Plural Modulation Cells Patents (Class 359/259)
  • Patent number: 8125702
    Abstract: A display has first and second spatial light modulators for modulating light from a light source. The first spatial light modulator has a plurality of elements switchable between ON and OFF states according to a pattern having a spatially-varying density. Transfer optics blur and carry light modulated by the first spatial light modulator to the second spatial light modulator to yield a light field at the second spatial light modulator. The second spatial light modulator has a plurality of elements switchable between ON and OFF states to perform temporal dithering of the light field to provide a reconstruction of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, Gerwin Damberg, Helge Seetzen
  • Patent number: 8111444
    Abstract: An imaging method includes emitting radiation from an illumination source towards a total internal reflection (TIR) modulator. At least one of the pixel regions is controlled to form at least one image pixel on a surface. A first electric potential is imposed on a first pixel region, the first electric potential being associated with a first signal provided by a first electrical conductor to the second set of electrodes associated with the first pixel region, the first electrical conductor extending over a first non-pixel region. A second electric potential is imposed on the first pixel region, the second electric potential being associated with a second signal provided by a second electrical conductor to first set of electrodes associated with the first pixel region, the second electrical conductor extending over a second non-pixel region, wherein the second non-pixel region is different from the first non-pixel region, and the second electric potential is different from the first electric potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James G. Ko, Meritt W. Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20110286063
    Abstract: A device that provides light beam switching, agile steering of the light beam over a range of angles, and generation of arbitrary wavefront shapes with high spatial and temporal resolution. The agile device can include a volume diffractive structure comprising Bragg planes having one refractive index and the Bragg planes separated by regions containing an active optical medium. Electrodes (which may be the Bragg planes themselves, or may be arrayed adjacent to the active optical medium) are used to control the electric field intensity and direction across the structure, and thereby control the diffraction efficiency of the structure and the local phase delay imposed on a diffracted wavefront. Means are provided for addressing the many thousands of electrodes required for precise and rapid wavefront control. Applications include free-space atmospheric optical communications, near-eye displays, direct-view 3D displays, optical switching, and a host of other applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: VUZIX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Stephen Paul McGrew
  • Patent number: 8052286
    Abstract: A method includes generating a plurality of beams that each illuminate a separate portion of a spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator has a first dimension of a first length and a second dimension of a second length. Each of the beams spans a portion of the first length of the first dimension and a portion of the second length of the second dimension. The method also includes scrolling the plurality of beams along the second dimension of the spatial light modulator while maintaining at least a first gap between each of the plurality of beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip Scott King, Gregory James Hewlett, Roger Mitsuo Ikeda, Jeffrey Scott Farris
  • Publication number: 20110235148
    Abstract: An imaging method includes emitting radiation from an illumination source towards a total internal reflection (TIR) modulator. At least one of the pixel regions is controlled to form at least one image pixel on a surface. A first electric potential is imposed on a first pixel region, the first electric potential being associated with a first signal provided by a first electrical conductor to the second set of electrodes associated with the first pixel region, the first electrical conductor extending over a first non-pixel region. A second electric potential is imposed on the first pixel region, the second electric potential being associated with a second signal provided by a second electrical conductor to first set of electrodes associated with the first pixel region, the second electrical conductor extending over a second non-pixel region, wherein the second non-pixel region is different from the first non-pixel region, and the second electric potential is different from the first electric potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: James G. Ko, Meritt W. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 8023170
    Abstract: A total internal reflection (TIR) modulator includes a member comprising an electro-optic material; a plurality of first electrode sets; a plurality of second electrode sets; and a first set of electrical conductors, each electrical conductor in the first set of electrical conductors being coupled to one of the second electrode sets wherein the electrodes in each second electrode set are arranged in an interdigitated relationship with the electrodes in one of the first electrode sets; and each of the first electrode sets comprises a first electrode, the first electrodes being arranged in an interdigitated relationship with the electrical conductors in the first set of electrical conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: James G. Ko, Meritt W. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 8014055
    Abstract: An electro-optic device includes a shift register and another circuit. Source and drain regions of transistors in the shift register contain the same kind of impurity as that contained in the source and drain regions of transistors in the other circuit and contain a higher concentration of the impurity than a concentration of the impurity in the source and drain regions of transistors in the other circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Mochizuki
  • Publication number: 20110170161
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an optical splitter, an optical intensity combiner, first and second Mach-Zehnder interferometers, and first and second drive electrodes. The first Mach-Zehnder interferometer connects a first optical output of the optical intensity splitter to a first optical input of the optical intensity combiner. The second Mach-Zehnder interferometer connects a second optical output of the optical intensity splitter to a second optical input of the optical intensity combiner. The first drive electrode is located between and connected to a pair of semiconductor junctions along first internal optical arms of the Mach-Zehnder interferometers. The second drive electrode is located between and connected to a pair of semiconductor junctions along second internal optical arms of the Mach-Zehnder interferometers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Douglas M. Gill, Mahmoud Rasras
  • Patent number: 7967445
    Abstract: An image projecting apparatus enables the formation of a projected image faithful to original image information by reducing degradation in the projected image due to decrease in imaging performance of a projection optical system. Image information is processed by an image processing device, which includes a first and a second image processor. A light modulating device modulates a flux of light emitted by an illumination optical system based on the processed image information. The modulated flux of light is projected on a screen by a projection optical system. If the image information processed by the first image processor in a pixel region is not within a representable modulation range of the light modulating device, the image information is processed by the second image processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukiko Hamano, Ryosuke Kasahara, Toshiyuki Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 7965433
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bias controller for a dual output electro-optic modulator and a method for controlling the bias of a dual output electro-optic modulator. The invention further comprises an optical commutator switch with a plurality of dual-output electro-optic modulators interconnected in a tiered arrangement, and control means for deriving measurements of optical power from each of the modulators. The optical commutator is further used for determining respective bias control signals to achieve and maintain operation of the modulators substantially at their quadrature bias points, and further for generating said respective bias control signals for applying them to the respective modulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: BAE Systems PLC
    Inventors: Andrew James Smith, Christopher Ralph Pescod
  • Patent number: 7965439
    Abstract: A scanning device includes: an optical element in which a refractive index distribution changes according to the intensity of an electric field generated therein such that an incident laser beam is scanned; first and second electrodes provided on two opposite surfaces of the optical element; and a control unit that controls a voltage applied to at least one of the first and second electrodes such that the electric field is generated in one direction and the other direction opposite to the one direction with time in the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeo Nojima
  • Publication number: 20110109953
    Abstract: According to particular embodiments, reducing cross-phase modulation includes sending instructions to a phase modulation array comprising channel pixel sets that modulate phases of channels. The channel pixel sets comprise a first channel pixel set that modulates a first phase of a first channel and a second channel pixel set that modulates a second phase of a second channel that uses a phase modulation format. The first channel pixel set is instructed to modulate the first phase at a first constant phase. The second channel pixel set is instructed to modulate the second phase at a second constant phase different from the first constant phase in order to create a group delay between the first channel and the second channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Olga I. Vassilieva, Richard L. Colter, Daniel Bihon, Paparao Palacharla
  • Patent number: 7880949
    Abstract: A display device includes a number of sub-pixels. A main region and a sub region are defined in each sub-pixel, and correspond to a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode respectively. The first and the second pixel electrodes are separated from each other and thereby forming a gap between the first and the second pixel electrodes substantially perpendicular to the gate lines. Each sub-pixel includes a coupling electrode, a first switching transistor, a second switching transistor and a sharing transistor. The coupling electrode is capacitively coupled with the first pixel electrode. The first switching transistor and the second switching transistor are electrically connected to a gate line, a data line, and respectively connected to the first and the second pixel electrodes. The sharing transistor is electrically connected to another gate line, the coupling electrode and the second pixel electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Hui Chu-Ke, Sheng-Wen Cheng
  • Patent number: 7859735
    Abstract: A lithography method is provided. The method includes generating a beam of radiation, patterning portions of the beam of radiation, projecting the patterned beam of radiation towards a substrate, and blocking scattered light from the beam of radiation from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Wenceslao A. Cebuhar, Jason D. Hintersteiner, Stan Janik, Yuli Vladimirsky
  • Patent number: 7859753
    Abstract: A wavelength discriminating optical filter has birefringent retarders stacked between polarizing filters, in relative rotational orientations causing passband wavelengths to emerge in a polarization state aligned to a second such polarizing filter, for transmission, whereas wavelengths at orthogonal polarization states are blocked. The second polarizing filter can be a wiregrid type that reflects the blocked orthogonal component backwards along the light signal propagation path. Internal reflections are minimized while obtaining a high transmission ratio and high discrimination for the passband wavelengths, by pairing a zero-degree reflective polarizer as the second or selection polarizer, with a preceding non-zero-degree reflective polarizer. The non-zero-degree reflective polarizer can absorb the blocked orthogonal polarization components, for example using an oriented dichroic material, or a polarizing cube or the like can be provided to divert the blocked polarization component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Chem Image Corporation
    Inventor: Xinghua Wang
  • Patent number: 7851761
    Abstract: Multi-band polarized receiver-emitter THz domain visualization device that includes a group of elemental receiver units made from a resonant system sensitive to frequency and polarization, a micro-bead solid-state voltage amplifier in the gate of a differential FET system. The detection is based on the carrier perturbation method detected by a set of double gate comparator circuits that further generates an integrated signal driven to a digital analog converter. The signal from here is accessing event-based memory used to generate the 3D images. Multiple detection modules are coupled into a triangular detection element detecting a multitude of frequencies, in a cascade of bands from 2 mm to 1 micron. This THz chromatic detector is integrated in a surface morph array, or in an image area of a focusing device generating a pixel of information with band, amplitude, polarization and time parameters, driving to a complex 3D substance level visualizations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventor: Liviu Popa-Simil
  • Publication number: 20100284052
    Abstract: A color filter includes a substrate, a plurality of pixel units and a transparent electrode layer. The substrate has a plurality of pixel regions. Each pixel region has a plurality of first sub-pixel regions and a second sub-pixel region. Each pixel unit is disposed in one of the pixel regions corresponding thereto and includes a plurality of and a white filter film. Each color filter film is disposed in one of the first sub-pixel regions corresponding thereto and the white filter film is disposed in the second sub-pixel region. Since the area of the white filter film is larger than the area of each color filter film, the color filter has high light-transmittance. The transparent electrode layer is disposed on the pixel units. Furthermore, a color reflective display device with the color filter is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Po-Wen Hsiao, Yuan-Chih Tasi, Lee-Tyng Chen, Chuan-Feng Liu, Ted-Hong Shinn
  • Patent number: 7808690
    Abstract: An electro optical device having a substrate, scanning lines, data lines, and pixel electrodes arranged to correspond to intersections of scanning and data lines, a counter electrode opposite the substrate from a pixel electrode, an emission layer between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode, a driving transistor connected to the pixel electrode, a driving circuit for supplying a signal to at least one of the scanning lines and data lines, a potential supply line for the driving circuit, an insulating film between the driving transistor and the counter electrode, the insulating film in a first area on the substrate, and a planarizing layer covering the counter electrode, wherein the potential supply line extends along an edge of the substrate in a second area, and the planarizing layer covers the insulating film and overlaps with at least a part of the potential supply line in the second area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Takehiko Kubota
  • Publication number: 20100237772
    Abstract: An electro-optical device includes a substrate, a partition disposed on the substrate, and a plurality of electro-optical elements disposed on the substrate. Each element includes a functional layer having an electro-optic function, power with a resolution in a first direction that corresponds to an interval between the elements in the first direction. The plurality of elements constitute element arrays and are divided into a plurality of element groups. The element arrays are arranged in a direction crossing the first direction. Each group includes the corresponding electro-optical elements aligned in a second direction crossing the first direction, and each of the plurality of element regions includes at least one of the element groups and extends in a third direction crossing the first direction as viewed from the top.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinri SAKAI, Tsukasa OTA, Toru NIMURA
  • Publication number: 20100232004
    Abstract: A thin film semiconductor device includes, on a substrate, a thin film transistor of which channel is N-type, and a thin film transistor of which channel is P-type, wherein a source region of the N-type thin film transistor and a source region of the P-type thin film transistor are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other at least in some region and are electrically connected to a first electrode through one contact hole formed on the some region, and a drain region of the N-type thin film transistor and a drain region of the P-type thin film transistor are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other at least in some region and are electrically connected to a second electrode through one contact hole formed on the some region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasushi HIROSHIMA
  • Patent number: 7787168
    Abstract: The present invention provides a display panel of a flat panel display device of a four-color structure in which color mixture may not occur in a white sub-pixel and a method for fabricating the same. The display device includes first, second, third, and fourth sub-pixels, and each sub-pixel includes a thin film transistor. A color filter is formed adjacent to the thin film transistor of each of the first, second, and third sub-pixels, a planarization layer is formed on the color filters, and a pixel electrode is connected to each thin film transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-Kyu Park
  • Patent number: 7775670
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laser projection system (1) having means for reducing the coherence of a generated laser beam (3) in order to reduce the occurrence of annoying speckle artifacts in images produced by the system. Coherence is reduced by letting the laser beam (3) pass through a transparent cell (6) comprising first (A) and second (B) immiscible fluids having different refractive indices. The fluids are displaced in the cell, preferably using an electrowetting technique. The cell (6) may thus be realized as an electrowetting lens, which is driven with a pseudo random driving signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Renatus Hendricus Maria Sanders, Johannus Wilhelmus Weekamp
  • Publication number: 20100188591
    Abstract: Provided is an electro-optical device including: a plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in a pixel region; a lower electrode disposed at a lower layer side of the plurality of pixel electrodes with a dielectric film interposed therebetween so as to at least partially overlap the plurality of pixel electrodes in plan view; and a step difference reduction film disposed on an underlying surface of the lower electrode and formed in at least a portion of a lower electrode non-forming region of the pixel region so as to reduce a step difference between the upper surfaces of the lower electrode and the underlying surface in the lower electrode non-forming region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyuki OIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20100149618
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and apparatus directed toward using a contact lens and deflection optics to process display information and non-display information. In one embodiment of the invention, a display panel assembly is provided, comprising: a transparent substrate that permits light to pass through substantially undistorted; a two-dimensional display panel disposed on the transparent substrate, wherein the display panel comprises pixel elements sufficiently spaced with respect to each other to allow light to pass through the display panel assembly; and at least one filter disposed on at least one pixel element. The filter may comprise a bandpass filter that reduces bandwidths of emitted light from the pixel element, or a polarizer filter that limits polarity of emitted light from the pixel element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: RANDALL SPRAGUE
  • Patent number: 7729041
    Abstract: An electro optic device includes an optical element in which a refractive index distribution, changes according to the intensity of an electric field generated therein such that an incident laser beam is scanned. First and second electrodes are provided on two opposite surfaces of the optical element. A distance between electrodes of the first and second electrodes of the optical element decreases continuously or in a stepwise manner from an emission end surface toward an incident end surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeo Nojima
  • Patent number: 7719745
    Abstract: A display device includes the following elements. A display has a display area and includes an electro-optic layer and a light-reflecting layer reflecting light emitted from the electro-optic layer to the viewing side of the display device, the light-reflecting layer being arranged in the display area. A plate-shaped exterior has a frame area including a portion located outside the periphery of the display. An antireflective plate continuously covers both of the display area and the frame area. The antireflective plate prevents external light, which enters the viewing side of the display device and is reflected by the light-reflecting layer or the frame area, from emerging on the viewing side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tadashi Yamada
  • Publication number: 20100079843
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus that includes a waveguide and one or more pixels deployed adjacent the top surface of the waveguide which contains TIR light therein. Each pixel includes a deformable active layer having a first conductor and a driver electronics layer having a second conductor. The driver electronics layer is deployed in spaced-apart relation to the active layer and opposite the waveguide. In a quiescent state of a pixel, the active layer is in contact or near contact with the top surface of the waveguide so as to optically couple light out via FTIR (i.e., pixel's ON state). To actuate the pixel, the electronics layer is configured to selectively apply an electrical potential difference to the second conductor thereby causing the active layer to move away from the top surface so as to prevent the optical coupling of light out of the waveguide (i.e., pixel's OFF state).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Kevin J. Derichs, Carey King, Daniel K. Van Ostrand, Berry Tod Cox, Reed J. Killion
  • Patent number: 7663796
    Abstract: An electric-field-driving reflective display apparatus is provided. The electric-field-driving reflective display apparatus includes a barrier wall which has a plurality of driving grooves and first and second surfaces, a reflecting member which is disposed within the driving groove and has an electric charge, a first electrode which is disposed on the first surface of the barrier wall, and a second electrode which is disposed on the second surface of the barrier wall, wherein areas of cross sections of each driving groove parallel to the first and second surface are equal to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Dongjin Semichem Co.,Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Hyuk Lee
  • Patent number: 7660027
    Abstract: An optical modulator comprises an electrode 21 which applies to an optical waveguides 12 of a Mach-Zehnder type optical interference system a first electric signal based on an alternating current signal S1 and a direct current bias V1, an electrode 22 which applies to an optical waveguide 13 of the Mach-Zehnder type optical interference system a second electric signal based on an alternating current signal S2 and a direct current bias V2, and a bias setting section 41 which sets average direct current levels of the first and second electric signals based on signal frequency information D1 which indicates a magnitude relation between a maximum frequency of the alternating current signal S1 and a maximum frequency of the alternating current signal S2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Niiho, Kouichi Masuda, Masaru Fuse, Fumio Fujisaki, Kuniharu Itakura, Tomoaki Ohira
  • Publication number: 20100027095
    Abstract: Radiation from an illumination source (102) is directed to a total internal reflector (TIR) modulator (10). The modulator includes a an electro-optic member (213) with a plurality of individually addressable pixel regions (210) comprised of a plurality of electrodes arranged in a first and second set. At least one electrode of the first set is adjacent to at least one electrode of the second set and at least one of the pixel regions is controlled to form at least one image pixel on a surface. A first electric potential is imposed on the first set of electrodes selected from a first predetermined group of electric potential values. A second electric potential is imposed on the second set of electrodes selected from a second predetermined group of electric potential values. The first and second predetermined groups of electric potential values together comprise at least three different electric potential values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventor: Meritt W. Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20090322653
    Abstract: Provided is a compact virtual display in which an image displayed on an image display device is separated into a plurality of regions, selectively reflected in an image receiving optical system, and selectively transmitted in synchronization with the selective reflection of the image receiving optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrej Nikolaevich Putilin, Aleksej Vladimirovich Bratishev
  • Patent number: 7633666
    Abstract: A projection design configured for use with a projector having a projector lens is provided. The device includes at least one pi-cell or pi-cell electro-optical modulator in combination with a wire grid polarizer mounted proximate the pi-cell(s). The design may include a cleanup polarizer between the pi-cell(s) and the wire grid polarizer and optionally a protective window between the wire grid projector and projection lens. The device may be oriented at an angle substantially differing from the axis of the projector lens. The resultant device includes spacing for airflow and can offer improved performance, particularly in heating, over designs previously available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Real D
    Inventors: Lenny Lipton, Matt Cowan
  • Publication number: 20090296191
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for generating the color white in displays created from interferometric modulators and more specifically, to the generation of the color white through the use of reflected light at two wavelengths. In one embodiment, a display device displays the color white. The color white is generated by reflecting light from two pluralities of interferometric modulator types. The first modulator type reflects colored light at a specific wavelength. The second modulator type reflects colored light selected to be at a wavelength complementary to the first. The combined light reflected from the two types appears white in the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventor: Philip D. Floyd
  • Publication number: 20090284547
    Abstract: A display has a screen which incorporates a light modulator. The screen may be a front projection screen or a rear-projection screen. Elements of the light modulator may be controlled to adjust the intensity of light emanating from corresponding areas on the screen. The display may provide a high dynamic range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne WHITEHEAD, Greg WARD, Wolfgang STUERZLINGER, Helge SEETZEN
  • Patent number: 7589881
    Abstract: An electro-optic device includes first and second pixels that form first and second images, respectively. The first and second pixels are arranged alternately in a first direction. A light blocking element overlaps the pixels in plan view. The pixels are divided into pixel groups, each corresponding to every two pixels, which are one of the first pixels and one of the second pixels adjacent to each other in the first direction. The light blocking element has openings, each corresponding to one of the pixel groups and located in a region that overlaps the two pixels of the pixel group in plan view. Each first pixel has a light blocking region that partially intercepts light emitted from the first pixel. Each second pixel has a light blocking region that partially intercepts light emitted from the second pixel. The light blocking regions are positioned symmetrically to each other in plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuo Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7567368
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lithography system in which scattered light from a pattern generator, having one or more pattern generating devices, is blocked from an object, such as a wafer or display. The system includes a pattern generator with multiple pattern generating devices, a projection system for directing light from the pattern generating device, and an aperture located at or near an object window. The aperture has a profile that matches the configuration of the pattern generating devices. A method for blocking scattered light in a lithography system using multiple pattern generating devices is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Wenceslao A. Cebuhar, Jason D. Hintersteiner, Stan Janik, Yuli Vladimirsky
  • Patent number: 7567370
    Abstract: A color display including: a stacked plurality of color layers, each layer being selectively reflective or absorptive of light in a different portion of the human visible spectrum; wherein, the layers are each configured as a plurality of independently addressable picture elements, at least some of the picture elements in at least one of the layers are superimposed in the stack over at least some picture elements in at least one other of the layers, and a resolution of the superimposed picture elements in the at least one of the layers is different from the resolution of the superimposed picture elements in the at least one other of the layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Stellbrink, Peter Fricke
  • Publication number: 20090174924
    Abstract: An electro optical device having a substrate, scanning lines, data lines, and pixel electrodes arranged to correspond to intersections of scanning and data lines, a counter electrode opposite the substrate from a pixel electrode, an emission layer between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode, a driving transistor connected to the pixel electrode, a driving circuit for supplying a signal to at least one of the scanning lines and data lines, a potential supply line for the driving circuit, an insulating film between the driving transistor and the counter electrode, the insulating film in a first area on the substrate, and a planarizing layer covering the counter electrode, wherein the potential supply line extends along an edge of the substrate in a second area, and the planarizing layer covers the insulating film and overlaps with at least a part of the potential supply line in the second area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takehiko KUBOTA
  • Patent number: 7551341
    Abstract: A display has first and second spatial light modulators for modulating light from a light source. The first spatial light modulator has a plurality of elements switchable between ON and OFF states according to a pattern having a spatially-varying density. Transfer optics blur and carry light modulated by the first spatial light modulator to the second spatial light modulator to yield a light field at the second spatial light modulator. The second spatial light modulator has a plurality of elements switchable between ON and OFF states to perform temporal dithering of the light field to provide a reconstruction of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory John Ward, Gerwin Damberg, Helge Seetzen
  • Patent number: 7548363
    Abstract: An optical element used, e.g., in an electrowetting display device having a number of pixels, is arranged in an array. Each optical element includes a cell filled with a polar conductive fluid, such as a water solution, and a non-polar fluid, such as an oil. The cell further includes first and second planar electrodes covered with first and second hydrophobic layers. By applying a voltage between the first fluid and alternately the first or second electrodes, the oil is forced to migrate between the first and second hydrophobic layers. Thus a bi-stable, energy efficient optical element is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Robert Andrew Hayes, Romaric Mathieu Massard, Bokke Johannes Feenstra
  • Patent number: 7532385
    Abstract: A first electrode and a sacrificial layer are sequentially formed on a substrate, and then first openings for forming supports inside are formed in the first electrode and the sacrificial layer. The supports are formed in the first openings, and then a second electrode is formed on the sacrificial layer and the supports, thus forming a micro electro mechanical system structure. Afterward, an adhesive is used to adhere and fix a protection structure to the substrate for forming a chamber to enclose the micro electro mechanical system structure, and at least one second opening is preserved on sidewalls of the chamber. A release etch process is subsequently employed to remove the sacrificial layer through the second opening in order to form cavities in an optical interference reflection structure. Finally, the second opening is closed to seal the optical interference reflection structure between the substrate and the protection structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wen-Jian Lin, Brian Arbuckle, Brian Gally, Philip Floyd, Lauren Palmateer
  • Patent number: 7511871
    Abstract: Illumination exposure control systems comprising reflective pixelated spatial light modulators that reflect substantially all of the light impinging on them into at least two different light paths. At least one of the light paths acts as a propagating light path and transmits the light beam out of the lighting system. At least one other light path acts as a non-propagating light path and prevents the light beam from being transmitted out the system. The illumination exposure control systems provide high speed of exposure actuation and precision control of exposure duration and frequency or exposure sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Tidal Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas B. MacKinnon, Ulrich Stange
  • Publication number: 20090052001
    Abstract: An electro-optic device includes a shift register and another circuit. Source and drain regions of transistors in the shift register contain the same kind of impurity as that contained in the source and drain regions of transistors in the other circuit and contain a higher concentration of the impurity than a concentration of the impurity in the source and drain regions of transistors in the other circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroaki MOCHIZUKI
  • Patent number: 7492497
    Abstract: A light modulator comprises a plurality of discrete variable transmission electro-optic layers arranged so that light will pass successively through the plurality of layers; the light modulator has a higher transmission range than any of the individual electro-optic layers separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Paolini, Jr., Shamus Ford Patry
  • Publication number: 20090027755
    Abstract: A color display including: a stacked plurality of color layers, each layer being selectively reflective or absorptive of light in a different portion of the human visible spectrum; wherein, the layers are each configured as a plurality of independently addressable picture elements, at least some of the picture elements in at least one of the layers are superimposed in the stack over at least some picture elements in at least one other of the layers, and a resolution of the superimposed picture elements in the at least one of the layers is different from the resolution of the superimposed picture elements in the at least one other of the layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Joseph Stellbrink, Peter Fricke
  • Publication number: 20090015901
    Abstract: A display device includes the following elements. A display has a display area and includes an electro-optic layer and a light-reflecting layer reflecting light emitted from the electro-optic layer to the viewing side of the display device, the light-reflecting layer being arranged in the display area. A plate-shaped exterior has a frame area including a portion located outside the periphery of the display. An antireflective plate continuously covers both of the display area and the frame area. The antireflective plate prevents external light, which enters the viewing side of the display device and is reflected by the light-reflecting layer or the frame area, from emerging on the viewing side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tadashi YAMADA
  • Patent number: 7466471
    Abstract: Devices and techniques for generating and analyzing states of polarization in light using multiple adjustable polarization rotators in various applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: General Photonics Corporation
    Inventor: Xiaotian Steve Yao
  • Publication number: 20080304129
    Abstract: An electric-field-driving reflective display apparatus is provided. The electric-field-driving reflective display apparatus includes a barrier wall which has a plurality of driving grooves and first and second surfaces, a reflecting member which is disposed within the driving groove and has an electric charge, a first electrode which is disposed on the first surface of the barrier wall, and a second electrode which is disposed on the second surface of the barrier wall, wherein areas of cross sections of each driving groove parallel to the first and second surface are equal to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: Dongjin Semichem Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Hyuk Lee
  • Publication number: 20080297594
    Abstract: A switchable autostereoscopic display device comprising: a display panel having an array of display pixels for producing a display, the display pixels being arranged in rows and columns; an array of lens elements arranged over the display panel for directing the light output of the display pixels so as to provide a stereoscopic image, the lens elements comprising an electro-optic material whose refractive index is switchable by selective application of an electric field between a first value that maintains the light output directing function and a second value that removes the light output directing function; and electrode arrangements provided above and below the lens elements for applying the electric field across the lens elements. At least one of the electrode arrangements comprises first and second electrode layers separated by a dielectric layer, and each electrode layer comprises a plurality of parallel elongate electrodes separated by gaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Martin Gerard Hendrik Hiddink, Siebe Tjerk De Zwart, Oscar Hendrikus Willemsen
  • Publication number: 20080297757
    Abstract: An optical modulating fine aperture array device is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION,YONSEI UN
    Inventor: Jae Won Hahn