With Optical Fiber Bundle Patents (Class 362/554)
  • Patent number: 8740433
    Abstract: A frame-supported vehicle, such as a bicycle or the like, has at least one frame component made of a light diffusing or fluorescent translucent or transparent material to form a leaky light pipe, and at least one light source in light communication with the frame component, whereby light propagates within the frame and is visible from outside the frame by diffusion or fluorescence or a combination thereof. The bicycle is highly visible at night, and may carry logos or other indicia that are enhanced by the background illumination, which may be redirected out of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Phantom Frames, Inc.
    Inventor: Forrest Smith
  • Patent number: 8733996
    Abstract: Disclosed is a light emitting device including: a single or a plurality of laser diode(s) configured to emit a laser beam; a light emitting body configured to emit light upon irradiation with the laser beam(s); and an optical fiber guiding the single or plurality of laser beam(s) emitted from the single or plurality of laser diode(s) to a vicinity of the light emitting body and irradiating the guided single or plurality of laser beam(s) to a predetermined laser beam irradiation plane of the light emitting body, in a dispersed manner. This allows for achieving a high-luminance and a long life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 8733960
    Abstract: A backlight for a display comprises a plurality of independently controllable light sources and inclined surfaces inclining in a radially outward direction from each light source for shaping the distribution of emitted light. The light sources may each comprise a group of differently-colored light emitters. The backlight may include light integrators configured to mix light of the differently-colored light emitters. Inclined surfaces for shaping the distribution of emitted light may be arranged around exits of the light integrators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Helge Seetzen, Lorne A. Whitehead, Gregory John Ward
  • Publication number: 20140140087
    Abstract: An optical device including a first optical fiber providing optical communication between one surface of the device and a target, the first optical fiber having one end located at that one surface of the device, a number of semiconductor light sources, each semiconductor light source from the number of semiconductor light sources disposed on a surface surrounding the first optical fiber and located away from the one end, and an optical system optically disposed to receive electromagnetic radiation from each semiconductor light source and image the electromagnetic radiation received from each semiconductor light source onto a core area of the one end of the first optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventor: James I. Scholtz
  • Publication number: 20140126233
    Abstract: A light engine for a fiberoptic illuminator is disclosed. The light engine has a light emitting diode (LED) and collimating optics for gathering, transmitting and focusing light emitted from the LED. The collimating optics is provided by a fused fiberoptic rod having an outer glass cladding which provides a seal for a bundle of optic fibers drawn and tightly packed and fused together. The fused fiberoptic rod has an elongate cylindrical distal end and a frustoconical proximal end forming a fused tapered tip. The fused tapered tip having a proximal end face disposed adjacent the LED for receiving light emitted by the LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: SUNOPTIC TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: SUNOPTIC TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • Patent number: 8702291
    Abstract: An illuminatable apparatus includes a fabric sheet containing fiber optic rods interwoven with fabric threads. The ends of the fiber optic rods are bundled together to form a ferrule which is removably insertable into a holder carrying a light source and a power source. An outer ferrule can be fixed over the sleeve-like ferrule or robust applications. The holder may be removably attached to articles of clothing. The illuminatable fabric sheet can be used as an optical bandage, in a medical cast, in a negative pressure device, or in a bed pad/sheet, or in a therapeutic brace support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventor: John Stephan
  • Patent number: 8690385
    Abstract: A light-emitting electronic textile (2) comprising a flexible component carrier (3) having a plurality of light-sources (4a-c) arranged thereon; a cover textile (5) arranged to allow passage through the cover textile (5) of light emitted by the light-sources (4a-c); and a light-diffusing member (6) arranged between the light-sources (4a-c) and the cover textile (5). The light-diffusing member (6) comprises a layered structure formed by a plurality of light-diffusing layers (12a-c; 16a-b; 19a-c), wherein adjacent light-diffusing layers in the layered structure are spaced apart at least in portions of the light-diffusing member (6) corresponding to positions of the light-sources (4a-c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Guy Wilhelmus Marie Ubaghs, Rabin Bhattacharya
  • Patent number: 8651719
    Abstract: A light guide decorative plate includes a light permeable insulated decorative plate, and at least one optical fiber embedded in the light permeable insulated decorative plate. The optical fiber has one end exposed from the light permeable insulated decorative plate for guiding light emitted from a light source into the optical fiber, and another end opposite to said one end for exit of the light therethrough. A touch light decorative plate is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Li-Sheng Teng, Yao-Han Huang, Hish-Bin Dai
  • Publication number: 20140043856
    Abstract: Extended area lighting devices, which are useful e.g. as luminaires, include a light guide and diffractive surface features on a major surface of the light guide. The diffractive surface features are tailored to extract guided-mode light from the light guide. The light guides can be combined with other components and features such as light source(s) to inject guided-mode light into the light guide, light source(s) to project light through the light guide as non-guided-mode light, a framework of interconnected support members (attached to multiple such light guides), and/or a patterned low index subsurface layer that selectively blocks some guided mode light from reaching the diffractive surface features, to provide unique and useful lighting devices. Related optical devices, and optical films having diffractive features that can be used to construct such devices and light guides, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: David S. Thompson, Zhaohui Yang, Matthew S. Stay
  • Publication number: 20140029290
    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: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuri Kazakevich
  • Publication number: 20140016071
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a display such as a liquid crystal display. The display may have multiple display layers for generating display light such as a color filter layer and a thin-film transistor layer. The display may include first and second layers of optical fibers formed over the display layers. The first and second layers of optical fibers may guide display light generated in the display layers to an outer surface of the display. The first layer of optical fibers may include optical fibers having a first numerical aperture. The second layer of optical fibers may include optical fibers having a second numerical aperture. The first numerical aperture may be smaller than the second numerical aperture. The second layer of optical fibers may include vertical and angled optical fibers. The angled optical fibers may help reduce the size of an inactive region around the center of the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tseng-Mau Yang, Christopher D. Prest, Dale N. Memering
  • Patent number: 8628227
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for adjusting a beam profile of a laser beam, which is guided in a light guide of a fiber optic cable provided with a protective sleeve, wherein the device comprises a deformation device for deforming the light guide in a section of the fiber optic cable not enclosed by the protective sleeve, a housing, which is designed to surround the light guide at least in the section not enclosed by the protective sleeve, and also two holders provided at opposite ends of the housing for fixing in each case one end of a section of the protective sleeve, wherein the holders each comprise an opening for feeding the light guide to the deformation device. The invention also relates to a laser processing machine having such a device and to an associated production method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: TRUMPF Laser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Olschowsky, Rudolf Huber, Stefan Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20140009958
    Abstract: Illumination light is efficiently distributed to a target, and luminous intensity distribution is enhanced. An endoscopic illumination optical system includes a light guide bundle in an insertion portion of an endoscope, for guiding light from a light source, and a lens for distributing the light from the bundle to a target. The lens includes two inflection points in a vertical cross section including an optical axis of the lens, and includes a first concave surface inside the two inflection points, and an annular second concave surface outside the inflection points, continuous with an outer periphery of the first surface. The second surface faces an outer peripheral edge of the bundle in an optical axis direction. A distance A between the inflection points in the vertical cross section and a diameter D of an end surface of the satisfy 0.75?A/D?0.85 ??(1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Kazuo Morita, Hiroyuki Homma
  • Patent number: 8616709
    Abstract: In a projection display apparatus in which a laser beam source and an optical engine are connected together through an optical fiber, safety is improved against temperature rise in the optical fiber and its periphery. A projection display apparatus includes a temperature sensor 4 provided on the end portion, of the side of an optical engine 6, of an optical fiber group 1 for connecting a laser beam source 5 and the optical engine 6 to each other, in which, by detecting temperature and informing to a controlling unit 71 for controlling the laser beam source 5, when temperature rise exceeding a set value having been set previously is detected, the controlling unit 71 is made to control so as to decrease or stop output from the laser beam source 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Yagyu
  • Publication number: 20130343078
    Abstract: A multi-mode lighting system includes a collector unit and a lighting module. A plurality of fiber optic filaments extend from the collector to the lighting module to transmit radiation from first ends of the fiber optic filaments to second ends of the fiber optic elements. The first ends of the fiber optic filaments are disposed in the collector unit to receive radiation and second ends are disposed in the lighting module to emit radiation received by the first ends of the fiber optic filaments. At least a first portion of the radiation transmitted by the fiber optic filaments illuminates an area external to the lighting module and at least a second portion of the radiation impinges the photovoltaic element to generate electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: JEFFREY M. WEMMER
  • Publication number: 20130345517
    Abstract: A light source apparatus for supplying an endoscope with light includes at least one light source unit for generating the light. A transparent light homogenizer includes an entrance end face, disposed on a proximal side in an optical axis direction, for receiving entry of the light, an exit end face, disposed on a distal side in the optical axis direction, for exiting the light traveling from the entrance end face, and a reflective interface, formed in a tubular shape between the entrance end face and the exit end face, for total reflection of the light in an internal manner and for directing the light in the optical axis direction. A photo sensor is disposed on the reflective interface, for measuring a light amount of the light. The light homogenizer regularizes the light amount of the light from the exit end face in a radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Yoshinori MORIMOTO, Eiji OHASHI, Maki SAITO
  • Publication number: 20130342110
    Abstract: A primary optical unit and a photodetector unit are arranged on a side of a optical branching unit, on which primary terminals are arranged, and a lightconversion unit, which receives primary light, converts the primary light into secondary light, and emits the secondary light, is arranged on a side of the optical branching unit, on which secondary terminals are arranged, to enable guiding of the primary light from the primary optical unit to the lightconversion unit and guiding of the secondary light from the lightconversion unit to the photodetector unit through optical fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiji YAMAMOTO, Takeshi ITO, Masahiro NISHIO, Iwao KOMAZAKI
  • Patent number: 8613537
    Abstract: A display and illumination system includes a light source section accommodating a light source; an optical fiber for transmitting light from the light source; a display illumination unit radiating light transmitted by the optical fiber; a light source module installed in the light source section, accommodating the light source, and optically connected to the optical fiber; a plug electrode installed in the light source module and supplying electric power to the light source; a convex portion on a first side of the light source module, engaging the optical fiber, and extracting light from the light source; and a concave portion located opposite the first side of the light source module and urging the convex portion toward the optical fiber with a constant force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Aono, Akihiro Shima
  • Publication number: 20130335993
    Abstract: A light source apparatus includes a plurality of light source modules each including at least one light source unit, light guide lines connected respectively to the light source units, and a casing accommodating the plurality of light source modules and the plurality of light guide lines. The light guide lines are led from the light source units so as not to intervene in the plurality of light source modules when viewed in a direction perpendicular to an array direction of the plurality of light source modules. The plurality of light source modules are separately attachable and detachable in the direction perpendicular to the array direction of the plurality of light source modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitoru YABE, Yukio SATO, Takumi KIJIMA, Motoaki TAMAYA
  • Publication number: 20130278872
    Abstract: A display panel for use with a multi-panel display includes an array of display pixels to emit pixel light. A fiber bundle including an array of fibers is disposed over the array of display pixels. The fiber bundle includes a first end of the array of fibers rigidly fixed adjacent to the array of display pixels and optically aligned with the array of display pixels and a loose fiber portion that permits a second end of the array of fibers opposite the first end to slump-over and move. The fiber bundle receives the pixel light emitted from the array of display pixels into the first end of the array of fibers and emits the pixel light out the second end of the array of fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Eric Teller, Johnny Lee
  • Publication number: 20130272720
    Abstract: An optical device comprising a sealed/closed housing; a light source and/or a detector within the housing; a window through the housing that is transparent to light transmitted from the light source or to the detector and a fixing for fixing an optical fiber or bundle of such fibers into a coupling position adjacent to the window to allow light to pass between the housing and the fiber or fiber bundle, wherein the fixing is adapted to allow connection and/or disconnection of the fiber or fiber bundle without opening or breaking a seal of the sealed housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY COURT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS
    Inventors: Malcolm Harry Dunn, Graham M. Miller, Donald Walker
  • Publication number: 20130272014
    Abstract: At least one flexible light diffusing waveguide is arranged to define a plurality of light diffusing waveguide segments arranged substantially parallel to one another, and is coupled to at least one light source to provide a flexible light panel suitable for general lighting purposes or for use as a backlight in a display, such as a video display. Multiple waveguides can be coupled to different color light sources to provide a multi-colored flexible backlight that is usable in combination with a flexible matrix-addressable panel to provide a flexible video display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Stephan Lvovich Logunov, Nobutoshi Sekiguchi, Luis Alberto Zenteno
  • Patent number: 8545078
    Abstract: A solar lighting apparatus uses optical fibers to transmit solar light for illumination. The apparatus includes a support frame, optical fibers, a hybrid solar light diffuser and a reflective sheet. The optical fibers are fastened to the support frame and are spaced apart from each other at regular intervals. The hybrid solar light diffuser is coupled to a lower portion of the support frame and includes a diffusion plate and diffusion lenses which are provided on the diffusion plate at positions corresponding to the respective optical fibers. Each diffusion lens has a width increasing from a top thereof to a bottom. An incident depression is formed in the upper end of each diffusion lens. A reflective surface is formed on the circumferential outer surface of each diffusion lens to diffuse and reflect solar light. The reflective sheet is applied to the lower surface of the support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: ABM Greentech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 8545077
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuri Kazakevich
  • Publication number: 20130250603
    Abstract: A method and a system for illumination of a personal item, the system comprising at least one light source activated by a textile switch, the light source and the textile switch being secured to a textile substrate and connected by conductors on the textile substrate, the textile substrate being secured on the personal item. The method comprises securing at least one light source and a textile switch on a substrate, connecting the light source and the textile switch by conductors on the substrate, connecting the light source and the textile switch to a powering unit, securing the substrate to the personal item and operating the textile switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: JOANEL INC.
    Inventors: Aldjia BEGRICHE, Olivier VERMEERSCH
  • Publication number: 20130228675
    Abstract: An analytical instrument may have multiple distinct channels. Such may include one or more illumination sources and sensors. Illumination may be delivered to specific locations of a specimen holder, and returned illumination may be delivered to specific locations of a sensor array. Illumination may first pass a specimen, and a mirror or reflector may then return the illumination past the specimen. Optical splitters may be employed to couple pairs of fiber optics proximate a specimen holder. Such channels may further include a plurality of illumination sources positioned on one side of a specimen holder and a plurality of sensors on the other side. The plurality of sensor may capture image of a specimen and a spectrophotometer may concurrently scan the specimen. A plurality of specimens may be imaged and scanned in a single pass of a plurality of passes. Spherical or ball lenses may be placed in an optical path of the illumination to achieve a desired illumination pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: LAXCO, INC.
    Inventors: Cong Liang Chen, Kevin Cassady
  • Publication number: 20130229823
    Abstract: A lighted accessory for a planter includes a flexible split ring that has first and second adjustably spaceable ends that define a ring of variable diameter. The flexible split ring has a curved cross-sectional shape and is fittable on an upper edge of a planter. A light source is mounted on the annular ring providing illumination of the planter. The lighted accessory is fittable on a range of sizes of planters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventor: Sammie J. Sanford, JR.
  • Patent number: 8523375
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a refrigerator which performs a light emitting operation in connection with opening and closing of doors and a home bar door. The refrigerator includes a front glass, a light guide member disposed on a rear surface of the front glass, a light emitting device disposed at the outside of the light guide member to generate light toward the light guide member, scattering members provided within the light guide member to scatter the light of the light emitting device transmitted through the light guide member, and transmitting parts provided on the front glass corresponding to the scattering members to transmit the light of the scattering members toward the front surface of each door, and the light emitting device emits light in connection with opened and closed states of the doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joong Ho Kim, Yong Man Seo, Eui Young Chang
  • Patent number: 8517557
    Abstract: A black light lice comb which can be easily held as it is being used to examine, clean and remove and/or eliminate nits, lice, eggs or nymphs on the scalp or from environments in which remains my be found wherein the comb is structured around a body including a battery compartment which is accessed at one end of the body and which is provided with a lamp device that contains diodes that emit black light and which is enclosed by means of a lens through which the light emitted by said diodes is projected, while one line or edge of the body contains a row of LEDs emitting black light corresponding to a guide from which a lice comb means is projected, formed by a plurality of teeth made from a material that conducts the black light emitted by the row of LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Laboratorios Farmaceuticos Rovi, S.A.
    Inventor: Carlos Jose Albaladejo Jimenez
  • Patent number: 8511876
    Abstract: The instant invention teaches a compact collection lens with finite conjugates for use in coupling the collected energy from a broadband source into a multi-mode fiber. The lens is reflective in nature and provides finite conjugate imaging in one piece. The entrance and exit surfaces are made concentric with the object and image so that on-axis imaging is completely free of chromatic aberrations. The primary is nominally elliptical and is the only surface with optical power in the lens. The secondary is planar and serves to fold the progressing rays back in the original direction. In summary, the invention comprises a monolithic lens composed of four optical surfaces (two reflective and two transmissive) such that the primary and secondary mirrors are annular and the entrance and exit surfaces are predominantly spherical with their centers located at the front and back focal points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: CVI Laser, LLC
    Inventor: Frank DeWitt
  • Publication number: 20130201716
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a light outputting apparatus, which includes at least one light source, a light guiding apparatus and a platform. The light source is used for providing light beams. The light guiding apparatus has at least one input end and an output end. The input end corresponds to the light source, and includes a plurality of optical fibers. The optical fibers of the input end extend to the output end, and are distributed uniformly at the output end. The light beams from the output end illuminate a module to be tested on the platform. Whereby, the entire uniformity of the output light of the output end is enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: ALL REAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: ALL REAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8485708
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for shaping an annular focal spot pattern to allow for more efficient optical coupling to a small gauge optical fiber. An embodiment of the present invention can include an illumination source operable to transmit an optical beam along an optical path, an optical fiber, and a correcting element positioned in the optical path between the illumination source and the optical fiber, the correcting element configured to reshape the optical beam to increase an amount of light received by the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventors: Alex Artsyukhovich, T. Scott Rowe
  • Patent number: 8475083
    Abstract: An umbilical comprising a side-emitting optical fiber or optical fiber-bundle for providing a distributed source of light along part or the whole of the length of the umbilical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: University Court of The University of St. Andrews
    Inventors: Malcolm Harry Dunn, Donald Walker
  • Publication number: 20130163271
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical waveguide system (20) for a display device (1) and to such a display device (1), wherein the optical waveguide system (20) comprises at least one optical waveguide group (20-1, 20-2, 20-3, 20-4, 20-5, 20-6), wherein at least one of the optical waveguide groups (20-1, 20-2, 20-3, 20-4, 20-5) comprises: several optical waveguides (18) made of a material that is transparent to the light of a LED (14), spacers (34) for adjusting a distance of an interspace (30) between a circuit carrier (12) and a front panel (2), and a housing (22) which is made of a material that is intransparent to the light, surrounds each of the several optical waveguides (18) and connects the optical waveguides (18) and the spacers (34) among each other and to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Schlittmeier, Gregor Sauer, Alfred Brunhofer
  • Publication number: 20130155715
    Abstract: Described herein are devices and structures used for decorating food, and food packaging, using a single light source to provide multiple points of light on a panel or panels of the device. The devices may include a structure such as a stand placing the decorative device on a food item, such as a cake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Samuel Kim, Lucia Kim
  • Publication number: 20130148375
    Abstract: This invention comprises a flexibly-resilient system of lighting that spans a bilateral safety zone around a bicycle in the upper-rear quadrant of space around the bicycle that can be clearly seen by the driver of a vehicle approaching the bicycle from the rear. This invention can help to prevent bicyclists from being hit by a vehicle from behind during the evening or at night, especially when a bicyclist is stopped at an intersection. This bicycle lighting system may also prove useful for reducing the chances of bicyclists being hit by vehicles that are turning right at an intersection, at any time of the day. This invention corrects many of the limitations of the prior art and can be a significant advance in bicycle safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Patent number: 8459851
    Abstract: A multi-mode lighting system includes a collector unit having a base including a cavity and a transparent or translucent cover mounted on the base. The system further includes a lighting module having a base, a transparent or translucent cover and a photovoltaic element mounted therein. A plurality of fiber optic filaments extend from the collector to the lighting module to transmit radiation from first ends of the fiber optic filaments to second ends of the fiber optic elements. The first ends of the fiber optic filaments are disposed in an array in the collector unit to receive radiation and second ends are disposed in an array in the lighting module to emit radiation received by the first ends of the fiber optic filaments. Radiation transmitted by the fiber optic filaments illuminates an area external to the lighting module and impinges the photovoltaic element to generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: BMD Properties, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Wemmer
  • Publication number: 20130141730
    Abstract: An illumination system for a lithographic or inspection apparatus. A plurality of optical waveguides transmit radiation from the illumination source to an output. A switching system enables selective control of one or more subsets of the optical waveguides. An inspection method uses an illumination system and inspection and lithographic apparatuses comprise an illumination system. In one example, the optical waveguides and switching system are replaced by a plurality of parallel optical bandpass filter elements. The optical bandpass filter elements each only transmit a predetermined wavelength or a band of wavelengths of radiation. At least two of the parallel optical bandpass filter elements each being operable to transmit a different wavelength or band of wavelengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Richard QUINTANILHA
  • Patent number: 8449160
    Abstract: A multi-wavelength light emitting device includes the following three sections; a light source section having multiple luminous points that emit multiple light beams, a condenser lens section that concentrates the light beams emitted from the luminous points, and a light guide section that propagates superposedly and mixedly the light beams concentrated by the condenser lens section after emission thereof from the luminous points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Tanaka, Masahiro Aoki, Tsukuru Ohtoshi
  • Patent number: 8449156
    Abstract: A vehicle interior panel having a substrate with a receiving slot. A support lens is disposed in the receiving slot and includes a light source. A sensor is operably connected to the light source and disposed proximate the support lens. A connector operably links the sensor to the light source through the support lens. A decorative layer extends over the support lens and the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Jeffrey Singer, Chi Li, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Denis Patrick Igoe
  • Patent number: 8444309
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an electrical device having illumination comprising a housing and at least one light pipe extending along a longitudinal axis, inside the housing. There is at least one light disposed in the housing and being positioned adjacent to the light pipe. The light has a radiation pattern having a corresponding peak radiation pattern direction which extends along the longitudinal axis of the light pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Jansen, Michael Kamor, Adam Kevelos, Walter Ancipiuk
  • Patent number: 8419220
    Abstract: The lamp device may include: a plurality of light sources; a substrate including one side thereof on which a plurality of the light sources are disposed; a plurality of light guiders including both first ends coupled optically to a plurality of the light sources and second ends through which light is emitted; a frame including the second ends disposed thereon and controlling the direction of the light emitted from the second ends; and a body which is disposed on the substrate, a plurality of the light guiders and the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyung-il Kong
  • Patent number: 8414351
    Abstract: A method for incorporating optical fibers into sheet materials, such as fabrics, creates a structure which can be incorporated into items such as plush toys. Optical fibers are made to pass through the sheet material in a desired arrangements. Ends of the optical fibers are enlarged such that they will not readily pass back through the fabric. The ends are then covered with material that permits light to pass therethrough. The resulting structure can be readily incorporated into an item, such as a plush toy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hallmark Cards, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jennifer R. Garbos, Nancy Lynn Short
  • Publication number: 20130081610
    Abstract: An oven lighting which comprises an LED module with at least one LED and an optical fiber bundle. The optical fiber bundle has at least one light input end adjacent to the LED module and at least one light output end adjacent to a cavity wall of an oven cavity for illuminating the oven cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventors: Christopher L. Eichelberger, Gary Schneider
  • Patent number: 8408772
    Abstract: A device comprising a plurality of LEDs arranged in a coplanar array, the coplanar array comprising an LED at the center and LEDs positioned radially symmetrically around the LED at the center, and wherein the central axes of the LEDs are arranged to be parallel to each other; a one-piece lens array collimating light from the LEDs, the lens array comprising a plurality of coplanar lens tiles, the coplanar lens tiles comprising a lens tile at the center and lens tiles positioned radially symmetrically around the lens tile at the center, and wherein the central axis of each of the lens tiles is aligned with the central axis of a corresponding LED; and a focusing lens converging the collimated light from the lens array into a single image in a focal plane, wherein the central axis of the focusing lens is aligned with the central axis of the lens array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Excelitas Technologies LED Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Wei Li
  • Publication number: 20130077339
    Abstract: A lighting system includes a light collecting module having a tapered light baffle, an optical fiber coupled to a shortened base of the tapered light baffle, and a window coupled to a lengthened base of the tapered light baffle, wherein a light receiving end of the optical fiber receives light flowing through the window. The lighting system includes a light emitting fixture positioned proximate to a light emitting end of the optical fiber, wherein the light emitting fixture provides generated light and the light emitting end of the optical fiber provides collected light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventor: Wesley Calvin Moyer
  • Publication number: 20130070472
    Abstract: A remote light wavelength conversion device is provided for converting a source light emitted from a light source within a source wavelength range into a converted light within a converted wavelength range. The remote light wavelength conversion device may include a waveguide and a color conversion optic. The waveguide may include a first end and a second end and the color conversion optic may be adjacently located at the second end of the waveguide. The color conversion optic may convert the source light transmitted through the waveguide to the converted light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: LIGHTING SCIENCE GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fredric S. Maxik, Eric Bretschneider, Robert R. Soler, David E. Bartine
  • Publication number: 20130064556
    Abstract: An optical device comprising a sealed/closed housing; a light source and/or a detector within the housing; a window through the housing that is transparent to light transmitted from the light source or to the detector and a fixing for fixing an optical fiber or bundle of such fibers into a coupling position adjacent to the window to allow light to pass between the housing and the fiber or fiber bundle, wherein the fixing is adapted to allow connection and/or disconnection of the fiber or fiber bundle without opening or breaking a seal of the sealed housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY COURT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS
    Inventors: Malcolm Harry Dunn, Graham M. Miller, Donald Walker
  • Patent number: 8388188
    Abstract: An illumination system has a light emitting diode (LED) illuminated ornamental display. The ornamental display is removably attached to the LED. A solar cell and rechargeable battery are remotely connected to the LED ornamental display by a bendable electrically conductive wire. The bendable electrically conductive wire electrically connects the battery to the LED and physically supports the LED ornamental display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Nancy A. Propp
  • Patent number: 8382346
    Abstract: The invention provides an illumination device, preferably a reading lamp, which, on the one hand, has a compact design and, on the other hand, ensures a flexible illumination of objects, for which, in order to ensure an adequately high illuminance, high-power light sources can be used and which includes preferably a light source and a light-guiding element that can be pivoted and/or tilted around a pivoting/tilting point, which has at least one light-guiding axis and at least one light in-coupling surface as well as one light out-coupling surface, with the light-guiding element being arranged preferably in an axially displaceable manner in such a way that a free beam area can exist between the light source and the light in-coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Schott AG
    Inventors: Bernd Schultheis, Petra Kuntze, Oliver Keiper, Sigurd Dressler, Andreas Hatzenbuehler, Walter Bleuel, Klaus Engelmann, Paul Bou Saleh, Armin Plichta