Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for a dual front/rear projection screen having a first exterior surface and a second exterior surface are disclosed herein. The second exterior surface may be shaped to facilitate transmission and reflection of a portion of light and enable viewing an image from both sides of the projection screen.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is an element having variable optical properties, comprising: (a) a system having electrically controlled variable light scattering, of the optical-valve or liquid-crystal system type, a suspended-particle system or a holographic or thermotropic system (a?) which is associated with (b) at least one absorbent element, absorbing at least in the visible range. It applies especially to the manufacture of backprojection screens.

Abstract: A light diffusion sheet, a method of producing a light diffusion sheet, and a screen using the light diffusion sheet, are provided. The method of producing a light diffusion sheet includes transferring an uneven form of a surface of a mold to form a light diffusion layer having an uneven surface; and repeating the transferring step twice or more to stack two layers or more of the light diffusion layers on a substrate.

Abstract: A method of making a louver device for a light guide screen. More specifically, in a specific embodiment, a transparent layer is provided. A plurality of similarly angled surfaces are established within the transparent layer. The angled surfaces are coated with a light-reflective material such that the coated surfaces define a plurality of light paths through the transparent layer.

Abstract: In a diffusion sheet 101, a plurality of approximately trapezoidal columnar unit lens portions 11 are disposed such that the long-axis directions thereof are in parallel with each other, and all the surfaces of the unit lens portions, which correspond to the long bottom segments 112 of the approximately trapezoidal sections of the unit lens portions 11 are disposed on a light-incident-side flat surface. Further, light absorbing portions 12 are disposed in the grooves betweenadjacent unit lens portions 11 to absorb and/or shield external light incident from a light outgoing side. In the diffusion sheet 101 arranged as described above, light incident on the unit lens portions 11 from a light incident side is totally reflected on the surfaces corresponding to the side segments 111 of the approximately trapezoidal sections vertical to the long-axis direction of the unit lens portions and outgoes from the light outgoing side.

Abstract: A display unit includes a housing having a front end portion, upper and lower walls, and two opposite side walls, and formed with a rib that protrudes from one of the upper and lower walls and that extends between the side walls in a transverse direction relative to the side walls, and a retaining groove that is indented from the other of the upper and lower walls, and that extends between the side walls in the transverse direction. When two of the display units are stacked one above the other, the rib on one of the display units is fitted into the retaining groove in the other of the display units. A screen is mounted on the front end portion of the housing. An image projecting device is mounted in the housing for projecting images onto the screen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique suitable for making a set more compact by realizing reduction in height and reduction in depth. An image display apparatus of the present invention includes a reflecting mirror (4) for reflecting the image sent from a projection lens (2), and guiding the image to a transmissive screen (3). The reflecting-mirror (4) includes a planar mirror section (4a) for reflecting, of the entire image exiting the projection lens (2), only image portions projected onto the upper section of the transmissive screen (3), and a Fresnel mirror section (4b) with multiple reflective prisms for reflecting only image portions projected onto the lower section of the screen (3).

Abstract: In a rear projection display apparatus including a transmission type screen installed on the front face of an apparatus main body, and a video projector disposed inside the apparatus main body and projecting video on the transmission type screen from the rear side thereof, the transmission type screen includes a lens sheet and is configured such that a plurality of pull portions provided along horizontal and longitudinal sides of the lens sheet are pulled upward and downward, and leftward and rightward, respectively, by a pulling device provided to extend along the circumference of the lens sheet.

Abstract: A screen for use in a projection-type image display apparatus having an image displaying element which includes a plurality of pixels for modulating light from a light source so as to form an enlarged picture on the screen. The screen includes a Fresnel lens sheet, a first sheet disposed on the light emission side of the Fresnel lens sheet, and a second sheet disposed on a light emission side of the first sheet. The first sheet includes a plurality of lenticular lenses which extend in a longitudinal direction and are arranged in a horizontal direction, with light passing window portions being formed at positions opposing the lenticular lenses and with light absorbing portions provided therebetween.

Abstract: In a mirror with a non-reflective portion provided within its reflective mirror surface as an information provider the portion is transparent and is backed by a display. The display has a moving image or has a colored image representation. Preferably at least one loudspeaker is connected to the display behind the mirror surface. That loudspeaker can also be connected to an input device.

Abstract: In a diffusion sheet 101, a plurality of approximately trapezoidal columnar unit lens portions 11 are disposed such that the long-axis directions thereof are in parallel with each other, and all the surfaces of the unit lens portions, which correspond to the long bottom segments 112 of the approximately trapezoidal sections of the unit lens portions 11 are disposed on a light-incident-side flat surface. Further, light absorbing portions 12 are disposed in the grooves between adjacent unit lens portions 11 to absorb and/or shield external light incident from a light outgoing side. In the diffusion sheet 101 arranged as described above, light incident on the unit lens portions 11 from a light incident side is totally reflected on the surfaces corresponding to the side segments 111 of the approximately trapezoidal sections vertical to the long-axis direction of the unit lens portions and outgoes from the light outgoing side.

Abstract: An imaging material has been developed which provides improved image contrast, increased gain and increased viewing angle. A method for production of the screen element is also described. The imaging material of the invention includes a refractive optical element which redirects incident light along a desired axis, a light transmissive focusing region which diffuses the light along the desired axis, and a controlled light-transmissive region which controls backscatter and increases contrast. The refractive optical element desirably includes an active surface such as a lenticular array embossed thereon which serves to redirect incident light as desired. The focusing region desirably is made of a matrix material having a refractive index n1, having dispersed throughout the matrix asymmetric micro-bodies that have a refractive index n2 different from n1. The controlled light-transmissive region may desirably comprise an alternating black stripe and transparent region.

Abstract: By using high and low refractive index materials, a planarized reflective-refractive Fresnel lens and a planarized refractive lenticular lens can be created. These flat screen components eliminate the need for an air-gap, thus reducing the screen thickness. Additionally, this allows for the screen to be manufactured on a roll-to-roll process that can significantly reduce the screen cost. By adding the capability of planarizing the elements, they can be combined in a final structure on a roll-to-roll process. Since the Fresnel lens can be combined with the lenticular lens before exposure of the black stripe region, the exposure of the black stripe region can account for any deviation from true collimation or non-normal angle of incidence of the light path in the projection system design.

Abstract: The present invention relates to projection films and methods of making the same. In particular, the present invention relates to a projection film whereby the microspheres exhibit improved alignment on the light exit surface and have alignment on the light entrance surface that varies according to the individual microsphere diameter. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a projection film that has the attributes of variable gain within the single projection film. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to an exposed microsphere projection film construction that provides modification of the head-on and angular pattern of light transmission (gain).

Abstract: The present invention provides a technology suitable for shortening a depth of a image display apparatus while obtaining a picture of high quality. According to the invention, a total reflection prism portion is provided on a side of a Fresnel lens sheet toward a picture source. The total reflection prism portion reflects an incident light to a direction toward an optic axial center of the Fresnel lens sheet to have the same outgoing. On the other hand, a first refractive prism portion, by which light of a predetermined incident angle or less is refracted to outgo to a direction along an optical axis of the Fresnel lens sheet, and a second refractive prism portion, by which light reflected to the direction toward the optic axial center of the Fresnel lens sheet is changed to the direction along the optical axis.

Abstract: A display device has a screen, a housing, a mirror, and a projector. The housing extending away from one side of the screen and has an opening. The mirror is disposed within the housing. The projector is moveable relative to the housing to selectively engage the opening for projection at the mirror and to extend away from a second side of the screen for projection onto a surface.

Abstract: Images that are bright even on the periphery of a transmissive screen are obtained by reducing reflection loss of the screen when the screen incident angle of the image light entering the upper left and right ends of the screen increases. Incident-side prisms (10), each having at least a plane-of-incidence (c) onto which light comes in, an exit face (d) from which the light that has come in from the plane-of-incidence exits after being refracted, and a refractive face (e) on which the light that has exited from the exit face is refracted and then guided to the image-viewing side of the Fresnel lens sheet (6), are provided in the range where the incident angle of the incoming light becomes equal to or greater than approximately 40 degrees.

Abstract: A combination screen. The combination screen can be configured to provide both light diffusion functionality and light redirection functionality.

Abstract: A video system includes a video projector located in a housing a display screen disposed adjacent to the housing, wherein the display screen is capable of being tilted to expose the video projector, logic for generating a test image to display on the tilted display screen in order to calibrate the video projector, logic for projecting the test image onto the tilted display screen; and logic for calibrating the video projector using the test image. The test image is altered to fit the tilted display screen.

Abstract: In a diffusion sheet 101, a plurality of approximately trapezoidal columnar unit lens portions 11 are disposed such that the long-axis directions thereof are in parallel with each other, and all the surfaces of the unit lens portions, which correspond to the long bottom segments 112 of the approximately trapezoidal sections of the unit lens portions 11 are disposed on a light-incident-side flat surface. Further, light absorbing portions 12 are disposed in the grooves between adjacent unit lens portions 11 to absorb and/or shield external light incident from a light outgoing side. In the diffusion sheet 101 arranged as described above, light incident on the unit lens portions 11 from a light incident side is totally reflected on the surfaces corresponding to the side segments 111 of the approximately trapezoidal sections vertical to the long-axis direction of the unit lens portions and outgoes from the light outgoing side.

Abstract: A large-sized transportable projection screen comprising an any-shaped fillable hollow body, which is embodied in the form of a structure consisting of fillable tubes. The aim is to develop a large-sized transportable projection screen exhibiting an increased stability and making it possible to obtain an improved projection at daylight. For this purpose, the structure defines a three-dimensional internal space limited on all sides thereof, wherein the tubes are oriented in three directions in space and the internal space is limited by at least one display surface arranged at the level of an edge formed by a part of tubes.

Abstract: An image display apparatus that can display three-dimensional-like images having a superior visual effect in a simple manner is provided. This image display apparatus is constituted by a projector 20 and a decorative display unit 10 comprising a light transmitting substrate having multiple colored dots arranged on one surface of the substrate and multiple light transmitting light converging elements arranged on the other surface of the substrate, at least a part of which is provided with an image formation means for forming an image from light projected from the projector 20. With this image display apparatus, a virtual image of the dots is formed on a plane different from the plane of the image projected on the image formation means to provide a three-dimensional-like visual effect. It is preferred that directivities of the arrangements of the dots and light converging elements of the decorative display unit 10 are identical to each other, and pitches thereof are different from each other.

Abstract: A Fresnel lens of the prior art is split into two Fresnel lenses to allow easier control of the horizontal and vertical viewing angles. In a second embodiment, the Fresnel lens is entirely eliminated. Instead, the diffuser contains elliptical microstructures so that the diffusing cones in orthogonal directions are different, eliminating the need for a Fresnel lens to perform this function. To compensate for the absence of the light collimation provided by the Fresnel lens, a diffuser with spatially varying diffusing angles is used.

Abstract: In a diffusion sheet 101, a plurality of approximately trapezoidal columnar unit lens portions 11 are disposed such that the long-axis directions thereof are in parallel with each other, and all the surfaces of the unit lens portions, which correspond to the long bottom segments 112 of the approximately trapezoidal sections of the unit lens portions 11 are disposed on a light-incident-side flat surface. Further, light absorbing portions 12 are disposed in the grooves between adjacent unit lens portions 11 to absorb and/or shield external light incident from a light outgoing side. In the diffusion sheet 101 arranged as described above, light incident on the unit lens portions 11 from a light incident side is totally reflected on the surfaces corresponding to the side segments 111 of the approximately trapezoidal sections vertical to the long-axis direction of the unit lens portions and outgoes from the light outgoing side.

Abstract: A display has a screen which incorporates a light modulator. The screen may be a front projection screen or a rear-projection screen. Elements of the light modulator may be controlled to adjust the intensity of light emanating from corresponding areas on the screen. The display may provide a high dynamic range.

Abstract: A bar or counter structure is provided that includes a rear projection screen disposed in an opening defined in the upper surface of the structure and a projection system for projecting images onto the projection screen from beneath the screen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a projector screen for image projection, comprising a transparent support (16) which fixes the screen shape and a light-scattering layer, which covers at least one defined projection surface within the screen shape, whereby, in order to reduce the corona effect which degrades the image contrast and the image resolution, the light-scattering layer is embodied as a coating (18) on a very thin transparent film (17). Said film (17) is fixed to the separate support (16) and optically decoupled from the support (16), preferably by means of an air gap (19).

Abstract: A polymer sheet for use in a projection screen comprises polyorgano silsesquioxane microspheres that enhance light diffusing characteristics. Also disclosed is a projection screen comprising at least two glass plates and the polymer sheet disposed therebetween. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a polymer sheet by incorporating the microspheres with the polymer.

Abstract: A display has a first array of pixels connected to emit individually-controlled amounts of light onto a second array of pixels. The second array of pixels is connected to pass individually-controllable portions of the light. The display has a controller connected to control the pixels of the first and second arrays of pixels. The controller is configured to control the pixels of the first array of pixels to provide on the second array of pixels an approximation of an image specified by image data; determine a difference between the image and the approximation of the image at individual pixels of the second array of pixels; and control the pixels of the second array of pixels to modulate the approximation of the image according to the corresponding determined differences.

Abstract: A display has a screen which incorporates a light modulator. The screen may be a front projection screen or a rear-projection screen. Elements of the light modulator may be controlled to adjust the intensity of light emanating from corresponding areas on the screen. The display may provide a high dynamic range.

Abstract: A screen for displaying an image by projection light includes: a selectively reflective layer having reflection properties with respect to light in a specific wavelength region corresponding to the projection light, and having absorption properties with respect to light in a wavelength region other than the specific wavelength region. And the selectively reflective layer includes an optical multilayer film having a dielectric film and a light-absorbing thin film having transmission properties, and a reflective layer for reflecting light which has passed through the optical multilayer film.

Abstract: A multi-direction image viewing system includes a triangular or rectangular image case, and plural projectors symmetrically installed to the inner sides of the image case in three or four directions. Projecting light paths cross each other so that the size of the image case is reduced to 1/6.7 to ? of the size of the conventional image case. By reducing the weight of the image case through size reduction, the multi-direction image viewing system can serve as a mobile multi-direction image viewing system coupled with a trailer and transported by a small sized vehicle such as a motorcycle, as a wide viewing angle multi-direction image system attached to a wall and coupled with the safety fence of the bus terminal or the subway station, and as an image viewing system mounted to a ceiling or wall.

Abstract: A diffusing sheet, a surface light source unit, and a transmission type display that can attain uniform illumination so that the brightness of light on the display screen appears uniform regardless of the position from which the display screen is observed. The diffusing sheet includes, on its light-emerging side surface, a diffusion lens array having a plurality of unit lenses, each unit lens being in a shape equivalent to a part of an elliptic cylinder having an elliptical cross section. The surface light source unit includes the diffusing sheet and a convergent sheet 12 that has a plurality of unit lenses 121 having almost trapezoidal cross sections, formed on one surface thereof. It is possible to attain uniform illumination by diffusing light from cathode ray tubes in the surface light source unit, and, at the same time, to converge the light serving as backlight to enhance optical efficiency.

Abstract: A multi-region light scattering element with the optical characteristics of low speckle, high resolution high contrast, and high gain when used as an imaging element without any resulting loss of transmission or brightness with viewing angle. The multi-region light scattering element contains at least one region asymmetrically shaped light scattering features that are separated from a second light scattering region by a non-scattering region. In one embodiment, one or more of the regions contains particles that are asymmetrically shaped that improve the optical performance. In one embodiment, asymmetric particles are located in two regions separated by a non-scattering region with the particles within each region substantially aligned along an axis and the two axes are substantially perpendicular to each other. Methods for production of the screen element are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical member having excellent anti-reflection properties, capable of being produced inexpensively as compared with conventional optical members having anti-reflection properties and of being mass-produced with quality kept constant. An optical member 1 has a plane of incidence 3 and a plane of emergence 5. The plane of emergence 5 has, as an optical element, prisms 2 by which the optical path of incident light (see symbol X) is changed. The plane of incidence 3 has a plurality of minute concavities 4 (see FIG. 2) by which reflection of incident light is prevented.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus including: a liquid crystal display element having a liquid crystal layer; a backlight apparatus arranged at one side of the couple of substrates of the liquid crystal display element; a polarizer arranged between the liquid crystal display element and the backlight apparatus; a luminous intensity distribution control element arranged at the other side of the couple of substrates of the liquid crystal display element; an analyzer arranged between the liquid crystal display element and the luminous intensity distribution control element, wherein the luminous intensity distribution control element comprises a transparent base member, a plural lenses arranged on the transparent base member, and a light absorbing layer having small opening portions substantially at focal positions of an individual lens of the plural lenses, and the transparent base member is constituted of a transparent body substantially optically isotropic or a transparent body having uniaxial optical anisotro

Abstract: A multi-display apparatus includes a plurality of panels connected to each other and displaying an image, wherein the plurality of panels comprise a top emission type display apparatus and a bottom emission type display apparatus, and the top emission type display apparatus and the bottom emission type display apparatus are connected to each other such that the top emission type display apparatus and the bottom emission type display apparatus emit light in a same direction, and the top emission type display apparatus and the bottom emission type display apparatus are arranged with a step difference therebetween such that pixel boundaries of adjacent side boundary surfaces of the top emission type display apparatus and of the bottom emission type display apparatus overlap each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a screen for projectors which comprises a screen base in which at least two kinds of colorants selected from a colorant having an absorption wavelength region in 400 nm to 440 nm, a colorant having an absorption wavelength region in 470 nm to 510 nm, and a colorant having an absorption wavelength region in 570 nm to 610 nm are carried on the whole image display area of the screen base. Also disclosed are processes for producing the screen and projectors having the screen.

Abstract: A screen includes a lens array having a plurality of spherical lens elements. A first length of the spherical lens elements, along a first direction at substantially a center of each of respective spherical lens elements, and a second length of the spherical lens elements, along a second direction at substantially the center of each of the respective lens elements and substantially orthogonal to the first direction, are set such that the second length is larger than the first length. A curvature center position of any one of the plurality of spherical lens elements is arranged to be at substantially a half of the first length along the first direction, with respect to a curvature center position of another spherical lens element adjacent to the lens element in the second direction.

Abstract: A rear projection-type screen includes two sheet-like members having lenses prevented from being deformed and scratched. In the rear projection-type screen (5) for passing and focusing image light L emitted from an image light source (3), two sheet-like members (a lenticular lens sheet 7 and a Fresnel lens sheet 8) each made of a transparent material and having minute lenses (9) and (11) formed on at least one surface thereof are disposed such that their surfaces (7b) and (8a) with the lenses formed thereon confront each other, and a plurality of spacers (14), (14), . . . are disposed at appropriate spaced intervals between the confronting lenses of the two sheet-like members within an effective screen area (5a) for passing and focusing the image light thereon.

Abstract: A projector of rear-projection type including a light source that outputs a laser beam and a scanner that scans a screen with the laser beam. When a laser beam with energy exceeds an accessible emission limit due to failure of the light source or the scanner, at least one optical member located in an optical path of the laser beam is arranged so as to be broken or altered in quality and to prevent or discourage the beam with energy exceeding the accessible emission limit from being output from the screen.

Abstract: A display has a screen which incorporates a light modulator. The screen may be a front projection screen or a rear-projection screen. Elements of the light modulator may be controlled to adjust the intensity of light emanating from corresponding areas on the screen. The display may provide a high dynamic range.

Abstract: Disclosed is a three-dimensional image forming screen in which, on the basis of a screen substrate having functions of scattering and transmission, polarizing lines for separating and transmitting left and right images from projectors are formed at one surface of the screen substrate and curved surface lines are formed at the other surface of the screen substrate to have the same direction and size as those of the polarizing lines. With this configuration, scattering and transmission of light, separation, transmission, and combination of left and right images, and expansion of the separated images are performed by the single screen, so as to achieve a wide viewing angle of the screen and to allow a viewer to watch a three-dimensional image having a high vividness without assistance of polarizing glasses. When being coupled with a rotating rod that is rotated by a motor, the three-dimensional image forming screen takes the form of a roll-up screen.

Abstract: A lens sheet, transmission screen, and a rear projection display are provided. The lens sheet includes fly-eye lens elements periodically arranged on one side of a transparent base, wherein the lens elements are composed of a UV-curing type resin, and the storage elastic modulus at a reference temperature of 25° C. and a frequency of 1031 6 Hz, in a master curve obtained from measurement of dynamic viscoelasticity of the resin, ranges from 1×107 Pa to 1×109 Pa.

Abstract: A rear-projection screen comprises an optical unit, a light-blocking layer, and an optical lens. The optical unit has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is opposite to the second surface. The first surface has a plurality of cylindrical convexes and the second surface has a plurality of irregular protruding parts. The light-blocking layer adjoins to the second surface and has a plurality of striped light-absorbing units. The optical lens is disposed adjacent to the optical unit.

Abstract: A lens sheet for use as a Fresnel lens sheet or a lenticular lens sheet of rear projection screens, which includes a plastic substrate and a lens element disposed on the plastic substrate. The plastic substrate includes at least a first surface layer, an intermediate layer and a second surface layer. Each of the first surface layer and the second surface layer has a saturated water absorptivity higher than that of the intermediate layer.

Abstract: A compact rear projection image display apparatus in which the projection distance in a projection optical system is substantially reduced and no reflection mirror is used, thereby eliminating a major cause of image trapezoidal distortion. The rear projection image display apparatus has a projection lens system which includes a first lens group with positive refractive power and a second lens group which further enlarges an image enlarged by the first lens group. The projection lens system enlarges and projects an image displayed on an image display device, on a transmission screen. No reflection mirror is provided between the second lens group and the transmission screen and the image enlarged by the second lens group is directly projected on the transmission screen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technology that makes it possible to display high-quality images by reducing a reflection loss of the image light entering the upper left and right ends of a transmissive screen. At the image generation source side of the Fresnel lens sheet, a totally reflective prism section (10) is provided that totally reflects incident rays of light and causes the light to exit toward the image-watching side. At the image-watching side of the Fresnel lens sheet (6), a refractive prism section (11) is also provided that refracts the light entering from the totally reflective prism section (10) and causes the light to exit toward the image-watching side. The refractive prism section (11) has a roughed refractive face.

Abstract: A projection optical system unit has a lower pedestal. The lower pedestal has first and second tubular portions opened to each other. An image formation device holding plate for a DMD is mounted on the first tubular portion at a side where one opening is formed. A mirror holder for a convex mirror is fixed on the second tubular portion at a side where the other opening is formed. A linear heat expansion coefficient in a specific direction of the lower pedestal component is set between 0.8×10?5 (1/K) and 3.0×10?5 (1/K).

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a transmission-type screen and a projection-type display device, which are superior in contrast. Exemplary embodiments provide a transmission-type screen characterized by including a display plane; a front side layer; and a backside layer having a light-directivity to a light projected from a direction slanted at a predetermined angle with respect to the front side layer thereof, an image being displayed on the display plane when a light is projected from a backside of the screen.