Patents by Inventor Brian E. Kruschwitz

Brian E. Kruschwitz 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).

  • Patent number: 7119936
    Abstract: A display system (10) with reduced speckle has a light source (70) providing an illumination beam and a linear light modulator (85) having at least one linear array of light modulating devices for forming a modulated beam. The modulated beam has a plurality of orders of diffracted light. An obstructing element (82r,82g,82b) blocks a zeroeth order reflected light from the modulated beam. An angle-transforming optical assembly (30) anamorphically conditions the modulated beam. A scanning element (77) scans the modulated beam toward a display surface (90) for forming a two-dimensional image thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Marek W. Kowarz, Farouk H. Bonilla, Brian E. Kruschwitz, James G. Phalen
  • Patent number: 7065115
    Abstract: A thin-film organic laser, that includes: a substrate; a bottom mirror provided on the substrate; at least one active region deposited on the bottom mirror, wherein the at least one active region includes organic gain material; an external mirror provided at a predetermined distance from the at least one active region such that the bottom mirror combined with the external mirror forms a laser resonator; and an optical pumping means for exciting the organic gain material to produce a laser beam with a wavelength ? and at least one lateral laser mode in the laser resonator and an output of laser light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Brian E. Kruschwitz, Francisco J. Duarte, Andrew F. Kurtz, John P. Spoonhower
  • Patent number: 7046446
    Abstract: A method for displaying an image including: forming at least three light beams by diffraction at a single linear light modulator, wherein the at least three light beams have substantially equal intensity and are substantially the same color; projecting the at least three light beams toward a display surface to form an image line; and, scanning the image line across the display surface to form an image thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Marek W. Kowarz, Farouk H. Bonilla, Brian E. Kruschwitz, James G. Phalen
  • Patent number: 6970488
    Abstract: A system for mechanically tuning optical wavelengths emitted from an organic laser cavity device, that includes: a multi-layered film structure, wherein the multi-layered film structure is pumped by an incoherent source of photons; and a micro-electromechanical mirror assembly proximate to the multi-layered film structure, wherein the micro-electromechanical mirror assembly varies the cavity length of the organic laser cavity device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John P. Spoonhower, John A. Agostinelli, Brian E. Kruschwitz, Keith B. Kahen, John A. Lebens
  • Patent number: 6950454
    Abstract: An electronic imaging system for providing a viewable color image from an image data stream, including: a plurality of different colored laser light sources arranged in an at least one array with each such colored laser light source including a vertical cavity design; at least one area light valve for receiving the laser light and producing the viewable color image from the image data stream; and a projection lens for projecting the viewable color image onto a target plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Brian E. Kruschwitz, Keith B. Kahen, Andrew F. Kurtz, John P. Spoonhower
  • Patent number: 6947459
    Abstract: An organic vertical cavity laser light producing device (10) comprises a substrate (20). A plurality of laser emitters (200) emits laser light in a direction orthogonal to the substrate. Each laser emitter within the plurality of laser emitters has a first lateral mode structure in a first axis orthogonal to the laser light direction and has a second lateral mode structure in a second axis orthogonal to both the laser light direction and the first axis. Each laser emitter comprises a first mirror provided on a top surface of the substrate (20) and is reflective to light over a predetermined range of wavelengths. An organic active region (40) produces laser light (350). A second mirror is provided above the organic active region and is reflective to light over a predetermined range of wavelengths. A pumping means excites the plurality of laser emitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Andrew F. Kurtz, Marek W. Kowarz, Brian E. Kruschwitz, Keith B. Kahen
  • Publication number: 20040264528
    Abstract: A thin-film organic laser, that includes: a substrate; a bottom mirror provided on the substrate; at least one active region deposited on the bottom mirror, wherein the at least one active region includes organic gain material; an external mirror provided at a predetermined distance from the at least one active region such that the bottom mirror combined with the external mirror forms a laser resonator; and an optical pumping means for exciting the organic gain material to produce a laser beam with a wavelength &lgr; and at least one lateral laser mode in the laser resonator and an output of laser light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Brian E. Kruschwitz, Francisco J. Duarte, Andrew F. Kurtz, John P. Spoonhower
  • Publication number: 20040190573
    Abstract: An electronic imaging system for providing a view able color image from an image data stream, including: a plurality of different colored laser light sources arranged in an at least one array with each such colored laser light source including a vertical cavity design; at least one area light valve for receiving the laser light and producing the view able color image from the image data stream; and a projection lens for projecting the view able color image onto a target plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Brian E. Kruschwitz, Keith B. Kahen, Andrew F Kurtz, John P. Spoonhower
  • Patent number: 6750998
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical grating device including: a base having a surface; a bottom conductive layer provided above said base; a spacer layer is provided and a longitudinal channel is formed in said spacer layer, wherein said spacer layer defines an upper surface and the channel having a first and a second opposing side wall and a bottom; a plurality of spaced apart ribbon elements disposed parallel to each other and spanning the channel, said ribbon elements are fixed to the upper surface of the spacer layer on each side of the channel and each of the ribbon elements is provided with a conductive layer; a mechanical stop provided between the bottom conductive layer and the bottom of the channel wherein the mechanical stop forms a rigid barrier that is separated from a lower ribbon surface of the ribbon elements by a distance h0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Brian E. Kruschwitz, John C. Brazas
  • Publication number: 20040101008
    Abstract: An organic vertical cavity laser light producing device (10) comprises a substrate (20). A plurality of laser emitters (200) emits laser light in a direction orthogonal to the substrate. Each laser emitter within the plurality of laser emitters has a first lateral mode structure in a first axis orthogonal to the laser light direction and has a second lateral mode structure in a second axis orthogonal to both the laser light direction and the first axis. Each laser emitter comprises a first mirror provided on a top surface of the substrate (20) and is reflective to light over a predetermined range of wavelengths. An organic active region (40) produces laser light (350). A second mirror is provided above the organic active region and is reflective to light over a predetermined range of wavelengths. A pumping means excites the plurality of laser emitters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Andrew F. Kurtz, Marek W. Kowarz, Brian E. Kruschwitz, Keith B. Kahen
  • Publication number: 20040076198
    Abstract: A system for mechanically tuning optical wavelengths emitted from an organic laser cavity device, that includes: a multi-layered film structure, wherein the multi-layered film structure is pumped by an incoherent source of photons; and a micro-electromechanical mirror assembly proximate to the multi-layered film structure, wherein the micro-electromechanical mirror assembly varies the cavity length of the organic laser cavity device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: John P. Spoonhower, John A. Agostinelli, Brian E. Kruschwitz, Keith B. Kahen, John A. Lebens
  • Publication number: 20040076204
    Abstract: A thin-film organic laser, that includes: a substrate; a bottom mirror provided on the substrate; at least one active region deposited on the bottom mirror, wherein the at least one active region includes organic gain material; an external mirror provided at a predetermined distance from the at least one active region such that the bottom mirror combined with the external mirror forms a laser resonator; and an optical pumping means for exciting the organic gain material to produce a laser beam with a wavelength &lgr; and at least one lateral laser mode in the laser resonator and an output of laser light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Brian E. Kruschwitz, Francisco J. Duarte, Andrew F. Kurtz, John P. Spoonhower
  • Patent number: 6710329
    Abstract: A light integrator produces diffuse illumination from a beam of light wherein image artifacts due to debris within the integrator are suppressed. The light integrator includes an integrator block having an elongated cylindrical light integrating cavity enclosed by end walls and a longitudinal cylindrical chamber wall having a diffusely reflecting interior surface The chamber wall includes a longitudinally extending output slit for emitting light from the cavity. A dust-free zone exists within the cavity in the shape of a sector of a circle within which contaminants cannot come to rest without producing visible artifacts, wherein the origin of the sector is located at or nearby a plane of the original. An elongated light pipe extends into the cavity through one of the end walls, where the light pipe has an input port at one end thereof for introducing the beam of light and a treatment along its length for emitting light entering its port into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Brian E. Kruschwitz
  • Patent number: 6621615
    Abstract: A light-modulating system, includes: a light source for emitting a sequence of light pulses at a period Tp; a light modulator having a variable-width switching profile with rise and fall times Tr and Tf respectively, wherein the greater of Tr and Tf is greater than Tp, the light modulator modulating the sequence of light pulses; and a controller for controlling the width of the variable-width light switching profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Brian E. Kruschwitz, Marek W. Kowarz, Reinhold Thiel
  • Patent number: 6594090
    Abstract: A display apparatus, includes a laser light source for emitting a light beam; a beam expander for expanding the light beam; a spatial light modulator; beam shaping optics for shaping the expanded laser beam to provide uniform illumination of the spatial light modulator, the beam shaping optics including a fly's eye integrator having an array of lenslets; and a moving diffuser located in the laser beam between the laser light source and the spatial light modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Brian E. Kruschwitz, Andrew F. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 6577429
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a laser light source for emitting a light beam having a coherence length; a beam expander for expanding the light beam; a spatial light modulator; beam shaping optics for shaping the expanded laser beam to provide uniform illumination of the spatial light modulator, the beam shaping optics including a fly's eye integrator having an array of lenslets; a diffuser located in the light beam between the laser light source and the beam shaping optics; an electrically controllable de-speckling modulator for modifying the temporal and spatial phase of the light beam; and a projection lens for producing an image of the spatial light modulator on a distant screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Andrew F. Kurtz, Brian E. Kruschwitz, Sujatha Ramanujan
  • Publication number: 20030058514
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical grating device including: a base having a surface; a bottom conductive layer provided above said base; a spacer layer is provided and a longitudinal channel is formed in said spacer layer, wherein said spacer layer defines an upper surface and the channel having a first and a second opposing side wall and a bottom; a plurality of spaced apart ribbon elements disposed parallel to each other and spanning the channel, said ribbon elements are fixed to the upper surface of the spacer layer on each side of the channel and each of the ribbon elements is provided with a conductive layer; a mechanical stop provided between the bottom conductive layer and the bottom of the channel wherein the mechanical stop forms a rigid barrier that is separated from a lower ribbon surface of the ribbon elements by a distance h0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Brian E. Kruschwitz, John C. Brazas
  • Publication number: 20030039036
    Abstract: A display apparatus, includes a laser light source for emitting a light beam; a beam expander for expanding the light beam; a spatial light modulator; beam shaping optics for shaping the expanded laser beam to provide uniform illumination of the spatial light modulator, the beam shaping optics including a fly's eye integrator having an array of lenslets; and a moving diffuser located in the laser beam between the laser light source and the spatial light modulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Applicant: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Brian E. Kruschwitz, Andrew F. Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20030021002
    Abstract: A light-modulating system, includes: a light source for emitting a sequence of light pulses at a period Tp; a light modulator having a variable-width switching profile with rise and fall times Tr and Tf respectively, wherein the greater of Tr and Tf is greater than Tp, the light modulator modulating the sequence of light pulses; and a controller for controlling the width of the variable-width light switching profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Brian E. Kruschwitz, Marek W. Kowarz, Reinhold Thiel
  • Patent number: 6479811
    Abstract: A diffractive grating modulator system, includes: a diffractive grating modulator active to produce a plurality of output orders of diffraction; an illumination source for directing light onto the diffractive grating modulator; an output system arranged to receive one of the orders of diffraction from the diffractive grating modulator; a detector arranged to receive a different one of the orders of diffraction from the diffractive grating and to produce a signal representing the output of the diffractive grating modulator; an electronic driving system responsive to a data stream for operating the diffractive grating modulator; and a feedback system connected to the detector and the electronic driving system and responsive to the signal for calibrating the diffractive grating modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Brian E. Kruschwitz, John C. Brazas, Marek W. Kowarz