Methods Patents (Class 353/121)
  • Patent number: 7524066
    Abstract: A projector (1) includes a template memory (5), the template memory storing beforehand, for example data of template images made of only ruled lines. A displaying unit (6) of the projector (1) projects template images to a screen (S). A digital camera unit (8) carries out imaging of characters, etc., that are written on the screen (S), together with projected template images. A CPU (2) sends data of the image that is carried out imaging, to a PC (100). The PC (100) receives the image data, and stores it to a storing unit (103).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunio Sato
  • Patent number: 7520620
    Abstract: For a projector, a CPU references an exposure calculation object scope setting table stored in an exposure calculation object scope setting table storing unit, and sets the exposure calculation object scope based on a zoom volume detected by a zoom volume detector. An exposure calculation object scope for each zoom volume is stipulated in the exposure calculation object scope setting table. Next, an imaging control unit images an adjustment pattern image projected onto a screen by a CCD module, and calculates an exposure calculation value for the set exposure calculation object scope. Then, the imaging control unit controls at least one item among the shutter speed, gain, and aperture for the imaging unit to perform exposure adjustment so that the exposure calculation value is about equal to a specified exposure target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Noriaki Miyasaka
  • Patent number: 7517091
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus and system for controlling ambient light to produce controlled ambient light having predefined optical spectrum characteristics in order to effect a modified color gamut of a reflected image that is reflected from a surface. The reflected image including reflected portions of the controlled ambient light and reflected portions of a projected image directed from an image projector to the surface. The reflected image having a first color gamut in the presence of uncontrolled ambient light. The reflected image having the modified color gamut in the presence of the controlled ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Barret Lippey, Donald E. Nelsen
  • Patent number: 7517089
    Abstract: A projector is configured of a difference image generation section that generates a difference image between an all-white first calibration image and a second calibration image which includes an image having features at the center and periphery thereof, a center reference position detection section that detects a reference position of a center block area in the difference image, a peripheral reference position detection section that detects a reference position of a peripheral block area, and a projection area information generation section that generates projection area information indicating a position of a projection area, based on those reference positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 7519290
    Abstract: An electronic camera includes: an image sensor that captures an image of a subject and outputs image data; a projection device that projects an image based upon image data; a single mode switching operation member operated to select a mode; and a control device that selects a photographing operation mode in which image data output by the image sensor are saved into a recording medium or a projection operation mode in which an image is projected by the projection device based upon image data read out from the recording medium in correspondence to a position to which the single mode switching operation member is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Hirotake Nozaki
  • Patent number: 7517098
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and software product are presented for displaying notes to a presenter, in order to facilitate narration of a presentation. The items such as slides are shown seriatim on an audience screen, and are also displayed seriatim on a presenter screen. Some of the items on the presenter screen are accompanied by respective areas for the notes, whereas the items are shown on the audience screen unaccompanied by the areas for the notes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Erkki Savilampi
  • Patent number: 7517092
    Abstract: A light filter for use in an optical system for displaying image. The light filter comprising, a substantially transparent substrate and an optical coating applied to the substrate. The optical coating is applied to the substrate such that a percentage of light being directed through the filter that is attenuated varies based on a position on the substrate on which the light impinges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventor: T. Scott Engle
  • Patent number: 7513624
    Abstract: A laser projection device suitable for displaying full color images is disclosed. The LPD includes a variety of techniques for modulating laser beams produced by one or more lasers with image data to controllably produce the image using a modified raster scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dmitriy Yavid, Paul Dvorkis, Ron Goldman, Joseph Katz, Narayan Nambudiri, Miklos Stern, Chinh Tan, Carl Wittenberg, Frederick F. Wood
  • Patent number: 7503658
    Abstract: An apparatus projects at least one color of light which is attenuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Deqing Hu, Terrill D. Snyder, Daniel T. Pinard
  • Publication number: 20090066916
    Abstract: A scanning laser projector projects multiple laser beams. The multiple laser beams have angular offsets relative to each other to separate the spots created by the laser beams on a projection surface. The angular offsets are set based on the desired spacing between the spots. Parameters within a video processing path are set to allow different pixel data to be simultaneously processed for each of the projected laser beams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventor: Margaret K. Brown
  • Publication number: 20090059173
    Abstract: Methods and systems for projecting images that may be implemented to provide the ability for a user of an information handling system to view a selected projected image privately, while allowing other projected images to be publicly viewable to other users who cannot see the privately-projected image. With appropriate intervening polarization, a user may be allowed to view the projected private image and any projected publicly viewable images, and the private image and publicly viewable images may be optionally simultaneously projected if so desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Frank C. Azor, Mark A. Casparian, Reginald I. Rego
  • Patent number: 7497578
    Abstract: Crosstalk between a drive coil and a primary feedback coil is eliminated by positioning a secondary feedback coil in proximity with the drive coil for contamination by the crosstalk to the same extent as the primary feedback coil, and by processing feedback signals generated by the feedback coils to cancel the crosstalk. The drive coil is used to oscillate a scan mirror employed in an image projection arrangement or an electro-optical reader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick F. Wood
  • Patent number: 7494229
    Abstract: A projector of the invention includes: a projection lens that is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to an optical axis to project and display an image on a projection object; an imaging structure that photographs an area including at least the projected image on the projection object to take a photographed image; a shift level detection unit that detects a shift level of the projection lens; a control module that specifies a reference line to be processed in the photographed image; and a storage unit that stores a map of positional information to each shift level, where the positional information represents an expected relative line position to the projected image included in the photographed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Noriaki Miyasaka
  • Patent number: 7494226
    Abstract: An optical component of a projector is driven with a signal that contains one or more components that act to substantially cancel one or more unwanted oscillatory displacements of the optical component resulting from one or more unwanted oscillatory forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Ted W. Barnes, David C. Collins, Olan C. Way
  • Patent number: 7488079
    Abstract: A shaped screen rotates through one or more projected images of two or more projectors operating simultaneously, resulting in a dynamic, kinetic image surface which may be viewed equally well from a plurality of angles, up to 360° horizontally. By utilizing at least two projectors, the resultant composite image on the rotating screen is not only optimally viewed from any angle, but it is also animated by the movement of the screen itself, as well as by any animation within the projected image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Thinc Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Hennes
  • Publication number: 20090033875
    Abstract: A method includes generating a plurality of beams that each illuminate a separate portion of a spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator has a first dimension of a first length and a second dimension of a second length. Each of the beams spans a portion of the first length of the first dimension and a portion of the second length of the second dimension. The method also includes scrolling the plurality of beams along the second dimension of the spatial light modulator while maintaining at least a first gap between each of the plurality of beams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip Scott King, Gregory James Hewlett, Roger Mitsuo Ikeda, Jeffrey Scott Farris
  • Publication number: 20090033874
    Abstract: A device and method is provided for projecting an image within a defined content area using a plurality of projectors configured to each project a portion of an image. The device comprises a defined content area into which the image is projected by the plurality of projectors. A first group of projectors can be selected from the plurality of projectors and set at a first zoom level, then aligned and superpositioned with respect to one another to increase the pixel resolution and brightness of the projected image. The projectors can project a majority of projector light within the content area. A second group of projectors can be selected from the plurality of projectors, set at a second zoom level, aligned and superpositioned adjacent each other to project a majority of projector light within the content area. The first group of projectors can be superimposed with the second group of projectors to fill the content area and increase the pixel resolution and brightness of the projected image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Richard Aufranc, Thomas M. Carrico, Olan C. Way
  • Publication number: 20090033883
    Abstract: A projection apparatus includes an illuminating unit, an imaging unit, a lens unit, and a control unit. The illuminating unit includes a light source, and a light source driving module operable to drive the light source to provide an illumination beam. The imaging unit is operable so as to modulate the illumination beam into an image beam. The lens unit is disposed on an optical path of the image beam for projecting the image beam. The control unit is coupled electrically to the illuminating unit and the imaging unit. The control unit is configured to execute an activating thread for initializing the imaging unit after controlling initial driving of the light source by the light source driving module, and a monitoring thread for monitoring the light source driving module for a success signal that indicates successful provision of the illumination beam by the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: CORETRONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chung-Chin Lee, Ming-Che Wu, Chi-Hsun Huang, Chien-Chiu Hsueh
  • Publication number: 20090033885
    Abstract: The present invention provides a projection apparatus, comprising: a light source; a spatial light modulator for modulating the incident light emitted from the light source; a spatial light modulator control unit for generating, from an inputted image signal, a control signal for driving the spatial light modulator; and a light source control unit for receiving data corresponding to the control signal for controlling the light source to operate in one of three states consisted of a driven state, a stopped state and a standby state on the basis of the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Akira Shirai, Fusao Ishii
  • Publication number: 20090033888
    Abstract: A projecting apparatus includes: a projection unit that projects an image formed by an optical image formation element; an attitude detection device that detects an attitude of the projection unit, and outputs a detection signal; and a rotation device that rotates a projected image that is projected from the projection unit, according to a detection signal from the attitude detection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirotake Nozaki, Nobuhiro Fujinawa, Akira Ohmura
  • Patent number: 7484851
    Abstract: An image forming device for forming an image on an image forming object by irradiating the image forming object with a luminous flux corresponding to the image, the image forming device including: a lens having a zoom lens and a focus lens; a driving system; a position sensor; a controlling circuit; and a memory. When the controlling circuit receives a first command, the controlling circuit sets the target values, controls the driving system using the set target values, and performs control to record the respective positions detected by the position sensor in timing of ending the controlling of the driving system in the memory as a first adjustment value. When the controlling circuit receives a second command to read contents of the memory, the controlling circuit reads the first adjustment value from the memory, and controls the driving system using the first adjustment value as the target values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Daizo Oka
  • Publication number: 20090027629
    Abstract: An image projection method and a projector are provided to be able to change aspect ratio or resolution of a projection image, without setting of keystone correction again. The projector sets a displayable region with a shape according to an aspect ratio and a resolution of the projection image. The projector converts coordinates of the displayable region into coordinates in a screen coordinate system, and generates a rectangular area with a desired aspect ratio in a region corresponding to the displayable region in the screen coordinate system and a portion included in a projecting range. The projector converts the coordinates of a rectangular area into coordinates of a range corresponding to the rectangular area in the panel coordinate system, forms an image in a range corresponding to the rectangular area, and projects the projection image on the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: Ryouichi Yonezawa
  • Publication number: 20090027304
    Abstract: Projector alignment in a multiple-projector projection system is checked by determining a location of at least a portion of a boundary of an image field projected by at least one of the projectors and comparing the determined location of the at least the portion of the image field to a system-calibrated reference location of the at least the portion of the boundary of the image field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Richard Aufranc, Thomas M. Carrico
  • Publication number: 20090027633
    Abstract: A method of calibrating projection lens in a projector is disclosed herein. The method includes setting a coordinate matrix over a visible region of a projector, checking whether a coordinate of a mobile target of the projection lens is located within the visible region, and moving the projection lens to the coordinate of the mobile target when the coordinate of the mobile target is confirmed to be located within the visible region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Hao-Chang Tsao, Jen-Jia Chen
  • Patent number: 7481541
    Abstract: A projection system for projecting images is described. The projection system has an illumination system for generating an illumination beam comprising sequential color portions. The illumination beam is guided to a light modulating means based on light valves, which allows modulating an impinging illumination beam such that it comprises image information about an image to be displayed. The images are refreshed after an image frame time tframe. The illumination of the light modulating means for generating an image is substantially performed during a first time interval of the image frame time tframe. The latter results in an improved displaying of fast moving images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventors: Bart Maximus, Wauter Bulcke, Robert Mark Clodfelter
  • Publication number: 20090021702
    Abstract: A projection kiosk for a multi-projector digital signage system includes an enclosure and a frame disposed therein. The frame includes attachment points which can hold in position a plurality of projectors. The projectors may be aligned with sub-pixel-resolution accuracy to enable projection of pixel-aligned images onto a screen. The enclosure includes a heat ducting subsystem configured to direct air into the enclosure, duct air through the projectors, and discharge air away from a projection path between the plurality of projectors and the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Todd A. Cleland, Thomas M. Carrico, William R. Wagner, Steven W. Greer, Ron R. Bendsneyder
  • Patent number: 7475994
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are described in which a light point projected on a computer controlled displayed image is detected. A light point is projected at the displayed image at essentially the same time as a notification signal is transmitted indicating that the light point is being projected. At least one of image capture and image display parameters are adjusted to increase the detectability of the light point within a predetermined time interval after receipt of the notification signal. The image of the displayed image and the light point are captured within the predetermined time interval and the captured image data is analyzed to detect the light point dependent on the adjusted parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: I-Jong Lin
  • Publication number: 20090009730
    Abstract: A digital micromirror projection display system is disclosed in which “off” pixel light is recaptured and recycled. In the disclosed system, a digital micromirror device directs incident light for “on” pixels in the image to be displayed through projection lenses to a projection screen. The digital micromirror device directs incident light for “off” pixels back toward the light source for recapture by a light integrator. Both the incident and projected light can pass through a rear group of projection lenses, with the first projection lens being disposed near the digital micromirror device. A mirror directs the incident light toward the digital micromirror device, and the “off” pixel light from the digital micromirror device toward the light integrator. As a result, “off” pixel light can be recycled without degrading image contrast, in a manner that can place fast projection lenses close to the digital micromirror device to save cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Patrick R. Destain
  • Publication number: 20090009722
    Abstract: A method of correcting luminance non-uniformity in a tiled projection system is disclosed. The method includes projecting with a plurality of projection devices a composite image wherein the composite image comprises a plurality of tiled images on a display surface with an overall luminance and correcting a luminance non-uniformity of the plurality of tiled images, wherein the luminance non-uniformity is based on a dimmed at least one of the plurality of tiled images, wherein correcting the luminance non-uniformity comprises utilizing at least one of the plurality of projection devices to adjust the overall luminance of the plurality of tiled images on the display surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Olan C. Way, Richard Aufranc
  • Publication number: 20080316348
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a first camera configured to receive a first image via a first polarized filter, a second camera configured to receive a second image via a second polarized filter, a first projector coupled to the second camera via a communication link, the first projector configured to project the second image onto a first presentation screen via a third polarized filter, the third polarized filter being substantially opposite in polarization from the second polarized filter, and a second projector coupled to the first camera via the communication link, the second projector configured to project the first image onto a second presentation screen via a fourth polarized filter, the fourth polarized filter being substantially opposite in polarization from the first polarized filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Zachariah Hallock
  • Patent number: 7465052
    Abstract: A lighting system comprised of a central controller, a digital communications path, and a plurality of image projection lighting devices (IPLDs) is provided. The IPLDs contain cameras that can capture both visible light and infrared light. Address signals sent from the central controller first address a particular IPLD and then command signals sent from the central controller control an infrared blocking filter to be positioned in and out of a camera optical path of the particular addressed IPLD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventor: Richard S. Belliveau
  • Patent number: 7465054
    Abstract: A focusing arrangement has a lens disposed adjacent a lamp, a sensor for detecting a parameter which varies with a focal position of light focused by the lens, and a controller for adjusting the position of the lens based upon an output from the sensor in a manner which modifies the focal position of the light by the lens and maximizes the parameter detected by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: P Guy Howard, Anurag Gupta
  • Patent number: 7461939
    Abstract: A method for projecting an image with a projection system includes zooming a projected image in accordance with a resolution of the image, when a resolution of the image is less than a resolution corresponding to the projection system. A projection system for projecting an image based on a received video signal including optics having a corresponding resolution and a zoom control controlling a zoom of the optics. If a resolution of the image of the video signal is less than the resolution corresponding to the optics, the zoom control zooms a projected image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: William J. Allen, David A. Williams, Anurag Gupta
  • Publication number: 20080297728
    Abstract: In the color projector (200, 300, 400), a light source (220) produces first, second, and third colored light beams. An optical integrator (230, 330, 430) integrates the first colored light beam, the second colored light beam, and the third colored light beam. The integrated first colored light beam, second colored light beam, and third colored light beam are modulated by first (252), second (254), and third (256) light modulators, respectively, producing first, second, and third colored images. An optical synthesizer (260) combines the first, second, and third colored images to form a synthesized color image, and a projection lens (180) projects the synthesized color image. The optical integrator (230, 330, 430) includes a polarizing beam splitter (240, 441) in an optical path of at least one of the first, second, and third colored light beams to increase the effective integration length of the corresponding colored light beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Bart Salters, Marcellinus Petrus Carolus Michael Krijn, Oscar Hendrikus Willemsen
  • Publication number: 20080297740
    Abstract: A projection system and method of use thereof, wherein a computer in electrical communication with at least one projector projects a layout, preferably onto a floor projection surface utilizing short throw lenses, wherein the layout preferably comprises a grid and indicia relating to an exhibitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Phong Huynh, Liem Huynh
  • Patent number: 7458690
    Abstract: A light source module includes a lamp assembly having an integrated reflector and heat sink, the lamp assembly having a pressurized gas contained therein, an anode sealingly coupled to the integrated reflector and heat sink, and a cathode sealingly coupled to the integrated reflector and heat sink; and a projector protection system including at least one first projection feature for suspending current flow from the cathode to the anode when at least one first threshold is exceeded and at least one second projector protection feature for stopping the current flow when at least one second threshold is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Winthrop D. Childers, William R. Wagner, John M. Koegler, P. Guy Howard, Timothy F. Myers
  • Patent number: 7458691
    Abstract: Described is an optical device for combining multiple light sources in an optical projection system. One embodiment of the optical device includes at least two light sources having first and second wavelengths, and an optical element for substantially diffracting the first and second wavelengths of the two light sources and combining them into a single beam of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Walter M. Duncan
  • Publication number: 20080284987
    Abstract: The positions of the four corners of the projection area and the positions of the four corners of the projection image are detected on an image captured by a camera unit, and the positions of the four corners of the projection area with respect to the positions of the four corners of the projection image is transformed to the positions on a panel coordinate system set in a spatial optical modulating device (panel). A first minimum target frame including the four corners of the projection area transformed on the panel coordinate system is set on the panel coordinate system and a second target frame in consideration of an aspect ratio of the projection image is set on the panel coordinate system based on the position of the first target frame on the panel coordinate system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryohichi Yonezawa
  • Publication number: 20080284982
    Abstract: Spectral separation filters for channels of a 3D image projection incorporate passbands of primary colors. In at least one of the filters, passbands are present in more than 3 primary colors. A set of two filters include a first filter having passbands of low blue, high blue, low green, high green, and red, and a second filter having passbands of blue, green, and red. The additional primary passbands of the first filter allow for an increased color space in projections through the filters compared to filters only having red, green, and blue primaries. The added flexibility of the increased color space is utilized to more closely match a color space and white point of a projector in which the filters are used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Martin John Richards, Gary D. Gomes
  • Patent number: 7452084
    Abstract: A projector includes a projection device, a cross line positional information acquiring device for acquiring positional information of a cross line between a projection surface of the projection device and a plane crossing the projection surface, an inclination detecting device for calculating an angle of inclination between a projection optical axis of the projection device and the projection surface based on the positional information acquired by the cross line positional information acquiring device, and an image distortion correcting device for correcting a trapezoidal distortion of an input image supplied to the projection device, based on the angle of inclination calculated by the inclination detecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Nec Viewtechnology, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 7448759
    Abstract: A projection equipment is provided with a projection system, a memory unit for storing discrimination information which is used to judge whether or not a cooling operation of a light source lamp of the projection system has been finished in a normal manner at the time of a previous power-off operation, a key input unit for giving an instruction to execute a power-on operation, and a control unit adapted to use a timer unit for delaying a turn-on operation of the light source lamp by a predetermined time depending on the discrimination information stored in the memory unit at the time when the instruction to execute the power-on operation is given.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyasu Fukano
  • Publication number: 20080273179
    Abstract: A method for operating a projection system (1) is described, wherein a brightness level (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6) in an image (IM) is represented by the total length of a number of light switch-on phases within a particular image cycle (VT). A high pressure discharge lamp (2) of the projection system (1) is operated via a lamp driver with an essentially square-wave alternating current (IL) SO that an overshoot sequence (O), which occurs in the alternating current (IL) after a current zero crossing during operation of the high pressure discharge lamp (2), has a frequency so high that for each possible brightness level at least one full period (P) of the overshoot sequence (O) lies essentially within a light switch-on or switch-off phase (ts) following the zero crossing. A projection system (1) and a lamp driver (10) for a high pressure discharge lamp (2) in such a projection system (1) are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Carsten Deppe, Tom Munters, Christofher Daniel Charles Hooijer, Hans Feijen, Sander Habets
  • Patent number: 7441906
    Abstract: We describe a keystone correction system and method. A vertical scalar vertically scales an input image and stores the results to a line buffer. A horizontal scalar retrieves the stored results from the line buffer and horizontally scales the stored results using the relatively small number of lines from the line buffer. The system repeats the vertically scaling, storing, and horizontal scaling until it processes all input image lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Pixelworks, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhongde Wang, Ashok Aravamudhan, Mike West, Dennis Morel
  • Patent number: 7441907
    Abstract: A light source driving method for controlling a first and a second light source assembly of a projection apparatus to turn on and off at least once during each 1/n frame time is provided. The first light source assembly includes first color light sources and third color light sources, while the second light source assembly includes second color light sources. The light source driving method includes following steps: turning on and off the first color light sources once sequentially in a first sub-frame period; turning on and off a part of the second color light sources once synchronously in a second sub-frame period; turning on and off the other second color light sources once synchronously in a third sub-frame period; and turning on and off the third color light sources once sequentially in a fourth sub-frame period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventor: Chin-Ku Liu
  • Patent number: 7441903
    Abstract: A power on/off system of a thin projector including an optical system arranged in a housing with a panel shape having lateral sides and a front side having an area larger than an area of each lateral side is disclosed. The power on/off system includes a door, fans which cool a lamp, a shutter which opens/closes a projection lens, a first sensing unit which senses malfunctions of the lamp, the fans, the door, and the shutter, a second sensing unit which senses an internal temperature of the housing, and a controller which sequentially controls, in response to power-on of the thin projector, operations of opening the door and the shutter, driving the fans, driving the lamp, and sequentially controls, in response to power-off of the thin projector, operations of turning off the lamp, driving the fans, turning off the fans, and closing the door and shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Hong Ki Kim
  • Patent number: 7438426
    Abstract: A projection display apparatus and digital zooming method thereof is disclosed. The projection display apparatus receives a first image and includes a control unit, an image processor, an image scaler, a projection lens and a display unit. The control unit is for calculating an image area needed to be removed from the first image according to a zooming multiple. The image processor is for removing the image area form the first image to generate a second image. The image scaler is for scaling the second image to generate a third image. The display unit is for receiving the third image and projecting the third image onto a screen via the projection lens. The third image has a specific pixel count relative to the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Chien-Wu Yen, Tzu-Hai Chung, Tung-Lung Lai
  • Patent number: 7431463
    Abstract: A projection display system has at least one light-recycling illumination system and at least one imaging light modulator. The light-recycling illumination system includes a light source that is enclosed within a light-recycling cavity. The light source is a plurality of light-emitting diode that emits light, and a fraction of that light will exit the light-recycling cavity through an aperture. The light-recycling cavity recycles a portion of the light emitted by the light source back to the light source in order to enhance the luminance of the light exiting the aperture. The fraction of the light that exits the aperture is partially collimated and is directed to the imaging light modulator. The imaging light modulator spatially modulates the partially collimated light to form an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Goldeneye, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl W. Beeson, Scott M. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20080239250
    Abstract: A method includes detecting a person located between a projector and a surface on which a first image is projected by the projector, and automatically blacking out a portion of the first image, so that light from the projector does not fall on the face of the person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Agere Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jimmy JOSE
  • Publication number: 20080231819
    Abstract: A method of displaying an image for a document projector is disclosed. The method includes capturing the image of an object to get an input image; generating a frame; overlapping the frame and the input image, wherein the frame separates the input image into an emphasized area and a not-emphasized area to form an output image; and displaying the output image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: AVERMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Yung-Che Chang, Chih-Ming Chen, Lien-Kai Chou, Yung-Hsi Wu
  • Patent number: 7425074
    Abstract: A concept of improving a resolution by using human's visual characteristics is provided. A display device includes an image forming unit forming an image by using an emitted light and an inputted image signal, a projection unit projecting the image formed by the image forming unit onto a screen, and a movable displacement plate displacing the image displayed on the screen. As a result, a viewer can view the image at an improved resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ho Joong Kang, Hee Jong Moon