Multiple light source illumination for image display systems

• US 7,364,326 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2004
• Issued: 04/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Penn, Steven M., Dewald, Duane S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember; Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US11/005,863
• Publication Number:
  US 20060120099A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,240 Days
• Field of Search: 362/551, 362/552, 362/234, 362/298, 362/297, 362/346, 362/343, 362/347, 362/241, 362/242, 353/81, 353/94, 353/98, 353/99
• US Class Current: 362/298
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0994 Fibers, light pipes optical fibers per se G02B6/02
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0006 Coupling light into the fibre in general G02B6/4298

Abstract

A method for transmitting light in an image display system includes generating a first cone of light from a first light source. The first cone of light includes a plurality of light beams. A first portion of the first cone is projected in an illumination path. A second portion of the first cone is projected at a surface of a reflector. The second portion of the first cone is reflected to project the second portion of the first cone in the illumination path. The first and second portions of the first cone are received at an entrance of an integrator rod. The second portion of the first cone increases the intensity of light received by the integrator rod.

Claims

1. An image display system comprising:

a modulator comprising an array of micro-mirror devices, the modulator operable to receive a plurality of light beams;

a light source module operable to generate the plurality of light beams, the light source module comprising;

a first light source operable to;

generate a first cone of light comprising a plurality of light beams; and

project a first portion of the first cone into an illumination path;

a second light source operable to;

generate a second cone of light comprising a plurality of light beams; and

project a first portion of the second cone into the illumination path,

wherein the first and second light sources are further operable to simultaneously generate the first and second cones of light; and

a spherical reflector having an opening formed through the reflector, the opening defining the illumination path, the illumination path within a cone of acceptance associated with the modulator, the reflector operable to;

reflect a second portion of the first cone in cooperation with a lamp reflector to project the second portion of the first cone into the illumination path to increase the intensity of the plurality of light beams received by the modulator; and

reflect a second portion of the second cone to project the second portion of the second cone into the illumination path to increase the intensity of the plurality of light beams received by the modulator.

2. An image display system comprising:

a modulator comprising an array of micro-mirror devices, the modulator operable to receive a plurality of light beams;

a light source module operable to generate the plurality of light beams, the light source module comprising;

a first light source comprising a lamp reflector and operable to;

generate a first cone of light comprising a plurality of light beams; and

project a first portion of the first cone into an illumination path; and

a reflector spaced apart from the lamp reflector and comprising a convex portion facing the lamp reflector, wherein the convex portion is operable to reflect a second portion of the first cone in cooperation with the lamp reflector to project the second portion of the first cone into the illumination path to increase the intensity of the plurality of light beams received by the modulator.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein:

the reflector is further operable to reflect the second portion of the first cone from a surface of the reflector to project the second portion of the first cone at the lamp reflector; and

the lamp reflector operable to;

reflect the second portion of the first cone to project the second portion of the first cone substantially across an arc of the light source; and

reflect the second portion of the first cone into the illumination path.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the reflector includes an opening formed through the reflector, the opening defining the illumination path, the illumination path within a cone of acceptance associated with the modulator.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the reflector comprises a spherical reflector.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the reflector comprises a pair of reflectors positioned to define an opening for the illumination path.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein:

the light source module further comprises a second light source operable to;

generate a second cone of light comprising a plurality of light beams; and

project a first portion of the second cone into the illumination path; and

the reflector is further operable to reflect a second portion of the second cone in cooperation with a lamp reflector to project the second portion of the second cone into the illumination path to increase the intensity of the plurality of light beams received by the modulator.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first and second light sources are further operable to simultaneously generate the first and second cones of light.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein:

the reflector is further operable to reflect the second portion of the second cone from a surface of the reflector to redirect the second portion of the second cone at the first light source; and

the second light source is operable to;

reflect the second portion of the second cone to project the second portion of the first cone substantially across an arc of the light source; and

reflect the second portion of the second cone into the illumination path.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein the reflector is positioned between the first light source and an integrator rod, the reflector defining an opening substantially aligned with an entrance of the integrator rod.

11. The system of claim 2:

wherein the light source module is operable to generate the plurality of light beams toward a point; and

wherein the convex portion includes an opening centered about the point.

12. A method for transmitting light in an image display system, comprising:

generating a first cone of light from a first light source, the first cone of light comprising a plurality of light beams, a first portion of the first cone projected in an illumination path, a second portion of the first cone projected at a surface of a reflector that comprises a convex portion facing the first light source;

reflecting the second portion of the first cone to project the second portion of the first cone in the illumination path; and

receiving the first and second portions of the first cone at an entrance of an integrator rod, the second portion of the first cone increasing the intensity of light received by the integrator rod;

wherein the step of reflecting the second portion of the first cone comprises;

reflecting the second portion of the first cone from the surface of the reflector to redirect the second portion at a lamp reflector apart from the reflector; and

reflecting the second portion of the first cone from the lamp reflector into the illumination path.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the reflector comprises a spherical reflector.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the reflector comprises a pair of reflectors positioned to define an opening for the illumination path.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

generating a second cone of light from a second light source, the second cone of light comprising a plurality of light beams, a first portion of the second cone projected in the illumination path, a second portion of the second cone projected at the surface of the reflector;

reflecting the second portion of the second cone to project the second portion of the second cone in the illumination path; and

receiving the first and second portions of the first cone at the entrance of the integrator rod, the second portion of the first cone increasing the intensity of light received by an integrator rod.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first cone of light and the second cone of light are generated simultaneously.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein reflecting the second portion of the second cone comprises:

reflecting the second portion of the second cone from the surface of the reflector to redirect the second portion at a lamp reflector that is part of the second light source and apart from the reflector; and

reflecting the second portion of the second cone from the lamp reflector that is part of the second light source into the illumination path.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising positioning the reflector between the first light source and the integrator rod, the reflector defining an opening substantially aligned with an entrance of the integrator rod.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving the first and second portions of light beams at a modulator comprising an array of micro-mirror devices; and

positioning the micro-mirror devices at a first tilt angle to receive the first and second portions of light beams.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the illumination path is within a cone of acceptance associated with the modulator, the illumination path defined by an opening associated with the reflector.

21. An image display system comprising:

a modulator comprising an array of micro-mirror devices, the modulator operable to receive a plurality of light beams;

a light source module operable to generate the plurality of light beams, the light source module comprising;

a first light source operable to;

generate a first cone of light comprising a plurality of light beams; and

project a first portion of the first cone into an illumination path; and

a reflector operable to reflect a second portion of the first cone in cooperation with a lamp reflector to project the second portion of the first cone into the illumination path to increase the intensity of the plurality of light beams received by the modulator;

.

a second light source operable to;

generate a second cone of light comprising a plurality of light beams; and

project a first portion of the second cone into the illumination path; and

the reflector is further operable to reflect a second portion of the second cone in cooperation with a lamp reflector to project the second portion of the second cone into the illumination path to increase the intensity of the plurality of light beams received by the modulator;

wherein;

the reflector is further operable to reflect the second portion of the second cone from a surface of the reflector to redirect the second portion of the second cone at the second light source; and

the second light source is operable to;

reflect the second portion of the second cone to project the second portion of the second cone substantially across an arc of the second light source; and

reflect the second portion of the second cone into the illumination path.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the first and second light sources are further operable to simultaneously generate the first and second cones of light.