Optical Imaging Tunnel Patents (Class 385/133)
  • Patent number: 11009660
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes light guides and a method of manufacturing light guides that include a rectangular prism-shaped bar, a first polymer or metal cladding on four sides of the rectangular prism-shaped bar, and a second polymer cladding disposed on the first polymer cladding on the four sides of the rectangular prism-shaped bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Heptagon Micro Optics Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Simon Gubser, Qichuan Yu, Choon Hein Law, Ji Wang
  • Patent number: 10893175
    Abstract: A camera assembly includes a circuit board on which an imager is mounted, and a lens assembly mounted over the imager to the circuit board. The camera assembly further includes a first infrared light source mounted on the circuit board at a first location, and a second infrared light source mounted on the circuit board at a second location. A first light pipe is mounted to the circuit board at the first location, while a second light pipe is mounted to the circuit board at the second location. The circuit board, lens assembly, first and second infrared light sources, and first and second light pipes are disposed in a housing, which includes a front housing and a rear housing. The first and second light pipes extend from the circuit board to the front housing such that light is conveyed from the first and second infrared light sources, respectively, to an illumination exit plane of the camera assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Coleman, Lenny Tan, Robert Charnock, Zheng Li, Reza Khamsi
  • Patent number: 10840107
    Abstract: A method for forming a cavity in a silicon substrate, a surface of the silicon substrate having a tilting angle relative to a first plane of the silicon substrate, and the first plane being a {111} plane of the silicon substrate, and situation of an etching mask on the surface of the silicon substrate. The etching mask has a retarding structure that protrudes into the mask opening, and a first etching projection region. All further edges of the mask opening outside the first etching projection region are situated essentially parallel to {111} planes of the silicon substrate. The method includes an anisotropic etching of the silicon substrate during a defined etching duration. An etching rate in the <111> directions of the silicon substrate is lower than in other spatial directions, and the first retarding structure is undercut in a first undercut direction going out from the first etching projection region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Simon Armbruster, Benjamin Steuer, Stefan Pinter, Dietmar Haberer, Jochen Tomaschko
  • Patent number: 10534188
    Abstract: Integrating rod modules are disclosed comprising a plurality of single and/or solid integrating rods that are mated together by straps. Such modules tend to comprise a greater length than the single and/or solid integrating rods and provide good illumination to a modulator that light from a light source is transmitted through the integrating rod module. The straps may comprise a material (e.g., glass) that has substantially same or similar thermal characteristics as the integrating rods. The straps may be glued to the integrating rods by a glue having a substantially different (e.g., lower) index of refraction than the integrating rods, so as not to disturb the internal reflectance of the rods. The straps may be reinforced by braces that may allow the integrating rod module to be set within a projection display system at an angle substantially different from horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Duane Scott Dewald, Nathan Wainwright, Douglas J. Gorny, Martin J. Richards
  • Patent number: 10481386
    Abstract: An optical element, wherein axially symmetric or not, an output surface of which contains a plurality of indentations configured to increase a degree of divergence of light that is incident onto such surface through an input surface of the optical element. In one implementation, each of the indentations defines a corresponding aspheric lenslet the plurality of which encircles the central opening in the optical element. The optical element can he configured as a lightguide having the specified output surface. An illumination system for a laparoscope employing such optical element as an addition to the optical fiber bundle of the laparoscope or as a fiber bundle itself that has the specified output surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona
    Inventors: Hong Hua, Rengmao Wu, Yi Qin
  • Patent number: 10473846
    Abstract: An illumination system includes a lightguide having light extractors. A first light source is disposed at an end face of the lightguide. Light emitted by the first light source is extracted from the lightguide by the light extractors and exits the lightguide primarily along a first direction different than the length direction. A second light source is disposed along the length of the lightguide. Light emitted by the second light source enters the lightguide from a first side surface and exits the lightguide from a different second side surface along a second direction different than the first and length directions. Light emitted by the second light source has a first divergence in a first plane before entering the lightguide through the first side surface and a different second divergence in the first plane after exiting the lightguide from the second side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Tao Liu
  • Patent number: 9684108
    Abstract: An arrangement (20) for coupling light into a plate-like guide (25) having two surfaces (23, 24) on opposite sides of the light guide comprises an in-coupling diffraction grating (21) for diffracting an external light beam (26) incident on said in-coupling diffraction grating into the light guide in a direction enabling the in-coupled light beam to propagate within the light guide via total internal reflections at the light guide surfaces (23, 24). According to the present invention, the arrangement further comprises a deflection member (22) arranged to deflect the beam (27) initially diffracted by the in-coupling diffraction grating (21), before it hits the in-coupling diffraction grating again, out of the path determined by the in-coupling diffraction grating in order to reduce out-coupling of the already in-coupled light through the in-coupling diffraction grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: NANOCOMP OY LTD.
    Inventors: Markku Kuittinen, Pasi Laakkonen
  • Patent number: 9681073
    Abstract: Embodiments include an image capturing apparatus comprising: an image capturing module configured to capture (i) a first image of a first object, and (ii) a second image of a second object; a calibration module configured to, based on the first image of the first object, determine a correction factor; and an image processing module configured to, based on the correction factor, process the second image of the second object to compensate for veiling glare in the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Elaine Jin, Samson Huang
  • Patent number: 9304249
    Abstract: A light tunnel for use in an optical projection system, comprising: a plurality of reflecting plates, each said reflecting plate being disposed between and connected to the other two said reflecting plates, so that a light passage with a hollow structure is defined by said plurality of reflecting plates. At least one of said reflecting plates has a first surface in an inclined structure, said reflecting plate having said first surface is disposed between and obliquely connected to the other two said reflecting plates for forming said light passage having a non-rectangular cross section, and said first surface of said reflecting plate is abutted against an adjoined reflecting plate to form a junction with no gap between said first surface of said reflecting plate and said adjoined reflecting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Tu-Fa Lai, Kuang-Cheng Hsu, Chun-Chieh Hung
  • Patent number: 9291765
    Abstract: A backlight unit includes a light source that emits light and a light guide plate disposed adjacent to the light source. The light guide plate includes an incident surface to which light is incident, an exit surface from which light incident through the incident surface exits, a reflection surface facing the exit surface to reflect the incident light, and a plurality of lenticular protrusions disposed on the exit surface. The reflection surface includes an inclined surface proximal to the incident surface and inclined with respect to the exit surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyoung-Joo Kim, Sangwoo Ha, Jieun Nam, Tae Yong Ryu, Jinsung Choi
  • Patent number: 9220401
    Abstract: An illuminator film system may include one or more pre-cut sections of optical film applied to a waveguide to allow light to exit the waveguide through the film in a predetermined manner. The one or more pre-cut sections may be removed and reapplied during a procedure to redirect the light. A laminated illuminator film may be provided that uses a laminated optical film structure to direct light from a fiber optic input. Such a laminated illuminator film may be very low profile, low cost and easy to apply to a retractor for providing illumination during a surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: INVUITY, INC.
    Inventors: Alex Vayser, Kenneth B. Trauner, Thomas L. Grey
  • Patent number: 9188729
    Abstract: A prism sheet includes: a first portion including a prism elongated in a first direction; and a second portion including a prism elongated in a second direction different from the first direction. The second direction is vertical to a light incident surface of a light guide plate of a backlight unit, a light source of the backlight unit faces the light incident surface of the light guide plate, and the prism sheet overlaps a light emitting surface of the light guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eui Jeong Kang, So Jeong La, Rae-Young Kim, Seung-Mo Kim, Young-Jun Seo, Sun Hee Oh
  • Patent number: 9175816
    Abstract: A linear light source and a method of manufacturing the linear light source are disclosed. The linear light source includes a light emitting diode (LED) array, a light pipe, and a shell with a linear exit slit aperture. Cutouts of the light pipe provides a slanted surface to reflect portions of light rays along the length of the light pipe out of the linear exit slit aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: LUMENETIX, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew D. Weaver
  • Patent number: 9063262
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for obtaining a desired luminance and/or intensity distribution from any lighting fixture that is illuminated by a lightguide. The techniques can be used, for instance, to design a non-uniform surface texture (e.g., of light extraction features) for a lightguide, wherein the surface texture achieves a desired uniform or an intentionally non-uniform luminance distribution for a given lightguide shape/geometry, dimensions, and/or composition. In some embodiments, an iteration algorithm with illuminance distribution feedback is utilized to design a non-uniform surface texture (e.g., geometry, dimensions, quantity and/or spatial distribution of light extraction features) to achieve the target luminance distribution for a given lighting application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventors: Qiong Huang, Ming Li, Yi Yang, Joseph A. Olsen
  • Patent number: 9022580
    Abstract: This invention realizes an illumination optical system with a small etendue that has a longer lifetime and a high degree of brightness. The invention includes: a laser light source that generates excitation light; a phosphor that generates a fluorescent light by means of the excitation light; a light tunnel that projects the excitation light that is incident at one end towards the phosphor from another end, and projects a fluorescent light generated with the phosphor from the one end; and a dichroic mirror that is provided between the laser light source and the light tunnel, and that allows the fluorescent light or the excitation light to pass through, and reflects the remaining excitation or fluorescent light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: NEC Display Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Saitou, Atsushi Katou, Motoyasu Utsunomiya, Akihiro Osaka, Masateru Matsubara
  • Patent number: 8971496
    Abstract: An X-ray waveguide showing a small propagation loss and having a waveguide mode with its phase controlled is provided. The X-ray waveguide including: a core for guiding an X-ray in a wavelength band that a real part of the refractive index of a material is 1 or less; and a cladding for confining the X-ray in the core, in which: the X-ray is confined in the core by total reflection at a interface between the core and the cladding; in the core multiple materials having different real parts of the refractive index are periodically arranged; and a waveguide mode of the X-ray waveguide is such that the number of antinodes or nodes of an electric field intensity distribution or a magnetic field intensity distribution of the X-ray coincides with the number of periods of the periodic structure in a direction perpendicular to a waveguiding direction of the X-ray in the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kohei Okamoto, Atsushi Komoto, Wataru Kubo, Hirokatsu Miyata, Takashi Noma
  • Patent number: 8965161
    Abstract: A decohered laser light production system is provided. The decohered laser light system comprises a laser source. The system further comprises a multi-mode fiber having an input face, an output face and a body for propagating light from the input face to the output face, the input face arranged to accept laser light from the laser source, the body comprising a length such that laser light is generally decohered when exiting the output face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Christie Digital Systems Inc.
    Inventor: John Domm
  • Patent number: 8929705
    Abstract: A collector for propagating incident radiation is disclosed. The collector may comprise a light directing component coupled to a buffer component, a first propagation component coupled to the buffer component and configured to transmit the incident radiation into a collector region through one of a plurality of windows, and an optical transport assembly coupled to an end of the collector region and having a second propagation component. Each light directing component may be configured to redirect the incident radiation from a first direction to a second direction, and the collector region may include a plurality of regions exhibiting a refractive index value that gradually transitions from about 1.5 to about 2.0. The second propagation component may be further configured to retain the incident radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Biosynergetics, Inc.
    Inventor: Eldon H. Nyhart, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8894210
    Abstract: An optical element is provided with: first polarization-separation layer (13) that is laminated on first surface (12b) of light guide body (12) and that, of the light incident from light guide body (12), transmits X-polarized light and reflects Y-polarized light that is orthogonal to the X-polarized light; polarization hologram layer (14) that is laminated on first polarization-separation layer (13) and that diffracts to a prescribed diffraction angle the X-polarized light that is incident within a prescribed range of angles of incidence and converts the X-polarized light to Y-polarized light; second polarization-separation layer (15) that is laminated on polarization hologram layer (14) and that, of the light incident from polarization hologram layer (14) transmits Y-polarized light and reflects X-polarized light; reflection layer (18) provided on second surface (12c) side of light guide body (12); and phase difference layer (17) that is provided between first surface (12b) of light guide body (12) and refle
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Shin Tominaga
  • Patent number: 8885231
    Abstract: Provided are: a light source that emits light; a light guide including: a curved portion including a light incident surface from which the light from the light source enters; and a linear portion including a light emission surface from which the light is emitted to an original, the linear portion coupled to the curved portion and extended in a main-scan direction, the curved portion reflecting the light entered from the light incident surface to the linear portion; and a frame that houses the light source, and the light guide, wherein the light guide includes an inclined portion inclined in a direction that increases an incident angle ? of the light, the inclined portion formed in a range of the linear portion where the light reflected by the curved portion enters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Tsumekawa
  • Patent number: 8847915
    Abstract: An optical finger navigation device and method for making the device uses a light pipe array lens, which includes an array of light pipes formed in a monolithic block of material. The light pipe array lens is configured to function similarly to a fiber bundle lens to transmit light through the lens using the light pipes in the monolithic block of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy James Orsley, Robert Guy Ritter
  • Patent number: 8831396
    Abstract: A beam homogenizing apparatus includes at least one flexible optical fiber for receiving light, the flexible optical fiber including a homogenizing output portion having a tileable cross-section, the output portion for producing a substantially homogenized intensity profile for light emitted therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: nLIGHT Photonics Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk Price, Scott Lerner
  • Patent number: 8746899
    Abstract: A light emitting apparatus includes a first rod integrator and a second rod integrator supported by a support substrate and a light emitting device disposed between the first rod integrator and the second rod integrator. The light emitting device emits a plurality of light beams to be incident on the first rod integrator and a plurality of light beams to be incident on the second rod integrator. Each of the rod integrators has a light incident surface on which the plurality of light beams are incident, a bent portion that changes the propagating direction of the plurality of incident light beams, and a light exiting surface through which the plurality of light beams mixed with each other exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Kaseya
  • Patent number: 8699842
    Abstract: Described are embodiments of a process including patterning one or more reflectors on a surface of a substrate of a material, the surface oriented at a selected angle relative to a (100) crystallographic plane of the material, and etching one or more reflectors in the surface, each reflector including one or more reflective surfaces formed by (111) crystallographic planes of the material. Also described are process embodiments for forming a molded waveguide including preparing a waveguide mold, the waveguide mold comprising a master mold including one or more reflectors on a surface of a substrate of a master mold material, the surface oriented at a selected angle relative to a (100) crystallographic plane of the material, each reflector including one or more reflective surfaces formed by (111) crystallographic planes of the material, injecting a waveguide material into the waveguide mold, and releasing the molded waveguide from the waveguide mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Mark B. Spitzer
  • Patent number: 8672487
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an instrument panel that includes a display opening, where the instrument panel is located in a first plane; a circuit board located inside the electronic device, where the circuit board includes a display device that includes a display area, and where the display area is located in a second plane that is different from the first plane; and a waveguide that couples the display area to the display opening and guides light, and/or an image displayed in the display area, from the display area to the display opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Juniper Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Hogan Lew
  • Patent number: 8625949
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical head, including a hollow micro-pipe and a stuffing member, the micro-pipe having a diameter-extended portion and a diameter-diminishing portion adapted allowing the incident light to transmit from the diameter-extended portion to the diameter-diminishing portion to emerge from its tip, and the stuffing member being disposed inside of the micro-pipe compared to prior techniques. The optical head of the invention is easier to be made, and it has a better focus for achieving optical exposure of sub-wave length focal spot and deep depth of focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Chih-Kung Lee, Chih-Jen Chien, Yu-Hsun Lee, Chun-Yen Chen, Yuh-Yan Yu, Te-Hsun Chen
  • Patent number: 8602561
    Abstract: An image projection system having a laser projector that projects two differently polarized images on a display region is disclosed. The laser projector enables viewing the two differently polarized images as a three-dimensional image. The image projection system includes a planar lightwave circuit-based beam combiner that enables multiple colors of laser light having different polarization modes to be combined in a single output beam that is scanned over the display region at video rates to produce the two polarized images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Octrolix BV
    Inventors: Edwin Jan Klein, Ronald Dekker
  • Patent number: 8571374
    Abstract: Attenuator apparatus for controlling the intensity of radiation including an attenuator having through openings that vary in size to vary the intensity of a beam of radiation passing through the shutter, and means for moving the attenuator to selectively regulate the intensity of the beam of radiation passing through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Solar Light Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael H. Bonitatibus, Barry E. Barsky
  • Patent number: 8559780
    Abstract: An optical homogenizer unit including an elongated tube, a multisided elongated optical homogenizer having a length equal to the length of the tube and positioned within the tube, and filler material in the spaces between the longitudinal surfaces of the optical homogenizer and the inner surface of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Solar Light Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael H. Bonitatibus
  • Patent number: 8511831
    Abstract: An optical device includes a main body having a light incident surface, a light emitting surface provided facing the light incident surface, and a light-reflecting side surface provided from a periphery of the light incident surface to a periphery of the light emitting surface. In the optical device, the light incident surface, the light emitting surface and the light-reflecting side surface are mirror-finished, and a supporting portion configured to support the main body is provided on the light-reflecting side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ikeda, Yoshihiro Yokote, Shinya Matsumoto, Keietsu Sato, Kazutaka Tomite
  • Patent number: 8509583
    Abstract: Described is an optical element for guiding electromagnetic radiation. The optical element includes a base body and at least one film, wherein the film is configured to adhere to the base body to form an intimate connection with the base body without using an adhesion promoting interlayer and is arranged such that the electromagnetic radiation passes through it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventor: Mario Wanninger
  • Patent number: 8491125
    Abstract: A lighting device configured to efficiently combine light beams emitted from a plurality of light sources, and to emit high output light while minimizing light loss, and a projection type display apparatus including the lighting device. The lighting device includes: a first light source and a second light source; two converging lenses for converging light beams emitted from the first and second light sources; two right-angle prisms for bending the light beams emitted from the first and second light sources; and a composite rod integrator for combining the light beams emitted from the first and second light sources. Between an exit surface of each right-angle prism and an incident surface of the composite rod integrator, a predetermined air gap is provided. The focal point of each converging lens is located on an incident surface of each right-angle prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shigekazu Yamagishi, Hiroki Sugiyama, Hiroshi Kitano, Yoshimasa Fushimi, Hirokazu Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 8491134
    Abstract: A light emitting apparatus includes a first rod integrator and a second rod integrator supported by a support substrate and a light emitting device disposed between the first rod integrator and the second rod integrator. The light emitting device emits a plurality of light beams to be incident on the first rod integrator and a plurality of light beams to be incident on the second rod integrator. Each of the rod integrators has a light incident surface on which the plurality of light beams are incident, a bent portion that changes the propagating direction of the plurality of incident light beams, and a light exiting surface through which the plurality of light beams mixed with each other exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Kaseya
  • Patent number: 8385708
    Abstract: A collector for propagating incident radiation is disclosed. The collector may comprise a light directing component coupled to a buffer component, a first propagation component coupled to the buffer component and configured to transmit the incident radiation into a collector region through one of a plurality of windows, and an optical transport assembly coupled to an end of the collector region and having a second propagation component. Each light directing component may be configured to redirect the incident radiation from a first direction to a second direction, and the collector region may include a plurality of regions exhibiting a refractive index value that gradually transitions from about 1.5 to about 2.0. The second propagation component may be further configured to retain the incident radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Biosynergetics, Inc.
    Inventor: Eldon H. Nyhart, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8385706
    Abstract: Described is an optical element for guiding electromagnetic radiation. The optical element includes a base body and at least one film, wherein the film is configured to adhere to the base body and to form an intimate connection with the base body without using an adhesion and is arranged such that the electromagnetic radiation passes through it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventor: Mario Wanninger
  • Patent number: 8385707
    Abstract: A device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) including an ambient image light source (110, 210, 310) and a stacked plurality of ambient imaging light guides (120, 220, 320) The ambient image light source (110, 210, 310) is arranged to couple light into the stacked light guides (120, 220, 320). The stacked light guides (120, 220, 320) are arranged to couple out corresponding ambient image light portions onto a reflective surface (130, 230). The stacked light guides (120, 220, 320) may be arranged to provide the ambient image light portions extending outward from the device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) such that a first one of the ambient image light portions extends substantially outward from a second one of the ambient image light portions. The second one of the ambient image light portions may be projected closer to the device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) and may be projected to reflect brighter than the first one of the ambient image light portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: TP Vision Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Bart Andre Salters
  • Patent number: 8272751
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes: a light modulator having translucent windows; a light emitter having a light source; a light guide having a tubular reflecting surface guiding light source light to the light modulator; and a light separator having a light separation surface separating guided light into transmitted and reflected light. The tubular reflecting surface narrows from the light modulator toward the light emitter to guide the reflected light to the windows. Denoting a lateral cross-sectional area of an inside area of the tubular reflecting surface at a light source end as S1, a lateral cross-sectional area of the tubular reflecting surface at a light separation surface end as S2, and a maximum incident angle at which light from the light source reflected by the tubular reflecting surface is input to the light separation surface as ?, ?×?(S2/S1)?110.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Norio Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8267528
    Abstract: An illumination source includes a number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) operating at a first wavelength. Light from the LEDs illuminates a phosphor material that generates light at a second wavelength. A reflective polarizer transmits light at the second wavelength in a first polarization state and reflects light at the second wavelength in a second polarization state orthogonal to the first polarization state. The light at the second wavelength reflected by the reflective polarizer is directed back towards the phosphor material without an increase in angular range. In some embodiments the LEDs, having a conformal layer of phosphor material, are attached directly to the first surface of a liquid cooled plate. A liquid coolant contacts a second surface of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Arlie R. Conner, Sean M. Donnelly, Peter R. Oehler
  • Patent number: 8128234
    Abstract: A position adjustment device for an integration rod includes a fixed plate, two resilient members, and two adjusting screws. The first resilient member is positioned between the fixed plate and the rod for exerting an elastic force on the rod in a first direction, and the second resilient member is positioned between the fixed plate and the rod for exerting an elastic force on the rod in a second direction different from the first direction. The first adjusting screw is inserted through the part of the housing and has a first end surface that presses against one side surface of the rod opposite the first resilient member. The second adjusting screw is inserted through the part of the housing and has a second end surface that presses against one side surface of the rod opposite the second resilient member. The first and the second end surface are arc surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Chien-Chang Huang, Yung-Chuan Tseng
  • Patent number: 8121454
    Abstract: A collector for propagating incident radiation is disclosed. The collector may comprise a light directing component coupled to a buffer component, a first propagation component coupled to the buffer component and configured to transmit the incident radiation into a collector region through one of a plurality of windows, and an optical transport assembly coupled to an end of the collector region and having a second propagation component. Each light directing component may be configured to redirect the incident radiation from a first direction to a second direction, and the collector region may include a plurality of regions exhibiting a refractive index value that gradually transitions from about 1.5 to about 2.0. The second propagation component may be further configured to retain the incident radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Biosynergetics, Inc.
    Inventor: Eldon H Nyhart, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8113661
    Abstract: A projection-type display apparatus includes an optical engine that forms an image with a laser beam from a laser light source; and an optical fiber that connects the laser light source and the optical engine. The optical engine includes a rod integrator that equalizes an optical-intensity distribution of the light beam output from the laser light source, and a rod fiber-fastening unit that fastens the rod integrator and the optical fiber to face each other such that a gap between an input facet of the rod integrator and an output facet of the optical fiber is large relatively to a wavelength of the light beam propagating through the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Yagyu
  • Patent number: 8096662
    Abstract: A light source unit has a main body portion and light emitting elements, and the main body portion includes wall surfaces which constitute reflecting planes which are inclined so as to define a rectangular projecting port, and an inclination of the wall surfaces lying on longer member sides constitutes an inclined angle which is smaller than an inclination of the wall surfaces lying shorter member sides of the projecting port, the wall surfaces on the shorter member sides being each formed into a trapezoidal shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukio Suzuki, Yumi Suzuki, legal representative
  • Patent number: 8068710
    Abstract: In various embodiments described herein, a display device includes a front illumination device that comprises a light guide disposed forward of an array of display elements, such as an array of interferometric modulators, to distribute light across the array of display elements. The light guide may include a turning film to deliver uniform illumination from a light source to the array of display elements. For many portable display applications, the light guide comprises the substrate used in fabricating the display elements. The display device may include additional films as well. The light guide, for example, may include a diffuser and/or an optical isolation layer to further enhance the optical characteristics of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Qualcomm Mems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ion Bita, Gang Xu, Lai Wang, Marek Mienko, Russell Wayne Gruhlke
  • Patent number: 8059928
    Abstract: A decohered laser light production system is provided. The decohered laser light system comprises a laser source. The system further comprises a multi-mode fiber having an input face, an output face and a body for propagating light from the input face to the output face, the input face arranged to accept laser light from the laser source, the body comprising a length such that laser light is generally decohered when exiting the output face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc.
    Inventor: John Domm
  • Patent number: 8029142
    Abstract: An illumination source includes a number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) operating at a first wavelength. Light from the LEDs illuminates a phosphor material that generates light at a second wavelength. A reflective polarizer transmits light at the second wavelength in a first polarization state and reflects light at the second wavelength in a second polarization state orthogonal to the first polarization state. The light at the second wavelength reflected by the reflective polarizer is directed back towards the phosphor material without an increase in angular range. In some embodiments the LEDs, having a conformal layer of phosphor material, are attached directly to the first surface of a liquid cooled plate. A liquid coolant contacts a second surface of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Arlie R. Conner, Sean M. Donnelly, Peter R. Oehler
  • Patent number: 8026997
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a backlight. The backlight includes a plurality of waveguides to selectively direct light. A set of selection elements in combination with the backlight selectively direct light to the front of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiao-fan Feng
  • Patent number: 8025410
    Abstract: A projection device includes a diffuser and a light source system. The light source system includes a light source, a dichroic element, an actuator, and a reflector. The light source generates a light beam that is directed to the dichroic element. The dichroic element forms first and second individual light beams from the light beam. The first individual light beam is transmitted to the diffuser. The second individual light beam is reflected from the reflector to the diffuser. The actuator is fixed to the reflector and has a removal frequency exceeding 20 Hz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chiu-Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 8023748
    Abstract: An image capturing apparatus for capturing an image with solid state imaging devices may include a compressing section, a memory, a decompressing section, and a signal processing section. The compressing section may compress digitalized data of an image captured with the solid state imaging devices. The memory may temporarily store the compressed image data that is compressed by the compressing section. The decompressing section may decompress the compressed image data that is read out from the memory. The signal processing section may perform an image quality correction operation on the image data decompressed by the decompressing section. The compressed image data may contain a maximum value and a minimum value of pixel data in a block, information regarding positions of the maximum value and the minimum value in the block, and quantized data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Fumiaki Kato, Ken Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8019187
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a technique for increasing bandwidth for super high speed interconnects. The invention combines an electrical signal with an optical signal to provide a bandwidth greater than is possible with each individual signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Banpil Photonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Achyut Kumar Dutta
  • Patent number: 7997740
    Abstract: An integrator unit for integrating an incoming light beam for a uniform distribution of illumination comprises an inner cylinder fixedly equipped with a rod integrator, an outer cylinder in which the inner cylinder is coaxially received for axial movement and axial adjustment members which comprises a circumferential groove spatially squared to a center axis of the inner cylinder and a radial access bore formed in the outer cylinder. A round shaped position adjustment tool has an end pin on a round end face thereof in a position off center from an axis of rotation of the position adjusting tool. The position adjusting tool is inserted in the radial access bore to put the end pin in the circumferential groove and turned in the radial access bore so as thereby to move the inner cylinder axially back and forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Miyata