Electro-optic Patents (Class 359/245)
  • Patent number: 9104031
    Abstract: An active optical device and a display apparatus including the same are provided. The active optical device includes: first to third electrodes that are sequentially disposed spaced apart from one another; a first refractive index change layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and in which a refractive index is changed by an electric field; and a second refractive index change layer disposed between the second electrode and the third electrode and in which a refractive index is changed by an electric field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sun-il Kim, Jun-hee Choi
  • Patent number: 9090212
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror casing and an electro-optic reflective element. The reflective element has an electro-optic active region where an electro-optic medium is disposed and bounded by a perimeter seal. A transparent electrically conductive coating is established at the rear surface of the front substrate at the electro-optic active region. A perimeter portion of the front substrate extends beyond a corresponding perimeter portion of the rear substrate to establish a user input region that is outboard of the electro-optic active region. A user input, such as a touch sensor, is disposed at the user input region, and the user input is not in electrical contact with the transparent electrically conductive coating at the rear surface of the front substrate. The user input is operable to detect the presence or touch of a person's finger at the user input region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Donald S. Rawlings, John T. Uken
  • Patent number: 9086553
    Abstract: A protective coating encapsulates bond pads disposed on a substrate of an optical communications module and extends in between the bond pads. The protective coating has characteristics that (1) increase the dielectric resistances between adjacent bond pads on the substrate, (2) protect the bond pads from moisture in the environment, and (3) prevents, or at least reduces, ion migration between adjacent bond pads. In this way, the protective coating prevents, or at least reduces, corrosion growth that can lead to impedance degradation and electrical shorts between adjacent bond pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Goh Han Peng, Phang Kah Yuan, De Mesa Eduardo Alicaya
  • Patent number: 9082394
    Abstract: The ultrasonic sensor includes: a plurality of transmission/reception dual-use elements, first electrode switches connected to the first electrodes of the transmission/reception dual-use elements; second electrode switches connected to the second electrodes of the transmission/reception dual-use elements; a control circuit; a transmitting circuit; a receiving circuit; a common-electrode connection wiring; and serial connection wiring. When an ultrasonic signal is to be transmitted, the control circuit connects the first electrode switches to the transmitting circuit, connects the second electrode switches to the common-electrode connection wiring so that the transmission/reception dual-use elements are connected in parallel to the transmitting circuit and the common electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Matsuda, Kazuyuki Kano
  • Patent number: 9069113
    Abstract: A display device includes a display panel, a protective member, a light guide member, a light source, and a light leakage preventing member. The display device includes a display surface concavely curved in a first direction. The light leakage preventing member is coupled to the protective member to be movable according to expansion or contraction of the light guide member. The light leakage preventing member contracts and expands according to the expansion or contraction of the light guide member, and includes an elastic part to prevent the light source from being damaged by the expansion of the light guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: JooYoung Kim, TaekYoung Hwang, Changmoo Lee, Sangho Hwang, Insun Hwang
  • Patent number: 9059496
    Abstract: A nanoparticle-enhanced liquid crystal phase shifter is provided including a first substrate layer, a plurality of electrodes attached to the substrate layer, a ground plane layer attached to a second substrate layer, and a liquid crystal layer between the ground plane layer and the first substrate layer, including a suspension of a liquid crystal material and highly polarizable nanoparticles having specific shape and size characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
    Inventors: Anatoliy Volodymyrovych Glushchenko, Zbigniew Jan Celinski, Robert Edwin Camley, John August Kosinski
  • Patent number: 9052443
    Abstract: A display apparatus has a display panel that includes a display area and a boundary area, a window that protects the display panel and that transmits an image that is realized in the display area, and an adhesion layer that adheres the display panel and the window. The window includes a window body with a first surface that faces the display panel and a second surface that is externally exposed, a light-shielding member that is on the first surface and that blocks the boundary area of the display panel from being externally visible, and a light-shielding member protection layer that is between the light-shielding member and the adhesion layer, and that protects the light-shielding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Do-Ok Park
  • Patent number: 9052505
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a planar waveguide optical element, a projection optical system, and a microdisplay device. By including free-form optics and waveguide technology, the volume and weight of the display apparatus can be reduced, and an optical system can be realized with improved image quality, structure, and performance parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: BEIJING INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Dewen Cheng, Yongtian Wang, Yue Liu
  • Patent number: 9054807
    Abstract: An optical fiber transmission system includes a series of optical fiber transmission spans and one or more all-optical signal processors. The optical fiber transmission spans are connected to form an optical communication path. Each all-optical signal processor directly connects a corresponding adjacent pair of the spans. Each all-optical signal processor includes an optical wavelength converter having input and output ports and a dispersion adjustment module connected to the input port of the optical wavelength converter of the same processor. The dispersion module is also configured to adjust cumulative dispersions of some received optical pulses to be outside of a range for the cumulative dispersions of corresponding optical pulses in the span directly preceding the same processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Aref Chowdhury, Gregory Raybon
  • Publication number: 20150146275
    Abstract: An electro-optic modulator including a semiconductor region, a first reflecting region over the semiconductor region and an anti-reflecting region on an opposite surface of the semiconductor region from the first reflecting layer. The semiconductor region includes a first doped region and a second doped region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Wan-Yu LEE, Ying-Hao KUO
  • Publication number: 20150138622
    Abstract: An aircraft window mounting assembly having a pressure pane in abutting contact with an inner surface of an exterior pressure pane frame. A bezel is proximate a periphery of the pressure pane and defines an inner opening. The bezel includes an inner wall, an outer wall, an exterior wall, and an interior wall. A dust cover is proximate the interior wall of the foam bezel. An electro-optic element is disposed in the opening and is configured for reception by the inner wall. The pressure pane, the foam bezel, and the electro-optic element define an exterior cavity. The bezel, the electro-optic element, and the dust cover define an interior cavity. A first relief passage is in fluid communication with the exterior cavity and the interior cavity. A second relief passage is in fluid communication with the interior cavity and one of an aircraft interior cabin and an aircraft wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: David I. Driscoll, Bradley L. Busscher
  • Publication number: 20150138619
    Abstract: An optical modulator includes a single-crystal substrate, a lithium niobate film formed on a main surface of the single-crystal substrate, the lithium niobate film being an epitaxial film and having a ridge, a buffer layer formed on the ridge, a first electrode formed on the buffer layer, and a second electrode separated from the first electrode, the second electrode being in contact with the lithium niobate film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Shinji IWATSUKA, Kenji SASAKI, Masamichi TANIGUCHI
  • Patent number: 9036239
    Abstract: Electrooptical cell, including, on a substrate (1), a layer of ferroelectric massive material (4), with an electrode (2) forming an earth plane, provided between the substrate (1) and the ferroelectric layer (4), another electrode (5), narrow, mounted opposite the first above the ferroelectric layer and grooves (6) made in the ferroelectric layer, on either side of the upper electrode (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Marc Alexandre Bouvrot
  • Patent number: 9036240
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an electronic paper display. The electronic paper display includes an electronic paper panel. A light guide plate is disposed on the electronic paper panel. The light guide plate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. A conductive pattern structural layer is disposed on the light guide plate. A light source is disposed on a side of the light guide plate. The first surface of the light guide plate is a patterned surface. A light generated by the light source is reflected or scattered to the electronic paper panel by the patterned surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Wistron Corp.
    Inventor: Sheng-Shan Huang
  • Publication number: 20150124308
    Abstract: An electro-optic element comprises a first substrate, including first and second surfaces. The first substrate contains at least a first layer of electrically conductive material that is deposited on the second surface and is substantially transparent. The element also comprises a second substrate including third and fourth surfaces, the second substrate containing a second layer of electrically conductive material deposited on the third surface. The first and second substrates are disposed in a parallel and spaced-apart relationship to define a gap between the second and third surfaces, the gap containing an electro-optic medium, and each substrate with a width and a height such that the ratio of width to height is less than or equal to 2. In addition, the element is configured such that a relative darkening timing factor substantially across the element is less than a factor of 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: George A. Neuman, Kevin B. Kar, John S. Anderson, William L. Tonar, David J. Cammenga, Gary J. Dozeman
  • Patent number: 9025234
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to luminance enhancement structure for reflective display devices. The luminance enhancement structure comprises columns and grooves, wherein said grooves have a triangular cross-section and the pitches of the structure vary. The structure not only can enhance the brightness of a display device, but also can reduce the Moiré effect of the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: E Ink California, LLC
    Inventor: Craig Lin
  • Publication number: 20150116809
    Abstract: A metal stem is provided with a through-hole, a temperature control module is mounted thereon, and a metal protrusion is formed integrally therewith. A lead pin includes a through section inserted in the through-hole of the metal stem, and an inner lead section continued from one end of the through section and extending up to the tip. The temperature control module is thermally connected to a semiconductor optical modulation element that is electrically connected to the inner lead section. The protrusion faces the inner lead section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi UTO, Mizuki SHIRAO
  • Patent number: 9019589
    Abstract: An electrowetting display device comprising a picture element comprising a first fluid and a second fluid immiscible with the first fluid. At least one wall comprises a first surface and a second surface at different locations on a perimeter of a display area, the first surface being less wettable to the second fluid than the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Pavel Novoselov, Toru Sakai, Henricus Petronella Maria Derckx
  • Patent number: 9019263
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for driving an adaptable light manipulator and a pixel array in a coordinated fashion so as to achieve a selected one of a plurality of possible viewing configurations of an adaptable two-dimensional/three-dimensional image display. Methods, systems, and apparatuses are also described for driving an adaptable light manipulator, a pixel array and a non-uniform light generator in a coordinated fashion so as to achieve a selected one of plurality of possible viewing configurations of an adaptable two-dimensional/three-dimensional image display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: James D. Bennett, Jeyhan Karaoguz
  • Patent number: 9018299
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a colored liquid with superior separability from polar solvents for use with an electrowetting or electrofluidic device that uses a coloring agent added as a colorant to a nonpolar solvent. A colored liquid according to the present invention contains a nonpolar solvent and a colorant, and the colorant is a modified pigment containing a pigment (A) and a polymer (P) formed on a surface thereof by polymerizing a polymer (B) soluble in a nonaqueous solvent and at least one polymerizable unsaturated monomer (C) that is soluble in the nonaqueous solvent and that becomes insoluble or poorly soluble in the nonaqueous solvent after polymerization. A multi-phase liquid colored composition according to the present invention contains the colored liquid and a polar solvent immiscible with the colored liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: DIC Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Hosaka, Yukie Uemura
  • Patent number: 9007675
    Abstract: In an optical modulation device, a first drive signal and a first bias signal are applied to a phase modulation unit, a second drive signal and a second bias signal are applied to a phase modulation unit, and a third bias signal is applied to a ?/2 phase shift unit. A control unit adjusts the third bias signal in a first adjustment period, adjusts the first drive signal and the first bias signal in a second adjustment period next to the first adjustment period, and adjusts the second drive signal and the second bias signal in a third adjustment period next to the second adjustment period. The control unit starts the second adjustment period before a gap between the current value of an adjustment reference signal and a target value is filled, and starts the third adjustment period before a gap in the second adjustment period is filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Fujitsu Optical Components Limited
    Inventors: Akihiro Toya, Tsuyoshi Morishita
  • Patent number: 9007672
    Abstract: Disclosed is a transmitter optical module which includes an electro-absorption modulated laser modulating a light into an optical signal through a high-frequency electrical signal; a first sub-mount transferring the high-frequency signal to the electro-absorption modulated laser; and a second sub-mount receiving the high-frequency signal from the electro-absorption modulated laser to terminate the electro-absorption modulated laser. A length of a first wire connecting the first sub-mount and the electro-absorption modulated laser is different from a length of a second wire connecting the second sub-mount and the electro-absorption modulated laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Young-Tak Han, Oh Kee Kwon, Jang Uk Shin, Sang Ho Park, Yongsoon Baek
  • Patent number: 9001406
    Abstract: A reflective color display pixel has a top surface for receiving ambient light, and a plurality of sub-pixels including a first sub-pixel. The first sub-pixel has a broadband mirror and a luminescent layer disposed over the broadband mirror. The luminescent layer contains a luminescent material for absorbing a portion of the ambient light and emitting light of a first color, and a light-absorbing material for absorbing light of wavelengths longer than a wavelength of the first color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Xia Sheng, Gary Gibson, Dick Henze, Zhang-Lin Zhou
  • Patent number: 9002143
    Abstract: A tunable Radio Frequency (RF) filter device includes a tunable optical source configured to generate an optical carrier signal, and a modulator coupled to the tunable optical source and configured to modulate the optical carrier signal with an RF input signal. The tunable RF filter device may also include first and second optical waveguides coupled to the modulator and having first and second dispersion slopes of opposite sign, and an optical-to-electrical converter coupled to the first and second optical waveguides and configured to generate an RF output signal with a frequency notch therein based upon the tunable optical source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Desalvo, Charles Franklin Middleton, IV
  • Patent number: 9001409
    Abstract: A cover for use in connection with a mirror of a vehicle is provided. The cover is provided with a lens having an electrically activatable material. The lens is positioned in front of the vehicle mirror. The electrically activatable material blocks visible light directed towards the vehicle mirror such that the electrically activatable material prevents the visible light from being reflected off of the vehicle mirror when the electrically activatable material is set to a light inhibiting state. A device that holds the lens is securable to the vehicle mirror. The electrically activatable material of the lens is configured to be switched to the light inhibiting state in response to user operation such that the lens prevents reflection of the visible light off of the vehicle mirror to reduce observability of the vehicle mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Control Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Alyn Brown, James Wiff
  • Patent number: 8995039
    Abstract: A window glazing (10) suitable for use in automotive applications wherein a switchable film (18) is protected from UV exposure and over-temperature exposure by a coating (14) that reflects IR and UV light in combination with an interlayer (16) that absorbs UV light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Pittsburgh Glass Works, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce A. Bartug, Peter T. Dishart, Steven M. Parsons
  • Patent number: 8995046
    Abstract: A suspended particle device includes a first substrate; a second substrate; a first electrode that can be controlled for a potential; a second electrode that can be controlled for a potential different from that of the first electrode; an electrified body; and a liquid suspension containing charged light control particles and a dispersion medium, in which the first electrode, the second electrode and the electrified body are disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the liquid suspension is sealed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the light control particles are capable of being accumulated to a periphery of the electrified body. Thus, it is possible to ensure uniformity of transmission light as well as to hold a light transmittance state in a state where the power supply is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Chemical Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Mori, Hiroki Kaneko, Haruo Akahoshi
  • Patent number: 8989600
    Abstract: A modulating apparatus includes a branch that branches input light; a first modulating unit that modulates the phase of a first branch obtained by the branch; a second modulating unit that modulates a second branch obtained by the branch; a third modulating unit that is connected in series to the first modulating unit, transmits the first branch without branching the first branch, modulates the phase of light transmitted by controlling a refractive index of the light transmitted; a fourth modulating unit that is connected in series to the second modulating unit, transmits the second branch without branching the second branch, and modulates the phase of a light transmitted by controlling a refractive index of the light transmitted; and a coupler that couples the first branch modulated by the first and the third modulating units and the second branch modulated by the second and the fourth modulating units, at different intensities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Fujitsu Optical Components Limited
    Inventor: Kenichi Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 8988759
    Abstract: An apparatus to modify an incident free space electromagnetic wave includes a block of an artificially structured material having an adjustable spatial distribution of electromagnetic parameters (e.g., ?, ?, ?, ?, and n). A controller applies control signals to dynamically adjust the spatial distribution of electromagnetic parameters in the material to introduce a time-varying path delay d(t) in the modified electromagnetic wave relative to the incident electromagnetic wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bowers, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan Kundtz, Bruce Marshall McWilliams, John Brian Pendry, David Schurig, David R. Smith, Anthony F. Starr, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8989525
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a light deflecting element includes a dielectric body, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The second electrode is configured to sandwich the dielectric body with the first electrode so as to apply a voltage to the dielectric body. The second electrode includes orthogonal portions that are substantially orthogonal to an incident direction of a light beam passing through the dielectric body, parallel portions that are substantially parallel to the incident direction of the light beam. The orthogonal portions and the parallel portions are formed in an alternate manner on the light beam incident side of the dielectric body. The second electrode includes a linear sloping portion that slopes in a direction toward intersection with the incident direction of the light beam. The orthogonal portions, the parallel portions, and the linear sloping portion are formed integrally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yuuzo Kamiguchi, Katsuya Sugawara, Masahiro Kanamaru, Keiichiro Yusu, Masatoshi Sakurai
  • Patent number: 8988755
    Abstract: A variable reflectance vehicular electro-optic rearview mirror reflective element assembly includes a front substrate and a rear substrate and a perimeter seal disposed therebetween. The front substrate has a first surface and a second surface that has a transparent electrically conductive coating disposed thereat. The rear substrate has a third surface and a fourth surface, with the third surface having a conductive coating disposed thereat. The perimeter seal spaces the front and rear substrates apart and forms an interpane cavity therebetween. The third surface conductive coating includes a plurality of layers, which includes a first layer of nickel chromium. The first layer of nickel chromium is overcoated with a silver or silver alloy layer, and the silver or silver alloy layer is overcoated with a second layer of nickel chromium, and the second layer of nickel chromium is overcoated with a reflective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian A. McCabe
  • Publication number: 20150077830
    Abstract: A portable electronic device is provided, including a housing, a display module, an optical element and a switchable layer. The housing has a first surface and an opaque layer disposed under the first surface, the opaque layer having a first aperture and a second aperture. The display module is disposed under the first surface and overlapped with the first aperture. The optical element is disposed under the opaque layer. The switchable layer is disposed between the optical element and the second aperture and overlapping the second aperture, wherein the switchable layer is capable of being switched between a substantially opaque state and a substantially transparent state. The substantially opaque state prevents viewing of the optical element through the switchable layer and the substantially transparent state allows viewing of the optical element through the switchable layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: HTC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ming-Tien LIN, Chun-Ta LIN, Chih-Jen HU
  • Patent number: 8982448
    Abstract: An electrowetting device includes: a liquid-confining member including a base and an electrode unit supported on the base, the liquid-confining member defining an inner chamber; a first liquid of a magnetic ink disposed in the inner chamber; and a second liquid of a polar material disposed in the inner chamber and immiscible with the first liquid. The first and second liquids contact each other to define a liquid-liquid interface therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: National Chung-Hsing University
    Inventor: Incha Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8982444
    Abstract: The present inventive concept relates to an electrowetting display device including a lyophobic colloid material and a polymer resin such as an organic layer or a polyimide (PI), and a lyophobic layer including a supporting layer supporting the lyophobic colloid material and using a photoreactive fluorine-based surfactant for a fluorine-based material to be positioned above and for a hardened photoreactive material layer to be positioned below through exposure in a single step without separately performing a hydrophilic treatment and then a water-repellent treatment, thereby reducing the number of processes, the manufacturing time, and the cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Ram Lee, Taimei Kodaira, Dae Jin Park, Joo-Han Bae, Seung-Jin Baek, Da Hye Yoon, Hyeon Gu Cho
  • Publication number: 20150070744
    Abstract: Various types of edge seals for protecting electro-optic displays against environmental contaminants are described. In one type of seal, the electro-optic layer is sandwiched between a backplane and a protective sheet and a sealing material extends between the backplane and the protective sheet. In other seals, the protective sheet is secured to the backplane or to a second protective sheet adjacent the backplane. The electro-optic layer can also be sealed between two layers of adhesive or between one layer of adhesive and the backplane. Other seals make use of flexible tapes extending around the periphery of the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Guy M. Danner, Shamus Ford Patry, Charles Howie Honeyman, Thomas H. Whitesides, Michael D. McCreary, Gregg M. Duthaler
  • Publication number: 20150070745
    Abstract: The embodiments herein relate to methods for controlling an optical transition in an optically switchable device, and optically switchable devices configured to perform such methods. In various embodiments, non-optical (e.g., electrical) feedback is used to help control an optical transition. The feedback may be used for a number of different purposes. In many implementations, the feedback is used to control an ongoing optical transition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Anshu A. Pradhan
  • Patent number: 8976436
    Abstract: A display device comprising a pixel, where the pixel includes: (a) a polar fluid that is at least one of colored and black, (b) a non-polar fluid that is at least one of transparent and translucent, (c) a first substrate, (d) a second substrate arranged relative to the first substrate to define a channel occupied by the polar fluid and the non-polar fluid, wherein at least one of the polar fluid and the non-polar fluid is visible, (e) a reflector having a plurality of features, comprising at least one of concavities and projections, that alter an angle of reflected light from a specular reflection to provide the appearance of a diffuse reflection, the display device also including a plurality of electrodes configured to cause repositioning of the polar fluid in the channel to displace at least a first portion of the non-polar fluid and a voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Dean, John Rudolph, Shu Yang
  • Patent number: 8976442
    Abstract: Electro-wetting display devices are disclosed. The electro-wetting display may include an upper structure and a lower structure opposite to each other, a hydrophobic insulating layer covering a bottom surface of the upper structure, hydrophilic partitions disposed between the hydrophobic insulating layer and the lower structure to define pixel regions, and a colorless conductive fluid and a colored non-conductive fluid filling each of the pixel regions. A specific gravity of the colored non-conductive fluid may be smaller than a specific gravity of the colorless conductive fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventor: Gi Heon Kim
  • Patent number: 8976439
    Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror casing and a prismatic reflective element. The mirror casing is a unitarily molded mirror casing having at least one attachment surface. The prismatic reflective element includes a glass substrate having a front surface and a rear surface and a perimeter edge about a periphery of the glass substrate. A mirror reflector is established at the rear surface of the glass substrate. The perimeter edge of said glass substrate has a generally rounded surface disposed between the front surface and the mirror casing. The prismatic reflective element is attached at the attachment surface of the mirror casing. The perimeter edge of the glass substrate is exposed to and is viewable by the driver of the vehicle when the interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind, Michael J. Baur, Timothy G. Perkins
  • Publication number: 20150063739
    Abstract: Optical devices that include one or more structures fabricated from polar-dielectric materials that exhibit surface phonon polaritons (SPhPs), where the SPhPs alter the optical properties of the structure. The optical properties lent to these structures by the SPhPs are altered by introducing charge carriers directly into the structures. The carriers can be introduced into these structures, and the carrier concentration thereby controlled, through optical pumping or the application of an appropriate electrical bias.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Naval Research Laboratory
    Inventors: James Peter Long, Joshua D. Caldwell, Jeffrey C. Owrutsky, Orest J. Glembocki
  • Patent number: 8971671
    Abstract: A tunable Radio Frequency (RF) filter device includes a tunable optical source generating an optical carrier signal, and a modulator coupled to the tunable optical source and modulating the optical carrier signal with an RF input signal. The tunable RF filter device may include first and second optical waveguide paths coupled to the modulator and having first and second dispersion slopes of opposite sign from each other, one or more of the first and second optical waveguide paths comprising an optical splitter and combiner pair therein, and an optical-to-electrical converter coupled to the first and second optical waveguide paths and generating an RF output signal with a frequency notch therein based upon the tunable optical source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Richard DeSalvo, Charles Middleton
  • Publication number: 20150054925
    Abstract: An optical modulator and a 3D image acquisition apparatus including an optical modulator are provided. The optical modulator is disposed in a multiple quantum well including a plurality of quantum wells and a plurality of quantum barriers, and includes at least one carrier block disposed in the multiple quantum well restricting the carrier movement between the multiple quantum wells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang-young PARK, Yong-hwa PARK, Sang-hun LEE
  • Patent number: 8958789
    Abstract: An optical medium, such as fiber, is tapped to provide an antenna port wherever radio service coverage is desired. Each antenna port is a bi-directional remote unit that receives a digital optical signal from a host unit and transforms the signal to a radio frequency signal for transmission by the remote unit. The remote unit receives radio frequency signals that are converted to digital signals and summed with signals from other remote units and converted to an optical signal for transmission to the host unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Bauman, Philip M. Wala, Jeffrey O. Brennan
  • Patent number: 8953238
    Abstract: Provided are a high-speed optical modulator and a method of modulating light by using the same. The optical modulator includes first and second resonance cavities that are sequentially stacked on a transparent substrate, wherein the first and second resonance cavities each include an electric-optical layer. According to the method, first and second voltages having different sizes are simultaneously applied respectively to the first and second resonance cavities, and then for the other configuration of the modulator mutually interchanged voltages are applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Inha-Industry Partnership Institute
    Inventors: Ji-deog Kim, Yong-hwa Park, Yong-jun Park, Chang-kwon Hwangbo, Jang-hoon Lee, Jin-joo Kim
  • Publication number: 20150015799
    Abstract: A projection screen includes a substrate and an optical microstructure. The substrate has a projection area for projecting an image onto the projection area. The projection area includes a plurality of arrayed optical regions. Each of the optical regions includes a first and second optical sub-region with optical characteristics of reflective scattering/transmissive scattering/specular reflection and simple transmission, wherein an area of the second optical sub-region is larger than that of the first optical sub-region. The optical microstructure is arranged on the substrate for guiding the light of the image to a specific direction. The above-mentioned projection screen with two or more optical characteristics, for example, can be at the same time as the front projection screen and the rear projection screen, or allows the user to watch background image behind the projection screen. A projection system including the above-mentioned projection screen is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Cheng-Huan CHEN
  • Patent number: 8934164
    Abstract: A tunable optical filter is formed in the structure of an etalon. A thin electro-optic ceramic substrate is fixed between two end substrates. Each end substrate has an inner parallel surface toward said electro-optic ceramic substrate covered by an electrode layer and a reflecting layer. An adhesive which attaches the electro-optic ceramic substrate to each first and second end substrates has a consistency so as to avoid stress on the electro-optic ceramic substrate. A voltage imposed on the electro-optic ceramic substrate by the electrode layers on the inner parallel surfaces of the first and second end substrates effectively controls an optical distance between the reflective coating layers on the inner parallel surfaces of the first and second end substrates of the etalon structure. The electro-optic ceramic substrate is preferably PMN-PT ((1-x)Pb(Mg?Nb?)O3-x—PbTiO3) and no more than 160 ?m thick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Lightwaves 2020, Inc.
    Inventor: Jing-Jong Pan
  • Patent number: 8929745
    Abstract: A first clock modulator branches a light beam, varies a phase difference of the resulting light beams according to a first clock, and causes interference of the light beams. A second clock modulator branches a light beam from the first clock modulator and synchronized with the first clock, varies a phase difference of the resulting light beams according to a second clock, and causes interference of the light beams. A third clock modulator branches a light beam from the first clock modulator and inversely synchronized with the first clock, varies a phase difference of the resulting light beams according to a third clock, and causes interference of the light beams. The second clock and the first clock have identical cycles and differing phases. The third clock and the second clock have phases that differ by a 1/2 cycle. Four data modulators modulate the light beams from the clock modulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Fujitsu Optical Components Limited
    Inventor: Toru Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8928965
    Abstract: The present invention is related to an electrochemical processor, which comprises two electrodes of different electrochemical potential, which are bridged via an electrolyte. Upon, completion of the electric circuit between the two electrodes, the second electrode is oxidized and therefore changed in at least one physical parameter, e.g. the second electrode becomes transparent. The electrochemical processor is characterized in that the surface of the second electrode, which is in contact with the electrolyte, is partially covered with an electrically insulating material, wherein this material is adjacent to the electrolyte. Moreover, the present invention relates to the use of this electrochemical processor and a method of composing such electrochemical processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Westfaelische Wilhelms-Universitaet Muenster
    Inventor: Meinhard Knoll
  • Patent number: 8923352
    Abstract: One embodiment is directed towards a stabilized laser including a laser to produce light at a frequency and a resonator coupled to the laser such that the light from the laser circulates therethrough. The laser also includes Pound-Drever-Hall (PDH) feedback electronics configured to adjust the frequency of the light from the laser to reduce phase noise in response to light sensed at the reflection port of the resonator and transmission port feedback electronics configured to adjust the frequency of the light from the laser toward resonance of the resonator at the transmission port in response to the light sensed at the transmission port of the resonator, wherein the transmission port feedback electronics adjust the frequency at a rate at least ten times slower than the PDH feedback electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lee K. Strandjord, Tiequn Qiu, Glen A. Sanders
  • Patent number: 8922871
    Abstract: An electrowetting display device includes: a lower substrate, a pixel electrode disposed on the lower substrate, a lower water-repellent layer disposed on the pixel electrode, a plurality of partitions disposed on the lower water-repellent layer and an oil layer disposed on the lower water-repellent layer between the partitions, and wherein the partitions include a side wall having a reverse taper structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Byung Seok Choi, Seung-Jin Baek, Ji Eun Lee, Wang Su Hong