Patents Issued in January 9, 2018
  • Patent number: 9864183
    Abstract: Systems and methods for structured illumination super-resolution phase microscopy are disclosed. According to an aspect, an imaging system includes a light source configured to generate light. The system also includes a diffraction grating positioned to receive and diffract the output light. The system also includes a sample holder positioned to receive the diffracted light for transmission through a sample. Further, the system includes an image detector positioned to receive the light transmitted through the sample and configured to generate image data based on the received light. The system also includes a computing device configured to apply subdiffraction resolution reconstruction to the image data for generating an image of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Joseph A. Izatt, Shwetadwip Chowdhury
  • Patent number: 9864184
    Abstract: Certain aspects pertain to Fourier ptychographic imaging systems, devices, and methods that implement an embedded pupil function recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Xiaoze Ou, Jaebum Chung, Roarke Horstmeyer, Guoan Zheng, Changhuei Yang
  • Patent number: 9864185
    Abstract: Provided is a three-dimensional-endoscope optical system that is provided with two objective optical systems having optical axes, which are arranged with a spacing therebetween, and that satisfies the following conditions: 0.5 mm<OP<1.5 mm??(1); 3 mm<D<200 mm??(2); ?<10°??(3); and 110°<?<180°??(4), where OP is a spacing between the optical axes of optical members at the most distal ends of the objective optical systems, D is a depth of field, ? is an angle of convergence (inward angle) of the depth of field D when performing near-point observation, and ? is an angle of view of the objective optical systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayoshi Togino, Ikutoshi Fukushima, Yasushi Namii, Mitsujiro Konno
  • Patent number: 9864186
    Abstract: An electrowetting optical device including a conductive liquid and a non-conductive liquid, the liquids being non miscible, and a dielectric enclosure on which both fluids are in contact and form a triple interface. The non-conductive liquid includes from 0.0001 weight percent to 1 about weight percent of a surface adsorbing agent. The surface adsorbing agent is an amphiphilic molecule having a solubility in water lower than 0.1 about weight percent at 25° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: PARROT DRONES
    Inventors: Géraldine Malet, Stéphanie Chevalliot, Rebecca Rabot, Benjamin Burger
  • Patent number: 9864187
    Abstract: A reflector micromechanical structure includes a frame with a window. The frame is elastically connected to an anchorage structure by first elastic elements. An actuation structure operatively coupled to the frame is configured to generate a first actuation movement of the frame about a first actuation axis. A mobile mass is positioned within the window and elastically coupled to the frame by second elastic elements. A mass distribution is associated to the mobile mass such as to generate, by an inertial effect in response to the first actuation movement, a second actuation movement of rotation of the mobile mass about a second actuation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Roberto Carminati
  • Patent number: 9864188
    Abstract: A method of forming a micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) pixel, such as a DMD type pixel, by forming a substrate having a non-planar upper surface, and depositing a photoresist spacer layer upon the substrate. The spacer layer is exposed to a grey-scale lithographic mask to shape an upper surface of the spacer layer. A control member is formed upon the planarized spacer layer, and an image member is formed over the control member. The image member is configured to be positioned as a function of the control member to form a spatial light modulator (SLM). The spacer layer is planarized by masking a selected portion of the spacer layer with a grey-scale lithographic mask to remove binge in the selected portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Patrick I. Oden, James C. Baker, Sandra Zheng, William C. McDonald, Lance W. Barron
  • Patent number: 9864189
    Abstract: In a mirror drive device, a first and second actuator sections are arranged on both sides of a mirror supporting section that supports a mirror section so as to sandwich the mirror supporting section. Division of an upper and lower electrodes of each of the first and second actuator sections is performed correspondingly to stress distribution of principal stresses in a piezoelectric body in resonant mode vibration, and a piezoelectric body portion corresponding to positions of a first and third upper electrode sections, and a piezoelectric body portion corresponding to positions of a second and fourth upper electrode sections have stresses in opposite directions to each other. Division of the lower electrodes is performed similar to the upper electrodes, and drive voltages having the same phase can be respectively applied to the upper and lower electrode sections of the piezoelectric body portions that are different due to a division arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Naono
  • Patent number: 9864190
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed to apparatuses, arrangements, systems and methods for collecting information using one or more modalities. As consistent with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes first and second scanning mirror arrangements having different scanning axes and respectively facing different directions. The first scanning mirror arrangement directs source light and image light in two paths, and the second scanning mirror arrangement directs image light from a target to the first scanning mirror arrangement. The first and second scanning mirror arrangements cooperatively scan source light from the first scanning mirror and via the second scanning mirror to target locations with at least two degrees of freedom, and direct image light from the target locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Michael Mandella, Gordon S. Kino, Christopher H. Contag, Olav Solgaard, Butrus Khuri-Yakub, Omer Oralkan, Jae-Woong Jeong, Paul Cristman, Jonathan T. C. Liu, Hyejun Ra, Jae Eun Hwang
  • Patent number: 9864191
    Abstract: A viewer includes a varifocal lens and a lens controller that adjusts a focal length of the varifocal lens, and can adjust a focal point in accordance with eye movement of the user. When a 3D image viewing detector detects 3D image viewing by the user, a focal length fixing section instructs a lens controller to fix a focal length of the varifocal lens irrespective of eye movement of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yumiko Kato, Tsuyoshi Inoue, Jun Ozawa
  • Patent number: 9864192
    Abstract: An image display device includes a first inertial sensor, an imaging section, and a calculation section. The calculation section calculates a first spatial relationship between the marker and the imaging section in the case where the imaging section captures an image of a marker presented by a device including a second inertial sensor, and calculates a second spatial relationship between the imaging section and the first inertial sensor based at least on the first spatial relationship, first data and second data, the first data including a first orientation of the first inertial sensor and the second data including a second orientation of the second inertial sensor respectively obtained from the first inertial sensor and the second inertial sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Guoyi Fu
  • Patent number: 9864193
    Abstract: The invention relates to a head-up display including an element (10) suitable for overlaying a first image of a scene (14) on a second image from a projection system, the projection system including a screen (24) and an optical system (26), the screen (24) being divided into sub-screens (24A, 24B, 24C), each of which display the second image, the optical system (26) including a set of optical subsystems (26A, 26B, 26C) positioned opposite each sub-screen (24A, 24B, 24C), the screen being positioned within the object focal plane of each optical sub-system (26A, 26B, 26C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Stéphane Getin, Henry Doyeux
  • Patent number: 9864194
    Abstract: A visual display system is provided for a vehicle having a windshield. The system includes a controller configured to receive information associated with an operating environment of the vehicle and to generate display commands representing the operating environment; a first operator tracking unit configured to collect data associated with a primary vision field of view of an operator; and a first display system coupled to the controller and configured to receive the display commands. The first display system includes a first display unit configured to display at least a portion of a border representing a boundary of the primary vision field of view of the operator and first symbology representing the operating environment of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Subash Samuthirapandian, John G. Suddreth
  • Patent number: 9864195
    Abstract: An image display apparatus includes a light source device including a light source unit; a scanning optical system including an image forming unit on which an intermediate image is formed by light from the light source unit; and a virtual image optical system configured to guide light of the intermediate image by using a reflecting mirror and a curved transmissive reflection member. The scanning optical system includes an optical scanning unit configured to scan the light from the light source unit in a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction of the image forming unit. The image forming unit is a transmissive member curved with a convex surface toward the reflecting mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Naoki Nakamura, Daisuke Ichii, Hiromichi Atsuumi, Naoki Miyatake, Yuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9864196
    Abstract: A head-up display system includes housing, a combiner to display information in an operating position and a cover to protect the combiner. The combiner moves between the operating position and a storage position. The cover moves between an open position and a closed position to protect the combiner in its storage position with the cover in its closed position. The system includes a drive to move the cover between its open and closed positions. The drive includes a main lever and a support lever that is pivoted with a moving end to the main lever and with a fixed end to the housing. The main lever is pivoted with a cover end to the cover and with a driver end to a rotational drive to drive an essential linear movement of the cover end of the main lever during the movement of the cover between its open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Jabil Inc.
    Inventors: Henricus Marie Ruyten, Christoph Potakowskyj
  • Patent number: 9864197
    Abstract: A display device includes: a stepping motor; a concave mirror that moves in accordance with the operation of the stepping motor, the concave mirror reflecting display light emitted from a display unit toward the windshield; a lever part that moves together with the concave mirror; a drive unit for driving the stepping motor by a microstep drive system; a control unit for controlling the movement of the concave mirror by controlling the drive unit; and a stopper unit provided within the range of movement of the lever part. The drive unit is configured to detect the counter-electromotive force generated by the stepping motor when the lever part comes into contact with the stopper unit. The control unit determines the reference position when the movement of the concave mirror is controlled in accordance with the counter-electromotive force detected by the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: NIPPON SEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryoichi Ishibashi, Satoshi Kobayashi, Norihiko Ushida, Yoshiko Adachi
  • Patent number: 9864198
    Abstract: A head-mounted display includes a mounting unit, a display unit, a sensor unit, and a control unit. The mounting unit is configured to be mountable on a head of a user. The display unit is provided in the mounting unit and capable of providing the user with a field of view of a real space. The sensor unit is provided in a periphery of the display unit, includes a sensor that is capable of detecting a hand of the user that is brought close to or in contact with the sensor due to an action of the user, and performs output based on a detection result of the sensor. The control unit displays an image in the field of view and changes a display state of the image, based on a change in output of the sensor unit. With this configuration, the head-mounted display enables an intuitive operation to be performed using a natural action of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Iwatsu
  • Patent number: 9864199
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a display includes a projector, a first optical unit, and a second optical unit. The projector emits a first light including image information. The first optical unit transmits at least a portion of a second light. The second optical unit reflects at least a portion of the first light and transmits at least a portion of the second light. A light reflectance of the first optical unit is lower than a light reflectance of the second optical unit, and a light absorptance of the first optical unit is higher than a light absorptance of the second optical unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Aira Hotta, Tomoya Tsuruyama, Shimpei Sawada, Yoshiyuki Kokojima, Akihisa Moriya, Masahiro Baba
  • Patent number: 9864200
    Abstract: The present application provides a head-mounted display, including a display device comprising a display body and two support arms extending from opposite ends of the display body, a headphone device comprising two headphone bodies, and two connection mechanisms connected to the two support arms respectively and rotatably connected to the two headphone bodies respectively. A head-mounted bracket is connected to the two connection mechanisms via two connection portions. Each connection mechanism includes a first rotation member for connecting a support arm to a corresponding headphone body and a second rotation member rotatably connected to the first rotation member and connected to a corresponding connection portion, respectively. The display device is driven to rotate relative to the head-mounted bracket under the first rotation member rotating relative to the second rotation member, which enables the display device to be folded together with the head-mounted bracket to improve portability of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: SHENZHEN ROYOLE TECHNOLOGIES CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Songya Chen, Songling Yang
  • Patent number: 9864201
    Abstract: An electronic device has a flexible display. An apparatus and method for providing the electronic device includes: a display unit formed of flexible material having at least one curved surface, a transformation unit coupled to at least part of the display unit, and a control unit configured to alter the transformation unit to deform the at least one curved surface of the flexible material of the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Younhyoung Kim, Kyunghee Lee, Kenhyung Park, Chihyun Cho, Changryong Heo, Hyunsoo Kim, Ikhyun Cho
  • Patent number: 9864202
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a collapsible virtual reality viewer. Aspects of the viewer include a body portion and a viewing portion, each having a plurality of panels abutting fold lines. The viewer may be folded along the fold lines to move from an expanded configuration to a collapsed configuration when it is not being used. In one aspect, the viewer includes a detachable portion in which a detachable panel is removeably coupled to the viewer along a plurality of perforations. Promotional material may be printed on or attached to the detachable panel. In another embodiment, the viewer is of a unitary construction in which the panels of the body portion and the panels of the viewing portion are die cut from a single piece of material and folded along fold lines to form the viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas A. Wallen
  • Patent number: 9864204
    Abstract: Interrogation optical beams are focused or otherwise shaped for delivery to a target that includes one or more tooling balls so as to have a beam radius of curvature corresponding to a tooling ball radius. Focus values can be stored in a look-up table and can include two beam focus conditions that produce a selected beam focus. The two beam focus conditions are associated with a common beam curvature. The focus conditions are associated with beam curvatures within and without a Rayleigh range from a beam waist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Gene Smith
  • Patent number: 9864205
    Abstract: A multifocal display for rendering a 3D scene as a series of 2D images. In one aspect, the multifocal display includes a display, an optical imaging system, a refractive focus actuator and a controller. The display renders the 2D images. The optical imaging system is image-side telecentric and creates an image of the display. The refractive focus actuator is positioned at the pupil of the optical imaging system. Thus, adjusting the refractive focus actuator alters a location of the image of the display but does not significantly alter a size of the image. The controller coordinates adjustment of the refractive focus actuator with rendering of the 2D images on the display. The waveform driving the focus actuator is preferably designed to reduce ringing and jitter effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noah Bedard, Patrick Llull, Ivana Tosic, Wanmin Wu, Kathrin Berkner
  • Patent number: 9864206
    Abstract: An optical modulation device includes a first electrode layer in which a plurality of electrodes are arranged and a second electrode layer, where the optical modulation device configures a Fresnel zone plate wherein groups of adjacent electrodes of the plurality of electrodes define zones of the Fresnel zone plate. A method of driving the optical modulation device includes applying a common voltage to the second electrode layer, applying starting voltages to the first electrode layer in a first step, applying lens voltages to the first electrode layer in a second step, where polarities of the lens voltages with respect to the common voltage are inverted for every zone, and an absolute difference between starting voltages applied to electrodes adjacent to a zone boundary in the first step is less than an absolute difference of the lens voltages applied to electrodes adjacent to a zone boundary in the second step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Hwan Yi, Kyung Ho Jung
  • Patent number: 9864207
    Abstract: Polarizing beam splitter is disclosed. The polarizing beam splitter includes a first polymeric prism, a second polymeric prism, a reflective polarizer that is disposed between and adhered to a hypotenuse of each of the first and second polymeric prisms, and a hardcoat that is disposed on each of the first and second polymeric prisms. The polarizing beam splitter includes an input major surface and an output major surface. At least one of the input and output major surfaces has a pencil hardness of at least 3H. The polarizing beam splitter has a low birefringence such that when polarized light having a first polarization state enters the optical element from the input major surface and travels through at least 2 mm of the polarizing beam splitter and exits the polarizing beam splitter from the output major surface, at least 95% of light exiting the polarizing beam splitter is polarized has the first polarization state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Joseph C. Carls, Scott B. Charles, Cameron T. Murray
  • Patent number: 9864208
    Abstract: In an optical display system that includes a waveguide with multiple diffractive optical elements (DOEs), one or more of the DOEs is configured with gratings that have varying depth and varying directions for depth modulation, in which the modulation direction is aligned with the steepest change (i.e., slope) of grating depth. Depth modulation direction may change at a point of transition between different regions in the DOE. For example, with a zero axis being defined along a line parallel to a long side of a DOE, the depth modulation direction can change from a negative angle, with respect to the axis in the plane of the waveguide in one region, to a positive angle in another region, or vice versa. By varying depth modulation direction in a DOE, display uniformity in the optical display system may be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Tuomas Vallius, Lauri Sainiemi
  • Patent number: 9864209
    Abstract: Metrology targets and methods are provided, which provide self-Moiré measurements of unresolved target features, i.e., interaction of electromagnetic fields re-scattered off elements within a single target layer provides signals with Moiré pitches that are measurable, although the actual target pitches are unresolved and possibly device-like. Targets comprise cell(s) with interlaced lines of elements having different device-like pitches which are selected to yield resolved Moiré pitch(es). Different target designs are presented for scatterometry and imaging metrology measurements, as well as for critical dimension, dose and focus, and pitch walk measurements—of device-like targets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Vladimir Levinski, Yuri Paskover, Daniel Kandel
  • Patent number: 9864210
    Abstract: An elastic eyeglass temple includes: a main body; one or more holes which are formed in one predetermined section or respectively in plural predetermined sections of the main body and which, if plural, can be spaced apart or in communication with one another; and one or more flexible members which correspond in configuration to the hole or respectively to the plural holes, which are fitted in the hole or respectively in the plural holes, and which lie compliantly along the main body, such that the one or more flexible members form a single unit with the main body. Once pivotally connected to the corresponding lateral end of an eyeglass frame, the eyeglass temple can stay elastic and provide an elastic contact with a lateral side of the user's head even after it has been pulled outward repeatedly for some time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Jiann Lih Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chen Chang Wang Lee
  • Patent number: 9864211
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for removably coupling an electronic device to eyewear. In one aspect, an eyeglass is provided. The eyeglass includes an eyeglass frame adapted to be carried by a head of a wearer, at least a first lens, and at least a first lens support portion of the eyeglass frame configured to position the at least first lens in a path of a field of view of a wearer. The eyeglass further includes an attachment device that comprises a first connector and a second connector, where the first connector removably couples the attachment device to the eyeglass frame, and an electronic device, where the second connector removably couples the electronic device to the attachment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Oakley, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Belbey, Hans Karsten Moritz, Myong Kim
  • Patent number: 9864212
    Abstract: The current invention is directed to a method, in particular a computer-implemented method, for providing a modified lens design for an uncut lens blank, in particular through the use of a non-transitory computer readable medium. Further, a method, in particular a computer-implemented method, for reducing a thickness of an original lens design of an uncut lens blank, in particular through the use of a non-transitory computer readable medium, is provided. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing an uncut lens blank and an uncut lens blank are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH, Carl Zeiss Vision Inc.
    Inventors: Ray Steven Spratt, Timo Kratzer, Philipp Ellinger
  • Patent number: 9864213
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to form biocompatible energization elements are described. In some examples, the methods and apparatus to form the biocompatible energization elements involve forming cavities composing active cathode chemistry. The active elements of the cathode and anode are sealed with a biocompatible material. In some examples, a field of use for the methods and apparatus may include any biocompatible device or product that requires energization elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel B. Otts, Randall B. Pugh, James Daniel Riall, Adam Toner, Frederick A. Flitsch, Shivkumar Mahadevan
  • Patent number: 9864214
    Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a loupe attachment for glasses may be provided. The loupe attachment may include a loupe and a number of optical devices such as mirrors or prisms. The loupe and the optical devices may be connected to eyeglasses and be positioned as desired. The loupe and the optical device may be connected to the glasses on number of locations and the relative position of the loupe and optical devices in the trajectory of light may be modified. According to a second exemplary embodiment, loupes may be rigidly connected to eyeglasses and a number of optical elements may be rigidly or rotatably connected to the front end of the loupe so as to reflect the field of view situated at an angle from the loupe viewing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Inventor: Edward S. Fass
  • Patent number: 9864215
    Abstract: Provided is a substrate-type optical waveguide, having a phase modulation function, (i) in which a reflection of a signal to be inputted via a coplanar line is restrained and (ii) which consumes less power. In a case where the substrate-type optical waveguide is partitioned into a plurality of sections by cross sections orthogonal to a direction in which light propagates through a core, a local capacitance in each of the plurality of sections gradually increases as a distance from an entrance end surface increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichi Sakamoto, Kazuhiro Goi, Norihiro Ishikura
  • Patent number: 9864216
    Abstract: An optical modulator includes a substrate having an electro-optic effect, an optical waveguide formed on the substrate, a modulation part which modulates light waves propagating through the optical waveguide, and a light receiving element which detects the light waves propagating through the optical waveguide. As the modulation part, a first modulation part and a second modulation part, which respectively modulate light waves into which input light branches, are provided. As the light receiving element, a light receiving element for the first modulation part and a light receiving element for the second modulation part are provided. The light receiving elements are disposed such that their positions in a light propagation direction are shifted from each other by an amount corresponding to one light receiving element, or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO OSAKA CEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norikazu Miyazaki, Tokutaka Hara
  • Patent number: 9864217
    Abstract: Apparatuses for manipulating a color displayed by an article of wear comprising iron oxide colloidal nanocrystals arranged within chains are described. The apparatus includes (a) a magnetic field source, wherein a strength of a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field source is tunable to control the color displayed by the article of wear, and (b) an energy source, wherein energy generated by the energy source is applied to at least some of the chains of nanocrystals to soften materials within the article of wear immediately surrounding the chains of nanocrystals to which the energy is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: adidas AG
    Inventor: Michel Reginald Pierre Joseph Lussier
  • Patent number: 9864218
    Abstract: Techniques are described for a device that includes an optical channel configured to transport an optical signal. The device further includes a magnetic material with low optical absorption through which a portion of the optical signal is configured to flow. The magnetic material is configured to receive an electrical signal that sets a magnetization state of the magnetic material. The magnetic material is further configured to modulate, based on the magnetization state, the portion of the optical signal flowing though the magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Jian-Ping Wang, Mo Li
  • Patent number: 9864219
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for detecting a liquid crystal module and a method for detecting the quantity of liquid crystal. The method includes a cover for fixedly accommodating the liquid crystal module. An accommodation space for accommodating collision units is formed between the liquid crystal module and the cover, the collision units being connected to the top wall of the cover through elastic members. The collision units are spaced from the liquid crystal module in a certain distance in a static status, and collide with a panel of the liquid crystal module through vibration of the cover in the vertical direction during detection. The device for detecting a liquid crystal module improves the detection efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiaoyu Huang
  • Patent number: 9864220
    Abstract: Provided is an optical sensor mounting structure for use in image display device devices that can accurately measure the amount of light from a backlight by measuring leak LED light, without having to modify an image display panel module itself. In an image display device using an image display panel module in which a wire drawing port for drawing a wire from a backlight is formed in a panel sheet metal, an optical sensor mounting structure includes an optical sensor configured to measure leak light from the backlight and a positioning member (intermediate connector) positioning the optical sensor. The optical sensor is disposed near the wire drawing port and measures the leak LED light from the wire drawing port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: EIZO Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Kojima, Shosaku Ikeda, Naoshi Isobe, Katsuhiko Matsunami
  • Patent number: 9864221
    Abstract: A display apparatus is disclosed. In one aspect, the display apparatus includes a flexible display panel configured to display images and a first frame arranged on the front surface of the flexible display panel and curved in a first direction. The display apparatus also includes a second frame arranged on a rear surface of the flexible display panel and curved in the first direction and a spacer arranged on at least one of the first and second frames. The spacer is configured to adjust the distance between the first and second frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyunwoo Lee, Chunghui Lee, Byungchan Kim, Juhwan Kim
  • Patent number: 9864222
    Abstract: A curved display panel, a curved display device, and a method for fabricating the same are disclosed. Both the light output face and the light input face of the curved display panel are continuously curved surfaces. The curved display panel with a continuously curved surface has a bending degree which is closer to the natural bending degree of a liquid crystal panel, so that a relatively small stress is generated on the curved display panel, and the problem of serious peripheral light leakage caused by deformation of the curved display panel is alleviated. Besides, since the curvature radius of each point on the continuously curved surface changes slowly, the problem of serious peripheral light leakage caused by deformation of the curved display panel is alleviated, the complexity of the fabricating process is reduced, the fabricating process is simplified, and the production of the product is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xibin Shao, Yingying Qu, Honglin Zhang, Hebin Zhao, Seungmin Lee, Dan Wang, Xiang Li
  • Patent number: 9864223
    Abstract: A display device for displaying an image on a display surface includes a liquid crystal panel having the display surface, the liquid crystal panel with a first through hole formed in the display surface, a backlight disposed oppositely to the liquid crystal panel, the backlight with a second through hole formed at a position overlapping with the first through hole, and a cap inserted into the first through hole and the second through hole. The cap includes a tube portion with a third through hole formed, the third through hole parallel to the first through hole and the second through hole, and a flange portion formed at least one end of the tube portion, the flange portion having an outer diameter larger than a diameter of the first through hole, and larger than a diameter of the second through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventors: Nobuo Tsubokura, Isao Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9864224
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes: a first substrate; a plurality of pixels disposed on the first substrate; a dummy pixel disposed on the first substrate and disposed at an outer side of the plurality of pixels; a pixel pattern disposed on the first substrate and disposed at an outer side of the dummy pixel; a first light blocking member disposed on the dummy pixel and the pixel pattern; a second light blocking member adjacent to the first light blocking member and having a part disposed on the pixel pattern at a predetermined first thickness; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a common electrode disposed on the second substrate and configured to be applied with a common voltage; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Do Yeong Park, Je Hyeong Park, Kyung-Bae Kim, Jun Seok Lee, Chang Il Tae
  • Patent number: 9864225
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a display area (DA) in which an image is displayed and a peripheral area (PA) disposed in a vicinity of the DA, a first substrate disposed in the PA and a second substrate facing the first substrate, at least one column spacer part disposed on the first substrate, a light blocking member disposed on the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a seal formed at circumferences of the first and second substrates, the seal coupling the first substrate and the second substrate to each other and confining the liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the light blocking member includes at least one dam formed therein, the at least one dam being disposed in the PA and including at least one opening part formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ki Pyo Hong, Do Yeong Park, Young Goo Song, Sang Woo Whangbo
  • Patent number: 9864226
    Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device, there is provided a liquid crystal display panel in which a TFT substrate and a counter substrate are bonded together by a sealing material, with a liquid crystal sandwiched between the substrates. Further, a front window with a black border print formed in the periphery is bonded to the liquid crystal display panel by a UV curable resin. The liquid crystal is filled by a drop method. The thickness of the TFT substrate and the counter substrate is reduced to about 0.2 mm by polishing. An inner end of the black border print of the front window is inside an inner end of the sealing material, to prevent the counter substrate of the liquid crystal display panel from being deformed by stress generated in the curing of the UV curable resin, thereby preventing yellow discoloration in the periphery of the display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventors: Shinji Tanabe, Setsuo Kobayashi, Katsuhiko Ishii, Akira Ishii, Kiyoshi Sento
  • Patent number: 9864227
    Abstract: A display device includes a first substrate on which a thin film transistor is formed and which is divided into a display area and a non-display area outside thereof, a second substrate arranged to face an upper surface of the first substrate, a light-shielding film provided in an area between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a circuit provided on an upper surface of the second substrate and in an area facing the display area. The second substrate includes a terminal part of the circuit, which is provided on the upper surface of the second substrate and in an area facing the non-display area. The terminal part is connected with a circuit driving substrate, which drives the circuit through an anisotropic conductive film covering the terminal part. The light-shielding film is provided to avoid at least part of an area facing the terminal part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventor: Munenori Motooka
  • Patent number: 9864228
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pixel unit structure and display device, which belongs to the technical field of displays, and alleviates the problem that in the prior arts, a LCS design will reduce the transparency of the liquid crystal display device. The pixel unit structure comprises three different colored sub-pixels, namely a red sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel, and a blue sub-pixel, wherein at least one of the three sub-pixels is divided into a primary pixel region and a secondary pixel region, and the green sub-pixel has a one-piece structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Je Hao Hsu, Chih Tsung Kang, Xiaohui Yao
  • Patent number: 9864229
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes: a first substrate; a thin film transistor disposed on the first substrate; a second substrate opposing the first substrate; a light shielding member disposed on the second substrate, the light shielding member including a first aperture and a second aperture; a color filter disposed in the first aperture; and a height adjustment member disposed in the second aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoonho Kang
  • Patent number: 9864230
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display panel that includes a plurality of pixels which displays an image in a front direction, and a backlight unit which provides a light to the display panel and includes a first light source part which is disposed at a rear surface of the display panel, includes a first support substrate and a first light source mounted on the first support substrate and emits a first color light, and a second light source part which is disposed at the rear surface of the display panel, includes a second support substrate partially overlapped with the first support substrate and a second light source mounted on the second support substrate, and emits a second color light having a wavelength band different from that of the first color light, where an opening is defined through the second support substrate and corresponds to the first light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junghyun Kwon, Hyundeok Im, Jong Hyuk Kang, Jae Byung Park, Haeil Park, Hyun Min Cho
  • Patent number: 9864231
    Abstract: A backlight unit includes a bottom cover; a plurality of light sources on the bottom cover; a first support side at an area directly along a first edge of the bottom cover adjacent to a corner of the bottom cover; and a second support side directly adjacent to the first support side and along the first edge of the bottom cover. The first support side includes a first vertical portion, and a first inclined portion connected to a top of the first vertical portion. The second support side includes a second vertical portion, and a second inclined portion connected to a top of the second vertical portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gihyun Yi, YoungDae Kim, Hyosub Kim, Gahui Kang
  • Patent number: 9864232
    Abstract: A light source includes a light reflector and multi-pixel light modulators. The light reflector is surrounded with reflective surfaces. Light can be injected into the light reflector and diffused throughout the light reflector. The multi-pixel light modulators have individual transmittance states based on image data to modulate light that illuminates multi-pixel portions of a light receiving surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Ajit Ninan
  • Patent number: 9864233
    Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device, a reflecting surface is attached to a portion, which overlaps with a periphery portion of a light guiding plate where the light incident section is position in a surface on the light guiding plate side in the dispersing sheet which is positioned farthest to the light guiding plate side among a plurality of optical sheets which are positioned between the light guiding plate and a liquid crystal panel. As a result, light which is emitted from the periphery portion of the light guiding plate is returned into the light guiding plate by being reflected by the reflecting surface, and after this, is emitted as illumination light from a light emitting surface while progressing within the light guiding plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoichi Momose, Nobutaka Urano