Patents Issued in October 12, 2010
  • Patent number: 7810933
    Abstract: An image projection apparatus includes a one-dimensional spatial light modulating element and a polygon scanner having four or five mirror facets. The polygon scanner scans a light beam modulated by the one-dimensional spatial light modulating element in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the one-dimensional spatial light modulating element so as to display an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7810934
    Abstract: A projection device, having an optical engine device and an adjusting device is provided. The optical engine device has an optical engine and a fixing device coupled to the optical engine. A first thread hole is formed in the optical engine along a Z-axis direction. An image is projected parallel to the Z-axis. The adjusting device further has an adjusting frame in which a second thread hole is formed along the Z-axis direction and an adjusting bolt screws through the second thread hole and the first thread hole. The operation of the adjusting bolt, the fixing device as well as the optical engine is moved relatively to the adjusting frame along the Z-axis. Thereby, the optical engine has a built-in adjustment mechanism to ensure the focal length maintained as the design value after assembly, such that the image quality of the projection device is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventor: Wen-Ching Ho
  • Patent number: 7810935
    Abstract: A display unit includes: a light modulation unit that includes an effective area, and modulates an illumination light entering to the effective area; a light-emitting unit that includes a plurality of light-emitting areas that can be made to emit a light or stop emitting a light, and are substantially similar in outline shape to a plurality of effective image modulation areas set in the effective area; and a critical illumination system that guides, as the illumination light, a luminous flux as a result of light emission of the light-emitting unit onto the effective image modulation areas in the effective area of the light modulation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Hashimoto, Taisuke Uehara
  • Patent number: 7810936
    Abstract: A microscope includes an optical member; a movable member that moves so as to pass near the optical member at a time of observation operation of the microscope; and a dust removing member that is mounted on the movable member, and that exerts a function of removing dust adhered on a surface of the optical member when the movable member moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Yukio Nonoda
  • Patent number: 7810937
    Abstract: A protective automatic darkening filter (ADF) and an associated tool, such as a welding torch, are controlled by a corresponding communication unit. The invention helps to ensure that the tool is not activated before the ADF has reached its dark state. A communication channel between the communication unit and the ADF may be established using a wired or wireless medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Bengt Garbergs, Marcus Wiederkehr
  • Patent number: 7810938
    Abstract: A laser configuration for machining a workpiece includes a plurality of laser light sources for introducing a laser radiation into a predeterminable working area. Some or all of the laser light sources are disposed on an arc of a circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Limo Patentverwaltung GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Vitalij Lissotschenko, Aleksei Mikhailov
  • Patent number: 7810939
    Abstract: An exterior vehicle mirror system has a support mounted to the side of the vehicle; a support arm extending from said support to a distal end; a mirror housing movable along said support arm from a first position proximate said fixed support to a second position proximate said distal end, and enclosing a mirror unit and an electrically powered mirror unit adjust mechanism for adjusting said mirror unit about horizontal and vertical axes; an electrically powered pivoting and extending mechanism for pivoting said support arm about said support between an extended position and a folded position, and for moving said mirror housing along said support arm from said first position to said second position; and an electronic control system operable by a driver of the vehicle to control the operation of said powered pivoting and extending mechanism independent of the operation of said powered mirror unit adjust mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith D. Foote
  • Patent number: 7810940
    Abstract: A table comprising a base and a plurality of support members supported by the base is used to shape a mirror. The height of the plurality of support members is adjusted to form a predetermined shape. A mirror is placed over the plurality of support members, such that the mirror assumes the predetermined shape. A frame is then attached to the mirror such that when the mirror and frame are lifted off the table, the mirror substantially retains the predetermined shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Areva Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Philipp Hans Josef Schramek, Anthony John Roddom
  • Patent number: 7810941
    Abstract: The present example provides a flexible and compact system for diffusing light in multiple levels when taking photographs. An adapter capable of coupling many types of flashes is fitted to a first diffusion device. The diffusion device may be fitted inside a light box fitted with a diffusion lens so that additional light dispersion is provided. The light box may be substituted with a black box that tends to direct diffused light for further control over exposure. Various filters may also be used in the system allowing for further flexibility in setting exposure. And finally a system of reflectors and shields allow further control of lighting effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Michael J Capozzi
  • Patent number: 7810942
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sanitary fitting containing an assembly of several light sources for illuminating water that flows out of or into the sanitary fitting, said light sources generating light of different colors. According to the invention, collecting optics are positioned upstream of the light sources to focus and mix the light that is generated by the light sources. This permits the generation of intensive mixed colors, which, for example, can illuminate the interior of a shower jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Hansa Metallwerke AG
    Inventors: Horst Kunkel, Gunter Veigel
  • Patent number: 7810943
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lamp support capable of stably and firmly mounting a lamp, and a backlight assembly and a liquid crystal display including the lamp support unit. The lamp support unit includes a socket housing, a socket terminal disposed in the socket housing gripping a lead of a lamp and a supporting member installed to the socket housing and supporting a lamp tube of the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung Rok Ko, Jae Hwan Chun, John Seung Han, Young Jae Lee, Hyun Su Park, Joo Young Kim
  • Patent number: 7810944
    Abstract: An illuminated cap includes a crown having a visor, with a folding member on an inner surface of the crown proximate an ear portion thereof. A light source assembly includes a circuit board, two light emitting members connected to the circuit board, a switch on the circuit board, and at least one cell mounted on the circuit board. A receiving assembly, with the circuit board mounted therein, is fastened on the crown by the folding member which is adapted to separate the head of a wearer from the receiving assembly. A flexible optical fiber strand is disposed on the visor and/or along at least one stitch of the crown and has both ends electrically connected to the light emitting members respectively. The light emitting members (e.g., LEDs) are adapted to light or flash for warning surrounding persons or vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Chuan Cheng Hat Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-Yie Liao
  • Patent number: 7810945
    Abstract: An adjustable light connection comprising a flexible member having a first end and a second end, a contact base connected to the first end of the flexible member, a mounted socket connected to the second end of the flexible member, and an electrical connection disposed within the flexible member and having a first end connected to the contact base and a second end connected to the mounted socket. The contact base is engageable with a light socket and the mounted socket is engageable with a light bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Randy J. Mize
  • Patent number: 7810946
    Abstract: A lighting lamp having an enclosure housing a DC power source and contact parts for connection to a printed circuit card connected with a light-emitting diode. The contact parts comprise first contact elements electrically connected with the power source and second contact elements designed to pass successively through a pair of holes situated in a tight intermediate wall of the enclosure and a through a pair of slots of the card. Soldering of the second contact elements onto the card, in addition to electric connection of the power source, enables a tightly sealed compartment to be achieved in the enclosure around the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Zedel
    Inventors: Sebastien Jarzac, Stephane Huguenin, Paul Petzl
  • Patent number: 7810947
    Abstract: A white LED light source device and an LED backlight using the white LED light source can produce, among other features, white light with sufficient luminous intensity, uniform color tone, and high luminous utilization efficiency. A light path for producing white light with favorable color mixture can be shortened. The white LED light source device can be configured to include a bluish green LED lamp which can emit bluish green light by the combination of a blue LED device and a green phosphor material and a purple LED lamp which can emit purple light by the combination of a blue LED device and a red phosphor material. The bluish green light from the bluish green LED lamp and the purple light from the purple LED lamp are subjected to additive color mixture to produce white light with a spectrum containing three primary color wavelength components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Ueno, Nobuyuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7810948
    Abstract: An illumination device is provided that has a superior decorative effect achieving a favorable dramatic effect and atmosphere. Sub-panels (2, 3, 4, 5) having the same shape as a main panel (1) are mounted pivotally to each side of the rectangular main panel (1) via hinges (6). Surface-emitting parts (1a, 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a) formed of organic EL elements are mounted on the main panel (1) and each of the sub-panels (2, 3, 4, 5). By changing a set angle between the main panel (1) and each of the sub-panels (2, 3, 4, 5) and by independently controlling the lighting of each surface-emitting part (1a to 5a), a favorable dramatic effect and atmosphere can be created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Yamagata Promotional Organization for Industrial Technology
    Inventor: Yuta Ogashiwa
  • Patent number: 7810949
    Abstract: An exemplary optical plate (20) includes a transparent plate unit. The transparent plate unit includes a light output surface (202), a bottom surface (203), a plurality of microstructures (206), a diffusion layer (205), and a lamp-receiving portion (204). The bottom surface is opposite to the light output surface. The microstructures are formed on the bottom surface. Each microstructure includes four side surfaces connected with each other. A transverse width of each side surface decreases along a direction away from the base surface of the microstructure. The diffusion layer is formed on the light output surface. The lamp-receiving portion is defined in the bottom surface. A backlight module (200) using the present optical plate is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Han Chang
  • Patent number: 7810950
    Abstract: A heat dissipation device includes a heat conductive member, a fin unit coupled to a bottom surface of the heat conductive member and a plurality of LED modules attached to a top surface of the heat conductive member. The heat conductive member consists of a first plate, a second plate parallel to the first plate and a plurality of posts sandwiched between the first and second plates. Peripheries of the first and second plate are in a hermetical conjunction with each other to form a chamber containing a phase-changeable working fluid therein. The first and second plates therein define a plurality of through orifices. The posts each define therein a screwed orifice which is in alignment with corresponding through orifices of the first and second plates respectively and threadedly receives a screw extending through the LED module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen)., Ltd., Foxconn Technologj Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhi-Yong Zhou, Qiao-Li Ding
  • Patent number: 7810951
    Abstract: An LED module comprises a heat dissipating bracket, a substrate, multiple LED assemblies and two rotatable mounting assemblies. The heat dissipating bracket has a top panel, a bottom panel and multiple flues. Each flue connects a corresponding top hole of the top panel and a bottom hole of the bottom panel. The substrate is mounted on the bottom panel and has multiple independent through holes respectively corresponding to the flues. The LED assemblies are respectively mounted on the substrate between two adjacent through holes. The rotatable mounting assemblies are respectively connected to two ends of the heat dissipating bracket, wherein the heat dissipating bracket is adapted to change an illuminating direction of the LED assemblies by rotating with the rotatable mounting assemblies. With the heat dissipating bracket and the rotatable mounting assemblies, the LED module obtains good heat-dissipating efficiency and optimal light distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Pan-Jit International Inc.
    Inventors: Tsu Lee, Feng Ma, Jin-Yun Yang, Zhong-Lin Tang, Lei Zhao
  • Patent number: 7810952
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for modulating a particular light source used for laser display are provided. The apparatus includes a digital modulator digitally modulating light output from a semiconductor laser to a frequency higher than a repetition frequency required for laser image display; and a pixel brightness adjustor inserting at least one high-speed pulse into a period of the modulated output light, which is required for a single pixel, and adjusting a brightness of the pixel by adjusting the number of the inserted high-speed pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Su Hwan Oh, Jong Moo Lee
  • Patent number: 7810953
    Abstract: An illuminating device includes a light source module and a power supply module. The light source module includes a substrate, at least one solid state light emitting element, and a plurality of first heat-conducting fins. The substrate has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The at least one solid state light emitting element is arranged on the first surface. The first heat-conducting fins are formed on the second surface. The power supply module includes a housing with a slot formed therein. The housing includes a heat-conducting bottom plate and a plurality of second heat-conducting fins formed on the heat-conducting bottom plate. The light source module is detachably inserted in the slot with the first heat-conducting fins interleaved with the second heat-conducting fins and in thermal contact with the heat-conducting bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Foxsemicon Integrated Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Hung-Kuang Hsu
  • Patent number: 7810954
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate providing a user with interchangeable phosphor-coated shells, or envelopes, for generate different shades and intensities of white light from a single UV light source. The interchangeability of the low-cost phosphor-coated envelopes permits the use of a single light engine, which is the more expensive component of a solid state lamp. In this manner, consumers are provided with a greater number of lighting choices at low cost than can be achieved using conventional single-envelope lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Lumination LLC
    Inventor: Boris Kolodin
  • Patent number: 7810955
    Abstract: A linear LED light module and system includes a heat sink, a printed circuit board, a plurality of LEDs, a power supply housing, a flexible electrical conductor, a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector, and a power supply. The heat sink is elongated in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis that is parallel with a greatest dimension of the heat sink. The PCB is in thermal communication with the heat sink and includes circuitry. The plurality of LEDs mount to the PCB and are in electrical communication with the circuitry of the PCB. The power supply housing connects to the heat sink. The flexible electrical conductor includes at least two wires that are configured to accommodate an AC line voltage of at least 120 VAC. The first electrical connector is at a first end of the electrical conductor. The second electrical connector is at a second end of the electrical conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Lumination LLC
    Inventors: Tomislav Stimac, Shawn Du, Matthew S. Mrakovich, Mark Mayer
  • Patent number: 7810956
    Abstract: A light source configured to emit first light is combined with a wavelength-converting layer. The wavelength-converting layer is disposed in a path of first light, is spaced apart from the light source, and includes at least one wavelength-converting material such as a phosphor configured to absorb first light and emit second light. The wavelength-converting layer is disposed between a reflective layer and the light source. In some embodiments, the wavelength-converting layer is a thick layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignees: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Philips Lumileds Lighting Company
    Inventors: Serge J. Bierhuizen, Gerard Harbers
  • Patent number: 7810957
    Abstract: An LED lamp assembly includes an LED lamp and a supporting member supporting the LED lamp. The LED lamp includes a plurality of LED modules and a heat sink supporting and cooling the LED modules. The supporting member includes a pair of supporting arms supporting the LED lamp and pivotably engaging with the heat sink of the LED lamp. The heat sink is rotatable relative to the supporting arms of the supporting member to vary an illumination angle of the LED lamp assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun-Hua Zeng, Yong-Dong Chen, Shih-Hsun Wung
  • Patent number: 7810958
    Abstract: An outdoor LED lamp assembly includes a receiving member, a driving circuit module received in the receiving member, an LED lamp mounted on the receiving member, and a switch received in the receiving member and electronically connecting with the driving circuit module to control power off and power on of the outdoor LED lamp assembly. The receiving member includes a bottom plate. The LED lamp includes a heat sink and a plurality of LED modules mounted on the heat sink. The bottom plate depresses the switch so that the switch is at an “ON” position to enable a current to flow to the driving circuit module via the switch. When the bottom plate is removed from the receiving member, the switch is changed from the “ON” position to an “OFF” position, whereby the current cannot flow to the driving circuit module via the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignees: Fu Zhun Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd., Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: You-Xue Liu, Li He
  • Patent number: 7810959
    Abstract: A backlight module includes a light guide plate, a light source and a ventilating tube. The light guide plate includes a light exiting surface and a light incident surface adjacent the light exiting surface. The light source includes a plurality of light emitting diodes facing the light incident surface of the light guide plate. The ventilating tube is thermally connected to the light source. The ventilating tube defines an air inlet in one first end, an air outlet in an opposite second end, and an air passage channel interconnecting the air inlet to the air outlet. The air outlet is at a higher altitude than the air inlet along a gravitational force direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Foxsemicon Integrated Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Peng Hsu, Hung-Kuang Hsu
  • Patent number: 7810960
    Abstract: A light fixture assembly including an illumination assembly in the form of one or more light emitting diodes is interconnected to an electrical energy source by control circuitry. A mounting assembly supports the illumination assembly and a cover structure is disposed in heat transferring relation to the illumination assembly, wherein the cover structure, which has an enlarged surface area formed of a heat conductive material, defines a decorative exterior of the light fixture and is disposed exterior of a mounting surface, thereby effectively dissipating the heat generated by the LED illumination assembly towards the environment being illuminated by the light fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Inteltech Corporation
    Inventors: Daryl Soderman, Dale B. Stepps
  • Patent number: 7810961
    Abstract: An energy-saving light-emitting module is provided, comprising: a light guide plate having a light-incident surface, a bottom surface intersecting the light-incident surface and a light-emitting surface opposite the bottom surface, wherein a plurality of recesses are provided at the bottom surface; a light source placed at one side of the light-incident surface of the light guide plate; and a reflective plate placed at the bottom of the light guide plate for reflecting light rays from the light source into the light guide plate. The light rays emitted by the light source reach the arc surface of each recess at the bottom side of the light guide plate, and the light rays are then reflected to the light-emitting surface. Meanwhile, during the light-emitting process, light rays are concentrated at the arc surface of each recess. The concentration of light rays increases overall luminance produced by the module, and thus, energy is saved effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching Cheng Tsai, Chia Hsin Chen
  • Patent number: 7810962
    Abstract: A lens assembly (4) comprises a body (6) formed from a transparent material. The body (6) is mounted on an LED chip (8) comprising an LED (10). The LED (10) is disposed in a recess (12) formed in the body (6) such that the LED 10 is positioned on the longitudinal axis Z of the lens assembly (4). A convex lens (14) is formed in the aperture (12). The outer surface (16) of the lens assembly (4) comprises a plurality of flat surfaces in concentric rings that form a plurality of optical steps (18). The length of the respective steps increases towards the base (7) of the body (6). A central dimple (20) is disposed on axis Z. The dimple (20) prevents a black spot appearing when the lens assembly (4) is viewed along axis Z.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Ghollam Tahmosybayat
  • Patent number: 7810963
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is a light emitting diode module with improved light distribution uniformity. One embodiment of a signal head includes a light emitting diode and a reflector cup positioned to reflect light emitted by the light emitting diode, the reflector cup having a non-symmetrical curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Dialight Corporation
    Inventor: John Patrick Peck
  • Patent number: 7810964
    Abstract: A light fixture comprises a housing configured to store a plurality of light bulbs therein, wherein at least one of the light bulbs is located in a non-illumination position within the housing. The light fixture may also comprise an openable door such that at least one light bulb is coupled to the door. The light fixture may also comprise an actuatable mechanism that releases the light fixture from a fixed position when actuated to enable variable positioning of the light fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Max Alan Probasco
  • Patent number: 7810965
    Abstract: A heat removal assembly for a light emitting diode lighting apparatus is described. One embodiment of the heat removal assembly includes a plurality of fins configured to receive heat from a light emitting diode. In the plurality of fins, two adjacent fins are separated by a gap width, and each fin has a fin length. The heat removal assembly also includes a duct configured to draw a stack-effect airflow through the plurality of fins to remove heat from the plurality of fins. The gap width separating two adjacent fins and the fin length of each of the fins are configured to prevent boundary layer choking the plurality of fins. In one embodiment, the heat removal assembly also includes a conductor and a thermal storage system configured to receive heat from the light emitting diode. A lighting apparatus including the heat removal assembly, a light emitting diode, and a connector plug is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Lumenetix, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Weaver
  • Patent number: 7810966
    Abstract: A cables fixing apparatus for a backlight module includes a rear frame having a leading-out area in a side edge provided with a plurality of protrusions thereof; a lamp cable led out from said leading-out area; and a mold frame provided with a plurality of crooks, wherein each of said crooks faces one of said protrusions on said side edge of said rear frame so as to define a cable groove, and said lamp cable is accommodated and fixed in said cable groove along an edge of said rear frame. These protrusions of the rear frame and these crooks of the mold frame are utilized to arrange and fix the lamp cable in the cable groove to avoid the fracturing problem of solder joint of lamp and prevent the interference as assembling because of the displacement issue of the lamp cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei-Chen Hsu
  • Patent number: 7810967
    Abstract: An adjustable grill light having a lamp portion with light emitting diodes, a lens and a reflector, a gooseneck extension, and an adjustable clamp comprised of two members hingedly joined and locked together. After unlocking, the two members are secured in a selected position by a slidable plate, a fixed plate and a brace hingedly joined therebetween. Further, a timer controls the period during which the grill light is illuminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Elumx LLC
    Inventors: Wai-Shing Peter Ko, Jon Eric Gibson
  • Patent number: 7810968
    Abstract: An LED unit is provided with a plurality of vertically oriented LED panels each having a support surface supporting at least one LED. The LED panels may be rotatable about a vertical panel axis. The LED unit may further be provided with a frame that may support the LED panels and the LED panels may be removable from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Justin M. Walker, Neil Ruberg
  • Patent number: 7810969
    Abstract: A floor console to provide ambient lighting in the interior of a vehicle is disclosed. The floor console includes lighting elements strategically positioned to illuminate the footwells of the vehicle, the cupholders, and the storage bin. The same lighting element may be used to illuminate one or more of the cupholders and the storage bin. The preferred lighting element is an LED while other lighting elements may be used. The floor console is also provided with wiring and an ECU and may be readily connected to the vehicle's power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kathleen Blackmore, Cornel Gardner, Mike Whitens, Michael Williams, Peter Bejin
  • Patent number: 7810970
    Abstract: In the vehicle lighting control apparatus and method, it is determined that the user's steering wheel is returned from a steering angle existing in a saturated steering angle region toward a neutral steering angle region at a given speed or more. If such a steering condition is found, a swivel angle is calculated based on a swivel-angle control characteristic showing a monotonic decrease in the swivel angle when the steering angle decreases from the steering angle existing in the saturated steering angle range to a third preset angle. The third preset angle is an angle from which the swivel angle decreasing from the steering angle existing in the saturated steering range becomes zero. This calculated swivel angle is used to control the swivel angle of light irradiated from on-vehicle headlights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 7810971
    Abstract: A remotely deployable vehicle light apparatus includes a support which is connected to a vehicle. A remotely-controlled light assembly deployment mechanism is connected to the support. One or more light assemblies are connected to the light assembly deployment mechanism. A remote control unit is provided for controlling the remotely-controlled light assembly deployment mechanism. Preferably, a second light assembly is included for providing a pair of light assemblies. Generally, the light assembly deployment mechanism provides for adjustable vertical deployment of the light assemblies up and down in a vertical plane. Also, a remotely-controlled light assembly rotation mechanism can be provided for rotating light assemblies. Generally, the light assembly rotation mechanism provides for rotation of the light units in a horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Tony C. Robinson
  • Patent number: 7810972
    Abstract: A headlamp assembly for a motor vehicle, including a housing coupling the headlamp assembly to a frame of the motor vehicle, a light source positioned within the housing for emitting light rays, and a reflector positioned within the housing and configured to direct the light rays into a beam. The reflector is movable with respect to the housing and the light source so as to adjust the beam direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan Popelek
  • Patent number: 7810973
    Abstract: A vehicle light system includes a light assembly that includes a base having a top side, a bottom side, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, a front edge and a rear edge. The base has a centrally positioned raised area along a line from the front edge to the rear edge. Each of the top and bottom sides is angled upwardly from the first and second lateral edges toward the line. The base is flame-shaped and each of the first and second lateral sides including a plurality of appendages. A plurality of light emitters is mounted on the top side of the base. A power source is electrically coupled to the light emitters. The power source is a power source of a vehicle. A plurality of fasteners is extended into the base to secure the base to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: James A. Fuentes
  • Patent number: 7810974
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting device (1) comprising an envelope (2), a base (3), a solid-state light source (4) and optical means (5) provided with a light-outcoupling surface, the solid-state light source (4) being optically coupled to said optical means (5). The use of a spirally wound optical fiber as optical means (5) and a transparant envelope (2) shaped as a conventional light bulb provides a lighting device (1) which is a good look-alike of the conventional incandescent lamp, such as, for instance, the carbon filament lamp. The long life-time and high efficiency of LEDs as a solid-state light source (4) will make this lighting device (1) a very attractive alternative for the conventional incandescent lamp. The lighting device (1) according to the present invention has the further advantage that a large gamut of colors can be chosen and adjusted by using, for instance, red green and blue LEDs in said lighting device (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Mathias Hubertus Johannes Van Rijswick, Wijnand Evert Jacobus Van Kooten
  • Patent number: 7810975
    Abstract: The invention concerns a light unit with at least one LED, which includes at least one light-emitting chip as light source, with at least one fiber-optic element optically connected after the light-emitting diode and widening in the light propagation direction, and with a secondary lens optically connected after the fiber-optic element, in which oppositely arranged surfaces bordering the fiber-optic element, which form a bottom surface and a cover surface in a longitudinal section intersecting these surfaces, have oppositely curved curve sections adjacent to the light entry surface, as well as such a fiber-optic element. A light unit with high light output requiring limited space is developed with the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: odelo GmbH
    Inventors: Stephanie Specht, Emil Stefanov
  • Patent number: 7810976
    Abstract: A surface emitting apparatus and image display apparatus using this surface emitting apparatus that enables improved luminance uniformity and smaller apparatus sizes. The surface emitting apparatus has a light source section that emits light, a light guide plate that guides light incident from an inlet face such that the light is emitted from a surface of an outlet face and a scanning section that scans the light emitted from the light source section on the inlet face of the light guide plate. The image display apparatus has the surface emitting apparatus and a display panel that is arranged on a side of the outlet face of the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Motonobu Yoshikawa, Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Kazuhiko Ishimaru, Erina Yabushita
  • Patent number: 7810977
    Abstract: A backlight device includes a main light guide plate, auxiliary light guide portions provided on the side of an opposed surface of the main light guide plate, and light sources arranged to emit light into the auxiliary light guide portions. A reflector is arranged to surround the introduction surface of the main light guide plate and the auxiliary light guide portions. Furthermore, an optical path forming member is provided on the inside of the reflector so as to form a dedicated optical path from the auxiliary light guide plate to the main light guide plate. Thereby, the light emitted from one auxiliary light guide portion is prevented from entering into another auxiliary light guide portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Munetoshi Ueyama
  • Patent number: 7810978
    Abstract: A spread illuminating apparatus includes: a light conductor plate having a light inlet surface and a light outlet surface; a point light source disposed at the light inlet surface of the light conductor plate; and a light diffuser sheet disposed on the light outlet surface of the light conductor plate, wherein the light diffuser sheet has one end thereof extending beyond the light inlet surface and thereby covers at least a part of the point light source, whereby light which conventionally does not enter the light conductor plate directly from the light inlet surface is adapted to impinge on the light diffuser sheet and to fall incident on the light inlet surface and is efficiently utilized. A recess may be formed at the one end of the light diffuser sheet so as to expose a part of the light exit surface of the light conductor plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuo Ohno
  • Patent number: 7810979
    Abstract: An illumination device including a first light source for emitting light of a first primary color, a second light source for emitting light of a second primary color, and a third light source for emitting light of a third primary color, wherein the first light source is a light emitting diode, the second light source is a fluorescent tube, and the third light source is either a light emitting diode or a fluorescent tube. The illumination device generates white light by mixing the light emitted by the first, second and third light sources. A liquid crystal panel is illuminated with the white light generated by the illumination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Oku
  • Patent number: 7810980
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a multicolored illuminator is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first sheet comprising a plurality of columnar illuminators stacked side by side, and a plurality of colored light sources placed along an edge of the first sheet. The plurality of columnar illuminators diffuse light generated by the plurality of colored light sources. The light emanates in a predetermined pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: I2iC Corporation
    Inventors: Udayan Kanade, Balaji Ganapathy
  • Patent number: 7810981
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a backlight for a liquid crystal display (LCD). The backlight can comprise a back cover including a bottom plate and side covers, a light guide plate disposed on the bottom plate, and cold cathode fluorescence lamps (CCFLs) located on the sides of the light guide plate and enclosed by the side covers. The CCFLs can be disposed on four sides of the light guide plate. The CCFLs can be two lamps in L shape or four lamps in a straight line shape disposed on the sides of the light plate, with high voltage ends of one CCFL adjacent to the low voltage ends of another CCFL, thus allowing the LCD lighter, slimmer and more compact in structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Beijing Boe Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yan Chen, Mili Fang
  • Patent number: 7810982
    Abstract: Optical assembly includes a light source adjacent a light input edge and generally parallel and planar first and second surfaces each comprising respective patterns of well defined optical elements that are quite small in relation to the length and width of the optical assembly. At least some of the optical elements of each pattern include a respective sloped surface for directing at least some light emitted from the light source. The respective slope angle of the sloped surface of at least some of the optical elements of one of the patterns is different from the respective slope angle of the sloped surface of at least some of the optical elements of the other pattern such that more of the light is emitted from one of the surfaces than is emitted from the other surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Rambus International Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeffery R. Parker, Timothy A. McCollum, Robert M. Ezell