Patents Examined by Andrew Sever
  • Patent number: 7131734
    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: March 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-sik Kim, Kun-ho Cho, Sung-ha Kim, Hee-joong Lee
  • Patent number: 7128426
    Abstract: A method of producing an image display device used for an LCD projector by providing a periodic structure of pixels arranged in a matrix and a substrate supporting the pixels, modulating light entering from an entrance surface in pixel units, and emitting the same from an exit surface. A phase shift structure for randomly changing the phase of the light is formed on a surface of the substrate. The phase shift structure has a relief structure formed, for example, by etching the surface of the substrate through which light passes to random depths. Therefore, occurrence of high-order diffracted light caused by the periodic structure of very fine pixels is prevented, and accordingly the amount of 0th order light inherently required is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shinya Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7118225
    Abstract: The addition of DMD illumination modulator(s) 702 in series with projection SLM(s) 706/709 to produce high-performance projection displays with improved optical efficiency, reliability, and lower maintenance requirements. This approach eliminates the vibration, audible noise, and safety problems associated with high speed rotating color filter wheels 203 commonly used in SLM projectors and controls the light applied to individual areas of the projection SLM(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Steven M. Penn
  • Patent number: 7114813
    Abstract: To provide an image processing system and the like which can correct image distortions and provide properly overlapped images when a plurality of projectors are used to project overlapped images, a projector includes: an image projection section projecting an image based on image signals to display the image in a manner to overlap another image projected from another projector at a projection target area; sensing section sensing an image and generating sensing information; overlap-area detecting section detecting projection areas for the projection target area, and detecting an overlap area at which the projection areas overlap, based on the sensing information; correction information generating section generating correction information indicating information for positions of the projection areas and a position of the overlap area; and projection area correction section correcting image signals, based on the correction information, to project an image onto a region corresponding to the overlap area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Wada, Masanobu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7111942
    Abstract: In a reflection-type image projecting unit, being applicable into a reflection-type image display apparatus, being superior in contrast and achieving small-sizing of the apparatus, together with a light source for use therein, a light flux including three (3) color components, R, G and B, emitted from a light source portion 100, are modulated and synthesized by means of reflection-type liquid crystal panels 221, 222 and 223 in an optical engine 200, which is constructed with three (3) prism-like polarization light beam splitters, to be emitted therefrom, wherein those three (3) prism-like polarization light beam splitters are so disposed, that the G-component light of the three component lights R, G and B modulated on the reflection-type liquid crystal panel elements penetrates through two (2) of the prism-like polarization light beam splitters 231 and 232, to be emitted therefrom, while the others, the B-component light and the R-component light penetrate therethrough after being reflected thereupon, or they
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hirata, Masahiko Yatsu, Naoyuki Ogura, Nobuo Masuoka
  • Patent number: 7111945
    Abstract: A projector includes a resin-made lamp case in which a light source lamp is fitted and a metal-made optical part holder in which an optical part is fitted. Preferably, the lamp case includes a positioning boss, the optical part holder includes a resin-made lamp case holder which accommodates the lamp case, a tubular light tunnel which shapes a form of light, a cylindrically shaped portion having a guide hole into which the positioning boss is inserted, and a resiliently deformable detent member, a metal-made light-tunnel fixing member, the detent member is substantially U-shaped and is provided integrally on the light-tunnel fixing member, the cylindrically shaped portion has a slot portion into which the detent member is inserted and which extends from an outer peripheral surface to the guide hole, and the positioning boss has a concave engaging portion which is engaged with the detent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Morinaga
  • Patent number: 7108380
    Abstract: An image projection apparatus having an adjuster mechanism with a projecting member projecting from a bottom surface of the case to adjust the elevation angle of a projection lens and an opening/closing member located at a front surface of said projection lens for opening or closing the projection opening. The adjuster mechanism uses an electric motor to move the projecting member up and down. The opening/closing member is opened/closed using a linkage mechanism linked to the adjuster mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hirohisa Ishino
  • Patent number: 7108379
    Abstract: A projector includes a housing, an image module for projecting onto a screen toward a front side, a detecting module for detecting distances from the projector to the front side and from the projector to the back side, a processor for adjusting luminance of the projected image from the image module based on the distances from the projector to the front side and from the projector to the back side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: BenQ Corporation
    Inventor: Ming-Che Tan
  • Patent number: 7104654
    Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a light source unit capable of effectively utilizing converged light from a high-pressure discharge lamp by positioning light axes of an ellipsoidal mirror and a lens to coincide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Tamaru, Kenji Maruyama
  • Patent number: 7104653
    Abstract: A computer calculates the shape of a figure after transformation using an approximate expression previously set for correcting a projected image for distortion associated with the shape of a projection surface of a cylindrical screen (an equation representative of a parabola in this case), a variable for horizontal transformation and a variable for vertical transformation which are entered through a user interface for transforming the approximate expression, and/or a variety of parameters required for transformation of image and optical corrections such as the optical center, linearity, amplitude, and position. A projector scales up or down pixels to produce a transformed image from the calculated figure after transformation for projection onto the cylindrical screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: NEC Viewtechnology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Moriwaki, Yoshiharu Komatsu
  • Patent number: 7101051
    Abstract: A projector. The projector comprises a projection light source, a first digital micro-mirror device, and a second digital micro-mirror device. The projection light source emits a projection beam toward the first digital micro-mirror device. The first digital micro-mirror device reflects the projection beam to the second digital micro-mirror device. A first micro-mirror on the first digital micro-mirror device is rotated in a horizontal direction to adjust the horizontal position of the projection beam. The second digital micro-mirror device reflects the projection beam from the first digital micro-mirror device to a projection plate. Second micro-mirrors on the second digital micro-mirror device are rotated in a vertical direction to adjust the vertical position of the projection beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: BENQ Corporation
    Inventors: Wei-Chung Shih, Ying-Fang Lin
  • Patent number: 7093943
    Abstract: A projector has an image generating device for generating an image, and a housing, having the image generating device disposed therein and having an opening defined therein for emitting therethrough projection light representing the image from the image generating device. A projection mirror is mounted on an outer surface of the housing for reflecting the projection light to project the image onto a projection surface. An optical system is disposed in the opening for applying the projection light to the projection mirror. The projector also has a foreign matter detector for detecting foreign matter which enters a light path of the projection light between the optical system and the projection mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: NEC Viewtechnology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Kunitaka Furuichi
  • Patent number: 7093941
    Abstract: An APL detection unit detects the APL for each unit field time period of an input video signal, and a light source control data production unit produces, depending on the results of the APL detection, a light source control signal at a minimum level which can stably drive a light source when the APL is 0% up to a predetermined value A1, a light source control signal at a maximum level which can stably drive the light source when the APL is a predetermined value A2 up to 100%, and a light source control signal which dynamically varies depending on the APL when the APL is between the predetermined value A1 and the predetermined value A2, to drive the light source on the basis of the light source control signal. As a result, it is possible to mitigate the lack of a contrast feeling and the occurrence of a floating blackness, as well as to improve the reliability of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kawashima, Hitoshi Noda, Takaaki Gyoten
  • Patent number: 7092158
    Abstract: The invention concerns a screen wherein elements distributed on a single and common diopter enable both collimating and micro-focusing by relecting the light beams projected on said screen; on said diopter can also be distributed elements acting by refraction. The inventive screen has only one main optical component, hence it is not expensive to produce. The invention is particularly applicable to very compact projection devices and to situations with high projection incidence angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Günther Haas
  • Patent number: 7090359
    Abstract: A scrolling unit for forming a color image through scrolling, and a color illuminating system and a projection system using the scrolling unit. The scrolling unit includes a first spiral lens disk, a second spiral lens disk, and a glass rod. The first spiral lens disk includes a plurality of cylindrical lens cells arranged in a spiral pattern and can be rotated. The second spiral lens disk is installed facing the first spiral lens disk and can be rotated at the same speed as the first spiral lens disk. The projection system includes a light source, an optical splitter for splitting light into light beams having different colors, and a scrolling unit that scrolls the light beams by periodically changing paths on which the light beams proceed. Also included is a light valve for forming an image, and a projection lens unit for enlarging and projecting the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-sik Kim, Kun-ho Cho, Sung-ha Kim
  • Patent number: 7090356
    Abstract: A projection type image display apparatus includes an electroluminescence element which has a plurality of pixels that can each emit modulated light, a projection optical system which projects the light emitted from each of the pixels in the electroluminescence element onto an object to display an image, and a sensor which detects brightness of ambient light that illuminates the object. A controller controls brightness of the light emitted from the electroluminescence element based on the brightness of the ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jun Koide
  • Patent number: 7086742
    Abstract: A projection optical system is disclosed with which undistorted images can be obtained at any image position within a specification range, and whose projection angle can be changed. The projection optical system includes a plurality of optical elements and a first optical system constituted by at least one of the plurality of optical elements having the ability to form an image with light onto a predetermined surface different from the projection surface. A projection image of the original image can be moved by rotating a first optical element of the plurality of optical elements substantially around a center of an exit pupil position of the first optical system as the rotation center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koshi Hatakeyama, Toshihiro Sunaga
  • Patent number: 7086744
    Abstract: An optical unit for projection type image display apparatus, by which the occurrence of registration deviation can be restrained and projected images of high contrast can be obtained, is disclosed. This optical unit comprises a first optical element which performs at least one of color separation and color combination; a holding member attached to the first optical element; and a second optical element which optically acts on one of incident light on the first optical element and emergent light from the first optical element. The linear expansion coefficients a1, a2, and a3 of the materials forming the first optical element, the second optical element, and the holding member have the following relationship: a1<a3?a2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidetomo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7083289
    Abstract: An image projection system is provided that includes a portable projector, where the projector includes a light engine, and a projector housing having a closed configuration and an open configuration, where in the closed configuration the projector housing at least partially encloses the light engine, and in the open configuration the projector housing supports the light engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Glen A. Oross, Peter Guy Howard, Michael A. Pate, David L Smith
  • Patent number: 7073912
    Abstract: Heat of optical devices is transferred to a bottom surface portion 512B of an optical parts housing portion 512 of an optical parts casing 5A. A duct 6 is formed on the bottom surface portion 512B. A cooling air passing through a first passage 6A cools the bottom surface portion 512B, and then is supplied to a hole 515R to cool a liquid crystal panel 441R, etc. The cooling air passing through a second passage 6B of the duct 6 is introduced into holes 515B, 515G to cool the liquid crystal panels 441B, 441G. Accordingly, the optical parts casing projector capable of cooling sufficiently the optical modulator devices and other parts, e.g., the bottom surface portion, etc. of the optical parts casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yanagisawa, Hiroshi Abe