Projectors and methods for increasing the intensity of projected light

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a projector and a method for increasing the intensity of projected light. A projector is provided, comprising a light source, an integrating bar, an image panel, a beam shaper, and an actuator mechanically connected to the beam shaper. The image panel is configured to display an image at a display aspect ratio. The beam shaper includes a plurality of prisms shaped and oriented such that when the beam shaper intersects with an illumination optical path between the integrating bar and the image panel, illumination transmitted through the beam shaper is collinear with illumination incident on the beam shaper. The actuator is configured to switch the projector between (i) a first configuration and (ii) a second configuration, in which the beam shaper does not change the aspect ratio of the illumination, and in the second configuration, the beam shaper intersects with the optical path between the integrating bar and the image panel and changes the aspect ratio of the illumination.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese invention patent application filed on January 16, 2020, with national application number 202080009575.3 and invention title "Projector and Method for Increasing Projected Light Intensity". Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to image projectors, and more specifically to improving the brightness of projected images. Background Technology

[0003] An image projector is configured to generate illumination and project it onto a projection surface such as a screen. The image projector produces an image on the projection surface by receiving image data and spatially modulating the intensity and color of the illumination based on the image data. The quality of the projected image depends in part on the peak intensity of the spatially modulated illumination. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In a first aspect, a projector includes a light source, an integrating bar, an image panel, a beam shaper, and an actuator mechanically connected to the beam shaper. The light source is configured to generate illumination. The integrating bar has a bar aspect ratio at a first end. The image panel is configured to display an image at a display aspect ratio. The beam shaper includes a plurality of prisms shaped and oriented such that when the beam shaper intersects with an illumination optical path between the integrating bar and the image panel, the illumination transmitted by the beam shaper is collinear with the illumination incident on the beam shaper. The actuator is configured to switch the projector between (i) a first configuration and (ii) a second configuration, in the first configuration, the beam shaper does not change the aspect ratio of the illumination, and in the second configuration, the beam shaper intersects with the optical path between the integrating bar and the image panel and changes the aspect ratio of the illumination. The illumination transmitted by the beam shaper can have an aspect ratio equal to the display aspect ratio, which increases the illumination intensity incident on the displayed image.

[0005] In a second aspect, a projector includes a light source, a delay line comprising a plurality of prisms, and an actuator mechanically connected to a first prism of the plurality of prisms. The light source is configured to generate illumination propagating along an optical path. The delay line intersects the optical path and includes a plurality of prisms, the plurality of prisms being shaped and oriented such that illumination transmitted by the beam shaper (i) is collinear with illumination incident on the beam shaper, and (ii) is factored by approximately 1. M Magnified, among which The actuator is configured to change the length of the optical path through the delay line by translating the first prism in a direction (i) perpendicular to the optical path within the delay line and (ii) in a plane of the refractive surface perpendicular to the direction of the plurality of prisms (perpendicular to the common optical axis).

[0006] Therefore, the delay line enables the illumination to be precisely focused on the image panel or display screen without significantly altering the shape or size of the illumination.

[0007] In a third aspect, a method for increasing the intensity of projected light from a projector is disclosed. This method can be performed when illumination exiting the projector's integrating bar (having a bar aspect ratio) is incident on an image panel displaying video data at a first display aspect ratio different from the bar aspect ratio. The method includes changing the aspect ratio of the illumination to match the first display aspect ratio by refracting the illumination at multiple flat surfaces in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the displayed video data. The third aspect shares similar technical advantages with the first aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a projector configured to project images onto a screen in an embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 In the embodiments Figure 1 A schematic plan view of the image panel of a projector.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the projector in the embodiment, which is Figure 1 Examples of projectors include electronically controlled optomechanical devices.

[0011] Figure 4 Is the incident on Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the illumination on an example beam shaper of a projector.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the illumination incident on the delay line in the embodiment.

[0013] Figure 6 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a prism, illustrating the angle of incidence, angle of refraction, and angle of transmission of illumination propagating through it.

[0014] Figure 7 The embodiment includes two image panels and is Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example projector.

[0015] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for increasing the intensity of projected light from a projector in an embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a projector 100 configured to project a projected image 195 onto a screen 190. The projector 100 includes at least one of an optomechanical device 104, a light source 110, an integrating bar 130, a control circuit 140, and an image panel 170. The integrating bar 130 has a first end 132 near the image panel 170, and may have a rectangular cross-section and a bar aspect ratio 131. The optomechanical device 104 includes a beam shaper 160 and an actuator 151. The projector 100 may also include at least one of a relay optics 120, a relay optics 125, and a projection optics 145.

[0017] Control circuit 140 receives video data 142. Image panel 170 has an active area 171 configured to display a display image 175 of video data 142. The active area 171 and display image 175 have respective aspect ratios 172 and 176, hereinafter also referred to as panel aspect ratio 172 and display aspect ratio 176. Display aspect ratio 176 can be equal to panel aspect ratio 172, in which case panel image 175 can completely fill active area 171. Bar aspect ratio 131 can be equal to panel aspect ratio 172.

[0018] The display format of video data 142 determines the aspect ratio 176, which can be stored as metadata for video data 142. Candidate display formats include DCI (2K / 4K) and widescreen (“scope”), with aspect ratios of 1.90:1 and 2.39:1, respectively.

[0019] Light source 110 is configured to generate illumination 112, which propagates from light source 110 along beam path 111 and passes through integrating bar 130. Illumination 112 exits integrating bar 130 at a first end 132 as illumination 116, whose aspect ratio is equal to bar aspect ratio 131. Therefore, the aspect ratio of illumination 116 can be equal to panel aspect ratio 172. The first end 132 can be parallel to... A flat surface, or a surface perpendicular to the plane. A non-planar surface along the axis of symmetry of a plane.

[0020] The integrating bar 130 spatially homogenizes the optical intensity of the illumination 112, ensuring that the illumination 116 exiting the first end 132 has sufficiently uniform illumination in a plane orthogonal to the beam path 111 when it reaches the active area 171 of the image panel 170. For this purpose, the integrating bar can have a normalized length. This allows for a sufficient number of total internal reflections in the integral bar 130 to ensure an edge-to-center intensity ratio of approximately 0.8. (Brennesholtz and Stupp, Projection displays[Projection Display] . (J. Wiley and Sons, 2008.) Standardized length It is the geometric length of the integrating bar 130. L Numerical aperture NA Refractive index A function of the cross-sectional area A: .

[0021] Relay optics 120 can guide illumination 112 along beam path 111 between light source 110 and integrating bar 130. Relay optics 125 can guide illumination 116 along beam path 111 between integrating bar 130 and image panel 170. Each of relay optics 120 and 125 may include at least one lens and / or at least one mirror. Relay optics 125 can magnify illumination 116 without changing the aspect ratio of illumination 116. In this document, magnification includes reduction, i.e., when the magnification factor... M When it is less than 1.

[0022] Illumination 116 incident on image panel 170 is referred to herein as panel illumination 117. For example, when beam shaper 160 is not in beam path 111, panel illumination 117 may have the same aspect ratio as illumination 116. Illumination 116 and panel illumination 117 may have a common principal propagation direction, which defines the z-direction of coordinate system 198. In this document and unless otherwise stated, the z-direction of coordinate system 198 is referred to as the principal propagation direction of the image panel 170. y The reference to at least one of the directions or planes represented by z refers to coordinate system 198.

[0023] Image panel 170 generates illumination 118 by modulating panel illumination 117 according to panel image 175. Projector 100 projects illumination 118 onto screen 190, causing screen 190 to display projected image 195. Image panel 170 can generate modulated illumination 118 by transmitting or reflecting panel illumination 117. For example, image panel 170 may be a spatial light modulator, a reflective light valve, a transmittive light valve, or a MEMS array.

[0024] The quality of the projected image 195 depends in part on its dynamic range, which in turn depends on the intensity of the panel illumination 117 on the displayed image 175. When the aspect ratio of the panel illumination 117 does not match the aspect ratio 176 of the displayed image 175, the intensity is below its achievable peak.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic plan view of the image panel 170 that displays the image 175 and is illuminated by the panel lighting 117. Figure 2 The plan view is in the specified direction x'、y' andz' coordinate system 298 In a plane, coordinate system 298 can be rotated relative to coordinate system 198. For example, the directions y and... y' Can be parallel and A plane can be relative to The plane is oriented at an angle ranging from zero to ninety degrees (e.g., 45°). Figure 2 In the diagram, the active area 171, the displayed image 175, and the panel lighting 117 are depicted using solid lines, dashed lines, and dotted lines, respectively. Figure 2 In the example, the aspect ratio of panel lighting 117 is equal to the panel aspect ratio 172, but not the display aspect ratio 176.

[0026] Figure 2 This represents the three regions of activity area 171: bottom region 271, middle region 272, and top region 273. Figure 2 In the example, the displayed image 175 is a portion of video data (e.g., a movie) formatted to have an aspect ratio exceeding that of the active area 171, such that the display aspect ratio exceeds the panel aspect ratio 172. In such an operational scenario, at least one of the bottom area 271 and the top area 273 does not display a portion of the displayed image 175. Since the aspect ratio of the panel illumination 117 is not equal to the display aspect ratio 176, a portion of the panel illumination 117 is incident on areas 271 and 273 where a portion of the displayed image 175 is not displayed. Therefore, the panel illumination 117 incident on areas 271 and 273 does not contribute to the intensity of the projected image 195, resulting in lower dynamic range and thus suboptimal image quality.

[0027] In this document, illumination efficiency is defined as the ratio of the area of ​​panel illumination 117 illuminating the displayed image 175 to the total cross-sectional area of ​​panel illumination 117 incident on the image panel 170. Actuator 151 and beam shaper 160 compensate for image quality degradation by shaping illumination 116 so that the aspect ratio of panel illumination 117 (incident on the image panel 170) equals the display aspect ratio 176. This beam shaping improves illumination efficiency.

[0028] The beam shaper 160 includes a plurality of prisms 162 that can be collinearly aligned such that the respective front and rear surfaces of each of the plurality of prisms are perpendicular to a common plane, such as the yz plane. The prisms 162 can be shaped and oriented to change the aspect ratio of light (e.g., illumination 116) propagating axially through them, without changing the direction of light propagation or causing lateral displacement of the light.

[0029] Actuator 151 is mechanically connected to beam shaper 160 and configured to switch projector 100 between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, beam shaper 160 does not change the aspect ratio of illumination 116, for example, by not being in beam path 111, or by being in beam path 111 but prism 162 being configured to refract light without changing the aspect ratio of illumination 116. In such a configuration, the aspect ratio of illumination 116 is equal to the aspect ratio of panel illumination 117. In the second configuration, and along beam path 111, beam shaper 160 is located between integrating bar 130 and image panel 170, and prism 162 is oriented to change the aspect ratio of light (e.g., illumination 116) propagating axially through it. In this configuration, the aspect ratio of illumination 116 is different from the aspect ratio of panel illumination 117.

[0030] Prism 162 can be shaped and oriented to apply unidirectional magnification to illumination 116 that propagates axially through it. M And in the second configuration, Unidirectional magnification refers to magnification in only one direction within a plane perpendicular to the beam path 111 (e.g., x or y This involves changing spatial dimensions, such as width or height. Unidirectional magnification. M It can vary with the orientation of at least one of the prisms 162, and in the first configuration: (i) And (ii) along beam path 111, beam shaper 160 is located between integrating bar 130 and image panel 170. Unidirectional magnification M It can be equal to the aspect ratio of 176 divided by the aspect ratio of 131.

[0031] In an embodiment of projector 100, beam shaper 160 is located outside beam path 111 in a first configuration, while in a second configuration, illumination 116 passes through each prism 162 and traverses the corresponding optical path length. In this embodiment, optomechanical device 104 includes a transparent cuboid 165 having a length along beam path 111 between its front and rear surfaces. L And has a refractive index n This makes the optical path length nL This is equal to the sum of the individual optical path lengths passing through each prism in prism 162. Actuator 151 is mechanically connected to transparent cuboid 165 such that, in the first configuration, beam path 111 traverses transparent cuboid 165 and can be orthogonal to the front and rear surfaces. The corresponding optical path lengths and refractive indices... n It can correspond to one or more wavelengths of illumination 116.

[0032] Actuator 151 can be configured to switch projector 100 between a first configuration and a second configuration by moving at least one of cuboid 165 and beam shaper 160 in a nonlinear trajectory (corresponding to a shape such as a circle or ellipse) intersecting beam path 111. Actuator 151 can also be configured to switch projector 100 between a first configuration and a second configuration by moving cuboid 165 and beam shaper 160 in a linear trajectory intersecting beam path 111. The nonlinear trajectory and the linear trajectory can be... In a plane parallel to another plane.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a projector 300, which is an example of a projector 100 including an electronic device 302. The electronic device 302 includes a processor 310 coupled to an actuator 151 and a memory 320 communicatively coupled to the processor 310. The functionality and hardware of the control circuitry 140 may be included in at least one of the processor 310 and the memory 320. The electronic device 302 may also include the control circuitry 140, which may be communicatively coupled to at least one of the processor 310 and the memory 320.

[0034] The memory 320 can store the stick aspect ratio 131 and the display aspect ratio 176, and can receive the display aspect ratio 176 as part of the video data 142. The memory 320 stores machine-readable instructions 322, such as software, which, when executed by the processor 310, control the actuator 151 to perform the following operations: (a) when the stick aspect ratio 131 is equal to the display aspect ratio 176, place the projector 300 in a first configuration, and (b) when the stick aspect ratio 131 is different from the display aspect ratio 176, place the projector 300 in a second configuration.

[0035] The memory 320 may be transient and / or non-transient, and may include one or both of volatile memory (e.g., SRAM, DRAM, computational RAM, other volatile memory, or any combination thereof) and non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory, ROM, magnetic media, optical media, other non-volatile memory, or any combination thereof). A portion or all of the memory 320 may be integrated into the processor 310.

[0036] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the illumination 116 incident on the beam shaper 400 that transmits the panel illumination 117. Figure 4 The cross section in coordinate system 198 In a plane. Beam shaper 400 is an example of beam shaper 160. Beam shaper 400 includes at least three of prisms 410, 420, 430, and 440, which together are an example of prism 162 of beam shaper 160. Beam shaper 400 may include a total of three prisms because three different prisms are sufficient to make panel illumination 117 collinear with illumination 116, such that the use of beam shaper 400 does not require projector 100 to include additional optical components to compensate for the non-collinearity of illumination 116 and illumination 117. However, four identical prisms are sufficient to achieve the collinearity and are cheaper for mass production than three different prisms. Without departing from the scope of the embodiment, beam shaper 400 may include fewer or more than four prisms and may also include additional optical components.

[0037] Prisms 410-440 each have a front surface 415, 425, 435, and 445; prisms 411-440 each have a rear surface 416, 426, 436, and 446. x In terms of direction, the lighting 116 has an input height. And is transmitted as panel lighting 117, which has an output height ,in This is the magnification in the y-direction. The beam shaper 400 is located between planes 401 and 402, and the illumination between them is represented by rays 451 and 452. Ray 451 represents illumination 116 between plane 401 and rear surface 446; ray 452 represents panel illumination 117 between rear surface 446 and plane 402. Each of the front surfaces 415-445 and rear surfaces 416-446 can be connected to… yz The planes are orthogonal.

[0038] The beam shaper 400 may have an optical axis 403 intersecting with prisms 410 and 440. The optical axis 403 may intersect each of prisms 410-440. The beam path 111 is collinear with the optical axis 403 at the input plane 401 and the output plane 402, such that panel illumination 117 is collinear with illumination 116. Between prisms 420 and 430, light ray 451 may be parallel to the optical axis 403. Illumination 116 may be perpendicularly incident on at least one of surfaces 415, 425, 435, and 445. Perpendicular incident illumination 116 on the front surface 415 of prism 410 facilitates alignment of the beam shaper 400 using a portion of illumination 116 reflected from the front surface 415. Panel illumination 117 may be collinear with illumination 116 within a two-degree tolerance.

[0039] Prisms 410-440 have respective vertices 411, 421, 431, and 441, each vertices being bisected by its respective axis of symmetry 412, 422, 432, and 442. The vertices of prisms 410 and 440 point upwards, i.e., they are on the same side of the optical axis 403 and point in the direction with a positive y-component. The vertices of prisms 420 and 430 point downwards, i.e., on opposite sides of the optical axis 403 and point in the direction with a negative y-component. Although prisms 410-440 are illustrated as having a triangular cross-section, any one of prisms 410-440 may have a trapezoidal cross-section without departing from the scope of this embodiment.

[0040] The angular orientation of prisms 410-440 can be determined by the symmetry axes 412-442 relative to the optical axis 403. xy The planes are described by their respective tilt angles of 41°, 42°, 43°, and 44°. Figure 4 In the configuration of prisms 410-440 shown, tilt angles 414 and 444 are negative while tilt angles 424 and 434 are positive. Tilt angles 414, 424, 434, and 444 can have different signs, depending on the desired magnification to be imparted by the beam shaper 400. The absolute value of tilt angle 414 can be equal to half of apex angle 411, which allows illumination 116 to be incident perpendicularly on the front surface 415 of prism 410.

[0041] Each prism 410-440 can be formed from fused silica or borosilicate glass and can have a refractive index at visible electromagnetic wavelengths. n hereinafter referred to as n vis The value is between 1.45 and 1.47. In the embodiment, each of the prisms 410-440 is identical in, for example, shape, material, and refractive index. Each vertex angle 411-441 may be equal and between sixteen and eighteen degrees.

[0042] The beam shaper 400 is configured to have a magnification equal to the bar aspect ratio of 131 divided by the display aspect ratio of 176. This significantly improves the maximum intensity of the projected image 195 and thus increases the dynamic range. For example, the aspect ratio of a 4096 × 1716 video resolution is equal to 2.39 (“widescreen”), while the aspect ratio of a 4096 × 2160 video resolution is equal to 1.9 (“flat”), which is eight-tenths of 2.39. For example, when the projector 100 is designed for a 4096 × 2160 display resolution, both the stick aspect ratio 131 and the panel aspect ratio 172 can be equal to 1.9. When the image panel 170 displays a display image 175 with a display aspect ratio 176 equal to 2.39, the illumination 116 in the y-direction (rather than in the display image 175) is... xThe width in that direction is too high because its aspect ratio is small. Therefore, a favorable magnification is possible. The aspect ratio of the bar is 131 divided by the displayed aspect ratio of 176. This allows the beam shaper 400 to scale the height of the illumination 116 (y direction). .

[0043] This scaling makes the aspect ratio of panel lighting 117 match the aspect ratio of the display 176. This is because each apex angle 411-441 equals seventeen degrees and... This can be achieved when the tilt angles are 414, 424, 434, and 444, which are equal to -8.5°, 16.8°, 8.5°, and -16.8°, respectively. Given With a value and a desired scaling factor of 0.8, the apex angle of seventeen degrees ensures that illumination 116 is incident perpendicularly on the front surface 415 of prism 410.

[0044] The prism of the beam shaper 400 can be oriented to produce magnification. Different values ​​of , which are equal to For example, when the bar aspect ratio 131 equals 2.39 and the display aspect ratio 176 equals 1.9, the advantageous magnification is again the bar aspect ratio 131 divided by the display aspect ratio 176, or... .when At this time, the beam shaper 400 scales the height (in the y direction) of the illumination 116 by a factor of 1.25, and the aspect ratio of the panel illumination 117 matches the display aspect ratio 176. The configured tilt angle is 414-444. The configurations are the same, but the order and signs are reversed: tilt angles 414, 424, 434 and 444 are equal to 16.8°, -8.5°, -16.8° and 8.5° respectively.

[0045] The prism of the beam shaper 400 can be oriented such that it is positioned at a height relative to the panel illumination 117 of the beam shaper 400. within tolerance The height of the inner part is equal to the lighting height of 116. ,or ,in In the following text, and Indicates the prism configuration, where ,in ,in .

[0046] Figure 5 The incident light is configured to produce A schematic cross-sectional view of illumination 116 on delay line 500. Delay line 500 is an example of beam shaper 400. In the following configurations of delay line 500, prisms 410-440 are identical, having an apex angle of 17 degrees and a refractive index of... In the first configuration, tilt angles 414 and 424 are both equal to four degrees, while tilt angles 434 and 444 are both equal to negative four degrees. In the second configuration, tilt angles 414, 424, 434, and 444 are equal to +4°, 0°, -4°, and 0°, respectively, and .

[0047] One or more of prisms 410-440 can be translated along their respective axes of symmetry 412-442 (or more generally, parallel to the y-direction) to change the total optical path length through the delay line 500 between planes 401 and 402. This prism translation enables precise focusing of illumination 117 onto image panel 170. Projection optics 145 may include delay line 500, in which case prism translation enables precise focusing of projected image 195 onto screen 190. Optomechanical device 104 may include actuator 152 mechanically coupled to one of prisms 410-440 for translating the prism along its axis of symmetry. Actuator 152 may be controlled by processor 310 executing instructions 322. Actuator 152 may be part of actuator 151.

[0048] In embodiments of projectors 100 and 300, beam shaper 400 is configured in the first configuration. Second configuration The beam shaper 400 is positioned along beam path 111. In a first configuration, beam shaper 400 is configured as delay line 500. In a second configuration, beam shaper 400 is configured to change the aspect ratio of illumination 116 in the y-direction. Actuator 152 can be configured to change beam shaper 400 between the first and second configurations by changing at least one of tilt angles 414-444 while maintaining the position of beam shaper 400 along beam path 111.

[0049] Figure 6 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of prism 600 refracting incident illumination 616 into transmitted illumination 617. Prism 600 is an example of one or more of prisms 410-440. Illumination 616 and 617 are examples of illumination 116 and 117, respectively. Illumination 616 is at an incident angle... and angle of incidence The incident light falls upon it. Angle of incidence. and These are the angles of incidence of illumination 116 relative to the optical axis 603 and the normal to the front surface 605 of prism 600, respectively. Optical axis 603 is equivalent to... Figure 4The optical axis is 403, parallel to the z-direction.

[0050] Prism 600 has a refractive index n and a vertex angle And deflect the incident beam by a beam deviation angle Prism 600 has a front surface 605 and a rear surface 606, which are examples of front surface 415 and rear surface 416, respectively. Beam deviation angle. It is the angle of incidence. and and angle of refraction and Functions: Vertex It can be equal to and The sum. In Figure 6 In the middle, the light beam incident on the front surface 605 has a beam height h and with beam height Leaving the prism by 600, where equation (1a) is the magnification of a single prism. The expression.

[0051]

[0052] According to equation (1a), when equal and equal At that time, the magnification of a single prism It equals 1.

[0053] Single prism magnification This can be expressed as refractive index n, vertex angle and angle of incidence The functions, as shown in equations (1b) and (1c), are reproduced from Kasuya, T., Suzuki, T. & Shimoda, K. Appl. Phys. (1978) 17: 131.

[0054]

[0055] Prism 600 relative to parallel The vertical plane of the plane has an angle of inclination. When the angle of refraction And tilt angle At time, angle and Both are equal to zero, making the incident illumination 117 propagate orthogonally to the front surface 605. When the angle of refraction... And tilt angle At time, angle and Both are zero, causing the transmitted illumination 117 to propagate orthogonally to the rear surface 606.

[0056] In the following discussion, angle 、 、 and These represent tilt angles of 414, 424, 434, and 444, respectively. Prisms 410-440 have the same apex angle. And when they have the same refractive index n, the following applies to the tilt angle. The antisymmetric constraint makes illumination 117 and illumination 116 collinear: and Inclination angles of 414, 424, 434, and 444 can satisfy the above antisymmetry constraint within a tolerance of two degrees.

[0057] Incline angle It can be equal to In this case, the following equations (2)-(5) specify the tilt angle of the prisms 410-440 such that the illumination 117 transmitted by the beam shaper 400 is collinear with the illumination 116 incident on it.

[0058]

[0059] When the angle of incidence When (relative to beam path 111), equations (2)-(5) are simplified to equations (6)-(9).

[0060]

[0061] Incline angle Equations (2)-(5) and / or (6)-(9) can be satisfied within an angular tolerance of ± 2°.

[0062] When tilt angle When equations (2)-(5) are satisfied and adjacent prisms point in opposite directions, the angle of incidence of each of the four prisms is... Similarly, this causes the four prisms to impose a net magnification on the illumination transmitted through them. For example, prisms 410-440 in beam shaper 400 amplify illumination 116. This makes the beam height of illumination 117 equal By using the magnification of a single prism By combining equations (1b) and (1c) into equations (2)-(5) or (6)-(9), the tilt angle can be determined. To achieve the desired magnification .

[0063] Angle of incidence It can be within the range of ten to thirty degrees, to achieve a magnification of [value missing]. A satisfactory trade-off is achieved between the reduced illumination due to reflections at the prism surface and the desired balance between illumination and reflections. At least one of the prisms 410-440 may have an anti-reflective coating on its front and rear surfaces. The anti-reflective coating may be a multilayer coating designed to minimize reflections of electromagnetic radiation across the spectral range. The spectral range may correspond to visible wavelengths suitable for cinema applications (e.g., [missing information]). ), or corresponding to infrared wavelengths suitable for night vision applications (e.g., ).

[0064] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a projector 700, exemplified by projector 100. Projector 700 includes a light source 110, control circuitry 140, image panels 770 and 780, electronic device 302, and optomechanical device 704A. Projector 700 may also include optomechanical device 704B. Image panels 770 and 780 are each examples of image panel 170 and have respective active areas 771 and 781, displaying images at respective aspect ratios 776 and 786. Projector 700 includes optomechanical device 704A (which is... Figure 1 (Example of optomechanical device 104) Communication-coupled electronic device 302.

[0065] Light source 110 generates illumination 712, which is incident on active area 771 as illumination 713. Image panel 770 modulates illumination 713 to generate illumination 716 that propagates away from image panel 770 and toward image panel 780. Illumination 716 is incident on active area 781 as modulated illumination 717. Image panel 780 modulates illumination 717 to generate illumination 718 that can form a projected image 195 on screen 190. Illuminations 712 and 713 are examples of illuminations 116 and 117, respectively. Illuminations 716, 717, and 718 are examples of illuminations 116, 117, and 118, respectively. Image panel 780 can be used to highlight the area of ​​modulated illumination 717, such that illumination 118 forms a projected image 195 including one or more highlighted areas.

[0066] When the aspect ratio of illumination 712 differs from the display aspect ratio 776, electronic device 302 can control optomechanical device 704A to change the aspect ratio of illumination 712, so that the beam shaper 160 transmits illumination 713 with an aspect ratio equal to the display aspect ratio 776. When the aspect ratio of illumination 716 differs from the display aspect ratio 786, electronic device 302 can control optomechanical device 704B to change the aspect ratio of illumination 716, so that the beam shaper 160 transmits illumination 717 with an aspect ratio equal to the display aspect ratio 786.

[0067] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating a method 800 for increasing the intensity of projected light from a projector. Method 800 includes step 810 and can be implemented by any of the projectors 100, 300, and 700 disclosed herein. The projector includes an integrating bar having a bar aspect ratio.

[0068] Step 810 includes changing the illumination aspect ratio to match the first display aspect ratio by refraction of the illumination at multiple flat surfaces in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the displayed video data when illumination exiting the integrating bar is incident on an image panel displaying video data at a first display aspect ratio different from the bar aspect ratio. Refraction can occur between the integrating bar and the image panel along the optical path of the illumination (e.g., beam path 111). In an example of step 810, where illumination 116 has a bar aspect ratio 131 different from the display aspect ratio 176, beam shaper 160 refracts illumination 116 at multiple flat surfaces of prism 162. Beam shaper 160 can be beam shaper 400.

[0069] Step 810 may include step 820, which includes applying a unidirectional magnification to the illumination. In an example of step 820, beam shaper 160 applies a unidirectional magnification to illumination 116 in the y-direction. , where magnification M It is the angle as described above. The function and K It is the number of identical prisms that make up the beam shaper 160.

[0070] Combination of features

[0071] Without departing from the scope of this invention, the above-described features and the following claimed features can be combined in various ways. The following enumerated examples illustrate some possible non-limiting combinations.

[0072] (A1) A projector comprising a light source, an integrating bar, an image panel, a beam shaper, and an actuator mechanically connected to the beam shaper. The light source is configured to generate illumination. The integrating bar has a bar aspect ratio at a first end. The image panel is configured to display an image at a display aspect ratio. The beam shaper includes a plurality of prisms shaped and oriented such that when the beam shaper intersects with an illumination optical path between the integrating bar and the image panel, illumination transmitted by the beam shaper is collinear with illumination incident on the beam shaper. The actuator is configured to switch the projector between (i) a first configuration and (ii) a second configuration, in the first configuration, the beam shaper does not change the aspect ratio of the illumination, and in the second configuration, the beam shaper intersects with the optical path between the integrating bar and the image panel and changes the aspect ratio of the illumination. The illumination transmitted by the beam shaper can have an aspect ratio equal to the display aspect ratio, which increases the intensity of illumination incident on the displayed image.

[0073] (A2) In the projector (A1), in the second configuration, the plurality of prisms can be shaped and oriented to apply unidirectional magnification to illumination propagating axially through them. M And magnification M It can be equal to the aspect ratio of the display divided by the aspect ratio of the bar.

[0074] (A3) In either projector (A1) or (A2), in the first configuration: (i) the plurality of prisms are shaped and oriented such that no magnification is applied or a unidirectional magnification is applied. M ,in (ii) The beam shaper may be located between the integrating bar and the image panel along the optical path.

[0075] (A4) Any of the projectors (A1)-(A3) may further include a processor coupled to the actuator and a memory. The memory stores machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, control the actuator to perform the following operations: placing the projector in a first configuration when the bar aspect ratio is equal to the display aspect ratio, and placing the projector in a second configuration when the bar aspect ratio is different from the display aspect ratio.

[0076] (A5) In any of the projectors (A1)-(A4), in the first configuration, the beam shaper may be located outside the optical path.

[0077] (A6) Any of the projectors (A5), wherein in the second configuration, the illumination passes through each prism across the corresponding optical path length, and may further include a transparent cuboid and an actuator. The transparent cuboid has a length between its front and rear surfaces. L And has a refractive index n This makes the optical path length nL It is equal to the sum of the lengths of all the optical paths. The actuator is mechanically connected to the transparent cuboid such that, in the first configuration, the optical path traverses the transparent cuboid and is orthogonal to the front and rear surfaces.

[0078] (A7) In any of the projectors (A1)-(A6), the plurality of prisms may include a first prism, which, in the second configuration, is located between the integrating bar and the remaining prisms of the beam shaper, and the face of the first prism may be orthogonal to and intersect with the optical path.

[0079] (A8) In any of the projectors (A1)-(A7), the plurality of prisms may include four identical prisms. and These prisms have apex angles And parallel to the incident light on the prism Above and by prism The transmitted illumination light path in the plane at their respective angles , , and Inclined, within a two-degree tolerance, and .

[0080] (A9) In any of the projectors (A8), the angle and It can be satisfied within two tolerances and ,in It is made of prism The assigned deviation angle.

[0081] (A10) In any of the projectors (A1)-(A9), the plurality of prisms may include a first pair of identical prisms and a second pair of identical prisms, the second pair of identical prisms being relative to the first pair of identical prisms about a path parallel to the incident light on the prism. The axis of the illumination light path is rotated by a certain angle, which is between 170° and 190°.

[0082] (A11) In any of the projectors (A1)-(A10), the actuator may be configured to switch the projector between the first configuration and the second configuration by moving the beam shaper in a circular trajectory intersecting the optical path.

[0083] (A12) In any of the projectors (A1)-(A11), the actuator may be configured to switch the projector between the first configuration and the second configuration by moving the beam shaper in a linear trajectory intersecting the optical path.

[0084] (A13) Any of the projectors (A1)-(A12) may further include a relay optics configured to guide illumination along the optical path through the integrating bar and to the image panel, the optical path axially traversing the integrating bar.

[0085] (B1) A projector comprising a light source, a delay line including a plurality of prisms, and an actuator mechanically connected to a first prism of the plurality of prisms. The light source is configured to generate illumination propagating along an optical path. The delay line intersects the optical path and includes a plurality of prisms, the plurality of prisms being shaped and oriented such that illumination transmitted by the beam shaper (i) is collinear with illumination incident on the beam shaper, and (ii) is factored by a factor close to 1. M Magnified, among which The actuator is configured to change the length of the optical path through the delay line by translating the first prism in a direction that is (i) not parallel to the optical path within the delay line and (ii) in a plane perpendicular to the refractive surfaces of the plurality of prisms.

[0086] (B2) The projector (B1) may further include an image panel, the light path being incident on the image panel after axially crossing the delay line.

[0087] (B3) Either of the projectors (B1) and (B2) may further include a relay optics configured to direct the illumination through the delay line and to the image panel.

[0088] (B4) In any of the projectors (B1)-(B3), the plurality of prisms may include four identical prisms. 、 、 、 and These prisms have apex angles And parallel to the incident light on the prism Above and by prism The transmitted illumination light path in the plane at their respective angles , 、 、 and Inclined, within a two-degree tolerance, and .

[0089] (B5) In any of the projectors (B1)-(B4), the light path of the illumination can be angled relative to the normal incident thereon. Incident on the prism up, angle and Satisfy within two tolerances and .

[0090] (C1) discloses a method for increasing the intensity of projected light from a projector. This method can be performed when illumination exiting an integrating bar (having a bar aspect ratio) from the projector is incident on an image panel displaying video data at a first display aspect ratio different from the bar aspect ratio. The method includes changing the aspect ratio of the illumination to match the first display aspect ratio by refraction of the illumination at a plurality of flat surfaces in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the displayed video data.

[0091] (C2) In method (C1), the changing step may include applying a unidirectional amplification to the illumination.

[0092] Modifications to the methods and systems described above may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it should be noted that the content contained in the above specification or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted illustratively rather than restrictively. In this document, unless otherwise stated, the adjective "exemplary" means used as an example, instance, or illustration. The following claims are intended to cover all general and specific features described herein, and all statements regarding the scope of the methods and systems may be said to fall within them.

[0093] Various aspects of the invention can be understood from the following enumerated example embodiments (EEE):

[0094] 1. A projector, comprising:

[0095] A light source, configured to produce illumination;

[0096] Integral bar;

[0097] An image panel configured to display images in an aspect ratio;

[0098] A beam shaper comprising a plurality of prisms shaped and oriented such that when the beam shaper intersects with the illumination path between the integrating bar and the image panel, the illumination transmitted by the beam shaper is collinear with the illumination incident on the beam shaper.

[0099] An actuator, mechanically connected to the beam shaper and configured to switch the projector between (i) a first configuration and (ii) a second configuration, wherein in the first configuration the beam shaper does not change the aspect ratio of the illumination, and in the second configuration the beam shaper intersects the optical path between the integrating bar and the image panel and changes the aspect ratio of the illumination.

[0100] 2. In the projector according to EEE 1, the integrating bar has a bar aspect ratio at the first end, and in the second configuration, the plurality of prisms are shaped and oriented to apply unidirectional magnification to illumination propagating axially through it. M ,magnification M It equals the aspect ratio of the display divided by the aspect ratio of the bar.

[0101] 3. The projector according to EEE 1 or EEE 2, in the first configuration: (i) the plurality of prisms are shaped and oriented to apply no magnification or apply unidirectional magnification. M ,in (ii) Along the optical path, the beam shaper is located between the integrating bar and the image panel.

[0102] 4. The projector according to any one of EEE 1-3, wherein the integrating bar has a bar aspect ratio at a first end, and further comprises:

[0103] A processor, the processor being coupled to the actuator; and

[0104] A memory storing machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, control the actuator to perform the following operations:

[0105] When the aspect ratio of the bar is equal to the aspect ratio of the display, the projector is placed in the first configuration, and

[0106] When the aspect ratio of the bar is different from the aspect ratio of the display, the projector is placed in the second configuration.

[0107] 5. The projector according to any one of EEE 1-4, in the first configuration, wherein the beam shaper is outside the optical path.

[0108] 6. The projector according to EEE 5, in the second configuration, the illumination passes through each prism across the corresponding optical path length, and the projector further includes:

[0109] A transparent cuboid, the transparent cuboid having a length between its front and rear surfaces. L And has a refractive index n This makes the optical path length nL It equals the sum of the lengths of all optical paths.

[0110] The actuator is mechanically connected to the transparent cuboid such that, in the first configuration, the optical path traverses the transparent cuboid and is orthogonal to the front and rear surfaces.

[0111] 7. The projector according to any one of EEE 1-6, wherein the plurality of prisms includes a first prism, wherein in the second configuration the first prism is located between the integrating bar and the remaining prisms of the beam shaper, and the face of the first prism is orthogonal to and intersects the optical path.

[0112] 8. The projector according to any one of EEE 1-7, wherein the plurality of prisms comprises four identical prisms. 、 、 、 and These prisms have apex angles And parallel to the incident light on the prism Up and through the prism The transmitted illumination light path in the plane at their respective angles 、 、 and Inclined, within a two-degree tolerance, and .

[0113] 9. According to the projector described in EE 8, the angle and Satisfy within two tolerances and ,in It is made of prism The assigned deviation angle.

[0114] 10. The projector according to any one of EEE 1-9, wherein the plurality of prisms comprises a first pair of identical prisms and a second pair of identical prisms, the second pair of identical prisms being relative to the first pair of identical prisms about a path parallel to the incident light on the prisms. The axis of the light path for illumination is rotated by a certain angle, which is between 170° and 190°.

[0115] 11. The projector according to any one of EEE 1-10, wherein the actuator is configured to switch the projector between a first configuration and a second configuration by moving the beam shaper in a circular trajectory intersecting the optical path.

[0116] 12. The projector according to any one of EEE 1-11, wherein the actuator is configured to switch the projector between a first configuration and a second configuration by moving the beam shaper in a linear trajectory intersecting the optical path.

[0117] 13. The projector according to any one of EEE 1-12, further comprising a relay optics configured to guide illumination along the optical path through the integrating bar and to the image panel, the optical path axially traversing the integrating bar.

[0118] 14. A projector, comprising:

[0119] A light source configured to produce illumination that propagates along a light path;

[0120] A delay line, which intersects the optical path and includes a plurality of prisms, the plurality of prisms being shaped and oriented such that illumination transmitted by the beam shaper (i) is collinear with illumination incident on the beam shaper, and (ii) is factored by a factor close to 1. M Magnified, among which ;

[0121] An actuator, mechanically connected to a first prism of the plurality of prisms, is configured to change the length of the optical path through the delay line by translating the first prism in a direction that is (i) not parallel to the optical path within the delay line and (ii) in a plane perpendicular to the refractive surfaces of the plurality of prisms.

[0122] 15. The projector according to EEE 14 further includes an image panel, wherein the light path is incident on the image panel after axially crossing the delay line.

[0123] 16. The projector according to EEE 15 further includes a relay optics configured to guide illumination through the delay line and to the image panel.

[0124] 17. The projector according to any one of EE 14-16, wherein the plurality of prisms comprises four identical prisms. 、 、 、 and These prisms have apex angles And parallel to the incident light on the prism Up and through the prism The transmitted illumination light path in the plane at their respective angles , , and Inclined, within a two-degree tolerance, and .

[0125] 18. The projector according to EEE 17, wherein the light path of the illumination is incident at an angle relative to the normal thereon. Incident on the prism up, angle and Satisfy within two tolerances and .

[0126] 19. A method for increasing the intensity of projected light from a projector, comprising: when illumination from an integrating bar having an aspect ratio exiting the projector is incident on an image panel displaying video data at a first display aspect ratio different from the integrating bar aspect ratio:

[0127] The aspect ratio of the illumination is changed to match the first display aspect ratio by refracting the illumination at multiple flat surfaces in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the displayed video data.

[0128] 20. The method according to EEE 19, wherein the alteration step includes applying a unidirectional amplification to the illumination.

Claims

1. A projector, comprising: A light source, configured to produce illumination; Integral bar; An image panel configured to display an image in an aspect ratio; A beam shaper comprising a plurality of prisms, wherein the beam shaper intersects with an illumination path between the integrating bar and the image panel, wherein the plurality of prisms are shaped and oriented such that illumination transmitted by the beam shaper is collinear with illumination incident on the beam shaper. The plurality of prisms includes four identical prisms. 、 、 and The prism has a apex angle And parallel to the incident light on the prism Above and by prism The transmitted illumination light path is in the plane at their respective tilt angles. , , and Inclined, among which , , and It is the angle of the respective axis of symmetry of the four identical prisms relative to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the beam shaper, and wherein within a two-degree tolerance, and ; as well as An actuator, mechanically connected to the beam shaper and configured to change the tilt angle. , , and At least one of them is used to switch the projector between (i) a first configuration and (ii) a second configuration, in which the plurality of prisms are oriented to apply no magnification or apply unidirectional magnification. M ,in In the second configuration, the plurality of prisms are oriented to change the aspect ratio of the illumination.

2. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the apex corner The refractive index n of the plurality of prisms is 17 degrees. vis It lies between 1.45 and 1.47, and among them, In the first configuration: = 4, = 4, = -4, and = -4; or = 4, = 0, = -4, and = 0; And in the second configuration: = -8.5, = 16.8, = 8.5, and = -16.8; or = 16.8, = -8.5, = -16.8, and = 8.

5.

3. The projector of claim 1, wherein each prism has an axis of symmetry bisecting the apex angle.

4. The projector of claim 1, wherein the integrating bar has a bar aspect ratio at the first end, and in the second configuration, the plurality of prisms are shaped and oriented to apply unidirectional magnification to illumination propagating axially through it. M ,magnification M It equals the aspect ratio of the display divided by the aspect ratio of the bar.

5. The projector according to claim 1, further comprising: An actuator, mechanically connected to a first prism of the plurality of prisms, is configured to change the length of the optical path through the beam shaper by translating the first prism in a direction that is (i) not parallel to the optical path within the delay line and (ii) in a plane perpendicular to the refractive surfaces of the plurality of prisms.

6. The projector according to claim 5, further comprising: An image panel, wherein the optical path passes through the beam shaper axially and then enters the image panel; as well as A relay optics device configured to guide the illumination through the beam shaper and to the image panel.

7. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the integrating bar has an aspect ratio at its first end, and further comprises: A processor, the processor being coupled to the actuator; as well as A memory storing machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, control the actuator to perform the following operations: When the aspect ratio of the bar is equal to the aspect ratio of the display, the projector is placed in the first configuration, and When the aspect ratio of the bar is different from the aspect ratio of the display, the projector is placed in the second configuration.

8. The projector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of prisms includes a first prism, wherein in the second configuration the first prism is located between the integrating bar and the remaining prisms of the beam shaper, and the face of the first prism is orthogonal to and intersects the optical path.

9. The projector according to claim 1, the angle and Satisfy within two tolerances and ,in It is made of prism The assigned deviation angle.

10. The projector according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of prisms comprises a first pair of identical prisms and a second pair of identical prisms, the second pair of identical prisms being relative to the first pair of identical prisms about a path parallel to the incident light on the prism. The axis of the illumination light path is rotated by a certain angle, which is between 170° and 190°.

11. The projector of claim 1, further comprising a relay optics configured to guide the illumination through the integrating bar and to the image panel along the optical path, the optical path axially traversing the integrating bar.

Images