Plural Parallel Light Modulators Patents (Class 348/750)
  • Patent number: 11269117
    Abstract: A projection display apparatus includes a reflective image display element having an image display surface including micromirrors, a prism unit bending an optical path of illumination light and transmitting image light, and a projection optical system. The prism unit has an air gap tilted with respect to a principal ray of the image light emitted from the center of the image display surface, and the image light passes through the air gap. The projection optical system includes an aperture stop with a noncircular aperture so shaped that part of a circular aperture in a peripheral portion thereof is cut off in a shape of a segment to serve as a shade portion, and image light corresponding to an end portion at a side where an incidence angle with respect to the air gap is large in an F-number beam is blocked by the shade portion satisfying predetermined conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Masayuki Imaoka
  • Patent number: 11172560
    Abstract: An ophthalmic illumination system includes a broadband light source configured to emit a white laser beam, a first monochromatic light source configured to emit a first monochromatic laser beam having a first central wavelength, optics configured to receive a combined light beam comprising the white laser beam and the monochromatic laser, and a controller comprising a processor and a memory configured to control a chromaticity of the combined light beam by changing an output power of the first monochromatic light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Alcon Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald T. Smith
  • Patent number: 11067878
    Abstract: A laser projection device includes: a laser light source, including three laser assemblies emitting lasers of different colors; a laser light source driving unit, including: a display control circuit; three power supply driving assemblies connected to the three laser assemblies; and three laser driving assemblies connected to three power supply driving assemblies, where the display control circuit is configured to transmit an enabling signal corresponding to each laser assembly to a corresponding power supply driving assembly when transmitting a PWM signal corresponding to the each laser assembly; each power supply driving assembly is configured to load a driving voltage to a corresponding laser driving assembly according to voltage of a received PWM signal, when a received enabling signal is at active potential; and each laser driving assembly is configured to drive a corresponding laser assembly to emit light according to the driving voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: HISENSE LASER DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kai Wu, Longmin Li, Xu Chen
  • Patent number: 10972708
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for compensating for color separation of an image in a holographic head-up display (HUD), caused by a change in characteristics such as a temperature or wavelength of a laser projector. An apparatus (200) for compensating for color separation of an image in a HUD includes a GPU (100); a video signal inputter (110); a temperature sensor (120); a controller (130); a memory (135); a panel driving unit (140) for outputting an image to a panel (160); a laser diode driving unit (150) for driving R, G, and B laser diodes (151), (152), and (153); a lens (70), and a screen (180). Accordingly, an image, the quality of which is degraded due to color separation of an image, may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min Ho Shin, Chan Young Yoon, Ji Yun Lim, Youn A Lee
  • Patent number: 10958882
    Abstract: A projection device and a photo coupler circuit for the same are disclosed. The photo coupler circuit includes a logic unit, a number of integration units and a selection unit. The logic unit is configured to receive a number of first control signals and a number of first PWM signals from a main circuit of the projection device, and to output a number of second PWM signals and one or more second control signals according to the first control signals and the first PWM signals. The integration units are coupled to the logic unit. Each of the integration units is configured to generate an integration signal according to one of the second PWM signals. The selection unit is coupled to the integration units to select one of the integration signals to be output to a light source drive circuit of the projection device according to the second control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Qisda Corporation
    Inventors: Wei-Chun Chang, Tsung-Hsun Wu
  • Patent number: 10944240
    Abstract: Multi-section laser systems are configured with a gain/modulation section and a pre-bias section. Both sections are electrically connected to a diode laser resonator and both sections are independently controllable via laser driver circuitry. The multi-section laser can be used to provide pulsing optimizations that include reducing the turn-on delay of the laser while also ensuring that the resulting laser light's spectral linewidth satisfies a threshold linewidth requirement. During use, a pre-bias current is applied to the pre-bias section. This current causes some photons to be spontaneously emitted. During this time, a gain current is refrained from being applied to the gain section until the resonator is seeded with a spectrum of photons from the pre-bias section. Once the resonator is sufficiently seeded, the gain current is applied to the gain section, thereby producing a seeded pulse of laser light having a desired spectral linewidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond Kirk Price, Christopher Francis Reidy, Kai Zang
  • Patent number: 10724898
    Abstract: Light emitted from a light source is irradiated to a reflective light modulator which modulates irradiated light to reflect based on image data and the light reflected by the light modulator is projected. A ratio of return light returning from the light modulator to the light source to the light irradiated to the light modulator is calculated based on the image data. A light amount of the light emitted from the light source is calculated by using the calculated ratio and a detection output of an optical sensor provided between the light source and the light modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: JVC KENWOOD Corporation
    Inventors: Naoya Okamoto, Naoya Aizu
  • Patent number: 9800849
    Abstract: A combined optical lens module and an optical imaging device with the combined optical lens module are provided. The optical imaging device includes a visible light-emitting unit, an invisible light-emitting unit, at least one visible light lens group and at least one invisible light lens group. After a visible light beam is transmitted through the at least one visible light lens group, a propagating direction of the visible light beam is changed. After an invisible light beam is transmitted through the at least one invisible light lens group, a propagating direction of the invisible light beam is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Everready Precision Ind. Corp.
    Inventors: Jyh-Long Chern, Chih-Ming Yen
  • Patent number: 9760965
    Abstract: A memory stores first video information displayed on a display screen. A processor generates embedded information varying temporally and superimposes the embedded information on an image part at least corresponding to an edge of the display screen in the first video information so as to generate second video information on which the embedded information is superimposed. An output interface outputs the second video information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Kensuke Kuraki, Ryuta Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9709802
    Abstract: In described examples, a DMD includes an array of micromirror pixels. Each pixel includes a right electrode on a first side of the pixel, a left electrode on a second side of the pixel adjacent the first side, and a cantilevered beam supporting a mirror. The cantilever beam tilts on two axes of translation: pitch and roll. The mirror has: a first landed position (on a first and second spring tip) over the right electrode; and a second landed position (on the first and a third spring tip) over the left electrode, such that the first landed position and the second landed positions are 90° apart. In transitioning from the first landed position to the second landed position, the mirror maintains contact with the first spring tip while rolling from the second spring tip to the third spring tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: William C. McDonald, James N. Hall, Mark F. Reed, Lance W. Barron, Terry A. Bartlett, Divyanshu Agrawal
  • Patent number: 9564078
    Abstract: Techniques for rendering images directly with light conversion materials are described. In some embodiments, image data for one or more image frames is received. A light source may be controlled to emit first light to irradiate a light conversion material disposed with an image rendering surface. Second light that renders the one or more image frames may be emitted from the light conversion material. The second light emitted from the light conversion material may be excited by the first light. A display system under techniques herein may be free of a light valve layer on which light transmittance is modulated on a pixel-by-pixel basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Ajit Ninan
  • Patent number: 9313468
    Abstract: A video display device includes a light source, a rotating substrate, a light detection unit, a light valve, and a control section. The light detection unit detects intensity of first color light emitted from the wheel in a second period included in a first period and in a third period which is included in the first period and does not overlap with the second period, where the first period is a period equal to time during which light continuously enters a first region. The control section controls at least one of the wheel and the light valve based on the intensity of the first color light detected in the light detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Iori Hayashi, Teruto Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9253431
    Abstract: A projection video display apparatus includes: a converter that converts an input video signal having a first number of pixels and a first frame rate into a conversion video signal having a second number of pixels and a second frame rate, the second number of pixels being smaller than the first number of pixels, and the second frame rate being an n-th multiple (n is an integer of 2 or greater) of the first frame rate; an optical element that displaces an optical axis of the video light beam; an optical element driving unit that drives the optical element at a frequency F being a natural-number multiple of the first frame rate; and a rotating body that rotates at a rotation speed R. The rotation speed R is set so as to become a value within a predetermined range corresponding to the frequency F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuma Tani, Ken Mashitani, Takaaki Gyoten
  • Patent number: 9019437
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to display technologies. More specifically, various embodiments of the present invention provide projection display systems where one or more laser diodes are used as light source for illustrating images. In one set of embodiments, the present invention provides projector systems that utilize blue and/or green laser fabricated using gallium nitride containing material. In another set of embodiments, the present invention provides projection systems having digital lighting processing engines illuminated by blue and/or green laser devices. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a 3D display system. There are other embodiments as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Soraa Laser Diode, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Raring, Paul Rudy
  • Patent number: 9013638
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to display technologies. More specifically, various embodiments of the present invention provide projection display systems where one or more laser diodes are used as a light source for illustrating images. In one set of embodiments, the present invention provides projector systems that utilize blue and/or green laser fabricated using gallium nitride containing material. In another set of embodiments, the present invention provides projection systems having digital lighting processing engines illuminated by blue and/or green laser devices. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a 3D display system. There are other embodiments as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Soraa Laser Diode, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Raring, Paul Rudy
  • Publication number: 20150085198
    Abstract: A device for projecting images from a video generating device such as a computer, television receiver, or similar device onto a screen or other surface is described in this invention. The device uses a rotating disk containing numerous lenses to direct a light beam from a laser or other light source towards the screen. In one embodiment, a pulsed laser light from red, green, and blue lasers are combined into a single light pulse that is transmitted through the rotating disk that transmit each light pulse to a specific location on the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: David James Baker, Richard A. Baker, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140347566
    Abstract: An image display method implemented in a projector that includes first to third display elements each of which spatially modulates incident light to display an image, synthesizes the images displayed by the first to third display elements, and projects the synthesized image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Atsushi Katou
  • Patent number: 8860891
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the effective contrast ratio and brightness yields for digital light valve image projectors using a variable luminance control mechanism (VLCM), associated with the projector optics, for modifying the light output and provide a correction thereto; and an adaptive luminance control module (ALCM) for receiving signals from the video input board, the adaptive luminance control module producing a signal on a VLCM bus connecting the variable luminance control mechanism and the adaptive luminance control module, the signal causing the variable luminance control mechanism to change the luminance of the light output and provide a corrected video signal for the projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventors: Eddie E. Allen, Thomas D. Strade, Christopher Coley
  • Publication number: 20140240611
    Abstract: A laser driving circuit, a laser driving method, and a device using laser light that can reduce speckle noise caused by laser light as coherent light are provided. In the laser driving circuit that generates laser driving current for driving a plurality of laser light sources emitting laser light of different wavelengths on the basis of an input video signal, a high-frequency signal of a frequency exceeding the band of the video signal is superimposed on the laser driving current generated on the basis of the input video signal, whereby speckle noise caused by the laser light as coherent light is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Motoi Kimura, Tsutomu Kurihara
  • Patent number: 8817068
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a digital hologram display device in which the 0th diffraction component is removed for optimizing the reproduction and replay of three-dimensional hologram video data. The present disclosure suggests a digital hologram image display device including a pattern generator generating holography interference patterns; a spatial light modulator receiving the holography interference patterns from the pattern generator and representing the holography interference patterns; a light source positioning at one side of the spatial light modulator and illuminating a reference beam to the spatial light modulator; an optical device controlling the reference beam to be collimated onto the entire surface of the spatial light modulator; and a diffusion sheet disposed between the light source and the spatial light modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minsung Yoon, Guensik Lee
  • Patent number: 8773598
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to display technologies. More specifically, various embodiments of the present invention provide projection display systems where one or more laser diodes are used as light source for illustrating images. In one set of embodiments, the present invention provides projector systems that utilize blue and/or green laser fabricated using gallium nitride containing material. In another set of embodiments, the present invention provides projection systems having digital lighting processing engines illuminated by blue and/or green laser devices. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a 3D display system. There are other embodiments as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Soraa Laser Diode, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Raring, Paul Rudy
  • Patent number: 8749719
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to display technologies. More specifically, various embodiments of the present invention provide projection display systems where one or more laser diodes are used as light source for illustrating images. In one set of embodiments, the present invention provides projector systems that utilize blue and/or green laser fabricated using gallium nitride containing material. In another set of embodiments, the present invention provides projection systems having digital lighting processing engines illuminated by blue and/or green laser devices. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a 3D display system. There are other embodiments as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Soraa Laser Diode, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Raring, Paul Rudy
  • Patent number: 8730410
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to display technologies. More specifically, various embodiments of the present invention provide projection display systems where one or more laser diodes are used as light source for illustrating images. In one set of embodiments, the present invention provides projector systems that utilize blue and/or green laser fabricated using gallium nitride containing material. In another set of embodiments, the present invention provides projection systems having digital lighting processing engines illuminated by blue and/or green laser devices. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a 3D display system. There are other embodiments as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Soraa Laser Diode, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Raring, Paul Rudy
  • Patent number: 8717505
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to display technologies. More specifically, various embodiments of the present invention provide projection display systems where one or more laser diodes are used as a light source for illustrating images. In one set of embodiments, the present invention provides projector systems that utilize blue and/or green laser fabricated using gallium nitride containing material. In another set of embodiments, the present invention provides projection systems having digital lighting processing engines illuminated by blue and/or green laser devices. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a 3D display system. There are other embodiments as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Soraa Laser Diode, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Raring, Paul Rudy
  • Patent number: 8702248
    Abstract: A display system able to reduce interpixel intensity gaps caused by the use of pulsed laser sources having relatively short optimum pulse duration. The interpixel intensity gaps are reduced by temporally offsetting multiple laser pulses for a display pixel during a corresponding pixel-scan period. The temporally offset pulses for the display pixel are then scanned to different locations on a viewing surface such that the display pixel has an improved intensity distribution. Additional reduction in the interpixel gaps may be accomplished by de-focusing the temporally offset pulses in a scan direction, increasing the duty cycle of the source lasers, and shifting the location of alternating frames on the viewing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Christensen, Dennis F. Elkins
  • Patent number: 8668339
    Abstract: In a light source device, that obtains high light usage efficiency by projecting simultaneously two or more of three primary color lights X, Y and Z. Moreover, each color light X, Y and Z is divided into two in terms of time so that p-wave and s-wave linear polarization lights are formed, such that the synthesized light of the p-wave linear polarization lights enters a first spatial modulation element and the synthesized light of the s-wave linear polarization lights enters a second spatial modulation element to permit gradation control of each color light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ushio Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyoyuki Kabuki, Akihiko Sugitani, Yoshihiro Horikawa, Yoshio Okazaki
  • Patent number: 8654264
    Abstract: Laser projection system suitable for commercial motion picture theaters and other large screen venues, including home theater, uses optical fibers to project modulated laser beams for simultaneously raster scanning multiple lines on screen. Emitting ends of optical fibers are arranged in an array such that red, green and blue spots are simultaneously scanned onto the screen in multiple lines spaced one or more scan lines apart. Use of optical fibers enables scanning of small, high resolution spots on screen, and permits convenient packaging and replacement, upgrading or modification of system components. Simultaneous raster scanning of multiple lines enables higher resolution, brightness, and frame rates with available economical components. Fiber-based beam coupling may be used to greatly enhance the flexibility of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Magic Lantern, LLC
    Inventors: John P. Callison, Jeffrey S. Pease, Richard W. Pease
  • Patent number: 8651663
    Abstract: A color stereoscopic digital projection system having a plurality of color channels for projecting a color stereoscopic image, comprising: left-eye and right-eye image forming systems, each including a light sources for each color channel; a spatial light modulator, illumination optics arranged to receive the light beams and provide corresponding substantially uniform bands of light, beam scanning optics arranged to cyclically scroll the bands of light across the spatial light modulator, and a controller system that synchronously modulates the pixels of the spatial light modulator according to image data. The right-eye and left-eye light sources have corresponding spectrally-adjacent, substantially non-overlapping spectral bands falling within the same component color spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Barry David Silverstein
  • Patent number: 8636365
    Abstract: A projection display device includes first to third display panels configured to realize first to third color images and a fourth display panel configured to realize a white image. The first to third color images and the white image may be combined and projected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chan-Young Park, Hye-Dong Kim
  • Patent number: 8608317
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention a projection facility for projecting image contents onto an inside wall in an open cabin of a transport means, with which any given image contents can be projected onto a curved inside wall in a large-scale manner. The projection facility may comprise, apart from several projectors, several mirrors for deflecting the image contents. This allows image quality to be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus S.A.S.
    Inventors: Ulrich Babst, Torsten Jaunich, Daniel Dreyer, Hans Lobentanzer, Marc S. Velten, Holger Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8582038
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to display technologies. More specifically, various embodiments of the present invention provide projection display systems where one or more laser diodes are used as light source for illustrating images. In one set of embodiments, the present invention provides projector systems that utilize blue and/or green laser fabricated using gallium nitride containing material. In another set of embodiments, the present invention provides projection systems having digital lighting processing engines illuminated by blue and/or green laser devices. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a 3D display system. There are other embodiments as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Soraa, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Raring, Paul Rudy
  • Publication number: 20130258210
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a laser driving circuit, including: a plurality of laser driving video current generation circuits configured to generate a plurality of kinds of laser driving current for driving a plurality of laser light sources configured to emit laser light having wavelengths different from each other based on an inputted video signal; a high frequency superposition section configured to superpose a high frequency signal having a frequency higher than a frequency band of the video signal on the laser driving current generated by the laser driving video current generation circuits; and a waveform correction section configured to correct a waveform of the high frequency signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsutomu Kurihara, Motoi Kimura
  • Patent number: 8508672
    Abstract: A system for, and method of, improving video image sharpness and a continuous-light-emitting video display system employing the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system for improving video image sharpness includes: (1) a sub-frame generator configured to receive a frame of a video image and generate plural sub-frames therefrom and (2) a spatial filter, associated with the sub-frame generator and configured to cause the plural sub-frames to be spatially filtered with respect to one another based on a display sequence thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Andrew I. Russell
  • Patent number: 8444272
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a color image has at least a first, a second, and a third illumination source, each illumination source energizable to provide continuous illumination of a first, a second, or a third wavelength band, respectively, to an optical multiplexer. The optical multiplexer is actuable to cyclically switch received light from each one of the illumination sources, in turn, to each one of at least a first, a second, and a third projector channel in a repeated sequence. The first projector channel connects to a first projector apparatus, the second projector channel connects to a second projector apparatus, and the third projector channel connects to a third projector apparatus. Each projector apparatus has a light modulator that is energizable to form an image from the light of the first, second, or third wavelength band that is cyclically switched onto its projector channel from the optical multiplexer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Joshua Monroe Cobb
  • Patent number: 8436949
    Abstract: An image display system comprises a first liquid crystal projector which projects a counterclockwise-rotating, circularly polarized light beam to form an image containing specific visual information on a screen and a second liquid crystal projector which projects a clockwise-rotating, circularly polarized light beam to form a white image on the same screen. When viewed with the naked eye, a combination of the two images projected on the screen appears totally white. A viewer wearing a dedicated viewing device equipped with an optical filter which allows counterclockwise-rotating, circularly polarized light to pass through can selectively see the image projected by the first liquid crystal projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Yoshiharu Hirakata, Jun Koyama, Satoshi Teramoto
  • Publication number: 20130107133
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to circuits, systems and methods that can be used to detect light beam misalignment, so that compensation for such misalignment can be performed. In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes a photo-detector (PD) having a plurality of electrically isolated PD segments. Additionally, the circuit has circuitry, including switches, configured to control how currents indicative of light detected by the plurality of electrically isolated PD segments are arithmetically combined. When the switches are in a first configuration, a signal produced by the circuitry is indicative of vertical light beam alignment. When the switches are in a second configuration, the signal produced by the circuitry is indicative of horizontal light beam alignment. The signals indicative of vertical light beam alignment and horizontal light beam alignment can be used detect light beam misalignment, so that compensation for such misalignment can be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: INTERSIL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventor: INTERSIL AMERICAS INC.
  • Patent number: 8427590
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to display technologies. More specifically, various embodiments of the present invention provide projection display systems where one or more laser diodes are used as light source for illustrating images. In one set of embodiments, the present invention provides projector systems that utilize blue and/or green laser fabricated using gallium nitride containing material. In another set of embodiments, the present invention provides projection systems having digital lighting processing engines illuminated by blue and/or green laser devices. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a 3D display system. There are other embodiments as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Soraa, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Raring, Paul Rudy
  • Patent number: 8425043
    Abstract: A projector includes: a first optical device, and a first color combining optical device; a second optical device, and a second color combining optical device; a combining optical device adapted to combine emission light emitted respectively from the first optical device and the second optical device; a first polarization conversion device disposed between the first optical device and the combining optical device, and adapted to align a polarization direction of the emission light from the first optical device into a first polarization direction; and a second polarization conversion device disposed between the second optical device and the combining optical device, and adapted to align a polarization direction of the emission light from the second optical device into a second polarization direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yasunaga Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 8422108
    Abstract: An interferometric modulator (Imod) cavity has a reflector and an induced absorber. A direct view reflective flat panel display may include an array of the modulators. Adjacent spacers of different thicknesses are fabricated on a substrate by a lift-off technique used to pattern the spacers which are deposited separately, each deposition providing a different thickness of spacer. Or a patterned photoresist may be used to allow for an etching process to selectively etch back the thickness of a spacer which was deposited in a single deposition. A full-color static graphical image may be formed of combined patterns of interferometric modulator cavities. Each cavity includes a reflector, and an induced absorber, the induced absorber including a spacer having a thickness that defines a color associated with the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark W. Miles
  • Patent number: 8334934
    Abstract: Technology for carrying out a luminance range expansion process is provided. In the technology, the luminance range expansion process is carried out in a manner appropriate to the luminance histogram of image data. Using the white peak value WP which represents the maximum value of luminance and the APL which represents the mean value thereof in the luminance histogram of image data, an expansion coefficient for use in the luminance range expansion process is derived by referring to an expansion coefficient lookup table 210. On the basis of the expansion coefficient, the luminance range expansion process is performed on the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Nobori, Fumio Koyama
  • Patent number: 8294833
    Abstract: An image projection method comprises the steps of a) obtaining an image pixel array for the image to be projected; b) obtaining a plurality of pixel allocation arrays for the image pixel array, whereby each pixel allocation array comprises occupied elements and vacant elements; c) generating a trigger pulse train for a laser light source according to a pixel allocation array, whereby a trigger pulse is generated for each occupied element; d) generating a modulation signal for the laser light source; e) switching the laser light source with the trigger pulse train and modulating the laser light source with the modulation signal to generate a laser light pulse sequence for a sub-frame image; f) and scanning the laser light pulse sequence to traverse the display; thereby, the steps c) to f) are carried out for each pixel allocation array so that the image appears on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Carsten Deppe
  • Patent number: 8284327
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin defined by a front, a back, a roof, a floor, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side. The vehicle also includes a window having a surface area that covers at least 50% of the first side, and seating in the cabin arranged to face the first side. The seating may be arranged in at least two rows, with a first row of seats having a first elevation relative to the floor, and a second row of seats having a second elevation relative to the floor, where the second elevation being greater than the first elevation. The vehicle also includes a video system comprising a plurality of video monitors located at the first side. Other variations and a related method of providing entertainment using vehicles of the claimed type are also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: The Ride, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Counts
  • Patent number: 8279349
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system and method for controlling visual parameters of a capturing device to minimize clipping and saturation according to predefined parameters. The method may include processing pixel values of a current input frame of a received video signal captured by a capturing device; accumulating processing results of the current input frame to processing results of one or more previous input frames and calculating a desired dynamic range based on pre-determined user parameters. The processing may further include checking if the accumulated results are within the desired dynamic range and determining if adjustment is desired. If the accumulated results are not within the desired dynamic range, adjusting visual parameters for a subsequent input frame, by controlling the capturing device and if the accumulated results are within the desired dynamic range maintaining current visual parameters of the current input frame for the subsequent input frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Nice Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Yaron Shmueli, Eran Gonen, Amotz Hoshen
  • Patent number: 8259238
    Abstract: An optical unit is provided which includes inorganic polarizing plates used as output polarizing plates. Even if a defect such as a flaw or a pinhole is present in the polarizing plate, the defect is not projected on the display screen. Instead of output polarizing plates for liquid crystal panels for R, G, and B, a common polarizing plate for R, G, and B is disposed on the output side of a photosynthesis prism. A color selective polarization rotator which rotates the polarization of light of a selected wavelength band is disposed between the photosynthesis prism and the common polarizing plate. Or, alternatively, instead of output polarizing plates for R and G to be individually disposed along with an output polarizing plate for B, a common output polarizing plate for R and G is disposed on the output side of the photosynthesis prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Consumer Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Kimura
  • Patent number: 8066380
    Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a projector which includes several optical elements, reflective devices and beam splitters, arranged to reduce back reflection effects. At least one exemplary embodiment includes a mirror, two beam splitters, three reflection devices, and two optical elements affecting polarization of incident light upon the optical elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Inoko
  • Patent number: 8049822
    Abstract: There are provided a write light valve for generating image-writing light by modulating write light, a driver for writing images into the write light valve based on image data, read light valves for each color for generating respective color image lights by modulating each received color illumination light, an imaging lens group for guiding the image-writing light emitted from the write light valve to the respective read light valves, a dichroic cube for combining together color image lights emitted from the respective read light valves, a projection lens for projecting each color image light combined together. The imaging lens group has a distortion aberration which reduces or cancels out a distortion aberration of the projection lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuhei Amano, Yoshihiro Yokote, Hideyuki Kanayama, Kazuhiro Arai, Takashi Ikeda, Takashi Miwa
  • Patent number: 8011789
    Abstract: A rear projection display includes a projector for projecting light from a light source as an optical image, an exterior cabinet for enclosing the projector, a projection screen provided for the exterior cabinet on which the optical image is projected, and two or more optical sensors provided in a region where the optical image is projected from the projector other than an image display region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Taisuke Murata
  • Patent number: 7972004
    Abstract: A system and method for uniform light generation in projection display systems. An illumination source comprises a light source to produce colored light, and a scrolling optics unit optically coupled to the light source, the scrolling optics unit configured to create lines of colored light from the colored light, and to scroll the lines of colored light along a direction orthogonal to a light path of the illumination source. The scrolling optics unit comprises a single light shaping diffuser to transform the colored light into the lines of colored light, an optical filter positioned in the light path after the light shaping diffuser, and a scrolling optics element positioned in the light path after the optical filter. The single light shaping diffuser is capable of simultaneously transforming colored light into lines of colored light having substantially uniform intensity to provide uniform illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Terry Alan Bartlett, Paul L. Rancuret
  • Patent number: 7911544
    Abstract: Technology for carrying out a luminance range expansion process is provided. In the technology, the luminance range expansion process is carried out in a manner appropriate to the luminance histogram of image data. Using the white peak value WP which represents the maximum value of luminance and the APL which represents the mean value thereof in the luminance histogram of image data, an expansion coefficient for use in the luminance range expansion process is derived by referring to an expansion coefficient lookup table 210. On the basis of the expansion coefficient, the luminance range expansion process is performed on the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Nobori, Fumio Koyama
  • Patent number: 7891818
    Abstract: A projection system that includes a singe light modulation device and a plurality of light sources of different wavelengths. Each wavelength of light is incident on the light modulation device at a spatially distinct location and a temporally distinct time. The use of a scanning mirror allows the projection system to sequentially form, in full-color, each of the columns or rows of an image. The projection system is characterized by the reduction of color separation or the rainbow effect due to the rendering of each column or row in full color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Christensen, Bret D. Winkler, Dennis Elkins, Allen H. Tanner