Illuminated Scale Or Dial Patents (Class 362/23)
  • Patent number: 10636938
    Abstract: An LED panel is disclosed. The LED panel includes LED chips and a mount substrate on which the LED chips are mounted by flip bonding. Each of the LED chips includes a sapphire substrate, a plurality of light emitting cells disposed below the sapphire substrate, and an etched portion formed between the plurality of light emitting cells. Each of the LED chips includes a plurality of color cells formed corresponding to the plurality of light emitting cells on the sapphire substrate to change or maintain the color of light from the corresponding light emitting cells and a plurality of light collecting portions formed corresponding to the plurality of light emitting cells and the plurality of color cells on the bottom surface of the substrate and adapted to collect light from the corresponding light emitting cells on the corresponding color cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: LUMENS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Taekyung Yoo, Daewon Kim, Yelim Won
  • Patent number: 8692660
    Abstract: An instrument cluster for the instrument panel of a motor vehicle has at least one display on which relevant operational data of the vehicle can be displayed. The at least one display is freely programmable with respect to the data displayed on it and can be switched between at least two different configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.
    Inventors: Manfred Fitzgerald, Filippo Perini, Corrado Rebottini, Stefano Mazzetti
  • Patent number: 8469529
    Abstract: A display device includes, within a panel formed of a front panel 11 and a rear panel 12, a switchboard 80 disposed in proximity to the front panel 11; a display board 20 disposed in proximity to the rear panel 12; a display 40 disposed between the switch board 80 and the display board 20; a switch mounting section 20a formed by protruding laterally at least a portion of the display board 20 from the display 40; a rotary switch 70 attached to the switch mounting section 20a; and an operation knob 90 attached to a shaft of the rotary switch 70 extended through the switch board 80 and the front panel 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hideyuki Hirota
  • Patent number: 8465165
    Abstract: A method for producing a display member that can restrain lights from leaking from a remainder chip of a runner and a portion around the remainder chip. The method includes laminating a transparent layer on a light-diffusing layer; forming slant surfaces each having an slant angle of more than 45 degrees with respect to an extending direction D of a runner, the slant surfaces being provided around a portion on the rear surface of the transparent layer to which the runner is connected and being inclined cutting out the runner at a position along and near the slant surfaces; and forming a shielding layer on a remainder chip of the runner and on a rear surface of the display member main body inside the remainder chip by spraying a light-shielding material onto a front surface of the display member main body and a side part of the remainder chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Ueda, Masatomo Inoue
  • Patent number: 8454180
    Abstract: A measuring instrument includes a light source, a dial plate with a scale design, and a light guide member. The light guide member includes a receiving portion for receiving the light from the light source, and a flat plate portion for irradiating the light transmitted from the receiving portion to the dial plate. The flat plane portion includes a thick wall section located close to the scale design, and a thin wall section extending from the thick wall section in a direction away from the light source. The thick wall section is thicker than the thick wall section. A boundary end face connected to a region of the thick wall section and a region of the thin wall section in the second face of the light guide member reflects the light transmitted in the light guide member from the light receiving portion to irradiate the image design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyoshi Kenmotsu
  • Patent number: 8408723
    Abstract: Backing lighting of induction touch keys is accomplished with a spacer layer surrounding an inductive touch sensor coil and a light source on a substrate, and light transmissive layer having a suspended metal disk proximate to the inductive touch sensor coil. A protective fascia may be placed over the light transmissive layer and spacer layer. When the light transmissive layer is displaced toward the inductive touch sensor coil the impedance value of the inductive touch sensor coil changes and the change is detected. Materials used that are translucent (light transmissive) may be continuous and solid, and opaque materials may have openings therein for transmission of light therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen B. Porter, Keith Curtis
  • Patent number: 8388156
    Abstract: A backlight apparatus includes a light-guiding plate, two first light-emitting members and two second light-emitting members. The light-guiding plate has a first edge and a second edge parallel to the first edge. The light-guiding plate has two first recesses and two second recesses. The two first light-emitting members are disposed in the two first recesses respectively, and the two second light-emitting members are disposed in the two second recesses respectively. The two first light-emitting members are rotated at a predetermined angle respectively, such that first light-emitting axes of the two first light-emitting members tend toward the first edge and the second edge of the light-guiding plate respectively. Besides, second light-emitting axes of the two second light-emitting members are parallel to the first edge and the second edge of the light-guiding plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Darfon Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Barry Chen
  • Patent number: 8382348
    Abstract: A display device includes a generally annular display (10) and a light source (3a) disposed to oppose a rear surface of the display (10). The display (10) is indicated by a rotatable pointer (4) and includes an indicator portion (12) disposed along a trace of displacement of a tip end portion (4a) of the pointer (4), and a transparent member (20) having a light incidence surface (a light incidence portion) (21) on which light from the light source (3a) is incident. The transparent member (20) is disposed on a front side of the indicator portion (12) and spaced from a front surface of the indicator portion (12) with a clearance (K) therebetween, and extends toward a center axis of the pointer (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventor: Hideaki Kamiyama
  • Patent number: 8378969
    Abstract: A remote control apparatus mountable on a vehicle includes an operation input device operable to point a position in a predetermined operation area, a lighting device for illuminating the operation input device, and a controller for controlling a brightness of the lighting device. The remote control apparatus has a self-diagnostic mode for diagnosing a fault in the operation input device. The controller controls the brightness of the lighting device such that the lighting device produces a illumination pattern corresponding to the position pointed by the operation input device, when the self-diagnostic mode is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Takenaka, Shouji Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 8350687
    Abstract: Provided is a gauge device that can provide innovativeness to representation during an operation of effect creation, and can improve the marketability and designability. A gauge device 1 is configured to include a display section 2 that displays vehicle information by rotating a pointer needle on a display panel, and an operation section 3 for use to operate various types of functions of the display section 2. Control means is also provided for operating, in response to an input of a predetermined start signal, in a cooperative manner, first illumination means 2d provided for illuminating the display section 2 and second illumination means 3c provided for illuminating the operation section 3 to make those operate a predetermined operation of effect creation. The start signal is an input of turning on or off a power switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yousuke Maruyama, Masaki Yamazoe
  • Patent number: 8339903
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a dual illumination watch face having a tritium gas tube coupled with a dial, minute hand or hour hand of the watch face, and phosphorescent material disposed with at least one of the dial, minute hand and hour hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: James Brewster Olmes
  • Publication number: 20120314396
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes key lighting assemblies, electronic devices and keycaps. In one aspect, a key lighting assembly comprises a keycap defining at least one key. The keycap has one or more decorations. The assembly comprises a keycap, defining a key. The keycap has a non-opaque portion to identify the key. The assembly further comprises a light guide which is mounted in spaced relation with the keycap and an optical radiation source optically coupled to the light guide. The assembly further comprises a first opaque layer disposed on a first surface of the light guide. The first opaque layer defines a first opaque layer opening for passing optical radiation from the light guide to the keycap. The first opaque layer opening is located to permit optical radiation to be transmitted from the light guide to the non-opaque portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael Thomas POPE, Benjamin Michael FINNEY, Jimmy BEDOLLA
  • Publication number: 20120307478
    Abstract: The electric meter contains a number of indicator units radially arranged along the circumference of a selection dial and a backlight switch. Each indicator unit contains a lighting element marked with a label. The backlight switch, when engaged, turns on the lighting element of the indicator unit pointed by the selection dial so that its label is visible in the dark and the operation mode of the electric meter is identifiable, even though there is no or little illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: SHAW-LIN LIU
  • Patent number: 8319128
    Abstract: A keyboard may be generally illuminated while also providing for key-specific illumination of one or more particular keys. The keyboard may be generally illuminated using any configuration of any number of suitable illumination sources. The keyboard may selectively illuminate any key or keys together with or apart from the general illumination of other keys. The keyboard may also variably illuminate certain keys to aid the user in navigating the keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chad A. Bronstein, Peter H. Mahowald
  • Patent number: 8308312
    Abstract: A vehicle meter is provided including a dial 10 and light sources provided on the rear face of the dial. A plurality of characters can be arranged on the dial and can be displayed by transmitting light from the light sources (a plurality of LEDs 25) and formed differently from each other in amount of transmitted light. The characters arranged on the dial may be provided with an increased and decreased amount of transmitted light to improve the visibility of the character intended to be emphasized. This makes it easy to visually recognize the entire string of characters in the vehicle meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Murasawa, Mizuho Asao
  • Patent number: 8308311
    Abstract: Provided are several reconfigurable instrument clusters for instrument panels in an automotive vehicle. Instrument cluster comprises a value indicia configured to indicate a value of a plurality of vehicle data and an appliqué comprising first and second indicia. A control circuit is configured to receive first and second vehicle data from different data sources and further configured to control the value indicia and first indicia to indicate the first vehicle data and, in response to a signal, to control the value indicia and second indicia to indicate the second vehicle data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Roger W. Eich
  • Patent number: 8292444
    Abstract: An uniformly self-luminous keyboard device comprises a housing and a keyboard unit. The housing includes an upper casing and a lower casing, which can be assembled together. After the upper casing and the lower casing are assembled together, an accommodation space is formed therebetween. The upper casing has an opening interconnecting the accommodation space. The keyboard unit is arranged in the accommodation space and includes a plurality of press members passing through the opening and moved by a force to have a displacement, and a baseplate supporting the press members. A light conduction space is formed between the baseplate and the lower casing. A light emitting unit is arranged inside the light conduction space. The height of the light conduction space decreases with the distance to the light emitting unit, whereby light is uniformly distributed over the bottom of the keyboard unit. Thus is achieved the uniformly self-luminous keyboard device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Zippy Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chin-Yi Lin, Chih-Hsiung Chen
  • Publication number: 20120257373
    Abstract: An instrument is provided for a motor vehicle that includes, but is limited to a display area and a housing, which surrounds the display area. A transparent instrument covering is held spaced from the display area by the housing. The instrument covering is a transparent light conductor panel, in which a symbol display area is arranged. The light conductor panel includes, but is not limited to light-diffusing Nano particles in its volume in the symbol display area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Peter BRANDT, Heiko CHARLE, Dino DEMMA
  • Patent number: 8277061
    Abstract: A light guiding mechanism for portable electronic device includes a cover, a light guiding module and four light sources. The cover includes a light transmitting region. The light guiding module includes a light guide plate having a first diagonal line and a second diagonal line. The light guide plate defines a first through hole. The light guide plate includes a light reflecting region around the first through hole. The light reflecting region includes a plurality of protrusions symmetrically positioned relative to the first diagonal line and the second diagonal line. Adjacent protrusions have a space therebetween. The size of the space uniformly increases with increasing distance from the first through hole. Light emitted from the light sources is repeatedly reflected by the protrusions and then passes the light transmitting region of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Mu-Wen Yang, Chih-Chiang Chang
  • Patent number: 8246186
    Abstract: A light-guide board assembly includes a light-guide board, a shielding board disposed on the light-guide board, and a plurality of light-guide poles. The light-guide board defines a plurality of engaging holes, a plurality of light-focusing slots and a plurality of channels. One end of each light-guide pole is received in a corresponding engaging hole. The light-focusing slots focus light to strengthen the light emitted from the light-guide slots. Each engaging hole communicates with one adjacent engaging hole or an adjacent light-focusing slot through a channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: FIH (Hong Kong)
    Inventors: Mu-Wen Yang, Chih-Chiang Chang
  • Patent number: 8240860
    Abstract: An indicating instrument, such as for an instrument cluster, may employ a dial with numerous lighted indicia and numerous lighted graduations, to individually demark the indicia. The indicia and graduations may be viewable on a first side of the dial, while on a second side of the dial, a frustum of a rectangular pyramid may be located immediately behind, relative to a viewer, each graduation. A light emitting diode may provide light into and through the protruding frustum, and a reflector case mounted to the dial may direct light from the light emitting diode into the frustum. Light directed into the frustum may pass through the frustum, through the graduation, and out of the graduation to the first side of the dial. Instead of a frustum, a recessed portion with four sloping and converging sides into the dial may be utilized to produce an illuminated graduation with a three-dimensional appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc., Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takahira Kato
  • Patent number: 8231236
    Abstract: The invention provides a light guiding plate. The light guiding plate is transparent and applied to an input apparatus. A surface of the light guiding plate comprises a first region and a second region. The first region is covered by a non-transparent material. If a light is emitted into the light guiding plate, the light can be emitted out from the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Dafron Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chih-Hsiang Chiang, Chih-Chung Yen, Liang-Ta Yeh
  • Patent number: 8213639
    Abstract: A sound and light control apparatus includes an audio signal input terminal for receiving an audio signal, a voltage dividing circuit electrically connected to the audio signal input terminal for dividing the voltage of the audio signal into two divided voltages, a control knob electrically connected to the voltage dividing circuit for adjusting the divided voltages, at least one audio signal output terminal electrically connected to the voltage dividing circuit and at least one loudspeaker for transmitting one divided voltage to the loudspeaker, a frequency-divider crossover circuit electrically connected to the voltage dividing circuit for filtering the other divided voltage according to a plurality of different audio frequencies to generate corresponding frequency division voltages, and transmitting each frequency division voltage to a corresponding frequency division voltage output terminal electrically connected to a light emitting diode and enabling the light emitting diode to produce light correspondin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventor: Chao-Lang Wang
  • Patent number: 8205997
    Abstract: A touch control button apparatus including a touch control light emitting surface, a touch sensing conductor, a touch sensing device and a light emitting device, which is under the touch control light emitting surface and surrounded by the touch sensing conductor. The touch sensing device detects the capacitance value variation of the touch sensing conductor when the touch control light emitting surface is touched by the object, to determine how the light emitting device is lightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignees: Silitek Electronic (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Chao-Ming Wu, Chin-Kuan Lin, Yi-Tseng Lin
  • Patent number: 8205996
    Abstract: A light switch cover having a light switch identifier to identify light coupled to a particular light switch. To this end, the light switch identifier may be positioned adjacent the light switch and/or a designation (number, letter or both) may be established for the light switch identifier and the light switch. The light switch cover may include a small clear cover behind which a label is positioned which identifies the particular light (or other device) that the corresponding light switch is operable to control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Combs
  • Publication number: 20120147584
    Abstract: A touch device includes a light guide having a plurality of light guiding blocks, a plurality of light-emitting modules, and a plurality of touch sensing modules. Each light guiding block includes an incident surface, an emissive surface, and a bottom surface. An isolating gap is disposed between any two adjacent light guiding blocks. Each light-emitting module is disposed adjacent to the incident surface of a corresponding light guiding block for emitting light that is guided thereto, and the light is guided out of the emissive surface thereof. Each touch sensing module is disposed on the bottom surface of the corresponding light guiding block. Any one of the plurality of touch sensing modules generates a driving signal to control a corresponding light-emitting module for emitting light when sensing a corresponding light guiding block is touched. Therefore, each light guiding block can emit light independently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicants: LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, SILITEK ELECTRONIC (GUANGZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHAO-MING WU, CHIN-KUAN LIN
  • Patent number: 8188399
    Abstract: In an embodiment, the invention provides a keypad assembly comprising a keypad, a light guide sheet, a dome sheet, and a board. The keypad comprises at least one protrusion and at least one rib. The light guide sheet has openings that are smaller than a first portion of the at least one protrusion. The dome sheet and the board have openings that are larger than a first portion of the at least one protrusion. The at least one protrusion is compressible such that the first portion of the at least one protrusion is extendable through the openings in the light guide sheet, the dome sheet and the board. The at least one rib physically contacts at least a portion of the light guide sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Muh Fong Chung, Choon Guan Ko, Yew Huat Chow
  • Publication number: 20120120345
    Abstract: A dial gauge assembly includes a single circuit board that supports light emitting diodes for both illuminating a pointer and backlighting a liquid crystal display. The dial gauge assembly controls illumination of the pointer by switching on and off a plurality of segments disposed within the LCD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventor: Kenichi Takato
  • Patent number: 8172439
    Abstract: Disclosed is a display device for a motor vehicle, particularly for a combined instrument of a motor vehicle. The display device comprises a display area and an illumination means that is provided with a light emission area and a light source. The display area has a visible face and a rear face. The illumination means is disposed on the rear face of the display area. A light beam that is emitted from the light emission area is incident directly on the rear face of the display area. The light beam has an angle of spread of less than about 20°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Süss, Gerhard Kammerer, Manfred Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20120106124
    Abstract: An indicating instrument which is capable of supplying stable power to an light source is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Okamoto, Yukio Ogasawara, Kenta Ishizawa, Ryuji Saitou
  • Patent number: 8142064
    Abstract: An image display apparatus includes a display for outputting an image, a supporting device supporting the display, the supporting device contacting directly on an installing surface and extending upward, the supporting device being provided with an inner hollow portion, and a light emission unit emitting light reflecting from the inner hollow portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Uk Baek, Seok Bong Han, Jong Man Park
  • Patent number: 8128248
    Abstract: A system for providing diffuse light to a dial plate of a meter is disclosed. The system includes a light-guide and a light source. The light from the light source enters the light-guide and exits the light-guide to illuminate a curved peripheral portion of a dial plate with a diffuse light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Steven Feit
  • Publication number: 20120020049
    Abstract: A hook-type electric meter capable of providing a light source is provided, which includes a measurement body, having a display and a measurement shift manipulation key disposed thereon. A clip jaw is disposed at a top of the measurement body and a push handle for controlling opening/closing of the clip jaw is disposed at one side of the measurement body, such that the clip jaw forms a clip mouth for clipping a subject to be tested. The measurement body has a luminous source disposed at the top and facing the clip mouth of the clip jaw. The luminous source is connected to a power supply device in the measurement body and the push handle at one side of the measurement body respectively. Thus, when the push handle is pushed, the clip mouth of the clip jaw is driven to be opened and the luminous source is driven to emit light simultaneously, and the light rays from the luminous source are projected towards the direction of the clip mouth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Hsin-Chen KO
  • Patent number: 8089351
    Abstract: An instrument cluster for use in a passenger vehicle includes a translucent sheet. The sheet is located in front of at least one of an appliqué, a display face, and a pointer of the instrument cluster. Indicia are embedded in the translucent sheet. The indicia has a first visual state and a second visual state, the indicia being more noticeable in its second visual state than in its first visual state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Rodger W. Eich, James T. Hotary
  • Patent number: 8079723
    Abstract: An adjustable lens with a self-illuminating scale for use in photography, cinematography, or videography has a housing surface with scale markings and an opaque member with a reference marking mounted over and movable relative to the surface. The movement of the member normally adjusts a parameter of the lens. The scale markings are visible through a window in the member. The edge of the member adjacent the scale has an opening. A light source is situated within a recess in the member adjacent the opening. Light is directed from the light source through the edge opening in a direction along the surface of the surface such that the visible scale markings are illuminated, while light from the light source is otherwise substantially prevented from escaping from the lens. The activation and intensity of the light source is controlled by movement of the member or an external illumination controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Cooke Optics Limited
    Inventors: Mark Craig Gerchman, Alan Coleman, Nigel Antony Ayres
  • Patent number: 8071900
    Abstract: An exemplary keyboard is provided. The keyboard includes a light pervious base plate, a plurality of input keys, and at least one light source. The light pervious base plate has a top surface. The plurality of input keys are disposed on the light pervious base plate with bottom sides of the input keys facing the top surface of the light pervious base plate. The at least one light source is encapsulated in the light pervious base plate and optically coupled to the light pervious panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Optoelectronic Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Peng Hsu, Chung-Min Chang, Tung-An Chen, Tse-An Lee
  • Patent number: 8068707
    Abstract: A lumenaire for mixing and emitting light from multiple light sources which has at least one first light source of a particular type and at least one second light source of a differing type. There is an optical system which includes at least one individual light collecting optical element at least partially surrounding each light source. There is a substantially planar light guide that receives and transports the light from each of the individual optical elements and optically mixes and emanates the light from both types of light sources simultaneously, through a common surface of the planar light guide. The planar light guide is segmented and the segmented sections are angularly disposed, in section in relationship to each other and the individual optical elements project light into at least one of the segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Inventor: Jerome H. Simon
  • Publication number: 20110282218
    Abstract: An apparatus includes (a) a dial having a front face with indicia thereon and a transparent face plate and a back surface; and (b) a light source attached to the dial and positioned exterior to the transparent face plate and oriented so as to illuminate the face plate. The apparatus is advantageously used to measure blood pressure under adverse lighting conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Seltzer
  • Patent number: 8035481
    Abstract: A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a data capture device such as a camera. In one aspect, the data capture device may integrated with the housing of the computing device and further detachable therefrom. In another aspect, the data capture device may swivel and/or translate relative to the housing of the computing device. In another aspect, the computing device may include a positioning device for controlling the movement of the data capture device relative to the housing. In yet another aspect, the computing device may include a latch that is automatically positioned in a home position when a housing component of the computing device is positioned in first position, and is automatically positioned in a lock position when the housing component of the computing device is positioned in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Christoph H. Krah
  • Publication number: 20110228512
    Abstract: A measuring instrument includes a light source, a dial plate which has a scale design, and a light guide member which is provided between the light source and the dial plate, and guides a light received from the light source to the dial plate. The light guide member has a first face that faces to the dial plate and a second face that is opposite to the first face. The light guide member includes a light receiving portion for receiving the light from the light source, and a flat plate portion for irradiating the light transmitted from the light receiving portion to the dial plate. The scale design is arranged in a circular shape around the light source in view from an opposite side of the light source with respect to the dial plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyoshi Kenmotsu
  • Patent number: 8016465
    Abstract: The invention relates to a molded part, in particular a decorative part and/or a trim part for a vehicle interior. According to the invention, the molded part comprises at least one excitation source for emitting electromagnetic waves and at least one luminescent material which is excitable or excited by the electromagnetic waves emerging from the excitation source or sources to emit light in the visible range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Novem Car Interior Design GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Egerer, Michael Wagner, Andreas Abach
  • Patent number: 7988310
    Abstract: A sheet-shaped lightguide member has a first surface (11A), which is divided into at least two areas. The sheet-shaped lightguide member has the first surface (11A) and a second surface (11B) that face each other and a peripheral edge surface (11C). The lightguide member receives light through at least a part of the peripheral edge surface, guides the light, and emits the guided light from the first surface (11A) serving as a light exit surface. The lightguide member is divided into the at least two light exit areas (14A, 14B) and has a light-blocking part (18) provided along a boundary between mutually adjacent light exit areas to block transmission of light between the adjacent light exit areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuro Yamada, Hiroto Isoda, Kenji Kusano
  • Patent number: 7984688
    Abstract: A display device includes a first portion of a flexible ribbon, the first portion secured along the pointer and a bend portion of the flexible ribbon disposed between the first portion of the flexible ribbon and a first loop branch, the bend portion folded over one end of the pointer so that the bend portion and the first loop branch connected to the pointer both extend along a common plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Joël Fournier
  • Patent number: 7980726
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control device (1) for controlling the color of light (L) emitted from a light source (2). The control device comprises color variation means (24) for varying the color of said light emitted from said light source and one or more light-emitting elements (26) arranged to indicate an available color variation range for the color of said light emitted from said light source upon operation of said color variation means. The control device 1 further comprises control means (23) capable of controlling at least one color of the light emitted by said light-emitting elements in dependence on said available color variation range for said light emitted by said light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Bram F. Joosen, Anthonie H. Bergman
  • Patent number: 7960013
    Abstract: An illuminated indicator and a method of manufacturing the illuminated indicator that can make black the color of an indicator mark formed by irradiation with laser light are provided. In a shift position indicator panel, part of a light-blocking coating material layer and a design coating material layer is removed by irradiation with laser light, and part of an indicator coating material layer, which is created as a result of coating materials of three primary colors being mixed together, is exposed, whereby an indicator mark is formed. As long as the mixed coating material configuring the indicator coating material layer is made black by toning resulting from mixing coating materials of three primary colors, the color of the indicator mark also becomes black.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Junichi Kira, Yoshinobu Yokoyama, Shosaku Watarai
  • Patent number: 7959311
    Abstract: A portable electronic device having an illuminated keyboard includes a display having a recessed portion and a main body pivotally connected with the display. The main body includes a casing, a keyboard, a fastening element, and a plurality of light-emitting elements. The keyboard is disposed at the casing and includes a plurality of keys made of a first light-transmitting material. Each key has a light incident surface and a light output surface. The fastening element is fastened to the casing and has a first portion made of a second light-transmitting material. The fastening element corresponds to the recessed portion. The light-emitting elements are disposed in the fastening element. The light emitted by the light-emitting elements passes through the first portion of the fastening element to directly enter into the key through the light incident surface and to be outputted from the key through the light output surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignees: Protek (Shanghai) Limited, Pegatron Corporation
    Inventors: Qiao-Wei Li, Ming-Kai Hsiao
  • Patent number: 7954965
    Abstract: A display for measured quantities can include a gauge with a set of indicia spaced around the gauge to indicate the measured quantities. A window can be formed in the gauge that extends along the set of indicia. An elliptical reflector can be positioned such that a first focus of the elliptical reflector is on the same axis as the center of the gauge with this axis perpendicular to the axis connecting the foci. An optical device can be mounted on a shaft and be arranged to redirect a light beam from a second foci of the elliptical reflector onto the elliptical reflector to generate a virtual pointer in the window. Means can be provided for turning the shaft to rotate the optical device. A light source can project the light beam onto the optical device. Rotation of the optical device can enable the virtual pointer to be selectively aimed at the set of indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Boyd, Kang Li, George Wu
  • Patent number: 7952274
    Abstract: The dial module includes: a sheet-shaped dial having a design part on a surface of the dial; a sheet-shaped light source fixed to a back surface of the dial for illuminating the design part; and a flexible printed circuit fixed to a back surface of the light source. The dial module thus constructed enables to reduce the number of components, to facilitate assembly of a meter which employs the dial module therein, to improve the productivity, and to reduce the cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 7938563
    Abstract: A keyboard illuminating device for a portable computer includes a battery module and an illuminating module. The battery module can supply power to the portable computer and includes a housing. The illuminating module is disposed on the battery module and is powered by the battery module to illuminate a keyboard of the portable computer. The illuminating module hides in the battery module when the keyboard illuminating device is in a first status, and the illuminating module protrudes from a surface of the battery module when the keyboard illuminating device is in a second status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Asustek Computer Inc.
    Inventor: Ching-Yao Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7934463
    Abstract: A gauge can include a face plate and an indication area disposed about a gauge center. The indication area can have a shape that can be defined by a bottom boundary, a top boundary, and first and second ends joining respective ends of the top and bottom boundaries. The top and bottom boundaries can be spaced apart from the gauge center by first and second radial distances. The indication area can be angled rearward relative to the face plate with the top boundary being spaced rearward from the face plate. A plurality of indicia can be disposed on the face plate. The gauge can further include a laser system disposed behind a rear side of the face plate and arranged to rotate and reflect a laser beam to a position adjacent or relative to a specific one of the plurality of indicia based on a signal output from a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventor: David Cook