Lens Position Adjustable Patents (Class 353/101)
  • Patent number: 8287140
    Abstract: A projector includes: a light valve configured to modulate light emitted from a light source according to image information to form image light; a support and drive unit configured to support a projection lens for projecting the image light formed by the light valve such that the projection lens can be replaced, and shift a mounted lens as the supported projection lens in a first direction within a plane perpendicular to a system optical axis of the entire projector; and a control unit configured to determine information concerning an allowable range of the shift of the mounted lens in the first direction, and control the operation of the support and drive unit such that the shift of the mounted lens lies within the determined allowable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Fujimaki
  • Patent number: 8284507
    Abstract: A lens barrel includes a lens frame which is movable while supporting a lens; and a restriction portion configured to restrict movement of the lens frame by contacting the lens frame. The lens frame and the restriction portion contact each other at a plurality of points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Itaru Doi
  • Publication number: 20120236265
    Abstract: A projector modulates a luminous flux emitted from a light source in accordance with image information and projects the modulated light by a projection lens. The projector includes an exterior housing that houses the projection lens and has a projection opening through which the light exiting from the projection lens passes and a lens cover that opens and closes the projection opening, the lens cover has a first cover and a second cover, and the first cover and the second cover are configured so that they open and close the projection opening by being slid and are stacked and housed in an open state in which the projection opening is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshimitsu WATANABE
  • Publication number: 20120236270
    Abstract: A projector includes a lens adjustment mechanism that performs a predetermined adjustment operation for a projection lens, an adjustment value storage unit that stores lens adjustment values for performing the predetermined adjustment operation by linking the lens adjustment values to the type of aspect ratio of an image signal, a signal aspect ratio recognition unit that recognizes the aspect ratio of the image signal input to an input terminal as a signal aspect ratio, an adjustment value acquisition unit that acquires, from the adjustment value storage unit, the lens adjustment values corresponding to the type of signal aspect ratio recognized by the signal aspect ratio recognition unit, and an adjustment control unit that causes the lens adjustment mechanism to perform a lens adjustment operation based on the lens adjustment values acquired by the adjustment value acquisition unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shunji Maruyama
  • Publication number: 20120236271
    Abstract: A projector includes a lens adjustment mechanism that performs a predetermined adjustment operation for a projection lens, an input selection unit that selects one input terminal from plurality of input terminals provided in the input terminal unit according to a predetermined operation, an adjustment value storage unit that stores lens adjustment values by linking to the type of the input terminal, an adjustment value acquisition unit that acquires, from the adjustment value storage unit, the lens adjustment values corresponding to the type of the selected input terminal when the predetermined operation is received, and an adjustment control unit that causes the lens adjustment mechanism to perform a lens adjustment operation based on the acquired lens adjustment values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shunji Maruyama
  • Publication number: 20120229771
    Abstract: A projector modulates a light beam emitted from a light source in accordance with image information, and then projects a right-eye image and a left-eye image on a screen in a time-sharing manner. The projector includes a projection lens adapted to project the light modulated, a lens shift mechanism adapted to move the projection lens in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis, a transmitting device adapted to output an optical signal synchronous with switching between the right-eye image and the left-eye image toward the screen, and an interlocking mechanism adapted to move the transmitting device in conjunction with the lens shift mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshinori HASHIMOTO, Toshimitsu WATANABE
  • Patent number: 8262234
    Abstract: An image display device for optically displaying an image is disclosed. This device includes: a light source; an imaging-light generator converting light emitted from the light source, into imaging light representative of the image to be displayed, to thereby generate the imaging light; a relay optical system focusing the imaging light emitted from the imaging-light generator, on an image plane which is located at an optically conjugate position to the imaging-light generator, the relay optical system defining a pupil through which the imaging light passes, within the relay optical system; a variable-focus lens disposed at a position generally coincident with the pupil, the variable-focus lens having a varying focal length; and a wavefront-curvature adjuster configured to vary the focal length by operating the variable-focus lens, to thereby adjust a wavefront curvature of the imaging light emitted from the relay optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuyoshi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20120218528
    Abstract: A projection apparatus is capable of changing a lens, and includes a lens shift unit that moves a mounted lens to a reference position in accordance with the mounted lens when the lens is changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Atsushi Kano
  • Publication number: 20120218527
    Abstract: The image projection apparatus is disclosed to which plural interchangeable optical units are selectively attachable. The apparatus includes a shift mechanism moving an attached optical unit, which is one of the plural interchangeable optical units that is attached to the apparatus, with respect to a light modulation element in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis, an actuator driving the shift mechanism, and a controller controlling drive of the actuator using a control parameter for moving the attached optical unit by a specific movement amount via the shift mechanism. The controller acquires information on at least one of a weight and an optical characteristic of the attached optical unit from a memory provided in one of the apparatus and the attached optical unit, and to change the control parameter using the acquired information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Junichi Hatakeyama, Azusa Sugawara
  • Patent number: 8246179
    Abstract: A projector includes a projector body, a lens module with a lens, and a gear module. The lens module and the gear module are arranged in the projector body. The gear module is operable to adjust a height of the lens and keep an angle of the lens, in response to the gear module being rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Chih Hsieh, Tsung-Hsi Li, Yau-Leung Chan
  • Patent number: 8246174
    Abstract: A projector includes a projector body, a lens module, and a base rack. The front panel of the projector body defines a though hole. The lens module includes a lens body rotatably mounted to the projector body, a sliding bracket, and a lens extending from the lens body to extend through the through hole of the projector body, and a sliding bracket connected to the lens body via parallel connecting poles. The sliding bracket is slidably mounted to the base rack. The base rack is rotatably mounted to the projector body. A height of the lens is operable to be adjusted by changing the positions of the sliding bracket on the base rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Chih Hsieh, Tsung-Hsi Li
  • Patent number: 8246176
    Abstract: A projection display device comprises a projection lens section to which light modulated by a light modulating element is entered, a mirror section for reflecting the light emitted from the projection lens section to reflect to the projection lens section side and directing the light to a projection plane, and an operation section for displacing a lens in the projection lens section. The operation section is disposed in a region in which the operation section does not hinder an optical path of the light that has been passed through a projection port provided in a main body cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaharu Adachi, Shinichi Okuno, Ryuhei Amano, Takashi Ikeda, Takashi Miwa
  • Patent number: 8246178
    Abstract: A focus control device for a beam projector allows the focus of a lens assembly to be finely and easily controlled. The focus control device includes: a control member rotatably mounted on the beam projector for controlling the focus of a lens assembly; a rotary eccentric member provided in the control member, the rotary eccentric member having a control axis eccentric to the rotary axis of the control member, and being rotated while depicting an elliptical trace in response to the rotation of the control member; a focus guide member provided in the rotary eccentric member, the focus guide member allowing the lens assembly to be moved rectilinearly in the direction of an optical axis in response to the rotation of the control member; and an actuating member provided in the lens assembly and coupled to the focus guide member, the actuating member moving the lens assembly in the direction of the optical axis in response to the movement of the focus guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myeong-Ho Jeon, Moon-Chul Shin, Kang-Hoon Choi, Hyon-Myong Song, Jin-Hee Cho, Kyung-Han Kim, Hyun-Jun Jang
  • Publication number: 20120206699
    Abstract: A projection device including a case, a zoom lens module, a focus lever, and a linkage mechanism is provided. The case defines a guiding slot. The zoom lens module is disposed in the case and is configured for projecting an image. The focus lever is disposed in the case and is connected to the zoom lens module. The focus lever is perpendicular to a lengthening direction of a center axis of the zoom lens module. The linkage mechanism includes an adjusting rod having a connecting portion and an operating portion. The connecting portion is connected to the focus lever and is configured for rotating relative to the focus lever and moving along the lengthening direction of the focus lever. The operating portion extends out of the case and is configured for being controlled to move relative to the case along a lengthening direction of the guiding slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Chien-Ming PENG, I-Hsien Liu
  • Patent number: 8231232
    Abstract: A circuit board is attached in a displaceable manner to a lamp holder. When the lamp holder is attached to a holder housing, ends of pins extending from the holder housing are inserted into holes of the circuit board. At the time, the circuit board is guided and corrected for a positional shift by inclines at ends of the pins. Accordingly, a connector on an under surface of the circuit board is opposed to a connector on a circuit board in the holder housing side, whereby the two connectors can be properly connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimasa Kanbara, Taichi Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 8226248
    Abstract: A projection display device includes an imager which modulates light from a light source based on an image signal; a projection optical system which enlarges and projects the light modulated by the imager onto a projection plane; and a shift mechanism which displaces the imager in a direction intersecting with an optical axis of the projection optical system. The projection optical system and the shift mechanism are co-mounted on a base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryuhei Amano
  • Patent number: 8228613
    Abstract: A wide-angle projection zoom lens includes, in order from the magnification side: a first group that remains stationary during zooming and has a negative refractive power; second to fourth groups that are movable independently from each other during zooming; a fifth group that remains stationary during zooming and has a positive refractive power. The projection zoom lens is configured to be telecentric on the reduction side. The first group includes five lenses having negative, negative, negative, positive, negative refractive powers. During zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, the first group and the fifth group remain stationary, and the second to fourth groups are movable in a direction of the optical axis so as to narrow a space between the first group and the second group and widen a space between the fourth group and the fifth group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Kenzo Sado
  • Patent number: 8228443
    Abstract: A video projection device includes: a video display element, a projection lens, a converter lens, and a video processing part. The video display element displays a video by an electrical video signal. The projection lens projects on a screen the video displayed on the video display element. The converter lens is attachably and detachably provided for the projection lens. The video processing part outputs different video signals to the video display element in accordance with whether or not the converter lens is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasumasa Sawai
  • Publication number: 20120182532
    Abstract: An automatic focus system of a projector includes a projecting module, an image catching module, a memory, a micro processor, and a focusing module. The projecting module has an image light source to provide image light, and a projecting lens to project the image light on a screen. The image catching module senses an image on the screen. The microprocessor calculates the sensed image to have a definition value of the image and save the definition value in the memory. The focusing module may move the projecting lens is moved along an optical axis under a control of microprocessor. The microprocessor compares the definition values to control the focusing module to move the cam to a position where the projector may project a clear image on the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: AISA OPTICALCO., INC
    Inventors: Sen-Yung Liu, Chien-chih Hsiung, Chen-Ren Yu, Kuo-Liang Wen, Yi-Chung Hung, Chiao-Sen Hsu, Chao-Yang Ke, Keng-Hui Lin, Fu-Shan Wu
  • Patent number: 8220937
    Abstract: An optical position of a display device with respect to an optical axis of a projection optical system is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis in accordance with a change in the size of a projected image. For instance, a transparent flat plate is disposed in front of a projection lens, and the transparent flat plate is tilted in association with a rotation of a zoom adjustment ring. As the transparent flat plate is tilted, the apparent position of the display device relative to the projection lens is displaced in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the projection optical system. Thereby, the projected image on a screen is located at a proper position corresponding to a zoom state. Tilt control of the transparent flat plate is realized by a cam mechanism, for instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuhei Amano, Takashi Ikeda, Takashi Miwa
  • Publication number: 20120147341
    Abstract: A projector includes a lens driving unit that drives a lens unit including a projection lens; a reception unit that receives instruction information that is input; and a control unit that controls a lens shift by the lens driving unit based on lens shift instruction information with respect to the projection lens, which is received by the reception unit, in such a manner that zoom, which is performed by the lens driving unit based on zoom instruction information adjusting angle of view with respect to the projection lens, is performed in a predetermined state for a first image which is projecting in a state that a central position of the first image is different from a basis position of the zoom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Tsukagoshi
  • Publication number: 20120147340
    Abstract: A projector includes a lens driving section that drives a lens section having a projection lens, an accepting section that accepts first control value indication information indicating a first control value including a drive instruction value of the lens section, a determining section that determines whether a drive instruction direction for the lens section is a first drive direction that is same as the last drive direction or a second drive direction that is different from the last drive direction, and a control section that drives the lens section by using a second control value whose drive instruction value is greater than the drive instruction value of the first control value in case that the drive instruction direction is the second drive direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Tsukagoshi
  • Publication number: 20120147338
    Abstract: A projection lens of an imaging module and the imaging module are provided. The imaging module further has a light modulator to project a first image with a first aspect ratio. The projection lens comprises an anamorphic lens set and a projection lens set. The anamorphic lens set comprises a first cylinder lens, a second cylinder lens, a bi-convex cylinder lens and a bi-concave cylinder lens, which are set after the light modulator in sequence. The first cylinder lens has at least one flat surface, and the second cylinder lens has at least one convex surface. The anamorphic lens set projects the first image with the first aspect ratio into a second image with a second aspect ratio; the second aspect ratio is different from the first aspect ratio. The projection lens set receives and projects the second image with the second aspect ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: June-Jei HUANG
  • Patent number: 8186836
    Abstract: A mobile projector apparatus includes a light source, a modulation unit modulating light of the light source using a picture signal, a projection lens magnifying and projecting the modulated light of the light source, a battery supplying electric power to the light source, an acceleration measuring unit measuring an acceleration applied to the mobile projector apparatus, a usage state detecting unit detecting whether or not the mobile projector apparatus is in an unused state, and an extinguishing unit extinguishing the light source based on outputs of the acceleration measuring unit and the usage state detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisashi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8182097
    Abstract: A projection type image display apparatus includes an image display element, a projection unit including a first lens group and a second lens group formed with a plural number of lenses, a reflection mirror configured to reflect light emitted from the second lens group thereon after the light passes through the first lens group so as to project the light on a screen obliquely, and a mechanism configured to enable movement of at least one lens of the second lens group in a direction of an optical axis. The first lens group is fixed with respect to a bottom portion of the mechanism and is configured to compensate for an aberration of an optical system thereof. The second lens group is configured to enable movement of at least one lens of the second lens group with respect to the first lens group and the bottom portion of the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hirata, Takanori Hisada, Masahiko Yatsu
  • Publication number: 20120120373
    Abstract: An image projector includes a first deflector configured to deflect a first optical path and to form a second optical path, a second deflector configured to deflect the second optical path and to form a third optical path, a shifter configured to shift a projection lens in a vertical direction which corresponds to a longitudinal direction of the projected surface among directions orthogonal to an optical axis of the projection lens, a housing configured to house the first deflector and the second deflector, and a fixed plate fixed onto the housing at an end on an installing surface side of the housing, the projection lens and the shifter being fixed onto the fixed plate, wherein the third optical path is closer to an installing surface of the housing than the first optical path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takehiro Koyama
  • Publication number: 20120113330
    Abstract: A auto-focusing method for projection of a computing device with imaging function is illustrated. The computing device exemplarily includes a projection unit, an image receiving unit, and a processing unit. The method firstly controls the projection unit to project images on plural positions along an optical axis. The method then controls the image receiving unit to receive the images, which are regarded as candidate images, projected on the positions by the projection unit. The candidate images correspond to the projective positions. The method further receives the candidate images captured by the image receiving unit, and compute their definitions. Therefore, the image with a greatest definition may be acquired and regarded as a focus image. The focus image's corresponding position is a focus position. After acquiring the focus position, an image may be projected thereon. The illustrated computing device is enabled to complete the image focusing automatically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicants: LITE-ON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, SILITEK ELECTRONIC (GUANGZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yung-Yu HUANG, Hsi-Pin Li
  • Publication number: 20120113401
    Abstract: There is provided a projection device including a device main body, and an open/close unit having a projection lens, the open/close unit being connected to the device main body in a manner openable and closable about an open/close axis formed in a vertical direction of the device main body and in a manner rotatable about a rotation axis that is perpendicular to the open/close axis. The projection lens is, in a closed state in which the open/close unit is closed with respect to the device main body such that the projection lens faces outward, provided on an upper side of the rotation axis of the open/close unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya YAMAZAKI, Katsumi IKUTA, Atsuko KASHIWAGI, Nobutaka SAITOH, Nobuhito EBINE
  • Patent number: 8172408
    Abstract: A lens position adjusting mechanism includes a lens, a lens attachment frame that includes a lens holding portion for holding the rim of the lens, and a holding case that sandwiches the lens attachment frame movably in a plane direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens. The lens attachment frame includes a shaft portion on the periphery of the lens holding portion, functioning as a fulcrum at a time when the lens attachment frame moves in the plane direction. The holding case includes a shaft supporting portion for supporting the shaft portion and frame guide grooves for sandwiching the lens attachment frame. The position of the lens is adjusted by operating a lug portion by fingers or the like with the shaft portion as a fulcrum. Then the adjusted position is fixed by injecting an adhesive into wedge spaces formed of opposing adhesion grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromi Fujiwara, Shigeru Matsumoto, Hiroki Koba
  • Publication number: 20120092629
    Abstract: A projection device including an optical engine base, a light source, a light valve, and a projection lens is provided. The light source includes a component holder, a light component, and light lens. The component holder is assembled to the optical engine base, and has a component slot and a lens slot communicated with the component slot. The lens slot has at least one slot section plane. The light component is disposed within the component slot. The light lens is disposed within the lens slot, and adapted to form the light generated by the light component into a lighting beam. The light valve and the projection lens are assembled to the optical engine base. The light valve is adapted to convert the lighting beam into an image beam. The projection lens is adapted to convert the image beam into a projection beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: YOUNG OPTICS INC.
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Chang, Pei-Ching Liu, Jui-Hsiang Yen, Chien-Jung Huang
  • Publication number: 20120086924
    Abstract: A mobile projector and method are provided for performing Auto Focusing (AF). The mobile projector includes a projection system for projecting an image onto a screen, a camera module for receiving an input image which is the projected image, an edge detection logic for detecting an edge value of the input image, and a controller for controlling the edge detection logic to detect the edge value of the input image, and controlling focusing of the mobile projector based on the edge value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kang-Young MOON, Yong-Chan Keh, Gyu-Bong Lee
  • Patent number: 8152311
    Abstract: Disclosed are a display apparatus and a light control method thereof, in which the display apparatus including a display panel, a light source unit, an illumination unit to illuminate the display panel with light emitted from the light source unit, and a projection unit to project the light from the display panel in a predetermined direction includes: a light sensor which is provided between the light source unit and the illumination unit; and a light controller which corrects brightness of light sensed by the light sensor on the basis of reflective characteristics of the display panel. With this configuration, the quantity of light is prevented from decreasing so as to prevent the brightness of an image from decreasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bong-hwan Cho
  • Patent number: 8152313
    Abstract: A projection display device has an imager that modulates light from a light source in accordance with an image signal, a projection optical system that enlarges and projects the light modulated by the imager onto a projection plane, a focus adjustment part disposed in the projection optical system, and a displacement part that displaces the imager in a direction vertical to a light axis of the projection optical system, in conjunction with the focus adjustment part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryuhei Amano
  • Publication number: 20120081680
    Abstract: A packaging product for projectors is described, wherein the package contains a projector which has been preloaded with program material for projection, and wherein a prospective purchaser of the projector may see a preview of the program material which is contained in the projector. The controls for the projector are available within an opening in the package, and a visible light reflective surface is provided to view the projected image. In this manner, the prospective purchaser will obtain an idea of the nature of the program material contained within the projector, as well as being able to determine the functionality of the projector and, to a greater or lesser extent, the quality of the projection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Bradley D. Pedersen, Kyle Jeffs
  • Publication number: 20120081676
    Abstract: There is provided a projection image display apparatus which is excellent in quality of a display screen image even if a projection lens using a plastic lens having an asymmetrical shape with respect to an optical axis is used. The apparatus includes a projection lens which obliquely projects video light on a screen, an integrator which aligns a polarization direction of light from a light source, and an image display element (P, PL) which modulates light having the aligned polarization direction by an image signal. The projection lens includes multiple plastic lenses, and each of the multiple plastic lenses is arrayed, respectively, by shifting a gate direction to each other by 180 degrees. When the projection lens includes n sheets (n is a natural number) of plastic lenses, each of the multiple plastic lenses may be arrayed, respectively, by shifting a gate direction to each other by (360/n) degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Koji HIRATA, Masahiko Yatsu, Naoyuki Ogura, Hidehiro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8147074
    Abstract: Described herein are devices that provide projection-type video output in a portable and flexible design. The design includes a projection chamber, a base, and an interface that permits relative positioning between the projection chamber and base. The base maintains the position of the display device. The projection chamber includes components responsible for the production of images based on received video data and components responsible for the projection of those images. Relative pointing between the projection chamber and base allows the projection chamber to be pointedโ€”and an output projected image to be positionedโ€”with minimal effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Transpacific Image, LLC
    Inventor: William J. Plut
  • Patent number: 8142029
    Abstract: A projector displays an image on a projection surface. The projector has a zoom adjusting module and a keystone correcting module. The zoom adjusting module adjusts zoom level of a zoom lens for enlarged projection of image light. The keystone correcting module corrects trapezoidal distortion of the image displayed on the projection surface by means of forming the effective panel image in a revised image formation area, the revised image formation area being part of the image formation area of the panel surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Morio Matsumoto, Shiki Furui, Masaru Kono
  • Publication number: 20120050701
    Abstract: A method for automatically focusing a projector includes a projection lens, a driver device and an image capturing device. The method sets an interval step according to a focusing range of the projection lens, reads a predefined picture from a storage system of the projector, and controls the projection lens to project the picture to a projection area. The method controls the image capturing device to capture an image of the picture from the projection area when the projection lens moves at every interval step, and analyzes a contrast of each of the images to determine an optimal image from the images. The method determines a current focus of the projection lens having the optimal image as an optimal focus of the projection lens, and drives the driver device to control the projection lens to move at the optimal focus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShneZhen) CO., LTD
    Inventor: GUANG-JIAN WANG
  • Patent number: 8118436
    Abstract: A projection image display apparatus has a front panel, a projection lens, a lens hood, and a lens dial. The front panel has an opening for the projection lens. The projection lens projects through the opening for the projection lens. The lens hood covers the projection lens circumferentially, and has an opening spaced from an end of the lens hood for a dial. The lens dial is provided for adjusting focusing or zooming. It is provided at a circumference of the projection lens and exposed through the opening for the dial. The apparatus can thus avoid dust or the like foreign matters otherwise entering from a top side thereof into its main body, and also protect the projection lens when the apparatus is carried and inadvertently has a projection lens unit brought into contact with a desk or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiteru Oda, Yoshiho Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20120038893
    Abstract: A portable computer with a projecting function includes a main body, a display module, a pivot, and a projection module. The display module is connected to the main body via the pivot and capable of rotating relative to the main body. The projection module is disposed on the pivot for projecting the information of the main body. The portable computer is, for example, a laptop computer, or a tablet computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Chih-Ho Hsieh, Su-Ching Hsu, Jing-Hung Cheng
  • Patent number: 8113667
    Abstract: A projection optical system satisfies a conditional formula: 0.01<{(tan ?f1?tan ?f2)?(tan ?n1?tan ?n2)}ยท(?2/?1)<0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventors: Keiko Yamada, Kohtaro Hayashi, Soh Ohzawa, Masayuki Imaoka
  • Patent number: 8109642
    Abstract: A projection type image display apparatus comprising a light source, an optical integrator, by which light outgoing from the light source is changed in distribution of illumination, a color separation optical system, by which light outgoing from the optical integrator is separated into a plurality of light beams, and a relay optical system including a plurality of relay lenses, by which light beams separated by the color separation optical system are relayed, and a reflection mirror. The relay optical system includes a device that adjusts angles of inclination of at least one of the relay lenses with respect to an optical axis of illumination of light outgoing from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Watabe, Nobuyuki Kimura, Yoshimasa Takeuchi, Shinro Inui
  • Patent number: 8104899
    Abstract: A beam projection apparatus and method with automatic image adjustment. A beam projection apparatus includes an actuator module being operable to move the beam projection apparatus, a beam projector being operable to project images, and a control module being operable to search surrounding structures around the beam projection apparatus and select a plane portion of the surrounding structures as a screen, to control the actuator module to move the beam projection apparatus for image display on the selected plane portion, and to control the beam projector to project the images on the selected plane portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-Sin Ha, Dong-Soo Kim, Hyun-Sik Shim
  • Publication number: 20120013812
    Abstract: A laser projection system includes a light source, a speckle reduction adjustable optical component and a scanning adjustable optical component. The light source includes at least one laser configured to emit an output beam. The speckle reduction adjustable optical component rotates about a speckle reduction axis. The scanning adjustable optical component rotates about two axes. The laser projection system is programmed to generate a scanned laser image on the projection surface by operating the laser for optical emission of encoded image data and controlling the scanning adjustable optical component to rotate about the two axes to scan the output beam in first and second directions. The laser projection system is also programmed to rotate the speckle reduction adjustable optical component and the scanning adjustable optical component such that the output beam illuminates common portions of successive image frames at a different angle of incidence on the projection surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventor: Jacques Gollier
  • Publication number: 20120008109
    Abstract: An automatic focusing projecting device includes an image light source, a first image lens, an image sensor, a second image lens, a memory, a microprocessor, and at least a driving device. The image light source projects an image onto a screen through the first image lens. The image sensor senses the image on the screen through the second image lens. The microprocessor calculates sensed signals from the image sensor to get a definition of the image, and then saves the definition in the memory. The microprocessor compares the definitions when the first image lens and the second image lens are moved to different positions to move the first image lens and the second image lens and locate the first image lens and the second image lens at their focusing positions respectively where the definitions of the image are the greatest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: ASIA OPTICAL CO., INC
    Inventor: Chien-chih Hsiung
  • Patent number: 8093542
    Abstract: The invention provides an imaging module disposed on a projection system. The imaging module comprises an extended lens device, which connects to the image outlet of the body of the projection system by a rotation mechanism. By rotating the rotation mechanism, the projection system may optionally project images through the extending lens device onto the screen in two perpendicular directions, of which the image ratio of the two images are reciprocal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Hung-Ying Lin
  • Publication number: 20110310364
    Abstract: A projector includes: an electro-optic device which modulates light emitted from a light source; a projection lens which projects the light modulated by the electro-optic device; and a lens shift mechanism which shifts the projection lens in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the projection lens, wherein the lens shift mechanism includes a shift unit which supports the projection lens and shifts the projection lens in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, a guide unit which guides the shift of the shift unit, and a drive unit which moves the shift unit, and the drive unit includes a rotation section as a rotated part which has a first bevel gear rotating around a center axis extending in the same direction as that of the optical axis, and a transmission section which has a second bevel gear engaging with the first bevel gear and transmits the rotation of the rotation section to the shift unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinichi WAKABAYASHI
  • Patent number: 8079716
    Abstract: An image processing system includes a determination unit that determines a distortion state of a projected image, and a correction unit that performs distortion correction of the image according to the distortion state, wherein the correction unit performs distortion correction calculation using either an intersection point of diagonal lines of the image after distortion correction in a display area of an optical modulator or a center of gravity of the image as the origin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Aso
  • Patent number: 8070297
    Abstract: A projector that projects video light corresponding to an image signal onto a display surface includes: a light source device that emits light; a housing that houses at least the light source device; a projection lens, that is, an optical element that transmits the video light projected onto the display surface and emits the video light toward the outside of the housing; a detecting unit that detects detection light supplied to the optical element; and a control unit that adjusts a light amount of the video light on the basis of a result of the detection by the detecting unit. The projector is set such that, when the optical element is in a normal setting state, the light amount density of the video light is equal to or lower than a predetermined value on an emission surface for emitting the video light of the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shunji Kamijima
  • Patent number: RE43743
    Abstract: A projection-type image display apparatus having a structure adapted so that the efficiency of the use of light and resolving power thereof can be enhanced. The projection-type image display apparatus includes a light source; a color separation unit separating incident rays according to predetermined wavelengths, and directing the separated rays at different angles; a lens array dividing the rays separated by the color separation unit into predetermined pixels; a driving portion driving the lens array to change the proceeding paths of the color rays; a polarizing beam splitter changing a proceeding path of incident rays depending on a direction of polarization; a reflection-type display device producing a color image using the rays entering via the polarizing beam splitter, and reflecting the color image toward the polarizing beam splitter; and a projection lens unit magnifying and projecting an incident image onto a screen. In addition, the projection-type image display apparatus may comprise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kun-ho Cho, Seung-Tae Jung, Jang-hoon Yoo, Chul-woo Lee