Separate Sections Patents (Class 362/332)
  • Patent number: 7011425
    Abstract: A decorated luminary product includes a candle holder containing a candle, wherein at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface of the candle holder has a hammered texture such that light passing through the candle holder varies substantially as a result of variation of refraction of the light. A decorative web of a heat-shrinkable polymer may be heat shrunk to conform to the outer surface of the candle holder. The web is decorated with an ink or pigmentation to cooperate with light and/or heat emitted by burning the candle, so as to provide a pleasing visual effect when the candle is burned, while the hammered texture of the candle holder causes variations in the refraction of light emitted from the candle, causing further visual effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Melissa D. Morris, legal representative, Francois P. Delcourt, Anthony G. Micele, Jr., deceased
  • Patent number: 6951400
    Abstract: There is provided an optical structure. The optical structure includes a light source. The optical structure also includes an organic light management film having an index of refraction of less than 1.7 disposed above the light source, and a transparent inorganic film having an index of refraction of greater than 1.7 disposed adjacent the organic light management film. A optical device is also provided including the organic light management film and the transparent inorganic film. A method of forming the optical structure is also provided. The method includes depositing the transparent inorganic film under vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bret Chisholm, Eugene Olczak, Marc Schaepkens, Dennis Coyle
  • Patent number: 6874913
    Abstract: A luminaire is provided which includes a light source, a light guide that receives light radiating from the light source, and a plurality of prisms adjacent the light guide that redirect the light from the light guide substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the light guide. The prism angles, in one embodiment, are 25°-90°-65°. The fine pitch prism arrays preferably alternate or flip-flop every few millimeters, for example, one to two millimeters to create the visual appearance of bright and dark bands which cause the structure to appear like macro prisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Reflexite Corporation
    Inventors: James F. Munro, John A. Futhey
  • Patent number: 6866405
    Abstract: A variable intensity illuminator lens may comprise a generally elongate transparent body having a first converging power at a first position on the generally elongate transparent body and a second converging power at a second position on the generally elongate transparent body, the first converging power at the first position on the generally elongate transparent body being different than the second converging power at the second position on the generally elongate transparent body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Mark A. Smith
  • Patent number: 6848810
    Abstract: A light source for a flat panel display or a luminare includes a tubular enclosure having a linear slit in which is positioned a lens structure which may be a cylindrical rod lens or a plurality of ball lenses. The lens, whether a rod or ball structure, has an opaque white reflective strip or coating facing inward of the tubular enclosure, thereby defining two narrow slit openings through which the light can be projected into the lens structure and into an associated waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan B. Steiner, Robert J. Saccomanno
  • Patent number: 6837602
    Abstract: A cover for a shell of a vehicle tail-light has a disk portion, and separating plates secured to an inward side of the disk portion; the disk portion is formed with such a surface as to be capable of focusing light; the cover is disposed over a rear opening of the tail-light shell with the separating plates being in close contact with the inner side of the shell such that the disk portion is divided into four sector shaped areas, an X shaped area, and a ringed area by the separating plates as well as the shell; the tail-light has light emitting element sets, which oppose respective ones of the above areas, and can be separately powered. Therefore, the tail-light can function with selected ones of the light emitting element sets being activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Fu An Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jihn-Shiun Lee
  • Publication number: 20040218376
    Abstract: An apparatus for illumination comprises a light source operable to generate a radiation pattern. The apparatus further comprises a light guide adjacent the light source, which is operable to be illuminated by the radiation pattern. The light guide comprises a pattern of varying sized dots operable to diffusely reflect the illuminating radiation pattern. The dot pattern comprises monotonically increasing dot sizes intermediate between the smallest and the largest dot sizes, such that the smallest dot size is proximate to the light source and the largest dot size is distal from the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Kee Yean Ng, Yee Ling Tan
  • Publication number: 20040213001
    Abstract: A projector optic assembly is disclosed for use with various light emitting sources to collect and direct the rays of light into a high gradient beam pattern. The projector optic assembly includes a light pipe and a projector lens. The light pipe is segregated into several regions including a reflecting region, a funneling region and a transition plane separating the two regions. At the first end of the reflecting region, closest to the light emitting source, is a connecting lens. At the second end of the funneling region is an emitting aperture that is designed to refract light into the high gradient beam pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin Mitchell Sayers, Jeyachandrabose Chinniah
  • Patent number: 6802628
    Abstract: A vertically downward back-light module of the invention comprises a light-guiding panel, a light source, a reflective element, and a base. The light-guiding panel includes a bottom reflecting surface in which is formed a slot having a corrugated diffusing surface and light entry side surfaces. The light-guiding panel includes lateral wings respectively extending at a side of each light entry side surface. Each lateral wing extends in inclination relative to a horizontal plane including the opening of the slot in which is placed the light source. The reflective element covers the bottom reflecting surface and encapsulates the light source in the light-guiding panel. The light-guiding panel with the light source are mounted on the base. The light from the light source partially travels through the corrugated diffusing surface, and partially through the lateral wings. The brightness in proximity of the light source is thereby reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Heng Huang Kuo
  • Patent number: 6793376
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a light-condensing device having annular portions of a substantially semi-circular section, formed on a periphery of a convex lens, in which the light-condensing device is disposed in a state that a light-incoming plane of the convex lens and first inner wall surfaces of the annular portions are made to face a light source (lamp). And, lights from the light source falling on the light-condensing device are set to efficiently travel from the light-outgoing plane of the convex lens and second inner wall surfaces of the annular portions toward a small specific area such as a light-incoming end surface of a light-guiding device. Thereby, the lights from the light source can effectively be used for lighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ayumu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6789922
    Abstract: A cross-shaped beam laser ray device having a housing containing a battery, a laser diode driver circuit, a laser diode, and a convex lens. A transverse columnar faceted lens, respectively, with a cap having an aperture through its center is fastened to the front extremity of the housing. The transverse columnar faceted lens is aligned vertically with the laser rays such that afer laser rays are emitted by the laser diode and converged through the convex tens, the transverse columnar faceted lens refracts them into a cross-shaped beam that is projected through the aperture and appears as cross hairs when directed onto the surface of a targeted object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Chih-Hsiung Lin
  • Patent number: 6746129
    Abstract: A surface light source device and display utilize a light guide plate provided with micro-reflectors arranged in an orientation suitable for a plurality of input portions having point-like light emitters, respectively. A light guide plate 15 has a back face divided into areas ARA to ARC to each of which each input portion having each of LEDs 14A to 14C is shared. Micro-reflectors 19 in each of areas ARA to ARC are orientated as to be directed to each of LEDs 14A to 14C correspondingly, effecting an effective direction conversion. Emitted light is incident to a liquid crystal display panel generally at a right angle via a light diffusion sheet. Some micro-reflectors 19 in each of areas ARA to ARC may be arranged as to be directed to an adjacent input portion. Micro-reflectors may be shaped like quadrangle pyramid projections, cylindrical dents or V-shaped dents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventor: Shingo Ohkawa
  • Patent number: 6739738
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for redistributing light to shift the apparent position of light generation and provide a more uniform area of light emission from a light assembly incorporating a plurality of spaced-apart light sources. Divergent light from each light source is collimated into a beam. Portions of each beam are diverted from the direction of the beam, transmitted laterally and redirected to emerge from the light assembly radially spaced from the position of the light source producing the beam. An internal reflecting lens member molded from optical plastic is disclosed as one apparatus for carrying out the method. The disclosed method and apparatus are particularly applicable to light assemblies incorporating an array of LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20040080947
    Abstract: A luminaire globe member formed of light transmissive material and having a reflector section and a refractor section, light from a light source such as a high intensity discharge lamp initially impinging on at least major portions of the reflector section being reflected back into the interior of the globe member by prisms preferably disposed on exterior surfaces of said reflector section, refractive prisms preferably disposed on interior surfaces of the reflector section redirecting said reflected light through a focal point or loci of points directly above the light source, the light thus redirected from the reflector section being incident on surfaces of the refractor section at angles similar to angles of incidence of light rays directly emanating from the light source and directly incident on said refractor section surfaces, thereby to increase light efficiency by virtue of improved light control within the globe member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Gregory J. Subisak, Herbert A. Fouke
  • Patent number: 6726346
    Abstract: A headlight reduced in size and ensuring sufficiently high efficiency is provided. The headlight includes a light source, a cylindrical condenser lens surrounding the light source from its periphery to transmit light incident from the light source, and a reflector surrounding the light source and the cylindrical condenser lens from their backsides to reflect the light transmitted through the cylindrical condenser lens frontward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Cateye Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Shoji
  • Publication number: 20040076010
    Abstract: A vertically downward back-light module of the invention comprises a light-guiding panel, a light source, a reflective element, and a base. The light-guiding panel includes a bottom reflecting surface in which is formed a slot having a corrugated diffusing surface and light entry side surfaces. The light-guiding panel includes lateral wings respectively extending at a side of each light entry side surface. Each lateral wing extends in inclination relative to a horizontal plane including the opening of the slot in which is placed the light source. The reflective element covers the bottom reflecting surface and encapsulates the light source in the light-guiding panel. The light-guiding panel with the light source are mounted on the base. The light from the light source partially travels through the corrugated diffusing surface, and partially through the lateral wings. The brightness in proximity of the light source is thereby reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Hong Huang Kuo
  • Publication number: 20040062031
    Abstract: A shelf assembly includes a panel having an edge and two opposed spaced apart sides extending from the edge. A light sources positioned at the edge of the panel, which selectively generates light and directs the light in an initial direction into the panel through the edge of the panel. In addition, the panel is adapted to redirect the light from the initial direction in an illumination direction through at least one of the sides of the sub-panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Matt Pinter
  • Patent number: 6712481
    Abstract: Light emitting panel assemblies include a light emitting panel member having a uniform or variable pattern of light extracting deformities of well defined shapes in or on one or more surface areas of the light emitting panel member. The size and shape as well as the depth and angular orientation and position or location of the light extracting deformities may vary along the length and/or width of a panel surface area to obtain a desired light output distribution from the panel surface area. Also, at least some of the deformities may have planar surfaces in parallel spaced relation to a panel surface area. A focused light source may be insert molded or cast within a light transition area of the light emitting panel member to focus the light on an input surface of the light transition area with predetermined ray angles to fit a particular application. Molded supports may be provided on the panel member for supporting other parts or components in spaced relation therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Solid State Opto Limited
    Inventors: Jeffery R. Parker, Gregory A. Coghlan, Robert M. Ezell
  • Publication number: 20040057246
    Abstract: A push lens is integrated with a bezel and connected to the bezel by an integrally formed hinge to allow the lens to deflect for actuating a switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Flokstra, Stephen Grant, Michael Lanser
  • Patent number: 6685342
    Abstract: A prism unit has transmitting/totally-reflecting surfaces which cross each other, formed using at least one prism. Light emanating from a light source falls on the prism unit. The light is transmitted or totally reflected from the surfaces according to an angle of incidence at which the light falls on the prism unit. Transmitted light is radiated forwards, while totally-reflected light is directed laterally. A reflecting member is located laterally in order to cover the prism unit, whereby light totally reflected laterally by the prism unit is reflected forwards. In order to constitute the transmitting/totally—reflecting surfaces, a first air layer and a second air layer are formed in the prism unit so to have a substantially uniform width and oppose each other with a plane, which contains a glowing member of the light source and extends forwards, between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Terada
  • Publication number: 20040012943
    Abstract: A light-conducting unit which can effectively balance the light-leaking effect and the light-propagation effect of the prismatic films forming the light-conducting space, and satisfy the requirements to reduce the weight of the unit is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Toyooka
  • Patent number: 6666572
    Abstract: A lens (2) disposed in front of a lamp housing (11) has a light transmitting portion (2a) thereof zoned at the rear side into a central section (X) and lateral sections (Y) at both sides thereof, the central and lateral sections (X, Y) being additionally divided into blocks (A, B, C, D, E, F, G), respectively, and prism elements (p) in the blocks are configured so that those (p) in the central section (X) control reflected light from a reflector (12) as reference light, and those (p) in the lateral sections (Y) control direct light from a light source bulb (10) as reference light, thereby providing illumination ranges (J, K) within a light distribution range (LDR) conforming to a light distribution specification (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Ichikoh Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyohiro Akiyama
  • Patent number: 6663262
    Abstract: A backlight assembly for use in a transmissive display system is described. The backlight assembly includes a light source that illuminates a light chamber. A transmissive display is positioned adjacent the light chamber so that light that exits the chamber illuminates the transmissive display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gary Timothy Boyd, Leland Ray Whitney, Richard A. Miller, Keith Michael Kotchick
  • Patent number: 6657752
    Abstract: An installation for increasing the usable scanning range along the axial direction of a light source. The installation includes a linear light source and a light-channeling panel. The linear light source has a light axis whose brightness near the mid-portion is higher than the brightness level on either side. The light-channeling panel is adjacent to the linear light source and is capable of concentrating more light in the end sections rather than the mid-portion of the light axis. The light-channeling panel is made from a plurality of panels, each made from materials having different light transparencies. The light transparency of the light-channeling panel near the central section of the light axis is lower than the light transparency at the end sections of the light axis. Hence, after light from the linear light source has passed through the light-channeling panel, a band of light having a more homogenous brightness level than the linear light source is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Umax Data Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jen-Shou Tseng
  • Patent number: 6637918
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighting or indicator device for a motor vehicle, including at least one light source, a reflector and a light-diffusing plate. According to the present invention, the reflector and the light-diffusing plate consist of substantially flat elements forming a small but non-zero angle between them and delimiting between them a prismatic volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Fabien Changeur, Jean Paul Drouet, Régis Duplessy
  • Patent number: 6632004
    Abstract: A lighting device is disclosed which comprises an illuminating light source for illuminating an object, a first optical unit disposed on the side of the object of the illuminating light source and having an optical action section for diverging light or an optical action section for converging light, and a second optical unit disposed on the side of the object of the optical action section of the first optical unit and having an optical action section for exhibiting a characteristic opposite to a characteristic of the optical action section, wherein the optical action section of the second optical unit overlies the optical action section of the first optical unit in varying areas to change light distribution characteristic on the side of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Saburo Sugawara, Yoshiharu Tenmyo, Takayuki Uchida, Nobuhisa Kojima
  • Patent number: 6623150
    Abstract: The present invention is a vehicular combination marker/clearance lamp for trucks and trailers using a reduced number of light-emitting diodes and an optics design using total internal reflection to produce the light intensity and angular distribution required by the Department of Transportation. The present invention accomplishes this goal by utilizing a one-piece optical system. The system possesses a collimating lens, ribbed structures, and a modified conical shape, which will concentrate and distribute the light produced by the light-emitting diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Truck-Lite Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Philip C. Roller, Chris A. Suckow, Ronald Madison, Timothy DiPenti
  • Publication number: 20030174491
    Abstract: A surface-emitting device includes a light guide panel, a light guide placed along one end face of the light guide panel, and light sources placed at ends of the light guide. A side face of the light guide facing the end face of the light guide panel serves as an emergent surface for applying light from the light sources to the light guide panel, and a side face remote from the emergent surface serves as a reflecting surface on which concave grooves for reflecting light propagating inside the light guide are periodically formed at a predetermined pitch. The depth of the concave grooves increases toward the center of the light guide, and the angle formed between two inclined faces that constitute each groove is within the range of 105° to 115°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Mituso Ohizumi, Takuro Sugiura
  • Patent number: 6612719
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes a semiconductor laser providing light-output in first and second mutually perpendicular axes. The light-output propagates in a direction mutually perpendicular to the first and second axes. An optical system is arranged cooperative with the semiconductor laser to focus the light-output inn the first and second axes at respectively first and second focal points spaced apart in the propagation direction. At a plane intersecting the first focal point perpendicular to the direction of propagation, the focussed diode-laser light-output is formed into a line of light having a width in the first axis and a length in the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew O. Richardson, Haiyin Sun, Christopher J. Kruger, Daniel W. Callen
  • Publication number: 20030156417
    Abstract: The invention proposes an indicator light, in particular for a motor vehicle, of the type comprising a central optical axis, a light source and a solid optical piece, at least partly of revolution, which comprises at least:
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Gasquet, Manuel Panay
  • Publication number: 20030133301
    Abstract: A light collimating film includes a sheet having a first side and a second side. The first side can include a series of optical elements and the second side includes a series of stepped plateaus and a series of base planes that run along a first axis. The plateaus and base planes alternate along a second axis and the plateaus have an elevation different than the base planes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Applicant: Reflexite Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick W. Mullen
  • Publication number: 20030117789
    Abstract: A lighting system is provided to transmit light from a light source through a prism. The prism includes a light receiving edge surface, a curved edge surface and a light exiting edge surface. The light source is positioned to transmit a beam of light through the light receiving edge surface of the prism. The prism is configured such that the beam of light travels through the prism to strike the curved edge surface. The beam of light is then reflected off of the curved edge surface such that the beam of light changes direction and continues to travel through the prism until such time as it passes through the light exiting edge surface. The lighting system is adapted to provide a substantially uniform light distribution from the light exiting edge surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: David R. Nowak
  • Patent number: 6578997
    Abstract: A multi-ocular light composed by using a multi-ocular lens integrating a plurality of lenses and comprising one illumination light source for said multi-ocular lens, and a reflector mirror for distributing light from this single illumination light source to said respective lenses, wherein a signal light source is provided at the back of said multi-ocular lens to correspond to at least one lens of this multi-ocular lens, in order to assure the illumination function when said illumination light source is turned on, and the signal function when said signal light source is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Futami
  • Patent number: 6568820
    Abstract: A guide plate has a major face on which projections are arranged, wherein the projections have an arch-like profile within the vicinity of an incidence end face, or, in addition to this, within regions along both side end faces, thereby preventing the guide plate from producing abnormal brightness which could be caused by reflective appearance of edges. A primary light source is disposed beside the guide plate. Major faces of the guide plate provide an emission face and a back face. A prism sheet and a protection sheet are disposed along the emission face. A liquid crystal display panel is additionally arranged to provide a liquid crystal display. The guide plate has a wedge-shaped cross section and a minor face at its thicker end provides the incidence end face along the primary light source. The emission face may be provided with light scattering pattern to promote emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignees: Enplas Corporation, Yasuhiro Koike
    Inventors: Shingo Ohkawa, Hiroshi Yamazaki, Junichi Ohkuma
  • Patent number: 6565239
    Abstract: A luminaire flush with a horizontal surface and comprising a housing, an optical window, a light source, and an optical element. The housing has an internal cavity disposed beneath the horizontal surface and defines an opening disposed adjacent the horizontal surface. The optical window, substantially flat and transparent, has a surface that overlays the housing opening. The light source, disposed within the housing cavity, provides a spatial light distribution pattern which defines an optical axis that is disposed substantially perpendicular relative to the optical window surface. The optical element, also disposed within the housing cavity, redistributes light rays emitted by the light source along preselected angles relative to the horizontal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Farlight, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Alexander Rizkin, Il'ya Agurok, Robert H. Tudhope
  • Patent number: 6561662
    Abstract: There is provided a spread illuminating apparatus aiming to minimize the coverage of a liquid crystal screen while securely integrating a light conductive member with a transparent substrate. The light conductive member is wedge-shaped in which the width thereof is in inverse proportion to the increase in distance from a spot-like light source opposing face, and the transparent substrate is trapezoid-shaped in which a side aligned to the spot-like light source opposing face is shorter. A frame and transparent substrate overlapping part becomes larger from one side part to the other side part of the transparent substrate. Since the frame and transparent substrate overlapping part are large enough regardless of the small width of the frame than that of the prior art, the region of a liquid crystal screen can be increased accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motoji Egawa
  • Patent number: 6558022
    Abstract: The present invention is an illumination system for use near a wall or surface for creating one or more images of light thereon. An important characteristic of the invention is the ability to produce coordinated images by passing radiant light through an at least one convergent refracting lens. The lens may have a decorative shape, and the surface of convergent refracting lens may be embellished with etched, drawn, painted or otherwise applied designs for projecting said images, or a prism for producing decorative rainbow spectra effects. The invention is capable of being used in common household lighting fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Jamie Kawahara
  • Patent number: 6530679
    Abstract: There is provided a light emitting device in this invention comprises a light source for supplying light, and plural light scattering devices disposed in front of the light source so as to be opposite to the direction of the light. Each of the light scattering devices comprises at least one striated surface forming plural prisms. The light is scattered by means of the prisms of the light scattering devices. This invention enables a light emitting device to achieve the spread of light with comparatively little light clustering. In particular, the light emitted from a local source can be changed from being directional to being non-directional even in case of use of the LED's source of light which is directional and so on. Therefore, the light emitting device pertaining to this invention is suitably adopted for use in the display of guardrails on the road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventor: Yoichi Nishioka
  • Publication number: 20030043568
    Abstract: A light conductive bar has a plurality of flat portions parallel to a side surface thereof facing a light conductive plate and formed on a side surface thereof opposite to the side surface and a plurality of inclined surfaces descending from one end surface facing a spot-like light source toward the other end surface, wherein the flat portions step down gradually from the one end surface to the other end surface. When light introduced into the light conductive bar from the one end surface is repeatedly reflected at the flat portions and the side surface facing the light conductive plate, angles of reflections thereat can stay larger than the critical angle because the flat portions are parallel to the side surface. Accordingly, the light can travel to the other end surface without leakage, thereby improving the luminance of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: MINEBEA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shingo Suzuki, Toru Kunimochi
  • Patent number: 6502961
    Abstract: A lighting module that modifies a light beam to affect the size and shape and color characteristics of the projected beam includes a light source and a reflector to direct the light along an optic path. The reflector is formed so that light is directed along a light path that is not parallel to a center line of the reflector. A primary lens element reduces the cross section of an effected light region as the light enters a modifying element area in the optic path. Light modifying elements are deployed in varying combinations and to varying degrees to produce the shape, size, and color of light beam desired by the user. The construction of the light modifying elements allows the elements to be physically positioned in the optic path but to have no effect on the light until the elements are rotated so that light modifying element segments align with lens segments of the primary optical element, and the light modifying element or elements change the light being projected from the lighting module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventor: Brian Edward Richardson
  • Patent number: 6478452
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes a semiconductor laser providing light-output in first and second mutually perpendicular axes. The light-output propagates in a direction mutually perpendicular to the first and second axes. An optical system is arranged cooperative with the semiconductor laser to focus the light-output inn the first and second axes at respectively first and second focal points spaced apart in the propagation direction. At a plane intersecting the first focal point perpendicular to the direction of propagation, the focussed diode-laser light-output is formed into a line of light having a width in the first axis and a length in the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew O. Richardson, Haiyin Sun, Christopher John Kruger
  • Publication number: 20020141194
    Abstract: The present invention includes a backlight system incorporating a back reflector and/or a lamp cavity reflector constructed of a multilayer optical film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David L. Wortman, Sanford Cobb, Brian D. Cull, Michael F. Weber, Andrew J. Ouderkirk
  • Patent number: 6439743
    Abstract: A solid state light apparatus suited for use in traffic control signals and having a unitary transparent cover generating a homogenous light beam. A solid state light source comprises an area array of LEDs uniformly illuminating a light diffuser to achieve the homogenous light beam. The unitary cover has a lens defined at an inner portion thereof, and an outer portion encompassing the lens adapted to sealingly secure to the apparatus housing. The lens is continuous with the outer portion such that water and other environmental elements can not penetrate into the housing electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Power Signal Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Michael C. Hutchison
  • Patent number: 6431727
    Abstract: This specification discloses an illuminating device in which lights emitted from a plurality of light sources are made into substantially parallel lights and are made to enter a lens array system, and illumination is effected by the lights from the lens array system, characterized in that an optical system in which the action of compressing the incident light in the direction of arrangement of the plurality of light sources is greater than the action of compressing the incident light in a direction perpendicular thereto is provided between the light sources and the lens array system. The specification also discloses a projection type display apparatus including such illuminating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Saburo Sugawara, Atsushi Okuyama
  • Patent number: 6409370
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp lens having integrated lens members with a boundary therebetween. The front surface of the boundary portion side of at least one of the lens members is displaced in the rearward direction as the surface becomes closer to the boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Akiyama, Fujihiko Sugiyama, Masahiko Nishizaki
  • Patent number: 6382822
    Abstract: A vehicular lamp having an inner lens is described. In an implementation, an annular wall 18A surrounding an optic axis Ax of a reflector 14 is formed on the inner lens 18 disposed between am outer lens 16 and a reflecting surface 14a of the reflector 14. The inner lens 18 is divided by the annular wall 18A into an internal zone 18B and an external zone 18C which may be different from each other in convex-concave lens shape. The internal zone 18B may be formed of a translucent lens, and a plurality of grid-type lens elements 18Cs may be formed over the entire rear surface of the external zone 18C. Thus, an observer viewing the interior of a lighting chamber from a location in front of the lamp will see that the internal zone 18B and the external zone 18C, which are divided by the annular wall 18A, are significantly different. The configuration of elements provides a vehicular lamp that is visually attractive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gen Maekawa, Nobutaka Tezuka
  • Patent number: 6367954
    Abstract: In conventional projector lamp configurations, the shade which is provided for adjusting the luminous intensity distribution property reduces the efficiency of use of light beams and also reduces the area through which light is emitted, resulting in a poor visibility for cars coming from the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Futami
  • Publication number: 20020036905
    Abstract: A surface light source device includes a linear light source, and a light emitted from the linear light source is incident onto one side surface of a light guide plate. The light is then emitted from an upper surface of the light guide plate. A display panel is provided so as to cover an upper surface of the light guide plate. The display panel has two display areas that its translucent rates are different each other. In addition, a light-shielding sheet is provided between the light guide plate and the display area to shield the light emitted from the light guide plate. A light-shielding effect of the light guide plate deteriorates with to a distance from the side surface of the light guide plate, and a luminance irregularity of the light emitted from the light guide plate is absorbed in the light-shielding sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Koji Mabuchi
  • Patent number: 6341877
    Abstract: A bollard light with enhanced function of diffusing lamp light with a special light colour effect. A transparent coloured diffuser rim is retrofitted onto a clear diffuser lens. The transparent coloured diffuser rim serves to diffuse lamp light with a special light colour effect, while the clear diffuser lens serves to distribute natural lamp light. The concept using a modular louvre unit in conjunction with an intermediate diffuser lens allows for multi-tier louvre configuration. The retrofitting design of a coloured diffuser rim allows for interchangeability and multi-colour choice of coloured diffuser rims. The flexible shape concept of the bollard head allows for choice of various shapes, which can be complemented by similar shapes of bollard body and canopy which can also be of hemispherical, pyramid, flat-top or angular design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Advance Industries SDN BHD
    Inventor: Kwan Yew Chong
  • Publication number: 20020003708
    Abstract: A marker lamp distributes light without the use of mirrors or reflectors. The marker lamp uses a combination of corner cube optics and intersecting cylindrical prisms on the lens, distributing light in accordance to the United States and the United Nations standards for the European community for marker lamps. The marker lamp uses as a light source a reduce number of light emitting diodes, a maximum of three. The marker lamp is design to be slim and sturdy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventors: Philip C. Roller, Jon A. Stineman