Patents by Inventor Estill Thone Hall

Estill Thone Hall 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: 8469517
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an illumination system. The illumination system comprises a plurality of modules comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) adapted to emit light signals. The illumination system further comprises a plurality of polarizing elements disposed subsequent to the LEDs. Each of polarizing elements is adapted to render a unique polarization to the light signals emitted by a respectively corresponding one of the modules. Further, the illumination system comprises a polarization converting element disposed subsequent to the plurality polarizing elements. The polarization converting element is adapted to uniformly polarize all of the light signals emitted by the plurality of modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Shenzhen TCL New Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Estill Thone Hall, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8403495
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an illumination system. The illumination system comprises a plurality of modules such that each module comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) adapted to emit light. The illumination system further comprises a plurality of lens elements disposed subsequent to the LEDs. Further, a number of the lens elements corresponds to a number of LEDs; such that the plurality of lens elements is adapted to redirect the light emitted by the LEDs on a plurality lenses. The illumination system further comprises a plurality of imagers disposed subsequent to the plurality of lenses, such that each of the imagers forms an image from the light provided by each of the lenses, respectively. Further, the images formed by the plurality of imagers are combined by a device, such as an X-cube, to form a single image that is further provided to a light pipe of a display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Shenzhen TCL New Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Estill Thone Hall, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8144263
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for medium wide angle projection system. An exemplary embodiment of the present technique comprises an imaging system configured to create an image, at least one lens configured to produce a medium wide-angle representation of the image, and an aperture stop positioned to capture the medium wide-angle representation of the image from the at least one lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: TTE Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Estill Thone Hall, Jr., Jingbo Cai, Eugene Murphy O'Donnell
  • Publication number: 20110261292
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present techniques provide a backlight illumination system. The backlight illumination system comprises a light source, such as fluorescent tubes configured to emit light in all directions for illuminating a display. The backlight illumination system further comprises a mirror disposed behind the fluorescent tubes, wherein the mirror includes beveled reflectors configured to focus the emitted light forming a composite image of adjoining light sources, such as a virtual light source. The virtual light source may reduce the number of fluorescent tubes required for a backlit display, which may lower power requirements for the display. This may help to increase battery life in portable devices using such a backlit display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: SHENZHEN TCL NEW TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventor: Estill Thone Hall, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110134368
    Abstract: The present embodiments are directed to a backlight illumination system. The backlight illumination system includes a light source adapted to uniformly emit light in numerous directions for illuminating a display unit. The backlight illumination system further includes a reflector disposed behind the light source, wherein the reflector is adapted to reflect the uniformly emitted light along a desired direction to provide backlight illumination to the display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: Shenzhen TCL New Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Estill Thone Hall, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110096266
    Abstract: An exemplary display device is provided having increased brightness and light distribution uniformity, resulting in improved backlighting. The exemplary display device comprises a plurality of lamps arranged such that each of the lamps is substantially parallel with the others. The exemplary display device additionally comprises a holographic diffuser aligned so that a first diffusion axis diffuses light produced by the plurality of lamps in a first direction and a second diffusion axis diffuses light produced by the plurality of lamps in a second direction, the first direction being substantially perpendicular to the plurality of lamps and the second direction being substantially parallel to the plurality of lamps, wherein substantially more of the light produced by the plurality of lamps is diffused in the first direction. The diffusion of the light output produced by the plurality of lamps by the holographic diffuser creates the effect of a single uniform illumination source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: SHENZHEN TCL NEW TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventor: Estill Thone Hall
  • Patent number: 7924370
    Abstract: A backlight assembly for a display panel includes a light pipe that is divided into a plurality of horizontal portions, a light source including a plurality of selectively illuminated lamps arranged at lateral sides of each of the horizontal portions for emitting light into the light pipe, a plurality of diffusion surfaces, each of the diffusion surfaces being provided on a selected area of a respective one of the plurality of the horizontal portions, wherein each of the diffusion surfaces causes light to be emitted from the selected area of the respective horizontal portion when the light pipe is illuminated by the lamp associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: TTE Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Michel Cadio, Estill Thone Hall, Jr., Brent Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20100271562
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an illumination system. The illumination system comprises a plurality of modules comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) adapted to emit light signals. The illumination system further comprise a plurality of lens elements disposed subsequent to the modules, such that the plurality of lens elements is adapted to redirect the light emitted by the LEDs of the modules onto a plurality of lenses. Further, the illuminations system includes a light combining element, such as an X-cube, disposed subsequent to the plurality of lenses, wherein the combining element combines the light provided by each of the plurality of lenses to form a single image across an aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: SHENZHEN TCL NEW TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventor: Estill Thone Hall, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100253859
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an illumination system. The illumination system comprises a plurality of modules comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) adapted to emit light signals. The illumination system further comprises a plurality of polarizing elements disposed subsequent to the LEDs. Each of polarizing elements is adapted to render a unique polarization to the light signals emitted by a respectively corresponding one of the modules. Further, the illumination system comprises a polarization converting element disposed subsequent to the plurality polarizing elements. The polarization converting element is adapted to uniformly polarize all of the light signals emitted by the plurality of modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: SHENZHEN TCL NEW TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventor: Estill Thone Hall, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100245686
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an illumination system of a video unit. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the illumination system comprises a module comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) adapted to emit light. The illumination system further includes a plurality of lens elements disposed subsequent to the LEDs. The plurality of lens elements is adapted to distribute intensity of the light emitted by the LEDs across an aperture. In addition the intensity of the light at the aperture directly corresponds to the location of the LEDs within the module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: SHENZHEN TCL NEW TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventor: Estill Thone Hall, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100238364
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an illumination system. The illumination system comprises a plurality of modules such that each module comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) adapted to emit light. The illumination system further comprises a plurality of lens elements disposed subsequent to the LEDs. Further, a number of the lens elements corresponds to a number of LEDs; such that the plurality of lens elements is adapted to redirect the light emitted by the LEDs on a plurality lenses. The illumination system further comprises a plurality of imagers disposed subsequent to the plurality of lenses, such that each of the imagers forms an image from the light provided by each of the lenses, respectively. Further, the images formed by the plurality of imagers are combined by a device, such as an X-cube, to form a single image that is further provided to a light pipe of a display system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: SHENZHEN TCL NEW TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventor: Estill Thone Hall, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100231812
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an illumination system. The illumination system comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) adapted to emit light. The illumination system further comprises a plurality of lens elements disposed subsequent to the LEDs, such that a number of lens elements corresponds to a number of LEDs. Further the plurality of lens elements are adapted to redirect the light emitted by the LEDs on a lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: SHENZHEN TCL NEW TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventor: Estill Thone Hall, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100053495
    Abstract: A backlight assembly for a display panel includes a light pipe that is divided into a plurality of horizontal portions, a light source including a plurality of selectively illuminated lamps arranged at lateral sides of each of the horizontal portions for emitting light into the light pipe, a plurality of diffusion surfaces, each of the diffusion surfaces being provided on a selected area of a respective one of the plurality of the horizontal portions, wherein each of the diffusion surfaces causes light to be emitted from the selected area of the respective horizontal portion when the light pipe is illuminated by the lamp associated therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Michel Cadio, Estill Thone Hall, JR., Brent Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20100007803
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for illuminating a microdisplay with low etendue light. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided a video unit comprising a microdisplay imager and a light engine comprising a light source configured to produce a low etendue beam of light, and a plurality of lenses configured to shape the low etendue beam of light to correspond to one or more dimensions of the microdisplay imager.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: TTE Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Estill Thone Hall, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090231723
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for wide angle image projection. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a video unit, comprising an imaging system configured to create a projected image, a lens group optically coupled to the imaging system to receive the projected image. The lens group including a lens doublet having a first positive crown element, a negative flint element affixed to the first positive crown element, and a second positive crown element adjacent to the lens doublet and facing the imaging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Estill Thone Hall, Jr., JIngbo Cai, Eugene Murphy O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 7549756
    Abstract: A projection system including an integrator with an output end having a matrix of output windows therein. A pattern of red, green and blue monochromatic filters are disposed on the output windows passing a matrix of red, green, and blue monochromatic pixels of light. An imager modulates the pixels of monochromatic light A light shift device shifts the matrix of monochromatic pixels of light to temporally form a pattern of overlying pixels of light of different colors, viewable as a color image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Donald Henry Willis, Billy Wesley Beyers, Estill Thone Hall, Jr., Michael Scott Deiss
  • Patent number: 7538951
    Abstract: The present invention provides a projection lens system comprising a double-gauss architecture with aspheric lens elements at the beginning and end of the lens system with a system stop therebetween and an acromatic lens element pair between each aspheric lens and the system stop. Also provided is a projection lens family comprising a plurality of lens systems, each having a double-gauss base architecture with aspheric lens elements at the beginning and end of the lens system with a system stop therebetween and an acromatic lens element pair between each aspheric lens and the system stop. Each lens system is optimized to provide a different cost/performance option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Estill Thone Hall, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090122277
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for medium wide-angle projection system. An exemplary embodiment of the present technique comprises an imaging system configured to create an image, a lens having a front surface and a back surface, the lens configured to receive an image on the back surface and produce a medium wide-angle representation of the image on the front surface, and an aperture stop positioned adjacent to the front surface of the lens to capture the medium wide-angle representation of the image from the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Estill Thone Hall, Jr., Jingbo Cai, Eugene Murphy O'Donnell
  • Publication number: 20090103006
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes an LCD panel having an exterior surface with a first area and an interior surface; a light filter layer having an exterior surface provided at the interior surface of the LCD panel and an interior surface; a light guide assembly provided behind the interior surface of the light filter layer, the light guide assembly including a plurality of light pipes; a light source including a plurality of selectively illuminated lamps arranged at a lateral side of the light guide assembly, each of the lamps being respectively associated with a different one of the light pipes for emitting light into the respective light pipe; a plurality of diffusion surfaces, each of the diffusion surfaces being provided on a selected area of a respective one of the plurality of the light pipes, the selected area being smaller than the first area; wherein each of the diffusion surfaces causes light to be emitted from the selected area of the respective light pipe when the light pipe is illum
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: TTE Indianapolis
    Inventors: Michel Cadio, Estill Thone Hall, JR., Brent Hoffman
  • Publication number: 20090059095
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for medium wide angle projection system. An exemplary embodiment of the present technique comprises an imaging system configured to create an image, at least one lens configured to produce a medium wide-angle representation of the image, and an aperture stop positioned to capture the medium wide-angle representation of the image from the at least one lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: TTE Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Estill Thone Hall, JR., Jingbo Cai, Eugene Murphy O'Donnell