With Or Including Refractor Patents (Class 362/299)
  • Patent number: 7419274
    Abstract: An optical conduction unit (U) has a configuration in which one portion (Sb) and another portion (58a) of an optical conduction body (5) are mated in mutually orthogonal x, y directions with first and second fitting means (64), (64a) of the first member (60A) of a reflector (6). A portion (65b) and another portion (65c) of the second member (60B) of the reflector (6) are mated in the x, y directions with the third and fourth fitting means (64b), (64c) of the first member (60A). With such a configuration, the reflector (6) and optical conduction body (5) can be reliably assembled so that they cannot be easily separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideki Sawada
  • Patent number: 7410274
    Abstract: A light guiding unit is provided which can reflect light from one light source such that a plurality of irradiated lights can be intermittently viewed, while allowing substantially all portions of the plurality of irradiated lights to be substantially uniform. The light guiding unit can include an input portion where light from a light source is input, a first reflecting portion that has reflecting surfaces which divide light from the input portion into a plurality of directions (e.g., six directions), and then radially reflects the light. A second reflecting portion can be provided that has reflecting surfaces which reflect light from each of the reflecting surfaces of the first reflecting portion along the principal optical axis. An irradiation portion can be provided that has irradiation surfaces which irradiate light from each of the reflecting surfaces of the second reflecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daisuke Nagabuchi
  • Patent number: 7387408
    Abstract: A luminaire (1) is disclosed, comprising a main reflector (3) with a light emission window (5), and comprising a counter reflector (7) positioned opposite to the main reflector. Means (9) for accommodating at least one electric lamp (11) are provided in the luminaire in between the main reflector and the counter reflector. The counter reflector is provided with a light-transmitting cover (13), acting as an optical waveguide and positioned at a side (15) of the counter reflector facing away from the means (9). The cover is provided with diffusor bodies (21) which scatter the light coupled into the cover and transmitted through the bulk of the cover. Thus a desired distribution and appearance of the optical brightness of the cover is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Petrus Adrianus Josephus Holten, Paulus Gerardus Henricus Kosters, Corinne Lac
  • Publication number: 20080137345
    Abstract: An improved lighting fixture is disclosed for imaging a high-intensity beam of light at a distant location. A specially-made duel parabolic reflector system cooperates with a gate aperture and a single aspheric lens to produce a beam that incorporates a very high proportion of emitted visible light. Alternatively, said fixture has two lenses in a positioning mechanism mounted in the housing, and includes a rack and pinion gear device that adjusts the distance between the front and rear lenses in response to the rotation of an actuator. The actuator is configured to slide along a slot in the housing, controlling the translation of the first and second lenses with respect to the gate aperture. A shielding baffle covers the slot. The actuator is further configured with a locking mechanism that constrains the actuator from being moved with respect to the housing when the locking mechanism is in position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventor: Randal Lee Wimberly
  • Patent number: 7370993
    Abstract: This invention is an illumination system that incorporates a light emitting diode and a partially reflecting optical element. The light emitting diode emits internally generated light having a first angular range and reflects incident light with high reflectivity. The partially reflecting optical element transmits a first portion of the internally generated light with a second angular range, smaller than the first angular range, and reflects a second portion of the internally generated light back to the light emitting diode, where the second portion is reflected by the light emitting diode. The partially reflecting optical element can be a pyramid, an array of pyramids, a first and second orthogonal arrays of prisms or a bandpass filter. Utilizing a partially reflecting optical element and light recycling can increase the effective brightness and the output efficiency of the illumination system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Goldeneye, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl W. Beeson, Scott M. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20080106902
    Abstract: A display includes a panel and a backlight module. The backlight module includes a reflective board, a shell, at least two lenses and a light source. The lenses are installed on the reflective board. The reflective board is installed on the shell. The light source is installed in the shell and the light from the light source passes through the lenses. Each lens includes a bottom portion on the reflective board and an extending portion protruding slantwise from the bottom portion. The extending portion includes a reflective surface opposite to the reflective board approximately. A light from the light source is reflected onto the reflective board via the reflective surface, and then reflected onto the panel via the reflective board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: AU OPTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Ci-Guang Peng, Shen-Hong Chou
  • Patent number: 7333276
    Abstract: An optical element that condenses light emitted from a light source has: an entrance surface where the light enters; an exit surface from which the light entering inside via the entrance surface; and a reflection surface that directs, to the exit surface by total reflection, part of the light entering the inside via the entrance surface. The reflection surface has an axis of symmetry of sixfold or higher-order-fold rotation. The optical element fulfills conditional formula: 0.3<a/b<1.4, where a denotes the maximum length of the exit surface in the direction perpendicular to the axis of symmetry; and b denotes a surface gap on the axis of symmetry between the entrance surface and the exit surface. As a result, an optical element can be provided which achieves highly efficient condensation at low costs and with simple configuration and also which achieves compactification by reducing the diameter of the optical element for the size of the light emitting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventors: Keiko Ikuno, Kenji Konno
  • Patent number: 7331693
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a zoom lens which includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit with a negative refractive power, a second lens unit with a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit with a negative refractive power. The second and third lens units move during zooming. The first lens unit includes a negative biconcave lens element. The zoom lens satisfies the following conditions: ?1.4<?1/?w<?1.0 0.9<?2/?w<1.4 ?1.3<?3/?w<?0.9 where ?1 is a refractive power of the first lens unit, ?2 is a refractive power of the second lens unit, ?3 is a refractive power of the third lens unit, and ?w is a refractive power of the entire system at a wide-angle end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toyokatsu Fujisaki
  • Patent number: 7316493
    Abstract: A headlamp including a first addition reflector 34 and a second addition reflector. The first addition reflector is arranged between a light source bulb 22 and a shade 32 and reflects light that is sent from a light source 22a toward a front region in a bulb insertion direction on a reflecting face 24a of a main reflector 24. The second addition reflector 36 reflects light, which is reflected on the first addition reflector 34 being sent from the light source, to the optical axis Ax, side. Reflecting faces 34a, 36a of the addition reflectors 34, 36 can be divided into upper stage reflecting portions 34a1, 36a1 and lower stage reflecting portions 34a2, 36a2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 7284883
    Abstract: A lighting system and device for providing indirect light using free-cavity, double-diffusing configurations are disclosed. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, a lighting fixture comprises a cover structure with a diffusion layer and a reflective plate that form the free-cavity. The free-cavity is preferably configured to provide an output of light from a light source positioned within the free-cavity with an efficiency rating of 70% or more and provide better than an 8:1 ceiling lighting contrast between the rows of fixtures with rows on 16 feet spacing. Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a device is configured to couple to a ceiling structure and provide the indirect lighting from a fluorescent light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Finelite
    Inventors: Walter Blue Clark, David Daoud Aziz
  • Patent number: 7246930
    Abstract: A light source for vehicles can include a base having a cavity formed on its upper surface, an LED chip mounted in the cavity of the base, a resin portion for sealing the LED chip in the cavity, an optical member disposed above the base and apart from the LED chip, a light shielding portion disposed on the inner surface of the optical member and which forms a cutoff suited for a light distribution pattern, and a fluorescent substance layer disposed at least in regions other than the light shielding portion on the inner surface of the optical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Yatsuda, Mitsunori Harada
  • Patent number: 7244050
    Abstract: A full cutoff luminaire having a housing with an open bottom, a vertically mounted lamp centrally located within the housing, a radial reflector surrounding a portion of the lamp and a downwardly extending optic lens having an open top enshrouding a lower portion of the lamp wherein light emitted from the luminaire does not exceed 90° above nadir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Genlyte Thomas Group, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Summerford, Claude Barozzini, Jerome H. Simon
  • Patent number: 7213944
    Abstract: A light source apparatus includes a lamp, an ellipsoidal mirror collecting a part of light radiated from a light transmission plane of the lamp, and a spherical mirror collecting another part of the light radiated from a light transmission plane not collected by the ellipsoidal mirror and reflecting it on the ellipsoidal mirror, in which a reflection plane of the ellipsoidal mirror and the reflection plane of the spherical mirror are in a form of non-rotation symmetry to an optical axis connecting a focal position F1 corresponding to a source of luminescence of the lamp to a focal position F2 of the light collected by the ellipsoidal mirror respectively. The distance between the reflection plane of the spherical mirror and the source of luminescence of the lamp is shorter than the distance between the source of luminescence and the focus of the light collected by the ellipsoidal mirror, and a part of the reflection plane of the ellipsoidal mirror is formed around the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Inventors: Yusaku Shimaoka, Shu Namba, Kazunori Tanabe
  • Patent number: 7175322
    Abstract: At an upper position of an optical axis Ax between a reflector and projection lens, a pair of left and right first additional reflectors are arranged and a pair of second additional reflectors are arranged on both the left and right sides of the pair of first additional reflectors. Each one of the first additional reflectors reflects light from the light source toward one of the second additional reflectors located on a side opposite to the one of the first additional reflector with respect to the optical axis. Each one of the second additional reflectors reflects, in a forward direction, the light reflected from the first additional reflectors without being transmitted through the projection lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidetaka Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7175316
    Abstract: This invention relates to searchlight type light devices including underwater light devices and automobile headlights. A light device in accordance with the present invention provides light beam compression along the optical axis and thus increases considerably the intensity or optical density of the beam. The light device includes a light source, a main concave reflector, and a lens projection system, the main concave reflector and the lens projection system being aligned relative to the optical axis and the light source being located between the reflector and the lens projection system, on the same optical axis. In addition, the main collecting pre-reflector lens is mounted between the light source and the main reflector, the main reflectors concave surface being implemented as a segment of sphere, and the light source being located in the focal point of such main reflector. Said main collecting pre-reflector lens has a focal length exceeding the main reflector's focal length by a factor of 1.25–2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Hyperboloid Corporation
    Inventor: Matvey B. Shpizel
  • Patent number: 7168827
    Abstract: A light source with an integral surface of revolution to project an emergency warning light signal for a vehicle in a substantially horizontal 360° arc. A centrally positioned mirror assembly has a plurality of light sources spaced about the mirror assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Code 3, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul L. Stein, David M. Dietrich, Tim B. Murray, Sarmad A. Hannosh, Richard Gray
  • Patent number: 7160002
    Abstract: An optical assembly for architectural illumination having a quasi point source surrounded by a collimating ring lens designed to radially project collimated beams. A segmented off axis parabolic reflector to collect and reflect light (not gathered by the collimating ring lens) as collimated beams and a segmented ring reflector, the segments of which are arranged to gather beams from both the collimating ring lens and the off axis reflector and then direct them in substantially the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventor: Jerome H. Simon
  • Patent number: 7125144
    Abstract: An illumination device includes plural lamps, a prism, a first lens array, and a second lens array, wherein the first lens array is formed such that images of the lamps are formed a predetermined space apart from each other on a lens, which corresponds to a predetermined lens among plural lenses of a second lens array, by light from the lamps having passed the predetermined lens of the first lens array. All or a part of plural images formed by a lens separate from the predetermined lens of the first lens array are practically arranged among the formed images of the lamps. And the second lens array is formed such that the images formed on the second lens array are irradiated on a light-receiving surface in a predetermined relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusaku Shimaoka, Takamasa Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7121693
    Abstract: A lamp assembly having a lens plate covering the opening and spaced from the lamp. The lens plate is provided with a multiplicity of microlenses such that the lens plate and lamp assembly generates a well defined light cone with a sharp demarcation between the dark region outside the light cone and the illuminated region within the light cone and the illumination within the light cone is homogeneous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Erco Leuchten GmbH
    Inventor: Leonard Klose
  • Patent number: 7118253
    Abstract: A lighting assembly includes a quasi-point lamp, a ring lens at least partially surrounding the source to provide a radial beam of light shaped in the form of a disk of sectionally diverging light, and at least one refracting ring to redirect and/or change the beam divergence, and/or at least one reflecting ring to redirect or change the divergence of the beam. A baffle system may be used in conjunction with or in substitution for the refractor or reflector rings to eliminate glare and stray light from the lens or redirect and/or change divergence of the lens. The ring lens surrounding the quasi-point source may be used to divide the illuminating light into radial beams diverging from each other, in which case each radial beam has its own refraction, reflection or baffle assembly. Each radial beam and its attending refraction, reflection and/or baffle assembly is used for specific lighting functions, such as down lighting, ambient lighting, spot or flood lighting and indirect lighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Inventor: Jerome H. Simon
  • Patent number: 7114832
    Abstract: An LED or incandescent light source is positioned in a reflector arranged to reflect light from the LED or incandescent light source which is radiated from the LED or incandescent light source in a peripheral forward solid angle as defined by the reflector. A lens is disposed longitudinally forward of the LED or incandescent light source for focusing light into a predetermined pattern which is radiated from the LED or incandescent light source in a central forward solid angle as defined by the lens. The apparatus comprised of the combination projects a beam of light comprised of the light radiated in the central forward solid angle and peripheral forward solid angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Illumination Management Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Garrison Holder, Greg Rhoads
  • Patent number: 7111969
    Abstract: An automotive tail light. An LED emits its light laterally. A reflection part surrounding the LED picks up the light and reflects it towards the light dish. A low height light is thus provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Bottesch, Otto Rolf Müller
  • Patent number: 7101062
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a headlight device comprising in particular a light source, a mirror exhibiting a reflecting surface and a transparent optical deflection element positioned in front of the mirror, the mirror being capable of interacting with the light source in order to generate a beam bounded by a line of interruption, and the deflection element being capable of providing a horizontal displacement of the light without modifying the vertical distribution of the latter, and at least one detachment element arranged on at least one of the surfaces of the mirror or of the optical deflection element reached by the light to obtain a line of interruption of the light beam that is not flat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Pierre Albou, Stephanie Figuiere
  • Patent number: 7048416
    Abstract: A lighting system and device for providing indirect light using free-cavity, double-diffusing configurations are disclosed. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, a lighting fixture comprises a cover structure with a diffusion layer and a reflective plate that form the free-cavity. The free-cavity is preferably configured to provide an output of light from a light source positioned within the free-cavity with an efficiency rating of 70% or more and provide better than an 8:1 ceiling lighting contrast between the rows of fixtures with rows on 16 feet spacing. Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a device is configured to couple to a ceiling structure and provide the indirect lighting from a fluorescent light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Finelite, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Blue Clark, David Daoud Aziz
  • Patent number: 7029150
    Abstract: A Catadioptric Light Distribution System that collects and collimates the hemispherical pattern of light emitted by a Lambertian light emitting diode (LED) into a collimated beam directed essentially parallel to the optical axis of the LED. The system comprises a circular condensing lens having a center axis that is aligned with the optical axis of the LED parabolic reflector having circular opening formed therethrough which is centered on the center axis of the parabolic reflector and a double bounce mirror. The light reflected and culminated by the parabolic reflector is directed onto the circular annular double bounce mirror so that this light is collimated in an annular beam which passes around the edge of the condensing lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Guide Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy S. Finch
  • Patent number: 7014342
    Abstract: The light-guiding apparatus has a light tunnel and an ellipsoidal reflector. Light emitted from the light tunnel is reflected and focused on a DMD chip by the ellipsoidal reflector. The light tunnel and a long axis of the ellipsoidal reflector form an angle. The angle and an eccentricity of the ellipsoidal reflector are used to modify the light emitted from the light tunnel. Thus, the light is made to match an incident angle and an effective dimension of a digital micro-mirror device receiving the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc
    Inventors: Sean Chang, Albert Lin
  • Patent number: 6966683
    Abstract: The proposed device uses a plastic of any color with a cavity introduced in it and preferably with a polished inner surface, instead of a reflector or a light guide, to utilize increased reflection with grazing incidence (large angle of incidence versus the normal to the surface). The light from a light source is transported to the symbol by reflection in this cavity and on the inner surface. The light source is preferably of a flat structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Preh-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Haiko Glienicke
  • Patent number: 6939025
    Abstract: A light consolidating system is provided for converging light emitted from at least one lamp positioned at the focus of an ellipse. A light guiding means is provided in the system for guiding the converged light to the output side. The system is characterized by the focusing feature of the ellipse lamps and therefore increases the efficiency of consolidating light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean Chang
  • Patent number: 6932496
    Abstract: A light emitting apparatus includes a light source, a light transformer, a hemispherical optical window, a circuit and a base. The light transformer includes a truncated hollow conical reflector, a curved reflective surface, and an optical element. The conical reflector has a truncated end facing the light source and a cone base opposite the truncated end. The conical reflector axis is coincident with a light source axis, and light passes through an opening on the truncated end. The curved reflective surface is between the truncated end and the cone base. The surface reflects light from the light source in a limited angle omnidirectional pattern with precalculated intensity distribution. The optical element is adjacent the cone base in a plane perpendicular to the conical reflector axis, and disperses the light passing through the truncated hollow cone reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Farlight LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Rizkin, Robert H. Tudhope
  • Patent number: 6923554
    Abstract: A light source module for a backlight module has a shield surrounding a linear light source above a casing below a diffuser, The shield has a diffusing portion and two light guide portions substantially perpendicularly connected between the diffusing portion and the casing. The diffusing portion is disposed parallel to the linear light source and has a grooved diffusion surface facing the linear light source adapted to reflect light from the linear light source toward the light guide portions. Each light guide portion has a grooved light guide surface disposed on an outer side away from the linear light source and adapted to refract and diffuse light rays toward a reflector on the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventor: Heng Sheng Kuo
  • Patent number: 6910791
    Abstract: A headlight having an ellipse group reflecting surface as a main reflecting surface and a projection lens further includes a second reflecting surface, a third reflecting surface, and a ring-shaped lens. Direct light from a light source reaching to a space between the main reflecting surface and the projection lens is reflected by the second reflecting surface backward. The reflected light from the second reflecting surface is further reflected by the third reflecting surface, and then is adjusted with the ring-shaped lens. Light directly emitted from the light source and being ineffective in the conventional headlight can be collected using the second and third reflecting surfaces, and forwarded in an illumination direction by passing through the ring-shape lens such that the shape of the light is controlled to provide an appropriate shape, thereby contributing to the formation of light distribution characteristics and increase in the light intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Futami
  • Patent number: 6877882
    Abstract: An illumination system for illuminating an object includes a light source and a lens array system. The light source includes an illumination element emitting light rays and surrounded by a parabolic reflector. The lens array system includes a first lens array plate and a second lens array plate. The first lens array plate includes a matrix of lenslets where, in one embodiment, each lenslet has a shape matching the aspect ratio of the object to be illuminated. The second lens array plate includes a radial pattern of wedge shaped lenslets each corresponding to a lenslet in the first lens array plate. Each wedge shaped lenslet in the second lens array plate has dimensions that are selected to provide a radial and theta collection angles matching the maximum divergence angle of the light source and the maximum divergence angles of the corresponding lenslet in the first lens array plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Haven, Rolf S. Vatne
  • Patent number: 6866404
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes a reflector including a parabolic or ellipsoidal mirror, a light source arranged near a (first) focal point of the reflector, and a front mirror having a transparent window and a mirror surface symmetrical about the light axis. Luminous flux emitted from the light source is reflected from the reflector. In the case of the parabolic mirror, the front mirror has the same size as an entrance of an output light utilizing optical system, and the luminous flux exits toward the optical system as collimated light. In the case of the ellipsoidal mirror, the front mirror is arranged between two focal points of the ellipsoidal mirror, and the luminous flux is directed toward the second focal point. However, at least one part of the luminous flux is reflected from the front mirror and returned toward the first focal point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yamauchi, Kazuhiro Fujita, Tadashi Honda, Osamu Nagase
  • Patent number: 6863419
    Abstract: An illumination optical system that illuminates a plurality of image display elements comprises; a color separating optical system that separates light emitted from a light source into a plurality of color light components; and a plurality of light-guiding optical systems, each of which guides light component to a corresponding one of the plurality of image display elements. An illumination area on the image display element that is illuminated by at least one of the plurality of light-guiding optical systems is larger than those on the image display elements illuminated by the other ones of the plurality of light-guiding optical systems. This provides a compact projection type image display apparatus which can project bright images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kodama, Atsushi Okuyama
  • Patent number: 6863412
    Abstract: A device for vehicle lighting includes a deviating prism which deflects a light beam by approximately 180 degrees from a direction of incidence in which the light beam is emitted by a light source. A reflector is also provided which deflects the light beam so that the light beam is emitted substantially transversely to the direction of incidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Edgar Weidel
  • Patent number: 6851833
    Abstract: A lighting assembly or a luminaire has a quasi point light source near a surface onto which light rays are to impinge. There is a lens system which includes a radially collimating first Fresnel lens at least partially surrounding the light source and collimating at least some of the light from the source to impinge upon the surface, and a second optical element, which may also be a Fresnel lens, for receiving light rays and directing the rays to impinge upon the surface at a position closer to the lens system than the rays from the first Fresnel lens. This provides more uniform lighting on the surface since the first Fresnel lens lighting impinges upon the surface at a distance from the assembly, and the second Fresnel lens provides fill in lighting between the assembly and the lighting of the first Fresnel lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Inventor: Jerome H. Simon
  • Patent number: 6829113
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-performance image-forming optical system made compact and thin by folding an optical path using reflecting surfaces arranged to minimize the number of reflections. A prism member 10 has a first entrance surface 11, first to fourth reflecting surfaces 12 to 15, and a first exit surface 16. An optical path incident on the first reflecting surface 12 and an optical path reflected from the second reflecting surface 13 form intersecting optical paths. An optical path incident on the third reflecting surface 14 and an optical path reflected from the fourth reflecting surface 15 form intersecting optical paths. At least either one of the first reflecting surface 12 and the second reflecting surface 13 and at least either one of the third reflecting surface 14 and the fourth reflecting surface 15 have a rotationally asymmetric curved surface configuration that gives a power to a light beam and corrects aberrations due to decentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Takayoshi Togino
  • Patent number: 6811289
    Abstract: A lens has a concave shape or a convex shape in either vertical cross section or transverse cross section. Thereby light passing through the lens is largely refracted and the interior is harder to be seen even if a prism is not formed. As a result, there is no need to give a finish more than optical performance required for reflection to the front surface of the reflecting surface of a reflector, which is for the purpose of enhancement of its appearance, and thereby the machining work is simpler than the conventional way. Further, since the lens has a flat shape in either vertical cross section or transverse cross section, the lens is easily polished when it is made of glass, which is excellent in manufacture of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Nakata
  • Publication number: 20040207999
    Abstract: An LED package has a light emitting element, a first optical section that is disposed around the light emitting element, and a second optical section that is disposed around the first optical while being separated from the first optical section. A gap is formed between the first and second optical sections. The gap allows part of light emitted from the light emitting element to be radiated from the first optical section as nearly parallel light converged in the direction vertical to the center axis of the light emitting element. The second optical section includes a reflection surface to reflect the nearly parallel light in the direction parallel to the center axis of the light emitting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Suehiro, Hideaki Kato, Mitsuhiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 6783261
    Abstract: An optical assembly for architectural illumination which includes a quasi point source surrounded by a collimating ring lens designed to radially project collimated beams. A segmented, off axis, parabolic reflector to collect and reflect light (not gathered by the collimating ring lens) as collimated beams and a ring reflector, the segments of which designed to gather beams from both the collimating ring lens and the off axis reflector and the direct them in substantially the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Jerome H. Simon
  • Patent number: 6761475
    Abstract: A lighting device, comprising a luminous source consisting of a LED (5) that is placed between the flanges (2,3) of a primary reflector (1), which is essentially V-shaped. A secondary reflector (7), composed of an elongated element with steps (8), runs along the extension of one of the flanges (3) of the primary reflector (1), while an elongated transparent diffuser (9) runs along the extension of the other flange (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile Per Azioni
    Inventors: Piero Perlo, Piermario Repetto, Sabino Sinesi, Davide Capello, Daniele Pullini, Denis Bollea
  • Publication number: 20040080945
    Abstract: An optical assembly for architectural illumination having a quasi point source surrounded by a collimating ring lens designed to radially project collimated beams. A segmented off axis parabolic reflector to collect and reflect light (not gathered by the collimating ring lens) as collimated beams and a segmented ring reflector, the segments of which are arranged to gather beams from both the collimating ring lens and the off axis reflector and then direct them in substantially the same direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Jerome H. Simon
  • Publication number: 20040057244
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp is constructed such that light exiting from an LED light source is converted into collimated light and such that the collimated light is reflected forward of the lamp by means of a reflector. At that time, the reflector portion has a stepwise reflection surface in which there are alternately formed a plurality of light incidence sections into which the collimated light enter and a plurality of intermediate sections into which no collimated light enters. Further, each of the intermediate sections is formed from an irregular surface formed so as to recess rearward of the lamp with respect to a plane parallel to the direction of radiation of the collimated light. By means of the irregular surface, stray light or the like included in the collimated light exiting from the optical member is reflected forward of the lamp. As a result, when the lamp is viewed from the front, the light incidence sections appear to glare, resembling spread spots, and the intermediate sections also appear to glare.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Amano
  • Patent number: 6698908
    Abstract: An improved optical assembly includes a reflector/refractor device and a reflector collar provided for enhanced directional illumination control. The reflector/refractor has a predefined shape and has a plurality of reflector/refractor prisms on an exterior body surface for reflecting and refracting light. A light source is disposed within the reflector/refractor substantially along a central vertical axis of the reflector/refractor. The reflector collar supports the reflector/refractor and attaches the reflector/refractor to a luminaire ballast. The reflector collar has a predetermined contour and a plurality of reflector impressions formed into the predetermined contour. The predetermined contour and the plurality of reflector impressions provide directional illumination control for the optical assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Lexalite International Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald L. Sitzema, Jr., Gwen Barber
  • Patent number: 6655813
    Abstract: A recessed light fixture includes a housing, a cap affixed to an upper edge of the housing, and a cover plate having an aperture formed therein and affixed to a lower edge of the housing. A junction box and transformer having associated wiring are affixed to the cap. Mounted within the housing of the recessed light fixture is a reflector having opposing first and second reflector surfaces, a first end, a second end, and a prism having at least one diverging lens. The prism is slidingly moveable within the second end of the reflector. A bulb is electrically connected to the transformer and mounted within the housing and protruding through an opening in the first end and thereby into an upper portion of the reflector. The first and second reflector surfaces are formed having a preselected parabolic geometry so that a light beam is narrowest at a preselected limit of travel of the prism closest to the bulb, and widest at a preselected limit of travel of the prism farthest away from the bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Genlyte Thomas Group LLC
    Inventor: Sherman Ng
  • Publication number: 20030185012
    Abstract: An improved optical assembly includes a reflector/refractor device and a reflector collar provided for enhanced directional illumination control. The reflector/refractor has a predefined shape and has a plurality of reflector/refractor prisms on an exterior body surface for reflecting and refracting light. A light source is disposed within the reflector/refractor substantially along a central vertical axis of the reflector/refractor. The reflector collar supports the reflector/refractor and attaches the reflector/refractor to a luminaire ballast. The reflector collar has a predetermined contour and a plurality of reflector impressions formed into the predetermined contour. The predetermined contour and the plurality of reflector impressions provide directional illumination control for the optical assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: LEXALITE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ronald L. Sitzema, Gwen Barber
  • Patent number: 6623132
    Abstract: A display device and a lighting system is provided for providing lighting in exterior and interior lighting applications, such as for center high mount stop lights (CHMSL) and other automotive lighting applications. The display device uses a light guide having light couplers hingedly attached to a light source end for receiving light from at least one light source. The light guide extends from the light source end with a light emitting surface and a light guide surface opposite the light emitting surface. The light emitting surface and the light guide surface extend in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the light received from the light source. The light guide surface has a plurality of surface sections extending at angles relative to one another. The surface sections may be angled at alternating sections to direct light towards the light emitting surface using total internal reflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: North American Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Lekson, Jianzhong Jiao
  • Patent number: 6619820
    Abstract: An optical coupling element for use in large numerical aperture collecting and condensing systems. The optical coupling element includes a lens having a curved surface and a tapered light pipe. The curved surface reduces the angle of incidence of the light striking the input end of the optical coupling element such that the Fresnel reflection is greatly reduced. Electromagnetic radiation emitted by a source is collected and focused onto a target by positioning the source of electromagnetic radiation at a first focal point of a first reflector so that the source produces rays of radiation reflected from the first reflector that converge at a second focal point of the second reflector. The optical coupling element is positioned so that a center of the lens is substantially proximate with the second focal point of the second reflector and the curved surface is between the second reflector and the center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Cogent Light Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth K. Li
  • Patent number: 6607295
    Abstract: A first auxiliary reflector 36 is provided above the optical axis Ax between a reflector of a lamp unit 20 and projection lens 28, and under the optical axis Ax, a second auxiliary reflector 44 is formed. An auxiliary luminous distribution pattern is formed at center area of a high-beam luminous distribution pattern additionally by reflecting forward at the second auxiliary reflector 44 after direct light directing to forward and obliquely upward from a light source 22a is reflected downward at the first auxiliary reflector 36 at the time of high-beam emission. Because of that, at the low-beam emission, an area close cut-off line at opposite lane side of the low-beam luminous distribution pattern does not brighten more than necessity, further, luminous intensity of a part of the area at the hot zone of the high-beam luminous distribution pattern is obtained enough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michihiko Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 6604843
    Abstract: This invention relates to searchlight type light devices including underwater light devices and automobile headlights. A light device in accordance with the present invention provides light beam compression along the optical axis and thus increases considerably the intensity or optical density of the beam. The light device includes a light source, a main concave reflector, and a lens projection system, the main concave reflector and the lens projection system being aligned relative to the optical axis and the light source being located between the reflector and the lens projection system, on the same optical axis. In addition, the main collecting pre-reflector lens is mounted between the light source and the main reflector, the main reflector's concave surface being implemented as a segment of sphere, and the light source being located in the focal point of such main reflector. Said main collecting pre-reflector lens has a focal length exceeding the main reflector's focal length by a factor of 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Hyperboloid Corporation
    Inventor: Matvey B. Shpizel