Abstract: A front projection display device is provided including an image-generating source configured to generate an image, a wide angle lens system adapted to receive the image, and a screen. The wide angle lens system may be configured to increase distortion of the image in a first stage and decrease distortion of the image in a second stage. The screen may be configured to receive the image from the wide angle lens system on a first side and reflect the image back to a viewer on the first side. In another embodiment, a screen is provided for a front projection system, the screen may be configured to receive light from a steep angle and may include any number of surface topographies configured to reflect light back to the viewer along a desired viewing plane.

Abstract: Multi-directional optical elements are disclosed that include a body having a first side having a first curvature, a second side having a second curvature, a third side having a third curvature, and a fourth side having a fourth curvature. The second side is disposed generally opposite the first side along a first direction and a fourth side is disposed generally opposite the third side along a second direction, the second direction being different from the first direction. Also disclosed are optical systems utilizing such multi-directional optical elements.

Abstract: Apparatus and techniques for enhancing characteristics of electronic projection systems are detailed. Included among the techniques are both superimposition of sub-images and tiling of superimposed images, the combination of which can be advantageous in improving resolution of projected images. Pre-modulators and polarizing beam splitters also may be used as parts of the innovative systems.

Abstract: Laser projection system suitable for commercial motion picture theaters and other large screen venues, including home theater, uses optical fibers to project modulated laser beams for simultaneously raster scanning multiple lines on screen. Emitting ends of optical fibers are arranged in an array such that red, green and blue spots are simultaneously scanned onto the screen in multiple lines spaced one or more scan lines apart. Use of optical fibers enables scanning of small, high resolution spots on screen, and permits convenient packaging and replacement, upgrading or modification of system components. Simultaneous raster scanning of multiple lines enables higher resolution, brightness, and frame rates with available economical components. Fiber-based beam coupling may be used to greatly enhance the flexibility of the system.

Abstract: A laser projection system preferably for use in commercial motion picture theaters and other large screen venues, including home theater, uses optical fibers to project modulated laser beams for raster scanning on the screen. The emitting ends of the optical fibers are arranged in an array such that red, green and blue spots are simultaneously scanned onto the screen in multiple lines spaced one or more than one scan line apart. The use of optical fibers for laser beam projection eliminates the need to use complex optics, and enables the scanning of small, high resolution spots on the screen. The use of optical fiber also permits convenient packaging and permits replacement, upgrading or modification of the system components. The scanning of multiple lines simultaneously is accomplished by reordering the video signal with a microprocessor controller component to write lines in a sequence after repeated vertical sweeps to form a complete picture.

Abstract: Multi-directional optical elements are disclosed that include a body having a first side having a first curvature, a second side having a second curvature, a third side having a third curvature, and a fourth side having a fourth curvature. The second side is disposed generally opposite the first side along a first direction and a fourth side is disposed generally opposite the third side along a second direction, the second direction being different from the first direction. Also disclosed are optical systems utilizing such multi-directional optical elements.

Abstract: Device comprising: matrices of reflecting elements which can be electrically driven, and means for deconstructing a beam of polychromatic light and means for reconstructing complementary reflected beams, comprising two dichroic filters with a gradient where, for at least one of these filters, the direction of the gradient HOG, H?OG? makes an angle of inclination of non-zero gradient ?, ?? with a plane (DOE, D?OE?) orthogonal to the reflecting surfaces of the matrices. By virtue of the inclination of the gradient, the chromatic performance of the device is substantially improved.

Abstract: A high throughput, compact image display apparatus comprises a source unit to generate a spatially uniform light beam that propagates along a first beam path in a first direction. The image display apparatus also comprises an imaging unit to collect and focus the light beam. The imaging unit includes a first refractive optical element disposed in the first beam path, a second refractive optical element disposed in the first beam path, a first reflecting mirror disposed in the first beam path, and a second reflecting mirror, having a concave reflecting surface, disposed in a second beam path defined by the first reflecting mirror and the second reflecting mirror. The second beam path is oriented in a second direction different from the first direction. The image display apparatus also comprises a digital micromirror device (“DMD”) to receive the light beam reflected by the second reflecting mirror. The DMD is disposed in a third beam path defined by the second reflecting mirror and the DMD.

Abstract: A dual mode laser projection system having a film mode and an electronic mode that can be used to project an image onto a screen. In the film mode an image is projected by illuminating film with lasers, and in the electronic mode an image is created by modulation of with lasers with data to project an electronic image. The laser source may comprise a plurality of lasers each providing a different color, such as red, green, and blue. Laser-CRTs may be used. In some embodiments the laser source is synchronized with the film aperture so that the laser source is modulated to illuminate the film aperture only while a frame of the film is stopped. In some embodiments the color temperature of the light illuminating the film can be selected by increasing and/or decreasing the relative light intensity contribution of each of the lasers.

Abstract: A video image projection apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus uses a laser as a light source and modulates the light beam using a modulator according to an image signal. The apparatus projects the modulated light to a screen using a light scanning system. The laser display system includes three primary color laser light sources, an optical system needed for three-color light combining/separation, a light modulator loading the image signal into the three-color laser, and a driving circuit driving the system by processing the video signal electronically. A hybrid video laser color mixer has a structure that combines very small-sized hybrid light beam combining/separation optical elements and a 3-channel light modulator. It allows the size of the image projection apparatus to be about 6 by 5 by 3 centimeters. Additionally, the light alignment of the elements is close to self-alignment.

Abstract: In a projection type image display device for combining an image by dichroic mirrors in a form of parallel plane plate, a projected image of high picture quality is presented by suppressing the astigmatism. In a projection type image display device comprising a light source for emitting blue light, green light, and red light, liquid crystal panels for modulating individual color lights, dichroic mirrors for combining the modulated lights, dichroic mirrors for combining the modulated lights, and a projection lens for projecting the combined light, the dichroic mirrors are disposed obliquely on a first plane including an optical axis linking the projection lens and liquid crystal panels, and a parallel plane plate for correcting astigmatism is disposed obliquely on a second plane orthogonal to the first plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image display device comprising a plurality of image display means for displaying a plurality of bits of time-serial image information from image producing means, shutter means corresponding to the plurality of image display means and transmitting or not transmitting a light beam therethrough, an imaging optical system for imaging the plurality of bits of time-serial image information on the same area on a common imaging plane, and control means for repeating to bring about a state in which only one of the plurality of shutter means transmits a light beam therethrough for a predetermined time with a predetermined time difference to thereby image the plurality of bits of image information successively on the imaging plane.

Abstract: A single-tube type projection display with high light efficiency includes phosphors of three primary colors formed on upper, middle and lower portions of a faceplate of a CRT. Images of three colors are projected on the phosphor layers, and a color picture is obtained by overlapping the three color images on the screen by the projection lenses.

Abstract: A projector is provided with three CRTs, a mirror system, and a projection lens. The three CRTs radiating light beams of colors different from one another are arranged such that respective tube axes thereof exist on the same plane. The mirror system includes dichroic mirrors for reflecting the light beams of the respective colors from the CRTs in a direction perpendicular to the above plane. The mirror system is arranged at front sides of the CRTs. The projection lens is arranged on an optical path of the reflected light beam from the mirror system so as to combine the reflected light beams of the respective colors and to project the combined light beam onto the screen. The thus constructed projector has a short depth since the light beams from the respective CRTs are projected in the direction perpendicular to the above plane by the dichroic mirrors of the mirror system.

Abstract: A 2-CRT type projection apparatus having a green and blue two-color cathode ray tube and a green and red two-color cathode ray tube and producing a projected picture of high resolution and brightness. The green phosphor of one of the two-color cathode ray tubes is a phosphor which emits green light of high brightness and the green phosphor of the other cathode ray tube is a phosphor which emits green light extending a color reproduction range. Further, stripe directions of the two-color cathode ray tubes are substantially perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: A three color separation/synthesis mirror device includes a housing, four dichroic mirrors which are arranged in the housing and cross with each other at right angles to form an X-shape, and a liquid filled in the housing so as to submerge the respective dichroic mirrors. A refractive index of the liquid is higher than that of the dichroic mirrors. A correction prism for making an emergent light in parallel to an incidental light may be located in a corner on the incidental side of the X-shaped dichroic mirrors. Double image blurs due to the entrance rays can be obviated. Also, such a characteristic that the refractive index of the liquid is lowered when the liquid is heated, is utilized so that the refractive index of the liquid becomes close to the refractive index of the glass.

Abstract: An image projection apparatus such as a video projector or projection television is provided for decreasing light loss. The apparatus has three cathode ray tubes for respectively providing images of red, green and blue, two dichroic mirrors for combining the images onto the same axis, and a lens group for enlarging and projecting the combined image toward a screen, wherein the inclination of each dichroic mirror is adjusted such that the incident angle of light incoming from the cathode ray tube to the dichroic mirror is less than 45.degree.. Thus, the degree of stop-band shift due to refractive index variations of an incidence medium is decreased. Also, the reflectance for incoming light having a wavelength coincident with the stop band is increased.

Abstract: A three tube type projection television display device comprising red, green and blue projection tubes, wherein optical axes of projection lenses for the inclined projection tubes are off centered, instead of preparing a number of optical couplers of different sizes, from that of the inclined projection tubes by an eccentricity of .delta. when a projection picture size is varied for correcting a trapezoidal distortion in the same way as in the Scheimpflug rule, providing good registration on the screen and also bringing the projected pictures into focus on the entire screen.