Patents by Inventor Gary D. Sharp

Gary D. Sharp 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: 7898734
    Abstract: Polarization preserving front projection screens and diffusers provide optimum polarization preservation for stereoscopic 3D viewing, as well as improved light control for enhanced brightness, uniformity, and contrast for both 2D and 3D systems. Generally, the disclosed screens direct light from a projector toward viewers within a diffusion locus, while maintaining optimum gain characteristics. More specifically, light incident on a region of the front projection screen from a predetermined projection direction is reflected by an engineered surface to a predetermined diffusion locus after undergoing substantially single reflections. The engineered surface, comprised of generating kernels, is used to optimally diffuse illumination light into a range of viewing angles, within the diffusion locus, with suitable gain profile, while optimally preserving polarization for 3D applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Coleman, Gary D. Sharp
  • Patent number: 7898603
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of systems for high-performance compensated shutter lens designs, may include compensators for compensating for performance problems that stem from real-world performance limitations in present shutter-glass designs. In an embodiment, a shutterglass lens may include first and second pi-cells and first and second compensators. The pi-cells and the compensators of the shutterglass lens may be stacked together within the shutterglass lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventor: Gary D. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20100328561
    Abstract: Projection systems and methods for providing stereoscopic images viewed through passive polarizing eyewear. The systems relate to projectors that create left and right eye images simultaneously and often as side-by-side images on the image modulator. The systems act to superimpose the spatially separated images on a projection screen with alternate polarization states. The embodiments are best suited to liquid crystal polarization based projection systems and use advanced polarization control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: REALD INC.
    Inventors: Miller H. Schuck, Michael G. Robinson, Douglas J. McKnight, Gary D. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20100296059
    Abstract: A polarization switch provides substantially ideal binary polarization switching over a broad range of wavelengths using a polarization modulation wheel having at least one retarder stack that transforms polarization. Using the polarization modulation wheel in a polarization system provides a high throughput polarization switch and operates over a wide range of incidence angles while providing substantially continuous and smooth polarization output for each component for any selected polarization basis set. The polarization modulation wheel is well-suited for stereoscopic polarized projection applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: REALD INC.
    Inventor: Gary D. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20100188746
    Abstract: Polarization preserving front projection screens and diffusers provide optimum polarization preservation for stereoscopic 3D viewing, as well as improved light control for enhanced brightness, uniformity, and contrast for both 2D and 3D systems. Generally, the disclosed screens direct light from a projector toward viewers within a diffusion locus, while maintaining optimum gain characteristics. More specifically, light incident on a region of the front projection screen from a predetermined projection direction is reflected by an engineered surface to a predetermined diffusion locus after undergoing substantially single reflections. The engineered surface, comprised of generating kernels, is used to optimally diffuse illumination light into a range of viewing angles, within the diffusion locus, with suitable gain profile, while optimally preserving polarization for 3D applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Real D
    Inventors: David A. Coleman, Gary D. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20100141856
    Abstract: Proposed are various embodiments of projection systems that generally provide stereoscopic images. The projection systems act to split a spatially separated image in a stereoscopic image frame and superimpose the left- and right-eye images on a projection screen with orthogonal polarization states. The embodiments are generally well suited to liquid crystal polarization based projection systems and may use advanced polarization control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: REAL D
    Inventors: Miller H. Schuck, Michael G. Robinson, Douglas J. McKnight, Gary D. Sharp
  • Patent number: 7692746
    Abstract: Disclosed are digitally-switchable bandpass filters combining non-tunable retarder stacks with switchable liquid crystal cells. The disclosed filter embodiments function like a filter wheel with no moving parts that may provide faster switching, better image registration, compact size, and lower electrical power consumption. These benefits are attractive in portable handheld devices, such as bio-hazard sensors or glucose monitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Real D
    Inventor: Gary D. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20090297797
    Abstract: Polarization preserving front projection screens and diffusers provide optimum polarization preservation for stereoscopic 3D viewing, as well as improved light control for enhanced brightness, uniformity, and contrast for both 2D and 3D systems. Generally, the disclosed screens direct light from a projector toward viewers within a diffusion locus, while maintaining optimum gain characteristics. More specifically, light incident on a region of the front projection screen from a predetermined projection direction is reflected by an engineered surface to a predetermined diffusion locus after undergoing substantially single reflections. The engineered surface, comprised of generating kernels, is used to optimally diffuse illumination light into a range of viewing angles, within the diffusion locus, with suitable gain profile, while optimally preserving polarization for 3D applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: REAL D
    Inventors: David A. Coleman, Gary D. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20090190210
    Abstract: Polarization preserving front projection screens and diffusers provide optimum polarization preservation for stereoscopic 3D viewing, as well as improved light control for enhanced brightness, uniformity, and contrast for both 2D and 3D systems. Generally, the disclosed screens direct light from a projector toward viewers within a diffusion locus, while maintaining optimum gain characteristics. More specifically, light incident on a region of the front projection screen from a predetermined projection direction is reflected by an engineered surface to a predetermined diffusion locus after undergoing substantially single reflections. The engineered surface, comprised of generating kernels, is used to optimally diffuse illumination light into a range of viewing angles, within the diffusion locus, with suitable gain profile, while optimally preserving polarization for 3D applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: REAL D
    Inventors: David A. Coleman, Gary D. Sharp
  • Patent number: 7545469
    Abstract: Described are various compensators for compensating for in-plate and out-of-plane retardances of LC panels in their dark states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Real D
    Inventors: Michael G. Robinson, Jianmin Chen, Gary D. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20090128780
    Abstract: A polarization conversion system separates light from an unpolarized image source into a first state of polarization (SOP) and an orthogonal second SOP, and directs the polarized light on first and second light paths. The SOP of light on only one of the light paths is transformed to an orthogonal state such that both light paths have the same SOP. A polarization modulator temporally modulates the light on the first and second light paths to first and second output states of polarization. First and second projection lenses direct light on the first and second light paths toward a projection screen to form substantially overlapping polarization encoded images. The polarization modulator may be located before or after the projection lenses. The polarization-encoded images may be viewed using eyewear with appropriate polarization filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: REAL D
    Inventors: Miller H. Schuck, Michael G. Robinson, Gary D. Sharp
  • Patent number: 7528906
    Abstract: An achromatic polarization switch (APS) acts on linear polarized light to provide orthogonal polarized output states over a range of visible wavelengths. In a first switching state, the APS is operable to pass light of a first polarization state therethrough. In a second switching state, the APS is operable to transform light passing therethrough to a substantially orthogonal second polarization state. Used in conjunction with orthogonal analyzing eyewear, left and right eye images are time-sequentially modulated in orthogonal polarization states by the APS to yield a stereoscopic 3D image sensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Real D
    Inventors: Michael G. Robinson, Gary D. Sharp
  • Patent number: 7511787
    Abstract: The present invention provides a high brightness color selective light modulator (CSLM) formed by a polarization modulator positioned between two retarder stacks. The modulator changes the apparent orientation of one retarder stack relative to the other so that, in a first switching state of the modulator the two retarder stacks cooperate in filtering the spectrum of input light, and in a second switching state the two retarder stacks complement each other, yielding a neutral transmission spectrum. Two or more CSLM stages can be used in series, each stage providing independent control of a primary color. One preferred embodiment eliminates internal polarizers between CSLM stages, thereby providing an additive common-path full-color display with only two neutral polarizers. Hybrid filters can be made using the CSLMs of this invention, in combination with other active or passive filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Real D
    Inventor: Gary D. Sharp
  • Patent number: 7510280
    Abstract: The disclosed technique employs a process for mating polarizing wafers to clear lenses using a high-yield bonding process. A thermoformed polarizing wafer is bonded to a clear lens of similar curvature via a solvent bonding process. In one embodiment, a system includes a translation stage configured to press a first lens to a second, with a solvent therebetween, such that a portion of the first lens initially contacts a portion of the second lens. An alignment fixture holding the second lens conforms to the curvature of the second lens, and a deformable sheet mounted proximate to the alignment fixture flexes in response to the force so that either of the first or second lenses conforms to a curvature of the other, and so that the pressure of the first lens against the second lens presses the solvent radially outward to the perimeter of the second lens to bond the first lens to the second lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Real D
    Inventor: Gary D. Sharp
  • Patent number: 7436476
    Abstract: Described is an optical compensator device that can maintain a high degree of performance in the demanding environment of projection display. A mounting process involves using a sealant between optically clear glass or ceramic substrate and low elastic polymer retarder film. The sealant may mitigate or prevent the degradation of the retarder film by acting as an oxygen barrier that seals the substrate and increases the lifetime of the device in high luminance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Real D
    Inventors: Gary D. Sharp, Michael G. Robinson, Jianmin Chen
  • Publication number: 20080225236
    Abstract: A polarization conversion system (PCS) is located in the output light path of a projector. The PCS may include a polarizing beam splitter, a polarization rotating element, a reflecting element, and a polarization switch. Typically, a projector outputs randomly-polarized light. This light is input to the PCS, in which the PCS separates p-polarized light and s-polarized light at the polarizing beam splitter. P-polarized light is directed toward the polarization switch on a first path. The s-polarized light is passed on a second path through the polarization rotating element (e.g., a half-wave plate), thereby transforming it to p-polarized light. A reflecting element directs the transformed polarized light (now p-polarized) along the second path toward the polarization switch. The first and second light paths are ultimately directed toward a projection screen to collectively form a brighter screen image in cinematic applications utilizing polarized light for three-dimensional viewing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: COLORLINK, INC.
    Inventors: Miller H. Schuck, Michael G. Robinson, Gary D. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20080198456
    Abstract: Chemically-bonded retarder stacks are provided in this disclosure. A first organic layer having a first molecular orientation is chemically welded to a second organic layer having a second molecular orientation. The first and second molecular orientations are crossed when the organic layers are laminated. The first and second organic layers may be polycarbonate films, which can be welded together using a suitable solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: COLORLINK, INC.
    Inventor: Gary D. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20080129899
    Abstract: Described in the present application are multiple systems for high-performance compensated shutter lens designs, including compensators for compensating for performance problems that stem from real-world performance limitations in present shutter-glass designs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: REAL D
    Inventor: Gary D. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20080129900
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for driving at least one shutter glass lens having a property of light retardation that is variable at least according to the wavelength of the light passing through it, the shutter glass lens having an LC cell driven to a relatively “on” or a relatively “off” state according to a voltage applied across it. The lens is further operable to pass temporally modulated color display images of at least first, second, and third wavelengths being applied to a display surface, the method comprising first, second, and third holding voltages to the LC cell in decreasing magnitude to stabilize the retardation of the lens for first, second, and third display image wavelengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Gary D. Sharp, Bradley W. Walker
  • Publication number: 20080129939
    Abstract: Described are various compensators for compensating for in-plate and out-of-plane retardances of LC panels in their dark states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: COLORLINK, INC.
    Inventors: Michael G. Robinson, Jianmin Chen, Gary D. Sharp