Plural Light Path Projectors Patents (Class 349/8)
  • Patent number: 7048385
    Abstract: A projection display system has at least one light-recycling illumination system, a color scroller and an imaging light modulator. The light-recycling illumination system includes a light source that is enclosed within a light-recycling envelope. The light source is a light-emitting diode that emits light, and a fraction of that light will exit the light-recycling envelope through an aperture. The light-recycling envelope recycles a portion of the light emitted by the light source back to the light source in order to enhance the luminance of the light exiting the aperture. The fraction of the light that exits the aperture is partially collimated and is directed to a color scrolling means. The color scroller scans the partially collimated light across the face of the imaging light modulator. The imaging light modulator spatially modulates the scrolled beam of light to form an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Goldeneye, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl W. Beeson, Scott M. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 7038739
    Abstract: An optical projection system comprising a light source, a beam splitter module, a plurality of spatial light modulators, an optical combiner module and a projection lens is provided. The light source is used for providing a first white light. The beam splitter module is disposed in the light path of the first white light to separate the first white light into a plurality of second white lights. The spatial light modulators are disposed in the light paths of the second white lights respectively. Each spatial light modulator comprises a color filter to modulate each second white light into a color light carrying with corresponding color image signal. The optical combiner module is disposed in the light paths of the color lights to combine the color lights. The projection lens is disposed in the light path of the combined color lights after the optical combiner module to project the combined color light to be an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Da-Shuang Kuan, Tony Whitehead, Chia-Tsung Chan, Chia-Te Lin
  • Patent number: 7033028
    Abstract: An improved image projection lighting device is disclosed. Commands received by a communications port of the base housing may be acted upon to change zoom and focus values of a zoom and focus lens. A cooling system may be provided which compares an input air temperature of the image projection lighting device to an exiting air temperature to determine if a filter needs service. A video projector may project a first image comprised of first, second, and third separate images and the first separate image can be faded up to project light that is void of an image by a first command received at the communications port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: Richard S. Belliveau
  • Patent number: 7029122
    Abstract: A projector for projecting an image to an external screen in which an optical unit, includes rectangular liquid crystal panels disposed such that the short sides thereof are substantially parallel with a plane including principal light beams of the respective color light beams to be composited by a prism. Transmission cables are drawn out from the short sides of the respective liquid crystal panels, and a cooling fan is disposed such that the direction of cooling air is approximately parallel with the long sides of the liquid crystal panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hirohisa Ishino
  • Patent number: 7008065
    Abstract: A projection display system employs one or more color modifying aperture stops, such as apodizing aperture stops, to provide high contrast, balanced color and high throughput. One projection system includes a reflective liquid crystal-on-silicon light valve positioned with a polarizing beam splitter, such as a wire grid polarizing beam splitter, for each of the primary color component light paths to separately impart image information into each of the primary color components of light. A color combiner receives and combines the primary color components of light with imparted image information to provide light representing a polychromatic display image. At least one aperture stop is positioned along at least one of the primary color component light paths to balance relative intensities of the primary color components of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: R. Edward English, Jr., Sean M. Donnelly, Simon Magarill, Arlie Richard Conner
  • Patent number: 6999071
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for displaying three-dimensional images. In the method light beams (Le) are associated to several different screen points (P) of a screen (20). The light beams (Le) produce different views associated to different emission directions (E). The emission directions (E) are associated to the individual screen points (P). The light beams (Le) are generated by projecting light beams (Ld), according to the angle of the adjacent emitting directions. According to the invention, light beams (Le) without viewing direction information are generated, essentially simultaneously, with pixels (Cd) having different co-ordinates. These pixels (Cd) are pixels of a two-dimension display (50), and they are associated to different emitting directions (E) of the appropriate screen points (P).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Inventor: Tibor Balogh
  • Patent number: 6995738
    Abstract: A system provides a two-panel projection system wherein both display devices run a sequence of red, green, and blue color fields with the sequences staggered so that two different color images are projected at any given time. Each panel shows a color field for two thirds of a frame time while the combination of colors displayed changes every one third of a frame time. With two separate red-green-blue sequences being projected, the display will be twice as bright as a single panel system and the presence of two different color fields at any give time will reduce the visibility of any color splitting artifacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Florence
  • Patent number: 6994438
    Abstract: An optical component casing (40) that houses a plurality of optical components including a reflection mirror (424) and disposes the plurality of optical components on a planarly defined illumination optical axis (L1) has a holder (81) that holds the reflection mirror (424) and a housing main body (401) that houses the other optical components. A bulging portion (816) bulging in an out-plane direction of the reflection mirror (424) is formed on a side of the holder (81) opposite to the side on which the reflection mirror (424) is attached, the bulging portion (816) pivotally moving on the inner surface of the housing main body (401) to rotate the holder (81) relative to the housing main body (401), where a rotation center (P) of the holder (81) is substantially coincident with an intersecting point (Q) of the illumination optical axis (L1) and a reflection surface (424A) of the reflection mirror (424).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Taisuke Uehara, Tomiyoshi Ushiyama, Shohei Fujisawa, Hirotatsu Okubo
  • Patent number: 6986582
    Abstract: An aspect of the invention provides a duct capable of cooling optical modulation systems with high efficiency while realizing miniaturization and reduction of the mounted number of cooling fans. The duct can be used for a projector including plural optical modulation systems, a dichroic prism, and a projection lens, and the respective optical modulation systems include liquid crystal panels, entrance side polarization plates, viewing angle correction plates, and exit side polarization plates. The duct can have plural air guide paths through which cooling air passes, a discharge opening, entrance side discharge openings, and exit side discharge openings formed in these air guide paths. With the optical modulation systems as targets of independent cooling, the entrance side discharge openings and the exit side discharge openings with respect to the targets of independent cooling are formed in different air guide paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6981771
    Abstract: A rear projection display device improves the brightness by improving the utilization efficiency of image light projected to a screen from slantly below. At least a green component of the image light is P-polarized to the screen (7). Therefore, reflection of light on the screen (7) is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Arai, Syoichi Yoshii
  • Patent number: 6982767
    Abstract: Green, red and blue S-polarized light beams are incident into respective green, red and blue liquid crystal light valves. In the green liquid crystal light valve, the green P-polarized light beams exit from pixels for performing the white dot display, and the green S-polarized light beam exits from pixels for performing the black dot display. In red and blue liquid crystal light valves, the red and blue S-polarized light beams exits from the pixels for performing the white dot display, and the red and blue P-polarized light beams exit from the pixels for performing the black dot display. The red and blue S-polarized light beams reflect on, and the green P-polarized light beam transmits through the cross-dichroic prism, to produce a full-color image. The full-color image is projected through a projecting lens on a screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Inamoto
  • Patent number: 6982829
    Abstract: A beam splitter is constructed using one or more cholesteric layers. Each cholesteric layer reflects light of a given wavelength and polarization. The beam splitter is placed in a prism assembly. The cholesteric layers of the beam splitter are chosen such that portions of light entering the beam splitter are individually directed to a specific light path or to a processing face of the prism assembly. A microdisplay is mounted on each processing faces forms a kernel, and each microdisplay processes the light portions (light beams) directed toward them. Light beams reflected from the microdisplays have image content added to them from the microdisplays. The kernel is utilized in a light management system, such as that used in a video projection (e.g., projection television).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: LightMaster Systems, Inc
    Inventor: Arthur Berman
  • Patent number: 6972810
    Abstract: Optical systems for projection optical devices which employ reflective LcoS panel (9, 14, 15) are provided. The systems provide high contrast, compact size, and high light throughput.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Simon Magarill, John D. Rudolph
  • Patent number: 6943851
    Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal device that can obtain a perfect black level display even if a liquid crystal device using circular polarization is employed as a light valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kinya Ozawa
  • Patent number: 6943949
    Abstract: This invention relates to electromagnetic wave beam paths, formation of the beam, illumination of programmable electromagnetic wave field vector orientation rotating devices (“PEMFVORD”) with an electromagnetic beam, and the technique of projection of the modulated beam. This invention also relates to a unique light path and method of forming the light into a rectangular beam to be used for optical projection systems and, more particularly, in a color and/or black and white liquid crystal device (LCD) projectors that produce high resolution, high brightness and/or three-dimensional images. This invention further relates to a device capable of receiving and displaying two-dimensional and three dimensional images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: AU Optronics
    Inventor: Steven R. Sedlmayr
  • Patent number: 6910771
    Abstract: An integrally-formed polarized light converting device of a projection display unit comprises a medium of a predetermined thickness converting incident light entering at the Brewster Angle into light having a phase difference of ?/2 and a polarized light separating film reflecting a S polarized light wave and transmitting a P polarized light wave from the incident light entering at the Brewster Angle by a coated front side and a coated back side of said medium. A polarized light separating film having a coated front side reflects the S polarized light wave and transmits the P polarized light wave from the incident light entering at the Brewster Angle. The transmitted P polarized light wave has a phase difference of ?/2 when transmitted through a medium of predetermined thickness and proceeds in the same direction as the S polarized light wave reflected by the polarized light separating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong-Soo Lee
  • Patent number: 6903785
    Abstract: In a liquid crystal projector device, a first polarization beam splitter 22 separates an entering green light into first and second green lights perpendicular to each other, and a first liquid crystal element 23 modulates the first green light via a second polarization beam splitter 24. Also, in the device of the present invention, while a first half-wave plate 25 revolves 90 degree a polarized plane of the second light separated by the first polarization beam splitter 22, a second liquid crystal element 26 modulates the second green light via a third polarization beam splitter 27, a second half-wave plate 28 revolves 90 degree a polarized plane of the second light transmitted through the third polarization beam splitter 27, and a fourth polarization beam splitter 29 transmits the first green light transmitted through the second polarization beam splitter 24 and reflects the second green light form the second half-wave plate 28.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Nippon Hoso Kyokai
    Inventors: Tsutou Asakura, Tetsuji Suzuki, Masaru Kanazawa, Koichi Hamada, Fumio Okano
  • Patent number: 6893131
    Abstract: A compact, light projection type image display apparatus based on reflection image display devices which provide high brightness without contrast deterioration caused by light leakage associated with black image display. The apparatus uses, as polarizers/analyzers for reflection image display devices, reflection polarizing plates which function as polarizing plates by their grating function only in a specific direction. In each light path, the reflection polarizing plate is located just before/after the reflection image display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Taro Imahase, Satoshi Ouchi, Tsutomu Nakashima
  • Patent number: 6891577
    Abstract: In a projection display apparatus that analyzes to pick up lights emitted from a plurality of the reflective light valves, color-composes the analyzed lights and projects the color-composed light, a dichroic film is disposed in at least one of optical paths of the respective color lights between the polarizing beam splitters and the dichroic prism. The dichroic film reflects such a component of a color light derived from the composite light incident on the projection optical system that has been reflected by a surface of a lens element constituting the projection optical system and incident on the dichroic prism after passing through a quarter wave phase plate and reflected or transmitted by the dichroic film within the dichroic prism to travel along the optical path of the color light in the reverse direction, thereby deflecting the color light component out of the optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Sekine, Tetsuo Hattori
  • Patent number: 6891652
    Abstract: A liquid crystal panel (441) has an optical modulator body (500), an accommodating portion (511) for accommodating the optical modulator body (500), a holding frame (510) for pressing and holding the optical modulator body (500) against the accommodating portion (511), and a frame member (512C) made of heat-conductive material and interposed between the optical modulator body (500) and a fixing plate (512), the frame member (512C) being provided on an outer periphery of a first substrate (501A) of a pair of substrates (501A, 501B) disposed on the side of the fixing plate (512), the fixing plate (512) and the frame member (512C) being integrally formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Motoyuki Fujimori, Yoshiyuki Yanagisawa
  • Patent number: 6882379
    Abstract: A red light source comprising an array of LEDs 102R that emit light of a red color, a green light source comprising an array of LEDs 102G that emit light of a green color, and a blue light source comprising an array of LEDs 102B that emit light of a blue color are deployed about the periphery of a dichroic prism 101. A liquid crystal display element is illuminated by a light source device configured such that the light from the respective light sources is synthesized into white light by the dichroic prism, and projection type liquid crystal display devices and the like are configured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Yokoyama, Tatsuya Shimoda, Satoru Miyashita
  • Patent number: 6882476
    Abstract: This invention relates to electromagnetic wave beam paths, formation of the beam, illumination of programmable electromagnetic wave field vector orientation rotating devices (“PEMFVORD”) with an electromagnetic beam, and the technique of projection of the modulated beam. This invention also relates to a unique light path and method of forming the light into a rectangular beam to be used for optical projection systems and, more particularly, in a color and/or black and white liquid crystal device (LCD) projectors that produce high resolution, high brightness and/or three-dimensional images. This invention further relates to a device capable of receiving and displaying two-dimensional and three dimensional images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: AU Optronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven R. Sedlmayr
  • Patent number: 6877865
    Abstract: A projection display system employs one or more color modifying aperture stops, such as apodizing aperture stops, to provide high contrast, balanced color and high throughput. One projection system includes a reflective liquid crystal-on-silicon light valve positioned with a polarizing beam splitter, such as a wire grid polarizing beam splitter, for each of the primary color component light paths to separately impart image information into each of the primary color components of light. A color combiner receives and combines the primary color components of light with imparted image information to provide light representing a polychromatic display image. At least one aperture stop is positioned along at least one of the primary color component light paths to balance relative intensities of the primary color components of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: R. Edward English, Jr., Sean M. Donnelly, Simon Magarill, Arlie Richard Connor
  • Patent number: 6879311
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for controlling a driving voltage for an image display device, in which an optical sensor is installed between a liquid crystal display device and a screen or between the liquid crystal display device and a projection lens, and the driving voltage for the liquid crystal display device is feedback controlled using the output signal of the optical sensor in order to provide an optimal contrast. In this apparatus and method, the edge area of an image display device is subject to a minute change in the amplitude of a driving voltage, and the optical change is sensed and used to control the driving voltage of the image display device. Accordingly, regardless of property changes due to the temperature of an image display device and its peripheral devices, a picture can be displayed with an optimal contrast and blinking due to flickering can be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koich Sono
  • Patent number: 6871961
    Abstract: An optical projection system includes a first optical image projector that is configured to generate a first array of image pixels having a first pupil associated therewith. A second optical image projector is configured to generate a second array of image pixels having a second pupil associated therewith. An optical element is configured to superimpose the first and second pupils to create a single exit pupil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Elumens Corporation
    Inventors: Suresh Balu, D'nardo Colucci, Raymond L. Idaszak, Eric Knisley
  • Patent number: 6862048
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel including first and second substrates, and a FLC layer interposed therebetween. A small quantity of additives are mixed in the FLC layer, without changing the electrical or chemical properties of the FLC. Under a proper temperature and an electric field, the FLC layer is ripened sufficiently. Thereafter, the FLC is exposed to light such that polymer networks are formed in the FLC layer due to the polymerization by the additives. The polymer networks connect with each other across molecular layers in the FLC such that the molecules of the FLC are stabilized in proper orientations and maintain their molecular layer structure regardless of the temperature variance. And, the diffraction grating becomes stable regardless of the temperature variance, and fast response time and good gray scale are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: LG.Philips LCD Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Suk-Won Choi, Hyung-Ki Hong
  • Patent number: 6860605
    Abstract: An arrangement for projecting a multi-color image, including at least two image-generating elements which enable generation of one partial color image each of the multi-color image, and a color combiner which superimposes the light partial beam paths and emits it as a common beam. The arrangement further includes projection optics. The image scales being different for the partial color images, one optical device each is arranged in one or more of the partial beam paths of the partial color images whose image scales differ and each optical device is configured such that, due to the change in the image scale of the corresponding partial color image effected by it, the image scale of the partial color image corresponds to a predetermined, common image scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Gertrud Blei, Gudrun Schroeter, Dietrich Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6851811
    Abstract: A relay optical system, which focuses light from a light outgoing plane of an integrator rod into an image on a predetermined illumination area, has a first optical element for correcting at least a distortion aberration, and a second optical element for correcting at least a chromatic aberration. The first optical element includes at least one focusing lens having a non-spherical convex plane, and the second optical element includes at least one diverging lens having a spherical concave lens. The diverging lens is composed of a relatively high dispersive optical glass material having an Abbe's number of not greater than 40. The focusing lens is composed of either an acrylic resin material or an olefin resin material. This arrangement focuses light into an image as an illumination area with a high accuracy and thereby enhances the quality of a resulting displayed image in a projector based on SCR technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Akiyama
  • Patent number: 6847412
    Abstract: Illumination system in a liquid crystal projector for improving an optical efficiency of a fly eye lens, including a light source, a first fly eye lens having first lens cells each with a first center point, and second lens cells each with a second center point disposed in outer parts of the first lens cells, for receiving beams of lights from the light source in correspondence to the first center points of the first lens cells and the second center points of the second lens cells, respectively, and a second fly eye lens having a plurality of lens cells for refracting the beams from the first fly eye lens into parallel beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Man Ho Na, Ho Joong Kang
  • Patent number: 6834964
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal projector including a plurality of liquid crystal panels, a prism for compositing the modulated plural color lights to generate a color image, top and bottom metal plates disposed above and below the prism, and an optical system for magnifying and projecting the generated color image, wherein the liquid crystal panels are directly adhered to metal hold plates, and the metal hold plates are fixed to the top and bottom metal plates such that the emergent surfaces of the liquid crystal panels face the incident surfaces of the prism. Further, a closed space is provided between the incident surfaces of the prism and the emergent surfaces of the liquid crystal panels so as to prevent air contaminants from effecting the performance of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shizuo Nishihara, Yoshifumi Akaike, Michio Nagaya, Naoko Uno
  • Patent number: 6832837
    Abstract: A projection display device comprises a light source, a display section configured to receive light from the light source and output image light modulated with an image signal, a projection device configured to project the image light output from the display section, a duct device having an air duct for conducting air from an air intake to an air discharge section and an air chamber which is formed downstream of the air discharge section in the air duct and configured to blow cooling air from the air discharge section toward the display section, and an air blower configured to blow cooling air into the air intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shingo Suzuki, Hideo Kanai
  • Patent number: 6831706
    Abstract: When light from a reflection image display element is incident on a polarization split surface at an angle other than 45°, leakage light that decreases the contrast of an image is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kiasha
    Inventors: Masayuki Abe, Keiji Ohtaka, Atsushi Okuyama
  • Patent number: 6827451
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising a lamp which produces a first light which may be a white light; a first light valve, a second light valve, a first color separator, and a first aperture device. The first color separator receives the white light from the lamp, and separates the white light into a first color light and a first residual light. The first aperture device receives the first color light and the first aperture device can be controlled to modify a frequency of the first color light to the first light valve. The second light valve receives at least a portion of the first residual light. The first aperture device could also be controlled to substantially block at least a portion of the first color light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Inventor: Richard S. Belliveau
  • Patent number: 6819464
    Abstract: A liquid crystal panel (441) has an optical modulator body (500), an accommodating portion (511) for accommodating the optical modulator body (500), a holding frame (510) for pressing and holding the optical modulator body (500) against the accommodating portion (511), and a frame member (512C) made of heat-conductive material and interposed between the optical modulator body (500) and a fixing plate (512), the frame member (512C) being provided on an outer periphery of a first substrate (501A) of a pair of substrates (501A, 501B) disposed on the side of the fixing plate (512), the fixing plate (512) and the frame member (512C) being integrally formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Motoyuki Fujimori, Yoshiyuki Yanagisawa
  • Patent number: 6816206
    Abstract: A polarizing illumination optical system includes a light source with a parabolic reflector with a light emitter at its focal point so that the light source emits substantially collimated light toward a polarization conversion optical system that separates the light into two polarizations, converts the light to a single polarization, and projects the light through an optical integrator that includes two integrating plates so as to provide a more uniform intensity light beam. The polarization conversion optical system satisfies the following condition: 4 f<D<7 f, where f is the focal length of the parabolic reflector, and D is the minimum width of the optical incidence aperture of the polarization conversion optical system. A projection display device uses the polarizing illumination optical system to illuminate modulators, such as LCDs, that provide different color image components that a projection lens projects on a screen to provide a full color image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chikara Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6811263
    Abstract: A colored lighting separating device and a single-panel color image display apparatus using the same include a colored light separator having a plurality of dichroic filters to separate incident light into a plurality of colored light beams and a driving device which moves the colored light separator to scroll the separated colored light beams. The colored light separating device performs color scrolling by driving the colored light separator itself so that the structure of the colored light separating device enabling color scrolling is simplified, continuity and consistency of the color scrolling are guaranteed, and the scrolling speed of color bars are kept constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-ha Kim, Kun-ho Cho, Dae-sik Kim
  • Publication number: 20040212748
    Abstract: An image displaying apparatus is capable of maintaining the contrast ratios of displayed images even if the f-value of an optical system of the apparatus is lowered to provide bright images, efficiently utilizing a beam from a light source, minimizing the size and weight of the optical system, and being easy to manufacture. The image displaying apparatus includes first to third reflective polarizing plates (120, 121, 122) provided for first to third reflective spatial light modulators (130, 131, 132), respectively. The reflective polarizing plates polarize and separate beams to be injected into the reflective spatial light modulators. In the image displaying apparatus, a color separating optical system has a larger effective diameter than a color composition prism (140).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Tetsuji Suzuki, Satoru Moriya
  • Patent number: 6805451
    Abstract: A horizontal/vertical dual-mode LCD projector includes a first casing having a square mounting open side, a second casing having a square mounting open side connectable to the mounting open side of the first casing between two positions at 90° angle, a lamp module mounted in the first casing, two lens arrays respectively mounted in between the mounting open side of the first casing and the lamp module, and an optical module mounted inside the second casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Cinetron Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Ruey-Yau Tzong, Chien-Chih Hsiung
  • Patent number: 6799850
    Abstract: An image projecting apparatus has optical switches in first optical switch unit arranged in a square matrix arrangement, and a second optical switch unit of optical switches in single file for selectively reflecting the monochromatic lights reflected from the first optical switch unit. A light source irradiates a plurality of monochromatic lights of different wavelengths and the monochromatic lights are passed through the optical switches and a square beam generator such that they are incident on a panel unit to realize a monochromatic color stripe of a predetermined size. Light utilization increases through the use of first and second optical switch units, and overlapping between monochromatic color stripes can be prevented through the use of digital micromirror device (DMD) panel or liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) panel of fast responsiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-wan Hong, Sang-whoe Dho
  • Patent number: 6795132
    Abstract: In a liquid crystal projection display, first, second and third color components of an input light beam are processed by first, second and third polarizers that are disposed respectively perpendicular to propagation directions of the first, second and third color components. First, second and third liquid crystal modulators modulate the first, second and third color components from the polarizers. First, second and third analyzers process the modulated first, second and third color components, respectively, and are disposed perpendicular to the propagation directions of the first, second and third color components. The first, second and third liquid crystal modulators are disposed respectively at an angle relative to a recombiner unit such that an output light beam can be provided by the recombiner unit to a projection lens group with a propagation direction that is parallel to an optical axis of the projection lens group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventor: Shi-Hwa Huang
  • Patent number: 6791752
    Abstract: This invention relates to electromagnetic wave beam paths, formation of the beam, illumination of programmable electromagnetic wave field vector orientation rotating devices (“PEMFVORD”) with an electromagnetic beam, and the technique of projection of the modulated beam. This invention also relates to a unique light path and method of forming the light into a rectangular beam to be used for optical projection systems and, more particularly, in a color and/or black and white liquid crystal device (LCD) projectors that produce high resolution, high brightness and/or three-dimensional images. This invention further relates to a device capable of receiving and displaying two-dimensional and three dimensional images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corporation
    Inventor: Steven R. Sedlmayr
  • Patent number: 6783242
    Abstract: A projection apparatus includes a polarizing converter which converts a light beam from a light source to a polarized beam; a color separator which separates the polarized beam into color beams based on wavelength; first through third optical path modifiers each of which modifies an optical path associated with a corresponding one of the color beams; first through third polarized light separators, each of which receives a corresponding one of the first through third color beams from the optical path modifiers; first through third reflective image display elements, each of which receives a corresponding one of the first through third color beams from the corresponding polarized light separator and provides a reflected beam to the corresponding polarized light separator; a color combiner which combines the reflected beams from the reflective image display elements of the polarized light separator; and a projection lens which projects a color image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hirata, Masahiko Yatsu, Futoshi Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 6781640
    Abstract: A projection display system includes a light source, at least-one polarizer, at least one liquid crystal panel for generating an image, and a projection lens for projecting the image. The system includes a polarization compensator having a plurality of regions each having a respective birefringence. The birefringence of one of the regions is different than the birefringence of another of the regions. The birefringence of the various regions may be controlled electrically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Austin L. Huang
  • Patent number: 6771233
    Abstract: A projection display device adopting two liquid crystal display panels, by which the maximum brightness, which is the same as that in a exemplary case of adopting three liquid crystal display panels, is obtained by using only two liquid crystal display panels, is provided. Accordingly, red, green, blue and white (R′/G′/B′/W) image data, obtained by converting red, green and blue (R/G/B) data using a predetermined algorithm for a four-color sequence system, is displayed via an optical engine having two liquid crystal display panels, with the same brightness as that when data is displayed using three liquid crystal display panels. Hence, the structure of the optical engine can be simplified, and a convergence adjusting point can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Sun Kim
  • Patent number: 6765267
    Abstract: A pixel structure comprising a thin film transistor, a pixel electrode, a scan line, a data line and an alignment mark. The alignment mark is formed beneath the data line. Misalignment is assessed through the degree of shifting between the alignment mark and the data line relative to each other. In addition, misalignment is also gauged through the degree of shifting between the alignment mark and the channel layer within the thin film transistor relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corporation
    Inventor: Han-Chung Lai
  • Patent number: 6747709
    Abstract: An optical system of a liquid crystal projector that is capable of reducing a full length of the optical system including three reflective liquid crystal display panels. In the system, an illuminating unit allows a white light generated from a light source to have any one linear polarized light and a uniform light distribution. A color separator separates the white light from the illuminating unit in accordance with a wavelength band to obtain a first color light, and polarization-converts the remaining lights in accordance with a wavelength band and then separates them into second and third color lights depending on their polarization components. First to third liquid crystal display panels uses the first to third color lights from the color separator to implement first to third color pictures, respectively. A picture combining unit combines the first to third color lights having acquired picture information from the first to third liquid crystal display panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Soon Hyung Kwon, Man Ho Na
  • Patent number: 6747613
    Abstract: A display apparatus for displaying video information by superimposing a plurality of images obtained through a plurality of display systems, each including a light source, a reflection type liquid crystal panel and an optical system. The apparatus includes at least either of a system selector for selecting at least one of the plurality of display systems and a modifier for modifying the attributes of the image obtained through one of the display systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mamoru Miyawaki, Tetsunobu Kochi
  • Patent number: 6742898
    Abstract: In a projector device, a plurality of light source each including a lamp and a reflection mirror are arranged in parallel in an opposing relation to each other with optical axes thereof being offset such that light fluxes from the light sources are compressed in the offset direction, respectively. The compressed light fluxes are reflected at right angles by orthogonal reflecting surfaces of a reflection member including reflection mirrors or reflection prisms to form a plurality of parallel emitting lights in one direction. The projector device includes a condenser portion for condensing the parallel emitting lights to a single emitting light flux. The light fluxes from the light sources are passed through a polarizer portion before the incidence on the reflection member or after the emission from the reflection member such that the light fluxes become linear polarized lights having polarizing directions coincident with polarizing directions of liquid crystal panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: NEC Viewtechnology, Ltd.
    Inventor: Eisaku Shouji
  • Patent number: 6736512
    Abstract: A pixel element for a 3D display, wherein multiple substantially collimated controllable light beams are emitted in multiple directions, with each light beam associated with a predetermined viewing direction. A set of substantially point type sources are individually addressable and are arranged in a line. The light sources are serially addressed; and the light from each source is imaged in a collimated light beam and deflected in a predetermined individual deflection direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Sony International (Europe) GmbH
    Inventor: Tibor Balogh
  • Patent number: 6728020
    Abstract: Platelike first transparent members 321 and platelike second transparent members 322 are prepared. Each first transparent member has substantially parallel first and second surfaces (film forming surfaces). A polarization splitting film 331 is formed on the first film forming surface. A reflecting film 332 is formed on the second film forming surface. The films are not formed on the surfaces of the second transparent members 322. A plurality of the first transparent members 321 and a plurality of the second transparent members 322 are adhered alternately. A block is cut from the so-adhered transparent members at a prescribed angle to the surfaces and the cut surfaces thereof are polished to obtain a polarization beam splitter array 320.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yajima Akitaka