Patents Issued in March 31, 2009
  • Patent number: 7510254
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus and a method thereof for preventing degradation of image quality by a malfunctioning nozzle are disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a print head including a first nozzle line having a plurality of nozzles arranged with a predetermined pitch I and a second nozzle line disposed at predetermined distance D from the first nozzle line and having a plurality of nozzles arranged to be deviated from the nozzles of the first nozzle line with a predetermined pitch I. A controller controls the print head to inject ink to form at least a portion of dots to be overlapped by ink injected from the nozzles of the first nozzle line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-jung Yun, Young-bok Ju
  • Patent number: 7510255
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of driver ICs, which drives an associated print head, includes an analog voltage provider, which provides an analog voltage which is inversely proportional to a temperature of the driver IC, a reference temperature provider, which provides a digital value corresponding to a reference temperature, a D/A converter, which converts the digital value into a corresponding analog value, and a comparator, which compares the analog voltage with the analog value and outputs a comparison signal indicating whether the analog voltage is higher than the analog value. A temperature detector determines whether the temperature of at least one of print heads is higher than the reference temperature in accordance with the comparison signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Noboru Tamura, Yuichi Nishihara
  • Patent number: 7510256
    Abstract: A reflex printing device having multiple print heads mounted at different locations around the circumference of the drum at different “angles” and an encoder disk mounted on the drum to allow for detection of the drum position as a function of time. An image defect due to a misalignment in the print process direction of the output from the multiple print heads is corrected by detection of an encoder position error function subtracted from itself shifted by the angle between the print heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg A. Guarino, Daniel W. Costanza, Martin E. Hoover, James P. Calamita, Abu S. Islam
  • Patent number: 7510257
    Abstract: An ink level detecting device also functions as a cover opening sensor, and an ink-jet image forming apparatus having the ink level detecting device functions in the same way. The ink level detecting device detects an ink level in an ink container mounted on an ink container mounting unit, and includes a first electrode disposed on an inner surface of a cover which covers the ink container mounting unit and a second electrode disposed on the ink container. The ink level detecting device detects an opening of the cover as well as an ink level variation by sensing a variation in a capacitance between the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-kee Jung, Jung-hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 7510258
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting the alignment of print heads relative to one another in an ink jet printer having a plurality of print heads arranged side-by-side in a first direction (Y) on a carriage, each print head having a conductive nozzle plate which defines an edge that extends in said first direction (Y), wherein a sensor is used for determining the position of a reference mark formed on the print head, the sensor being used to measure the capacitance between the nozzle plate, serving as the reference mark, and the sensor, said alignment detection including the steps of moving the carriage) relative to the sensor in said first direction (Y) into a first position (“b”) where said sensor) extends across the edge of one print head and a second position (“d”) where the sensor extends across the edge) of another print head, measuring the capacitances in said first and second positions, and comparing the measured capacitances, thereby determining the relative position of said print heads in a second dire
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: OCE-Technologies B.V.
    Inventor: Olav G. Smink
  • Patent number: 7510259
    Abstract: In a system and a method for calibrating turn-on energy of a fluid-ejecting marking device, a reference object and a plurality of test objects are contemporaneously printed by the marking device on a same type of substrate. The reference object is printed at a known “on” voltage at a first pattern density, and the test objects are printed at a series of decrementing voltages at an intended second pattern density greater than the first pattern density. A scanning device compares the reference object to the test objects to determine which test object(s) most closely resemble(s) the reference object. Based at least upon this comparison, a turn-on energy for the marking device is determined. By using a reference object to compare the test objects to, a turn-on energy can be calculated independent of the type of substrate used and the ambient conditions present when printing the reference and test objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Derek Geer
  • Patent number: 7510260
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus capable of performing maintenance operations using a usage pattern and a method for the same. The method for performing a maintenance operation of cleaning a printing unit of the image forming apparatus comprises the steps of recording printing work information when a command for the maintenance operation is entered as usage pattern information, counting and recording the printing work information of printing data upon input of a printing command, and comparing the usage pattern information with the counted printing work information. When they correspond to each other, the maintenance operation is performed. Accordingly, maintenance operations can be conveniently performed according to a pattern of maintenance operation commands by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Don-Seon Lee, Myoung-Jin Oh, Bong-gi Lee
  • Patent number: 7510261
    Abstract: A printhead assembly is provided comprising: (a) an inkjet printhead; and (b) a plurality of ink reservoirs in fluid communication with nozzles in the printhead. At least one of the ink reservoirs contains a cleaning liquid for cleaning an ink ejection face of the printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Vesa Karppinen, David William Jensen, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7510262
    Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes a liquid ejection head and a controller (CPU, ASIC). The liquid ejection head is mounted on a carriage that reciprocates and ejects liquid toward a target. The controller controls a flushing mode of an in-range flushing and a flushing mode of an out-of-range flushing when the liquid ejection head ejects liquid as the carriage reciprocates. The flushing mode of the in-range flushing is performed in a reciprocation range of the carriage outside the target during ejection performed by the liquid ejection head. The flushing mode of the out-of-range flushing is performed outside the reciprocation range of the carriage reciprocates during ejection performed by the liquid ejection head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Ryoichi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7510263
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes a maintenance recovery mechanism for maintaining and restoring a condition of a recording head. An opening larger than an outline of a frame of the maintenance recovery mechanism is formed in a side plate to which an end of a guide rod is attached. The frame of the maintenance recovery mechanism is secured and held at the upper side of the opening. The maintenance recovery mechanism can be removed in a scanning main direction through the opening of the side plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd
    Inventor: Masatoshi Sakakitani
  • Patent number: 7510264
    Abstract: A printer is disclosed which has: (a) a pagewidth printhead assembly having a single pagewidth printhead and a plurality of nozzles located along the printhead for delivering ink onto print media as it is transported past the printhead, and (b) a capping/purging mechanism having (i) a capping member associated with the printhead, the capping member having a length corresponding substantially to that of the printhead and being located in a non-capping first position adjacent the printhead, (ii) purging means associated with the capping member and arranged to receive material that is purged from the nozzle environment of the printhead, and (iii) an actuating mechanism arranged to effect transitioning of the capping member in an arcuate direction from the first position to a second position at which the capping member is located in nozzle capping engagement with the printhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Norman Michael Berry, Akira Nakazawa, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7510265
    Abstract: An ink-jet image forming apparatus includes an ink-jet head having a printbar provided with a plurality of nozzles to eject ink droplets, a steam sprayer to spray steam onto the printbar, and a wiper movable relative to the ink-jet head to wipe the printbar sprayed with the steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Seung-wook Kang, Heon-soo Park
  • Patent number: 7510266
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a conveyance unit, a recording head and a cap. The conveyance unit conveys a recording medium. The recording head includes a nozzle formation surface formed with a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink toward the recording medium being conveyed by the conveyance unit. The cap is able to abut against the nozzle formation surface of the recording head to form a closed space in which the nozzle formation surface is sealed off. The cap includes a base portion, a lip portion, an opening and a flexible film. The base portion faces the nozzle formation surface. The lip portion is upright from the base portion toward the nozzle formation surface to be able to abut against the nozzle formation surface. The opening passes through the base portion. The flexible film covers the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Takagi
  • Patent number: 7510267
    Abstract: An inkjet printhead with a nozzle plate that has an exterior surface with formations for reducing its co-efficient of static friction. By reducing the co-efficient of static friction, there is less likelihood that paper dust or other contaminants will clog the nozzles in the nozzle plate. Static friction, or “stiction” as it has become known, allows dust particles to “stick” to nozzle plates and thereby clog nozzles. By patterning the exterior of the nozzle plate with raised formations, dust particles can only contact the outer extremities of each formation. This reduces friction between the particles and the nozzle plate so that any particles that contact the plate are less likely to attach, and if they do attach, they are more likely to be removed by printhead maintenance cleaning cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7510268
    Abstract: A printhead assembly includes a printhead integrated circuit (IC) having a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements for operatively ejecting printing fluid onto a printing medium. A plurality of discrete supply channels supplies the nozzle arrangements with fluid and a bonding surface has a plurality of apertures etched therein. The apertures are shaped and dimensioned to operatively attract a liquid adhesive by capillary action. The assembly also includes an upper member and a lower member operatively joined to define a plurality of discrete fluid conduits, and a sealing film to adhere the bonding surface of the IC to the lower member, so that the conduits and supply channels are in fluid communication with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7510269
    Abstract: There is disclosed an ink jet printhead which comprises a plurality of nozzles 3 and a bubble forming chamber 7 corresponding to each nozzle respectively. At least one heater element 10 disposed in each bubble forming chamber 7 to heat a bubble forming liquid 11 to a temperature above its boiling point to form a gas bubble 12 therein. The generation of the bubble 12 causes the ejection of a drop 16 of an ejectable liquid (such as ink) through an ejection aperture 5 in each nozzle 3, to effect printing. The heater element 10 has at least one bubble nucleation section 158 with a smaller cross section than the remainder of the heater element. The smaller cross section creates a region of higher resistance. A high resistance section in the heater element will heat up quicker than the rest of the element. The gas bubble will nucleate at this point and subsequently grow to the other areas of the heater element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7510270
    Abstract: There is disclosed an ink jet printhead which comprises a plurality of nozzles 3 and a bubble forming chamber 7 corresponding to each nozzle respectively. At least one heater element 10 disposed in each bubble forming chamber 7 to heat a bubble forming liquid 11 to a temperature above its boiling point to form a gas bubble 12 therein. The generation of the bubble 12 causes the ejection of a drop 16 of an ejectable liquid (such as ink) through an ejection aperture 5 in each nozzle 3, to effect printing. The heater element is a suspended elongate strip, the strip having a cross section with a lateral dimension at least triple that of the thickness of the strip. A heater element that is relatively wide and flat can be more accurately fabricated by lithographic deposition and will require less etching. The resulting heater elements have greater consistency, conformity with specification and reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7510271
    Abstract: A liquid ejection head including: a head main body including: a cavity unit including a passage forming base plate forming a liquid passage from a common liquid chamber to a nozzle opening via a pressure chamber; and a pressure generating source generating a change of pressure of liquid in the pressure chamber to eject the liquid in the pressure chamber as a liquid droplet from the nozzle opening; and a case member to which the head main body is attached and which includes: a first member provided with a first atmosphere opening passage; and a second member laminated on the first member and provided with a second atmosphere opening passage, wherein the first and second atmosphere opening passages communicate with each other under the laminated state and are opened to atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshige Owaki, Kazutoshi Goto
  • Patent number: 7510272
    Abstract: A liquid droplet ejection head has a liquid introduction part, a pump part which is in communication with the liquid introduction part, and a nozzle forming plate in which a nozzle port is formed in an overlapped manner with the pump part. The nozzle forming plate is formed substantially into a rectangle as seen from a liquid ejection side. A resin is molded in at least one of side surface portions along at least long sides of the nozzle forming plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Nakamura, Yoshiaki Yamada
  • Patent number: 7510273
    Abstract: An ink cartridge for detachable mounting in an insertion direction on an ink jet printing apparatus having an ink supply needle communicating with a print head, includes a bottom wall, plural side walls, an ink supply port in the bottom wall to engage the ink supply needle as the ink cartridge moves in an insertion direction, a circuit board formed on a side wall adjacent to the bottom wall, and electrodes on the circuit board, each electrode having at least one contact region, the contact regions being divided into groups respectively arranged at intervals in the insertion direction. Part of one contact region located in a center of one of the groups of contact regions is disposed on the ink supply port's central line, and a semiconductor storage device is located on the circuit board and is in electrical communication with at least some contact regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Shinada, Fujio Akahane, Minoru Usui, Takao Kobayashi, Makoto Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 7510274
    Abstract: An ink delivery system having at least one off-axis ink supply container and an on-axis printhead assembly. The printhead assembly includes at least one reservoir and a corresponding standpipe separated by a particle filter. At least one tube connects the off-axis ink supply container to the printhead assembly. A first valve is configured to selectively open a flow path between the tube and the reservoir. A second valve is configured to selectively open a flow path between the standpipe and the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeremy A Davis, Melissa S. Gedraitis, Marc A. Baldwin, Louis Barinaga, Daniel D Dowell, Ashley E Childs, Mark A. Smith, Charles R. Steinmetz, Ralph L. Stathem, Jeffrey D. Langford, Michael L. Hilton
  • Patent number: 7510275
    Abstract: A disclosed image forming apparatus includes: an input unit to input image data; a conversion unit to convert the image data to conversion data on a plurality of colors for forming an image on a recording medium; and an image forming unit to form an image of the conversion data on a recording medium using a plurality of colors of coloring materials. The image is formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit using at least three types of black coloring materials having transparency and density different to one another in accordance with the conversion data on a black color upon conversion to the conversion data on plural colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuki Matsushima
  • Patent number: 7510276
    Abstract: A temperature control system for a sheet support plate of a printer which has at least two power supplies for powering different sub-systems of the printer, the temperature control system containing at least one heater and a power management system adapted to use spare power capacities of the two power supplies by controlling the power supplied to said at least one heater in accordance with the load conditions of said power supplies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: OCE-Technologies B.V.
    Inventor: Pieter G. M. Kruijt
  • Patent number: 7510277
    Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes: an ink discharge device having a plurality of full line type inkjet heads, each of the inkjet heads having a nozzle row; an ink supply device; a first curing device which irradiates ultraviolet light for causing the droplets of the ink to semi-cure to a degree whereby the droplets of the ink discharged from the inkjet head on the upstream side do not mix with the droplets of the ink discharged by a next one of the inkjet heads situated on a downstream side in the direction of relative conveyance, the first curing device including an ultraviolet light source including a group of light emitting elements arranged in a linear form and disposed between the inkjet heads of the respective colors; and a second curing device which irradiates ultraviolet light for performing main curing of the droplets of the ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Konno, Tetsuzo Kadomatsu
  • Patent number: 7510278
    Abstract: In an image forming apparatus such as an inkjet printer, deformation of a thick recording paper sheet such as a postcard in the conveyance thereof is prevented by a simple and inexpensive structure. A rectangular aperture corresponding to a size of the postcard is formed on a first tray portion, and a second tray portion is attached to the rectangular aperture. The second tray portion is rotatably borne at a front end thereof on the first tray portion, and linked with the first tray portion at a rear end by link members so that the rotation angle of the second tray portion with respect to the first tray portion is restricted. When the second tray portion is opened, the second tray portion is held with an elevation angle with respect to a paper conveying path gentler than that of the first-tray portion, so that the postcard can be inserted into the paper conveying path with a gentle elevation angle. Consequently, the deformation of the postcard can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiharu Matsui
  • Patent number: 7510279
    Abstract: A sports glasses construction includes a frame for semi-rimless lenses having a pair of channels for receiving a first pair of selectively removable lenses of a first radius of curvature, and a pair of lens adapters having respective upper rib members sized and shaped to fit into the respective pair of channels in the frame. The pair of lens adapters each has a lower portion sized and shaped to receive a second respective pair of lenses having a second radius of curvature that is greater than the first radius of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Dylan S. Van Atta, Umar Hanif
  • Patent number: 7510280
    Abstract: The disclosed technique employs a process for mating polarizing wafers to clear lenses using a high-yield bonding process. A thermoformed polarizing wafer is bonded to a clear lens of similar curvature via a solvent bonding process. In one embodiment, a system includes a translation stage configured to press a first lens to a second, with a solvent therebetween, such that a portion of the first lens initially contacts a portion of the second lens. An alignment fixture holding the second lens conforms to the curvature of the second lens, and a deformable sheet mounted proximate to the alignment fixture flexes in response to the force so that either of the first or second lenses conforms to a curvature of the other, and so that the pressure of the first lens against the second lens presses the solvent radially outward to the perimeter of the second lens to bond the first lens to the second lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Real D
    Inventor: Gary D. Sharp
  • Patent number: 7510281
    Abstract: This invention is to provide an inexpensive lens can be worn without attention to the existence of the addition power segment of conventional polarizing lens, it and a bench lens are formed integrally on the rear surface of a polarizing member 6. The present inventors constituent a polarizing member 9 by sandwiching poly vinyl alcohol 3 as a polarizing film with poly carbonate 2 whose both surfaces are stretched, and mold resin 2? on the rear side of the polarizing member, and arrange an addition power segment 8 integrally on the rear surface, make the molded resin poly carbonate sandwiches the polarizing film. The top and the bottom of this member are cut as FIGs. to form lens at low costs, and the adhesion among respective resins is increased, and to secure the impact resistance and it is possible to create a lens without detachment because of same resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignees: Sun-Ray Corporation, Sankoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Munakata, Kaoru Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 7510282
    Abstract: An ophthalmic photographing apparatus which is easy to use and can simultaneously display OCT and SLO images as moving images while lightening a burden upon an examinee, the apparatus including an interference optical system having a first light source and a first scanning device which scans an examinee's eye with light from the first light source and obtaining a tomographic image of the eye, and a confocal optical system having a second light source and a second scanning device which scans the eye with light from the second light source and obtaining a front image of the eye, a changeover device which substantially makes a changeover of the light which is irradiated onto the eye alternately between the first light and the second light, a display device, and a display control unit displaying the images side by side as moving images on the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tokio Ueno, Toshio Murata
  • Patent number: 7510283
    Abstract: A system for diagnostically evaluating the health of tissue within the fundus of an eye includes a fs laser source, an adaptive optical assembly, an imaging unit, and a computer. The adaptive optical assembly focuses a laser beam to a focal point in the fundus of the eye, and scans the fundus tissue according to a predetermined scanning pattern. Illumination of anisotropic tissue within the fundus, such as the photoreceptors and the Henle-fiber layer, induces a Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) response. Red photons, with a wavelength (?) of about 880 nm, are converted to blue photons, with a wavelength of ?/2, through the process of photon conversion. An imaging unit senses the blue photon return light, and uses the return light to generate an image of the fundus. The computer processes the image, and compares it to a template of healthy tissue to evaluate the health of the imaged tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Heidelberg Engineering Optische Messsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Josef F. Bille
  • Patent number: 7510284
    Abstract: Described herein are display devices that provide projection-type video output and use redundant sets of lasers to generate light. The laser set produces a desired amount of light, e.g., for a primary color. A redundant laser set includes more lasers than that needed to produce the desired amount of light. For example, a set of six lasers may only need five lasers to generate and emit a desired amount of light. The sixth laser allows failure of one laser in the set to not compromise operability of the entire set—and the display device. In addition, extra lasers in a laser set also allows the lasers to be cycled for heat purposes and to extend longevity of individual lasers in the set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: William J. Plut
  • Patent number: 7510285
    Abstract: A projector capable of efficiently cooling a source lamp with single air feed means is obtained. This projector comprises a source lamp, an optical component arranged on a position irradiated with light from the source lamp, air feed means for feeding air toward the source lamp, a first air guide member for guiding the air fed from the air feed means at least toward the optical component and a second air guide member for guiding the air guided toward the optical component to pass through the optical component toward the source lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutoshi Takemi, Masaki Ochi
  • Patent number: 7510286
    Abstract: Exterior rearview mirror for vehicles, preferably for motor vehicles. The exterior rearview mirror has a mirror base with a bracket. Supported on the mirror base is a mirror head with a bracket that can be folded about one axis in the direction of travel and one axis opposite the direction of travel. In order to design the exterior rearview mirror to ensure foldability of the mirror head in a simple manner, the brackets on the mirror-head side and mirror-base side are each equipped with joint parts that are detachably connected to one another to form the two pivot/fold axes for the mirror head. As a result, the exterior rearview mirror is economical to manufacture and also to assemble. Due to the small number of components and its lack of susceptibility to problems, the exterior rearview mirror is especially suitable for use in motor vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventors: Bernd Waldmann, Klaus Weller, Florin Secanu, Karl-Heinz Leonberger
  • Patent number: 7510287
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a circuit element having a mirror wire harness extending therefrom and extending from a mirror casing. The mirror assembly includes a mirror mounting assembly having a mounting base and a support arm for adjustably mounting the mirror reflective element at the mounting base. The mirror wire harness is routed along an exterior surface of the support arm and an exterior surface of the mounting base. A support arm sleeve is attached at an exterior of the support arm and routes and may contain the mirror wire harness substantially along the support arm and within the support arm sleeve. A mounting base cover assembly is disposed at the mounting base of the mirror assembly and substantially conceals the mounting base and the mirror wire harness at the mounting base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Richard R. Hook
  • Patent number: 7510288
    Abstract: A display device using external light and including: a light guide panel guiding light; an internal light source disposed on at least one side of the light guide panel and supplying internal light to the light guide panel; an optical filter disposed on a rear surface of the light guide panel to be exposed to the outside, and reflecting light with specific wavelengths and transmitting light with wavelengths other than the specific wavelengths among the internal light emitted from the internal light source and external light; and a display panel forming an image using the internal light and the external light which are illuminated through the light guide panel and the optical filter. The display device improves visibility using both external light and internal light by simply adding the optical filter to an existing display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-cheol Shin, Moon-cheol Kim, Young-chol Lee
  • Patent number: 7510289
    Abstract: A light emitting diode comprises light-emitting elements inside a cup structure and a lens part that condenses the light from these elements. Light-emitting element placed at the center along the optical axis of the lens emits an outgoing beam of light with a narrow directional angle along this optical axis, and light-emitting element placed away from the optical axis emits an outgoing beam of light in an oblique direction. The light-emitting elements are individually turned on and off in accordance with the distance of the subject to be photographed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Takekuma
  • Patent number: 7510290
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus comprises a light panel having a panel frame, and a plurality of LEDs or other light elements secured to the panel frame. A self-contained battery unit securably attaches to the outside of the panel frame. The light panel may have a dimmer switch, and may also be capable of receiving power from a source other than the self-contained battery unit. The lighting apparatus can be mounted to a camera or a stand through adapters. Diffusion lenses or color gels can be integrated with or detachable from the light panel. The lighting apparatus may conveniently be provided in the form of a kit, with one or more of a light panel, self-contained battery unit, compact stand, connecting cable(s), adapter(s), lenses or color gels, and so on, provided in a single package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Litepanels LLC
    Inventors: Rudy G. Pohlert, Pat Grosswendt, Kevin Baxter, Ken S. Fisher
  • Patent number: 7510291
    Abstract: The invention provides a reflective plate that includes a first reflective part having a predetermined surface roughness and a second reflective part having a surface roughness that is less than the predetermined surface roughness of the first reflective part. The invention also provides a reflective plate that is capable of supplying a liquid crystal panel with substantially uniform light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Si-joon Song, Eun-jeong Kang, Jin-soo Kim, Jung-wook Paek, Sang-hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 7510292
    Abstract: There are disclosed a cap or lid for a container which has a light emitter that generates zestful reflected light enabling recognition of a content even in a dark place, a container to which a light emitter is attached to generate zestful reflected light, a base member disposed at a bottom of a container and generating zestful reflected light, and a cap or lid disposed at an upper portion of a can-like container and generating zestful reflected light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Toshimitsu Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 7510293
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a contactlessly-chargeable light-up shoe, which comprises: a shoe, at least one rechargeable battery, and at least one light-emitting element, wherein the shoe sole has a secondary coil, a magnetic core for the secondary coil, a regulator circuit, and a switch. The secondary coil terminals are sequentially connected with the regulator circuit, the rechargeable battery, the switch and then the light-emitting elements via wires, and the abovementioned elements are airtightly encapsulated with a plastic material. The present invention has the advantages of airtightly encapsulating all the electronic elements inside a plastic material and contactlessly recharging the battery. Thereby, the present invention realizes a waterproof, dustproof and rustproof contactlessly-chargeable light-up shoe, which can flicker or emit light continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Shu-Shyong Chyn
  • Patent number: 7510294
    Abstract: A multi-function flashlight device in one preferred embodiment comprising a housing assembly having a tubular member for gripping the device in a user's hand, a control housing coupled to the tubular member, and a lamp housing coupled to the control housing and having a light source mounted therein. The light source has an optical axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member. Batteries are housed in the tubular member. A control panel having a keypad overlay is mounted in the control housing. The keypad overlay includes a plurality of control buttons. A driver board in the control housing receives signals from the control panel and control the operation of the light source. The plurality of control buttons are manipulable by a single digit of the user's hand while gripping the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: First-Light USA, LLC
    Inventors: Gavin A. Steele, Jeremy B. Ross
  • Patent number: 7510295
    Abstract: A multi-function penlight structure comprises a body provided with a cell, a power button and an illuminative casing, in the outer front periphery of the illuminative casing being mounted a magnetic collar, and at the rear end of the body being formed a grip portion in which an extendable and retractable stem is received, and at the front end of the stem being attached a flexible member for connecting with the body, such that the penlight body can be extended, retracted and bent to any desired angle so as to attract a metal object by using the magnetic collar, and after retracting the stem and the flexible member back to the grip portion, the present invention can be simply used as a penlight, thereby achieving the multi-function purposes thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Leo Shih
  • Patent number: 7510296
    Abstract: The screwdriver has a handle and a rigid shaft that extends from the handle. The shaft has an end for engaging a screw. It also has a bore that extends from the handle to the screw-engaging end of the shaft. A LED is situated in the bore, proximate the screw-engaging end of the shaft. The handle has a recess. A battery is situated within the recess. The LED is electrically connected to battery by a wire extending through the bore, between the LED and the handle. Interchangeable heads are provided for use with screws of various configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Donald Nevin
  • Patent number: 7510297
    Abstract: The luminous wall system has translucent panels, frame hardware, light fixtures and a reflective plenum. The system includes individual, preferably translucent panels, which are aligned by interconnecting frame extrusions. Stand-off compression brackets are mounted on the supporting subwall and provide for mounting vertical extrusions, as well as for creating sufficient space between the subwall and the system to allow for lighting components, which are mounted on the subwall. Horizontally extending extrusions are aligned and interlocked by an alignment bracket that fits over and fastens to the horizontal extrusions and an intervening vertical extrusion. The panels can be attached to the extrusions via threaded fasteners applied to threaded channels in the extrusions. Alternatively, the panels can fit into unthreaded extrusion channels and be held in place by attachment of a series of overlaying battens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventors: Michael J. Dobija, Hans Deitrich
  • Patent number: 7510298
    Abstract: A portable lighting device, such as a flashlight, having a rotatable band disposed around the exterior of the flashlight is disclosed. Rotational movement of the band is converted to lateral movement of the light emitting element within the flashlight. The structural integrity of the flashlight is not compromised when the rotatable band is rotated around the flashlight to adjust the width of the projected pattern of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kang Woon Au, Siu Bong Ng, Wing On Tang
  • Patent number: 7510299
    Abstract: A light tube for replacing fluorescent tubes including a bulb portion and a pair of end caps disposed at opposite ends of the bulb portion, and configured for illumination by a power supply circuit. A plurality of light emitting diodes are disposed inside the bulb portion and in electrical communication with a pair of end caps for illuminating in response to electrical current to be received from the power supply circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Altair Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Jos Timmermans, Jean C. Raymond, John Ivey
  • Patent number: 7510300
    Abstract: A light emitting device provided with a plurality of types of light sources having different light emitting colors and with a light emission control means for allowing light to emit, during a specified period of monitoring a light emitting intensity, from at least one light source out of the plurality of types of light sources at a light emitting intensity different from that available outside the specified period. Accordingly, when a plurality of types of light sources are used, the light emitting intensities of a plurality of types of light sources can be monitored with light sensors of types fewer than the types of light sources to control while points and a brightness characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Iwauchi, Atsushi Yamanaka, Mitsuyoshi Seo, Akemi Oohara
  • Patent number: 7510301
    Abstract: A security lock, locking system, kit, and personal apparel, such as garments, purses, and luggage that include the security lock. The security lock is a typical combination lock, which includes a body and a locking member in communication with a lock mechanism disposed within the body and a user interface disposed upon or within the body. A battery powered light is disposed proximate to the user interface such that the light illuminates the symbols on the movable members when power is supplied thereto. The system includes a security lock, with or without a light, and an adjustable cable. The kit and apparel include the system and a pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Elizabeth A. Dial
  • Patent number: 7510302
    Abstract: A light assembly including a socket, a housing, and a mounting member. The socket is connected to the mounting member, which is pivotably secured to the housing and constructed to allow rotation of the socket, and thereby a lighting element engaged with the housing, relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: SPI Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig T. Curtis, Robert T. Allen, Curt H. Blaszczyk
  • Patent number: 7510303
    Abstract: The present invention relates to Light Emitting Diode (LED) based lamps utilising thermoelectric modules improving the efficiency of the lamps. The present invention provides in a first aspect a light illuminating device that comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED), at least one thermoelectric module (TEM) having a first surface which is thermally connected to the LED, a heat sink thermally connected to a second surface of the at least one TEM, a thermally insulating cover creating a chamber substantially insulating the LED from ambient air. The LED may be of any conventional type, the invention however is particularly useful for devices using hi-flux LEDs, including traffic lights, illuminated roadway and/or emergency signs, airport runway lights and such.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Dialight Corporation
    Inventors: Thorgeir Jonsson, Gudlaugur Kristinn Ottarsson, Sturla Jonsson, David Allen Hubbell