Plural Patents (Class 353/99)
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Patent number: 6527396Abstract: An optical device including an illuminant for emitting light; light condensing element composed of a reflecting mirror whose shape of reflecting plane is of rotational secondary curved surface and a condenser lens for converging approximately parallel fluxes; a mixing rod whose section is quadrangle, first lens element composed of at least one lens; and a reflecting optical element which is disposed near the position where a plurality of tertiary illuminants are formed and which reflects light in a desired direction. This optical device allows a distribution of illuminance whose intensity is highly uniform to be obtained even when a light flux is inputted from a direction inclined from the normal direction of the plane-to-be-illuminated by illuminating the optical device disposed out of an optical axis of the illuminator.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2001Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinji Okamori, Shinsuke Shikama
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Patent number: 6523961Abstract: In order to minimize light diffraction along the direction of switching and more particularly light diffraction into the acceptance cone of the projection optics, in the present invention, mirrors are provided which are not rectangular. Also, in order to minimize the cost of the illumination optics and the size of the display unit of the present invention, the light source is placed orthogonal to the rows (or columns) of the array, and/or the light source is placed orthogonal to a side of the frame defining the active area of the array. The incident light beam, though orthogonal to the sides of the active area, are not however, orthogonal to any substantial portion of sides of the individual mirrors in the array. Orthogonal sides cause incident light to diffract along the direction of mirror switching, and result in light ‘leakage’ into the on-state even if the mirror is in the off-state. This light diffraction decreases the contrast ratio of the mirror.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2000Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: Reflectivity, Inc.Inventors: Fedor A. Ilkov, Satyadev R. Patel, Peter W. Richards, John K. Stockton
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Patent number: 6517208Abstract: A projector including an illumination system that illuminates a modulation device modulating light according to image information. The illumination system includes a light source that emits a light beam along a light source optical axis, a first lens array having a plurality of small lenses which divide the light beam emitted from the light source into a plurality of partial light beams, a superimposing lens that superimposes the plurality of partial light beams emitted from the first lens array on the modulation device, and an entrance angle reducing system disposed between the superimposing lens and the modulation device. The entrance angle reducing system reduces an entrance angle of light rays, which are emitted from the superimposing lens and enter the modulation device, compared with an illumination system without the entrance angle reducing system.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2000Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Akitaka Yajima
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Patent number: 6517211Abstract: The illumination device has a simple structure and a small size, can obtain a sufficient illumination light amount, and can improve illumination ability, with high reliability and high performance at low costs. A kaleidoscope is arranged such that its center axis substantially corresponds to the optical axis of a light bulb. The kaleidoscope includes a diffusive reflection surface in its rear side, and a laser beam is irradiated on the diffusive reflection surface from the opening side of the kaleidoscope, so that reflection light from the diffusive reflection surface is used as at illumination light source.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Hisayuki Mihara
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Patent number: 6517212Abstract: In a projection type display, light rays emitted from two light sources pass through an integrator made up of fly-eye lenses or the like, and proceed through predetermined light paths including condenser lenses, and are focused on liquid crystal light valves of liquid crystal panels or the like, where the light rays are converted into video information. This projection type display includes: two light sources; two parabolic reflectors for condensing light rays from the light sources; and a multiple number of prisms for dividing the light rays condensed by the parabolic reflectors in the substantially same direction into multiple elongate rectangular sections.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2000Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yasuhito Satou
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Patent number: 6513937Abstract: An apparatus and method for illuminating a projection display which includes multiple light sources which are integrated through a multi-input ported light pipe disposed between the multiple lamps and the remainder of the projection display.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2000Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventor: Brian P. Dehmlow
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Patent number: 6513935Abstract: A lens-less projection optical system of the reflection type is provided with four reflecting mirrors, which successively reflect a light flux transmitted through a picture-forming device. The light flux reflected by the fourth reflecting mirrors is projected on the screen. The second reflecting mirror is so situated that its reflecting surface shaped into a convexly curved surface is directed to the light flux reflected from the first reflecting mirror. The third reflecting mirror is so situated that its reflecting surface shaped into a convexly curved surface is directed to the light flux reflected form the second reflecting mirror. The fourth reflecting mirror is so situated that its reflecting surface shaped into a convexly curved surface is directed to the light flux reflected from the third reflecting mirror.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2001Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: NEC Viewtechnology, Ltd.Inventor: Jun Ogawa
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Patent number: 6508557Abstract: A projection system is disclosed that utilizes a modulator, preferably in the form of an LCD matrix, to modulate light in accordance with a video image to be displayed. The light is supplied to the LCD matrix, reflected back off the matrix through a lens to a mirror, and then imaged through another lens. The mirror is placed in the path between the light source and the LCD matrix.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2000Date of Patent: January 21, 2003Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Matthew S. Brennesholtz
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Patent number: 6505939Abstract: Projection system comprising at least two light sources, a projection lens and a spatial light modulator located between the light sources and the projection lens, which light modulator comprises a plurality of light-deflection devices each provided with an element which is tiltable about a tilt axis. The light sources are arranged with respect to the spatial light modulator in such a way that, in operation, the centers of the light beams coming from the light sources and projected on each element are located on a projection line which extends substantially parallel to the tilt axis of the element.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2000Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Serge Joel Armand Bierhuizen, Marten Sikkens, Anthonie Hendrik Bergman
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Publication number: 20030002018Abstract: A system for mounting an infrared (IR) remote control receiver in a rear projection television apparatus features a mirror having a coating wherein visible light is reflected to a viewing device, and light in the infrared regions is passed through the mirror and detected by an IR receiver mounted behind the mirror.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2001Publication date: January 2, 2003Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Stephen Magocs
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Patent number: 6491396Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems that suppress the expansion of an illuminating luminous flux in the short-side direction of a sub-pixel and prevents a color mixture caused by leak of light to an adjacent pixel electrode. The methods and systems of the invention set the direction of polarization separation, using a polarization transforming element, as the long-side direction of a sub-pixel with respect to the directions of the short sides and the long sides of sub-pixels arranged correspondingly to a microlens. The methods and systems of the invention also make the intervals between light source images narrower in the short-side direction, using a luminous flux separation optical element.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2001Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Joji Karasawa, Yoshitaka Ito
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Publication number: 20020181130Abstract: An optical projection system used for enlargement projection of an image frame in a two-dimensional display element (P) on a screen (Sb), comprising a first mirror (M1) having negative power on its reflection face and a second mirror (M2) having its reflection face on a light path from the two-dimensional display element to the reflection face of the first mirror, wherein the first mirror (M1) and the second mirror (M2) are disposed on an identical base plate with the first mirror (M1) and the second mirror (M2) being capable of adjusting inclination.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2002Publication date: December 5, 2002Applicant: MINOLTA CO., LTD.Inventor: Soh Ohzawa
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Patent number: 6481852Abstract: A projector apparatus comprises: a light modulation optical system which separates white light into a plurality of light components with respective wavelength bands, controls the intensity of each of the plurality of light components, and then composes the controlled plurality of light components; a projection lens for projecting the light composed in the light modulation optical system; a light source optical system for permitting the white light to exit therefrom, the light source optical system being disposed so that the optical axis of the light source optical system is displaced relative to the optical axis of the light modulation optical system; and a focusing lens which is disposed so that the optical axis of the focusing lens is coincident with the optical axis of the light modulation optical system, for focusing the light output from the light source optical system and inputting the focused light into the light modulation optical system.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2001Date of Patent: November 19, 2002Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Akihiro Osaka
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Patent number: 6478431Abstract: An illumination system has a light source for emitting illumination light, a color wheel, a first deflecting member, and a second deflecting member. The color wheel transmits or reflects the illumination light while rotating about a rotation axis in such a way that illumination light exiting from the color wheel has colors that are switched sequentially with time. The first deflecting member deflects the illumination light in such a way that the illumination light enters the color wheel. The second deflecting member deflects the illumination light having exited from the color wheel. The illumination light entering the first deflecting member and the illumination light exiting from the second deflecting member are both substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the color wheel.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2000Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shigeru Sawamura, Yasumasa Sawai, Hideki Nagata
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Patent number: 6478432Abstract: This invention comprises a method and apparatus for displaying full color, high resolution dynamically generated real images and allowing the user to have direct interaction with the image. This input/output device provides an intuitive computer/video interface that permits the operator to grab, translate and manipulate a real image. The apparatus comprises a pair of coaxially positioned parabolic mirrors and a video imaging device allowing for 360 degree viewing. The real image, that appears floating within the opening of a viewport, is completely interactive by means of a detection system that tracks the operator, allowing the user to place his/her hand or finger through the image and engage it. Applications for this device are wide ranging, and include, for example, computer-aided design (CAD) and the entertainment/gaming industry by abandoning the conventional keyboard and mouse and allowing the user to have direct contact with the image.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2001Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Inventor: Chad D. Dyner
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Patent number: 6471355Abstract: An image alignment system for rear projection in which a portion of the normally changing pixel pattern contains a pixel reference mark, which appears in each of the side-by-side pixel images projected onto a screen. A camera having a field of view large enough to encompass the pixel reference mark of each of the images on the screen captures the location of the pixel reference marks to enable a computer to determine the coordinates of the each of the pixel reference marks and generate a deviation signal represented of the visual misalignment of the side-by-side images. A drive member controllable by the deviation signal from the computer repositions one of the side-by-side images with respect to the other to thereby align the images to produce a single visually seamless image. The camera and computer can continually monitor both of the pixel reference marks to continually generate a deviation signal so that the side-by-side images can automatically be brought into a single visually seamless image.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2000Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Robert James Monson, Michael Edward Smith
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Patent number: 6464361Abstract: The present invention relates to an image display apparatus in which an image from a single image display device is led to two eyes without using a half-mirror, thereby allowing observation of a bright image and facilitating correction of various aberrations. A viewing optical system includes a left ocular part 10L, a right ocular part 10R, and an optical path distributing part 20 for leading a light beam from a single image display device 3 to the left and right ocular parts 10L and 10R. The left and right ocular parts each have at least two reflecting surfaces 12R(L) and 13R(L). The planes of decentered optical paths of the axial principal rays in the left and right ocular parts are arranged to be approximately parallel to each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2001Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takayoshi Togino, Tetsuo Nagata
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Anamorphic illumination of micro-electromechanical display devices employed in multimedia projectors
Publication number: 20020140911Abstract: Micro-electromechanical display device (“MDD”)-based multimedia projectors (90, 120) of this invention employ an arc lamp (32), a color modulator (42), and anamorphic illumination systems (94, 121) for optimally illuminating a MDD (50, 76) to improve projected image brightness. MDDs employ off-axis illumination wherein incident and reflected light bundles are angularly separated about a hinge axis (78, 110) and the MDD is illuminated by the anamorphic illumination systems of this invention having a slow f/# parallel to the hinge axis and a faster f/# perpendicular to the hinge axis. The resulting anamorphic light bundles (86, 88, 112, 114) illuminate and reflect more light into and off the MDD and through a fast f/# projection lens.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2001Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventor: Mark Peterson -
Patent number: 6457830Abstract: A reflection-type projector includes a light source for generating and emitting light, an optical path changer for changing the traveling path of an incident beam, and an image former. Preferably, the image former is a micro-mirror device having a plurality of movable mirrors provided to correspond to respective pixels, and windows for enclosing the movable mirrors, where the windows transmit most of the incident rays. The micro-mirror device reflects incident rays to form necessary reflected rays and unnecessary reflected rays having reflection paths that differ according to the driven states of the movable mirrors. The reflection-type projector further includes a projection lens unit for magnifying incident rays and projecting the rays.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2000Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Soon-cheol Choi
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Patent number: 6457833Abstract: A digital micro mirror device (and a single-panel color projector using a digital micro mirror device) includes a reflection surface including an array of micro mirrors. The reflection surface is divided into two or more areas, and the axis direction about which a mirror of the array of micro mirrors rotates in one area is the same for all of the micro mirrors in the area. The single-panel color projector includes a white light source, a color separator for separating a white light from the white light source into two or more light beams, the digital micro mirror device reflecting the two or more light beams, an illumination light establishing unit for illuminating the two or more light beams from the color separator, and a projection unit for collecting and projecting light reflected from the digital micro mirror device.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2000Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Yoshimoto Ishikawa, Akinori Kaneko
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Patent number: 6454413Abstract: The invention relates to an image projection system. The image projection system comprises a radiation source, polarization-sensitive filter means, polarization conversion means, and color filter means for supplying a first and a second light beam having a first color and a first direction of polarization and a second color and a second direction of polarization, respectively, to a modulation system comprising two image panels for modulating the first and second light beams with image information. In order to obtain a compact projection system in the image projection system according to the invention, the areas occupied by said polarization-sensitive filter means, polarization conversion means and color filter means coincide.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Adrianus Johannes Stephanes Maria Vaan De
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Patent number: 6454417Abstract: In a projector optical system provided with a DMD having minute mirror devices regularly arranged on one plane so as to correspond to the pixels of an image and selectively reflecting illuminating light in the direction of the optical axis of a projection optical system or in a direction different from the direction of the optical axis by bringing the mirror devices into an ON state or an OFF state according to the input video signals, and a prism disposed between the DMD and the projection optical system and having a first surface reflecting the illuminating light to be directed to the DMD and transmitting the light reflected at the DMD, the prism has a second surface transmitting, of the light transmitted by the first surface, light reflected at the mirror devices in the ON state and reflecting light reflected at the mirror devices in the OFF state.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsuhiro Takamoto, Shigeru Sawamura
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Patent number: 6450650Abstract: A projector capable of throwing image on a screen from objects, the project comprising a base including a plurality of mirrors, a rear slanted plate hinged to the base, a lens in the front board, an object receiving drawer, and a cover; an angle adjustment means on the outside of the rear slanted plate; a light source; a housing shaped; and a cooling means. Image of object is reflected on mirror and lens. A clear image is obtained by turning the focusing knob. Further bias the rear slanted plate for adjusting the angle of thereof so as to obtain a better angle of the lens for enhancing focus.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2000Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Inventor: Yu Ta Tu
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Patent number: 6409351Abstract: A projection system employs a convex reflecting mirror to disperse a projected image onto the inner surface of a screen enclosing a spherical or other three-dimensional space. When the screen is a spherical, translucent rear-projection screen, the projection system produces a display of substantially spherical form viewable from outside the enclosed space. When the screen is opaque and of spherical or other three-dimensional form, the projection system produces a three-dimensional image surrounding a viewer.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2001Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Inventor: Thomas R. Ligon
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Patent number: 6406148Abstract: A sequential color display system using three spatial light modulators and dichroic filters to sequentially provide a primary color light beam to a projection spatial light modulator. A set of dichroic filters separates a white light beam into primary colored light beams. Each primary colored light beam is modulated by a spatial light modulator to selectively allow it to travel to a second set of dichroic filters. The second set of dichroic filters recombines the primary color light beams—only one of which is typically active at any given time—to form a sequential color light beam. A projection spatial light modulator selectively modulates the sequential color light beam to form a sequential color image projected onto an image plane.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1999Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Stephen W. Marshall, James A. DeLong, Andrea C. Harriman
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Patent number: 6394611Abstract: The invention discloses a solid rod dust-proof structure for projecting apparatuses. The solid rod includes an incident-beam surface and an outgoing-beam surface. The dust-proof structure includes: a housing provided with a first chamber and a second chamber connecting each other wherein the cross section of the second chamber is greater than that of the first chamber. The first chamber contains the solid rod, and a stopping portion is installed on the opposite end of the second chamber for stopping the solid rod; and a dust-proof plate being a transparent plate is contained in the second chamber to completely cover the outgoing-beam surface of the solid rod. Using the above structure, the outgoing-beam surface of the solid rod can be completely covered by the transparent dust-proof plate so that the structure is free from dust and the light transmitting through the outgoing-beam surface will not be blocked.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2000Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Coretronic CorporationInventors: Ken Wang, Dylan Liu
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Patent number: 6382799Abstract: A projection optical apparatus has a light source for emitting light, an illumination optical system for emitting as illumination light the light radiated from the light source, a Digital Micromirror Device™, having a plurality of micromirrors, for separating the illumination light into signal light and unnecessary light by varying, in accordance with a signal, the angles at which the individual micromirrors reflect the illumination light shone thereon, a total internal reflection prism composed of a first prism for totally reflecting and thereby directing the illumination light exiting from the illumination optical system to the Digital Micromirror Device™ and a second prism for transmitting the signal light reflected from the Digital Micromirror Device™, and a projection optical system for projecting the signal light transmitted through the second prism onto a projection surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2000Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jun Nishikawa, Shigeru Sawamura, Katsuhiro Takamoto
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Patent number: 6379012Abstract: An overhead projector mounting system is provided that is configured to support a projector in a ceiling of a room. The system includes a housing having an opening through which an image generated by the projector is transmitted. Preferably, the system includes a mirror to reflect the image generated by the projector toward a viewing surface in the room.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2000Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Draper, Inc.Inventors: Steven E. Enochs, Robert D. Wilson
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Patent number: 6357878Abstract: An optical apparatus has a reflection-type spatial light modulator having a plurality of minute variable-reflection-angle mirrors that individually deflect the light incident thereon in one of two different directions, namely in a first direction or in a second direction, in accordance with a signal fed in, an optical system to which the light deflected in the first direction by the modulator is directed, a prism disposed between the modulator and the optical system so as to direct the light deflected in the first direction by the modulator to the optical system and direct the light deflected in the second direction by the modulator to a side face of the prism, and a light-absorbing member shaped like a plane-parallel plate and disposed with an entrance face thereof kept in close contact with the side face of the prism.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2000Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shigeru Sawamura
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Publication number: 20020030795Abstract: An illumination apparatus comprises a plurality of light source sections, an integrator section, and a mirror element. Each light source section is constituted by a luminous body and a reflector comprising an ellipsoidal surface having one focal point located near the center of gravity of the luminous body. The integrator section is constituted by at least two integrator plates, arranged in the optical axis direction of light, for homogenizing the quantity of light emitted from the light source sections. The mirror element has a reflecting surface near the other focal point of the ellipsoidal surface of at least one reflector, and reflects the luminous flux from the light source group toward the integrator section. The optical axis of the illumination apparatus as a whole and the optical axis of at least one reflector form a predetermined angle therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Applicant: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chikara Yamamoto
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Publication number: 20020024641Abstract: In order to minimize light diffraction along the direction of switching and more particularly light diffraction into the acceptance cone of the projection optics, in the present invention, mirrors are provided which are not rectangular. Also, in order to minimize the cost of the illumination optics and the size of the display unit of the present invention, the light source is placed orthogonal to the rows (or columns) of the array, and/or the light source is placed orthogonal to a side of the frame defining the active area of the array. The incident light beam, though orthogonal to the sides of the active area, are not however, orthogonal to any substantial portion of sides of the individual mirrors in the array. Orthogonal sides cause incident light to diffract along the direction of mirror switching, and result in light ‘leakage’ into the on-state even if the mirror is in the off-state. This light diffraction decreases the contrast ratio of the mirror.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2000Publication date: February 28, 2002Inventors: Fedor A. Ilkov, Satyadev R. Patel, Peter W. Richards, John K. Stockton
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Patent number: 6343862Abstract: A projecting image display device is disclosed which includes a display and a micro lens array, where the pixels of the display and the micro lens elements each have non symmetric properties in length and width directions. The micro lens concentrates color-separated light onto pixels of a display device so that light does not hit the black matrix. By providing a display having pixels which are not equal in length and width, pixels corresponding to red (R), green (G) and blue (B) can be arranged in a substantially square area, and by providing a micro lens array which has non symmetric properties in length and width, the color separated light can be concentrated onto the non square display pixels.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1999Date of Patent: February 5, 2002Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasumasa Sawai, Kohtaro Hayashi, Soh Ohzawa, Yuichiro Ori, Jun Ishihara
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Patent number: 6322219Abstract: There is provided an optical device comprising an illuminant for emitting light; light condensing means composed of a reflecting mirror whose shape of reflecting plane is of rotational secondary curved surface and a condenser lens for converging approximately parallel fluxes; a mixing rod whose section is quadrangle, first lens means composed of at least one lens; and a reflecting optical element which is disposed in the vicinity of the position where a plurality of tertiary illuminants are formed and which reflects light in a desired direction. This optical device allows a distribution of illuminance whose intensity is excellently uniformed to be obtained even when a light flux is inputted from a direction inclined from the normal direction of the plane-to-be-illuminated by illuminating the optical device disposed out of an optical axis of the illuminator.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1999Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinji Okamori, Shinsuke Shikama
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Patent number: 6315416Abstract: The optical system comprises a convergent mirror (Ec) and a plane mirror (Ep), which are duly positioned in order for the focus (F) established in the optical axis (X—X) of the convergent mirror (Ec) in turn to be located in the sector lying between both mirrors. An object (I1-I2) located in an area (1) is first reflected onto the plane mirror (Ep) and then onto the convergent mirror (Ec), yielding an image (I″1-I″2) in an area (2) opposite the area (1) in a normal position for an observer located at a point (O) outside the system, i.e. in such a position that the signs are legible.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1999Date of Patent: November 13, 2001Inventors: Juan Dominguez-Montes, Jesus Marcos Gomez-Martin, Jose Maria Cienfuegos-Jovellanos
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Patent number: 6179424Abstract: An optical apparatus has a reflection-type spatial light modulator having a plurality of minute variable-reflection-angle mirrors that individually deflect the light incident thereon in one of two different directions, namely in a first direction or in a second direction, in accordance with a signal fed in, an optical system to which the light deflected in the first direction by the modulator is directed, a prism disposed between the modulator and the optical system so as to direct the light deflected in the first direction by the modulator to the optical system and direct the light deflected in the second direction by the modulator to a side face of the prism, and a light-expelling member having a polyhedral shape and disposed with an entrance face thereof kept in close contact with the side face of the prism.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2000Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shigeru Sawamura
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Patent number: 6178043Abstract: A multiview three-dimensional image display system comprises an image projection screen, two image generation components, a bifold mirror, an spatial light modulator, and projection optics. Each of the image generation components generates successive finite time sequences of time-multiplexed multiview images and thus form a channel of multiview images. Each of the reflecting surfaces of the bifold mirror reflects a different one of the two channels of multiview images. The spatial light modulator comprises a plurality of strip-like shutters, each of which transmits a different one of the finite time sequences of time-multiplexed multiview images. The projection optics projects the images through the spatial light modulator onto the image projection screen, where the spatial light modulator is imaged to make a single viewing zone.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1999Date of Patent: January 23, 2001Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and TechnologyInventors: Jung Young Son, Vadim V. Smirnov, Vadim V. Novoselsky, Yong-Jin Choi, Hyuk-Soo Lee, Ji-Eun Ban
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Patent number: 6155688Abstract: A dark field projection display includes a light source, a spatial light modulator, and an optical system for directing light from the light source onto the spatial light modulator. The optical system includes a plurality of optical subsystems and a plurality of reflectors. Each of the optical subsystems has an input aperture and is arranged to image light from the light source, the subsystems forming a spatial distribution of source images whose relative positions are different from the relative positions of the input apertures. Each of the optical subsystems further includes a plurality of reflectors disposed at the relative positions of the source images. Each of the reflectors is arranged to reflect light from a respective one of the subsystems onto the spatial light modulator.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1998Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Duncan James Anderson, Robert George Watling Brown, Nicholas Mayhew, Michael Geraint Robinson, Jason Slack, Haruhisa Takiguchi
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Patent number: 6123985Abstract: A membrane-actuated charge controlled mirror (CCM) that exhibits increased deflection range, reduced beam current and improved electrostatic stability is fabricated using a combination of flat panel manufacturing along with traditional MEMS techniques. More specifically, a unique combination of five masking layers is used to fabricate a number of CCMs on a large glass panel. At the completion of the MEMS processing, the glass panel is diced into individual CCMs. Thereafter, the polymer mirror and membrane release layers are simultaneously released through vent holes in the membrane to leave the free-standing CCM.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1998Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: Solus Micro Technologies, Inc.Inventors: William P. Robinson, LeRoy H. Hackett, Philip G. Reif
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Patent number: 6109752Abstract: The present invention provides a lighting device that has two lamp units and is suitable for a light source of a projector-type display apparatus to realize bright illumination, and also a projector-type display apparatus with such a lighting device incorporated therein. The lighting device includes a light source unit and an integrator optical system and enables an illumination area to be illuminated uniformly and evenly with the light emitted from the light source unit and transmitted via the integrator optical system. The light source unit includes a pair of lamp units arranged in parallel, and a reflector of each lamp unit has a contour with both sides cut off. The pair of lamp units are preferably arrayed in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the illumination area. This structure realizes a small-sized, compact lighting device with a high quantity of output light.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1998Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Yoshitaka Itoh, Toshiaki Hashizume
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Patent number: 6099128Abstract: In order to move spatially the projection beam from a video or graphics projector, the projection beam which emerges from a light source and is guided via and/or through an optoelectronic image generator and through a projection lens is deflected by means of at least one mirror which can be pivotably displaced about two axes, an X-axis extending in the direction of incidence of the projection beam and a transverse Y-axis. In order to attain perfect correction of the image distortion caused by rotation in spite of the rapid movement of the mirror, the images to be projected from the image generator are further rotated when the mirror is pivotably adjusted about the X-axis in forced coupling with the pivotal adjustment of the mirror in order to compensate any image distortion occurring.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1999Date of Patent: August 8, 2000Inventor: Rainer Jessl
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Patent number: 6095654Abstract: A projection type display apparatus which allows a reduction in size and which enables images to be clearly projected. In a projection type display apparatus 1 in which an image displayed by an image display device 53 is projected onto a screen by using light from a light source 3, the light from the light source 3 is transmitted through an optical element as illuminating light and guided along a first optical axis OP1 before it is reflected by a first reflecting mirror; and the illuminating light is reflected by a second reflecting mirror and guided toward the image display device 53 along a second optical axis OP2. The first optical axis OP1 and the second optical axis OP2 are arranged at different positions and parallel to each other. Arranged in the first optical axis OP1 is an optical element for concentrating the intensity distribution of the illuminating light, and the optical element is formed by two-dimensionally arranging a plurality of unit lenses.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1998Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Masato Hatanaka, Yusaku Tagawa, Hideki Katsuragawa
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Patent number: 6089720Abstract: An illumination mechanism is disclosed which has a high efficiency of illumination and which is compact. The mechanism includes a reflector, a light source, a first lens array with plural lens cells arranged in rows in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis thereof in which each lens cell is similar in shape to a liquid crystal panel, and a second lens array similar in construction to the first lens array, the lens arrays being disposed along the optical axis. The reflector is divided radially about the optical axis, and has a plurality of partial reflecting surfaces. Each partial reflecting surface is part of a rotation paraboloid with its center being on the optical axis. The light source is placed at a focal position of each partial reflecting surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1998Date of Patent: July 18, 2000Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yasumasa Sawai
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Patent number: 6059412Abstract: A rear projection monitor includes a projection optical system, a screen, and a guide optical system. The projection optical system projects an original image. The original image is projected on the screen from the rear side to display an enlarged image of the original image. The guide optical system guides light emitted from the projection optical system to the screen. The guide optical system has a movable reflecting surface, and functions to adjust the position of the image on the screen by changing the incident angle of light emitted from the projection optical system to the reflecting surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yasutoshi Sugita
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Patent number: 6049403Abstract: An optical engine in which full-spectrum light is split into its three primary beam components of red, blue and green, which components are then modulated by reflective or transmissive light valve structure and ultimately recombined for projection of a full color image, which engine includes a source of unmodulated full-spectrum light, and immediately optically downstream therefrom, a two-dichroic-surface V-splitter/mirror structure from which emerge the mentioned three primary beam components.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1996Date of Patent: April 11, 2000Assignee: Delta America Ltd.Inventor: Kenneth E. Salsman
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Patent number: 6042237Abstract: The invention relates to an image projection module (1) comprising, in this order, an illumination system (3) and an image display system (13) having at least one display panel (15) for modulating an illumination beam to be supplied by the illumination system (3) with image information. The illumination system (3) comprises an integrator system (19) having an exit surface which is located in an exit plane. First reflecting means (33; 43) are present in the exit plane of the integrator system (19) and the module (1) further comprises second, selectively reflecting means (39). An optical system (31) for at least partly imaging the exit surface via the second reflecting means on the first reflecting means is arranged between the first and the second reflecting means.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1997Date of Patent: March 28, 2000Assignee: U.S. Philips CorporationInventors: Adrianus J. S. M. De Vaan, Antonie W. Damen
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Patent number: 6042238Abstract: An image projection display system for use in large field-of-view presentations, which image projection display system comprises a fold mirror arrangement and a plurality of projection devices, the image projection display system being such that light beams from the projection devices are optically combined by the fold mirror arrangement so as to appear to be projected from essentially a common equivalent eye point, whereby the displayed information of adjacent projected displays is able to be correctly aligned with respect to a design eye point without the need to apply distortion to the images.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1998Date of Patent: March 28, 2000Assignee: SEOS Displays LimitedInventors: Geoffrey Howard Blackham, Roger Alan Edwards
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Patent number: 5993010Abstract: An illumination optical system has a light source unit, a first array having a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged cells which deflect a incident light from the light source unit and a second array having a plurality of cells two-dimensionally arranged in a vicinity of a focal plane of the first array, wherein at least one of the first array and the second array is formed as a reflection array.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1998Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Soh Ohzawa, Katsuhiro Takamoto
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Patent number: 5993011Abstract: A video projector mount system which is positioned within a ceiling grid. The projector is within a housing which includes mirrors to convey a video image to a screen. A supply of ventilating and cooling air for the projector is provided to efficiently cool the projector so it may be used in the ceiling location. The overall system provides security from theft or tampering and a pleasing aesthetic appearance.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1998Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Inventors: Franklin Smock, Randall Shoemaker
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Patent number: 5975705Abstract: An LCD position determination apparatus for an LCD projector which is capable of shortening an assembling time of a projector by facilitating or enabling alignment of the red (R), green (G) and blue (B) cells by detecting the positions of the R, G and B LCDs at the same time when installing the R, G and B LCDs at or along three surfaces of a prism. The apparatus includes the red LCD, green LCD and blue LCD optically aligned with three respective surfaces of the color mixing prism, a pair of two-way splitting mirrors aligned with a fourth surface of the prism, and an automatic collimator apparatus having an ocular lens by which an image of a predetermined corner portion of each of the LCDs transmitted via the two-way mirrors is viewed.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Hyundai Electronics Industries, Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jong-Jin Lee
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Patent number: 5911489Abstract: A lighting system comprises a light source and a reflector arrangement which comprises a concave first reflection mirror having an aspherical surface for reflecting and directing forward light beams emanating laterally and radially back from the light source forward along an optical axis, an annular concave second reflection mirror having an aspherical surface for reflecting and directing light beams emanating laterally and radially forward from the light source toward a specified point, and a third reflection mirror disposed near the specified point and having an aspherical surface for reflecting and directing forward the light beams reflected by the concave second reflection mirror along the optical axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1998Date of Patent: June 15, 1999Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.Inventor: Fumio Watanabe