With Successive Reflections Patents (Class 359/856)
  • Patent number: 10815704
    Abstract: A vehicle door outside handle device includes a through hole opening toward a vehicle rear side in a protrusion portion from a door side wall. An optical lens and an imaging element disposed in the through hole toward the vehicle rear side captures a vehicle rear side image including a vehicle side wall image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: ALPHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takao Toyama, Kouichirou Sugimoto, So Saito, Teruhisa Kato
  • Patent number: 10416356
    Abstract: A lens structure is pre-formed with features that facilitate accurate alignment of a light emitting chip within the lens structure. To ease manufacturing, the features include tapered walls that allow for easy insertion of the light emitting chip into the lens structure, the taper serving to accurately align the light emitting chip when the chip is fully inserted. The taper may include linearly sloped or curved walls, including complex shapes. An adhesive may be used to secure the light emitting chip to the lens structure. The light emitting chips may be picked-and-placed into an array of lens structures, or picked-and-placed onto a substrate that may be overlaid by the array of lens structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Lumileds, LLC
    Inventors: Walter Daeschner, Mikhail Fouksman, Mohiuddin Mala, Ashim Shatil Haque
  • Patent number: 10379263
    Abstract: A lens structure is pre-formed with features that facilitate accurate alignment of a light emitting chip within the lens structure. To ease manufacturing, the features include tapered walls that allow for easy insertion of the light emitting chip into the lens structure, the taper serving to accurately align the light emitting chip when the chip is fully inserted. The taper may include linearly sloped or curved walls, including complex shapes. An adhesive may be used to secure the light emitting chip to the lens structure. The light emitting chips may be picked-and-placed into an array of lens structures, or picked-and-placed onto a substrate that may be overlaid by the array of lens structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Lumileds, LLC
    Inventors: Walter Daeschner, Mikhail Fouksman, Mohiuddin Mala, Ashim Shatil Haque
  • Patent number: 10369490
    Abstract: A foldable box with a hidden compartment formed from a sheet of semi-rigid material is presented. The box includes a bottom panel, a left inner side panel, a right inner side panel, a mirror panel, a front panel, a top panel, a left outer side panel, a right outer side panel, a back panel and an inner backer panel. The panels are connected to various other panels which when folded present a box with a compartment that is divided into a front compartment and a hidden compartment. The front compartment is viewable through an opening in the front of the box. A mirrored panel viewable through the opening creates an illusion of depth. An object placed in the hidden compartment through the top of the box, unexpectedly cannot be seen through the opening. The box is foldable and configurable by a child for entertainment and enjoyment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Kid Stuff Marketing, Inc.
    Inventor: William D. Billen
  • Patent number: 9465251
    Abstract: A light emitting diode package includes: a light emitting diode (LED); and an LED lens over the LED, the LED lens having a symmetrical shape with respect to a central axis, wherein the LED lens includes a lower surface having first and second lower surfaces, an upper surface and a side surface connecting the lower surface and the upper surface, wherein the light through the first lower surface is totally reflected on the upper surface and is emitted though the side surface, wherein the first lower surface includes a first curved surface extending from the central axis and a second curved surface extending from a first end portion of the first curved surface, and wherein the second lower surface is flat and extends from a second end portion of the second curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyu-Hwan Lee, Min-Su Cho, Gwan-Hoon Park, Seo-Yoon Lee, Ji-Seok Yang, Seung-Won Lee
  • Patent number: 9094582
    Abstract: The subject matter discloses a system for communicating between a customer at a retail store and a mirror point used to generate media files at the retail store using a capture device, the system comprises a storage for storing contact information of the customer; a processor for enabling access of a customer's device to the mirror point; a communication module for transmitting the media files generated by the mirror point at the retail store to the customer's desired destination using the contact information stored at the storage structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: PICK'NTELL LTD.
    Inventor: Asaf Lewin
  • Publication number: 20140313605
    Abstract: Disclosed is a reflector arrangement including a mirror system for reflecting incident light. The mirror system includes a V-mirror unit with a V-shaped mirror having two mirror reflection surfaces, and a plane mirror unit arranged at a distance from the V-mirror unit. The V-mirror unit includes a V-mirror adjustment mechanism for adjusting an angle between the two mirror reflection surfaces of the V-shaped mirror. A method for adjusting the reflector arrangement and a method for assembling the reflector arrangement are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Bessler, Eugen Gluska
  • Patent number: 8827470
    Abstract: An improved mount for, and method of mounting an, optical structure is provided. The mount has a protruding member extending from a surface of the optical structure, a base element having a mounting structure for mounting the mount to another structure and an upper element extending from the base element having a first opening extending therethrough for receipt therein of at least a portion of the protruding member. The first opening defines first and second arms, each of the arms comprising a head portion and each of the head portions ending at an end. A second opening in the upper element extends through one of the head portions and the end thereof in a direction toward the other head portion, while a third opening exists in the upper element through the end of the other head portion in an orientation substantially opposite to and in communication with the second opening so that a tightening mechanism received through the second opening can be received into the third opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: PLX, Inc.
    Inventor: Zvi Bleier
  • Patent number: 8827468
    Abstract: An improved mount for, and methods of mounting an, optical structure are provided. The mount has a protruding member extending from a surface of the optical structure, a base element having a mounting structure for mounting the mount to another structure and an upper element extending from the base element having a first opening extending therethrough for receipt therein of at least a portion of the protruding member. The first opening defines first and second arms, each of the arms comprising a head portion and each of the head portions ending at an end. A second opening in the upper element extends through one of the head portions and the end thereof in a direction toward the other head portion, while a third opening exists in the upper element through the end of the other head portion in an orientation substantially opposite to and in communication with the second opening so that a tightening mechanism received through the second opening can be received into the third opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: PLX, Inc.
    Inventor: Zvi Bleier
  • Patent number: 8767304
    Abstract: A beam shaping device, consists of a polarization beam splitter interface (PBS interface), four light surfaces and at least one light processing surface, as well as various entities are described. The PBS interface passes light in P polarization and reflects light in S polarization; two of the four light surfaces are light I/O surfaces, and the other two of them are light surfaces for processing (LSFP); the light processing surface is arranged and oriented to retro-reflect, or close to retro-reflect light beam coming from said PBS interface and back it to where it comes from, and, in the meantime, physically rotate the reflected light beam around its propagating direction by 90°, or close to 90°. The invention works for light beam in any polarization status including non-polarized beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: Yi-Xuan Xiao
  • Patent number: 8714748
    Abstract: A light source system for a projection device and a projection device comprising the same are provided. The light source system comprises an optical component assembly and a first light source module. The first light source module has a first light emitting diode (LED) and a first reflection cover. The first LED is configured to generate beams. The first reflection cover has a curved surface to reflect and collect the beams from the first LED into the optical component assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Hung-Ying Lin
  • Patent number: 8702252
    Abstract: An optical imaging apparatus operable to form a sharp stereo image in the air beside an observer, includes a flat plate-shaped light-controlling panel having numerous light-reflecting elements disposed side by side, each of which allowing light from the object to pass therethrough by reflecting the light by a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface disposed in a crossed arrangement with respect to the first reflective surface, wherein the light-controlling panel has a plurality of segment light-controlling panels in which the first reflective surfaces and the second reflective surfaces included are parallel, respectively, centerlines P of the respective segment light-controlling panels, when viewed from thereabove, intersect at a point O on the light-controlling panel, and bisectors which bisect crossing angles between the first and the second reflective surfaces of the light-reflecting elements existing on the centerlines P coincide with the centerlines P when viewed from thereabove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Asukanet Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Otsubo
  • Patent number: 8567968
    Abstract: An improved mount for, and method of mounting an, optical structure is provided. The mount has a protruding member extending from a surface of the optical structure, a base element having a mounting structure for mounting the mount to another structure and an upper element extending from the base element having a first opening extending therethrough for receipt therein of at least a portion of the protruding member. The first opening defines first and second arms, each of the arms comprising a head portion and each of the head portions ending at an end. A second opening in the upper element extends through one of the head portions and the end thereof in a direction toward the other head portion, while a third opening exists in the upper element through the end of the other head portion in an orientation substantially opposite to and in communication with the second opening so that a tightening mechanism received through the second opening can be received into the third opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: PLX, Inc.
    Inventor: Zvi Bleier
  • Publication number: 20130242278
    Abstract: The invention concerns a projection objective of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus designed for EUV, for imaging an object plane illuminated in operation of the projection exposure apparatus into an image plane, wherein the projection objective has at least one mirror segment arrangement (160, 260, 280, 310, 410, 500) comprising a plurality of separate mirror segments (161-163; 261-266, 281-284; 311, 312; 411, 412; 510-540); and wherein associated with the mirror segments of the same mirror segment arrangement are partial beam paths which are different from each other and which respectively provide for imaging of the object plane (OP) into the image plane (IP), wherein said partial beam paths are superposed in the image plane (IP) and wherein at least two partial beams which are superposed in the same point in the image plane (IP) were reflected by different mirror segments of the same mirror segment arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Hartmut Enkisch, Stephan Muellender, Hans-Juergen Mann, Rolf Freimann
  • Patent number: 8511298
    Abstract: The present application provides a primary reflector in a solar collection system. The primary reflector includes a first reflective section that can reflect solar rays onto a first focal line, a second reflective section on the left side of the first reflective section, and a third reflective section on the right side of the first reflective section. The second reflective section can reflect solar rays to the right side of the first focal line. The third reflective section can reflect solar rays to the left side of the first focal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Juha Ven
  • Patent number: 8454176
    Abstract: An improved mount for, and method of mounting an, optical structure is provided. The mount has a protruding member extending from a surface of the optical structure, a base element having a mounting structure for mounting the mount to another structure and an upper element extending from the base element having a first opening extending therethrough for receipt therein of at least a portion of the protruding member. The first opening defines first and second arms, each of the arms comprising a head portion and each of the head portions ending at an end. A second opening in the upper element extends through one of the head portions and the end thereof in a direction toward the other head portion, while a third opening exists in the upper element through the end of the other head portion in an orientation substantially opposite to and in communication with the second opening so that a tightening mechanism received through the second opening can be received into the third opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: PLX, Inc.
    Inventor: Zvi Bleier
  • Patent number: 8414135
    Abstract: A reflector for a vehicle can include a plurality of retroreflective elements configured to retroreflect incident light incident parallel to a horizontally-arranged reference axis, obliquely upward at a prescribed angle with respect to the reference axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Ishii
  • Patent number: 8384896
    Abstract: An optical slicer for generating an output spot comprising an image compressor which receives a substantially collimated input beam and compresses the beam, wherein the input beam, if passed through a focusing lens, produces an input spot; an image reformatter which receives the compressed beam to reformat the beam into a plurality of sliced portions of the compressed beam and vertically stacks the portions substantially parallel to each other; and an image expander which expands the reformatted beam to produce a collimated output beam which, if passed through the focusing lens, produces the output spot that is expanded in a first dimension and compressed in a second dimension relative to the input spot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Tornado Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Meade, Arsen R. Hajian, Bradford B. Behr, Andrew T. Cenko
  • Patent number: 8317331
    Abstract: A recycling system and method for increasing the brightness of light output using at least one recycling light pipe with at least one light source. The output end of the recycling light pipe reflects a first portion of the light back to the light source, a second portion the light to the input end of the recycling light pipe, and transmits the remaining portion of the light as output. The recycling system is incorporated into a projector to provide color projected image with increased brightness. The light source can be white LEDs, color LEDs, and dual paraboloid reflector (DPR) lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Wavien, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Li
  • Patent number: 8092030
    Abstract: An improved mount for, and method of mounting an, optical structure is provided. The mount has a protruding member extending from a surface of the optical structure, a base element having a mounting structure for mounting the mount to another structure and an upper element extending from the base element having a first opening extending therethrough for receipt therein of at least a portion of the protruding member. The first opening defines first and second arms, each of the arms comprising a head portion and each of the head portions ending at an end. A second opening in the upper element extends through one of the head portions and the end thereof in a direction toward the other head portion, while a third opening exists in the upper element through the end of the other head portion in an orientation substantially opposite to and in communication with the second opening so that a tightening mechanism received through the second opening can be received into the third opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: PLX, Inc.
    Inventor: Zvi Bleier
  • Publication number: 20110075284
    Abstract: This device uses mirrors and the optical effect of parallax to create the optical illusion of an infinite regression of reflections in those mirrors. Mirrors are attached, facing inwards, to the four inner sides of a box, and a mirror is attached to the bottom facing upwards. Mirrors that reflect on one side but can be seen through when looking from the other side are generally known as “see through” or “one way” mirrors. The front side of the box has viewing portals and a one way “see through” mirror through which the viewer can look directly from outside the box into the line of sight for the reflections inside the box without the viewer's reflection showing in the mirrors. Thus, the viewer sees a nearly infinite chain of reflections in the mirrors because of the optical effect of parallax and because the viewer's reflection is in spite of the fact that the viewer is looking directly into a mirror because the viewer's reflection is hidden by the “one way” see through mirror in the front.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Steven Roger Brandon
  • Patent number: 7891824
    Abstract: A reflector for the lighting device and an illumination system of the projection apparatus are provided. The reflector comprises a first reflecting structure and a second reflecting structure disposed on the portion of the first reflecting structure. The reflecting surfaces of the first and second reflecting structures are formed with a distance therebetween. After the first portion of the light is reflected from the first reflecting surface and the second portion of the light is reflected from the second reflecting surface, the second portion of the light is adapted to remove the centrally dimmed area at the opening of the lighting device. Thus, the luminance performance can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Junejei Huang
  • Patent number: 7836661
    Abstract: A method of camouflaging a structure against a background having a generally uniform composition of hue, saturation and brightness. In one embodiment, spaced regions on the exterior of a structure are colored with differing colors and regions between the spaced regions are colored with a gradient of the differing colors so as to create a gradual color transition between the spaced regions. In another embodiment, at least one reflector and, optionally at least one color filter, are located on a structure to reflect light in the foreground to a vantage point, and optionally filter such light, so as to effect a blending of at least a portion of the structure into the background when viewed from the vantage point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventor: John J. LaRue
  • Patent number: 7706068
    Abstract: The image three-dimensional recognition apparatus is an apparatus for making it possible for an observer to recognize a planar image as a three-dimensional image, and has a first mirror, a second mirror and a mirror fixing part. The mirrors have the mirror planes, respectively. The mirror fixing part fixes the mirrors, and has a base and two support members arranged on the base. The mirrors are fixed at a position sandwiched between the support members by attaching the side faces of the mirrors to the support members. The first mirror is located directly below the second mirror. The mirror plane of the second mirror is directed toward the planar image displayed in a screen of a display device, and is inclined obliquely downward. The mirror plane of the first mirror is directed toward the observer and is inclined obliquely upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventor: Ito Takaaki
  • Patent number: 7684668
    Abstract: An exemplary directional light homogenizer includes a one-piece, hollow hexagonal cross-section tube. The tube has an internal highly light reflective surface. The tube defines a first end configured to receive a non-homogenous light from a light source and a second end configured to output homogenized light. At least one curved section is disposed between the first end and the second end, and the curved section has a curvature greater than zero degrees and less than one hundred eighty degrees. An output section of the tube is straight, has a finite length, and terminates at the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Frank T. P. Cianciotto, George H. Butler, III
  • Patent number: 7635839
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a supermirror for forming a neutron guide. In the method, a neutron supermirror, which is widely used in the formation of thin films in cold neutron guides and the spectrometer field, is fabricated with nickel thin films and titanium thin films, having varying thickness, using a combination of monochromator structures in which nickel thin films and titanium thin films, having the same thickness, are stacked in the form of periodic structures. According to the method, a combination of monochromator structures having a variety of different thicknesses is formed, such that the amount of the overlap of peaks due to the monochromator structures can be adjusted to increase reflectivity, and some of the monochromator structures can be removed during the fabrication of the supermirror to make it easy to extract monochromatic beams, such that it is easy to fabricate a transmission monochromator, rather than a reflection monochromator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute
    Inventors: Sang-Jin Cho, Chang-Hee Lee, Hark-Rho Kim, Ji-Yong So
  • Patent number: 7602548
    Abstract: A Schiefspiegler telescope with three reflecting surfaces, preferably for observing the earth from space, particularly for imaging radiometers. A novel possibility for realizing a reflector telescope without vignetting which permits a simple construction and a simple adjustment of the reflecting surfaces relative to one another. In a Schiefspiegler telescope with three reflecting surfaces whose mirror axes are arranged within a plane, the primary reflecting surface and tertiary reflecting surface are convex surfaces of identical shape arranged symmetrically with respect to an axis of symmetry. The secondary reflecting surface is arranged symmetric to the primary reflecting surface and tertiary reflecting surface so as to be rotationally symmetric around the axis of symmetry so that all three reflecting surfaces have an axially symmetric mirror arrangement with respect to design in which the optical imaging is transmitted to a receiver in the manner of an off-axis telescope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Jena-Optronik GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Thorwirth, Burkart Voss
  • Patent number: 7515226
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reflector having a light-diffusing property which suppresses inter-object reflection over a wide angle, and giving particularly high reflectance in an intended range of viewing angle; and to provide a reflection type liquid crystal display device using the same. The reflector includes a plurality of light-reflective concave portions. Each of the concave portions is formed so that an inclination angle (an angle between a plane tangential to a point on a concave surface and the surface of the base material) is maximum on a side portion of the curved surface, and so that the direction of the side portion having the maximum inclination angle is on a far side from a view point of an observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumasa Yoshii, Tatsuya Moriike, Kenji Omote, Mitsuru Kano
  • Patent number: 7515194
    Abstract: An image pickup optical system includes, in order from the object side, a front unit having at least one reflecting surface with power that is rotationally asymmetrical, an aperture stop, and a rear unit having at least one reflecting surface with power that is rotationally asymmetrical. In this case, F-numbers in two directions perpendicular to each other on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis are different. Decentration takes place in one of the two directions and the F-number in a direction perpendicular to a decentering direction is smaller than that in the decentering direction. When the F-number in the decentering direction is represented by FNY and the F-number in the direction perpendicular to the decentering direction is represented by FNX, the optical system satisfies the following condition: 1.1<FNY/FNX<2.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Nagata, Tomoko Sato, Akihiro Sakurai, Tetsuya Ishii, Takeshi Takahashi, Kazuhiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7324733
    Abstract: The present invention relates to optical components for reversing and inverting images, and to methods of manufacturing them accurately, robustly and cost-effectively. The method includes optical contact bonding a first optical element and a second optical element and adhesively bonding the first optical element and the second optical element. Adhesively bonding might include forming a notch into the second optical element and depositing a bead of adhesive into the notch, such that the adhesive adheres to both the notch and the first optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Pacific Telescope Corporation
    Inventor: Dar Tson Shen
  • Patent number: 7216463
    Abstract: A camouflaged structure and a method of camouflaging a structure against a background having a generally uniform composition of hue, saturation and brightness. In one embodiment, the camouflaged structures comprises a cell tower (100) camouflaged to decrease its visual impact when viewed by a viewer against a background sky (122) from an expected vantage point (102) using camouflaging techniques according to various aspects of the present invention. In a first aspect, the camouflage technique of the present invention comprises applying regions of color to one or more components of cell tower, wherein the colors are selected to match the composition (hue, saturation and brightness) of the background sky. In a second aspect, the camouflage technique of the present invention comprises providing one or more components of cell tower with reflectors that reflect light from an ambient sky (124) to a viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: John L. LaRue
  • Patent number: 7168817
    Abstract: An improved roof mirror assembly is provided. The roof mirror assembly of the invention is comprised of first and second mirror panels comprising first and second reflective surfaces and first and second mounting surfaces, respectively, the first and second mirror panels being joined together so that the first and second reflective surfaces are substantially perpendicular to each other. The assembly further comprising at least one mounting block comprising at least one opening extending through a portion thereof and at least one mounting pin received within the at least one opening of the at least one mounting block, wherein the at least one mounting pin is attached within the opening to the at least one mounting block and is attached to at least one of the first or second mounting surfaces of the first or second mirror panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: PLX, Inc.
    Inventors: Zvi Bleier, Itai Vishnia
  • Patent number: 7052150
    Abstract: An integrating rod (200) for use with a multiple segment dynamic filter, such as a spiral dichroic color wheel having three or more narrow filters adjacent to the exit face (206) to enable the integrating rod to recapture light rejected by a given segment of the dynamic filter. The rejected light travels back through the integrating rod where a majority of the light strikes the mirrored entrance face (202). Light reflected by the mirrored entrance face, or light exiting through the entrance aperture (204) and returning to the integrating rod after being reflected by the lamp reflector, once again travels to the exit face (206) of the integrating rod (200). After exiting through the exit face (206) of the integrating rod (200) a second time, the recycled light has a good chance of striking a different filter segment of the dynamic filter and being used by the display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Duane Scott Dewald
  • Patent number: 6969176
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for obtaining compact, high beam-quality imaging systems for use within a spherical housing of a sensor ball of a given size. Primary and secondary mirrors may be positioned or adapted for positioning within a spherical housing of a sensor turret or sensor ball having a window. Two or more fold mirrors may direct an optical path from the primary and secondary mirrors to one or more detectors or cameras. One or more beamsplitters may be included to produce two or more optical channels for simultaneous imaging. The beamsplitter may be a beamsplitter cube having field correction structures. Embodiments may have high beam quality and may be diffraction-limited with relatively wide fields of view (FOV). A cold shield may be included that reduces MWIR or LWIR reflections at a MWIR or LWIR focal plane array. A laser illumination or designation system may be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Textron Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Henry Pohle
  • Patent number: 6945661
    Abstract: An improved roof mirror assembly is provided. The roof mirror assembly of the invention is comprised of first and second mirror panels having first and second reflective surfaces and first and second back portions, respectively, the first and second mirror panels being joined together so that the first and second reflective surfaces are substantially perpendicular to each other, and at least one mounting block to complete the joining together of the first and second mirror panels into the roof mirror assembly and for mounting the assembly onto another structure, the at least one mounting block attached to both the first and second back portions of the mirror panels, wherein the back portions extend along the respective mirror panels in orientations that do not meet or intersect with the reflective surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: PLX, Inc.
    Inventor: Zvi Bleier
  • Patent number: 6896381
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an apparatus and the apparatus being configured to convert a first distribution of an input radiation to a second distribution of output radiation. The method consists of the steps of generating a two-dimensional representation of at least three active optical surfaces of an optical device including calculating a segment of a first surface based on edge ray sets as a first generalized Cartesian oval, calculating a segment of an entry surface based on the edge ray set as a second generalized Cartesian oval, calculating a segment of a second surface based on the edge ray set as a third generalized Cartesian oval, and successively repeating the steps of calculating the segment of the first surface and calculating the segment of the second surface in a direction towards a source, and rotationally sweeping the two-dimensional representation about a central axis providing a three-dimensional representation of the optical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Light Prescriptions Innovators, LLC
    Inventors: Pablo Benitez, Juan C Miñano, Fernando Muñoz
  • Patent number: 6827455
    Abstract: A precision optical devices having pin mounted reflector(s) are provided. The precision optical device, comprising first and second side panels, the first side panel having a hole formed therein, a first reflector comprising a first reflecting surface and a mounting pin extending from a first edge of the first reflector, the mounting pin received within the hole formed in the first side panel for mounting the first reflector between the panels at a first end of the panels, and a second reflector comprising at least a second reflecting surface, mounted between the side panels at a second end thereof in an orientation so that an incident light ray reflecting off of any of the reflecting surfaces is reflected to and off the other(s) of the reflecting surfaces in a direction substantially parallel to the incident light ray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: PLX, Inc.
    Inventor: Zvi Bleier
  • Patent number: 6752503
    Abstract: A reflector for a precision optical device is provided. The reflector comprises a reflective surface, a back surface, a thickness between the reflective surface and the back surface defining an edge of the reflector, at least one mounting pad located along at least a portion of the edge of the reflector for adhesion to a portion of the precision optical device, and a mounting pin extending from another portion of the edge of the reflector for adhesion within a hole in the precision optical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: PLX, Inc.
    Inventor: Zvi Bleier
  • Patent number: 6729735
    Abstract: An improved lateral transfer retroreflector assembly is provided. The lateral transfer retroreflector assembly of the invention comprises a first segment comprising a mirror panel housing, a second segment comprising a roof mirror housing, and a third segment comprising an off-the-shelf connecting member between the two housings. The mirror panel housing will have mounted thereto a mirror panel. The roof mirror housing will have mounted thereto a roof mirror assembly, and the connecting member will be mounted between the mirror panel housing and the roof mirror housing. The off-the-shelf aspect of assembling the connecting allows the assembly to be built to customer specifications, thereby allowing for customized creation of lateral transfer retroreflectors, but at a time and cost savings to the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: PLX, Inc.
    Inventor: Zvi Bleier
  • Publication number: 20040070855
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an apparatus and the apparatus being configured to convert a first distribution of an input radiation to a second distribution of output radiation. The method consists of the steps of generating a two-dimensional representation of at least three active optical surfaces of an optical device including calculating a segment of a first surface based on edge ray sets as a first generalized Cartesian oval, calculating a segment of an entry surface based on the edge ray set as a second generalized Cartesian oval, calculating a segment of a second surface based on the edge ray set as a third generalized Cartesian oval, and successively repeating the steps of calculating the segment of the first surface and calculating the segment of the second surface in a direction towards a source, and rotationally sweeping the two-dimensional representation about a central axis providing a three-dimensional representation of the optical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Light Prescriptions Innovators, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
    Inventors: Pablo Benitez, Juan C. Minano
  • Patent number: 6655102
    Abstract: A camouflaged structure and a method of camouflaging a structure against a background having a generally uniform composition of hue, saturation and brightness. In one embodiment, the camouflaged structures comprises a cell tower (100) camouflaged to decrease its visual impact when viewed by a viewer against a background sky (122) from an expected vantage point (102) using camouflaging techniques according to various aspects of the present invention. In a first aspect, the camouflage technique of the present invention comprises applying regions of color to one or more components of cell tower, wherein the colors are selected to match the composition (hue, saturation and brightness) of the background sky. In a seconds aspect, the camouflage technique of the present invention comprises providing one or more components of cell tower with reflectors that reflect light from an ambient sky (124) to a viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: John L. LaRue
  • Patent number: 6641272
    Abstract: A module of reflection mirrors of L-shape according to the invention, arranged in an optical chassis of scanner, is comprised of a first L-shaped mirror and a second L-shaped mirror. The recession portions for the second L-shaped mirror and the first L-shaped mirror are corresponded to each other in the space. After entering the module with a specific angle, an incident light is reflected several times between the two L-shape mirrors before it leaves the module with another angle again. Wherein, there are a first reflection zone and a second reflection zone at the recession portion of the first L-shaped mirror, and there are a third reflection zone and a fourth reflection zone at the recession portion of the second L-shaped mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Umax Data Systems
    Inventors: Chuan-Yu Hsu, Chih-Wen Huang
  • Patent number: 6623131
    Abstract: A reading optical system that forms the image of the original document on a one-dimensional imaging element, such system comprising multiple reflective surfaces only, wherein at least one of such surfaces is a free-form surface that has a symmetrical surface relative to the main scanning direction and no symmetrical surface relative to the sub scanning direction. Where the light beam that passes through the center of the original document and the center of the aperture is deemed the axial main light beam, the path of the axial main light beam that strikes the first reflective surface extends along the Z-axis, the length of the one-dimensional imaging element extends along the Y-axis, and the X-axis extends perpendicular to the Y-axis and the Z-axis, each reflective surface is arranged such that it is tilted relative to the Y-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Makoto Ooki
  • Patent number: 6623130
    Abstract: An optical, image producing device of the Camera Lucidas type is provided wherein the panel on which the optical image is superimposed may be supported at different angles of inclination on a base, to which a mirror assembly carrying column is rigidly attached, so that the inclination of the panel can be adjusted allowing the device to be used tilted to observe an object at different elevations. The column has a viewing aperture which is wide enough for an image to be viewed simultaneously by both eyes to give a panoramic view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas W. Bramhill, Esther Strycharz
  • Patent number: 6600855
    Abstract: Reflections from an air-to-solid interface in a multiple reflector optical device are suppressed by giving the output surface of the device a slightly curved refractive surface so as to deflect the reflections away from the optical axis of the device. The device is shown in use as a transducer input/output device, and as a fiber-optic cable terminus and coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: SCI Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur H. Werkheiser, David R. Porter, Ralph Barry Johnson
  • Publication number: 20030133186
    Abstract: An optical switching system and apparatus includes a plurality of micro-machined mirrors and a covering lens for adjusting the optical field of at least one of the plurality of micro-machined mirrors. The covering lens has a positive focal length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventor: Yakov Reznichenko
  • Patent number: 6588911
    Abstract: A three piece interior rear view mirror assembly for a vehicle having an upper mirror and a lower mirror, and a lower left and a lower right mirror independently mounted beneath the upper mirror. The left and right mirrors are disposed at a position between the upper mirror and the windshield. The upper, right and left mirrors are each independently adjustable on socket and sphere mountings. The entire rear view mirror assembly is further mounted on sphere and socket mountings adjacent the windshield of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Jose L. Martinez
  • Publication number: 20030063400
    Abstract: The invention provides a reflective optical element which has three or more reflecting surfaces by which a light flux from an object is successively reflected. In an area enclosed by each of the reflecting surfaces, the reference axis intersects at least two times and the light flux forms an intermediate image. The reference axis is a path of the light beam which passes through the center of an object surface, is then reflected by the reflecting surfaces, and passes through a center of a pupil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Toshihiro Sunaga, Yumiko Kato
  • Publication number: 20030053228
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical fingerprint acquisition apparatus capable of reducing an image distortion and a size of an optical system by deforming the shape of a prism. The prism according to the invention includes a fingerprint contacting surface to be touched by a fingerprint of a person, a totally reflecting surface facing the fingerprint contacting surface with an angle &thgr; for totally and inwardly reflecting the light scattered from the fingerprint in contact with the fingerprint contacting surface, a primarily projecting/re-incident surface linking the fingerprint contacting surface to the totally reflecting surface with an angle &phgr; for primarily projecting the light totally reflected from the totally reflecting surface so as to be re-incident from outside, and an ultimately projecting surface facing the primarily projecting/re-incident surface for ultimately projecting the light re-incident to the primarily projecting/re-incident surface toward outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Jong Ik Lee, Sung Hyu Shin, Dong Won Lee
  • Patent number: RE42450
    Abstract: A module of reflection mirrors of L-shape according to the invention, arranged in an optical chassis of scanner, is comprised of a first L-shaped mirror and a second L-shaped mirror. The recession portions for the second L-shaped mirror and the first L-shaped mirror are corresponded to each other in the space. After entering the module with a specific angle, an incident light is reflected several times between the two L-shape mirrors before it leaves the module with another angle again. Wherein, there are a first reflection zone and a second reflection zone at the recession portion of the first L-shaped mirror, and there are a third reflection zone and a fourth reflection zone at the recession portion of the second L-shaped mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Transpacific Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Chuan-Yu Hsu, Chih-Wen Huang