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Optical display system and method, active and passive dithering using birefringence, color image superpositioning and display enhancement
Assignee: Fergason Patent Properties LLC
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Filing: 1995-10-25
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Granted: 2001-02-06
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Expires: 2015-10-25
Abstract
Abstract A passive dithering display system includes an optical display including a plurality of pixels with optical dead space between the pixels for producing an image, and a birefringent material for shifting one polarization component of the image relative to a second polarization component of the image such that the shifted polarization component lies in the dead space. Thus, the system of the invention can change the location of an optical signal, and the change can be used to improve resolution of a display, to reduce fixed pattern noise of a display, to facilitate locating and hiding of circuitry, to facilitate overlapping of tiles or pixels, etc.
Inventors
- 👤 James L. Fergason
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:14
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/20; G09G3/34; G09G3/3406; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/01; G02B27/017; G02B27/28; G02B27/283; G02B5/00; G02B5/30; G02B5/3083; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1335; G02F1/13363; G09G3/001; G09G3/002; G09G3/007; G09G3/2007; G09G3/2044; G09G3/2051; G09G3/2055; G09G3/36; H; H01; H01J; H01J29/00; H01J29/86; H01J29/89; H04; H04N; H04N13/00; H04N13/30; H04N13/302; H04N13/305; H04N13/332; H04N13/344; H04N13/388; H04N13/395; H04N5/00; H04N5/66; H04N5/74; H04N5/7416; H04N5/7441; H04N5/7475; H04N5/7491; H04N9/00; H04N9/12; H04N9/16; H04N9/30; H04N9/31; H04N9/3102; H04N9/3141; H04N9/315; H04N9/3155; H04N9/3167; H04N9/3173; H04N9/3179; H04N9/3188; G02B27/0101; G02B2027/0112; G02B2027/0118; G02F1/13356; G02F1/133562; G02F1/133638; G02F1/1347; G02F2203/00; G02F2203/62; G02F2413/00; G02F2413/04; G02F2413/08; G09G2310/00; G09G2310/02; G09G2310/0224; G09G2310/0235; G09G2310/0237; G09G2310/06; G09G2310/061; G09G2320/00; G09G2320/02; G09G2320/0271; G09G2320/06; G09G2320/0606; G09G2320/0626; G09G2320/0646; G09G2320/066; G09G2330/00; G09G2330/02; G09G2330/021; G09G2340/00; G09G2340/04; G09G2340/0407; G09G2360/00; G09G2360/14; G09G2360/144; G09G2360/16; G09G3/3413; G09G3/3611; G09G3/3648; H01J2229/00; H01J2229/89; H01J2229/8926; H01J2329/00; H01J2329/86; H01J2329/89; H01J2329/897; H04N13/31; H04N13/324; H04N13/341; H04N13/398
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 86
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
An optical display system, comprising: a light source having a periodic driving signal for producing a light signal at a first location, the light signal having periodic bright and dark intervals and a phase lag relative to the driving signal; and an optical switch for alternatively shifting and not shifting the apparent source of the light signal from the first location to a second location, the optical switch shifting the light signal periodically and in phase with the light signal, such that the apparent source of the light signal is one of the locations during the bright intervals and the other of the locations during the dark intervals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
An optical display system, comprising: a light source having a periodic driving signal for producing a light signal at a first location, the light signal having periodic bright and dark intervals and a phase lag relative to the driving signal; and an optical switch for alternatively shifting and not shifting the apparent source of the light signal from the first location to a second location, the optical switch shifting the light signal periodically and in phase with the light signal, such that the apparent source of the light signal is one of the locations during the bright intervals and the other of the locations during the dark intervals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The display of claim 1 , wherein the light source includes a liquid crystal display device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The display of claim 2 , wherein the liquid crystal display device includes an active matrix liquid crystal display device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The display of claim 2 , wherein the liquid crystal display device includes a twisted nematic liquid crystal display device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The display of claim 1 , wherein the optical switch includes a surface mode birefringent liquid crystal cell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
An optical display system comprising: a light source which produces a light signal at a first location, the light signal having periodically alternating bright and dark intervals and a phase lag relative to the driving signal; an optical switch for alternatively shifting and not shifting the apparent source of the light signal from the first location to a second location; means for controlling the optical switch so that the apparent source of the light signal is one of the locations during the bright intervals and the other of the locations during the dark intervals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
An optical display system comprising: a light source which produces a light signal at a first location, the light signal having periodically alternating bright and dark intervals and a phase lag relative to the driving signal; an optical switch for alternatively shifting and not shifting the apparent source of the light signal from the first location to a second location; means for controlling the optical switch so that the apparent source of the light signal is one of the locations during the bright intervals and the other of the locations during the dark intervals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The display of claim 6 , wherein the optical switch includes a surface mode birefringent liquid crystal cell.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The display of claim 7 , wherein the light source generates a vertical sync signal, and the means for controlling includes means for phase shifting a signal controlling the optical switch by a set amount relative to the vertical sync signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
83 words
A color optical device comprising: means for supplying a first colored light; means for supplying a second colored light; and optical shift me for shifting the location of at least a portion of one colored light to overlap at least a substantial portion of the other colored lights; wherein the portion of one colored light and the part of the other colored light are different colors, and wherein the portion of one colored light completely overlaps the part of the other colored light.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
83 words
A color optical device comprising: means for supplying a first colored light; means for supplying a second colored light; and optical shift me for shifting the location of at least a portion of one colored light to overlap at least a substantial portion of the other colored lights; wherein the portion of one colored light and the part of the other colored light are different colors, and wherein the portion of one colored light completely overlaps the part of the other colored light.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 9 , wherein the means for supplying first and second colored light includes a light source.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 9 , wherein the means for supplying first and second colored light includes a color filter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 9 , wherein the means for supplying first and second colored light includes a liquid crystal display.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 9 , wherein the means for supplying first and second colored light includes a cathode ray tube and a phosphor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 9 , wherein the optical shift means includes a calcite crystal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 9 , wherein the optical shift means includes a wave plate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 9 , wherein the optical shift means includes a birefringent device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 9 , wherein the optical shift means can alternatively shift and not shift the location of the at least a portion of one colored light.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
57 words
The device of claim 9 , wherein the optical shift means is a means for superimposing the at least a portion of the one colored light on the at least part of the other colored light, the means for superimposing including means for always shifting the location of the at least a portion of one colored light.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 18 , wherein the means for superimposing also includes means for selectively shifting and not shifting the location of the at least a portion of one colored light.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 19 , wherein the means for superimposing further includes a second means for selectively shifting and not shifting the location of the at least a portion of one colored light.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
82 words
A display system, comprising: an optical display including a plurality of pixels, with optical dead space therebetween, for producing an image; a first birefringent means for shifting one polarization component of the image relative to a second polarization component of the image such that said shifted polarization component produces a shifted image in said dead space; a second birefringent means for selectively shifting one component of each of the images based on polarization components to produce an additional plurality of adjacent images.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
82 words
A display system, comprising: an optical display including a plurality of pixels, with optical dead space therebetween, for producing an image; a first birefringent means for shifting one polarization component of the image relative to a second polarization component of the image such that said shifted polarization component produces a shifted image in said dead space; a second birefringent means for selectively shifting one component of each of the images based on polarization components to produce an additional plurality of adjacent images.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 21 , wherein the shifted image and the adjacent images cover substantially all of said dead space.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 21 , wherein the optical display is a flat panel liquid crystal display.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 21 , wherein the optical display is a cathode ray tube.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 21 , wherein the first and second birefringent means have optical axes which are substantially perpendicular to each other.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 25 , including a first wave plate interposed between said first and second birefringent means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 26 , wherein the first wave plate is a birefringent liquid crystal cell.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 26 , wherein the first wave plate is a quarter wave plate.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 28 , wherein the first wave plate has an optical axis which is orientated at approximately 45 degrees offset from the axes of the first and second birefringent means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 26 , wherein the first wave plate is a half wave plate.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 30 , wherein the first wave plate has an optical axis which is oriented at approximately 22.5 degrees offset from one of the axes of the birefringent means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 26 , further including a second wave plate interposed between said optical display and said first birefringent means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 32 , wherein the second wave plate is a quarter wave plate.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 33 , wherein the second wave plate has an optical axis which is orientated at approximately 45 degrees offset from the axes of the first and second birefringent means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 33 , wherein the second wave plate is oriented so as to produce elliptically polarized light.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
141 words
An optical display system, comprising: a light source for producing a light output at a first location; first means for selectively shifting or not shifting the light output in a first direction, which includes: a first liquid crystal device which selectively rotates or does not rotate the plane of polarization of light based on a prescribed input; a first means for selectively shifting or not shifting light based on a polarization characteristic of light; and second means for selectively shifting or not shifting the light output in a second direction which is not parallel to the first direction, which includes: a second liquid crystal device which selectively rotates or does not rotate the plane of polarization of light based on a prescribed input; and a second means for selectively shifting or not shifting light based on a polarization characteristic of light.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
141 words
An optical display system, comprising: a light source for producing a light output at a first location; first means for selectively shifting or not shifting the light output in a first direction, which includes: a first liquid crystal device which selectively rotates or does not rotate the plane of polarization of light based on a prescribed input; a first means for selectively shifting or not shifting light based on a polarization characteristic of light; and second means for selectively shifting or not shifting the light output in a second direction which is not parallel to the first direction, which includes: a second liquid crystal device which selectively rotates or does not rotate the plane of polarization of light based on a prescribed input; and a second means for selectively shifting or not shifting light based on a polarization characteristic of light.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 36 , wherein said first and second liquid crystal devices are birefringent liquid crystal cells.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 36 , wherein the first and second directions are substantially perpendicular to each other.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 36 , wherein said first and second means for shifting are comprised of a birefringent material.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 36 , wherein said first and second means for shifting respectively comprise first and second crystals.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 40 , wherein said first and second crystals are calcite crystals.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 40 , wherein said first and second crystals have their respective optical axes and faces oriented to transmit light selectively altering or not altering the path of the light, based on a polarization characteristic of light.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 36 , wherein the light source is a flat panel liquid crystal display.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 36 , further including a linear polarizer between said light source and said liquid crystal device.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 44 , wherein said first and second liquid crystal devices are respective first and second birefringent liquid crystal cells.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system of claim 45 , wherein said first liquid crystal cell has an optical axis orientated at approximately 45 degrees offset from said axis of said first crystal; said second liquid crystal cell has an optical axis orientated at approximately 45 degrees offset from said axis of said second crystal; and said axes of said liquid crystal cells are substantially orthogonal.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of displaying an image composed of plural frames, comprising: supplying information representing an image using a plurality of elements to present information at a first location; subsequently using the elements to present information at a second location which is positionally coordinated with the first location; subsequently using the elements to present information at a third location which is positionally coordinated with the first location; and subsequently using the elements to present information at a fourth location which is positionally coordinated with the first location.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of displaying an image composed of plural frames, comprising: supplying information representing an image using a plurality of elements to present information at a first location; subsequently using the elements to present information at a second location which is positionally coordinated with the first location; subsequently using the elements to present information at a third location which is positionally coordinated with the first location; and subsequently using the elements to present information at a fourth location which is positionally coordinated with the first location.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
90 words
A display system, comprising: an optical display for producing an image using nonpolarized light; first birefringent means for refracting one component of the image relative to a second component of the image based on polarization characteristics of said components to produce a plurality of adjacent images; and second birefringent means for refracting one component of each of the images produced by said first birefringent means relative to a second component of each of the images based on polarization characteristics of said components to produce an additional plurality of adjacent images.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
90 words
A display system, comprising: an optical display for producing an image using nonpolarized light; first birefringent means for refracting one component of the image relative to a second component of the image based on polarization characteristics of said components to produce a plurality of adjacent images; and second birefringent means for refracting one component of each of the images produced by said first birefringent means relative to a second component of each of the images based on polarization characteristics of said components to produce an additional plurality of adjacent images.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 48 , further including a linear polarizer interposed between said display and said first birefringent means.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 49 , further including a wave plate interposed between said first and second birefringent means.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 50 , wherein optical axes of the first and second birefringent means are substantially orthogonal, and an optical axis of the wave plate is orientated offset from the axes of the birefringent means such that the light incident on the second birefringent means is substantially parallel to the axis the second birefringent means.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 51 , wherein the axis of the wave plate is oriented at approximately 45 degrees offset from the axes of the birefringent means.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 51 , wherein the axis of the wave plate has its orientation shifted from an orientation approximately 45 degrees offset from the axes of the birefringent means an amount that compensates for residual birefringence.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
76 words
A display system comprising: an optical display producing an image which comprises a plurality of portions; a means for independently selectively shifting or not shifting the location of the portions which includes: means for selectively shifting or not shifting light based on a polarization characteristic of the light; and optical switches corresponding to respective of the portions, the optical switches selectively rotating or not rotating the plane of polarization of light based on a prescribed input.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
76 words
A display system comprising: an optical display producing an image which comprises a plurality of portions; a means for independently selectively shifting or not shifting the location of the portions which includes: means for selectively shifting or not shifting light based on a polarization characteristic of the light; and optical switches corresponding to respective of the portions, the optical switches selectively rotating or not rotating the plane of polarization of light based on a prescribed input.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
16 words
The display system of claim 54 , wherein the optical display comprises a liquid crystal display.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
16 words
The display system of claim 54 , wherein the optical display comprises a cathode ray tube.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
19 words
The display system of claim 54 , wherein the optical display comprises a light source which produces nonpolarized light.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
16 words
The display system of claim 57 , wherein the optical display further comprises a linear polarizer.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
18 words
The display system of claim 54 , wherein each of the optical switches comprises a liquid crystal device.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
18 words
The display system of claim 59 , wherein the liquid crystal device is a birefringent liquid crystal cell.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
22 words
The display system of claim 54 , wherein the means for selectively shifting based on a polarization characteristic includes a birefringent material.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
14 words
The display system of claim 61 , wherein the birefringent material is a crystal.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
14 words
The display system of claim 62 , wherein the crystal is a calcite crystal.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
15 words
The display system of claim 54 , wherein there are at least three optical switches.
Claim 73
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of displaying an image composed of plural subframes, each subframe composed of a plurality of portions, comprising: supplying information representing a first portion of a first subframe using a plurality of first elements to present information at a first location; subsequently supplying information representing a second portion of the first subframe using a plurality of second elements to present information at a second location; subsequently using the first elements to present information representing a first portion of a second subframe, at a third location which is different from and positionally coordinated with the first location; and subsequently using the second elements to present information representing a second portion of the second subframe, at a fourth location which is different from and is positionally coordinated with the second location; wherein the step of presenting information at the third location also involves continuing to present information at the second location using the second elements.
Claim 74
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of displaying an image composed of plural subframes, each subframe composed of a plurality of portions, comprising: supplying information representing a first portion of a first subframe using a plurality of first elements to present information at a first location; subsequently supplying information representing a second portion of the first subframe using a plurality of second elements to present information at a second location; subsequently using the first elements to present information representing a first portion of a second subframe, at a third location which is different from and positionally coordinated with the first location; and subsequently using the second elements to present information representing a second portion of the second subframe, at a fourth location which is different from and is positionally coordinated with the second location; wherein the step of presenting information at the third location also involves continuing to present information at the second location using the second elements.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 65 , wherein the step of presenting information at the third location also involves continuing to present information at the second location using the second elements.
Claim 76
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of displaying an image composed of a plurality of portions, comprising: displaying each portion, the displaying of a portion comprising: activating a plurality of elements corresponding to the portion to produce an output signal which is displayed at a first location by use of a means for shifting location of a light signal corresponding to the portion; continuing to display the output signal at the first location while the output signal fades; using the means for shifting to change the location of the output signal to a second location; activating the elements to produce an output signal which is displayed at the second location by use of the means for shifting; continuing to display the output signal at the second location while the output signal fades; and using the means for shifting to change the location of the output signal to a third location; where the elements of different portions are activated successively.
Claim 77
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of displaying an image composed of a plurality of portions, comprising: displaying each portion, the displaying of a portion comprising: activating a plurality of elements corresponding to the portion to produce an output signal which is displayed at a first location by use of a means for shifting location of a light signal corresponding to the portion; continuing to display the output signal at the first location while the output signal fades; using the means for shifting to change the location of the output signal to a second location; activating the elements to produce an output signal which is displayed at the second location by use of the means for shifting; continuing to display the output signal at the second location while the output signal fades; and using the means for shifting to change the location of the output signal to a third location; where the elements of different portions are activated successively.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 67 , wherein the first and third locations are the same.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
80 words
An optical display system, comprising: a display which produces a polarized light output having a first plane of polarization; an optical switch which selectively rotates or does not rotate the plane of polarization of the light output from the first plane to a second plane of polarization, based on a prescribed input; a birefringent means which shifts light having the second plane of polarization in a direction which is not parallel to nor perpendicular to the first plane of polarization.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
80 words
An optical display system, comprising: a display which produces a polarized light output having a first plane of polarization; an optical switch which selectively rotates or does not rotate the plane of polarization of the light output from the first plane to a second plane of polarization, based on a prescribed input; a birefringent means which shifts light having the second plane of polarization in a direction which is not parallel to nor perpendicular to the first plane of polarization.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 69 , wherein the display includes a light source which produces polarized light.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 70 , wherein the light source is a liquid crystal display.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 69 , wherein the display includes a light source which produces nonpolarized light and a linear polarizer.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 69 , further including a wave plate between the optical switch and the birefringent means.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 69 , wherein the optical switch includes a surface mode birefringent liquid crystal cell.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 69 , wherein the birefringent means is a birefringent liquid crystal cell.
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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) | 2004-02-06 | 2004-08-07 | 2005-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-02-06 | 2008-08-07 | 2009-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-02-06 | 2012-08-07 | 2013-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |