With Intensifier Patents (Class 348/777)
  • Patent number: 9300905
    Abstract: A projector that maintains energy reduction while adjusting and controlling lamp power and projects an OSD screen with high visibility is provided. The projector includes a light source output adjustment unit that controls output of a light source according to brightness of a video signal, and a superimposed image projection unit that superimposes a predetermined superimposed image on a projection image generated according to the video signal. The superimposed image projection unit generates multiple images with identical content but at least partially different brightness and projects a different superimposed image depending on the projection image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Ayako Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8485741
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating an image. Light is passed though an opening of a housing. The light has an intensity. At least a portion of the light received through the opening is increased using an intensifier unit to form intensified light. The intensified light is converted into a number of signals for the image using an image detection system located inside of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas L. Bunn, Lynne C. Eigler
  • Patent number: 8405322
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are present for increasing an intensity of light. Light is sent into an input of a housing in which a vacuum is substantially provided in the housing. The light sent into the input of the housing is converted into initial electrons. Movement of the initial electrons is caused to diverge from an axis through the housing to form diverged electrons. Additional electrons are generated to form an increased number of electrons in response to receiving at least a portion of the diverged electrons. The increased number of electrons is converted into output light that exits an output of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Thomas L. Bunn
  • Patent number: 7180555
    Abstract: An image system includes a beam generator and a screen having a region with an adjustable brightness. The beam generator directs first and second electromagnetic beams onto the region. The first beam changes the brightness of the region according to a first polarity and the second beam changes the brightness of the region according to a second polarity. Such an imaging system can generate a video frame on a projection screen such that each pixel of the frame is “on” for the same or approximately the same amount of time as each of the other pixels. This technique prevents portions of the image from appearing visibly dimmer than other portions. It also allows the persistence of the screen regions to be relatively long, e.g., longer than the frame rate, and thus allows the screen to display/project relatively high-quality video frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence T. Tegreene, John R. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7180556
    Abstract: An optical image system includes an image projector and an image generator. The image projector has regions with adjustable brightness levels. The image generator generates an image received from a remote location on the image projector by directing first and second electromagnetic beams onto the regions of the image projector. The first beam changes the brightness levels of the regions in a direction, and the second beam generates the image by changing the brightness levels of predetermined ones of the regions in an opposite direction. Such an image system can capture, transmit, and display an image using an optical signal without converting the optical signal into an electrical signal and back again. Thus, the image system often provides a higher-quality image than conventional electro/optical image systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence T. Tegreene, John R. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7034895
    Abstract: A light quantity control by a user can be synchronized to an automatic light quantity control depending on a luminance level of an input video signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: NEC Viewtechnology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Okunuki, Atsushi Kuroda
  • Patent number: 6938817
    Abstract: A microchannel plate (MCP) (50) and a dielectric insulator (80) are deposited with a thin film (54, 84) using a suitable metal selected for optimum diffusion. The metallized MCP (50) and dielectric insulator (80) are then aligned and placed in a bonding fixture (36) that provides the necessary force applied to the components to initiate a diffusion bond. The bonding fixture (36) is then placed in a vacuum heat chamber to accelerate the diffusion bonding process between the MCP (50) and the dielectric insulator (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Miguel M. Saldana, Jay Scott Tucker, Michael J. Iosue
  • Patent number: 6874674
    Abstract: Mating faces of a microchannel plate (MCP) (50) and a multi-layer ceramic body (80) unit are deposited with a thin film having protuberances (84) using a suitable metal selected for optimum diffusion at a desired temperatures and pressure. The metallized MCP (50) and multi-layer ceramic body (80) unit are then aligned and placed in a bonding fixture (F) that provides the necessary force applied to the components to initiate a diffusion bond at a desired elevated temperature. The bonding fixture (F) is then placed in a vacuum heat chamber (V) to accelerate the diffusion bonding process between the MCP (50) and the multi-layer ceramic body unit (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Niels F. Jacksen, Michael J. Iosue, Miguel M. Saldana, Jay Scott Tucker
  • Patent number: 6674490
    Abstract: A light source for a digital image projection system with a thin-film resonant microchamber comprising a plurality of image-generating light sources. The light images generated from the plurality of light sources are combined and projected onto a projection screen. Each light source comprises a primary electro-luminescent image-generating unit, comprising a layer of electro-luminescent phosphorus and an array of control electrodes for generation of a luminescent image in the phosphorus layer; furthermore an image amplifier with a photocathode adjacent to the electro-luminescent phosphorus layer and generating electrons as a result of light from the primary electro-luminescent image, and an anode for acceleration of the generated electrons by a voltage difference in the direction of the thin-film resonant microchamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Reinhold Thiel
  • Publication number: 20030112378
    Abstract: A light quantity control by a user can be synchronized to an automatic light quantity control depending on a luminance level of an input video signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: NEC VIEWTECHNOLOGY, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Okunuki, Atsushi Kuroda
  • Publication number: 20010050727
    Abstract: An image displaying method and apparatus is provided which can display an image at a high luminance. A first horizontal line image signal is written in a write memory, read in parallel from a read memory during a horizontal blanking period next to the horizontal image signal period, and amplified to thereafter perform modulation. The first horizontal line image signal is displayed at least until the next horizontal image signal line period terminates. The above operations are sequentially repeated to scan all horizontal lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventor: Noritaka Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 6275270
    Abstract: A video display system utilizing a video source and an image intensifier having a substrate. A video image source positions at the substrate to provide a photon signal. A photocathode element at the substrate converts the photon signal into electrons. An optically transparent body having first and second surfaces is placed opposite the substrate spaced therefrom. A vacuum chamber is formed between the substrate and the first surface of the second optically transparent body. A fluorescing layer is positioned on said first surface of the second optically transparent body. A source of electrical power provides a voltage potential between the photocathode layer and said fluorescing layer. The intensified video image exits the second surface of the second optically transparent body for viewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Calvest Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Bradley Culkin
  • Patent number: 5784129
    Abstract: An electro-optical device includes a light amplifying portion comprising a first substrate having a transparent conductive film, a photoconductor whose electric resistance is lowered in accordance with light irradiation and a dielectric thin film, a second substrate having a transparent conductive film and a uniaxially orienting mechanism and a ferroelectric liquid crystal or antiferroelectric liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first and second substrate, an image write-in portion comprising a display body, a mirror for splitting an image light into three color lights and light shutters for performing a switching operation between transmission and interception of the split lights, and serves to irradiate the image light through the first substrate of each light amplifying portion, an image read-out portion comprising a light source for irradiating light through the second substrate of each of the three light amplifying portions, and red, green and blue color filter portions, and an imaging portion fo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimitsu Konuma, Akira Mase
  • Patent number: 5644360
    Abstract: In a projection television system, a blue phosphor roll-off compensation network is included in the emitter circuit of a common emitter configured transistor comprising the driver amplifier for the blue cathode ray tube. The roll-off compensation network includes a voltage divider connected between the emitter of the common emitter configured transistor and a source of a bias voltage, and a second transistor having its base connected to a point within the voltage divider and its collector-emitter path connected in series with a gain changing resistor between the emitter of the common emitter configured transistor and the source of the variable bias voltage. The voltage divider determines the level of drive current at which the second transistor is rendered conductive and thereby the point at which roll-off compensation is applied. The gain changing resistor determines the amount of compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas David Gurley, Charles Michael White
  • Patent number: 5543862
    Abstract: A video display system utilizing a video source and an image intensifier having a first optically transparent body including first and second surfaces. The first surface receives the video image while the second surface includes a layer of photocathode material. A second optically transparent body having first and second surfaces is placed opposite the first optically transparent body and spaced therefrom, A vacuum chamber is formed between the second surface of the first optically transparent body and the first surface of the second optically transparent body. A fluorescing layer is positioned on said first surface of the second optically transparent body. A source of electrical power applies a voltage potential between said photocathode layer and said fluorescing layer. The intensified video image exits the second surface of the second optically transparent body for viewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Calvest Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph B. Culkin