Selective Or Adjustable Patents (Class 362/18)
  • Publication number: 20090129046
    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: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Gary M. Fong
  • Patent number: 7533999
    Abstract: Presented is an auxiliary lighting device that is incorporated in a camera and is disposed at a position apart from an optical axis of a photographic lens for capturing a subject. The device includes a light emitting member with a cylindrical shape to emit light for irradiating a subject, a circumferential wall reflector disposed behind the light emitting member to reflect the light emitted from the light emitting member toward the subject, a first sidewall reflector with a surface that intersects a longitudinal axis of the light emitting member, and which is disposed at a first position near to the optical axis of the photographic lens, and a second sidewall reflector with a surface that intersects the longitudinal axis of the light emitting member, and which is disposed at a second position far from the optical axis of the photographic lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Akihiro Suzuki, Yoshito Katagiri
  • 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: 7527389
    Abstract: A multiparameter light is disclosed, which incorporates an LED (light emitting diode) tracking ring surrounding a main output lens. The LED tracking ring is capable of additive color mixing and in turn can simulate the color of the main projected light projecting from the main output aperture or output lens of the multiparameter light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Barco Lighting Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Belliveau, Michael Bell, David Dahly, David Karl Peck
  • Patent number: 7529478
    Abstract: An adaptive illumination device comprising first and second lighting units connected to each other by way of a hinge mechanism, and further provided with a gear mechanism such that angular movement of the first lighting unit about the hinge causes equivalent angular movement of the second lighting unit in an opposite direction about the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Raytec Limited
    Inventors: Shaun Cutler, Tony Whiting, David Lambert
  • Patent number: 7505680
    Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an imaging optical system, an image sensor, an image signal processing section and a light-amount characteristic giving section. The imaging optical system has a distortion in such a way as to form an image whose center part is stretched, and whose peripheral part is squeezed. The image sensor has a light reception surface at which a subject image is formed through the imaging optical system, and converts the formed subject image into image signals. The image signal processing section performs an image processing for correcting the image signals with respect to the distortion. The light-amount characteristic giving section gives the subject image a characteristic in which the amount of light at a center part of the subject image formed at the light-reception surface of the image sensor is larger than that at a peripheral part of the subject image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Toshio Niwa
  • Publication number: 20080285254
    Abstract: A light source (110) is fixed at a position and emits light in a direction away from an optical axis (A) of an objective lens. An outer reflecting mirror (an optical member) (130) and an inner reflecting mirror (an optical member) (140) are provided as a unit so that relative positions thereof are fixed. A reflecting mirror unit (120) can be moved in directions along the optical axis (A), i.e. up and down relative to the light source (110). A free-form curved surface portion (131) of the outer reflecting mirror (130) and a reflecting surface of the inner reflecting mirror (140) reflect light in different directions depending on a position of the light incident thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seiji SHIMOKAWA, Tatsuya NAGAHAMA
  • Publication number: 20080239695
    Abstract: A device for controlling projected light beam from an electronic flash, this invention consists of a tube of elastic material such as neoprene or polyurethane (4), with a light side (6) and a dark side (5). The shape and elasticity of this device allow its configuration to change by rolling the snoot over on itself. Rolling the snoot partially upon itself, changing its length, will thereby change the size of the projected light beam. Rolling the snoot inside out will select a different interior reflectivity, thus a different quality of projected light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Manger
  • Patent number: 7416316
    Abstract: A strut holding assembly for flexible elongated struts engaging a flexible wall, the assembly including a hub, a plurality of holding arms pivotally connected at spaced locations to the hub between storage positions adjacent the hub, and extended positions extending outwardly of the hub, each holding arm being adapted to immobilize a free inner end of one strut. At least one of the holding arms has a seat adapted for receiving and immobilize the free inner end of a strut in at least one direction and a hook spaced from the seat by a fulcrum distance, the hook being adapted for engaging the strut at a distance from the free inner end of the strut equal to the fulcrum distance, for immobilizing the strut in a bent and tensioned position and in at least three directions and being free to move in a remaining direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Lowel-Light Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Finn M H O'Brien, David Conroy
  • Publication number: 20080175579
    Abstract: A camera which continuously performs shooting at predetermined time intervals in conjunction with one shutter release operation, comprises: a strobe light source which emits strobe light whose color temperature is adjustable; a light emission control device which controls the strobe light source to emit the strobe light in synchronization with each shooting in the continuous shooting; and a color temperature adjustment device which adjusts the color temperature of the strobe light emitted from the strobe light source for each shooting in the continuous shooting to vary color temperature with each shooting within a predetermined color temperature variable range which has been previously set. Thereby, even in a situation where the strobe light emission at a right color temperature is difficult, it is possible to perform the shooting with the strobe light emission at the color temperature intended by the shooter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Chikuni KAWAKAMI
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7379117
    Abstract: A flash module includes a point light source, a lens assembly, an actuator mechanism, and a control system. The lens assembly includes a lens that is positioned in front of the point light source. The actuator mechanism enables adjustment of the distance between the lens assembly and the point light source. The control system is provided to flash the point light source. A camera including a flash module, and a method for illuminating an object during flash photography, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP Pte Ltd
    Inventor: Yi-Feng Hwang
  • Patent number: 7360909
    Abstract: The present invention discloses and teaches a new and improved photographic flash attachment, light reflecting apparatus that is lightweight, flexible, easily attached and/or detached from a camera flash and conveniently stored in a rolled or folded configuration. The disclosed flash reflector is configured from a thin, flexible, planar preform of polyurethane foam material, or any other suitable material, into an adjustable, generally concave configuration whereby adjusting the reflectors shape adjusts the power of the light it reflects to balance with the existing natural light or bounce off a ceiling thereby eliminating and/or reducing shadows about the photographic subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Inventor: Jerry Hughes
  • 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: 7318652
    Abstract: A lighting effects system comprises an arrangement of lamp elements, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light elements, on a panel or frame. The panel or frame may be relatively lightweight, and may include one or more circuit boards for direct mounting of the lamp elements. The panel or frame may have an opening through which a camera can view. A mounting bracket and assembly may be used for attaching the panel or frame to a camera. The lamp elements may be electronically controllable so as to provide differing intensity levels, collectively, individually, or in designated groups, and may be strobed, dimmed or otherwise controlled according to manually selected or programmable patterns. Different color lamp elements may be mounted on the same panel/frame, and, in particular, daylight and tungsten colored lamp elements may be mounted on the same panel/frame and their relative intensities selectively controlled by control circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Litepanels LLC
    Inventors: Rudy Pohlert, Pat Grosswendt, Ken Fisher, Kevin Baxter
  • Patent number: 7303308
    Abstract: Lighting apparatus for an image-gathering device, includes a light frame supporting a plurality of light emitting diode lamps configured to emit light at a tungsten balanced colour temperature, and a focussing frame comprising a plurality of light focussing lenses configured to focus light emitted from said light frame into an elliptical beam. The focussing frame is configured to focus light into an elliptical beam to complement a subject illumination area frame having a ratio 16:9. The light emitting diode lamps are configured to emit light at a colour temperature of 3200 Kelvin or 5600 Kelvin, and to emit light having a colour rendering index of 90. The focussing frame is releasably mountable to the light frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Gekko Technology Limited
    Inventor: David Richard Amphlett
  • Patent number: 7246925
    Abstract: This light modifier assembly is a continuous light source for still and video imagemakers. More specifically, the continuous light source provides a constant light source for still, digital, video or high definition image capture. In a preferred embodiment, the light source comprises a multiplicity of lamps with a control configured to run multiple combinations of lamps together with no shift in color temperature and to set up multiple lighting ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: The F.J. Westcott Co.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Waltz, Kelly Mondora
  • 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: 7140742
    Abstract: A lighting effects system comprises an arrangement of lamp elements, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light elements, on a panel or frame. The panel or frame may be relatively lightweight, and may include one or more circuit boards for direct mounting of the lamp elements. The panel or frame may have an opening through which a camera can view. A mounting bracket and assembly may be used for attaching the panel or frame to a camera. The lamp elements may be electronically controllable so as to provide differing intensity levels, collectively, individually, or in designated groups, and may be strobed, dimmed or otherwise controlled according to manually selected or programmable patterns. Different color lamp elements may be mounted on the same panel/frame, and, in particular, daylight and tungsten colored lamp elements may be mounted on the same panel/frame and their relative intensities selectively controlled by control circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Litepanels LLC
    Inventors: Rudy G. Pohlert, Pat Grosswendt, Kevin Baxter, Ken S. Fisher
  • Patent number: 7086746
    Abstract: A collapsible light has a flexible reflector or light modifying panel assembly forming a curved, e.g. parabola, or bent, e.g. angular, shape when in a use position. The light modifying panel assembly can be folded or flattened into a storage position. A further transparent or translucent panel may be provided across the front of the light modifying panel assembly. One or more lamps are support on the light modifying panel assembly by a transparent or translucent support panel assembly connected at at least two spaced apart locations to the light modifying assembly. The further panel may be a diffuser panel or other effects panel removably fastened across the front of the light modifying panel assembly. Several of the lights may be joined together to form arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Inventor: Gary Regester
  • Patent number: 7083303
    Abstract: An operating theater lamp has at least one lamp body with a discharge lamp, which illuminates a site of an operation via optical means. The illuminance of the operating theater lamp can be changed in the region of the site of the operation by a mechanically adjustable diaphragm means. The adjustable diaphram means has adjustable lamellae that extend along a longitudinal axis of at least one discharge lamp. The adjustable lamellae pivot about a longitudinal axis. The adjustable diaghragm means include openings that restrict a maximum dimming effect of the adjustable diaghrahm means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Berchtold Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Scholz
  • Patent number: 7083293
    Abstract: A selectable lighting system and method that uses multiple cool burning compact fluorescent light bulbs of different color temperatures to provide lighting that is a mix of different color temperatures that can be selected and/or mixed to illuminate subjects of video or photographic recording as desired by the videographer. The mix of different color temperature bulbs also makes this lighting system very beneficial as a reading light, a general purpose work light or detail work task light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Inventor: Arthur A. Kalinski
  • Patent number: 7077534
    Abstract: A soft box assembly for disposition around a light source for illuminating a subject to be photographed, including a ring, a mounting member for disposition on the ring and pivotally connected to the ring, and movable between a first position in the plane of the ring and a second position angled from the plane, a flexible panel for disposition around the ring, poles for extending from the panel into the ring and the mounting member, and a lock for locking the mounting member and poles therein to the ring in the first position, whereby the poles extending from the panel are in part inserted into the ring and in part into the mounting member in the second position, and the mounting member is pivotally moved to the first position and locked, such that all the poles are held in axial compression between the mounting member and the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Calumet Photographic Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher R. Harlocker
  • Patent number: 7063428
    Abstract: A photography lightbank is extendable axially and radially to a larger size by an extension ring, which is removably attachable to the distal (front) end of the lightbank shroud. Extension rod connectors are configured for attachment of extension rods, which support the extension ring in outstretched configuration, to the distal ends of the primary support rods that support the lightbank shroud, while releasable fasteners attach the proximal end of the extension ring to the distal end of the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Chimera Company
    Inventor: Gregory Lowe
  • Patent number: 7057705
    Abstract: A controller for a pulsed radiation source is a closed-loop controller of minimum order, preferably first, to effect dead beat control. Performance indicators for a pulsed radiation source in a lithographic apparatus are based on moving averages (MA) and moving standard deviations (MSD) of the error between target and actual pulse energies. The normalized indicators are given by: MA E , n ? ( x k ) = 1 ? i = k - ( N slit - e - 1 ) k ? ? Ep ref ? ( i ) · ? i = k - ( N slit - e - 1 ) k ? ? Ep err ? ( i ) ? ? ( k = N slit - e ? ? … ? ? N scan ) , wherein Epref(i) and Eperr(i) indicate reference energy per pulse and energy error per pulse for point i and MSD E , n ? ( x k ) = 1 N slit - e - 1 ? ? i = k - ( N slit - e - 1 ) k ? [ Ep err ? ( i ) Ep ref ? ( i ) - MA E , n ? ( x k ) ] 2 ? ? ( k = N slit - e ? ? … ? ? N scan ) .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Johannes Heintze
  • Patent number: 7054549
    Abstract: The invention refers to a variable background for photographic pictures which comprises a flexible basic body, which supports the object which has to be photographed, and at least one adjustment device for modifying the shape of the basic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Novoflex GbR Bothe, Hiesinger und Mann
    Inventor: Reingard Hiesinger
  • Patent number: 7046926
    Abstract: Light emitting semiconductor device(s) of the present invention is/are provided with three LED elements by way of lead frame(s) on substrate(s) Reflector(s)—having parabolically curved surface(s) at inner wall(s) thereof is/are installed at periphery or peripheries of these LED elements. Radiative angle(s) of light radiating from such reflector(s) is/are controlled by alteration of height(s) of reflector(s). Such height(s) may be lowered to increase radiative angle(s) ? of light therefrom so as to establish broader irradiative locus or loci and/or such height(s) may be raised to decrease radiative angle(s) ? of light radiating therefrom so as to establish narrower irradiative locus or loci.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Chikugawa
  • Patent number: 6993255
    Abstract: An illumination system (20, 72, 110, 142) for illuminating a scene comprising: an illuminator (24, 74, 116) having a plurality of substantially contiguous independently controllable light (26, 76) providing regions each of which provides light that illuminates a different region of the scene; optics (30) that directs light from the illuminator to the scene; a range finder (22, 64, 112) that determines distances to regions of the scene; and a controller (28, 29, 118) that controls the plurality of light providing regions to provide light for illuminating the scene responsive to distances determined by the range finder (22, 64, 112).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: 3DV Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ori J. Braun, Giora Yahav
  • Patent number: 6986588
    Abstract: A light emitting device that is capable of changing the illumination angle in the transverse direction while efficiently utilizing energy from a light source. An emission unit includes at least an arc tube. A pair of reflecting means are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the arc tube so as to reflect luminous fluxes emitted from the arc tube in a direction which varies according to the distance between the emission unit and each of the reflecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Tenmyo
  • Patent number: 6948823
    Abstract: A lighting effects system comprises an arrangement of lamp elements, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light elements, on a panel or frame. The panel or frame may be relatively lightweight, and may include one or more circuit boards for direct mounting of the lamp elements. The panel or frame may have an opening through which a camera can view. A mounting bracket and assembly may be used for attaching the panel or frame to a camera. The lamp elements may be electronically controllable so as to provide differing intensity levels, collectively, individually, or in designated groups, and may be strobed, dimmed or otherwise controlled according to manually selected or programmable patterns. Different color lamp elements may be mounted on the same panel/frame, and, in particular, daylight and tungsten colored lamp elements may be mounted on the same panel/frame and their relative intensities selectively controlled by control circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Contrast Lighting Services
    Inventors: Rudy G. Pohlert, Pat Grosswendt, Kevin Baxter, Ken S. Fisher
  • Patent number: 6860611
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a lamp assembly with an integral circuit to provide electrical connectivity to the lamp and methods of making the lamp assembly. The integral circuit in one embodiment is constructed from a conductive polymer. The polymer may be injection molded, and the lamp assembly housing and integral circuit may be manufactured using a two-shot injection molding process. The present invention may be used in the production of a wide range of lamp assemblies, including vehicle headlamp assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: Robert E. Gentz
  • Patent number: 6840253
    Abstract: A side post umbrella includes a side post to which a side arm is mounted by an arm retainer that is a tubular member receiving an end of the side arm therein. A rib skeleton is hung on the side arm and supports a shade. A shade rotating device is provided for rotating the side arm and thus the shade, including a cylinder rotatably received in the arm retainer and fixed to the side arm to be rotatable in unison therewith. A drive bar is pivotally connected to the cylinder for manually rotating the cylinder. A latch bar having a latch pin is movable with respect to the cylinder between a latched position where the latch pin engages a securing plate to secure the side arm and thus the shade at a corresponding angular position and a released position where the latch pin disengages the securing plate to allow for free rotation of the side arm and the shade. A helical spring is arranged between the latch bar and the cylinder to bias the latch pin toward the latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventor: Joen-Shen Ma
  • Patent number: 6811284
    Abstract: The invention is related to a method and apparatus for modifying the irradiation distribution of a radiation source. In accordance with the method the radiation source (1) is used to direct radiation to an essentially planar target surface (6). In accordance with the invention between the radiation source (1) and the target surface (6), several plates (4), which are essentially transparent to the radiation and have spaces between them, are placed close to the radiation source (1), in order to use the reflection and absorption of the transparent plates (4) to attenuate the radiation to desired areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Endeas Oy
    Inventors: Jaakko Hyvarinen, Folke Stenman
  • Patent number: 6807369
    Abstract: An illumination device includes a flash discharge tube, an optical prism having a total-reflection surface for totally reflecting at least a part of incident light, light emitted from the flash discharge tube being made incident on the optical prism, and an optical panel, light having exited from the optical prism being made incident on the optical panel, wherein the illumination device varies a state of illumination light by varying a positional relationship between the optical prism and the optical panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Tenmyo
  • Publication number: 20040196643
    Abstract: Light source devices for photography using LED elements as a light source known in the prior art provide insufficient quantity of light, and the inability to avoid size increases in order to generate a sufficient quantity of light has been problematic. A photography light source device 1 according to the present invention has a light source comprising a plurality of LED elements 2 generating white light or light of the three primaries and arranged in one or more rows parallel with the direction of the longer side of the photograph, a case 3 having a lens on which linear fresnel cuts 3a have been applied in a linear direction parallel to the arrangement direction is mounted on the LED element 2, and upon lighting of the LED element 2, drive is performed with a current of between 3 and 50 times the magnitude of the rated current thereof and a lighting duration of between 10 and 600 msec.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Terada, Keizo Sekido, Shigekazu Kato, Kimihiro Iritono
  • Patent number: 6782197
    Abstract: A zoom strobe device suitable for a super wide angle, in which a distance between a reflector, which is provided on the base thereof with a rod-shaped tubular light emitting tube and a Fresnel lens, is varied to vary a flash angle of illumination, wherein the zoom strobe device satisfies the following conditions (1) and (2): 0.08<&phgr;×Lw<0.15  (1) 0.70<Lw/H<0.85;  (2) wherein &phgr; designates the resultant power of the Fresnel lens in an upward/downward direction perpendicular to the length of the rod-shaped light emitting tube, Lw designates the distance between the base of the reflector and an outer surface of the Fresnel lens when the reflector is located closest to the Fresnel lens, and H designates the maximum length of the strobe device in the upward/downward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventor: Takaaki Yano
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6771900
    Abstract: A lens-fitted photo film unit includes a flash unit for applying flash light to a photographic object. An exposure amount changer, such as an aperture stop changing mechanism, changes over object light incident on photo film from the object between low and high exposure amounts. For the lens-fitted photo film unit, a photographic mode selection device includes a movable selector, such as a button, for selectively designating a daylight mode, a daylight flash mode and a night flash mode. The movable selector, when the daylight mode is designated, determines the low exposure amount and turns off the flash unit, and when the daylight flash mode is designated, determines the low exposure amount and turns on the flash unit, and when the night flash mode is designated, determines the high exposure amount and turns on the flash unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Moriya, Takeshi Masuda, Nobuyuki Kameyama, Yuji Mikami, Fuminori Kawamura, Fumio Noji, Yutaka Senda
  • Patent number: 6731870
    Abstract: A flash device includes a flash tube; a reflector having a first reflector portion and a second reflector portion which are arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane including an axis of the flash tube, a space between the first reflector portion and the second reflector portion increasing in a direction toward a front end aperture of the reflector; and a lens positioned so as to be opposed to the front end aperture of the reflector. At least a part of the first reflector portion on a side of said front end aperture and at least a part of the second reflector portion on a side of said front end aperture are interlocked with each other to be movable in opposite directions along a direction perpendicular to the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventor: Takaaki Yano
  • Patent number: 6709121
    Abstract: A releasable attachment for a support rod of a lightbank assembly includes a rod anchor block that has at least one hole for receiving and retaining a proximal end of a support rod and is pivotally mounted in relation to a frame, such as a typical ring-shaped frame of the light bank assembly. A releasable latch mechanism, such as a pivotal lever or a slidable pin, with a latch surface engages a latch surface on or in the rod anchor block to releasably latch the rod anchor block against pivotal movement in relation to the frame, when the support rod and a reflector hood and diffuser panel mounted on the support rod, are extended to their outstretched, use configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Chimera Company
    Inventors: Gregory E. Lowe, Thomas M. Frost
  • Publication number: 20040047140
    Abstract: The field portion (40) of a workpiece (14) that an electro-optical system (28) can image is deflected by a field-of-view deflector (38) and an array of light sources (42, 44) illuminates the workpiece. As the field of view (40) moves about the workpiece surface, individual sources (42, 44) in the light-source array are so turned on and off that all sources that could be imaged into the field of view by specular reflection are turned off. In this way, proper dark-field illumination is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Kurt Pelsue, Jonathan S. Ehrmann
  • Patent number: 6632004
    Abstract: A lighting device is disclosed which comprises an illuminating light source for illuminating an object, a first optical unit disposed on the side of the object of the illuminating light source and having an optical action section for diverging light or an optical action section for converging light, and a second optical unit disposed on the side of the object of the optical action section of the first optical unit and having an optical action section for exhibiting a characteristic opposite to a characteristic of the optical action section, wherein the optical action section of the second optical unit overlies the optical action section of the first optical unit in varying areas to change light distribution characteristic on the side of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Saburo Sugawara, Yoshiharu Tenmyo, Takayuki Uchida, Nobuhisa Kojima
  • Patent number: 6604844
    Abstract: A reconfigurable reflective apparatus that includes a flexible reflector supported by a plurality of support ribs that are pivotally connected to a central locking control hub, wherein at least one support rib can be independently set in any one of a plurality of pivot positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Richard Hussey
  • 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: 6598986
    Abstract: A zoom strobe device is provided with a light emitting unit, which includes a light source and a reflector and a light collecting lens that collects the light emitted by the light emitting unit. The light emitting unit and the light collecting lens are movable relative to each other in a direction of an optical axis of the light collecting lens. The light collecting lens is configured such that a light emitting unit side surface has a positive power, and a surface opposite to the light emitting unit side surface (i.e., the object side surface) has a negative power. The light collecting lens has a positive power as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Pentax Corporation
    Inventor: Takaaki Yano
  • 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: 6578969
    Abstract: An arrangement is disclosed for cutting off intensive radiation in projectors and/or illumination devices whose projection head, which projects the light, is mounted in a receptacle or holder rotatable about an azimuth axis so as to be swivelable about an additional axis arranged vertical to the azimuth axis. It comprises a cutoff mechanism which comprises a coupling member, and light-absorbing means or cutoff means, which is fixedly connected with the receptacle and which is rotatable jointly with the latter and with the projection head about the azimuth axis, wherein the light-absorbing or cutoff means are positioned in the cutoff position in front of the light outlet opening of the projection head or of an objective or in an intermediate image plane located within the projection head. The arrangement is suitable for application particularly with projection of image contents on plane, arched, or curved projection surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Hagen Hinsching, Ralf Hasse, Rolf Roeder
  • Publication number: 20030076668
    Abstract: A high lumen output illumination device includes a light source secured on a ballast housing and a reflector. At least one reflective element redirects light emanating from the source along a direction of interest. At least one support element gives the reflective element a useful optical shape and aids in the retention of the optical shape. The reflector is capable of being transitioned between two orientations, an open orientation, where the reflector is functional, and a collapsed orientation, where the reflector occupies a greatly reduced amount of space. The reflector includes a fastening means that allows the reflector to be removed from the ballast housing, and re-attached to the ballast housing when desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Kovach, Gary A. Steinberg