Patents by Inventor Douglas A. Nutter

Douglas A. Nutter 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).

  • Beamsplitting structures and methods in optical systems
    Patent number: 7360899
    Abstract: Various embodiments involving structures and methods for illumination can be employed, for example, in projectors, head-mounted displays, helmet-mounted displays, back projection TVs, flat panel displays as well as other optical systems. Certain embodiments may include prism elements for illuminating, for example, a spatial light modulator. Light may be coupled to the prism in some cases using fiber optics or lightpipes. The optical system may also include a diffuser having scatter features arranged to scatter light appropriately to produce a desired luminance profile. Other embodiments are possible as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Optical Research Associates
    Inventors: James P. McGuire, Jr., William J. Cassarly, John R. Rogers, Douglas A. Nutter
  • HIGH CONTRAST EDGE-LIT SIGNS AND IMAGES
    Publication number: 20070280593
    Abstract: Various embodiments are described that provide a techniques to produce sharp, high contrast, edge enhanced images using edge-lit displays. The edge-lit displays may comprise extractor pattern painted, etched or molded on a light guide. The extractor pattern may be determined from an edge-enhanced input pattern and modified iteratively to produce an edge-enhanced output pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: Optical Research Associates
    Inventors: Joseph Brychell, Douglas Nutter, Thomas Davenport, William Cassarly
  • BEAMSPLITTING STRUCTURES AND METHODS IN OPTICAL SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20070252954
    Abstract: Various embodiments involving structures and methods for illumination can be employed, for example, in projectors, head-mounted displays, helmet-mounted displays, back projection TVs, flat panel displays as well as other optical systems. Certain embodiments may include prism elements for illuminating, for example, a spatial light modulator. Light may be coupled to the prism in some cases using fiber optics or lightpipes. The optical system may also include a diffuser having scatter features arranged to scatter light appropriately to produce a desired luminance profile. Other embodiments are possible as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventors: James McGuire, William Cassarly, John Rogers, Douglas Nutter