Light Wave Temporal Modulation (e.g., Frequency, Amplitude, Etc.) Patents (Class 359/238)
  • Patent number: 7369289
    Abstract: An optical modulation device is disclosed which can suppress production of a cause of degradation such as a void or hillock on a light illumination surface thereof and can be incorporated in an image display apparatus of a small size and a high luminance to improve the reliability of the same. The optical modulation device includes first and second surface elements movable relative to each other to form different diffraction gratings to modulate light inputted thereto. Each of the first and second surface elements has a light illumination surface made of an AlCu alloy material. The optical modulation device has an airtight sealed space in which surrounding gas for the first and second surface elements is encapsulated. The surrounding gas contains hydrogen gas or helium gas or both of hydrogen gas and helium gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Tamada, Ayumu Taguchi
  • Patent number: 7369290
    Abstract: Approaches to bias control are disclosed for an optical modulator that modulates an optical carrier with a data input signal. In one embodiment an electrical bias input signal provided to the modulator is adjusted based on a characteristic of the data input signal detected from the modulated optical output signal. Another embodiment injects an additive dither signal into an optical modulator receiving a data input signal having a modulation depth of at least on the order of 50%. These embodiments can obtain and maintain a correct bias point on a modulator's transfer function curve when the modulation signal has a modulation depth on the order of 100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Photonic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles H. Cox, Edward I. Ackerman
  • Publication number: 20080084598
    Abstract: A system and method for combining plural low power light beams into a coherent high power light beam by means of a diffractive optical element operating as both a beam combiner and beam sampler. An oscillation source transmits a master signal that is split into plural beams propagating at a common wavelength. Each beam is phase locked by a corresponding phase modulator according to a phase correction signal. The beams are directed through a fiber array to the diffractive optical element to allow efficient coherent combination of the beams at a desired diffraction order. The diffractive optical element includes a periodic sampling grating for diffracting a low power sample beam representative of the combined beam. A phase detection stage detects phases of constituent beams in the sample beam from which the phase correction signals are derived and fed back to the phase modulators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Joshua E. Rothenberg, Robert R. Rice, Michael G. Wickham, Hiroshi Komine
  • Publication number: 20080084599
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compact apparatus for reading from and/or writing to holographic storage media, and to a filter for use in such an apparatus. According to the invention, a polarizing filter for a light beam has: a substrate with an outer zone and an inner zone, the outer zone and the inner zone having different optical properties for a first direction of polarization and a second direction of polarization, and a wave plate attached to the substrate for influencing the polarization of the light beam, wherein a part of the wave plate corresponding to either the outer zone or the inner zone is switchable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventor: Joachim Knittel
  • Publication number: 20080080040
    Abstract: A microlouver includes a periodic structure in which a transparent layer and a light absorption layer are alternately disposed with a constant, repetitive period. The range of the exit direction of a light beam passing through the transparent layer is restricted by the light absorption layer. The periodic structure includes a periodic structure portion divided in the direction that intersects the direction in which the transparent layer and the light absorption layer are repeatedly disposed. In the periodic structure portion, between the periodic structures adjacent to each other, there is a difference of 180 degree in the phase of spatial frequency of each periodic structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: NEC LCD Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji MIMURA, Ken Sumiyoshi
  • Publication number: 20080079905
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes: a red light valve configured to modulate red component light according to a red input signal; a green light valve configured to modulate green component light according to a green input signal; a blue light valve configured to modulate blue component light according to a blue input signal; a fourth color light valve configured to modulate a fourth color component light; and a color combiner configured to combine light emitted from the red light valve, the green light valve and the blue light valve. The fourth color component light emitted from the fourth color light valve enters a certain light valve, which is any one of the red light valve, the green light valve and the blue light valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Maeda, Ken Mashitani, Kazuhiro Arai
  • Publication number: 20080068698
    Abstract: A display unit that includes a signal line provided over a substrate, a conductive film provided away from the signal line in a same layer as the signal line; a insulating base film provided over the signal line and conductive film, a polysilicon film provided over the insulating base film, an interlayer dielectric formed over the polysilicon film, a pixel electrode formed over the interlayer dielectric and a connection pattern formed away from the pixel electrode over the interlayer dielectric for connecting the polysilicon film with the signal line. A crystal grain size of the polysilicon having the conductive film formed in a lower portion is larger than a crystal grain size of the polysilicon film not having the conductive film in a lower portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoyuki IRIZUMI
  • Publication number: 20080055697
    Abstract: A timing detection circuit including a first timing detection circuit, a second detection circuit, and an output circuit is disclosed. The first detection circuit detects, among multiphase clocks having n mutually different phases and a frequency of k times the frequency of a reference clock, a closest clock having a clock edge closest to a valid edge of the synchronizing signal and generates first detect signal DET_A indicating the detected clock. The second timing detection circuit detects within which of k successive cycles of the representative clock selected from the multiphase clocks the valid edge of the synchronizing signal is positioned and generates second detect signal DET_B indicating the detected cycle. The output circuit receives the first detect signal and the second detect signal and outputs first output signal OUT_A and second output signal OUT_B.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: KAWASAKI MICROELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Ryoji Okazaki
  • Publication number: 20080037094
    Abstract: A polarizer includes a base; a grid formed on the base; and low-reflective members formed on surfaces of the grid. The low-reflective members face an incident direction of an external light, so that a bright room contrast and a visibility can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyu-Hwan Hwang, Jae-Heung Ha, Young-Woo Song, Joon-Gu Lee, Jong-Hyuk Lee, Jong-Seok Oh, Chul-Woo Park
  • Publication number: 20080037095
    Abstract: A reflective light modulator is provided. The reflective light modulator includes: a transparent electrode passing through light from a light source; a driving substrate configured to reflect the light from the transparent electrode; a light-modulating material sandwiched between the transparent electrode and the driving substrate; and a transparent glass substrate. The transparent glass substrate is arranged in contact with the surface of the transparent electrode substrate on the light source side. Furthermore, the transparent glass substrate has a thermal conductivity of 0.003 cal/(cm·sec·K) or more at 20° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Noriaki Sakina
  • Patent number: 7330253
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for analyzing radiation using analyzers and encoders employing the spatial modulation of radiation dispersed by wavelength or imaged along a line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Aspectrics, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Hagler
  • Publication number: 20080024853
    Abstract: A light source device includes a high-pressure discharge lamp for performing electric discharge emission between a pair of electrodes, a lighting device for lighting the high-pressure discharge lamp by supplying a driving current of a predetermined frequency to the high-pressure discharge lamp, and a control device for controlling the lighting device, wherein the control device controls the frequency of the driving current supplied to the high-pressure discharge lamp from the lighting device and includes a frequency variance controlling section which supplies a low-frequency driving current having a low frequency and two or more types of high-frequency driving currents having frequencies higher than the low frequency to the high-pressure discharge lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiro TANAKA, Tomiyoshi USHIYAMA
  • Patent number: 7324262
    Abstract: An optical shutter includes a cell having a transparent panel and a hydrophobic transparent insulation panel which are arranged to face each other, a transparent electrode formed on an outer surface of the hydrophobic transparent insulation panel, and an opaque droplet contained in the cell and contacting an inner surface of the hydrophobic transparent insulation panel, wherein the amount of light transmitted is adjusted by changing a contact angle of the opaque droplet with respect to the hydrophobic transparent insulation panel. The opaque droplet may be hydrophobic or hydrophilic. The contact angle of the opaque droplet may be changed by applying an electric field between the transparent electrode and the opaque droplet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong-jin Kim, Seung-joo Shin, Il-kwon Moon, Kye-si Kwon
  • Patent number: 7321454
    Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for modulating one or both of spectral phase and amplitude of a received optical signal. The apparatus includes a spatial dispersion mechanism for spatially dispersing the received optical signal to enable optical communication of the received optical signal to an array of modulators. The apparatus includes a modulating mechanism having a first modulating component and a second modulating component. A first portion of the spatially dispersed optical signal is incident on the first modulating component and a second portion of the spatially dispersed optical signal is incident on the second modulating portion. The apparatus further includes a controller coupled to the modulating mechanism. The controller is adapted for moving the first and second modulating components in a direction normal to their planes for modulating one or both of phase and amplitude of the received optical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Christophe J. Dorrer, Dan M. Marom
  • Patent number: 7310177
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electro-optic reflective element with an overhang region at an edge region of a first substrate that extends beyond a corresponding edge region of a second substrate. A transparent electrical conductor is disposed at a second surface of the first substrate and a mirror reflector is disposed at a third surface of the second substrate. The mirror reflector includes a tab portion that at least partially encompasses an edge dimension of the second substrate. A non-conductive seal is disposed between the first and second substrates and encompasses at least a portion of the mirror reflector and at least a portion of a non-conductive perimeter region of the third surface. A first electrical connector connects to the transparent electrical conductor via the overhang region and a second electrical connector is in electrical connection with the tab portion of the mirror reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Ian A. McCabe, Desaraju Varaprasad, Hamid Habibi, Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 7304781
    Abstract: A sub-wavelength grating structure that has a very broad reflection spectrum and very high reflectivity comprising segments made of high refractive index material disposed on a layer of low refractive index material and a low refractive index material disposed above and between the segments. The index differential between the high and low index materials determines the bandwidth and modulation depth. The larger difference in refractive indices gives rise to wider reflection bands. The reflection is sensitive to parameters such as the grating period, the grating thickness, the duty cycle of the grating, the refractive index and the thickness of the low index layer underneath the grating. The design is scalable for different wavelengths, and facilitates monolithic integration of optoelectronic devices at a wide range of wavelengths from visible to far infrared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Connie J. Chang-Hasnain, Carlos Fernando Rondina Mateus, Michael Chung-Yi Huang
  • Patent number: 7289276
    Abstract: In an illumination optical system constituted to uniformize the intensity distribution of illumination light by use of an optical integrator, the overall length thereof is shortened. The illumination optical system includes: a light source including a laser irradiating illumination light on an illuminated body such as a two-dimensional SLM and an optical integrator; the optical integrator being placed between this light source and the illuminated body and uniformizes the intensity distribution of the illumination light by passing the light through minute cells. In this system, the size of the minute cell of the optical integrator (S1=S2) is 1.5 mm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiko Ohmori, Hiromi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7289256
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for testing the electrical characteristics of reflective displays, including interferometric modulator displays. In one embodiment, a controlled voltage is applied to conductive leads in the display and the resulting current is measured. The voltage may be controlled so as to ensure that interferometric modulators do not actuate during the resistance measurements. Also disclosed are methods for conditioning interferometric modulator display by applying a voltage waveform that causes actuation of interferometric modulators in the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: IDC, LLC
    Inventors: William J. Cummings, Brian Gally, Manish Kothari
  • Patent number: 7261843
    Abstract: Describes a photochromic article, e.g., an ophthalmic photochromic plastic article, such as a lens, in which the article includes (1) a rigid substrate, e.g., a transparent substrate such as a glass or organic polymeric substrate, as for example, a thermoset or thermoplastic substrate, (2) a photochromic polymeric coating appended to at least a portion of at least one surface of the substrate, the photochromic polymeric coating containing a photochromic amount of at least one organic photochromic material, e.g., spirooxazine, naphthopyran, diarylethene and/or fulgide, and (3) a thermally cured transparent thermoset polymeric coating superposed on, e.g., coherently appended to, the photochromic coating, the thermally cured polymeric coating being harder than the photochromic polymeric coating. Describes also the aforedescribed photochromic article having an abrasion-resistant coating affixed to the thermally cured polymer coating, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Carol L. Knox, Eric M. King, James P. Colton
  • Patent number: 7256920
    Abstract: A modulator circuit (28) for directing a voltage across a modulator element (26) to modulate a beam (20) includes a first inductor L1 that is electrically connected in parallel to the modulator element (26) and a second inductor L2 that is electrically connected in parallel to the first inductor L1 and the modulator element (26). A resonant frequency of the modulator circuit (28) is controllable over a range of between approximately 200 and 380 MHz. Additionally, the modulator circuit (28) can include a third inductor L3 that is electrically connected in parallel to the inductors L1, L2, and the modulator element (26). Further, the modulator circuit (28) can include an added capacitor (546) that is electrically connected in parallel to the inductors L1, L2, and the modulator element (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Bookham Technology plc
    Inventor: Eduardo Tinoco
  • Patent number: 7242508
    Abstract: The invention relates to an infrared modulator for spectrometer. It comprises a light source (1), a beam splitter (2) for splitting the light from the source into two beams, a first plane mirror (4) for directing the light of the first beam, a second plane mirror (5) for directing the light of the second beam, a first cube corner mirror (7) for turning the light back to the first plane mirror (4), and a second cube corner mirror (6) for turning the light back to the second plane mirror (5). The first and second cube corner mirrors (6, 7) are arranged on a common optic axis to reflect into opposite directions and movable back and forth in the direction of said optic axis. According to the invention, the beam splitter (3) and the first and second plane mirrors (4, 5) are supported by the same support structure formed by one uniform material piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Gasmet Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Ilkka Salomaa, Petri Jaakkola, Osmo Turunen
  • Patent number: 7239454
    Abstract: An image display apparatus includes a diaphragm (9b) arranged at a pupil position. The shape of an aperture of the diaphragm (9b) is similar to the shape of a light source image formed by an illuminating optical system at the pupil position. An area varying mechanism (90) varies the area of the aperture of the diaphragm (9b) in response to a focal length varying operation of a projection lens (9). This prevents an excessive opening from being formed around a light source image cast by the illuminating optical system, thereby preventing the deterioration of displayed images due to unwanted light that may pass through the excessive opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Limited
    Inventors: Manabu Kobayashi, Tetsuji Suzuki, Takatsugu Aizaki, Ryusaku Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7236287
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pockels cell comprising two spaced-apart cubical RTP crystals that have a square cross section, are located one behind another, and are oriented towards each other so as to provide thermal compensation in the direction of radiation. Each of said RTP crystals is provided with electrodes on two opposite faces, said faces of one crystal being rotated by 90° relative to the faces of the other crystal and relative to the direction of radiation (5). Flexible, electrically insulating, high voltage-proof plastic mats which conduct heat well and rest against the inside of a cooling member are provided around the exterior faces of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: LINOS Photonics GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Balle, Sven Poggel, Thomas Fehn
  • Patent number: 7229576
    Abstract: The present invention relates to specific photochromic phenanthropyrans as well as to their use in synthetic resin materials of all types, especially for ophthalmic purposes. In particular, the present invention relates to photochromic compounds derived from 2H-phenanthro[2,1-b]pyrans and 3H-phenanthro[3,4-b]pyrans, which in the open form have especially long wavelength absorption maxima, but in the unexcited state are still colorless.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Rodenstock GmbH
    Inventors: Claudia Mann, Manfred Melzig, Udo Weigand
  • Patent number: 7227687
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a spatial light modulator (SLM) for modulating light incident thereon. The SLM includes a plurality of pixels, each pixel including a plurality of phase shift elements. The SLM also includes a transform filter adapted to control the imaging system to resolve each pixel but not each phase shift element in each pixel. The plurality of pixels are controlled to independently modulate phase and magnitude of light reflected therefrom. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Silicon Light Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jahja I. Trisnadi, Alexander P. Payne, Clinton B. Carlisle
  • Patent number: 7227679
    Abstract: A light irradiation apparatus includes a light modulation element which modulates a phase of an incident light beam to obtain a V-shaped light intensity distribution having a bottom portion of a minimum light intensity, and an image formation optical system which applies the modulated light beam from the light modulation element to an irradiation target surface in such a manner that the V-shaped light intensity distribution is provided on the irradiation target surface. The light modulation element has such a complex amplitude transmittance distribution that a secondary derivative of a phase value of a complex amplitude distribution becomes substantially zero at the bottom portion of the V-shaped light intensity distribution in an image space of the image formation optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced LCD Technologies Development Center Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukio Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 7212331
    Abstract: A reciprocating optical modulator includes a continuous light path fulfilling an amplification function, an optical modulation part formed on the light path, a first optical band-pass filter and a second optical band-pass filter formed to nip the optical modulation part therebetween and a device to introduce exciting light for exciting the light path. The optical modulation part, first and second optical band-pass filters and device are disposed on the light path as formed in a single optical crystal or in a multiplicity of optical crystals. The first optical band-pass filter admits incident light and reflects light having the incident light modulated. The second optical bandpass filter reflects the incident light and emits the light having the incident light modulated. The modulator can also include a third optical band-pass filter disposed between the optical modulation part and the second optical band-pass filter for removing the incident light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Incorporated Administrative Agency
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kawanishi, Masayuki Izutsu
  • Patent number: 7201824
    Abstract: An apparatus for precisely steering a beam of light by making use of a hybrid inter optical alignment that occurs when a beam steering mechanism is micro-machined with respect to a crystallographic orientation of a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Inventor: Ronald S. Maynard
  • Patent number: 7196832
    Abstract: A substrate for an electrooptic device comprising a light-transmissive base member, a reflection layer formed on the base member so as to include each reflection portion and a corresponding transmission portion having a transmission factor higher than that of the reflection portion, a light transmission layer formed over the base member so as to coincide with the reflection layer and to include each hollow at a position that coincides with the transmission portion in plane, and an orientation film formed over the base member so as to coincide with the light transmission layer and to define a concavity while entering the corresponding hollow. The thickness “b” of a liquid crystal layer corresponding to the concavity is greater than the thickness “a” of the liquid crystal layer at the other positions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Otagiri, Keiji Takizawa, Tomoyuki Nakano, Hideki Kaneko, Chihiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7196833
    Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneous OTDM demultiplexing, electrical clock recovery and optical clock generation, and optical clock recovery using a traveling-wave electroabsorption modulator. The apparatus includes a TW-EAM and a PLL coupled thereto. The TW-EAM includes a first, a second, a third, and a fourth. The first port is used for an optical input and the third port is used for optical output. The second port is coupled to an input, and the fourth port is coupled to an output, of the PLL. When the first port receives optical input, the second port produces a photocurrent to be applied to the PLL, and the fourth port receives a recovered clock produced by the PLL, and the third port produces demultiplexed data and an optical clock. Using the same configuration, the apparatus produces a recovered optical clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignees: KDDI R&D Laboratories, Inc., The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Zhaoyang Hu, Kohsuke Nishimura, Hsu-Feng Chou, Daniel J. Blumenthal, John E. Bowers, Ryo Inohara, Masashi Usami
  • Patent number: 7190505
    Abstract: An electrochromic device, comprising: (a) a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises: (1) at least one solvent; (2) at least one anodic material; and (3) at least one cathodic material, wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic; (d) wherein the chamber comprises a plug associated with a fill port; and (e) wherein the plug is at least partially cured with and/or comprises a phosphine oxide photo initiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Joel A. Stray, William L. Tonar
  • Patent number: 7184189
    Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneous OTDM demultiplexing, electrical clock recovery and optical clock generation, and optical clock recovery using a traveling-wave electroabsorption modulator. The apparatus includes a TW-EAM and a PLL coupled thereto. The TW-EAM includes a first, a second, a third, and a fourth. The first port is used for an optical input and the third port is used for optical output. The second port is coupled to an input, and the fourth port is coupled to an output, of the PLL. When the first port receives optical input, the second port produces a photocurrent to be applied to the PLL, and the fourth port receives a recovered clock produced by the PLL, and the third port produces demultiplexed data and an optical clock. Using the same configuration, the apparatus produces a recovered optical clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignees: KDDI R&D Laboratories, Inc., The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Zhaoyang Hu, Kohsuke Nishimura, Hsu-Feng Chou, Daniel J. Blumenthal, John E. Bowers, Ryo Inohara, Masashi Usami
  • Patent number: 7184190
    Abstract: An electro-optic reflective element assembly includes a pair of substrates and an electro-optic medium sandwiched therebetween. Each of the pair of substrates includes at least one conductive or semi-conductive layer disposed thereon. The electrical connections may electrically connect to a respective layer and may be electrically isolated from the other layer, such as via non-conductive regions of the substrates and/or deletion lines along one of the conductive layers. The pair of substrates may be positioned relative to one another such that overhang portions of the front substrate extend beyond the corresponding edges of the rear substrate. The overlapping relationship may provide clearance for electrical connection to the conductive layers of the front and rear substrates such that the electrical connections are substantially not viewable through the front substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Ian A McCabe, Desaraju Varaprasad, Hamid Habibi, Niall R Lynam
  • Patent number: 7177062
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a display method of performing image display, which comprises outputting corresponding subfield data every plural subfields by pulse width modulation to thereby drive a display element. In driving the display element, rewrite operations of all display pictures are completed in such a manner that subfield data are simultaneously outputted within one field time period, and respective plural subfield data are simultaneously outputted also at any time point within one field time period so that display drive is performed. By employing such display drive, rewrite operations with respect to respective subfields are completed after one field time period is completed. Thus, transfer speed (rate) of data to be transferred in correspondence with the minimum time width can be lowered to much degree as compared to display drive by the conventional subfield system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoya Yano
  • Patent number: 7173753
    Abstract: An optical data receiver for the distribution and demodulation of compressed TDM data packages comprises, optical distributor means to which the data packages are applied for selective distribution to a plurality of AWG optical demultiplexer/detector arrays, so that each demultiplexer/detector array provides in respect of each data package fed thereto from the optical distributor, a data word the bits of which are presented in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Roke Manor Research Limited
    Inventor: Bradley Firth
  • Patent number: 7170057
    Abstract: A dichroic type narrow-band-pass filter is used as a beamsplitter inside a night vision goggle eyepiece. The filter is combined with appropriately aligned polarizers and liquid crystal type shutter rotators movable between a “P” orientation and an “S” orientation to transmit center band and side band wavelengths of the normal view or night scene for recording, transmitting or enhancing. In the enhanced low light level mode, the intensified visible image presented to the user comprises a 40 degree circular image with a 30 degree by 22.5 degree rectangular display insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Night Vision Corporation
    Inventors: Danny Filipovich, Jack Fiore, Robert O. Ziv, Philip Uy
  • Patent number: 7167293
    Abstract: An arrangement for removing unwanted amplitude modulation from the output of an electro-optic phase modulator (formed within a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) system) includes resonant filters that are biased on the positive and negative slopes of the response signal. Therefore, as the amplitude response of one filter decreases, the amplitude response of the other filter increases, resulting in balancing the output and essentially eliminating amplitude modulation from the phase-modulated output signal. In one embodiment, ring resonators (formed in the SOI layer) are used to provide the filtering, where as the number of resonators is increased, the performance of the filtering arrangement is improved accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: SiOptical, Inc.
    Inventor: David Piede
  • Patent number: 7165851
    Abstract: A linear opto-frequency chirp amount variable apparatus using a dielectric multilayer film mirror, which does not require the optical axis to be realigned each time the amount of a chirp is to be varied includes a pair of opposed, parallel, dielectric, multilayer film mirrors, and a movable mirror between the dielectric multilayer film mirrors. The movable mirror is inclined so that oblique, incident light, projected into the space between the two dielectric multilayer film mirrors, is reflected between them a plurality of times and then is reflected by the movable mirror into a direction parallel to the dielectric multilayer film mirror surfaces and in an incidence plane defined by the incident light and a plane-normal to each dielectric multilayer film mirror and toward the incident light. Moving the movable mirror forwards and backwards, parallel to the multilayer film mirrors changes the amount of a chirp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Isao Matsuda, Kazuhiko Misawa, Hiroyoshi Lang
  • Patent number: 7162108
    Abstract: The invention relates to a variable optical attenuator constructed as a Mach Zehnder planar lightwave circuit, particularly including a channel waveguide support structure for heat isolation and stress relief to reduce polarization dependent loss (PDL) and power consumption in the device. Power reduction trenches comprise longitudinal segments having small stress relief pillars of cladding material left in between them in the etching process. The waveguides of the MZI are supported by a main pillar structure and integral stress relief pillars which remain after removal of the trenches. The waveguide is surrounded by air on three sides for improved heat isolation. The performance of the present invention shows substantial improvement in PDL and extinction ratio over the prior art continuous trench design, and also, to a smaller degree, over the case where power reduction trenches are not used at all.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Anca L. Sala, Duncan W. Harwood, Barthelemy Fondeur, Anantharaman Vaidyanathan, Robert J. Brainard, Sanjay M. Thekdi, Thomas T. Nguyen, Ian Hutagalung
  • Patent number: 7161725
    Abstract: A method and assembly for frequency stabilization of an optical signal especially from a laser, the assembly (11) comprising beam splitter (15), a passive frequency discriminator (16), and a pair of photodiodes (17 & 18). The beam splitter (15) in use receives a collimated optical beam (B) and diverts a sample beam (B1) which is directed towards the discriminator (16) which transmits a portion (B2) of said sample beam to one of the photodiodes (17) and reflects a second portion (B3) of said sample beam to the other photodiode (18). A control signal (S3) is derived from the respective intensities of the transmitted and reflected portions of the sample beam, and utilized to operate the electronic control to adjust the frequency of the laser output signal, if required, to maintain a specified frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Bookham Technology PLC
    Inventors: James Fraser, Stephen Pope, Colin Edge, Steven Borley, Lisa Daykin, Kevin Mullaney
  • Patent number: 7154658
    Abstract: A wavefront correction system using a dual frequency liquid crystal spatial light modulator to vary phase relationships of a wavefront is disclosed. A light beam from the dual frequency liquid crystal spatial light modulator can be split into a reference beam and a plurality of measurement beams to enhance a speed and/or accuracy of phase measurement. A temperature of the dual frequency liquid crystal spatial light modulator can be sensed to facilitate temperature control and/or temperature compensation, so as to enhance the accuracy associated with use of the crossover frequency used to control the dual frequency liquid crystal spatial light modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Maram, Jeffrey H. Hunt
  • Patent number: 7149024
    Abstract: The present invention provides an optical modulator module comprising: a chip carrier; a semiconductor optical modulator for modulating light based on an electronic signal; a strip conductor electrically connected to the semiconductor optical modulator; a first resistor electrically connected to the semiconductor optical modulator; and a second resistor electrically connected in series to the first resistor; wherein the semiconductor optical modulator, the strip conductor, and the first and second resistors are disposed on the chip carrier; and wherein the frequency characteristics of the optical modulator module is adjusted by selecting to short or not to short both ends of the first resistor by use of a wire as necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Opnext Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Arima, Osamu Kagaya, Masanobu Okayasu, Tetsuya Kato, Michihide Sasada
  • Patent number: 7130108
    Abstract: A display member for use at a temperature greater than at least about 40° C. The display member includes an arrangement of a plurality of optically anisotropic rotatable elements comprising a purified polymer. The plurality of rotatable elements have a surface in contact with an enabling fluid, the rotatable elements being electrically dipolar in the presence of the enabling fluid and being subject to rotation upon application of an electric field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: San-Ming Yang, Thomas Enright, Val Magdalinis, Mike Hawkins, Ahmed Alzamly, Man-Chung Tam, Peter M. Kazmaier, Marko Saban
  • Patent number: 7116458
    Abstract: An optical modulator includes a crystal structure that exhibits polaritonic or excitonic behavior. A shock wave propagates through the crystal structure so as to optically modulate and manipulate a light signal propagating in the crystal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Evan Reed, Marin Soljacic, John D. Joannopoulos
  • Patent number: 7116460
    Abstract: A modulator arrangement for modulating an optical signal using a quadrature phase shift key for use in an optical wavelength division multiplex (WDM) optical communications system comprising a laser (2) for producing an optical signal of a selected wavelength, which signal is split by a splitter (4), each part of said split signal being applied to a respective phase modulator (6, 8) each for which phase modulators is adapted to modulate the phase of the signal in dependence on a respective drive voltages. The phase of the output of at least one modulator (6) is shiftable at least in part by a phase shifter (10), the split signals being recombined by an optical recombiner (12) to form an optical phase shift key output, wherein the output power is monitored by a detector (20), the detector signal then being used to drive a feedback arrangement to control electrodes of the phase modulators (6, 8) and/or phase shifter (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Bookham Technology, plc
    Inventor: Robert Griffin
  • Patent number: 7106486
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a control system coupled to an optical modulator. The control system including an Radio Frequency (RF)/dither ratio unit coupled to the optical modulator, wherein the RF/dither ratio unit to modify an amplitude of a dither signal inputted into the optical modulator to maintain a constant ratio between the amplitude of the dither signal and an amplitude of an RF input signal inputted into the optical modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Gevorg Nahapetian, Chih-hao Chen, Song Shang, Craig Schulz
  • Patent number: 7103286
    Abstract: The influences on transmission quality caused by chirp and self-phase modulation are at least largely corrected by way of an optimally set operating point of the modulator (2). Suitable criteria are obtained in control loops in order to maintain the optimal setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ullrich Wünsche, Walter Pröbster
  • Patent number: 7099524
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical modulator capable of preventing a disconnection of an electrode and improving a discontinuity of a characteristic impedance while realizing a polarization inverting area and a ridge waveguide in a single optical modulator. In the optical modulator, a first electrode is composed of an inverting area electrode portion formed on an upper portion of one of first and second waveguides in the polarization inverting area, a non-inverting area electrode portion formed on an upper portion of the other one of the first and second waveguides in the other area, and a connection portion for making a connection between the inverting area electrode portion and the non-inverting area electrode portion at the boundary between the polarization inverting area and the other area. A supporting mechanism for supporting the connection portion of the first electrode is provided in a groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Masaki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7085038
    Abstract: An apparatus, including a substrate, where at least a portion of the substrate has a convex surface, and a photonic crystal disposed over the convex surface. The photonic crystal is substantially conformal to at least a portion of the convex surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Herbert Thomas Etheridge, III, Henry Lewis, Carol McConica
  • Patent number: 7081980
    Abstract: A method for detecting and/or processing signal waves that produce charge carriers in an article sensitive to the signal waves. At least two modulation electrodes are provided, at least one of which is disposed in proximity to a readout-electrode in such a manner that, depending on the polarity sign of the modulation voltage of the modulation electrode, the current flowing across the readout electrode is positive or negative. The invention further relates to a device for detecting and processing signal waves. The invention provides a method and a device that is capable of interlinking various optical and/or electronic signals in a logically digital or analogous manner or to detect the course of optical signals by scanning (time interval measurements).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Inventor: Rudolf Schwarte