Prism Patents (Class 353/33)
  • Patent number: 8727537
    Abstract: An image projection apparatus guides light from a light source to a first and a second image modulation elements and projects light modulated by the first and second image modulation elements towards an image plane. A first color separation element reflects first linearly polarized light of a first color light so as to guide the first linearly polarized light to the first image modulation element side, transmits second linearly polarized light of the first color light so as to guide the second linearly polarized light to the second image modulation element side, and reflects or transmits both of the first and second linearly polarized light of a second color light so as to guide both of the first and second linearly polarized light of the second color light to the second image modulation element side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuuki Maeda, Yu Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 8721089
    Abstract: The image projection apparatus is disclosed to which plural interchangeable optical units are selectively attachable. The apparatus includes a shift mechanism moving an attached optical unit, which is one of the plural interchangeable optical units that is attached to the apparatus, with respect to a light modulation element in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis, an actuator driving the shift mechanism, and a controller controlling drive of the actuator using a control parameter for moving the attached optical unit by a specific movement amount via the shift mechanism. The controller acquires information on at least one of a weight and an optical characteristic of the attached optical unit from a memory provided in one of the apparatus and the attached optical unit, and to change the control parameter using the acquired information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Junichi Hatakeyama, Azusa Sugawara
  • Patent number: 8696143
    Abstract: A projection system having a first tilting mirror matrix, a second tilting mirror matrix, and an imaging lens, which projects the first tilting mirror matrix onto the second tilting mirror matrix, wherein each tilting mirror matrix has multiple tilting mirrors, the tilting axes of which are positioned in a modulator surface plane. The imaging lens includes a first lens and an imaging mirror, and the imaging mirror forms an aperture stop of the imaging lens, wherein the aperture diaphragm includes an angle of other than 90° with the normal of the modulator surface of the first tilting mirror matrix without taking into account any optical path folds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventors: Enrico Geissler, Christoph Nieten, Guenter Rudolph, Marco Pretorius
  • Patent number: 8696137
    Abstract: A high efficiency projector apparatus comprising an illumination lens set including a first illumination lens and a second illumination lens, and the image is imaged conjugatedly on the image projection lens set, when light traveling distance between the first illumination lens of focal distance f1 and the second illumination lens of focal distance f2 is “d”, light source module produces first multiple virtual light sources on output side of light beam homogenization means, first multiple virtual light sources are located within f1 producing virtual image of second multiple virtual light sources on same side as the first multiple virtual light sources, the second multiple virtual light sources are distanced from the second illumination lens by value of D, the D value has value according to (f2<D<2f2), such that the second multiple virtual light sources are substantially conjugatedly imaged on the image projection lens set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Qisda Corporation
    Inventors: Ming-Kuen Lin, Tsung Hsun Wu
  • Patent number: 8696133
    Abstract: A projection optical system (6) comprises a relay optical system (61), a PBS prism (71), and two projection lenses (81). The image light beam from a DMD (5) enters the PBS prism (71) via the relay optical system (61), is polarization-split there, and is directed to a screen by means of the two projection lenses (81). Displaying an image by means of the DMD (5) is controlled while the polarized states of the light beams produced by the polarization split by means of the PBS prism (71) are controlled. Thereby, a three-dimensionally viewable image and a high-resolution image created by pixel-offset can be projected. Since the relay optical system (61) is provided, the lens backs of the projection lenses (81) can be shortened, and the projection lenses (81) and further the projection optical system (6) can be made compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventors: Masayuki Imaoka, Kohtaro Hayashi, Jun Ishihara, Yasumasa Sawai
  • Patent number: 8690356
    Abstract: A video display device includes a light guide unit for guiding outgoing light from a light source unit to a pixel area of a display device. The light guide unit includes a rod integrator having an input opening through which the outgoing light from the light source unit enters and an output opening provided on a side opposite to the input opening, and a light shielding plate provided between the input opening of the rod integrator and the light source unit. The light shielding plate has a plurality of types of openings for passing the outgoing light from the light source unit to the rod integrator. The light shielding plate is arranged in a state where one of the plurality of types of openings, which has a shape similar to that of the input opening of the rod integrator which is actually mounted, is aligned with the input opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Kakuta
  • Patent number: 8690338
    Abstract: A reflective liquid crystal projector according to the aspect of the invention includes a light source, a reflective liquid crystal panel, and a wire grid polarization beam splitter element. The wire grid polarization beam splitter element is provided with a polarization beam split surface that reflects a first polarized light component and transmits a second polarized light component. The reflective liquid crystal projector also includes a projection optical system that projects the first polarized light component, and an aperture stop that is disposed on an optical path of the light beam emitted from the light source. The aperture stop limits the amount of first light more than that of second light. The first light is divergent from the reflective liquid crystal panel to the polarization beam split surface. The second light is divergent from the reflective liquid crystal panel to the polarization beam split surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Osamu Okumura
  • Publication number: 20140078474
    Abstract: This image display apparatus includes laser beam source portions, a synthesized beam generation portion, a control portion, a branching unit, and a detection portion, while the branching unit has a reflectance or transmittance with increase/decrease characteristics opposite to increase/decrease characteristics of the outputs of laser beams in increasing or decreasing the outputs of the laser beams of color components according to changes of the wavelengths of the laser beams of the color components in order to maintain the prescribed color state of a synthesized beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshizumi Nakao, Seiji Takemoto
  • Publication number: 20140078473
    Abstract: A scanning type projector two-dimensionally projecting a laser beam and generating an image according to the present invention comprises: a light source having a light intensity corresponding to a pixel of the image and emitting a laser beam having an elliptical beam; a collimator lens collimating a laser beam emitted from the light source without converting the same into focused light; a beam contracting/shaping element that reduces a luminous beam width in a predetermined direction of the laser beam emitted from the collimator lens; a condensing lens that converts a laser beam emitted from the beam contracting/shaping element into focused light corresponding to a projection distance; and a two-dimensional scanning unit configured to two-dimensionally scan and project a laser beam emitted from the condensing lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi Media Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromi KUSAKA, Yoshiho SEO, Satoshi OUCHI, Michio HATAGI
  • Patent number: 8668339
    Abstract: In a light source device, that obtains high light usage efficiency by projecting simultaneously two or more of three primary color lights X, Y and Z. Moreover, each color light X, Y and Z is divided into two in terms of time so that p-wave and s-wave linear polarization lights are formed, such that the synthesized light of the p-wave linear polarization lights enters a first spatial modulation element and the synthesized light of the s-wave linear polarization lights enters a second spatial modulation element to permit gradation control of each color light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ushio Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kiyoyuki Kabuki, Akihiko Sugitani, Yoshihiro Horikawa, Yoshio Okazaki
  • Patent number: 8657448
    Abstract: A polarization separating element is configured to include a translucent substrate formed of a crystal material having birefringent properties and optically rotatory power and a polarization separating portion formed on the incidence-side surface of the translucent substrate so as to transmit a P-polarized light beam and reflect an S-polarized light beam. A reflecting element that reflects the S-polarized light beam reflected by the polarization separating portion is disposed so as to be separated approximately in parallel to the translucent substrate. A predetermined function is set such that the P-polarized light beam having passed through the polarization separating portion and been incident to the translucent substrate is converted so as to be parallel to the polarization plane of the S-polarized light beam so that the P-polarized light beam is output as the S-polarized light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shuho Kobayashi, Mitsuru Miyabara, Makoto Sakurai
  • Publication number: 20140043589
    Abstract: A projection image display device includes: a laser light source; phosphor excited by excitation laser light emitted from laser light source to emit light; an optical functional reflector (cross dichroic prism) into which at least one laser light from laser light source and fluorescent light from phosphor enters and which reflects light of a specific wavelength band while transmitting light of the other wavelength band; a diffusion plate that diffuses the laser light; a diffusion plate driver for moving the diffusion plate; and a spatial light modulation element (digital microminor device) that modulates the light output from cross dichroic prism. Diffusion plate is disposed on the optical path of excitation laser light applied from laser light source to phosphor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Hiroko Chifu, Motoyasu Utsunomiya
  • Patent number: 8636366
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus of the present invention includes light source (101), rod integrator (105), reflecting mirror (103), diffusion plate (104) disposed adjacently to reflection mirror (103), reflective polarizing plate (107), and wavelength plate (106). The lighting apparatus further includes curved mirror (102) disposed among light source (101), reflecting mirror (103), and diffusion plate (104). Reflecting mirror (103) and curved mirror (102) include apertures (102a and 103a) formed to allow at least light from light source (101) to pass. Curved mirror (102) reflects light leaked from the entrance plane side of rod integrator (105) toward aperture (103a) of reflecting mirror (103).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Display Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Kato
  • Publication number: 20130321891
    Abstract: An image display apparatus including a plurality of light source sections, a light combining section that combines light fluxes, an optical element that inclines an optical axis, and an optical scan section that deflects light for scanning, wherein an optical axis of the light flux from each of the plurality of light source sections to the optical scan section is present in a first plane, the optical scan section has a light reflection surface that is perpendicular to the first plane and swings around a first axis present in the first plane and a second axis parallel to the direction of a normal to the first plane, and an angle of radiation of the light flux in the direction of the normal to the first plane is greater than that of the light flux in an in-plane direction in the first plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Daisuke ISHIDA, Masatoshi YONEKUBO, Shuichi WAKABAYASHI
  • Patent number: 8591036
    Abstract: A projector apparatus utilizing wedge-type lens for projecting an image onto a surface, comprising a light source module for generating a single first light path; an illumination lens set for inputting the first light path and outputting a second light path; a reflection-type image generator for generating said image; a prism set for inputting said second light path and outputting the second light path onto the reflection-type image generator, wherein the reflection-type image generator reflects the second light path and forming a third light path carrying said image; an image projection lens set disposed on the third light path for projecting said image onto the surface, wherein the illumination lens set including a wedge-type lens working with the prism set for providing a suitable angle of incidence and angle of emission to the reflection-type image generator, the wedge-type lens lowers the required height difference, between the light axles of the illumination lens and the reflection-type image generator,
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Qisda Corporation
    Inventors: Ming-Kuen Lin, Tsung Hsun Wu
  • Patent number: 8591040
    Abstract: A projection device embodiment comprises a light source system, a gate with a cross sectional gate area, and projection optics. The light source system includes a solid-state light source configured to provide light, and light source optics. The light source optics are configured to distribute light from the solid-state light source across the gate area of the gate. The gate is configured to be used to produce an object to be imaged by the projection device. The projection optics is configured to project an image of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Prism Projection, Inc.
    Inventors: Garrett J. Young, Andrew Stangeland
  • Patent number: 8573779
    Abstract: A lighting device is provided which efficiently achieves a high brightness and a high image quality by using a solid light source which has long service life and does not need mercury. The lighting device includes a first light source section, a second light source section, a second rod integrator for combining lights emitted from the first and second light source sections, and a first rod integrator for guiding the light from the first light source section, to the second rod integrator. On an incident surface of the second rod integrator, a first region on which the light emitted from the first light source section is incident and a second region on which the light emitted from the second light source section is incident do not overlap each other, and the surface area of the first region and the surface area of the second region are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shigekazu Yamagishi, Hiroshi Kitano, Yoshimasa Fushimi, Takaaki Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20130286360
    Abstract: Even when coherent light (specific light), such as laser light, is used as a light source, providing a first dichroic film having a seamless, single-film configuration as a film in a cross dichroic prism prevents a fringe pattern resulting from a highly interfering component contained in light combined in the cross dichroic prism from being produced, whereby the amount of image degradation can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masakazu KAWAMURA, Kanji YOSHIDA, Akira HASHIMOTO, Takayuki MATSUBARA
  • Patent number: 8529067
    Abstract: An image synthesizing device for a projector apparatus includes first, second, third polarizing beam splitters respectively provided for red light, green light, and blue light; and a light combining unit configured to combine and output the red light, the green light, and the blue light passing through the first, second, and third polarizing beam splitters. The first, second, and third polarizing beam splitters respectively include first, second, and third polarizing films. The first and second polarizing films where the red light and the green light enter are each formed of an organic material, and the third polarizing film where the blue light enters is formed of an inorganic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Fuki Nakai
  • Patent number: 8529072
    Abstract: An image projecting device, including an image forming element for forming an image, a light source for generating light, and an imaging optical system for imaging an image formed by the image forming element on a screen, a first prism having a first transmission surface for transmitting light generated from the light source therethrough, a reflection curved surface being a curved surface for directly reflecting light having transmitted through the first transmission surface, a reflection-transmission surface for directly reflecting light reflected from the reflection curved surface to the image forming element and transmitting light reflected from the image forming element therethrough, and a second transmission surface for transmitting light reflected from the reflection-transmission surface and light reflected from the image forming element therethrough, and a second prism for directing light having transmitted through the reflection-transmission surface of the first prism to the imaging optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ikuo Maeda
  • Patent number: 8523361
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying-Chuan Yu, Ying-Xiong Huang, Hsing-Chu Wu
  • Patent number: 8500286
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eunsung Seo, Seungman Jeong, Hyunho Choi, Sanghun Lee
  • Patent number: 8491125
    Abstract: A lighting device configured to efficiently combine light beams emitted from a plurality of light sources, and to emit high output light while minimizing light loss, and a projection type display apparatus including the lighting device. The lighting device includes: a first light source and a second light source; two converging lenses for converging light beams emitted from the first and second light sources; two right-angle prisms for bending the light beams emitted from the first and second light sources; and a composite rod integrator for combining the light beams emitted from the first and second light sources. Between an exit surface of each right-angle prism and an incident surface of the composite rod integrator, a predetermined air gap is provided. The focal point of each converging lens is located on an incident surface of each right-angle prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shigekazu Yamagishi, Hiroki Sugiyama, Hiroshi Kitano, Yoshimasa Fushimi, Hirokazu Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 8485667
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Simon Magarill, Charles L. Bruzzone, Andrew J. Ouderkirk
  • Patent number: 8469516
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Ikeda, Makoto Maeda
  • Patent number: 8465155
    Abstract: A method for forming, onto a linear array light modulator, a line of illumination that extends in a linear direction, the method includes forming a first linear beam array and a second linear beam array, both linear beam arrays comprising a plurality of laser beams; forming a mixed illumination by aligning the first linear beam array and the second linear beam array in the linear direction and directing the first and second linear beam arrays along a propagation path; magnifying the mixed illumination from the propagation path in the linear direction and relaying the magnified mixed illumination toward the linear array light modulator; and focusing the mixed illumination in the cross-array direction that is orthogonal to the linear direction onto the linear array light modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David Kessler, Marek W. Kowarz, James G. Phalen, John A. Agostinelli, Michael A. Marcus
  • Patent number: 8459798
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Fujinawa
  • Publication number: 20130127934
    Abstract: A multiple rate projector comprises at least three different color light sources each configured to emit a different color of light, respectively. A color control module is coupled to the at least three different color light sources, and is configured to switch the at least three different color light sources on, respectively, to allow turn-on times of two of the at least three different color light sources to be overlapped or not overlapped. Overlapped turn-on times can be overlapped by a half cycle, or longer or shorter than a half cycle, of the on cycle of each of the respective different color light sources. A two-dimension reflector reflects light from the different color light sources to a projection location (e.g., on a projection screen).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: BASCULE DEVELOPMENT AG LLC
    Inventor: BASCULE DEVELOPMENT AG LLC
  • Publication number: 20130100421
    Abstract: A projector includes a projection lens set, a digital micro-mirror device (DMD), a prism unit, a light merging unit, a light guide unit, and a light source device. The light source device includes a laser light source and a color wheel. The laser light source is positioned in an optical path and generates a first light. The color wheel is positioned in the optical path. The first light irradiates the color wheel to generate second and third lights. The light merging unit merges the first, second, and third lights to generate a mixed light. The light guide unit guides the mixed light to the prism unit. The mixed light is refracted to the DMD via the prism unit, and the refracted mixed light is reflected to the projection lens set via the DMD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHIEN-WEN HSU, WEN-PIN YEH
  • Patent number: 8414128
    Abstract: An optical projection device includes a laser engine, a first wave plate and a lens. The laser engine provides light. The first wave plate changes a light phase. The lens focuses light. A projecting method of an optical projection device includes providing a light including a first P polarized light, a first S polarized light, and a second S polarized light, and projecting light through a wave plate on a screen, wherein the wave plate moves in a direction perpendicular to light. A projecting method of an optical projection device includes providing light including a first P polarized light, a first S polarized light, and a second S polarized light, and projecting light through a wave plate on a screen, wherein the wave plate rotates around an axis parallel to a projecting direction of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Asia Optical International Ltd.
    Inventor: Chien-Chih Hsiung
  • Patent number: 8414129
    Abstract: An optical system is provided. The optical system includes a luminous system which comprises a plurality of light source devices and an image unit; and a projection system which receives light having an image through the luminous system, and enlarges and projects the light, wherein the plurality of light source devices comprise a reflection member which reflects light beam emitted from the light source devices, and are disposed so that the light beam emitted from the light source devices is reflected by the reflection member one time and enters to the image unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-hyun Park, Jeong-ho Nho, Sung-tae Kim, Won-yong Lee, Yong-dok Cha
  • Patent number: 8403503
    Abstract: A freeform optical device is disclosed which has an at least partially curved surface with a surface geometry. Surface normals at multiple locations on the surface geometry can be computed to define the surface geometry with respect to multiple focal points corresponding to the surface normals at the locations in order to correct optical aberrations otherwise occurring at the focal points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: Zheng Jason Geng
  • Patent number: 8403495
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an illumination system. The illumination system comprises a plurality of modules such that each module comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) adapted to emit light. The illumination system further comprises a plurality of lens elements disposed subsequent to the LEDs. Further, a number of the lens elements corresponds to a number of LEDs; such that the plurality of lens elements is adapted to redirect the light emitted by the LEDs on a plurality lenses. The illumination system further comprises a plurality of imagers disposed subsequent to the plurality of lenses, such that each of the imagers forms an image from the light provided by each of the lenses, respectively. Further, the images formed by the plurality of imagers are combined by a device, such as an X-cube, to form a single image that is further provided to a light pipe of a display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Shenzhen TCL New Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Estill Thone Hall, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8393737
    Abstract: A light engine combines light of first, second, and third color ranges using three pentagonal prism elements. Each prism has first and second diagonal surfaces. Each first diagonal surface has a first dichroic treatment and each second diagonal surface has a second dichroic treatment. The prisms are arranged with the first diagonal surface of the first prism juxtaposed with one diagonal surface of the third prism and with the second diagonal surface of the second prism juxtaposed with the other diagonal surface of the third prism. A first light beam of the first color is reflected at a right angle by the first diagonal surfaces, and a second light beam is reflected at a right angle by the second diagonal surfaces. A third light beam of the third color passes unreflected through the surfaces to produce a combined light beam or common output light path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mahendra S. Dassanayake, Donald P. Bilger
  • Patent number: 8388150
    Abstract: An image forming system is described that includes a light source that provides a light beam and an anamorphic refractive optical element. A first outer surface of the anamorphic element faces the light source and includes a toric surface. The light beam is incident upon the first outer face and then an incident surface of the anamorphic element. The anamorphic element directs the light beam to an image forming device. An illumination system is also described where an anamorphic element includes a toric surface and a facet surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: William E. Phillips, III
  • Patent number: 8382288
    Abstract: A projector includes: a first solid-state light source device including a first solid-state light source emitting main excitation light, and a fluorescent layer converting the main excitation light to light including a first color light component and a second color light component different from the first color light component, and emitting converted light; a second solid-state light source device including a second solid-state light source emitting a third color light component different from the first and second color light components; a light modulation device modulating the first, second and third color light components in accordance with image information; a projection optical system projecting the modulated light components from the light modulation device as a projection image; and a color light combining optical system combining light emitted from the first solid-state light source device and the third color light component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shuji Narimatsu, Akira Miyamae
  • Patent number: 8382294
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying an image on a communication device are provided. The communication device is formed of a housing (305) having a plurality of surfaces and includes an electronically controlled display (310) coupled to one of the surfaces. The housing further includes a reflecting device (345) for reflecting an image from the display (310) onto another, non-electronic, display (320) located on another surface of the housing. The image is thus viewable on both surfaces of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Shijie Hua, Khai Jin Choo, Seng Huan Chuah, Wey Chien Heng, Boon Hoong Ooi, Shook Gunn Tan
  • Publication number: 20130044296
    Abstract: A projector includes a projection lens set, a DMD device, a prism unit, a light merging unit, a light guide unit, and a light source device. The light source device includes an LED, a laser light source, and a color wheel. The LED is positioned in a first optical path and generates a first light. The laser light source is positioned in a second optical path and generates a laser light. The color wheel is positioned in the second optical path. The laser light irradiates the color wheel to generate second and third lights. The light merging unit merges the first, second, and third lights to generate a mixed light. The light guide unit guides the mixed light to the prism unit. The mixed light is refracted to the DMD via the prism unit, and the refracted mixed light is reflected to the projection lens set via the DMD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHIEN-WEN HSU, WEN-PIN YEH
  • Patent number: 8376551
    Abstract: A color combining apparatus has first, second, and third color channels, each color channel having a light source that is energizable to direct light of a corresponding first, second, or third wavelength band, respectively, toward a color combining element. The color combining element is a single piece of a solid, transparent material having at least first and second flat coated surfaces that are noncontiguous. The first coated surface is treated to reflect incident light of the first wavelength band onto an optical axis and to transmit incident light of the second and third wavelength bands. The second coated surface is treated to reflect incident light of the second wavelength band and to transmit incident light of the third wavelength band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Joshua Monroe Cobb
  • Patent number: 8371712
    Abstract: A light source module of a projector includes a beam splitter, a red light source, a blue light source, and a blue light source. The beam splitter has a first reflection side, on which a first splitter film is provided, and a second reflection side, on which a second splitter film is provided. An angle between a normal line of the first reflection side, and a normal line of the second reflection side, is in a range between 165 degrees and 180 degrees. Both the first splitter film and the second splitter film permit red rays to pass therethrough. The red light source is separated from the blue and green light sources to obtain a better thermal dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Chien-Chih Hsiung, Yu-Hsiang Huang, Yun-Yi Lin
  • Publication number: 20130033683
    Abstract: A projector includes a projection lens set, a DMD, a prism unit, a light guide unit, and a light source device. The light source device includes a first and a second LEDs, a laser light source, and a color wheel. The first LED is positioned in a first optical path and generates a first light. The laser light source is positioned in a second optical path and generates a laser light. The second LED is positioned in a third optical path and generates a second light. The laser light irradiates the color wheel to generate a third light. A light merging unit merges the first, second, and third lights. The light guide unit guides the mixed light to the prism unit. The mixed light is refracted to the DMD via the prism unit. The refracted mixed light is reflected to the projection lens set via the DMD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHIEN-WEN HSU, WEN-PIN YEH
  • Publication number: 20130033682
    Abstract: A projector includes a projection lens set, a digital micro-mirror device, a prism unit, a light guide unit, and a light source device. The light source device includes a light emitting diode (LED), a laser light source, and a color wheel. The LED is positioned in a first optical path and generates a first light. The laser light source is positioned in a second optical path and generates a second light. The color wheel is positioned in the second optical path. The second light irradiates the color wheel to generate a third light. The light merging unit merges the first, second, and third lights to generate a mixed light. The light guide unit guides the mixed light to the prism unit. The mixed light is refracted to the DMD via the prism unit, and then the refracted mixed light is reflected to the projection lens set via the DMD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHIEN-WEN HSU, WEN-PIN YEH
  • Publication number: 20130021583
    Abstract: A light source device includes at least one light emitting diode, at least one dichroic mirror, a condenser, and a fly's eye device. The light emitting diode is operable to generate at least one kind of light. The dichroic mirror is disposed corresponding to the light emitting diode to combine the light into an optical path when the light passes through the dichroic mirror. The condenser is disposed corresponding to the dichroic mirror to gather the light when the light passes through the condenser. The fly's eye device is disposed corresponding to the condenser to homogenize the light when the light passes through the fly's eye device. Furthermore, a projection device is disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Hung-Ying LIN
  • Publication number: 20130016323
    Abstract: A projector is provided, including a first light source, a second light source, a splitting unit, a first modulating element, a second modulating element, a projection lens unit, a projection screen and a combining unit. The first light source provides a first beam in a first state. The second light source provides a second beam in a second state. The splitting unit receives the first beam and the second beam, splitting the first beam into a first sub-beam and a second sub-beam, and splitting the second beam into a third sub-beam and a fourth sub-beam. The first modulating element receives the first sub-beam and the third sub-beam from the splitting unit. The second modulating element receives the second sub-beam and the fourth sub-beam from the splitting unit. The combining unit respectively combines the first sub-beam and the second sub-beam, and combines the third sub-beam and the fourth sub-beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventor: June-Jei HUANG
  • Patent number: 8350789
    Abstract: A 2D image display apparatus using a laser light source. By controlling the timing of a scan by a beam scan portion in response to the characteristic of a laser light source and by setting a light emitting time of the laser light source to an integral multiple of a scan cycle of the beam scan portion, it is possible to illuminate a spatial light modulator homogeneously with a laser beam. It is thus possible to display an image at high accuracy without causing a bright line, irregularities in brightness, and contrast deterioration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Furuya, Kiminori Mizuuchi, Toshifumi Yokoyama, Tatsuo Itoh, Akira Kurozuka, Kazuhisa Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8337021
    Abstract: A projection type image display device using, in a projection optical system thereof, a flat mirror, which is easy to design and manufacture, as a projection mirror is provided. The projection optical system is a diagonal projection optical system and includes plural lenses. Among the plural lenses, the one disposed closest to the flat mirror has an effective area, along the vertical direction of an image, through which a light beam passes and which is off an optical axis of the other plurality of lenses, shared by the most lenses so as not to allow light reflected from the projection mirror to return to the projector body. A polarization converter using, for example, a quarter wavelength plate is provided at an output surface of a crossed prism to decrease reflectance differences between differently colored light and to thereby prevent the occurrence of color unevenness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Consumer Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kimura, Koji Hirata, Masahiko Yatsu
  • Patent number: 8333476
    Abstract: An image projection apparatus includes light sources 111 to 113 emitting at least two colored lights whose wavelengths are different from each other, a polarization conversion element 2 controlling a polarization direction of the colored light, at least two light modulation elements 41 and 42 modulating incident light, a light guide optical system 31 guiding the at least two colored lights from the polarization conversion element to the at least two light modulation elements in accordance with the polarization direction, and a projection optical system 5. One of the at least two colored light and the other are emitted as lights whose polarization directions are different from each other from the polarization conversion element. A drive unit 6 turns on the light sources so that the one of the colored lights and at least one of the other enter the at least two light modulation elements at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Reona Ushigome, Kazuhiko Momoki
  • Patent number: 8328363
    Abstract: An optical system includes a light source array, a dichroic mirror set, a light converting device and a light guide pipe. The light source array is used for emitting a first homogeneous light. The dichroic mirror set is disposed in a light path of the first homogeneous light and used for reflecting a part of the first homogeneous light to the light guide pipe, transmitting the remaining part of the first homogeneous light to the converting device. The light converting device is disposed in the transmitting light path of the dichroic mirror and used for transferring the first homogeneous light into a second, third homogeneous light. The dichroic mirror is further used for reflecting the second, third homogeneous light to the light guide pipe. The light guide pipe is used for mixing the first, second and third homogeneous light to obtain a white light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Te Lin, Wen-Pin Yeh, Chun-Hsun Wang
  • Patent number: 8325120
    Abstract: An electrooptical apparatus includes a plurality of first electrooptical panels which enable a color image to be displayed by combining output lights from the plurality of first electrooptical panels, a polarization axis correction unit through which the output lights from each of the plurality of first electrooptical panels are transmitted and which makes polarization axes of the transmitted output lights aligned, and a polarization axis switching section which switches a polarization axis of the output light from the polarization axis correction unit to a direction intersecting with the direction of the polarization axis at a predetermined timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiko Ito
  • Patent number: 8317330
    Abstract: The image display apparatus forms first and second images in mutually different viewing angle areas to display a combined (joined) image. The apparatus includes first and second image-forming elements respectively forming first and second original images, a first optical system reflecting a first light flux from the first image-forming element at least twice to introduce the first light flux to an exit pupil, and a second optical system reflecting a second light flux from the second image-forming element at least twice to introduce the second light flux to the first optical system. The first optical system introduces the first light flux and the second light flux from the second optical system to the exit pupil such that the first and second images respectively corresponding to the first and second original images are formed in the mutually different viewing angle areas in a first cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shoichi Yamazaki, Kazutaka Inoguchi, Kenichi Saito, Motomi Tsuyuki, Masakazu Tohara