Reflector Separate From Refractor Patents (Class 362/328)
  • Patent number: 7259810
    Abstract: A direct lighting type LCD apparatus includes lamps for generating a first light, a diffusing member for diffusing the first light and light reflected from a reflecting member to emit a second light having uniform brightness distribution, and a receiving member for receiving the lamps, the diffusing member and the reflecting member for reflecting the first light to the diffusing member. The lamps are arranged in the receiving member to be separated from the diffusing member at selected distances, respectively, which may be different from one another. The direct lighting type LCD apparatus may have brightness distribution which is controlled by varying the distances between the respective lamps and the diffusing member to improve quality of image display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Il Kim
  • Patent number: 7258473
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp can include a first light source located almost at the center of an emission region, and a transparent cover lens arranged to cover the front in the direction of illumination from the first light source. A central reflective portion of the cover lens can be located in front of the first light source to receive light from the first light source and reflect it toward the entire circumference in a direction almost perpendicular to the direction of illumination. A diametrical outer reflective portion can be located at the rim of the cover lens to receive the light from the first light source and reflect it along the direction of illumination for radial emission. The central reflective portion and the outer reflective portion of the cover lens can be integrated with a joint portion of the same material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeaki Okamura, Asaki Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 7255462
    Abstract: At least one light distribution device is provided in the spacing between adjacent light sources to allow light diffused from both sides of the light sources to be properly refracted and reflect so as to more evenly diffuse light toward a diffuser plate and thereby, eliminate the dark bands between adjacent light sources for effectively solving the bright bands and dark bands problem observed in prior art LCD modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: K-Bridge Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Pao Tseng
  • Patent number: 7252412
    Abstract: The luminaire has a reflector (10) having a light emission window (15), near to first opposed edges (16) of which respective sets of strips (25) are present to create a cut-off angle ?. The reflector (10) is closed by a hood (30) which, along first walls (31) thereof close to the first edges (16), have refracting elements (35) to cause the luminaire to emit light at small angles to the light emission window (15), within the cut-off angle ?. The luminaire is suitable to be used for under canopy lighting of a petrol station and to signal to the distance that the station is open, without dazzling oncoming drivers. The method involves the use of the luminaire mounted to the ceiling of the canopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.
    Inventors: Hendrik Wijbenga, Jean Paul Entrop
  • Patent number: 7229192
    Abstract: A light fixture or troffer for directing light emitted from a light source toward an area to be illuminated, including a reflector assembly within which the light source is positioned and a lens assembly detachably secured to a portion of the reflector assembly such that a lens of the lens assembly overlies the light source and such that substantially all of the light emitted from the light source passes through the lens assembly. In one example, the lens includes a curved prismatic surface that can be oriented toward or away from the underlying light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Acuity Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Mayfield, III, Stephen H. Lydecker, Gary D. Trott, Carl T. Gould, Kevin Leadford, Christopher L. Sharp
  • Patent number: 7210806
    Abstract: A compact and efficient optical illumination system featuring planar multi-layered LED light source arrays concentrating their polarized or un-polarized output within a limited angular range. The optical system manipulates light emitted by a planar array of electrically-interconnected LED chips positioned within the input apertures of a corresponding array of shaped metallic reflecting bins using at least one of elevated prismatic films, polarization converting films, micro-lens arrays and external hemispherical or ellipsoidal reflecting elements. Practical applications of the LED array illumination systems include compact LCD or DMD video image projectors, as well as general lighting, automotive lighting, and LCD backlighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Digital Optics International Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Holman, Arthur Cox
  • Patent number: 7204601
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus is disclosed, with which an illumination optical system can be made small while attaining uniform light distribution properties within an irradiation region of light, by properly designing the shape of a reflection member. The illumination apparatus of the present invention includes a light source and a reflection member which reflects toward an irradiated side a first light flux emerging from the light source and having an emergence angle with respect to an irradiation optical axis which is larger than a predetermined angle. The reflection member reflects a light ray of the first light flux for which the emergence angle is maximal in a direction intersecting with the irradiation optical axis, and satisfies the following condition: ?1<?2 where ?1 and ?2 are angles defined by, respectively, a first and a second light ray before and after reflection at the reflection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobuhisa Kojima
  • 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: 7172317
    Abstract: A reflector lamp which is structurally compact in its axial direction has a light capsule surrounded by a tubular shield with electric leads which are anchored or fixed in a base at one end of the lamp with the leads structurally arranged to support opposite ends of the light capsule and urge the shield against a wall through which the leads extend adjacent said base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: SLI Lichtsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Rudy Geens, Lode Derhaeg, Marc van den Broeck
  • Patent number: 7168836
    Abstract: A cylindrical lens extends generally in a width direction of a vehicle, and light from three light-emitting elements, rearward of a rear focal line of the cylindrical lens, is reflected forward by three reflectors. A reflecting surface of each reflector has an elliptical vertical cross-sectional shape in a vertical plane perpendicular to the rear focal line. The first focus is at a center of light-emission of the corresponding light-emitting element, while the second focus lies at a point in the vicinity of the rear focal line. The rate of utilization of light flux from each light-emitting element is enhanced, and a luminous distribution patter having a relatively small width in an upward-downward orientation is formed. When the cylindrical lens and each reflector are deviated from their respective proper positions in the direction of the width of the vehicle, the luminous distribution patter of a constant shape can be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masashi Tatsukawa
  • Patent number: 7168832
    Abstract: As the annular translucent member, an annular lens formed from a peripheral edge portion of a convex-meniscus lens is disposed between a projection lens and a reflector along an outer peripheral edge of the projection lens. Direct light from a light source toward a space beyond the outer periphery of the projection lens is caused to illuminate forward of the lamp by the annular lens, thereby effectively utilizing light source luminous flux. In relation to the above, a shape of a back surface of the annular lens is formed into a spherical surface having its center at a luminescence center of the light source. Accordingly, direct light from the light source can travel straight without being deflected by a back surface of the annular lens, whereby a light deflection angle on a front surface of the annular lens can be calculated easily and with good accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Motohiro Komatsu, Masao Kinoshita, Masahito Naganawa, Kenichi Takada, Mitsuyuki Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 7165867
    Abstract: A light integrating system includes at least one total internal reflection (TIR) prism and a light integrating device disposed to collect and homogenize light exiting from the TIR prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael Long, P. Guy Howard, Anurag Gupta
  • Patent number: 7125160
    Abstract: Apparatus for collecting light from an LED and transmitting it in a near-uniform column incudes a conical reflector having a roughed up inner surface about the base of the LED for collecting light emitted to the sides of the LED, and a lens specially designed to focus the collected light into a near-collimated beam. The lens has opposite, substantially elliptical surfaces to collect and collimate the rapidly diverging light from the LED and the reflector, and each lens surface includes a flat spot to prevent shadows from forming, thereby producing a more uniform beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Applied Innovative Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Man Sheung Wong, Steve Yauhong Yim, Steven Robert Vetorino, Russell E. Sibell
  • 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: 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: 7114834
    Abstract: A light comprising a housing, a plurality of LED lights coupled in an array inside of the housing, and a reflective protrusion coupled to the housing wherein the reflective protrusion is for reflecting light from the LED lights out of the housing. The housing can be of any shape such as tubular, bowl shaped, or having an oval cross section. In addition, the reflective protrusion can be of any shape such as dome shaped or pyramidal shaped. The circuitry relating to this LED light array can include a power source such as a connection to an AC or DC input. If the connection is to an AC input, the device can also include an AC/DC converter coupled to the power source for receiving an input from the AC power source. In this way the LED array receives a consistent flow of DC current that will not result in the LED lights burning out. To prevent this LED array from burning out there is also a current regulator for controlling a current flowing through this LED array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Matrix Railway Corporation
    Inventors: Nelson Rivas, Joseph Abdale
  • 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: 7111964
    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 perpendicular 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: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Suehiro, Hideaki Kato, Mitsuhiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 7101063
    Abstract: A light integrating system includes at least one total internal reflection (TIR) prism and a light integrating device disposed to collect and homogenize light exiting from the TIR prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael Long, P. Guy Howard, Anurag Gupta
  • Patent number: 7097309
    Abstract: A projection system including a lighting system, a screen, a color filter separating light emitted from the lighting system according to wavelengths of the light, a first reflecting mirror reflecting the light passing through the color filter to change a path of the light, a display device provided in a predetermined position in the first reflecting mirror, a second reflecting mirror reflecting light reflected from the first reflecting mirror toward the display device, and a projection lens unit enlarging and projecting a color image formed by the display device onto the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-chol Lee, Il Kweon Moon, Hee-joong Lee
  • Patent number: 7072096
    Abstract: A compact and efficient optical illumination system featuring planar multi-layered LED light source arrays concentrating their polarized or un-polarized output within a limited angular range. The optical system manipulates light emitted by a planar light emitters such as electrically-interconnected LED chips. Each light emitting region in the array is surrounded by reflecting sidewalls whose output is processed by elevated prismatic films, polarization converting films, or both. The optical interaction between light emitters, reflecting sidewalls, and the elevated prismatic films create overlapping virtual images between emitting regions that contribute to the greater optical uniformity. Practical illumination applications of such uniform light source arrays include compact LCD or DMD video image projectors, as well as general lighting, automotive lighting, and LCD backlighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Digital Optics International, Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Holman, Arthur Cox
  • 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: 7021805
    Abstract: A translucent member is arranged so as to cause light originating from an LED light source oriented toward the front of a lamp to enter the translucent member. Outgoing LED light that has entered the translucent member is reflected rearward by a front surface, and then the light is reflected forward by a rear surface, to thereby exit forward of the lamp from the translucent member. At that time, an area on the front surface located in the vicinity of an optical axis Ax is formed as a normal reflection section subjected to reflection surface treatment. The other area of the front surface is formed as an internal reflection section which causes the outgoing LED light to undergo internal reflection. A plurality of reflection elements are formed on the rear surface of the translucent member so as to cause the outgoing LED light reflected from the front surface to enter the internal reflection section at an incidence angle which is smaller than or equal to a critical angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Amano, Yasuo Teranishi, Hiroya Koizumi
  • Patent number: 7021796
    Abstract: A light engine includes a light source disposed at a focus of four ellipsoidal reflectors, where the reflectors are arranged at 90 degrees relative to one another. A condensing lens is used with each reflector to focus forwardly directed, low angle light rays onto a target plane. Each reflector serves to reflect only the accurate, nigh angle light rays towards the target plane. Each reflector and its associated condenser produce a light beam having a reduced diameter (i.e., spot size) while also increasing the amount of optical energy directed at its respective target plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: James Kevan Guy
  • Patent number: 7021794
    Abstract: A lighting unit including a light source lamp having a light emitting tube and an ellipsoid reflector, and an optical lens to parallelize illumination light released from the reflector, characterized in that: a first focal point P1, which is one of the two focal points P1 and P2 positioned inside and outside the reflector and is located on the side of the reflecting surface of the reflector, is contained within the light emitting tube, and a light emission center Q of the light emitting tube is offset in a virtual plane perpendicular to a reflector central axis OC; and a parallelizing lens has a lens optical axis on a reference axis L parallel to the reflector central axis OC, and the lens optical axis of the parallelizing lens is offset in a direction opposite to a direction where the emission center Q of the light emitting tube is offset from the reflector central axis OC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shohei Fujisawa, Takeshi Takezawa
  • Patent number: 6994462
    Abstract: There is described a light extractor (8) for a light guide lamp (1) whose useful surface, that is to say, the surface that, in use, faces the emission surface (5) of the light guide lamp (1), comprises a predetermined distribution of diffusing points (10) and a complementary distribution of reflecting points (9). The light extractor (8) allows obtaining an illumination having preselected features. There are also described methods for determining such a distribution of points so as to obtain a highly uniform illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Marcella M. Pesenti
  • Patent number: 6988815
    Abstract: A luminaire comprising a light transmissive optical element, a plurality of light sources, a light source support structure, and a light reflective surface. The light transmissive optical element, which preferably is a quasi-toroidal light transforming collector, is spaced from and disposed about an axis. The plural light sources are disposed radially outwardly of the optical element relative to the axis, to produce a corresponding plurality of light beams. Each light source directs its light beam toward the optical element. The optical element is shaped and adapted to collect and transform the light beams and pass them in the direction of the axis. The light reflective surface, which preferably is a curved conical collimating combiner, is spaced from the optical element, and is disposed along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Farlight LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Rizkin, Il′ya Agurok, Robert H. Tudhope
  • Patent number: 6986594
    Abstract: A lighting device for motor vehicles comprises a light source and an end cover having at least a first section and a second section. The lighting device further comprises a first reflector, which directs light emitted by the light source on to the end cover. A first optically active element is arranged in the ray path between the light source and the first reflector and deflects the light rays emitted by the light source, so that the deflected rays strike the first reflector at an angle of incidence, the associated angle of reflection of which causes the rays from the first reflector to be directed at least substantially on to the second section of the end cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Valeo Wischersystem GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Joachim Wirth, Matthias Purz, Katrin Burgemeister
  • Patent number: 6986592
    Abstract: A light collection apparatus comprising a light source, a collection reflector that reflects the emission of the light source, and a compensation element that collimates light reflected by the reflector into a beam of small diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Inventor: Stephen C. Arnold
  • Patent number: 6981775
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus is disclosed, whose aperture portion can be made smaller while achieving miniaturization of the apparatus and higher condensing efficiency. The illumination apparatus comprising a light source, and a condensing unit that condenses light emitted from the light source toward the optical axis, wherein the condensing unit includes a negative lens portion that is arranged on a front side of the apparatus and has negative refractive power, a positive lens portion that is arranged near the optical axis and has positive refractive power, and a reflection portion that reflects emitted light that is not directed to the positive lens portion toward the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Tenmyo
  • Patent number: 6971772
    Abstract: Luminaire optical assemblies intended for pole-mounted and similar applications and capable of effective I.E.S. cutoff performance while exhibiting desirable light distributions even with vertically oriented lamping, the invention contemplates in primary embodiments light-transmissive reflector/refractor combinations typically formed of glass, acrylics and the like, uplight shielding and reflector assemblies of a variety of configurations being disposed within the reflector/refractor combinations to produce desired cutoff characteristics while preserving daytime appearance during nocturnal operation. In certain embodiments of the invention, uplight is controlled by the several variations of the uplight shielding and reflector assemblies to cause light-transmissive portions of the reflector/refractor combinations to subtly glow and thus produce a desired appearance while also producing cutoff characteristics necessary to reduce urban sky glow and glare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Acuity Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Yaser S. Abdelsamed, Michael Packer
  • Patent number: 6951415
    Abstract: Light from an LED light source, which is placed to be directed toward the front of a lamp, is incident on a translucent member, and the light that is transmitted through the translucent member is reflected by a reflector toward the front of the lamp. An internal reflection portion that internally reflects light which is incident on the translucent member at a small angle with respect to an optical axis of the LED light source, in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis, and a refraction portion that refracts light which is incident at a large angle with respect to the optical axis, in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis, are formed on the surface of the translucent member. The LED emitted light can be caused to be incident on a reflective surface of the reflector in the form of substantially parallel beams which are directed in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Amano, Hiroya Koizumi
  • Patent number: 6948832
    Abstract: A luminaire including a lamp, reflector, collimator and optional waveguide. The waveguide can be solid or hollow or include several serially-arranged total internal reflection (TIR) components for redirecting light that has entered the waveguide. In one embodiment, the TIR components are prisms, but are provided without metallized coatings thereby significantly reducing manufacturing costs. In another embodiment, components are arranged in a vertical orientation such that light is directed downward through a collimator or upward, either directly from the lamp or as a result of reflection from the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Saccomanno, Ivan B. Steiner
  • Patent number: 6945675
    Abstract: A fascia wash luminaire has a housing, a lamp socket and a refractor lens. The lamp socket mounts within the housing and is designed to hold a lamp in place within the housing. The refractor lens is trough shaped and is also held by the housing positioned under the light generation region for focusing the light from the light generation region to the fascia more broadly beneath the luminaire and more narrowly to the sides of the luminaire. The lens is shaped such that the distance between the lens and light generation region is smaller directly under the light generation region than it is on either side of the light generation region. The luminaire may also have a reflector for boosting the light directed downward and diagonal to the luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Genlyte Thomas Group LLC
    Inventors: Mark Paul Jongewaard, Donald M. Perreira
  • Patent number: 6932490
    Abstract: A flashlight configured to durably provide an effective beam of light for extended periods of time. The flashlight features a high-power, directed LED configured to produce a divergent beam of light that is characterized by an optical directivity angle extending from a vertex point. The flashlight includes a lens having a first portion forming a convergent lens, where the LED is located such that its vertex point coincides with the lens' focal point. The convergent lens is sized and positioned such that substantially all of the directed light from the LED passes through the convergent lens portion to emerge in a first beam of parallel light. The LED emits additional light through a tip. A parabolic reflector has the tip at its focal point to reflects the additional light into a second beam of parallel light that is parallel to and surrounding the first beam, thus forming a single and more efficient useful beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: The Brinkmann Corporation
    Inventors: Chan Ka Ming Emil, Hon Siu Cheong Ellis
  • Patent number: 6924945
    Abstract: A light collection system that includes a light source, a condenser lens, a reflector mechanism to collect and focus light from the light source, an aperture, and an image lens. A light beam from the light source is focused through the aperture to define the image to be projected. Ancillary reflector elements can be positioned to collect light not collected by the reflector means. The result is a compact collection system with a smaller image lens and excellent collection efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventor: Brian Edward Richardson
  • Patent number: 6918684
    Abstract: Luminaires for illumination of vertical surfaces of predetermined dimensions such as billboards or similar signs, the invention in several embodiments takes the form of reflector assemblies capable of directing light from a light source disposed within each of said luminaires either directly to the vertical surface or to refractive structures located on the luminaires for redirection of light to the vertical surface for even illumination of said surface with minimal light pollution from “spill” light. Lamps used in embodiments capable of providing asymmetrical light distributions are located toward one or the other of side portions and are preferably vertically oriented. A main reflector is curvilinear in conformation and functions in concert with a secondary reflector located directly behind the lamp to direct light onto desired portions of a vertical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Acuity Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: John Bryan Harvey
  • 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: 6902310
    Abstract: A compact illumination system using a light source such as an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or laser diodes (LDs) having a long life span, and a projection display device employing the illumination system are provided. The illumination system includes a light source; a collimating lens array for making light emitted form the light source be parallel; an optical path conversion unit for reflecting the light incident in parallel from the collimating lens array back toward the light source to initially converge the light; and a secondary focusing lens disposed at a side where the light source is positioned, for converging the light, that has been reflected and converged through the optical path conversion unit, on a predetermined position. The illumination system reflected the light emitted from the light source back toward the light source through the optical path conversion unit so that the volumes of the illumination system can be greatly reduced to be compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-seok Im
  • Patent number: 6874914
    Abstract: An adjustable lighting system which is particularly applicable for efficiently and effectively lighting areas of limited ceiling height such as parking garages and the like. A lamp base is supported within a housing in a manner so that it may be vertically adjustable with respect to a lower reflector carried by the housing. An upper reflector, which is vertically adjustable with respect to both the lamp base and the housing, is selected to provide a desired pattern of lighting for a particular installation. Although the lighting system may be employed with a plurality of different lamps, use of an induction lamp is preferred, and when an induction lamp is used, the combination of it with a novel, upper reflector of combined curvature having a central frustoconical downward section, is particular advantageous and provides excellent uniform distribution of illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Sage Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Albert L. Desanto, Jerry L. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6871979
    Abstract: A back light module disposed under a display panel has at least a light source generator for generating light beams, a diffusing plate for scattering the light beams to the display panel, a light guide plate (LGP) for scattering the light beams to the diffusing plate, a reflecting sheet for scattering the light beams to the light guide plate. The reflecting sheet has at least an opening for dissipating heat generated by the operation of the light source generator of the back light module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Toppoly Optoelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Che-Kuei Mai
  • Patent number: 6871982
    Abstract: A compact and efficient optical illumination system featuring planar multi-layered LED light source arrays concentrating their polarized or un-polarized output within a limited angular range. The optical system manipulates light emitted by a planar array of electrically-interconnected LED chips positioned within the input apertures of a corresponding array of shaped metallic reflecting bins using at least one of elevated prismatic films, polarization converting films, micro-lens arrays and external hemispherical or ellipsoidal reflecting elements. Practical applications of the LED array illumination systems include compact LCD or DMD video image projectors, as well as general lighting, automotive lighting, and LCD backlighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Digital Optics International Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Holman, Arthur Cox
  • 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: 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: 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: 6851841
    Abstract: The invention is directed to provide a vehicle interior illumination device which has a high illuminating effect and which can be used for various kinds of illumination in a vehicle. The illumination device disposed in a roof portion of the interior of a vehicle, including: a first light-emitting section having a first light source constituted by a plurality of first LEDs disposed at substantially regular spaces; and a second light-emitting section having a second light source constituted by a second LED, and a second outer lens with which a light emission side of the second light source is covered and by which light emitted from said second light source is converged and radiated out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sugihara, Hiroshi Ito, Takayuki Kamiya, Yoshio Sano, Mitsuhiro Nawashiro, Kazushi Noda
  • Patent number: 6840656
    Abstract: A light guiding plate according to the invention is mounted in a vertical backlight module between an illumination element and a diffusion plate. The light guiding plate has a flat light incidence surface at a bottom of the light guiding plate and a light emergence surface at a top of the light guiding plate. The light incidence surface faces the illumination element. The light emergence surface is adjacent to the diffusion plate and has a concave portion right above the illumination element. The concave portion of the light guiding plate further diffuses the light transmitted right above the illumination element to homogenize the light emergence and increase the glow for display of the backlight module. The total thickness of the vertical backlight module thereby is reduced to minimize the volume of the backlight module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventor: Heng Sheng Kuo
  • Patent number: 6837588
    Abstract: A spread illuminating apparatus having a light conductive plate made of a light transmissible material and a bar-like lamp disposed along and close to an end face of the light conductive plate. The spread illuminating apparatus also having a light reflection pattern having a stair-like configuration from a cross-sectional perspective. The light reflection pattern is formed on a major face of the light conductive plate. The spread illuminating apparatus also has a light dispersive-reflection pattern which has, for example, a plurality of convex surfaces which are formed on a major face of the light conductive plate opposite to the major face of the light conductive plate, which is provided with the light reflection pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Kunimochi, Shingo Suzuki, Motoji Egawa, Takahiro Shimura, Shigeyuki Oishi
  • Publication number: 20040252479
    Abstract: A back light module is provided. The back light module comprises a light-guiding plate, a side light source and a bottom light source. The side light source is positioned on one side facing a side surface of the light-guiding plate. The bottom light source is positioned on a bottom surface of the light-guiding plate. Light from the side light source and the bottom light source both emerge from a top surface of the light-guiding plate. The side light source and the bottom light source together provide a bright surface light source that illuminates a liquid crystal display to produce a better display effect. In addition, this invention also provides e liquid crystal display comprising a transmissive or transflective liquid crystal display panel and the aforementioned back light module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventor: CHE-KUEI MAI