US5727098A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oscillating fiber optic display and imager
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-01-06
•
Granted: 1998-03-10
•
Expires: 2015-01-06
Abstract
Abstract A display system includes an image light source for producing a modulated light, an optical fiber having a first end and a second end, the first end of the optical fiber being coupled to the light source, and a deflation device coupled to the second end of the optical fiber, the deflection device deflecting the second end of the optical fiber in a two-dimensional scan pattern for projecting an image onto a viewing surface from the second end of the optical fiber, wherein the projected image is related to the modulated light.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph M. Jacobson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:36
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/01; G02B27/017; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/10; G02B26/103; G02B27/0101; G02B2027/0138; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/35; G02B6/3502; G02B6/3564; G02B6/3568; G02B6/3572; G02B6/3578; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4219; G02B6/422; G02B6/4226
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A display system comprising: a light source for producing a modulated light; an optical fiber having a first end and a second end, the first end of the optical fiber being coupled to the light source; and a deflection device coupled to the second end of the optical fiber, the deflection device deflecting the second end of the optical fiber in a two-dimensional scanning pattern for projecting an image onto a viewing surface from the second end of the optical fiber, the projected image being related to the modulated light.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A display system comprising: a light source for producing a modulated light; an optical fiber having a first end and a second end, the first end of the optical fiber being coupled to the light source; and a deflection device coupled to the second end of the optical fiber, the deflection device deflecting the second end of the optical fiber in a two-dimensional scanning pattern for projecting an image onto a viewing surface from the second end of the optical fiber, the projected image being related to the modulated light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The display system according to claim 1, further comprising a detector coupled to the first end of the optical fiber for detecting light received by the second end of the optical fiber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The display system according to claim 2, wherein the detected light is coupled to the light source for projecting an image from the second end of the optical fiber related to the light detected by the detector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The display system according to claim 3, wherein the detector is exclusively sensitive to ambient light and insensitive to light from the light source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The display system according to claim 3, further comprising a controller disposed between the detector output and the light source for performing an image enhancement algorithm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The display system according to claim 2, further comprising a light stylus for projecting a pointer light onto the viewing surface, and wherein the detector detects the pointing light received through the second end of the optical fiber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The display system according to claim 6, wherein the pointer light is modulated and the detector detects the modulated pointer light received through the second end of the optical fiber, and the display system further comprises a filter coupled to an output of the detector for discriminating the detected modulated pointer light.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The display system according to claim 2, further comprising a wavelength selective filter disposed between the detector and the first end of the optical fiber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The display system according to claim 2, further comprising an electronic notch filter or electronic frequency domain filter at the output of the detector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The display system according to claim 2, wherein the detector is a photodiode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The display system according to claim 2, wherein the detector is a high sensitivity photodetector selected from the group consisting of a photomultiplier tube or an avalanche photodiode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The display system according to claim 2, wherein the detector is a plurality of detectors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The display system according to claim 12, wherein the detectors are chromatic detectors.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
62 words
The display system according to claim 2, further comprising a second light source, coupled to the first end of the optical fiber, for producing a second light which is projected from the second end of the optical fiber for illuminating a user's eye, wherein the detector detects the second light illuminating the user's eye for determining a direction of the user's gaze.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The display system according to claim 1, wherein the deflection device is a parametric driver.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The display system according to claim 15, wherein the parametric driver includes at least one electromagnetic coil.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The display system-according to claim 16, wherein the parametric driver includes two electromagnetic coils which are arranged serially.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The display system according to claim 16, wherein the parametric driver includes two electromagnetic coils which are arranged concentrically.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The display system according to claim 16, wherein the at least one electromagnetic coil is driven by a doubly-modulated waveform.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The display system according to claim 1, further comprising a frame on which the optical fiber and the viewing surface are mounted, the frame being adapted to be worn by a user.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The display system according to claim 20, wherein the viewing surface is a phosphor surface which is excited by light produced by the light source.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
The display system according to claim 21, wherein the light source is a plurality of light sources, and the phosphor is a plurality of phosphors each sensitive to a different wavelength of light produced by the plurality of light sources.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
The display system according to claim 20, wherein the viewing surface is a wavelength dependent reflective surface differentially reflecting light having a wavelength produced by the light source with respect to light having a wavelength different from the wavelength produced by the light source.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The display system according to claim 1, further comprising an imaging optical device at the second end of the optical fiber for adjusting the projected image so that the projected image can be viewed.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
44 words
The display system according to claim 24, wherein the imaging optical device is selected from the group consisting of a dispersive optical device, a reflective optical device, a Fresnel optical device a graded refractive index optical device and a binary optic type optical device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The display system according to claim 24, wherein the imaging optical device is attached to the second end of the optical fiber.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
The display system according to claim 1, further comprising a feedback device for detecting a position of the second end of the optical fiber and providing an indication of the detected position of the second end of the optical fiber.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
The display system according to claim 27, wherein the feedback device is selected from the group consisting of a hall effect detector, an optical proximity detector, a strain gauge, a piezoelectric force sensing element, and a magnetic impedance detector.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
129 words
The display system according to claim 27, wherein the feedback device comprises: a second light source coupled to the first end of the optical fiber, the second light source emitting a second light which is projected from the second end of the optical fiber; a reflective array disposed at the second end of the optical fiber for reflecting the second light projected from the second end of the optical fiber back to the second end of the optical fiber; and a detector, coupled to the first end of the optical fiber for detecting the second light which is reflected by the reflective array and received by the second end of the optical fiber, for producing the indication of the detected position of the second end of the optical fiber.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The display system according to claim 1, wherein the light source is a plurality of light sources coupled to the optical fiber.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The display system according to claim 30, wherein the plurality of light sources are chromatic light sources.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
58 words
The display system according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanically resonant device on the second end of the optical fiber, wherein mechanically resonant device and the optical fiber together have a first resonant frequency along a first dimension of the two-dimensional scanning pattern and a second resonant frequency along a second dimension of the two-dimensional scanning pattern.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The display system according to claim 32, wherein the first resonant frequency is different from the second resonant frequency.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
53 words
The display system according to claim 1, wherein the deflection device comprises a plurality of piezoelectric transducer elements formed on to the second end of the optical fiber, wherein the piezoelectric transducer elements are responsive to deflection drive signals for deflecting the second end of the optical fiber in the two-dimensional scanning pattern.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The display system according to claim 34, wherein the piezoelectric transducer elements are formed from a PVDF material in either bimorph or multimorph configuration.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
36 words
The display system according to claim 1, further comprising a controller, coupled to the deflection device and the light source, for modulating the light synchronously with the deflection of the second end of the optical fiber.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
The display system according to claim 36, wherein the controller having an algorithm containing nonlinearity characteristics associated with the two-dimensional scanning pattern for proper synchronization of the light source.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
The display system according to claim 1, further comprising a detector coupled to the light source for regulating an intensity or a modulation of the light source.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The display system according to claim 38, wherein the detector is a photodetector.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
32 words
The display system according to claim 1, wherein the light source is selected from the group consisting of a laser diode, a light emitting diode and a conductive plastic light emitting element.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
The display system according to claim 1, further comprising a Faraday type isolator or waveplate polarizer type isolator between the light source and the first end of the optical fiber.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
75 words
The display system according to claim 1, wherein the deflection device comprises: a magnetic material formed on the second end of the optical fiber; and a plurality of electromagnets arranged at the end of the optical fiber for producing a variable magnetic field which couples the magnetic material, wherein the variable magnetic field of the electromagnets interacts with the magnetic material for deflecting the second end of the optical fiber in the two-dimensional scanning pattern.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The display system according to claim 1, wherein the viewing surface is associated with a computer.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The display system according to claim 1, wherein the viewing surface is associated with a pager.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
43 words
The display system according to claim 1, wherein the deflection device includes a piezoelectric material having high intrinsic Q, and the piezoelectric material is responsive to deflection drive signals for deflecting the second end of the optical fiber in the two-dimensional scanning pattern.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
39 words
The display system according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the optical fiber is resonantly driven by the deflection device, and the deflection device is not in continuous contact with the second end of the optical fiber.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
38 words
The display system according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the optical fiber is driven resonantly by the deflection device, and the deflection device is in continuous contact with the second end of the optical fiber.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
27 words
The display system according to claim 1, wherein the Q of the deflection device is decoupled from the Q of the second end of the optical fiber.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
53 words
The display system according to claim 1, wherein the deflection device includes an impact actuator having a hammer element for deflecting the second end of the optical fiber, and a resonant structure of the second end of the optical fiber is not in continuous contact with the hammer element of the impact actuator.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
52 words
The display system according to claim 1, wherein the deflection device includes an impact actuator having a hammer element for deflecting the second end of the optical fiber, and a resonant structure of the second end of the optical fiber is in continuous contact with the hammer element of the impact actuator.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
93 words
The display system according to claim 1, wherein the deflection device comprises: a first electromagnet coupled to the second end of the optical fiber for generating a first magnetic field; and second and third electromagnets arranged at the second end of the optical fiber for producing second and third variable magnetic fields, respectively, the second and third variable magnetic fields coupling the first magnetic field, wherein the second and third variable magnetic fields interact with the first magnetic field for deflecting the second end of the optical fiber in the two-dimensional scanning pattern.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
63 words
The display system according to claim 1, wherein the deflection device comprises a plurality of magnetostrictive transducer elements formed on the second end of the optical fiber, and an external first and second magnetic field, wherein the magnetostrictive transducer elements are responsive to the first and second magnetic fields for deflecting the second end of the optical fiber in the two-dimensional scanning pattern.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
61 words
The display system according to claim 1, wherein the deflection device comprises a first electrostatic device coupled to the second end of the optical fiber; and a second electrostatic device arranged at the second end of the optical fiber, wherein the first and second electrostatic devices interact for deflecting the second end of the optical fiber in the two-dimensional scanning pattern.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
133 words
The display system according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber is a plurality of optical fibers formed into a bundle of optical fibers, the bundle of optical fiber having a first end and a second end, the second end forming a single pixel; wherein the light source is a plurality of light sources, each light source being coupled to a respective optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers at the first end of the bundle of optical fibers; and wherein the deflection device is coupled to the second end of the bundle of optical fibers, the deflection device deflecting the second end of the bundle of optical fibers in the predetermined scanning pattern for projecting the image onto the viewing surface from the second end of the bundle of optical fibers.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
26 words
The display system according to claim 1, wherein the viewing screen is one of the group consisting of a user's eye, a cornea and a retina.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
18 words
The display system of claim 1, wherein at least the optical fiber is enclosed in an evacuated envelope.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3112360A
Cited
US3470320A
Cited
US3621133A
Cited
US3437393A
Cited
US3530258A
Cited
US3760181A
Cited
US3836225A
Cited
US3958235A
Cited
US3941927A
Cited
US4097115A
Cited
US4225862A
Cited
US4236784A
Cited
US4410235A
Cited
GB2139819A
Cited
US4543663A
Cited
US4651343A
Cited
US4311999A
Cited
US4340888A
Cited
US4595990A
Cited
US4477727A
Cited
US4654716A
Cited
US4934773A
Cited
US4831370A
Cited
US5009473A
Cited
US4897715A
Cited
US5138159A
Cited
US5220361A
Cited
US5224198A
Cited
US5281960A
Cited
US5270748A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-03-09 | 2001-09-08 | 2002-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-09 | 2005-09-08 | 2006-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-09 | 2009-09-08 | 2010-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |