Reflector Patents (Class 353/98)
  • Patent number: 8425045
    Abstract: A light source includes: light-emitting portion having a discharge space in the interior thereof; an arc tube having first and second sealing portions provided on both sides of the light-emitting portion along an optical axis; a reflector arranged so that a center where the optical axis passes is located on the side of the first sealing portion with respect to the light-emitting portion and configured to reflect a luminous flux emitted from the light-emitting portion; and an air flow control unit arranged on the side of the reflector in the direction of the optical axis with respect to inflection points at a connecting portion between the light-emitting portion and the first sealing portion, extending respectively along a plane including the optical axis, and including at least two panel-shaped members extending not in parallel to each other and forming a predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Susumu Wada
  • Patent number: 8425041
    Abstract: Proposed are various embodiments of projection systems that generally provide stereoscopic images. The projection systems act to split a spatially separated image in a stereoscopic image frame and superimpose the left- and right-eye images on a projection screen with orthogonal polarization states. The embodiments are generally well suited to liquid crystal polarization based projection systems and may use advanced polarization control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: Miller H. Schuck, Michael G. Robinson, Douglas J. McKnight, Gary D. Sharp
  • Patent number: 8425042
    Abstract: A multi-segment optical retarder that can be used with or within a single projector for creating 3D images. The multi-segment optical retarder is coupled to an actuator used to effect some predetermined linear, rotary, or oscillating movement of the multi-segment optical retarder such that a fast axis orientation of each segment is substantially constant relative to itself over time and for a given area of incidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis R. Hruska, David M. Shemo, Kim Leong Tan
  • Patent number: 8425056
    Abstract: An image display apparatus includes: a light source unit which emits axially symmetric polarized light having polarization distribution symmetric with respect to the center axis of light; and a scanning unit which applies the axially symmetric polarized light to a projection surface for scanning to form an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Fumika Sumiyama
  • Patent number: 8419188
    Abstract: A wavelength combining apparatus includes first and second optical devices. The first optical device collects and collimates or focuses light from multiple laser light sources. The second optical device includes multiple nonparallel dichroic surfaces to combine light received from the first optical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Sprowl, Joshua M. Hudman, Joshua O. Miller
  • Patent number: 8419195
    Abstract: This projector includes a laser beam emitting portion emitting a laser beam and a projecting portion projecting an image on an arbitrary projection region by scanning the projection region with the laser beam. This projector further includes a control portion controlling the laser beam emitting portion not to emit the laser beam by stopping supplying current to the laser beam emitting portion in a previously set partial scanning section within a scanning section for the laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nishigaki, Atsuya Hirano, Atsuhiko Chikaoka, Ken Nishioka
  • Patent number: 8414133
    Abstract: A projection display device comprises a projection lens section to which light modulated by a light modulating element is entered, a mirror section for reflecting the light emitted from the projection lens section to reflect to the projection lens section side and directing the light to a projection plane, and an operation section for displacing a lens in the projection lens section. The operation section is disposed in a region in which the operation section does not hinder an optical path of the light that has been passed through a projection port provided in a main body cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaharu Adachi, Shinichi Okuno, Ryuhei Amano, Takashi Ikeda, Takashi Miwa
  • Patent number: 8414134
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus includes first and second light source units. An optical axis converting element has a first surface that reflects a luminous flux emitted from the first light source unit and a second surface that reflects a luminous flux emitted from the second light source unit and is configured to reflect respective luminous fluxes emitted from the respective light source units in substantially one direction. Each of the luminous fluxes entering the optical axis converting element has different dimensions in two directions orthogonal to each other in a plane orthogonal to an emission axis of the each light source unit. The optical axis converting element is arranged such that a cross-sectional shape of the luminous flux entering each optical axis converting element taken along the surface has a short side direction in the same direction as the direction of arrangement of the first and second surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Itoh
  • Patent number: 8408717
    Abstract: A projection type image display apparatus includes a first lens group including a plural number of lenses being disposed in a direction of propagation light with respect to an image display element, a second lens group including a plural number of lenses being disposed in a direction of propagation light with respect to said first lens group and a reflection mirror, which is configured to reflect light emitted from at least one of said first and second lens groups, so as to project the light obliquely upon a screen. A ratio (Lo/Lp) of a diagonal size (Lo) of said screen and a distance (Lp) from a center of said reflection mirror to said screen is at least 2, and the second lens group includes a refractive lens having a negative power and a rotationally symmetric surface configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hirata, Takanori Hisada, Masahiko Yatsu
  • Publication number: 20130077062
    Abstract: A projector system has interchangeable light source modules. The projector housing contains an imaging panel and a projection engine and has an inlet for receiving light from an external light source. At least one light source module contains a light source, a light outlet, and an internal focusing system such that substantially all of the light generated by the light system passes out through said outlet. The projector housing and module housing each contain hardware for releasably connecting the two separate housings to one another at a precise relative location so that substantially all of the light generated inside the module housing and exiting the outlet enters through the inlet of said projector housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventor: Kenneth K. LI
  • Publication number: 20130077063
    Abstract: A projection display system includes a projection display unit and a member in a form of one of a windable screen, a white board and a notice board. The projection display unit projects an image light onto a projection plane of the member to display an image thereon. The projection display unit includes a light source, an image display element, a lighting optical system irradiating a beam of light from the light source on the image display element, and a projection optical system projecting the image light from the image display element toward the member. The projection optical system includes, in order toward the member from the image display element, a front lens group, and a reflecting mirror shaped to be axial-asymmetrical with respect to the optical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Koji Hirata, Masahiko Yatsu, Takanori Hisada, Masayuki Ohki
  • Patent number: 8403494
    Abstract: An image formed on a reflecting optical modulator is magnified by a projection optical system and projected on a backside of a transmission-type screen. The projection optical system is constituted so that a product of an F-number and a projection magnification of the projection optical system is less than 400.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kuniko Kojima, Hayato Takeuchi, Tomohiro Sasagawa, Yuzo Nakano
  • Patent number: 8403496
    Abstract: A high efficiency micro projection optical engine includes a light source module, a lens assembly, a micro display panel and a projection lens. An image of the luminous surface of light emitting elements of the light source module is formed in the vicinity of the micro display panel. The micro display panel is arranged on the path of emission light of the lens assembly to modulate incident light and obtain image light with image information. The projection lens is used to project the image information on the micro display panel and form an image onto a screen. The optical engine enhances efficiency by means of critical illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Butterfly Technology (Shenzhen) Limited
    Inventors: Lujie Qu, Guoxin Gao, Jing Lin, Jianhang He, Xin Wang
  • Patent number: 8403488
    Abstract: Projection systems and methods for providing stereoscopic images viewed through passive polarizing eyewear. The systems relate to projectors that create left and right eye images simultaneously and often as side-by-side images on the image modulator. The systems act to superimpose the spatially separated images on a projection screen with alternate polarization states. The embodiments are best suited to liquid crystal polarization based projection systems and use advanced polarization control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: RealD Inc.
    Inventors: Miller H. Schuck, Michael G. Robinson, Douglas J. McKnight, Gary D. Sharp
  • Patent number: 8403503
    Abstract: A freeform optical device is disclosed which has an at least partially curved surface with a surface geometry. Surface normals at multiple locations on the surface geometry can be computed to define the surface geometry with respect to multiple focal points corresponding to the surface normals at the locations in order to correct optical aberrations otherwise occurring at the focal points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: Zheng Jason Geng
  • Patent number: 8403505
    Abstract: A projector includes a main body and an optical assembly. The main body forms an image and projects the image to a first screen through a lens of the main body. The optical assembly is detachable from the light path of the lens, and is used for reflecting light beams emitted from the lens to project an image on a second screen when the optical assembly is in the light path of the lens. When the optical assembly is detached from the light path of the lens, the optical assembly projects the image on the first screen. The first screen and the second screen are on two adjacent perpendicular surfaces, such as a wall and a ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lung Dai
  • Patent number: 8403492
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mamoru Shibasaki
  • Patent number: 8405900
    Abstract: There is provided a projection apparatus including a light source, a micromirror element which tilts a plurality of micromirrors arranged in an array +A° or ?A° (A>0) separately from an array surface to form a light image with light components reflected by the plurality of micromirrors, an illumination optical system which uses light emitted from the light source and causes illumination light whose incidence angle is (2A+?)° (?>0) to enter the micromirror element from a direction to which a less than 45° turn is made from a narrow side direction of the array surface of the micromirror element, and a projection optical system which a light image output from the micromirror element enters and which projects the light image onto a projection object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masakuni Iwanaga
  • Patent number: 8403502
    Abstract: A front-projection display system having a screen with improved brightness and/or resolution of an image displayed on outer portions thereof. The screen has a display surface that is generally a convex shape having a curvature of the display surface in the vertical direction of an image projected thereon that is less than a curvature of the display surface in the horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Barco N.V.
    Inventor: Moshe Oren
  • Publication number: 20130070216
    Abstract: Provided is an image projection apparatus, such as a projector, including a light source; an image generating element such as a DMD that receives light from the light source and forms an image; an image generating unit that irradiates the image generating element with the light from the light source; a first optical system including multiple transmission refractive optical elements; a second optical system arranged on an optical path of outgoing light of the first optical system and including a reflection optical element; and a projection optical system that enlarges and projects an image conjugate to the image generated by the image generating element as a projected image. The light source, the image generating unit, and the first optical system are arranged side by side in series in a direction parallel with the projected image plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Tetsuya Fujioka, Masamichi Yamada, Yasutada Tsukioka, Naoyuki Ishikawa, Hideo Kanai
  • Patent number: 8398244
    Abstract: A projector includes: a light source that emits light; a first lens array that divides the light emitted from the light source into a plurality of partial light beams; a second lens array that focuses the plurality of partial light beams emitted from the first lens array; condenser lenses that superimpose the plurality of partial light beams emitted from the second lens array on target illumination regions; and liquid crystal panels that modulate the light beams passing through the condenser lenses according to image information, wherein each of the condenser lenses is a single lens that achieves telecentric illumination when superimposing the partial light beams, and only the condenser lenses are arranged as lenses between the second lens array and the liquid crystal panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Shimizu, Katsumi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8398243
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a projection device for holographic reconstruction of scenes, said device comprising at least one light modulator device and at least one light source which emits sufficiently coherent light for the generation of a wave front of a scene, which is encoded in the light modulator device. A Fourier transform (FT) of the light which is emitted by the light source and modulated by the light modulator device is projected by a projection means on to a screen. Further, the wave front which is encoded on the light modulator device is projected by the projection means into at least one virtual observer window in an observer plane. For tracking the observer window according to a change in an eye position of the at least one observer, the inventive device comprises at least one deflection means, which is disposed between the light modulator device and the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Seereal Technologies S.A.
    Inventor: Philippe Renaud-Goud
  • Patent number: 8388143
    Abstract: A projection display device includes a light source, a reflector, and a fixing portion. The device further includes a first air supply portion and a second air supply portion; a first air drawing portion which separates the cooling air from the first air supply portion into streams of the cooling air to guide one of the streams into an interior of the reflector in a first direction and to guide the other of the streams to the fixing portion in a second direction; and a second air drawing portion which separates the cooling air from the second air supply portion into streams of the cooling air to guide one of the streams into the interior of the reflector in a third direction and to guide the other of the streams to the fixing portion in a fourth direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignees: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd., SANYO Technology Center (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jieming Liang, Chen Chen, Lei Cao, Wenming Wu, Wentian Tang, Xianglin Zhang
  • Patent number: 8388150
    Abstract: An image forming system is described that includes a light source that provides a light beam and an anamorphic refractive optical element. A first outer surface of the anamorphic element faces the light source and includes a toric surface. The light beam is incident upon the first outer face and then an incident surface of the anamorphic element. The anamorphic element directs the light beam to an image forming device. An illumination system is also described where an anamorphic element includes a toric surface and a facet surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: William E. Phillips, III
  • Patent number: 8388148
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kee-uk Jeon, Sang-ik Kim, Kyoung-choul Jang, Boing-jo Kang, Wook-jae Jeon
  • Publication number: 20130050660
    Abstract: A projector is provided. The projector includes a projection unit which projects an image, a case which supports the projection unit, a reflecting mirror which includes a reflecting surface which faces the projection unit and has a curvature, and reflects light, a first fixing part which is disposed on a center axis of the reflecting minor on an outer area of the reflecting surface, and a second fixing part and a third fixing part which are disposed on the outer area of the reflecting surface and which form a triangle with the first fixing part. Each of the first, second, and third fixing parts is configured to fix the reflecting mirror to the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae-hyun PARK, Jeong-ho NHO, Jean HUR
  • Patent number: 8382294
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying an image on a communication device are provided. The communication device is formed of a housing (305) having a plurality of surfaces and includes an electronically controlled display (310) coupled to one of the surfaces. The housing further includes a reflecting device (345) for reflecting an image from the display (310) onto another, non-electronic, display (320) located on another surface of the housing. The image is thus viewable on both surfaces of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Shijie Hua, Khai Jin Choo, Seng Huan Chuah, Wey Chien Heng, Boon Hoong Ooi, Shook Gunn Tan
  • Patent number: 8382295
    Abstract: A electronic device that includes an optical assembly containing a projector, an imager, or both is described. The optical assembly may be disposed in an accessory such as a cover for the electronic device, or the electronic device itself. The optical assembly may be attached by a flexible connector or articulated arm that, when extended, positions the optical assembly generally above a plane of an electronic display of the device. The optical assembly may project images onto the electronic display, portions of the cover, or other surfaces. An imager in the optical assembly detects user gestures or other visual inputs to initiate commands on the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Kim, Joseph J. Hebenstreit
  • Patent number: 8382296
    Abstract: An information processor includes a housing, a projector attached to the housing, and a screen attached to the housing, wherein the projector projects light onto the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuo Itoh, Tetsuro Mizushima, Kenji Nakayama, Tomoya Sugita, Hiroyuki Furuya, Shinichi Kadowaki, Yoshitaka Kitaoka, Kazumi Ohtsubo, Hirofumi Enomoto, Yuichi Hatase
  • Patent number: 8382288
    Abstract: A projector includes: a first solid-state light source device including a first solid-state light source emitting main excitation light, and a fluorescent layer converting the main excitation light to light including a first color light component and a second color light component different from the first color light component, and emitting converted light; a second solid-state light source device including a second solid-state light source emitting a third color light component different from the first and second color light components; a light modulation device modulating the first, second and third color light components in accordance with image information; a projection optical system projecting the modulated light components from the light modulation device as a projection image; and a color light combining optical system combining light emitted from the first solid-state light source device and the third color light component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shuji Narimatsu, Akira Miyamae
  • Patent number: 8382287
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a color temperature of a projector that creates a light of a desired color by mixing primary lights. The method includes setting target values for the mixed light, measuring color coordinate values for the primary lights, calculating the target brightness values for the primary lights using the target values and the measured color coordinate values, and calibrating the output of the primary lights output from the projector based on the calculated target brightness values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Yong-Chan Keh
  • Patent number: 8382293
    Abstract: A light source module is disclosed. The light source module includes an emitter having a light emitting surface, a solid integrating optic aligned to accept light emitted from the emitter at an entrance face and deliver light to an exit face, and a lens aligned to receive light from the exit face. The lens has a substantially hemispherical portion having a radius of curvature and the exit face of the solid integrating optic has an exit face diagonal. The ratio of the radius of curvature to the exit face diagonal is greater than 0.7. The solid integrating optic and the lens each have an index of refraction, and the ratio of the lens index of refraction to the solid integrating optic index of refraction is greater than unity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William E. Phillips, III, Jacob Moskovich, Zhisheng Yun
  • Publication number: 20130044295
    Abstract: A projector for projecting out lights forming an image on an external screen includes at least one light source configured to output a light; a display unit having a plurality of pixel elements and configured to form an image by controlling the pixel elements according to a driving signal; an illumination optical system having at least one lens and mirror arranged on a first optical axis, and configured to output the light output from the light source to the display unit through the mirror; and a projection optical system having at least one lens arranged on a second optical axis intersecting the first optical axis, and configured to externally output the light output from the display unit. A preset offset is provided between the second optical axis of the projection optical system and the central axis of the display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong-Ha PARK, Yong-Kwan Kim, Dong-Hi Lee
  • Patent number: 8376550
    Abstract: A projection system including a light valve, a lens, an arc reflector, and an arc screen is provided. The light valve is capable of providing an image beam. The lens is disposed in the transmission path of the image beam. The arc reflector has an arc reflective surface. The arc reflective surface is disposed in the transmission path of the image beam from the lens, so as to reflect the image beam. The arc reflective surface is curved in a first direction and not curved in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The arc screen is disposed in the transmission path of the image beam reflected by the arc reflective surface. The arc screen is curved in the first direction and not curved in a third direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A projection apparatus and an imaging module are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventor: Kun-Rong Chang
  • Patent number: 8376548
    Abstract: A near-eye display projects virtual images from an image generator to an eyebox within which the virtual images can be seen by a viewer. A first optical path conveys image-bearing light from the image generator to a selectively reflective powered optic and a second optical path conveys the image-bearing light along a line of sight from the selectively reflective powered optic to the eyebox. First and second selectively reflective surfaces fold the first optical path with respect to the second optical path to locate the image generator out of the line of sight to the eyebox. The image generator is effectively inclined to the line of sight to the eyebox for reducing a thickness of the near-eye display. The selectively reflective powered optic is oriented normal to local overlapping portions of the first and second optical paths at the selectively reflective powered optic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Vuzix Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20130038847
    Abstract: The present invention seeks to realize a small etendu illumination optical system, a longer operating life and a higher brightness. The illumination optical system comprises: a laser light source that generates an excitation light; a fluorescent substance that generates a fluorescent light in response to the excitation light, a light tunnel that outputs the excitation light input at one end thereof to the fluorescent substance from the other end thereof, and that outputs the fluorescent light generated by the fluorescent substance from the one end thereof; and a mirror that is placed within a light path between the laser light source and the light tunnel, and that reflects the fluorescent light, the mirror having an aperture formed thereon that allows the excitation light to pass through.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: NEC Display Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Katou
  • Patent number: 8371713
    Abstract: An illumination device (1) for pixelated illumination of a target area (3) comprising: an array (4) of light emitting devices; projection optics (5) arranged in between the array (4) of light emitting devices and the target area (3); a reflecting structure (6) having a first opening (9) facing the array (4) of light emitting devices and a second opening (10) facing the projection optics (5), and a reflective surface connecting the first and second opening, the surface enclosing and facing an optical axis (11) of the projection optics (5). The projection optics (5) is adapted to image the array (4) of light emitting devices, and a virtual extension thereof created by the reflecting structure (6), onto the target area (3), thereby generating an extended pixelated illumination pattern (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Marco Van As
  • Publication number: 20130033685
    Abstract: Disclosed is an illumination optical system that includes: two solid-state light sources (11 and 12); first light guide (21) configured to guide light emitted from one solid-state light source in a first direction; second light guide (22) configured to guide light emitted from the other solid-state light source in a second direction different from the first direction; and optical path conversion units (31 and 32) including total reflection surfaces for totally reflecting the lights guided by the first light guide and the second light guide to enter the lights into third light guide (50). A projection display apparatus that uses the illumination optical system thus configured can enter light emitted from a plurality of light sources straight into an image forming element by one optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: NEC Display Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Katou
  • Patent number: 8366277
    Abstract: A projector having a lamp and a reflector that reflects the light beams emitted by the lamp toward a light exit opening of the projector is provided. It is possible to vary the position of the reflector and of the lamp relative to one another, and to set the distribution of the exiting light by displacing the reflector and/or the lamp. The reflector is provided with facets that form a reflective surface for reflecting the light beams emitted by the lamp. The facets being constituted by their surface shaping such that the light beams generate a light field with a desired light distribution and whose light beam width can be set in a wide range by displacing the reflector and/or the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG
    Inventors: Erwin Melzner, Volker Schumacher
  • Patent number: 8366275
    Abstract: Image display apparatus (102) comprising projector means (112), a light source (104), at least one primary modulator (106) for modulating light, an auxiliary modulator (110) for modulating the light modulated by the primary modulator (106), optical means (108) for relaying the light modulated by the primary modulator (106) to the auxiliary modulator (110), and control means (118, 120) for controlling the primary modulator (106) and the auxiliary modulator (110), characterized in that: the primary modulator (106) comprises a first array of pixels, and the auxiliary modulator (110) comprises a second array of pixels; each pixel in the first array of pixels of the primary modulator (106) is controlled by the control means (118, 120) as a function of video input data for each pixel in the first array of pixels; and each pixel in the second array of pixels of the auxiliary modulator (110) is controlled by control means (118, 120) as a function of video input data for each equivalent pixel in the second array of pi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins UK Limited
    Inventors: John Robert Harding, Geoffrey Howard Blackham, Phillip John Scarfield
  • Patent number: 8366278
    Abstract: A light source device includes: a light emitting plate that has a plurality of segment regions including a transmissive portion that transmits light and a reflective portion on which a fluorescent substance layer; a light source that irradiates the fluorescent substance layer of the light emitting plate with the excitation light; a dichroic mirror that is disposed between the light source and the light emitting plate to transmit the excitation light and reflect fluorescent light from fluorescent substances of the fluorescent substance layer; and an optical device that condenses the excitation light transmitted by the transmissive portion of the light emitting plate and the fluorescent light reflected by the dichroic mirror on a single optical path to form a condensed light and radiate the condensed light toward the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Kurosaki, Hideaki Inoue
  • Publication number: 20130027442
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an illumination device comprising a number of light sources and a number light collecting means, where the light collecting means collect light generated by the first light sources and convert the light into a source light beam propagating primarily along a primary optical axis. At least one light modifier is positioned along the primary optical axis and reflect at least a part of the light. A first light source comprises a light converting material capable of converting light into longer wavelengths and a second light source generates light having at least one spectral component which can be converted by the converting material of the first light source. The first and said second light source are mutually positioned in relation to the primary optical axis such that at least a part of a the second source light beam hits the first light source after being reflected by said light modifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Martin Professional A/S
    Inventor: Dennis Jørgensen
  • Patent number: 8356906
    Abstract: A screen unit includes an upper horizontal rim, lateral vertical rims, and a lower horizontal rim U-shaped in cross section that cover four side outer peripheries of a laminated body including a thin sheet glass, a Fresnel lens sheet that is a part of a cylindrical surface with an axis line extending in a first direction parallel to the thin sheet glass and is warped in a shape convex toward a side of the thin sheet glass, and a lenticular lens sheet that is a part of a cylindrical surface with an axis line extending in a direction parallel to the thin sheet glass and perpendicular to the first direction, is warped in a shape convex toward a side of the thin sheet glass, and sandwiches the thin sheet glass with the Fresnel lens sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Tomomi Matsui
  • Publication number: 20130009862
    Abstract: A display apparatus including an image generator, a projection lens set, a depth detecting module detecting the position of user, and a control unit is provided, wherein the control unit is electrically connected to the image generator, the projection lens set and the depth detecting module. An image displayed by the image generator is projected through the projection lens set and generates a floating real image between the projection lens set and the user. Each beam forming the floating real image has a light-cone angle ?. The image generator and the projection lens adjust the position of the floating real image according to the position of user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yi-Jen Chan, Golden Tiao, Chang-Ying Chen, Chy-Lin Wang, Kun-Lung Tseng, Shang-Yi Lin
  • Patent number: 8348439
    Abstract: An enclosure of a dichroic mirror system that synthesizes a plurality of monochromatic laser beams emitted from a laser light source to output synthesized light is a structure having a dichroic mirror system lower enclosure and a dichroic mirror system upper enclosure joined to each other, and includes a light-leakage protecting structure that is formed by a convex portion formed at an end of the dichroic mirror system lower enclosure and a concave portion formed at an end of the dichroic mirror system upper enclosure engaged with each other at a joint therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Taisuke Murata
  • Publication number: 20130003028
    Abstract: A floating virtual real image display apparatus includes a scanning mechanism, a real image imaging unit and a light source; a light beam emitted from the light source is reflected and refracted by the real image imaging unit to generate a real image corresponding to the light source; a position of said real image is altered through a scanning of the scanning mechanism to generate a floating virtual image; the floating virtual image is allowed to display a variable virtual image by controlling the light source to emit bright, dark light beams corresponding to an image through the image signal processing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Era Optoelectronics Inc.
    Inventor: CHIH-HSIUNG LIN
  • Publication number: 20120327417
    Abstract: An optical device includes a group of projections projecting from a conductor surface of a substrate, and arranged along a first direction at a pitch Px, a dielectric layer covering the conductor surface and the group of projections, and a metal nanostructure having metal nanoparticles each having a size d of the order of nanometers arranged on the dielectric layer along the first direction, assuming that the wavelength of irradiation light is ?, ?>Px>d is fulfilled, and assuming that a maximum value of an arrangement pitch between two of the metal nanoparticles adjacent to each other in the first direction is Qx, Px>Qx is fulfilled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jun AMAKO, Kohei YAMADA, Tatsunori MIYAZAWA
  • Patent number: 8337021
    Abstract: A projection type image display device using, in a projection optical system thereof, a flat mirror, which is easy to design and manufacture, as a projection mirror is provided. The projection optical system is a diagonal projection optical system and includes plural lenses. Among the plural lenses, the one disposed closest to the flat mirror has an effective area, along the vertical direction of an image, through which a light beam passes and which is off an optical axis of the other plurality of lenses, shared by the most lenses so as not to allow light reflected from the projection mirror to return to the projector body. A polarization converter using, for example, a quarter wavelength plate is provided at an output surface of a crossed prism to decrease reflectance differences between differently colored light and to thereby prevent the occurrence of color unevenness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Consumer Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kimura, Koji Hirata, Masahiko Yatsu
  • Publication number: 20120320344
    Abstract: An illuminating optical system is realized which can efficiently produce longer-life and higher-luminance illuminating light with a small etendue. The illuminating optical system includes a concave reflection mirror (100), a fluorescent material supporting body (400) that supports fluorescent materials (401 to 403) at the substantially the focal point position of the concave reflection mirror, a plurality of laser light sources (200) that are disposed on the concave reflection mirror at positions perpendicular to the central axis of the concave reflection mirror and that emit excitation light toward the fluorescent materials, and a window (102) covering the open surface of the concave reflection mirror that reflects the excitation light and allows to pass therethrough fluorescence generated when the fluorescent material is irradiated with the excitation light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Fujio Okumura
  • Publication number: 20120320345
    Abstract: Projector (1) adapted to be installed on a household appliance (26), for projecting visible information onto a projection surface (17) lying outside of said household appliance, the projector comprising a focusing unit (4) that is adapted for focusing a light beam that emanates from a light source (5) onto said projection surface, wherein the focusing unit further comprises at least one fixation element (12) that is adapted to arrange the focusing unit in at least two different focusing positions (13, 13?) within said projector (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V.
    Inventors: Oliver Kleinert, Honghua (Terry) Hu, Franz-Josef Wipperfurth, Werner Braun