Abstract: A projector includes an area light source, a spatial light modulator, an illumination system that receives light from the area light source and illuminates the spatial light modulator, and a projection lens that forms an image by the light from the spatial light modulator. The area light source includes one of a light emitting region of a light emitting device and an image of the light emitting region, and the illumination system includes a rod integrator, the rod integrator is arranged so that an entrance plane of the rod integrator faces the area light source, and a size of the entrance plane of the rod integrator is smaller than a size of the area light source.

Abstract: A projector includes an area light source, a spatial light modulator, an illumination system that receives light from the area light source and illuminates the spatial light modulator, and a projection lens that forms an image by the light from the spatial light modulator. The illumination system includes an optical member having a cuboid shape and including an entrance plane and an exit plane, the optical member being arranged so that the entrance plane faces the area light source, and the optical member forming, on the exit plane, an illuminance distribution having a higher illuminance at a peripheral portion than at a central portion. The spatial light modulator is illuminated with the light from the exit plane.

Abstract: A first optical prism includes a bonding surface for bonding the first optical prism to a second optical prism, a collar element provided on a non-optical effective surface, a first reference portion provided on the collar element to form a reference surface for positioning, and a second reference portion provided at a position different from the first reference portion, in which the second reference portion is provided in an area where the bonding surface is projected in a normal direction of the reference surface.

Abstract: A projector includes an area light source, a spatial light modulator, an illumination system that receives light from the area light source and illuminates the spatial light modulator, and a projection lens that forms an image by the light from the spatial light modulator. The area light source includes one of a light emitting region of a light emitting device and an image of the light emitting region, and the illumination system includes a rod integrator, the rod integrator is arranged so that an entrance plane of the rod integrator faces the area light source, and a size of the entrance plane of the rod integrator is smaller than a size of the area light source.

Abstract: A projector includes an area light source, a spatial light modulator, an illumination system that receives light from the area light source and illuminates the spatial light modulator, and a projection lens that forms an image by the light from the spatial light modulator. The illumination system includes an optical member having a cuboid shape and including an entrance plane and an exit plane, the optical member being arranged so that the entrance plane faces the area light source, and the optical member forming, on the exit plane, an illuminance distribution having a higher illuminance at a peripheral portion than at a central portion. The spatial light modulator is illuminated with the light from the exit plane.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a setting unit configured to set a blind spot area based on a blind spot position of an observer within a display area for displaying an image to the observer, and a notification unit configured to notify, when displaying within the blind spot area is changed due to a change of an observation environment observed by the observer, the observer of the change within the blind spot area.

Abstract: To obtain a positioning reference portion with good processing accuracy, which is formed of a newly-formed surface, a blank is press-molded by an upper mold, whereby a vertex portion abuts on an inner wall portion of a lower mold. In such a way, an oxide film that covers the vertex portion is broken by an internal pressure of the blank, and a raw material without oxide is moved by viscous flow from an inside thereof as illustrated by arrows. The raw material without oxide moved by viscous flow is thrust against the inner wall portion of the lower mold, whereby a newly-formed surface is formed, and this newly-formed surface serves as a positioning reference portion of an optical element. The newly-formed surface has surface roughness of the inner wall portion of the lower mold transferred thereto, and the positioning reference portion having good roughness is formed.

Abstract: A liquid lens including at least two phase liquids covered with a protection member having transparent portions allowing transmission of light includes an elastic film configured to separate the at least two phase liquids within the protection member, a connection portion configured to connect the protection member to the elastic film, and a movement unit configured to move the connection portion within the protection member.

Abstract: The image projection apparatus includes a laser light source, and a scanning device scanning a light flux from the laser light source in horizontal and vertical directions at mutually different frequencies on a projection surface. A condition of ( B + C ) ? X 2000 ? A ? 7 ? L ? L - X ? is satisfied. A represents a diameter of an exit pupil when viewed from a projection surface side, L represents a distance from the exit pupil to an image formation position of the light flux, X represents a distance from the exit pupil to an output measurement position, B and C respectively represent vertical and horizontally scanning angular subtenses of a scan pulse formed by the light flux, the scan pulse having a pulse length equal to or shorter than 18 microseconds and passing through a measurement aperture placed at the output measurement position.

Abstract: A liquid lens in which are contained an insulating first liquid and a conductive second liquid having non-miscibility and different refractive indexes, optical characteristics being changed by a change of an interface shape of the first and second liquids by applying a voltage to an electrode, the lens including: in a surface in contact with an edge of an interface of the first and second liquids, a first region having an affinity for the first liquid; a second region having an affinity different from that of the first liquid; and a voltage applying unit, wherein when the interface shape is changed, by an affinity force to hold the first liquid within the first region and a force to move the edge to the second region by electro-wetting, the edge can be stably held at an edge of the first region.

Abstract: A compact light scanning apparatus is disclosed which can provide a high light scanning efficiency. The apparatus includes a scanner that scans a light beam from a light source to form an image in an effective scan area, and a light detector that detects light. The light scanning apparatus includes a light-introducing member that introduces a partial light beam component of the light beam within its light beam width to the light detector in a state in which the light beam scanned by the scanner proceeds toward outside the effective scan area.

Abstract: The image projection apparatus includes a laser light source, and a scanning device scanning a light flux from the laser light source in horizontal and vertical directions at mutually different frequencies on a projection surface. A condition of ( B + C ) ? X 2000 ? A ? 7 ? L ? L - X ? is satisfied. A represents a diameter of an exit pupil when viewed from a projection surface side, L represents a distance from the exit pupil to an image formation position of the light flux, X represents a distance from the exit pupil to an output measurement position, B and C respectively represent vertical and horizontally scanning angular subtenses of a scan pulse formed by the light flux, the scan pulse having a pulse length equal to or shorter than 18 microseconds and passing through a measurement aperture placed at the output measurement position.

Abstract: A handy image projection apparatus includes a main body containing a projection optical unit configured to project an image from its front part, with the main body having a gravity center, and an operation member provided on an outer face of the main body. The operation member is operated by a user's hand holding the main body when the image is being projected. When the apparatus is viewed from a first direction facing the outer face, at least part of the operation member is disposed in a front-rear direction of the apparatus, at one of a first position corresponding to the gravity center of the main body and a second position located at a distance within ? of a length from the gravity center to the front part of the main body in the front-rear direction.

Abstract: In a liquid lens containing electrode and an insulating first liquid and a conductive second liquid having non-miscibility and different refractive indexes, and optical characteristics are changed by a change of interface shape of the first and the second liquid by applying a voltage to the electrode: in a surface contact with an edge of interface of the first and the second liquids, a first region having an affinity for the first liquid and a second region having an affinity different from that of the first liquid are formed on the insulating layer, and when the interface shape of the first liquid and the second liquid is changed, by an affinity force to hold the first liquid within the first region and a force to move the edge to the second region by electro-wetting, the edge can be stably held at an edge of the first region.

Abstract: A liquid lens including at least two phase liquids covered with a protection member having transparent portions allowing transmission of light includes an elastic film configured to separate the at least two phase liquids within the protection member, a connection portion configured to connect the protection member to the elastic film, and a movement unit configured to move the connection portion within the protection member.

Abstract: An optical deflector is disclosed which is capable of preventing unnecessary reflection by a member disposed behind a reflecting portion. The optical deflector includes a substrate portion, a reflecting portion can swing about a swinging motion axis with respect to the substrate portion, and an aperture stop portion which includes an aperture and blocks at least part of a light beam other than a light beam entering the aperture among an incident luminous flux to the optical deflector. The aperture allows passage of the incident luminous flux toward the reflecting portion and that of an emergent luminous flux reflected by the reflecting portion. At least part of an aperture rim of the aperture stop portion has a shape that makes the width of the aperture narrower from a light-beam-incoming side toward a reflecting portion side.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a setting unit configured to set a blind spot area based on a blind spot position of an observer within a display area for displaying an image to the observer, and a notification unit configured to notify, when displaying within the blind spot area is changed due to a change of an observation environment observed by the observer, the observer of the change within the blind spot area.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an optical scanning apparatus which is not limited in the disposition of a scanning device, can reduce the adherence of dust to each member of the scanning device, and is enhanced in the reliability of the scanning device, and an image displaying apparatus having the same. The optical scanning apparatus includes a housing for containing and holding therein a scanning device provided with a movable mirror, an elastic supporting portion for supporting the movable mirror swingably about a swinging center, and a supporting base for supporting the elastic supporting portion, an optical member OE constituting a first optical system for directing a beam to the scanning device in the housing, and an optical member OX constituting a second optical system for emerging the beam passed through the scanning device.

Abstract: To obtain a positioning reference portion with good processing accuracy, which is formed of a newly-formed surface, a blank is press-molded by an upper mold, whereby a vertex portion abuts on an inner wall portion of a lower mold. In such a way, an oxide film that covers the vertex portion is broken by an internal pressure of the blank, and a raw material without oxide is moved by viscous flow from an inside thereof as illustrated by arrows. The raw material without oxide moved by viscous flow is thrust against the inner wall portion of the lower mold, whereby a newly-formed surface is formed, and this newly-formed surface serves as a positioning reference portion of an optical element. The newly-formed surface has surface roughness of the inner wall portion of the lower mold transferred thereto, and the positioning reference portion having good roughness is formed.

Abstract: A scanning image displaying apparatus capable of preferably adjusting a diopter is disclosed. The scanning image displaying apparatus includes a light source, a movable diffusing face, an imaging optical system for forming an image of the light source on the diffusing face, scanning means for two-dimensionally scanning the image of the light source formed by the imaging optical system on the diffusing face, an eyepiece optical system for guiding light from the diffusing face to an observer, and a mechanism for moving the light source and/or at least a portion of the imaging optical system in interlocking relationship with the movement of the diffusing face.