CA2290686C - Contrast improvement in liquid crystal light valve projectors - Google Patents
Contrast improvement in liquid crystal light valve projectors Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2290686C CA2290686C CA002290686A CA2290686A CA2290686C CA 2290686 C CA2290686 C CA 2290686C CA 002290686 A CA002290686 A CA 002290686A CA 2290686 A CA2290686 A CA 2290686A CA 2290686 C CA2290686 C CA 2290686C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- lcd
- angle
- analyser
- projector
- contrast
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
- G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
- G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour
- G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
- G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
- G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
- G02F1/1335—Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. polarisers or reflectors
- G02F1/133528—Polarisers
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/74—Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor
Abstract
The present invention relates to a light valve image projector with a disposition for improving the contrast of an optical image projected on a screen by that projector. The projector comprises at least one illumination system, at least one field lens, at least one set consisting of a polariser, an LCD and an analyser and at least a projection lens, and presents at least one optical axis which includes an angle .alpha. with the optical axis of the projection lenses. The invention consists in positioning the analyser (25) so that it includes an angle larger than .alpha. with the LCD, at least for the light rays that pass through the contrast limiting area of the LCD. The invention consists furthermore in placing the polariser so that it includes an angle larger than .alpha. with the LCD. Both the analyser and/or the polariser may have a flat or a curved surface.
Description
Contrast improvement in liquid crystal light valve projectors Technical field The present invention relates to contrast improvement in liquid crystal light valve projection systems, more particularly to a light valve image projector with a disposition for improving the contrast of the by that projector projected optical image.
Background art For an enlarged projection of images on a screen by means of a light valve projector, an optical image is put on a light valve and bundled light is sent through said light valve. Said light then passes through an appropriate projection lens system, which focuses an image on the screen. An appropriate light valve for such a projection system is a liquid crystal display, commonly referred to as an "LCD".
Two kinds of liquid crystal light valve projectors exist: OFF-axis projectors and ON-axis projectors.
Fig. 1 shows the optical path in an OFF-axis projection system. Said projection system comprises an OFF-axis projector 1 and a screen 2. The OFF-axis projector 1 comprises an illumination system 3, a field lens 4, a polarises 5, an LCD 6, an analyser 7 and a projection lens 8. The illumination system 3 comprises a lamp, a reflector, and an integrating system which converts the circular and non-uniform light distribution coming from the reflector into a rectangular and uniform illumination of the LCD 6. The field lens 4 images the illumination system into the entrance pupil of the projection lens 8. In this way, it ensures that the light with which the LCD 6 is illuminated is directed into this entrance pupil of the projection lens 8. The projection lens 8 images the illuminated LCD
6 on the screen 2. The line through the optical centres of the illumination system 3, the field lens 4 and the projection lens 8 is further called the optical axis 9 of the projector 1.
In case the OFF-axis projector 1 is a multi-light valve projector (for example a projector with three light valves), the optical path is more complex, because by means of a set of dichroic mirrors the light is splitted into 3 colours (red, green and blue), CONFIRMATION COPY
Background art For an enlarged projection of images on a screen by means of a light valve projector, an optical image is put on a light valve and bundled light is sent through said light valve. Said light then passes through an appropriate projection lens system, which focuses an image on the screen. An appropriate light valve for such a projection system is a liquid crystal display, commonly referred to as an "LCD".
Two kinds of liquid crystal light valve projectors exist: OFF-axis projectors and ON-axis projectors.
Fig. 1 shows the optical path in an OFF-axis projection system. Said projection system comprises an OFF-axis projector 1 and a screen 2. The OFF-axis projector 1 comprises an illumination system 3, a field lens 4, a polarises 5, an LCD 6, an analyser 7 and a projection lens 8. The illumination system 3 comprises a lamp, a reflector, and an integrating system which converts the circular and non-uniform light distribution coming from the reflector into a rectangular and uniform illumination of the LCD 6. The field lens 4 images the illumination system into the entrance pupil of the projection lens 8. In this way, it ensures that the light with which the LCD 6 is illuminated is directed into this entrance pupil of the projection lens 8. The projection lens 8 images the illuminated LCD
6 on the screen 2. The line through the optical centres of the illumination system 3, the field lens 4 and the projection lens 8 is further called the optical axis 9 of the projector 1.
In case the OFF-axis projector 1 is a multi-light valve projector (for example a projector with three light valves), the optical path is more complex, because by means of a set of dichroic mirrors the light is splitted into 3 colours (red, green and blue), CONFIRMATION COPY
and after modulation of the light, these colours are recombined again. The OFF-axis projector then comprises an illumination system, three field lenses, three sets consisting of a polarises, an LCD and an analyser, and a projection lens. A line through the optical S centres of the illumination system, one of the field lenses and the projection lens is an optical axis of the projector. The schematic description of the illumination and imaging system shown in figure 1 is not altered by these colour-splitting mirrors. In what follows the state of the art is described as if there were only one illumination system, one field lens, one set consisting of a polarises, an LCD and an analyser, and one projection lens.
The direction of the optical axis 9 of the projector 1 is different from the direction of the optical axis 10 of the projection lens 8. Both optical axes 9 and 10 include an OFF-axis angle a as shown in Fig. 1. This angle a can have any positive value, but in the most common OFF-axis configuration, the projector 1 is set up in such a way that the optical axis 10 of the projection lens 8 intersects with the bottom of the image of the screen 2.
If the OFF-axis angle a is zero, or in other words, if the direction of the optical axis 9 of the projector 1 is equal to the direction of optical axis 10 of the projection lens 8, the projector is called an ON-axis projector. Fig. 10a shows the minimum configuration of an ON-axis liquid crystal light valve projection system. It comprises an ON-axis projector 11 and a screen 2. The ON
axis projector 11 comprises the same parts as the OFF-axis projector 1 described hereinabove. Said same parts have been denoted by means of the same reference numerals.
Fig. 2 shows an image source of as well OFF-axis and ON-axis liquid crystal light valve projectors 1 and 11. Said image source comprises a polarises 5, an LCD 6 and an analyser 7. Although represented in Fig. 2 as three separate parts, two of the parts or the three parts can form one unit. The polarises 5 and the analyser 7 are both light polarising elements and have in their planes each an absorbing direction and a non-absorbing direction, the absorbing direction being perpendicular to the non-absorbing direction.
The LCD 6 comprises, with reference to the light direction, a front glass plate 15, a back glass plate 16 and sealed in between both glass plates 15, 16 a twisted nematic liquid crystal layer. The sides of the glass plates 15 and 16 not touching the twisted nematic liquid crystal layer, each have a layer with transparent image forming pixel electrodes. The twisted nematic LCD (TN-LCD) may be addressed with an active matrix. In such an active matrix TN-LCD, a switching device, such as a thin film transistor or a number of thin film diodes, is integrated on each pixel.
In Fig. 2, the non-absorbing direction 17 of the polarises 5 is perpendicular to the rubbing direction 18 of the front glass plate 15 of the LCD 6. Said rubbing direction 18 defines the preferred direction of the liquid crystal molecules at the interface with the front glass plate 15. The non-absorbing direction 19 of the analyser 7 is perpendicular to the rubbing direction 20 of the back glass plate 16. In a twisted nematic liquid crystal display, the rubbing directions at the opposite glass plates are perpendicular, and therefore the molecules form a 90 degrees twisted helix in the bulk as shown in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b. Fig. 3a shows the distribution of the molecules 21 in a twisted nematic LCD between the front glass plate 15 and the rear glass plate 16 in the bright state. Fig. 3b shows the corresponding distribution in the dark state.
To obtain an optimum black level in an image projected by a projection system containing a polarises, an LCD and an analyser, the non-absorbing directions of these three elements must be correctly matched. Therefor, the analyser or the polarises may be installed rotatable around their normal.
The contrast of the image obtained with an LCD as light valve depends strongly on the angle of incidence of the light entering the LCD. It is by consequence LCD area and, by consequence, screen area dependent, what is explained by the following.
Fig. 4 shows the typical viewing angle characteristics of a twisted nematic LCD. The graphs are lines of equal contrast between the bright and dark state at the two corresponding driving voltages, with relative values between 3 en 300. The vertical axis shows the vertical angle of incidence between -40° and 40°. It presents the component of the light ray within the plane perpendicular to both the plane of the LCD and the horizontal image scanning direction of the LCD. The horizontal axis gives angles of incidence between -40°
and 40° and is the component of the light ray within the plane perpendicular to the plane of the LCD and the vertical image scanning direction of the LCD.
The direction of the optical axis 9 of the projector 1 is different from the direction of the optical axis 10 of the projection lens 8. Both optical axes 9 and 10 include an OFF-axis angle a as shown in Fig. 1. This angle a can have any positive value, but in the most common OFF-axis configuration, the projector 1 is set up in such a way that the optical axis 10 of the projection lens 8 intersects with the bottom of the image of the screen 2.
If the OFF-axis angle a is zero, or in other words, if the direction of the optical axis 9 of the projector 1 is equal to the direction of optical axis 10 of the projection lens 8, the projector is called an ON-axis projector. Fig. 10a shows the minimum configuration of an ON-axis liquid crystal light valve projection system. It comprises an ON-axis projector 11 and a screen 2. The ON
axis projector 11 comprises the same parts as the OFF-axis projector 1 described hereinabove. Said same parts have been denoted by means of the same reference numerals.
Fig. 2 shows an image source of as well OFF-axis and ON-axis liquid crystal light valve projectors 1 and 11. Said image source comprises a polarises 5, an LCD 6 and an analyser 7. Although represented in Fig. 2 as three separate parts, two of the parts or the three parts can form one unit. The polarises 5 and the analyser 7 are both light polarising elements and have in their planes each an absorbing direction and a non-absorbing direction, the absorbing direction being perpendicular to the non-absorbing direction.
The LCD 6 comprises, with reference to the light direction, a front glass plate 15, a back glass plate 16 and sealed in between both glass plates 15, 16 a twisted nematic liquid crystal layer. The sides of the glass plates 15 and 16 not touching the twisted nematic liquid crystal layer, each have a layer with transparent image forming pixel electrodes. The twisted nematic LCD (TN-LCD) may be addressed with an active matrix. In such an active matrix TN-LCD, a switching device, such as a thin film transistor or a number of thin film diodes, is integrated on each pixel.
In Fig. 2, the non-absorbing direction 17 of the polarises 5 is perpendicular to the rubbing direction 18 of the front glass plate 15 of the LCD 6. Said rubbing direction 18 defines the preferred direction of the liquid crystal molecules at the interface with the front glass plate 15. The non-absorbing direction 19 of the analyser 7 is perpendicular to the rubbing direction 20 of the back glass plate 16. In a twisted nematic liquid crystal display, the rubbing directions at the opposite glass plates are perpendicular, and therefore the molecules form a 90 degrees twisted helix in the bulk as shown in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b. Fig. 3a shows the distribution of the molecules 21 in a twisted nematic LCD between the front glass plate 15 and the rear glass plate 16 in the bright state. Fig. 3b shows the corresponding distribution in the dark state.
To obtain an optimum black level in an image projected by a projection system containing a polarises, an LCD and an analyser, the non-absorbing directions of these three elements must be correctly matched. Therefor, the analyser or the polarises may be installed rotatable around their normal.
The contrast of the image obtained with an LCD as light valve depends strongly on the angle of incidence of the light entering the LCD. It is by consequence LCD area and, by consequence, screen area dependent, what is explained by the following.
Fig. 4 shows the typical viewing angle characteristics of a twisted nematic LCD. The graphs are lines of equal contrast between the bright and dark state at the two corresponding driving voltages, with relative values between 3 en 300. The vertical axis shows the vertical angle of incidence between -40° and 40°. It presents the component of the light ray within the plane perpendicular to both the plane of the LCD and the horizontal image scanning direction of the LCD. The horizontal axis gives angles of incidence between -40°
and 40° and is the component of the light ray within the plane perpendicular to the plane of the LCD and the vertical image scanning direction of the LCD.
Fig. 4 thus demonstrates the dependence of the contrast in function of the incident angle of the light which enters the LCD.
The contrast changes much more in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction of the screen. Moreover, the maximum contrast is not obtained for light rays with normal incidence but for light rays having a small incident angle in the vertical direction. This angle corresponds with the angle av shown on Fig. 3b. The angle acv corresponds very well with the remaining tilt at dark state of the molecules in the twisted nematic liquid crystal layer.
Fig. 1 and Fig. 10a show that light rays enter the LCD under different angles. As a consequence of the phenomena shown in Fig. 4, without further measures being taken, an image projected by a projector using as light valve a twisted nematic LCD, will be non-uniform, which is differently contrasted in vertical direction.
Fig. 5 shows in another way how the LCD light transmission (vertical axis) depends on the angle of incidence (different graphs) and on the LCD drive voltage (horizontal axis). For angles of light incidence larger than 0°, the light transmission graphs show a minimum. This minimum determines the maximum obtainable contrast at that angle of incidence, as for higher drive voltages the contrast is negative. For larger positive angles of incidence, the minimum transmission value is higher and so the maximum obtainable contrast is lower. For smaller positive angles of incidence, the location of the minimum on the graph is shifted to a higher drive voltage and to a lower transmission value or higher obtainable contrast. For zero and negative angles of incidence of light, there is no minimum of transmission.
Another representation of the contrast dependence of the angle of incidence, also including the behaviour of the LCD in function of its drive voltage, is given by the graphs "0" in figures Fig. 6a, 6b and 6c. The normalised intensity on the screen is displayed on these figures in function of the LCD drive voltage for a projection system as illustrated by Fig. 1. Fig. 6a shows the intensity measured at the top of the display screen; Fig. 6b shows the intensity in the middle of the screen; Fig. 6c shows the intensity measured at the bottom of the screen.
Fig. 6a shows that in areas of the image where the angle of incidence of light is larger, the intensity of the projected image has a minimum value for a specific drive voltage of the LCD. This is the case at the top of the image in a projection system as illustrated in Fig. 1. For drive voltages above the voltage of ~ minimum intensity, the contrast is even negative. If otherwise the drive voltage should be equal all over the LCD, such an intensity 5 minimum will appear on the screen at a specific angle of incidence and be visible as horizontal darker bar.
Fig. 6b and Fig. 6c show that in areas of the image where the angle of incidence is smaller, such a minimum of intensity (or in other words maximum of contrast) does not occur. There, the limitation is determined by the maximum LCD drive voltage allowed.
For the above reasons, in practice the LCD drive voltages are chosen so as to get a uniform black level or minimum intensity all over the screen. The limit is thereby determined by what can be obtained in the area of larger angles of incidence, and so does not result in the best contrast possible in other areas of the screen.
In order to obtain a better contrast and better uniformity of contrast without loss of other picture quality, various methods of contrast enhancement and apparatus with improved contrast are known.
Various apparatus have additional physical items with reference to the minimum projector set-up as described in Fig. 1.
In US-5,576,854, a quarter-wave compensator plate is disposed between the polariser and the liquid crystal light. This solution is only suitable for the reflective set-up described in the patent and is not applicable for projection with TN-LCDs.
In US-5,371,559, a stop is disposed inside the projection lens, forming an aperture of the lens assembly decentered from the optical axis of the lenses of the projection lens assembly in the vertical scanning direction of the liquid crystal panel. The blocking of the light rays at the entrance pupil of the lens reduces the efficiency of the projection system, resulting in a lower light output of the projector.
In US-5,375,006, contrast improvement in a projector using TN-LCDs is obtained by using (uniaxial) birefringent films. In some of the claims, the films are even inclined with respect to the optical axis. This solution however complicates the complete stack of elements of the LCD light-modulating device, because two new optical surfaces are introduced. This leads to light loss due to extra reflections. If the films are optically coupled to minimise this light loss, then the LCD itself becomes thicker, and more difficult to cool. Moreover, these thin birefringent films are also sensitive to temperature changes and mechanical stress caused by the temperature differences in a high light-output projector.
s Disclosure of the invention It is an object of the present invention to overcome the problems mentioned hereinabove.
According to the present invention, a light valve image projector provided with a disposition for improving the contrast of a by that projector projected optical image is provided. The projector comprises at least one illumination system, at least one field lens, at least one set consisting of a polarises, an LCD and an analyser, and at least one projection lens. It presents at least one optical axis, each optical axis of the projector including an angle a with the optical axis of the projection lenses. At least one of the analysers includes with the LCD of the same set, consisting of polarises, LCD and analyser, an angle pa larger than the angle a, at least for the light rays that pass through the contrast limiting area of said LCD. The angle (3a is so that said at least one of the analysers is not parallel to the polarises belonging to the same set consisting of analyser, LCD and polarises, at least for the light rays that pass through the contrast limiting area of the LCD. The contrast limiting area of an LCD included in a light valve image projector is defined as the part of the surface of the LCD through which light rays pass at that angle with the LCD for which the highest obtainable contrast is minimum.
The projector may be a monochrome projector or a multicolour projector. In case there are more sets consisting of a polarises, an LCD and an analyser, the angles dig included by each analyser with the corresponding LCD of the same set, may be different.
According to a preferred embodiment, also at least one of the polarisers includes an angle dip with the LCD of the same set consisting of polarises, LCD and analyser. This angle is larger than the angle a, at least for the light rays that pass through the contrast limiting area of said LCD. In case there are multiple sets consisting of a polarises, an LCD and an analyser, the angles /3p included by each polarises with the corresponding LCD of the same set, may be different.
n - i I 1 H:~.;....~: I -II
_7-If the angle a mentioned hereinabove is different from zero, the projector is called an OFF-axis projector.
If the angle a is equal to zero, the projector is called an ON-axis projector.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, at feast one of the analysers of the projector has a flat surface.
1o According to another embodiment, at least one of the analysers is curved. In that case it has a curvature such that the tangent planes of said analyser at the points of incidence of the light rays which pass through the contrast limiting area of the LCD of the same set, include an angle ~3a > a with the plane of the LCD.
According to a further embodiment, at least one of the polarisers has a flat surface.
According to yet another embodiment, at least one of the polarisers is 2o curved. In that case it has a curvature such that the tangent planes of said polariser at the points of incidence of the light rays passing through the contrast limiting area of the LCD of the same set, include an angle (3p > a with the plane of the LCD.
Analysers) and polariser(s) may be movable such that the angles (3a andlor dip can be adjusted by the manufacturer andlor by the user.
According to a further embodiment light valve image projector with disposition for improving the contrast of a by said projector projected optical so image, said projector comprising at least one illumination system, at least one field lens, at least one set consisting of a polariser, an LCD and an analyser, and at least one projection lens, said projector presenting at least one optical axis, each optical axis of the projector including an angle a with the optical axis of the projection lenses, wherein at least one of said analysers includes i i -7a-an angle (3a larger than the angle a with the LCD belonging to the same set consisting of analyser, LCD and polariser, at least for the light rays that pass through the contrast limiting area of said LCD, said angle (3a being so that said at least one of said analysers is not parallel to the polariser belonging to the same set consisting of analyser, LCD and polariser, of least for the light rays that pass through the contrast limiting area of said LCD.
A specific embodiment of the present invention is a projector comprising one illumination system, three field lenses, three sets consisting of a polariser, an LCD and an analyser, and one projection lens.
Brief description of the drawings The invention will be better understood by means of the following drawings, in which:
~s Fig. 1 shows the optical path in an OFF-axis projection system (prior art);
Fig. 2 shows the non-absorbing directions of the polariser and the analyser as they are mounted in a conventional way in a liquid crystal light valve projector (prior art);
Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b show the molecule distribution in a twisted nematic liquid crystal display (prior art);
Fig. 4 shows simulated viewing angle characteristics with iso-contrast curves 2s for incident angles of light on an LCD (prior art);
Fig. 5 shows the light transmission in function of the drive voltage and for different angles of light incidence (prior art);
Fig. 6a, Fig. 6b and Fig. 6c show the normalised intensity of an image projected by an OFF-axis projector in function of the drive voltage applied to the LCD, respectively at the top, in the middle and at the bottom of the screen;
Fig. 7a, Fig. 7b and Fig. 7c show the normalised intensity of an image projected by an ON-axis projector in function of the drive voltage applied to the LCD, respectively at the top, in the middle and at the bottom of the screen;
Fig. 8a shows an OFF-axis projection system wherein the angle between the analyser and the LCD is larger than the OFF-axis angle;
Fig. 8b shows an OFF-axis projector wherein the angle between the analyser and the LCD and the angle between the polarises and the LCD are larger than the OFF-axis angle;
Fig. 9 shows an OFF-axis projector wherein the analyser and the polarises have a curved surface;
Fig. 10a shows the optical path in an ON-axis projection system (prior art);
Fig. lOb shows an ON-axis projector wherein the angle between the analyser and the LCD and the angle between the polarises and the LCD are larger than 0~;
Fig. 11 shows an ON-axis projector wherein the analyser and the polarises have a curved surface.
Modes for carrying out the invention A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig.
8a. It presents an OFF-axis projector 22, wherein the angle via between the analyser 23 and the LCD 6 is made larger than the OFF-axis angle a. The polarises S is perpendicular to the optical axis of the projector 9 and includes an angle to the LCD 6, which is equal to the OFF-axis angle a.
Fig. 6a, Fig. 6b and Fig. 6c show the normalised intensity of an image projected by the OFF-axis projector, in function of the drive voltage applied to the LCD, at the top, in the middle and at the bottom of the screen respectively. The graphs marked "0"
correspond to the prior art OFF-axis projection system, whereby the polarises and the analyser are mounted perpendicular to the optical axis of the projector, or in other words have an angle to the LCD
surface equal to the OFF-axis angle a. The graph marked "A"
_ corresponds to the set-up covered by this invention and described in this first embodiment, whereby the angle via between the analyser and the LCD is larger than the OFF-axis angle a.
In this first embodiment of the present invention, the contrast is improved over the whole screen, as illustrated in the three drawings Fig. 6a, Fig. 6b and Fig. 6c, wherein the graphs "A"
show lower values of intensity compared to the graphs "0". The IO result is that in the area which determines the minimum of contrast being the top of the screen, the contrast is increased compared to the prior art version. The contrast in the other areas being the middle and the top of the screen is also improved in a way that the overall contrast compromise is improved compared to the prior art version.
A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig.
8b. It presents an OFF-axis projector 24 wherein the angle pg between the analyser 25 and the LCD 6 is made larger than the OFF
axis angle a. The angle ~p between the polarises 26 and the LCD 6 is larger than the OFF-axis angle a.
The graphs "B" in Fig. 6a, Fig. 6b and Fig. 6c show the improvement of the contrast of the image obtained by means of the decrease of the lower intensity levels in function of the LCD drive voltage, compared to the lower intensity levels for the prior art OFF-axis projection system (graphs "0") and to the intensity for the first embodiment OFF-axis projector (graphs "A"). Compared to the first embodiment, the second embodiment has a decreased, or in other words improved, black level at the top, in the middle and at the bottom of the screen. Having the polarises mounted including an angle to the LCD which is larger than the OFF-axis angle a improves even more the over all black level of the projector and permits to obtain the highest possible contrast all over the screen.
. Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig.
10b. In an ON-axis projector 27 the angle via between the analyser 28 and the LCD 6 as well as the angle dip between the polarises 29 and the LCD 6 are made larger than 0 degrees.
Fig. 7a, Fig. 7b and Fig. 7c show the normalised intensity of an image projected by the ON-axis liquid crystal light valve projector in function of the drive voltage applied to the LCD, at the top, in the middle and at the bottom of the screen respectively.
The graph marked "0" corresponds to the prior art projection system whereby the polarises and the analyser are mounted perpendicular to the optical axis of the projector, or in other words are parallel to 5 the LCD. The graph marked "A" corresponds to the ON-AXIS projection system whereby the angle pa between the analyser and the LCD is different from zero, and whereby the angle ~p between the polarises and the LCD is equal to zero. The graph marked "B" corresponds to the ON-AXIS projection system whereby both the angles (ia and pp are 10 different from zero.
Fig. 7a, 7b and 7c show that the ON-axis projector has a lower contrast at the bottom of the screen, because the lower intensity values are higher there than at the top of the screen. The bottom of the screen corresponds to the top of the LCD where incident light rays have a negative incident angle. The viewing angle characteristics of Fig. 4, which show lower contrast for negative incident angles of light, explain that the contrast is lower and thus most critical at the bottom of the image in the ON-axis projection system. With comparison to graph "0", graph "A", corresponding to an inclination of the analyser only, and graph "B", corresponding to an inclination of both the analyser and the polarises, show an improvement of the contrast at the top, in the middle and at the bottom of the screen.
Other embodiments of the present invention are shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 11. In these embodiments, the surfaces of the analyser and polarises are not flat but curved.
Compared to the flat versions, the curved versions of analyser and polarises introduce a gradually enlarging angle to the LCD
plane, the angle being largest at the contrast limiting area side of the LCD.
The advantage of these embodiments with curved surfaces for analyser and polarises is that space taken inside the projector by the disposition of the analyser and the LCD and by the disposition of the polarises and the field lens, is smaller when the surfaces of polarises and analyser are curved than when they are flat.
The curvatures of the surfaces of analyser and polarises do not decrease the contrast uniformity of the projection system, as long as the angle between the analyser or polarises on the one hand, and the plane of the LCD on the other hand, has its largest value facing the contrast limiting area side of the LCD, and is in the other areas large enough to permit the compensation of the contrast by adaptation of the drive voltage there. This is explained by the following.
For an LCD projection system aligned for uniform contrast, the overall contrast is limited to the contrast which can be obtained in the area where the contrast has a minimum in function of the drive voltage as made clear in Fig. 5. The contrast improvement obtained by an embodiment of the present invention must be maximum at that contrast limiting area and can be smaller in other areas as there it can be compensated by adaptation of the drive voltage. Therefor, a smaller improvement of contrast and so an angle smaller than the angle as stated by the present invention is permitted in other areas than the contrast limiting areas.
Fig. 9 shows a schematic view of an OFF-axis projector 30, whereby the analyser 31 and polariser 32 have a curved surface. The largest curvature corresponds to the bottom side of the LCD 6, which is the LCD side with the contrast limiting area. The angle via is the angle between the LCD plane and the tangent plane 38 to the curved analyser 31 at a point of incidence of a light ray. pa is larger than a for light rays passing through the contrast limiting area of the LCD 6. The angle ~3p is the angle between the LCD plane and the tangent plane 39 to the curved analyser 32 at a point of incidence of a light ray. ~3p is larger than a for light rays passing through the contrast limiting area of the LCD 6.
Fig. 11 shows a schematic view of an ON-axis projector, whereby the analyser 34 and polariser 35 have a curved surface. The largest curvature corresponds to the topside of the LCD 6, which is the LCD side with the contrast limiting area. The angle via is the angle between the LCD plane and the tangent plane 36 to the curved analyser 34 at a point of incidence of a light ray. (ia is larger than zero for light rays passing through the contrast limiting area of the LCD. The angle dip is the angle between the LCD plane and the tangent plane 37 to the curved analyser 35 at a point of incidence of a light ray. dip is larger than zero for light rays passing through the contrast limiting area of the LCD 6.
The embodiments of the present invention as shown by Fig. 8a, 8b and 9 describe OFF-axis projectors whereby the projection lens is positioned at a height lower than the middle of the screen. This applies to what is usually called a table-mounted projector. The present invention also applies to OFF-axis projectors whereby the position of the projection lens is higher than the height of screen.
This applies to what is usually called a ceiling mounted projector.
S For a ceiling mounted projector, the figures Fig. 8a, 8b and 9 do apply but should be mirrored vertically, and what is stated about the top of the screen then counts for the bottom of the screen, and vice versa.
The contrast changes much more in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction of the screen. Moreover, the maximum contrast is not obtained for light rays with normal incidence but for light rays having a small incident angle in the vertical direction. This angle corresponds with the angle av shown on Fig. 3b. The angle acv corresponds very well with the remaining tilt at dark state of the molecules in the twisted nematic liquid crystal layer.
Fig. 1 and Fig. 10a show that light rays enter the LCD under different angles. As a consequence of the phenomena shown in Fig. 4, without further measures being taken, an image projected by a projector using as light valve a twisted nematic LCD, will be non-uniform, which is differently contrasted in vertical direction.
Fig. 5 shows in another way how the LCD light transmission (vertical axis) depends on the angle of incidence (different graphs) and on the LCD drive voltage (horizontal axis). For angles of light incidence larger than 0°, the light transmission graphs show a minimum. This minimum determines the maximum obtainable contrast at that angle of incidence, as for higher drive voltages the contrast is negative. For larger positive angles of incidence, the minimum transmission value is higher and so the maximum obtainable contrast is lower. For smaller positive angles of incidence, the location of the minimum on the graph is shifted to a higher drive voltage and to a lower transmission value or higher obtainable contrast. For zero and negative angles of incidence of light, there is no minimum of transmission.
Another representation of the contrast dependence of the angle of incidence, also including the behaviour of the LCD in function of its drive voltage, is given by the graphs "0" in figures Fig. 6a, 6b and 6c. The normalised intensity on the screen is displayed on these figures in function of the LCD drive voltage for a projection system as illustrated by Fig. 1. Fig. 6a shows the intensity measured at the top of the display screen; Fig. 6b shows the intensity in the middle of the screen; Fig. 6c shows the intensity measured at the bottom of the screen.
Fig. 6a shows that in areas of the image where the angle of incidence of light is larger, the intensity of the projected image has a minimum value for a specific drive voltage of the LCD. This is the case at the top of the image in a projection system as illustrated in Fig. 1. For drive voltages above the voltage of ~ minimum intensity, the contrast is even negative. If otherwise the drive voltage should be equal all over the LCD, such an intensity 5 minimum will appear on the screen at a specific angle of incidence and be visible as horizontal darker bar.
Fig. 6b and Fig. 6c show that in areas of the image where the angle of incidence is smaller, such a minimum of intensity (or in other words maximum of contrast) does not occur. There, the limitation is determined by the maximum LCD drive voltage allowed.
For the above reasons, in practice the LCD drive voltages are chosen so as to get a uniform black level or minimum intensity all over the screen. The limit is thereby determined by what can be obtained in the area of larger angles of incidence, and so does not result in the best contrast possible in other areas of the screen.
In order to obtain a better contrast and better uniformity of contrast without loss of other picture quality, various methods of contrast enhancement and apparatus with improved contrast are known.
Various apparatus have additional physical items with reference to the minimum projector set-up as described in Fig. 1.
In US-5,576,854, a quarter-wave compensator plate is disposed between the polariser and the liquid crystal light. This solution is only suitable for the reflective set-up described in the patent and is not applicable for projection with TN-LCDs.
In US-5,371,559, a stop is disposed inside the projection lens, forming an aperture of the lens assembly decentered from the optical axis of the lenses of the projection lens assembly in the vertical scanning direction of the liquid crystal panel. The blocking of the light rays at the entrance pupil of the lens reduces the efficiency of the projection system, resulting in a lower light output of the projector.
In US-5,375,006, contrast improvement in a projector using TN-LCDs is obtained by using (uniaxial) birefringent films. In some of the claims, the films are even inclined with respect to the optical axis. This solution however complicates the complete stack of elements of the LCD light-modulating device, because two new optical surfaces are introduced. This leads to light loss due to extra reflections. If the films are optically coupled to minimise this light loss, then the LCD itself becomes thicker, and more difficult to cool. Moreover, these thin birefringent films are also sensitive to temperature changes and mechanical stress caused by the temperature differences in a high light-output projector.
s Disclosure of the invention It is an object of the present invention to overcome the problems mentioned hereinabove.
According to the present invention, a light valve image projector provided with a disposition for improving the contrast of a by that projector projected optical image is provided. The projector comprises at least one illumination system, at least one field lens, at least one set consisting of a polarises, an LCD and an analyser, and at least one projection lens. It presents at least one optical axis, each optical axis of the projector including an angle a with the optical axis of the projection lenses. At least one of the analysers includes with the LCD of the same set, consisting of polarises, LCD and analyser, an angle pa larger than the angle a, at least for the light rays that pass through the contrast limiting area of said LCD. The angle (3a is so that said at least one of the analysers is not parallel to the polarises belonging to the same set consisting of analyser, LCD and polarises, at least for the light rays that pass through the contrast limiting area of the LCD. The contrast limiting area of an LCD included in a light valve image projector is defined as the part of the surface of the LCD through which light rays pass at that angle with the LCD for which the highest obtainable contrast is minimum.
The projector may be a monochrome projector or a multicolour projector. In case there are more sets consisting of a polarises, an LCD and an analyser, the angles dig included by each analyser with the corresponding LCD of the same set, may be different.
According to a preferred embodiment, also at least one of the polarisers includes an angle dip with the LCD of the same set consisting of polarises, LCD and analyser. This angle is larger than the angle a, at least for the light rays that pass through the contrast limiting area of said LCD. In case there are multiple sets consisting of a polarises, an LCD and an analyser, the angles /3p included by each polarises with the corresponding LCD of the same set, may be different.
n - i I 1 H:~.;....~: I -II
_7-If the angle a mentioned hereinabove is different from zero, the projector is called an OFF-axis projector.
If the angle a is equal to zero, the projector is called an ON-axis projector.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, at feast one of the analysers of the projector has a flat surface.
1o According to another embodiment, at least one of the analysers is curved. In that case it has a curvature such that the tangent planes of said analyser at the points of incidence of the light rays which pass through the contrast limiting area of the LCD of the same set, include an angle ~3a > a with the plane of the LCD.
According to a further embodiment, at least one of the polarisers has a flat surface.
According to yet another embodiment, at least one of the polarisers is 2o curved. In that case it has a curvature such that the tangent planes of said polariser at the points of incidence of the light rays passing through the contrast limiting area of the LCD of the same set, include an angle (3p > a with the plane of the LCD.
Analysers) and polariser(s) may be movable such that the angles (3a andlor dip can be adjusted by the manufacturer andlor by the user.
According to a further embodiment light valve image projector with disposition for improving the contrast of a by said projector projected optical so image, said projector comprising at least one illumination system, at least one field lens, at least one set consisting of a polariser, an LCD and an analyser, and at least one projection lens, said projector presenting at least one optical axis, each optical axis of the projector including an angle a with the optical axis of the projection lenses, wherein at least one of said analysers includes i i -7a-an angle (3a larger than the angle a with the LCD belonging to the same set consisting of analyser, LCD and polariser, at least for the light rays that pass through the contrast limiting area of said LCD, said angle (3a being so that said at least one of said analysers is not parallel to the polariser belonging to the same set consisting of analyser, LCD and polariser, of least for the light rays that pass through the contrast limiting area of said LCD.
A specific embodiment of the present invention is a projector comprising one illumination system, three field lenses, three sets consisting of a polariser, an LCD and an analyser, and one projection lens.
Brief description of the drawings The invention will be better understood by means of the following drawings, in which:
~s Fig. 1 shows the optical path in an OFF-axis projection system (prior art);
Fig. 2 shows the non-absorbing directions of the polariser and the analyser as they are mounted in a conventional way in a liquid crystal light valve projector (prior art);
Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b show the molecule distribution in a twisted nematic liquid crystal display (prior art);
Fig. 4 shows simulated viewing angle characteristics with iso-contrast curves 2s for incident angles of light on an LCD (prior art);
Fig. 5 shows the light transmission in function of the drive voltage and for different angles of light incidence (prior art);
Fig. 6a, Fig. 6b and Fig. 6c show the normalised intensity of an image projected by an OFF-axis projector in function of the drive voltage applied to the LCD, respectively at the top, in the middle and at the bottom of the screen;
Fig. 7a, Fig. 7b and Fig. 7c show the normalised intensity of an image projected by an ON-axis projector in function of the drive voltage applied to the LCD, respectively at the top, in the middle and at the bottom of the screen;
Fig. 8a shows an OFF-axis projection system wherein the angle between the analyser and the LCD is larger than the OFF-axis angle;
Fig. 8b shows an OFF-axis projector wherein the angle between the analyser and the LCD and the angle between the polarises and the LCD are larger than the OFF-axis angle;
Fig. 9 shows an OFF-axis projector wherein the analyser and the polarises have a curved surface;
Fig. 10a shows the optical path in an ON-axis projection system (prior art);
Fig. lOb shows an ON-axis projector wherein the angle between the analyser and the LCD and the angle between the polarises and the LCD are larger than 0~;
Fig. 11 shows an ON-axis projector wherein the analyser and the polarises have a curved surface.
Modes for carrying out the invention A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig.
8a. It presents an OFF-axis projector 22, wherein the angle via between the analyser 23 and the LCD 6 is made larger than the OFF-axis angle a. The polarises S is perpendicular to the optical axis of the projector 9 and includes an angle to the LCD 6, which is equal to the OFF-axis angle a.
Fig. 6a, Fig. 6b and Fig. 6c show the normalised intensity of an image projected by the OFF-axis projector, in function of the drive voltage applied to the LCD, at the top, in the middle and at the bottom of the screen respectively. The graphs marked "0"
correspond to the prior art OFF-axis projection system, whereby the polarises and the analyser are mounted perpendicular to the optical axis of the projector, or in other words have an angle to the LCD
surface equal to the OFF-axis angle a. The graph marked "A"
_ corresponds to the set-up covered by this invention and described in this first embodiment, whereby the angle via between the analyser and the LCD is larger than the OFF-axis angle a.
In this first embodiment of the present invention, the contrast is improved over the whole screen, as illustrated in the three drawings Fig. 6a, Fig. 6b and Fig. 6c, wherein the graphs "A"
show lower values of intensity compared to the graphs "0". The IO result is that in the area which determines the minimum of contrast being the top of the screen, the contrast is increased compared to the prior art version. The contrast in the other areas being the middle and the top of the screen is also improved in a way that the overall contrast compromise is improved compared to the prior art version.
A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig.
8b. It presents an OFF-axis projector 24 wherein the angle pg between the analyser 25 and the LCD 6 is made larger than the OFF
axis angle a. The angle ~p between the polarises 26 and the LCD 6 is larger than the OFF-axis angle a.
The graphs "B" in Fig. 6a, Fig. 6b and Fig. 6c show the improvement of the contrast of the image obtained by means of the decrease of the lower intensity levels in function of the LCD drive voltage, compared to the lower intensity levels for the prior art OFF-axis projection system (graphs "0") and to the intensity for the first embodiment OFF-axis projector (graphs "A"). Compared to the first embodiment, the second embodiment has a decreased, or in other words improved, black level at the top, in the middle and at the bottom of the screen. Having the polarises mounted including an angle to the LCD which is larger than the OFF-axis angle a improves even more the over all black level of the projector and permits to obtain the highest possible contrast all over the screen.
. Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig.
10b. In an ON-axis projector 27 the angle via between the analyser 28 and the LCD 6 as well as the angle dip between the polarises 29 and the LCD 6 are made larger than 0 degrees.
Fig. 7a, Fig. 7b and Fig. 7c show the normalised intensity of an image projected by the ON-axis liquid crystal light valve projector in function of the drive voltage applied to the LCD, at the top, in the middle and at the bottom of the screen respectively.
The graph marked "0" corresponds to the prior art projection system whereby the polarises and the analyser are mounted perpendicular to the optical axis of the projector, or in other words are parallel to 5 the LCD. The graph marked "A" corresponds to the ON-AXIS projection system whereby the angle pa between the analyser and the LCD is different from zero, and whereby the angle ~p between the polarises and the LCD is equal to zero. The graph marked "B" corresponds to the ON-AXIS projection system whereby both the angles (ia and pp are 10 different from zero.
Fig. 7a, 7b and 7c show that the ON-axis projector has a lower contrast at the bottom of the screen, because the lower intensity values are higher there than at the top of the screen. The bottom of the screen corresponds to the top of the LCD where incident light rays have a negative incident angle. The viewing angle characteristics of Fig. 4, which show lower contrast for negative incident angles of light, explain that the contrast is lower and thus most critical at the bottom of the image in the ON-axis projection system. With comparison to graph "0", graph "A", corresponding to an inclination of the analyser only, and graph "B", corresponding to an inclination of both the analyser and the polarises, show an improvement of the contrast at the top, in the middle and at the bottom of the screen.
Other embodiments of the present invention are shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 11. In these embodiments, the surfaces of the analyser and polarises are not flat but curved.
Compared to the flat versions, the curved versions of analyser and polarises introduce a gradually enlarging angle to the LCD
plane, the angle being largest at the contrast limiting area side of the LCD.
The advantage of these embodiments with curved surfaces for analyser and polarises is that space taken inside the projector by the disposition of the analyser and the LCD and by the disposition of the polarises and the field lens, is smaller when the surfaces of polarises and analyser are curved than when they are flat.
The curvatures of the surfaces of analyser and polarises do not decrease the contrast uniformity of the projection system, as long as the angle between the analyser or polarises on the one hand, and the plane of the LCD on the other hand, has its largest value facing the contrast limiting area side of the LCD, and is in the other areas large enough to permit the compensation of the contrast by adaptation of the drive voltage there. This is explained by the following.
For an LCD projection system aligned for uniform contrast, the overall contrast is limited to the contrast which can be obtained in the area where the contrast has a minimum in function of the drive voltage as made clear in Fig. 5. The contrast improvement obtained by an embodiment of the present invention must be maximum at that contrast limiting area and can be smaller in other areas as there it can be compensated by adaptation of the drive voltage. Therefor, a smaller improvement of contrast and so an angle smaller than the angle as stated by the present invention is permitted in other areas than the contrast limiting areas.
Fig. 9 shows a schematic view of an OFF-axis projector 30, whereby the analyser 31 and polariser 32 have a curved surface. The largest curvature corresponds to the bottom side of the LCD 6, which is the LCD side with the contrast limiting area. The angle via is the angle between the LCD plane and the tangent plane 38 to the curved analyser 31 at a point of incidence of a light ray. pa is larger than a for light rays passing through the contrast limiting area of the LCD 6. The angle ~3p is the angle between the LCD plane and the tangent plane 39 to the curved analyser 32 at a point of incidence of a light ray. ~3p is larger than a for light rays passing through the contrast limiting area of the LCD 6.
Fig. 11 shows a schematic view of an ON-axis projector, whereby the analyser 34 and polariser 35 have a curved surface. The largest curvature corresponds to the topside of the LCD 6, which is the LCD side with the contrast limiting area. The angle via is the angle between the LCD plane and the tangent plane 36 to the curved analyser 34 at a point of incidence of a light ray. (ia is larger than zero for light rays passing through the contrast limiting area of the LCD. The angle dip is the angle between the LCD plane and the tangent plane 37 to the curved analyser 35 at a point of incidence of a light ray. dip is larger than zero for light rays passing through the contrast limiting area of the LCD 6.
The embodiments of the present invention as shown by Fig. 8a, 8b and 9 describe OFF-axis projectors whereby the projection lens is positioned at a height lower than the middle of the screen. This applies to what is usually called a table-mounted projector. The present invention also applies to OFF-axis projectors whereby the position of the projection lens is higher than the height of screen.
This applies to what is usually called a ceiling mounted projector.
S For a ceiling mounted projector, the figures Fig. 8a, 8b and 9 do apply but should be mirrored vertically, and what is stated about the top of the screen then counts for the bottom of the screen, and vice versa.
Claims (9)
1. Light valve image projector with disposition for improving the contrast of a by said projector projected optical image, said projector comprising at least one illumination system, at least one field lens, at least one set consisting of a polariser, an LCD and an analyser, and at least one projection lens, said projector presenting at least one optical axis, each optical axis of the projector including an angle a with the optical axis of the projection lenses, wherein at least one of said analysers includes an angle .beta.a larger than the angle a with the LCD belonging to the same set consisting of analyser, LCD
and polariser, at least for the light rays that pass through the contrast limiting area of said LCD, said angle .beta.a being so that said at least one of said analysers is not parallel to the polariser belonging to the same set consisting of analyser, LCD and polariser, at least for the light rays that pass through the contrast limiting area of said LCD.
and polariser, at least for the light rays that pass through the contrast limiting area of said LCD, said angle .beta.a being so that said at least one of said analysers is not parallel to the polariser belonging to the same set consisting of analyser, LCD and polariser, at least for the light rays that pass through the contrast limiting area of said LCD.
2. Projector according to claim 1 in which at least one of said polarisers includes an angle .beta.p larger than the angle a with the LCD belonging to the same set consisting of analyser, LCD and polariser, at least for the light rays that pass through the contrast limiting area of said LCD.
3. Projector according to any of claims 1 or 2 in which the angle .alpha. is different from zero.
4. Projector according to any of claims 1 or 2 in which the angle .alpha. is equal to zero.
5. Projector according to any of claims 1 to 4 in which at least one analyser has a flat surface.
6. Projector according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one analyser is curved and has a curvature so that the tangent planes of said analyser at the points of incidence of the light rays passing through the contrast limiting area of the LCD belonging to the same set consisting of analyser, LCD and polariser include an angle .beta.a > .alpha. with the plane of that LCD.
7. Projector according to any of claims 1 to 6 in which at least one polariser has a flat surface.
8. Projector according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one polariser is curved and has a curvature so that the tangent planes of said polariser at the points of incidence of the light rays passing through the contrast limiting area of the LCD belonging to the same set consisting of analyser, LCD and polariser include an angle .beta.p > .alpha. with the plane of that LCD.
9. Projector according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein it comprises one illumination system, three field lenses, three sets consisting of a polariser, an LCD and an analyser, and one projection lens.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP97870070.6 | 1997-05-20 | ||
| EP97870070A EP0880279B1 (en) | 1997-05-20 | 1997-05-20 | Contrast improvement in liquid crystal light valve projectors |
| PCT/BE1998/000073 WO1998053608A1 (en) | 1997-05-20 | 1998-05-20 | Contrast improvement in liquid crystal light valve projectors |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2290686A1 CA2290686A1 (en) | 1998-11-26 |
| CA2290686C true CA2290686C (en) | 2003-12-23 |
Family
ID=8231001
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002290686A Expired - Fee Related CA2290686C (en) | 1997-05-20 | 1998-05-20 | Contrast improvement in liquid crystal light valve projectors |
Country Status (9)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6224215B1 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0880279B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2001526801A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE203867T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU7419298A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2290686C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69705932T2 (en) |
| NO (1) | NO316578B1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1998053608A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP4493113B2 (en) * | 1999-01-29 | 2010-06-30 | 株式会社リコー | Projector and projection image correction apparatus |
| WO2001055778A1 (en) * | 2000-01-28 | 2001-08-02 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Optical reflection polarizer and projector comprising the same |
| US6669343B2 (en) | 2001-05-31 | 2003-12-30 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Image display system |
| WO2006026320A2 (en) * | 2004-08-26 | 2006-03-09 | Be Seen! Solutions, Inc. | Image projector display device |
| US7204599B2 (en) * | 2004-12-16 | 2007-04-17 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Offset projection system |
| US20060181552A1 (en) * | 2005-02-11 | 2006-08-17 | Siemens Medical Solutions Usa, Inc. | Image display calibration for ultrasound and other systems |
| US20080122996A1 (en) * | 2006-11-29 | 2008-05-29 | Nano Loa, Inc. | Off-axis projection system |
| JP4441891B2 (en) * | 2007-03-22 | 2010-03-31 | カシオ計算機株式会社 | Projection device |
| WO2014005612A1 (en) * | 2012-07-01 | 2014-01-09 | Barco N.V. | Projector optics |
| CN110933266B (en) * | 2019-07-15 | 2021-12-21 | 华为技术有限公司 | Image pickup apparatus, method and adjustment element |
Family Cites Families (14)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5220363A (en) * | 1988-09-14 | 1993-06-15 | Casio Computer Co., Ltd. | Projector |
| JPH037110A (en) | 1989-06-02 | 1991-01-14 | Yamaha Corp | Bed with head board |
| DE69030537T2 (en) * | 1989-07-20 | 1997-12-04 | Sanyo Electric Co | Liquid crystal projector |
| JP2755708B2 (en) * | 1989-08-11 | 1998-05-25 | 三洋電機株式会社 | LCD projector |
| US5422691A (en) * | 1991-03-15 | 1995-06-06 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Projection type displaying apparatus and illumination system |
| JP2861547B2 (en) * | 1991-11-15 | 1999-02-24 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Projection display device |
| FR2693020B1 (en) | 1992-06-26 | 1999-01-22 | Thomson Consumer Electronics | NEMATIC LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY DEVICE. |
| JP3320862B2 (en) * | 1992-11-26 | 2002-09-03 | 旭光学工業株式会社 | Pupil conjugate coupling device for projection optical system |
| US5355188A (en) * | 1993-09-09 | 1994-10-11 | In Focus Systems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for distortion correction in optical projectors |
| US5576854A (en) | 1993-11-12 | 1996-11-19 | Hughes-Jvc Technology Corporation | Liquid crystal light valve projector with improved contrast ratio and with 0.27 wavelength compensation for birefringence in the liquid crystal light valve |
| JPH07234401A (en) * | 1994-02-24 | 1995-09-05 | Fujitsu Ltd | Projection type liquid crystal display |
| US5820240A (en) * | 1995-06-22 | 1998-10-13 | Minolta Co., Ltd. | Projection optical device |
| JP3138189B2 (en) * | 1995-07-28 | 2001-02-26 | シャープ株式会社 | Projection type liquid crystal display |
| US5622417A (en) * | 1995-11-01 | 1997-04-22 | Lightware, Inc. | Invertible and orthoscopic liquid crystal display projector |
-
1997
- 1997-05-20 DE DE69705932T patent/DE69705932T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-05-20 AT AT97870070T patent/ATE203867T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1997-05-20 EP EP97870070A patent/EP0880279B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1998
- 1998-05-20 CA CA002290686A patent/CA2290686C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-05-20 AU AU74192/98A patent/AU7419298A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1998-05-20 WO PCT/BE1998/000073 patent/WO1998053608A1/en active Application Filing
- 1998-05-20 JP JP54972098A patent/JP2001526801A/en active Pending
-
1999
- 1999-11-12 US US09/438,381 patent/US6224215B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1999-11-15 NO NO995597A patent/NO316578B1/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| NO316578B1 (en) | 2004-02-23 |
| US6224215B1 (en) | 2001-05-01 |
| NO995597L (en) | 1999-11-15 |
| EP0880279A1 (en) | 1998-11-25 |
| WO1998053608A1 (en) | 1998-11-26 |
| ATE203867T1 (en) | 2001-08-15 |
| CA2290686A1 (en) | 1998-11-26 |
| DE69705932T2 (en) | 2002-04-18 |
| EP0880279B1 (en) | 2001-08-01 |
| AU7419298A (en) | 1998-12-11 |
| NO995597D0 (en) | 1999-11-15 |
| DE69705932D1 (en) | 2001-09-06 |
| JP2001526801A (en) | 2001-12-18 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US6784961B2 (en) | Apparatus and method for displaying image | |
| US6421103B2 (en) | Liquid-crystal display apparatus including a backlight section using collimating plate | |
| KR100893241B1 (en) | Microdisplay system having a displaced polarizer | |
| US5453857A (en) | Liquid crystal display with two transistors per pixel driven at opposite polarities | |
| US5717422A (en) | Variable intensity high contrast passive display | |
| JP3250853B2 (en) | Liquid crystal display device and projection display device using the same | |
| EP0324147A2 (en) | Light guide type display apparatus | |
| US20020159003A1 (en) | Transmission type display device | |
| CA2290686C (en) | Contrast improvement in liquid crystal light valve projectors | |
| US20090161029A1 (en) | Display device | |
| US5825440A (en) | Liquid crystal display backlighting system which includes dichroic mirrors, optical light valves, transmission tubes, and a light transmission plate | |
| EP0572996B1 (en) | Light valve apparatus and display system using the same | |
| TW449763B (en) | Apparatus and method for limiting light divergence angle and projection image display apparatus | |
| US6806931B1 (en) | Image projection system with improved contrast having single birefringence-compensating element | |
| US5703663A (en) | Projection type liquid crystal display apparatus | |
| JPH04125536A (en) | Back projection type liquid crystal display device | |
| JP3794187B2 (en) | Liquid crystal devices, electronic devices, projection display devices | |
| US5861927A (en) | Liquid crystal display device with uniform characteristics over whole display area | |
| JP3133055B2 (en) | Projection type liquid crystal display | |
| WO2007110998A1 (en) | Liquid crystal display and television receiver | |
| JPH103125A (en) | Polarizing screen | |
| JP2000081668A (en) | Back projection type display device | |
| JP2827653B2 (en) | Projection type liquid crystal display | |
| JP2894213B2 (en) | Screen and projection display | |
| JP2972079B2 (en) | Projection type image display device |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |