Plural Patents (Class 353/51)
  • Patent number: 9341928
    Abstract: With a view to providing a light source device and a projector which can rearrange the light collection balance even in the event that the number of illuminated light emitting elements changes as a result of a change in the environment where they are used or in the specifications thereof, a light source device includes a holder 79 having element accommodating portions 79a which each accommodate one of a plurality of light emitting elements and an adjusting portion for moving mechanisms including an optical system such as reflection mirrors and the holder 79 which translate in parallel a center of a whole of optical axes of pencils of light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements when light is not emitted from part of the plurality of light emitting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toshifumi Kase
  • Patent number: 9010936
    Abstract: Optical MEMS scanning micro-mirror comprising: —a movable scanning micro-mirror (101), being pivotally connected to a MEMS body (102) substantially surrounding the lateral sides of the micro-mirror, —a transparent window (202) substantially covering the reflection side of the micro-mirror; —wherein a piezo-actuator assembly (500) and a layer of deformable transparent material (501) are provided on the outer portion of said window (202); —the piezo-actuator assembly (500) being arranged at the periphery of the layer of transparent material (501); —said piezo-actuator assembly (500) and transparent material (501) cooperating so that when actuated, the piezo-actuator assembly (500) causes micro-deformation of the transparent material (501), thereby providing an anti-speckle effect. The invention also provides the corresponding micro-projection system and method for reducing speckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Lemoptix SA
    Inventors: Nicolas Abele, Lucio Kilcher, Faouzi Khechana
  • Patent number: 8591042
    Abstract: Techniques and display systems that provide display systems suitable for various display applications, including display systems that provide a controlled climate in an enclosure of the system to protect the display components and display systems that produce high-contrast images for outdoor displays, large-format displays and other display applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Prysm, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger A. Hajjar
  • Patent number: 8577178
    Abstract: An image processing device includes: a transformation ratio calculation unit which calculates transformation ratio of an image after transformation, the image after transformation being obtained by transforming an original image under predetermined rule; a filter coefficient calculation unit which calculates filter coefficients based on the transformation ratio; and a pixel value calculation unit which calculates the pixel value of each pixel in the image after transformation using the filter coefficients and outputs the pixel value of the image after transformation as image data after transformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiko Tamura
  • Patent number: 8511837
    Abstract: A projection optical system configured to project an image onto a projection surface includes a first optical system including at least one dioptric system and having positive power as a whole; a second optical system including a reflection region and a transmission region; and a third optical system including at least one reflecting surface having power, and having positive power as a whole, wherein light entering the projection optical system passes through the first optical system to have a path thereof bent by the reflection region of the second optical system to be incident on the third optical system, and the light incident on the third optical system has the path thereof bent by the third optical system to pass through the transmission region of the second optical system to be incident on the projection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Takahashi, Kazuhiro Fujita, Issei Abe
  • Patent number: 8439506
    Abstract: A reflector mounting structure includes a reflector and a fixing member. The reflector includes: a reflecting surface; a reflector body having the reflecting surface formed thereon; a pair of first connecting units provided respectively at an end face of the reflector body and having a substantially spherical first protrusion at an end thereof; and a second connecting unit provided at an end face of the reflector body. The fixing member which supports the reflector includes a pair of first supporting units respectively having a planar contact portion and bringing the contact portion into contact with an end of the first protrusion, and a second supporting unit. A contact-portion vertical distance is set such that the first protrusion moves while rolling with respect to a contact portion when the reflector deforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Okagaki, Norihiro Watanabe, Atsushi Michimori
  • Patent number: 8414134
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes first and second light source units. An optical axis converting element has a first surface that reflects a luminous flux emitted from the first light source unit and a second surface that reflects a luminous flux emitted from the second light source unit and is configured to reflect respective luminous fluxes emitted from the respective light source units in substantially one direction. Each of the luminous fluxes entering the optical axis converting element has different dimensions in two directions orthogonal to each other in a plane orthogonal to an emission axis of the each light source unit. The optical axis converting element is arranged such that a cross-sectional shape of the luminous flux entering each optical axis converting element taken along the surface has a short side direction in the same direction as the direction of arrangement of the first and second surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Itoh
  • Patent number: 8152312
    Abstract: An apparatus that presents a projection image has a screen and plural projectors, each of which projects a section of the projection image onto the screen. The apparatus has a projected-section-determining unit that determines as a projected section the section of the projection image, based on an input image signal, corresponding to a part of the screen onto which each of the projectors projects the section of the projection image. The apparatus has an image-signal-generating unit that generates an image signal corresponding to the section of the projection image which each of the projector projects onto the part of the screen, based on the input image signal and the projected section determined by the projected-section-determining unit, and a projectors-controlling unit that controls the projectors to adjust centers and/or ranges of the projections by the projectors based on the projected section determined by the projected-section-determining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Kenji Tanaka, Hitoshi Mukai, Tetsushi Kokubo, Hirofumi Hibi, Kazumasa Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8152309
    Abstract: An image display apparatus which displays an image as a transmitted projection image includes: a tread-board of a step which has a first projection surface and transmits a projection image projected on the first projection surface; and a cross-board of the step which has a second projection surface and transmits a projection image projected on the second projection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8066385
    Abstract: A lighting unit that optimizes an oscillation frequency for oscillating a diffusion device and its amplitude amount and a projecting display using the lighting unit are provided. Driving of a light source driving unit is controlled on the basis of driving of the oscillation driving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoki Kobori, Satoshi Ouchi, Seiji Murata, Hidehiro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8047656
    Abstract: A projecting apparatus for protecting an image onto a screen includes an image module, a first light reflection device and a lens. The image module is for providing a beam of first light, The first light reflection device has a first reflection surface disposed movably relative to the image module for reflecting the first light to form a beam of second light. The lens is for projection the image on the screen according to the second light. Moving the first light reflection device along the beam of first light or second light can adjust the location of the image on the screen in a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Watonga Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Chien-Fong Kuo
  • Patent number: 8045247
    Abstract: Scanning beam systems, apparatus and techniques in optical post-objective designs with two beam scanners for display and other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Prysm, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip H. Malyak, John Uebbing, Roger A. Hajjar
  • Patent number: 8016434
    Abstract: A projection assembly and projection method for accurately reproducing animated and live characters, objects, and effects. The projection assembly uses a high precision robotic mirror system to achieve very high levels of image resolution, brightness, and contrast. The assembly includes a projector receiving an input image stream, and a mirror assembly is positioned proximate to the projector outlet. The mirror assembly uses positionable mirrors to reflect the projected images onto a display surface at positions that define an animation pattern on the display surface for the projected image or character. The assembly includes a motor controller assembly positioning the mirrors based on position data defining the animation pattern. The projected images may be provided in a projection area that is a fraction of the size of the display surface, such that the resolution and output light of the projector are concentrated on the display surface within this projection area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard B. Turner, David F. Barnett, Thomas E. Brentnall, III
  • Patent number: 8002413
    Abstract: There is provided a light source unit which includes a luminescent light source which receives excitation light so as to emit light of a predetermined wavelength band, excitation light sources which shine excitation light on to the luminescent light source, a reflection space having the luminescent light source in an interior thereof and an emission space which emits luminescent light source light emitted from the reflection space from an emission port whose area is made smaller than the area of the luminescent light source and a projector which employs the light source unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuro Narikawa
  • Patent number: 7976172
    Abstract: Light emitted from a lamp enters a color wheel having a region for allowing a predetermined color to pass therethrough, is reflected on a mirror, and enters a DMD. After this, the light is reflected by the DMD and enters a color sensor, which then detects the color of the transmitting light. A projection apparatus automatically synchronizes the control on the rotation of the color wheel and the control on the proceeding direction of the transmitting light by the DMD, based on a color time-division pattern of the transmitting light detected by the color sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuro Narikawa
  • Patent number: 7926952
    Abstract: A rear projection display device (1) includes a screen (10), a projection engine (11) for producing an image light beam, a projection lens (12), and reflectors (13, 14) for projecting the image light beam onto the screen. The projection engine and the projection lens are positioned in rear of the screen within a substantially central portion of the display device. The reflectors are composed of two symmetrically arranged groups of first and second reflectors. The first and second reflectors in each group form a certain angle with each other. The first reflectors divide the image light beam from the projection lens into two image sub-beams, and then reflect them onto the respective second reflectors. The second reflectors reflect the two image sub-beams onto the screen for display a combined single image. By means of the image light beam division and two times of reflection by the reflectors, the depth of the display device is significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc
    Inventor: Hong Wan
  • Patent number: 7909469
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image projecting apparatus, including: a one-dimension type light modulating device for modulating a light in accordance with image information; a projection optical system; and a light deflecting device for deflecting an image light in a direction approximately perpendicular to an extension direction of a one-dimensional image light emitted from the one-dimensional light modulating device; wherein the light deflecting device is composed of a first light deflecting device arranged between the projection optical system and the one-dimension type light modulating device, and a second light deflecting device arranged on an emission side of the projection optical system; the second light deflecting device is detachably mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Izushi Kobayashi, Yutaka Sugawara, Akihiro Kojima, Akira Nakamura, Katsuhisa Ito
  • Patent number: 7896504
    Abstract: A projection module intended to project an image on a screen defining a specified projection plane is disclosed. The module includes an objective, for emitting an imaging beam; a curved mirror; and at least two deflection surfaces for deflecting the imaging beam, the deflection surfaces being placed in the path of the imaging beam between the objective and the curved mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Sacre, Pascal Benoit
  • Patent number: 7883219
    Abstract: System and method for thin projection display systems. An embodiment comprises a light source, an array of light modulators optically coupled to the light source, a lensed mirror optically coupled to the array, and a controller electronically coupled to the array and to the light source. The array produces images on a display plane by modulating light from the light source based on image data and the controller provides light commands to the light source and load image data into the array. The lensed mirror reflects modulated light from the array onto the display plane, the lensed mirror comprising a refractive portion and a reflective portion. The refractive portion of the lensed mirror helps to increase the light bending capability to help reduce the overall thickness of a projection display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: John David Jackson, Steven Edward Smith, Duane Scott Dewald
  • Patent number: 7753531
    Abstract: An image display apparatus acquires a high-quality image by suppressing positional fluctuation of projected dots due to a positional offset of an optical path deflecting element. A spatial light modulation element (1) displays an image by projecting a light from an illumination light source. A projection optical system (3) enlarges and projects the image formed on the spatial light modulation element (1). An optical path deflecting element (2) is provided between the spatial light modulation element (1) and the image formed on a screen (4) so as to deflect an optical path in accordance with a screen frame period. The optical path deflecting element (2) shifts the optical path for the image projected on the screen (4) at a high rate so as to apparently increase a number of picture elements. The optical path deflecting element (2) is located within the projection optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Fujita, Takanobu Osaka, Kazuya Miyagaki, Atsushi Takaura, Masanori Kobayashi, Hiroyuki Sugimoto, Kenji Namie, Yumi Matsuki, Toshiaki Tokita
  • Patent number: 7677735
    Abstract: A projecting apparatus for protecting an image onto a screen includes an image module, a first light reflection device and a lens. The image module is for providing a beam of first light. The first light reflection device has a first reflection surface disposed movably relative to the image module for reflecting the first light to form a beam of second light. The lens is for projection the image on the screen according to the second light. Moving the first light reflection device along the beam of first light or second light can adjust the location of the image on the screen in a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Watonga Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Chien-Fong Kuo
  • Publication number: 20090303447
    Abstract: A projection assembly and projection method for accurately reproducing animated and live characters, objects, and effects. The projection assembly uses a high precision robotic mirror system to achieve very high levels of image resolution, brightness, and contrast. The assembly includes a projector receiving an input image stream, and a mirror assembly is positioned proximate to the projector outlet. The mirror assembly uses positionable mirrors to reflect the projected images onto a display surface at positions that define an animation pattern on the display surface for the projected image or character. The assembly includes a motor controller assembly positioning the mirrors based on position data defining the animation pattern. The projected images may be provided in a projection area that is a fraction of the size of the display surface, such that the resolution and output light of the projector are concentrated on the display surface within this projection area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: RICHARD B. TURNER, DAVID F. BARNETT, THOMAS E. BRENTNALL, III
  • Patent number: 7568806
    Abstract: A light source unit includes a mirror tunnel which has a prism-like shape and whose external sides are formed to taper, and a light source which includes a light emitting device and which is disposed on a side of the mirror tunnel. A reflecting mirror is provided at a first end face of the mirror tunnel, and a second end face of the mirror tunnel, that lies on an opposite side from the first end face, is an end face from which light is emitted, and has an area wider than that of the first end face. The light emitting device of the light source includes red LED's, blue LED's and green LED's, and the LED's are disposed on the side of the mirror tunnel such that the LED's of the same color do not lie adjacent to each other in a longitudinal direction of the mirror tunnel and a direction which is at right angles to the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukio Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7524068
    Abstract: A projection optical system that performs enlargement projection of an image on a display device surface formed of a plurality of pixels onto a screen surface, in which pixel shift by less than a pixel pitch is performed on the screen surface in a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, an oblique direction, or a vertical and horizontal directions, and in which conditional formulae (1) and (2) below are fulfilled over the entire image range: (1)|?RG|?0.5 d and (2)|?BG|?0.5 d, where d represents the amount of pixel shift (>0), ?RG represents lateral chromatic aberration in the direction of pixel shift of colored light R having a wavelength of 640 nm with respect to colored light G having a wavelength of 546 nm, and ?BG represents lateral chromatic aberration in the direction of pixel shift of colored light B having a wavelength of 450 nm with respect to the colored light G having a wavelength of 546 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventors: Kohtaro Hayashi, Masayuki Imaoka, Yuichi Atarashi, Hiroshi Kibayashi
  • Patent number: 7518570
    Abstract: A digital light processing display system is provided with fewer major moving parts and a smaller form factor. A high-intensity, high-frequency strobe light is used to direct a pulse of light through colored filters. The colored pulses of light are passed through separate prisms, each with a high index of refraction. The index of refraction and the length of the path through the prism result in a delay for each color. For each pixel with a component of the color for each colored pulse, a controller activates the corresponding mirror in an array of mirrors. The timing of the activation of the mirrors is coordinated with the timing of the colored pulses of light to form a full color image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Gordon Leslie Arnold, II
  • Patent number: 7434944
    Abstract: In an image projection apparatus, the deflection axis of the pixels of a display device is parallel to the longer sides of the display area of the display device, and the entrance pupil of a projection optical system is displaced from the line normal to the center of the display area in the direction parallel to the shorter sides of the display device. The distance from the display device to the optical component closest thereto is determined based on the intersection between the lowermost ray of projection light that leaves the lower end of the display area and reaches the entrance pupil of the projection optical system and the uppermost ray of illumination light that leaves the illumination optical system and reaches the upper end of the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventors: Yasumasa Sawai, Tomiei Kuwa
  • Patent number: 7416308
    Abstract: A projector includes a support structure, which supports a light source and an image medium. The image medium is arranged such that light from the light source passes through one or more images carried by the image medium, thereby projecting intermediate images. An image dispersion element, having a plurality of reflective surfaces, is mounted in fixed position in the path of the intermediate images, to simultaneously redirect the intermediate images in a plurality of different directions from the projector to create a plurality of final images. An image medium driver drives the image medium relative to the light source. As an image carried on the image medium moves in the path of light emitted by the light source, the intermediate images move relative to the image dispersion element, and, consequently the final images move across the surface onto which they are projected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Mr. Christmas Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Hermanson, Huang Meng-Suen
  • Patent number: 7086738
    Abstract: An optical projection system has a parallel light source for producing a parallel light beam. A first color splitter splits the parallel light beam into a first color beam and a color mixing beam. The color mixing beam includes a second color beam and a third color beam. A first both-side telecentric group is disposed on a first light path of the first color beam, so as to transform into a first light beam. A second both-side telecentric group is disposed on a second light path of the color mixing beam. A second color splitter is disposed on the second light path to split the color mixing beam into a second light beam and a third light beam. A light-combining unit receives the first, second, and third light beams and combines into a mixed beam. Then the mixed beam is projected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Ho Lu, Chung-Jung Chen, Shih-Po Yeh
  • Patent number: 7052142
    Abstract: A light projecting device including an image resolution enhancing mechanism that spatially offsets at least one pixel between an original pixel position and an offset pixel position. The image resolution enhancing mechanism includes a dual mirror mechanism to provide the spatial offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Anurag Gupta
  • Patent number: 6843568
    Abstract: The present invention is based on the finding that the previous column and row representation in the scanning image projection has to be given up, in order to enable that the ratio between row and column frequency or vertical and horizontal deflection frequency is not critical and may be decreased. An inventive projection apparatus for projecting an image on an image field includes a deflection means for deflecting a light beam about a first deflection axis at a first deflection frequency and about a second deflection axis at a second deflection frequency different from the first, in order to move the light beam across the image field, as well as a modulation means for modulating an intensity of the light beam depending on the image to be projected. The first and second deflection frequencies differ by less than an order of magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gessellschaft
    Inventors: Harald Schenk, Alexander Wolter, Markus Schwarzenberg
  • Patent number: 6773113
    Abstract: In a projection arrangement for projecting an image onto a projection surface, there are provided a light source (26), a control unit (25), a light modulator (10), which is controllable by said control unit (25) in order to generate an image on the basis of predetermined image data, an optical device (11), arranged following said light modulator, for projecting said image onto the projection surface (34), a film stage (2) for holding a positive image recorded on a carrier medium, projection optics (3), arranged following the film stage (2) when projecting the positive image, and a control device (6), allowing either to direct light from the light source (26) to the light modulator (10) or to illuminate a positive image, which is held by the film stage (2), with said light. Thus, a projection arrangement is provided which can project both positive images and images generated on the basis of predetermined data onto a projection surface (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Muehlhoff, Klaus Knupfer, Oliver Baumann, Bernd Spruck
  • Patent number: 6765544
    Abstract: Lighting apparatus comprises (i) a deflector to deflect a light beam from a video projector in a plurality of directions, (ii) image processing means to process image information and comprising an input to receive raw image information from an image source, a processor to process the raw image information into processed image information, and an output to output processed image information to the video projector, and (iii) a controller that controls operation of the processor of the image processing means according to the status of the deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Wynne Willson Gottelier Limited
    Inventor: Peter David Wynne Willson
  • Patent number: 6388810
    Abstract: A compact projector system utilizing a rear projection console with at least one projector and a set of mirrors with each mirror being positionally placed with respect to the rear of the display screen and operating together by bouncing an image carrying light beam which originates from a projector from one mirror to the next within the console and across itself before the image-carrying light impinges upon the rear of the display screen to produce a relatively large, contiguous image thereupon with the at least one projector and set of mirrors being confined in a relatively small console area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Robert James Monson, Michael Edward Smith
  • Publication number: 20020021416
    Abstract: A projector includes a light source, a beam splitter for splitting a light irradiated from the light source into a plurality of partial light beams, a polarization converter for converting the light beam irradiated from the beam splitter into a predetermined linear polarization light beam, and a lens array for transmitting the plurality of partial light beams irradiated from the polarization converter to a light modulator, where the polarization converter and the lens array are integrated by a holding frame and are fixed to a fixing portion of a support, so that the polarization converter and the lens array can be attached to the fixing portion of the support while adjusting position of the integrated component relative to the fixing portion, thus reducing trouble for position adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasunori Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6099128
    Abstract: In order to move spatially the projection beam from a video or graphics projector, the projection beam which emerges from a light source and is guided via and/or through an optoelectronic image generator and through a projection lens is deflected by means of at least one mirror which can be pivotably displaced about two axes, an X-axis extending in the direction of incidence of the projection beam and a transverse Y-axis. In order to attain perfect correction of the image distortion caused by rotation in spite of the rapid movement of the mirror, the images to be projected from the image generator are further rotated when the mirror is pivotably adjusted about the X-axis in forced coupling with the pivotal adjustment of the mirror in order to compensate any image distortion occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventor: Rainer Jessl
  • Patent number: 6079835
    Abstract: An adjustable laser projector has a reflection seat for receiving and reflecting a laser beam, and an adjusting means pivotally mounted on the reflector for adjusting a projecting point of the laser without changing an incidence point, such that even though the angle of the projection of a laser beam is changed, the laser projector is still able to accurately receive the laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Acropro, Inc.
    Inventor: Ting-Li Yu
  • Patent number: 5961195
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes an image display device. The image display device includes a projector for emitting an image, a screen on which the image is projected, and a mirror for reflecting the image from the projector toward the screen. The mirror has a planar surface reflection area and a curved surface reflection area continuous with the planar reflection area. Images projected onto the mirror are reflected with no distortion in one area and distortion in another area. The distorted area fills a portion of a user's peripheral vision. Also, the distorted area allows some embodiments of the invention to provide the user with a greater sense of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Namco Ltd.
    Inventors: Naotaka Yoshimatsu, Hideki Inoue
  • Patent number: 5749640
    Abstract: A light emitting apparatus includes a first stepper motor, a mounting frame, a second stepper motor, at least one reflector, and a light source. The first stepper motor has a first rotor and a first output shaft coupled to and driven by the first rotor. The frame is fixed to and rotates together with the first output shaft. The second stepper motor has a second rotor and a second output shaft coupled to and driven by the second rotor. The second stepper motor is mounted on the mounting frame such that the second output shaft is transverse to the first output shaft and is rotatable relative to the mounting frame. The reflector is fixed to and rotates with the second output shaft, and has a light reflecting surface and a plurality of differently colored reflecting facets disposed around an axis of the second output shaft and on the reflecting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: J.A.L. Taiwan Ltd.
    Inventor: Jason Yu
  • Patent number: 5526076
    Abstract: A hand-held light projector adapted to create on a remote display screen a light show presenting Lissajous figures whose patterns depend on how the projector is shaken by the operator. The projector includes a light bulb whose rays are focused to form a light beam that is directed onto a first spring-mounted mirror that when the projector is shaken, then oscillates about a horizontal axis, the beam deflected by the first mirror being cast on a second spring-mounted mirror that oscillates about a vertical axis. The beam deflected by the second mirror is cast on and scans the remote screen to produce a light trace thereon whose path is the resultant of the concurrent oscillations of the two mirrors to create on the screen Lissajous figures whose patterns depend on the frequencies and amplitudes of the oscillations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Inventor: Brian Walker
  • Patent number: RE36197
    Abstract: A hand-held light projector adapted to create on a remote display screen a light show presenting Lissajous figures whose patterns depend on how the projector is shaken by the operator. The projector includes a light bulb whose rays are focused to form a light beam that is directed onto a first spring-mounted mirror that when the projector is shaken, then oscillates about a horizontal axis, the beam deflected by the first mirror being cast on a second spring-mounted mirror that oscillates about a vertical axis. The beam deflected by the second mirror is cast on and scans the remote screen to produce a light trace thereon whose path is the resultant of the concurrent oscillations of the two mirrors to create on the screen Lissajous figures whose patterns depend on the frequencies and amplitudes of the oscillations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Brian Walker