IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,924,715
Granted Patent B2
US 10,924,715 · App. 16/825,156 · Granted Feb 16, 2021

Optical module, method for controlling the same, and projection-type display apparatus

Inventor: Norio Nakamura (Matsumoto, JP)
Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
H04N9/3117H04N9/3155
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,924,715
App. No.
16/825,156
Granted
Feb 16, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

An optical module includes a light modulator that modulates light and includes a plurality of pixels, and a pixel shift mechanism. The pixels of the light modulator each include a first sub-pixel on which a first color light flux is incident, a second sub-pixel on which a second color light flux is incident, a third sub-pixel on which a third color light flux is incident, and a fourth sub-pixel on which one of the first color light flux, the second color light flux, and third color light flux is incident. The pixel shift mechanism includes a first state, a second state, and a third state. The first color light flux is incident on the fourth sub-pixel in the first state. The second color light flux is incident on the fourth sub-pixel in the second state. The third color light flux is incident on the fourth sub-pixel in the third state.

Claims (46)

1. An optical module comprising:

a light modulator that modulates light and includes a plurality of pixels; and

a pixel shift mechanism,

wherein the pixels of the light modulator each include a first sub-pixel on which a first color light flux is incident, a second sub-pixel on which a second color light flux is incident, a third sub-pixel on which a third color light flux is incident, and a fourth sub-pixel on which one of the first color light flux, the second color light flux, and third color light flux is incident,

the pixel shift mechanism includes a first state, a second state, and a third state,

the first color light flux is incident on the fourth sub-pixel in the first state,

the second color light flux is incident on the fourth sub-pixel in the second state, and

the third color light flux is incident on the fourth sub-pixel in the third state.

2. The optical module according to claim 1 ,

wherein the pixel shift mechanism performs a first shift operation of causing the first state to transition to the second state, a second shift operation of causing the second state to transition to the third state, and a third shift operation of causing the third state to transition to the first state.

3. The optical module according to claim 2 ,

wherein the light modulator is shifted toward a first direction in the first shift operation,

the light modulator is shifted toward a second direction that intersects the first direction in the second shift operation, and

the light modulator is shifted toward a third direction opposite to the first direction and a fourth direction opposite to the second direction in the third shift operation.

4. The optical module according to claim 3 ,

wherein the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel are arranged in the first direction, and

the third sub-pixel and the fourth sub-pixel are arranged in the first direction in positions different in the second direction from positions of the first sub-pixel and the second sub-pixel.

5. The optical module according to claim 4 ,

wherein

the first sub-pixel, the second sub-pixel, the third sub-pixel, and the fourth sub-pixel are arranged in a matrix formed of two rows and two columns.

6. A projection-type display apparatus comprising:

the optical module according to claim 1 ; and

a projection optical system that enlarges and projects video image light incident from the optical module.

7. A projection-type display apparatus comprising:

the optical module according to claim 2 ; and

a projection optical system that enlarges and projects video image light incident from the optical module.

8. A projection-type display apparatus comprising:

the optical module according to claim 3 ; and

a projection optical system that enlarges and projects video image light incident from the optical module.

9. A projection-type display apparatus comprising:

the optical module according to claim 4 ; and

a projection optical system that enlarges and projects video image light incident from the optical module.

10. A projection-type display apparatus comprising:

the optical module according to claim 5 ; and

a projection optical system that enlarges and projects video image light incident from the optical module.

11. A method for controlling an optical module including a light modulator and a pixel shift mechanism,

the light modulator modulating light and including a plurality of pixels,

the pixels of the light modulator each including a first sub-pixel on which a first color light flux is incident, a second sub-pixel on which a second color light flux is incident, a third sub-pixel on which a third color light flux is incident, and a fourth sub-pixel on which one of the first color light flux, the second color light flux, and the third color light flux is incident,

the method comprising:

causing the first color light flux to be incident on the fourth sub-pixel in a first state;

causing the second color light flux to be incident on the fourth sub-pixel in a second state; and

causing the third color light flux to be incident on the fourth sub-pixel in a third state.

12. The method for controlling an optical module according to claim 11 , the method further comprising:

performing a first shift operation of causing the first state to transition to the second state;

performing a second shift operation of causing the second state to transition to the third state; and

performing a third shift operation of causing the third state to transition to the first state.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 20, 2020
From: NAKAMURA, NORIO
To: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 052176/0844 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2019-054298 · Mar 22, 2019 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20200304763A1 · Sep 24, 2020