Abstract: An optical projection display system, such as a liquid crystal display device, is disclosed. A feature of the present invention is that the projection display system utilizes a modified X-cube (or X-prism) arrangement wherein the internal angles of the prisms forming the modified X-cube deviate from 90.degree.. The utilization of the present modified X-cube arrangement improves contrast for checkerboard images, minimizes the possibility of spurious unwanted reflections from entering the projection lens as well as substantially eliminating glare and ghost images typically present using prior art X-cubes.

Abstract: The invention makes the size of the apparent image of the display screen of the display screen larger than the real size. A flat optical magnifier such as a lens of the fresnel type is positioned in an optically enhancing location between the operator and the display screen so that the apparent image at the operator side of the magnifier is greater than the actual image that is present on the display screen. A mechanism is provided for a notebook type portable computer that is passive to a user, folds into the case when the display screen closes over the keyboard and positions a fresnel lens, coplanar with and at a fixed distance from the display screen, when the notebook computer is opened and remains at that fixed distance as the display screen moves to maximum travel.

Abstract: A display for displaying a color image formed of a plurality of color light components is provided, wherein each color light component has a focal length and a magnification. The display has a light source for providing polarized light of a first polarization and a color filter wheel having segments of different color filters for sequentially separating the polarized light into a plurality of different color lights. Also provided is a directing means for directing the different color lights having the first polarization to a light valve and for directing respective color light components of a second polarization transmitted from the light valve towards a screen. A dynamic focus element is provided in the display for adjusting the focal length and/or magnification of each color light component to minimize chromatic variations between the color light components. Lastly, a lens is provided for magnifying and projecting the adjusted color light components onto the screen to produce the color image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for transmissive liquid crystal display devices with increased apparent aperture ratios. The aperture ratio is increased by focusing light into the transparent area using a microlens array on a per pixel basis. The method includes the steps of forming a top substrate having a sacrificial substrate adhered to a first transmissive substrate, a transmissive electrode layer adhered to the first transmissive substrate in which a plurality of color filters are disposed, the top substrate further having a rubbing layer formed proximate to the transmissive electrode layer. Forming a bottom substrate comprising a second transmissive substrate and a thin film transistor array disposed within the second transmissive substrate. Disposing a sealing material on one of the top or bottom substrates so as to form an outline of display.

Abstract: A display is disclosed operating in a field-sequential color mode having first and second light valves which are simultaneously illuminated with different color beams having different polarizations provided from a color wheel. The light valves provide an image forming light to a projection lens for projecting the image forming light onto a screen. The wheel has front and back surfaces which are displaced from each other and have segments of different colors for separating a polarized white light into the simultaneous different color beams. A retardation film for converting the polarization of colors reflected from the back surface from a first polarization to a second polarization. The wheel is rotated for sequentially illuminating the light valves with different colors of different polarizations simultaneously.

Abstract: An optical device and a display are disclosed that include an illumination source which provides unpolarized light. An array of polarizing plates have an entrance surface, which receives the unpolarized light at an oblique angle, and an exit surface which provides a polarized light having a first polarization and exiting the array at a substantially perpendicular direction to the exit surface. A light valve selectively rotates the polarized light to form an image forming light, and an imaging lens receives the image forming light and forms an image. Each of the polarizing plates in the array has opposing surfaces that are tilted relative to its entrance and exit surfaces. Each polarizing plate includes a polarizing layer formed on one of the opposing tilted surfaces, and a half-wave optical retardation layer formed on the polarizing layer.

Abstract: A display is disclosed operating in a field-sequential color mode having at least two light valves which are simultaneously illuminated with different color beams having the same polarization provided from a color wheel. The light valves provide an image forming light to a projection lens for projecting the image forming light onto a screen. The wheel has front and back surfaces which are displaced from each other and have segments of different colors for separating a polarized light into the simultaneous different color beams when the different colors of the front and back color segments overlap. The two beams from the front and back surfaces are parallel to each other when the front and back surfaces are parallel. Alternatively, when the front and back surfaces meet to form a wedge, the two beams have different directions. The front and back color segments are offset relative to each other and each has clear segments so that one colored beam is provided to one of the light valves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reactive sputtering for depositing an amorphous hydrogenated carbon film (a-C:H) from an argon/hydrocarbon/hydrogen/oxygen plasma, preferably an Ar/acetylene-helium/hydrogen/oxygen plasma. Such films are optically transparent in the visible range and partially absorbing at ultraviolet (UV) and deep UV (DUV) wavelengths, in particular, 365, and 248, 193 nm. Moreover, the films produced by the present invention are amorphous, hard, scratch resistant, and etchable by excimer laser ablation or by oxygen reactive ion etch process. Because of these unique properties, these films can be used to form a patterned absorber for UV and DUV single layer attenuated phase shift masks. Film absorption can also be increased such that these films can be used to fabricate conventional photolithographic shadow masks.

Abstract: A thin film light used in displays is disclosed. The thin film light is an organic light generating thin film located between two electrodes. One electrode facing the display is transparent, while another electrode is a reflective patterned electrode. The patterned electrode is aligned with pixel displays. At least one polarizer is used to provide a light or dark display background. The thin film light may be a backlight for transmission displays. Alternatively, the thin film light may be a frontlight for reflective displays, where display illumination and imaging are performed over the same front side of the reflective display.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying an image on a screen is disclosed. The display has a projection lens for projecting the image; a first reflective surface for receiving the projected image and reflecting a first reflected image having a first central optical axis; and a second reflective surface for receiving the first reflected image and reflecting a second reflected image having a second central optical axis onto said screen. The first and second reflective surfaces provide a folded projection path, wherein the first and second central optical axes are in the same plane. Alternatively, the first and second central optical axes do not lie in a common plane. This further reduces the size of the displaying apparatus. A third reflective surface is also provided to further reduce the size of the display. The two or three reflective surfaces or mirrors are enclosed in an environmentally sealed compartment. The projection lens has a reduced illumination angle and an increased lens-to-screen distance.

Abstract: An optical system is described consisting of reflection birefringent light valves, polarizing beam splitter, color image combining prisms, illumination system, projection lens, filters for color and contrast control, and screen placed in a configuration offering advantages for a high resolution color display. In particular, the present invention includes a color splitting prism assembly having a plurality of output faces through which a separate color component is directed to be reflected by a respective light valve. Color absorbing filters are disposed at each of the output faces to absorb the color components not corresponding to the color directed through each output face.

Abstract: An optical system is described consisting of reflection birefringent light valves, polarizing beam splitter, color image combining prisms, illumination system, projection lens, filters for color and contrast control, and screen placed in a configuration offering advantages for a high resolution color display. The system includes a quarter wave plate positioned to suppress stray reflection from the projection lens. The system also includes a second quarter wave plate disposed on the screen and a polarizing film disposed on the second quarter wave plate to suppress ambient light from illuminating the screen and entering the system.

Abstract: An optical system is described consisting of reflection birefringent light valves, polarizing beam splitter, color image combining prisms, illumination system, projection lens, filters for color and contrast control, and screen placed in a configuration offering advantages for a high resolution color display. The illumination system includes a light tunnel having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the geometrical shape of the spacial light modulator to optimize the amount of light projected onto the screen.

Abstract: A color separator using three joined prisms for color separation in projection displays. The configuration is compact, relatively simple to assemble, and eliminates a requirement for complicated optical components such as crossed dichroic beam splitters and large retrofocus projection lenses. The configuration is particularly advantageous for projectors based upon liquid crystal, reflective light valves or spatial light modulators (SLM). A first prism has a dichroic coating on an interface between the first and a second prism which reflects one primary color and transmits the other two primary colors. The light path through the first prism has a second reflection (total internal reflection) off the side of the first prism, and emerges normal to the third face of the first prism to a first SLM. The second prism has a dichroic coating at an interface of the second and a third prism which reflects one of the remaining two primary colors and transmits the third primary color.