PROJECTION DISPLAY

• US 20100220248A1
• Filed: 05/17/2010
• Published: 09/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1994
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Snaptrack Incorporated (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies Incorporated (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Inventors: Miles, Mark W.
• Application Number:
  US12/781,645
• Publication Number:
  US 20100220248A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/789
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/26 using multiple reflection, e.g. Fabry-Perot interferometer, variable interference filters
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12104 Mirror; Reflectors or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0112 comprising device for genereting colour display
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/001 based on interference in an adjustable optical cavity interference filters G02B5/28; devices or arrangements using multiple reflections in spectrometry or monochromators G01J3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/02 for controlling the intensity of light G02B26/004 takes precedence
• 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: G02B 26/085 the reflecting means being moved or deformed by electromagnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0858 the reflecting means being moved or deformed by piezoelectric means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/12 of the integrated circuit kind electric integrated circuits H01L27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13725 based on guest-host interaction G02F1/13762, G02F1/13737, take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/216 using liquid crystals, e.g. liquid crystal Fabry-Perot filters
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/03 scattering
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0452 Details of colour pixel setup, e.g. pixel composed of a red, a blue and two green components
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2074 using sub-pixels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3466 : based on interferometric effect

Abstract

A system and method for displaying an image using projection optics is disclosed. In one embodiment, a projector comprises an array of display elements, each display element comprising a first layer which is at least partially reflective and a second layer which is at least partially reflective and spaced a variable distance from the first layer, a controller configured to change the variable distances of the display elements based on image data representing an image, a light source configured to illuminate the array of display elements, and at least one lens configured to refract light reflected by or transmitted through the array so as project the image.

Claims

1. A projector comprising:

an array of display elements, each display element comprising a first layer which is at least partially reflective and a second layer which is at least partially reflective and spaced a variable distance from the first layer;

a controller configured to change the variable distances of the display elements based on image data representing an image;

a light source configured to illuminate the array of display elements; and

at least one lens configured to refract light reflected by or transmitted through the array so as project the image.

2. The projector of claim 1, wherein each display element is configured to reflect at least a first wavelength of light at a first variable distance and to not reflect the first wavelength of light at a second variable distance different from the first variable distance.

3. The projector of claim 1, wherein each display element is configured to transmit at least a first wavelength of light at a first variable distance and to not transmit the first wavelength of light at a second variable distance different from the first variable distance.

4. The projector of claim 1, wherein the at least one lens is configured to refract light reflected by the array so as to project the image.

5. The projector of claim 1, wherein the at least one lens is configured to refract light transmitted through the array so as to project the image.

6. The projector of claim 1, further comprising a housing which houses the array, controller, light source, and lens.

7. The projector of claim 6, further comprising a screen housed by the housing, and wherein the lens is configured to project the image onto the screen.

8. The projector of claim 6, wherein the lens is configured to project the image onto a screen which is not housed by the housing.

9. The projector of claim 1, further comprising a memory storing the image data.

10. The projector of claim 1, further comprising an input port receiving image data from an external source.

11. The projector of claim 1, further comprising a focus controller configured to change a focus of the at least one lens.

12. A method of projection, the method comprising:

illuminating an array of display elements, each display element comprising a first layer which is at least partially reflective and a second layer which is at least partially reflective and spaced a variable distance from the first layer;

changing the variable distances of the display elements based on image data representing an image; and

refracting light reflected by or transmitted through the array so as project the image.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein refracting light comprises refracting light reflected by the array so as to project the image.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein refracting light comprises refracting light transmitted through the array so as to project the image.

15. An apparatus comprising:

means for illuminating an array of display elements, each display element comprising a first layer which is at least partially reflective and a second layer which is at least partially reflective and spaced a variable distance from the first layer;

means for changing the variable distances of the display elements based on image data representing an image; and

means for refracting light reflected by or transmitted through the array so as project the image.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the means for illuminating comprises at least one of a light source or light source optics, wherein the means for changing comprises at least one of a processor, controller, or driving circuit, or wherein the means for refracting comprises at least one of a lens or projection optics.