Abstract: An exemplary optical plate includes one or more transparent plate section. The transparent plate section includes a light output surface, a bottom surface, a plurality of spherical depressions, a plurality of protruding structures and one or more lamp-receiving portion. The light output surface is opposite to the bottom surface. The spherical depressions are formed on the bottom surface. The protruding structures are formed on the light output surface. Each protruding structure includes two conical frustums aligned at a center axis and stacked together. The lamp-receiving portion is defined in the bottom surface. A backlight module using the present optical plate is also provided.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to increase the accuracy of adjustment by simplifying the adjustment of each light-optical module of a lighting device. The aim is attained by means of the inventive light-optical module comprising an annular holder provided with a core which is arranged in the center thereof and connected thereto by three strengthening ribs, a reflector and a light-emitting element embodied in the form of a light-emitting diode. Said light-emitting diode is arranged in a nest embodied in the core on the reflector side. The annular holder is connected to the reflector by means of a threaded joint and the mounting surface thereof arrangeable in the lighting device body is shaped in the form of a cone. The inventive annular holder, the core and the strengthening ribs are made of a heat-conducting material.

Abstract: A lamp includes a housing, a heat dissipating plate, a circuit unit, and a heat distributing unit. The housing includes a housing body surrounding an axis and having an opening. The heat dissipating plate is disposed in the housing body and has a peripheral portion contacting the housing body. The circuit unit is disposed in the housing body, and includes a base plate coupled to the heat dissipating plate, and a light emitting unit mounted to the base plate opposite to the heat dissipating plate. The heat distributing unit is disposed in the housing body, and includes a heat conducting bar coupled to the heat dissipating plate opposite to the circuit unit, and further coupled to a heat distributing plate opposite to the heat dissipating plate. The heat distributing plate has a plate periphery contacting the housing body.

Abstract: If a forced convection is generated by a cooling fan, there is generated a problem that a natural convection is prevented and a cooling effect in a region of the natural convection is lowered. The invention provides a structure in which an air flow generated by a forced convection does not come into contact with an air flow generated by a natural convection, by setting a partition all between a forced convection path in which the air flows on the basis of a forced convection generated by a cooling fan, and a natural convection path in which the air flows on the basis of a natural convection. Further, the partition wall is not provided near an upper end so as to draw in the air flowing through the natural convection path to a side of the forced convection path, thereby promoting the natural convection of the natural convection path.

Abstract: A kit and method is disclosed to convert a recessed incandescent lighting fixture to a hanging light fixture. The kit includes a lampholder adapter, an electrical plug, an electrical plug, a power cord and a cover plate for hanging light fixtures using incandescent light bulbs. There is also disclosed a kit to convert a recessed incandescent lighting fixture to a hanging light fixture that uses halogen light bulbs. The kit includes a lampholder adapter, an electrical plug, an electronic ballast, a power cord, an adjustable lamp cord, and a cover plate.

Abstract: A tail light assembly for a motorcycle includes a first array of at least one LED in illuminated in at least a first color. The first group of LEDs operates in a non-operating condition, a running condition where each LED of the first array is illuminated at first intensity, and a braking condition where each LED is illuminated at a second, brighter intensity. A second array of at least one LED is illuminated in at least a second color. The second array operates in a non-operating condition, and a flashing condition where each LED of the second array alternates between being illuminated and not illuminated. Each LED of the first array is illuminated at the first or the second intensity while each LED of the second array alternates between being illuminated and not illuminated in the flashing condition.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to widely illuminate a road surface at a side of a vehicle body along a front-rear direction of the vehicle body before and after housing of the outer mirror. An outer mirror of the present invention is pivotally movable in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body around a base end portion of the outer mirror, and includes a mirror housing which is thrust laterally from a side surface of the vehicle body. In the mirror housing, a light unit and a lens fixed on an optical axis of the light unit are provided. Any one of the light unit and the lens is moved to illuminate identical or substantially identical area on the road surface at the side of the vehicle body before and after pivotal movement of the mirror housing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are lighting devices which may include one or more sheets with lighting components on the sheet or sheets, and also a mounting device for securing the lighting device to a surface. The lighting devices are typically configured to position the sheet or sheets in a deployed position wherein the lighting components are substantially visible, and a retracted position wherein the lighting components are substantially obscured. The disclosed lighting devices may move the sheet between the retracted and deployed positions by winding or unwinding the sheet. The disclosed lighting devices may be configured for attachment to a building or vehicle. In some examples, two of the disclosed lighting devices may be connected together. The connection may provide for substantially joint movement of the two lighting devices. Some disclosed lighting devices may also include a picture that may or may not be fully or partially formed by the lighting components.

Abstract: The invention relates to a LED collimator element for a vehicle headlight with a low-beam function, which emits at least visible light of one color from at least one region of a light source.

Abstract: An operation panel includes: a casing having a front surface; first and second operation elements disposed on the front surface of the casing; a light source for emitting light to each of the first and second operation elements and disposed in the casing; and a brightness adjustment layer for covering at least a part of a light emitting surface of the light source. The first operation element includes a first light transmission part, and the second operation element includes a second light transmission part. The light from the light source transmits the first and second light transmission parts so that the light is output from the casing. The brightness adjustment layer adjusts brightness of the light emitted from the light source and outputting toward one of the first and second light transmission parts.

Abstract: A lighting unit for a vehicle headlamp is provided with a projection lens, a light source, a reflector, a shade, and a convex lens. The projection lens is arranged on an optical axis extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle. The light source is arranged on a rear side of a rear side focal point of the projection lens. The reflector is configured to reflect forward a light from the light source toward the optical axis. An upper end edge of the shade passes through a vicinity of the rear side focal point. The shade is configured to shield a part of a reflected light from the reflector. The convex lens is arranged between the light source and the shade. The convex lens is configured to converge the light from the light source into the vicinity of the upper end edge of the shade.

Abstract: A heat exchange device that includes a structural section and a thin layer of material attached to a surface of the structural section. The thin layer of material has a thickness less than 100 microns. The combination of the structural section and the thin layer of material has a higher thermal transfer coefficient than the structural section alone, the thermal transfer coefficient representing an ability to exchange thermal energy with an ambient gas.

Abstract: This invention relates to garden lights, and more specifically toward garden lights using light emitting diodes to emit light through one or more fiber optic elements that are housed inside of a transparent tube. The fiber optic elements can be of various lengths, providing light that exits the fiber optic elements at different locations along the length of the transparent tube. Further, the light emitting diodes can be of different colors, rendering a pleasing effect of light in intensity, color, and location.

Abstract: An illumination engine for a projection display using light emitting diodes (LEDs) that includes a reflector having a first and second focal points, a source of electro-luminescence located proximate to the first focal point to emit rays of radiation in a first range of wavelengths that reflect from the reflector and converge substantially at the second focal point, and a light pipe having an first input end and a first output end, the first input end being located proximate to the second focal point to collect substantially all of the radiation and wherein the first output end transmits substantially all of the radiation.

Abstract: A lighting device is disclosed comprising a plurality of semiconductor light sources disposed on a carrier, wherein the light from the light sources is coupled into assigned lightguides at a set angle to the surface normals of the carrier and the lightguides are provided with reflecting and light exit faces such that the envelope of the light outcoupling faces forms a curved surface segment.

Abstract: A dental curing light includes a body, one or more LEDs configured to emit a first spectrum of light having a relatively short first peak wavelength (e.g., UV) disposed on the body, and a fluorescing lens that converts at least a portion of the first spectrum of light into a second spectrum of light having a second peak wavelength that is longer than the first peak wavelength. The second spectrum of light is selected so as to match the curing spectrum of a desired light-curable dental composition. In a preferred embodiment, the body comprises an elongate wand having a proximal end and distal end. The LEDs may be disposed at or near the distal end of the elongate wand.

Abstract: An optical module according to the present invention comprises an electric wiring substrate, a first optical element mounted on the electric wiring substrate so that a heat generation section of the first optical element is positioned relatively close to a substrate surface of the electric wiring substrate and a heat sink mounted on the same plane as the mounting plane of the first optical element on the electric wiring substrate, the heat sink being mounted on the electric wiring substrate so that an area of electric wiring on the electric wiring substrate overlaps the heat sink. This improves the efficiency of heat radiation of the optical module.

Abstract: A backlight comprises in order a lightguide plate with a sidelit light source and bonded thereto a light extraction unit containing in order from the lightguide plate, a first polymeric layer, an adhesive layer, a second polymeric layer bearing features at least partly embedded in the adhesive layer wherein the materials of the first polymeric layer, the adhesive layer, and the second polymeric layer differ by less than 0.05 in refractive index, the interstitial regions between the non-embedded portions of the features containing a material having a refractive index at least 0.1 lower than that of the material comprising the features.

Abstract: An LED module is mounted on a case frame by fitting three pins formed at a concave portion of the case frame, into holes in the LED module corresponding to the pins. A light-guide plate is fitted into the case frame formed integrally with a bottom cover in a descending direction. The light-guide plate is fixed by a hook provided for the case frame. A space between the light-guide plate and the LED module is prevented by pressing the light-guide plate to the LED module with a pressing spring. Since the light-guide plate is fitted into the case frame in the descending direction and a light scattering sheet is adhered to an outer end surface of the case frame in the descending direction, it is not necessary to reverse the worked product and so the number and time of working processes can be saved.

Abstract: An image display apparatus has one display screen configured to display images corresponding to a plurality of observers. The image display apparatus comprises an illumination means for emitting a first light flux and a second light flux in at least two different directions in a time sharing manner, and a transmissive display element configured to display in a time sharing manner a first image using the first light flux emitted from the illumination means as illumination light and a second image using the second light flux as illumination light, and the illumination means includes a first light source 20 which emits the first light flux, a second light source 25 which emits the second light flux, a first light guiding plate 21 which projects the first light flux emitted from the first light source 20 only in a direction to a first observer, and a second light guiding plate 22 which projects the second light flux emitted from the second light source 25 only in a direction to a second observer.

Abstract: A backlight apparatus for directing light toward a display panel and the resulting display device comprises a solid lightguide comprising opposite TIR surfaces, containing a desired pattern of light redirecting surface features located between the TIR surfaces and interrupting one of the TIR surfaces, the features having a refractive index differing from that of the solid material of the light guide. Such an apparatus provides a more even light distribution to the display.

Abstract: A light guide and associated display having high uniformity of luminance over the entire light guide and display front side are disclosed.

Abstract: A light guide plate has a light-receiving surface, a light-emitting surface, and a light-reflecting surface. Multiple first arc-shaped longitudinal structures are arranged on the light-receiving surface with their longitudinal directions being substantially parallel with each other. Multiple second arc-shaped longitudinal structures are arranged on the light-emitting surface with their longitudinal directions being substantially parallel with each other. The light-reflecting surface is shaped to form a plurality of prismatic structures, and a luminance-adjusting structure is formed on part of the light-reflecting surface near the point light source and interlaced with the prismatic structures.

Abstract: A solid waveguide comprises opposite TIR surfaces further comprising: a) at least one light input surface for coupling light from a solid state light source; b) at least one mixing section; c) at least one light emitting surface; and d) a desired pattern of light redirecting features located on one TIR surface or between the TIR surfaces.

Abstract: In a DC-DC converter of the present invention, a converting circuit converts a DC-DC voltage outputted from a DC power supply into an AC voltage, and to output to a series circuit in which a primary winding of a first transformer, a first reactor, and a current resonance capacitor are connected to one another in series. A primary winding of a second transformer, a primary winding of a third transformer, and a second reactor constitute a closed loop. A secondary winding of the second transformer and a secondary winding of the third transformer are connected in series to both ends of a secondary winding of the first transformer. A first rectifying/smoothing circuit rectifies and smoothes a voltage of the secondary winding of the second transformer. A second rectifying/smoothing circuit rectifies and smoothes a voltage of the secondary winding of the third transformer.

Abstract: Phase compensation of a voltage appearing on physical terminals of a synchronous rectifier switching element such as a MOSFET is used to substantially eliminate effects of package inductance of the synchronous rectifier and thus approximate the actual voltage across the circuit element providing synchronous rectification in, for example, a switching power converter. By doing so and using the phase compensated signal to control the synchronous rectifier, switching time may be more suitably controlled to improve efficiency of the synchronous rectifier by substantially eliminating body diode conduction and body diode reverse recovery effects.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control a digital power supply are disclosed. An example method includes controlling a power factor controller by: receiving a first current signal flowing in a first stage of the power factor controller, receiving a second current signal flowing in a second stage of the power factor controller, determining a difference between the first current signal and the second current signal, determining if the magnitude of a measured current signal is above a predetermined threshold, activating an integrator to integrate the difference when the magnitude of the measured current signal is above a predetermined threshold, and outputting a first control signal and a second control signal to the power factor controller based on the output of the integrator.

Abstract: A matrix converter may be provided with AC switches that comprise bi-directional sets of semiconductor switches that are gated with a common gating link. A low loss diode-bridge based snubber may facilitate introduction of time delay between sequential operations of the bi-directional set of semiconductor switches. The matrix converter may be operated in a three-phase mode with only one gating signals for each AC switch, in contrast to prior-art matrix converters which may require use multiple gating signals for each AC switch.

Abstract: A power supply to improve an EMI characteristic and an electronic device having the power supply. The power supply includes a power converter to convert an alternating current (AC) power applied from outside to a direct current (DC) power, a ground portion to supply a ground power to the power converter and a noise attenuator to reduce noise by blocking a harmonic current generated by a driving of the power converter from passing through the ground portion. Accordingly, the stable ground power can be supplied to the internal elements by avoiding the potential change of the ground power and the noise caused by the flow of the harmonic current can be reduced by shortening the harmonic current path. Therefore, the EMI characteristic can be improved.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an AC/DC converter which is simple in circuit configuration, generates little ElectroMagnetic Interference (EMI) and has no transformer so that it can be reduced in weight and size and improved in AC/DC conversion efficiency, and an AC/DC conversion method using the same. The AC/DC converter includes a rectification circuit for converting a commercial AC (85-264V) voltage into a ripple AC voltage, a first control circuit for comparing the converted ripple AC voltage with a reference voltage and outputting a first pulse control signal as a result of the comparison, a first switching circuit for switching and outputting the ripple AC voltage from the rectification circuit in response to the first pulse control signal outputted from the first control circuit, and a first charge storage circuit for smoothing the ripple AC voltage outputted from the first switching circuit to convert it into a primary DC voltage.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module-mounted AC inverter circuit uses one or more integrated circuits, several power transistors configured as switches, several solid-dielectric capacitors for filtering and energy storage, several inductors for power conversion and ancillary components to support the above elements in operation. The integrated circuit includes all monitoring, control and communications circuitry needed to operate the inverter. The integrated circuit controls the activity of pulse-width modulated power handling transistors in both an input boost converter and a single-phase or multi-phase output buck converter. The integrated circuit also monitors all power processing voltages and currents of the inverter and can take appropriate action to limit power dissipation in the inverter, maximize the available power from the associated PV module and shut down the inverter output if the grid conditions so warrant.

Abstract: A power factor correction circuit having an input current for reducing the distortion and harmonics generated in a power line feeding power supply comprising: a control switch (IGBT) for producing a control switch current and virtual short circuit; a load for acting as power demand from a load and producing a load current; and one or more of resistors for measuring current within said circuit.

Abstract: Common household power transformers (e.g., “wall warts”) typically exhibit poor power factors, which, in turn, cause energy losses to power grids and adversely affect current waveforms in the power grids. AC-to-DC power conversion with good power factor is achieved using a transformer, power switch coupled in series with the primary side of the transformer, and switching controller. The switching controller measures current through the primary side of the transformer, via a current sense element, and controls the power switch to enable and disable current through the primary side of the transformer. The switching controller generates a power switch control signal at a frequency with a duty factor that changes non-linearly as a function of an instantaneous current through the primary side of the transformer. As a result, a power factor of greater than 90% or even 95% can be achieved.

Abstract: This is a process to generate alternating current without an external source for cell-houses in electrowinning or electrorefining of copper or other products in which the electric source consists of a conventional rectifier-transformer group that supplies continuous electrical current to the cell-house, which is connected in parallel to a device characterized by having the capacity to extract an electrical current from the cell-house for a period of time and then return it in another period of time, whether periodically or semiperiodically and without changing the average value of the electrical current, supplied to the cell-house by the rectifier-transformer. This results in a electrical current in the cell-house that is the superimposition of a continuous and alternating current. This process is designed to overcome the barrier of electric potential produced by the presence of the pure continuous electric field in cell-houses through the electric agitation of an ion-rich electrolyte.

Abstract: A dc-ac converter capable of supplying a finely regulated ac drive voltage to a load is provided. For this purpose, the converter includes, in a primary winding of a transformer, a full-bridge or half-bridge type semiconductor switch circuit whose switches can be controlled by pulse-width modulation. Transformer has a secondary winding for connection with a load. Based on PWM signals and by use of adequate switching logics for controlling multiple semiconductor switches, sophisticated control including zero-current switching and penetrating current prevention can be effected. Moreover, by means of regulated burst control of the ratio of on-duty period to off-duty period together with pulse-width modulation control, power supplied to the load can be regulated over a wide range beyond the limits of control obtained by the pulse-width modulation.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device including a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) cell and a ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) cell is disclosed. The DRAM cell may include a data storing portion and a data read portion. The data storing portion and data read portion comprising p-channel junction field effect transistors. The TCAM cell including an x-cell, y-cell, and comparator circuit. The x-cell, y-cell, and comparator circuits comprising p-channel JFETs.

Abstract: The present invention provides an associative memory device based on a ferromagnetic nano-colloid, or ferrofluid. The design comprises inductive input and output units for training the ferrofluid as well as sensors incorporated into the output units for performing recall.

Abstract: Shunt regions are formed at certain intervals in a memory cell array region as extending in a second direction. The shunt regions each include a contact formed to connect a word line or a signal line wired in the same direction to another metal wire. Extension regions are each formed of an extension of the shunt region in the data cache array region. Data input/output lines extend in a first direction and transfer data on bit lines simultaneously via a data cache array. Sense circuits are arranged around the data cache array and connected to the data input/output lines respectively. The data input/output lines are divided at a certain interval in the first direction. The divided portions are connected to respective leads formed in the extension region in the longitudinal direction thereof and connected to the sense circuits via the leads.

Abstract: In a two-transistor gain cell structure, a semiconductor memory device capable of stable reading without malfunction and having small-area memory cells is provided. In a two-transistor gain cell memory having a write transistor and a read transistor, a write word line, a read word line, a write bit line, and a read bit line are separately provided, and voltages to be applied are independently set. Furthermore, a memory cell is connected to the same read word line and write bit line as those of an adjacent memory cell.

Abstract: A high-density non-volatile memory array. In one aspect of the invention, a memory array circuit includes a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit-lines, and a plurality of memory cell transistors. The gate of each memory cell transistor is connected to one of the word lines, and the drains and sources of each memory cell transistor are connected only to the bit-lines.

Abstract: A chain type ferroelectric random access memory has a memory cell unit including ferroelectric memory cells electrically connected in series to each other, a plate line connected to an electrode of the memory cell unit, a bit line connected to the other electrode of the memory cell unit via a switching transistor, a sense amplifier which amplifies the voltages of this bit line and its complementary bit line, and a transistor inserted between the switching transistor and the sense amplifier. A value, being the minimum value of the gate voltage in the transistor obtained during elevation of the plate line voltage and comparative amplification, is smaller than a value, being the maximum value of the gate voltage in the transistor obtained during fall of the plate line voltage and comparative amplification. With these features, decrease in the accumulated charge of polarization in the memory cell is reduced and occurrence of disturb is prevented during read/write operations.

Abstract: A phase change memory is provided. The method includes forming contact plugs in a first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is formed overlying the first dielectric layer and a trench formed therein exposing portions of the contact plugs. A metal layer is formed over surfaces of the trench. One or more heaters are formed from the metal layer such that each heater is formed along one or more sidewalls and a portion of the bottom of the trench, wherein the portion of the heater along the sidewalls does not include a corner region of adjacent sidewalls. The trench is filled with a third dielectric layer, and a fourth dielectric layer is formed over the third dielectric layer. Trenches are formed in the fourth dielectric layer and filled with a phase change material. An electrode is formed over the phase change material.

Abstract: A memory device includes a plurality of memory cells each including a recordable layer between two metal layers, the recordable layer including a first sub-cell and a second sub-cell. Each memory cell is constructed and designed to change from an as-deposited state to an initialized state upon application of an initialization signal, from the initialized state to a first inscribed state upon application of a first write signal, and from the initialized state to a second inscribed state upon application of a second write signal. The memory cell has a resistor-like current-voltage (I-V) characteristic when in the as-deposited state, a diode-like I-V characteristic when in the initialized state, and resistor-like I-V characteristics when in the first and second inscribed states for voltages within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method is described for operating a bistable resistance random access memory having two memory layer stacks that are aligned in series is disclosed. The bistable resistance random access memory comprises two memory layer stacks per memory cell, the bistable resistance random access memory operates in four logic states, a logic “00” state, a logic “01” state, a logic “10” state and a logic “11” state. The relationship between the four different logic states can be represented mathematically by the two variables n and f and a resistance R. The logic “0” state is represented by a mathematical expression (1+f) R. The logic “1” state is represented by a mathematical expression (n+f) R. The logic “2” state is represented by a mathematical expression (1+nf) R. The logic “3” state is represented by a mathematical expression n(1+f) R.

Abstract: Various magnetoresistive memory cells and architectures are described which enable nonvolatile memories having high information density.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for storage of data in bit-alterable, non-volatile memories. In some embodiments, an array of memory locations implemented as bit-alterable, non-volatile memory configured as a plurality of blocks of memory locations; and control circuitry coupled with the array of memory locations to cause a block of data to be stored in the array of memory spanning a boundary between a first block of memory locations and a second block of memory locations. One or more processors access system data during initialization of an electronic system by retrieving data from a pre-selected location in a bit-alterable, non-volatile memory without scanning multiple memory locations to locate the system data.

Abstract: The electric device (100) according to the invention has a resistor comprising a layer (7, 107) of a phase change material which is changeable between a first phase with a first electrical resistivity and a second phase with a second electrical resistivity different from the first electrical resistivity. The phase change material is a fast growth material. The electric device (100) further comprises a switching signal generator (400) for switching the resistor between at least three different electrical resistance values by changing a corresponding portion of the layer (7, 107) of the phase change material from the first phase to the second phase.

Abstract: Phase-change memory (PCM) cells store data using alloy resistors in high-resistance amorphous and low-resistance crystalline states. The time of the memory cell's set-current pulse can be 100 ns, much longer than read or reset times. The write time thus depends on the write data. The very long write-1 time may require wait states. To eliminate wait states for sequential accesses, the PCM cells are divided into 16 banks. Each bank has its own bank write latch that stores data locally at the bank while the bank is being written. Data lines to the banks are freed up to transfer data to other banks once the data is written into the local bank write latch, allowing the long set-current pulse to be applied locally to slowly grow crystals in the alloy resistors. External host data are buffered and applied to the data lines by an array data mux.

Abstract: A programmable phase change material (PCM) structure includes a heater element formed at a transistor gate level of a semiconductor device, the heater element further including a pair of electrodes connected by a thin wire structure with respect to the electrodes, the heater element configured to receive programming current passed therethrough, a layer of phase change material disposed on top of a portion of the thin wire structure, and sensing circuitry configured to sense the resistance of the phase change material.

Abstract: To improve the reliability of the phase change element, unwanted current should not be flown into the element. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a memory cell that stores information depending on a change in its state caused by applied heat, as well as an input/output circuit, and to turn off the word line until the power supply circuit is activated. According to the present invention, unwanted current flow to the element can be prevented and thereby data destruction can be prevented.