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).

  • Publication number: 20260118691
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2025
    Publication date: April 30, 2026
    Inventors: Jukka-Tapani MAKINEN, Kai OJALA
  • Publication number: 20260118692
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2025
    Publication date: April 30, 2026
    Inventors: Jukka-Tapani MAKINEN, Kai OJALA
  • Patent number: 12529905
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2026
    Assignee: InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings, SAS
    Inventors: Jukka-Tapani Makinen, Kai Ojala
  • Patent number: 12313465
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY
    Inventors: Kai Ojala, Heikki Saari
  • Publication number: 20250052904
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Publication date: February 13, 2025
    Inventors: Jussi Tenhunen, Kai Ojala, Markku Alamäki, Sanna Uusitalo
  • Patent number: 12061350
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings, SAS
    Inventors: Jukka-Tapani Makinen, Kai Ojala
  • Patent number: 11991343
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings, SAS
    Inventors: Jukka-Tapani Makinen, Kai Ojala
  • Patent number: 11927776
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings, SAS
    Inventors: Kai Ojala, Jukka-Tapani Makinen
  • Publication number: 20230145952
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Kai OJALA, Heikki SAARI
  • Patent number: 11624934
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings, SAS
    Inventors: Jukka-Tapani Makinen, Kai Ojala
  • Publication number: 20220311990
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Jukka-Tapani Makinen, Kai Ojala
  • Publication number: 20220155611
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Kai Ojala, Jukka-Tapani Makinen
  • Publication number: 20210302756
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Jukka-Tapani Makinen, Kai Ojala
  • Publication number: 20210223568
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Jukka-Tapani Makinen, Kai Ojala
  • Patent number: 11047674
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventor: Kai Ojala
  • Publication number: 20210173222
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Jukka-Tapani Makinen, Kai Ojala
  • Publication number: 20200371378
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Jukka-Tapani Makinen, Kai Ojala
  • Patent number: 10450090
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: JBT Lektro, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremiah Scott, Kai Ojala, Robert A. Zschoche
  • Publication number: 20180252516
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventor: Kai OJALA
  • Publication number: 20150237199
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: Anite Finland Oy
    Inventors: Jukka Hameenniemi, Juha Laukkanen, Kai Ojala, Kimmo Paananen, Yrjo Porsti, Heikki Taavettila