Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation

Allen H Tanner

Dennis F Elkins

Forrest L Williams

David P Marceau

Robert R Christensen

Bret D Winkler

Yuri S Grapov

Harry Streid

Aaron McAllister

Rob Christensen

David B Owen

Jeannie DeWitte

Cameron C Farmer

Jesse Anderegg

Calvin L Simmons

A projection system that includes a singe light modulation device and a plurality of light sources of different wavelengths. Each wavelength of light is incident on the light modulation device at a spatially distinct location and a temporally distinct time. The use of a scanning mirror allows the projection system to sequentially form, in full-color, each of the columns or rows of an image. The projection system is characterized by the reduction of color separation or the rainbow effect due to the rendering of each column or row in full color.

System and method for aligning RGB light in a single modulator projector

A system and method for generating a high-resolution image using a scanned-column projector is disclosed. The method includes the operation of generating a time-varying line image. A further operation includes collimating the time-varying line image in at least one plane. An additional operation involves scanning the collimated time-varying line image using a scan mirror. A further operation includes projecting the scanned collimated time-varying line image onto a surface. The scanned collimated time-varying line image is projected with at least one imaging element.

High-resolution-imaging system for scanned-column projectors

A system and method is disclosed for reducing visibility of image artifacts caused by diffractive elements in a laser projector having a structured diffractive device. At least two diffracted orders of light can be selected from light emitted from the structured diffractive device using a spatial light filter. The polarization of at least one of the selected diffracted orders can be changed with respect to another selected diffracted order. The selected diffracted order can be recombined to form an image having reduced visible image artifacts.

System and method for reduction of image artifacts for laser projectors

A wide angle display system includes a linear array projector, a curved display surface, and an n-sides scanning mirror. The projector is configured to project an image along an optical axis to the scanning mirror. The scanning mirror continuously rotates about a rotational axis at a speed 1/n the refresh rate, so as to reflect and scan the image onto the display surface.

Wide angle scanner for panoramic display

A tunable fiber optic component providing environmental isolation, thermal tuning, and mechanical tuning and a method of tuning a fiber optic component using application of substantially simultaneous varying of temperature and mechanical strain is disclosed. A method of using a tunable fiber optic component, for example, a distributed feedback fiber laser, to compensate variations in an optical system, and a method of making a tunable fiber optic component are also disclosed.

Method for tuning a fiber optic component

Thermally-controlled fiber optic tuning and isolating device

Tension-controlled fiber optic tuning and isolating device

The invention provides a system and method for reducing laser speckle and interference patterns in a laser projector display when using a laser projector having a spatial light modulator (SLM) with a defined pixel rate. The method can include the operation of polarizing a laser output of a continuous wave laser such that the laser output is s-polarized with respect to a beam combiner. The s-polarized laser output can be divided into a first laser beam and a second laser beam. A phase of the second laser beam can be modulated with an amplitude sufficient to create a phase delay of approximately half a wavelength of the laser output and at a frequency at least twice that of the SLM's pixel rate.

Reduction of speckle and interference patterns for laser projectors

Fiber optic mechanical/thermal tuning and isolating device

A communications transmitter is disclosed that utilizes a grating light valve (GLV) to impose information on an optical signal. The communications transmitter further includes at least one laser light source, a frequency dispersing device, an electrostatic modulator that serves as a GLV, and at least one data input source. The laser light source is configured to produce a light beam having a specific optical bandwidth and the frequency dispersing device is optically coupled to the light source and configured to disperse the light beam to produce a frequency dispersed light. The electrostatic modulator includes an electrostatically responsive reflective ribbon oriented to receive a portion of the frequency dispersed light having a specified bandwidth. The signal input source typically serves as an analog input source and is electronically coupled to each electrostatic modulator and is configured to cause electrostatic deformation of the reflective ribbon to modify the frequency of light received thereon to produce a modulated reflected light beam.

GLV based fiber optic transmitter

Fiber optic mechanical/thermal tuner and isolator

A panoramic display system includes a curved projection screen, a panoramic projector, and a substantially conically shaped barrier. The projector is configured to project an image onto the projection screen from a projection point located substantially above the projection screen. The conical barrier has a base disposed toward the bottom of the projection screen, and an apex region disposed toward the projection point. The barrier blocks scattered light from reflecting from portions of the curved screen to other portions thereof.

Reflection barrier for panoramic display

A wide angle display system includes a linear array projector, a curved display surface, and a two-sided, substantially planar scanning mirror. The projector is configured to project an image along an optical axis to the scanning mirror. The scanning mirror continuously rotates about an axis substantially in the plane of the mirror, so as to reflect and scan the image onto the display surface.

A method for adjusting the wavelength and dominant mode of a laser fiber prior to installation in a laser assembly includes the steps of linearly stretching the laser fiber so as to modify its output wavelength, axially twisting the laser fiber so as to modify its dominant mode, and affixing the laser fiber to a laser assembly in its linearly stretched and axially twisted condition. The laser assembly includes a dynamic tuning mechanism for wavelength adjustment during use. The twisted and stretched fiber has an unadjusted wavelength and dominant mode that are within a selected range before adjustment by the dynamic tuning mechanism.

Method and apparatus for controlling wavelength and dominant mode in fiber lasers

A microscopic optical structure controller for providing singular control of individual microscopic optical structures of a microelectromechanical optical device by a multiplexed stream of individual pixel values generated by a pixel value source. The microscopic optical structure controller includes at least one interconnect coupled to the pixel value source for receiving the multiplexed stream of individual pixel values and at least one mapper communicating with the interconnect for extracting individual pixel values from the multiplexed stream and applying the individual pixel values to one or more individual microscopic optical structures according to a configurable mapping. A method and a driver for providing singular control of individual microscopic optical structures of a microelectromechanical optical device are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Sandy, UT, United States of America

Allen H Tanner