US3702929A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coherent light array for use in image projection systems
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1970-07-16
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Granted: 1972-11-14
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Expires: 1990-07-16
Abstract
Abstract The specification discloses a coherent light array including a housing with a plurality of lenses mounted therein. A source of a coherent light beam, such as a laser, is positioned such that portions of the coherent light beam are directed through each of the lenses. The housing is rotated at a speed above the frequency response of the human eye so that pictorial noises, such as Newton Ring Patterns, are substantially reduced or eliminated when the light array is utilized in the projection of film transparencies and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack J Burch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:53
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/10; G02B27/14; G02B27/144; G02B27/48; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/14; G03B21/20; G03B21/208
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
50 words
A coherent light array comprising: a plurality of light beam generating means spaced apart along the periphery of a circle, said generating means spherically radiating a plurality of substantially mutually coherent light beams, and means for rotating said light beam generating means around said circle while maintaining the spacing therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
50 words
A coherent light array comprising: a plurality of light beam generating means spaced apart along the periphery of a circle, said generating means spherically radiating a plurality of substantially mutually coherent light beams, and means for rotating said light beam generating means around said circle while maintaining the spacing therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The coherent light array of claim 1 and further comprising at least four light beam generating means symmetrically spaced around said circle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The coherent light array of claim 1 wherein said light beam generating means are rotated at a speed above the frequency response of the human eye.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The coherent light array of claim 1 and further comprising: a source for producing a substantially coherent light beam, a plurality of lenses mounted in a housing, means for rotating said housing, and means for directing the coherent light beam emitted by said source through each of said lenses during rotation of said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The array of claim 4 wherein said source is a laser.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The array of claim 4 wherein said source is an arc lamp.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The coherent light array of claim 4 wherein said lenses are adjacently disposed to form a unitary lens array, lens means directing the light beam from said source upon said lens array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The coherent light array of claim 7 and further comprising: beam expansion lens means for expanding the light beam from said source, and collimating lens means for directing the expanded light beam upon said lens array.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The coherent light array of claim 7 wherein said lens array comprises: four lenses each having portions thereof removed to form a right angle, said lenses joined together at said right angles to form an integral lens array.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The coherent light array of claim 7 and further comprising: a second unitary lens array mounted in said housing for receiving the light beam from said source, the distance between said lens arrays being variable for control of the divergence angle of said light array.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
A coherent light array comprising: a housing including a plurality of lenses mounted therein, a source for producing a substantially coherent light beam, means for directing portions of said coherent light beam through said lenses, and means for rotating said housing at a speed above the frequency response of the human eye.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
A coherent light array comprising: a housing including a plurality of lenses mounted therein, a source for producing a substantially coherent light beam, means for directing portions of said coherent light beam through said lenses, and means for rotating said housing at a speed above the frequency response of the human eye.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The coherent light array of claim 11 and further comprising at least four lenses mounted in said housing with the optical enters thereof being disposed along a circle, said housing being rotated about the center axis of said circle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The coherent light array of claim 12 wherein said lenses are spaced equidistantly apart, mirror means being mounted in said housing for diverting portions of said light beam through said lenses to create a plurality of coherent, spherically radiating light beams.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The coherent light array of claim 12 wherein each of said lenses has a right angle formed therein, saiD lenses being joined together at said right angles to form a unitary lens array.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The coherent light array of claim 14 and further comprising: an expander lens for expanding said coherent light beam, and means for directing the expanded light beam upon said lens array.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The coherent light array of claim 11 and further comprising a second plurality of lenses mounted in said housing for receiving said coherent light beam.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
38 words
The method of generating coherent illumination comprising: generating a plurality of spherically radiating, substantially mutually coherent light beams from points spaced around the periphery of a circle, and rotating said light beams about the center of the circle.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
38 words
The method of generating coherent illumination comprising: generating a plurality of spherically radiating, substantially mutually coherent light beams from points spaced around the periphery of a circle, and rotating said light beams about the center of the circle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17 and wherein said light beams are rotated at a speed above the frequency response of the human eye.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 17 and further comprising: spatially filtering said rotating light beams.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 17 and further comprising: focusing said light beams for convergence near the periphery of a projection plane.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 17 and further comprising: generating a coherent light beam, and splitting said light beam into a plurality of substantially mutually coherent light beams.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3466110A
Cited
US3619033A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-14 | 1976-05-15 | 1976-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-14 | 1980-05-15 | 1980-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-14 | 1984-05-15 | 1984-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |