Lamp Control Patents (Class 353/85)
  • Patent number: 8783876
    Abstract: A projector that outputs a first image and a second image alternately, includes a discharge lamp driving section that supplies, to a discharge lamp, a drive current that drives the discharge lamp; a state detecting section that detects a deteriorating state of the discharge lamp; and a control section that controls the discharge lamp driving section, wherein the control section controls the discharge lamp driving section so that the absolute value of the drive current becomes relatively small in the first period and relatively large in the second period and, in the second period, the control section controls the discharge lamp driving section so that the discharge lamp driving section supplies an alternating current to the discharge lamp as the drive current and controls the discharge lamp driving section so that at least part of the frequency of the drive current is decreased with the progress of the deteriorating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Terashima, Shun Sato
  • Patent number: 8783878
    Abstract: An optical system (100) comprises a coherent light source (101) and optical elements for directing light from the source to a target (1001). The optical elements include at least one diffusing element (141, 161) arranged to reduce a coherence volume of light from the source and a variable optical property element (151). A control system (1021) controls the variable optical property element such that different speckle patterns are formed over time at the target (1001) with a temporal frequency greater than a temporal resolution of an illumination sensor or an eye (1011) of an observer so that speckle contrast ratio in the observed illumination is reduced. The variable optical property element (151) may be a deformable mirror with a vibrating thin plate or film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Optyka Limited
    Inventors: Fergal Patrick Shevlin, Omar Sqalli, Nicolas Descharmes
  • Patent number: 8783875
    Abstract: A light compensation scheme, an optical machine device, a display system and a method for light compensation are disclosed herein. The light compensation scheme includes a detector for inspecting a data related to a luminous flux of each of different color beams, and a controller for selectively adjusting anytime a luminosity of at least one of a plurality of pointolites and/or the transmittances of at least one part of liquid crystals disposed within a liquid crystal display panel, based on the inspected data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Genesys Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Nei-Chiung Perng, Chih-nan Wei, Po-Yao Chuang
  • Patent number: 8777423
    Abstract: A projector includes a projection light source, a light-off detector that detects that the projection light source is shut off, and a relighting controller that carries out a relighting process for relighting the projection light source based on the detection performed by the light-off detector as a trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Okada
  • Patent number: 8777419
    Abstract: A projection apparatus and a location method for determining a position of a light point on a projection image of the projection apparatus are provided. The projection apparatus comprises a lens, a light detector, a light guide module and a processing circuit. The light guide module is configured to receive the light point via the lens, and to guide the light point into the light detector. The light detector outputs a detection signal to the processing circuit according to the light point within a detection period. The processing circuit determines the position of the light point on the projection image according to the detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: June-jei Huang
  • Publication number: 20140192331
    Abstract: A projector includes a light detector that detects light brightness information on the brightness of light emitted from a light source and an adjuster that corrects the light brightness information detected with the light detector and adjusts the output from the light source based on the corrected light brightness information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi TOYOOKA
  • Patent number: 8773036
    Abstract: A projector that outputs a first picture and a second picture alternately, wherein a control section performs first control and second control, controls a discharge lamp driving section. In the first control and the second control, the absolute value of a drive current is relatively small in a first period and relatively large in a second period. In the first control, the energy provided to a first electrode in the second period is greater than the energy provided to the second electrode in the second period. In the second control, the energy provided to the second electrode in the second period is greater than the energy provided to the first electrode in the second period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuo Terashima
  • Patent number: 8773348
    Abstract: A micro projector driving device and a driving method are provided, where pixels of the first and last images at a specified location are compared, and the light intensity of the light sources is then adjusted according to the compared results so as to avoid the continual display of images with different contrast requirements at the highest light intensity, thus saving power under a guaranteed visual effect, and prolonging the battery life of a portable micro projector. A higher power drive light source should be used for a static image rather than for a video image. Images are divided into sections, and then the pixels from each section are selected at random for comparison, therefore greatly reducing the amount of computing but still having a rather high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Shanghai Sanxin Technology Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Songtaek Kwan, Donghyub Kim, Sungsoo Kim
  • Publication number: 20140185019
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and system of advertising, and more particularly to a method and system of advertising that involves projection of a logo or advertisement from a drinking glass. The logo or advertisement projecting glassware has a light source that projects the inserted film when the glass is lifted. And the projection is turned off when the glassware is placed on a solid surface. This device allows for a new way to advertise. Unlike traditional advertisement printed on a glass, the advertisement is not permanent and can be switched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventor: Timothy R. Boals
  • Patent number: 8764197
    Abstract: In a polarization conversion element including a plurality of light transmitting substrates and an optical element that includes polarization splitting films and reflective films that are alternately disposed between the light transmitting substrates, and a laminated wave plate that is arranged on the light outgoing face of the optical element and rotates the polarization plane of light emitted from the optical element by ?, a laminated wave plate is acquired by stacking a first wave plate of a phase difference ?1 for light of a wavelength ? and a second wave plate of a phase difference of ?2 such that the optical axes thereof intersect each other, the relationship is “|?1??2|=180 (degrees), and the azimuth of the optical axis of the first wave plate and the azimuth of the optical axis of the second wave plate are perpendicular to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shuho Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8764199
    Abstract: An illumination unit includes a plurality of light sources each including a solid-state light-emitting device configured to emit light from a light emission region including a single or a plurality of light-emitting spots. The solid-state light-emitting device includes a single chip or a plurality of chips each emitting light beam. Three or more of the light-emitting spots are provided within the whole light sources, to allow the whole light sources to emit light beams in two or more wavelength bands different from one another. Two or more of the plurality of the light sources include respective light-emitting spots which emit light in the same wavelength band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Miura
  • Patent number: 8766551
    Abstract: A projector that outputs a first image and a second image alternately while performing switching between the first image and the second image, includes: a discharge lamp driving section that supplies, to a discharge lamp, a drive current that drives the discharge lamp; a state detecting section that detects a deteriorating state of the discharge lamp; and a control section that controls the discharge lamp driving section, wherein the control section controls the discharge lamp driving section so that the absolute value of the drive current becomes relatively small in a first period and relatively large in a second period and controls the discharge lamp driving section so that the ratio of the absolute value of the drive current in the second period to the absolute value of the drive current in the first period is increased with the progress of the deteriorating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Terashima, Shun Sato
  • Publication number: 20140176918
    Abstract: A projector including a discharge tube as a light source includes a light source driver that supplies the discharge tube with electric power and an electric power control portion that controls the level of the electric power with which the light source driver supplies the discharge tube to perform a normal mode in which the light source driver supplies electric power of a predetermined electric power level and a power saving mode in which the light source driver supplies electric power of a power saving level lower than the predetermined electric power level. The power saving mode is a mode in which light emission from the discharge tube can be maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki OZAWA, Takefumi SAKAKIBARA, Kazunori MAETA
  • Patent number: 8757814
    Abstract: A light source unit includes an optical wheel having a plurality of segment areas, the segment areas including at least two luminescent material layers having different characteristics and a transmission portion provided in a circumferential direction. The light source unit further includes a rotation driving unit for driving to rotate the optical wheel, an excitation light source for shining light onto the optical wheel, a light emitting element, and a light guiding optical system for collecting a light beam from the optical wheel and a light beam from the light emitting element to a same optical path. The excitation light source is selectively turned on to illuminate the transmission portion or the at least two luminescent material layers, and the light emitting light source is turned on for a period of time during which the excitation light source does not shine the excitation light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroki Masuda
  • Patent number: 8757812
    Abstract: Image projection devices, high-speed fiber scanned displays and related methods for projecting an image onto a surface and interfacing with the projected image are provided. A method for projecting one or more images and obtaining feedback with an optical input-output assembly is provided. The input-output assembly comprising a light-scanning optical fiber and a sensor. The method includes generating a sequence of light in response to one or more image representations and a scan pattern of the optical fiber, articulating the optical fiber in the scan pattern, projecting the sequence of light from the articulated optical fiber, and generating a feedback signal with the sensor in response to reflections of the sequence of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: University of Washington UW TechTransfer—Invention Licensing
    Inventors: Charles D. Melville, Richard S. Johnston, Cameron M. Lee, Eric J. Seibel, Brian T. Schowengerdt
  • Patent number: 8757810
    Abstract: A projector includes a projection lens set, a DMD, a prism unit, a light guide unit, and a light source device. The light source device includes a first and a second LEDs, a laser light source, and a color wheel. The first LED is positioned in a first optical path and generates a first light. The laser light source is positioned in a second optical path and generates a laser light. The second LED is positioned in a third optical path and generates a second light. The laser light irradiates the color wheel to generate a third light. A light merging unit merges the first, second, and third lights. The light guide unit guides the mixed light to the prism unit. The mixed light is refracted to the DMD via the prism unit. The refracted mixed light is reflected to the projection lens set via the DMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Wen Hsu, Wen-Pin Yeh
  • Patent number: 8757813
    Abstract: A light source device includes a plurality of semiconductor light source elements, and a drive control section configured to cyclically supply a power signal with a sawtooth pulse waveform in which a crest value at the rise time is larger than a crest value at the fall time to each of the plurality of semiconductor light source elements by time division to thereby light-emission-drive the semiconductor light source elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuro Narikawa
  • Patent number: 8757809
    Abstract: An illumination device comprising a first light source generating first light beam having a first spectral distribution and a second light source generating a second light beam having a second spectral distribution. A first dichroic reflector is positioned in the first light beam and transmits a part of the first light beam and reflects a part of the second light beam. The first and second light beam propagates initially primarily in a first direction along an optical axis and reflecting means reflects the second light beam towards the dichroic reflector. The light sources, the dichroic reflector and reflecting means are mutually arranged such that the second light beam propagates primarily in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction and towards the first light source after being reflected by the reflecting means and such that the second light beam propagates substantial in the first direction after being reflected by the dichroic reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Martin Professional A/S
    Inventor: Dennis Thykjær Jørgensen
  • Publication number: 20140168617
    Abstract: A projection apparatus includes a casing, a motherboard, a power board, a light source, and a projection lens. The motherboard includes a host circuit board, a light valve, and a CPU, and is contained inside the casing. The light valve and the CPU are on the host circuit board. The power board includes a power circuit board and an AC/DC power module. The power circuit board is contained inside the casing, and the AC/DC power module is on the power circuit board. The light source is used to produce an illuminating beam. The light valve is used to transform the illuminating beam into an image beam. The projection lens is used to transform the image beam into a projecting beam. The power circuit board is parallel to the host circuit board. An optical axis of the projection lens is perpendicular to the host circuit board and power circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: CORETRONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sheng-Yu Chiu, Jung-Chi Chen
  • Publication number: 20140168619
    Abstract: A method of detecting a scanning angle range of a laser beam of a laser projector is provided. First, a photo sensor is disposed between first and second positions on a projection mirror. Then, a laser beam emitted from the laser projector scans back and forth between the first and second positions, so that the photo sensor receives the laser beam sequentially at first and second scanning time points to generate first and second sensing signals, respectively. If an actual time interval between the first and second sensing signals conforms to an expected time interval, an actual scanning angle range of the laser beam is determined as normal. If the actual time interval does not conform to the expected time interval, the actual scanning angle range of the laser beam is determined as abnormal and the laser projector stops emitting the laser beam. A laser projector is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: LITE-ON IT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chia-Tse Lin, Kai-Wen Cheng
  • Publication number: 20140160446
    Abstract: A projector includes a measurement unit having a function of measuring at least two of a period during which the projector remains powered on, a period of an in-use state in which a user is using the projector, and a period of a non-use state in which the user is not using the projector; and a control unit having a function, of determining an in-use state ratio or a non-use state ratio associated with the projector based on the periods measured by the measurement unit and a function of executing an energy saving setting based on the in-use state ratio or the non-use state ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Osamu KUMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20140160445
    Abstract: An image displaying device for projecting and displaying an image through a light beam includes a microphone that detects a sound within an illuminated area of the light beam that projects the image and a level controlling portion that limits a level of the light beam that projects the image, when a sound has been detected by the microphone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideo Oi
  • Patent number: 8746895
    Abstract: Disclosed is an abstracted lighting control system abstracted based on the lighting canvas rather than the mapping of the location of the luminaires or lighting fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventor: Nick Archdale
  • Patent number: 8746891
    Abstract: An illumination device a first light source array a first light source. The first light source can generate a first light beam having a first spectral distribution. The first light beam can propagate primarily in a first direction along an optical axis. A second light source array can be included, having a second light source that generates a second light beam having a second spectral distribution. Also included can be a first dichroic reflector positioned partially in the first and the second light beams. The first dichroic reflector can transmit a part of the first and the second light beams. The second light beam can propagate in a second direction towards a part of the first light source array and opposite the first direction. Further, a part of the second light beam can propagate primarily in first direction after being reflected by the first dichroic reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Martin Professional A/S
    Inventor: Dennis Thykjær Jørgensen
  • Patent number: 8746890
    Abstract: The polarization beam splitting element includes a one-dimensional grating structure having a grating period smaller than a wavelength of an entering beam and including a metal grating portion, and two light-transmissive members each having a refractive index higher than that of air. The one-dimensional grating structure is disposed between the two light-transmissive members. The grating period of the one-dimensional grating structure is 120 nm or less, a thickness of the one-dimensional grating structure is 100 nm or less and an inter-grating portion of the one-dimensional grating structure is formed as a vacuum space or formed of air or a dielectric material. The grating period ? [nm], a filling factor FF that is a ratio w/? of a width w [nm] of the grating portion to the grating period, a refractive index na of the inter-grating portion and a wavelength ?g of 550 [nm] satisfy (1.4na?2.9)?/?g?0.57na+1.32?FF?(1.4na?2.9)?/?g?0.57na+1.39 and 0.152np?1.375(?/?g)+0.5?FF?0.152np?1.375(?/?g)+0.6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Rie Ishimatsu
  • Patent number: 8740395
    Abstract: A projection unit comprises a first light source outputting light that is used to project an image during normal projection unit use, and a second light source outputting light of a different intensity that is used to project an image outside of normal projection unit use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Douglas Blair Hill, Jackson Chan
  • Patent number: 8733946
    Abstract: An image display apparatus includes a light source device, a light source control unit which controls power supplied to the light source device and an image light emission unit which, utilizing a source light emitted from the light source device, emits an image light. A light quantity measurement unit measures a quantity of the source light. A power/light quantity characteristic derivation unit derives a power/light quantity characteristic. A light quantity adjustment unit, based on the power/light quantity characteristic, adjusts the quantity of the source light or the image light. The light source control unit controls the supplied power to gradually change the light quantity of the source light. The light quantity measurement unit measures the light quantity of the gradually changing source light and acquires light quantity data. The power/light quantity characteristic derivation unit, based on the light quantity data and the supplied power, derives the power/light quantity characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyoto Sudo
  • Patent number: 8736774
    Abstract: A chart generation unit generates an adjustment chart, and a projection unit projects the adjustment chart onto a circular cylinder. A parameter acquiring unit acquires 12 parameters in total, relating to the positions of four corners and middle points of a top side and a bottom side of a chart and lateral expansion of the chart, the chart being input by a user through manipulations of an operation unit. A transform function determination unit calculates, from the total of 12 parameters, an accurate transform function for projecting an image onto the circular cylinder. An image conversion unit applies geometric transformation to the image based on the calculated transform function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuro Narikawa
  • Patent number: 8733947
    Abstract: A light source control device is for controlling a solid-state light source array having a plurality of solid-state light sources connected in series to each other, and includes a detector (a current detection resistor, voltage detection resistors, and operational amplifiers) adapted to detect at least one of a voltage applied to the solid-state light source array and a current supplied to the solid-state light source array, and a control circuit adapted to determine whether or not discontinuity of at least one of the voltage and the current is present using a detection result of the detector, and change control of one of the current and electrical power performed on the solid-state light source array if it is determined that the discontinuity is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shigehiro Yanase, Kenichi Shioiri, Masahide Tsuda, Osamu Saito
  • Patent number: 8727538
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an acquiring unit, a specifying unit, a smoothing unit, and an output unit. The acquiring unit acquires resolutions of first and second projectors and region information regarding projected regions. The specifying unit specifies a boundary between the projected regions, the second projector having higher resolution than the first projector, based on the acquired region information. The smoothing unit executes smoothing on a predetermined region within a projected region based on the acquired resolutions of the first and second projectors such that a pixel, obtained based on a first pixel by executing the smoothing, has been affected according to a second pixel then a third pixel, wherein the first pixel is in the predetermined region, the first and second pixels are arrayed parallel to the specified boundary, and the first and third pixels are arrayed perpendicular to the boundary. The output unit outputs smoothed image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Manabe, Kiwamu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8721090
    Abstract: A projection system is characterized by: a first light source unit and a second light source unit selectively driven in response to operation mode; a light transmitting unit transmitting light emitted from the first light source unit or the second light source unit in the form of surface light; an image generator generating an image in response to an image signal using the light transmitted from the light transmitting unit; and a projection lens system projecting the image by enlarging the image generated by the image generator and projecting the enlarged image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyunho Choi, Eunsung Seo, Seungman Jeong
  • Patent number: 8721092
    Abstract: A substrate guided relay includes multiple output couplers and multiple light valves positioned between the substrate and the output couplers. The number of light valves may be equal to the number of output couplers, or may be more or less than the number of output couplers. The light valves may be enabled sequentially, or may be enabled based on the position of a user's eye. The light valves may include liquid crystal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Dean DeJong, Markus Duelli
  • Patent number: 8714750
    Abstract: The status of a ceiling mounted projector is provided. Status is provided wirelessly to a remote control (RC) of the projector. Or, status is projected on the screen using a separate projection method such as a laser or light emitting diode (LED), which projects a color corresponding to status or which projects the status using words.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Steven Cowie
  • Patent number: 8714751
    Abstract: An illumination system and a projection device comprising the same are provided. The projection device comprises an image-forming system and the illumination system. The illumination system comprises a first light source device, a second light source device and a first light guiding device. The first light source device generates a visible light, while the second light source device directly generates a substantially pure infrared light. The first light guiding device is adapted to guide the visible light and the infrared light to the image-forming system for processing to make the visible light form a visible light image and make the infrared light form an infrared light image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Keh-Su Chang, Fu-Kuo Sun
  • Patent number: 8714749
    Abstract: A projection display device having a projection device projecting an image on a surface, and a position detection function of detecting an object's position between the surface and the projection device, includes: a light source emitting light beams toward the object; a light detector detecting the light beams reflected by the object; and a position detector detecting the object's position in an imaginary plane based on the light detector's result, wherein the light source emits, as the light beams, first through third light beams having first through third intensity distributions, the second intensity distribution having a highest intensity at a position failing to overlap a highest intensity of the first intensity distribution, and the third intensity distribution having a highest intensity portion at a position failing to overlap a straight line connecting the highest intensity portions of the first and second intensity distributions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Daisuke Nakanishi
  • Publication number: 20140118705
    Abstract: A projection display device including: an image light projecting unit that projects image light on a screen; a distance measurement unit that measures distance to the screen; an obstacle detecting unit that detects an obstacle between the screen and the image light projecting unit on the basis of distance information obtained by the distance measurement unit and, according to a result of this detection, determines an adjustment area where the image light to be projected is to be adjusted; and a projection adjusting unit that adjusts the image light in the adjustment area are included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Fumihiro Hasegawa, Toshio Miyazawa, Michiyoshi Tachikawa
  • Patent number: 8702248
    Abstract: A display system able to reduce interpixel intensity gaps caused by the use of pulsed laser sources having relatively short optimum pulse duration. The interpixel intensity gaps are reduced by temporally offsetting multiple laser pulses for a display pixel during a corresponding pixel-scan period. The temporally offset pulses for the display pixel are then scanned to different locations on a viewing surface such that the display pixel has an improved intensity distribution. Additional reduction in the interpixel gaps may be accomplished by de-focusing the temporally offset pulses in a scan direction, increasing the duty cycle of the source lasers, and shifting the location of alternating frames on the viewing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Christensen, Dennis F. Elkins
  • Patent number: 8702245
    Abstract: An LED projection light device includes an image forming assembly including a display and a projection assembly for generating and projecting three-dimensional images. The image forming and/or projection assembly may include a lenticular lens, slanted lenticular lens, switchable lenticular film, lenticular screen, parallax barrier The display may be controlled by a volumetric, multiplexed-2D to 3D, or parallax barrier technique, a single image splitter, a double image splitter, a spatial-multiplexer, time division multiplexer, or a tracking-based technique, and may include a 2D/3D switchable display, multiplanar display, ferroelectric LC display, cholestreric LC display, bi-stable nematic LC display, electrochromic films, OLED screen, OEL screen, reflective MEMS display, microcup electrophoretic display, or E-Ink display technical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventor: Tseng-Lu Chien
  • Publication number: 20140104584
    Abstract: An image projection apparatus includes a light source configured to cause a light-emitting material to emit light by an electric discharge between a pair of electrodes; an image forming unit configured to form an image by modulating intensity of the light emitted from the light source; a receiving unit configured to receive a power-off input that triggers stopping power supply to the image projection apparatus; and an electric-power control unit configured to increase electric power supplied to the electrodes before stopping power supply to the image projection apparatus when the receiving unit receives the power-off input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Takahiro KADO, Nobuhiro HOSOI, Yoshio KUBO
  • Publication number: 20140104330
    Abstract: A projection apparatus for projecting an image of a display unit by emitting light from a light source includes a detection unit configured to detect flicker information indicating how easily flicker occurs based on input image information, and a control unit configured to control the number of light emissions of the light source in a time period during which an image in one frame is displayed by the display unit based on the flicker information detected by the detection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Eisaku Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 8696142
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a mobile electronic device with high operability and high safety. The mobile electronic device includes an image projector that projects an image, a control unit that controls the operation of the image projector, a cabinet that holds the image projector and the control unit, and an acceleration sensor that detects an acceleration acting on the cabinet. The object is achieved in such a manner that when an acceleration of a given value or more is detected by the acceleration sensor, the control unit stops emission of light from the image projector or reduces an amount of light emitted from the image projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Osaka, Yasuhiro Ueno, Yasushi Kitamura, Seiji Horii, Jouji Yoshikawa, Tomoko Asano, Hiroki Itou
  • Patent number: 8696129
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for producing a color-corrected stereoscopic film for three-dimensional (3D) projection. Based on color measurements performed with different optical configurations of a projection system, at least one dye density adjustment can be determined for reducing discoloration in projected stereoscopic images that arises from one or more optical components in the projection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Joshua Pines, William Gibbens Redmann, Mark J Huber
  • Patent number: 8696135
    Abstract: A projector has at least four primary color components controlled to produce a metameric effect image which is not perceptible to the human optical system and is perceptible to a video recording device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Youngshik Yoon, Pascal Bourdon, Laurent Blondé, Didier Doyen
  • Publication number: 20140098303
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus having an illumination function and an image projection function includes a light source for illumination, an image projection section including a light source portion having a light source for image projection different from the light source for illumination, an image formation portion that modulates light from the light source portion based on image information to be projected to form an image, and a projection lens that enlarges and projects the image, a connection section electrically connectable to an illumination apparatus fixture, a lamp cover attached to the connection section, accommodating the light source for illumination and the image projection section, and having a light transmissive portion that transmits illumination light from the light source for illumination and the image projected from the image projection section, and a control section having a function of controlling the light source for illumination and the image projection section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirofumi KASUGA
  • Patent number: 8690343
    Abstract: A light source device includes: first and second solid-state light source units disposed opposite to each other, each unit including solid-state light sources; a reflection unit; a condensing part; and a fluorescence emission plate excited with a condensed light beam. The light sources in each of the units are arranged two-dimensionally with the optical axes oriented in an x-axis direction. Each column of the light sources of the first and the second light source units are arranged alternately in the y-axis direction. The reflection unit reflects the light beams from the light source units in the z-axis direction so as to be arranged into a two-dimensional array in a xy plane. A density of the reflected light beams in the x-axis direction is higher than that of the arrangement of the light sources in the z-axis direction. Light from solid-state light sources are condensed and combined efficiently, with a compact configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Takaaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8690354
    Abstract: It is a task to provide a mobile electronic device with high operability and high safety. The mobile electronic device includes an image projector that projects an image, a cabinet, an input unit that is disposed on the cabinet and detects an operation input by an operator, and a control unit that controls the operation of the image projector and the state of the input unit. The task is solved in such a manner that when a predetermined operation is detected by the input unit, the control unit stops emission of light from the image projector or reduces an amount of light emitted from the image projector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Osaka, Yasuhiro Ueno, Yasushi Kitamura, Seiji Horii, Jouji Yoshikawa, Tomoko Asano, Hiroki Itou
  • Patent number: 8690351
    Abstract: A projector includes a projection lens set, a digital micro-mirror device, a prism unit, a light merging unit, a light guide unit, and a light source device. The light source device includes a laser light source and a color wheel. The laser light source is positioned in a straight optical path and generates a first light. The color wheel is positioned in the straight optical path. The first light irradiates the color wheel to generate a second light and the third light. The light merging unit merges the first, second, and third lights to generate a mixed light. The light guide unit guides the mixed light to the prism unit. The mixed light is refracted to the DMD via the prism unit, and then the refracted mixed light is reflected to the projection lens set via the DMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Wen Hsu, Wen-Pin Yeh
  • Patent number: 8690344
    Abstract: An illumination system and a projection device comprising the same are provided. The projection device further comprises an imaging system. The illumination system comprises a first light source, a dichroic element and a wheel plate. The dichroic element comprises a first dichroic portion and a second dichroic portion. The first light source provides a first wave band light, which is reflected to the wheel plate by the first dichroic portion. When being projected onto a wave band transforming area of the wheel plate, the first wave band light will be transformed into a second wave band light by the wave band transforming area and then emits through the first dichroic portion and the second dichroic portion. When being projected onto a reflecting area of the wheel plate, the first wave band light will be reflected by the reflecting area to emit through the second dichroic portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: June-Jei Huang
  • Patent number: 8690360
    Abstract: The present invention provides a high pressure discharge lamp with a start-up assist member, a lamp unit, and a lamp system that reduce breakdown voltage and provide high design flexibility by reducing restriction on a position of an adjacent conductor. In a high pressure discharge lamp (10) of a lamp unit (1), a dielectric member (20) is on the outer surface of a first sealing part (101a). The dielectric member (20) made of a titanium compound has relative permittivity higher than that of fused quartz. An upstream end of a metal wire (21) is connected to an external lead wire (102b) projecting from a second sealing part (101b). A downstream end (21A) is in contact with the dielectric member (20). Upon lighting of the lamp, a corona discharge occurs at the point where the end (21a) is in contact with the dielectric member (20) so that breakdown voltage is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Syunsuke Ono, Masahiro Yamamoto, Hiroki Ogawa, Kazuyuki Okano
  • Patent number: 8690353
    Abstract: A multi-resolution display system including a desktop display area, a foveal projection device, a sensor, a control unit, and a manually adjustable fixture is provided. The desktop display area displays a central image and a low-resolution image. The control unit determines six-dimensional (6D) orientation information of the foveal projection device relative to the desktop display area according to a projected image detected by the sensor, so as to control the foveal projection device to project the central image within a target area on the desktop display area. The manually adjustable fixture fixes the foveal projection device on top of the desktop display area, and the movement of the manually adjustable fixture has a freedom of up to six dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Yi-Ping Hung, Li-Wei Chan