Patents Examined by William Dowling
  • Patent number: 6561654
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an image display device that is suitably applicable to, for example, a projector using an ultrahigh-pressure mercury lamp as a light source. In a light source of the present invention, main light is partially replaced with auxiliary light in a wavelength region in which the intensity of the main light is less than that of the auxiliary light. That is, the light source includes an illumination-light combining member that generates illumination light by strengthening the wavelength region of the emission spectrum of the main light with the auxiliary light. Accordingly, the loss of main light is satisfactorily reduced, and the light intensity in the wavelength region in which the intensity of the main light is insufficient is compensated for. Further, light emitted from the main light source formed of a lamp or the like is efficiently utilized, and a bright image can thereby be displayed with high color reproducibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Mukawa, Yoshinori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6558000
    Abstract: A projection arrangement for projecting an image onto a projection surface, said arrangement comprising a light source (26), a film stage (2), arranged following said light source, for holding a positive image recorded on a carrier medium, and projection optics (3) for projecting a illuminated positive image, is provided with a control unit (25), a light modulator (10) controllable by said control unit in order to generate an additional image on the basis of predetermined image data, said light modulator being followed by an optical device (11) for projecting the additional image onto the projection surface (34), and with a beam splitter (6) arranged between the light source (26) and the film stage (2) so as to split the light from the light source (26) into a first partial beam directed to the film stage (2) in order to illuminate the positive image and into a second partial beam which may be directed to the light modulator (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Jana GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Muehlhoff, Klaus Knupfer, Oliver Baumann, Bernd Spruck
  • Patent number: 6558002
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an image projection system whereby a display position of a pointer on a projected image can be easily controlled from a location separated from the main control means. The system comprises a liquid crystal projector, a personal computer for controlling the liquid crystal projector to display a pointer on a projected image in accordance with an operation signal from a main operating section and a predetermined program, and a remote controller for the liquid crystal projector. The remote controller comprises a pointing device and a light emitting portion for wirelessly transmitting an operation signal. The liquid crystal projector comprises a light receiving portion for receiving wirelessly transmitted signals. The personal computer controls the liquid crystal projector to transfer the received signals to the personal computer and further controls the display position of the pointer according to the transferred pointing device operation signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Miyashita
  • Patent number: 6554430
    Abstract: The invention features a volumetric display system including an optical relay, a motor, a support structure coupled to the motor, a projection screen disposed on the support structure, and a projection optic. During operation, the projection optic receives a light beam from the optical relay and projects the light beam onto the projection screen. Also, the motor rotates the support structure, the projection screen, and the projection optic about a rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Actuality Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick K. Dorval, Michael Thomas, Jane L. Bareau
  • Patent number: 6550919
    Abstract: A spectral light division and recombination configuration has an incident face for light to be divided, at least one emergent face for recombined light and a spectrally selective division and recombination device. The spectrally selective division and recombination device has a polarization-selective division and recombination configuration whereon light of one spectral range (&Dgr;&lgr;3) is separated from light of other spectral ranges (&Dgr;&lgr;1, &Dgr;&lgr;2) or light of the one spectral range (&Dgr;&lgr;3) is recombined with light of the other spectral ranges (&Dgr;&lgr;1, &Dgr;&lgr;2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Unaxis Balzers Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Claus Heine
  • Patent number: 6550918
    Abstract: A substantially monocentric arrangement of optical components provides stereoscopic display of a real image, electronically scanned by resonant actuation of a resonant fiber scanner (137) using a flexible optical waveguide and projected toward a curved retro-reflective surface (124). To form each left and right intermediate image component, separate left and right image generation systems (70) each comprise a resonant fiber scanner (137) that itself comprises a resonant cantilever portion (139) of optical fiber (138) that directs a modulated beam in a curved pattern for projection, such as by a ball lens assembly (30). A monocentric arrangement of optical components images the left and right ball lens pupil at the corresponding left and right viewing pupil (14) of the observer (12) and essentially provides a single center of curvature for projection components. Use of such a monocentric arrangement provides an exceptionally wide field of view with large viewing pupils (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: John A. Agostinelli, Joshua M. Cobb
  • Patent number: 6547401
    Abstract: The invention concerns achieving an increase in illumination efficiency of an illumination optical system in a projector using an optical modulation device. A projector may include an optical modulation device for controlling a direction of emission of illumination light applied to a substantially rectangular light application surface, including a plurality of pixels, for each pixel according to image information to thereby emit image light representing an image, an illuminating optical system for emitting the illumination light so that the central axis of the illumination light applied to the light application surface enters the light application surface at a predetermined angle, and a projection optical system for projecting the image light emitted from the optical modulation device. The illuminating optical system may include a light source, and a light-transmitting rod through which the light emitted from the light source passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nishida, Tomiyoshi Ushiyama
  • Patent number: 6547402
    Abstract: The projection lens shifting mechanism is for locating the projected picture at a desired position on the screen by shifting the projection lens with respect to the display surface of the display device, including a base plate secured to the housing of the projection lens shifting mechanism and having a guide surface parallel to the display surface, a moveable plate rigidly holding the projection lens and movable in a prescribed direction parallel to the display surface guided by the guide surface, a holding plate linked to the moveable plate through elastic members, constituting, together with the moveable plate, an elastic clamp structure that holds the base plate and elastically clamps the base plate. When an external force works against the elastic force to release this clamp, the holding plate can move integrally with the moveable plate in a direction parallel to the guide surface of the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: NEC Viewtechnology, Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Masuda
  • Patent number: 6543900
    Abstract: The present invention provides a projection apparatus utilizing plural light sources, in which the light source principally irradiating the light valve is switched by moving the relative position between the plural light sources and the mirror for guiding the lights outputted from such light source to the light valve. Also the configuration can be simplified by using commonly the light condensing device for the plural light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Noji, Hiroto Yasumura, Shigehiro Kadota, Kazuyuki Shigeta, Toshinori Hirobe
  • Patent number: 6540359
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an image projection system (1). The system (1) comprises an illumination system (3) with a light source (5) for supplying an illumination beam. The system (1) also comprises a modulation system (11) with at least one reflecting image display panel (13, 15, 17) for modulating this light beam in conformity with image information to be projected, and a projection lens system (12) for projecting this image information. A color-separating system (19) is arranged between the modulation system (11) and the illumination system (3), and a polarizing beam splitter (9) is arranged between the color-separating system (19) and the illumination system. The reflective display panel is a liquid crystalline display panel of the diffusing type, and a &lgr;/4 plate (35, 37, 39) is arranged between the reflective portions of the pixels of the display panel and the polarizing beam splitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Hugo J. Cornelissen, Adrianus J. S. M. De Vaan
  • Patent number: 6540360
    Abstract: A projector is provided which can project a high quality image unaffected by dust, or the like, scattered in the projector by preventing the temperature of light-modulating elements from rising. Light transmissive plates are adhered to the light emitting surface of a liquid crystal panel for red light and the light emitting surface of a liquid crystal panel for green light. The amount of heat transmitted from the polarizing plates, which generate the heat, to the liquid crystal panels is reduced by the light transmissive plates. In addition, dust, scattered in the projector, does not stick onto the light emitting surfaces of the liquid crystal panels. In contrast, a light transmissive plate is not provided at the light emitting surface of liquid crystal panel for blue light having a high energy value per unit quantity of light. Thus, the problem of a light transmissive plate preventing heat dissipation at the liquid crystal panel is eliminated, so that efficient cooling can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Mutsuya Furuhata, Akitaka Yajima, Shinji Haba
  • Patent number: 6540362
    Abstract: Single panel scrolling color projection systems using three (red, blue and green) scrolling color stripes have been demonstrated to be adequate for television images. However, computer graphics displays are more prone to color artifacts. The invention increases the number of scrolling color stripes in order to suppress these artifacts. One implementation is to break up the three color stripes into multiple bands using a lenticular lens array, and then to collimate the multiple stripes with a second lens array. The collimated stripes are scrolled using the rotating prism of the prior systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Peter J. Janssen
  • Patent number: 6536904
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the color separation in sequential color display systems. The disclosed approach adds a white (clear) segment 923 to the color filtering system 92 and applies an algorithm, which separates the luminance channel as much as possible into this white segment. As a result, in the case of a black-and-white image where color separation is most visible, color segments will have a minimal amount of energy in them, thereby reducing the color separation effect. The algorithm controls the process of transferring the energy from the colored segments into the white segment and also allows for a dynamic mode, where on a pixel-by-pixel basis, both color separation reduction is made for the white portions of the image and overall image brightness is improved in the non-white (color) portions of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Adam J. Kunzman
  • Patent number: 6536906
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technology for mounting a prism which is used for a projector, such as a crossed dichroic prism, accurately in a predetermined position of a base frame. A projector for displaying color images can include an illumination optical system, a colored-light-separating optical system for separating light emitted from the illumination optical system into first, second, and third colored light which are three color components, first, second, and third electro-optical devices which modulate the first, second, and third colored light, respectively, according to image data, and produce first, second, and third modulated light, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Motoyuki Fujimori, Takeshi Takezawa, Hisamaro Kato
  • Patent number: 6536902
    Abstract: Projector is provided, including a light source, a color wheel for splitting two, or more than two color beams from the beam from the light source, a rod lens for making a distribution of the color beam from the color wheel uniform, a polarization beam converter for converting the color beams into particular polarization beams, an optical system for focusing the color beams converted into the particular polarization beams, a color selecting plate for converting particular polarization color beams in the focused color beams, two displays for reflecting the color beams from the color selecting plate differently according to a video signal to form picture beams, a polarization beam sprite prism for supplying a particular color beam having polarization converted at the color selecting plate to one of the displays, and color beams of other colors to the other display, and a projection lens for enlarging, and projecting the picture beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Seung Gyu Lee
  • Patent number: 6533423
    Abstract: A projection type display device including an image pickup device is provided. A projection mirror of an OHP is made a half mirror 108, so that a picture having transmitted through the half mirror can be taken in by an image sensor 102.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6530664
    Abstract: A front projection screen and associated system and method are disclosed that utilize a back structured layer and a front diffusing layer to provide improved viewable image quality. The structured layer is formed with a plurality of grooves and can operate to direct light into a defined audience view region. The diffusing layer is coupled to the structured layer and is formed from a matte polyester film to provide dry erase capability on a front surface of the diffusing layer. For example, the matte polyester film can be TEKRA Marnot XL matte Melinex polyester film. Further, the structured layer can be formed as an acrylate linear prismatic structure having a gloss white coating. The acrylate linear prismatic structure and the matte polyester film can be coupled, for example, by lamination or can be coupled by being extruded as a unitary construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Dennis F. Vanderwerf, Patricia M. Hughes, Ernesto M. Rodriguez, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6530665
    Abstract: A projector prevents deterioration in optical characteristics of liquid crystal panels caused by heat generated by polarizers, and sticking of dirt onto the light-outgoing surface of the liquid crystal panels. Polarizers are disposed adjacent to the light-outgoing surfaces of liquid crystal panels, while other polarizers are disposed adjacent to the light-incoming surfaces of the liquid crystal panels. The liquid crystal panels and the two polarizers disposed adjacent to the light-incoming and light-outgoing surface of their corresponding liquid crystal panels, are supported by dust protection members. The area between the light-incoming surface of each liquid crystal panel and its associated polarizer disposed adjacent to the light-incoming surface, and the area between the light-outgoing surface of each liquid crystal panel and its associated polarizer disposed adjacent to the light-outgoing surface thereof are cut off from the outside by the dust protection member associated thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Takizawa, Mutsuya Furuhata
  • Patent number: 6527395
    Abstract: A method calibrates a projector with a camera being a fixed physical relationship relative to each other. An output image is projected onto a display surface for a first and second pose of the projector and the camera relative to a display surface. For each pose, an input image is acquired. For each pose, a projector perspective projection matrix and a camera perspective projection matrix is determined from each input image. For each pose, a transformation from the projector perspective projection matrix and the camera perspective projection matrix to Euclidean form is determined, and the projector intrinsic parameters from the transformations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramesh Raskar, Paul Beardsley
  • Patent number: RE38084
    Abstract: An output light from an light source lamp unit 8 in a projection-type display apparatus illuminates liquid-crystal light valves 925R, 925G and 925B for three colors via an integrator optical system 923. A superimposing lens 930 that is a component of the integrator optical system 923 as a uniform illumination optical system is arranged such that the mounting position of the superimposing lens 930 is fine-adjustable in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis 1a. By fine-adjusting the mounting position of the superimposing lens 930, the position of an illumination area B is adjusted such that the illumination area includes the image forming area A of the liquid-crystal light valve. It is not necessary to assure a wide margin around the image forming area A to cover the offset of the position of the illumination area B. As a result, the utilization of illumination light is heightened and a bright projected image results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Hashizume, Hisashi Iechika, Yasunori Ogawa, Shinji Haba, Akitaka Yajima