Abstract: A display device is disclosed. The display device includes a condenser unit, an illumination lens system, a plurality of diffractive light modulators, a mirror for separating illumination light from diffracted light, a polarized beam separator, a filter unit and a projection unit.

Abstract: An optical engine architecture that operates as either a two-imager or a three-imager optical engine. The optical engine uses a first PBS cube and a second PBS cube having an optical axis between them. In between the first PBS cube and second PBS cube are two quarter wave plates and a dichroic mirror, where the dichroic mirror is disposed between the two quarter wave plates. In the three imager embodiment, a retarder is disposed between the second PBS cube and the quarter wave plate closest to the second PBS cube. In the two imager embodiment, this retarder is not necessary.

Abstract: A laser beam is swept by a scan mirror as a pattern of scan lines on a projection surface. Selected pixels arranged along each scan line are illuminated to produce an image. The laser beam is optically modified to form each scan line with a desired high resolution having no less than a desired large number of the pixels over an extended viewing range, by focusing the laser beam to form a beam waist having a scan dimension proportional to the resolution at a focal location positioned between the scan mirror and the projection surface.

Abstract: An image projecting apparatus projects an image formed on a display device in accordance with input image data, onto a projection surface with illumination light emitted from a light source, to enable an observer to observe the image. The image projecting apparatus comprises a distribution area recognizing section configured to recognize an area in which the input image data is distributed in a color space, and a projection condition controlling section configured to convert the input image data to increase brightness of the image to be projected onto the projection surface without changing a color balance of the image, based on the area recognized by the distribution area recognizing section, and send image data obtained by conversion of the input image data to the display device, and also control brightness of illumination light emitted from the light source in connection with the conversion of the input image data.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention can provide an image display device that can include light sources provided, respectively, for regions obtained by dividing an image forming region of an electro-optic modulator into plural regions to irradiate corresponding regions, and a light source control portion that performs lighting control on the light sources. The light source control portion can perform the lighting control on the light sources for the respective region independently in sync with writing of image data to the electro-optic modulator, and the lighting control can be performed in such a manner that the light source corresponding to at least one region among the plural regions is kept unlit in a writing period for a screenful of image data.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for a polarizing conversion assembly adapted to provide polarized light having an intensity distribution to complement an angular transmission distribution of a corresponding light modulator are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method and system that objectively measures the convergence and focus of a 2 or 3 spatial light modulator (SLM) projection display. The system uses five (5) CCD cameras and a frame grabber to store red, green, and blue (R-G-B) data from selected pixels located in the corners and center of the projector's field-of-view. The horizontal and vertical locations for the R-G-B pixels at each of the five locations is determined and the delta (?) displacement of the green and blue pixels, relative to the reference red pixel, is calculated and used to converge the image. The optical focus of the system is also determined using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The FFT is performed on this same data and a power spectrum summation beyond the first mimima is determined. The focus is then adjusted to maximize this value.

Abstract: A projection-type display apparatus for projecting an image onto a screen includes a light source, a signal processing unit for processing an input image signal to output a first image signal representing first primary-color information R1, G1, and B1 representing values of red, green, and blue components of an image to be projected, a signal conversion unit for converting the first image signal into a second image signal representing a coefficient M which depends on luminance of the image to be projected defined by the first primary-color information R1, G1, and B1, and into a third image signal representing second primary-color information R2=R1/M, G2=G1/M, and B2=B1/M.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in image display, of projecting a light beam onto a retina of a viewer, to thereby allow the viewer to perceive an image, is disclosed. The apparatus is constructed to include: a light emitter emitting a light beam; a scanner scanning the light beam emitted by the light emitter; an optical system receiving the light beam scanned by the scanner as an incoming light beam, and emitting the received incoming light beam as an outgoing light beam, such that, upon modulation of the light beam with respect to a traveling direction of the light beam, the outgoing light beam is directed to a pupil of the viewer; and a curvature compensator compensating a wavefront curvature of the incoming light beam.

Abstract: An illumination optical system is disclosed, which provides a luminous flux with a small incident angle on an illumination surface in one axis direction on a section of the luminous flux. The illumination optical system can suppress a reduction in light amount by a mask provided for a polarization conversion element. The illumination optical system has a light source and an optical integrator. The optical integrator uses a lens array to perform splitting of a luminous flux from the light source. The illumination optical system has the polarization conversion element including a polarization beam splitter array, a plurality of ½ wave plates, and a mask. The light source is a discharge gas exciting arc tube of a DC drive type.

Abstract: The image display device is configured to include the light source including a plurality of semiconductor light-emitting elements, a parallelizing unit including a plurality of cell lenses arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with each of the plurality of semiconductor light-emitting elements, an image display element for forming an optical image, a pair of lens-array groups located between the parallelizing unit and the image display element, and a projection unit for enlarging and projecting the optical image formed on the image display element. Moreover, the plurality of semiconductor light-emitting elements are located at substantially focal points of the cell lenses of the parallelizing unit.

Abstract: An image display device comprises an optical imaging arrangement for providing image information to illumination light and for transmitting the light as an optical image signal; a display for receiving the optical image signal and for displaying an image based on the image information; and a projecting optical arrangement including a reflecting part having a reflecting surface for reflecting the optical image signal, and a refracting optical part having a refracting surface for projecting the optical image signal onto the reflecting part. At least one of the reflecting surface and the refracting surface is aspherical.

Abstract: The present invention provides a projection image display technology capable of correcting astigmatism due to use of a polarized-beam splitter, thus ensuring high-resolution projection images. A wire-grid polarized-beam splitter (or the like) of a flat-plate-like structure is used as a polarized-beam splitter, and an astigmatism correction element, such as a cylindrical lens, is provided between the polarized-beam splitter and a projection lens unit.

Abstract: Apparatus and techniques for enhancing characteristics of electronic projection systems are detailed. Included among the techniques are both superimposition of sub-images and tiling of superimposed images, the combination of which can be advantageous in improving resolution of projected images. Pre-modulators and polarizing beam splitters also may be used as parts of the innovative systems.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to achieve a high intensity, a compact structure, a cost reduction and a heat radiation of a liquid crystal panel, in a projection type video display apparatus employing a combination of LED light sources and a light pipe. The light pipe is formed in a hollow type so as to be utilized as a cooling wind path. Further, a permeable or reflective baffle plate is provided within the light pipe. Further, the light pipe is formed by coating a mirror on an inner surface of an optical case integrally formed by fixing optical parts. Further, a dichroic mirror is arranged in an LED light source outgoing surface.

Abstract: A display device or a receiver device for use with coherent light. A controller applies phase shift values to a multi-region phase array at a frequency sufficiently higher than the flicker fusion rate of the human eye or other intended receiver in order to remove the perception of speckling artifacts which would otherwise appear due to the coherency of the light.

Abstract: The method for automatically calibrating a multi-projector system with at least two projectors, a digital camera and a control unit for controlling the projectors and the camera is performed according to the following steps: production, capture and image-filtering of strip patterns, finding the largest projection surface possible, and calculation of warp fields and image-warping.

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 projector that employs scanning optics is disclosed. A number of light-emitting sources have intensities that are varied in accordance with an image. The scanning optics scan the light output by the light-emitting sources to cover a two-dimensional plane in accordance with an image.

Abstract: A projection type image display apparatus includes a light source to emit light; a polarizing beam splitter to polarize the light received from the light source; a first lens array including a plurality of first lens cells having rectangular shapes to receive the light from the polarizing beam splitter, each first lens cell having a first side and a second side, the first side being longer than the second side, the first lens array having a rectangular shape, the first lens array having a third side and a fourth side, the third side being longer than the fourth side, the first sides of the first lens cells and the third side of the first lens array extending along a first direction; a second lens array including a plurality of second lens cells and being configured to receive the light from the first lens array, the second lens array having a rectangular shape and having a fifth side and a sixth side, the fifth and sixth sides of the second lens array having substantially the same dimensions as the third and

Abstract: Laser projection system suitable for commercial motion picture theaters and other large screen venues, including home theater, uses optical fibers to project modulated laser beams for simultaneously raster scanning multiple lines on screen. Emitting ends of optical fibers are arranged in an array such that red, green and blue spots are simultaneously scanned onto the screen in multiple lines spaced one or more scan lines apart. Use of optical fibers enables scanning of small, high resolution spots on screen, and permits convenient packaging and replacement, upgrading or modification of system components. Simultaneous raster scanning of multiple lines enables higher resolution, brightness, and frame rates with available economical components. Fiber-based beam coupling may be used to greatly enhance the flexibility of the system.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, in which an object image focused by a lens is split into a plurality of images by means of a light splitting section. These images are converted into image data items by a plurality of imaging devices which are arranged with their imaging area overlapping in part. The image data items are stored temporarily in an image storing section. A displacement detecting section detects displacement coefficients (rotation angle R and parallel displacement S) from the image signals representing the mutual overlap region of two images which are to be combined and which are represented by two image data items read from the image storing section. The position of any specified pixel of the image displayed is identified by the pixel signal generated by the corresponding pixel of any imaging device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for readily changing the design of a projector. A projector comprises: an illumination optical system; a light modulation device; a projection optical system; and a base frame for mounting a plurality of optical components disposed on a light path from the optical illumination system to the projection optical system. The illumination optical system 300 comprises: a light source 20; a lens array 320; and a superimposing lens system 370. The base frame includes a positioning section for positioning the superimposing lens system 370. The superimposing lens system 370 includes at least two lenses 371 and 372. The first lens 371 is provided at a position nearest to the light source and mainly determines an F-number of the illumination optical system. The second lens 372 is provided at a position furthest from the light source and mainly determines a magnification of the illumination optical system.

Abstract: The invention provides a holder frame, optical device and projector which can prevent the substrate from deviating in position, the substrate from being compressed at the outer periphery and color unevenness from occurring. More particularly, in the four sides of a luminous-flux incident surface of a holder frame, there can be formed a plurality of cutouts extending from a vicinity of an opening to an outer edge of the luminous-flux incident surface and nearly orthogonal to a lengthwise of each side. Also, in the four sides of an accommodating surface of the holder frame, there are formed a plurality of cutouts extending from a vicinity of an opening to an outer edge of the accommodating surface and nearly orthogonal to a lengthwise of each side. The cutouts in each side of the accommodating surface of the holder frame are formed in positions between the cutouts formed in each side of the luminous-flux incident surface of the holder frame as viewed from a side of luminance-flux incidence.

Abstract: The invention provides a fixing plate, optical device and projector capable of preventing against color unevenness occurrence and pixel deviation. Specifically, in each of the four sides of a luminous-flux exit surface of a plate part of a fixing plate, there can alternately be formed a first cutout in a groove form extending from an opening toward an outer edge of the plate part and nearly orthogonal to a lengthwise of each side, and a second cutout in a groove form extending from the outer edge toward the opening and nearly orthogonal to the lengthwise of each side.

Abstract: In a reflection-type image projecting unit, being applicable into a reflection-type image display apparatus, being superior in contrast and achieving small-sizing of the apparatus, together with a light source for use therein, a light flux including three (3) color components, R, G and B, emitted from a light source portion 100, are modulated and synthesized by means of reflection-type liquid crystal panels 221, 222 and 223 in an optical engine 200, which is constructed with three (3) prism-like polarization light beam splitters, to be emitted therefrom, wherein those three (3) prism-like polarization light beam splitters are so disposed, that the G-component light of the three component lights R, G and B modulated on the reflection-type liquid crystal panel elements penetrates through two (2) of the prism-like polarization light beam splitters 231 and 232, to be emitted therefrom, while the others, the B-component light and the R-component light penetrate therethrough after being reflected thereupon, or they

Abstract: To provide a projection type video display capable of reliably preventing a double image from being produced. A first light flux producer for producing a first light flux and a second light flux producer for producing a second light flux are arranged on the light emission side of a lamp. The light flux producer comprises a condenser lens, a rod integrator, and a pair of lenses. Lights passing through the pair of lenses are respectively refracted by condenser lenses, and are respectively introduced into first and second areas of a liquid crystal display panel in such a manner as to cross an optical surface in a color separating and mixing sector.

Abstract: To provide an image display device and a projector having a brightness or an excellent utilization efficiency of the light by improving the display performance of a moving picture.

Abstract: A laser projection system preferably for use in commercial motion picture theaters and other large screen venues, including home theater, uses optical fibers to project modulated laser beams for raster scanning on the screen. The emitting ends of the optical fibers are arranged in an array such that red, green and blue spots are simultaneously scanned onto the screen in multiple lines spaced one or more than one scan line apart. The use of optical fibers for laser beam projection eliminates the need to use complex optics, and enables the scanning of small, high resolution spots on the screen. The use of optical fiber also permits convenient packaging and permits replacement, upgrading or modification of the system components. The scanning of multiple lines simultaneously is accomplished by reordering the video signal with a microprocessor controller component to write lines in a sequence after repeated vertical sweeps to form a complete picture.

Abstract: An optical unit for projection type image display apparatus, by which the occurrence of registration deviation can be restrained and projected images of high contrast can be obtained, is disclosed. This optical unit comprises a first optical element which performs at least one of color separation and color combination; a holding member attached to the first optical element; and a second optical element which optically acts on one of incident light on the first optical element and emergent light from the first optical element. The linear expansion coefficients a1, a2, and a3 of the materials forming the first optical element, the second optical element, and the holding member have the following relationship: a1<a3?a2.

Abstract: When a video signal is inputted to a projector (10) through a video input terminal, a luminance peak value of an image of the video signal is detected by an image-analyzing circuit (61) to be outputted to a CPU (71). A gain-adjusting circuit (63) adjusts a luminance signal in the video signal based on a command from the CPU (71). The CPU (71) determines a gain adjustment amount based on the luminance peak value of the image obtained by the image-analyzing circuit (61) and outputs the result to the gain-adjusting circuit (63). For instance, when the luminance peak value (Ip) of the image is 50% of the upper limit (Imax) thereof, a gain-adjusting amount AG is doubled. In this case, an illuminating light volume of a light valve (44a) has to be reduced to 50%, which is achieved by light-attenuation by a light-source lamp (21) and an open/close light shield (23).

Abstract: A system and method for forming an optical image having a screen on which is displayed an image which is to be reproduced on an image display plane. The image on the screen is optically transmitted in the form of a plurality of blocks to the image display plane and a block deflecting system associated with the display plane receives the plurality of optically transmitted blocks and displays them in the proper order on the image display plane.

Abstract: A projector for projecting an image to an external screen in which an optical unit, includes rectangular liquid crystal panels disposed such that the short sides thereof are substantially parallel with a plane including principal light beams of the respective color light beams to be composited by a prism. Transmission cables are drawn out from the short sides of the respective liquid crystal panels, and a cooling fan is disposed such that the direction of cooling air is approximately parallel with the long sides of the liquid crystal panels.

Abstract: An image display apparatus and method is disclosed that can prevent shot-sneaking of an image displayed by a projector apparatus. The projector apparatus embeds a display image portion in which the same color is represented with another color space of R, Cy, and B by color space conversion as a shot-sneaking preventing image portion into an original image as a display image for which a color space of R, G, and B is used to reproduce a color. The shot-sneaking preventing image portion appears to the visual sense of the human being as the same color as that of the oringinal image. However, the color component values of R and B are different in terms of the color component values of R and B between the color space of R, G, and B and the color space of R, Cy, and B. Therefore, for example, if a camera that picks up an image in accordance with the R, G, B method is used to pick up an image of the display image, then the picked-up display image is reproduced in a color different from the original color.

Abstract: A video projection system (50) comprises a rotary disc (31) having light guiding devices (35) extending radially thereof and in a helical configuration circumferentially at the disc (31) and corresponding in number to the number of lines to be scanned on a screen (48) the arrangement being such that, as the disc (31) rotates, a light bundle is directed through successive devices (35) which cause the bundle to be scanned on the screen (48).

Abstract: A method and system that objectively measures the convergence and focus of a 2 or 3 spatial light modulator (SLM) projection display. The system uses five (5) CCD cameras and a frame grabber to store red, green, and blue (R-G-B) data from selected pixels located in the corners and center of the projector's field-of-view. The horizontal and vertical locations for the R-G-B pixels at each of the five locations is determined and the delta (?) displacement of the green and blue pixels, relative to the reference red pixel, is calculated and used to converge the image. The optical focus of the system is also determined using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The FFT is performed on this same data and a power spectrum summation beyond the first mimima is determined. The focus is then adjusted to maximize this value.

Abstract: A color-separating and -recombining optical system provided between a light source and a projection lens in a projection display, has at least one prism assembly made up of at least two prisms bonded to each other with a bonding layer formed between the prisms. A white light emitted from the light source is divided into red-, green-, and blue-color light components related to primary colors. The light components are modulated by spatial light modulators in accordance with a video signal. The modulated light components are combined and projected onto a screen via the projection lens. The thickness of the bonding layer is varied as thin and thick for optical paths long and short, respectively, from the spatial light modulators to the bonding layer which each modulated light component emitted from the corresponding spatial light modulator reaches.

Abstract: An image projection system comprises a laser source that generates a series of periodic pulses having substantially uniform energy content, a spatial light modulator, and a modulator driver synchronized with the laser pulses so that transition intervals of the modulator elements occur in an interpulse period between first and second states of the modulator elements. Because the pulses are substantially equal in energy, and the transitions of the modulator elements occur in interpulse intervals, the collective energy delivered to any pixel in the system described herein during the period of one frame is a direct function of the number of pulses, which can be accurately controlled in a digital manner.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical device that achieves reduction in size, reduction in manufacturing costs, improved image quality, and so forth, by simplification and the like of a panel in prisms (POP) structure wherein light-modulating devices and a color synthesizing optical element are integrally formed. A POP structure is configured wherein pins integrally formed with a holding member are inserted through holes formed in the four corners of holding frames storing the liquid crystal panelsso as to fix the holding frames and holding members by adhesion. End faces of holding members opposite to the pins are fixed by adhesion to the side faces of bases fixed on the upper and lower faces of a cross-dichroic prism.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes first and second IR or other light sources that produce light at respective first and second non-visible wavelengths. The light is modulated according to a desired image. The modulated light is then applied to a wavelength selective phosphor that converts each component of the light to a respective visible wavelength. In one embodiment, the image source is a scanned light beam display that scans an IR light beam onto a screen that carries the phosphor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a display device using a color wheel having a color filter Cw, in addition to normal color filters corresponding to the three primary colors. The filter Cw has almost flat spectral transmission characteristics. Brightness information included in a color image signal is quantized with (n+m) bits. Information corresponding to the lower-order n bits is displayed by light transmitted through the filter Cw. Information corresponding to the upper-order n bits is displayed by light transmitted through the normal color filters. Only brightness information to which the human eye is visually sensitive is reproduced by the filter Cw having a lower transmissivity. This can eliminate a lack of the number of gray levels due to a constraint on the minimum switching speed of a light valve. Furthermore, the brightness little deteriorates.

Abstract: An optical projection apparatus includes an optical lighting system provided with a polarized beam splitter for polarizing white light flux from a white light source and combining the white light flux with other light fluxes, thereby taking out a predetermined polarized wave; a multi-lens array consisting of a plurality of lens elements; and an irradiator for separating the white light flux into three primary color light fluxes of red, green, and blue and irradiating each of the three color light fluxes on the same display element at an angle different from the others; and a projecting lens unit used for projecting the three primary color light fluxes modulated by the display element. Color light fluxes modulated by the display element are separated in a horizontal direction of the screen of the display element when passing an injection pupil of the projection lens unit.

Abstract: An image display system uses a polarizing beam splitter to direct light from a lamp to multiple spatial modulators. The spatial light modulators (“SLM”) each generate an image portion, which are stitched together on a display screen to obtain a high resolution image. In particular embodiment, image portions from two conventional SLMs, each controlling about two million pixels, are stitched together to form an image having about four million pixels. In another embodiment, two lamps are used with four SLMs to produce a resultant image having about eight million pixels.

Abstract: The invention provides a structure to attach a liquid crystal panel to a prism, which enables further enhancements in cooling capabilities. The structure includes a storing member fixed on a base and holding a holding frame, where a liquid crystal panel is held. Erected pieces to form a space to receive the holding frame are formed protruding on both left and right sides at the light incident side. Protrusions to form an air path with a cross-dichroic prism are formed on both left and right sides on the light emitting side. The liquid crystal panel is attached to the cross-dichroic prism through a holding member having an opening at a portion corresponding to the panel face of the liquid crystal panel.

Abstract: A method for making a color separator configured for a large screen display includes covering red, green, and blue subpixels of a phosphor display with a refraction layer, and then ink-jet printing a color selection mask layer onto the refraction layer to shield the blue and green subpixels from a first beam, shield the red and green subpixels from a second beam, and shield the red and blue subpixels from a third beam.

Abstract: A multi-screen laser projection system comprises a laser source that generates a plurality of laser beams, an image display control system, a plurality of modulator arms each including a light modulator; and an optical switch coupled to the image display control system and modulators. A plurality of projection optical systems are respectively arranged to project the modulated light from each modulator onto its associated screen. The optical switch is arranged to receive the plurality of beams from the laser source and switch each of the beams to one of the modulator arms in order to illuminate each modulator with a sequence of colors during each frame. During the course of a frame, each of the colors becomes incident upon the modulator. The projection system disclosed herein can provide a cost-effective, efficient true digital projection display system with high resolution and high brightness.

Abstract: A system and method for using pulses of laser light delivered in a non-overlapping sequence of first pulses at a green wavelength, second pulses at a blue wavelength and semi-continuous pulses at a red wavelength to illuminate a color generation unit for generating a color. Typically, the color generating unit is an image generating unit for producing color images and is equipped with transmissive or reflective pixels which are adjusted to select portions of the laser light generated at the green, blue and red wavelengths to obtain a desired output color. The first and second pulses preferably have a narrow pulse width and an interpulse separation equal to at least 100 times the narrow pulse width, while the semi-continuous pulses at the red wavelength have a wide pulse width equal to at least 100 times the narrow pulse width.

Abstract: Addressed herein are techniques and equipment for pre-processing digital images to be superimposed for display. Filtering, re-sampling, and decimation are variously used to process images and sub-images to produce to-be-superimposed images. One of the described techniques is designed primarily (although not necessarily exclusively) for computational efficiency, while the other sacrifices some computational efficiency for higher quality of output images.

Abstract: A display device or a receiver device for use with coherent light. A controller applies phase shift values to a multi-region phase array at a frequency sufficiently higher than the flicker fusion rate of the human eye or other intended receiver in order to remove the perception of speckling artifacts which would otherwise appear due to the coherency of the light.

Abstract: Three lines' worth of an image are displayed on a columnar display unit 11 comprising a plurality (for example, three) of one-dimensional display devices; this image light beam is made incident on perpendicular deflection means 14, and using the perpendicular deflection means 14, this image light beam is deflected and scanned at high speed in directions perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the columnar display unit 11 to obtain a two-dimensional image. A plurality of one-dimensional display devices is used, so that compared with conventional devices in which only a single one-dimensional display device is used, even if the rewrite speed (scanning speed) per one-dimensional display device is slow, good image quality free of flicker can be obtained. By further extending this in a configuration using a plurality of columnar display units, a single image can be divided into a plurality of images and displayed in a row on a screen.