Jeremy S Lerner

US Patent:

57359881, Apr 7, 1998

Filed:

Mar 19, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/618539

Inventors:

Chiu W. Chau - Cerritos CA
Jeremy M. Lerner - Culver City CA

Assignee:

Physical Optics Corporation - Torrance CA

International Classification:

B32B 300
G02B 600

US Classification:

156209

Abstract:

Systems and methods for embedding optical elements in an optical device are described. A method includes: providing a resin layer with a replica surface topography; cutting the resin layer to form an optical element layer that includes the replica surface topography; coating the replica surface topography with a layer; providing a substrate having a substrate refractive index; and connecting the layer to the substrate with an index matching material having a matching refractive index that is substantially equal to the substrate refractive index. The systems and methods provide advantages in that surface topography is replicated with enhanced overall cost effectiveness.

US Patent:

54614759, Oct 24, 1995

Filed:

Feb 2, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/191056

Inventors:

Jeremy Lerner - Culver City CA
Taiwei Lu - Torrance CA
Andrew Kostrzewski - Garden Grove CA
Hung Chou - Garden Grove CA

Assignee:

Physical Optics Corporation - Torrance CA

International Classification:

G01J 300

US Classification:

356300

Abstract:

Apparatus for analyzing a spectral signature, including: a light source; a spatial light modulator connected to the light source, the spatial light modulator modulating light from the light source in accordance with spatial features of the spectral signature; an optic system upon which modulated light from the spatial light modulator is incident, the optic system filtering the modulated light; a hologram illuminated with filtered, modulated light from the optic system, the hologram outputting an optical identification of the spectral signature; and a detector upon which the optical identification is incident, the detector detecting the optical identification.

US Patent:

58384030, Nov 17, 1998

Filed:

Feb 14, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/601133

Inventors:

Joanna L. Jannson - Torrance CA
Tomasz P. Jannson - Torrance CA
Jeremy M. Lerner - Culver City CA

Assignee:

Physical Optics Corporation - Torrance CA

International Classification:

G02F 133

US Classification:

349 65

Abstract:

Systems and methods for providing an LCD with a collimated backlight and a non-Lambertian diffuser are described. An LCD system includes: an illumination source for producing light; a collimating waveguide optically connected to the illumination source, the collimating waveguide including a top surface, an incident end and a plurality of substantially parallel optical elements for redirecting light from the incident end to, and through, the top surface, each of the plurality of substantially parallel optical elements including a first facet that is nonparallel to the top surface and a second facet that is nonparallel to the top surface; a reflector optically connected to the light source and optically connected to the collimating waveguide, the reflector (1) at least partially surrounding the illumination source, and (2) reflecting light from said illumination source to said incident end by direct reflection; a liquid crystal display optically connected to the collimating waveguide; and a non-Lambertian diffuser optically connected to the liquid crystal display for directing light from said liquid crystal display. The light from the reflector is directly incident upon the incident end. The systems and methods provide advantages in that the light from the LCD is bright and homogenous.

US Patent:

57436339, Apr 28, 1998

Filed:

Dec 27, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/579312

Inventors:

Chiu W. Chau - Buena Park CA
Jeremy M. Lerner - Culver City CA

Assignee:

Physical Optics Corporation - Torrance CA

International Classification:

E21V 504

US Classification:

362331

Abstract:

Systems and methods for illuminating bar codes are described. A bar code illuminator includes a first light source and a first light transformer optically connected to the first light source; the first light transformer including a first light shaping diffuser and a first lens optically connected to the light shaping diffuser. The systems and methods are advantageous in that a bar code illuminator is provided with a wide angle capability that may be compact and inexpensive.

US Patent:

55343864, Jul 9, 1996

Filed:

Feb 23, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/393050

Inventors:

Joel Petersen - Valley Village CA
Jeremy Lerner - Culver City CA

Assignee:

Physical Optics Corporation - Torrance CA

International Classification:

G03H 132
G02D 5132

US Classification:

430320

Abstract:

A homogenizer for incident light including: a sheet of embossable material including a one micro-sculpted surface relief structure that (i) controls the direction in which light propagates and (ii) homogenizes light with directionality has been formed by replicating in the sheet of embossable material another micro-sculpted surface structure that (i) controls the direction in which light propagates and (ii) homogenizes light with directionality, the another micro-sculpted surface structure having been formed in a photosensitive medium having a refractive index by: (a) generating random, disordered and non-planar speckle in the photosensitive medium using coherent light, the coherent light having been diffused through a holographic diffuser, so as to define non-discontinuous and smoothly varying changes in the refractive index of the photosensitive medium, the smoothly varying changes scattering collimated light into a controlled pattern with smooth brightness variation; and (b) developing the photosensitive medium. Light that is incident on and directed from the homogenizer is directed to an output area, the homogenizer controlling the direction of light that is emanating from the homogenizer to the output area so as to increase brightness in the output area relative to an area outside the output area.

US Patent:

56317549, May 20, 1997

Filed:

Oct 20, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/546026

Inventors:

Tomasz P. Jannson - Torrance CA
Tin M. Aye - Mission Viejo CA
Jeremy Lerner - Culver City CA

Assignee:

Physical Optics Corporation - Torrance CA

International Classification:

G02F 11335
G02F 11337
G02B 532

US Classification:

349 64

Abstract:

Systems and methods for shaping light from a liquid crystal display are described. A holographic high contrast viewing screen embedded in a liquid crystal display includes a first substrate; a first electrode connected to said first substrate; a light shaping holographic surface relief diffuser connected to said first electrode, said light shaping holographic surface relief diffuser having a first orientation and a first refractive index; a liquid crystal adjacent said light shaping holographic surface relief diffuser, the liquid crystal having a second refractive index that is substantially equal to the first refractive index, in the absence of a driving voltage applied to the first electrode and the second electrode; an alignment layer adjacent said liquid crystal, said alignment layer having a second orientation that is substantially orthogonal to said first orientation; a second electrode connected to said alignment layer; and a second substrate connected to said second electrode. The second refractive index varies as a function of the driving voltage, which is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode. The systems and methods provide advantages in that the field of view, including the horizontal and vertical extent, can be determined, in advance by the manufacturer.

US Patent:

59561068, Sep 21, 1999

Filed:

Feb 1, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/595307

Inventors:

Joel Petersen - Valley Village CA
Jeremy Lerner - Culver City CA

Assignee:

Physical Optics Corporation - Torrance CA

International Classification:

G02F 11335
G02H 120
G02B 532

US Classification:

349 64

Abstract:

A light source destructuring and shaping device which both homogenizes and imparts predetermined directionality to light rays emanating from a light source is disclosed. The device comprises a micro-sculpted surface structure which controls the direction in which light propagates in either reflection or transmission. The sculpted surface structure also homogenizes light propagating through it with predetermined directionality. The device may be used in an almost unlimited number of applications which require homogenization and which would benefit from being able to impart directionality to light waves propagating from a light source. These applications include existing diffuser applications and applications wherein it was not practical to use conventional diffusers. The homogenizing and shaping device achieves these benefits with very high transmission or reflection efficiency and with reduced side lobes.

US Patent:

61307300, Oct 10, 2000

Filed:

Nov 17, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/193584

Inventors:

Joanna L. Jannson - Torrance CA
Tomasz P. Jannson - Torrance CA
Jeremy M. Lerner - Culver City CA

Assignee:

Physical Optics Corporation - Torrance CA

International Classification:

G02F 11335

US Classification:

349 65

Abstract:

Systems and methods for providing an LGD with a collimated backlight and a non-Lambertian diffuser are described. An LCD system includes: an illumination source for producing light; a collimating waveguide optically connected to the illumination source, the collimating waveguide including a top surface, an incident end and a plurality of substantially parallel optical elements for redirecting light from the incident end to, and through, the top surface by total internal reflection (TR), each of the plurality of substantially parallel optical elements including a first facet that is nonparallel to the top surface and a mirrored second facet that is nonparallel to the top surface; a reflector optically connected to the light source and optically connected to the collimating waveguide, the reflector (1) at least partially surrounding the illumination source, and (2) reflecting light from said illumination source to said incident end by direct reflection; a liquid crystal display optically connected to the collimating waveguide; and a non-Lambertian diffuser optically connected to the liquid crystal display for directing light from said liquid crystal display. The light from the reflector is directly incident upon the incident end. The systems and methods provide advantages in that the light from the LCD is bright and homogenous.