With Lens (e.g., Camera Obscura, Etc.) Patents (Class 359/448)
  • Patent number: 11251381
    Abstract: A flexible display device includes a substrate, a plurality of first pixels, and a plurality of second pixels. The substrate includes a foldable bending region and a non-foldable non-bending region. Each first pixel is disposed on the bending region. Each first pixel is spaced apart from an adjacent first pixel by a first distance. Each second pixel is disposed on the non-bending region. Each second pixel is spaced apart from an adjacent second pixel by a second distance. The first distance is greater than the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Cheol-Su Kim
  • Patent number: 10782521
    Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to reduce a difference in resolution between respective regions of a virtual image while reducing distortion of an image. A translucent screen is disposed to be inclined with respect to an optical axis of projection light such that a difference between a first optical path length to a first reflection part of the display light emitted from a first end far from display light reflected toward a second reflection part by the first reflection part, and a second optical path length of display light emitted from a second end closer to reflected toward the second reflection part by the first reflection part than the first end becomes smaller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: NIPPON SEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeru Kawai, Yuta Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 10551874
    Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display mounted in a housing. The display may have an array of display pixels that provide image light to a user. The array of display pixels may form an active display structure with a rectangular shape. The rectangular active display structure may be surrounded by an inactive border region. Optical structures such as upper structures formed from a sheet of glass and lower optical structures that lie beneath the sheet of glass may be configured to bend light from the display pixels along the periphery of the active display structure. The upper optical structures may have an area that is larger than the area of the active display structure, so that the presence of the optical structures may serve to enlarge the apparent size of the display. The lower and upper optical structures may have curved surfaces for bending the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Prest, Tseng-Mau Yang, Dale N. Memering
  • Patent number: 10527863
    Abstract: A head-mounted display (HMD) system includes an optical arrangement; a first image panel, wherein the optical arrangement directs image light from the first image panel along a first optical pathway; a second image panel, wherein the optical arrangement directs image light from the second image panel along a second optical pathway different from the first optical pathway; and a central image panel located between the first image panel and the second image panel, the central image panel including a first portion and a second portion. The optical arrangement directs light from the first portion and the second portion of the central image panel along different optical pathways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ka Ho Tam, David James Montgomery, Scott Wells
  • Patent number: 10342093
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a display device comprising at least two display units as well as an illuminating device for illuminating a transition area between the at least two display units. The disclosure further relates to a method of operating such a display device as well as an entertainment machine comprising such a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Novomatic AG
    Inventors: Alois Homer, Marek Gawel
  • Patent number: 10133117
    Abstract: A display device used in the technical field of communications comprises a housing, a display panel and a light-transmitting cover plate; the display panel is disposed in the housing to form a display area constituted by the display panel and a frame area surrounding the display panel; the light-transmitting cover plate covers the housing to form the outer surface of the display device; the light-transmitting cover plate has a first light-transmitting part and a second light-transmitting part; the first light-transmitting part corresponds to the display area, and the second light-transmitting part corresponds to the frame area; the light emitted by the display panel transmits outward through the first light-transmitting part and the second light-transmitting part; the outer surface of the second light-transmitting part is provided with an optical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Yulong Computer Telecommunication Scientific (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jian Xiao
  • Patent number: 10048532
    Abstract: A display includes a cover having a front face that defines a normal of the display and further having a sidewall that meets the front face to define an edge of the display, and a display module disposed behind the cover. The display module includes a substrate and a plurality of pixels supported by the substrate. The substrate includes a curved portion along the edge, the curved portion bending rearward such that peripheral pixels of the plurality of pixels are disposed laterally between the substrate and the sidewall. The display further includes edge compensation means for compensating for a curvature of the curved portion to direct light from the peripheral pixels toward the normal of the display. An extent to which the edge compensation means compensates for the curvature varies in accordance with lateral position of the peripheral pixels along the curved portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Karlton Powell, Rajesh Dighde, Ying Zheng
  • Patent number: 10012861
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a display panel and a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Can Wang, Wei Wang, Wenbin Yang
  • Patent number: 9672682
    Abstract: Provided is a presentation effect device capable of providing a new presentation effect in which it is possible to change the state where a player can visibly recognize an object to be visibly recognized to the state where a player can visibly recognize the object without any movable member. A presentation effect device is provided with a plate-like panel, an accommodation space partitioned by the plate-like panel, the accommodation space for accommodating an object to be visibly recognized, and an illumination device for illuminating the object to be visibly recognized by a signal from the outside, wherein the plate-like panel is composed of a beam splitter for dividing incoming light into reflection light and transmitted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignees: UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, ARUZE GAMING AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Kenta Kitamura, Kou Kobayashi, Takashi Izawa, Masumi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 9603266
    Abstract: Provided is a display device that has: first engaging portions formed on a frame member; and second engaging portions that are formed on a front plate and engage with the first engaging portions. A gap is formed between an inner surface of a side wall of the frame member and a side wall of a cutout of the front plate. The first engaging portion and the second engaging portion engage with each other such that movement is restricted in a long side direction of the side wall, while sliding in a direction intersecting with the side wall is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kohji Itoh
  • Patent number: 9568756
    Abstract: A display device, of which the frame is not easily visible in an edge portion, is provided. This display device includes: a display panel having a display area and a frame area provided outside of the display area; a light-transmitting cover arranged closer to a viewer than the display panel is and including a lens portion that is arranged at a position corresponding to the boundary between the frame area and the display area of the display panel; and a housing including a lateral housing portion arranged to face the display panel's side surface. The outer side surface of the lateral housing portion is located in a space between a first plane which is parallel to a normal to the display panel's screen surface and which contacts with the outer end face of the lens portion of the light-transmitting cover and a second plane which defines an acute angle ? of 25 degrees or less with respect to the normal to the display panel's screen surface and which contacts with the surface of the lens portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hisashi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9513541
    Abstract: A curved back-projection screen having an angle of curvature greater than 180° is described such as a wrap-around cylindrical or dome screen. The screen includes a first layer and a second synthetic resin diffusing layer on the first layer, the second synthetic resin diffusing layer containing a light absorbing material and light diffusing particles embedded in a resin material, with the second synthetic resin diffusing layer having a value of the product of the absorption coefficient and thickness of between 0.1 and 2. The second synthetic resin diffusing layer can be applied by spraying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: BARCO N.V.
    Inventors: Koenraad Vermeirsch, Stefaan Ducasteele, Geert Matthys, Patrick Candry
  • Patent number: 9388963
    Abstract: A light source module includes a light source and an optical lens assembly covering the light source. The optical lens assembly includes an optical lens, a reflecting member located on the optical lens, and a reflecting film formed on the reflecting member. The optical lens includes a main portion and a protruding portion protruding upwardly from the main portion. The reflecting member is conical. The reflecting member is invertedly located on the protruding portion of the optical lens. A tip of the reflecting member is inserted into an inside of the optical lens from the protruding portion. The reflecting member has a top surface and an outer circumferential surface. A center of the top surface of the reflecting member is recessed inwardly, whereby a concave surface is formed. The concave surface oriented upwardly and outwardly relative to the light source. The reflecting film is distributed on the concave surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Feng-Yuen Dai, Chau-Jin Hu, Li-Ying Wang He
  • Patent number: 9243779
    Abstract: A multi display system (10) includes a plurality of display panels (100) disposed adjacently to each other via a boundary portion (20), and a translucent cover (113) disposed on the plurality of display panels (100). The translucent cover (113) is disposed so as to cover the boundary portion (20) and overlapping with both of the plurality of display panels (100) which are disposed adjacently. The translucent cover (113) is constituted by a supporting portion (113P) which covers at least part of the display panel excluding the boundary portion (20), and a portion which is continuous to the supporting portion (113P) and includes a concave portion (113C) formed on the observer side in a position facing the boundary portion (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigetsugu Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 9164282
    Abstract: An image-partitioned display device for virtual image is disclosed. The display device comprises an image display unit, a refractive element, and a virtual image generation module. The refractive element is disposed between the image display unit and the virtual image generation module. Firstly, the image display unit generates at least one image, and then the refractive element refracts and partitions the image into a plurality of sub-images. Finally, the virtual image generation module receives lights of the sub-images to generate a large area virtual image or a plurality of enlarged virtual images. A volume of the virtual image generation module is reduced and all kinds of display information are provided by the image-partitioned technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH & TEST CENTER
    Inventors: Shun-Wen Cheng, Chih-Bin Chiang, Jih-Tao Hsu
  • Patent number: 9110217
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided and includes a substrate assembly comprising a first area and a frame at a periphery of the first area and a lens, which is configured to be affixed to the first area, and which comprises a second area and a curved area at a periphery of the second area. The curved area is separated from the frame by a gap and is configured to reflect light across the gap to hide the gap from an observer looking into the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Carsten Tamm, Georg Robert Gustav Steiner
  • Patent number: 9075258
    Abstract: A display unit according to the present invention (100a) includes at least one display panel (10) and at least one light-transmitting cover (20) disposed on a viewer's side of the at least one display panel; the at least one light-transmitting cover includes a planar portion (24) having a viewer-side surface (24a) which is a plane, and a curved surface portion (22) adjoining the planar portion along a first axis, the curved surface portion (22) having a viewer-side surface (22a) which is a curved surface; and the planar portion includes a slope portion such that the distance between a viewer-side surface and a rear surface decreases away from the curved surface portion along the first axis. According to the present invention, a direct-viewing type display unit and display device which are thinner than conventional are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hisashi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20150022886
    Abstract: An example micro-projection-display device includes: a projection lens, an elastic projection screen, a stretchable projection framework and a sliding block. At least one point of the stretchable projection framework is connected with the elastic projection screen, so that the stretchable projection framework is configured to control the elastic projection screen to stretch or retract. The sliding block is connected with the stretchable projection framework. The sliding block is configured to cause the stretchable projection framework to stretch or retract, so as to cause the elastic projection screen to stretch or retract. The projection lens is configured to project light onto the stretched elastic projection screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Jianbei Yang
  • Publication number: 20140133018
    Abstract: This projector includes a laser light generation portion, a projection portion scanning laser light, and a projection screen. The projection screen includes a lens member including a plurality of lens portions splitting the laser light and a diffusion member arranged to be opposed to the lens member, having an incident surface and a diffusion portion. The diffusion portion of the diffusion member is arranged at a position apart by a distance larger than the focal length of the lens member along an optical axis with respect to the optical principal surface of the lens member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Matsubara, Kenji Nagashima
  • Patent number: 8692737
    Abstract: A direct-viewing type display device includes: a display panel having a display region and a frame region provided outside the display region, with a boundary extending along a first direction between the display region and the frame region, the display region having a plurality of pixels arrayed therein; and a light-transmitting cover disposed on the viewer's side. The light-transmitting cover includes a lens portion disposed astride the boundary for refracting a portion of light going out from the display region toward the frame region. The lens portion refracts the light so that light emitted from the plurality of pixels in the display region has a substantially equal pitch on a plane which is perpendicular to the first direction. A line of intersection between the plane which is perpendicular to the first direction and a viewer-side surface of the lens portion is a curve which is not a circular arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisashi Watanabe, Satoshi Shibata
  • Publication number: 20140049819
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical projection system for a display, and more particularly to an optical projection system for a head-up display with improved light efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Sypro Optics GmbH
    Inventor: Eberhard PIEHLER
  • Patent number: 8405905
    Abstract: A screen on which an image according to light incident thereon is displayed includes a plurality of lens trains on a light-exiting surface from which the light exits, and the plurality of lens trains are provided along a plurality of virtual reference lines extending in respective predetermined directions. Each of the lens trains is formed of a plurality of lens elements from which the light exits. At least some of the plurality of lens elements that form any of the lens trains are so disposed that the lens elements are shifted from the reference line along which the lens train extends. The screen can suppress degradation of a displayed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Shinbo, Ryoji Katsuma
  • Patent number: 8388147
    Abstract: A screen assembly and a rear-projection type graphic display device are provided to block overscanned light Lo projected outside a fresnel lens screen. The screen assembly 20A includes the fresnel lens screen 21, a screen retainer 22 and a light blocking member 23. The fresnel lens screen 21 forms an image on the side of a front surface 21b by image light Le incoming through a back surface 21a. The screen retainer 22 has a back surface 22a whose area is larger than the back surface 21a and the front surface 21b and which is opposed to the front surface 21b to hold it, and a front surface 22b located on opposite side of the back surface 22a to allow an image formed by the image light incoming through the back surface 21a to be visible through the front surface 22b. The screen retainer 22 has an optical transparency. The light blocking member 23 is arranged so as to surround respective side surfaces of the screen 21 in the form of a frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: JVC Kenwood Corporation
    Inventors: Toshitaka Murata, Ryusaku Takahashi, Masahiko Miyake, Manabu Kobayashi, Takatsugu Aizaki, Hironobu Fukutomi
  • Publication number: 20130003174
    Abstract: A screen allows an image according to light incident in an oblique direction from a predetermined light exiting position to be displayed. The screen includes a screen body having a reflection surface with a plurality of lens elements formed thereon, each of the lens elements reflecting the light incident thereon, a first layer (substrate) disposed on the side of the reflection surface on which the light is incident, and a second layer (air layer) interposed between the screen body and the first layer. The first layer has a refractive index greater than the refractive index of the second layer. The first layer has an angle changing portion formed in at least part of a region through which the light incident thereon passes, the angle changing portion so formed that the thickness thereof continuously increases with distance from the light exiting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Ryoji Katsuma
  • Publication number: 20120229895
    Abstract: A screen on which an image according to light incident thereon is displayed includes a plurality of lens trains on a light-exiting surface from which the light exits, and the plurality of lens trains are provided along a plurality of virtual reference lines extending in respective predetermined directions. Each of the lens trains is formed of a plurality of lens elements from which the light exits. At least some of the plurality of lens elements that form any of the lens trains are so disposed that the lens elements are shifted from the reference line along which the lens train extends. The screen can suppress degradation of a displayed image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira SHINBO, Ryoji KATSUMA
  • Patent number: 8228371
    Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the invention is a video system that can include a display screen and a plurality of video capturing devices located behind the display screen. It is noted that each of the plurality of video capturing devices is for capturing a video stream through the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Irwin Sobel, Bruce Culbertson, Dan Gelb, Michael Harville, Henry Harlyn Baker, Andrew Fitzhugh, Donald Ovila Tanguay, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7946716
    Abstract: An imaging system and an optical engine comprising the imaging system are provided. The imaging system in this invention at least comprises a lens assembly, a light valve, and a Fresnel lens. The Fresnel lens is formed with a receiving portion adapted to correspondingly receive at least one portion of the lens assembly and replaces the conventional aspheric lens to focus a light ray onto the light valve. The light valve reflects the light ray into the lens assembly for imaging. Thereby, the Fresnel lens is adapted to decrease the surface area of the receiving portion to eliminate the influence of stray light on the imaging quality and to economize lens material costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Hung-Ying Lin
  • Patent number: 7787185
    Abstract: A building element (E) is used for building walls, partitions, plates or closing devices such as blinds and doors, in particular for buildings and includes at least one volume (3) in particular in the form of a prism or cylinder limited by first (1) and second (2) faces made of a transparent material and sidewalls (4), wherein the element (E) includes at least one lens (5) which contains a focal plane and is placed near the first face (1) and a translucent screen (7) placed between the lens (5) and the second face (2). The image of a space in front of the lens (5) is formed on the screen 7 and can be seen from the rear of the building element (E).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Inventors: Frederic Remaud, Frederic Gervais
  • Patent number: 7736028
    Abstract: A light source apparatus comprising a lamp having a light emitting portion of generating light, a first concave mirror having a first opening provided on a light-using side on which the generated light is used and a second opening provided on an opposite side to the light-using side and having the light emitting portion of the lamp placed inside, and a second concave mirror having a predetermined size to reflect on the light emitting portion side of the lamp the light which comes or should come out of the second opening and placed at a predetermined position in relation to a position at which the second opening is provided, and wherein the size of the second opening is provided so that an amount of the used light becomes substantially maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Yusaku Shimaoka
  • Publication number: 20100091365
    Abstract: A screen adapted to a projection device having a transparent layer, a plurality of light-mixing chambers, and a plurality of lens structures is provided. The light-mixing chambers are located on a back surface of the transparent layer away from the projection device. The lens structures are disposed on a front surface of the transparent layer facing towards the projection device and corresponding to the light-mixing chambers respectively. The size of the opening of the light-mixing chamber is smaller than the size of the bottom surface of the corresponding lens structures. The lens structure is adapted to refract a light beam from the projection device, and the opening of the corresponding light-mixing chamber is adapt to allow the light beam pass through, such that the corresponding light-mixing chamber is adapted to concentrate the light beam therein and transform the light beam into a light beam projected out of the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: Coretronic Corporation
    Inventors: Tzeng-Ke Shiau, Chih-Jen Tsang
  • Patent number: 7693412
    Abstract: An aureolegraph includes a reflective screen with an aperture therein, a lens for focusing an image onto the screen, an imager for imaging the image on the screen, and a light trap for preventing light passing through the aperture in the screen from passing back out through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Visidyne, Inc.
    Inventor: John James Atkinson
  • Patent number: 7666920
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a radiation curable resin composition which comprises epoxy (meth)acrylate, a monofunctional (meth)acrylate, a bifunctional (meth)acrylate having a specific structure, and a bifunctional (meth)acrylate obtained from an aliphatic dihydric alcohol having an oxyalkylene structure and (meth)acrylic acid and further contains a thermoplastic resin, thereby causing satisfactory adhesion to plastic substrates, sufficient shape retention, and excellent shape recovery properties, and satisfaction in moldability including casting efficiency and shape reproducibility, as well as a high refractive index and appropriateness for use as a lens sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignees: Dai Nippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc., Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tokuda, Yasunari Kawashima, Yasuhiro Doi
  • Patent number: 7663817
    Abstract: An optical system for a miniature camera is disclosed. The optical system can have a lens holder including mounting features to position a plurality of lenses. The mounting features can include mounting features that are configured to position a first plastic lens proximate an aperture end portion of the lens holder and/or mounting features that are configured to position a glass plano-convex lens along an optical path through an interior of the lens holder with a substantially planar surface of the glass plano-convex lens positioned toward the aperture end portion of the lens holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Siimpel Corporation
    Inventors: Jing Xu, Roman C. Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 7629041
    Abstract: The present invention relates to diffuser sheets for LCD applications encompassing at least one light-scattering polymethyl methacrylate layer which comprises a polymethyl methacrylate matrix and also from 0.5 to 59.5% by weight, based on the weight of the light-scattering polymethyl methacrylate layer, of spherical scattering particles (A) whose median size V50 is in the range from 0.1 to 40 ?m, and whose refractive index differs from that of the polymethyl methacrylate matrix by a value in the range from 0.02 to 0.2, and from 0.5 to 59.5% by weight, based on the weight of the light-scattering polymethyl methacrylate layer, of spherical particles (B) whose median size V50 is in the range from 10 to 150 ?m and whose refractive index differs from that of the polymethyl methacrylate matrix by a value in the range from 0 to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Evonik Roehm GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Parusel, Jann Schmidt, Herbert Groothues
  • Patent number: 7612323
    Abstract: To obtain an optical element for generating near-field light which can accurately detect positions of a plurality of minute structures formed on a metallic thin film provided to a condensing surface, and a method of adjusting an optical spot position of the optical element. The metallic thin film is formed on the condensing surface of the optical element that condenses incident light so as to generate near-field light smaller than an condensing spot B near a condensing point, and a plurality of openings (minute structure) for generating the near-field light are formed into a matrix matter on the metallic thin film, and position detecting structures are formed on positions that partitions the openings is formed. Scanning in X and Y directions is carried out by a light beam, and its reflected light is detected so that the positions of the openings are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Opto, Inc.
    Inventors: Masahiro Okitsu, Kazuyuki Ogura, Kenji Konno, Hiroshi Hatano
  • Publication number: 20090161074
    Abstract: A screen including a first plane and a second plane opposite to the first plane, at least one of which is illuminated with light, includes a reflective portion that reflects the light incident on the first plane, a transmissive portion that transmits the light incident on the second plane toward the first plane, and an optical element that focuses the light incident on the second plane such that the focused light is incident on the transmissive portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Junichiro Shinozaki, Takashi Nagate, Seiichi Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20080252969
    Abstract: Imaging apparatus including image creation means for creating a moving image, means for enlarging the image, and a screen on which the image is displayed in use to a viewer. The image creation means includes a substantially planar image creation screen on which the image is created.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: DOMESTIC FIRE APPLIANCES LTD
    Inventor: Christopher Simon Stonier
  • Patent number: 7427146
    Abstract: Light-collecting illumination systems are disclosed, which include a light source module, a first meniscus lens having a convex side and a concave side and a second meniscus lens having a convex side and a concave side. The concave side of the second meniscus lens is adjacent to the convex side of the first meniscus lens and the concave side of the first meniscus lens faces the light source module for receiving light therefrom. In addition, light-collecting illumination systems are disclosed, which include a plurality of light source modules and a system of optical elements comprising a plurality of pairs of meniscus lenses, each pair being associated with a light source module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Arlie R. Conner
  • Patent number: 7310185
    Abstract: A display device is disclosed, wherein the display device comprises a light source configured to emit light, a projection lens configured to transfer the light to a display surface, at least one other optical element, and a lens disposed optically between the light source and the projection lens, wherein the lens is configured to enable a first transfer of the light from the light source to the at least one other optical element, and the lens is configured to enable a second transfer of the light from the at least one other optical element to the projection lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Gohman
  • Patent number: 7095561
    Abstract: An optical system including an array of micro-optic afocal optical subsystems capable of receiving electromagnetic radiation from a source and of transmitting at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation received from the source, and an imaging subsystem capable of receiving electromagnetic radiation from the an array of micro-optic afocal optical subsystems and imaging at least a portion of the received electromagnetic radiation onto an image plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Wavefront Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Mitchell, Thomas W. Stone
  • Patent number: 7029124
    Abstract: A modular and scalable seamless tiled display apparatus includes multiple display devices, a screen, and multiple lens assemblies. Each display device is subdivided into multiple sections, and each section is configured to display a sectional image. One of the lens assemblies is optically coupled to each of the sections of each of the display devices to project the sectional image displayed on that section onto the screen. The multiple lens assemblies are configured to merge the projected sectional images to form a single tiled image. The projected sectional images may be merged on the screen by magnifying and shifting the images in an appropriate manner. The magnification and shifting of these images eliminates any visual effect on the tiled display that may result from dead-band regions defined between each pair of adjacent sections on each display device, and due to gaps between multiple display devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Dubin, Brent D. Larson, Aleksandra Kolosowsky
  • Publication number: 20040051944
    Abstract: A visual display screen (100′) such as an LCD screen is provided with a display area (30) for displaying an image. The display area (30) extends as far as an optically inactive region (60), containing device drivers, at the edge of the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Bernard Harry Stark
  • Publication number: 20030227676
    Abstract: An image display device comprising a body including a display for displaying digital images and a cover member attached to the body. The cover member is rotatable between three positions including a first position wherein the cover member is spaced from the display, second position wherein the cover member is disposed proximate the display, and a third position different than the first position wherein the display device is supported by the cover member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph A. Manico, John R. Fredlund, David R. Scott
  • Patent number: 6597410
    Abstract: A computerized projector system which automatically adapts projected images emanating from projectors to fit the size and conditions of screens on which the images are displayed. Moreover, disclosed is a novel method of utilizing a computerized projector system which automatically adapts projected images to a shape and condition in correlation with the size and configuration of the screens onto which the images are projected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Fuad Elias Doany, Dimitri Kanevsky, Alexander Zlatsin
  • Publication number: 20020101571
    Abstract: A projector having a polymeric housing containing an electrical light source, an image medium support assembly aligned in the light path of the light source, and a lens through which light emanating from the light source exits the housing after passing through an image medium disposed in the image support assembly. The projector is preferably adjustably mounted on a support member comprising a tubular section containing a transformer. The projector can be made with an electric motor inside the housing that causes a wheel comprising multiple fixed images to continuously or intermittently rotate the same or different images sequentially through the light path of the projector. A projector assembly is also disclosed in which a projector is mounted in a frame assembly in combination with a rotating mirror ball that simultaneously redirects the projected image in many different directions and continuously changes the image being projected onto a particular spot on surrounding viewing surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Dale A. Panasewicz, Dennis Futo, Marc Louis Vitantonio, John R. Nottingham, John W. Spirk
  • Publication number: 20020080433
    Abstract: In a light unit that converts a false linear light into which a light from a point light source has been converted by a columnar light guide, into a planar light by a plate-shaped light guide, the point light source is arranged only at an end of the columnar light guide at which an angle between a longitudinal direction of the columnar light guide and ridge lines of recesses and projections forming a prism surface is obtuse. Thus, a positional relationship between the point light source and the ridge lines is set so that a main irradiation direction of band-shaped light emitted from the columnar light guide and which has been obtained by converting the light from the point light source to a false linear light is not substantially orthogonal to the ridge lines of the recesses and projections forming the prism surface of the plate-shaped light guide. Consequently, light obtained by totally reflecting this band-shaped light is unlikely to be viewed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Masatake Baba
  • Patent number: 6408136
    Abstract: A portable zoom camera obscura comprising: a telescopic structure including an inner tube and an outer tube positioned concentrically and slidingly movable relative to each other; a cover with a small, centered imaging hole attached to the imaging end of the outer tube; a semitransparent screen covering the inner end of the inner tube; a cover having a viewing hole and attached to the viewing end of the inner tube; and a diaphragm disk or ruler mounted on the imaging end, and including an aperture which can be positioned in a series of continuous overlapping positions with the imaging hole. The diaphragm disk or ruler also include lenses with different focal lengths, which, when positioned in front of the imaging hole allow the camera obscura to function as a photo-camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Inventor: Yoel Netz
  • Publication number: 20010053021
    Abstract: An optical device comprising a window or a viewing screen (18), a housing (24), and optical means (16) receiving radiation which penetrates into the housing by passing through the window or the screen, or producing and emitting radiation which leaves the housing by passing through the window or the screen, the device being characterized in that the housing is completely filled with silicone (20, 22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: Jacques Delacoux
  • Patent number: 5909291
    Abstract: A color matching system initializes a translator by storing profiles of source and destination color devices which include the coordinates in a calibrated color space of the colorants produced in the source and destination devices and a tonal reproduction curve for each device. Mixing equations and parameters are precomputed to be used in matching calculations of an image including color pixels to be matched. The color gamut is divided into mixing regions in which a given point can be produced by a mixture of two chromatic colorants and the achromatic colorants of the destination device. A technique for selecting a mixing region is included which is based on the slopes of vectors defining the colorants of the destination device, and the sample color to be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin D. Myers, Keith McGreggor, Robert Johnson, Konstantin Othmer
  • Patent number: 5903399
    Abstract: UV-curable Fresnel lens resin compositions ?a! comprising a (meth)acrylate containing hydroxyl group and aromatic ring (A1), a urethane group-contining (meth) acrylate (A2) comprising an aromatic diol, an aromatic ringcontaining monofunctional (meth)acrylate (A3), and a photopolymerization initiator (B) and ?1b! comprising (A1), a mono- or di(meth)acrylate monomer (A4), and (B), further supplemented with a polyester (C1) comprising an aromatic diol and a phosphate (C2) for the formation of a Fresnel lens on a sheet or plate made of a methyl methacrylate (co) polymer; a Fresnel lens formed by UV cure of composition ?1a! or ?1b!; and a rear projection screen including a sheet or plate carrying said Fresnel lens. The Fresnel lens has high refractive index, antistatic properties and is satisfactory in adhesion-to a sheet or plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignees: Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd., Dainippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Yamashita, Michiharu Okubo, Makoto Honda, Futoshi Osawa