Digital projection equipment and techniques

• US 20030063226A1
• Filed: 11/28/2001
• Published: 04/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IMAX Corporation
• Original Assignee: IMAX Corporation
• Inventors: Read, Steven, Quinn, Dermot J., Gibbon, Michael A., Eckersley, Brian, Moss, Graham H., Anikitchev, Sergei G., Adkins, Sean, Wilding, Steven, Zhou, Samuel Z.
• Granted Patent: US 7,224,411 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/771
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/1066 for enhancing image performance, like resolution, pixel numbers, dual magnifications or dynamic range, by tiling, slicing or overlapping fields of view
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/143 using macroscopically faceted or segmented reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/283 used for beam splitting or combining
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/008 using micromirror devices
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/2013 Plural light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/2073 Polarisers in the lamp house peculiar to electronic spatial light modulators H04N9/3197
• 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

Apparatus and techniques for enhancing characteristics of electronic projection systems are detailed. Included among the techniques are both superimposition of sub-images and tiling of superimposed images, the combination of which can be advantageous in improving resolution of projected images. Pre-modulators and polarizing beam splitters also may be used as parts of the innovative systems.

Claims

1. An optical projection system comprising:

a. a plurality of light sources producing a plurality of images;

b. means for superimposing at least two of the images; and

c. means for tiling at least two of the images.

2. An optical projection system according to claim 1 in which the tiling means comprises means for providing enhanced blending in overlapped regions of the tiled images.

3. An optical projection system according to claim 2 in which the tiling means comprises a pyramid prism.

4. An optical projection system according to claim 3 in which the pyramid prism comprises a plurality of sides and an apex, the plurality of sides functioning to combine images and the apex functioning to decrease intensity of illumination to provide the enhanced blending in the overlapped regions.

5. An optical projection system according to claim 4 further comprising a projection lens for projecting superimposed, tiled images.

6. An optical projection system according to claim 1 in which each of the plurality of light sources comprises a DMD.

7. An optical projection system according to claim 5 in which the projection lens defines an optical axis and in which position of the pyramid prism relative to the optical axis can vary.

8. An optical projection system according to claim 2 further comprising at least one polarizing beam splitter interposed optically between at least one light source and the pyramid prism

9. An optical projection system according to claim 8 in which the polarizing beam sputter has a reflective and a transmissive face and is interposed optically between the pyramid prism and two light sources, images from one of the two light sources being directed to the reflective face and images from the other of the two light sources being directed to the transmissive face.

10. An optical projection system according to claim 1 further comprising a pre-modulator.

11. An optical projection system according to claim 5 further comprising an edge mask interposed optically between the pyramid prism and the projection lens.

12. An optical projection system according to claim 8 further comprising a combining polarizing beam splitter and an additional polarizing beam splitter interposed optically between at least one light source and the combining polarizing beam splitter.

13. An optical projection system according to claim 9 further comprising a system of relay lenses that act to permit adjustment of the magnification of the images from each of the light sources.

14. An optical projection system according to claim 1 in which the tiling means comprises a plurality of mirrors, further comprising a plurality of projection lenses associated therewith.

19. An optical system according to claim 5 further comprising a second plurality of light sources producing a second plurality of images and a second projection lens for projecting the second plurality of images or images derived therefrom.

15. A method of projecting a plurality of images, the method comprising:

a. creating the plurality of images;

b. superimposing at least two of the images, and

c tiling at least two of the images.

16. An optical system comprising:

a. a light source;

b. a relay lens;

c a prism interposed optically between the light source and the relay lens and

d an edge mask positioned optically after the relay lens

17. An optical system according to claim 16 in which the relay lens locates an image at a particular location and in which the edge mask is positioned at the plane of the image.

18. An optical system according to claim 17 further comprising a shading mask interposed optically between the relay lens and the image location.