Rear Projection Screen Patents (Class 359/453)
  • Patent number: 6278482
    Abstract: A bead disposition is imaged while performing illumination by reflection illumination or penetration illumination so that a peak point of brightness brighter than the outside of a bead is observed in the inside of the bead and the circumferential portion of the bead is darker than the outside of the bead. A peak point of brightness in the inside of a bead is detected from the image data and adjacent pixels are successively painted with the peak point of brightness as a starting point, wherein the adjacent pixels have a brightness level of t2 or greater. Then, the image data is binarized. A space filling percentage of beads is calculated from the number of white or black pixels of an obtained binary image. Alternatively, binarization can also be performed after detecting a circle or circular arc pattern corresponding to a dark portion in the circumferential portion of bead from the image data by a pattern matching method and painting the inside of the circle or circular arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Ashizaki
  • Patent number: 6271965
    Abstract: A rear projection screen of the present invention includes lens sheets or optical sheets having an optical function of condensing or diffusing light. The lens sheets or optical sheets have, as a whole, two or more diffusing layers (diffusing parts) separately provided in the light-transmitting direction. It is preferable that one of the two or more diffusing layers be provided on the light-entering-side surface of the outermost lens sheet or optical sheet on the light source side and that another one of the diffusing layers be provided on the light-emerging-side surface of the outermost lens sheet or optical sheet on the observation side. Any two of the two or more diffusing layers are such that the light-source-side diffusing layer has a diffusing power lower than that of the observation-side diffusing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideki Miyata
  • Patent number: 6262840
    Abstract: A plano lens according to the present invention includes a transparent base member disposed on a light emission side thereof or light incidence side thereof and a minute-transparent-ball disposing layer having at least minute transparent balls two-dimensionally in a single grain layer on the transparent base member so that the minute transparent balls disposed adjacent to each other should be disposed in contact with or close to each other, and a colored layer disposed so as to expose the minute transparent balls to outside on the light incidence side. The minute-transparent-ball disposing layer has an improved light transmission at a light emission side end portion of the minute transparent ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Watanabe, Hirotsugu Suzuki, Koji Ashizaki, Takeshi Matsui, Tomotaka Ito, Shunichi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6261402
    Abstract: A sure and efficient manufacturing method of a translucent type screen using micro glass beadsis probided. A carbon toner is scattered onto micro glass beads which are buried and fixed in a UV curable resin layer, and the carbon toner is uniformly filled in the gaps between the micro glass beads by a rotating brush or a press roll or the like. The supply and filling of the carbon toner may be simultaneously performed by an air jet nozzle. Subsequently, an extra fine fiber cloth, sticky roll or the like is continuously brought into contact with the upper surface of the carbon toner to remove the carbon toner at the light emission portion of the micro glass beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Watanabe, Tomotaka Ito
  • Publication number: 20010005282
    Abstract: A light transmitting type screen that enables the viewer to see through to its back side when the screen is stuck on a transparent object such as a show window or a transparent window glass or it is used as a transparent object and that is capable of forming clear images projected from a projector thereon is provided. The screen comprises a light scattering layer having a front-scattering property, which comprises spherical microparticles having a mean particle diameter in a certain range dispersed in a binder having a refraction index in a certain range. The light scattering layer is sandwiched between transparent objects such as high-molecular resin sheets or show window glass via an adhesive layer or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: June 28, 2001
    Applicant: KIMOTO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Etori, Yasunori Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 6239907
    Abstract: A dispersing element for a rear projection screen assembly is sensitive to the polarization of the light passing through the element. In particular, the element disperses light having a first polarization differently from light having a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. The dispersing element may be aligned with a polarization axis neither parallel nor perpendicular to the polarization of the light passing through the element. The dispersing element may also be employed with a polarizer to remove unwanted light that propagates through the dispersing element. The dispersing element may also be rotatably mounted relative to a polarized light source so as to vary the angle between the polarization axis of the element and the polarization direction of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard C. Allen, Jeffrey C. Chang, William W. Merrill, Robert S. Moshrefzadeh, Michael F. Weber
  • Patent number: 6233024
    Abstract: In a rear projector with a housing on whose front side is arranged a screen for displaying a video picture, with a brightness-modulated and color-modulated R-G-B light source for emitting a light bundle, with a deflecting device for scanning this light bundle, wherein the light bundle is deflected by the deflecting device over a total angle &agr; with respect to vertical scanning, and with a deflecting mirror which is located in the housing and arranged at an angle &dgr;, wherein the light bundle exiting from a real or virtual vertex of the total deflection angle &agr; is deflected onto the screen by the deflecting mirror, the virtual or real vertex located in front of the deflecting mirror lies at a location where the smallest angle &bgr; of the light bundle to the surface of the screen during deflection is less than 20° and the angle &dgr; is given by δ ≤ 45 ⁢ ° - α 4 + β
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: LDT GmbH & Co. Laser-Display-Technologie KG
    Inventors: Klaus Hiller, Frank Goepfert
  • Patent number: 6204971
    Abstract: Glass microspheres and rear projection screens containing glass microspheres, which combine a desirable index of refraction (preferably, no greater than about 1.70) and low levels of defects (e.g., bubbles, visible haziness, frostiness, or opacity, substantially nonspherical shapes) upon formation are provided. Also provided is a coating method of placing microspheres on a film for use in a rear projection screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Geoffrey P. Morris, Jacqueline C. Rolfs, Leo A. Meyer, Robert S. Moshrefzadeh, Hsin-Hsin Chou, Billy J. Tompkins, Thomas N. Davis
  • Patent number: 6049423
    Abstract: A rear projection screen includes a lenticular lens sheet integrally having a clear layer not containing any diffusing agent, disposed on a light receiving side and having a plurality of lenticular lenses arranged in rows, and a diffusing layer containing a diffusing agent, disposed on a light emitting side and having a plurality of lenticular lenses arranged in rows. The ratio in thickness of the diffusing layer to the lens sheet is in the range of 50% to 70%. The rear projection screen disperses G-light rays traveling perpendicularly through the rear projection screen to a higher degree than light rays of other colors to reduce the gain in order that the uniformity of light intensity distribution on the surface of the rear projection screen as viewed from a position directly in front of the rear projection screen is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiichi Okuda
  • Patent number: 6038070
    Abstract: A permeable image display screen having a lenticular lens sheet including a plurality of semi-cylindrical lens portions and a plurality of non-focusing portions. The lens portions are arranged in parallel with spaces on a side of an image light emission surface of the lenticular lens sheet and contain diffusion particles for diffusing image light incident from an image light incidence surface of the lenticular lens sheet. Each of the non-focusing portions, through which the image light does not pass, is arranged on the side of the image light emission surface and between two adjacent lens portions. A glossy permeable layer is provided on the image light emission surface of the lenticular lens sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidehiko Hori
  • Patent number: 6002500
    Abstract: A holographic screen of a rear projection type for use in a projector for transmitting projection light received from a rear end of the projector onto a viewing surface. The holographic screen includes a holographic sheet including a viewing surface for forming the received projection light into an image viewing, a plurality of diffusion protrusions disposed on the viewing surface in predetermined intervals along horizontal and vertical directions of the viewing surface for diffusing incident projection light, and a plurality of scattering protrusions formed over the entire viewing surface for scattering the received projection light, and a plurality of light absorbers formed between the plurality of protrusions, for absorbing ambient light incident to the viewing surface. Thus, an image with improved contrast is displayed on a viewing surface of the holographic screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Ki Kim
  • Patent number: 5889612
    Abstract: A rear projection screen is described, which comprises an optically transparent plate, a first surface of which is provided with a structure of juxtaposed cylindrical lenses which extend in a first direction and a second, opposite surface intended to be directed towards an audience space is provided with strips of a light-absorbing material. These strips also extend in the first direction. On the second surface the plate comprises diffusing means which are formed by a single element by means of a hologram, which element diffuses the light simultaneously in the first direction at a first angle and in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, at a second angle, the first and the second angle being different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: U.S. Phillips Corporation
    Inventor: Johannes C. Van De Ven
  • Patent number: 5837346
    Abstract: Various forms of light-diffusing screen are disclosed comprising plastics sheets having surface texturing of some kind, adding to or modifying the diffusing effect. The plastics sheets may have bulk diffusing characteristics in addition to the surface texturing. The surface texturing may be produced by, for example, embossing or by molding the plastics against a textured surface such as a "brushed" surface or a ribbed or grooved surface imparting asymmetrical diffusion characteristics to the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignees: Nashua Corporation, Nashua Photo Limited
    Inventors: William Langille, Robin Clabburn
  • Patent number: 5751478
    Abstract: A rear-projection screen having at least a Fresnel lens and a light-diffusing member, and is characterized by having vertical-direction light diffusion properties greater at its upper and lower end portions than at its middle portion. For example, the light-diffusing member contains light-diffusing fine particles and has a vertical lenticular lens that diffuses light in the vertical direction, provided on the light-incident surface of the Fresnel lens. This decreases the rainbows caused by misdirected light and also improves the brightness at the border, without causing a lowering of peak gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Yoshimura, Ichiro Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 5708528
    Abstract: Respective unit displays forming a multiscreen display are divided into two halves of a front half cabinet containing a screen part and a rear half cabinet containing a light box part. In using, the rear half cabinet is fixed in a predetermined position in the front half cabinet. In conveying and storing, the rear half cabinet can be contained in the front half cabnet. Further, in fitting the screen, the screen is fixed as pressed against the fitting frame by using wires or the Fresnel lenses forming the screen are fitted to the fitting frames for the respective projecting units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Keizo Furuya
  • Patent number: 5694245
    Abstract: A projector comprising liquid crystal display panels and a projection lens for projecting the modulated light to a screen. The screen includes a transparent plastic member formed as a lenticular lens. The transparent plastic member has optical anisotropy. In order to eliminate an uneven pattern appearing in the screen caused by optical anisotropy and the difference between the light distribution characteristics in the screen for P- and S-polarized lights, the screen is arranged relative to the projection lens such that an arbitrary light component projected by the projection lens and made incident to the screen is not parallel to the optical axis of the plastic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Takeshi Goto, Toshihiro Suzuki, Tetsuya Kabayashi
  • Patent number: 5687024
    Abstract: A lenticular lens sheet comprising lengthwise long lenticular lenses formed on the light incident-side surface and light emergent-side surface thereof, the lenticular lenses being constituted of cylindrical lenses each having a long dimension in the top and bottom direction of a screen when used, and satisfying0.30.ltoreq..vertline.i.sub.0 (.theta..sub.H).vertline..ltoreq.0.36when parallel light rays are made incident on the surface of its incident-side lens at horizontal incident angles of 0.degree., -11.degree. and +11.degree. and the emergent luminances of the respective light rays are standardized by evaluating the emergent luminance at an emergent-side horizontal visual angle 0.degree. to be 1, and the emergent luminances of the respective light rays at a horizontal visual angle .theta..sub.H .degree. are respectively represented by I.sub.0 (.theta..sub.H), I.sub.-11 (.theta..sub.H) and I.sub.+11 (.theta..sub.H), and when .vertline..theta..sub.H .vertline..ltoreq.40.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Yoshimura, Ichiro Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 5675434
    Abstract: An image projection apparatus of a rear projection type according to the present invention includes: a display portion having three image sources respectively displaying red, green, and blue images; a screen portion on which the red, green, and blue images are projected; and a projection member positioned between the display portion and the screen portion. The screen portion includes an optical member converting a plurality of light beams output from the display portion into a plurality of substantially collimated light beams, and a rear face and a front face provided at a predetermined interval. The rear face is positioned between the front face and the optical member, the rear face and the front face respectively having an array of cylindrical lenses, the optical axial plane of each cylindrical lens on the front screen face substantially coinciding with the optical axial plane of a corresponding cylindrical lens on the rear screen face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 5668662
    Abstract: A front projection screen is made up of a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion having a front surface lenticular lens array and light scattering particles forming a diffusion region between the front and rear surfaces, and the rear portion having a reflective surface spaced apart from the diffusion region. In use, an incoming ray of projected light traverses the diffusion region and the space between the diffusion region and the reflective surface, before being reflected back through these regions again. Thus, the ray traverses different portions of the diffusion region in different directions, increasing the likelihood that the ray will encounter at least one scattering particle, thus reducing the incidence of speckle. A stiffening layer of a glass plate with an anti-reflection coating is bonded to the front surface of the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Philips Electronics North America Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Magocs, Scott H. Baker
  • Patent number: 5661600
    Abstract: A lenticular lens provided on the viewer side of a transmission type screen is composed of at least two layers, that is, a surface layer and a base layer at least one of which contains a light dispersing material, and a visible light absorbing material is mingled in at least one of these two layers, or in the light dispersing material, thereby enhancing the image contrast of the transmission type screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Co., Ltd., Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuaki Mitani, Noboru Yasumatsuya, Ichiro Matsuzaki, Hiroshi Kuwada
  • Patent number: 5615045
    Abstract: A longitudinal-stripe lenticular lens screen and a transverse-stripe lenticular lens screen are superposed, and a light diffusing agent is mixed only in the longitudinal-stripe lenticular lens screen. Therefore, the light transmittance is high although the angle of view can be three-dimensionally widened by the two lenticular lens screens. In addition, since scan lines of an image are blurred by two diffusion planes, Moire becomes inconspicuous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Takuma, Hiromitsu Takeuchi, Takaomi Hanabusa
  • Patent number: 5604632
    Abstract: A screen fixing structure comprises a screen, a frame, an edge side rectangular frame fixed at the edge part of the screen, a holder holding the edge side rectangular frame, holding brackets having an elongated hole, and bushes and screws inserted into the elongated holes and pressing the holding brackets to the frame side. The holding brackets are fixed with the bushes so as to be able to slide freely. Thereby, the screen is fixed so as to expand and contract freely without the movement of the joints of the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Sawai
  • Patent number: 5566370
    Abstract: A compact display system simulates a panoramic view to an observer located at a central viewing station. A toric mirror, comprising a compressed portion of a sphere, has a concave reflective surface disposed in surrounding relation to the given viewing station while a spherical rear projection screen which receives projected image light on its inner surface presents a panoramic image to the toric mirror from its outer surface. A plurality of projectors are disposed tangentially above the upper periphery of the rear projection screen and project associated portions of the light image onto the inside of the screen via fold mirrors. Each projector includes a high intensity CRT and a color shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: C. Gilbert Young
  • Patent number: 5563738
    Abstract: Multi-layer light filters provide optimized gain control, contrast, and ambient light rejection through the addition of optical layers to a basic refraction light filter. These additional layers allow adjustment of the gain, contrast, and ambient light rejection of light filters in a substantially independent manner, and can be combined to simultaneously optimize these optical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Jenmar Visual Systems
    Inventor: Dennis W. Vance
  • Patent number: 5499061
    Abstract: A projection system for pictures and a projection display apparatus which are designed to improve the luminance and contrast of a magnified picture on a projection screen by increasing the luminous flux projected within the effective size of projection optical systems. The projection display apparatus has a picture compressions device for compressing the aspect ratio of the source picture formed on the face plate panel (PNL) of a projection cathode-ray tube (PRT) or a liquid crystal panel (LCP) to make it substantially 1 and an optical system for extending a picture (EXT) for extending the source picture having the same aspect ratio as that of the original picture. With this construction, the whole luminous flux passing the effective size of the projection optical system is maximized with the effect of improving the luminance and contrast of the magnified pictured projected onto the projection screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kentaro Oku
  • Patent number: 5477380
    Abstract: A projection screen comprises a horizontal refracting linear Fresnel lens sheet, a vertical refracting linear Fresnel lens sheet and a light diffusing lenticular lens sheet, which are arranged from the beam-projection side starting with the horizontal refracting linear Fresnel lens sheet followed by the vertical refracting linear Fresnel lens sheet and ending with the light diffusing lenticular lens sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitomu Watanabe, Akira Izawa, Makoto Honda, Satoshi Nakamae, Hiroshi Kojima
  • Patent number: 5394198
    Abstract: A folded, magnifying, front projection arrangement for video displays includes a video image source, such as a flat panel display unit out of the user's field of view, projects its image onto a concave mirror also out of the user's field of view. The video image source is maintained off-axis with respect to the optic axis of the concave mirror and at a distance from the concave mirror between one and two times the distance from the concave mirror to its principal focal surface, which would be the principal focal plane if the concave mirror were a spherical or a parabolic mirror. The concave mirror, in turn, reflects and focuses the light from the video image source onto a projection screen, within the user's field of view, resulting in a magnified image. The distortion of the projected image that would otherwise result from off-axis projection is compensated for by maintaining the plane of the video image source at a non-perpendicular angle to the optic axis of the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventor: Richard H. Janow
  • Patent number: 5307205
    Abstract: Efficient, lower weight, more versatile rear projection screens can be produced by combining in laminated form an unmodified clear matrix resin layer with a second sheet containing light diffusing polymer particles of specific size and size distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Edward G. Ludwig, Jr., Patricia Maxson, John A. Dorazio
  • Patent number: 5196960
    Abstract: A double-sided lenticular lens sheet has an entrance lens layer and an exit lens layer, at least said exit lens layer containing light-diffusing fine particles, and has parameters satisfying the following expressions (I) and (II). ##EQU1## wherein t.sub.1 represents a thickness of the entrance lens layer; t.sub.2, a thickness of the exit lens layer; .DELTA.n.sub.1, a difference in refractive index between the thermoplastic resin and the light-diffusing fine particles in the entrance lens layer; .DELTA.n.sub.2, a difference in refractive index between the thermoplastic resin and the light-diffusing fine particles in the exit lens layer; c.sub.1, a weight concentration of the light-diffusing fine particles in the entrance lens layer; c.sub.2, a weight concentration of the light-diffusing fine particles in the exit lens layer; .rho..sub.1, a gravity of the light-diffusing fine particles in the entrance lens layer; .rho..sub.2, a gravity of the light-diffusing fine particles in the exit lens layer; d.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichiro Matsuzaki, Hiroshi Kuwada, Masao Otaki, Ken Abe
  • Patent number: 5170287
    Abstract: A novel light diffusing resin (material) has been invented which combines excellent light diffusing properties with high light transmission. The combination of properties is possible because the material does not significantly backscatter light. Also, the material exhibits good contact clarity. This light diffusing material is an excellent choice for use in projection systems as a method for hiding scratches or imperfections in a rear projection screen such as TV screen, rear projected slides, liquid crystal display (LCD) screens or thin layer electric decoration sheet by using a plastic sheet containing a specific light diffusing particles therein and having a combination of properties including high light transmission properties that does not significantly backscatter ambient light from outside illuminating sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Edward G. Ludwig, Jr., Shinzo Ushida
  • Patent number: 5066099
    Abstract: A rear projection screen for use in a rear projection image display device comprises one or more sheet members through which light is sequentially transmitted from the side of a plane of incidence of the screen, the last sheet member comprising a transparent material as a base thereof, and a light diffusing layer provided on the side of a plane of emergence of the base. A light diffuser having a refractive index different from that of the base may be dispersed in the base so as to contrive a greater viewing angle. Further, a transperent binder for supporting the light diffuser dispersed in the light diffusing layer or the light diffuser itself may be colored in order to obtain a further enhanced contrast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahoko Yoshida, Masayuki Muranaka, Hiroki Yoshikawa, Koji Hirata, Isao Yoshizaki, Masakuni Teratani, Nobuhiro Konuma