Patents Issued in August 19, 2008
  • Patent number: 7413294
    Abstract: An inkjet head includes a common ink puddle section, a nozzle plate having a plurality of nozzle orifices, an ink flow channel substrate having grooves communicating from the common ink puddle section to the nozzle orifices, and being formed alternatively in front and back surfaces of the ink flow channel substrate, to end sections of the grooves the nozzle plate being fixed, a chamber plate being stacked on the ink flow channel substrate, and having pressure generation chambers corresponding to the nozzle orifices, a diaphragm stacking on the chamber plate opposite from the ink flow channel substrate, a pressure generator provided on the diaphragm for the respective pressure generation chambers to generate a change in an internal pressure. Preferably, a volumetric capacity of the pressure generation chambers is changed in accordance with a change in the pressure, to eject an ink droplet from the nozzle orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Printing Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Tobita, Yoshitaka Akiyama, Toshiharu Sumiya, Yoshikane Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7413295
    Abstract: An inkjet printer including: (a) a recording head operable to eject an ink onto a recording medium so as to perform a recording operation on the recording medium; (b) an ink source unit provided to store the ink that is to be supplied to the recording head; and (c) an ink delivery unit provided to delivery the ink supplied from the ink source unit, to the recording head. The ink delivery unit has a delivery chamber which has a delivery chamber inlet and a delivery chamber outlet, such that the ink can be delivered through the delivery chamber inlet from the ink source unit, and such that the ink can be delivered through the delivery chamber outlet toward the recording head. The delivery chamber is defined by a wall held in substantially parallel with a horizontal plane, and is elongated in a direction parallel with the wall. The delivery chamber inlet and outlet of the delivery chamber are positioned in respective positions which are substantially diagonal relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayuki Takata, Yoichiro Shimizu, Naoya Okazaki, Kazuaki Iwatsuki
  • Patent number: 7413296
    Abstract: In a liquid supplying member, for supplying liquid from a liquid container to a liquid ejection head which are provided in a liquid ejection apparatus, a plurality of elastic members, each of which is elongated in a first direction so as to have a first face and a second face, are arrayed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A first film member is joined to the first face of each of the elastic members. A second film member is joined to the second face of each of the elastic members, such that a passage, through which the liquid is supplied from the liquid container to the liquid ejection head, extending in the first direction is hermetically defined between the adjacent elastic members by inner faces of the first film member and the second film member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Shiho, Toshio Kumagai, Atsushi Kobayashi, Masanori Takemura, Hitoshi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7413297
    Abstract: An ink cartridge having a one-piece housing including a plurality of walls to form a chamber for receiving ink. The housing is formed of a blow-molded plastic material. An outlet passage extends from a bottom wall communicating with the chamber. A seal and cap assembly are secured to the outlet passage. A vent opening is provided in a top wall. The vent includes a porous member and a cap to secure the porous member within the vent. The housing is fully filled with ink. The housing allows for the use of pigmented ink since no foam reservoir is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: NuKote International, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce S. Jones
  • Patent number: 7413298
    Abstract: An ink cartridge having an ink chamber including a wall, an outlet port extending from the wall, an outlet passage through the port and communicating with said chamber and an ink absorbing member in the chamber, is provided with a filter member of sintered plastic material between the ink absorbent member and the passage and a wick member of sintered plastic material in the passage. The wick member has a downstream end in the outlet passage and a printer needle passage extends into the wick member from the downstream end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Nu-kote International, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce S. Jones
  • Patent number: 7413299
    Abstract: A method of operating a drop generating printhead including heating the printhead, providing melted phase change ink to the printhead, allowing the printhead to cool, and while the printhead is cooling, pressurizing the phase change ink in the printhead with a pressure that is sufficient to substantially maintain meniscuses at the outlets of the nozzles of the printhead as the phase change ink in the printhead solidifies. Also disclosed is a method of operating a drop generating printhead including heating the printhead, and pressurizing solidified phase change ink in the printhead with a pressure that is sufficient to substantially maintain meniscuses at the outlets of the nozzles of the printhead as the phase change ink in the printhead melts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: David D. Reeves
  • Patent number: 7413300
    Abstract: An ink recirculation assembly includes a main ink inlet configured to receive ink from an ink source, a main ink outlet configured to direct ink toward an ink source, and a channel extending from the main ink inlet to the main ink outlet. The channel includes an inlet portion and an outlet portion. A pressure differential is formed across the inlet and outlet portions, for example, by a constrictor separating said portions. The inlet portion is configured to move ink from the main ink inlet to openings formed in the inlet portion, said openings configured to direct ink toward ink inlet channels for each of multiple printhead modules. An outlet portion is configured to move ink away from openings formed in the outlet portion toward the main ink outlet, said openings configured to receive ink from ink outlet channels for each of the multiple printhead modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Von Essen, John A. Higginson
  • Patent number: 7413301
    Abstract: An inkjet type fabric printing apparatus is provided with an inkjet head, a platen and a positioning member. The inkjet head reciprocally moves in main scanning direction and auxiliary scanning direction relative to a fabric (e.g., clothes). The platen holds the fabric to extend on a plane parallel with the main scanning direction and the auxiliary scanning direction with a first predetermined distance spaced from the inkjet head. On the positioning member, the fabric is set. The fabric is positioned on the platen in place in a direction parallel with the main scanning direction and the auxiliary scanning direction. The positioning member supports at least one of a neck portion and a shoulder portion of the fabric such that the neck portion and/or a shoulder portion is spaced from the inkjet head by a second predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akiko Niimi, Katsuya Watarai, Kousuke Fukaya
  • Patent number: 7413302
    Abstract: A pair of glasses includes a first lens and a second lens. A frame is adapted to hold and secure the first lens and the second lens. A first bow and a second bow are attached to the frame and are adapted to be secured to ears of a wearer of the glasses. The first bow and the second bow are at least partially translucent to a spectrum of electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Kroll Family Trust
    Inventors: Lori Kroll, Mark Kroll
  • Patent number: 7413303
    Abstract: An ophthalmic lens has a complex surface with a fitting cross, a progression meridian having a power addition greater than or equal to 1.5 diopters between far vision and near vision reference points. The complex surface has within a circle of radius 20 mm centered on the geometrical center of the lens, a cylinder value normalized to the addition of less than 0.8, and a rebound of the sphere quantity normalized to the addition of less than 0.04 on said circle. The surface also has a progression length less than or equal to 14 mm, defined as the vertical distance between the fitting cross and the point on the meridian for which the mean sphere reaches 85% of the addition. The lens is suited to hypermetropic wearers with a good perceptual comfort in peripheral vision and good accessibility in near vision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale D'Optique)
    Inventors: Cyril Guilloux, Hervé Josso
  • Patent number: 7413304
    Abstract: A grid formed with apertures of a predetermined shape is illuminated with light from a lamp and projected onto a tear meniscus accumulated on the lower eyelid. The aperture image projected on the tear film is imaged by a CCD camera. The tear meniscus functions as a concave mirror, so that the magnification factor depends on the radius of meniscus curvature. A processor calculates the magnitude of the grid image and evaluates the radius of meniscus curvature. Since the volume of lacrimal fluid varies depending upon the radius of meniscus curvature, the latter is used as a value representing the lacrimal fluid volume for dry eye diagnose purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignees: Kowa Company Ltd
    Inventors: Takayoshi Suzuki, Norihiko Yokoi
  • Patent number: 7413305
    Abstract: An arrangement and method for positioning an ophthalmologic device with respect to the patient's eye to be examined in x-, y- and/or z-coordinates. The device includes a controllable illumination unit, an observation system, an image recording unit, a central control unit, an output unit, an eye tracker unit, and a device for relative positioning. The imaging system of the eye tracker unit has at least two different adjustable magnifications. In positioning the ophthalmologic device, the signal of the eye tracker unit is used to track a measuring mark and/or grid structure projected on the eye, and also to detect the position of the patient's eye with respect to the optical axis of the ophthalmologic device. The inventive solution makes it possible to automatically position the entire device with respect to the eye to be examined, thus simplifying examination and accelerating determination of biometric data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Oliver Baumann, Michael Claus, Axel Doering, Ingo Koschmieder, Thomas Schulze, Bernd Spruck
  • Patent number: 7413306
    Abstract: Optical devices, systems, and methods can produce and/or measure cylindrical (as well as spherical) lens shapes throughout a range of both powers and cylindrical axes. Fluid focus lenses employ electrical potentials to vary the shape of a fluid/fluid interface between two immiscible fluids having differing indices of refractions by controlling localized angles between the interface and a surrounding container wall. Spherical power, cylindrical power, and cylindrical access alignment may be varied with no moving parts (other than the fluids).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: AMO Manufacturing USA, LLC
    Inventor: Charles E. Campbell
  • Patent number: 7413307
    Abstract: A display has a first array of pixels connected to emit individually-controlled amounts of light onto a second array of pixels. The second array of pixels is connected to pass individually-controllable portions of the light. The display has a controller connected to control the pixels of the first and second arrays of pixels. The controller is configured to control the pixels of the first array of pixels to provide on the second array of pixels an approximation of an image specified by image data; determine a difference between the image and the approximation of the image at individual pixels of the second array of pixels; and control the pixels of the second array of pixels to modulate the approximation of the image according to the corresponding determined differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne A. Whitehead, Gregory John Ward, Wolfgang Stuerzlinger, Helge Seetzen
  • Patent number: 7413309
    Abstract: A display has a screen which incorporates a light modulator. The screen may be a front projection screen or a rear-projection screen. Elements of the light modulator may be controlled to adjust the intensity of light emanating from corresponding areas on the screen. The display may provide a high dynamic range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne Whitehead, Greg Ward, Wolfgang Stuerzlinger, Helge Seetzen
  • Patent number: 7413310
    Abstract: A system and method for separating and combining three spectrums of light has a polarizing beamsplitter, an input retarder or polarizer located adjacent a first side of the polarizing beamsplitter, a spacer that can also be a splitter located adjacent a second side of the polarizing beamsplitter and a dichroic beamsplitter located adjacent a third side of the polarizing beamsplitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: OC Oerlikon Balzers AG
    Inventor: Claus Heine
  • Patent number: 7413311
    Abstract: A projection display including a one-dimensional light modulator includes an optical arrangement for projecting light from a laser onto the modulator in the form of a line of light. Light from the laser is divided to create in effect a two-dimensional array of mutually incoherent light sources. Light from one axis of the array is projected onto the modulator to form the length of the line of light and light from the other axis of the array is projected onto the modulator to form the width of the line of light. Division of the light is accomplished without the use of any moving component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergei V. Govorkov, Luis A. Spinelli
  • Patent number: 7413312
    Abstract: A projection system. The projection system includes a projector, a projector holder, and, optionally, a screen. When included, the screen has at least a deployed configuration in which a viewing portion of the screen is substantially planar. The projector includes a wide-angle lens system to selectively project display images onto the projection screen or other viewing surface. The projector holder supports the projector and is moveable relative to the projection screen or other viewing surface. The projector holder has at least an operating position at which the projector is supported for projection onto the projection screen or other viewing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventors: T. Scott Engle, Jeffrey A. Gohman
  • Patent number: 7413313
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for an optical shutter with a rotational axis in the light path of a projection device are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Infocus Corporation
    Inventor: Mark D. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7413314
    Abstract: An optical system having an iris controlled in real time and a control method of amount of light thereof. The optical system includes a light source, a light modulator modulating a light emitted from the light source to a certain image, a driving part controlling the light modulator to produce the certain image and outputting luminance information of the certain image, a projector projecting the certain image, a screen on which the projected image is formed, a projection iris controlling an amount of light projected from the light modulator onto the screen, and a iris controller receiving the luminance information of the certain image from the driving part and controlling the projection iris corresponding to the luminance information of the certain image. Since the opening range of the iris is controlled in real time, the contrast ratio (C/R) is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-tae Kim, Jeong-ho Nho
  • Patent number: 7413315
    Abstract: An assembly for use in a projection system includes a plurality of optical elements, such as one or more mirrors, a light engine, and a screen, and a monolith. The optical elements are coupled to the monolith to provide a central element of reference, thereby enabling alignment based on the central element of reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: N-Lighten Technologies
    Inventors: Jon H. Appleby, Kathleen Hannon Davies, Paul D. Frey
  • Patent number: 7413316
    Abstract: The present invention relates to retroreflective elements and retroreflective articles such as pavement markings comprising retroreflective elements, methods of making retroreflective elements, and laminates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Rebecca A. Shipman, Craig S. Chamberlain, James D. Heininger, Thomas P. Hedblom, Douglas E. Weiss, Gerald S. Deeb
  • Patent number: 7413317
    Abstract: A light exposure system is used to expose an alignment layer formed of anistropically absorbing molecules so as to allow alignment of subsequently applied liquid crystal polymer (LCP) molecules. The light incident on the alignment layer is polarized. When a single polarizer is used, the azimuthal polarization direction varies across the substrate carrying the alignment layer. Various approaches to reducing the azimuthal polarization variation may be adopted, including the introduction of various types of polarization rotation reduction element and in selecting an appropriate tilt angle for the light source. Furthermore, a reflective structure may be inserted between the light source and the alignment layer. Use of the reflective structure increases the total amount of light incident on the alignment layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Solomon, Michael C. Lea, Richard C. Allen
  • Patent number: 7413318
    Abstract: A direct type backlight module (200) includes a substrate (231), a diffusion sheet (24) disposed above the substrate, a plurality of spacers (21) and a plurality of light sources (22). The spacers are disposed between the substrate and the diffusion sheet. Each spacer includes a bottom surface (211) contacting with the substrate. A groove (2114) is defined in the bottom surface, and a light incident surface (2112) is defined on inner surface of the groove. A pair of wings is disposed on two sides of the bottom surface for supporting the diffusion sheet. Each wing includes an outer side surface and an inner side surface, and a transflective film is formed on the inner side surfaces of the wing. The light sources are respectively disposed in the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tung-Ming Hsu, Wen-Feng Cheng, Chien-Min Chen, Ming-Fu Hsu
  • Patent number: 7413319
    Abstract: An underwater light display system for providing a decorative light display on the surface of a container holding a body of water and/or objects located within a body of water is provided. An exemplary system comprises a shell and a light assembly. The shell comprises a bottom and a top portion. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the light assembly is preprogrammed to produce variable light patterns and is secured to the interior surface of the top portion so as to direct light downward. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the light assembly may further comprise a plurality of lenses configured to direct light. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the light assembly further comprises a weight having a lens configured to direct light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventors: Jose Longoria, Loren T Taylor, Traci Heather Feldman
  • Patent number: 7413320
    Abstract: An illuminating eraser is provided. The eraser includes a body and an insert. The insert is receivable within a hollow portion of the body and includes a power source and a light emitting source. The power source is activated by applying pressure to the insert thereby causing the light emitting device to illuminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: It's Academic, Inc.
    Inventor: David V. Shapiro
  • Patent number: 7413321
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode shelf includes a light guide panel, a reflector covering a first side of the light guide panel, a first diffuser covering a second side of the light guide panel, a second diffuser covering the reflector, a light-emitting diode strip at an edge of the light guide panel, and a base encompassing the light-emitting diode strip and attached to the light guide panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: LED Folio Corporation
    Inventor: Steven Kim
  • Patent number: 7413322
    Abstract: Modular service unit (10A) comprising a pair of elongate light fitting EACH comprising a reflector housing (14) having one or more light tubes (24). Either a bridging plate, or an intermediate housing (26), is releasably attached to or supported by adjacent longitudinal side edges (34) of each reflector housing (14), and forms a structural part of an auxiliary service facility. The auxiliary service facility can include, for example, air conditioning ducts or diffusers, (17A), five alarm detectors, fire sprinklers with flexible pipe connections, speakers, security sensors, and secondary light fittings. A plurality of modular service units may be incorporated in a suspended ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Yanek Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kenneth William McCarthy
  • Patent number: 7413323
    Abstract: An adjustable lighting fixture has a moveable housing. A first housing has a first opening and a second opening. A second housing is adapted to movably engage the first housing. A resilient member is connected to the second housing and adapted to be received by one of the first and second openings in the first housing. The first opening corresponds to a contracted position of the lighting fixture and the second opening corresponds to an expanded position of the lighting fixture. A lamp disposed in the lighting fixture has a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to a direction of movement of the first and second housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael C. Lippis, Martin C. Werr, David J. Rector
  • Patent number: 7413324
    Abstract: An exemplary backlight module (100) includes a diffusion sheet (110), a plurality of light sources (120), a plurality of supporting posts (130), a plurality of fasteners (140), and a reflective plate (150). The supporting posts are disposed generally between the reflective plate and the diffusion sheet to form a gap with a predetermined distance between the reflective plate and the diffusion sheet. The fasteners are engaged with the reflective plate and hold the light sources to mount the light sources in the gap above the reflective plate. The reflective plate comprises a plurality of elongate bumps (151), and the bumps face toward the diffusion sheet. Each bump is located midway between two adjacent light sources for concentrating and guiding reflected light beams toward a corresponding area of the diffusion sheet above the bump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Innolux Display Corp.
    Inventor: Shao-Han Chang
  • Patent number: 7413325
    Abstract: An LED bulb includes a hollow enclosure and a lower cover assembly. The lower cover assembly includes a circuit which permits the connecting pins to be inserted into a two hole socket in either direction. The LEDs are mounted to expose their leads to ambient air to assist in cooling. The hollow enclosure includes reflective surfaces therein and a top reflector which also may include a reflecting surface therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: International Development Corporation
    Inventor: Chi Gon Chen
  • Patent number: 7413326
    Abstract: An LED lamp includes LED chips, an axle, and a lampshade. The LED chips are mounted on surface of the axle. The axle which is coupled to the lampshade includes heat pipes for transferring the heat generated by the LED chips to exterior of the lampshade and obtaining a better heat dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Ra-Min Tain, Tzong-Che Ho, Shyl-Ching Liau
  • Patent number: 7413327
    Abstract: A programmable and alternately configurable lighting fixture including a light emitting diode array adapted to affixed within a fixture housing. The lighting fixture includes a controller that is adapted to selectively power the plurality of light emitting diodes to provide two or more light beam patterns, each of the two or more light beam patterns selectively directable to two or more distinct lighting areas. The controller and the plurality of light emitting diodes are conductively connected to a power supply. The controller is programmable such that the lighting fixture is adaptable to various seating and lighting configurations, for instance a two seat/two beam configuration, a three seat/three beam configuration or a four seat/four beam configuration. Interchangeable lens assemblies are configured to appropriately direct and focus the selected number of lighting beams to the selected and distinct lighting areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Peter S. Guard, Erik I. Wiman
  • Patent number: 7413328
    Abstract: A head-up display assembly includes a liquid crystal display element, a first backlight light source, and a remote backlight light source. The first light source is physically mounted in proximity to the liquid crystal display element, and is operable to directly backlight illuminate the liquid crystal display element. The remote light source mounted physically remote from the liquid crystal display element, and is operable to backlight illuminate the liquid crystal display element via a light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Dubin, Brent Larson
  • Patent number: 7413329
    Abstract: Undercarriage lights are positioned under a truck adjacent to parts of the truck requiring regular visual safety inspections to light up the parts. A control module operates the lights in coordination with an ignition switch, a manual switch outside the truck, a timer, a low light sensor, and an indicator light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventor: Joe Martin Salazar
  • Patent number: 7413330
    Abstract: A proposed backlight is suitable for a large size liquid crystal display. A backlight 2 for illuminating a liquid crystal panel 3 from the rear, is formed by combining a plurality of backlight units 10, 10, . . . By providing a transparent acrylic board 4 between the backlight 2 and the liquid crystal panel 3, it becomes possible to prevent brightness unevenness from occurring at a junction section of the backlight units 10, 10, . . . , even when the backlight is formed by combining the plurality of the backlight units 10, 10, . . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Norimasa Furukawa
  • Patent number: 7413331
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a backlight apparatus and a liquid crystal display apparatus, capable of realizing a backlight apparatus having high color reproductivity without color irregularities in a backlight apparatus having a LED device as its light source. In the optical unit 61, there are disposed the dichroic mirror B which transmits green light Lg and red light Lr and reflects blue light Lb, the dichroic mirror G which transmits the light Lb and the light Lr and reflects the light Lg, and the dichroic mirror R which transmits the light Lb and the light Lg and reflects the light Lr, and they transmit or reflect the light emitted from the LED devices 11B, 11G and 11R to mix to form the white light Lw. The light Lw formed by the dichroic mirrors B, G and R is entered to the light guiding plate 62 by the mirror performing a total reflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Hatanaka, Kazuhiro Yokota, Haruaki Wada, Takashi Oku
  • Patent number: 7413332
    Abstract: The present invention disclosed a light module, which comprises a plurality of LED package units and a plurality of connecting units. Opposite sides of each of the LED package units has one connector respectively, and opposite sides of each of the connecting units has one connector respectively. The LED package unit and the connecting unit connect each other through the connectors. To vary the arrangement and the amount of the connecting units and the LED package units is to suit different dimensions of side light modules of liquid crystal displays with different luminosities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chin-Kun Hsieh, Chi-Chen Cheng
  • Patent number: 7413333
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus including a light guiding plate, and a light source including a plurality of light-emitting elements which emit light at a plurality of brightness levels. The light emitting elements is provided opposite to a side edge of the light guiding plate and arranged along the side edge of the light guiding plate. The light-emitting elements are divided into a plurality of sets according to the brightness levels, and light-emitting elements in each of the sets are connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Ota
  • Patent number: 7413334
    Abstract: A plurality of LEDs are arrayed in a single row between the opposing end faces of a pair of first and second light guide plates that are disposed so that the end faces thereof face each other. A reflective sheet is disposed on the lower surfaces of the pair of first and second light guide plates, and a separation plate is disposed so as to cover the upper surfaces of the first and second light guide plates and the gap therebetween. A reflecting body for guiding light emitted upward from the LEDs to the first and second light guide plates is disposed in the area immediately above the LEDs on the lower surface of the separation plate. A diffusion plate is disposed with a fixed gap above the separation plate, and a hollow area is formed between the diffusion plate and the separation plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: NEC LCD Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masatake Baba
  • Patent number: 7413335
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a prism sheet having a side which is perpendicular to the normal of a light guiding plate. The prism sheet includes a prism sheet base film and a plurality of linearly aligned prisms. The prisms are formed on one side of the prism sheet base film. Here, one side of each prism is perpendicular to the prism sheet base film. The prism sheet condenses a light outputted from a light guiding plate using its internal total reflection, and so the efficiency of the light is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seoung Ho Lee, Sang Gon Lee, Kang Yoon Kim, Chang Jong Kim, Hyun Seok Cho, Jung Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 7413336
    Abstract: In a new packaging method for light management films in displays, such as liquid crystal displays, a stack of two or more optical films is held together before insertion into the display frame. The stack includes at least two of the films that are adhered together using adhesive positioned outside the viewing area of the films. In some embodiments, the adhesive is provided at one or more tabs provided around the periphery of the film stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Anthony J. Freking, Keith M. Kotchick
  • Patent number: 7413337
    Abstract: A backlight unit of a liquid crystal display device and a method of assembling the same which makes it easy to inspect for impurities and for reducing damage to an optical sheet. The backlight unit includes a lamp assembly; a light guide panel for providing the light from the lamp assembly incident to a display panel; and a bottom cover for supporting the lamp assembly and the light guide panel, wherein the distance between the lamp assembly located at opposite edges of the bottom cover is longer than the length of the light guide panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyoung Sub Kim
  • Patent number: 7413338
    Abstract: An exemplary backlight module includes a frame (16) and a light guide plate (14) positioned in the frame. The frame defines a notch (164), which notch is bounded by a wall of the frame. The light guide plate includes a side surface (141), and an ear (144) extending from the side surface. The ear is received in the notch. A first protrusion (165) protrudes from either the wall of the notch or the ear and contacts the corresponding ear or wall of the notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Innolux Display Corp.
    Inventor: Chun-Yun Pan
  • Patent number: 7413339
    Abstract: Watch case, in particular for a wristwatch, with a turning ring provided turnably on one case surface and for this purpose enclosing one case section, the turning ring being secured by at least one holding element engaging in one peripheral groove of the case section and securing the turning ring on the case section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventor: Petra Damasko
  • Patent number: 7413340
    Abstract: A dynamic heat flow meter is provided which introduces a measured air flow into the system adjacent the test sample (e.g., insulation product), for which thermal properties are to be measured. The heat flow meter then measures thermal properties (e.g., thermal conductivity and/or heat capacity) of the test sample taking into account air flow through and/or adjacent the test sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Guardian Building Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary E. Romes
  • Patent number: 7413341
    Abstract: A method of local temperature measurement in a sample is provided. The method comprises the stimulation, at a location in the sample, of anti-Stokes and Stokes emission from fluorophores which are present at the location in the sample, measuring the intensities of the stimulated radiation and calculating the temperature at the location from the measured intensities. The method can be used to obtain a thermal image of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: The Research Foundation of State University of New York
    Inventors: Aliaksandr Kachynski, Andrey Kuzmin, Haridas Pudavar, Paras N. Prasad
  • Patent number: 7413342
    Abstract: A converter comprising a comparator having a first input operable to receive a first signal, a second input operable to receive a second signal, and an output, a switch for sinking a portion of the first signal, wherein the switch is responsive to the output, and an integrator connected to the first input, wherein the first signal is a voltage developed by the integrator when a current proportional to the absolute temperature is applied thereto. A method for measuring temperature of a device using a comparator and converting the bitstream of the comparator to a digital output is also given. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used to construe the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Sugato Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 7413343
    Abstract: An apparatus and method measure a temperature of a temperature sensing element having a temperature dependent resistance based on a ratio of discharge times of a capacitor through a reference resistance and through the combination of the reference resistance in parallel with the temperature sensing element is disclosed. A reference discharge time is determined by measuring the discharge time of the capacitor from a first voltage to a second voltage through a reference resistance. A temperature evaluation discharge time is determined by measuring the time to discharge the capacitor from the first voltage to the second voltage through the reference resistance in parallel with the temperature sensing element. The ratio of the temperature evaluation discharge time to the reference discharge time is used to determine the temperature and produce a digital representation of the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Kyocera Wireless Corp.
    Inventor: John Philip Taylor
  • Patent number: 7413344
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a radiography system in which an FOV in a light field agrees with an FOV in an X-ray field irrespective of a displacement of a light source. The radiography system comprises an X-ray tube, a collimator that forms an X-ray beam to be irradiated from the X-ray tube to an object of radiography, and a light source that irradiates light, which is used for ranging, to the object of radiography via the collimator. The radiography system further comprises a memory in which the magnitude of a displacement of the light source calculated in advance is stored, and a control unit that controls the opening of the collimator on the basis of the position of the light source, which is corrected based on the magnitude of a displacement read from the memory, so that an FOV of light to be used for ranging will agree with a target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Lei Qian