Including Solid-state Deflection Elements (e.g., Deformable Mirror Device (dmd)) Patents (Class 348/771)
  • Patent number: 11742658
    Abstract: A method for generating electric substation load transfer control parameters includes adjusting elements in a fundamental scale matrix according to a condition change of a power grid, wherein the fundamental scale matrix is constructed based on the topology structure of the power grid, and the elements in the fundamental scale matrix represent switch information and risk values of paths between nodes of the power grid, wherein the switch information represents number of switching times required for connecting two nodes of the power grid; and performing operations on the adjusted fundamental scale matrix to generate switch information and risk values of paths for electric substation load transfer control, as electric substation load transfer control parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Utopus Insights, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhen Huang, Feng Jin, Qi Ming Tian, Wen Jun Yin, Ya Nan Zhang, Ming Zhao
  • Patent number: 11713240
    Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide an electrostatic actuator and methods of making and operating an electrostatic actuator. The electrostatic actuator comprises a framework and a plurality of electrodes. The framework comprises walls defining a plurality of cells forming an array of cells. The plurality of electrodes comprise an electrode in each cell in the plurality of cells. A gap separates the electrode in each cell from the walls of the cell. The framework is configured to contract in response to an electrical signal applied between the framework and the plurality of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Siavash Pourkamali, Amin Abbasalipour, Prithviraj Palit
  • Patent number: 11178366
    Abstract: A projector of the present disclosure includes a light source section, a projection optical system, a mirror array, and a tilt angle controller. The light source section emits light as source of illumination light. The projection optical system projects an image onto a projection surface using the illumination light. The mirror array device includes a plurality of mirrors. The mirror array varies a tilt angle of each of the mirrors to deflect the illumination light toward the projection optical system, and generates the image from the illumination light. The tilt angle controller performs switching control on the tilt angle of each of the mirrors in a case of deflecting the entering light toward the projection optical system. The switching control is control of switching the tilt angle between a reference tilt angle and one or a plurality of non-reference tilt angles different from the reference tilt angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Inventor: Shinichiro Tajiri
  • Patent number: 11112684
    Abstract: A projection apparatus including a projection lens, a light valve module, and an illumination system optically coupled to produce an image beam is provided. The illumination system further includes a plurality of first laser source modules adapted to emit a plurality of first laser beams, and a diffusion component disposed on transmission paths of the plurality of first laser beams, such that the plurality of first laser beams form a plurality of light spots at a plurality of locations on the diffusion component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Hung-Wei Liu, Chien-Chung Liao
  • Patent number: 11109003
    Abstract: A digital PSF for use in a dual modulation display. The invention allows the use of less than optimal point spread (PSF) functions in the optics between the pre-modulator and primary modulator of a dual modulation projection system. This technique uses multiple halftones per frame in the pre-modulator synchronized with a modified bit sequence in the primary modulator to produce a compensation image that reduces the errors produced by the sub-optimal PSF. The invention includes the application to dual modulation and dual modulated 3D viewing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Martin J. Richards
  • Patent number: 10942436
    Abstract: The reflection surface of a DMD is divided into a first area and a second area, causing the first area to display images while appropriately controlling the on and off states of the micromirrors within the second area on the basis of a prescribed control logic according to the on and off states of the micromirrors within the first area. Further, the DMD off-state light created in the first and second areas is caused to recurse to the DMD via a prescribed recycle optical system for the DMD off-state light, and only the second area in the reflection surface is intensively irradiated along a prescribed irradiation direction, thereby efficiently converting the DMD off-state light to the effective projection light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI-LG DATA STORAGE, INC.
    Inventors: Kunikazu Oonishi, Satoshi Ouchi, Seiji Murata, Hiroshi Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 10904496
    Abstract: A novel projection system includes first and second light sources (e.g., sets of lasers), a spatial light modulator (SLM) that receives light from the first light source, and a beam steering device that receives light from the second light source and steers the light to highlight regions of the SLM. The SLM then modulates the light from both light sources to generate a highlighted imaging beam which can then be projected on a viewing surface. The highlighted imaging beam can represent a highlighted 2D image or a highlighted left- or right-eye view of a 3D image. The projection system thus improves peak brightness in the displayed highlighted images without incorporating a separate highlight projector or other expensive equipment. Methods for highlighting projected images are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Martin J. Richards, Barret Lippey
  • Patent number: 10699656
    Abstract: A luminance adjustment device is configured to adjust the luminance of a light source of a display by controlling a drive value of the light source of the display. The luminance adjustment device is configured to calculate the luminance corresponding to the used time of the light source according to a predetermined luminance characteristic, to calculate the drive value according to the luminance, to correct and add up the used time of the light source using a cubic value of the drive value, to correct the luminance according to the predetermined luminance characteristic based on a total used time, and to thereby correct the drive value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: NEC DISPLAY SOLUTIONS, LTD.
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Matsui
  • Patent number: 10531055
    Abstract: A novel projection system includes first and second light sources (e.g., sets of lasers), a spatial light modulator (SLM) that receives light from the first light source, and a beam steering device that receives light from the second light source and steers the light to highlight regions of the SLM. The SLM then modulates the light from both light sources to generate a highlighted imaging beam which can then be projected on a viewing surface. The highlighted imaging beam can represent a highlighted 2D image or a highlighted left- or right-eye view of a 3D image. The projection system thus improves peak brightness in the displayed highlighted images without incorporating a separate highlight projector or other expensive equipment. Methods for highlighting projected images are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Martin J. Richards, Barret Lippey
  • Patent number: 10520709
    Abstract: A projection system includes a long-focus lens that is able to generate an image independently with a focal length between 70-300 mm, a short-focus lens that is able to generate an image independently with a focal length between 3-8 mm and shares an optical axis with the long-focus lens and at least one reflector to reflect the optical axis for direction change. When the long-focus lens generates an image, the short-focus lens then generates the image to a pre-determined position thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignees: Sun Yang Optics Development Co., Ltd., Shenzhen Anhua Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-Che Wu, Yu-Hung Chou, Wei-Hao Huang
  • Patent number: 10459322
    Abstract: A light source system according to an aspect of the invention comprises a light source unit, an optical path switching device configured to selectively switch a direction of light from the light source unit between a plurality of directions, and a heat dissipating unit positioned in one of the plurality of directions and isolated from the optical path switching device via a light transmitting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toshifumi Kase
  • Patent number: 10353196
    Abstract: An electro-optical device is configured by a laminated body of a second conductive layer and a reflective layer for a mirror. The second conductive layer includes a mirror support post facing a concave portion at a side opposite to a substrate, and a flat plate which extends from an end portion of the mirror support post and faces the substrate. The concave portion is filled with the resin. Surfaces of the flat plate and the resin configure a continuous plane. The reflective layer for a mirror is laminated on a surface of the resin at a side opposite to the substrate, and a surface of the flat plate of the second conductive layer at a side opposite to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoshi Ito
  • Patent number: 10197902
    Abstract: Prism assemblies for projector display systems disclosed receive inputs from discrete color channels (e.g., red, green and blue channels. In one embodiment, “off state” light from the red, green, and blue DLP modulation may be reflected away from on-state light paths within the prism, tending to avoid uncontrolled scatter. In other embodiments, by keeping the colors separate for much of the prism path length, power levels may be significantly reduced at typical failure points. Light efficiency may be increased significantly when using discrete light sources like LEDs and lasers by removal of the additional red, green, and blue separation and re-combination losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Duane Scott Dewald, Nathan Wainwright, Douglas J. Gorny, Martin J. Richards
  • Patent number: 10088298
    Abstract: A system that can be used for semiconductor height inspection and metrology includes a complementary plate that is used with a beam splitter to create desired astigmatism and to remove chromatic aberration. Simultaneous optimization of lateral resolution and sensitivity can be enabled. The complementary plate can be made of the same material and have the same thickness as the beam splitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventor: Shifang Li
  • Patent number: 9983471
    Abstract: A laser light source includes a laser light source module, a light converging module, first and second lens sets, a color wheel, and a light tunnel. The laser light source module emits a first light. When passing the light converging module, the first light converges in a second direction perpendicular to the travel direction of the first light and does not converge in a third direction perpendicular to the second direction and the travel direction. The first light becomes a parallel beam after passing the light converging module. Then, the first light enters the first lens set. The color wheel receives the first light passing the first lens set, partially transforms the first light into a second light, and partially reflects the first light. Then, the first and second light pass the first and second lens sets. Then, the light tunnel collects the first and second light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Hung-Ying Lin
  • Patent number: 9933700
    Abstract: An electrooptical apparatus includes a torsion hinge and a mirror support post that are formed integrally with an electroconductive member. Of the mirror support post (second support post), a first end portion at a substrate side has an open end whose opening faces the substrate. Of the mirror support post, a second end portion at a mirror side is a flat plate portion that closes the opening of the mirror support post. A mirror is in contact with the opposite side of the flat plate portion to the substrate. A first sacrificial layer for use for production of the electrooptical apparatus is formed by exposing and developing a photosensitive resist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoshi Ito
  • Patent number: 9877001
    Abstract: A three-plate image projecting optical system that has a compact and simple configuration and achieves enhanced luminance efficiency and reduction of light quantity loss on the dichroic coating, and a projector equipped with the optical system. The optical system includes a color separating/combining prism having a first/second dichroic coatings, and a first to third digital micromirror devices. A first plane including an illumination light axis and a projection light axis on an image display surface of the third digital micromirror device and a second plane including a surface normal of the first/second dichroic coatings and a surface normal of a center of the third digital micromirror device are relatively rotated with respect to each other from orthogonal states toward a direction in which an incident angle of the illumination light axis with respect to the first dichroic coating or the second dichroic coating is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiro Terada
  • Patent number: 9838655
    Abstract: A projector includes a DMD that forms an image, a projection lens that projects the image formed by the DMD on a projected surface, and a display control unit that controls an image forming operation of the DMD. The display control unit forms a frame image by sequentially forming a plurality of images using a combined pixel which is configured of a plurality of pixels, and with respect to temporally continuous two images, the display control unit forms one image at a position that is shifted by a distance that corresponds to the pixel pitch of the DMD in a predetermined direction relative to the other image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: NEC DISPLAY SOLUTIONS, LTD
    Inventor: Atsushi Kato
  • Patent number: 9804399
    Abstract: A display system includes an optical integrated rod, a solid-state light-emitting device disposed on an entrance of the optical integrated rod, a first TIR prism, a reflection mirror, a second TIR prism, a digital micromirror device and an eyepiece. The first TIR prism has a first surface disposed adjacent to an exit of the optical integrated rod, a second surface and a third surface. The second TIR prism has a fourth surface in contact with the third surface by an air gap, a fifth surface and a sixth surface. The reflection mirror is disposed on the second surface. The digital micromirror device is disposed adjacent to the fifth surface. The eyepiece is disposed adjacent to the sixth surface. Light is input to the digital micromirror device along an illumination optical path, and projected on a pupil surface along an imaging optical path. The volume of the display system is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: June-Jei Huang
  • Patent number: 9765938
    Abstract: A vehicle headlamp includes a light source, a projection optical member, and a light deflector. The projection optical member projects incident light ahead. The light deflector is disposed on an optical axis of the projection optical member and includes plural optical devices which are individually switchable between (i) a first state in which light emitted from the light source is reflected to a direction other than a direction toward the projection optical member and (ii) a second state in which the emitted light is reflected toward the projection optical member. An angle between a normal line to a center portion of each optical device when each optical device is in the first state and the optical axis is smaller than that between a normal line to the center portion of each optical device when each optical device is in the second state and the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takayuki Yagi
  • Patent number: 9753185
    Abstract: A metamaterial control device is provided for controlling electromagnetic radiation. The device uses a light-guide film (LGF), with the LGF being capable of receiving light emission along an edge. The device includes a substrate disposed on a non-edges surface of the LGF, electromagnetic cellular structures that are controllable, and an optically sensitive component within some or all cells. The substrate is composed of metamaterial and having an interface that corresponds to an extractor on the non-edge surface for scattering light therefrom. Alternatively, the substrate can constitute the LGF itself. The cell structure is disposed around the extractor. The optically sensitive component is disposed to cover the extractor. The component changes in response to receiving the light from the extractor and changes in response to intensity of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Kevin A. Boulais, Francisco Santiago, Charles E. Mannix
  • Patent number: 9638914
    Abstract: An electrooptical apparatus includes a torsion hinge (torsion hinge) that has a first opening portion. Around the first opening portion, the opposite side of the torsion hinge to a substrate is in contact with a first connecting portion of a mirror support post that has a tubular shape. A resin that constitutes a sacrificial layer does not remain within the mirror support post. A second end portion of the mirror support post which is at a side opposite the substrate forms a flat plate portion. The second end portion is in contact with a mirror. Therefore, the surface of the mirror does not have any dimple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Satoshi Ito
  • Patent number: 9491422
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus for two-stage light modulation in high-definition digital projection or cinema can include two light modulators. Each light modulator can include a multi-chip imaging system coupled to a total internal reflection prism (TIR) system, which has a light input face and an on-state face. Relay optics can be positioned between the two light modulators. The relay optics can be configured to defocus light received from the pre-modulator and to provide defocused light to the prime modulator using a substantially Gaussian pixel shaping function. The prime modulator can be oriented to receive defocused light from the relay optics at the light input face of its TIR prism system. The pre-modulator can be oriented backwards, so as to receive source light at the on-state face of its TIR prism system and to output pre-modulated light to the relay optics via the light input face of the TIR prism system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Perkins, Duane Scott Dewald, Nathan Wainwright
  • Patent number: 9436159
    Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a holographic three-dimensional (3D) image is provided. The apparatus includes: a holographic pattern generation unit; a spatial optical modulation device including a phase transition layer formed of a phase transition material, a phase of which is changed by a temperature. A holographic pattern generated by the holographic pattern generation unit is optically addressed on the spatial optical modulation device. The apparatus also includes a heat source for applying heat to the phase transition layer; a control unit for controlling the heat source according to holographic pattern information generated by the holographic pattern generation unit; and a reproduction light source for irradiating light for image reproduction onto the spatial optical modulation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae-eun Jung, Hong-seok Lee, Seung-hoon Han
  • Patent number: 9368074
    Abstract: A technique for modulating light by an optically addressed, electric charge accumulating spatial light modulator achieves substantially monotonic gray scale response. Embodiments digitally modulate the voltage across a photoreceptive material included in the spatial light modulator. The digital modulation scheme entails illuminating the photoreceptor with a series of light pulses propagating from an LCoS, in which the durations of the light pulses and their positions in time combine to produce binary-weighted equivalent rms voltages on the photoreceptor. The light pulses originate from a light-emitting diode or other switchable light source, and the timing of the light pulses is controlled such that they are emitted only when the associated LCoS is in a stable state. Emitting light pulses while the LCoS is in a stable state avoids non-monotonic behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Compound Photonics Ltd.
    Inventors: Howard V. Goetz, James L. Sanford, Jonathan A. Sachs
  • Patent number: 9232172
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus for two-stage light modulation in high-definition digital projection or cinema can include two light modulators. Each light modulator can include a multi-chip imaging system coupled to a total internal reflection prism (TIR) system, which has a light input face and an on-state face. Relay optics can be positioned between the two light modulators. The relay optics can be configured to defocus light received from the pre-modulator and to provide defocused light to the prime modulator using a substantially Gaussian pixel shaping function. The prime modulator can be oriented to receive defocused light from the relay optics at the light input face of its TIR prism system. The pre-modulator can be oriented backwards, so as to receive source light at the on-state face of its TIR prism system and to output pre-modulated light to the relay optics via the light input face of the TIR prism system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Perkins, Duane Scott Dewald, Nathan Wainwright
  • Patent number: 9033515
    Abstract: A heat dissipation device of a light engine for a projector has a housing, a fan module, a light engine and a heat sink. The light engine is positioned in the housing and connected to the heat sink. The heat sink is positioned out of the housing. The housing has a fan-enclosed flow channel attached on an outer surface of the housing. The fan module is guided by the fan-enclosed flow channel to the heat sink to enhance heat dissipation efficiency of the light engine for the projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Chih Sun, Kai Huang
  • Patent number: 9001412
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEMS) device includes a substrate, a movable element over the substrate, and an actuation electrode above the movable element. The movable element includes a deformable layer and a reflective element. The deformable layer is spaced from the reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence Chui, William Cummings, Brian James Gally, Lior Kogut, Ming-Hau Tung, Yeh-Jiun Tung, Chih-Wei Chiang, Denis Endisch
  • Patent number: 8970939
    Abstract: A multi-state light modulator comprises a first reflector. A first electrode is positioned at a distance from the first reflector. A second reflector is positioned between the first reflector and the first electrode. The second reflector is movable between an undriven position, a first driven position, and a second driven position, each having a corresponding distance from the first reflector. In one embodiment, the three positions correspond to reflecting white light, being non-reflective, and reflecting a selected color of light. Another embodiment is a method of making the light modulator. Another embodiment is a display including the light modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence Chui, William J. Cummings, Brian J. Gally
  • Patent number: 8944605
    Abstract: There is disclosed a laser projector and a method of processing a signal thereof. The laser projector includes a plurality of laser sources configured to generate lasers, a controller configured to control each of the generated lasers to be incident on a specific region of a screen with a time difference, and a scanner configured to scan each of the lasers on the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jaewook Kwon, Junghwan Choi, Junghoon Seo, Chanyoung Yoon, Yongki Kim, Sangkeun Lee
  • Patent number: 8894214
    Abstract: An image projection apparatus has a corrector that corrects angle distribution of illumination light such that, let, in a comparison in traveling direction between, of diffracted light resulting from light rays with the wavelengths ?1 and ?2 along the illumination optical axis being diffracted on an on-state digital micromirror device, ?1 diffracted light traveling in a direction closest to a traveling direction of the mirror-reflected light and ?2 diffracted light traveling in a direction closest to the traveling direction of the mirror-reflected light, the ?1 diffracted light be diffracted to a position farther away from the mirror-reflected light than the ?2 diffracted light, the angle distribution of the illumination light includes at least an angle distribution that fulfills conditional formula (1): F?2<F?1, where F?1 and F?2 represent F-numbers of illumination light with the first and second wavelengths ?1 and ?2, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Advanced Layers, Inc.
    Inventor: Masatsugu Tomioka
  • Patent number: 8888292
    Abstract: A projection apparatus is disclosed. The projection apparatus includes a light source module, a first light splitting element, a first light valve unit, a first light modulator, a second light modulator and a light consolidating element. A light beam is provided by the light source module, and is split into a first and a second polarized light beam by the first light splitting element. In different time sequences, the first and the second polarized light beams are formed into a first, a second, a third and a fourth image light by the first light valve unit. Then, these image lights are transformed into viewing angle images by the first and the second light modulators. Then, via the light consolidating element, the first, the second, the third and the fourth view angle images are projected to a viewer and a stereoscopic image is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Junejei Huang
  • Patent number: 8882279
    Abstract: An illumination system and a projection device comprising the same are provided. The projection device comprises an imaging system and the illumination system. The illumination system comprises a first light source, a dichroic element, at least one condensing element, a rotary wheel and a light integrating element. The first light source provides a first wave band light, and the rotary wheel has at least one wave band transforming area and a reflecting area. After passing through the dichroic element and the at least one condensing element, the first wave band light will be focused onto the at least one wave band transforming area to be transformed into a second wave band light or be focused onto the reflecting area that will be reflected. The second wave band light and the reflected first wave band light will be focused on the light integrating element by the at least one condensing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: June-Jei Huang
  • Patent number: 8840251
    Abstract: A light collecting optical system includes surface-emitting light sources, collimate lenses, and a condenser lens. Light emitting surfaces of the surface-emitting light sources have a rectangular shape of the same size as each other, and have a similar figure to an incident surface of an integrator rod, the collimate lenses are disposed so that the optical distances from the collimate lenses to the condenser lens are approximately the same, and the surface-emitting light sources are disposed so that the optical distances Lr, Lg and Lb from the light emitting surfaces to the collimate lenses satisfy Lb<Lg<Lr and so that images of the light emitting surfaces, which are formed on the incident surface of the integrator rod by the collimate lenses and the condenser lens, have approximately the same size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Muneharu Kuwata
  • Patent number: 8820941
    Abstract: A projection apparatus including a digital micro mirror device (DMD), a light source, a lens, a photoelectric conversion device, a decision device and an adjustment module is provided. When the DMD is switched to a first operating state, the DMD reflects a light beam emitted by the light source to the lens. When the DMD is switched to a second operating state, the DMD reflects the light beam to the photoelectric conversion device. The photoelectric conversion device generates a signal value according to a light intensity of the light beam. The decision device compares the signal value with a predetermined value. When the signal value is smaller than the predetermined value, the decision device generates a driving signal value. The driving signal value is used for driving the adjustment module to sequentially adjust a position of the light source along a plurality of axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Chien-Yi Yang, Tzu-Tse Huang
  • Patent number: 8770760
    Abstract: The rotation axis of each mirror of a DMD (4) defines an angle of 45° with respect to long and short sides of a rectangular image display area. A polarization conversion optical system (24) makes a polarization direction of light from a light source (1) arranged in one direction and projects the arranged light, and after total reflection from the critical surface (31b) of a TIR prism (3), the light is guided to the DMD (4). When the incident surface of the critical surface (31b) and the mirror incident surface of the DMD (4) are in parallel with each other, a PBS prism array of the polarization conversion optical system (24) carries out the polarization and separation of the light from the light source (1) in a direction corresponding to the long side direction of the image display area of the DMD (4) in the case of the separation of the light from the light source (1) into two linear polarizations having different polarization directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasumasa Sawai
  • Patent number: 8749580
    Abstract: A method and system for applying photo texture acquired from a video resource to a 3D model operates within a 3D modeling system. The modeling system includes a modeling application operating on a workstation and a storage device containing a video resource. A 3D model is created or edited within the 3D modeling system. For a selected surface, the method and system allow selection of a video resource, selection of a video frame of the video resource, and selection of an area of the video frame to use as a photo texture to apply to the selected surface. The selected area of the video frame is copied and mapped to the selected surface of the 3D model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Lininger
  • Patent number: 8740394
    Abstract: In an illumination optical system for a DMD type projector, the TIR prism is configured such that a projection line, which is a normal to the total reflection surface vertically projected on the DMD surface, forms an angle other than 90° with a micromirror turning axis, an exit light projection line, which is a principal ray of light beam exits from the total reflection surface vertically projected on the DMD surface, forms an angle of 90° with the micromirror turning axis, and an incident light projection line, which is a principal ray of light beam incident on the total reflection surface vertically projected on the DMD surface, is located on the same side as the exit light projection line with respect to a straight line passing through an end point of the incident light projection line and extending parallel to a long side of the DMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Baba
  • Publication number: 20140125873
    Abstract: There is provided a drive control apparatus that includes a horizontal control section, and a vertical control section. The horizontal control section controls a scanning mirror for horizontal scanning with laser light, the scanning mirror being driven at a fixed frequency in a horizontal direction. The vertical control section controls the scanning mirror for vertical scanning based on the frequency at which the horizontal control section drives the scanning mirror in the horizontal direction, the vertical control section outputting a vertical drive signal to control the scanning mirror for vertical scanning, the vertical drive signal including an interval in which the laser light is directed vertically from top to bottom and an interval in which the laser light is directed vertically from bottom to top, the intervals alternately producing an output of a predetermined amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Masashi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8665381
    Abstract: One embodiment of a viewing cone adjustment system includes a projection lens that defines a projection lens optical axis adjustably offset from a viewing screen optical axis, and an image source device that defines an image source optical axis adjustably offset from the projection lens optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Brett E. Dahlgren
  • Patent number: 8662676
    Abstract: Devices and techniques are described for automatically calibrating a projector system. The projector system undergoing calibration is coupled to a computing device and an automated positioning platform coupled to a target structure. The computing device acquires images using a calibrated camera of one or more patterns projected by the projector onto the target structure when the target structure is in a plurality of repeatable poses. From these acquired images, intrinsic projector parameters may be determined. Once determined, the parameters may be used to correct images produced by the projector or acquired by the camera which include a projected pattern or portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Rawles LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Henry Chang, Edward Dietz Crump, Manika Puri, Steve G. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 8659816
    Abstract: This disclosure provides mechanical layers and methods of forming the same. In one aspect, a method of forming a pixel includes depositing a black mask on a substrate, depositing an optical stack over the black mask, and forming a mechanical layer over the optical stack. The black mask is disposed along at least a portion of a side of the pixel, and the mechanical layer defines a cavity between the mechanical layer and the optical stack. The mechanical layer includes a reflective layer, a dielectric layer, and a cap layer, and the dielectric layer is disposed between the reflective layer and the cap layer. The method further includes forming a notch in the dielectric layer of the mechanical layer along the side of the pixel so as to reduce the overlap of the dielectric layer with the black mask along the side of the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Qualcomm Mems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Tao, Hojin Lee, Fan Zhong
  • Patent number: 8562149
    Abstract: A digital micromirror device module includes a flexible connection device, a digital micromirror device and a connecting interface. The flexible connection device includes a plurality of conducting wires and an external insulation layer, wherein the conducting wires are discretely arranged and encapsulated by the external insulation layer. The digital micromirror device unit is disposed on the external insulation layer of the flexible connection device and electrically connected with the conducting wires of the flexible connection device. The connecting interface is arranged at a lateral end of the flexible connection device and connected with the conducting wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chia-Chen Hu, Yuan-Ming Hsu
  • Patent number: 8531755
    Abstract: The present invention describes a micro-mechanical light modulator including a two-dimensional array of modulating elements, in which small modulating elements are organized into larger modulating areas. Using smaller elements organized into larger areas increases the resonant frequency of the modulators and the modulation speed. In some implementations, multiple modulating elements are driven by shared signals, allowing the number of elements driven and the resulting area to increase without increasing the data traffic. In some implementations, an anamorphic optical path is used that leaves individual modulating elements of the micro-mechanical light modulator that are operated as a single area unresolved at an image plane of the workpiece being patterned. Devices and methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Micronic Laser Systems AB
    Inventors: Torbjörn Sandström, Per Askebjer
  • Patent number: 8508447
    Abstract: A pixel includes a primary element and a secondary element. At least a portion of the primary element is deformable between two positions. In one position, the light source is reflected such that the observer observes a dark pixel. In the other position, the light is reflected such that the observer observes a bright pixel. Gray levels of light are viewable by varying between the two positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Anna Pyayt, Gary K. Starkweather, Michael J. Sinclair
  • Patent number: 8502838
    Abstract: A spoke synchronization technique allowing for lamp-pulsing synchronizes a spoke based on sub-arrays of a spatial light modulator. The lamp pulsing occurs during the spoke synchronization; and the lamp pulse for pulsing the lamp spans substantially across the entire spoke synchronization time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory James Hewlett, Philip Scott King
  • Patent number: 8422108
    Abstract: An interferometric modulator (Imod) cavity has a reflector and an induced absorber. A direct view reflective flat panel display may include an array of the modulators. Adjacent spacers of different thicknesses are fabricated on a substrate by a lift-off technique used to pattern the spacers which are deposited separately, each deposition providing a different thickness of spacer. Or a patterned photoresist may be used to allow for an etching process to selectively etch back the thickness of a spacer which was deposited in a single deposition. A full-color static graphical image may be formed of combined patterns of interferometric modulator cavities. Each cavity includes a reflector, and an induced absorber, the induced absorber including a spacer having a thickness that defines a color associated with the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark W. Miles
  • Patent number: 8358384
    Abstract: A projection system can include a color wheel and at least one digital micromirror device. The color wheel can produce different colors of light from a light source. Each color can be produced in sequential order for a predetermined color phase. Each of the digital micromirror device(s) can have a plurality of micromirrors. At least one of the plurality of micromirrors can be activated at different respective portions of each of two consecutive color phases responsive to a control signal. The projection system also can include a lens configured to project light reflected from the at least one digital micromirror device onto a projection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: David Jay Duffield
  • Patent number: 8350990
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus includes a light source for emitting light having high directivity; a reflecting plate for reflecting the light emitted by the light source; a liquid crystal layer that the light reflected by the reflecting plate penetrates; a position detector for detecting a position of eyes of a user viewing a display image on the liquid crystal layer to generate position information regarding the position of eyes; a reflection angle controller for controlling a rotation angle of the reflecting plate based on the position information; and a light emission controller for controlling light intensity and a light-emitting angle of the light source according to the rotation angle of the reflecting plate. This configuration enables to effectively radiate the light emitted by the light source toward the eyes of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuji Fuchikami, Yoichi Nishida, Ikuo Fuchigami
  • Patent number: RE45504
    Abstract: Micro-electromechanical display device (“MDD”)-based multimedia projectors (90, 120) of this invention employ an arc lamp (32), a color modulator (42), and anamorphic illumination systems (94, 121) for optimally illuminating a MDD (50, 76) to improve projected image brightness. MDDs employ off-axis illumination wherein incident and reflected light bundles are angularly separated about a hinge axis (78, 110) and the MDD is illuminated by the anamorphic illumination systems of this invention having a slow f/# parallel to the hinge axis and a faster f/# perpendicular to the hinge axis. The resulting anamorphic light bundles (86, 88, 112, 114) illuminate and reflect more light into and off the MDD and through a fast f/# projection lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Peterson