Texas Instruments Corporation

Steven Edward Smith

Steven Monroe Penn

Patrick Rene Destain

William Robert Krenik

Leonardo William Estevez

Zhongyan Sheng

Bradley Morgan Haskett

Jwei Wien Liu

Edward Carl Fisher

John Patrick O'Connor

Ivan Kmecko

Frank Odell Armstrong

Yoram Solomon

Mark Myron Miller

Jose S Vasquez

Daniel C Estabrook

Duane Scott Dewald

Michael Terry Davis

John David Jackson

Donald Andrew Powell

Stephen Aldridge Shaw

Jeffrey E Faris

Jack D Grimmett

Jeffrey E Farris

Don Holamon

Ronald C Creech

Described examples include a device having a body. The device also has a first flexure on a first surface of the body, the first flexure having a first modulus of elasticity. The device has a second flexure on a second surface of the body, the second surface of the body opposite to the first surface of the body, and the second flexure having a second modulus of elasticity. The device also has a fixed member on a surface of the second flexure opposite to the first flexure. The device also has an adjustment device on a surface of the first flexure opposite to the second flexure.

Flexure device

A multi-axis gimbal actuator includes a first tilt frame tiltably coupled to a second tilt frame. The second frame is tiltably coupled to a reference frame. The first tilt frame is offset from the second tilt frame and approximately parallel to the second tilt frame while in a neutral position. An optical element is mounted on the first tilt frame.

Multi-axis gimbal extended pixel resolution actuator

Described examples include a light tunnel of a material, the light tunnel including: a first section having a first surface and an opposing second surface, a second section having a third surface and an opposing fourth surface, a third section having a fifth surface and an opposing sixth surface, and a fourth section having a seventh surface and an opposing eighth surface; a first crease between the first section and the second section, a second crease between the second section and the third section, a third crease between the third section and the fourth section, and an intersection between an end of the first section and the fourth section; and a reflective coating forming a reflective surface on the first, third, fifth and seventh surfaces, the reflective surface being continuous across at least one of the creases, and the reflective coating being discontinuous at the intersection.

Light tunnel

A spatial light modulator outputs modulated light including: modulated first light when the spatial light modulator receives first light; and modulated second light when the spatial light modulator receives second light. Projection optics project the modulated light onto: a first pixel region when a component or the spatial light modulator has a first position; and a second pixel region when the component or the spatial light modulator has a second position. The first and second pixel regions partially overlap. A pixel shifter moves the component or the spatial light modulator between: the first position when the spatial light modulator outputs the modulated first light; and the second position when the spatial light modulator outputs the modulated second light.

Optical engine for three-dimensional printing

An image projector includes a digital micro device (DMD) spatial light modulator and a rotatable actuator. The rotatable actuator is disposed in a path of light reflected from the spatial light modulator. The rotatable actuator includes a first region and a second region. The first region is tilted at a first non-normal angle with respect to an axis of rotation of the rotatable actuator. The second region is tilted at a second non-normal angle with respect to the axis of rotation of the rotatable actuator. Light reflected by the spatial light modulator and passing through the first region is displaced one pixel relative to light reflected by the spatial light modulator and passing through the second region.

Projector with rotating refractive actuator

A multi-DMD projection system uses an extended X-cube color splitting/recombining prism to implement splitting and recombining functions at different sections of the cube. Light directed from a white light source is split into red, green and blue components in a lower section of the cube. The components are directed to respective first, second and third DMDs for separate modulations and reentered into the X-cube prism by TIR prism for recombining at an upper section of the cube.

Color display projection method and apparatus

Display systems and methods for mobile devices and mobile devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a display system for a mobile device is provided. The mobile device is handheld and includes a primary display screen. The display system includes an auxiliary screen and a connecting device coupled to the auxiliary screen and attachable to the mobile device. An image from the mobile device is producible on the auxiliary screen. The display system is removable from the mobile device.

Display systems and methods for mobile devices

A projection display system and method is provided. One or more light sources, such as solid state lasers, generates light of various colors that is modulated by a spatial light modulator, such as a digital micro-mirror device. The projection optics of the system include a telecentric rear group of lenses followed by a pair of aspheric lenses formed of a continuous piece of material. A folding mirror, such as a single-piece or multi-piece angular mirror, is disposed along the optical path between the aspheric lenses, to reduce the depth of the enclosure, and an aspheric mirror projects the image onto a projection screen. A folding mirror may be used after the aspheric mirror to further reduce the depth of the enclosure.

Integrated asphere design for display

System and method for thin projection display systems. An embodiment comprises a light source, an array of light modulators optically coupled to the light source, a lensed mirror optically coupled to the array, and a controller electronically coupled to the array and to the light source. The array produces images on a display plane by modulating light from the light source based on image data and the controller provides light commands to the light source and load image data into the array. The lensed mirror reflects modulated light from the array onto the display plane, the lensed mirror comprising a refractive portion and a reflective portion. The refractive portion of the lensed mirror helps to increase the light bending capability to help reduce the overall thickness of a projection display system.

System and method for displaying images

An optical architecture comprises a refractive cylinder that is movable relative to the incident light. By moving the refractive cylinder, the output light from the refractive cylinder is capable of sweeping through a spatial angle. Examples of the optical architecture can be implemented in an imaging system, such as a display system, for sequentially illuminating the target, such as a light valve in a display system with a high brightness.

Optical architecture having a rotating polygon for use in imaging systems

Various embodiments of a rear-projection screen, a method of rear-projection collimation and a projection video display (PVD) system. In one embodiment, a rear-projection screen includes: (1) a total-internal-reflection (TIR) fresnel lens configured to aim light received at an incidence angle toward a central axis of the TIR fresnel lens at a convergence angle and (2) a refractive fresnel lens configured to refract the light received from the TIR fresnel lens and at least to reduce the convergence angle.

Rear-projection screen for projection video display system, method of rear-projection collimation and projection video display system incorporating the same

An improved window frame and window piece for a micromirror assembly is disclosed herein. The window frame includes a stress-relieving contour positioned in the middle of the frame that can absorb the mechanical stresses applied to the window frame from the ceramic base and from the window piece. The window frame may be comprised of a single piece of sheet metal that has been stamped to include a stress-relieving contour. The stress-relieving contour may be comprised of a variety of shapes, including a 'U' shape, an inverted 'U' shape, a curved step shape, or other combinations thereof.

Stress relieved flat frame for DMD window

According to one embodiment a method for aligning a light source includes providing a lamp and a lamp interface. The lamp interface has an alignment aperture disposed thereon. The method also includes aligning the lamp with respect to the lamp interface until a desired amount of light is focused on the alignment aperture. The method further includes fixing the lamp to the lamp aperture to form an aligned lamp assembly after obtaining a desired lamp alignment. Then the aligned lamp assembly is coupled to an integrating rod.

Integrated lamp and aperture alignment method and system

Disclosed is a mounting system and method in which symmetrical springs are used about a collar in a gimbal system to capture an assembly of a ball and an optical or other type of component. Once captured within the mounting system, the ball/component assembly can pivot until an optimal alignment is reached. Once the optimal alignment is reached, the ball/component assembly is fixed using laser welding.

Growing community of inventors

Allen, TX, United States of America

Steven Edward Smith