Including Prismatic Element Patents (Class 359/640)
  • Patent number: 11818912
    Abstract: A display may have organic light-emitting diode pixels formed from thin-film circuitry. The thin-film circuitry may be formed in thin-film transistor (TFT) layers and the organic light-emitting diodes may include anodes and cathodes and an organic emissive layer formed over the TFT layers between the anodes and cathodes. The organic emissive layer may be formed via chemical evaporation techniques. The display may include moisture blocking structures such as organic emissive layer disconnecting structures that introduce one or more gaps in the organic emissive layer during evaporation so that any potential moisture permeating path from the display panel edge to the active area of the display is completely terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Tsung-Ting Tsai, Abbas Jamshidi Roudbari, Chuan-Sheng Wei, HanChi Ting, Jae Won Choi, Jianhong Lin, Nai-Chih Kao, Shih Chang Chang, Shin-Hung Yeh, Takahide Ishii, Ting-Kuo Chang, Yu Hung Chen, Yu-Wen Liu, Yu-Chuan Pai, Andrew Lin
  • Patent number: 11500205
    Abstract: The application provides an augmented reality display device comprising a projection source module and an optical path module, the projection source module comprising a projection source (12) and a beam shaping element (14) which are integrated into a unitary piece, and the optical path module comprising a beamsplitter (20) and a reflector (60), wherein virtual image light (VL) emitted from the projection source (12) and carrying virtual image information is emitted out of the projection source module after being shaped by the beam shaping element (14), projected onto the beamsplitter (20) first, then reflected onto the reflector (60) by the beamsplitter (20), then reflected by the reflector (60), and enters a human eye (E) eventually, and scene light (AL) carrying real scene information enters the reflector (60) from an outside of the reflector (60), and is transmitted through the reflector (60) and the beamsplitter (20) into the human eye (E).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: MATRIXED REALITY TECHNOLOGY Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaobin Liang, Bing Xiao, Chi Xu
  • Patent number: 11474363
    Abstract: The system and method for combining two optical assemblies into the same volume, particularly when the field of view of the two assemblies are different, so that the overall volume and swap for the system is reduced. This also allows both subsystems to use the same external protective window, reducing overall cost for a system of co-located dissimilar optical systems in a single aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Jew, Ian B. Murray, Michael J. Shaw
  • Patent number: 11399165
    Abstract: A projection system includes a plurality of projection devices configured to perform position measurement and projection on a target object. Each of the projection devices includes: an invisible light projection unit configured to project invisible measurement light onto the target object; a light receiving unit configured to receive reflection light of the measurement light, the reflection light being reflected from the target object; a computing unit configured to calculate position information of the target object on the basis of the reflection light of the measurement light; and a visible light projection unit configured to project a visible light video content on the basis of the position information of the target object. A first projection device and a second projection device of the plurality of projection devices project the measurement light at different projection timings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ryuji Fuchikami
  • Patent number: 10877286
    Abstract: An optical arrangement includes a stack structure comprising at least three prisms. The optical arrangement includes a main optical path and for each of the prisms, a secondary optical path. The optical arrangement also includes at least one interface. Each of the at least one interface is arranged between a corresponding first stack section of the stack structure and a corresponding second stack section of the stack structure. Each of the at least one interface is configured to enable relative movement of the corresponding first stack section and of the corresponding second stack section with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignees: Cad Zeiss Jena GmbH, Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventors: Mario Sondermann, Torsten Antrack, Gunther Lorenz
  • Patent number: 10578488
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are spectral imaging systems having an internally folded prism, which can have four different refracting surfaces. A first angle defines the spatial relationship between the first and second refracting surfaces. The first angle can have a range between 45-95 degrees. In some embodiments, the first angle can be 70 degrees. The spatial relationship of the third and fourth refracting surfaces can be defined by a second angle, which can be the same as the first angle. Finally, the spatial relationship of the second and third refracting surfaces can be defined by a third angle, which can have a range between 90-145 degrees. The prism index of refraction, the first, second, and third angles are selected such that TIR is achieved at two of the refracting surfaces. Additionally, these prism parameters are selected such that a 180 degrees fold of the optical path is achieved entirely within the prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: David Wheeler Warren, John A. Hackwell
  • Patent number: 10180543
    Abstract: An optical path control system is provided. The optical path control system includes a converging lens used to converge a plurality of light beams passing through the converging lens, and an optical path assembly used to control propagation directions of the plurality of light beams passing through the optical path assembly. When the plurality of light beams pass through the optical path assembly and the converging lens sequentially, the optical path assembly converges the plurality of light beams, and the converging lens converges each of the plurality of light beam into a point of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: InnoLight Technology (Suzhou) Ltd.
    Inventors: Dengqun Yu, Yuzhou Sun, Long Chen, Donghan Wang, Weilong Li
  • Patent number: 10156771
    Abstract: An optical parametric oscillator produces optical parametric light and includes a frequency splitter to produce signal light and idler light; a wavelength selector to select a wavelength of the signal light and to produce optical parametric light from the selected wavelength of the signal light; and an optical frequency doubler to double an optical frequency of the optical parametric light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
    Inventors: John T. Woodward, IV, Steven W. Brown, Keith R. Lykke
  • Patent number: 10015856
    Abstract: A light treatment apparatus is an example of a light-emitting apparatus including a white light source, a blue light source, and a controller. The controller performs (i) constant light emission control for causing each of the white light source and the blue light source to emit light at constant brightness, and (ii) light reduction control which is performed after the constant light emission control so as to cause each of the white light source and the blue light source to reduce light intensity. The controller causes the blue light source to start reducing light intensity before causing the white light source to start reducing light intensity, and turns on the blue light source at the same time as or before turning on the white light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Saori Ueno, Yuri Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 9961314
    Abstract: An illumination device (100) includes a solid-state light source device (10), a pickup lens unit (20) on which light from the solid-state light source device is incident, and a polarization conversion element (40). A lens (22) constituting the light exit surface of the pickup lens unit (20) is an aspherical lens having a light exit surface shaped like a rotationally symmetric shape centered on a light axis (40ax) when viewed from a direction of the light axis (40ax), and having a cross-section of an aspherical shape when cut with a plane parallel to the light axis (40ax). The light exit surface of the aspherical lens has a function of collimating and then emitting the light having been emitted from the center of the solid-state light source device (10) in an area near to the light axis (40ax), and emitting the light so as to converge toward the light axis in an area far from the light axis (40ax).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koichi Akiyama
  • Patent number: 9239225
    Abstract: A Fourier-transform interferometer with self-apodization compensation comprises at least one pair of mobile prisms forming a plate with thickness which varies at the same time as an optical path length difference is itself varied. The prisms are displaced using a mobile system with a single degree of freedom, comprising two support elements and at least two rotatably hinged levers. The interferometer is adapted to be installed on board a satellite, for spectral analysis of a radiation originating from the Earth's surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space SAS
    Inventor: Frédéric Pasternak
  • Patent number: 9063264
    Abstract: A backlight system includes an extended area light guide (120) and crossed first (128) and second (130) prismatic recycling films. The light guide provides a first light distribution that has a maximum luminance at a first polar angle, e.g., from 70 to 90 degrees, relative to the optical axis (116) of the system. The recycling films provide a second light distribution. No diffuser film is provided between the light guide and the recycling film disposed nearest the light guide. Instead, light is specularly transmitted from the output surface (120a) of the light guide to the input surface (128a) of the recycling film nearest the light guide. The recycling films comprise prisms having refractive indices tailored to provide the second light distribution with a maximum luminance at a polar angle of 10 degrees or less. The prisms preferably have a refractive index from 1.63 to 1.76. Related methods and articles are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gary T. Boyd, Qingbing Wang
  • Patent number: 8919967
    Abstract: A micro projection system includes a primary prism as a light guide device. The primary prism has a bottom face and two slope faces. A light source module and a collimation lens are arranged at the bottom face of the primary prism to project red, green, and blue lights onto one of the slope faces of the primary prism to be consolidated by a wedge prism group and reflected toward a polarization beam splitting wedge prism arranged at another slope face, where the light is split into two polarized lights that are then emitted out of the primary prism to be processed and combined as light of consistent polarization by a lens array and a polarization conversion film so as to facilitate condensation and projection of the light by a polarization beam splitter and a projection lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignees: Cynosure Photonics Corp.
    Inventors: Ho Lu, Shih Po Yeh
  • Patent number: 8922899
    Abstract: A light combining system is provided comprising: prisms comprising respective entrance faces enabled to receive respective on-state light from respective digital-micro-mirror devices (DMD). At least one interface between prisms is enabled to receive respective on-state light from the prisms. A mirror at the at least one interface is enabled to transmit first on-state light from a first prism through a second prism and reflect second on-state light from the second prism in alignment with the first on-state light back through the second prism. Respective angles formed by a normal of the mirror and each of the first on-state light and the second on-state light is less than a total internal reflection angle. A combination of respective back working distances of the DMDs and shapes of each of the prisms is chosen such that respective illumination paths and respective reflection paths of each of DMDs do not interfere with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc.
    Inventor: John Domm
  • Publication number: 20140340761
    Abstract: A beam combiner for combining laser-beams of different colors along a common path includes a directing-prism for each of the laser-beams and one combining-prism. The directing-prisms are arranged to transmit the laser-beams to the combining-prism. The directing-prisms and the combining-prism are configured and arranged with respect to each other such that the directing-prism transmits the beams along the common path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: COHERENT, INC.
    Inventors: Rüdiger VON ELM, Chantal MAROIS
  • Patent number: 8888290
    Abstract: A polarization beam splitter includes at least six prisms assembled together to form a single solid components. At least one diagonal interface is formed by a combination of two or more prism surfaces. The solid polarization beam splitter component has at least four light entrance/exit surfaces with at least one of the light entrance/exit surfaces including a step. At least one of the prisms has a non-triangular cross-sectional shape. At least one surface of a prism that forms a portion of the diagonal interface has a polarization beam splitting material disposed thereon resulting in a diagonal interface that includes a polarization beam splitting material. The polarization beam splitter can be incorporated into various image projection apparatus including 2D, multiple image, and 3D projection apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventor: Ying Liu
  • Publication number: 20140313587
    Abstract: Light redirecting film is disclosed. The light redirecting film includes a first major surface that includes a plurality of first microstructures that extend along a first direction. The light redirecting film also includes a second major surface that is opposite to the first major surface and includes a plurality of second microstructures. The second major surface has an optical haze that is not greater than about 3% and an optical clarity that is not greater than about 85%. The light redirecting film has an average effective transmission that is not less than about 1.75.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph T. Aronson, Slah Jendoubi, Mitchell A.F. Johnson, Scott R. Kaytor, Tri D. Pham, Robert A. Yapel, Joseph A. Zigal, Steven J. McMan, Steven D. Solomonson, Steven Hin-Chung Kong, Fei Lu, Gary T. Boyd
  • Patent number: 8830570
    Abstract: The invention provides a prism optical system includes a prism in which a space formed by at least two optical surfaces mutually decentered with respect to an axial chief ray of an incident light beam is filled up with a medium having a refractive index of greater than 1. At least two optical surfaces are rotationally asymmetric surfaces, five internal reflections take place inside the prism, and there is an intermediate image formed inside the prism, which image is in turn formed outside the prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8797652
    Abstract: A skylight sunlight redirector is provided with ridges, grooves, and/or prisms that control light transmitted through the redirector as incident sunlight angle changes throughout the day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: VKR Holding A/S
    Inventor: Bruce David Mosher
  • Publication number: 20140111867
    Abstract: A light combining system is provided comprising: prisms comprising respective entrance faces enabled to receive respective on-state light from respective digital-micro-mirror devices (DMD). At least one interface between prisms is enabled to receive respective on-state light from the prisms. A mirror at the at least one interface is enabled to transmit first on-state light from a first prism through a second prism and reflect second on-state light from the second prism in alignment with the first on-state light back through the second prism. Respective angles formed by a normal of the mirror and each of the first on-state light and the second on-state light is less than a total internal reflection angle. A combination of respective back working distances of the DMDs and shapes of each of the prisms is chosen such that respective illumination paths and respective reflection paths of each of DMDs do not interfere with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Christie Digital Systems Canada Inc.
    Inventor: John DOMM
  • Publication number: 20140049819
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical projection system for a display, and more particularly to an optical projection system for a head-up display with improved light efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Sypro Optics GmbH
    Inventor: Eberhard PIEHLER
  • Patent number: 8630043
    Abstract: For combining light from different light sources that are spatially apart, an optical system comprises a prism assembly that comprises a totally-internally-surface and a dichroic filter. The totally-internally-surface and the dichroic filter are configured for reflecting light of different colors or polarizations, so as to combine light of different polarization or colors into a single beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Andrew Gerritt Huibers, Regis Grasser
  • Patent number: 8599487
    Abstract: A beam combiner for combining laser-beams of different colors along a common path includes a directing-prism for each of the laser-beams and one combining-prism. The directing-prisms are arranged to transmit the laser-beams to the combining-prism. The directing-prisms and the combining-prism are configured and arranged with respect to each other such that the directing-prism transmits the beams along the common path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Rüdiger Von Elm, Chantal Marois
  • Publication number: 20130308198
    Abstract: A dichroic beamsplitter has a composite prism that has at least first and second prism elements that are coupled together along facing surfaces, wherein the respective facing surfaces of the first and second prism elements are equidistant from each other. The composite prism has a first flat external surface that lies within a first plane, a second flat external surface that lies within a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane, a third flat external surface that lies within a third plane that is parallel to the second plane, and a coated surface internal to the composite prism and having a multilayer thin-film dichroic beamsplitter coating, wherein the coated surface lies within a fourth plane that intersects at least one of the first, second, and third planes at an angle that is less than about 25 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: SEMROCK, INC.
    Inventors: Turan Erdogan, Ligang Wang, Prashant Prabhat
  • Publication number: 20130242178
    Abstract: An optical module includes a first sleeve, a second sleeve, a connecting member and a beam splitter. The first sleeve defines a first hollow cavity and includes a first light source and a pattern plate. The second sleeve defines a second hollow cavity and a second light source. The connecting member is connected to the first sleeve and the second sleeve, and communicates with the first hollow cavity and the second hollow cavity. The beam splitter is positioned in the connecting member. Light from the first light source passes through the pattern plate, and the beam splitter, light from the second light source passes through the beam splitter, the beam splitter refracts the light from the first light source and the second light source to a tested workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: CHIH-KUANG CHANG, DONG-HAI LI, LI JIANG, JIAN-HUA LIU, DONG-SHENG LIU
  • Patent number: 8523361
    Abstract: A projection device with an illumination adjustment function includes a polarization beam splitter (PBS), a display, a light source, a lens module, a power supply unit, a light detection unit and a power controller. The light source emits light to the PBS. The lens module projects the images to be displayed by the display. The power supply unit supplies power for the light source. The light detection unit acquires a digital value of a portion of the light transmitted from the PBS, and compares the digital value with a predetermined digital value to generate a control signal. The power controller adjusts power from the power supply unit to the light source according the control signal until the digital value matches the predetermined digital value of the light from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying-Chuan Yu, Ying-Xiong Huang, Hsing-Chu Wu
  • Publication number: 20130188261
    Abstract: A skylight sunlight redirector is provided with ridges, grooves, and/or prisms that control light transmitted through the redirector as incident sunlight angle changes throughout the day.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: VKR Holdings A/S
    Inventor: Bruce David Mosher
  • Patent number: 8491125
    Abstract: A lighting device configured to efficiently combine light beams emitted from a plurality of light sources, and to emit high output light while minimizing light loss, and a projection type display apparatus including the lighting device. The lighting device includes: a first light source and a second light source; two converging lenses for converging light beams emitted from the first and second light sources; two right-angle prisms for bending the light beams emitted from the first and second light sources; and a composite rod integrator for combining the light beams emitted from the first and second light sources. Between an exit surface of each right-angle prism and an incident surface of the composite rod integrator, a predetermined air gap is provided. The focal point of each converging lens is located on an incident surface of each right-angle prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shigekazu Yamagishi, Hiroki Sugiyama, Hiroshi Kitano, Yoshimasa Fushimi, Hirokazu Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 8482549
    Abstract: Multiple image projection apparatus are described. A cubic multi-prism beam splitter is provided having diagonal interfaces with one or more PBS elements and/or reflective elements positioned thereon. At least first and second spatial light modulators, such as LCoS SLMs, are positioned adjacent the beam splitter cube. The first and second LCoS spatial light modulators and first and second projection optics systems are configured to output a first modulated image from the first LCoS SLM to the first projection optics system and a second modulated image from the second LCoS spatial light modulator to the second projection optics system. In other embodiments, additional LCoS spatial light modulators and light sources produce 3-D images. Addition of sensors permits user interaction with a projected image which is fed back to a controller to optionally change current or future images displayed by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Ying Liu, Kinlung Chan, Weiping Tang
  • Publication number: 20130140429
    Abstract: The invention relates to a beam combining device comprising a plurality of separate input beam paths (9) and at least one output beam path (10) for combining a plurality of input beams to at least one output beam. Devices of this type are required in order, for example, to combine the beams from a plurality of lasers each having a different radiation spectrum to form a single beam. It is an object of the invention to provide a compact and cost-effective beam combining device. In order to achieve this object, the invention proposes that one or a plurality of Risley prism pairs (1) are assigned to each input beam path (9) of the beam combining device, the prism pairs deflecting the input beam in an adjustable direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: TOPTICA PHOTONICS AG
    Inventor: Marco Schneider
  • Publication number: 20130128365
    Abstract: A beam combiner for combining laser-beams of different colors along a common path includes a directing-prism for each of the laser-beams and one combining-prism. The directing-prisms are arranged to transmit the laser-beams to the combining-prism. The directing-prisms and the combining-prism are configured and arranged with respect to each other such that the directing-prism transmits the beams along the common path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventors: Rüdiger Von Elm, Chantal Marois
  • Patent number: 8400714
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include reflector systems, methods, and apparatus for providing a light reflector. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for manufacturing a multi-layer light reflector. The method can include attaching a rear reflective layer to a lenticular lens optical film layer. The lenticular lens optical film layer includes a smooth surface and a structured surface. The rear reflective layer is disposed adjacent to or in contact with the smooth surface of the lenticular optical film. The method also includes attaching a diffusion layer to the lenticular lens optical film layer. The diffusion layer includes a smooth film surface and a structured diffusing surface. The smooth film surface of the diffusion film is disposed adjacent to or in contact with the structured surface of the lenticular lens optical film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Southpac Trust International, Inc., Trustee of the LDH Trust
    Inventor: Leslie D. Howe
  • Patent number: 8395843
    Abstract: An array of light valves switch light by enabling and disabling total internal reflection (TIR) on a surface of the light valve. The disabling of the TIR is accomplished by putting another optical element in contact with the surface and then diffusing or changing the direction of the light. The mechanical mechanism to move the optical element is a simple one in that it only moves the optical element a small distance to change the valve from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Rambus International Ltd.
    Inventor: Brian Edward Richardson
  • Patent number: 8395844
    Abstract: An apparatus for homogenizing light, including a lens array (5, 7, 8) with a plurality of lenses (6, 9, 10) through which the light to be homogenized can pass. The apparatus has at least two different center-to-center distances of the lenses (6, 9, 10) of the lens array (5, 7, 8), wherein the center-to-center distances of the lenses (6, 9, 10) decrease or increase from the inside to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Limo Patentverwaltung GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Mitra, Andreas Bayer, Heiko Sebastian, Torsten Steinbrück
  • Patent number: 8393737
    Abstract: A light engine combines light of first, second, and third color ranges using three pentagonal prism elements. Each prism has first and second diagonal surfaces. Each first diagonal surface has a first dichroic treatment and each second diagonal surface has a second dichroic treatment. The prisms are arranged with the first diagonal surface of the first prism juxtaposed with one diagonal surface of the third prism and with the second diagonal surface of the second prism juxtaposed with the other diagonal surface of the third prism. A first light beam of the first color is reflected at a right angle by the first diagonal surfaces, and a second light beam is reflected at a right angle by the second diagonal surfaces. A third light beam of the third color passes unreflected through the surfaces to produce a combined light beam or common output light path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mahendra S. Dassanayake, Donald P. Bilger
  • Publication number: 20130038933
    Abstract: A beam splitter includes a substrate unit, and first and second prisms disposed on surfaces at two opposite sides of the substrate unit, respectively. The substrate unit includes a substrate member, and a beam splitter film disposed at the substrate member and capable of beam splitting. The beam splitter film includes a plurality of thin film layers arranged in a stack. Each of the thin film layers is made of an inorganic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicants: LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORP., SILITEK ELECTRONIC (GUANGZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHIEH-WEN WANG, WEI-JIE PENG, WEI-HWA LEE
  • Patent number: 8358468
    Abstract: A reflecting sheet of the invention includes at least a surface layer portion and an inner layer portion, where the surface layer portion contains at least 0.3 g/m2 to 20 g/m2 of an inorganic powder and a polyolefin resin (C), the inner layer portion contains a polyolefin resin (A) and at least one kind of resins (B) incompatible with the polyolefin resin (A) at temperatures enabling stretching of the polyolefin resin(A), the surface layer portion meets (n1?n2)/n2?0.20 (n1: refractive index of the inorganic powder, n2: refractive index of the polyolefin resin (C)), and the inner layer portion has voids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinya Hamasaki, Yuuichi Arito, Kenji Takasa, Tsumoru Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 8317330
    Abstract: The image display apparatus forms first and second images in mutually different viewing angle areas to display a combined (joined) image. The apparatus includes first and second image-forming elements respectively forming first and second original images, a first optical system reflecting a first light flux from the first image-forming element at least twice to introduce the first light flux to an exit pupil, and a second optical system reflecting a second light flux from the second image-forming element at least twice to introduce the second light flux to the first optical system. The first optical system introduces the first light flux and the second light flux from the second optical system to the exit pupil such that the first and second images respectively corresponding to the first and second original images are formed in the mutually different viewing angle areas in a first cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoichi Yamazaki, Kazutaka Inoguchi, Kenichi Saito, Motomi Tsuyuki, Masakazu Tohara
  • Patent number: 8310765
    Abstract: A color separating optical system including first to third prisms for separating incident light from an objective lens into three primary color light components, so as to project three color-separated images of a subject onto first to third image sensors, respectively. In order to prevent ghosts from being superposed on a center area of an image frame, the color separating optical system satisfies the condition: ??(?m+?m+1)/2, wherein “?” represents a tilt angle of a second dichroic film on the second prism to a perpendicular plane to an optical axis of the objective lens, and “?m” a diffraction angle of the second light component diffractively reflected from the second image sensor and reentering the second prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Arihiro Saita
  • Patent number: 8307822
    Abstract: A solar energy device includes a first prism with a dichroic surface and a reflective surface opposite the dichroic surface. A first solar cell is positioned to receive light rays passing through the dichroic surface. A second solar cell positioned to receive light rays from the reflective surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Scott Lerner
  • Patent number: 8289454
    Abstract: A signal conversion device supplies a video signal to each video projection device of plural video projection devices that display a video image by superimposing the projection image. The device includes a characteristic information transmitting unit that transmits, to at least one video projection device of the plural video projection devices, characteristic information representing a light modulation characteristic of a light modulation element provided in the at least one video projection device, and a signal conversion processing unit that performs signal conversion processing corresponding to each of the video projection devices to an input video signal in accordance with the characteristic information transmitted from the characteristic information transmitting unit, and supplies the video signal after the signal conversion processing to each of the video projection devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hasegawa, Toshiki Fujimori
  • Publication number: 20120257169
    Abstract: A polarization beam splitter includes at least six prisms assembled together to form a single solid components. At least one diagonal interface is formed by a combination of two or more prism surfaces. The solid polarization beam splitter component has at least four light entrance/exit surfaces with at least one of the light entrance/exit surfaces including a step. At least one of the prisms has a non-triangular cross-sectional shape. At least one surface of a prism that forms a portion of the diagonal interface has a polarization beam splitting material disposed thereon resulting in a diagonal interface that includes a polarization beam splitting material. The polarization beam splitter can be incorporated into various image projection apparatus including 2D, multiple image, and 3D projection apparatuses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventor: Ying Liu
  • Patent number: 8259378
    Abstract: A scanning apparatus operable in the microwave, mm-wave, sub mm-wave (Terahertz) and infrared ranges comprises a primary drum (10) mounted for rotation about a central axis A of the primary drum being hollow and of rectangular polygonal form to provide a number of sides or facets (12, 14) each adapted to transmit such radiation, from a field of view, which is plane polarized in a first direction at 45° with respect to the rotary axis of the drum and to reflect radiation which is plane polarized in an orthogonal direction. Thus, radiation passing into the drum though whichever said side of the drum is currently facing the field of view and passing towards the diametrically opposite side will be plane polarized with a polarization direction such as to be reflected back by that diametrically opposite side towards the rotary axis of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Farran Technology Limited
    Inventors: Alan H. Lettington, Brenda Lettington, legal representative
  • Patent number: 8237626
    Abstract: A head-mounted device mounted on a wearer's head has a first pressing unit to press against the wearer's head from a position of his/her medulla, a second pressing unit to press against the wearer's head in an opposite direction to a pressing direction of the first pressing unit, and a mounting unit to mount the head-mounted device on the wearer's head by adjusting at least one of the first pressing unit and the second pressing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiki Ishino, Takaaki Nakabayashi, Yoshihiro Saito, Toshiyuki Okuma
  • Patent number: 8238029
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a dichroic optic having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, wherein the second side has an optical filter, wherein each of a light beam having a first wavelength, a second wavelength and a third wavelength enter, exit or reflect from the dichroic optic only from at least one of the first or second sides, wherein prior to incidence on the dichroic optic each of the light beams having the first, second and third wavelengths are non-collinear with each other, wherein the light beam having the first wavelength and the light beam having the second wavelength are substantially collinear within the dichroic optic, wherein the optical filter has a response capable of transmitting at least one of the light beam having the first wavelength and the light beam having the second wavelength, while reflecting the light beam having the third wavelength, and wherein the light beam having the first wavelength, the second wavelength, and the third wavel
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua M. Hudman
  • Publication number: 20120113622
    Abstract: A light redirecting film (100) includes a first major surface (110) that includes first microstructures (150) that extend along a first direction and a second major surface (120), which may form part of a matte layer, the second major surface being opposite to the first major surface and including second microstructures (160). The second major surface has an optical haze that is not greater than about 3% and an optical clarity that is not greater than about 85%. The light redirecting film has an average effective transmission that is not less than about 1.75. The light redirecting film (100) may comprise particles. The second microstructures may have a slope distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph T. Aronson, Slah Jendoubi, Mitchell A. F. Johnson, Scott R. Kaytor, Tri D. Pham, Robert A. Yapel, Joseph A. Zigal, Steven J. McMan, Steven D. Solomonson, Steven H. Kong, Fei Lu, Gary T. Boyd
  • Patent number: 8107168
    Abstract: A beam splitter apparatus comprises a beam splitter and a plurality of prisms disposed about the beam splitter. The beam splitter apparatus is configured to split an incident laser beam into a plurality of beamlets exhibiting substantially equal energy and traversing substantially equal optical path lengths through the beam splitter apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew J. Murnan, Dean Faklis
  • Patent number: 8107169
    Abstract: A programmable spectrum light source is disclosed. In one embodiment, the programmable light source comprises a light source, a spectrum separation system that splits the light into its constituent spectral components, a light modulator that modulates the spectral components according to a required spectral envelope and a light recombination system that recombines the shaped spectral components to produce light with a required spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Inventors: Udayan Kanade, Manohar Joshi
  • Patent number: 8100535
    Abstract: An optical system is provided. The optical system comprises a first polarizing beamsplitter (PBS), a first reflecting image-forming device, and a first quarter-wave retarding element. An optical system is also provided that comprises an image-forming device, a reflective polarizing layer, at least a first birefringent element disposed on an optical path between the image-forming device and the polarizing layer, and a quarter-wave retarding element. Further provided is an optical system comprising a color combiner unit, at least two polarizing beamsplitters (PBSs), and a first quarter-wave retarding element. The present application also provides methods of compensating for birefringence in an image projection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David J. W. Aastuen, Charles L. Bruzzone, Jiaying Ma
  • Patent number: 8094377
    Abstract: A see-through head-mounted optical apparatus for a viewer has at least one display module, each display module having a display energizable to form an image and a positive field lens optically coupled to the surface of the display and disposed to direct imaged light from the display toward a first surface of a prism. A curved reflector element is in the path of the imaged light through the prism and disposed at a second surface of the prism, opposite the first surface. The curved reflector element has a refractive surface and a curved reflective surface disposed to collimate imaged light received from the display and direct this light toward a beam splitter that is disposed within the prism and that is at an oblique angle to the collimated reflected light. The beam splitter redirects the incident collimated reflected light through the prism to form an entrance pupil for the viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: NVIS, Inc.
    Inventors: David Kessler, Minoo Bablani