Steven Charles Shields

US Patent:

20090094653, Apr 9, 2009

Filed:

May 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/130853

Inventors:

Steven C. SHIELDS - Newport Beach CA, US

Assignee:

ICoach, Inc - Newport Beach CA

International Classification:

H04N 7/173

US Classification:

725109

Abstract:

A video is played simultaneously at different nodes of a distributed network. The simultaneous playing is controlled through an intermediary server, which receives playback instructions from one or more of the different nodes and then sends simultaneous playback commands each of the different nodes in response to the playback instructions. The different nodes then play the video in accordance with the playback commands.

US Patent:

56686110, Sep 16, 1997

Filed:

May 24, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/449586

Inventors:

Michael N. Ernstoff - Los Angeles CA
George C. Valley - Los Angeles CA
Steven E. Shields - San Diego CA

Assignee:

Hughes Electronics - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

H04N 574

US Classification:

348771

Abstract:

A system and technique for directing intensity modulated electromagnetic energy. The inventive system (10) includes an intensity modulated source of electromagnetic energy (12). Individual elements (22) in an array of energy directing elements (15) are activated in sync with the modulation of the energy source (12). In a particular implementation, the source (12) is a laser. The intensity of the laser is reduced during each successive field per frame. The energy directing elements (15), in this case, light directing elements, are implemented with an array of digital micromirrors. The light source (12) is modulated in intensity in accordance with a fixed modulation scheme. The mirrors (22) are selectively activated relative to the light source modulation scheme. Hence, the invention provides a gray scale output while allowing the time between mirror flips to be constant. This allows the system clocks to run synchronously and greatly simplifies the writing of data into the display as the time available for writing each bit is constant.

US Patent:

56264100, May 6, 1997

Filed:

Sep 20, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/530856

Inventors:

James M. Chambers - Carlsbad CA
Steven E. Shields - San Diego CA

Assignee:

Palomar Technologies Corporation - Carlsbad CA

International Classification:

G03B 2114

US Classification:

353 94

Abstract:

A novel rear projection screen that displays images with substantially uniform brightness over a wider field-of-view than prior rear projection screens, comprising a first diffusing assembly for diffusing the image and a second diffusing assembly for further diffusing the image from the first diffuser. In the preferred embodiment, the first and second diffusing assemblies comprise an input diffusing screen and a fiber optic array, respectively, with an output diffusing screen used at the output end of the fiber optic array. A preferred flat panel tiled display system that incorporates the present invention includes a plurality of collimated light sources, with respective liquid crystal display assemblies that impart images onto the collimated light beams. An imager images the image-bearing light beams onto the rear projection screen described above so that they are displayed in a tiled arrangement.

US Patent:

59033231, May 11, 1999

Filed:

Sep 26, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/724144

Inventors:

Michael N. Ernstoff - Los Angeles CA
George C. Valley - Los Angeles CA
Steven E. Shields - San Diego CA

Assignee:

Raytheon Company - El Segundo CA

International Classification:

H04N5/74;9/12

US Classification:

348771

Abstract:

A system and technique for directing intensity modulated electromagnetic energy. The inventive system (10) includes an intensity modulated source of electromagnetic energy (12). Individual elements (22) in an array of energy directing elements (15) are activated in sync with the modulation of energy source (12). In a particular implementation, the source (12) is a laser. The intensity of the laser is reduced during each successive field per frame. The energy directing elements (15), in this case--light directing elements, are implemented with an array of digital micromirrors. The light source (12) is modulated in intensity in accordance with a fixed modulation scheme. The mirrors (22) are selectively activated relative to the light source modulation scheme. Hence, the invention provides a gray scale output while allowing the time between mirror flips to be constant. This allows the system clocks to run synchronously and greatly simplifies the writing of data into the display as the time available for writing each bit is constant.

US Patent:

56404794, Jun 17, 1997

Filed:

Oct 18, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/546582

Inventors:

Ronald Hegg - Vista CA
Steven E. Shields - San Diego CA

Assignee:

Palomar Technologies Corporation - Carlsbad CA

International Classification:

G02B 604
G02B 508

US Classification:

385120

Abstract:

A digital micromirror device projection system employs an array of digitally operable micromirrors that are individually and selectively tiltable between ON and OFF positions. The array of mirrors is illuminated by a high intensity light source, and light reflected from those mirrors selectively driven to the ON tilted position is reflected to a projection lens for projection onto a screen. Concomitantly, light reflected from those of the mirrors in the OFF position are blocked by a system stop. The system stop is formed by a wedge-shaped bundle of optical fibers positioned immediately adjacent the mirror array. The fiber axes are all mutually parallel and are perpendicular to the mutually parallel planes of those of the mirrors that are tilted to the ON position so that the illuminating light is incident upon the mirrors in a perpendicular relationship and is retroreflected back through the optical fibers to the projection lens of the system. The optical fibers have a very small numerical aperture and act as a system stop to block light from those mirrors that are in OFF position. Light from the illuminating source passing through the fiberoptic face plate and impinging upon the OFF position mirrors is reflected back at an angle to the axes of the fibers that is not within the acceptance angle of the fibers.