Plural Projection Paths With Single Light Source Patents (Class 353/34)
  • 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: 8714748
    Abstract: A light source system for a projection device and a projection device comprising the same are provided. The light source system comprises an optical component assembly and a first light source module. The first light source module has a first light emitting diode (LED) and a first reflection cover. The first LED is configured to generate beams. The first reflection cover has a curved surface to reflect and collect the beams from the first LED into the optical component assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Hung-Ying Lin
  • Publication number: 20140118701
    Abstract: A projection apparatus for projecting a first image and a second image is disclosed. The projection apparatus has a casing, a light source module providing an illumination beam, a light valve device, a first prism, a second prism, a third prism, a fourth prism, a first projection lens, and a second projection lens. The illumination beam enters the first prism, the second prism, the third prism, the fourth prism, and the light valve device. The illumination beam is reflected and converted into a first image beam and a second image beam. The first image beam enters the first prism and is totally reflected to the first projection lens to form the first image. The second image beam enters the third prism and is totally reflected to the second projection lens to form the second image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Kuei-Yu Lee, Chao-Shun Chen, Haw-Woei Pan
  • Patent number: 8708500
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Cheng-Huan Chen, Sheng-Hsun Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20140104577
    Abstract: Provided is a display apparatus including: a first display unit including a first screen on which a first image is imaged and that is capable of displaying the first image in a first direction and a first optical member capable of reflecting and displaying the first image in at least one second direction crossing the first direction; a second display unit that includes a second screen on which a second image is imaged and that is capable of displaying the second image in the second direction; and a light source configured to project first image light forming the first image onto the first screen and project second image light forming the second image onto the second screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kazumasa Kaneda
  • Patent number: 8690341
    Abstract: An image display device having an RGB illuminating module that includes a diffractive beam combiner. The diffractive beam combiner includes a first light source arranged to provide a first light beam having red color and a second light source arranged to provide a second light beam having green color. A centerline of the first light beam and a centerline of the second light beam are arranged to intersect at an intersection point. A diffractive output grating is located in the vicinity of the intersection point. The diffractive output grating is arranged to form an output light beam by diffracting light of the first light beam and light of the second light beam substantially in the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: EpiCrystals Oy
    Inventor: Tuomas Vallius
  • Patent number: 8693767
    Abstract: Image data, in particular a three-dimensional image master, is generated for stereoscopic playback via an auto-stereoscopic playback device. Image data are generated for playback that evokes a three-dimensional visual impression in a human observer by: receiving and/or importing 2D image data of an original view, deriving a plurality of further partial views that represent the information shown in the original view from different viewing angles. For each pixel of the 2D image data of the original view, color values are determined and a control value dependent on the color values is automatically assigned to each of the pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Natural View Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Steglich
  • Patent number: 8681224
    Abstract: The present application relates to a high precision method for calibrating and removing distortion from a lens, and more particularly, a method for calibrating and removing distortion by arranging sensor readings to compensate for its presence and simultaneously optimize the resulting image magnification for best image quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Dublin City University
    Inventors: John Mallon, Paul F. Whelan
  • Patent number: 8681184
    Abstract: A display unit for binocular representation of a multicolor image including a control unit triggering an imaging element such that the imaging element generates in a temporal successive manner the image to be displayed for a first beam path and a second beam path as a first image and second image, respectively. The images are generated in a pre-distorted manner, opposite of the chromatic aberration of the respective beam path, such that the chromatic aberration generated in the respective beam path is compensated when the first and second image is displayed. The display unit includes a switching module which operates in temporal synchrony with the first and second image being generated, such that a user can see the first image only via the first beam path and the second image only via the second beam path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss AG
    Inventors: Markus Seesselberg, Johannes Ruoff
  • Patent number: 8651669
    Abstract: A projection apparatus that provides flicker reduction according to the cause of flicker, to thereby properly reduce flicker without unnecessarily bringing about characteristic degradation is disclosed. Light for projecting a projection image onto a projection surface is output from a light source, and separated into light beams of a plurality of colors. Images corresponding to the light beams of the plurality of colors are formed on display units. The light beams of the plurality of colors having passed through the display units are synthesized and projected onto the projection surface. Fluctuations in the light quantity of the light beams of the plurality of colors having passed through the display units and yet to be input to the color synthesis unit are detected. Detection results are analyzed, and it is determined whether flicker caused by the display units or flicker caused by the light source is occurring in the projection image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaya Yagi
  • Patent number: 8636365
    Abstract: A projection display device includes first to third display panels configured to realize first to third color images and a fourth display panel configured to realize a white image. The first to third color images and the white image may be combined and projected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chan-Young Park, Hye-Dong Kim
  • Publication number: 20140022510
    Abstract: An image engine and a projection system with two discrete format channels are described. The engine comprises a spatial light modulating system in each channel and a combining layer. A specific arrangement of the modulators of the two spatial light modulating systems relative to the combining layer makes it possible that one modulating system generates a landscape format image while the second modulating system generates a portrait format image in a common output path. In the projection system, a control logic addresses either the landscape channel or the portrait format channel or both channels, depending either on the format of the incoming image data, or on external controls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Bernhard Rudolf Bausenwein, Max Mayer
  • Patent number: 8608317
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention a projection facility for projecting image contents onto an inside wall in an open cabin of a transport means, with which any given image contents can be projected onto a curved inside wall in a large-scale manner. The projection facility may comprise, apart from several projectors, several mirrors for deflecting the image contents. This allows image quality to be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus S.A.S.
    Inventors: Ulrich Babst, Torsten Jaunich, Daniel Dreyer, Hans Lobentanzer, Marc S. Velten, Holger Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8585217
    Abstract: A bidirectional projector, which may project slides onto two screens at the same time, includes a light source emitting red beam, green beam, and blue beam; at least an imaging device receiving the red beam, the green beam, and the blue beam from the light source and reflecting predetermined parts of the red beam, the green beam, and the blue beam to form an image beam according to image signals; and an optical lens, wherein the image beam emits to the optical lens and a part of the image beam passes through the optical lens to form a first projecting beam, and a part of the image beam is reflected by the optical lens to form a second projecting beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Chun-Yen Lee
  • Patent number: 8530822
    Abstract: An illumination device includes: a light source which has an emission surface forming area where a plurality of emission surfaces are disposed; a plurality of converging lenses disposed in correspondence with the plural emission surfaces to converge emission lights emitted from the emission surfaces; a first fly-eye lens which divides lights converged by the plural converging lenses into a plurality of partial lights; a second fly-eye lens which converges the plural partial lights; and a condenser lens which stacks the plural partial lights converged by the second fly-eye lens on an illumination receiving area, wherein the plural converging lenses stack the emission lights on the first fly-eye lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Kaseya
  • Patent number: 8517544
    Abstract: A substrate connection structure between a plurality of light modulating devices each having a flexible substrate extending in a predetermined direction and a circuit substrate connected with the light modulating devices, wherein the light modulating devices are arranged so that the direction of one flexible substrate extending from at least one of the light modulating devices is different from the directions of the other flexible substrates extending from the other light modulating devices, the substrate connection structure includes: a relay substrate which is connected with the one flexible substrate; and an extension flexible substrate which is connected with the relay substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Maruyama, Susumu Takatsu
  • Publication number: 20130215395
    Abstract: Wide-angle imaging lens arrangements and methods are described for use with an image projector system including a display. A plurality of no more than six lenses can be arranged to receive an object image that emits from the display to propagate through the plurality of lenses to produce a high-quality projected image on a screen. The image projector system has a low f-number, low height profile and high resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventor: Lin Li
  • Patent number: 8508675
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Yanai, Daisuke Sawaki
  • Patent number: 8493301
    Abstract: To reduce flickers generated in a liquid crystal display device for allowing the use of a liquid crystal material exhibiting a high response speed so as to improve the light utilizing efficiency of a field sequential type liquid crystal display device. A liquid crystal display device includes: a display panel including a pixel matrix in which pixels each including a switching element and a pixel electrode are arranged in matrix near intersection of data lines and gate lines, and a counter electrode arranged to oppose the pixel matrix; and a control part which divides a period for displaying a color image of one frame into a plurality of sub-frame periods, and lights up light sources of different colors for each of the sub-frame periods to display images on the display panel. A shield electrode layer separated by an insulating film is disposed between the pixel electrode and the data lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: NLT Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Sekine, Kazunori Masumura
  • Patent number: 8488245
    Abstract: A system and method for producing a kilowatt laser system having a post resonator including a polarization multi-plexer, optical reconfiguration element, anamorphic element and fiber-optic module configured to arrange a multi-wavelength profile for coupling into an optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Teradiode, Inc.
    Inventors: Bien Chann, Robin Huang
  • Patent number: 8485665
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: William Gibbens Redmann, Mark J. Huber
  • Patent number: 8482549
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Ying Liu, Kinlung Chan, Weiping Tang
  • Patent number: 8482682
    Abstract: A display system includes: a screen in which, in an area on which invisible light is incident, a scattering state where visible light is scattered and a transmission state where visible light is transmitted are switched; an image projection system to project an image of the visible light onto the screen; and an invisible light projection system to project the invisible light onto the screen and to cause an area of the screen onto which a desired portion of the image is projected to have the scattering state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Taisuke Yamauchi
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8454169
    Abstract: An illumination device includes: a light source which emits a plurality of emission lights; a first condenser lens which stacks the plural emission lights emitted from the light source; a first fly-eye lens which divides lights stacked by the first condenser lens into a plurality of partial lights; a second fly-eye lens which converges the plural partial lights; and a second condenser lens which stacks the plural partial lights converged by the second fly-eye lens, wherein the first condenser lens stacks the plural emission lights emitted from the light source on the first fly-eye lens, and the second fly-eye lens stacks the plural partial lights on an illumination receiving area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Kaseya
  • Patent number: 8449118
    Abstract: Telecommunication devices each having projection apparatuses capable of projecting ambiently displayed images at locations proximate to the telecommunication devices on surfaces that are substantially parallel to planes formed by the telecommunication devices are described herein. The telecommunication devices also have logic configured to provide predistorted images to the projection apparatuses, the predistorted images appearing without distortion when projected by the projection apparatuses on the surfaces in the ambiently displayed images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Parker Ralph Kuncl, Michael Kemery, Nenad Nestorovic, Jedediah Joaquin McCann
  • Patent number: 8430513
    Abstract: A projection system comprises an image input element and an optical imaging element. The image input element is configured to input an original image or a processed image. The optical imaging element, an optical system with axisymmetrical structure and specific spherical aberration, is configured to generate an image with extended depth of field on an image projection surface in accordance with the original image or the processed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chuan Chung Chang, Hsin Yueh Sung, Chir Weei Chang
  • Patent number: 8425056
    Abstract: An image display apparatus includes: a light source unit which emits axially symmetric polarized light having polarization distribution symmetric with respect to the center axis of light; and a scanning unit which applies the axially symmetric polarized light to a projection surface for scanning to form an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Fumika Sumiyama
  • Patent number: 8425041
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: Miller H. Schuck, Michael G. Robinson, Douglas J. McKnight, Gary D. Sharp
  • Patent number: 8425043
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yasunaga Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 8408720
    Abstract: A projector divides and projects a single image onto two different projection surfaces and performs virtual user interface through one projection surface. The projector projects a VUI screen image on a desk and projects a main projected screen image on a wall. The projector includes a light receiving element, which is installed at a position that receives light emitted to the desk (the projection surface of the VUI screen image) and reflected (or scattered) by an object in the vicinity of the desk. The projector calculates a position of the object based on a light detection timing of the light-receiving element and a scanning position of light at each time and changes a projected image based on the calculated position. The projector displays a designated region of the VUI screen image to be brightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nishigaki, Atsuya Hirano, Atsuhiko Chikaoka, Ken Nishioka
  • 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: 8403492
    Abstract: A light source device includes: a first light source configured to emit a first source light in a first wavelength range; a source light generator configured to generate, from the first light, a color-varying source light having time varying color; a second light source configured to emit a second source light in a second wavelength range that is different from the first wavelength range; and a light source controller configured to control driving timing for turning on and off each of the first light source and the second light source so as to cyclically select one of the color-varying source light and the second source light to be output as an output source light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mamoru Shibasaki
  • Patent number: 8398244
    Abstract: A projector includes: a light source that emits light; a first lens array that divides the light emitted from the light source into a plurality of partial light beams; a second lens array that focuses the plurality of partial light beams emitted from the first lens array; condenser lenses that superimpose the plurality of partial light beams emitted from the second lens array on target illumination regions; and liquid crystal panels that modulate the light beams passing through the condenser lenses according to image information, wherein each of the condenser lenses is a single lens that achieves telecentric illumination when superimposing the partial light beams, and only the condenser lenses are arranged as lenses between the second lens array and the liquid crystal panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Shimizu, Katsumi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8382295
    Abstract: A electronic device that includes an optical assembly containing a projector, an imager, or both is described. The optical assembly may be disposed in an accessory such as a cover for the electronic device, or the electronic device itself. The optical assembly may be attached by a flexible connector or articulated arm that, when extended, positions the optical assembly generally above a plane of an electronic display of the device. The optical assembly may project images onto the electronic display, portions of the cover, or other surfaces. An imager in the optical assembly detects user gestures or other visual inputs to initiate commands on the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Kim, Joseph J. Hebenstreit
  • 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: 8376550
    Abstract: A projection system including a light valve, a lens, an arc reflector, and an arc screen is provided. The light valve is capable of providing an image beam. The lens is disposed in the transmission path of the image beam. The arc reflector has an arc reflective surface. The arc reflective surface is disposed in the transmission path of the image beam from the lens, so as to reflect the image beam. The arc reflective surface is curved in a first direction and not curved in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The arc screen is disposed in the transmission path of the image beam reflected by the arc reflective surface. The arc screen is curved in the first direction and not curved in a third direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A projection apparatus and an imaging module are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventor: Kun-Rong Chang
  • Patent number: 8371698
    Abstract: A scanning projector includes a scanning mirror that sweep a beam in two dimensions. Source image data is interpolated vertically, and the results are stored in a frame buffer. Each row of the frame buffer holds vertically interpolated pixel data that lies on a trajectory corresponding to a horizontal sweep of the beam. Pixel data in each row is then interpolated to determine display pixel data. At least one light source is driven with the display pixel data to produce the beam that is reflected by the scanning mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventor: Margaret K. Brown
  • Patent number: 8363907
    Abstract: A biometrics system captures and processes a handprint image using a structured light illumination to create a 2D representation equivalent of a rolled inked handprint. A processing unit calculates 3D coordinates of the hand from the plurality of images and maps the 3D coordinates to a 2D flat surface to create a 2D representation equivalent of a rolled inked handprint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: University of Kentucky Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurence G. Hassebrook, Daniel L. Lau, Henry G. Dietz
  • Patent number: 8348439
    Abstract: An enclosure of a dichroic mirror system that synthesizes a plurality of monochromatic laser beams emitted from a laser light source to output synthesized light is a structure having a dichroic mirror system lower enclosure and a dichroic mirror system upper enclosure joined to each other, and includes a light-leakage protecting structure that is formed by a convex portion formed at an end of the dichroic mirror system lower enclosure and a concave portion formed at an end of the dichroic mirror system upper enclosure engaged with each other at a joint therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Taisuke Murata
  • 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: 8342689
    Abstract: A display system comprises illumination means for providing a light beam; at least one color channel, each color channel being adapted for providing at least part of the light beam to a spatial light modulator panel comprising at least a first and a second zone; the spatial light modulator panel being for selectively modulating an impinging beam of light to form an image light beam. The display system further comprises splitting means for splitting the at least part of the light beam so that a split light beam is provided on the spatial light modulator panel, the split light beam comprising at least a first and a second sub-beam, and driving means for driving the first and second sub-beams such that the first sub-beam scrolls over the first zone and the second sub-beam scrolls over the second zone. A corresponding method to the display system is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Barco N.V.
    Inventor: Koen Malfait
  • Patent number: 8342690
    Abstract: A light modulation assembly for a digital projection apparatus comprising: a solid-state light source that provides an illumination beam; a spatial light modulator having a plurality of tiltable micro-mirrors, each micro-mirror being actuable to tilt with respect to a tilt axis between a first tilt position that provides on-state light and a second tilt position that provides off state light, and wherein the micro-mirrors deflect the illumination beam along an arced path defining a deflection plane as they are tilted between the first tilt position and the second tilt position; and a light baffle disposed alongside the optical axis and in the path of the off state light from the micro-mirrors, the light baffle having a light-trapping surface adapted to absorb the off-state light from the micro-mirrors on the spatial light modulator, the light-trapping surface having a plurality of protruding fins that extend outward from the light-trapping surface at an oblique angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jesse J. Coleman, James Mazzarella, James R. Kircher
  • Patent number: 8334935
    Abstract: A high resolution projection system has a light source for generating and emitting light and a plurality of digital micromirror device imagers configured to receive and reflect the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Youngshik Yoon
  • Patent number: 8333477
    Abstract: A projector includes: an operating panel having a plurality of operating buttons which carry out various operations, is exposed in the external surface of an exterior housing; a projection optical device configured to project an image light into which an incident luminous flux has been modulated in accordance with image information; an image adjustment section configured to change the relative positions of a plurality of lenses configuring the projection optical device; and an image adjustment panel having image adjustment buttons which cause the image adjustment section to operate, wherein the image adjustment panel is disposed in a position independent of the operating panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Kamiya, Akitoshi Kuroda
  • Patent number: 8317333
    Abstract: A 2-dimensional beam scan unit reflects emission beams from a red laser light source, a green laser light source and a blue laser light source and scans in a 2-dimensional direction. Diffusion plates diffuse the respective light beams scanned in the 2-dimensional direction to introduce them to corresponding spatial light modulation elements. The respective spatial light modulation elements modulate the respective lights in accordance with video signals of the respective colors. A dichroic prism multiplexes the lights of the three colors after the modulation and introduces the multiplexed lights to a projection lens so that a color image is displayed on a screen. Since the 2-dimensional light emitted from the beam scan unit is diffused to illuminate the spatial light modulation element, it is possible to change the optical axis of the beam emerging from the light diffusion member for irradiating the spatial light modulation element moment by moment, thereby effectively suppressing speckle noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Kasazumi, Yasuo Kitaoka, Kiminori Mizuuchi, Kazuhisa Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8297755
    Abstract: A projector with a laser light source projects an image. In order to reduce the risk for a person to be exposed to harmful levels of laser light, the projector also projects a time-variant alerting image into an alerting region. Alerting region is arranged outside of the projection region. The alerting image is of a wave length visible to the human eye, and of an intensity of eye-safe level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Arnd Ritz
  • Patent number: 8297758
    Abstract: A multimedia player for providing two projection images is provided. The multimedia player for displaying two projection images includes: a first projection unit displaying a first projection image; and a second projection unit displaying a second projection image. The first projection unit includes: a first driving unit controlling an operation of the first projection unit and providing an image signal on the first projection image to be displayed; a first light source unit; a first light modulation device outputting the first projection image by modulating light provided from the light source in response to the image signal of the first projection image; and a first projection lens unit magnifying and projecting an image that is output from the first light modulation device. The structure of the first projection unit is the same as that of the second projection unit. The multimedia player further includes a screen sensing unit sensing a color of an area in which an image is to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Byeong-Dae Choi, Dae-Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 8287133
    Abstract: An image display apparatus includes: a light source system that emits light having a first wavelength and a second wavelength switched with time; a light modulator that modulates the light having the first wavelength and the second wavelength emitted from the light source system; an optical path adjustment system that shifts the optical paths of the light having the first wavelength and the second wavelength modulated by the light modulator from each other; and the optical path adjustment system, wherein the optical path adjustment system includes a wavelength selecting surface that reflects the light having the first wavelength and transmits the light having the second wavelength, and mirror system disposed in such a way that the optical paths of the light having the first wavelength and the second wavelength having traveled via the wavelength selecting surface are shifted from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoki Watanabe, Hiroshi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8287139
    Abstract: A light source device, includes: an arc tube, and a pair of sealing portions; a reflector; and a sub mirror configured to reflect the light emitted from the arc tube toward the arc tube, and disposed of the other side of the sealing portion in such a manner as to cover a part of the outer surface of the tube spherical portion of the side of the illumination area, the sub mirror include a plurality of reflection members provided with reflection surfaces having different shapes, and the distance between the illumination axis and the outer shape of one of the adjoining reflection members is different from the distance between the illumination axis and the other of the adjoining reflection members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Susumu Wada