With Filter Device Patents (Class 362/583)
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Patent number: 6679622Abstract: A fibre optic lighted artificial tree that includes a base member, a trunk member and a plurality of branch members that are individually provided light from a separate fibre optic bundle and light source for each branch member. The tree also includes a top that is lighted by another fibre optic bundle and light source that are separate and apart from those associated with the branch members.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Boto (Licenses) LimitedInventor: Cheung Chong Kao
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Patent number: 6672750Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for lighting a decorative tree which includes optical fibers with their first ends distributed in branches and ornaments of the tree, a color sleeve loop, a roller and track system attached to a motor which rotates the color sleeve loop through the system, and a light source. As the color sleeve is moved by the motor between the light source and the optical fibers, the color of the light provided to the optical fibers changes thereby changing the color displayed in the tree. The preferred embodiment uses a color sleeve with two different tracks of color and a divider which divides the optical fibers into two sets. Then one set of optical fibers is exposed to one color track and the other set exposed to the other track; light provided to one part of the tree will change colors differently than light provided to another part of the tree.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2002Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: Boto (Licenses) LimitedInventor: Cheung Chong Kao
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Publication number: 20030214804Abstract: A lighting apparatus includes at least two light-emitting elements, the light-emitting elements having at least two light-emitting zones which are disposed in a regular pattern throughout the entire length and allow light to be emitted in different light-emission intensities, each of the light-emitting elements allowing light to be emitted in continuous sequence from the light-emitting zones in one direction, wherein adjacent light-emitting elements are positioned with a predetermined distance deviation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2003Publication date: November 20, 2003Inventor: Shinichi Irie
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Publication number: 20030210557Abstract: A linear light source device for image reading is disclosed. The main body of the linear light source device includes at least a light-guided bar and a light source assembly. The light-guided bar is a polygonal column with one of its surface, having stripes thereon, acted as a reflective plane with reflective function. The opposite plane of the reflective plane is a light-exiting plane in convex profile, and all the remaining planes are reflective planes. At least one of the ends of the polygonal column is an incident plane for light beam to enter. Light beam transmits from both of the two ends of the polygonal column (or one end with other end acted as a reflective plane) and uniformly transmits through the convex-shaped light-exiting plane. The light-guided bar of the invention having simple in structure and configuration, compact in volume, high rate of utilization in light energy, and being flexible in changing its length is easy to manufacture with high product yield and low manufacturing cost.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2002Publication date: November 13, 2003Inventors: Rong-Yaw Wu, Ming-Jen Pang
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Publication number: 20030169601Abstract: An illuminating apparatus for image processing type measuring machines that is capable of coping with a wide diversity of objects to be measured to enable accurate imaging the object and rarely unable to meet any space restrictions is provided. This illuminating apparatus the light to the object to be measured so as to enable determination of the size and shape of the object on the basis of an image of the same thereby obtained, and includes light sources; a plurality of optical fibers receiving the light sent out from the light sources at one of their ends, outputting the light from their output ends toward the object and divided at their incident ends into at least three groups; and, red, green and blue color filters inserted between the incident ends of the optical fiber groups and the light sources.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2003Publication date: September 11, 2003Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATIONInventors: Shunsaku Tachibana, Sadayuki Matsumiya, Kenji Okabe
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Publication number: 20030147261Abstract: A liquid-filled light guide is coupled with a solar collector and a light dispersion device to form a system used to illuminate the interior of a human-inhabitable structure, such as building, underground space or lightless underwater space. The liquid filled light guide establishes a light transmissive pathway that may be split and joined through the use of liquid filled coupling devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2002Publication date: August 7, 2003Inventors: Victor Babbitt, Neil L. McClure
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Publication number: 20030133312Abstract: The present invention relates to a positioning structure for lighting fibers of a decorative lamp, which is composed of a shell, a bulb, a control unit, and a rotated color plate. A transparent plate is provided and fixed in a joint of the shell and placed under the lower end of the lighting fiber for positioning and preventing the lighting fiber from touching the rotated plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2002Publication date: July 17, 2003Inventor: Fu-Shien Hsu
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Patent number: 6592245Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for optically marking an elongated indication path. This method is comprised of supporting an optic sieve (1) along an exposed indication path, and aligning an end (4) of the optic sieve (1) (or networks of sections of optic sieves) with a light source (2) (or light socket harnessing the collective outputs of a plurality of light sources). The optic sieve (1) in the context of the present invention is characterised by having at least one side emitting optic fiber within a flexible semi opaque holographically grooved sleeve. The present invention also relates to devices having optically marked elongated indication paths according to the method of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1999Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Inventors: Zamir Tribelsky, Michael Ende
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Patent number: 6579000Abstract: The invention is a lens. The light transmitting portion of the lens comprises a plurality of fiber optic strands arranged parallel to each other in a side-by-side manner, forming a planar layer. The fiber optic strands are also inclined at an angle to a surface of the lens. This defeats any reflection from the interior of the lens face or surface when so needed. In operation, when the light source is illuminated, the lens is then lit, displaying the color of the light source or of the color of the strands.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2001Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Inventor: Nicolae Radu Sevastian
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Publication number: 20030099108Abstract: An image projection system achieves improved image brightness and optical efficiency by redirecting some of the unused polychromatic light emitted by a primary light source and reflected by a spatially nonuniform light filter back into the lamp assembly housing the light source. The unused portions of the polychromatic light are re-reflected for transmission through a different spatial region of the light filter, resulting in an approximately 30% increase in probability of transmission. Because recirculation of unused light occurs within the lamp assembly, there is no significant reduction in etendue. In a first preferred embodiment, an interference light filter reflects certain colors of light while transmitting other colors of light. In a second preferred embodiment, a polarizing light filter passes light in certain polarization states while reflecting light in other polarization states.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2001Publication date: May 29, 2003Inventor: David E. Slobodin
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Patent number: 6533427Abstract: An illuminating device includes a light guiding pipe confining a passage, a reflector mounted at a light input end of the passage, and a quarter-wavelength plate and a reflective polarizer which are disposed in sequence relative to the passage. The reflector reflects light that travels from the light output end to the light input end back to the light output end. The polarizer allows light of a first polarization state to pass therethrough while reflecting light of a second polarization state back into the passage via the light output end, whereupon the light of the second polarization state is converted by the quarter-wavelength plate into the light of the first polarization state for passage through the polarizer.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Prokia Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shih-Yuan Chang
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Publication number: 20030035301Abstract: Illuminators and systems are provided that permit the production of a beam of electromagnetic radiation having selected peak wavelength, bandwidth, intensity, pulse frequency and pulse duration for a variety of analytical and therapeutic applications. Multiple beam illuminators use filter elements arranged into filter arrays, having characteristic wavelength absorption properties. By providing a series of filter arrays formed into tracks having defined wavelength offsets, radiation passing through a portion of a track can be modified to include selected peak wavelength and bandwidth. Selection of peak wavelength(s) and bandwidth can be accomplished using mechanical interrupters, mechanical shutters, or electro-optical devices including liquid crystal device. Multiple output beams permit the coordinated illumination of a target, and sensors provide feedback regarding the effects of illumination on a target.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2002Publication date: February 20, 2003Inventors: Allan Gardiner, D.C. Constance Haber
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Patent number: 6513962Abstract: An illumination system for illuminating an area within a room includes one or more light sources, preferably disposed outside the room, one or more lighting heads disposed within the room, one or more light pipes and/or fiber bundles to transmit light from the source(s) to the lighting head(s). The system includes means for controlling both the intensity and the color rendering index of the light emitted from the lighting head. In a preferred embodiment, the sources include an incandescent source extending across the visible spectrum and a light emitting diode source which emits essentially red light, and control of the color rendering index is effected by controlling the relative amounts of light from the two sources reaching the lighting head. Preferred forms of the invention also include special joints which permit all necessary translations and rotations of the lighting head while still permitting a continuous light path via fiber bundles and/or light pipes from the source to the lighting head.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1999Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: Getinge/Castle, Inc.Inventors: Alvin C. Mayshack, Thomas J. Brukilacchio, Lynn W. Noble, Arkady Pievsky, Benoit Boulant, Paul B. Elterman, Brain James DiCarlo
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Publication number: 20030021098Abstract: An illuminating device includes a light guiding pipe confining a passage, a reflector mounted at a light input end of the passage, and a quarter-wavelength plate and a reflective polarizer which are disposed in sequence relative to the passage. The reflector reflects light that travels from the light output end to the light input end back to the light output end. The polarizer allows light of a first polarization state to pass therethrough while reflecting light of a second polarization state back into the passage via the light output end, whereupon the light of the second polarization state is converted by the quarter-wavelength plate into the light of the first polarization state for passage through the polarizer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2001Publication date: January 30, 2003Inventor: Shih-Yuan Chang
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Publication number: 20030007365Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for illuminating a viewing field by means of two light sources. The beam paths of the two light sources are guided through a combining flexible light guide, a common flexible light guide, and a separating flexible light guide splitter. One of the two beam paths is directed to the microscope as principal illumination, and the other beam is directed to a handpiece. In addition, at least one of the two light sources can be configured as an interchangeable unit having two individual light sources.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2002Publication date: January 9, 2003Applicant: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS AGInventor: Ulrich Sander
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Patent number: 6494606Abstract: A fiber optic illumination system with the output spectrum of the arc lamp modified using filters to reduce the magnitude of the spikes in the spectrum such that the resulting output has the desired chromaticity and color rendering index of white light.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1999Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Wavien, Inc.Inventor: Ronald A. Ferrante
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Publication number: 20020181248Abstract: A lighting display toy includes a light source, a plurality of light guide wire members adapted to guide light from the light source, the light guide wire members each having a first end aimed at the light source and a top end adapted to produce a light spot upon emission of light from the light source, and holder means adapted to hold the bottom end of each of the light guide wire members and to receive light from the light source.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2001Publication date: December 5, 2002Inventor: Hung-Yi Chen
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Patent number: 6471382Abstract: A lighting device for motor vehicles, having at least one light output element to produce a given light distribution, having at least one light source arranged at a distance from the light output element, having at least one optical fiber for connecting the light source to the light output element, where a plurality of light output elements are provided, and a light function selector is connected upstream for optional selection of the light output elements.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2000Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.Inventor: Karsten Eichhorn
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Patent number: 6472990Abstract: A pool safety lighting system is designed for use in diving swimming pools, in particular, which have a shallow portion connected to a deep portion by an intermediate sloping wall. To reduce the risk of injury for persons diving into the pool, either using a diving board or diving from the edge, colored warning lights are placed in the bottom of the pool, typically with a green light in the deepest portion and a red light at the transition from an intermediate portion to the shallowest portion, with a yellow light located on the intermediate rising portion between the deep part of the pool and the shallowest part. The light delivery system ideally is a fiber optic cable system supplying light to fiber optic cables terminating in the bottom of the pool and supplied with light from a source remote from the pool.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2001Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Inventor: Stephen Delmar
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Publication number: 20020136028Abstract: A lighting apparatus to provide concentrated illumination to an end of a fiber optic bundle to produce useable light includes a light source emitting visible light and heat, including infrared radiation and ultra-violet radiation. A reflector is positioned adjacent to the light source to direct light from the light source toward an end of the fiber optic bundle. A light and heat trap is positioned adjacent to the reflector for trapping heat and redirecting stray light in combination with the reflector toward the end of the fiber optic bundle. A hot mirror is positioned between the light and heat trap and the end of the fiber optic bundle to allow visible light to be transmitted through the mirror and to reflect infrared and ultra-violet radiation to prevent substantially all of the emitted infrared and ultra-violet radiation from reaching the fiber optic bundle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2001Publication date: September 26, 2002Applicant: Juno Manufacturing, Inc.Inventor: Eric A. Smith
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Publication number: 20020126508Abstract: The invention is a lens. The light transmitting portion of the lens comprises a plurality of fiber optic strands arranged parallel to each other in a side-by-side manner, forming a planar layer. The fiber optic strands are also inclined at an angle to a surface of the lens. This defeats any reflection from the interior of the lens face or surface when so needed. In operation, when the light source is illuminated, the lens is then lit, displaying the color of the light source or of the color of the strands.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2001Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventor: Nicolae Radu Sevastian
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Publication number: 20020126505Abstract: A pool safety lighting system is designed for use in diving swimming pools, in particular, which have a shallow portion connected to a deep portion by an intermediate sloping wall. To reduce the risk of injury for persons diving into the pool, either using a diving board or diving from the edge, colored warning lights are placed in the bottom of the pool, typically with a green light in the deepest portion and a red light at the transition from an intermediate portion to the shallowest portion, with a yellow light located on the intermediate rising portion between the deep part of the pool and the shallowest part. The light delivery system ideally is a fiber optic cable system supplying light to fiber optic cables terminating in the bottom of the pool and supplied with light from a source remote from the pool.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2001Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventor: Stephen Delmar
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Publication number: 20020122314Abstract: An optical detector 1 wherein detection elements 11, 12, 13 and 14 are provided in a sealed case 4 whose opening portion 3 is blocked with a window material 2 for transmitting light such as an infrared and an ultraviolet ray therethrough, the detection elements being formed opposite to the window material; and optical filters 21, 22, 23 and 34 are disposed between the window material 2 and the detection elements 11, 12, 13 and 14 and used for selecting and causing only light composed of a predetermined band of wavelengths to be transmitted by thin optical films in connection with the detection elements 11, 12, 13 and 14.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2002Publication date: September 5, 2002Applicant: HORIBA, LTD.Inventors: Kennosuke Kojima, Masahiko Ishida, Shuji Takada
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Patent number: 6439751Abstract: The present invention provides an exterior skin for a vehicle that includes angularly distributed, individual, fiber-optic elements formed into the exterior skin of a composite, metal, or other material matrix. The vehicle exterior lighting system includes a central light source for providing optical energy of a desired luminescence. A plurality of optical channels of the lighting system transmit the optical energy and are formed from an optically conductive material. The optically conductive material associates through the outer skin of the structural material. The optical channels include terminating ends of the optically conductive material and are essentially flush with the outer skin of the structural material. This permits transmitting the optical energy through the structural material. The invention also includes means for transmitting the optical energy from the central light source to the optical channels.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1999Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Mike I. Jones, Harold W. Carter, Donald Allen Streater, Jr., T. Shannon Hunter
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Patent number: 6419372Abstract: Disclosed are a flat panel display and a backlight which provides both night vision and day mode backlighting of the flat panel display. The backlight of the flat panel display includes a circuit card and day mode light emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned coplanar with each other on the circuit card. Night vision (NVIS) LEDs are positioned on the circuit card coplanar with the day mode LEDs. An optical wave-guide is positioned in front of the day mode LEDs and the NVIS LEDs and is adapted to distribute light from the day mode LEDs and from the NVIS LEDs forward away from the LEDs and the circuit card.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2000Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: James E. Shaw, Donald E. Mosier
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Publication number: 20020067622Abstract: An illuminating and viewing unit for illuminating the interior of a vessel with source radiation and observing the vessel interior comprises a housing including a front wall facing the vessel interior. The front wall is of a material that does not transmit the source radiation, and includes one or more illumination ports individually fused into the front wall that transmit the source radiation to the vessel interior. A detection port is also individually fused into the front wall for transmitting detectable radiation along a detection path from the vessel interior to a radiation detector mounted in the housing. The optical isolation of the illumination and detection ports in the front wall prevents unwanted internal reflection of source radiation into the detection path, and allows for independent selection of port materials and configurations, while maintaining a hermetic seal between the housing and the internal contents of the vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2000Publication date: June 6, 2002Applicant: J M CANTY, INCInventors: Gary K. Walck, Richard L. Marinelli
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Patent number: 6364516Abstract: An automated electrophoretic system is disclosed. The system employs a capillary cartridge having a plurality of capillary tubes. The cartridge has a first array of capillary ends projecting from one side of a plate. The first array of capillary ends are spaced apart in substantially the same manner as the wells of a microtitre tray of standard size. This allows one to simultaneously perform capillary electrophoresis on samples present in each of the wells of the tray. The system includes a stacked, dual carrousel arrangement to eliminate cross-contamination resulting from reuse of the same buffer tray on consecutive executions from electrophoresis. The system also has a gel delivery module containing a gel syringe/a stepper motor or a high pressure chamber with a pump to quickly and uniformly deliver gel through the capillary tubes. The system further includes a multi-wavelength beam generator to generate a laser beam which produces a beam with a wide range of wavelengths.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1999Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Spectrumedix CorporationInventors: Qingbo Li, Changsheng Liu
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Publication number: 20020034079Abstract: A reading lamp for a vehicle interior having a light source arranged in a lamp housing and at least one optical element which produces a cone of light for reading, whereby a reflector system is provided in the lamp housing such that light can be input into the reflector system through a color filter so that colored light is produced concentrically with the cone of the reading lamp.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2000Publication date: March 21, 2002Inventors: Stefan Becker, Andre Hessling-Von Heimendahl, Rico Schulz
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Patent number: 6341878Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a uniform illumination to a part provides a backlight unit in the form of a light panel located beneath the part. A reflector, generally hemispherical in shape, is located over the part to receive reflected light from the backlight. A first plane-polarizing material is positioned over the backlight, also beneath the part, and a second plane polarizer is located adjacent an aperture at the apex of the hemispherical reflector. A camera, mounted external of the reflector, is positioned to receive light passing through the second polarizer. Transmitted light from the backlight is polarized by the first polarizing material as it is transmitted to the reflector. Light directly received by the camera is filtered-out by the second polarizer, while reflected light that illuminates the part can substantially pass through the second polarizer into the camera.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1999Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Assignee: Cognex CorporationInventor: Gilbert W. J. Chiang
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Patent number: 6336738Abstract: A system and method for concentrating the intensity of light emitted by a high-intensity source for delivery to a remote target, so that the power density of the active radiating region of the source is nearly restored at the target. The source is surrounded by a plurality of nonimaging concentrators. If the source is elongated, the concentrators are similarly elongated and parallel to the source. If the source is compact, the preferred geometric pattern of the concentrators is dodecahedral. The geometry of the concentrators is designed in accordance with the edge-ray principle of nonimaging optics. Channels such as optical fibers or light pipes are coupled optically to the absorbers of the concentrators, to conduct the concentrated light to the remote target.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1997Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Inventors: Daniel Feuermann, Jeffrey M. Gordon, Morris Priwler, Harald Ries
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Patent number: 6318872Abstract: A meter for a vehicle has a dial, a light transmitting ring member surrounding the dial, a lamp disposed at a rear side of the dial/ring member and an orange-colored layer disposed between the dial/ring member and the lamp. A surface of the ring member is covered by a silver paint layer except a front surface thereof. When the lamp is lit, light emitted from the lamp enters the orange layer, and the orange layer emits orange-colored light. The orange light enters the ring member and is emitted from the front face thereof, whereby the front face is illuminated by orange light and appears orange color. When the lamp is turned off, the silver paint layer becomes visible through the front face, whereby the front face appears silver color. Therefore, the meter looks novel and original due to the ring member.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2000Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Takahira Kato, Satoru Tamura
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Patent number: 6270244Abstract: A fiber optic illumination system includes a light source, a waveguide, a primary optical fiber, a diffraction grating wavelength selector, and a secondary optical fiber. One or more lamps and/or solid-state devices may be employed as the light source. The waveguide includes a straight collecting segment, a tapered condensing segment, and a straight homogenizing segment, may be fabricated from fused silica as a single monolithic component, conveys light from the light source to the primary optical fiber by transmission and/or internal reflection, and may be provided with UV and/or IR blocking filter coating(s). The primary optical fiber may be colorless or fluorescent optical fiber. Light transmitted by the primary optical fiber may be divided into its constituent wavelength components by the diffraction grating, and a desired wavelength component may be received by, transmitted by, and emitted from the secondary optical fiber.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1999Date of Patent: August 7, 2001Assignee: DN Labs INCInventor: Daniel Naum
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Patent number: 6244734Abstract: An illuminated step-up for a vehicle includes a step-up plate mounted on the door sill of a vehicle. A slot extends along a portion of the length of the step-up plate. An optical waveguide formed from a solid piece of material is positioned to release light through the slot.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1998Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: Cooper Automotive Products, Inc.Inventor: George R. Hulse
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Patent number: 6231503Abstract: The endoscopic light source apparatus has an illuminating light converging mechanism (20) in which a lightguide connector (3) to be connected displaces a condenser lens (22) in a direction parallel to the optical axis of illuminating light so that irrespective of the length of the lightguide connector (3), the illuminating light entrance end face (4a) of the lightguide connector (3) is located near the position in which the rays of illuminating light converge, and a filter inserting and retracting mechanism (30) which moves in operative association with the illuminating light converging mechanism (20) such that a light attenuating filter (31) is inserted into or retracted from the rays of illuminating light depending upon the length of the lightguide connector (3).Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 1999Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideo Sugimoto, Kenichi Iriyama
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Patent number: 6227682Abstract: A portion of a first paraboloid collects and concentrates randomized light from a lamp into parallel beams directed to a portion of a second paraboloid which refocuses the light onto a homogenizer. The second paraboloid has a shape that is substantially similar to the first paraboloid reflector. The source and the target are located at the respective foci of the paraboloids such that the optical flux from the source is imaged to the target with minimal distortion in an approximately no magnification imaging system. The system may be configured to control wavelength and intensity by inserting an additional filter. In addition, a retro-reflector may be added to increase the overall flux density at homogenizer. The output is particular suitable for providing light to the light engine of projectors.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2000Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: Cogent Light Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Kenneth K. Li
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Patent number: 6220740Abstract: A centralized lighting system is provided having a high intensity light source which is disposed at approximately the first optical focal point of an ellipsoidally shaped reflector member. A mirror member, disposed in advance of a second optical focal point associated with the reflector member, receives light output from the light source and is constructed so as to divide the light output into at least first and second beam portions. The mirror member is further effective so as to separate the first and second beam portions by at least 90 degrees relative to one another. Corresponding at least first and second optical transmission members are receptive of the first and second beam portions and are effective for communicating the light output to locations remote from the light source. In one embodiment, the mirror member is V-shaped and is constructed of first and second mirror segments joined together so as to form an angle of less than about 85 degrees therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 1996Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John M. Davenport, Richard L. Hansler, William J. Cassarly
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Patent number: 6206534Abstract: This invention discloses an illumination device for use in image reading applications. The illumination device comprises a light guide and a light source attached to one end of the light guide, which consists of a rod-shaped body with two end light reflectors made of metal clips. The two lateral surfaces of the light guide causes total internal reflection of light rays impinging upon the surface from within the light guide. The curved top surface of the light guide serves the function of focusing. The narrow bottom surface along the light guide reflects the light with a series of highly reflective paint stripes of varying widths applied upon it. The light source comprises a plurality of light emitting elements and at least a center of the light emitting elements is placed along a normal line passing through a center of the reflection area when viewed in a longitudinal direction of the light guide.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1999Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: CMOS Sensor, Inc.Inventors: David Jenkins, Mark Kaminiski
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Patent number: 6201915Abstract: A remote light source lighting system is provided having an illuminator assembly including a housing. Held within the housing is a high intensity light source for providing light energy to a fiber optic cable bundle connected to the housing and facing the light source. The cable bundle includes a plurality of plastic optical fibers wherein at least one of the terminal ends of the bundle is formed by molding an optical quality resin around an optically transparent ferrule that binds the exposed ends of the optical fibers. The housing further includes a separate air plenum containing a blower. The blower produces a high velocity air stream directed precisely at the terminal end of the cable adjacent the light source to cool the terminal end.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1998Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: Physical Optics CorporationInventors: Alexander Rizkin, Yevgeniy Durets, Vladimir Rubtsov, David Ruiz, Robert H. Tudhope
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Patent number: 6168294Abstract: A signal light including a housing is recessed into a traffic surface and projects minimally upwardly from the surface and wherein a light processing assembly is provided to receive light from a light source, intensify the light and direct the light toward a light outlet in a generally linear manner, the arrangement for processing light being mounted to the housing. For this purpose, the light source is designed in such a way that it sends an essentially linearly directed light beam onto the light processing assembly. The light is collected in the light processing assembly in such a way that, when it exits, it is still linearly extending in at least one direction but it has a higher intensity. For this purpose, the light processing assembly includes a cylindrical-convex lens entry surface and a cylindrical concave mirror surface for receiving and directing light.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1999Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: Ernst ErniInventors: Ernst R. Erni, Andreas Brand
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Patent number: 6152577Abstract: An illuminator for a high energy remote lighting system includes a light source for generating light energy and a selectively positionable light output modifying apparatus having a plurality of light output modifying elements, each element corresponding to a predetermined position of at least a portion of the apparatus. At least some of the light output modifying elements of the apparatus are configured to filter light energy to provide either dimmed or colored light. The illuminator can be implemented in a system having a plurality of area control panels, each control panel generating a control signal indicative of a corresponding light characteristic, the illuminators each being coupled to a corresponding one of the area control panels to receive the control signal and to output a particular type of light in response thereto.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1998Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: Physical Optics CorporationInventors: Alexander Rizkin, Yevgeniy Y. Durets, Carl E. Oberg, David Ruiz, Robert H. Tudhope
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Patent number: 6144317Abstract: A light pipe is configured to pass light from a selected light source, such as the green, amber or red light on a traffic signal light to the left, right or rear of the traffic signal light to provide a visual indication of the selected traffic signal light from a remote location where the traffic signal light is not directly visible to the police officer monitoring compliance with traffic laws. The light pipe is secured to the traffic signal light housing by any conventional method, and does not interfere with the normal operation of the traffic signal light.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2000Date of Patent: November 7, 2000Inventor: Doug Sims
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Patent number: 6126290Abstract: A water draining fixture (1) for plumbing applications with which light is introduced into a water jet (6) emanating from an outlet opening (5) of a fixture head (3), with a water conduit (4) guiding the water to the outlet opening (5), and with a light guide (8) guiding the light separate from the water conduit (4) from a light source located outside of the water draining fixture (1) up to exit out of at least one light outlet opening (19), wherein a plurality of water outlet openings (5) surround the at least one centrally disposed light outlet opening (19) in a ring-shaped fashion and are connected to the water conduit (4) at an annular space (7) surrounding the light guide (8) in the vicinity of the fixture head (3). The centered exiting light is shielded towards the outside by the ring-shaped surrounding water jets to at least minimize glare.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1999Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Inventor: Gunter Veigel
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Patent number: 6113281Abstract: A color adjustable light conducting apparatus is disclosed for use in combination with a standard fiberoptic illuminator having a light output port. The apparatus includes an elongate, light transmitting fiberoptic cable or other type of conductor. A fitting and a color adjuster is carried by a distal end of the cable. The color adjuster may include a filter wheel that is rotated to position a selected color filter in the cable. A fitting and a second color adjuster may be attached to a first end of the cable for interengaging the fiberoptic illuminator.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1998Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Inventor: James M. Davis
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Patent number: 6089741Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling high intensity light into a low melting temperature optical fiber which uses a high temperature, low NA optical fiber as a spatial filter between a source of high intensity light and a low melting temperature, low NA optical fiber. In an alternate embodiment, the spatial filter is composed of a fused bundle of optical fibers. The source of light may be a high intensity arc lamp or may be a high NA, high melting temperature optical fiber transmitting light from a remote light source.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 1998Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Assignee: Cogent Light Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Chingfa Chen, Kenneth K. Li, Douglas M. Brenner
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Patent number: 6082884Abstract: A fiber optic track lighting fixture and method with independent focusing and aiming of the individual light beams therefrom. The fixture comprises subassemblies easily assembled to form the fixture.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1998Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: Unison Fiber Optic Systems, L.L.C.Inventors: Jeff McDonald, Wes Schroeder, Bruce Straslicka
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Patent number: 6059438Abstract: A lighting system for an interior of a building and the like includes a stack (102) of fluorescent sheets for collecting and converting sunlight into concentrated light. The stack (102) is of a substantially rectangular prism shape having top and bottom surfaces, opposed side surfaces defining therebetween a width of the stack (102), and opposed end surfaces defining therebetween a length of the stack (102), wherein the length of the stack (102) is sufficiently greater than the width of the stack (102) such that its aspect ratio as herein defined is greater than 4.0. The lighting system also includes a flexible light guide (104) for channeling the concentrated light to a light emitting fitting for the interior of the building or the like. The light guide (104) is optically coupled by optical joint (103) with the stack (102) through one of the end surfaces of the stack (102).Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignees: Geoffrey Burton Smith, James Bruce Franklin, Skydome Industries Limited, University of TechnologyInventors: Geoffrey Burton Smith, James Bruce Franklin
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Patent number: 6050714Abstract: A Christmas tree having illuminable branches includes a hollow base component having an elongated trunk member vertically extending therefrom. A plurality of fiber optic cables are received within the trunk member and extend into the base component through which a lamp transmits light via a rotating color wheel. The lamp is in communication with a sound producing means and a circuit for varying the intensity of light according to the output of the sound producing means. Accordingly, the intensity of the illuminable tree varies according to the speed or volume of the music being produced by the integral sound producing means.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1998Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Inventor: Livio Isabella
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Patent number: 6042256Abstract: A light device which is capable of generating a very diffuse light emission and, thus, avoids emission of a beam-light or a concentrated light. The device is highly effective as a personnel location indicator or decorative architectural item, since there is effectively no significant light beam. The light device is preferably designed for ground mounted use so as to serve as an indicator of a desired movement path or the like. The light devices comprises an outer housing with a source of light mounted within that housing. One of unique aspects of this lighting device is that it relies upon a fiber optic cable section which functions as a lens or filter through which light from the light source will pass. As the light passes through this lens, it becomes highly diffuse and, therefore, does not generate a light beam or source of concentrated light, as such. Rather, it merely generates a light at a ground level or other surface in which the device is mounted.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 1998Date of Patent: March 28, 2000Inventor: David Gothard
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Patent number: 6000808Abstract: The disclosed optionally lighted fishing pole has a portable source of light held relative to the pole proximate its handle, with a operable on-off switch. A continuous light-transmitting element is extended axially along the pole body from the handle toward the pole tip. The light source has reflective and lens structures directing light axially into the light-transmitting element proximate the handle for transmission along the length of the element and illumination of the exterior circumferential surface of the element. The illuminated exterior circumferential surface of the lighted light-transmitting element is visible from lateral proximity of the fishing pole, for improved fishing during darkness. The light-transmitting element can be mounted externally of the pole body, or internally of a hollow pole body that is also formed of transparent or translucent material.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1997Date of Patent: December 14, 1999Inventor: Jeffrey T. Hansen
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Patent number: RE37136Abstract: In accordance with the present invention an improved forensic light source comprising a source of light and support structure for supporting the source of light is provided. A light guide having first and second ends is coupled to the source of light at the first end to receive light from the source of light and transmit the light to the second end. The light guide is mounted on the support structure. A filter support member supports a plurality of filters. A movable light directing assembly is mounted on the second end of the light guide for movably supporting the filter support member for movement to a plurality of positions. Each of the positions corresponds to the coupling of a selected one of the filters to the second end, whereby the light is filtered by the selected filter. A heat sink may be coupled to the first end of the light guide.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1999Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: Instruments SA, Inc.Inventor: Nicholas Vezard