Projector comprising a microcomputer for controlling zoom and focus adjustments utilizing pattern generation and calculation means

Patent 6592228 Issued on July 15, 2003. Estimated Expiration Date:

May 9, 2021. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Microfilm image processing apparatus
Patent #: 4942425
Issued on: 07/17/1990
Inventor: Kamimura, et al.

Microfilm projection apparatus having zoom lenses
Patent #: 5036352
Issued on: 07/30/1991
Inventor: Kamimura, et al.

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Patent #: 5153638
Issued on: 10/06/1992
Inventor: Sakakibara

Optical apparatus in which image distortion is removed
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Issued on: 10/03/1995
Inventor: Fujiwara

Projection-lens driving apparatus with a timing belt
Patent #: 5537170
Issued on: 07/16/1996
Inventor: Lee, et al.

Liquid crystal projector
Patent #: 6364491
Issued on: 04/02/2002
Inventor: Okada, et al.

Method and apparatus for preventing keystone distortion
Patent #: 6367933
Issued on: 04/09/2002
Inventor: Chen, et al.

Projection display unit Patent #: 6416186
Issued on: 07/09/2002
Inventor: Nakamura

Inventors

Application

No. 831467 filed on 05/09/2001

US Classes:

353/101, Lens position adjustable348/745, With alignment, registration or focus352/140, WITH FOCUS CONTROL353/69, DISTORTION COMPENSATION353/70For projection axis inclined to screen

Examiners

Primary: Adams, Russell E.
Assistant: Koval, Melissa J.

Foreign Patent References

2002/0021418 Raskar 02/19/2013
WO 94/08271 WO 04/19/1994

International Classes

G03B 003/00
G03B 021/00
H04N 003/26

Abstract

A projector that can be easily set up and adjusted is disclosed. In accordance with a projection condition inputted into a microcomputer via a remote-controller, the microcomputer selects an optimum projection lens by referring to correlation data showing a relation among a projection lens, a projection display size, and an optimum projection distance. The microcomputer has a screen to indicate an optimum projection lens and projection distance that satisfy the inputted projection condition. The microcomputer calculates the amounts of zoom and focus adjustments to be made to the projection lens with reference to the correlation data so as to attain the projection display size and the microcomputer automatically drives the projection lens via a zoom driving unit and a focus driving unit.