Centrifugal illumination system
First Claim
1. In a display system having an illumination source that directs light along an optical path toward an image source to form a display image, the improvement comprising:
- an illumination homogenizer having an optical input and an optical output, light from the light source arriving at the optical input with a first illumination distribution uniformity and departing the optical output with a second illumination distribution uniformity greater than the first; and
a centrifugal relay lens system in the optical path between the illumination homogenizer and the image source to direct illumination of the image source away from its center.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An image display system such as an LCD projection display includes an illumination homogenizer and a centrifugal relay lens system. The illumination homogenizer, such as a reflective tunnel homogenizer or integrator, efficiently provides uniform distribution of light over a region matched to the configuration of an LCD, or other type of image source. The centrifugal relay lens system includes, for example, an S-curve aspheric lens surface that functions to increase the illumination distribution toward the edges and corners of the image source relative to the center. The projection system provides illumination with improved uniformity and efficiency while also providing a shortened optical pathway.
35 Citations
25 Claims
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1. In a display system having an illumination source that directs light along an optical path toward an image source to form a display image, the improvement comprising:
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an illumination homogenizer having an optical input and an optical output, light from the light source arriving at the optical input with a first illumination distribution uniformity and departing the optical output with a second illumination distribution uniformity greater than the first; and a centrifugal relay lens system in the optical path between the illumination homogenizer and the image source to direct illumination of the image source away from its center. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. In a display having an illumination source that directs light along an optical path toward an image source to form a display image, the improvement comprising:
a relay lens system in the optical path between the illumination source and the image source and having a first relay lens with an S-curve aspheric lens surface and a second relay lens with a short focal length. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A rear projection LCD display having an illumination source that directs light along an optical path toward a LCD image source to form a display image that is projected toward a rear surface of a display screen, comprising:
a reflective tunnel homogenizer; and
a centrifugal relay lens system in the optical path between the reflective tunnel homogenizer and the image source to direct illumination of the image source away from its center.- View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A front projection LCD display having an illumination source that directs light along an optical path toward a LCD image source to form a display image that is projected toward a front surface of a display screen, comprising:
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a reflective tunnel homogenizer; and a centrifugal relay lens system in the optical path between the reflective tunnel homogenizer and the image source to direct illumination of the image source away from its center. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification