Abstract: The invention provides an optical mask (1) for use in blending overlapping tiled images, the optical mask comprising a base (2); an array of elongate sliding elements (10) arranged side by side on the support, each sliding element being independently slidable along an axis and being constrained against lateral translational movement; the mask having a transmission-modifying edge (22) for positioning in a beam of light to modify transmission of the light, the transmission-modifying edge (22) having a profile which is adjustable by moving one or more of the sliding elements (10) along their axes.

Abstract: A video display device includes a light guide unit for guiding outgoing light from a light source unit to a pixel area of a display device. The light guide unit includes a rod integrator having an input opening through which the outgoing light from the light source unit enters and an output opening provided on a side opposite to the input opening, and a light shielding plate provided between the input opening of the rod integrator and the light source unit. The light shielding plate has a plurality of types of openings for passing the outgoing light from the light source unit to the rod integrator. The light shielding plate is arranged in a state where one of the plurality of types of openings, which has a shape similar to that of the input opening of the rod integrator which is actually mounted, is aligned with the input opening.

Abstract: A safe, highly bright projector is to be implemented. A projector directs a light beam from a light source (101) to an image modulating device (105), and magnifies and projects an image formed at the image modulating device (105) through a zoom lens (102). This projector has a light transmitting window (103) movably disposed in front of the surface of the light outgoing side of the zoom lens (102) along the optical axis. The projector further has a window position control unit (108) to control the position of the light transmitting window (103) so as not to change the light beam region that appears on the outer surface of the light transmitting window (103) as the focal length of the zoom lens (102) is varied.

Abstract: A reflective liquid crystal projector according to the aspect of the invention includes a light source, a reflective liquid crystal panel, and a wire grid polarization beam splitter element. The wire grid polarization beam splitter element is provided with a polarization beam split surface that reflects a first polarized light component and transmits a second polarized light component. The reflective liquid crystal projector also includes a projection optical system that projects the first polarized light component, and an aperture stop that is disposed on an optical path of the light beam emitted from the light source. The aperture stop limits the amount of first light more than that of second light. The first light is divergent from the reflective liquid crystal panel to the polarization beam split surface. The second light is divergent from the reflective liquid crystal panel to the polarization beam split surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a projection display that achieves continuous light amount control with ease and without causing unevenness of illumination of light applied to a light valve responsive to a video signal, thereby allowing constant image display with satisfactory contrast. The projection display of the invention includes a light valve (2); a light source (3a) generating light applied to the light valve (2); an integrator lens (4) provided on an optical path between the light source (3a) and the light valve (2) and making uniform the illumination distribution of light applied from the light source (3a) to the light valve (2); and a light amount control system (9) provided on the optical path and including a turning mechanism (9a) which turns like a set of double doors in order to adjust the amount of light applied from the light source (3a) to the light valve (2). The turning mechanism (9a) is bent into a V shape in a direction to reduce the amount of light (to block the light).

Abstract: A lighting apparatus used for a projection type display is provided, which can change the incident ray volume to an optical modulation device without changing the optical output intensity of the lamp, and can exhibit excellent effects in expressive power of an image and adaptability to the use environment. The lighting apparatus of the present invention comprises; a light source, two fly-eye lenses constituting a uniform lighting device, and a shading plate arranged between these fly-eye lenses and constituting a dimming device for adjusting the amount of light of the outgoing light from the light source. The angle of inclination of the shading plate is controlled based on an image signal supplied to the optical modulation device, thereby enabling adjustment of the amount of light.

Abstract: A projection device having an image beam and an off-state light is provided, which includes a camera module, a condensing element, a digital micromirror device (DMD) and a shading element, wherein the DMD allows the image beam to enter the camera module, and the shading element is configured between the DMD and the condensing element to block the off-state light.

Abstract: A laser scanning projection apparatus includes an illumination unit, a projection surface, a scanning mirror, a projection window, an optical sensor, and a controlling unit. The projection window includes a transmissible part and a blocking part. A reflection-differential pattern is formed on the blocking part. When the laser beam reflected by the scanning mirror is projected on the transmissible part, the laser beam is transmitted through the transmissible part and projected on the projection surface. When the laser beam reflected by the scanning mirror is projected on the reflection-differential pattern, a reflective beam with different intensities is reflected by the reflection-differential pattern. The controlling unit calculates a phase difference between an actual projection position and a predetermined projection position of the laser beam according to the sensing signal, and compensating a subsequent image frame according to the phase difference.

Abstract: An object-side lens group has different power factors between the vertical and horizontal directions of a liquid crystal panel, and a projection system as a whole therefore has different focal lengths between the vertical and horizontal directions and hence different magnification factors between the vertical and horizontal directions, whereby the aspect ratio of an image on the liquid crystal panel can be set at a value different from the aspect ratio of an image projected on a screen. That is, the projection system can convert the aspect ratio, which is the ratio of the width to the height of an image. When the distance between a diaphragm and an extreme end surface of the object-side lens group on the screen side satisfies a predetermined condition, at least a certain degree of telecentricity can be provided both in the vertical and horizontal directions.

Abstract: A projection optical system includes a first optical system, a second optical system, and first and second reflection mirrors. The first and second reflection mirrors are arranged on an optical path between an image forming element and a reflection surface of the second optical system, so that a direction of an optical path of light beams from the second reflection mirror to the reflection surface contains a component of a direction opposite to a predetermined direction from the image forming element to the first optical system, and a projection image of the image forming element on a conjugate surface, a projection of the reflection surface onto the conjugate surface, and a projection of the image forming element onto the conjugate surface are arrayed in this order on the conjugate surface.

Abstract: A projector includes a light source device which emits an illumination light; an aperture disposed with a tilt with respect to a plane perpendicular to a center axis of the illumination light, provided with an opening section which transmits a part of the illumination light, and block a rest of the illumination light; a pair of first and second lens arrays which divides the illumination light from the light source device into a plurality of partial light; and an overlapping lens which overlaps the illumination light transmitted through the first and second lens arrays, wherein the aperture is disposed on a light path between the light source device and the overlapping lens.

Abstract: A projection optical system is disclosed. The projection optical system includes a first optical system configured to form a first image conjugated with an object and a second optical system configured to project a second image conjugated with the first image toward a projection surface. At least one of the first optical system and second optical system includes at least one optical element(s) movable relative to the object is provided. An image distance of the projection optical system is changed and a size of the second image is changed, by moving at least one of the optical element(s) relative to the object.

Abstract: A simple optical projection device with a high luminous efficacy has a point light source, a projection screen, a mask that is arranged in the light path upstream of the projection screen and is light-transmissive in some areas, and a light focusing optical lens arranged between the point light source and the mask. The optical lens is selected such that the prolongations of the emerging beams of the optical lens on the side thereof facing the point light source intersect in a virtual perspective center which is more remote from the lens than the point light source.

Abstract: A projection optical apparatus projects an image generated by an image generator onto a projection face by passing the image through a plurality of optical elements and an exit window. The projection optical apparatus includes an invisible-light reduction device to cut invisible light. The invisible-light reduction device prevents intrusion of the invisible light into the projection optical apparatus.

Abstract: A phase plate includes a transparent substrate and a periodic structure formed on a substrate surface of the transparent substrate. The phase plate is configured to provide light having a predetermined design wavelength that vertically enters the substrate surface with a phase difference from ¼ wavelength to ¾ wavelength. The periodic structure is configured to reduce a volume occupation rate with increasing distance from the transparent substrate, and the periodic structure has a height of at least 200 nm. An angle between a first direction in which a center of a width of a unit periodic structure at a position closest to the substrate surface is connected with a center of a width of a unit periodic structure at a position farthest from the substrate surface and a normal direction of the substrate surface is from 5 degrees to 30 degrees.

Abstract: A projection image display apparatus includes: a light source; an illumination optical system that uniformly irradiates a surface of an image modulation element serving as a primary image surface with a light beam emitted from the light source; and a projection optical system that enlarges and projects image information on the primary image surface modulated by the image modulation element onto a screen serving as a secondary image surface, and that includes a first optical system that forms an intermediate image from the image information, a single-image second optical system that enlarges and projects the intermediate image to display a single image on the screen, a plural-image second optical system that enlarges and projects the intermediate image to display plural images on the screen, and an optical path switching mechanism that selectively guides a light beam from the first optical system to the single-image or plural-image second optical system.

Abstract: A light modulation device includes: a reflective light modulation element which modulates an incident light; a holding section which holds the reflective light modulation element; and a light blocking plate disposed on an incident side which incidents the incident light to the reflective light modulation element, and fixed to the holding section, wherein a thermal conductivity of the light blocking plate is equal to or higher than a thermal conductivity of the holding section.

Abstract: A projection optical system includes first and second optical systems. The first optical system includes a transmissive-refractive element and the second optical system includes a reflective-refractive element. An image formed by a spatial light modulator is projected by the projection optical system on a projection surface. A light beam that travels along an optical path that leads from the second optical system to the projection surface in an optical path between a center of the image formed by the spatial light modulator and the projection surface is projected at an angle with respect to a normal to the projection surface. An optical axis of the first optical system is folded to a folded position by an optical path deflecting unit in an area of the first optical system where the light beam entering the optical path deflecting unit is a converging light beam or a substantially parallel light beam.

Abstract: A projector includes: a light source, a light amount control device, an electro-optic unit, and a projection device, the light amount control device includes a light-shielding member configured to shield part of the luminous flux emitted from the light source, a holding member configured to hold the light-shielding member, the holding member is formed of a material having a coefficient of thermal conductivity lower than the coefficient of thermal conductivity of the light-shielding member, and a position changing unit configured to move or rotate in order to change the position of the light-shielding member, the light-shielding member is attached to the position changing unit via the holding member, and the light-shielding member comes into contact with the holding member via a projection provided on at least one of the light-shielding member and the holding member.

Abstract: A projector for masking out one or more objects between the projector and a screen. The projector includes an image capture sensor configured to produce a captured screen image. The projector further includes a processing device configured to receive a video-in signal, create a masking image that corresponds to at least a portion of the captured screen image, and produce a video-out signal, wherein the video-out signal comprises a combination of the video-in signal and the masking image. A panel controller in the projector receives the video-out signal and causes at least one or more pixels of at least one panel to be closed based upon the masking image such that any objects positioned between the projector and the screen are masked from any light projected by the projector.

Abstract: A concealing structure to at least partially conceal a sensor, light emitter or other component by at least partially preventing reflection of external light by an underlying structure. In some examples, this function is performed by a two-component masking assembly, the masking assembly including a linear polarizer to cause linear polarization of light which passes from the exterior of the device to an underlying component, and a wave plate to shift the axis of any reflected polarized light. In many cases, a high density optical fluid will further be included within the masking assembly to minimize reflections from the other components of the assembly.

Abstract: An image projection apparatus 500 includes an optical modulation element 206R, 206G, 206B, a projection lens 100 configured to project light modulated by the optical modulation element onto a projection surface, an optical unit 201 configured to guide light from a light source 209 to the optical modulation element and to guide the light from the optical modulation element to the projection lens, a shutter mechanism 300 disposed between the optical unit and the projection lens and configured to operate so as to be in an open state and a closed state, and a focus corrector 501 configured to correct a focus variation generated by temperature changes of the optical unit and the projection lens by operating the projection lens based on a focus correction function. The focus corrector changes the focus correction function in accordance with information relating to an operation of the shutter mechanism.

Abstract: A multi-angle image display device has a display box, two shading panels, two baffle-panels, an imaging space and an image output unit. The display box has a base, a rear panel, a sidewall, a top panel and a chamber. The sidewall is formed perpendicular to the rear panel. The chamber is formed in the display box between the base, the rear panel, the sidewall and the top panel. The shading panels are mounted respectively on the rear panel and the sidewall. The baffle-panels are mounted in the chamber and are connected perpendicular to each other, and each of the baffle-panels has an inner surface and a slant angle. The imaging space is formed in the chamber between the base, the top panel, the baffle-panels and the shading panels. The image output unit is mounted in the top panel and projects an image onto the baffle-panels.

Abstract: A light control apparatus that controls the amount of light passing therethrough by blocking part of an incident light flux, includes: a pair of pivotal members having pivotal axes extending along a direction substantially perpendicular to a central axis of the light flux; and a pair of light blocking members held by the pair of pivotal members and changing the size of a light blocking area as the pair of pivotal members pivot, the light blocking area blocking part of the light flux, wherein the pivotal axes are located in positions that overlap with an area where the light flux passes, and the pair of light blocking members are located in positions that do not overlap with the pivotal axes.

Abstract: A retinal scanning display includes: a light source part which radiates a laser beam; a scanning part which scans the radiated laser beam in two dimensional directions; a projection part which projects the scanned laser beam on a retina of a viewer; a light detection part which is arranged at a position on which the scanned laser beam is incident; and a light blocking part which blocks the scanned laser beam scanned at the timing detection time; and a control part which controls the radiation of the laser beam based on the detected timing of the laser beam by the light detection part. The control part allows the light source part to radiate the laser beam at the timing detection time with intensity which exceeds a maximum value of intensity of the laser beam radiated from the light source part at the image forming time.

Abstract: A projection system having a first tilting mirror matrix, a second tilting mirror matrix, and an imaging lens, which projects the first tilting mirror matrix onto the second tilting mirror matrix, wherein each tilting mirror matrix has multiple tilting mirrors, the tilting axes of which are positioned in a modulator surface plane. The imaging lens includes a first lens and an imaging mirror, and the imaging mirror forms an aperture stop of the imaging lens, wherein the aperture diaphragm includes an angle of other than 90° with the normal of the modulator surface of the first tilting mirror matrix without taking into account any optical path folds.

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

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for increasing the effective contrast ratio and brightness yields for digital light valve image projectors using a variable luminance control mechanism (VLCM), associated with the projector optics, for modifying the light output and provide a correction thereto; and an adaptive luminance control module (ALCM) for receiving signals from the video input board, the adaptive luminance control module producing a signal on a VLCM bus connecting the variable luminance control mechanism and the adaptive luminance control module, the signal causing the variable luminance control mechanism to change the luminance of the light output and provide a corrected video signal for the projector.

Abstract: A light-adjusting unit includes: a light-shielding plate centered an optical axis of an incoming light flux and configured to block the light flux in response to the amount of rotation; a rotation transmitting gear configured to hold and rotate the light-shielding plate; a supporting shaft configured to rotatably support the rotation transmitting gear; and a supporting substrate on which the supporting shaft is provided, and the light-shielding plate is provided on one surface side of the supporting plate, and the rotation transmitting gear is provided on the other surface side of the supporting substrate opposite to the one surface side.

Abstract: When a rotation member is rotated clockwise by a stepping motor, one main operation member is rotated counterclockwise through a link member and the other main operation member is rotated clockwise by said main operation member through the link member. Also, one sub operation member is rotated counterclockwise by said main operation member through the link member, and the other sub operation member is rotated clockwise by the other main operation member through the link member. This causes the amount of overlap between a main split blade mounted to said main operation member and a sub split blade mounted to said sub operation member to be increased and also causes the amount of overlap between a main split blade mounted to the other main operation member and a sub split blade mounted to the other sub operation member to be also increased. As a result, the aperture opening formed between the two main split blades is increased.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for representing surface colors for simulating print results through a screen, comprising at least one light source and a projection surface. According to the invention the base colors are generated from white light through filters from surface colors and the mixed colors are generated through subtractive color mixing, preferably through reflexive color filters. Through the method for representing surface colors for simulating print results the capability is created to represent surface colors at different locations and at different times identically.

Abstract: An apparatus determines a cursor position in an illumination field of a projector. An obstruction is detected in the illumination field. The cursor position is determined as the point on the obstruction furthest from where the obstruction crosses a border of the illumination field. A distance to the point on the obstruction is determined and compared to a distance to a point not on the obstruction. Gestures are recognized as a function of movement of the obstruction and the determined distances.

Abstract: A projector includes: an illumination system which has a light source, and a light control unit opened and closed to shield a part of light emitted from the light source; a light modulation device illuminated by illumination light received from the illumination system; an air supply device which supplies air to the light control unit and the light modulation device; and an air supply control unit which decreases an air supply amount to the light modulation device when increasing an air supply amount to the light control unit in accordance with a relatively closed condition of the light control unit.

Abstract: A drive, primarily for an optical light forming device, which light forming device can be used in a projector, which light forming device comprises an at least partly open area for light, where at least two light forming devices cooperate in a light path for forming the light, which light forming devices are rotated around a common axis in and out of the light path. To achieve opposite synchronous movement of light forming means, the light forming devices are rotated equal in opposite directions around the common axis by a common motor. Hereby, it can be achieved that the two light forming devices are rotated synchronously, but opposite in relation to each other. The opposite synchronous movement is very important if the light fainting devices are part of a modern computer controlled projector using step motors.

Abstract: A projector includes: an illuminator that emits an illumination light flux; a light control mechanism that blocks at least part of the illumination light from the illuminator; a light modulator illuminated with the illumination light from the illuminator; a projection system capable of projecting modulated light formed by the light modulator and switching the f number when the modulated light is projected; and a control unit that controls the open/close state of the light control mechanism in accordance with the f number of the projection system so that illumination light having an angular distribution corresponding to the f number of the projection system is incident on the projection system.

Abstract: A projection display device includes: an aperture part which narrows light traveling toward an imager; a control part which controls the aperture part; a detection part which detects brightness of an image to be projected; and a determination part which determines whether the image is a still image or a moving image. In this arrangement, the control part operates the aperture part so as to narrow the light when the brightness of the image detected by the detection part is darker than predetermined brightness, and operates the aperture part so as to further narrow the light when the brightness of the image detected by the detection part becomes darker than the predetermined brightness. In addition, the control part sets the predetermined brightness for operating the aperture part so as to be darker when the image is the still image than when the image is the moving image.

Abstract: A projection system includes a projection screen defining a shape and a projector configured to project an image onto the projection screen. The projector may project a static or dynamic image that has substantially the same shape as the projection screen or otherwise block portions of the projected image that are projected outside of the projection screen with the aid of a virtual mask. The virtual mask and the projection screen may be created based on a virtual shape template that defines the desired shape for the projection screen, such as with a vector outline. In some embodiments, the virtual mask and the projection screen are created based on the same virtual shape template. The virtual shape template may define a cutting path for extracting the projection screen from a suitable material.

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

Abstract: A light source module includes a shell, a fixed ring, an optical element, a first cover and a light-emitting element. The shell is formed as a tubular shape. The fixed ring, the optical element and the light-emitting element are all received in an inside of the shell, and the first cover is disposed at an end of the shell. In addition, the shell has a first stop part disposed in the inside of the shell, the optical element is disposed between the first stop part and the fixed ring, and the optical element is leant against the first stop part and the fixed ring. The light-emitting element is disposed between the fixed ring and the first cover, and is leant against the fixed ring and the first cover. A projection device using the source light module is also provided.

Abstract: A light source unit comprising an optical wheel having a plurality of segment areas and including luminescent light emitting areas where at least two luminescent material layers having different characteristics are provided in a circumferential direction, a wheel motor for driving to rotate the optical wheel, an excitation light source for shining light on to the optical wheel, a light emitting light source and a collective optical system for collecting a light beam from the optical wheel and a light beam from the light emitting light source to the same optical path, wherein the excitation light source is selectively turned on to illuminate the at least two luminescent material layers having different characteristics which are disposed on the luminescent light emitting areas, and wherein 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.

Abstract: A projection system comprises an image input element and an optical imaging element. The image input element is configured to input an original image or a processed image. The optical imaging element, an optical system with axisymmetrical structure and specific spherical aberration, is configured to generate an image with extended depth of field on an image projection surface in accordance with the original image or the processed image.

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

Abstract: An optical filter for compensating for color shift is provided in front of a display panel of a display device. The optical filter includes a background layer and a green wavelength absorption pattern provided with a predetermined thickness on the background layer. The green wavelength absorption pattern absorbs a green wavelength of light. The green wavelength absorption pattern contains a material that absorbs a green wavelength of light in the range of 510 nm to 560 nm, and can also contain a white light absorbing material. A green's complementary color absorbing part absorbs a wavelength of light complementary to green, and contains at least one of a material absorbing a blue wavelength of light in the range of 440 nm to 480 nm and a material absorbing a red wavelength of light in the range of 600 nm to 650 nm.

Abstract: A light source device includes: a first light source configured to emit a first source light in a first wavelength range; a source light generator configured to generate, from the first light, a color-varying source light having time varying color; a second light source configured to emit a second source light in a second wavelength range that is different from the first wavelength range; and a light source controller configured to control driving timing for turning on and off each of the first light source and the second light source so as to cyclically select one of the color-varying source light and the second source light to be output as an output source light.

Abstract: A projector for projecting an image includes: a light source for generating a light bundle; a pivotable deflection unit for deflecting the light bundle generated by the light source onto a projection surface; and an imaging device for imaging an aperture of the deflection unit onto the projection surface. The imaging device includes a mirror objective having at least two mirror elements. A method for projecting an image is also provided.

Abstract: An optical system is provided which includes an illumination system with a light source, a lens member which guides light from the light source, and a mirror member; an image unit on which an image is formed and on which light from the illumination system is incident; a projection system which magnifies and projects the image formed on the image unit; and a blocking unit which is mounted to the mirror member of the illumination system and partially blocks light from the light source that is directed to the mirror member.

Abstract: A projection display device has an illumination optical system that includes a light-intensity equalization element, a first optical system, and an aperture regulation member. The aperture regulation member is disposed at a position that is not optically conjugate with the screen, and the aperture regulation member has at least one of the following, using measured or calculated relative illuminances at each of multiple segments of the image formation region or screen: an aperture expansion part provided at a position corresponding to a segment with a low relative illuminance, the aperture expansion part being a cutout that narrows the light-blocking section and widens the aperture section; an aperture contraction part provided at a position corresponding to a segment with a high relative illuminance, the aperture contraction part being a protrusion that widens the light-blocking section and narrows the aperture section.

Abstract: A method for image projection on a screen, including providing an image to be projected on the screen, determining excitation light representing the image, and illuminating with the excitation light at least one light excitable layer disposed on the screen, wherein the light excitable layer is configured to be stimulated for the emission of visible light based on the excitation light.

Abstract: A light modulation device side lens group has different power in the longitudinal and lateral directions and different magnifications in the longitudinal and lateral directions. Therefore, it is possible to make the aspect ratio of an image of the liquid crystal panel different from the aspect ratio of an image projected on a screen. That is, conversion can be performed on an aspect ratio which is a ratio of width to height using the optical projection system. At this time, a distance p and a distance p? between a diaphragm and the screen SC side end surface of the light modulation device side lens group satisfies predetermined conditional expressions, so it is possible to achieve a predetermined or higher telecentricity in both states, that is, a first operating state and a second operating state.

Abstract: Enhanced image sequences are provided by a high resolution imaging system (HRIS) for generating an enhanced image, where the system includes a device for outputting an image sequence including a plurality of K source images, each source image including a plurality of pixels; and a projector for projecting, within a period of integration, each of the source images to an optical filter, the filter adapted for providing pixels of each source image as sub-pixels of pixels in the enhanced image. The enhanced images may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. A method and computer program product are provided for generating enhanced images, as well as techniques for fabrication of the HRIS.