Abstract: A projection system is disclosed that has a light source of multiple wavelengths, a spatial light modulator and projection optics for projecting an image to be viewed by a viewer or to be displayed on a target. Also provided are one or more color sequencing devices which filter the light multiple times. Whether a single or plural color sequencing elements are provided, a single light beam passes at least twice through a sequence of light filters. In one embodiment, two color wheels provide the ability to filter the light multiple times. By changing the physical position or phase of one series of filters relative to another, the brightness and color saturation of the image projected through the projection optics can be changed. The changes in brightness and color saturation can be performed manually by mechanically changing the phase (or position) of the color sequencing device(s) relative to the light beam. Such changes can be performed step-wise of gradually through a continuum of brightness vs.

Abstract: A light engine (9) for a projection display is provided which employs: 1) at least one light source (25), 2) at least one TIR prism assembly (13), and 3) at least one digital micromirror device (15), wherein: (a) the illumination path (55) between the light source (25) and the prism assembly (13) is unfolded, i.e., the illumination path is free of fold mirrors; and (b) the angle &ggr; between the illumination path (55) and the device's horizontal axis (53) is preferably less than or equal to about 20°.

Abstract: The illuminating optical system is divided into a first portion including movable blades moving during exposure, and a second portion not containing a movable portion moving over the movable blade during exposure. The second portion is installed on the exposure main portion, and the first portion, separately from the exposure main portion. The frames configuring the first and the second optical units, the second optical unit having optical elements of a smaller movable amount than the movable amount of the movable blades, are relatively displaceably connected via the bellows-shaped member. The frames configuring the second optical units are fixed to each other via the O-ring suppressing relative displacement. As a result, the effect of vibration of the illuminating optical system during exposure on the main portion can be reduced.

Abstract: A projector having flat outside surfaces when not in use and a control panel disposed at an upper portion of a main body of the projector during use. A front cover is provided with a control panel on its back side and is rotatably supported on the main body by double hinge mechanisms such that the projector is box-shaped when the front cover is stored in a storage position for covering the front side of a projection lens, and a surface of the front cover is inclined and directed to the rear upper side of the projector main body when the front cover is rotated from the storage position to an open position. Loudspeakers are incorporated in the cover so that the loudspeakers are projected at an upper portion of the main body when the front cover is rotated from the storage position to the open position.

Abstract: An image synthesizing optical apparatus includes displays for modulating first, second, and third color beams according to image signals and outputting the first, second, and third color beams thus modulated. The optical axis of the second color beam coincides with the optical axis of the first color beam. The optical axis of the third color beam crosses a midpoint between the first and second displays on the optical axes of the first and second color beams. The apparatus has a color beam combining unit at the midpoint and combining the color beams from the respective displays, and a support supporting the foregoing components. The support maintains optical path lengths of the respective color beams from the displays to the color beam combining unit equal even with a change in temperature.

Abstract: The invention provides an electro-optical apparatus and a projector that can be efficiently fabricated and permit a reduction in manufacturing cost. A pair of substrates and an electro-optical element sandwiched between the pair of substrates are provided to constitute liquid crystal panels. An antistatic layer is provided on an outer surface of at least one of the pair of substrates. Therefore, even if static electricity is generated on the surfaces of the panels, the static electricity escapes to the outside through the antistatic layer, making it possible to prevent dust, fluff, or the like from adhering to the liquid crystal panels. This enables the deterioration of images caused by the adherence of dust, fluff, or the like during a manufacturing process or during the use by a user to be minimized.

Abstract: Disclosed is an illumination system which includes a first optical system for combining plural light fluxes from plural light sources and for projecting the plural light fluxes to a surface to be illuminated, a second optical system for separating a portion of one of the combined plural light fluxes, and a first detecting system for detecting the light quantity of the portion separated by the second optical system.

Abstract: Projector is suggested, including a light source for emitting beams of lights, a rod lens for receiving the beams of lights from the light source for making a distribution of the beams uniform, and a polarization beam converter. The polarization beam converter has a lens part for receiving the beams from the rod lens and focusing onto a plurality of focusing points, and a polarization beam split array. The polarization beam split array receives the beams inclusive of a P wave and an S wave, and forwards the P wave as it is, and converting the P wave into the S wave before forwarding. The employment of the rod lens permits to fabricate a thinner polarization converter, and minimizes a light loss.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus provided with an image blur prevention function, including: a blur correction driving means for performing correction of image blur; an actuator separate from the blur correction driving means, consuming energy of the actuator changing depending on time; a power supply for supplying energy to the blur correction driving means and the actuator; and a variable circuit for changing an energy supply pattern in supplying energy to the blur correction driving means by the power supply before or after consuming energy of the actuator changes.

Abstract: A technique capable of increasing contrast of a projected and displayed image of a projector. A projector includes an illuminating system that emits illumination light, a liquid crystal light valve for modulating light from the illuminating system according to image information, and a projection system for projecting image light formed on a light emission surface of the liquid crystal light valve. A liquid crystal light valve includes a liquid crystal panel, first and second polarizers disposed on the side of the light incidence surface and on the side of the light emission surface of the liquid crystal panel, and first and second compensating plates disposed between the liquid crystal panel and the first and second polarizers, respectively.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for reading an image read photoelectrically an original image by prescan, set reading conditions in accordance with prescanned data obtained by the prescan, and perform fine scan that photoelectrically reads the original image to obtain fine scanned data for producing output image data. The method and apparatus analyze data of a preset area of the original image for both the prescanned data and the fine scanned data to calculate image characteristic values of the prescanned data and the fine scanned data of the preset area, calculate a correction condition for the fine scanned data such that the image characteristic values of the prescanned data and fine scanned data match and process the fine scannned data on the correction condition.

Abstract: A stage assembly (10) for moving and positioning a device (30) includes a stage (14), a stage mover assembly (16), a device table (18), a table mover assembly (20) and a damping assembly (22). The table mover assembly (20) moves the device table (18) along a Z axis, about an X axis and about a Y axis relative to the stage (14) and generates reaction forces. The damping assembly (22) is coupled to the table mover assembly (20). Uniquely, the damping assembly (22) reduces the reaction forces created by the table mover assembly (20) that are transferred to the stage (14).

Abstract: The invention relates to an image display device comprising at least three light panels for emitting at least three light beams having different colors, combination means which are rigidly connected to a frame for combining the three light beams to a combined light beam for projection on a screen, positioning means for spatially positioning the three light panels and fixation means for fixing a position, adjusted with the aid of the positioning means, of the individual light panels with respect to the combination means, wherein the positioning means comprise three plate-shaped elements for each light panel, which elements are oriented at right angles to the associated light panel and are each rigidly connected to the frame along a connecting edge, and are each pivotally connected to the associated light panel at a distance from the connecting edge.

Abstract: A camera strobe recharging IC includes a one-shot unit, an R-S latch block unit, a PWM control unit, and a ready control unit. The one-shot unit provides square wave signals. The R-S latch block unit is electrically connected with the one-shot unit. The PWM control unit includes a reference voltage source, an oscillator, a PWM comparator, a voltage boost comparator, and a current source. The ready control unit includes an FET, which has a gate contact electrically connected with an output contact of the R-S latch block unit. Accordingly, the present invention is compact and structurally tiny to facilitate integration and is good at modulating charging current, accelerating charging, and automatically recharging.

Abstract: An inspection method that enables efficient inspection operations before the shipment of a sheet lens product. A sheet-like Fresnel lens sheet having a masking material bonded on its light-incidence surface is placed on an operation surface equipped with a black color system of background with the light-incidence surface up. On the operation surface the masking material is exfoliated. At the same time the Fresnel lens sheet is inspected by the reflected light to thereby make an inspection of the presence or absence of a white color system of defects. Thereafter, the Fresnel lens sheet is inspected by a the transmission light.

Abstract: A compact finder with excellent optical performance, and a camera including the finder are disclosed. The finder of the present invention includes an objective optical system, and an eyepiece optical system. The objective optical system includes, from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having positive power, a second lens unit having negative power, a third lens unit having positive power, and a fourth lens unit having positive power. During zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, the second lens unit is moved toward the image side, the third lens unit is moved toward the object side, and the fourth lens unit is moved such that an air space between the fourth lens unit and the third lens unit is changed. The camera of the present invention includes a photo-taking optical system, and the finder of the present invention whose optical axis is different from an optical axis of the photo-taking optical system.

Abstract: A projection screen comprising; a substrate having a generally flat forward surface; a diffusion layer formed of a plurality of generally equally spaced apart concave features forming micro lenses; a layer of reflective material deposited on a rearward facing surface of the diffusion layer; the diffusion layer laminated to the forward facing surface of the substrate so that the layer of reflective material is sandwiched therebetween.

Abstract: An irregular color and irregular luminance correction circuit includes a memory, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and an external interface. In the memory, luminance distribution values, luminance inclination values, screen distribution values, and correction values at n-pieces of levels at each correction point obtained at factory adjustment are stored as digital data. The CPU generates a correction value based on the luminance distribution value, the luminance inclination value, and the screen distribution value and stores these values in the memory as digital data. The irregular color and irregular luminance correction circuit performs irregular color and irregular luminance correction for an input image signal based on the correction value and an interpolation value. With these configurations, irregular color and irregular luminance caused by a display device and a screen in a projector can be solved.

Abstract: A display device includes a light modulator used as an image forming unit and a projection optical system for projecting and displaying an image. In the display device, gradation is represented by varying the ON-time in the temporal axis during one frame period of the light modulator. The ON-time is used by at least three light components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid composition for forming a colored portion on a recording medium together with an anionic or cationic water-based ink containing a coloring material. The liquid composition comprises a solvent, fine particles in a dispersion state, wherein the fine particles have a surface charge in a polarity opposite to the water-based ink and has ion whose polarity is opposite to that of the fine particles in an ionic equivalence of 0.1-40 meq/l.