Texas Instruments Corporation

Other

Charles H Anderson

William E Nelson

John B Allen

Charles K Harris

George Nado

Mike Harte

Oscar Banos

A self-latching hinge mechanism () and apparatus () for applications where access to a pole mounted device is required. The hinge comprises a top section () with a cantilevered tail piece () which extends beyond a pivot () connected at the top () of a lower section (). A latch consists of an encircling slide () which binds the tail piece () to the lower part of the pivot section () when in the lowered, locked position and allows the top section piece () to rotate relative to the lower section ().

Support pole with pipe-hinge slide lock

Extendable universal paint brush holder

An illumination system (,) having an automated calibration system (,) for adjusting the light intensity of individual elements (,) of an array of light emitting elements (,). An optical sensor (,) can be positioned in several locations (A,B,C) to sense incident light from a spatial light modulator (,) as the modulator is sequentially actuated one zone (,) at a time. The light output from each zone (,) of the spatial light modulator is characterized and compared to a golden standard, and the light emitting elements of the array associated with illuminating the zones that are deficient in light are ascertained. Adjustment circuitry (,) responsively adjusts and increases the drive current to the associated light emitting elements (,) that are deficient in light output. A look-up table is utilized to determine which LEDs (,) need adjustment to their drive currents to insure uniform illumination in the process and cross-process direction at an image plane. The present invention is ideally suitable for xerographic printers.

Illumination system having an intensity calibration system

An illumination system (10) for exposing a xerographic printing apparatus (12). The system (10) includes a DMD-type imaging spatial light modulator (46), and a DMD-type optical switch (26) for modulating the intensity of the source light (15) irradiating the imaging DMD (46). A single conventional continuous wave tungsten lamp (14) is implemented with its light energy directed by a condensing lens (20) onto the DMD optical switch (26). The DMD optical switch (26) modulates the incident light (15), and passes reflected light to a light integrator (38), which in turn homogenizes and increases the aspect ratio of the light. The light integrator (38) directs the homogenized light via an anamorphic lens (40) onto the imaging DMD (46). The light energy provided to the imaging DMD (46) is precisely modulated in intensity, while remaining uniformly disbursed. The combination incandescent lamp (14) and optical DMD switch (26) offers a low cost, high-intensity alternative to LED arrays.

DMD modulated continuous wave light source for imaging systems

An optical illumination system (10, 60, 70, 80, 100, 110, 120) producing a light beam (28) having uniform illumination over a rectangular or non-symmetrical area. An array of light emitting elements (24, 102) generate light which is condensed to a single focal point F, such as by an aspheric (42) or achromatic (104, 106) lens. A holographic diffuser (16) diffuses this light, and a cylindrical lens (18) vertically compresses the light. The light output from the condensing lens is very near the sum of the light output from the individual light emitting elements. The light emitting elements can be LEDs (24) arc lamps or incandescent lamps (102). With any attenuation in light intensity from the light emitting elements (24, 102), the entire light beam (28) output is reduced uniformly, with no localized image plane degradation being generated. The present invention finds use in printing engines, such as those for xerographic printers, and display systems such as projectors and televisions.

Multiple emitter illuminator engine

An illumination system (10,30,100,130,150,180,200) for hard copy applications including an elongated array (32) of light emitting elements (34) in combination with a light mixing element (42,46) for mixing the light from the individual elements in the lateral or cross-process direction. A curved array (32) or linear array (102) of light emitting elements with an aspheric lens (108) may be utilized, with a cylindrical lens (36,106) compressing the beam of light in the vertical or process direction. The light mixing elements (42,46) are preferably comprised of holographic diffusers. Sufficient mixing of the light from the array is achieved in the cross-process direction whereby a reduction in light output of one light emitting element does not generate a significant localized reduction in intensity at the elongated spatial light modulator. Preferably, the spatial light modulator is a digital micromirror device (DMD), but may also comprise of other devices including those of the transmissive type, including liquid crystal devices.

Illumination system for hard copy apparatus

A non-invasive inspection system is disclosed. The system contains light sources or source, viewing optics, an x-y table, and a platen for mounting objects to be inspected. The transparent platen contains a vacuum system that sets up a laminar flow of air which in turn holds the objects in place without altering or damaging the devices, and allows for analysis of light transmitted through devices. The method for operating the system is also included.

Non-invasive inspection platen

DMD modulated continuous wave light source for xerographic printer

A spherical illuminator (10, 40, 50, 60) having an upper diffuser (17, 47, 56, 62) with a concave surface, and having either an opposing reflector (18, 41) or an opposing lower diffuser (57, 63) with a concave surface. The two concave surfaces are placed so that their concavities form a substantially spherical viewing area into which the object under inspection is placed. The upper diffuser (10, 40, 50, 60) has a viewing aperture. It transmits light uniformly to the object from approximately two-pi steradians. The reflector (18, 41) or the lower diffuser (57, 63) provides light to the object in another two-pi steradians, resulting in nearly four-pi steradians of illumination.

Spherical illuminator

Variations on the Koehler illumination system, used for providing light to be reflected from, or transmitted by, an SLM. An anamorphic illumination system (10) uses multiple light sources (11) and a cylindrical lens (14) to provide an elongated and compressed beam to the SLM (16). A cascaded illumination system (30) uses multiple light sources (31) and multiple TIR prisms (33) to provide an extended light beam or one that is more intense, to the SLM (36).

Illumination optics for spatial light modulator

An optical guide (10, 40, 50, 60) for horizontally aligning two vertically stacked images generated by one or two SLMs. The optical guide has a channel separator (10a) that directs both images along two different paths. A pair of aligning reflectors (10b and 10c) on each path vertically shift the images with respect to each other so that at least part of the images on the first path are aligned side-by-side with at least part of the images on the second path. The channel separator (10a) then re-directs the images to the image plane 15. Along both paths, at least two of the reflecting surfaces of channel separator (10a) or aligning reflectors (10b and 10c) are optically powered so as to change the width or height of the images.

Optical guide for increasing printer image width

An optical guide (10, 40, 50, 60) for horizontally aligning two vertically stacked images generated by one or two SLMs. The optical guide has a channel separator (10a) that directs both images along two different paths. A pair of aligning reflectors (10b and 10c) on each path vertically shift the images with respect to each other so that at least part of the images on the first path are aligned side-by-side with at least part of the images on the second path. The channel separator (10a) then redirects the images to the image plane 15. Along both paths, at least two of the reflecting surfaces of channel separator (10a) or aligning reflectors (10b and 10c) are optically powered so as to change the width or height of the images.

Various light collection systems (10, 20, 30), for providing light to be reflected from, or transmitted by, an SLM. Two systems (10, 20) include reflectors (11, 21), which are designed to collect rear-emitted light from a source, as well as lenses (12, 22) having low f-numbers and achromatic transmission, and may include an integrator (14, 23). A third system (30) includes a special reflector (31) coupled directly to an integrator (33).

Light collection optics for spatial light modulator

An optical guide for horizontally aligning two vertically stacked images generated by one or two SLMs. The optical guide has a beam splitter that directs both images along two different paths. A first and a second aligning reflectors each disposed along each path for aligning the images. The beam splitter then redirects the images to the image plane 15. Along both paths, at least the aligning reflectors are optically powered so as to change the width or height of the images.

Growing community of inventors

Dallas, TX, United States of America

Charles H Anderson