Abstract: An optical element and a projection system using the same are provided. The optical element comprises a light-condensing part for condensing lights from a light source, and the light-condensing part includes a reflecting surface and a refracting surface, and a light-guide part, coupled to an output end of the light-condensing part, for uniformly emitting the lights condensed by the light-condensing part. The optical element and the projection system of the present invention are capable of providing an enhanced light uniformity and a high light-coupling efficiency.

Abstract: Light-collecting illumination systems are disclosed, which include a light source module, a first meniscus lens having a convex side and a concave side and a second meniscus lens having a convex side and a concave side. The concave side of the second meniscus lens is adjacent to the convex side of the first meniscus lens and the concave side of the first meniscus lens faces the light source module for receiving light therefrom. In addition, light-collecting illumination systems are disclosed, which include a plurality of light source modules and a system of optical elements comprising a plurality of pairs of meniscus lenses, each pair being associated with a light source module.

Abstract: An integrated light gathering reflector and optical element holder for a projection device includes opposing first and second members. Each of the first and second members define a light gathering reflector portion and an optical element holder portion. The shape of the first member is substantially identical to a shape of the second member.

Abstract: A time-sequential colour projector comprises a pixellated light valve (2), such as a liquid crystal device, and a plurality of light sources (30, 31, 32). The light sources (30, 31, 32) direct light on different sets of pixels of the light valve (2) via an optical system (1), such as a lens array, which focuses the light on pixels of the light valve (2). At least two of the light sources (30, 31, 32) are multiple colour light sources and the multiple colour light sources emit different colour components during each set of frames making up a complete image frame.

Abstract: A projection lens apparatus includes a plurality of lenses, for enlarging and projecting, onto a screen, an original image displayed on an image generation source. The plurality of lenses are arranged, beginning with the lens nearest the screen, as first to sixth lens groups. The fourth lens group includes one meniscus lens that has a positive refracting power and has a concave lens surface directed toward the screen. The concave lens surface of the meniscus lens included in the fourth group lens has a curvature in the vicinity of an outer portion of the concave lens surface that is smaller than a curvature in a predetermined area of the concave lens surface defined between a light axis of the concave lens surface of the meniscus lens and the smaller curvature of the concave lens surface in the vicinity of the outer portion of the concave lens surface.

Abstract: A projection system is provided. The projection system includes a light source, a color filter separating light emitted from the light source into colored light, a light-path converter converting a path of the colored light that has passed through the color filter, a lens having a positive refractive power in order to condense the light from the light-path converter, a display device processing the light that has passed through the lens in response to an input signal and forming a color image, and a projection lens unit enlarging and projecting the color image onto a screen.

Abstract: An image projection apparatus. The image projection apparatus comprises a light source and LCD panel. The LCD panel comprises a plurality of pixels and color filters thereon. Light from the light source is projected to the pixels along an irradiative path and the LCD panel selectively reflects the projected light in accordance with an image signal along a projective path, wherein an angle between the irradiative and projective paths exceeds 0°.

Abstract: A quasi-axial optical imagery projection system is disclosed in this paper. The system includes optical imagery sets; each may be lenses, mirrors, or a combination of both. The system also has a light source close to an imager, which may be a planar mask with a pattern, a LCD imager, or other suitable imagers. The system also has a display screen. Both the imager and the display screen are set at acute angles with respect to an optical axis so that what is projected on the display screen is a magnified image of the imager by a magnification factor that has a transverse component and a longitudinal component. This quasi-axial projection system may be made thinner than other rear projection system of comparable screen size.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention can provide a projector that includes three optical modulators which modulate respectively red light, green light, and blue light, a color-synthetic optical system which synthesizes the light modulated by the three optical modulators, and a projection optical system which projects the light synthesized by the color-synthetic optical system. The color-synthetic optical system can include a first reflection film that reflects the green light, and a second reflection film that reflects the blue light, the first reflection film and the second reflection film are arranged in the shape of an X character, and a wavelength in which a reflectance factor of the first reflection film comes to 50% can be longer than a wavelength in which a reflectance factor of the second reflection film comes to 50%.

Abstract: An image display device includes an image processing unit, a light source assembly, an optical modulator assembly, and a projection lens assembly. The image processing unit is configured to receive a video signal and generate image data and control signals. The light source assembly and optical modulator assembly are each controlled by the control signals such that the light source assembly generates illumination in a spatial distribution pattern that is coupled to optical modular assembly via a homogenizing device. The projection lens assembly is configured to project an image from the optical modulator assembly onto a viewing surface. The optical modular assembly is configured to maximize the amount of illumination coupled from the light source assembly, and includes at least one optical modulator surface configured to have a substantially 1:1 aspect ratio.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is discloses for providing a substantially uniform, homogenous, polarized light. A beam of substantially un-polarized light is provided by a conventional light source. The un-polarized light is converted to at least four real images by using a light pipe and appropriate lensing. Each of the real images have a light region and one more dark regions at a first image plane. A portion of light from a light region in each real image is directed to one or more dark regions in each of the real images in a polarization dependent manner and the altered image is into a single image of substantially polarized light.

Abstract: An optical device includes a source such as an LED, a microdisplay such as an LCoS panel, and one or more cylindrical lens surfaces that (in combination if more than one) changes the aspect ratio of light emanating from the source to the aspect ratio of the microdisplay without clipping. The cylindrical optical surface defines parallel cross sections, each of which define a center of curvature such that the centers of curvatures together define a line that crosses an optical axis between the microdisplay and the source, or an extension or that axis. Changing the aspect ratio in this manner preserves total luminance since clipping is not used to change the aspect ratio, and provides a substantially uniform illumination across the new aspect ratio. Also detailed is a method and further details of an exemplary pocket sized optical engine for which the output of the microdisplay is directed to a projection lens.

Abstract: A temperature control system and method for projection device lenses. The temperature control system includes a controllable heater for selectively heating one or more lenses pad a controller for adjusting heat from the heat source responsive to an operating condition.

Abstract: A lens module (800) includes a lens barrel (20), a base (10), and a temperature compensation module (30). A first lens (201) is disposed in the lens barrel. The lens barrel is disposed in the base. The temperature compensation module is detachably installed in the base, and the temperature compensation module includes a temperature compensation lens (302). The temperature compensation lens is configured for compensating for deformation of the first lens caused by temperature changes.

Abstract: A projector of rear-projection type including a light source that outputs a laser beam and a scanner that scans a screen with the laser beam. When a laser beam with energy exceeds an accessible emission limit due to failure of the light source or the scanner, at least one optical member located in an optical path of the laser beam is arranged so as to be broken or altered in quality and to prevent or discourage the beam with energy exceeding the accessible emission limit from being output from the screen.

Abstract: An optical projection system which creates pincushion distortion of an image and then creates a barrel distortion of the pincushion-distorted image to compensate for the pincushion distortion and then projects an enlarged image without substantial distortion onto an image display surface. An embodiment includes a polynomial reflector to compensate for the pincushion distortion, to enlarge an image, and to project the enlarged image toward a screen.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for modulating light in an image display system includes generating a plurality of light beams. The amount of light beams that are received by a modulator is selectively varied, and the modulated light beams are received at the modulator.

Abstract: An image projection system projects an image on a projection screen having a phosphor for converting incident violet light into green light which, together with red and blue light, creates the image in full color. The screen includes an apertured mask having apertures filled with the phosphor, or a phosphor plate in contact with the mask and having lenslets extending through and past the apertures.

Abstract: A projector includes: a light source device that emits substantially parallel illumination light; a first lens array having a plurality of first small lenses each of which divides the illumination light coming from the light source device into a plurality of partial light fluxes; a second lens array having a plurality of second small lenses corresponding to the first small lenses; a superposing optical system that superposes the partial light fluxes coming from the second lens array on regions to be illuminated; a color-separating and guiding optical system that separates the lights coming from the second lens array into lights in a plurality of different colors and guides the separated lights to the regions to be illuminated; a plurality of electro-optical modulation devices each of which modulates the light in the corresponding color of the lights in the plural colors separated by the color-separating and guiding optical system in accordance with image information; a color synthesizing optical system that s

Abstract: A three-dimensional display device includes a two-dimensional display displaying a depthwise image, and a variable focal length micromirror array lens receiving light from the two-dimensional display and forming a corresponding image in the required location in space. Each depthwise image represents a portion of an object or scene having the same image depth, and the two-dimensional display displays one depthwise image at a time. The focal length of the variable focal length micromirror array lens changes according to the depth of the depthwise image being displayed. The variable focal length micromirror array lens has enough speed and focusing depth range for the realistic three-dimensional display.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus comprises a small-plane light source having diffusion radiation characteristics, a columnar light leading member, having an incident end surface, an outgoing radiation end surface and a reflection surface, configured to reflect on the reflection surface, at least a part of a light ray from small-plane light source collected from the incident end surface, thereby leading the light to the outgoing radiation end surface, and an angle position converting member configured to convert an outgoing light angle intensity of the outgoing light from the outgoing radiation end surface of the columnar light leading member into a position intensity in a predetermined irradiation area.

Abstract: A projection display system comprises an illumination device, a prism assembly, a projection lens and a reflective light valve. The prism assembly has a first light incident surface, a first light emitting surface and a second light emitting surface. The first light emitting surface is an optical curved surface. An illumination beam is incident on the light valve after it enters the prism assembly from the first light incident surface. A modulated beam is generated after it is processed through the light valve. Finally, the modulated beam is projected into the projection lens through the prism assembly. Because a surface of the prism assembly is set to be an optical curved surface to replace a lens in the projection lens or the illumination device, a back focal length of the system is shortened and the projection lens or the illumination device is simplified.

Abstract: Described is an optical lens having a light-receiving surface facing a light source and a first structured surface opposite a first portion of the light-receiving surface. The first structured surface includes a plurality of first reflecting surfaces and first refractive surfaces. Each of the first refractive surfaces receives light from a corresponding first reflective surface for refractive transmission therethrough. The optical system may further include a second structured surface opposite a second portion of the light-receiving surface. The second structured surface includes a plurality of second refractive surfaces. Each of the second refractive surfaces receives light directly from the light-receiving surface.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for projecting an image, such as a diffused image, are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention can provide a projector capable of projecting a high-quality image by illumination that does not produce a difference in size among illumination areas for respective colors including red, green, and blue. A light-source light from a light source can be separated into color lights by first and second dichroic mirrors provided in a color separation system, which independently go incident on corresponding liquid crystal light valves as illumination lights. Herein, a mutual chromatic aberration can be corrected by adjusting, as needed, the radii of curvature of respective field lenses provided in the color separation system for use in adjusting angles of incidence of illumination lights with respect to the liquid crystal light valves. This configuration makes it possible to illuminate the respective liquid crystal light valves by illumination areas of exactly the same size, which in turn enables a high-quality image having no display shadow to be projected.

Abstract: A light source device (10) has: a light-emitting tube (11) including a light-emitting portion (111) that emits a light beam through electrodes (114) and a pair of sealing portions (112, 113) provided on both sides of the light-emitting portion (111) and lead wires (200, 210) for making electrical continuity between the electrodes (114) and an external power source, the lead wires (200, 210) extending from the distal ends of the sealing portions (112, 113), respectively; and a reflector (12) having a concave reflecting surface (124) that emits, from the opening thereof, the light beam irradiated by the light-emitting tube (11) after aligning in a predetermined direction, in which the lead wire (200) extends from the sealing portion (112) on the light beam irradiation front side of the reflector (12) up to the opening end portion (125) of the reflector (12), the lead wire (200) having bent portions (221, 222, 223) in which the lead wire (200) is sequentially bent along the shape of the opening edge portion (125

Abstract: Each shading plate comprises a rotating shaft and a driving shaft arranged vertically. First divided shading plate is loosely fitted to and supported by (not adhere to) the rotating shaft and rotates around the shaft. Second divided shading plates are fixed to the rotating shafts and rotate by rotating movement of the shafts. A driving shaft is connected longitudinally to (not adhere to) an edge of the first divided shading plate and supply power to rotate the first divided shading plates. Recesses are formed at the center of upper short side and at the center of lower short side of the first divided shading plate and the first divided shading plate and the second divided shading plates which form one and the same shading plate are so constructed that their short sides are overlapped each other.

Abstract: A light source module is provided. The light source module includes a reflector, a light source, a transparent cover, a fluorescent material layer, and an optical lens. The light source is disposed inside the reflector, and the light source is suitable for emitting light including white light. The light source is enveloped with the transparent cover and the reflector. The fluorescent material layer is disposed on the transparent cover and the light emitted from the light source is suitable for exciting the fluorescent material layer to emit red light. The optical lens is disposed on an optical path of the light source, and the transparent cover is located between the optical lens and the light source. By utilizing the aforementioned structures, the intensity of the red light can be increased. Moreover, an optical projection system is also provided.

Abstract: A light illumination system for projecting a color image to a digital micro-mirror display (DMD) panel includes a light-emitting diode (LED) illumination assembly (101, 102, 103), a dichroic combiner (107) for providing a single light source and a condenser lens system (FIGS. 20-23) for directing light from the single light source to the DMD panel. The invention provides a cost effective and efficient system for providing a non-polarized uniform light source to a DMD panel.

Abstract: A polarized light illumination system includes a light emitting diode (LED) (601, 602, 603) for providing a source of light that is directed to a non-polarizing dichroic combiner (607) for combining light from the LEDs into a single light source. A power beam splitter (PBS) (608) is then used for splitting the single light source into polarized light components and an output waveguide (611) operates to provide a source of uniformly illuminated light. A condenser lens (612) then projects the uniformly illuminated light to a microdisplay panel (613) for use with a television receiver or other type of display monitor.

Abstract: An illumination device and a projection system including the same are disclosed. The illumination device can implement a small-sized and high-efficiency projection system, and the projection system includes the illumination device. The projection system generates a light signal in which a luminous flux is maximally distributed, and displays a desired image using the generated light signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for adjusting light intensity for discharge lamp projectors with an optical assembly that contains a spherical mirror and a discharge lamp, and a Fresnel lens provided in front of the lamp of the optical assembly. The device is characterized in that an iris diaphragm (5) is provided on the optical assembly, in front of the lamp, in correspondence with the focus of the optical assembly.

Abstract: An light emitting apparatus which illuminates an illumination area has a first light source which emits a first light, a second light source which emits a second light, a wheel which is provided with a transmission filter area which transmits the first light, and a reflection area which reflects the second light, a wheel driving unit which controls a rotation of the wheel, and drives the wheel, a light emitting optical unit which leads the first light which transmits the transmission filter area, or the second light which is reflected by the reflection area to the illumination area, in which the light which is led to the illumination area by the light emitting optical unit is at least two colors of light which are successively changed over in the time series.

Abstract: An optical projection system comprises a light source, a substantially planar optical element array for receiving light emitted from the light source, and a display panel for selectively outputting light from the optical element array. The optical element array includes an optically transmissive substrate material and a plurality of optical micro-elements formed on at least one surface of the substrate material. The display panel has a plurality of pixels for selectively outputting light output from the optical element array. The micro-elements can include micro-lenses, micro-prisms, micro-waveguides, or any suitable combination of the foregoing, configured to alter the characteristics of light emitted from the light source to create a desired illumination source.

Abstract: An illuminator comprising two light source sections (101, 102), a rod integrator (1), and a relay lens system (4) for introducing a light flux emitted from the rod integrator (1), wherein the rod integrator (1) is a columnar optical element having an incident end face (130F) and an exit end face (130B). One pair of opposite side faces out of four side faces are formed so that the planes face each other in parallel while the other pair of opposite side faces form a taper face where the planes face each other while inclining at a specified angle such that the opposite side faces recede from the incident end face (130F) toward the exit end face (130B). Lights from the two light source sections (101, 102) are converged to the vicinity of the incident end face (130F) of the rod integrator (1).

Abstract: A reflector includes a body that defines an optical surface. A reflective surface is disposed on the optical surface including a stack of dielectric layers defining at least one notch filter.

Abstract: In a projection display device that is provided with a relay lens for converting flux that is emitted from a light source to a parallel flux for illuminating an image display element (DMD), and a total internal reflection prism for both directing flux that is emitted from the relay lens to the DMD and directing flux that is reflected by the DMD toward a projection lens, the relay lens is unified with the prism as a lens-integral prism by bonding the relay lens to the total internal reflection surface of the prism.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes: a group of light source segments; a group of condenser lenses arrayed as opposed to the group of light source segments, and a group of rectangular lens elements arrayed as opposed to the group of condenser lenses for converging a light ray transmitted through the opposing condenser lens; and an illumination optical system for guiding the rays to an illumination plane. The lens elements have a shape of a rectangle and are arrayed in a rectangular effective area in such a way that a longitudinal axis of each lens elements intersects an axis passing a side of the effective area at 45°.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention can provide an image display device that can include light sources provided, respectively, for regions obtained by dividing an image forming region of an electro-optic modulator into plural regions to irradiate corresponding regions, and a light source control portion that performs lighting control on the light sources. The light source control portion can perform the lighting control on the light sources for the respective region independently in sync with writing of image data to the electro-optic modulator, and the lighting control can be performed in such a manner that the light source corresponding to at least one region among the plural regions is kept unlit in a writing period for a screenful of image data.

Abstract: A first light-source unit and a second light-source unit are disposed in such a manner that those respective optical axes intersect approximately perpendicularly to each other, a reflective polarizing plate is disposed in the intersecting position of both optical axes at an angle of approximately 45°, a reflecting mirror is disposed approximately parallel with the reflective polarizing plate to reflect two light beams in the same direction on one of first and second optical paths emerging from the reflective polarizing plate, and secondary images of the first and second light-source units formed on each of lens cells of a second lens array plate by a first lens array plate are focused at respective different positions on the same lens cell.

Abstract: An optical relay includes a first lens, a lens module, and a second lens. The first lens is configured to receive modulated light from a first spatial light modulator. The first lens is configured to refract the modulated light into the lens module. The lens module is configured to collimate and focus the modulated light into the second lens. The second lens is configured to refract the modulated light onto a second spatial light modulator.

Abstract: The present invention includes a light source which emits a plurality of lights having different wavelength areas, a plurality of image forming devices which are arranged on respective optical paths for the lights emitted by the light source and which are irradiated with the lights to form images via the lights, magnifying devices which process and magnify the respective images formed by the image forming devices to form magnified images, synthesizing devices placed on respective optical paths for the lights via which the magnified images are transmitted, the synthesizing devices superimposing the lights on one another to synthesize the magnified images together to form a synthesized image, and a projection lens placed on an optical path for the light formed by the synthesizing device to project the light.

Abstract: A display optical system and an image projector incorporating the same. The display optical system includes a light source operable to emit light; a plurality of reflective light-modulating devices; a plurality of optical elements; a projection optical system including at least one refractive lens; and an optical curved-surface having a finite radius of curvature and interposed between the projection optical system and at least one of the plurality of reflective light-modulating devices, wherein the optical elements are arranged to guide light from the light source to the reflective light-modulating devices and to guide outgoing light from the reflective light-modulating devices to the projection optical system, and wherein the at least one refractive lens of the projection optical system projects incoming light to a predetermined plane.

Abstract: A lightweight, compact image projection module, especially for mounting in a housing having a light-transmissive window, is operative for causing selected pixels in a raster pattern to be illuminated to produce an image of high resolution of VGA quality in monochrome, color or gray scale. Edge-emitting light emitting diodes are employed, together with mutually orthogonal cylindrical lenses, to render the module with a short, slim form factor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an illumination system and projection system using the same. The present invention can eliminate the reflective light on the internal optical surface of the optical system, using the phase plate and linear polarizer, in the color sequential driving of illuminating at least two colors on the single display panel at a random moment. The phase plate converts the incident light from a linearly polarized light to a circularly polarized light, and vice versa. And, the linear polarizer transmits the linearly polarized light of the incident light in the specific direction. Therefore, the present invention prevents the degradation of color purity generated from the mutual intrusion of light of at least two colors, thereby enhancing quality of color image.

Abstract: A projection display including first through third light source units to radiate first through third light beams having different colors, respectively, a light path combining unit to combine paths of the first through third light beams, an optical modulator to sequentially modulate the first through third light beams according to image information, and a projection lens unit to magnify and project the modulated light beams onto a screen. The light path combining unit includes first and second prisms. The first prism includes first and second incidence surfaces, through which the first and second light beams are incident, respectively, a first emission surface, and a first selective reflection surface to transmit the second light beam toward the first emission surface.

Abstract: An illumination optical system which can use light from a light source with high efficiency and can provide an illumination luminous flux with highly uniform illuminance, is disclosed. The illumination optical system illuminates an illumination surface with a generally telecentric illumination luminous flux. In light intensity distribution of illumination light on the illumination surface changing depending on a deviation angle of an incident ray with respect to a normal to the illumination surface, the illumination optical system operates the illumination luminous flux such that a ratio of angle widths at which light intensity reaches half of a peak value in each of two axis directions orthogonal to each other on the illumination surface is an aspect ratio of 2:1.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3-D) display system using a variable focal length lens includes at least one two-dimensional (2-D) display device, configured to display at least one two-dimensional image. The display system also includes an array of micromirror array lenses optically coupled to the display device, each micromirror array lens of the array of micromirror array lenses placed at a different location with respect to the display device, configured to focus the at least one two-dimensional image from each different location to provide a three-dimensional (3-D) image. The advantages of the present invention include increased viewing angles and wide depth range of three-dimensional images.

Abstract: An optical projection device including an illumination system, a reflective light valve and a projection lens is provided. The adjustable reflection sheet is disposed behind the adjustable rod integrator along the light transmission path of the light beam. In addition, the reflective light valve is disposed behind the adjustable reflection sheet along the light transmission path of the light beam. The adjustable rod integrator can shift the light transmission path of the light beam so as to be incident to the reflective light valve. Moreover, the projection lens is disposed behind the reflective light valve along the light transmission path of the light beam. The adjustable reflection sheet can shift the light transmission path of the light beam so as to pass through the stopper of the projection lens.

Abstract: The present invention provides a small projection type display apparatus capable of suppressing an optical path of incident light and an optical path of output light in a reflection type light valve from being overlapped with each other and obtaining a projected image of high quality; a rear projector and a multi-vision system using the same. The lens element 5 is composed of one piano-convex lens, and is placed between the reflection type light valve and the projection lens system with a convex surface directed to the projection lens system. The illumination light passes through the lens element to illuminate the reflection type light valve, and the modulated light output from the reflection type light valve passes through the lens element to be incident upon the projection lens system.