Patents by Inventor Maarten Niesten

Maarten Niesten 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: 8355013
    Abstract: An integrated photonics module may include a selective fold mirror configured to pass at least a portion of emitted light toward the MEMS scanner and reflect scanned light through to a field of view. The selective fold mirror may use beam polarization to select beam passing and reflection. The integrated photonics module may include a beam rotator such as a quarter-wave plate to convert the polarization of the emitted light to a different polarization adapted for passage through the fold mirror. The integrated photonics module may include one or more light detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Sprague, Joshua O. Miller, Margaret K. Brown, Mark O. Freeman, Maarten Niesten, Bin Xue, Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Patent number: 8294993
    Abstract: A variable reflectivity notch filter (100), suitable for use with a laser image projection source (1001) is provided. The variable reflectivity notch filter (100) defines a transmission curve (101) having a plurality of reflective peaks (102,103,104) each centered about a predetermined wavelength (105,106,107), which can correspond to output wavelengths from laser sources. Reflective peaks (204) corresponding to wavelengths that change with temperature are configured with wider widths (223) and lesser reflectivities (210) than are other reflective peaks (202,203). To provide enhanced color balance, lasers (821) corresponding to these reflective peaks (204) can be driven at higher output power. Variable reflectivity notch filters (100) are suitable for use in head-up displays as well as other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventor: Maarten Niesten
  • Patent number: 8235533
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a scanned beam display may utilize one or more post-scan optics while at least partially maintaining an infinite focus, or nearly infinite focus, property of the display. The display may comprise a light source to generate a light beam, a scanning platform to generate a raster scan from the light beam projected as a projected image, one or more post-scan optics to at least partially adjust the projected image, and one or more collimating optics to focus the light beam from the light source, the one or more collimating optics having a selected focal length to at least partially provide infinite, or nearly infinite focus, of the projected image at or beyond a selected distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua M. Hudman, Maarten Niesten, Richard A. James
  • Publication number: 20120019923
    Abstract: A variable reflectivity notch filter (100), suitable for use with a laser image projection source (1001) is provided. The variable reflectivity notch filter (100) defines a transmission curve (101) having a plurality of reflective peaks (102,103,104) each centered about a predetermined wavelength (105,106,107), which can correspond to output wavelengths from laser sources. Reflective peaks (204) corresponding to wavelengths that change with temperature are configured with wider widths (223) and lesser reflectivities (210) than are other reflective peaks (202,203). To provide enhanced color balance, lasers (821) corresponding to these reflective peaks (204) can be driven at higher output power. Variable reflectivity notch filters (100) are suitable for use in head-up displays as well as other applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventor: Maarten Niesten
  • Publication number: 20110234919
    Abstract: An integrated photonics module may include a selective fold mirror configured to pass at least a portion of emitted light toward the MEMS scanner and reflect scanned light through to a field of view. The selective fold mirror may use beam polarization to select beam passing and reflection. The integrated photonics module may include a beam rotator such as a quarter-wave plate to convert the polarization of the emitted light to a different polarization adapted for passage through the fold mirror. The integrated photonics module may include one or more light detectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Randall B. Sprague, Joshua O. Miller, Margaret K. Brown, Mark O. Freeman, Maarten Niesten, Bin Xue, Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Patent number: 7986315
    Abstract: An integrated photonics module includes at least one light source and a MEMS scanner coupled to and held in alignment by an optical frame configured for mounting to a host system. According to some embodiments, the integrated photonics module may include a plurality of light sources and a beam combiner coupled to the optical frame. According to some embodiments, the integrated photonics module includes a selective fold mirror configured to direct at least a portion of emitted light toward the MEMS scanner in a normal direction and pass scanned light through to a field of view. The selective fold mirror may use beam polarization to select beam passing and reflection. The integrated photonics module may include a beam rotator such as a quarter-wave plate to convert the polarization of the emitted light to a different polarization adapted for passage through the fold mirror. The integrated photonics module may include one or more light detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Sprague, Joshua O. Miller, Margaret K. Brown, Mark O. Freeman, Maarten Niesten, Bin Xue, Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Patent number: 7978189
    Abstract: An integrated photonics module includes at least one light source and a MEMS scanner coupled to and held in alignment by an optical frame configured for mounting to a host system. According to some embodiments, the integrated photonics module may include a plurality of light sources and a beam combiner coupled to the optical frame. According to some embodiments, the integrated photonics module includes a selective fold mirror configured to direct at least a portion of emitted light toward the MEMS scanner in a normal direction and pass scanned light through to a field of view. The selective fold mirror may use beam polarization to select beam passing and reflection. The integrated photonics module may include a beam rotator such as a quarter-wave plate to convert the polarization of the emitted light to a different polarization adapted for passage through the fold mirror. The integrated photonics module may include one or more light detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Sprague, Joshua O. Miller, Margaret K. Brown, Mark O. Freeman, Maarten Niesten, Bin Xue, Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Patent number: 7956858
    Abstract: An integrated photonics module includes at least one light source and a MEMS scanner coupled to and held in alignment by an optical frame configured for mounting to a host system. According to some embodiments, the integrated photonics module may include a plurality of light sources and a beam combiner coupled to the optical frame. According to some embodiments, the integrated photonics module includes a selective fold mirror configured to direct at least a portion of emitted light toward the MEMS scanner in a normal direction and pass scanned light through to a field of view. The selective fold mirror may use beam polarization to select beam passing and reflection. The integrated photonics module may include a beam rotator such as a quarter-wave plate to convert the polarization of the emitted light to a different polarization adapted for passage through the fold mirror. The integrated photonics module may include one or more light detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Sprague, Joshua O. Miller, Margaret K. Brown, Mark O. Freeman, Maarten Niesten, Bin Xue, Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Publication number: 20110109884
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a scanned beam display may utilize one or more post-scan optics while at least partially maintaining an infinite focus, or nearly infinite focus, property of the display. The display may comprise a light source to generate a light beam, a scanning platform to generate a raster scan from the light beam projected as a projected image, one or more post-scan optics to at least partially adjust the projected image, and one or more collimating optics to focus the light beam from the light source, the one or more collimating optics having a selected focal length to at least partially provide infinite, or nearly infinite focus, of the projected image at or beyond a selected distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua M. Hudman, Maarten Niesten, Richard A. James
  • Patent number: 7901084
    Abstract: A portable video projector includes facility to direct a projected image field along an axis in an alignment corresponding to the state of an optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Willey, Randall B. Sprague, Thomas W. Montague, Christopher A. Wiklof, Maarten Niesten, Mark Freeman, Bruce Rothaar, V. G. Veeraraghavan, John R. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20110025930
    Abstract: An integrated photonics module includes at least one light source and a MEMS scanner coupled to and held in alignment by an optical frame configured for mounting to a host system. According to some embodiments, the integrated photonics module may include a plurality of light sources and a beam combiner coupled to the optical frame. According to some embodiments, the integrated photonics module includes a selective fold mirror configured to direct at least a portion of emitted light toward the MEMS scanner in a normal direction and pass scanned light through to a field of view. The selective fold mirror may use beam polarization to select beam passing and reflection. The integrated photonics module may include a beam rotator such as a quarter-wave plate to convert the polarization of the emitted light to a different polarization adapted for passage through the fold mirror. The integrated photonics module may include one or more light detectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Randall B. Sprague, Joshua O. Miller, Margaret K. Brown, Mark O. Freeman, Maarten Niesten, Bin Xue, Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Publication number: 20110025983
    Abstract: An integrated photonics module includes at least one light source and a MEMS scanner coupled to and held in alignment by an optical frame configured for mounting to a host system. According to some embodiments, the integrated photonics module may include a plurality of light sources and a beam combiner coupled to the optical frame. According to some embodiments, the integrated photonics module includes a selective fold mirror configured to direct at least a portion of emitted light toward the MEMS scanner in a normal direction and pass scanned light through to a field of view. The selective fold mirror may use beam polarization to select beam passing and reflection. The integrated photonics module may include a beam rotator such as a quarter-wave plate to convert the polarization of the emitted light to a different polarization adapted for passage through the fold mirror. The integrated photonics module may include one or more light detectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Randall B. Sprague, Joshua O. Miller, Margaret K. Brown, Mark O. Freeman, Maarten Niesten, Bin Xue, Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Publication number: 20110018986
    Abstract: An integrated photonics module includes at least one light source and a MEMS scanner coupled to and held in alignment by an optical frame configured for mounting to a host system. According to some embodiments, the integrated photonics module may include a plurality of light sources and a beam combiner coupled to the optical frame. According to some embodiments, the integrated photonics module includes a selective fold mirror configured to direct at least a portion of emitted light toward the MEMS scanner in a normal direction and pass scanned light through to a field of view. The selective fold mirror may use beam polarization to select beam passing and reflection. The integrated photonics module may include a beam rotator such as a quarter-wave plate to convert the polarization of the emitted light to a different polarization adapted for passage through the fold mirror. The integrated photonics module may include one or more light detectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Randall B. Sprague, Joshua O. Miller, Margaret K. Brown, Mark O. Freeman, Maarten Niesten, Bin Xue, Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Patent number: 7834867
    Abstract: An integrated photonics module includes at least one light source and a MEMS scanner coupled to and held in alignment by an optical frame configured for mounting to a host system. According to some embodiments, the integrated photonics module may include a plurality of light sources and a beam combiner coupled to the optical frame. According to some embodiments, the integrated photonics module includes a selective fold mirror configured to direct at least a portion of emitted light toward the MEMS scanner in a normal direction and pass scanned light through to a field of view. The selective fold mirror may use beam polarization to select beam passing and reflection. The integrated photonics module may include a beam rotator such as a quarter-wave plate to convert the polarization of the emitted light to a different polarization adapted for passage through the fold mirror. The integrated photonics module may include one or more light detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall B. Sprague, Joshua O. Miller, Margaret K. Brown, Mark O. Freeman, Maarten Niesten, Bin Xue, Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Publication number: 20100232005
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a scanned beam display comprises one or more light sources to generate one or more light beams, a scanner module to receive the one or more light beams to generate a displayed image via scanning of the light beams onto a projection surface, and a spatial phase modulator disposed between the light source and the scanner module to phase modulate the one or more light beams to provide speckle reduction in the display image projected onto the projection surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Alban N. Lescure, Mark O. Freeman, Christian Dean DeJong, Maarten Niesten, Joshua M. Hudman
  • Publication number: 20090141244
    Abstract: A MEMS-based projector may be included in various user devices. A selective fold mirror, a MEMS-based projector, and a polarization rotator may be oriented to reflect a beam within the device for external projection. Alternatively, a total internal reflection prism may take the place of a selective fold mirror or a polarization rotator and may reduce the number of necessary components in the user device. Various optical components may be placed in the MEMS-based projector and arranged in different positions to reflect a light beam in a desired direction for external projection. The components that make up the MEMS-based projector may depend on the available footprint in the device and the direction in which the light beam is to be projected. Some optical components may provide multiple functionalities which would otherwise require multiple components and may reduce the size of the projector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua O. Miller, Richard A. James, Christian Dean DeJong, Robert A. Sprowl, Maarten Niesten
  • Publication number: 20090128782
    Abstract: A MEMS-based projector may be included in various user devices. A selective fold mirror, a MEMS-based projector, and a polarization rotator may be oriented to reflect a beam within the device for external projection. Alternatively, a total internal reflection prism may take the place of a selective fold mirror or a polarization rotator and may reduce the number of necessary components in the user device. Various optical components may be placed in the MEMS-based projector and arranged in different positions to reflect a light beam in a desired direction for external projection. The components that make up the MEMS-based projector may depend on the available footprint in the device and the direction in which the light beam is to be projected. Some optical components may provide multiple functionalities which would otherwise require multiple components and may reduce the size of the projector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua O. Miller, Richard A. James, Christian Dean DeJong, Robert A. Sprowl, Maarten Niesten
  • Patent number: 7513628
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for a projection device having a camera to provide for adjustments based at least in part on a series of captured images are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Infocus Corporation
    Inventor: Maarten Niesten
  • Publication number: 20080037090
    Abstract: A MEMS-based projector may be included in various user devices. A selective fold mirror, a MEMS-based projector, and a polarization rotator may be oriented to reflect a beam within the device for external projection. Alternatively, a total internal reflection prism may take the place of a selective fold mirror or a polarization rotator and may reduce the number of necessary components in the user device. Various optical components may be placed in the MEMS-based projector and arranged in different positions to reflect a light beam in a desired direction for external projection. The components that make up the MEMS-based projector may depend on the available footprint in the device and the direction in which the light beam is to be projected. Some optical components may provide multiple functionalities which would otherwise require multiple components and may reduce the size of the projector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua Miller, Richard James, Christian DeJong, Robert Sprowl, Maarten Niesten
  • Publication number: 20070273794
    Abstract: An integrated photonics module includes at least one light source and a MEMS scanner coupled to and held in alignment by an optical frame configured for mounting to a host system. According to some embodiments, the integrated photonics module may include a plurality of light sources and a beam combiner coupled to the optical frame. According to some embodiments, the integrated photonics module includes a selective fold mirror configured to direct at least a portion of emitted light toward the MEMS scanner in a normal direction and pass scanned light through to a field of view. The selective fold mirror may use beam polarization to select beam passing and reflection. The integrated photonics module may include a beam rotator such as a quarter-wave plate to convert the polarization of the emitted light to a different polarization adapted for passage through the fold mirror. The integrated photonics module may include one or more light detectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Randall Sprague, Joshua Miller, Margaret Brown, Mark Freeman, Maarten Niesten, Bin Xue, Christopher Wiklof