For Projection Axis Inclined To Screen Patents (Class 353/70)
  • Publication number: 20100060863
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a wedge is disposed after the MEMS scanner in a MEMS scanning display system which redirects the scan cone at the same time stretches and/or squashes the image to reduce or eliminate distortion inherent in scanning projectors, the distortion being a result of a trajectory of the scanned beam caused by the off axis input beam and a transform from a scanning mirror to an image plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: MICROVISION, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua M. Hudman, Joshua O. Miller
  • Patent number: 7673995
    Abstract: A system for supporting a projector on a support structure relative to a projection surface includes a plurality of base members connectable with the support structure and having a position adjustable relative to the projection surface. The system also includes a base member calibration system for calibrating the base members to a predetermined position relative to the projection surface. The system also includes a plurality of foot members for supporting the projector. Each foot member has a position adjustable relative to the projector. The system further includes a projector calibration system for calibrating the projector to a predetermined position relative to the foot members. The projector calibrated to the predetermined position relative to the foot members is calibrated to the predetermined position relative to the projection surface when the foot members rest on the base members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Frederick Harrison, Bran Ferren, W. Daniel Hillis
  • Publication number: 20100053569
    Abstract: A projection display apparatus for displaying an image on a projection plane by projection, includes: an image capturing unit capturing an image; an angle calculator calculating an angle of the projection plane relative to the projection display apparatus; a straight line detector detecting a straight line in the captured image corresponding to a line perpendicular to a predetermined reference plane and a straight line in the captured image corresponding to a line parallel to the predetermined reference plane on the basis of the calculated angle; and a keystone corrector correcting a keystone distortion of an image to be displayed on the projection plane on the basis of the detection result in the straight line detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shiki FURUI
  • Patent number: 7670007
    Abstract: A projection display is capable of suppressing both the trapezoidal distortion of an enlarged image projected on a screen by oblique projection and aberrations resulting from oblique projection and includes a projection optical system provided with lenses that can be easily manufactured and assembled. The projection optical system for obliquely projecting an image formed by a display device on the screen includes a free curved lens having a rotationally asymmetric free curved surface. The free curved lens has fringing parts having outlines of a shape coinciding with an arc of a circle having the center on the optical axis of the free curved lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanori Hisada, Hiroki Yoshikawa, Tetsu Ohishi, Koji Hirata, Naoyuki Ogura
  • Patent number: 7670008
    Abstract: In an oblique projection optical system for performing enlargement projection from a primary image surface on the reduction side to a secondary image surface on the enlargement side, at least one reflective surface having an optical power is provided, and, assuming that of the aforementioned surfaces, the reflective surface located on the most secondary image surface side in the optical path is a first curved reflective surface, the first curved reflective surface has a portion having a positive optical power and a portion having a negative optical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventor: Tomiei Kuwa
  • Patent number: 7670006
    Abstract: A pattern projector including a source of light to be projected, a spatial light modulator arranged in a spatial light modulator plane, the spatial light modulator receiving the light from the source of light and being configured to pass the light therethrough in a first pattern and projection optics receiving the light from the spatial light modulator and being operative to project a desired second pattern onto a projection surface lying in a projection surface plane which is angled with respect to the spatial light modulator plane, the first pattern being a distortion of the desired second pattern configured such that keystone distortions resulting from the difference in angular orientations of the spatial light modulator plane and the projection surface plane are compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: VKB Inc.
    Inventor: Klony Lieberman
  • Patent number: 7670009
    Abstract: In a projection-type image display apparatus, comprising an enlarged projection optical unit, which is configured to project the lights from the light source unit onto the display portion, enlargedly, the enlarged projection optical unit, further comprises: a projection lens for projecting the image on the image display element, enlargedly, and a reflection mirror having a reflection surface made up with a freely curved surface, and the image display element has a display surface larger than the display portion, when a whole body thereof is projected on the display portion, through the enlarged projection optical unit, to be displayed by projection thereof, and the image on the display surface of the image display element is movable, within the display surface of the image display element, so as to project a portion fitting to the display portion, selectively, to be displayed, when projecting it through the enlarged projection optical unit upon the display portion, to be displayed, thereby enabling an install
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hirata, Masahiko Yatsu
  • Publication number: 20100039625
    Abstract: A projection optical system for use in an image projection apparatus illuminating a lightbulb forming an image in accordance with a modulating signal with illumination light from a light source is disclosed. The projection optical system includes first and second optical systems arranged along an optical path defining an upstream-downstream direction in the order described from upstream to downstream on the downstream side of the lightbulb. The first optical system includes at least one dioptric system and has positive power. The second optical system includes at least one reflecting surface having power and has positive power. The image formed by the lightbulb is formed as an intermediate image in the optical path, and the intermediate image is magnified and projected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Atsushi Takaura, Kazuhiro Fujita, Nobuo Sakuma
  • Patent number: 7661826
    Abstract: A driving mechanism drives a phase difference sensor including a pair of photodetectors arranged in line in a direction (sensor arrangement direction) perpendicular to the direction of arrangement of the photodetectors. The distance to a target object is measured in the sensor arrangement direction while the phase difference sensor is set in a given position. The distance to the target object is measured in a direction perpendicular to the sensor arrangement direction by moving the phase difference sensor through the driving mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masakuni Iwanaga
  • Publication number: 20100033691
    Abstract: A scanning projection apparatus for displaying image comprises a light source for generating a light beam, a beam scanner which deflects the light beam to project a two dimensional image field, a modulation means for modulating the intensity of the light beam, and a sensor to detect the scanned light beam. The light source may consist of a plurality of semiconductor lasers and/or solid state lasers to generate light beams with wavelengths of red, green and blue colors aligned into a single light path. The image field is divided into an active image field for displaying image and a dark field in the perimeter of the image field wherein the light beam is switched off to reduce inherent image defects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Chang-Li Hung, Ta-Wei Lin
  • Patent number: 7658498
    Abstract: Automated orientation of an image presented by a display, such as a projector, with the orientation of the display simplifies presentation of images generated by an information handling system. A display orientation sensor detects the orientation of a display so that a display orientation module automatically adjusts the orientation of an image presented by the display to align with the display orientation. For example, display orientation is sensed by an accelerometer associated with the display or by determining the attachment point of the display to a support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Dell Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Chad R. Anson
  • Patent number: 7648246
    Abstract: A projector includes: an imaging structure that photographs an image projected on a projection object to take a photographed image; an imaging control module that performs exposure adjustment in the imaging structure to attain a preset target exposure; a control module that sets the target exposure in the imaging ctrl module; an angle information acquisition module that obtains angle information representing an inclination of the projector to the projection object; and a storage unit that stores a map representing a variation in target exposure against the angle information. The control module controls the angle information acquisition module to obtain the angle information, refers to the map stored in the storage unit to specify a target exposure corresponding to the obtained angle information, and sets the specified target exposure in the imaging control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Noriaki Miyasaka
  • Patent number: 7648243
    Abstract: A stereoscopic projection system is capable of minimizing a distance between viewing zones without reducing a distance between image projectors. In the stereoscopic projection system, a projector array having a plurality of image projectors are arranged substantially along an arrangement direction perpendicular to a connecting line between a left eye and a right eye of a viewer, and a directional screen has a first characteristic axis aligned at an angle with respect to the arrangement direction of the projector array, and a second characteristic axis perpendicular to the first characteristic axis. Therefore, the directional screen causes a plurality of images projected from the projector array to be relatively widened along the first characteristic axis and relatively narrowed along the second characteristic axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Sergey Shestak, Kyung-hoon Cha
  • Publication number: 20090290133
    Abstract: A projection image display device is disclosed in which a trapezoidal distortion and/or aberration are restrained when an image is enlarged and projected obliquely onto a screen. An image generator is connected to an optical system base in such a manner that at least an inclination thereof (on an axis parallel to X axis) with respect to a vertical line and a distance thereof in forward and backward direction (Z axis direction) can be adjusted by an adjusting mechanism. Further, a projecting lens 2 as a first optical system and a free-form curved surface mirror as a second optical system are fixed to the optical system base. The free-form curved surface mirror is rotatable (on an rotary axis parallel to X axis) with respect to the vertical line at a substantial center of the free-form curved surface mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki YOSHIKAWA, Takanori HISADA, Tetsu OHISHI, Koji HIRATA, Naoyuki OGURA
  • Patent number: 7621647
    Abstract: Embodiments include a light engine to generate pixels and a number of lenses positioned to receive pixels from the light engine and to project the pixels on to a field with a higher angular pixel density at an edge of the field than at a center of the field. A method according to embodiments includes generating pixels in a light engine, receiving the pixels from the light engine in a plurality of lenses, and projecting the pixels through the plurality of lenses on to a field with a higher angular pixel density at an edge of the field than at a center of the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: The Elumenati, LLC
    Inventors: D'nardo Colucci, David M. McConville, Clayton C. Hooker
  • Publication number: 20090279000
    Abstract: An image processing device for a projector including an image formation section that emits light of an image, and a projection system that projects the emitted light onto a projection surface. The image processing device has a distortion correction technique for images displayed on the projection surface. The image processing device has a target display area determination section that determines, in a display area serving as a reference on the projection surface, based on a current value of a parameter, any of target display areas set for values possibly taken by the parameter within an allowable range to be targeted on a distortion-free image for display on the projection surface; a reference formation area determination section that determines a reference formation area to be formed with a virtual distorted image and a correction application section that generates corrected image data for supply to the image formation section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shiki FURUI
  • Patent number: 7607783
    Abstract: A document camera has an image processing apparatus, which acquires the contour of an image of an original by means of a Roberts filter. The image processing apparatus detects straight lines as candidates for forming an image of the original from the acquired contour and acquires the shape of a quadrangle of the original. The image processing apparatus determines the projection parameters showing the relationship between the shape of the image of the original and the shape of the actual original from the positions of the corners of the quadrangle and executes an operation of projection/transformation on the image of the original. The document camera outputs the image data of the image to a projector, which projects an image of the original on a screen according to the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Sakurai, Akihiko Nagasaka, Tetsuji Makino, Yoshihiro Teshima
  • Publication number: 20090262310
    Abstract: A picture correction systems and a method are provided. The system includes a circular variable resistance unit and a control unit. The circular variable resistance unit includes at least two circular resistance coils and a control stick. One of the circular resistance coils receives a voltage. The control stick is disposed on the inner rims of the circular resistance coils to be electrically connected with the circular resistance coils. The control stick rolls along the inner rims of the circular resistance coils. The circular variable resistance unit generates a loop voltage according to a position of the control stick being located at the inner rims of the circular resistance coils. The control unit receives the loop voltage, and performs a picture correction for a projector according to the loop voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: CORETRONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chang-Jung Wen, Jung-Chi Chen, Chih-Hui Chang
  • Patent number: 7600876
    Abstract: In an optical angle detection apparatus, a single optical distance measurement unit is disposed opposite an object having a plane. The optical distance measurement unit includes a light projecting portion that projects a beam in the direction of an optical axis, and a light receiving portion that receives a beam reflected from a measurement position at which the optical axis intersects the plane and outputs a distance measurement signal indicating a distance to the measurement position. An optical axis deflector is provided for deflecting the optical axis to switch the measurement position between a first measurement position and a second measurement position, so that first and second distance measurement signals corresponding to the first and second measurement positions are output from the optical distance measurement unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Nidec Copal Corporation
    Inventors: Tomio Kurosu, Norifumi Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20090238490
    Abstract: A projector adapted to correct a keystone distortion of an image, includes a frame memory adapted to store a pre-correction image, a block data storage memory adapted to store the precorrection image by block data that composed of M pixels in a first direction and N pixels in a second direction (M, N?2), a correction section adapted to correct the pre-correction image based on the block data stored in the block data storage memory, and a control section adapted to perform control of obtaining the pre-correction image from the frame memory by the block data, and storing the obtained pre-correction image in the block data storage memory, and the control section obtains contiguous n×N (n?2) lines of the image from the frame memory and stores the obtained image in the block data storage memory at the beginning of the correction process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiko TAMURA
  • Publication number: 20090237621
    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: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanori HISADA, Masahiko YATSU, Koji HIRATA
  • Publication number: 20090231551
    Abstract: The present invention provides a projection system capable of making corrections to the shape of a projected light beam to take into account multiple irregularities in a projection surface. The invention also provides a projection system capable of adjusting the variation of intensity of a light beam projected on a projection surface that is not normal to the central axis of the projection beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: Martin Franik
  • Patent number: 7581839
    Abstract: A projector determines horizontal and vertical tilt angles. Using the tilt angles and the inherent properties of the projector, keystone correction corner points for the image can be computed. The keystone correction corner points can be used to perform keystone correction on the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Pixelworks, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhongde Wang, Tianbing Brian Teng
  • Patent number: 7562986
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a laser projection display. The laser projection display includes a light source for emitting light beams each having a predetermined wavelength, and reflective means for reflecting the light beams emitted from the light source and scanning the light beams across a screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang Kyeong Yun
  • Patent number: 7562987
    Abstract: A rear projection display according to the present disclosure includes a complex mirror as an optical element to simplify the optical design. The mirror may be symmetrical about at least one axis to require optimization of only half the optical system. The mirror may also provide a geometrically distorted image that may be corrected in software of the image generator. This display uses a mathematical formulation which inherently creates a surface which is symmetric about one linear axis but free form in an orthogonal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Fakespace Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian McDowall
  • Patent number: 7559658
    Abstract: A projector comprising a light modulating device which modulates light beams emitted from a light source, according to image information, to form an optical image; a projection optical device, the projection optical device including a projection lens, which has a plurality of lenses, that enlarges and projects the optical image onto the screen; a focal position changing unit, to perform focus adjustment on the image; a setting input unit through which automatic adjustment information for changing the focal position to an in-focus position where the projected image is in an in-focus state is input; and a focus adjustment control unit which controls the focal position changing unit until the projected image is in the in-focus state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yasutaka Kamiya, Shiki Furui
  • Patent number: 7553031
    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: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanori Hisada, Masahiko Yatsu, Koji Hirata
  • Patent number: 7549754
    Abstract: An image processing device for a projector including an image formation section that emits light of an image, and a projection system that projects the emitted light onto a projection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shiki Furui
  • Patent number: 7537350
    Abstract: A projector including: an image projection section for projecting an image onto a rectangular screen through a liquid crystal panel; a position adjustment information generation section for generating position adjustment information based on position adjustment of the image made by a user; a correction information generation section for generating position correction information for correcting positions of four corners of the image on the screen based on the position adjustment information; and a correction section for correcting image information for projecting the image based on the position correction information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masanobu Kobayashi, Osamu Wada
  • Patent number: 7537351
    Abstract: A projection system includes a projector and a computer connected to the projector, wherein the projector projects an image according to an image information output from the computer. The projector includes an adjustment operation section that adjusts the settings of the projector and an adjustment operation identification section that identifies the adjustment operation indicated by an adjustment signal output from the adjustment operation section. The projector includes an adjustment-signal generating section that generates an adjustment signal on the basis of the adjustment operation identified by the adjustment operation identification section and a two-way communication section that sends the generated adjustment signal to the computer, and receives a signal from the computer. The computer includes a two-way communication section that receives the adjustment signal and sends a signal and an image processor that processes the image signal to be output according to the received adjustment signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiki Saito
  • Patent number: 7524070
    Abstract: A projector includes a projection angle deriving section which generates projection angle information indicating an angle formed by a projection target area and projection light projected onto the projection target area; a projection distance deriving section which generates projection distance information indicating a distance from an aim area in the projection target area to a projection section which projects the projection light; a control information generation section which generates direction control information for aligning a projection direction of the projection light with a normal direction of the projection target area based on the projection angle information, and generates projection section control information for controlling the projection section so that the projection light is projected onto the aim area based on the projection distance information; a pedestal driver section which drives a pedestal which adjusts the projection direction of the projection light based on the direction control
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Matsuda, Masanobu Kobayashi, Osamu Wada
  • Publication number: 20090091714
    Abstract: A system for defining a bounding box include one or more image projectors; one or more optical beam generators; a display surface; a computing element; and a digital image sensor. The digital image sensor is configured to sense a location of image orientation indicators generated by the optical beam generators. The computing element is configured to communicate with the digital image sensor to determine a bounding box defined by the locations of the image orientation indicators and to control the one or more image projectors to project an image in, and corresponding to, the bounding box on the display surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Richard Aufranc, Bruce A. Stephens, Olan Way
  • Patent number: 7513628
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for a projection device having a camera to provide for adjustments based at least in part on a series of captured images are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Infocus Corporation
    Inventor: Maarten Niesten
  • Publication number: 20090073391
    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: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi HASEGAWA
  • Patent number: 7494229
    Abstract: A projector of the invention includes: a projection lens that is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to an optical axis to project and display an image on a projection object; an imaging structure that photographs an area including at least the projected image on the projection object to take a photographed image; a shift level detection unit that detects a shift level of the projection lens; a control module that specifies a reference line to be processed in the photographed image; and a storage unit that stores a map of positional information to each shift level, where the positional information represents an expected relative line position to the projected image included in the photographed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Noriaki Miyasaka
  • Publication number: 20090040473
    Abstract: A projection image display apparatus includes a lens unit into which light modulated in accordance with an image signal is entered, a first reflecting mirror having a reflecting surface into which the light passing through the lens unit is entered and by which the light is converged, a second reflecting mirror for reflecting the light reflected by the first reflecting mirror, and a mirror actuator for changing a tilt angle of the second reflecting mirror with respect to the light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryuhei Amano, Takashi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7488079
    Abstract: A shaped screen rotates through one or more projected images of two or more projectors operating simultaneously, resulting in a dynamic, kinetic image surface which may be viewed equally well from a plurality of angles, up to 360° horizontally. By utilizing at least two projectors, the resultant composite image on the rotating screen is not only optimally viewed from any angle, but it is also animated by the movement of the screen itself, as well as by any animation within the projected image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Thinc Design, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Hennes
  • Publication number: 20090027629
    Abstract: An image projection method and a projector are provided to be able to change aspect ratio or resolution of a projection image, without setting of keystone correction again. The projector sets a displayable region with a shape according to an aspect ratio and a resolution of the projection image. The projector converts coordinates of the displayable region into coordinates in a screen coordinate system, and generates a rectangular area with a desired aspect ratio in a region corresponding to the displayable region in the screen coordinate system and a portion included in a projecting range. The projector converts the coordinates of a rectangular area into coordinates of a range corresponding to the rectangular area in the panel coordinate system, forms an image in a range corresponding to the rectangular area, and projects the projection image on the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: Ryouichi Yonezawa
  • Publication number: 20090027628
    Abstract: An image by means of a projection light is projected without any distortion both onto a surface approximately parallel to an installation surface, and onto a surface approximately perpendicular to the installation surface. In a case in which reflecting surfaces are held in a horizontal condition, and a reflecting surface of a reflecting mirror on which a projection light falls is formed into a planar surface, individual light rays fall on positions on a table surface. As these positions are evenly spaced, an image projected onto the table surface becomes a non-distorted image. On the other hand, in a case in which the surfaces are held in an inclined condition, and a surface on which the projection light falls is formed into a curved surface, individual light rays caused to emerge from a light modulation device at even intervals fall on a wall surface. Incidence positions of the individual light rays being evenly spaced, an image projected onto the wall surface becomes the non-distorted image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidetaka HOSHINO, Yoshito Hosoi, Tomoyuki Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7478912
    Abstract: An image projector display device projecting an image onto a surface substantially parallel to a path of light emitted through a representation of an image and a projection/objective lens. The display device compensates for the varying distances of the surface onto to which the image is projected from the projection/objective lens to display a clear, non-distorted image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Edison Nation, LLC
    Inventor: Frederick Stanley Black, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7475996
    Abstract: An elevating device includes first and second rack members interconnecting each other in such a manner to protrude downwardly from a lower opening of an outer casing in a double-step manner so as to be supported on a support surface. The elevating device adjusts an inclination angle of the outer casing relative to the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Wei-Po Hsu, Chia-Lun Liu, Tai-Li Chang
  • Patent number: 7475995
    Abstract: A projector includes an image projecting section that is structured to project an image according to an input image, to a virtual projection plane arranged in a predetermined positional relationship therewith, an imaged-information generating section that has an output-image taking section to take an output image projected to a real projection plane and outputs imaged information containing lightness information having a correlation to a lightness in accordance with an image taken, and a distortion correcting section that corrects a distortion, in an output image for the input images, caused by an inclination of between the virtual and real projection planes, according to the imaged information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Morio Matsumoto, Shiki Furui
  • Publication number: 20080316438
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a display device. In one example, the display device includes a screen unit having a screen and a projection section that projects an image light. An arm section is attached to the screen unit so as to protrude therefrom. A reflection unit is attached to the arm section and has a reflection mirror that reflects the image light projected by the projection section toward the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Midorikawa
  • Patent number: 7467769
    Abstract: An elevating mechanism for a projection apparatus includes a base, a movable leg, an elastomer, a decelerating module and a fixing component. The base is connected with the projection apparatus and has a slide, an accommodating space and an opening disposed at one end of the base. The accommodating space is located inside the base and communicated with the opening. The slide is in a sidewall of the base and communicated with the accommodating space. The movable leg is disposed through the opening and the accommodating space, and one end of the elastomer is disposed on the base. The movable leg is suitable for protruding from the opening of the base by the elastomer. Moreover, the decelerating module is disposed on the movable leg and is in the slide. The decelerating module is suitable for contacting with the base. The fixing component is suitable for fixing the movable leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Chun-How Shao, Wen-Chi Fu, Tai-Li Chang
  • Publication number: 20080284987
    Abstract: The positions of the four corners of the projection area and the positions of the four corners of the projection image are detected on an image captured by a camera unit, and the positions of the four corners of the projection area with respect to the positions of the four corners of the projection image is transformed to the positions on a panel coordinate system set in a spatial optical modulating device (panel). A first minimum target frame including the four corners of the projection area transformed on the panel coordinate system is set on the panel coordinate system and a second target frame in consideration of an aspect ratio of the projection image is set on the panel coordinate system based on the position of the first target frame on the panel coordinate system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryohichi Yonezawa
  • Patent number: 7452084
    Abstract: A projector includes a projection device, a cross line positional information acquiring device for acquiring positional information of a cross line between a projection surface of the projection device and a plane crossing the projection surface, an inclination detecting device for calculating an angle of inclination between a projection optical axis of the projection device and the projection surface based on the positional information acquired by the cross line positional information acquiring device, and an image distortion correcting device for correcting a trapezoidal distortion of an input image supplied to the projection device, based on the angle of inclination calculated by the inclination detecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Nec Viewtechnology, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 7448756
    Abstract: A slim optical projection system and an image display apparatus employing the same. The optical projection system includes: a relay lens group to produce an intermediate image from an image created by a display and to generate a first distortion in the intermediate image, a projection lens group to enlarge and project the intermediate image that passes through the relay lens group and to generate a second distortion in the projected image, and a reflector to reflect the image enlarged by the projection lens group to a screen at a wide viewing angle. The first and second distortions are used to compensate for a third distortion caused by the reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kun-ho Cho, Alexei Borodouline, Kirill Sokolov
  • Publication number: 20080273177
    Abstract: A projection optical system for projecting, while enlarging, an image formed on an image formation surface onto an image projection surface from an oblique direction relative thereto has at least three optically powered reflective surfaces and a refractive lens surface having a non-rotation-symmetric free-form curved surface and disposed between the first and second reflective surfaces as counted from the image formation surface side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicants: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc., Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki IMAOKA, Tomokazu Masubuchi, Jun Ishihara, Tomiei Kuwa
  • Patent number: 7441906
    Abstract: We describe a keystone correction system and method. A vertical scalar vertically scales an input image and stores the results to a line buffer. A horizontal scalar retrieves the stored results from the line buffer and horizontally scales the stored results using the relatively small number of lines from the line buffer. The system repeats the vertically scaling, storing, and horizontal scaling until it processes all input image lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Pixelworks, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhongde Wang, Ashok Aravamudhan, Mike West, Dennis Morel
  • Publication number: 20080259289
    Abstract: A projector device that generates a projection image, photographs this projection image and performs various adjustments to the projection image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirotake Nozaki, Tadashi Ohta, Setsu Mitsuhashi, Keiichi Nitta, Akira Ohmura, Nobuhiro Fujinawa