Light Wave Temporal Modulation (e.g., Frequency, Amplitude, Etc.) Patents (Class 359/238)
  • Publication number: 20130120678
    Abstract: There is provided a color regulating device for illumination. The color regulating device includes a light-valving structure for adjusting a flux ratio of outgoing light through the light-valving structure to incident light entering the light-valving structure, and a color-adjusting structure having a wavelength-band converting element for changing incident light with a wavelength band into outgoing light with a different wavelength band through the element. Wherein, the light-valving structure and the color-adjusting structure at least partially overlap on the traveling path of light, forming at least one overlapping structure. Mixing the outgoing lights of the light source passing through light-valving structure, the color-adjusting structure, and the overlapping structure to obtain a different wavelength band (or color temperature) from that of the light source. There are also provided a color adjusting apparatus for illumination including the color adjusting device and a color adjusting method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Planck Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Planck Co., Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20130107342
    Abstract: A highly color saturated light modulator includes a transparent substrate, printed image layer and a protection layer on the printed surface. The degree of color saturation of images on the modulator is greater than 40% and overall transmission between 15% and 95%. Lighting devices with the light modulator can be designed to meet desired light emitting intensity and direction by integrating micro-structures to the transparent substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventor: Yu-Chen Hwang
  • Publication number: 20130107341
    Abstract: A modulation device and method, and a demodulation device and method are provided. The modulation device modulates plural baseband signals to generate an optical signal, and comprises: plural modulation units for modulating plural electrical carriers with different frequencies by using the baseband signals respectively, to generate corresponding electrical modulated signals; a synthesizer for synthesizing the electrical modulated signals to generate a single electrical synthesized signal; an optical modulation unit for modulating a single optical carrier by using the electrical synthesized signal to generate the optical signal, wherein signal components corresponding to the baseband signals in the optical signal are distributed on both sides of a carrier frequency of the optical carrier at a predetermined frequency interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Tao Zeng, Qi Yang, Zhu Yang, Shaohua Yu
  • Publication number: 20130107187
    Abstract: A pixel structure having a plurality of display regions is provided. The pixel structure includes a transparent substrate, an active device layer, and a plurality of reflective display units. The transparent substrate has a first side and a second side opposite to each other. The active device layer is disposed on one of the first side and the second side of the substrate. The reflective display units are respectively located in the display regions and driven by the active device layer. Two reflective display units are located at the same display region to provide different display colors. Two closely adjacent display regions provide different display colors when display simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Min-Yao Lu, Yu-Yang Chang, Chao-Chiun Liang, Heng-Yin Chen
  • Publication number: 20130107343
    Abstract: A laser system including a seed laser and an optical amplification subsystem, receiving an output of the seed laser and providing an amplified laser output, the optical amplification subsystem including a first plurality of amplifier assemblies, each of the first plurality of amplifier assemblies including a second plurality of optical amplifiers, and phase control circuitry including phase modulating functionality associated with each of the first plurality of amplifier assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: CIVAN ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventor: Eyal Shekel
  • Patent number: 8427605
    Abstract: The invention provides an illumination device (1), arranged to provide illumination device light (250). The illumination device (1) comprising a light chamber (100), an electrically variable scattering element (500), and a controller (600). The light chamber (100) contains a light emitting diode (10) (LED) arranged to emit LED light (20); comprises a luminescent material layer (200) arranged remote from the LED (10) and arranged to absorb at least part of the LED light (20) and emit luminescent material emission (220); and comprises an exit face (301), through which one or more of the LED light (20) and the luminescent material emission (220) may escape to the exterior (22) of the light chamber (100) thereby providing illumination device light (250). The electrically variable scattering element (500) is arranged downstream of the luminescent material layer (200) and upstream of the exit face (301).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Eric Boonekamp, Johannes P. M. Ansems, Marco Van As
  • Patent number: 8426798
    Abstract: An electrical termination circuit for a traveling wave optoelectronic device is disclosed. The electrical termination circuit is constructed to reflect a portion of a radio-frequency signal back into the optoelectronic device. The reflected signal is out of phase with the applied radio-frequency signal at a frequency of a detrimental spectral feature or a bump in an electro-optical transfer characteristic of the optoelectronic device. The amplitude and the phase of the reflected signal are selected so as to suppress the detrimental spectral feature without a significant reduction in the efficiency of electro-optical or optical-electrical transformation of the optoelectronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Higgins, Gregory J. McBrien
  • Publication number: 20130088656
    Abstract: A method for controlling a characteristic of a variable optical filter including a frequency selecting element includes changing a driving voltage for a specific pixel of the frequency selecting element continuously to produce an amount of change in a frequency that is passed through that pixel, changing a driving voltage value for a specific pixel of the frequency selecting element continuously to produce an attenuation value for a beam that is passed through that pixel, calculating, from a relationship between the driving voltage and a frequency characteristic and between the driving voltage and amount of attenuation, a function that indicates an approximated curve of no less than a second order and no more than a sixth order for expressing a relationship between a transmissivity and a frequency, and controlling the characteristic through driving a controlled pixel of the frequency selecting element based on the function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: SANTEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sachiko Michihata, Yuji Hotta
  • Publication number: 20130083390
    Abstract: A display substrate including a base substrate, a plurality of pixel electrodes and a plurality of sub pixel electrodes. The pixel electrodes are formed on the base substrate, are spaced apart from each other, and are electrically connected with a plurality of transistors, respectively. The sub pixel electrodes are disposed between the pixel electrodes, and are electrically connected with a thin-film transistor (TFT). Thus, quality of an image displayed by the display apparatus may be enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-Hyung HWANG, Joo-Han BAE, Joon-Youp KIM
  • Publication number: 20130083268
    Abstract: An electro-optical panel is disposed in a panel housing portion formed inside of a frame. A heat radiation member made of metal is provided so as to overlap an exposed part from a first light transmitting plate on a second surface of a first substrate using the electro-optical panel, and the heat radiation member and the frame are fixed by an adhesive. A step portion is formed on a side surface of the panel housing portion, a surface facing the heat radiation member in a Z-axis direction is used as a first bonding surface, and a surface facing the heat radiation member in an X-axis direction (inner side surface of a plate-like portion) is used as a second bonding surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hidekazu Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 8411349
    Abstract: An optical modulator includes an optical modulation substrate, an electrical length adjusting substrate, a package containing the substrates, and a plurality of input ports for inputting high frequency electrical signals. The optical modulation substrate includes a substrate body made of an electro-optic material, a ground electrode and a plurality of signal electrodes provided on the substrate body, optical waveguides propagating lights interacting with the signal electrodes, respectively, and electrode input ports inputting the high frequency electrical signals into the signal electrodes, respectively. The signal electrode includes an interacting part, an input end part provided between the electrode input port and interacting part, and a terminal part. The electrical length adjusting substrate includes conductive lines connected to the input ports for inputting the high frequency electrical signals, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Mitomi, Yasunori Iwasaki, Yuji Hori, Kenji Aoki, Jungo Kondo
  • Publication number: 20130077148
    Abstract: The invention provides composite materials comprising a shape change element and an optical change element, which elements undergo a change in response to an applied stimulus. Also provided are objects that include the subject shape changing materials, as well as methods of making and using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: SEGAN INDUSTRIES, INC
    Inventor: SEGAN INDUSTRIES, INC
  • Publication number: 20130077151
    Abstract: Techniques and devices use cascaded optical polarization devices having modulated optical retardation to control optical polarization of light and can be configured for polarization scrambling. Uniform rate scrambling and quasi-uniform rate scrambling modes are provided in described devices and rate-additive designs based on multiple cascaded devices are also disclosed to achieve high-speed scrambling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL PHOTONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Leon Yao, Xiaojun Chen
  • Patent number: 8405895
    Abstract: An optical system is disclosed that includes a housing that has an interior, a reflective interior surface, and a first opening. The optical system further includes a spatial light modulator that is disposed proximate the first opening and a light source that is disposed within the interior of the housing. The spatial light modulator modulates the light that is emitted by the light source to form image rays. The optical system further includes a first light redirecting film that is disposed proximate the first opening between the spatial light modulator and the light source. The first light redirecting film recycles at least a portion of the light that is emitted by the light source. The optical system further includes an optically absorptive film that is disposed proximate the first opening between the spatial light modulator and the viewing position. The optically absorptive film receives the image rays from the spatial light modulator and displays the received image rays to the viewing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Guido Hitschmann, Kay-Uwe Schenke
  • Patent number: 8400703
    Abstract: An optical switch for switching between transmission and total reflection of incident light 101 applied to electro-optical crystal 104 by applying an electric field to electro-optical crystal 104 to thereby change the refractive index of electro-optical crystal 104 includes a plurality of electrodes 105 disposed in electro-optical crystal 104 to provide electrode assembly 106 for applying the electric field to electro-optical crystal 104. Electro-optical crystal 104 has a refractive index changing portion (not shown) whose refractive index is changed by the electric field applied by electrode assembly 106, the refractive index changing portion enclosing electrode assembly 106 in its entirety. The refractive index changing portion has a flat refractive index boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Akiyama, Fujio Okumura, Osamu Ishibashi
  • Publication number: 20130057943
    Abstract: An electronic paper display device includes an electronic paper display panel, and a functional layer. The electronic paper display panel includes a common electrode layer and a display surface. The functional layer is located on the display surface and includes a carbon nanotube touching functional layer. A distance between the common electrode layer and the carbon nanotube touching functional layer is above 100 microns and equal to or less than 2 millimeters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Shih Hua Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: PO-SHENG SHIH, JIA-SHYONG CHENG, PO-YANG CHEN
  • Patent number: 8391724
    Abstract: Included are a first modulator, a second modulator, a first optical amplifier that amplifies an output of the first modulator at an amplification factor based on a first bias signal, a second optical amplifier that amplifies an output of the second modulator at an amplification factor based on a second bias signal, an optical phase adjuster that phase-rotates an output of the second optical amplifier, an optical multiplexer that multiplexes an output of the first optical amplifier with an output of the optical phase adjuster, and a second bias corrector that generates a first pulse signal and a second pulse signal, which are complementary to each other, and obtains a first bias value and a second bias value based on a change of strength of an output signal of the optical multiplexer. The first and second pulse signals are superimposed on the first and second bias signals, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Aruga, Keita Mochizuki, Atsushi Sugitatsu
  • Publication number: 20130050795
    Abstract: A system and method for generating an optical comb are provided. The system comprises at least one modulator for modulating a continuous wave sequentially by using at least one signal, respectively so as to generate a comb wave having a first plurality of subcarriers; and a nonlinear medium for causing the respective subcarriers of the comb wave to perform four-wave mixing to thereby generate a comb wave having a second plurality of subcarriers as the optical comb. With the present system and method, an ultra-wide spectrum optical comb with stable frequencies may be generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Wuhan Research Institute of Posts and Telecommunications
    Inventors: Ying QIU, Zhixue HE, Ming LUO, Xiaoyin ZHANG, Qi YANG
  • Patent number: 8384977
    Abstract: A light extracting device includes a dual light generating unit and a first order Bragg grating unit. The dual light generating unit is for receiving an input optical signal and a control signal, and for generating from the input optical signal first and second optical signals that have a phase difference there between. The phase difference is associated with the control signal. The first order Bragg grating unit is for receiving the first and second optical signals from the dual light generating unit, and for causing optical interference to occur between the first and second optical signals within a predetermined wavelength range to result in first and second output optical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: I Shou University
    Inventors: Nai-Hsiang Sun, Shih-Chiang Lin, Jung-Sheng Chiang, Wen-Fung Liu, Gary A. Evans, Jerome K. Butler
  • Patent number: 8380085
    Abstract: A method of processing data is provided that includes receiving a plurality of binary electronic signals and generating an optical signal by a number of lasers that is equal to or greater than the number of binary electronic signals. The optical signal is generated at one of a plurality of intensity levels, and each intensity level represents a particular combination of bit values for the plurality of binary electronic signals. The optical signal is converted into an electronic signal having the plurality of intensity levels. An apparatus for processing data is provided that includes a plurality of lasers configured to emit light at a plurality of frequencies, and a plurality of modulators configured to receive a plurality of binary electronic signals and to modulate the light emitted by the lasers. An apparatus for transmitting data is provided that includes a photo receiver and an electronic signal generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Laboratories America, Inc.
    Inventors: Shalabh Gupta, Yue-Kai Huang
  • Publication number: 20130032735
    Abstract: A laser apparatus may include: a master oscillator configured to output a pulsed laser beam at a repetition rate; at least one amplifier disposed on a beam path of the pulsed laser beam; at least one optical shutter disposed on the beam path of the pulsed laser beam; and a controller configured to switch the at least one optical shutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: GIGAPHOTON INC
    Inventors: Krzysztof Nowak, Osamu Wakabayashi, Hideo Hoshino
  • Publication number: 20130016415
    Abstract: A system for controlling a printed dynamic optical illusion image, comprising: an item including a printed optical illusion image having one or more mutable portions that can be controllably switched between first and second appearance states by application of an appropriate external stimulus; a stimulus source for providing the external stimulus; and a controller for controlling the stimulus source. The printed optical illusion image is printed on a printing device using a plurality of colorants, one or more of the colorants being appearance mutable colorants having spectral characteristics that can be controllably switched between a first colorant state and a second colorant state by applying the appropriate external stimulus, the one or more mutable portions of the optical illusion image being printed using at least one appearance mutable colorant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Andrew F. Kurtz, Paul James Kane
  • Publication number: 20130016271
    Abstract: A light transmittance adjusting device is provided, including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a first elastomer layer disposed between the first and second electrodes. A light transmittance of the first elastomer layer is variable depending on a voltage applied thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong-oh KWON, Che-heung KIM
  • Publication number: 20130015245
    Abstract: A printed dynamic optical illusion printed on a printing device using a plurality of colorants, wherein one or more of the colorants are appearance mutable colorants having spectral characteristics that can be controllably switched between a first colorant state and a second colorant state by application of an appropriate external stimulus, and wherein one or more mutable portions of the optical illusion image are printed using at least one appearance mutable colorant. The mutable portions are controllable such that when they are in a first appearance state the printed optical illusion image has a first illusion state, and when they are in a second appearance state the printed optical illusion image has a second illusion state, thereby changing the optical illusion image from the first illusion state to the second illusion state so as to affect the perception of an optical illusion by a human observer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Andrew F. Kurtz, Paul James Kane
  • Patent number: 8353899
    Abstract: An apparatus and process using a high-power, short-pulsed thulium laser to output infrared laser pulses delivered through an optical fiber, for cutting and ablating biological tissue. In some embodiments, the pulse length is shortened sufficiently to keep inside the stress-confined ablation region of operation. In some embodiments, the pulse is shortened to near the stress-confined ablation region of operation, while being slightly in the thermal-constrained region of operation. In some embodiments, the laser is coupled to a small low —OH optical fiber (˜100 ?m diameter). In some embodiments, the device has a pulse duration of about 100 ns for efficient ablation; however in some embodiments, this parameter is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathon D. Wells, Mark P. Bendett, Matthias P. Savage-Leuchs, James M. Owen
  • Publication number: 20130010344
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for forming images on a display utilizing a control matrix to control the movement of MEMs-based light modulators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: PIXTRONIX, INC.
    Inventors: Nesbitt W. Hagood, Stephen Lewis, Abraham McAllister, Roger W. Barton, Richard S. Payne, Jasper Lodewyk Steyn
  • Publication number: 20130010343
    Abstract: An optical modulation device includes: an optical modulator; an insulating layer; an RC circuit including a resistor and a capacitor connected in series; a bonding wire connected between the optical modulator and the RC circuit; a first metal layer provided on the insulating layer; and a second metal layer that has a width larger than that of the first metal layer and is provided on the insulating layer, the second metal layer being connected with a ground potential and being connected to the RC circuit via the first metal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC DEVICE INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Masahiro HIRAYAMA, Tsutomu ABE
  • Patent number: 8350948
    Abstract: An imaging device able to simplify an optical system while maintaining a high frame rate, but without needing expensive blurring restoration processing hardware, able to reduce costs, and in addition capable of obtaining a restored image little influenced by noise, and a method of same, which bypasses blurring restoration processing of an image processing device 150 by a switching unit 140 to perform camera signal processing of a camera signal processing unit 160 at the time of a through image and performs blurring restoration processing at the image processing device 150, then performs camera signal processing at the camera signal processing unit 160 to display the image only at the time of capturing an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichi Miyauchi, Shigeyasu Murase, Yusuke Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20130001254
    Abstract: A system for selectively revealing indicia to an observer comprises a transitioning window having a receiving surface and a viewing surface. The receiving surface is positioned in optical communication with an indicia holder that is configured to removably retain indicia, such as information content. During operation, the transitioning window transitions from a substantially opaque state to a substantially transparent state so as to reveal or otherwise display the indicia to an observer via the viewing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: KEITH ALLEN PELFREY, JACKSON W. WEGELIN
  • Publication number: 20120327498
    Abstract: There are provided a display and an electronic unit capable of enhancing visibility. The display includes: a plurality of pixels each including a light-emission device, and having a light-transmission region in at least a part thereof; and one or more transmittance control devices capable of controlling a transmittance of incident light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiaki Arai, Yoshihiro Oshima
  • Publication number: 20120327503
    Abstract: An optical system may include an objective, a source of illumination, an illumination system having illumination optics configured to direct the illumination onto the objective, and at least two dynamic optical array devices located at a pupil conjugate plane and a field conjugate plane, respectively in the illumination optics. The dynamic optical array devices are configured to control one or more properties of illumination coupled from the illumination system to the objective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: KLA-Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Amnon Manassen, Joel Seligson, Noam Sapiens
  • Publication number: 20120320330
    Abstract: A cover for use in connection with a mirror of a vehicle is provided. The cover is provided with a lens having an electrically activatable material. The lens is positioned in front of the vehicle mirror. The electrically activatable material blocks visible light directed towards the vehicle mirror such that the electrically activatable material prevents the visible light from being reflected off of the vehicle mirror when the electrically activatable material is set to a light inhibiting state. A device that holds the lens is securable to the vehicle mirror. The electrically activatable material of the lens is configured to be switched to the light inhibiting state in response to user operation such that the lens prevents reflection of the visible light off of the vehicle mirror to reduce observability of the vehicle mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Control Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Alyn Brown, James Wiff
  • Publication number: 20120320442
    Abstract: A Pseudo-Return-to-Zero modulator is provided with a narrow pulse clock generator, a modulator driver, and an optical modulator. The narrow pulse clock generator generates a narrow pulse clock of order n, where one of levels occupies half a symbol period and the other level occupies (n?1) plus half a symbol period, n being equal to or more than two. The modulator driver generates an electrical signal in response to binary data and the narrow pulse clock. The optical modulator modulates an optical carrier in response to the electrical signal so that the modulated optical carrier is in a PRZ(n) format.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2010
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Emmanuel Le Taillandier De Gabory
  • Publication number: 20120320443
    Abstract: A building material in which an image can be displayed on a transparent plate such as a windowpane is realized using a configuration that is simple and low-cost. A window member (5) includes a display panel (11) having a display region (11a) that can switch between a light transmitting state and a non-light-transmitting state and a frame region (11b) serving as a non-display region formed on an outer side of the display region (11a), a light-transmitting cover (40) disposed on the display panel so as to cover at least a part of the frame region (11b) and at least a part of the display region (11a) that is adjacent to the frame region (11b), and a pair of windowpanes (3, 3) that are held in parallel in the window frame (2). The light-transmitting cover (40) is shaped such that the thickness thereof decreases from the display region (11a) toward the frame region (11b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Sayuri Fujiwara, Eiji Satoh, Yasushi Asaoka, Kazuhiro Deguchi, Hisashi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8335033
    Abstract: A modular routing node includes a single input port and a plurality of output ports. The modular routing node is arranged to produce a plurality of different deflections and uses small adjustments to compensate for wavelength differences and alignment tolerances in an optical system. An optical device is arranged to receive a multiplex of many optical signals at different wavelengths, to separate the optical signals into at least two groups, and to process at least one of the groups adaptively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Thomas Swan & Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Melanie Holmes
  • Patent number: 8331006
    Abstract: Illuminating light (B2, B3) for a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) micro-display (210) is provided by an illuminating unit (100). The illuminating unit (100) has a waveguiding substrate (7) and a plurality of light out-coupling features (F30). The substrate (7) has two substantially parallel surfaces (41,42). Light coupled into said substrate (7) is reflected several times on the surfaces (41,42) of the substrate (7) by total internal reflection (TIR) before being coupled out of the substrate (7). Thus a portion (102) of said substrate (7) may act as an optical integrator for smoothing out variations in spatial intensity distribution of light propagating within said substrate (7). The out-coupling efficiencies of the out-coupling features (F30) may be selected to minimize vignetting and/or to minimize stray light effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Tapani Levola
  • Publication number: 20120308175
    Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to an optical isolator in an integrated optical circuit including: a first optical modulator configured to provide a first periodic phase modulation on an input optical signal; a second optical modulator configured to provide a second periodic phase modulation on the modulated optical signal; and an optical waveguide having a length L connecting the first optical modulator to the second optical modulator; wherein the phase difference between the first and second periodic phase modulation is ?/2, and wherein the length L of the optical waveguide causes a phase delay of ?/2 on an optical signal traversing the optical waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: ALCATEL-LUCENT USA INC.
    Inventor: Christopher R. Doerr
  • Publication number: 20120292488
    Abstract: Provided is a dimming helmet visor incorporating optical shutter technology therein for instantaneous conversion from a clear state to a dark state and vice versa. These visors find utility in helmets for anyone in changing lighting conditions outdoors, especially motorcyclists. The visor's optical shutter display is connected to a photodiode and a battery with both automatic and manual adjustment functionalities. A manual on/off switch is provided for power management. The photodiode responds to light intensity above a certain threshold and switches from a clear state to dark state in a matter of milliseconds once this threshold is reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: Hamid Saadat
  • Publication number: 20120293858
    Abstract: A wavelength selective reflection display (10) comprises a wavelength selective reflection medium (20) and a backing member (30) having a first, non-reflective optical state, and a second, reflective optical state. Both the wavelength selective reflection medium (20) and the backing member (30) are divided into pixels (40, 50, 60), and the backing member (30) is switchable between its first and second optical states on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The pixels of the backing member (30) are substantially aligned with those of the wavelength selective reflection medium (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephen J. Telfer, Richard J. Paolini, JR., Michael D. McCreary, David John Cole
  • Publication number: 20120287037
    Abstract: A light-emitting device used in a liquid crystal display device is provided with a planar illuminator that focuses emitted light on a predetermined light focus point, and an optical deflector that two dimensionally deflects the light from the planar illuminator. The planar illuminator switches an emission direction of the light to enable alternate switching between a first light focus state in which the predetermined light focus point is the position of a right eye of a viewer and a second light focus state in which the predetermined light focus point is the position of a left eye of the viewer. The optical deflector can modulate each of the predetermined light focus point in the first light focus state and the predetermined light focus point in the second light focus state according to movement of the viewer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Shinichi Shikii, Katsuhiko Hayashi, Motonobu Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20120286163
    Abstract: A device (100) is described for actively or passively modulating incident radiation, the device comprising at least one diffraction means (10) adapted for evanescent wave excitation upon irradiation with the incident radiation, and an absorption layer (40) adjacent the at least one diffraction means (10) so that the evanescent waves can interact with the absorption layer (40). The absorption layer (40) has alterable absorption properties so as to alter the absorption of the evanescent waves resulting in modulating of the incident radiation. The device (100) may be for actively modulating incident radiation thus being e.g. a modulator for laser radiation. Alternatively, the device may be for passively modulating incident radiation, thus acting as a sensing device for sensing environmental parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Johan Stiens, Werner Vandermeiren, Gennady Shkerdin, Roger Vounckx
  • Publication number: 20120281195
    Abstract: The technology disclosed relates to improved acousto-optic deflectors (AODs). In particular, it relates to compensation for subtle effects not previously addressed by AOD designers. A shifting center of gravity is described and addressed using advanced power equalisation strategies. Denser writing brushes are provided by using a two-dimensional array of beams with corrections for factors such as angle of incidence at the AOD interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Micronic MyData AB
    Inventor: Torbjörn Sandström
  • Patent number: 8306375
    Abstract: A first exemplary aspect of the present invention is a wavelength-tunable optical transmitter including: a semiconductor substrate (101); a wavelength-tunable light source that is formed on the semiconductor substrate (101) and includes at least a first reflector (102) of a wavelength-tunable type and a gain region (104); a semiconductor optical modulator formed on the semiconductor substrate (101); a first semiconductor optical waveguide (105c) that is formed on the semiconductor substrate (101) and smoothly connected to the wavelength-tunable light source; a second semiconductor optical waveguide (105d) that is formed on the semiconductor substrate and smoothly connected to the semiconductor optical modulator; a waveguide coupling region (108) in which the first and second semiconductor optical waveguides are collinearly coupled with a length LC that is not equal to m/2 (m: integer) times a complete coupling length LC0; and a second reflector (113) formed at an end of the waveguide coupling region (108).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoaki Kato
  • Publication number: 20120275005
    Abstract: A modular approach to a pattern illumination system for selective excitation of microparticles is used. A dual-channel pattern module having two single-channel pattern modules are oriented at a non-zero offset angle to each other. In this arrangement, a galvo-scanner based phase-shifting module is shared between the two channels. A set of tilt mirrors are used to direct the beams from the pattern modules onto the target plane. Additional layers of pattern modules can be added to accommodate any desirable number of additional channels. The additional layer(s) may be rotationally off-set from the other layer(s) by an angular amount to simplify the layout of optical components. A remote light source module may be connected to the pattern modules through optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: LightSpeed Genomics, Inc.
    Inventor: Chun-Sheu Lee
  • Patent number: 8300293
    Abstract: The invention relates to a beam-forming array for projecting a divergent isotropic cloud of light points. The array comprises a source (4) for emitting electromagnetic radiation, a receiving or connecting possibility for a power source (2), an electrical or electronic subassembly (5), and an optical unit (6) that is arranged in a housing (1) along with the radiation source (4). The radiation source (4) is a semiconductor diode laser or a light emitting diode (LED) while the optical unit (6) is composed of at least two superimposed and grid-shaped spectral films that are offset relative to each other or a diffractive optical element. The optical unit (6) limits the intensity of the emitted radiation and the distance of the light point beams relative to one another to a value that does not pose any risk to a human eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Ralf Violonchi
  • Publication number: 20120262771
    Abstract: A deep submersible light may include a body defining a hollow interior and a solid state light source such as a plurality of high brightness LEDs mounted in the interior of the body. A transparent window may be mounted over the LEDs. The space between the transparent window and the LEDs may be filled with an optically transparent fluid, gel, or grease, which allows light to pass through and ambient water pressure to pass in, thus pressure compensating the LEDs by allowing them to see ambient water pressure. The transparent window may be mounted in the body for reciprocation in both a forward direction and a rearward direction to accommodate volumetric changes in the compensating fluid, gel, or grease caused by changes in temperature and water pressure as the manned or remotely piloted submarine travels from the sea surface to deep ocean depths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Kevin R. Hardy, John R. Sanderson, IV, Kenneth A. Steeves, Brian P. Lakin, Pay Merewether, Joe E. Simmons
  • Publication number: 20120262772
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for forming laser pulses comprising: an input for a pulsed laser beam; a spatial phase modulator (300), arranged on the trajectory of said pulsed laser beam so as to be illuminated thereby; a control means designed to configure said spatial phase modulator so as to emulate a diffraction grating (3, 3?) having a diffraction efficiency that varies along one spatial direction (s) identified by the intersection of the modulator surface with the diffraction plane (xz); and spatial filtering means (5) for a light beam diffracted by said grating; whereby a laser pulse (P1) at the device input is converted to a train of elementary output pulses (PS) having temporal intensity and/or phase and/or polarization modulation. The invention further relates to a laser pulse forming process based on the use of such a device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Frédéric Louradour, Vincent Kermene, Alain Barthelemy, Eric Suran, Tigran Mansuryan
  • Publication number: 20120256905
    Abstract: A segmented polarizing device may be a polarizing modulator which may include strips of switching polarizer material. The switching polarizer material may be used to switch individual segments of the polarizing modulator at a time. In such devices, the polarizing modulator may be one or more liquid crystal cells (LC cell). As the LC modulation panel of a display refreshes an image from top to bottom, changing from left eye content to right eye content, the polarization of a corresponding part of a scrolling polarizing screen may change along with the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: REALD INC.
    Inventors: Rod Archer, Matt Cowan, Michael G. Robinson, Gary D. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20120250133
    Abstract: A high sensitivity transient grating ultrafast radiation to optical image converter is based on a fixed transmission grating adjacent to a semiconductor substrate. X-rays or optical radiation passing through the fixed transmission grating is thereby modulated and produces a small periodic variation of refractive index or transient grating in the semiconductor through carrier induced refractive index shifts. An optical or infrared probe beam tuned just below the semiconductor band gap is reflected off a high reflectivity mirror on the semiconductor so that it double passes therethrough and interacts with the radiation induced phase grating therein. A small portion of the optical beam is diffracted out of the probe beam by the radiation induced transient grating to become the converted signal that is imaged onto a detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Richard E. Stewart, Stephen P. Vernon, Paul T. Steele, Mark E. Lowry
  • Publication number: 20120250134
    Abstract: A laser processing system quickly and flexibly modifies a processing beam to determine and implement an improved or optimum beam profile for a particular application (or a subset of the application). The system reduces the sensitivity of beam shaping subsystems to variations in the laser processing system, including those due to manufacturing tolerances, thermal drift, variations in component performance, and other sources of system variation. Certain embodiments also manipulate lower quality laser beams (higher M2 values) to provide acceptable shaped beam profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTRO SCIENTIFIC INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Mark A. Unrath, Peter Pirogovsky, Leo Baldwin