APPARATUS, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR TRANSVERSE WAVEGUIDED DISPLAY SYSTEM

• US 20050201704A1
• Filed: 02/11/2005
• Published: 09/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ST Synergy Limited (Hydrix Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Panorama Flat Limited
• Inventors: Ellwood, Sutherland Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,254,287 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/129
• CPC Class Codes: D03D 25/005 Three-dimensional woven fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2401/20 optical
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/06 the relative position of the fibres being the same at both ends, e.g. for transporting images
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/08 with fibre bundle in form of plate
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/011 in optical waveguides, not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0115 in optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/095 in an optical waveguide structure
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/32 Photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/12 spatial light modulator
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/48 Variable attenuator
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/74 Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/12 Picture reproducers H04N9/11 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus and method for a switch for a radiation signal. The switch includes a first waveguiding channel having a guiding region and one or more bounding regions coupled to the guiding region, the first waveguiding channel including a first lateral guiding port in a portion of the bounding regions, the lateral guiding port responsive to an attribute of radiation propagating in the channel to selectively pass a portion of the radiation therethrough; and an influencer, coupled to the first waveguiding channel, for controlling the attribute of the radiation. A method of operating the switch includes: a) propagating the radiation signal in a first waveguiding channel having a guiding region and one or more bounding regions coupled to the guiding region, the first waveguiding channel including a first lateral guiding port in a portion of the bounding regions, the lateral guiding port responsive to an attribute of radiation propagating in the channel to selectively pass a portion of the radiation therethrough; and b) influencing the radiation signal in a portion of the guiding region to control the attribute wherein a first value of the attribute passes a first amplitude for the radiation signal and a second value of the attribute passes a second amplitude for the radiation signal.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a first waveguiding channel having a guiding region and one or more bounding regions coupled to said guiding region, said first waveguiding channel including a first lateral guiding port in a portion of said bounding regions, said lateral guiding port responsive to an attribute of radiation propagating in said channel to selectively pass a portion of said radiation therethrough; and

an influencer, coupled to said first waveguiding channel, for controlling said attribute of said radiation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said attribute is a polarization direction of said radiation.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said lateral guiding port includes a polarization analyzer in said one or more bounding region.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said lateral guiding port includes a graded index (GRIN) lens.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said waveguiding channel is a flexible waveguiding channel.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said influencer includes a magnetic-field-generating system for controlling said polarization direction.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a second waveguiding channel having a guiding region and one or more bounding regions coupled to said guiding region of said second waveguiding channel, said second waveguiding channel including a second lateral guiding port in a portion of said bounding regions of said second waveguiding channel proximate said first lateral guiding port, said second lateral guiding port responsive to said attribute of said radiation propagating in said first waveguiding channel to selectively pass a portion of said radiation therethrough from said first channel to said second channel.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said attribute is a polarization direction of said radiation.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said lateral guiding ports include a polarization analyzer in said one or more bounding regions of each said channel.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said lateral guiding ports each include a graded index (GRIN) lens.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said waveguiding channels each include a flexible waveguiding channel.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said influencer includes a magnetic-field-generating system for controlling said polarization direction.

13. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a loss-reduction material disposed around said first waveguiding channel and said second waveguiding channel proximate a location of said proximation of said first lateral guiding port and said lateral guiding port.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radiation propagates along a transmission axis of said guiding region from said influencer to said first lateral guiding port, said apparatus further comprising

a polarizer region and a polarizer analyzer region disposed in said guiding region past said first lateral guiding port;

and

a second influencer for controlling said attribute of said radiation in said guiding region between said polarizer region and said polarizer analyzer region.

15. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said radiation propagates along a transmission axis of said guiding region from said influencer to said first lateral guiding port, said apparatus further comprising

a polarizer region and a polarizer analyzer region disposed in said guiding region of said first waveguiding channel past said first lateral guiding port;

and

a second influencer for controlling said attribute of said radiation in said guiding region between said polarizer region and said polarizer analyzer region.

16. A manufacturing method, the method comprising:

a) forming a first waveguiding channel having a guiding region and one or more bounding regions coupled to said guiding region, said first waveguiding channel including a first lateral guiding port in a portion of said bounding regions, said lateral guiding port responsive to an attribute of radiation propagating in said channel to selectively pass a portion of said radiation therethrough; and

b) disposing an influencer proximate to said first waveguiding channel for controlling said attribute of said radiation responsive to a control signal.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said attribute is a polarization direction of said radiation.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said lateral guiding port includes a polarization analyzer in said one or more bounding region.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said lateral guiding port includes a graded index (GRIN) lens.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein said waveguiding channel is a flexible waveguiding channel.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein said influencer includes a magnetic-field-generating system for controlling said polarization direction.

22. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

c) forming a second waveguiding channel having a guiding region and one or more bounding regions coupled to said guiding region of said second waveguiding channel, said second waveguiding channel including a second lateral guiding port in a portion of said bounding regions of said second waveguiding channel, said second lateral guiding port responsive to said attribute of said radiation propagating in said first waveguiding channel to selectively pass a portion of said radiation therethrough from said first channel to said second channel; and

d) disposing said second waveguiding channel proximate to said first waveguiding channel so that said lateral guiding ports are communicated to each other permitting said radiation propagating in said first waveguiding channel to enter said second waveguiding channel responsive to said attribute.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said attribute is a polarization direction of said radiation.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein said lateral guiding ports include a polarization analyzer in said one or more bounding regions of each said channel.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein said lateral guiding ports each include a graded index (GRIN) lens.

26. The method of claim 22 wherein said waveguiding channels each include a flexible waveguiding channel.

27. The method of claim 23 wherein said influencer includes a magnetic-field-generating system for controlling said polarization direction.

28. The method of claim 22 further comprising a loss-reduction material disposed around said first waveguiding channel and said second waveguiding channel proximate a location of said proximation of said first lateral guiding port and said lateral guiding port.

29. The method of claim 16 wherein said radiation propagates along a transmission axis of said guiding region from said influencer to said first lateral guiding port, said method further comprising

c) disposing a polarizer region and a polarizer analyzer region in said guiding region past said first lateral guiding port;

and

d) disposing a second influencer for controlling said attribute of said radiation in said guiding region between said polarizer region and said polarizer analyzer region.

30. The method of claim 22 wherein said radiation propagates along a transmission axis of said guiding region from said influencer to said first lateral guiding port, said method further comprising

e) disposing a polarizer region and a polarizer analyzer region in said guiding region of said first waveguiding channel past said first lateral guiding port;

and

f) disposing a second influencer for controlling said attribute of said radiation in said guiding region between said polarizer region and said polarizer analyzer region.

31. A propagated signal on which is carried computer-executable instructions which when executed by a computing system performs a method, the method comprising:

a) forming a first waveguiding channel having a guiding region and one or more bounding regions coupled to said guiding region, said first waveguiding channel including a first lateral guiding port in a portion of said bounding regions, said lateral guiding port responsive to an attribute of radiation propagating in said channel to selectively pass a portion of said radiation therethrough; and

b) disposing an influencer proximate to said first waveguiding channel for controlling said attribute of said radiation responsive to a control signal.

32. The signal of claim 31 wherein said attribute is a polarization direction of said radiation.

33. The signal of claim 32 wherein said lateral guiding port includes a polarization analyzer in said one or more bounding region.

34. The signal of claim 33 wherein said lateral guiding port includes a graded index (GRIN) lens.

35. The signal of claim 31 wherein said waveguiding channel is a flexible waveguiding channel.

36. The signal of claim 32 wherein said influencer includes a magnetic-field-generating system for controlling said polarization direction.

37. The signal of claim 31 further comprising:

c) forming a second waveguiding channel having a guiding region and one or more bounding regions coupled to said guiding region of said second waveguiding channel, said second waveguiding channel including a second lateral guiding port in a portion of said bounding regions of said second waveguiding channel, said second lateral guiding port responsive to said attribute of said radiation propagating in said first waveguiding channel to selectively pass a portion of said radiation therethrough from said first channel to said second channel; and

d) disposing said second waveguiding channel proximate to said first waveguiding channel so that said lateral guiding ports are communicated to each other permitting said radiation propagating in said first waveguiding channel to enter said second waveguiding channel responsive to said attribute.

38. The signal of claim 37 wherein said attribute is a polarization direction of said radiation.

39. The signal of claim 38 wherein said lateral guiding ports include a polarization analyzer in said one or more bounding regions of each said channel.

40. The signal of claim 39 wherein said lateral guiding ports each include a graded index (GRIN) lens.

41. The signal of claim 37 wherein said waveguiding channels each include a flexible waveguiding channel.

42. The signal of claim 38 wherein said influencer includes a magnetic-field-generating system for controlling said polarization direction.

43. The signal of claim 37 further comprising a loss-reduction material disposed around said first waveguiding channel and said second waveguiding channel proximate a location of said proximation of said first lateral guiding port and said lateral guiding port.

44. The signal of claim 31 wherein said radiation propagates along a transmission axis of said guiding region from said influencer to said first lateral guiding port, said method further comprising

c) disposing a polarizer region and a polarizer analyzer region in said guiding region past said first lateral guiding port;

and

d) disposing a second influencer for controlling said attribute of said radiation in said guiding region between said polarizer region and said polarizer analyzer region.

45. The signal of claim 37 wherein said radiation propagates along a transmission axis of said guiding region from said influencer to said first lateral guiding port, said method further comprising

e) disposing a polarizer region and a polarizer analyzer region in said guiding region of said first waveguiding channel past said first lateral guiding port;

and

f) disposing a second influencer for controlling said attribute of said radiation in said guiding region between said polarizer region and said polarizer analyzer region.

46. A method of switching a radiation signal, the method comprising:

a) propagating the radiation signal in a first waveguiding channel having a guiding region and one or more bounding regions coupled to said guiding region, said first waveguiding channel including a first lateral guiding port in a portion of said bounding regions, said lateral guiding port responsive to an attribute of radiation propagating in said channel to selectively pass a portion of said radiation therethrough; and

b) influencing the radiation signal in a portion of said guiding region to control said attribute wherein a first value of said attribute passes a first amplitude for the radiation signal and a second value of said attribute passes a second amplitude for the radiation signal.

47. The method of claim 46 wherein said attribute is a polarization property for the radiation signal.

48. The method of claim 46 wherein said first amplitude is meets or is below an extinguished threshold level and wherein said second amplitude meets or surpasses an “

ON”

threshold level.

49. The method of claim 46 further comprising:

c) guiding selectively, responsive to said attribute, said influenced radiation signal between said first lateral port and a portion of said first waveguiding channel beyond said first lateral port relative to said portion of said guiding region wherein a switched portion of said radiation signal passes through said first lateral port and a continuing portion of said influenced radiation signal continues propagating in said first waveguiding channel.

50. The method of claim 49 further comprising:

d) receiving said switched portion of said influenced radiation signal in a second waveguiding channel having a guiding region and one or more bounding regions coupled to said guiding region of said second waveguiding channel, said second waveguiding channel including a second lateral guiding port in a portion of said bounding regions of said second waveguiding channel, said second lateral guiding port responsive to said attribute of said switched portion of said radiation signal to selectively pass therethrough from said first channel to said second channel.

51. The method of claim 49 further comprising:

d) influencing the continuing portion of said influenced radiation signal in a second portion of said guiding region to control said attribute of said continued radiation signal wherein a first value of said attribute for said continued radiation signal passes a first amplitude for said continued radiation signal and a second value of said attribute for said continued radiation signal passes a second amplitude for said continued radiation signal.

52. An apparatus comprising:

means for forming a first waveguiding channel having a guiding region and one or more bounding regions coupled to said guiding region, said first waveguiding channel including a first lateral guiding port in a portion of said bounding regions, said lateral guiding port responsive to an attribute of radiation propagating in said channel to selectively pass a portion of said radiation therethrough; and

means for disposing an influencer proximate to said first waveguiding channel for controlling said attribute of said radiation responsive to a control signal.

53. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium carrying program instructions for switching a radiation signal when executed using a computing system, the executed program instructions executing a method, the method comprising:

a) propagating the radiation signal in a first waveguiding channel having a guiding region and one or more bounding regions coupled to said guiding region, said first waveguiding channel including a first lateral guiding port in a portion of said bounding regions, said lateral guiding port responsive to an attribute of radiation propagating in said channel to selectively pass a portion of said radiation therethrough; and

b) influencing the radiation signal in a portion of said guiding region to control said attribute wherein a first value of said attribute passes a first amplitude for the radiation signal and a second value of said attribute passes a second amplitude for the radiation signal.