Noncyclindrical Or Nonplanar Shaped Waveguide Patents (Class 385/146)
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Patent number: 7477828Abstract: An optical waveguide includes a first end surface; a second end surface, such that the second end surface is smaller than the first end surface; and a body extending between the first end surface and the second end surface, the body defining a complexly-contoured outer surface. An optical waveguide includes a first end surface; a second end surface, such that the second end surface is smaller than the first end surface; and a body extending between the first end surface and the second end surface, the body comprising one of a gradient-index material and a step-index material.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2006Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Mark A. Turner
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Patent number: 7477809Abstract: A photonic guiding device and methods of making and using are disclosed. The photonic guiding device comprises a large core hollow waveguide configured to interconnect electronic circuitry on a circuit board. A reflective coating covers an interior of the hollow waveguide to provide a high reflectivity to enable light to be reflected from a surface of the reflective coating. A collimator is configured to collimate multi-mode coherent light directed into the hollow waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2007Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Michael Renne Ty Tan, Alexandre M. Bratkovski, Shih-Yuan (SY) Wang
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Publication number: 20080317429Abstract: A laser handpiece is disclosed, including a shaped fiber optic tip having a side-firing output end with a double bevel-cut shape. The shaped fiber optic tip can be configured to side-fire laser energy in a direction away from a laser handpiece and toward sidewalls of a treatment or target site.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Inventors: Dmitri Boutoussov, John Hendy
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Patent number: 7469089Abstract: A light receiving apparatus connects light to a light receiving device through a tube-type waveguide for making uniform the light intensity distribution of light. The light receiving apparatus is capable of stably receiving optical data even if partiality occurs in the NFP of the light emitted from an end of an optical fiber or even if the partiality of the NFP fluctuates.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: December 23, 2008Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.Inventor: Akira Obika
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Patent number: 7458708Abstract: A lighting fixture is disclosed to include a light guide bar, a connector holding a LED at a first end of the light guide bar, and a first reflector and a second reflector respectively covered on a part of the periphery and a second end of the light guide bar to reflect light from the LED out of the light guide bar. The connector has a barrel at the first end thereof that accommodates one end of the light guide bar and the LED, an accommodation space at the second end that accommodates electronic components, and a detoured wire path that guides electric wires of the LED out of the connector and prevents disconnection of the electric wires from the LED. A second LED may be attached to the second end of the light guide bar to substitute for the second reflector.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2006Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Inventor: Chen Keng Sheng
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Patent number: 7457509Abstract: A light-guiding device having a coupling-in surface (46) for coupling-in light radiation substantially in a first main direction (41) perpendicular to said coupling-in surface (26;46), and having a coupling-out surface (47,48,49) for coupling-out light radiation substantially in a second main direction (42) perpendicular to said coupling-out surface. The coupling-out surface has other dimensions than the coupling-in surface (46). The device comprises a number of plate-like light-guiding members (43,44,45), each having a substantially rectangular lateral coupling-in surface and a substantially rectangular lateral coupling-out surface (47,48,49). A number of the plate-like light-guiding members are stacked together to create the coupling-in surface (46) formed by said lateral coupling-in surfaces abutting each other at their long sides. The coupling-out surface (47,48,49) is created by said lateral coupling-out surfaces abutting each other at their short sides.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2005Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Ludovicus Johannes Lambertus Haenen, Augustinus Gregorius Henricus Meijers, Edwin P. H. Van Lier
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Patent number: 7457510Abstract: A light guide member for guiding light may include a first pattern on a first side of the light guide member, the first pattern may include a plurality of first features extending along a first direction, and a plurality of second features extending along a second direction, wherein the first direction crosses the second direction, the first feature has a first feature size, the second feature has a second feature size, and the first feature size may be less than the second feature size.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2007Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Dong Ho Lee, Won Ki Cho, Jae Myung Kim, Kyung Il Park
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Patent number: 7454119Abstract: An illumination package is disclosed in the invention. The illumination package includes an optical element, package base, and a light emitter. The optical element is designed to redirect a majority of light emitted from the light emitter to a direction approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the optical element. In one embodiment, the optical element includes an flared portion and a base portion. The flared portion is constructed by an upper surface forming a recess, a side surface adjacent to the upper surface and curved, and a lower surface connecting to the base portion. In another embodiment, a concave lens is formed on the upper surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2006Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Epistar CorporationInventors: Min-Hsun Hsieh, Chou-Chih Yin
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Publication number: 20080280425Abstract: A rectangular beam having the energy density distribution homogenized in its short-side direction is formed in a beam homogenizer wherein two light reflection surfaces are parallel-provided in a beam progression optical waveguide with a predetermined space so as to face each other at surfaces along the beam progression direction and a course change reflection surface for changing the beam progression direction is formed at a surface in the direction intersected with the light reflection surfaces. The beam enters a cylindrical lens array and a cylindrical lens sequentially to homogenize the energy density distribution in its long-side direction. Then, the irradiation laser from the cylindrical lens is projected onto a non-single crystalline semiconductor film to perform annealing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2005Publication date: November 13, 2008Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.Inventors: Koichiro Tanaka, Takatsugu Omata
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Patent number: 7450814Abstract: Disclosed is an optical device for a display having a tapered waveguide and a method of fabricating such devices. In order to reduce light absorption inside the waveguide, a light-absorbing material is coated on the front surface only of the optical device Alternatively, a space adjacent to the waveguide is coated with a material having a refraction index different from the waveguide, preferably, lower than that of the waveguide and then filled with a light-absorbing material. In addition, a large- and uniform-sized light-absorbing material may be filled in the space. The optical device has an improved light efficiency, and thus exhibits an excellent luminance, as compared with the conventional ones, when using an identical light source. Furthermore, the fabrication method can produce such optical devices in a simplified manner, thus improving production efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2005Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Sekonix Co., LtdInventors: Gyuhwan Hwang, Youngbin Yu, Hyunsoo Lee
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Patent number: 7447417Abstract: A backlight assembly may include a light guide unit, a light source and a reflection module. The light source provides light onto an incident face of the light guide unit. The reflection module may include a first substrate having reflection regions, a lower electrode disposed in each reflection region, a switch element applying an on or off signal to the lower electrode, and an upper electrode. The upper electrode makes contact with or is spaced apart from a reflective face of the light guide unit in accordance with the on or off signal. Thus, light selectively exits the light guide unit through an exiting face of the light guide unit corresponding to each reflection region. A display device has a display module disposed on the exiting face of the light guide unit to display an image. Therefore, the display device has a simplified structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2006Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tsutomu Uemoto
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Patent number: 7447416Abstract: A light emitting assembly, a backlight unit, and a display are provided. The light emitting assembly includes: light emitting modules, wherein the light emitting modules include: a substrate having an electrical connecting portion; and a plurality of light emitting units arranged on the substrate, and wherein the light emitting modules can be assembled using the electrical connecting portion. The light emitting assembly can be assembled using the light emitting modules comprised of independent blocks and thus, can be freely used regardless of the size of the display.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2006Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Il-yong Jung, Tae-hee Cho, Jong-min Wang, Ji-whan Noh, Su-gun Kim, Ki-burn Seong
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Patent number: 7437050Abstract: The invention concerns a lighting and/or signalling device for a motor vehicle comprising at least one light source emitting a light beam and at least one optical guide in which the light beam propagates, said optical guide comprising an output face for the light beam, and another reflection face, opposite to the output face, having a serrated profile forming a reflection face for the light beam, notably comprising a series of prisms, each prism forming, with the following prism (8), a bottom angle (D). At least one bottom angle of the reflection face is truncated, and/or in that the output face has a profile comprising flutes.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2005Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Valeo VisionInventors: David Bourdin, Antoine De Lamberterie
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Patent number: 7437040Abstract: An optical fiber having a given refractive index profile comprises a core region and a cladding region. The core region includes at least two co-dopants and the concentration of at least one of said core dopant varies continuously over the entire core region. The optical fiber has, at a wavelength of 1550 nm, a spontaneous Brillouin spectrum width equal or larger to 100 MHz. The optical fiber of the invention achieves a much higher Brillouin threshold compared to standard transmission fibers with limited fiber loss, less than 0.3 dB/km at a wavelength of 1550 nm, and without change in the optical transmission parameters of the fiber.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2006Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Draka Comteq B.V.Inventor: Ivo Flammer
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Patent number: 7431491Abstract: A light guide plate includes a light input surface and a light output surface adjoining the light input surface. The light output surface defines a first portion adjacent to the light input surface, a second portion connected with the first portion away from the light input surface. The light guide plate further includes a plurality of prism lenses arranged on the second portion, each prism lens extending along a direction perpendicular to the light input surface, and a plurality of tetrahedral lenses arranged on the first portion of the light output surface, each tetrahedral lens having a side surface located at an imaginary boundary line perpendicularly to the light output surface. A relative height of each tetrahedral lens progressively increases with increasing distance from the light input surface. The present light guide plate and a backlight module using the same can efficiently decrease interference.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2006Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ming-Yi Liao
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Patent number: 7433568Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical element which forms a beam spot with homogeneous energy distribution on an irradiated surface, and a light irradiation apparatus. It is another object of the invention to provide a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device using a beam spot with homogeneous energy distribution. One feature of the invention is to homogenize energy distribution of a beam spot on an irradiated surface by forming the optical element provided with a polygonal entrance and exit using a plurality of reflectors as side walls and introducing a beam to the optical element. Further, a beam spot with a desired size or shape can be obtained by making the reflectors movable. Furthermore, by using a light irradiation apparatus using the optical element, failure in manufacturing a semiconductor device can be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2006Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventor: Koichiro Tanaka
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Patent number: 7430358Abstract: A backlit light display comprises a light guide panel, a prismatic film, an asymmetric top diffuser and an LCD. A linear light source is disposed along a side face of the light guide panel. Light from the linear light source is transmitted though the light guide panel where it is spread and uniformly output through a front face to the prismatic film. Light incident on the prismatic film is redirected more along a first direction than along a second direction. This light is directed more normal to the LCD. An asymmetric diffuser is applied between the prismatic film and the LCD panel to smear the periodic information from the prismatic film and eliminate the Moiré fringe pattern resulting from interference between the periodic structure of the prismatic film and the periodic arrangement of pixels in the LCD. The asymmetric diffuser is aligned with respect to the prismatic film such that it scatters and spreads light more in a second direction than the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2006Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: Wavefront Technology, Inc.Inventors: Jun Qi, Joel Mikael Petersen, Christopher Chapman Rich
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Publication number: 20080232135Abstract: A light guide includes an extractor layer and a substrate layer. Each layer has a first major surface and a second major surface. The second major surface of the extractor layer is in contact with the first major surface of the substrate layer, and the first major surface of the extractor layer has a plurality of discrete light extractors capable of extracting light propagating in the light guide such that light is extracted in a predetermined pattern over the first major surface of the extractor layer. In some embodiments, at least one of the extractor layer or substrate layer is flexible.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2007Publication date: September 25, 2008Inventors: Brian A. Kinder, Gary T. Boyd, Dale L. Ehnes, L. Peter Erickson, Charles D. Hoyle, Erik E. Jostes, James W. Laumer, Jeffrey L. Solomon
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Patent number: 7428367Abstract: A light control device is disclosed that includes a two film construction, each film having a plurality of light reflecting regions. For example, the light absorbing elements can be a series of grooves or column-like indentations in the films that are filled or coated with a light reflecting material having a lower index of refraction than that of the films. The two films can be adjacently disposed so that their respective light reflecting regions form a plurality of light reflecting elements that extend along the thickness direction of the device.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2003Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: Brilliant Film LLCInventors: Neil D. Lubart, Timothy J. Wojciechowski
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Patent number: 7428356Abstract: A polygonal shape inverted “Y” optical beam splitter for splitting input light into two, equal intensity, homogenous light beams. A one-piece hollow tubular body is provided having a first, second, and third leg. Each leg has a polygonal cross-section and a highly reflective interior surface. The first leg is configured to receive an input light beam having an intensity and spectral content that is reflected within the first leg to provide a first leg output light beam. The first leg output light beam is split and reflected into a second and third leg to provide, after reflection in the second leg and the third leg, a second leg and third leg output light beam. Each of the second leg and third leg output light beam has a homogeneous top hat profile and an intensity equal to one half of the intensity of the input light beam.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2007Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Frank T. P. Cianciotto
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Patent number: 7424197Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of referaction n1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination ?. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n2. The first layer index n2 causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2006Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Roland Winston, Robert L. Holman, Benjamin A. Jacobson, Robert M. Emmons, Philip Gleckman
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Patent number: 7424216Abstract: A light diffuser for a camera used in macro photography, the diffuser formed from a prism having a body that includes an opening to accommodate the camera lens such that the body is positioned adjacent the camera flash unit for receiving and redirecting light throughout the body to exit a front face thereof around the lens and illuminate the subject in a desirable manner. Ideally the body is a unitary transparent material having facets formed thereon to provide internal reflection. One or more filter elements aid in conditioning the light processed in the diffuser body, such as diffusing, adding color to, and focusing the light.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2006Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Inventor: Ronnie K. Liem
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Patent number: 7422353Abstract: A light-emitting device is disclosed which enables efficient use of luminous flux and achieves a desired light emission characteristic. The light-emitting device has an optical member which has an emergence surface and a plurality of optical portions, each of the optical portions including a first surface which directs light incident thereon to the emergence surface. The plurality of first surfaces are inclined on the same side with respect to the emergence surface. The light-emitting device also has a light guiding member which directs light from a light source to the plurality of optical portions from one side of a direction in which the plurality of optical portions are arranged.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2006Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yoshiharu Tenmyo
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Publication number: 20080212339Abstract: A light-guiding plate, an optical source device and an electronic device. The light-guiding plate including an incident surface, and an emission surface substantially perpendicular to the incident surface. The incident surface has a surface substantially perpendicular to the incident surface, and has projections or depressions extending substantially parallel to the emission surface. The incident surface has flat planes among the projections or depressions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2008Publication date: September 4, 2008Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITEDInventors: Yasushi Hara, Chikara Nishio, Makoto Abe, Masashi Hirabayashi, Hiroshi Yamada, Toshikazu Takahashi, Akira Tanaka
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Patent number: 7421175Abstract: Apparatus for providing optical radiation, which apparatus comprises an optical fibre (5) having a core (3), a first cladding (1) and a second cladding (2), in which the first cladding (1) has a substantially constant diameter (9) in its cross-section. The first cladding (1) can be non-circular. Advantages include more reliable cleaving, joining and splicing.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2004Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: SPI Lasers UK LimitedInventor: Malcolm Paul Varnham
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Patent number: 7421184Abstract: A light pipe assembly is provided for use with small form factor style connectors of a dual row, stacked configuration. The assembly includes two pairs of light pipes, each of which is provided with integrated support members. The support members include members that engage opening disposed on the face of the connector, and the pairs of pipes are arranged so that one pair is supported within the other pair of pipes in a nested type of arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2005Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Molex IncorporatedInventor: Jerry A. Long
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Patent number: 7421185Abstract: An optical receiving device includes an optical receiving element and a light collecting portion having an output surface close to or in contact with the optical receiving surface of the optical receiving element. The dispersion plane at an arbitrary point on the line connecting an arbitrary point on an input surface of the light collecting portion to the optical receiving point where light inputted on the arbitrary point on the input surface is received on the optical receiving surface of the optical receiving element is flat, and the normal to the dispersion plane is parallel to the line.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2007Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hidenobu Hamada
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Patent number: 7421186Abstract: A laser handpiece is disclosed, including a shaped fiber optic tip having a side-firing output end with a double bevel-cut shape. The shaped fiber optic tip can be configured to side-fire laser energy in a direction away from a laser handpiece and toward sidewalls of a treatment or target site.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2007Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Biolase Technology, Inc.Inventors: Dmitri Boutoussov, John Hendy
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Patent number: 7418188Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of referaction n1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angle of inclination ?. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n2. The first layer index n2 causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such, as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2006Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Roland Winston, Robert L. Holman, Benjamin A. Jacobson, Robert M. Emmons, Philip Gleckman
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Publication number: 20080199143Abstract: An optical waveguide includes a first end surface; a second end surface, such that the second end surface is smaller than the first end surface; and a body extending between the first end surface and the second end surface, the body defining a complexly-contoured outer surface. An optical waveguide includes a first end surface; a second end surface, such that the second end surface is smaller than the first end surface; and a body extending between the first end surface and the second end surface, the body comprising one of a gradient-index material and a step-index material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2006Publication date: August 21, 2008Inventor: Mark A. Turner
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Patent number: 7410794Abstract: Device having a flat macroporous support material made of silicon and having surfaces, a plurality of pores each having a diameter in a range of from 500 nm to 100 ?m distributed over at least one surface region of the support material and extending from one surface through to the opposite surface of the support material, at least one region having one or more pores with SiO2 pore walls, and a frame of walls with a silicon core surrounding the at least one region and arranged essentially parallel to longitudinal axes of the pores and open towards the surfaces, wherein the silicon core merges into silicon dioxide over a cross section towards an outer side of the walls forming the frame.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Stephan Dertinger, Michaela Fritz, Karin Fuchs, Thomas Haneder, Volker Lehmann, Alfred Martin, Reinhard Marz
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Patent number: 7412131Abstract: An optic device, system and method for making are described. The optic device includes a first solid phase layer having a first index of refraction with a first photon transmission property and a second solid phase layer having a second index of refraction with a second photon transmission property. The first and second layers are conformal to each other. The optic device may be fabricated by vapor depositing a first layer and then vapor depositing a second layer thereupon. The first layer may be deposited onto a blank or substrate. The blank or substrate may be rotated during deposition. Further, a computer-controlled shutter may be used to alter the deposition rate of material along an axis of the optic device. Alternatively, the optic device may be moved at varying speeds through a vapor stream to alter the deposition rate of material.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2007Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Susanne Madeline Lee, Forrest Frank Hopkins
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Patent number: 7410287Abstract: A backlight device (100) includes a light guide plate (110), a light source (130) arranged at a side face of the light guide plate, a lamp cover (140) surrounding the light source, a light reflection plate (120) arranged below the light guide plate, a light diffusion plate (150) arranged over the light guide plate, and a brightness enhancement plate (160) arranged over the light diffusion plate. The light diffusion plate has a first optical film (151) and a plurality of first bumps (152) formed thereon and extending outwardly and toward the light guide plate. The brightness enhancement plate has a second optical film (161) and a plurality of second bumps (162) formed thereon and extending outwardly and away from the light diffusion structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2006Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ga-Lane Chen
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Patent number: 7410286Abstract: A video display for two or three dimensions has a flat liquid-crystal screen which ejects light from the plane at a selectable line. One or, in the case of a 3-D display, several video projectors project a linear image into the plane from an edge. A complete image is written on the screen by addressing the line with appropriate images as it is scanned down the screen. To screen a three-dimensional image, the video projectors, each projecting an image as seen at a slightly different angle, combine to constitute a three-dimensional display which produces a three-dimensional image that is one line high.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2002Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventor: Adrian Robert Leigh Travis
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Publication number: 20080187463Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming voids within semiconductor constructions. In some embodiments the voids may be utilized as microstructures for distributing coolant, for guiding electromagnetic radiation, or for separation and/or characterization of materials. Some embodiments include constructions having micro-structures therein which correspond to voids, conduits, insulative structures, semiconductor structures or conductive structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2007Publication date: August 7, 2008Inventor: David H. Wells
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Patent number: 7407303Abstract: A lighting device is disclosed comprising a plurality of semiconductor light sources disposed on a carrier, wherein the light from the light sources is coupled into assigned lightguides at a set angle to the surface normals of the carrier and the lightguides are provided with reflecting and light exit faces such that the envelope of the light outcoupling faces forms a curved surface segment.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbHInventors: Mario Wanninger, Markus Hofmann, Günter Waitl, Alexander Wilm
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Patent number: 7404663Abstract: A backlight module is suitable for use in a liquid crystal display. The backlight module includes a back plate, and a lamp, over the back plate by a distance. The back plate has a hole under the lamp. The hole can be a hole under the lamp corresponding to an electrode of a high voltage end of the lamp. The hole or a certain number of the holes can be replaced by an indentation, which can also effectively increase the separation distance between the lamp and the back plate. Actually, the hole and the indentation can be used together to form a desired pattern corresponding to the lamp. The lamp can be a plurality of lamp.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2005Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Hannstar Display CorporationInventors: Chi-Hao Chiu, Ping-Fu Wang
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Patent number: 7406245Abstract: Light emitters are made of one or more cladded flat optical fibers having opposite flat sides and disruptions along at least a portion of the length of the fibers to cause light entering at least one end to be emitted from at least one side. The ends of the flat optical fibers may have substantially the same thickness as a light source and a width substantially equal to or substantially greater than the width of the light source for ease of optically coupling one or more such light sources to the flat optical fiber ends.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2004Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Lumitex, Inc.Inventors: David J. Page, Brian M. Spahnie
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Patent number: 7403691Abstract: A light guide plate (10) includes a pair of opposite incidence surfaces (101, 103), an emission surface (108) and a bottom surface (109) opposite to the emission surface. A plurality of dots (11) is distributed on the bottom surface, and each dot is shaped as a rectangle or a square with two cutouts formed at two opposite sides thereof respectively. Thus, a clearance between adjacent dots is relatively small. That is, a distribution of the dots is relatively compact, and this ensures that the light guide plate can provide emission of light beams with good uniformity. Furthermore, adjacent rows of dots are offset, and this can avoid bright lines. Thus, the light guide plate can provide improved display quality. Therefore, the light guide plate can be advantageously applied in back light systems of liquid crystal display devices.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2005Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ming-Yi Liao
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Patent number: 7403180Abstract: A display device including a plurality of optical modulators and a plurality of filter elements on a reflective side of the plurality of optical modulators is provided. The plurality of optical modulators includes a first set of optical modulators and a second set of optical modulators. Each optical modulator of the plurality of optical modulators is configured to be selectively switched among at least a first state, a second state, and a third state. Each state has a different spectral reflectance. The plurality of filter elements includes a first set of filter elements corresponding to the first set of optical modulators and a second set of filter elements corresponding to the second set of optical modulators. The first set of filter elements has a different spectral transmittance than the second set of filter elements.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2007Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Qualcomm Mems Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Louis D. Silverstein, Alan G. Lewis, Jennifer Lee Gille, Gang Xu
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Patent number: 7400817Abstract: A light guide member for guiding light received from a light source unit, the light source unit illuminating light toward the light guide member, the light guide member may include a plurality of first grooves on a first side of the light guide member, the first grooves extending along a first direction, and a plurality of first projections projecting from surfaces of the first grooves.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2007Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Dong Ho Lee, Won Ki Cho, Wan Soo Han, Ho Seok Ko, Sang Hoon Lee, Hee Chan Eum, Jong Kyo Jeong
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Patent number: 7400805Abstract: A light collection system includes at least one light source, a light tunnel having reflective walls and a collimating plate at the light output end of the tunnel. The collimating plate includes an optical element array. The element array receives the light emitted from the light source and outputs part of the light at a desired cone angle and reflects the remainder back into the tunnel toward the light source. The light is “recycled” in the tunnel until the light either exits the collection system through the collimating plate or gets absorbed within the collection system.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2006Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Inventor: Nayef M. Abu-Ageel
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Publication number: 20080159707Abstract: An optic device, system and method for making are described. The optic device includes a first solid phase layer having a first index of refraction with a first photon transmission property and a second solid phase layer having a second index of refraction with a second photon transmission property. The first and second layers are conformal to each other. The optic device may be fabricated by vapor depositing a first layer and then vapor depositing a second layer thereupon. The first layer may be deposited onto a blank or substrate. The blank or substrate may be rotated during deposition. Further, a computer-controlled shutter may be used to alter the deposition rate of material along an axis of the optic device. Alternatively, the optic device may be moved at varying speeds through a vapor stream to alter the deposition rate of material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2007Publication date: July 3, 2008Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: SUSANNE MADELINE LEE, FORREST FRANK HOPKINS
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Patent number: 7391939Abstract: A laterally- and longitudinally-elongated sheetform of optical material has a core and spaced broad surfaces provided with superficial light-confining measures flanking the core. At least one broad surface has an array of converging lenses, each adapted for collecting and introducing incident light rays into the core unimpeded by the superficial light-confining measures, and converging the rays onto focal points within the web. A counterpart array of reflective elements are embedded in the web at the focal points, and arranged to deflect the collected, converged rays onto transmission paths through the web generally intermediate the broad surfaces. A light-emission port provided in or by the web which is also rendered substantially free of impedance by the superficial light-confining measures. That way, collected light is generally confined between the broad surfaces, except for emissions out the emission port.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2005Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Inventor: Raymond W. Williams
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Patent number: 7382963Abstract: A lighting apparatus and projection display apparatus using the same are disclosed. The present invention includes a plurality of light sources emitting lights, respectively, each transmitting at least one of a light emitted from a different light source and a light having transmitted through the different light source and a light guiding unit sending the lights emitted from the light sources and the light transmitted through the light sources in one direction. Accordingly, the lighting apparatus can minimize the etendue to provide sufficient intensity of light despite a plurality of the light sources. By eliminating the necessity for the color separating/synthesizing unit using the lighting apparatus or by eliminating the necessity for the integrator using the lighting apparatus having the long reflecting member, the projection display system can be implemented with a simple configuration.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2005Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Ji Hyouk Chung
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Patent number: 7379651Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing speckle of a laser beam is disclosed. The apparatus includes a light guide, a highly reflective mirror at the input face of the light guide and a partially reflective mirror at the exit face of the light guide. A coherent laser beam is introduced into the light guide through a clear aperture in the highly reflective mirror. Within the light guide, the laser beam gets separated into plural, successive beamlets having different phase shifts, different polarization states and/or path length differences equal to or greater than the coherence length of the laser beam. The beamlets exit the light guide through the partially reflective mirror to provide output laser light with reduced speckle. The light guide can be either a solid light pipe of transmissive material or a hollow tunnel with reflective interior sidewalls.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2005Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Inventor: Nayef M. Abu-Ageel
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Patent number: 7377680Abstract: A light spreading device and a backlight module utilizing the same. The backlight module includes a light guide, a plurality of point lights, and a plurality of light spreading devices. The light guide includes an entrance surface. The point lights are disposed near the entrance surface. Each light spreading device, corresponding to one of the point lights, is disposed between the light guide and the corresponding point light.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2006Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.Inventors: Jing-Huan Liao, Mei-Fen Lin, Pang-Hsuan Liu, Chih-Lin Wang
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Patent number: 7376329Abstract: The invention provides a laser hardening tool having little laser output loss. The laser hardening tool 100 condenses the irradiated beams LB1 from a semiconductor laser stack 120 via a condensing optical lens 134, and creates parallel light beams LB3 via a diverging optical lens 142. The laser beams LB4 having been bent by a first mirror 160 travels through an optical waveguide 150 having a rectangular cross-sectional shape. The laser beams LB5 having been condensed by a re-condensing optical lens 170 are irradiated through a nozzle 190 to subject a work to hardening. The number of reflections of the laser beams LB4 in the angular optical waveguide 150 is small, and thus the loss of laser output is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2006Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Yamazaki Mazak CorporationInventors: Tsunehiko Yamazaki, Naoomi Miyakawa
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Publication number: 20080101759Abstract: An improvement to prism films for displays that reduces the Moiré pattern effect, and also provides a light diffusion function. A prism film with many small prism units is used. The pattern of the prism film is varied, ideally with a random or pseudo random variation. The variation can be in any, some or all aspects of the prism structure. In particular, the thickness and position of the prism elements can be varied.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2006Publication date: May 1, 2008Applicant: K Laser Technology, Inc.Inventor: Wai-Hon Lee
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Patent number: 7366392Abstract: A lighting device comprises a light guide plate having a light incident surface and a light exit surface, at least one point light source for emitting light that is incident on the light incident surface of the light guide plate and is guided by the light guide plate to the light exit surface of the light guide plate, and micro-structures disposed on a surface of the light guide plate that is opposite to the light exit surface thereof for scattering light from the point light source that is incident on the light incident surface. A longitudinal direction of each of the micro-structures is substantially aligned with a direction in which the light from the point light source is incident on each of the micro-structures. Each of the micro-structures has an inclined surface for reflecting the incident light toward the light exit surface of the light guide plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2005Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventors: Katsunori Honma, Norihiro Dejima, Makoto Kurihara, Takayasu Sado