34486 results about "Grating" patented technology

A method of and apparatus for generating a multiple raster-type scanning pattern by modulating a multi-cavity laser diode in such a way that it sequentially generates different laser beams synchronously during different laser scanning cycles, while the output laser beams are directed incident upon a rotating polygonal laser scanning element. The system does not require additional moving parts beyond the rotating polygon scanning element so as to reduce complexity and simplify construction of the laser scanning mechanism.

Methods for performing a scheme that results in a refined measurement pattern within an optical grid are provided. Physically adjusting spacing of elements within an optical grid to achieve enhanced resolution is historically unfeasible, as reduction of the spacing causes light sensors of the optical grid to pick up false signals when reading light beams. Technology introduced by the present invention generates a virtual reduced spacing of the elements within the optical grid by using two signals that are slightly different. These slightly different signals can accomplish, at least, quarter-grid spacing resolution within the optical grid. Additionally, the enhanced resolution derived from the virtual reduced spacing is employed to govern movement of a motor. The motor movement is in response to one or more changes of direction such that the motor is operating in its linear range. Advantageously, the virtual reduced spacing allows for substantial movement in a non-linear phase, while only limited movement in a linear phase is necessary to locate accurately a target within the optical grid.

The present invention is directed toward a fiber optic position and shape sensing device and the method of use. The device comprises an optical fiber means. The optical fiber means comprises either at least two single core optical fibers or a multicore optical fiber having at least two fiber cores. In either case, the fiber cores are spaced apart such that mode coupling between the fiber cores is minimized. An array of fiber Bragg gratings are disposed within each fiber core and a frequency domain reflectometer is positioned in an operable relationship to the optical fiber means. In use, the device is affixed to an object. Strain on the optical fiber is measured and the strain measurements correlated to local bend measurements. Local bend measurements are integrated to determine position and / or shape of the object.

An illumination system comprises (a) a first optical element upon which a light beam impinges, where the first optical element has first raster elements that partition said light beam into light channels; (b) a second optical element that receives said light channels, where the second optical element has a second raster elements; (c) an object plane that receives said light channels via said second optical element; and (d) an exit pupil that is provided with an illumination via said object plane. The system is characterized by an assignment of a member of said first raster elements and a member of said second raster elements to each of said light channels to provide a continuous beam path from said first optical element to said object plane for each of said plurality of light channels. The assignment is changeable to provide an adjustment of said illumination in said exit pupil.

A rendering pipeline system for a computer environment uses screen space tiling (SST) to eliminate the memory bandwidth bottleneck due to frame buffer access and performs screen space tiling efficiently, while avoiding the breaking up of primitives. The system also reduces the buffering size required by SST. High quality, full-scene anti-aliasing is easily achieved because only the on-chip multi-sample memory corresponding to a single tile of the screen is needed. The invention uses a double-z scheme that decouples the scan conversion / depth-buffer processing from the more general rasterization and shading processing through a scan / z engine. The scan / z engine externally appears as a fragment generator but internally resolves visibility and allows the rest of the rendering pipeline to perform setup for only visible primitives and shade only visible fragments. The resulting reduced raster / shading requirements can lead to reduced hardware costs because one can process all parameters with generic parameter computing units instead of with dedicated parameter computing units. The invention processes both opaque and transparent geometries.

A diffractive beam expander (50) comprises an input grating (10), a crossed grating (20), and an output grating (30) implemented on a planar transparent substrate (7). The crossed grating (20) comprises a plurality of diffractive features (23) arranged along the lines of a first set of parallel lines (25) and along the lines of a second set of parallel lines (26) such that the lines (25) of the first set are parallel to the lines (26) of the second set. The lines of the first set have a first grating period and the lines of the second set have a second grating period. A light beam (B1) coupled into the substrate (7) by the input grating (10) impinges on the crossed grating (20) at a first location (EC1) and further locations (EC2). Interaction at the first location (EC1) provides several sub-beams (S00, S01, S10) which propagate in different directions. Further interactions at second locations (EC2) provide further sub-beams (V01, U10) which propagate in the same direction as the original in-coupled light (B1). Light is subsequently coupled out of the substrate (7) by the output grating (30) to provide a light beam (B2) which is expanded in two directions (SX, SZ) with respect to the beam (B0) impinging on the input grating. A virtual display device (200) may comprise said diffractive beam expander (50).