Plural Diverse Patents (Class 362/17)
  • Publication number: 20110249422
    Abstract: A light emitting device with at least one LED die, a filter element and a reflective element. The filter element may be configured to preferentially attenuate light passing through the filter element, such that light output has improved color uniformity when compared to similar light emitting devices without a filter element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Kum Soon Wong, Farn Hin Chen, Kean Loo Keh
  • Patent number: 8025417
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus comprises a light panel having a panel frame, and a plurality of LEDs or other light elements secured to the panel frame. A self-contained battery unit securably attaches to the outside of the panel frame. The light panel may have a dimmer switch, and may also be capable of receiving power from a source other than the self-contained battery unit. The lighting apparatus can be mounted to a camera or a stand through adapters. Diffusion lenses or color gels can be integrated with or detachable from the light panel. The lighting apparatus may conveniently be provided in the form of a kit, with one or more of a light panel, self-contained battery unit, compact stand, connecting cable(s), adapter(s), lenses or color gels, and so on, provided in a single package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Litepanels LLC
    Inventors: Rudy G. Pohlert, Pat Grosswendt, Kevin Baxter, Ken S. Fisher
  • 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: 7972022
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus comprises a light panel having a panel frame, and a plurality of LEDs or other light elements secured to the panel frame. A self-contained battery unit securably attaches to the outside of the panel frame. The light panel may have a dimmer switch, and may also be capable of receiving power from a source other than the self-contained battery unit. The lighting apparatus can be mounted to a camera or a stand through adapters. Diffusion lenses or color gels can be integrated with or detachable from the light panel. The lighting apparatus may conveniently be provided in the form of a kit, with one or more of a light panel, self-contained battery unit, compact stand, connecting cable(s), adapter(s), lenses or color gels, and so on, provided in a single package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Litepanels Ltd.
    Inventors: Rudy G. Pohlert, Pat Grosswendt, Kevin Baxter, Ken S. Fisher
  • 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: 7819537
    Abstract: A flash unit for an image capturing device includes a main body and a flash tube. The main body has a light emitting surface, a light reflecting surface, and two opposite end surfaces. The light reflecting surface is formed with a light-reflective film. The main body is made of transparent material and defines a through hole running through the two end surfaces. The flash tube is received in the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 7810941
    Abstract: The present example provides a flexible and compact system for diffusing light in multiple levels when taking photographs. An adapter capable of coupling many types of flashes is fitted to a first diffusion device. The diffusion device may be fitted inside a light box fitted with a diffusion lens so that additional light dispersion is provided. The light box may be substituted with a black box that tends to direct diffused light for further control over exposure. Various filters may also be used in the system allowing for further flexibility in setting exposure. And finally a system of reflectors and shields allow further control of lighting effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Michael J Capozzi
  • Patent number: 7796880
    Abstract: A flash device includes a flash module and a color wheel. The flash module includes a flash lamp and a trigger circuit for triggering the flash lamp. The color wheel includes a color filter disk. The color filter disk includes a number of filter segments, wherein each of the filter segments is capable of being inserted into the light-emitting path of the flash lamp by rotation the color filter disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Shan Chan, Pei-Ching Kuo, Sheng-An Wang
  • Patent number: 7780303
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods that includes a gel holder and an optional shade holder that allows a user to add color or eliminate or reduce reflected color and to shape, shade, diffuse, soften, absorb, block, reflect, retract and dim light inside photographic reflectors such as photographic umbrellas or other reflective apparatus. The invention allows a user to mix, blend or shape light at the source and the resulting light can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. The invention allows a user to more efficiently add texture, eliminate hotspots and create shadows by changing positions of a gel holder with a gel and one or more shade holders with shades on a reflector focus tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: Sergio Alejandro Ortiz-Gavin
  • Patent number: 7733415
    Abstract: A small illumination apparatus including an optical member less affected by heat from a light source is disclosed. The illumination apparatus has a light source and an optical member closer to a light irradiation side than the light source and having an entrance surface formed as a refractive surface. The entrance surface has a first area receiving a first light component emitting from the light source at an angle smaller than a first angle with respect to an irradiation optical axis and a second area receiving a second light component emitting at an angle larger than the first angle with respect to the irradiation optical axis. The second area is positioned closer to the light source than the first area in the irradiation optical axis direction. Each of the first and second areas is formed a flat surface or a curved surface having a concave shape facing the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuhisa Kojima
  • Patent number: 7670032
    Abstract: A diffuser-reflector assembly for use with a photographic flash lamp (800) comprises, in one aspect, an elastic base (100) having rigid first inserts (125 and 130), two arms (105 and 110), a shaft (135), a pivot assembly (150), and one or more frames (116, 121) that hold second inserts (115, 120). The diffuser-reflector assembly installs slidably onto the light-emitting end of a flash lamp (800). The second inserts can have various optical properties. They can be specular or diffuse reflectors, color or neutral density filters, or a combination. The frames and inserts can be swung on the arms and independently pivoted over a wide range of angles above the lamp, thereby providing a wide range of lighting effects. The frames and arms are held in place by friction and can be adjusted by manual force. The entire assembly can be made of simple parts that snap together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventor: Ken M. Lau
  • Publication number: 20100020526
    Abstract: A flash unit for an image capturing device includes a main body and a flash tube. The main body has a light emitting surface, a light reflecting surface, and two opposite end surfaces. The light reflecting surface is formed with a light-reflective film. The main body is made of transparent material and defines a through hole running through the two end surfaces. The flash tube is received in the through hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: JUN-HAN LIN
  • Patent number: 7639149
    Abstract: An automatic lighting device includes an illuminance detector for detecting an external illuminance around a vehicle, a light controller for turning on/off a vehicular light, a driver's characteristics detector for acquiring information about driver's physical characteristics, and a threshold setting element for setting the illuminance threshold in accordance with the driver's physical characteristics. The controller turns on the light when the external illuminance is not more than the illuminance threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Katoh
  • Patent number: 7616881
    Abstract: A camera apparatus (10) has a zoom lens (12) having a zoom focus setting that is adjustable over a range of focus values and control circuitry for generating a variable voltage potential according to the zoom focus setting. A flash illumination apparatus (20) has a light source (32) and a variable focus liquid crystal lens (24), the variable focus liquid crystal lens (24) having a first and a second solid optical element (40, 50), chamber (44), the two electrodes (42, 48) and liquid crystal material (46). A variable voltage is applied to the liquid crystal material (46) for the lens power according to the zoom focus setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Rongguang Liang, Xiang-Dong Mi, David Kessler
  • Patent number: 7604361
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus comprises a light panel having a panel frame, and a plurality of LEDs or other light elements secured to the panel frame. A self-contained battery unit securably attaches to the outside of the panel frame. The light panel may have a dimmer switch, and may also be capable of receiving power from a source other than the self-contained battery unit. The lighting apparatus can be mounted to a camera or a stand through adapters. Diffusion lenses or color gels can be integrated with or detachable from the light panel. The lighting apparatus may conveniently be provided in the form of a kit, with one or more of a light panel, self-contained battery unit, compact stand, connecting cable(s), adapter(s), lenses or color gels, and so on, provided in a single package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Litepanels LLC
    Inventors: Rudy G. Pohlert, Pat Grosswendt, Kevin Baxter, Ken S. Fisher
  • Publication number: 20090161338
    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: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaaki TERANISHI, Eiichi SUGIMOTO, Tatsuya GOTO, Eiji TAKASHIRO
  • Publication number: 20090122512
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods that includes a gel holder and an optional shade holder that allows a user to add color or eliminate or reduce reflected color and to shape, shade, diffuse, soften, absorb, block, reflect, retract and dim light inside photographic reflectors such as photographic umbrellas or other reflective apparatus. The invention allows a user to mix, blend or shape light at the source and the resulting light can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. The invention allows a user to more efficiently add texture, eliminate hotspots and create shadows by changing positions of a gel holder with a gel and one or more shade holders with shades on a reflector focus tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: Sergio Alejandro Ortiz-Gavin
  • Patent number: 7530701
    Abstract: A light diffusion arrangement, for a photographic device having a flashlight, includes a diffuser housing, a plurality of diffracting mesh members, and a plurality of light diffusing elements. The diffuser housing has a light-admissible surrounding sidewall radially extended from a base portion to define a light diffraction cavity. The diffracting mesh members are integrally formed on an inner side surface of the surrounding sidewall of the diffuser housing, while the light diffusing elements are integrally formed on an outer side surface of the surrounding sidewall of the diffuser housing, wherein the diffracted light is arranged to impinge on the light diffusing elements from the light diffraction cavity, in such a manner that each of the light diffusing elements is adapted to diverge the diffracted light for diffusing the diffracted light, so as to provide a uniform light diffusion effect as an optimal lighting effect for the photographic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventor: Lawrence Ng Chan-Wing
  • Patent number: 7470044
    Abstract: A light diffusion device permits a single light source to serve as both direct lighting and fill lighting for a photographic, theatrical or cinematographic subject. The light diffusion device partially reflects light emitted from a light source away from the subject, using a translucent panel. Additional translucent panels permit the reflected light to escape from the light diffusion device into the surrounding environment. The escaped light reflects from the surrounding environment, thereby creating fill light around the subject, thus reducing or eliminating undesirable shadowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: The Picture People
    Inventor: Manuel Maes
  • Publication number: 20080278925
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flash device for an electronic equipment comprising a light source (6) for producing a flash light, a reflector (5) for collimating the light from the light source (6) into a parallel light beam (1) and two lens panels (3a, 3b) positioned in the parallel light beam (1) and being movable in relation to each other for varying the coverage angle of the light beam (1), whereby each lens panel (3a, 3b) consists of a plurality of lenses (4) and whereby the lens panels (3a, 3b) are movable in a direction parallel to the light beam (1). The present invention further relates to a method for operating a flash device for an electronic equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Mats Wernersson
  • Patent number: 7431466
    Abstract: A solar simulator combines mercury lamps and halogen lamps, to improve upon conventional solar simulators using halogen and infrared lamps which cannot recreate an environment close to that under real sunlight, and upon solar simulators using expensive and fragile metal halide lamps and arc xenon lamps. An environment recreation laboratory for solar simulation includes a lamp bank mounted at an upper portion thereof and including a plurality of halogen lamps, halogen filter lamps being halogen lamps provided with an infrared filter, respectively, and mercury lamps. A temperature control unit includes a cooling unit that discharges air to cool the lamp bank, and an air conditioner that distributes the air discharged by the cooling unit. An electrical panel controls operations of the lamp bank and the temperature control unit, such that an environment within the environment recreation laboratory may very closely simulate the environment under real sunlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Agency for Defense Development
    Inventors: Jae-Myung Lee, Gun-Young Park, Sang-Hwa Baek, Jeong-Yong Lee, Gil-Sang Nam, Sang-Hoon Kim, Baek-Hee Jeong
  • Patent number: 7422353
    Abstract: A light-emitting device is disclosed which enables efficient use of luminous flux and achieves a desired light emission characteristic. The light-emitting device has an optical member which has an emergence surface and a plurality of optical portions, each of the optical portions including a first surface which directs light incident thereon to the emergence surface. The plurality of first surfaces are inclined on the same side with respect to the emergence surface. The light-emitting device also has a light guiding member which directs light from a light source to the plurality of optical portions from one side of a direction in which the plurality of optical portions are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Tenmyo
  • Publication number: 20080205031
    Abstract: A light diffusion arrangement, for a photographic device having a flashlight, includes a diffuser housing, a plurality of diffracting mesh members, and a plurality of light diffusing elements. The diffuser housing has a light-admissible surrounding sidewall radially extended from a base portion to define a light diffraction cavity. The diffracting mesh members are integrally formed on an inner side surface of the surrounding sidewall of the diffuser housing, while the light diffusing elements are integrally formed on an outer side surface of the surrounding sidewall of the diffuser housing, wherein the diffracted light is arranged to impinge on the light diffusing elements from the light diffraction cavity, in such a manner that each of the light diffusing elements is adapted to diverge the diffracted light for diffusing the diffracted light, so as to provide a uniform light diffusion effect as an optimal lighting effect for the photographic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Lawrence Ng Chan-Wing
  • Patent number: 7399097
    Abstract: A modular filtering and reflective system for photographic use is herein disclosed which provides for the precise modification of virtually any type of light pattern. The system is particularly adapted for use with conventional soft boxes, or a bendable panel frame that is disclosed herein. The filtering system is comprised of a plurality of bendable panels of varying opacity and reflective or refractive color tones which are contiguously interconnectable in order to form a panel which is adapted for placement proximate the front opening of the soft box. Each bendable panel also includes a circumferentially disposed edge stiffener for retention of the shape thereof, yet sufficiently pliable to allow selective bending to any user desired shape. The bendable panels may be used as stand-alone hand held, or free standing devices and may also find utility as photographic flags, dots, or fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Inventor: Xavier DeLaPaz
  • Patent number: 7396148
    Abstract: A foldable lighting system may include a light housing having a light source. The foldable lighting system may also include a base panel, a back panel, and two side panels. The back panel may be pivotally coupled to the light housing and foldable relative to the light housing. Each of the two side panels may have at least two sections, a first section pivotally coupled to the light housing, and a second section pivotally coupled to the base panel. The first section and the second section of each of the side panels may be pivotally coupled to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: Sean Shen Hsun Tsai
  • Publication number: 20080080188
    Abstract: A modulized assembly for a large-sized LED lamp includes a shell, a cover, a light-transmitting mirror and a plurality of LED modules. The interior of the shell is formed with a separation plate. The separation plate is provided with a plurality of through troughs thereon. The cover is covered and connected above the shell, and formed with venting troughs in communication with the outside air thereon. Further, the light-transmitting mirror is sealed and connected to the underside of the shell. The LED module includes a plate body and a LED lamp set connected to the plate body. The plate body is correspondingly sealed and connected to individual trough troughs of the separation plate. Among the shell, the light-transmitting mirror and the plate body, a sealed space is enclosed. The LED lamp set is accommodated in the sealed space and illuminates toward the light-transmitting mirror. With the above arrangement, the assembling process between each LED module and the associated shell becomes much easier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventor: Chin-Wen Wang
  • Patent number: 7331681
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus comprises a light panel having a panel frame, and a plurality of LEDs or other light elements secured to the panel frame. Lenses and/or filters are adjusted in distance from the light elements, by for example moving the lenses/filters into different slot positions of the frame, to alter characteristics of the emitted light. Focal lenses, diffusion lenses, and color filters may be used individually or in combination. A compound lens includes lens elements having different characteristics arranged in a pattern. Through groupwise control of the intensity of the light elements, the different characteristics are emphasized or de-emphasized. The light panel may have an integrated battery, and may be be mounted on a stand. The panel may be modular, allowing larger panels to be constructed from smaller panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Litepanels LLC
    Inventors: Rudy G. Pohlert, Pat Grosswendt, Kevin C. Baxter, Ken S. Fisher
  • Patent number: 7331693
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a zoom lens which includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit with a negative refractive power, a second lens unit with a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit with a negative refractive power. The second and third lens units move during zooming. The first lens unit includes a negative biconcave lens element. The zoom lens satisfies the following conditions: ?1.4<?1/?w<?1.0 0.9<?2/?w<1.4 ?1.3<?3/?w<?0.9 where ?1 is a refractive power of the first lens unit, ?2 is a refractive power of the second lens unit, ?3 is a refractive power of the third lens unit, and ?w is a refractive power of the entire system at a wide-angle end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toyokatsu Fujisaki
  • Patent number: 7284871
    Abstract: A flash module has a first light-emitting diode (“LED”) optically coupled to a first lens having a first viewing angle, and a second LED optically coupled to a second lens having a second viewing angle. The second viewing angle is greater than the first viewing angle. A first control signal line coupled to the first LED allows selectively activating the first LED. A second control signal line coupled to the second LED activates the second LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Avago Technologies ECB4 IP (Singapore) Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Su Lin Oon, Kian Shin Lee, Meng Ee Lee, Siew It Pang, Hong Huat Yeoh
  • Patent number: 7229180
    Abstract: Reflector device (10) for use in photography having an openable reflector screen (11) and a screen handle (12), at one end of which handle screen spokes (13) are hinge-mounted, and along which there is mounted so as to be displaceable back and forth a slider member (14), there being hinge-mounted on the slider member (14) bracing spokes (15), the opposite ends of which are joined in articulated manner to the screen spokes (13), the slider member (14) being displaceable back and forth along the screen handle (12) by means of a rope drive (19 or 26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Bron Elektronik AG
    Inventor: Francois Portmann
  • Patent number: 7195362
    Abstract: Provided is an electronic apparatus including: a camera, which picks up an image of a subject, arranged in a main body of the apparatus; a first light source which emits first light in conjunction with a flash of the camera; a second light source which emits second light for indicating status regarding various functions; a single lens arranged toward a light-outgoing side of the first and second light sources; and a housing portion which, as well as supporting the lens, houses the first and second light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Keiichirou Kumagai
  • Patent number: 7195373
    Abstract: Each light path changing member forms a first light flux by reflecting a half of light flux emitted from a particular area (central area or peripheral area) of light source in one direction using a polarizing beam splitter, and forms a second light flux by reflecting the other half of light flux, which has passed through the beam splitter, in the afore-mentioned direction using the first mirror. Then, each light path changing member transmits a half of a light flux emitted from the other light source and guided by the second mirror in the same direction as that in which the first light flux has been guided using the polarizing beam splitter, and superposes the light flux on the aforementioned first light flux, and reflects the other half of light flux, which has been reflected by the beam splitter, in the aforementioned direction using the first mirror, and superposes the light flux on the second light flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Ishii, Hiroki Koba
  • Patent number: 6827467
    Abstract: An illuminating apparatus having a light source, an optical unit disposed on the object side of the light source having a lens portion having positive refractive power in the central portion thereof, incidence surfaces on which light from the light source is incident and reflecting surfaces for totally reflecting the incident light, on both sides of the lens portion, and an emergence surface from which the light reflected by the reflecting surfaces emerges, wherein a beam emerging from the lens portion and a beam emerging from the emergence surface intersect with each other substantially at the same place in their condensed state, and a second optical unit having a plurality of prism portions, wherein the relative interval between the optical unit and the second optical unit are changed to vary an irradiation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Tenmyo
  • Publication number: 20040156181
    Abstract: A light shielding structure of a retractable lens barrel includes a lens system, a lens frame to which a lens group is fixed; at least one movable annular member into which the lens frame is screw-engaged, and which is moved along the optical axis in a predetermined moving manner; a light shield member which is supported by the movable annular member to be movable along the optical axis relative to the movable annular member, and having a rearward movement extremity relative to the movable annular member; and a biasing member which is positioned between the light shield member and the lens frame in a compressed fashion to bias the light shield member toward the rearward movement extremity thereof relative to the movable annular member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nomura, Yoshihiro Yamazaki, Isao Okuda
  • Publication number: 20040100793
    Abstract: A waterproof outdoor strobe light having a housing body, a lamp assembly including a lamp tube, and a housing cover is provided. The housing cover may be colored and transparent or translucent to emit light in multiple directions through replaceable lenses. The lamp tube is installed on a front end of the housing and protrudes from the housing to emit light in every direction. The housing body has a sufficient interior space to dissipate heat generated by the lamp tube without the need for air vent slots. A gasket is positioned between the housing body and housing cover for waterproofing. The light may include a supporting assembly to fix the light on the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: MULTI-MEDIA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Perry H. Monitto
  • Patent number: 6709120
    Abstract: A flash unit for a camera comprises a bracket, a reflecting member, two fixed members and a flash emission tube. The bracket is disposed inside the camera, and the reflecting member is disposed inside the bracket. The fixed members are integrally formed on the bracket, and the flash emission tube is fixedly disposed inside the bracket by the fixed members. By integrally forming the fixed members on the bracket, the conventional rubber band for fixing the emission tube can be replaced. Since the number of the consisting elements of the flash unit are thereby reduced, its cost can also be reduced. In addition, assembly time can also be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Benq Corporation
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsien Lu, Jih-Yung Lu
  • Publication number: 20030142496
    Abstract: An auxiliary illuminating device that has an adjustable color temperature. The color temperature is adjusted by varying the light throughput of independently adjustable color filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel M. Bloom, Mark J. Bianchi, Robert E. Sobol
  • Patent number: 6588912
    Abstract: A lighting box or front projection light device has a housing with an open front and open rear and a bar or rod extending horizontally across the housing. Multiple stage-type nonfocusable lights such as par lamps are mounted on the bar and positioned to send light out the front of the box. The box also has a diffusion element holder (frame) disposed proximate its front end, and even may have multiple diffusion element holders including having one diffusion element holder at an angle. Each diffusion element holder has a diffusion element or filter. The diffusion element or elements receive the light from the lighting instruments and diffuse it to provide a soft projected light from the box. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, this light may be used to provide diffused light as part of the key lighting for a stage or set, and may provide such soft projected lighting from a front (downstage) of the stage or set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventors: Bruce L. Finn, Robert E. Lee
  • Patent number: 6582090
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for compound angle illumination of items such as electronic components and features on those components that are within a field of view of a camera. Illumination assemblies are provided on opposite sides of the components, where illumination criss-crosses the component and its features. The illumination assemblies are also tilted at a vertical angle relative to the component. Light emitting diodes are used as a light source and, in one embodiment, refracting prisms are provided to refract the light from the LED's to provide the criss-cross illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation
    Inventors: Charles A. Coots, John E. Danek, George D. Eck, Michael J. Gorenflo
  • Patent number: 6519089
    Abstract: A collapsible light diffusing device includes a collapsible housing having a folded and an unfolded condition. The housing in the unfolded condition defines a first aperture and a second aperture, the second aperture being larger than the first aperture. The housing is adapted to be mounted to a light source such that the first aperture is nearer to the light source than the second aperture. The device further includes a flexible light diffusing member adapted to cover the second aperture when the housing is in the unfolded condition. The housing includes a plurality of substantially rigid panels of heat resistant material, hinged together to enable the housing to be manipulated between the folded and unfolded conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventor: Martin Charles Graham
  • Patent number: 6513941
    Abstract: A lighting stage comprising a floor and a turntable located on the floor and operable to rotate about a substantially vertical axis. The turntable has an upper surface to support an object, such as a vehicle, with a ceiling juxtaposed with and spaced from the upper surface. The ceiling has a downwardly directed reflective surface that extends laterally beyond the turntable. A peripheral wall extends from the ceiling to encompass at least a portion of the turntable and has an upper reflective portion and a lower absorbent portion. The upper portion and the ceiling smoothly merge to provide a continuously curved cove to provide the transition between the ceiling and the peripheral wall. A lighting assembly projects light on to the ceiling so that the ceiling and upper portion reflect and diffuse light towards the upper surface of the turntable to illuminate the object that is on the turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Autodata Solutions Company
    Inventors: Gregory T. Perrier, Gerald C. Henderson, Jason Hartog, Cornelius T. Nieuwland, Daniel Vukmirovich
  • Patent number: 6491405
    Abstract: A photographic umbrella includes a skeletal frame and both a reflective inner surface and a diffusive inner surface secured in relation to the frame. The frame defines an inner concavity or recess that opens at a mouth portion. A first cover member made from fabric or other suitable material is secured to the frame, and an inner surface of the first cover member conforms generally to the shape of the inner concavity. This inner surface of the first cover member includes a highly reflective surface. A second, translucent cover member is placed in covering relation with the reflective inner surface of the first cover member so that the second cover member at least substantially covers the reflective inner surface. Thus, the second cover member diffuses light incident thereon and the reflective inner surface reflects light that passes through the second cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Inventor: John E. Shirilla
  • Patent number: 6480679
    Abstract: There is described a strobe device particularly suited for image capturing apparatus equipped with wide-angle lens. The strobe device includes a reflector to reflect a strobe light, a light-emitting tube to emit the strobe light and an optical panel to transmits the strobe light. In the strobe device embodied in the present invention, a maximum luminous intensity of the strobe light, illuminated by the strobe device, is arranged in a direction being different from a direction of a strobe light axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Ishida, Takuro Masuda, Nobuyoshi Mori, Takao Hosaka
  • Patent number: 6400905
    Abstract: A compact lighting device or a strobe device includes a discharge tube; a prism unit having an incident surface receiving a light from said discharge tube and an outgoing surface that ejects an incident light to a side of an object to be photographed; and a first optical unit and a second optical unit disposed on said prism unit on the side of the object to be photographed; wherein a relative interval between said first optical unit and said second optical unit are change to vary a irradiating angle of the light directed toward the object to be photographed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Tenmyo
  • Patent number: 6264342
    Abstract: To achieve the object to improve an illuminating device to the effect that such a device can be produced and/or installed with a low economic outlay, can be adjusted easily, is variable with regard to the place of use, and is dependable overall, the illuminating device is improved by virtue of the fact that the at least one light source, the at least one deflecting reflector and (lacuna) at least one reflecting surface are connected to one another to form an assembly to be positioned in an appropiate position relative to surface to be illuminated, and control means for switching and dimming said at least one light source are provided including at least one dimmer switch to be positioned near an operator position independently from said assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: VH Lichttechnische Spezialgerate GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich von Hagen
  • Patent number: 6259572
    Abstract: A photographic color effects lighting filter system made up of a series of lighting filters which are designed to be placed in front of one or more lighting sources. The lighting color effects filter series is made up of groups of filters wherein each of the filter groups is composed of a plurality of filters wherein each filter within a given group provides selective absorption of light having a color corresponding to one of the primary, secondary or intermediary colors. Each of the filters within a given group has a specific effective absorption density. The effective absorption densities are calibrated so that the selected absorption densities are the same for each of the different color groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Rosco Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Meyer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6164801
    Abstract: An improved self-contained portable lighting system comprising: a first shell having an interior portion in which lights are mounted and having an exterior portion on which is mounted a first closure; a plurality of reflectors are mounted by hinges on edges of a front face of the interior portion of the first shell so that the reflectors may be folded on top of one another and substantially flat against the interior portion of the first shell; a second shell having an exterior portion including second closure for engaging the first closure and locking the first shell the said second shell together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Teletec de Mexico, SA, DE CV.
    Inventor: Didier Alexander-Katz
  • Patent number: 6139161
    Abstract: A surface illuminating device is provided with a light source, a light introducing plate lying in a plane passing the light source, a first light diffusing plate arranged on a top surface of the light introducing plate, and a second light diffusing plate arranged on a bottom surface of the light introducing plate. The light introducing plate includes a first section arranged with the first light diffusing plate, and a second section arranged with the second light diffusing plate. The first and second sections each are formed with serrations in a surface opposite to a surface arranged with their respective light diffusing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Honda, Masataka Hamada, Hideki Nagata
  • Patent number: 6106124
    Abstract: A self-contained photography studio apparatus for photographing at least one subject comprising means to support and spatially orient the subject to be photographed, means for illuminating said subject so as to provide uniform illumination and substantially eliminate shadows, and means for controlling the temperature on and in the vicinity of said subject, wherein each of the recited means is integral, and a method for using the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Inventor: Joseph Tarsia