Particular Wavelength Patents (Class 362/230)
  • Publication number: 20040105260
    Abstract: There is provided an improved ultraviolet lamp assembly using an ultraviolet lamp with a vented closed end quartz tube having improved and increased ultraviolet lamp intensity output for increased germicidal and bactericidal effect for use in purification, sterilizing, sanitizing and cleaning systems. The ultraviolet lamp assembly comprises an ultraviolet lamp, a tube operative to house the ultraviolet lamp and comprising a closed end, an open end able to allow insertion of said ultraviolet lamp and having a plurality of vents that allow air into and out of an air space between the ultraviolet lamp and the surrounding tube, a tube divider operatively disposed between said UV lamp and said tube to thereby divide said air space into at least two air space compartments enabling air to circulate through said tube, and an air displacer operatively connected to at least one of said vents and able to produce air flow in said tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventor: Steven E. Guzorek
  • Publication number: 20040090794
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for curing photosensitive materials uses LEDs and an optical concentrator to generate high optical power intensities. An LED array, comprising a plurality of LED assemblies, generates collimated light. A collection lens functions as an optical concentrator and focuses the collimated light to a desired spot size at a desired location. The LED assemblies may be at least partially disposed in a cooling plenum, where the cooling plenum is at least partially defined by the collection lens. Each LED assembly within the LED array may be detachably coupled to a mounting surface, enabling easy replacement of individual LED assemblies within the LED array. The photocuring assembly may also include a redirecting assembly disposed between the collection lens and the desired location that may further concentrate the light at the desired location. The photocuring assembly may include more than one of the above features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Scott H. Ollett, Ross W. Lampe
  • Patent number: 6722771
    Abstract: A hand held light for traffic control using an array of light sources such as colored light LEDs or lasers which either a red set or green set are energized by operation of a trigger switch. A third set of yellow light emitting light sources are also optionally operated, as well as a spot light mounted within the array of light sources. A position switch prevents energizing the red or green light sources so that arm motion can also be used to control the light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Eugene Stephens
  • Patent number: 6719437
    Abstract: The current invention utilizes the common baseball-type hat or headband, to which is attached one or more arrays of light emitting diodes. It is the object of this invention to provide an efficient lighting apparatus which embodies the principles of an adjustable hat or headband worn on the head, to which a battery-powered light emitting diodeing apparatus is either permanently attached to the hat or headband, or removable attached to the hat or headband by a hook and loop concept.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventors: Banning Lary, Todd Pendleton Lary
  • Patent number: 6719446
    Abstract: A semiconductor light source for illuminating a physical space has been invented. In various embodiments of the invention, a semiconductor such as and LED chip, laser chip, LED chip array, laser array, an array of chips, or a VCSEL chip is mounted on a heat sink. The heat sink may have multiple panels for mounting chips in various orientations. The chips may be mounted directly to a primary heat sink which is in turn mounted to a multi-panel secondary heat sink. A TE cooler and air circulation may be provided to enhance heat dissipation. An AC/DC converter may be included in the light source fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Densen Cao
  • Publication number: 20040066651
    Abstract: A light source system, comprising light emitting diodes with different light emitting colors arranged at a predetermined ratio of quantities of diodes, the ratio of quantities of diodes is determined based on light emitting status for each diode of each color so that a projected light has chromaticity of a desired color, and total quantity of the light emitting diodes is set so as to satisfy the ratio of quantities of diodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Yuko Harumoto
  • Publication number: 20040066652
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a light emitting lamp for controlling various brightness and color more efficiently. The light emitting lamp having plural red color emitting device, green color emitting device, and blue color emitting device; comprises an input means for inputting the control request signal of brightness and color by a user, a brightness control means for generating a digital control signal modulated in amplitude wherein the digital control signal has a plurality of signal levels in accordance with the request signal of brightness, a color control means for generating a digital control signal modulated in pulse-width wherein the digital control signal has a plurality of signal level in accordance with the request signal of color, wherein the brightness and color of plurality of the emitting device are controlled by the digital control signal modulated in amplitude and pulse-width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Sam-Pyo Hong
  • Patent number: 6709128
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for curing a curable material within a dimensionally restricted space, wherein the curable material is configured to be cured by exposure to electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a grip, an elongate portion extending from the grip, and a curing element coupled with the elongate portion at a location spaced from the grip. The curing element is configured to produce electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength suitable for curing the composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Ocumed, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Y. Gordon, Edo Ziring, Larry DeSoto
  • Patent number: 6692136
    Abstract: A hybrid lighting system for producing white light including at least one light emitting diode and phosphor-light emitting diode. The hybrid lighting system exhibits improved performance over conventional LED lighting systems that use LEDs or phosphor-LEDs to produce white light. In particular, the hybrid system of the invention permits different lighting system performance parameters to be addressed and optimized as deemed important, by varying the color and number of the LEDs and/or the phosphor of the phosphor LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Marshall, Michael D. Pashley, Stephen Herman
  • Patent number: 6685339
    Abstract: The specification and drawings describe and show one embodiment of the present invention in the form of a sparkle light bulb with a plurality of different colored LED bulbs controlled by a circuit that selectively operates the LED bulbs in color wash mode or color dance mode. The controller circuit also has memory for further selectively locking the LED bulbs in a desired color pattern. The sparkle light housing has guides for aligning and guiding the lamp bulb into a multi-pin receptacle. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope of meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Polaris Pool Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Daughtry, Douglas Ruthenberg
  • Patent number: 6682662
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp cover which comprises a transparent resin containing a fluorescent brightening agent so as to cut off 90% or more of the rays of 410 nm or less, wherein the fluorescent brightening agent is represented by the following formula (I): wherein R1 and R4 each represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an alkoxyl group; R2 and R3 each represents an alkyl group; and [A] represents a substituted aryl or substituted ethenyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Usami, Teruo Nagano, Tadahisa Sato, Katsuyoshi Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 6682207
    Abstract: A light emitting device comprises a light emitting diode that emits primary light and a SrGa2S4:Eu2+ phosphor material capable of absorbing at least a portion of the primary light and emitting secondary light. The secondary light includes a wavelength longer than a wavelength of the primary light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Lumileds Lighting U.S., LLC
    Inventors: Andreas G. Weber, Gregory M. Cutler, William R. Trutna, Jr., Gerd O. Muller, Regina B. Muller-Mach
  • Patent number: 6676282
    Abstract: A headlamp (2; 3) of a vehicle (1) has a light source (4; 5) comprising a plurality of opto-electronic elements (11; 12; 13; 14), preferably light-emitting diodes (LED's). At least one of these opto-electronic elements (11; 12; 13; 14) has, in operation, a luminous flux of 5 lm or higher. According to the invention, the spectral characteristic of the light beam (6, 6′; 7, 7′) generated by the light source (4; 5) depends upon the position in the light beam (6, 6′; 7, 7′). Preferably, the light source (4; 5) comprises opto-electronic elements (11; 12; 13; 14) only. The light beam comprises at least two light beam segments (6, 6′; 7, 7′) having essentially different spectral characteristics. Preferably, one of the light beam segments (6′; 7′) is mesotopically tuned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Simon H. A. Begemann, Gerard Harbers
  • Publication number: 20040004826
    Abstract: A light emitting apparatus comprising: a light guiding member that projects light, that is incident on an end face thereof, through a principal plane; and a plurality of light emitting diodes that are optically coupled with the end face, wherein the light guiding member has a protruding surface formed in part of the end face thereof and comprises a first light introducing portion that is formed on the protruding surface and is optically coupled to a first light emitting diode, and a second light introducing portion that is optically coupled to a second light emitting diode and is formed on the rest of the end face, and the first and second light emitting diodes are capable of emitting color-blended light having two or more peaks in the spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Ryosuke Wakaki, Hiroshi Tominaga, Kazumasa Kurokawa
  • Publication number: 20030227774
    Abstract: A lamp has LED sources that are placed about a lamp axis in an axial arrangement. The lamp includes a post with post facets where the LED sources are mounted. The lamp includes a segmented reflector for guiding light from the LED sources. The segmented reflector includes reflective segments each of which is illuminated primarily by light from one of the post facets (e.g., one of the LED sources on the post facet). The LED sources may be made up of one or more LED dies. The LED dies may include optic-on-chip lenses to direct the light from each post facet to a corresponding reflective segment. The LED dies may be of different sizes and colors chosen to generate a particular far-field pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Paul S. Martin, R. Scott West, Daniel A. Steigerwald
  • Patent number: 6634770
    Abstract: A semiconductor light source for illuminating a physical space has been invented. In various embodiments of the invention, a semiconductor such as and LED chip, laser chip, LED chip array, laser array, an array of chips, or a VCSEL chip is mounted on a heat sink. The heat sink may have multiple panels for mounting chips in various orientations. The chips may be mounted directly to a primary heat sink which is in turn mounted to a multi-panel secondary heat sink. A TE cooler and air circulation may be provided to enhance heat dissipation. An AC/DC converter may be included in the light source fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Densen Cao
  • Patent number: 6634771
    Abstract: A semiconductor light source for illuminating a physical space has been invented. In various embodiments of the invention, a semiconductor such as and LED chip, laser chip, LED chip array, laser array, an array of chips, or a VCSEL chip is mounted on a heat sink. The heat sink may have multiple panels for mounting chips in various orientations. The chips may be mounted directly to a primary heat sink which is in turn mounted to a multi-panel secondary heat sink. A TE cooler and air circulation may be provided to enhance heat dissipation. An AC/DC converter may be included in the light source fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Densen Cao
  • Patent number: 6623135
    Abstract: An illuminating writing instrument useful for persons afflicted with hypotonia comprises: (a) a housing having a lower end and an upper end; (b) a writing core located within the housing, wherein the writing core has a first end which extends beyond the lower housing end and a second end; (c) a head having a first head end which operatively interfaces the writing core second end, and a second head end; (d) a force applying member which is operatively associated with the head; and (e) an electrical circuit which comprises in electrical connection: (i) a power source, (ii) a first switch electrically operatively associated with the power source, (iii) a second switch which is operatively associated with the second head end, wherein the second switch is capable of generating a signal responsive to force being applied to the writing core first end, and (iv) a multicolor indicator operatively associated with the first and second switches and capable of receiving signals from the first and second switches
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Inventor: Jason L. Moss
  • Patent number: 6572241
    Abstract: A lighting system comprises a plurality of adjacent light sources of different colors. Each light source has a wide angle beam in a first plane and a narrower angled beam in a substantial perpendicular second plane. As a result, efficient mixing of light is achieved in the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Isometrix Lighting & Design Limited
    Inventors: Arnold Chan, Jonathan Coles
  • Patent number: 6561685
    Abstract: A light assembly for exterior rearview mirrors of vehicles has a support and one or more first LEDs provided as luminous bodies arranged on the support. Two or more second LEDs are provided as luminous bodies and arranged on the support. The first LEDs have a current intensity that is higher than the current intensity of the second LEDs. At least one of the first LEDs is series connected to at least two of the second LEDs, and the at least two second LEDs are parallel connected to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Reitter & Schefenacker GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christine Weber, Helmut Eberspächer, Thomas Klett, Robert Apfelbeck
  • Patent number: 6554444
    Abstract: A gazing point illuminating device is provided with: a light source; a direction changing mechanism for changing the lighting direction of the light source; a gazing direction detector for detecting the direction of the user's gazing line; and a controller for changing the lighting direction corresponding to the detected gazing direction. When, LEDs are used as the light source, and the light source is attached to the goggles worn by a user, the goggles can be useful gazing point illuminating device by themselves even if they do not include gazing point or direction detectors, because a person normally look straight ahead except for unusual occasions where he/she purposefully avert his/her gaze. Thus, an illuminating device fixed to a person's head for lighting forward is a gazing point illuminating device. It is preferred to provide an LED panel at the left and right ends of goggles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Kansai Technology Licensing Organization Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun-ichi Shimada, Yoichi Kawakami, Shigeo Fujita
  • Publication number: 20030063462
    Abstract: An illumination light source includes four different types of LEDs, namely a blue light-emitting diode 11 emitting blue light, a blue-green light-emitting diode 12 emitting blue-green light, an orange light-emitting diode 13 emitting orange light and a red light-emitting diode 14 emitting red light. Thus, an illumination light source having high efficiency and high color rendering performance is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Masanori Shimizu, Yoko Shimomura, Hideo Nagai, Tetsushi Tamura, Nobuyuki Matsui
  • Patent number: 6536914
    Abstract: An illumination system for illuminating a display device (3) comprises a light-emitting panel (1) having a light-emission window (2) and at least one edge surface (4) for coupling light into the light-emitting panel (1). The illumination system further comprises a light mixing chamber (5) provided with a light source (6). The light mixing chamber (5) is associated with the edge surface (4). According to the invention, the light source (6) comprises a plurality of clusters of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) having different light-emission wavelengths, the clusters being arranged at a pitch P with respect to each other. The ratio of the height H of the light mixing chamber (5) to the pitch P of the clusters meets the relation 0.1≦H/P≦10, preferably 0.2≦H/P≦2. Preferably, each cluster comprises one blue, one green and one red LED, or one blue, two green and one red LEDs. Preferably, each LED has a luminous flux of at least 5 lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Christoph Gerard August Hoelen, Gerard Harbers
  • Publication number: 20030035288
    Abstract: A colorful decorative light is disclosed. The colorful light includes a length of flexible core provided with mini-bulbs and wires electrically connecting to the mini-bulbs, and a substantially transparent outer covering encasing the core. In addition, a colorful and transparent cladding is arranged between the core and the outer covering, in order to provide a fancy decoration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventor: Tsui-Tuan Wong
  • Publication number: 20030016532
    Abstract: A flexible light emitting diode (LED) lamp. The flexible LED lamp includes a base, an LED lamp head, and a flexible mid region disposed between the base and the LED lamp head. The LED lamp head is detachable or replaceable to obtain different colors, upgrade to improved LED lighting technology, or replace a defective component. The LED lamp head includes one or more LEDs coupled to a printed circuit board and a lens to spread the light generated by the LEDs to provide a larger area of illumination. The base of the flexible LED lamp has a clip to couple an object, such as a music stand, table or a book case. The flexible mid region allows the LED lamp head to be moved into a position where illumination is desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventor: David Reed
  • Patent number: 6499860
    Abstract: An LED lamp has a gear column which is connected between a cap and a substrate. The substrate is provided with a regular polyhedron of at least four planes, the planes having at least one LED which has a luminous flux of at least 5 lm. The gear column also has a heat-dissipater which interconnect the substrate and the lamp cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Simon H. A. Begemann
  • Publication number: 20020186557
    Abstract: The current invention utilizes the common baseball-type hat or headband, to which is attached one or more arrays of light emitting diodes. It is the object of this invention to provide an efficient lighting apparatus which embodies the principles of an adjustable hat or headband worn on the head, to which a battery-powered light emitting diodeing apparatus is either permanently attached to the hat or headband, or removable attached to the hat or headband by a hook and loop concept.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Banning Lary, Todd Pendleton Lary
  • Patent number: 6491408
    Abstract: A pen-size inspection lamp for detecting fluorescent materials. The inspection lamp includes a lamp housing, an extendible handle, and at least one LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Spectronics Corporation
    Inventors: B. William Cooper, Gustavo Garcia
  • Patent number: 6471369
    Abstract: An outdoor light fixture for use with a specifically selected gas discharge lamp which emits a predetermined light of wavelengths that are least visible to sea turtles but visible to humans which adequately illuminates outdoor human living spaces for safety without harming sea turtle nesting activity. The light fixture includes an illumination tube having a specifically selected gas discharge tube, power supply circuitry having a first and second transformer and bridge rectifier for low and high voltage control, and a lamp housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Lighting the Way Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: John Valella, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6466135
    Abstract: There is provided a blue-green illumination system, comprising a light emitting diode, and at least one luminescent material having at least two peak emission wavelengths, wherein the emission CIE color coordinates of the at least two peak emission wavelengths are located within an area of a pentagon on a CIE chromaticity diagram, whose corners have the following CIE color coordinates: e) x=0.0137 and y=0.4831; b) x=0.2240 and y=0.3890; c) x=0.2800 and y=0.4500; g) x=0.2879 and y=0.5196; and h) x=0.0108 and y=0.7220. The illumination system may be used as the green light of a traffic signal. The luminescent material may be a blend of (Ba1-xEux)Mg2Al6O27 (“BAM”) and (Ba1-xEux)Mg2-yMnyAl16O27 (“BAMMn”) phosphors, where 0<x≦0.2 and 0<y≦0.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alok Mani Srivastava, Thomas Francis McNulty, Holly Ann Comanzo
  • Publication number: 20020126478
    Abstract: A back lighting system for illuminating a display device comprises a light-emitting panel (1) and a light source (6) for coupling light into the light-emitting panel (1). The light source comprises a low-pressure discharge lamp (6; 7). According to the invention, the light source additionally comprises a plurality of LEDs (8, 8′, . . . ; 9, 9′, . . . ) for selectively setting the color temperature of the light emitted by the light source. Preferably, the LEDs (8, 8′, . . . ; 9, 9′, . . . ) increase the color temperature of the light emitted by the light source. Preferably, the light emitted by the back lighting system ranges from 6,000 to 10,500 K. Preferably, the LEDs (8, 8′, . . . ; 9, 9′, . . . ) are blue light emitting LEDs, each preferably having a luminous flux of at least 5 lm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Hugo Johan Cornelissen, Horst Greiner, John Alfred Clarke
  • Patent number: 6439731
    Abstract: A device and method for backlighting a liquid crystal display device using an array of light emitting diodes mounted in a cavity behind the liquid crystal display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Johnson, Steve Wolfe, Keith Deutch, Scott Hoffman, Darrell Henke, Saied Barakchi
  • Patent number: 6428175
    Abstract: An advisory lighting with a luminous body has at least one light-radiating light outlet surface. The light outlet surface is divided up into part surfaces radiating in various colours. A light source arrangement radiates light into the luminous body, wherein the luminous body has a light conducting plate arrangement or a hollow body arrangement with limiting walls. The luminous body is composed of light conducting plates or hollow bodies arranged above, next to and/or in each other and having various part surfaces. Various light sources are assigned to the light conducting plates or hollow bodies, corresponding to the part surfaces radiating in various colors, which light sources radiate variously coloured light into the respective light conducting plates or hollow bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Dr.-Ing. Willing GmbH
    Inventor: Achim Willing
  • Publication number: 20020075679
    Abstract: A dual mode visible and infrared lighthead (100) for use as a landing light or searchlight. The dual mode lighthead incorporates a modular design wherein at least one visible light source (200) and at least one infrared diode (302) are mounted into the rear sector (128) of a housing (102). Visible or infrared light is emitted out of the front sector (122) of the housing (102). Lenses (308) are installed onto the front sector (122) of housing (102) and sealed to protect the interior of the lighthead (100) from the elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Nicolo F. Machi, Michael D. Burton
  • Patent number: 6406172
    Abstract: A headlamp (2; 3) of a vehicle (1) has a light source (4; 5) comprising a plurality of opto-electronic elements (11; 12; 13; 14), preferably light-emitting diodes (LEDs). At least one of these opto-electronic elements (11; 12; 13; 14) has, in operation, a luminous flux of 5 lm or higher. According to the invention, the spatial distribution of the light beam (6, 6′, . . . ; 7, 7′, . . . ) generated by the light source (4; 5) is continuously adjustable. Preferably, the light source (4; 5) comprises opto-electronic elements (11; 12; 13; 14) only. Preferably, the spatial distribution is influenced by the speed of the vehicle (1), the rotational position of the steering wheel of the vehicle (1), the weather conditions, and it can also be influenced by the driver of the vehicle (1). Preferably, the spectral characteristics of the light beam (6, 6′, . . . ; 7, 7′, . . . ) generated by the light source (4; 5) depend on the position in the light beam (6, 6′, . . . ; 7, 7′, . . . ).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Gerard Harbers, Simon H. A. Begemann
  • Publication number: 20020060908
    Abstract: An electronic display is disclosed and includes a radiation source (14) and a layer (13). The layer (13) contains a matrix of particles (15) that emit visible light to illuminate the display in response to operation of the radiation source (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventor: Steven Doe
  • Patent number: 6392359
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing wavelength variations between light emitting diodes (LEDs) is provided that determines an emission wavelength of each of a plurality of LEDs at a common drive current, and drives each of the plurality of LEDs with a respective operational drive current such that wavelength variations between the plurality of LEDs, when driven at the respective operational drive currents, is less than wavelength variations between the plurality of LEDs when driven at the common drive current. This system and method of the invention minimizes wavelength variations between LEDs, thereby allowing the use of more, and in some cases all, of the LEDs that are fabricated from a single semiconductor wafer, or multiple semiconductor wafers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Gelcore, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Drake C. Stalions
  • Patent number: 6390640
    Abstract: A lighted mask for underwater divers utilizing a monochromatic blue-green LED light source secured to the mask directing light to the front of the face plate of the mask and having a push button control mounted on the mask for actuating the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: American Underwater Products Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Wong, Ralph Osterhout
  • Publication number: 20020048170
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for uniform illumination of an object is presented. A plurality of light sources is adjusted relative to a base in order to give a defined illumination pattern with respect to the base. Then, the light sources are rigidly affixed to the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Tomasz Momot, Adam Jacobs
  • Patent number: 6357889
    Abstract: A color tunable light source (10) includes multiple light emitting components (32, 34, 36), such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) or laser diodes (LDs) with different emission wavelengths, and multiple phosphors (24) with different excitation and emission wavelengths. The emission wavelengths of the different light emitting components are chosen to match the excitation wavelengths of the different phosphors. The light emitting components are powered by an electrical circuit (42, 44, 46), which allows separate control of the optical power output of the different wavelength LEDs/LDs. The light from the light emitting components is arranged to impinge on the combination of phosphors such that the phosphors are excited and emit light at their characteristic wavelengths. By separately adjusting the power to each LED/LD, the amount of light emitted by each phosphor, and hence, through color mixing, the color of the light emitted, is varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anil R. Duggal, Alok M. Srivastava, Lionel M. Levinson, Steven J. Duclos
  • Patent number: 6336733
    Abstract: A lamp shade for a Christmas light includes a Christmas light having a pair of flexible hooks on the opposing outer circumferences of the socket and a pair of snap projections on the opposing outer circumferences of the socket alternative with the hooks and a colored lamp shade which has an olives-shaped body, a circular extension on the bottom of the body engageable with the top of the light, a pair of openings in the opposing circumferential walls of the extension to define a pair of damper ends thereaside engageable with the hooks and a pair of elongate slots in the opposing circumferential walls of the extension alternate with the openings and made engageable with the snap projections in a snap fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventor: Shun-Feng Huang
  • Patent number: 6313754
    Abstract: An escape light instrument using as its light source a fluorescent lamp, mainly derives its luminescence from luminophors the peak ranges of whose luminescent wavelength are from 530 to 580 nm and from 600 to 650 nm, said luminophors having 30 nm or less of half band width, wherein a luminous flux derived from a luminophor the peak range of whose luminescent wavelength is from 420 to 470 nm accounts for 4 to 10% of a total luminous flux in said main luminescent wavelength, and which permits categorical discrimination of at least green and white transmitted colors used on the sign face, and has a luminous color of 5 or more in Duv.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoko Shimomura, Masanori Shimizu, Yoshinori Tanabe
  • Patent number: 6286984
    Abstract: A light for motor vehicles has a housing having a peripheral edge. A light screen is connected to the peripheral edge of the housing. At least one light source is arranged at least at a portion of the peripheral edge behind the light screen within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Reitter & Schefenacker GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Roland Berg
  • Patent number: 6273589
    Abstract: A light source having emissions in a plurality of spectral bands. The simplest light source according to the present invention is constructed from first and second light sources and a dichroic beam splitter. The first and second solid state light sources emit light in first and second bands of non or only partially-overlapping wavelengths. The dichroic beam splitter combines light from the first and second solid state light sources by passing light in the first band while reflecting light in the second band to generate light having a spectral content in the first and second bands. The solid state light sources are preferably arrays of LEDs, VCSELs, or edge emitting semiconductor lasers. A light source having improved radiance in the green region of the spectrum can be constructed by utilizing first and second solid state light sources that emit in different bands in the green portion of the spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas G. Weber, Gergory M. Cutler, William R. Trutna, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6273594
    Abstract: A vehicle indicator lamp is described that radiates red light and which has a superior sense of transparency and an excellent appearance. The lamp includes a cylindrical red transparent cap around a light-source bulb with respect to a lamp chamber for a rear fog lamp. A reflective surface forms the rear portion of the lamp chamber and diffuses and reflects light from the light-source bulb. A portion of a front lens is formed of a colorless transparent lens. When the lamp chamber is observed from the front, the reflective surface is visible through the colorless transparent lens and the red color of the red transparent cap can be seen reflected on the entire surface of the reflective surface or a part thereof. As a result, the sense of transparency of the lamp fixture is improved and the vehicle indicator lamp exhibits a novel appearance compared with that of conventional lamps having a single front red lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshimi Ikeda, Kazuhiro Hanamori
  • Patent number: 6238068
    Abstract: A bed lighting system for a truck bed or other wheeled vehicle having a bed with rails which includes a plurality of lamps coupled via a switch to a power source. The lamps are installed on the undersides of the top rails of the truck bed. The lamps are sized such that they fit within the top rail of the side wall and do not extend substantially below a bottom lip of the top rail. In this manner, the lamps are protected from weather and from accidental damage caused by contact with objects contained within the truck bed. Further, the lamps are substantially hidden from view even when a tailgate of a truck is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas Edward Farmer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6224224
    Abstract: A large distributed cold-light pattern device comprises from front to back a transparent plate, a color excited layer, a plurality of cold-light units, a plurality of soft cables, a back plate, a cold-light control circuit board, at least a converter, and a power supply. The color excited layer is capable of transforming electromagnetic wavelengths. The color excited layer covers on the back of the thicker transparent plate having supporting function. The luminous surface of each cold-light unit is mounted at the desired place on the color excited layer and is linked with the color excited layer. Each soft cable is individually connected to the lead-out line terminal of each cold-light unit. The overlapping part of each cold-light unit and each soft cable is then laminated. The back plate is installed fixedly on the back of each cold-light unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Limate Corporation
    Inventor: Hsiung Bear
  • Patent number: 6213613
    Abstract: Lighting device for instruments on a dashboard especially of motor vehicles with at least one light source for the at least partial illumination of the instruments of the dashboard in this manner that between the at least one light source and the instrument—fields which are to be illuminated at least one selective light filter which is transluceable for a shortwaved, blue spectral range and closes at least approximately the middle and long spectral range, is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Papst Licensing GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rolf Muller
  • Patent number: 6210010
    Abstract: An illuminated pushbutton has a display assembly which is movable relative to a fixed part containing a switch assembly. The display assembly contains a plurality of solid state light generating devices which can individually or in combination provide illumination with variable coloring characteristics. A flexible circuit element connects these devices to electronic circuitry in the fixed part which controls the coloration of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: G. & A. Engineering S.R.L.
    Inventors: Antonio Pontetti, Giorgia Pontetti
  • Patent number: 6203170
    Abstract: A device for attracting and/or repelling fish comprises an array of visible light emitting diodes encased in a water resistant, protective housing which is substantially transparent to the visible light emitted by the diodes. In one preferred embodiment, a cylindrical housing containing the diode array is attached to a float, on the upper surface of which is provided a photovoltaic module which charges a battery located in a lower portion of the housing. In other preferred embodiments, the device is adapted to be submerged below the surface of a body of water and is connected to a remote power supply. The device is preferably used to attract fish, with the diodes emitting visible light in the green, blue and violet regions of the visible spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventors: Paul H. Patrick, Scott Poulton