Plural Parallel Light Modulators Patents (Class 348/750)
-
Patent number: 6674561Abstract: An optical state modulation method is provided. The method comprises steps of periodically modulating luminance of a visible light in temporal domain so as to generate an optical state variation on a recorded image that is obtained by image-capturing of a displayed image, the visible light being superposed on an original display image to produce the displayed image, the optical state variation being independent of an original display image and generating no hampering effect when the displayed image is directly watched.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2002Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Michihiro Ohnishi, Tomohiro Nishi
-
Patent number: 6648474Abstract: A projection apparatus is disclosed which uses a light modulation element of the reflection type and can demultiplex and multiplex light appropriately. The projection apparatus includes four PBSs including an incoming PBS, a RB-PBS, a G-PBS and an outgoing PBS to demultiplex illumination light emitted from a lamp into light components in wavelength bands of blue, red and green. The illumination light in the wavelength band of green is introduced to a position at which the highest contrast is obtained, and a third liquid crystal panel is disposed at the position. The illumination light in the wavelength band of red is introduced to another position at which the second highest contrast is obtained, and a second liquid crystal panel is disposed at the position. The illumination light in the wavelength band of blue is introduced to the remaining position, and a first liquid crystal panel is disposed at the position.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2002Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Masao Katsumata, Hideki Yamamoto
-
Patent number: 6636274Abstract: When an anomaly occurred in an optical system or light sources of a rear projection TV in which laser beams are employed as a light source, the anomaly is detected by sensors, the detected anomaly is transmitted to a microcomputer, and according to a signal from the microcomputer a laser light source control portion controls the laser beams from the laser light sources so as to stop or decrease generation of the laser beams. Thereby, danger is prevented in advance from being afflicted on a viewer.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1999Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Naoki Mazda, Ken Itou
-
Patent number: 6636275Abstract: A high definition digital image projection system that uses modulated lasers to project high resolution images at frame rates that are used in the movie industry. An exemplary system employs digital-to-analog converters that convert digital signals derived from an image memory that correspond to predetermined colors that make up an image into analog signals for the respective color. A plurality of lasers 13a, have their light intensity outputs respectively modulated by the outputs of the digital-to-analog converters. A plurality of optical devices such as color sensitive half-silvered mirrors or sets of prisms having color-sensitive coatings on their respective faces, are used to produce a coaxial set of laser beams. First and second rotating mirrors are used to reflect the coaxial set of laser beams and generate an image for viewing. A mirror rotation synchronization circuit synchronizes rotation of the first and second rotating mirrors.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2000Date of Patent: October 21, 2003Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Dennis L. Wilson
-
Publication number: 20030174255Abstract: Provided are a laser video projector having a multi-channel acousto-optic modulator, and a method and circuit for driving the laser video projector. The laser video projector includes a light generating portion, an optic modulator, an optic combining portion, and an optic scanning portion. The light generating portion emits light to be used to project a video image. The optic modulator modulates the light incident from the light generating portion by using the video signal. The optic combining portion combines modulated light beams emitted from the optic modulator. The optic scanning portion scans light incident from the optic combining portion on a screen. The optic modulator has six or more optic modulation channels so that a plurality of red light beams, a plurality of green light beams, and a plurality of blue light beams incident in a state suitable for optic modulation are simultaneously modulated. Accordingly, limitations in the performance of an optic modulator and an optic scanner can be overcome.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2003Publication date: September 18, 2003Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jin-ho Lee, Sang-whoe Dho
-
Patent number: 6621615Abstract: A light-modulating system, includes: a light source for emitting a sequence of light pulses at a period Tp; a light modulator having a variable-width switching profile with rise and fall times Tr and Tf respectively, wherein the greater of Tr and Tf is greater than Tp, the light modulator modulating the sequence of light pulses; and a controller for controlling the width of the variable-width light switching profile.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2002Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Brian E. Kruschwitz, Marek W. Kowarz, Reinhold Thiel
-
Patent number: 6621609Abstract: A laser beam display includes at least a first and second plurality of laser beam sources, each of which may preferably be an array of semiconductor lasers, providing a plurality of laser beams in an optical path so as to reflect off of reflective facets of a movable reflector and illuminate a display screen. In a color display, each column of the laser array corresponds to a separate primary color. The separate rows of each array correspond to independently activated but simultaneously driven scan lines to be illuminated by the laser beam scanning apparatus. The plural laser beam arrays subdivide the width of the screen into smaller scan segments to increase the scanning angle or increase the horizontal scanning speed of the apparatus. Tilted facets illuminate different vertical sections of the screen with the laser beams as the reflector rotates. A scan format employing simultaneously illuminated diagonal scan tiles provides optimal use of the plural laser beam arrays.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2001Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Advanced Laser Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Donald C. Conemac
-
Patent number: 6608652Abstract: An image display system comprises a first liquid crystal projector which projects a counterclockwise-rotating, circularly polarized light beam to form an image containing specific visual information on a screen and a second liquid crystal projector which projects a clockwise-rotating, circularly polarized light beam to form a white image on the same screen. When viewed with the naked eye, a combination of the two images projected on the screen appears totally white. A viewer wearing a dedicated viewing device equipped with an optical filter which allows counterclockwise-rotating, circularly polarized light to pass through can selectively see the image projected by the first liquid crystal projector.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1996Date of Patent: August 19, 2003Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Yoshiharu Hirakata, Jun Koyama, Satoshi Teramoto
-
Patent number: 6606332Abstract: A color mixing system is proposed for use in an optical-fiber laser-diode assembly comprising at least two semiconductor laser diodes, optical fiber light input and output couples, a system of spatial superposition of laser beams of different wavelength with at least one semi-transparent mirror, and a system for electronic control of light power in monochromatic light components to be mixed. The electronic control system makes it possible to produce a plurality of different colors. The basic colors, i.e., blue, green, and red, are produced by respective laser diode assemblies provided with means for adjusting output light power on each individual assembly. The electronic system contains a microprocessor connected to a pulse width modulation unit capable of modulating the duration and shape of the light pulse emitted from the laser diode. This allows for selecting a required ratio of energetic brightnesses of light beams produced by individual laser diode assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2000Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Inventor: Bogie Boscha
-
Patent number: 6587159Abstract: A digital cinema projection system (200) for projecting images onto a display screen. The projection system (200) comprises a lamp console (102) and a projector (202). The projector (202) receives digital image data, processes the digital image data to create an image data stream that is compatible with the chosen spatial light modulator, and uses the processed image data to modulate a beam of light from the lamp console (102). A primary projection lens (204) and lens adapter mounted on a rotatable turret (206) focus the modulated light onto a display screen. Alternatively, an integrated anamorphic projection lens is used to eliminate the need for a separate lens adapter.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1999Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Duane Scott Dewald
-
Patent number: 6577429Abstract: A display apparatus includes a laser light source for emitting a light beam having a coherence length; a beam expander for expanding the light beam; a spatial light modulator; beam shaping optics for shaping the expanded laser beam to provide uniform illumination of the spatial light modulator, the beam shaping optics including a fly's eye integrator having an array of lenslets; a diffuser located in the light beam between the laser light source and the beam shaping optics; an electrically controllable de-speckling modulator for modifying the temporal and spatial phase of the light beam; and a projection lens for producing an image of the spatial light modulator on a distant screen.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2002Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Andrew F. Kurtz, Brian E. Kruschwitz, Sujatha Ramanujan
-
Patent number: 6573950Abstract: A single-panel liquid crystal rear side projection type image display apparatus, which is compact in size and can satisfy requirements of both brightness and color purity and can focus images very sharply with the contrast property improved significantly and with less screen distortion, and a projection lens unit comprising three lens groups of about F1.5, which is composed so as to cool the video generator with a cooling liquid and is provided with first to third dichroic mirrors DM1, DM2, and DM3 for separating a white light into the three primary colors in order of red, blue, and green.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2000Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Koji Hirata, Naoyuki Ogura, Masahiko Yatsu, Hidehiro Ikeda
-
Patent number: 6567134Abstract: A method and system of increasing the intensity of secondary colors in sequential color display systems. The method utilizes light during a transition period between two primary color periods to form a secondary color. The light generated during this transition is generally not used since it does not represent a pure primary color, but instead typically starts as light of a first pure primary and ends as light of a second pure primary. A display controller determines which secondary color is needed, and the amount of the secondary color needed, and enables the transition or spoke light to contribute to the image during a time period appropriate to desired secondary color intensity given the intensity and switching characteristics of the light during the transition period. For example, light (210) filtered by a color wheel (200) during the transitional period (212 to 214) between a red (102) and green (106) filter is used to increase the yellow component of the image.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2000Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Daniel J. Morgan
-
Patent number: 6552754Abstract: A laser video projector using an optical pumping valve is provided. The video projector according to the present invention forms an image using an optical pumping valve including a laser resonator for resonating light of a certain wavelength, an optical pumping source for performing pumping so that the laser resonator can generate a laser beam, and an optical valve for filtering the laser beam emitted from the laser resonator so that the filtered laser beam forms a picture instead of a cathode ray tube (CRT).Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1999Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Samsung Display Devices Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chung Dam Song, Sang Mook Kim
-
Patent number: 6535187Abstract: Light is shined on an addressable spatial light modulator, and the light is also integrated. The data displayed on the spatial light modulator is changed when the integrated light reaches a predetermined value. The light may impinge on the spatial light modulator through a color wheel, which may be rotated faster than the frame repetition rate of video information that is being displayed. Alternatively, the light may be generated by different-colored lamps. The intensity of the light may be controlled in accordance with the bit rank or significance of the bits that are being displayed by the spatial light modulator. Several techniques for achieving different intensity levels are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1998Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Inventor: Lawson A. Wood
-
Patent number: 6512502Abstract: A projection display for displaying a color image formed of a plurality of color pixels. Each color pixel has a combination of different color light components. The display has a light source for supplying light to an optical path. A projection lens is disposed in the optical path, as are first and second light valves. The first and second light valves each have a plurality of subpixels. Each subpixel has an associated color filter for reflecting a corresponding color light component. The sub-pixels are grouped into groups of three, each group has a single sub-pixel from one of the first or second light valves and the remaining two sub-pixels from the other light valve, which together combine to form a color pixel of the color image for each of the color pixels of the color image.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1998Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Kenneth C. Ho, Alan Edward Rosenbluth
-
Patent number: 6507326Abstract: To suppress light loss without deteriorating resolution of a projected image, light is first polarized and separated by a polarizing beam splitter. Green light is separated from a light flux emitted by the polarizing beam splitter by a dichroic mirror having a green light reflection property. A light flux containing blue and red light, which is transmitted by the dichroic mirror, is separated into red light and blue light by a dichroic prism. Resultant color light is modulated and reflected by reflection light valves, returned to the corresponding dichroic mirror or dichroic prism, and combined by the dichroic mirror and the dichroic prism. Resultant combined color light is projected via the polarizing beam splitter and a projection lens. The dichroic prism transmits s-polarized light having wavelengths less than a wavelength substantially within a wavelength band of green light and reflects s-polarized light having larger wavelengths.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2001Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Yuji Manabe, Tetsuo Hattori
-
Publication number: 20020196379Abstract: In a color display device, apparatus and method are provided to produce a convergence correction signal based on digital convergence correction values. The data rate by which the data is supplied to the apparatus varies, depending on the area of the display corresponding to the digital convergence correction values being supplied.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2001Publication date: December 26, 2002Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhiko Yoshizawa, Toshimitsu Watanabe, Kuninori Matsumi
-
Patent number: 6483556Abstract: A full color, pulsed laser video system having solid state red (R), green (G) and blue (B) lasers (10, 12, 14) as a source, and with a projection screen having a two-channel image (24) for the screen, and with optical fiber remote image delivery (30).Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1999Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: Corporation for Laser Optics ResearchInventors: Masayuki Karakawa, Robert J. Martinsen, Stephen R. McDowell
-
Patent number: 6480177Abstract: A method of addressing an array of spatial light modulator elements. The method divides the array into blocks of elements, provides reset lines (MRST) to each of the block of elements, separate from the other blocks of elements, as well as address voltage supplies (VCCADDR) to each of the block of elements, separate from the other blocks of elements, addresses data to each of the blocks independent of the other blocks, resets each of the blocks, and steps address voltage to each of the block, where only blocks that are being reset receive the stepped address voltage. A spatial light modulator array (32) is also provided that has a layout to facilitate the method, including internal or external circuitry (34) to provide control of the stepped addressing voltages.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1998Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Donald B. Doherty, Henry Chu, James D. Huffman
-
Patent number: 6426781Abstract: A laser video projector for modulating light from a laser light source by an acousto-optic modulator (AOM) according to a video signal and projecting video information to a screen using a scanner is provided. The laser video projector includes a light source for outputting a beam of white light formed of first, second, and third main wavelengths, a light separator for separating the beam of the white light into beams of monochromatic lights having first, second, and third main wavelengths in a predetermined transmission factor and a predetermined reflectivity, light modulator for modulating the beams of the monochromatic lights according to a chrominance signal, light combiner for combining the monochromatic lights modulated by the light modulator into a beam, and light scanner for scanning the combined beam of the modulated monochromatic lights, thus forming an image.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1999Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jin-ho Lee
-
Patent number: 6417892Abstract: The present invention provides a high brightness color selective light modulator (CSLM) formed by a polarization modulator positioned between two retarder stacks. The modulator changes the apparent orientation of one retarder stack relative to the other so that, in a first switching state of the modulator the two retarder stacks cooperate in filtering the spectrum of input light, and in a second switching state the two retarder stacks complement each other, yielding a neutral transmission spectrum. Two or more CSLM stages can be used in series, each stage providing independent control of a primary color. One preferred embodiment eliminates internal polarizers between CSLM stages, thereby providing an additive common-path full-color display with only two neutral polarizers. Hybrid filters can be made using the CSLMs of this invention, in combination with other active or passive filters.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1999Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: ColorLink, Inc.Inventors: Gary D. Sharp, Kristina M. Johnson
-
Publication number: 20020041341Abstract: In a projection type color display unit having three optical shutters formed on substrates corresponding to three primary colors, a color separation circuit and a digitalizing circuit are provided on each substrate having the optical shutter, and signals corresponding to the respective colors which are outputted from those three digitalizing circuits are compared with each other and arithmetically operated, to thereby reduce a noise.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2001Publication date: April 11, 2002Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd., a Japanese corporationInventor: Shunpei Yamazaki
-
Patent number: 6359662Abstract: A method and system for compensating for defects in a multi-light valve display allows for the compensation of defective pixels in a display. By sequentially illuminating all light valves in a multi-light valve system with all colors, or wavelengths, available in the display, each light valve modulates the full gamut of colors available in the system. In this manner, the remaining light valves can compensate for a defective pixel in one of the light valves. The invention also includes an active compensation feature, whereby defective pixels in the display are identified and are compensated for by an associated display driver.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1999Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Richard C. Walker
-
Patent number: 6317170Abstract: A video image projection apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus uses a laser as a light source and modulates the light beam using a modulator according to an image signal. The apparatus projects the modulated light to a screen using a light scanning system. The laser display system includes three primary color laser light sources, an optical system needed for three-color light combining/separation, a light modulator loading the image signal into the three-color laser, and a driving circuit driving the system by processing the video signal electronically. A hybrid video laser color mixer has a structure that combines very small-sized hybrid light beam combining/separation optical elements and a 3-channel light modulator. It allows the size of the image projection apparatus to be about 6 by 5 by 3 centimeters. Additionally, the light alignment of the elements is close to self-alignment.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1998Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Young Mo Hwang, Seung Nam Cha, Jin Ho Lee
-
Patent number: 6309072Abstract: A video projection system for projecting more than one picture in which a light source for generating at least one light bundle, an intensity modulator and a spatial light bundle modulator, wherein they are controlled by a video signal, and at least one projection surface for displaying a determined quantity or quantities of individual pictures are arranged in the direction of light of a beam path. The video projection system contains a quantity or quantities of projectors which correspond(s) to the quantity or quantities of individual pictures, each projector having a spatial light bundle modulator, wherein they are optically connected with the light source. The light bundle is divided into a quantity or quantities of partial light bundles which correspond(s) to the quantity of projectors are arranged following the one light source, considered in the direction of the beam path, each of which partial light bundles has a partial beam path, followed in each partial beam path by an intensity modulator.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1999Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: LDT GmbH & Co. Laser-Display-Technologie KGInventor: Christhard Deter
-
Patent number: 6281949Abstract: A picture display method and apparatus in which a light source is lengthened in service life and optimum color reproduction is realized, while the light utilization efficiency is improved to reduce the power consumption and the size of the apparatus. The red, green and blue illuminating light beams radiated from the light-emitting diodes 12R, 12G and 12R, are illuminated via relay lenses and field lenses on picture display light valves 11R, 11G and 11B and spatially modulated in intensity so as to be synthesized by a synthesis prism 10 and so as to be projected to an enlarged scale on a screen 17. The profile of the light radiating portions of the light-emitting diodes 12R, 12G and 12B are set so as to be the same or similar to the profile of a picture display area of each of the picture display light valves 11R, 11G and 11B in order that the profile of the light beam illuminated on the picture display area will be in keeping with the profile of the picture display area.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1998Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Takeshi Matsui, Takuji Yoshida, Shunichi Hashimoto, Yoshinori Tanaka, Osamu Akimoto
-
Patent number: 6256073Abstract: A method of selecting a set of color sources for an image display system, the image display system creating a color image from at least three single-color color sources. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the method comprises selecting a first, second, and third color source. The first and second color sources are divided into a high-efficiency group and a low-efficiency group based on the efficiency of the color source. If the first color source is selected from the high-efficiency group (1102), the second color source may be selected from either the high-efficiency group or the low-efficiency group (1104). If the first color source is selected from the low efficiency group (1102), the second color source is selected from the high-efficiency group (1106). According to one embodiment of the present invention, the third color source is selected (1108) without first sorting the third color sources into high and low-efficiency groups.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1998Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Gregory S. Pettitt
-
Patent number: 6246446Abstract: An image display system (10) having an auto-focus system (24). An image sensor (20) such as a CCD camera, senses the sharpness of pixels (26) comprising a portion of the image at a screen (16), preferably a magnified portion of the image. A sensor data processor (22) processes the pixel data from the sensor (20), and instructs the auto focus system (24) to adjust an optical parameter such as the focal length of a projector lens (14) as a function of the sensor (20) output. A DMD-type SLM is preferably utilized due to the uniform geometric features of the pixel mirrors, but other SLM's can be used. The sharpness or contrast between an “on” and an “off” pixel is sensed, and preferably a 10×10 array of pixels arranged in a checker board pattern is sensed.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1997Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Scott Heimbuch, James Vorgert
-
Patent number: 6233025Abstract: In a process for generating at least three laser beams of different wavelengths for displaying color video pictures, a pulsed laser is used to generate light. The light output of the pulsed laser is released in a pulse and is introduced into a medium with nonlinear optical characteristics for generating a laser beam. In addition to the laser beam generated by excitation, this medium releases an additional laser beam whose frequency is given by the sum or difference frequencies of the exciting laser beam and the excited laser beam due to the nonlinear optical characteristics of the medium. The laser beams generated by the medium in this way and the exciting laser beam are used directly, or after frequency conversion, to display monochromatic partial images of a color video picture. An apparatus according to the invention contains suitable devices for carrying out the process.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1998Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: LTD GmbH & Co. Laser-Display-Technologie KGInventor: Richard Wallenstein
-
Patent number: 6219011Abstract: Electro-optical display apparatus includes a plurality of modular units each having a projector for receiving electrical signals, converting them to optical images, and projecting the optical images via an optical projection system onto a screen. The modular units are arranged in a side-by-side array such as to produce a combined display on the screen. A calibration system detects distortions in the combined display caused by the projection system of each modular unit and modifies the electrical signals applied to the projector of each modular unit to correct the combined display with respect to the detected distortions.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1997Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: ComView Graphics, Ltd.Inventors: Meir Aloni, Amir Rosenthal, Avinoam Livni, Nissim Elmaliah
-
Patent number: 6181367Abstract: A video image viewing device includes first and second glass plates having a layer of liquid crystal therebetween. A plurality of laser diodes extending along a line near one edge of the first plate are selectively illuminated at an intensity corresponding to the amplitude of a video signal during each of a plurality of video lines. The light propagates through the first plate via total internal reflection not entering the liquid crystal layer until it reaches an area where the refractive index of the liquid crystal is selectively modified. The refractive index may be modified by selectively energizing each of a plurality of horizontal strip electrodes vertically spaced from each other. The electrodes are sequentially energized to frustrate the total internal refraction and thereby cause the light to be transmitted through the liquid crystal layer into the second plate at a location corresponding to the location of video line in a video frame of the video signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 1999Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: New Light Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Stephen P. McGrew, P. David DeVries, Roger F. Wink, David H. Foster
-
Patent number: 6149276Abstract: There is provided an image projector including (a) a light source, (b) a reflection mirror for reflecting flux of light emitted from the light source, (c) an image display unit for forming images, and (d) a relay system for transferring the flux of light to the image display unit, the relay system including a relay lens having a first convex surface through which the flux of light enters therein and a second convex surface through which the flux of light exits therefrom, a ratio of a radius of curvature of the first convex surface to a radius of a curvature of the second convex surface being determined in such a manner that aberration out of an optical axis of the relay lens is increased to thereby cause a converging point of the flux of light to displace from a calculated focal distance. For instance, the ratio is determined in the range of about 1:2 to about 1:3.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 1999Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: NEC CorporationInventors: Tadashi Takeuchi, Hiroshi Uchida
-
Patent number: 6128131Abstract: A flat-panel projection color display including a flat projection display screen having a width dimension and a height dimension defining a display screen area A, the display screen having a light transmissive support which has on one surface thereof a plurality of patterned fluorescent elements capable of emitting red, green, or blue color light and at least one laser scanner for producing a raster-scanned laser light beam and for projecting the beam onto the display screen as a display tile from a projection distance which is .ltoreq.0.5.sqroot.A. The display screen causes the laser light beam to illuminate selected fluorescent elements within the display tile on the screen, the laser light beam having a wavelength selected to cause the selected fluorescent elements to emit red, green, or blue color light.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1997Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Ching W. Tang
-
Patent number: 6086208Abstract: A method is disclosed for displaying images represented by electronic image information, including the following steps: providing a light source; optically modulating light from the light source, the optical modulation utilizing a pixel pattern and a diffraction grating, the pixel pattern being modulated with the image information; providing a schlieren optical system for operating on the optically modulated light; and displaying an output of the schlieren optical system; the diffraction grating being provided with a grating spacing that differs from the pixel spacing of the pixel pattern by an odd multiple of half the grating spacing.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1998Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: Florida Atlantic UniversityInventor: William E. Glenn
-
Patent number: 6067127Abstract: A projection display system using a laser beam reflected from a rotating mirror, where the rotation rate of the mirror is reduced. During a first rotational period the beam is reflected from the rotating mirror toward a fixed mirror, reflected from the fixed mirror back to the rotating mirror and then reflected from the rotating mirror toward a viewing surface. During a second rotational period the beam is reflected from the rotating mirror, toward the fixed mirror, reflected from the fixed mirror toward a second fixed mirror, from the second fixed mirror toward a second face of the rotating mirror, reflected from the second face of the rotating mirror toward a third fixed mirror, and reflected from the third fixed mirror toward the viewing surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1997Date of Patent: May 23, 2000Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Corporation of AmericaInventor: George S. Bardmesser
-
Patent number: 6018374Abstract: A method and system for preventing a visible video copy being made of a projected image on a screen. In a theater environment, an image is projected upon a screen by a film projector or a video projector. A form of film piracy is accomplished by copying the image on the screen with a video camcorder. Most of these video camcorders are sensitive to the visual spectrum as well as portions of the infra red spectrum. To prevent the copying of a projected image by such a video camcorder, a focused or unfocused image in the infra red spectrum is projected on top of the visual image. This infra red image will not be visible to the audience in the theater. However a recording of the visual image by a video camcorder sensitive to the infra red spectrum will be distorted beyond use.When a focused infra red image is projected onto the screen it may include a message indicating the date and source of the recording. Other messages could be used including a message to the video pirate that he has been caught.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1997Date of Patent: January 25, 2000Assignee: Macrovision CorporationInventor: William J. Wrobleski
-
Patent number: 5990982Abstract: A baseline display system (10) is capable of receiving different types of input signals, analog or digital, having different horizontal and vertical input resolutions. The system uses serial video processors (SVPs) (33, 34, 43, 83) that have a given input size and spatial light modulators (SLMs) (18) that have a given output (display) resolution- The baseline system (10) is configurable to meet bandwidth requirements for displaying real time images on SLMs of increasing resolution. Data is decimated (downscaled) when appropriate to fit the SVP input size (FIGS. 4 and 8) and upscaled, vertically or horizontally, when appropriate to fit the SLM display resolution (FIGS. 3, 4, 7, and 8). Four systems (20, 50, 60, 90) , each appropriate for a different SLM resolution are described.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1996Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Robert Gove, Adam J. Kunzman
-
Patent number: 5990983Abstract: An image projection system employing microlaser and/or diode laser arrays. Each laser in each array is individually addressable. The system includes three linear laser arrays, one red, one green, and one blue, each individually addressable laser being powered and modulated in accordance with the input image signal. When microlaser arrays, which are energized by laser diode pumps, are used, the laser diode pumps are formed in equivalent arrays. The laser output beams are combined in a dichroic prism and reflected off a rotating multifaceted scanning mirror which effects two dimensional scanning as it rotates. The image beam reflected from the scanner passes through an imaging lens, a speckle eliminator and then onto the projection screen. The invention also includes the method of generating and scanning the image beam, as well as the novel speckle eliminator and the microlaser array configured for optimally close spacing to achieve the desired result.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1997Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Laser Power CorporationInventors: David E. Hargis, Graham Flint, Shlomo Assa
-
Patent number: 5973727Abstract: A video image viewing device includes first and second glass plates having a layer of liquid crystal therebetween. A plurality of laser diodes extending along a line near one edge of the first plate are selectively illuminated at an intensity corresponding to the amplitude of a video signal during each of a plurality of video lines. The light propagates through the first plate via total internal reflection not entering the liquid crystal layer until it reaches an area where the refractive index of the liquid crystal is selectively modified. The refractive index may be modified by selectively energizing each of a plurality of horizontal strip electrodes vertically spaced from each other. The electrodes are sequentially energized to frustrate the total internal refraction and thereby cause the light to be transmitted through the liquid crystal layer into the second plate at a location corresponding to the location of video line in a video frame of the video signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1997Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: New Light Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Stephen P. McGrew, P. David DeVries, Roger F. Wink, David H. Foster
-
Patent number: 5959702Abstract: A video projector employs an acousto-optic deflector for moving a horizontal line of pixels vertically to form an image on a remote screen. Because the pixel images are formed from parallel beams, rather than by reimaging a line of pixel images on a vertical deflector, the image formed is in focus at all screen distances. The horizontal line of pixels is formed from a single laser beam which is expanded laterally and passes through individual intensity modulators before being aimed at the vertical deflector. The horizontal line of beams may be divided into zones, one above the other, and later reorganized into a single line at the vertical deflector, in order to reduce the size of the projector.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1996Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Inventor: John Mott Goodman
-
Patent number: 5920361Abstract: Method and apparatus for a multi-application, laser-array-based image system utilizes three linear laser arrays. Each linear array generates multiple (N>1) parallel output beamlets at one of the three primary colors (red, green, blue). The corresponding 1 to N output beamlets of the three linear arrays, each individually modulated in luminance according to a specific encoding scheme representing the video image to be produced on the viewing screen, are combined spatially to form a single white light linear array source. Through a projection/scanner optical system, the N output beamlets of the white light source are simultaneously directed to, and swept horizontally across a distant viewing screen, resulting in a swath of N lines of a graphic video image. By producing M contiguous swaths vertically down the viewing screen, a full image of M.times.N lines is produced.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1997Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Assignee: NitorInventors: Frank C. Gibeau, Roger Frank Bessler, James Henry Arbeiter
-
Patent number: 5874929Abstract: An image is produced in an image plane using a row of semiconductor laser emitters which provide a corresponding row of outlet spots as light sources. An optical projection system receives radiation from the outlet spots and the radiation on the image plane as one or more rows of images by virtue of the illumination of individual, adjacently located imaging spots. The optical projection system associates at least one outlet spot with each of the imaging spots, and simultaneously forms the image of the outlet spots of all of the semiconductor laser emitters of the row of light sources at the imaging spots associated therewith.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1995Date of Patent: February 23, 1999Assignee: Deutsche Forschungsanstalt fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.Inventors: Hans Opower, Uwe Becker, Uwe Brauch
-
Patent number: 5831699Abstract: An integrated electro-optical package including an array composed of a substrate having defined thereon a plurality of unit cells, composed of active and inactive areas. The substrate having positioned thereon a major surface, a plurality of sub-arrays and driver/control circuits. The sub-arrays, defining the active area formed within each unit cell, and being composed of a plurality of light emitting devices. The driver/control circuits mounted to the substrate within the inactive area of each unit cell. The electro-optical package fabricated to allow for scanning of the active area of each unit cell to create a resultant integrated image of increased resolution, without an increase in the number of pixels formed by the light emitting devices of the sub-arrays.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1996Date of Patent: November 3, 1998Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Phil Wright, Diana Chen, Fred V. Richard, Karen E. Jachimowicz, Rong-Ting Huang
-
Patent number: 5828424Abstract: In a process for generating at least three laser beams of different wavelengths for displaying color video pictures, a pulsed laser is used to generate light. The light output of the pulsed laser is released in a pulse and is introduced into a medium with nonlinear optical characteristics for generating a laser beam. In addition to the laser beam generated by excitation, this medium releases an additional laser beam whose frequency is given by the sum or difference frequencies of the exciting laser beam and the excited laser beam due to the nonlinear optical characteristics of the medium. The laser beams generated by the medium in this way and the exciting laser beam are used directly, or after frequency conversion, to display monochromatic partial images of a color video picture. An apparatus according to the invention contains suitable devices for carrying out the process.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 1996Date of Patent: October 27, 1998Assignee: LDT GmbH & Co. Laser-Display-Technologie KGInventor: Richard Wallenstein
-
Patent number: 5822022Abstract: In a video system for displaying a video picture composed of image points, whose color values and/or brightness values can be stored sequentially, according to a first set of parameters with predetermined parameter values containing number of lines, number of image points, line frequency and frame frequency as parameters, in an image storage which can be read out in accordance with a second set of parameters with different or identical parameter values for the parameters for displaying the stored video picture by means of a display device, the display device contains an individual light source which can be controlled in accordance with the color values and/or brightness values of the image points and whose light bundle can be projected onto a picture screen via an optical system, wherein the optical system has a raster scanning device by which the light bundle can be directed onto the picture screen on optional points within an image field for displaying the video picture of suitable dimensions and for whichType: GrantFiled: January 7, 1997Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Assignee: LDT GmbH & Co. Laser-Display-Technologie KGInventors: Christhard Deter, Gerhard Hofmann, Dieter Hubrich
-
Patent number: 5818546Abstract: In order to improve an apparatus for generating an image in an image plane that is visible, in particular, for a human eye, comprising a radiation source which generates an image via an optical projection means by building up at least one row of image spots during an image build-up cycle by illuminating individual, adjacently located image spots and periodically repeating the image build-up cycle, so that it is possible to generate images as simply and, therefore, also as inexpensively as possible, it is suggested that a row of light sources comprising a plurality of semiconductor emitters be provided for the illumination of the image spots of the row of image spots, that the optical projection means associate each exit spot for the radiation of each semiconductor emitter with at least one of the image spots and that the optical projection means simultaneously image the exit spots of all the semiconductor emitters of the row of light sources onto the image spots associated therewith.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1995Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Assignee: Deutsche Forschungsanstalt fuer Luft -und Raumfahrt e.V.Inventors: Hans Opower, Uwe Becker, Uwe Brauch
-
Patent number: 5815221Abstract: A polarizing beam splitter extracts orthogonally polarized light beams from natural light and distributes those to liquid crystal panels, which modulate polarization states of those polarized light beams in accordance with a luminance signal and chrominance signals of video signals, respectively. The modulated light beams are combined by the same polarizing beam splitter, and the combined light is enlarged and projected onto a screen by a projection lens, to reproduce a projected image.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1995Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masanori Kojima, Ko Nishino, Yasuhito Myoi, Masaaki Tanaka, Teruo Miyamoto, Fumio Suzuki, Fumio Itoh, Yoshisuke Otsuru
-
Patent number: 5812222Abstract: A rear-type liquid crystal projection television set according to the present invention comprises a dichroic mirror which receives color light to which electrical video signal is applied, reflects and transmits the received color light through cells having a light reflection characteristic and cells having a light transmission characteristic, a first screen for receiving the color light reflected by the dichroic mirror means and displaying the received color light as an image, and a second screen for receiving the color light transmitted by the dichroic mirror means and displaying the received color light as an image. A dichroic mirror consisted of cells includes the reflection and transmission of the same color light, and thereby to allow viewers to view the same image of the television set in different directions.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1996Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jong-sul Min
-
Patent number: 5774174Abstract: A laser light based image projection apparatus and method for projecting full color moving images comprising a plurality of color daub components onto a remote viewing screen comprises a source of digital image data in the form of inter-related color position co-ordinates and color intensity values at any instant in time, which digital image data are analyzed by a color value analyzer to derive therefrom specific red, blue, and green color intensity components and specific red, blue, and green color position co-ordinates. Time-based laser intensity control signals, time-based directional control signals, specific laser addresses, and projection timing parameters are calculated, and are used to produce laser actuation signals that control narrow diameter beam red, blue, and green lasers, to control optically adjusted wide diameter beam red, blue, and green lasers, and to control optically adjusted very wide diameter beam red, blue, and green lasers.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 1996Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Inventor: Robert Joseph Hardie