Apparatus and method for a projection device wherein the polarization direction of projected light on a transmissive projection screen is changed by means of an adjustable liquid crystal device

• US 6,715,879 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2002
• Issued: 04/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: De Vaan, Adrianus Johannes Stephanes Maria
• Primary Examiner(s): Adams, Russell
• Assistant Examiner(s): Koval, Melissa J
• Application Number:
  US10/170,047
• Publication Number:
  US 20020191155A1
• Time in Patent Office: 664 Days
• Field of Search: 353/20, 353/7, 353/10, 359/443, 359/448, 359/454, 359/456, 359/457, 359/460, 349/5, 349/9, 349/33, 349/112
• US Class Current: 353/20
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/00 Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements control of light by modification of the optical properties of the media of the elements involved therein G02F1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/28 for polarising used in stereoscopes G02B30/25
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/286 for controlling or changing the state of polarisation, e.g. transforming one polarisation state into another G02B5/3083 takes precedence; light guide coupling means utilising polarising elements G02B6/34

Abstract

A projection device comprises a projector (1) for providing a light beam (3, 13) to be projected in polarized light. A adjustable liquid crystal element (4) for changing the direction of polarization is arranged between the projector (1) and the transmissive projection screen (2). The transmissive projection screen (2) comprises a polarizing diffusion layer (9). The extent of changing the direction of polarization by the adjustable liquid crystal element (4) for changing the direction of polarization is adjustable. The extent of changing the direction of polarization and hence the extent of diffusion in the transmissive projection screen (2) is adjustable by way of adjusting the voltage from a voltage source which is coupled to the adjustable liquid crystal element (4) for changing the direction of polarization.

Claims

1. A projection device comprising a projector for providing a light beam to be projected in polarized light, a means for changing the direction of polarization, and a transmissive projection screen, said means for changing the direction of polarization being arranged between the projector and the transmissive projection screen, characterized in that the transmissive projection screen comprises a polarizing diffusion layer, in that the extent of changing the direction of polarization of the means for changing the direction of polarization is adjustable, and in that adjusting means, coupled to the means for changing the direction of polarization, are provided for adjusting the extent of changing the direction of polarization.

2. A projection device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the means for changing the direction of polarization comprises an adjustable liquid crystal element, in that the extent of changing the direction of polarization by the liquid crystal element is electrically adjustable, and in that the adjusting means are adapted to apply an adjustable electric field across the liquid crystal element.

3. A transmissive projection screen comprising a polarizing diffusion layer (9) intended for use in a device as claimed in claim 1.

4. A projector comprising an adjustable means for changing the direction of polarization as claimed in claim 1.

5. A method of adjusting the diffusion of a transmissive projection screen comprising a polarizing diffusion layer the method comprising the step of adjusting the direction of polarization of the light beam by adjusting an adjustable means for changing the direction of polarization.