Abstract: A novel handheld media and communication device with a detachable projector unit is disclosed. A media library for media assets is included in a file storage system of the projector unit while metadata of the assets is stored in a file storage system of the media and communication device. The device is used as a remote control device to control the operation of delivering media assets through the projector unit after the unit is detached from the device. The projector unit may also be used to connect to a media delivery unit such as a desktop projector, a TV terminal or an audio system for delivering media assets.

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 projection type image display apparatus in one aspect of the present invention includes an optical engine that projects an image; an image display screen that displays an image of projection light projected from the optical engine; a folding mirror that reflects the projection light projected from the optical engine toward the image display screen; and an optical system support member that holds the optical engine, a rear side part of the folding mirror and the image display screen. The image display screen holds a front side part of the folding mirror by an upper side part of the image display screen.

Abstract: The present invention is 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: An exemplary slide mechanism (100) includes a rear cover (10), a front cover (20), and a magnetic assembly (80) connected to the rear cover and the front cover. The front cover is slidably attached to the rear cover. Each of the at least one magnetic assembly includes a first magnetic member (44) and a second magnetic member (74). A magnetic force created between the first and second magnetic members forces the front cover sliding relative to the rear cover. The magnetic members are arranged such that the height of the space occupied by the magnetic members is less than an arithmetic sum of the height of each of the magnetic members.

Abstract: To provide a projection display that can easily switch between rear and front projection modes with a transmission screen, a projector, and a mirror exposed to the outside, a projection display has a projector to project projection light applied to a display image, a mirror to introduce the projection light from the projector, a screen to allow the projection light introduced by the mirror to pass through from the rear to project light in a rear mode, and a frame to hold the projector and the screen. The projection display has the screen, the projector, and the mirror exposed to the outside, and the projector is installed so that it can be attached to and detached from the frame.

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.

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.

Abstract: An image projection system is provided that includes a portable projector, where the projector includes a light engine, and a projector housing having a closed configuration and an open configuration, where in the closed configuration the projector housing at least partially encloses the light engine, and in the open configuration the projector housing supports the light engine.

Abstract: A rear-project video assembly with a foldable reflector includes a housing and a screen mounted in a first side of the housing. A reflector has one side pivotally connected to a second side of the housing for reflecting image to the screen. An overhead projector is mounted on a bottom of the housing for projecting image to the reflector and a drive device is mounted between the screen and the reflector for expanding the reflector when using the reflector and backward moving the reflector after using the reflector to reduce the volume of the rear-project video assembly. A bellows is mounted between the peripheries of the second side of the housing and the reflector to prevent the foreign matter and the light ray from entering the housing.

Abstract: A multi-monitor is provided with a first display device having a display screen and a second display device having a display screen smaller than the display screen of the first display device, and a supporting mechanism which is mountable on an outside portion of the first display device, and supports the second display device rotatably about a first axis and a second axis intersecting the first axis. The first second display device is driven in accordance with the same operation system as the first display device.

Abstract: An “extra-folded” projection display system includes a selectively reflective material (e.g., a linear reflecting polarizer) placed immediately behind the system's imaging screen. The display system includes an image projector that projects an image beam containing light of a predetermined linear polarization toward the imaging screen. The linear reflecting polarizer reflects the light in the image beam away from the screen. The reflected image beam then encounters a ¼-wavelength achromatic retarder which converts the linear polarization to circular polarization. The image beam next hits a mirror that reflects the light back through the ¼-wavelength achromatic retarder, which converts the circular polarization back to linear polarization, with the polarization director rotated 90° from the original polarization director. The linear reflecting polarizer then allows the light to pass through to the image screen.

Abstract: An “extra-folded” projection display system includes a selectively reflective material (e.g., a linear reflecting polarizer) placed immediately behind the system's imaging screen. The display system includes an image projector that projects an image beam containing light of a predetermined linear polarization toward the imaging screen. The linear reflecting polarizer reflects the light in the image beam away from the screen. The reflected image beam then encounters a ¼-wavelength achromatic retarder which converts the linear polarization to circular polarization. The image beam next hits a mirror that reflects the light back through the ¼-wavelength achromatic retarder, which converts the circular polarization back to linear polarization, with the polarization director rotated 90° from the original polarization director. The linear reflecting polarizer then allows the light to pass through to the image screen.

Abstract: An “extra-folded” projection display system includes a selectively reflective material (e.g., a linear reflecting polarizer) placed immediately behind the system's imaging screen. The display system includes an image projector that projects an image beam containing light of a predetermined linear polarization toward the imaging screen. The linear reflecting polarizer reflects the light in the image beam away from the screen. The reflected image beam then encounters a ¼-wavelength achromatic retarder which converts the linear polarization to circular polarization. The image beam next hits a mirror that reflects the light back through the ¼-wavelength achromatic retarder, which converts the circular polarization back to linear polarization, with the polarization director rotated 90° from the original polarization director. The linear reflecting polarizer then allows the light to pass through to the image screen.

Abstract: A video display is provided which includes a display screen mounted to a forward end of the video display, a video projector having a center of gravity, and a reflective assembly for directing light from within the video projector to the display screen. The video display further includes a frame for supporting the display screen, the video projector and a reflective assembly in an operative relationship. Stationary brackets are rigidly mounted to the frame, and projector brackets are rigidly mounted to the video projector. The projector brackets are pivotally mounted to the stationary brackets for rotating relative to the stationary brackets, about a pivot point. Rotating the projector brackets relative to the stationary brackets rotates the video projector relative to the frame, from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A rear screen television cabinet, comprising a cabinet having front portions including a top, two sides and a front face, viewing surface on the front face, a mirror system comprising a plurality of mirrors for reflecting and successively enlarging and reflecting an incident beam onto the rear screen and a rear assembly which substantially closes said cabinet and is foldable or collapsible to render said cabinet portable, is disclosed. The cabinet's mirror system receives and successively enlarges and reflect an incident beam from a projector, to project a large image onto the viewing surface.