Patents by Inventor Charles L. Bruzzone
Charles L. Bruzzone has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7023602Abstract: An optical imaging system including an illumination system, a Cartesian PBS, and a prism assembly. The illumination system provides a beam of light, the illumination system having an f/# less than or equal to 2.5. The Cartesian polarizing beam-splitter has a first tilt axis, oriented to receive the beam of light. A first polarized beam of light having one polarization direction is folded by the Cartesian polarizing beam splitter and a second polarized beam of light having a second polarization direction is transmitted by the Cartesian polarizing beam splitter. The Cartesian polarizing beam splitter nominally polarizes the beam of light with respect to the Cartesian beam-splitter to yield the first polarized beam in the first polarization direction. The color separation and recombination prism is optically aligned to receive the first polarized beam. The prism has a second tilt axis, a plurality of color separating surfaces, and a plurality of exit surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2000Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David J. W. Aastuen, Charles L. Bruzzone
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Patent number: 6976759Abstract: A compound polarization beam splitter (33) for use with a reflective, polarization-modulating, imaging device (10), e.g., a LCoS device, is provided. The compound PBS has: (a) an input prism (20); (b) an output prism (30), and (c) a polarizer (13), which is located between the two prisms (20,30) and which may be a wire grid polarizer (13a) or a multi-layer reflective polarizer (13b). Polarized illumination light (11) enters the input prism (20) through a first surface (21) and undergoes total internal reflection at a second surface (22) before being reflected from the polarizer (13) and polarization-modulated at the imaging device (10). The polarizer's tilt angle (?) is less than 45°, which reduces astigmatism and the required back working distance of the system's projection lens (74).Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2004Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Simon Magarill, Charles L. Bruzzone, Stephen K. Eckhardt, R. Edward English, Jr., E. Gregory Fulkerson, Jiaying Ma, Todd S. Rutherford
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Patent number: 6926410Abstract: The present invention provides a unique polarizing beam splitter (PBS) that is suitable for use in projection systems and displays. The PBS contains at least one prism having at least one major surface and having a refractive index of at least about 1.6 and a birefringent film disposed on the major surface of the prism. The birefringent film is a multi-layer film having at layers of at least a first material and a second material. After uniaxial stretching, the film exhibits a refractive index difference of less than about 0.15 units in the stretched direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2003Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael F. Weber, Charles L. Bruzzone, Peter D. Condo, Kevin M. Hamer, Timothy J. Hebrink, William W. Merrill
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Publication number: 20040233393Abstract: A compound polarization beam splitter (33) for use with a reflective, polarization-modulating, imaging device (10), e.g., a LCoS device, is provided. The compound PBS has: (a) an input prism (20); (b) an output prism (30), and (c) a polarizer (13), which is located between the two prisms (20,30) and which may be a wire grid polarizer (13a) or a multi-layer reflective polarizer (13b). Polarized illumination light (11) enters the input prism (20) through a first surface (21) and undergoes total internal reflection at a second surface (22) before being reflected from the polarizer (13) and polarization-modulated at the imaging device (10). The polarizer'stilt angle (&bgr;) is less than 45°, which reduces astigmatism and the required back working distance of the system's projection lens (74).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2004Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Simon Magarill, Charles L. Bruzzone, Stephen K. Eckhardt, R. Edward English, E. Gregory Fulkerson, Jiaying Ma, Todd S. Rutherford
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Publication number: 20040227898Abstract: Single imager projection systems suffer from low light throughput, compared to three imager systems, because only one color band is illuminated at any one time. As a result, there is a need to increase the operating efficiency of the single imager projection system. The invention is directed to the incorporation of a high extinction ratio pre-polarizer, such as a compensated, multi-layer polarizer, in a single or dual imager projection system. This permits illumination with low f-number illumination light, and thus increases the efficiency of the projection system. The pre-polarizer may be incorporated within a polarization recovery unit to further enhance system efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2003Publication date: November 18, 2004Inventors: Jiaying Ma, Charles L. Bruzzone, David J.W. Aastuen
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Publication number: 20040227994Abstract: A polarizing beam splitter (PBS) includes a first multilayer reflective polarizing film and a second multilayer reflective polarizing film disposed between two covers. The two multilayer reflective polarizing films can be the same or different. The PBS can be used in a variety of applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2003Publication date: November 18, 2004Inventors: Jiaying Ma, Charles L. Bruzzone, William W. Merrill, David J. W. Aastuen
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Patent number: 6786604Abstract: LCD projection systems that use reflective LCD imager units commonly use one or more polarization beamsplitters to separate the light incident on the imager from the light reflected by one or more respective imagers. The polarizing beamsplitters introduce astigmatism to the image light from the imagers. According to the present invention, the polarization beamsplitters are adapted to reduce the astigmatism.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2002Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David J. W. Aastuen, Charles L. Bruzzone, Jiaying Ma
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Publication number: 20040130681Abstract: Generally, the present invention relates to an apparatus for reducing astigmatism in a projection system that is particularly well suited to reducing astigmatism in LCD projection systems. A projection system includes a light source to generate light, conditioning optics to condition the light from the light source and an imaging core to impose on image on conditioned light from the conditioning optics to form image light. The imaging core includes a polarizing beamsplitter and at least one imager, and at least one element in the imaging core is adapted to reduce astigmatism in the image light. The astigmatism may arise in the polarizing beamsplitter. A projection lens system projects the astigmatism-reduced image light from the imaging core.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David J.W. Aastuen, Charles L. Bruzzone, Stephen K. Eckhardt, Jiaying Ma
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Publication number: 20040130784Abstract: LCD projection systems that use reflective LCD imager units commonly use one or more polarization beamsplitters to separate the light incident on the imager from the light reflected by one or more respective imagers. The polarizing beamsplitters can be mounted onto a color combiner using an index matching layer and optical adhesive.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Inventors: Jennifer L. Williams, Kenneth D. Sabota, Charles L. Bruzzone
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Patent number: 6721096Abstract: An optical imaging system including a wide-angle Cartesian polarizing beam splitter, light valve illumination optics having an f/#≦2.5, and at least one reflective light valve. The Cartesian polarizing beam splitter (PBS) has a structural orientation defining fixed polarization axes. The use of a Cartesian PBS allows the development of systems using curved PBS that provide higher light output and/or replace or augment other optical components. By recognizing and advantageously applying properties of wide-angle Cartesian polarizers, the present invention discloses a high-efficiency optical imaging system capable of functioning at f/#'s equal to or below f/2.5 while maintaining a contrast ratio of at least 100 to 1, or, more preferably, 150 to 1 in a projection system configuration.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2002Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Charles L. Bruzzone, David J. W. Aastuen, Roger J. Strharsky, Stephen K. Eckhardt, Michael F. Weber, Gary T. Boyd
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Patent number: 6719426Abstract: A compound polarization beam splitter (33) for use with a reflective, polarization-modulating, imaging device (10), e.g., a LCoS device, is provided. The compound PBS has: (a) an input prism (20); (b) an output prism (30), and (c) a polarizer (13), which is located between the two prisms (20,30) and which may be a wire grid polarizer (13a) or a multi-layer reflective polarizer (13b). Polarized illumination light (11) enters the input prism (20) through a first surface (21) and undergoes total internal reflection at a second surface (22) before being reflected from the polarizer (13) and polarization-modulated at the imaging device (10). The polarizer's tilt angle (&bgr;) is less than 45°, which reduces astigmatism and the required back working distance of the system's projection lens (74).Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2003Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Simon Magarill, Charles L. Bruzzone, Stephen K. Eckhardt, R. Edward English, Jr., E. Gregory Fulkerson, Jiaying Ma, Todd S. Rutherford
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Patent number: 6672721Abstract: Generally, the present invention relates to an apparatus for reducing astigmatism in a projection system that is particularly well suited to reducing astigmatism in LCD projection systems. A projection system includes a light source to generate light, conditioning optics to condition the light from the light source and an imaging core to impose on image on conditioned light from the conditioning optics to form image light. The imaging core includes a polarizing beamsplitter and at least one imager, and at least one element in the imaging core is adapted to reduce astigmatism in the image light. The astigmatism may arise in the polarizing beamsplitter. A projection lens system projects the astigmatism-reduced image light from the imaging core.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2001Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David J. W. Aastuen, Charles L. Bruzzone, Stephen K. Eckhardt, Jiaying Ma
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Publication number: 20030210379Abstract: A compound polarization beam splitter (33) for use with a reflective, polarization-modulating, imaging device (10), e.g., a LCoS device, is provided. The compound PBS has: (a) an input prism (20); (b) an output prism (30), and (c) a polarizer (13), which is located between the two prisms (20,30) and which may be a wire grid polarizer (13a) or a multi-layer reflective polarizer (13b). Polarized illumination light (11) enters the input prism (20) through a first surface (21) and undergoes total internal reflection at a second surface (22) before being reflected from the polarizer (13) and polarization-modulated at the imaging device (10). The polarizer's tilt angle (&bgr;) is less than 45°, which reduces astigmatism and the required back working distance of the system's projection lens (74).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2003Publication date: November 13, 2003Inventors: Simon Magarill, Charles L. Bruzzone, Stephen K. Eckhardt, R. Edward English, E. Gregory Fulkerson, Jiaying Ma, Todd S. Rutherford
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Publication number: 20030184864Abstract: An optical imaging system including a wide-angle Cartesian polarizing beam splitter, light valve illumination optics having an ƒ/#≦2.5, and at least one reflective light valve. The Cartesian polarizing beam splitter (PBS) has a structural orientation defining fixed polarization axes. The use of a Cartesian PBS allows the development of systems using curved PBS that provide higher light output and/or replace or augment other optical components. By recognizing and advantageously applying properties of wide-angle Cartesian polarizers, the present invention discloses a high-efficiency optical imaging system capable of functioning at ƒ#'s equal to or below ƒ/2.5 while maintaining a contrast ratio of at least 100 to 1, or, more preferably, 150 to 1 in a projection system configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2002Publication date: October 2, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Charles L. Bruzzone, David J. W. Aastuen, Roger J. Strharsky, Stephen K. Eckhardt, Michael F. Weber
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Patent number: 6609795Abstract: The present invention provides a unique polarizing beam splitter (PBS) that is suitable for use in projection systems and displays. The PBS contains at least one prism having at least one major surface and having a refractive index of at least about 1.6 and a birefringent film disposed on the major surface of the prism. The birefringent film is a multi-layer film having layers of at least a first material and a second material. After uniaxial stretching, the film exhibits a refractive index difference of less than about 0.15 units in the stretched direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2001Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Michael F. Weber, Charles L. Bruzzone, Peter D. Condo, Kevin M. Hamer, Timothy J. Hebrink, William W. Merrill
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Publication number: 20030048423Abstract: LCD projection systems that use reflective LCD imager units commonly use one or more polarization beamsplitters to separate the light incident on the imager from the light reflected by one or more respective imagers. The polarizing beamsplitters introduce astigmatism to the image light from the imagers. According to the present invention, the polarization beamsplitters are adapted to reduce the astigmatism.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2002Publication date: March 13, 2003Inventors: David J. W. Aastuen, Charles L. Bruzzone, Jiaying Ma
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Publication number: 20030038923Abstract: Generally, the present invention relates to an apparatus for reducing astigmatism in a projection system that is particularly well suited to reducing astigmatism in LCD projection systems. A projection system includes a light source to generate light, conditioning optics to condition the light from the light source and an imaging core to impose on image on conditioned light from the conditioning optics to form image light. The imaging core includes a polarizing beamsplitter and at least one imager, and at least one element in the imaging core is adapted to reduce astigmatism in the image light. The astigmatism may arise in the polarizing beamsplitter. A projection lens system projects the astigmatism-reduced image light from the imaging core.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2001Publication date: February 27, 2003Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David J. W. Aastuen, Charles L. Bruzzone, Stephen K. Eckhardt, Jiaying Ma
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Patent number: 6525816Abstract: A method for measuring the absolute throughput of a polarization modulating reflective display in an optical system having a folded light path. The steps include measuring a first light intensity, LR, in the folded light path, having a first polarizing beam splitter, and a reflective display. A second intensity, LO, is measured using an unfolded light path where the reflective display is replaced by a second cross-rotated polarizing beam splitter. The absolute throughput is TM is calculated, where TM=LR/LO.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2000Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: David J. W. Aastuen, Charles L. Bruzzone
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Publication number: 20030016334Abstract: The present invention provides a unique polarizing beam splitter (PBS) that is suitable for use in projection systems and displays. The PBS contains at least one prism having at least one major surface and having a refractive index of at least about 1.6 and a birefringent film disposed on the major surface of the prism. The birefringent film is a multi-layer film having at layers of at least a first material and a second material. After uniaxial stretching, the film exhibits a refractive index difference of less than about 0.15 units in the stretched direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2001Publication date: January 23, 2003Inventors: Michael F. Weber, Charles L. Bruzzone, Peter D. Condo, Kevin M, Hamer, Timothy J. Hebrink, William W. Merrill
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Patent number: 6486997Abstract: An optical imaging system including a wide-angle Cartesian polarizing beam splitter, light valve illumination optics having an f/#≦2.5, and at least one reflective light valve. The Cartesian polarizing beam splitter (PBS) has a structural orientation defining fixed polarization axes. The use of a Cartesian PBS allows the development of systems using curved PBS that provide higher light output and/or replace or augment other optical components. By recognizing and advantageously applying properties of wide-angle Cartesian polarizers, the present invention discloses a high-efficiency optical imaging system capable of functioning at f/#'s equal to or below f/2.5 while maintaining a contrast ratio of at least 100 to 1, or, more preferably, 150 to 1 in a projection system configuration.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1999Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Charles L. Bruzzone, David J. W. Aastuen, Roger J. Strharsky, Stephen K. Eckhardt, Michael F. Weber, Gary T. Boyd