# US 12,591,146 B2 · Projector and projection method for forming images on aerial projection region and real projection surface > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,591,146 B2 - Document ID: US12591146B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/699,689 - Filed: 2022-03-21 - Published: 2022-09-22 - Granted: 2026-03-31 - Earliest claimed: 2021-03-22 - Assignees: Casio Computer Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Casio Computer Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Masaki Kobayashi; Kazuyasu Fukano; Tetsuro Narikawa; Shunsuke Hara - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12591146B2 ## CPC - G02B 30/56: by projecting aerial or floating images - G02B 5/124: plural reflecting elements forming part of a unitary plate or sheet - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract A projector includes a projection unit configured to emit projected light, a first projection unit configured to form an image in an aerial projection region from a first part of the projected light, and a second projection unit configured to form an image on a real projection surface from a second part of the projected light, the second part being different from the first part. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A projector comprising: a projection unit configured to emit projected light; a first projection unit configured to form an image of a first part of the projected light in an aerial projection region; and a second projection unit configured to form an image of a second part of the projected light, which is different from the first part, on a real projection surface, wherein the real projection surface of the second projection unit comprises a display surface of a first transmission-type screen, wherein the first projection unit comprises a second transmission-type screen on which the projected light from the projection unit is projected and a spatial projection microlens array on which image light for an image which is displayed on a display surface of the second transmission-type screen is incident, and wherein the second projection unit comprises the first transmission-type screen which is disposed on an axis of projected light of the second part of the projected light so that the projected light of the second part is projected on the first transmission-type screen. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The projector according to claim 1, wherein an optical path length from the projection unit to the aerial projection region is substantially equal to an optical path length from the projection unit to the real projection surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The projector according to claim 1, wherein the first projection unit comprises multiple reflection mirrors configured to reflect the projected light, the multiple reflection mirrors being provided between the projection unit and the second transmission-type screen. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The projector according to claim 1, wherein the spatial projection microlens array is disposed in such a manner that the aerial projection region and the display surface of the first transmission-type screen lie on an identical plane. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The projector according to claim 1, wherein the first transmission-type screen is one first transmission-type screen, wherein the second projection unit further comprises another first transmission-type screen which is disposed on another axis of another projected light of the second part of the projected light so that the another projected light of the second part is projected on the another first transmission-type screen, and wherein the aerial projection region is provided between the one first transmission-type screen and the another first transmission-type screen which are provided spaced apart from each other. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The projector according to claim 1, wherein the real projection surface is provided on a circumference of the aerial projection region. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The projector according to claim 1, wherein the aerial projection region makes up a control unit configured to receive a control operation by a user. ### Claim 8 A projection method comprising: projecting a first part of projected light emitted from a projection unit on an aerial projection region using a first projection unit; and projecting a second part of the projected light, which is different from the first part, on a real projection surface using a second projection unit, wherein the real projection surface of the second projection unit comprises a display surface of a first transmission-type screen, wherein the first projection unit comprises a second transmission-type screen on which the projected light from the projection unit is projected and a spatial projection microlens array on which image light for an image which is displayed on a display surface of the second transmission-type screen is incident, and wherein the second projection unit comprises the first transmission-type screen which is disposed on an axis of projected light of the second part of the projected light so that the projected light of the second part is projected on the first transmission-type screen. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The projection method according to claim 8, wherein an optical path length from the projection unit to the aerial projection region is substantially equal to an optical path length from the projection unit to the real projection surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The projection method according to claim 8, wherein the first projection unit comprises multiple reflection mirrors configured to reflect the projected light, the multiple reflection mirrors being provided between the projection unit and the second transmission-type screen. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The projection method according to claim 8, wherein the spatial projection microlens array is disposed in such a manner that the aerial projection region and the display surface of the first transmission-type screen lie on an identical plane.