Reflector Between Lamp And Screen Patents (Class 353/50)
  • Patent number: 11796678
    Abstract: An optical device according to an embodiment may include: a plurality of light sources configured to emit laser beams; a light direction changing unit comprising at least one of a prism and a mirror, provided on traveling paths of the laser beams, and configured to focus the laser beams at one point by changing travelling directions of the laser beams to form constant angles between the traveling paths of the laser beams; and a scanning mirror configured to perform two-dimensional scanning by reflecting the laser beams received from the light direction changing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yongchul Cho, Jungwoo Kim, Tatsuhiro Otsuka
  • Patent number: 11657482
    Abstract: An optical module according to the present disclosure includes: a first display panel that emits a first image light, a first virtual image optical system that forms a first exit pupil of the first image light, and a control unit corrects a video image signal to a first correction video signal based on distortion generated in the first optical system, an aspect ratio of the video image signal being smaller than an aspect ratio of the first display panel, wherein the control unit causes the first display panel to emit the first image light from the first display panel based on the first correction video image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Takagi, Nobuhiko Yokoo
  • Patent number: 9004699
    Abstract: A light source system for use in a projector is provided. The light source system comprises a main optical axis, a first sub-optical axis, a second sub-optical axis, at least one first optical module, at least one second optical module and a third optical module. The at least one first optical module comprises a first light source array and a second light source array for emitting a plurality of first beams and a plurality of second beams respectively. The at least one second optical module comprises a third light source array for emitting a plurality of third beams. The third optical module integrates the first beams, the second beams and the third beams into a main beam for projection along the main optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: June-Jei Huang
  • Patent number: 8998424
    Abstract: A micro-projection system for projecting light on a projection surface (104), comprising: —at least one coherent light source (101); —optical elements (102, 108, 109) in the optical path between said coherent light source and said projection surface; —said optical elements including at least one reflective member (102) actuated by a drive signal for deviating light from said light source so as to scan a projected image onto said projecting surface; —said optical elements including at least one pixel displacement unit (106) for providing a displacement signal synchronized with the image scanning signal so as to reduce speckle onto said projecting surface. The corresponding method for reducing speckle is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Lemoptix SA
    Inventors: Lucio Kilcher, Faouzi Khechana, Nicolas Abele
  • Patent number: 8919968
    Abstract: The invention provides a light uniform device and a digital light processing (DLP) projection system applying the said light uniform device. The light uniform device comprises a light incident surface, a light emergent surface and a light uniform portion defined therebetween. The light incident surface and the light emergent surface have a first contour and a second contour, respectively. And a first projection image of the second contour that is projected onto a projection plane forms a rotational angle about a longitudinal axial direction corresponding to a second projection image of the first contour projected onto the projection plane. Thereby, the light sources may simply be disposed in the projection system to provide uniform light beams that entirely cover the DMD (digital micromirror device) after being uniformed by the light uniform device. Neither of the light sources need to be inclined following with the DMD, nor is additional relay lens needed in imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Wen Chou, Douglas M. Boudon, Tom Haven, Rolf Vatne
  • Patent number: 8866875
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and an apparatus for controlling a conference place environment in video communication, in which, the method for controlling a video communication conference place environment includes: generating illumination feedback information indicating an illumination effect of a video communication conference place, in which the illumination feedback information comprises: a parameter indicating an illumination flaw or a parameter indicating correction of the illumination flaw; and outputting the illumination feedback information, so that a lighting controlling device in the video communication conference place controls lighting in the video communication conference place according to the illumination feedback information. By use of technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present invention, a conference place environment in video communication is able to be remotely controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Huawei Device Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Haiyao Yang
  • Patent number: 8690358
    Abstract: A mobile device such as a robot includes a processor, a memory that stores components executable by the processor, and a projection assembly. The projection assembly includes a projector, a lens, a movable mirror, and a first projection surface integral with a surface of the mobile device. The components include a projection component and a control component. The projection component determines the projection parameters, and projects the image onto the movable mirror, dependent upon the projection parameters. The control component causes the projector and the lens to focus the image onto the first projection surface, and further causes the movable mirror to reflect the image onto the first projection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Glen C. Larsen, Russell Sanchez
  • Patent number: 8579443
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a scanned beam display, comprises a light source to generate a beam to be scanned and a scanning platform to scan the beam into an exit cone. The scanning platform receives the beam at a selected feed angle, and the scanning platform has a surface structure to redirect the exit cone at an exit angle that is less than the feed angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua M. Hudman, Wyatt O. Davis, Mark O. Freeman, Mark P. Helsel, David Roy Bowman, Kelly D. Linden
  • Patent number: 8517539
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a light emitting unit that emits light; a light scanning unit having at least one actuator, wherein the actuator irradiating and scanning the light reflected on a light reflector onto an image forming plane by rotation of a movable plate; a drive pattern generating unit that generates a drive pattern of the light emitting unit, wherein the light emitting unit can emit the light with emission timing and emission time to suppress density of the pixels in each portion of the image to be formed on the image forming plane from becoming ununiformity; and a controlling unit that controls operation of the light emitting unit based on the drive pattern generated by the drive pattern generating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shuichi Wakabayashi, Norio Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8439506
    Abstract: A reflector mounting structure includes a reflector and a fixing member. The reflector includes: a reflecting surface; a reflector body having the reflecting surface formed thereon; a pair of first connecting units provided respectively at an end face of the reflector body and having a substantially spherical first protrusion at an end thereof; and a second connecting unit provided at an end face of the reflector body. The fixing member which supports the reflector includes a pair of first supporting units respectively having a planar contact portion and bringing the contact portion into contact with an end of the first protrusion, and a second supporting unit. A contact-portion vertical distance is set such that the first protrusion moves while rolling with respect to a contact portion when the reflector deforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Okagaki, Norihiro Watanabe, Atsushi Michimori
  • Patent number: 8425049
    Abstract: A projection type display apparatus including an oblique projection optical system having a plurality of lenses is disclosed. A lens nearest to a projection screen has a vertical effective image area through which a light flux passes. The lens is arranged at a position not including an optical axis shared by the largest number of lenses among the plurality of lenses. A flat mirror for returning the optical path is arranged between the particular lens and the projection screen at a predetermined angle to the optical axis. An enlarged image obtained by the light flux returned by the flat mirror is formed toward a display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Consumer Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hirata, Masahiko Yatsu, Naoyuki Ogura
  • Patent number: 8308305
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Nakano, Osamu Fujimaki, Ryo Hyodo
  • Patent number: 8297758
    Abstract: A multimedia player for providing two projection images is provided. The multimedia player for displaying two projection images includes: a first projection unit displaying a first projection image; and a second projection unit displaying a second projection image. The first projection unit includes: a first driving unit controlling an operation of the first projection unit and providing an image signal on the first projection image to be displayed; a first light source unit; a first light modulation device outputting the first projection image by modulating light provided from the light source in response to the image signal of the first projection image; and a first projection lens unit magnifying and projecting an image that is output from the first light modulation device. The structure of the first projection unit is the same as that of the second projection unit. The multimedia player further includes a screen sensing unit sensing a color of an area in which an image is to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Byeong-Dae Choi, Dae-Hwan Kim
  • Publication number: 20120249975
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Watonga Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Chien-Fong Kuo
  • Patent number: 8269900
    Abstract: A mobile studio for producing video and audio content includes a vehicle having a body mounted on a chassis. The body includes a studio chamber enclosure formed by a floor, a ceiling, spaced opposite outer side walls and spaced outer front and rear walls, and the floor includes a stage area. The mobile studio further includes at least one LED lighting assembly located in the studio chamber enclosure that is suitable for providing sufficient illumination for image capture such that a captured image is suitable for projection as a Pepper's Ghost image, at least one camera to capture an image of a subject on the stage area and generate the captured image, and a communications device to transmit the captured image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Musion IP Limited
    Inventor: Ian O'Connell
  • Patent number: 8251517
    Abstract: A encoded image projection system (100) is configured to determine the proximity of the system to a projection surface (106). The encoded image projection system (100) includes a light encoder (105) that scans a non-visible light beam (115) on the projection surface (106) selectively when scanning visible light to create an image. A detector (118) is then configured to receive reflections of the non-visible light beam (115) from the projection surface (106). A control circuit (120) is configured to determine the distance (124) between the projection surface (106) and the system from, for example, intensity data or location data received from the detector (118). Where the distances (124) are below a threshold, the control circuit (120) can either reduce the output power of the system or turn the system off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory T. Gibson, Joshua M. Hudman, Margaret K. Brown, Christian Dean DeJong
  • Patent number: 8182093
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Kurozuka, Hironori Tomita, Osamu Kajino, Hiroshi Obi, Masanari Mohri
  • Patent number: 8152309
    Abstract: An image display apparatus which displays an image as a transmitted projection image includes: a tread-board of a step which has a first projection surface and transmits a projection image projected on the first projection surface; and a cross-board of the step which has a second projection surface and transmits a projection image projected on the second projection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8152314
    Abstract: A display device (100) of the present invention has a first switch (3) and a second switch (4) on an upper surface of its casing, and includes a control circuit (18) for controlling the first switch (3) and the second switch (4) and a light source (19) inside the casing. The control circuit (18) performs control so that the light source (19) is turned on when the second switch (4) is pressed after a predetermined period of time has passed from when the first switch (3) was pressed. Thereby, the display device (100) of the present invention prevents entering of a person into a projection area before projection of video, and controls inadvertent start-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Toshifumi Yokoyama, Ken'ichi Kasazumi, Shin-ichi Kadowaki, Kiminori Mizuuchi, Hiroyuki Furuya, Kazuhisa Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8113663
    Abstract: In a projection type image display apparatus, for enlarging an image on a image display apparatus 1 by means of a projection lens 2, thereby projecting the enlarged image onto a screen 6, obliquely, being inclined thereto, between the projection lens 2 and a rear-surface mirror 5, there are disposed free shaped surface mirrors 3 and 4, each having a free shaped surface for compensating a trapezoidal distortion due to oblique projection of the enlarged image. The surface configuration of the free shaped surface mirror is so shaped as to satisfy a following equation: |L1?L2|>1.4·Dv if assuming that a distance for a light beam of an upper end of the enlarged image to reach the screen after being reflected upon a free shaped surface is “L1”, a distance for a light beam of a lower end of the enlarged image to reach the screen after being reflected upon the free shaped surface is “L2”, and a distance from an upper end of an image on the screen to a lower end thereof is “Dv”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanori Hisada, Masahiko Yatsu, Koji Hirata
  • Patent number: 8079715
    Abstract: An apparatus and method to display an image are provided. The apparatus includes a reflective surface including an image disposed upon at least a portion of the reflective surface, an agitable and semi-transparent medium positioned over at least a portion of the reflective surface, a light source positioned to project light on the reflective surface through the medium, and a second surface positioned to capture light reflected from the reflective surface through the medium for displaying the image. The method of displaying the image includes disposing at least a portion of a reflective surface including an image beneath an agitable and semi-transparent medium, wherein the image is disposed upon at least a portion of the reflective surface, and providing light to the reflective surface such that a second surface captures light reflected from the reflective surface through the medium for displaying the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: Terrence M. Garrigan
  • Patent number: 8066385
    Abstract: A lighting unit that optimizes an oscillation frequency for oscillating a diffusion device and its amplitude amount and a projecting display using the lighting unit are provided. Driving of a light source driving unit is controlled on the basis of driving of the oscillation driving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoki Kobori, Satoshi Ouchi, Seiji Murata, Hidehiro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8033668
    Abstract: An imaging displacement module including a frame, an optical element, a carrier, a connecting portion and at least a first actuator is provided. The frame has a first opening, and the optical element, the carrier, the connecting portion and the first actuator are all disposed in the first opening. The carrier is capable of carrying the optical element, and the connecting portion connects between the frame and the carrier and capable of generating an elastic torsion around an axis. The first actuator is disposed at a side of the carrier and capable of driving the carrier to vibrate periodically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Young Optics Inc.
    Inventors: Yi-Chang Chen, Chih-Chien Lin
  • Patent number: 8029142
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Arlie R. Conner, Sean M. Donnelly, Peter R. Oehler
  • Patent number: 8025410
    Abstract: A projection device includes a diffuser and a light source system. The light source system includes a light source, a dichroic element, an actuator, and a reflector. The light source generates a light beam that is directed to the dichroic element. The dichroic element forms first and second individual light beams from the light beam. The first individual light beam is transmitted to the diffuser. The second individual light beam is reflected from the reflector to the diffuser. The actuator is fixed to the reflector and has a removal frequency exceeding 20 Hz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chiu-Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 8016428
    Abstract: A 2-dimensional beam scan unit reflects emission beams from a red laser light source, a green laser light source and a blue laser light source and scans in a 2-dimensional direction. Diffusion plates diffuse the respective light beams scanned in the 2-dimensional direction to introduce them to corresponding spatial light modulation elements. The respective spatial light modulation elements modulate the respective lights in accordance with video signals of the respective colors. A dichroic prism multiplexes the lights of the three colors after the modulation and introduces the multiplexed lights to a projection lens so that a color image is displayed on a screen. Since the 2-dimensional light emitted from the beam scan unit is diffused to illuminate the spatial light modulation element, it is possible to change the optical axis of the beam emerging from the light diffusion member for irradiating the spatial light modulation element moment by moment, thereby effectively suppressing speckle noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Kasazumi, Yasuo Kitaoka, Kiminori Mizuuchi, Kazuhisa Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8002413
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuro Narikawa
  • Publication number: 20110181837
    Abstract: This invention concerns a method of producing a Pepper's Ghost. The method may comprise projecting an image of a subject onto a reflective and transparent screen (7) to create a virtual image (15) of the subject alongside an object (21). The subject of the virtual image may have a colour temperature and the method may comprise illuminating the object (21) with light having a colour and intensity that results in a colour temperature of the object (21) at least approximately matching the colour temperature of the subject of the virtual image. The method may comprise altering the intensity of light that falls on the object (21) by moving the lighting arrangement towards or away from the object (21) whilst maintaining an intensity of light omitted by the lighting arrangement constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Ian Christopher O'Connell, Eiisabeth Berry, Mark Hanna
  • Patent number: 7984994
    Abstract: A projection optical system including a projection lens, a first mirror that reflects a light from the projection lens, and a second mirror that widens an angle of a light from the first mirror by reflecting the light projects a light modulated according to an image signal from an optical engine unit. A third mirror reflects a light from the projection optical system. A screen transmits a light from the third mirror. An optical axis of the projection lens substantially matches an optical axis of the second mirror, and the light from the optical engine unit is shifted to a specific side from the optical axis of the projection lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Morikuni, Masatoshi Yonekubo, Toshihiko Sakai, Shunji Kamijima
  • Patent number: 7972011
    Abstract: An image projector according to the present invention includes a light source for emitting a laser beam, of which the intensity has been modulated in accordance with a modulation signal representing an image to be projected, and a beam deflection section for deflecting the laser beam two-dimensionally such that the image is produced by repeatedly scanning a screen with the laser beam in a predetermined pattern. The predetermined pattern has a repetitive frequency that is lower than a frame rate of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Kurozuka, Hironori Tomita
  • Patent number: 7967451
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are provided for displaying an image using a multi-directional image displaying device in a compact, configurable device having an expansive viewing angle. An image projector projects an image having a plurality of image pixels. A distribution object is aligned with the image projector. The distribution object is utilized to redirect the image pixels projected by the image projector onto one or more display surfaces. As such, in one embodiment, a wide view display of the first image that expands at least the width of a user field of view results from the spreading of the image pixels. A compact housing unit provides support for the image projector and the distribution object. In one embodiment, the multi-directional image displaying device can be adjusted to change the wide view display of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Billy P. Chen, Eyal Ofek
  • Patent number: 7959304
    Abstract: A projector which is configured to project an image by means of a projection light onto a surface approximately parallel, or a surface approximately perpendicular, to an installation surface. According to aspects of the disclosure, the projector may include a first reflecting surface which reflects the projection light toward the approximately parallel surface; a second reflecting surface which reflects the projection light toward the approximately perpendicular surface; and a reflecting surface switching section which can switchably place the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface in an optical path of the projection light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hidetaka Hoshino, Yoshito Hosoi, Tomoyuki Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7938542
    Abstract: An optical swiveling device is specified for imaging and/or projection of an object scene, having a supporting structure, having a detection/transmission unit arranged in the supporting structure, having a pitch frame and having a roll frame, with the pitch frame being mounted in the roll frame such that it can rotate about a pitch axis and with the roll frame being mounted in the supporting structure such that it can rotate about a roll axis. In this case the pitch axis and the roll axis intersect at an intersection angle of less than 90°. First deflection optics are arranged in the pitch frame such that a beam propagating along the pitch axis is deflected in an object-side direction which intersects the pitch axis at the intersection angle, and vice versa, and second deflection optics are arranged in the roll frame such that a beam propagating along the pitch axis is deflected in the direction along the roll axis, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Diehl BGT Defence GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hagen Kempas
  • Patent number: 7909468
    Abstract: A reflective or light redirecting device has a base with an overlaying pattern or light redirector. The pattern can be selected from a collection of masks, templates, or reflective appliques. The device is arranged to reflect or redirect light, for example sunlight, in a beam that projects a corresponding design. A motor rotates the device and reorients its directional axis to reflect light toward a surface to circulate the design on a path on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventor: Beverly Lloyd
  • Patent number: 7866831
    Abstract: An image projector realizing image projection with high image quality by reducing speckle noise. An image projector comprising a coherent light source, a collimation lens for transforming coherent light emitted from the coherent light source into coherent parallel light, and a projection optical system for projecting coherent parallel light is further provided with a reflection element for reflecting the coherent parallel light and capable of oscillating in parallel with the direction normal to the reflection plane, and a reflection element drive means for causing oscillatory motion of the reflection element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Ken'ichi Kasazumi, Yoshikazu Hori
  • Patent number: 7862180
    Abstract: The invention provides an optical system for image projection, wherein when used in an image projection apparatus, a screen-continuing portion (e.g., screen-underlying portion) of the apparatus can be reduced to a small size, or can be removed, and thereby the apparatus can be so compacted, and provides an image projection apparatus mounting such optical system. An optical system 10 for image projection including a lighting optical system 1 leading light from a light source 11 for lighting a display element 4 (or 4?), and a projecting optical system 3 for projecting projection light containing image information from the display element 4 (or 4?). The lighting optical system 1 is arranged such that a straight optical axis ? from the light source 11 in the lighting optical system 1 is positioned in an area deviated from a luminous flux ? of the projection light incident into the projecting optical system 3 toward an area where the projection light ? from the projecting optical system 3 passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventors: Kohtaro Hayashi, Shigeru Sawamura
  • Patent number: 7854514
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Arlie R. Conner, Sean M. Donnelly, Peter R. Oehler
  • Patent number: 7841728
    Abstract: An image display apparatus 100 that displays an image using a light modulated according to an image signal includes a projection optical system 90 that includes a projection lens 20, a first mirror 30 that reflects a light from the projection lens 20, and a second mirror 40 that widens an angle of a light from the first mirror 30 by reflecting the light, and projects the light modulated according to the image signal from an optical engine unit 10; a third mirror 50 that reflects a light from the projection optical system 90; and a screen 50 that transmits a light from the third mirror 50. The projection lens 20 and the second mirror 40 are arranged in such a manner that an optical axis of the projection lens 20 substantially matches an optical axis of the second mirror 40, and shift the light from the optical engine unit 10 to a specific side from the optical axis of the projection lens 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Morikuni, Masatoshi Yonekubo, Toshihiko Sakai, Shunji Kamijima
  • Patent number: 7837333
    Abstract: A projector projecting several images simultaneously is provided. The projector includes a main body having a first opening and a second opening, and an optical system disposed in the main body and projecting a first image through the first opening and a second image through the second opening. The optical system includes a laser source comprising a plurality of mono laser sources, and a first reflector with a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface corresponding to the first opening and the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Ming-Chieh Chou, Bor-Chen Tsai
  • Patent number: 7832875
    Abstract: A laser projector including a green diode pumped microchip laser module projecting a green laser beam, an optical sensor receiving the laser beam, a power control circuit for the green diode pumped microchip laser module receiving a signal from the optical sensor relative to the power output of the laser beam, and control electronics receiving the signal from the optical sensor connected to the power control circuit modulating the power output of the green diode pumped microchip laser module to maintain a substantially constant power output from the green diode pumped microchip laser module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Virtek Vision International Inc.
    Inventors: Marina Matic-Vujovic, Kurt D. Rueb, Cristian I. Balasa, Ernesto Zamora
  • Patent number: 7789516
    Abstract: A thin projection type image display device with a low chin height includes a cabinet, a screen, a projection optical system, an optical path changing unit, and a reflecting unit. The screen is disposed on a front side of the cabinet. The projection optical system enlarges and projects an image formed by a display element, and the optical path changing unit is disposed on the bottom of the cabinet to reflect the image enlarged and projected by the projection optical system. The reflection unit is disposed obliquely to the screen and below the screen to reflect the image reflected by the optical path changing unit toward the screen. The projection optical system is disposed in a space above a horizontal plane perpendicular to the screen, behind the front side of the cabinet, and below an optical path of light incident on a bottom of the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-chol Lee, Kun-Ho Cho, Jong-soo Lee, Jae-hyun Park
  • Patent number: 7762673
    Abstract: An illumination system designed to remove laser speckle and a projection system including the same. The illumination system includes a laser light source having at least one laser, a diffractive optical element to divide a laser beam emitted from the laser light source into a plurality of sub-beams and to periodically move in such a way as to temporally average the speckle of the laser beam, and an optical fiber bundle including a plurality of fibers with the same length to divide the sub-beams into smaller sub-beams. The illumination system divides the laser beam emitted from the laser light source into sub-beams and temporally or spatially averages the sub-beams, thereby effectively reducing or removing laser speckle. The projection system employing the illumination system can provide improved image quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-ha Kim, Sang-whoo Dho
  • Patent number: 7753531
    Abstract: An image display apparatus acquires a high-quality image by suppressing positional fluctuation of projected dots due to a positional offset of an optical path deflecting element. A spatial light modulation element (1) displays an image by projecting a light from an illumination light source. A projection optical system (3) enlarges and projects the image formed on the spatial light modulation element (1). An optical path deflecting element (2) is provided between the spatial light modulation element (1) and the image formed on a screen (4) so as to deflect an optical path in accordance with a screen frame period. The optical path deflecting element (2) shifts the optical path for the image projected on the screen (4) at a high rate so as to apparently increase a number of picture elements. The optical path deflecting element (2) is located within the projection optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Fujita, Takanobu Osaka, Kazuya Miyagaki, Atsushi Takaura, Masanori Kobayashi, Hiroyuki Sugimoto, Kenji Namie, Yumi Matsuki, Toshiaki Tokita
  • Patent number: 7753534
    Abstract: There is disclosed a projection device which includes a light source constituted of a reflector and a light source lamp, a projection system including a projection encoder for forming a light image based on an input image signal to project it by use of light from the light source, a micromirror element and a projection lens, a photographing system including a photographing lens for photographing the projected image, a CCD and a process circuit, and a control section detecting a luminance distribution from the photographed image and correcting a luminance distribution of the light image formed by the micromirror element in accordance with the detected luminance distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiya Kuno
  • Publication number: 20090303447
    Abstract: A projection assembly and projection method for accurately reproducing animated and live characters, objects, and effects. The projection assembly uses a high precision robotic mirror system to achieve very high levels of image resolution, brightness, and contrast. The assembly includes a projector receiving an input image stream, and a mirror assembly is positioned proximate to the projector outlet. The mirror assembly uses positionable mirrors to reflect the projected images onto a display surface at positions that define an animation pattern on the display surface for the projected image or character. The assembly includes a motor controller assembly positioning the mirrors based on position data defining the animation pattern. The projected images may be provided in a projection area that is a fraction of the size of the display surface, such that the resolution and output light of the projector are concentrated on the display surface within this projection area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: RICHARD B. TURNER, DAVID F. BARNETT, THOMAS E. BRENTNALL, III
  • Patent number: 7614752
    Abstract: The present invention provides an image display apparatus including a spatial light modulating element formed with a plurality of light modulating elements for each modulating light from a light source and arranged in a row or a plurality of rows, a projection optical system for forming a first image on a basis of the light modulated by the spatial light modulating element, light deflecting means for forming a second image by reflecting the first image formed by the projection optical system so as to scan the first image in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the first image, which is a longer direction of the first image, a magnifying and projecting system for magnifying the second image and projecting the second image on a screen, and detecting means for detecting intensity of the light modulated by the spatial light modulating element and reflected by the light deflecting means via the projection optical system, the detecting means being disposed at a position that the light reflected fro
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Goto, Hiroshi Masaki, Izushi Kobayashi, Norio Nishida, Toru Suzuki, Fumiyasu Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7568803
    Abstract: An aerial display system comprising inexpensive optical elements and a highly brightened LCD display or similar video image display types provides floating images in an expensive enclosure. In the aerial display system, either an anti-reflective acrylic plastic layer or a circular polarizer is disposed proximate and parallel to a beam splitter so that the focal point of the floating image is proximate to the plastic layer or polarizer. This image position yields both a wider filed of view and wider perceived field of view. The aerial projection system includes a plastic spherical mirror of low cost, which includes a plastic part of at least the following descriptions: mirror surface supported by wall structures of sufficient sphericity, of a plastic material formulation, having excellent optical grade finish, a reflective metal coating, and a protective overcoat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Provision Interactive Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Vrachan, Curtis L. Thornton
  • Patent number: 7549756
    Abstract: A projection system including an integrator with an output end having a matrix of output windows therein. A pattern of red, green and blue monochromatic filters are disposed on the output windows passing a matrix of red, green, and blue monochromatic pixels of light. An imager modulates the pixels of monochromatic light A light shift device shifts the matrix of monochromatic pixels of light to temporally form a pattern of overlying pixels of light of different colors, viewable as a color image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Donald Henry Willis, Billy Wesley Beyers, Estill Thone Hall, Jr., Michael Scott Deiss
  • Patent number: 7518570
    Abstract: A digital light processing display system is provided with fewer major moving parts and a smaller form factor. A high-intensity, high-frequency strobe light is used to direct a pulse of light through colored filters. The colored pulses of light are passed through separate prisms, each with a high index of refraction. The index of refraction and the length of the path through the prism result in a delay for each color. For each pixel with a component of the color for each colored pulse, a controller activates the corresponding mirror in an array of mirrors. The timing of the activation of the mirrors is coordinated with the timing of the colored pulses of light to form a full color image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Gordon Leslie Arnold, II
  • Patent number: RE45504
    Abstract: Micro-electromechanical display device (“MDD”)-based multimedia projectors (90, 120) of this invention employ an arc lamp (32), a color modulator (42), and anamorphic illumination systems (94, 121) for optimally illuminating a MDD (50, 76) to improve projected image brightness. MDDs employ off-axis illumination wherein incident and reflected light bundles are angularly separated about a hinge axis (78, 110) and the MDD is illuminated by the anamorphic illumination systems of this invention having a slow f/# parallel to the hinge axis and a faster f/# perpendicular to the hinge axis. The resulting anamorphic light bundles (86, 88, 112, 114) illuminate and reflect more light into and off the MDD and through a fast f/# projection lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Peterson