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US4919518A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Multi-screen projector

Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
•
Filing: 1989-04-14
•
Granted: 1990-04-24
•
Expires: 2009-04-14
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Abstract

Abstract A multi-screen projector composed of a plurality of unit module projectors piled up one upon another in the vertical direction. Each unit module projector includes a Fresnel lens sheet, lenticular sheet, and prism sheet interposed therebetween such that a light is incident to the Fresnel lens sheet and outputted from the lenticular sheet. The prism angle of the prism sheet of the unit module projector disposed at a higher position is set larger than that disposed at a lower position, and the main output light from the prism sheet is made at least parallel with the incident light direction or deflected downward relative to the incident light direction.

Inventors

  • 👤 Masanori Ogino
  • 👤 Hiroshi Kaiwa
  • 👤 Yoshiaki Iwahara
  • 👤 Yuzo Tamura
  • 👤 Akio Yamamoto

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 22:00
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/54; G03B21/56; G03B21/60; G03B21/62; G03B21/625

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim 179 words
A multi-screen projector comprising a plurality of unit module projectors piled up one upon another at least in the vertical direction, each of said unit module projector comprising: light projection means for projecting a light; a screen including Fresnel lens means and lenticular means, said light projected from said light projection means being incident to said Fresnel lens means and outputted from said lenticular means; and control means for controlling the vertical directivity range of said light to be outputted from said screen so as to match a view point of an audience viewing said screen at the position remote from said screen by a predetermined distance, wherein said control means includes prism means having a predefined prism angle, said prism means being mounted between said Fresnel lens means and lenticular means, and said prism angle being set larger for said screen which is required to be viewed from said view point at a larger angle of elevation or depression than that for said screen which is required to be viewed at a smaller angle of elevation or depression.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 179 words
A multi-screen projector comprising a plurality of unit module projectors piled up one upon another at least in the vertical direction, each of said unit module projector comprising: light projection means for projecting a light; a screen including Fresnel lens means and lenticular means, said light projected from said light projection means being incident to said Fresnel lens means and outputted from said lenticular means; and control means for controlling the vertical directivity range of said light to be outputted from said screen so as to match a view point of an audience viewing said screen at the position remote from said screen by a predetermined distance, wherein said control means includes prism means having a predefined prism angle, said prism means being mounted between said Fresnel lens means and lenticular means, and said prism angle being set larger for said screen which is required to be viewed from said view point at a larger angle of elevation or depression than that for said screen which is required to be viewed at a smaller angle of elevation or depression.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 23 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 1, wherein said control means further includes means for tilting said unit module projector upward and downward.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 76 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said prism means comprises a main part which determines the direction of a main output of said light from said lenticular means, and a side lobe part which determines the width of a vertical directivity angle relative to said main output, said side lobe part being formed such that said width has substantially the same plus/minus directivity angle relative to the main output of said light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 103 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said prism means comprises a main part which determines the direction of a main output of said light from said lenticular means, and a side lobe part which determines the width of a vertical directivity angle relative to said main output, said side lobe part being formed such that said width is wider for said screen which is required to be viewed from said view point at a larger angle of elevation or depression than that for said screen which is required to be viewed at a smaller angle of elevation or depression.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 20 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said Fresnel lens means and prism means are formed integrally.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 24 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 3, wherein the profile defined by said main part and side lobe part is made of broken lines.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 24 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 4, wherein the profile defined by said main part and side lobe part is made of broken lines.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 23 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 3, wherein the profile defined by said main part and side lobe part is made of curves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 23 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 4, wherein the profile defined by said main part and side lobe part is made of curves.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 126 words
A multi-screen projector comprising: a plurality of unit module projectors piled up one upon another at least in the vertical direction, each of said unit module projector comprising a screen including Fresnel lens means and lenticular means arranged such that a light is incident to said Fresnel lens means and outputted from said lenticular means; and control means for controlling the vertical directivity range of said light to be outputted from said screen, wherein said control means includes prism means having a predefined prism angle, said prism means being mounted between said Fresnel lens means and lenticular means, and said prism angle being set larger for unit module projector disposed at a higher position than that for said unit module screen disposed at a lower position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 126 words
A multi-screen projector comprising: a plurality of unit module projectors piled up one upon another at least in the vertical direction, each of said unit module projector comprising a screen including Fresnel lens means and lenticular means arranged such that a light is incident to said Fresnel lens means and outputted from said lenticular means; and control means for controlling the vertical directivity range of said light to be outputted from said screen, wherein said control means includes prism means having a predefined prism angle, said prism means being mounted between said Fresnel lens means and lenticular means, and said prism angle being set larger for unit module projector disposed at a higher position than that for said unit module screen disposed at a lower position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 46 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 10, wherein said prism angle of said prism means is set such that the main output of said light incident to said prism means becomes parallel with said incident light or is reflected in the direction of angle of depression.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 74 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 11, wherein said prism means comprises a main part which determines the direction of a main output of said light from said lenticular means, and a side lobe part which determines the width of a vertical directivity angle relative to said main output, said side lobe part being formed such that said width has substantially the same plus/minus directivity angle relative to the main output of said light.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 83 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 11, wherein said prism means comprises a main part which determines the direction of a main output of said light from said lenticular means, and a side lobe part which determines the width of a vertical directivity angle relative to said main output, said side lobe part being formed such that said width is wider for said unit module projector disposed at a higher position than that for said unit module projector disposed at a lower position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 25 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 12 or 13, the profile defined by said main part and side lobe part is made of broken lines.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 24 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 12 or 13, the profile defined by said main part and side lobe part is made of curves.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 25 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said unit module projector comprises means for tilting said unit module projector upward and downward.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 38 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 12 or 13, wherein an output power from said unit module projector disposed at a higher position is set larger than that from said unit module projector disposed at a lower position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 30 words
A multi-screen projector according to any one of claims 10, 11, 12 and 13, wherein said prism angle of said prism means is defined on the light incident side thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 24 words
A multi-screen projector according to any one of claims 10, 11, 12 and 13, wherein said Fresnel means and prism means are formed integrally.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 310 words
A multi-screen projector comprising: a plurality of unit module projectors piled up one upon another at least in the vertical direction, each of said unit module projector comprising a screen including Fresnel lens means and lenticular means arranged such that a light is incident to said Fresnel lens means and outputted from said lenticular means; and control means for controlling the vertical directivity range of said light to be outputted from said screen, said control means including prism means having a predefined prism angle and being mounted between said Fresnel lens means and lenticular means, wherein said plurality of unit module projectors comprise a first and second unit module projector groups arranged such that said first unit module projector group is disposed higher than said second unit module projector group, said first unit module projector group composed of unit module projectors having the prism angle of said prism means of each of which is set such that a main output of said light being incident to said prism means is parallel with said incident light or is deflected in the direction of angle of depression, and that said angle of depression at said unit module projector disposed at a higher position is at least equal to or larger than that at said unit module projector disposed at a lower position, said second unit module projector group composed of unit module projectors having the prism angle of said prism means of each of which is set such that a main output of said light being incident to said prism means is parallel with said incident light or is deflected in the direction of angle of elevation, and that said angle of depression at said unit module projector disposed at a lower position is at least equal to or larger than that at said unit module projector disposed at a higher position.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 310 words
A multi-screen projector comprising: a plurality of unit module projectors piled up one upon another at least in the vertical direction, each of said unit module projector comprising a screen including Fresnel lens means and lenticular means arranged such that a light is incident to said Fresnel lens means and outputted from said lenticular means; and control means for controlling the vertical directivity range of said light to be outputted from said screen, said control means including prism means having a predefined prism angle and being mounted between said Fresnel lens means and lenticular means, wherein said plurality of unit module projectors comprise a first and second unit module projector groups arranged such that said first unit module projector group is disposed higher than said second unit module projector group, said first unit module projector group composed of unit module projectors having the prism angle of said prism means of each of which is set such that a main output of said light being incident to said prism means is parallel with said incident light or is deflected in the direction of angle of depression, and that said angle of depression at said unit module projector disposed at a higher position is at least equal to or larger than that at said unit module projector disposed at a lower position, said second unit module projector group composed of unit module projectors having the prism angle of said prism means of each of which is set such that a main output of said light being incident to said prism means is parallel with said incident light or is deflected in the direction of angle of elevation, and that said angle of depression at said unit module projector disposed at a lower position is at least equal to or larger than that at said unit module projector disposed at a higher position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 41 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 20, wherein said prism angle of said prism means of said second unit module projector group is defined such that an inclined face of said prism means is formed on the light output side thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 39 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 21, wherein said inclined face on said prism means of said second unit module projector means is formed in the vertical direction or in the angle-of-elevation direction, relative to the incident light thereto.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 80 words
A multi-screen projector according to any one of claims 20, 21 and 22, wherein said prism means comprises a main part which determines the direction of a main output of said light from said lenticular means, and a side lobe part which determines the width of a vertical directivity angle relative to said main output, said side lobe part being formed such that said width has substantially the same plus/minus directivity angle relative to the main output of said light.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 98 words
A multi-screen projector according to any one of claims 20, 21 and 22, wherein said prism means comprises a main part which determines the direction of a main output of said light from said lenticular means, and a side lobe part which determines the width of a vertical directivity angle relative to said main output, said side lobe part of at least said first unit module projector means being formed such that said width is wider for said unit module projector disposed at a higher position than that for said unit module projector disposed at a lower position.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 65 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 24, said side lobe part of said second unit module projector group is formed such that said width of a vertical directivity angle relative to said main output of said light from said lenticular means is wide for said unit module projector disposed at a lower position, and narrow for said unit module projector disposed at a higher position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 24 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 23, wherein the profile defined by said main part and side lobe part is made of broken lines.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 24 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 24, wherein the profile defined by said main part and side lobe part is made of broken lines.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 24 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 25, wherein the profile defined by said main part and side lobe part is made of broken lines.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 23 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 23, wherein the profile defined by said main part and side lobe part is made of curves.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 23 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 24, wherein the profile defined by said main part and side lobe part is made of curves.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 23 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 24, wherein the profile defined by said main part and side lobe part is made of curves.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 23 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 25, wherein said unit module projector comprises means for tilting said unit module projector upward and downward.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 23 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 23, wherein said unit module projector comprises means for tilting said unit module projector upward and downward.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 23 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 24, wherein said unit module projector comprises means for tilting said unit module projector upward and downward.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 23 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 25, wherein said unit module projector comprises means for tilting said unit module projector upward and downward.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 36 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 20, wherein the output power of said unit module projector disposed at a higher position is set larger than that of said unit module projector disposed at a lower position.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 36 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 23, wherein the output power of said unit module projector disposed at a higher position is set larger than that of said unit module projector disposed at a lower position.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 36 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 24, wherein the output power of said unit module projector disposed at a higher position is set larger than that of said unit module projector disposed at a lower position.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 36 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 25, wherein the output power of said unit module projector disposed at a higher position is set larger than that of said unit module projector disposed at a lower position.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 18 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 20, wherein said Fresnel lens means and prism means are formed integrally.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 18 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 23, wherein said Fresnel lens means and prism means are formed integrally.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 18 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 24, wherein said Fresnel lens means and prism means are formed integrally.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 18 words
A multi-screen projector according to claim 25, wherein said Fresnel lens means and prism means are formed integrally.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim 156 words
A projector apparatus used for forming an image by projecting on a screen viewed from a view point being remote from the screen, said projector apparatus including means for projecting a light of the image, and multiscreen means on which the image is focused, multi-screen means being formed by a plurality of juxtaposed unit screens for diffusing the light from the projecting means, said unit screen comprising: Fresnel lens means for diffusing the light from said projecting means and outputting said diffused light; prism means having a predetermined deflection angle relative to an incident light thereto from said Fresnel lens, said deflection angle being set in accordance with an angle between a line interconnecting said unit screen and said view point and a normal line to said multi-screen, said prism means giving the light directing from said multi-screen toward said view point a directivity; and lenticular means for diffusing said light deflected by said prism means.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim 156 words
A projector apparatus used for forming an image by projecting on a screen viewed from a view point being remote from the screen, said projector apparatus including means for projecting a light of the image, and multiscreen means on which the image is focused, multi-screen means being formed by a plurality of juxtaposed unit screens for diffusing the light from the projecting means, said unit screen comprising: Fresnel lens means for diffusing the light from said projecting means and outputting said diffused light; prism means having a predetermined deflection angle relative to an incident light thereto from said Fresnel lens, said deflection angle being set in accordance with an angle between a line interconnecting said unit screen and said view point and a normal line to said multi-screen, said prism means giving the light directing from said multi-screen toward said view point a directivity; and lenticular means for diffusing said light deflected by said prism means.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim 47 words
A projector apparatus according to claim 44, wherein the prism angle of said prism means is set such that said deflection angle becomes larger as the angle between said line interconnecting said unit screen and said view point and said normal line to said multi-screen becomes larger.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-04-23 1993-10-23 1994-04-24 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-04-23 1997-10-23 1998-04-24 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-04-23 2001-10-23 2002-04-24 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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