Abstract: A projection device is provided with a locking device to couple a first optical component to a second optical component that is configured to be disposed adjacent to the first component to define an optical path. The locking device includes a latch mechanism and an alignment system. The latch mechanism may be coupled to the second component and may be configured to enable a user to manually couple the second component to the first component and to manually release the second component from the first component. The alignment system and the latch mechanism may be configured to cooperatively and releasably couple the second component to the first component in a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: Lenses 1, 2, and 4 as an optical element having a power are cemented together in an optical axis direction. An optical filter 3 is sandwiched between the lenses 2 and 4. Optical elements neighboring each other are cemented together such that a positioning section which is disposed on a side surface of the optical element disposes an appropriate space in an optical axis direction and optical axes of optical elements align in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis. The cemented optical element arrays are cemented together and cut at a line in a cutting operation. By doing this, it is possible to manufacture a small image pickup lens unit, which can be used in an image pickup device, by mass-production and at a low cost.

Abstract: An asymmetric aperture diaphragm placing structure for a projection lens is provided for securing an asymmetric aperture diaphragm to a lens holder. The asymmetric aperture diaphragm includes a positioning part formed asymmetrical about the optical axis. The lens holder has a mating part adapted to engage the positioning part only in a state where the asymmetric aperture diaphragm is in a predetermined direction with respect to the optical axis. The asymmetric aperture diaphragm is secured to the lens holder in a state where the positioning part and the mating part engage each other.

Abstract: There is provided an optical device which comprises a fixed barrel, a movable cam ring, and collars and abutments. The movable cam ring is shifted relative to the fixed barrel to move an optical unit, the movable cam ring being fitted to the fixed barrel. Collars and abutments can be engaged with each other when the movable cam ring is in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the fixed barrel. The collars and abutments preventing the movable cam ring from being disengaged from the fixed barrel and displaced in a direction along an optical axis relative to the fixed barrel.

Abstract: Kernels are designed in different configurations based on design properties of an enclosure or other requirements. A prism assembly having various types of filters, waveplates, beam splitters (e.g., path length matched beam splitters) and/or other optical components are provided to selectively direct light beams to each of red, green, and blue microdisplays that manipulate the light and then combine the manipulated lights into an output image. The prism assembly includes an input face, an output face, and other faces on which the microdisplays are attached in a number of different configurations. Requirements and exact placement of optical components varies depending on which microdisplay is attached to which face. The components of the prism assembly may be arranged in path length matched positions.

Abstract: A multipart handle for coupling to a magnifying lens is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the multipart handle comprises a head member comprising a first end coupleable to the lens and a second end having a cavity formed therein; a body section having a channel for receiving a material member, wherein the body section comprises a first body member having a first end and a second end and a second body member having a first end and a second end; wherein the first end of the first body member is securable within the cavity of the head member and the first end of the second body member is securable within the cavity of the head member; wherein the second end of the first body member is press-fitted to the second end of the second body member; wherein the securing together of the respective second ends of the body members maintains the material member in the channel. In a particular embodiment, a combination magnifying lens and a personalizable handle for coupling to the magnifying lens is also provided.

Abstract: A plastic lens is fixedly held in precise position a lens holder by cramming a deformable retaining ring between a front collar and a periphery of the plastic lens loosely put in an annular mounting space formed in the lens holder and crushing the front collar against the retaining ring so as thereby to rivet the plastic lens to the lens holder.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing different types of image display apparatuses includes the steps of producing a lens barrel (housing) for holding optical elements, the lens barrel being commonly usable in the different types of image display apparatuses; selecting one type of image display apparatus to be manufactured among the different types of image display apparatuses; and manufacturing the one type of image display apparatus using the common lens barrel. In the image display apparatus manufactured by the method mentioned above, selective use of retainers for retaining the optical elements included in the illumination system, when arranging at least two different types of the illumination systems varying according to whether or not microlenses are provided, enables the different types of illumination systems to be easily constituted in accordance with the characteristics of image display elements varying according to whether or not microlenses are provided, and so on.

Abstract: In a projection optical system projecting an image displayed on a predetermined play surface onto a predetermined projection surface, two decentering lens units movable in directions vertical to the optical axis and substantially vertical to each other are included between a rear lens unit situated on the display surface side and a front lens unit situated on the projection surface side, a driving mechanism is provided that reciprocates the two decentering lens units in the directions vertical to the optical axis. When the focal lengths of the two decentering lens units are FD1 and FD2, respectively, and the focal length of the rear lens unit is FR, the relationships 0.01?|FR/FD1|?0.2 and 0.01?|FR/FD2|?0.2 are satisfied.

Abstract: A one piece, double gland, quad lobe design gasket system for use in a projection system that redundantly seals in the liquid present in a coupler supporting a projection lens in alignment with a projection optical signal generation device (e.g., a Cathode Ray Tube). The coupler defines a cooling chamber between said projection lens and said projection signal generating device and is filled with liquid in order to transport the optical signal between the projection optical signal generation device and projection lens while minimizing contrast distortion. In order to prevent leaking from the cooling chamber between the coupler and projection signal generation device, an improved sealing system is used by providing two separate channels in the coupler and using the integral double gland, quad lobe gasket. Each gland is placed in a corresponding groove in the coupler thus creating two separate lines of seal that keeps the liquid in the coupler from leaking out.

Abstract: The invention makes it easier to perform adjustments for bringing into conformity an illuminating area of an illuminating color light beam. A projector in accordance with the invention includes an illumination optical system; a color light separation optical system that separates illumination light into illumination light beams of a plurality of colors; a plurality of electro-optical devices that convert the illumination light beams of a plurality of colors into light beams of a plurality of colors; a color light synthesizing optical system that synthesizes the converted light beams of a plurality of colors that exit from the plurality of electro-optical devices; a projection optical system that projects the color image that is represented by the synthesized light beam; and a relay optical system that is provided in a path of at least one color illumination light beam.

Abstract: Light radiated from a light source passes through a liquid crystal display device and a projection lens and is reflected by a mirror, thus reaching a screen. The projection lens has a zoom function to scale up an image displayed on the display device by an arbitrary scaling factor. A microcomputer determines, based on an image signal, the scaling factor of the image to be displayed on the screen and controls a projection lens drive motor so that the image displayed on the display device may be projected onto the screen, scaled up by this scaling factor.

Abstract: The projector includes an image modulator, a lens, a supporting frame for supporting the image modulator and the lens, a circuit board, and a frame. The supporting frame includes a first fixed side, a second fixed side, and at least one elastic protrusion having one end connected to the first fixed side, and another end having a gap with the second fixed side. The method utilizes the elastic protrusion of the supporting frame to adjust relative positions of the image modulator and the lens to optimize the focus of the lens.

Abstract: Support structure for a projector. The projector includes an optical engine, a lens sleeve and a support structure. The lens sleeve has an end connected to the optical engine, like a cantilever beam. The support structure supports the lens sleeve in such a manner that the lens sleeve can be rotated.

Abstract: A flange portion is provided to at least a part of the periphery at the center position in the direction of the optical axis of a lens. The lens is held with clamping members and a lens holding metallic part, with the flange portion pressed by the clamping members. The portion where the flange portion is provided, suffers no compressive strain and tensile strain due to the bending of the lens, and is a part of the periphery of a neutral plane, which is the farthest plane from the optical surface of the lens. Therefore, the influence of the clamping force on the flange portion acting on other portions of the lens is reduced to the utmost, and the deformation of the optical surface due to the force acting on the flange portion is reduced to a minimum. As a result, the deterioration of the optical properties of the lens can be suppressed to the utmost.

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: A bubble trap for use in a projection system that reduces distortions caused by bubbles that occur in the coupler supporting a projection lens in alignment with a projection optical signal generation device (e.g., a Cathode Ray Tube). The coupler defines a cooling chamber between said projection lens and said projection signal generating device and is filled with liquid in order to transport the optical signal between the projection optical signal generation device and projection lens while minimizing contrast distortion. The bubble trap is an optical blocking system that is responsive to the angle of the coupler in the projection product and prevents the light from the optical signal path from striking the bubbles in the liquid in the coupler.

Abstract: An image-forming device, especially an optical magnifying device, e.g., binoculars or a telescope, has an image influencing optical component, more specifically an eyepiece. The same is held by means of a holding device in such a way that the optical component is axially displaceable along the optical axis of the image-forming device. The holding device comprises a component holding element that is attached to and cannot move relative to the optical component, said component holding element having an adjustment marking, e.g., a dial with a plurality of individual markings reflecting the current axial position of the optical component. The holding device additionally has a marking member to accentuate at least one individual marking on the adjustment marking. With the aid of the marking member the axial position of the optical component can be marked prior to an axial readjustment of the same so that the axial readjustment can easily be reversed.

Abstract: A one piece, double gland, quad lobe design gasket system for use in a projection system that redundantly seals in the liquid present in a coupler supporting a projection lens in alignment with a projection optical signal generation device (e.g., a Cathode Ray Tube). The coupler defines a cooling chamber between said projection lens and said projection signal generating device and is filled with liquid in order to transport the optical signal between the projection optical signal generation device and projection lens while minimizing contrast distortion. In order to prevent leaking from the cooling chamber between the coupler and projection signal generation device, an improved sealing system is used by providing two separate channels in the coupler and using the integral double gland, quad lobe gasket. Each gland is placed in a corresponding groove in the coupler thus creating two separate lines of seal that keeps the liquid in the coupler from leaking out.

Abstract: A lens guide mechanism includes a lens frame which supports a photographing lens group, the lens frame including a plurality of guide holes extending in a direction parallel with an optical axis; a support barrel in which the lens frame is provided; a gear holding member which is provided at a front end of the support barrel; a gear train which is held between the support barrel and the gear holding member, the gear train constituting a drive mechanism for the lens frame; and a plurality of linear movement guide rods provided in the gear holding member, which extend through the guide holes of the lens frame and support the lens frame to move linearly in the optical axis direction relative to the support barrel.

Abstract: By mounting a projection lens to a first supporting member for fixing spatial light modulators, polarization beam splitters and a cross dichroic prism, and providing a second supporting member having a thermal expansion coefficient larger than that of the first supporting member between the projection lens and the first supporting member, afluctuation of distance between the spatial light modulators and the projection lens due to heat generated by a light source lamp of a projection type display apparatus and temperature change in use environment can be canceled so that an optimum projected image having nothing to do with being out of focus can always be obtained.

Abstract: There is provided an optical element which can be handled with ease and mounted on a supporting means for supporting it with high precision and efficiency in the course of manufacturing it, and also there is provided a method for manufacturing such an optical element as described above. A lens element 100 is an optical element which is mounted on a supporting substrate provided with a groove for mounting the lens element. The lens element 100 includes a handling portion 120, a side wall 162a which are brought into contact with the groove for mounting use, and a lens portion 180a. The thickness of the lens portion 180a in the optical axis direction thereof is able to be set arbitrarily.

Abstract: A set of lens elements is assembled to form a lens by adjusting a first and a second lens element in a spaced apart optical relationship with respect to each other, then affixing the two elements in the spaced apart optical relationship by affixing a lens element holder to at least the second lens element. Further lens elements are assembled in turn and affixed in spaced apart optical relationship to the preceding lens elements to form a finished lens.

Abstract: Disclosed is a member mounting structure and a member mounting apparatus for mounting a member such as a solid state image input unit in which mounting of the solid state image input unit can be achieved with high accuracy after positioning adjustment along five axes, yield of production can be increased, and at the same time, decrease of fixing force of the solid state image input unit after production (after adhesive material has been hardened) does not occur by means that positioning adjustment of the solid state image input unit along five axes is easily performed before adhering and fixing of the solid state image input unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for housing an optical element are provided. A ring is configured with a symmetry that corresponds to that of the optical element and for bonding with the optical element on an optical surface at a periphery of the optical element. An axial retaining spring may be provided for securing the optical element within an optical-system assembly. The axial retaining spring includes axial constraint fingers to engage a subsequent optical component and structures adapted to apply a point load at selected locations on the optical element.

Abstract: There is disclosed an optical apparatus in which a lens holding frame is assembled on a frame member so that the lens holding frame can move along a plane substantially vertical to the optical axis of first and second lenses, a pair of gaps is formed between the outer periphery of the lens holding frame and the inner periphery of the frame member via the optical axis in the X- and Y-axis directions, adjustment members are selectively inserted in the gaps, and the position of the lens holding frame to the frame member in the plane substantially vertical to the optical axis is set.

Abstract: A device is used to hold an optical element, in particular one made of a crystalline material, in particular of CaF2, while the optical element is being coated, in particular by the vapor-deposition of at least one functional layer in a vacuum coating plant. The latter has a device for mounting the optical element, it being possible for the optical element to be heated in the vacuum coating plant via suitable radiation, in particular infrared radiation. An intermediate element which has a lower thermal absorption than the device for mounting the optical element is arranged between the device for mounting the optical element and the optical element.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical lens system (39) which is suitable for use in an optical scanning device (15) for reading and/or writing an optically scannable record carrier (9). The lens system comprises a first lens or objective lens (45) and a second lens or auxiliary lens (47) which is small in comparison with the first lens and which, in operation, is positioned between the first lens and the record carrier. The lenses are arranged in a lens holder (61). According to the invention, the lens holder (61) and one of the two lenses (45, 47) are manufactured as one integrated part (63) from a transparent synthetic material by means of a moulding process, and the other lens is arranged in the integrated part as a separate component, with a chamber (85) enclosed by the lens holder and the two lenses communicating with the environment of the lens system via an air vent connection (93). The lens system thus comprises only two parts to be assembled, so that the assembling process is considerably simplified.

Abstract: A method for selecting parts for N similar assemblies, each assembly comprising M parts, is presented. A number pm of physical characteristics for each part of the at least M×N parts is recorded, and a value that a group of parts would have if assembled into an assembly is computed until N groups of parts are selected, each group consisting of one part from each of the M groups of parts, and wherein no part is a member of more than one of the N groups of parts, and wherein the value for each group meets a criterion. The method is particularly useful in constructing lenses.

Abstract: A holder (2) of projector lens (1) is provided with openings through which springs (3) pass. The shorter arm (4) of said spring (3) presses said lens (1) against said holder (2), the longer arm (5) is pressed to the circumferential mantle of said holder (2) and secured in this position by a bent cutout (7).

Abstract: The invention provides a technology that makes it possible to easily align optical parts of an illumination optical system. The illumination optical system includes a light source device, a lens array that divides light beams that exit from the light source device into a plurality of partial light beams, and a superimposing optical system that superimposes the plurality of partial light beams on a predetermined illumination area. Two or more of a plurality of optical parts that are disposed in a light path extending from the light source device to the superimposing optical system are mounted to a base frame having a plurality of mounting portions for defining the locations of the two or more optical parts.

Abstract: An apparatus for fixing an optidal system for use in a projection display device having a cabinet forming a casing and an optical system disposed on the cabinet for forming an image and magnifying and projecting the image.

Abstract: There is provided an optical device which comprises a fixed barrel, a movable cam ring, and collars and abutments. The movable cam ring is shifted relative to the fixed barrel to move an optical unit, the movable cam ring being fitted to the fixed barrel. Collars and abutments can be engaged with each other when the movable cam ring is in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the fixed barrel. The collars and abutments preventing the movable cam ring from being disengaged from the fixed barrel and displaced in a direction along an optical axis relative to the fixed barrel.

Abstract: A reflection mirror support structure, applied to support a reflection mirror of an optical scanner. Using three points or a single point and a line to construct a plane, projecting rib and projecting point are formed on a carrier to hold the reflection mirror. The image distortion caused by bending the reflection mirror and twist deformation because of structures not being parallel to each other is improved.

Abstract: An image edge blender (58) of this invention installs in an unmodified projector (50) in place of the projection lens (52), which then installs at the output end of the image edge blender assembly. The image edge blender includes a relay lens (64) that relays an objective image plane (66) formed in the projector to an intermediate focal plane (68) formed within the image edge blender. An adjustable aperture assembly (70) includes at least one shutter (96) positioned at or near the intermediate focal plane and movable in rotational, parallel, and transverse directions relative to-the optical axis (78).

Abstract: A lens support structure includes a tubular holding frame a flat holding surface orthogonal to a center axis of the frame, and a lens held within the holding frame with a planar part, orthogonal to the optical axis of an optically functioning surface, abutting the holding surface. Since the planar part of the lens abuts the flat holding surface, the lens can be moved in directions orthogonal to the optical axis to enable optical axis adjustment.

Abstract: The invention provides an air intake on the upper plane of an exterior case which is opened upwards, and a cooling fan for introducing cooling air into the apparatus from the air intake is provided above an electro-optical device. There is no limit on the amount of air introduced, and sufficient cooling air for cooling the electro-optical device can be blown onto the electro-optical device. Accordingly, the electro-optical device can be cooled efficiently, and a cooling structure capable of dealing with high luminance of the light source lamp and reduction in size of the apparatus can be obtained.

Abstract: Support structure for a projector. The projector includes an optical engine, a lens sleeve and a support structure. The lens sleeve has an end connected to the optical engine, like a cantilever beam. The support structure supports the lens sleeve in such a manner that the lens sleeve can be rotated.

Abstract: The projection lens shifting mechanism is for locating the projected picture at a desired position on the screen by shifting the projection lens with respect to the display surface of the display device, including a base plate secured to the housing of the projection lens shifting mechanism and having a guide surface parallel to the display surface, a moveable plate rigidly holding the projection lens and movable in a prescribed direction parallel to the display surface guided by the guide surface, a holding plate linked to the moveable plate through elastic members, constituting, together with the moveable plate, an elastic clamp structure that holds the base plate and elastically clamps the base plate. When an external force works against the elastic force to release this clamp, the holding plate can move integrally with the moveable plate in a direction parallel to the guide surface of the base plate.

Abstract: A projector device is disclosed which uses light that is spatially modulated by a DMD having mirrors which are moveable between Off and On positions in response to image information input to the DMD. Images formed at the DMD are projected onto a screen via a projection lens. Surfaces of the lens elements of the projection lens are designed with curvatures such that light that may be undesirably reflected back to the DMD will not be in a converged state at or near the surfaces of DMD mirrors. In this way, ghost light that is projected onto the screen is dispersed over a wider area, and thus is less noticeable and not troublesome.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing different types of image display apparatuses includes the steps of producing a lens barrel (housing) for holding optical elements, the lens barrel being commonly usable in the different types of image display apparatuses; selecting one type of image display apparatus to be manufactured among the different types of image display apparatuses; and manufacturing the one type of image display apparatus using the common lens barrel. In the image display apparatus manufactured by the method mentioned above, selective use of retainers for retaining the optical elements included in the illumination system, when arranging at least two different types of the illumination systems varying according to whether or not microlenses are provided, enables the different types of illumination systems to be easily constituted in accordance with the characteristics of image display elements varying according to whether or not microlenses are provided, and so on.

Abstract: A zoom lens system which allows a reduction in size. This zoom lens makes two points at different distances have an optically conjugate relationship, and sequentially includes, from a first conjugate point side at a longer distance to a second conjugate point side at a shorter distance, a first lens unit having a negative optical power, a second lens unit, a third lens unit, a fourth lens unit, a fifth lens unit, and a sixth lens unit. A plurality of lens units of the first to sixth lens units move for zooming, and at least one lens unit of the first to sixth lens units has a diffractive optical element.

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.

Abstract: A projection lens unit is provided that is reduced in size and profile. The projection lens unit may include a plurality of lenses of which at least one lens disposed at the base end opposite to the projection direction is cut away at the upper portion thereof. The surface of the cut-away portion of the lens is made flat. With this arrangement, a space above the lens can be used when a cooling fan is disposed above an electrooptical unit provided in the vicinity of the projection lens unit, whereby a projector can be reduced in size and profile, because the height of the projector can be reduced because it is not necessary to provide an additional space for receiving the cooling fan in the projector.

Abstract: A CRT coupling apparatus of a projection television couples a CRT which forms a picture to a lens which magnifies the picture formed by the CRT and projects it onto a screen. The CRT coupling apparatus includes: a CRT bracket supporting the CRT; a lens bracket supporting the lens; a coupler placed between the CRT and the lens; and a spring wire fixing the CRT bracket and the lens bracket to the coupler by applying elastic force in mutually approaching directions. One side of the spring wire is connected to a side of the CRT bracket facing away from the coupler, and the other side of the spring wire is connected to a side of the lens bracket facing away from the coupler. The apparatus also includes an earth assembly installed in the CRT bracket and contacting a backplate of the CRT to draw static electricity generated in the CRT away from the CRT. Sealing elements are provided between the coupler and the CRT and lens, respectively.

Abstract: To provide a highly-precise mechanism in a simple structure as a positional adjusting mechanism of a projector lens on a display device surface, and to provide a projector apparatus capable of manually moving the projector lens by means of an user interface unified into the focus and zoom adjusting mechanism, an outer surface of a lens guide portion is a surface of uneven shapes in which a plurality of protruded portions, each of whose vertical sections has an angle of inclination of 45° and an angle of apex of 90° with respect to a surface of a liquid crystal panel, and a plurality of recesses, each opposing thereto, are arranged at a constant pitch in a vertical direction. An inner surface of the lens guide portion has such a shape as to constitute a part of a cylinder of a tapered configuration such that an inner diameter becomes larger from an incident light side toward an outgoing light side.

Abstract: A projection system includes a collimating lens group for collimating an imaging beam. The collimating lens group has an optical axis that is de-centered with respect to the axis of the imaging beam. Further, the optical axis of the collimating lens group forms a non-zero angle with the axis of the imaging beam. The de-centered collimating lens group enables the use of more conventional projection optics, without the unacceptable displacement of the projected image.

Abstract: The projection-lens driving apparatus for a 3-beam projector includes a housing, a triplet of cylindrical projection-lens holders, a pair of cam members, each of the cam members having a triplet of guide rails, a trifurcating member, a driving means provided with a feed screw and a motor, three pairs of brackets, three pairs of feed rollers, one end of each of the brackets coupled to one of the feed rollers which, in turn, is coupled to one of the guide rails, the other end thereof being coupled to one cylindrical projection-lens holder, and a triplet of guiding means, each of the guiding means mechanically coupling one of the cylindrical projection-lens holders with the housing. The pair of cam members and the cylindrical projection-lens holders are mechanically coupled through the feed screw of the driving means to allow a synchronous movement of the components constituting the apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a three dimensional projection system. A holder housing has upper and lower plates and a plurality of longitudinally inclined guiding holes inclined at predetermined angles about central axes of the upper and lower plates. First and second projecting lens holders have cylindrical shapes and are provided with projecting lenses in front sides thereof. Movable pins protrusively formed on upper and lower portions of the first and second projecting lens holders are provided. The movable pins are respectively inserted into corresponding longitudinally inclined guiding holes. A holder supporting plate has a pair of front and rear plates and a spacer. The front and rear plates are provided with first and second leg portions formed at both sides thereof and extended onto an upper portion of the upper plate, and third and fourth leg portions extended onto a lower portion of the lower plate. A driving motor for supplying driving power for transporting the projecting lens holders is provided.

Abstract: A projection type display apparatus comprising three projection units for projecting red, green and blue images, each having a constitution wherein a holding member for holding a CRT and a holding member for holding a projection lens are separately constituted and these holding members are connected liquid-tightly by means of a soft packing sheet, while a space surrounded by the holding members and the packing sheet is filled with a coolant liquid.