Rear Projection Screen Patents (Class 359/460)
  • Patent number: 7352508
    Abstract: The present invention provides a Fresnel lens sheet capable of effectively preventing such troubles as the production of double images that occurs due to stray light. A Fresnel lens sheet (1) comprises a base (1a) in sheet form, and a plurality of prisms (2) formed on the incident side of the base (1a). Each prism (2) has a plane of refraction (3) that refracts imaging light (LS) projected from a projector (5), and a plane of total reflection (4) that totally reflects, toward the viewer's side, at least a part of the light that has been refracted at this plane of refraction (3). At least some of a plurality of the prisms (2) are so made that the imaging light (LS) that has passed through these prisms (2) emerges in the direction inclined toward the projector (5) side at predetermined angles (?b, ?c) with respect to the normal perpendicular to the sheet plane of the base (1a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 7350925
    Abstract: Described is an optical lens having a light-receiving surface facing a light source and a first structured surface opposite a first portion of the light-receiving surface. The first structured surface includes a plurality of first reflecting surfaces and first refractive surfaces. Each of the first refractive surfaces receives light from a corresponding first reflective surface for refractive transmission therethrough. The optical system may further include a second structured surface opposite a second portion of the light-receiving surface. The second structured surface includes a plurality of second refractive surfaces. Each of the second refractive surfaces receives light directly from the light-receiving surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Frederic R. Engstrom
  • Patent number: 7341353
    Abstract: A thin rear projection television using a wide angle lens system is provided. In an embodiment, a fresnel screen is used in which there are at least two spatial zones in the screen with different properties. The at least two zones may be adapted to compensate for the variation in input angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Peterson, David Glaess, Jeffrey Alan Gohman
  • Patent number: 7342719
    Abstract: The projection screen assembly minimizes speckle while preserving high ambient viewability. The screen assembly, having a light-source side and a viewing side, includes a screen layer, a polarizing contrast filter, and a speckle contrast reducing layer. The screen layer disperses light passing through the screen assembly from the light-source side. The polarizing contrast filter is disposed on the viewing side of the screen layer and reduces ambient glare. The speckle contrast reducing layer is disposed on the light-source side of the screen layer and reduces speckle formed in projected images on the viewing side of the screen assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael H. Kalmanash, Sushil Krishnamurthy
  • Patent number: 7342721
    Abstract: A three-dimensional imaging system and related methods is provided that utilizes a composite transmissive LCD panel. The composite LCD panel contains at least two layers of stacked liquid crystal cells positioned on top of one another relative to the imaging direction, is utilized to display at least two calculated images superimposed over one another at different distances within the panel from the viewer. Each layer of liquid crystal cells create multiple pixels from the cells, which pixels collectively can be operated to form independent images on each liquid crystal layer. The composite LCD panel can be used to create a continuous 3-D image field in a large viewing area or in multiple viewing areas in conjunction with a suitable 3-D image generation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: iZ3D LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Lukyanitsa
  • Patent number: 7339733
    Abstract: A Fresnel lens sheet which is bright due to a small light quantity loss, is restricted in speckles and ghosts, does not produce moires, and can be used in an inexpensive transmitting screen, wherein the sheet satisfies the diffusion characteristics of the following expressions (1) and (2), or the following expressions (3), (4) and (5). ?/??2.8 (1) ?/??6 (2), where ? is viewing half value angle, ? viewing 1/10 value angle, and ? viewing 1/100 value angle. 2.0°???5.5° (3), where ? is viewing half value angle, ??12° (4), where ? is viewing 1/10 value angle, ??18° (5), where ? is viewing 1/100 value angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Hirose, Makoto Toyohara
  • Patent number: 7338176
    Abstract: An elevator installation includes an elevator car moved in an elevator shaft between floors in a building. A shaft door for closing the elevator shaft is arranged at each floor. A method for representing information on the shaft doors makes possible a qualitatively high-grade projection of an image on the shaft door. The shaft doors are formed to be at least partly transparent, wherein a projector is arranged in the elevator shaft and projects an image onto the side of the shaft door facing the elevator shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Lennart Svensson-Hilford, Paul Friedli
  • Patent number: 7339732
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rear-projection screen encompassing at least one light-scattering polymethyl methacrylate layer, which comprises a polymethyl methacrylate matrix and spherical scattering particles (A) and spherical particles (B) with a different median particle size V50, where the spherical scattering particles (A) have a median size V50 in the range from 0.1 to 40 ?m, the difference between the refractive index of the spherical scattering particles (A) and that of the polymethyl methacrylate matrix being in the range from 0.02 to 0.2, where the spherical particles (B) have a median size V50 in the range from 10 to 150 ?m, the difference between the refractive index of the spherical particles (B) and that of the polymethyl methacrylate matrix being in the range from 0 to 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Roehm GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Parusel, Jann Schmidt, Herbert Groothues, Christoph Krohmer, Guenther Dickhaut-Bayer
  • Patent number: 7331679
    Abstract: A projection display system includes a screen, an illumination projecting system to form an image using light radiated by a light source, to magnify the image, and to project the image along a rear side of the screen, and a reflection unit having an array of unit mirrors to reflect the image received from the illumination projecting system onto the screen, each of the unit mirrors having a first sloped reflection surface and a second reflection surface adjacent to the first reflection surface having a predetermined angle therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kun-ho Cho, Alexei Borodouline, Ji-whan Noh, Kirill Sokolov
  • Patent number: 7329004
    Abstract: A rear projection display device improves the brightness by improving the utilization efficiency of image light projected to a screen from slantly below. At least a green component of the image light is P-polarized to the screen (7). Therefore, reflection of light on the screen (7) is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Arai, Syoichi Yoshii
  • Patent number: 7330311
    Abstract: There is provided a transmission type screen having a directional light scattering lens and a fresnel lens, wherein the fresnel lens has contact portions that contact with the directional light scattering lens and non-contact portions which are provided between the contact portions, whose height is lower than that of the contact portions and which do not contact with the directional light scattering lens. The invention realizes the very practical transmission type screen that allows viewers to appreciate good images in which blur and Moire are inconspicuous by preventing the blur from occurring on the screen and by reducing the intensity of Moire which is caused by the periodic structure of the fresnel and lenticular lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Arisawa Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Soyama, Masato Fuse
  • Publication number: 20080024862
    Abstract: The invention provides a rear projection display system which includes a casing, a screen, a processing module, and a plurality of micro-projectors. The screen is mounted on the casing to form a space. The processing module is disposed in the space for receiving an input image. The micro-projectors are disposed in the space, arranged in a form of an array, and respectively electrically connected to the processing module. The micro-projectors are controlled by the processing module to project an array of overlapped sub-images onto the screen. The overlapped sub-images are generated according to the input image. The processing module corrects the misalignment of the overlapped sub-images to be projected, and further synthesizes the overlapped sub-images as the input image on the screen by use of the micro-projectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Huang Kuo-Tsung
  • Patent number: 7324277
    Abstract: Disclosed is a double-sided image film screen including a plastic material having a high optical transmission property and a light-refracting material, made of silica, having an optical transmission property and a refractivity of 1.4˜2.5, wherein a content and a particle size of the light-refracting material and a thickness of the film screen are designated such that an image incident on the film screen by means of light projected from a projector is dividedly displayed on front and rear surfaces of the film screen, thereby displaying the image formed thereon though the front and rear surfaces thereof, increasing the visibility of the image and eliminating a hot spot generated by a projection light source of the projector. Compared to conventional screens, the double-sided image film screen is advantageous in that it displays the image through the front and rear surfaces thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventor: Hae-Yong Choi
  • Patent number: 7324278
    Abstract: Provided is a black matrix light guide screen display. In a particular embodiment, provided are a plurality of aligned light guides, each having an input end, a midsection and a magnifying output end. A black matrix material is disposed adjacent to the light guides proximate to the magnifying output ends. The plurality of aligned light guides are arranged into a plurality of light guide layers, each layer one light guide thick. The magnifying output ends of each layer are aligned in substantially contiguous parallel contact with interposed black spacers to provide substantially the same magnification vertically and horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Inventors: Huei-Pei Kuo, Laurence Meade Hubby, Jr., Steven L. Naberhuis
  • Patent number: 7316482
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the provision of a reflecting mirror that suppresses decreases in the resolution performance and contrast performance by decreasing the mean surface roughness. In a projection type image display apparatus including a projector lens that expansion projects the image light from an image generating source and a reflecting mirror that guides the image light from the projector lens to the back face of the screen, according to the present invention, a silver reflecting surface (2) is formed on the substrate (1) of the reflecting mirror, a protective layer (3) of a transparent resin is formed thereon, and the mean surface roughness of the silver reflecting layer is made to be 1.8 nm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kei Adachi, Sadayuki Nishimura, Koji Hirata, Nobuo Masuoka
  • Patent number: 7317572
    Abstract: There is provided a Fresnel lens sheet for converging light rays fallen thereon from oblique directions, and capable of reducing the reflection of external light, of enabling displaying images in satisfactory contrast, of suppressing the occurrence of moiré and of being easily manufactured. The Fresnel lens sheet 10 includes: a flat base part 11; a plurality of prisms 12 formed on the entrance surface of the base part 11, a plurality of V grooves 13 formed in the exit surface of the base part 11, and a plurality of wedge-shaped light absorbing parts 14 embedded in the V grooves 13, respectively. Each prism 12 has a refraction facet 12a that refracts light rays fallen thereon and a total-reflection facet 12b that totally reflects light rays fallen thereon. The prisms 12 refract and reflect light rays L1 incident thereon at large incident angles to deflect the light rays L1 for travel in a direction substantially perpendicular to the base part 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sekiguchi, Masahiro Goto
  • Patent number: 7315417
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods that facilitate efficient and easy installation of a display screen and protective shield onto a cabinet of a display unit such as a projection TV (PTV) and the like. Preferably, a screen frame and bezel clip system includes a bezel clip having a latch arm releaseably coupleable to catch arm extending from or attached to a cabinet side wall of a display unit. The bezel clip further includes one or more receptacles sized and shaped to receive and retain a side or edge portion of one or more screens. The catch arm is preferably deformable under pressure and returns to a pre-stressed orientation when the pressure is removed. Alternatively, a screen frame and bezel mount system includes a stiffener member adapted to couple a bezel member to a cabinet side wall of a display unit. The bezel member includes one or more receptacles sized and shaped to receive and retain a side or edge portion of one or more screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America, Inc.
    Inventors: Luan Chi Chen, James E. Hicks, Jeffrey G. Whitelaw
  • Patent number: 7314281
    Abstract: A projection display device having a plurality of transmission screens, each having an image display portion of different dimension, and each having light transmissivity and being provided with a back surface layer having optical directivity on a back surface side; a main body capable of projecting a projection light, and a optical unit that guides the projection light from the projection device main body to the back surface of the transmission screen; and a supporting unit that supports one transmission screen selected from the plural transmission screens and the projection device main body. An image is displayed on the transmission screen by allowing the projection light guided by the optical unit to pass through from the back surface side. One transmission screen is selected, and the selected transmission screen, the projection device main body, the optical unit, and the supporting unit are assembled for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Katase, Junji Ajioka
  • Patent number: 7315416
    Abstract: A screen panel includes a rigid glass, a lenticular lens and a Fresnel lens laminated with each other, and the edges of the screen panel are sealed. An air evacuation path is formed between the lenses by wires inserted between the contact surfaces of the lenses, or by convexes or concaves previously formed on one of the contact surfaces. Because of the provision of the air evacuation path, the air between the lenses of the screen panel is sufficiently evacuated, and the lenses can closely attached to each other. Therefore, the flatness of the screen panel can be enhanced, and the degradation of the image quality can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sadakazu Tomita, Kouhei Teramoto, Teruo Miyamoto, Kimihide Nakatsu
  • Publication number: 20070279736
    Abstract: A transparent screen and a projection display unit capable of reducing the speckle with maintaining the brightness of the image light. A wavefront-dividing phase-modulating component 21, which divides the wavefront of the image light emitted from a Fresnel lens screen 7 and modulates the phases of the wavefronts divided, is disposed before an optical diffusing component 10. Alternatively, a spatial frequency modulating component 22, which modulates the spatial frequency of the image light diffused by the optical diffusing component 10, is disposed on the light-output side (observer side) of the optical diffusing component 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Takao Endo, Akihisa Miyata, Takeshi Utakoji, Yuzo Nakano
  • Patent number: 7301699
    Abstract: A display device includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED), and a reflector. The reflector having the first, the second, and the third reflecting surfaces is arranged in the rear of an LCD screen of the LCD panel. The first reflecting surface is arranged parallel to the LCD screen. The light source is arranged between the LCD screen and the LED such that a main axis of light emitted from the LED is parallel to the LCD screen. The second reflecting surface is arranged such that the light is reflected off the second reflecting surface toward the LCD screen. The third reflecting surface is arranged such that the light is reflected off the third reflecting surface toward the first reflecting surface and transmitted to the LCD screen. With this configuration, the amount of the light is less likely to be reduced when the light passes through a light guiding member and the brightness of the LCD screen is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naohito Kanamori, Yayoi Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 7295370
    Abstract: A projection television including: a screen having a plurality of image-forming sheets and an anti-dust film having a first side disposed between the image-forming sheets and a second side disposed at a front of the screen, and being detachable from the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-hak Kim
  • Patent number: 7292391
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing the lens substrate with straight light control portions 1A that is provided with a plurality of convex lenses (microlenses) 32 on a surface thereof and is used so that light enters the lens substrate from the side of the surface thereof on which the plurality of convex lenses 32 are provided includes the steps of: preparing a substrate having a plurality of concave portions on one surface thereof; forming the plurality of convex lenses 32 using the substrate having the plurality of concave portions; and forming a straight light control portion 4 in the vicinity of the apex of each of the plurality of convex lenses 32. The straight light control portion 4 is used for controlling the ratio of straight light in the light entering each of the plurality of convex lenses 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuo Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20070242351
    Abstract: A screen is disclosed. The screen includes: a main screen body having a diffusion layer provided in a loop shape; a support member that is provided at an inner side of the loop shaped diffusion layer and supports the loop shaped diffusion layer to be stretched thereover; and a driving unit that moves the loop shaped diffusion layer in parallel to a surface of the main screen body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideya SEKI, Satoshi KINOSHITA
  • Patent number: 7281805
    Abstract: A thin-shaped projection-type display apparatus capable of displaying a high-quality image without causing any ghost image is provided. The projection-type display apparatus includes a screen having a prism, and a projection optical system for guiding image light to the screen. The projection optical system includes a plurality of optical elements. An optical element disposed nearest to the screen on an optical path of the image light among the plurality of optical elements is a mirror. An angle made by the normal to a surface of the mirror approximately at the center of the mirror and the normal to a surface of the screen is between 75 degrees and 87.5 degrees inclusive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahide Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7277227
    Abstract: A Fresnel lens sheet has an entrance surface (1a) and an exit surface (1b). A plurality of prisms (2) each having a refraction surface (3) and a total-reflection surface (4) are formed on the entrance surface (1a). Light rays projected by a light source (M) disposed on the side of the sloping refraction surfaces (3) onto the entrance surface (1a) are refracted at the refraction surfaces (3), and the refracted light rays are totally reflected by a total-reflection surfaces (4) in a direction substantially perpendicular to a sheet surface (1c). Angles (?) between the refraction surfaces (3) and the total-reflection surfaces (4) corresponding to the refraction surfaces (3) of all the prisms (2) are substantially equal to each other. The angle ? between the refraction surface (3) of the prism (P2) farthest from the light source (M) and the sheet surface (1c) is approximately equal to a right angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 7274509
    Abstract: The device relates to a wall roll-up screen of which the upper and the lower are attached with the upper short rod and the lower short rod, respectively, wherein the screen is constituted to be rolled up when not in use and to be unrolled when used, by the lower short rod; and the left and the right end of the upper short rod are mounted with steel structure of groove shaped ringscapable of coupling magnets and the left and the right end of the lower short rod are mounted with magnets to allow them to be coupled with the groove shaped rings of the left end and the right end of the upper short rod, upon rolling up the screen by the lower short rod and, if necessary, separating the magnets from the groove shape rings, thereby to obtain good portability and mobility of the screen, to prevent the screen from being twisted from side to side upon fixing the screen, and to improve aesthetic value of product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Inventor: Hae-Yong Choi
  • Patent number: 7273278
    Abstract: The invention relates to an instrument panel for the operating state of a land, air or water vehicle, in particular for the cockpit of an airplane, comprising a number of display fields (13) for representing information, whereby, in order to provide an instrument panel, which may be produced and maintained in an economic manner, with realistic instrumentation, the display fields (13) are produced on a backlit sheet (11) by means of image projection and a mask (12) is overlaid on the backlit sheet (11), which comprises cutouts (14), congruent with the display fields (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Defence Electronics GmbH
    Inventor: Harald Fronzek
  • Patent number: 7271955
    Abstract: A transmission screen is capable of preventing the reduction of contrast in images due to external light such as emitted by internal lighting fixtures. The transmission screen includes a Fresnel lens sheet having a front surface facing the viewer and provided with Fresnel lens elements, and a shading sheet 13 placed contiguously with the front surface of the Fresnel lens sheet. The shading sheet 13 is provided with shading elements 22 for absorbing external light fallen on the front surface of the shading sheet 13 and reflected in a total reflection mode by the back surface of the Fresnel lens sheet facing a projection light source toward the viewer. Preferably, the shading elements 22 transmit at least external light fallen on the shading sheet at an incident angle ? satisfying a condition expressed by: ?<24+0.018×F, where ? is incident angle of external light that falls on the shading sheet, and F is the focal length of the Fresnel lens elements in millimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Futoshi Osawa, Makoto Honda
  • Patent number: 7268942
    Abstract: Provided is a method of making a self-aligned light guide screen. More specifically, in a particular embodiment, fabrication may commence by providing a first ribbon section of light guides with at least one self alignment feature. A second ribbon section of light guides is provided with at least one self alignment feature configured to mate with the at least one self alignment feature of the first ribbon section. The ribbon sections are then stacked, the alignment features aligning the first and second ribbon sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Huei-Pei Kuo
  • Patent number: 7264357
    Abstract: A rear projection display device improves the brightness by improving the utilization efficiency of image light projected to a screen from slantly below. At least a green component of the image light is P-polarized to the screen (7). Therefore, reflection of light on the screen (7) is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Arai, Syoichi Yoshii
  • Patent number: 7265909
    Abstract: A lens substrate (microlens substrate 1) having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface is disclosed. Light is allowed to enter the lens substrate from the first surface thereof and then exit from the second surface thereof. The lens substrate includes: a plurality of convex lenses (microlenses 21) formed on the first surface of the lens substrate from which the light is allowed to enter the lens substrate; and a colored portion 22 provided on the first surface of the lens substrate with the plurality of convex lenses. The colored portion 22 is constituted from a plurality of regions each having a different content by percentage of a coloring agent, and the plurality of regions are laminated in the thickness direction of the colored portion 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kuniyasu Matsui
  • Patent number: 7259912
    Abstract: A display device for displaying images in a rear projection display device is provided. The display device may include, amongst other structure, a screen including a lens portion and a frame portion. A tensioner may be operatively associated with the screen and may be adapted to adjust the frame portion to maintain a predetermined tautness in the lens portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Gohman, T. Scott Engle, David Slobodin
  • Patent number: 7256935
    Abstract: To eliminate ghosts caused by retroreflection of projected light and obtain high resolution images. Fine irregularities 5 are randomly formed on the plane of incidence 2a of a Fresnel lens sheet 2 with little space between them. The glossiness (Gs 60°) of the fine irregularities 5 formed by such a random pattern is equal or less than 35%. The fine irregularities 5 are in a semispherical shape, the level difference is about 10 ?m, and the maximum diameter is about 50 ?m. Projected light L is scattered by the fine irregularities 5 at the plane of incidence 2a, subjected to vector resolution, and has its optical intensity weakened, so that retroreflection light can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masafumi Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 7253953
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Stewart Filmscreen Corporation
    Inventor: Gary Allan Browning
  • Patent number: 7253954
    Abstract: A Fresnel lens. The Fresnel lens includes an input side configured to receive the image and an output side, opposite the input side, configured to display the image. The input side includes a first facet angled to receive input light constituting at least a portion of the image. The input side also includes a second facet at least partially facing the first facet and a third facet linking the first facet to the second facet, wherein the third facet and the output side are substantially parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: InFocus Corporation
    Inventors: Mark David Peterson, Jeffrey Alan Gohman
  • Patent number: 7253955
    Abstract: A contrast improving sheet includes a first optical functional element and a second optical functional element on the viewing side thereof. The first optical functional element has a plurality of protrusions, each having a pair of opposite total-reflection facets for totally reflecting image light rays substantially perpendicularly incident on the entrance surface and a flat facet extending between the front edges, on the side of the exit surface, of the pair of opposite total-reflection facets. Light absorbing layers are formed between the adjacent protrusions. The second optical functional element has a light path correcting layer for correcting light paths followed by the image light rays totally reflected by the total-reflection facets such that the image light rays are emitted through the exit surface substantially perpendicularly to the exit surface. The light path correcting layer has a plurality of alternately inclined planes inclined in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitomu Watanabe, Makoto Honda
  • Patent number: 7245429
    Abstract: A total reflecting prism portion is formed on an image generation source side of a Fresnel lens sheet which constitutes a rear projection type screen. The total reflecting prism portion is formed in an area in which the angle of incidence of a projection image projected from an optical part on the Fresnel lens sheet is at least about 40°. The total reflecting prism portion causes incident light to be outputted as output light at a predetermined output angle by a total reflection phenomenon after a first refraction phenomenon. Further, a refracting prism portion is formed on an image monitoring side of the Fresnel lens sheet. The refracting prism portion is formed in an area opposed to the portion where the total reflecting prism portion is not formed. The refracting prism portion causes incident light to be outputted as output light at a predetermined output angle by a second refraction phenomenon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Yoshikawa, Tetsu Ohishi, Koji Hirata, Daisuke Imafuku
  • Patent number: 7245427
    Abstract: A Fresnel lens sheet holding structure holds a thin Fresnel lens sheet formed on a forming mold easily releasable from the forming mold in a satisfactory planarity on a rear projection display. A rear projection display is provided with the Fresnel lens sheet holding structure. The Fresnel lens sheet holding structure holds a Fresnel lens sheet of 3 mm or below in thickness having an entrance surface provided with prisms of a triangular cross section each having an entrance facet and a total-reflection facet that reflects part or all of light fallen on the entrance facet in a total-reflection mode to deflect the light in a desired direction. The Fresnel lens sheet holding structure includes a hanging member to be attached to the upper side of the Fresnel lens sheet, and a support member for supporting the hanging member. Preferably, a tensioning member is attached to the Fresnel lens sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sekiguchi, Masahiro Goto
  • Patent number: 7244030
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rear projection type image display device comprising projection lenses (2, 3) for projecting an image displayed on an image display element onto a transmission type screen (6) on a larger scale, an optical path turn-back mirror (7) for turning back halfway a light beam projected from the projection lenses, and a drive circuit for displaying an image on the image display element, that are fixedly housed within a housing (5). When a diagonal size of the transmission type screen (6), the depth of the housing (5), and the length from a lower end of the screen (6) to a lower end of the housing (5), are assumed to be SS (inch), D (inch), and L (inch), respectively, the following conditions are satisfied: SS >40, D?SS/3.0, L?SS/10.9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hirata, Shuji Kato, Hidehiro Ikeda, Masahiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7237908
    Abstract: An image display system includes a light valve 14 for providing image information to light converged by a converging lens 13 and for emitting the light, a projective optical system 20 including a refractive optical lens 21 for projecting the light from the light valve 14 and a convex mirror 22 for reflecting the light from the refractive optical lens 21 by using a reflecting surface thereof having negative power and for enlarging and projecting the reflected light, and a display 30 for receiving the light from the projective optical system 20 by way of a receiving surface 30A, wherein the light valve is placed away from an optical axis 23 of the projective optical system 20 and between a front surface of the display 30 and a rear surface of the projective optical system 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Suzuki, Kohei Teramoto, Shinsuke Shikama, Shuso Wadaka
  • Patent number: 7236300
    Abstract: A transmission type screen including a fly-eye lens having a convex shape on one side thereof and a light-shielding layer provided on an opposite side of a lens surface of the fly-eye lens and having a plurality of openings provided near each focus of lens unit cells, wherein if uniform light perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens unit cell is incident upon the lens surface, luminance on an emission side of the screen when the screen is observed from a direction inclined against the optical axis of the lens unit lens by a predetermined angle in a horizontal direction when the screen is used is larger than luminance when the screen is observed from a direction inclined by the same angle as that in the horizontal direction in a vertical direction when the screen is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Arisawa Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Yakushiji, Keisuke Adachi
  • Patent number: 7233440
    Abstract: Provided is an image display screen having wide horizontal and vertical viewing angles and a projection television including the same. The image display screen includes a Fresnel screen, a first lenticular screen that widens a horizontal viewing angle and a second lenticular screen including a first portion that widens a vertical viewing angle and a second portion that prevents degradation of contrast due to external light, and a protective screen. The second lenticular screen and the protective screen can be replaced by an integrated screen or a composite screen having the characteristics of both. In addition, a pattern may be formed on the rear surface of the Fresnel screen to perform the same function as the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seok-il Yoon, Sung-gi Kim, Gyu-hwan Hwang
  • Patent number: 7233439
    Abstract: A screen member for a transmission screen includes: a microlens substrate, a light incident face thereof being formed with a plurality of microlenses for condensing incident light; a black matrix formed on a light emission face of the microlens substrate, which has a plurality of openings on light paths of the light transmitted by the microlenses of the microlens substrate; and a plurality of light diffusion portions for diffusing the light transmitted by each microlens of the microlens substrate. Each microlens of the microlens substrate is designed so that the light transmitting each microlens is focused on the side of the light emission face of the microlens substrate beyond the black matrix. Further, each light diffusion portion is formed into a protrusion that protrudes from the surface of the black matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuo Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7230758
    Abstract: An off-axis Fresnel lens is disclosed that, when combined with a rear projection screen (comprising, e.g., a lenticular lens, a diffuser, or both), enables construction of rear-projection-type screen devices (e.g., projection television systems) that are thinner and have improved contrast and resolution when compared with conventional projection screen devices. The off-axis Fresnel lens comprises a plurality of concentric, outwardly-extending, total internal reflection-type prism facets. Each facet, in turn, comprises top and bottom sides, one or both of which may be flat or outwardly convex. Embodiments of the invention may also include concentric opaque sections that are disposed between successive prisms, between the prism base and the output surface of the Fresnel lens, and/or between the output surface of the Fresnel lens and the input surface of the projection screen in order to improve contrast. Contrast may also be enhanced by laminating the Fresnel lens to the projection screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Luminoz, Inc.
    Inventor: Yu Huang
  • Patent number: 7224525
    Abstract: Disclosed are a light transmission sheet and a screen that can realize good color reproduction while suppressing a lowering in light transmittance. The light transmission sheet comprises a light diffusing sheet and/or a colored sheet. The light diffusing sheet and/or the colored sheet comprise light diffusing fine particles dispersed in a light transparent matrix and satisfy formula (1): ?0.5%?T1?T2?5% ??(1) wherein T1 represents light transmittance at a wavelength of 450 nm, %; and T2 represents light transmittance at a wavelength of 600 nm, %. A light diffusing sheet and/or colored sheet for a screen are also disclosed. The screen comprises the light diffusing sheet and/or colored sheet for a screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Futoshi Osawa
  • Patent number: 7224526
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are three-dimensional free space imaging systems and related methods employing a dynamic stereoscopic image projection system in combination with a optic module comprising a doublet of Fresnel lenses. The dynamic projector systems calculating derived flat image information for each projector based upon inputted stereopair images and information regarding the projector elements and optic module. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the projection system uses an image computational device that employs a neural network feedback calculation to calculate the appropriate flat image information and appropriate images to be projected on the screen by the projectors at any given time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: NeurOK LLC
    Inventors: Andrey N. Putilin, Andrew Lukyanitsa
  • Patent number: 7222969
    Abstract: A video image is displayed from an optical panel by splitting the image into a plurality of image components, and then projecting the image components through corresponding portions of the panel to collectively form the image. Depth of the display is correspondingly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Brookhaven Science Associates
    Inventor: James T. Veligdan
  • Patent number: 7221507
    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 having Fresnel lenses on a light emission side, 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 and adhered thereto. The first sheet includes a plurality of lenticular lenses formed on a light incident side 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. The second sheet includes a light scattering element therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Hirata, Shigeru Inaoka
  • Patent number: 7213357
    Abstract: An inflatable device that includes at least one display panel for displaying an image by a multimedia device positioned in and/or connected to the inflatable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Scherba Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Scherba