Patents Examined by Melissa Jan Koval
  • Patent number: 7404644
    Abstract: A time-sequential colour projector comprises a pixellated light valve (2), such as a liquid crystal device, and a plurality of light sources (30, 31, 32). The light sources (30, 31, 32) direct light on different sets of pixels of the light valve (2) via an optical system (1), such as a lens array, which focuses the light on pixels of the light valve (2). At least two of the light sources (30, 31, 32) are multiple colour light sources and the multiple colour light sources emit different colour components during each set of frames making up a complete image frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Allan Evans, Grant Bourhill, Marina V. Khazova
  • Patent number: 7404645
    Abstract: Image processing enhances display quality by controlling both the image modulator and the light sources. The image processing system utilizes a combination of user inputs, system configuration, design information, sensor feedback, pixel modulation information, and lighting control information to characterize the display environment on a per pixel basis. This per pixel characterization information is combined with one or more frames of the incoming real time display data. The image processing system processes each incoming pixel and produces a modified corresponding output pixel. Each pixel of each frame is processed accordingly. The image processing system also produces control information for the light sources. The light source control information can control individual lamps, tubes or LEDs, or can control a block or subset of the light sources. The resulting display has improved image consistency, enhanced color gamut, higher dynamic range and is better able to portray high motion content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Digital Display Innovations, LLC
    Inventor: Neal D. Margulis
  • Patent number: 7401926
    Abstract: A space light modulating apparatus includes a modulating unit that modulates incident light based on an image signal including a plurality of pixels and a light-shielding part placed between the pixels, and a refracting unit that refracts modulated light including a group of prisms formed with a prism element that has at least a refracting surface. Light from the pixels is incident on at least a part of the prisms, and a direction of the refracting surface is such that a projection image of the pixels is guided onto a projection image of the light-shielding part on a projection surface at a predetermined distance. The refracting surface and a reference surface formed in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis make a predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shunji Kamijima, Masatoshi Yonekubo
  • Patent number: 7399091
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for creating and displaying images. An inner lens of transparent sheet material is formed, which may have a generally pyramidal configuration and presents a plurality of inner sides. A plurality of image sectors are created equal in number to the number of inner sides and are assembled on a medium, which may be translucent, conforming in shape to the inner sides. An outer lens is formed of transparent sheet material and presents outer sides conforming in shape to the shape of the inner sides. The inner lens nests within the outer lens with the image medium held therebetween to provide an envelope assembly. The envelope assembly may be supported on a lamp base whereby a light source backlights and penetrates the image to create a desired visual effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Inventors: John Hamilton Lockett, John Hoyl Lockett
  • Patent number: 7394979
    Abstract: A camera adapter for optical devices, in particular microscopes. The present solution includes a camera adapter which enables any video cameras and photographic cameras to connect to an existing image out-coupling system, e.g., the beam splitter of a microscope. The adapter can also be used for stereo microscopes. The camera adapter is arranged between the image out-coupling element and the camera. Its housing has two connection pieces. The microscope-side connection piece has a quick-change device and the camera-side connection piece has a filter thread. The technical solution provides a camera adapter for connecting digital cameras to a microscope. By using intermediate rings, the camera adapter is suitable for different cameras and facilitates exchange of cameras. The camera can be positioned in such a way that the observer can view the object through the eyepiece as well as on the camera monitor without substantially changing his/her sitting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
    Inventors: Egon Luther, Ingo Koschmieder, Jan Buchheister, Eberhard Hofmann, Mario Gerlach, Stephan Ruehling
  • Patent number: 7393107
    Abstract: A projector includes a laser beam source that outputs a laser beam and modulates the laser beam in a beam form based on an image signal, a scanning unit that scans the laser beam output by the laser beam source at least in one-dimensional direction, a scan driving unit that drive controls the scanning unit by a first force, a retaining unit that stops and retains the scanning unit at a predetermined position by a second force, and a light shielding unit that shields the laser beam from the scanning unit that is retained by the retaining unit. The scan driving unit releases the scanning unit retained by the retaining unit, and drives it when the first force is larger than the second force. The retaining unit stops and retains the scanning unit at the predetermined position when the second force is larger than the first force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masatoshi Yonekubo, Daisuke Uchikawa, Shunji Kamijima, Takashi Takeda
  • Patent number: 7390092
    Abstract: A lighting system comprised of a central controller, a digital communications path, and a plurality of image projection lighting devices (IPLDs) is provided. The IPLDs contain cameras that can capture both visible light and infrared light. Address signals sent from the central controller first address a particular IPLD and then command signals sent from the central controller control an infrared blocking filter to be positioned in and out of a camera optical path of the particular addressed IPLD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Inventor: Richard S. Belliveau
  • Patent number: 7391569
    Abstract: A projection system including an intrinsic polarizer is disclosed. The projection system includes a light source producing illumination light, an imager disposed to receive the illumination light, and a projection lens disposed to receive the illumination light from the imager. The imager includes an intrinsic polarizer. An intrinsic polarizer stack including a U.V. curable adhesive is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Philip J. Ralli, Pradnya V. Nagarkar, James N. Gordon, Ikuko Ebihara, Charles L. Bruzzone, Giorgio B. Trapani
  • Patent number: 7384154
    Abstract: A temperature control system and method for projection device lenses. The temperature control system includes a controllable heater for selectively heating one or more lenses pad a controller for adjusting heat from the heat source responsive to an operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Gohman, Don Rhodes
  • Patent number: 7384152
    Abstract: A liquid-cooled projector incorporating cooling a component that to be cooled by a cooling liquid, and moreover, can constantly maintain the temperature of the component to be cooled at a prescribed temperature or below. A liquid-cooling jacket for cooling either one or both of the optical modulation element and cold mirror, which are the components that are to be cooled, one or a plurality of radiators, one or a plurality of reserve tanks, and one or a plurality of circulation pumps are connected together by piping. The components that are to be cooled are maintained at or below the prescribed temperature by circulating the cooling liquid through the system, which can further be separated at any position by couplers. By collecting the air that is generated in the cooling system in the reserve tank, idle running of the circulation pump can be prevented, and the effect of expansion and shrinkage in the volume of the cooling liquid can be mitigated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: NEC ViewTechnology, Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 7380947
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of operating display systems with reduction of the warm-up time of an arc lamp in the event of an accidental or unintentional turn-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert M. Duboc, Andrew G. Huibers
  • Patent number: 7377654
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a projection-type display apparatus, which can address or realize a reduction in weight and size, a reduction in power consumption, and a reduction in noise, and address or realize a reduction in price, and a control method for the projection-type display apparatus, as well as a control program for the projection-type display apparatus. The projection-type display apparatus includes a solid-state light source that emits light, a mirror device that controls an emitting direction of the incident light to thereby subject the incident light to temporal modulation, and a projecting device that projects the modulated light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunaga Miyazawa, Hiroshi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7379113
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an image sensor module having an auto-aligned lens includes: a substrate on which an image sensor chip is mounted; a housing which has an opening to expose an upper surface of the image sensor chip, and which is attached onto the substrate; a lens holder which extends the opening vertically and upwardly; and a lens unit incorporating spacers which is fixed to an inner sidewall of the lens holder and is aligned automatically. Friction-caused particles are not produced, and focal alignment is readily automated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yung-Cheol Kong, Tai-Hyun Eum, Ji-Sun Hong, Sung-Woo Park
  • Patent number: 7377652
    Abstract: A display has a screen which incorporates a light modulator. The screen may be a front projection screen or a rear-projection screen. Elements of the light modulator may be controlled to adjust the intensity of light emanating from corresponding areas on the screen. The display may provide a high dynamic range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Lorne A Whitehead, Gregory John Ward, Wolfgang Stuerzlinger, Helge Seetzen
  • Patent number: 7379666
    Abstract: An electronic appliance is provided, which can be produced at a low cost, and in which there is a degree of freedom in a setting value and any one of a number of setting values can be set as an operating condition with a simple operation. A digital camera 1 includes a first operation switch (for example, a shutter dial 2) that allows an operator to select a first state assigned one setting value (for example, a shutter speed) or a second state assigned a plurality of setting values, a liquid crystal monitor 9 that displays the setting values assigned to the second state when the second state is selected with an operation switch, and a second operation switch (for example, an auxiliary dial 7) that allows the operator to select any one of the setting values displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaoru Mokunaka
  • Patent number: 7377651
    Abstract: A lighting system comprised of a central controller, a digital communications path, and a plurality of image projection lighting devices (IPLDs) is provided. The IPLDs contain cameras that can capture both visible light and infrared light. Address signals sent from the central controller first address a particular IPLD and then command signals sent from the central controller control an infrared blocking filter to be positioned in and out of a camera optical path of the particular addressed IPLD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventor: Richard S. Belliveau
  • Patent number: 7370974
    Abstract: The present invention provides a toy that makes character movement realistic, A transparent LCD screen that is visible from the front of the room is disposed within the room so as to be in contact with the walls, ceiling and floor thereof. An internal body such as a chair and an external body such as a tree, fence or kennel are arranged at the front and rear of the LCD screen. A girl character and an animal character are displayed on the LCD screen. A user is able to enjoy the game while viewing the character of the LCD screen, internal body, and external body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Sega Toys, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yamada, Shigeru Kanauchi
  • Patent number: 7370975
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus which includes: an imaging device; a reference luminance property storage device that stores a predetermined reference luminance property; a luminance property calculating device that calculates a luminance property of the imaging device from an image obtained by the imaging device; a comparing device that compares the reference luminance property and the luminance property; a displacement determining device that determines whether or not the luminance property has relative displacement with respect to the reference luminance property based on a comparison result of the comparing device; and a luminance property correcting device that corrects the luminance property, wherein, when the luminance property is determined by the displacement determining device to have relative displacement with respect to the reference luminance property, the luminance property correcting device corrects the luminance property so as to become equivalent to the reference luminance property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fuminori Taniguchi, Nobuharu Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 7373083
    Abstract: A camera includes a housing. An image sensor is fixed with respect to the housing and is configured to capture images. A print roll unit is releasably mounted within the housing. The print roll unit includes an elongate core, in turn, including a plurality of ink supply containers. Each container contains a respective type of ink. A roll of print media includes a tubular former in which the core can be received and a length of print media which is wound upon the former. A casing includes a pair of molded covers which can be releasably fastened together to encase the roll of print media, and defines a print media exit slot. A printer is housed in the housing, in fluid communication with the core, and is configured to print the captured images on the print media with ink stored in the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Patent number: 7370977
    Abstract: An optical projection system which creates pincushion distortion of an image and then creates a barrel distortion of the pincushion-distorted image to compensate for the pincushion distortion and then projects an enlarged image without substantial distortion onto an image display surface. An embodiment includes a polynomial reflector to compensate for the pincushion distortion, to enlarge an image, and to project the enlarged image toward a screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong-soo Lee