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US5024524A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Reflective image plane module

Assignee: RAF ELECTRONICS CORP A CORP OF
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Filing: 1989-08-11
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Granted: 1991-06-18
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Expires: 2009-08-11
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Abstract

Abstract A reflective image plane module including light directing and reflecting structures and a wafer based active matrix mated thereto. A source of light is directed to the reflective image plane module wherein the wafer based active matrix imparts or encodes information onto a light beam reflected therefrom. The reflective image plane module projects the reflected beam for imaging or viewing, such as through one or more lens. The reflective image plane module includes a prism or mirror which passes the light or light component through a first surface to the wafer based active matrix mated to a second surface and which projects the reflected light from the first surface to be viewed or imaged. The wafer based active matrix includes a specular reflective back surface and an LC or similar type material formed thereon which is electronically altered to impart the information to the light beam reflected therefrom. The reflective image plane module can be utilized in various light encoding systems such as a monochrome projector including a single reflective image plane module or a full color system including three reflective image plane modules, one for each color, which then are combined on a screen or before projecting on the screem to form the full color projection image.

Inventors

  • 👤 Richard A. Flasck

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 05:20
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N9/00; H04N9/12; H04N9/31; H04N9/3141; H04N9/315; G; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/005; G03B21/006

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim 66 words
A reflective image plane module, comprising: reflective imaging means including a wafer based active matrix for forming a reflected light beam from light directed thereto and for imparting information onto said reflected light beam; said wafer being a non light transmissive single crystal wafer substrate with said active matrix formed on one surface of said wafer; and means for projecting said reflected light beam for viewing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 66 words
A reflective image plane module, comprising: reflective imaging means including a wafer based active matrix for forming a reflected light beam from light directed thereto and for imparting information onto said reflected light beam; said wafer being a non light transmissive single crystal wafer substrate with said active matrix formed on one surface of said wafer; and means for projecting said reflected light beam for viewing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 41 words
The module as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflective imaging means include a mirror with an aperture therein to direct light through to said wafer based active matrix and said mirror forming at least a portion of said projecting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 16 words
The module as defined in claim 2 wherein said projecting means further include projecting lens means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 25 words
The module as defined in claim 2 including a lens system for columnating light from a light source and focusing the light through said aperture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 23 words
The module as defined in claim 2 including a light source mounted into said aperture for directing light to said reflective imaging means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 23 words
The module as defined in claim 2 including fiber optic light guide means for coupling light from a lilght source to said aperture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 35 words
The module as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflective imaging means including a prism with a light receiving projection for directing light and said prism forming at least a portion of said projecting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 39 words
The module as defined in claim 7 wherein said prism is a one-piece molded body with said projection molded into one wall of said prism and said wafer based active matrix is mounted on another wall of said prism.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 16 words
The module as defined in claim 7 wherein said projecting means further include projecting lens means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 25 words
The module as defined in claim 7 including a lens system for columnating light from a light source and focusing the light through said projection.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 15 words
The module as defined in claim 7 including a light source mounted onto said projection.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 23 words
The module as defined in claim 7 including fiber optic light guide means for coupling light from a light source to said projection.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 20 words
The module as defined in claim 7 wherein said projection has a light receiving surface shaped to direct the light.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 25 words
The module as defined in claim 1 wherein said wafer based active matrix includes a color filter array for forming a reflected color light beam.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 19 words
The module as defined in claim 1 wherein said reflective imaging means forms a portion of a projection system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 100 words
A reflective image plane module, comprising: reflective imaging means including a wafer based active matrix for forming a reflected light beam from light directed thereto and for imparting information onto said reflected light beam; said wafer being a non light transmissive single crystal wafer substrate with said active matrix formed on one surface of said wafer; and means for projecting said reflected light beam for viewing; and said reflective imaging means including a mirror with an aperture therein to direct light through to said wafer based active matrix and said mirror forming at least a portion of said projecting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 100 words
A reflective image plane module, comprising: reflective imaging means including a wafer based active matrix for forming a reflected light beam from light directed thereto and for imparting information onto said reflected light beam; said wafer being a non light transmissive single crystal wafer substrate with said active matrix formed on one surface of said wafer; and means for projecting said reflected light beam for viewing; and said reflective imaging means including a mirror with an aperture therein to direct light through to said wafer based active matrix and said mirror forming at least a portion of said projecting means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 16 words
The module as defined in claim 16 wherein said projecting means further include projecting lens means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 25 words
The module as defined in claim 16 including a lens system for columnating light from a light source and focusing the light through said aperture.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 23 words
The module as defined in claim 16 including a light source mounted into said aperture for directing light to said reflective imaging means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 23 words
The module as defined in claim 16 including fiber otpic light guide means for coupling light from a light source to said aperture.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 25 words
The module as defined in claim 16 wherein said wafer based active matrix includes a color filter array for forming a reflected color light beam.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 71 words
A reflective image plane module, comprising: reflecting imaging means including a wafer based active matrix for forming a reflected light beam from light directed thereto and for imparting information onto said reflected light beam; means for projecting said reflected light beam for viewing; and said reflective imaging means including a prism with a light receiving projecting for directing light and said prism forming at least a portion of said projecting means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 71 words
A reflective image plane module, comprising: reflecting imaging means including a wafer based active matrix for forming a reflected light beam from light directed thereto and for imparting information onto said reflected light beam; means for projecting said reflected light beam for viewing; and said reflective imaging means including a prism with a light receiving projecting for directing light and said prism forming at least a portion of said projecting means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 39 words
The module as defined in claim 22 wherein said prism is a one-piece molded body with said projection molded into one wall of said prism and said wafer based active matrix is mounted on another wall of said prism.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 16 words
The module as defined in claim 22 wherein said projecting means further include projecting lens means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 25 words
The module as defined in claim 22 including a lens system for columnating light from a light source and focusing the light through said projection.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 15 words
The module as defined in claim 22 including a light source mounted onto said projection.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 23 words
The module as defined in claim 22 including fiber optic light guide means for coupling light from a light source to said projection.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 20 words
The module as defined in claim 22 wherein said projection has a light receiving surface shaped to direct the light.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 25 words
The module as defined in claim 22 wherein said wafer based active matrix includes a color filter array for forming a reflected color light beam.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 33 words
The module as defined in claim 1 including an LCD material formed on said active matrix, said LCD material formed from a solid light modulating material having bodies of LC material suspended therein.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 33 words
The module as defined in claim 16 including an LCD material formed on said active matrix, said LCD material formed from a solid light modulating material having bodies of LC material suspended therein.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 30 words
The module as defined in claim 22 including said wafer being a non light transmissive single crystal wafer substrate with said active matrix formed on one surface of said wafer.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 30 words
The module as defined in claim 32 including an LCD material formed on said active matrix, said LCD material formed from a solid light modulating material having bodies of LC

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-06-17 1994-12-17 1995-06-18 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-06-17 1998-12-17 1999-06-18 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-06-17 2002-12-17 2003-06-18 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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