Short throw projection lens with a dome
First Claim
1. A method of projecting an image onto a display surface with an image offset of greater than 100% and a throw ratio of 0.15 or less, comprising:
- providing an illumination source, a spatial light modulator and projection optics within a housing having an opening;
modulating light received from the illumination source using a spatial light modulator;
projecting the modulated light with the projection optics along an optical axis to an exit pupil generally aligned with the housing opening, the projection optics having optical properties to correct for image pixel grid distortion in an image formed by the projected light;
providing a light transparent dome mounted over the housing opening providing physical protection for the projection optics and having a center of curvature decentered by an offset in one or more of x, y and z directions from alignment with the exit pupil extending through the optical axis; and
transmitting the light projected by the projection optics through the light transmitting dome, the dome having optical properties to further correct for image pixel grid distortion in the image formed by the projected light.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to an outer dome configured to provide protection and optical correction to a system of projection optics and the output thereof. More particularly, an optical projection system having an optical offset of greater than 100% is comprised within a projector housing having an outer dome comprised of an optically active material mounted onto an opening approximately coinciding with the optical projection system'"'"'s exit pupil. The outer dome is configured to be decenterized from the exit pupil (e.g., the center of the dome is offset from the exit pupil in one or more of an x, y, and z direction) such that it provides optical correction to a projected image. Therefore, an outer dome is configured to provide protection to optical elements provided therein and improvement of projected image quality (e.g., reduced image distortion, reduced aberration).
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of projecting an image onto a display surface with an image offset of greater than 100% and a throw ratio of 0.15 or less, comprising:
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providing an illumination source, a spatial light modulator and projection optics within a housing having an opening; modulating light received from the illumination source using a spatial light modulator; projecting the modulated light with the projection optics along an optical axis to an exit pupil generally aligned with the housing opening, the projection optics having optical properties to correct for image pixel grid distortion in an image formed by the projected light; providing a light transparent dome mounted over the housing opening providing physical protection for the projection optics and having a center of curvature decentered by an offset in one or more of x, y and z directions from alignment with the exit pupil extending through the optical axis; and transmitting the light projected by the projection optics through the light transmitting dome, the dome having optical properties to further correct for image pixel grid distortion in the image formed by the projected light. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification