IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,538,830
Granted Patent B2
US 7,538,830 · App. 11/111,830 · Granted May 26, 2009

Light-emitting apparatus

Assignee: Citizen Electronics Co., Ltd.
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,538,830
App. No.
11/111,830
Granted
May 26, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A light-emitting apparatus, comprising at least one LED element, and at least one liquid crystal lens disposed to face the LED element and positioned at a distance from the LED element, a focal length of light, broadening and narrowing directions of light, and changing the illuminating area of light being adjustable by applying a voltage to the at least one liquid crystal lens and a light-emitting apparatus, further comprising at least one lens placed on the liquid crystal lens.

Claims (22)

1. A light-emitting apparatus, comprising:

at least one light-emitting diode element;

at least one liquid crystal lens including a liquid crystal layer, disposed to face the at least one light-emitting diode element, and positioned at a distance from the at least one light-emitting diode element, and

an electrode unit including a plurality of minute pixels disposed in concentric circles, adjacent to the liquid crystal layer.

2. The light-emitting apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

at least one lens disposed on an upper surface of the liquid crystal lens.

3. The light-emitting apparatus according to claim 1 ,

wherein the light-emitting diode element and the liquid crystal lens are supported by a case.

4. The light-emitting apparatus according to claim 3 ,

wherein the case has a light-emitting-diode element-mounting surface for disposing the light-emitting diode element thereon, a lens-mounting surface for disposing a peripheral portion of the liquid crystal lens thereon, and a reflecting surface extending from the light-emitting-diode element-mounting surface to the lens-mounting surface.

5. The light-emitting apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

at least one liquid crystal shutter placed on the liquid crystal lens.

6. The light-emitting apparatus according to claim 1 ,

further comprising a control device to apply a voltage to the liquid crystal lens through the plurality of minute pixels.

7. The light-emitting apparatus according to claim 6 ,

wherein the control device includes a variable voltage source for controlling the applied voltage.

8. The light-emitting apparatus according to claim 1 ,

including one liquid crystal lens and a plurality of light-emitting diode elements disposed to face the liquid crystal lens.

9. A light-emitting apparatus, comprising:

at least one light-emitting diode element having an emission surface;

at least one liquid crystal lens having two transparent boards, a liquid crystal layer inserted between the two transparent boards and an electrode unit including a plurality of minute pixels disposed in concentric circles provided on the inner surface of each transparent board and controlling the direction of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer, and having a focal length adjusted by applying a desired voltage to each of the plurality of minute pixels;

wherein the at least one liquid crystal lens is disposed to face the emission surface of the at least one light-emitting diode element.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 6, 2005
From: SASUGA, MASATOSHI
To: CITIZEN ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 016228/0262 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2004-136755 · Apr 30, 2004 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20050243237A1 · Nov 3, 2005