Abstract: An illuminator includes: a first light source and a second light source that are disposed substantially symmetrically with respect to an illumination optical axis, wherein each of the first and second light sources includes an arc tube, a first reflector disposed to surround part of the entire space around the optical axis of the arc tube, the first reflector reflecting the light emitted from the arc tube toward an object to be illuminated, and a second reflector disposed on the opposite side of the optical axis of the arc tube to the first reflector, the second reflector reflecting the light emitted from the arc tube toward the first reflector.

Abstract: A projector includes: spatial light modulation devices; and a cooling duct configured to flow a cooling air for sequentially cooling the spatial light modulation devices, the cooling duct has a first flow path formed by portions including the light entrance surface of at least one of the spatial light modulation devices for the respective color lights, a second flow path formed by portions including the light exit surface of the corresponding spatial light modulation device, and a junction area where the cooling air flowing through the first flow path and the cooling air flowing through the second flow path join each other, and the junction area is disposed at a downstream position of the cooling air with respect to the spatial light modulation device provided for a predetermined color light whose light amount is the maximum in the respective color lights that enter the light entrance surface.

Abstract: An imaging system (200) is configured to reduce perceived speckle (106) in images (201) by introducing angular diversity into consecutively projected images. The imaging system (200) includes one or more laser sources (203) that are configured to produce one or more light beams (215). A light modulator (204) scans these light beams (215) to produce images. A light translation element (206) introduces the angular diversity by physically altering a light reception location (208) on the light modulator (204) between refresh sweeps. To preserve image stability, image data (220) in a memory (218) can be correspondingly shifted.

Abstract: A projector includes: a light source device, a color-separating optical system for separating a light beam irradiated by the light source device into a plurality of color light components, a plurality of optical modulators for modulating each of the separated color light components in accordance with image information, a color-combining optical device for combining optical images modulated by the plurality of optical modulators and a projection optical device for projecting the combined optical images in an enlarged manner. An optical filter that reflects a predetermined spectral component of the light beam and transmits the other spectral component is disposed in an optical path between the light source device and the optical modulators The optical filter is disposed such that a light-irradiation side surface for irradiating the light beam is inclined by a predetermined angle relative to a plane orthogonal to an optical axis of the light beam.

Abstract: A lighting device includes: a light source which emits light around a light source axis; a reflector which has a plurality of reflection surfaces for reflecting light emitted from the light source; a plurality of converging units each of which is provided for the corresponding reflection surface of the plural reflection surfaces to receive light released from the corresponding reflection surface; and a stacking system which stacks light having passed the plural converging units on a light receiving area wherein each of the plural reflection surfaces is formed by a part of a spheroid having focuses at the position of the corresponding converging unit and the position of the light source, and each focal distance of the plural converging units becomes longer as the distance between the position of the converging unit and the light source axis increases.

Abstract: Image projectors with increased light intensity and methods for providing brighter images are provided. Image projectors, described herein, can provide the brightness while still providing any or all of compactness, low power consumption, and long lifetime. To increase brightness, sectional mirrors are used to respectively compress the light from two light sources into a single pupil (e.g. an aperture) of an imaging device. The compression can be accomplished by regions (e.g. sections) of the mirror having different angles with respect to the pupil. Relatively little light may be lost in the compression since minima for a light intensity pattern from a light source may occur between the regions that reflect the light.

Abstract: A display system comprising a light source and a plurality of switchable elements, wherein each element is switchable at an element switching frequency in accordance with an element control signal between an “on” state in which light is directed from the light source onto a display, and an “off” state in which light is not directed onto a display. The light source being configured to generate a pulsed light source output at a light source pulse frequency.

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.

Abstract: A first detection unit and a second detection unit detect the light that is incident from the direction where a screen is to be located. A controller determines whether the screen is located at a recommended position based on output signals from the first detection unit and the second detection unit. When the screen is located at the recommended position, the controller controls the projection display apparatus so as to be in the state where a significant image can be projected. The controller may determine whether the screen is located at the recommended position and in a normal state based on the output signals. When the screen is located at the recommended position and in a normal state, the controller may control the projection display apparatus so as to be in the state where a significant image can be projected.

Abstract: One aspect of an LED package, which is covered by this disclosure, includes at least two LED emitters located on a substrate wherein each of the at least two LED emitters forms an emitting area. The emitting area is substantially equal to a reflective area of the LED package, and the LED package has an optical axis that is substantially non-parallel to an optical axis of each of the at least two LED emitters.

Abstract: A light source device includes plural solid-state light sources, plural collimator lenses, a collection system, and a fluorescent layer that generates fluorescence from at least a part of the lights from the collection system, wherein at least one anamorphic surface is provided in an optical path from the plural collimator lenses to the fluorescent layer. The plural solid-state light sources are located in positions different from focal positions of the plural collimator lenses in an optical axis direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to optical imaging and specifically to methods and systems for generating observable real images. The method consists of steps in configuring an image source and optical components, and defining the position of an observer in such a way that a binocular observation leads to a perception of a three-dimensional object being located in front of a background, and/or “hanging in mid-air” in front of an apparatus designed in accordance with the present invention. Particular embodiments of the invention may include various apparatus for implementing the method.

Abstract: An optical element includes a dichroic surface formed by a multilayer dielectric film or the like and a polarized beam splitter surface formed by a multilayer dielectric film or the like. The dichroic surface transmits light (G and R) from a green wavelength band to a red wavelength band irrespective of the polarization directions of light, and reflects light (B) in a blue wavelength band. The polarized beam splitter surface reflects an S-polarized light (Gs) in a green wavelength band. Furthermore, the polarized beam splitter surface transmits an S-polarized light (Bs) and a P-polarized light (Bp) in the blue wavelength band, and also transmits the S-polarized light (Rs) and P-polarized light (Rp) in the red wavelength band.

Abstract: In order to produce stress-reduced reflective optical elements (1) for an operating wave length in the soft X-ray and extreme ultraviolet wavelength range, in particular for use in EUV lithography, it is proposed to apply, between substrate (2) and a multilayer system (4) optimized for high reflectivity at the operating wavelength, a stress-reducing multilayer system (6) with the aid of particle-forming particles having an energy of 40 eV or more, preferably 90 eV or more. Resulting reflective optical elements are distinguished by low surface roughness, a low number of periods in the stress-reducing multilayer system and also high ? values of the stress-reducing multilayer system.

Abstract: The lighting unit includes the DMDs (80R), (80G), and (80B). The lighting unit also includes: the prisms (50) and (60) combining the light emitted from the DMDs (80R), (80G), and (80B); and the light modulating optical device (90G). The incident light including the green component light and the yellow component light enters the light modulating optical device (90G). The light modulating optical device (90G) transmits the green component light and changes a transmittance of the yellow component light depending on a change of a molecular state. Light having emitted from the light modulating optical device (90G) enters the DMD (80G), which corresponds to the incident light.

Abstract: An image display apparatus includes: a first spatial light modulator (SLM) and a second modulator for modulating a first and a second illumination lights for displaying images; an SLM control unit for generating first control data and second control data for controlling the first and second SLMs respectively in accordance with the first and second control data, wherein each of the first control data and second control data is generated for each of a plurality of sub-frame periods divided from one frame period for displaying the images, and the start timing of one sub-frame period of the first control data is different from the start timing of one sub-frame period of the second control data.

Abstract: Provided is a compact projection display with high throughput. The projection display includes: an illumination unit which irradiates a plurality of single color light beams; a first scanner scanning the plurality of light beams irradiated from the illumination unit along a first direction; a light modulator with a linear array of micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) devices that are arranged parallel to the first direction; an F-? lens disposed between the first scanner and the light modulator and having a first entrance pupil and a second entrance pupil; and a second scanner disposed opposite to the second entrance pupil of the F-? lens and which scans a light beam passing through the second entrance pupil of the F-? lens on a screen along a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction.

Abstract: A composite optical element is provided. The composite optical element includes a plurality of optical elements, in which at least one of the optical elements is formed of an element modifying an optical path and the other optical elements are bonded to an incident surface and/or exit surface of the element modifying the optical path with a low refractive index material layer in between.

Abstract: An optical position of a display device with respect to an optical axis of a projection optical system is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis in accordance with a change in the size of a projected image. For instance, a transparent flat plate is disposed in front of a projection lens, and the transparent flat plate is tilted in association with a rotation of a zoom adjustment ring. As the transparent flat plate is tilted, the apparent position of the display device relative to the projection lens is displaced in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the projection optical system. Thereby, the projected image on a screen is located at a proper position corresponding to a zoom state. Tilt control of the transparent flat plate is realized by a cam mechanism, for instance.

Abstract: A total internal reflection prism comprises at least two subprisms. The at least two subprisms define an airgap of a uniform thickness following a one-dimensional curve.

Abstract: A polarization element includes: a substrate; a plurality of convex line sections on one surface of the substrate and forming stripes in a plan view; and a multilayer thin line provided to each convex line section and extending along the convex line sections, wherein the multilayer thin line has a lower layer on the convex line section, and an upper layer stacked on the lower layer, the lower layer and the upper layer each have a first thin line on one side surface in a direction along a shorter dimension of the convex line section, and a second thin line on the other side surface, the materials of the lower layer first thin line and the upper layer first thin line are different from each other, and the materials of the lower layer second thin line and the upper layer second thin line are different from each other.

Abstract: A laser projector includes a green laser, a two-wavelength laser, a PBS, a collimator lens, a two-axis galvanometer mirror, a group of lenses, and a screen. The green laser emits a green laser beam. The two-wavelength laser emits red and blue laser beams. The PBS is provided at the position where respective optical paths of laser beams emitted from respective lasers cross each other to cause these optical paths to coincide with each other.

Abstract: A wide color gamut projector having a plurality of dichroic prisms configured to split a light beam into six primary color components and direct each of the six primary color components to separate digital micromirror devices is disclosed. The projector further comprises a translucent rotatable drum having different polarization sections, wherein the light beam is capable of being passed orthogonally through a wall of the drum.

Abstract: An image projection apparatus according to the present invention includes a light source for outputting laser light and a mirror section for reflecting and projecting the laser light having been output from the light source, and displays an image with at least a portion of the projected laser light. The image projection apparatus includes a detection section for detecting at least a portion of the laser light returning from a projection direction of the laser light, and a calculation section for determining an image displayable region based on the detected light. The mirror section reflects at least a portion of the laser light returning from the projection direction of the laser light so as to be led into the detection section.

Abstract: Provided is a scanning optical system having reduced dimensions. The scanning optical system (10) is provided with a laser light source section (1), lens optical systems (11, 17, 19) which make laser beams parallel to each other, and a scanning section (2) which performs laser beam scanning by changing the tilt of a scanning mirror (3). The laser beams made parallel to each other travel toward the scanning mirror (3) by being reflected by means of a plurality of optical members, and a plane including at least two optical paths intersects the normal line direction of the reflecting surface (3a) of the scanning mirror (3) in the non-driven state.

Abstract: A reflector used in combination with a light emitting portion that emits light and disposed around a central axis on which the light emitting portion is disposed includes a curved reflection section having the substantially same shape as that of a surface of revolution around the central axis, the curved reflection section reflecting light from the light emitting portion, and a flat deflection section formed on a flat surface positioned closer to the central axis than the surface of revolution, the flat deflection section deflecting the light from the light emitting portion forward. The flat deflection section has a plurality of structural members formed on the flat surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mass media video player which comprises an edge blending apparatus for video signals, plurality of projectors, a plurality of reflector assemblies and a screen. By making use of the optical projection effect, the images projected from the plural projectors are reflected by plural reflector assemblies so as to maximize the size of the image area on screen, and at the same time makes the distance between the screen and the projector as short as possible.

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.

Abstract: A cooling device which prevents ambient persons from being exposed to an unpleasant feeling as much as possible by properly controlling an exhausting direction of the air which is used for cooling and exhausted from a chassis and an image projection apparatus having the cooling device are obtained. The cooing device cools first and second members to be cooled provided in the chassis, has first and second exhaust fans for guiding winds which have cooled the respective first and second members to an outside of the chassis, and is characterized in that the first and second exhaust fans are arranged so as to face the same surface of the chassis and the winds exhausted from the first and second exhaust fans are mixed.

Abstract: A beam alignment chamber extending in a length direction comprising a base having a front edge, and two side edges, first and second opposed side walls connected to the base, and extending along the length of the base, a front wall located at the front edge of the base having an output opening. The beam alignment chamber further comprises a plurality of arrays of light sources disposed to direct light beams through the first or second side walls, and a plurality of reflectors mounted on the base, each having independent yaw and pitch adjustments, each reflector being paired with a corresponding array of light sources, the base-mounted reflectors being disposed to direct the light beams along the length of the beam alignment chamber through the output opening forming an aligned two-dimensional array of parallel light beams.

Abstract: A video projector includes a reduced size spatial light modulator (400) that spatially modulates light from a light source (502) according to only a portion (e.g., ½) of a video frame at a time. A beam steerer (508, 600, 1600) steers spatially modulated light from the spatial light modulator to a correspond region (e.g., upper half, lower half) of a projection screen/surface (512) and one or more lenses (506, 510, 702, 802, 1002, 1008, 1100, 1300, 1502) insure that the spatially light modulator (400) is imaged onto the projection screen/surface (512).

Abstract: Disclosed is a projection optical system including a projection surface configured such that an image conjugate to an object is projected, plural optical elements having a refractive power, and a deflecting element having no refractive power configured to deflect an optical path of a light beam and to pass the light beam having a deflected optical path between the plural optical elements, wherein a normal line of the projection surface at a center of the projection surface does not pass through the plural optical elements or between the plural optical elements.

Abstract: A projection optical system satisfies a conditional formula: 0.01<{(tan ?f1?tan ?f2)?(tan ?n1?tan ?n2)}·(?2/?1)<0.

Abstract: A micro-scanner adapted for being miniaturized and an image projection apparatus using the same. The micro-scanner includes a scan mirror for scanning incident light to a screen while swinging about a rotary shaft; and upper and lower supports for rotatably supporting the top and bottom parts of the rotary shaft. The upper and lower supports having a driving unit for supplying driving force for rotating the scan mirror.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image projector has a spatial light modulator (SLM) adapted to modulate illumination from a laser with a spatial pattern such that the modulated illumination projects an image on a viewing screen. The image projector further has an optical diffuser located on an optical path between the laser and the SLM. The laser is adapted to illuminate the SLM through the optical diffuser to create an illuminated area at the SLM. The optical diffuser is adapted to introduce an angular spread into the light transmitted therethrough. The image projector is adapted to move the illuminated area with respect to the SLM to mitigate speckle in the projected image.

Abstract: A light engine has a light source front surface that emits non-collimated light. A collection lens collects the non-collimated light and provides incompletely collimated light. A collimating lens receives the incompletely collimated light and provides a collimated image. A non-orthogonal polarizing filter receives the collimated image and passes a polarized portion of the collimated image as a direct component of the polarized light engine image. The non-orthogonal polarizing filter reflects a recycled image back to the front surface. The non-orthogonal shape of the polarizing filter is selected according to the pattern of light on the light source front surface.

Abstract: A micro projection device includes a light-emitting unit, a first lens unit, a reflective unit, a second lens unit, a prism unit, an image display unit and a projection unit. The light-emitting unit has three light-emitting modules. Each light-emitting module has a heat-dissipating element, a light-emitting element and a light-guiding element combined with the heat-dissipating element for receiving light beams generated by the light-emitting element. The first lens unit has three first lens sets respectively disposed beside the three light-emitting modules. The reflective unit is disposed beside the first lens unit. The second lens unit is disposed beside the reflective unit. The prism unit is disposed beside the second lens unit. The image display unit has a reflective image display panel disposed beside one side of the prism unit. The projection unit has a projection lens disposed beside another side of the prism unit.

Abstract: A lightweight, compact image projection module has a laser package having a common exit port, and a plurality of lasers mounted in the package and operative for emitting a plurality of laser beams of different wavelengths through the common exit port. An optical assembly focuses the laser beams exiting the common exit port, and includes a common focusing lens through which the laser beams pass along respective paths that are in angular misalignment. An optical corrector element in at least one of the paths corrects the misalignment to produce aligned beams. A scanner sweeps the aligned beams in a pattern of scan lines, each scan line having a number of pixels. A controller causes selected pixels to be illuminated, and rendered visible, by the aligned beams to produce the image.

Abstract: A laser display device, which is capable of ensuring the safety of a person's eyes and reducing speckle noise even when a screen is arranged at an arbitrary position, includes a laser light source emitting a laser light, a modulator modulating the laser light and emitting a modulated light, and a branching unit branching the modulated light into a plurality of branched lights. Further, at least two of the plurality of branched lights reach same positions on a screen at substantially same timings.

Abstract: A method includes generating a plurality of beams that each illuminate a separate portion of a spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator has a first dimension of a first length and a second dimension of a second length. Each of the beams spans a portion of the first length of the first dimension and a portion of the second length of the second dimension. The method also includes scrolling the plurality of beams along the second dimension of the spatial light modulator while maintaining at least a first gap between each of the plurality of beams.

Abstract: A projecting apparatus for protecting an image onto a screen includes an image module, a first light reflection device and a lens. The image module is for providing a beam of first light, The first light reflection device has a first reflection surface disposed movably relative to the image module for reflecting the first light to form a beam of second light. The lens is for projection the image on the screen according to the second light. Moving the first light reflection device along the beam of first light or second light can adjust the location of the image on the screen in a first direction.

Abstract: A beam alignment system for generating an aligned two-dimensional array of parallel light beams, comprising a beam alignment chamber including a base extending in a length direction and a plurality of reflectors mounted on the base, each having independent yaw and pitch adjustments. The beam alignment system further includes a plurality of arrays of light sources, each generating an array of light beams and being paired with a corresponding reflector, the reflectors being disposed to direct the light beams along the length of the beam alignment chamber forming an aligned two-dimensional array of parallel light beams.

Abstract: An illumination system for providing an illumination beam to a light valve is provided. The illumination system includes a light source, a light integration rod, a color wheel, a first focusing unit and a second focusing unit. The light source is capable of generating the illumination beam, and the light integration rod is disposed on the transmission path of the illumination beam. The first focusing unit is disposed between the integration rod and the color wheel and is capable of focusing the illumination beam onto the color wheel. The second focusing unit is disposed between the color wheel and the light valve and is capable of focusing the illumination beam onto the light valve.

Abstract: An illumination source includes a number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) operating at a first wavelength. Light from the LEDs illuminates a phosphor material that generates light at a second wavelength. A reflective polarizer transmits light at the second wavelength in a first polarization state and reflects light at the second wavelength in a second polarization state orthogonal to the first polarization state. The light at the second wavelength reflected by the reflective polarizer is directed back towards the phosphor material without an increase in angular range. In some embodiments the LEDs, having a conformal layer of phosphor material, are attached directly to the first surface of a liquid cooled plate. A liquid coolant contacts a second surface of the plate.

Abstract: An illumination system for a projection display is disclosed in the present invention. The illumination system has three light sources for providing three primary color rays, two collimators for collimating the rays into light beams, and two beam splitters for reflecting and passing the light beams to make white light available. It can also include three light sources, one collimator and three individual beam splitters. The illumination system has a compact size and low manufacturing cost. Its lighting efficiency is better than that of a conventional illumination system. Hence, it is suitable for small size projectors.

Abstract: A rear projector includes: a screen; a display light source that emits a display light; a first optical modulation element that modulates the display light emitted from the display light source; an excitation light source that emits an excitation light; a second optical modulation element that modulates the excitation light emitted from the excitation light source; and a projection unit that projects, onto the screen, the display light being a result of modulation by the first optical modulation element and the excitation light being a result of modulation by the second optical modulation element.

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.

Abstract: A three-dimensional display device includes a display panel displaying first to nth partial images along a circumference; and an n-gonal pyramid mirror including first to nth mirrors at n side surfaces, respectively, of the n-gonal pyramid mirror, wherein the first to nth mirrors reflect the first to nth partial images, respectively, and wherein each of the first to nth mirrors substantially makes a 45 degree angle with the display panel.

Abstract: A projection image display device is disclosed in which a trapezoidal distortion and/or aberration are restrained when an image is enlarged and projected obliquely onto a screen. An image generator is connected to an optical system base in such a manner that at least an inclination thereof (on an axis parallel to X axis) with respect to a vertical line and a distance thereof in forward and backward direction (Z axis direction) can be adjusted by an adjusting mechanism. Further, a projecting lens 2 as a first optical system and a free-form curved surface mirror as a second optical system are fixed to the optical system base. The free-form curved surface mirror is rotatable (on an rotary axis parallel to X axis) with respect to the vertical line at a substantial center of the free-form curved surface mirror.

Abstract: There is provided a light source unit which includes a luminescent light source which receives excitation light so as to emit light of a predetermined wavelength band, excitation light sources which shine excitation light on to the luminescent light source, a reflection space having the luminescent light source in an interior thereof and an emission space which emits luminescent light source light emitted from the reflection space from an emission port whose area is made smaller than the area of the luminescent light source and a projector which employs the light source unit.