US6176586B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Projection display apparatus
Assignee: Minolta Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1999-03-23
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Granted: 2001-01-23
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Expires: 2019-03-23
Abstract
Abstract A projection display apparatus has at least two dichroic reflecting surfaces, a wavelength plate, a polarizing beam splitter, and two reflection-type liquid crystal display devices. The first dichroic reflecting surface separates a polarized light beam into light beams of two different wavelength ranges. The wavelength plate rotates the polarization plane of the light beam of the first wavelength range. The second dichroic reflecting surface integrates together the light beam of the first wavelength range after the rotation of its polarization plane and the light beam of the second wavelength range. The polarizing beam splitter reflects one and transmits the other of the light beams of the first and second wavelength ranges after the integration by the second dichroic reflecting surface. The reflection-type liquid crystal display devices modulate and reflect the light beams reflected from and transmitted through the polarizing beam splitter, respectively. The polarizing beam splitter transmits the light beam coming from the first reflection-type liquid crystal display device and reflects the light beam coming from the second reflection-type liquid crystal display device so as to integrate together those two light beams.
Inventors
- 👤 Naoki Hirose
- 👤 Kohtaro Hayashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:44
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N9/00; H04N9/12; H04N9/31; H04N9/3102; H04N9/3105; H04N9/3141; H04N9/315; H04N9/3167
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
261 words
A projection display apparatus comprising: a first dichroic reflecting surface for separating a polarized light beam into a first light beam of a first wavelength range and a second light beam of a second wavelength range; a wavelength plate for rotating a polarization plane of the first light beam; a second dichroic reflecting surface for integrating at least a first portion of the first light beam, after rotation of the polarization plane of the first light beam, and at least a first portion of the second light beam; a first polarizing beam splitter for reflecting one and transmitting the other of the at least a first portion of the first light beam and the at least a first portion of the second light beam after integration of the at least a first portion of the first light beam and the at least a first portion of the second light beam by the second dichroic reflecting surface; a first reflection-type liquid crystal display device for modulating and reflecting a light beam reflected from the first polarizing beam splitter; and a second reflection-type liquid crystal display device for modulating and reflecting a light beam transmitted through the first polarizing beam splitter, wherein the first polarizing beam splitter transmits a light beam coming from the first reflection-type liquid crystal display device and reflects a light beam coming from the second reflection-type liquid crystal display device so as to integrate the light beam coming from the first reflection-type liquid crystal display device and the light beam coming from the second reflection-type liquid crystal display device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
261 words
A projection display apparatus comprising: a first dichroic reflecting surface for separating a polarized light beam into a first light beam of a first wavelength range and a second light beam of a second wavelength range; a wavelength plate for rotating a polarization plane of the first light beam; a second dichroic reflecting surface for integrating at least a first portion of the first light beam, after rotation of the polarization plane of the first light beam, and at least a first portion of the second light beam; a first polarizing beam splitter for reflecting one and transmitting the other of the at least a first portion of the first light beam and the at least a first portion of the second light beam after integration of the at least a first portion of the first light beam and the at least a first portion of the second light beam by the second dichroic reflecting surface; a first reflection-type liquid crystal display device for modulating and reflecting a light beam reflected from the first polarizing beam splitter; and a second reflection-type liquid crystal display device for modulating and reflecting a light beam transmitted through the first polarizing beam splitter, wherein the first polarizing beam splitter transmits a light beam coming from the first reflection-type liquid crystal display device and reflects a light beam coming from the second reflection-type liquid crystal display device so as to integrate the light beam coming from the first reflection-type liquid crystal display device and the light beam coming from the second reflection-type liquid crystal display device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second dichroic reflecting surface further separates a third light beam of a third wavelength range from one of the first and second light beams.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , further comprising: a second polarizing beam splitter for reflecting the third light beam; and a third reflection-type liquid crystal display device for modulating and reflecting the third light beam after reflection from the second polarizing beam splitter, wherein the second polarizing beam splitter transmits a light beam coming from the third reflection-type liquid crystal display device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 3 , further comprising: a dichroic optical element for integrating together the light beam transmitted through the second polarizing beam splitter and the light beams integrated by the first polarizing beam splitter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
116 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising: a third dichroic reflecting surface for separating a third light beam of a third wavelength range from one of the first and second liqht beams; a second polarizing beam splitter for transmitting the third light beam; and a third reflection-type liquid crystal display device for modulating and reflecting the light beam transmitted through the second polarizing beam splitter, wherein the second polarizing beam splitter reflects a light beam coming from the third reflection-type liquid crystal display device so as to integrate the light beam coming from the third reflection-type liquid crystal display device with the light beams integrated by the first polarizing beam splitter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising: a light source for emitting a light beam; and a polarization converter for aligning a polarization direction of the light beam coming from the light source with a predetermined polarization plane, wherein the thus polarized light beam coming from the polarization converter is shone onto the first dichroic reflecting surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said polarized light beam comprises light beams of red, green, and blue wavelength ranges, and wherein the light beam coming from the second reflection-type liquid crystal display device and reflected from the first polarizing beam splitter is the light beam of the blue wavelength range.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said polarized light beam comprises light beams of red, green, and blue wavelength ranges, and wherein the third light beam is the light beam of the red wavelength range.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said polarized light beam comprises light beams of red, green, and blue wavelength ranges, and wherein the third light beam is the light beam of the green wavelength range.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising: first and second polarizing plates for flattening a polarization plane of a corresponding first and second liqht beam, the first and second polarizinq plates being disposed in front of the second dichroic reflecting surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 3 , further comprising first, second, and third band-pass filters disposed over a front surface of a respective first, second, and third reflection-type liquid crystal display device, the first, second, and third band-pass filters for passing a corresponding wavelength range of a light beam shone onto the respective first, second, and third reflection-type liquid crystal display devices.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 4 , further comprising a projection optical system for projecting the light beams integrated by the dichroic optical element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
96 words
An illumination optical system comprising: a separator for separating a light beam from a light source into a first light beam of a first wavelength range and a second light beam of a second wavelength range; a processor for optically processing one of the first light beam and the second light beam; and a separating/integrating optical element for separating a third light beam of a third wavelength range from the second light beam and integrating the first light beam and a portion of the second light beam that remains after separation of the third light beam.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
96 words
An illumination optical system comprising: a separator for separating a light beam from a light source into a first light beam of a first wavelength range and a second light beam of a second wavelength range; a processor for optically processing one of the first light beam and the second light beam; and a separating/integrating optical element for separating a third light beam of a third wavelength range from the second light beam and integrating the first light beam and a portion of the second light beam that remains after separation of the third light beam.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
216 words
A projection display apparatus comprising: a first dichroic reflecting surface for separating a source light beam into a first light beam of a first wavelength range and a second light beam of a second wavelength range; a first reflector for reflecting the first light beam in a first direction; a second reflector for reflecting the second light beam in a second direction, the second direction being different from the first direction; a dichroic polarizing beam splitter that transmits the first and second light beams shone onto it from the first and second directions; a first reflection-type liquid crystal display device for modulating and reflecting a first of the first light beam and the second light beam transmitted through the dichroic polarizing beam splitter; and a second reflection-type liquid crystal display device for modulating and reflecting a second of the first light beam and the second light beam transmitted through the dichroic polarizing beam splitter, wherein the dichroic polarizing beam splitter transmits a light beam coming from the first reflection-type liquid crystal display device and reflects a light beam coming from the second reflection-type liquid crystal display device so as to integrate the light beam coming from the first reflection-type liquid crystal display device and the light beam coming from the second reflection-type liquid crystal display device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
216 words
A projection display apparatus comprising: a first dichroic reflecting surface for separating a source light beam into a first light beam of a first wavelength range and a second light beam of a second wavelength range; a first reflector for reflecting the first light beam in a first direction; a second reflector for reflecting the second light beam in a second direction, the second direction being different from the first direction; a dichroic polarizing beam splitter that transmits the first and second light beams shone onto it from the first and second directions; a first reflection-type liquid crystal display device for modulating and reflecting a first of the first light beam and the second light beam transmitted through the dichroic polarizing beam splitter; and a second reflection-type liquid crystal display device for modulating and reflecting a second of the first light beam and the second light beam transmitted through the dichroic polarizing beam splitter, wherein the dichroic polarizing beam splitter transmits a light beam coming from the first reflection-type liquid crystal display device and reflects a light beam coming from the second reflection-type liquid crystal display device so as to integrate the light beam coming from the first reflection-type liquid crystal display device and the light beam coming from the second reflection-type liquid crystal display device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , further comprising: a polarizing beam splitter for transmitting or reflecting the first light beam before it is shone onto the dichroic polarizing beam splitter, wherein the polarizing beam splitter transmits or reflects the light beams integrated by the dichroic polarizing beam splitter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
87 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , further comprising: a second dichroic reflecting surface for separating a third light beam of a third wavelength range from the second light beam; a first polarizing beam splitter for reflecting the third light beam; and a third reflection-type liquid crystal display device for modulating and reflecting the third light beam after reflection by the first polarizing beam splitter, wherein the first polarizing beam splitter transmits a light beam coming from the third reflection-type liquid crystal display device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , further comprising first and second polarizing plates for flattening a polarization plane of a corresponding first and second light beam, the first and second polarizing plates being disposed in front of the dichroic polarizing beam splitter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the source light beam is a polarized source light beam.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
65 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , further comprising: a light source for emitting a source light beam; and a polarization converter for aligning a polarization direction of the source light beam coming from the light source with a predetermined polarization plane, wherein the thus polarized source light beam coming from the polarization converter is shone onto the first dichroic reflecting surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 15 , wherein said source light beam comprises light beams of red, green, and blue wavelength ranges, and wherein the first light beam is the light beam of the blue wavelength range.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 16 , further comprising: a second polarizing beam splitter for integrating together the light beam transmitted through the first polarizing beam splitter and the light beams intergrate together by the dichroic polarizing beam splitter.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
40 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 16 , wherein said source light beam comprises light beams of red, green, and blue wavelength ranges, and wherein the third light beam is the light beam of the red wavelength range.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
52 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 16 , wherein said source light beam comprises light beams of red, green, and blue wavelength ranges, and wherein a portion of the second light beam that remains after separation of the third light beam is the light beam of the green wavelength range.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
65 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 16 , further comprising first, second, and third band-pass filters disposed over a front surface of a respective first, second, and third reflection-type liquid crystal display device, the first, second, and third band-pass filters for passing a corresponding wavelength range of a light beam shone onto the respective first, second, and third reflection-type liquid crystal display devices.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 21 , further comprising a projection optical system for projecting the light beams integrated by the second polarizing beam splitter.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 21 , further comprising a wavelength plate for rotating a polarization plane of the third light beam before the third light beam enters the second polarizing beam splitter.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
216 words
A projection display apparatus comprising: a first dichroic reflecting surface for separating a source light beam into a first light beam of a first wavelength range and a second light beam of a second wavelength range; a first reflector for reflecting the first light beam in a first direction; a second reflector for reflecting the second light beam in a second direction, the second direction being different from the first direction; a dichroic polarizing beam splitter that reflects the first and second light beams shone onto it from the first and second directions; a first reflection-type liquid crystal display device for modulating and reflecting a first of the first light beam and the second light beam reflected from the dichroic polarizing beam splitter; and a second reflection-type liquid crystal display device for modulating and reflecting a second of the first light beam and the second light beam reflected from the dichroic polarizing beam splitter, wherein the dichroic polarizing beam splitter reflects a light beam coming from the first reflection-type liquid crystal display device and transmits a light beam coming from the second reflection-type liquid crystal display device so as to integrate the light beam coming from the first reflection-type liquid crystal display device and the light beam coming from the second reflection-type liquid crystal display device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
216 words
A projection display apparatus comprising: a first dichroic reflecting surface for separating a source light beam into a first light beam of a first wavelength range and a second light beam of a second wavelength range; a first reflector for reflecting the first light beam in a first direction; a second reflector for reflecting the second light beam in a second direction, the second direction being different from the first direction; a dichroic polarizing beam splitter that reflects the first and second light beams shone onto it from the first and second directions; a first reflection-type liquid crystal display device for modulating and reflecting a first of the first light beam and the second light beam reflected from the dichroic polarizing beam splitter; and a second reflection-type liquid crystal display device for modulating and reflecting a second of the first light beam and the second light beam reflected from the dichroic polarizing beam splitter, wherein the dichroic polarizing beam splitter reflects a light beam coming from the first reflection-type liquid crystal display device and transmits a light beam coming from the second reflection-type liquid crystal display device so as to integrate the light beam coming from the first reflection-type liquid crystal display device and the light beam coming from the second reflection-type liquid crystal display device.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
52 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 27 , further comprising: a polarizing beam splitter for transmitting or reflecting the first light beam before it is shone onto the dichroic polarizing beam splitter, wherein the polarizing beam splitter transmits or reflects the light beams integrated by the dichroic polarizing beam splitter.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
87 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 27 , further comprising: a second dichroic reflecting surface for separating a third light beam of a third wavelength range from the second light beam; a first polarizing beam splitter for reflecting the third light beam; and a third reflection-type liquid crystal display device for modulating and reflecting the third light beam after reflection by the first polarizing beam splitter, wherein the first polarizing beam splitter transmits a light beam coming from the third reflection-type liquid crystal display device.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
46 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 27 , further comprising first and second polarizing plates for flattening a polarization plane of a corresponding first and second light beam, the first and second polarizing plates being disposed in front of the dichroic polarizing beam splitter.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 27 , wherein the source light beam is a polarized source light beam.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
65 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 27 , further comprising: a light source for emitting a source light beam; and a polarization converter for aligning a polarization direction of the source light beam coming from the light source with a predetermined polarization plane, wherein the thus polarized source light beam coming from the polarization converter is shone onto the first dichroic reflecting surface.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
40 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 28 , wherein said source light beam comprises light beams of red, green, and blue wavelength ranges, and wherein the first light beam is the light beam of the blue wavelength range.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
40 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 29 , further comprising: a second polarizing beam splitter for integrating the light beam transmitted through the first polarizing beam splitter and the light beams integrated by the dichroic polarizing beam splitter.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
40 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 29 , wherein said source light beam comprises light beams of red, green, and blue wavelength ranges, and wherein the third light beam is the light beam of the red wavelength range.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
52 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 29 , wherein said source light beam comprises light beams of red, green, and blue wavelength ranges, and wherein a portion of the second light beam that remains after separation of the third light beam is the light beam of the green wavelength range.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
65 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 29 , further comprising first, second, and third band-pass filters disposed over a front surface of a respective first, second, and third reflection-type liquid crystal display device, the first, second, and third band-pass filters for passing a corresponding wavelength range of a light beam shone onto the respective first, second, and third reflection-type liquid crystal display devices.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 34 , further comprising a projection optical system for projecting the light beams integrated by the second polarizing beam splitter.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
36 words
A projection display apparatus as claimed in claim 34 , further comprising a wavelength plate for rotating a polarization plane of the third light beam before the third light beam enters the second polarizing beam splitter.
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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) | 2004-01-23 | 2004-07-24 | 2005-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-23 | 2008-07-24 | 2009-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-23 | 2012-07-24 | 2013-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |