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

• US 20050128586A1
• Filed: 02/02/2005
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1992
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
• Original Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
• Inventors: Sedlmayr, Steven R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,102,822 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/485
• 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 method of producing a modulated beam of electromagnetic energy, comprising:

[a] providing an initial substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic energy having random polarization across substantially the entire beam;

[b] resolving from the initial substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic energy a first resolved beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially a first polarization and a second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially a second polarization, whereby the first and second polarizations are different from one another;

[c] forming from the first resolved beam of electromagnetic energy and the second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy a substantially rectangular beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially the same polarization across substantially the entire beam of electromagnetic energy;

[d] separating the substantially rectangular beam of electromagnetic energy into two or more separate substantially rectangular beams of electromagnetic energy whereby each of the separate substantially rectangular beams of electromagnetic energy has substantially the same polarization and different electromagnetic energy as that of the other separate substantially rectangular beams of electromagnetic energy;

[e] adjusting at least one of the two or more separate substantially rectangular beams of electromagnetic energy by removing at least a predetermined portion of electromagnetic energy from said at least one beam;

[f] altering the polarization of a plurality of portions of each separate substantially rectangular beam of electromagnetic energy by passing each separate substantially rectangular beam of electromagnetic energy through a respective one of a plurality of altering means whereby the polarization of the plurality of portions of each beam of electromagnetic energy is altered in response to a stimulus means by applying a signal means to the stimulus means in a predetermined manner;

[g] combining the beams after at least the altering of [f]; and

[h] resolving at least one of the beams after at least the altering of [f] to at least one beam having substantially the same polarization.

2. An apparatus for producing a modulated beam of electromagnetic energy, comprising:

[a] an electromagnetic energy source device configured to provide an initial substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic energy having random polarization across substantially the entire beam;

[b] at least one beam resolver configured to resolve from the initial substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic energy a first resolved beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially a first polarization and a second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially a second polarization, whereby the first and second polarizations are different from one another;

[c] at least one beam combiner configured to form from the first resolved beam of electromagnetic energy and the second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy a substantially rectangular beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially the same polarization across substantially the entire beam of electromagnetic energy;

[d] at least one beam separator configured to separate the substantially rectangular beam of electromagnetic energy into two or more separate substantially rectangular beams of electromagnetic energy whereby each of the separate substantially rectangular beams of electromagnetic energy has substantially the same polarization and different electromagnetic energy as that of the other separate substantially rectangular beams of electromagnetic energy;

[e] at least one color tuner configured to adjust at least one of the two or more separate substantially rectangular beams of electromagnetic energy by removing at least a predetermined portion of electromagnetic energy from said at least one beam;

[f] at least one polarization altering means configured to alter the polarization of a plurality of portions of each separate substantially rectangular beam of electromagnetic energy by passing each separate substantially rectangular beam of electromagnetic energy through a respective one of said altering means whereby the polarization of the plurality of portions of each beam of electromagnetic energy is altered in response to a stimulus means by applying a signal means to the stimulus means in a predetermined manner;

[g] at least one combiner configured to combine the beams after at least the altering of [f]; and

[h] at least one resolver configured to resolve at least one of the beams after at least the altering of [f] to at least one beam having substantially the same polarization.

3. An apparatus for producing a modulated beam of electromagnetic energy, comprising:

[a] means for providing an initial substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic energy having random polarization across substantially the entire beam;

[b] means for resolving from the initial substantially collimated beam of electromagnetic energy a first resolved beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially a first polarization and a second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially a second polarization, whereby the first and second polarizations are different from one another;

[c] means for forming from the first resolved beam of electromagnetic energy and the second resolved beam of electromagnetic energy a substantially rectangular beam of electromagnetic energy having substantially the same polarization across substantially the entire beam of electromagnetic energy;

[d] means for separating the substantially rectangular beam of electromagnetic energy into two or more separate substantially rectangular beams of electromagnetic energy whereby each of the separate substantially rectangular beams of electromagnetic energy has substantially the same polarization and different electromagnetic energy as that of the other separate substantially rectangular beams of electromagnetic energy;

[e] means for adjusting at least one of the two or more separate substantially rectangular beams of electromagnetic energy by removing at least a predetermined portion of electromagnetic energy from said at least one beam;

[f] means for altering the polarization of a plurality of portions of each separate substantially rectangular beam of electromagnetic energy by passing each separate substantially rectangular beam of electromagnetic energy through a respective one of a plurality of altering means whereby the polarization of the plurality of portions of each beam of electromagnetic energy is altered in response to a stimulus means by applying a signal means to the stimulus means in a predetermined manner;

[g] means for combining the beams after at least the altering of [f]; and

[h] means for resolving at least one of the beams after at least the altering of [f] to at least one beam having substantially the same polarization.