The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 24, 1999
Filed:
Sep. 11, 1997
Stephen J Reinsch, Escondido, CA (US);
Hughes-JVC Technology Corporation, Carlsbad, CA (US);
Abstract
A polarized light optimization system for increasing the percentage of usable light for image projector illumination purposes. The system includes a light source, and a beam splitter that splits randomly polarized light from the light source into first and second beams having first and second polarizations. A polarization converter or rotator converts the polarization of one of the beams into the polarization of the other beam. Recombination means recombines the beams into a singularly polarized third beam, thereby increasing system illumination by increasing the percentage of usable light output from the light source. The recombination means includes a sawtooth mirror that has a plurality of substantially parallel equiangular mirrored facets that reflect incident light in a manner that maintains a radiation angle of divergence identical to that of the input randomly polarized light beam, thereby maintaining a maximum light contrast as the polarized beam is transmitted through the projector prism onto a projector light valve.