US5537256A — Electronic dithering system using birefrigence fo…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 158 words

A device for shifting the location of an optical signal, comprising birefringent means for selectively refracting light based on optical polarization characteristic of the light, and means for changing such optical polarization characteristic of light, said birefringent means and said means for changing being cooperative to shift the location of the optical signal, a display for supplying an image as such optical signal, said display including plural picture elements and means for producing such image by selective operation of a plurlity of picture elements at respective locations of the display, and said birefringent means and means for changing are cooperative periodically to displace at least part of such image to increase the resolution thereof, said means for changing and birefringent means are cooperative to change the location of the image produced by respective picture elements as a function of optical polarization thereby effectively to increase the number of picture elements and the resolution of the image produced thereby.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 158 words

A device for shifting the location of an optical signal, comprising birefringent means for selectively refracting light based on optical polarization characteristic of the light, and means for changing such optical polarization characteristic of light, said birefringent means and said means for changing being cooperative to shift the location of the optical signal, a display for supplying an image as such optical signal, said display including plural picture elements and means for producing such image by selective operation of a plurlity of picture elements at respective locations of the display, and said birefringent means and means for changing are cooperative periodically to displace at least part of such image to increase the resolution thereof, said means for changing and birefringent means are cooperative to change the location of the image produced by respective picture elements as a function of optical polarization thereby effectively to increase the number of picture elements and the resolution of the image produced thereby.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 38 words

The device of claim 1 said means for changing and birefringent means being cooperative to change the location of the output information without physical realignment of a mechanical device thereby effectively to increase the number of picture elements.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 36 words

The device of claim 1, wherein such optical polarization characteristic comprises the direction of plane of polarization of light, and said means for changing comprises means for selectively changing the direction of such plane of polarization.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 31 words

The device of claim 1, wherein said birefringent means comprises means for altering the direction of light transmitted therein based on the direction of plane of polarization of light transmitted therethrough.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 31 words

The device of claim 1, wherein said birefringent means comprises means for directing light transmitted therein in different respective light paths depending on the optical polarization characteristic of the transmitted light.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 22 words

The device of claim 1, said birefringent means comprising means for resolving light into two components respectively having orthogonal planes of polarization.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 16 words

The device of claim 6, said birefringent means comprising means for deflecting one of such components.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 19 words

The device of claim 7, said birefringent means comprising means for transmitting one of such components substantially without deflection.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 29 words

The device of claim 1, further comprising means for operating said means for changing periodically for cooperation with said birefringent means to effect interdigitation of portions of such image.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 17 words

The device of claim 1, said birefringent means and said means for changing being in optical series.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 16 words

The device of claim 10, said means for changing being optically upstream from said birefringent means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 16 words

The device of claim 10, said means for changing being optically downstream from said birefringent means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 72 words

The device of claim 12, wherein such optical polarization characteristic comprises the direction of plane of polarization of light, said means for changing comprises means for selectively changing the direction of such plane of polarization, and further comprising an analyzer optically downstream from said means for changing and said birefringent means for discriminating between light based on plane of polarization to transmit or to block transmission of light based on such discrimination.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 24 words

The device of claim 13, said birefringent means comprising means for resolving incident unpolarized light into two components respectively having orthogonal planes of polarization.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 18 words

The device of claim 1, said display comprising means for supplying plane polarized light as such optical signal.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 17 words

The device of claim 1, said display comprising means for supplying unpolarized light as such optical signal.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 12 words

The device of claim 1, said display comprising a light emissive display.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 12 words

The device of claim 17, said display comprising a cathode ray tube.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 29 words

The device of claim 18, further comprising means for operating said means for changing periodically for cooperation with said birefringent means to effect interdigitation of portions of such image.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 14 words

The device of claim 1, said display comprising a display having optical dead space.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 36 words

The device of claim 20, further comprising means for operating said means for changing periodically for cooperation with said birefringent means to effect shifting of portions of such image to cover dead space of such display.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 12 words

The device of claim 1, said display comprising a liquid crystal display.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 14 words

The device of claim 1, said birefringent means comprising means to effect double refraction.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 11 words

The device of claim 1, said birefringent means comprising crystal material.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 10 words

The device of claim 24, said birefringent means comprising calcite.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 45 words

The device of claim 1, said birefringent means comprising crystal having axes such that plane polarized light transmitted in such crystal is deflected or is transmitted without deflection depending on the relationship of the direction of plane of polarization to the direction of such axes.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 47 words

The device of claim 26, said means for changing comprising a birefringent liquid crystal cell having an axis, and wherein the axis of said liquid crystal cell and the projection of the axes of said birefringent means are effectively relatively positioned at 45 degrees to each other.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 18 words

The device of claim 27, said display comprising means for supplying plane polarized light as such optical signal.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 12 words

The device of claim 28, said display comprising a liquid crystal display.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 30 words

The device of claim 28, said display comprising a plane polarizer having a plane of polarization oriented effectively relatively at 45 degrees, to the axis of said liquid crystal cell.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 17 words

The device of claim 28, wherein said display comprises means for supplying light in the visible spectrum.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 14 words

The device of claim 1, said means for changing comprising a liquid crystal cell.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 16 words

The device of claim 32, said liquid crystal cell comprising a twisted nematic liquid crystal device.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 15 words

The device of claim 32, said liquid crystal cell comprising a birefringent liquid crystal device.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 33 words

The device of claim 1, wherein said means for changing and birefringent means comprising means for electro-optically changing the location of the output information thereby effectively to increase the number of picture elements.

Claim 37

Independent Claim 122 words

A system for increasing the resolution of an optical display having a plurality of picture elements, comprising birefringent means for selectively refracting light based on polarization characteristics of the light, changing means for selectively changing the polarization characteristics of light, and said birefringent means and said changing means being in optical series and cooperative in response to selective operation of said changing means to change the location of output optical signals therefrom, wherein the display is operative to produce an image and the display has dead space in respective picture elements, and further comprising means for operating said changing means periodically for cooperation with said birefringent means to effect shifting of portions of such image to cover dead space of such display.

Claim 38

Independent Claim 122 words

A system for increasing the resolution of an optical display having a plurality of picture elements, comprising birefringent means for selectively refracting light based on polarization characteristics of the light, changing means for selectively changing the polarization characteristics of light, and said birefringent means and said changing means being in optical series and cooperative in response to selective operation of said changing means to change the location of output optical signals therefrom, wherein the display is operative to produce an image and the display has dead space in respective picture elements, and further comprising means for operating said changing means periodically for cooperation with said birefringent means to effect shifting of portions of such image to cover dead space of such display.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 28 words

The system of claim 36, further comprising means for operating said changing means periodically for cooperation with said birefringent means to effect interdigitation of portions of such image.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 13 words

The device of claim 36, Wherein the display comprises a liquid crystal display.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 213 words

An electro-optical dithering system for shifting polarized light, comprising birefringent means for selectively refracting light as a function of a polarization characteristic of the light, and changing means for changing the polarization characteristic of polarized light to provide output light that is shifted or not as a function of optical polarization, said birefringent means comprising crystal having axes such that plane polarized light transmitted in such crystal is deflected or is transmitted without deflection depending on the relationship of the direction of plane of polarization to the direction of such axes, said birefringent means having a pair of generally parallel faces, respectively for receiving an input optical signal and for transmitting at least one output optical signal at a location depending on the plane of polarization of light of such output optical signal, and wherein the directions of such axes are non-parallel with the planes of said parallel faces, said means for changing comprising a birefringent liquid crystal cell having an axis, and wherein the axis of said liquid crystal cell and the projection of the axes of said birefringent means are effectively relatively positioned at 45 degrees to each other, and further comprising means for supplying plane polarized light as such optical signal, said means for supplying comprising a liquid crystal display.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 213 words

An electro-optical dithering system for shifting polarized light, comprising birefringent means for selectively refracting light as a function of a polarization characteristic of the light, and changing means for changing the polarization characteristic of polarized light to provide output light that is shifted or not as a function of optical polarization, said birefringent means comprising crystal having axes such that plane polarized light transmitted in such crystal is deflected or is transmitted without deflection depending on the relationship of the direction of plane of polarization to the direction of such axes, said birefringent means having a pair of generally parallel faces, respectively for receiving an input optical signal and for transmitting at least one output optical signal at a location depending on the plane of polarization of light of such output optical signal, and wherein the directions of such axes are non-parallel with the planes of said parallel faces, said means for changing comprising a birefringent liquid crystal cell having an axis, and wherein the axis of said liquid crystal cell and the projection of the axes of said birefringent means are effectively relatively positioned at 45 degrees to each other, and further comprising means for supplying plane polarized light as such optical signal, said means for supplying comprising a liquid crystal display.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 19 words

The system of claim 39, wherein said means for supplying comprises means for supplying light in the visible spectrum.

Claim 44

Independent Claim 70 words

A method of making a display, comprising positioning in optical series an image source for producing an optical image for viewing, a birefringent means for selectively refracting light based on optical polarization characteristic of the light, and a changing means for changing such optical polarization characteristic, further comprising positioning such changing means optically downstream of such birefringent means, and positioning an optical polarization analyzer optically downstream of such changing means.

Claim 45

Independent Claim 70 words

A method of making a display, comprising positioning in optical series an image source for producing an optical image for viewing, a birefringent means for selectively refracting light based on optical polarization characteristic of the light, and a changing means for changing such optical polarization characteristic, further comprising positioning such changing means optically downstream of such birefringent means, and positioning an optical polarization analyzer optically downstream of such changing means.

Claim 46

Independent Claim 121 words

A method of using a display, made by positioning in optical series an image source for producing an optical image for viewing, a birefringent means for selectively refracting light based on optical polarization characteristic of the light, and a changing means for changing such optical polarization characteristic, for displaying visual information comprising presenting a first optical output from a source by providing plural optical signals arranged in a pattern, presenting a second optical output from the source by providing plural optical signals arranged in a pattern, and selectively shifting the location of the pattern of the second optical output relative to the location of the pattern of the first optical output based on optical polarization to increase resolution of the display.

Claim 47

Independent Claim 121 words

A method of using a display, made by positioning in optical series an image source for producing an optical image for viewing, a birefringent means for selectively refracting light based on optical polarization characteristic of the light, and a changing means for changing such optical polarization characteristic, for displaying visual information comprising presenting a first optical output from a source by providing plural optical signals arranged in a pattern, presenting a second optical output from the source by providing plural optical signals arranged in a pattern, and selectively shifting the location of the pattern of the second optical output relative to the location of the pattern of the first optical output based on optical polarization to increase resolution of the display.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 42 words

The method of claim 42, wherein said selectively shifting the location of the pattern of the second optical output relative to the location of the pattern of the first optical output based on optical polarization covers optical dead space of the display.

Claim 49

Independent Claim 200 words

A device for shifting the location of an optical signal forming an image of a display, comprising calcite birefringent material for refracting light based on optical polarization characteristic of the light, and a fast optical switch for changing such optical polarization characteristic of light, said calcite birefringent material and said fast optical switch being cooperative to shift the location of the optical signal, a display for presenting dynamic images as such optical signal, said display including plural picture elements and being operable to produce such dynamic images by selective operation of a plurality of picture elements at respective locations of the display, and said calcite birefringent material and fast optical switch are cooperative periodically to displace at least part of such image to increase the resolution thereof and said fast optical switch being operable at a speed sufficiently fast that the eye of an observer integrates at least two images to see a complete image, said fast optical switch and calcite birefringent material are cooperative to change the location of the image produced by respective picture elements as a function of optical polarization thereby effectively to increase the number of picture elements and the resolution of the image produced thereby.

Claim 50

Independent Claim 200 words

A device for shifting the location of an optical signal forming an image of a display, comprising calcite birefringent material for refracting light based on optical polarization characteristic of the light, and a fast optical switch for changing such optical polarization characteristic of light, said calcite birefringent material and said fast optical switch being cooperative to shift the location of the optical signal, a display for presenting dynamic images as such optical signal, said display including plural picture elements and being operable to produce such dynamic images by selective operation of a plurality of picture elements at respective locations of the display, and said calcite birefringent material and fast optical switch are cooperative periodically to displace at least part of such image to increase the resolution thereof and said fast optical switch being operable at a speed sufficiently fast that the eye of an observer integrates at least two images to see a complete image, said fast optical switch and calcite birefringent material are cooperative to change the location of the image produced by respective picture elements as a function of optical polarization thereby effectively to increase the number of picture elements and the resolution of the image produced thereby.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 18 words

The device of claim 44, said fast optical switch comprising a surface mode liquid crystal cell or pi-cell.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 15 words

The device of claim 44, said fast optical switch comprising a birefringent liquid crystal cell.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 159 words

The device of claim 44, wherein said calcite birefringent material is a calcite birefringent material crystal having axes such that plane polarized light transmitted in such calcite birefringent material crystal is deflected or is transmitted without deflection depending on the relationship of the direction of plane of polarization to the direction of such axes, said calcite birefringent material crystal having a pair of generally parallel faces, respectively for receiving an input optical signal and for transmitting at least one output optical signal at a location depending on the plane of polarization of light of such output optical signal, and wherein the directions of such axes are non-parallel with the planes of said parallel faces, and said fast optical switch comprising a birefringent liquid crystal cell having an axis, and wherein the axis of said liquid crystal cell and the projection of the axes of said calcite birefringent material crystal are effectively relatively positioned at 45 degrees to each other.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 202 words

An electro-optical dithering system for shifting polarized light, comprising birefringent crystal for selectively refracting light, which is received from an optical display that produces sequential images to provide a dynamic video display output, as a function of a polarization characteristic of the light, and a fast acting optical switch for changing the polarization characteristic of polarized light to provide output light that is shifted or not as a function of optical polarization, said birefringent crystal having axes such that plane polarized light transmitted in such crystal is deflected or is transmitted without deflection depending on the relationship of the direction of plane of polarization to the direction of such axes, said birefringent crystal having a pair of generally parallel faces, respectively for receiving an input optical signal and for transmitting at least one output optical signal at a location depending on the plane of polarization of light of such output optical signal, and wherein the directions of such axes are non-parallel with the planes of said parallel faces, and said fast acting optical switch comprising a birefringent liquid crystal cell operable at a speed sufficiently fast that the eye of an observer integrates at least two images to see a complete image.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 202 words

An electro-optical dithering system for shifting polarized light, comprising birefringent crystal for selectively refracting light, which is received from an optical display that produces sequential images to provide a dynamic video display output, as a function of a polarization characteristic of the light, and a fast acting optical switch for changing the polarization characteristic of polarized light to provide output light that is shifted or not as a function of optical polarization, said birefringent crystal having axes such that plane polarized light transmitted in such crystal is deflected or is transmitted without deflection depending on the relationship of the direction of plane of polarization to the direction of such axes, said birefringent crystal having a pair of generally parallel faces, respectively for receiving an input optical signal and for transmitting at least one output optical signal at a location depending on the plane of polarization of light of such output optical signal, and wherein the directions of such axes are non-parallel with the planes of said parallel faces, and said fast acting optical switch comprising a birefringent liquid crystal cell operable at a speed sufficiently fast that the eye of an observer integrates at least two images to see a complete image.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 48, said fast acting optical switch comprising a surface mode liquid crystal cell or pi-cell liquid crystal cell.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 121 words

The system of claim 48, further comprising a display for presenting dynamic images as such optical signal, said display including plural picture elements and being operable to produce such dynamic images by selective operation of a plurality of picture elements at respective locations of the display, and said birefringent crystal comprising calcite, said calcite and said fast acting optical switch are cooperative periodically to displace at least part of such image to increase the resolution thereof, said fast optical switch and calcite birefringent material are cooperative to change the location of the image produced by respective picture elements as a function of optical polarization thereby effectively to increase the number of picture elements and the resolution of the image produced thereby.

Claim 58

Independent Claim 123 words

A method of using a display, made by positioning in optical series an image source for producing an optical image for viewing, a birefringent means for selectively refracting light based on optical polarization characteristic of the light, and a changing means for changing such optical polarization characteristic, for displaying visual information, comprising presenting a first optical output from a source by providing plural optical signals arranged in a pattern, presenting a second optical output from the source by providing plural optical signals arranged in a pattern, and selectively shifting the location of the pattern of the second optical output relative to the location of the patten of the first optical output based on optical polarization to cover optical dead space of the display.

Claim 59

Independent Claim 123 words

A method of using a display, made by positioning in optical series an image source for producing an optical image for viewing, a birefringent means for selectively refracting light based on optical polarization characteristic of the light, and a changing means for changing such optical polarization characteristic, for displaying visual information, comprising presenting a first optical output from a source by providing plural optical signals arranged in a pattern, presenting a second optical output from the source by providing plural optical signals arranged in a pattern, and selectively shifting the location of the pattern of the second optical output relative to the location of the patten of the first optical output based on optical polarization to cover optical dead space of the display.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-07-16	2000-01-15	2000-07-16	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-07-16	2004-01-15	2004-07-16	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-07-16	2008-01-15	2008-07-16	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Electronic dithering system using birefrigence for optical displays and method

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