Lens Position Adjustable Patents (Class 353/101)
  • Patent number: 7220003
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an image-projecting apparatus which employs an AF (auto-focusing) system suitable for use conditions of the image-projecting apparatus and is capable of securing satisfactory AF accuracy under bright conditions. The image-projecting apparatus comprises a projection optical system which projects light from an image-forming element onto a projection surface, and a detecting system which performs a detecting operation of a distance to the projection surface or a detecting operation of a focusing state of the projection optical system with respect to the projection surface. The detecting system determines a condition of the detecting operation on the basis of the light-receiving intensity level of the light-receiving element which receives reflected light from the projection surface of light projected and performs the detecting operation in accordance with the condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaharu Eguchi
  • Patent number: 7215477
    Abstract: Provided is a projection lens, including: a plurality of moving lens units that move on an optical axis for zooming; and a plurality of plastic lenses containing plastic, in which when a focal distance of an i-th positive lens from a predetermined plane side of N positive lenses of the plurality of plastic lenses is given by fpi, a focal distance of a j-th negative lens from the predetermined plane side of M negative lenses of the plurality of plastic lenses is given by fnj, and fp and fn are defined by 1 fp = ? i = 1 N ? 1 fpi 1 fn = ? j = 1 M ? 1 fnj (N and M each are a natural number, that is, an integer equal to or larger than 1), ?0.56<fn/fp<?0.05 is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Yamasaki, Takashi Sudo
  • Patent number: 7210798
    Abstract: The methods and apparatus for lighting systems provide a camera integral to a particular image projection lighting device (IPLD) to capture the projected image from the particular IPLD. The captured image can then be sent over a communication system to the operator for viewing on a visual display device such as a computer monitor on a central controller. Using the captured image of the projected image as viewed upon the display device, the operator may then command using the central controller the focusing, position or other parameters of the projected image upon the stage or projection surface to the desired value. The captured image may also be used, such as by a central control system, to automatically, and without operator intervention, adjust parameters of the IPLD to desired values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: High End Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Belliveau, Vickie Lynn Claiborne, Timothy G. Grivas, Brian Emerson Jurek, Jeffrey K. Washburn
  • Patent number: 7207680
    Abstract: If a projection display device includes a shifting mechanism for shifting a projection lens to adjust the direction in which the display projects an optical image, it is difficult to find suitable position where the display should be installed. Thus, the projection lens is fitted with a projection angle adjusting mechanism, which includes an adjusting dial having a scale representing the position of the lens relative to a display element. The projection display device is capable of automatically displaying on the projected optical image a scale image corresponding to the scale. The projection display also is capable of displaying on the projected optical image the position of the optical axis of the projection lens, which can be shifted by the adjusting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Futoshi Yamasaki, Hiroshi Oshima, Takuya Shimizu, Kazuo Shikita, Satoshi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 7204598
    Abstract: According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in a projections lens position adjuster, when a part of a dial exposed from an exterior case is rotated downward, a gear is rotated in an R2 direction. A Y-slider is then moved downward (in a Y3 direction). Accordingly, a Y-table is moved downward, as is a projection lens. When the part of the dial exposed from the exterior case is rotated upward, the projection lens is moved upward. When a part of a dial exposed from the exterior case is rotated leftward. In contrast, when the dial is rotated rightward, the projection lens is moved rightward. Provided around the projection lens are a first light shield for closing a gap between an opening of a front case and a periphery of the projection lens, and a second light shield for closing a gap between the projection lens and a hole of a base of the projection lens position adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akitoshi Kuroda, Akira Momose
  • Patent number: 7190534
    Abstract: An object is to provide an image pick up apparatus in which positioning of a lens barrel unit relative to a front cover with respect to the optical axis direction and directions perpendicular to the optical axis can be effected with high accuracy. In an image pick up apparatus including a lens barrel unit 201 having a photographing optical system, a structure 216 that holds the lens barrel unit 201 in such a way that the lens barrel unit 201 is movable in the direction of the optical axis of the photographing optical system and directions perpendicular to the optical axis and a front cover 205 that covers the front side of the image pick up apparatus, the position of the lens barrel unit 201 relative to the front cover with respect to directions perpendicular to the optical axis and with respect to the optical axis direction is determined by the front cover 205 when the front cover 205 is assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7187508
    Abstract: A lens device includes: a housing formed with a module-mounting hole that has a hole axis, and provided with a mounting surface that is disposed radially and outwardly of the module-mounting hole; a lens module having a lens axis; and an alignment correction unit for mounting the lens module on the housing at the module-mounting hole. The alignment correction unit includes a module barrel coupled to the lens module, an elastically deformable component clamped by the module barrel toward the mounting surface of the housing, and a set of screw fasteners for fastening the module barrel onto the mounting surface at angularly spaced apart locations relative to the hole axis. Depths of threaded engagement of the screw fasteners with the mounting surface are independently adjustable to permit adjustment of the lens axis of the lens module relative to the hole axis of the module-mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Chih-Hao Chiang
  • Patent number: 7180557
    Abstract: A projection unit comprises a light source unit and an image forming unit. The light source unit includes a light source section and an illuminating optical system which condenses the illuminating light and forms the illuminating light to approximately parallel rays. The image forming unit includes an image forming optical system which decomposes the illuminating light into three-primary-colors lights, radiates the three-primary-colors lights to liquid-crystal displays corresponding to each color, and composes the three-primary-colors image lights into full-color image light, and a projection lens which projects the full-color image light to a screen. The light source unit is contained in a light source unit case which is formed with a material excellent in heat resistance. The image forming unit is contained in an image forming unit case which is formed with a material which is not excellent in heat resistance. The light source unit case is attached to the image forming unit case in detachable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7165849
    Abstract: An image displayed on a liquid crystal panel is projected on a projection surface by a projection lens such that the optical axis of the projection lens is perpendicular to the projection surface. An optical axis of a distance measurement light and an optical axis of a light receiving lens are each inclined a specified angle with respect to the optical axis of the projection lens to be not perpendicular to the projection surface so as to reduce noise caused by specularly reflected light that otherwise would be detected by the distance measurement unit when a highly reflective whiteboard is utilized as the projection surface. The distance measurement unit is formed by unitizing a light emitting element, a light emitting lens, the light receiving lens, and a light receiving element, and the distance measurement unit is held with the projection lens by a common holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventors: Tomonari Masuzawa, Yasuhiro Miwa, Tatsuo Saito, Takao Araki
  • Patent number: 7165848
    Abstract: A doughnut-shaped dust-proof plate is externally fitted in the body of the projection lens. The dust-proof plate comprises a first member which is flexible like rubber and a second member made of plastic which is uneasy to deform. The second member is made lower in a vertical direction (lengthwise) than the first member, thereby making it possible to allow deformation at an upper end and a lower end of the first member. On the other hand, the second member is made long in a horizontal direction (crosswise). A longitudinal portion of the second member is set to have such a length that it can come into contact with an upper or lower wall of the frame of the liquid crystal projector even if the projection lens is positioned at the lowermost or uppermost position, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiromitsu Gishi
  • Patent number: 7163298
    Abstract: The invention provides a lens device of a projector for projecting light that has been modulated and emitted by a display device, wherein said lens device has an optical axis and is arranged telecentric to rays of light emitted from said display device, said lens device has a diaphragm mechanism having an aperture at such a position that the lens device causes principal rays emitted from various locations on the display device to intersect with the optical axis, and said aperture is substantially trapezoidal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignees: Chinon Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Abe, Tomoo Fujimori, Motoo Takahashi, Kenji Samejima
  • Patent number: 7164546
    Abstract: A lens mounting plate to which a projection lens unit is fixed is brought into contact with a sliding base. The lens mounting plate is pressed against the sliding base by the urging of a coiled spring. The pressing force is set such that the position of the projection lens unit can be held and shifted. A cover is provided with a pipe-shaped projection so as to surround the projection lens unit with a clearance corresponding to the shifting width of the projection lens unit between the pipe-shaped projection and the projection lens unit. A user shifts the position of the projection lens unit with his or her fingers laid on the pipe-shaped projection and the projection lens unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Miyashita, Hiroki Koba
  • Patent number: 7159988
    Abstract: A projection optical unit has two lens groups. A first projection optical unit disposed closest to an image display element, temporarily forms a first enlarged image (magnification: M1) at the image display element side, rather than at a second projection optical unit. The first enlarged image is subsequently projected in an enlarged form (magnification: M2, wherein M2>M1) onto a screen via the second projection optical unit. A field lens group having positive refractive power is disposed between the first projection optical unit and the second projection optical unit. Consequently, the relationship between F2, which is the F-value of the second projection optical unit, and F1, which is the F-value of the first projection optical unit, becomes F2=F1/M1, whereby it is possible to realize very-wide-angle imaging at a field angle exceeding 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Yatsu, Koji Hirata, Hidehiro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7156524
    Abstract: A microcomputer performs image drawing processing of a projection video for adjustment by an OSD (On-Screen Display) circuit when it detects the press of an adjustment command key. The projection video for adjustment is an image having a black-and-white area high in contrast formed therein. The projection video for adjustment is picked up by a CCD line sensor in a sensor. A microcomputer has its input an image pick-up signal from the CCD line sensor, to make focusing adjustment and trapezoidal distortion correction on the basis of the image pick-up signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshichika Hirao, Naoki Kaise, Kenji Hyakutake
  • Patent number: 7156523
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention can provide a projector can include an illumination device that outputs illumination light, a color separation system that divides the illumination light output from the illumination device into blue light, red light, and green light and guides the blue light, red light, and green light to first to third optical paths, respectively, and first to third light modulation devices disposed in the first to third optical paths to be illuminated by the blue light, red light, and green light. In the projector, a distance from the illumination device to the third optical modulation device can be longer than a distance from the illumination device to the first optical modulation device and a distance from the illumination device to the second optical modulation device, a relay system having a first lens disposed at the light incident side, a second lens disposed at the light exit side, and a third lens disposed between the first and second lenses can be provided in the third optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hidemasa Yamakawa, Joji Karasawa, Masafumi Sakaguchi, Kanji Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7144115
    Abstract: An image projector that modifies projected images. An imaging device preferably senses information about a projection screen upon which an image is projected. Based on the sensed information about the projection screen, the projector modifies the image in a desired manner, such as rescaling, or correcting distortion in, the projected image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Baoxin Li
  • Patent number: 7145733
    Abstract: The CPU 120 acquires zoom level sent by the zoom lens position detector 122, and on the basis of the acquired zoom level calculates a exposure target value depending on the particular zoom level. The CPU 120 establishes in the imaging controller 105 an exposure target value R calculated depending on zoom level Z, and issues an imaging command to the imaging controller 105. By so doing, the average value of gradation values of the white portion in the imaged image can be substantially maintained at the desired tone level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Noriaki Miyasaka
  • Patent number: 7125122
    Abstract: An image projection system that corrects an image to be projected onto a projection surface by sensing at least a portion of that surface, and based upon the sensed portion, determining and applying a corrective transformation to the image, after which the corrected image is projected onto the projection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Baoxin Li, Shigeru Kojima, Toshinori Furuhashi, Kazuya Arakawa, Ryohichi Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 7114815
    Abstract: The invention provides A lens device of a projector for projecting light that has been modulated and emitted by a display device, wherein said lens device has an optical axis and is arranged telecentric to rays of light emitted from said display device, said lens device has a diaphragm mechanism having an aperture at such a position that the lens device causes principal rays emitted from various locations on the display device to intersect with the optical axis; and said aperture is shaped such that sides of the aperture curve inward approximately along lines that connect areas having substantially similar levels of contrast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignees: Chinontec Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Abe, Tomoo Fujimori, Motoo Takahashi, Kenji Samejima
  • Patent number: 7111946
    Abstract: The invention provides a lens device of a projector for projecting light that has been modulated and emitted by a display device, wherein said lens device has an optical axis and is arranged telecentric to rays of light emitted from said display device, said lens device has a diaphragm mechanism having an aperture at such a position that the lens device causes principal rays emitted from various locations on the display device to intersect with the optical axis, and said aperture is substantially triangular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignees: Chinon Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Abe, Tomoo Fujimori, Motoo Takahashi, Kenji Samejima
  • Patent number: 7111947
    Abstract: The invention provides a lens device of a projector for projecting light that has been modulated and emitted by a display device, wherein said lens device has an optical axis and is arranged telecentric to rays of light emitted from said display device, said lens device has a diaphragm mechanism having an aperture at such a position that the lens device causes principal rays emitted from various locations on the display device to intersect with the optical axis, and said aperture is substantially square.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignees: Chinontec Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Abe, Tomoo Fujimori, Motoo Takahashi, Kenji Samejima
  • Patent number: 7108375
    Abstract: An image projection apparatus is disclosed with which problems, caused by performing focusing control in a state in which the light amount of a light source is insufficient, can be avoided. The image projection apparatus comprises a controller, performing focusing control of a projection optical system, and a brightness detector which detects at least one of a brightness of the light source and a brightness of a reflected light on a projection surface. After turning the light source on, the controller restricts the focusing control until the brightness detected by the brightness detector reaches a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaharu Eguchi
  • Patent number: 7104656
    Abstract: A projector includes a spherical housing for housing circuitry configured to generate an image. A lens is included in the housing to project the image. A concave base supports the spherical housing. The lens is aimed in a desired direction by positioning the spherical housing with respect to the concave base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Dan Dwyer, Susan Nakashima, Corrina Alison Eleanor Hall
  • Patent number: 7088058
    Abstract: An image display device which has a display element that optically modulates an incident light for displaying an image. A lamp is a light source of the incident light to the display element. A lamp driver drives the lamp. A lamp power level calculator calculates a driving power level of the lamp corresponding to a level of an input video signal. A lamp temperature controller controls a lamp temperature depending on changes in the input signal from the lamp power level calculator so as to change the lamp temperature within a predetermined range in response to fluctuations of the input video signal. This image display device can further include a projection lens for projecting and displaying images formed in the display element on a screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Shiota, Satoshi Hamada, Toshiyuki Noguchi
  • Patent number: 7077525
    Abstract: A flashlight that utilizes an array of one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as a light source, and a light pipe as a light homogenizer to generate a light beam capable of forming a uniformized light distribution at a given distance from the flashlight is disclosed. The LEDs may be all the same color, or some or all may be different colors. A switch, coupled to switching electronics coupled to the LED array, is used to change the state of the LED array to create a variety of different types of light beams, each of which provides relatively uniform and bright illumination at a given distance from the flashlight, wherein the given distance is selectable by adjusting an adjustable imaging lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Optics 1, Inc
    Inventors: Robert E. Fischer, Greg Moeller, Simon Prince
  • Patent number: 7070283
    Abstract: A projection apparatus comprising a projection section for projecting an image corresponding to an input image signal, a distance measuring section for measuring each distance of several positions on an image projection plane made by the projection section, a focus control section for making keystone correction on an image projected by the projection section so that a projection image is formed into a rectangular shape having a proper aspect ratio based on each distance obtained by the distance measuring section while controlling a focus position of the image projected by the projection section, and a control section for instructing to carry out processing by the focus control section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Akutsu
  • Patent number: 7070286
    Abstract: A projector in accordance with the invention includes a projection lens having a zoom function that forms a projected image corresponding to an image signal on a screen, a zoom state detection section that detects a zoom state of the projection lens, and an uneven color correction section that performs uneven color correction on the image signal based on a detected zoom state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Fumio Koyama
  • Patent number: 7070284
    Abstract: A projector apparatus includes digital micromirror device (DMD) Color temperature and adjustment of white balance with respect to projection light can be detected in a light condition in a convenient manner. A position of the picture formed by the projection light on the screen can be shifted. A projector apparatus includes a shutter disposed downstream of the projection optics for blocking the projection light and a sensor attached to the shutter. In a second embodiment, a projector apparatus includes a sliding structure for causing a projection optics to be slid relative to a casing constituting an apparatus body in a perpendicular relation to the optical axis of projection optics means and a follow-up structure for causing a sensor to follow the projection optics means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Marantz Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Nobutomo Tanaka, Eiichi Kamino
  • Patent number: 7061699
    Abstract: A projection lens (46) comprises: a cylindrical exterior case (621) having a lens-shifting through-hole (625) on a side thereof and an inner circumferential step or inner flange (623); a lens (610) of which outer periphery (611) on a first side is abutted to the inner circumferential step or inner flange (623); a flexible or elastic spacer (660) abutted to an outer periphery (612) of a second side of the lens (610); and a retainer (670) holding the spacer (660), where the lens (610) is fixed on the exterior case (621).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuo Watanabe, Shuji Narimatsu, Tomonobu Machida, Shunji Umemura, Shohei Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 7055971
    Abstract: When an attempt to move a projection lens in a horizontal direction (crosswise) in a state where it is positioned on the upper or lower side is made, it can be moved in the horizontal direction (crosswise) up to a certain range. However, a movement restraining convex area in a vertical movable base finally comes into contact with the corner inclined at an angle of 45 degrees in a fixed base. After this contact, movement in a leftward or rightward direction and an upward or downward direction which are limited directions is limited. Even if a dial and a dial are rotated in the limited directions under the limitation of the movement, they are slipped, thereby making it possible to prevent a force from being forcedly applied to a driving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiromitsu Gishi
  • Patent number: 7055970
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention can provide an optical apparatus having a supporting portion of an enclosure for optical components that is formed with a groove which is reduced in width in the opposite direction from the extending direction of the supporting portion, that is, toward a curved portion. A flange of a projection lens to be installed on the supporting portion can be formed with a notch. Postural adjustment of the projection lens can be performed according to a projecting image which is projected on rear screens from the projecting lens. When a flat-head screwdriver is inserted into the notch and the groove and is turned, the flat-head screwdriver can come into abutment with the peripheral edge of the notch of the flange of the projection lens and the peripheral edge of the groove of the supporting portion. Accordingly, the flange of the projection lens can move on the supporting portion and the postural adjustment of the projection lens can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masashi Kitabayashi
  • Patent number: 7054073
    Abstract: A lens holding barrel is fitted in a fixed barrel in a manner that the lens holding barrel is slidable in optical axis direction. A cam ring is rotatably fitted on outer periphery of the fixed lens. Front regulating members are formed on front end of the fixed barrel, and rear regulating member are formed on rear end of the fixed barrel. Three cutouts are formed on inner surface of the cam ring at even intervals, and cams are formed between these cutouts. Vertical walls are formed at both ends of each cam. The cam ring is fitted onto the fixed barrel after the each front regulating member is faced to the each cutout. After that, the cam ring is positioned between the front regulating member and the rear regulating member by rotation of the cam ring. When the cam ring is rotated in a predetermined range, each cam pushes a cam projection against the biasing of the biasing ring, to move the lens holding barrel in the optical axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Fujinon Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Shirie
  • Patent number: 7048389
    Abstract: An optical projection module includes a front optical module, a rear optical module and an adjustment member mounted between the front and rear optical modules. The front optical module includes a lighting module, an integrated rod and a color wheel. One end of the adjustment member is pivotally mounted to the front optical module, and the other end of the adjustment member is screwed on the rear optical module to form the optical projection module. By linear movement of the rear optical module actuated by rotation of the adjustment member along an optical axis, a relative position of the rear optical module and the front optical module is adjusted so that lights coming from the color wheel are clearly projected on a light valve with simplified digital signal processing, reduced loss of luminance and increased luminescence efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventor: Sea-Huang Lee
  • Patent number: 7040761
    Abstract: Conventionally, concentrated illumination of a central portion of an image (about 40-60% of the whole image) in which information such as letters and a picture tends to concentrate (centrally concentrated illumination) and uniform illumination of the whole image (uniform illumination) can be carried out by using two separate apparatuses, but no single conventional image display apparatus can carry out both of the two types of illumination. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display apparatus which can carry out centrally concentrated illumination, uniform illumination, and various other illumination states (illumination distributions). According to the present invention, an image display apparatus (such as a liquid crystal projector) is structured such that a fly-eye lens or a part thereof in an illumination optical system for illuminating an image forming element is moved to vary the illumination distribution on the image forming element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Okuyama, Hiroyuki Kodama
  • 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: 7021772
    Abstract: The invention provides a lens device and projector in which light passing through liquid crystal panels is projected on a screen using the lens device. The lens device includes a diaphragm mechanism. A telecentric optical system for the display device is provided between the diaphragm mechanism and the liquid crystal panels. An aperture of the diaphragm mechanism is positioned at a location where primary rays that are emitted from the liquid crystal panels parallel to an optical axis intersect with the optical axis. Contrast characteristics of the liquid crystal panels vary depending on angles and directions of incidence of rays of light. The aperture of the diaphragm mechanism is formed in a substantially triangular shape in accordance with the shape of the contrast characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignees: Chinon Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Abe, Tomoo Fujimori, Motoo Takahashi, Kenji Samejima
  • Patent number: 7018053
    Abstract: A projector includes circuitry configured to generate an image; a lens for projecting the image; a housing for the circuitry; and a mechanism for moving the lens with respect to the housing or with respect to a viewing surface to direct a projected image in a desired direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Dan Dwyer, Susan Nakashima, Corrina Alison Beanor Hall
  • Patent number: 7014323
    Abstract: To provide an image processing system and the like which can perform an image distortion correction and focus adjustment approximately at the same time without changing a projecting position intended by a user, a projector includes: a distortion correcting section which corrects image signals to adjust the distortion in an image; an image projection section which includes a lens unit having a focus adjustment function, the lens unit projecting an image based on the corrected image signals; a control section and a focus lens driving section which control the driving of the lens unit so that the focal length of the lens unit to an image projection area changes; a sensing section which senses the projected image; and a distortion correction amount deriving section which derives the focal length to the center of the image projection area and also an amount of distortion correction for the distortion correcting section, based on sensing information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masanobu Kobayashi, Hideki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7014324
    Abstract: A device for controlling the projection lens shift in a projector is provided, and includes a projection lens module which enlarges and projects an incident light on a screen, a sliding bracket which supports the projection lens module, a fixed bracket which slidably supports the sliding bracket, a shift unit positioned between the fixed bracket and the sliding bracket selectively to slide the sliding bracket up and down according to its rotating direction, and an elastic unit provided at a lower part of the projection lens module elastically to support the projection lens module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyoung-choul Jang
  • Patent number: 7004590
    Abstract: In manufacturing an optical device having a plurality of optical modulators and a color combining optical system, optical properties of a projection optical system are acquired, reference positions of the optical modulators are acquired, deviations of the optical modulators are calculated based on previously acquired optical properties, and the positions of the optical modulators are adjusted based on the deviations while detecting a combined light from the color combining optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masashi Kitabayashi
  • Patent number: 6997561
    Abstract: The invention includes a color projection system. System includes a light source, a first relay lens, disposed on a first optical path, optically coupled to the light source. System also includes a second relay lens, disposed in a second optical path, optically coupled to the first lens, the second optical path being of a predetermined vertical distance above the first optical path. The color projection system also includes a light management device, having a light entrance surface and a light exit surface, the light entrance surface optically coupled to the second lens along the second optical path, the light exit surface located on a third optical path, and the third optical path being substantially parallel to the first and second optical paths and being a predetermined distance below the second optical path. A projection lens may be optically coupled to the light exit surface of the light management device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventor: Serge J. A. Bierhuizen
  • Patent number: 6981773
    Abstract: A projector includes a super-high pressure mercury lamp a spatial light-modulator that modulates a light from the super-high mercury lamp based on an image signal, a projection lens that projects the light modulated, and an optical filter that is used to insert a prism group in the optical path and to remove the prism group that is inserted in the optical path, and a position fixing part that makes a relative-angle between each spatial light-modulator and the prism group constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shunji Kamijima, Masatoshi Yonekubo
  • Patent number: 6972910
    Abstract: A lens held by a lens holding member is to be centered easily correctly. To this end, a guide pin 21 is inserted into a guide hole 22 for positioning the lens holding member 3 with respect to the main body unit of the lens barrel 2 in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens 4 and for mounting the lens holding member for movement in a direction along the optical axis. If, in this state, each of adjustment pins 26, rotationally mounted on at least three sites on the outer peripheral surface of the main body unit of the lens barrel 2, is rotated, an offset portion 29 of the adjustment pin, offset relative to the center of rotation of the adjustment pin, is rotated, as the offset portion is engaged in an engagement hole 32 of the lens holding member 3, so that the lens holding member 3 on each site is displaced in the direction along the optical axis to adjust the tilt of the lens 4 held by the lens holding member 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Orimo, Hiroyuki Mori
  • Patent number: 6966657
    Abstract: A system and method for fixing a projection lens 102 and adjusting the position of a projection lens 102 is provided, which is compact and has a high precision. The projection lens 102 is positioned on a base plate 104. The position of the projection lens can be adjusted by providing possibilities for horizontal and vertical shift in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the projection lens 102. This is performed by actuating three points of the base plate 104. Furthermore, by providing further shifting means at the three points of the base plate 104, tilting of the projection lens can be performed, thus providing Scheimpflug correction. In this way, motion of the projection lens in five degrees of freedom is provided by actuating three points at a base plate 104 whereon a projection lens 102 can be easily mounted and removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Barco N.V.
    Inventors: Cindy Van De Velde, Jan Leo Arteel, Koen Beyers, Koen Van Belle
  • Patent number: 6962416
    Abstract: This specification discloses a projection type display apparatus for projecting an image onto the surface of a screen, including an image display device illuminated by illuminating light from a light source and for displaying an image thereon, a projecting optical system for projecting the image from the image display device onto the surface of the screen, a condition detection device for detecting a condition related to the image, an adjusting device for adjusting the condition of the image in conformity with the output of the condition detection device, an operation device for effecting the ON/OFF of the power source of the projection type display apparatus, and a controller for causing the condition detection device to be operated and also, limiting the inputting of an input image signal to the image display device when the power source of the projection type display apparatus is switched on by the operation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toru Ohara
  • Patent number: 6963456
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement of optical elements in projection systems, preferably in projection modules having a changeable focal width such as for the imaging of tilt mirror matrices or for the imaging of reflective, i.e. transmissive, LCDs, whereby the optical elements (2, 3) fixed in place in mechanical holders (6, 7) are arranged so that they can be positioned on a common optical axis (5) relative to one another. According to the invention, for the purpose of accommodating the mounted optical elements (2, 3, 4), a common carrier element (1) is provided. With a minimized number of optical and mechanical elements, both the construction lengths and the diameters of the overall arrangement are reduced so that inexpensive production is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Koehler, Rainer Schnell, Guenther Benedix, Eberhard Piehler, Hans-Juergen Meissner, Bjoern Hauer
  • Patent number: 6961165
    Abstract: The invention provides a panel fixing plate as an optical modulation device retainer having a substantially c-shaped fixing section body viewed from the top, an arm section formed at a tip side of the fixing section body, a pin protruding from the arm section, and a spring member biasing an emission-side polarization plate as an optical conversion element with respect to the fixing section body. Liquid crystal panels, each as light modulators, are securely fixed to a panel fixing plate with the pin inserted into each corresponding hole. The emission-side polarization plate can be inserted into the substantially c-shaped fixing section body when viewed from the top so as to be biased and fixed to the fixing section body by the spring member. An optical modulation device retainer, an optical device, and a projector of this invention, light modulators and/or optical conversion elements can be exchanged with ease, and the reworkability can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Taisuke Uehara
  • Patent number: 6953268
    Abstract: A light modulating device comprising a plurality of light modulating elements modulating the light that is incident thereto and emitting the light, wherein each of the light modulating elements is formed from a micro electronic machinery which is two-dimensionally arranged, and the transmittance can be controlled so as to vary for each of the light modulating elements. The light modulating device further comprises a lens array on a light-incident side of the light modulating elements, and the lens array condenses the incident light, which impinges on each of the light modulating elements, into a region whose area is smaller than an area occupied by each of the light modulating elements at a light-incident side thereof. Consequently, the light modulating device, in which usability of the light is improved and resolution is increased in the projection exposure, and the exposure apparatus using the same can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Kimura, Hiroshi Sunagawa
  • Patent number: 6935749
    Abstract: In a projection display device, a plurality of light emitting diode elements are arranged to make up a light emitting diode element array, and a plurality of the light emitting diode element arrays are assembled to form a light source array. The device comprises a mechanism for moving the light source array; a light source driver circuit for turning on each of the light emitting diode elements within the light emitting diode element array; and a control circuit for controlling the lighting of each light emitting diode element. A first and a second fly-eye lens are each composed of a plurality of rectangular elemental lenses assembled in an array form, where the element lenses are identical in quantity to the light emitting diode element arrays. The light source moving mechanism reciprocates the overall light source array in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of, the first fly-eye lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: NEC Viewtechnology, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Kato
  • Patent number: RE39040
    Abstract: A projection-type display apparatus in accordance with the invention reduces the margin formed around the image forming range of the light valves, and forms a bright projected image. Emitted light from a light source lamp unit of a projection-type display apparatus illuminates liquid crystal light valves of each color via an integrator optical system. First and second lens plates of an integrator optical system that serves as a uniform illuminating optical system are disposed such that the attachment position thereof is capable of fine adjustment in a direction vertical to the optical axis. By performing fine adjustment of the attachment position of these, the forming position of the illumination range B can be adjusted to include the image forming range A of the liquid crystal light valves. Accordingly, there is no need to provide a wide margin around the image forming range A, taking shifting of the forming position of the illumination range B into consideration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Ogawa, Shinji Haba, Akitaka Yajima, Toshiaki Hashizume, Hisashi Iechika