Abstract: A strut holding assembly for flexible elongated struts engaging a flexible wall, the assembly including a hub, a plurality of holding arms pivotally connected at spaced locations to the hub between storage positions adjacent the hub, and extended positions extending outwardly of the hub, each holding arm being adapted to immobilize a free inner end of one strut. At least one of the holding arms has a seat adapted for receiving and immobilize the free inner end of a strut in at least one direction and a hook spaced from the seat by a fulcrum distance, the hook being adapted for engaging the strut at a distance from the free inner end of the strut equal to the fulcrum distance, for immobilizing the strut in a bent and tensioned position and in at least three directions and being free to move in a remaining direction.

Abstract: Multi-mode exterior lighting architectures for aircraft are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an illumination system for illuminating a plurality of positions exterior to an aircraft includes a first light assembly coupled to the aircraft. The first light assembly is configured to produce a first light beam and direct the first light beam at a first position during a first operational mode and at a second position during a second operational mode. A second light assembly also is coupled to the aircraft and is configured to produce a second light beam and direct the second light beam at a third position during the first operational mode and at a fourth position during the second operational mode.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a lighting apparatus with compact size. The lighting apparatus includes a housing receiving an electric bulb and a pair of busbars. The pair of the busbars each include an electrode connection portion and an electrical cable connection portion. The electrode connection portion is connected to an electrode of the electric bulb. The electrical cable connection portion interconnects the electrode connection portion and a flat cable. The electrical cable connection portion is bent at a right angle at a connection portion thereof with the electrode connection portion and extends in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the electrode connection portion and is disposed on exterior surface of a rear end portion of the housing.

Abstract: A flat luminous element with at least one substrate and one coating, applied onto the surface of the substrate and emitting light, and including plural luminous elements configured to be separately electrically connected next to one another, in different parts of the surface, so as to obtain different luminous effects. At least one separate luminous element is provided with an enhanced luminous power relative to the luminosity of the surface and with a light emission that is directed.

Abstract: A mounting foot assembly including a base member with a front wall having a front surface and a foot member with a rear wall having a rear surface. The foot member is adjustably secured to the base member with the rear surface of the rear wall being in facing relationship with the front surface of the front wall of the base member, whereby the angular position of the base member relative to the foot member may be varied. A bracket may be mounted on the foot assembly having a rear crossbar portion adapted to be positioned in a cross channel in the base member and a forward portion extending down in front of the rear wall of the foot member to which a light unit may be attached.

Abstract: A lighting device is disclosed, which is provided for the front region of a motor vehicle, for example in a motor vehicle headlight, and which emits electromagnetic radiation during operation. The lighting device comprises at least one first primary radiation source which emits infrared radiation, and at least one second primary radiation source which emits visible light, wherein the first primary radiation source and the second primary radiation source are arranged in such a way that the second primary radiation source outshines the first primary radiation source and thus generates a color impression of the lighting device which deviates from the color impression stemming from the infrared radiation source alone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighting module for a vehicle headlight which produces a lighting beam of the type having a cut-off, and which is particularly well adapted for use with light emitting diodes. The module has a first reflector which includes an elliptical surface for reflecting light rays and having an elliptical generatrix, together with at least one first light source which is arranged in the vicinity of the first focus of the said first reflector.

Abstract: An improved vehicle lamp assembly having a vehicle light bulb and a bulb shield which absorbs heat generated by the vehicle light bulb. The bulb shield is interconnected with a thermoionic device for producing electric current generated as a result of the heat generation and absorption. The thermoionic device redirects the electric current produced to the vehicle lamp assembly or another vehicle electrical system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device (1) comprising an envelope (2), a base (3), a solid-state light source (4) and optical means (5) provided with a light-outcoupling surface, the solid-state light source (4) being optically coupled to said optical means (5). The use of a spirally wound optical fiber as optical means (5) and a transparent envelope (2) shaped as a conventional light bulb provides a lighting device (1) which is a good look-alike of the conventional incandescent lamp, such as, for instance, the carbon filament lamp. The long life-time and high efficiency of LEDs as a solid-state light-source (4) will make this lighting device (1) a very attractive alternative for the conventional incandescent lamp. The lighting device (1) according to the present invention has the further advantage that a large gamut of colors can be chosen and adjusted by using, for instance, red green and blue LEDs in said lighting device (1).

Abstract: A light-guiding structure including a plurality of light pipes, a plurality of connecting portions and a fixing socket is provided. The light pipes are disposed on the fixing socket, and the light pipes are connected together by the connecting portions. At least one to-be-destroyed portion is formed between the connecting portions. In addition, the fixing socket has at least one destructive structure for disconnecting the connecting portions from each other by destroying the to-be-destroyed portion. Therefore, the interference caused by the light wave passing through the connecting piece is avoided.

Abstract: A lighting device is provided, which comprises at least two optical systems, each being aligned along a separate optical axis and a light source arranged along said optical axes.

Abstract: A fibre bundle confocal microscope or endoscope (200), comprising a light source (142) for providing a beam of light (160), a coherent fibre bundle of optical fibres (152), a scanner (202) for receiving the beam and scanning the beam over a proximal end of the bundle (162), so that the beam is launched into a plurality of the fibres sequentially, a plurality of the fibres thereby acting sequentially as an at least one delivery fibre (204), a spatial filter (172), and a photodetector (174) operatively associated with the spatial filter to receive return light from one or more of the fibres. The return light from the delivery fibre is excluded from the photodetector by the spatial filter.

Abstract: A backlight module includes a light guide plate, a light source disposed at a side of the light guide plate, a diffuser sheet positioned over the light guide plate but not directly contacting the light guide plate, and a light mixing space positioned between the light guide plate and the diffuser sheet so that light emitted from the light guide plate efficiently mixes in the light mixing space before entering the diffuser sheet and emitted out of the backlight module.

Abstract: The object of the invention is the lighting fitting using LED-based source of C light, applied for constructing functional frames, backlighting stair treads and stair risers, furniture shelves, backlighting current connectors and lighting traffic routes in buildings and structures. The lighting fitting is supplied by an electrical system and it has a casing (1) with one side open with a source of light (2) placed inside it. On the side of the casing (1) opening, there is an optical fibre element (4) in the form of a shaped plate whose at least two edges (3) and (7) transmit the luminous flux, with one on the side of the light source (2), similarly as the front wall (5) of the optical fibre element (4), while the back wall (6) of the optical fibre element (4) is partly or wholly matted or covered with a light reflecting material or fluorescent material.

Abstract: An exemplary light guide plate includes a base plate having a bottom surface, an emitting surface opposite to the bottom surface, and a plurality of side surfaces being perpendicular to and connected between the emitting surface and the bottom surface. A reflecting film with an opening covers the side surfaces of the light guide plate, and faces a light source to enable light beams from the light source enter the light guide plate. The light guide plate with the reflecting film increases efficiency in the utilization of light beams. A backlight module including the light guide plate is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical sheet and a method for fabricating the optical sheet, wherein a diffusion pattern is formed to diffuse and condense light. The optical sheet includes a prism pattern having a plurality of mountains and ravines to condense light generated from a light source and a plurality of diffusion patterns irregularly formed on the prism pattern to diffuse the light.

Abstract: A planar light source of the present invention has three lamps along a side face of a rectangular light guide plate. The lamps are arranged along an incidence plane which is one side plane of the light guide plate. The three lamps are arranged while being kept apart from each other at a given interval, and two lamps are arranged in close proximity to the incidence plane that is one side plane of the light guide plate. One lamp is arranged away from the incidence plane that is one side plane of the light guide plate with respect to the two lamps. A lamp reflector is formed continuously so as to become close to the three lamps and surround the respective three lamps, and assumes a substantially convex cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: Thinning of a planar illumination device using an LED is accelerated while higher and more uniform brightness is promoted. An LED constituting the planar illumination device has no lamp house, but a translucent resin that seals an LED chip is exposed. Thus, without increase of the thickness for the lamp house, thinning of the planar illumination device is accelerated. Moreover, since the outline of the translucent resin has the shape satisfying 0.3?H/R?0.6, forward outgoing light amount ratio of the LED contributing to higher brightness of the planar illumination device and a half width ? of the LED contributing to more uniform brightness of the planar illumination device can be balanced at a higher dimension. Also, since the radius R of a projecting portion of the LED is formed to satisfy 1.5X?R, the LED chip is not exposed from the translucent resin but fully sealed in the translucent resin.

Abstract: An exemplary optical plate includes a first transparent layer (21), a second transparent layer (23) and a light diffusion layer (22). The first transparent layer includes an outer surface (210) and a plurality of first conical frustum-shaped depressions (211) defined at the outer surface. The second transparent layer includes an outer surface (230) and a plurality of second conical frustum-shaped depressions (231) defined at the outer surface. The first transparent layer, the light diffusion layer, and the second transparent layer are integrally formed, with the first transparent layer in immediate contact with the light diffusion layer, and the second transparent layer in immediate contact with the light diffusion layer. The light diffusion layer includes a transparent matrix resin (221) and a plurality of diffusion particles (222) dispersed in the transparent matrix resin.

Abstract: An exemplary optical plate includes a first transparent layer, a second transparent layer and a light diffusion layer between the first and second transparent layers. The above-described three layers are integrally formed, with the first transparent layer in immediate contact with the light diffusion layer, and the second transparent layer in immediate contact with the light diffusion layer. The first transparent layer defines micro depressions protruding from an outer surface thereof. Each micro depression has at least three side surfaces connected to each other, and a transverse width of each side surface increases along a direction away from the light diffusion layer. The second transparent layer defines conical frustum protrusions at an outer surface thereof.

Abstract: The backlight assembly includes a lamp unit, a light guide plate and a receiving container. The light guide plate includes a light exiting surface, a light reflecting surface facing the light exiting surface, and side surfaces. The receiving container includes a frame plate and sidewall protruding from an outer edge of the frame plate to form a receiving space for receiving the lamp unit and the light guide plate. The first distance between an inner surface of the sidewall and an outer surface of the light guide plate at a first region is greater than a second distance between the inner surface of the sidewall and the outer surface of the light guide plate at a second region. The light guide plate is more spaced apart from the sidewall at the corners where much noise was made, in a general backlight assembly, so that the noise is reduced.

Abstract: A light guide plate (200) includes a block body (210) and a plurality of first prisms (220). The block body (210) has a light input surface (211), a light output surface (212) adjoining the light input surface (211) and a bottom surface (213) opposite to the light output surface (212). The light input surface (211) includes a plurality of flat portions (216) and at least one inwardly curved portion (215). The first prisms (220) are arranged on the inwardly curved portion (215) of the light input surface (211) and extend from the bottom surface (213) of the block body (210) to the light output surface (212) of the block body (210).

Abstract: There is provided a back light unit having a light guide buffer plate. The back light unit having a light guide buffer plate includes a light source for generating the light when a power source is applied; a light guide panel whose light-receiving vertical surface that the light emitted from the light source enters is provided with a first prism pattern and whose bottom surface is provided with a refraction pattern, thereby converting the incident light from the light-receiving vertical surface into a surface light source; a reflection unit disposed in a bottom surface of the light guide panel to reflect light toward the light guide panel; and a buffer disposed between the light source and the light guide panel and whose light-emitting vertical surface corresponding to the light-receiving vertical surface of the light guide panel is provided with a second prism pattern.

Abstract: An optical film device made of flexible material; the optical film having at least one optical projections or optical recesses; wherein when light emits upon the optical film; illumination of the optical projection or optical recess will different from that of the optical film. The optical film is used as a backlight source device with an optical film by adding a light source; and a metal dome sheet below the metal dome sheet. A reflecting sheet is installed below the metal dome sheet. The optical film is installed with at least one optical projection and at least one optical recess for focusing or dispersing light so as to present different illuminations. The flexible optical film is suitable for plane or non-plane structure. Moreover, the flexible optical film can uniformly distribute light by using only one light source with low power consumption.

Abstract: A light source device includes a discharge tube, a reflector for reflecting a light radiated from the discharge tube, and support members for supporting the discharge tube to the reflector. The support member or the discharge tube is formed of a heat insulating structure so as to prevent a temperature drop of a portion of the discharge tube near electrodes thereof. By this arrangement, it is possible to prolong the operational life of the discharge tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light emitting diode (LED) light engine. The LED light engine includes at least one LED, the at least one LED having at least one first electrical terminal and at least one second electrical terminal. The LED light engine further includes an electrical cable having a first conductor and a second conductor, the at least one LED being secured to the first conductor by a first insulation displacement connector (IDC) and to the second conductor by a second IDC. The first IDC includes at least one socket for receiving the at least one first electrical terminal and a piercing portion for displacing the insulating portion and electrically contacting the first conductor of the electrical cable. The second IDC includes at least one socket for receiving the second terminal of the at least one LED and a piercing portion for displacing the insulating portion and contacting the second conductor of the electrical cable.

Abstract: A night lamp includes a main body and a light distribution unit, which allows the passage of light and is fitted onto the main body. The thickness of the light distribution unit gradually increases from the bottom to the top. The light distribution unit has an arcuate front surface. A sunken design is provided in the front surface of the light distribution unit and the thickness of the sunken design gradually increases from the bottom to the top. A plurality of light refractive pieces are provided on the front surface and periphery of the sunken design. When light is generated by the light generating units, light may be evenly distributed in the light distribution unit and hence the light distribution unit may deliver evenly distributed light so that light may reach a broader range.

Abstract: A dc-dc converter includes a converter circuit having at least one synchronous rectifier and an active switch. A voltage compensator is connected to an output voltage of the converter circuit and produces a control voltage. A pulse width modulator output is connected to each of the synchronous rectifiers and the active switch. A pulse width modulator input is connected to the control voltage for driving the active switch and the synchronous rectifier with a modulated signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for sensing the output current in a switch mode power supply (SMPS) using primary side sensing. We describe a module which senses a current in a primary winding of a transformer and a voltage on a primary or auxiliary winding of the transformer, and which includes a multiplier coupled to an output of a signal averager averaging a primary winding current and to an output of a timing signal generator using the sensed voltage to signal when a secondary winding is powering an output of the SMPS, to multiply an averaged current sense signal by a fraction of a total cycle period of said SMPS during which the secondary winding is providing power to provide a signal estimating an output current of the SMPS.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for generating an auxiliary voltage in a ballast. The apparatus includes a transformer and a resonant circuit that is coupled to the input of the transformer. The apparatus also includes a first auxiliary circuit that is coupled to the auxiliary output of the transformer. The first auxiliary circuit is configured to generate a first output voltage V1. The apparatus also includes a second auxiliary circuit that is coupled to the resonant circuit and to the first auxiliary circuit. The second auxiliary output is configured to generate a second output voltage V2. At least one of the output voltages V1 and V2 provide an auxiliary output voltage Vaux of the transformer.

Abstract: A collection and transmission system (10) includes: a system direct current (DC) link (12) configured for carrying power from a source (13) to a grid (16); and alternating current (AC) to DC power converter modules (19, 119, 219, 319) coupled in series to the system DC link on a source side of the system DC link, each power converter module configured for being coupled to one or more sources (114, 214, 314, 414) on the source side, wherein each power converter module is configured to short circuit the DC terminals of the power converter module upon receipt of a respective command signal.

Abstract: A power conversion apparatus and method suitable for use with a variable speed two-phase generator are disclosed herein. A rectifier module is adapted to receive varying electrical power from a generator and produce a direct current link voltage with a controlled magnitude at a direct current link; and an inverter module is adapted to receive the direct current link voltage from the rectifier module via the direct current link and produce an alternating current voltage; the rectifier module comprises symmetrical circuit topologies thereby eliminating vibration and noise which may come from the generator. One rectifier module disclosed includes a circuit which is substantially of the class of circuits having two or more diodes operating in combination wherein one or more diodes have been replaced with one or more switching devices, rendering the rectifier controllable by Pulse Width Modulation.

Abstract: A DC/AC inverter and method thereof is disclosed. The DC/AC inverter for driving a load includes a DC power supply for supplying a DC input voltage, a converter circuit coupled to the DC power supply which converts the DC input voltage into an AC signal used to drive the load, and a control circuit coupled to the converter circuit which sets a frequency of the AC signal. The control circuit is further capable of operating the DC/AC inverter in a fixed frequency mode and in a variable frequency mode in accordance with the DC input voltage and the load condition.

Abstract: A lamp driving circuit includes: a first voltage generator which receives a direct current power voltage and outputs a first square wave voltage in response to a first switching signal and a second switching signal having a phase inverted with respect to the first switching signal; a second voltage generator which outputs a second square wave voltage in response to a third switching signal having a phase shifted by a predetermined time with respect to the phase of the first switching signal and a fourth switching signal having a phase inverted with respect to the phase of the third switching signal; and a transformer which receives the first square wave voltage and the second square wave voltage and boosts a first driving voltage defined by an electric potential difference therebetween to a second driving voltage and applies the second driving voltage to a lamp.

Abstract: A DC-to-DC power adapter includes a first DC power input portion, a DC-to-DC power converting circuit and a first DC power output portion. The first DC power input portion is selectively connected to an AC-to-DC power adapter or a DC power connector for receiving a first input DC voltage from the AC-to-DC power adapter or a second input DC voltage from the DC power connector. The DC-to-DC power converting circuit is electrically connected to the first DC power input portion for converting the first input DC voltage or the second input DC voltage into a first DC output voltage. The first DC power output portion is electrically connected to the DC-to-DC power converting circuit for receiving and outputting the first DC output voltage.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a CAM cell is provided that includes: an SRAM cell adapted to store a bit; a data line adapted to provide a corresponding comparand bit; an XOR gate adapted to XOR the stored bit and the comparand bit to provide an XOR output, and a switch adapted to close in response to the XOR output.

Abstract: A novel match/mismatch emulation scheme for an addressed location in a CAM system that includes a plurality of CAM blocks. The plurality of CAM blocks are organized into at least one rectangular array having rows each having a plurality of CAM blocks, a group of CAM cells and associated read/write bit lines connecting the group of CAM cells to an addressed search circuit. During debug mode, where the individual array cells do not participate in search, all the cells in the debug column behave the same way to emulate a match/mismatch on all words. The circuit provides a control input to include address evaluation of a debug cell in a row. The circuit also provides simultaneous switching noise analysis on an evaluating row. The resulting CAM cell provides a circuit to test individual rows for defects and noise analysis.

Abstract: Provided is a multi-stack memory device that includes a storage unit group including a plurality of storage units that are vertically stacked and form a plurality of storage unit rows, and a plurality of transistors connected to the storage unit group, wherein the transistors that are connected to the storage units which are included in at least two rows of the plurality of the storage unit rows and are connected by a common wire. The common wire may be a gate line or a bit line.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) is provided that includes: a plurality of rows of memory cells, each of the memory cell rows being arranged into columns, wherein each of the memory cell rows is crossed by a row of four word lines, and wherein each of the columns is crossed by a bit line; a plurality of sense amplifiers corresponding to the bit lines such that a single sense amplifier corresponds to every four bit lines; and a plurality of 4:1 multiplexers corresponding to the plurality of sense amplifiers, each 4:1 multiplexer coupling its corresponding sense amplifier to its corresponding four bit lines.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) is provided that includes: a plurality of memory cells arranged into rows and columns, wherein each memory cell comprises an access transistor coupled to a storage transistor, each access transistor being arranged in a rectangular shape having a length greater than a width, the length being aligned with a corresponding column, the access transistor coupling to a storage transistor having a width greater than the width of the rectangular shape, the access transistor having a length aligned with a corresponding row such that each memory cell is L-shaped, and wherein the L-shaped memory cells in each column are staggered with respect to neighboring columns such that the L-shaped memory cells in a given column are interlocked with the L-shaped memory cells in an adjacent column.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a DRAM cell design with folded digitline sense amplifier. In one illustrative embodiment, a memory array having a plurality of memory cells having an effective size of 6 F2 is disclosed which has a plurality of dual bit active areas, each of the active areas having a substantially longitudinal axis, and a plurality of digitlines on a 3 F-pitch arranged in a folded digitline architecture, wherein the active areas are positioned such that the longitudinal axis of the active areas is oriented at an angle with respect to a centerline of the digitlines.

Abstract: This semiconductor memory device comprises a plurality of sub-arrays with a plurality of memory cells arranged in matrix form. Each local bit line is connected to a plurality of memory cells that are arranged in column direction in the sub-arrays. In addition, a global bit line is connected to the plural local bit lines. A column decoder is connected to the global bit line. The global bit line extends from the column decoder toward the plurality of sub-arrays, and it is cut before the furthest sub-array formed in the furthest region from that column decoder.

Abstract: One memory cell is formed of a first port access transistor, a second port access transistor and a storage transistor coupled commonly to these access transistors. The first port access transistor is coupled to a first electrode of the storage transistor, and the second port access transistor is coupled to a third electrode of the storage transistor. These first and second port access transistors enter a selected state when first and second port word lines are selected, respectively, to couple corresponding second and third electrodes of the corresponding storage transistor to first and second port bit lines, respectively. A dual-port memory cell of which scalability can follow miniaturization in a process can be provided.

Abstract: Provided are a data storage device using magnetic domain wall movement and a method of operating the data storage device. The data storage device includes a first magnetic layer for writing data having two magnetic domains magnetized in opposite directions to each other and a second magnetic layer for storing data formed on at least one side of the first magnetic layer. The data storage device may further include a data recording device connected to both ends of the first magnetic layer and the end of the second magnetic layer which is not adjacent to the first magnetic layer, a read head formed a predetermined distance from the end of the second magnetic layer which is not adjacent to the first magnetic layer, and a current detector connected to the read head and the data recording device.

Abstract: A memory cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and spin glass material. The spin glass material is coupled between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: Non-volatile and radiation-hard switching and memory devices using vertical nano-tubes and reversibly held in state by van der Waals' forces and methods of fabricating the devices. Means for sensing the state of the devices include measuring capacitance, and tunneling and field emission currents.

Abstract: A static random access memory comprising a column driver, a row driver, a cell, and a control unit is disclosed. The column driver selects a first word line or a second word line. The row provides data to a first bit line and a second bit line. The data of the first bit line is opposite to that of the second bit line. The control unit controls the voltage of the cell. In normal mode, the voltage of the cell is equal to a second voltage. In stand-by mode, the voltage of the cell exceeds the second voltage.

Abstract: A single chip has a substrate and at least one magnetoresistive memory layer. The substrate has an underlying memory and a control circuit. The magnetoresistive memory layer is placed on the substrate, and has a plurality of magnetoresistive random access memory cells controlled by the control circuit.

Abstract: A memory cell has thermal isolation material between a bottom electrode and a plug contact to confine heat in a memory element during programming and reset operations. In a particular embodiment, the memory element is a chalcogenide, such as GST. An electrically conductive barrier layer deposited over the contact and on sidewalls of a recess formed over the contact electrically couples the bottom electrode to the contact.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a memory including resistive memory cells, a pulse generator, and a circuit. Each of the resistive memory cells is programmable to each of at least two states. The pulse generator provides write pulses to program the resistive memory cells. The circuit receives a first current and limits the first current and provides stored charge in a second current to the pulse generator to program the resistive memory cells.