Patents Examined by Andrew Sever
  • Patent number: 7270423
    Abstract: To provide a projection display that can easily switch between rear and front projection modes with a transmission screen, a projector, and a mirror exposed to the outside, a projection display has a projector to project projection light applied to a display image, a mirror to introduce the projection light from the projector, a screen to allow the projection light introduced by the mirror to pass through from the rear to project light in a rear mode, and a frame to hold the projector and the screen. The projection display has the screen, the projector, and the mirror exposed to the outside, and the projector is installed so that it can be attached to and detached from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Katase
  • Patent number: 7255446
    Abstract: A projection type video display capable of reducing components in number, and attempting to improve a cooling efficiency and a silencing of the video display is provided. Three cooling fans are provided on a plate member arranged within a chassis of the video display of a liquid crystal projector. The plate member is arranged in such a manner as to be spaced apart from a bottom plate of a chassis of the video display in order to form a single external-air introducing duct. Double-bottomed structure is formed by the plate member, and the plate member is used as a bottom for arranging components. Each cooling fan sucks external air from the single external-air introducing duct, and blows the external air from a blowing duct to an object to be cooled (a light source, a liquid crystal display, and others).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumihiko Hamada, Akira Miyanaga, Masaaki Miyamoto, Takaharu Adachi
  • Patent number: 7252395
    Abstract: A micromirror array fabricated on a semiconductor substrate. The array is comprised of three operating layers. An addressing layer is fabricated on the substrate. A hinge layer is spaced above the addressing layer by an air gap. A mirror layer is spaced over the hinge layer by a second air gap. The hinge layer has a hinge under and attached to the mirror, the hinge permitting the mirror to tilt. The hinge layer further has spring tips under the mirror, which are attached to the addressing layer. These spring tips provide a stationary landing surface for the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Anthony DiCarlo, Patrick I. Oden, Richard L. Knipe, Rabah Mezenner, James D. Huffman
  • Patent number: 7252390
    Abstract: A projecting optical system for decreasing a height of an optical system is provided. The system includes a lamp for irradiating light, a color divider for dividing colors of light irradiated from the lamp, an illumination mixer for irradiating the light with equal light intensity, a channel-changing prism for changing a channel of light irradiated from the illumination mixer to upward and downward, and a TIR prism for changing a direction and angle of light to a predetermined direction and angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Seung Gyu Lee
  • Patent number: 7249856
    Abstract: An electrostatic bimorph actuator includes a cantilevered flexible bimorph arm that is secured and insulated at one end to a planar substrate. In an electrostatically activated state the bimorph arm is generally parallel to the planar substrate. In a relaxed state, residual stress in the bimorph arm causes its free end to extend out-of-plane from the planar substrate. The actuator includes a substrate electrode that is secured to and insulated from the substrate and positioned under and in alignment with the bimorph arm. An electrical potential difference applied between the bimorph arm and the substrate electrode imparts electrostatic attraction between the bimorph arm and the substrate electrode to activate the actuator. As an exemplary application in which such actuators could be used, a microelectrical mechanical optical display system is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Sinclair
  • Patent number: 7237905
    Abstract: In an LCD projector or other projection type display apparatus which uses a lamp such as a xenon lamp for a light source, the lamp is cooled efficiently without increasing ambient noises or without causing the whole apparatus to become large-sized, and at the same time the lifetime and the reliability of a fan which cools the lamp is made improved. When fans 3 and 4 which are disposed on a front side of the lamp mounted with a heat sink 1 rotate, external air of ordinary temperature is taken inlet and guided into ducts 5 and 6 so as to be blown onto the front face of the lamp by means of the fans 3 and 4. Then, high temperature air which was warmed by being blown onto the lamp is exhausted from an outlet to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Akihito Yajima, Hiroshi Nagai, Masami Sato, Yuji Kawasaki, Daisuke Shirato, Yoshihiko Okamura, Dai Yoneya, Takuji Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 7237900
    Abstract: A polarization conversion system suited for LCD or LCoS-based projection applications is disclosed. The present invention polarization conversion system encompasses a light pipe with a rectangular light tunnel therein defined by four side reflection mirrors. A front reflection with an aperture thereon is mounted on an entrance face of the light pipe. A first polarization beam splitter is mounted on an exit face of the light pipe. A retardation plate, which is perpendicular to the exit face, is situated atop the first polarization beam splitter. A reflection mirror is situated atop the retardation plate. A second polarization beam splitter is mounted under the first polarization beam splitter and is opposite to the retardation plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: United Microdisplay Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Ci Guang Peng, Hsin Wen Tsai, Po Liang Chiang, Yi Wei Liu, Hsueh-Chen Chang
  • Patent number: 7237907
    Abstract: A system for adjusting keystoning in a projector may include sensing using an imaging device at least two boundaries defining a projection screen and determining a transformation to adjust the keystoning of an image projected from the projector. The image may be modified from the projector in accordance with the transformation and projecting the modified image from the projector, wherein the imaging device and the projector are maintained in a fixed relationship with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Baoxin Li, Shigeru Kojima, Toshinori Furuhashi, Kazuya Arakawa, Ryohichi Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 7237904
    Abstract: A control method for cooling a projection display, wherein a pressure sensor automatically detects the elevation above sea level of a projection display and then transmits a signal to the control unit for controlling the cooling unit to operate in a corresponding cooling mode, thereby the cooling efficiency varies with the elevation above sea level and then the cooling unit can operate in a corresponding rotating speed in order to effectively cool the whole projection display and increase the flexibility in using the projection display, and further extend the lifetime of each component inside the projection display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Nien-Hui Hsu, Shang-Hsuang Wu, Chih-Neng Tseng
  • Patent number: 7234816
    Abstract: A polarizing beam splitter (PBS) includes a multilayer reflective polarizing film, a pressure sensitive adhesive is disposed on the multilayer reflective polarizing film, a first rigid cover is disposed on the pressure sensitive adhesive. The PBS can be used in a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Charles L. Bruzzone, Ming Cheng, Ying-Yuh Lu, Jiaying Ma
  • Patent number: 7234822
    Abstract: A projection-type display device 100 including a light source 10, a luminance modulation light valve having a plurality of pixels capable of independently controlling a transmission factor T1, dichroic mirrors 44a and 44b that divided the light from the luminance modulation light valve into the three primary colors of red, green and blue, a plurality of color modulation light valves into which light divided with dichroic mirrors 44a and 44b respectively enters and have a plurality of pixels capable of independently controlling a transmission factor T2, and a dichroic prism 48 that synthesizes light from each of the color modulation light valves, and is provided with a relay optical system 16 on the light path of a luminance modulation section 14 and a color modulation section 18 that forms an optical image of the luminance modulation light valve on the pixel surfaces of each of the color modulation light valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shoichi Uchiyama, Yoshitaka Itoh, Junichi Nakamura, Takashi Nitta, Tsunemori Asahi
  • Patent number: 7234817
    Abstract: A projection system is provided. The projection system comprises a projector for producing a polarized light for projecting an image and a projection screen on which the image projected by the projector is visualized. The polarization plane of the polarized light and the polarization plane of the polarizing means are parallel. The polarizing means comprises a film formed by rodlike supramolecules including at least one polycyclic organic compound with conjugated ?-systems, whereby the 40% viewing angle transmittance iso-line of the polarizing means of the screen has an aspect ratio of not less than 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventor: Michael V. Paukshto
  • Patent number: 7232228
    Abstract: A light recovery system for a projection display with a reflector having a first and a second focal points. A source of electro-magnetic radiation is disposed proximate to the first focal point of the reflector to emit rays of radiation that reflect from the reflector and converge substantially at the second focal point. A retro-reflector reflects at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation that does not impinge directly on the reflector toward the reflector through the first focal point of the reflector to increase the flux intensity of the converging rays. A light pipe wit an input surface and an output surface is disposed with the input surface proximate to the second focal point to collect and transmit substantially all of the radiation. A PBS is disposed proximate to the output surface to collect and polarize substantially all of the radiation into a radiation of a first polarization and a second polarization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Wavien, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth K. Li
  • Patent number: 7232224
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for color illumination for an image display system includes field sequentially operating an array of emitters to generate a sequence of light beams. Each light beam includes one color. A first light beam of a first color is combined with a second light beam of a second color. The first and second light beams are combined in an optical path to travel concurrently. The combination of the first and second light beams results in a composite color coordinate. The combination of the first and second light beams are directed at a spatial light modulator operable to receive the combination and produce a desired color on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Steven M. Penn
  • Patent number: 7229176
    Abstract: Device for displaying imagery three-dimensionally, which comprises a first image reproduction element having an image reproduction surface and a second image reproduction element having an image indication surface of reflective property. Those image reproduction and indication surfaces are in an opposedly facing relation with each other, such that an imagery reproduced and indicated on the image reproduction surface is reflected by the image indicating surface to form a reflected imagery which is viewed by the eyes of person as if it was a three-dimensional image. One or both of such image reproduction and indication surfaces may be curved to have convex and concave surface sides, wherein the concave surface side is formed to have diffuse reflective property. The convex surface sides respective of those two surfaces may be in an opposedly facing relation with each other. Preferably, such two surfaces may each be a screen of light-transmissive type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: if Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Onaga
  • Patent number: 7226174
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for securely mounting a data/video projector in a portable enclosure with an adjustable mounting surface for the projector. The invention includes an apparatus that allows for easy adjustment of pitch angle of the projector to align the projector's image with the desired projection surface. The invention keeps the projector securely mounted even while in use, thereby deterring theft. The apparatus is designed to be mounted to any standard rack rail system. Standard security screws are utilized to deter theft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Inventor: Michael George Rodems
  • Patent number: 7226169
    Abstract: A projection system that can adjust color balance of incident light is provided. The projection system includes a light source, a spatial filter, an optical separator, a scrolling unit, a light valve, and a projecting lens unit. The spatial filter has a slit to adjust a divergent angle or etendue of light emitted from the light source. The optical separator separates light passing through the spatial filter according to color of incident light. The scrolling unit has one or more spiral lens discs, which are formed by spirally arranging cylindrical lens cells, rotate, and scroll color beams separated by the optical separator. The light valve processes light passing through the scrolling unit according to an image signal and forms an image. The projecting lens unit magnifies the image formed on the light valve and projects the magnified image onto a screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-sik Kim, Kun-ho Cho, Sung-ha Kim, Hee-joong Lee
  • Patent number: 7222969
    Abstract: A video image is displayed from an optical panel by splitting the image into a plurality of image components, and then projecting the image components through corresponding portions of the panel to collectively form the image. Depth of the display is correspondingly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Brookhaven Science Associates
    Inventor: James T. Veligdan
  • Patent number: 7216986
    Abstract: A color separating and mixing element comprises, in its transparent cube, a first optical function surface formed on a dividing surface for dividing the cube into two triangular prisms and a second optical function surface formed on another dividing surface. The first optical function surface has the function of transmitting both P-polarized light and S-polarized light with respect to red light, has the function of transmitting both P-polarized light and S-polarized light with respect to green light, and has the function of transmitting P-polarized light and reflecting S-polarized light with respect to blue light. The second optical function surface has the function of transmitting P-polarized light and reflecting S-polarized light with respect to red light, has the function of transmitting P-polarized light and reflecting S-polarized light with respect to green light, and has the function of transmitting both P-polarized light and S-polarized light with respect to blue light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ikeda, Yoshitaka Kurosaka, Koji Ishii, Hideyuki Kanayama
  • Patent number: 7216991
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a lighting unit including a lamp device adjusted by a general-purpose measuring device at high working efficiency, and yet allowing efficient utilization of light from a light source. In a light source device, since a first fly's eye has a concave entrance surface having a predetermined curvature, luminous flux entering the first fly's eye optical system and passing through the entrance surface is collimated to be parallel with an optical axis. Accordingly, illumination lights entering respective liquid crystal light valves are precisely superposed while allowing the angles of incidence of respective partial luminous fluxes entering the respective liquid crystal light valves to fall within a predetermined angle range, thereby enhancing utilization efficiency of the illumination lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hidemasa Yamakawa