Patents by Inventor Kai Ojala
Kai Ojala 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: 20260118691Abstract: Systems and methods are described for displaying voxels by a display device. Techniques disclosed include emitting light from light-emitting elements in a light-emitting layer comprising an addressable array of light-emitting elements. Using a collimating layer, the light emitted from the light-emitting elements is collimated into respective light beams directed at a mosaic optical layer. The mosaic optical layer comprises a plurality of mosaic cells arranged in a repeating mosaic cell pattern, each mosaic cell containing optical tiles having flat facets, wherein the flat facet of at least one optical tile is tilted relative to the flat facet of another optical tile.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2025Publication date: April 30, 2026Inventors: Jukka-Tapani MAKINEN, Kai OJALA
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Publication number: 20260118692Abstract: Systems and methods are described for operating a display device having a plurality of multidirectional display pixels (MDPs). Techniques disclosed include projecting at least two 2D images to different directions by emitting light from at least one light emitter of an MDP that is mounted on a transparent substrate. The emitted light is then reflected by a light-collimating mirror of the MDP toward the transparent substrate. Techniques disclosed also include tilting the mirror, by an actuator, to direct the light reflected from the mirror in an angle from the substrate normal. The actuator is further configured to move the mirror toward or away from the substrate to compensate for an optical aberration.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2025Publication date: April 30, 2026Inventors: Jukka-Tapani MAKINEN, Kai OJALA
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Patent number: 12529905Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing a three-dimensional display. In an example, a display device includes a light engine, a spatial light modulator, one or more directable minors, and a projection lens. Light from the light engine is modulated by the spatial light modulator, reflected by the directable mirror(s) toward the projection lens, and projected by the projection lens (e.g. onto a screen). The directable mirror(s) may include a rotatable mirror or a digital micromirror device. The spatial light modulator may be a digital micromirror device. The spatial light modulator and the directable mirror(s) are synchronized so as to generate different modulated light patterns for different positions of the directable mirror(s). The projection of different modulated light patterns in different directions may generate different views that are visible from different user perspectives.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: January 20, 2026Assignee: InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings, SASInventors: Jukka-Tapani Makinen, Kai Ojala
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Patent number: 12313465Abstract: A spectral imaging device comprises: an optical modifier system (SYS1) to form axial light beams (LB2) from received light beams (LB1), the axial light beams (LB2) being parallel with an optical axis (AX1) of the imaging device (500), a Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) to provide filtered axial light beams (LB3) by filtering light of the axial light beams (LB2), an image sensor (SEN1), and an array (ARR1) of lenses (LNS0,0, LNS0,1) to form a plurality of sub-images (S0,0, S0,1) on the image sensor (SEN1) by focusing light of the filtered light beams (LB3).Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2021Date of Patent: May 27, 2025Assignee: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OYInventors: Kai Ojala, Heikki Saari
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Publication number: 20250052904Abstract: According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical scanning module, comprising a scanning mirror, wherein the scanning mirror is arranged to direct a first light signal coming from a single light source to a first telescope objective via a first optical path, and at least one second light signal coming from the single light source to at least one second optical path, to scan at different distances with different angular resolutions, wherein the first optical path is different than the second optical path, and the optical scanning module is arranged to receive a reflected version of the first light signal via the first telescope objective and the first optical path, and a reflected version of the at least one second light signal via the at least one second optical path.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2022Publication date: February 13, 2025Inventors: Jussi Tenhunen, Kai Ojala, Markku Alamäki, Sanna Uusitalo
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Patent number: 12061350Abstract: Some embodiments of an apparatus may include: a plurality of light sources, wherein each of the plurality of light sources is configured to emit a respective light beam; one or more diffractive layers; and an optical mask configured to be synchronized to an illumination of the respective light beams. Some embodiments of a method may include: emitting a light beam from each of a plurality of light emitting sources to generate a plurality of light beams; diffracting each of the plurality of light beams to generate a plurality of diffracted light beams; and synchronizing an optical mask to the plurality of diffracted light beams.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2019Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignee: InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings, SASInventors: Jukka-Tapani Makinen, Kai Ojala
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Patent number: 11991343Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing a 3D display, such as a light-field display. In some embodiments, a display device includes a light-emitting layer comprising an addressable array of light-emitting elements. An optical layer overlays the light-emitting layer. The optical layer includes a plurality of distributed lenses. In some embodiments, the distributed lenses include non-contiguous lens regions. In some embodiments, distributed lens regions with different optical centers are interlaced with one another. A spatial light modulator is operative to provide control over which lens regions transmit light from the light-emitting layer outside the display device. In some embodiments, the use of interlaced and/or non-contiguous distributed lenses provides improved display resolution with a reduction in diffraction effects.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2020Date of Patent: May 21, 2024Assignee: InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings, SASInventors: Jukka-Tapani Makinen, Kai Ojala
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Patent number: 11927776Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing a 3D display, such as a light-field display. In some embodiments, a display device includes a light-emitting layer that includes a plurality of separately-controllable pixels. A lens structure overlays the light-emitting layer. The lens structure includes an array of collimating optical elements. A phase-modifying layer is positioned between the light emitting layer and the lens structure. The pixels of the light emitting layer are used in generating spatial emission patterns that work in unison with the phase-modifying layer in order to generate beams of light through the collimating optical elements with extended focus depths. Multiple beams are used to generate voxels at various distances from the display surface with the correct eye convergence for the viewer. Beams with extended focus depths may be used to generate the correct eye retinal focus cues.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2020Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings, SASInventors: Kai Ojala, Jukka-Tapani Makinen
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Publication number: 20230145952Abstract: A spectral imaging device comprises: an optical modifier system (SYS1) to form axial light beams (LB2) from received light beams (LB1), the axial light beams (LB2) being parallel with an optical axis (AX1) of the imaging device (500), a Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) to provide filtered axial light beams (LB3) by filtering light of the axial light beams (LB2), an image sensor (SEN1), and an array (ARR1) of lenses (LNS0,0, LNS0,1) to form a plurality of sub-images (S0,0, S0,1) on the image sensor (SEN1) by focusing light of the filtered light beams (LB3).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2021Publication date: May 11, 2023Inventors: Kai OJALA, Heikki SAARI
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Patent number: 11624934Abstract: Display methods and apparatus are described. In some embodiments, to generate an image, light is selectively emitted from one or more light-emitting elements (such as a ?LEDs) in a light-emitting layer. The emitted light from each element is collimated using, for example, an array of microlenses having small apertures. Each beam of collimated light is split by a first diffractive grating into a first generation of child beams, and the first generation of child beams is split by a second diffractive grating into a second generation of child beams. Beams in the second generation of child beams that are not parallel to the original beam of collimated light may be blocked by a spatial light modulator (e.g. an LCD panel). The un-blocked beams operate in some respects as if they had been generated using optics with an aperture larger than the apertures of the microlenses.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2018Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings, SASInventors: Jukka-Tapani Makinen, Kai Ojala
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Publication number: 20220311990Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing a 3D display, such as a light-field display. In some embodiments, a display device includes a light-emitting layer comprising an addressable array of light-emitting elements. An optical layer overlays the light-emitting layer. The optical layer includes a plurality of distributed lenses. In some embodiments, the distributed lenses include non-contiguous lens regions. In some embodiments, distributed lens regions with different optical centers are interlaced with one another. A spatial light modulator is operative to provide control over which lens regions transmit light from the light-emitting layer outside the display device. In some embodiments, the use of interlaced and/or non-contiguous distributed lenses provides improved display resolution with a reduction in diffraction effects.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2020Publication date: September 29, 2022Inventors: Jukka-Tapani Makinen, Kai Ojala
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Publication number: 20220155611Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing a 3D display, such as a light-field display. In some embodiments, a display device includes a light-emitting layer that includes a plurality of separately-controllable pixels. A lens structure overlays the light-emitting layer. The lens structure includes an array of collimating optical elements. A phase-modifying layer is positioned between the light emitting layer and the lens structure. The pixels of the light emitting layer are used in generating spatial emission patterns that work in unison with the phase-modifying layer in order to generate beams of light through the collimating optical elements with extended focus depths. Multiple beams are used to generate voxels at various distances from the display surface with the correct eye convergence for the viewer. Beams with extended focus depths may be used to generate the correct eye retinal focus cues.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2020Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: Kai Ojala, Jukka-Tapani Makinen
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Publication number: 20210302756Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing a 3D display, such as a light-field display. In some embodiments, a display device includes a light-emitting layer that includes a plurality of separately-controllable pixels. An optical layer overlays the light-emitting layer. The optical layer includes a plurality of mosaic cells arranged in a two-dimensional array (e.g., a tessellation). Each mosaic cell includes a plurality of optical tiles. Different tiles may differ from one another in optical power, tilt direction, translucency, or other optical property. A spatial light modulator provides control over which optical tiles transmit light from the light-emitting layer outside the display device. The light-emitting layer and the spatial light modulator are controlled in a synchronized manner to display a desired pattern of light.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2019Publication date: September 30, 2021Inventors: Jukka-Tapani Makinen, Kai Ojala
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Publication number: 20210223568Abstract: Some embodiments of an apparatus may include: a plurality of light sources, wherein each of the plurality of light sources is configured to emit a respective light beam; one or more diffractive layers; and an optical mask configured to be synchronized to an illumination of the respective light beams. Some embodiments of a method may include: emitting a light beam from each of a plurality of light emitting sources to generate a plurality of light beams; diffracting each of the plurality of light beams to generate a plurality of diffracted light beams; and synchronizing an optical mask to the plurality of diffracted light beams.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2019Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Jukka-Tapani Makinen, Kai Ojala
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Patent number: 11047674Abstract: A measuring device includes an illuminating unit arranged to project an illuminating light beam on a surface of a target object so as to form an illuminated region on the surface, an image sensor, and focusing optics arranged to form a focused spot on the image sensor by focusing light reflected from the illuminated region such that the position of the spot depends on the height of the surface with respect to a reference plane, wherein the device is configured to determine a height of the surface from a detected position of the focused spot, and wherein the normal of the image sensor is inclined with respect to the optical axis of the focusing optics.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2016Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT OyInventor: Kai Ojala
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Publication number: 20210173222Abstract: Display methods and apparatus are described. In some embodiments, to generate an image, light is selectively emitted from one or more light-emitting elements (such as a ?LEDs) in a light-emitting layer. The emitted light from each element is collimated using, for example, an array of microlenses having small apertures. Each beam of collimated light is split by a first diffractive grating into a first generation of child beams, and the first generation of child beams is split by a second diffractive grating into a second generation of child beams. Beams in the second generation of child beams that are not parallel to the original beam of collimated light may be blocked by a spatial light modulator (e.g. an LCD panel). The un-blocked beams operate in some respects as if they had been generated using optics with an aperture larger than the apertures of the microlenses.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2018Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventors: Jukka-Tapani Makinen, Kai Ojala
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Publication number: 20200371378Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing a three-dimensional display. In an example, a display device includes a light engine, a spatial light modulator, one or more directable minors, and a projection lens. Light from the light engine is modulated by the spatial light modulator, reflected by the directable mirror(s) toward the projection lens, and projected by the projection lens (e.g. onto a screen). The directable mirror(s) may include a rotatable mirror or a digital micromirror device. The spatial light modulator may be a digital micromirror device. The spatial light modulator and the directable mirror(s) are synchronized so as to generate different modulated light patterns for different positions of the directable mirror(s). The projection of different modulated light patterns in different directions may generate different views that are visible from different user perspectives.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2018Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: Jukka-Tapani Makinen, Kai Ojala
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Patent number: 10450090Abstract: A plural function tow hook is described for engaging airplane nose gears having nose gears of different styles. Consequently, a single tow hook can be used in multiple applications for aircraft towing purposes. The tow hook receives and engages a pin of a nose gear for use in towing the aircraft in one application. The tow hook receives first and second loops of a tow strap passing around a strut of an airplane nose gear in another application.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2018Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: JBT Lektro, Inc.Inventors: Jeremiah Scott, Kai Ojala, Robert A. Zschoche
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Publication number: 20180252516Abstract: A measuring device includes an illuminating unit arranged to project an illuminating light beam on a surface of a target object so as to form an illuminated region on the surface, an image sensor, and focusing optics arranged to form a focused spot on the image sensor by focusing light reflected from the illuminated region such that the position of the spot depends on the height of the surface with respect to a reference plane, wherein the device is configured to determine a height of the surface from a detected position of the focused spot, and wherein the normal of the image sensor is inclined with respect to the optical axis of the focusing optics.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2016Publication date: September 6, 2018Applicant: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT OyInventor: Kai OJALA
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Publication number: 20150237199Abstract: Testing apparatuses and methods are provided. The solution comprises establishing a digital connection with an external controller, receiving from the external controller on the digital connection test parameters and a command to establish a wireless connection to a given subscriber address, establishing a wireless phone call connection to the given subscriber address, receiving sample audio data on the connection, and transmitting information related to the received sample audio data to the external controller using the digital connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2014Publication date: August 20, 2015Applicant: Anite Finland OyInventors: Jukka Hameenniemi, Juha Laukkanen, Kai Ojala, Kimmo Paananen, Yrjo Porsti, Heikki Taavettila