Abstract: The present disclosure introduces a number of image compression schemes designed to optimize operational efficiency in laser scanning projectors. Contemplated compression modes include, but are not limited to, intra-frame energy transfer, inter-frame energy transfer, and combinations thereof. The image compression modes disclosed herein are equally applicable to native laser sources and synthetic sources, such as green lasers based on a non-linear wavelength conversion. In cases where multiple lasers are used together in a multi-color projection system, it will often be preferable to favor particular image compression modes for particular colors, particularly where image brightness is more readily attributable to one color, e.g., green, because of the spectral responsivity of the human eye.

Abstract: A projector and method adjusts light. The projector obtains coordinates of each pixel of an image of a projection screen captured by a camera. Furthermore, the projector converts the coordinates of the pixels of a predetermined shape in the image into the coordinates of the pixels of a DMD chip. The projector adjusts an angle of micromirrors corresponding to the converted coordinates of the pixels of the DMD chip to direct light away from a lens of the projector.

Abstract: A method of creating a lighting effect using a reflective and semi-transparent foil suitable for use in creating a Pepper's Ghost image, the method comprising: i) modifying the foil such that the foil is distorted to cause light beams to separate into beams of different colours through transmition and reflection of the light beam in at least one sheet of foil; and ii) illuminating the distorted at least one sheet of foil to create a lighting effect.

Abstract: A fabrication system is disclosed. The fabrication system may have a work surface configured to support a base component, and an image projector. The image projector may be configured to project onto the base component a first image corresponding to an existing feature of the base component, and to project onto the base component a second image corresponding to a feature to be fabricated.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for modifying application windows based on projection surface characteristics. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a determination module, an identification module, and a modification module. The determination module determines one or more characteristics of a projection surface including detrimental characteristics. The identification module identifies one or more application windows for displayed within the projected image. The one or more application windows correspond to one or more applications executing on a processor. One or more of the identified application windows are for projection on at least one location of one or more detrimental characteristics. The modification module modifies one or more of a size, a shape, and a position of at least a portion of the one or more identified application windows to avoid the at least one location of the one or more detrimental characteristics.

Abstract: An image projection system having a laser projector that projects two differently polarized images on a display region is disclosed. The laser projector enables viewing the two differently polarized images as a three-dimensional image. The image projection system includes a planar lightwave circuit-based beam combiner that enables multiple colors of laser light having different polarization modes to be combined in a single output beam that is scanned over the display region at video rates to produce the two polarized images.

Abstract: A light surface display for providing a three-dimensional image including a plurality of particles dispersed within a volumetric display. A first projection system projects sequential slices of electromagnetic energy of one or more infrared wavelengths along the length and width of the volumetric display energizing particles to form a two-dimensional image. A second projection system projects translational slices of electromagnetic energy of one or more infra-red wavelengths that intersect with the energized particles across the depth of the volumetric display. A control system synchronizes the projection of the image source and the activation source such that the two-dimensional image and the translational slices energize the particles for a pre-determined length of time so that the particles illuminate to form an illuminated three-dimensional image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing the visibility of speckle in coherent light comprises propagating the coherent light through a multimode optical waveguide 106 to reduce a coherence length of the coherent light by intermodal dispersion. A vibratable membrane mirror 104 is arranged to reflect the coherent light either before or after passing through the multimode optical fibre further to reduce the coherence length by distributing wave packets across different propagating modes and to erase the modal structure by averaging the distribution of energy across the modes leading to a more uniform illumination. The invention may be used for speckle removal in a laser scanning projector.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for projecting a tangible image of data characterizing an object onto a surface of the object itself. Three-dimensional measurements of the object are obtained, the measurements are processed for projection, and a tangible image is projected onto the object, the image conveying information based on the three-dimensional measurements. The image may be projected concurrently with performance of measurements. In an exemplary dental context, information derived in part from three-dimensional measurements of a tooth or replica may be projected onto the actual tooth or replica. In interactive application, a work piece is be measured during the course of fabrication, and three-dimensional information, derived from contemporaneous non-contact measurement, is projected onto the work piece in order to direct the user with the formation of the work piece.

Abstract: In an image projection apparatus, a sensed image obtained by sensing a projection surface, which contains a projected image, is obtained. Then, a difference image obtained by removing the projected image from the sensed image is used to detect a region corresponding to a predetermined object such as a user's hand or a pointer. Then, a user operation is determined based on the position and temporal variations of a particular portion of the region corresponding to the predetermined object.

Abstract: A color projection display in which at least one color channel includes: a light source assembly including a multiplicity of pulse modulated light sources providing an aggregate light beam; a light modulation control subsystem; illumination optics to direct the aggregate light beam to an image modulation plane; and a spatial light modulator in the image modulation plane. The light modulation control subsystem senses an aggregate light intensity signal for the aggregate light beam and controls the pulse modulation parameters for the multiplicity of pulse-modulated light sources responsive to the sensed aggregate light intensity signal to reduce light intensity fluctuations in the aggregate light beam within the imaging time interval.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, a system and method for displaying an image are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a laser through a rotary diffuser. The rotational speed of the rotary diffuser may be continuously varied to reduce the effect of an image artifact in a light pattern. The image artifact may be caused by an imperfection in the rotary diffuser. The light pattern is projected on a display device.

Abstract: A centralization point in a projection area is designated. The projection area is on a projection surface onto which images are projected by a projector array, which includes a plurality of projectors. A first image is projected in a first maximum area rectangle at a first aspect ratio of the first image, and the first image is projected into the projection area centered at the centralization point. A second image is projected in a second maximum area rectangle at a second aspect ratio of the second image, and the second image is projected into the projection area centered at the centralization point.

Abstract: A video projector including light source lamps and a cooling fan, which cools the light source lamps. A memory unit stores a reference time set for each of the light source lamps. The reference time indicates the time required for the corresponding light source lamp to be cooled, after being deactivated, to the reference temperature or less. A notification unit generates a notification for each of the light source lamps indicating that the light source lamp is replaceable. An elapsed time from when each of the light source lamps is switched from an activated state to a deactivated state is compared with a corresponding reference time. When the elapsed time exceeds the corresponding reference time, the notification unit generates the notification related to the corresponding light source lamp.

Abstract: A combination display is provided. The combination display includes a front projector and a direct-view screen having a shared video processing system.

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.

Abstract: There is provided a projection-type image display apparatus which is capable of solving the problem in which the reduction ratio of speckles is small. Light source 1 emits a light beam that is modulated according to a video signal. Projector 7 projects the light beam emitted from light source 1 to display an image. Changer 8 changes a polarized state of the light beam emitted from the light source 1 to projector 7 or changes a polarized state of the light beam projected by the projector 7. Controller 5 repeatedly selects a plurality of predetermined particular polarized states according to a predetermined sequence. Controller 5 switches the polarized state changed by the changer 8 to the selected particular polarized states.

Abstract: A multimedia presentation system a projector to project images toward an audience. A plurality of nozzles are partially submerged in a body of water at locations between the projector and the audience. The plurality of nozzles are located at different distances from the projector. Each of the plurality of nozzles is arranged to produce a fan like water mist onto which the projector projects images. A controller is coupled to the projector and the plurality of nozzles. The controller causes the projector to project images and at least one of the plurality of nozzles to produce a water mist in a synchronized sequence such that the images appear at different distances from the projector at different times. The controller may further control the orientation of each nozzle to vary the distance by inclining the plane of the water mist relative to the surface of the body of water.

Abstract: A light source module, a projection apparatus, and a method of controlling the projection apparatus are provided. The projection apparatus has the light source module. The light source module has a first light source, a wavelength transforming unit, and a driver. The first light source generates a first light beam having a first wavelength according to a first pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. The wavelength transforming unit transforms the first light beam into a second light beam having a second wavelength. The driver drives the wavelength transforming unit, such that the first light beam irradiates a start position on the wavelength transforming unit when a rising edge of the first PWM signal is detected. The start position is determined by a controller.

Abstract: A system and method to display a plurality of different images at multiple distinct locations using a single image projector and an image propagation control means to control a propagation pathway from the projector to a display at each location.

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.

Abstract: A high-resolution image is generated using multiple spatially offset lower-resolution digital micro-mirror device (DMD) panels. Multiple lower-resolution subframe signals for controlling the spatial light modulators are generated from a high-resolution image signal using a resolution reduction and interpolation algorithm. The spatial light modulators under control of the subframe signals are illuminated by a light source and light beams reflected from the spatial light modulators are combined and directed onto a screen for display.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a table generation unit that generates a table in which a coefficient set including predetermined weighting coefficients and pixels contained in a resolution converted image are related to each other on the basis of a size of an input image and a size of a resolution converted image; a coefficient selecting unit that selects a coefficient set to be applied for a calculation of a pixel value in the resolution converted image out of plural coefficient sets on the basis of a table generated by the table generation unit; and a pixel value calculating unit that calculates pixel values to be used in the resolution converted image resulting from the resolution conversion of the input image on the basis of the coefficient set selected by the coefficient selecting unit and plural pixel values contained in the input image.

Abstract: A projection display device accommodates, in a main body cabinet, a projection lens section to which light modulated by a light modulating element is entered, and a mirror section that reflects light transmitted through the projection lens section and directs the light to a projection plane. When the main body cabinet is mounted on a mounting plane so that the light transmitted through the projection lens section may get away from the mounting plane, a holding member which holds the main body cabinet in a upright state with regard to the mounting plane is mounted on the main body cabinet.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a projection apparatus includes forming a modulation device unit in which a reflective light modulation device and a reflective polarizer are fixed to predetermined relative positions, and adjusting a position of the reflective light modulation device relative to a projection optical device by shifting a position of the modulation device unit with respect to the projection optical device.

Abstract: A system and method for projecting coherent (e.g., laser) light imagery onto an interior surface of a 3-dimensional projection surface is provided. In some aspects, there is provided a coherent light source, which may comprise more than one wavelength (color) component such as red, green and blue laser sources. In some aspects, one or more light component is directed through optical elements within the system so as to modulate the source light with image data or information by way of a microdisplay apparatus. In addition, the coherent light rays are reflected or redirected as needed by optical lens assemblies, which can include positive lens elements, negative lens elements, mirrors, and/or prisms. The rays move from their source to the microdisplay and on through the various optical assemblies towards the surface of the projection screen. In some aspects, the rays move through the system with little or no ray crossing because of the simplicity of the construction of the same.

Abstract: There is provided a projector that uses a laser light source and is safe and realizes high brightness. The projector applies a laser beam emitted from a laser light source (101) to an image modulation device (105) and magnifies and projects an image formed in the image modulation device (105) by a zoom lens (106). The projector includes a control mechanism (108) for controlling the amount of energy of the light beam in response to a change in a focal distance of the zoom lens (106) in such a way that an energy density of the laser beam developed on a light emitting surface of the zoom lens (106) is kept at a specified value or smaller than the specified value. The specified value is the energy density of the laser beam in a case where the focal distance of the zoom lens (106) is set to the shortest value and is an accessible emission limit value (AEL value) that satisfies the laser safety class of the projector.

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.

Abstract: A projector which includes: a light source lamp; a cool down unit which performs a cool down process for the light source lamp; a mode selection unit through which a normal mode for executing the cool down process at the time of power off or a special mode for eliminating the cool down process at the time of power off is selected; and a control unit which controls the light source lamp and the cool down unit based on the result of the mode selection determined through the mode selection unit.

Abstract: A projection device and a light source temperature regulating method thereof are provided. The projection device comprises a light source, a cooling unit and a control unit. The light source is operated at a working temperature. The cooling unit provides a cooling capacity to the light source. The control unit actively adjusts the cooling capacity of the cooling unit, and thus allows the working temperature of the light source to vary within the anticipated range.

Abstract: A projection device with an illumination adjustment function is provided. The projection device includes a storage unit for storing a predetermined illumination range value; a lens module, a light source, a power supply unit, an optical sensor, a controller, a power controller, and an optical engine. The light source emits light onto a projection screen. The optical sensor receives the light reflected from the projection screen. The controller acquires an illumination value of the light, and compares whether the illumination value falls within the predetermined illumination range. The power controller adjusts a power from the power supply unit to the light source until the illumination value falls within the predetermined illumination range. The optical engine is controlled to operate the light when the illumination value of the light falls within the predetermined illumination range. The lens module focuses the light onto the projection screen.

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.

Abstract: A projection apparatus for producing color images having reduced speckle artifacts comprising: at least three narrow band light sources having first, second and third visible wavelength bands; a digital image source providing color digital image data; at least one spatial light modulator for forming a color image using light responsive to the color digital image data; a projection display surface including a reflective layer that reflects incident illumination in the first, second, and third wavelength bands; and a fluorescent agent that absorbs a fraction of the incident light in the first visible wavelength bands and emits light in a corresponding first emissive visible wavelength band; and a projection lens that projects the color image onto the projection display surface; wherein return light from the projection display surface contains light in both the first incident visible wavelength band and the first emissive visible wavelength band, thereby reducing speckle artifacts.

Abstract: A multi-projection system includes a first projector and a second projector. Each of the projectors includes: a light source; a modulation device that modulates light emitted by the light source; a projection device that projects light modulated by the modulation device; a brightness reduction device that reduces brightness of the projection image projected by the projection device; a color mode switching unit that changes a color mode of the projector; and a brightness reduction control device that adjusts a range for which brightness is reduced by the brightness reduction device in accordance with the change in the color mode of the projector.

Abstract: An information handling system projector tracks lamp usage to generate a lamp order form for order of a replacement lamp when lamp usage is a predetermined usage. The lamp order form is automatically generated and displayed to include lamp usage and projector identification information so that a user need not manually input that information into an order form. A network module of the projector supports queries for lamp usage from a lamp management module running on an information handling system. A projector processor interfaced with the network module reads the lamp usage and projector identification information from firmware of the projector and provides the lamp usage and projector identification information to the lamp management module for automatic generation of the lamp order form display.

Abstract: A digital light processing (DLP) projector and a color compensation method of a bulb of the DLP projector are provided. The DLP projector comprises a projecting unit, a sensing unit and a color compensation unit. The projecting unit comprises a bulb, a color wheel and a control module. The control module controls the energy provided for the bulb and the color of the color wheel according to an energy waveform so as to enable the projecting unit to project a plurality of color lights. The sensing unit detects the quality of the color lights projected by the projecting unit. The color compensation unit calculates a difference between the quality detected by the sensing unit and the original quality of each of the color lights, and adjusts the energy waveform accordingly, so as to compensate the difference of each of the color lights.

Abstract: A projection type display apparatus in which an inclination and a positional deviation of optical axes among a plurality of light sources can be easily corrected to obtain a high quality projection image. Green, blue and red laser beams emitted from light sources are converted into collimated beams by condenser lenses, and the positions and angles of the optical axes of the beams of the three colors are evaluated by position detection imaging device and angle detection imaging device, respectively. The positions and angles of the light sources are adjusted by respective actuators so that the positions and angles of the optical axes match each other. Consequently, the laser beams emitted from the light sources can be combined with high accuracy to thereby realize a high definition projection type display apparatus.

Abstract: A method for calculating a position adjustment amount of projected image includes a first image step of obtaining first image data which is obtained by an image capturing device imaging first feature points which are displayed using light modulated by a first light modulation device, a second imaging step of obtaining second image data which is obtained by the image capturing device imaging a second feature point which is displayed using light modulated by a second light modulation device, an adjustment amount calculation step of calculating an adjustment amount based on the first image data and the second image data.

Abstract: Provided is a balloon including an envelope and a projecting unit that projects an image, which switches display mode between first display mode that displays the image projected by the projecting unit on the envelope and second display mode that displays the image projected by the projecting unit on an external object through the envelope.

Abstract: Techniques for utilizing an infrared illuminator, an infrared camera, and a projector to create a virtual 3D model of a real 3D object in real time for users' interaction with the real 3D object.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to image display devices and display position adjustment systems and methods. In one example, an image display device includes a control unit configured to acquire one or more characteristics of optical images. The control unit is configured to designate, based on the acquired characteristics of the optical images, one of the optical images as a reference image and the remaining number of the optical images as non-reference images. A position change unit moves the non-reference images in accordance with a pixel position of the reference image.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing coverings such as leather hides and fabrics are provided. A system can include a worktable having a surface on which a covering is placeable. An imaging device can be positionable relative to the worktable. The imaging device can be configured to obtain an image of the covering on the surface of the worktable. A projector can be positionable relative to worktable. The projector can be configured to project an image onto the surface of the worktable and the covering on the surface of the worktable. A controller can be in communication with the imaging device and projector. The controller can be configured to correct images taken by the imaging device. The controller can also be configured to correct the images projected onto the surface of the worktable and the covering thereon. The controller can be configured to permit the showing of virtual markings on the covering placed on the surface of the worktable through an image projected thereon by the projector.

Abstract: Provided is a display method used for a display device that displays a design image and a pickup image in a superimposing manner, including: a distortion correction process of correcting distortion of the pickup image; an alignment process of aligning a position of the design image and a position of the pickup image; and a display process of displaying the design image and the pickup image in the superimposing manner. In the distortion correction process, the distortion of the pickup image is corrected so that a quadrangle formed by connecting four points on the pickup image becomes a rectangle in parallel with a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, the four points specified on the pickup image corresponding to four points on the design image which are connected to form a rectangle in parallel with the vertical axis and the horizontal axis.

Abstract: A projection system for alternately outputting different polarized image light sources includes a polarizing beam splitting module, an image display module and a light polarization switch module. The polarizing beam splitting module has at least one polarizing beam splitting element for intermittently receiving a plurality of input light sources according to different time sequences. The image display module has at least one reflective image display panel disposed beside a first side of the polarizing beam splitting element. The light polarization switch module has at least one transmission LCD light valve disposed beside a second side of the polarizing beam splitting element. Therefore, the image light sources with P polarization and the image light sources with S polarization can be intermittently and alternatively projected from the projection lens onto the surface of the object by switching the transmission LCD light valve to ON/OFF state according to different time sequences.

Abstract: A method includes generating a plurality of beams that each illuminate a separate portion of a spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator has a first dimension of a first length and a second dimension of a second length. Each of the beams spans a portion of the first length of the first dimension and a portion of the second length of the second dimension. The method also includes scrolling the plurality of beams along the second dimension of the spatial light modulator while maintaining at least a first gap between each of the plurality of beams.

Abstract: A projector includes a projection section which projects a calibration image onto a projection target through a projection panel, a shape determination section which determines a shape of the projection target, a correction target area setting section which sets a correction target area, an aspect ratio calculation section which calculates an aspect ratio of the correction target area, a determination section which determines whether or not a value which indicates a difference between the aspect ratio of the correction target area and a reference aspect ratio satisfies a set condition, and an image generation section which generates an image having the shape of the correction target area on the projection panel when the set condition is satisfied, and generates an image having the reference aspect ratio on the projection panel when the set condition is not satisfied.

Abstract: An Si—O containing hydrogenated carbon film as an optical film has a refractive index in a range from at least 1.48 to at most 1.85 for light of 520 nm wavelength and an extinction coefficient of less than 0.15 for light of 248 nm wavelength, wherein the refractive index and the extinction coefficient are decreased with energy beam irradiation. By utilizing such an Si—O containing hydrogenated carbon film, it is possible to provide various types of optical elements and an optical device including the same.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of reducing speckle in projection of images is provided that includes the elements or features of producing a first image and displacing the first image to produce a second image that will reduce speckle relating to the first image when the first image and the second image are displayed on a display medium.

Abstract: Two projected images from two projector-camera systems, each defined by characteristics c1=T1p1 and c2=T2p2, respectively, are used to create mosaic composite of a desired image c. Formulas p1=T1?1(c?T2p2) and p2=T2?1(c?T1p1) are iteratively repeated with p2 initially set to zero until p1 converges to a first mosaic image and p2 converges to a second mosaic image.

Abstract: A projection device and a projection light source control method thereof are disclosed. The project device comprises a signal detection module, a projector lamp, and a lamp driver module. The signal detection module is for determining whether an image signal is inputted, executing the normal mode upon determination of the image signal, and executing the power saving mode upon determination of no image signal. The projector lamp is used for emitting a projection light source. The lamp driver module is used for controlling an input voltage inputted to the project lamp. When the power saving mode is executed, the lamp driver module is used for controlling the input voltage to decrease the brightness of the projector lamp and controlling the brightness of the projector lamp to generate a fade-in brightness and a fade-out brightness periodically cycling between a minimum is brightness setting and a maximum brightness setting.