Patents Issued in August 31, 2010
  • Patent number: 7784908
    Abstract: In a flexible wiring board for use in, for example, a liquid discharge head, wires disposed on a substrate in parallel are covered with a film material. The flexible wiring board is bendable towards one of a front surface side and a back surface side of the substrate and includes a bending line. The bending line is formed by bending the flexible wiring board along a bending direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the wires. The bending line contains the wires. Both ends of the flexible wiring board in the bending direction are located on the bending line. A distance between one of the wires located closest to one end of the flexible wiring board and the one end is larger on the bending line than in another part of the flexible wiring board. Accordingly, even if the flexible wiring board is bent at a small bend radius, peeling does not easily occur between a base film and a cover film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mikiya Umeyama, Yutaka Koizumi, Yukuo Yamaguchi, Akira Goto, Masaru Iketani, Yuichiro Akama
  • Patent number: 7784909
    Abstract: An ink jetting structure includes a substrate that has a first surface and a second surface. A heater chip is mounted to the second surface of the substrate, and includes a first set of electrical contacts. A printhead circuit member has a third surface, a fourth surface, and an opening configured to receive the heater chip with the first set of electrical contacts of the heater chip being exposed through the opening. The third surface is mounted to the second surface of the substrate. The fourth surface has a second set of electrical contacts attached by wire bonds to the first set of electrical contacts. The third surface has a third set of electrical contacts electrically coupled to the second set of electrical contacts, and electrically connected to a flexible cable for coupling to corresponding contacts on a printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Edward Anderson, Michael John Dixon, Bryan Dale McKinley, Jeanne Marie Saldanha Singh
  • Patent number: 7784910
    Abstract: A nozzle arrangement is provided for an inkjet printhead. The nozzle arrangement includes a substrate assembly defining an ink supply channel. A nozzle chamber structure extends from the substrate assembly. The nozzle chamber structure defines a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink supply channel and a nozzle rim through which ink from the nozzle chamber can be ejected. A thermal actuator mechanism is anchored to the substrate assembly. The thermal actuator mechanism includes an ink ejection paddle extending across the nozzle chamber between the ink inlet channel and the nozzle rim so that, upon actuation, the paddle moves to eject ink in the nozzle chamber out through the nozzle rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7784911
    Abstract: An apparatus and method which print a biomolecular droplet onto a solid substrate using an electric charge concentration effect comprises: a needle shaped electric field forming electrode which is made of a conductive material, is disposed vertically, and comprises an accommodating area and a nozzle formed on a bottom end of the accommodating area; a solid substrate which is electrically grounded, is disposed below the electric field forming electrode, and comprises a moisture thin film and a target surface onto which the biomolecular droplet is discharged from the nozzle of the electric field forming electrode; and an open circuit type voltage applying unit which is electrically connected to the electric field forming electrode, applies a charge to the electric field forming electrode, and causes the biomolecular droplet to be ejected onto the target surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kui-hyun Kim, Byung-chul Kim, Kwang-ho Cheong, Su-hyeon Kim
  • Patent number: 7784912
    Abstract: Provided is a printhead arrangement for a printer. The arrangement includes a wafer substrate and a layer of drive circuitry deposited on the substrate, as well as a plurality of nozzle assemblies formed on the wafer substrate by means of micro-electromechanical (MEMS) techniques. Each of these assemblies includes an ink chamber and at least one ink supply channel etched into the substrate, a heater element suspended in the ink chamber, and a nozzle plate defining two ink ejection nozzles, the plate having gutter formations about each nozzle to facilitate ink run-off from the nozzle to prevent nozzle contamination. The drive circuitry facilitates activation of the heater element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7784913
    Abstract: A liquid droplet ejection head that ejects liquid droplets through deformation of a driven element, includes: a first substrate having a pressurizing chamber with a nozzle aperture that ejects liquid droplets, and a first surface on which is formed a first wiring electrically connected to the drive element; a second substrate disposed on the first surface of the first substrate and covering the driven element, the second substrate having a second surface and a side surface, the second surface facing in a same direction as the first surface of the first substrate and on which is formed a second wiring, the side surface on which is formed a third wiring that combines the first wiring and the second wiring; a semiconductor element disposed on the second surface of the second substrate, and which drives the driven element; and plating that electrically connects the first wiring, the second wiring, the third wiring, and a connection terminal of the semiconductor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Yoda
  • Patent number: 7784914
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fluid ejection device. A plurality of drive transistors is disposed on a substrate, the drive transistors each comprising contacts. A metal layer is disposed over the contacts. The plurality of drive transistors includes a primitive group of drive transistors, and the metal layer includes a power buss covering each of the contacts of the primitive group of drive transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Simon Dodd, Sean P. McClelland, Lonnie D. Byers
  • Patent number: 7784915
    Abstract: A MEMS vapor bubble generator with a chamber for holding liquid and a heater positioned in the chamber for heating the liquid above its bubble nucleation point to form a vapor bubble; wherein, the heater has a microstructure with a grain size less than 100 nanometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Roger Mervyn Lloyd Foote, Angus John North, Jennifer Mia Fishburn, Paul David Lunsmann, Alexandra Artemis Papadakis, Channarayapatna Shankar Lakshmi, Frederik Jacobus Crous, Matthew Stewart Walker, Samuel George Mallinson, Paul Justin Reichl
  • Patent number: 7784916
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating micro-fluid ejection heads and micro-fluid ejection heads are provided herein, such as those that use non-conventional substrates. One such micro-fluid ejection head includes a substrate having first and second glass layers disposed adjacent to a surface thereof and a plurality of fluid ejection actuators disposed adjacent to the second glass layer. The first glass layer is thicker than the second glass layer and the second glass layer has a surface roughness of no greater than about 75 ? Ra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Wilson Cornell, Michael John Dixon, Curtis Ray Droege, Elios Klemo, Bryan Dale McKinley
  • Patent number: 7784917
    Abstract: A method of making a micro-fluid ejection head structure and micro-fluid ejection heads made by the method. The method includes applying a tantalum oxide layer to a surface of a fluid ejection actuator disposed on a device surface of a substrate so that the tantalum oxide layer is the topmost layer of a plurality of layers including a resistive layer, and a protective layer selected from a passivation layer, a cavitation layer, and a combination of a passivation layer and a cavitation layer. The tantalum oxide layer has a thickness (t) that satisfies an equation t=(¼*W/n), wherein W is a wavelength of radiation from a radiation source, and n is a refractive index of the tantalum oxide layer. A photoimageable layer is also applied to the substrate. The photoimageable layer is imaged with the radiation source and then developed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Byron Vencent Bell, Christopher Allen Craft, Bryan Thomas Fannin, Burton Lee Joyner, II, Sean Terrence Weaver
  • Patent number: 7784918
    Abstract: Micro-fluid ejection heads and methods for extending the life of micro-fluid ejection heads. One such micro-fluid ejection head includes a substrate having a plurality of thermal ejection actuators. Each of the thermal ejection actuators has a resistive layer and a protective layer thereon. A flow feature member is adjacent the substrate and defines a fluid feed channel, a fluid chamber associated with at least one of the actuators and in flow communication with the fluid feed channel, and a nozzle. The nozzle is offset to a side of the chamber opposite the feed channel. A polymeric layer having a degradation temperature of less than about 400° C. overlaps a portion of the at least one actuator associated with the fluid chamber and positioned less than about five microns from at least an edge of the at least one actuator opposite the fluid feed channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Cornell, James Harold Powers, Shirish Padmakar Mulay, Robert L. Cornell
  • Patent number: 7784919
    Abstract: Methods for improving fluid flow in one or more flow features of a micro-fluid ejection head and micro-fluid ejection heads having improved fluid flow. One method includes bonding a substrate having a flow feature layer to an ejection head body using a relatively low stress, substantially flexible adhesive containing a relatively volatile polar organic compound. The adhesive is cured under conditions sufficient to induce outgassing of at least a portion of the relatively volatile polar organic compound on at least a portion of a flow feature surface sufficient to increase fluid wetting of the flow feature surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean T. Weaver
  • Patent number: 7784920
    Abstract: An ink-jet head includes a channel unit in which two sets of a manifold and five pressure chambers adjacent to the manifold are formed, a vibration plate which is provided on an upper surface of the channel unit, a piezoelectric layer which is provided on an upper surface of the vibration plate, and a piezoelectric actuator which includes individual electrodes provided on an upper surface of the piezoelectric layer, corresponding to the pressure chambers. The vibration plate is arranged such that the vibration plate covers 10 pressure chambers and two manifolds, and on a lower surface of the vibration plate, in an area overlapping with the two manifolds, a recess having a cross-sectional shape of a taper is formed. Due to the recess, a pressure wave which is propagated to the manifold can be attenuated assuredly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroto Sugahara, Hiroyuki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7784921
    Abstract: A liquid ejection head which forms an image, has: a nozzle from which liquid is ejected in a combination ejection direction and which includes a first nozzle region and a second nozzle region demarcated by a partition; a pressure chamber unit which includes a first pressure chamber connected to the first nozzle region and a second pressure chamber connected to the second nozzle region, the first pressure chamber and the second chamber being demarcated by the partition; and a single piezoelectric element which vibrates the first pressure chamber at a first resonance frequency and the second pressure chamber at a second resonance frequency in accordance with an electric field applied to the single piezoelectric element, the first resonance frequency being different from the second resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Kanji Nagashima
  • Patent number: 7784922
    Abstract: A liquid droplet ejecting apparatus includes: a plurality of plate members which are laminated with an adhesion layer interposed therebetween; and an ink flow path for an ink, which is formed through the plurality of plate members. The plurality of plate members include: a first plate member which includes a first surface; and a second plate member which is adjacent to the first plate member and includes a second surface facing to the first surface through the adhesion layer. A work of adhesion of the ink to each of the first and second surfaces at a portion surrounding the ink flow path is 0.065 J/m2 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Ito
  • Patent number: 7784923
    Abstract: There is provided an ink cartridge which is formed from an ink-filled ink pack and a hermetic outer shell case for housing the ink pack and which supplies ink to a recording head by means of application of air pressure to a space between the outer shell case and the ink pack. The outer shell case is formed by coupling an upper case and a lower case together. The ink-filled ink pack is housed in the lower case, and the upper case is laid on the lower case from above. The upper and lower cases are hermetically sealed by vibratory welding or heat welding, thus constituting the ink cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Taku Ishizawa, Toshio Kumagai, Masanori Kamijyo
  • Patent number: 7784924
    Abstract: An ink delivery system is provided for delivering ink to a plurality of printhead modules. The ink delivery system includes a channel structure defining a channel and a first pair of locating formations on either side of the channel. A printhead module location molding defines both a bight configured to receive the channel structure and a second pair of locating formations which form a complementary fastening arrangement with the first locating formations. An ink delivery extrusion is configured to be located within the channel and defines a plurality of internal ink channels. The extrusion further defines a plurality of groups of holes for engaging with respective printhead modules. The holes of each group extend from respective ink channels. An endcap is configured to cap the ink channels at an end of the ink delivery extrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Tobin Allen King
  • Patent number: 7784925
    Abstract: An ink cartridge suitable for regulating a hydrostatic pressure of ink supplied to an inkjet printhead is provided. The cartridge comprises an ink chamber having an ink outlet for fluid communication with the printhead via an ink line; an air inlet open to atmosphere; a bubble outlet for bubbling air bubbles into the chamber, each air bubble comprising an air cavity trapped inside a film or a body of ink; and an air channel connecting the air inlet and the bubble outlet. The bubble outlet is dimensioned to control a Laplace pressure of air bubbles drawn into the chamber as result of supplying ink to the printhead, thereby regulating a hydrostatic pressure of the ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: John Douglas Peter Morgan, Miao Wang, Patrick John McAuliffe, David John Worboys, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7784926
    Abstract: A liquid container detachably mountable to a recording apparatus to which a plurality of liquid containers are mountable at different positions, an apparatus side communicating portion, a light emitting portion, position detecting means for detecting a position of said liquid container where liquid container is mounted by receiving light from said liquid container, said liquid container includes a container side communicating portion capable of information communication with the apparatus side communicating portion; an information storing portion capable of storing at least individuality information of the liquid container; displaying means, including a light passing/blocking portion for passing or blocking the light from the light emitting portion provided in said apparatus, for releasing the light passed by the light passing/blocking portion; and a controller for releasing the light by said displaying means by controlling said light passing/blocking portion when information indicated by a signal relating to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenjiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7784927
    Abstract: In an ink supply system for connecting with an ink container with a hollow communicating tube provided in the ink container, in order to prevent leakage of the ink from the communicating tube and simultaneously to prevent damage of the communicating tube projected from the ink container, the communicating tube 60 is made movable to be projected from the inside of the ink container and to be inserted into a recording head, thus establishing liquid communication between the inside of the ink container and the inside of the recording head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryoji Inoue, Ryoichi Matsumoto, Hideki Ogura, Shogo Kawamura, Satoshi Oikawa
  • Patent number: 7784928
    Abstract: The unjamming process is conducted through an opening formed on a lateral side of a housing of the printer. A recording medium conveying unit of the printer does not get exposed to outside. The printer also inhibits inaccurate ejection of ink from recording heads because of the unjamming process. For the unjamming process, the recording medium conveying unit is moved away from head surfaces. This constitution prevents vibration or shock on the recording heads when a recording paper is removed, prevents breakage of menisci formed on respective nozzles of the recording heads, and furthermore prevents ink from being pushed outside of the nozzles, or inhaled toward an ink tank because positional relation between the recording heads and the ink tank does not change. Therefore, inaccurate control over ejection of ink can be inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsugio Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7784929
    Abstract: Droplet ejecting apparatus has a recording medium carrier portion provided with recording medium carrier rollers conveying a recording medium, a droplet ejecting portion discharging droplets to the recording medium, and a droplet adherence preventing liquid applying portion applying droplet adherence preventing liquid preventing adherence of the droplets to at least one of the recording medium carrier rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunichi Yamashita, Ken Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7784930
    Abstract: An ink cartridge for an ink jet recording device, includes: a container having an ink supply port; at least two ink chambers partitioned in the container, one being located substantially in an upper section and the other being located substantially in a lower section; an ink suction passage connecting a bottom region of the lower section ink chamber to a bottom region of the upper section ink chamber; and a negative pressure generating mechanism provided to a flow passage connecting the upper section ink chamber to the ink supply port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hisashi Miyazawa, Yasuto Sakai, Satoshi Shinada, Atsushi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7784931
    Abstract: A cartridge for a printing device includes a casing divided into a print media supply portion for housing sheets of paper and a storage portion for housing an ink supply and defining a print media exit opening. A print media transport mechanism is within the print media supply portion to feed print media out of the print media exit opening. The storage portion is defined by two separate moldings forming part of the casing in the form of an ink storage base molding and a cover molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Tobin Allen King, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7784932
    Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a body housing a print engine. The print engine includes a transport mechanism configured to transport print media and a printhead assembly configured to print upon the print media. The transport mechanism includes a motor which can be driven in one direction when picking an endmost sheet of print media from a stack of print media and driven in another direction when transporting the picked print media during printing. A retractable cover is pivotally mounted relative to the body and can be pivoted to form a sheet feeder in which the stack can be located. A capping mechanism is configured to cap the printhead assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Paul Lapstun, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Patent number: 7784933
    Abstract: An improved handheld printer includes projectors to project images of the various page content that remains to be printed on the page. By providing this visual indication of locations of the page that remain to be printed, the projectors assist the user in achieving full coverage of the page when moving the handheld printer across the page. The projectors emit a narrow beam of light that can be rapidly scanned, with the assistance of micromirror-based optics, over points composing an area on the page to create a visual image to guide the user along the page. The projectors can be used to project an actual image of the page content to be printed. Alternatively, the projectors can project signals or other meaningful information onto the page that provide instructions to the user or point the user towards void areas that have been missed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Lee Noe, William Henry Reed
  • Patent number: 7784934
    Abstract: These lenses or glasses made with these lenses will allow people to watch any movie in 3-D without the need for special filming, additional electronics, conversion programs, or software. Normal 2-D movies may be viewed in 3-D with these glasses. And it will work with virtually any type of video presentation, as well as print media and art. As an added benefit, the lenses also improve overall image quality by filtering out interference patterns, without the need for electronic editing. This is especially useful for viewing old videos or low grade images. These glasses make it easy, convenient, and comfortable to view any movie in 3-D, even if the movie was not specifically created for 3-D viewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Becky Lynn Gauger
  • Patent number: 7784935
    Abstract: Eyewear includes a left temple and a right temple. Each of the temples has a cavity sized to receive an audio device such as a BlueTooth transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote device like a cell phone or a digital sound device. The BlueTooth transceiver may be placed in the cavity of either temple with the other temple cavity covered with a cover plate. An earphone may be connected to the BlueTooth transceiver through a receptacle. The earphone delivers the audible sound to the user's ear. The receptacle of the BlueTooth transceiver to which the earphone connects is also configured to receive the connector from a charger to charge a rechargeable battery in the BlueTooth transceiver. The eyewear may also be configured with cover plates over the cavity in both of the temples or with an audio device in both cavities to provide audible signals to both ears of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventors: Michael T. Jackson, Eleanor Wink Jackson
  • Patent number: 7784936
    Abstract: A device for dispensing ophthalmic solutions to a user's eyes comprising a container for holding ophthalmic solutions, transfer tubing attached to the container for dispensing and applying said solution and a clip attached to the container for attaching said applicator to eyeglasses. The transfer tubing is the clip by being formed into the shape of a clip for attaching said eye solution applicator to eyeglasses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Steve Stinson
  • Patent number: 7784937
    Abstract: A system and method of forming surfaces on eyeglass lenses is described. In some examples, the surface is a spherical, cylindrical or spherocylindrical surface at a center of the lens and an aspherical surface at a periphery of the lens. In some examples, forming the surface on the lens reduces the thickness of the lens at the periphery of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Digital Vision, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Keane, John Thompson
  • Patent number: 7784938
    Abstract: Shaped glasses have curved surface lenses and spectrally complementary filters disposed on the curved surface lenses configured to compensate for wavelength shifts occurring due to viewing angles and other sources. The spectrally complementary filters include guard bands to prevent crosstalk between spectrally complementary portions of a 3D image viewed through the shaped glasses. In one embodiment, the spectrally complementary filters are disposed on the curved lenses with increasing layer thickness towards edges of the lenses. The projected complementary images may also be pre-shifted to compensate for subsequent wavelength shifts occurring while viewing the images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Martin John Richards, Wilson Heaton Allen
  • Patent number: 7784939
    Abstract: There is provided a polarizing lens for sunglasses capable of effectively preventing light from falling on eyes outside the lens at the side of the eyes in the polarizing lens for sunglasses of spherical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Ohkei Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Norihiro Negishi
  • Patent number: 7784940
    Abstract: There is described in one embodiment an eye viewing device for viewing a structure of an eye such as a retina. The eye viewing device can include an image sensor. In one embodiment an eye viewing device can be adapted to facilitate both visual viewing of an eye structure and electronic image capture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Ervin Goldfain, Allan I. Krauter, Chris R. Roberts, Steven R. Slawson, William H. Lagerway
  • Patent number: 7784941
    Abstract: A fundus observation device which can simultaneously capture both surface images and tomographic images of the fundus oculi is provided. The fundus observation device 1 has a fundus camera unit 1A, an OCT unit 150, and an arithmetic and control unit 200. The fundus camera unit 1A has an illuminating optical system 100 and an imaging optical system 120. The arithmetic and control unit 200 forms the surface image of fundus oculi Ef based on signals from fundus camera unit 1A. The OCT unit 150 divides low coherence light LO into the signal light LS and the reference light LR, and detects the interference light LC that can be obtained from the signal light LS passing through fundus oculi Ef and the reference light LR passing through reference mirror 174. The arithmetic and control unit 200 forms tomographic images of fundus oculi Ef based on these detecting results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventors: Yasufumi Fukuma, Hiroyuki Otsuka, Kazuhiko Yumikake
  • Patent number: 7784942
    Abstract: A fundus oculi observation device comprises: a first image forming part for optically obtaining data and then forming a fluorescence image of a fundus oculi of an eye administered with a fluorescent agent in advance based on the obtained data; a second image forming part for optically obtaining data and then forming a tomographic image of the fundus oculi based on the obtained data; a display; and a controller for causing said display to display said fluorescence image formed by said first image forming part side-by-side with said tomographic image formed by said second image forming part, as well as to display cross-sectional position information that represents a cross-sectional position of said tomographic image in said fluorescence image by overlapping it with said fluorescent image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
    Inventors: Naoyuki Maeda, Kazuhiko Yumikake, Takashi Shioiri
  • Patent number: 7784943
    Abstract: An eyelid detecting apparatus includes an image capturing portion for capturing a face image, a red-eye effect detecting portion for detecting a red-eye effect in which a light appears red at the pupil in the face image, the light entering through the pupil, reflecting on a choroidea of the eye, and exiting from the pupil, an eyelid detecting portion for detecting an upper eyelid and a lower eyelid in the face image on the basis of an edge appearing on a boundary between a bright portion and a dark portion and the eyelid detecting portion ignoring the edge of a red-eye effect occurring pupil so as not to be considered as the upper eyelid and the lower eyelid when the red-eye effect detecting portion detects the red-eye effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jun Adachi, Tadashi Asano, Kenichi Ohue, Yuji Ninagawa, Shinichi Kojima
  • Patent number: 7784944
    Abstract: A device for determining a movement of an eye includes an illumination unit by which optical radiation can be generated and emitted as an illumination ray bundle for illumination of at least one area of the cornea of the eye, a distance-determining unit, by which the illumination ray bundle returned as a detection ray bundle by the cornea can be received in a temporally resolved manner. A distance signal corresponding to a distance of the cornea from a reference plane can be generated using the received optical radiation of the detection ray bundle. the reference plane is defined relative to the distance-determining unit, and an evaluating unit, by which a position or movement signal corresponding to a position or movement of the eye can be generated using the distance signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Dirk Muhlhoff, Mario Gerlach
  • Patent number: 7784945
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes: a light outputting unit which outputs a visible beam to be projected onto an eyeball and an infrared beam to be projected onto eyelids; a deflection unit which deflects, toward the user's eyes, the visible beam and infrared beam outputted by the light outputting unit; a light sensing unit which senses the reflected light of the visible beam reflected off the user's eyeball; an eyelid opening and closing judgment unit which judges the open or closed state of the user's eyelids based on the result of the reflected light sensing by the light sensing unit; and an infrared-irradiation range control unit which changes the irradiation range of the infrared beam so that the eyelids are selectively irradiated with the infrared beam, by controlling the light outputting unit according to the open or closed state of the eyelids judged by is the eyelid opening and closing judgment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Keiji Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7784946
    Abstract: A system for visualizing an eye of a patient during corneal surgery includes a processor and a first and second camera in signal communication with the processor. The cameras are positionable for focusing on a cornea positioned for surgery. A first and a second display and optics therefor are in signal communication with the processor and are positionable for viewing through a first and a second eyepiece of a stereo microscope, respectively. Software is resident on the processor for receiving a first and second corneal image from the first and second cameras, for processing the received first and second images for display, and for transmitting the processed first and second images to the first and the second displays, respectively, via the display optics. The displays can then be viewed by a surgeon through the microscope at least during the surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Alcon Refractivehorizons, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Alan LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 7784947
    Abstract: A cataract surgery microscopy system is provided which comprises a microscopy optics for producing an image of an object plane of the microscopy optics and a pattern generator for generating a pattern superimposed on the image, said pattern generator being provided to generate a circular pattern having an adjustable diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Surgical GmbH
    Inventors: Michel Pérez, Daniel Kolster, Gerhard Gaida, Peter Reimer
  • Patent number: 7784948
    Abstract: A visual acuity testing apparatus capable of performing visual acuity testing under substantially uniform conditions even when a test distance and an installation distance vary has a projection optical unit including a disk whereon a chart is placed, an illumination light source, and variable projection lenses which are moved so as to change an image-forming position and an image size of an image of the chart, an input unit into which an installation distance between the screen and the visual acuity testing apparatus and a test distance between the screen and an examinee are inputted, a projection lens driving unit which moves the variable projection lenses based on the installation distance and the test distance, and a light intensity adjusting unit which adjusts light intensity based on the installation distance and the test distance so that brightness of the chart image falls within a predetermined reference range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noritsugu Nozawa, Yuichiro Kanazawa, Ryoji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7784949
    Abstract: An illuminator includes a laser light source that irradiates laser light, a switch element that switches over between exiting optical paths of the laser light entered, and a plurality of diffusion-illuminating elements that allow the laser light entering through the exiting optical path to exit with diffusion. The plurality of diffusion-illuminating elements are to be superimposed together at least in a part of respective ones of exiting light thereby illuminating an illumination area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Taisuke Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 7784950
    Abstract: An image projecting apparatus has an integrator for generating plural secondary-light-source images for generating illumination light with a uniform intensity; and a variable stop mechanism arranged at or near a position conjugate with the secondary-light-source images. The variable stop mechanism has a base plate having a fixed aperture; and a stop blade which moves across the aperture for changing a quantity of light. The change in the quantity of light passing through said variable stop caused by the movement of said stop blade is greater than a change in a size of an effective region of a stop aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasumasa Sawai
  • Patent number: 7784951
    Abstract: An electronic instrument includes: an apparatus body which processes information received from a USB device connected thereto; and a housing which houses the apparatus body in an interior, wherein a step sinking in toward an interior of the housing is formed in an outer peripheral surface of the housing, and the step is provided with a USB connecting terminal to which the USB device is connected along the surface of the housing in which the step is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyomasa Shirakura
  • Patent number: 7784952
    Abstract: The retroreflective sheet of the present invention comprises a surface layer (1) including at least one layer, a focusing layer (2) containing glass spheres (3), and a metal reflective layer (4) on the back side of the focusing layer (2), wherein the glass spheres (3) are disposed at random locations in the thickness direction of the focusing layer (2). The external illumination system of the present invention comprises a sign having a sign face including the above-mentioned retroreflective sheet, and an external illumination source, and the distance from the illumination source to the sign face is within a range of at least 1 m and no more than 100 m. The present invention thereby provides a retroreflective sheet and an external illumination system with which wide-angle reflective performance with a wider incidence angle and observation angle can be ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Kiwa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeo Yukawa, Hideyuki Oki, Yoshitaka Ura
  • Patent number: 7784953
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a mirror head assembly including a rearwardly-extending ball section, and a mirror support assembly including a tube having a larger-diameter mid-section and a smaller-diameter tapered end section. A socket on the mirror support assembly, when in the end section, captures the ball section with friction to permit angular adjustment but with enough friction to maintain a selected angular position. A spring biases the socket from the mid-section into the end section, but is compressible so that assembly is possible by pressing the ball section against the socket, causing the socket to move from the end section into the mid-section where the ball section snaps into the socket. It is conceived that the ball section and socket components can be reversed, and also that the mirror support assembly can include a two-ball mount, with a ball-and-socket connection at each end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne Rumsey, John W. Carter
  • Patent number: 7784954
    Abstract: The present invention provides a polarization-sensitive light homogenizer and a backlight and display using the same. The homogenizer improves the spatial luminance and color uniformity, increases the luminance in a direction normal to the homogenizer and provides increased luminance through polarized light recycling within the light homogenizer and backlight. In one embodiment, the homogenizer includes a polarization-sensitive anisotropic light-scattering (PDALS) region, a non-polarization-sensitive anisotropic light-scattering region, and a substantially non-scattering region. In a further embodiment, the non-scattering region is birefringent. The spatially non-uniform incident light flux from a backlight including one or more non-extended light emitting sources is scattered efficiently by the NPDASL region and is incident on the PDALS region which backscatters light orthogonal to the polarization state desired for efficient illumination of a liquid crystal display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Fusion Optix, Inc.
    Inventor: Zane Coleman
  • Patent number: 7784955
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an LED (light emitting diode) headlamp aiming apparatus, which aims a mounting module that is provided with LEDs and is installed in a headlamp housing. The LED headlamp aiming apparatus includes a vertical aiming unit, which is provided on the rear side of the mounting module and is coupled to the headlamp housing, a horizontal aiming unit, which is provided on the rear side of the mounting module and is coupled to the headlamp housing, and a pivot unit which is coupled to the headlamp housing and is provided under the lower portion of the mounting module to support the mounting module and provide the center of the aiming operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sung Uk Choi, Se Wook Oh, Joung Hyun Joo
  • Patent number: 7784956
    Abstract: A light source is used to extend the operating period of light-activated materials in gazing globes and other decorative or ornamental objects. A gazing globe according to the invention includes a hollow glass globe supported on a stand. Photoluminescent, fluorescent or phosphorescent material is deposited on, or embedded in, the globe. A light-emitting diode (LED) is supported within the globe to activate the material. A solar cell is used to charge one or more batteries, and a light detector is used to switch power from the battery to the source of light when a sufficient level of darkness is detected. A violet or ultraviolet LED may be used as the light source, with the solar cell is supported on the stand. The material deposited on, or embedded in, the globe may intentionally glow in a swirling pattern when activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: RSR Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Cohen
  • Patent number: 7784957
    Abstract: At least one embodiment of the invention provides a recessed assembly combining a light fixture and a speaker assembly. The light fixture is a light source that is excited via an array of high-intensity light-emitting-diodes (LED) and is imbedded into a ceiling-mounted recessed assembly. The light fixture may be fashioned such that it closely mimics existing, commonly available recessed ceiling lighting assemblies. A speaker assembly is mounted within the recessed assembly so that both light and sound can be provided by the recessed assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventor: Doug S. Wright