Projection system and projector with widened projection of light for projection onto a close object

• US 8,267,524 B2
• Filed: 01/15/2009
• Issued: 09/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Morikuni, Eiji
• Primary Examiner(s): Legasse, Jr., Francis M
• Application Number:
  US12/354,144
• Publication Number:
  US 20090185139A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,342 Days
• Field of Search: 353/48, 353/94, 348/370, 348/371, 348/744, 359/292
• US Class Current: 353/48
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/26 Projecting separately subsidiary matter simultaneously with main image

Abstract

A projection system includes a first projector and a second projector configured to project light on a light receiving surface according to an image signal. The first projector and the second projector direct light to be supplied to the light receiving surface in a direction along the light receiving surface. A part of an image projected by the first projector overlaps with a part of an image projected by the second projector on the light receiving surface.

Claims

1. A projection system, comprising:

a first projector and a second projector configured to project light on a light receiving surface according to an image signal, respectively,

wherein the first projector and the second projector direct light to be supplied to the light receiving surface in a direction along the light receiving surface, and

a part of an image projected by the first projector overlaps with a part of an image projected by the second projector on the light receiving surface,

wherein the first projector and second projector each include an aspherical mirror or free curved mirror which reflects the projected light to the light receiving surface,

wherein the first projector and the second projector are attached to a flat wall surface with the light receiving surface being formed therebetween, and

wherein a first optical axis of the first projector and a second optical axis of the second projector are substantially parallel with a normal line extending from a center position of the light receiving surface.

2. The projection system according to claim 1, wherein the first projector and the second projector are disposed in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the light receiving surface.

3. The projection system according to claim 1, wherein the first projector and the second projector supply light to light receiving areas having substantially the same size.

4. The projection system according to claim 3, wherein the image projected by the first projector and the image projected by the second projector overlap each other on the light receiving surface.

5. The projection system according to claim 1, wherein the first projector and the second projector are disposed such that optical axes of projecting systems extend parallel with each other.

6. The projection system according to claim 1, wherein:

the first projector and the second projector are disposed opposed to each other via an area through which light travels toward the light receiving surface.

7. The projection system according to claim 1, wherein:

a detection unit configured to detect light emitted from the first projector and entering the light receiving surface is provided; and

the second projector projects light based on a detection result obtained from the detection unit.

8. The projection system according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of the detection units are provided.

9. The projection system according to claim 7, wherein the second projector projects light to an area where light from the first projector is blocked.

10. The projection system according to claim 7, wherein the detection unit is provided at least on either the first projector or the second projector.

11. The projection system according to claim 1, wherein the light receiving surface extends substantially in parallel with a wall surface.

12. The projection system according to claim 1, wherein the light receiving surface extends substantially in parallel with a floor surface.

13. A projector configured to project light on a light receiving surface according to an image signal,

wherein the projector includes an aspherical mirror or free curved mirror which directs light to be supplied to the light receiving surface in a direction along the light receiving surface, and

a part of an image projected by the projector overlaps with a part of an image projected by another projector on the light receiving surface,

wherein the projector and the another projector are attached to a flat wall surface with the light receiving surface being formed therebetween, and

wherein a first optical axis of the projector and a second optical axis of the another projector substantially parallel with a normal line extending from a center position of the light receiving surface.

14. A projection system, comprising:

at least two projectors configured to project light on a light receiving surface according to an image signal, respectively,

wherein at least two projectors are arranged at the position of the light receiving surface neighborhood where the light receiving surface is not interrupted when seen from the front, and direct light to be supplied to the light receiving surface in a direction along the light receiving surface,

a part of an image projected by the at least two projectors overlap on the light receiving surface,

wherein the at least two projectors each include an aspherical mirror or free curved mirror which reflects the projected light to the light receiving surface,

wherein the at least two projectors are attached to a flat wall surface with the light receiving surface being formed therebetween, and

wherein an optical axis of the at least two projectors substantially parallel with a normal line extending from a center position of the light receiving surface.

15. A projection system, comprising:

a first projector and a second projector configured to project light on a light receiving surface according to an image signal, respectively,

wherein the first projector and the second projector each include an aspherical mirror or free curved mirror which reflects the projected light to the light receiving surface in a direction along the light receiving surface,

wherein the first projector and second projector project same images, the image projected by the first projector overlaps with the image projected by the second projector on the light receiving surface,

wherein the first projector and the second projector are opposed to each other via an area through which light travels toward the light receiving surface, and

wherein a first optical axis of the first projector and a second optical axis of the second projector are substantially parallel with a normal line extending from a center position of the light receiving surface.