Patents by Inventor Steven J. Robbins

Steven J. Robbins 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: 20230194876
    Abstract: A near eye optical display includes a waveguide comprising a first surface and a second surface, an input coupler, a fold grating, and an output grating. The input coupler is configured to receive collimated light from a display source and to cause the light to travel within the waveguide via total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface to the fold grating; the fold grating is configured to provide pupil expansion in a first direction and to direct the light to the output grating via total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface; and the output grating is configured to provide pupil expansion in a second direction different than the first direction and to cause the light to exit the waveguide from the first surface or the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: James H. STANLEY, Jonathan David WALDERN, Milan Momcilo POPOVICH, Alastair John GRANT, Steven J. ROBBINS
  • Patent number: 11579455
    Abstract: A near eye optical display includes a waveguide comprising a first surface and a second surface, an input coupler, a fold grating, and an output grating. The input coupler is configured to receive collimated light from a display source and to cause the light to travel within the waveguide via total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface to the fold grating; the fold grating is configured to provide pupil expansion in a first direction and to direct the light to the output grating via total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface; and the output grating is configured to provide pupil expansion in a second direction different than the first direction and to cause the light to exit the waveguide from the first surface or the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignees: Rockwell Collins, Inc., Digilens Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Stanley, Jonathan David Waldern, Milan Momcilo Popovich, Alastair John Grant, Steven J. Robbins
  • Publication number: 20220308352
    Abstract: A near eye optical display includes a waveguide comprising a first surface and a second surface, an input coupler, a fold grating, and an output grating. The input coupler is configured to receive collimated light from a display source and to cause the light to travel within the waveguide via total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface to the fold grating; the fold grating is configured to provide pupil expansion in a first direction and to direct the light to the output grating via total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface; and the output grating is configured to provide pupil expansion in a second direction different than the first direction and to cause the light to exit the waveguide from the first surface or the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: James H. STANLEY, Jonathan David WALDERN, Milan Momcilo POPOVICH, Alastair John GRANT, Steven J. ROBBINS
  • Patent number: 11300795
    Abstract: A near eye optical display includes a waveguide comprising a first surface and a second surface, an input coupler, a fold grating, and an output grating. The input coupler is configured to receive collimated light from a display source and to cause the light to travel within the waveguide via total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface to the fold grating; the fold grating is configured to provide pupil expansion in a first direction and to direct the light to the output grating via total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface; and the output grating is configured to provide pupil expansion in a second direction different than the first direction and to cause the light to exit the waveguide from the first surface or the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignees: DIGILENS INC., ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.
    Inventors: James H. Stanley, Jonathan David Waldern, Milan Momcilo Popovich, Alastair John Grant, Steven J. Robbins
  • Patent number: 10795160
    Abstract: A near eye optical display includes a waveguide comprising a first surface and a second surface, an input coupler, a fold grating, and an output grating. The input coupler is configured to receive collimated light from a display source and to cause the light to travel within the waveguide via total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface to the fold grating; the fold grating is configured to provide pupil expansion in a first direction and to direct the light to the output grating via total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface; and the output grating is configured to provide pupil expansion in a second direction different than the first direction and to cause the light to exit the waveguide from the first surface or the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignees: Rockwell Collins, Inc., Digilens Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Stanley, Jonathan David Waldern, Milan Momcilo Popovich, Alastair John Grant, Steven J. Robbins
  • Patent number: 10509241
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing an optical display includes an optical substrate for propagating light received from a light source, a first set of one or more switchable diffractive elements in the substrate, and a second set of one or more switchable diffractive elements in the substrate. Each diffractive element in the second set corresponds to a diffractive element in the first set. Each of the diffractive elements in the first and second sets is configured to switch between on and off states. One of the states is for diffracting light and the other state for allowing light to pass through. Each of the first set of diffractive elements is configured to diffract the light at an angle for propagation in the substrate. Each of the second set of diffractive elements is configured to diffract the light for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignees: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC., DIGILENS INC.
    Inventors: Steven J. Robbins, James H. Stanley, Francois Raynal, Robert D. Brown, James M. Tedesco, Wyatt L. Hendrick, Milan M. Popovich, Jonathan D. Waldern, Alastair J. Grant
  • Patent number: 10488653
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods corresponding to addressing misalignment in display systems are provided. A method includes using a first microelectromechanical system (MEMS) mirror, directing a first signal from a first light source to an alignment tracking waveguide. The method further includes receiving by a first photosensor a first portion of the first signal via the alignment tracking waveguide and determining a first alignment indicator associated with the first portion of the first signal. The method further includes using a second MEMS mirror, directing a second signal from a second light source to the alignment tracking waveguide. The method further includes receiving by a second photosensor a second portion of the second signal via the alignment tracking waveguide and determining a second alignment indicator associated with the second portion of the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Richard A. Wall, Dmitry Reshidko, Joseph Lowney, Richard A. James, Steven J. Robbins
  • Publication number: 20190155021
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods corresponding to addressing misalignment in display systems are provided. A method includes using a first microelectromechanical system (MEMS) mirror, directing a first signal from a first light source to an alignment tracking waveguide. The method further includes receiving by a first photosensor a first portion of the first signal via the alignment tracking waveguide and determining a first alignment indicator associated with the first portion of the first signal. The method further includes using a second MEMS mirror, directing a second signal from a second light source to the alignment tracking waveguide. The method further includes receiving by a second photosensor a second portion of the second signal via the alignment tracking waveguide and determining a second alignment indicator associated with the second portion of the second signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Richard A. Wall, Dmitry Reshidko, Joseph Lowney, Richard A. James, Steven J. Robbins
  • Patent number: 9274339
    Abstract: A worn display, includes a projector and at least one wearable diffraction grating member. The member includes an input end for receiving an image from a projector and a combiner end for receiving light from a scene and providing the image received at the input end and the light received from the outside scene to the user. The worn display can be used in aircraft applications to provide guidance information to a pilot. The diffraction grating member can have periscopic characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert D. Brown, Steven J. Robbins, Francois Raynal
  • Patent number: 8902125
    Abstract: A reconfigurable handheld device includes a housing; a processor disposed within the housing; and a display system coupled to the processor and including a display area. The display system is configured to selectively provide one of a first image viewable via the display system at a normal viewing distance; a second image viewable via the display system proximate at least one eye of a user; and a third image generated by the display system and viewable via a remote surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Robbins, Francois Raynal
  • Patent number: 8817350
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing an optical display includes an optical substrate for propagating light received from a light source, a first set of one or more switchable diffractive elements in the substrate, and a second set of one or more switchable diffractive elements in the substrate. Each diffractive element in the second set corresponds to a diffractive element in the first set. Each of the diffractive elements in the first and second sets is configured to switch between on and off states. One of the states is for diffracting light and the other state for allowing light to pass through. Each of the first set of diffractive elements is configured to diffract the light at an angle for propagation in the substrate. Each of the second set of diffractive elements is configured to diffract the light for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Robbins, James H. Stanley, Francois Raynal, Robert D. Brown, James M. Tedesco, Wyatt L. Hendrick, Milan M. Popovich, Jonathan D. Waldern, Alastair J. Grant
  • Patent number: 8681073
    Abstract: A method of controlling a see-through display includes receiving a sensor signal. The sensor signal provides a representation of an image associated with a view of an outside scene. The method also includes receiving a video frame having pixels. Each of the pixels has a color and intensity. The method further includes changing the color or the intensity of selected pixels of the pixels in response to the sensor signal on a zonal or pixel basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Robbins, Michael W. Cofer, Kenneth A. Zimmerman, Michael J. Oldham, John G. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8659826
    Abstract: A worn display, such as a head worn display, includes a projector and a periscopic system configured to be wearable. The periscopic system includes at least one diffraction grating member. The member includes an input end for receiving an image from a projector and a combiner end for receiving light from a scene and providing the image received at the input end and the light received from the outside scene to the user. The head worn display can be used in aircraft applications to provide guidance information to a pilot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Brown, Steven J. Robbins, Francois Raynal
  • Patent number: 8233204
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing an optical display includes an optical substrate for propagating light received from a light source, a first set of one or more switchable diffractive elements in the substrate, and a second set of one or more switchable diffractive elements in the substrate. Each diffractive element in the second set corresponds to a diffractive element in the first set. Each of the diffractive elements in the first and second sets is configured to switch between on and off states. One of the states is for diffracting light and the other state for allowing light to pass through. Each of the first set of diffractive elements is configured to diffract the light at an angle for propagation in the substrate. Each of the second set of diffractive elements is configured to diffract the light for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Robbins, James H. Stanley, Francois Raynal, Robert D. Brown, James M. Tedesco, Wyatt L. Hendrick