Including Specific Light Modifier Patents (Class 362/16)
  • Patent number: 8430516
    Abstract: Disclosed is a simple lighting device for photographing, which makes it possible to take an artistic picture of a human, which is an object to be photographed, enhancing his or her facial expressions, without the need of troublesome light source adjustment. The lighting device comprises a reflecting plate (2) which has a concave shaped surface with respect to the object to be photographed and which has a transmission area (22) which permits light to pass therethrough, and a light emitter (1) which is provided on the convex surface side of the reflecting plate (2) and which emits light toward the transmission area (22). The light emitted from the light emitter (1) and transmitted through the transmission area (22) is irradiated onto the object to be photographed and is reflected by the reflecting plate (2) toward the object to be photographed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Serendipity Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi Hanabusa
  • Publication number: 20130088845
    Abstract: The optical system comprises a base plate having a first plate side and a second plate side, a light guide element located substantially on said first plate side and a lens element located on said second plate side. The base plate and the light guide element are integrally formed or are distinct parts, and the base plate is at least partially transparent The optical system forms a light path for light passing through said lens element, across said base plate and through said light guide element, and wherein said base plate comprises at least one mechanical guiding element. The method for manufacturing such an optical system comprises providing a wafer comprising a multitude of said base plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: HEPTAGON MICRO OPTICS PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: HEPTAGON MICRO OPTICS PTE. LTD.
  • Patent number: 8408722
    Abstract: The display stage includes a top and bottom compartments. The top compartment is defined by a translucent horizontal wall having a front end, and top and bottom surfaces extending rearwardly from the front end to a translucent backwall having front and rear surfaces. The bottom compartment is defined by an angular wall extending downwardly from the horizontal-wall front end and has a reflective surface facing the bottom surface of the horizontal wall. A light source behind the compartments provides illumination of an article disposed on the horizontal wall, by directing light at both at the rear surface of the backwall and the reflective surface of the angular wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Inventor: Berington Van Campen
  • Patent number: 8388155
    Abstract: An annunciator is provided. The annunciator includes a parabolic reflector formed from an insulating material, a reflective layer of metal disposed on a surface of the reflector, a high voltage strobe lamp disposed at a focal point of the reflector with a set of conductors of the strobe lamp extending through a center aperture of the reflector and a portion of the reflector proximate the aperture devoid of metallization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Bojana Ozegovic Carey
  • Patent number: 8382302
    Abstract: A portable foldable lighting designer (10) which includes a closed frame (11) made from an elastic, deformable material, where the frame is movable between a folded and an unfolded position, and a covering (12). The covering (12) is arranged in the frame and held by the latter to manipulate the light, and is kept tightened in the plane of the frame, when the lighting designer is completely unfolded by the material tension of the material of the frame. The covering is dimensioned smaller in a direction (B) than the width (D) of the uncovered frame in the completely unfolded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Wolfgang Peter Geller
  • Patent number: 8376602
    Abstract: An LED lamp has one or more red LEDs, one or more green LEDs, and one or more white LEDs. The plurality of LEDs produces light that is mixed to produce a combined light output that has color approximating that of a blackbody radiator and having a correlated color temperature of 3,800 to 5,400 Kelvin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Brasscorp Limited
    Inventor: Donald L. Klipstein
  • Patent number: 8374498
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system comprising: a diffuser defining a camera lens hole in a top portion of said diffuser, said diffuser adapted to receive at least one set of low angle lights; and a plurality of lights mounted on said diffuser in proximity to said camera lens hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M Pastore
  • Patent number: 8348442
    Abstract: A flash apparatus and related systems and methods of use are disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a housing having a generally concave reflector, and a light source disposed within the reflector. A handle can be engaged with the housing and/or the light source to facilitate manual positioning and repositioning of the light source relative to a photographic apparatus remote from the housing and/or an object to be photographed. A synchronization device is in communication with the light source and the photographic apparatus for causing the light source to emit a flash of light when the photographic device is actuated. A modifier can also be engaged with the reflector for modifying the emitted flash of light. In a portable system, various interchangeable reflectors, modifiers, and light sources can be provided. Power sources for the light sources and a stand engageable with the handle can also be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Andrew Leon Jefferson, III
  • Publication number: 20120328278
    Abstract: A condenser lens, lamp and camera applicable to an optical area are provided. The condenser lens is a physical glass lens and has an incident surface, an exit surface and a side surface arranged around a central axis of the condenser lens. The side surface is lattice-shaped. The condenser lens of the present invention adopts a glass material, which improves a light extraction efficiency of the lens and reduces a light energy loss. The lattice-shaped side surface of the lens reflects lights in different directions by multiple small-area lattice units instead of reflecting lights by a single curved surface. The reasonably-designed lattice structure enables each lattice unit reflecting lights in a predetermined direction, which may realize a uniform illumination at a small angle and is beneficial to spot-lighting. This condenser lens may be widely applied in all sorts of illuminating lamps or an illumination system of a camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Civilight Shenzhen Semiconductor Lighting Co.,Ltd.
    Inventors: Youqing Liang, Xinshen Xue
  • Patent number: 8330899
    Abstract: A photoflash includes a substrate, a flashtube and a light field control member. The substrate serves as a bottom of a cavity formed there-above and having a plurality of circuits embedded in the bottom of the cavity. The flashtube is received in the cavity and electrically connected to the circuits. The control member includes a liquid crystal panel, a plurality of transparent electrodes attached on opposite of the liquid crystal panel and a control circuit attached on the panel and electrically connected to the electrodes. The liquid crystal panel is mounted on the substrate and covers the cavity, while the control circuit is electrically connected to the circuits of the substrate. The control circuit is configured for controllably powering transparent electrodes thereby adjusting the arrangement of liquid crystal cells in particular regions of panel to control which portions of the light emitted from the flashtube will pass through the light field control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jen-Tsorng Chang
  • Publication number: 20120236529
    Abstract: A light-emitting device and method for manufacturing the device are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical coupling layer can formed on a substrate encapsulating a light source die. An encapsulation layer can be formed on the optical coupling layer. A top portion of the encapsulation layer can be flat and the encapsulation can comprise a high density layer and a low density layer. The high density layer can comprise wavelength-converting material precipitated on one side of the encapsulation layer. The low density layer can comprise the wavelength-converting material in particle form suspended within the encapsulation layer. In another embodiment, the method for making the light-emitting device is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Avago Technologies ECBU IP(Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chin Ewe Phang, Meng Ee Lee, Eng Chuan Ong
  • Publication number: 20120212927
    Abstract: A flash device structure comprises a front window mechanism and a fixing seat. The front window mechanism has a base, a luminous module and a placement element, wherein the luminous module is set up on the placement element to be located inside the base and maintain the luminous module electrically connected. The fixing seat includes a trigger, wherein the trigger electrically connects with the luminous module when the fixing seat is connected into the front window mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHIH-CHUNG LIANG, HUNG-YU CHEN, PEI-JEN LIN, CHIA-LAN CHENG
  • Patent number: 8224174
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising: from an angled first end region of a substantially cylindrical beam splitter, reflecting incident light striking from any of a first set of predefined directions and to substantially transparently convey through said beam splitter and to a camera lens incident light traveling in any of a second set of predefined directions, the beam splitter defining a longitudinal central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M. Pastore
  • Patent number: 8218963
    Abstract: Using photographic flash for candid shots often results in an unevenly lit scene, in which objects in the back appear dark. A spatially adaptive photographic flash (100) is disclosed, in which the intensity of illumination (21, 23) varies depending on the depth and reflectivity (30, 101) of features in the scene. Adaption to changes in depth are used in a single-shot method. Adaption to changes in reflectivity are used in a multishot method. The single-shot method requires only a depth image (30), whereas the multi-shot method requires at least one color image (40) in addition to the depth data (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: ETH Zuerich
    Inventors: Rolf Adelsberger, Markus Gross, Marc Levoy, Remo Ziegler
  • Publication number: 20120163783
    Abstract: A system and method for capturing an image of one or both irises. To image an iris, a person stands or moves in a target zone. A flash element provides an incoherent flash of light through an aperture. The flash is filtered to produce filtered light. The filtered light has primary wavelengths in the far red and near infrared portions of the spectrum. The filtered light is not perceived well by the human eye due to short duration, NIR color and small size. The intensity of the filtered light at the target area surpasses the intensity of all ambient light. In this manner, a person's face in the target area will always be properly illuminated, even if that person were backlit by full sunlight. An image of the person's face is taken with a camera. The image of the face is analyzed to obtain any iris pattern information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Braithwaite, Andrew Philip Govan Date, Mohamed Nabil Moustafa, Jason Chaikin
  • Patent number: 8201955
    Abstract: A photographic light diffusing device is provided. A cowl is adapted to be mounted on a photographic light source, the cowl including an opening through which the photographic light source is visible when the cowl is mounted on the photographic light source. The cowl may also include at least one movable flap and a filter slot for a gel filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Gary Fong Photographic, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Fong
  • Patent number: 8194337
    Abstract: Skins for light reflecting umbrellas and for methods of using light reflecting umbrellas. The invention includes skins with a series of panels in stripes of alternating colors, in a shifted configuration, in a checkered shift configuration, in a half and half configuration, in a modified half and half configuration with a center portion having a separate color combination, in a tricolor configuration, in a shifted tricolor configuration and in a center black configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Sergio Alejandro Ortiz-Gavin
  • Patent number: 8192038
    Abstract: A photographic reflector includes an engagement unit, a support frame, a fabric canopy, and a lamp holder. The engagement unit includes an engagement seat and an engagement member moveably mounted in the engagement seat. The support frame includes a plurality of ribs and a plurality of stretchers corresponding to each respective rib. One end of each rib is pivotally connected to the engagement seat. One end of each stretcher is pivotally connected to a preset location of the corresponding rib, and the other end of each stretcher is pivotally connected to the engagement member. The fabric canopy is mounted on the ribs of the support frame and has a reflective layer at an inside thereof and a mounting hole defined at a location close to the engagement unit. The lamp holder is mounted in the mounting hole of the fabric canopy. The photographic reflector can be folded as compactly as desired, easily stored, and convenient in transportation and use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Linco Inc.
    Inventor: Chien-Ting Lin
  • Patent number: 8162497
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for attenuating unwanted aspects of lighting from a luminaire which is disposed to illuminate an object or objects being photographed. A light attenuating mask is disposed between the luminaire and the object or objects. The light attenuating mask may diffuse, obstruct, or otherwise modify projected light such that light intensity is diminished, unwanted reflections of the luminaire are suppressed, or other aspects of the light are altered. The mask may attach to the luminaire or may be free standing and separate therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: David Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 8147079
    Abstract: A diffuser for releasable fastening to a reflector screen having screen spokes, includes a diffuser element and a fastening apparatus to fasten the diffuser element to the reflector screen. The fastening apparatus has a plurality of fastening elements constructed and adapted to receive corresponding screen spokes of the reflector screen. The fastening elements are constructed to apply a spring action and each fastening element has an opening to receive one screen spoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Hans-Werner Friedrich Briese
  • Patent number: 8147078
    Abstract: The illumination apparatus includes a light source, an optical member configured to at least transmit therethrough light from the light source, and a reflective member configured to include a reflective portion which extends closer to the optical member than the light source and reflects the light from the light source to cause the light to enter the optical member. A concave portion is formed, on a light entrance side surface of the optical member, in an outside area located outside a light entrance area where the light reflected by the reflective portion reaches. The concave portion includes a refractive surface refracting light, which is part of the light from the light source and enters the concave portion without being reflected by the reflective portion, toward an exit surface of the optical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuichi Idera
  • Publication number: 20120063116
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus for film, television, video capture, motion picture and photography which includes a Fresnel lens fixed in a housing which contains a tight array of high power LEDs. The LED panel or board is mated to a heat dissipating apparatus to provide active cooling and together forming an LED engine. The LED engine is mounted to a slider allowing the LED engine to be adjusted within the housing with respect to the lens. Light shaping diffusion may be included on the housing. A power supply unit may also be included in the housing. When in electrical communication, the LED engine and power supply unit function as an integrated self-contained lighting apparatus. Optionally, the power supply may have an integrated dimmer switch, and may be capable of receiving PFC power or have an integrated battery unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Kevin C. Baxter, Fred H. Holmes, Ken Fisher
  • Patent number: 8128247
    Abstract: The invention relates to an illumination device for flashlight photography comprising at least one reflector chamber which, in use, can be arranged in the direction of an object being photographed, having at least one reflector and at least one flash element arranged in the reflector chamber as first light source, as well as at least one UV filter element which, in use, covers the reflector chamber on a radially extending outer face in the direction of the object being photographed, the filter element having at least one ventilation opening. By means of the arrangement, an illumination device suitable for all fields of application is to be provided, a particular objective being to generate flash series of any desired length and at the same time to provide optimum UV protection on the illumination device. Uses of such an illumination device are also defined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Bron Elektronik AG
    Inventors: Francois Portmann, Marcel Griessman
  • Patent number: 8113673
    Abstract: A photographic light diffusing device for mounting to a photographic light source includes a base for attaching the photographic light diffusing device to the photographic light source, a semi-transparent hood extending from the base and defining a top edge, and a flap hinged to the top edge of the hood and rotatable with respect to the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Gary M. Fong
  • Publication number: 20120026717
    Abstract: A photographic reflector includes an engagement unit, a support frame, a fabric canopy, and a lamp holder. The engagement unit includes an engagement seat and an engagement member moveably mounted in the engagement seat. The support frame includes a plurality of ribs and a plurality of stretchers corresponding to each respective rib. One end of each rib is pivotally connected to the engagement seat. One end of each stretcher is pivotally connected to a preset location of the corresponding rib, and the other end of each stretcher is pivotally connected to the engagement member. The fabric canopy is mounted on the ribs of the support frame and has a reflective layer at an inside thereof and a mounting hole defined at a location close to the engagement unit. The lamp holder is mounted in the mounting hole of the fabric canopy. The photographic reflector can be folded as compactly as desired, easily stored, and convenient in transportation and use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: CHIEN-TING LIN
  • Patent number: 8104906
    Abstract: An electronic flash apparatus includes a flash device, a light emitting device which is different from the flash device, and a concave reflector configured to reflect light beams from the flash device and the light emitting device. The concave reflector includes a flash-device reflecting surface configured to reflect the light beams from the flash device and a light-emitting-device reflecting surface configured to reflect the light beams from the light emitting device. The flash device is disposed inside the concave reflector, and the light emitting device is disposed outside the concave reflector. The light-emitting-device reflecting surface is disposed at a position where a light path of the light beams from the flash device does not exist. The apparatus further includes a light guiding member configured to guide the light beams from the light emitting device to the light-emitting-device reflecting surface positioned inside the concave reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Teranishi, Eiichi Sugimoto, Tatsuya Goto, Eiji Takashiro
  • Patent number: 8092033
    Abstract: An illumination assist device used for an electronic device having a flash lamp includes an optical plate and a cover. The optical plate is positioned between the flash lamp and the cover. The cover includes a light transmission board and a plurality of reflection sidewalls extending from a periphery of the light transmission board. The optical plate is surrounded by the plurality of reflection sidewalls. The invention also provides an electronic device using the illumination assist device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Po-Chao Lao
  • Publication number: 20110317394
    Abstract: The present invention is an article-display stage of the type including a horizontal article-surface for display of an thereon, a backwall, and means to illuminate the article. The inventive article-display stage includes a top and bottom compartments. The top compartment includes a translucent horizontal wall having a front end, the article-support surface and a bottom surface extending rearwardly from the front end to the backwall which is translucent and has front and rear surfaces. The bottom compartment includes an angular wall that extends downwardly from the horizontal-wall front end and has a reflective surface facing the bottom surface of the horizontal wall. A light source behind the compartments provides dual back-and-bottom illumination of the article by directing light both at the rear surface for diffused back-light illumination through the backwall and at the reflective surface for diffused reflected up-light illumination through the horizontal wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: Berington Van Campen
  • Publication number: 20110292634
    Abstract: When placing a photographic subject close to a large light source equipped with a light control grid, the problem of occluded light channels is solved by variably converging the channels, such that the soft light is directed at a focal point that can be as close as one-half the diagonal dimension of the light source. The light channels are formed by generally planar intersection of strips, the strips preferably made of a flexible fabric material and having slots with corresponding slots on other strips. Optionally, a deployable frame may be provided to help support the grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen Pilby
  • Publication number: 20110292635
    Abstract: Disclosed is a simple lighting device for photographing, which makes it possible to take an artistic picture of a human, which is an object to be photographed, enhancing his or her facial expressions, without the need of troublesome light source adjustment. The lighting device comprises a reflecting plate (2) which has a concave shaped surface with respect to the object to be photographed and which has a transmission area (22) which permits light to pass therethrough, and a light emitter (1) which is provided on the convex surface side of the reflecting plate (2) and which emits light toward the transmission area (22). The light emitted from the light emitter (1) and transmitted through the transmission area (22) is irradiated onto the object to be photographed and is reflected by the reflecting plate (2) toward the object to be photographed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Serendipity Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichi HANABUSA
  • Patent number: 8052292
    Abstract: A flash assembly includes a circuit board unit, a flash unit, and a housing. The circuit board unit includes a circuit board and two connecting members electrically disposed on the circuit board. Each connecting member defines a gap. The flash unit includes a reflector and a flash tube received in the reflector and electrically connected to the reflector. The flash tube includes two power electrodes received in the corresponding gaps and electrically connected to the circuit board by the connecting members. The flash unit and the circuit board unit are received in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Heng-Hsin Huang, Shu-Fan Wang, Jun-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 8032017
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising: from an angled first end region of a substantially cylindrical beam splitter, reflecting incident light striking from any of a first set of predefined directions and to substantially transparently convey through said beam splitter and to a camera lens incident light traveling in any of a second set of predefined directions, the beam splitter defining a longitudinal central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M Pastore
  • Patent number: 8021006
    Abstract: A LED array flash for cameras includes a LED array and a controller. The LED array consists of at least one LED light source with first order lens. The LED light source may be further covered with a second order lens. Thus an oblong or round distribution pattern with uniform light intensity is emitted. The controller is used to control flash modes such as low brightness continuous lighting or high brightness pulse lighting with lighting time control so as to save power and avoid overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: E-Pin Optical Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: San-Woei Shyu, Chu-Fong Lam, Teng-Chien Yu, Yi-Fan Liao
  • Publication number: 20110188846
    Abstract: A luminous unit (1) for an optical recording device (13) comprising a light source (2) for generating radiation and a partly reflective element, which is disposed downstream of the light source (2) in a main emission direction (H) and subdivides a space into a first half-space facing the light source (2) and a second half-space remote from the light source (2), wherein the partly reflective element at least partly transmits the radiation coming from the light source (2) from the first half-space and at least partly reflects the external radiation coming from an opposite direction from the second half-space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Erich Sorg, Stefan Gruber
  • Patent number: 7988309
    Abstract: An illumination device has a light source that supplies illumination light to an object to be illuminated and also has a corner cube member disposed at the opposite side of the light source with respect to the object to be illuminated. With this feature, efficient illumination of the object to be illuminated is achieved without need for high precision in positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Saitoh, Hiroshi Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20110170276
    Abstract: A photographic lighting apparatus is adapted to rest upon a support surface, and comprises an operative panel having a light reflective and/or light transmissive wall, and a support member which supports the operative panel in an inclined orientation relative to the support surface. Such photographic lighting apparatus may be used as a light reflector or a light diffuser and is of particular utility for lighting the subject of a photograph from below.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: LASTOLITE LIMITED
    Inventors: Gary James Astill, Sean Justin Blair Henry
  • Patent number: 7978970
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising: from an angled first end region of a substantially cylindrical beam splitter, reflecting incident light striking from any of a first set of predefined directions and to substantially transparently convey through said beam splitter and to a camera lens incident light traveling in any of a second set of predefined directions, the beam splitter defining a longitudinal central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Microscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M Pastore
  • Patent number: 7946719
    Abstract: A photographic light diffusing device comprises a semi-transparent cowl which is adapted to be mounted on a photographic light source, the cowl including an opening through which the photographic light source is visible when the cowl is mounted thereon, and a removable semi-transparent cover detachably mounted on the cowl. In another embodiment, a camera flash system comprises a camera flash unit, and a diffuser unit having an adaptor and a tapered cylindrical body. The adaptor is formed to match the shape of the housing of the camera flash unit so that it may be fitted thereto, and the adaptor extends between the camera flash unit and the tapered cylindrical body of the diffuser unit. The diffuser unit widens from the adaptor to meet the tapered cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Gary Fong Photographic, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary M. Fong
  • Patent number: 7948519
    Abstract: An intelligent light source for use with the test of a digital camera module provides a plurality of shapes of light. A fast light pulse is created with turn-on and turn-off transitions less than or equal to one microsecond. Other waveform shapes comprise a ramp and a sinusoid, and all shapes can be made to occur once or repetitively. The magnitude of the light has a range from 0.01 LUX to 1000 LUX, and the ramp has a ramp time that has a range from microseconds to 100 ms. The light comprises of a plurality of colors created by serial connected strings of LED devices, where the LED devices in a string emit the same color. The light emanating from the light source is calibrated using a photo diode and the control of a tester by adjusting offset voltages of a DAC controlling a current through the LED strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Digital Imaging Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Knoedgen, Dirk Huettmann
  • Publication number: 20110116249
    Abstract: A flash apparatus and related systems and methods of use are disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a housing having a generally concave reflector, and a light source disposed within the reflector. A handle can be engaged with the housing and/or the light source to facilitate manual positioning and repositioning of the light source relative to a photographic apparatus remote from the housing and/or an object to be photographed. A synchronization device is in communication with the light source and the photographic apparatus for causing the light source to emit a flash of light when the photographic device is actuated. A modifier can also be engaged with the reflector for modifying the emitted flash of light. In a portable system, various interchangeable reflectors, modifiers, and light sources can be provided. Power sources for the light sources and a stand engageable with the handle can also be included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventor: Andrew Leon Jefferson, III
  • Patent number: 7926962
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a main body, a camera positioned in the main body, a fill-in light emitting unit positioned in the main body adjacent to the camera, and an optical lens positioned between the fill-in light emitting unit and outside of the main body. The optical lens includes an incident surface facing the fill-in light emitting unit, a light emitting surface opposite to the incident surface, and a plurality of elongated V-shaped ridges formed on the incident surface. The elongated V-shaped ridges are substantially parallel to each other and symmetrical about a central portion of the optical lens. Vertex angles between symmetric elongated V-shaped ridges progressively increase along a direction away from the fill-in light emitting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ching-Sen Tsai
  • Patent number: 7922346
    Abstract: An object of the preset invention is to provide a medical lighting apparatus capable of illuminating an affected part with proper illuminance while assuring a work space for an operator near the affected part. A medical lighting apparatus for irradiating an affected part with light includes: a light source (a light emitting element); a light condenser (a collimate lens and a condenser lens) for condensing light emitted from the light source; an image forming unit (an image lens) for forming an image on the affected part from the light condensed by the light condenser; and an aperture portion provided between the light condenser and the image forming unit and regulating passage of the light condensed by the light condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: J. Morita Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Katsuda, Shusuke Hashimoto, Kazunari Matoba, Shinichi Okawa, Hiroaki Kusakabe, Yuzo Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7901098
    Abstract: An illuminating apparatus includes a light source including a cylindrical light-emitting tube, a first optical system, a second optical system, and a third optical system. The first optical system has an incident surface on which light emitted from the light source to the object side are incident and an emergent surface from which the light passing through the incident surface are emitted. The second optical system has a reflecting surface from which light emitted from the light source to a first side are reflected. The third optical system has a reflecting surface from which light emitted from the light source to a second side opposite to the first side are reflected. The first to third optical systems each illuminate the entire illumination area of the object with light emitted from the light source and incident on the optical systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Saitoh, Yoshiharu Tenmyo
  • Patent number: 7896509
    Abstract: The Anti-Picture with a means for detecting camera's radio frequency, a way of decoding said detected radio frequency, a switch/driver to trigger device, a way of producing light with one or more lighting elements, means of allowing said lighting element to reflect off of a one or more reflective surface to allow light to be directed and a means for all of said above to be encased a body wherein the said components are able to communicate with a light element allowing the light to reflect off of the said reflective surfaces to over expose and or interrupt a photograph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Frank Gallagher
  • Publication number: 20110007190
    Abstract: An illumination module and a portable electronic device using the same are provided. The illumination module comprises a shell, a light source and an optical lens. The shell has an opening, the light source is disposed within the shell to provide an illumination beam transmitted through the opening, and the optical lens is disposed within the shell and in a transmission path of the illumination beam. A power source is applied to the optical lens to adjust a reflective index of the optical lens, so as to adjust an irradiation angle of the transmitted illumination beam transmitted through the optical lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventor: Yi-Yuan TSAI
  • Patent number: 7841729
    Abstract: An illuminator device for illuminating one or more users in front web camera and a communication terminal having a bulb for emitting light; a reflector operatively associated with the bulb for projecting the emitted light; and an arm disposed between the bulb and the terminal for connection to the terminal are provided. The bulb is positionable relative to the web camera to provide optimal viewing of the user through the web camera. An illuminator device for illuminating one or more users in front of a webcamera and a communications terminal having a frame and a screen having a plurality of bulbs, wherein the plurality of bulbs are disposed in the frame of the terminal to provide illumination to the face or faces of the users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Splashlight Studios
    Inventor: Henry Geddes
  • Publication number: 20100265691
    Abstract: A parabola light reflector includes multiple light reflecting surfaces on an umbrella skin. A first or outer skin is used to provide support for and to define the shape of the inner skin. A second or inner skin has a larger surface area than the outer skin and the inner skin is made up of panels of light reflecting material. The panels of the inner skin are stitched together in a variety of different configurations to achieve differing results. The inner skin is configured into a collection of three dimensional folds, creases, bends and angles that significantly increases the surface area of the inner skin that is available to reflect light and to create novel light dispersion patterns from a light source associated with the light reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Sergio Alejandro Ortiz-Gavin
  • Publication number: 20100226114
    Abstract: An illumination and imaging system and method include a light source, an image capture device, a first mirror situated at a predetermined position relative to the light source, and a second mirror situated at a predetermined position relative to the image capture device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventor: David Fishbaine
  • Patent number: 7764829
    Abstract: With respect to photography, the present invention includes a physical target device used in conjunction with computer software to ascertain and record such attributes as lighting conditions, perspective, and scale with regard to the assembly of two-dimensional photographic imagery, consisting of background and subject images, into realistic photo composites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Inventor: David B. Petrich
  • Patent number: 7748875
    Abstract: A photographic light diffusing device is provided. A flexible, transparent cowl is adapted to be mounted on a photographic light source, the cowl including a plurality of ribs and an opening through which the photographic light source is visible when the cowl is mounted on the photographic light source. The cowl elastically deforms to fit onto the photographic light source. A removable, flexible cover is placed over the opening of the cowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Gary M. Fong