Abstract: A digital projection display system includes one or more digital projection displays. Each digital projection display has an external light source producing as an output a light beam, an internal optics system, and a housing in which the internal optics system is received, but wherein the external light source is located external to the housing. A display screen forms one face of the housing. Preferably, an optical fiber extends from the output of the external light source to an input of the internal optics system. Multiple digital projection displays may be illuminated by a single external light source using multiple optical fibers.

Abstract: In the present invention, there is disclosed a reflective mirror whose contrast or resolution performance is equal to that of a surface mirror of a glass mirror for general use and which does not have any problem in reliability of resistance to environment and whose color shift or brightness performance is inhibited from being degraded. For this, in the present invention, a reflective film is formed on a glass substrate by use of silver mirror reaction, and a topcoat is formed of a colorless/transparent resin. At this time, a wavelength of a crest of a ripple indicated by a reflectance characteristic is constituted to substantially agree with that of a green luminescent line. Accordingly, a back projection type video display device which is satisfactory in the contrast or resolution performance can be prepared.

Abstract: A table type display device, in which a high resolution display with an unremarkable connection is realized at the time of large screen display by using a screen with a composition having few bending is described. In a table type display device comprising plural M of projectors 1L, 1R for projecting luminous flux to form an image, plural N of reflection mirrors 2L, 2R for bending optical paths of luminous fluxes projected from respective plural M of projectors 1L, 1R, screen 3 of horizontal installation type for projecting luminous fluxes for which optical path is bent, by the plurality N of reflection mirrors 2L,2R onto the predetermined region, respectively, the screen comprises a transparent base member 7 for reducing flexure of the screen, optical sheet 9 substantially for making luminous fluxes projected respectively from the plural M of projectors 1L,1R uniform, and a diffusing screen for imaging the image.

Abstract: An oblique projection optical system for leading rays of light from a display surface on which an image is displayed to a projection surface in such a way that the ray of light from the center of the display surface is obliquely incident on the projection surface in order to project a magnified image of the image displayed on the display surface onto the projection surface includes a plurality of reflecting surfaces having a power. At least two of the reflecting surfaces have a free-form curved surface, and, of all the reflecting surfaces, the one closest to the projection surface has a negative power and at least one of the other has a positive power. Alternatively, in a rear projection optical system having a projection optical system for projecting an image displayed on a panel display surface onto a screen surface, the projection optical system includes at least four curved-surface reflecting mirrors.

Abstract: A projection optical system having a plurality of reflecting surfaces is disclosed in which a sufficiently large angle is provided between an incident side reference axis and an emerging side reference axis while tilt angles of the respective reflecting surfaces can remain small. The projection optical system projects luminous flux from an image forming element which forms an original image onto a projection surface. The incident side reference axis and the emerging side reference axis of the projection optical system are oblique to each other. The projection optical system has a plurality of reflecting surfaces each having a curvature. The reflecting surfaces are arranged such that the reference axis has at least one intersection in the projection optical system.

Abstract: An improved real image projection system comprises, in the primary configuration, a tilted mirror to eliminate ghost reflections, and a unique arrangement allowing the introduction of a second background image without a 50%/50% beamsplitter, while providing system transmission of approximately 50%. A secondary configuration incorporates an elliptical or aspheric curved mirror designed to simulate the surface of a spherical curve when light strikes the elliptical surface at an angle equal to the elliptical angle of the curved mirror. In a third configuration, a single curved mirror has two different optical surfaces of revolution, one on the convex surface and one on the concave surface. The concave surface is much like that of a Mangin lens, but it has an aspheric surface of revolution, optimized to reduce spherical aberrations over a larger area offset from the optical axis.

Abstract: A reflecting optical element is disclosed which includes the following articles. The reflecting optical element is constituted by: a base member having a continuous curved-surface portion, and a resin layer integrally formed of resin on the curved surface of the base member, and having a plurality of mutually discontinuous curved surfaces to be reflecting surfaces. The base member is made of a material smaller in coefficient of linear expansion than the resin for forming the resin layer. Thus, a reflecting optical element is provided which is low in optical-performance deterioration caused by the temperature effect, and small in the number of restraints in fabrication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of assembling an optical engine is disclosed. The method includes the steps of locating an optical engine onto a carrier; placing the optical engine and the carrier into a casing; providing a position adjusting device that is located out of the casing device to connect to the carrier; adjusting the position of the optical engine by the adjusting device; fixing the carrier in place via an adhesive; removing the position adjusting device from the casing. Thereby, the assembling of the optical engine is achieved. Since the position adjustment of the optical engine is achieved by the position adjusting device that is located outside the module, each module is not necessarily provided with one position adjusting device. Therefore, the position adjustment is efficiently and economically performed without any space limit.

Abstract: An image projecting system for mounting in a hidden location such as a ceiling or a piece of furniture such as a desk. The system includes an image producing apparatus and a plurality of optical components. At least one of the optical components is a mirror that can move between two positions. In the first position the mirror is flush with the ceiling or the desk so that the system is hidden from view. In the second position the mirror is at an angle to the ceiling or the desk so as to project an image externally of the hidden location and onto a screen or other surface.

Abstract: In order to achieve a great improvement in light utilizing efficiency, a projection type display apparatus for obliquely projecting an original image onto a screen includes a first projection optical system for projecting light from an original picture and forming an intermediate image having trapezoid distortion caused therein, a second projection optical system for obliquely projecting the light from the intermediate image onto a surface for projection so as to cause converse trapezoid distortion, and re-imaging it, and a light deflecting element for deflecting the optical axis of the first projection optical system so that the optical axis of the first projection optical system deflected by the light deflecting element is made to substantially coincide with the optical axis of the second projection optical system.

Abstract: A flat mirror for folding an optical path in a casing of a rear projection television is arranged in the casing on not the side of a screen but a rear or upper side of the casing. In order to direct an optical path of an image projection to a flat mirror on a rear or upper side of the casing, a plurality of focusing mirrors, with which a light beam can be directed at a large angle with respect to a normal line of the screen and can focus an image through a shorter distance compared with a conventional lens system, are used. Since the light beam projected by the focusing mirrors is directed at high angle and reflected by the rear or upper side flat mirror in the casing, the light beam is focused on the screen provided on a front side of the casing.

Abstract: An oblique projection optical system for leading rays of light from a display surface on which an image is displayed to a projection surface in such a way that the ray of light from the center of the display surface is obliquely incident on the projection surface in order to project a magnified image of the image displayed on the display surface onto the projection surface includes a plurality of reflecting surfaces having a power. At least two of the reflecting surfaces have a free-form curved surface, and, of all the reflecting surfaces, the one closest to the projection surface has a negative power and at least one of the other has a positive power. Alternatively, in a rear projection optical system having a projection optical system for projecting an image displayed on a panel display surface onto a screen surface, the projection optical system includes at least four curved-surface reflecting mirrors.

Abstract: An adjusting apparatus for projection comprises a carrier having a central screw hole and three rounded indentations around central screw hole, an adjusting frame having a plane section and a base section, and a holder. The center of the plane section has a circular concave dug a hole with a smaller aperture. A ball bearing is accommodated in the circular concave. The plane section of the adjusting frame has three screw holes corresponding to the rounded indentations. Three angle-adjusting bolts respectively insert through the screw holes to abut against the rounded indentations. Rotating the angle-adjusting bolts relative to each other varies the length of the angle-adjusting bolts calculated from the plane section of the adjusting frame to the carrier. Thereby, an angle adjustment of a mirror is achieved.

Abstract: Disclosed herewith is a rear projection optical system for being installed at a rear side of a screen of a rear projection apparatus. The rear projection system comprises: a display panel; a illuminating optical system for illuminating the display panel, the illuminating optical system being decentered from a screen center in both of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction; and a projection optical system, decentered from the screen center in the vertical direction, for projecting a display image on the display panel projected by the illuminating optical system onto a screen through a rear mirror positioned at a position that is the center of the screen. The projection optical system comprises a dioptric system, a deflection mirror, and a curved mirror in this order from the display panel to the rear mirror, and the curved mirror is decentered from the screen center in the vertical direction but centered against the screen center in the horizontal direction.

Abstract: A spatially modulated light beam is projected, reflected, and redirected through a prismatic optical panel to form a video image for direct viewing thereon.

Abstract: A rear projection display device capable of reducing the depth of a display device itself, comprising an optical engine, first, second, third reflective mirrors arranged at such positions as to be easily held integrally with each other, a fourth reflective mirror, a plane reflective mirror for turn-back of light flux, and a screen.

Abstract: A real image projection system includes at least one curved reflector, positioned in a tilted configuration, wherein an optical axis of the reflector is not coincident with a viewing axis, and a beampath between a target source and the curved reflector neither passes through nor reflects off of a beamsplitter.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a carrier, an optical engine disposed on the carrier, and a hood member coupled to the carrier at the front end of the optical engine. The hood member has an inlet coupled to the optical engine and an outlet sealed with a screen. At least one mirror is placed in an optical path between the optical engine and the screen for reflecting a beam from the optical engine, and is disposed with an adjusting bolt at its backside for adjusting. The hood member wraps the optical path from the optical engine to the screen for keeping the optical engine outside and preventing the external dust, moisture, and temperature.

Abstract: A real image projection system comprising two or more optical surfaces of revolution, with at least one comprising an aspheric surface of revolution. The aspheric surface of revolution is of a design to reduce natural aberrations inherent in imaging using surface of revolutions of the conic family of curves.

Abstract: A stackable mechanical package for a digitally addressed projector (12N) includes a housing portion (22) having top and rear surfaces (44) that are shaped to form a contoured recess (46), and a pedestal portion (20) having bottom and front surfaces (60) that are sized to mate with the contoured recess when the package is in a shippable configuration. When a top side (50) of the pedestal portion is mated to a bottom side (32) of the housing portion, the stackable package is in a first operational configuration. Alternatively, when the stackable package is stacked below another similar stackable package (12F), the shippable configuration further forms a second operational configuration. The stackable package includes legs (24, 26) attached to and protruding from the pedestal portion to support the package apparatus in the first operational configuration or to fasten together the housing and pedestal portions when the package is in the shippable configuration.

Abstract: A rear projection system provides for reduced cabinet depth by folding the optical path with polarization sensitive mirrors. In one aspect, the projector outputs linearly polarized light to a quarter-wave polarizing sheet, which circularly polarizes the projector output. A mirror directs the projected light back through the quarter-wave material to a polarization-dependent reflector. The light has a reflective polarization state. The polarization-dependent reflector reflects the light back to the quarter-wave material and mirror. Upon traversing the path a second time, the light is in a transmissive polarization state.

Abstract: A reflecting optical element is disclosed which includes the following articles.

Abstract: An image projection system includes an image generator, a screen and a focus and aim component. The focus and aim component receives modulated light from the image generator and focuses and deflects the light as a function of a position on the screen. The component consists of an array of lenslets with wedge. The wedge or prism refracts the light and the lens focuses the light. As a result, the optics are selectively tailored to provide a clear image over the entire field of view, even in systems compact in depth that would otherwise rely on a short focal length lens. Acute incidence angles at the periphery of the screen are handled by TIR Fresnel lens elements or by diffractive elements. The focus and aim capability is alternatively provided by holographic elements in a holographic array.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a projection monitor, and in particular to a projection monitor having a darkroom casing capable of preventing a penetration of a foreign material and any leakage of light and easily assembling reflection mirrors which guide the image projected by the engine to a screen.

Abstract: An image alignment system for rear projection in which a portion of the normally changing pixel pattern contains a pixel reference mark, which appears in each of the side-by-side pixel images projected onto a screen. A camera having a field of view large enough to encompass the pixel reference mark of each of the images on the screen captures the location of the pixel reference marks to enable a computer to determine the coordinates of the each of the pixel reference marks and generate a deviation signal represented of the visual misalignment of the side-by-side images. A drive member controllable by the deviation signal from the computer repositions one of the side-by-side images with respect to the other to thereby align the images to produce a single visually seamless image. The camera and computer can continually monitor both of the pixel reference marks to continually generate a deviation signal so that the side-by-side images can automatically be brought into a single visually seamless image.

Abstract: A compact projector system utilizing a rear projection console with at least one projector and a set of mirrors with each mirror being positionally placed with respect to the rear of the display screen and operating together by bouncing an image carrying light beam which originates from a projector from one mirror to the next within the console and across itself before the image-carrying light impinges upon the rear of the display screen to produce a relatively large, contiguous image thereupon with the at least one projector and set of mirrors being confined in a relatively small console area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a projection monitor, and in particular to a projection monitor having a darkroom casing capable of preventing a penetration of a foreign material and any leakage of light and easily assembling reflection mirrors which guide the image projected by the engine to a screen.

Abstract: In a rear projector with a housing on whose front side is arranged a screen for displaying a video picture, with a brightness-modulated and color-modulated R-G-B light source for emitting a light bundle, with a deflecting device for scanning this light bundle, wherein the light bundle is deflected by the deflecting device over a total angle &agr; with respect to vertical scanning, and with a deflecting mirror which is located in the housing and arranged at an angle &dgr;, wherein the light bundle exiting from a real or virtual vertex of the total deflection angle &agr; is deflected onto the screen by the deflecting mirror, the virtual or real vertex located in front of the deflecting mirror lies at a location where the smallest angle &bgr; of the light bundle to the surface of the screen during deflection is less than 20° and the angle &dgr; is given by δ ≤ 45 ⁢ ° - α 4 + β

Abstract: A rear projection monitor includes a projection optical system, a screen, and a guide optical system. The projection optical system projects an original image. The original image is projected on the screen from the rear side to display an enlarged image of the original image. The guide optical system guides light emitted from the projection optical system to the screen. The guide optical system has a movable reflecting surface, and functions to adjust the position of the image on the screen by changing the incident angle of light emitted from the projection optical system to the reflecting surface.

Abstract: A housing structure for projection type television receivers comprises a casing provided with an opening on each of the front side and the back side, a framework holding a screen and a back cover. The framework for holding the screen is installed on the front side of the casing. The back cover is installed on the back side of the casing. Concaved members for mating with bosses that are used to mount the framework are formed on the outer rim of the front side of the casing. Reinforcing ribs and guide ribs that are used to mount the back cover are formed on the back side of the casing. The housing structure disclosed here makes it possible to mount and detach the screen, working from the outside of the housing structure.

Abstract: A back-projector projection system, which includes a projector which emits a light beam, a screen and means for directing the light beam onto the screen. The means for directing the light beam onto the screen includes a first means which circularly polarizes, in a first sense, the light beam output by the projector, at least one polarization filter which reflects light circularly polarized in a second sense opposite to the first sense, and a plane mirror. The polarization filter and the plane mirror are positioned substantially parallel to each other to make the light beam output by the first means undergo three reflections, between the polarization filter and the plane mirror, before directing the beam onto the screen.

Abstract: A rear projector employing an image display uses a polymer dispersion liquid crystal (PDLC) panel which suppresses a turbulent reflection due to a high light refractive index. Accordingly, a slim appearance is attained since a light separating/synthesizing system is eliminated, and the resolution and brightness of the image is improved by precisely and easily controlling the change of the light pathway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light valve projector in which a small high resolution active matrix transmission display is used with a light source, coupling optics and a projection lens to provide a compact presentation system. A preferred embodiment of the system comprises a three light valve system with an arc lamp within a compact housing in which dichroic mirrors separate light from the source into three primary colors and directs the separated light through three active matrix displays manufactured by a thin film transfer process and having a small active area.

Abstract: A television receiver or video monitor of the back-projection type, in which a projector forms an image which can be observed on a visual display screen by rear illumination after reflection on a deflecting mirror. The projector includes in immediate proximity to the visual display screen and parallel to the latter, a reflection-transmission screen comprising a Fresnel surface, the projector, reflection-transmission screen and deflecting mirror being configured together to form an optical system such that the reflection-transmission screen reflects the rays directly emanating from the projector in the direction of the deflecting mirror and transmits these rays after their reflection on this deflecting mirror. The Fresnel surface includes striations of triangular cross-section, these striations locally forming prisms and capable of reflecting the rays which strike them when the angle of incidence of the rays are greater than a predetermined value and of transmitting the rays in an opposite case.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying an image on a screen is disclosed. The display has a projection lens for projecting the image; a first reflective surface for receiving the projected image and reflecting a first reflected image having a first central optical axis; and a second reflective surface for receiving the first reflected image and reflecting a second reflected image having a second central optical axis onto said screen. The first and second reflective surfaces provide a folded projection path, wherein the first and second central optical axes are in the same plane. Alternatively, the first and second central optical axes do not lie in a common plane. This further reduces the size of the displaying apparatus. A third reflective surface is also provided to further reduce the size of the display. The two or three reflective surfaces or mirrors are enclosed in an environmentally sealed compartment. The projection lens has a reduced illumination angle and an increased lens-to-screen distance.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus is capable of being switched between an observation state in which an image on a recording medium is projected onto a screen and observed and a read state in which the image is projected onto a reading unit and read. The apparatus includes a projecting lens provided in a lower portion of the apparatus to project the image, a rockable first reflecting member provided in an upper portion of the apparatus to reflect the image light from the projecting lens and, a second reflecting member provided in opposition to the screen to guide the image light reflected by the first reflecting member to the screen. A third reflecting member is provided below the second reflecting member to guide the image light reflected by the first reflecting member to the reading unit. The observation state and the read state are switched by the rocking motion of the first reflecting member.

Abstract: A device for displaying a projected image comprising a housing having a rear projection screen, a projector and a plurality of reflectors. The projector and the reflectors define a projection path that is longer than the depth of the housing.

Abstract: A method for mass-producing eccentric Fresnel lens sheets comprising the steps of: preparing a number of concentric Fresnel lens sheets; dividing the concentric Fresnel lens sheets into a first set and a second set each including a plurality of Fresnel lens sheets; cutting out a plurality of first sheets each corresponding to one portion of the eccentric Fresnel lens sheet from each of the Fresnel lens sheets of the first set; cutting out a plurality of second sheets each corresponding to the other portion of the eccentric Fresnel lens sheet from each of the Fresnel lens sheets of the second set; and bonding each of the first sheets and each of the second sheets in such a manner that patterns on the first sheet and the second sheet are continuous to prepare a plurality of eccentric Fresnel lens sheet. The second set can include a third set and a fourth set and a plurality of third sheets are cut out from the third set and a plurality of fourth sheets are cut out from the fourth set.

Abstract: A retro-focus type lens is provided from a large conjugate side with a first lens group having a negative refracting power, a second lens group having a positive refracting power which is spaced away from the first lens group at an air interval D1, and a third lens group having a positive refracting power. The following conditions are satisfied when focal lengths of the first lens group, the second lens group, the third lens group, and a total lens system are assumed respectively as f1, f2, f3, and f:1.8<D1/f<3.01.1<f2/f3<1.61.5<.vertline.f1.vertline./f<2.3.A projection lens constructed by inserting a mirror in a lens system of thus constructed retro-focus type lens is used in a projection-type display apparatus.

Abstract: A projector has a shortened optical path from a light valve to a screen and a reduction in the depth size of its system, and requires less space to mount. Rays of light emitted from a light valve of the project are refracted by a converging lens and reflected by a plane mirror to converge at the primary focal point of an elliptical mirror, and then travel toward the secondary focal point whereat the focal point of a parabolic mirror also exists and a projection lens is disposed. The light rays pass through the projection lens, are reflected by the parabolic mirror and then are brought to a parallel beam of light that is further collected by a Fresnel lens to finally form an image on a lenticular lens-screen.

Abstract: A projector has a shortened optical path from a light valve to a screen and a reduction in the depth size of its system and requires less space to mount. Rays of light emitted from a light valve of the projects are refracted by a converging lens and reflected by a plane mirror to converge at the primary focal point of an elliptical mirror, and then travel toward the secondary focal point whereat the focal point of a parabolic mirror also exists and a projection lens is disposed. The light rays pass through the projection lens, are reflected by the parabolic mirror and then are brought to a parallel beam of light that is further collected by a Fresnel lens to finally form an image on a lenticular lens-screen.

Abstract: A rear screen television cabinet, comprising a cabinet having front portions including a top, two sides and a front face, viewing surface on the front face, a mirror system comprising a plurality of mirrors for reflecting and successively enlarging and reflecting an incident beam onto the rear screen and a rear assembly which substantially closes said cabinet and is foldable or collapsible to render said cabinet portable, is disclosed. The cabinet's mirror system receives and successively enlarges and reflect an incident beam from a projector, to project a large image onto the viewing surface.

Abstract: A projector has a shortened optical path from a light valve to a screen and a reduction in the depth size of its system, and requires less space to mount. Rays of light emitted from a light valve of the projector are refracted by a converging lens and reflected by a plane mirror to converge at the primary focal point of an elliptical mirror, and then travel toward the secondary focal point whereat the focal point of a parabolic mirror also exists and a projection lens is disposed. The light rays pass through the projection lens, are reflected by the parabolic mirror and then are brought to a parallel beam of light that is further collected by a Fresnel lens to finally form an image on a lenticular lens-screen.

Abstract: A multiplanar image display system having a plurality of display units disposed to expose, by transmission through and reflection by transparent panels, displayed images to a viewing end of an image chamber. The images overlap along a common viewing axis to create an illusion of a three-dimensional display. The transparent panels and a primary display unit are disposed along, and secondary display units are displaced from, the viewing axis. The transparent panels and the display units are angled to each other and to the viewing axis. The display units are adjustably mounted; and the distances separating the overlapping images, and thereby the amount of parallax, are controllable as a function of the distances between the display units and their associated reflecting transparent panels.

Abstract: A workpiece is mounted in a contour projector machine so that at least one of two opposed sides thereof can be observed by the operator. The side observed by the operator is illuminated by a surface illuminator, and an image thereof is projected onto the machine's projection screen also to be observed by the operator. The side of the workpiece opposite to the side observed by the operator is illuminated by a contour projector, which projects a contour image of the workpiece onto the projection screen simultaneously with the image of the illuminated surface observed by the worker, thus producing on the screen upright an unreversed images of both the contour and the observed side of the workpiece.

Abstract: The contour image of a workpiece is projected by a conventional lens system onto a first mirror lying in a plane inclined at other than 90.degree. to the optical axis of the lens system. This image is reflected directly (i.e., without the use of any relay lenses) to a second mirror that is spaced from and lies in a plane normal to that containing the first mirror; and from there the image is reflected directly to a third mirror spaced from and lying in a plane normal to each of said first and second mirrors. The third mirror directs an upright and unreversed image directly onto the screen of the projector along an axis parallel to the optical axis of the lens system.

Abstract: A portable liquid crystal display (LCD) projector with a bag type housing containing therein an optical part and a mechanical part which is capable of being used in both front projection type and rear projection type and enhancing the carrying performance while having a proper screen size. The projector includes a fixed mirror and a movable mirror disposed between a projection screen and a screen, and a fixed LCD mirror disposed between the LCD and the projection lens. The screen is detachably mounted to a screen holder which is movably mounted to a housing and provided with a rectangular transmitting hole and mounted to the screen holder is a mirror holder attached with the movable mirror.

Abstract: A liquid crystal projector is obliquely disposed in a lower front portion of a cabinet. A first mirror for reflecting light beams of R, G and B coming from the liquid crystal projector is disposed obliquely with respect to the top-bottom, right-left and front-rear directions of the cabinet. A second mirror is disposed so as to be inclined toward a screen. With this configuration, the optical axis of the light beams that extends from the liquid crystal projector to the screen is folded back three-dimensionally. In the liquid crystal projector, the optical axis of a condensing reflector may be slightly inclined from the central axis of a projection lens.

Abstract: A slide projector which is suitable for both wall projection and ground-glass plate projection has a displacement means carrying a deflection mirror system and a ground-glass plate. The displacement means is movable between a collapsed condition in which the displacement means with mirror system and ground-glass plate is in a compact configuration in a housing compartment beneath the projector, for wall projection purposes, and a deployed condition for ground-glass plate projection purposes, in which the displacement means is moved out of the housing compartment into a position in which the mirror system and the ground-glass plate are in front of the lens system of the projector.

Abstract: A projector suitable for a rear projection type receiver is disclosed. The projector has a device for generating an image and an image projecting device for projecting the image to a screen. The image projecting device includes a projection lens system and a reflector. The projection lens system directs the light flux indicative of the image from the image generating device toward the reflector so as to be away from the screen. The reflector bends the light flux and directs the light flux from the reflector to the screen along a predetermined path. The image generating device and the projection lens system are arranged on the side of the predetermined path along the path.