Patent highlights

01 Jul 2005

The pick of this week’s patents including an optical system from Boeing for identifying seats.

•  Title: OLED display having thermally conductive layer
Applicant: Eastman Kodak company, US
International application number: WO 2005/053050
Kodak thinks it has found a way to improve the lifetime of OLED displays by dispersing heat. The technique, which suits both top or bottom emitting devices, involves applying a thin, heat-sinking metallic layer to either the OLED’s substrate or its encapsulating cover. Suitable metals are given as Al, Cu, Ag, Fe, Cr and Mg and their alloys.

•  Title: Gas sensor
Applicant: ELT Inc., South Korea
International application number: WO 2005/057188
Scientists in Korea have devised an optical cavity to enhance the sensitivity of non-dispersive infrared gas sensing. The design features two facing gold coated parabolic mirrors arranged to increase optical path length. In addition to the mirror chamber, which houses the infrared absorbing sample gas, the sensor also comprises inlet and exhaust ports, a pulsed infrared source and a detector. The sensor works by relating gas concentration to changes in the optical intensity of an infrared beam striking the detector. Test results demonstrate C02 detection at concentrations from to 2,000 down to 100 ppm.

•  Title: Apparatus and method for projecting identifying information onto seats
Applicant: The Boeing Company, US
International application number: WO 2005/056385
Aircraft manufacturer Boeing is attempting to patent an optical system that helps passengers find the correct seat by projecting its number, row and any other relevant information directly onto the seat. As the inventors explain in patent application WO 2005/056385, the projector’s subsystem could by integrated into the tray table located on the back of each seat. With an estimated projection distance of 27.8 inches from the device to the seat, the applicants recommend an LCD-based projector featuring LED backlighting. Infrared motion detectors could be used to deactivate the system once passengers are seated.