Abstract: A liquid crystal panel includes a liquid crystal display element, a micro-lens array, an adjustable lens array, and a lens control unit electrically connected to the adjustable lens array. The liquid crystal display element has a light input surface and a light output surface opposite to the light input surface. The micro-lens array has a plurality of micro-lenses disposed on the light input surface of the liquid crystal display element). The adjustable lens array has a plurality of adjustable lenses disposed on the light output surface of the liquid crystal display element. The lens control unit is capable of controlling focal lengths of the plurality of adjustable lenses.

Abstract: A projection display device includes a light source, an optical intensity-equalizing element, an optical modulating element, an optical diffusion element, a relay optical system that is configured such that an output end of the optical intensity-equalizing element and a display element plane of the optical modulating element are optically conjugate, and a projection optical system. The relay optical system includes a first lens unit that condenses a light from the optical intensity-equalizing element and a second lens unit that further condenses a light from the first lens unit. The optical diffusion element is arranged between an light incident side of the first lens unit and the optical intensity-equalizing element. An optical axis of the second lens unit and a center of the output end of the optical intensity-equalizing element are shifted in a same direction from an optical axis of the first lens unit.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a projection type image display apparatus enables control of a large amount of light masking through a light-masking unit while maintaining a uniform illumination distribution in an area to be illuminated by the illumination light. The apparatus uses two array lenses on which lens cells are arranged in matrix form, where light-masking unit masks the array lens installed on the light source side in their particular area. The light-masking unit adjusts the amount of light emitted from the light source. The light-masking area of lens cells adjacent to lens cells closest to an optical axis is made smaller than the light-masking area of other cells.

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 projection system includes an opto-electromechanical component for speckle reduction, the opto-electromechanical component comprising a micro-motor having a shaft and a translucent light-diffusing element fixed to the shaft.

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.

Abstract: A transparent screen is constructed in such a way that a plurality of Fresnel prisms 12d each of which is smaller than a plurality of Fresnel prisms 12a and has a shape approximately similar to that of each of the plurality of Fresnel prisms 12a are arranged in a sawtooth shape on a non-light incidence surface portion of a Fresnel lens 12 on a light incidence side to which any image light PB applied from a projector 1 is not applied directly because blocked by a Fresnel prism 12a placed frontwardly.

Abstract: An optical projection system includes a light source module, a field lens, a fly-eye lens, a light valve and a projection lens. The field lens is disposed on a propagation path of a light beam, where the light beam emitted from the light source module comprises a transmission light beam passing through the field lens and a reflection light beam reflected by the field lens. The fly-eye lens is disposed on the propagation path of the light beam and between the light source module and the field lens to homogenize the light beam, where the fly-eye lens includes a plurality of lens elements arranged in an array, the reflection light beam passes through the lens element via a transmissive region of the lens element, and at least one of an opaque structure, a light-diffusing structure and a light-deflecting structure is formed on the transmissive region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a projector, the projector including a light source, an illumination unit illuminating light incident from the light source, and a display device enabling to realize an image by receiving the light irradiated from the illumination unit, and whose center is positioned at an axis different from an optical axis of the illumination unit.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention involve novel display screens comprising light diffusion and retro-reflectivity. In embodiments, a retro-reflective light diffusion screen can be used to generate a three-dimensional autostereoscopic display by generating a plurality of viewing windows wherein each viewing window depicts a unique perspective image view. In embodiments, the retro-reflective light diffusion screen comprises a transparent medium layer between the retro-reflector surface and the light diffuser layer to help reduce ghost images. In embodiments, the retro-reflective light diffusion screen comprises a lenticular layer positioned such that the light diffuser layer is between the lenticular layer and the retro-reflective surface and is also positioned so that the light diffuser layer is at a focal plane of the lenticular layer.

Abstract: A reduced product height/thickness projector includes an illuminator, an electro-optic modulator, a projection system, a collector lens, and associated housing. The illuminator including a light source that emits an illumination light flux, a first lens array having a plurality of first lenslets that divide the illumination light flux from the light source into a plurality of sub-light fluxes, a second lens array having a plurality of second lenslets corresponding to the plurality of first lenslets, and a superimposing lens that superimposes the sub-light fluxes from the second lens array on an illuminated area. The central axis of the image formation area of the electro-optic modulator and the lens optical axis of the superimposing lens is shifted from the light source optical axis of the light source. The lens optical axis of the collector lens is shifted opposite from the central axis of the image formation area of the electro-optic modulator.

Abstract: A projection display apparatus 101 in which the light quantity adjusting means has a simple and readily interchangeable structure, and which can improve image quality by adjusting the quantity of light received by a light valve continuously, without causing illuminance irregularities, and without having unwanted light radiated onto the screen, the light quantity adjusting means 9 having light blocking members 91L, 91R for blocking light in transit to a second lens array 22, and rotational axes 91LA, 91RA for turnably supporting each of the light blocking members on an xy plane, the light blocking members 91L, 91R and rotational axes 91LA, 91RA being positioned so that the rotational axes 91LA, 91RA are disposed in positions symmetric with respect to the optical axis AX on the xy plane, and the turning range from the light blocking initiation position at which the light blocking members 91L, 91R, by being turned, start to block light in transit toward the second lens array 22 to the maximum light blocking posi

Abstract: An illumination device includes a light source for emitting a light flux having a solid angle; an optical element for converging the light from the light source in at least one direction to convert the light into parallel light; and a fly-eye lens for allowing incidence of the parallel light from the optical element to guide uniform light to an area for illumination. Assuming that a certain number of lens cells in the fly-eye lens in a column direction or a row direction are defined as a lens cell unit, one of the lens cell units is relatively displaced with respect to the other one of the lens cell units in the column direction or the row direction, and the number of steps for displacement among the lens cell units in the fly-eye lens is set to 2 or more.

Abstract: Non-rigidly coupled, overlapping, non-feedback optical systems for spatial filtering of Fourier transform optical patterns and image shape characterization comprises a first optical subsystem that includes a lens for focusing a polarized, coherent beam to a focal point, an image input device that spatially modulates phase positioned between the lens and the focal point, and a spatial filter at the Fourier transform pattern, and a second optical subsystem overlapping the first optical subsystem includes a projection lens and a detector. The second optical subsystem is optically coupled to the first optical subsystem.

Abstract: A projector includes: a light source which emits light; an image forming unit which forms an image having desired size by using light emitted from the light source; and a projection unit which projects the image formed by the image forming unit on a light receiving surface. The projection unit has a light diffusing member disposed at a position where an intermediate image corresponding to light released from the image forming unit is formed to diffuse the light, and a projection system which projects the light diffused by the light diffusing member on the light receiving surface. Diffusion intensity distribution of light released from a predetermined position of the light diffusing member contains at least two prominences with the center axis of the light interposed between the prominences.

Abstract: The invention provides a visual display apparatus 1 comprising an image display device 3, a projection optical system 4 adapted to provide an image on the image display device 3, and an eyepiece optical system 5 adapted to allow an image projected through the projection optical system 4 to be viewed as a faraway virtual image. The eyepiece optical system 5 comprises a diffusing surface 11 adapted to diffuse an image projected through the projection optical system 4, a reflective optical device 51 having at least one reflecting surface adapted to reflect an image diffused through the diffusing surface 11, and at least one rotationally asymmetric transmissive optical device 52 adapted to transmit an image reflected by the reflective optical device 52. The number of imaging differs at a certain first section, and at a second section orthogonal to the first section.

Abstract: A projection type display apparatus is provided that is safe even when a person looks directly into a laser beam. A laser operation control unit sets the output power of at least one laser source so that intensity A (mW/mm2) of the laser beam on at least one spatial light modulation element satisfies relationship of A<686×B2 when numerical aperture B on image side of an illumination optics system is set.

Abstract: A optical apparatus (201) for use in an laser imaging system (200) is provided. The optical apparatus (201) includes one or more optical elements (215) that are configured to create an intermediate image plane (217) in the laser imaging system (200). A diffractive optical element (216) is then disposed at the intermediate image plane (217) to reduce speckle. The diffractive optical element (216) includes a periodically repeating phase mask (218) that can be configured in accordance with steps, vortex functions, Hermite-Gaussian functions, and so forth. Smooth grey-level phase transitional surface (337) can be placed between elements (333,334) to improve brightness and image quality. The periodically repeating phase mask (218) makes manufacture simple by reducing alignment sensitivity, and can be used to make applicable safety standards easier to meet as well.

Abstract: An image display device includes: at least one illumination system adapted to emit a light beam; at least one light modulation element adapted to modulate the light beam emitted from the illumination system; and a projection optical system adapted to project the light beam modulated by the light modulation element, wherein a proceeding direction of a principal ray of the light beam modulated by the light modulation element is nonparallel to an optical axis of the projection optical system when the light beam modulated by the light modulation element enters the projection optical system.

Abstract: A digital image projector includes a light assembly configured to project light along a light path from at least one laser array light source, the projected light having an overlapping far field illumination in a far field illumination portion of the light path; a temporally varying optical phase shifting device configured to be in the light path; an optical integrator configured to be in the light path; a spatial light modulator located downstream of the temporally varying optical phase shifting device and the optical integrator in the light path, the spatial light modulator configured to be located in the far field illumination portion of the light path; and projection optics located downstream of the spatial light modulator in the light path, the projection optics configured to direct substantially speckle free light from the spatial light modulator toward a display surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying images to viewers in motion are provided. According to some embodiments, an image display system generally comprises an image source and a lensboard. The image source can be configured to present one or more images outwardly from the image source. The lensboard can comprise at least one curved lens. The curved lens can have a generally curved cross section and a focal distance. The curved lens may also be a cylinder. The lensboard can be spaced apart from the image source at a distance less than the focal distance. A method to display images that appear animated to a viewer in motion relative to the can generally comprise providing an image source configured to direct one or more images outwardly from said image source, and providing a lensboard having a focal distance spaced apart from the image source at a distance less than the focal distance. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described.

Abstract: An illumination device includes a light source part for emitting light with an intensity distribution approximately uniform in a first direction and a fly-eye lens into which the light is entered. The light source part and the fly-eye lens are arranged such that the first direction is inclined with respect to vertical and horizontal directions of arrangement of lens cells in the fly-eye lens. Since illumination light is entered into the fly-eye lens in a state of inclining with respect to the fly-eye lens, the number of superimposition patterns on the fly-eye lens is increased and illuminance non-uniformity in illumination light is suppressed.

Abstract: An optical system (100) comprises a coherent light source (101) and optical elements for directing light from the source to a target (1001). The optical elements include at least one diffusing element (141, 161) arranged to reduce a coherence volume of light from the source and a variable optical property element (151). A control system (1021) controls the variable optical property element such that different speckle patterns are formed over time at the target (1001) with a temporal frequency greater than a temporal resolution of an illumination sensor or an eye (1011) of an observer so that speckle contrast ratio in the observed illumination is reduced. The variable optical property element (151) may be a deformable mirror with a vibrating thin plate or film.

Abstract: A lens array set for a projection apparatus is provided. The lens array set comprises a first lens array and a second lens array. The first lens array has a plurality of first lens units which are rectangle-shaped and a side thereof that defines the first direction. The second lens array, which is parallel with the first lens array, has a plurality of second lens units which has a rectangle shape and a side thereof that defines the second direction. Each of the second lens units is set correspondingly to each of the first lens units, and the center of each second lens unit and the center of each first lens unit are coaxial. A rotation angle is substantially defined between the first direction and the second direction depending on the difference between the rectangle shapes of the first and the second lens units. When adopting the present invention in the projection apparatus, the light source efficiently provides light for the micro-display.

Abstract: A projection apparatus includes at least one light source, a field lens, a light valve, and a projection lens. The light source provides an illumination beam. The field lens is disposed in a transmission path of the illumination beam including an effective beam passing through the field lens and a ghost beam reflected by the field lens. The light valve converts the effective beam into an image beam. The projection lens includes a lens group, an aperture stop, and a light-shielding element. The lens group and the aperture stop are disposed in a transmission path of the image beam passing through the field lens and a ghost beam path of the ghost beam reflected by the field lens. The light-shielding element is disposed in at least a portion of the ghost beam path between the lens of the lens group furthest away from the aperture stop and the aperture stop.

Abstract: A projection apparatus includes at least one light source, a field lens, a light valve, and a projection lens. The light source provides an illumination beam. The field lens is disposed in a transmission path of the illumination beam including an effective beam passing through the field lens and a ghost beam reflected by the field lens. The effective beam forms a light spot on the light valve capable of converting the effective beam into an image beam. The projection lens is disposed in a transmission path of the image beam and a ghost beam path of the ghost beam. A center of the light spot does not overlap a center of the light valve. An offset direction from the light valve to an optical axis of the projection lens is the same as a direction from the center of the light valve to the center of the light spot.

Abstract: A projector includes: first and second light blocking members adapted to partially block a light beam from a light source, and a drive section adapted to make the first and second light blocking members perform an opening and closing operation. When the corresponding first and second light blocking members are located at a maximum blocking state, with respect to an opening and closing direction of the first and second light blocking members perpendicular to a system optical axis, a first and second support sections support the first and second light blocking members at predetermined positions on the system optical axis side from intermediate positions corresponding to midpoints of areas between edge portions of the first and second light blocking members on the system optical axis side and parts, to which outer edges of the light beam to be blocked are input.

Abstract: A projector includes: a light source that emits light having an asymmetric illuminance distribution; a light modulation device that modulates the light emitted from the light source; and an optical member disposed in an optical path between the light source and the light modulation device, the optical member changing the illuminance distribution of the light from the light source, wherein the optical member changes the illuminance distribution of the light passing therethrough in such a way that a highest illuminance area in the illuminance distribution of the light after passing through the optical member is shifted toward the center of the optical member as compared with the position of the highest illuminance area in the illuminance distribution of the light before incident on the optical member.

Abstract: A projection display device that displays an image by projecting the image onto a transmissive screen from the rear thereof includes: an illumination optical system for guiding a light beam emitted from a laser light source to the transmissive screen; a projection optical system for enlarging an image formed on a region to be illuminated of an image display element, and projecting the enlarged image on the transmissive screen, the projection optical system being configured such that the product of the F-number and the projection magnification of the projection optical system is less than 400; wherein the transmissive screen includes a Fresnel lens and a lenticular lens respectively equipped with a light diffusion layer for diffusing incident light and causing resultant light to exit the light diffusion layer. The light diffusion layer of the lenticular lens has a thickness of less than 300 ?m.

Abstract: For displaying a color image by recombination of several single color images, parasitic noise like speckles due to scattering within the system, in particular when laser light is involved, with the invention a significant improvement with a low number of parts can be realized by use of a color wheel that comprises in radially divided zones refractive elements for redirecting light beams incoming at different impinging angles and redistributing elements, e.g. a hologram, that provide for a defined output beam in an optical axis. The sequence of the individual light processing zones on the color wheel are synchronized with respective laser sources. The invention combines the functionality of plural elements, reduces speckles and avoids losses.

Abstract: An image display apparatus (10) includes: a laser light source (12) for outputting a laser beam (11); a diffusion optical element (13) for diffusing the laser beam (11); a drive unit (14) for oscillating the diffusion optical element (13); and an image conversion unit (15) for converting the laser beam (11) output from the diffusion optical element (13) into an image. The diffusion optical element (13) disposed in the drive unit (14) is oscillated and operated in a state where an amplitude of the drive of the drive unit (14), which is, for example, an amplitude that is driven in a direction of the arrow X in a plane that is perpendicular to an optical axis, is not constant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a projection display comprising an illumination system comprising at least one laser source unit and configured and operable for producing one or more light beams; a spatial light modulating (SLM) system accommodated at output of the illumination system and comprising one or more SLM units for modulating light incident thereon in accordance with image data; and a light projection optics for imaging modulated light onto a projection surface.

Abstract: An illuminating device includes a discharge lamp, a condenser lens, an integrator lens, a polarization conversion system, an electromagnetic wave shielding plate, and an electromagnetic wave shielding wall. A light given out from each lens in the light-incident-side fly's eye lens becomes two light fluxes via respective polarizing beam splitters and the two light fluxes pass through two lenses in the light-exit-side fly's eye lens. The electromagnetic shielding plate has an aperture on an optical axis of each lens in the light-exit-side fly's eye lens. The electromagnetic wave shielding plate is grounded through the electromagnetic wave shielding wall.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a prism capable of being utilized in a scanned beam projector comprises a first window disposed on a first surface through which the beam is capable of passing to impinge upon a scan engine at an angle of incidence off axis from an axis normal to a plane of the scan engine, and a second window disposed on a second surface through which the beam is capable of passing. The first surface of the prism is disposed at a non-parallel angle with respect to the second surface to reduce distortion of the scan pattern or image from the scan engine. The prism may further comprise one or more internal surfaces capable of reflecting the beam onto the scan engine off axis, where such reflecting may impart a desired polarization state to the beam reflected onto the scan engine.

Abstract: An illumination optical system configured to guide a light flux from a light source unit onto an illuminated surface includes a compression system configured to compress the light flux at a different compression ratio in a first cross section and a second cross section which are orthogonal to each other, and a polarized light splitting unit including a polarization split surface. The second cross section includes a line normal to the polarization split surface. Where a compression ratio for compressing a light flux in the first cross section is ?, a compression ratio in the second cross section is ?, and an F number smaller of F numbers calculated according to a maximum angle of a light flux incident on an illuminated surface in the first and the second cross sections is Fno, the following conditions are satisfied: ?0.18*(Fno)+1.245*(Fno)?1.260<?/?<1 1.4?Fno?3.6.

Abstract: A projection-type image display apparatus that enlarges and displays an image includes: a case, a laser light source, a cooling mechanism that includes a component that produces vibration during operation, a diffuser that diffuses light that is emitted from the laser light source, optics that shape light diffused by the diffuser to light having a uniform luminance distribution and rectangular cross-section, and an optical modulation element that modulates light shaped by the optics; wherein the component included in the cooling mechanism and the diffuser are connected by way of a vibration transmitting member.

Abstract: A high efficiency micro projection optical engine includes a light source module, a lens assembly, a micro display panel and a projection lens. Wherein the light source module includes light emitting elements and shaping lens module used to collect and shape the received light beams. The lens assembly is arranged on the path of the emission light of the shaping lens assembly. The shaping lens module and lens assembly form an image of the luminous surface of the light emitting elements in the vicinity of the micro display panel. The micro display panel which is arranged on the path of emission light of the lens assembly modulate incident light and image light with image information is obtained. The projection lens is used to project the image information on the micro display panel and form an image onto a screen.

Abstract: The invention relates to techniques for speckle reduction in holographic optical systems, in particular holographic image display systems. We describe a holographic image display system for displaying an image holographically on a display surface, the system including: a spatial light modulator (SLM) to display a hologram; a light source to illuminate said displayed hologram; projection optics to project light from said illuminated displayed hologram onto said display surface to form a holographically generated two-dimensional image, said projection optics being configured to form, at an intermediate image surface, an intermediate two-dimensional image corresponding to said holographically generated image; a diffuser located at said intermediate image surface; and an actuator mechanically coupled to said diffuser to, in operation, move said diffuser to randomise phases over pixels of said intermediate image to reduce speckle in an image displayed by the system.

Abstract: A rear projection type image display apparatus having a larger half-power angle and being capable of properly blocking a direct light from a projector for an observer is provided. The rear projection type image display apparatus includes a projector and a transmission type screen installed at an image formation plane of a projection light and made of a texture. The screen made of the texture is a diffusing material having a large half-power angle except for the direct light, and can prevent a gain from being decreased even at an angle of 60 degrees or larger. Also, a first polarizing plate is arranged in front of an exit pupil of the projector, and a second polarizing plate is arranged near a rear surface of the transmission type screen. Polarization axes of these polarizing plates are configured to be substantially orthogonal to each other, to eliminate the direct light.

Abstract: A projection optical system which improves the illumination efficiency includes a light source, an optical waveguide into which light from the light source enters and from which the light exits as reflected light, a diffuser diffusing light that has exited from the optical waveguide, a prism sheet into which light diffused by the diffuser enters and in which prisms are arranged on one plane, and a rod integrator into which light transmitted through the prism sheet enters.

Abstract: In a coherent light projection system including an image forming system, a relay system, a speckle reduction element, and a projection subsystem, the relay system can have a first f-number, and the projection subsystem can have a second f-number less than the first f-number. The relay system can have a first working distance, and the projection subsystem can have a second working distance less than the first working distance. The image forming system can project an initial image having a first size, and an intermediate image can have a second size greater than or equal to the first size. The speckle reduction element can have a curved surface through which the intermediate image is transferred. The speckle reduction element can include a lenslet arrangement formed on a surface thereof. The speckle reduction element can be moved in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the speckle reduction element.

Abstract: In a coherent light projection system including an image forming system, a relay system, a speckle reduction element, and a projection subsystem, the relay system can have a first f-number, and the projection subsystem can have a second f-number less than the first f-number. The relay system can have a first working distance, and the projection subsystem can have a second working distance less than the first working distance. The image forming system can project an initial image having a first size, and an intermediate image can have a second size greater than or equal to the first size. The speckle reduction element can have a curved surface through which the intermediate image is transferred. The speckle reduction element can include a lenslet arrangement formed on a surface thereof. The speckle reduction element can be moved in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the speckle reduction element.

Abstract: In a coherent light projection system including an image forming system, a relay system, a speckle reduction element, and a projection subsystem, the relay system can have a first f-number, and the projection subsystem can have a second f-number less than the first f-number. The relay system can have a first working distance, and the projection subsystem can have a second working distance less than the first working distance. The image forming system can project an initial image having a first size, and an intermediate image can have a second size greater than or equal to the first size. The speckle reduction element can have a curved surface through which the intermediate image is transferred. The speckle reduction element can include a lenslet arrangement formed on a surface thereof. The speckle reduction element can be moved in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the speckle reduction element.

Abstract: In a coherent light projection system including an image forming system, a relay system, a speckle reduction element, and a projection subsystem, the relay system can have a first f-number, and the projection subsystem can have a second f-number less than the first f-number. The relay system can have a first working distance, and the projection subsystem can have a second working distance less than the first working distance. The image forming system can project an initial image having a first size, and an intermediate image can have a second size greater than or equal to the first size. The speckle reduction element can have a curved surface through which the intermediate image is transferred. The speckle reduction element can include a lenslet arrangement formed on a surface thereof. The speckle reduction element can be moved in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the speckle reduction element.

Abstract: A projection apparatus includes an illumination system, a projection module and at least a filter. The illumination system is for generating an illumination light beam. The projection module is for receiving the illumination light beam from the illumination system and projecting an image according to the illumination light beam. The filter is disposed in the illumination system and located on a light path defined by the illumination light beam. The filter comprises a first filtering part and a second filtering part. A minimum wavelength of a wavelength range of transmitted light of the second filtering part is larger than a minimum wavelength of a wavelength range of transmitted light of the first filtering part, or a maximum wavelength of a wavelength range of transmitted light of the second filtering part is smaller than a maximum wavelength of a wavelength range of transmitted light of the first filtering part.

Abstract: There is provided a projection apparatus using an oblique projection optical system, which generates little reflection loss by providing a linear Fresnel lens at an incident surface in the case where the apparatus is used as a linear system, wherein said linear Fresnel lens makes total reflection of image light, and is capable of obtaining total surface property with good brightness in a region with small incident angle onto a screen, by using a total reflection Fresnel lens and a refraction Fresnel lens in combination. In addition, total surface property with further good brightness can be obtained by using a plurality of projection image display apparatuses in the same projection apparatus.

Abstract: A projection display includes first and second light sources, a reflection/transmission member which partially transmits a first light beam from the first light source and partially reflects a second light beam from the second light source, and a light valve which converts the light beam from the reflection/transmission member into an optical image in accordance with a video signal. The reflection/transmission member has a reflective surface which is one side main surface, a light-shielding surface which is the other side main surface, and a plurality of openings extending through the both main surfaces. The first light beam is transmitted through the openings from the light-shielding surface to the reflective surface, and the second light beam is reflected off the reflective surface in the direction that the first light beam is transmitted.

Abstract: An image projection system has a single reflective light modulator (111), and includes at least one light source (101,103,105). A combiner (107) may be used to combine the light emitted from multiple light sources. A field lens (110) may be placed in conjunction with the reflective light modulator. An optical system (108) may be used to uniformly distribute the light projected on the reflective light modulator and so to be independent of the light intensity distribution of the light source, and/or to change the shape of the light to be projected onto the reflective light modulator. The image projection system may be mounted in a mechanical structure (701,801) having a loudspeaker driver unit (802) installed directly on a surface such that the acoustical and optical waves share the same space. The mechanical structure may be composed of a heat conducting device attached to a heat generating element.

Abstract: A projector includes an integrator illumination optical system. The integrator illumination optical system includes: a first lens array having a plurality of first small lenses, a second lens having a plurality of second small lenses, and a polarization converter including: polarization separating layers. The second small lenses of the second lens array are each arranged with its convex surface oriented to the light-irradiation side. A light shield section is provided on a portion on an incident-side surface of the polarization converter, the portion excluding a light-incident surface corresponding to the polarization separating layers. An extending portion is formed on one of the second lens array and the polarization converter in a manner extending toward the other one of the second lens array and the polarization converter, the second lens array and the polarization converter bonded and fixed to each other by bonding and fixing the extending portion to the other one.

Abstract: A projector for separating white light into three primary colors, forming images with liquid crystal light valves, mixing these images, and projecting an enlarged picture of the mixed images with a projection lens. The projector includes an optical unit having a light source, a plurality of dichroic mirrors for separating the white light into blue, green, and red beams, respective liquid crystal light valves forming images of the blue, green, and red colors. The optical unit has a chassis with a rigid center portion at which one of the liquid crystal light valves is mounted, the other two light valves being mounted symmetrically with respect thereto. An adjustment mechanism is provided for matching pixels of the second and third color valves with those of the first color valve. The red color liquid crystal light valve is disposed midway between the blue and green color liquid crystal light valves and a cooling fan is disposed below the red color liquid crystal light valve.