Abstract: A projector includes a liquid crystal light valve to which first image data and second image data are alternately written and a polarization switching device that has a plurality of switching areas and switches a polarization state between a first polarization state and a second polarization state for each of the switching areas. A boundary position between a switching area that provides the first polarization state and a switching area that provides the second polarization state moves in synchronization with a boundary position between an area where the first image data is written and an area where the second image data is written.

Abstract: A projector includes a solid-state light source that emits linearly polarized light, a birefringence element that converts the linearly polarized light emitted from the solid-state light source into circularly or elliptically polarized light, a diffusion element that diffuses the light having exited from the birefringence element, and a polarization conversion element that separates the diffused light having exited from the diffusion element into first polarized light polarized in a first polarization direction and second polarized light polarized in a second polarization direction, converts the polarization direction of the first polarized light into the second polarization direction, and outputs the resultant first and second polarized light.

Abstract: A projection device with an illumination adjustment function includes a polarization beam splitter (PBS), a display, a light source, a lens module, a power supply unit, a light detection unit and a power controller. The light source emits light to the PBS. The lens module projects the images to be displayed by the display. The power supply unit supplies power for the light source. The light detection unit acquires a digital value of a portion of the light transmitted from the PBS, and compares the digital value with a predetermined digital value to generate a control signal. The power controller adjusts power from the power supply unit to the light source according the control signal until the digital value matches the predetermined digital value of the light from the light source.

Abstract: An illumination system includes a chip package, a first dichroic film, a second dichroic film, and a third dichroic film. The first dichroic film, the second dichroic film, and the third dichroic film are not parallel to each other and do not cross each other. The chip package includes a first light-emitting chip capable of emitting a first light beam, a second light-emitting chip capable of emitting a second light beam, and a third light-emitting chip capable of emitting a third light beam. The first light-emitting chip, the second light-emitting chip, and the third light-emitting chip are arranged in a row. The first dichroic film reflects the first light beam and transmitting the second light beam, the second dichroic film reflects the second light beam, the first dichroic film and the second dichroic film transmit the third light beam, and the third dichroic film reflects the third light beam.

Abstract: A light source unit includes LED 1 with an emission surface and polarizer 2 that is positioned opposite the emission surface of LED 1 and in which the direction of a transmission axis varies depending on a position in the plane of polarizer 2. Polarizer 2 includes a recessed and protruding structure which transmits, from among light that travels from LED 1 side into polarizer 2, a portion of the light whose polarization direction is parallel to the transmission axis, while reflecting and diffracting a portion of the light whose polarization direction is orthogonal to the transmission axis. The recessed and protruding structure includes diffraction grating 3.

Abstract: A system for projecting content onto a shaped screen. The system includes a projector configured for projecting content having a particular shape and a rear projection screen with an optically active light redirecting film, such as Fresnel lenses, for receiving and displaying the projected content. The rear projection screen and the optically active light redirecting film each have a shape substantially conforming to the particular shape of the content. The optically active light redirecting film, such as a Fresnel lens sheet, provides for brightness uniformity and a wide view angle. The rear projection screen can include a turning film for displaying content received from the projector at an angle.

Abstract: A projection device capable of effectively performing the light utilization is disclosed, particularly comprising polarized beam components and reflective components regarded for controlling polarizing of light, reducing light missing during light transferring from a light source to a projection lens set, increase light utilization efficiency, wherein the polarizing beam components are regarded for separating the light into two orthogonal polarization waves; the present invention further comprises two modulated diaphragms regarded for controlling the strength of said two orthogonal polarization waves, equaling brightness of the polarization waves at final vision, keeping a good quality in final vision.

Abstract: This projector is configured to allocate a first projection laser beam corresponding to a first image signal and a second projection laser beam corresponding to a second image signal different from the first image signal to a first area and a second area not overlapping with the first area, respectively, to project the first projection laser beam and the second projection laser beam.

Abstract: A polarization converter for use in a projector apparatus is provided. The polarization converter includes a polarizing beam splitter, a half wavelength retarder and a quarter wavelength retarder. The polarizing beam splitter could split a first light into a first light beam with a first polarized direction and a second light beam with a second polarized direction. The half wavelength retarder is disposed on the side of the polarizing beam splitter and the second light beam is converted into the second light beam with the first polarized direction by the half wavelength retarder. The first and second light beams with the first polarized direction are coupled to form a first polarized light with the first polarized direction. The quarter wavelength retarder is disposed behind the half wavelength retarder so that the first polarized light is converted into a first circularly polarized light.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a head-mounted projection display, and more particularly, but not exclusively to a polarized head-mounted projection display including a light engine and a compact, high-performance projection lens for use with reflective microdisplays.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for representing surface colors for simulating print results through a screen, comprising at least one light source and a projection surface. According to the invention the base colors are generated from white light through filters from surface colors and the mixed colors are generated through subtractive color mixing, preferably through reflexive color filters. Through the method for representing surface colors for simulating print results the capability is created to represent surface colors at different locations and at different times identically.

Abstract: A liquid crystal projector includes: an illumination system; a liquid crystal optical element; an inorganic polarizer arranged on the emission side of the liquid crystal optical element; and a projection system arranged on the emission side of the inorganic polarizer, the inorganic polarizer includes a substrate, a plurality of reflective layers arranged on the substrate, a dielectric layer formed on each reflective layer, and an inorganic particulate layer formed on the dielectric layer to be shifted in a first direction from a center line that bisects the corresponding reflective layer in a short-side direction, at least one of a optical axis of the illumination system and a optical axis of the projection system is shifted with respect to a center axis of the liquid crystal optical element.

Abstract: A projection type display apparatus includes: an illumination optical system which has a first array lens and a second array lens each of which has a plurality of lens elements having a plurality of rectangular shape openings and arranged in a matrix form; an illumination light source device which has one or more light sources having a polarization degree not smaller than 50% and one or more polarizers for transmitting one type polarized light and reflecting other type polarized light. At least one set of the light sources are arranged so that the polarization directions of light fluxes having high polarization degrees may be perpendicular to each other, the light fluxes are combined by the polarizer, condensed to a single region by a light-flux condensing element, and then directed toward another illumination optical system located in a subsequent stage.

Abstract: A projection system is disclosed, the projection system including: an illumination unit; a PBS (Polarizing Beam Splitter) reflecting the light from the illumination unit, transmitting an image light, having a width larger than that of entrance pupil through which the image light is incident, and having a structure in which a width of an area facing projection lenses is larger than that of an area perpendicular to an area facing the projection lenses; a display device receiving the light reflected from the PBS and outputting the light as an image light; and a projection unit mounted with the projection lenses for projecting the image light outputted from the display device to a screen.

Abstract: A first lens array splits light flux emitted from a light source. A second lens array is provided with a plurality of lens cells two-dimensionally arranged, on which light emitted from the first lens array is irradiated. A polarization converting element splits indefinite polarized light emitted from the second lens array into P polarized light and S polarized light, and conforms the split light to either the P polarized light or the S polarized light and emits the conformed light. A drive mechanism displaces the polarization converting element in a direction perpendicular to a polarization split direction along a surface on which the indefinite polarized light from the polarization converting element is incident.

Abstract: A method is provided for projecting a three-dimensional image. The system includes a first light source, the first light source emitting light in a first direction and a second light source emitting light in a second direction. A beam splitter device is disposed adjacent each light source and an imaging device is disposed adjacent the beam splitter device. Light from the first light source and the second light source travel a common optical path to a projector lens assembly.

Abstract: A system is provided for projecting a three-dimensional image. The system includes a first light source, the first light source emitting light in a first direction and a second light source emitting light in a second direction. A beam splitter device is disposed adjacent each light source and an imaging device is disposed adjacent the beam splitter device. Light from the first light source and the second light source travel a common optical path to a projector lens assembly.

Abstract: A light emitting apparatus includes a first rod integrator and a second rod integrator supported by a support substrate and a light emitting device disposed between the first rod integrator and the second rod integrator. The light emitting device emits a plurality of light beams to be incident on the first rod integrator and a plurality of light beams to be incident on the second rod integrator. Each of the rod integrators has a light incident surface on which the plurality of light beams are incident, a bent portion that changes the propagating direction of the plurality of incident light beams, and a light exiting surface through which the plurality of light beams mixed with each other exit.

Abstract: Optical systems, such as 2-D and 3-D projection systems, may be configured to have a compact back focal length to allow for more compact projection lenses, lower throw ratios, improved contrast, or any combination thereof. In an embodiment, an optical system may include a relay element configured to form an intermediate image having a focal point proximate to a projection lens.

Abstract: A method and system are described for projecting stereoscopic images using circularly polarized light with at least one polarizer for limiting the amount of light or radiant energy reaching a projection lens system and associated optical elements, and system configurations are discussed with respect to desired performance characteristics.

Abstract: Optical elements, color combiners using the optical elements, and image projectors using the color combiners are described. The optical element includes light recycling stacks, a polarizing beam splitter, and a color-selective stacked retardation polarizing filter. The polarizing beam splitter includes a first reflective polarizer aligned to a first polarization direction. Each light recycling stack includes a second reflective polarizer aligned to the first polarization direction, and a retarder aligned at 45 degrees to the first polarization direction. The color combiner includes partially reflective light sources coupled to the optical element. Un-polarized light having different colors can enter the color combiner through the light recycling stacks, and combined light of a desired polarization state can exit the color combiner. Light having an undesired polarization state can be recycled to the desired polarization state within the color combiner, so that light utilization efficiency is increased.

Abstract: A light source module includes a light-emitting device, a wavelength conversion device and a polarization and color separation unit. The light-emitting device provides an excitation beam including a first portion beam having a first polarization direction. The wavelength conversion device includes a first wavelength conversion area and a polarization conversion area. When the first portion beam irradiates the first wavelength conversion area, the first portion beam is converted into a first color beam. When the first portion beam irradiates the polarization conversion area, the first polarization direction of the first portion beam is converted to a second polarization direction. The polarization and color separation unit is disposed between the wavelength conversion device and the light-emitting device, and transmits the first portion beam with the first polarization direction, and reflects the first portion beam with the second polarization direction and the first color beam to the same direction.

Abstract: Multiple image projection apparatus are described. A cubic multi-prism beam splitter is provided having diagonal interfaces with one or more PBS elements and/or reflective elements positioned thereon. At least first and second spatial light modulators, such as LCoS SLMs, are positioned adjacent the beam splitter cube. The first and second LCoS spatial light modulators and first and second projection optics systems are configured to output a first modulated image from the first LCoS SLM to the first projection optics system and a second modulated image from the second LCoS spatial light modulator to the second projection optics system. In other embodiments, additional LCoS spatial light modulators and light sources produce 3-D images. Addition of sensors permits user interaction with a projected image which is fed back to a controller to optionally change current or future images displayed by the system.

Abstract: An optical device includes multiple reflective spatial light modulation devices each of which applies an image signal to each of rays of incident light and rotates a polarization direction of each of the rays of incident light for a modulated output, multiple polarization elements each of which causes each polarization component of the rays of incident light in a specific direction to be transmitted and incident upon each of the spatial light modulation devices and reflects the polarization component in a direction rotated by each of the spatial light modulation devices, a light synthesis device which synthesizes multiple rays of reflected light to be output as one ray of image light, and a securing member which simultaneously secures each of the polarization elements in a position corresponding to each of the spatial light modulation devices. The securing member is secured to the light synthesis device.

Abstract: An illumination device includes: an optical element which including a hologram recording medium including a first zone and a second zone and can reproduce an image of a scattering plate; an irradiation device which irradiates the optical element with a coherent light beam such that the light beam is allowed to scan the hologram recording medium; and a polarization control unit provided on an optical path of the light beam to an illuminated zone. The light beams incident on respective positions of the hologram recording medium are allowed to reproduce the image superimposed on the illuminated zone. The polarization control unit controls polarization of the light beams such that the light beam incident on the first zone to travel toward the illuminated zone and the light beam incident on the second zone to travel toward the illuminated zone are configured with different polarization components.

Abstract: A polarization conversion system (PCS) is located in the output light path of a projector. The PCS may include a polarizing beam splitter, a polarization rotating element, a reflecting element, and a polarization switch. Typically, a projector outputs randomly-polarized light. This light is input to the PCS, in which the PCS separates p-polarized light and s-polarized light at the polarizing beam splitter. P-polarized light is directed toward the polarization switch on a first path. The s-polarized light is passed on a second path through the polarization rotating element (e.g., a half-wave plate), thereby transforming it to p-polarized light. A reflecting element directs the transformed polarized light (now p-polarized) along the second path toward the polarization switch. The first and second light paths are ultimately directed toward a projection screen to collectively form a brighter screen image in cinematic applications utilizing polarized light for three-dimensional viewing.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to color combiners, and in particular color combiners useful in small size format projectors such as pocket projectors. The disclosed color combiners include a tilted dichroic plate having at least two reflectors configured with light collection optics to combine at least two colors of light.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to color combiners, and in particular color combiners useful in small size format projectors such as pocket projectors. The disclosed color combiners include a tilted dichroic plate having at least two reflectors configured with light collection optics to combine at least two colors of light.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to color combiners, and in particular color combiners useful in small size format projectors such as pocket projectors. The disclosed color combiners include at least two tilted dichroic plates having at least two reflectors configured with light collection optics to combine at least two colors of light.

Abstract: A projection autostereoscopic display including an image projector and a stereo screen is provided. The image projector projects an image. The image includes multiple viewing-zone images. The stereo screen receives the image and reflects the image to an observing direction. The stereo screen includes a linear polarizer layer, for receiving and polarizing the image. A first microretarder layer is disposed behind the linear polarizer layer. A second microretarder layer is disposed behind the first microretarder layer by a distance. A reflection-type polarization-reserved diffuser layer is disposed behind the second microretarder layer for reflecting and diffusing the image into various directions while maintaining the polarization state of the image. A switching layer is switched between a transparent state which maintains the polarization state of the image and an opaque state which changes the polarization states of the image to a non-polarization state, to switch between 2D and 3D display modes.

Abstract: A LCOS projection system includes an illumination device, a LCOS microdisplay element, a polarization beam splitter, an optical projection lens, and a beam recycling module. A first portion of the lighting beams provided by the illumination device are transmissible through the polarization beam splitter and directed to the LCOS microdisplay element. A second portion of the lighting beams provided by the illumination device and from the polarization beam splitter are introduced into the beam recycling module. By the beam recycling module, a polarization state of the second portion of the lighting beams is converted. Consequently, the second portion of the lighting beams in the converted polarization state can also be projected onto the LCOS microdisplay element. The beam recycling module includes a total internal reflection prism, which is arranged in a transmission path of the first portion and the second portion of the lighting beams.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes: a polarization conversion element configured to align polarization directions of light emitted from a light source in one polarization direction; a color separation unit configured to separate the light whose polarization directions are aligned in the one polarization direction by the polarization conversion element; and a polarization adjustment element configured to adjust a polarization state of light in a predetermined wavelength band within a wavelength range of the light emitted from the light source. The polarization adjustment element is provided between the polarization conversion element and the color separation unit on an optical path of the light emitted from the light source.

Abstract: An illuminator that illuminates a projected surface includes a laser light source that emits laser light; a polarization converter disposed downstream of the laser light source, the polarization converter having a first area that converts the polarization direction of incident laser light into a first polarization direction and outputs the resultant laser light and a second area that converts the polarization direction of incident laser light into a second polarization direction and outputs the resultant laser light; and a light diffusion section disposed downstream of the laser light source, the light diffusion section diffusing incident laser light.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an illumination system. The illumination system comprises a plurality of modules comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) adapted to emit light signals. The illumination system further comprises a plurality of polarizing elements disposed subsequent to the LEDs. Each of polarizing elements is adapted to render a unique polarization to the light signals emitted by a respectively corresponding one of the modules. Further, the illumination system comprises a polarization converting element disposed subsequent to the plurality polarizing elements. The polarization converting element is adapted to uniformly polarize all of the light signals emitted by the plurality of modules.

Abstract: Provided is a projector capable of suppressing deterioration of a portion of a projection portion irradiated with a laser beam while improving brightness. This projector is formed to deviate optical axes of laser beams emitted from a plurality of laser beam generation portions respectively from each other so that the laser beams emitted from the plurality of laser beam generation portions respectively do not concentrate on one point of a projection portion.

Abstract: An external polarization conversion device used for a projector includes a first element which converts light from the projector to polarized light in a uniform polarization direction, and a second element which is arranged in a position subsequent to the first element in such a way that there is a space between the first element and the second element and which converts the polarized light from the first element to predetermined polarized light that is different from the polarized light from the first element.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes a light source, a polarization splitter disposed facing the light source at about 45 degrees with respect to its light emission direction, a first reflector reflecting and condensing one of the polarization light components polarized and split by the polarization splitter, a quarter wave plate disposed between the polarization splitter and the first reflector, a second reflector reflecting and condensing the other of the polarization light components polarized and split by the polarization splitter, a third reflector disposed around the light source and reflecting the other polarization light reflected by the second reflector and the polarization splitter and proceeding in the light source direction, and a quarter wave plate disposed between the polarization splitter and the third reflector and around the light source, the light reflected at the first reflector and reflected at the polarization splitter being used to illuminate a predetermined surface.

Abstract: Generally, near seamless electronics displays may be employed in cinema and exhibition applications. Laser scanned displays may be enabled such that the display may display three dimensional (“3D”) content. A first method to enable a laser scanned display for 3D content may employ polarization, with or without polarization conversion and another method may employ multiple colors. Additionally, the envelope function that may be employed across the display may be achieved by changing laser power as a beam is scanned on the screen or by changing the dwell time of the laser beam on the pixels. One method of minimizing the effects of seams in the screen may be to reduce the screen resolution near the seams by screen design and/or laser beam dwell time or illumination energy.

Abstract: An optical fiber and a projector device are provided. The optical fiber has a main body with a light-emitting curved surface. A curvature radius of the center of the light emitting curved surface facing the main body substantially ranges between 0.05˜1 mm, so that the light emitted from the light-emitting curved surface via the main body is collimated.

Abstract: There is provided a projection apparatus including a color synthesis section, a polarization conversion section, and a projection lens. The color synthesis section is configured to combine three-primary color light and emit combined light. The polarization conversion section is disposed on a light-emission side of the color synthesis section, the polarization conversion section being configured to put the color light in the combined light in a non-polarized state uniformly in all directions. The projection lens is configured to emit light provided by the polarization conversion section.

Abstract: A projection stereoscopic display includes: a stereoscopic display optical system receiving linearly polarized light from the light source and displaying a first picture and a second picture both having binocular parallax by linearly polarized light with polarization directions orthogonal to each other, in which the stereoscopic display optical system includes: a reflective liquid crystal panel modulating and reflecting linearly polarized light from the light source in response to a picture signal, a first polarizing device splitting the first picture from reflected light from the reflective liquid crystal panel, a retardation device converting the polarization direction of the first picture into a direction orthogonal thereto, and a second polarizing device splitting the second picture from reflected light from the reflective liquid crystal panel, and superimposing the second picture on the first picture of which the polarization direction is converted by the retardation device.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an apparatus for reducing speckle in a projection visual display (PVD) system, a method of reducing visible speckle in a PVD system and a PVD system incorporating the method or apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a diffuser interposable in an optical path of a PVD system and a diffuser actuator having a single drive axis configured to cause the diffuser to travel in a Lissajous curve at least partially transverse to the optical path.

Abstract: To prevent effectively the flickering of an image due to the switching of a polarization direction while reducing speckle noise. A polarization switching unit is provided in an optical path of laser light to a projection surface A and periodically switches a polarization direction of the laser light emitted therefrom between p and S polarization. A laser control unit controls laser light sources in synchronization with the switching by the polarization switching unit and determines a driving current corresponding to a grayscale to be displayed on the basis of driving current characteristics for P polarization when the polarization direction of the laser light is the P polarization. In addition, the laser control unit determines the driving current corresponding to the grayscale to be displayed on the basis of the driving current characteristics for P polarization when the polarization direction of the laser light is the S polarization.

Abstract: There is provided a projection apparatus including a color synthesis section, a projection lens, and a polarization conversion section. The color synthesis section is configured to combine three-primary color light. The projection lens is configured to emit light provided by the color synthesis section. The polarization conversion section is disposed on a light-emission side of the projection lens and is configured to put the color light provided by the projection lens in a non-polarized state.

Abstract: An interactive projection device includes a light source configured to emit an input light beam, wherein the light source comprises a visible light emitting device; a first beam splitter configured to split the input light beam into first and second split light beams; a second beam splitter configured to split a scattered light beam received from a surface into third and fourth split light beams; an image forming device configured to produce an image light beam based on the first split light beam and emit the image light beam onto the surface through the first and second splitters, thereby generating a projection image on the surface; and a detector configured to detect the invisible light of the third split light beam, thereby acquiring a scattering image from the surface.

Abstract: A projector includes a light source, a temperature adjustment mechanism, a memory, and a temperature controller. The light source is configured to emit light for displaying an image. The temperature adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust a temperature of the light source. The memory is configured to store an image to be displayed, before the image is displayed. The temperature controller is configured to determine a temporal change in brightness of the image to be displayed, based on the image to be displayed that is stored in the memory, and control the temperature of the light source by the temperature adjustment mechanism based on the temporal change in brightness of the image to be displayed, before the image to be displayed is actually displayed and the brightness of the image is changed.

Abstract: Three dimensional projection systems may be single projector or multiple projector systems. These 3D projection systems may include a one or more polarization conversion systems (PCS). Each PCS may be designed for relatively small throw ratios and thus, may be designed to accommodate the small throw ratios. Each PCS may include a polarizing beam splitter, a first optical stack, a reflector and a second quarter wave retarder. The first optical stack may include a rotator, a polarizer, a polarization switch and a first quarter wave retarder. Each PCS may receive light from a respective projector, and the PBS in each PCS may direct the light toward the first optical stacks. The light may be converted to a different polarization state as it passes through the first optical stack. The converted light may then be re-directed by a reflecting element to a second quarter wave retarder. The second quarter wave retarder may convert linearly polarized light to circularly polarized light.

Abstract: Proposed are various embodiments of projection systems that generally provide stereoscopic images. The projection systems act to split a spatially separated image in a stereoscopic image frame and superimpose the left- and right-eye images on a projection screen with orthogonal polarization states. The embodiments are generally well suited to liquid crystal polarization based projection systems and may use advanced polarization control.

Abstract: A multi-segment optical retarder that can be used with or within a single projector for creating 3D images. The multi-segment optical retarder is coupled to an actuator used to effect some predetermined linear, rotary, or oscillating movement of the multi-segment optical retarder such that a fast axis orientation of each segment is substantially constant relative to itself over time and for a given area of incidence.

Abstract: A projector includes: a first optical device, and a first color combining optical device; a second optical device, and a second color combining optical device; a combining optical device adapted to combine emission light emitted respectively from the first optical device and the second optical device; a first polarization conversion device disposed between the first optical device and the combining optical device, and adapted to align a polarization direction of the emission light from the first optical device into a first polarization direction; and a second polarization conversion device disposed between the second optical device and the combining optical device, and adapted to align a polarization direction of the emission light from the second optical device into a second polarization direction.