Apparatus for image projection

• US 7,133,022 B2
• Filed: 11/06/2002
• Issued: 11/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kevotee, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Keyotee Incorporated
• Inventors: Grabert, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Sumati
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, TAMMY T
• Application Number:
  US10/288,914
• Publication Number:
  US 20030085867A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,462 Days
• Field of Search: 345/6, 345/1.1, 345/204, 345/30, 345/87, 345/85, 345/84, 345/102, 345/4, 345/173, 345/88
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0833 the reflecting element being a micromechanical device, e.g. a MEMS mirror, DMD G02B26/0825 takes precedence; micromechanical devices in general B81B
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0841 the reflecting element being moved or deformed by electrostatic means
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/0283 Arrangement of drivers for different directions of scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/148 the light being detected by light detection means within each pixel
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/002 to project the image of a two-dimensional display, such as an array of light emitting or modulating elements or a CRT
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/025 with scanning or deflecting the beams in two directions or dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2088 with use of a plurality of processors, each processor controlling a number of individual elements of the matrix
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/7466 Control circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7458 the modulator being an array of deformable mirrors, e.g. digital micromirror device [DMD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3132 using one-dimensional electronic spatial light modulators
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3185 Geometric adjustment, e.g. keystone or convergence optical or mechanical adjustment of convergence H04N9/317; using scanning means H04N3/22; optical or mechanical adjustments of projectors not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/14

Abstract

The invention is directed to a solid-state projection device incorporating a light source, modulator, and control circuitry on a single chip. For example, projection device may include several sets of VCSELs, each associated with a set of MEMs mirrors and coupled to a control circuitry. The device may also include various Pyrex layers for sealing and angling layers. The device may further include detectors associated with the light source. These detectors may be useful in determining the shape and location of the projection surface, building a gesture interface, and determining the operability of proxels. The invention is also directed to methods for using the device for manipulating the image, producing zoom, masking, reverse images, positioning, and keystone correction, among others. The invention may be used in projection display devices, portable display devices, heads-up displays, retinal displays, rear and front projection displays, and other display applications.

Claims

1. An apparatus for projecting an image, the apparatus comprising:

a source substrate layer comprising a plurality of sets of light sources, each set of light sources comprising a plurality of light sources, said plurality of light sources producing electromagnetic energy of differing wavelengths;

a first modulator substrate layer comprising a plurality of micro-electromechanical mirrors, each micro-electromechanical mirror in said plurality of micro-electromechanical mirrors being associated with a set in the plurality of sets of light sources;

a second modulator substrate layer comprising a plurality of micro-electromechanical mirrors, each micro-electromechanical mirror in said plurality of micro-electromechanical mirrors associated with a micro-electromechanical mirror associated with said first modulator substrate layer;

a circuitry substrate layer comprising control circuitry, the control circuitry communicatively coupled to said source substrate layer, the first modulator substrate layer, and the second modulator substrate layer; and

each substrate layer integrated into a single unit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one transparent layer sealing said first modulator substrate layer and said second modulator substrate layer.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one transparent wedge located between said first modulator substrate layer and said second modulator substrate layer.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a transparent wedge layer associated with said source substrate layer.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said differing wavelengths comprise wavelengths associated with red, blue, and green.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said differing wavelengths comprise wavelengths associated with infrared.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of electromagnetic energy detectors.