Switching Patents (Class 359/320)
  • Patent number: 11495192
    Abstract: A display device includes a stacked structure and an outer frame fixedly receiving the stacked structure therein. The stacked structure includes an intelligence light adjustment layer, a display module, and a light-transmitting reflective layer interposed between the display module and the intelligence light adjustment layer. The intelligence light adjustment layer is configured to present one of a first state or a second state, which are different from each other, based on whether electrical power is applied to the intelligence light adjustment layer. The display module projects display images through the intelligence light adjustment layer in the first state. When the intelligence light adjustment layer is in the second state, the color of the outer frame is the same as the color of the intelligence light adjustment layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: TPK Touch Solutions (Xiamen) Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Chuan Lin, Chun Hui Tseng, Su Ming Lin
  • Patent number: 11447073
    Abstract: Mirror displays, mirror display and compartment assemblies, and methods for making mirror displays are provided. In one example, the mirror display includes a transparent mirror having a front surface facing in a forward direction and a back surface opposite the front surface. When a user is present in front of the front surface, the transparent mirror is configured to reflect a first image of the user from the transparent mirror back towards the user. A display panel is disposed adjacent to the back surface of the transparent mirror and is configured to display a second image that is transmitted through the transparent mirror to be viewable from the front surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: John Bullock, William Rodriguez, Joshua Tatum, Stephen Spencer
  • Patent number: 11230086
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an infrared stealth element using a dual band perfect absorption metamaterial. The infrared stealth element includes: a first metal layer; an insulator layer formed on an upper part of the first metal layer; and a second metal layer formed on an upper part of the insulator layer. The second metal layer includes at least one among a metal ring and a metal dot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION YONSEI UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Jae Won Hahn
  • Patent number: 10890312
    Abstract: A display device including a protruding-plate includes the protruding-plate, a thin-film-layer, a transparent-base-material, a first-concealing-layer, a light-diffusion-layer, a light-color-toning-layer, and a second-concealing-layer. The first-concealing-layer is disposed closer to the protruding-plate than the second-concealing-layer and the light-color-toning-layer to the protruding-plate. The protruding-plate, the transparent-base-material, the thin-film-layer, and the second-concealing-layer include a greater thickness in this order. The second-concealing-layer, the first-concealing-layer, and the light-diffusion-layer have a same thickness. The light-diffusion-layer is thicker than the light-color-toning-layer. The transparent-base-material and the thin-film-layer have a same light transmittance. The thin-film-layer, the protruding-plate, the light-diffusion-layer, the light-color-toning-layer, the first-concealing-layer, and the second-concealing-layer have a higher light transmittance in this order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonori Sugiyama, Kazuhiko Kaneuchi, Hideaki Nakagawa, Masaki Kontani
  • Patent number: 10606113
    Abstract: In the display device, a display panel, a linearly polarized light reflection layer, and a light scattering layer are configured to satisfy at least two states selected from the group consisting of: a state where the display panel includes a display surface with divided regions involving a display region and a non-display region, a state where the linearly polarized light reflection layer includes divided regions involving first and second reflection regions, and a state where the light scattering layer includes divided regions involving a light scattering region and a light transmitting region. At least two regions are superimposed on each other. The regions are selected from the group consisting of one of the display region and the non-display region, one of the first and second reflection regions, and one of the light scattering region and the light transmitting region and satisfy the at least two states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Naru Usukura
  • Patent number: 9484709
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical amplifier arrangement for amplifying ultra-short pulsed laser radiation comprising a mode-locked laser (1) and two or more optical amplifiers (3) arranged downstream of the laser (1) in the propagation direction of the laser radiation. Optical amplifier arrangements of this type are known in the prior art. Here the intention is to present an alternative to the known amplifier arrangements. The invention proposes arranging between the laser (1) and the optical amplifiers (3) at least one splitting element (2) which splits the pulsed laser radiation between a plurality of amplifier channels (4), wherein each amplifier channel (4) has at least one optical amplifier (3), and wherein at least one common combination element (5) is disposed downstream of the amplifier channels (4) and coherently superimposes the pulsed laser radiation amplified in the amplifier channels (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignees: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V., FRIEDRICH-SCHILLER-UNIVERSITAET JENA
    Inventors: Arno Klenke, Enrico Seise, Jens Limpert, Andreas Tuennermann
  • Patent number: 9223155
    Abstract: The effective focal length of an optical system can be electronically controlled using switchable wave plates in conjunction with polarized light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Fakespace Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian E. McDowall, Mark Bolas
  • Patent number: 9224330
    Abstract: A display device includes a display panel and a timing controller. The display panel includes a plurality of pixels, and the timing controller determines a driving method that includes a first sub-frame arrangement method and a second sub-frame arrangement method. An arrangement of weight values of a plurality of sub-frames of the second sub-frame arrangement method is given in an opposite order from an arrangement of weight values of a plurality of sub-frames of the first sub-frame arrangement method. The timing controller applies the first sub-frame arrangement method to a first pixel among the pixels, and applies the second sub-frame arrangement method to a second pixel that is disposed next to the first pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Woo Park, Sang-Jin Pak, Ji-Gong Lee, Sang-Kwon Ha, Su-min Yang
  • Patent number: 9207460
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a patterned retarder type display device having a black strip and a method for manufacturing the same. The present disclosure suggests a patterned retarder type display device comprising: a first substrate having a display area in which unit pixels are disposed in a matrix type and a non-display area surrounding the display area; a second substrate joined with the first substrate by a sealant disposed in the non-display area; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; a plurality of a horizontal black strip disposed along a horizontal border distinguishing the unit pixel on an outer surface of the first substrate; and an outer strip covering the non-display area on the outer surface of the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Heeyoung Chae
  • Patent number: 9201256
    Abstract: A three-dimensional display and method for manufacturing the same are provided. The three-dimensional display includes a display panel, a liquid crystal layer, an aligning layer and an adhesive layer. The liquid crystal layer is disposed on a side of the display panel. The aligning layer formed from a curable resin is disposed on a side of the liquid crystal layer opposite to the display panel and comprises a plurality of first aligning regions and a plurality of second aligning regions. The adhesive layer is disposed between the display panel and the liquid crystal layer, wherein the display panel and the liquid crystal layer are adhered by the adhesive layer. Wherein the pencil hardness of the aligning layer is in the range of 1B to 4H, and the adhesion of the adhesive layer is in the range of 50 gf/25 mm to 1500 gf/25 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Benq Materials Corporation
    Inventor: Kuan-Hao Huang
  • Patent number: 9200171
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an ink containing an azo compound which is excellent in solubility in a solvent and has a high extinction coefficient. The present invention relates to an ink comprising a solvent having a relative permittivity of 3 or less, as measured at a frequency of 1 kHz and at 22° C. and having a solubility in water of 20 mg/L or less at 25° C. and a specific azo compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Utako Takeda, Shoko Ichinosawa, Yuki Tanaka, Hiroyuki Aikyo, Mio Ishida
  • Patent number: 9063254
    Abstract: A metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) device couples light from an optical mode in a waveguide to a surface plasmon polarition (SPP) mode on an electrode surface of the MSM device. Once in an SPP mode, the absorption of light in the semiconductor can take place in a very small area. This may allow for a shrinking of the active detector area and allow for low capacitance, very short transit distance for the electrical carriers and allow for very low voltage devices and/or very high frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce A. Block
  • Patent number: 9036239
    Abstract: Electrooptical cell, including, on a substrate (1), a layer of ferroelectric massive material (4), with an electrode (2) forming an earth plane, provided between the substrate (1) and the ferroelectric layer (4), another electrode (5), narrow, mounted opposite the first above the ferroelectric layer and grooves (6) made in the ferroelectric layer, on either side of the upper electrode (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Marc Alexandre Bouvrot
  • Publication number: 20150055209
    Abstract: A three-dimensional circuit includes a hyperbolic bicontinuous structure forming a substrate; circuits formed on a first surface of the hyperbolic bicontinuous structure; and electrically conductive traces formed between the circuits. The electrically conductive traces are formed two-dimensionally on the first surface of the hyperbolic bicontinuous structure. The electrically conductive traces are effectively three-dimensional traces between the circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventor: Robert William Corkery
  • Patent number: 8879141
    Abstract: Methods and devices for calibrating and controlling the actuation of an analog interferometric modulator configured to have a plurality of actuation states. Devices and methods for calibrating an analog interferometric modulator to respond in linear relation to an applied voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chong U. Lee, John H. Hong, Marc M. Mignard, Alok Govil
  • Publication number: 20140268305
    Abstract: A wavelength selective switch includes: a port array that includes an input port for inputting a signal light and an output port for outputting the signal light which are arranged in a first direction; a dispersive element that disperses the signal light in a second direction; a condensing element that condenses signal lights; a light deflection element that deflects the signal lights toward the output port; a first optical system that matches a beam waist position of the signal light incident onto the condensing element with a front focus of the condensing element in the optical axis direction, in a first plane that extends in the first direction; and a second optical system that shifts the beam waist position of the signal light incident onto the condensing element from the front focus in the optical axis direction, in a second plane that extends in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehisa TAZAWA, Manabu SHIOZAKI, Kenichiro TAKAHASHI
  • Patent number: 8837036
    Abstract: A subwavelength terahertz switch using an artificially designed conductor metamaterial is discussed in this invention. Slow-light EM Wave propagating at THZ speed imitates the strongly localized surface plasmon modes and henceforth is called Spoof Surface Plasmon Polariton (SSPP) in this invention. The SSPP mode of slow-light EM propagation can be easily tailored by changing the refractive index of the dielectric materials inside the metallic gap structure engineered as a periodic array of grooves. Thus, the incorporation of electro-optical material which has birefringence such as a nematic liquid crystal (N-LC) or multiple refractive indices into the metallic gap leads to a highly compact and efficient terahertz switch being controlled by a low voltage signal. The THZ dynamic switches can be used to construct linear switches, Y junction switches and Mach Zehnder interferometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Pinaki Mazumder
  • Patent number: 8830581
    Abstract: A polarization switching apparatus has a first birefringent polarizer formed as a composite prism and disposed to direct incident light of a first polarization along a first optical path and light of a second polarization along a second optical path, wherein the second optical path is oblique to the first optical path. A beam redirector is disposed to redirect the first optical path from the first birefringent polarizer toward an input face of a second birefringent polarizer; wherein the second birefringent polarizer is also formed as a composite prism and is disposed to combine incident light of the first and second polarizations onto a common output path. A shutter apparatus is actuable to selectively block light of the first polarization or light of the second polarization from the input face of the second birefringent polarizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul G Dewa, Michael M Dunn, Stephen K Mack, Brian Monroe McMaster, Robert L Michaels, Paul Francis Michaloski
  • Patent number: 8824036
    Abstract: A thermally stabilized, high speed, micrometer-scale silicon electro-optic modulator is provided. Methods for maintaining desired temperatures in electro-optic modulators are also provided. The methods can be used to maintain high quality modulation in the presence of thermal variations from the surroundings. Direct current injection into the thermally stabilized electro-optic modulator is used to maintain the modulation performance of the modulator. The direct injected current changes the local temperature of the thermally stabilized electro-optic modulator to maintain its operation over a wide temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Sasikanth Manipatruni, Rajeev Dokania, Alyssa B. Apsel, Michal Lipson
  • Patent number: 8797638
    Abstract: A wavelength selective optical switch device includes an incidence and exit part where a signal beam made of light of a multiplicity of wavelengths enters and a signal beam of a selected wavelength exits, a wavelength dispersion element that spatially disperses a signal beam according to the wavelength thereof and multiplexes reflected light, a condensing element that condenses the light dispersed by the wavelength dispersion element onto a two-dimensional plane, and a wavelength selection element that uses a multilevel optical phased array arranged in a position to receive incident light developed on an xy-plane made of an x-axis direction and a y-axis direction perpendicular thereto developed according to a wavelength, having a multiplicity of pixels arrayed in a lattice on the xy-plane, and that cyclically changes the phase shift amount in the y-axis direction to a sawtooth wave pattern for each pixel on the x-axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Santec Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Hotta
  • Patent number: 8773744
    Abstract: A 3D image display system with high resolution is disclosed. The system may deflect left and right eye images to a left and right eye of a viewer, respectively. As such, the viewer can see 3D images. With a time-sharing mode, all of electronically switchable light modulating cells are configured to modulate all of the images deflected to the left eye of the viewer during a first period, and modulate all of the images to the right eye of the viewer during a second period, and the first period and the second period are alternate periods. Alternatively, a part of the electronically switchable light modulating cells are configured to modulate left eye images deflected to the left eye of the viewer, and another part of the electronically switchable light modulating cells are configured to modulate right eye images to the right eye of the viewer during the same period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Rong-Chang Liang, Ming-Wei Tsai, Ming-Hai Chang, Ching-Tung Hsu, Chia-Yen Lee, Keh-Su Chang
  • Patent number: 8767284
    Abstract: The effective focal length of an optical system can be electronically controlled using switchable wave plates in conjunction with polarized light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Fakespace Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian McDowall, Mark Bolas
  • Publication number: 20140160555
    Abstract: An optical system includes an electrically pumped laser light source and an optically pumped laser light source. An optical switch is located in a light path of the electrically pumped laser light source such that when the optical switch is in a first position light from the electrically pumped laser light source is directed toward the optically pumped laser light source and when the optical switch is in a second position light from the electrically pumped laser light source is directed away from the optically pumped laser light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: PHOTODIGM, INC.
    Inventors: Martin Achtenhagen, John Edward Spencer
  • Patent number: 8711478
    Abstract: A stereoscopic display includes: a display panel in which sub-pixels of a plurality of colors are arranged in a predetermined arrangement pattern; and a parallax barrier having a barrier pattern including transmission sections allowing light to pass therethrough and a shielding section shielding light. The arrangement pattern and the barrier pattern are configured in such a manner that stereoscopic vision is achieved when the display panel and the parallax barrier are both in a first arrangement state and in a second arrangement state, the first arrangement state and the second arrangement state having such a positional relationship that vertical direction and horizontal direction are interchanged with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kaoru Yanamoto
  • Publication number: 20140016182
    Abstract: A wavelength selective optical switch device includes an incidence and exit part where a signal beam made of light of a multiplicity of wavelengths enters and a signal beam of a selected wavelength exits, a wavelength dispersion element that spatially disperses a signal beam according to the wavelength thereof and multiplexes reflected light, a condensing element that condenses the light dispersed by the wavelength dispersion element onto a two-dimensional plane, and a wavelength selection element that uses a multilevel optical phased array arranged in a position to receive incident light developed on an xy-plane made of an x-axis direction and a y-axis direction perpendicular thereto developed according to a wavelength, having a multiplicity of pixels arrayed in a lattice on the xy-plane, and that cyclically changes the phase shift amount in the y-axis direction to a sawtooth wave pattern for each pixel on the x-axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: SANTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuji Hotta
  • Patent number: 8619354
    Abstract: A high speed optical shutter, a method of operating the high speed optical shutter, and an optical apparatus including the high speed optical shutter. The optical shutter includes a transparent electro-optical medium in an active solid state having a total internal reflection surface on which an angle of total internal reflection is changed by an external action. The transparent electro-optical medium may be a prism or a prism array whose angle of total internal reflection is changed by the external action. An incident light path changing unit may be further arranged in front of the transparent electro-optical medium. Also, a light path changing unit may be further arranged so as to allow light passing through the electro-optical medium to be perpendicularly incident on an incidence target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-hwa Park, Alexander Gorelov, Stanislav Shtykov, Alexander Shirakov
  • Patent number: 8600241
    Abstract: A system for delivering more than one optical power form and at least one control signal over an optical conduit includes control circuitry for controlling characteristics of the optical power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8564874
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a transmission mode switching device and a 2D/3D switchable display apparatus. The transmission mode switching device comprises a first substrate on which a first transparent electrode is configured, a second substrate on which a second transparent electrode is configured, and a transmission mode switching layer located between the first and second substrates and formed by materials with isotropic optical properties. The transmission mode switching layer is switched between a first transmission mode in which the direction of light propagation is not altered and a second transmission mode in which the direction of light propagation is altered in response to switching of the electric field applied between the first and second transparent electrodes. The transmission mode switching device of the present invention is suitable for multiple modes, with low power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Infovision Optoelectronics (Kunshan) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chaoping Chen
  • Publication number: 20130201551
    Abstract: Optical arrangement for varying a magnification or a refractive power in an optical path, wherein this optical arrangement as a whole encompasses at least two different possible magnifications or refractive powers, comprising a first optical element having a refractive power and a second optical element having a refractive power, characterized in that this optical arrangement comprises at least one optical switch, wherein the first optical element having a refractive power and the second optical element have a refractive power are spaced apart from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventor: Andreas Obrebski
  • Publication number: 20130170018
    Abstract: Optical filters capable of operating in the infra-red spectrum are disclosed. In one embodiment, a filter may be dynamically switched to provide one of two optical responses. One optical response may include the filter reflecting infra-red radiation across a range of wavelengths except at one or more wavelengths at which the filter absorbs the radiation. A second optical response may include the filter reflecting infra-red radiation across the entire range of wavelengths. In one embodiment, the switching may be caused by the physical displacement of a first filter component with respect to a second filter component. A method of switching the response of such a filter is also disclosed. Another embodiment of the filter may include one in which the optical response of the filter is effectively independent of either the incidence angle of the radiation impinging on it, or the polarization of the incident radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: TRITON SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: TRITON SYSTEMS, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130120829
    Abstract: A bicontinuous optical switching structure includes a predetermined number of tunnels coated with a reflective material or a very smooth. The tunnels provide pathways from one side of bicontinuous optical switching structure to another. Each tunnel represents an entry point having a multitude of entry angles. Since the angle of entry dictates the exit point, a single tunnel can represent multiple entry/exit point pairs. A three-dimensional circuit may include a hyperbolic bicontinuous structure forming a substrate; circuits formed on a first surface of the hyperbolic bicontinuous structure; and electrically conductive traces formed between the circuits. The electrically conductive traces are formed two-dimensionally on the first surface of the hyperbolic bicontinuous structure. The electrically conductive traces are effectively three-dimensional traces between the circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Technology Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Technology Innovations, LLC
  • Patent number: 8432597
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention a digital micro-mirror device is taught that includes a pixel occupying an area of the device and a hinge coupled to the pixel and positioned such that at least a portion of the hinge falls outside the area of the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard L. Knipe
  • Patent number: 8405901
    Abstract: A switchable film assembly having remote electrical connections comprises an active layer between first and second electrically conductive layers. The active layer has an optical transmission which changes upon projecting an electric field therethrough. An electrical connection connects the film to a power supply and can comprise a remote electrical connector region provided remote to the first and second electrically conductive layers, such upon connecting the film assembly to the power supply, an electrical field may be projected through at least a portion of the switchable film assembly thereby changing the optical transmission of the active layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Pilkington Group Limited
    Inventor: Joseph Jeremy Boote
  • Publication number: 20130057821
    Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed towards a laser probe that electrically steers emitted light beam. The laser probe may include a housing, an optical waveguide, and a beam steering cell. The housing has a tubular shape defining an interior region. The optical waveguide is disposed within the interior region and is configured to emit a light beam travelling in a first direction. The beam steering cell is disposed within the housing and comprises an electro-optical (EO) material. The beam steering cell is configured to receive one or more voltages and electrically steer the light beam with the OE material to a second direction. The laser probe may be a directional laser probe or a multi-spot laser probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventors: Jack R. Auld, Ronald T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20130050807
    Abstract: A 3D image display device with high resolution is disclosed. The device may deflect left and right eye images to a left and right eye of a viewer, respectively. As such, the viewer may see 3D images. The 3D image display device includes a plurality of electrically switchable light modulating cells containing two incompatible light modulating mediums. When a voltage is applied to electrodes of the electrically switchable light modulating cell, the interface between the incompatible light modulating mediums non-horizontally deforms corresponding to the electrowetting or electrostatic concept. The geometrical shape, size, and material of partition walls in the electrically switchable light modulating cells may reduce or eliminate misplacement of incompatible light modulating mediums while voltages are applied thereto. In addition, the method of manufacturing the 3D image display device is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Chia-Yen LEE, Ching-Tung HSU, Ming-Wei TSAI, Yeong-Feng WANG, Yen-I CHOU, Rong-Chang LIANG
  • Patent number: 8331744
    Abstract: The optical switch is capable of supervising the performance of optical switching in standby channels, and includes: a collimator unit; an optical splitter; a light-gathering unit; and a rotatable mirror. The optical switch further includes: a mirror angle controlling unit which controls a reflection face angle of the rotatable mirror for each wavelength to switch ON/OFF of the light beam coupling to the optical output port for each wavelength reflected, and determines an optical output port position outputting light beams of the reflected wavelengths; and a monitor unit, installed on a return path of a light beam, which monitors a light beam whose optical coupling is made OFF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Furukawa, Nobuhiro Fukushima
  • Patent number: 8320036
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Derichs, Carey King, Daniel K. Van Ostrand, Berry Tod Cox, Reed J. Killion
  • Patent number: 8285089
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems device fabricated on a pre-patterned substrate having grooves formed therein. A lower electrode is deposited over the substrate and separated from an orthogonal upper electrode by a cavity. The upper electrode is configured to be movable to modulate light. A semi-reflective layer and a transparent material are formed over the movable upper electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Clarence Chui
  • Publication number: 20120250141
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a transmission mode switching device and a 2D/3D switchable display apparatus. The transmission mode switching device comprises a first substrate on which a first transparent electrode is configured, a second substrate on which a second transparent electrode is configured, and a transmission mode switching layer located between the first and second substrates and formed by materials with isotropic optical properties. The transmission mode switching layer is switched between a first transmission mode in which the direction of light propagation is not altered and a second transmission mode in which the direction of light propagation is altered in response to switching of the electric field applied between the first and second transparent electrodes. The transmission mode switching device of the present invention is suitable for multiple modes, with low power consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: InfoVision Optoelectronics (Kunshan) Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Chaoping Chen
  • Publication number: 20120194563
    Abstract: A 3D image display system with high resolution is disclosed. The system may deflect left and right eye images to a left and right eye of a viewer, respectively. As such, the viewer can see 3D images. With a time-sharing mode, all of electronically switchable light modulating cells are configured to modulate all of the images deflected to the left eye of the viewer during a first period, and modulate all of the images to the right eye of the viewer during a second period, and the first period and the second period are alternate periods. Alternatively, a part of the electronically switchable light modulating cells are configured to modulate left eye images deflected to the left eye of the viewer, and another part of the electronically switchable light modulating cells are configured to modulate right eye images to the right eye of the viewer during the same period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Rong-Chang LIANG, Ming-Wei Tsai, Ming-Hai Chang, Ching-Tung Hsu, Chia-Yen Lee, Keh-Su Chang
  • Patent number: 8213071
    Abstract: Display device is based on layer break up or layer displacement having at least two different states, in which one of the fluids, e.g., oil in a first state, adjoins at least a first support plate and, in the second state, the other fluid at least partly adjoins the first support plate. In one embodiment, a picture element corresponds to a substantially closed space and, in the first state, the other fluid layer substantially completely adjoins both support plates and is divided in two sub-layers. This makes it possible, on the one hand, to use lower voltages to make displacement occur. On the other hand, this opens the opportunity to color displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung LCD Netherlands R & D Center B.V.
    Inventors: Bokke Johannes Feenstra, Robert Andrew Hayes, Menno Willem Jose Prins
  • Patent number: 8184259
    Abstract: A decorative plate for a casing is attached to a casing, and utilized. The decorative plate is configured by a plate-shaped transparent base member, a color half mirror layer, placed on the lower face of the transparent base member, that is made of a metal thin film subjected to a tint treatment, a transparency-switching film, formed on the lower face of the color half mirror layer, that is capable of switching between transmitting and non-transmitting states, a transparent reflection-increasing film layer, placed on the lower face of the transparency-switching film, that is a composite film formed by alternately laminating a high refractive-index film and a low refractive-index film, and a backing layer that is formed on the lower face of the reflection-increasing film layer in a tightly contact state without having an air layer interposed therebetween, which are successively laminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Nissha Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoumei Omote, Takayuki Takagi
  • Publication number: 20120105931
    Abstract: An electro-optic device includes an electro-optic crystal having a predetermined thickness, a first face and a second face. The electro-optic device also includes a first electrode substrate disposed opposing the first face. The first electrode substrate includes a first substrate material having a first thickness and a first electrode coating coupled to the first substrate material. The electro-optic device further includes a second electrode substrate disposed opposing the second face. The second electrode substrate includes a second substrate material having a second thickness and a second electrode coating coupled to the second substrate material. The electro-optic device additionally includes a voltage source electrically coupled to the first electrode coating and the second electrode coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Deri, Mark A. Rhodes, Andrew J. Bayramian, John A. Caird, Mark A. Henesian, Christopher A. Ebbers
  • Patent number: 8149490
    Abstract: When a light intensity upon a perturbation is detected, an error calculation/correction unit (85) in a control unit (8) corrects and updates the above-described initial manipulated variables based on perturbation manipulated variables and manipulated variables, i.e., operation manipulated variables to obtain the maximum light intensity from the light intensity value at each perturbation manipulated variable, thereby adjusting the tilt angle of a mirror. More specifically, assuming that the time series data of an acquired output light intensity can be approximated to a cosine function, the error calculation/correction unit (85) calculates a phase difference ? between the cosine function and a sine or cosine function used to set x- and y-axis perturbation patterns for a circular trajectory perturbation. Manipulated variables at coordinates defined by the phase difference ? and polar coordinates of a radius voltage to perturb the mirror are calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Mizukami, Johji Yamaguchi, Naru Nemoto, Kunihiko Sasakura
  • Patent number: 8126297
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems device fabricated on a pre-patterned substrate having grooves formed therein. A lower electrode is deposited over the substrate and separated from an orthogonal upper electrode by a cavity. The upper electrode is configured to be movable to modulate light. A semi-reflective layer and a transparent material are formed over the movable upper electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Clarence Chui
  • Publication number: 20120033290
    Abstract: An optical system includes an electrically pumped laser light source and an optically pumped laser light source. An optical switch is located in a light path of the electrically pumped laser light source such that when the optical switch is in a first position light from the electrically pumped laser light source is directed toward the optically pumped laser light source and when the optical switch is in a second position light from the electrically pumped laser light source is directed away from the optically pumped laser light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: Photodigm, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Achtenhagen, John Edward Spencer
  • Publication number: 20120019901
    Abstract: A subwavelength terahertz (THz) switch using an artificially designed conductor metamaterial is discussed in this invention. Theoretically, slow-light EM wave propagating at THz speed imitates the strongly localized surface plasmon modes and henceforth is called Spoof Surface Plasmon Polariton (SSPP) mode in this invention. The SSPP mode of slow-light EM propagation can be easily tailored by changing the refractive index of the dielectric materials inside the metallic gap structure engineered as a periodic array of grooves. Thus, the incorporation of electro-optical material which has birefringence such as a nematic liquid crystal (N-LC) or multiple-refractive indices into the metallic gap leads to a highly compact and efficient terahertz switch being controlled by a low-voltage signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Pinaki Mazumder
  • Publication number: 20110278440
    Abstract: A system for delivering more than one optical power form and at least one control signal over an optical conduit includes control circuitry for controlling characteristics of the optical power system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Alistair K. Chan, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110255148
    Abstract: An optical switch changes the refractive index of an electro-optical crystal according to an electric field applied to the electro-optical crystal so as to switch depending on whether the electro-optical crystal enables incident light to pass through or whether the electro-optical crystal enables incident light to be totally reflected. The optical switch includes an electrode section including a plurality of electrodes and formed in the electro-optical crystal, a principal plane including the largest area of each electrode on a same plane of the electro-optical crystal; an insulator layer on at least one plane of the electro-optical crystal, the plane being parallel with the electrode section, the insulator layer made of an insulator with lower dielectric constant than the electro-optical crystal; and a temperature control device formed on and in contact with the insulator layer and controls a temperature of the electrode section or dissipates heat generated in the electrode section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiko Ohta, Osamu Ishibashi, Fujio Okumura
  • Patent number: 8035880
    Abstract: In a reflective a display device based on layer break up or layer displacement having at least two different states, in which one of the fluids (5) e.g. oil in a first state adjoins at least a first support plate (3) and in the second state the other fluid (6) at least partly adjoins the first support plate, in which picture elements are separated by areas (13) having a hydrophilic surface dyes (or sometimes pigments) are added to the oil (usually hydrocarbon but also possibly silicone or fluorocarbon), to provide sufficient optical intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Liquavista, B.V.
    Inventors: Robert A. Hayes, Mickael Joulaud, Thibault J B Roques-Carmes, Stephanie A. Palmier