High-resolution-imaging system for scanned-column projectors

• US 7,420,177 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2006
• Issued: 09/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp. (Elevate Entertainment, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp. (Elevate Entertainment, Inc.)
• Inventors: Tanner, Allen H., Christensen, Robert R., Williams, Forrest
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta; David P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Eley; Jessica L
• Application Number:
  US11/336,510
• Publication Number:
  US 20070170365A1
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• Field of Search: 250/370.08, 348/756, 348/36, 359/245, 359/634, 353/31, 353/98
• US Class Current: 250/370.08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3129 scanning a light beam on the display screen scanning a light beam on a screen in displays other than projection devices G09G3/02; scanning systems in general G02B26/10; projectors using laser light sources in general H04N9/3161

Abstract

A system and method for generating a high-resolution image using a scanned-column projector is disclosed. The method includes the operation of generating a time-varying line image. A further operation includes collimating the time-varying line image in at least one plane. An additional operation involves scanning the collimated time-varying line image using a scan mirror. A further operation includes projecting the scanned collimated time-varying line image onto a surface. The scanned collimated time-varying line image is projected with at least one imaging element.

Claims

1. A high-resolution imaging system for scanned column projectors, comprising:

a column modulator configured to produce a time-varying line image;

a collimator configured to receive and collimate the time-varying line image in at least one plane, wherein the column modulator is further configured to produce an intermediate image located in a back focal plane of the collimator to enable the collimator to reimage the intermediate image near infinity and wherein the intermediate image is comprised of a plurality of differently colored line images and each of the plurality of differently colored line images are sized differently to assist in correction of residual chromatic aberration in the final image;

a scan mirror operable to receive and scan the collimated line image; and

at least one imaging element configured to shape the scanned collimated line image onto a surface having a predetermined shape associated with the at least one imaging element.

2. The high-resolution imaging system of claim 1, wherein the surface has a predetermined shape selected from the group consisting of a cylindrical surface, a flat surface, a spherical surface, a hemispherical surface, and a toroidal surface.

3. The high-resolution imaging system of claim 2, wherein the surface is a rear-projection surface.

4. The high-resolution imaging system of claim 1, wherein the imaging element is at least one of a reflective element, a refractive element, and a catadioptric element.

5. The high-resolution imaging system of claim 1, wherein the collimator is at least one of a reflective element, a refractive element, and a catadioptric element.

6. The high-resolution imaging system of claim 1, wherein the imaging element comprises a plurality of projection lenses configured to enable the scanned collimated line image to be displayed on the surface having the predetermined shape.

7. The high-resolution imaging system of claim 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of projection lenses is configured to provide angular magnification of a field angle imparted by the scan mirror.

8. The high-resolution imaging system of claim 7, wherein the slit is located in a back focal plane of the collimator.

9. The high-resolution imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a slit located between the column modulator and the collimator, wherein the slit is configured to reduce extraneous light produced by the column modulator.

10. The high-resolution imaging system of claim 1, further comprising a transmissive phase grating located in a plane of the intermediate image.

11. The high-resolution imaging system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of differently colored line images are combined to produce a substantially full-color image on the viewing surface.

12. The high-resolution imaging system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of differently colored line images are focused onto the phase grating in order to yield a focused final image on the viewing surface.

13. The high-resolution imaging system of claim 1, wherein axial color is added to one or more of the plurality of different colored line images at the intermediate image that is complementary to residual chromatic error introduced by the imaging element.

14. The high-resolution imaging system of claim 1, wherein lateral color is added to one or more of the plurality of different colored line images at the intermediate image that is complementary to residual chromatic error introduced by the imaging element.

15. The high-resolution imaging system of claim 1, wherein the scan mirror is located between the collimator and projection lens at a front focal plane of the collimator.

16. The high-resolution imaging system of claim 1, wherein the column modulator is selected from the group consisting of a grating light valve and a grating electro-mechanical system.