Abstract: A lighting optical unit having an optical system for irradiating light from a light-source lamp on a predetermined object in a uniform and/or convergent manner includes a reflector for reflecting light from the light-source lamp to provide converged light and an optical assembly for collimating this converged light to provide a bundle of approximately parallel rays, wherein the bundle of approximately parallel rays is made to enter the optical systeml. Thus, in a liquid-crystal projector using a transmission type liquid-crystal panel with micro-lens, while a demand for increasing a quantity of light incident on an effective area of pixel of a liquid-crystal panel is being satisfied, the lighting optical unit can be made compact in size.

Abstract: A projection apparatus (10) has an illumination section (68) that provides at least a first, a second, and a third component wavelength illumination. At least two component wavelength modulating sections accept and modulate the component wavelength illumination to provide a modulated component wavelength beam. Each component wavelength modulating section has a portion of a monochrome transmissive liquid crystal modulator panel (118) that has been segmented into at least a first, a second, and a third spatially separate portion. A component wavelength polarizer directs substantially polarized light to the corresponding portion of the monochrome transmissive liquid crystal modulator panel. An illumination path Fresnel lens focuses incident illumination from the component wavelength polarizer through the corresponding portion of the monochrome transmissive liquid crystal modulator panel. An analyzer conditions the polarization of the modulated component wavelength beam.

Abstract: A wall hanging apparatus for a projection apparatus comprises a fixing seat installed at the lower surface of the projection apparatus, supporting arm whose lower end is fixed on the surface of the fixing seat and reflection mirror fixed at the upper end of the supporting arm and corresponded to a projection lens of the projection apparatus. Whereby, the projection apparatus can have both the portability of a prone type projection apparatus and space saving characteristic of a ceiling hanging type projection apparatus and can be used in an indoor space with a lower height to allow the usage of the projection apparatus is diversified. And, a trapezoid deformation of an image caused from the deviation of the angle of incidence can be modified effectively and quickly by adjusting the angle of the reflection mirror.

Abstract: This specification discloses a polarizing. element for dividing light into first and second polarized lights differing in polarized state from each other by a polarizing dividing surface, directing the first polarized light in a first direction, reflecting the second polarized light by a reflecting surface and directing it in the first direction, and varying the polarized state of at least one of the first and second polarized lights to thereby make the polarized states of the first and second polarized lights coincident with each other, characterized in that the polarizing dividing surface is disposed on one surface of a plane parallel plate and the reflecting surface is disposed on the other surface of the plane parallel plate, and the light enters obliquely from the one surface or the other surface. The specification also discloses a polarizing conversion unit provided with such polarizing element, and a projector provided with such polarizing conversion unit.

Abstract: An illumination system includes a first light source, a second light source, a first light integrating device and a second light integrating device. Each light integrating device includes an input aperture at an input end for receiving input light and a turning mirror at an output end for reflecting light onto an output aperture where the output aperture is positioned in a direction perpendicular to the input aperture. The illumination system further includes a first reflective mirror and a second reflective mirror each coupled to direct light from the respective light source into the input aperture of the respective light integrating device. The illumination system includes a third light integrating device including an input aperture optically coupled to the output apertures of the first and second light integrating devices. The input aperture of the third light integrating device receives light collected by the first and second light integrating devices.

Abstract: In a projection display device that is provided with a relay lens for converting flux that is emitted from a light source to a parallel flux for illuminating an image display element (DMD), and a total internal reflection prism for both directing flux that is emitted from the relay lens to the DMD and directing flux that is reflected by the DMD toward a projection lens, the relay lens is unified with the prism as a lens-integral prism by bonding the relay lens to the total internal reflection surface of the prism.

Abstract: A two-stage light projection system is provided for projecting an image comprising a matrix of light pixels having modulated luminance. A first imager is configured to modulate a light band on a pixel-by-pixel basis proportional to gray scale values provided for each pixel of the image to provide a first output matrix. A second imager is positioned and configured to receive the first output matrix and modulate the individual modulated pixels of light from the first imager on a pixel-by-pixel basis proportional to a second gray scale value provided for each pixel. A relay lens system having a single-gauss lens set and a mirror positioned at the system stop focuses the modulated light output from the first imager on a pixel-by-pixel basis onto the corresponding pixels of the second imager.

Abstract: A light pipe based projection engine includes a X-prism transmitting substantially light of a useful polarization in an output direction and reflecting substantially light of a non-useful polarization in a first orthogonal direction substantially orthogonal to the output direction. An initial reflector may reflect the non-said low, said medium, and said high bands of wavelengths in a second orthogonal direction substantially orthogonal to the output direction and the first orthogonal direction, and a final reflector may reflect the non-said low, said medium, and said high bands of wavelengths in the output direction. The non-said low, said medium, and said high bands of wavelengths may be rotated substantially to light of the useful polarization by the initial and final reflectors.

Abstract: A multi-layer film, wherein a ratio H/L or L/H, a balance in optical film thickness between a high-refractive-index layer H and a low-refractive-index layer L, is set within a range of 1.2–2.0 to bias a balance in thickness. A method of producing a dielectric multi-layer film, wherein, when a dielectric multi-layer film is formed, a proportion at which an optical film thickness is formed on a monitor substrate is made larger than usual. A UV reflection film, having a step difference in average transmittance of 70–90% at a specified half-power point and within a wavelength range of 430–450 nm, is provided on a substrate to form a UV cut filter. A UV reflection film at a specified half-power point, a step difference in average transmittance of 70–90% within a wavelength range of 430–450 nm, and a blue conditioning film having a transmittance of at least 90% within a wavelength range of 460–520 nm may be combined.

Abstract: On a transparent substrate (1), a first alternating periodic layer (5) including low-refractive-index layers (2) and high-refractive-index layers (3), a second alternating periodic layer (6) including the low-refractive-index layers (2) or the high-refractive-index layers (3) and intermediate-refractive-index layers (4), and a third alternating periodic layer (7) including the low-refractive-index layers (2) and the high-refractive-index layers (3) are provided in this order. The refractive index of the intermediate-refractive-index layers (4) is higher than that of the low-refractive-index layers (2) and lower than that of the high-refractive-index layers (3). Furthermore, the intermediate-refractive-index layers (4) contain materials for the low-refractive-index layers (2) and the high-refractive-index layers (3).

Abstract: An illumination unit for a projection image display. The illumination unit includes a light source, an integrator which converts light emitted from the light source to have uniform optical intensity, and an aspect ratio conversion unit which transmits light emitted from the integrator that does not correspond to an aspect ratio of image information back to the integrator, and converts and emits incident light to correspond to the aspect ratio of the image information.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling a laser projection device (LPD). The apparatus is comprised of a liquid crystal display controller, a laser projection display controller, and a laser projection display engine. The liquid crystal display controller is adapted to receive video signals indicative of a visual display and convert the video signals to control signals suitable for controlling a liquid crystal display panel. The laser projection device controller is adapted to receive the control signals from the liquid crystal display controller and use the control signals to control a laser projection display. The laser projection device engine is adapted to display an image under the control of the laser projection device controller.

Abstract: A color separating-combining optical system is configured to separate illumination light into a plurality of color spectrums, guiding these color spectrums to respective image display elements, and combining the color spectrums modulated by the image display elements. The system includes a first polarization separating optical system that reflects the first color spectrum from the separating optical system to a first image display element and transmits the first color spectrum from the first image display element to the combining optical system. Similarly, a second polarization separating optical system is provided that reflects and transmits the second color spectrum. The degree of linear polarization of a reflected color can be maintained higher than that of another, and/or an antireflection element can be included in the path of reflected light.

Abstract: Projector bulb life is managed to achieve desired performance parameters, such as a maximum life mode or maximum brightness mode, by sensing bulb luminance and applied the sensed luminance with a luminance feedback controller to drive the bulb to achieve the desired performance parameter. For instance, in maximum life mode the luminance feedback controller reduces power applied to the bulb to restrict bulb luminance to a maximum luminance setpoint when greater luminance is available with a newer bulb. In maximum brightness mode, the luminance feedback controller increases power applied to the bulb to increase bulb luminance if the sensor senses luminance below a threshold due bulb wear. Bulb life management improves project image illumination to display information in a variety of projector types, including digital mirror devices and liquid crystal displays.

Abstract: An optical system for use in projection based displays includes a plurality of solid state light sources associated with a plurality of total internal reflection based compound hyperbolic emitters, a graduated dichroic filter based device for homogenizing light output from the plurality of solid state light sources, a ferro-electric liquid crystal on silicon device for illumination with light output from the array of solid state light sources, and a polarization diffuser for homogenization of light at the ferro-electric liquid crystal on silicon device, wherein the polarization diffuser is positioned at a point in space, in the optical system, where the size of a beam of light transmitted from the graduated dichroic filter based device is substantially at a maximum.

Abstract: A digital light processing projector comprising a light source, a splitter module, a plurality of total internal reflection (TIR) prisms and digital mirror devices (DMDs), a combiner and a projection lens is provided. The splitter module is disposed in the light path of the light after the light source to split the light into a plurality of color lights. Each color light is incident to the total reflection plane of the TIR prism with an incident angle larger than the critical angle, and then is totally reflected to the DMD. Thereafter, each color light is reflected by the DMD being incident to the total reflection plane of the TIR prism with an incident angle smaller than the critical angle, and then passes through the TIR prism directly. The color lights passing through the TIR prisms are combined by the combiner and then projected by the projection lens.

Abstract: A projection type image display apparatus including a scanning mirror and a projection lens adapted to project an image on an image-displaying screen by scanning with a laser beam, and a detector adapted to detect the presence or absence of an intruding object between the projection means and the screen, wherein detection by the detector is conducted relative to a position preceding the laser beam in the scan direction of the laser beam.

Abstract: A light source device, comprising a light guide block that is provided with an inner wall capable of reflecting light and is shaped as a hollow component to form a light guide, and a point light source array that is located opposite one end face of the light guide block and is capable of emitting light into the light guide.

Abstract: A projection display apparatus that is lightweight and provides bright, high quality images is provided. The projection display apparatus comprising a color separation and synthesis optical system 4, that performs color synthesis, generating an image, after separating light of the three primary colors of determined polarities into the respective three colors, and modulating those three color lights in relation to respective image signals therefor, and a projection lens 106. The color separation and synthesis optical system 4 comprises polarized light separating means 8, 9, 11 and 16 disposed in respective diagonal directions therein and reflecting spatial light modulating elements 12, 13 and 14 disposed to perform light modulation coordinated to an image signal for each respective color, for light separated according to polarization by the four polarized light separating means 8, 9, 11.

Abstract: Optical system designs for projectors using flat light sources are disclosed. These projectors make use of imagers that manipulate the transmission or reflectance of light through electronically controlled pixels. The optical systems of the invention employ a rectangular flat light source that is matched to the aspect ratio of the imager itself, thus enabling very efficient use of light. Several flat light sources are possible for this projection system, including flat fluorescent lights and field emission light sources. Collimation of these light sources is an option. Polarization conversion means is also disclosed for such flat light sources, so that the light output is almost totally linearly polarized. Such projection systems can be very compact.

Abstract: A light source device includes a light-emitting tube and a reflector. The light-emitting tube has a light-emitting portion that generates a light beam by an electric discharge between electrodes, and sealing portions provided on both sides of the light-emitting portion. The light-emitting tube has a sub-reflection mirror that covers substantially a front half of the light-emitting portion. The reflector has a neck portion provided with an insertion hole to which the light-emitting tube is inserted, and a reflecting portion integrally formed with the neck portion and having an ellipsoidal curved reflecting surface that irradiates the light beam emitted by the light-emitting portion to align the light beam in a predetermined direction. The opening diameter of the insertion hole on the side of the reflecting surface is greater than the external diameter of the sub-reflection mirror and within the internal diameter of a valid reflection area of the reflector.

Abstract: A display system includes a single image-projection device, and a reflective surface optically coupled to the image-projection device, wherein the reflective surface is configured to reflect a plurality of images projected by the image-projection device onto a plurality of display surfaces, the projection being along a same path as a collection of the plurality of images.

Abstract: An illuminating optical system for focusing a radiant light of a light source (1) onto a reflecting light valve (6) and a projection lens (7) for magnifying and projecting a reflected light from the reflecting light valve (6) onto a screen are provided, a diaphragm (31) is disposed at a substantially conjugate position of an entrance pupil of the projection lens (7) on an optical path of the illuminating optical system, the diaphragm (31) has an opening whose area is changed by a light-shielding member, and a shape of a shielded portion of the diaphragm (31) shielded by the light-shielding member is rotationally asymmetric to an optical axis (12) of the illuminating optical system. Accordingly, shielding of necessary light can be better avoided compared with a diaphragm for changing the light-shielding area in a rotationally symmetric manner, for example, a diaphragm for narrowing the opening concentrically, making it possible to improve contrast performance while minimizing brightness reduction.

Abstract: To provide an image display device and a projector having a brightness or an excellent utilization efficiency of the light by improving the display performance of a moving picture.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus includes an illumination system configured to provide a beam of radiation; a support configured to support a patterning device, the patterning device configured to impart the beam of radiation with a pattern in its cross section; a substrate table configured to hold a substrate, and a projection system configured to project the patterned beam of radiation onto a target portion of the substrate, wherein the illumination system has a radiation source and at least one mirror configured to enhance an output of the source. The illumination system may include a second radiation source and at least one mirror positioned between the radiation sources to image the output of the second source onto the first source, thereby enhancing the output of the source. The radiation sources may be operable to emit radiation in the EUV wavelength range.

Abstract: A color scrolling projection system is provided, including a light source, a color separator, a color scanner, a light valve, and a control circuit. The light source generates and emits light. The color separator separates incident light according to color. The color scanner includes a scrolling unit and a driving source for rotating the scrolling unit. The scrolling unit includes at least one lens cell and converts the rotation of the scrolling unit into the rectilinear motion of a lens array of the scrolling unit through which light passes. The light valve processes color bars according to an input image signal and forms a color image. The control circuit synchronizes the scrolling of the color with the electrical scanning of the light valve according to an image signal. The color bars are scrolled on the light valve due to a rotation of the scrolling unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for mapping image shapes for a display device includes: an illuminating light source such as an integrating rod; a mechanism for selecting an image aspect ratio or shape; and a mechanism for reshaping light exiting from the illuminating light source depending upon the image aspect ratio or shape.

Abstract: A projection system including a lighting system, a screen, a color filter separating light emitted from the lighting system according to wavelengths of the light, a first reflecting mirror reflecting the light passing through the color filter to change a path of the light, a display device provided in a predetermined position in the first reflecting mirror, a second reflecting mirror reflecting light reflected from the first reflecting mirror toward the display device, and a projection lens unit enlarging and projecting a color image formed by the display device onto the screen.

Abstract: An optical projection system can receive a red light beam, green light beam, and blue light beam. The optical projection system includes a color-combination prism, and the light beams respectively enter the color-combination prism from three surfaces and are combined into a mixed light beam, which exits from another surface. A projection lens set receives the mixed light beam to perform the projection. Each of the light beams further includes a liquid crystal reflection panel and a wire grid polarizer (WGP). The liquid crystal reflection panel is parallel to the corresponding surfaces of the color-combination prism. In the design, before the light beam entering the color-combination prism, they are first reflected by the WGP onto the liquid crystal reflection panel, and the liquid crystal reflection panels respectively with a polarizing state reflect the light beams, passing through the WGP and directly propagating toward the color-combination prism.

Abstract: An optical projection system has a parallel light source for producing a parallel light beam. A first color splitter splits the parallel light beam into a first color beam and a color mixing beam. The color mixing beam includes a second color beam and a third color beam. A first both-side telecentric group is disposed on a first light path of the first color beam, so as to transform into a first light beam. A second both-side telecentric group is disposed on a second light path of the color mixing beam. A second color splitter is disposed on the second light path to split the color mixing beam into a second light beam and a third light beam. A light-combining unit receives the first, second, and third light beams and combines into a mixed beam. Then the mixed beam is projected.

Abstract: There is provided an illumination system for EUV-wavelengths. The illumination system includes a plurality of EUV-light sources and an optical unit combining the plurality of EUV-light sources.

Abstract: A projection type display apparatus includes a color separation optical system separating light emitted from a light source into first, second and third color light; reflection type light valves provided each in correspondence to one of the first through third color light; polarization beam splitters provided each in correspondence to one of the first through third color light, which executes polarization separation causing the first through third color light to enter the reflection type light valves, and analyzing light exiting from the reflection type light valves after being modulated; a color composition optical system having a first, a second and a third prism, wherein the analyzed first through third color light undergo color composition; and a projection lens projecting the resulting light from the color composition, and lengths of optical paths wherein each of the first through third color light travels are equal to one another.

Abstract: A method and apparatus or configuration generates light of a given polarization state (P). A polarization state-sensitive beam splitter is acted upon by light (L) at an input (E1), light (LP) of the given polarization state being output by the beam splitter (1) at a first beam splitter output (A1). Light (LS) with polarization state (S) that is perpendicular to the given state (P) is changed with respect to this state and also output. The light of the changed polarization state again acts upon the polarization state-sensitive beam splitter at the input (E1). The apparatus or configuration achieves this by having the optic input (E3) of a polarization state-changing structural element whose optic output (A3) is operationally connected to the optic input (E1) of the polarization state-sensitive beam splitter, operationally connected to the second optic output (A2).

Abstract: A projector apparatus includes digital micromirror device (DMD) Color temperature and adjustment of white balance with respect to projection light can be detected in a light condition in a convenient manner. A position of the picture formed by the projection light on the screen can be shifted. A projector apparatus includes a shutter disposed downstream of the projection optics for blocking the projection light and a sensor attached to the shutter. In a second embodiment, a projector apparatus includes a sliding structure for causing a projection optics to be slid relative to a casing constituting an apparatus body in a perpendicular relation to the optical axis of projection optics means and a follow-up structure for causing a sensor to follow the projection optics means.

Abstract: A highly-efficient projection system is provided, including a light source, a color separator, a scrolling unit, a light valve, and a projection lens unit. The color separator separates an incident beam according to color. The scrolling unit includes at least one lens cell and converts the rotation of the lens cell into a rectilinear motion of an area of the lens cell through which light passes so that an incident beam is scrolled. The light valve includes a plurality of micromirrors independently driven according to image signals to change a reflection angle of incident light. The light valve processes a beam transmitted by the color separator and the scrolling unit according to an image signal and forms a color picture. The projection lens unit magnifies the color picture formed by the light valve and projects the magnified color picture onto a screen.

Abstract: A display apparatus comprises a screen which can rotate and provides a part for controlling view angle, a mirror group which comprises a plurality of mirrors arrayed in a ring form along a surface of a circular cone which sets a central axis as an axis of rotation of the screen, and a plurality of electronic projectors arranged at positions where oppose to mirror faces of the mirrors comprising the mirror group and project different image divisions representing different sides of an object to the different mirror faces, wherein each of the electronic projectors is arranged so as to project the image division to the mirror group, and each of the mirrors is arranged on optical path of optical system which the image division projected from the electronic projector is reflected on the mirror face and is projected to the screen.

Abstract: An illumination system is provided with at least a first arc lamp positioned on the first axis of a first reflecting device. An aspherical corrector plate is positioned to receive the light rays produced by the arc lamp. The aspherical corrector plate is shaped so that it provides a substantially constant magnification of the arc as a function of the range of reflection angles of light rays off of the reflecting device.

Abstract: A projection type display device includes a light source, a picture information display element, and a light deflection device with a function to deflect light from the light source and irradiate the deflected light on a region of the picture information display element. The light deflection device scans the region on the picture information display element to be irradiated with light over the entire picture information display element within each frame period to thereby project a picture. A picture is displayed by changing the region on the picture information display element irradiated by light within a period of each one frame. The projection type display device provides sharp moving pictures and bright images. Furthermore, the projection type display device provides a wide dynamic range and faithful tone reproducibility for pictures that are mainly dark images. Moreover, the projection type display device can use a Half-V type FLC element for creating bright and sharp moving pictures.

Abstract: An image projection system includes a light source for generating a light beam, a reflective housing, and an invisible-light reflector. The reflective housing includes an opening and forms an accommodating space for accommodating the light source so that the light beam can emit from the opening along an optical path. The invisible-light reflector, whose normal is arranged to form an acute angle with the optical path, is installed at a reflecting position intersecting with the optical path outside the opening of the reflective housing. The invisible light of the light beam will be reflected back to the accommodating space by the invisible-light reflector without any destruction caused by the invisible light.

Abstract: A projection apparatus including a polarization conversion system to convert light having a first polarization component; a color recycling system, which separates the light into first and second color lights, to transmit and reflect the first and second color lights; an image forming system including a first reflective panel and a second reflective panel, which respectively modulate the first and second color lights, and a third reflective panel, which modulates the third color light; and an optical path conversion system, which splits the optical paths of fourth and fifth color lights incident from the color recycling system such that the first color light in the fourth color light is directed to the first reflective panel, the second color light in the fifth color light is directed to the second reflective panel, and the third color light in the fourth and fifth color light is directed to the third reflective panel.

Abstract: A light source device includes: a light-emitting tube including a light-emitting portion that generates a light beam by an electric discharge between electrodes and sealing portions provided on both sides of the light-emitting portion; a reflector including a neck portion provided with an insertion hole to which the light-emitting tube is inserted, and a reflecting portion integrally formed with the neck portion and having an ellipsoidal curved reflecting surface that irradiates forward the light beam emitted by the light-emitting portion and aligns the light beam in a predetermined direction. The light-emitting tube has a sub-reflection mirror that covers substantially front half of the light-emitting tube. The insertion hole has a diameter that is enlarged from the base end thereof toward the distal end in a light irradiation direction.

Abstract: In order to provide a liquid crystal projector that prevents the image burn-in phenomenon or image sticking in a liquid crystal projector of ferroelectric liquid crystal, and moreover, that provides a bright projected image, the polarization directions of linearly polarized light beams that are irradiated upon a liquid crystal display device are switched in synchronization with the alternate reversal of the polarity of the liquid crystal display device, whereby a negative image, which could not be displayed in the prior art, can be converted to a positive image and displayed.

Abstract: The illumination optical system for guiding a light emitted from a light source to an object to be illuminated along an optical path includes a first reflecting mirror reflecting a part of a light which is moving in a forward direction along the optical path to move away from the light source and a second reflecting mirror reflecting a part of a light which is reflected from the first reflecting mirror and moving in a reverse direction along the optical path to approach the light source. The first reflecting mirror has an opening facing a light-entering surface of the object to be illuminated, and the second reflecting mirror has a window that allows the light emitted from the light source to pass therethrough, whereby an optical cavity is constituted by the first and second reflecting mirrors.

Abstract: This invention is an image display device for performing color display of an image using two spatial light modulators. The image display device has a first spatial light modulator (52) for modulating a first wavelength range component of illuminating light from an illuminating light source (10), dichroic mirrors (40), (41) for separating second and third wavelength range components of the illuminating light and condensing the respective wavelength range components, a second spatial light modulator (50) for modulating the second and third wavelength range components, and a dichroic mirror (60) for combining modulated light emitted from the first and second spatial light modulators (52), (50).

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for producing images having a depth or relief component (e.g., appearing three-dimensional) from single perspective projection masks. The three-dimensional relief images are generated from two-dimensional images utilizing a simplified electromechanical device. In this regard, an oscillating light redirecting system is used to synthesize a third dimension onto a two-dimensional image resulting from projecting light through a single perspective projection mask. The light redirecting system controllably deflects the light projecting through the projection mask about two axes prior to the resulting image being projected on a surface. When projected onto a surface, the resulting image is controllably spread over two axes such that it appears to be a three-dimensional relief image. In a further embodiment, color filtering is utilized in order to produce color three-dimensional relief images.

Abstract: A light guiding member (40) for reflecting therein light entering through a light entering surface (40a) several times to cause light having a uniform illumination distribution to outgo from a light outgoing surface (40b) is inserted into an optical path between a lamp source (10) and a reflection type display device (80). The light outgoing surface (40b) of the light guiding member (40) is formed in a dissimilar shape with an image display region of the reflection type display device (80), and a region irradiated with light in the image display region of the reflection type display device (80) is formed smaller than the image display region. This prevents a whitening phenomenon in a projected image undisplay region and improves video effects given to viewers as well as effectively utilizing light emitted from a light source for images to be projected to display projected images brightly.

Abstract: An illuminating optical system for focusing a radiant light of a light source (1) onto a reflecting light valve (6) and a projection lens (7) for magnifying and projecting a reflected light from the reflecting light valve (6) onto a screen are provided, a diaphragm (31) is disposed at a substantially conjugate position of an entrance pupil of the projection lens (7) on an optical path of the illuminating optical system, the diaphragm (31) has an opening whose area is changed by a light-shielding member, and a shape of a shielded portion of the diaphragm (31) shielded by the light-shielding member is rotationally asymmetric to an optical axis (12) of the illuminating optical system. Accordingly, shielding of necessary light can be better avoided compared with a diaphragm for changing the light-shielding area in a rotationally symmetric manner, for example, a diaphragm for narrowing the opening concentrically, making it possible to improve contrast performance while minimizing brightness reduction.

Abstract: A projector for projecting an image to an external screen in which an optical unit, includes rectangular liquid crystal panels disposed such that the short sides thereof are substantially parallel with a plane including principal light beams of the respective color light beams to be composited by a prism. Transmission cables are drawn out from the short sides of the respective liquid crystal panels, and a cooling fan is disposed such that the direction of cooling air is approximately parallel with the long sides of the liquid crystal panels.

Abstract: A display system includes a waveguide optical panel having an inlet face and an opposite outlet face. A projector cooperates with a digital imaging device, e.g. a digital micromirror imaging device, for projecting an image through the panel for display on the outlet face. The imaging device includes an array of mirrors tiltable between opposite display and divert positions. The display positions reflect an image light beam from the projector through the panel for display on the outlet face. The divert positions divert the image light beam away from the panel, and are additionally used for reflecting a probe light beam through the panel toward the outlet face. Covering a spot on the panel, e.g. with a finger, reflects the probe light beam back through the panel toward the inlet face for detection thereat and providing interactive capability.

Abstract: Two polarization conversion element arrays are disclosed. Each polarization conversion element array is composed of a plurality of polarization conversion elements for converting light incident upon the polarization conversion element array to a linearly polarized light beam with a predetermined polarization direction. The plurality of polarization conversion elements are disposed opposite to each other with a predetermined space provided between at about the center of the light-outgoing surface of a lens array in the direction of arrangement. Of the light beams (s-polarized+p-polarized light beams) gathered by the lens array, light beam that is not incident upon the polarization conversion element and passes through the predetermined space is a light beam including a predetermined polarized light beam (s-polarized light beam) that is primarily made to leave the array 320a and an ineffective polarized light beam (p-polarized light beam).