Patents Examined by Grant A Gagnon
  • Patent number: 11733445
    Abstract: An optical element includes a first birefringent medium layer with orientations of directors of first optically anisotropic molecules spatially varying with a first in-plane pitch and a first vertical pitch. The optical element also includes a second birefringent medium layer with orientations of directors of second optically anisotropic molecules spatially varying with a second in-plane pitch and a second vertical pitch. The second birefringent medium layer is optically coupled with the first birefringent medium layer and configured to reduce a diffraction of a light by the first birefringent medium layer. The first in-plane pitch is substantially the same as the second in-plane pitch, and the second vertical pitch is smaller than the first vertical pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Yun-Han Lee, Junren Wang, Mengfei Wang, Babak Amirsolaimani, Lu Lu, Scott Charles McEldowney
  • Patent number: 11733439
    Abstract: A metallic grating is formed to include a substrate; a plurality of high aspect ratio trenches disposed in the substrate such that the high aspect ratio trenches are spaced apart from one another by a field surface of the substrate; a metallic superconformal filling formed and disposed in the high aspect ratio trenches; and a grating including a spatial arrangement of the high aspect ratio trenches that are filled with the metallic superconformal filling such that the metallic superconformal filling is void-free, and the high aspect ratio trenches are bottom-up filled with the metallic superconformal filling, wherein a height of the metallic superconformal filling is less than or equal to the height of the high aspect ratio trenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventors: Daniel Josell, Thomas Polk Moffat
  • Patent number: 11733579
    Abstract: Electrochromic window systems and components thereof are disclosed, more particularly systems where electrochromic devices are powered and/or controlled using photonic energy. In some instances, a laser is driven by a driver to deliver photonic power and/or control information into an optical fiber. The optical fiber carries the power and control information to a photovoltaic converter and a controller. The photovoltaic converter and controller may be included within an insulated glass unit (IGU). The photovoltaic converter converts the light energy into electrical energy used to power a transition in an optical state of an electrochromic layer or layers within the IGU. The controller may be used to control the power delivered to the electrochromic layer(s), such that a smooth transition occurs. In some embodiments, control information may be transmitted in an upstream manner to communicate information regarding, for example, the state of an electrochromic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger W. Phillips, Stephen Clark Brown
  • Patent number: 11726348
    Abstract: A spectacle lens can inhibit ametropia of the eyes and ensure full visibility. The spectacle lens comprises: first refraction areas and second refraction areas. Each first refraction area has a first refraction force that may be based on a prescription for correcting the ametropia of the eyes. Each second refraction area has a refraction force different from the first refraction force and may function to focus images on the positions except the retina of the eyes, to inhibit the development of the ametropia. Near the central part of the lens, the second refraction areas form a plurality of independent island-shaped areas, and the first refraction areas form the areas beyond the areas of the second refraction areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignees: THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, HOYA LENS THAILAND LTD.
    Inventors: Chi Ho To, Siu Yin Lam, Takashi Hatanaka, Yasutake Masuda
  • Patent number: 11726325
    Abstract: Disclosed in the present application are a near-eye optical imaging system, a near-eye optical imaging system based near-eye display device, and a near-eye display device based head-mounted display device. The near-eye optical imaging system comprises: a display, a first array of microlenses, which comprises a plurality of first microlenses; a second array of microlenses, which is arranged side by side with the first array of microlenses. The plurality of first microlenses in the first array of microlenses correspond to the plurality of second microlenses in the second array of microlenses respectively to form multiple optical channels. According to the present invention, an object located within a near-eye range is imaged by means of using a display, and two microlens arrays in concatenation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Inventor: Jing Jiang
  • Patent number: 11723533
    Abstract: A method for testing the eyes of a test person with the aid of a vision testing system as well as to a vision testing system, comprising a first measuring device, a second topographic measuring device, a third refractive measuring device and a processing means, a central axial length (LZ) and a peripheral axial length (LP) of an eye of the test person being measured with the aid of said first measuring device, a curvature of the cornea of the eye being measured with the aid of said second measuring device, a refractive property of the eye being measured with the aid of said third measuring device, measurement data of the measurements of the first, second and third measuring device being processed with the aid of said processing means, said processing means outputting the measurement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Oculus Optikgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Steinmueller
  • Patent number: 11726249
    Abstract: An optical element includes an optical surface configured to receive light at a predetermined wavelength in a range from about 400 nm to about 1000 nm. The optical surface is defined by a vertical axis and a horizontal axis defining four Cartesian quadrants sequentially numbered in a counter-clockwise direction. A first longitudinal section of the optical surface is centered on the vertical axis and a second longitudinal section of the optical surface is centered on the horizontal axis. The first and second longitudinal section each extend across opposite edges of the optical surface and have a same substantially uniform retardance for substantially normally incident light. The optical element includes four discrete retarder sections. Each retarder section is disposed on a respective Cartesian quadrant of the optical surface and has a retardance difference from the substantially uniform retardance of the optical surface that is greater than zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Zhisheng Yun, Michael L. Steiner, Jo A. Etter, Timothy L. Wong, Gilles J. Benoit, John D. Le, Erin A. McDowell, Susan L. Kent
  • Patent number: 11726336
    Abstract: An optical device includes a substrate, a plurality of optical elements positioned on the substrate, and one or more switchable cells. A respective optical element of the plurality of optical elements is configured to redirect light having a first polarization and transmit light having a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. The plurality of optical elements includes a first optical element located on a first region of the substrate and a second optical element located on a second region of the substrate. A respective switchable cell of the one or more switchable cells includes optically anisotropic molecules. The one or more switchable cells include a first switchable cell located on a first cell location of the substrate between the first region and the second region of the substrate. Also disclosed are a display device including the optical device and a method performed by the optical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jacques Gollier, Fenglin Peng, Ying Geng
  • Patent number: 11726365
    Abstract: An illumination assembly includes one or more light sources and an optical assembly. The one or more light sources is configured to provide illumination light. The optical assembly includes a first optical component, a second optical component, and a third optical component. The first optical component, the second optical component, and the third optical component are positioned so that the illumination light is (i) received by the first optical component, (ii) transmitted through the first optical component toward the second optical component, (iii) reflected at the second optical component toward the third optical component, (iv) reflected at the third optical component toward the second optical component, and (v) transmitted through the second optical component. A method of providing illumination using an optical assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ying Geng, Weichuan Gao
  • Patent number: 11714283
    Abstract: An optical apparatus and a near-eye display apparatus including the same are provided. The optical apparatus includes a display panel configured to form an image, a first polarization rotator configured to electrically control a light emitted from the display panel to have a first polarization state, a first ¼ wave plate configured to convert the first polarization state of a light transmitted from the first polarization rotator to a second polarization state, and an optical element group configured to display a first image having a first viewing angle and a second image having a second viewing angle that is greater than the first viewing angle based on the second polarization state of a light transmitted from the first ¼ wave plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY R&B FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Changkun Lee, Seokil Moon, Byoungho Lee, Geeyoung Sung, Hongseok Lee
  • Patent number: 11708720
    Abstract: A variable light transmittance sheet comprises a first transparent electrode and a second transparent electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, and between the electrodes an electrophoretic cell containing an electrophoretic ink and one or more non-planar solid polymer elements. In an embodiment, the electrophoretic ink includes charged particles in a suspending fluid, and 75% or more by mass of the suspending fluid is an organosilicone or an aliphatic hydrocarbon and the solid polymer is a fluorinated elastomeric polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventor: Donal Martin O'Keeffe
  • Patent number: 11703755
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses related to fiducial designs for fiducial markers on glass substrates, or other transparent or translucent substrates, are disclosed. Example fiducial designs can facilitate visual recognition by enhancing edge detection in visual perception. In example fiducial designs, optical features on glass substrates can re-direct light so as to present a bright image region. Such optical features can include surface relief patterns formed in a coating on the surface of glass substrates. An exemplary method for manufacturing the fiducial markers can involve transfers of a fiducial design across a master mold or plate, a submaster mold or plate, and a target glass substrate. A fiducial marker can facilitate the use of the substrate in a variety of applications, including machine vision systems that facilitate automated performance of manufacturing processes on input working material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Huihang Dong, Ryan Rieck, Thomas Mercier
  • Patent number: 11698531
    Abstract: An optical device combining a spectacle function with an augmented reality function adapted to let an ambient light beam enter an eye of a user is provided. The optical device includes a spectacle lens and a diffractive optical element. The spectacle lens has a first surface facing the eye and a second surface facing away from the eye. The diffractive optical element is disposed on the first surface of the spectacle lens or between the first surface and the second surface of the spectacle lens. The diffractive optical element has a third surface facing the eye and a fourth surface facing away from the eye. The diffractive optical element is a diffractive optical film or a diffractive optical plate. An augmented reality device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Yi-Jung Chiu, Wei-Kuo Shih
  • Patent number: 11693244
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an optical system for an augmented reality apparatus, comprising: an image source; and a polarizing beam splitter. The polarizing beam splitter has a beam splitting side adjacent to the image source and a transmission side facing away from the image source. The polarizing beam splitter is arranged such that light emitted from the image source is able to be non-perpendicularly incident on the beam splitting side and be at least partially reflected. The polarizing beam splitter is configured such that when light is incident on the beam splitting side, a polarized light component, whose polarization is in a first direction, passes through the polarizing beam splitter and is transmitted through the transmission side thereof, and a polarized light component, whose polarization is in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, is reflected from the beam splitting side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: MATRIXED REALITY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bing Xiao, Xiaobin Liang, Chi Xu
  • Patent number: 11693245
    Abstract: The application provides an augmented reality display device comprising a projection source module (10) and an optical path module, wherein the projection source module (10) comprises a projection source (12), the projection source (12) has a curved light outgoing surface (12a), virtual image light (VL) is projected out of the projection source (12) via the curved light outgoing surface (12a), and the optical path module comprises a beamsplitter (20) and a reflector (60), wherein the virtual image light (VL) projected out of the projection source module (10) is incident on the beamsplitter (20), reflected by the beamsplitter (20) onto the reflector (60), reflected by the reflector (60), and then transmitted through the beamsplitter (20), entering a human eye (E) eventually. The application also provides a wearable augmented reality system comprising the augmented reality display device and a projection source module for the augmented reality display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Matrixed Reality Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bing Xiao, Xiaobin Liang, Chi Xu
  • Patent number: 11684538
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a vision training device having an excellent vision training efficiency as vision training is performed in consideration of a status of personal vision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: EDENLUX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sung Yong Park, Kyung Hyun Noh
  • Patent number: 11686885
    Abstract: Compound eyes of insects are great optical system for imaging and sensing by the nature creator, which is an unsurpassed challenge due to its precision and small size. Here, we use meta-lens consisting of GaN nano-antenna to open the fascinating doorway to full-color achromatic light field imaging and sensing. A 60×60 multi-channels meta-lens array is used for effectively capturing multi-dimensional optical information including image and depth. Based on this, the multi-dimensional light field imaging and sensing of a moving object is capable to be experimentally implemented. Our system presents a diffraction-limit resolution of 1.95 micrometer via observing the standard resolution test chart under white light illumination. This is the first mimic optical light field imaging and sensing system of insect compound eye, which has potential applications in micro robotic vision, non-men vehicle sensing, virtual and augmented reality, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: ACADEMIA SINICA
    Inventors: Din-Ping Tsai, Cheng-Hung Chu, Ren-Jie Lin, Mu-Ku Chen, Pin-Chieh Wu
  • Patent number: 11675107
    Abstract: A see-through reflective optical device includes: a reflective metasurface configured for a targeted design optical wavelength, wherein the reflective metasurface comprises a sub-wavelength periodic arrangement of meta-atoms formed by patterned isolated gap surface plasmon (GSP) resonators, where the patterned isolated GSP resonators comprise a patterned optically thin metal layer for the design wavelength, an optically thick metal layer for the design wavelength, and an insulator layer between the patterned optically thin metal layer and the optically thick metal layer; and an array of apertures of random positions and diameters greater than the targeted design wavelength formed through the reflective metasurface providing a designed percentage of light transparency through the reflective metasurface. The reflective metasurface of the see-through reflective optical device may comprise, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: University of Rochester
    Inventors: Daniel Nikolov, Jannick P. Rolland-Thompson, Nick Vamivakas, Fei Cheng, Aaron Bauer
  • Patent number: 11668866
    Abstract: An optical device includes a first polarization selective reflector positioned in a first orientation so that the first polarization selective reflector: receives first light in a first direction; redirects a first portion, of the first light, having a first polarization to a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction; and receives second light in a third direction and transmit a first portion, of the second light. A second polarization selective reflector positioned in a second orientation non-parallel to the first orientation, and adjacent to the first polarization selective reflector so that the second polarization selective reflector: receives third light in a fourth direction; redirects a first portion, of the third light, having the first polarization to a fifth direction that is non-parallel to the fourth direction; and receives fourth light in a sixth direction and transmit a first portion, of the fourth light having the second polarization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew John Ouderkirk, Tanya Malhotra, Brian Wheelwright, Weichuan Gao, Ying Geng
  • Patent number: 11662648
    Abstract: One embodiment of a lens driving device comprises: a housing supporting a first magnet; a bobbin provided on the inside of the first magnet, provided with a first coil on an outer peripheral surface thereof, and moving within the housing; a base disposed at the bottom of the bobbin; an upper elastic member provided at the top of the bobbin; and a supporting member disposed on a side surface of the housing, and having the bottom thereof coupled to the base, wherein a portion of the top of the supporting member may be coupled to the upper elastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Taek Shin, Jin Suk Han, Tae Bong Park