Patents Issued in September 2, 2008
  • Patent number: 7420722
    Abstract: A method of combining output of a plurality of light sources includes arranging a plurality of light sources in the same plane and having their beams directed at a first mirror, rotating the first mirror in the plane so as to direct the beams towards the same direction, and pulsing the light sources in synchronization with the rotation of the first mirror. The light sources can include, for example, pulsed lasers or lamps. The method can further include directing the beams from the first mirror towards a second counter-rotating mirror, wherein rotation of the second counter-rotating mirror compensates for angular displacement of the beams due to rotation of the first mirror. The method can also include orienting the first mirror at about 45 degrees relative to an incident path of the beams. This method can be used, for example, to expose a substrate in a lithography system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Robert D. Harned, Noreen Harned
  • Patent number: 7420723
    Abstract: An optical deflector, a method of producing the optical deflector, an optical scanning device, and an image forming apparatus are disclosed that are able to save resources, provide high reliability at low cost, and enable stacked and relatively-offset polygon mirrors to be arranged precisely. The optical deflector includes a rotary member supported by a bearing with plural polygon mirrors fixed thereon. The polygon mirrors are stacked along a rotation axis of the rotary member, the polygon mirrors are relatively offset by a predetermined angle in a rotation plane of the rotary member, and an effective deflection area of each of the reflection surfaces of any one of the polygon mirrors is positioned away from a center of the corresponding reflection surfaces of the other one of the polygon mirrors in the direction of the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tohoku Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Itami, Kazuhiro Koseki, Makoto Endo, Yoshihiro Takahashi, Tomotaka Takamura, Noriyuki Kadowaki, Takeshi Kikuchi, Hidetoshi Kojima, Takao Abe, Masao Hatayama
  • Patent number: 7420724
    Abstract: A disclosed scanner apparatus includes a member having spaced apart proximal and distal portions. An electromagnetic radiation device is configured to direct electromagnetic radiation therefrom and is moveably coupled to the distal portion of the member. The electromagnetic radiation device is configured to move in a first plane of movement to a first position to direct the electromagnetic radiation along a first path and configured to move in the plane of movement to a second position to direct the electromagnetic radiation along a second path. A MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) actuator is coupled to the electromagnetic radiation device, wherein the MEMS actuator is configured to move in a first direction to move the electromagnetic radiation device to the first position and configured to move in a second direction to move the electromagnetic radiation device to the second position. Other scanning and robotic structure devices are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Stephen W. Smith, Kenneth L. Gentry, Jason Zara, Stephen M. Bobbio
  • Patent number: 7420725
    Abstract: A system and method for an optical component that masks non-active portions of a display and provides an electrical path for one or more display circuits. In one embodiment an optical device includes a substrate, a plurality of optical elements on the substrate, each optical element having an optical characteristic which changes in response to a voltage applied to the optical element, and a light-absorbing, electrically-conductive optical mask disposed on the substrate and offset from the plurality of optical elements, the optical mask electrically coupled to one or more of the optical elements to provide one or more electrical paths for application of voltages to the one or more optical elements. In another embodiment a method of providing an electrical signal to a plurality of optical elements of a display comprises electrically coupling an electrically-conductive light-absorbing mask to one or more optical elements, and applying a voltage to the mask to activate the one or more optical elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: IDC, LLC
    Inventor: Manish Kothari
  • Patent number: 7420726
    Abstract: A mounting structure for accommodating an electro-optical device having an image display area from which display light exits and for holding the accommodated electro-optical device by magnetic force includes a case and a mounting unit. The case has a window disposed in correspondence with the image display area, surrounds the electro-optical device from a peripheral edge of the electro-optical device, and has at least a portion of a surface at a side opposite to a side facing the electro-optical device formed of a magnetic material. The mounting unit is disposed at the case and is used for mounting the mounting structure to a mounting member which is an object for mounting the mounting structure thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoaki Miyashita
  • Patent number: 7420727
    Abstract: The present invention is an active matrix electrochromic display architecture where the active components are placed on the backplane of the display, thereby maximizing the viewable pixel area. The cathode of the electrochromic pixel is placed on top of the active components, with respect to the viewer, thereby allowing the active components to be as large as desired while not interfering with the viewable area of the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: NTERA Limited
    Inventor: Micheal Cassidy
  • Patent number: 7420728
    Abstract: Methods for making MEMS devices such as interferometric modulators involve selectively removing a sacrificial portion of a material to form an internal cavity, leaving behind a remaining portion of the material to form a post structure. The material may be blanket deposited and selectively altered to define sacrificial portions that are selectively removable relative to the remaining portions. Alternatively, a material layer can be laterally recessed away from openings in a covering layer. These methods may be used to make unreleased and released interferometric modulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: IDC, LLC
    Inventors: Ming-Hau Tung, Philip D. Floyd, Brian W. Arbuckle
  • Patent number: 7420729
    Abstract: A small thin film movable element comprises: a movable portion supported elastically deformably and having a movable electrode at least a portion of the movable portion; and a fixed electrode arranged to be opposed to the movable portion, wherein the movable portion is displaced by an electrostatic force in accordance with a voltage applied to the movable electrode and the fixed electrode, and wherein the movable portion comprises a vibration applying unit that applies a vibration to the movable portion at least immediately before displacing operation of the movable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Fumihiko Mochizuki, Hirochika Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7420730
    Abstract: An enhanced spatial light modulator (ESLM) array, a microelectronics patterning system and a projection display system using such an ESLM for heat-minimization and resolution enhancement during imaging, and the method for fabricating such an ESLM array. The ESLM array includes, in each individual pixel element, a small pixel mirror (reflective region) and a much larger pixel surround. Each pixel surround includes diffraction-grating regions and resolution-enhancement regions. During imaging, a selected pixel mirror reflects a selected-pixel beamlet into the capture angle of a projection lens, while the diffraction grating of the pixel surround redirects heat-producing unused radiation away from the projection lens. The resolution-enhancement regions of selected pixels provide phase shifts that increase effective modulation-transfer function in imaging. All of the non-selected pixel surrounds redirect all radiation energy away from the projection lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Anvik Corporation
    Inventors: Kanti Jain, William C. Sweatt, Marc Zemel
  • Patent number: 7420731
    Abstract: A microscope system includes an adjustable arm attached at one end to a support mount. A suspension member is configured at an opposite end of the adjustable arm and supports a scope assembly. The scope assembly includes a head harness and a microscope adjustably connected to the harness such that the microscope is disposed along an operator's line of site upon the operator donning the head harness. A weight compensator device is configured on the arm to compensate for the weight of the scope assembly hanging on the suspension member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Paul K. Piontkowski
  • Patent number: 7420732
    Abstract: A process for making a real image of an object appear or disappear to an observer is disclosed. A real image projection system displays a real image of an object. A first polarizer and a second polarizer are utilized to control the appearance and the disappearance of the real image of the object to an observer. By changing the relative angular relationship between a first transmissive axis of the first polarizer and a first transmissive axis of the second polarizer, a real image of an object appears and disappears. In another aspect, a privacy film may be utilized to control the appearance and the disappearance of the real image of the object to an observer. An observer by traveling around the privacy film or the privacy film is rotated; a real image of the object appears and disappears to an observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Huber
  • Patent number: 7420733
    Abstract: A new photopolymerizable material allows single-step, fast recording of volume holograms with properties that can be electrically controlled. Polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) in accordance with the invention preferably comprise a homogeneous mixture of a nematic liquid crystal and a multifunctional pentaacrylate monomer in combination with photoinitiator, coinitiator and cross-linking agent. Optionally, a surfactant such as octancic acid may also be added. The PDLC material is exposed to coherent light to produce an interference pattern inside the material. Photopolymerization of the new PDLC material produces a hologram of clearly separated liquid crystal domains and cured polymer domains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
    Inventors: Lalgudi V. Natarajan, Richard L. Sutherland, Vince P. Tondiglia, Timothy J. Bunning, Bob Epling, Donna M. Brandelik
  • Patent number: 7420734
    Abstract: Diffraction gratings are formed from grooves each having a reflective facet and a non-reflective facet. The net reflection of TE (Transverse Electric) and TM (Transverse Magnetic) polarizations from the grating structure is traded off against the polarization dependent reflection, by controlling the degree of metallization of the reflective facet and by ensuring that there is no metallization of non-reflective sidewalls. other diffraction gratings are manufactured from trenches etched perpendicular to a waveguide. The trenches are metallized and back-filled with a filling material having a refractive index matched to that of the waveguide. The gratings essentially have no non-reflecting sidewalls with insignificant polarization influence from side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Valorbec Societe En Commandite
    Inventors: Ashok Balakrishnan, Kokou Dossou, Muthukumaran Packirisamy
  • Patent number: 7420735
    Abstract: A transmission diffraction optical element is presented in which ridges having a roughly rectangular cross-section shape are disposed parallel to each other at a regular pitch at the surface of a substrate. Striped thin-film layers are formed on these ridges and a thin-film layer is inserted between the substrate and the ridges. The thin-film layers are arranged at a regular pitch identical to the regular pitch of the ridges and the thin-film layer does not have a periodic pattern oriented in the same direction as the periodic pattern of the ridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoko Hikichi, Kenichi Nakama
  • Patent number: 7420736
    Abstract: A method for determining a set of grating parameters for producing a diffraction grating for a vacuum-ultraviolet spectrometer, the parameters used being the small and large radius of the toroidal grating substrate, the two distances between the two holographic illumination points and the grating origin, the angular position of the holographic illumination points in relation to the grating normal, and the laser wavelength for the holographic illumination. The method determines respective optimum grating parameters on numeric iterative paths for a specific problem definition. The method thus advantageously enables the production of a VUV spectrometer having a diffraction grating that for a predetermined wavelength range produces a minimum line width on the detector with a large range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Julich GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Biel
  • Patent number: 7420737
    Abstract: A reconfigurable zone plate lens is disclosed. Some embodiments may include a central annular element having a first a first circumference centered about a central axis. Embodiments may also include a plurality of concentric annular elements of increasing circumference centered about the central axis and the central annular element, where each annular element is positioned around an annular element having a smaller circumference. The annular elements of some embodiments may each be adapted to be in either an active or inactive state where the active and inactive annular elements form a plurality of alternating active rings and inactive rings. Each active ring may include one or more annular elements in an active state and each inactive ring may include one or more annular elements in an inactive state. Each annular element may include one or more liquid crystal display (LCD) elements or micromirrors. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: David Williams, James P. Kardach, Joshua Posamentier
  • Patent number: 7420738
    Abstract: A dual membrane, single cavity MEMS Fabry-Perot filter has a cavity that is defined between two mirror structures that are located on separate MEMS membranes. This configuration can yield a number of advantages. First, the membranes will be typically subject to the same mechanical vibrations, thus, will vibrate together. This vibration, however, will be rejected as common mode, however. Moreover, since the membranes will move in opposed directions in the gravitational field, the dual membrane device is insulated against passband shifts resulting from changes in orientation in the gravitational field. Finally, since each membrane can now be deflected separately, the scanning range is effectively doubled without increases in the size of the electrostatic cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Axsun Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Mattackal Verghese
  • Patent number: 7420739
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a light-diffusing film having pores for use in a backlight unit of a TFT-LCD. The light-diffusing film having pores of this invention comprises a base sheet composed of a synthetic resin; a light-diffusing layer laminated on one surface of the base sheet and having pores formed by applying a composition including a light-diffusing resin and light-diffusing particles contained in the light-diffusing resin under controlled composition supply pressure of 1˜5 kgf/cm2 and travel speed of the base sheet of 10˜200 m/min; and an antiblocking layer laminated on the other surface of the base sheet. According to this invention, the light-diffusing film has improved total light transmittance and light diffusibility owing to the pores formed in the light-diffusing layer, and is thus usefully applicable to a backlight unit of a TFT-LCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Toray Saehan Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Pil Kim, Jun Sang Park
  • Patent number: 7420740
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for combining or for splitting the beam paths of substantially nonpolarized light of at least three different wavelength intervals. The splitting or the combining of the beam path of light of those wavelength intervals located between the other wavelength intervals takes place when the beam paths of the light of the two other wavelength intervals are already or still combined. The present invention also relates to an illumination unit comprising a white light source and utilizing this method by means of interference filters for splitting the white light into red, blue and green light beams. The invention also relates to an illumination unit comprising a red, green and blue light source and utilizing these methods by means of interference filters for the combination of the beam paths of the light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: OC Oerlikon Balzers AG
    Inventor: Othmar Zueger
  • Patent number: 7420741
    Abstract: An image display device is including a display panel in which a plurality of display units including at least pixels for displaying an image for a first point of view and a second point of view are arrayed in a matrix shape, a lens for distributing lights transmitted through pixels for the first point of view and lights transmitted through pixels for the second point of view into mutually different directions, and an illuminating member which is arranged on a back of the display panel and on whose face toward the display panel a plurality of convexes or concaves are formed, wherein a following formula is satisfied regarding the distance V between adjoining convexes or concaves in the illuminating member, where S is the distance between the pixels and the convexes or concaves, f is the focal distance of the lens, and L is the array cycle of the lens V?L×S/f.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Shin-Ichi Uehara, Naoyasu Ikeda, Nobuaki Takanashi
  • Patent number: 7420742
    Abstract: Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) shields for a direct-view display having a direct-view display panel and an outer panel that provides an outer surface for the direct-view display. These EMI shields include a conductive mesh having an array of gaps therein. The conductive mesh is configured to shield at least some of the EMI that is emitted by the direct-view display panel. An optical redirecting structure is also included, that is configured to redirect at least some optical radiation that is emitted from the direct-view display panel that would strike the conductive mesh, through the gaps in the conductive mesh. The EMI shield is configured to mount between the direct-view display panel and the outer panel such that the optical redirecting structure is adjacent the direct-view display panel and the conductive mesh is remote from the direct-view display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Bright View Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Wood, David L. Reed
  • Patent number: 7420743
    Abstract: Optical elements are made using micro-jet printing methods to precisely control the type, position and amount of polymer deposited onto a substrate. In preferred embodiments, the proportions of two or more different polymer compositions are varied over the course of the deposition process to deposit adjoining polymer pixels in the form of a film on the substrate surface. The optical properties of each adjoining polymer pixel can be selected to provide a predetermined optical property, including a specific value of index of refraction. Preferably, the film has a radially non-monotonic refractive index profile and/or an angularly non-monotonic refractive index profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Ophthonix, Inc.
    Inventors: Shui T. Lai, Lawrence Sverdrup
  • Patent number: 7420744
    Abstract: A refractive optical system may be a collimator, focusing optical system, reducer, or expander and includes an entrance optical element, an exit optical element, and a volume disposed between the entrance and exit optical elements. The volume is configured to have an index of refraction that is insensitive to changes in atmospheric conditions of the ambient environment. A surface of curvature of an input surface of the entrance optical element is parallel to a wavefront curvature of an input light beam and an output surface of the exit optical element is parallel to a wavefront curvature of an exit light beam. Accordingly, the wavefront curvature of the exit light beam is insensitive to the ambient environment permitting the production and operation environments to change without a change to the performance of the optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. George, W. Clay Schluchter, Robert Todd Belt
  • Patent number: 7420745
    Abstract: A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side, a first lens group having a positive refracting power, a second lens group having a negative refracting power, a third lens group having a positive refracting power, a fourth lens group having a positive refracting power, and the first lens group being moved to the object side during changing a magnification from a wide angle end to a telephoto end, and the fourth lens group comprises one positive lens, both surfaces of the positive lens are an aspheric surface, respectively, and total displacement of the first lens group during changing the magnification from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, X1 and an focal length of an entire system at the telephoto end, fT satisfy the following condition: (1) 0.30<X1/fT<0.85.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyasu Ohashi
  • Patent number: 7420746
    Abstract: A zoom lens system, which has a high zoom ratio while having a high optical performance, includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a positive optical power, a second lens unit having a negative optical power, a third lens unit having a positive optical power, and a fourth lens unit having a positive optical power. The second lens unit and the fourth lens unit move during zooming. Lens elements constituting the first lens unit and the second lens unit are appropriately set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 7420747
    Abstract: This lens drive is a lens drive for moving a lens arranged in a housing, and comprises a rotating knob located out of the optical axis of the lens with a rotation axis unparallel to the optical axis of the lens and arranged outside the housing, a knob-side cam pin provided on the rotating knob, a lens-side cam pin provided to integrally move with the lens and a cam plate arranged in the housing and formed with a knob-side cam groove receiving the knob-side cam pin and a lens-side cam groove receiving the lens-side cam pin. The rotating knob is so rotated as to move the cam plate for moving the lens along the optical axis of the lens following this movement of the cam plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7420748
    Abstract: A lens apparatus includes a supporting member including a parallel engaging portion parallel to an optical axis direction and a circumferential engaging portion extending in the circumferential direction on a plane orthogonal to the optical axis direction; a lens supporting member configured to supported an optical element; an eccentricity adjusting mechanism including a first adjusting member supported on the parallel engaging portion of the supporting member on the outer periphery of the lens supporting member in a rotatable manner around an axis orthogonal to the optical axis; and an inclination adjusting mechanism including a second adjusting member supported on the circumferential engaging portion of the supporting member on the outer periphery of the lens supporting member in a rotatable manner around an axis orthogonal to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Koyama
  • Patent number: 7420749
    Abstract: Optical elements in an optical device simulate the optical perspective of animals, reptiles, fish, insects, birds and other creatures for a human viewer. The optical elements are one or more lenses, filters, diffraction gratings, mirrors, prisms, polarizers or apertures or combinations thereof. The optical device can be a monocle, a monocular, a telescope, binoculars, goggles, a mask, a visor or a helmet. The optical element can be permanently mounted in the optical device. The optical element can be removeably mounted in the optical device. The optical element can be sequentially moved through the optical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventors: Barra Grant, Brian Reilly
  • Patent number: 7420750
    Abstract: Catadioptric single camera systems capable of sampling the lightfield of a scene from a locus of circular viewpoints and the methods thereof are described. The epipolar lines of the system are radial, and the systems have foveated vision characteristics. A first embodiment of the invention is directed to a camera capable of looking at a scene through a cylinder with a mirrored inside surface. A second embodiment uses a truncated cone with a mirrored inside surface. A third embodiment uses a first truncated cone with a mirrored outside surface and a second truncated cone with a mirrored inside surface. A fourth embodiment of the invention uses a planar mirror with a truncated cone with a mirrored inside surface. The present invention allows high quality depth information to be gathered by capturing stereo images having radial epipolar lines in a simple and efficient method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Sujit Kuthirummal, Shree K. Nayar
  • Patent number: 7420751
    Abstract: In a head up display apparatus adapted to be mounted on a head in the goggle type or the head gear type and enable a video image to be observed, wherein an original image is directed to an eyeball through a reflecting optical system to enable the image to be observed, one or more members differing in power depending on the azimuth direction are present in the reflecting optical system, and the members are designed to have an aspherical surface action in the cross-section of at least one azimuth direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shoichi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7420752
    Abstract: A holding apparatus provided with a holding portion for holding a flange portion of an optical element. The holding portion includes a bearing surface block having a bearing surface, which contacts the flange portion, and a bearing surface block support mechanism, which rotatably supports the bearing surface block about a tangential axis of the optical element. This structure holds the optical element with the optical element holding apparatus in a kinematical manner and maintains satisfactory imaging performance in the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi Shibazaki
  • Patent number: 7420753
    Abstract: A lens set assembly comprises an object side facing an object, an image side facing an image generated by the lens set, and a plurality of lens sets disposed from the object side to the image side sequentially. When the lens set assembly is used, the lens sets are all disposed along an optical axis. When the lens set assembly is not in use, the lens set adjacent to the image side rotates about an axis perpendicular to the optical axis to depart from the optical axis, and the other lens sets move toward the image side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc
    Inventor: Ruey-Der Wu
  • Patent number: 7420754
    Abstract: An optical module includes: an optical element; a support member for supporting the optical element; a lid member that seals the optical element with respect to the support member; a sealing member that is provided to bond the lid member with the supporting member; and a case with a lens provided such that the lens is disposed on an optical path of light oscillated by the optical element, wherein the case with the lens is opposed in an optical axis direction of light passing through the lens to and in contact with the supporting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kimio Nagasaka
  • Patent number: 7420755
    Abstract: The invention provides a lens driving device capable of performing zooming and auto-focusing using a single actuator, with a simple and miniaturized structure and less power consumption. The lens driving device includes a first lens disposed movable during zooming and automatic focusing, a second lens disposed movable during zooming independently from the first lens. The lens driving device also includes a lens movement guide member, having a first guide part, and a second guide part, rotated to move the first and second lenses. An actuator is provided to move the first and second lenses, and both the first and second lenses are moved during zooming while only the first lens is finely moved during automatic focusing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Ho Baik, Ho Seop Jeong, Cheong Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 7420756
    Abstract: A reflective element for a mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a substrate and a functional or anti-abrasion film applied to an exterior surface of the substrate. The substrate comprises a polymeric resin material, such as a transparent optical polymeric resin material. The functional or anti-abrasion film may comprise a glass material and may have a thickness of less than approximately 0.8 mm. The anti-abrasion film is flexible to conform to the exterior surface of the substrate. The flexible film may be unrolled from a reel or roll and applied to the exterior surface of an elongated strip or sheet of substrate material. The substrate, including the glass film or layer, may then be cut or otherwise formed from the elongated strip or sheet of molded or extruded or cast substrate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 7420757
    Abstract: A magnetic transfer wherein the exchange of master mediums is made easy to perform is provided, whereby the operational efficiency and transfer efficiency are improved, leading to an overall improvement in productivity in the manufacture of preformatted slave mediums. A master fixing base for determining and supporting the position of a master medium, which bears transfer data, and a conjoining apparatus for conjoining the master medium and the slave medium that is to receive the transfer therefrom are provided. The master medium is exchanged along with the master fixing base. It is preferable that a cleaning means be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Akito Kamatani, Tsuneo Inui, Masashi Aoki, Masakazu Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 7420758
    Abstract: Disclosed is a head system including a plurality of recording heads for azimuth recording. The system includes a first recording head having a plurality of magnetic gaps having a first azimuth angle, and a second recording head having a plurality of magnetic gaps having a second azimuth angle different from the first azimuth angle. After first magnetization patterns are formed on a recording medium by the first recording head, second magnetization patterns are formed by overwriting side edge portions in the formation direction of the first magnetization patterns by the second recording head. This makes it possible to prevent the worsening of the accuracy of the magnetization pattern width due to a relative height stagger (offset) between the heads, to thereby enhance the accuracy of the magnetization pattern width, and to achieve high-density recording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yasutoshi Inoue, Hiroaki Hida, Toshiaki Wakita, Tetsuro Makise, Ichiro Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7420759
    Abstract: Method calibrates an assembled hard disk drive for read head accessing rotating disk surface, by estimating non-linearity of that playback device based on two data patterns, which have a short transition-pair waveform and a long transition-pair waveform. By linearly constructing a simulated long transition-pair waveform from the short transition-pair waveform and aligning it with the long transition-pair waveform, non-linear distortion is estimated, creating the transfer curve as product of this process. The transfer curve is used to compensate the read data of a track to create the adjusted read data, which is used to decode the track being read. The adjusted read data is the product of this process. The hard disk drive including the transfer table. Second method using transfer table to create adjusted read data for track, the processor, embedded circuit and hard disk drive implementing this method. Manufacturing embedded circuit as product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiaodong Che
  • Patent number: 7420760
    Abstract: A slider with an intake heater near front edge heating air passing between air bearing surface and rotating disk surface to reduce change in flying height caused by water condensation. Method of operating the slider. Head gimbals assembly including slider. Head stack assembly including at least one HGA. Operating hard disk drive by receiving temperature and humidity reading to determine heater control and asserting heater control to stimulate intake heater to heat air. Embedded processor directing hard disk drive at least partly implementing operations. Embedded circuit including embedded processor. A hard disk drive including temperature, humidity sensors, embedded circuit and head stack assembly. Manufacturing methods for slider, head gimbals assembly, head stack assembly, embedded processor, embedded circuit and hard disk drive, and these items as products of their manufacturing processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuyu Zhang, Brian D. Strom, SungChang Lee
  • Patent number: 7420761
    Abstract: A falling-time measuring unit measures time for which a fall of a storage device is consecutively detected by a fall detecting sensor. A head-position detecting unit detects a position of the head on a storage medium at a time of starting measuring the time. A moving-time calculating unit calculates necessary time for moving the head from the detected position to a destination position. A first-threshold determining unit determines whether the measured time exceeds a threshold calculated by a threshold calculating unit. A head-movement processing unit moves the head to the destination position when it is determined that the measured time exceeds the first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Takahiro Aoki, Takeshi Hara, Shigenori Yanagi
  • Patent number: 7420762
    Abstract: A head-slap detecting device detects a head slap. The head slap causes a storage medium to be slapped by at least one storage-medium driving unit that performs at least one of reproduction and recording of data from and to the storage medium. The head-slap detecting device includes a detecting unit that detects the head slap by determining whether a first variable gain obtained from a variable gain amplifier that amplifies an output of data reproduced by the storage-medium driving unit exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Takao Abe, Yukio Abe, Shigenori Yanagi
  • Patent number: 7420763
    Abstract: A servo control circuit provides seamless transition between seek and track modes while enabling both rapid seek mode operation and accurate tracking. The control circuit includes an analog-to-digital converter having a non-linear characteristic. The non-linear characteristic provides disproportionately large control voltages to derive speed and settling in the seek mode and essentially linear control voltages in the track mode to provide low noise and accurate tracking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Callahan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7420764
    Abstract: The invention applies to servo controllers for at least the voice coil motor of a hard disk drive. Today, many control algorithms require 80 to 90 percent of the sampling period to complete their calculation of the next control, making computation time delay no longer negligible. The invention accommodates the transport delay, such as computation time delay, into the state estimator and into the whole control system. Experimental results using a commercial hard drive, as well as simulation results, show that the invention's method effectively improves the hard disk drive control system stability by increasing the phase margin and gain margin. The invention includes the method of operating the servo-controller, as well as the apparatus implementing that method. The invention also includes hard disk drives containing servo-controllers implementing the method, and program systems residing in accessibly coupled memory to a computer within the servo controller implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Eletronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Hoon Kim, Sang Hoon Chu, Seong-Woo Kang, Dong-Ho Oh, Yun-Sik Han, Tae Yeon Hwang
  • Patent number: 7420765
    Abstract: A seek control apparatus for performing a seek control of a head comprises an MCU that acquires control information corresponding to the externally indicated data length out of the control information stored in a storage section storing the control information for seek control for each of a plurality of data length ranges and performs a seek control according to the acquired control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Tomoaki Saito, Isamu Tomita
  • Patent number: 7420766
    Abstract: A video cassette recorder has a recorder body with an outer case, a bottom plate, and operating parts mounted in the recorder body. The recorder includes a depression partially formed on the bottom plate which corresponds to the operating parts to lower the positions of the operating parts for minimizing the size of the video cassette recorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Gue-sik Oh
  • Patent number: 7420767
    Abstract: A retaining member for retaining a grabber has a positioning arrangement for fixing the grabber in place. The grabber has a rear surface having a pair of hollows at upper and lower end portions. The positioning arrangement has a retainer opposed to a front surface of the grabber on retaining the grabber and a pair of leaf springs opposed to the retainer with a space shorter than a thickness of the grabber. The pair of leaf springs is disposed apart from each other up and down. The pair of leaf springs has a pair of projections engaged with the pair of hollows. The pair of hollows is disposed the outside of a tape winding portion where a magnetic tape is wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobutaka Tsuneyoshi, Hiromi Inoguchi, Kouji Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7420768
    Abstract: A cartridge loading apparatus 300 comprises a cartridge loading device 10 for magnetic tape cartridges and a mounting 302 for the device. The cartridge loading device comprises a first member 12, a second member 14 and a guide arrangement for guiding movement of the second member relative to the first member from a first position to a second position. The first and second members cooperating when in the first position to define a first sized opening having a height sized to receive first sized magnetic tape cartridges having a height that is greater than the height of the first sized opening. The cartridge loading device has a front end at which cartridges are inserted into the opening, a rear end and opposite sides extending between the front and rear ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Philip Turner, Mark Dillon, Andrew Mark Fernihough
  • Patent number: 7420769
    Abstract: A storage apparatus that electrically connects to a central processor unit includes an enclosure having a surface and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is fixedly coupled to the surface of the enclosure and configured to operate the storage apparatus. The printed circuit board has a plurality of contact pads. The storage apparatus also includes an electrical connector having a plurality of conductive pins electrically coupled to the plurality of contact pads. An overmold section couples the electrical connector to the surface of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Jess B. Pool, David Allsup, Curtis Trammell
  • Patent number: 7420770
    Abstract: A magnetic disk drive apparatus includes a housing member with at least one opened face, a cover member for covering the at least one opened face of the housing member, a head gimbal assembly including a magnetic head slider and a suspension for supporting the magnetic head slider, a support arm for supporting the head gimbal assembly, a magnetic disk to which the magnetic head slider opposed, a motor for rotating the magnetic disk, a first wiring member with one end electrically connected to the motor and the other end electrically connected to a first connection section, and a second wiring member with one end electrically connected to a second connection section and the other end electrically connected to an external connection connector. The magnetic disk, the motor, the first connection section and the first wiring member are attached to the housing member, and the support arm, the second connection section and the second wiring member are fixed to the cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Yiu Sing Ho, Takehiro Kamigama, Masashi Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 7420771
    Abstract: A disk drive includes a disk drive base, a disk rotatably coupled to the disk drive base having a disk surface, a head stack assembly rotatably coupled to the disk drive base adjacent the disk surface, and a cover attached to the disk drive base enclosing the disk and head stack assembly there between. The cover includes a metal layer and a polymer layer substantially coextensive with the metal layer and extending substantially across the disk drive base. The polymer layer includes a polymer layer feature extending away from the metal layer towards the disk drive base. The polymer layer feature defines a cavity between the polymer layer and the metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Hanke, Wayne M. Yamada, Norman Watkins, David Ali