Abstract: An electronic device may have input-output devices such as sensors, displays, wireless circuitry, and other electronic components mounted within a housing. The housing may have opposing front and rear walls. A display may be formed on a front side of the device and may be overlapped by a front housing wall such as a glass layer. Sensors and other components may be formed on a rear side of the device and may be overlapped by a rear housing wall. The rear housing wall may have a glass portion or other transparent structure through which projectors project images onto nearby surfaces and through which image sensors and other optical sensors receive light. The housing may be supported by a stand. An electrical component in the stand may interact with an electronic device on the stand. Wireless circuitry in an external item may wirelessly couple to wireless circuitry within the housing.

Abstract: A projector includes a light source; a spatial light modulator; a signal processing unit that includes a tone map unit that performs a luminance gradation conversion of an input video data according to a tone map indicating a relationship of an output luminance with respect to an input luminance; a luminance acquiring unit that obtains a maximum luminance of a projection surface of the modulated light; and a control unit that controls an amount of light of the light source and sets the tone map. When the maximum luminance of the projection surface is equal to or greater than a first threshold value indicating a maximum luminance of the input video data, the control unit sets, to the tone map unit, a tone map in which a maximum value of the output luminance is set to be the first threshold value.

Abstract: A scanning device includes an MEMS mirror mechanism that swings a mirror with respect to a first axial line as a central line and swings the mirror with respect to a second axial line as a central line, and a control unit that generates a first drive signal for swinging the mirror with respect to the first axial line as a central line and a second drive signal for swinging the mirror with respect to the second axial line as a central line. In a lighting-on period in which a light source emits laser light in one swing of the mirror with respect to the second axial line as a central line, the control unit generates the first drive signal and the second drive signal by repeating a process of generating N pieces (N is an integer of two or greater) of second signal elements which respectively constitute the second drive signal with respect to a first signal element in a ½ cycle period in the first drive signal.

Abstract: A cavityless chip-scale image-sensor package includes a substrate, a microlens array, and a low-index layer. The substrate includes a plurality of pixels forming a pixel array. The microlens array includes a plurality of microlenses each (i) having a lens refractive index, (ii) being aligned to a respective one of the plurality of pixels and (iii) having a non-planar microlens surfaces facing away from the respective one of the plurality of pixels. The low-index layer has a first refractive index less than the lens refractive index. The low-index layer also includes a bottom surface, at least part of which is conformal to each non-planar microlens surface. The microlens array is between the pixel array and the low-index layer.

Abstract: A filter module having at least one filter region is provided. The filter module is pervious to a first color light with a first waveband in a converted light, and filters a second color light with a second waveband in the converted light. The filter module includes an absorptive filter and a dichroic film. The absorptive filter is located at the at least one filter region, and configured to absorb the second color light with the second waveband. The dichroic film is located on the absorptive filter, and is pervious to the first color light and reflects the second color light. The absorptive filter is configured to absorb the second color light coming from the dichroic film, and is pervious to the first color light. The first waveband is greater than a first wavelength, and the second waveband is smaller than the first wavelength. A projection device is also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a light source device, including: a first light source module, a set of lenses, a first light-homogenization component, a first light-combination device, and a wavelength conversion device. The first light source module is configured to emit a first light beam having first wavelength. The set of lenses and the first light-homogenization component are located in propagation path of the first light beam. The set of lenses is configured to converge the first light beam. The first light-homogenization component is configured to homogenize the first light beam. A second light beam formed by homogenization is incident on the first light-combination device, and the first light-combination device is located at a focus position of the set of lenses. The wavelength conversion device is located in propagation path of a third light beam emitted from the first light-combination device and configured to form excited light having second wavelength under excitation.

Abstract: A light source device 20 includes light source units 200a to 200d, lenses 203a, 203b, and 205, and mirrors 204a and 204b. Light source units 200a, 200b and/or light source units 200c, 200d are placed such that the light from units 200a to 200d either enters lens 203a at a position deviated from the optical axis of lens 203a or enters lens 203b at a position deviated from the optical axis of lens 203b.

Abstract: Provided is a projection type display device capable of performing display of information according to a driver's desire. An HUD includes light sources; a light modulation element that spatially modulates light emitted from the light sources on the basis of projection image data; a projection unit that projects image light that is spatially modulated by the light modulation element onto a projection surface that is a part of a windshield 1 mounted in an automobile; a designation information acquisition unit that acquires designation information for designating at least one of a maximum number of pieces of content included in the projection image data, display sizes of the pieces of content, or arrangement layouts of the pieces of content on the basis of information input through an operation unit; and an image information generation unit that generates the projection image data on the basis of the designation information acquired.

Abstract: A projector includes: a solid-state light source; a diffractive element that dynamically controls diffraction of light from the solid-state light source; a light modulator that modulates, in response to image information, diffracted light emitted from the diffractive element to generate image light; and a projection optical system that projects the image light.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a wavelength conversion wheel including a substrate, a first wavelength conversion layer, and a second wavelength conversion layer. The substrate has a rotation central axis. The first wavelength conversion layer is disposed on the substrate and has a first end. The second wavelength conversion layer is disposed on the substrate and has a second end. The second end is closely adjacent to the first end. An edge of the first end and an edge of the second end are complementary in shape, and a boundary formed between the edge of the first end and the edge of the second end is not parallel to a radial direction of the substrate, wherein the radial direction is perpendicular to an extension direction of the rotation central axis. A projection apparatus using the wavelength conversion wheel is further provided.

Abstract: A light projection device includes a plurality of light sources, a transmission component, and a controller. The light sources output light of mutually different wavelengths. The transmission component transmits the light at a transmissivity of the light for each wavelength. The controller controls amount of light of the light sources based on transmissivity information indicating a change in the transmissivity for each wavelength.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device is provided that includes: a plurality of actuators arranged into a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns; a plurality of row conductors corresponding to the plurality of rows; a plurality of column conductors corresponding to the plurality of columns; and a controller configured to select at least one of the actuators in a row by raising a voltage on the corresponding row conductor to couple each selected actuator to its corresponding column conductor.

Abstract: A visual privacy system unilaterally blocks rolling shutter cameras by providing a periodically interrupted ambient light source imposing bright and dark bands on the image yet at a frequency imperceptible to human observers in the environment. Communication of the modulation pattern to authorized cameras allows unaffected imaging in these regions by authorized individuals. The system also contemplates operation in a barcoding mode with a light modulation providing embedded barcodes that can be extracted from images taken in the region to indicate that the images were improperly acquired and to block the images in certain applications.

Abstract: A projector and an illumination system thereof are provided. The illumination system includes an excitation light source group, a phosphor wheel, a light combiner element and a first lens group. The excitation light source group provides a first beam and has a first optical axis. The phosphor wheel has a reflection region and a wavelength conversion region. The light combiner element is disposed between the excitation light source group and the phosphor wheel and has a dichroic portion and a reflection portion. The first lens group is disposed between the light combiner element and the phosphor wheel. The first lens group has a second optical axis. The illumination system is provided in the projector to reduce the number of optical elements, thereby reducing the cost and volume.

Abstract: A three dimensional digital spectrum modulation spread spectrum technique (DSM-X) that improves channel diversity by providing multiple bands within the available portion of the frequency spectrum increasing the number of available channels. The system also improves the channel immunity through the use of at least three dimensions of pseudo-random data encoding, which adds two levels of pseudo-random frequency allocation to the pseudo-random data encoding used in prior DSM systems. The three dimensions of pseudo-random allocation may include pseudo-random data encoding, pseudo-random frequency pattern allocation among a plurality of bands defined within the assigned frequency spectrum, and pseudo-random frequency sequencing among a plurality of channels defined within each band. Additional levels of pseudo-random encoding may be implemented in direct sequence coding for header data, repeat packet timing, and packet iteration timing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wavelength conversion element including: a base material including a light-reflecting surface; a dichroic film; and a wavelength conversion layer provided between the light-reflecting surface and the dichroic film. The dichroic film reflects portion of light in a wavelength band that the wavelength conversion layer absorbs, and has a reflectance distribution, with respect to the light along a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A disk-shaped substrate made of a heat conductive material is provided with, along an outer periphery of one surface of the substrate, a ring-shaped phosphor that emits light by irradiation with blue laser light that is excitation light. The substrate is provided with, on another surface of the substrate, a plurality of convex portions dotting a region corresponding to a region provided with the phosphor. In a phosphor wheel, the substrate is driven by a motor to rotate about an axis of rotation.

Abstract: A projector includes alight source unit including a light source, a luminescent wheel having light source segments receiving light from the light source to emit different wavelength ranges of light, a color wheel separate from the luminescent wheel that has a first transmission area transmitting light, in visible light, existing in a certain range of wavelengths and a second transmission area transmitting light existing in a range of wavelengths broader than that of the light transmitted through the first transmission area and on to which the different wavelength ranges of light from the luminescent wheel are shone, and a control module controlling not only the luminescent wheel and the color wheel so that they are synchronized with each other but also the light source so that the light emitted from the light source is sequentially shone on to the light source segments.

Abstract: One or more excitation energy sources emit light in an excitation spectrum and direct the emitted light as an excitation beam to the emitting surface of a wavelength conversion element directly or via reflection. Distinct areas of the emitting surface are coated with one or more distinct fluorescent phosphors. The phosphor-coated areas receive the excitation beam and generate a sequence of fluoresced light beams at a light output, each fluoresced beam of a narrow spectrum determined by the type of phosphor and the excitation spectrum. The fluoresced beams travel parallel to an emitting axis at a non-zero angle to axes associated with the excitation beams.

Abstract: A light control unit includes: a first light-shielding fin and a second light-shielding fin arranged to have a center axis of light passing therethrough interposed therebetween, and a moving device configured to move the first light-shielding fin and the second light-shielding fin so that respective end portions of the first light-shielding fin and the second light-shielding fin move in directions toward and away from each other, and the first light-shielding fin and the second light-shielding fin include: an arm moved by the moving device, and a light-shielding portion provided on the arm and configured to move with the arm to be arranged in a passage area of the light, and at least one of the first light-shielding fin and the second light-shielding fin includes an adjusting portion configured to adjust a mounting position between the arm and the light-shielding portion, the arm and the light-shielding portion being separate members.

Abstract: In an optical unit having a reflective picture display device for displaying pictures by projecting light, the picture display device has a first state in which focused light is reflected in an optical axis equivalent direction of an image to be displayed and a second state in which focused light is reflected so as to have a component in a vertical equivalent direction of an image to be projected, a plane including an entire optical axis of light reflected in the second state differs from a plane formed by the optical axis of light incident on the picture display device and the optical axis of light reflected by the picture display device in the first state, and the opening size of the opening of an illumination lens in a horizontal equivalent direction of the image to be projected is larger than in the vertical equivalent direction.

Abstract: An illuminator for an imaging system using a spatial light modulator has first color laser light directed by a dichroic element to a first annular band on a rotatable member. The first band includes phosphor segments that respond to illumination by the first color light to emit second and third color light along a first path back to the dichroic element for output, and a light transmitting or reflecting segment that transmits or reflects the first color along the same or a second path back to the dichroic element for output. The output light is directed to a second annular band on the same or a different rotatable member. The second band includes filter segments corresponded to respectively selectively filter output light generated by the first band segments.

Abstract: An imaging device capable of capturing depth information or surface profiles of objects is disclosed herein. The imaging device uses an enclosed flashing unit to project a sequence of structured light patterns onto an object and captures the light patterns reflected from the surfaces of the object by using an image sensor that is enclosed in the imaging device. The imaging device is capable of capturing an image of an object such that the captured image is comprised of one or more color components of a two-dimensional image of the object and a depth component that specifies the depth information of the object.

Abstract: A lighting device (1) comprising a pump light source, wherein the spectral composition of the useful light of the lighting device can be controlled by the control of the phase relationship between a rotating phosphor wheel and a filter wheel rotating synchronously therewith. The control of the phase relationship controls the temporal overlap of the conversion light coming from a phosphor element of the phosphor wheel with a filter element of the filter wheel, i.e. the extent of the spectral filtering of the conversion light by the filter element.

Abstract: A compact optical projection apparatus. An apparatus for light projection includes at least one illumination device; a cover prism including a curved surface positioned to receive illumination light rays and a total internal reflection surface positioned to internally reflect the light rays towards an asymmetric reflector surface positioned opposite the total internal reflection surface, the asymmetric reflector surface configured to reflect the received light rays out of the cover prism at an emitter side of the cover prism; a spatial light modulating the illumination light rays with image data to form image light rays; a reverse total internal reflection (RTIR) prism positioned between the spatial light modulator and the emitter side of the cover prism and further comprising a total internal reflection surface configured to totally internally reflect the image light rays out of the RTIR prism into a light projection device. Additional apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: Projector display systems comprising a light dimmer and first modulator are disclosed. The light dimmer may comprise an adjustable iris, adjustable light sources and/or LCD stack that is capable of lowering the luminance of the light source illuminated the first modulator. The first modulator may comprise a plurality of analog mirrors (e.g. MEMS array) and the second modulator may comprise a plurality of mirrors (e.g., DMD array). The display system may further comprise a controller that sends control signals to the light dimmer and first modulator. The display system may render a desired dynamic range for rendering a projected image by a combination of such control signals.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for two-stage light modulation in high-definition digital projection or cinema can include two light modulators. Each light modulator can include a multi-chip imaging system coupled to a total internal reflection prism (TIR) system, which has a light input face and an on-state face. Relay optics can be positioned between the two light modulators. The relay optics can be configured to defocus light received from the pre-modulator and to provide defocused light to the prime modulator using a substantially Gaussian pixel shaping function. The prime modulator can be oriented to receive defocused light from the relay optics at the light input face of its TIR prism system. The pre-modulator can be oriented backwards, so as to receive source light at the on-state face of its TIR prism system and to output pre-modulated light to the relay optics via the light input face of the TIR prism system.

Abstract: A system including a plurality of pixels disposed on a substrate forming a screen. A signal, such as an image, can be projected on the screen. The pixels of the screen include a sensor configured to sense a portion of the signal, an emitter, and circuitry. In response to information sensed in the signal, the circuitry can be configured to drive the emitter.

Abstract: A projector that performs light control by varying power level of a light source in response to a video signal, includes a cooling fan that cools the light source, and a control device that averages samples of the power level of the light source based on the video signal or a brightness level of the video signal acquired with respect to each unit time and performs feedback control of a rotational speed of the cooling fan based on the average value, wherein the control device varies the number of samples and calculates the average value between the cases where the power level or the brightness level is rising and falling.

Abstract: A light engine includes a light source module, an optical assembly, a collimating lens, and a reflecting lens. The optical assembly includes a light inlet and a light outlet communicating with the light inlet. The light source module is connected to the light inlet. The collimating lens is connected to the light outlet. The reflecting lens includes a concave surface, and the concave surface faces the collimating lens.

Abstract: A projector includes a lamp, a ballast, an aperture member including light-blocking plates, a light-blocking plate driving motor, a control section, a light modulation device, and a projection optical system, and the control section controls the ballast and the light-blocking plate driving motor so as to modulate the lamp power based on a luminance of the video signal while fixing the aperture of the aperture member to a constant value in a picture period in accordance with a luminance parameter corresponding to a video signal group in the picture period among a series of the video signals.

Abstract: A scanning laser projector drives laser light sources with waveforms for higher efficiency. Optical light power values for pixels are mapped to amplitude/duration pairs. Laser diodes are driven with electrical currents having the amplitude for time period specified by the duration. For increasing optical light power values, amplitude values are increased, and then durations are increased.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide for a modular video projector system having a light engine module and an optical engine module. The light engine module can provide narrow-band laser light to the optical engine module which modulates the laser light according to video signals received from a video processing engine. Some embodiments provide for an optical engine module having a sub-pixel generator configured to display video or images at a resolution of at least four times greater than a resolution of modulating elements within the optical engine module. Systems and methods for reducing speckle are presented in conjunction with the modular video projector system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the effective contrast ratio and brightness yields for digital light valve image projectors using a variable luminance control mechanism (VLCM), associated with the projector optics, for modifying the light output and provide a correction thereto; and an adaptive luminance control module (ALCM) for receiving signals from the video input board, the adaptive luminance control module producing a signal on a VLCM bus connecting the variable luminance control mechanism and the adaptive luminance control module, the signal causing the variable luminance control mechanism to change the luminance of the light output and provide a corrected video signal for the projector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the effective contrast ratio and brightness yields for digital light valve image projectors using a variable luminance control mechanism (VLCM), associated with the projector optics, for modifying the light output and provide a correction thereto; and an adaptive luminance control module (ALCM) for receiving signals from the video input board, the adaptive luminance control module producing a signal on a VLCM bus connecting the variable luminance control mechanism and the adaptive luminance control module, the signal causing the variable luminance control mechanism to change the luminance of the light output and provide a corrected video signal for the projector.

Abstract: A light engine includes a light source module, an optical assembly, a collimating lens, and a reflecting lens. The optical assembly includes a light inlet and a light outlet communicating with the light inlet. The light source module is connected to the light inlet. The collimating lens is connected to the light outlet. The reflecting lens includes a concave surface, and the concave surface faces the collimating lens.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein relate to a scanning controller configured produce a horizontal (H) and vertical (V) scanning control signal that is used to control a bi-axial scanning mirror of a scanning laser projector device, a system including such a scanning controller, and a method for generating such an H and V scanning control signal. In an embodiment, the H and V scanning control signal includes H scanning frequency content that is used to control a H scanning frequency of the bi-axial scanning mirror, and V scanning frequency content that is used to control a V scanning frequency of the bi-axial scanning mirror. To avoid cross talk, the scanning controller is configured to produce the H and V scanning control signal such that the H scanning frequency content has a null at DC, and the V scanning frequency content has a null at the H scanning frequency.

Abstract: One embodiment of a viewing cone adjustment system includes a projection lens that defines a projection lens optical axis adjustably offset from a viewing screen optical axis, and an image source device that defines an image source optical axis adjustably offset from the projection lens optical axis.

Abstract: Described herein are devices that provide projection-type video output in a portable and flexible design. The design includes a projection chamber, a base, and an interface that permits relative positioning between the projection chamber and base. The base maintains the position of the display device. The projection chamber includes components responsible for the production of images based on received video data and components responsible for the projection of those images. Relative pointing between the projection chamber and base allows the projection chamber to be pointed—and an output projected image to be positioned—with minimal effort.

Abstract: A projector can be easily attached by mounting a connecting unit to a socket for illumination in an ordinary home. Since the projector includes a communication unit configured to receive an electronic mail, the projector updates an image signal and adjusts a diffusion degree of modulated light by a light-diffusion adjusting unit on the basis of contents of the mail received by the communication unit. Therefore, when a user desires to inform family members who will return home that the user suddenly has to go out, if the user transmits in advance, to the projector, a mail including a message for a family member who returns home, the family member who returns home turns on an illumination switch at the entrance, whereby the projector can start up, perform an illuminating function, and clearly project and display the message.

Abstract: Systems and methods for backlit scene detection are described. The method includes performing a pre-test on an electronic image to determine that the electronic image does not include a disqualifying characteristic. Next, the method includes performing a type test on the electronic image to determine an image type of the electronic image from a first set of predetermined backlit image types. Next the method includes performing a post test on the electronic image to determine that the image darkness density does not exceed a predetermined density. Finally, the method includes performing a second post test on the electronic image to determine that the electronic image is one of a second set of predetermined backlit image types or that the edge percentage of the electronic image exceeds a predetermined percentage.

Abstract: A phosphor plate includes a glass layer, a wide-angle reflection dichroic filter and a phosphor layer. The wide-angle reflection dichroic filter is disposed on an exit surface of the glass layer. A first blue light and a second blue light of the incident ray are transmissible through the wide-angle reflection dichroic filter. The phosphor layer is disposed beside the wide-angle reflection dichroic filter. By the phosphor layer, the first blue light is excited as a first green light to be outputted and the second blue light is reflected to the wide-angle reflection dichroic filter. The second blue light and a portion of the first green light outputted from the phosphor layer are reflected by the wide-angle reflection dichroic filter, so that the portion of the first green light is transmitted through the phosphor layer and the second blue light is excited as a second green light by the phosphor layer.

Abstract: A projector that includes: a light source; a light-on/off unit that turns on or off the light source; a recording medium reproduction unit that reproduces information recorded on a recording medium, and outputs a video signal; a video signal processing section that converts the video signal provided by the recording medium reproduction unit, and generates a projection-video-use video signal; a light modulation unit that modulates a light coming from the light source based on the video signal generated by the video signal processing section, and emits a resulting video light; a projection system that includes a projection lens, and magnifies and projects the video light coming from the light modulation unit; a lens cover that opens and closes the front of the projection lens; a lens cover open/close detection sensor that detects an open/close state of the lens cover; and a control section that at least controls operation of the light-on/off unit and that of the recording medium reproduction unit.

Abstract: A locally dimmed display has a spatial light modulator illuminated by a light source. The spatial light modulator is illuminated with a low resolution version of a desired image. The illumination may comprise a series of lighting elements that vary smoothly from one element to another at the spatial light modulator.

Abstract: An image displaying apparatus, comprising: a first light modulator unit, which is configured to modulate a light incident thereon, responding to a first video signal, thereby to form a first image; one or a plural number of second light modulator units, which is/are configured to modulate a light from a light source, responding to a second video signal; and an enlarged image forming unit, being disposed on a light incidence side of the first light modulator unit, upon which a light modulated within the second light modulator unit is projected, enlargedly, thereby to form a second image thereon, wherein upon the first light modulator unit is incident the light of the second image formed on the enlarged image forming unit, and the first image is formed through modulation of the light of the second image responding to the first video signal.

Abstract: A projector that performs light control by varying power level of a light source in response to a video signal, includes a cooling fan that cools the light source, and a control device that averages samples of the power level of the light source based on the video signal or a brightness level of the video signal acquired with respect to each unit time and performs feedback control of a rotational speed of the cooling fan based on the average value, wherein the control device varies the number of samples and calculates the average value between the cases where the power level or the brightness level is rising and falling.

Abstract: A light source apparatus includes: an excitation light source including a laser light source; a first wheel that is controlled to rotate, and includes, in a part of a surface thereof to be illuminated by excitation light emitted from the excitation light source, a phosphor layer to be excited by the excitation light; a dichroic mirror that guides fluorescence emitted from the phosphor layer of the first wheel and the excitation light to an illumination optical system; and a second wheel that is controlled to rotate, and includes a dichroic filter that transmits light having a desired wavelength component of each of the fluorescence and the excitation light output from the dichroic mirror.

Abstract: A projection display uses a light modulating device to modulate, in accordance with image data, light radiated from a light source, project the modulated light onto a screen, and display an image. The projection display separates a unit of time configuring the image data into an effective light time when the light modulating device can express the light as an image on the screen and an ineffective light time when the light modulating device cannot express the light as an image on the screen. The projection display increases the power supplied to the light source during the effective light time over the power supplied to the light source during the ineffective light time.

Abstract: A broadband electromagnetic wave beam is projected from a broadband wave source (301). The wave beam is separated by an element (306) into narrowband wavelength beams. The narrowband beams are directed across a predetermined area (312). A narrowband wavelength beam corresponding to a desired pixel wavelength is selected and displayed on a display surface (318).

Abstract: A mechanism for mitigating undesired color image breakup artifacts arising in display systems that exploit the principle of field sequential color generation. By suitably reducing the time interval during which image information strikes the moving retina, such that the differential position for the respective red, green, and blue components of the image falling upon the moving retina does not exceed the diameter of a retinal cone or rod, the cause of the breakup is negated and the image becomes unitary as expected: the eye sees the image as if all the components arrived at the same time. The truncation of light emission into shorter time frames necessitates a compensatory increase in imaging light intensity, such that the net amount of photonic flux striking the retina, averaged over time, remains unchanged. The mechanism can be applied to systems with discrete red, green, and blue sources as well as to color-wheel-based systems.