Patents Issued in April 6, 2010
  • Patent number: 7690763
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus is disclosed that includes plural heads that are arranged in a main scanning direction, the heads including plural nozzle arrays that are arranged in the main scanning direction and configured to discharge droplets of recording liquids in at least three different colors including a yellow recording liquid. At least two of the nozzle arrays that are configured to discharge the yellow recording liquid are separately arranged in at least two of the heads. At least two of the nozzle arrays that are configured to discharge a first recording liquid of the recording liquids in a first color other than yellow are arranged together in one of the heads. At least two of the nozzle arrays that are configured to discharge a second recording liquid of the recording liquids in a second color other than yellow are arranged together in one of the heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Nakano, Shigetoshi Hosaka, Takashi Kimura, Yoshihisa Ohta, Toshihito Kamei, Masakazu Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7690764
    Abstract: A modular printhead module is disclosed. The printhead module includes a carrier. An elongate ink delivery member is mounted in the carrier and defines a plurality of longitudinal conduits, each for carrying a respective type of ink. The elongate ink delivery member further defines a plurality of sets of apertures, each set including a plurality of apertures which are each in register with a corresponding conduit. A single printhead including a plurality of inkjet nozzles is also provided. Each inkjet nozzle engages with a respective set of apertures so that each inkjet nozzle is engaged in fluid communication with a respective conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Patent number: 7690765
    Abstract: A central processor for a camera having printing capabilities has a CPU core. A data cache is connected to the core. A vector processor is connected to the core via the data cache. A RAM interface is connected to the data cache to permit communication with a RAM. An input buffer is connected to the processor. An image sensor interface is connected to the input buffer for communication with the processor. A card reader interface is connected to the input buffer for communication with the processor. An output buffer is connected to the processor. A printhead interface is connected to the output buffer for communication with the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7690766
    Abstract: A liquid ejection head having: a nozzle for ejecting a liquid; a flat nozzle plate on which the nozzle is provided; a cavity to store the liquid to be ejected from an ejection hole of the nozzle; a pressure generating section which generates pressure on the liquid in the nozzle and forms a meniscus of the liquid in the ejection hole of the nozzle; an electrostatic voltage applying section which applies electrostatic voltage between a base material and the liquid in the nozzle and the cavity, and generates electrostatic suction force; and an operation control section which controls applying of the electrostatic voltage by the electrostatic voltage applying section, and controls applying of drive voltage to drive the pressure generating portion, wherein a volume resistivity of the nozzle plate is 1015 ?m or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Ueno, Yasuo Nishi, Atsuro Yanata
  • Patent number: 7690767
    Abstract: A highly reliable, compact, and inexpensive ink jet recording head, includes a liquid discharge substrate having on a front surface side a discharge port for discharging a liquid, and having, on a back surface side, a liquid supply port for supplying the liquid to be discharged from the discharge port, and an electrode for transmitting and receiving a signal to drive energy generation means for discharging the liquid from the discharge port; a film-like electrical wiring member joined to the back surface of the liquid discharge substrate, the film-like electrical wiring member including a liquid supply hole communicating with the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge substrate, and an electrical connection portion connected to the electrode; and a retaining member for retaining the liquid discharge substrate with the electrical wiring member interposed therebetween, the retaining member including a liquid supply port for supplying the liquid to the liquid supply port of the liquid discharge substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiaki Hirosawa, Shuzo Iwanaga, Yasutomo Watanabe, Riichi Saito
  • Patent number: 7690768
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a plurality of liquid ejecting portions arrayed in a flat region on a substrate. The liquid ejecting portions each include a liquid chamber that accommodates liquid to be ejected, a heater element arranged in the liquid chamber, the heater element generating bubbles in liquid in the liquid chamber when heated, and a nozzle for ejecting liquid in the liquid chamber in accordance with generation of bubbles by the heater element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takeo Eguchi, Shogo Ono, Takaaki Miyamoto, Kazuyasu Takenaka
  • Patent number: 7690769
    Abstract: A recording head for use in an inkjet recording device, the recording head including a cavity unit having a plurality of nozzles each of which ejects a droplet of an ink, a plurality of communication holes which communicate with the plurality of nozzles, respectively, and a common ink chamber which communicate with each of the communication holes and which temporarily stores the ink to be supplied to the each of the nozzles via a corresponding one of the communication holes. The cavity unit has at least one inner wall surface which defines the common ink chamber and has respective open ends of the communication holes. The at least one inner wall surface further has a plurality of grooves each of which is connected, at one end thereof, to the open end of a corresponding one of the communication holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoki Katayama
  • Patent number: 7690770
    Abstract: A sheet-member stacked structure produced by a method including one or more of the following steps: stacking lead frames on each other, and stacking sheet members of one lead frame on sheet members of another or other lead frame or frames, each lead frame including a frame portion, the sheet members, and bridge portions which connect sides of the sheet members; to an inner peripheral portion of the frame portion and one of its adjacent sheet member, or to respective one sides of its two adjacent sheet members; stacking sheet members on each other via an adhesive; and stacking sheet members on each other, the sheet members including a liquid-chamber sheet member formed of a rolled metal sheet and having liquid chambers arranged, separately from each other, in a direction perpendicular to a direction of rolling of the metal sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Ito
  • Patent number: 7690771
    Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes a channel unit with a channel substrate provided with a channel section having pressure chamber cavity rows formed by arranging a plurality of pressure chamber cavities in rows. The liquid ejection head also includes a nozzle substrate provided with a plurality of nozzle orifices formed so as to correspond to the pressure chambers. A sealing plate of the liquid ejection head seals an opening of the channel section of the channel substrate, in which the nozzle substrate is joined, with one surface of the channel substrate. The sealing plate is joined with the opposite surface of the channel substrate so that the channel unit has a series of liquid channels from a common liquid chamber to the nozzle orifices. The liquid ejection head has a head case to which the channel unit is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Noriaki Okazawa
  • Patent number: 7690772
    Abstract: The ink jet printer comprises a printhead (22) movable in front of a printing medium (30) and provided with an ink cartridge (25) integral with it; the cartridge is filled with ink from a main, high capacity tank (35), which is connected at intervals to the cartridge (25) by means of a capillary element. During each connection, the capillary element (101) is brought into contact with the sponge (41) inside the cartridge, while a peristaltic pump (134) mounted integral upon the main tank provides a pressure suitable for generating a sufficient flow of ink to refill the cartridge (25) in a short time frame. To perform the refilling, the cartridge is brought at the end of its stroke into a service station (5) mounted on the body of the main tank (35), which is moved against the cartridge by means of a motor-driven linkage, controlled by a refilling management program, in response to the signals of a cartridge ink level sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Telecom Italia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro Scardovi, Roberto Morandotti, Marco Brigando, Marco Dellea, Alberto Colombi, Gianrico Scarton
  • Patent number: 7690773
    Abstract: An ink cartridge includes a case, and the case includes a first case member. The first case member includes a first wall, and the first wall includes a translucent portion extending from the first wall in a predetermined direction. The translucent portion has an inner space formed therein. The case also includes a second case member connected to the first case member. The first case member and the second case member define an ink chamber therein, and the second case member includes a second wall which is opposite to the first wall, and a support member connected to an interior surface of the second wall. Moreover, the ink cartridge includes a movable member which includes a signal blocking portion. The signal blocking portion is positioned within the inner space of the translucent portion, and the movable member is connected to the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shingo Hattori, Tomohiro Kanbe, Toyonori Sasaki, Motohiro Momozaki
  • Patent number: 7690774
    Abstract: Embodiments of a printing device fluid reservoir with gripping features are disclosed. In an embodiment of the present invention, the fluid reservoir includes a first surface and a fluid-containing body located beneath the first surface. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first surface includes a protruding grip, and the fluid-containing body has a lever extending therefrom. According to an embodiment of the present invention, both the protruding grip and the lever are configured to receive a pinching force that compresses the lever towards the fluid-containing body, facilitates carrying of the fluid reservoir, and facilitates installing and/or releasing the fluid reservoir into/from a chassis of the printing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Diana C. Petranek, R. Winfield Trafton, Patricia L. Williams
  • Patent number: 7690775
    Abstract: An ink stick having a solid ink stick body adapted for insertion in an insertion direction into an ink loader of a phase change ink device. The solid ink stick body includes a top and bottom surface that are oriented substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction and a plurality of side surfaces that are substantially parallel to the insertion direction. The plurality of side surfaces define a plurality of corner edges that extend from the top surface to the bottom surface where adjacent side surfaces meet. A corner guide element extends at least partially along at least one corner edge in a feed direction of the feed channel. The corner guide elements are configured to engage guide members in the feed channel to restrain movement of the ink stick body in at least one direction other than the feed direction. The insertion direction is parallel to the feed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Brent Rodney Jones, Brian Walter Aznoe
  • Patent number: 7690776
    Abstract: A method of monitoring gaseous accumulation within an ink flow path in fluid communication with a printhead comprising: (a) supplying a first printhead with ink using a first ink flow path; (b) mounting a first ink filter in fluid communication with the first printhead; and (c) sensing downstream from the first ink filter for gaseous components within the first ink flow path. In addition, the invention provides a printing device comprising: (a) a first printhead that includes a first set of nozzles, a first ink filter, and a first conduit between the first ink filter and the first set of nozzles for delivering filtered ink to the first set of nozzles; and (b) a sensor operative to detect at least one of bubble formation and bubble growth within the first conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: David Wayne DeVore, Gina Marie Johns
  • Patent number: 7690777
    Abstract: The present invention provides a filter device including a supply channel where a liquid flows in; a first liquid chamber that is communicated with the supply channel; a second liquid chamber that is communicated with the first liquid chamber; a first discharge channel that is communicated with the second liquid chamber and that discharges the liquid; a first filter that is provided between the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber; and a second filter that is provided between the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber and whose lower end is positioned higher than a lower end of the first filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Wada
  • Patent number: 7690778
    Abstract: A printhead auto-alignment detection system includes a UV LED configured and positioned to transmit light in ultraviolet wavelengths onto a printed printhead alignment pattern formed using an aqueous ink having a UV fluorescing material. A sensor is configured and positioned to detect light in visible wavelengths emitted by the fluorescing material. A controller is communicatively coupled to the UV LED and the sensor. The controller is configured to execute program instructions for controlling the output of the UV LED and for reading a signal output of the sensor during a printhead alignment operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaorong Cai, Xuan-Chao Huang, Richard L. Reel, Ajay Kanubhai Suthar
  • Patent number: 7690779
    Abstract: A high-resolution ink jet printer includes a drum supported for rotation about an axis, substrate positioning means for positioning a substrate sheet on the surface of the drum to receive a printed image, carriage means movable parallel to the drum axis, printhead means supported on the carriage means and having at least one array of orifices disposed in spaced relation to the surface of the drum for projecting ink drops onto a substrate sheet carried by the drum, drive means for driving the carriage parallel to the axis of the drum, encoder means providing a train of signals at a rate dependent upon the rate of rotation of the drum, and control means for controlling the projection of the ink drops from the printhead means at a rate that depends on the rate of signals received by the control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Spehrley, Jr., Paul A. Hoisington
  • Patent number: 7690780
    Abstract: An ink for ink-jet recording is provided which enables high quality printing at a fast speed. The ink is also suitable for use in an ink-jet recording head employed in a line head method. The ink for ink-jet recording includes at least a coloring agent, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol propyl ether and water. The amount of ethylene glycol with respect to the total ink amount is about 5 wt. % to about 30 wt. %, and the amount of propylene glycol propyl ether with respect to the total ink amount is about 30 wt. % to about 50 wt. %. Further, the total amount of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol propyl ether with respect to the total ink amount is about 45 wt. % to about 60 wt. %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahito Kato
  • Patent number: 7690781
    Abstract: A UVLED (62) or a UVLED array unit (64) is employed in the UV-ray emitting body of a UV-ray irradiating means (60) for curing a UV-ink drop, shot at the surface of print media (50) mounted on a platen (20) from the ink jet head (30) of an ink jet, by irradiating it with UV-rays. Power consumption of the UV-ray irradiating means (60) is suppressed greatly, the UV-ray irradiating means (60) is reduced in size and weight or simplified, waiting time of the UV-ray irradiating means (60) is eliminated when the UV-ray emitting body is lighting, or generation of ozone is prevented when the UV-ray emitting body is lighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Mimaki Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaru Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 7690782
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for curing UV-curable inks having multiple printhead ejectors and ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV-LEDs). The printhead ejectors are placed on the assembly in a geometry corresponding to the UV-LEDs such that when a printhead ejector deposits an ink droplet upon a substrate moving relative to the assembly, at least one UV-LED can pass directly over the ink droplet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Gordon Odell
  • Patent number: 7690783
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ink for use in inkjet printing which can be cured by irradiation of radiant ray, characterized in that said ink for use in inkjet printing contains at least a colorant, a polymerizable compound and a photopolymerization initiator, further including a compound capable of forming a complex with a metal, as well as a method for making a lithographic printing plate that doesn't need a development process using said ink, and such plate can solve the foregoing problem. The ink of the present invention for use in inkjet printing has an excellent adhesion between the ink cured by irradiation of radiant ray and a printing medium, as well as a lithographic printing plate using it and a method for making such plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Masaharu Sugai
  • Patent number: 7690784
    Abstract: A plate-shaped main body, has a first face formed with a recess portion defined by a bottom face and side walls and a second face which is opposite to the first face. The plate-shaped main body is formed with a through hole connecting the bottom face and the second face. An overhanging portion, is provided on at least one of the side walls in the vicinity of the first face, and is located so as to at least partially hang over the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Nishi, Seiji Kawabata, Kazuhiro Hashii, Kazumasa Harada, Keiichiro Fukumasu, Hirohisa Adachi
  • Patent number: 7690785
    Abstract: A digital pager has a built-in printer to enable the printing of a text message and/or a graphic image upon a page as the pager housing traverses the page. The pager can be maintained compact and lightweight as no paper storage or paper feed mechanism need be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7690786
    Abstract: In exchangeable spectacle frames, in which the side arms and bridge are fastened to the lenses or central part of the spectacle frame by a support element, the support element is a rod-shaped, rail-shaped or plate-shaped metal part with a metallic threaded pin and an additional metallic positioning pin or threaded pin. The metallic or plastic end of the side arm on the side of the lens, or the connecting element between the support element and metallic or plastic side arm, is shaped with recesses which are adapted to the form of the support element, have the same length as the metallic part and engage the metallic part. The recesses in the side arm form at least two catches on the lateral, inner plastic interfaces which interact with the threaded pin and positioning pin. Alternatively, the side arms or bridges are made of an elastic material with a slit-shaped recess, in which recesses are located for form-fittingly receiving the pins of the support element and locking them after their insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventors: Guenther Wied, Michael Strenz
  • Patent number: 7690787
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an arrangement by which the image field of the illumination components and irradiation components of ophthalmic instruments for diagnosis and therapy is improved. In the arrangement according to the invention, one or more diffractive optical elements is/are arranged additionally in the illumination beam path for deliberate shaping of the image plane in the eye to be irradiated. These diffractive optical elements can be located on the surface of other optical elements, swiveled into the illumination beam path, and their wavelength changed by filters. The image plane can be adapted to the spherical contour of the eye so that the projected characters and structures have a uniformly high image quality in the center and in the edge area of the eye. The present invention is applicable for variable illumination for diagnosis and treatment of the eye, in particular for irradiation of the eye lens and other parts of the eye such as the cornea or retina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Ingo Koschmieder, Hans-Juergen Dobschal
  • Patent number: 7690788
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drive circuit for driving a capacitive electromechanical transducer device. The capacitive electromechanical transducer device is constituted of two electromechanical transducer parts consisting of a first capacitive electromechanical transducer part and a second capacitive electromechanical transducer part and is operated in response to two-phase sinusoidal signals having mutually opposite phases. The drive circuit includes an inductor which resonates with the first electromechanical transducer part and the second electromechanical transducer part, and a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit is set substantially equal to an operation frequency of the electromechanical transducer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoji Yamada, Haruhisa Takayama
  • Patent number: 7690789
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods measure, diagnose, and/or treat one or both eyes of a patient. Adaptive optics systems (such as those having a deformable mirror) may be configured to an aspherical or multi-spherical presbyopia-mitigating prescriptive shape to allow objective and/or subjective measurements of a candidate prescription. A plurality of viewing distances allow subjective and/or objective evaluations of performance using a light spot or a test viewing image. Measurements of aberrations at selected viewing conditions (including distances and/or brightness) with correlating pupil sizes may also be provided. Wavefront measurement systems and methods may help position and isolate the eye from ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: AMO Development LLC.
    Inventors: Guangming Dai, Seema Somani
  • Patent number: 7690790
    Abstract: A vision test pattern indicator is provided with a color display for displaying optotypes used for binocular vision tests which are conducted with a red filter set in front of an eye of an examinee and a green filter set in front of the other eye, and an arithmetic control part which controls the color display as a first optotype figure is displayed in a green color, a second optotype figure is displayed in a red color, a third optotype figure for fusion stimulus is displayed in a color excluding red and green components and a background of the optotypes is displayed in a white color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Hosoi, Yuichiro Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 7690791
    Abstract: A visual acuity examination is performed on a patient by bringing a confocal imaging apparatus up to a patient's eye. Stimuli at various points in the patient's field of view are generated while the patient fixates on a point. The patient's responses to the stimuli are recorded with the movement of the eye with is tracked with the aid of the confocal imaging apparatus. The position of said stimuli on the retina is corrected to take into account any movement of the eye between stimuli.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: OTI Ophthalmic Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Rishard Weitz, Duncan McLean, John Rogers, Justin Pedro
  • Patent number: 7690792
    Abstract: A projector having an ultrasonic speaker including an ultrasonic transducer for emitting an ultrasonic wave signal to a screen; a distance measuring device for measuring a distance between the ultrasonic transducer and the screen; and an ultrasonic frequency control device for controlling a frequency of the ultrasonic wave signal based on a measured result of the distance measuring device and a sound pressure of the ultrasonic wave signal emitted by the ultrasonic transducer, so that the ultrasonic wave signal has a predetermined sound pressure at or in a vicinity of the screen. The projector may include a storage device for storing a propagation loss characteristic in air of the ultrasonic wave signal emitted from the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic frequency control device controls the frequency of the ultrasonic wave signal by referring to the propagation loss characteristic of the ultrasonic wave signal stored in the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kinya Matsuzawa
  • Patent number: 7690793
    Abstract: An illumination optical system includes a splitter that includes first and second beam splitters. The second beam splitter includes, on a light source side, a compression optical system for narrowing a width of an incident light and for emitting the incident light having the narrowed width, wherein the compression optical system includes, in order from the light source side to an image display element side, an optical element having a positive refractive power, and an optical element that has a negative refractive power and a concave surface at the image display element side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kodama, Kazuhiro Inoko
  • Patent number: 7690794
    Abstract: An image-combining device comprising of a polarizing beam-splitter, two waveplates and two reflective micro-electro-mechanical display panels is described. It combines images with orthogonally polarized light. Projection display apparatus having such image-combining device(s) are used to project two-dimensional or three-dimensional images with orthogonally polarized light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: Simon Andrew Boothroyd
  • Patent number: 7690795
    Abstract: A projector/camera system includes a projector, configured to project a sequenced image to a projection location, and a camera, located at the projection location and oriented to take an image of a region including the projector. The camera is configured to capture a sequenced image that is synchronized and out of phase with the sequenced image of the projector, thereby to minimize light interference from the projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: James R. Cole, Lonnie D. Mandigo, Kenneth H. Bronstein
  • Patent number: 7690796
    Abstract: The present invention is a 3D/2D convertible color projection display system with two color LCoS panels, which enable the system to project two orthogonal polarized images. When the two images correspond to different view angles, each eye of an observer wearing a pair of polaroid glasses can only see one of the images, creating a 3D stereoscopic effect. When the two images correspond to the same view angle, then the observer, without any special glasses, can watch regular 2D images with multiple primary colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Kinoptics Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Fan Bin, Jianxin Shao
  • Patent number: 7690797
    Abstract: A transportable projector includes a focus adjustment unit for moving a focus lens in a projection lens, an acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration in a direction along an optical axis of the projection lens in the projector, a determination unit for determining whether the projector is in a stationary state or in a moving state in accordance with an output of the acceleration sensor and for respectively determining the direction to which the projector has moved and the distance that the projector has moved in accordance with an output of the acceleration sensor, and a control unit for controlling movement of the focus lens by the focus adjustment unit in accordance with the determined direction and the determined distance of the projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Nec Viewtechnology, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Higashi
  • Patent number: 7690798
    Abstract: A protector includes a projector body which has an image display unit which displays an image, a member to be projected onto which an image emitted from the image display unit is to be projected, and a connecting part capable of holding the member to be projected and the projector body at a predetermined distance therebetween and capable of accommodating the member to be projected within the projector body. The member to be projected can be unfolded in an in-plane direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Zakoji, Kunihiko Takagi
  • Patent number: 7690799
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, an optical relay for a head up display, the optical relay comprises a glare trap having angularly selectivity by being capable of reflecting light having an angle of incidence greater than a first angle, and being capable of transmitting light having an angle of incidence less than a second angle, and a first optic arranged to receive light reflected off the glare trap at an angle of incidence greater than the first angle, and to direct light through the glare trap at an angle of incidence less than the second angle to exit the glare trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Nenad Nestorovic, Joel E. Hegland
  • Patent number: 7690800
    Abstract: A mirror angle controller is provided which includes a pivot plate (H) which is attached to a reverse side of a mirror (M), and an actuator (A) which holds the pivot plate (H), in which the actuator (A) includes a housing (A1), a rod (A3) which pushes and pulls the pivot plate (H), and a motor which provides driving force to the rod (A3), in which, a ringed holder (121) which is placed to surround the rod (A3) is formed in the housing (A1), and in which the pivot plate (H) includes a ringed sliding part (H31) which is contact with and arbitrarily slides on the holder (121), and an engaging part which is engaged with an end of the rod (A3) so as to securely hold the mirror (M).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Murakami Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Fukai, Hisaya Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7690801
    Abstract: Lighting apparatus for an image-gathering device, includes a light frame supporting a plurality of light emitting diode lamps configured to emit light at a tungsten balanced color temperature, and a support member that defines a filter tray aperture to accommodate a filter tray. The light frame defines a circular aperture to enable the light frame to be located around the barrel of a camera lens, and the filter tray aperture is visible within said circular aperture of said light frame. A manually adjustable filter clamp is provided for holding a filter tray in place once located with respect to the filter tray aperture. Lighting apparatus arranged to accommodate a plurality of filter trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Gekko Technology Limited
    Inventor: David Richard Amphlett
  • Patent number: 7690802
    Abstract: An LED based emergency lighting system is described. Unlike a typical approach in which one lighting system provides normal ambient lighting and a second different system provides auxiliary emergency lighting, a common integrated system can be satisfactorily employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Edward Higley, Mark Terrence McClear
  • Patent number: 7690803
    Abstract: A light emitting sheet module includes a light guiding sheet to cover a plurality of key switches, at least one LED disposed on at least one end portion of the light guiding sheet, and a circuit board disposed on the one end portion of the light guiding sheet on which the LED is disposed. When the light emitting sheet module is, mounted on a switch board, it is capable of adaptation to key switches in a wide variety of forms and to illuminate the key switches with light emission of high brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Miyashita, Kenshi Aihara
  • Patent number: 7690804
    Abstract: A backlight unit is presented that contains lamp support structures uniquely fitted to facilitate installation of lamps in a particular orientation. The backlight unit has tube light-emitting lamps, each of which is fitted to an asymmetric lamp holder. Lamp supports fixedly engage the asymmetric lamp holders fitted to the tube type light-emitting lamps. At least one of the lamp holders has an asymmetric hole. An outer case includes the supports to fix and support each lamp. At least one lamp has a treated surface that includes an optical sheet having a light transmittance lower than 100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: LG. Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeong Min Moon
  • Patent number: 7690805
    Abstract: There is provided a lighting device that lights a liquid crystal panel, including a substrate (51) on which red, green and blue light separating plates (52R, 52G, 52B) are alternately disposed with a pitch of w in array. Red LEDs (53R) are disposed one at every other center between the green and blue light separating plates (52G, 52B), green LEDs 53G are disposed one at every other center between the blue and red light separating plates (52B, 52R), and blue LEDs (53B) are disposed one at every other center between the red and green light separating plates (52R, 52G).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeo Kubota, Toshitaka Kawashima, Junichi Osako, Hiroyuki Okita
  • Patent number: 7690806
    Abstract: An illuminating headlamp consisting of a headband and at least one optical device providing illumination at a known distance from said optical device attached to said headband. Each optical device consists of a housing having an open first end and an open second end. There is a light emitting device attached to a mounting which is attached to the second end causing said light emitting device to be orientated at a known angle to an axis of said housing. At least one optically transparent lens is incorporated into said first end, and a means for adjusting said optically transparent lens in order to cause a focal point of the lens to be positioned behind said light emitting device, wherein a zone of substantially uniform illumination is projected at said known distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Designs for Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Feinbloom, Kenneth Braganca, Peter Yan
  • Patent number: 7690807
    Abstract: The present invention consists of an optical mirror element to be used in combination with a light source. Light from a light source contained within the mirror element shank provides illumination in front of and behind the mirror head. In this way, for example, the invention can be used in dentistry both for illuminated, indirect vision in the mouth and as an illuminated cheek or tongue retractor. The invention can be used in combination with any suitable light source including, but not limited to, a conventional lamp, a light emitting diode, or a light pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: Gregory Rudolph Verderber
  • Patent number: 7690808
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a prefabricated light reflecting system having standardized reflectors to be mounted to corners of the ceiling of an elevator cage. Here, a required number of reflectors are successively connectable to correspond to the size of the elevator cage. The light reflecting system includes a corner reflector, a bulb mounting plate, and an end reflector. If necessary, one or more intermediate reflectors may be added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: Il Shik Yoon
  • Patent number: 7690809
    Abstract: The present invention provides an LED lighting device inlaid on a ceiling. The ceiling is divided into a plurality of lattice by a matrix of metal strip, plastic strip or wood strip, a matrix of LED are installed on the lattice; an AC power is inputted through a power line to an AC/DC converter for being converted into a DC power, and then the DC power passes through a current stabilizer, a resistor, a connector for being inputted to two ends of each row of the LEDs; LEDs of each row are serially connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Taiwan Green Energy Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung Cheng Tsai, Cheng Hung Peng
  • Patent number: 7690810
    Abstract: A plurality of LEDs are arrayed in the X-direction, and a light-guide plate is provided facing the LEDs. A plurality of prisms extending in the Y-direction are formed on a light-receiving surface of the light-guide plate. A plurality of prisms are additionally formed on a light-emitting surface of the light-guide plate. Light emitted from the LED is thereby divided into a plurality of light beams by the prisms, and a portion of the light is condensed toward the prisms. Light that is condensed toward the prisms is divided in a plurality of directions and transmitted in the light-guide plate. When the light reaches another prism, the light is reflected by the prism and emitted from the light emitting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Goroh Saitoh, Masao Imai
  • Patent number: 7690811
    Abstract: An illumination system includes a backlight housing, a plurality of light valves coupled to the backlight housing, and a plurality of light sources arranged in the backlight housing and optically coupled to the light valves. The illumination system may further include a light-scattering substrate optically coupled between the plurality of light sources and the light valves, and a plurality of light modulating dots patterned on the substrate to modulate transmitted intensity of light from the plurality of light sources to achieve increased luminance uniformity by decreasing banding caused by the separated light sources. The light modulating dots may include comprise reflective dots, transmissive dots, absorptive dots, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ravi Shankar Durvasula, Mark Marshall Meyers, Peter William Lorraine
  • Patent number: 7690812
    Abstract: Provided are solid state lighting devices and methods for forming the same. A solid state lighting tile according to some embodiments of the invention includes a substrate, a solid state lighting element mounted on a surface of the substrate, and a reflector sheet on the surface of the substrate. A method of forming a solid state lighting device according to some embodiments of the invention includes providing a substrate of a solid state lighting tile, mounting a solid state lighting element on a surface of the substrate, and attaching a reflector sheet to the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Roberts, Chenhua You, Paul E. Sims