Color filters, sequencers and displays using color selective light modulators
First Claim
1. A sequencer, comprising:
- a first modulator stage, comprising;
a first input retarder stack for receiving and transforming the polarization of light, a first electro-optic modulator for receiving and selectively modulating the polarization of a portion of light output by the first retarder stack, and a first output retarder stack for receiving and transforming the polarization of light output by the first electro-optic modulator;
a second modulator stage, comprising;
a second input retarder stack for receiving and transforming the polarization of light, a second electro-optic modulator for receiving and selectively modulating the polarization of a portion of light output by the second retarder stack, and a second output retarder stack for receiving and transforming the polarization of light output by the second electro-optic modulator; and
a third modulator stage, comprising;
a third input retarder stack for receiving and transforming the polarization of light, a third electro-optic modulator for receiving and selectively modulating the polarization of a portion of light output by the third retarder stack, and a third output retarder stack for receiving and transforming the polarization of light output by the third electro-optic modulator;
wherein the first, second and third modulator stages each comprise at least one compensator having retardances and orientations that increase a field-of-view of the sequencer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a high brightness color selective light modulator (CSLM) formed by a polarization modulator positioned between two retarder stacks. The modulator changes the apparent orientation of one retarder stack relative to the other so that, in a first switching state of the modulator the two retarder stacks cooperate in filtering the spectrum of input light, and in a second switching state the two retarder stacks complement each other, yielding a neutral transmission spectrum. Two or more CSLM stages can be used in series, each stage providing independent control of a primary color. One preferred embodiment eliminates internal polarizers between CSLM stages, thereby providing an additive common-path full-color display with only two neutral polarizers. Hybrid filters can be made using the CSLMs of this invention, in combination with other active or passive filters. The CSLMs of this invention can be used in many applications, particularly in the areas of recording and displaying color images. They can be arranged in a multi pixel array by pixelating the active elements, and can be implemented as color filter arrays, using patterned passive retarders rather than active polarization modulators.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A sequencer, comprising:
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a first modulator stage, comprising;
a first input retarder stack for receiving and transforming the polarization of light, a first electro-optic modulator for receiving and selectively modulating the polarization of a portion of light output by the first retarder stack, and a first output retarder stack for receiving and transforming the polarization of light output by the first electro-optic modulator;
a second modulator stage, comprising;
a second input retarder stack for receiving and transforming the polarization of light, a second electro-optic modulator for receiving and selectively modulating the polarization of a portion of light output by the second retarder stack, and a second output retarder stack for receiving and transforming the polarization of light output by the second electro-optic modulator; and
a third modulator stage, comprising;
a third input retarder stack for receiving and transforming the polarization of light, a third electro-optic modulator for receiving and selectively modulating the polarization of a portion of light output by the third retarder stack, and a third output retarder stack for receiving and transforming the polarization of light output by the third electro-optic modulator;
wherein the first, second and third modulator stages each comprise at least one compensator having retardances and orientations that increase a field-of-view of the sequencer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A sequencer, comprising:
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a first modulator stage, comprising;
a first input retarder stack for receiving and transforming the polarization of at least partially polarized light, a first electro-optic modulator for receiving and selectively modulating the polarization of a portion of light output by the first retarder stack, and a first output retarder stack for receiving and transforming the polarization of light output by the first electro-optic modulator, wherein the first output retarder stack comprises a first in-plane compensator and a first z-plane compensator having respective retardances and orientations;
a second modulator stage, comprising;
a second input retarder stack for receiving and transforming the polarization of light, a second electro-optic modulator for receiving and selectively modulating the polarization of a portion of light output by the second retarder stack, and a second output retarder stack for receiving and transforming the polarization of light output by the second electro-optic modulator, wherein the second output retarder stack comprises a second in-plane compensator and a second z-plane compensator having respective retardances and orientations; and
a third modulator stage, comprising;
a third input retarder stack for receiving and transforming the polarization of light, a third electro-optic modulator for receiving and selectively modulating the polarization of a portion of light output by the third retarder stack, and a third output retarder stack for receiving and transforming the polarization of light output by the third electro-optic modulator, wherein the third output retarder stack comprises a third in-plane compensator having a retardance and orientation;
wherein the retardances and orientations of the first, second and third in-plane compensators, and the retardances and orientations of the first and second z-compensators are adapted to increase a field-of-view of the sequencer. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
an input polarizer for receiving input light and outputting the at least partially polarized light; and
an output polarizer for receiving and analyzing light output by the third output retarder stack.
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Specification