Patent US5671382A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US6273567B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6273567B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compact multi-path LCD projector
Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
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Filing: 1998-09-14
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Granted: 2001-08-14
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Expires: 2018-09-14
Abstract
Abstract A multi-path reflective color liquid crystal display projection system utilizes one color separating dichroic mirror in combination with polarizing beam splitters and reflective liquid crystal displays to provide a high resolution, high brightness display. The dichroic mirror separates two color components (e.g., green and one of the red and blue components) and from the other (e.g., the other of the red and blue components). A color light separating polarizing beam splitter the receives the two selected color components of light and separates them from each other.
Inventors
- 👤 Arlie R. Conner
- 👤 David K. Booth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:50
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/10; G02B27/14; G02B27/145; G02B27/148; G02B27/149; G02B27/28; G02B27/283; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/14; G03B21/20; G03B21/2066; G03B33/00; G03B33/10; G03B33/12; H; H04; H04N; H04N9/00; H04N9/12; H04N9/31; H04N9/3102; H04N9/3105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
In a multi-path reflective pixelated display projector having a light source providing multi-color light, plural reflective pixelated displays for imparting image information on color components of the light, plural polarizing beam splitters associated with the reflective pixelated display for analyzing image information imparted by the reflective pixelated displays, and a color component image combiner and image projection lens assembly to combine the image information and project it, the improvement comprising: a color separating dichroic mirror that separates at least two selected color components of light from another color component of light the at least two selected color components of light having have a first polarization and being directed along an optical path separate from the other color components of light; and a color light separating polarizing beam splitter than receives the at least two selected color components of light and separates them from each other, the polarizing beam splitter including a pair of prisms that have respective inclined faces positioned against each other with a dielectric film therebetween; and a quarter wave plate and an achromatic mirror that cooperate to impart on the other color component of light a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
In a multi-path reflective pixelated display projector having a light source providing multi-color light, plural reflective pixelated displays for imparting image information on color components of the light, plural polarizing beam splitters associated with the reflective pixelated display for analyzing image information imparted by the reflective pixelated displays, and a color component image combiner and image projection lens assembly to combine the image information and project it, the improvement comprising: a color separating dichroic mirror that separates at least two selected color components of light from another color component of light the at least two selected color components of light having have a first polarization and being directed along an optical path separate from the other color components of light; and a color light separating polarizing beam splitter than receives the at least two selected color components of light and separates them from each other, the polarizing beam splitter including a pair of prisms that have respective inclined faces positioned against each other with a dielectric film therebetween; and a quarter wave plate and an achromatic mirror that cooperate to impart on the other color component of light a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The projector of claim 1 in which one of the color components of light is green light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The projector of claim 1 in which the at least two selected color components of light are directed along an optical path separate from the other color components of light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The projector of claim 1 in which the at least two selected color components of light and the other color components of light are directed along a common optical path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The projector of claim 1 in which one of the separated selected color components is directed toward another of the polarizing beam splitters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The projector of claim 1 in which the color light separating polarizing beam splitter delivers the separated selected color components of light directly to separate reflective liquid crystal displays.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The projector of claim 6 in which the separate reflective liquid crystal displays are positioned at adjacent faces of the color light separating polarizing beam splitter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a multi-path reflective pixelated display projector having a light source providing multi-color light, plural reflective pixelated displays for imparting image information on color components of the light, plural polarizing beam splitters associated with the reflective pixelated displays for analyzing image combiner and image projection lens assembly to combine the image information and project it, the improvement comprising: a polarizing beam splitter having first and second reflective pixelated displays in physical contact with separate first and second sides of the polarizing beam splitter for imparting image information of respective first and second color components that are of different colors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a multi-path reflective pixelated display projector having a light source providing multi-color light, plural reflective pixelated displays for imparting image information on color components of the light, plural polarizing beam splitters associated with the reflective pixelated displays for analyzing image combiner and image projection lens assembly to combine the image information and project it, the improvement comprising: a polarizing beam splitter having first and second reflective pixelated displays in physical contact with separate first and second sides of the polarizing beam splitter for imparting image information of respective first and second color components that are of different colors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The projector of claim 8 in which the first and second sides are adjacent each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The projector of claim 8 further comprising only one other polarizing beam splitter having associated with it one of the reflective pixelated displays.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a multi-path reflective pixelated display projector having a light source providing multi-color light, plural reflective pixelated displays for imparting image information on color components of the light, plural polarizing beam splitters associated with the reflective pixelated displays for analyzing image information imparted by the reflective pixelated displays, and a color component image combiner and image projection lens assembly to combine the image information and project it, the improvement comprising: an illumination color component polarizer having a color selective mirror, a quarter wave plate, and another mirror that are in a fixed position and successively receive incident light for polarizing a color component of the multi-color light relative to another color component of the multi-color light; and a fixed color separating dichroic mirror that separates a selected color component of light from, and directs it along a path different from that of, another color component of light.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a multi-path reflective pixelated display projector having a light source providing multi-color light, plural reflective pixelated displays for imparting image information on color components of the light, plural polarizing beam splitters associated with the reflective pixelated displays for analyzing image information imparted by the reflective pixelated displays, and a color component image combiner and image projection lens assembly to combine the image information and project it, the improvement comprising: an illumination color component polarizer having a color selective mirror, a quarter wave plate, and another mirror that are in a fixed position and successively receive incident light for polarizing a color component of the multi-color light relative to another color component of the multi-color light; and a fixed color separating dichroic mirror that separates a selected color component of light from, and directs it along a path different from that of, another color component of light.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The projector of claim 11 in which the illumination color component polarizer polarizes only one color component of light.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The projector of claim 11 in which the illumination color component polarizer polarizes two color components of light.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a multi-path transmissive pixelated display projector having a light source providing multi-color light, plural transmissive pixelated displays for imparting image information on color components of the light, plural polarizing beam splitters associated with the transmissive pixelated displays for analyzing image information imparted by the transmissive pixelated displays, and a color component image combiner and image projection lens assembly to combine the image information and project it, the improvement comprising: an illumination color component polarizer having a color selective mirror, a quarter wave plate, and another mirror that are in a fixed position and successively receive incident light for polarizing a color component of the multi-color light relative to another color component of the multi-color light; and a fixed color separating dichroic mirror that separates a selected color component of light from, and directs it along a path different from that of, another color component of light.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a multi-path transmissive pixelated display projector having a light source providing multi-color light, plural transmissive pixelated displays for imparting image information on color components of the light, plural polarizing beam splitters associated with the transmissive pixelated displays for analyzing image information imparted by the transmissive pixelated displays, and a color component image combiner and image projection lens assembly to combine the image information and project it, the improvement comprising: an illumination color component polarizer having a color selective mirror, a quarter wave plate, and another mirror that are in a fixed position and successively receive incident light for polarizing a color component of the multi-color light relative to another color component of the multi-color light; and a fixed color separating dichroic mirror that separates a selected color component of light from, and directs it along a path different from that of, another color component of light.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The projector of claim 14 in which the illumination color component polarizer polarizes only one color component of light.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The projector of claim 14 in which the illumination color component polarizer polarizes two color components of light.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
169 words
In a multi-path pixelated display projector having a light source providing three intermixed color components of a first polarization and three pixelated displays for imparting image information on the color components of light, the image information on the color components of light being combined and projected to form a display image, a method of directing the plural color components, comprising: imparting on at least one or two of the color components a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization to provide one color component with one of the first and second polarizations and two color components with the other of the first and second polarizations, the three color components being directed along a common optical path; color separating one of the two color components having the other of the first and second polarizations and directing it along an optical path separate from that of the two other color components; and polarization separating the two other color components from each other after the color separation of the one color component.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
169 words
In a multi-path pixelated display projector having a light source providing three intermixed color components of a first polarization and three pixelated displays for imparting image information on the color components of light, the image information on the color components of light being combined and projected to form a display image, a method of directing the plural color components, comprising: imparting on at least one or two of the color components a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization to provide one color component with one of the first and second polarizations and two color components with the other of the first and second polarizations, the three color components being directed along a common optical path; color separating one of the two color components having the other of the first and second polarizations and directing it along an optical path separate from that of the two other color components; and polarization separating the two other color components from each other after the color separation of the one color component.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 17 in which polarization separating the the two other color components includes directing them through a polarizing beam splitter that separates light of the first and second polarizations.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 17 in which the polarizing beam splitter includes a pair of prisms that have respective inclined faces positioned against each other with a dielectric film therebetween.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 17 in which the three pixelated displays are transmissive displays.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 20 in which the three pixelated displays are liquid crystal displays.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 17 in which the three pixelated displays are reflective displays.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 22 in which the three pixelated displays are liquid crystal displays.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
193 words
In a multi-path reflective pixelated display projector having a light source providing multi-color light, plural reflective pixelated displays for imparting image information on color components of the light, plural polarizing beam splitters associated with the reflective pixelated displays for analyzing image information imparted by the reflective pixelated displays, and a color component image combiner and image projection lens assembly to combine the image information and project it, the improvement comprising: a color separating dichroic mirror that separates at least two selected color components of light from another color component of light, the at least two selected color components of light having have a first polarization; a color light separating polarizing beam splitter that receives the at least two selected color components of light and separates them from each other, the at least two selected color components of light having the same polarization and the polarizing beam splitter including a dielectric layer that separates the at least two selected color components of light according to their colors; and a quarter wave plate and an achromatic mirror that cooperate to impart on the other color component of light second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
193 words
In a multi-path reflective pixelated display projector having a light source providing multi-color light, plural reflective pixelated displays for imparting image information on color components of the light, plural polarizing beam splitters associated with the reflective pixelated displays for analyzing image information imparted by the reflective pixelated displays, and a color component image combiner and image projection lens assembly to combine the image information and project it, the improvement comprising: a color separating dichroic mirror that separates at least two selected color components of light from another color component of light, the at least two selected color components of light having have a first polarization; a color light separating polarizing beam splitter that receives the at least two selected color components of light and separates them from each other, the at least two selected color components of light having the same polarization and the polarizing beam splitter including a dielectric layer that separates the at least two selected color components of light according to their colors; and a quarter wave plate and an achromatic mirror that cooperate to impart on the other color component of light second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The projector of claim 11 in which one of the color components of light is green light.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The projector of claim 24 in which the dielectric layer is achromatic to provide color non-selective reflection of light of a selected polarization.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
The projector of claim 24 in which the at least two selected color components of light are directed along an optical path separate from the other color components of light.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The projector of claim 24 which the at least two selected color components of light and the other color components of light are directed along a common optical path.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The projector of claim 24 in which one of the separated selected color components is directed toward another of the polarizing beam splitters.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The projector of claim 24 in which the color light separating polarizing beam splitter delivers the separated selected color components of light directly to separate reflective liquid crystal displays.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
The projector of claim 30 in which the separate reflective liquid crystal displays are positioned at adjacent faces of the color light separating polarizing beam splitter.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
123 words
In a multi-path reflective pixelated display projector having a light source providing multi-color light, plural reflective pixelated displays for imparting image information on color components of the light, plural polarizing beam splitters associated with the reflective pixelated displays for analyzing image information imparted by the reflective pixelated displays, and a color component image combiner and image projection lens assembly to combine the image information and project it, the improvement comprising: a color light separating polarizing beam splitter that receives at least two selected color components of light and separates them from each other, the selected color components of light having orthogonal polarizations and the polarizing beam splitter includes a dielectric layer that separates the selected color components of light according to their polarizations.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
123 words
In a multi-path reflective pixelated display projector having a light source providing multi-color light, plural reflective pixelated displays for imparting image information on color components of the light, plural polarizing beam splitters associated with the reflective pixelated displays for analyzing image information imparted by the reflective pixelated displays, and a color component image combiner and image projection lens assembly to combine the image information and project it, the improvement comprising: a color light separating polarizing beam splitter that receives at least two selected color components of light and separates them from each other, the selected color components of light having orthogonal polarizations and the polarizing beam splitter includes a dielectric layer that separates the selected color components of light according to their polarizations.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The projector of claim 32 in which one of the color components of light is green light.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
The projector of claim 32 in which the dielectric layer is achromatic to provide color non-selective reflection of light of a selected polarization.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
48 words
The projector of claim 32 further comprising a color separating dichroic mirror that separates the at least two selected color components of light from another color component of light and directs the at least two selected color components of light to the color light separating polarizing beam splitter.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
30 words
The projector of claim 35 in which the at least two selected color components of light are directed along an optical path separate from the other color components of light.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
49 words
The projector of claim 35 in which the two selected color components of light have a first polarization, the projector further comprising a quarter wave plate and an achromatic mirror that cooperate to impart on the other color component of light a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
30 words
The projector of claim 37 in which the at least two selected color components of light and the other color components of light are directed along a common optical path.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
23 words
The projector of claim 32 in which one of the separated selected color components is directed toward another of the polarizing beam splitters.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
29 words
The projector of claim 32 in which the color light separating polarizing beam splitter delivers the separated selected color components of light directly to separate reflective liquid crystal displays.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
26 words
The projector of claim 40 in which the separate reflective liquid crystal displays are positioned at adjacent faces of the color light separating 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) | 2004-08-13 | 2005-02-12 | 2005-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-08-13 | 2009-02-12 | 2009-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-08-13 | 2013-02-12 | 2013-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |