Patents Issued in August 19, 2008
  • Patent number: 7414753
    Abstract: A color characterization process utilizing nonlinear regression analysis to characterize a color input device. The color input device is used to generate a bitmap of device dependent values from a color target. The bitmap of device dependent color values is used to generate a forward model that maps device dependent color values to color values in a device independent color space using a nonlinear regression analysis that minimizes a color difference metric between the reference color values and the set of device dependent color values mapped through the forward model. The color difference metric is chosen to represent human perceived color differences in the device independent color space. The performance of the nonlinear regression analysis may be improved by initializing the nonlinear regression analysis using an initial forward model generated from a linear regression analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Siu-Kei Tin
  • Patent number: 7414754
    Abstract: A method of easily obtaining a color conversion matrix serving as a foundation of color reproduction at a high speed irrespective of its degree is provided. The method has: a step of constructing nth-degree matrix coefficients regarding a first color space of a plurality of color patch data sets and obtaining a pseudo inverse matrix to the obtained matrix; and a step of forming a color conversion matrix from a product of a matrix constructed by color data regarding a second color space of the color patch data sets and the pseudo inverse matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Manabu Yamazoe
  • Patent number: 7414755
    Abstract: A process for color quality assessment and color control in a color printing process is provided. The process utilizes a test element array including several test elements is co-reproduced with an image to be reproduced, whereby for the pixels of the image and the test elements of the test element array, color co-ordinate data are present in an original color space and for the test elements of the test element array the color values are present in an assessment color space are present. The co-reproduced test element array is colorimetrically measured with respect to the assessment color space, color difference of the test elements relative to the corresponding set color values are determined from the measured color values of the color elements and a color quality measure is calculated for the reproduced image and/or color correction quantities are calculated for the color reproduction process. The original color space (AFR) is divided into a larger number of color space areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: X-Rite Europe AG
    Inventors: Anna Ott-Heizmann, legal representative, Beatrice-Michaela Hintermuller-Ott, legal representative, Markus Hans Ott, legal representative, Hans Ott
  • Patent number: 7414756
    Abstract: The image processing apparatus or the printing device of the present invention forms units by grouping adjacent multiple-pixels and converts the image data to the dot data representing dot on/off state for each of pixels. The apparatus stores the dot data in a condition enabling identification of the dot on/off state for at least one of pixels within the previously converted units. When the apparatus converts the image data to the dot data by a unit, The apparatus serially specifies a interested pixel, within a unit to be converted to the dot data, for determination of dot on/off state. Then the apparatus determines the dot on/off state for the interested pixel, according to a characteristic that controls the proportion of a number of dots formed at the predetermined location of the unit against a number of all dots into a predetermined range. It prevents cyclical patterns from becoming visible and degrading image quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Kakutani
  • Patent number: 7414757
    Abstract: There is disclosed in embodiments methods relating to the compression of printing hints. The method in embodiments generates a first set of image pixels having corresponding printing hints. The printing hints are then adjusted to produce a second set of image pixels processed in such a way that an end printed result is visually equivalent to a printed result using the first set of image pixels thereby reducing the entropy in the printing hints. The method improves the compression ratio of an image using printing hints by adjusting the printing hints of pixels that are zero or fully saturated. The printing hints are adjusted in such a way to reduce the complexity of the printing hints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: George L. Eldridge, Peter A. Crean, Jon S. McElvain, William E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7414758
    Abstract: A method of improving a digital image captured by a digital camera comprising: providing a digital camera having a memory for storing known values of a color chart having a plurality of color patches of different colors and a digital image processor, using the digital camera to capture an image of the color chart to produce image values of the color patches of the color chart; operating the digital image processor to process at least some of the color patch imaged values and the stored known values of the color patches to produce a color correction matrix or profile; and storing the color correction matrix or profile to correct color images subsequently acquired by the digital camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Michael A. Vaughn
  • Patent number: 7414759
    Abstract: Linear spot velocity or position variations are measured in a scanning system by a process and apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Truman F. Kellie, William D. Edwards
  • Patent number: 7414760
    Abstract: An image reader including photoelectric transducers each of which converts a light signal into an electric signal, and outputs the signal to a signal line, channel selecting switches each of which selectively connects, and disconnects, a corresponding one of the transducers to, and from, the signal line, and a resolution selecting portion which receives a control-start signal which commands the image reader to start controlling the switches, and continues to take a predetermined voltage in a first predetermined time duration, and each one of clock-pulse signals which have respective different numbers of characteristic portions or portion in a second predetermined time duration falling in the first time duration, and each of which has pulses in a third time duration following the second time duration, the switches being sequentially controlled in synchronism with the pulses of the each clock-pulse signal, so as to sequentially connect, and disconnect, the corresponding transducers to, and from, the signal line
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuya Kato
  • Patent number: 7414761
    Abstract: To provide a compact imaging optical system in which occurrence of an asymmetrical aberration is reduced and the optical performance is not deteriorated significantly by constituting the system by off-axial reflection surfaces, and an image reading apparatus using the same. The imaging optical system of the present invention is characterized in that, in the imaging optical system for imaging image information of an object surface on a line sensor, all of a plurality of reflection surfaces existing in an optical path from the original surface to the line sensor are off-axial reflecting surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Tochigi, Kazuyuki Kondo
  • Patent number: 7414762
    Abstract: A document handling system includes an imaging area; a light source located in proximity to the imaging area; a raster imaging scanning system located in proximity to the imaging area; and a looped document path, located in proximity to the imaging area, having an entrance and an exit. The exit of the looped document path is positioned such that an exiting document is placed upon the imaging area a second time. Alternatively, the document handling system includes a semicircular document path, located in proximity to a first imaging area, having an entrance and an exit; and a second imaging area located in proximity to the exit of the semicircular document path. A bi-directional fiber optic element is located between the first and second imaging areas to transmit light from the light source to the second imaging area and light reflected from the second imaging area to the first imaging area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony G. Poletto
  • Patent number: 7414763
    Abstract: A contact image sensor fixing device for an office machine having a frame, a contact image sensor, and a white roller, the contact image sensor fixing device including an elastic unit mounted on the frame to push the contact image sensor against the whiter roller with a particular pressure, the contact image sensor reading data from a document as the document passes between the contact image sensor and the white roller; a holder unit to accommodate and support the contact image sensor; and at least one holder-movable unit freely moving the holder unit against the elastic force of the elastic unit applied to the contact image sensor to maintain an even pressure between the white roller and the contact image sensor when the contact image sensor receives a rotation force of the white roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-kon Jo
  • Patent number: 7414764
    Abstract: A duplex/simplex automatic sheet feeder includes a sheet input tray, a sheet output tray, a first sheet-feeding path, a temporary storage region, a first sheet-feeding mechanism, a second sheet-feeding path and a second sheet-feeding mechanism. The temporary storage region and the first sheet-feeding mechanism are configured such that in a simplex feeding mode a sheet from the first sheet-feeding path is transferred to the sheet output tray through the temporary storage region, and in duplex and simplex feeding modes the sheets in the sheet output tray are arranged in the same order as in the sheet input tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Avision Inc.
    Inventor: Devon Shyu
  • Patent number: 7414765
    Abstract: An optical scanning device deflects, by a common optical deflecting part, a plurality of groups of light beams emitted from a plurality of light sources and directs, by a scanning and imaging optical system, the groups of deflected light beams to respective scan surfaces so as to optically scan the scan surfaces. Each of the groups of light beams deflected by the optical deflecting part passes through at least two scanning lenses while being directed to a corresponding one of the scan surfaces. A first scanning lens arranged nearest to the optical deflecting part among the scanning lenses transmits the groups of light beams directed to the respective scan surfaces and satisfies Pm>0.gtoreq.Ps, where Pm is a power in a main scanning direction and Ps is a power in a sub-scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Miyatake
  • Patent number: 7414766
    Abstract: An optical beam scanning device includes a rotating polygon mirror for scanning a beam from a pre-deflection optical system in a main scanning direction and two mirrors 23, 25 for imaging the beam scanned by the rotating polygon mirror 5 on an image plane. The device is arranged so that a first mirror 23 at the rotating polygon mirror side 5 has a negative power in the main scanning direction and a second mirror 25 at the image plane side has a positive power in the main scanning direction. Thereby, the degrees of freedom of shape and arrangement of process unit or the like can be made higher and an apparatus can be downsized by securing the distance between the last imaging element and the image plane while suppressing the increase in the optical path length between the reflection surface 5A of the rotating polygon mirror 5 and the image plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 7414767
    Abstract: A semiconductor optical device, which includes a semiconductor substrate, an electro-absorption modulator, and at least one optical device is monolithically integrated on the semiconductor substrate. An insulative layer surrounds the electro-absorption modulator and the optical devices on the semiconductor substrate, at least two metallic pads, one of which being an electrode of the modulator, are formed at a distance from each other on the insulative layer. A plurality of metallic wires are adapted for electrically connecting the electro-absorption modulator to the metallic pads and adjusting a value of inductance of the electro-absorption modulator. The metallic wires are formed on the insulative layer. A dielectric layer formed under the insulative layer provides a minimizing of parasitic capacitance generated in the metallic pads and the metallic wires by being formed under the metallic pads and the metallic wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Dong Bae, Byung-Kwon Kang
  • Patent number: 7414768
    Abstract: The electrooptical converter comprises sequentially located on the optical axis: at least one optical lighter, a transparent support or M transparent supports, each in the form of at least one plane-parallel plate or at least one prism of total internal reflection, at least one line modulator, at least one visualizer, a perception device, and at least one control device. Each line modulator comprises a transparent electroconducting layer applied to the transparent support, the electroconducting layer being covered with a transparent gel-like layer, and a system of i parallel ribbon control electrodes and ground electrodes, arranged in one plane on a second support corresponding to each of line modulators and located with a gap above the transparent gel-like layer and electrically connected to the corresponding control device. Each transparent support together with the corresponding at least one line modulator forms a line element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventor: Yury Petrovich Guscho
  • Patent number: 7414769
    Abstract: This invention relates to reconfigurable spatial light modulators (SLM) incorporating a scatter plate. Computer generated diffraction patterns or holograms may be loaded on the (SLM) either as a single frame or as a series of frames for observation by an observer. In a preferred embodiment both an electrically addressable spatial light modulator (EASLM) and an optically addressable spatial light modulator (OASLM) are used. The (OASLM) may be formed of several smaller (OASLMs) arranged in a matrix format. The faster (EASLM) forms a light pattern on the sub-areas of the large (OASLM) in turn to give a large display. The scatter plate is arranged at the output of the (SLM) nearest an observer. This scatter plate has a known characteristic and serves to increase the field of view and/or reduce the number of pixels required to give a holographic or two dimensional displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: F. Poszat Hu, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher William Slinger
  • Patent number: 7414770
    Abstract: An electrochromic device including a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes at least one solvent, at least one anodic material, and at least one cathodic material, wherein the first and second substrates are substantially uniformly spaced apart by a spacing member comprising a non-polymeric material which substantially dissolves upon association with the at least one solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin L. Ash, Leroy J. Kloeppner, Steven J. Veenman, Michelle M. Carroll
  • Patent number: 7414771
    Abstract: A flexible electrochromic device is disclosed, the device including a flexible substrate with at least one electrically conductive surface, and an adhesive ion-conducting layer including a) a polymer binder selected from the group of polyvinylpyrrolidone and copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone, and b) a source of mobile cations, e.g., alkali metal salts, acids, polyelectrolytes and polyacids, wherein the device is capable of being deformed and returned to “flatness” in an undamaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Chameleon Optics, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Martin
  • Patent number: 7414772
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reflective control switchable thin film material that can become completely colorless when transparent, and the present invention relates to a reflective control switchable thin film material composed of a multilayer thin film in which a magnesium-titanium alloy thin film is used, and to reflective light control glass, and light control window glass, wherein a magnesium-titanium alloy thin film is used as a control switchable layer, a catalyst layer is formed on the surface of the thin film, a protective layer is optionally formed over the catalyst layer, the material has chromic characteristics whereby a colorless and transparent state is produced by hydrogenation at room temperature (about 20° C.), and the material has chromic characteristics whereby a mirror state is produced by dehydrogenation at room temperature (about 20° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kazuki Yoshimura, Shanhu Bao
  • Patent number: 7414773
    Abstract: Device for dispersion of light pulses of an optical beam constituted by two dispersive prisms with the same vertex angle, mounted head to tail, the optical input surface of the first prism being parallel to the optical output surface of the second prism, the distance separating the optical input surface of the first prism and the optical output surface of the second prism being adjustable, given that the material constituting at least one of the first and second prisms is an acousto-optic material allowing for acousto-optic interaction between the optical beam and an acoustic beam, the acoustic wave of the acoustic beam generating, in at least one of the first and second prisms, an integrated deflective Bragg cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Fastlite
    Inventors: Daniel Kaplan, Pierre Tournois
  • Patent number: 7414774
    Abstract: A method of driving a small electromechanical element, which includes: an elastic portion accumulating an elastic energy by being deformed elastically; a movable portion supported by the elastic portion; and a drive source exerting a physical acting force to maintain the movable portion, is provided. The movable portion is displaced to one normal position, an elastic energy is accumulated to the elastic portion, thereafter, the movable portion is maintained at one normal position by a physical acting force. Further, by releasing the elastic energy by stopping the physical acting force, the movable portion is displaced to other normal position while accumulating again an elastic energy having a polarity reverse to that of the preceding elastic energy and is maintained at other normal position. Thereby, the movable portion is displaced only by the elastic energy accumulated to the elastic portion without depending on the physical acting force from outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Shinya Ogikubo, Hirochika Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7414775
    Abstract: A display member having improved optical contrast and brightness. The display member includes bichromal capsules, an absorptive layer, an adhesive layer, a substrate and a top layer. The bichromal capsules form a close-packed monolayer configuration positioned on the absorptive layer. The adhesive layer is adjacent to the absorptive layer. The absorptive layer is formed on the substrate. The top layer is formed adjacent the adhesive layer. A method for producing a display member with high optical contrast and brightness. The method includes forming an absorptive layer on a substrate. A close-packed monolayer configuration of bichromal capsules is formed on the absorptive layer by exposing the absorptive layer to a plurality of bichromal capsules. A top layer is formed adjacent the adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Man C. Tam, Peter M. Kazmaier, Naveen Chopra
  • Patent number: 7414776
    Abstract: A display medium for an electrophoretic display device includes a liquid system, at least one thermally reversible gelling agent, and at least one set of particles exhibiting a color. Inclusion of the gelling agent enables an image formed in the display device at an elevated temperature of about or above the melting point of the gelling agent to be fixed in a gel state, e.g., at temperature of about or below a gel point of the gelling agent. The image thus has stability, even in the absence of an applied electrophoretic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ping Liu, Nan-Xing Hu, Naveen Chopra, Man-Chung Tam, Peter M. Kazmaier
  • Patent number: 7414777
    Abstract: An image display medium has: a display substrate that is at least transparent; a back substrate opposing the display substrate with a gap therebetween; at least two or more kinds of moving particle groups that are chargeable and that are different colors, the moving particle groups being enclosed between the display substrate and the back substrate and moving between the substrates in accordance with an electric field formed between the substrates; a transparent liquid for dispersing the moving particles, the transparent liquid being enclosed between the display substrate and the back substrate; and a colored member disposed between the display substrate and the back substrate, and having gaps through which the moving particle groups can move, and being a color that is different from the colors of the moving particle groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Machida, Yasufumi Suwabe, Hiroaki Moriyama, Yoshiro Yamaguchi, Takeshi Matsunaga, Atsushi Hirano, Kiyoshi Shigehiro
  • Patent number: 7414778
    Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a method of fabricating a wavelength conversion device. According to the method, the wavelength conversion device is fabricated by providing a nonlinear optical material and poling the nonlinear optical material to form a plurality of periodically inverted poling domains arranged at an anti-back reflective periodicity ?. The geometry and the anti-back reflective periodicity ? of the poled nonlinear material are selected such that the difference between a phase matching wavelength ?? of the poled nonlinear optical material and a Bragg wavelength ?BRAGG of the poled nonlinear optical material is greater than 1 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Jacques Gollier, Garrett Andrew Piech
  • Patent number: 7414779
    Abstract: In one aspect the invention relates to a frequency varying wave generator. The generator includes a gain element adapted to amplify a wave having a wavelength; a time varying tunable wavelength selective filter element in communication with the gain element, the tunable filter element adapted to selectively filter waves during a period T; and a feedback element in communication with the tunable filter element and the gain element, wherein the tunable wavelength selective filter element, the gain element and the feedback element define a circuit such that the roundtrip time for the wave to propagate through the circuit is substantially equal to a non-zero integer multiple of the period T.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Robert Huber, Kenji Taira, James Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 7414780
    Abstract: By compensating polarization mode-dispersion as well chromatic dispersion in photonic crystal fiber pulse compressors, high pulse energies can be obtained from all-fiber chirped pulse amplification systems. By inducing third-order dispersion in fiber amplifiers via self-phase modulation, the third-order chromatic dispersion from bulk grating pulse compressors can be compensated and the pulse quality of hybrid fiber/bulk chirped pulse amplification systems can be improved. Finally, by amplifying positively chirped pulses in negative dispersion fiber amplifiers, low noise wavelength tunable seed source via anti-Stokes frequency shifting can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: IMRA America, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin E. Fermann, Gennady Imeshev, Gyu C. Cho, Zhenlin Liu, Donald J. Harter
  • Patent number: 7414781
    Abstract: In general, in a first aspect, the invention features a system that includes a microlithography projection optical system. The microlithography projection optical system includes a plurality of elements arranged so that during operation the plurality of elements image radiation at a wavelength ? from an object plane to an image plane. At least one of the elements is a reflective element that has a rotationally-asymmetric surface positioned in a path of the radiation. The rotationally-asymmetric surface deviates from a rotationally-symmetric reference surface by a distance of about ? or more at one or more locations of the rotationally-asymmetric surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT AG
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Mann, Wilhelm Ulrich, Marco Pretorius
  • Patent number: 7414782
    Abstract: A polarization stereoscopic display device and a method of its manufacture. A liquid crystal display panel displays an information in accordance with signal data comprised of left-eye and right-eye image information, a polarizer polarizes modulated light through polarizer. A patterned retarder layer separates light by polarization into a left-eye picture and a right-eye picture in accordance with its pattern. A light waveguide disposed between the polarizer and the retarder layer reduces polarization changes between the polarizer and the retarder layer. Beneficially, the polarizer, waveguide, and retarder layer are formed into an integral unit. The retarder layer includes a chiral material, and a waveguide layer for the substrate is beneficially comprised of a solvent-proof polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin Hee Jung
  • Patent number: 7414783
    Abstract: Apparatus (2) for the optical manipulation of a pair of landscape stereoscopic images, which apparatus (2) comprises a housing (4), and optical re-orientation means (6) positioned in the housing (4) and for re-orienting the pair of landscape stereoscopic images between a first orientation required for human viewing and a second orientation required for recording with a single camera or for reproduction from a single screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventor: John Alexander Christian
  • Patent number: 7414784
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, a wire grid polarizer includes a plurality of parallel conductors having a pitch (P), a width (W), and a height (H). In example embodiments, a fill-factor (W/P) is greater than approximately 0.18 and less than approximately 0.25. In another example embodiment, a display system includes a light source and a light-valve. The display system also includes a wire grid polarizer that includes a plurality of parallel conductors having a pitch (P), a width (W), and a height (H). In example embodiments, a fill-factor (W/P) is greater than approximately 0.18 and less than approximately 0.25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Denmark Finance A/S
    Inventors: Xiang-Dong Mi, David Kessler, Lee W. Tutt, Laura A. Weller-Brophy
  • Patent number: 7414785
    Abstract: A beamsplitter includes a first fluoride prism and a second fluoride prism. A coating interface is between the first and second fluoride prisms, wherein an overall R(s)*T(p) function of the beamsplitter varies no more than ±2.74% in the range of 40-50 degrees of incidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventor: Ronald A Wilklow
  • Patent number: 7414786
    Abstract: A system for converting the polarization state of an optical beam which propagates along a path from an initial polarization state into an inhomogeneous polarization state includes a first isotropic material and a first anisotropic material. The first anisotropic material is positioned adjacent to the first isotropic material in a substantially transverse manner relative to the path of the optical beam. The first anisotropic material has a first alignment axis that produces one of a radially, azimuthally, and counter-rotationally polarized optical beam when substantially aligned with respect to a polarization axis of the optical beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: University of Rochester
    Inventors: Thomas G. Brown, David P. Biss
  • Patent number: 7414787
    Abstract: A phase contrast x-ray microscope has a phase plate that is placed in proximity of and attached rigidly to the objective to form a composite optic. This enables easier initial and long-term maintenance of alignment of the microscope. In one example, they are fabricated on the same high-transmissive substrate. The use of this composite optic allows for lithographic-based alignment that will not change over the lifetime of the instrument. Also, in one configuration, the phase plate is located between the test object and the objective.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Xradia, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenbing Yun, Yuxin Wang
  • Patent number: 7414788
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a diffusion plate used in a direct-type backlight module and a method for making the same. At least one of the surfaces of the diffusion plate has a microstructure constituted by repeated undulation that can refract and diffuse the incident light beams that enter the diffusion plate. Therefore, the paths of the light beams after entering the diffusion plate are changed, which raises the luminance of the backlight module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Chi Lin Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mao-Song Lee, Hsi-Hsin Shih, Shen-Yin Tsai, Tien-Chieh Chang, Chin-Lung Kuo, Jun-Hong Lin, Shih-Kai Cheng
  • Patent number: 7414789
    Abstract: A method produces an apparatus for homogenizing light. The apparatus has at least one substrate with at least one optically functional area with a multiplicity of lens elements. In a first method step the lens elements are formed in the at least one optically functional area of the at least one substrate. In a second method step the at least one substrate is divided into at least two parts. In a third method step following thereupon, at least two of the at least two parts of the at least one substrate are reassembled, given another alignment of at least one of the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Limo-Patentverwaltung GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Vitalij Lissotschenko
  • Patent number: 7414790
    Abstract: An assembly for displaying an interlaced image. The assembly includes an interlaced image, which may be digitally or web printed for example, with sets of elongate image elements or slices. A lens arrays is provided with a first side proximate the interlaced image such as a planar surface and a second side distal the image with numerous lens sets. Each of the lens sets is paired with one of the sets of the image elements and includes a number of linear or elongate lenses that are each mapped to one to three image elements. The lenses are each configured to focus light from the subset of image elements to a viewer along a focus direction or line. The lenses are configured to provide a lens-specific viewing angle with a focus line, and the focus line to the paired image element subset differs from other lenses or is unique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Genie Lens Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Raymond, Howard G. Lange
  • Patent number: 7414791
    Abstract: What is disclosed is an eye detection apparatus which can detect the pupil position accurately. The apparatus has an image taking unit that picks up an image of an eye and a pupil detection unit that detects the position of the pupil in the eye based on an image picked up by the image taking portion. The pupil detection unit determines the pupil position based on images picked up by the image taking unit in a plurality of states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Urakawa, Yoshihiroi Saito, Akinari Takagi
  • Patent number: 7414792
    Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting an apparatus for the inter-pupilar distance of a user is disclosed. Example embodiments of the disclosed mechanism use gears that link the movements of eye-optics and reflectors placed along the optical path. When the eye-optics are adjusted, this movement causes a movement in the linked reflectors that maintains a constant length for the optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Headplay (Barbados) Inc.
    Inventors: László Domjan, Gábor Szarvas, Szabolcs Mike
  • Patent number: 7414793
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus includes a hollow tubular body with a polygonal cross-section and a highly reflective interior surface, a first filter, and a second filter. The body includes an input end portion configured to receive and reflect white light having a Gaussian profile to produce a homogenized input beam, a first output leg portion configured to receive and reflect a first reflected beam to produce a first homogenized output beam having a first wavelength characteristic and a top hat profile, and a second output leg portion configured to receive and reflect a second reflected beam to produce a second homogenized output beam having a second wavelength characteristic and a top hat profile. The first filter is configured to receive the homogenized input beam and produce the first reflected beam and a first transmitted beam. The second filter is configured to receive the first transmitted beam and produce the second reflected beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Frank T. Cianciotto
  • Patent number: 7414794
    Abstract: An autofocus unit is provided to an immersion lithography apparatus in which a fluid is disposed over a target surface of a workpiece and an image pattern is projected onto this target surface through the fluid. The autofocus unit has an optical element such as a projection lens disposed opposite and above the target surface. An autofocus light source is arranged to project a light beam obliquely at a specified angle such that this light beam passes through the fluid and is reflected by the target surface of the workpiece at a specified reflection position that is below the optical element. A receiver receives and analyzes the reflected light. Correction lenses may be disposed on the optical path of the light beam for correcting propagation of the light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: W. Thomas Novak
  • Patent number: 7414795
    Abstract: A method of driving a display having a plurality of light-emitting elements that change with time or use, comprising the steps of: a) displaying first and second image signals having spatially distributed pixels divided into a plurality of groups, and forming first and second image signal group attributes for each of the plurality of groups; b) comparing the second group attributes and the first group attributes to form at least one group difference value for each group, comparing the group difference values to at least one predetermined metric to form at least one pixel group dynamic value, combining the group dynamic values, and if the combined group dynamic values are found to be less than a first limit, displaying a display-preserving image signal over the entire display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Ronald S. Cok
  • Patent number: 7414796
    Abstract: When the DVD provided with the DVD substrate 2 having thickness t2 of 0.6 mm is installed in the optical disc apparatus, the light beam 4 having wavelength ?1=655 nm is used as luminous flux of numerical aperture NA=0.63 to be condensed on the information surface 2a on the DVD substrate 2. When the CD provided with the CD substrate 3 having thickness t2 of 1.2 mm is installed in the optical disc apparatus, the light beam 5 having wavelength ?2=790 nm is effectively used as luminous flux of approximate numerical aperture NA=0.45 to be condensed on the information surface 3a on the DVD substrate 3. The wavefront aberration caused by a thickness difference between the DVD substrate 2 and CD substrate 3 is canceled out by the chromatic aberration caused by a wavelength difference between the light beams 4 and 5. Therefore, in spite of the difference in the transparent substrates, the light beams are suitably condensed respectively on the information surface 2a and 3a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Sugi, Takesuke Maruyama
  • Patent number: 7414797
    Abstract: An optical element including a plurality of reference members formed on a first side surface, and a method and apparatus for fixedly joining the optical element with the first side surface facing down. The method includes providing a surface including a specific position where the optical element is placed, applying an adhesive agent to a predetermined spot within the specific position in which the optical element is placed, placing the optical element therein, causing the optical element to have convex warpage, and curing the adhesive agent. The apparatus includes mechanisms configured to apply an adhesive agent to a predetermined spot within a specific position of a surface on where the optical element is placed, and to place the optical element therein, and first and second light sources configured to cause the optical element to have convex warpage, and to cure the adhesive agent, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Fumikata Andoh
  • Patent number: 7414798
    Abstract: A magnifying assembly comprising a housing; a magnifying lens coupled to the housing; and a cover slidable along the housing; wherein the cover is slidable relative to the housing in a first direction so as to cover at least part of the magnifying lens and slidable relative to the housing in a second direction so as to expose the magnifying lens. Preferably, the housing comprises a frame within which the magnifying lens is secured, and a battery compartment; wherein the frame and battery compartment are integrally formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignees: Leading Extreme Optimist Industries, Ltd., Carson Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Gin Fai Yip, Bryan Yip
  • Patent number: 7414799
    Abstract: A lens holder, which supports a light receiving lens, is screwed into a barrel portion of a body holder by respectively engaging hooks, which are provided in a screwing piece, with engaging-grooves formed in an end surface of the lens holder and then rotating the screwing piece. The screwing position of the lens holder is controlled so that the rotational direction position of a set of the engaging grooves is coincided with a reference position of an adjusting piece. Subsequently, the adjusting piece is engaged with the lens holder at the reference position. Then, a focus adjustment is performed by rotating the lens holder in a positive rotation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Shinko Electric Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakuni Tokida, Takahiro Kamakura
  • Patent number: 7414800
    Abstract: A solid immersion lens holder 8A is provided with a base part 50 attached to an objective lens 21, and a lens holding part 60 provided with the base part 50, extending in a direction of optical axis L of the objective lens 21, and arranged to hold a solid immersion lens 6 at an end portion thereof. The lens holding part holds the solid immersion lens so that light emerging from the solid immersion lens to the base part side travels through a region outside the lens holding part and toward the base part, and the base part has a light passing portion 53 which transmits the light toward the objective lens. Since the lens holding part extends in the direction of the optical axis L of the objective lens, even in a case where an observation object 11 is observed as located on a bottom surface of recess 13, the lens holding part will be prevented from contacting a side wall 13a of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Yoshio Isobe, Hiroshi Tanabe, Ikuo Arata
  • Patent number: 7414801
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a fixed barrel having an approximately cylindrical shape; a lens frame 132 disposed inside of the fixed barrel for holding the lens group; at least one shaft 135A engaging in the lens frame 132 for guiding the lens frame 132 in a direction parallel to the optical axis of the lens group; and a guide shaft 135B provided to a perimeter of the lens frame for regulating a rotation of the lens frame about the shaft. The lens frame 132 is disposed in the fixed barrel so that a center axis 102 of the fixed barrel and an optical axis 101 of the lens group do not coincide with each other, but are deflected in parallel, The shaft 135A and the guide shaft 135B are disposed so that a central angle ?1 formed with respect to the center axis 102 of the fixed barrel is less than 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hironori Honsho
  • Patent number: 7414802
    Abstract: A lens apparatus capable of realizing better optical performance by suppressing an inclination of each lens unit more reliably while shortening the overall length in a collapsed position to the smallest possible level is disclosed. The lens apparatus comprises a fixed member which makes up the body of the apparatus, first and second lens holding members which hold their respective lens units and are movable in the direction of the optical axis with respect to the fixed member and a driving member which engages the first and second lens holding members and drives these first and second lens holding members in the direction of the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Noguchi