Patents Examined by William Dowling
  • Patent number: 6457828
    Abstract: A display optical apparatus has an illumination optical system, a reflection-type light modulation device, an illumination/projection separation optical system, a microcylinderlens array, and a projection optical system. The illumination optical system, including a color separation device, separates light polarized in a predetermined polarization direction into light of different wavelength ranges traveling in different directions by use of the color separation device and emits the thus separated light as illumination light. The reflection-type light modulation device displays an optical image. The illumination/projection separation optical system directs the illumination light emitted from the illumination optical system to the reflection-type light modulation device and emits the light reflected from the reflection-type light modulation device as projection light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kohtaro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6454415
    Abstract: A teleconferencing system in which the video image of a subject in front of a selected background scene is extracted from that scene and transmitted to other locations where selected backgrounds are stored. By compositing the subject and background images at each remote location, both image elements, being originals, will show no loss of detail when projected. For a front projection screen, the projector is inhibited from illuminating a presenter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: imatte, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Vlahos
  • Patent number: 6450646
    Abstract: In a display unit wherein an optical block is disposed inside of a housing having a screen at its front, and an image light from the optical block is projected on the screen, a display unit in which the housing is made a closed structure and a path is provided for circulating air between the housing and the optical block so that dust is prevented from entering inside of an apparatus and attaching to optical parts, and at the same time, heat generated in the apparatus can be sufficiently cooled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ono, Susumu Yamada, Hiroshi Takatsuka, Makoto Shinoda
  • Patent number: 6450647
    Abstract: A display pixel range between a display start position and a display end position of a distortion corrected image is determined on each horizontal line of the image forming section, based on horizontal correction parameters representing distortion-correction amounts at left- and right-sides of the distortion-corrected image to be supplied to an image forming section for forming an image to be projected onto a screen, and a first relation between each pixel within the display pixel range and each pixel in the original image is determined. A display line range between a display start line and a display end line of the distortion corrected image is also determined on the image forming section, based on vertical correction parameters representing distortion-correction amounts in the vertical direction of the distortion-corrected image, a second relation between each line within the display line range and each line in the original image is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kesatoshi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6447120
    Abstract: An image projection system has a wire grid polarizing beam splitter which functions as both the polarizer and the analyzer in the system. A light source produces a source light beam directed at the beam splitter which reflects one polarization and transmits the other. A liquid crystal array is disposed in either the reflected or transmitted beam. The array modulates the polarization of the beam, encoding image information thereon, and directs the modulated beam back to the beam splitter. The beam splitter again reflects one polarization and transmits the other so that the encoded image is either reflected or transmitted to a screen. The beam splitter can be an embedded wire grid polarizer with an array of parallel, elongated, spaced-apart elements sandwiched between first and second layers. The elements form a plurality of gaps between the elements which provide a refractive index less than the refractive index of the first or second layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Moxtex
    Inventors: Douglas P. Hansen, Raymond T. Perkins, Eric Gardner
  • Patent number: 6447121
    Abstract: A reflection type projector includes a light source, a polarization beam splitter for polarizing light emitted from the light source, a display device disposed next to the polarization beam splitter for forming an image, a projection lens unit for projecting an image reflected by the display device, a thermoelectric element installed such that the front surface thereof is in contact with the rear surface of the display device, a heat sink installed at the rear surface of the thermoelectric element, a heat pipe of which one end is connected to the heat sink, and a heat radiating plate connected to the other end of the heat pipe. Thus, the heat accumulated in the display device can be dissipated rapidly and with no noise, so that the projector can be operated more silently. Also, the life span of the display device is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-je Woo
  • Patent number: 6443576
    Abstract: The invention achieves a reduction in size of a projector by shortening a length of an optical path of an illuminating optical system in a projector using an emitting direction control-type optical modulation device as compared to that of a conventional illuminating optical system, and thus, improves the illumination efficiencies of the illuminating optical system. An illuminating optical system includes a light source, a first lens array having a plurality of first small lenses for dividing light emitted from the light source into a plurality of partial light beam fluxes, and a second lens array having a plurality of second small lenses corresponding to the plurality of first small lenses. In addition, the illuminating optical system includes an optical element such that an outline shape of an emitting surface is a quadrilateral having first and second diagonal lines of different lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nishida, Tomiyoshi Ushiyama
  • Patent number: 6443577
    Abstract: An overhead projector including a stage assembly, a post extending from the stage assembly and an optical projection head assembly suspended above the stage assembly by the post in a cantilever arrangement, the optical head assembly having a weight W. The head assembly includes a post retaining assembly having a collar fitted around the post, the collar having at least two friction points interacting with the post, the interaction having a coefficient of friction &mgr;. The weight W and the cantilever arrangement create torsional forces, the at least two friction points being positioned to transmit the torsional forces onto the post creating a friction force Ff. The coefficient of friction of the interaction between each of the at least two friction points and the post is selected such that absent other forces the friction force is at least sufficient to maintain the head assembly at a static position with respect to the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Dwight G. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 6439726
    Abstract: An arrangement in which light is directed onto a surface proceeding from a light source by first optics, so that an image is formed which can be detected by second optics, the arrangement having first, second and third partial optics and an optical axis as common optical axis for the first partial optics (22) and second partial optics (24) by which the second optics are formed. The light coming from the third partial optics and incident in the second partial optics encloses an angle relative to the common optical axis at which the third partial optics lie outside of an area traversed by the light reflected by the reflecting surface from the second partial optics (24) to the first partial optics (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH
    Inventor: Eberhard Piehler
  • Patent number: 6439723
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for presenting highly personal thoughts, sentiments, and engrams of a person in the form of a gift to a loved one. Feelings of an occasion or season are combined with a personal message through a representative embodiment of the season, for example, a Christmas ornament, having audio recording and image display devices therein. A simple photo transparency, such as a color slide, or other image storage device projects the donor's image onto a screen, either formed in a case of a predetermined theme, or onto a wall, thus allowing the donor to simply and easily incorporate his or her own image, and voice, in a personalized way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Robert S. Tano
  • Patent number: 6425669
    Abstract: A photolithography system and method for providing a pattern to a subject such as a wafer is provided. The system includes a pixel panel, such as a digital mirror device or a liquid crystal display, for generating for creating a plurality of pixel elements of the pattern. The pixel elements are simultaneously directed to a first site of the subject by a lense system. The system also includes a manipulator for moving the pixel elements, relative to the subject, to a second site of the subject so that a portion of the second site overlaps a portion of the first site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Ball Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenhui Mei, Takashi Kanatake, Karlton Powell
  • Patent number: 6425668
    Abstract: A projection apparatus for the enlargement of photos and sketches constructed integrally within a small tent so that it may be used without requiring a darkened room for projecting. The tent is placed upon a suitable table and has an opening on one side for accessing its interior. The projection system requires that the photo or sketch be traced onto a clear plastic sheet which is then placed onto a transparent platform located somewhere between a miniature lamp and the projection surface. When the lamp is turned on, an enlarged shadow of the traced image is seen on the projection surface and is then traced onto it. Varying the projected enlargement is achieved buy sliding the lamp holder up and down a linear slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Inventor: Dan Jacob
  • Patent number: 6422704
    Abstract: A projector 100 projects an image onto a screen 200 by having light from a light source 111 pass through light valves 108˜110 corresponding to RGB colors and a projection lens 101. A special pattern is displayed on the light valves 108˜110 so that an image of the special pattern is projected onto the screen 200. The projector includes a half mirror 112 that directs light, which has been reflected back off this image on the screen 200 and back through the light valves 108˜110, toward the collective lens 113, and a light detecting element 114 for detecting the intensity of the light collected by the collective lens 113. Based on the detected intensity, the microcomputer 116 automatically adjusts the projection parameters of the projector 100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaaki Gyoten, Masahiro Kawashima, Syunsuke Kimura
  • Patent number: 6419363
    Abstract: A field sequential dichroic light valve using ferro-electric liquid crystal components and multi-layer thin film broadband polarizing beam-splitting devices as an optical switch. The field sequential dichroic light valve has a fast time response and a memory function, as well as a switch frequency larger than 180 Hz and an optical transmittance larger than 90%. Accordingly, the field sequential dichroic light valve can effectively switch R, G, B-colored light beams in time sequence, and can be applied to a full-color projection display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Fang Chuan Ho, Yi-Jen Tsou, Rong-Ho Lee, Shih-Ping Lee, Jinn-Chou Yoo
  • Patent number: 6419362
    Abstract: A PBS 31 for green and blue is used for separating a green light and a blue light and for combining green image light and blue image light, thereby to eliminate the necessity of letting light transmit an excessive path by using dichroic mirrors for color separation and a reflection mirror or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ikeda, Hideyuki Kanayama
  • Patent number: 6416187
    Abstract: A mechanical convergence fixture apparatus (10) having an LCD frame assembly (12) which is positioned in relation to a projector chassis (14) using an alignment assembly (12) which is positioned in relation to a projector chassis (14) using an alignment assembly (16). The LCD frame assembly (12) has a micro LCD (24) rigidly affixed thereto and a field lens (32) adjustably affixed thereto. A vacuum chuck (40) holds the LCD frame assembly (12) on the alignment assembly (16) while the LCD frame assembly (12) is positioned. A drop of adhesive (62) is then placed on each of a plurality of locating studs (18) and a like plurality of locating holes (20) to affix the LCD frame assembly (12) in position on the chassis (14). The alignment assembly (16) is then detached from the LCD frame assembly (12) to be reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Aurora Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jean Pierre Menard
  • Patent number: 6416183
    Abstract: The present invention to provides a projection system for three-dimensional movement of projected modulated beam. It comprises a stationary light source, a projection lens, an optical path from the light source to the projection lens and a light beam modulating element in the optical path. The light modulating element moves with the projection lens. The image is generated at a location whereafter the modulated beam is not deflected anymore before arriving at the projection lens. Therefore there is no rotation of the modulated light beam around its own optical axis, independent of the direction of projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Barco N.V.
    Inventors: Chris Colpaert, Stefan Lesschaeve
  • Patent number: 6416186
    Abstract: A projection display unit, in which a distortion of an image is corrected even when the image is projected from an arbitrary direction, further which can correct a distortion caused by that an image is projected on a screen surface having an irregular surface or a free surface, is provided. The projection display unit provides an image inputting means to which an original image is inputted, a screen surface obtaining means for obtaining a three dimensional shape of a screen surface by calculating an azimuth angle, a tilt angle, and a distance of the screen surface for the projection display unit by using the normal line vector of the screen surface, an image correcting means for executing an inclination correction and a zooming in/out correction for the original image corresponding to the three dimensional shape of the screen surface, and an image outputting means for outputting the corrected image as a projecting image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Nobutatsu Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6416182
    Abstract: A projection type liquid crystal display device, including: irradiation means having a function of irradiating light emitted from a light source upon an irradiated surface; a liquid crystal display element for modulating the light; and projection means for projecting the light emitted from said liquid crystal display element, wherein said irradiation means comprises: at least one reflection mirror; a polarization beam splitter for dividing the light from the light source into P polarization light and S polarization light; a &lgr;/2 phase shifting plate for rotating a direction of polarization of either one of the P polarization and S polarization lights; polarization means being constructed with a reflection mirror for reflecting either one of the P polarization and S polarization lights; a first lens array being constructed with a plurality of condenser lenses, for collecting the light emitted from said polarization means so as to form a plurality of secondary light source images; and a second lens array bei
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kakuda, Satoshi Ouchi, Masahiko Yatsu, Naohiro Ozawa, Yutaka Matsuda, Takuya Shiaki
  • Patent number: RE37836
    Abstract: A liquid crystal panel unit is attached to a light incident surface of a prism composite. The liquid crystal panel unit includes a panel frame plate holding a liquid crystal panel, and a fixation frame plate glued and fixed to the light incident surface. The panel frame plate is fastened to the fixation frame plate by screws through an intermediate frame plate. By using wedges, the position of the panel frame plate with respect to the light incident surface is adjusted. This allows the liquid crystal panel to be reliably positioned and fixed so that the deviation amount in pixel matching is minimized and the focus adjustment can be accomplished correctly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Motoyuki Fujimori, Kazuto Shinohara, Masashi Kitabayashi, Kazuyuki Iinuma