Patents by Inventor Mark O. Freeman

Mark O. Freeman 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: 8231224
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, beam position diversity or beam offset diversity in pupil space performs the complement to angular diversity by maintaining angular content of a beam while changing its position and/or polarization properties in pupil space over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Karlton D. Powell, Mark O. Freeman, Alban N. Lescure
  • Patent number: 8223161
    Abstract: An image generation apparatus provides correction for color offsets. Color offsets may be caused by misalignments in laser diodes or optics assemblies in a laser projector. The offsets may be measured during or after manufacture of the laser projector. An image buffer is responsive to the offset data to translate each color plane separately. The image buffer may include separately addressable portions for each color. Further, variable delay elements on the output of the image buffer may provide color offset correction. Interpolation provides further offset correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Margaret K. Brown, Mark O. Freeman, Mark Champion, Shawn M. Swilley, Maciej A. Jakuc
  • Patent number: 8152307
    Abstract: A optical apparatus (201) for use in an laser imaging system (200) is provided. The optical apparatus (201) includes one or more optical elements (215) that are configured to create an intermediate image plane (217) in the laser imaging system (200). A diffractive optical element (216) is then disposed at the intermediate image plane (217) to reduce speckle. The diffractive optical element (216) includes a periodically repeating phase mask (218) that can be configured in accordance with steps, vortex functions, Hermite-Gaussian functions, and so forth. Smooth grey-level phase transitional surface (337) can be placed between elements (333,334) to improve brightness and image quality. The periodically repeating phase mask (218) makes manufacture simple by reducing alignment sensitivity, and can be used to make applicable safety standards easier to meet as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Markus Duelli, Alban N. Lescure, Mark O. Freeman, Christian Dean DeJong, Joshua M. Hudman
  • Publication number: 20120069415
    Abstract: A scanning projector includes a MEMS device with a scanning mirror that sweeps a beam in two dimensions. Actuating circuits receive scan angle information and provide signal stimulus to the MEMS device to control the amount of mirror deflection on two axes. The period of movement on one or both axes may be modified to effect changes in line density in a resultant display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Mark O. Freeman, Joshua O. Miller
  • Patent number: 8111336
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, scanned beam projector may comprise a light source, a scan drive and a scanning platform to project an image onto a projection surface. The scan drive circuit is capable of at least partially correcting distortion in the projected image by varying an amplitude of the scan drive signal to at least partially compensate for the distortion in the projected image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark O. Freeman, Karlton D. Powell
  • Publication number: 20120013855
    Abstract: An imaging system (200) is configured to reduce perceived speckle (106) in images (201) by introducing angular diversity into consecutively projected images. The imaging system (200) includes one or more laser sources (203) that are configured to produce one or more light beams (215). A light modulator (204) scans these light beams (215) to produce images. A light translation element (206) introduces the angular diversity by physically altering a light reception location (208) on the light modulator (204) between refresh sweeps. To preserve image stability, image data (220) in a memory (218) can be correspondingly shifted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Alban N. Lescure, Markus Duelli, Mark O. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20120013852
    Abstract: An imaging system (200) is configured to reduce perceived speckle in images (201) produced by the imaging system. The imaging system (200) includes one or more laser source pairs (205,206), with each laser source pair being configured to produce two beams (209,210) of a color. A spatial light modulator (211) is configured to produce the images (201) with light (212) from the source pairs by scanning the light (212) in a raster pattern (213) along a projection surface (202). A beam translator (225) is configured to cause lines of successive sweeps of the raster pattern (213) to be scanned with the two beams (221,222) on an alternating basis such that a line scanned by a first of the two beams in one sweep is scanned by a second of the two beams in a sequentially subsequent sweep. Other optical elements can introduce angular diversity to further reduce speckle, such as a beam shifter (2200) and a light translation element (990).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Champion, Mark O. Freeman, Alban N. Lescure, Markus Duelli
  • Publication number: 20120001834
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a scanned beam display, comprises a light source to generate a beam to be scanned and a scanning platform to scan the beam into an exit cone. The scanning platform receives the beam at a selected feed angle, and the scanning platform has a surface structure to redirect the exit cone at an exit angle that is less than the feed angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua M. Hudman, Wyatt O. Davis, Mark O. Freeman, Mark P. Helsel, David Roy Bowman, Kelly D. Linden
  • Patent number: 8068115
    Abstract: An image generation apparatus provides interpolation and distortion correction. The interpolation and distortion correction may be provided in one or two dimensions. Nonlinear image scan trajectories, such as sinusoidal and bi-sinusoidal trajectories are accommodated. Horizontal and vertical scan positions are determined using a linear pixel clock, and displayed pixel intensities are determined using interpolation techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Margaret K. Brown, Mark O. Freeman, Mark Champion, Aarti Raghavan, Shawn M. Swilley, Kelly D. Linden
  • Patent number: 8049825
    Abstract: An imaging system (200), such as a scanned laser projection system, includes one or more laser sources (201) configured to produce one or more light beams (204), and a light modulator (203) configured to produce images (206) from the light beams (204). Optional optical alignment devices (220) can be used to orient the light beams (204) into a combined light beam (205). A birefringent wedge (221) is disposed between at least one of the laser sources (201) and the light modulator (203). The birefringent wedge (221) is configured to receive light from the laser sources (201) and deliver two angularly separated and orthogonally polarized light beams (223) to the light modulator (203) so as to reduce speckle appearing when the images (206) are displayed on a display surface (207). An optional glass wedge (1004) can be used to correct optical path deviation (1001) introduced by the birefringent wedge (221).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Alban N. Lescure, Markus Duelli, Mark O. Freeman
  • 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: 7972008
    Abstract: An image producing system (1400) delivers images (1414) having reduced speckle by employing one or more drive circuits (1404, 1405, 1406) that deliver both a direct current drive signal (205) and an alternating current drive signal (405) to one or more lasers (1401, 1402, 1403). Specifically, an alternating current drive circuit (403) is used in conjunction with a direct current drive circuit (203) to modulate a drive signal. The modulation can be at a frequency of between 400 MHz and 600 MHz. When lasers, such as the red laser (1401) or the blue laser (1403) of a multi-laser system are modulated in such a fashion, their emitted spectral widths (407) greatly expand, thereby reducing speckle in projected images (1414).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Witold R Teller, Alban N Lescure, Mark O. Freeman
  • Publication number: 20110149251
    Abstract: A optical apparatus (201) for use in an laser imaging system (200) is provided. The optical apparatus (201) includes one or more optical elements (215) that are configured to create an intermediate image plane (217) in the laser imaging system (200). A diffractive optical element (216) is then disposed at the intermediate image plane (217) to reduce speckle. The diffractive optical element (216) includes a periodically repeating phase mask (218) that can be configured in accordance with steps, vortex functions, Hermite-Gaussian functions, and so forth. Smooth grey-level phase transitional surface (337) can be placed between elements (333,334) to improve brightness and image quality. The periodically repeating phase mask (218) makes manufacture simple by reducing alignment sensitivity, and can be used to make applicable safety standards easier to meet as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Markus Duelli, Alban N. Lescure, Mark O. Freeman, Christian Dean DeJong, Joshua M. Hudman
  • Patent number: 7959308
    Abstract: A guiding-substrate display may include an angle-mapped display engine to generate a modulated photonic output having angle-mapped rays responsive to an electrical signal without the use of an ocular lens. An input optical element receives the modulated photonic output of the angle-mapped display engine and cooperates with the angle-mapped display engine to launch modulated photonic output having selected polarization. An image relay slab receives the modulated photonic output from the input optical element and guides the modulated photonic output from a proximal to a distal location. An output optical element to receives the modulated photonic output from the image relay slab and launches the modulated photonic output having angle-mapped rays toward a viewing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark O. Freeman, Karlton D. Powell
  • 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: 20110069084
    Abstract: An image generation apparatus provides interpolation and distortion correction. The interpolation and distortion correction may be provided in one or two dimensions. Nonlinear image scan trajectories, such as sinusoidal and bi-sinusoidal trajectories are accommodated. Horizontal and vertical scan positions are determined using a linear pixel clock, and displayed pixel intensities are determined using interpolation techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Margaret K. Brown, Mark O. Freeman, Mark Champion, Aarti Raghavan, Shawn M. Swilley, Kelly D. Linden
  • Publication number: 20110063574
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a full color image and an invisible wavelength monochrome image are projected onto a display screen via a scanning platform of a scanned beam display. The monochrome image is re-radiated from a Photoluminescent material of the display screen as a visible wavelength monochrome image. The overall image may be viewed by a viewer as a three-dimensional image by providing the monochrome image to a first eye of the user without the full color image, and providing the full color image to a second eye of the user without the monochrome image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventor: Mark O. Freeman
  • Patent number: 7905603
    Abstract: A display system includes and image-guiding substrate with input and/or output structures configured to improve image quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark O. Freeman, Karlton D. Powell