Patents Issued in February 19, 2008
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Patent number: 7331667Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for aligning diagnostic and therapeutic iris images, via iris pattern recognition, for effecting more accurate laser treatment of the eye. A method for aligning a dilated pupil diagnostic iris image associated with a diagnostic measurement for calculating a laser treatment, with a constricted pupil diagnostic iris image, by identifying an iris landmark that is not identifiable solely between the two images, includes a sequential plurality of diagnostic iris images of varying pupil size such that the iris landmark can be tracked between the two images. The aligned, constricted pupil diagnostic image can then be aligned with a constricted pupil treatment image and the ablation pattern rotated accordingly. Limbal edge detection is used in the diagnostic images to provide pupil center translation information for translational alignment of the laser treatment.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2001Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Bausch Lomb IncorporatedInventors: Ulf Grotehusmann, Gerhard Youssefi
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Patent number: 7331668Abstract: Providing multi-focal visual correction includes determining a plurality of visual conditions to which an eye is to be exposed, determining effects of the visual conditions on a pupil of the eye, and determining a target wavefront profile on the basis of the effects.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Massachusetts Eye & Ear InfirmaryInventors: Dimitri T. Azar, Damien Gatinel, Jacques Malet
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Patent number: 7331669Abstract: A portable, lightweight digital imaging device uses a slit scanning arrangement to obtain an image of the eye, in particular the retina. The scanning arrangement reduces the amount of target area illuminated at a time, thereby reducing the amount of unwanted light scatter and providing a higher contrast image. A detection arrangement receives the light remitted from the retinal plane and produces an image. The device is operable under battery power and ambient light conditions, such as outdoor or room lighting. The device is noncontact and does not require that the pupil of the eye be dilated with drops. The device can be used by personnel who do not have specialized training in the eye, such as emergency personnel, pediatricians, or general practitioners. Images can be viewed in the device or transmitted to a remote location. The device can also be used to provide images of the anterior segment of the eye or other small structures.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2002Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Indiana University Research and Technology CorporationInventor: Ann E. Elsner
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Patent number: 7331670Abstract: A fundus camera that performs alignment easily and efficiently, and photographing a fundus favorably. A fundus camera has a photographing part in which a fundus photographing optical system is arranged, a fundus observation optical system having a first image-pickup element which picks up an image of the fundus, an anterior-segment observation optical system having a second image-pickup element which picks up an image of an anterior-segment of the eye, a display unit capable of displaying the image of the fundus picked up by the first image-pickup element and the image of the anterior-segment picked up by the second image-pickup element, and a control part which obtains information on alignment of the photographing part with the eye and decides which of the image of the fundus and the image of the anterior-segment is to be displayed on the display unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Nidek Co., LtdInventor: Naoki Ichikawa
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Patent number: 7331671Abstract: An eye tracking method tracks a subject's eye template by correlation between successive video frames, and periodically updates the eye template based on detected characteristic eye or eyelid movement such as blinking, eyelash movement and iris movement. In the absence of eyelid motion detection, a state vector corresponding to the center of the subject's eye is determined by a correlation technique, and when eyelid motion is detected, the state vector is determined based on the location of the detected motion.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Riad I. Hammoud
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Patent number: 7331672Abstract: A sterile hand held slit lamp for laser refractive surgery includes a charging base that charges a battery while a hand held slit lamp is positioned thereon. A sterile supple cover is positioned over a slit lamp handle while supported by the charging base. A sterile gloved operator grasps the slit lamp handle covered by the sterile cover and illuminates an eye with a slit lamp beam. In many embodiments, an operating microscope provides a view of the eye to an operator while the slit lamp beam illuminates the eye. Operator adjustable controls located on the slit lamp handle are manipulated through a sterile cover and control a length, a width and an intensity of the slit lamp beam. An operator wearing sterile gloves adjusts a position of a piece of tissue near an incision, and removes debris from a surgical incision in tissue after viewing the eye illuminated with the hand held slit lamp beam.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: VISX, IncorporatedInventors: Cary Spediacci, John Weberg, Brian Bliven
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Patent number: 7331673Abstract: An ophthalmic photography apparatus includes an illumination light source operable to illuminate an eye to be examined, a light-intensity adjusting unit operable to adjust a light intensity of the illumination light source, an illumination optical system guiding light from the illumination light source to the eye, a photography light source facilitating photographing a still image of the eye, an imaging device converting received light into an electrical signal, an amplifying section amplifying the electrical signal according to an amplification factor, a photography optical system guiding an image of the eye to the imaging device, and a driving section driving the light-intensity adjusting unit and the amplifying unit. The driving section drives the light-intensity adjusting unit or the amplifying unit according to a value related to the eye to be examined.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shigeaki Ono
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Patent number: 7331674Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for determining an optical surface model for an optical tissue system of an eye are provided. Techniques include inputting a Fourier transform of optical data from the optical tissue system, inputting a conjugate Fourier transform of a basis function surface, determining a Fourier domain sum of the Fourier transform and the conjugate Fourier transform, calculating an estimated basis function coefficient based on the Fourier domain sum, and determining the optical surface model based on the estimated basis function coefficient. The approach is well suited for employing Fourier transform in wavefront reconstruction using Zernike representation.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: VISX, IncorporatedInventor: Guangming Dai
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Patent number: 7331675Abstract: A system of heads that support a camera with a rotation axis allowing rotation along a ?90°/+90° arc, with a connecting rod element on one side pivoted in a position eccentric with respect to the rotation axis of the head, and on the other side coupled with a shaped element, the shaped element being pivoted on one side and coupled to the lower part of the connecting rod in a central position, to allow movement, the system further comprising at least a spring element pivoted above and at the bottom coupled with the shaped element in such a way to slide with respect to the same shaped element, while allowing for adjustment of the position of the spring element with respect to the shaped element.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Cartoni S.p.A.Inventor: Guido Cartoni
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Patent number: 7331676Abstract: An optical system for projecting an image of a photomask on a substrate, using a Schwarzschild objective includes an excimer laser, beam shaping optics for shaping a laser beam from the laser and a beam-dividing prism. The beam-dividing prism has a dividing-face including four facets inclined at an angle to each other. The four facets divide the shaped beam into four beam-portions propagating at an angle to the system axis. The beam-portions overlap at the photomask and mutually diverge into the entrance aperture in the concave mirror of the Schwarzschild objective such that all of the light in the beam portions is incident on the convex mirror of the objective in an annular zone outside of the central obscuration zone of the convex mirror. This essentially eliminates transfer losses normally caused by this obscuration zone.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Coherent, Inc.Inventors: Joerg Ferber, Henning Schmidt
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Patent number: 7331677Abstract: A system control circuit is provided with a table storing portion. In the table storing portion, a table for a positioned-on-a-floor mode and a hung-from-a-ceiling mode, a table for upwardly-positioned, and a table for downwardly-positioned are stored. On each table, temperature of outside air and voltage supplied to each fan power supply are corresponded. In receipt of information indicating a positioned-on-a-floor state (angle=zero degrees) from an attitude detection sensor, the system control circuit selects the table for a positioned-on-a-floor mode and a hung-from-a-ceiling mode. In addition, the system control circuit obtains measured temperature data from a temperature sensor, and applies this measured temperature data to the selection table as a read-out address. As a result, voltage values regarding each fan power supply are read out from the selection table. The system control circuit instructs each fan power supply to drive the fans based on the read-out voltage values.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hirotake Horiguchi, Takeshi Higashino, Naoyuki Ikeda
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Patent number: 7331678Abstract: A rear projection display device. The display device includes a screen and a base to which the screen is mounted. The base includes a plurality of vents to allow air to flow in and out of the base, a heat source, and an air movement device to move air from near the screen, past the heat source, and out through the vents.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: InFocus CorporationInventor: Timothy Scott Engle
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Patent number: 7331679Abstract: A projection display system includes a screen, an illumination projecting system to form an image using light radiated by a light source, to magnify the image, and to project the image along a rear side of the screen, and a reflection unit having an array of unit mirrors to reflect the image received from the illumination projecting system onto the screen, each of the unit mirrors having a first sloped reflection surface and a second reflection surface adjacent to the first reflection surface having a predetermined angle therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kun-ho Cho, Alexei Borodouline, Ji-whan Noh, Kirill Sokolov
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Patent number: 7331680Abstract: An illumination unit with an improved color synthesis prism, which can synthesize light beams emitted from compact light sources, and a projection type image display apparatus employing the illumination unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kye-hoon Lee, Young-chol Lee, Won-yong Lee
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Patent number: 7331681Abstract: A lighting apparatus comprises a light panel having a panel frame, and a plurality of LEDs or other light elements secured to the panel frame. Lenses and/or filters are adjusted in distance from the light elements, by for example moving the lenses/filters into different slot positions of the frame, to alter characteristics of the emitted light. Focal lenses, diffusion lenses, and color filters may be used individually or in combination. A compound lens includes lens elements having different characteristics arranged in a pattern. Through groupwise control of the intensity of the light elements, the different characteristics are emphasized or de-emphasized. The light panel may have an integrated battery, and may be be mounted on a stand. The panel may be modular, allowing larger panels to be constructed from smaller panels.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Litepanels LLCInventors: Rudy G. Pohlert, Pat Grosswendt, Kevin C. Baxter, Ken S. Fisher
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Patent number: 7331682Abstract: A back light module (100) includes a light guide plate (130), a number of light sources (110) at one side of the light guide plate, and a number of birefringent crystal assemblies (120) respectively located between the light sources and the side of the light guide plate. Each birefringent crystal assembly includes a generally wedge-shaped first birefringent crystal (121) and a generally wedge-shaped second birefringent crystal (122) adhered to each other back-to-back. The birefringent crystal assembly enlarges a radiation angle of optical beams emitted from the corresponding light source. The optical beams with enlarged radiation angles enter the side of the light guide plate, and help provide excellent uniformity of brightness to an associated liquid crystal display panel.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chun-Yu Lee, Jen-Tsorng Chang
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Patent number: 7331683Abstract: A decorative article capable of being used in combination with an article having a light source and of remarkably improving the decorative effect together with the light source. The decorative article is attached to an article having a light source, and comprises, at least, an appearance-providing layer defining an appearance of the decorative article, and a light-storage layer which is disposed under the appearance-providing layer and is able to store the light from the light source and generate afterglow.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2007Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Ken Egashira, Motoaki Muraoka, Hirofumi Nitta
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Patent number: 7331684Abstract: A sunshade includes a post having a rib-mounting member mounted thereon. A plurality of ribs, each having a rib end, are pivotally connected to the rib-mounting member. A runner is slidably mounted on the post. A plurality of stretchers each have a stretcher end pivotally connected to an intermediate portion of an associated rib and a runner end pivotally connected to the runner. An illuminating device is mounted in the runner or the rib-mounting member. Damage to the illuminating device is avoided, as the light modules and the wires of the illuminating device are hidden in the runner or the rib-mounting member.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Inventor: Benson Tung
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Patent number: 7331685Abstract: A nailer with an illumination device located adjacent to the muzzle thereof comprises a nailer and an illumination device. The nailer has a muzzle defined at a front end of a housing thererof, between the muzzle and the housing is arranged a panel and a protection hood covered on the panel, and on the protection hood is formed a notch aligned with the muzzle. Beneath the protection hold is disposed a circuit board, on the circuit board is battery. A positioning hole is defined in a side of the protection hood facing the housing. A buffer is disposed in the positioning hole of the protection hood in such a manner that a part of the buffer protrudes out of the positioning hole and is to be pressed against the housing. The illumination device is disposed beneath the protection hood of the nailer and located correspondingly to the notch.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Basso Industry Corp.Inventors: Yao Sheng Shen, Sunking Hung, Leo Huang, Sam Yu, Shin Nan Chang
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Patent number: 7331686Abstract: The present invention provides an illuminating surface, e.g. a floor or wall tile, that includes an array of identical circuits (G, K, H, L) that can each be connected to a power source/14). The surface emits light in the presence of an object touching or in close proximity to the surface. Each circuit includes a sensor (12), e.g. a pressure switch, for detecting the presence of the object; at least one light source (20) that is illuminated when the sensor of that circuit detects the presence of the object. The circuits control the illumination of the light sources (20) such that the light sources remains illuminated for a time after its associated sensor (12) has ceased to detect the presence of the object.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2003Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Royal College of ArtInventors: Stijn Hermannus Wilhelmus Ossevoort, Natalie Woolf
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Patent number: 7331687Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluorescent lamp including: a body (110) having fixtures (120 and 120a) mounted at both end portions thereof so as to detachably mount a fluorescent light bulb (105) thereon; and a connecting means (130) mounted at both end portions of the body (110) so as to continuously interconnect a plurality of bodies to one another, thereby electrically connecting the bodies (110) to one another, wherein the connecting means (130) having a sliding terminal part (131) slidably coupled to the fixture (120) mounted at one side of the body (110) in such a manner as to be selectively protruded by a given length outwardly from the fixture (120) at the end portion thereof during forward and backward movements thereof, and a fixed terminal part (135) formed at the fixture (120a) mounted at the other side of the body (110) in such a manner as to be connected to the sliding terminal part (131) by inserting the sliding terminal part (131) thereto.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2007Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: AVERD Co., Ltd.Inventor: Si Youl Noh
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Patent number: 7331688Abstract: The present invention provides a light emitting diode lamp, which includes at least a light emitting diode and a control circuit. The light emitting diode lamp has an anode pin, a cathode pin, and a synchronous pin. The anode pin and the cathode pin receive a DC voltage, and the synchronous pin is connected to the control circuit. Moreover, the present invention provides a synchronous light emitting diode lamp string, which includes a plurality of light emitting diode lamps and at least a power adapter. Each light emitting diode lamp has a synchronous pin, and all synchronous pins are connected together. The control circuit can control the color changing of the light emitting diode based on a reference signal from the synchronous pin.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2007Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Semisilicon Technology Corp.Inventor: Jacky Peng
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Patent number: 7331689Abstract: A light emitting device is disclosed, in which a body is provided with a first joining portion, light-emitting elements located at a side of the body having the first joining portion for emitting light and an optical processing element disposed at a side of the light-emitting elements having a second joining portion corresponding to the first joining portion for processing light emitted from each light-emitting element, such that even light emission is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Grand Halo Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hai-Han Chen
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Patent number: 7331690Abstract: An infrared headlight useful in a night vision system may be made with an infrared emitter positioned in a reflector. The radiation source is associated with a filter body which has a first filter layer part and a second uncoated part. The two parts are designed so the radiation transmitted through the uncoated part strikes a different area of the reflector than the infrared radiation transmitted through the filter layer. The two regions of the reflector may have differing reflective characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft fur electrische Gluhlampen mbHInventor: Hans Joachim Schmidt
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Patent number: 7331691Abstract: High brightness LEDs are mounted directly on a heat pipe or are mounted on a substrate, which is mounted on the heat pipe. The heat pipe can be a common electrode for the LEDs mounted on the heat pipe. Multiple heat pipes can be arranged so that the LED arrays form a light recycling cavity to emit and reflect light.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Goldeneye, Inc.Inventors: William R. Livesay, Kari W. Beeson, Scott M. Zimmerman, Chad R. Livesay, Richard L. Ross
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Patent number: 7331692Abstract: A light beam projector has a light source and a reflector arranged to have light generated by the light source converge into a light beam. The reflector has a hollow curved surface with a focal point where the light source is positioned, and a filter able to change the color of the light beam based on the angle of incidence of the beam on the filter. The filter has a plurality of filter elements arranged by sectors to form a diaphragm between the light source and the light beam outlet from the projector. In order to change the angle of incidence of the light beam on the filter elements, the sectors are able to rotate on their axes from a closed position, in which they fully intercept the light beam, to an open position, in which they do not intercept the light beam, as well as to all intermediate positions. The light beam projector has at least two filtering systems, one including at least one of the diaphragms, placed one after the other along the path of the light beam.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2003Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Inventors: Bruno Baiardi, Giancarlo Reposio, Edoardo Versino
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Patent number: 7331693Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a zoom lens which includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit with a negative refractive power, a second lens unit with a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit with a negative refractive power. The second and third lens units move during zooming. The first lens unit includes a negative biconcave lens element. The zoom lens satisfies the following conditions: ?1.4<?1/?w<?1.0 0.9<?2/?w<1.4 ?1.3<?3/?w<?0.9 where ?1 is a refractive power of the first lens unit, ?2 is a refractive power of the second lens unit, ?3 is a refractive power of the third lens unit, and ?w is a refractive power of the entire system at a wide-angle end.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toyokatsu Fujisaki
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Patent number: 7331694Abstract: An illuminating unit having a plurality of light emitting devices and collimators and a projection type image display apparatus using the same are provided. The illuminating unit includes: a plurality of light emitting devices which output light beams of predetermined wavelengths; a plurality of collimators, each having a parabolic reflection surface for reflecting the light beam in a predetermined direction, a mounting section for locating the light emitting device at the focal point of the parabolic reflection surface, a light output surface opposite to the parabolic reflection surface, and a light guide section for guiding the light beam reflected from the parabolic reflection surface to the light output surface; and one or more fixing members having two or more steps for mounting the light emitting devices and the collimators on their top surface. A plurality of light emitting devices and collimators are efficiently arranged in a small space.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kye-hoon Lee, Won-yong Lee, Young-chol Lee
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Patent number: 7331695Abstract: A visible light-reflecting member is disclosed which uses a plate or a film for reflecting visible lights, whose reflective surface is provided with an aluminum thin film having an aluminum purity of not less than 99 mass % and an X-ray diffraction pattern wherein, among peak intensities ascribed to aluminum, the peak intensity ascribed to the (111) plane is higher than the total of the other peak intensities.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Foundation for Advancement of International ScienceInventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Akihiro Morimoto, Naoki Tanahashi
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Patent number: 7331696Abstract: A light fixture for mounting to the underside of a furniture element. The light fixture includes a housing with a first side and a second side opposed to and approximately parallel with the first side. The first side has a first spring latch at one end of the first side and the second side has a second spring latch at one end of the second side. A light source is carried by the housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Pent Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian Rupert, Geza T. Lanczy, Tim Culbertson, Gregg Laukhuf
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Patent number: 7331697Abstract: A lighting system includes a helical light-transmitting fiber and a light source. The helical light-transmitting fiber is doped with a first wavelength converting material and defines a helical axis. The light source is aligned axially with the helical fiber such that a portion of any light emitted by the light source will pass through the open space between the turns of the first helical fiber and a portion of any light emitted by the light source will be received by the helical fiber and converted to light of a predetermined color. Adjustment of the compression of the helical fiber will adjust the mixture of light emitted by the system. The helical fiber may bias an illuminated button bulb upward in a housing, such that depressing the button bulb changes the color of the light that illuminates the button bulb.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2007Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: iLight Technologies, Inc.Inventor: George R. Hulse
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Patent number: 7331698Abstract: An illumination device (1,10,20,41) for illuminating an examination room (33) of an imaging medical examination device (31) has illuminants (7,21,55), which emit light when energized and can be electrically connected to a power source via connecting means (5A,5B,15A, . . . 15D), at least two of the illuminants (7,21,55) being connected by means of an electrical supply line (8) and the electrical supply line (8) having at least one high frequency filter (9,11) for reducing the interaction of the supply line (8) with a high frequency field.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Wolfgang Gösswein, Ludwig Kreischer, Markus Petsch
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Patent number: 7331699Abstract: A light source unit comprises a support for supporting a lamp unit, e.g., a gas discharge lamp or the like. The lamp unit has longitudinal and transversal fiduciary surfaces and the support has guide rails for guiding the lamp unit as it is inserted transversely with the longitudinal fiduciary surfaces sliding along a reference surface until transversal fiduciary surfaces engage one or more stops. The support may comprise a first part for supporting the lamp unit, a second part for supporting a light guide, and at least first and second light baffles between the first part and the second part, the first and second baffles each having an aperture for passing only a portion of light from the lamp unit incident upon the baffle, the arrangement being such that light from the lamp unit must pass through the apertures in both baffles to be incident upon the light guide.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: EXFO Photonics Solutions Inc.Inventors: Jerzy Gawalkiewicz, John Joseph Kuta
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Patent number: 7331700Abstract: The present invention discloses a high intensity light source arrangement, which includes a luminary unit having a luminary unit, at least a terminal electrically connected to the luminary circuit, and at least a luminary element electrifying with the terminal for emitting light, a heat dissipation unit which dissipates heat generated from the luminary unit, and a base housing which comprises an electric input connector electrically connected to the luminary unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: A L Lightech, Inc.Inventor: Long Bao Zhang
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Patent number: 7331701Abstract: A drive for a mixing drum has a compensating device (25) for the purpose of compensating the motions between a drum (1) and a bearing bracket (4), which consists of a first component (20), an elastic element (17), and a second component (16).Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Eduard Heilig, Andreas Geier, Klaus Schiffner, Michael Frondorf
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Patent number: 7331702Abstract: An agitation mixer 10 comprises a casing 12 through which a fluid passes, an agitator body 15 installed inside the casing 12 and connected to rotation means 92, a liquid inlet 22 for feeding a liquid into the casing 12, and a powder inlet 24 for feeding a powder into the casing 12. In the agitation mixer 10, the powder inlet 24 is attached to a powder feeding apparatus 55 in which a screw for transporting the powder is installed and connected to rotation-vibration means 53.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Reika Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toru Taniguchi
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Patent number: 7331703Abstract: A viscosity controller automatically monitoring and controlling the viscosity of ink in a pad printing device on a continuous basis throughout the printing process includes a sealed ink cup having mounted thereon a motor with a paddle extending into the ink cup, a solvent tank in flow communication with the ink cup, and a valve for allowing selective amounts of the solvent to be added to the ink cup from the solvent tank. The viscosity of the ink in the cup creates torque on the paddle that affects the number of encoder pulses that are counted per time period by a motor encoder mounted to the motor, and the encoder pulses are counted and compared to a look up table stored in the microprocessor of the controller to determine if the valve should be opened to add diluting agent to the ink cup so that the ink viscosity can be maintained at a preset or predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Inventors: Ronald Hahn, Steve Bullock, Robert W. Heiges
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Patent number: 7331704Abstract: A method for suspending settled solids in a liquid using a mixing assembly having a mixing vessel, draft tube disposed within the mixing vessel and an impeller disposed within the draft tube. The method includes rotating the impeller in a first rotational direction for a first period of time so as to cause the liquid to flow in a first axial direction. The method also includes rotating the impeller in a second rotational direction so as to cause the liquid to flow in a second axial direction opposite the first axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: SPX CorporationInventors: Richard Howk, Michael Giralico
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Patent number: 7331705Abstract: A static device and method of making is disclosed for mixing matter flowing therethrough. The invention comprises a tube having a polygonic cross section defining a plurality of corners. The tube is spirally twisted with the plurality of corners forming a plurality of helixes for causing the matter flowing through the tube to rotate in accordance with the plurality of helixes. A center section of the spirally twisted tube is formed in an arc having an arc center disposed normal to said axis of said twisted tube.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2002Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Inflowsion L.L.C.Inventor: John Kevin Liles
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Patent number: 7331706Abstract: This device for the simultaneous zero-resetting of two counters, the pivot axes of which are fixedly connected to respective heart-shaped zero-resetting cams (7, 8), comprises a zero-resetting lever (2) containing two hammers (6c, 6d), means (5) for exerting upon this lever (2) a torque for pressing the two hammers (6c, 6d) against the zero-resetting cams (7, 8), and articulation means (2d, 2e, 6a, 6b) for articulating these hammers relative to the lever (2). These articulation means comprise two pins (2d, 2e), one of which (2d) is engaged in a guide slot with limited amplitude (6a), orientated in order that the direction of the perpendicular, dropped from the axis of the pin (2d) onto this guide slot (6a), intersects the straight line joining the axes (7a, 8a) of the zero-resetting cams (7, 8) at a point capable of improving the distribution of the torque transmitted to these cams (7, 8).Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Breitling AGInventors: Jacques Gabathuler, Cedric Jacot
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Patent number: 7331707Abstract: Provided is a bracelet comprising a band which is removably attachable to a wrist of a person. The band may have a plurality of first time indices printed about a circumference of the band. The bracelet may further comprise a first time indicator slidable along the band circumference and fixedly positionable to a selected first time indicia to indicate a time of an event.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Inventors: Catherine J. DelValle, Brian DelValle
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Patent number: 7331708Abstract: A frequency ratio digitizing temperature sensor for generating a linearity-corrected temperature output signal includes an input generation circuit receiving a PTAT current and a CTAT current and a frequency ratio ADC including data and reference oscillators. The input generation circuit generates a first current from the weighted sum of the PTAT current and the CTAT current and also generates a first corrected current being the sum of the first current and a first portion of the PTAT current. The input generation circuit provides a first output current indicative of the PTAT current and a first output voltage generated by applying the first corrected current to a first resistor for use with the data oscillator and provides a second output current being the first corrected current and a second output voltage generated by applying the first current to a second resistor for use with the reference oscillator of the ADC.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: National Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Eric D. Blom, Jun Wan, Stuart H. Urie
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Patent number: 7331709Abstract: By preliminarily measuring the gallium temperature and the length change of a temperature sensing element comprising a carbon nanotube having a continuous column of gallium contained therein, then heating the temperature sensing element installed in a subject to increase the temperature thereof in air, removing the temperature sensing element subjecting to measure the gallium length, and substituting the measured gallium length in a formula, the temperature is measured accurately over a wide temperature range in a micrometer size or less environment.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: National Institute of Materials ScienceInventors: Yoshio Bando, Yihua Gao, Zongwen Liu, Dmitri Golberg
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Patent number: 7331710Abstract: A spring is mounted on a side of a stimulable phosphor sheet. A cassette for use in radiation image forming apparatus includes a housing and a lid hinged thereto. When the lid is closed over the housing with the stimulable phosphor sheet inserted in the cassette, the stimulable phosphor sheet is lowered toward a bottom surface of the housing, and the spring presses a side wall of the housing and is also lowered toward the bottom surface. The stimulable phosphor sheet is positioned and held with respect to the side wall by the spring, and housed in a space defined by the housing and the lid.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: FUJIFILM CorporationInventor: Masakazu Nakajo
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Patent number: 7331711Abstract: In a method for fast angulation changes in a C-arm x-ray system, and a foot switch for effecting such fast angulation, a pedal of the foot switch that normally has a function not related to angulation of the C-arm is either permanently, or temporarily programmed, to operate as a pedal that, when depressed, automatically moves the C-arm to a predetermined angulation. The pedal can be movable between two positions, in order to selectively, automatically move the C-arm to either of two predetermined angulation positions, or can be used in conjunction with another pedal for that purpose. The pedal can also be temporarily given a security function and/or a radiation triggering function.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Bernhard Sandkamp, Jan Bocse
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Patent number: 7331712Abstract: An X-ray system has a patient examination table, an image acquisition unit under the surface of the patient examination table, and an X-ray radiator that can be positioned above the patient examination table, On the patient examination table a radiation protection device is disposed, which—during the operation—shields at least one zone on one side of the patient examination table from the radiation area between the X-ray radiator and the image acquisition unit. In addition, on the patient examination table an X-ray system operation unit is disposed that is accessible from the shielded zone.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Klaus Fischer, Wolfgang Zerl
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Patent number: 7331713Abstract: A device 10 for aligning a patient for delivering a plurality of radiation beams comprising a patient support surface 12, a coarse alignment subsystem 14 connected to the patient support surface, and a fine alignment subsystem connected to the patient support surface 16. A method of aligning a patient for delivering a plurality of radiation beams from a plurality of device positions comprising compensating for flexion of a radiation beam delivery device within a gantry during movement of the radiation beam delivery device from a first device position to a second device position by using a set of predetermined data describing the flexion behavior of the radiation beam delivery device so that the target tissue within the patient is placed at the beamline center for the radiation beam delivery device at the second device position.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Loma Linda University Medical CenterInventor: Michael F. Moyers
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Patent number: 7331714Abstract: A multifunctional hard x-ray nanoprobe instrument for characterization of nanoscale materials and devices includes a scanning probe mode with a full field transmission mode. The scanning probe mode provides fluorescence spectroscopy and diffraction contrast imaging. The full field transmission mode allows two-dimensional (2-D) imaging and tomography. The nanoprobe instrument includes zone plate optics for focusing and imaging. The nanoprobe instrument includes a stage group for positioning the zone plate optics. The nanoprobe instrument includes a specimen stage group for positioning the specimen. An enhanced laser Doppler displacement meter (LDDM) system provides two-dimensional differential displacement measurement in a range of nanometer resolution between the zone-plate optics and the sample holder. A digital signal processor (DSP) implements a real-time closed-loop feedback technique for providing differential vibration control between the zone-plate optics and the sample holder.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2005Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLCInventors: Deming Shu, Jorg M. Maser, Barry Lai, Franz Stefan Vogt, Martin V. Holt, Curt A. Preissner, Robert P. Winarski, Gregory B. Stephenson
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Patent number: 7331715Abstract: Provided is a valve element for venting fluids, such as gas or liquids, entrapped in a packaging enclosure. The valve element includes a base element having an aperture disposed through it and a membrane having a protruding raised portion. The membrane is attached to and overlays the base element. The raised portion is selectively configurable between a concave position and a convex position by applying an external force against the apex of the raised portion. When configured in the convex position, the raised portion is spaced apart from the aperture allowing fluid communication therethrough. When configured in the concave position, the raised portion obstructs the aperture preventing fluid communication therethrough. To vent air passing through the aperture into the environment, an expandable channel for providing a clearance is provided between the membrane and the base element.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2004Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: The Glad Products CompanyInventors: Richard T. Miller, Rebecca S. Giesfeldt
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Patent number: 7331716Abstract: There are provided a flexible container capable of realizing facilitation of opening and uniformization of the shape of an opening that is obtained by opening, a method of forming the flexible container, a seal-breaking guide of the flexible container, a method of enclosing a liquid in the flexible container, and the liquid enclosed in the flexible container.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2003Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Kurita Water Industries Ltd.Inventors: Yoshimasa Nakano, Tadaaki Kurosu, Shinichi Inoue, Etsuko Hattori