Patents Issued in April 8, 2014
  • Patent number: 8690340
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention a method for capturing images on a screen is disclosed. The method includes directing light from a surface of a spatial light modular to an image field using a projection system; capturing light from the image field using the projection system, the projection system directing at least a portion of the captured light to the spatial light modulator; and directing at least a portion of the received captured light to an image capture system using the spatial light modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven M. Penn, Duane S. Dewald, Matthew G. Hine
  • Patent number: 8690341
    Abstract: An image display device having an RGB illuminating module that includes a diffractive beam combiner. The diffractive beam combiner includes a first light source arranged to provide a first light beam having red color and a second light source arranged to provide a second light beam having green color. A centerline of the first light beam and a centerline of the second light beam are arranged to intersect at an intersection point. A diffractive output grating is located in the vicinity of the intersection point. The diffractive output grating is arranged to form an output light beam by diffracting light of the first light beam and light of the second light beam substantially in the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: EpiCrystals Oy
    Inventor: Tuomas Vallius
  • Patent number: 8690342
    Abstract: The present disclosure introduces a number of image compression schemes designed to optimize operational efficiency in laser scanning projectors. Contemplated compression modes include, but are not limited to, intra-frame energy transfer, inter-frame energy transfer, and combinations thereof. The image compression modes disclosed herein are equally applicable to native laser sources and synthetic sources, such as green lasers based on a non-linear wavelength conversion. In cases where multiple lasers are used together in a multi-color projection system, it will often be preferable to favor particular image compression modes for particular colors, particularly where image brightness is more readily attributable to one color, e.g., green, because of the spectral responsivity of the human eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Jacques Gollier
  • Patent number: 8690343
    Abstract: A light source device includes: first and second solid-state light source units disposed opposite to each other, each unit including solid-state light sources; a reflection unit; a condensing part; and a fluorescence emission plate excited with a condensed light beam. The light sources in each of the units are arranged two-dimensionally with the optical axes oriented in an x-axis direction. Each column of the light sources of the first and the second light source units are arranged alternately in the y-axis direction. The reflection unit reflects the light beams from the light source units in the z-axis direction so as to be arranged into a two-dimensional array in a xy plane. A density of the reflected light beams in the x-axis direction is higher than that of the arrangement of the light sources in the z-axis direction. Light from solid-state light sources are condensed and combined efficiently, with a compact configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Takaaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8690344
    Abstract: An illumination system and a projection device comprising the same are provided. The projection device further comprises an imaging system. The illumination system comprises a first light source, a dichroic element and a wheel plate. The dichroic element comprises a first dichroic portion and a second dichroic portion. The first light source provides a first wave band light, which is reflected to the wheel plate by the first dichroic portion. When being projected onto a wave band transforming area of the wheel plate, the first wave band light will be transformed into a second wave band light by the wave band transforming area and then emits through the first dichroic portion and the second dichroic portion. When being projected onto a reflecting area of the wheel plate, the first wave band light will be reflected by the reflecting area to emit through the second dichroic portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: June-Jei Huang
  • Patent number: 8690345
    Abstract: There is provided a projection image display apparatus which is excellent in quality of a display screen image even if a projection lens using a plastic lens having an asymmetrical shape with respect to an optical axis is used. The apparatus includes a projection lens which obliquely projects video light on a screen, an integrator which aligns a polarization direction of light from a light source, and an image display element (P, PL) which modulates light having the aligned polarization direction by an image signal. The projection lens includes multiple plastic lenses, and each of the multiple plastic lenses is arrayed, respectively, by shifting a gate direction to each other by 180 degrees. When the projection lens includes n sheets (n is a natural number) of plastic lenses, each of the multiple plastic lenses may be arrayed, respectively, by shifting a gate direction to each other by (360/n) degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Consumer Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hirata, Masahiko Yatsu, Naoyuki Ogura, Hidehiro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8690346
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to realize highly efficient cooling by enhancing the heat transfer rate between optical parts and cooling air, and by simultaneously lowering the temperature of atmosphere around the optical parts. For this purpose, a first wind outlet for blowing a cooling wind is provided so as to allow the cooling wind to pass through optical parts, and furthermore, a second wind outlet for blowing another cooling wind so as to interfere with the cooling wind from the first wind outlet at the optical parts is provided at a location different from that of the first wind outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Display Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yusuke Tani
  • Patent number: 8690347
    Abstract: A cooling device and a projection device comprising the same are provided. The projection device comprises a lamp and a cooling device. The lamp has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and one of the two sides is the upper side of the lamp. The cooling device comprises a first blower and a second blower. The first blower is adapted to generate a first airflow towards the first side, while the second blower is adapted to generate a second airflow towards the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chia-Jui Lin, Hsiu-Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 8690348
    Abstract: Provided is a system for adjusting an image of a beam projector using a camera attached remote controller and a method thereof. The system for adjusting images of a beam projector according to the present invention includes: a remote controller photographing test images projected on a screen and detecting pattern images from the photographed test images and generating control information including at least one parameter necessary to adjust the images through the detected pattern images; and a beam projector receiving the control information for adjusting images from the remote controller and adjusting the input image by using parameters included in the received control information and outputting them to the screen. Therefore, the present invention adjusts colors and geometrical shapes of images at a user's viewpoint, thereby making it possible to improve the satisfaction of user and implement the system in various forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jeong Nam Yeom, Sung Hoon Kim, Joon Myun Cho, Joo Chan Sohn
  • Patent number: 8690349
    Abstract: A projection type display apparatus including an oblique projection optical system having a plurality of lenses is disclosed. A lens nearest to a projection screen has a vertical effective image area through which a light flux passes. The lens is arranged at a position not including an optical axis shared by the largest number of lenses among the plurality of lenses. A flat mirror for returning the optical path is arranged between the particular lens and the projection screen at a predetermined angle to the optical axis. An enlarged image obtained by the light flux returned by the flat mirror is formed toward a display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Consumer Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hirata, Masahiko Yatsu, Naoyuki Ogura
  • Patent number: 8690350
    Abstract: An image display apparatus detects a projection angle of a projection unit that projects a screen image on a screen and is capable of vertically changing the projection angle, and corrects trapezoidal distortion of the screen image according to the projection angle. The image display apparatus changes the amount and direction of trapezoidal distortion correction based on the projection angle. The image display apparatus also determines whether a projection mode is projection upward to a wall or projection to a ceiling and changes the direction of trapezoidal distortion correction for projection upward to the wall and projection to the ceiling. Specifically, for projection upward to the wall, a correction factor is positive and an upper edge portion of the screen image is compressed for correction; and for projection to the ceiling, a correction factor is negative and a lower edge portion of the screen image is compressed for correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kazutaka Yasuda, Masakazu Furumura
  • Patent number: 8690351
    Abstract: A projector includes a projection lens set, a digital micro-mirror device, a prism unit, a light merging unit, a light guide unit, and a light source device. The light source device includes a laser light source and a color wheel. The laser light source is positioned in a straight optical path and generates a first light. The color wheel is positioned in the straight optical path. The first light irradiates the color wheel to generate a second light and the third light. The light merging unit merges the first, second, and third lights to generate a mixed light. The light guide unit guides the mixed light to the prism unit. The mixed light is refracted to the DMD via the prism unit, and then the refracted mixed light is reflected to the projection lens set via the DMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Wen Hsu, Wen-Pin Yeh
  • Patent number: 8690352
    Abstract: A method for projecting at least one light beam may include lengthening at least in part a holding duration for at least one pixel with respect to at least one further pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: OSRAM Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventors: Jens Richter, Jan Oliver Drumm
  • Patent number: 8690353
    Abstract: A multi-resolution display system including a desktop display area, a foveal projection device, a sensor, a control unit, and a manually adjustable fixture is provided. The desktop display area displays a central image and a low-resolution image. The control unit determines six-dimensional (6D) orientation information of the foveal projection device relative to the desktop display area according to a projected image detected by the sensor, so as to control the foveal projection device to project the central image within a target area on the desktop display area. The manually adjustable fixture fixes the foveal projection device on top of the desktop display area, and the movement of the manually adjustable fixture has a freedom of up to six dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Yi-Ping Hung, Li-Wei Chan
  • Patent number: 8690354
    Abstract: It is a task to provide a mobile electronic device with high operability and high safety. The mobile electronic device includes an image projector that projects an image, a cabinet, an input unit that is disposed on the cabinet and detects an operation input by an operator, and a control unit that controls the operation of the image projector and the state of the input unit. The task is solved in such a manner that when a predetermined operation is detected by the input unit, the control unit stops emission of light from the image projector or reduces an amount of light emitted from the image projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Osaka, Yasuhiro Ueno, Yasushi Kitamura, Seiji Horii, Jouji Yoshikawa, Tomoko Asano, Hiroki Itou
  • Patent number: 8690355
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a projecting apparatus. The apparatus includes light emitting diodes, a light guide plate and a projecting component. The light guide plate is mounted between the light emitting diodes and the projecting component. A switching control valve is mounted between the light guide plate and the projecting component. The switching control valve is switched between an on position and an off position between the light guide plate and the projecting component. In the on position, the switching control valve guides lights of the light guide plate to the projecting component as a light source of the projecting component; in the off position, the switching control valve cuts off the lights guided from the light guide plate to the projecting component to further cut off the light source of the light guide plate. The present invention further discloses a projecting equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gang Yu
  • Patent number: 8690356
    Abstract: A video display device includes a light guide unit for guiding outgoing light from a light source unit to a pixel area of a display device. The light guide unit includes a rod integrator having an input opening through which the outgoing light from the light source unit enters and an output opening provided on a side opposite to the input opening, and a light shielding plate provided between the input opening of the rod integrator and the light source unit. The light shielding plate has a plurality of types of openings for passing the outgoing light from the light source unit to the rod integrator. The light shielding plate is arranged in a state where one of the plurality of types of openings, which has a shape similar to that of the input opening of the rod integrator which is actually mounted, is aligned with the input opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Kakuta
  • Patent number: 8690357
    Abstract: A safe, highly bright projector is to be implemented. A projector directs a light beam from a light source (101) to an image modulating device (105), and magnifies and projects an image formed at the image modulating device (105) through a zoom lens (102). This projector has a light transmitting window (103) movably disposed in front of the surface of the light outgoing side of the zoom lens (102) along the optical axis. The projector further has a window position control unit (108) to control the position of the light transmitting window (103) so as not to change the light beam region that appears on the outer surface of the light transmitting window (103) as the focal length of the zoom lens (102) is varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Display Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Katou
  • Patent number: 8690358
    Abstract: A mobile device such as a robot includes a processor, a memory that stores components executable by the processor, and a projection assembly. The projection assembly includes a projector, a lens, a movable mirror, and a first projection surface integral with a surface of the mobile device. The components include a projection component and a control component. The projection component determines the projection parameters, and projects the image onto the movable mirror, dependent upon the projection parameters. The control component causes the projector and the lens to focus the image onto the first projection surface, and further causes the movable mirror to reflect the image onto the first projection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Glen C. Larsen, Russell Sanchez
  • Patent number: 8690359
    Abstract: A system for basement window wells that enables internal occupants a view of the surrounding outdoor landscape is herein described, comprising a periscope-type mechanism comprising a pair of mirrors which mount within a window well area. An upper portion of the system comprises a mirror which reflects light and scenery downward. A bottom portion of the system comprises a second minor which projects said light and scenery through a below-grade window portion of a building. A protective transparent plastic cover maintains a watertight construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Wesley Clock
  • Patent number: 8690360
    Abstract: The present invention provides a high pressure discharge lamp with a start-up assist member, a lamp unit, and a lamp system that reduce breakdown voltage and provide high design flexibility by reducing restriction on a position of an adjacent conductor. In a high pressure discharge lamp (10) of a lamp unit (1), a dielectric member (20) is on the outer surface of a first sealing part (101a). The dielectric member (20) made of a titanium compound has relative permittivity higher than that of fused quartz. An upstream end of a metal wire (21) is connected to an external lead wire (102b) projecting from a second sealing part (101b). A downstream end (21A) is in contact with the dielectric member (20). Upon lighting of the lamp, a corona discharge occurs at the point where the end (21a) is in contact with the dielectric member (20) so that breakdown voltage is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Syunsuke Ono, Masahiro Yamamoto, Hiroki Ogawa, Kazuyuki Okano
  • Patent number: 8690361
    Abstract: A case structure includes a covering member and a lid member. The covering member includes a main boy, a first coupling part and a first positioning part. The lid member includes a lid plate, a second coupling part and a second positioning part. The second coupling part of the lid member and the first coupling part of the covering member are engaged with each other so that the lid plate is coupled with the main body and pivotal with respect to the main body. When the lid plate is rotated to a first position, the second positioning part is interference-fitted into the first positioning part so that the lid plate is positioned with respect to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Tien-Hsiung Wang, Tsang-Hsing Ku
  • Patent number: 8690362
    Abstract: The invention describes a method of controlling a lighting of a room (1) in accordance with a still or moving image (2) projected onto a projection surface (3s), which method comprises optically measuring a number of characteristic features (f) of the projected image and adjusting the room lighting of the room on the basis of the measured characteristic features (f). Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for controlling the lighting of a room (1) in accordance with an image (2) projected onto a projection surface (3s), to a control device (9) for use in such a system, and to a projection screen device (3) for use in such a system. Moreover, the invention relates to a room lighting system (1) for lighting of a room in accordance with an image (2) projected onto a projection surface (3s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Matthias Wendt
  • Patent number: 8690363
    Abstract: In a vehicle door mirror device, a base is attached to a door and covered with a base cover. A gasket is disposed on a door panel of the base cover, a seal portion of the gasket seals a gap between a lower side end of the base cover and the door panel. The seal portion is extended from the gasket toward the base cover side. Therefore, even if a dimension of the gap between the lower side end of the base cover and the door panel varies, the lower side end of the seal portion can be suppressed from being separated from an outer periphery of the base cover toward the inner side, the base cover can be suppressed from looking floating from the door panel, and appearance of the gap between the lower side end of the base cover and the door panel can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Takehiro Hamada, Masami Kato, Masatsugu Ohashi, Masao Ayabe, Yasunori Hirosawa
  • Patent number: 8690364
    Abstract: A side mirror includes a mount seat mounted to a front cowl that covers a portion of the front of a vehicle body, a mirror stay supported on the mount seat with a basal end thereof supported in a turnable manner, and a mirror provided at a tip end of the mirror stay. The mount seat includes a base portion 41a extended in one direction and mounted to the front cowl, and a support portion provided on the base portion 41a to support the basal end of the mirror stay so that a direction Dp in which a turning shaft of the mirror stay extends is inclined to a length direction DL of the base portion. With this structure, a side mirror increased in degree of freedom in selecting a mount position on a front cowl can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuta Kobayashi, Kuniyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8690365
    Abstract: An automobile reflective surveillance system including a plurality of mirrors configured to be installable on the exterior of an extant vehicle whereby a law enforcement officer may maintain a rearward line of sight when returning to said vehicle following a roadside stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Laurie A. Williams
  • Patent number: 8690366
    Abstract: A vehicle outside mirror device according to the present invention is provided with a base 2, a shaft 3, a spring 10, a mirror assembly 4, and a washer 6. An annular line contact portion 50 is provided on an abutment face 35 of the washer 6 that abuts against an abutment face 33 of a mount portion 12 of the mirror assembly 4. As a result, the vehicle outside mirror device according to the present invention can prevent generation of abnormal noise further reliably and a further long period of time by means of the annular line contact portion 50. In addition, an abutment plane 301 of a rotation stop portion is provided at a shaft 3. A linear edge 601 of the rotation stop portion is provided at the washer 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ikuo Sakata
  • Patent number: 8690367
    Abstract: A mirror housing of an electric door mirror is provided with a partition wall for partitioning a mirror accommodating space and a harness accommodating space. The partition wall is provided with an opening portion for exposing a terminal portion of a mirror surface angle adjusting unit to the harness accommodating space. A peripheral edge portion of the opening portion is provided with a claw portion elastically deformed when a connector portion is pushed to the terminal portion and elastically recovered to be opposed to a back face of the connector portion to thereby prevent detachment of the connector portion after connecting the connector portion to the terminal portion. Further, a peripheral edge portion of the opening portion is provided with a guide portion for restricting a movement of the connector portion against an elastic force of the claw portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Murakami Corporation
    Inventor: Kentaro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8690368
    Abstract: A light guide is provided for illuminating innumerable constructions, but which is ideally suited for illuminating the keys of a keyboard. The light guide includes a translucent planar plate having a top, a bottom and sides. Further, the light guide includes one or more cavities which project upwardly into the translucent plate from its bottom surface. The cavities are hollow or filled with a translucent material so that the translucent plate and the one or more cavities form translucent interfaces where the cavities interface with the plate. The light guide also includes a reflector which covers the plate bottom and cavity openings. Light produced by a light source, preferably in the form of one or more LEDs, is transmitted to and through the translucent plate until striking the plate-cavity interfaces where the light is refracted into the cavities' interior or reflected upwardly to the plate's upper surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Shipman, David G. Duckworth
  • Patent number: 8690369
    Abstract: A luminous keying module of a handheld device includes a light-emitting element, a light-guiding membrane wiring board, a keying layer, and an elastic layer. A circuit pattern including plural membrane switches is formed on the light-guiding membrane wiring board. When the keying layer is pressed down, the keycap is moved downwardly to push the elastic layer. Consequently, a corresponding conductive structure of the elastic layer is moved downwardly to trigger a corresponding membrane switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Yuan Chen
  • Patent number: 8690370
    Abstract: A control module having a plurality of control elements configured to control a first function of the control module in a first operating mode and another function of the control module in another operating mode of the control module. The control elements are grouped into different groups of control elements. Each group of control elements corresponds to a predetermined group of functions of the control module. The grouping is dependant on the operating mode of the control module. An illumination system provides illuminated control-dividing surfaces that visually separate one group of control elements from another group of control elements. The illumination system illuminates the control-dividing surfaces according to the grouping of the control elements and according to the operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Richard Ayres
  • Patent number: 8690371
    Abstract: A hole that penetrates each light emitting diode board in the thickness direction of the board is provided, on one end portion in the longitudinal direction of each of a plurality of light emitting diode boards which have a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted on one surface, respectively have substantially a strip shape, and are arranged in a plurality of rows. The board holder has: protruding sections which are inserted into the holes of the adjacent light emitting diode boards; and a coupling section which is disposed in the direction orthogonally intersecting the longitudinal direction of the light emitting diode board, has a strip-shape, and couples respective base ends of the protruding sections. The plurality of light emitting diode boards disposed in parallel are held by inserting the protruding sections into the holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideto Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8690372
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention discloses a backlight unit having a plurality of light-emitting blocks and a light source driving section. The plurality of light-emitting blocks is arranged in a matrix shape along first and second directions different from each other. Each of the light-emitting blocks includes a light source unit having at least one light-emitting chip to emit light, and a light guiding unit to guide the light. The light source driving section controls the light source unit of the light-emitting blocks to drive the light source unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-Jin Chung, Seung-Ryeol Ryu, Weon Cho, Bi-Yong Jeong, Byeong-Gil An, Chong-Young Park, Jang-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 8690373
    Abstract: A directly illuminated display unit includes a display panel and one or more light sources disposed behind the display panel. The light sources are capable of producing illumination light. A diffusive light diverting layer is disposed between the one or more light sources and the display panel. The light diverting layer comprises first light diverting elements disposed on one of a first side of the light diverting layer facing display panel and second light diverting elements disposed on a second side of the light diverting layer facing away from the display panel. The diffusive light diverting layer further comprises diffusing particles disposed within a polymeric matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Epstein, Kenneth J. Hanley, Gary T. Boyd
  • Patent number: 8690374
    Abstract: An ultra-high efficiency underwater light for attracting marine life having radially arranged facets supporting light emitting diodes (LEDs) that project a large perimeter of light underwater. A water cooling system allows the high powered LEDs to operate at sustained peak levels without sacrificing service life. A light bifurcating structure causes a central portion of water to illuminate in a different color than the color of the outer perimeter portion of water. A tire valve stem located on the underwater light is used to remove moisture bearing air and to also pressurize the light with a non-corrosive gas. Antifouling circuitry automatically cycles the underwater light on and off multiple times during periods of non-use. Smart circuitry communicates through a series of blinks and accepts commands from a user through a power cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Steven Miller
  • Patent number: 8690375
    Abstract: A cap lamp system features a battery pack, a cap lamp housing containing a cap lamp bulb and a power cord connected between the battery pack and the cap lamp housing. The power cord provides power to the cap lamp bulb from the battery pack. An electronic module includes a housing defining a chamber and electronic circuitry is positioned within the chamber of the housing. The electronic module is positioned in circuit with the power cord. The electronic module may receives power from the battery pack and the electronic circuitry of the electronic module may includes a battery that powers the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Koehler-Bright Star, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Bobbin, John Devaney, Mark Dirsa
  • Patent number: 8690376
    Abstract: A light assembly for an inspection tool having a mirror, the assembly comprising a housing attached to the mirror; a light member movably attached to the housing; and a power source for the light member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: Edward S. Coleman, Jianping Qui
  • Patent number: 8690377
    Abstract: A portable light or other device having a safety lock may comprise: a light body for receiving a source of electrical power; a light head including a light source for producing light and engaging the light body; and a lock mechanism engaging the light body or the light head and including a threaded member and a lock member. Rotating the threaded member moves the lock member radially relative to the light body and light head for engaging the lock for preventing removal of the light head from the light body unless the lock mechanism is released by a tool. A lock support may be disposed for supporting the lock member when the lock mechanism is engaged. The lock mechanism may be retained on the light body or the light head when the lock mechanism is engaged and when the lock mechanism is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Streamlight, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy S. Weber
  • Patent number: 8690378
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a flashlight with a bezel configured to be moved relative to a body of the flashlight to adjust the focus of the light. A locking assembly may be disposed within the bezel and configured to switch between an unlocked position and a locked position if the bezel is rotated with respect to the body. The locking assembly may include a ring-shaped outer component having first and second curved walls separated by a gap. The locking assembly may further include an inner component coupled with the light assembly, the inner component including a nub configured to be disposed in the gap if the locking assembly is in the unlocked position, and to radially push an outer surface of the outer component against the inner surface of the bezel if the locking assembly is in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Coast Cutlery Co.
    Inventors: Kam Fu Choo, Gregory David Windom
  • Patent number: 8690379
    Abstract: A personal light including a battery power source connected in series with a light-emitting diode (LED) light source and a switching mechanism configured for non-contact actuation are disposed within a housing assembly. Linear, or rotational, switch actuation element movement may be employed. A holder for the personal light is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Robert L. Canella
  • Patent number: 8690380
    Abstract: A surface illumination device includes: a point light source I having high directionality; a linear light conversion unit II that converts light from the point light source into linear light; a linear light diffusion unit III that diffuses the linear light; and a surface lighting unit IV that is irradiated with diffused light and outputs surface light. The light from the point light source I is converted into the linear light by the linear light conversion unit II. The linear light thus converted is diffused in a predetermined direction by the linear light diffusion unit III. The diffused light is radiated on the surface lighting unit IV to be converted into surface light and radiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Opto Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Eiichi Sato, Hiroyasu Sato, Ken Sato
  • Patent number: 8690381
    Abstract: A device, kit, and method for a luminaire having a first LED module with a first length and a plurality of LEDs, said LEDs disposed at predetermined pitch. A second LED module having a second length and a plurality of LEDs, said LEDs disposed at the same pitch as the first module. Wherein said first LED module and said second LED module have at least one LED disposed one half of the pitch from an edge of the LED module which when combined provide for uniform lighting across multiple LED modules. Certain embodiments may include one or more hubs for mounting the luminaire on predetermined centers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Vode Lighting LLC
    Inventor: Scott S Yu
  • Patent number: 8690382
    Abstract: Gradient optics for even light distribution of LED light sources. In an aspect, an apparatus is provided for uniform distribution of light emitted from a light source. The apparatus includes a panel coupled to receive the light emitted from the light source, and gradient optics disposed on the panel, the gradient optics providing a matching transparency gradient that is aligned with the light source to evenly distribute the emitted light. In another aspect, an apparatus includes means for receiving the light emitted from the light source, and means for providing a matching transparency gradient that is aligned with the light source to evenly distribute the emitted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Bridgelux, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd Farmer
  • Patent number: 8690383
    Abstract: A light source channel is described. The light source channel includes an extrusion forming a channel having an open length and a light source positioned within the channel. A light transfer medium is positioned above the light source and covers the open length of the channel. The light transfer medium has a cross section. A method embodiment according to the present invention produces a light source channel by installing a light engine within a channel of an extrusion and covering the channel length with a light transfer medium above the light engine. The light transfer medium has a cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Integrated Illumination Systesm, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Zampini, II, Mark A. Zampini
  • Patent number: 8690384
    Abstract: A light assembly (20) for mounting to a planar support includes an extruded heat sink (22) presenting a mounting surface (24) and a heat transfer surface (26) slanted from an upper border (32) to a lower border (30). A panel block (52) depends from the lower border (30), a lens block (68) depends from the upper border (32), a back side (76) extends downwardly from the lens block (60), a truss member (82) interconnects the back side (76) and the heat transfer surface (26), and a mounting block (84) extends from the back side (76). The extruded heat sink (22) is cut into independent elongated sections (28) and light emitting diodes (44) are disposed thereon. The elongated sections (28) are mitered to one another to define a frame. A light directing panel (56) extends from the panel blocks (52) and a lens sheet (72) extends from the lens blocks (68).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Relume Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter A. Hochstein
  • Patent number: 8690385
    Abstract: A light-emitting electronic textile (2) comprising a flexible component carrier (3) having a plurality of light-sources (4a-c) arranged thereon; a cover textile (5) arranged to allow passage through the cover textile (5) of light emitted by the light-sources (4a-c); and a light-diffusing member (6) arranged between the light-sources (4a-c) and the cover textile (5). The light-diffusing member (6) comprises a layered structure formed by a plurality of light-diffusing layers (12a-c; 16a-b; 19a-c), wherein adjacent light-diffusing layers in the layered structure are spaced apart at least in portions of the light-diffusing member (6) corresponding to positions of the light-sources (4a-c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Guy Wilhelmus Marie Ubaghs, Rabin Bhattacharya
  • Patent number: 8690386
    Abstract: An LED bulb comprises a lamp housing, a lamp cap, a core tube disposed inside the lamp housing, a plurality of LED plates mounted on the core tube, and a controller serving to manipulate an on-off operation of the LED plates. Wherein, the controller is substantially disposed inside a room of the core tube, and the core tube has one end thereof connected to the lamp cap, so as to facilitate a free substitution of the controller and promote the using convenience. The connection of the core tube and the lamp cap serves to radiate the thermal created by the LED plates from the core tube toward the lamp cap and the lamp housing for a speedy dissipation and preventing from burning the LED bulb under a high temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Chun-Hsien Lee
  • Patent number: 8690387
    Abstract: A lamp module is provided. The lamp module includes a main body and a plurality of light emitting diodes. The light emitting diodes are disposed on the main body. Each light emitting diode emits a light to a illuminated region and form a corresponding light region. The light regions formed on the illuminated region by the light emitted by adjacent light emitting diodes are at least partially overlapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignees: Dongguan Masstop Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd., Wintek Corporation
    Inventors: Zhi-Ting Ye, Kuo-Jui Huang, Hsiu-Ping Lee
  • Patent number: 8690388
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) cup light includes a base, a substrate, a LED light source and a fixing structure. The base includes a frame and a carrying member. The frame is surroundingly coupled to a periphery of the carrying member. The carrying member has a through hole. The substrate is disposed on the carrying member of the base. The LED light source is disposed on the substrate. The fixing structure presses on substrate and is engaged with a bottom surface of the carrying member of the base through the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Lextar Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Wen-Cheng Lu, Chi-Cheng Cheng
  • Patent number: 8690389
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) module is provided that includes a base and a cover. Circuitry is provided on the base. An LED array is provided on the base and is coupled to the circuitry, which in an embodiment may convert AC line voltage to DC voltage. The LED module can be configured to take up minimal space while providing desirable light output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Victor Zaderej