Rear Projection Screen Patents (Class 359/456)
  • Patent number: 7139124
    Abstract: A screen having a wide viewing angle and a projection television including the screen are provided. The screen includes a Fresnel lens sheet for converting incident light into near-parallel light, a lenticular lens sheet including a horizontal array of vertical cylindrical lenses for horizontally emitting light, in which vertical black stripes are formed in parallel on connection portions for the cylindrical lenses, and a light diffusion film including a vertical array of horizontal cylindrical lenses for vertically emitting light, in which horizontal black stripes are formed in parallel on connection portions for the cylindrical lenses. In particular, the screen has a wide vertical viewing angle and a high contrast ratio, thereby providing a high definition image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seok-Il Yoon, Gyu-hwan Hwang
  • Patent number: 7136224
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a rear projection screen that has a high contrast and produces high-quality images. The object is achieved by a rear projection screen and rear projection display apparatus having the same. This rear projection screen contains a vertical lenticular lens sheet on the viewer side, and the vertical lenticular lens sheet includes a lenticular lens capable of vertically refracting the incident light on its incident surface, black stripes in the vicinity of the focus of the lenticular lens in portions where the incident light does not pass through, and a flat surface on its viewer side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kumagai, Ichiro Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 7113333
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a screen or the like that enables a bright, homogeneous projection image to be observed in a wide range across an area where viewers are present. A screen having a micro-lens array formed of a plurality of micro-lens elements each having a first surface having a curvature and a second surface of an almost planar shape through which incident light that comes incident on the first surface can be transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Shunji Kamijima
  • Patent number: 7102819
    Abstract: An optical projection display member includes an optical focusing structure, an optical panel, and a light-absorbing layer. The optical focusing structure has a plurality of micro-optical focusing components. The light-absorbing layer is located between the optical focusing structure and the optics panel. The light-absorbing layer has a plurality of optical transmitting windows corresponding with the micro-optical focusing components. The optical transmitting windows are formed by an optical exposure-developing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean Chang
  • Patent number: 7092158
    Abstract: The invention concerns a screen wherein elements distributed on a single and common diopter enable both collimating and micro-focusing by relecting the light beams projected on said screen; on said diopter can also be distributed elements acting by refraction. The inventive screen has only one main optical component, hence it is not expensive to produce. The invention is particularly applicable to very compact projection devices and to situations with high projection incidence angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Günther Haas
  • Patent number: 7088515
    Abstract: A dual mode autostereoscopic lens sheet. The lens sheet has at least one refractive region and at least one non-refractive region. When the lens sheet is held in intimate juxtaposition with a display, stereoscopic content may be viewed in the refractive region while planar content may be simultaneously viewed in the non-refractive region. In a preferred embodiment, the non-refractive region forms a vertical column on one end of the lens sheet and the refractive region forms a vertical column on the other end of the lens sheet. Advantageously, the refractive region defines a picture area having an aspect ratio of approximately 1.3:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: StereoGraphics Corporation
    Inventor: Lenny Lipton
  • Patent number: 7059730
    Abstract: In the present invention, there is disclosed a reflective mirror whose contrast or resolution performance is equal to that of a surface mirror of a glass mirror for general use and which does not have any problem in reliability of resistance to environment and whose color shift or brightness performance is inhibited from being degraded. For this, in the present invention, a reflective film is formed on a glass substrate by use of silver mirror reaction, and a topcoat is formed of a colorless/transparent resin. At this time, a wavelength of a crest of a ripple indicated by a reflectance characteristic is constituted to substantially agree with that of a green luminescent line. Accordingly, a back projection type video display device which is satisfactory in the contrast or resolution performance can be prepared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Masuoka, Koji Hirata, Kei Adachi, Sadayuki Nishimura, Megumi Sakoo, Yoshie Kodera
  • Patent number: 7038849
    Abstract: Optical properties of a screen on which an image is being projected are considered. A patterned surface is given a predetermined pattern of color pixels whereby a degree of wavelength selectivity is employed to improve the color qualities of the projected image. A system is provided wherein there is a matching of emission characteristics of a projector to the screen's reflective characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Brian Samuels, Nathan Moroney, Xiao-An Zhang, Zhang-Lin Zhou
  • Patent number: 7019899
    Abstract: There is provided a screen, which, with a simple configuration, is capable of effectively utilizing light projected thereon and realizing an even luminance distribution on the screen. This screen has a diffusion layer whose diffusion characteristic expressed as a luminance distribution with respect to a scattering angle of incident light incident at an angle of 0° is varied such that the peak position of the luminance distribution is shifted towards a greater value of scattering angle in the direction of the central portion of the screen the greater the distance from the central portion of the screen is. The present invention also provides an optical film suitable for use in such a screen, and a manufacturing method therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hideya Chubachi, Masayasu Kakinuma, Hiroshi Hayashi, Kazuhito Shimoda, Tomoharu Mukasa, Shina Kuriki
  • Patent number: 7016111
    Abstract: There is provided a screen, which, with a simple configuration, is capable of effectively utilizing light projected thereon and realizing an even luminance distribution on the screen. This screen has a diffusion layer whose diffusion characteristic expressed as a luminance distribution with respect to a scattering angle of incident light incident at an angle of 0° is varied such that the peak position of the luminance distribution is shifted towards a greater value of scattering angle in the direction of the central portion of the screen the greater the distance from the central portion of the screen is. The present invention also provides an optical film suitable for use in such a screen, and a manufacturing method therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hideya Chubachi, Masayasu Kakinuma, Hiroshi Hayashi, Kazuhito Shimoda, Tomoharu Mukasa, Shina Kuriki
  • Patent number: 7012744
    Abstract: The invention provides a transmissive screen having low occurrence of light diffraction and moire-fringing. The invention also provides a rear projector including such a high-quality transmissive screen. A transmissive screen, applied to a rear projector, includes a light-guide plate having substantially cylindrical light-guide spaces arranged in a flat substrate, and a light-exit-angle distribution uniformizing device to make the angular distribution of the light exiting from the substantially cylindrical light-guide spaces of the light-guide plate uniform over the transmissive screen. The light-exit-angle distribution uniformizing device is provided at the light-exiting face side of the light-guide plate. The invention also provides a rear projector including such a transmissive screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masafumi Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 6999232
    Abstract: A rear projection display system is disclosed. The display system includes an image source for projecting an image, a rear reflector, and a screen configured to display the projected image. The screen includes a plurality of reflective elements configured to angularly discriminate light without regard to polarity by reflecting light incident on the screen from a first angle toward the rear reflector, and to allow light incident on the screen from a second angle to be transmitted through the screen for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Peterson, Dave Slobodin, Jeff Gohman, Serge Bierhuizen
  • Patent number: 6962418
    Abstract: A projector 10 projects an image onto a set of screens 14 for image formation. The set of screens 14 includes a first screen 50 and second screens 54 and 56. The projector includes a housing 20, a first screen fixture 74 and a second screen fixture 76. The housing 20 has an opening 30 for fitting the first screen 50 therein. The first screen fixture 74 positions the first screen 50 in the housing opening 30 and fixes an inner surface of the first screen 50 adhesively to the housing 20. The second screen fixture 76 is positioned between the first screen 50 and the first screen fixture 74, and fixes the second screens 54 and 56 between itself and the inside of the first screen 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichiro Utsumi, Dai Yoneya
  • Patent number: 6943947
    Abstract: There is eliminated a fringe pattern produced at the time of incidence of polarized light of a light distribution control element, in which stray light derived from outside unnecessary light in a liquid crystal display apparatus or the like can be effectively reduced, and bright, wide viewing angle characteristics are achieved as viewed at any angle by an observer. In the light distribution control element (100) constituted of a transparent base member (104), an array of a plurality of micro-lenses (transparent beads 105) densely arranged on the transparent base member and a light absorbing layer having very small opening portions substantially at focal positions of the micro-lenses, the transparent base member is constituted of a transparent body which is substantially isotropic optically or a transparent body having uniaxial optical anisotropy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Adachi, Makoto Tsumura, Ikuo Hiyama, Tetsuro Minemura
  • Patent number: 6926412
    Abstract: A projection display apparatus with red (R), green (G), and blue (B) monochromatic cathode ray tubes (CRTs) and three projection lenses, disposed in front of the R, G, and B monochromatic CRTs respectively, along with a screen having a predetermined curvature concave in a view direction to control a view distance and focus the light rays projected from the respective projection lenses. The screen includes a Fresnel screen converting the light rays incident from the projection lenses to have predetermined optical directional characteristics in an optical axis direction, and a Lenticular screen, disposed in front of the Fresnel screen and having a curvature corresponding to the Fresnel screen, for forming images from the light rays passing through the Fresnel screen, controlling a view angle, and enhancing an entire screen luminance. The view distance is determined based on a focal length and a curvature radius of the Fresnel screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-gi Kim, Seok-il Yoon, Suk-sun Lee
  • Patent number: 6905215
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing the moiré effect in rear-projection displays by rotating the dark-stripe structure (711, 712) in the screen (71) 45±15 degrees relative to the displayed pixel structure. By rotating the dark-stripes (711) relative to the displayed pixels, the spatial frequency at which the moiré effect sets in can be improved by 15% to 41%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Dana J. Segler, Jr., Adam J. Kunzman
  • Patent number: 6900945
    Abstract: A lenticular lens sheet 4 comprises a plurality of lens elements of incidence 21 arranged on the incidence side, and a plurality of lens elements of emergence 22 arranged on the emergence side. The light that has passed through each lens element of incidence 21 converges via the protruding apex of the corresponding lens element of emergence 22. The lens plane of the center portion C of each lens element of emergence 22, the width of this portion C being a half of the total lens width L (i.e., L/2), is in the shape defined by a curved line fulfilling the conditions expressed by the following numerical formulae (1) to (4), and the lens plane of each side portion S of each lens element of emergence 22, the width of this portion S being a quarter of the total lens width L (i.e., L/4), is in the shape defined by a curved line fulfilling the conditions expressed by the following numerical formulae (5) to (8): y=a×b?x?e (?L/4?x?0) . . . (1), y=a×bx?e (0?x?L/4) . . . (2), 3.0×10?4<a<3.8×10?4 . . . (3), 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuko Mori, Katsunori Shintani
  • Patent number: 6844950
    Abstract: Blends of oligomeric urethane multi(meth)acrylate; optionally at least one other monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic monomers, styrenic monomers and ethylenically unsaturated nitrogen heterocycles, preferably a polyol multi(meth)acrylate; and nanoparticles of an ethylenically unsaturated, preferably (meth)acrylic-functionalized, titanium or zirconium compound can be cured by ultraviolet radiation in contact with a photoinitiator to produce optical resinous articles having high refractive indices, haze ratings of at most 5% and other properties which may be tailored according to the desired use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bret Ja Chisholm, Dennis Joseph Coyle, James Alan Resue
  • Patent number: 6844968
    Abstract: It is possible to eliminate a fringe pattern produced at the time of incidence of polarized light of a light distribution control element, in which stray light derived from outside unnecessary light in a liquid crystal display apparatus of the like can be effectively reduced, and bright, wide viewing angle characteristics can be achieved when the display is viewed at any angle by an observer. In a light distribution control element constituted of a transparent base member, an array of a plurality of micro-lenses (transparent beads densely arrange on the transparent base member and a light absorbing layer having very small opening portions substantially at focal positions of the micro-lenses, the transparent base member is constituted of a transparent body which is substantially isotropic optically or a transparent body having uniaxial optical anisotrophy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Adachi, Makoto Tsumura, Ikuo Hiyama, Tetsuro Minemura
  • Publication number: 20040263967
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a microlens array sheet of a projection screen including a lens sheet having a predetermined area, microlenses arranged on one surface of the lens sheet in the horizontal and vertical directions, a black matrix including apertures corresponding to the microlenses, and being adhered to the other surface of the lens sheet, an optical diffusing layer formed on the lens sheet to cover the black matrix, for widening a viewing angle, and a protecting film for protecting the optical diffusing layer. The microlens array sheet of the projection screen is manufactured by using a process for manufacturing a semiconductor device, a reflow process and a plating process for a mold, thereby improving luminance and definition of the projection screen at a low unit cost of production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Hyouk Kwon, Young-Joo Yee, Chang-Hoon Oh
  • Patent number: 6836363
    Abstract: A rear projection screen 3 includes a single Fresnel lens sheet 11 having the function of converging projected light entering from its back side and allowing the converged light to emerge from its observation side, or a combination of the Fresnel lens sheet 11 provided on the back side and a lenticular lens sheet 21 provided on the observation side. The Fresnel lens sheet 11 has a Fresnel lens 12 on its observation-side surface and a matte surface 13 as its back-side surface. The matte surface 13 of the Fresnel lens sheet 11 has a specified degree of matting and shows antireflection properties. Preferably, the Fresnel lens sheet 11 has a haze value in a specified range. More preferably, the matte surface 13 of the Fresnel lens sheet 11 has a gloss in a specified range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Goto, Hiroshi Sekiguchi
  • Publication number: 20040257651
    Abstract: An purpose of the present invention is to provide a simple configuration for bonding a lenticular lens sheet, a front sheet, and light diffusion layers together to reduce cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hirata, Akinori Maeda, Nobuo Masuoka
  • Patent number: 6829086
    Abstract: The invention concerns a rear projection screen, comprising a support (22) with focusing elements such as microlenses (26) or lenticular elements, a holographic diffuser, and an opaque layer (36) with apertures (38) for allowing through the light focused by the microlenses. The light projected from the rear of the screen is concentrated by the microlenses (26) and passes through the opaque layer by the apertures (38). The holographic diffuser controls the directivity of the light. The incident light on the screen is absorbed by the opaque layer, such that the layer provides good transmittivity, high contrast, and controlled directivity owing to the holographic diffuser. The invention also concerns a method for making such a rear projection screen whereby the apertures in the opaque layer are formed by irradiating said layer or a preparatory material through the microlenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Synelec Telecom Multimedia
    Inventor: Daniel Gibilini
  • Patent number: 6822792
    Abstract: Provided is a light diffusion sheet or film capable of preventing the reflection of an external light that has entered from a light emission surface and also capable of obtaining a high gain. Also provided is a projection screen using the light diffusion sheet or film. The light diffusion sheet or film has formed thereon, either one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally, a plurality of unit lenses. The unit lens is substantially trapezoidal in cross section. The lower bottom of the trapezoid is made to be a light incidence portion and the upper bottom thereof is made to be a light emission portion. The unit lens is formed using a material having a prescribed refractive index N1. One portion, the cross section of which is triangular and located between an adjacent two of the unit lenses, is formed using a material having a refractive index N2 lower than refractive index N1 and having added thereto light absorption particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Goto
  • Patent number: 6816312
    Abstract: A lenticular lens sheet having (1) a light-transmitting lens sheet body with a lenticular lens group formed of multiple lenticular lenses placed on a surface of the body and a silver salt emulsion light-shielding layer laminated to the other surface of the light-transmitting lens sheet body. Light-transmitting areas in the light-shielding layer correspond to light-converging parts of the lenticular lenses on the body. The positions of the light-shielding areas correspond to non-light-converging parts of the lenticular lenses. The light-shielding characteristics result from the darkened silver dispersed in the silver salt emulsion. A method for making the lenticular lens sheet is disclosed also.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kumpei Oda, Masashi Nishiyama, Shinichi Handa, Yoshiyuki Yamashita
  • Patent number: 6816306
    Abstract: A light-transmission screen includes a diffusing element formed from a micro-lens array for projecting images in a viewing space. The screen generates images of improved quality by varying structural features of one or more lenses in the array so that light is directed in different directions and/or with different optical properties compared with other lenses in the array. The structural features which are varied include any one or more of size, shape, curvature, or spacing of the lenses in the array. As a result of these variations, the screen achieves wider viewing angles, improved screen resolution and gain, and a greater ability to reduce or eliminate aliasing or other artifacts in the generated images compared with conventional screens. A method for making a light-transmission screen of this type preferably forms the micro-lens array using a stamping operation based on a master.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Bright View Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Robert P. Freese, David Reed, Dale S. Walker
  • Publication number: 20040212880
    Abstract: An optical projection display member includes an optical focusing structure, an optical panel, and a light-absorbing layer. The optical focusing structure has a plurality of micro-optical focusing components. The light-absorbing layer is located between the optical focusing structure and the optics panel. The light-absorbing layer has a plurality of optical transmitting windows corresponding with the micro-optical focusing components. The optical transmitting windows are formed by an optical exposure-developing step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: Sean Chang
  • Patent number: 6805447
    Abstract: A flat mirror for folding an optical path in a casing of a rear projection television is arranged in the casing on not the side of a screen but a rear or upper side of the casing. In order to direct an optical path of an image projection to a flat mirror on a rear or upper side of the casing, a plurality of focusing mirrors, with which a light beam can be directed at a large angle with respect to a normal line of the screen and can focus an image through a shorter distance compared with a conventional lens system, are used. Since the light beam projected by the focusing mirrors is directed at high angle and reflected by the rear or upper side flat mirror in the casing, the light beam is focused on the screen provided on a front side of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: NEC Viewtechnology Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadashi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6798572
    Abstract: A transmission screen sheet which is given a large number of lens-like forms on the surface like ridges and has a thickness of 0.1 to 2.0 mm, wherein (i) the sheet is formed from a thermoplastic resin whose inclination (W) obtained from the relationship between melt viscosity (Y) and load (X) satisfies the following expression (1) when the melt viscosity is in the range of 102 to 103 Pa·s, and (i) the lens-like forms change in height substantially non-stepwise from the center portion or a portion near the center portion to the end portions of the sheet in a direction perpendicular to the ridges: 2×10−2≦W≦6×10−2  (1) wherein W is represented by the following equation: W=−(log Y/X) wherein X is a load (MPa) and Y is the melt viscosity (Pa·s) of the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignees: Teijin Chemicals, Ltd., Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanao Jinno, Masayoshi Miyauchi, Makoto Honda, Michihisa Ide
  • Patent number: 6788460
    Abstract: Screen apparatuses are provided which include a first lens or holographic optical element layer and a second mask layer. The first layer substantially collimates image light rays to impinge on the mask layer. The mask layer provides an array or matrix of projecting members. Each of the projecting members receives and focuses the substantially collimated light rays to corresponding focal points. The mask layer includes a mask that blocks light transmission except where openings are located. The openings allow the light focused through the focal joints to substantially pass through the mask to form an image. The screen apparatuses can be advantageously employed in display apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Richard M. Knox, Dale S. Walker
  • Patent number: 6785048
    Abstract: A rear-projection screen 3, including at least a lenticular lens sheet 32 and a Fresnel lens sheet 31, is configured so that the lenticular lens sheet 32 contains, in a base material thereof made of a resin, light diffusing microparticles made of a resin having a refractive index different from a refractive index of the base material, and the light diffusing microparticles satisfy 0.5 &mgr;m≦&Dgr;N1×d1≦0.9 &mgr;m, where &Dgr;N1 represents a difference between a refractive index of the light diffusing microparticles and a refractive index of the base material of the lenticular lens sheet, and d1 represents an average particle diameter of the light diffusing microparticles. With this, a rear-projection screen with small wavelength dependency of diffusion characteristics can be provided utilizing only resins with general properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamaguchi, Kenichi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6781733
    Abstract: An optical film comprising microlenses, a light shield layer and a light diffusion layer, wherein, for example, the light transmittance passing through the light shield layer is modulated depending on changed concentrations of silver or a compound containing silver dispersed in gelatin in the light shield layer, has wide angle of field properties and high contrast properties, and can be applied to image display apparatuses such as a liquid crystal display to improve angle of field properties, contrast properties and to prevent image deterioration against outer light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuo Hira
  • Patent number: 6770425
    Abstract: Self-aligned aperture masks are produced using a positive-acting photoresist (18) which is developed with a liquid developer. The apertures (30) of the mask have lower levels of inter-aperture variability than masks produced using mechanical transfer of toner particles (FIGS. 4-5 and 7-8), both for the apertures of a given mask and between masks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael D. Brady, Céline C. Guermeur, Yann P. M. Nédeléc
  • Publication number: 20040141234
    Abstract: To provide a transmissive screen having low occurrence of light diffraction and moire-fringing, and also to provide a rear projector including such a high-quality transmissive screen. A transmissive screen applied to a rear projector, including a light-guide plate having substantially cylindrical light-guide spaces arranged in a flat substrate, and light-exit-angle distribution uniformizing means for making the angular distribution of the light exiting from the substantially cylindrical light-guide spaces of the light-guide plate uniform over the transmissive screen, the light-exit-angle distribution uniformizing means being provided at the light-exiting face side of the light-guide plate. A rear projector including such a transmissive screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masafumi Sakaguchi
  • Publication number: 20040120037
    Abstract: A rear projection screen includes a first optical component and a second optical component adjacent to the first optical component. In this case, the second component has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of cylindrical convex portions are respectively formed on both surfaces. A plurality of concave portions corresponding to the cylindrical convex portions of the first surface are respectively formed between the cylindrical convex portions of the second surface. A light absorbing material is applied to each concave part. Furthermore, the invention also provides an optical component used in the rear projection screen and a method for manufacturing the optical component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Jen-Huai Chang, Jyh-Horng Wang, Chiang Hsing Liu
  • Patent number: 6754005
    Abstract: This invention is a lenticular lens sheet including an incidence plane that has a plurality of lens surfaces and an outgoing plane. A focal length at a center portion of each of the plurality of lens surfaces is longer. A focal length at an edge portion of each of the plurality of lens surfaces is shorter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Goto, Kumpei Oda
  • Patent number: 6728032
    Abstract: A rear projection display system is provided. The display system includes an image source for projecting an image, a rear reflector, and a screen configured to display the projected image. The screen includes a plurality of angularly discriminating reflective elements configured to reflect light incident on the screen from a first angle toward the rear reflector, and to allow light incident on the screen from a second angle to be transmitted through the screen for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Peterson, Dave Slobodin, Jeff Gohman, Serge Bierhuizen
  • Publication number: 20040075898
    Abstract: To provide The invention provides a transmissive screen which does not readily cause light diffraction and the generation of moire fringing and to provide a rear projector having such a superior transmissive screen. A The transmissive screen including can include a Fresnel lens portion having Fresnel lens components on the surface of the light-exiting face thereof, a microlens array portion disposed at the light-exiting face side of the Fresnel lens portion and having many microlenses on the surface of the light-incident face, and a light diffusing portion disposed between the Fresnel lens portion and the microlens array portion. A rear projector having such a superior transmissive screen. Such a transmissive screen can be incorporated into a rear projector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masafumi Sakaguchi, Hideto Yamashita
  • Patent number: 6717626
    Abstract: A protection panel is provided that enhances the color quality and/or contrast of a rear projection television set. The protection panel has a spectral transmittance that peaks at dominant wavelengths of red, green, and blue light, and that is reduced at wavelengths between red and green light and between green and blue light. The spectral transmittance at the dominant wavelengths is between sixty and eighty percent. Preferably, the spectral transmittance at the wavelengths between red and green light and between green and blue light are at least five percent less than at the dominant wavelengths. In addition, the spectral transmittance at a dominant wavelength of red light is about five percent less than at a dominant wavelength of blue light to reduce blue color saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc.
    Inventors: Taiji Kondo, Yuzo Nakano, Taketoshi Hibi
  • Patent number: 6715879
    Abstract: A projection device comprises a projector (1) for providing a light beam (3, 13) to be projected in polarized light. A adjustable liquid crystal element (4) for changing the direction of polarization is arranged between the projector (1) and the transmissive projection screen (2). The transmissive projection screen (2) comprises a polarizing diffusion layer (9). The extent of changing the direction of polarization by the adjustable liquid crystal element (4) for changing the direction of polarization is adjustable. The extent of changing the direction of polarization and hence the extent of diffusion in the transmissive projection screen (2) is adjustable by way of adjusting the voltage from a voltage source which is coupled to the adjustable liquid crystal element (4) for changing the direction of polarization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Adrianus Johannes Stephanes Maria De Vaan
  • Patent number: 6698901
    Abstract: An image forming system is provided which includes an optical sheet and an image projector. The optical sheet is constructed by joining a plurality of sheet members with adjoining sheet members meeting to form a joint line. The image projector produces an image and projects the image to the optical sheet through a projection optical system. The relative positional relationship between the image projector and optical sheet is such that the optical axis of the projection optical system included in the image projector perpendicularly intersects the joint line in the optical sheet. Thus, reflection or scattering of light at the joint line is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Kobayashi, Kazuya Yamanaka, Masakatsu Ohuchi, Isao Doshida
  • Patent number: 6692647
    Abstract: A beaded light dispersing film has a substrate layer, and an optically transparent layer, having a predetermined thickness, disposed over a side of the substrate layer. Optically transmitting beads are arranged to penetrate at least partially into the transparent layer to define clear apertures at interfaces between the beads and the transparent layer. The bead radius is greater than the predetermined thickness. An absorbing layer is disposed on the transparent layer, in interstices between the beads. A method of manufacturing the film includes disposing optically transparent beads partially in an optically transparent layer disposed over a transparent substrate layer. The optically transparent layer has a thickness less than half a diameter of a transparent bead. An absorbing layer overlies the optically transparent layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert S. Moshrefzadeh, Ragunath Padiyath, Richard J. Pokorny, Hsin-hsin Chou, Jeffrey C. Chang, Colleen M. Brenner
  • Patent number: 6671093
    Abstract: A screen for a rear projection type projector includes a main screen formed by bonding a plurality of lenticular lens sheets into one with the edges thereof as a junction plane, and a transmissive diffusion screen for rear use including an image forming layer and a transparent layer arranged behind the main screen on an optical path of light fluxes projected from a projector, wherein the junction plane is located at a position near the center of a main surface of the main screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6650472
    Abstract: It is possible eliminate a fringe pattern produced at the time of incidence of polarized light of a light distribution control element, in which stray light derived from outside unnecessary light in a liquid crystal display apparatus or the like can be effectively reduced, and bright, wide viewing angle characteristics can be achieved when the display is viewed at any angle by an observer. In a light distribution control element constituted of a transparent base member, an array of a plurality of micro-lenses (transparent beads) densely arranged on the transparent base member and a light absorbing layer having very small opening portions substantially at focal positions of the micro-lenses, the transparent base member is constituted of a transparent body which is substantially isotropic optically or a transparent body having uniaxial optical anisotropy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaya Adachi, Makoto Tsumura, Ikuo Hiyama, Tetsuro Minemura
  • Publication number: 20030206342
    Abstract: A light-transmission screen includes a diffusing element formed from a micro-lens array for projecting images in a viewing space. The screen generates images of improved quality by varying structural features of one or more lenses in the array so that light is directed in different directions and/or with different optical properties compared with other lenses in the array. The structural features which are varied include any one or more of size, shape, curvature, or spacing of the lenses in the array. As a result of these variations, the screen achieves wider viewing angles, improved screen resolution and gain, and a greater ability to reduce or eliminate aliasing or other artifacts in the generated images compared with conventional screens. A method for making a light-transmission screen of this type preferably forms the micro-lens array using a stamping operation based on a master.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: Bright View Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Reed, Robert P. Freese, Dale S. Walker
  • Publication number: 20030202244
    Abstract: Self-aligned aperture masks are produced using a positive-acting photoresist (18) which is developed with a liquid developer. The apertures (30) of the mask have lower levels of inter-aperture variability than masks produced using mechanical transfer of toner particles (FIGS. 4-5 and 7-8), both for the apertures of a given mask and between masks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael D. Brady, Celine C. Guermeur, Yann P. M. Nedelec
  • Patent number: 6624933
    Abstract: A front faceplate used in a rear projection type screen is disclosed. The front faceplate have a diffusing layer in a region prescribed distances away from each of a light-entering surface and a light-exiting surface of the front faceplate. The light-entering surface of the front faceplate is a mirror surface. Also, the distance of the diffusing layer from the light-exiting surface is greater than the distance of the diffusing layer from the light-entering surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Fujita
  • Patent number: 6621530
    Abstract: A projection television has a screen with a three dimensional hologram on a film substrate for collecting light over a range of incident angles and redirecting the light more nearly forward. Vertical and horizontal holograms can have varying gain across a horizontal viewing span of ±40° and a vertical viewing span of ±20° can be stacked. Image projection tubes project an image onto at least one mirror that reflects the image along an optical path that converges at an angle of projection, &phgr;, between about 0° and 30° relative to an axis orthogonal to the screen. Each tube can have a separate mirror. The hologram redirects the images reflected to an angle of display relative to the orthogonal axis of the screen of from 0 to 5°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventors: Estill Thone Hall, Jr., Wendy Rene Pfile
  • Patent number: 6597502
    Abstract: A rear projection screen including a Fresnel lens sheet arranged on the projection side, and a lenticular lens sheet arranged on the observation side. The Fresnel lens sheet has a lenticular lens for vertical diffusion on its light-entering side. The lenticular lens for vertical diffusion contains a plurality of convex lenses that extend horizontally, and these plural convex lenses are arranged with a constant pitch. Further, the diffusion angle of the lenticular lens for vertical diffusion continuously increases, and, at the same time, the direction of diffusion is gradually inclined to the central part side as the distance from the central part toward each of the edges on the screen surface increases. The diffusion properties (the angle and direction of diffusion) of the lenticular lens thus continuously vary between the central part and edges of the screen surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Takahashi, Masahiro Goto, Hitomu Watanabe, Makoto Honda, Kumpei Oda, Katsunori Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6594079
    Abstract: This disclosure provides an image screen having anti-reflective qualities, such as might be used in projection television. In particular, an opaque black layer is formed on a front, viewer-side of the screen using the transmissive properties of the projection screen itself, e.g., as defined by a bubble lens array on the back side of the screen. In one embodiment, light is transmitted through a Fresnel lens, through a bubble lens array, and onto a photoresist to expose transmissive “pinholes” in the photoresist. Photoresist is then removed in unexposed areas, and an anti-reflective material is deposited over the entire viewer-side of the screen. Remaining photoresist is then removed from transmissive areas to leave the anti-reflective material in all areas not receptive to projection light. The material is developed and cured and the front side is optionally protected with a sealant layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Trott, Andreas Weber