Abstract: A projector including an ultrasonic speaker that includes an ultrasonic transducer capable of oscillating an acoustic signal in a wide frequency band and reproduces signal sound in the audio frequency band, and a projector main body that includes a projecting optical system that projects a video image on a projecting surface. The ultrasonic speaker and the projector main body are integrated with each other.

Abstract: In a projection type image display apparatus, a projector optical unit for projecting an image onto a screen while magnifying a size of the image to be projected with respect to an original size of the image displayed by an image forming element, has a group of lenses for magnifying the size of the image with respect to the original size thereof, and an optical path extending from the image forming element to the screen to transmit the image along the optical path.

Abstract: A color prism capable of separating incident light into four color beams and synthesizing incident four-color beams, and a projection-type image display apparatus employing the color prism. The color prism includes: first through third triangular prisms each having two boundary surfaces which face the other two triangular prisms, and an outer surface which transmits or reflects incident light according to an incidence angle of the light; and first through third dichroic filters respectively interposed among the first through third triangular prisms and selectively transmits or reflects incident light according to wavelength so as to separate incident light into first through fourth light beams according to wavelength ranges and synthesize incident first through fourth light beams.

Abstract: A reflection type projector apparatus uses polarized beam filters that are resistant to fluctuations in incident angle as the light beam splitting elements and in which are provided for the blue color beam a blue color use liquid crystal reflection panel, a polarized beam filter, a linear polarization plate, and a ½ wavelength plate arranged at one side face of a cross prism, with a blue color beam emitted toward the blue color use liquid crystal reflection panel. The blue color beam passes through the polarized beam filter, striking the blue color use liquid crystal reflection panel, and is modulated when reflected. The blue color modulated beam is reflected toward the cross prism at the polarized beam filter, and then passes through the linear polarization plate and the ½ wavelength plate, strikes the cross prism, and is projected to the screen by a projection lens.

Abstract: A video signal processing circuit inputs a video signal to perform processing such as frequency conversion as well as processing for generating data representing the APL (Average Picture Level) of a frame video for each frame period. A microcomputer functions as a dimmer arithmetic block to perform processing for generating dimmer data upon receipt of APL data, and functions as a lamp driver control block to perform processing for sending out a dimmer command to a lamp driver. The lamp driver receives the dimmer command, to control an amount of light emitted from a light source (a lamp).

Abstract: A projector having a tilt angle measurement device is provided with: a projection device for projecting an image onto a projection surface; a tilt angle measurement device for calculating the tilt angle that is formed between the axis of projection of the projection device and the projection surface; and an image control unit for controlling the output image from the projection device in accordance with the tilt angle that is calculated and thus correcting distortion in the image that is projected onto the projection surface.

Abstract: A projection type display device includes a distortion corrector for correcting a projected image for distortions when the image is projected with a projection optical axis tilted with respect to a screen. The distortion corrector comprises a tilt angle generator for finding a tilt angle of the projection optical axis, and a display image corrector for correcting the display image using the tilt angle. The display image corrector comprises a two-dimensional table for storing corrected coordinates for four vertexes of the display image employing a vertical tilt angle and a horizontal tilt angle as variables, and a fixed point determiner for selecting one of the four vertexes as a fixed point.

Abstract: A lighting optical unit having an optical system for irradiating light from a light-source lamp on a predetermined object in a uniform and/or convergent manner includes a reflector for reflecting light from the light-source lamp to provide converged light and an optical assembly for collimating this converged light to provide a bundle of approximately parallel rays, wherein the bundle of approximately parallel rays is made to enter the optical systeml. Thus, in a liquid-crystal projector using a transmission type liquid-crystal panel with micro-lens, while a demand for increasing a quantity of light incident on an effective area of pixel of a liquid-crystal panel is being satisfied, the lighting optical unit can be made compact in size.

Abstract: A dual display system includes a graphic article providing a first display in a first lighting condition (such as daylight) and a projection system providing a second display in a second lighting condition (such as nighttime). In an exemplary embodiment, the graphic article is a perforated imaged film and the projection system includes a projector and a diffuser screen.

Abstract: A project is provided that includes a light source including three light emitting units in which a plurality of LEDs are disposed and which emits red light, green light, and blue light. A liquid crystal light valve is provided that modulates the red light, the green light, and the blue light emitted from the light source. The projector is constructed so as to be capable of projecting and displaying an image on a screen by projecting the light modulated by the liquid crystal light valve onto the screen. The light source is constructed with one out of the light emitting units including a different number of LEDs than the other light emitting units so that a ratio between respective amounts of red light, green light, and blue light incident on the liquid crystal light valve with all of the LEDs lit satisfies a predetermined condition.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a camera for use with a power supply is provided. The camera has a voltage detecting circuit adapted to detect a voltage level at the power source and to generate a voltage level signal. An image capture system is also provided and performs a set of image capture operations. A controller receives the voltage level signal and prevents the image capture system from capturing an image when the voltage level signal indicates that there is insufficient power available in the power supply to perform all of operation in the set of image capture operations.

Abstract: A projection display system includes a projection lens assembly that has multiple projection lens elements that are configured to receive light imparted with display information by a pixelated display device. The projection lens elements project the light toward a display screen. A pixel-shifting element is included within the projection lens assembly to cyclically shift between at least two positions within the projection lens assembly to form at a display screen at least two interlaced arrays of pixels. An electro-mechanical transducer is coupled to the pixel-shifting element to impart on it the cyclic shifting between positions.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus illuminating an objective illumination region comprises a plurality of illuminants having light-emitting surfaces radiating diffused light, an illuminant substrate in which the illuminants are disposed so as to be set in array on the circumference, at least one optical member configured to guide the diffused light to the objective illumination region, a movable section configured to drive the optical member so as to be rotatable around the center of the circumference serving as a rotation center, and a lighting control section configured to control a light-emitting timing of the plurality of illuminants. The movable section and the lighting control section operate together such that the quantity of light per unit time of the diffused light guided to the objective illumination region is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: In a projection display device that is provided with a relay lens for converting flux that is emitted from a light source to a parallel flux for illuminating an image display element (DMD), and a total internal reflection prism for both directing flux that is emitted from the relay lens to the DMD and directing flux that is reflected by the DMD toward a projection lens, the relay lens is unified with the prism as a lens-integral prism by bonding the relay lens to the total internal reflection surface of the prism.

Abstract: A multi-layer film, wherein a ratio H/L or L/H, a balance in optical film thickness between a high-refractive-index layer H and a low-refractive-index layer L, is set within a range of 1.2–2.0 to bias a balance in thickness. A method of producing a dielectric multi-layer film, wherein, when a dielectric multi-layer film is formed, a proportion at which an optical film thickness is formed on a monitor substrate is made larger than usual. A UV reflection film, having a step difference in average transmittance of 70–90% at a specified half-power point and within a wavelength range of 430–450 nm, is provided on a substrate to form a UV cut filter. A UV reflection film at a specified half-power point, a step difference in average transmittance of 70–90% within a wavelength range of 430–450 nm, and a blue conditioning film having a transmittance of at least 90% within a wavelength range of 460–520 nm may be combined.

Abstract: A method for generating images includes shining a beam of light through a filter wheel to produce filtered light. The filter wheel includes red, green, and blue color segments and a fourth color segment that is not blue, green, red, or clear. The method also includes modulating the filtered light to form an image.

Abstract: An illumination unit for a projection image display. The illumination unit includes a light source, an integrator which converts light emitted from the light source to have uniform optical intensity, and an aspect ratio conversion unit which transmits light emitted from the integrator that does not correspond to an aspect ratio of image information back to the integrator, and converts and emits incident light to correspond to the aspect ratio of the image information.

Abstract: A microcomputer performs image drawing processing of a projection video for adjustment by an OSD (On-Screen Display) circuit when it detects the press of an adjustment command key. The projection video for adjustment is an image having a black-and-white area high in contrast formed therein. The projection video for adjustment is picked up by a CCD line sensor in a sensor. A microcomputer has its input an image pick-up signal from the CCD line sensor, to make focusing adjustment and trapezoidal distortion correction on the basis of the image pick-up signal.

Abstract: Projector bulb life is managed to achieve desired performance parameters, such as a maximum life mode or maximum brightness mode, by sensing bulb luminance and applied the sensed luminance with a luminance feedback controller to drive the bulb to achieve the desired performance parameter. For instance, in maximum life mode the luminance feedback controller reduces power applied to the bulb to restrict bulb luminance to a maximum luminance setpoint when greater luminance is available with a newer bulb. In maximum brightness mode, the luminance feedback controller increases power applied to the bulb to increase bulb luminance if the sensor senses luminance below a threshold due bulb wear. Bulb life management improves project image illumination to display information in a variety of projector types, including digital mirror devices and liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: An image projector assembly including a mountable image projection device and a docking station adapted for mounting said device. The image projection device is the optical engine and typically includes an image generating apparatus and a light source to project through said apparatus to thereby provide for an image. The docking station includes a signal generating apparatus to provide a signal to the image generating apparatus representative of a visual image and includes a power source for the optical engine. The demountable aspect of the assembly provides for easy replacement and maintenance of the optical engine as well as its portability to use in different optical engines thereby saving on cost.