The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 28, 1996
Filed:
Aug. 26, 1994
Scott Zimmerman, Basking Ridge, NJ (US);
Paul Ferm, Morristown, NJ (US);
Lawrence Shacklette, Maplewood, NJ (US);
Michael McFarland, Washington, NJ (US);
AlliedSignal Inc., Morristown, NJ (US);
Abstract
The present invention includes a polarizer element and an array of tapered waveguides in substantial contact with the polarizer element. The tapered end of each of the waveguides extends outward from the polarizer element. Each of the waveguides has a light input surface adjacent the polarizer element and a light output surface distal from the light input surface. The area of the light input surface of each of the waveguides is greater than the area of its light output surface. Also, the waveguides in the array are separated by interstitial regions with a lower refractive index than the refractive index of the waveguides. The present improved polarizer may be used in display devices, such as projection display devices, off screen display devices, and direct view displays. Such displays are used in a wide range of applications including computer terminals, airplane cockpit displays, automotive instrument panels, televisions, and other devices that provide text, graphics, or video information.