Patents Issued in April 14, 2015
  • Patent number: 9004685
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus acquires a tomographic image of an eye to be examined. The image processing apparatus quantifies a distortion in a region determined from the tomographic image. The region includes a photoreceptor layer or a retinal pigment epithelium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Iwase, Makoto Sato, Akihito Uji, Nagahisa Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 9004686
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a measuring light focusing unit configured to focus measuring light for measuring aberration of an object on the object, an aberration correction unit configured to change a state based on the aberration measured with the measuring light, an imaging light focusing unit configured to focus imaging light for capturing an image of the object on the object, an imaging unit configured to capture an image of the object with the imaging light having passed through the aberration correction unit and the imaging light focusing unit, and a control unit configured to interlockingly control states of the measuring light focusing unit and the imaging light focusing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Futoshi Hirose
  • Patent number: 9004687
    Abstract: A universal headset-mounted Neuropsychological Testing System utilizes eye tracking, with a single screen fixed with respect to the face and a dot on the screen driven to present an object that both eyes are focused on using a set of prisms, with the prisms eliminating interocular distance considerations. Ultrathin optics cast a virtual image at 40 centimeters and a universal mask against which the test taker's face is placed fixes the single screen with respect to the face so that head movement is not a factor. Additionally, miniature cameras are located in the headset housing beneath the eyes, and a quick release tensioning unit provides easy headset mounting and removal. Moreover, all elements are located in the headset hood to eliminate the effects of head movement as well as environmental distractions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Sync-Think, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew E. Stack
  • Patent number: 9004688
    Abstract: An instrument is proposed for examining or machining a human eye, with an eye-tracker for acquiring eye movements and for outputting a signal that is representative of the acquired eye movements, the eye-tracker including an interferometric image-acquisition device that has been set up for time-resolved acquisition of sectional images of the eye and that operates on the basis of two-dimensional or three-dimensional optical coherence tomography, and also an evaluating module ascertaining the eye movements solely from the sectional images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Wavelight GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Vogler, Mario Abraham
  • Patent number: 9004689
    Abstract: A method of determining a corneal thickness and an apparatus for determining said is provided. The method comprises the following the steps: —illuminating a cornea by a plurality of stimulator point light sources, capturing an image of the cornea comprising reflected images of the stimulator point light sources, obtaining a model representing an anterior surface of the cornea, —constructing a second model representing a posterior surface of the cornea from the image by ray-tracing the reflected images of the stimulator point light sources towards the model representing the anterior surface of the cornea, determining the corneal thickness from the model representing the anterior surface and the second model representing the posterior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Vereniging Vu-Windesheim
    Inventors: Victor Arni de Paz Sicam, Gerrit Ludolph van der Heijde, Michiel Herman Mensink
  • Patent number: 9004690
    Abstract: In order to measure a cornea with the aid of a projection (S11) of a two-dimensional reference pattern onto the cornea and of a detection (S12) of the reflection pattern reflected by the cornea by virtue of the reference pattern, a plurality of different reflection images of one or more reflection patterns reflected by the cornea are stored (S13). For points on the cornea a phase value of the reflection pattern is respectively calculated on the basis of intensities respectively measured in the stored reflection images at a pixel corresponding to the relevant point. At least one measured geometrical value of the cornea is calculated (S2) on the basis of the calculated phase value. The measurement of the cornea on the basis of a plurality of different reflection images of one or more reflection patterns reflected by the cornea enables a continuous measurement of the cornea in which corresponding pixels are acquired and evaluated for each point on the cornea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: SIS AG, Surgical Instrument Systems
    Inventors: Christian Rathjen, Roger Cattin, Christoph Meier
  • Patent number: 9004691
    Abstract: A head-up display device for projecting an image on a display screen includes: a liquid crystal display element for generating an original image; a light source for emitting light toward the liquid crystal display element; a reflection mirror for reflecting a light image of the original image passing through the liquid crystal display element and for projecting the light image on the display screen; and a concave cylindrical lens having a concave surface and disposed between the liquid crystal display element and the reflection mirror. The concave surface has a curved shape along with x axis of three-dimensional coordinates of the concave cylindrical lens. The concave surface extends along with y axis. The concave surface is rotated around the x axis so that z axis of the concave surface is tilted from an optical axis from the light source to the reflection mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9004692
    Abstract: A projector includes an illumination device having a light source device emitting light, and a polarization conversion element adapted to emit light from the light source device as polarized light, a light modulation device adapted to modulate the light from the illumination device in accordance with image information, and a projection optical system adapted to project the light from the light modulation device, and the illumination device further includes a light diffusing unit disposed in at least one of upstream and downstream of the polarization conversion element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Akiyama
  • Patent number: 9004693
    Abstract: A projector includes a polarization conversion system and a reflective polarizer. The polarization conversion system receives unpolarized light including first S-polarized light and first P-polarized light, wherein the first S-polarized light passes through the polarization conversion system, a part of the first P-polarized light is converted into second S-polarized light after passing through the polarization conversion system, and another part of the first P-polarized light remains unchanged after passing through the polarization conversion system. The reflective polarizer allows the first S-polarized light and the second S-polarized light to pass through and reflects the first P-polarized light back to the polarization conversion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Sintai Optical (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Asia Optical International Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju-Ping Huang, Yun-Yi Lin
  • Patent number: 9004694
    Abstract: A display system displays images projected by a plurality of projection type display devices so as to overlap each other. When a user uses this system, events occurring in these devices can be reliably delivered to the user. A commander and a slave project and display images so as to overlap each other. When a notification-required event occurs in the commander or the slave, the commander specifies this notification-required event. Then, the commander displays a first OSD image between the first OSD image and a second OSD image, which form an image corresponding to the specified notification-required event, in a predetermined region of a first screen of screens on which images are displayed. Also, the commander outputs to the slave a control signal to display the second OSD image in the predetermined region. The slave displays the second OSD image in the predetermined region when the control signal is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tadanori Aruga, Yutaka Yasuda, Toru Katahira
  • Patent number: 9004696
    Abstract: An image projection apparatus includes: a light source; an exhaust fan having a rotary shaft provided with at least one blade, the rotary shaft being rotated to exhaust air inside the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus; a guide having a sloped face that is sloped toward the exhaust fan, the sloped face having a first side surface facing the light source and a second side surface provided opposite of the first side surface; a first flow path, defined by the first side surface of the guide, to guide air heated by the light source toward the rotary shaft of the exhaust fan; and a second flow path, defined by the second side surface of the guide, to guide air having temperature lower than temperature of the air heated by the light source, toward the rotary shaft of the exhaust fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihisa Mikawa, Tetsuya Fujioka, Hideo Kanai, Masamichi Yamada, Yasunari Mikutsu, Satoshi Tsuchiya, Naoyuki Ishikawa, Yukimi Nishi
  • Patent number: 9004697
    Abstract: An image projection apparatus for projecting an image using light includes a light source configured to emit the light; and an operating unit configured to allow a user to operate the image projection apparatus, the operating unit being disposed above the light source when viewed from a placement surface on which a main body of the image projection apparatus is placed. The image projection apparatus also includes a first flow path in which air flows through the light source; and a second flow path different from the first flow path, the second flow path being formed between the light source and the operating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Tetsuya Fujioka, Masamichi Yamada, Yasutada Tsukioka, Naoyuki Ishikawa, Hideo Kanai
  • Patent number: 9004698
    Abstract: An optical micro-projection system comprising the following components: at least one laser light source (200, 400, 402, 600); at least one movable mirror (102, 103, 203) for deviating light from said light source to allow generation of images on a projection surface (104, 301, 303, 306, 603); a self mixing module for measurement of the distance (604) between the projection source and a projection surface, said self mixing module comprising: —at least one photodiode (401, 601) for monitoring the light emission power of the laser light source; —an optical power variation counter for counting optical power variations (605); successive displacements of said mirror allowing the self mixing module providing successive projection distance measurements of a plurality of points of said projection surface. A projection method for optical micro-projection system and a distance measurement method are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Lemoptix SA
    Inventors: Lucio Kilcher, Faouzi Khechana
  • Patent number: 9004699
    Abstract: A light source system for use in a projector is provided. The light source system comprises a main optical axis, a first sub-optical axis, a second sub-optical axis, at least one first optical module, at least one second optical module and a third optical module. The at least one first optical module comprises a first light source array and a second light source array for emitting a plurality of first beams and a plurality of second beams respectively. The at least one second optical module comprises a third light source array for emitting a plurality of third beams. The third optical module integrates the first beams, the second beams and the third beams into a main beam for projection along the main optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: June-Jei Huang
  • Patent number: 9004700
    Abstract: A projector system that includes a first input device, a second input device, a control device, a sensor and a phase locked loop (PLL). A phase reference signal is created based on a signal rate of the first input device. A phase feedback signal is created based on the rotational speed of the second input device as it is measured by the sensor. The PLL compares the phase reference signal and the phase feedback signal to determine whether the first input device and the second input device are synchronized. A signal is sent to the control device for the second input device to change the rotational speed of the second input device in response to determining that the first input device and the second input device are not synchronized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Casimer M. DeCusatis
  • Patent number: 9004701
    Abstract: A light source unit may include a cooling device; a luminescent substance; an excitation radiation source having a laser source; and an optical element arranged between the radiation source and the substance; wherein the cooling device constitutes a heat sink, wherein the substance is linked thermally to the heat sink; and wherein the optical element is designed as an integrating optical element and is coupled between the radiation source and the substance in such a manner that a part of the radiation emitted by the radiation source, entering in an acceptance angle range of the integrating optical element, is subjected to an internal reflection in the optical element before it exits the optical element and strikes the substance, and that a part of the radiation emitted by the substance enters the optical element and exits the optical element as effective radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Osram AG
    Inventors: Dirk Berben, Mathias Bruemmer, Ulrich Hartwig, Nico Morgenbrod, Matthias Morkel
  • Patent number: 9004702
    Abstract: A solar energy collector comprising a set of two or more reflectors reflecting sunrays at the focal line; a receiver of reflected rays placed at the focal line; and means to move the said set of reflectors along a non-parabolic concave curve. The said non-parabolic concave curve with reference to the focal line is defined by the formula: x2+y2=constant (k) y where x and y are the co-ordinates of a point on the said non-parabolic concave curve, in the co-ordinate system, having X axis horizontal, Y axis vertical and the origin of said co-ordinate system on the focal line. The said focal line is perpendicular to the X-Y plane and wherein each of the said reflectors intersects said non-parabolic concave curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Sudhir V. Panse
  • Patent number: 9004703
    Abstract: A method for generating diffuse reflection light and a diffuse reflection lamp are provided. The diffuse reflection lamp comprises a reflective plate (10), a connector (20) and a dragging device (40). The reflective plate (10) is removably fixed on the lamp by the connector (20) to reflect the light from the lamp. One end of the dragging device (40) is connected with the reflective plate (10), and the other end is connected with the connector (20); or the dragging device (40) hoops around the outer edge of the reflective plate (10). Therefore, the reflective plate (10) is elastically bended toward and formed into a curved arc surface to collect the diffuse reflection light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Bing Li
  • Patent number: 9004704
    Abstract: An electronic flash device which is protected from thermally damaging a lamp holder (30) supporting a flash tube (40) even when the flash tube is lighted in a consecutive manner for a prolonged period of time. The lamp holder is made of ceramic material. The flash tube is supported by the lamp holder via a tube mounting member (44) which includes a wavy central part (44A) extending laterally along a back side of the lamp holder and a pair of annular parts (44B) fitted on either axial end of the flash tube such that the flash tube is resiliently urged against a bottom part of a concave mirror (42) received in the lamp holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Nissin Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Tak Wah Shum, Han Wu He
  • Patent number: 9004705
    Abstract: An LED-based light source for generating light having a selected dominant wavelength ?ds comprises a package housing a plurality of LEDs consisting of LEDs from first and second wavelength bins. The first wavelength bin comprises LEDs having a dominant wavelength ?d1 that is within a first wavelength range and the second wavelength bin comprises LEDs having a dominant wavelength ?d2 that is within a second wavelength range. The first wavelength bin can comprise LEDs having a dominant wavelength that is shorter than the selected dominant wavelength while the second wavelength bin comprises LEDs having a dominant wavelength that is longer than the selected dominant wavelength. The wavelength bins and number of LEDs are selected such that in operation the dominant wavelength of the combined light emitted by the source is the selected dominant wavelength. Lighting arrangements and light emitting devices incorporating such light sources are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Intematix Corporation
    Inventors: Yi-Qun Li, Hwa (Harik) Su, Chienli (Jeff) Yang
  • Patent number: 9004706
    Abstract: A combination speaker and lighting tower for use outdoors. The lighting tower has a base and a housing that includes at least one lamp. A rotatable coupler is used to mount a speaker unit on the tower, which allows the speaker unit to rotate in a horizontal plane. A stop is provided in the coupler to prevent the speaker unit from rotating a full 360 degrees. The speaker unit may be fixed to a specific location or allowed to oscillate back and forth. The lighting tower may be installed on a patio or anchored in the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: James Banfield
  • Patent number: 9004707
    Abstract: A reel backlight structure for a mechanical reel-type game includes an undifferentiated array of LED backlights. The rows of LEDs are closely spaced apart and may extend over an arc that encompasses both three vertical stop positions and four vertical stop positions. The LEDs are mounted on a flexible substrate that may be bent to match the radius of a reel strip and held in the desired radius with mounting attachment points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Multimedia Games, Inc.
    Inventor: Furqaan Malik
  • Patent number: 9004708
    Abstract: An apparatus to widen the light dispersion pattern of a light source shining through an overlay window from the viewing side of an electrical computer system. The overlay window is coupled to a panel of the system. The overlay window includes a transparent material, which has a first surface facing the light source and a second surface facing away from the light source to define a viewing side. An opaque material can be disposed on the first surface to partially cover the first surface to form a viewing window. A first diffusing mechanism is disposed on the first surface, and a second diffusing mechanism is disposed on the second surface. In response to the passage of the light output through the viewing window, the light dispersion pattern of the light output from the viewing side of the overlay window has a viewing angle of up to about 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Perry L. Hayden, Sr., Ronald D. Lutz, Jr., Charles Ingalz, Bill Hin Yi Fong
  • Patent number: 9004709
    Abstract: An anti-abrasion optical diffusion film (2), an LCD device and a light source using the anti-abrasion optical diffusion film (2) are disclosed, in order to solve the problem of the prior art that the diffusion particles are abraded or detached in large area, when an optical diffusion thin film receives external force. The anti-abrasion optical diffusion film (2) includes a substrate (21) and a diffusion coating (22); the diffusion coating (22) includes diffusion adhesive layer (24) and diffusion particles (23). The variation coefficient of the diameter of the particles is 10-100%. The invention improves the anti-abrasion ability of the optical diffusion thin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Ningbo Exciton Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yan Zhang, Yadong Jin
  • Patent number: 9004710
    Abstract: A backlight device of the present invention includes: a chassis having a bottom plate; a plurality of LED substrates 25 that are rectangular and that are arranged such that one end face on the short side of the LED substrate 25 faces the short side of the bottom plate; LEDs arranged on the LED substrates 25; first through holes that go through the LED substrates 25; second through holes 42 that are disposed nearer the end face of the LED substrate 25 than the first through holes 41, that go through the LED substrates 25, and that are horizontally longer than the first through holes 41 along the long side direction of the LED substrates 25; plate-shaped through holes disposed in the bottom plate; and securing pins that have a size that enables the LED substrates 25 to be secured in the plate surface direction thereof by the securing pins going through the first through holes 41 and plate-shaped through holes, that secure the LED substrates 25 in the short side direction thereof by going through the second thro
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasumori Kuromizu
  • Patent number: 9004711
    Abstract: An eyeglass light assembly is disclosed. The eyeglass light assembly includes an ultra lightweight and configurable eyeglass light adapted to removably and interchangeably attach to an eyeglass frame or to be integrally formed with the eyeglass frame. The eyeglass light is adapted to provide a multiplicity of angle, pivot, and rotation configurations for varied use and adaptation at directing emitted light from an eyeglass frame. The eyeglass light is adapted to pivot and bend in various locations. The eyeglass light provides for hands-free use when mounted. In one embodiment, the eyeglass light includes and a flexible stem upon which the light is coupled. The stem is further coupled to clip members adapted to couple to one another to secure the assembly to eyeglass frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Helen Kallou Gerolemou
  • Patent number: 9004712
    Abstract: The invention disclosed provides a convertible safety body cover with interchangeable light patterns. The safety body cover has an outer front panel permanently connected to an outer rear panel. A first light pattern is mounted to an inner front panel that is removeably mounted to the outer front panel. A second light pattern is mounted to an inner rear panel that is removeably mounted to the outer rear panel. The light pattern panels are removed and replaced with different light pattern panels to create different visual effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas R. Bass
  • Patent number: 9004713
    Abstract: An interior illumination assembly comprising a lamp housing mountable on an interior panel and a lamp removably supportable within the lamp housing. The lamp includes an LED module carrying an LED and removably receivable by the lamp housing into an installed position in the lamp housing. A lens is disposed across the module opening and a reflector carried by the LED module reflects light from the LED through the lens into the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Man-D-Tec, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Roy Mandy, Dalton John Mandy, Brandon Roy Mandy
  • Patent number: 9004714
    Abstract: A lamp adapted for mounting on a wall structure having a front face. The lamp includes a plate positionable within an opening in the front face of the wall. The plate has a top side and an underside and a front edge and a back edge. The back edge extends in a substantially semi-circular shape. A flange attached to the front edge of said plate is oriented at an angle relative to the plane of the plate. A light fixture is positioned adjacent the underside of the plate within a perimeter defined by the plate and a surface of the flange. A method of creating an illuminated hardscape is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Michael S. Hartman
  • Patent number: 9004715
    Abstract: A modular lighting assembly for a modular frame piece comprising a power module, a heat spreader, a circuit board with traces that provide electrical pathways, at least one illumination element, and a cover. The circuit board is disposed upon the heat spreader, the cover is disposed upon the circuit board and encapsulates the circuit board, the power module is electrically connected to the traces on the circuit board. The traces on the circuit board are electrically connected to the at least one illumination element to enable power transfer from the power module to the at least one illumination element. The modular lighting assembly can be slidably disposed within a slot of a modular frame profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Emergency Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Litke, Marc Zuiderveen, Peter Mokris, Phil VonTom, Fred Finke
  • Patent number: 9004716
    Abstract: A Light Emitting Diode (LED) tube socket, an adaptor and an assembly thereof, which includes tow sockets capping either end of a LED tube. Each of the sockets has a socket main body, a pair of conductive terminals and a first threaded portion. The pair of the conductive terminals is disposed in the socket main body and electrically connecting a first LED assembly within the socket main body. The socket connects the adaptor via the threaded portions and the seal is watertight. Two or more LED tubes are connected thereby to satisfy a required length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: High Perfection Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Kuo Ai
  • Patent number: 9004717
    Abstract: An extruded housing using a single polymeric material to form an opaque body portion that defines an open channel, a light transmitting lens portion, and a hinge portion joining the body portion to the lens portion to form a unitary body. The hinge portion allows the lens portion to pivot relative to the body portion between an open position, where the channel is open, and a closed position, wherein the lens closes the open channel. The extruded housing is designed to form part of a light emitting diode light fixture, where the housing accepts a strip or plurality of LEDs within the channel for emission of light through the lens portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Hafele America Co.
    Inventors: Jeffery Raymond Ratkus, Steven Craig Jones, James Daniel Tripp, Nina Pavlova Gueorguieva
  • Patent number: 9004718
    Abstract: A decorative illuminated trim system having at least one mountable base track. The base tracks include a recessed LED seat and two parallel attachment grooves. The trim system includes a cover with two rails. The cover is partially translucent and adjacent the base track such that the rails engage with the attachment grooves. The trim system has at least one LED string between the cover and the LED seat. The LED string includes LED bulbs that receive electric current from an electricity source and emit light. Some of the light emitted by the LED string passes through the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Belwith Products, LLC
    Inventors: Gary L. Myers, John D. Veleris, Michael Aaron Cohen, Lisa Kay Koskela, Alyssa M. Nelson
  • Patent number: 9004719
    Abstract: A channel letter lighting system comprising a channel letter housing including a light transmissive face, a rear wall and at least one trim cap adapted to receive the light transmissive face and rear wall. A plurality of light emitting units within the channel letter housing and at least one optical element proximate the plurality of light emitting units, wherein the at least one optical element is configured to direct light emitted from the plurality of light emitting units in a direction away from the face and towards the rear wall or the opposing trim cap. The channel letter lighting system arranged to provide low profile channel letters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: The Sloan Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Quaal, Timothy Drew Ferrie, Justin Lind, Chad Chu, Aaron Meyer
  • Patent number: 9004720
    Abstract: A retaining bracket for spotlights is provided. The retaining bracket comprising bracket bearings which are arranged at the ends of the retaining bracket, for accommodating the spotlight housing and a central supporting bearing for connecting the retaining bracket to a supporting apparatus The distance of the bracket bearings from one another is capable of being adjusted in self-centering fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG
    Inventors: Erwin Melzner, Jürgen Heinlein, Wolfgang Baumgartner
  • Patent number: 9004721
    Abstract: Disclosed are a light source heat dissipation structure and a backlight module. The light source heat dissipation structure comprises at least one light bar having two lateral faces; and a heat dissipation base, comprising: a frame having an inner space, at last one open and a upper surface, and the open is formed on the frame and connected to the inner space, and the open comprises at least one open edge; and at least one elastic abutting wall having an attached surface; wherein the elastic abutting wall is fixed on the open edge, and the light bar is embedded in the open, and the attached surface is attached to the lateral face of the light bar to enlarge the contact area between the light bar and the heat dissipation base. The heat dissipation efficiency and the usage lifetime of the LED packaged structure can be improved accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Pangling Zhang
  • Patent number: 9004722
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for low-profile lighting systems. In one aspect, an LED-based light engine, which may be thinner and/or lighter than conventional light engines, may be retained in both conventionally-dimensioned and low-profile light fixtures. In another aspect, a light engine can include both convective and conductive heat transfer components, the efficacy of which will vary based on the dimensions of a light fixture in which the light engine is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Sampsell, Robert L. Holman
  • Patent number: 9004723
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a lighting and ventilating system including a main housing. The main housing can include an inlet through which air can be received within the main housing and an outlet through which the air can exit the main housing. A fan wheel can be supported in the main housing and it can be operable to generate a flow of air. A grille can be coupled to the main housing and the grille can comprise a plurality of apertures and a second set of illumination devices. The system further can include a lamp housing coupled to the grille, the lamp housing can include a first set of illumination devices. Also, a plate can be coupled to the grille so that the plate is adjacent to the second set of illumination devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Broan-NuTone LLC
    Inventors: Mirko Zakula, Corey S. Jacak, Kiyoshi Hoshino
  • Patent number: 9004724
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, an LED decorative lamp is provided. The LED decorative lamp comprises a light engine having at least one LED mounted on a platform, a current regulated driver configured to provide power to the at least one LED, the driver mounted inside a base, a substantially hollow envelope forming an enclosure over the light engine and driver, and a reflector disposed above the light engine. The reflector is configured to improve the light distribution of the at least one LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: GE Lighting Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Honglei Gao
  • Patent number: 9004725
    Abstract: A lighting device capable of changing light patterns, includes: (a) a heat dissipating substrate; (b) a light source, located on the heat dissipating substrate; (c) a first dielectric liquid, covering the light source and having a first dielectric constant; (d) a second dielectric liquid, covering the first dielectric liquid and having a second dielectric constant; and (e) an enclosing wall, located on the heat dissipating substrate for containing the first dielectric liquid and the second dielectric liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Lustrous Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Jer-Liang Yeh, Chun-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 9004726
    Abstract: Light directing films employing at least two layers forming a continuous corrugated boundary between major surfaces of the film. Light received by a major surface of the film is internally redirected by interacting with the facets of the corrugated inter-layer boundary and is emitted from the opposing major surface towards a new propagation direction which is different from the original propagation direction by up to 90 degrees. Light directing films may have additional layers and/or layer boundaries which may provide additional bend angles to light rays or otherwise diffuse the emitted beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: SVV Technology Innovations, Inc.
    Inventor: Sergiy Victorovich Vasylyev
  • Patent number: 9004727
    Abstract: A reflector device for a light source device having a light emitter, wherein the reflector device includes first and second reflectors. The first reflector has a first reflector surface adapted to produce a first light beam and the second reflector has a second reflector surface different from the first reflector surface and which is adapted to produce a second light beam different than the first light beam. The second reflector is adapted to be removably coupled to the first reflector such that both reflectors are coupled to the light source device at the same time. This allows a user to change a beam pattern of the light source between a first, default, beam pattern and a second beam pattern by interchanging the second reflector on the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventor: Frederick C. Chudy
  • Patent number: 9004728
    Abstract: A light assembly that includes a mounting frame on which a light engine is mounted so as to direct light through the mounting frame opening and out of an opening in the ceiling. The light assembly is designed to permit the light engine to be rotated and tilted, in some embodiments without the need for tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventor: Paul Gregory Thompson
  • Patent number: 9004729
    Abstract: An internal IR filter assembly for an illuminator has a lamp disposed within a reflector with a face plate. A spring-biased IR filter is shaped as a hollow sleeve telescopically disposed over the lamp. A fixed cylindrical pedestal has one end coupled to the face plate. A sliding cylindrical mount is coupled to the IR filter and telescopically disposed over the fixed pedestal. A gear drive is engaged to a driven gear or hub. A motor is coupled to the gear drive to selectively and reversibly rotate the gear drive. The driven gear is coupled to the sliding cylindrical mount of the IR filter to selectively and reversibly translate the IR filter with respect to the lamp. At least one rod is coupled to the driven gear to prevent the rotation of the driven gear. The rod is slidable within the illuminator but rotationally fixed relative to the illuminator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: SureFire LLC.
    Inventor: Gregory Z. Jigamian
  • Patent number: 9004730
    Abstract: A lighting fixture includes a hexagonal housing having six side walls. Each side wall has a slot formed therein. Two or more lighting fixtures may be joined together to form a modular arrangement of lighting fixtures in a plurality of configurations by using an interlock piece which slides into channels formed in facing side walls of adjacent lighting fixtures to hold the lighting fixtures together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: 0Energy Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: David LaVigna, Robert T. Temple
  • Patent number: 9004731
    Abstract: An illumination device can be arranged along a contour of a component in a motor vehicle so that the contour of the component is recognizable in the dark as a bright strip. The illumination device allows producing a light strip along a predetermined distance. For this, the illumination device has a longitudinally shaped light conductor for distributing light along the distance and a coupling-in element which is connected to the light contour for coupling light into the light conductor. The light conductor is supported positionally fixed relative to the component in a region by means of a fixed-bearing device. The coupling in element on the other hand is supported by means of a floating-bearing device for movement relative to the component along at least one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Marcus Pfeil
  • Patent number: 9004732
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lamp for a vehicle including: a lamp module including: a lens having a first focal point; a shield formed behind the lens; a first reflector formed above the shield and having a second focal point; and a second reflector formed below the shield and having a third focal point, in which an edge of the shield and the second focal point are formed to be positioned on the first focal point, and the third focal point is formed behind and below the first focal point, thereby implementing a low beam and a high beam using a single optical module and greatly reducing a size, a weight, and the number of components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyun Soo Lee
  • Patent number: 9004733
    Abstract: Disclosed is a passive illumination apparatus for improving the visibility of an optical fiber by projecting reflected light to passively illuminate an optical fiber for allowing the user improved visibility for inserting the optical fiber into an orifice. One embodiment of the concept uses a passive illumination apparatus having a pattern of one or more colors for reflectively transmitting chromatic light along with an optional contrast surface such as a gray or black stripe for providing a highly contrasting background for the user to view the optical fiber against. The ambient light is transmitted or directed from a reflective surface such as a concave curved region for passively illuminating the optical fiber. The passive illumination apparatus may be used on any suitable device such as a connector installation tool, a splicer, a stripper for an optical fiber coating or a cleaver as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventor: David Wayne Meek
  • Patent number: 9004734
    Abstract: A light guide plate includes a number of optical fibers positioned side by side and transparent curable glue adhering the optical fibers together. The optical fibers and the curable glue cooperatively form a light incident surface and a light output surface connected to the light incident surface. The light output surface defines light output holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih-Chen Lai
  • Patent number: 9004735
    Abstract: A backlight module includes a light guide plate and only one light source. The light guide plate has a main body and protrusions. The main body has a light emitting surface, a light incident surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface. The protrusions are positioned on the light incident surface, and face the light source. The protrusions diffuse the light rays from the only one light source and guides the light rays into the main body. The light emitting surface has a light emitting area and a marginal area surrounding the light emitting area. The marginal area has a light diffusion area adjacent to the light incident surface and the first side surface. An included angle between the light incident surface and the first side surface is an obtuse angle. An included angle between the light incident surface and the second side surface is an obtuse angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Po-Chou Chen