US5379083A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Projector
Assignee: Raychem Corp
•
Filing: 1994-02-15
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Granted: 1995-01-03
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Expires: 2014-02-15
Abstract
Abstract A projector having a light valve which operates by alternatively transmitting incident light or scattering such light has adjustable illumination and projection apertures to maximize contrast ratio and brightness according to ambient light conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Akira Tomita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:45
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/14; H; H04; H04N; H04N9/00; H04N9/12; H04N9/31; H04N9/3141; H04N9/315; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H04N5/57; H04N5/59
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A projector, comprising: (a) a source of light; (b) a light valve which comprises a plurality of elements, each of which can be independently switched between a state in which incident light incident from the source is substantially transmitted or reflected and a state in which incident light from the source is substantially scattered to impart an image to the incident light; (c) an illumination light controller which is disposed between the source and the light valve and is adjustable to provide a variable illumination aperture for controlling the degree of collimation of light reaching the light valve from the light source; (d) projection lens for projecting onto a screen imaged light received from the light valve; and (e) a projection aperture controller which is adjustable to provide a variable projection aperture for controlling the amount of imaged light transmitted by the light valve which is projected to the screen by the projection lens.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A projector, comprising: (a) a source of light; (b) a light valve which comprises a plurality of elements, each of which can be independently switched between a state in which incident light incident from the source is substantially transmitted or reflected and a state in which incident light from the source is substantially scattered to impart an image to the incident light; (c) an illumination light controller which is disposed between the source and the light valve and is adjustable to provide a variable illumination aperture for controlling the degree of collimation of light reaching the light valve from the light source; (d) projection lens for projecting onto a screen imaged light received from the light valve; and (e) a projection aperture controller which is adjustable to provide a variable projection aperture for controlling the amount of imaged light transmitted by the light valve which is projected to the screen by the projection lens.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A projector according to claim 1, wherein the light valve comprises a liquid crystal-polymer composite in which plural volumes of a liquid crystal material are dispersed in a matrix polymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A projector according to claim 2, wherein the liquid crystal material is nematic liquid crystal material having a positive dielectric anisotropy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A projector according to claim 1, further comprising a light sensor which senses the ambient light intensity and responsively adjusts the projection aperture such that the real contrast ratio is maximized.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A projector according to claim 4, wherein the light valve comprises a liquid crystal-polymer composite in which plural volumes of a liquid crystal material are dispersed in a matrix polymer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A projector according to claim 5, wherein the liquid crystal material is nematic liquid crystal material having a positive dielectric anisotropy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A projector according to claim 4, wherein the sensor further controls the illumination aperture such that the illumination aperture is less than the projection aperture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A projector according to claim 7, wherein the light valve comprises a liquid crystal-polymer composite in which plural volumes of a liquid crystal material are dispersed in a matrix polymer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A projector according to claim 8, wherein the liquid crystal material is nematic liquid crystal material having a positive dielectric anisotropy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A projector according to claim 1, wherein the elements in the light valve switch between a state in which incident light incident from the source is substantially transmitted and a state in which incident light from the source is substantially scattered.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A projector according to claim 10, wherein the light valve comprises a liquid crystal-polymer composite in which plural volumes of a liquid crystal material are dispersed in a matrix polymer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A projector according to claim 11, wherein the liquid crystal material is nematic liquid crystal material having a positive dielectric anisotropy.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
A projector according to claim 1, wherein the elements in the light valve switch between a state in which incident light incident from the source is substantially reflected and a state in which incident light from the source is substantially scattered.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A projector according to claim 13, wherein the light valve comprises a liquid crystal-polymer composite in which plural volumes of a liquid crystal material are dispersed in a matrix polymer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A projector according to claim 14, wherein the liquid crystal material is nematic liquid crystal material having a positive dielectric anisotropy.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
142 words
A projector, comprising: (a) a source of light having a characteristic image size; (b) a light valve which comprises a plurality of elements, each of which can be independently switched between a state in which incident light incident from the source is substantially transmitted or reflected and a state in which incident light from the source is substantially scattered to impart an image to the incident light; (c) projection lens for projecting onto a screen imaged light received from the light valve; and (d) a projection aperture controller which is adjustable to provide a variable projection aperture for controlling the amount of imaged light transmitted by the light valve which is projected to the screen by the projection lens; the image size of the source of light being smaller than the smallest aperture to which the projection aperture controller can be adjusted.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
142 words
A projector, comprising: (a) a source of light having a characteristic image size; (b) a light valve which comprises a plurality of elements, each of which can be independently switched between a state in which incident light incident from the source is substantially transmitted or reflected and a state in which incident light from the source is substantially scattered to impart an image to the incident light; (c) projection lens for projecting onto a screen imaged light received from the light valve; and (d) a projection aperture controller which is adjustable to provide a variable projection aperture for controlling the amount of imaged light transmitted by the light valve which is projected to the screen by the projection lens; the image size of the source of light being smaller than the smallest aperture to which the projection aperture controller can be adjusted.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A projector according to claim 16, wherein the light valve comprises a liquid crystal-polymer composite in which plural volumes of a liquid crystal material are dispersed in a matrix polymer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A projector according to claim 17, wherein the liquid crystal material is nematic liquid crystal material having a positive dielectric anisotropy.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
A projector according to claim 17, wherein the elements in the light valve switch between a state in which incident light incident from the source is substantially transmitted and a state in which incident light from the source is substantially scattered.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
A projector according to claim 17, wherein the elements in the light valve switch between a state in which incident light incident from the source is substantially reflected and a state in which incident light from the source is substantially scattered.
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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) | 1998-01-02 | 1998-07-04 | 1999-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-02 | 2002-07-04 | 2003-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-02 | 2006-07-04 | 2007-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |