Patents Examined by Jennifer D. Carruth
  • Patent number: 11333880
    Abstract: A coaxial-macro-scanner-system, including a light-source, a light-detector, and a rotatable-mirror-system to optically isolate an optical-path between the light-source and light-detector, the rotatable-mirror-system emitting a transmitting-light-beam, generated by the light-source, with a first-mirror in a predefined-plane into an environment, and to receive a receiving-light-beam, representing components of the transmitting-light-beam reflected/dispersed by the environment, with a second-mirror in the same-plane and to reflect it onto the light-detector, both the first-mirror, the second-mirror and an axis of rotation about which the second-mirror is rotated being aligned at a right-angle to the predefined-plane, the first-mirror being aligned at a right-angle to the predefined-plane and being in a region of the rotation-axis of the second-mirror so that the first-mirror and the second-mirror rotate about the common-rotation-axis, and an angle under which the first-mirror and the second-mirror are disposed r
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Annemarie Holleczek, Tobias Peterseim
  • Patent number: 11327296
    Abstract: A light deflector includes a reflector having a reflection plane, a pair of movable parts that support the reflector, a supporting unit configured to support the pair of movable parts, a piezoelectric drive circuit provided for the pair of movable parts, the piezoelectric drive circuit being configured to drive the reflector in response to waveform of driving voltage, and circuitry configured to output two different driving voltages to the piezoelectric drive circuit. Each one of the two different driving voltages has waveform, and the waveform of each one of the two different driving voltages includes, in one cycle, a step-up period where voltage increases, a step-down period where voltage decreases, a first constant-voltage period where voltage is constant after the step-up period and before the step-down period, and a second constant-voltage period where voltage is constant before the step-up period and after the step-down period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akitoshi Mochida
  • Patent number: 11320785
    Abstract: A holographic optical element and a manufacturing method thereof, an image reconstruction method, and augmented reality glasses are disclosed. The holographic optical element includes a substrate, and a recording material layer in which at least two groups of interference fringes are recorded; each group includes a first interference fringe formed by a first signal light and a first reference light respectively incident from opposite sides of the recording material layer, and a second interference fringe formed by a second signal light and a second reference light respectively incident from opposite sides of the recording material layer; the second signal light passes through a lens before incidence; incident angles of the first signal light and the second reference light are equal; incident directions of the first signal light corresponding to respective groups are different, and focal lengths of the lenses are not equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignees: BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hongshu Zhang, Hebin Zhao, Yun Qiu, Dan Wang
  • Patent number: 11320784
    Abstract: Provided are methods of processing a holographic image and apparatuses using the methods. A method includes obtaining image data with respect to a three-dimensional (3D) object, obtaining interference patterns in a computer-generated hologram (CGH) plane by performing a Fourier transform on the image data, and generating a CGH with respect to the 3D object based on the interference patterns, wherein the Fourier transform is performed based on a focal length of an eye lens of an observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.. LTD.
    Inventors: Young Kim, Wontaek Seo, Jungkwuen An, Kanghee Won, Hongseok Lee, Hoon Song, Chilsung Choi
  • Patent number: 11314079
    Abstract: Provided is an optical deflector that detects an arbitrary deflection angle of a mirror part while avoiding the increase in the length of an optical sensor for detection of the deflection angle. An optical deflector 3 comprises: a mirror part 30 that has a flat reflection surface 38 and a grooved reflection surface 39, each of the flat reflection surface 38 and the grooved reflection surface 39 reflecting an incident light; and an actuator 32a to 32d that reciprocally turns the mirror part 30 about a rotation axis 36. The grooved reflection surface 39 has a plurality of longitudinal grooves 41 that extends parallel to the rotation axis 36. Each longitudinal groove 41 has a facing inclination surface 42a, 42b that is parallel to the rotation axis 36 and that has at least an opening-side portion of a facing inclination surface of a V-groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mamoru Miyachi
  • Patent number: 11307534
    Abstract: There is provided a holographic projection system arranged to project light to a rectangular replay field. The holographic projection system comprises: a spatial light modulator, comprising an array of pixels, arranged to receive a computer-generated hologram and output spatially-modulated light forming a holographic reconstruction at the rectangular replay field, wherein each pixel is rectangular; and a light source arranged to illuminate the plurality of pixels to form the spatially-modulated light forming a holographic reconstruction at the replay field, wherein the rectangular replay field is spatially separated from the spatial light modulator and the aspect ratio of the rectangular replay field is substantially equal to the aspect ratio of each pixel but orthogonally orientated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: DUALITAS LTD
    Inventor: Jamieson Christmas
  • Patent number: 11307405
    Abstract: This invention is provided with: a light source; a light scanning mirror; a measurement mechanism for measuring a change in the intensity of light reflected from an eyeball as time elapses through the scanning of at least a surface of the pupil with a light beam by means of the light scanning mirror; a sampling mechanism for sampling the intensity of light reflected from the pupil from the measured change in the intensity of the reflected light as time elapses; and a mechanism for detecting the size and the position of the pupil by synchronizing the sampled intensity of light reflected from the pupil, and the scanning time during which the surface of the eyeball is scanned; and an image generating mechanism for forming an image on the retina of the eyeball by projecting a light beam for generating an image onto the pupil in the detected position while scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF FUKUI
    Inventors: Toshio Katsuyama, Shoji Yamada
  • Patent number: 11300779
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a compact beam scanner assembly that includes an ellipsoidal reimaging mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: AEYE, INC.
    Inventors: Luis Carlos Dussan, David R. Demmer, John Stockton, Allan Steinhardt, David Cook
  • Patent number: 11300778
    Abstract: A MEMS device includes a body pivoting around a pivot axis, a support, and a suspension structure mechanically coupling the body to the support. The suspension structure includes a torsion element defining the pivot axis, and first and second spring elements extending with an angle relative to the pivot axis on opposing sides of the torsion element so that a distance between at least portions of the first and second spring elements is changing in the direction of the pivot axis. The extension of the first and second spring elements in the direction of the pivot axis is larger than the extension of the torsion element in the direction of the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventors: Stephan Gerhard Albert, Franz Michael Darrer, Marcus Edward Hennecke, Hendrikus Van Lierop
  • Patent number: 11300780
    Abstract: A scanning optical device includes a scanning lens, a deflector, and a frame configured to support the scanning lens and the deflector. The deflector includes a substrate, a motor fixed to the substrate, and a polygonal mirror rotary driven by the motor. The scanning lens is arranged such that a longitudinal direction thereof is oriented in a main scanning direction of the deflector. The frame includes a supporting part configured to support the scanning lens. The supporting part is located such that the substrate and at least a portion of the supporting part overlap when viewed in a rotation axis direction of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Hayakawa, Hitoshi Fujino, Yoshifumi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11294178
    Abstract: A transparent holographic diffuser screen that diffracts the light beams of a digital light projector, which focuses a real image in the plane of the aforementioned transparent holographic diffuser screen, which redirects the light to an eyebox at a pre-determined viewing position generating as a set of diffracted diffused beams that can be seen from the eyebox as a flat in-plane image. The transparent holographic diffuser screen may be used to provide either a highest luminance or a largest eyebox. Potential applications include use for automotive applications, which may include applications for displaying videos, playing games, and video conference apps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: LUMINIT LLC
    Inventors: Fedor Dimov, Maung Myo Kyaw, John Trung Tran, Angela Liu
  • Patent number: 11280942
    Abstract: An exposed-lens retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements comprise at least one color layer comprising a bi-layer structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Daniel J. Schmidt, Matthew S. Stay, Michael A. McCoy, Kui Chen-Ho, Richard S. Buckanin
  • Patent number: 11280941
    Abstract: A retroreflective sheet includes: a retroreflective layer (20) including a plurality of retroreflective elements (24) on one surface; a back face layer (40) provided to face the surface of the retroreflective layer (20) on the side of the retroreflective elements (24) and including a bonding portion (42) bonded to the retroreflective elements (24); and a plurality of particles (30) disposed between the retroreflective elements (24) and the back face layer (40). The bonding portion (42) is continuously formed to surround a plurality of capsule portions (46) in plan view. Voids (32) are formed between the retroreflective elements (24) and the back face layer (40) in the plurality of capsule portions (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: NIPPON CARBIDE INDUSTRIES CO., INC.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Shiomi, Chenyang Jiang
  • Patent number: 11281007
    Abstract: A display device according to the present invention includes, along an optical path of image light emitted from an image light generating device, a first optical unit having positive power, a second optical unit having positive power and including a first diffraction element of a reflective type, a third optical unit having positive power, and a fourth optical unit having positive power and including a second diffraction element of a reflective type. The second optical unit includes a first light-transmitting member having optical power and provided at a first surface of the first diffraction element, and a light shielding member provided at a second surface of the first diffraction element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsutaka Ide, Toshiyuki Noguchi
  • Patent number: 11282540
    Abstract: There are provided holographic optical elements (HOEs) and methods of making the same. An example of such methods includes recording a first hologram in a contiguous holographic recording medium of the HOE. The first hologram may receive a beam of light and direct at least a portion of the beam into a light guide to form an incoupled beam. The method also includes recording a second hologram in the contiguous holographic recording medium. The second hologram may receive at least a portion of the incoupled beam and direct the portion of the incoupled beam out of the light guide to form an outcoupled beam. In addition, the method includes affixing the holographic recording medium to the light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Shreyas Potnis, Jackie Lynn Mills, Timothy Paul Bodiya
  • Patent number: 11275236
    Abstract: An adjusting device includes a base body, at least two drive elements, and a movable platform. Each of the drive elements abuts against a lever transmission device to perform a defined adjustment motion relative to the base body as a tilting motion about an axis through the platform and/or a translational motion parallel to an axis perpendicular to a platform plane. Joint elements allow for a tilting motion of the platform solely about the tilting axis. A spring element counteracts a parasitic translational motion in the platform plane and/or a parasitic rotatory motion of the platform about an axis of rotation arranged perpendicular to the platform plane due to the adjustment motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: PHYSIK INSTRUMENTE (PI) GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Mathuni, Arne Bramigk, Harry Marth, Daniela Troll
  • Patent number: 11269192
    Abstract: A deflection optical element, which diffracts incident light, includes a substrate having translucency, and a holographic material layer disposed so as to overlap the substrate, the holographic material layer being formed with a diffraction grating composed of interference fringes, wherein the holographic material layer is formed with an alignment mark where the interference fringes are discontinuous, and the alignment mark is located in an optically effective area where the holographic material layer diffracts the incident light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Saito
  • Patent number: 11262575
    Abstract: Methods and systems for using a dual sided MEMS mirror for determining a direction of steered light are disclosed. In one example a MEMS package includes a substrate defining an aperture and a dual sided MEMS mirror is positioned over the aperture. A first surface of the MEMS mirror is used to steer a LiDAR beam that is used to perform LiDAR imaging of an area of interest. As the mirror is moved, a second surface of the mirror reflects a sensing beam onto a detector array. Data from the detector array is used to determine an orientation of the mirror which can then be used to determine a direction of the steered LiDAR beam. The MEMS package can form an enclosure for the MEMS mirror that includes a first and a second transparent window attached to two opposing surfaces of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Beijing Voyager Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sae Won Lee, Youmin Wang, Qin Zhou
  • Patent number: 11262527
    Abstract: An optical element driving mechanism is provided, including a fixed part, a movable part and a driving assembly. The fixed part has a main axis, includes an outer frame and a base. The outer frame has a top surface and a sidewall. The top surface intersects the main axis. The sidewall extends from the edge of the top surface along the main axis. The base includes a base plate intersecting the main axis and securely connected to the outer frame. The movable part moves relative to the fixed part, and connects to an optical element having an optical axis. The driving assembly drives the movable part to move relative to the fixed part. The main axis is not parallel to the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventor: Yung-Ping Yang
  • Patent number: 11253933
    Abstract: A new technique for making cube corner elements that involves end milling is used in the fabrication of cube corner elements having non-orthogonal dihedral angles and dihedral angle errors, and arrays of such cube corner elements. A given optical face of a cube corner element may be a compound face with two constituent faces. In some cases, the constituent faces may be parallel and coplanar such that a given dihedral angle error pertains to the entire optical face, while in other cases, the two constituent faces may not be parallel, and may be associated with different dihedral angle errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Nelson D. Sewall, Christopher S. Grinde, Todd A. Ballen, Kenneth L. Smith