High efficiency electromagnetic beam projector, and systems and methods for implementation thereof

• US 20020154404A1
• Filed: 06/13/2002
• Published: 10/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1992
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
• Original Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
• Inventors: Sedlmayr, Steven R.
• Application Number:
  US10/170,327
• Publication Number:
  US 20020154404A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/487
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/02 for controlling the intensity of light G02B26/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/1006 for splitting or combining different wavelengths G02B27/1086, G02B27/141 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/1046 for use with transmissive spatial light modulators
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/1053 having a single light modulator for all colour channels
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/1073 characterized by manufacturing or alignment methods
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/142 Coating structures, e.g. thin films multilayers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/143 using macroscopically faceted or segmented reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/144 using partially transparent surfaces without spectral selectivity G02B27/147 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/145 having sequential partially reflecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/149 using crossed beamsplitting surfaces, e.g. cross-dichroic cubes or X-cubes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/283 used for beam splitting or combining
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 33/06 by additive-colour projection apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/26 using polarised or coloured light separating different viewpoint images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/239 using two 2D image sensors having a relative position equal to or related to the interocular distance H04N13/243 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/334 using spectral multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/337 using polarisation multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/341 using temporal multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/361 Reproducing mixed stereoscopic images; Reproducing mixed monoscopic and stereoscopic images, e.g. a stereoscopic image overlay window on a monoscopic image background
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/363 using image projection screens volumetric display H04N13/388
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7441 the modulator being an array of liquid crystal cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3105 : for displaying all colours simultaneously, e.g. by using two or more electronic spatial light modulators simultaneous projection in colour photography G03B33/10; beam splitting or combining systems per se G02B27/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3152 : for shaping the light beam beam shaping per se G02B27/09
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3167 : for polarizing the light beam polarizing optical systems per se G02B27/28
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/317 : Convergence or focusing systems electronic adjustment of convergence H04N9/3185; convergence or focusing arrangements for cathode ray tubes H04N9/28; means for automatic focusing of projectors not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/53

Abstract

This invention relates to electromagnetic wave beam paths, formation of the beam, illumination of programmable electromagnetic wave field vector orientation rotating devices (“PEMFVORD) with an electromagnetic beam, and the technique of projection of the modulated beam. This invention also relates to a unique light path and method of forming the light into a rectangular beam to be used for optical projection systems and, more particularly, in a color and/or black and white liquid crystal device (LCD) projectors that produce high resolution, high brightness and/or three-dimensional images. This invention further relates to a device capable of receiving and displaying two-dimensional and three dimensional images.

Claims

1. A system for modulating the intensity of an input beam of electromagnetic energy in response to a modulation signal having a first intensity component, a second intensity component, and a third intensity component wherein the input beam includes a plurality of wavelength elements and wherein the wavelength elements each include an unspecified E vector polarization, the system comprising:

a. a beam splitter oriented to separate the input beam into first and second beam segments as a function of E vector polarization and not as a function of wavelength where the first beam segment includes a first substantially fixed E vector polarization and the second beam segment includes a second substantially fixed E vector polarization;

b. a beam segment polarizer oriented to rotate the E vector of the second beam segment to substantially align the E vector of the second beam segment to parallel the E vector of the first beam segment;

c. a beam recombiner oriented to recombine the first and second beam segments into a substantially collimated, uniformly polarized beam having a substantially fixed E vector polarization;

d. a plurality of filters oriented to separate the uniformly polarized beam into a first wavelength beam element, a second wavelength beam element, and a third wavelength beam element as a function of wavelength;

e. a first variable polarizer oriented to rotate the E vector polarization of the first wavelength beam element on a pixel by pixel basis as a function of the location of each discrete pixel element within the beam area and as a function of the first intensity component of the modulation signal to produce a first pixel rotated beam where each discrete pixel element includes an independently controlled, variable angle E vector polarization defined by the first intensity component of the modulation signal;

f. a second variable polarizer oriented to rotate the E vector polarization of the second wavelength beam element on a pixel by pixel basis as a function of the location of each discrete pixel element within the beam area and as a function of the second intensity component of the modulation signal to produce a second pixel rotated beam where each discrete pixel element includes an independently controlled, variable angle E vector polarization defined by the second intensity component of the modulation signal;

g. a third variable polarizer oriented to rotate the E vector polarization of the third wavelength beam element on a pixel by pixel basis as a function of the location of each discrete pixel element within the beam area and as a function of the third intensity component of the modulation signal to produce a third pixel rotated beam where each discrete pixel element includes an independently controlled, variable angle E vector polarization defined by the third intensity component of the modulation signal;

h. a first beam resolver oriented to resolve the first pixel rotated beam into a collimated first resolved beam, the first resolved beam having a substantially fixed first E vector polarization with discrete pixel elements independently varying in intensity as a function of the first intensity component of the modulation signal;

i. a second beam resolver oriented to resolve the second pixel rotated beam into a collimated second resolved beam, the second resolved beam having a substantially fixed second E vector polarization with discrete pixel elements independently varying in intensity as a function of the second intensity component of the modulation signal;

j. a third beam resolver oriented to resolve the third pixel rotated beam into a collimated third resolved beam, the third resolved beam having a substantially fixed third E vector polarization with discrete pixel elements independently varying in intensity as a function of the third intensity component of the modulation signal; and

k. a beam combiner oriented to combine the first, second, and third resolved beams into a composite beam.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said beam splitter of said (a) includes at least one polarizer for separating said input beam into said first and second beam segments.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said beam segment polarizer in (b) includes at least one half wave polarization plate.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said beam recombiner in (c) includes at least one mirror for recombining said first and second beam segments.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein:

(1) said first substantially fixed E vector polarization of said first beam segment in said (a) is an s-type polarization; and

(2) said second substantially fixed E vector polarization of said second beam segment in said (a) is a p-type polarization.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said beam segment polarizer in (b) is oriented to rotate the E vector of said second beam segment from said p-type polarization to said s-type polarization.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein:

(1) said first substantially fixed E vector polarization of said first beam segment in said (a) is an p-type polarization; and

(2) said second substantially fixed E vector polarization of said second beam segment in said (a) is a s-type polarization.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said beam segment polarizer in (b) is oriented to rotate the E vector of said second beam segment from said s-type polarization to said p-type polarization.

9. A method for modulating the intensity of an input beam of electromagnetic energy in response to a modulation signal having a first intensity component, a second intensity component, and a third intensity component wherein the input beam includes a plurality of wavelength elements and wherein the wavelength elements each include an unspecified E vector polarization, the method comprising:

a. separating the input beam into first and second beam segments as a function of E vector polarization and not as a function of wavelength where the first beam segment includes a first substantially fixed E vector polarization and the second beam segment includes a second substantially fixed E vector polarization;

b. rotating the E vector of the second beam segment to substantially align the E vector of the second beam segment to parallel the E vector of the first beam segment;

c. recombining the first and second beam segments into a substantially collimated, uniformly polarized beam having a substantially fixed E vector polarization;

d. separating the uniformly polarized beam into a first wavelength beam element, a second wavelength beam element, and a third wavelength beam element as a function of wavelength;

e. rotating the E vector polarization of the first wavelength beam element on a pixel by pixel basis as a function of the location of each discrete pixel element within the beam area and as a function of the first intensity component of the modulation signal to produce a first pixel rotated beam where each discrete pixel element includes an independently controlled, variable angle E vector polarization defined by the first intensity component of the modulation signal;

f. rotating the E vector polarization of the second wavelength beam element on a pixel by pixel basis as a function of the location of each discrete pixel element within the beam area and as a function of the second intensity component of the modulation signal to produce a second pixel rotated beam where each discrete pixel element includes an independently controlled, variable angle E vector polarization defined by the second intensity component of the modulation signal;

g. rotating the E vector polarization of the third wavelength beam element on a pixel by pixel basis as a function of the location of each discrete pixel element within the beam area and as a function of the third intensity component of the modulation signal to produce a third pixel rotated beam where each discrete pixel element includes an independently controlled, variable angle E vector polarization defined by the third intensity component of the modulation signal;

h. resolving the first pixel rotated beam into a collimated first resolved beam, the first resolved beam having a substantially fixed first E vector polarization with discrete pixel elements independently varying in intensity as a function of the first intensity component of the modulation signal;

i. resolving the second pixel rotated beam into a collimated second resolved beam, the second resolved beam having a substantially fixed second E vector polarization with discrete pixel elements independently varying in intensity as a function of the second intensity component of the modulation signal;

j. resolving the third pixel rotated beam into a collimated third resolved beam, the third resolved beam having a substantially fixed third E vector polarization with discrete pixel elements independently varying in intensity as a function of the third intensity component of the modulation signal; and

k. combining the first, second, and third resolved beams into a composite beam.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said separating of said (a) includes separating said input beam into said first and second beam segments via at least one polarizer.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said rotating in said (b) includes rotating the E vector of said second beam segment via at least one half wave polarization plate.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said recombining of said (c) includes reflecting said first beam segment via at least one mirror.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein:

(1) said first substantially fixed E vector polarization of said first beam segment in said (a) is an s-type polarization; and

(2) said second substantially fixed E vector polarization of said second beam segment in said (a) is a p-type polarization.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said rotating in said (b) includes rotating the E vector of said second Beam segment from said p-type polarization to said s-type polarization.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein:

(1) said first substantially fixed E vector polarization of said first beam segment in said (a) is an p-type polarization; and

(2) said second substantially fixed E vector polarization of said second beam segment in said (a) is a s-type polarization.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said rotating in said (b) includes rotating the E vector of said second beam segment from said s-type polarization to said p-type polarization.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said beam splitting apparatus of said (a) includes at least one polarizing means for separating said input beam into said first and second beam segments.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein said beam segment polarizing apparatus in (b) includes at least one half wave polarization plate for rotating the E vector of said second beam segment.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein said beam recombining apparatus of said (c) includes at least one said mirror means for reflecting said first beam segment.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein:

(1) said first substantially fixed E vector polarization of said first beam segment in said (a) is an s-type polarization; and

(2) said second substantially fixed E vector polarization of said second beam segment in said (a) is a p-type polarization.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said beam segment polarizing apparatus in (b) is oriented to rotate the E vector of said second beam segment from said p-type polarization to said s-type polarization.

23. The system of claim 17, wherein:

(1) said first substantially fixed E vector polarization of said first beam segment in said (a) is an p-type polarization; and

(2) said second substantially fixed E vector polarization of said second beam segment in said (a) is a s-type polarization.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein said beam segment polarizing apparatus in (b) is oriented to rotate the E vector of said second beam segment from said s-type polarization to said p-type polarization.

17. A system for modulating the intensity of an input beam of electromagnetic energy in response to a modulation signal having a first intensity component, a second intensity component, and a third intensity component wherein the input beam includes a plurality of wavelength elements and wherein the wavelength elements each include an unspecified E vector polarization, the system comprising:

a. a beam splitting apparatus for separating the input beam into first and second beam segments as a function of E vector polarization and not as a function of wavelength where the first beam segment includes a first substantially fixed E vector polarization and the second beam segment includes a second substantially fixed E vector polarization;

b. a beam segment polarizing apparatus for rotating the E vector of the second beam segment to substantially align the E vector of the second beam segment to parallel the E vector of the first beam segment;

c. a beam recombining apparatus for recombining the first and second beam segments into a substantially collimated, uniformly polarized beam having a substantially fixed E vector polarization;

d. a plurality of filter apparatuses for separating the uniformly polarized beam into a first wavelength beam element, a second wavelength beam element, and a third wavelength beam element as a function of wavelength;

e. a first variable polarizing apparatus for rotating the E vector polarization of the first wavelength beam element on a pixel by pixel basis as a function of the location of each discrete pixel element within the beam area and as a function of the first intensity component of the modulation signal to produce a first pixel rotated beam where each discrete pixel element includes an independently controlled, variable angle E vector polarization defined by the first intensity component of the modulation signal;

f. a second variable polarizing apparatus for rotating the E vector polarization of the second wavelength beam element on a pixel by pixel basis as a function of the location of each discrete pixel element within the beam area and as a function of the second intensity component of the modulation signal to produce a second pixel rotated beam where each discrete pixel element includes an independently controlled, variable angle E vector polarization defined by the second intensity component of the modulation signal;

g. a third variable polarizing apparatus for rotating the E vector polarization of the third wavelength beam element on a pixel by pixel basis as a function of the location of each discrete pixel element within the beam area and as a function of the third intensity component of the modulation signal to produce a third pixel rotated beam where each discrete pixel element includes an independently controlled, variable angle E vector polarization defined by the third intensity component of the modulation signal;

h. a first beam resolving apparatus for resolving the first pixel rotated beam into a collimated first resolved beam, the first resolved beam having a substantially fixed first E vector polarization with discrete pixel elements independently varying in intensity as a function of the first intensity component of the modulation signal;

i. a second beam resolving apparatus for resolving the second pixel rotated beam into a collimated second resolved beam, the second resolved beam having a substantially fixed second E vector polarization with discrete pixel elements independently varying in intensity as a function of the second intensity component of the modulation signal;

j. a third beam resolving apparatus for resolving the third pixel rotated beam into a collimated third resolved beam, the third resolved beam having a substantially fixed third E vector polarization with discrete pixel elements independently varying in intensity as a function of the third intensity component of the modulation signal; and

k. a beam combining apparatus for combining the first, second, and third resolved beams into a composite beam.