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Vehicle lamp

April 29, 2008

A vehicle lamp is provided with a single lamp unit for irradiating light of a light source in a desired direction as irradiating light, and an irradiating light control apparatus constituted by integrally assembling a horizontal driving device for pivoting the lamp unit in a horizontal direction, a vertical driving device for pivoting the lamp unit in a vertical direction, and a switching drive portion of a light amount changing device for changing an irradiating light amount of the irradiating light to a single case. An irradiating direction of the irradiating light in the horizontal direction, an irradiating direction thereof in the vertical direction and an irradiating light amount thereof can pertinently be controlled by driving the respective devices.

Open/shut structure for street lamp with plasma lighting system

April 29, 2008

An open/shut structure for a street lamp with plasma lighting system, comprising: a body having a fixed plasma lighting system; a cover that is installed to be removable from said body in order to be shielded from the outside by accommodating said plasma lighting system in said body; and an open/shut unit capable of opening and closing said cover according to the lengthwise direction of said body.

Plane light source device and display device provided with the same

April 29, 2008

The present invention aims to provide a plane light source device having enhanced efficiency of use of light and high brightness uniformity. A plane light source device of the present invention is provided with a housing having an opening section, a scattering plate arranged at the opening section for scattering incoming light and a light source arranged at one side face in the housing, wherein a regular reflection section for regularly reflecting light incoming from the light source is provided in the vicinity of the light source at the bottom surface of the housing that is opposite to the scattering plate and a scatter reflection section for irregularly reflecting light incoming from the light source is provided so as to be adjacent to the regular reflection section.

Discharge lamp having integrated ballast support

April 29, 2008

An integrated projector for discharge lamps includes a projector, having a discharge lamp, and a support fork shaped structure for the projector. The fork shaped structure provides two substantially vertical elements, provided laterally with respect to the projector, and a horizontal arm, joining the lateral elements. In the substantially vertical elements of the fork shaped structure are provided the elements of a voltage limiting system, or ballast. Through the horizontal arm passes the electrical connection cables of the various components of the ballast provided in the two substantially vertical elements. A power supply is provided between one of the substantially vertical elements of the fork shaped structure and the projector electrical connection.

Backlight unit for flat panel display and flat panel display apparatus having the same

April 29, 2008

A backlight unit for a flat panel display and a flat panel display apparatus having the same. The backlight unit for a flat panel display displaying a predetermined image includes: a light source which emits light; a light guide panel having an incident surface facing the light source and which totally reflects light incident through the incident surface toward the flat panel display; and a holographic pattern that includes a plurality of diffraction gratings that are continuously repeated on at least one of an exit surface of the light guide panel and the opposing surface and diffracts light incident into the light guide panel. A depth of the diffraction grating progressively increases away from the incident surface along a length direction of the light guide panel. The backlight unit for a flat panel display and the flat panel display apparatus having the same have a simple structure that can acquire surface light using a holographic pattern while achieving uniform brightness distribution across the entire light-emitting surface.

Battery-powered light

April 29, 2008

A personal light including a battery power source connected in series with a light-emitting diode (LED) light source and a switching mechanism configured for non-contact actuation are disposed within an environmentally sealed chamber. A reflector is employed to maximize reflection of light emanating from the LED and a lens having an anti-reflective coating thereon associated with the LED opposite the reflector to enhance the light output and magnify the narrow beam of the LED. The switch employs an actuation mechanism exterior to the chamber to activate and deactivate the light.

Headlight for a motor vehicle giving a cutoff beam

April 29, 2008

The object of the invention is a light, for a motor vehicle, giving a cutoff beam, in particular of the fog type, having an optical axis. The light having a light source having a filament, the overall shape of which is substantially cylindrical and the axis of which is substantially horizontal, the filament extending obliquely or perpendicular to the optical axis of the light, and at least one reflector producing a reflected light beam with cutoff. The light includes, in front of the light source, a lens producing a light beam with cutoff.

Backlight module and lamp holder thereof

April 29, 2008

A backlight module and a lamp holder thereof. The backlight module includes a plurality of lamps and a lamp holder. The lamp holder includes a plurality of supporting portions and a plurality of holding portions. Each lamp is disposed on the corresponding supporting portion. Each holding portion includes two rods to fix the lamp at the supporting portion.

Tubular electro-luminescent panel(s) light device

April 29, 2008

A tubular Electro-Luminescent light device offers desired bending directions with super brightness based on the predetermined width of a panel incorporated with a proper inverter system. The panel has a much narrower width than a tube means containing the panel to allow the panel to bend in any direction and angle within the tube means to provide desired light effects. The panel can be flat or twisted within the tube means, which in turn may have a desired colored, transparency, wall thickness, diameter, shape, or length. The device may incorporate non-elastic means, magnetic means, a tube holder, sensor means, and/or integrated circuit to add a wide variety of features.

Compact lighting system and display device

April 29, 2008

A compact backlight system for illuminating a display device ( 12 ) has a light-emitting panel ( 1 ) with a front wall ( 2 ) and an opposed rear wall ( 3 ) and with edge surfaces ( 4, 5 ). At least one of the edge surfaces ( 4 ) is light-transmitting. The backlight system has a light source ( 6 ) comprising a limited number of LEDs. Light from the light source ( 6 ) is coupled into the light-emitting panel ( 1 ) via the edge surface that is light-transmitting. According to the invention, the light-emitting panel ( 1 ) is wedge-shaped, and the surface area S i of the light-transmitting edge surface ( 4 ) and the surface area S r of the opposite edge surface ( 5 ) fulfill the relation: 1<(S r /S i )<10, preferably 1.5<(S r /S i )<5. Light travelling for the first time from the light-transmitting edge surface through the light-emitting panel ( 1 ) towards the opposite edge surface ( 5 ) cannot be coupled out of the light emitting panel ( 1 ).

Flexible backlight unit for key of input device

April 29, 2008

Provided is a backlight unit for a key of an input device. The unit includes a light guide plate and at least one light emitting unit. The light guide plate is formed of flexible transparent resin and has a light guide pattern portion in which a plurality of engraved or embossed patterns are formed in a plurality of requirement character shapes so that light can be diffused and scattered at desired luminance from a necessary light emitting portion, using a minimal number of light sources. The light emitting unit is installed at a side wall of the light guide plate.

Lamp housing and backlight module using the same

April 29, 2008

An exemplary lamp housing includes a base ( 21 ), two frame members ( 23 ), and two frame holding members ( 24 ). The base includes an upper surface for disposing one lamp ( 20 ) thereon. The frame members are respectively attached to two opposite ends of the base so as to hold the lamp. Each of the frame members includes an outer side surface ( 232 ) and a lower outer surface ( 233 ). The frame holding members are each fixed on a corresponding one of the frame members so as to fix the frame members with the lamp. Each frame member includes a plurality of first protruding rims ( 2323 ) and second protruding rims ( 2324 ) extending from the outer side surface and down the lower outer surface. Each of the first protruding rims is parallel to one of the second protruding rims so as to define a receiving groove ( 2321 ) for mounting lamp wires connecting to the lamp.

Illumination chamber

April 29, 2008

An illumination chamber for activating a photoluminous object includes a chamber assembly defining an interior, substantially fully enclosable chamber defined by a chamber assembly inner margin, the chamber assembly including an illuminator port opening into the chamber and a substantially sealable object port opening into the chamber, the object port having a hingedly shiftable lid, the lid presenting an inner margin defining in part the chamber when in a closed disposition, and the chamber assembly inner margin, including the lid inner margin, presenting a substantially contiguous reflective surface to the chamber, the reflective surface defining substantially the full chamber, exclusive of the illuminator port. A method of illumination of a photoluminous object is further included.

Backlight module having frame with spring members

April 29, 2008

An exemplary backlight module ( 1 ) includes a light guide plate ( 14 ), an optical sheet assembly ( 12 ), and a frame ( 10 ). The frame accommodates the light guide plate and the optical sheet assembly. The light guide plate includes a light emitting surface ( 144 ). The optical sheet assembly is disposed on the light emitting surface of the light guide plate. The frame includes a plurality of spring members ( 105 ) elastically pressing at least one edge portion of the optical sheet assembly toward the light emitting surface of the light guide plate.

Low voltage track lighting assembly and system

April 29, 2008

Various embodiments of lighting assemblies, lighting apparatus, and lighting systems are provided. The lighting assemblies, apparatus, and systems can have first and second contacts disposed to retain a bulb and to pierce an insulation layer on a conductor. The lighting assemblies, lighting apparatus, and lighting systems can be low voltage lighting assemblies and lighting systems. Methods of installing lighting systems are also provided.

Method and apparatus for object viewing, observation, inspection, identification, and verification

April 29, 2008

In an object verifier having a housing and an object holder, an object may be placed in the object holder for observation by an operator. The object is illuminated using a collimated beam of white light that is generated by a light generator. The collimated beam of white light is passed through a beam splitter with the two portions of the collimated beam of white light presented to the object at a 90 degree angle one from the other. The interior of the housing includes a reflective surface for maximal illumination of the object. The observer may view the illuminated object through a viewing window and/or through a magnification window. The magnification window provides for the viewing of the object in greater detail.

Vehicle headlight system with variable beam shape

April 29, 2008

In a vehicle headlight system with a light source ( 2 ) and at least one reflector ( 1 ) for shaping the light emitted by the light source into a high beam and a low beam, and with a shield ( 7 ) adjustable via an actuating element ( 9 ) between a position in which the light from the light source ( 2 ) is blocked across a maximum cross section and an essentially transmissive position in which this light is substantially allowed to pass through, the actuating element ( 9 ) adapted for adjusting the shield ( 7 ) in a plurality of intermediate positions between the maximal blocking and the essentially transmissive position in which intermediate position the blocked cross section is less than the maximal cross section.

Light redirecting films pattern of variable optical elements

April 29, 2008

Light redirecting films and film systems include a thin optically transparent substrate having a pattern of individual optical elements of well defined shape on or in the substrate. At least some of the optical elements may vary at different locations on the substrate to redistribute or redirect light passing through the substrate.

Light redirecting films including non-interlockable optical elements

April 29, 2008

The light redirecting films include a thin optically transparent substrate having a pattern of non-interlocking individual optical elements oriented and placed to produce a desired surface coverage of at least one of the surfaces of the transparent substrate of the transparent substrate occupied by the optical elements. At least some of the optical elements may have at least one flat surface and at least one curved surface that may intersect each other to a greater extent on the curved surface than on the flat surface to increase the relative percentage of flat surface area to curved surface area of the intersecting optical elements to increase the on axis gain of light passing through the film.

Flashlight with pivotal legs

April 29, 2008

A handheld flashlight includes a head that pivots relative to a body. Three legs pivotally connect to the body and open into a tripod to support the head in an elevated position. The legs are spring-biased toward the open tripod position and are selectively held closed by a detent mechanism. In the closed position, the legs form a flashlight handle that is aligned with an illumination direction of the head and is shaped and sized to be held in the hand of an operator. Each of the three legs contain battery source holders for battery sources that connect to each other in parallel. Diodes are disposed in series with each battery source to prevent the parallel battery sources from discharging each other.

Modular optical light line unit

April 29, 2008

A modular fiber optic light line unit has a housing in which distal portions of one or more fiber optic bundles fan out such that termini of the fibers are arrayed in a continuous fiber row. The proximal ends of the bundles are held in respective sleeves, and light source modules are removably attached over the sleeves to generate light that is incident on the proximal end of the bundle. The light source modules are removably installed by pushing on, without requiring tools. The light source modules have a canister housing containing a solid-state light source, e.g., five watts. Heat management is achieved using fins on the modular housing. Different color wavelength light sources can be employed, and the fibers from the various bundles can be interleaved.

Adaptor with gimbal mounted sensor

April 29, 2008

An adaptor ( 10 ) including a sensor ( 18 ), a gimbal housing ( 12 ) having a male connector ( 14 ) at one end and an female connector ( 16 ) at another end, wherein the male connector ( 14 ) is configured to connect with an electrical socket and the female connector ( 16 ) is configured to connect with an electrical device, and a circuit for selectively controlling the electrical device in response to the sensor ( 18 ). The gimbal housing ( 12 ) is adapted to rotate around the male connector ( 14 ) about a first axis and support the sensor ( 18 ) for independent rotation about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis so that the sensor ( 18 ) can be moved to a selectable sensing orientation.

Projection type display unit

April 29, 2008

Reduction of noise is achieved by devising an arrangement of heat generating parts such as a light valve element, an electric power source, a light source, etc. and an arrangement of cooling fans. In cooling the light source, the electric power source and liquid crystal panels, a cooling wind path for the liquid crystal panels and the electric power source is made separate from and independent of a cooling wind path for the light source that generates much heat, a cooling air volume is optimized for the respective cooling wind paths, and noise accompanying the rotation of the cooling fans is reduced. Also, by arranging the cooling fans substantially centrally of the respective cooling wind paths, that volume of noise, which leaks from air intake ports and air exhaust port that are opened to a housing of a unit, is reduced.

Spoiler having integral stop lamp cover

April 29, 2008

A spoiler for a vehicle has an integral stop lamp cover. The stop lamp cover comprises a cover body configured to be open at an upper end thereof, and having a stop lamp insertion opening, a stop lamp receiving space, and a flange part formed on an upper end of the cover body; and an upper plate coupled to the cover body, having a size capable of covering the stop lamp receiving space, and defining the stop lamp receiving space and a parison fusing section to which a parison for forming a spoiler body is fused. The stop lamp cover is inserted into a mold when implementing the blow molding process, the flange part is fused to the outer surface of the spoiler body to be integrated with the material of the spoiler without requiring the use of a separate coupling means, and the parison is fused to the parison fusing section.

Multiple light source illumination for image display systems

April 29, 2008

A method for transmitting light in an image display system includes generating a first cone of light from a first light source. The first cone of light includes a plurality of light beams. A first portion of the first cone is projected in an illumination path. A second portion of the first cone is projected at a surface of a reflector. The second portion of the first cone is reflected to project the second portion of the first cone in the illumination path. The first and second portions of the first cone are received at an entrance of an integrator rod. The second portion of the first cone increases the intensity of light received by the integrator rod.

Flexible backlight unit for key of input device

April 29, 2008

Provided is a backlight unit for a key of an input device. The unit includes a light guide plate and at least one light emitting unit. The light guide plate is formed of flexible transparent resin and has a light guide pattern portion in which a plurality of engraved patterns are formed in a plurality of requirement character shapes so that light can be diffused and scattered at desired luminance from a necessary light emitting portion, using a minimal number of light sources. The light emitting unit is installed at a side wall of the light guide plate.

Projector apparatus

April 29, 2008

A projector apparatus, including: a light source including a high-pressure discharge lamp having a plurality of ventilation holes; an optical unit having a liquid crystal panel for optically modulating to light emitted from the light source in response to an input video signal; a ventilation fan; and cooling means for cooling the light source by blowing cooling-air blown from the ventilation fan to at least the light source, wherein a cooling-air ventilation inlet facing one ventilation hole of the high-pressure discharge lamp is formed at an upper position of a lamp case, which holds and fixes the high-pressure discharge lamp having the plurality of ventilation holes and positions and fixes the optical unit, a cooling-air ventilation outlet facing another ventilation hole of the high-pressure discharge lamp is formed at a lower position of the lamp case, and a tray is provided under the cooling-air ventilation outlet.

Light source lamp and projector

April 29, 2008

A light source lamp, in which reduction of the available amount of illumination light on an illuminated region side can be reduced or suppressed, heightens light utilizing efficiency. The light source lamp has a light emitting tube having a luminous part in which a pair of electrodes arranged along an illumination light axis are built, an ellipsoidal reflector which reflects light from the luminous part and emits its reflection light as illumination light to an illuminated region side, and an auxiliary mirror which is arranged on the illuminated region side of the luminous part, has a reflection concave surface of a nearly hemispherical shape, and reflects the light from the luminous part on the ellipsoidal reflector. A center Q of curvature of the auxiliary mirror is arranged in a position distant from a center P of the luminous part to the illuminated region side along the illumination light axis.

Systems for providing backlight module with stacked light source

April 29, 2008

A system for providing a backlight module has a light guide plate and at least a light source set positioned adjacent to the incident surface. The light source set contains a plurality of light sources stacking along a direction parallel with the incident surface of the light guide plate.

Pool light mounting system

April 29, 2008

A pool light mounting system includes a circular band formed of resilient material. The band has first and second adjusting brackets at either end. The brackets have substantially planar surfaces located orthogonally to the band. The planar surfaces have first and second apertures penetrating the surfaces. The apertures are sized to fit slidably over a threaded stud. First and second nuts are threaded to fit the threaded stud and located on the stud located within the first and second apertures. First and second mounting brackets are attached to the band having third and fourth planar surfaces spaced forwardly from and parallel to a front edge of the band. The third surface has a receiving notch for a mounting hook. The fourth surface is located opposite the first mounting bracket along the band and has a threaded hole sized and shaped to accept a threaded mounting screw for a lighting fixture.

Light enhancing structures with three or more arrays of elongate features

April 29, 2008

Various embodiments comprise light recycling films comprising an array of parallel ridges and grooves that form prisms that selectively reflect or transmit light. In some embodiments, the light recycling film may be used in displays that include spatial light modulators comprising a plurality of pixels. The light recycling film can limit the field-of-view of the display and enhance the luminance within that field-of-view. Various embodiments comprising multiple arrays of ridges and/or grooves can enhance uniformity of illumination of the pixels in the spatial light modulator and reduce Moiré effects.

Information device

April 29, 2008

An information device for use with an engine of a vehicle includes a lighting device for providing information about a power position of the vehicle, an engine running detection device for detecting engine running, a gear shift position detection device for detecting gear shift position, and an illuminance control device for controlling illuminance of the lighting device. When a detection is made by the engine running detection device that the engine is running and by the gear shift position detection device that the gear shift position is other than in a P or N range, the illuminance control device reduces the illuminance of the lighting device compared with the illuminance of the lighting device when the gear shift position is in the P or N range.

Dual LED board layout for lighting systems

April 29, 2008

Circuit boards for lighting systems have identical LED landing zones printed on the board. Each zone includes at least two sets of LED contact pads. One pad set is configured to mate with contacts of an LED of a first structural type, e.g. from a first product line or manufacturer. The other pad set is configured to mate with contacts of an LED of a second type, e.g. from a different product line or manufacturer. The layout may enable an easy system re-design, e.g. to shift from one type of LED to another. Alternatively, the layout may enable one system to use LEDs of the two different types in a single LED set or array. Exemplary systems disclosed herein include an element for mixing light produced by LEDs mounted to the landing zones, such as an optical integrating cavity.

Security device and methods for security device operation

April 29, 2008

In one embodiment, a security device is disclosed. The device includes 1) a lighting fixture; 2) a number of lighting elements, mounted to the lighting fixture; and 3) a control circuit, programmed to vary the luminosity and duration of the drive currents provided to each of the number of lighting elements, in accord with an algorithm embedded in the control circuit.

Optical module

April 29, 2008

An optical module has plural optical units each having an optical communication device that performs conversion between an electrical signal and an optical signal, and a socket that the optical communication device is fitted in. The optical units are aligned and detachably connected to each other by a part of the socket in contact with the socket of the adjacent optical unit.

Projection display system using multiple light sources and polarizing element for using with same

April 29, 2008

An image projection system has two illumination beams of different colors. A first polarizing beamsplitter (PBS) has first and second input faces. Light of the first color is incident on the first input face and the light of the second color is incident on second input face. At least some of the light of the first color propagates from the first PBS to a first imager unit via a second PBS. The light of the second color propagates from the first PBS to a second imager unit via, in some embodiments, the second PBS and, in other embodiments, via a third PBS. One type of PBS includes a polarizing layer and a dichroic optical layer that is substantially transparent for light of the first color in a first polarization state and is substantially reflective for light of the second color in a polarization state orthogonal to the first polarization state.

Vehicular optical system

April 29, 2008

An optical system for vehicle operating monitoring is disclosed. The optical system includes at least one illuminator that illuminates a profile of a vehicle operator and an imager in optical communication with a reflector that captures a reflected image of the vehicle operator profile from the reflector. A method is also disclosed.

Bicycle shift control device with light structure

April 29, 2008

A bicycle shift control device includes a shifter housing, a shift control mechanism and a bicycle light structure. The shift control mechanism is coupled to the shifter housing. The shift control mechanism is configured and arranged to control a bicycle transmission component. The bicycle light structure is coupled to the shifter housing. The bicycle light structure includes a bicycle location light that is arranged and configured to project light outwardly from the shifter housing at a location remote from a gear position indicator. Preferably, the bicycle light structure is also configured and arranged to illuminate the gear position indicator at a location remote from the light projecting outwardly from the shifter housing.