Microvision patent portfolio (Part 3 : interesting patents in application)

In the US, usually it takes 3~5 years to get patent approved. For Microvision, there are 106 patents application still in the pipeline. Here is the list of patents in application that provoke my curiosity.

(1) Patent in application Serial No. 11/761908, Title : "SPATIALLY AWARE MOBILE PROJECTION"

Abstract : "A spatially aware apparatus includes a projector. Projected display contents can change based on the position, motion, or orientation of the apparatus. The apparatus may include gyroscope(s), accelerometer(s), global positioning system (GPS) receiver(s), radio receiver(s), or any other devices or interfaces that detect, or provide information relating to, motion, orientation, or position of the apparatus."

All kinds of sensors and receivers are mentioned in this patent. Motion or position or orientation of the mobile projectors is/are sensed, feed back to the processing unit, then processing unit send display data sent to the coupled mobile projector.It can be applied in scenarios such as navigation, gaming and medical practice. This is one of most important patents for the interactive projection as of today. Sounds very promising.

(2) Patent in application Serial No. 12/134731, Title : Mobile Virtual Reality Projector

Claim (A) "produce left and right display images that when combined produce a stereoscopic image; and a spatially aware processing device to cause the stereo projection apparatus to change the stereoscopic image based at least in part on movement of the stereo projection apparatus"

Claim (B) "at least one sound output device comprises a stereo output device, and the spatially aware processing device is operable to modify sound produced by the stereo output device in response to the movement of the stereo projection apparatus"

Claim (C) "at least one sound input device, wherein the processing element is operable to modify the 3D image based on received sound"

Claim (D) "at least one sensor to provide a representation of a real world object, and wherein the spatially aware processing device is operable to synthesize the representation of the real world object with a virtual world to produce the first and second display images. "

Claim (E) "at least one sensor to sense a real world object and to provide a real world object representation;a data source to provide a virtual world representation;a motion sensor;a processing element to synthesize the real world object representation and the virtual world representation in response to the motion sensor; and a three-dimensional (3D) projection apparatus to display a 3D image provided by the processing element. "

This can produce 3D images or modify sound based on the "spatially aware processing device" and sense of sound input. It can also create 3D images by synthesizing a real world object. This is an important patent in the virtual interaction with 3D projection area.

Note : This is also derived from earlier patent application such as Serial No. 11/761,908, filed Jun. 12, 2007, 11/635,799, filed on Dec. 6, 2006 and 60/742,638, filed on Dec. 6, 2005. The present patent application is related to co-pending patent application Serial No. 11/858,696, filed on Sep. 20, 2007.

(3) Patent in application Serial No. 12/866005, Title : Apparatus for Displaying 3D Images

Abstract : A 3D visualization apparatus is described based on the method of generating different horizontal light emitting directions from different screen positions. This is achieved by way of an array of scanning light source modules placed behind the screen. The scanning modules can be implemented by using an array of ID or 2D scanning modules where each one is coupled with at least one light source.

Summary: "approaching 3D displays as 2D displays that have pixels emitting different color and intensity light to different directions, is realized by using an array of scanners that images properly modulated light to the proper screen pixels on their scanning path. "

Other than other 3D display techniques such as holographic displays, volumetric displays and auto-stereoscopic displays, by addressing some of the drawbacks in the above approaches, the patent generally describes a apparatus that enables 3D displaying.

(4) Patent in application Serial No. 12/413201, Title : Two-Mirror Scanning System

Abstract : A scanning beam projection system includes a two-mirror scanning system. One mirror scans in one direction, and a second mirror scans in a second direction. A fast scan mirror receives a modulated light beam from a fold mirror and directs the modulated light beam to a slow can mirror. The fold mirror may be formed on an output optic or may be formed on a common substrate with the slow scan mirror.

This can block the competitors from avoiding the Microvision's IP portfolio by adopting 2 mirrors design.

(5) Patent in application Serial No. 09/858712, Title : System and method for using multiple beams to respectively scan multiple regions of an image

This can provides the image with a higher resolution for a given scan rate by scanning an image as multiple tiles.

(6) Patent in application Serial No. 10/361095, Title : Display system and method for reducing the magnitude of or eliminating a visual artifact caused by a shift in a viewer's gaze

This is used to reduce or eliminate the viewer's perception of a visual artifact when the viewer's gaze shifts with respect to the image.

(7) Patent in application Serial No. 12/466318, Title : Active Input Device for a Scanned Beam Display

This is used to provide an active input control device, such as a stylus pen, configured to receive information from a projection system and deliver information back to the image projection system upon receipt of information.  

Note: This application is a continuation-in-part of commonly assigned, U.S. application Ser. No. 11/967,156, filed Dec. 29, 2007, entitled, "Input Device for a Scanned Beam Display," 

(8) , Title : Three-Dimensional Display Using an Invisible Wavelength Light Source

An innovative approach to providing each eye with one of the images is four-color 3D in which one eye is presented with a full color image comprising three colors and the other eye is presented with a monochrome image comprising a fourth color. The monochrome color typically is selected to have a wavelength in the region of higher eye sensitivity, referred to as the photopic response. The fourth invisible laser light may comprise an ultraviolet (UV) or Infrared (IR) beam for exciting the photoluminescent material in the screen.


Next : Microvision patent portfolio (Part4 - Possible patents from Motorola's Symbol unit)