Patents Examined by Euncha P. Cherry
  • Patent number: 11428890
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for using circular symmetry to eliminate the angle limitations of an optical axis in a scanned aperture holography system. A Room-sized Holography System may be a scanned aperture holographic video display and may comprise a rotating platform, a telescope comprising a first lens and a second lens, and scanners at the Fourier plane where the focal length of the first lens and the second lens meet. The platform may rotate around an axis aligned with a spatial light modulator. When the platform rotates, the scanners rotate, thereby de-rotating a SAW image. The second lens may be a spherical reflective surface for redirecting light from the spatial light modulator, having passed through the first lens and reflected off a mirror-scanner, toward a user's eyes. The user may be on a chair above the spatial light modulator, wherein the chair is configured to rotate with the spatial light modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Brigham Young University
    Inventor: Daniel Smalley
  • Patent number: 11422333
    Abstract: An optical member driving mechanism is provided, including a movable portion, a fixed portion, and a driving assembly. The movable portion is connected to an optical member. The fixed portion has an accommodating space, and the optical member is received in the accommodating space. The movable portion is movable relative to the fixed portion. The driving assembly is configured to drive the movable portion to move relative to the fixed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventors: Sheng-Zong Chen, Sung-Mao Tsai, Chen-Chi Kuo
  • Patent number: 11422334
    Abstract: A driving mechanism is provided, including a fixed part, a movable part for holding an optical element, and a driving assembly. The movable part is movable relative to the fixed part and has a first resonance frequency with respect to the fixed part. The driving assembly is configured to drive the movable part to rotate back and forth within a range relative to the fixed part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventors: Kai-Jing Fu, Chao-Chang Hu, Min-Hsiu Tsai, Mao-Kuo Hsu, Juei-Hung Tsai
  • Patent number: 11408981
    Abstract: A method of lidar scanning over a rotational range provides a dense scanning pattern over the entire rotational range without the need for complex control of components. The method comprises rotating an angled scanning mirror at a first angular velocity about an axis of rotation; rotating a first diffractive or refractive optical element at a second angular velocity about the axis of rotation; controlling a stationary laser source to emit light along an emission beam path that passes through the first diffractive optical element before being incident upon the scanning mirror in order to reflect said light onto a scanning beam path; and detecting light reflected from external objects present in the scanning beam path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: RED SENSORS LTD
    Inventor: Ian Buehring
  • Patent number: 11411132
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are laser scanning systems and methods of their use. In some embodiments, laser scanning systems can be used to ablatively or non-ablatively scan a surface of a material. Some embodiments include methods of scanning a multi-layer structure. Some embodiments include translating a focus-adjust optical system so as to vary laser beam diameter. Some embodiments make use of a 20-bit laser scanning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: nLIGHT, Inc.
    Inventor: Ken Gross
  • Patent number: 11409098
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first aluminum silicon layer on a metal layer and forming a titanium nitride layer (or other titanium-based layer) on a surface of the aluminum-silicon layer opposite the metal layer. The method further includes etching the titanium nitride layer to create a titanium nitride pad and forming a torsion hinge in the metal layer. The titanium nitride pad is on the torsion hinge. The method also includes depositing a sacrificial layer over the torsion hinge and titanium nitride pad, forming a via in the sacrificial layer from a surface of the sacrificial layer opposite the torsion hinge to the titanium nitride pad, depositing a metal mirror layer on a surface of the sacrificial layer opposite the torsion hinge and into the via, and removing the sacrificial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Lucius M. Sherwin, Jesse Yuan, Noppawan Boorananut
  • Patent number: 11402626
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a deflection unit (10) having an optical element (20), which partly reflects a first wavelength and which partly transmits a different, second wavelength. The deflection unit defines an operating beam path traversed by the operating beam (14) from a first window (12) to a second window (24) via a reflection at the optical element (20). The deflection unit comprises an XY-deflection device (22), which is arranged in the operating beam path in order to scan the operating beam that has emerged, a focusing device (16) for focusing the operating beam (14), wherein the focusing device has a variable focal length and is arranged in the operating beam path between the first window (12) and the optical element (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: RAYLASE GmbH
    Inventors: Carl Boehmer, Wolfgang Lehmann, Christian Schiefen, Philipp Schoen
  • Patent number: 11402605
    Abstract: A scanning mirror for a laser scanning system includes a central axis, a mirror body, and a mirror surface on a front face of the mirror body. A first recess group is provided and includes a plurality of first recesses formed in the mirror body and arranged on a side of and spaced from the central axis as viewed from a back of the scanning mirror. A balancing mass is accommodated by the first recess group and includes at least one balancing body seated in at least one of the first recesses for balancing the scanning mirror. Each of the first recesses includes at least one radial stop against which the balancing body rests such that the balancing body is held in the first recess at a constant distance from the central axis. A method is also provided for balancing the scanning mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Scanlab GmbH
    Inventors: Mathias Strackharn, Manuel Winkler
  • Patent number: 11402627
    Abstract: A laser projection system for projecting laser image onto a work surface providing optimized laser energy includes laser source and an electronic circuit for modulating an output power level. A galvanometer assembly includes a scanning mirror operated a mirror control circuit for redirecting the laser beam onto the work surface along a scanning path for generating the laser image. The galvanometer assembly is electronically connected to the electronic circuit for signaling an angular velocity of the scanning mirror to the electronic circuit. A controller includes a scanning path input module for generating a simulation of the angular velocity of the scanning mirror along the scanning path for estimating a concentration of laser energy along areas of the scanning path of the laser beam. The electronic circuit modulates energy concentration of the laser beam in response to the estimated concentration of laser energy and the angular velocity of the scanning mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: VIRTEK VISION INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Kurt D. Rueb
  • Patent number: 11391941
    Abstract: An illustrative example device for steering radiation includes an optic component including a plurality of concave surfaces on at least one side of the optic component, a plurality of radiation sources respectively aligned with the plurality of concave surfaces, and at least one actuator that selectively moves the optic component relative to the plurality of light sources to selectively change a direction of respective beams of radiation passing through the plurality of concave surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Yew Kwang Low, Kok Wee Yeo, Chee Keng Yeo
  • Patent number: 11391913
    Abstract: An optical device can deal with a relative difference in thermal expansion coefficient between a reflecting mirror and a mirror supporting member, and can also support the reflecting mirror with a simpler structure than the conventional one. The optical device includes: a reflecting mirror including a reflecting surface to reflect light, and a supported portion disposed on a rear surface and having three supported surfaces arranged with rotational symmetry of 120 degrees around an optical axis, the rear surface being a surface of the reflecting mirror existing on the contrary side to the reflecting surface; a structural member provided on a rear side of reflecting mirror; and three supporting members, each of the three supporting members including a mirror supporting portion connected to and supporting each of the three supported surfaces, and having two ends connected to the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoya Hattori, Noboru Kawaguchi, Toshitaka Nakaoji, Atsumu Oikawa
  • Patent number: 11385455
    Abstract: An optical module includes a mirror unit having a movable mirror portion, a magnet portion configured to generate a magnetic field acting on the movable mirror portion, and a package accommodating the magnet portion. The magnet portion has a Halbach structure including a first magnet applied with a force in a first direction, and a second magnet applied with a force in a second direction. The package has a bottom walls portion, a side wall portion, and a restriction portion configured to restrict movement of the second magnet in the second direction. The movable mirror portion is disposed in a space formed by the restriction portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Daiki Suzuki, Shinya Iwashina, Yuki Morinaga
  • Patent number: 11385456
    Abstract: A device and method for pivotally positioning a moveable member, wherein a magnetically conductive base member is arranged opposite the magnetically conductive moveable member with a gap provided therebetween. A first magnet is arranged for providing a first magnetic flux through the base member and the moveable member such as to provide at least two first magnetic closed flux paths. A second electromagnet is arranged for providing a second magnetic flux through the base member and the moveable member such as to provide at least one second magnetic closed flux path. The second electromagnet is configured for changing, in one or more of the at least two first magnetic closed flux paths, a resulting magnetic flux provided by the first magnetic flux and the second magnetic flux such as to pivot the moveable member by means of the pivot member. The moveable member is pivotally suspended using a flexural pivot member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek TNO
    Inventor: Stefan Kuiper
  • Patent number: 11385454
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a micromachined mirror assembly. The micromachined mirror assembly includes a micro mirror, a first suspended beam, a second suspended beam, a first actuator, and a second actuator. The micro mirror is configured to tilt around an axis. The first suspended beam and second suspended beam each is mechanically coupled to the micro mirror along the axis. The first actuator is mechanically coupled to the first suspended beam and configured to apply a first torsional stress around the axis to the first suspended beam. The second actuator is mechanically coupled to the second suspended beam and configured to apply a second torsional stress around the axis to the second suspended beam. the first torsional stress and second torsional stress have a magnitude difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: BEIJING VOYAGER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sae Won Lee, Youmin Wang, Qin Zhou
  • Patent number: 11372334
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a method that includes filling a cavity in a substrate with a second material, wherein the substrate includes a first material. The method also includes using galvanic and/or chemical deposition of a third material to apply an overcoating to a first surface of the substrate in a region of the cavity. The method further includes removing the second material from the cavity. In addition, the method includes, before or after removing the second material from the cavity, applying a reflective layer to the overcoating. The disclosure also provides related optical articles and systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Bauer, Ulrich Bingel, Willi Anderl
  • Patent number: 11372240
    Abstract: A mirror unit includes an optical scanning device, a frame member, and a window member. The frame member includes first and second wall portions facing each other in an X-axis direction. The first wall portion is higher than the second wall portion. The window member is disposed on a top surface of the first wall portion and a top surface of the second wall portion and is inclined with respect to a mirror surface of the optical scanning device. In a cross-section parallel to the X-axis direction, the first wall portion is separated from a first line passing through a first end at a side of the first wall portion in the mirror surface and a first corner portion formed at the side of the first wall portion by an outer surface opposite to the frame member and a first side surface in the window member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Daiki Suzuki, Tomoyuki Ide, Yuki Morinaga
  • Patent number: 11372238
    Abstract: In a mirror unit, a first wall portion is higher than a second wall portion. A window member is disposed on a top surface of the first wall portion and a top surface of the second wall portion and is inclined with respect to a mirror surface. When any one of first to fourth wall portions is set as a first reference wall portion, in a cross-section perpendicular to the first reference wall portion, a first line passing through a first end at a side of the first reference wall portion in the mirror surface and a first corner portion formed at the side of the first reference wall portion by an outer surface and a first side surface in the window member intersects the first wall portion. A wiring portion includes a portion extending inside a base and leads outside a frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Daiki Suzuki, Tomoyuki Ide, Yuki Morinaga
  • Patent number: 11366278
    Abstract: An optical member driving mechanism is provided, including a movable portion, a fixed portion, a driving assembly, a light emitter, and a light receiver. The driving assembly is configured to drive the movable portion to move relative to the fixed portion. The light emitter emits light toward an object, and the light receiver receives the light reflected by the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventors: Chao-Chang Hu, Mao-Kuo Hsu, Kai-Jing Fu
  • Patent number: 11366309
    Abstract: A scanning projector display includes a plurality of light engines coupled to a MEMS scanner. Each light engine includes a light source subassembly for providing a diverging light beam optically coupled to a collimator for collimating the diverging light beam. In operation, the collimated light beams of the plurality of light engines impinge onto the tiltable reflector at different angles of incidence. A controller may be operably coupled to the light source subassembly of each light engine of the plurality of light engines and the MEMS scanner for tilting the tiltable reflector of the MEMS scanner. The controller is configured to energize the light source of each light engine in coordination with tilting the tiltable reflector for displaying the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: FACEBOOK TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen James McNally, Chadwick Brian Martin
  • Patent number: 11353716
    Abstract: A scanning-type display device includes: a light source which emits projection-display laser light; a condensing unit which condenses the laser light emitted from the light source; an optical scanning unit which uses the laser light passing through the condensing unit in scanning; and a light diffusion unit which includes a plurality of light diffusion channels arranged in two dimensions and diffuses the laser light scanned by the optical scanning unit. When a wavelength of the laser light is denoted by ?, an effective opening diameter of the optical scanning unit is denoted by M, a distance from the optical scanning unit to the light diffusion unit is denoted by L, and an arrangement pitch of the plurality of light diffusion channels is denoted by P, the light diffusion unit is configured so that the arrangement pitch becomes a value set on the basis of P?(4?L)/(?M).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventor: Shinya Iwashina