Laser Patents (Class 362/553)
  • Patent number: 7628523
    Abstract: A light supply unit comprises optical fibers, LEDs, optical connectors, and a controller. The optical fibers constitute optical fiber groups which extend to their respective illumination positions different from each other. The optical connectors optically connect one ends of the optical fibers to the respective LEDs. The controller controls light emissions of the respective LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Sakurada
  • Patent number: 7621677
    Abstract: A light source is described where the light emitted by a solid-state light emitting device such as an LED is coupled into an optical waveguide such as an optical fiber. A highly reflective coupler (reflector) is disposed around the LED and a segment of the waveguide adjacent the LED. Light emitted from the LED that falls outside of the numerical aperture of the waveguide leaks out of the waveguide, but is reflected back to the waveguide by the reflector. The reflected light is re-reflected or scattered by the LED or the substrate the LED is mounted on, and the re-reflected or scattered light that falls within the numerical aperture of the waveguide is coupled into the waveguide. As a result, light coupling efficiency is increased and the output brightness of the light at the other end of the fiber is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: YLX Corp.
    Inventors: Yi Yang, Li Xu, Yi Li
  • Publication number: 20090257242
    Abstract: Light-emitting devices and related methods are described that involve spatially distributing the light emission from a primary light source such as a laser or LED before it is incident on the photoluminescent material. The photoluminescent material emits a secondary emission that may comprise visible light. Some variations of the light-emitting devices may utilize an optical waveguide to couple-in light from the primary light source and spatially distribute the coupled-in light in a controlled manner to pump the photoluminescent material. A variety of configurations for high efficiency light fixtures may be possible using the light-emitting devices and methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: Mark WENDMAN
  • Publication number: 20090237955
    Abstract: A window of a CAN package is sealed by a circular transparent plate member and a cylindrical transparent member. The diameter of the cylindrical transparent member is equal to the diameter of the window, and the thickness thereof is 1 mm. The distance from a semiconductor laser LD to a light output surface of the circular transparent member is approximately 1 mm, and the distance from the semiconductor laser LD to a light output surface of the cylindrical transparent member is approximately 2 mm. The output of the semiconductor laser LD is 800 mW, and the transmittance area of a laser beam at the light output surface of the transparent member is approximately 0.70 mm2 (1/e). The light density at the light output surface of the transparent member is 1.14 (W/mm2). Deterioration in transmittance rates can be suppressed if the light density at the light output surface of the transparent member is 1.15 or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi MUKAI
  • Patent number: 7585089
    Abstract: A light engine (10) has a light engine subassembly (12) comprising: a housing (14) having a longitudinal axis (16), a tubular portion (18) with a surrounding wall (20) and a closed end (22). A slot (24) is formed in the surrounding wall (20) and terminates at the closed end (22). A solid-state light source (26) is mounted adjacent the closed end (22), the solid-sate light source having energizing wires attached thereto and exiting the housing via the slot (24). A light dispenser (36) having a first end (37) is fixed in the tubular portion (18) and extends for a given distance along the longitudinal axis (16). The light engine can be used for backlighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Swantner, Douglas G. Seymour
  • Publication number: 20090219491
    Abstract: An illumination system for transforming at least one laser light beam having a non-uniform distribution in a first axis and a second axis to a beam having a substantially uniform distribution in the first axis while preserving the non-uniform distribution in the second axis. The transformed beam may be imaged as a line image onto a one-dimensional light modulation device. The illumination system may comprise a light tunnel having two sides that interact with the at least one laser light beam in the first axis and two sides that do not interact with the light in the second axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Forrest Williams, Robert Christensen, David M. Bloom, Allen Tanner
  • Publication number: 20090213614
    Abstract: A device for producing a polychromatic light including an optical pump that delivers a first radiation at a first wavelength; a light guide; and a selective injector that injects the radiation into the guide, the guide being arranged to generate a harmonic corresponding to the selected injector and provide a polychromatic light at an outlet, by non-linear excitation of the first radiation and the harmonic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicants: Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique-CNRS, Universite De Limoges
    Inventors: Vincent Couderc, Philippe Leproux, Vincent Tombelaine, Pierre-Alain Champert, Sebastien Fevrier, Alain Barthelemy, Jean-Louis Auguste, Jean-Marc Blondy
  • Patent number: 7578602
    Abstract: A laser irradiation system includes a laser diode as a laser generation source, a lens for receiving the laser light introduced thereto from the laser diode and producing a laser beam, and a light pipe for receiving the laser beam produced by the lens and introduced thereto, wherein the light pipe has a hollow portion for guiding the introduced laser beam for irradiation therewith, and an outer tube portion for emitting light by scattering the introduced laser beam, whereby the irradiation with laser being conducted can be clearly indicated so that the user can easily notice the situation even in the cases of unintended irradiation with laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Kajikuri, Tamio Mori, Hideki Inoue
  • Publication number: 20090204111
    Abstract: A light delivery device comprising an optical fiber having a non-feature portion and a feature portion having features that force light to couple out radially from the feature portion and provide a desired radial light output pattern. A method of photodisinfection of a cavity comprising of providing this device, apply a photosensitizing composition to treatment site within the cavity, and inserting at least a portion of the device into the cavity; and applying light delivered by the device from a light source to the treatment site within the cavity at a wavelength absorbed by the photosensitizing composition so as to inhibit or eliminate microbes located at the treatment site. The present invention also includes a method of making the device and a treatment kit containing the device and a container containing a photosensitizing composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Alois Bissig, Erich Zurfluh, Andreas Rose
  • Publication number: 20090185392
    Abstract: Illumination devices utilized within detachable illumination systems include a light source including a substantially planar light-emitting surface and an optical rod or optical taper disposed proximate to the substantially planar light-emitting surface to optically couple the optical rod and the substantially planar light-emitting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: Optim, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Krupa, Thomas V. Root
  • Publication number: 20090179597
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming machine having a light source and one or ideally a series of lighting positions that are illuminated, via optical pathways that are suitably in the form of optical fibres that transmit light from the light source to the or each lighting position. The light source may have a light filter that operably controls the colour and intensity of light illuminating from the lighting positions depending on the outcomes of the game being played. The present invention also relates to a network of the gaming machines and a centralised light source, wherein optical pathways, suitably in the form of optical fibres, transmit light from the light source to the light positions of two or more gaming machines. The network may also include a controller to control illumination of the lighting positions, including colour of the light and intensity of the light based on data received from an outcome determiner of one or more of the machines of the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: Christian James Salmon
  • Patent number: 7549782
    Abstract: A tubular light source having a semiconductor light source and a tube is disclosed. The tube includes a transparent medium, the tube having a side tube surface, a center curve, one end surface, a length, and a maximum cross-sectional dimension. The tube includes scattering centers that cause light traveling in the tube to be reflected at angles such that the reflected light leaves the tube through the side tube surface. The semiconductor light source is positioned to emit light into the tube within a cone of angles such that the light will not leave the side tube surface in the absence of the scattering centers. The scattering centers can be dispersed in the transparent medium or located on the side tube surface. The transparent medium can be rigid or flexible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kee Yean Ng, Sian Tatt Lee
  • Publication number: 20090141251
    Abstract: An illumination system designed to remove laser speckle and a projection system including the same. The illumination system includes a laser light source having at least one laser, a diffractive optical element to divide a laser beam emitted from the laser light source into a plurality of sub-beams and to periodically move in such a way as to temporally average the speckle of the laser beam, and an optical fiber bundle including a plurality of fibers with the same length to divide the sub-beams into smaller sub-beams. The illumination system divides the laser beam emitted from the laser light source into sub-beams and temporally or spatially averages the sub-beams, thereby effectively reducing or removing laser speckle. The projection system employing the illumination system can provide improved image quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Sung-ha KIM, Sang-whoo Dho
  • Publication number: 20090128781
    Abstract: A micro-projector comprises an LED layer, a light pipe coupled to the LED, a LCOS panel, a projection lens, a PBS, an aperture layer coupled to the output end of the light pipe which has a transmissive opening for transmitting a portion of the light output and a reflective surface for reflecting the remaining portion of the light output toward the input end of the light pipe. Thus, the remaining portion of the light output is recycled back to the LED to increase the brightness of the light output of the LED. The micro-projector also comprises a reflective polarizer disposed between the light pipe and the aperture layer for transmitting the light output of a predetermined polarization and reflecting other polarization of the light output, thereby recycling unused polarization of the light output back to the LED to increase the brightness of the light output of the LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Kenneth Li
  • Patent number: 7527384
    Abstract: An illumination system designed to remove laser speckle and a projection system including the same. The illumination system includes a laser light source having at least one laser, a diffractive optical element to divide a laser beam emitted from the laser light source into a plurality of sub-beams and to periodically move in such a way as to temporally average the speckle of the laser beam, and an optical fiber bundle including a plurality of fibers with the same length to divide the sub-beams into smaller sub-beams. The illumination system divides the laser beam emitted from the laser light source into sub-beams and temporally or spatially averages the sub-beams, thereby effectively reducing or removing laser speckle. The projection system employing the illumination system can provide improved image quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Sung-ha Kim, Sang-whoe Dho
  • Publication number: 20090109698
    Abstract: Provided is a lighting apparatus capable of uniformly and efficiently lighting a spatial light modulator. The lighting apparatus includes: a light source for outputting laser light; a multimode optical fiber in which the laser light outputted from the light source propagates through an internal core whose lateral cross section is a substantially polygonal outer diameter shape; and spatial light modulator for producing an image with illumination light from the multimode optical fiber. In the lighting apparatus, the laser light is outputted from the light source and is propagated to the multimode optical fiber in which an outer diameter shape of the lateral cross section of the core is a substantially polygonal shape, whereby the spatial light modulator can be uniformly and efficiently lighted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Yasuharu Koyata, Yoshihito Hirano, Kiyohide Sakai, Masao Imaki, Shinsuke Shikama, Jiro Suzuki, Takao Endou, Kouhei Teramoto, Shigenori Shibue
  • Patent number: 7513624
    Abstract: A laser projection device suitable for displaying full color images is disclosed. The LPD includes a variety of techniques for modulating laser beams produced by one or more lasers with image data to controllably produce the image using a modified raster scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dmitriy Yavid, Paul Dvorkis, Ron Goldman, Joseph Katz, Narayan Nambudiri, Miklos Stern, Chinh Tan, Carl Wittenberg, Frederick F. Wood
  • Patent number: 7510284
    Abstract: Described herein are display devices that provide projection-type video output and use redundant sets of lasers to generate light. The laser set produces a desired amount of light, e.g., for a primary color. A redundant laser set includes more lasers than that needed to produce the desired amount of light. For example, a set of six lasers may only need five lasers to generate and emit a desired amount of light. The sixth laser allows failure of one laser in the set to not compromise operability of the entire set—and the display device. In addition, extra lasers in a laser set also allows the lasers to be cycled for heat purposes and to extend longevity of individual lasers in the set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: William J. Plut
  • Publication number: 20090073348
    Abstract: A backlight module for a display includes a light source, a lens unit, a reflective unit and a prism. The light source provides a light beam. The light beam passes through the lens unit to be expanded, then transmits to the reflective unit and reflected to the prism. The light source may be a laser source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: YOUNG OPTICS INC.
    Inventors: Long-Sheng Liao, Chao-Shun Chen
  • Publication number: 20090067188
    Abstract: A first optical waveguide guides a pumping light emitted from a semiconductor laser. A second optical waveguide absorbs the pumping light and emits a spontaneous emission light having a wavelength longer than that of the pumping light. A third optical waveguide guides a light output from the second optical waveguide to outside. A wavelength selecting element is provided between the second optical waveguide and the third optical waveguide, across which a resonator is formed between the semiconductor laser side and an output side to outside. A wavelength of a laser light emitted from the resonator is set by controlling length of the second optical waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicants: THE FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., TOTOKU ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sugio Wako, Atsushi Koyama, Hiroshi Matsuura, Takeshi Takagi, Satoru Abe, Akira Fujisaki
  • Publication number: 20090067189
    Abstract: An illumination device is described containing optical fibers that transmit electromagnetic energy from a source to a target. Additional optical fibers return reflected electromagnetic energy from the target. High-level electromagnetic energy can be used for cutting, reforming, or treating a surface. Low-level electromagnetic energy illuminates the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Dmitri Boutoussov, Jeffrey W. Jones, Ioana M. Rizoiu
  • Publication number: 20090059614
    Abstract: An illumination system includes a plurality of radiation generating sources, such as LED dies. A corresponding plurality of optical waveguides is also provided, with each waveguide having a first and a second end, with each first end being in optical communication with the corresponding LED die. An array of corresponding passive optical elements is interposed between the plurality of LED dies and the corresponding first ends of the plurality of optical waveguides. The illumination system provides for substantially high light coupling efficiency and an incoherent light output that can appear to the human observer as arising from a single point of light. In addition, the light can be output remotely at one or more locations and in one or more directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Gordon D. Henson, Barbara A. DeBaun, Michael A. Meis, John C. Schultz, John J. Simbal, Ronald D. Davis
  • Publication number: 20090052203
    Abstract: A coherent light source includes a plurality of light emitting points arranged in one-dimensional array. A beam shaping unit shapes a light beam so that a diameter of a light emitted from the coherent light source in a direction perpendicular to a direction of the light emitting point array is larger than a diameter in the direction of the light emitting point array, and an intensity distribution of the light emitted from each of the light emitting points is uniform. A magnification of a focusing optical system is set such that a light emitted from the beam shaping unit is coupled to an optical fiber based on a maximum diameter of the light emitted from the beam shaping unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Rena Murase, Yoko Inoue, Tomohiro Sasagawa
  • Publication number: 20090054957
    Abstract: The present invention is an illumination device designed to provide efficient illumination in confined spaces and methods of using such a device. The devices of the present invention comprise a laser light source of a specifically selected wavelength or wavelengths, optical fiber(s) and one or more light converters to convert the input laser light to broad spectrum white light or a specific desired wavelength. The light converter may be integral/modular with the fiber optic assembly. The light converter may be constructed of phosphors, nanocrystals or other energy converters which are embedded within a transport material such as polymer or glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: Iris, Inc
    Inventor: Ramsey Shanbaky
  • Publication number: 20090027587
    Abstract: An optical fiber 13, of which one end 13a is optically coupled to a laser light source 12, for propagating, from the one end 13a to other end 13c, a laser light emitted from the laser light source 12, and a light-guiding plate 11 including a light-guiding section 11b in which a plurality of right prisms of the same shape for extracting the laser light by contacting the optical fiber 13 are arranged parallel to each other in the same direction at equal intervals, and also including a planar section 11c for diffusing the laser light extracted from the light-guiding section 11b and emitting the diffused laser light from one main surface, are provided. The optical fiber 13 is bent more than twice to form a plurality of straight line portions arranged parallel to each other at unequal intervals, and the optical fiber 13 and the light-guiding plate 11 are positioned such that the laser light is extracted at equal intervals from each of the plurality of straight line portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Tatsuo ITOH, Tetsuro Mizushima, Kenichi Kasazumi, Kazuhisa Yamamoto, Shinichi Kadowaki
  • Publication number: 20080278693
    Abstract: An illumination optical system has: a light source, a diffusion member, and a rod integrator, and illuminates an image display surface of a display element. The light source emits an illumination beam having a flat cross section. The diffusion member isotropically diffuses the illumination beam. The rod integrator uniformizes spatial energy distribution of the illumination beam put into a diffused state by the diffusion member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasumasa SAWAI
  • Patent number: 7426225
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical transceiver that installs an optical transmitting assembly and an optical receiving assembly both are compact, inexpensive, and capable of operating at a high speed. The optical transmitting assembly of the present invention provides the metal bottom that installs the thermoelectric cooler thereon and the semiconductor optical device is mounted, via the insulating substrate, on the thermoelectric cooler. The first and second multi-layered ceramic substrates are provided to surround the thermoelectric cooler. The DC signal or the low-frequency signal for the thermoelectric cooler and the semiconductor optical device is supplied through the first ceramic substrate, while the high frequency signal for the semiconductor device, with the complementary signal having the opposite phase to the high frequency signal, is provided to the semiconductor device through the inner layer of the second ceramic substrate and the insulating substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisao Go, Toshiaki Kihara, Kiyoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 7422356
    Abstract: A light emitting device, comprises at least: a light emitting element; a wavelength conversion member for converting the wavelength of light from the light emitting element; a bendable light guide member for guiding light from the light emitting element to the wavelength conversion member; and a heat conduction member that is thermally connected to the wavelength conversion member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Nichia Corporation
    Inventors: Atsutomo Hama, Yukihiro Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20080130311
    Abstract: A solid-state light source includes a semiconductor light source for emitting light and an optical system having a fiber optic element. The fiber optic element has an input for receiving emitted light from the semiconductor light source. The fiber optic element also has an output for emitting light received from the solid-state light source. The semiconductor light source and the fiber optic element in aggregate form an illumination path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Yuri Kazakevich
  • Patent number: 7374321
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for displaying luminous radiation on a shell of an aircraft, comprising at least one light source for producing luminous radiation, and at least one projection device for converting the luminous radiation into projectable luminous radiation. The at least one projection device is mounted inside the shell in order to project the luminous radiation through the interior (15) and onto the shell (60). Said shell is translucent at least in portions thereof whereby making the projected luminous radiation visible from the outside. The invention also relates to a method for displaying luminous radiation on a shell of an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventors: Jürgen Lick, Veronika Schedlbauer
  • Patent number: 7367682
    Abstract: A lightweight, compact image projection module, especially for mounting in a housing having a light-transmissive window, is operative for causing selected pixels in a raster pattern to be illuminated to produce an image of high resolution of VGA quality in color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Dvorkis, Ron Goldman, Chinh Tan, Dmitriy Yavid, Miklos Stern, Carl Wittenberg, Frederick F. Wood, Askold Strat, Michael Slutsky, Narayan Nambudiri, Richard Rizza, Thomas Mazz, Lisa Fan
  • Patent number: 7360934
    Abstract: A light supply unit comprises optical fibers, LEDs, optical connectors, and a controller. The optical fibers constitute optical fiber groups which extend to their respective illumination positions different from each other. The optical connectors optically connect one ends of the optical fibers to the respective LEDs. The controller controls light emissions of the respective LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Sakurada
  • Patent number: 7357512
    Abstract: An image projection system projects an image on a projection screen having a phosphor for converting incident violet light into green light which, together with red and blue light, creates the image in full color. The screen includes an apertured mask having apertures filled with the phosphor, or a phosphor plate in contact with the mask and having lenslets extending through and past the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chinh Tan, Paul Dvorkis, Miklos Stern, Frederick F. Wood
  • Patent number: 7354157
    Abstract: An image display device includes a laser light source, a wavelength conversion element converting a wavelength of a light beam emitted from the laser light source into a predetermined wavelength, and a light modulating device modulating the laser beam output from the wavelength conversion element, wherein the laser beam emitted from the laser light source has a frequency of integral multiplication of the maximum modulation frequency of the light modulating device, and has a pulse width narrower than a time period during which the light modulating device is in a stable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Takeda, Masatoshi Yonekubo
  • Patent number: 7303290
    Abstract: A lightweight, compact image projection module, especially for mounting in a housing having a light-transmissive window, is operative for causing selected pixels in a raster pattern to be illuminated to produce an image of high resolution of VGA quality or higher in color. A laser beam focusing arrangement aligns a mechanical axis of a focusing lens with an optical axis along which a laser beam is directed to reduce pointing errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Wittenberg, Chinh Tan, Lisa Fan
  • Patent number: 7281807
    Abstract: Described herein are devices that provide projection-type video output in a portable and flexible design. The design includes a projection chamber, a base, and an interface that permits relative positioning between the projection chamber and base. The base maintains the position of the display device. The projection chamber includes components responsible for the production of images based on received video data and components responsible for the projection of those images. Relative pointing between the projection chamber and base allows the projection chamber to be pointed—and an output projected image to be positioned—with minimal effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywood Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: William J. Plut
  • Patent number: 7278769
    Abstract: Coherent light, as produced by lasers, is much more intense and bright than non-coherent light. However, unlike non-coherent light sources coherent light from a laser does not radiate away from its source in a spherical fashion, but instead travels in a substantially straight path directly away from the source in a unidirectional beam. Direct exposure to coherent light is potentially dangerous to the human eye and consumer products employing laser-light sources are carefully regulated. Consequently, as a result of the radiation characteristics of coherent light, coherent light sources have not previously been employed for use in a signaling wand or any other direct-lighting apparatus. In contrast to the prior art, embodiments of the present invention provides an apparatus for emitting intense non-coherent light derived from a coherent light source (e.g. laser).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Inventor: Adam Dick
  • Publication number: 20070147065
    Abstract: A lighting device includes: a light source which supplies a beam; a shaping optical portion which shapes the beam into a linear luminous flux approximately parallel to a first direction; and a scanner which causes the linear luminous flux to scan in a second direction approximately perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuo NAGATA
  • Patent number: 7232240
    Abstract: An apparatus provides a safer, high brightness glare or illumination source. The apparatus comprises a laser to emit a light beam, and a magnifying telescope, including a negative lens to expand the light beam and a positive lens to collimate the expanded light beam. The apparatus also includes a holographic diffuser to receive the collimated light beam and to produce a diffused light beam. The diffused light beam has an extended cross section and provides an extended glare source at increased power down range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Northrop Grumann Corporation
    Inventors: William D. Kosnik, Brenda J. Novar, Victor I. Villavicencio
  • Patent number: 7210820
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an illuminating optical device for forming a field of illumination. The optical device includes a first one-dimensional homogenizer positioned to homogenize a first dimension/axis of the field of illumination and a second one-dimensional homogenizer positioned to homogenize a second dimension/axis of the field of illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Resonetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergey V. Broude, David S. Holbrook, Pascal Miller
  • Patent number: 7168862
    Abstract: An optical fiber decoration device has various merits: small power consumption, no danger of fire, simple water-proof design and economical, battery can be used, excellent portability, long service life of light source, and no danger of destruction during transportation. The optical fiber decoration device is characterized by having an LED light source consisting of a plurality of LED's which are arranged at an end of optical fiber for emitting one or more colors and partially superimposed, enabling synthesis of colors. In FIG. 1, the optical fiber decoration device (I) includes an LED light source unit (2) and an optical fiber (1a). The distance L between the LED light source (2) and the optical fiber is 5 to 100 mm. Red, blue, and green LED's are used to realize multiple colors. The optical fiber decoration device can be used for signboards, outdoor decorations, bus advertisement, indoor decorations, decorations in an aquarium, unit type Christmas trees, clothes, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Elite Trading Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen Qi, Yasunari Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7167630
    Abstract: Beam shapers, imaging heads formed using such beam shapers and methods are provided that are adapted to shape a light beam for use in imaging. In accordance with one method described herein a light beam is received and the light beam is reflectively scrambled to form generally homogenous light having a non-circular shape. The homogenous light is delivered to a circular core multimode light path that shapes the light beam so that light exiting the circular core multimode light path comprises circular shaped homogenous light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Kodak IL, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ophir Eyal, Moshe Liberman, Asaf Pellman
  • Patent number: 7097316
    Abstract: A display for a vehicle, including a light source, an optical device to guide light from the light source and form the light from the light source into a light pointer, a head portion disposed above a meter surface to project the light pointer formed by the optical device on the meter surface from above of the meter surface, a driving device to rotate the head portion, and a height adjusting mechanism to adjust a height of the head portion to the meter surface to be capable of changing a length of the light pointer while projecting the light pointer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventor: Kenjirou Sumiyoshi
  • Patent number: 7037259
    Abstract: A light source device for use in an image capturing device such as an endoscope capable of reducing size and cost, and preventing heat generation at an illuminated position. An illumination unit of the endoscope includes LED light sources for emitting ultraviolet light, fluorescent fibers for generating red, green and blue light respectively by irradiation of the ultraviolet light, a sampling light source, and an excitation light source. Upon capturing a normal image, the ultraviolet light is emitted sequentially from the LED light sources to cause the fluorescent fibers to generate the red, green and blue light. The light of each color is passed through a light guide and irradiated on an observation area of a living body. Thereafter, reflected images attributable to the light of each color are captured with a CCD image capturing element of a charge multiplying type, and captured images are displayed on a monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Hakamata, Masahiro Toida
  • Patent number: 7029149
    Abstract: A laser alignment device of a circular saw machine includes a cover, a laser module, and a power control-supply unit. The cover defines a plurality of laser holes on a edge of the cover and a plurality of rectangular receiving slots. The laser module includes a rectangular base fixed in the rectangular receiving slot and a laser source-having a shooting portion corresponding to the laser hole. The power control-supply unit electrically connects to the laser module for simplifying parts and adding assembly speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Hsin Chih Tung
  • Patent number: 6962423
    Abstract: A multi-mode visible and infrared lighthead (100) for use as a landing light or searchlight. The multi-mode lighthead incorporates a modular design wherein at least one visible light source (200) and at least one infrared diode (302) are mounted into the rear sector (128) of a housing (102). Visible or infrared light is emitted out of the front sector (122) of the housing (102). Lenses (308) are installed onto the front sector (122) of the housing (102) and sealed to protect the interior of the lighthead (100) from the elements. Alternatively, and in combination, an imaging module (1), and infrared laser (400) and/or a fixed-position searchlight with rangefinder and positioning capability is provided in the multi-mode lighthead(100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Hamilton, Craig E. Giffen, Nicolo F. Machi, Scott R. Mangum, Saed S. Mubaslat, Charles A. Roudeski
  • Patent number: 6932500
    Abstract: A wavelength variable light source apparatus includes a light source slot section for generating laser light and a main control section into which the light source slot section is inserted and which is connected to the light source slot section. The main control section optionally varies a wavelength and an output level of the laser light from the light source slot section. An optical connecting mechanism between the light source slot section and the main control section supplies the main control section with a part of laser light from the light source slot section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hironori Takai
  • Patent number: 6898367
    Abstract: A method for illuminating is disclosed, which is characterized by the steps of injecting (1) the light beam (13) from a laser (9) into a optical element (19), which spectrally broadens the light of the light beam (13) and shaping (3) the spectrally broadened light (31) to form an illumination light beam (29). An instrument (7) for illuminating is furthermore disclosed, which comprises a laser (9) that emits a light beam (13), which is directed onto a optical element (19) that spectrally broadens the light from the laser. A optical means (33) which shapes the spectrally broadened light (31) to form an illumination light beam (29) is arranged downstream of the microstructured optical element (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems Heidelberg GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Birk, Rafael Storz, Johann Engelhardt, Kyra Moellmann
  • Patent number: 6874893
    Abstract: A laser display system is disclosed, to remove speckles displayed on a screen, which includes at least one laser as light source, at least one filter transmitting or reflecting a particular wavelength of red, green and blue light generated in the laser, and mixing the light red, green and blue light to one; a rotation color separator separating the mixed light into the red, green and blue light sequentially; a diffuser diffusing the separated light; an illuminating device irradiating with the light progressed from the diffuser; a display panel generating an image by modulating transmittance of the light from the illuminating device according to an electric signal of a video signal; and a controller receiving the video signal, and making correspondence of color areas from the rotation color separator and the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Chan Young Park
  • Patent number: 6864496
    Abstract: A device for generating lighting effects, the device comprises a light modulating component which is formed from an optically transmissive material and has a multi-faceted surface and also a means for rotating the light modulator in use. The device further comprises a light source, which is positioned such that the light passes through the light modulating component to illuminate a light receiving surface. This, in turn, produces an optical illumination effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Chris Levine