Abstract: Disclosed is a projector, the projector including a light source, an illumination unit illuminating light incident from the light source, and a display device enabling to realize an image by receiving the light irradiated from the illumination unit, and whose center is positioned at an axis different from an optical axis of the illumination unit.

Abstract: A collimator lens unit includes at least two lenses and substantially collimates a beam of light emitted from a solid-state light source unit of a Lambert emission type, wherein at least two faces of incidence faces and emission faces of the lenses constituting the two lenses are aspheric faces, one front aspheric face located close to the solid-state light source unit has a function of changing a luminous flux density distribution of the beam of light emitted from the solid-state light source unit to a predetermined luminous flux density distribution in which the luminous flux density in the vicinity of an optical axis of the collimator lens unit is higher than the luminous flux density in a peripheral portion separated from the optical, the rear aspheric face farthest from the solid-state light source unit has a function of substantially collimating the beam of light.

Abstract: An imaging system and an optical engine comprising the imaging system are provided. The imaging system in this invention at least comprises a lens assembly, a light valve, and a Fresnel lens. The Fresnel lens is formed with a receiving portion adapted to correspondingly receive at least one portion of the lens assembly and replaces the conventional aspheric lens to focus a light ray onto the light valve. The light valve reflects the light ray into the lens assembly for imaging. Thereby, the Fresnel lens is adapted to decrease the surface area of the receiving portion to eliminate the influence of stray light on the imaging quality and to economize lens material costs.

Abstract: In a projection optical system for use in an image projection apparatus illuminating an image display panel forming an image in accordance with a modulating signal with illumination light from a light source, the projection optical system includes first and second optical systems arranged along an optical path defining an upstream-downstream direction in the order described from upstream to downstream on the downstream side of the image display panel. The first optical system includes at least one dioptric system and has positive power. The second optical system includes at least one reflecting surface having power and has positive power. The image formed by the image display panel is formed as an intermediate image in the optical path, and the intermediate image is magnified and projected.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a first image pick-up unit, a projecting unit that projects imaging light, an optical unit that transmits part of light entering from a first image pick-up direction and guides the part of the light to the first image pick-up unit while reflecting part of the imaging light projected from the projecting unit and outputting the reflected light in the first image pick-up direction, and reflects part of light entering from a second image pick-up direction and guides the part of the light to the first image pick-up unit while transmitting part of the imaging light projected from the projecting unit and outputting the part of the imaging light in the second image pick-up direction, and an attenuating unit that is movably placed between two positions.

Abstract: A light source unit includes a light emitting element, a substrate on which the light emitting surface is disposed, a sealing portion which transmits light from the light emitting surface, and a collimator lens having an inverted truncated hexagonal pyramid shape for forming light emitted from the sealing portion into a bundle of parallel rays of light, the sealing portion having two or more convexly curved surfaces which project in a direction in which light is emitted therefrom.

Abstract: A stereo projection optical system includes a first polarizing beam splitter, a transmission-type light modulator positioned to receive the first polarized light component from the first polarizing light splitter and an image assimilator positioned to receive an emergent light of the transmission-type light modulator. The image assimilator includes a second polarized light splitter and first, second reflective spatial light modulators. The stereo projection optical systems provide viewers three-dimensional images formed by two alternative polarization light beams whose polarizations are perpendicular to each other utilizing the transmission-type light modulators to form “3-D” images.

Abstract: Optical system for a projector, comprising: at least a first polarizing beam splitter for splitting a source illumination beam into a first illumination beam linearly polarized along a first direction and a second illumination beam polarized perpendicular to the first direction; at least one color wheel intersecting the polarized illumination beams in two different regions and producing a first color beam linearly polarized along the first direction and a perpendicularly polarized second color beam; and two imagers illuminated by the first and second polarized color beams respectively.

Abstract: An adjusting mechanism for a rod module adapted to an optical engine is provided. The adjusting mechanism utilizes two wedge-shaped blocks moving in perpendicular directions so as to convert the vertical adjustment of horizontal adjusting component into horizontal adjustment of an LIR module. Therefore, operators may adjust the horizontal and vertical position of the rod module from the same side of the projector, thus increasing the convenience in adjusting the position of the rod module.

Abstract: A projector includes a light source device, a light modulation device, and an exterior casing. The projector is arranged so as to be installed in a desktop mount position and a ceiling suspension position. The light source device includes an elliptic reflector having a nearly ellipsoidal reflection surface and converging and outputting a luminous flux radiated from a light source lamp in a certain direction, and a parallelizing lens that parallelizes the converged light of the elliptic reflector, and a lens supporting part that supports the parallelizing lens and makes a position of the parallelizing lens relative to the light source device main body changeable according to the position of the projector is provided.

Abstract: A light source unit and a projector apparatus secure a certain light quantity by improving the utilization efficiency of light, and thereby realize miniaturization. The light source unit includes a reflector having an opening for housing a lamp and an opening for radiating light, the reflector having an inner surface subjected to mirror surface working to be shaped in a polynomial surface, a light source equipped with a bulb and an electrode introducing unit guiding an electrode to the bulb, the bulb being inserted into the reflector from the opening and being disposed so that a focus position of the light reflected by an inner wall of the reflector is not located on the electrode introducing unit, and a condenser lens condensing the light emitted from the reflector, the condenser lens disposed so as to be located on an optical axis of light emitted from the light source.

Abstract: A projector includes: a light source that emits an illumination flux; a first lens array having plural first small lenses that split the illumination flux from the light source into plural partial luminous fluxes; a second lens array having plural second small lenses corresponding to the plural first small lenses; a superimposing lens that superimposes each partial luminous flux from the second lens array onto an illuminated area; an electro-optic modulator that modulates the light superimposed by the superimposing lens in accordance with image information; and a projection system that projects the light modulated by the electro-optic modulator; wherein the projector further has an optical lens arranged in an optical path between the superimposing lens and the electro-optic modulator, and the optical lens, together with the superimposing lens, forms a superimposing system that has a different focal length from the focal length of the superimposing lens and that has substantially the same focal position as the

Abstract: A projection system that projects a text or subtitle box onto an image minimizes the contrast between the text box and the image. A transition region surrounding the text box minimizes visual disruption to the image onto which the text box is projected. The positions of optical elements of a text projector enable the text box to gradually fade out. The text projector has a lamp that defines an object plane and a light path modifier. The light path modifier is offset from the object plane, toward the lamp to blend the borders of the text box into the image projected by an image projector.

Abstract: A light source apparatus comprising a lamp having a light emitting portion of generating light, a first concave mirror having a first opening provided on a light-using side on which the generated light is used and a second opening provided on an opposite side to the light-using side and having the light emitting portion of the lamp placed inside, and a second concave mirror having a predetermined size to reflect on the light emitting portion side of the lamp the light which comes or should come out of the second opening and placed at a predetermined position in relation to a position at which the second opening is provided, and wherein the size of the second opening is provided so that an amount of the used light becomes substantially maximum.

Abstract: An adjusting device for positioning an integration rod within an optical engine module is provided. The optical engine module includes a casing having four sidewalls defining an optical path. The integration rod is disposed in the optical path. Each sidewall has a screw hole. The adjusting device includes two adjusting screws extending through the screw holes in two adjacent sidewalls of the casing in order to abut against the integration rod, thereby adjusting the position of the integration rod in the optical path and two positioning screws extending through the screw holes in remaining two adjacent sidewalls of the casing to abut against the integration rod for immobilizing the integration rod within the casing.

Abstract: A light integrator for a display device is provided. The light integrator may include a first light tunnel configured to receive a light beam, increase the uniformity of the light distribution in the light beam, and output the light beam, the first light tunnel having a first optical axis. The light integrator may further include a redirection component configured to receive the light beam from the first light tunnel and redirect the light beam to a second light tunnel configured to further increase the uniformity of the light distribution in the light beam and transmit the light beam to downstream optical components, the second light tunnel having a second optical axis forming an angle less than 180 degrees and non-perpendicular with the first optical axis.

Abstract: A lens array optical system includes a first lens array that includes plural first lens cells arranged in first and second directions, the first lens array being configured to split a light flux to plural split light fluxes and to condense each split flux; and a second lens array that includes plural second lens cells arranged in the first and second directions, each second lens cell being configured to receive the split lights from each first lens cell, wherein a ratio between a width of an arrangement area of the first lens cells and a width of an arrangement area of the second lens cells in the first direction is different from a ratio between a width of an arrangement area of the first lens cells and a width of an arrangement area of the second lens cells in the second direction, and wherein at least one of the first and second lens arrays has a toric surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a projection display system includes a spatial light modulator and a volume illumination hologram. The spatial light modulator comprises a digital micromirror device, and the projection system includes a laser light source to produce a sequence of collimated, colored, light beams for the illumination hologram. Waste light produced by the spatial light modulator is transmitted to the illumination hologram, and the illumination hologram emits waste light from at least one of its edges. Waste light emitted from an edge of the illumination hologram is absorbed by a light sensor to control the intensity of the light beams. A projection focusing element is mounted proximate a side of the illumination hologram to focus the image beam from the spatial light modulator for viewing. A projection hologram is interposed between the side of the illumination hologram and the projection focusing element to manage waste light.

Abstract: A projection optical system for use in an image projection apparatus illuminating an image display panel forming an image in accordance with a modulating signal with illumination light from a light source. The projection optical system includes first and second optical systems arranged along an optical path defining an upstream-downstream direction in the order described from upstream to downstream on the downstream side of the image display panel. The first optical system includes at least one dioptric system and has positive power. The second optical system includes at least one reflecting surface having power and has positive power. The image formed by the image display panel is formed as an intermediate image in the optical path, and the intermediate image is magnified and projected.

Abstract: A projection optical system for use in an image projection apparatus illuminating an image display panel forming an image in accordance with a modulating signal with illumination light from a light source. The projection optical system includes first and second optical systems arranged along an optical path defining an upstream-downstream direction in the order described from upstream to downstream on the downstream side of the image display panel. The first optical system includes at least one dioptric system and has positive power. The second optical system includes at least one reflecting surface having power and has positive power. The image formed by the image display panel is formed as an intermediate image in the optical path, and the intermediate image is magnified and projected.

Abstract: A projection optical system for use in an image projection apparatus illuminating an image display panel forming an image in accordance with a modulating signal with illumination light from a light source. The projection optical system includes first and second optical systems arranged along an optical path defining an upstream-downstream direction in the order described from upstream to downstream on the downstream side of the image display panel. The first optical system includes at least one dioptric system and has positive power. The second optical system includes at least one reflecting surface having power and has positive power. The image formed by the image display panel is formed as an intermediate image in the optical path, and the intermediate image is magnified and projected.

Abstract: A projection display device includes a three-color LED source having a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED, a light pipe for making uniform illumination distribution of light emitted from the three-color LED source, an optical lens for making the light from the light pipe into parallel light, and a light modulation element for modulating the light from the optical lens. The optical lens includes a first toroidal lens element provided with a first entrance face on which the light whose angle with respect to an optical axis is a predetermined angle is incident to image the light, and a first exit face which emits the light incident from the first entrance face, and a second lens element provided with a second entrance face which is adjacently disposed to the first exit face in an optical axis direction.

Abstract: A display system (100, 200, 300, 350, 400, 450) for displaying an image is described. The display system (100, 200, 300, 350, 400, 450) typically comprises one or a plurality of individual light sources (102) and a light collecting stage (110, 210, 310, 410) which comprises a separate light collecting sub-system associated with each light source (102), or group of light sources (102). The display system (100, 200, 300, 350, 400, 450) typically comprises at least one light modulator (120) which is operable to modulate light received from the light collecting stage (110, 210, 310, 410) according to an image which is to be displayed. Finally a projection stage (130) is provided for projecting the image, typically on a projection screen. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method. The present invention is especially useful with light sources having a packaging around the light emitting surface such that the light sources cannot be physically placed adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A light source unit which is reduced in size while securing a certain quantity of light by increasing the utilization efficiency of light and a projector system utilizing the light source unit. The light source unit includes a reflector whose internal surface is planished to provide a mirror reflection effect and which is formed with a lamp accommodation opening and a light emitting opening, a light source including a bulb which radiates light and a lamp comprising an electrode introducing portion that guides electrodes into the bulb, and a condenser which lies on an optical axis of the light radiated from the lamp and which is adapted to gather the light that is radiated from the lamp and that is reflected on the reflector.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described employing a first lens array and a second lens array that are separated by one focal length that receives a plurality of colors signals from an X-prism and transmits to a condenser for overlapping lenslet images onto a display panel, such as a LCOS or LCD display panel. The first lens array includes a plurality of lenslets where each lenslet in the first lens array corresponds with each lenslet in a plurality of lenslets in the second lens array. The lenslets can be either refractive, defractive, or a combination of refractive and defractive.

Abstract: The invention discloses a projecting system. The projecting system includes two sets of lens. The first set of lens has a first focal length for focusing an incident ray of light to form a first image. The second set of lens has a second focal length for projecting the first image to form a second image. The two sets of lens are separated by a lens-apex distance relative to the light path between the two sets of lens. The second focal length is smaller than or equal to the lens-apex distance. A difference between the second focal length and the lens-apex distance is smaller than or equal to a half of the first focal length.

Abstract: An imaging method. A light beam passes through a first lens set, a second lens set, an imaging device and a projection lens set. The light beam is focused in a first position. The focused light beam converges in a first relay position via the first lens set and in a second relay position via the second lens set. The optical path from the first position to the principal plane of the first lens set is defined as a first optical path, and the principal plane of the second lens set to the second relay position as the fourth optical path. The length of the first optical path is longer than twice the focal length of the first lens set, and the length of the fourth optical path is longer than twice the focal length of the second lens set.

Abstract: A displaying optical system is disclosed, which is capable of reducing a speckle noise. The displaying optical system comprises a light source emitting coherent light, a scanning device scanning the light, a first optical system causing the light from the scanning device to form an intermediate image, a second optical system causing the light from the intermediate image to form an image on a real display surface, and an optical element arranged between the first and second optical systems. The optical element widens the divergence angle of the light emerged from the optical element toward the second optical system more than the incident angle of the light on the optical element from the first optical system.

Abstract: According to particular embodiments, an illumination system includes a light source that generates light for use in illuminating a spatial light modulator and an assembly of two optical elements spatially separated by a gap that receives the light from the light source, changes the shape of the light, and transmits the light onto the spatial light modulator.

Abstract: A condenser for directing light from a UHP arc lamp or other generally cylindrical source onto a target such as a microdisplay in line with a front end of the lamp comprises a primary mirror to direct light from the source towards the back end of the condenser, and a secondary mirror at the back end of the condenser to direct the light from the primary mirror onto the target.

Abstract: A LCoS projection display system using two LCoS chips and a variable color filter.

Abstract: A projection display device is discussed, which can include a condensing lens having a refractive index higher than that of a collimating lens, thereby being capable of miniaturizing not only the collimating lens, but also lenses arranged downstream from the condensing lens.

Abstract: A light source (100) includes a plurality of light emitting devices (101), each of which output light that is collimated by a first focusing structure (103). The collimated light is input to second focusing structure (104), which focuses light from the light emitting devices as a single beam that is substantially homogeneous. The light source may be used in an LCD display, a projection system, a television system, or a computer monitor, to name a few applications.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention can provide a projector that can include a light source unit, an optical modulation element that modulates light from the light source unit on the basis of image data, a light adjusting unit that adjusts the amount of light incident on the light modulation element from the light source unit, and a control unit that controls the light modulation element and the light adjusting unit. The control unit can perform light adjustment control to adjust the amount of light according to a luminance distribution pattern of image data for the light adjusting unit and can perform correction control to correct display irregularity of image data based on the adjustment of the amount of light for the light modulation element.

Abstract: A light projector, including an elongate housing assembly and a tubular light chamber assembly that comprises a plurality of tubular components and is coaxially enclosed by the housing assembly, with optical devices positioned within the light chamber assembly.

Abstract: Image display apparatus comprising a projector, at least one primary modulator (4,6,8) for modulating light, an auxiliary modulator (36) for modulating the light modulated by the primary modulator, and an optical device (32) for relaying the light modulated by the primary modulator to the auxiliary modulator (36), the optical device (32) comprising a concave mirror and at least one refractive element.

Abstract: A light source device has: a light-emitting tube including a light-emitting portion that emits a light beam through electrodes and a pair of sealing portions provided on both sides of the light-emitting portion and lead wires for making electrical continuity between the electrodes and an external power source, the lead wires extending from the distal ends of the sealing portions, respectively; and a reflector having a concave reflecting surface that emits, from the opening thereof, the light beam irradiated by the light-emitting tube after aligning in a predetermined direction, in which the lead wire extends from the sealing portion on the light beam irradiation front side of the reflector up to the opening end portion of the reflector, the lead wire having bent portions in which the lead wire is sequentially bent along the shape of the opening edge portion. The lead wire is reliably fixed to the reflector by the spring force between the bent portions.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention can provide an illuminating device and the like capable of efficiently supplying polarized light in a particular oscillation direction and suitable for a projector having a liquid crystal type spatial light modulator. The device can include a light source that supplies light, a collimating optical system that collimates the light from the light source into a substantially parallel light, and a reflecting type polarizing plate that transmits polarized light in a particular oscillation direction in the light from the collimating optical system and reflects polarized light in an oscillation direction different from the particular oscillation direction. The light source can include a reflecting portion that reflects light reflected by the reflecting type polarizing plate and advancing in the direction of the light source toward the collimating optical system.

Abstract: An adjusting mechanism for a rod module adapted to an optical engine is provided. The adjusting mechanism utilizes two wedge-shaped blocks moving in perpendicular directions so as to convert the vertical adjustment of horizontal adjusting component into horizontal adjustment of an LIR module. Therefore, operators may adjust the horizontal and vertical position of the rod module from the same side of the projector, thus increasing the convenience in adjusting the position of the rod module.

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

Abstract: An illumination apparatus illuminating an objective illumination region comprises a plurality of illuminants having light-emitting surfaces radiating diffused light, an illuminant substrate in which the illuminants are disposed so as to be set in array on the circumference, at least one optical member configured to guide the diffused light to the objective illumination region, a movable section configured to drive the optical member so as to be rotatable around the center of the circumference serving as a rotation center, and a lighting control section configured to control a light-emitting timing of the plurality of illuminants. The movable section and the lighting control section operate together such that the quantity of light per unit time of the diffused light guided to the objective illumination region is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A three-panel projection display apparatus displays a color image by separating light emitted from a light source into lights of three primaries, i.e., red, green, and blue, with dichroic mirrors, by irradiating liquid crystal light valves with the respective separated lights, by combining the lights modulated by the respective liquid crystal light valves with a cross dichroic prism, and by projecting the combined light through a single projection lens onto a screen. The lengths of the light paths for the separated blue and green lights are equal to each other. The distance between a condenser lens and the liquid crystal light valve in the blue light path is shorter than the distance between a condenser lens and the liquid crystal light valve in the green light path.

Abstract: An improved architecture for a projector comprising a light source in the form of a lamp with a curved reflector with a distinctive focal distance for converging the light beam of the lamp; a so called cold mirror; an integration rod; a relay optics system consisting of a plurality of lenses followed by a light valve, wherein the architecture allows for the use of light sources with different focal distances.

Abstract: An optical system that projects projection light from an image generating device, onto a screen is provided. The optical system comprises: a lens system on which the projection light from the image generating device is incident; and an aspherical mirror with negative power as a whole that is disposed on an optical path between the lens system and the screen, wherein a curvature of the aspherical mirror in the radial direction changes positive to negative on a way from a center to a periphery thereof.

Abstract: A projection-type display device 1 including a light source 10, an optical integrator 20, dichroic mirrors 30 and 35, a reflecting mirror 36, a relay optical system 40, parallelizing lenses 50B, 50G and 50R, liquid crystal light valves 60B, 60G and 60R, incident side lenses 70B, 70G and 70R, a light-synthesizing cross dichroic prism 80, a relay lens 90, an emergent side lens 95, a liquid crystal light valve 100 and a projection lens 110, and liquid crystal light valve 100 is provided in the rear stage of liquid crystal light valves 60B, 60G and 60R.

Abstract: A projection optical system for use in an image projection apparatus illuminating a light valve forming an image in accordance with a modulating signal with illumination light from a light source. The projection optical system includes first and second optical systems arranged along an optical path defining an upstream-downstream direction in the order described from upstream to downstream on the downstream side of the light valve. The first optical system includes at least one dioptric system and has positive power. The second optical system includes at least one reflecting surface having power and has positive power. The image formed by the light valve is formed as an intermediate image in the optical path, and the intermediate image is magnified and projected.

Abstract: An optical assembly for a projection system includes an objective lens and a retro-focus lens. Then objective lens and retro-focus lens share one or more lens elements. A method of projecting an image comprises directing light from a light source to one or more modulators and projecting a modulated light beam using an optical assembly that includes an objective lens and a retro-focus lens that share one or more lens elements.

Abstract: An illumination optical apparatus and a projection type display apparatus capable of enhancing an illumination efficiency; having an ellipsoidal mirror, a light source arranged at a first focal point of the ellipsoidal mirror, a stop arranged closer to said light source side by a predetermined distance from a second focal point of said ellipsoidal mirror, and a positive refractive collimator lens for collimating a light flux emitted from the stop to a parallel light flux. A condition (0.01<L2/L1<0.06) is satisfied where, L1 is a distance from an apex of the ellipsoidal mirror to the second focal point thereof and, L2 (the light source side is a positive distance) is a distance from the second focal point of the ellipsoidal mirror to the stop.

Abstract: A color-mixing laser module is disclosed, which is comprised of a laser unit capable of emitting red, blue and green laser beams; a beam combiner, for receiving and converging the laser beams emitted from the laser unit and then directing the converged laser light to illuminate on a light pattern adjusting unit; and the light pattern adjusting unit, capable of receiving the converged laser light from the beam combiner for adjusting the pattern of the same.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an illumination system for use in display systems employing spatial light modulators. The illumination system comprises a fastening mechanism for securing the bonding of the walls of the light integrator of the illumination system. A heat dissipation mechanism can be alternatively provided for reducing the temperature of the illumination system by dissipating the heat thereof.