Patents by Inventor Ernesto M. Rodriguez, Jr.
Ernesto M. Rodriguez, Jr. 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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Publication number: 20150091799Abstract: A projector (100) including a plurality of systems (110, 130) and a port (140) adapted to receive and communicate with a removable module (102). More particularly, the projector (100) is capable of indicating its capabilities to the removable module (102), receiving return information from the removable module (102), and selectively configuring the systems (110, 130) according to the return information when such removable module (102) is inserted into the port (140).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2013Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: Shuguang Wu, Ernesto M. Rodriguez, JR., James K. Kennedy, Phillip J. Bergeron, Ronald D. Jesme
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Publication number: 20140141725Abstract: A wireless presentation system includes communication means for line-of-sight communication links such that an association between a content holder and a desired presentation device can be automatically established using line-of-sight communication links.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2012Publication date: May 22, 2014Inventors: Ronald D. Jesme, Craig R. Schardt, Patrick M. Campbell, Patrick A. Thomas, Ernesto M. Rodriguez, JR., George D. Kokkosoulis, Daniel A. Syrstad, Douglas S. Parker
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Publication number: 20130314677Abstract: A projector includes a cavity configured to accommodate handheld electronic devices having at least one of different sizes and shapes, a communicating unit configured to electrically communicate with a handheld electronic device that is disposed in the cavity, and a projection subsystem configured to project an image that is at least partially formed by a handheld electronic device that is disposed in the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2012Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Ernesto M. Rodriguez, JR., James K. Kennedy
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Patent number: 8587873Abstract: Wide-angle projection lens, as well as optical engines and projection display devices comprising such projections lens are described. In one embodiment, a wide-angle projection lens is described comprising in sequential order from a screen side a first lens group of negative refractive power, a second lens group of positive refractive power, a third lens group of positive refractive power; and a fourth lens group of positive refractive power. At least one lens group has an aspheric surface. The ratio of the focal length of the wide-angle projection lens (F) to the focal length of each of the lens groups (F1, F2, F3, and F4) is such that |F1/F|>1.3, F2/F>2, 1<F3/F<2 and 1.5<F4/F<8.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2011Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Zhisheng Yun, Stephen J. Willett, Ernesto M. Rodriguez, Jr.
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Publication number: 20130235464Abstract: Wide-angle projection lens, as well as optical engines and projection display devices comprising such projections lens are described. In one embodiment, a wide-angle projection lens is described comprising in sequential order from a screen side a first lens group of negative refractive power, a second lens group of positive refractive power, a third lens group of positive refractive power; and a fourth lens group of positive refractive power. At least one lens group has an aspheric surface. The ratio of the focal length of the wide-angle projection lens (F) to the focal length of each of the lens groups (F1, F2, F3, and F4) is such that |F1/F|>1.3, F2/F>2, 1<F3/F<2 and 1.5<F4/F<8.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2011Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Zhisheng Yun, Stephen J. Willett, Ernesto M. Rodriguez, JR.
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Patent number: 8072687Abstract: A front projection display device includes an optical engine including an illumination system, an imaging system, and projection optics. The projection optics include a first lens group of negative refractive power that has at least one aspheric surface. The projection optics output an image at a half field angle of at least 45°, where the image has substantially no distortion. For example, when the first lens group is placed at a distance of less than 1 meter from a viewing screen, the output image has a size of about 40 inches diagonal or greater, and requires substantially no keystone correction. In other aspects, the optical engine can be implemented in a wall-mounted projection system, a multimedia system, a compact integrated monitor system, and a portable projection unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Ernesto M. Rodriguez, Jr., Patricia M. Hughes, William E. Haushalter, Kai Chang Lu
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Publication number: 20110075269Abstract: A front projection display device includes an optical engine including an illumination system, an imaging system, and projection optics. The projection optics include a first lens group of negative refractive power that has at least one aspheric surface. The projection optics output an image at a half field angle of at least 45°, where the image has substantially no distortion. For example, when the first lens group is placed at a distance of less than 1 meter from a viewing screen, the output image has a size of about 40 inches diagonal or greater, and requires substantially no keystone correction. In other aspects, the optical engine can be implemented in a wall-mounted projection system, a multimedia system, a compact integrated monitor system, and a portable projection unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2010Publication date: March 31, 2011Inventors: Ernesto M. Rodriguez, JR., Patricia M. Hughes, William E. Haushalter, Kia Chang Lu
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Patent number: 7864435Abstract: A front projection display device includes an optical engine including an illumination system, an imaging system, and projection optics. The projection optics include a first lens group of negative refractive power that has at least one aspheric surface. The projection optics output an image at a half field angle of at least 45°, where the image has substantially no distortion. For example, when the first lens group is placed at a distance of less than 1 meter from a viewing screen, the output image has a size of about 40 inches diagonal or greater, and requires substantially no keystone correction. In other aspects, the optical engine can be implemented in a wall-mounted projection system, a multimedia system, a compact integrated monitor system, and a portable projection unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Ernesto M. Rodriguez, Jr., Patricia M. Hughes, William E. Haushalter, Kai Chang Lu
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Patent number: 7850311Abstract: A front projection display device having a projection module and a docking station. The docking station has a base. Further, the docking station can include an extendable arm attached to the base. The projection module contains an optical engine. The optical engine includes an illumination system, an imaging system, and a wide-angle projection lens. The optical engine outputs an image at a half field angle of at least 45°. The projected image has substantially no distortion and requires substantially no keystone correction.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2008Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Ernesto M. Rodriguez, Jr., Patricia M. Hughes, William E. Haushalter, Kai Chang Lu, Steven G. Saxe
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Publication number: 20080297726Abstract: A projection system includes a projection device and a viewing surface. The projection device is configured to project an image onto the viewing surface. The viewing surface has a first side and a second side. The viewing surface is substantially diffuse reflective when viewed from the first side and substantially transparent when viewed from the second side. The viewing surface can also include a plurality of louvers adapted to attenuate light passing through the viewing surface. The viewing surface and the plurality of louvers can be part of a projection screen. The projection system can be included in a motor vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2008Publication date: December 4, 2008Inventors: Ernesto M. RODRIGUEZ, JR., Joseph C. Carls
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Patent number: 7342723Abstract: A portable projection device comprises a housing, a handle, and an optical engine. The optical engine comprises an illumination source, an imaging system, and a wide angle projection lens that includes a first lens group of negative refractive power, the first lens group having at least one aspheric surface, a second lens group, and a third lens group of positive refractive power. For the wide angle projection lens, the following Conditions (1) to (4) are satisfied: |F1/F|?4.5 (Condition (1)); 2.5?|F2/F|?6.0 (Condition (2)); 3.8?|F3/F|?5.0 (Condition (3)); and 0.8?BFL/F?1.4 (Condition (4)). The portable projection device can be implemented as a personal gaming system and can also be configured as a portable, fully integrated video gaming system that allows gamers to plug in and play at nearly any location, with only a wall or other viewing surface being used to view the projected image.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2006Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Ernesto M. Rodriguez, Jr., Patricia M. Hughes, Kai Chang Lu
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Patent number: 7271964Abstract: A front projection display device includes an optical engine including an illumination system, an imaging system, and projection optics. The projection optics include a first lens group of negative refractive power that has at least one aspheric surface. The projection optics output an image at a half field angle of at least 45°, where the image has substantially no distortion. For example, when the first lens group is placed at a distance of less than 1 meter from a viewing screen, the output image has a size of about 40 inches diagonal or greater, and requires substantially no keystone correction. In other aspects, the optical engine can be implemented in a wall-mounted projection system, a multimedia system, a compact integrated monitor system, and a portable projection unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2004Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Ernesto M. Rodriguez, Jr., Patricia M. Hughes, William E. Haushalter, Kai Chang Lu
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Patent number: 7123426Abstract: A wide angle projection lens include a first lens group of negative refractive power that has at least one aspheric surface. The wide angle projection lens can output an image at a half field angle of at least 45°, where the image has substantially no distortion and requires little or no keystone correction. The wide angle projection lens can be part of an optical engine that can be implemented in rear projection or front projection display devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2005Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Kai Chang Lu, Ernesto M. Rodriguez, Jr.
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Patent number: 6604829Abstract: The present invention provides for a compact integrated front projection display system. The system comprises a frame having first and second portions and a foldable arm having first and second ends. The second end of the arm is connected to the first portion of the frame. The arm is moveable between a storage position and a projection position. The system also includes a retractable projection screen disposed on the second portion of the frame and a projection head mounted on the first end of the moveable arm.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2002Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Ernesto M. Rodriguez, Jr.
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Patent number: 6568814Abstract: A front image projection device and corresponding method are disclosed that utilize a shaped imager component to pre-distort an input image and thereby compensate for the distortion expected in a screen image. The front projection device includes projection components, image generating components, and illumination components. The shaped image component may compensate at least in part for distortion introduced due to the components of the projection system. The physical configuration for the shaped imager may be determined through a modeled or actual ray trace through the projection system, and the resulting physical configuration may be a geometric shape having a curved top, a curved bottom and curved sides.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Ernesto M. Rodriguez, Jr., Joseph C. Carls, Patricia H. DeLuca
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Patent number: 6530664Abstract: A front projection screen and associated system and method are disclosed that utilize a back structured layer and a front diffusing layer to provide improved viewable image quality. The structured layer is formed with a plurality of grooves and can operate to direct light into a defined audience view region. The diffusing layer is coupled to the structured layer and is formed from a matte polyester film to provide dry erase capability on a front surface of the diffusing layer. For example, the matte polyester film can be TEKRA Marnot XL matte Melinex polyester film. Further, the structured layer can be formed as an acrylate linear prismatic structure having a gloss white coating. The acrylate linear prismatic structure and the matte polyester film can be coupled, for example, by lamination or can be coupled by being extruded as a unitary construction.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2001Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Dennis F. Vanderwerf, Patricia M. Hughes, Ernesto M. Rodriguez, Jr.
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Patent number: 6520646Abstract: A front projection system and associated method are disclosed that correct distortion for a front projector device. The front projector device is characterized by off-axis optics and a throw-to-screen diagonal ratio of at most 1 which generate distortion including pincushion, keystone and anamorphic distortion components. Further, the projection device has an electronic distortion correction component operable to pre-distort an image prior to projection in order to correct for the pincushion, keystone and anamorphic distortion components of the projector device. Further, an associated method is also disclosed for correcting distortion generated in a projection system by a combination of optical and electronic correction. The method comprises setting a limit on the amount of image information that is acceptable to lose through the optical components, and selecting an optical solution is comprising optics having inherent distortion within the set limit.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2000Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Ernesto M. Rodriguez, Jr., Steven G. Saxe, Patricia H. DeLuca
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Patent number: 6485146Abstract: An integrated front projection system has a housing assembly, a projection assembly, and an expansion assembly. The housing assembly includes a frame having a front surface that provides a front projection screen and contains other modular components. In addition, a projection assembly with a movable arm may be included, having a storage position and a projection position, and to which the front projection head may be coupled. According to one aspect, the projection assembly is modularized and has a plurality of easily replaceable component modules coupled to the housing and which operate together to project an image onto the front projection screen. According to another aspect, the integrated front projection system further has an expansion assembly coupled to the housing. The expansion assembly includes an expansion slot formed in the housing and electrically coupled to a display controller in the projection assembly and expansion modules coupled to the expansion slot.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2001Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Ernesto M. Rodriguez, Jr.
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Patent number: 6394609Abstract: A front projection display system that integrates an optical engine, having control and power supply electronics, and a dedicated projection screen to provide a compact video display device. The projection engine is coupled to a high gain projection screen, having an optimized reflection pattern to give optimum optical performance in ambient H& and viewing angle sensitive environments. Components of the projection engine are modularly placed in a retractable arm pivotally connected to the screen. The arm offers precise registration to the screen apparatus and thus repeatably precisely aligns optically and mechanically to the screen. The projection wall system has an open projection position and a closed storage position. Use of a radically offset projection head having matching keystone correction features allows the arm to protrude above the head of the presenter and offer a sharp and unobtrusive projection zone.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2000Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Ernesto M. Rodriguez, Jr., Dennis F. Vanderwerf
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Patent number: D555184Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2005Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Ernesto M. Rodriguez, Jr., Peter J. Newbould, Andrea Daelli