US5260728A — Apparatus for reducing, enlarging and projecting …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 124 words

An apparatus for reducing, enlarging, and projecting image information comprising: a light source for radiating a light beam including at least P wave and S wave polarized light; means for separating the random light beam into P wave and S wave polarization components; means including at least two image information elements for providing both the two polarization components with the image information by modulating them; means for merging the P and S wave polarization components modulated by the image information; and means for projecting the resultant light to a workpiece for marking a pattern on it; wherein said apparatus further comprises at least two half-wave plates for controlling the directions of polarization of the light incident to said at least two image information elements.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 124 words

An apparatus for reducing, enlarging, and projecting image information comprising: a light source for radiating a light beam including at least P wave and S wave polarized light; means for separating the random light beam into P wave and S wave polarization components; means including at least two image information elements for providing both the two polarization components with the image information by modulating them; means for merging the P and S wave polarization components modulated by the image information; and means for projecting the resultant light to a workpiece for marking a pattern on it; wherein said apparatus further comprises at least two half-wave plates for controlling the directions of polarization of the light incident to said at least two image information elements.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 48 words

An apparatus for reducing, enlarging, and projecting image information according to claim 1, wherein said light source is a laser oscillator for outputting a laser beam and said projecting means is a lens for focusing and marking the image informations of the resultant light beam on an object.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 40 words

An apparatus for reducing, enlarging, and projecting image information according to claim 1, wherein said light source outputs a white light and said projecting means enlarges the image information of the resultant light beam and projecting them onto a screen.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 48 words

An apparatus for reducing, enlarging, and projecting image information according to claim 1, wherein said image providing means includes at least a pair of twistnematic type liquid crystal arranged on the light path of the P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component of the light beam.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 140 words

A laser marker comprising: a laser oscillator for generating a laser beam; a first beam splitter for separating the laser beam into P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component; an image forming means including at least two image information elements arranged on the light path of the P wave polarization component and S polarization component for providing both the P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component with image information by modulating them; a second beam splitter for merging the P and S wave polarization components modulated by the image information; and a lens means for projecting the resultant light onto a workpiece so as to mark a pattern on it; wherein the marker further comprises at least two half-wave plates for controlling the direction of polarization of the lights incident to said two image information elements.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 140 words

A laser marker comprising: a laser oscillator for generating a laser beam; a first beam splitter for separating the laser beam into P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component; an image forming means including at least two image information elements arranged on the light path of the P wave polarization component and S polarization component for providing both the P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component with image information by modulating them; a second beam splitter for merging the P and S wave polarization components modulated by the image information; and a lens means for projecting the resultant light onto a workpiece so as to mark a pattern on it; wherein the marker further comprises at least two half-wave plates for controlling the direction of polarization of the lights incident to said two image information elements.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 22 words

A laser marker according to claim 5, wherein said image forming means are at least a pair of twistnematic liquid crystal elements.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 23 words

A laser marker according to claim 5, wherein the distance between said pair of image forming means and lens means are approximately equal.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 26 words

A laser marker according to claim 5, wherein said image formation means includes a common signal source for inputting signals to said two image formation elements.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 46 words

A laser marker according to claim 5, wherein said image formation means includes means for presenting the displays of said two image formation elements in a mirror-image fashion electronically or mechanically, and said two image formation elements are liquid crystal elements arranged perpendicularly to each other.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 19 words

A laser marker according to claim 5, wherein said laser oscillator outputs a laser beam of randomly polarized light.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 26 words

A laser marker according to claim 5, wherein said second beam splitter is of a cubic type on which light can be incident from any direction.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 59 words

A laser marker according to claim 5, wherein said second beam splitter is arranged in such a manner that the plane formed by the normal line of its face and by the optical axis is in parallel with or perpendicular to the axes of polarization of the modulated lights orthogonal to each other from said two image formation elements.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 39 words

A laser marker according to claim 5, wherein said two half-wave plates are wave-plates for controlling the directions of polarization of the lights incident to said two image formation elements in such a manner as to be approximately equal.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 134 words

A laser marker: a laser oscillator for generating a laser beam; a first beam splitter for separating the laser beam into P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component; an image forming means including at least a pair of image information elements arranged on the light path of the P wave polarization component and S polarization component for providing both the P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component with image information by modulating them; a second beam splitter for merging the P and S wave polarization components modulated by the image information; and a lens means for projecting the resultant light onto a workpiece so as to mark a pattern on it; wherein said image information means includes means capable of adjusting the relative positions of said two image information elements.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 134 words

A laser marker: a laser oscillator for generating a laser beam; a first beam splitter for separating the laser beam into P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component; an image forming means including at least a pair of image information elements arranged on the light path of the P wave polarization component and S polarization component for providing both the P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component with image information by modulating them; a second beam splitter for merging the P and S wave polarization components modulated by the image information; and a lens means for projecting the resultant light onto a workpiece so as to mark a pattern on it; wherein said image information means includes means capable of adjusting the relative positions of said two image information elements.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 159 words

A laser marker comprising: a laser oscillator for generating a laser beam; a first beam splitter for separating the laser beam into P wave polarization component and a wave polarization component; an image forming means including at least two image information elements arranged on the light path of the P wave polarization component and S polarization component for providing both the P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component with image information by modulating them; a second beam splitter for merging the P and S wave polarization components modulated by the image information; and a lens means for projecting the resultant light onto a workpiece so as to mark a pattern on it; wherein said image forming means includes a common base which supports said two image information elements integrally and interchangeably, and the marker further comprises at least two half-wave plates for controlling the direction of polarization of the light incident to said two image information elements.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 159 words

A laser marker comprising: a laser oscillator for generating a laser beam; a first beam splitter for separating the laser beam into P wave polarization component and a wave polarization component; an image forming means including at least two image information elements arranged on the light path of the P wave polarization component and S polarization component for providing both the P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component with image information by modulating them; a second beam splitter for merging the P and S wave polarization components modulated by the image information; and a lens means for projecting the resultant light onto a workpiece so as to mark a pattern on it; wherein said image forming means includes a common base which supports said two image information elements integrally and interchangeably, and the marker further comprises at least two half-wave plates for controlling the direction of polarization of the light incident to said two image information elements.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 134 words

A laser marker comprising: a laser oscillator for generating a laser beam; a first beam splitter for separating the laser beam into P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component; an image forming means including at least a pair of image information elements arranged on the light path of the P wave polarization component and S polarization component for providing both the P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component with image information by modulating them; a second beam splitter for merging the P and S wave polarization components modulated by the image information; and a lens means for projecting the resultant light onto a workpiece so as to mark a pattern on it; wherein said marker further has a beam expander arranged on the light path before said first beam splitter.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 134 words

A laser marker comprising: a laser oscillator for generating a laser beam; a first beam splitter for separating the laser beam into P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component; an image forming means including at least a pair of image information elements arranged on the light path of the P wave polarization component and S polarization component for providing both the P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component with image information by modulating them; a second beam splitter for merging the P and S wave polarization components modulated by the image information; and a lens means for projecting the resultant light onto a workpiece so as to mark a pattern on it; wherein said marker further has a beam expander arranged on the light path before said first beam splitter.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 158 words

A laser marker comprising: a laser oscillator for generating a laser beam; a first beam splitter for separating the laser beam into P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component; an image forming means including at least a pair of image information elements arranged on the light path of the P wave polarization component and S polarization component for providing both the P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component with image information by modulating them; a second beam splitter for merging the P and S wave polarization components modulated by the image information; and a lens means for projecting the resultant light onto a workpiece so as to mark a pattern on it; wherein said marker further has capable of adjusting the positional shift of the images displayed by said two image information elements by detecting a discarded beam comprising the polarized components perpendicular to the lights modulated respectively by said two image information elements.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 158 words

A laser marker comprising: a laser oscillator for generating a laser beam; a first beam splitter for separating the laser beam into P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component; an image forming means including at least a pair of image information elements arranged on the light path of the P wave polarization component and S polarization component for providing both the P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component with image information by modulating them; a second beam splitter for merging the P and S wave polarization components modulated by the image information; and a lens means for projecting the resultant light onto a workpiece so as to mark a pattern on it; wherein said marker further has capable of adjusting the positional shift of the images displayed by said two image information elements by detecting a discarded beam comprising the polarized components perpendicular to the lights modulated respectively by said two image information elements.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 172 words

A laser marker comprising: a laser oscillator for generating a laser beam; a first beam splitter for separating the laser beam into P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component; an image forming means including at least two image information elements arranged on the light path of the P wave polarization component and S polarization component for providing both the P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component with image information by modulating them; a second beam splitter for merging the P and S wave polarization components modulated by the image information; and a lens means for projecting the resultant light into a workpiece so as to mark a pattern on it; wherein said image forming means includes means for electronically controlling the positions of the images displayed on said two image information elements to correct a shift between the positions of both images, and the marker further comprises at least two half-wave plates for controlling the direction of polarization of the lights incident to said two image information elements.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 172 words

A laser marker comprising: a laser oscillator for generating a laser beam; a first beam splitter for separating the laser beam into P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component; an image forming means including at least two image information elements arranged on the light path of the P wave polarization component and S polarization component for providing both the P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component with image information by modulating them; a second beam splitter for merging the P and S wave polarization components modulated by the image information; and a lens means for projecting the resultant light into a workpiece so as to mark a pattern on it; wherein said image forming means includes means for electronically controlling the positions of the images displayed on said two image information elements to correct a shift between the positions of both images, and the marker further comprises at least two half-wave plates for controlling the direction of polarization of the lights incident to said two image information elements.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 153 words

A laser marker comprising: a laser oscillator for generating a laser beam; a first beam splitter for separating the laser beam into P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component; an image forming means including at least a pair of image information elements arranged on the light path of the P wave polarization component and S polarization component for providing both the P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component with image information by modulating them; a second beam splitter for merging the P and S wave polarization components modulated by the image information; and a lens means for projecting the resultant light onto a workpiece so as to mark a pattern on it; wherein subsequent to the separation of the P wave and S wave by said first beam splitter, the lengths of the optical paths to said second beam splitter by which the resynthesization is performed are approximately equal.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 153 words

A laser marker comprising: a laser oscillator for generating a laser beam; a first beam splitter for separating the laser beam into P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component; an image forming means including at least a pair of image information elements arranged on the light path of the P wave polarization component and S polarization component for providing both the P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component with image information by modulating them; a second beam splitter for merging the P and S wave polarization components modulated by the image information; and a lens means for projecting the resultant light onto a workpiece so as to mark a pattern on it; wherein subsequent to the separation of the P wave and S wave by said first beam splitter, the lengths of the optical paths to said second beam splitter by which the resynthesization is performed are approximately equal.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 178 words

A laser marker comprising: a laser oscillator for generating a laser beam; a first beam splitter for separating the laser beam into P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component; an image forming means including at least a pair of image information elements arranged on the light path of the P wave polarization component and S polarization component for providing both the P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component with image information by modulating them; a second beam splitter for merging the P and S wave polarization components modulated by the image information; means for controlling he plane of polarization, the respective lights modulated by said two image information elements being directed to said second beam splitter with the plane of polarization of the lights perpendicular to each other; a lens means for projecting the resultant light onto a workpiece so as to mark a pattern on it; wherein said marker further comprises at least two half-wave plates for controlling the direction of polarization of the lights incident to said pair of image information elements.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 178 words

A laser marker comprising: a laser oscillator for generating a laser beam; a first beam splitter for separating the laser beam into P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component; an image forming means including at least a pair of image information elements arranged on the light path of the P wave polarization component and S polarization component for providing both the P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component with image information by modulating them; a second beam splitter for merging the P and S wave polarization components modulated by the image information; means for controlling he plane of polarization, the respective lights modulated by said two image information elements being directed to said second beam splitter with the plane of polarization of the lights perpendicular to each other; a lens means for projecting the resultant light onto a workpiece so as to mark a pattern on it; wherein said marker further comprises at least two half-wave plates for controlling the direction of polarization of the lights incident to said pair of image information elements.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 18 words

A laser marker according to claim 20, wherein said polarization plane controlling means includes a half wave plate.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 179 words

A laser marker comprising: a laser oscillator for generating a laser beam; a first beam splitter for separating the laser beam into P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component; an image forming means including at least a pair of image information elements arranged on the light path of the P wave polarization component and S polarization component for providing both the P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component with image information by modulating them; a second beam splitter for merging the P and S wave polarization components modulated by the image information; means for controlling the plane of polarization, the respective lights modulated by said two image information elements being directed to said second beam splitter with the plane of polarization of the lights perpendicular to each other; a lens means for projecting the resultant light onto a workpiece so as to mark a pattern on it; wherein said polarization controlling means includes a pair of image formation elements for displaying a negative image on one side and a positive image on the other side.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 179 words

A laser marker comprising: a laser oscillator for generating a laser beam; a first beam splitter for separating the laser beam into P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component; an image forming means including at least a pair of image information elements arranged on the light path of the P wave polarization component and S polarization component for providing both the P wave polarization component and S wave polarization component with image information by modulating them; a second beam splitter for merging the P and S wave polarization components modulated by the image information; means for controlling the plane of polarization, the respective lights modulated by said two image information elements being directed to said second beam splitter with the plane of polarization of the lights perpendicular to each other; a lens means for projecting the resultant light onto a workpiece so as to mark a pattern on it; wherein said polarization controlling means includes a pair of image formation elements for displaying a negative image on one side and a positive image on the other side.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 26 words

A laser marker according to claim 22, wherein said displaying means includes an inverting circuit for inverting signals inputted to one of the image formation elements.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 110 words

An image projector comprising: a light source for outputting randomly polarized light; a first beam splitter for separating said light into the P wave and S wave; an image formation means including at least two liquid crystal elements which modulate said P wave and S wave respectively to provide them with image information; a second beam splitter for resynthesizing the P wave and S wave provided with said information; and a projection lens for projecting said light obtained by the resynthesization onto a screen; wherein said projector further comprises at least two half-wave plates for controlling the direction of polarization of the lights incident to said two liquid crystal elements.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 110 words

An image projector comprising: a light source for outputting randomly polarized light; a first beam splitter for separating said light into the P wave and S wave; an image formation means including at least two liquid crystal elements which modulate said P wave and S wave respectively to provide them with image information; a second beam splitter for resynthesizing the P wave and S wave provided with said information; and a projection lens for projecting said light obtained by the resynthesization onto a screen; wherein said projector further comprises at least two half-wave plates for controlling the direction of polarization of the lights incident to said two liquid crystal elements.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 54 words

An image projector according to claim 24, wherein said light source is means for outputting white light randomly polarized, and said two image formation elements are of the pixel structure having at least two colors or more of the three prime colors, R, G, and B, to enable the projection of a color image.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 25 words

An image projector according to claim 24, wherein the image information provided by said liquid crystal element is the image information of a moving picture.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 162 words

A color image projector comprising: a light source for outputting white light randomly polarized; a first plurality of dichroic mirrors for performing the color separation of said white light; an optically processing means, which is arranged on the respective beam lines of the respective colors provided by said color separation, for providing image information to the lights of the respective colors; a second plurality of dichroic mirrors for resynthesizing the color lights provided with said image information; and a projection lens for projecting said synthesized light; and characterized in that said optically processing means comprises a first beam splitter for separating the respective color lights into the polarized light components of both P wave and S wave; an image formation means including at least two liquid crystal elements for modulating said P wave and S wave respectively to provide them with an image information; and a second beam splitter for resynthesizing the P wave and S wave provided with said image information.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 162 words

A color image projector comprising: a light source for outputting white light randomly polarized; a first plurality of dichroic mirrors for performing the color separation of said white light; an optically processing means, which is arranged on the respective beam lines of the respective colors provided by said color separation, for providing image information to the lights of the respective colors; a second plurality of dichroic mirrors for resynthesizing the color lights provided with said image information; and a projection lens for projecting said synthesized light; and characterized in that said optically processing means comprises a first beam splitter for separating the respective color lights into the polarized light components of both P wave and S wave; an image formation means including at least two liquid crystal elements for modulating said P wave and S wave respectively to provide them with an image information; and a second beam splitter for resynthesizing the P wave and S wave provided with said image information.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 26 words

A color image projector according to claim 27, wherein the image information provided by said liquid crystal elements is the image information of a moving picture.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 29 words

A color image projector according to claim 27, wherein the light incident to the optically processing means corresponding to each of said colors is one colored and randomly polarized.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1996-11-08	1997-05-10	1997-11-09	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2000-11-08	2001-05-10	2001-11-09	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2004-11-08	2005-05-10	2005-11-09	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus for reducing, enlarging and projecting image information

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