With Intensity Control Patents (Class 362/552)
  • Patent number: 11815460
    Abstract: A method of analyzing a plurality of biological sample volumes comprises emitting, along an excitation optical path toward a sample holder holding the plurality of biological sample volumes, electromagnetic radiation from a broadband LED, wherein the broadband LED emits the electromagnetic radiation across a range of wavelengths at a total output power of at least 5 watts and at a maximum intensity at a wavelength less than 600 nanometers and at an intensity less than 30 percent of the maximum intensity at a wavelength of 650 or 670 nanometers, and receiving, by a sensor, an electromagnetic emission transmitted from the sample holder along an emission optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin Maher, Mingsong Chen, Jacob K. Freudenthal, Kuan Moon Boo, Soo Yong Lau, David Fortescue, Ming Shen, Woon Liang Terence Soh
  • Patent number: 11372148
    Abstract: A light fiber and an illuminating device are disclosed. In an embodiment a light fiber includes a cladding and at least two cores configured to conduct electromagnetic radiation, wherein each core comprises an incoupling surface at one end of the light fiber, wherein the incoupling surfaces of different cores are not contiguous, wherein each of the cladding and/or the cores includes at least one outcoupling zone configured to outcouple the electromagnetic radiation from the cores, wherein the light fiber is configured to emit at least a majority of the electromagnetic radiation in a region of outcoupling zone transverse to a main extension direction of the light fiber, wherein the cores are configured to guide primary radiation, and wherein the outcoupling zone is configured to mix the primary radiation so that mixed light is emitted from the light fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: OSRAM OLED GMBH
    Inventor: Peter Brick
  • Patent number: 11327213
    Abstract: A light diffusing optical fiber includes a core, a cladding surrounding the core, an outer surface, and a plurality of scattering structures positioned within the core, the cladding, or both the core and the cladding. The plurality of scattering structures are configured to scatter guided light towards the outer surface, such that light including a wavelength of from about 450 nm to about 650 nm diffusing through the outer surface along a diffusion length of the light diffusing optical fiber includes a spectral attenuation percent relative range of about 15% or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Stephan Lvovich Logunov
  • Patent number: 11262033
    Abstract: A portable apparatus for mounting lights is described. The portable apparatus may include an attachment frame configured to removably mount to and be supported by a 3-point hitch connection of a tractor, a generally vertical main post having an upper end and a lower end, where a lower portion of the main post is rigidly coupled to the attachment frame, and a generally horizontal mounting beam rigidly coupled to the upper end of the main post at a center portion of the beam, and where the mounting beam includes a plurality of vertical light mounting bars, where each light mounting bar is coupled to the mounting beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Weekend Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan T. Paine, Ronald P. Scott, Kyle J. Newman, Kyle A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 11065468
    Abstract: An optical device including an optical substrate providing with an optical filter configured to inhibit transmission of harmful UV and/or blue light wherein the optical device is further configured to allow retinal exposure of an eye to at least one selected range of wavelengths of light in the visible spectrum of 460 nm to 560 nm, preferably of 480 nm to 520 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Essilor International
    Inventors: Coralie Barrau, Thierry Villette
  • Patent number: 10962187
    Abstract: In various embodiments, an optical unit for a radiation source matrix is provided. The optical unit may include a plurality of coupling surfaces, which are arranged in at least one line, and at least one decoupling surface. At least one coupling surface, which is arranged at a line end of the line formed by the coupling surfaces arranged in at least one line, is widened when viewed in the direction of the at least one line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: OSRAM Beteiligungsverwaltung GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Feil, Andreas Hartmann, Eugen Pappelheim
  • Patent number: 10908342
    Abstract: A linear light source is provided that includes a light-emitting element and a light guide, which has a core with an end and a longitudinal extension. In the operating state, light from the light emitting element is injected on the end and is guided along the longitudinal extension. The core includes at least one scattering element that changes a propagation direction of the light guided in the core. The light guide having a lateral surface with a light-blocking coating at least partially or in portions thereof. The light-blocking coating being structured so that the light guide has a light-transmissive portion extending along the longitudinal extension and so that the light scattered on the at least one scattering element and striking the light-transmissive portion is able to escape from the light guide, at least partially. The coating having a light transmittance that is lower than a light transmittance of the light-transmissive portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: SCHOTT AG
    Inventors: Stephan Schabacker, Bernd Woelfing
  • Patent number: 10890306
    Abstract: The lens body includes a light input portion with a light entry face, a light tunnel extending from the light entry face and defining an optical axis, and a transition face located opposite the light entry face and curved in a plane parallel to the optical axis; a light passage section with a light exit face and coupled to the transition face, such that the transition face is imaged by the light passaged section as a light/dark boundary. An upper surface of the light tunnel defines an ellipsoid with both the maior and minor semiaxes extending in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis; the maior semiaxis being at least 1.9 times the minor semiaxis. A light source might be coupled to the lens body to form a vehicle headlight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: DOCTER OPTICS SE
    Inventors: Manuel Tessmer, Mohsen Mozaffari-Afshar, Siemen Kühl
  • Patent number: 10856730
    Abstract: A medical light source device includes: a first solid state light emitting element configured to emit first color light; a second solid state light emitting element configured to emit second color light; a third solid state light emitting element configured to emit third color light; a fourth solid state light emitting element configured to emit fourth color light; and a color synthesis optical device configured to synthesize the first color light, the second color light, the third color light, and the fourth color light. The color synthesis optical device includes a first color separation surface, a second color separation surface disposed to intersect with the first color separation surface, and a third color separation surface disposed on a light path latter stage with respect to the first color separation surface and the second color separation surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: SONY OLYMPUS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 10823494
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerating and/or freezing device having a cooled interior chamber which comprises a recessed interior chamber portion, wherein the device has a lighting means and a light guide situated between the lighting means and a wall surface of the interior chamber portion, wherein the lighting means and the light guide are arranged in such a way that the light guide emits the light introduced by the lighting means into the interior chamber portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Liebherr-Hausgeräte Ochsenhausen GmbH
    Inventors: Marc Schirmer, Manuel Bentele
  • Patent number: 10775025
    Abstract: An LED lighting device (6) having an LED (8) emitting white light and optical filter means (12) suitable for filtering the white light emitted by the LED (8). The optical filter means comprise at least two optical filters (12) that have different transmission coefficients and that are positionable to filter the light emitted by the LED (8) individually. The lighting device (6) includes a power supply unit (10) suitable for delivering different power supply currents to the LED (8) depending on whether one or the other of the optical filters (12) is positioned to filter the light from the LED (8), so as to modify the color temperature of the light emitted by the LED (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: MAQUET SAS
    Inventors: Robin Jousse, Cecilia Valteau, Lionel Comte
  • Patent number: 10724699
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical device for automotive lighting. The optical device comprises: a plurality of light sources; a plurality of primary optics arranged in a matrix and configured to receive and redirect light from the plurality of light sources; and a secondary optics configured to receive the redirected light from the plurality of primary optics and project out the received light into a desired beam pattern. Each of the primary optics is shaped as a light guide with a light entrance face and a light exit face at two opposite ends thereof, which light guide is configured to guide light incident at the light entrance face via total internal reflection to the light exit face where light is refracted out towards the secondary optics. Each light guide further comprises a plurality of side faces extending between the light entrance face and the light exit face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: LUMILEDS HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Milly Zhang, Ping Wu
  • Patent number: 10690313
    Abstract: An automotive lighting unit wherein the lighting assembly that backlights the front half-shell comprises: at least one light-guide body made of photoconductive material, which is placed inside the rear body and is structured to channel, by total internal reflection and towards said transparent or semi-transparent portion of the front half-shell, the light that enters into the light-guide body through a light-incoupling end or sidewall of the same light-guide body; an active light deflector device which is placed inside the rear body, facing the light-incoupling end or sidewall of said light-guide body; and an electrically-powered light source which is placed inside the rear body and emits, on command, a collimated light beam towards the active light deflector device; the active light deflector device being adapted to reflect/divert said collimated light beam towards the light-incoupling end or sidewall of said light-guide body, so that the collimated light beam can enter into the light-guide body and then tra
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Automotive Lighting Italia S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro Buzzurro, Patrick Bianco
  • Patent number: 10632898
    Abstract: An illumination device disposed on a moving body includes at least one main light source, and at least one auxiliary light source disposed in a periphery of the at least one main light source when seen along a traveling direction of the moving body. The illumination device further includes a first light guide disposed adjacent to the at least one main light source, that guides light transmitted from the at least one main light source, and a second light guide that is disposed adjacent to the at least one auxiliary light source, that guides light transmitted from the at least one auxiliary light source. The illumination device also includes an optical component that transmits the light from the first light guide and the light from the second light guide in the traveling direction of the moving body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yohei Chingyo, Tomoyuki Nakano, Masaru Fujita, Kenichiro Mase
  • Patent number: 10485630
    Abstract: An exemplary illumination system is provided herein for use in performing an ophthalmic surgical procedure. The illumination system may include a body configured to be held by a hand of a user. The body may include an outer surface and an inner surface that defines an inner chamber. The exemplary illumination system may further include an elongate tubular member extending from a distal end of the body, which may have an illumination path within a lumen of the elongate tubular member, and an illumination source coupled to the illumination path through an optical fiber extending between the body and a surgical console. The exemplary illumination system may include a plurality of illumination controls disposed on the outer surface of the body. A first illumination control may permit the user to selectively control an adjustable illumination level between a high intensity state and a low intensity state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Cesario Pereira Dos Santos, Alireza Mirsepassi, Michael J. Papac, Ryan Makoto Takakawa
  • Patent number: 10480775
    Abstract: In order to provide a light emitting decoration, a method for laying a light emitting decoration, a laying object, and a method for forming a light emitting design, each which provides a light emitting design having excellent visibility with less light emission source and energy consumed, the light emitting decoration includes: a woven fabric having a side emission optical fiber woven in a line shape over one end side and the other end side, and the woven fabric is visually recognized in a state where the other end side is located on the front side and the one end side is located on the back side; and a light source which introduces light to advance from the one end side toward the other end side in the optical fiber. The laying object includes the light emitting decoration laid thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takamasa Yamada
  • Patent number: 10459156
    Abstract: Provided is the light guiding member including an incident surface, an exit surface extending in a first direction, a light guiding surface opposed to the exit surface, and being configured to guide light entering the incident surface to the exit surface, a side surface connecting the exit surface and the light guiding surface, and a held portion formed on the side surface. The light guiding surface includes a plurality of deflection portions arrayed in the first direction. At least one of a density or a depth of each of the plurality of deflection portions differs between a first region on the light guiding surface, which corresponds to a region at which the held portion is present in the first direction, and a second region on the light guiding surface adjacent to each of both sides of the first region in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ikutaro Mitsutake
  • Patent number: 10175121
    Abstract: A light diffusing fiber including one or more segments, and a thermochromic coating on at least a portion of the light diffusing fiber. The thermochromic coating is opaque at a first temperature, and is transparent at a second temperature. A system for detecting the temperature of an apparatus including the apparatus, a light diffusing fiber thermally coupled to the apparatus, and a light source optically coupled to the light diffusing fiber. A method for detecting the temperature of an apparatus including thermally coupling a light diffusing fiber to the apparatus, optically coupling a light source to the light diffusing fiber, and monitoring the light diffusing fiber for transmitted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATEd
    Inventor: Anthony Sebastian Bauco
  • Patent number: 10113713
    Abstract: A light irradiation apparatus includes a plurality of light sources, a plurality of light transmission paths capable of selectively transmitting lights from the plurality of light sources, respectively, and an optical fiber path provided with a plurality of light incidence ends receiving respective lights from the plurality of light transmission paths, and a single light exit end. The optical fiber path has a plurality of optical fiber bundles. Incidence ends of the plurality of optical fiber bundles configures the plurality of light incidence ends, and exit ends of the plurality of optical fiber bundles configure the single light exit end by combining themselves. A lot of optical fibers constitute the plurality of optical fiber bundles. The optical fibers of the plurality of optical fiber bundles are dispersedly arranged with each other in uniform at the single light exit end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignees: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, YAMASHITA DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sanekazu Igari, Nobuhiko Kubo
  • Patent number: 10103762
    Abstract: Provided are mechanisms and processes for a lighting system for medical schedule management. According to various examples, an apparatus is provided which comprises a lighting interface configured to connect to a lighting element for illuminating a medical examination room. The apparatus further comprises a power interface coupled to a power source. The apparatus further comprises a Wi-Fi transceiver configured to transmit a wireless signal to connect to a device corresponding to a physician. The wireless signal corresponds to a local area network. The duration of the connection is used to track the presence of the physician in the medical examination room. The Wi-Fi transceiver is tuned to transmit a signal strength corresponding to the size and characteristics of the medical examination room. The apparatus is located in a lighting fixture in the medical examination room. The lighting fixture may be centrally located in the medical examination room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventors: Deborah T Bullington, Andrew B Bullington
  • Patent number: 10078167
    Abstract: A laser-operated light source encompasses a chamber for accommodating an ionizable gas and an ignition source for ionizing the gas in the chamber for generating a plasma. The light source furthermore encompasses a laser for inputting laser energy into the plasma such that, under the impact of the laser radiation, the plasma emits useful light, which forms the output signal of the light source, wherein provision is made for means for coupling the useful light into a transferring optical fiber. In the case of the light source according to the invention, at least one mode scrambler is assigned to the optical fiber or the optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Ekkehard Brune, Dieter Frerking, Thomas Thöniß, Claus Spruch
  • Patent number: 9937858
    Abstract: The illumination device includes a light source; an elongated light guide rod on which light emitted from the light source is made incident; a housing that houses the light guide rod; and a lens that scatters light emitted from the light guide rod, the light guide rod being flexible and formed in a substantially linear shape, and having a surface on which an emission pattern for emitting light in a specific direction is provided, the housing and the lens are being formed in a curved shape in conformity with a shape of the interior member, and the light guide rod being provided in the interior member in a state of being bent in a curved shape by being sandwiched between the housing and the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: HAYASHI TELEMPU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Katsurayama, Shigeki Masaki, Jun Koyama
  • Patent number: 9921355
    Abstract: The system and method of the present invention advantageously enable controllable light extraction from optical fiber waveguides and offer highly configurable light signal guidance and control capabilities, as well as additional advantageous features associated with waveguides, by providing, in various exemplary embodiments thereof, a multitude of novel techniques by which the parameters relating to utilization of various light signals (such as direction of their emission, magnitude of the emission, physical surface area of the emission, etc.), can be readily controlled and configured as a matter of design choice. Additionally, the inventive system and method, in various exemplary embodiments thereof, also enable and facilitate selective configuration of, and/or control over, various characteristics of the light signals guided/controlled/extracted thereby, such as the signals' wavelength, polarization, intensity, amplitude, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Chiral Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Weiner, Victor Il'ich Kopp, Daniel Neugroschl
  • Patent number: 9684107
    Abstract: A device includes a main body and a light guiding wire set. The light guiding wire set has an illuminating apparatus, a detachable connecting device and at least one light guiding wire. When the illuminating apparatus connects with the detachable connecting device, the light provided by the illuminating apparatus is transmitted via the light guiding wire to achieve the effects of displaying, guiding, alerting, illuminating or decorating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Inventor: Po-Feng Wang
  • Patent number: 9638855
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes a light source and a light guide formed in a rod shape. An end surface in a longitudinal direction is an incident surface that receives light emitted from the light source. Diffusing patterns are formed on the light guide, and intervals between the diffusing patterns closer to the incident surface in a first area close to the incident surface are smaller than intervals between the diffusing patterns closer to the incident surface in a second area farther from the incident surface than the first area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: CANON COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Hidemasa Yoshida, Yoshihiko Tsumekawa
  • Patent number: 9440429
    Abstract: A drying light source (1), in which the light of a number of single light sources (3) is applied heterodyned and bundled to an object level (5) with the help of optical elements (6, 4, 7, 8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: VOLPI AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Jenny
  • Patent number: 9360184
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting system includes first and second lighting devices. The first lighting device has a first opening, and the second lighting device has a second opening. The first opening provides access to a first installation space on the first lighting device, and the second opening provides access to a second installation space on the second lighting device. The first and second installation spaces are essentially mirror images of one another. A first fan unit is located at the first opening and a second fan unit is located at the second opening. The first and second fan units are essentially mirror images of one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: HELLA KGAA HUECK & CO.
    Inventor: Jaroslaw Schimon
  • Patent number: 9273836
    Abstract: A head-mounted light source particularly suited to medical and dental applications includes a base unit with a source of illumination directed through a distal opening in the base unit, and a plurality of interchangeable beam-forming units, each separately attachable to the distal opening of the base unit to produce a different light spot size at a given distance. The preferred embodiment includes a wide-field beam-forming unit, an intermediate beam-forming unit and a high-intensity beam-forming unit, such that the diameter of the spot size progressively decreases from the wide-field to the intermediate to the high-intensity unit. The interchangeable beam-forming units are attached to the base unit through a threaded connection. Each interchangeable beam-forming unit may itself include a distal threaded connection for attachment of a UV or other filter. In the preferred embodiment, the base unit includes a clip adapted for attachment to an ocular mounting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: General Scientific Corporation
    Inventor: Byung J. Chang
  • Patent number: 9103526
    Abstract: This invention relates to a phosphor assembly with a phosphor element for converting pump light into converted light, and an optical system for transmitting converted light and/or pump light. Therein, a liquid immersion material is provided in a gap between the phosphor element and the optical system, wherein an excess of immersion material enables a continuous exchange of the material in the gap and thus provides a cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: OSRAM GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Berben, Ulrich Hartwig
  • Patent number: 9023017
    Abstract: An ophthalmic laser treatment apparatus comprises: a laser source that emits a laser beam for treatment of an affected part of a patient's eye; an optical fiber that transmits the laser beam emitted from the laser source; and a delivery optical system that irradiates the laser beam emitted from the optical fiber to the affected part of the patient's eye, the delivery optical system including: a plurality of diffraction optical elements each being configured to shape a beam profile of the laser beam at an emission end face of the optical fiber into a beam profile having one of a uniform intensity and a lower intensity in the center than on the periphery on the affected part and also to shape the laser beam to have a different spot size on the affected part of the patient's eye; and a changing unit which selectively disposing one of the diffraction optical elements on an optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naho Murakami, Koichi Ito
  • Patent number: 8998468
    Abstract: A solid state illumination system is provided as a replacement for conventional arc light, metal halide and Xenon light sources for applications in microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and endoscopy. The illumination system includes hybrid optical and electrical control of output intensity in which the light output of one or more of the light sources is attenuated optically such that it is not necessary to reduce the electrical drive power/current of the LEDs at a level where the spectral power distribution is variable. One or more fixed, selectable, or variable neutral density filters is interposed in the output beam of one or more sources to achieve optical attenuation of the light output. The hybrid optical and electrical control of output intensity allows greater dynamic range of intensity to be achieved than could be achieved with electrical control of the LEDs alone while maintaining the desired spectral power distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Lumencor, Inc.
    Inventors: Claudia B. Jaffe, Steven M. Jaffe
  • Patent number: 8985826
    Abstract: A backlight module includes a back cover, a light source located on the back cover, an optical fiber located on the back cover and over the light source and having a light-incident hole facing the light source and a plurality of light-emergent windows opposite to the light-incident hole. A plurality of light shutters correspondingly covers the light-emergent windows. A controlling device is provided for controlling the open and close of the light shutters. Light emitted from the light source and entering the optical fiber is permitted to leave the optical fiber from the light-emergent windows whose light shutters are opened. The light is not permitted to leave the optical fiber from the light-emergent windows whose light shutters are closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Optoelectronic Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hou-Te Lin, Chao-Hsiung Chang
  • Publication number: 20150062954
    Abstract: A luminary fabric, useful for a variety of applications including signage, has at least one light-diffusing optical fiber woven, knitted, crocheted or otherwise integrated into the fabric. The light-diffusing optical fiber is coupled to at least one light source such as a laser or a light emitting diode. At least one coating is applied over at least a section of the outer surface of the optical fiber along its length. The coating contains at least one luminophore that absorbs energy from the light source and luminesces at a different higher wavelength. Multiple coatings containing one or more luminophores, one or more pigments, and/or one or more dyes may be employed to provide a variety of interesting visual effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Carl Edgar Crossland, Vineet Tyagi
  • Publication number: 20150060651
    Abstract: Illumination apparatuses include: light sources; and light guides formed in a rod shape, wherein end surfaces in a longitudinal direction are incident surfaces that receive light emitted from the light sources. Diffusing patterns are formed on the light guides, and intervals between the diffusing patterns closer to the incident surface in a first area close to the incident surface are smaller than intervals between the diffusing patterns closer to the incident surface in a second area farther from the incident surface than the first area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Hidemasa YOSHIDA, Yoshihiko TSUMEKAWA
  • Patent number: 8939628
    Abstract: A driving method of a light source apparatus includes causing a primary light source to emit checking light. The checking light has light intensity sufficient to check a state of the light source apparatus and unharmful to the human body even when the checking light leaks. This emission is based on an output signal from a photodetector having detected a light radiated from a light conversion unit. The method further includes checking a state of the light source apparatus. The checking the state of the light source apparatus is based on an output signal from the photodetector having detected light radiated from the light conversion unit and entering the photodetector based on the checking light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Ito, Masahiro Nishio
  • Patent number: 8845162
    Abstract: A system includes multiple light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a light pipe configured to mix light from the LEDs and produce collimated light. The light pipe includes multiple reflective optical devices configured to reflect the collimated light at different angles. The light pipe also includes multiple outlet optical devices configured to selectively control exit of the reflected collimated light from the light pipe. The reflected collimated light has one or more controllable spectral characteristics and/or one or more controllable geometries of illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Tarja T. Shakespeare, John F. Shakespeare
  • Publication number: 20140241003
    Abstract: A mounting device (26) for a sanitary element comprises a mounting frame (30) to hold the sanitary element and a lighting unit (B) connected to the mounting frame, which comprises a first optical means (1) having at least one light source (3) for providing a first glow of light (5) and at least one second optical means (2) having at least one light source (4) for providing a second glow of light (6), wherein the said glows of light (5, 6) can be output from the mounting device (26).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Geberit International AG
    Inventor: Rolf KOSARNIG
  • Publication number: 20140218955
    Abstract: Illuminated moldings with integrated control are provided. The illuminated moldings with integrated control use low voltages, are energy efficient and easy to install and use. The illuminated moldings with integrated control may be attached to various surfaces of different objects. The illuminated molding is insulated and does not carry electricity, and can be placed under water with never a risk of shock even if something damages or cuts the molding. Further, the illuminated moldings with an integrated control allow a user to control various illumination characteristics and effects such as the turn on or turn off time, the color, the brightness, the transition between various operation modes. The integrated control may be wired or wireless.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventor: SCOTT LEE
  • Publication number: 20140169022
    Abstract: The fixing device of the present invention comprises a base, at least one light guide pillar, and at least one light-blocking element. The base comprises at least one through hole, which obliquely penetrates the base. The at least one light guide pillar is disposed on the base. The at least one light-blocking element corresponds to the at least one through hole; therefore, when the at least one light-blocking element passes through the at least one through hole, the base and the light guide pillar are fixed by the at least one light-blocking element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Yang-Shang LIU, Te-Hsiung HSIEH
  • 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: 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: 8706310
    Abstract: A goal-based control system may be provided that controls lighting based on high-level management goals for the operation of a lighting system. The system may include a lighting system model. The system may convert the high-level management goals into low-level device control parameters that include a power level for each respective one of the light fixtures, where the system determines that a modeled operation of each respective one the light fixtures at the power level meets the management goals based on the lighting system model. The system may cause each respective one of the light fixtures to operate at the power level. The system may determine a likelihood of satisfying the management goals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Redwood Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan M. Barrilleaux
  • Patent number: 8690370
    Abstract: A control module having a plurality of control elements configured to control a first function of the control module in a first operating mode and another function of the control module in another operating mode of the control module. The control elements are grouped into different groups of control elements. Each group of control elements corresponds to a predetermined group of functions of the control module. The grouping is dependant on the operating mode of the control module. An illumination system provides illuminated control-dividing surfaces that visually separate one group of control elements from another group of control elements. The illumination system illuminates the control-dividing surfaces according to the grouping of the control elements and according to the operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Richard Ayres
  • Publication number: 20140016345
    Abstract: An illumination system includes a light source device configured by an excitation light source, a light guiding member and a wavelength converter that are connected in order, and an operation check device. The system further includes: a connector configured to directly and physically connect the operation check device to a light signal emitting end which includes the wavelength converter; a detector configured to detect a light signal emitted from the light signal emitting end when the light signal emitting end and the operation check device are connected by the connector; and an operation determiner configured to determine the operations of the excitation light source, the light guiding member, and the wavelength converter by a detection result in the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro NISHIO, Takeshi ITO, Eiji YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140009957
    Abstract: An example instrument cluster includes a light guide having a first end portion and a display located adjacent the first end portion of the light guide for emitting light into the light guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Curt Ollila, Taochuan Wang, Kevin Dyer
  • Publication number: 20130335992
    Abstract: A compact passively-cooled solid state illumination system is provided as a replacement for conventional arc light, metal halide and Xenon white-light sources for photocuring applications. The solid state illumination system utilizes LED modules to generate high intensity light output suitable for photocuring. The light output is continuous in the visible spectrum from 380 nm to 530 nm and is suitable for photocuring using a wide range of photoinitiators. A touchscreen interface allows programming of spectral output, intensity and duration. Output can be initiated using the touchscreen interface and/or a foot pedal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Claudia B. Jaffe, Steven M. Jaffe, George S. Tylinski
  • Patent number: 8562194
    Abstract: A wavelength conversion unit includes a wavelength conversion member that transmits a part of incident excitation light and converts a part of the excitation light into wavelength-converted light having a wavelength different from a wavelength of the excitation light to emit the wavelength-converted light. The excitation light has an intensity distribution in which an intensity is maximum at the center and decreases as getting apart from the center. A thickness of the wavelength conversion member at a portion into which light at the center of the intensity distribution of the excitation light enters is larger than those at any other portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Nishio, Takeshi Ito, Hiroyuki Kamee
  • Patent number: 8545076
    Abstract: An illumination system generating light having at least one wavelength within 200 nm a plurality of nano-sized structures (e.g., voids). The optical fiber coupled to the light source. The light diffusing optical fiber has a core and a cladding. The plurality of nano-sized structures is situated either within said core or at a core-cladding boundary. The optical fiber also includes an outer surface. The optical fiber is configured to scatter guided light via the nano-sized structures away from the core and through the outer surface, to form a light-source fiber portion having a length that emits substantially uniform radiation over its length, said fiber having a scattering-induced attenuation greater than 50 dB/km for the wavelength(s) within 200 nm to 2000 nm range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott Robertson Bickham, Dana Craig Bookbinder, Edward John Fewkes, Stephan Lvovich Logunov
  • Publication number: 20130242595
    Abstract: A solid state illumination system is provided as a replacement for conventional arc light, metal halide and Xenon light sources for applications in microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and endoscopy. The illumination system includes hybrid optical and electrical control of output intensity in which the light output of one or more of the light sources is attenuated optically such that it is not necessary to reduce the electrical drive power/current of the LEDs at a level where the spectral power distribution is variable. One or more fixed, selectable, or variable neutral density filters is interposed in the output beam of one or more sources to achieve optical attenuation of the light output. The hybrid optical and electrical control of output intensity allows greater dynamic range of intensity to be achieved than could be achieved with electrical control of the LEDs alone while maintaining the desired spectral power distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: LUMENCOR, INC.
    Inventors: Claudia B. Jaffe, Steven M. Jaffe
  • Patent number: 8534890
    Abstract: A light pipe assembly includes a light pipe and an optical concentrator. The light pipe is elongated between opposite ends along a longitudinal axis. The light pipe is formed from a light transmissive material. The optical concentrator is joined to the first end of the light pipe and includes an end section and an opposite coupling end connected to the first end of the light pipe. The end section is configured to receive light generated by a light source. The optical concentrator is formed from a light transmissive material that conveys light through the optical concentrator. The optical concentrator focuses the light generated by the light source into the first end of the light pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Canada ULC
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Goto, Dragos Luca