Abstract: A drive apparatus for an optical element array includes a counter counting clock pulses and being periodically reset at a horizontal scanning period. The counter outputs first and second counter signals out of phase with each other. A latch holds a pixel-corresponding segment of an input image signal. One of clock signals out of phase with each other is selected in response to the pixel-corresponding input-signal segment held by the latch. A first comparator compares the first counter signal and the pixel-corresponding input-signal segment held by the latch, and outputs a first identity signal when the first counter signal and the pixel-corresponding input-signal segment are equal to each other. A second comparator compares the second counter signal and the pixel-corresponding input-signal segment held by the latch, and outputs a second identity signal when the second counter signal and the pixel-corresponding input-signal segment are equal to each other.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for displaying an image on a screen by projecting a reading light from a light source onto a spatial light modulator of reflective type in which the image is written, and projecting a reflected light from the modulator corresponding to the image onto the screen through a projection lens, the modulator, lens and screen being provided so that their optical axes are in agreement on one optical path. The apparatus comprises an optical device provided between the lens and screen for the reading light toward the modulator and passing the reflected light to the screen and a converging element for converging the reading light on the position which is on the optical axis of the lens and located between the lens and screen so that the reading light thus turned becomes a parallel pencil beam which is projected onto the modulator in parallel with the optical axis.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator which includes a light modulation layer which is interposed between two photoconductive layers and laminated to both layers; the two photo conductive layers have charge images written thereon, respectively, by illumination of a writing light carrying optical information; the illumination direction of the writing light to the photoconductive layers are different from each other; and the two photoconductive layers permit the reading light to pass therethrough. When illuminated by a reading light via either of the first or second photoconductive layers, the light modulation layer optically modulates the reading light in accordance with the first and second charge images, under the presence of a voltage applied to the modulator. Thus it reads read out the first information and second information. The first and second photoconductive layers permit the reading light to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A color imaging system for use as an electronic still camera, for example, includes a color separator for separating the optical image of a subject from a lens into a plurality of different color images, an optical shutter selectively openable for transmitting the optical image of the subject to the color separator, a photoconductive layer for converting the different color images into respective electric charge images, and an information recording medium for recording images corresponding to the electric charge images under an electric field developed between the photoconductive layer and the information recording medium. The timing with which the optical shutter is opened and the timing with which the electric field is generated by the power supply, are controlled by a control unit depending on imaging conditions selected by the user. The color imaging system also has an optical viewfinder for allowing the user to visually observe the optical image of the subject introduced by the lens.

Abstract: There is provided a polarization converter for producing a beam of linearly polarized light from a randomly polarized light. The randomly polarized light is separated into a first polarized light which is projected in a first predetermined direction and a second polarized light having a predetermined angular relationship with the first polarized light. The second polarized light is converted into a third polarized light a polarization of which is identical to that of the first polarized light. By providing a predetermined two-dimensional positional relationship between the first and third polarized lights, the beam of linearly polarized light is produced and advanced on the outside of the converter in a second predetermined direction.

Abstract: There is disclosed an optical system for a color picture display having three spatial light modulators of reflecting type corresponding to an optical image of one of three primary colors by photoelectric effect and photomodulation effect, a writing device for guiding writing lights each carrying the optical image of one of the colors to each device, a reading device for guiding reading lights each in the region of wavelength of one of the colors to each device and a composing device for composing a composed reading light of the reading lights which are emitted from the optical devices respectively after optically modulated. The optical system comprises an optical apparatus shared by the reading device and the composing device, having first, second and third prisms, a first dichroic filter provided between the first and the second prisms and a second dichroic filter provided between the second and the third prisms.

Abstract: An efficiency polarization converter of few optical components for converting a randomly polarized light into a single beam of linearly polarized light, comprises a first optical device receiving the random light and projecting two linearly polarized lights one projected in a first direction, another to a second optical device which changes the polarization plane thereof, the polarization changes light being directed by a third optical device to the first direction, thereby the two linearly polarized light are combined and aligned to have a common polarization to become the single beam linearly polarized light projected in the first direction. Typical first optical device is a polarization beam splitter, a typical second optical device is a quarterwave plate with a mirror, a halfwave plate or a Fresnel rhomb with a mirror, or a photomodulation material interposed between biased electrodes with a mirror, a typical third optical device is a polarization beam splitter, a prism or a mirror.