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

• US 7,295,371 B1
• Filed: 02/02/2005
• Issued: 11/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
• Original Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
• Inventors: Sedlmayr, Steven R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Allen; Stephone B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FINEMAN, LEE A
• Application Number:
  US11/049,539
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 359/487, 359/494, 359/495, 359/502, 353/20, 353/31, 349/8, 349/9
• US Class Current: 359/489.07
• 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 system for producing a beam of light having substantially similar polarization across the beam, comprising:

(a) a beam splitter configured to separate a first beam of light into a first separated beam having a first polarization and a second separated beam having a second polarization, wherein said first and second polarizations are different from each other;

(b) a polarization converter, attached to said beam splitting element, configured to;

intercept said first separated beam; and

convert said first polarization of said first separated beam to said second polarization by directing said first separated beam in a single pass through said polarization converter;

(c) a reflector configured to redirect at least one of said converted first separated beam and said second separated beam to be substantially aligned with another of said converted first separated beam and said second separated beam, thereby forming a second beam of light having substantially similar polarization across the beam of light;

(d) means for producing, from at least said second beam of light, a plurality of substantially collimated beams of light;

(e) means for absorbing a portion of electromagnetic energy, prior to means for altering in (f), of at least one of the plurality of substantially collimated beams of light, wherein the portion being absorbed is dependent upon the wavelength of the at least one beam;

(f) means for altering the polarization of a plurality of portions of each of the separate substantially collimated beams of light; and

(g) means for combining and resolving the altered beams into a single collinear beam of light.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a beam shaper configured to shape said first beam of light into a substantially rectangular shape.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said beam shaper includes at least one lens.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said polarization converter includes a half-wave retarder.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said reflector includes a mirror.

6. A system for producing a beam of light having substantially similar polarization across the beam, comprising:

(a) means for providing a first beam of light;

(b) means for separating said first beam of light into a first separated beam having a first polarization and a second separated beam having a second polarization, wherein said first and second polarizations are different from each other;

(c) means for converting said first polarization of said first separated beam to said second polarization by directing said first separated beam in a single pass through said means for converting, said means for converting polarization being attached to said means for separating said first beam of light;

(d) means for redirecting at least one of said converted first separated beam and said second separated beam to be substantially aligned with another of said converted first separated beam and said second separated beam, thereby forming a second beam of light having substantially similar polarization across the beam of light;

(e) means for producing, from at least said second beam of light, a plurality of substantially collimated beams of light;

(f) means for absorbing a portion of electromagnetic energy, prior to means for altering in (g), of at least one of the plurality of substantially collimated beams of light, wherein the portion being absorbed is dependent upon the wavelength of the at least one beam;

(g) means for altering the polarization of a plurality of portions of each of the separate substantially collimated beams of light; and

(h) means for combining and resolving the altered beams into a single collinear beam of light.

7. A method for producing a beam of light having substantially similar polarization across the beam, comprising:

(a) separating a first beam of light into a first separated beam having a first polarization and a second separated beam having a second polarization, wherein said first and second polarizations are different from each other;

(b) intercepting said first separated beam by a polarization converter attached to a beam splitter;

(c) converting said first polarization of said first separated beam to substantially said second polarization by directing said first separated beam in a single pass through said polarization converter; and

(d) redirecting at least one of said converted first separated beam and said second separated beam to be substantially aligned with another of said converted first separated beam and said second separated beam, thereby forming a second beam of light having substantially similar polarization across the beam of light;

(e) producing, from at least said second beam of light, a plurality of substantially collimated beams of light;

(f) absorbing a portion of electromagnetic energy, prior to altering in (g), of at least one of the plurality of substantially collimated beams of light, wherein the portion being absorbed is dependent upon the wavelength of the at least one beam;

(g) altering the polarization of a plurality of portions of each of the separate substantially collimated beams of light; and

(h) combining and resolving the altered beams into a single collinear beam of light.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising shaping said first beam of light into a rectangular shape.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said polarization converter includes a half-wave retarder.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said redirecting includes reflecting by at least one mirror.