Electro-optic Patents (Class 359/245)
  • Patent number: 8922869
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrowetting display device and a manufacturing method for the same, using a UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer. The UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer can include a UV-cured fluorine based material positioned above a cured UV reactive material. In an embodiment, the electrowetting display device can also include a substrate with a layer of pixel electrodes formed over the substrate, and partition walls formed over at least a portion of the layer of pixel electrodes. In one embodiment, the UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer can be formed between the partition walls and above an inter-layer insulation film. In another embodiment, the UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer can be formed between the partition walls and above the layer of pixel electrodes. The electrowetting display can also include a water repellent layer formed over the UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Taimei Kodaira
  • Patent number: 8917436
    Abstract: The current invention relates to a piezochromic device wherein said device exhibits a reversible change in appearance initialed by an external applied force and then reverts back to its original appearance over a set relaxation time when the external force is removed. In one embodiment, a device comprising a transparent or semi-transparent cover layer and a magnetic layer, wherein between the cover layer and the magnetic layer is a liquid medium containing magnetically alignable pigments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Sun Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron Hollman, Russell Schwartz, David Kozak
  • Patent number: 8913205
    Abstract: Disclosed is a segmented liquid crystal modulator panel apparatus and method for driving the same that overcomes electrical cross-talk associated with capacitive coupling to a common electrode. Each modulator segment may be divided into subsegments and driven substantially synchronously and out-of-phase. The field-polarity insensitive LC materials yield a substantially identical optical response for each subsegment, while allowing current on the common electrode to flow between the subsegments, thereby reducing power consumption and decreasing response times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Robinson, Terry W. Norton
  • Patent number: 8908251
    Abstract: A tunable metamaterial has a two dimensional array of resonant annular ring elements; and a plurality of voltage controllable electrical tuning elements disposed in or adjacent openings in each of said ring elements, each of said voltage controllable electrical tuning element ohmically contacting portions of only one of said ring elements. The voltage controllable electrical tuning elements may comprise highly doped semiconductor tunnel diodes, or the charge accumulation layer at the semiconductor/insulator interface of a metal-insulator-semiconductor structure, or nanoelectromechanical (NEMs) capacitors. The tunable metamaterial may be used, for example, in an optical beam steering device using the aforementioned tunable optical metamaterial in which a free-space optical beam is coupled into a receiving portion of a plane of the optical metamaterial and is steered out of a transmitter portion of the plane of the optical metamaterial in controllable azimuthal and elevational directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Keyvan Sayyah, James H. Schaffner, Pamela R. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20140346376
    Abstract: A laser apparatus may include a master oscillator configured to output a pulse laser beam, at least one amplifier provided in a path of the pulse laser beam from the master oscillator, and at least one first optical isolator provided in the path of the pulse laser beam, the first optical isolator including at least one of a GaAs crystal and a CdTe crystal as an electro-optic crystal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Krzysztof NOWAK, Osamu WAKABAYASHI
  • Patent number: 8896903
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making an electrowetting display device having a plurality of picture elements, each picture element being defined by walls surrounding a display region, the plurality of picture elements covering a first area of a support plate. The method comprises the steps of: applying a hydrophobic layer covering at least the first area; lowering the hydrophobicity of the hydrophobic layer over a second area substantially outside the display regions; forming the walls on the hydrophobic layer over the first area. The present invention further relates to an electrowetting display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Vermeulen, Bruce Scott, Mick Evans, Ivar Schram
  • Patent number: 8896904
    Abstract: A method for making a support plate for an electrowetting device includes providing the support plate with a hydrophobic layer; arranging a pattern of hydrophilic material on the hydrophobic layer; and removing a surface layer of the hydrophobic layer by a solvent. The electrowetting device may include a support plate with a hydrophobic layer having a thickness, and a pattern of hydrophilic material arranged on a first area of the hydrophobic layer, the thickness of the hydrophobic layer being larger within the first area than outside the first area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Liquavista B.V.
    Inventors: Romaric Massard, Chiara Cometti, Bokke Johannes Feenstra
  • Patent number: 8896901
    Abstract: An electro-optic device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, an electro-optic layer which is interposed between the second substrate and the first substrate, and a first translucent film, a second translucent film, and a third translucent film which are disposed between the second substrate and the electro-optic layer and are sequentially formed from the second substrate, in which the refractive index of the second translucent film is larger than the refractive index of the second substrate, is smaller than the refractive index of the first translucent film, and is smaller than the third translucent film. A transmittance of incident light of the electro-optic device is intensified using refractive index matching, interference dimming, and anti-scattering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yohei Sugimoto, Atsushi Ito, Ryosuke Yamasaki, Akihide Haruyama
  • Patent number: 8897607
    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: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Richard DeSalvo, Charles Middleton
  • Publication number: 20140340731
    Abstract: Thin-film devices, for example electrochromic devices for windows, and methods of manufacturing are described. Particular focus is given to methods of patterning optical devices. Various edge deletion and isolation scribes are performed, for example, to ensure the optical device has appropriate isolation from any edge defects. Methods described herein apply to any thin-film device having one or more material layers sandwiched between two thin film electrical conductor layers. The described methods create novel optical device configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Fabian Strong, Yashraj Bhatnagar, Abhishek Anant Dixit, Todd Martin, Robert T. Rozbicki
  • Patent number: 8891576
    Abstract: Unidirectionality of lasers is enhanced by forming one or more etched gaps (78, 80) in the laser cavity. The gaps may be provided in any segment of a laser, such as any leg of a ring laser, or in one leg (62) of a V-shaped laser (60). A Brewster angle facet at the distal end of a photonic device coupled to the laser reduces back-reflection into the laser cavity. A distributed Bragg reflector is used at the output of a laser to enhance the side-mode suppression ratio of the laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Binoptics Corporation
    Inventors: Alex A. Behfar, Alfred T. Schremer, Jr., Cristian B. Stagarescu
  • Publication number: 20140333981
    Abstract: An opto-electronic apparatus with a metallic structure is provided, and includes a light-permissible medium and a metallic structure. The metallic structure is disposed inside or over the light-permissible medium, and is formed from arrangement of at least one metallic unit. Each metallic unit includes at least three metallic blocks of which centers of mass define a polygon. After passing through the metallic structure, an electromagnetic wave has a distribution curve of transmittance versus wavelength, wherein the distribution curve has at least one transmittance peak value corresponding to at least one wavelength in a one-to-one manner. The area of the polygon is smaller than or equal to ?2, the minimum side length (dmin) is smaller than or equal to ?, and an averaged width (W) satisfies the following relationship: 0.01?<W<dmin, in which ? represents one of the aforementioned at least one wavelength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Soyuan Technology Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Kuan-Ren CHEN
  • Publication number: 20140327951
    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: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Darryl P. De Wind P. De Wind, Donald S. Rawlings, John T. Uken
  • Patent number: 8879141
    Abstract: Methods and devices for calibrating and controlling the actuation of an analog interferometric modulator configured to have a plurality of actuation states. Devices and methods for calibrating an analog interferometric modulator to respond in linear relation to an applied voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chong U. Lee, John H. Hong, Marc M. Mignard, Alok Govil
  • Patent number: 8873126
    Abstract: An electrooptic device includes first and second substrates that are disposed opposing each other with an electrooptic material layer therebetween, a sealing material that bonds the first and second substrates, a pixel area, and an ion trap portion between the pixel area and the sealing material. The ion trap portion includes first and second electrodes that are formed in a comb-tooth shape and are disposed so that branch electrodes of the first electrode and branch electrodes of the second electrode are engaged with each other. A direction of the branch electrodes intersects with an orientation direction of the electrooptic material at an interface between the electrooptic material layer and the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Tomikawa, Hiroyuki Hara, Tomoki Yokota
  • Publication number: 20140307300
    Abstract: An athermal optical modulator includes a waveguide, a ring resonator configured to receive light input from the waveguide and output modulated light to the waveguide, the ring resonator including a ridge unit located at a center of the ring resonator in a vertical section, a first contact connected to one side of the ridge unit and a second contact connected to the other side of the ridge unit, the first contact and the second contact forming paths for applying electricity to the ring resonator to form an electric field in the ring resonator, and a polymer layer covering the ridge unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Moon-seung YANG, Seong-ho CHO, Rakib Uddin MOHAMMAD
  • Patent number: 8860698
    Abstract: This invention provides an electro-optical module with reduced noise in driving voltage. The invention can include a power supply substrate that is arranged separately from the flexible substrate having a driver, so that the noise of the driving voltage supplied from the power supply substrate is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tadashi Yamada
  • Patent number: 8861068
    Abstract: The invention relates to a display structure comprising an electrode layer (3) superposed on a sub-layer (5) wherein a surface of the sub-layer facing the electrode layer is roughened. In particular, the display structure may relate to a TFT stack comprising a layer of an electrode metal corresponding to a pixel electrode (3). The pixel pad together with the data line (1) is used for charging of the pixel pad. The gate electrode (4) used is separated from the source and drain electrode (1, 3) by a dielectric layer (6). The structural layers of the TFT may be deposited on a suitable flexible substrate (7). In order to prevent defects in the light modulating layer (9) from being visible, a surface of the sub-layer (5) underlying the electrode layer (3) is roughened. It is desirable to provide such improvement to, among others, electrophoretic-type displays and liquid crystal-type displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Creator Technology B.V.
    Inventors: Fredericus Johannes Touwslager, Erik Van Veenendaal, Kevin Michael O'Neill, Monica Johanna Beenhakkers
  • Publication number: 20140300528
    Abstract: An illumination unit capable of obtaining high luminance and a display apparatus including it are provided. The illumination unit includes an illumination optical system generating the illumination light, and a lens sheet narrowing a divergence angle of the illumination light. The illumination optical system includes a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate that are separated from each other and are arranged to face each other, and a light source applying light to an end face of the first transparent substrate or of the second transparent substrate. The illumination optical system is provided in a gap between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, and includes a light modulation layer exhibiting scattering characteristics or transparent characteristics with respect to the light from the light source in accordance with a magnitude of an electric field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Ebisui, Shogo Shinkai, Kentaro Okuyama, Harumi Sato
  • Publication number: 20140301694
    Abstract: A plasmonic device having a transparent conducting oxide (TCO) waveguide and a tunable voltage applied across the TCO and a metal layer for modulating an input optical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Ho Wai Lee, Stanley Burgos, Georgia Papadakis, Harry A. Atwater
  • Patent number: 8854721
    Abstract: A laminate comprising a solid electro-optic medium and an electrically conductive layer is tested by passing it over a pair of electrodes at different potentials, with the electrically conductive layer lying on the opposed side of the electro-optic medium from the electrodes. An article which can be tested by this method, and which is useful in the manufacture of electro-optic displays, comprises a layer of a solid electro-optic medium and a release sheet comprising an electrically conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Guy M. Danner, Jonathan L. Zalesky, John E. Ritter, Timothy J. O'Malley, Thomas H. Whitesides, Shamus Ford Patry, Alain Bouchard, Richard M. Webber
  • Patent number: 8854714
    Abstract: Colored conductive fluids for electrowetting or electrofluidic devices, and the devices themselves, are disclosed. The colored conductive fluid includes a polar solvent and a colorant selected from a pigment and/or a dye. The polar solvent has (a) a dynamic viscosity of 0.1 cP to 1000 cP at 25° C., (b) a surface tension of 25 dynes/cm to 90 dynes/cm at 25° C., and (c) an electrowetting relative response of 20% to 80%. The colored conductive fluid itself can have an electrical conductivity from 0.1 ?S/cm to 3,000 ?S/cm and can have no greater than 500 total ppm of monatomic ions with ionic radii smaller than 2.0 ? and polyatomic ions with ionic radii smaller than 1.45 ?. The colored conductive fluid should not cause electrical breakdown of a dielectric in the device in which it is employed. An agent for controlling electrical conductivity can optionally be added to the colored conductive fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sun Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Lisa Clapp, Jason Heikenfeld, April Milarcik, Russell J. Schwartz, Stanislav G. Vilner, Manjeet Dhindsa, Stephanie Chevalliot
  • Patent number: 8854720
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tri wavelength diffraction modulator (TWDM) and a method of tri wavelength diffraction modulation. The tri wavelength diffraction modulator includes: a stationary substrate with a bottom electrode plate formed on top of the stationary substrate; a first electrode plate comprising a first suspended beam suspended in parallel above the stationary substrate and a first connection anchored onto the stationary substrate; and a second electrode plate comprising a second suspended beam suspended in parallel above the first electrode plate and a second connection anchored onto the stationary substrate. The diffraction modulator and the method for diffraction modulation are suitable to projection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Shanghai Lexvu Opto Microelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Herb He Huang
  • Patent number: 8848274
    Abstract: An electro-optical device includes an electro-optical material, a first lens which is arranged at an incident side of the light and is provided so as to correspond to a pixel, and a condenser lens which is arranged at an emitting side of the light and is provided so as to correspond to the pixel. Condensation degrees of the first lens are larger than that of the second lens, and distances between the first lens and the electro-optical material are smaller than distances between the second lens and the electro-optical material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Norihiko Ozawa
  • Patent number: 8847113
    Abstract: A laser processing system includes a first positioning system for imparting first relative movement of a beam path along a beam trajectory with respect to a workpiece, a processor for determining a second relative movement of the beam path along a plurality of dither rows, a second positioning system for imparting the second relative movement, and a laser source for emitting laser beam pulses. The system may compensate for changes in processing velocity to maintain dither rows at a predetermined angle. For example, the dither rows may remain perpendicular to the beam trajectory regardless of processing velocity. The processing velocity may be adjusted to process for an integral number of dither rows to complete a trench. A number of dither points in each row may be selected based on a width of the trench. Fluence may be normalized by adjusting for changes to processing velocity and trench width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Unrath, Andrew Berwick, Alexander A. Myachin
  • Patent number: 8847862
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling the actuation of an analog interferometric modulator. In one aspect, a voltage may be determined from a sense electrode. A distance between one or more of the electrodes may be determined based on the voltage. The sense electrode may be capacitively coupled to another electrode, and may be implemented in a mirror of a movable layer of an interferometric modulator, or may be implemented in a floating fixed layer of an interferometric modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Alok Govil
  • Patent number: 8847345
    Abstract: An optical element includes a plurality of optical filters having different characteristics. The element includes a first optical filter including a first metal-structure group including first metal structures periodically arranged in an in-plane direction of a substrate surface and a second optical filter including a second metal-structure group including second metal structures periodically arranged in the in-plane direction, the second metal-structure group exhibiting a plasmon resonance condition different from that of the first metal-structure group. The optical distance between the first metal structures adjacent to each other is in a range of 0.75 to 1.25 times the optical distance between the second metal structures adjacent to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoichiro Handa
  • Publication number: 20140286368
    Abstract: Semiconductor photonic device surfaces are covered with a dielectric or a metal protective layer. The protective layer covers the entire device, including regions near facets at active regions, to prevent bare or unprotected semiconductor regions, thereby to form a very high reliability etched facet photonic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: BinOptics Corporation
    Inventor: Alex A. BEHFAR
  • Patent number: 8830558
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an electrowetting display device. The electrowetting display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate disposed to each other. A first electrode layer may dispose on the first substrate. A second electrode layer may dispose on the second substrate. A hydrophobic dielectric layer is disposed on the first electrode layer. A first pixel rib is disposed on the first substrate. A second pixel rib is disposed on the first pixel rib. A water contact angle of the second pixel rib may be larger than that of the first pixel rib. A first liquid and a second liquid may be disposed in between the first substrate and the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Shu-Wei Kuo, Yun-Sheng Ku, Wei-Yuan Cheng, Pei-Pei Cheng
  • Patent number: 8830554
    Abstract: The present subject matter can include a two-dimensional electrochemical writing assembly and uses thereof. The writing assembly can enable for time-dependently displaying of a physical parameter, such as a time-dependent display or recording of the temperature. The writing assembly comprises two different types of electrochemical processors, of which one type is used for controlling the time-dependent switching of the second type of electrochemical processors used in the writing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Westfälische Wilhelms Universität Münster
    Inventor: Meinhard Knoll
  • Patent number: 8830560
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Guy M. Danner, Shamus Ford Patry, Charles Howie Honeyman, Thomas H. Whitesides, Michael D. McCreary, Gregg M. Duthaler
  • Patent number: 8830556
    Abstract: One exemplary metamaterial is formed from a plurality of individual unit cells, at least a portion of which have a different permeability than others. The plurality of individual unit cells are arranged to provide a metamaterial having a gradient index along at least one axis. Such metamaterials can be used to form lenses, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: David R. Smith, David Schurig, Anthony F. Starr, Jack J. Mock
  • Patent number: 8830553
    Abstract: An electro-optic display comprises a backplane; a layer of electro-optic material disposed adjacent the backplane; a protective layer; and a sealing layer of a metal or a ceramic extending between the backplane and the protective layer, and thus sealing the layer of electro-optic material from the outside environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Shamus Ford Patry, Richard J. Paolini, Jr., Thomas H. Whitesides, Robert W. Zehner, Jonathan D. Albert, Harit Doshi
  • Patent number: 8824036
    Abstract: A thermally stabilized, high speed, micrometer-scale silicon electro-optic modulator is provided. Methods for maintaining desired temperatures in electro-optic modulators are also provided. The methods can be used to maintain high quality modulation in the presence of thermal variations from the surroundings. Direct current injection into the thermally stabilized electro-optic modulator is used to maintain the modulation performance of the modulator. The direct injected current changes the local temperature of the thermally stabilized electro-optic modulator to maintain its operation over a wide temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Sasikanth Manipatruni, Rajeev Dokania, Alyssa B. Apsel, Michal Lipson
  • Patent number: 8818205
    Abstract: A modulation method, especially an optical modulation method, using the principle of discrete IQ modulation. The modulation method includes generating a carrier signal (Sc) and splitting the carrier signal at a splitting position in an I branch signal and a Q branch signal; modulating the amplitude of the I branch signal according to a first modulation signal and modulating the amplitude of the Q branch signal according to a second modulation signal, each of the first and second modulation signals being arranged to adopt a given number of values according to a given number of constellation points of a given modulation scheme; phase shifting the signal in the Q branch versus the signal in the I branch; and combining the signals in the I branch and Q branch at a combining position. The combined modulated signal (Stx,mod) is arranged to be transmitted over a transmission path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: ADVA Optical Networking SE
    Inventor: Michael Eiselt
  • Patent number: 8817354
    Abstract: An optical device includes a ridge on a base. The ridge includes an active medium. An active component on the base is a light sensor and/or a light modulator. The active component is configured to guide a light signal through the active medium included in the ridge. Electrical current carriers contact the lateral sides of the ridge on opposing sides of the ridge. Each of the electrical current carriers includes a carrier material that is doped so as to increase the electrical conductivity of the carrier material. The carrier material is different from the active medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Kotura, Inc.
    Inventors: Dazeng Feng, Mehdi Asghari, Cheng-Chih Kung
  • Patent number: 8818150
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for modulation of both the intensity and the polarization of radiation in silicon waveguides by applying a biasing voltage to the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Matthew E. Grein, Theodore M. Lyszczarz, Michael W. Geis, Steven J. Spector, Donna M. Lennon, Yoon Jung
  • Publication number: 20140233083
    Abstract: A transmitter optical module implemented with an electro-absorption (EA) modulator is disclosed. The module includes an EA driver comprising a signal detector, an offset controller, and a driver circuit. The signal detector detects the existence of the modulation signal input thereto. The offset controller provides to the driver circuit the first offset to shift the cross point of the output of the driver circuit higher when the modulation signal exists; while, the second offset when the modulation signal disappear. The second offset lowers the output of the driver circuit to prevent the excess optical output of the transmitter optical module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Taizo TATSUMI, Keiji TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20140224989
    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: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: James Peter Long, Joshua D. Caldwell, Jeffrey C. Owrutsky, Orest J. Glembocki
  • Patent number: 8804225
    Abstract: A signal shaping circuit includes an operational circuit that provides weights to a first signal input to a first input element and a second signal input to a second input element, adds or subtracts the second signal to or from the first signal, and outputs a signal obtained by adding or subtracting the second signal to or from the first signal; a divider that divides the signal output from the operational circuit into signals, causes one of the divided signal to be input to the second input element, and outputs the other of the divided signal; a delay element that delays the signal output from the operational circuit and to be input to the divider or the signal output from the divider and to be input to the second input element; and an adjuster that adjusts at least one of the weights provided to the first and second signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Yukito Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 8797632
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for actuating, charging and calibrating the charge on a movable electrode in electromechanical systems (EMS) devices. The electromechanical systems device can include a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode by a gap, a complementary electrode, at least one electrical contact, and a movable third electrode disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. In one implementation, a method of calibrating charge on the movable electrode of the EMS device includes electrically connecting a complementary electrode to the first electrode to form a compound electrode and applying a calibration voltage across the compound electrode and the second electrode to produce a uniform electric field in the gap. Under the electric field the third electrode moves towards the first electrode until it connects with the at least one electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Hong, Chong U. Lee
  • Patent number: 8797638
    Abstract: A wavelength selective optical switch device includes an incidence and exit part where a signal beam made of light of a multiplicity of wavelengths enters and a signal beam of a selected wavelength exits, a wavelength dispersion element that spatially disperses a signal beam according to the wavelength thereof and multiplexes reflected light, a condensing element that condenses the light dispersed by the wavelength dispersion element onto a two-dimensional plane, and a wavelength selection element that uses a multilevel optical phased array arranged in a position to receive incident light developed on an xy-plane made of an x-axis direction and a y-axis direction perpendicular thereto developed according to a wavelength, having a multiplicity of pixels arrayed in a lattice on the xy-plane, and that cyclically changes the phase shift amount in the y-axis direction to a sawtooth wave pattern for each pixel on the x-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Santec Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Hotta
  • Patent number: 8797630
    Abstract: A display panel includes a first substrate, a third substrate and a second substrate disposed therebetween. A first grid structure having first openings is disposed on the first substrate to expose pixel regions. A second grid structure having second openings and a third grid structure having third openings are disposed on the second substrate and the third substrate, respectively. A first polar solution layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A second polar solution layer is disposed between the third substrate and the second substrate. A first non-polar solution layer is disposed within the first openings. A second non-polar solution layer is disposed within the second openings. The second non-polar solution layer disposed in different pixel regions has different colors. A third non-polar solution layer is disposed within the third openings. The third non-polar solution layer disposed in different pixel regions has different colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hung-Yi Chen, Chien-Kai Chen, Chen-Hsien Liao
  • Patent number: 8792792
    Abstract: [PROBLEM] Providing an optical source that outputs optical frequency modulated light having a constant output optical intensity. [MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM] Provided is a light source apparatus that outputs an optical signal having an optical frequency corresponding to a frequency control signal, the light source apparatus including a laser light source section that outputs laser light having an optical frequency corresponding to the frequency control signal; and an optical intensity adjusting section that compensates for intensity change of the laser light to output laser light in which the intensity change caused by a change in the optical frequency is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventors: Shin Masuda, Kazunori Shiota
  • Patent number: 8786929
    Abstract: A front plane laminate useful in the manufacture of electro-optic displays comprises, in order, a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer, a layer of an electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer, an adhesive layer and a release sheet. This front plane laminate can be prepared as a continuous web, cut to size, the release sheet removed and the laminate laminated to a backplane to form a display. Methods for providing conductive vias through the electro-optic medium and for testing the front plane laminate are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. LeCain, Ara N. Knaian, Steven J. O'Neil, Gregg M. Duthaler, Guy M. Danner, Robert W. Zehner, Alberto Goenaga, Benjamin Max Davis, Randolph W. Chan, Jonathan D. Albert, Glen Crossley
  • Patent number: 8784675
    Abstract: The ferroelectric substrate 11 of ferroelectric crystals, while being supported by the support plate 14 which is thicker than the ferroelectric substrate 11, is integrated with the support plate 14 by letting the junction 13 mediate between one major surface S1A of the ferroelectric substrate 11 and one major surface S1B of the support plate 14, and therefore, it is possible through the flat surface polishing to perform thinning of the ferroelectric substrate 11, namely, the ferroelectric crystals, and as a result, it is possible to obtain the thin periodically poled structure. By the voltage application method, the domain inverted region is formed in the ferroelectric substrate 11 which is made thin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahide Okazaki, Toshiaki Suhara
  • Publication number: 20140198369
    Abstract: A driving circuit for driving a light modulator including a matrix of pixels, the driving circuit includes, a first selecting unit configured to select a row of the matrix of pixels, each pixel having a capacitance element for modulating light; a first transistor configured to reset a voltage of the capacitance element in the selected row; a second selecting unit configured to select a column of the matrix of pixels, information being written in the capacitance element specified by the first and second selecting unit; and a second transistor, the information being written in the capacitance element through the second transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Mamoru MIYAWAKI
  • Patent number: 8780431
    Abstract: Plasmon absorption modulator systems and methods are disclosed. A plasmon absorption modulator system includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of quantum well layers stacked on a top surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a metal layer formed on a top surface of the stack of quantum well layers. A method for modulating plasmonic current includes enabling propagation of the plasmonic current along a metal layer, and applying a voltage across the stack of quantum well layers to cause absorption of a portion of energy of the plasmonic current by the stack of quantum well layers. A metamaterial switching system includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of quantum well layers stacked on a top surface of the semiconductor substrate, and at least one metamaterial structure formed on a top surface of the stack of quantum well layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Rohan Deodatta Kekatpure, Paul Davids
  • Publication number: 20140192285
    Abstract: There are provided an illumination unit capable of reducing formation of a double image in three-dimensional display and a display unit including the same. An illumination optical system configured to generate linear illumination light formed by two-dimensionally arranging a plurality of linear illumination light beams or a plurality of point-like illumination light beams, and a reflective plate configured to reflect the linear illumination light are included. The reflective plate reflects the linear illumination light to or close to a plane passing through a part that generates the linear illumination light and being perpendicular to a plane including the reflective plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shogo Shinkai, Akira Ebisui, Kentaro Okuyama, Harumi Sato
  • Publication number: 20140177025
    Abstract: A light-controlling device is provided. The light-controlling device includes a first substrate, a second substrate disposed opposite the first substrate, and a partition wall separating the first and second substrates to define a cell. An optical medium containing charged particles is disposed within the cell between the first and second substrates. A plurality of first electrodes is disposed on the first substrate, and a plurality of second electrodes is disposed on the second substrate to generate electrical field within the cell to move at least some of the charged particles. Each of the first electrodes has a first width and a first thickness, and each of the second electrodes has a second width and a second thickness. Each of the second electrodes is disposed at an interval of a third width such that the open region on the second substrate between the second electrodes corresponds to the first electrode on the first substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: MoonSun LEE, HyunJin AN