Wire Grid Polarizer Patents (Class 359/485.05)
  • Patent number: 12135430
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that includes at least one processor configured to determine a target coupling-out facet, identify an optical path to the target coupling-out facet, identify an active wave plate corresponding to the optical path, determine a target state of the active wave plate that corresponds to the optical path, set the active wave plate to the identified target state and cause a projection device to project a light beam comprising an image field of view component along the identified optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: LUMUS LTD.
    Inventors: Elad Sharlin, Ronen Chriki
  • Patent number: 12066647
    Abstract: A polarizer includes a buffer member and linear metal patterns. The buffer member includes protrusions. Each protrusion has downwardly-increasing width. The buffer member is formed of polymer. The linear metal patterns, spaced apart from each other, are extended in a first direction. Each linear metal pattern covers a respective protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Kang-Soo Han, Eun-Jung Kim, Gug-Rae Jo, Hyung-Bin Cho
  • Patent number: 12055657
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for radar elevation angle measurement. A radar elevation angle measurement system may transmit one or more signals from a radar towards a reflection structure comprised of individually controlled motors operable to rotate one or more corner reflectors. The radar elevation angle measurement system may receive echo signals at the radar from each of the one or more corner reflectors that sequentially transitioned to an ON position based on each of the one or more corner reflectors being sequentially rotated to be in an ON then an OFF positions. The radar elevation angle measurement system may collect data associated with the echo signals received from the one or more corner reflectors. The device may identify peak signal values based on the collected data. The radar elevation angle measurement system may calculate a radar pitch angle of the radar based on the peak signal values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Argo AI, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Berry, Duc H. Vu
  • Patent number: 12038586
    Abstract: A near-eye display apparatus is disclosed. The near-eye display apparatus includes a lens and an optical path folding assembly. The lens is configured to receive incident light of a first image, which is projected by a micro-display, and shape the first image; the lens includes a primary optical axis and a first lens face and a second lens face which are opposed in a first direction where the primary optical axis of the lens is positioned, a curvature radius of the first lens face is within a range of 70 to 100 millimeters, and a curvature radius of the second lens face is within a range of 10 to 30 millimeters; and the optical path folding assembly is configured to receive light of the first image shaped by the lens and fold an optical path from the lens to an exit pupil of the near-eye display apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignees: Beijing BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ruijun Dong, Yali Liu, Chenru Wang, Ke Li, Hao Zhang
  • Patent number: 12005522
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel continuous laser nanoforming device, and the methods to make and use the continuous laser nanoforming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ramses Valentin Martinez, Debkalpa Goswami
  • Patent number: 12001025
    Abstract: An optical lens assembly for a near-eye display device includes a light box and a diffractive optical element (DOE). The light box has a first layer facing a display screen of the near-eye display device and a second layer facing the DOE. The light box is configured to receive a first light from a display screen of the near-eye display device and transmit at least a portion of the first light to the DOE through a folded optical path, where the first layer and the second layer are flat. The DOE aligned with an optical axis of an eye and is configured to receive a second light from the light box and converge the second light to the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: TENCENT AMERICA LLC
    Inventors: Youngshik Yoon, Yi Zhang, Hongdong Li, John D. Le, Kun Gao, Hao Zheng, Jianru Shi
  • Patent number: 11988859
    Abstract: A reflective wire grid polarizer (WGP) can include an array of wires 12 on a face of a substrate 11, with channels 15 between adjacent wires 12. The wires 12 can have certain characteristics for WGP performance, such as index of refraction, alternating high/low index continuous thin films, thickness of layer(s), duty cycle, reflective rib shape, a curved side of transparent ribs 21 or 32, aspect ratio, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Moxtek, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Bacon-Brown, Michael Black, R. Stewart Nielson, Bradley R. Williams, Benjamin Downard, Jeffrey H. Rice, Jim Pierce
  • Patent number: 11933979
    Abstract: A head-up display apparatus that is excellent in viewability. A head-up display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a display unit configured to emit projection light, the display unit including a display cell, and a first polarizing plate with a retardation layer, which is arranged on an emission side of the display cell, and which includes a polarizer and a first retardation layer in the stated order from a display cell side; at least one reflector configured to reflect the projection light; and a second polarizing plate with a retardation layer, which is arranged on a reflection surface of the reflector, and which includes a polarizer and a second retardation layer in the stated order from a reflector side. The first retardation layer and the second retardation layer each have an in-plane retardation Re(550) of from 100 nm to 200 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Asanoi, Takehito Fuchida, Katsunori Takada
  • Patent number: 11909898
    Abstract: This application provides a mobile terminal and relates to the field of display technologies. The mobile terminal includes a display panel, a cover body, a photoelectric conversion apparatus, and a bearer layer. The bearer layer includes a non-polarized part, where the bearer layer is disposed between the cover body and the display panel, and the bearer layer is located in a partial transmissive region of the display region, where an orthographic projection of the photoelectric conversion apparatus on the bearer layer is located in an orthographic projection of the non-polarized part on the bearer layer, and the non-polarized part is configured to enable a polarization direction of light. Furthermore, the mobile terminal includes an ink layer, disposed on a surface of the bearer layer, where the ink layer is located in a peripheral region of the mobile terminal. As discussed herein, the techniques resolve a problem of how to evenly print ink in a corresponding peripheral region of the mobile terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qi Cai, Jiao Lin, Xu Peng
  • Patent number: 11886072
    Abstract: The present application provides a color filter substrate, an array substrate and a display panel. A first dielectric grating layer in the color filter substrate is stacked with a first dielectric layer, and ridges and grooves are arranged at intervals periodically on one side of the first dielectric grating layer away from the first dielectric layer; a first polarizing layer in the color filter substrate is located in the grooves of the first dielectric grating layer; a second polarizing layer in the color filter substrate is located on the ridges of the first dielectric grating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: WUHAN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qian Deng, Changchih Huang
  • Patent number: 11880097
    Abstract: A heads-up display includes a thin-film transistor (TFT) panel, along with at least one reflective polarizer subassembly. Each of the at least one reflective polarizer subassembly includes a clear substrate having opposing first and second surfaces. The first surface is connected to the TFT panel, and the second surface has a polarizing film laminated thereto. The first surface of the clear substrate is textured, frosted, or the like such that when it is attached to the TFT panel it inhibits bonding between the clear substrate and the TFT panel that would cause optical defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignees: DENSO International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Martinez, Reben Werman, Nicholas Triglia
  • Patent number: 11874552
    Abstract: A display device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The manufacturing method of the display device includes: stacking a first substrate, a second substrate and a third substrate to form a liquid crystal display panel and a dimming panel, the liquid crystal display panel including the first substrate and the second substrate, the dimming panel including the second substrate and the third substrate, and forming a first polarizer on a side of the third substrate away from the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hua Huang
  • Patent number: 11829010
    Abstract: An optical waveguide, including a first structural layer, a second structural layer, a first light-guiding element, and multiple second light-guiding elements, is provided. The light-guiding elements are a partially penetrating and partially reflective layer. Multiple first sub-beams in an image beam are transmitted in the first or the second structural layer by a coupling inclined surface. Each first sub-beam forms multiple second sub-beams after being transmitted by the first or the second light-guiding elements. Some of the second sub-beams are coupled out of the optical waveguide by the second light-guiding elements, thereby enabling the image beam to expand in a first direction. For a portion of the visible light waveband, a trend of transmittance of the partially penetrating and partially reflective layer changing as a wavelength increases is opposite to a trend of transmittance of the first structural layer or the second structural layer changing as the wavelength increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventor: Hung-Ta Chien
  • Patent number: 11822088
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that includes at least one processor configured to determine a target coupling-out facet, identify an optical path to the target coupling-out facet, identify an active wave plate corresponding to the optical path, determine a target state of the active wave plate that corresponds to the optical path, set the active wave plate to the identified target state and cause a projection device to project a light beam comprising an image field of view component along the identified optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: LUMUS LTD.
    Inventors: Elad Sharlin, Ronen Chriki
  • Patent number: 11815854
    Abstract: An optical master is created by using a nanoimprint alignment layer to pattern a liquid crystal layer. The nanoimprint alignment layer and the liquid crystal layer constitute the optical master. The optical master is positioned above a photo-alignment layer. The optical master is illuminated and light propagating through the nanoimprinted alignment layer and the liquid crystal layer is diffracted and subsequently strikes the photo-alignment layer. The incident diffracted light causes the pattern in the liquid crystal layer to be transferred to the photo-alignment layer. A second liquid crystal layer is deposited onto the patterned photo-alignment layer, which subsequently is used to align the molecules of the second liquid crystal layer. The second liquid crystal layer in the patterned photo-alignment layer may be utilized as a replica optical master, or as a diffractive optical element for directing light in optical devices such as augmented reality display devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Kumar Komanduri, Chulwoo Oh
  • Patent number: 11778148
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to the use of variable-pitch light-emitting devices for display applications, including for displays in augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality environments. In particular, it relates to small (e.g., micron-size) light emitting devices (e.g., micro-LEDs) of variable pitch to provide the advantages, e.g., of compactness, manufacturability, color rendition, as well as computational and power savings. Systems and methods for emitting multiple lights by multiple panels where a pitch of one panel is different than pitch(es) of other panels are disclosed. Each panel may comprise a respective array of light emitters. The multiple lights may be combined by a combiner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre St. Hilaire, Evgeni Poliakov, Sundeep Kumar Jolly
  • Patent number: 11686889
    Abstract: A system includes a first group of optic lenses within a focusing unit positioned along the propagation direction of a collimated laser beam, the first group of optic lenses separated by a predetermined fixed distance. The first group of optic lenses in conjunction cause the collimated beam to form as an annular beam as it passes through the first group of optic lenses. An axicon lens located distal from the first group of optic lenses along the propagation direction, the axicon lens operable to bifurcate the annular beam into two deflected collimated beam sections, and the axicon lens having a focus that causes the two deflected collimated beam sections to merge at a distance distal from the axicon lens to create an interference pattern region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert John Filkins, Subhrajit Roychowdhury, Juan Borja, Thomas Adcock
  • Patent number: 11573420
    Abstract: An augmented display system with dynamic see-through transmittance control is disclosed. The augmented display system includes: an augmented display screen; a tandem electrochromic (EC) filter disposed over the augmented display screen. The tandem EC filter includes a first window having a dominant first transmittance characteristic and a second window having a dominant second transmittance characteristic; and an augmented display transmittance controller configured to individually control the activation of the first window and the second window of the tandem EC filter, wherein the augmented display transmittance controller is configured to: determine from an ambient light sensor output the transmittance required from the first window and the second window for a selected augmented display luminance; and apply appropriate drive voltage waveforms to the first window and the second window to achieve the determined transmittance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Kalluri R. Sarma, Brent D. Larson, Kenneth Leiphon
  • Patent number: 11567315
    Abstract: A head-up display apparatus includes: a display unit, which includes a display cell and a first polarizing plate with a retardation layer arranged on an output side of the display cell, the first polarizing plate with a retardation layer including a polarizer and a first retardation layer in the stated order from the display cell side, and which is configured to output projection light; at least one reflector configured to reflect the projection light; a housing, which has an opening portion, and which is configured to store the display unit and the reflector therein; a cover member configured to cover the opening portion; and a second polarizing plate with a retardation layer, which is arranged on a housing inner side of the cover member, and which includes a polarizer and a second retardation layer in the stated order from the cover member side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Asanoi, Takehito Fuchida, Katsunori Takada
  • Patent number: 11550212
    Abstract: The room includes: a ceiling; a floor; and a wall having a pair of wall surfaces opposite to each other, and another pair of wall surfaces opposite to each other in a direction intersecting the pair of wall surfaces. One of the pair of wall surfaces and the other pair of wall surfaces has a window. The wall surface opposite to the wall surface having the window has arranged thereon a first screen. An inner side of the window, and a projection-side surface of the first each has arranged thereon a polarizing plate. An absorption axis direction of a polarizer of the polarizing plate of the window, and an absorption axis direction of a polarizer of the polarizing plate of the first screen and/or an absorption axis direction of a polarizer of the polarizing plate of the second screen are substantially perpendicular or parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiro Yaegashi
  • Patent number: 11546508
    Abstract: A polarization imaging system for generating a super resolution image is disclosed in the present invention. The polarization imaging system consists of multiple functional elements for the generation of the super resolution image including a camera device, a polarization analysis module, a weight module, a fusion module and an output module. The lens of the imaging system captures light coming from a subject which is detected and acted upon by a polarization sensor. The polarization sensor generates multiple low resolution images and calculates degree of linear polarization and angle of polarization of the light rays based on which a guided mask is generated. The system employs an algorithm to combine the one or more low resolution images to produce a final super resolution image as the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Black Sesame Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Zhaowei Xin, Chao Wang
  • Patent number: 11543659
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus for conveying a virtual image superimposed within a view of an ambient environment has a waveguide having first and second surfaces. An in-coupling diffractive optic on one of the planar surfaces is disposed to direct image-bearing light beams into the waveguide. An out-coupling diffractive optic on one of the planar surfaces of the waveguide is disposed to direct the image-bearing light beams from the waveguide toward a viewer eyebox. An outer cover protects as least part of the waveguide from undesirable environmental influences of an ambient environment while supporting views of the ambient environment from the eyebox. A circular polarizer interposed between waveguide and the outer cover blocks the return of stray light into the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Vuzix Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Schultz
  • Patent number: 11543573
    Abstract: A polarizing plate has a wire grid structure, and includes a transparent substrate, and a plurality of protrusions, which extend in a first direction (y-direction) on the transparent substrate and are periodically spaced apart from each other at a pitch that is shorter than a wavelength of a light in a use band, wherein each of the protrusions has a base shape portion which is formed having a width across the cross-section orthogonal to the first direction (y-direction) that narrows toward the tip, and a protruding portion which protrudes from the base shape portion and absorbs light having a wavelength in the use band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: DEXERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomu Takeda, Hideto Sagawa
  • Patent number: 11537008
    Abstract: Provided is an optical element which significantly reduces arrangement space, has superior durability, and also enables increased costs to be curbed. Functions of a polarizer and a phase difference compensation element are integrated. Specifically, the optical element has a transparent substrate, and a polarizer on one side of the transparent substrate, and has a phase difference compensation element on a side of the transparent substrate opposite from the polarizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Dexerials Corporation
    Inventor: Junichi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 11526016
    Abstract: An optical device includes a spatial light modulator configured to project image light, a diffractive lens, and a polarization-selective reflector. The spatial light modulator defines an optical axis. The diffractive lens is positioned to receive the image light from the spatial light modulator. The polarization-selective reflector is positioned to receive the image light from the diffractive lens. The polarization-selective reflector having a polarization-selective reflective surface in an orientation that is non-perpendicular to the optical axis of the spatial light modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Weichuan Gao, Ying Geng
  • Patent number: 11519857
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are nanostructured plasmonic materials. The nanostructured plasmonic materials can include a first nanostructured layer comprising: a first layer of a first plasmonic material permeated by a first plurality of spaced-apart holes, wherein the first plurality of spaced apart holes comprise a first array; and a second nanostructured layer comprising a second layer of a second plasmonic material permeated by a second plurality of spaced-apart holes, wherein the second plurality of spaced apart holes comprise a second array; wherein the second nanostructured layer is located proximate the first nanostructured layer; and wherein the first principle axis of the first array is rotated at a rotation angle compared to the first principle axis of the second array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Yuebing Zheng, Zilong Wu
  • Patent number: 11513271
    Abstract: A reflective wire grid polarizer (WGP) can include an array of wires 12 on a face of a substrate 11, with channels 15 between adjacent wires 12. The wires 12 can have certain characteristics for WGP performance, such as index of refraction, alternating high/low index continuous thin films, thickness of layer(s), duty cycle, reflective rib shape, a curved side of transparent ribs 21 or 32, aspect ratio, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Moxtek, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Bacon-Brown, Michael Black, R. Stewart Nielson, Bradley R. Williams, Benjamin Downard, Jeffrey H. Rice, Jim Pierce
  • Patent number: 11493757
    Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device of the present disclosure includes a light emitting unit for providing image light, and a display unit for reflecting the image light and transmitting the reflected image light to eyes of a user. The display unit includes a lens unit and a reflective surface for reflecting the image light. The reflective surface is formed of a 3-dimensional curved surface having different curvatures in a first direction and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, thereby correcting astigmatism. An electronic device according to the present invention may be associated with an artificial intelligence module, robot, augmented reality (AR) device, virtual reality (VR) device, and device related to 5G services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seungyong Shin, Sungchul Shin
  • Patent number: 11435612
    Abstract: An optical composite film includes a reflection grating film layer, an optically-uniaxial optical film layer, and a substrate layer. The optically-uniaxial optical film layer includes a plate-shaped portion and a plurality of refraction portions, where the plate-shaped portion is stacked on the reflection grating film layer, the plurality of refraction portions is disposed on a side of the plate-shaped portion away from the reflection grating film layer, and the plurality of refraction portions is selected from one type of camber columns and quadrangular prisms; and the substrate layer is stacked on a side of the plate-shaped portion close to the refraction portion, where the plurality of refraction portions is accommodated in the substrate layer, and a refractive index of the substrate layer is less than an extraordinary light refractive index of the optically-uniaxial optical film layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignees: HKC Corporation Limited, Chongqing HKC Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih Tsung Kang
  • Patent number: 11435513
    Abstract: A wire grid polarizer (WGP) can include an array of support-ribs on a substrate. Sides of the support-ribs can be inclined to one side. A wire can be applied on an upper-side and distal end of each support-rib, each wire being separate from wires on adjacent support-ribs. The WGP can be made with reduced or no etching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Moxtek, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Stewart Nielson, Bradley R. Williams, Bob West
  • Patent number: 11415811
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an optical apparatus including a light source for generating light, where the light includes a first polarized light of a first phase. The optical apparatus further includes an adjustment structure for changing a propagation path of the light. The adjustment structure includes a polarization beam splitting structure for reflecting the first polarized light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: LENOVO (BEIJING) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaopan Zheng, Chenggang Zou, Xiangbo Lv
  • Patent number: 11360354
    Abstract: An optical composite film includes an optically-uniaxial optical film layer, a substrate layer, and a reflection grating film layer. The optically-uniaxial optical film layer includes a plate-shaped portion and a plurality of refraction portions disposed on a side of the plate-shaped portion, and the plurality of refraction portions is selected from a type of camber columns and quadrangular prisms; the substrate layer is stacked on a side of the plate-shaped portion close to the refraction portion, where the plurality of refraction portions is accommodated in the substrate layer, and an extraordinary light refractive index of the optically-uniaxial optical film layer is greater than a refractive index of the substrate layer; and the reflection grating film layer is disposed on a side of the substrate layer away from the optically-uniaxial optical film layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignees: HKC Corporation Limited, CHONGQING HKC OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chih Tsung Kang
  • Patent number: 11307341
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a metal wire grid polarizer includes providing a template having grooves; forming a metal layer in the grooves, which comprises coating a metal thin film on a surface of the template on which the grooves are provided, and impressing the metal thin film so that the metal thin film is filled in the grooves to form a metal wire grid structure, the metal wire grid structure comprising the metal layer formed in the grooves and a cladding layer integrated with the metal layer and covering the surface of the template; and moving the metal layer to a substrate to manufacture the metal wire grid polarizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kang Guo, Yanhui Lu, Xin Gu
  • Patent number: 11302730
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of forming a polarization grating structure (e.g., polarizer) as part of a grid structure of a back side illuminated image sensor device. For example, the method includes forming a layer stack over a semiconductor layer with radiation-sensing regions. Further, the method includes forming grating elements of one or more polarization grating structures within a grid structure, where forming the grating elements includes (i) etching the layer stack to form the grid structure and (ii) etching the layer stack to form grating elements oriented to a polarization angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventors: Yun-Wei Cheng, Chun-Hao Chou, Kuo-Cheng Lee
  • Patent number: 11249233
    Abstract: Provided are a thin film for optical element as a single-layer thin film which contains a Si simple substance, a Si compound excluding Si alloy, and a metal or metal compound, a method of manufacturing the thin film for optical element, and an optical element including the thin film for optical element. Further provided are an inorganic polarizing plate including a reflection suppressing layer composed of the thin film for optical element, a method of manufacturing the inorganic polarizing plate, and an optical device including the inorganic polarizing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Dexerials Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Sugawara, Akio Takada
  • Patent number: 11189527
    Abstract: A method includes forming a plurality of elongated dielectric members on a semiconductor substrate. The elongated dielectric members each extend vertically from the semiconductor substrate and define opposed vertical walls. The method further includes forming opposed spacer walls on the vertical walls of the elongated dielectric members. Adjacent spacer walls of longitudinally adjacent elongated dielectric members define first trenches therebetween. The method also includes depositing a first metal material within the first trenches to form a first set of first metal lines, removing the elongated dielectric members to define second trenches between the opposed spacer walls on the opposed vertical walls of each elongated dielectric member, and depositing a second metal material within the second trenches to form a second set of second metal lines. The first and second metal lines of the first and second sets are disposed in alternating arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Mathew Philip, Sagarika Mukesh, Dominik Metzler, Ashim Dutta, John Christopher Arnold
  • Patent number: 11119571
    Abstract: Provided is a virtual image display device including: an image generator outputting a virtual image; a filter transmitting light in a first polarization state in the output virtual image; a multipath optical element guiding the transmitted light in the first polarization state; a first optical element arranged on a first side of the multipath optical element and allowing the guided light in the first polarization state and real-world light to pass therethrough; a second optical element arranged on a second side opposite to the first side of the multipath optical element and allowing the real-world light to pass therethrough; and a processor controlling the image generator, the first optical element, and the second optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-yul Yoon, Jae-woo Ko, Ji-woon Yeom, Kyu-sub Kwak, Jae-Eun Kang
  • Patent number: 11112550
    Abstract: Provided is a polarizing plate that is a polarizing plate having a wire grid structure, and includes a transparent substrate and a plurality of protrusions that extend in a first direction on the transparent substrate and are periodically arranged at a pitch shorter than a wavelength of light in a use band. Each of the protrusions includes a reflective layer, a multilayer film, and an optical property improving layer located between the reflective layer and the multilayer film. The optical property improving layer contains an oxide that contains a constituent element of which the reflective layer is composed. An etching rate of the optical property improving layer with respect to a chlorine-based gas is no less than 6.7 times and no more than 15 times an etching rate of the multilayer film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Dexerials Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Shibuya, Shigeshi Sakakibara, Toshiaki Sugawara, Yusuke Matsuno, Akio Takada
  • Patent number: 11088185
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a polarizer array and a depth pixel array. The polarizer array may include first to fourth unit pixels, which are arranged in a first direction and a second direction crossing each other, and may include polarization gratings respectively provided in the first to fourth unit pixels. The polarization gratings of the first to fourth unit pixels may have polarization directions different from each other. The depth pixel array may include depth pixels corresponding to the first to fourth unit pixels, respectively. Each of the depth pixels may include a photoelectric conversion device and first and second readout circuits, which are connected in common to the photoelectric conversion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Younggu Jin, Youngchan Kim, Yonghun Kwon, Moosup Lim, Taesub Jung
  • Patent number: 11065785
    Abstract: A master mold for manufacturing a wire grid polarizer includes a mold substrate and a mold part disposed on the mold substrate, in which the mold part includes a plurality of embossed portions extending in a first direction substantially in parallel with one another, a plurality of debossed portions, at least some of which are disposed between adjacent embossed portions, extending in the first direction and separating adjacent embossed portions, and an embossed bridge portion arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction and connecting the plurality of embossed portions separated by the debossed portions. A wire grid polarizer and a method of manufacturing a wire grid polarizer are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han Su Kim, Dong Eon Lee, Se Hee Han
  • Patent number: 10976552
    Abstract: A near-eye display system includes a polarization waveguide having an in-coupling interface disposed proximate to a first end and an out-coupling interface disposed proximate to an opposite second end. The polarization waveguide is configured to convey light incident at the in-coupling interface to the out-coupling interface by inducing multiple changes in a polarization state of the light as the light traverses the polarization waveguide. At least a subset of the changes in polarization state induce the light to reflect within the polarization waveguide without relying on total internal reflection (TIR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Yi Qin, Jerome Carollo, Xinda Hu, Oscar Martinez, Serge Bierhuizen
  • Patent number: 10962698
    Abstract: Provided is inorganic polarizing plate, including in order of reciting: a substrate transparent to light in a bandwidth used; a first dielectric layer; a plurality of linear metal layers; a plurality of linear second dielectric layers; and a plurality of linear light absorbing layers, wherein the plurality of linear metal layers are arranged on the first dielectric layer at intervals shorter than a wavelength of the light, the plurality of linear second dielectric layers are arranged on the plurality of linear metal layers, respectively, the plurality of linear light absorbing layers are arranged on the plurality of linear second dielectric layers, respectively, and the inorganic polarizing plate includes a water repelling layer at peripheral ends of the inorganic polarizing plate at which longer-direction ends of the linear metal layers are present, to cover longer-direction ends of the linear metal layers, linear second dielectric layers, and linear light absorbing layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Dexerials Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Oowada, Takahiro Kimura
  • Patent number: 10935837
    Abstract: A wire grid pattern used as a wire grid polarizer included in a display device or a master substrate for fabricating the wire gird polarizer includes a substrate; a cell area having a plurality of cells, each of the plurality of cells having a plurality of wires protruding from the substrate and arranged in a substantially parallel relationship at regular intervals; and a bezel area disposed along a periphery of the cell area. The cell area includes a trench area separating at least some of the cells. A method for fabricating the wire grid pattern also is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Hwan Jang, Seung Won Park, Tae Woo Kim, Jung Gun Nam, Dae Young Lee, Gug Rae Jo
  • Patent number: 10921680
    Abstract: A display device may include a substrate, a plasmonic aluminum reflector layer over the substrate, and a conducting oxide layer over the plasmonic aluminum reflector layer. The display device may have a circular polarizer over the conducting oxide layer and configured to receive incident visible radiation. The incident visible radiation may cause plasmon resonance within the plasmonic aluminum reflector layer. The display device may include a circuit configured to apply a voltage between the conducting oxide layer and the plasmonic aluminum reflector layer to cause the plasmonic aluminum reflector layer to selectively reflect the incident visible radiation based on the voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Debashis Chanda, Daniel Franklin
  • Patent number: 10908426
    Abstract: There is provided an optical system, including a light-transmitting substrate (20) having at least two major surfaces (26) and edges, all optical prism (54) having at least a first (58), a second (56) and a third (60) surface, for coupling light waves having a given field-of-view into the substrate by total internal reflection, at least one partially reflecting surface located in the substrate, the partially reflecting surface being orientated non-parallelly with respect to the major surfaces of the substrate, for coupling light waves out of the substrate, at least one of the edges (50) of the substrate is slanted at an oblique angle with respect to the major surfaces, the second surface of the prism is located adjacent to the slanted edge of the substrate, and a part of the substrate located next to the slanted edge is substantially transparent, wherein the light waves enter the prism through the first surface of the prism, traverse the prism without any reflection and enter the substrate through the slanted
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: LUMUS LTD.
    Inventor: Yaakov Amitai
  • Patent number: 10894301
    Abstract: A method of removing a coating made of an organic material, in particular an organic lacquer or a polymer coating, which adheres to the surface of tin-plated sheet steel. In a first step, the tin layer of the tin-plated sheet steel is completely or incipiently melted by exposure to electromagnetic radiation with a predefined wavelength, to which the organic coating is at least primarily transparent, with the organic coating becoming detached from tin layer, and in a second step, the organic material of the coating which detached from the tin layer is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP RASSELSTEIN GMBH
    Inventors: Benjamin Liebscher, Andreas Tschage
  • Patent number: 10890768
    Abstract: A polarization-based dynamic focuser for a near-eye display includes a first polarizer configured to polarize environmental light incident on the first polarizer, such that environmental light passing through the first polarizer toward a user eye has a first polarity. An image source is positioned between the user eye and the first polarizer. The image source is transparent to the environmental light and is configured to output image display light toward the user eye, at least some of the image display light having a second polarity. A dynamic lens is positioned between the user eye and the image source, and is configured to selectively focus incident light having the second polarity toward the user eye at a controllable virtual distance, where the dynamic lens does not affect incident light having the first polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Joel Steven Kollin, Bernard Charles Kress, Andreas Georgiou
  • Patent number: 10871613
    Abstract: An optical waveguide apparatus including an optical waveguide element and an optical recycling element is provided. The optical waveguide element includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first surface or the second surface includes an optical structure. An incident light enters the optical waveguide element via the first surface and is transmitted to the second surface. The optical recycling element is disposed on the second surface of the optical waveguide element. The incident light is transmitted to the optical recycling element via the second surface. The optical recycling element changes a transmission direction of the incident light to generate a recycled light. The recycled light enters the optical waveguide element via the second surface and is transmitted to the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Meng-Hsuan Lin, Chih-Wei Shih, Chuan-Te Cheng
  • Patent number: 10867450
    Abstract: The present invention embraces a system, device, and method for adding lighting effects to augmented reality (AR) content (i.e., virtual objects). Light sensors in an augmented reality (AR) system monitor an environment's lighting conditions to acquire lighting data that can be used to create (or update) virtual light sources. Depth sensors in the AR system sense the environment to acquire mapping data that can be used to create a 3D model of the environment while tracking the system's location within the environment. Algorithms running on a processor may then add the virtual light sources to the 3D model of the environment so that, when AR content is created, lighting effects corresponding to the virtual light sources can be added. The resulting AR content with virtual lighting effects appear more realistic to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik Todeschini
  • Patent number: 10859744
    Abstract: In a manufacturing process of a wire grid polarization element, a metal film, a light absorption film, and an inorganic material film for hard mask are sequentially formed, and then a resist mask is formed using nanoimprinting. Next, the metal film is patterned into a plurality of wire-shaped metal layers by dry etching. The resist mask is remaining at the bottom portion of the concave portion interposed between the adjacent convex portions. ?t/P (%), which is obtained by dividing, by the pitch P (nm), the difference ?t (nm) between the maximum value and the minimum value of the thickness t (nm) of the residual film of the resist mask remaining at the bottom portion of the concave portion, is rendered to be 13.4% or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshitomo Kumai