assembly is fast with respect to the chassis and is configured to print upon print media fed through the chassis. A pair of bearing moldings is located within the channel and mounted on respective, opposite ends of the chassis. A print media feed mechanism is mounted between the bearing moldings and is arranged to feed the print media through the chassis in register with the printhead assembly and out through the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7328995
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for embedding information in an image during relative movement between a print medium and an ink jet print head is provided. A plurality of first lines are printed and a plurality of second lines are printed. Each of the first lines includes a plurality of first dots and a plurality of second dots offset from the first dots by a first amount, and each of the second lines includes a plurality of third dots and a plurality of fourth dots offset from the third dots by a second amount different than the first amount. The information is encoded in the image using an encoding scheme in which the first lines represent a first value in the encoding scheme and the second lines represent a second value in the encoding scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Campagna, Robert A. Cordery, Easwaran Nambudiri, Luis A. Sanchez, Gary G. Hansen
  • Patent number: 7328996
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor and ink-jet print-head assembly comprised in a housing for a hand-held and hand-operated printing device controlled by a processor, and a method therefore. It provides a control for navigation with coordinate systems and angles on a print medium that preferably is bigger than the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventor: Alex M. Walling
  • Patent number: 7328997
    Abstract: Opaque films adhering electrostatically to lenses of eyewear, are used to train baseball fielders and golfers. For baseball, the films, placed on the lower parts of the lenses establish opaque areas which encourage the player to follow a ball visually throughout its entire path of travel toward the player's glove. The opaque areas may have a convex upper edge or a concave upper edge. In the latter case, the training aid can be used, without modification to train the player in batting. For golf an opaque film covers one lens, and an opaque film having a lenticular transparent opening in its upper part is placed on the other lens. The films encourage the golfer to keep his or her head down and behind the ball during the downswing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignees: St. Moritz Limited Partnership, Penllyn Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Vincent J. Russomagno, David S. Foulke
  • Patent number: 7328998
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward specially tinted lenses for use in flying airplanes. In the present invention, the far field of vision is highly tinted to reduce the light from a sunlit sky, over sunlit cloud tops, or in clouds. This enables an aircraft pilot to easily see out of the cockpit into highly illuminated environments. The intermediate field of vision is essentially clear to enable the pilot to easily see a dimly illuminated instrument panel as compared to outside the aircraft. The near field of vision may have a range of tinting from clear to up to a medium tinted value for reading maps and other material. In addition, the change in tinting is discontinuous, that is, sharp, from one field of vision to another. The present invention works because the aircraft structure, that is, the nose and instrument panel, blocks outside light from coming into the intermediate field of vision where the lens is clear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventor: Raymond L. Hobbs
  • Patent number: 7328999
    Abstract: Eyeglasses comprising a primary lens frame having a first pair of lens holders separated by a bridge portion having a major magnetic member disposed on a rear side thereof and facing rearward. The eyeglasses further include an auxiliary frame having a second pair of lens holders separated by a bridge portion and having pivoting arms attached to each lens. The arms are connected by a grip extension having minor magnetic members disposed on a side facing the major magnetic members. The auxiliary frame is coupled to the primary lens frame from the bottom such that the grip extension extends under the bridge portion in the primary lens frame and allows the major and minor magnetic members to form a magnetic attraction. The pivoting arms permit the auxiliary frame to be moved in and out of the line of sight of the user without disrupting the magnetic coupling of the primary and the auxiliary frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventor: Gary M. Zelman
  • Patent number: 7329000
    Abstract: The clip-lens eyeglasses frame includes a face structure provided with elements for clipping to at least one lens and arranged to operate by resiliently clamping the lens in a direction that is generally axial relative to the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)
    Inventor: Sebastien Actis-Datta
  • Patent number: 7329001
    Abstract: The present invention relates to contact lenses manufactured using a gas permeable material with improved hydrophilicity. A method for improving the hydrophilicity of the contact lens includes providing a contact lens comprising a gas permeable contact lens material and exposing the material to a treatment solution comprising a chemical agent under conditions that are effective to significantly reduce the contact angle of the contact lens for a period of at least about two months. In another embodiment, the method includes irradiating the contact lens to sterilize the contact lens material. A contact lens manufactured using this method includes a substantially rigid portion comprising a polymeric material, the polymeric material comprising a hydrophilic surface having a contact angle of about 65 degrees or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: SynergEyes, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramazan Benrashid, Ali Dahi, Jerome A. Legerton
  • Patent number: 7329002
    Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus capable of providing a printout of measurement results on a plurality of different eye characteristics in a required format. An ophthalmic apparatus capable of measuring a plurality of different eye characteristics of an eye of an examinee simultaneously or successively has a printer for providing a printout of a first measurement result on a first eye characteristic and a second measurement result on a second eye characteristic on predetermined paper, including a printing part which performs printing on the paper and a cutting part which cuts the paper, and a control part which controls the printing part to separately print the first measurement result in a first printing area of the paper and the second measurement result in a second printing area of the paper, and controls the cutting part to cut the paper so that the first printing area and the second printing area are separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyoshi Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 7329003
    Abstract: The apparatus provides an improved modified slit lamp assembly light source base and vertical support frame assemblies comprising chin and headrest vertical support legs wherein at least a lower portion of the chin rest vertical supports have been modified in at least a substantially widened fashion. The lower portion of the supports is further modified to jut back or bend away from a seated patient and toward the encroaching base of the slit lamp assembly to provide upper body accommodation while at the same time preventing a patient's upper body to encroach the base of the slit lamp. The assembly's chin/head support frame is mounted on a pivotal tabletop having a pivotal connection means, wherein the pivotal tabletop comprises a plurality of cut-out shapes each working in cooperative conjunction with the modified assemblies to accommodate obese, large-breasted patients and patients with degenerative back disorders, as well as obese doctors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Occhi Sani, LLC
    Inventor: Angela E. Nicolini
  • Patent number: 7329004
    Abstract: A rear projection display device improves the brightness by improving the utilization efficiency of image light projected to a screen from slantly below. At least a green component of the image light is P-polarized to the screen (7). Therefore, reflection of light on the screen (7) is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Arai, Syoichi Yoshii
  • Patent number: 7329005
    Abstract: A method and system for a beam projector having an audio capability device. The beam projector includes a central processing unit integral with the beam projector, a memory portion coupled with the central processing unit and an audio recognition portion coupled with the central processing unit. In so doing, the audio recognition portion is used for recognizing audible commands for the beam projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Norbert A. Feliss, Donald R. Gillis, Mike Suk
  • Patent number: 7329006
    Abstract: Generally, the present invention relates to an apparatus for reducing astigmatism in a projection system that is particularly well suited to reducing astigmatism in LCD projection systems. A projection system includes a light source to generate light, conditioning optics to condition the light from the light source and an imaging core to impose on image on conditioned light from the conditioning optics to form image light. The imaging core includes a polarizing beamsplitter and at least one imager, and at least one element in the imaging core is adapted to reduce astigmatism in the image light. The astigmatism may arise in the polarizing beamsplitter. A projection lens system projects the astigmatism-reduced image light from the imaging core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David J. W. Aastuen, Charles L. Bruzzone, Stephen K. Eckhardt, Jiaying Ma
  • Patent number: 7329007
    Abstract: A projector includes an illumination device, a color separation system, a light combining system, a projection system, and an optical adjustment portion. The color separation system separates the light emitted from the illumination device into blue light, red light, and green light. The light combining system can have a first dichroic filter reflecting one of blue light or red light, and a second dichroic filter reflecting green light which are placed in a crossed state and can combine image lights of respective colors exiting from the first through third light modulation devices. The projection system can project a combined light exiting from the light combining system while correcting chromatic aberrations of magnification of blue light and red light with respect to green light. The optical adjustment portion can adjust a size of an image light corresponding to the green light of the combined light exiting from the light combining system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Joji Karasawa, Hidemasa Yamakawa, Kanji Yoshida, Masafumi Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 7329008
    Abstract: A lightweight, compact image projection system, especially for mounting in a housing having a light-transmissive window, is operative for causing selected pixels in a raster pattern to be illuminated to produce an image of high resolution of VGA quality or higher in color. A shock-resistant arrangement protects at least one of the system components, for example, a green laser module with its associated thermo-electric cooler from shock damage during a drop event without sacrificing the capability of aggressively removing waste heat generated by such system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl Wittenberg
  • Patent number: 7329009
    Abstract: A projection system for image reproduction includes at least one lamp and sensor for generating a sensor signal for monitoring changes in the luminous flux generated by the lamp and for compensating these changes through a suitable control of the image reproduction. The projection system further includes a device for eliminating substantially periodic interference components from the sensor signal generated by the sensor. These interference components may be generated by an optical component such as a color modulator of the projection system. The projection system provides substantially interference-free compensation of fluctuations in the luminous flux generated by the lamp, for example, owing to an unstable arc discharge. Further, the positioning of the sensor in the projection system may not be critical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Holger Mönch, Peter Lürkens, Carsten Deppe, Winston Donald Couwenberg, Johannis Antonie Toonen, Roy Hendrik Zundert
  • Patent number: 7329010
    Abstract: A housing is mounted with a screen. The housing accommodates a projector unit and a mirror. Image light emitted from the projector unit is projected to the rear of a translucent screen via the mirror. The projector unit includes a unit body, which accommodates liquid crystal display (LCD) panels and a projection lens, and a lamp housing in which a lamp unit is removably set. The lamp housing is rotatably attached to the unit body in a direction parallel to the screen and perpendicular to the unit body. The lamp housing is fixed to the unit body in a state that the lamp unit is set in a predetermined posture. The lamp unit is set in the lamp housing via a lamp opening of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuto Kuroda
  • Patent number: 7329011
    Abstract: A light source unit including an arc tube having a light emitting section, sealed sections, an elliptic reflector, and a secondary reflecting mirror to cover the front side of the light emitting sections and reflect a luminous flux radiated from the light emitting section toward the elliptic reflector. The center of discharging emission from the arc tube is disposed at a first focal position of the elliptic reflector, and the secondary reflecting mirror is configured as a separate member from the arc tube, so that the outer peripheral portion of the secondary reflecting mirror is accommodated within a circular cone connecting a second focal position of the elliptic reflector and the distal end of the front sealed section of the arc tube when being mounted to the front sealed section of the arc tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Shohei Fujisawa, Yuji Takado, Takeshi Takezawa
  • Patent number: 7329012
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The invention further relates to retroreflective sheeting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Smith
  • Patent number: 7329013
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly, a casing having a reflective element, a compass sensor and a control. The compass sensor is disposed within the mirror casing and has a first magnetoresponsive sensing element and a second magnetoresponsive sensing element. The control receives a first signal indicative of a magnetic field sensed by the first magnetoresponsive sensing element and a second signal indicative of a magnetic field sensed by the second magnetoresponsive sensing element. The control determines that the casing is adjusted by an occupant of the vehicle in response to a change in the first and second signals being indicative of an abrupt movement of the casing about the mounting structure by an occupant of the vehicle. The control is operable to enter a rapid compensating mode to compensate for the mirror adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney K. Blank, Kenneth L. Schierbeek, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 7329014
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a collector mirror for short-wavelength radiation based on a plasma. It is the object of the invention to find a novel possibility for managing the temperature of a collector mirror for focusing short-wavelength radiation generated from a plasma which allows an efficient thermal connection to be produced between the optically active mirror surface and a thermostat system without the disadvantages relating to space requirements or high-precision manufacture of the collector mirror. This object is met, according to the invention, in that the collector mirror has a solid, rotationally symmetric substrate which comprises a material with high thermal conductivity of more than 50 W/mK and in which channels for cooling and temperature management are incorporated in the substrate so that a heat transport medium can flow through directly and for rapidly stabilizing the temperature of the optically active mirror surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: XTREME Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Istvan Balogh, Kai Gaebel
  • Patent number: 7329015
    Abstract: The variable shape mirror (1) includes a substrate (2) and a bulk piezoelectric body (3). On the piezoelectric body (3), a specular surface (4) is formed, and further a plurality of grooves (5a-5e) are formed at a predetermined interval. The grooves (5a-5e) are arranged so as to surround the specular surface (4) and filled with the conductive members. The conductive members embedded in the grooves (5a-5e) are connected electrically to one of a pair of common electrodes (7a and 7b) that is disposed to cross the grooves (5a-5e) and are formed to be electrodes having different polarities in alternating manner in the direction from the inner side to the outer side of the grooves (5a-5e).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fuminori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7329016
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a foot inspection mirror and, more particularly, to a foot inspection device comprised of an assembly of mirrors positioned in such an array so as to assist diabetics and other users in visually self-inspecting all sides of an illuminated foot without unnecessary standing or maneuvering. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventor: Helen Shonk
  • Patent number: 7329017
    Abstract: The present invention involves a method and apparatus of protecting a lighting element within a parabolic reflective housing. The apparatus involves a lighting element-protective member for use in within a light reflector housing cavity wherein lighting element protrudes into the cavity. A resilient body is provided and is selectively deformable to be frictionally engaged with the inner surface of the reflector housing. An aperture is formed in the resilient body for receiving the lighting element within said aperture. Thus the lighting element is protected within a foam sleeve which abuts the sides of the parabolic reflector for support. Also, method of protecting the lighting element is disclosed comprising the steps of: providing a selectively deformable resilient body; providing an aperture within the resilient body; and inserting the resilient body within the reflector such that the aperture receives and covers the lighting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Profile Illumination, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Walker
  • Patent number: 7329018
    Abstract: An illuminated human-machine interface device does not need prepare electric energy by itself to supply power for a light source and can operate by taking advantage of the brightness of a screen of a monitor without any extraordinary illuminating equipment. It can be a keyboard and the positions on which the fluorescent light emits from the keyboard can be chosen on plural key caps. Secondly, it can be a keyboard and the position on which the fluorescent light emits from the keyboard can be chosen on an upper cover. The printed symbols on the key caps and the upper cover can both be formed by positive or negative plate printing with fluorescent ink, or the key caps and the upper cover can both be mixed with fluorescent material therein. Thirdly, it can be a keyboard with a fluorescent plate thereon to emit fluorescent light to make the keyboard a fluorescent keyboard. Fourthly, it can be a mouse having a housing with fluorescent material therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Behavior Tech Computer Corp.
    Inventors: Ching-Chiang Yu, Chih Wen Su
  • Patent number: 7329019
    Abstract: An system for illuminating clothing and footwear, utilizing electro-luminescent light strips and LEDs, which are randomly illuminated according to the movement of the person wearing the article(s). In one embodiment illumination control is accomplished by a direct-current to alternating-current converter means and various types of switches. These switches may include a random pressure switch, a random or controlled sequencer, an orbiter random motion switch, or any suitable switch or combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventor: James Cheung
  • Patent number: 7329020
    Abstract: A rotatable earring for wearing and rotating. An embodiment of the earring includes: an elongated member, having a first and second end; a motor that provides rotation; a decorative member, configured to provide decoration; a coupling device, coupled to the motor, and selectably coupleable to an ear of a person; and a power module, coupled to the coupling device, in communication with the motor, and configured to provide power. According to other embodiments, the power module includes: a securing member configured to secure the power module to the coupling device; a battery configured to provide DC electricity; and an On/Off switch configured to control the release of power from the power module. Further, there is a light module, coupled to the decorative member, in communication with the power module, and configured to provide light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventor: Joan N. Miller
  • Patent number: 7329021
    Abstract: An illuminated keyed remote control device providing illumination in the visible spectrum and the functionality of a wireless signal transmitter. Light projects from one or more translucent portions of the remote control device, at least a portion of which illuminates the key. The illuminated remote control device comprises at least one translucent portion adapted for the transmission of light from a cavity to the outer surface of the housing. At least one control feature is provided to operate transmitter electronics and/or the light source housed in the cavity. The light source produces light within the cavity, the light being then guided from the cavity to the surface by a translucent portion of the housing. The illumination provides the user with an increased ability to see or be seen in the dark and provides illumination that is visually appealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: The Hoffman Group International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Lawrence Andrew Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7329022
    Abstract: An improved small profile hanger system for ceiling suspended lighting fixtures comprises a plurality of hanger assemblies having a support stem and a downwardly arced crossbar. The support stem and crossbar have a relatively small elliptical profile have two sets of wire holes, each set of wire holes having an inner hole and an outer hole overlapping the inner hole, the inner and outer holes defining an intervening gap narrower than the dimension of either hole. The holes are sized to receive an insulated wire; the intervening gap preventing the wire from crossing over into the adjacent hole. The wire holes of the support stem are in communication with the wire holes of the crossbar providing a fully enclosed wiring passage from a ballast box assembly installed above a suspended ceiling to energize a lamp in a diffuser depending from a pair of the crossbars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Acuity Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Trung Tran, Hue Ly
  • Patent number: 7329023
    Abstract: A low-power illumination apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a mounting for securely mounting to a building surface in a residence or building. A light bulb socket is electrically connected to an external power source through a hollow housing which holds the socket and the electrical wiring providing the power. The housing may include decorative aspects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Virginia Metal Spinners, Inc
    Inventor: Christopher R. Mast
  • Patent number: 7329024
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus is provided including an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed on a base. The base is configured to move heat away from the array of LEDs to other portions of the base and further to the atmosphere or an adjacent housing. In one embodiment, a native oxide on the base electrically insulates the base from the LEDs. In another embodiment, a cover is removably disposed over the array of LEDs, and removal of the cover prevents electrical energization of the LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Permlight Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel Lynch, Lenny Fraitag, Rehana Wijesinghe
  • Patent number: 7329025
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes an outer lens and an inner lens disposed inside the outer lens. The inner lens covers an area narrower than the outer lens and is supported with the body by laser welding. The inner lens and the body respectively have joint areas. A laser absorber is contained in an interface between the joint areas. The joint areas are overlapped and laser beam is emitted to the laser absorber from behind the joint area of the inner lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Yasuda, Fujihiko Sugiyama, Kazuhiro Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7329026
    Abstract: A lighting fixture having a main housing to which is attached a moveable reflector assembly. The fluorescent lamps are affixed to the main housing and the moveable reflector assembly is adjusted to a position close to the fluorescent lamps to achieve a narrow illumination field. Adjusting the position of the moveable reflector assembly away from the fluorescent lamps achieves a wide illumination field. The reflector is designed as a near parabolic like shape and may be configured as a single fluorescent lamp cavity, or a multiple lamp cavity wherein the parabolic like shapes for each fluorescent lamp intersect to provide a uniform illumination light field and highly efficient light output while minimizing the lighting fixture width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventors: Jeffery John Hayman, Jeremy Joseph Macgilvray
  • Patent number: 7329027
    Abstract: An organic light-emitting diode lighting apparatus having an organic light-emitting diode lamp having a thermally conductive mounting member having a mounting surface on a first side and second light-emitting surface and a thin-film light-emitting structure adjacent the second light-emitting surface, the thin-film light-emitting structure comprising an anode, a light-emitting layer, and a cathode, and a thermally conductive mounting fixture having a thermally conductive mounting surface on which the thermally conductive mounting member is secured such that there is substantially continuous thermal contact across the mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Giana M. Phelan, Ronald S. Cok
  • Patent number: 7329028
    Abstract: A uniform light generating system for adjusting output brightness, including a light-generating unit, a light-transmitting unit, a hollow spheroid unit, a light-sensing unit, and a control unit. The light-generating unit has a light-emitting element for generating light beams and a brightness control element for adjusting the luminous flux of the light beam. The hollow spheroid unit is communicated with the other side of the light-transmitting unit for guiding the light beams into an external casing of the hollow spheroid unit. The light-sensing unit detects electric power values in the external casing. The control unit is electrically connected to the light-generating unit and the light-sensing unit. Thereby a user can obtain a real illumination value via adjusting the illumination values of the light beams that are projected from the hollow spheroid unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Youngtek Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Bily Wang, Chih-Ming Wang, Kuei-Pao Chen
  • Patent number: 7329029
    Abstract: An optical device for coupling the luminous output of a light-emitting diode (LED) to a predominantly spherical pattern comprises a transfer section that receives the LED's light within it and an ejector positioned adjacent the transfer section to receive light from the transfer section and spread the light generally spherically. A base of the transfer section is optically aligned and/or coupled to the LED so that the LED's light enters the transfer section. The transfer section can comprises a compound elliptic concentrator operating via total internal reflection. The ejector section can have a variety of shapes, and can have diffusive features on its surface as well. The transfer section can in some implementations be polygonal, V-grooved, faceted and other configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Light Prescriptions Innovators, LLC
    Inventors: Julio Cesar Chaves, Juan Carlos Minano, Pablo Benitez, William A. Parkyn, Jr., Waqidi Falicoff, Fernando Munoz, Yupin Sun
  • Patent number: 7329030
    Abstract: In an assembling structure for LED road lamp and heat dissipating module, the LED road lamp includes a partition board, an upper casing, a light transmitting lens and an LED lamp set. The upper casing and the light transmitting lens are set separately on upper and lower sides of the partition board. Each LED lamp set is contained in a space enclosed by the partition board and the light transmitting lens. The partition board has a plurality of through holes, and the LED lamp set includes a frame body and an LED module. The heat dissipating module includes a heat dissipating body, a heat pipe and an isothermal board. The heat dissipating body is set in a space enclosed by the partition board and the upper casing, and the heat pipe has a heat discharging end passing through and connecting the partition board and the heat dissipating body and a heat receiving end forming the bottom of the partition board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Augux., Ltd.
    Inventor: Pei-Choa Wang
  • Patent number: 7329031
    Abstract: A headlight for bicycle includes an insulative barrel and including peripheral openings; a lens mounted in the barrel; a heat sink including parallel grooves on its outer surface, and water resistant rings mounted thereon; a PCB fitted onto an end of the barrel; a reflector mounted inside the barrel; an LED bulb fitted in the reflector; and a conductor electrically interconnected the bulb and the PCB; and a power supply releasably secured to the barrel and including a switch. The switch is manually movable between on and off position and is adapted to electrically connect the power supply to the bulb when the switch is in the on position, and in response to disposing the switch in the on position, heat generated by the bulb is dissipated through the conductor, the heat sink, and the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventors: Suh Jang Liaw, Di Shun Liao
  • Patent number: 7329032
    Abstract: The invention provides a receiver structure for receiving a light unit having a glass for fitting to a motor vehicle fender, the fender and the glass including means for putting the glass of the light unit into a reference position relative to the fender, the receiver structure comprising: fastener means for fastening the receiver structure to the fender; and fastener means for fastening the light unit to the receiver structure, which means conserve the reference position of the glass relative to the fender as imposed by the means for putting the glass into a reference position. The invention also provides an outside module for a motor vehicle, a fender, and a method of mounting a light unit on a fender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Compagnie Plastic Omnium
    Inventors: Marc Verwaerde, Gerald Andre, Alexis Michaut
  • Patent number: 7329033
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly for a motor vehicle including a lens and a housing that cooperate to define an inner chamber that is generally isolated from the atmosphere. A heat sink includes a fin portion that extends from the inner chamber so as to be exposed to ambient air. A light source is located within the inner chamber and is supported on a base portion of the heat sink. The heat sink conducts heat from the light source to air located exterior of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Zachary Glovatsky, Myron Lemecha, Prathap Amervai Reddy
  • Patent number: 7329034
    Abstract: A multi-level optical device that includes a housing. Further, a multi-level lightpipe is placed in the housing and includes at least two paths for passing light. A lightpipe barrier can optionally be placed between the at least two paths in the multi-level lightpipe, to provide enhanced separation between the light passing through the two paths. Further, a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are provided in the housing. Respective ones of the plurality of LEDs provide light input into a respective one of the paths of the multi-level lightpipe. The multi-level lightpipe can take the form of a bi-level prism, and the plurality of LEDs may be multi-color LEDs. A light-bleeding preventing device can be positioned between the at least two paths in the multi-level lightpipe. The multi-level lightpipe can also include plural multi-level lightpipes arranged in a row to create a matrix of output light signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Dialight Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony Verdes, Klaus Oesterheld, John R. McNamara
  • Patent number: 7329035
    Abstract: There is disclosed a nightlight that can be held or worn by a child and that can display projected images in 3-D mode upon a flat surface to comfort and provide assurance for a child when left in the dark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventor: Marcos T. Feliciano