US5098183A
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US
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Dichroic optical elements for use in a projection type display apparatus
Assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
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Filing: 1989-09-06
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Granted: 1992-03-24
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Expires: 2009-09-06
Abstract
Abstract A dichroic optical element disposed on at least one surface of each of four right angled prisms for transmitting and reflecting different wavelengths of polarized light. Each of the dichroic layers is characterized by wavelength selection properties which vary in response to the polarization of the light received by the dichroic layers. A projection type display device includes a first optical device characterized by at least one first wavelength transition region and a second optical device characterized by at least one second wavelength transition period. The first wavelength transition region does not effectively overlap the second wavelength transition region. Efficient utilization of the light source for projecting an image results.
Inventors
- 👤 Tomio Sonehara
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 13:42
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/10; G02B27/1006; G02B27/102; G02B27/1046; G02B27/14; G02B27/149; G02B27/28; G02B27/283
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
An optical element, comprising: a transparent body having more than one surface; and at least two dichroic means , each dichroic means disposed on at least one surface of the body for transmitting and reflecting different wavelengths of polarized light, each dichroic means having dichroic characteristics which vary in response to the polarization of the light received by said dichroic means; wherein the at least two dichroic means includes two different kinds of dichroic layers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
An optical element, comprising: a transparent body having more than one surface; and at least two dichroic means , each dichroic means disposed on at least one surface of the body for transmitting and reflecting different wavelengths of polarized light, each dichroic means having dichroic characteristics which vary in response to the polarization of the light received by said dichroic means; wherein the at least two dichroic means includes two different kinds of dichroic layers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
121 words
An optical element, comprising: a transparent body having more than one surface; and dichroic means disposed on at least one surface of the body for transmitting and reflecting different wavelengths of polarized light, said dichroic means characterized by wavelength selection properties which vary in response to the polarization of the light received by said dichroic means; wherein the dichroic means includes means for reflecting a first wavelength having a first transition region in response to a first polarized light and for reflecting a second wavelength having a second transition region in response to a second polarized light, said first and second transition regions having substantially no common wavelength therebetween; and wherein the dichroic means includes two different kinds of dichroic layers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
121 words
An optical element, comprising: a transparent body having more than one surface; and dichroic means disposed on at least one surface of the body for transmitting and reflecting different wavelengths of polarized light, said dichroic means characterized by wavelength selection properties which vary in response to the polarization of the light received by said dichroic means; wherein the dichroic means includes means for reflecting a first wavelength having a first transition region in response to a first polarized light and for reflecting a second wavelength having a second transition region in response to a second polarized light, said first and second transition regions having substantially no common wavelength therebetween; and wherein the dichroic means includes two different kinds of dichroic layers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The optical element of claim 2, wherein the two dichroic layers are positioned so as to cross each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical element of claim 2, wherein the body includes four right angled prisms, at least one surface of at least two prisms having one of said dichroic means thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical element of claim 3, wherein the body includes four right angled prisms, at least one surface of at least two prisms having one of said dichroic means thereon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The optical element of claim 5, wherein each prism has two right angled sides, said at least one surface of each of said at least two prisms is on one of the right angled sides.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
139 words
An optical element, comprising: a transparent body having more than one surface; and dichroic means disposed on at least one surface of the body for transmitting and reflecting different wavelengths of polarized light, said dichroic means characterized by wavelength selection properties which vary in response to the polarization of the light received by said dichroic means; wherein the dichroic means includes means for reflecting a first wavelength having a first transition region in response to a first polarized light and for reflecting a second wavelength having a second transition region in response to a second polarized light, said first and second transition regions having substantially no common wavelength therebetween; wherein the first wavelength and second wavelength are within a range of between about 400 to 700 nm; and wherein the dichroic means includes two different kinds of dichroic layers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
139 words
An optical element, comprising: a transparent body having more than one surface; and dichroic means disposed on at least one surface of the body for transmitting and reflecting different wavelengths of polarized light, said dichroic means characterized by wavelength selection properties which vary in response to the polarization of the light received by said dichroic means; wherein the dichroic means includes means for reflecting a first wavelength having a first transition region in response to a first polarized light and for reflecting a second wavelength having a second transition region in response to a second polarized light, said first and second transition regions having substantially no common wavelength therebetween; wherein the first wavelength and second wavelength are within a range of between about 400 to 700 nm; and wherein the dichroic means includes two different kinds of dichroic layers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical element of claim 7, wherein the body includes four right angled prisms, at least one surface of at least two prisms having one of said dichroic means thereon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The optical element of claim 8, wherein each prism has two right angled sides, said at least one surface of each of said at least two prisms is on one of the right angled sides.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The optical element of claim 7, wherein the two dichroic layers are positioned so as to cross each other.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical element of claim 10, wherein the body includes four right angled prisms, at least one surface of at least two prisms having one of said dichroic means thereon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The optical element of claim 11, wherein each prism has two right angled sides, said at least one surface of each of said at least two prisms is on one of the right angled sides.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
111 words
A projection type display apparatus, comprising a source of light having a spectrum including light of at least two colors; first optical means for separating the incident light into said colors of light and characterized by at least one first wavelength transition region; light valve means for receiving and modulating the colors of light; second optical means for synthesizing the modulated colors of light and producing a synthesized image, said second optical means characterized by at least one second wavelength transition region; and projection means for projecting the synthesized image; wherein said at least one first wavelength transition region does not effectively overlap said at least one second wavelength transition region.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
111 words
A projection type display apparatus, comprising a source of light having a spectrum including light of at least two colors; first optical means for separating the incident light into said colors of light and characterized by at least one first wavelength transition region; light valve means for receiving and modulating the colors of light; second optical means for synthesizing the modulated colors of light and producing a synthesized image, said second optical means characterized by at least one second wavelength transition region; and projection means for projecting the synthesized image; wherein said at least one first wavelength transition region does not effectively overlap said at least one second wavelength transition region.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The projection type display apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first optical means and second optical means each have a dichroic layer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The projection type display apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first optical means and second optical means each have two dichroic layers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The projection type display apparatus of claim 15, wherein the two dichroic layers of the first optical means have different wavelength selection properties and the two dichroic layers of the second optical means have different wavelength selection properties.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
The projection type display apparatus of claim 16 wherein the two dichroic layers of the first optical means are positioned at substantially right angles to each other and the two dichroic layers of the second optical means are positioned substantially at right angles to each other.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
92 words
The projection type display apparatus of claim 16, wherein each dichroic layer of the first optical means and the second optical means has a wavelength transition region, each of the dichroic layers of the first optical means producing a different one of the colors of light, and each of the dichroic layers of said second optical means being positioned relative to a corresponding dichroic layer of said first optical means to receive the light transmitted by the corresponding dichroic layer of said first optical means as modulated by said light valve means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The projection type display device of claim 18, wherein the wavelength transition regions of the corresponding dichroic layers of the first optical means and second optical means do not effectively overlap one another.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The projection type display apparatus of claim 13, wherein said colors include red and blue.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
75 words
The projection type display apparatus of claim 16, wherein one of two dichroic layers of the first optical means and one of the two dichroic layers of the second optical means are operable for reflecting the red component of light and the other of the two dichroic layers of the first optical means and the other of the two dichroic layers of the second optical means are operable for reflecting the blue component of light.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
73 words
The projection type display apparatus of claim 17, wherein one of two dichroic layers of the first optical means and one of the two dichroic layers of the second optical means are operable for reflecting yellow component of light and the other of the two dichroic layers of the first optical means and the other of the two dichroic layers of the second optical means are operable for reflecting cyan components of light.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
48 words
The projection type display apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second optical means includes dichroic means for transmitting and reflecting different wavelengths of polarized light, said dichroic means characterized by wavelength selection properties which vary in response to the polarization of the light received by said dichroic means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
42 words
The projection type display apparatus of claim 16, wherein the wavelength selection properties of the two dichroic layers of the second optical means varies in response to the polarization of the modulated color light received by each of these two dichroic layers.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
The projection type display apparatus of claim 17, wherein the wavelength selection properties of the two dichroic layers of the second optical means varies in response to the polarization of the modulated color light received by each of these two dichroic layers.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
42 words
The projection type display apparatus of claim 18, wherein the wavelength selection properties of the two dichroic layers of the second optical means varies in response to the polarization of the modulated color light received by each of these two dichroic layers.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
The projection type display apparatus of claim 19, wherein the wavelength selection properties of each of the two layers of the second optical means varies in response to the polarization of the modulated color light received by each of these two dichroic layers.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
42 words
The projection type display apparatus of claim 20, wherein the wavelength selection properties of the two dichroic layers of the second optical means varies in response to the polarization of the modulated color light received by each of these two dichroic layers.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The projection type display apparatus of claim 13, wherein the light valve means is operable for polarizing the modulated colors of light.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The projection display apparatus of claim 29, wherein the light valve means is operable for producing the modulated colors of light at two different angles of polarization.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
64 words
The projection type display apparatus of claim 30, wherein the first optical means includes dichroic means for separating the incident light into different colors by reflecting and transmitting light of different wavelengths of the incident light, said light transmitted by said first optical means being polarized by said light valve means at different polarizing angles than said light reflected by said first optical means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
The projection type display apparatus of claim 16, wherein the light valve means is operable for polarizing the modulated colors of light.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
The projection type display apparatus of claim 32, wherein the light means is operable for producing different modulated colors of light at two different angles of polarization.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
93 words
The projection type display apparatus of claim 17, wherein each dichroic layer of the first optical means and the second optical means has a wavelength transition region, each of the dichroic layers of the first optical means producing a different one of the colors of light, and each of the dichroic layers of said second optical means being positioned relative to a corresponding dichroic layer of said first optical means to receive the color light produced by the corresponding dichroic layer of said first optical means as modulated by said light valve means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
33 words
The projection type display device of claim 19, wherein the wavelength transition regions of the corresponding dichroic layers of the first optical means and second optical means do not effectively overlap one another.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of projecting an image on a screen, comprising: separating incident light into different colors of light, each color of light being characterized by a first wavelength transition region; modulating the different colors of light; synthesizing the different modulated colors of light to produce a synthesized image by reflecting and transmitting the modulated colors by at least one dichroic mirror, wherein reflecting and transmitting characteristics of the dichroic mirror include second wavelength transition regions; and projecting the synthesized image toward a screen; wherein the first wavelength transition region of each modulated color of light reflected by a corresponding dichroic mirror and the second wavelength transition region of the corresponding dichroic mirror do not effectively overlap one another.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of projecting an image on a screen, comprising: separating incident light into different colors of light, each color of light being characterized by a first wavelength transition region; modulating the different colors of light; synthesizing the different modulated colors of light to produce a synthesized image by reflecting and transmitting the modulated colors by at least one dichroic mirror, wherein reflecting and transmitting characteristics of the dichroic mirror include second wavelength transition regions; and projecting the synthesized image toward a screen; wherein the first wavelength transition region of each modulated color of light reflected by a corresponding dichroic mirror and the second wavelength transition region of the corresponding dichroic mirror do not effectively overlap one another.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the step of separating the incident light includes reflecting and transmitting the incident light using at least one dichroic layer.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 37, wherein the step of separating the incident light includes reflecting and transmitting the incident light using two dichroic layers.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 38, wherein the two dichroic layers have different wavelength selection properties.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 39, wherein the two dichroic layers are positioned at substantially right angles to each other.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 36, wherein the step of synthesizing includes producing a synthesized image with two dichroic mirrors having different wavelength selection properties.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 40, wherein the step of synthesizing includes producing a synthesized image with two dichroic mirrors having different wavelength selection properties.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 42, further including positioning the dichroic mirrors for synthesizing relative to the corresponding dichroic layers for separating so that the dichroic mirrors for synthesizing receive the color lights produced by the corresponding dichroic layers for separating following modulation.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 43, wherein the wavelength selection region of each dichroic layer and each dichroic mirror varies based on the polarization of light received by the same.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-24 | 1995-09-23 | 1996-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-24 | 1999-09-23 | 2000-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-24 | 2003-09-23 | 2004-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |