Patents by Inventor Allen H. Tanner
Allen H. Tanner has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7891818Abstract: A projection system that includes a singe light modulation device and a plurality of light sources of different wavelengths. Each wavelength of light is incident on the light modulation device at a spatially distinct location and a temporally distinct time. The use of a scanning mirror allows the projection system to sequentially form, in full-color, each of the columns or rows of an image. The projection system is characterized by the reduction of color separation or the rainbow effect due to the rendering of each column or row in full color.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2007Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer CorporationInventors: Robert R. Christensen, Bret D. Winkler, Dennis Elkins, Allen H. Tanner
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Publication number: 20090028195Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for converting a frequency of a coherent light source. A birefringent nonlinear material is cut at an angle for critical phase matching to form a rectangular parallelepiped biased nonlinear crystal. The nonlinear crystal cut at a biased angle can be placed at an angle in a coherent light beam to enable the beam to be directed through the crystal over a substantially optimal phase matching path while minimizing back reflection of the coherent light beam to the coherent light source.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2008Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicant: EVANS & SUTHERLAND COMPUTER CORPORATIONInventors: Yuri S. Grapov, Tatyana Chernysheva, Allen H. Tanner
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Publication number: 20090002644Abstract: An invisible scanning safety system for use with laser projection systems that includes sensors monitoring less than the entire laser accessible region such that the region monitored is reduced to almost the absolute minimum, to thereby prevent unwarranted stoppages or disturbances in projection. The system may also monitor a 360 degree region around the lens of the laser projector, a wedge-shaped region, a pyramid-shaped region or a chimney-shaped region.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2008Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: EVANS & SUTHERLAND COMPUTER CORPORATIONInventors: Robert R. Christensen, Bret D. Winkler, Allen H. Tanner, Jeffery J. Waite, Dennis F. Elkins, Michael J. McMahon, Forrest L. Williams
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Publication number: 20080212035Abstract: A projection system that includes a singe light modulation device and a plurality of light sources of different wavelengths. Each wavelength of light is incident on the light modulation device at a spatially distinct location and a temporally distinct time. The use of a scanning mirror allows the projection system to sequentially form, in full-color, each of the columns or rows of an image. The projection system is characterized by the reduction of color separation or the rainbow effect due to the rendering of each column or row in full color.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2007Publication date: September 4, 2008Inventors: Robert R. Christensen, Bret D. Winkler, Dennis Elkins, Allen H. Tanner
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Patent number: 7420177Abstract: A system and method for generating a high-resolution image using a scanned-column projector is disclosed. The method includes the operation of generating a time-varying line image. A further operation includes collimating the time-varying line image in at least one plane. An additional operation involves scanning the collimated time-varying line image using a scan mirror. A further operation includes projecting the scanned collimated time-varying line image onto a surface. The scanned collimated time-varying line image is projected with at least one imaging element.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2006Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer CorporationInventors: Forrest Williams, Robert R. Christensen, Allen H. Tanner
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Patent number: 7400449Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for reducing visibility of image artifacts caused by diffractive elements in a laser projector having a structured diffractive device. At least two diffracted orders of light can be selected from light emitted from the structured diffractive device using a spatial light filter. The polarization of at least one of the selected diffracted orders can be changed with respect to another selected diffracted order. The selected diffracted order can be recombined to form an image having reduced visible image artifacts.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer CorporationInventors: Robert R. Christensen, Forrest L. Williams, Allen H. Tanner
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Publication number: 20080080054Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for reducing visibility of image artifacts caused by diffractive elements in a laser projector having a structured diffractive device. At least two diffracted orders of light can be selected from light emitted from the structured diffractive device using a spatial light filter. The polarization of at least one of the selected diffracted orders can be changed with respect to another selected diffracted order. The selected diffracted order can be recombined to form an image having reduced visible image artifacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2006Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: Robert R. Christensen, Forrest L. Williams, Allen H. Tanner
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Publication number: 20080055618Abstract: A system and method for correcting pixel intensities for output on a video display is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the operation of generating an interpolation table having a plurality of interpolation segment endpoints spaced over a transfer function correction curve. The plurality of interpolation segment end points are distributed logarithmically over the transfer function correction curve to increase a number of correction points along a curved portion of the transfer function correction curve without substantially increasing a total number of correction points over the entire curve. Correction values for a graphic display can be determined by interpolating between the logarithmically distributed interpolation segment endpoints.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2006Publication date: March 6, 2008Inventors: Calvin L. Simmons, Tom P. Skowyra, Bret D. Winkler, Cameron Farmer, Allen H. Tanner
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Patent number: 7334902Abstract: A wide angle display system includes a linear array projector, a curved display surface, and an n-sides scanning mirror. The projector is configured to project an image along an optical axis to the scanning mirror. The scanning mirror continuously rotates about a rotational axis at a speed 1/n the refresh rate, so as to reflect and scan the image onto the display surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2005Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer CorporationInventors: Harry Streid, Robert R. Christensen, Allen H. Tanner
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Patent number: 7327909Abstract: A tunable fiber optic component providing environmental isolation, thermal tuning, and mechanical tuning and a method of tuning a fiber optic component using application of substantially simultaneous varying of temperature and mechanical strain is disclosed. A method of using a tunable fiber optic component, for example, a distributed feedback fiber laser, to compensate variations in an optical system, and a method of making a tunable fiber optic component are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2006Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer CorporationInventors: David Marceau, Dennis F. Elkins, Forrest L. Williams, Allen H. Tanner
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Patent number: 7215840Abstract: A tunable fiber optic component providing environmental isolation, thermal tuning, and mechanical tuning and a method of tuning a fiber optic component using application of substantially simultaneous varying of temperature and mechanical strain is disclosed. A method of using a tunable fiber optic component, for example, a distributed feedback fiber laser, to compensate variations in an optical system, and a method of making a tunable fiber optic component are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2006Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer CorporationInventors: David Marceau, Dennis F. Elkins, Forrest L. Williams, Allen H. Tanner
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Patent number: 7197200Abstract: A tunable fiber optic component providing environmental isolation, thermal tuning, and mechanical tuning and a method of tuning a fiber optic component using application of substantially simultaneous varying of temperature and mechanical strain is disclosed. A method of using a tunable fiber optic component, for example, a distributed feedback fiber laser, to compensate variations in an optical system, and a method of making a tunable fiber optic component are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2006Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer CorporationInventors: David Marceau, Dennis F. Elkins, Forrest L. Williams, Allen H. Tanner
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Patent number: 7193765Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for reducing laser speckle and interference patterns in a laser projector display when using a laser projector having a spatial light modulator (SLM) with a defined pixel rate. The method can include the operation of polarizing a laser output of a continuous wave laser such that the laser output is s-polarized with respect to a beam combiner. The s-polarized laser output can be divided into a first laser beam and a second laser beam. A phase of the second laser beam can be modulated with an amplitude sufficient to create a phase delay of approximately half a wavelength of the laser output and at a frequency at least twice that of the SLM's pixel rate.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2005Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer CorporationInventors: Robert R. Christensen, Forrest L. Williams, Allen H. Tanner
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Patent number: 7133583Abstract: A tunable fiber optic component providing environmental isolation, thermal tuning, and mechanical tuning and a method of tuning a fiber optic component using application of substantially simultaneous varying of temperature and mechanical strain is disclosed. A method of using a tunable fiber optic component, for example, a distributed feedback fiber laser, to compensate variations in an optical system, and a method of making a tunable fiber optic component are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2006Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer CorporationInventors: David Marceau, Dennis F. Elkins, Forrest L. Williams, Allen H. Tanner
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Patent number: 7113320Abstract: A communications transmitter is disclosed that utilizes a grating light valve (GLV) to impose information on an optical signal. The communications transmitter further includes at least one laser light source, a frequency dispersing device, an electrostatic modulator that serves as a GLV, and at least one data input source. The laser light source is configured to produce a light beam having a specific optical bandwidth and the frequency dispersing device is optically coupled to the light source and configured to disperse the light beam to produce a frequency dispersed light. The electrostatic modulator includes an electrostatically responsive reflective ribbon oriented to receive a portion of the frequency dispersed light having a specified bandwidth.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2003Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer CorporationInventor: Allen H. Tanner
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Patent number: 7110624Abstract: A tunable fiber optic component providing environmental isolation, thermal tuning, and mechanical tuning and a method of tuning a fiber optic component using application of substantially simultaneous varying of temperature and mechanical strain is disclosed. A method of using a tunable fiber optic component, for example, a distributed feedback fiber laser, to compensate variations in an optical system, and a method of making a tunable fiber optic component are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2004Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer CorporationInventors: Forrest L. Williams, Allen H. Tanner, David Marceau, Dennis F. Elkins
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Patent number: 7012669Abstract: A panoramic display system includes a curved projection screen, a panoramic projector, and a substantially conically shaped barrier. The projector is configured to project an image onto the projection screen from a projection point located substantially above the projection screen. The conical barrier has a base disposed toward the bottom of the projection screen, and an apex region disposed toward the projection point. The barrier blocks scattered light from reflecting from portions of the curved screen to other portions thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2004Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer CorporationInventors: Harry Streid, Rob Christensen, Allen H. Tanner
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Patent number: 6871958Abstract: A wide angle display system includes a linear array projector, a curved display surface, and a two-sided, substantially planar scanning mirror. The projector is configured to project an image along an optical axis to the scanning mirror. The scanning mirror continuously rotates about an axis substantially in the plane of the mirror, so as to reflect and scan the image onto the display surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2003Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer CorporationInventors: Harry Streid, Rob Christensen, Allen H. Tanner
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Patent number: 6856449Abstract: A microscopic optical structure controller for providing singular control of individual microscopic optical structures of a microelectromechanical optical device by a multiplexed stream of individual pixel values generated by a pixel value source. The microscopic optical structure controller includes at least one interconnect coupled to the pixel value source for receiving the multiplexed stream of individual pixel values and at least one mapper communicating with the interconnect for extracting individual pixel values from the multiplexed stream and applying the individual pixel values to one or more individual microscopic optical structures according to a configurable mapping. A method and a driver for providing singular control of individual microscopic optical structures of a microelectromechanical optical device are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2003Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer CorporationInventors: Bret D. Winkler, Dennis F. Elkins, Allen H. Tanner
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Publication number: 20040179766Abstract: A tunable fiber optic component providing environmental isolation, thermal tuning, and mechanical tuning and a method of tuning a fiber optic component using application of substantially simultaneous varying of temperature and mechanical strain is disclosed. A method of using a tunable fiber optic component, for example, a distributed feedback fiber laser, to compensate variations in an optical system, and a method of making a tunable fiber optic component are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2004Publication date: September 16, 2004Inventors: Forrest L. Williams, Allen H. Tanner, David Marceau, Dennis F. Elkins