Patent US5416385A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5416385A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Means for compact spatial optical integration
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1993-09-02
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Granted: 1995-05-16
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Expires: 2013-09-02
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method of controlling the light intensity in a light source of variable emission affected by a drive signal. Spatial optical integration based upon light summation is incorporated into the accompanying encasement device at a backlight source by means of a light source support structure that allows light not directed toward a viewed surface, such as an LCD, to serve as a control input to the light drive signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald M. Hau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:34
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B41/00; H05B41/14; H05B41/36; H05B41/38; H05B41/39; H05B41/392; H05B41/3921; H05B41/3922; G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/02; G01J3/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for providing a variable drive signal to illumination means, the apparatus comprising: drive circuitry means for energizing the illumination means; optical integration means including a reflective encasement assembly and an integrated photodetector for monitoring instantaneous emissions of the illumination means wherein the reflective encasement has a parabolic shape for accommodating a circular torus shaped illumination means, and a pedestal having a plurality of openings for allowing light to be directed to the photodetector; and detector circuitry coupled to the optical integration means and an input reference signal representative of a desired light intensity; wherein the detector circuitry output signal is responsive to the detected illumination emission.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for providing a variable drive signal to illumination means, the apparatus comprising: drive circuitry means for energizing the illumination means; optical integration means including a reflective encasement assembly and an integrated photodetector for monitoring instantaneous emissions of the illumination means wherein the reflective encasement has a parabolic shape for accommodating a circular torus shaped illumination means, and a pedestal having a plurality of openings for allowing light to be directed to the photodetector; and detector circuitry coupled to the optical integration means and an input reference signal representative of a desired light intensity; wherein the detector circuitry output signal is responsive to the detected illumination emission.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus for providing a variable drive signal to a backlight illumination means having a reflective assembly and a multi-walled encasement device, the apparatus, comprising: drive circuitry means for energizing the backlight illumination means; optical integration means including an integrated photodetector for monitoring instantaneous emissions of the illumination means and; detector circuitry coupled to the optical integration means and an input reference signal representative of a desired light intensity; wherein the detector circuitry output signal is responsive to the detected illumination emission.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
82 words
An apparatus for providing a variable drive signal to a backlight illumination means having a reflective assembly and a multi-walled encasement device, the apparatus, comprising: drive circuitry means for energizing the backlight illumination means; optical integration means including an integrated photodetector for monitoring instantaneous emissions of the illumination means and; detector circuitry coupled to the optical integration means and an input reference signal representative of a desired light intensity; wherein the detector circuitry output signal is responsive to the detected illumination emission.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
98 words
An apparatus for providing a variable drive signal to a device having illumination means and a backlit surface, the apparatus comprising: reflector assembly means proximately located to the illumination means; support means located on the reflector assembly means for supporting the illumination means; sampling means located on the support means for allowing a small portion of illumination means emission to be directed away from the backlit surface; photodetector means for receiving the sampled illumination means emission; and drive circuitry means that generates a variable drive signal for the illumination means and that is responsive to the photodetector means.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
98 words
An apparatus for providing a variable drive signal to a device having illumination means and a backlit surface, the apparatus comprising: reflector assembly means proximately located to the illumination means; support means located on the reflector assembly means for supporting the illumination means; sampling means located on the support means for allowing a small portion of illumination means emission to be directed away from the backlit surface; photodetector means for receiving the sampled illumination means emission; and drive circuitry means that generates a variable drive signal for the illumination means and that is responsive to the photodetector means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the photodetector is comprised of a single photodetector device centrally located with respect to the illumination means in order to receive light from the entire length of the backlight illumination means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the reflector assembly is comprised of an upper contoured member and a lower contoured member for routing the sampled illumination means emissions to the photodetector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the upper and lower contoured members are comprised of polycarbonate material with an applied reflective coating material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the upper and lower contoured members are comprised of aluminum material with an applied reflective coating material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the sampling means is comprised of a pedestal for the illumination means said pedestal having an opening along the entire length of the illumination means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-05-15 | 1998-11-14 | 1999-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-05-15 | 2002-11-14 | 2003-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-05-15 | 2006-11-14 | 2007-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |