Distinct Light Units Patents (Class 362/236)
  • Patent number: 7661842
    Abstract: A structure of a supporting assembly for a surface mount device LED and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The structure of a supporting assembly comprises a plate and a substrate of LEDs. The plate has a plurality of supporting areas and a plurality of lenses each of which is respectively disposed on each supporting area. The substrate of LEDs comprises a metallic plate unit and a plurality of a surface mount device LED units each formed on the metallic plate unit. Moreover, the plate is combined with the metallic plate unit, so that each lens is respectively assembled with the corresponding surface mounting device LED unit. Via the above-mentioned structure, mass produced lenses can be assembled with and positioned on the corresponding LED units at the same time. The processes are modified and the production rate is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: I-Chiun Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wan-Shun Chou
  • Publication number: 20090310355
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a segmented light guide includes a light channeling layer having a plurality of regions, with multiple slits in the light channeling layer dividing neighboring regions. The segmented light guide also includes at least one light source associated with the light channeling layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES ECBU IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Muh Fong Chung, Sian Tatt Lee, Choon Guan Ko, Fook Chuin Ng
  • Patent number: 7628509
    Abstract: The variable color LED optical source comprises first, second, and third LEDs, each disposed to generate a linearly polarized optical signal; a first beam splitter cube that is optically coupled to the first and second LEDs; a first half-wave plate that is optically coupled to the first beam splitter cube so that it is capable of rotating the polarization orientation of an optical signal emitted from the first beam splitter cube; a second half-wave plate that is optically coupled to the third LED so that it is capable of rotating the polarization orientation of the third optical signal; and a second beam splitter cube that is optically coupled to the first and second half-wave plates so that the second beam splitter cube is capable of emitting a fourth optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Richard Scheps
  • Patent number: 7614766
    Abstract: A modular illumination device with adjustable illumination modules includes a substrate, a rotating element, a reflective element, an adjustable element, and a light-emitting element. The rotating element is rotatably disposed on the substrate and rotates corresponding to the substrate. The reflective element pivots on the rotating element and pivots corresponding to the substrate. The adjustable element is moveably disposed on the substrate and is moved corresponding to the reflective element. The light-emitting element is disposed on the adjustable element. The modular illumination device can be adjusted to shine light at any angle or in any direction. Furthermore, a plurality of illumination modules are combined to form the modular illumination device. By adjusting the lighting range and direction of the illumination modules respectively, the illumination device has different illumination ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Harvatek Corporation
    Inventors: Bily Wang, Hui-Chung Lin, Shih-Yu Wu
  • Publication number: 20090244892
    Abstract: An LED lamp comprises an envelope, two heat sinks respectively disposed at two opposite ends of the envelope, two LED modules respectively received in the two heat sinks, and two light guide plates respectively mounted in the two heat sinks and over the LED modules. Each light guide plate is located at a light route of the LED module to reflect light emitting from the LED module into several light beams. The light beams are first emitted into a central hole of the envelope, spread on an interior of the envelope around the central hole and radiate out of the LED lamp from an exterior of the envelope. The central hole has a round shape, while the exterior has a triangular shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicants: FU ZHUN PRECISION INDUSTRY (SHEN ZHEN) CO., LTD., FOXCONN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ye-Ke Xie, Yong-Dong Chen, Shih-Hsun Wung
  • Publication number: 20090213591
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reflective member (7). The reflective member (7) includes a reflective layer 61 (7) formed to be porous using an inorganic material. The reflective layer 61 (7) has a porosity of 15-43%. Such reflective layer 61 (7) is formed by partly combining a plurality of inorganic particles with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kousuke Katabe, Yuki Mori
  • Patent number: 7572030
    Abstract: A novel optical design based on a faceted conical or curved reflector centered within an upward facing circular array of light emitting diodes (LED) and protected by a transparent cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Carmanah Technologies Corp.
    Inventors: Ian Booth, Brock Johnston
  • Patent number: 7560677
    Abstract: A solid state lighting system controls overall light output level in a step-wise manner by discretely controlling the ON/OFF state of its light emitters. Solid state emitters that are ON at a given time are set and kept at a level intended to produce a desired output characteristic, e.g. at a level to produce a described color of light. The system utilizes optical processing of the generated light, for example by diffuse reflection in an optical integrating cavity, sufficient to convert the point source output(s) from the emitting elements into a uniform virtual source output. The virtual source output appears uniform regardless of how many emitters are ON or OFF, and only the perceptible intensity of the light output changes with the number of emitters that the system has ON.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Renaissance Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve S. Lyons, Michael E. Garbus, Jr., Matthew H. Aldrich
  • Patent number: 7559664
    Abstract: A low profile backlighted display includes a translucent display piece having a viewable surface. A casing is configured expose at least a portion of the viewable surface. The display piece may have a perimeter, and the casing may conform generally to the perimeter of the display piece. An illumination cavity is configured within the casing and is behind the viewable surface of the display piece. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are located within the illumination cavity. At least one of the LEDs may be configured to backlight the display piece, and one or more of the LEDs may be configured to emit essentially only non-visible light. A passive element may be configured to backlight the viewable surface when excited by non-visible light from the non-visible light LEDs. The plurality of LEDs and the passive element collectively provide an essentially uniform back light illumination of the viewable surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Inventors: John V. Walleman, Malan D. Rampton
  • Patent number: 7559671
    Abstract: An illumination system including a beam splitter, a first lamp, a second lamp, a first reflector, a second reflector, and a light uniforming element is provided. The first and the second lamp emit a first beam and a second beam to the beam splitter, respectively. A part of the first beam reflected by the beam splitter and a part of the second beam passing through the beam splitter constitute a third beam, and the other part of the first beam passing through the beam splitter and the other part of the second beam reflected by the beam splitter constitute a fourth beam. The first reflector and the second reflector reflect the third beam and the fourth beam, respectively. The light uniforming element is disposed on transmission paths of the reflected third beam and the reflected fourth beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Young Optics Inc.
    Inventors: Yu-Tsung Lee, Ya-Ling Hsu, Chin-Yuan Cheng
  • Patent number: 7547113
    Abstract: A LED full-color lighting device contains a control unit, a light source unit, and a light display unit. The control unit relies on at least a potentiometer to apply various voltages to constant current sources, which in turn individually vary the current conducting through the red, green and blue LEDs of the light source unit, so as to deliver light of various colors. The colored light emitted from the light source unit can be easily and conveniently adjusted to fit a user's specific preference and mood. Colored patterns or textures can be formed on the light display unit so that the color of the light of the light source unit would mix with the colors of the patterns or textures to produce a visual effect as if some of the patterns or textures are changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Iprset (Taiwan) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei-Chiang Lee
  • Patent number: 7537356
    Abstract: A method for improving color purity of a light source module is provided. The light source module includes a light source suitable for emitting color lights with different wavelengths and a transparent cover encapsulating the light source. In the method, a light filtering material is coated on or doped into the transparent cover to absorb part of the color lights with specific wavelengths. Besides, a light source module which adopts the method is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Yeh Huang, Yao-Tung Wang
  • Publication number: 20090122542
    Abstract: An auxiliary illumination device includes a circuit board, a lamp cover including a high illumination light cover mounted on the circuit board and a low illumination light cover mounted on the circuit board, and at least two lamps electrically connected to the circuit board and disposed inside the high illumination light cover and the low illumination light cover respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: FU-YEN TSENG, CHIA-WEN LIAO
  • Patent number: 7515343
    Abstract: The invention provides an image projection system including a first light source and a second light source. Light from the first light source is limited to a finite number of limited wavelength intervals. An imaging device is adapted for modulating light from the first and second light sources. A beam combiner is provided to combine light from the light sources and direct the combined light to the imaging device. Modulated light from the imaging device is directed to a lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Oerlikon Trading AG, Trubbach
    Inventors: Johannes Edlinger, Claus Heine-Kempkens
  • Publication number: 20090086484
    Abstract: A downlight system includes a substrate. One or more light emitting diodes are disposed on a surface of the substrate for emitting light in a single direction. A respective primary optic for providing a substantially even color of light is optically coupled to a respective one of each of said one or more light emitting diodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventor: Stephen G. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20090086467
    Abstract: A lighted background for mounting on a wall of an aquarium fish tank or the like includes a front panel having an image formed thereon. Light apertures are formed through the front panel and lighting is provided behind the panel to direct light through the apertures. Translucent material covering the apertures and reflective material behind the lights enhances the lighting effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Darlene K. Stuhr, Donald E. Stuhr
  • Patent number: 7510309
    Abstract: A lighting assembly includes a base plate having a longitudinal axis and a pair of linear edges equidistantly spaced therefrom. The linear edges extend parallel to the axis and along a longitudinal length of the plate. The linear edges are provided with a flange portion formed therewith and extending along a length thereof. The flange portions terminate at a predetermined distance above a top surface of the plate. Light fixtures are adjustably positional along the plate, and each of the fixtures has an LED housed therein. Slots are formed within the plate, and each of the slots has first, second, third and fourth segments aligned along offset quadrants. A mechanism slides the light fixtures within the slots and another mechanism locks the light fixtures within corresponding ones of the slots. A mechanism under mounts the linear edges to a bottom surface of a support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventors: Dorothy J. Rizzo, Joseph W. Rizzo
  • Publication number: 20090080191
    Abstract: An exemplary indicating lamps device includes a casing comprising a panel defining a plurality of through holes therein. The casing houses a plurality of lamps and a plurality of opaque light shields therein. Each lamp includes a light source and a light pillar extending from the light source into the through holes to transmit light emitted by the light source to an exterior of the casing via the corresponding through hole. The opaque light shields are sleeved around circumferential outer surfaces of the light pillars respectively, for preventing light transmitted in the light pillars from leaking out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHIN-YI WU
  • Patent number: 7506996
    Abstract: A vehicle display includes two colored light sources that are operatively connected to a circuit board. Each of the two colored light sources emits a colored light that mixes to form a desired color of display light that illuminates a vehicle graphic. The desired color of display light is within a predetermined color tolerance. The vehicle display achieves a small size without incurring added expenses associated with using more than two light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Vyacheslav B. Birman, Christian Tanguy, Werner Eckardt, Shirley Yu
  • Patent number: 7494243
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus configured to generate multi-color light and that may be operated in a variety of visual modes. The illumination apparatus may have, e.g., a housing having a display surface, first and second multi-color light sources directing light onto the display surface, and a perforated shield coupled to the housing. At least a portion of the light from each of the first and second multi-color light sources may be reflected from the display surface and pass through the shield. The illumination apparatus may further include one or more speakers that may operate in a variety of audio modes. The illumination apparatus may further produce full-spectrum white light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Whitegate Partners, LLC
    Inventor: Mason E. Murphy
  • Patent number: 7476003
    Abstract: A surface light source device having LED clusters arranged in a matrix of rows and columns on a board. Each of the LED clusters includes red, green and blue LEDs arranged in a triangle. The LED clusters are grouped into A, E, C and D, which have the red LEDs located top, right, bottom and left, respectively, from a center of the triangle. The matrix of the LED clusters includes alternating first and second type rows arranged repeatedly from top to bottom of the matrix, terminating with the second type row. The first type rows each have first type cluster arrays of the LED clusters arranged in a repeating order of E, C, D and C from left to right. The second type rows each have second type cluster arrays of the LED clusters arranged in a repeating order of A, D, A and D from left to right.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bum Jin Kim
  • Publication number: 20080316744
    Abstract: Two light sources 33A and 33B are disposed on a light entrance surface side of a light guiding plate 32. Deflection pattern elements 53A and 53B are disposed concentrically around a middle point Q between the light sources 33A and 33B. One deflection pattern element 53A is disposed in such a fashion that, in plan view, a direction of a normal to a light reflection surface thereof is parallel to a direction connecting the deflection pattern element 53A and the corresponding light source 33A. Also, the other deflection pattern element 53B is disposed in such a fashion that, in plan view, a direction of a normal to a light reflection surface thereof is parallel to a direction connecting the deflection pattern element 53B and the corresponding light source 33B. With such constitution, brightness of a surface light source device is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhide Hirota, Masayuki Shinohara
  • Patent number: 7462997
    Abstract: Apparatus and systems including one or more first LEDs, each first LED configured to generate first radiation having a first spectrum, and one or more second LEDs, each second LED configured to generate second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum. A diffuser is employed to blend the first radiation and the second radiation, when generated, so as to provide a uniform color of light having a visible spectrum based on a combination of the first spectrum and the second spectrum. One or more controllers are configured to control the first LED(s) and the second LED(s) such that visible light provided by the diffuser is perceived as one or more colors. In different aspects, the apparatus/systems may be configured to generate white light and/or multicolor light, may be formed to resemble conventional light bulbs, and may be arranged as a linear chain of nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: George G. Mueller, Ihor A. Lys
  • Publication number: 20080291674
    Abstract: A lighting device utilizing a light emitting diode (LED) light source for projection of a light pattern onto a surface with an LED lamp socket, an adjustable LED lens attachment, and a mechanism for varying the focal length by adjusting the distance from the LED lamp socket relative to the lens attachment. The device preferably utilizes a replaceable, multiple LED lamp as a light source and a lighting fixture allowing for imaging of the LED light source onto a surface at varying distances from the light source. The device illuminates a surface with an image of the LED element array present in the replaceable lamp. Through adjustment of the LED lamp light source with respect to the imaging lens, the image of the LED array may be focused and distorted for a desired visual effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: Calvin Rex Welsh, JR.
  • Patent number: 7449847
    Abstract: In one example, a lighting apparatus comprises a processor wherein the processor is configured to control a color-changing lighting effect generated by the lighting apparatus; wherein the processor is further configured to monitor an operating power source; and wherein the processor is further configured to synchronize the color-changing lighting effect in coordination with a parameter of the operating power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric K. Schanberger, Kevin J. Dowling
  • Patent number: 7441913
    Abstract: A lighting system (10) for displays, in particular in motor vehicles, comprises: a support (12), at least one first lighting means (14) for punctiform illumination, which is disposed on the support (12), a second lighting means (16) for punctiform illumination, which is disposed on the support (12), and a transparent cover (18), which is arranged at a distance from the support (12) on the side of the support with the first and second lighting means (14, 16), and which has at least one symbol (20) to be illuminated from behind by the first and second lighting means (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Lisa Dräxlmaier GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Bayersdorfer
  • Patent number: 7427145
    Abstract: A backlight unit including a substrate disposed thereon with conductive lines, a plurality of light emitting diodes each bonded to an upper surface of the substrate and spaced a predetermined distance apart from the substrate, and electrically connected to the conductive lines of the substrate; a transparent resin encompassing the plurality of light emitting diodes and formed on the upper surface of the substrate, and an optical transmission arrangement disposed on an upper surface of the transparent resin. Further, the arrangement includes a first layer for preventing light emitted from the light emitting diodes from being totally reflected by allowing an incident angle of the light to be less than a threshold angle, and a second layer for diffusing and emitting the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignees: LG Electronics Inc., LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Ho Jang, Young Joo Yee
  • Patent number: 7413327
    Abstract: A programmable and alternately configurable lighting fixture including a light emitting diode array adapted to affixed within a fixture housing. The lighting fixture includes a controller that is adapted to selectively power the plurality of light emitting diodes to provide two or more light beam patterns, each of the two or more light beam patterns selectively directable to two or more distinct lighting areas. The controller and the plurality of light emitting diodes are conductively connected to a power supply. The controller is programmable such that the lighting fixture is adaptable to various seating and lighting configurations, for instance a two seat/two beam configuration, a three seat/three beam configuration or a four seat/four beam configuration. Interchangeable lens assemblies are configured to appropriately direct and focus the selected number of lighting beams to the selected and distinct lighting areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Peter S. Guard, Erik I. Wiman
  • Patent number: 7401941
    Abstract: A flashlight includes a main member having top, a bottom, a front and a rear. The main member has a base a head and battery pack, wherein the head is pivoted on the base via a pivot to be flexed to the front. A first light source and a second light source are mounted on the head, wherein the second light source projects light that is substantially to that of the first light source. A hook is provided in a tunnel in the base to be drawn out or pushed into. The first and second light sources and the flexion of the head provide a greater illumination range and a function of adjusting the illuminating direction when it is hung.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Mobiletron Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-I Teng, Yen-Chieh Huang
  • Patent number: 7387405
    Abstract: Lighting apparatus and methods involving a plurality of light-emitting devices configured to emit radiation having at least two different spectra, in which the plurality of light-emitting devices are controlled to produce composite radiation having at least one resulting spectrum that simulates a desired spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Philips Solid-State Lighting Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred D. Ducharme, Frederick M. Morgan, Ihor A. Lys, Kevin J. Dowling, George G. Mueller
  • Patent number: 7385481
    Abstract: A signaling control device apparatus (10) comprises at least one LED (20) having a light emitting surface (18). A sensor (24) is set to detect an external light load (16) directed to the light emitting surface (18) and generate a control signal indicative of a presence of the light load (16). An electrical control system (14) detects the control signal indicative of the light load (16) and sources an elevated current to the LED (20) while the light load (16) is present. The elevated current increases the contrast ratio making the signal perceivable by the users as being in a particular state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Lumination LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Sommers, Chris Bohler, Patrick Martineau, Louis Brunet
  • Patent number: 7380960
    Abstract: An illumination system includes a beam splitting unit, a first lamp, a second lamp and a reflective component. The beam splitting unit has a splitting interface. One of the first lamp, the second lamp and the reflective component is disposed at one side of the beam splitting interface, and the others are disposed at the other side of the splitting interface. Moreover, a first beam and a second beam are respectively provided by the first lamp and the second lamp. The beam splitting unit is adapted to pass through a portion of the first beam and the second beam and reflect the other portion of the first beam and the second beam. The reflective component, the first lamp and the second lamp are adapted to reflect the collected portions of the first beam and the second beam back to the beam splitting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventor: Ko-Shun Chen
  • Patent number: 7355523
    Abstract: An addressable lighting device and control system uses a user-actuable infrared or radio frequency operated remote control(s) to selectively or collectively generate an electronic address for the addressable lighting device on which the device will respond to all future signals from the remote control corresponding to that electronic address. The addressable lighting device has a programming mode for setting the address and a working mode for receiving control signals on the set address and correspondingly setting the desired intensity level of light. The addressable device may have the address set and changed locally (manually) or remotely using the remote control to switch modes, thereby avoiding the problems, expenses and mistakes associated with using dual in-line package (DIP) switches, binary, hex rotary switches, or thumbwheel switches normally used to set each one of the system's unit's unique address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Inventor: Alberto Sid
  • Patent number: 7316494
    Abstract: A lighting unit for vehicles has a plurality of semiconductor light sources distributed in a grid. The grid of semiconductor light sources is divided into at least two grid segments, the grid segments being each activatable independently of each other and/or assigned to a different light functions, with an optical element in the beam path of a light beam emitted by the semiconductor light sources. The semiconductor light sources (3) are arranged on a common carrier substrate (5), with a chip cover (6) transparent to light in the direction of light propagation, in that the chip cover (6) is filled with a light-scattering and/or light-converting auxiliary material (8) and in that a shading device (9) is provided such that, in the boundary region between the activated grid segment (10) and the unactivated grid segment (11), a relatively steep transition of light intensity is adjustable to form a light/dark boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Karsten Eichhorn, Susanne Hagedorn
  • Patent number: 7302085
    Abstract: In order to improve an identification accuracy of a backlit number plate in a vehicle identification method and device which recognize a vehicle number from a number plate of a vehicle whose image is taken, an image frame of a vehicle is taken by an interlace method, irradiation is performed in an odd field and an even field composing the image frame with light of light quantities different from each other, images of the odd field and the even field are captured, and character recognition processing, only when character recognition processing of a number plate area extracted from an image of one field has ended in failure, of a number plate area extracted from an image of the other field is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Nobumasa Sasaki, Hiroaki Natori, Tamotsu Amamoto, Osamu Ikeda, Yutaka Maruta, Kunihiro Ikeda, Shinji Hidaka, Masashi Murakumo, Hiroyuki Nakashima
  • Patent number: 7274160
    Abstract: Illumination methods and apparatus, in which a first number of first light sources are adapted to generate first radiation having a first spectrum, and a second number of second light sources are adapted to generate second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum. In one example, the first number of the first light sources and the second number of the second light sources are different. In another example, a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation are independently controlled so as to controllably vary at least an overall perceivable color of generated visible radiation. In yet another example, a first control signal controls all of the first light sources substantially identically, and a second control signal controls all of the second light sources substantially identically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Color Kinetics Incorporated
    Inventors: George G. Mueller, Ihor A. Lys
  • Patent number: 7261423
    Abstract: High pressure mercury arc lamps are commonly used as the illumination source in many projection systems. Such lamps may be deficient in either output power or spectrum, and so it is desirable to combine the light from the lamp with light from a second light generator. The second light generator may be another mercury lamp or a solid state source, such as one or more light emitting diodes. Different ways of combining light from two light generators are described. The second light source may be an arrangement of a number of red LEDs that supplements the red light produced by the mercury light. A tunnel integrator may be used to homogenize the combined light beam and to reduce the angular separation between the light beams from the two light generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Simon Magarill, Boris Ardashnikov, R. Edward English, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7234836
    Abstract: A reflector arrangement for the adjustment of shadow in the field of photography and firm includes inner and outer reflectors which are arranged inside each other and in the region of a central axis of the reflector arrangement, in addition to a carrier element for receiving two illumination means arranged one behind the other. The carrier element is constructed as a focusing unit for the lighting means so that the focusing unit is slidable axially in a longitudinal direction of the center axis of the reflectors relative to the outer reflector. The inner reflector is arranged in the region of the lighting means on the focusing unit. The invention enables the parts of hard and soft light to be adjusted on the reflector arrangement, such that any characteristics can be adjusted using one and the same reflector arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Inventor: Hans-Werner Friedrich Briese
  • Patent number: 7229202
    Abstract: The invention concerns an illumination apparatus for an optical observation device (10), in particular a stereomicroscope or a stereo surgical microscope. A multi-armed light guide with coupler (2) mixes colored light emitted by light-emitting diodes (1a–c) to yield white mixed light (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems (Schweiz) AG
    Inventor: Ulrich Sander
  • Patent number: 7207693
    Abstract: Light display structures are provided that are simple and comprise few parts so that they can be economically fabricated from various polymers and quickly assembled. They are especially suited for carrying light-emitting elements and lend themselves for realization in a variety of forms such as elongate display structures and sheet-like display structures. They are based upon a plurality of light-emitting elements (e.g., light-emitting diodes) that are coupled between first and second conductors with the addition of other structures (e.g., spacers, wire bonds, tabs) that facilitate the energizing of the light-emitting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: AgiLight, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Ratcliffe
  • Patent number: 7188971
    Abstract: A lamp string set formed by a plurality of lighting elements which are connected in series, or in series and parallel, a support body receiving the plurality of lighting elements, and cover layer enveloping the lighting elements and the support body with insulator material, with its appearance having shape and pattern as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Inventors: Jeng-Shyong Wu, Ping-Huang Chang
  • Patent number: 7175302
    Abstract: A decorative lighting apparatus includes a decorative light strand having first, second, and third wires, each with a plurality of lamps coupled in series therealong, and a return wire coupled to ends of the first, the second, and the third wires. Each lamp of the plurality of lamps has a first light-emitting diode (LED) device coupled in parallel and in reverse orientation with a second LED device. The first, the second, and the third wires are positioned together such that each lamp of the first, the second, and the third pluralities are positioned adjacent to each other but sufficiently separated such that little or no color mixing occurs between the lamps. The apparatus also includes a controller adapted to control the plurality of lamps to provide different user-selectable color schemes in various simultaneously-illuminated combinations of color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Year-Round Creations, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Michael Kazar, John Jeffery Oskorep
  • Patent number: 7161313
    Abstract: Various exemplary implementations of light emitting diode (LED) based illumination products and methods are disclosed including, but not limited to, glow sticks, key chains, toys, balls, various game accessories, light bulbs, night lights, wall lights, wall switches, wall sockets, wall panels, modular lights, flexible lights, automotive lights, wearable accessories, light ropes, decorative lights such as icicles and icicle strings, light tubes, insect control lights and methods, and lighted air fresheners/scent dispensers. Any of the foregoing devices may be equipped with various types of user interfaces (both “local” and “remote”) to control light generated from the device. Additionally, devices may be controlled via light control information or programs stored in device memory and/or transmitted or downloaded to the devices (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Color Kinetics Incorporated
    Inventors: Colin Piepgras, George G. Mueller, Ihor A. Lys, Kevin J. Dowling, Frederick M. Morgan
  • Patent number: 7134776
    Abstract: A direct backlight includes a plastic spacer pin. The spacer pin is formed of a semispherical portion and a conical frustum portion. The spacer pin is disposed such that the thicker end of the conical frustum portion is coupled to the bottom surface of the chassis, with the semispherical portion placed to face a diffuser plate. The radius of curvature of the tip of the semispherical portion is 0.3 mm to 1 mm. The diameter of the end of the conical frustum portion on the semispherical portion side is 1.1 mm to 2 mm. The ratio (L/B) is less than 5 where L is the length of the spacer pin and B is the diameter of the thicker end of the conical frustum portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: NEC LCD Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Kanatsu
  • Patent number: 7131742
    Abstract: A backlight unit for a liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of lamps alternately arranged on at least two regions of a light emission surface, wherein each lamp has a length substantially shorter than that of the light emission surface, first, second, and third supports spaced apart from one another, wherein each support has a matching shape for mounting the lamps, a bottom support supporting the first, second, and third supports, and first, second, and third common electrodes respectively attached on the first, second, and third supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeong Min Moon
  • Patent number: 7128438
    Abstract: Light display structures are provided that are simple and comprise few parts so that they can be economically fabricated from various polymers and quickly assembled. They are especially suited for carrying light-emitting elements and lend themselves for realization in a variety of forms such as elongate display structures and sheet-like display structures. They are based upon a plurality of light-emitting elements (e.g., light-emitting diodes) that are coupled between first and second conductors with the addition of other structures (e.g., spacers, wire bonds, tabs) that facilitate the energizing of the light-emitting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: AgiLight, Inc.
    Inventor: William R. Ratcliffe
  • Patent number: 7090357
    Abstract: High pressure mercury arc lamps are commonly used as the illumination source in many projection systems. Such lamps may be deficient in either output power or spectrum, and so it is desirable to combine the light from the lamp with light from a second light generator. The second light generator may be another mercury lamp or a solid state source, such as one or more light emitting diodes. Different ways of combining light from two light generators are described. The second light source may be an arrangement of a number of red LEDs that supplements the red light produced by the mercury light. A tunnel integrator may be used to homogenize the combined light beam and to reduce the angular separation between the light beams from the two light generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Simon Magarill, Boris Ardashnikov, R. Edward English, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7077536
    Abstract: The double-sided edge lighting-type display sign of the present invention comprises at least two illuminating light sources: two or one display signages; and a light-directing panel. Preferably, a display sign housing accommodates and supports the other elements of the present invention. Namely, the light box housing supports at least two light sources, the display signages and the light-directing panel. The light-directing panel of the present invention is at least partially light reflective and at least partially light passing. The light directing panel directs and redirects light from the included at least two edge lighting-type light source to the included display signages. The light ultimately incident on the display signages is greater than it would normally be without the light-directing panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Apostol Konomi
  • Patent number: 7066623
    Abstract: A white light emitting device by using off-white light emitting diodes (LED's). Rather than using just pure white LEDs, the white light emitting device arranges those LEDs which exhibit off-white colors in a manner such that the combination of light emanating from these off-white LEDs produces a radiation which appears substantially pure white to the human eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventors: Soo Ghee Lee, Kee Yean Ng, Meng Ee Lee
  • Patent number: 7034466
    Abstract: A High-Intensity Discharge lamp which includes a high intensity discharge light disposed within the light cavity and a standby lighting control system including a light sensor for detecting a light intensity within the light cavity and a standby lamp which is supported within the lamp housing and is activated by the light sensor between a standby mode and a backup mode, wherein at the standby mode, when the light intensity of the high intensity discharge light within the light cavity is above a predetermined threshold, the standby lamp is deactivated, and at the backup mode, when the light intensity of the high intensity discharge light within the light cavity is dropped below the threshold, the standby lamp is activated for generating a backup light to compensate a loss of the light intensity of the high intensity discharge light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: Frank Tsao