Abstract: In an embodiment, an off-axis hologram is provided. The off-axis hologram creates two, conjugate images which are on either side (off-axis) of the 0-order beam. A Multiple Beam Grating (MBG) is used to both duplicate the conjugate images and to redirect the images along the axis. The 0-order beam is blocked before or at the MBG. The MBG projects the images onto a 3D surface, such as a person's face.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an optical projector is provided with a laser array. Each laser is either collimated or focused to a fixed distance. At least one multiple beam grating (MBG) is placed in front of the laser array. The light pattern from the laser array is duplicated by the MBG, and cast on an object to be measured. The pattern on the object is changed by rotating the MBG. As a result, the number of patterns of structured dots that can be projected on the object is nearly unlimited. The optical projector can be used to provide depth perception to motion detection systems, to vehicle self-driving systems, and for many other uses.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the light from a single laser is used to illuminate a pattern-generating optical element to generate a pattern. The pattern-generating optical element in various embodiments can be, for example, a holographic diffractive optical element (DOE) or an array of micro-lenses. A multiple beam grating (MBG) duplicates the pattern multiple times to provide a multiple pattern image. A lens is used to project the patterns onto an object. In one embodiment, the lens is located between the pattern-generating optical element and the multiple beam grating (MBG).

Abstract: Apparatus for projecting a pattern includes a laser source, a collimating lens and a diffractive optical element (DOE) to diffract the collimated laser beam into a specific dot pattern for sensing the depth of a three dimensional (3D) surface.

Abstract: A Fresnel lens of the prior art is split into two Fresnel lenses to allow easier control of the horizontal and vertical viewing angles. In a second embodiment, the Fresnel lens is entirely eliminated. Instead, the diffuser contains elliptical microstructures so that the diffusing cones in orthogonal directions are different, eliminating the need for a Fresnel lens to perform this function. To compensate for the absence of the light collimation provided by the Fresnel lens, a diffuser with spatially varying diffusing angles is used.

Abstract: An improvement to prism films for displays that reduces the Moiré pattern effect, and also provides a light diffusion function. A prism film with many small prism units is used. The pattern of the prism film is varied, ideally with a random or pseudo random variation. The variation can be in any, some or all aspects of the prism structure. In particular, the thickness and position of the prism elements can be varied.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which uses the edge emitting characteristics of the LED bare chip to form a backlight with uniform illumination. This allows a reduced separation between the diffuser plate and the LED array. In one embodiment, the LED chip(s) is mounted over a prism structure, which redirects the side emitted light outwards.

Abstract: A Fresnel lens of the prior art is split into two Fresnel lenses to allow easier control of the horizontal and vertical viewing angles. In a second embodiment, the Fresnel lens is entirely eliminated. Instead, the diffuser contains elliptical microstructures so that the diffusing cones in orthogonal directions are different, eliminating the need for a Fresnel lens to perform this function. To compensate for the absence of the light collimation provided by the Fresnel lens, a diffuser with spatially varying diffusing angles is used.

Abstract: A Fresnel lens of the prior art is split into two Fresnel lenses to allow easier control of the horizontal and vertical viewing angles. In a second embodiment, the Fresnel lens is entirely eliminated. Instead, the diffuser contains elliptical microstructures so that the diffusing cones in orthogonal directions are different, eliminating the need for a Fresnel lens to perform this function. To compensate for the absence of the light collimation provided by the Fresnel lens, a diffuser with spatially varying diffusing angles is used.

Abstract: A diffractive unit which can reduce the effect of the nonlinearity of the photo-resist recording material to produce a diffractive device with brilliant color, and describes a method for recording. A cross grating device recorded using the method of this present invention is also described. A diffractive pattern is provided with multiple units, and the period of the diffraction within at least one of the units is spatially varying. It has been discovered that a spatially varying period can offset other effects, such nonlinear characteristics of the material or inter-unit gaps, to reduce the harmonics and improve the color.

Abstract: An improvement to the above described techniques for producing a holographic stereogram. The present invention uses a hologram lens in the process of creating the holographic stereogram, and also uses Fourier transforms of the images for projection onto the recording medium, not the images themselves. A lens between the generated images and the recording medium performs the inverse Fourier transform to convert the image back into a normal image.

Abstract: An improvement to the above described techniques for producing a holographic stereogram. The present invention uses a hologram lens in the process of creating the holographic stereogram, and also uses Fourier transforms of the images for projection onto the recording medium, not the images themselves. A lens between the generated images and the recording medium performs the inverse Fourier transform to convert the image back into a normal image.

Abstract: A dot matrix system, which uses an electronic display panel as a diffractive optical device to produce two laser beams. The interference pattern of these two beams, at the focal plane of a lens, forms a grating spot with a shape and beam profile determined by the wavefronts diffracted by the electronic display device. The invention uniquely combines aspects of the interfering beam prior art and the prior art using an imaging display. Instead of simply reducing a diffraction image on a display device as in the imaging display prior art, the invention puts two different Fourier transforms on the display, the laser beam interacts with these Fourier transforms, and a lens focuses the two beams on the recording medium, with the two beams interfering with each other to produce the desired grating pattern. Because multiple orders of the wavefront will be produced by the display device, a light blocking element is used, with an aperture to pass only the desired order(s) of the beams.

Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous-zoom imaging device of an interferometer. Reflected lights of a reference plane and a test plane interfere with each other to generate an interference pattern. A collimation device converts a parallel light of the interference pattern into a convergent light. An optical path adjustment means guides the light to a polarizing beam splitter. A continuous-zoom device adjusts the magnification ratio of the interference pattern on the imaging passageway and to output an object image, which is then imaged on a charge-coupled device. The present invention can improve the quality of the interference pattern without using any rotating diffuser, and thus has the characteristics of reduced number of components, lowered cost, and shrunk volume. Besides, the present invention can utilize a joint device to connect the continuous-zoom device and an attenuator so as to achieve automatic light adjustment and convenient operation.

Abstract: A multi-layer hologram label includes a base layer having a surface on which a number of layers of adhesive materials are coated in a stacked manner. Each layer has a surface on which a pattern associated with a holographic image is formed whereby by sequentially removing the layers, the patterns of the next layers are sequentially exposed for displaying the associated holographic image. The layers of adhesive materials can be replaced by hologram films carrying hologram patterns thereon. By sequentially removing the hologram films, the hologram patterns of the next films are sequentially exposed to display holographic images associated therewith.

Abstract: A laser laminar structure is formed by coating each side of a thin substrate with a bonding resin layer, and then coating each bonding resin layer with a molding resin layer; attaching a transparent laser film provided with fine grooves of a laser image presenting figure, characters or logos to an outer surface of each molding resin layer, so that each molding resin layer is formed at superficial portion with fine lines corresponding to the fine grooves of the laser image on the laser film; baking the molding resin layers at high temperature to harden the fine lines formed thereon; and releasing the transparent laser films from the molding resin layers to provide a thermostable laser laminar structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a small reflective type liquid crystal projection device, which comprises an X-prism, three PBSs, two dichroic mirrors, at least three totally reflective mirrors, three reflective type liquid crystal plates, and a projection object lens. The present invention uses the X-prism matched with the three PBSs and a newly invented 3D light projection system to combine polarized light beams of the three primary colors into one, hence accomplishing the highest use efficiency and the design of light splitting and combining paths and color separating and combining. The reflective type liquid crystal projection device of the present invention has both the advantages of small volume and reduced cost.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a transmission-type liquid crystal projection display, which comprises an incident light source, a light-separating means, three transmission-type liquid crystal display, an L-shaped dichroic polarizing prism set, an optical path adjusting means, and a projection lens. The light source provides a single polarized light. The light-separating means separates the polarized light into three colored lights of the three primary wavelengths. The three liquid crystal displays respective correspond to the three colored lights. The optical path adjusting means is used to let the three colored lights travel through the corresponding three liquid crystal displays and then be incident on the L-shaped dichroic polarizing prism set so that the three colored lights can be synthesized into a single output light beam. The projection lens projects the output light beam onto a screen. The present invention has the effects of high efficiency, low cost, and simplified fabrication process.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a reflective type liquid crystal projection system, which comprises an incident light source providing an S-polarization light beam or a P-polarization light beam as the incident light beam. A polarization of color-splitting device having a first polarization of color splitter and a second polarization of color splitter is used to split the incident light beam of three primary colors into two sets of light beams, which respectively penetrate through or are reflected. The two sets of light beams split by the first polarization of color splitter are reflected by two reflective mirrors, traverse two polarizing plates arranged between the reflective mirrors and the second polarization of color splitter, and are then incident on the second polarization of color splitter. At least a retarder is arranged between the reflective mirrors and the polarization of color-splitting device.

Abstract: A device for the tilt-free movement of one solid body with respect to a reference body is achieved by fixing first and second plates, illustratively with large central apertures, in spaced-apart parallel planes with cylindrical flexure tubes sandwich therebetween. Each of the flexure tubes includes an upstanding piezoelectric or electro-strictive cylinder therewithin. The flexure tubes are aligned radially from the common central axis of the plates and are conveniently at 120 degree angles with respect to one another to achieve symmetry. The piezoelectric cylinders are responsive to like voltage signals to expand or contract in a manner to expand or contract the diameter of the flexure tube to produce the desired tilt-free movement of one plate with respect to the other. The flexure tubes, although small, are very strong due to the cylindrical geometry and yet, are responsive to relatively low signal levels for producing the requisite expansion and contraction.