US5755503A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical illumination system having improved efficiency and uniformity and projection instrument comprising such a system
Assignee: Transpacific IP Ltd
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Filing: 1995-11-13
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Granted: 1998-05-26
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Expires: 2015-11-13
Abstract
Abstract An illumination system having improved efficiency and uniformity for an image projection apparatus. The illumination system is employed for supplying an optical radiation beam along a principal axis to illuminate an object which, in a plane perpendicular to the principal axis, has a non-round cross-section. The illumination system includes: a light source for emitting light beams; a reflective mirror, having a plurality of reflective curved surfaces for reflecting the light beams emitted from the light source to form a plurality of reflective beams; and a lens plate, having a plurality of lenses, each of the plurality of lenses corresponding to a reflective curved surface of the reflective mirror to project the plurality of reflective beams onto the object, so that the plurality of reflective beams are superimposed on the object and produce a uniform illumination.
Inventors
- 👤 Kuang-Yu Chen
- 👤 San-Ming Chen
- 👤 Zu-Deh Hao
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:20
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N9/00; H04N9/12; H04N9/31; H04N9/3141; H04N9/315; F; F21; F21V; F21V13/00; F21V13/02; F21V13/04; H04N9/3102; H04N9/3105; H04N5/00; H04N5/74; H04N5/7416; H04N5/7441
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
An illumination system for supplying an optical radiation beam along a principal axis and illuminating an object which, in a plane perpendicular to the principal axis, has a non-round cross-section, said system comprising: a light source for emitting a light beam; a reflective mirror, having a plurality of reflective curved surfaces, for reflecting the light beam emitted from the light source to form a plurality of reflected beams; and a lens plate, having a plurality of lenses, each of the plurality of lenses corresponding to a reflective curved surface of the reflective mirror to project a plurality of reflected beams onto an object, so that the plurality of reflected beams are superimposed on the object and produce a uniform illumination.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
An illumination system for supplying an optical radiation beam along a principal axis and illuminating an object which, in a plane perpendicular to the principal axis, has a non-round cross-section, said system comprising: a light source for emitting a light beam; a reflective mirror, having a plurality of reflective curved surfaces, for reflecting the light beam emitted from the light source to form a plurality of reflected beams; and a lens plate, having a plurality of lenses, each of the plurality of lenses corresponding to a reflective curved surface of the reflective mirror to project a plurality of reflected beams onto an object, so that the plurality of reflected beams are superimposed on the object and produce a uniform illumination.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An illumination system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the superimposed reflected beams have a shape corresponding to the cross section of the object along a principal axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An illumination system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reflective mirror is a curved surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An illumination system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each reflective curved surface of the reflective mirror is spherical.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An illumination system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each reflective curved surface of the reflective mirror is aspherical.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
An illumination system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lens plate per planar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
An illumination system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lens plate is curved.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
An illumination system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the number of lenses on the lens plate is at least equal to the number of reflective curved surfaces on the reflective mirror.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An illumination system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reflective mirror has a hole formed at the center thereof for mounting the light source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
An illumination system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cross section of the object along the principal axis is rectangular.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An illumination system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the arrangement of the plurality of lenses on the lens plate is symmetrical.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An illumination system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the arrangement of the plurality of lenses on the lens plate is asymmetrical.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
An illumination system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lens plate is fabricated by molding glass.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
92 words
An image projection apparatus comprising successively an illumination system, an information display system having at least one display panel for generating images to be projected and a projection lens system for projecting said images on a screen, characterized in that the illumination system is a system as claimed in claim 1 and in that a lens for imaging an exit pupil of the illumination system on the entrance pupil of the projection lens system is arranged in the radiation path in front of and proximate to said at least one display panel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
A color image projection apparatus having three color channels for three primary colors red, green and blue, each color channel comprising a separate display panel, wherein said color image projection apparatus comprises one illumination system as claimed in claim 1 for supplying separate beams to said three color channels via a color-splitting means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
A color image projection apparatus having three color channels for three primary colors red, green and blue, each channel comprising a separate display panel, wherein each color channel comprises a separate illumination system as claimed in claim 1.
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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) | 2001-05-25 | 2001-11-24 | 2002-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-25 | 2005-11-24 | 2006-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-25 | 2009-11-24 | 2010-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |