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:
Jan. 30, 2001
Filed:
Jan. 07, 2000
Shigeru Sawamura, Sakai, JP;
Minolta Co., Ltd., Osaka, JP;
Abstract
An optical apparatus has a reflection-type spatial light modulator having a plurality of minute variable-reflection-angle mirrors that individually deflect the light incident thereon in one of two different directions, namely in a first direction or in a second direction, in accordance with a signal fed in, an optical system to which the light deflected in the first direction by the modulator is directed, a prism disposed between the modulator and the optical system so as to direct the light deflected in the first direction by the modulator to the optical system and direct the light deflected in the second direction by the modulator to a side face of the prism, and a light-expelling member having a polyhedral shape and disposed with an entrance face thereof kept in close contact with the side face of the prism. The light-expelling member is so designed that the light deflected in the second direction by the modulator enters the light-expelling member through the entrance face thereof and exits from the light-expelling member through a face thereof other than the entrance face.