Polarizer Patents (Class 359/437)
  • Patent number: 11940676
    Abstract: Apparatus are described herein related to augmenting human vision by means of adaptive polarization filter grids. A preferred embodiment is described as smart sunglasses, realized as see through head mountable device (HMD) configured to reduce glare originating from polarized light. Each eyeglass of the HMD is associated with a grid comprising a plurality of dynamically configurable polarization filters placed in the path of the light. A polarization analyzer module analyzes the polarization characteristics of a field of view and performs an optimization calculation. The polarization analyzer controls the said grid via a controller module in such a way that the filter state of each grid element can be addressed separately. The grid of polarization filters causes the polarization characteristics of the incident light to be adapted in such a way as to reduce glare and/or to provide a user of the said head mountable device with an enhanced visual perception of the field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Inventor: Maximilian Ralph Peter Liechtenstein
  • Patent number: 11802758
    Abstract: A system for precision displacement measurement based on a self-traceable grating interference includes a coherent light source, a photoelectric detection module, a self-traceable grating and a signal processing module. The self-traceable grating is arranged on a to-be-measured displacement motion platform. The coherent light source, the photoelectric detection module and the signal processing module are sequentially connected. Laser generated by the coherent light source propagates through the photoelectric detection module and is incident on the self-traceable grating, diffracts with the self-traceable grating, returns to the photoelectric detection module to continue propagating and enters the signal processing module. The signal processing module collects an interference signal to obtain a motion displacement and a motion direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Tongji University
    Inventors: Xiao Deng, Xinbin Cheng, Zichao Lin, Zhenjie Gu, Yulin Yao, Tongbao Li
  • Patent number: 11353737
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the technical field of display and discloses a polarizer, a display panel and a display device, where the polarizer includes two layers of protective films, as well as one layer of main polarizing film and at least one layer of auxiliary polarizing film between the two layers of protective films, and a set angular difference exists between an angle of a transmittance axis of the auxiliary polarizing film and an angle of a transmittance axis of the main polarizing film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignees: Beijing BOE Display Technology Co., Ltd., BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhihua Sun, Yanping Liao, Ting Dong, Yingying Qu, Yifu Chen, Jianhua Huang, Zhiyu Lv
  • Patent number: 10520792
    Abstract: A range finder includes a laser transmitter, a laser receiver, a large-aperture objective lens unit, an image sensing device, a display device and a microphone. The laser transmitter is configured to emit a laser beam to a measured object. The laser receiver is configured to receive a reflected laser beam reflected by the measured object. The objective lens unit is configured to allow visible light reflected by the measured object to pass therethrough, includes an objective lens and a focusing lens and has a length defined by the objective lens and the focusing lens. The image sensing device is configured to receive the visible light passing through the objective lens and generate an image signal. The length is constant when the objective lens unit is moved with respect to the image sensing device for focusing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignees: SINTAI OPTICAL (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD., ASIA OPTICAL CO., INC.
    Inventors: Hua-Tang Liu, Hui-Qing Chen, Lian Zhao, Chin-Hsiang Wang, Fang-Li Ma
  • Patent number: 8872985
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide for a modular video projector system having a light engine module and an optical engine module. The light engine module can provide narrow-band laser light to the optical engine module which modulates the laser light according to video signals received from a video processing engine. Some embodiments provide for an optical engine module having a sub-pixel generator configured to display video or images at a resolution of at least four times greater than a resolution of modulating elements within the optical engine module. Systems and methods for reducing speckle are presented in conjunction with the modular video projector system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: RED.COM, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Jannard, Stuart J. English, Gregory Alan Prior, Edmund Sandberg, Ryan Newham
  • Patent number: 8823848
    Abstract: A polarization camera includes a microlement polarizer that is situated in proximity to a focal plane array. The microlement polarizer is selectively scanned with respect to an optical image direct to the focal plane array, and an image processor stores a set of images associated with the scanning. Based on the stored images, a polarization image can be produced and displayed. A periodic microelement polarizer modulates the individual images of the set, and these images can be processed by filtering in the spatial frequency domain to isolate contributions associated with one or a combination of Stokes parameters. After filtering, Stokes parameter based images can be obtained by demodulating and inverse Fourier transforming the filtered frequency domain data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona
    Inventors: Russell A. Chipman, Stanley Pau, J. Scott Tyo, Bradley M. Ratliff
  • Patent number: 8582041
    Abstract: Moirés due to interference between two liquid crystal display panels in a display device which achieves three-dimensional displaying by using two liquid crystal display panels is to be prevented. By disposing a lenticular lens array between an upper liquid crystal display panel and a lower liquid crystal display panel, moirés and image blurs are prevented. This configuration can prevent the luminance levels and contrast of images from dropping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignees: Hitachi Displays, Ltd., Panasonid Liquid Crystal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiteru Tomizuka, Kentaro Oku, Yoshinori Tanaka, Yoshiharu Nagae
  • Patent number: 8508646
    Abstract: The present invention relates to cameras and other image capture devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to an image capture device having a polarizing filter that reduces reflected light during operation of the image capture device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Katerberg
  • Patent number: 8482717
    Abstract: The invention relates to a projection system, comprising a radiation source, an illumination system operable to illuminate a structured mask, and a projection objective for projecting an image of the mask structure onto a light-sensitive substrate, wherein said projection system comprises an optical system comprising an optical axis or a preferred direction given by the direction of a light beam propagating through the optical system; the optical system comprising a temperature compensated polarization-modulating optical element described by coordinates of a coordinate system, wherein one preferred coordinate of the coordinate system is parallel to the optical axis or parallel to said preferred direction; said temperature compensated polarization-modulating optical element comprising a first and a second polarization-modulating optical element, the first and/or the second polarization-modulating optical element comprising solid and/or liquid optically active material and a profile of effective optical thickne
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Damian Fiolka, Markus Deguenther
  • Patent number: 8325318
    Abstract: An information storage/readout device for use in a system for continuously manufacturing liquid-crystal display elements comprises an information storage medium which stores therein slitting position information created based on the position of a defect detected by an inspection of a continuous polarizing composite film included in a continuous optical film laminate including a continuous polarizing composite film formed with an adhesive layer and a continuous carrier film releasably laminated on the adhesive layer, to indicate defective-polarizing-sheet slitting positions defining a defective or defect-containing polarizing sheet, and normal-polarizing-sheet slitting positions defining a normal or defect-free polarizing sheet, in the continuous inspected optical film laminate, and a roll of the continuous inspected optical film laminate which is provided with an identification indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Kimura, Kazuo Kitada, Tomokazu Yura, Satoru Koshio, Fumihito Shimanoe, Takuya Nakazono
  • Patent number: 8294872
    Abstract: An information storage/readout device for use in a system for continuously manufacturing liquid-crystal display elements comprises an information storage medium which stores therein slitting position information created based on the position of a defect detected by an inspection of a continuous polarizing composite film included in a continuous optical film laminate including a continuous polarizing composite film formed with an adhesive layer and a continuous carrier film releasably laminated on the adhesive layer, to indicate defective-polarizing-sheet slitting positions defining a defective or defect-containing polarizing sheet, and normal-polarizing-sheet slitting positions defining a normal or defect-free polarizing sheet, in the continuous inspected optical film laminate, and a roll of the continuous inspected optical film laminate which is provided with an identification indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Kimura, Kazuo Kitada, Tomokazu Yura, Satoru Koshio, Fumihito Shimanoe, Takuya Nakazono
  • Publication number: 20100182685
    Abstract: A combination instrument has a disk that is transparent for light in the visible range and that has a dial region and an indicator region. It further has a dial imprint, which is applied to the back of the transparent disk in the dial region. In addition, a polarizing filter disk is provided, which is disposed on the back of the transparent disk aligned with the indicator region and comprises a circular polarizing filter. An optical indicator unit is provided, which is disposed in alignment with the indicator region on the back of the transparent disk and the polarizing filter disk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Döbler, Peter Lehnert, Joachim Müller, Wolfgang-Peter Pawusch, Peter Radojkovic, Markus Weber
  • Patent number: 7631972
    Abstract: A wavelength-selective polarization conversion element is disclosed which has a polarization conversion function that has been obtained by a polarization conversion element and a wavelength-selective phase plate in the past. The element includes a polarization beam splitting film and a phase plate. The film splits light and has a characteristic in which the transmittance for light with a first polarization direction and the transmittance for light with a second polarization direction are changed between a value higher than 50% and a value lower than 50% depending on wavelength region. The phase plate changes the polarization direction of light transmitted or reflected by the film between the first and second polarization directions. The element converts light in two of the first to third wavelength regions into polarized light with one polarization direction and converts light in the other wavelength region into polarized light with another polarization direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Reona Ushigome, Yu Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 7494234
    Abstract: A polarizer includes a first prism plate having a plurality of first micro-prisms; a polarizing film formed on surfaces of the first micro-prisms; and a second prism plate having a plurality of second micro-prisms, the micro-prisms of the first prism plate and the micro-prisms of the second prism plate meshed with each other and integrated the polarizing film therebetween, the polarizing film being in direct contact with the first prism plate and the second prism plate. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing the polarizer and a backlight module using the polarizer is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jen-Tsorng Chang
  • Patent number: 7472995
    Abstract: A wavelength-selective polarization conversion element is disclosed, which is capable of reducing the number of optical elements in an optical system and simplifying the configuration thereof. The polarization conversion element comprises a beam splitting film which splits light by transmission and reflection and has a characteristic in which at least its transmittance for light with a first polarization direction changes between a transmittance higher than 50% and a transmittance lower than 50% depending on wavelength regions, and a phase plate which converts the polarization direction of light from the beam splitting film between the first polarization direction and a second polarization direction. The polarization conversion element converts light of two of first, second and third wavelength regions into light with one of the first and second polarization directions and converts light of the remaining wavelength region into light with the other polarization direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yu Yamauchi, Atsushi Okuyama, Reona Ushigome
  • Patent number: 7391568
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus including: a liquid crystal display element having a liquid crystal layer; a backlight apparatus arranged at one side of the couple of substrates of the liquid crystal display element; a polarizer arranged between the liquid crystal display element and the backlight apparatus; a luminous intensity distribution control element arranged at the other side of the couple of substrates of the liquid crystal display element; an analyzer arranged between the liquid crystal display element and the luminous intensity distribution control element, wherein the luminous intensity distribution control element comprises a transparent base member, a plural lenses arranged on the transparent base member, and a light absorbing layer having small opening portions substantially at focal positions of an individual lens of the plural lenses, and the transparent base member is constituted of a transparent body substantially optically isotropic or a transparent body having uniaxial optical anisotro
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Adachi, Makoto Tsumura, Ikuo Hiyama, Tetsuro Minemura
  • Patent number: 7351346
    Abstract: A method for forming a plurality of parallel metal lines on a substrate of thin film elastomeric material and a wire grid polarizer formed by such method. A sacrificial layer is formed by coating the substrate with a water soluble polymer while the substrate is stretched. The existing tensile force is removed, leaving an undulating topology of buckled sacrificial layer material. A masking layer is then deposited at an oblique angle and then fractured into parallel lines of material by application of a second tensile force. Unmasked portions of the sacrificial layer are removed by dry etch. A metallic layer is then deposited and a lift off process employed to remove remaining portions of the sacrificial layer and materials deposited thereover. Upon removal of the second tensile force, the substrate returns to its unstressed length with metal lines of predetermined periodicity thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Agoura Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Little
  • Patent number: 7307725
    Abstract: A surface inspection apparatus includes: a light source unit that emits a divergent light flux of predetermined linearly polarized light to be used to illuminate a test substrate; a first optical member that allows the divergent light flux of the predetermined linearly polarized light to enter therein with a predetermined angle of incidence and then guides a light flux to the test substrate; a second optical member that allows a light flux from the test substrate to enter therein, emits a convergent light flux thereof with a predetermined angle of emergence and forms an image at a specific surface; an extraction unit that extracts linearly polarized light in the convergent light flux from the second optical member, which is perpendicular to the predetermined linearly polarized light; a light-receiving unit that receives an image of the test substrate formed via the second optical member and the extraction unit; and at least one polarization correcting member disposed within a light path extending between the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Takeo Oomori, Hideo Hirose, Yasuharu Nakajima, Kenzo Chiaki, Tatsumi Satou
  • Patent number: 7277141
    Abstract: An optical body includes a substrate and a cholesteric liquid crystal layer disposed on the substrate. The cholesteric liquid crystal layer has a non-uniform pitch along a thickness direction of the layer and comprises a crosslinked polymer material that substantially fixes the cholesteric liquid crystal layer. The crosslinking hinders diffusion of cholesteric liquid crystal material within the cholesteric liquid crystal layer. In other methods of making an optical body, a reservoir of chiral material is provided during the process over a first cholesteric liquid crystal layer to diffuse into the layer and provide a non-uniform pitch. Alternatively, two coating compositions can be disposed on a substrate where the material of the first coating composition is not substantially soluble in the second coating composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Pokorny, Marc D. Radcliffe, Philip E. Watson, Christopher C. Bowley, Ikuko Ebihara
  • Patent number: 7173760
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus including: a liquid crystal display element having a liquid crystal layer between a couple of substrates; a backlight apparatus arranged at one side of the couple of substrates; a polarizer arranged between the liquid crystal display element and the backlight apparatus; a luminous intensity distribution control element arranged at the other side of the couple of substrates; an analyzer arranged between the liquid crystal display element and the luminous intensity distribution control element, wherein the luminous intensity distribution control element comprises a transparent base member, a plural lenses arranged on the transparent base member, and a light absorbing layer having small opening portions substantially at focal positions of an individual lens of the plural lenses, and the transparent base member is constituted of a transparent body substantially optically isotropic or a transparent body having uniaxial optical anisotropy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Adachi, Makoto Tsumura, Ikuo Hiyama, Tetsuro Minemura
  • Patent number: 7087194
    Abstract: A process for preparing a polarizer is described whereby a pre-polarizing article comprising an oriented, vinylalcohol polymer film layer, and an acid donor layer comprising a thermal acid generator, is exposed to radiant energy at a temperature sufficient to effect a partial dehydration of the vinylalcohol polymer to a vinylalcohol/poly(acetylene) copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Todd D. Jones, Duane D. Fansler, Robert T. Fitzsimons, Jr., Wayne S. Mahoney, Kevin M. Lewandowski, Michael S. Wendland, Babu N. Gaddam
  • Patent number: 6949207
    Abstract: A process for preparing a polarizer is described whereby a pre-polarizing article comprising an oriented, vinylalcohol polymer film layer, and an acid donor layer comprising a thermal acid generator, is exposed to radiant energy at a temperature sufficient to effect a partial dehydration of the vinylalcohol polymer to a vinylalcohol/poly(acetylene) copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Todd D. Jones, Duane D. Fansler, Robert T. Fitzsimons, Jr., Wayne S. Mahoney, Kevin M. Lewandowski, Michael S. Wendland, Babu N. Gaddam
  • Patent number: 6934080
    Abstract: A low-scatter polarization-preserving multilayer viewing screen. A substrate D, preferably a volume diffuser, for increasing the divergence of information-coded-light while preserving its polarization sense A as it passes therethrough has a discrimination of at least 2:1 within a viewing zone. An absorbing polarizer on one or both sides of D and aligned to pass polarization state A. In one embodiment, there is provided a polarization-state phase-shift layer for modifying the polarization state of forward-scatter and/or back-scatter that total internally reflects within the viewing screen into the state opposite of A. The phase-shift layer being located at any position between the polarizer and an outermost surface of the viewing screen through which said information-coded light passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Saccomanno, Kanghua Lu
  • Publication number: 20030030899
    Abstract: A first image-forming optical system that receives a beam of light from an objective forms a first image forming point. The first image-forming optical system forms the beam of light into a first optical image at the first image-forming point and relays the first optical image. A second image-forming optical system is provided to form an image of a monitor near the first image-forming point, and the image is relayed by the first image-forming optical system. A third image-forming optical system is arranged in the first image-forming optical system to form a second image-forming point. The third image-forming optical system forms a second optical images at the second image-forming point and guide the optical image to an eyepiece lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Motokazu Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20010005281
    Abstract: An optical system for providing a viewer with contrast between a golf ball and its environment, including a light filter and at least one polarizer mounted in a viewing device. The light filter has no more than about 20% transmittance of light in one of the range of wavelengths of from about 500 nm to about 700 nm. The viewing device allows for the light filter and the polarizer to be arranged in front of at least one eye of the viewer. The optical system can be provided in a spotting scope, a pair of eyeglasses or an attachment to eyeglasses for ease of use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Publication date: June 28, 2001
    Inventor: Caroline Yu