Using white light as the source to generate a color image

Abstract

This document discloses an optical assembly for generating a color image using white light as a source. The optical assembly includes: a broadband white light source array; a color filter assembly configured to selectively filter light from each of three additive primary colors passing through it; and a control unit. The control unit is configured to excite the light source in the light source array according to three intensity maps. Each of the intensity maps corresponds to one of the three additive primary colors. The control unit is also configured to synchronize the operation of the light source array with the color filter arrangement, such that when the light source in the light source array is excited according to one of the three intensity maps, the color filter arrangement filters light passing through it at the additive primary color corresponding to the intensity map.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to the use of white light as a source to produce color images. Background Technology

[0002] Augmented reality (AR) near-eye displays (NEDs)—also known as (AR) head-mounted displays or (AR) wearable displays—integrate projected virtual (digital) images into the wearer's field of vision. Because the virtual images are relatively small, self-emissive displays are generally preferred due to their high power efficiency. In principle, illumination can be provided using an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) comprising three sets of LEDs configured to generate red, green, and blue light. However, producing uniform virtual color images (using colored LEDs) remains a challenge due to the size limitations of existing colored LEDs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, aspects of this disclosure relate to generating color images using white light as a source. More specifically, but not exclusively, according to some embodiments of this disclosure, aspects of this disclosure relate to generating color images in augmented reality near-eye displays using broadband white light as a source.

[0004] Therefore, according to aspects of some embodiments, an optical component is provided for generating a color image using white light as a source. The optical component includes:

[0005] - A light source array (LSA) consists of multiple broadband white light sources.

[0006] - A color filter assembly (CFA) is configured to selectively filter light from each of the three additive primary colors (APCs) passing through it.

[0007] -Control unit.

[0008] The control unit is configured to excite the light source in the LSA according to three intensity maps. Each of the intensity maps corresponds to one of the APCs. The control unit is also configured to synchronize the operation of the LSA with the CFA such that when the light source in the LSA is excited according to the intensity map of the APC corresponding to one of the APCs, the CFA filters the light passing through the corresponding APC.

[0009] According to some implementations of optical components, LSA is an LED array.

[0010] Depending on some implementations of the optical components, the LED array is either an inorganic micro-LED (mLED) array or an organic LED (OLED) array.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the optical components, the CFA includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) array. Each cell in the LCD array corresponds to one of three APCs. The control unit is capable of simultaneously turning cells corresponding to the same APC on and off such that: (i) when on, each cell filters light passing through its corresponding APC, and (ii) when off, each cell blocks all light incident upon it. The optical components also include a linear polarizer configured to polarize the light generated by the LSA.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the optical components, the CFA includes at least three color filters, which can be individually turned on and off by a control unit. At least one of the color filters is configured to: when turned on, filter light passing through it from a corresponding APC of the three APCs, and when turned off, block all light reaching the color filter; and / or at least one of the color filters is configured to: when turned on, block light from a corresponding APC of the three APCs, and when turned off, block all light reaching the color filter. The control unit is configured to simultaneously switch the at least three color filters between three transmission modes, such that in each transmission mode, light from a corresponding APC of the three APCs is filtered through the CFA.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the optical components, at least three color filters include a first color filter, a second color filter, and a third color filter, each configured to filter light from only one of the three APCs passing through it. The CFA also includes a first waveguide, a second waveguide, and at least three dichroic mirrors, the first waveguide being configured to allow light generated by the LSA to be transmitted through it. Each of the dichroic mirrors is configured to reflect or filter light from a corresponding APC of the three APCs. The first, second, and third color filters are disposed between the waveguides. Each of the dichroic mirrors is embedded in one of the waveguides such that (i) light generated by the LSA and incident on the dichroic mirror embedded in the first waveguide is guided by the dichroic mirror to a corresponding filter among the first, second, and third color filters or to an adjacent dichroic mirror in the first waveguide, and (ii) light filtered by any of the first, second, and third color filters and incident on the dichroic mirror embedded in the second waveguide is reflected into the second waveguide.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the optical components, at least three dichroic mirrors include six dichroic mirrors. A first, second, and third dichroic mirror are embedded in a first side, a center, and a second side of a first waveguide, respectively. The center of the first waveguide is located between the first and second sides. A fourth, fifth, and sixth dichroic mirror are embedded in a first side, a center, and a second side of a second waveguide, respectively. The center of the second waveguide is located between the first and second sides. A first, second, and third color filter are located between the first side, the center, and the second side, respectively. The first, second, and third color filters, along with the dichroic mirrors, are configured such that when only the first, second, and third color filters are activated, light generated by the LSA and incident on the first side of the first waveguide is filtered into the first APC, the second APC, and the third APC, respectively, and output at the second side of the second waveguide.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the optical components, at least one of the at least three color filters includes a corresponding filtering element and a corresponding shutter. The filtering element is configured to transmit only light in the corresponding APC. Each shutter is configured to be controllably opened and closed according to a command from a control unit, such that when closed, the shutter prevents light from reaching the corresponding filtering element or blocks light from transmitting through the corresponding filtering element.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the optical components, at least one of the shutters is an LCD panel configured to be excited by a control unit. The optical components also include a linear polarizer configured to polarize the light generated by the LSA.

[0017] According to some implementations, at least one of the shutters is a mechanical shutter.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the optical components, the CFA also includes a first waveguide, a second waveguide, and a third waveguide arranged adjacent to each other and sequentially. The first waveguide has a first beam-splitting component embedded in its first side and a first mirror embedded in its second side. The second waveguide has a second beam-splitting component embedded in its first side and a third beam-splitting component embedded in its second side. The third waveguide has a second mirror embedded in its first side and a fourth beam-splitting component embedded in its second side. The first waveguide is configured to receive light generated by the LSA in its first side. The third waveguide is configured to output light received in the third waveguide from its second side.

[0019] According to some implementations of optical components, the beam-splitting component is a dichroic mirror, a diffraction grating, or a dielectric beam splitter.

[0020] According to some embodiments of the optical component, at least three color filters include four color filters. A first color filter is disposed between a first side of a first waveguide and a first side of a second waveguide, or embedded within a first side of the first waveguide. A second color filter is disposed between two second sides of the first waveguide, or embedded within a second side of the first waveguide. A third color filter is disposed between a first side of the second waveguide and a first side of the third waveguide, or embedded within a first side of the second waveguide. A fourth color filter is disposed between a second side of the second waveguide and a second side of the third waveguide, or embedded within a second side of the first waveguide. The APC filtering characteristics, positioning, and excitation time of each color filter are such that: the first waveguide allows only light from the first APC to propagate through the first waveguide; the second waveguide allows only light from the second APC to propagate through the second waveguide; and the third waveguide allows only light from the third APC to propagate through the third waveguide.

[0021] According to some implementations of the optical components, (i) when turned on, the first color filter blocks only the light in the first APC, (ii) when turned on, the second color filter filters the light passing through it only in the first APC, (iii) when turned on, the third color filter filters the light passing through it only in the second APC, and (iv) when turned on, the fourth color filter blocks only the light in the second APC.

[0022] According to some embodiments of the optical assembly, the optical assembly also includes optical devices configured to guide light from the LSA to the CFA.

[0023] According to some embodiments of the optical component, the optical component includes one or more lenses configured to collimate the light generated by the LSA.

[0024] According to some embodiments of the optical components, the CFA includes a liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) array. Each cell in the LCoS array includes a sub-cell corresponding to each of the three APCs, respectively. The LCoS array is switchable between three reflection modes corresponding to the three APCs, such that in each reflection mode, each sub-cell corresponding to the APC reflects light from the APC at a reflection level specified by the control unit, and the remaining sub-cells are turned off. The light generated by the LSA is linearly polarized and / or the optical components also include a linear polarizer.

[0025] According to some implementations of the optical components, each of the light sources in the LSA is configured to illuminate at least one cell from the cells in the LCoS array.

[0026] According to some implementations of the optical components, the optical components are configured such that substantially every cell in the LCoS array is positioned to receive light substantially only from a corresponding light source in the LSA.

[0027] According to some embodiments of the optical components, the CFA also includes a first polarizing beamsplitter (PBS) and a first collimating optics. The first PBS is configured to reflect polarized light generated by the LSA or filtered through a polarizing filter toward the LCoS array. The first collimating optics is configured to collimate the reflected polarized light arriving at the first collimating optics via the first PBS. The CFA is configured such that the collimated light is then either indirectly output after passing through the first PBS again, or directly output (i.e., without passing through the first PBS again) to image on the LCoS array.

[0028] According to some embodiments of the optical assembly, the first collimating optics includes a collimating lens arrangement (which may include one or more curved mirrors and lenses and / or Fresnel lenses). The CFA is configured such that the collimated light is indirectly output after passing through the first PBS again. The CFA also includes a quarter-wave plate positioned between the first PBS and the collimating lens arrangement such that the polarization of the light has been rotated by 90° upon re-entry into the first PBS.

[0029] According to some embodiments of the optical assembly, the optical assembly also includes a second PBS and a second collimating optics, wherein the light generated by the LSA first passes through the second PBS, is collimated by the second collimating optics, and is directly or indirectly propagated from the second collimating optics into the first PBS to image on the LCoS array.

[0030] According to some embodiments of the optical components, the control unit is configured to send three additional intensity maps, each corresponding to one of the three APCs, to the LCoS array. These three additional intensity maps have a higher resolution than the intensity map upon which the LSA excitation is based. Each intensity map upon which the LSA excitation is based, and the corresponding intensity map from the three additional intensity maps sent to the LCoS array, corresponding to the same APC, are combined to reproduce the intensity map associated with the corresponding APC, specified by a color bitmap stored in the control unit.

[0031] According to some embodiments of the optical components, the CFA includes a first filter, a second filter, and a third filter, which can be individually turned on and off by a controller. Each filter is configured to transmit all light incident upon it when turned on, and to block all light incident upon it when turned off. The CFA also includes a first waveguide, a second waveguide, and at least three dichroic mirrors, the first waveguide being configured to allow light generated by the LSA to be transmitted through it. Each of the dichroic mirrors is configured to reflect or filter light from a corresponding APC of the three APCs. The three filters (i.e., the first filter, the second filter, and the third filter) are disposed between the waveguides. Each of the dichroic mirrors is embedded in one of the waveguides such that: (i) light generated by the LSA and incident on the dichroic mirror embedded in the first waveguide is guided by the dichroic mirror to the corresponding filter of the three filters, or to an adjacent dichroic mirror in the first waveguide; and (ii) light filtered by any of the three filters and incident on the dichroic mirror embedded in the second waveguide is reflected into the second waveguide.

[0032] According to some embodiments of the optical components, at least three dichroic mirrors include six dichroic mirrors. A first, second, and third dichroic mirror are embedded in a first side, a central portion, and a second side of a first waveguide, respectively, wherein the central portion is disposed between the first and second sides. A fourth, fifth, and sixth dichroic mirror are embedded in a first side, a central portion, and a second side of a second waveguide, respectively, wherein the central portion is disposed between the first and second sides. A first, second, and third filter are disposed between the first side, the central portion, and the second side, respectively. The filters and dichroic mirrors are configured such that when only the first filter, only the second filter, and only the third filter are activated, light generated by the LSA and incident on the first side of the first waveguide is filtered into the first APC, the second APC, and the third APC, respectively, and output at the second side of the second waveguide.

[0033] According to some embodiments of the optical components, the CFA includes a first filter, a second filter, a third filter, and a fourth filter, which can be individually turned on and off by a control unit. Each filter is configured to transmit all light incident upon it when turned on and to block all light incident upon it when turned off. The CFA also includes a first waveguide, a second waveguide, and a third waveguide arranged adjacent to each other and sequentially. The first waveguide has a first beam-splitting element embedded in its first side and a first mirror embedded in its second side. The second waveguide has a second beam-splitting element embedded in its first side and a third beam-splitting element embedded in its second side. The third waveguide has a second mirror embedded in its first side and a fourth beam-splitting element embedded in its second side. The first waveguide is configured to receive light generated by the LSA in its first side. The third waveguide is configured to output light received in the third waveguide from its second side. Each of the beam-splitting elements is a dichroic mirror or a diffraction grating.

[0034] According to some embodiments of the optical component, a first filter is disposed between a first side of a first waveguide and a first side of a second waveguide, or embedded within a first side of the first waveguide. A second filter is disposed between two second sides of the first waveguide, or embedded within a second side of the first waveguide. A third filter is disposed between a first side of the second waveguide and a first side of the third waveguide, or embedded within a first side of the second waveguide. A fourth filter is disposed between a second side of the second waveguide and a second side of the third waveguide, or embedded within a second side of the first waveguide. A first dichroic mirror is configured to reflect only light from a first APC. A second dichroic mirror is configured to transmit only light from a third APC or reflect only light from a second APC. A third dichroic mirror is configured to transmit only light from a first APC or reflect only light from a second APC. A fourth dichroic mirror is configured to reflect only light from a third APC. The positioning and excitation time of the four filters are such that: the first waveguide allows light from the first APC to propagate through it only, the second waveguide allows light from the second APC to propagate through it only, and the third waveguide allows light from the third APC to propagate through it only.

[0035] Depending on some implementations of the optical components, the three APCs include red, green, and blue (RGB).

[0036] According to some embodiments of the optical component, the optical component includes an LCD array, wherein the cells on the LCD array are arranged in a non-periodic pattern, the non-periodic pattern being configured to suppress the diffraction pattern (e.g., diffraction lobes) of light output from the CFA.

[0037] According to some implementations of the optical components, at least three intensity maps together constitute a color bitmap.

[0038] According to some implementations of the optical components, the control unit is also configured to sequentially excite the light source in the LSA according to multiple sets of intensity maps. Each set of intensity maps includes at least three intensity maps corresponding to three APCs, such that the light output by the optical components corresponds to a sequence of video frames.

[0039] According to some implementations of the optical components, the CFA is also configured to allow white light to be controllably transmitted through the CFA. The control unit is also configured to excite the light source in the LSA according to an additional intensity map corresponding to the white light.

[0040] According to some implementations of the optical component, the optical component is coupled to a lightguide optical element (LOE). The LOE is configured to receive light output from the optical component, allow the light to propagate through it, and output the light along with ambient light incident on the LOE, such that a (virtual) image formed by the light from the optical component overlays a (real) image formed by the ambient light.

[0041] According to some aspects of the implementation, an augmented reality (AR) near-eye display (NED) system is provided, including any of the above-described LOE and optical components.

[0042] According to aspects of some implementations, a method is provided for overlaying a virtual (digital) image onto a real image in ARNED. For each of the three intensity maps corresponding to three APCs respectively, the method includes the following stages:

[0043] - Provides AR NED as described above.

[0044] -Based on the intensity map, excite the broadband white light source in the LSA of the optical components of the AR NED.

[0045] -Light generated by the LSA is selectively filtered into the corresponding APC by passing the light generated by the CFA of the optical component;

[0046] - The light filtered through the CFA will be directed to the LOE of the AR NED.

[0047] According to aspects of some implementations, a method is provided for overlaying a virtual image onto a real image in an AR NED. For each of three intensity maps corresponding to an APC, the method includes the following stages:

[0048] -Based on the intensity map, excite the broadband white light source in the LSA of the optical components of the AR NED.

[0049] - Light is selectively filtered into the corresponding APC by passing the light generated by the LSA through the CFA of the optical component.

[0050] - The light filtered through the CFA will be directed to the LOE of the AR NED.

[0051] The LOE is configured to output filtered light along with ambient light incident on the LOE, such that the image formed by the filtered light overlays the image formed by the ambient light.

[0052] According to some implementations of this method, the LSA is an LED array.

[0053] According to some implementations of this method, the LED array is an inorganic mLED array or an OLED array.

[0054] According to some embodiments of the method, the CFA includes an LCD array. Each cell in the LCD array corresponds to one of three APCs. Cells corresponding to the same APC can be turned on and off together, such that (i) when turned on, each cell filters light from its corresponding APC, and (ii) when turned off, each cell blocks all light incident upon it. The light generated by the LSA is polarized by a linear polarizer before passing through the CFA.

[0055] According to some embodiments of the method, the CFA includes at least three color filters, each capable of being individually turned on or off. At least one of the color filters is configured to: when turned on, filter light passing through from the respective APCs of the three APCs, and when turned off, block all light reaching the color filter; and / or at least one of the color filters is configured to: when turned on, block light from the respective APCs of the three APCs, and when turned off, block all light reaching the color filter. The at least three color filters can be switched together between three transmission modes such that in each transmission mode, light from the respective APCs of the three APCs is filtered through the CFA.

[0056] According to some embodiments of the method, at least three color filters include a first color filter, a second color filter, and a third color filter, each configured to filter light from three APCs passing through it. The CFA also includes a first waveguide, a second waveguide, and at least three dichroic mirrors, the first waveguide being configured to allow light generated by the LSA to be transmitted through it. Each of the dichroic mirrors is configured to reflect or filter light from a corresponding APC of the three APCs. The three color filters are disposed between the waveguides. Each of the dichroic mirrors is embedded within one of the waveguides such that (i) light generated by the LSA and incident on the dichroic mirror embedded in the first waveguide is guided by the dichroic mirror to a corresponding color filter among the three color filters, or to an adjacent dichroic mirror in the first waveguide, and (ii) light filtered by the three color filters and incident on the dichroic mirror embedded in the second waveguide is reflected into the second waveguide.

[0057] According to some embodiments of the method, at least three dichroic mirrors include six dichroic mirrors. A first dichroic mirror, a second dichroic mirror, and a third dichroic mirror are embedded in a first side, a center, and a second side of a first waveguide, respectively. The center of the first waveguide is located between the first and second sides of the first waveguide. A fourth, a fifth, and a sixth dichroic mirror are embedded in a first side, a center, and a second side of a second waveguide, respectively. The center of the second waveguide is located between the first and second sides of the second waveguide. A first color filter, a second color filter, and a third color filter are located between the first side, the center, and the second side, respectively. The first, second, and third color filters and the dichroic mirrors are configured such that when only the first, second, and third color filters are activated, light generated by the LSA and incident on the first side of the first waveguide is filtered into the first APC, the second APC, and the third APC, respectively, and output at the second side of the second waveguide.

[0058] According to some embodiments of the method, at least one of the at least three color filters includes a corresponding filtering element and a corresponding shutter. The filtering element is configured to transmit only light in the corresponding APC. Each shutter is configured to be controllably opened and closed according to a command, such that when closed, the shutter prevents light from reaching the corresponding filtering element or blocks light from transmitting through the corresponding filtering element.

[0059] According to some embodiments of the method, the CFA further includes a first waveguide, a second waveguide, and a third waveguide arranged adjacent to each other and sequentially. At least three color filters are included, comprising four color filters, including a first pair of color filters disposed between the first and second waveguides and a second pair of color filters disposed between the second and third waveguides. The first waveguide has a first beam-splitting component embedded in its first side and a first mirror embedded in its second side. The second waveguide has a second beam-splitting component embedded in its first side and a third beam-splitting component embedded in its second side. The third waveguide has a second mirror embedded in its first side and a fourth beam-splitting component embedded in its second side. The first waveguide is configured to receive light generated by the LSA at its first side, and the third waveguide is configured to output light received in the third waveguide from its second side.

[0060] According to some embodiments of the method, each of the beam-splitting components is a dichroic mirror, a diffraction grating, or a dielectric beam splitter.

[0061] According to some embodiments of the method, a first color filter of the four color filters is disposed between a first side of a first waveguide and a first side of a second waveguide, or embedded within a first side of a first waveguide. A second color filter of the four color filters is disposed between two second sides of a first waveguide, or embedded within a second side of a first waveguide. A third color filter of the four color filters is disposed between a first side of a second waveguide and a first side of a third waveguide, or embedded within a first side of a second waveguide. A fourth color filter of the four color filters is disposed between a second side of a second waveguide and a second side of a third waveguide, or embedded within a second side of a first waveguide. The APC filtering characteristics, positioning, and excitation time of each of the four color filters are such that: the first waveguide allows only light from the first APC to propagate through it; the second waveguide allows only light from the second APC to propagate through it; and the third waveguide allows only light from the third APC to propagate through it.

[0062] According to some implementations of the method, (i) when turned on, the first color filter (i.e., the first of four color filters) blocks only the light in the first APC, (ii) when turned on, the second color filter (i.e., the second of four color filters) filters only the light in the first APC that passes through it, (iii) when turned on, the third color filter (i.e., the third of four color filters) filters only the light in the second APC that passes through it, and (iv) when turned on, the fourth color filter (i.e., the fourth of four color filters) blocks only the light in the second APC.

[0063] According to some embodiments of the method, the CFA includes an LCoS array. Each cell in the LCoS array includes a sub-cell corresponding to each of the three APCs, respectively. The LCoS array is switchable between three reflection modes corresponding to the three APCs, such that in each reflection mode, each sub-cell corresponding to an APC reflects only the light from that APC at a reflection level specified by a corresponding intensity map in three additional intensity maps, and the remaining sub-cells are turned off. The light generated by the LSA is polarized by a linear polarizer before passing through the CFA.

[0064] According to some embodiments of the method, each of the light sources in the LSA is configured to illuminate at least one cell from the cells in the LCoS array.

[0065] According to some embodiments of the method, the optical components are configured such that substantially every cell in the LCoS array is positioned to receive light substantially only from a corresponding light source in the LSA.

[0066] According to some embodiments of the method, the CFA further includes a first PBS and a first collimating optics. The first PBS is configured to reflect polarized light generated by the LSA or filtered through a polarizing filter toward the LCoS array. The first collimating optics is configured to collimate the reflected polarized light arriving at the first collimating optics via the first PBS. The CFA is configured such that the collimated light is subsequently output indirectly or directly after passing through the first PBS again.

[0067] According to some embodiments of the method, the first collimating optics includes a collimating lens arrangement. The CFA is configured such that the collimated light is indirectly output after passing through the first PBS again. The CFA also includes a quarter-wave plate positioned between the first PBS and the collimating lens arrangement such that the polarization of the light has been rotated by 90° upon re-entry into the first PBS.

[0068] According to some embodiments of the method, the light generated by the LSA first passes through a second PBS and a second collimating optics to image on the LCoS array.

[0069] According to some embodiments of the method, the CFA includes a first filter, a second filter, and a third filter, which can be individually turned on and off by a controller. Each filter is configured to transmit all light incident upon it when turned on and to block all light incident upon it when turned off. The CFA also includes a first waveguide, a second waveguide, and at least three dichroic mirrors, the first waveguide being configured to allow light generated by the LSA to be transmitted through it. Each of the dichroic mirrors is configured to reflect or filter light from a corresponding APC of the three APCs. The three filters (i.e., the first filter, the second filter, and the third filter) are disposed between the waveguides. Each of the dichroic mirrors is embedded in one of the waveguides such that: (i) light generated by the LSA and incident on the dichroic mirror embedded in the first waveguide is guided by the dichroic mirror to the corresponding filter of the three filters, or to an adjacent dichroic mirror in the first waveguide; and (ii) light filtered through any of the three filters and incident on the dichroic mirror embedded in the second waveguide is reflected into the second waveguide.

[0070] According to some embodiments of the method, at least three dichroic mirrors include six dichroic mirrors. A first, second, and third dichroic mirror are embedded in a first side, a center, and a second side of a first waveguide, respectively, wherein the center is disposed between the first and second sides. A fourth, fifth, and sixth dichroic mirror are embedded in a first side, a center, and a second side of a second waveguide, respectively, wherein the center is disposed between the first and second sides. A first, second, and third filter are disposed between the first side, the center, and the second side, respectively. The filters and dichroic mirrors are configured such that when only the first filter, only the second filter, and only the third filter are turned on, light generated by the LSA and incident on the first side of the first waveguide is filtered into the first APC, the second APC, and the third APC, respectively, and output at the second side of the second waveguide.

[0071] According to some embodiments of the method, the CFA includes a first filter, a second filter, a third filter, and a fourth filter, which can be individually turned on and off by a control unit. Each filter is configured to transmit all light incident thereon when turned on and to block all light incident thereon when turned off. The CFA also includes a first waveguide, a second waveguide, and a third waveguide arranged adjacent to each other and sequentially. The first waveguide has a first beam-splitting component embedded in its first side and a first mirror embedded in its second side. The second waveguide has a second beam-splitting component embedded in its first side and a third beam-splitting component embedded in its second side. The third waveguide has a second mirror embedded in its first side and a fourth beam-splitting component embedded in its second side. The first waveguide is configured to receive the light generated by the LSA in its first side. The third waveguide is configured to output light received in the third waveguide from a second side of the third waveguide, and each of the beam splitting components is a dichroic mirror or a diffraction grating.

[0072] According to some embodiments of the method, a first filter is disposed between a first side of a first waveguide and a first side of a second waveguide, or embedded within a first side of the first waveguide. A second filter is disposed between two second sides of the first waveguide, or embedded within a second side of the first waveguide. A third filter is disposed between a first side of the second waveguide and a first side of the third waveguide, or embedded within a first side of the second waveguide. A fourth filter is disposed between a second side of the second waveguide and a second side of the third waveguide, or embedded within a second side of the first waveguide. A first dichroic mirror is configured to reflect only light from the first APC. A second dichroic mirror is configured to transmit only light from the third APC or reflect only light from the second APC. A third dichroic mirror is configured to transmit only light from the first APC or reflect only light from the second APC. A fourth dichroic mirror is configured to reflect only light from the third APC. The positioning and excitation time of the four filters are such that: the first waveguide allows light from the first APC to propagate through it only, the second waveguide allows light from the second APC to propagate through it only, and the third waveguide allows light from the third APC to propagate through it only.

[0073] According to some implementations of this method, the three APCs include red, green, and blue (RGB).

[0074] According to some embodiments of the method, the optical component includes an LCD array, the cells on the LCD array being arranged in a non-periodic pattern, the non-periodic pattern being configured to suppress diffraction patterns in the light output by the CFA.

[0075] According to some implementations of this method, at least three intensity maps together constitute a color bitmap.

[0076] According to some embodiments of this method, the light source in the LSA is excited based on multiple sets of intensity maps. Each set of intensity maps includes at least three intensity maps corresponding to three APCs, such that the generated image corresponds to a sequence of video frames.

[0077] According to some embodiments of the method, the CFA is also configured to allow white light to be controllably transmitted through the CFA. The method also includes performing the following operations after, between, and / or after the stages of implementing the method according to the three intensity maps:

[0078] - Excite the broadband white light source in the LSA based on the additional intensity map corresponding to the white light.

[0079] - Allows white light to pass through the CFA.

[0080] -Guide the white light transmitted through the CFA into the LOE.

[0081] Some embodiments of this disclosure may include some, all, or none of the advantages described above. One or more other technical advantages may be apparent to those skilled in the art from the accompanying drawings, specification, and claims included herein. Furthermore, while specific advantages have been set forth above, various embodiments may include all, some, or none of the listed advantages.

[0082] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In case of conflict, the patent specification (including the definitions) shall prevail. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the indefinite articles “a” and “an” as used herein mean “at least one” or “one or more”.

[0083] Unless otherwise expressly stated, as is apparent from this disclosure, it should be understood that, according to some embodiments, terms such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “estimating,” “evaluating,” “measuring,” etc., may refer to the actions and / or processing of a computer or computing system or similar electronic computing device that manipulates and / or converts data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities in the registers and / or memory of the computing system into other data similarly represented as physical quantities in the memory, registers, or other such information storage, transmission, or display devices of the computing system.

[0084] Embodiments of this disclosure may include devices for performing the operations described herein. Such devices may be specifically constructed for a desired purpose or may include general-purpose computers selectively activated or reconfigured by computer programs stored in a computer. Such computer programs may be stored in computer-readable storage media, such as, but not limited to, any type of disk, including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, magneto-optical disks, flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable and programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic cards or optical cards, or any other type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions and capable of being coupled to a computer system bus.

[0085] The processes and displays presented herein are not inherently associated with any particular computer or other device. Various general-purpose systems may be used with the programs taught herein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized devices to perform the desired methods. The desired structures for various such systems appear in the description below. Furthermore, implementations of this disclosure are described without reference to any particular programming language. It should be understood that the teachings of this disclosure described herein can be implemented using various programming languages.

[0086] Various aspects of this disclosure can be described within the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, that are executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform a specific task or implement a specific abstract data type. The disclosed implementations can also be implemented in a distributed computing environment, wherein the task is performed by a remote processing device linked via a communication network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can reside on both a local computer storage medium and a remote computer storage medium, both of which include memory storage devices. Attached Figure Description

[0087] Some embodiments of this disclosure are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. This description, together with the drawings, enables those skilled in the art to understand how some embodiments can be implemented. The drawings are for illustrative purposes and do not attempt to show structural details of the embodiments in more detail than necessary for a basic understanding of this disclosure. For clarity, some objects depicted in the drawings are not drawn to scale. Furthermore, two different objects in the same drawing may be drawn to different scales. In particular, the scale of some objects may be significantly exaggerated compared to other objects in the same drawing.

[0088] In the attached diagram:

[0089] Figure 1A A block diagram of an optical assembly for generating a color image using white light as a source, according to some embodiments, is presented.

[0090] Figure 1B The illustration schematically depicts a configuration according to some implementation methods. Figure 1A An array of optical components, configured to generate broadband white light;

[0091] Figure 1C The schematic depiction includes and Figure 1A Some implementations of optical components correspond to the lenses and stems of augmented reality glasses;

[0092] Figure 2A An optical assembly for generating a color image using white light as a source is schematically depicted, the optical assembly including an LCD array and corresponding to... Figure 1A Specific implementations of optical components;

[0093] Figure 2B The illustration schematically depicts a configuration according to some implementation methods. Figure 2A LCD array;

[0094] Figure 3A The diagram schematically depicts a configuration based on some implementations. Figure 1A A specific embodiment of the optical component corresponds to an optical component for generating a color image using white light as a source, the optical component including a color filter arrangement comprising a plurality of color filters;

[0095] Figure 3B The illustration schematically depicts a configuration according to some implementation methods. Figure 3A The optical components, wherein the color filter arrangement is in a first transmission mode, wherein only light in the first additive primary color is filtered through the color filter arrangement;

[0096] Figure 3C The illustration schematically depicts a configuration according to some implementation methods. Figure 3AThe optical components, wherein the color filter arrangement is in a second transmission mode, wherein only light in the second additive primary color is filtered through the color filter arrangement;

[0097] Figure 3D The illustration schematically depicts a configuration according to some implementation methods. Figure 3A The optical components, wherein the color filter arrangement is in the third transmission mode, wherein only light in the third additive primary color is filtered through the color filter arrangement;

[0098] Figure 4 The diagram schematically depicts a configuration based on some implementations. Figure 1A A specific embodiment of the optical component corresponds to an optical component for generating a color image using white light as a source, the optical component including a color filter arrangement comprising a plurality of color filters;

[0099] Figure 5A An optical assembly for generating a color image using white light as a source is schematically depicted, the optical assembly including an LCoS array and corresponding to... Figure 1A Specific implementations of optical components;

[0100] Figure 5B The illustration schematically depicts a configuration according to some implementation methods. Figure 5A LCoS array;

[0101] Figure 6 An optical assembly for generating a color image using white light as a source is schematically depicted, the optical assembly including an LCoS array and corresponding to... Figure 1A Specific implementations of optical components; and

[0102] Figure 7 A flowchart of a method for generating a color image using white light as a source, according to some embodiments, is presented. Detailed Implementation

[0103] Referring to the accompanying specifications and drawings will provide a better understanding of the principles, uses, and implementation methods of the teachings herein. After carefully reading the specifications and drawings presented herein, those skilled in the art will be able to implement the teachings without excessive effort or experimentation. In the drawings, the same reference numerals consistently denote the same parts.

[0104] In the specification and claims of this application, the words “comprising” and “having” and their forms are not limited to members of the list associated with the words.

[0105] As used herein, the term "about" can be used to specify a quantity or parameter (e.g., the length of an element) within a continuous range of values ​​near (and including) a given (stated) value. According to some embodiments, "about" can specify a parameter value between 80% and 120% of a given value. For example, stating "the length of the element is about 1 m" is equivalent to stating "the length of the element is between 0.8 m and 1.2 m." According to some embodiments, "about" can specify a parameter value between 90% and 110% of a given value. According to some embodiments, "about" can specify a parameter value between 95% and 105% of a given value.

[0106] As used herein, the terms “substantially” and “about” may be used interchangeably in some implementations.

[0107] Referring to the accompanying drawings, in the block diagrams and flowcharts, optional elements / components and stages may appear within boxes depicted by dashed lines.

[0108] As used herein, according to some implementations, the term “color” in relation to light is defined by international standards such as the CIE (International Commission on Illumination) RGB 1931 color space.

[0109] system

[0110] According to some aspects of implementation, an optical component is provided for generating color (e.g., RGB image) using white light as a source. Figure 1A An optical assembly—optical assembly 100—is schematically depicted according to some embodiments. Optical assembly 100 includes a light source array (LSA) 102, a color filter arrangement (CFA) 104, and a control unit 108. For example... Figure 1A As indicated by dashed lines L1 and L2 and as detailed below, each of LSA 102 and CFA 104 is functionally associated with and configured to be commanded by the control unit 108. Optionally, according to some embodiments, as detailed below, the optical assembly 100 may further include an optics 110 configured to couple light generated by LSA 102 to CFA 104 and / or couple light output from CFA 104 to an output element. According to some embodiments, and as detailed below... Figure 1A As shown, the output element can be an (optical) waveguide, such as the light guide optical element (LOE) 10 of an augmented reality (AR) near-eye display (NED).

[0111] Also refer to Figure 1B , Figure 1B A schematic top view of an LSA 102 according to some embodiments is presented. The LSA 102 may include a plurality of broadband white light sources 112. According to some embodiments, the light sources 112 in the LSA 102 may be individually addressed by a control unit 108. According to some such embodiments, the control unit 108 may be configured to control the on / off state of each of the light sources 112 and to control the intensity of each of the light sources 112. More specifically, the LSA 102 may be configured to generate an illumination pattern based on intensity values ​​received from the control unit 108—each of the light sources 112 individually.

[0112] According to some embodiments, LSA 102 is a light-emitting diode (LED) array. That is, each of the light sources 112 is an LED (configured to emit broadband white light). According to some such embodiments, LSA 102 is an inorganic micro-LED (mLED) array or an organic LED (OLED) array. That is, each LED is an inorganic mLED or an OLED.

[0113] The CFA 104 can be switched between three transmission modes corresponding to the three additive primary colors (APCs)—red, green, and blue—via the control unit 108. In each transmission mode, the CFA 104 can be configured to filter light passing through within a wavelength range corresponding to the respective APC. More specifically, the CFA 104 can be switched between at least the following:

[0114] - First transmission mode, in which CFA 104 blocks all visible light except for the light in the first APC;

[0115] - Second transmission mode, in which CFA 104 blocks all visible light except for the light in the second APC; and

[0116] - Third transmission mode, in which CFA 104 blocks all visible light except for the light in the third APC.

[0117] According to some implementations, CFA 104 can also switch to a fourth transmission mode corresponding to white light. Therefore, in the fourth transmission mode, CFA 104 can be configured to transmit all visible light.

[0118] According to some implementations, considering image data in the form of three intensity maps corresponding to each of the three APCs respectively—that is, considering a color bitmap (specifying RGB intensity)—the control unit 108 can be configured to continuously send each of the intensity maps to the LSA 102. Each of the intensity maps includes an intensity value associated with the corresponding APC, which is assigned to a pixel via the color bitmap. Thus, the intensity maps correspond respectively to the two-dimensional (spatial) intensity distribution of each of the APCs. Each of the intensity maps assigns a corresponding intensity value to each of the light sources 112. As described in detail below, by sufficiently and rapidly exciting the light sources 112 according to each of the intensity maps, the illumination pattern generated after being filtered by the CFA 104 (and optionally, through an output element such as the LOE 10) is effectively combined to be perceived by the eye as a single color image (additive color primary encoding).

[0119] According to some implementations, LOE 10 can be a planar waveguide. As a non-limiting example, when the AR NED is a pair of AR glasses, the LOE can constitute a lens of the glasses or form part of a lens of the glasses.

[0120] According to some embodiments, LOE 10 may include two or more sets of parallel partial mirrors. Different sets of partial mirrors may be parallel to each other or non-parallel to each other. According to some embodiments, LOE 10 is a diffraction waveguide. That is, a waveguide with an embedded or partially embedded diffraction grating configured to input light into and output light from the waveguide.

[0121] The control unit 108 includes control circuitry configured to synchronize (i.e., coordinate) the operation of LSA 102 and CFA 104 such that when LSA 102 generates an illumination pattern based on one of the three APCs, CFA 104 is simultaneously in a transmission mode configured to filter light passing through only at the same APC (i.e., the APC on which the illumination pattern is generated). Therefore, (i) when LSA 102 generates an illumination pattern based on a first intensity map corresponding to the first APC, CFA 104 is in the first transmission mode; (ii) when LSA 102 generates an illumination pattern based on a second intensity map corresponding to the second APC, CFA 104 is in the second transmission mode; and (iii) when LSA 102 generates an illumination pattern based on a third intensity map corresponding to the third APC, CFA 104 is in the third transmission mode.

[0122] In operation, the light generated by LSA 102, indicated by dashed arrow 101, is filtered by CFA 104. The filtered light, indicated by arrow 103, propagates from CFA 104 toward LOE 10 (in embodiments where the output element is LOE) and enters LOE 10. LOE 10 can be transparent, making the environment visible to the object wearing the ARNED, which includes optical components 100 and LOE 10. More precisely, LOE 10 is configured to output the filtered light and ambient light (i.e., external light from the environment; indicated by dashed arrow 111) to the eyes 5 of the object (wearing the ARNED), such that the filtered light forms a virtual image overlaid on the real image formed by the ambient light.

[0123] According to some embodiments, the optical assembly 100 includes an optical element 110, which may be configured to guide light generated by the LSA 102 onto the CFA 104. According to some embodiments, the optical element 110 may be configured to collimate the light generated by the LSA 102. According to some such embodiments, as described below, the optical element 110 may include one or more collimating lenses positioned between the LSA 102 and the CFA 104.

[0124] According to some embodiments, the control unit 108 includes one or more processing units and volatile and / or non-volatile memory units. The control unit 108 may be configured to receive color bitmaps that can be stored in volatile memory (i.e., random access memory, RAM). Three intensity maps constituting each color bitmap may be transmitted sequentially to the LSA 502. According to some embodiments, the control unit 108 may be configured to receive color bitmaps wirelessly, in which case the control unit 108 may include a Wi-Fi antenna and / or a Bluetooth antenna. According to some embodiments, the control unit 108 may be communicatively associated with and configured to be controlled by the processor of an AR NED, which includes optical components 100.

[0125] According to some implementations, the first APC can be red, green, or blue, the second APC can be red, green, or blue (depending on whether it differs from the first APC), and the third APC can be red, green, or blue (depending on whether it differs from both the first and second APCs). As a non-limiting example, the first APC can be red, the second APC can be green, and the third APC can be blue, or the first APC can be green, the second APC can be blue, and the third APC can be red.

[0126] Figure 1CAn AR NED 2 in the form of eyeglasses according to some embodiments is schematically depicted. The AR NED 2 includes optical components 100' and LOE 10', which correspond to specific embodiments of optical components 100 and LOE 10, respectively. A stem 4 and a lens 6 of the AR NED 2 are also shown. The lens 6 can be mounted on the stem 4. According to some embodiments, LOE 10' includes the lens 6. Alternatively, according to some embodiments, LOE 10' is included within the lens 6. The optical component 100' is positioned behind the LOE 10', adjacent to a first side portion (unnumbered) of the LOE 10'. According to some embodiments, the optical component 100' can be embedded in the stem 4, or as... Figure 1C The portion shown is embedded in handle 4.

[0127] Figure 2A An optical assembly 200 according to some embodiments is schematically depicted. Optical assembly 200 corresponds to a specific embodiment of optical assembly 100, wherein the CFA includes a color selection switch based on a liquid crystal display (LCD) array. Optical assembly 200 includes an LSA 202, a CFA 204, and a control unit 208, whereby CFA 204 includes an LCD array 220. Each of LSA 202, CFA 204, and control unit 208 corresponds to a specific embodiment of LSA 102, CFA 104, and control unit 108, respectively. According to some embodiments, and as... Figure 2A As shown, the optical assembly 200 also includes an optical device 210, which corresponds to a specific embodiment of the optical device 110.

[0128] Also refer to Figure 2B , Figure 2B An LCD array 220 according to some embodiments is depicted. The LCD array 220 includes a plurality of cells 224, each of which corresponds to one of three APCs. Cells 224 include a first cell 224a, a second cell 224b, and a third cell 224c, which correspond to the first APC, the second APC, and the third APC, respectively. Cells corresponding to the same color can be jointly turned on and off by a control unit 208. When off, the cell blocks all light illuminating it. When on, the cell filters light passing through it only at its corresponding APC.

[0129] More specifically, according to some implementations, the LCD array 220 can be switched between three transmission modes by the control unit 208:

[0130] - In the first transmission mode, the first unit 224a is turned on (commonly) and the second unit 224b and the third unit 224c are turned off (commonly) so that the LCD array 220 blocks all light except the light in the first APC.

[0131] - In the second transmission mode, the second unit 224b is turned on (commonly) and the third unit 224c and the first unit 224a are turned off (commonly) so that the LCD array 220 blocks all light except the light in the second APC.

[0132] - In the third transmission mode, the third unit 224c is turned on (commonly) and the second unit 224b and the third unit 224c are turned off (commonly) so that the LCD array 220 blocks all light except the light in the third APC.

[0133] It is important to note that in existing LCD arrays, each cell is individually addressable in a sense that the cell's transmission level (i.e., the percentage of light that is filtered and passes through the cell) is controllable. This is achieved using thin-film transistors (TFTs) mounted behind the cells and configured to apply a controllable voltage across the cells. However, the smaller the cell, the larger the TFT size relative to the cell, and therefore, even when the transmission level is set to maximum, the percentage of incident light blocked is greater. Thus, there is a trade-off between cell size and maximum transmission, and the resulting image quality: smaller cells result in lower maximum brightness and contrast. In particular, excessively large cells can cause localized variations in the intensity of light input to the LOE, which in turn can cause localized variations in the intensity of the (virtual) image projected onto the user's (i.e., wearing an AR NED) retina. However, if the pixels are small enough compared to the size of the (human eye) pupil, such variations will not be perceptible to the user.

[0134] Optical assembly 200 overcomes this limitation by forgoing the option of individually addressing each cell, allowing the use of relatively simpler and less space-consuming electronics. More specifically, since all cells of the same type (i.e., corresponding to the same APC) operate together in a binary mode (i.e., all fully transmitting or fully blocking), the anodes of all cells of the same type can be commonly short-circuited, and similarly, the cathodes of the cells can be commonly short-circuited, so that the same voltage is applied to each of the cells. Therefore, only three electrical switches are required: one for each type of cell. At the level of a single cell, the connections to the corresponding anode and cathode can occupy several square micrometers (e.g., approximately 10 μm). 2 Or even about 5μm 2As a result, even when the cells are small (e.g., with an area of ​​20 μm × 20 μm), significantly less light (e.g., less than 10%) is blocked from illuminating the cells. Since the system's effective pupil (i.e., a human pupil) has a diameter of approximately 4 mm (allowing approximately 30,000 cells to be imaged on the pupil), as mentioned above, local variations in intensity will be imperceptible. Advantageously, the resulting image is therefore both bright and uniform.

[0135] Unit 224 can be arranged in any pattern known in the LCD field. According to some embodiments, and as... Figure 2B As shown, unit 224 can be arranged in a non-periodic pattern to eliminate the appearance of diffraction lobes or at least suppress diffraction lobes.

[0136] According to some implementation methods, and as Figure 2A As shown, the optical device 210 may include a collimating lens 228. The collimating lens 228 may be configured to collimate the light generated by the LSA 202 onto the LCD array 220.

[0137] According to some implementations, LSA 202 can be an LED array, such as an inorganic mLED array or OLED array configured to generate broadband white light.

[0138] According to some implementation methods, and as Figure 2A As shown, optical device 210 may include polarizer 234. Polarizer 234 may be positioned between LSA 202 and CFA 204 (e.g., between collimating lens 228 and LCD array 220) to ensure that light originating from LSA 202 and illuminating LCD array 220 is polarized. According to some embodiments, polarizer 234 is a linear polarizer.

[0139] According to some alternative implementations, instead of LCD array 220, a Lyot filter or a rotatable wheel with a color filter can be used. More generally, in implementations where each pixel in the virtual image originates from a plane wave with a corresponding angular orientation (or equivalently, in implementations where the light generated by the LSA is collimated to appear as if it reaches the eye from infinity), a global chromatic shutter, such as the aforementioned global chromatic shutter and similar shutters, can be used.

[0140] Figure 2AThe diagram also shows the trajectory of light from LSA 202, via collimating lens 228 and polarizer 234, to LCD array 220, and from LCD array 220 to LOE 20 (indicated by dashed arrow 201; not all arrows are numbered). According to some embodiments, light filtered through LCD array 220 may enter LOE 20 at a first end 26 and, for example, be reflected by mirror 22 embedded in the first end 26 to propagate to a second end 28 of LOE 20 opposite the first end 26. The second end 28 may include one or more beam-splitting components 24 (not all beam-splitting components are numbered) configured to output ambient light (indicated by dashed arrow 203; not all ambient light is numbered) along with the light propagating from the first end 28. The output light is indicated by dashed arrow 205 (not all output light is numbered).

[0141] Figure 3A An optical assembly 300 according to some embodiments is schematically depicted. Optical assembly 300 corresponds to a specific embodiment of optical assembly 100, wherein the CFA includes multiple color filters and waveguides. Optical assembly 300 includes an LSA 302, a CFA 304, and a control unit 308, the CFA 304 including multiple color filters 330 and multiple waveguides 340. Each of the LSA 302, CFA 304, and control unit 308 corresponds to a specific embodiment of LSA 102, CFA 104, and control unit 108, respectively. According to some embodiments, and as... Figure 3A As shown, the optical assembly 300 also includes an optical device 310, which corresponds to a specific embodiment of the optical device 110.

[0142] According to some implementations, for example, LSA 302 can be an LED array such as an inorganic mLED array or an OLED array.

[0143] According to some implementation methods, and as Figure 3A As shown, color filter 330 includes a first color filter 330a, a second color filter 330b, a third color filter 330c, and a fourth color filter 330d. According to some embodiments, the first color filter 330a, when turned on, can be configured to block light in a first APC. The second color filter 330b, when turned on, can be configured to filter light passing through the first APC. The third color filter 330c, when turned on, can be configured to block light in a second APC. The fourth color filter 330d, when turned on, can be configured to filter light passing through the second APC. Each of the color filters 330 is configured to block all light or at least all visible light when turned off.

[0144] According to some implementation methods, and as Figure 3A As shown, waveguide 340 includes three consecutive and adjacent waveguides: a first waveguide 340a, a second waveguide 340b, and a third waveguide 340c. The first waveguide 340a includes a first side portion 342a1 and a second side portion 342a2 positioned opposite to the first side portion 342a1. Similarly, the second waveguide 340b includes a first side portion 342b1 and a second side portion 342b2 positioned opposite to the first side portion 342b1. Finally, the third waveguide 340c includes a first side portion 342c1 and a second side portion 342c2 positioned opposite to the first side portion 342c1. The first waveguide 340a, second waveguide 340b, and third waveguide 340c are arranged parallel to each other, wherein the second waveguide 340b is positioned between the first waveguide 340a and the third waveguide 340c.

[0145] According to some implementations, each of the waveguides 340 may be a planar waveguide.

[0146] According to some implementation methods, and as Figure 3A As shown, each of the waveguides 340 has one or two beam-splitting components embedded therein. A first beam-splitting component 344a is embedded in a first side portion 342a1 of the first waveguide 340a. A second beam-splitting component 344b1 and a third beam-splitting component 344b2 are embedded in the first side portion 342b1 and the second side portion 342b2 of the second waveguide 340b, respectively. A fourth beam-splitting component 344c is embedded in the second side portion 342c2 of the second waveguide 340b. According to some embodiments, the first waveguide 340a may have a first mirror 346a embedded in the second side portion 342a2, and the third waveguide 340c may have a second mirror 346c embedded in the first side portion 342c1.

[0147] As described in detail below, according to some embodiments, one or more of the beam-splitting components 344 may be dichroic mirrors. According to some embodiments, diffraction gratings may be used instead of dichroic mirrors. According to some embodiments, waveguide 340 may be a diffraction waveguide. According to some embodiments, one or more of the beam-splitting components 344 may be dielectric beamsplitters.

[0148] According to some embodiments, a first color filter 330a and a second color filter 330b can be disposed between a first waveguide 340a and a second waveguide 340b, and a third color filter 330c and a fourth color filter 330d can be disposed between a second waveguide 340b and a third waveguide 340c: the first color filter 330a can be disposed between a first side portion 342a1 and a first side portion 342b1; the second color filter 330b can be disposed between a second side portion 342a2 and a second side portion 342b2; the third color filter 330c can be disposed between a first side portion 342b1 and a first side portion 342c1; and the fourth color filter 330d can be disposed between a second side portion 342b2 and a second side portion 342c2.

[0149] According to some implementation methods, and as Figure 3A As shown, the first waveguide 340a can be positioned such that light generated by the LSA 302 enters the CFA 304 via the first side portion 342a1. As explained in detail below, the relative positions and orientations of the waveguide 340, color filter 330, beam splitter 344, and mirror 346 allow light selectively filtered through the CFA 304 to exit the CFA 304 via the second side portion 342c2 of the third waveguide 340c. Specifically, the relative positions and orientations of the color filter 330, beam splitter 344, and mirror 346 allow light to pass through one of the first and second color filters 330a and 330b to transition from the first waveguide 340a to the second waveguide 340b, and to transition from the second waveguide 340b to the third waveguide 340c, light must pass through one of the third and fourth color filters 330d.

[0150] According to some embodiments, the first waveguide 340a may be coated with an anti-reflective coating above and below the first beam splitter 344a and below the first mirror 346a. Similarly, the second waveguide 340b may be coated with an anti-reflective coating above and below the second beam splitter 344b1 and the third beam splitter 344b2. Finally, the third waveguide 340c may be coated with an anti-reflective coating above the second mirror 346c and above and below the fourth beam splitter 344c. The anti-reflective coating can minimize unwanted reflections from the surface of the waveguide 340, thereby reducing intensity loss.

[0151] According to some implementations, the CFA 304 can be switched between three transmission modes by the control unit 308:

[0152] - In the first transmission mode, with the first color filter 330a off and the second color filter 330b and the fourth color filter 330d on, the CFA 304 filters the light passing through the first APC. (The third color filter 330c can be turned on or off.) Figure 3B As shown, the filtered light propagates along the first waveguide 340a from the first side 342a1 to the second side 342a2, and after passing through the second side 342b2 of the second waveguide 340b, it leaves the CFA 304 via the second side 342c2 of the third waveguide 340c.

[0153] - In the second transmission mode, with the first color filter 330a turned on, the second color filter 330b and the third color filter 330c turned off, and the fourth color filter 330d turned on, the CFA 304 filters the light passing through the second APC. For example... Figure 3C As shown, the filtered light passes through the first side 342a1 of the first waveguide 340a and then enters the second waveguide 340b via the first side 342b1. The filtered light propagates along the second waveguide 340b from the first side 342b1 to the second side 342b2, and exits the CFA 304 via the second side 342c2 of the third waveguide 340c.

[0154] - In the third transmission mode, with the first color filter 330a turned on, the second color filter 330b turned off, the third color filter 330c turned on, and the fourth color filter 330d turned off, the CFA 304 filters the light passing through the third APC. For example... Figure 3D As shown, the filtered light passes through the first side 342a1 of the first waveguide 340a and the second side 342b2 of the second waveguide 340b, and then enters the third waveguide 340c via the first side 342c1. The filtered light propagates along the third waveguide 340c from the first side 342c1 to the second side 342c2, and then exits the CFA 304 from the second side 342c2.

[0155] Figure 3BThe filtering of light generated by LSA 302 when CFA 304 is in a first transmission mode, according to some embodiments, is schematically depicted. Light incident on the first side 342a1 (indicated by dashed arrow 301) is partially reflected and partially transmitted by the first beam splitter 344a, wherein the reflected light (indicated by dashed arrow 303) propagates along the first waveguide 340a toward the first mirror 346a, and the transmitted light (not shown) is blocked by the first color filter 330a (which is turned off in the first transmission mode) as it leaves the first waveguide 340a. The propagating light is then reflected by the first mirror 346a, exits the first waveguide 340a via the second side 342a2, and is filtered into the first APC by the second filter 330b (as indicated by dashed arrow 305). The filtered light then enters the second waveguide 340b via the second side 342b2. In the second side portion 342b2, the incoming light is partially transmitted by the third beam splitter 344b2. The light transmitted by the third beam splitter 344b2 (via the second side portion 342b2) exits the second waveguide 340b towards the fourth color filter 330d, is filtered through the fourth color filter 330d (as indicated by dashed arrow 307), and enters the third waveguide 340c (via the second side portion 342c2). In the second side portion 342c2, the incoming light is partially transmitted by the fourth beam splitter 344c. The transmitted light exits the third waveguide 340c (as indicated by dashed arrow 309).

[0156] Figure 3CThe filtering of light generated by LSA 302 when CFA 304 is in third transmission mode is schematically depicted according to some embodiments. Light incident on the first side 342a1 (indicated by dashed arrow 301) is partially transmitted by the first beam splitter 344a, wherein the transmitted light is filtered into the second and third APCs by the first color filter 330a (indicated by dashed arrow 303'). Light reflected by the first beam splitter 344a (not shown) propagates along the first waveguide 340a toward the first mirror 346a, is reflected by the first mirror 346a, and is blocked by the second color filter 330b (which is turned off in the second transmission mode) as it exits the first waveguide 340a via the second side 342a2. The filtered light (via the first side 342b1) enters the second waveguide 340b, is partially reflected by the second beam splitter 344b1, and propagates along the second waveguide 340b (as indicated by dashed arrow 305'). The light (not shown) transmitted by the second beam splitter 344b1 is blocked by the third color filter 330c (which is turned off in the second transmission mode) as it exits the second waveguide 340b. Next, the light propagating along the second waveguide 340b is partially transmitted by the third beam splitter 344b2, exits the second waveguide 340b (via the second side portion 342b2), and is filtered into the second APC by the fourth color filter 330d (as indicated by dashed arrow 307'). The filtered light (via the second side portion 342c2) enters the third waveguide 340c. In the second side portion 342c2, the incoming light is partially transmitted by the fourth beam splitter 344c. The transmitted light exits the third waveguide 340c (as indicated by dashed arrow 309').

[0157] Figure 3DThe filtering of light generated by LSA 302 when CFA 304 is in third transmission mode is schematically depicted according to some embodiments. Light incident on the first side 342a1 (indicated by dashed arrow 301) is partially transmitted by the first beam splitter 344a, wherein the transmitted light is filtered into the second and third APCs by the first color filter 330a (as indicated by dashed arrow 303'). Light reflected by the first beam splitter 344a (not shown) propagates along the first waveguide 340a toward the first mirror 346a, is reflected by the first mirror 346a, and is blocked by the second color filter 330b (which is turned off in the third transmission mode) as it exits the first waveguide 340a via the second side 342a2. The filtered light (via the first side 342b1) enters the second waveguide 340b, is partially transmitted by the second beam splitter 344b1, and exits the second waveguide 340a (via the first side 342b1). Light reflected by the second beam splitter 344b1 (not shown) propagates along the second waveguide 340b, is partially reflected by the third beam splitter 344b2, and is blocked by the fourth color filter 330d (which is turned off in the third transmission mode) as it exits the second side 342b2. Light exiting the first side 342b1 (i.e., light transmitted by the second beam splitter 344b1) is filtered by the third color filter 330c into the third APC (as indicated by dashed arrow 305″), and then enters the third waveguide 340c (via the first side 342c1). In the first side 342c1, the incoming light is reflected by the second mirror 346c. The reflected light propagates along the third waveguide 340c (as indicated by dashed arrow 307″), is partially reflected by the fourth beam splitter 344c, and exits the third waveguide 340c via the second side 342c2 (as indicated by dashed arrow 309″).

[0158] According to some embodiments, the first beam splitter 344a may be a dichroic mirror configured to transmit light from each of the second and third APCs and reflect light from the first APC. The second beam splitter 344b1 may be a dichroic mirror configured to transmit light from the third APC and reflect light from the second APC. The third beam splitter 344b2 may be a dichroic mirror configured to transmit light from the first APC and reflect light from the second APC. The fourth beam splitter 344c may be a dichroic mirror configured to transmit light from the first and second APCs and reflect light from the third APC. According to some embodiments (i.e., embodiments where the beam splitter 344 is a dichroic mirror as described above or a diffraction grating having the same APC filtering characteristics), a filter without color filtering capability (e.g., a shutter) may be used instead of the color filter 330.

[0159] According to some embodiments, each of the color filters 330 includes a corresponding filter element (static filter; not shown) and a corresponding shutter. According to some such embodiments, each of the filter elements of the first color filter 330a and the fourth color filter 330d can be configured to block light in the corresponding APC. Each of the filter elements of the second color filter 330b and the third color filter 330c can be configured to filter light passing through the corresponding APC. Each shutter is configured to be controllably opened and closed according to a command from the control unit 308, such that when closed, the shutter prevents light from reaching the corresponding filter element or blocks light transmitted through the corresponding filter element. According to some embodiments, the shutter can be mechanically actuated. Alternatively, according to some embodiments, each of the shutters can be an LCD panel, in which case the optics 310 can additionally include a linear polarizer (not shown) positioned between LSA 302 and CFA 304.

[0160] According to some embodiments, the dichroic mirror 344 does not need to be perfect in the sense that it is not used as a perfect bandpass filter. For example, according to some such embodiments, the dichroic mirror 344 may transmit / reflect light of attenuated intensity rather than completely blocking light, except for the band through which it is transmitted / reflected. As used herein, according to some embodiments, as described above, the term "dichroic mirror" may be used in an extended manner to equally cover imperfect dichroic mirrors.

[0161] According to some embodiments, the optical device 310 includes a collimating lens 328 positioned between the LSA 302 and the CFA 304.

[0162] Figure 4 An optical assembly 400 according to some embodiments is schematically depicted. Optical assembly 400 corresponds to a specific embodiment of optical assembly 100, wherein the CFA includes multiple color filters and waveguides. Optical assembly 400 includes an LSA 402, a CFA 404, and a control unit 408, the CFA 404 including multiple color filters 430 and multiple waveguides 440. Each of the LSA 402, CFA 404, and control unit 408 corresponds to a specific embodiment of LSA 102, CFA 104, and control unit 108, respectively. According to some embodiments, and as... Figure 4 As shown, the optical assembly 400 also includes an optical device 410, which corresponds to a specific embodiment of the optical device 410.

[0163] According to some implementations, LSA 402 can be an LED array, such as an inorganic mLED array or an OLED array.

[0164] According to some implementation methods, and as Figure 4As shown, color filter 430 includes a first color filter 430a, a second color filter 430b, and a third color filter 430c. When activated, the first color filter 430a is configured to block all visible light except for the light in the first APC. The second color filter 430b is configured to block all visible light except for the light in the second APC. The third color filter 430c is configured to block all visible light except for the light in the third APC. Each of the color filters 430 is configured to block all visible light when deactivated.

[0165] According to some implementation methods, and as Figure 4 As shown, waveguide 440 includes a first waveguide 440a and a second waveguide 440b. The first waveguide 440a includes a first side portion 442a1, a central portion 442a2, and a second side portion 442a3. The central portion 442a2 extends from the first side portion 442a1 to the second side portion 442a3. Similarly, the second waveguide 440b includes a first side portion 442b1, a central portion 442b2, and a second side portion 442b3. The central portion 442b2 extends from the first side portion 442b1 to the second side portion 442b3. The first waveguide 440a and the second waveguide 440b are arranged parallel to each other.

[0166] According to some implementations, each of the waveguides 440 may be a planar waveguide.

[0167] According to some implementation methods, and as Figure 4 As shown, each of the first waveguide 440a and the second waveguide 440b has a plurality of dichroic mirrors 444a and 444b embedded therein: A first dichroic mirror 444a1 is embedded in a first side portion 442a1 of the first waveguide 440a. A second dichroic mirror 444a2 is embedded in the central portion 442a2 of the first waveguide 440a. A third dichroic mirror 444a3 is embedded in a second side portion 442a3 of the first waveguide 440a. (The third dichroic mirror 444a3 is positioned adjacent to the second dichroic mirror 444a2, which in turn is positioned adjacent to the first dichroic mirror 444a1.) A fourth dichroic mirror 444b1 is embedded in a first side portion 442b1 of the second waveguide 440b. A fifth dichroic mirror 444b2 is embedded in the central portion 442b2 of the second waveguide 440b. The sixth dichroic mirror 444b3 is embedded in the second side portion 442b3 of the second waveguide 440b. (This positions the sixth dichroic mirror 444b3 adjacent to the fifth dichroic mirror 444b2, which in turn is positioned adjacent to the fourth dichroic mirror 444b1.)

[0168] A color filter 430 is disposed between a first waveguide 440a and a second waveguide 440b. The first color filter 430a may be disposed between a first side portion 442a1 of the first waveguide 440a and a first side portion 442b1 of the second waveguide 440b. The second color filter 430b may be disposed between a central portion 442a2 of the first waveguide 440a and a central portion 442b2 of the second waveguide 440b. A third color filter 430c may be disposed between a second side portion 442a3 of the first waveguide 440a and a second side portion 442b3 of the second waveguide 440b.

[0169] According to some implementation methods, and as Figure 4 As shown, the first waveguide 440a can be positioned such that light generated by the LSA 402 enters the CFA 404 via the first side 442a1. As explained in detail below, the relative positions and orientations of the waveguide 440 and the dichroic mirrors 444 (i.e., dichroic mirrors 444a and 444b) allow light selectively filtered through the CFA 404 to exit the CFA 404 via the second side 442b3 of the second waveguide 440b. Specifically, the relative positions and orientations of the color filter 430 and the dichroic mirrors 444 allow light to pass through one of the color filters 430 in order to transfer light from the first waveguide 440a to the second waveguide 440b.

[0170] According to some implementations, the CFA 404 can be switched between three transmission modes by the control unit 408:

[0171] - In the first transmission mode, CFA 404 filters the light passing through the first APC. The first color filter 430a is turned on and the second color filter 430b and the third color filter 430c are turned off.

[0172] - In the second transmission mode, CFA 404 filters the light passing through the second APC. The second color filter 430b is turned on and the third color filter 430c and the first color filter 430a are turned off.

[0173] - In the third transmission mode, CFA 404 filters the light passing through the third APC. The third color filter 430c is turned on and the first color filter 430a and the second color filter 430b are turned off.

[0174] According to some embodiments, the first dichroic mirror 444a1 can be configured to transmit only light in the first APC, the second dichroic mirror 444a2 can be configured to reflect only light in the second APC or transmit only light in the third APC, and the third dichroic mirror 444a3 can be configured to reflect only light in the third APC. According to some embodiments, the fourth dichroic mirror 444b1 can be configured to reflect only light in the first APC, the fifth dichroic mirror 444b2 can be configured to reflect only light in the second APC, and the sixth dichroic mirror 444b3 can be configured to reflect only light in the third APC.

[0175] Therefore, in such an embodiment, when only the first color filter 430a is turned on, the light incident on the first side 442a1 (a) is filtered into the first APC by the first dichroic mirror 444a1, (b) leaves the first waveguide 440a via the first side 442a1, (c) is transmitted through the first color filter 430a, (d) enters the second waveguide 440b via the first side 442b1, (e) is reflected by the fourth dichroic mirror 444b1 onto the fifth dichroic mirror 444b2, (f) is transmitted through the fifth dichroic mirror 444b2, and (g) is output after being transmitted through the sixth dichroic mirror 444b3. When only the second color filter 430b is turned on, light (a′) incident on the first side portion 442a1 is reflected by the first dichroic mirror 444a1 along the direction of the second dichroic mirror 444a2 into the second APC and the third APC, (b′) is reflected by the second dichroic mirror 444a2 into the second APC, (c′) leaves the first waveguide 440a via the central portion 442a2, (d′) is transmitted through the second color filter 430b, (e′) enters the second waveguide 440b via the central portion 442b2, (f′) is reflected by the fifth dichroic mirror 444b2 onto the sixth dichroic mirror 444b3, and (g′) is output after being transmitted through the sixth dichroic mirror 444b3. When only the third color filter 430c is turned on, the light incident on the first side 442a1 (a″) is reflected by the first dichroic mirror 444a1 along the direction of the second dichroic mirror 444a2 into the second APC and the third APC, (b″) is filtered by the second dichroic mirror 444a2 into the third APC, (c″) is reflected by the third dichroic mirror 444a3, (d″) leaves the first waveguide 440a via the second side 442a3, (e″) is transmitted through the third color filter 430c, (f″) enters the second waveguide 440b via the second side 442b3, and (g″) is reflected by the sixth dichroic mirror 444b3 and then output.

[0176] According to some implementations, the dichroic mirror 444 does not need to be perfect in the sense that it is not used as a perfect bandpass filter. For example, according to some such implementations, the dichroic mirror 444 can pass / reflect light of attenuated intensity rather than completely blocking light, outside of the bandpass that is filtered / reflected through it.

[0177] According to some alternative implementations, the first waveguide 440a may have a standard mirror (i.e., reflect all light) embedded therein instead of the third dichroic mirror 444a3, and / or the second waveguide 440b may have a standard mirror embedded therein instead of the fourth dichroic mirror 444b1.

[0178] According to some alternative implementations, a dielectric beam splitter can be used to replace one or more of the first dichroic mirror 444a1, the second dichroic mirror 444a2, the fifth dichroic mirror 444b2, and the sixth dichroic mirror 444b3.

[0179] According to some embodiments, each of the color filters 430 includes a corresponding filter element (static filter; not shown) and a corresponding shutter. Each filter element is configured to filter light passing through the corresponding APC. Each shutter is configured to be controllably opened and closed according to a command from the control unit 408, such that when closed, the shutter prevents light from reaching the corresponding filter element or blocks light from passing through the corresponding filter element. According to some embodiments, the shutter can be mechanically actuated. Alternatively, according to some embodiments, each of the shutters can be an LCD panel, in which case the LSA 402 optics 410 may additionally include a linear polarizer (not shown) positioned between the LSA 402 and the CFA 404.

[0180] According to some embodiments, the first waveguide 440a may be coated with an anti-reflective coating above and below the first dichroic mirror 444a1, and below each of the second dichroic mirror 444a2 and the third dichroic mirror 444a3. Similarly, the second waveguide 440b may be coated with an anti-reflective coating above each of the fourth dichroic mirror 444b1 and the fifth dichroic mirror 444b2, and above and below the sixth dichroic mirror 444b3. The anti-reflective coating can minimize unwanted reflections from the surface of the waveguide 440, thereby reducing intensity loss.

[0181] According to some implementation methods, and as Figure 4 As shown, the second waveguide 440b can be joined to LOE 40 at its boundary, LOE 40 corresponding to a specific embodiment of LOE 10. According to some alternative embodiments, the second waveguide 440b can form an LOE, such as LOE 10. A beam splitter 42 embedded in the end (unnumbered) of LOE 40 is also shown.

[0182] According to some alternative embodiments, a filter without color filtering capability (e.g., a shutter) can be used instead of color filter 430, so that APC filtering is achieved only by dichroic mirror 444. According to other alternative embodiments, a filter without color filtering capability can be used instead of color filter 430, and additionally, a diffraction grating having the same APC filtering characteristics as dichroic mirror 444 can be used instead of dichroic mirror 444.

[0183] According to some embodiments, instead of using a dichroic mirror, or in addition to using a dichroic mirror, waveguide 440 may be coated with a dichroic coating to achieve the same color filtering. Alternatively or additionally, according to some embodiments, color filter 430 may be a color-absorbing filter.

[0184] According to some embodiments, the optical device 410 includes a collimating lens 428 positioned between LSA 402 and CFA 404.

[0185] Figure 4 Figure A also shows the trajectory of light from LSA 402 (via collimating lens 428) to the first waveguide 440a (indicated by dashed arrow 401; not all arrows are numbered).

[0186] Figure 5A An optical assembly 500 according to some embodiments is schematically depicted. Optical assembly 500 corresponds to a specific embodiment of optical assembly 100, wherein the CFA includes a color selective switch based on a liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) array. Optical assembly 500 includes an LSA 502, a CFA 504, and a control unit 508, the CFA 504 including an LCoS array 520. Each of the LSA 502, CFA 504, and control unit 508 corresponds to a specific embodiment of LSA 102, CFA 104, and control unit 108, respectively. According to some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 5, optical assembly 500 also includes an optical element 510, which corresponds to a specific embodiment of optical element 110.

[0187] According to some implementations, LSA 502 can be an LED array, such as an inorganic mLED array or an OLED array.

[0188] According to some implementation methods, and as Figure 5A As shown, the optical device 510 may include a polarizer 534.

[0189] According to some embodiments, in addition to the LCoS array 520, the CFA 504 may include a polarization beam splitter (PBS) 550 and a collimating optics 554, the collimating optics 554 including a collimating lens arrangement 556 and a quarter-wave plate 558. The collimating lens arrangement 556 ( Figure 5A For simplicity, this may be shown as including a single reflecting element and may include multiple curved mirrors and lenses and / or Fresnel lenses. The PBS 550 includes a first surface 552a, a second surface 552b, a third surface 552c opposite to the first surface 552a, and a fourth surface 552d opposite to the second surface 552b. A polarizer 534 may be positioned between the LSA 502 and the first surface 552a to ensure that light originating from the LSA 502 and entering the PBS 550 is polarized. According to some embodiments, the polarizer 534 is a linear polarizer. An LCoS array 520 may be positioned opposite the second surface 552b. A quarter-wave plate 558 may be positioned between the fourth surface 552d and the collimating lens arrangement 556. As described in detail below, in operation, light entering the PBS 550 via the first surface 552a exits via the third surface 552c.

[0190] Also refer to Figure 5B , Figure 5B A schematic front view of an LCoS array 520 according to some embodiments is presented. The LCoS array 520 includes a plurality of cells 524. Each of the cells 524 may include one or more first sub-cells 524a, one or more second sub-cells 524b, and one or more third sub-cells 524c, respectively corresponding to a first APC, a second APC, and a third APC. Sub-cells corresponding to the same color can be turned on and off collectively by a control unit 508. When off, the sub-cell does not reflect any light incident upon it. When on, the sub-cell reflects only or partially reflects light at the APC corresponding to the sub-cell. As described in detail below, the degree of reflection, i.e., the percentage of incident light reflected, is controlled by the control unit 508 on a per-sub-cell basis. The cells 524 and sub-cells 524a, 524b, and 524c can be arranged in any pattern known in the field of LCoS arrays.

[0191] Each light source in LSA 502 can be configured to illuminate at least one cell from unit 524. According to some such embodiments, the light source in LSA 502 can be configured to illuminate multiple cells from unit 524; alternatively, each of the cells 524 in the LCoS array 520 is positioned to receive light only from its corresponding light source in LSA 502, or substantially only from its corresponding light source in LSA 502. Specifically, the PBS 550 and collimating optics 554 can be configured such that the light generated by LSA 502 images onto the LCoS array 520.

[0192] According to some implementations, for each APC, control unit 508 can be configured to send a pair of intensity maps: a lower resolution intensity map to LSA 502 and a higher resolution intensity map to LCoS array 520. Therefore, considering the image data in the form of three pairs of intensity maps corresponding to each of the three APCs respectively, control unit 508 can be configured to continuously send the three pairs of intensity maps to LSA 502 and LCoS array 520. More precisely, control unit 508 can be configured to continuously send the lower resolution intensity map to LSA 502 and the higher resolution intensity map to LCoS array 520 (wherein, each pair of intensity maps is sent simultaneously or substantially simultaneously).

[0193] Each element in the lower resolution intensity map constitutes a two-dimensional (spatial) intensity distribution, which can be assigned a corresponding intensity value according to each of the light sources 112. Each element in the higher resolution intensity map constitutes a two-dimensional (spatial) intensity distribution, which can be assigned a corresponding intensity value according to each of the sub-cells in the LCoS array corresponding to the same APC as the lower resolution intensity map.

[0194] More specifically, the reflection level of each sub-cell—that is, the percentage of light reflected from the corresponding APC when illuminated by the sub-cell—is determined by a higher resolution map corresponding to the same APC as the sub-cell. Therefore, in optical assembly 500, the resolution of the virtual image is determined by the LCoS array (i.e., the density of the sub-cells) compared to optical assembly 200 (and optical assemblies 300 and 400), where the resolution of the virtual image is determined by the density of the light source in the LSA (e.g., the density of inorganic mLEDs or OLEDs in the inorganic mLED or OLED array, respectively).

[0195] Given an RGB color bitmap (i.e., three intensity maps corresponding to each of the APCs), each pair of lower-resolution intensity maps and higher-resolution intensity maps (combined) reproduces the intensity map associated with the corresponding APC (as specified by the color bitmap). Therefore, by sufficiently and rapidly exciting the light source in LSA 502 according to each pair of intensity maps and subsequently exciting subunits 524a, 524b, and 524c, the generated illumination pattern (optionally, after passing through an output element such as LOE 50) is efficiently combined into a single color image that can be perceived by the eye (as encoded by the color bitmap).

[0196] According to some embodiments, as described above, the control unit 508 can be configured to decompose each of the three intensity maps of the RGB color bitmap into a pair of lower-resolution intensity maps and a pair of higher-resolution intensity maps. Advantageously, according to some such embodiments, the control unit 508 may include processing and storage components (e.g., a graphics processing unit) configured to decompose each of the three intensity maps of the RGB color bitmap, thereby minimizing or at least saving the total power consumed in generating the associated lighting pattern. Alternatively, according to some embodiments, the control unit 508 can be configured to receive the three pairs of intensity maps from a computing unit (e.g., a processor including an AR NED of the optical component 500) not included in the optical component 500. According to some such embodiments, the processor can be configured to decompose the three intensity maps of the RGB color bitmap, thereby minimizing or at least saving the total power consumed in generating the associated lighting pattern.

[0197] According to some implementations, the CFA 504 can be switched between three transmission modes by the control unit 508 (or, equivalently, the LCoS array 520 can be considered to be switched between three reflection modes by the control unit 508):

[0198] - In the first transmission mode, the second sub-unit 524b and the third sub-unit 524c are turned off so that the LCoS array 520 does not reflect any light from the second and third APCs. Each of the first sub-units 524a can be turned on to reflect a corresponding percentage of the light incident upon it, as specified by the corresponding higher resolution intensity map (i.e., corresponding to the first APC).

[0199] - In the second transmission mode, the third sub-unit 524c and the first sub-unit 524a are turned off, so that the LCoS array 520 does not reflect any light from the third APC and the first APC. Each of the second sub-units 524b can be turned on to reflect a corresponding percentage of the light incident on it, as specified by the corresponding higher resolution intensity map (i.e., corresponding to the second APC).

[0200] - In the third transmission mode, the first sub-unit 524a and the second sub-unit 524b are turned off, so that the LCoS array 520 does not reflect any light from the first APC and the second APC. Each of the third sub-units 524c can be turned on to reflect a corresponding percentage of the light incident on it, as specified by the corresponding higher resolution intensity map (i.e., corresponding to the third APC).

[0201] According to some implementation methods, and as Figure 5A As shown, the PBS 550 includes two prisms joined at their bases. Surface 562 indicates the boundary between the bases. In operation, a ray 501 generated by the LSA 502 and having an intensity determined by a lower resolution intensity map can be polarized by polarizer 534 to form a linearly polarized ray 503. Ray 503 enters the PBS 550 via the first surface 552a. Only one of the rays 503, namely ray 503′, is shown within the PBS 550, but it will be understood that the following applies to each of the rays 503. Polarizer 534 is configured to allow linearly polarized light to pass through such that upon entering the PBS 550 and incident on surface 562, the light is completely reflected. Thus, ray 503′ is completely reflected by surface 562, as indicated by reflected ray 505′. Ray 505′ travels toward the second surface 552b and is refracted thereby, as indicated by refracted ray 507′.

[0202] One or more sub-cells in the LCoS array 520 corresponding to the APC (Aspect-Specific Component) on which the generated ray 501 is based filter, reflect, and rotate its polarization by 90°. The intensity of the reflected ray (ray 511') is attenuated by a factor determined by the higher-resolution intensity map corresponding to the APC (i.e., the APC corresponding to the lower-resolution intensity map) compared to the intensity of ray 507' in the APC band. Ray 511' returns towards the second surface 552b and is refracted upon entering the PBS 550. Due to its polarization (rotated 90° relative to the original polarization), the refracted ray (i.e., ray 513') is fully transmitted through surface 562, travels towards the fourth surface 552d, and is refracted upon leaving the PBS 550, as indicated by refracted ray 515'. Ray 515' passes through the quarter-wave plate 558, from where it is formed as a circularly polarized ray 517'.

[0203] Ray 517′ is reflected by collimating lens arrangement 556, as indicated by reflected ray 521′. Ray 521′ passes through quarter-wave plate 558, from where it is formed into linearly polarized ray 523′, which is originally linearly polarized (i.e., as the polarization of ray 503). Ray 523′ enters PBS 550 via fourth surface 552d, and due to the polarization of PBS 550, ray 523′ is completely reflected by surface 562, and leaves PBS 550 via third surface 552c, as indicated by reflected ray 525′ and refracted ray 531′.

[0204] Ray 531′ constitutes one of ray 531. Each ray in ray 531 can be "traced back" to one of ray 501.

[0205] exist Figure 5A The diagram also shows a mirror 52 and a beam splitter 54, respectively arranged on a first end 56 and a second end 58 of the LOE 50, according to some embodiments. The mirror 52 is configured to reflect light incident upon it (e.g., light filtered through the CFA 504) toward the beam splitter 54 in the second end 58. The beam splitter 54 is configured to output ambient light along with the filtered light arriving at the first end 56, for example, to output an AR image.

[0206] Figure 6 An optical assembly 600 according to some embodiments is schematically depicted. Optical assembly 600 corresponds to a specific embodiment of optical assembly 100, wherein the CFA includes a color selection switch based on a liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) array. Optical assembly 600 includes an LSA 602, a CFA 604, and a control unit 608, the CFA 604 including an LCoS array 620. Each of the LSA 602, CFA 604, and control unit 608 corresponds to a specific embodiment of LSA 102, CFA 104, and control unit 108, respectively. According to some embodiments, and as... Figure 6 As shown, the optical assembly 600 also includes an optical device 610, which corresponds to a specific embodiment of the optical device 110, and may include a polarizer 634.

[0207] Optical assembly 600 is similar to optical assembly 500, but the difference lies at least in that optical assembly 600 includes two PBSs instead of a single PBS: a first PBS 670 and a second PBS 680. A first collimating optics device 674 includes a first collimating lens arrangement 676 and a first quarter-wave plate 678, which are positioned relative to the first PBS 670 in a manner similar to the positioning of collimating lens arrangement 556 and quarter-wave plate 558 relative to the PBS 550 of optical assembly 500. Similarly, a second collimating optics device 684 includes a second collimating lens arrangement 686 and a second quarter-wave plate 688, which are positioned relative to the second PBS 680 in a manner similar to the positioning of collimating lens arrangement 556 and quarter-wave plate 558 relative to the PBS 550 of optical assembly 500.

[0208] The first PBS 670 may include a first (top) surface 672a, a second surface 672b that may be perpendicular to the first surface 672a, a third surface 672c that is opposite to the first surface 672a, and a fourth surface 672d that is opposite to the second surface 672b. The first PBS 670 may also include an (inner) surface 692, which may be similar to surface 562 of the PBS 550. Similarly, the second PBS 680 may include a first (top) surface 682a, a second surface 682b that may be perpendicular to the first surface 682a, a third surface 682c that is opposite to the first surface 682a, and a fourth surface 682d that is opposite to the second surface 682b. The second PBS 680 may also include an (inner) surface 694, which may be similar to surface 562 of the PBS 550.

[0209] Polarizer 634 is positioned between LSA 602 and the second surface 682b of the second PBS 680. Polarizer 634 may be similar to polarizer 534. According to some embodiments, polarizer 634 is a linear polarizer.

[0210] The second PBS 680 is positioned above the first PBS 670, wherein the third side 682c of the second PBS 680 faces the first side 672a of the first PBS 670.

[0211] According to some embodiments, the trajectory of light 675 generated by LSA 602 and output by second PBS 680 is shown.

[0212] According to some implementation methods, and as Figure 6As shown, the light generated by LSA 602 enters the second PBS 680 via the second surface 682b, exits via the fourth surface 682d, and before re-entering the second PBS 680, the light is reflected by the second collimating optics 684 and its polarization is rotated by 90°. The re-entering light is reflected by the second PBS 680 towards the first PBS 670, exits the second PBS 680 via the third surface 682c, and enters the first PBS 670 via the first surface 672a. The light entering the first PBS 670 follows the same polarization direction as... Figure 5A A trajectory similar to the one shown.

[0213] According to some embodiments, the second PBS 680 and the second collimating optics 684 are configured such that the light generated by the LSA 602 is imaged on the LCoS array 620 (after passing through the first PBS 670).

[0214] exist Figure 6 The text also illustrates some implementation methods and as described above regarding... Figure 5A The LOE50 describes the mirror 62 and beam splitter 64, which are respectively arranged on the first end and the second end (unnumbered) of the LOE 60.

[0215] method

[0216] According to some aspects of implementation, a method for overlaying a virtual image onto a real image in an AR NED is provided. Figure 7 A flowchart of such a method (method 700) according to some embodiments is presented. Method 700 may include sequential implementation stages based on each of the three intensity maps corresponding to three APCs respectively:

[0217] - Stage 710: A broadband white light source in the LSA (e.g., the LSA described above and similar to the LSA) of the optical components of the AR NED (e.g., the optical components described above in the Systems section and similar to the LSA) according to the intensity map.

[0218] - Stage 720: Selectively filter the light generated by the LSA into the corresponding APC by passing the light through the CFA of the optical component (e.g., the CFA described above in the Systems section and similar CFAs).

[0219] - Stage 730: The light filtered through the CFA is directed to the LOE of the AR NED (e.g., the LOE described above in the Systems section and similar LOEs).

[0220] According to some implementations, three intensity maps can be specified by an RGB color bitmap. According to some implementations, stage 710 can be implemented using an LED array such as an inorganic mLED array or an OLED array, essentially as described in the Systems section. Figure 1A and Figure 1B As detailed in the description.

[0221] According to some embodiments, stage 720 can be implemented using a CFA such as CFA 104. According to some embodiments, stage 720 can be implemented using an LCD array such as LCD array 220 to selectively filter the light generated by the LSA, essentially as described in the Systems section. Figure 2A and Figure 2B As described in detail in the description. According to some embodiments, stage 720 can be implemented using multiple color filters, such as color filter 330 or color filter 430, to selectively filter the light generated by the LSA, essentially as described in the Systems section. Figures 3A to 3D or Figure 4 As described in detail in the description. According to some implementations, stage 720 can be implemented using an LCoS array such as LCoS array 520 or LCoS array 620 to selectively filter the light generated by the LSA, essentially as described in the Systems section. Figure 5A and Figure 5B or Figure 6 As detailed in the description.

[0222] According to some implementations, a control unit such as control unit 108 can be used to synchronize the operation of the LSA with the operation of the CFA (to ensure that when the light source in the LSA is excited according to the intensity map corresponding to one of the APCs, the CFA filters the light passing through the corresponding APC).

[0223] In phase 730, the LOE can be configured to output filtered light along with ambient light incident on the LOE, such that the (virtual) image formed by the filtered light overlays the (real) image formed by the ambient light, essentially as described in the System section above regarding LOE 10.

[0224] Method 700 can be implemented (i.e., carried out) using an AR NED that includes optical components 100 (any of its specific embodiments, namely optical components 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600, and similar optical components). Therefore, when method 700 is implemented using an AR NED that includes optical components 100 and LOE 10, stages 710, 720, and 730 are implemented using LSA 102, CFA 104, control unit 108, and LOE 10. Similarly, when method 700 is implemented using an ARNED including optical components 200 and LOE 20, stages 710, 720, and 730 are implemented using LSA 202, CFA 204, control unit 208, and LOE 20, respectively, relative to the corresponding implementations including optical components 300 and LOE 10, optical components 400 and LOE 40, optical components 500 and LOE 50, or optical components 600 and LOE 60.

[0225] Optionally, according to some embodiments, method 700 can be configured for RGBW lighting. In such an embodiment, method 700 may include stage 740. Stage 740 may be performed before, after, or even between two implementations (e.g., between the first and second implementations) of the sequence of stages 710, 720, and 730. According to some embodiments, stage 740 may include: exciting a light source in the LSA according to an additional intensity map, transmitting the generated light through the CFA without color filtering, and guiding the transmitted light to the LOE. Optionally, according to some alternative embodiments, the light generated by the additional intensity map may be directly guided to the LOE without having to pass through the CFA. The additional intensity map corresponds to white light.

[0226] More specifically, the RGB color bitmap specifies the intensity {R} ij ′, G ij ′, B ij ′} i，j Where indices i and j specify the position of the light source within the LSA (such that R... ij ′、G ij ′、B ij ′ is the red, green, and blue light intensity specified for the (i, j)th light source. As a non-limiting example, according to some implementations, the corresponding RGBW intensity map may optionally be specified up to the overall multiplication constant {R}. ij =R ij ′-W ij G ij ′=G ij -W ij B ij =B ij ′-Wij W ij} i，j Here, for each pair of i and j, the white light intensity map specifies the intensity W. ij =min(R) ij ′, G ij ′, B ij ′), where for the three intensities R ij ′, G ij ′, B ij Take the minimum value.

[0227] According to some implementations, method 700 may include successive implementations of a sequence of three intensity maps (or four intensity maps in an implementation including phase 740), one sequence after another, such that a virtual image stream (video image sequence) is generated.

[0228] According to some implementations, a CFA may include first, second, and third type filter elements (cells or sub-cells) arranged in an array and configured to filter incident light into a first APC, a second APC, and a third APC, respectively, wherein each of the filter elements is individually addressable. More specifically, as shown, for example, in the Systems section... Figure 5A and Figure 5B As described in detail in the description of optical component 500, the intensity of light filtered by each filter element can be controlled on an individual basis. According to some such embodiments, method 700 may also include an initial preprocessing stage in which each of the three color intensity maps specified by the RGB color bitmap is decomposed into a lower resolution intensity map and a higher resolution intensity map, respectively.

[0229] Each of the lower-resolution intensity maps assigns a corresponding intensity value to each light source in the LSA (e.g., each LED in an LED array). Each of the higher-resolution intensity maps assigns a corresponding intensity value to each filter element in the CFA, with each filter element corresponding to the same APC as the lower-resolution intensity map. Each pair of lower-resolution and higher-resolution intensity maps (combined) reproduces the intensity map associated with the corresponding APC (as specified by a color bitmap).

[0230] It should be understood that, for clarity, certain features of this disclosure described in the context of a single implementation may also be provided in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, for brevity, various features of this disclosure described in the context of a single implementation may also be provided individually or in any suitable sub-combination or suitably provided in any other described implementation of this disclosure. Unless expressly specified therein, features described in the context of an implementation should not be considered essential features of that implementation.

[0231] Although the stages of a method according to some embodiments may be described in a particular order, the method of this disclosure may include some or all of the stages performed in a different order. The method of this disclosure may include some or all of the described stages. Unless expressly specified as such, no particular stage in the disclosed method should be considered a necessary stage of the method.

[0232] Although this disclosure has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that many alternatives, modifications, and variations are possible and will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, this disclosure covers all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. It should be understood that the application of this disclosure is not necessarily limited to the details of the construction and arrangement of the components and / or methods set forth herein. Other embodiments may be implemented, and embodiments may be implemented in various ways.

[0233] The wording and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as restrictive. Any references or designations used in this application should not be interpreted as an admission that such references are prior art to this disclosure. Section headings used herein are for ease of understanding and should not be construed as necessarily limiting.

Claims

1. An optical component for generating a color image using white light as a source, the optical component comprising: Light source array (LSA), which includes multiple broadband white light sources; Color filter assembly (CFA); as well as Control unit; The CFA includes at least two waveguides arranged adjacent to each other and successively, and at least three filters disposed between the waveguides and / or embedded in the waveguides; Each of the waveguides has embedded at least two optical elements selected from at least one dichroic mirror, at least one beam splitter, and / or at least one mirror. The first waveguide of the at least two waveguides is configured to transmit the light generated by the LSA into the first waveguide; The control unit is configured to excite the light source in the LSA according to three intensity maps, each corresponding to one of a first additive primary color (APC), a second APC, and a third APC; and The control unit is further configured to individually turn each of the filters on and off, and to synchronize the turning on and off of the filters with the operation of the LSA, such that when the light source in the LSA is excited according to an intensity map corresponding to one of the first APC, the second APC, and the third APC, the CFA filters the light passing through the corresponding APC, which is output by the last of the at least two waveguides.

2. The optical component according to claim 1, wherein, The LSA is a light-emitting diode (LED) array.

3. The optical component according to claim 2, wherein, The LED array is either an inorganic micro-LED (mLED) array or an organic LED (OLED) array.

4. The optical component according to claim 1, wherein, The at least three filters include at least three color filters; as well as Wherein (i) at least one of the color filters is configured to filter light passing through it from the respective APCs of the first APC, the second APC, and the third APC when it is turned on, and to block all light reaching the color filter when it is turned off, and / or (ii) at least one of the color filters is configured to block light from the respective APCs of the first APC, the second APC, and the third APC when it is turned on, and to block all light reaching the color filter when it is turned off.

5. The optical component according to claim 4, wherein, The at least three color filters include a first color filter, a second color filter, and a third color filter, wherein the first color filter, the second color filter, and the third color filter are respectively configured to filter light from only one of the first APC, the second APC, and the third APC passing through therethrough; Wherein, the at least one dichroic mirror includes at least three dichroic mirrors, each of which is configured to reflect or filter light from the corresponding APC of the first APC, the second APC, and the third APC; The first color filter, the second color filter, and the third color filter are disposed between the first waveguide and the last waveguide; and Each of the dichroic mirrors is embedded within one of the waveguides, such that: Light generated by the LSA and incident on a dichroic mirror embedded in the first waveguide is guided by the dichroic mirror to a corresponding filter among the first, second, and third color filters, or to an adjacent dichroic mirror in the first waveguide; and Light filtered through any of the first, second, and third color filters and incident on a dichroic mirror embedded in the last waveguide is reflected into the second of the at least two waveguides.

6. The optical component according to claim 5, wherein, The at least three dichroic mirrors include six dichroic mirrors, wherein the first dichroic mirror, the second dichroic mirror, and the third dichroic mirror are respectively embedded in the first side portion, the center portion, and the second side portion of the first waveguide, and the center portion is disposed between the first side portion and the second side portion of the first waveguide; The fourth, fifth, and sixth dichroic mirrors are embedded in the first side, the center, and the second side of the last waveguide, respectively, with the center located between the first and second sides of the last waveguide. The first color filter, the second color filter, and the third color filter are respectively disposed between the first side portions, between the central portions, and between the second side portions; and The color filter and dichroic mirror are configured such that when only the first color filter, only the second color filter, and only the third color filter are turned on, the light generated by the LSA and incident on the first side of the first waveguide is filtered into the first APC, the second APC, and the third APC, respectively, and output at the second side of the last waveguide.

7. The optical component according to claim 4, wherein, The at least two waveguides also include a second waveguide disposed between the first waveguide and the last waveguide; The at least one beam splitting component includes a first beam splitting component, a second beam splitting component, a third beam splitting component, and a fourth beam splitting component; Wherein, the at least one mirror includes a first mirror and a second mirror; The first waveguide has the first beam splitter embedded in its first side and the first mirror embedded in its second side. The second waveguide has the second beam splitter embedded in its first side and the third beam splitter embedded in its second side. The final waveguide has the second mirror embedded in its first side and the fourth beam splitter embedded in its second side. The first waveguide is configured such that light generated by the LSA is transmitted into the first waveguide at a first side portion of the first waveguide. The light filtered by the CFA is output from the second side of the final waveguide; and Each of the beam-splitting components is a dichroic mirror, a diffraction grating, or a dielectric beam splitter.

8. The optical component according to claim 7, wherein, The at least three color filters include four color filters, wherein: The first color filter of the four color filters is disposed between the first side of the first waveguide and the first side of the second waveguide, or is embedded in the first side of the first waveguide; The second color filter of the four color filters is disposed between the second side of the first waveguide and the second side of the second waveguide, or is embedded in the second side of the first waveguide; The third color filter of the four color filters is disposed between the first side of the second waveguide and the first side of the last waveguide, or embedded within the first side of the second waveguide; and The fourth color filter of the four color filters is disposed between the second side of the second waveguide and the second side of the last waveguide, or embedded within the second side of the second waveguide; and The APC filtering characteristics, positioning, and excitation time of each color filter in the color filter are such that the first waveguide, the second waveguide, and the last waveguide allow light from only one of the first APC, the second APC, and the third APC to propagate through them.

9. The optical component according to claim 8, wherein: When turned on, the first color filter blocks only the light in the first APC; When activated, the second color filter filters out only the light from the first APC that passes through it; When activated, the third color filter filters out only the light from the second APC that passes through it; and When activated, the fourth color filter blocks only the light in the second APC.

10. The optical component according to claim 4, wherein, At least one of the at least three color filters includes a corresponding filter element and a corresponding shutter; The filter element is configured to transmit only the light corresponding to the APC; and Each shutter is configured to open and close controllably according to commands from the control unit, such that when closed, the shutter prevents light from reaching the corresponding filter element or blocks light from passing through the corresponding filter element.

11. The optical component according to claim 10, wherein, The optical components also include a linear polarizer, and at least one of the shutters is an LCD panel configured to be excited by the control unit; and / or At least one of the shutters is a mechanical shutter.

12. The optical assembly of claim 1, further comprising an optical element configured to guide light from the LSA to the CFA. in, The optical device includes one or more lenses configured to collimate the light generated by the LSA.

13. The optical component according to claim 1, wherein, The at least three filters include a first filter, a second filter, and a third filter, wherein each filter is open when turned on and transmits all light incident thereon, and is closed when turned off and blocks all light incident thereon. The at least one dichroic mirror comprises at least three dichroic mirrors, each of which is configured to reflect or filter light from a corresponding APC of the first APC, the second APC, and the third APC; and Each of the dichroic mirrors is embedded within one of the waveguides, such that: The light generated by the LSA and incident on the dichroic mirror embedded in the first waveguide is guided by the dichroic mirror to the corresponding filter among the three filters, or to an adjacent dichroic mirror in the first waveguide; and Light that has been filtered through any of the three filters and incident on the dichroic mirror embedded in the last waveguide is reflected into the last waveguide.

14. The optical component according to claim 13, wherein, The at least three dichroic mirrors include six dichroic mirrors, wherein the first dichroic mirror, the second dichroic mirror, and the third dichroic mirror are respectively embedded in the first side portion, the center portion, and the second side portion of the first waveguide, and the center portion is disposed between the first side portion and the second side portion of the first waveguide; The fourth, fifth, and sixth dichroic mirrors are embedded in the first side, the center, and the second side of the last waveguide, respectively, with the center located between the first and second sides of the last waveguide. The first filter, the second filter, and the third filter are respectively disposed between the first side portion, the central portion, and the second side portion; and The filters and dichroic mirrors are configured such that when only the first filter, only the second filter, and only the third filter are turned on, the light generated by the LSA and incident on the first side of the first waveguide is filtered into the first APC, the second APC, and the third APC, respectively, and output at the second side of the last waveguide.

15. The optical component according to claim 1, wherein, The at least three filters include a first filter, a second filter, a third filter, and a fourth filter, each filter being open when turned on and transmitting all light incident thereon, and closed when turned off and blocking all light incident thereon; The at least two waveguides further include a second waveguide disposed between the first waveguide and the last waveguide; The at least one beam splitting component includes a first beam splitting component, a second beam splitting component, a third beam splitting component, and a fourth beam splitting component; Wherein, the at least one mirror includes a first mirror and a second mirror; The first waveguide has the first beam splitter embedded in its first side and the first mirror embedded in its second side. The second waveguide has the second beam splitter embedded in its first side and the third beam splitter embedded in its second side. The final waveguide has the second mirror embedded in its first side and the fourth beam splitter embedded in its second side. The first waveguide is configured such that light generated by the LSA is transmitted into the first waveguide at a first side, and light filtered by the CFA is output from a second side of the last waveguide; and Each of the beam-splitting components is a dichroic mirror or a diffraction grating.

16. The optical component according to claim 15, wherein, The first filter is disposed between the first side of the first waveguide and the first side of the second waveguide, or is embedded in the first side of the first waveguide; The second filter is disposed between the second side of the first waveguide and the second side of the second waveguide, or is embedded in the second side of the first waveguide; The third filter is disposed between the first side of the second waveguide and the first side of the last waveguide, or is embedded in the first side of the second waveguide; The fourth filter is disposed between the second side of the second waveguide and the second side of the last waveguide, or embedded within the second side of the second waveguide; and The at least one dichroic mirror includes a first dichroic mirror, a second dichroic mirror, a third dichroic mirror, and a fourth dichroic mirror. The first dichroic mirror is configured to reflect only the light in the first APC; The second dichroic mirror is configured to transmit only light in the third APC or reflect only light in the second APC. The third dichroic mirror is configured to transmit only light in the first APC or reflect only light in the second APC. The fourth dichroic mirror is configured to reflect only the light from the third APC; and The positioning and excitation time of the first filter, the second filter, the third filter, and the fourth filter are such that the first waveguide, the second waveguide, and the last waveguide allow light from only one of the first APC, the second APC, and the third APC to propagate through them.

17. The optical component according to claim 1, wherein, The at least three intensity maps together constitute a color bitmap.

18. The optical component according to claim 1, wherein, The control unit is also configured to sequentially excite the light source in the LSA according to multiple sets of intensity maps, each set of intensity maps including at least three intensity maps corresponding to the first APC, the second APC, and the third APC, such that the light output by the optical component corresponds to a sequence of video frames.

19. The optical component according to claim 1, wherein, The CFA is also configured to allow white light to be controlled to pass through the CFA; and The control unit is further configured to excite the light source in the LSA according to an additional intensity map corresponding to white light.

Images