TROYER STATEMENT May 2012
Note: This document has added information — The patent claim chart was published on the Metatroy blog, April 17th: the chart can be found on page later in this document. Patent claims are included for a better survey. The Canada patent claims (notice of allowance Feb. 28, 2011) are available on request. They will be published shortly. They are broad: all reflective light valves (RLV) and also lasers directed to the RLV. Scanning on the RLV is a sub claim.
Troyer’s patents represent Z*Tron Vision which is a laser apparatus with projector and camera. The Troyer patent process provides attributes: IF IT IS- infinite focus, instant transformation, and innate sharpness. These attributes make possible the long awaited dimensional HIVE: holographic immersive virtual environments.
Z*Tron Vision is the linchpin to the HIVE – as important as the printing press was to publishing.
HIVE platforms are created with apps. It is predicted that there will be many applications developed for the HIVE – a la Apple. There are many talents creating apps for the Microsoft Kinect. The Kinect camera could be used as the camera in the Feb. 14, 2012 Troyer patent. There are many uses for the patented laser camera/ projector.
These facts are shown to be true:
- Laser video projectors will replace arc lamp digital cinema projectors.
- Laser TV: home theaters, gaming, signage, industrial, simulation, medical, theme parks, etc.
Z*Tron Vision (Z*TV) will be the display of choice: KISS (keep it simple: streamline)
- Z*TV is a basic patented process that provides a linchpin laser apparatus.
- Many apps (applications) will work with the linchpin Z*Tron Vision (Z*TV).
- The Troyer laser projector patented process is user friendly and the most streamlined.
- Troyer basic patents are KISS: leapfrogging is difficult (write around).
What will be the best 3D: huge domes to small auto stereo (w/o glasses)? All auto stereo displays demonstrated so far have limitations. For instance there were two demonstrations at NAB. One was by Dolby (with Philips) and the other by a Japanese research group.
- The displays cannot use the infrastructure that exists now to deliver the image.
- Many different facets/ lenticular approach—expensive and not streamlined.
- Not a pure viewing angle. Limited by participants position. Not wide angle views.
- Participants need to be at specific area for best view—thus not good for crowd viewing.
The next big market is predicted to be the Apple /Smart/ Internet/ Google/ TV. Many are predicting what the attributes of the Smart TV will be:
- Auto dimensional (3D w/o glasses)—this means images with depth (3D)
- Not limited viewing angle, thus vivid at any place in the room
- Anyone sitting anywhere in the room has a good view (without glasses)
- Full spectrum color/ high contrast (good blacks)/ sharp vivid images
- Camera / projector (display) combination — Kinect type feedback –range sensor
- Use today’s infrastructure (delivery, content, equipment)
- Suitcase, modular — (user friendly—easy to move, mobile, fast set up)
- No flat screen distortion of dimensional images (endoscopic or Mars 3D images).
TechCrunch: Is the future of 3D about the movies or TV? Interview with James Cameron
Cameron: The future of 3D will be defined by TV. The reason for that is it’s going to solve this whole conversion issue. Because the 3D production cycle for TV is so short. You don’t have time to do a conversion. It just doesn’t exist. It’s just not part of the vocabulary. So, the tools for shooting it, posting it, delivering it, displaying it, are all going to be proven in the TV markets and then movie guys are just going to have to get in line with it.
TechCrunch: What do you think about the state of 3D TV’s?
Cameron: Mid level big flat panels are 3D now. — It’s really not that big a deal anymore. So, I think where it’s ultimately got to end, is glasses free viewing in the home, on the big screen
IF IT IS attributes are considered transformative for the next display platforms. IF IT IS attributes are desired by:
- Consumers for their Smart TV and home theater.
- Digital Cinema audiences.
- Military/ government wait for dome/ CAVE/HIVE immersive training/ simulation
- Signage — innovative approach with depth of focus (ability to be shown real time on curves)
- Opera/ Broadway/ music tour, staging and backsets for performance/ content productions
- Telecine: post house and consumer copying film, slides, video, — any feed
- Medical: ability to see captured dimensional images such as endoscopic camera images—not distorted on flat screens, but seen with best image (contrast, resolution, color ranges, layers, dimensional, always in focus—MRI slices can be put together in real time for dimensional images vivid images).
- Scientific/ Instrumentation/ Microscopic/
HIVE Platforms: Z*Tron Vision is the linchpin to the HIVE – as important as the printing press was to publishing. Many applications will be created and streamlined by the linchpin HIVE attributes. Augmented Reality/ Virtual Reality/ CAVE/ Telepresence. How? Real time dimensional images in curved space —cuts the costs and time taken by more than 50%. The HIVE is user friendly. The HIVE platform attributes are sought by Location based entertainment venues; Themed park entertainment, immersive training and learning, etc.
ZELF: Zone Enhanced Location Fusion — Some suggested private / public/ non-profit franchises:
- MetaSite gaming immersive mini theaters
- WarpZone: gaming / group/ new approach to gaming arcades
- Bucket of Dreams: advanced Chucky Cheese franchise
- Teen Green Screen with content tool kits: from creating local games to Horror interactive movies with merchandising or fractal immersion rooms or traveling to different times in history or to space : a place for teens to play congregate and have hands on learning.
- STEAM TEAMS: Placing art (A) into STEM (science, technology, engineering, math)
- ZPA (healing spa devices and venues): laser light healing / communing/ sports healing/ beautification for aging/ animal healing/ get rid of arthritis/ cleansing/ healing
- ZPA labs: develop devices for sports healing, etc.
- MetaStation: dome train rides–
- MetaSphere: combination Dome Screens for Z*Rama movies, Planetarium, Backset staging for performance/ extravaganza – also associated with a lab for applications for the HIVE.
- Backsets Karaoke/ Performance clubs: Automatic backsets projected with singer performing (small Z*TV projector camera—capture and project performer in sets (often they design their staging)
Troyer is an independent inventor, meaning she is not associated with a big company or institution. The claim chart below lists companies that are infringing on the Troyer patented process. Troyer has been offered upfront payment by the king of the patent “trolls” company that has been quite successful in helping patent holders receive a great return from infringers. They do not pay to play unless they know they can win. Those experts who understand this patent area state that if handled right, the Troyer patents are a gold mine. Troyer is getting offers from many areas. Her Canadian patent attorney has advised Troyer, since there is so much interest, that she put the patent troll offer on the backburner and hire a well-respected strong attorney in her inventions niche area that is adept at making deals and licensing. Troyer is now seeking that attorney to provide guidance.
Digital Cinema and Dome 3D: Troyer has demonstrated her patented big laser TV to main players. Some of these companies have recently formed a Laser Illuminated Projector Association (LIPA) set up to promote and market laser projection for digital cinema. They promote lasers addressed to a reflective light valve, full color spectrum, and retaining the polarization for best bright 3D. The LIPA consortium members consisting of Kodak, Sony, IMAX, NEC, Dolby, Disney, THX, Christies, Barco and Texas Instrument, etc. Most have attended the Troyer demonstrations and received white papers, etc. Kodak has shown a prototype laser projector based on the Troyer patents. Peter Lude, the LIPA chairman has been informed that the consortium is promoting Troyer’s patented process and has shared that information with the rest of the members. Troyer received an email back that LIPA is not responsible for their members and to approach each individually. They invitiation to speak to the members about the Troyer patented process was withdrawn. These emails were published on the Troyer Metatroy blog.
LIPA Consortium: The LIPA consortium is marketing Troyer’s patented KISS approach (keep it simple: streamline). LIPA is representing that this is a new approach developed by their members, even though corporate in most of these companies have attended the Metatron Laser Projector demonstrations with great interest (Metatron name now changed to Z*Tron Vision: Z*TV). Thank heavens Troyer had savvy mentors who counseled her telling her she did not have to get a NDA (non-disclosure) but always get signatures to document who attended the Metatron private demonstrations and received pripriotiry paper work. When the LIPA group realizes that IMAX/Kodak/Barco do not have patents to cover dome theater like they represent, there should be an acknowledgement. Today we have blogs and social media, so blatant infringements by companies in a consortium is not as likely to work. It is in fact the classic example of why innovation is threatened. Why should any of the many watching the Troyer struggle with her patents try to innovate?
Troyer’s Patents: Troyer’s patents cover these areas: Laser apparatus, projector, camera and projector with full color, high contrast dimensional infinite focus images, Telecine and Digital Intermediate, etc.
Audiences/gamers/consumers want Cinerama auto stereo images (3D with no glasses). Z*Tron Vision (Z*TV) covers laser TV from Pico (small hand held) to large 3D dome theaters. Digital Cinema projectors use reflective light valve (RLV). Troyer’s patents: lasers are directed to RLV with full spectrum colored dimensional infinite focused images that adjust to any surface (curves—domes). The experts have qualified the Troyer patents as the solution for 3D dome theaters. This is because she has patented the ability for a RLV modulated image to adjust to a dome, simulation, Cinerama, or any other irregular screen. The Troyer claims cover modulating Z depth into laser beams to create real time dimensional images without glasses in curved space. Gamers and consumers call for a Smart TV that can take the Internet streaming and translate to auto dimensional images. The military and government and educational institutions want a more realistic immersive training and simulation. Sensors have evolved with Moore’s law. It is imperative for a security person on command and control on the ground to see vividly the dimensional image translated from the drone camera. It is imperative for the surgeon that is looking at an endoscopic (3D) image to see it clearly. Sensor dimensional captured images are distorted on flat screens. Z*TV depth dimensional imaging eliminates the flat screen distortion and makes possible true vivid images being seen in real time.
Smart TV (internet TV): next big market after smart phone and tablet. Gamers and consumers call for auto stereo (3D without glasses). Steve Jobs stated he would be delivering dimensional laser TV, but he did not have the patents. There is a race now to see who delivers the next hot device: Apple TV, Google TV, Microsoft, VIZIO, Samsung, Sony, Dell, etc. Troyer’s patents represent IF IT IS- infinite focus, instant transformation, and innate sharpness — attributes that deliver the long awaited dimensional TV. Troyer and team are now aligning with experts to help market and negotiate deals with the interested parties.
WHY? The Microvision Pico laser projector infringes Troyer’s patent claims. Intel and Pioneer have recently signed to be OEM and sell Microvision products. Intel states they want to take the Microvision designs to a bigger screen for gamers, home theater, etc. The basic Troyer patented design also works with medical, instrumentation, scientific; signage, 3D dome, and HIVE platforms.
HIVE: Holographic Immersive Virtual Environments
HIVE: Z*Tron Vision (ZTV) is the linchpin for the HIVE. The HIVE is possible because of Z*TV. The images can be projected in 3D curved space. The HIVE is the next step to the Hologram and to more realistic images. The HIVE is the Smart TV (Internet TV) that interconnects devices using the current infrastructure. Apple, Google, Microsoft, Vizio, Cisco, Motorola, Dell, etc. are competing to deliver. Gamers and consumers want auto-dimensional vivid bright images in curved space. They want the HIVE.
Troyer published the patent claim chart on her blog. These are the claims that are being infringed: https://metatroy.wordpress.com/
Under April 17– Z*Tron Vision IF IT IS about RED Laser Projector
- Lasers addressed to a reflective light valve using full spectrum color (635 nm. red of above).
- Cyan (near 488 nm.) can be added to make a fuller color spectrum and to reduce speckle.
- The laser beam is expanded (safer for the eye than a direct laser beam).
- Laser images retain infinite sharpness (infinite depth of focus) and automatically has the ability to adjust in real time to any irregular surface such as Cinerama or domes or curved simulation screens.
- Laser attributes retained in the modulated image to the screen: coherence, collimation and polarization for better sharp vivid images and better 3D.
- Provides better 3D because of the inherent polarized image. Creates vivid, sharp better 3D images Because the inherent quality of the beam is kept that is modulated by a reflective light valve, the image has the ability to adjust in real time to any irregular surface such as Cinerama or domes.
Road Map Best Approach and Licensing: Break down the areas of licenses.
It is established that all want displays—vivid, high contrast, sharp details, infinite focus, auto stereo—depth dimension, full color (saturated); ability to adjust in focus to any surface –mostly be in focus on curved surface, without any adjustments. The Troyer patented process provides IF IT IS: infinite focus, instant transfer, innate sharpness.
Licensing Area In Discussion/ Interest Competition Infringement
Pico (vehicle; navigation; etc.) John Deere Microvision/ Pioneer
Pico Axaxtech
Smart TV NVidia, Motorola Mobility, Dell Intel (Microvision design)
Smart TV Deluxe, Reliance (India) HDI— Red
Medical Working with expert None—that we have located
Smart Internet TV Intel, Motorola Mobility, Dell, Sony, Samsung (all are attempting auto stereo) Note: Visio has seen my patented process (but is fast tracking to deliver Google TV with their own method).
Smart TV Approach: One suggested method — Locate strategic vendor parties to demonstrate the most advanced Troyer model; strategic partner is licensee/ manufacturer/ etc. May be the group that tackles other smart TV infringers.
Example of the Troyer Patent Claim Chart
Troyer Claims AAXA Microvision Light Blue Optics IMAX/ Barco/Kodak LIPA Promise HDI (RED)
Reflective Light Valve (RLV) with laser light (DLP, LCoS, MEMS, LED, etc.)
Full color red >635 nm. X X X X X X
Infinite focus X X X X ? implies infinite focus
Polarized Coherent (3D) X X X X X X
Reflective Light Valve LCOS MEMS LCoS DLP DLP and LCoS LCoS
Expanded Laser Beam X X X X X ?
Beam directed to RLV X X X X X X
More Eye Safe: Expanded laser beams are more eye safe than a direct pointed beam. Question: Is LIPA marketing “infinite focus”? Is IMAX? Yes if they have infinite sharp images by keeping the laser’s attributes of polarization and coherence in the expanded laser beam. You cannot deliver good 3D unless you keep the laser beam attributes. LIPA does not talk about infinite focus. Instead their members state they have the most realistic 3D by using the laser attributes. Kodak’s demonstration was with polarized coherent images for better 3D sharp vivid focused images.—that is Troyer’s patented process with IF IT IS.
Troyer Note: added after seeing Red Laser Projector at NAB: HDI has just been added to the list – even though I have followed to see if there are any patents. I also have followed from beginning since I know Ed Sandberg, who was hired as a person to help set up optics when our lab was at Lexel Lasers in Fremont (Silicon Valley). Red Laser Projector has hired Ed Sandberg to design their laser projector. Ed uses LCOS – at least with HDI demonstration. Now RED states they are going to go upgrade to the 4K LCOS method. They state that this will get rid of their blurriness ( ghosting). Ed states in his resume that he worked with the military laser projectors. The group he worked with started with a very rudimentary system that was based on the Cavendish patent. The TRW military laser projector was not based on the system from QD Technology. The QD Technology (Noble, Sandberg, Nelson) was not involved further. TRW, the group holding the contracts, took over from Vizulux and ugraded the projectors so they met the rigid standards for quality images for the contract for the war room walls. When the images passed, the projectors were installed in the command and control war rooms. It took a technician always on call in each facility. The projectors ran 3 years with a 98% up time that met the stringent qualifications.
Ed Sandberg has followed our progress and knows about my patents and approach. His partner was one of my main engineers. Red/ HDI/ Ed Sandberg to not have patents to cover their basic laser projector architecture. The stereo 3D polarization for stereo images is well known to anyone in the art. It was referred to in my white papers as one possible 3D with glasses appraoch with lasers. The change from 3D stereo with arc lamps (one channel combined stereo or two channel) is that lasers are naturally polarized. In my white papers I state strongly that we believe in another approach (also covered under my patents) that is described in http://www.slideshare.net/metatroy/metaztron-holographic-z-depth-factor
Patent Charts point out when competitors advertise you patent claims— thus using your patented process.
AAXA:
The AAXA L1 v2 Laser Pico Projector is an updated version of the L1, the world’s first laser powered pocket projector. The updated design improves the performance of L1 v2 by increasing the thermal efficiency of the PCOS laser light engine. The unique three-color laser light source enables the L1 v2 to produce images with amazing color saturation that are always in focus. Designed for mobile professionals and entertainment, the AAXA L1 v2 pocket projector combines a revolutionary laser light source, proprietary despeckling technology, and an LCoS imager (reflective light valve) to achieve a 20 lumen output at 800×600 resolution without the pixilation problems found in some laser projectors.
- Manufacturer: AAXA Technologies, Inc.
- Manufacturer Website Address: http://www.aaxatech.com
- Product Name: L1 v2 LCOS Projector
- Projection Method: Front
- Lamp Type: Laser
Microvision: From promotional sheet:
With the MicroVision SHOWWX+™, the world’s first laser projector is now even brighter – our PicoP® display engine allows you to enjoy deep, rich color projection with bright and vivid laser images that are always in focus. Even on curved surfaces. We call this ‘infinite focus’.
SHOWWX+TM Laser Pico Projector Display Performance
Resolution: WVGA (848 x 480)
Brightness: 15 Lumens
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Widescreen
Focus: No user focus adjustment needed. Image in focus, even on curved surfaces
Refresh Rate: 60 Hz (nominal) (this is a raster scans)
Color Gamut: > 200% NTSC (this means that red is >635 nm. to have full color images)
Contrast Ratio: > 5,000:1 (they are scanning – could not have good contrast with flood)
Throw Ratio: 1:1 (projection distance/image diagonal)
Image size: 150 mm to 2500 mm (6 in to 100 in)
Projection Distance: 150 mm to 2500 mm (6 in to 100 in)
Regulatory: Class 2 laser product.1
Microvision Blog: http://www.microvision.com/displayground/uncategorized/moving-the-bar/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=moving-the-bar
Because our PicoP display engine uses a raster scan method to create a picture pixel by pixel, line by line, it knows at any given time where those pixels are being painted by the engine. This allows us to couple a photo detector with the engine which then can be used to track a reflective surface by tracking the XY coordinate of the light that is reflected back.
Note: Troyer has patent for laser apparatus with projector and camera (photo detector)—Feb. 14, 2012.
The camera could be a Kinect (Micorsoft).
Microvision projection: you can see the scanning lines in the video images. There is a problem with the scanning design not hitting 60 seconds per cycle as stated (60 htz). The Troyer main priority with the patented process was to design the architecture for a more eye safe model (expanded lines) and to produce good images that when photographed look like film with no visible scan lines or pixels.
Smart Internet TV Summary: Most predictors feel that Smart TV will have certain attributes: dimension real time images without glasses, wide field of view, always in focus images (infinite focus) which means ability to adjust to any curved screen or any other irregular surface automatically. Pioneer is using the Microvision method in automobiles. Intel has signed to be a partner with Microvision and sell Smart TV based on the design. Intel has decided to use the Troyer patented process for developing Smart TV. In using the Microvision process. Intel is participating in the infringement of the Troyer patents. Intel considered using the Troyer patented method in 2005 when they were attempting to do the LCoS Pico and “suitcase” projector. The small lasers were not mature enough at that time for that market.
http://www.microvision.com/displayground/tag/pioneer/ Note: Pioneer and Microvision signed a deal to use the Microvision laser light engine in new applications for the automobile: Shares in Redmond-based Microvision (NASDAQ: MVIS) soared more than 12 percent in early Wednesday trading after the deal with the Japanese company was announced, and shares finished up 7 percent, rising 12 cents to close at $1.81. MicroVision and Pioneer signed a memorandum of understanding for future manufacturing and commercial distribution of MicroVision’s PicoP-based display engines. Microvision Laser Engine: Pioneer uses the Microvision process (Troyer’s patent) for many apps. One is a car application including car window information for the driver.
Microvision History: Microvision’s progress has been interesting. They had scanning goggle patents and then they started designing with my patented claims. It took a few variations for them to figure out that they get a much brighter picture if the laser beam is in sync with the raster scan. Microvision raster scans on a MEMS reflective light valve so ghosting is not a problem. It is obvious that Light Blue Optics also figured this out that syncing the scanning of the colored laser beams with the written image (LCoS) eliminating the ghosting in fast moving images and created better contrast. Games and sports demand fast response time with their fast movement. Microvision and Light Blue Optics should have read the 1997 white paper on my web site or studied my patent drawings more carefully. It would have saved on R&D time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UfarRM0BoM
When the Microvision projector is taken apart it is found that there is one scanning line addressed to the MEMS reflective light valve that provides the modulation. The Microvision video was shot in 2008. In 2011 Intel made a deal with Microvision to sell their product and also to use the Microvision architecture for larger images. This is because laser projection that is designed according to the Troyer patented architecture shows vivid shaper, high contrast images with full color. Reading script is also more vivid than with other Pico projectors because of the Troyer patented design.
NOTE: http://www.microvision.com/displayground/tag/pioneer/
It is indicated that Intel has decided to use the Troyer patented process for developing Smart TV. In using the Microvision process Intel is participating in the infringement of the Troyer patents. Intel considered using the Troyer patented method in 2005 when they were attempting to do the LCoS Pico and “suitcase” projector. The small lasers were not mature enough at that time for that market.
Light Blue Optics
http://www.3i.com/media/press-releases/light-blue-optics-raises-us26-million-to-accelerate-development-of-laser-based-miniature-projection-systems.html
Founded in 2004, LBO has developed an innovative holographic laser projection technology that allows full color, high-quality video images to be projected onto flat or curved surfaces. LBO’s novel approach to projection delivers a unique combination of enabling features including an ultra-wide throw angle, in-built laser speckle reduction, infinite focus, low power consumption, no moving parts and a robust design that naturally lends itself to miniaturization and low cost manufacture. LBO’s patented holographic laser projection technology delivers full color, high-quality video images that remain in focus at all distances. The technology’s efficiency, small form factor, robustness and cost advantages make it ideally suited for deployment in multiple markets including automotive, digital signage and consumer electronics.
Light Blue Optics is funded by a syndicate of investors including Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH, Earlybird Venture Capital, Capital-E, NESTA, Christie Digital Systems Canada Inc., Minaik, WhiteGold Fund Management and DFJ Esprit. It raised $2.5m in 2006, $26m in 2007, $15m in 2009 and another $13m last year – $56.5m in total. On last year’s completion it said the cash raised was designed to realise a growing list of new applications for its Light Touch™ technology.
Note: the CEO and CFO have left Light Blue Optics. They realize that they are infringing on the Troyer patent; they have raised money not having the patents they claimed to cover their process. What I cannot figure out is how the backers can invest such large sums without checking the patent status?
IMAX and KODAK and BARCO http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/1222364361001/imax-ceo-on-laser-projection-patents-deal-with-kodak/
IMAX made the announcement that Barco has been chosen to be the exclusive supplier of both xenon and laser-projectors for IMAX for the next 7 years. According to the announcement, the laser projectors will incorporate technology IMAX has licensed from Kodak. Installations of Barco laser projectors at IMAX venues will begin in 2013.According to Display Daily, Barco demonstrated a laser projector with 55,000 lumens. For comparision: professional Sony SRXR320P Cinema Projector: 21,000 lumens.
http://www.kodak.com/ek/US/en/IMAX_Licenses_Exclusive_Right_to_Kodak_39_s_Next-Generation_Laser_Projection_Technology.htm
Monday, October 17, 2011
IMAX Licenses Exclusive Right to Kodak’s Next-Generation Laser Projection Technology
Groundbreaking Technology Will Enable IMAX(R) Film-Based Screens Over 80 Feet and Dome Theatres to Deliver the Highest-Quality Digital Content Available for the First Time Ever
This Kodak intellectual property is truly cutting edge, and will be used by IMAX’s esteemed Technology Group to enhance the cinematic experience for consumers, enable the application of digital technology in our larger and institutional theatres, and make being in business with IMAX even easier and more profitable,” said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond.
IMAX expects to introduce the new laser-projection technology by the second half of 2013 and that it will provide the company’s largest screen and dome customers — which have previously only had access to analog film — with a full array of digital content, which often includes Hollywood’s biggest IMAX DMR(R) titles.
“We are delighted to be licensing our technology to a company as innovative as IMAX,” said Kim Snyder, President, Entertainment Imaging, and Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company. “Because this technology produces the deepest blacks, and the brightest 3D of any system demonstrated to date, it will truly make the movies more exciting for consumers, and that creates a strong value proposition for the studios and exhibitors as well. That’s the ultimate measure of this relationship. We look forward to working with the IMAX team to make this vision a reality.”
The Kodak technology is expected to extend these efforts and allow the illumination of IMAX 80-to-100-foot screens and domes with a brightness and clarity not currently attainable in these formats. The solution will also consume less power, last longer and have a wider color gamut when compared with existing technology.
TROYER’S QUESTION: To Kodak’s Kim Snyder and to IMAX CEO Gelfond: Can you please provide the patent numbers for Kodak’s patents that cover big dome screens or Cinerama screens? I have not been able to locate them. Are they patent pending? I have found quite a few patents on the laser projector with grated light valve (GLV) that Kodak stopped using. The grating light valve breaks the coherence and polarization in the modulated laser beam. Thus you do not get good 3D or have the capacity for real time always in focus on curved screens. Also the GLV limits the brightness in the image. It is not light efficient. Sony, Evans & Sutherland and Rockwell Collins have all mothballed a similar light valve device after paying huge licensing fees: Silicon Light Machine: SLM– Sony: $30 million for entertainment. Evans & Sutherland: $10 million for domes and planetariums. Rockwell Collins: $72.5 million for simulation. Rockwell also received buildings and other property in the deal.
http://www.laserfocusworld.com/articles/print/volume-48/issue-03/features/lasers-inject-new-life-into-projection-displays.html#.T2PVJDeLTOQ.twitter
Kodak has been granted two leap frog patents, which were applied for after visiting the MetaTron Lab at Lexel Laser in the Silicon Valley in 2000 to see our demonstration (documented). One is to expand the laser beam and address a reflective light valve and reduce speckle with a special Optic. The other discusses the need for full color spectrum and added cyan but the claims are about modulating and do not cover the basic colors. The modulation layout is very general, listing all the possibilities.
We claim that the Kodak demonstration laser projector model was based on the Troyer patented architecture using the DLP (reflective light valve) and broad spectrum colors— red 635 nm or over. The images would not be full spectrum color if lower red was used. Also Kodak kept the polarization and collimating in the beam to the screen to create 3D images. The switching in polarization 3D is a known art. The various ways of achieving 3D using the attributes of lasers was discussed in the Troyer white papers provided for clients since 2002.
Suggestion: Set up a forum by those who do not want to wait another 10 years for laser projection? Evidently according to the situation so far LPA will not be holding the forums. Members pay $25,000 to join, so Pete Lude is taking care of his paid members. The forum should discuss what to do when public companies knowingly misrepresent the facts to their stock holders. IMAX is misrepresenting they have patents to cover big screens and domes and full color bright images—using lasers and a reflective light valve (DLP, LCoS, or other). It can be proven that IMAX is very aware that Troyer has the patents. Please study the Troyer patent claims to verify Troyer patent coverage.
LIPA Consortium: http://www.lipainfo.org/news.html
The main companies in this group have seen the Troyer laser projector demonstrations in her lab or on the IMAX dome: Kodak, IMAX, Sony, Dolby, NEC, Disney, and THX technology experts. Many others have seen the Metatron demonstration. It can be shown that the LIPA company members who are building laser projectors are very aware of Troyer’s patents. Is this consortium formed to protect them in their plan to infringe on the Troyer patents? These companies, when attending the MetaZtron demonstrations received white papers and specifications.
LIPA represents that they are making Laser projectors more available to audiences, but LIPA really represents a consortium that is stating they are planning on infringing on the Troyer patent process. If they follow the laser architecture they are advocating which is the most KISS___ keep it simple – streamline (Troyer’s patents).
NOTE: Troyer has informed LIPA Consortium through Pete Lude (Pete Lude—founder and chairman and with Sony). She has also received a letter back. This has been published on the Troyer blog: MetaTroy: https://metatroy.wordpress.com/
NAB 2012 session on laser TV: http://expo.nabshow.com/mynabshow2012/public/SessionDetails.aspx?FromPage=SessionDetails.aspx&SessionID=1781
Background on Troyer Patents:
https://metatroy.wordpress.com/about
Troyer Patent US 6183092 February 6, 2001
1. A laser projector comprising: laser apparatus for projecting a picture beam that includes visible laser light of wavelength about six hundred thirty-five (635) nanometers or longer; (Full color spectrum with deeper red)
a reflective liquid-crystal light valve for modulating the beam with a desired image; Troyer Note: (US patent 2006, 2012 and Canada broaden to reflective light valve with same claims)
further laser apparatus for projecting one or more picture beams that include green and blue laser light; and wherein the laser light of wavelength about 635 nanometers or longer mixes with the green and blue laser light to provide substantially pure neutral colors including pure white and pure black; wherein the further laser apparatus projects substantially cyan light with the blue and green light;
Troyer note: (add cyan which has been found to provide better color spectrum and is stated in the DCI—digital cinema initiative for best color balance—Kodak has a leapfrog patent that stressed adding cyan but does not have it in the claims.
wherein the laser light of wavelength about 635 nanometers or longer sometimes generates visible speckle when used to form a picture on a projection medium; and further comprising means for at least partly suppressing visible speckle when present in such a picture; said suppressing means comprising the combination of:
means for displacing the beam substantially as a unit, during its projection; said light of wavelength about 635 nanometers or longer; and said cyan light. Troyer note: All laser projectors need to provide full color spectrum for best image. All the laser projectors that work are using a reflective light valve for modulation.
Troyer note: This claim covers full spectrum color (using deeper red—635 nm. red- than the art was previously). Also Cyan is added which suggests also using the secondary colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan (488 nm.) Thus great blacks and whites can be created and speckle is reduced with the broad spectrum colors. Full color spectrum is created with lasers that are addressed to a reflective light valve (RLV). The claim was broadened to all RLV in US 2006 and Canadian patent: notice of allowance Feb. 28, 2011. The art before stated that orange red (610 nm.) had to be used for more brightness and to match the NTSC (TV) analog color chart. This orange red caused more speckle because of the shimmer. The claim with 635 nm. red or above thus covers full spectrum filmic color with speckle repression with a reflective light valve (RLV). All digital cinema projectors use RLV— DLP, LCoS, LED, MEMS, or any to be invented.
2. A laser projector comprising: laser apparatus for projecting a picture beam that includes visible laser light of wavelength about six hundred thirty-five (635) nanometers or longer; a reflective liquid-crystal light valve for modulating the beam with a desired image; and further laser apparatus for projecting one or more picture beams that include green and blue laser light; wherein the laser light of wavelength about 635 nanometers or longer mixes with the green and blue laser light to provide substantially pure neutral colors including pure white and pure black; and wherein the laser light of wavelength about 635 nanometers or longer sometimes generates visible speckle when used to form a picture on a projection medium; and further comprising means for at least partly suppressing visible speckle when present in such a picture; said suppressing means comprising the combination of: means for displacing the beam substantially as a unit during its projection; and said light of wavelength about 635 nanometers or longer. Troyer note: All laser projectors using the reflective light valve infringe on this claim if they have full color spectrum and are using polarized laser images. The description of means for displacing the beam substantially as a unit during its projection is explained in the patent text to full extend and in the drawings.
3. A laser projector comprising: laser apparatus for projecting a picture beam that includes visible laser light of wavelength about six hundred thirty-five (635) nanometers or longer; a reflective liquid-crystal light valve for modulating the beam with a desired image; and further laser apparatus for projecting one or more picture beams that include green and blue laser light; wherein the laser light of wavelength about 635 nanometers or longer mixes with the green and blue laser light to provide substantially pure neutral colors including pure white and pure black; and the liquid-crystal light valve is controlled by light generated substantially in response to a type of traditional broadcast video signals; and substantially no color correction or gamma adjustment is applied to remove any color-balance effect of using said 635-nanometer or longer-wavelength laser light instead of broadcast video standard red. Troyer note: All laser projectors using reflective light valve and using full color spectrum 635 nm. red and over — infringe on this claim.
4. A laser projector comprising: laser apparatus for protecting a picture beam that includes visible laser light of wavelength about six hundred thirty-five (635) nanometers or longer; and a reflective liquid-crystal light valve for modulating the beam with a desired image; wherein the laser light sometimes generates visible speckle when used to form a picture on a projection medium; and further comprising means for at least partly suppressing visible speckle when present in such a picture; said suppressing means comprising means for displacing the beam substantially as a unit during its projection.
Troyer note: 1 – 4 patent claims are independent. Troyer and experts claim that the laser projectors being built are infringing on these claims by Microvision, Light Blue Optics, Kodak, IMAX, Barco, Sony, RED. If the laser image is not delivered as a unit to the screen and is an actual laser beam—then that projector should not have FDA approval because actual individual laser beams out of the lens are dangerous to the eyes.
5. The projector of claim 4, wherein: said suppressing means further comprise said light of wavelength about 635 nanometers or longer, in combination with the displacing means.
6. The projector of claim 5: wherein the liquid-crystal light valve has a beam-modulation stage for impressing the desired image onto the beam, and a control stage to control said impressing; and further comprising: means for writing an image incrementally onto successive portions of the control stage;and means for directing the beam onto successive selected portions of the modulation stage, and for generally synchronizing the directing means with the image-writing means. Note: This is the way to do it best—as Microvision as discovered, Light Blue Optics, AXXA, and Kodak discovered with their demonstration laser projector.
7. A laser projector comprising: laser apparatus for protecting a picture beam that includes visible laser light of wavelength about six hundred thirty-five (635) nanometers or longer; a reflective liquid-crystal light valve for modulating the beam with a desired image; wherein the liquid-crystal light valve has a beam-modulation stage for impressing the desired image onto the beam, and a control stage to control said impressing; means for writing an image incrementally onto successive portions of the control stage; and means for directing the beam onto successive selected portions of the modulation stage, and for generally synchronizing the directing means with the image-writing means.
Note: The infringers will find if they synchronize the laser expanded beam with the image information that they will get rid of the blurring—ghosting—even with a LCoS or other liquid crystal device. Also the contrast is much higher, because a flood of the laser beam is not bleeding into the black (reduces contrast). The goal is for the best image that looks like film. Thus no blurring (ghosting), high contrast and full color vivid sharp images.
8. A laser projector for use in forming an image on an irregular projection medium having portions at distinctly different distances from the projectors said projector comprising laser apparatus for projecting a picture beam that includes visible laser light of wavelength about six hundred thirty-five (635) nanometers or longer; a reflective liquid-crystal light valve for modulating the beam with a desired image; wherein the liquid-crystal light valve operates by introducing at least partial disruption of the laser-light coherence; and means for projecting the picture beam onto such irregular projection medium to form an image that appears substantially sharp on said portions of distinctly different distances, notwithstanding said at least partial disruption of coherence.
Note: any laser projector that uses a reflective light valve and lasers and has infinite sharpness and good polarized 3D images uses this method that was discovered by Troyer and patented. Before laser projectors had infinite focus but were using the AOM (acoustic optic modulation) for modulating the image. That was dangerous to the eyes because a flying spot scan was used, directing laser beams out of the lens. Also the AOM approach, like the grated light valve approach (Kodak) was not light efficient. Brightness was reduced on the screen.
9. A laser projector comprising: laser apparatus for projecting along a path a picture beam that includes laser light which sometimes generates visible speckle when used to form a picture on a projection medium, said path having an axis; and means for at least partly suppressing visible speckle when in such a picture; and the suppressing means comprising means for displacing the axis of the path during projection of the beam.
10. A laser projector comprising: laser apparatus for protecting along a path a picture beam that includes laser light which sometimes generates visible speckle when used to form a picture on a projection medium; means for at least Partly suppressing visible speckle when in such a picture; the suppressing means comprising means for displacing the path during projection of the beam; and a liquid-crystal light valve having a beam-modulation stage for impressing an image onto the beam; and wherein: the displacing means scan the beam over the beam-modulation stage during said projection.
11. The projector of claim 10, wherein: the displacing means comprise an optical deflecting element mounted for mechanical rotation.
12. The projector of claim 11, wherein: the deflecting means comprise an optical deflecting element mounted for mechanical rotation.
13. The projector of claim 12, wherein: the deflecting element comprises a mirror mounted on a galvanometer or motor.
14. The projector of claim 13, wherein: the mirror is mounted for rotation about an axis substantially in a reflective surface of the mirror.
15. The projector of claim 10: the light valve also having a control stage to control said impressing; and further comprising: means for writing an image incrementally onto successive portions of the control stage; and means for controlling the displacing means to direct the beam onto successive selected portions of the modulation stage, and to generally synchronize the beam with the image-writing means. Note: broadens the laser address to portions of the modulation stage instead of just scanning.
16. The projector of claim 15, wherein: the control stage is a photosensitive stage that receives an incrementally written optical image. Note: control stage is a camera.
17. The projector of claim 15, wherein: the control stage comprises an electrode matrix that receives incrementally written electrical voltages.
18. The projector of claim 10, for use in forming an image on an irregular projection medium having portions at distinctly different distances from the projector, wherein: the displacing means are substantially nondiffusing; and the liquid-crystal light valve operates by introducing at least partial disruption of the laser-light coherence; and further comprising: means for projecting the picture beam onto such irregular projection medium to form an image that appears substantially sharp on said portions of distinctly different distances, notwithstanding said at least partial disruption of coherence.
19. The projector of claim 9, wherein: the displacing means are substantially lossless, to within one percent of beam intensity.
20. A laser projector comprising: laser apparatus for projecting along a Path a picture beam that includes laser light which sometimes generates visible speckle when used to form a picture on a projection medium; means for at least partly suppressing visible speckle when in such a picture; the suppressing means comprising means for displacing the path during projection of the beam; and beam-expansion means; and wherein the displacing means and beam-expansion means cooperate to achieve a net gain in light-energy efficiency.
Note: Independent claim: This is a claim that does not state liquid crystal light valve or scanning laser beams. This claim explains how eye safety and light efficiency (brightness) is kept by using beam expansion. All mentioned laser projectors use beam expansion, including the parallel flood approach that the LIPA Consortium (Sony, IMAX, NEC, Barco, Christies etc.) is suggesting is the best approach.
21. The projector of claim 20, wherein: the gain in efficiency approaches approximately fifty-six percent, in comparison with masking off original circular edges of the laser beam.
22. The projector of claim 20, wherein: projection-surface aspect ratio of four to three, the gain in efficiency is approximately sixty-four percent, compared to masking off original circular beam edges.
23. The projector of claim 20, wherein: for a projection-surface aspect ratio of sixteen to nine, the gain in efficiency approaches approximately eighty-five percent, in comparison with masking off original circular edges of the laser beam.
24. The projector of claim 20, wherein: the displacing means and beam-expansion means also cooperate to substantially eliminate initial nonuniformity of brightness in the beam.
25. The projector of claim 9, wherein: the laser apparatus comprises one or more lasers; and every laser in the laser apparatus is exclusively a solid-state laser.
26. The projector of claim 9, wherein: said projection medium has a shape; the laser apparatus comprises optical means for shaping the picture beam to a cross-sectional shape shallower than the shape of said projection medium; and the displacing means also shift the picture beam on the projection medium, during said projection.
27. The projector of claim 26, wherein the optical means are selected from the group consisting of:
plural lenses in series for adjusting the beam dimension in two substantially perpendicular directions; and a curved mirror that forms part of the displacing means.
28. The projector of claim 26, further comprising: a liquid-crystal light valve having a beam-modulation stage for impressing an image onto the beam, said modulation stage having a cross-sectional shape; and wherein: the displacing means comprise a curved mirror that shapes the picture beam to a cross-sectional shape shallower than the cross-sectional shape of said modulation stage; and said curved mirror is mounted in a galvanometer movement or motor, to scan the shaped beam over said modulation stage.
29. A laser projector comprising: laser apparatus for forming a picture beam that includes laser light;
said laser apparatus producing an initially substantially circular laser-light beam subject to nonuniform illumination; means for transmitting a beam out of the projector for viewing by an audience as images on a substantiallyrectangular viewing screen that has a shape; and means for forming an illuminated image on the substantially rectangular viewing screen by using the circular laser-light beam without masking off significant fractions of the laser-light beam; said illuminated-image-forming means comprising: means for reshaping the initially circular laser-light beam to a laser-light beam of shallower shape than said shape of the substantially rectangular viewing screen, and means for scanning the reshaped laser-light beam over the screen.
30. The projector of claim 29, further comprising: means for minimizing the influence of nonuniformity of illumination in the initially substantially circular laser-light beam; said minimizing means comprising said reshaping and scanning means; wherein the reshaping and scanning means cause said nonuniformity to at least partially average out.
31. The projector of claim 29, wherein: the reshaping means introduce additional illumination nonuniformity along the width of the shallow, wide laser-light beam; and the illuminated-image-forming means further comprise means for compensating for the additional illumination nonuniformity.
32. A laser projection system for forming an image on an irregular Projection medium having portions at distinctly differing distances from the projector; said system comprising: laser apparatus for projecting a picture beam that includes laser light; a liquid-crystal light valve for impressing an image onto the beam; and means for projecting the beam from the light valve, with said impressed image, onto such irregular projection medium; wherein the liquid-crystal light valve operates by partial disruption of laser-light coherence in the beam; and further comprising means for, notwithstanding said partial disruption of coherence, causing image to appear sharp on said projection-medium portions of differing distances.
33. The system of claim 32, wherein: the image appears substantially evenly illuminated, except where light is distributed over a receding surface.
34. A laser projection system for forming an image on an irregular projection medium which comprises a curved screen or dome having an image-receiving area that has a shape and that has portions at distinctly differing distances from the projector; said system comprising: laser apparatus for projecting a picture beam that includes laser light; a liquid-crystal light valve for impressing an image onto the beam; and means for projecting the beam from the light valve, with said impressed image, onto such irregular projection medium; and wherein the laser apparatus comprises means for shaping the beam to have a cross-sectional shape shallower than the shape of such image-receiving area, and means for scanning the beam on such irregular projection medium; and the beam at such irregular projection medium is substantially uniform in distribution across its cross-section.
Note: Light Blue Optics and AXXA use liquid crystal light valve. Microvision uses a MEMS reflective light valve. Kodak/ IMAX and Barco use the DLP (MEMS) reflective light valve. They are attempting to do a parallel projection method—placing all laser diode lines in parallel and sending a flood on the screen. The contrast will be reduced with the parallel static flood approach compared to the scanning or slot approach. It is almost impossible to keep evenly distributed light over the whole surface of combined parallel lines. It is not known how effective the polarization and collimation combined parallel static image will be for creating non artifact evenly distributed images or for retaining the infinite focus polarized collimated images for best 3D.
Troyer Patent US 6910774 June 28, 2005
Claims:
These are much the same as the 2001 patent, but it is stated that all the color can be in one light valve or separate.
1. A laser projector comprising: laser apparatus for projecting a picture beam that includes visible laser light of wavelength equal to six hundred thirty-five (635) nanometers or longer; and a reflective liquid-crystal light valve for modulating the beam with a desired image.
TROYER NOTE: the June 6, 2006 patent claims (divisional) and Canadian patent claims (Feb. 29, 2011) broaden the patent claims to reflective light valve (RLV) any including LCOS, DLP. MEMS, LED, OLED or any to be invented. This patent claim does not use scanning as a solution. It is kept open for any laser beam address.
2. The projector of claim 1, wherein: light that appears red in the beam comprises substantially only said laser light of wavelength equal to 635 nanometers or longer.
3. The projector of claim 2, further comprising: means for also incorporating blue and green laser light into the picture beam; and separate, additional reflective liquid-crystal light valves for modulating the blue and green light respectively.
4. The projector of claim 2, wherein: said light valve also receives blue and green laser light for modulation, within the same light valve.
5. The projector of claim 2, further comprising: means for scanning the beam across a face of the light valve during projection of each image, rather than flooding the entire face substantially simultaneously.
6. The projector of claim 5, further comprising: means for also incorporating blue and green laser light into the picture beam; and separate, additional reflective liquid-crystal light valves for modulating the blue and green light respectively.
7. The projector of claim 2, wherein: said light valve also receives blue and green laser light for modulation, within the same light valve.
8. The projector of claim 5, wherein: the laser apparatus comprises no solid-state lasers, but rather exclusively lasers of gas type.
9. The projector of claim 2, wherein: the laser apparatus comprises no solid-state lasers, but rather exclusively lasers of gas type.
10. The projector of claim 1, further comprising: further laser apparatus for projecting one or more beams that include green and blue laser light; and wherein the laser light of wavelength equal to 635 nanometers or longer mixes with the green and blue laser light to provide substantially pure neutral colors including pure white and pure black.
11. The projector of claim 10, further comprising: means for receiving high-bandwidth red, green and blue computer-monitor signals from a computer; wherein the projector serves as a high-color-fidelity computer monitor.
12. The projector of claim 10, wherein: the liquid-crystal light valve is not controlled by light derived from traditional broadcast video signals.
13. The projector of claim 12, wherein the liquid-crystal light valve is controlled by light or control signals applied to the valve by writing onto a control stage of the valve: a vector, bitmap or other computer file scanned from an image or generated in a computer, or amplitude-modulated laser-diode illuminationswept dimensionally across the control stage, or images from a small transmissive liquid-crystal display modulator, in turn written by signals not derived from traditional broadcast video signals, or other entire frames without interlace, or motion-picture film color separations, or a still image from a slide or overhead-projection transparency, or a color separation made therefrom, or a live image optically coupled, without electronic intermediary, to the control stage.
14. A laser projector comprising: laser apparatus for projecting a picture beam that includes visible laser light of wavelength about six hundred thirty-five (635) nanometers or longer; and a reflective liquid-crystal light valve for modulating the beam with a desired image; and wherein: light that appears red in the beam comprises substantially only said laser light of wavelength about 635 nanometers or longer: the laser apparatus comprises solid-state lasers; and said apparatus projects a beam in which light that appears red is of wavelength between about 635 and 650 nanometers.
15. A laser projector comprising: laser apparatus for projecting a picture beam that includes visible laser light of wavelength about six hundred thirty-five (635) nanometers or longer; and a reflective liquid-crystal light valve for modulating the beam with a desired image; and wherein: said apparatus projects a beam in which light that appears red is of wavelength substantially 647 nanometers.
16. The projector of claim 15, wherein: the image is a moving picture.
17. A laser projector comprising: laser apparatus for projecting a picture beam that includes visible laser light of wavelength about six hundred thirty-five (635) nanometers or longer; a reflective liquid-crystal light valve for modulating the beam with a desired image; and further laser apparatus for projecting one or more beams that include green and blue laser light; wherein the laser light of wavelength about 635 nanometers or longer mixes with the green and blue laser light to provide substantially pure neutral colors including pure white and pure black; and the further laser apparatus projects substantially cyan native laser light with the blue or green light, or both.
18. The projector of claim 10, wherein: the first-mentioned laser apparatus and the further laser apparatus, considered together, comprise one or more lasers; and every laser in the first-mentioned laser apparatus and the further laser apparatus is exclusively a solid-state laser.
19. The projector of claim 10, wherein: the first-mentioned laser apparatus and the further laser apparatus, considered together, comprise one or more lasers; and every laser in the first-mentioned laser apparatus and the further laser apparatus is exclusively a gas laser.
20. A laser projector comprising: laser apparatus for projecting a picture beam that includes visible laser light of wavelength about six hundred thirty-five (635) nanometers or longer; a reflective liquid-crystal light valve for modulating the beam with a desired image; and further laser apparatus for projecting one or more picture beams that include green and blue laser light; wherein the proportions of light power of the about 635-nanometers or longer-wavelength laser light, the green laser light and the blue laser light are roughly eight to six to five (8:6:5).
21. The projector of claim 10, further comprising: means for also incorporating the blue and green laser light into said picture beam; and separate, additional reflective liquid-crystal light valves for modulating the blue and green light respectively.
22. The projector of claim 10, wherein: said light valve also receives the blue and green laser light for modulation, within the same light valve.
23. A laser projection system for forming a sharp image on an irregular projection medium having portions at distinctly differing distances from the projector; said system comprising: laser apparatus for projecting a picture beam that includes laser light; a liquid-crystal light valve for impressing a sharp image onto the beam; and means for projecting the beam from the light valve, with said impressed image being displayed sharply on substantially all such portions, at distinctly different distances, of such irregular projection medium as a show for an audience.
24. The system of claim 23, wherein: the irregular projection medium comprises one or more projection media selected from the group consisting of: an interior of a dome, or other building having internal surfaces that are not generally normal to a projection direction, an exterior of a dome, sculpture, monument, or other structure having external surfaces that are not generally normal to a projection direction, a waterfall, a water fountain, fog or a cloud, ice, a scrim in front of a curtain or screen, a plurality of scrims in optical series, one or more trees, grass, vines or other foliage, a hillside or other landscape, or other receding surface, and an array of people or other animals or other discrete objects, or combinations thereof, at diverse distances from the projecting means; and the projecting means display a protracted show on the one or more projection media, for the audience.
25. The system of claim 24, further comprising: such irregular projection medium.
26. The system of claim 23, further comprising: such irregular projection medium.
27. The system of claim 23, wherein: the laser apparatus comprises one or more lasers; and every laser in the laser apparatus is exclusively a solid-state laser.
28. The projector of claim 24: wherein the laser apparatus projects red laser light in the picture beam; and the light valve impresses red components of an image onto the red laser light; and further comprising: means for also incorporating blue and green laser light into the picture beam, and separate, additional liquid-crystal light valves for respectively impressing blue and green components of the image onto the blue and green light.
29. The projector of claim 24, wherein: said light valve receives laser light components of three respective colors and impresses corresponding color components of the image onto the three respective light components, respectively, all within the same light valve.
30. A laser projection system for forming an image on an irregular projection medium having portions at distinctly differing distances from the projector; said system comprising: laser apparatus for projecting a picture beam that includes laser light; a liquid-crystal light valve for impressing an image onto the beam; and means for projecting the beam from the light valve, with said impressed image, onto such irregular projection medium to form a substantially sharp image on such medium at such distinctly differing distances.
31. The system of claim 30, wherein: the irregular projection medium comprises one or more projection media selected from the group consisting of: an interior of a dome, or other building having internal surfaces that are not generally normal to a projection direction, an exterior of a dome, sculpture, monument, or other structure having external surfaces that are not generally normal to a projection direction, a waterfall, a water fountain, fog or a cloud, ice, a scrim in front of a curtain or screen, a plurality of scrims in optical series, one or more trees, grass, vines or other foliage, a hillside or other landscape, or other receding surface, and an array of people or other animals or other discrete objects, or combinations thereof, at diverse distances from the projecting means; and the projection means form the substantially sharp image on substantially each element of the selected one or more media.
32. A laser projector comprising: laser apparatus for projecting a picture beam that includes visible laser light of wavelength longer than 640 nanometers; and a reflective liquid-crystal light valve for modulating the beam with a desired image.
33. The projector of claim 32, wherein: said apparatus projects a beam of wavelength substantially 647 nanometers.
34. The projector of claim 32: wherein the light valve impresses red components of an image onto the laser light of wavelength longer than 640 nanometers; and further comprising: means for also incorporating blue and green laser light into the picture beam, and separate, additional liquid-crystal light valves for respectively impressing blue and green components of the image onto the blue and green light.
35. The projector of claim 32, wherein: said light valve receives laser light components of three respective colors and impresses corresponding color components of the image onto the three respective light components, respectively, all within the same light valve.
| Troyer Patent June 6, 2006 US 7055957This patent can be licensed separately. The claims broadens to all reflective light valves |
have the broader view with
valve—which includes all RLV – LCoS, DLP, MEMS, LED, etc.
|
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7055957.html
http://www.google.com/patents/US7055957
Claim:
1. A laser projector comprising: laser apparatus for projecting a picture beam that includes exclusively laser light of wavelength about six hundred thirty-five (635) nanometers or longer; a reflective light valve having a beam-modulation stage for impressing an image onto the exclusively laser-light beam, and having a control stage, distinct from the beam-modulation stage, to control said impressing; means for writing an image incrementally onto successive generally slot-shaped portions of the control stage; and means for directing the exclusively laser-light beam onto successive selected generally slot-shaped portions of the modulation stage, and for generally synchronizing the exclusively laser-light beam with the image-writing means;wherein the laser apparatus initially projects the exclusively laser-light picture beam having substantially all rays substantially parallel to a common optical axis, with substantially no ray crossing the optical axis or otherwise passing through the center of any aperture stop; wherein the projector therefore has no telecentric zone; and the exclusively laser-light picture beam is not focused at or near the directing means or the modulation stage, or elsewhere within the laser projector.
2. The projector of claim 1, wherein: the reflective light valve includes a substantially distinct spatial portion for modulation of each distinct spatial portion of the exclusively laser-light beam, respectively.
3. The projector of claim 2, wherein: the projected beam has a cross-section that is substantially uniform in intensity rather than having a Gaussian intensity distribution.
4. The projector of claim 3, wherein: substantially the entire cross-section of the exclusively laser-light beam, with negligible masking, is directed onto said successive selected portions of modulation stage.
5. The projector of claim 1, wherein: substantially each control-stage portion has a substantially corresponding modulation-stage portion; and the directing-and-synchronizing means generally synchronize selection of modulation-stage portions with writing at corresponding successive control-stage portions, subject to a delay generally equal to rise time in the modulation stage.
6. The projector of claim 1, wherein: the directing means comprise a curved mirror that shapes the picture beam to a shallow cross-section; and said curved mirror is mounted in a galvanometer movement or motor, to scan the shaped beam across said modulation stage.
7. The projector of claim 1, wherein: the directing means comprise a curved mirror that shapes the picture beam to a shallow cross-section; and said curved mirror is mounted to a rotating disc for scanning the shaped beam across said modulation stage.
8. The projector of claim 1, further comprising: means for reflecting the beam from the directing means into the beam-modulation stage and for transmitting the beam, after return from the beam-modulation stage, to form a picture on a projection medium; and wherein: the laser apparatus is generally disposed on a first level; the light valve, writing means, and reflecting-and-transmitting means are generally disposed on a second level above or below the first level; and the directing means also transfer the beam from the first level to the second level.
9. The projector of claim 8, wherein: the directing means turn the beam from a path generally associated with the first level to propagate in a direction generally perpendicular to that path, toward the second level.
10. The laser projector of claim 1 wherein the laser light is a substantially white laser beam comprised of amplitude-modulated color imaging information; wherein the substantially white laser light is formed by the combination of a red laser beam having a laser light of wavelength of about 635 nanometers or longer, and laser beam of blue and green wavelengths so that the white light contains a full color spectrum.
11. The laser projector of claim 10 wherein the substantially white laser light further comprises at least one additional laser beam; said additional laser beam having a wavelength of about 488 nanometers
Troyer Note: This claim suggests that the secondary colors are included with the red, blue and green. Secondary colors are yellow, magenta, and cyan (488 nm).
12. The projector of claim 1, further comprising: means for reflecting the laser light beam from the directing means into the beam-modulation stage and for transmitting the beam, after return from the beam-modulation stage; means to form a sharp in focus picture on an irregular projection medium;; wherein the laser apparatus is generally disposed on a first level and the light valve, writing means, and reflecting-and-transmitting means are generally disposed on a second level.
Troyer Note: means dome, simulation, curved screen or irregular screen like water screen, balloon, sculpture having portions at distinctly different distances from the projector
13. The projector of claim 1, further comprising: means for reflecting the beam from the directing means into the beam-modulation stage and for transmitting the beam after return from the beam-modulation stage, means to form a sharp in focus picture on an irregular projection medium; having portions at distinctly different distances from the projector; and wherein the laser apparatus generally retains the collimation and the spatial modulation is preserved in the propagating laser beam.
Troyer Note: This is the magic that makes possible always in focus sharp images on domes and with simulation—also this makes possible the 2D to 3D in the fact that the sharp spatially modulated images that are always in focus create automatic depth in curved space or with volume flat screens.
14. The laser projector of claim 1, further comprising a means of preserving the pseudo collimation (non-crossing rays) of the laser beams to form a sharp image on an irregular projection medium having portions at distinctly differing distance from the laser apparatus. Troyer Note: Dome half screen, Cinerama, Simulation, CAVE/ HIVE—holographic immersive virtual environments.
Troyer US Patent February 14, 2012 8113660
Projector and Camera with Dimensional Sharp Full Spectrum Color Dimensional Images
IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
Applicant: Diane Troyer
Invention: Laser Projection Apparatus with LIQUID-CRYSTAL LIGHT VALVES
AND SCANNING READING BEAM
February 14, 2012
Serial No: 8113660
Filed: 04/20/2006
Group Art Unit: 2878
Examiner: WILLIAM C. DOWLING
- A laser apparatus (projector) comprising:
a camera having an image sensor for gathering an image;
a laser modulator for receiving a signal from the image sensor then projecting the
image as a picture beam, wherein the beam that is projected includes visible laser light
having a wavelength of 635 nanometers red or longer;
a reflective light valve for modulating the beam; and
means for addressing the laser beam on the face of the light valve during projection
of said desired image;
wherein the projector produces collimated spatially modulated laser beams that
produce sharp images with depth.
2. The laser apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the camera has a means for providing depth enhancement scalability and means
to separate the visible light into red, green and blue color information.
- The laser apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:
means for incorporating blue and green laser light into the picture beam and separate
additional reflective light valves for modulating the blue and green light
respectively.
- The laser apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
said reflective light valve also receives blue and green laser light for modulation.
- The laser apparatus for claim 1, wherein said reflective light valve is a liquid-crystal reflective light valve.
- The 1aser apparatus for claim 1, wherein:
the beams also include green and blue laser light and
wherein the laser light of wavelength equal to 635 nanometers or longer mixes
with the green and blue laser light to provide substantially pure neutral colors
including pure white and pure black.
- The laser apparatus for claim 6, wherein:
the laser projector is adapted to project substantially
cyan colored light with the blue light and the green light.
- The 1aser apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the laser projector projects purple, magenta, and deep honey.
- The laser apparatus of claim 8, wherein:
collimation is retained in the laser beams, thus the spatial modulation is
preserved in the propagating laser beam producing infinite sharp dimensional colored
images.
- The1aser apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:
means for at least partly suppressing visible speckle in a picture formed by said
laser light on a projection medium.
- The1aser apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
means for providing sharp high-bandwidth depth red,
green and blue computer-monitor signals from a computer;
wherein the projector serves as a high-color-fidelity computer monitor.
- The1aser apparatus of claim 1 wherein:
the reflective light valve is controlled by light and control signals applied to the
reflective light valve from the camera captured images
wherein the reflective light valve is controlled by light and control signals from
film, slide images. transparencies. electronically based media and video, direct live
images, LCOS, OLED, DLP, and LED.
- The1aser apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
reflective light valve is controlled by light and control signals of a multi-phase or multi-field imaging system.
- The laser apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
reflective light valve is controlled by light and control signals from camera capture of a live image of a stage performer and is amplified on a big screen.
- The laser apparatus of claim 1, wherein the
reflective light valve is controlled by signals from a live image or hologram optically
coupled, without electronic intermediary.
- A laser apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reflective light valve is controlled by signals sent from one or more of the following devices: microscope, telescope, MRI, endoscope.
- The laser apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the light valve has a beam-modulation stage for impressing the desired image
onto the beam, and a control stage to control said impressing; and
the projector further comprises:
means for writing an image incrementally onto successive portions of the
control stage; and
means for directing the beam onto successive selected portions of the
modulation stage, and means for generally synchronizing the directing
means with the image-writing means.
- The laser apparatus of claim 1, for wherein:
forming an image on an irregular projection medium having portions at distinctly
different distances from the projector wherein:
the light valve operates by introducing
at least partial disruption of the laser light coherence; and comprising
means for amplifying the camera picture onto such irregular projection
medium to form a dimensional image that appears substantially sharp on said portions
of distinctly different distances.
- The laser apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the beam delivers full spectrum colored dimension
images that amplify and correlate to the camera information,
and form moving pictures that automatically adjust to a shaped screen.
- A laser projector system for forming amplified enhanced imagines with infinite sharp depth for laser
projection in curved space, said system comprising:
a camera having image enhancement capabilities;
a laser projector in communication with the camera for projecting a
spatial modulated full color picture beam that includes laser light;
the laser projector having a reflective light valve for impressing a sharp
image onto the beam; means for directing the beam to the face of the light valve during
projection of a spatial modulated picture beam.
- A laser projector system of 20, wherein the laser projector is adapted to project the spatial modulated full color dimensional picture beam on convex or concave screens and CAVE;
at diverse distances from the projecting means; and the projecting means
displays a protracted show with sharp dimensional images on the one or more
projection media including interior or exterior staging scrims for opera, performance, TV stages,
CAVE, HIVE- holographic immersive virtual environments
- The laser projector system of claim 20 wherein: the image is delivered to the camera through optically switched images or optically multi-dimensional imaging.
- The laser projector system of claim 20 wherein: the camera is adapted to receive images from a microscope,
telescope, endoscope, MIR, testing instrument.
- The laser projector system of claim 20 wherein a direct image is transmitted to the laser projector by CID, CCD, MEMS, LED, DLP, LCOS, OLED, or other device that provides imaging information.
- A laser projector comprising:
a laser apparatus for projecting a picture beam;
a reflective light valve having a camera control stage that is addressed by low
power amplified-modulated lasers;
means to scan modulated lasers with multiple axis;
said laser projector has a beam- modulation stage for imprinting images onto
colored lasers, the laser color including having a wavelength of 635 nanometers or longer;
means to scan the colored beams retaining the infinite depth of sharpness of the
projected image;
wherein the laser beams are substantially parallel rays, and retain the inherent
polarization and collimation of the laser beam.
- The laser projector of claim 25 further comprising means for scanning
collimated reading beams in sync with the writing information.
- The laser projector of claim 25 having increased resolution:
wherein the reflective light valve has a writing control stage;
means to deliver multiple imaging defining devices; and
mean for combining the imaging defining devices to deliver imaging information.
Troyer Canadian Patent 2,372, 833 given allowance Feb. 28, 2011
Troyer Note: Canadian Application 2,372,833 given notice of allowance. The Canadian patent office is very thorough – and looks at all prior art. This is strong validation of the India and Mexican patents and also the 4 USA patents. Canada claims are broad covering all reflective light valves. This patent claims reflective light valves and pretty much uses a combination of claims in the USA patents.
Presented by Diane Troyer; 818-795-2407 (mobile); 319-512-1009 (office)
Metatronvision@gmail.com Twitter and blog: metatroy
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