Patents Issued in November 21, 2017
  • Patent number: 9823365
    Abstract: A portable radiographic image capturing apparatus includes a radiation conversion panel configured to output image information on the basis of applied radiation, a casing housing the radiation conversion panel therein, and a plurality of support members on which the radiation conversion panel is supported in the casing. The support members have slot structures housing wires therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Eguchi
  • Patent number: 9823366
    Abstract: Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for calibrating a direct conversion detector array are provided. An electrical charge is generated on an interface of a photoconductor (e.g., amorphous selenium) of the detector array when there is a change in voltage that is applied to the photoconductor. Such a change in voltage may occur because the voltage that is supplied to the photoconductor by a power supply is changed. The changed voltage causes an electrical charge to be produced, or causes a change in the net charge density at an interface of the photoconductor, that is substantially similar to the electrical charge that may be produced when radiation impinges the detector array. In this way, calibrations of the detector array (e.g., the generation of a uniformity map, defect table, etc.) may be performed without the emission of radiation and onsite or outside of a factory setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: ANALOGIC CANADA CORP
    Inventors: Marc Hansroul, Philippe Gauthier, Luc Laperriere
  • Patent number: 9823367
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting marine mammals and mitigating sound effects on them. The mammal detecting and mitigating system includes a first mammal monitoring system and a second mammal monitoring system. The first and second mammal monitoring systems are configured to be deployed away from each other, and the first and second monitoring systems communicate to each other such that the first mammal monitoring system is informed about a presence of a marine mammal detected by the second mammal monitoring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SERCEL
    Inventor: Yann Pichot
  • Patent number: 9823368
    Abstract: A system and method for adjusting a clock signal of a seismic data acquisition system. The system includes a data acquisition device having an oscillator that generates a clock signal; a clock adjustment module that receives a time reference signal and the clock signal and outputs an adjusted clock signal; and an analog-to-digital convertor configured to transform analog data into digital data having a sampling rate (FDATA). A sampling frequency (fADC) of the analog-to-digital convertor is selected to be at least twice the sampling rate (FDATA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SERCEL
    Inventor: Emmanuel Senechal
  • Patent number: 9823369
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for predicting internal multiples generators to correct near surface statics, by estimating a first timing or position associated with reflectors using internal multiple generators identified based on predictive deconvolution operators, estimating a second timing or position associated with the reflectors using the acquired seismic surface data, comparing the first timing or position with the second timing or position for each of the reflectors to determine a travel time delay associated with the reflectors, and correcting the acquired seismic surface data using the travel time delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: CGG SERVICES SAS
    Inventor: Antonio Pica
  • Patent number: 9823370
    Abstract: A method is provided for managing a master vessel change in a multi-vessel seismic system. The system includes a master vessel M and at least one slave vessel. The method includes, during at least a part of a multi-vessel operation: selecting a new master vessel M? among the at least one slave vessel, triggered by at least one predetermined event; and transmitting, to the at least one slave vessel, at least one piece of information related to a master vessel change from the master vessel M, called old master vessel, to the new master vessel M?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Sercel
    Inventor: Didier Renaud
  • Patent number: 9823371
    Abstract: Acoustic source arrays and related methods. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including towing a first source sub-array comprising a first surface float, the first surface float defines a first connection point at a proximal end of the first surface float. The method may further include towing a second source sub-array comprising a second surface float, the second surface float defines a second connection point at a proximal end of the second surface float. And during the towing of the first and second source sub-arrays, the method may include maintaining a lateral separation between the first and second connection points of the first and second surface floats by a first strut, the first strut coupled between the first connection point of the first surface float and the second connection point of the second surface float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventor: Andrew Samuel Long
  • Patent number: 9823372
    Abstract: A seismic measurement system and a method of obtaining seismic measurements are described. The seismic measurement system includes a cable and a plurality of sensors disposed at a first interval along the cable. The plurality of sensors receives reflections resulting from a seismic source and each of the plurality of sensors receives the reflection corresponding with a particular subsurface location. The system also includes a controller to turn on a first set of the plurality of sensors and turn off a second set of the plurality of sensors based on an area of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Peter M. Eick, Joel D. Brewer
  • Patent number: 9823373
    Abstract: An acoustic telemetry method for use with a subterranean well can include positioning a well tool in the well, the well tool including an acoustic transmitter and a sensor, and an acoustic receiver in the well receiving an acoustic signal transmitted by the transmitter, the acoustic signal including information representative of a measurement by the sensor. A system for use with a subterranean well can include a well tool positioned in the well, the well tool including an acoustic transmitter and a sensor, the acoustic transmitter transmits an acoustic signal including information representative of a measurement by the sensor to an acoustic receiver positioned in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Neal G. Skinner
  • Patent number: 9823374
    Abstract: A wellbore tool string includes a combination of acoustic inspection tool(s) and electro-mechanical inspection tool(s). The tool string is configured to combine acoustic with electro-mechanic wellbore inspection to circumvent limitations that both technologies may be subject to in wellbore environments. Anomalous data from one or more acoustic tools can be correlated with data acquired by an electro-mechanical tool incorporated into the same tool string to determine wellbore conditions that may have adversely affected the operation of the acoustic tool(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn Patrick McCafferty, Adewumi Ehinmoro, Ivo Foianini
  • Patent number: 9823375
    Abstract: Apparatus for acoustic measurement in a downhole environment to enable high quality measurements to be obtained in difficult logging conditions are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a downhole tool having a body with a plurality of transmitters located on the body. A receiver is located on the body a distance from the transmitters and an attenuator section is integrally formed on the body between at least one transmitter and the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakajima, Toshihiro Kinoshita, Hiroshi Hori, Alain Dumont, Hiroshi Nomura
  • Patent number: 9823376
    Abstract: An acoustic measurement tool comprises a transmitter for generating acoustic signals and at least one acoustic receiver spaced from the transmitter and configured to receive an acoustic signal, generated by the transmitter, and which has encountered a medium of interest. Moreover, at least one acoustic reference receiver is located adjacent the transmitter and is configured to receive an acoustic signal, generated by the transmitter, prior to the acoustic signal encountering the medium of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventor: Ioan-Alexandru Merciu
  • Patent number: 9823377
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a multi-modal security checkpoint. The security checkpoint can simultaneously scan for and simultaneously identify hidden metallics (e.g., weapons, shrapnel) and non-metallics (e.g., explosives, dielectrics). The security checkpoint performs scanning and identifying at a rate of 15 or more frames per second for all targets within the inspection area. The security checkpoint comprises blocks for sending and receiving radiation signals, the blocks comprising transmitters and/or receivers, the blocks being configured to share information to compare cross- and co-polarizations of signals emitted. The security checkpoint combines many threat detection technologies into one checkpoint that allows it to be robust and detect a large variety of threats in mass transit hubs requiring high throughput processing capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: APSTEC SYSTEMS USA LLC
    Inventors: Andrey Kuznetsov, Valery Averyanov, Igor Gorshkov
  • Patent number: 9823379
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for delivering current to a lower exposed end of a well in which a source of current is connected to a middle section of a well casing or tubing inserted in the casing with the middle section being electrically isolated from a first or upper section by an insulative coupler and treated to be electrically resistive. A cable is attached to the middle section and used to deliver current along the wall of the middle section to the lower exposed end such that the lower exposed end is used to generate an electric field in nearby geological zones. Changes in the generated electric field resulting from the nature of materials in the geological zones can be detected by surface or below ground monitors or sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: GroundMetrics, Inc.
    Inventor: H. Frank Morrison
  • Patent number: 9823380
    Abstract: An example method includes positioning a first conformable sensor proximate to a downhole element. The first conformable sensor may include a flexible material, with first and second transmitters and first and second receivers coupled to the flexible material. A first signal may be generated using the first transmitter and a second signal using the second transmitter. A first response of the downhole element to the first signal and a second response of the downhole element to the second signal may be measured at the first receiver. A third response of the downhole element to the first signal and a fourth response of the downhole element to the second signal may be measured at the second receiver. At least the first, second, third, and fourth responses may be combined into a compensated response of the downhole element. The compensated response may be processed to determine a parameter of the downhole element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Burkay Donderici, Luis San Martin
  • Patent number: 9823381
    Abstract: A method for mapping and monitoring of hydraulic fracture includes capturing, using an array of sensors, a first magnetic image of a well pay zone. A second magnetic image is captured using the array of sensors, after a well bore is padded with a fluid. A background is established based on the first and the second magnetic images. A third magnetic image is captured using the array of sensors, after a doped proppant is injected into a stage. The third image is processed to subtract the background and to obtain information regarding distribution of the fluid and the proppant in the stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Meyer
  • Patent number: 9823382
    Abstract: A vehicle mounted mobile container or vehicle inspection system, including: a radiation source, a movable vehicle for carrying the inspection system, and a detector arm rack which has a horizontal arm and a vertical arm, a first end of the horizontal arm is connected to the vehicle and a second end thereof is connected to an end of the vertical arm. The horizontal arm and the vertical arm are connected by a pivotal connecting device such that the vertical arm may pivot in a vertical plane, and the horizontal arm and the vertical arm may be retracted in a same horizontal plane. The novel arm rack construction may reduce the space occupied by it on top of the scanning vehicle after the arm rack is stowed so as to reduce the eight of the scanning vehicle under running condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: NUCTECH COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Jianmin Li, Yulan Li, Jingyu Gu, Yuanjing Li, Quanwei Song, Weizhen Wang, Dongyu Wang, Zhiqiang Chen, Chaunxiang Tang, Yinong Liu, Junli Li, Tao Xue, Hui Gong, Xuewu Wang
  • Patent number: 9823383
    Abstract: The present specification describes a scanning/inspection system configured as a dual-view system using dual-energy sensitive stacked detectors that are partially populated with multi-energy discriminating detectors for overall enhanced energy resolution and therefore improved discrimination of materials through better estimation of material physical properties such as density and effective atomic number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerard Andrew Hanley
  • Patent number: 9823384
    Abstract: A method for estimating a drilling fluid flow rate in a subterranean wellbore includes processing an acquired gamma ray spectrum in combination with standard elemental spectra and at least one standard oxygen activation spectrum to compute an oxygen activation yield. The oxygen activation yield is further processed to estimate a drilling fluid flow rate and or to infer a borehole diameter change or a lost circulation event. The gamma ray spectrum is acquired using a logging string employing a neutron source and a natural gamma ray sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jiaxin Wang, Libai Xu, Christian Stoller
  • Patent number: 9823385
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for downhole logging. The system comprises a photon source configured to generate photons at different endpoint energies; at least one radiation detector configured to detect photons after interactions with a wellbore, a geological formation surrounding the wellbore, or both; an energy detection system configured to determine an endpoint energy of the photon source; and a processing system configured to determine properties of a wellbore, a geological formation, or both, based on photons detected at the at least one radiation detector and the endpoint energy determined by the energy detection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sicco Beekman, Avtandil Tkabladze, Matthieu Simon
  • Patent number: 9823388
    Abstract: A composite substrate structure includes a transparent substrate, an anti-reflective layer, and an anti-glare layer. The anti-reflective layer is disposed on the transparent substrate and has at least a first anti-reflective film and the refractive index of the first anti-reflective film is greater than that of the transparent substrate. The anti-glare layer is disposed on the anti-reflective layer, and the anti-glare layer and the transparent substrate are respectively located at two opposite sides of the anti-reflective layer. The refractive index of the anti-glare layer is less than that of the first anti-reflective film, and the anti-glare layer has a rough surface distant from the anti-reflective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: TPK Touch Solutions (Xiamen) Inc.
    Inventors: I-Chung Hsu, Kuo-Shu Hsu, Chunyong Zhang
  • Patent number: 9823389
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a cellulose acylate-containing film capable of improving durability of polarizer, and of suppressing bleeding of an additive for improving the durability of the polarizer, a method of manufacturing the film, a polarizing plate, a liquid crystal display device and a composition. The present invention provides a film which includes a compound represented by Formula 1 defined by the specification, a compound represented by Formula 2 defined by the specification, and a cellulose acylate; wherein the content of each of the compounds represented by Formula 1 and Formula 2 in a zone ranging from one surface of the film to a depth of 10%, is higher than the content in the residual zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jyunko Ibaraki
  • Patent number: 9823390
    Abstract: An optical sheet includes: a transparent substrate sheet; and a sticking preventive portion provided on the back face of the transparent substrate sheet. The sticking preventive portion includes a plurality of printed dots. The average diameter of the printed dots is preferably no less than 1 ?m and no greater than 200 ?m. The ratio of the average height to the average diameter of the printed dots is preferably no less than 1/100 and no greater than 1. The printed dot preferably has a hemisphere-like shape having a height less than a diameter. The arrangement density of the printed dots on the back face of the substrate sheet is preferably no less than 10 dots/mm2 and no greater than 2,500 dots/mm2. A principal component of the printed dots is preferably is preferably an acrylic resin, a urethane resin or an acrylic urethane resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: KEIWA INC.
    Inventor: Yoshitada Namikawa
  • Patent number: 9823391
    Abstract: A non-photosensitive resin composition including: a self-cross-linkable copolymer having structural units of Formulae (1) and (2): wherein each R0 is independently a hydrogen atom or methyl group; X is an —O— group or an —NH— group; R1 is a single bond or a C1-6 alkylene group; R2 is a C1-6 alkyl group; a is an integer of 1 to 5, b is an integer of 0 to 4, and when a and b satisfy 1?a+b?5, and b is 2, 3, or 4, such R2 optionally differ from each other; R3 is a divalent organic group of Formula (I), Formula (II), or Formula (III), and R4 is an organic group having an epoxy group: wherein c is an integer of 0 to 3, d is an integer of 1 to 3, and each e is independently an integer of 2 to 6; and a solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Sakaguchi, Isao Adachi
  • Patent number: 9823392
    Abstract: An optical substrate according to one embodiment includes a support substrate, and a projection-depression structure layer on a surface of which shapes of projections and depressions are formed, the projection-depression structure layer being laminated on the support substrate. The extending directions of projection portions contained in the projection-depression structure layer are irregularly distributed seen in planar view. An outline seen in planar view of a projection portion contained in a region per unit area of the projection-depression structure layer includes more straight line sections than curved line sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: JX NIPPON OIL & ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Masuyama, Takashi Seki, Maki Fukuda, Suzushi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 9823393
    Abstract: The invention relates to multilayer structures made of at least one thermoplastic material and having at least one metal layer. The invention further relates to multilayer products encompassing at least three layers comprising a substrate layer made of a substrate comprising specific copolycarbonates and at least one inorganic filler, a metal layer and one or more further layers. The invention further relates to the process for producing the said multilayer structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Covestro Deutschland AG
    Inventors: Alexander Meyer, Martin Doebler, Ulrich Grosser, Rafael Oser, Birte Sämisch, Thomas Grimm
  • Patent number: 9823394
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to prismatic retroreflective articles that includes a security mark and to methods of making such articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Suman K. Patel, Bruce D. Orensteen, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky
  • Patent number: 9823395
    Abstract: A multilayer optical film including a stack of microlayers arranged into optical repeat units. At a design angle of incidence, such as normal incidence, the stack provides a 1st order reflection band, a 2nd order reflection band, and optionally a 3rd order reflection band. The 2nd order reflection band substantially overlaps the 1st and/or 3rd order reflection bands to form a single wide reflection band. The wide reflection band may cover at least a portion of visible and infrared wavelengths. The multilayer optical film may include an additional optical layer which maybe be an anti-glare layer and/or may be an absorbing layer. The multilayer optical film is suitable for use as a window film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Edward J. Kivel, Timothy J. Nevitt, Mark B. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 9823396
    Abstract: A broadband partial reflector includes a multilayer polymeric optical film having a total number of optical repeating units that monotonically increases in thickness value from a first side to a second side of the multilayer polymeric optical film. A baseline optical repeating unit thickness profile is defined by a first plurality of optical repeating units and having a first average slope, and a first apodized thickness profile of the multilayer polymeric optical film is defined by a second plurality of optical repeating units having a second average slope being at least 5 times greater than the first average slope. The second plurality of optical repeating units define the first side of the multilayer polymeric optical film and join the first plurality of optical repeating units. The second plurality of optical repeating units are in a range from 3-15% of the total number of optical repeating units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Timothy J. Nevitt, John A. Wheatley
  • Patent number: 9823397
    Abstract: A method of producing a polarizing plate according to an embodiment includes: applying an application liquid containing a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin and a surfactant onto a resin substrate to produce a laminate in which a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin layer is formed on the resin substrate; stretching and dyeing the polyvinyl alcohol-based resin layer formed on the resin substrate to produce a polarizing film; laminating an optical functional film on a polarizing film side of the laminate to produce an optical functional film laminate; and peeling the resin substrate from the optical functional film laminate. A content of the surfactant in the application liquid is less than 1 part by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the polyvinyl alcohol-based resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoru Kunikata, Shusaku Goto, Minoru Miyatake, Kentarou Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9823398
    Abstract: A polarizer according to the present invention includes a thin film with a constant thickness composed of a dielectric, and a plurality of slit-shaped through-holes each having the same width formed in the thin film and extending in a first direction. The plurality of through-holes are arranged on a surface of the thin film at a constant interval in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventor: Takayoshi Suganuma
  • Patent number: 9823399
    Abstract: A panorama display device includes a first display panel flexibly hinged to provide a hinged part and a non-hinged part of the first display panel, a first polarization unit on the first display panel, the first polarization unit including a separated part separated from a remaining part of the first polarization unit, a second display panel flexibly hinged to provide a hinged part and a non-hinged part of the second display panel, and a second polarization unit on the second display panel, the second polarization unit including a separated part separated from a remaining part of the second polarization unit. The hinged part of the first display panel is hinged with the separated part of the first polarization unit. The hinged part of the second display panel is hinged with the separated part of the second polarization unit. The first and second display panels are connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tae-Jin Kim, Hae-Kwan Seo
  • Patent number: 9823400
    Abstract: There is provided a cured-film formation composition that forms a cured film having excellent photoreaction efficiency and solvent resistance, and high adhesion, an orientation material for photo-alignment, and a retardation material formed with the orientation material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Tadashi Hatanaka, Tomohisa Ishida, Shojiro Yukawa
  • Patent number: 9823401
    Abstract: A cured-film formation composition that includes: (A) one or more compounds having a photo-aligning group and hydroxy group, etc.; (B) a polymer having at least one substituent from the group of a hydroxy group, carboxy group, amino group, and alkoxysilyl group, and the like; and (C) a cross-linking agent. Component (A) contains a compound having a group of Formula [1] below as the photo-aligning group: where A1 and A2 are independently a hydrogen atom or methyl group; and A3 is a hydroxy group. A cured-film is formed from the cured-film formation composition, and orientation material is formed by use of photo-alignment technique. A retardation material is obtained by applying a polymerizable liquid crystal on the orientation material and curing it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: NISSAN CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei Goto, Shojiro Yukawa, Masato Moriuchi, Tadashi Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 9823402
    Abstract: Illumination articles are described. More specifically, illumination articles that include a wearable device configured for wearing on the head of a wearer, a lightguide and light sources for emitting light into the lightguide are described. The illumination articles allow for wearable devices that uniformly illuminate a working area at high brightness without providing excessive glare to observers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Bing Hao, David A. Ender, Michael E. Griffin, Kevin W. Anderson, Gina M. Buccellato, Barry S. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 9823403
    Abstract: A light guiding body includes, an introducing portion including a plane of incidence and a plane of reflection opposite to the plane of incidence, a diffusion portion including a first plane provided on a side of the plane of reflection and a second plane provided on the side of the plane of incidence and opposite to the first plane, a first point positioned on a border between the plane of reflection and the first plane, and a second point on the plane of incidence, wherein when a center of curvature of the first plane at the first point is a third point, an index of refraction of the light guiding body is n, the curvature of the first plane at the first point is K, and a distance between the second point and the third point is D, Formula (4) is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ohno, Mitsuaki Kato, Tomonao Takamatsu
  • Patent number: 9823404
    Abstract: An optical system includes a light source emitting light, a collimating structure to substantially collimate the light, and a converter unit to receive the substantially collimated light having an area illuminating a first aspect ratio and outputting light having an area illuminating a second aspect ratio, the second aspect ratio greater than the first aspect ratio by at least a factor of four, and a backlight light guide to receive the light from the converter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Kelly R Ingham
  • Patent number: 9823405
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display panel displaying an image using light; a light source generating first light; a light conversion member converting the first light into the light; a case member accommodating the light source and the light conversion member and including an open part to transmit the light which is converted by the light conversion member; and a light guide plate receiving the light through the open part and guiding the light to a upward direction where the display panel is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Donghyeon Lee, Seung Hwan Baek, Luly Lee, Yeongbae Lee
  • Patent number: 9823406
    Abstract: A light guide includes: a first major surface; a second major surface opposite the first major surface; an array of extraction elements, each element disposed between an upper and lower edge of the first major surface, each upper and lower edge defining a plane therebetween, each element including: a first face adjoining the upper edge, the first face projecting inwardly relative to the plane at a first angle; a second face adjoining the first face, the second face projecting inwardly at a second angle relative to the plane, the second angle greater than the first angle; a third face adjoining the lower edge and the second face, the third face projecting inwardly relative to the plane at a third angle, the third angle greater than the first angle; wherein the first face, second face and third face define an indentation projecting inwardly from the plane defined by the first major surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Fluxwerx Illumination Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Santoro
  • Patent number: 9823407
    Abstract: Disclosed is a lighting strip (100) comprising an optical waveguide (120) extending in a length direction of said strip and having a tapered portion tapering from a thin edge (124) to a thick edge (122) in a width direction of said strip; at least one solid state lighting element (110) incorporated in the optical waveguide and arranged to emit light into the optical waveguide in said length direction; and a light scattering pattern (130) on the thick edge of the tapered portion for redirecting the emitted light to the thin edge of the tapered portion. A lighting system, panel support element (210) and modular panel system (200) including such a lighting strip (100) are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Rajesh Sreedharanpillai, Fetze Pijlman, Hendrikus Hubertus Petrus Gommans
  • Patent number: 9823408
    Abstract: An optical waveguide includes a body of optically transmissive material having a width substantially greater than an overall thickness thereof. The body of material has a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a plurality of interior bores extending between the first and second sides each adapted to receive a light emitting diode. Extraction features are disposed on the second side and the extraction features direct light out of at least the first side and at least one extraction feature forms a taper disposed at an outer portion of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: Zongjie Yuan, Kurt S. Wilcox, Eric J. Tarsa, Fabian Jean-Daniel Rol, James Ibbetson, Bernd P. Keller, Nicholas W. Medendorp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9823409
    Abstract: A photoluminescent layered composite includes: a light conversion layer including a first polymer matrix and a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals dispersed in the first polymer matrix; and a metal oxide layer, wherein the metal oxide layer includes a plurality of conductive metal oxide particles, and wherein the metal oxide layer is disposed on at least one surface of the light conversion layer. Also a backlight unit and a display device include the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nayoun Won, Hyun A Kang, Yongwook Kim, Eun Joo Jang, Oul Cho
  • Patent number: 9823410
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a light guiding plate comprises steps of forming a protrusion array composed of a plurality of protrusions (300) on a surface of a substrate (100); and forming reflective layers (301) on side facets of the protrusions (300) respectively, in such a way that, the farther away from a side of the substrate (100) the protrusion (300) with the reflective layer is, the greater the reflectivity of the reflective layer (301) is. The light emitted from the light guiding plate made by the method is relatively uniform, and the heating issue is also avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Heecheol Kim, Yan Wei, Chao Xu, Chunfang Zhang
  • Patent number: 9823411
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing illumination. In one aspect, an etendue preserving optical coupling system configured to: receive incident light through an input aperture; and emit the incident light through an output aperture having an area smaller than an area of the input aperture is provided. The light output from the optical coupling system is coupled into a light receiving system including material having substantially the same refractive index as the refractive index of the material of the optical coupling system. The light receiving system includes a light guide configured to internally propagate the redirected light and to release light to illuminate the ambient environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SnapTrack Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Louis Holman
  • Patent number: 9823412
    Abstract: The invention discloses an edge type backlight module. The edge type backlight module includes: a back frame having at least one sidewall and at least one bottom plate; a light guide plate disposed on the bottom plate and having a light incident side surface, wherein the light incident side surface is opposite to the sidewall; and a plurality of first backlight sources and a plurality of second backlight sources, wherein the first backlight sources are disposed on the sidewall, the second backlight sources are disposed on the bottom plate and against the sidewall, the first backlight sources and the second backlight sources are alternately disposed, the first backlight sources include a plurality of first LED lamps, and the second backlight sources include a plurality of second LED lamps. The invention also discloses a liquid crystal display device having the edge type backlight module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hu He, Yi-cheng Kuo
  • Patent number: 9823413
    Abstract: In an optical fiber, a plurality of individual cores extend through a common cladding. Each individual core supports at least one local transverse spatial mode. The individual cores and surrounding cladding are structured to support propagation of plurality of desired signal-carrying modes, while suppressing undesired modes, thereby supporting the propagation of one or more spatially multiplexed signals. The core-to-core spacing of the fiber is configured to maintain an acceptably low level of mode-coupling between cores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: OFS FITEL, LLC
    Inventor: John M. Fini
  • Patent number: 9823414
    Abstract: A semiconductor device for use in an optical application and a method for fabricating the device. The device includes: an optically passive aspect that is operable in a substantially optically passive mode; and an optically active material having a material that is operable in a substantially optically active mode, wherein the optically passive aspect is patterned to include a photonic structure with a predefined structure, and the optically active material is formed in the predefined structure so as to be substantially self-aligned in a lateral plane with the optically passive aspect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lukas Czornomaz, Jens Hofrichter, Mirja Richter, Heike E. Riel
  • Patent number: 9823415
    Abstract: An energy converter for converting multi-frequency radiant energy into electrical energy is disclosed, comprising a plurality of superposed lateral waveguides having photovoltaic energy transducers disposed within. The waveguide include charge collectors, which may be the cladding. A plurality of spectral refractors termed Continuous Resonant Trap Refractors (CRTR) are disposed within the lateral waveguides the refractors comprising a tapered core waveguide, the wider end of which defining an aperture, and the tapered core width decreasing in magnitude as a function of the depth. A cladding is disposed about the tapered core. The aperture of the tapered core is dimensioned to allow passage of radiant energy comprising at least two frequencies. The varying width of the tapered core will cause different frequencies to reach a state at which they will penetrate the cladding and be emitted from the spectral refractor sorted by depth, and be coupled to respective lateral waveguides and/or transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: CRTRIX Technologies
    Inventor: Shalom Wertsberger
  • Patent number: 9823416
    Abstract: At least some illustrative embodiments are including a method exposing a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber disposed within an interior volume of a first tube. A splice is formed between the first optical fiber and a third optical fiber, the splice joining an end of the first optical fiber and an end of the third optical fiber. A second tube is disposed the first, second, third optical fibers and the splice between the first and third optical fibers, wherein an end of the second tube adjoins an end of the first tube to form a structure comprising either an overlapping structure; or an abutting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Matthew Segsworth, Jeremy Smith, Robert Alexis Peregrin Fernihough, Jeff Bowlus
  • Patent number: 9823417
    Abstract: Disclosed is a waveguide polarizing optical device, including a first waveguide polarizer (6), a section of a second optical waveguide (31) and a second thin-plate polarizer (52) having a physical thickness T and a refractive index n, the second thin-plate polarizer (52) being disposed on the optical path between a waveguide end (8) of the first polarizer (6) and one end (32) of the second optical waveguide (31), the physical distance d between the waveguide end (8) of the first polarizer (6) and the end (32) of the second optical waveguide (31) being less than or equal to twice the Rayleigh length and the physical thickness T of the second polarizer (52) being less than or equal to the physical distance d.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: IXBLUE
    Inventors: Pascal Simonpietri, Stephane Chouvin, Cedric Molucon