Systems and methods for optical architectures

Abstract

The invention relates to systems and methods for optical architectures. In one example, a system (100) includes an optical splitter (104) configured to reflect first light having a first wavelength and a first polarization, transmit light having the first wavelength and a second polarization, transmit light having a second wavelength, and transmit light having a third wavelength. The system (100) also includes a quarter wave plate (108) optically coupled to the optical splitter (104). The system (100) includes a color wheel (110) optically coupled to a quarter-wave plate (108), the color wheel (110) having a first filter segment (111A), a second filter segment (111B), and a third filter segment (111C). The system (100) also includes a phosphor (112) optically coupled to the color wheel (110), the phosphor (112) configured to generate second light in response to receiving the first light, and the color wheel (110) configured to receive the second light and generate light having a second wavelength or a third wavelength.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 517,315, filed on August 2, 2023, entitled “COST REDUCED COMPACTOPTICAL ARCHITECTURE FOR PROJECTION APPLICATIONS,” and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Art

[0003] Projection-based displays project images onto a surface, such as a wall or screen, to present video or still pictures. Such displays may include cathode ray tube (CRT) displays, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and spatial light modulator (SLM) displays, among others. Summary of the invention

[0004] According to at least one example of the present specification, a system includes a beam splitter configured to reflect first light having a first wavelength and a first polarization, transmit light having a first wavelength and a second polarization, transmit light having a second wavelength, and transmit light having a third wavelength. The system also includes a quarter wave plate optically coupled to the beam splitter. The system includes a color wheel optically coupled to the quarter wave plate, the color wheel having a first filter segment, a second filter segment, and a third filter segment. The system also includes a phosphor optically coupled to the color wheel, the phosphor configured to generate a second light in response to receiving the first light, and the color wheel is configured to receive the second light and generate light having the second wavelength or the third wavelength.

[0005] According to at least one example of the specification, a system includes a beam splitter. The system includes a color wheel optically coupled to the beam splitter, the color wheel having a first filter segment, a second filter segment, and a third filter segment. The system also includes a uniformizing element optically coupled to the color wheel. The system includes a phosphor optically coupled to the uniformizing element. The system also includes a quarter wave plate optically coupled between the beam splitter and the color wheel. The system includes a spatial light modulator optically coupled to the beam splitter.

[0006] According to at least one example of the present specification, a system includes a beam splitter configured to receive a first light having a first color, and to reflect the first light to produce a reflected first light. The system also includes a homogenizing element optically coupled to the beam splitter and configured to homogenize the reflected first light to produce a first homogenized light. The system includes a color wheel optically coupled to the homogenizing element, the color wheel having a first filter segment configured to reflect the first light and a second filter segment configured to transmit the first light. The system includes a phosphor optically coupled to the color wheel, the phosphor configured to generate a second light in response to receiving the first light, the second light having a second color, wherein the second filter segment of the color wheel is configured to filter the second light to generate a third light having a third color, and the beam splitter is configured to transmit the third light having the third color. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 Detailed description of the invention A projection system according to various examples.

[0008] Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C Components of a projection system according to various examples.

[0009] Figure 3 Detailed description of the invention A projection system according to various examples.

[0010] Figure 4 Detailed description of the invention A projection system according to various examples.

[0011] Figure 5 Detailed description of the invention A projection system according to various examples.

[0012] Figure 6 Detailed Description of the Invention Color wheels and phosphor wheel systems according to various examples.

[0013] Figure 7 Components of a projection system according to various examples are shown.

[0014] Figure 8 is a block diagram of a system for controlling an optical projection system according to various examples.

[0015] Fig. 9 is a flow chart of a method for projecting an image according to various examples herein.

[0016] Fig.10 is a flow chart of a method for projecting an image according to various examples herein.

[0017] Fig.11 is a flow chart of a method for projecting an image according to various examples herein.

[0018] The same reference numbers or other reference designators are used in the drawings to designate the same or similar (functional and / or structural) features. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Some projection-based display systems or projectors have simple architectures and inexpensive components, providing low-cost systems for home, entertainment, or outdoor use. These inexpensive systems typically produce less than 1000 lumens of brightness. Some low-cost systems have a light-emitting diode (LED) architecture that includes many optical components, such as prisms and many projection lenses, which increase the cost of the system. Some LED systems, especially those with smaller SLMs, may also have difficulty producing brightness greater than about 500 lumens.

[0020] A projection-based display system may include an SLM device that includes optical elements, such as a reflector or an aperture, to generate an image. The SLM manipulates light and forms pixels of an image by controlling the optical elements, thereby modulating the intensity of the light projected on the display. Any type of SLM may be used for the examples herein. In one example, the SLM may be a digital micromirror device (DMD), in which the optical elements are tilted micromirrors. Each micromirror projects a pixel of the image to be displayed. The micromirrors are tilted by applying a voltage to the micromirrors to project the dark, bright, or shadow of the light of each pixel. Other examples of SLM include liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) devices, ferroelectric liquid crystal on silicon (FLCoS) devices, and liquid crystal displays (LCDs). The LCoS device includes an array of liquid crystals on a reflective layer that form optical elements or pixels that are controlled to reflect and modulate light intensity. The FLCoS device includes a ferroelectric liquid crystal that changes voltage faster than other liquid crystals. This makes light modulation faster in the FLCoS device compared to the LCoS device. The optical elements or pixels of the LCD are formed by a transmissive array of liquid crystals, which can be controlled by a voltage to modulate the light transmitted through the LCD.

[0021] Some architectures have separate red (R), green (G), and blue (B) LEDs to excite the SLM. Each LED has one to three collimating lenses and one or more dichroic filters that filter certain wavelengths of light. Some architectures also include a fly's eye array, which is a homogenizer that makes the light uniform. The architecture may also include several illumination lenses, prisms, and SLMs. The red, green, and blue LEDs are turned on in sequence as part of a frame to generate white light. The light reflects from the SLM, passes through the prism, and then reaches the projection lens. These systems may include more than 20 lenses and can be expensive to manufacture. These systems may also be limited to about 500 lumens.

[0022] To increase brightness, a laser phosphor system may be useful. A laser module emits laser light onto a phosphor to produce yellow or white light. In a single-panel, field sequential color-based system, the yellow or white light is converted into red, green, or blue light by a color wheel. In a 3LCD system, three panels (one each for red, green, and blue) separate the light using fixed dichroic filters. Laser phosphor systems typically use a telecentric architecture, which means that the illumination pupil is at infinity. Therefore, telecentric projection lenses that match the panel size and prism distance are compatible. More powerful lasers can produce higher brightness, but more powerful lasers may heat and damage the phosphor. Therefore, cooling is often useful in these systems, such as a heat sink or cooling fan. However, a heat sink or cooling fan also increases the cost of the system.

[0023] In the examples herein, a projector architecture including a laser phosphor and non-telecentric optics is described. Telecentric optics are designed to have a constant magnification regardless of the distance or position of the object in the field of view. Non-telecentric optics exhibit different magnifications for objects at different distances from the lens. Non-telecentric optics eliminate the need for prisms and certain expensive projection optics, which reduces the cost of the system. In some examples, the laser phosphor system can produce 500-1,000 lumens, providing greater brightness than the LED architecture. In one example, a dual-channel fly's eye array homogenizes the light, and a quarter-wave (λ / 4) plate turns the polarization of the blue light from the laser module. The laser provides blue light, and the phosphor produces white or yellow light, which is filtered by a color wheel to provide red or green light. Red, green, and blue light are provided to the SLM and then projected through a projection lens to produce an image. In another example, a light tunnel optically coupled to the phosphor homogenizes the light instead of using a fly's eye array. Examples herein may include a static phosphor or a moving phosphor wheel. Examples may have a yellow or white phosphor.

[0024] The examples herein provide compact projection systems with high brightness at reduced costs. In some examples, ordinary lasers, color wheels, and projection optics may be useful. The lack of prisms and fewer projection lenses reduce the cost and complexity of the systems described herein. By using the same optics, but using more or fewer lasers, a brightness that can be changed in size can be obtained. Due to slower F / # optics, such as F / 2.0 or F / 2.4, some examples have higher contrast capabilities. As shown in some examples, the color wheel is placed in front of the light tunnel, the color wheel is placed where the spot is small, and therefore a smaller color wheel can be used. Placing the color wheel next to the fly's eye array can use a larger color wheel. However, some large color wheels are less expensive than small color wheels because they are used in large-volume mainstream projectors, etc. In some examples, a 50mm color wheel is used, but the projector is compact due to the small size of other components. In an alternative example, the color wheel can be directly in front of the phosphor. Through the static phosphor and the reflective blue segment on the color wheel, 100% of the blue light from the laser light source is utilized.

[0025] Figure 11 is a projection system 100 according to various examples herein. The projection system 100 includes a laser 102 (e.g., a laser module, a light emitting device, or a light emitting element), a beam splitter 104 (e.g., a dichroic mirror / polarizer, which may also be referred to herein as a beam splitting element), a lens array 106, a quarter wave (λ / 4) plate 108, a color wheel 110, a phosphor 112, and a collimator 114. There may be any number of collimators, and two (114A and 114B) are shown in this example. In this example, the color wheel 110 includes a first color segment 111A, a second color segment 111B, and a reflective segment 111C. In one example, the first color segment 111A is red, and the second color segment 111B is green. The segments 111A, 111B, and 111C are filter segments (e.g., a first filter segment, a second filter segment, and a third filter segment), which may be any suitable size, and in some examples may be different sizes. In other examples, auxiliary color segments, such as yellow, cyan, magenta, or white, may be added. In some examples, these auxiliary color segments may enhance brightness. In some examples, reflective segment 111C is smaller than segments 111A and 111B. Larger segments 111A and 111B may produce images of higher brightness. Color wheel 110 may have multiple segments of each color. As an example, each segment 111A, 111B, and 111C may be divided into two discontinuous segments of color wheel 110 (e.g., color wheel 110 may have six segments, two for red, two for green, and two for reflection). Projection system 100 also includes reflector 116, illumination optics 118, actuator 120, SLM 122, and projection optics 124. In the examples herein, illumination optics 118 and projection optics 124 may each include any number of lenses. Actuator 120 is useful in a pixel shift system to increase resolution to exceed the inherent panel resolution, but may not exist in other examples. Projection system 100 includes various light paths or optical paths, such as paths 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, and 142. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the components in the projection system 100 are not shown to scale, and may have other configurations in other examples. In other examples, some components may not exist, and in other examples, components not shown herein may exist.

[0026] In the projection system 100, the beam splitter 104 is positioned to receive laser light from the laser 102 along the path 126, which may be a blue laser. The beam splitter 104 may receive the laser light at a 45° angle of incidence. The beam splitter 104 reflects the light received from the path 126 to the path 128 to produce reflected light or reflected first light. In this example, the lens array 106 and the quarter wave plate 108 are located between the beam splitter 104 and the color wheel 110 along the path 128. In this example, the collimator is located between the color wheel 110 and the phosphor 112. The reflector 116 is positioned to receive the light transmitted through the beam splitter 104 along the path 134, and reflects the light toward the illumination optical device 118 along the path 136. In one example, the reflector 116 may be a folding reflector. The folding reflector is useful for compactness, but other types of reflectors may be used in other examples. In another example, the beam splitter 104 performs separation and folding, and the reflector 116 is not present. After illumination optics 118, the light travels along path 138 toward actuator 120. In some examples, actuator 120 is not present. The light is then received at actuator 120. The light travels along path 144 to SLM 122. SLM 122 directs the light along path 146 back to actuator 120. From actuator 120, the light travels along path 140 to projection optics 124. SLM 122 projects an image to be displayed along path 142 through projection optics 124. In other examples, the angles and positioning of components such as beam splitter 104, mirror 116, and SLM 122 may vary. Figure 1 Different than shown.

[0027] The projection system 100 includes components configured to provide blue laser light to a phosphor 112 to produce a different color (e.g., yellow light from a yellow phosphor in this example or from a white phosphor in other examples). A color wheel 110 produces red or green light from the yellow light provided by the phosphor 112, and reflects blue light. A reflector 116 and an illumination optical device 118 provide red, green, and blue light to an SLM 122. The SLM 122 generates an image and provides the image to a projection optical device 124 for projection onto a screen or display.

[0028] In the examples herein, the phosphor 112 can be a static phosphor or a phosphor wheel. A collimating lens can be located between the phosphor wheel and the color wheel 110. The phosphor wheel can have a continuous ring of phosphor on the surface of the wheel. The phosphor wheel can be rotated using the same motor as the color wheel 110 (described below). The rotation of the phosphor wheel can provide some cooling of the phosphor wheel. The cooling of the phosphor allows more light to be provided to the phosphor without creating thermal issues or overheating of the phosphor.

[0029] Some examples herein may have a white phosphor instead of a yellow phosphor. If a white phosphor is used, many components of the projection system 100 operate as described herein. For a white phosphor, the color wheel 110 does not have a reflective segment 111C that reflects blue light. Instead, the color wheel 110 has a first color segment 111A, a second color segment 111B, and a third color segment 111C ( Figure 1 1 ). Each of the three segments transmits blue light. The color wheel 110 transmits the blue light from the laser 102 to the white phosphor along path 130. The white phosphor converts most of the blue energy (e.g., 92%) from the laser into yellow light, and the rest is reflected as blue light. The combination of yellow light and blue light produces white light. The color wheel 110 receives the white light from the white phosphor and converts the white light into red light, green light, or blue light with the appropriate color segment (111A, 111B, or 111C) of the color wheel 110.

[0030] In some examples, the reflective segment 111C of the color wheel 110 can have a diffuser mounted to it. The diffuser spreads the laser light and produces a more uniform and homogenized light to illuminate the SLM 122. The lens array 106 also provides this diffusing function, but in some examples, having a diffuser on the reflective segment 111C can achieve better diffusion.

[0031] In an example operation, laser 102 generates blue laser light and provides or guides the blue laser light toward beam splitter 104 along path 126. In one example, beam splitter 104 is a dichroic mirror / polarizer. A dichroic mirror / polarizer transmits certain wavelengths of light and reflects certain wavelengths of light. A dichroic mirror / polarizer also transmits certain polarizations and reflects certain polarizations. Beam splitter 104 is configured to reflect blue light from laser 102 along path 128 and pass other colors of light, such as red and green light. In this example, S (vertical) and P (parallel) polarized light interact differently with the surface of beam splitter 104. Therefore, beam splitter 104 reflects light of a first polarization (S polarized light or P polarized light) and transmits light of a second polarization (the other of S polarized light and P polarized light). As described below, due to the polarization of the blue light provided by quarter wave plate 108, beam splitter 104 can reflect blue light from laser 102 and also transmit blue light reflected by color wheel 110.

[0032] The beam splitter 104 reflects the blue light from the laser 102 along a path 128 toward the lens array 106. In one example, the lens array 106 along the path 128 may be a fly's eye array. The lens array 106 is configured to homogenize the blue light to produce a homogenized light or a first homogenized light, and may be referred to herein as a homogenizing element. The homogenized blue light then continues on the path 128 toward the quarter wave plate 108. The quarter wave plate 108 along the path 128 rotates the polarization of the homogenized blue light by 90 degrees. The blue light then continues toward the color wheel 110.

[0033] The orientation of the color wheel 110 determines whether the blue light is reflected or transmitted toward the phosphor 112. The color wheel 110 is rotated to the appropriate orientation for reflecting the blue light or transmitting the blue light toward the phosphor 112. If the blue light along path 128 reaches the first color segment 111A or the second color segment 111B of the color wheel 110, the blue light passes through the color wheel along path 130 to the phosphor 112. If the phosphor 112 is a yellow phosphor, the phosphor 112 converts the blue light into yellow light. If the phosphor 112 is a white phosphor, the phosphor 112 converts the blue light into white light. Figure 1 As shown, path 130 may include one or more collimators 114 along path 130. Collimators 114 may narrow or focus the light beam onto phosphor 112. In some examples, phosphor 112 may be a static phosphor or a phosphor wheel. In some examples, a static phosphor may be easier to implement and / or less expensive. As described below, if the phosphor is configured to rotate with color wheel 110, the phosphor wheel may provide cooling for the phosphor.

[0034] After the phosphor 112 converts the blue light into yellow light, the yellow light propagates back to the color wheel 110 along path 132. The color wheel 110 filters the yellow light to produce another color with the first color segment 111A or the second color segment 111B. In one example, the first color segment 111A produces red light, and the second color segment 111B produces green light. The red or green light then propagates along path 134, passes through the quarter wave plate 108 and the lens array 106 for a second time, and passes through the beam splitter 104. The quarter wave plate 108 rotates the polarization of the light, and the lens array 106 homogenizes the light. The beam splitter 104 is configured to transmit red light and green light. Therefore, the color wheel 110 produces red light or green light by filtering the yellow light from the phosphor 112 with the appropriate segment of the color wheel 110.

[0035] For blue light, the blue light from the laser 102 propagates along path 128, passes through the lens array 106 and the quarter wave plate 108, and reaches the reflective segment (e.g., segment 111C) of the color wheel 110. The reflective segment 111C is configured to reflect blue light. The blue light is reflected by the reflective segment 111C and propagates along path 134. Therefore, when the orientation of the color wheel 110 causes the light along path 128 to reach the reflective segment 111C, the light does not reach the phosphor 112. After the blue light is reflected by the reflective segment 111C, the blue light passes through the quarter wave plate 108 again and is rotated 90 degrees again. At this point, the blue light has rotated a total of 180 degrees. The blue light then passes through the lens array 106, which further homogenizes the light. The beam splitter 104 receives the blue light and transmits the blue light at this time, rather than reflecting the blue light, even if the light has the same wavelength in both cases. The beam splitter 104 has different characteristics for S-polarized light and P-polarized light. The 180 degree polarization of the blue light passing through the quarter wave plate 108 allows the blue light propagating along the path 134 to be transmitted by the beam splitter 104. Thus, the red light, green light, and blue light propagate along the path 134 to the rest of the projection system 100.

[0036] After the red, green, or blue light passes through the beam splitter 104, the reflector 116 reflects the light toward the path 136. The light propagates along the path 136 to the illumination optics 118. In one example, the illumination optics 118 uses a single illumination lens. Because this example projection system 100 is non-telecentric, a single lens can be used for the illumination optics 118, and no prism is used. Therefore, in one example, the illumination optics 118 and the projection optics 124 are non-telecentric optical paths. Other components in the projection system 100 can also be described as residing in non-telecentric optical paths. After the light passes through the illumination optics 118, the light propagates along the path 138 to the actuator 120 and the SLM 122. The light is received at the actuator 120. The light proceeds along the path 144 to the SLM 122. The SLM 122 guides the light back to the actuator 120 along the path 146. The light then proceeds from the actuator 120 to the projection optics 124 along path 140. The actuator 120 can improve the resolution of the projector by laterally shifting the light passing through it. In one example, the actuator 120 can perform extended pixel resolution (XPR) actuation. In other examples, the actuator 120 may not be present. The SLM 122 can be a DMD, an LCoS device, an FLCoS device, an LCD, or any other SLM. The SLM 122 modulates the intensity of the light projected on the display by manipulating the pixels of the light forming an image.

[0037] The actuator 120 directs the light along a path 140 toward the projection optics 124. In the examples herein, the projection optics 124 may include any number of lenses. The projection optics 124 directs the light along a path 142 toward the projection surface ( Figure 1 1 and 12). The projection system 100 includes non-telecentric prismless optics. In one example, the illumination optics 118 and the projection optics 124 are non-telecentric optical paths. Non-telecentric optics allow the examples herein to use fewer illumination lenses and projection lenses than other systems. In these examples, the non-telecentric optics do not use prisms, which reduces the cost and size of the system. Non-telecentric optics can use a smaller light cone than LED systems, which produces a higher light collection rate and allows slower F / # optics (which can provide higher contrast) and a smaller projection lens. In some examples, the exit pupil of the illumination should match the entrance pupil of the projection in size and position. Non-telecentric optics can have a limited pupil distance, and light can be aimed toward the pupil, producing a smaller beam and making a smaller lens feasible. Compared to telecentric optics, a smaller light cone reduces the angle of incidence on the optics, which can improve aberration control and result in fewer optical elements in the system.

[0038] The beam splitter 104 transmits certain wavelengths of light and reflects certain wavelengths of light, and thus handles all colors of light in the system with one component. In combination with the quarter wave plate 108 and the reflective segment 111C of the color wheel 110, blue light can be nearly 100% efficient along the blue path. Static phosphors can be simple and inexpensive to implement.

[0039] In one example, blue light from laser 102 is the first light, and yellow or white light generated by phosphor 112 is the second light. Red light and green light generated by color wheel 110 are the third light and the fourth light, respectively.

[0040] Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C Components of a projection system according to various examples herein. Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C Shown is how a projection system such as projection system 100 produces each color (red, green, and blue). Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C The components shown in the above reference Figure 1 Description is made and like numerals refer to like components.

[0041] Figure 2AA system 200 is shown for producing red light from projection system 100. System 200 includes laser 102, beam splitter 104 (e.g., dichroic mirror / polarizer), lens array 106, quarter wave plate 108, color wheel 110, phosphor 112, collimator 114, and phosphor 112. Any number of collimators may be present, and two (114A and 114B) are shown in this example. Color wheel 110 includes first color segment 111A, second color segment 111B, and reflective segment 111C. Paths 128, 130, 132, and 134 are arranged in a plurality of paths. Figure 2A Shown in.

[0042] In system 200, blue light from laser 102 is reflected by beam splitter 104 along path 128 toward lens array 106. The blue light having a first polarization passes through lens array 106, which homogenizes the light, and then passes through quarter wave plate 108, which rotates the polarization of the light by 90°. For colors other than blue, the polarization is rotated by quarter wave plate 108, but the polarization of the light does not affect operation. Red or green light is transmitted by beam splitter 104 based on their respective wavelengths, so all polarizations of these colors will be transmitted. Blue light passes through beam splitter 104 only after being rotated twice by quarter wave plate 108; the blue light in path 126 is reflected by beam splitter 104. In this example, the blue light passes through first color segment 111A of color wheel 110 after being reflected by beam splitter 104. In this example, first color segment 111A is a red segment. The blue light propagates through collimator 114 along path 130 to phosphor 112. In this example, phosphor 112 is a yellow phosphor. Phosphor 112 converts the blue light into yellow light and provides the yellow light to color wheel 110 along path 132. The yellow light from phosphor 112 is filtered by first color segment 111A to produce red light, and the red light travels along path 134. The red light passes through quarter wave plate 108, lens array 106, and beam splitter 104 toward other components of projection system 100 ( Figure 2A not shown).

[0043] Figure 2B A system 230 is shown for producing green light from projection system 100. System 230 includes laser 102, beam splitter 104 (e.g., dichroic mirror / polarizer), lens array 106, quarter wave plate 108, color wheel 110, phosphor 112, collimator 114, and phosphor 112. Any number of collimators may be present, and two (114A and 114B) are shown in this example. Color wheel 110 includes first color segment 111A, second color segment 111B, and reflective segment 111C. Paths 128, 130, 132, and 134 are arranged in a manner similar to those of FIG. 1 . Figure 2B Shown in.

[0044] In system 230, blue light from laser 102 from path 126 is reflected by beam splitter 104 toward lens array 106 along path 128. The blue light passes through lens array 106, which homogenizes the light, and then passes through quarter wave plate 108, which rotates the polarization of the light by 90°. The blue light passes through second color segment 111B of color wheel 110. The blue light propagates along path 130 through collimator 114 to phosphor 112. In this example, phosphor 112 is a yellow phosphor. Phosphor 112 converts the blue light into yellow light and provides the yellow light to color wheel 110 along path 132. The yellow light from phosphor 112 is filtered by green segment 111B to produce green light, and the green light propagates along path 134. The green light passes through quarter wave plate 108, lens array 106, and beam splitter 104 toward other components of projection system 100 ( Figure 2B not shown).

[0045] Figure 2C A system 260 is shown for producing blue light from projection system 100. System 260 includes laser 102, beam splitter 104 (e.g., dichroic mirror / polarizer), lens array 106, quarter wave plate 108, color wheel 110, phosphor 112, collimator 114, and phosphor 112. Any number of collimators may be present, and two (114A and 114B) are shown in this example. Color wheel 110 includes first color segment 111A, second color segment 111B, and reflective segment 111C. Paths 128 and 134 are arranged in a plurality of paths. Figure 2C Shown in.

[0046] In system 260, blue light from laser 102 is reflected by beam splitter 104 along path 128 toward lens array 106. The blue light passes through lens array 106, which homogenizes the light, and then passes through quarter wave plate 108, which rotates the polarization of the light by 90 degrees. The blue light is then reflected by reflective segment 111C of color wheel 110. The blue light passes through quarter wave plate 108 again, which rotates the polarization of the light another 90 degrees. The blue light is now polarized 180° compared to the blue light directly from laser 102, and the polarized blue light will pass through beam splitter 104 along path 134 toward other components of projection system 100 ( Figure 2C not shown).

[0047] Figure 3 300 according to various examples herein. Many components of the projection system 300 are described above with reference to Figure 11 and 12. The projection system 300 is described in detail, and like numbers refer to like components. The projection system 300 includes a laser 102, a beam splitter 104 (e.g., a dichroic mirror / polarizer), a quarter wave plate 108, a color wheel 110, a phosphor 112, and a collimator 114. There may be any number of collimators, and two (114A and 114B) are shown in this example. In this example, the color wheel 110 includes a first color segment 111A, a second color segment 111B, and a reflective segment 111C. The segments 111A, 111B, and 111C may be of any suitable size and may be of different sizes. The projection system 300 also includes a reflector 116, an illumination optical device 118, an actuator 120, an SLM 122, and a projection optical device 124. In the examples herein, the illumination optical device 118 and the projection optical device 124 may each include any number of lenses. Projection system 300 includes various light paths or optical paths, such as paths 126, 136, 138, 140, 142, 304, 306, 308, and 310. Projection system 300 also includes light tunnel 302, which may be referred to herein as a homogenizing element. Figure 3 In the embodiment, the components in the projection system 300 are not shown to scale, and may have other configurations in other examples. In other examples, some components may not exist, and in other examples, components not shown herein may exist.

[0048] Projection system 300 is an example projection system that has a light tunnel 302 instead of a lens array 106 to homogenize the light. The operation of projection system 300 is similar to the operation of projection system 100 described above. In projection system 300, beam splitter 104 is positioned to receive laser light from laser 102 along path 126, which can be a blue laser. In this example, quarter wave plate 108 is located between beam splitter 104 and color wheel 110 along optical paths 304 and 310. In this example, collimator 114 is located between color wheel 110 and light tunnel 302 in optical paths 306 and 308. Phosphor 112 is located at the end of light tunnel 302, which can be a tapered light tunnel. Light tunnel 302 can be made of a glass plate, or can be a solid glass rod or tunnel. In other examples, light tunnel 302 can be plastic. In one example, phosphor 112 can be located inside light tunnel 302. The phosphor 112 inside the light tunnel 302 may provide better coupling efficiency than the phosphor 112 outside the light tunnel 302. In other examples, the light tunnel 302 may be a reflective hollow tunnel, a solid rod, a compound parabolic concentrator / collector (CPC), or a curved reflector. The reflector 116 is positioned to receive light transmitted through the beam splitter 104 and reflect the light toward the illumination optics 118. The light is then received at the actuator 120 and the SLM 122. The SLM 122 projects the image to be displayed through the projection optics 124. In other examples, the angles and positioning of components such as the beam splitter 104, the reflector 116, and the SLM 122 may be different from those of the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 Different than shown.

[0049] Projection system 300 includes components configured to provide blue laser light to yellow phosphor 112 to produce yellow light. Color wheel 110 produces red or green light from the yellow light produced by phosphor 112. Color wheel 110 reflects blue light. Mirror 116 and illumination optics 118 provide red, green, or blue light to SLM 122. SLM 122 produces an image and provides the image to projection optics 124 for projection onto a screen or display.

[0050] The variations described above with reference to projection system 100 may also be used in projection system 300. For example, segments 111A, 111B, and 111C in color wheel 110 may be of any size. Color wheel 110 may have multiple segments for each color. As an example, each segment 111A, 111B, and 111C may be divided into two discrete segments of color wheel 110 (e.g., color wheel 110 may have six segments, two for red, two for green, and two for reflection).

[0051] Some examples herein may have a white phosphor instead of a yellow phosphor. For a white phosphor, the color wheel 110 has a first color segment 111A, a second color segment 111B, and a third color segment 111C ( Figure 3 1 ). The color wheel 110 receives white light from the white phosphor and filters the white light using appropriate segments of the color wheel 110 to produce red, green, or blue light (or other suitable colors).

[0052] In some examples, the reflective segment 111C of the color wheel 110 can have a diffuser mounted thereon. The diffuser spreads the laser light and creates a more uniform and homogenized light to illuminate the SLM 122.

[0053] Figure 4 The projection system 400 according to various examples of this document. The projection system 400 is the above reference Figure 1 A three-dimensional depiction of projection system 100 is shown in FIG. 4 . Many components of projection system 400 are described above with reference to FIG. Figure 1 104, and like numbers refer to like components. Projection system 400 includes laser 102, beam splitter 104, lens array 106, quarter wave plate 108, color wheel 110, phosphor 112 and collimator 114. There may be any number of collimators, and two (114A and 114B) are shown in this example. Projection system 400 also includes reflector 116, illumination optics 118, actuator 120, SLM122 and projection optics 124. In this example, projection system 400 also includes aperture 402 between beam splitter 104 and lens array 106. Aperture 402 shields any stray light leaving lens array 106. In one example, lens array 106 may be a fly's eye array.

[0054] The projection system 400 operates similarly to the projection system 100 described above. Figure 4 An example configuration of components of projection system 400 is shown. In one example, this configuration allows the components to be placed within a 50 mm x 50 mm x 50 mm space. This size allows the projection system to be incorporated into a small package, or embedded into another product, such as a cell phone or laptop computer. In one example, SLM 122 can be a 0.23" (0.23 inch) DMD. In one example, a bottom-illuminated DMD is useful, but other configurations can have corner-illuminated DMDs. In other examples, the location, size, or orientation of components such as laser 102, beamsplitter 104, color wheel 110, mirror 116, illumination optics 118, actuator 120, SLM 122, or projection optics 124 can be different from those of FIG. Figure 4 The configuration shown is different.

[0055] Projection system 400 has a yellow phosphor 112, but a white phosphor may be used in other examples. The segments of color wheel 110 may be configured as described above with respect to different types of phosphors. In some examples, a phosphor wheel may be useful.

[0056] Figure 5 The projection system 500 according to various examples of this document. The projection system 500 is the above reference Figure 3 3D depiction of projection system 300. Many of the components of projection system 500 are described above with reference to Figure 3 104, and like numbers refer to like components. Projection system 500 includes laser 102, beam splitter 104, quarter wave plate 108, color wheel 110, phosphor 112, collimator 114, and light tunnel 302. Any number of collimators may be present, and two (114A and 114B) are shown in this example. Projection system 400 also includes reflector 116, illumination optics 118, actuator 120, SLM 122, and projection optics 124. In this example, projection system 500 also includes aperture 502 between beam splitter 104 and quarter wave plate 108. Aperture 502 blocks stray light leaving beam splitter 104.

[0057] Projection system 500 operates similarly to projection system 300 described above. Figure 5 An example configuration of components of projection system 500 is shown. In one example, this configuration allows the components to be placed in a 50 mm x 50 mm x 50 mm space. In one example, SLM 122 can be a 0.23" DMD. In one example, a bottom illuminated DMD is useful, but other configurations can have corner illuminated DMDs. In other examples, the location, size, or orientation of components such as laser 102, beam splitter 104, color wheel 110, mirror 116, illumination optics 118, actuator 120, SLM 122, or projection optics 124 can be different. Figure 5 The configuration shown is different. Projection system 500 has a yellow phosphor 112, but a white phosphor may be useful in other examples. The segments of color wheel 110 may be configured as described above with respect to different types of phosphors.

[0058] Figure 6 6 is a color wheel and phosphor wheel system 600 according to various examples herein. System 600 includes a color wheel 610, a phosphor wheel 602, and a motor 604. Phosphor wheel 602 includes a continuous yellow segment 606. System 600 also includes collimators 114A and 114B located between color wheel 610 and phosphor wheel 602. In some examples, color wheel 610 can be similar to color wheel 110.

[0059] In system 600, color wheel 610 and phosphor wheel 602 share a single motor 604. Therefore, in this example, color wheel 610 and phosphor wheel 602 can rotate together. Single motor 604 can reduce size, weight and cost compared to separate motors for color wheel 610 and phosphor wheel 602. Single motor also ensures wheel synchronization between color wheel 610 and phosphor wheel 602, so no additional synchronization is performed in one example. Phosphor wheel 602 rotates with color wheel 610 because they share a single motor. Due to the rotational motion, rotating phosphor wheel 602 as color wheel 610 rotates also provides cooling of the phosphor. In this example, the phosphor on phosphor wheel 602 is a continuous ring on phosphor wheel 602. Incident light from other components in a projection system (such as projection system 100) is focused on the continuous ring of phosphor wheel 602, where the incident light is converted into yellow light. In other examples, the phosphor on phosphor wheel 602 may have a different configuration, such as a discontinuous ring.

[0060] Figure 7 Components of a projection system 700 according to various examples herein are shown. Many of the components in the projection system 700 are described above with reference to Figure 1 1 and 1 . The projection system 700 includes a laser 102, a beam splitter 104, a lens array 106, a quarter wave plate 108, a color wheel 110, a phosphor 112, and a collimator 114. Any number of collimators may be present, and two (114A and 114B) are shown in this example. The projection system 100 includes paths 126, 706, 708, 710, and 712. In this example, the projection system 700 also includes a condenser lens 702 between the color wheel 110 and the collimator 114. The projection system 700 includes a collimator 704 between the quarter wave plate 108 and the color wheel 110. In one example, the lens array 106 may be a fly's eye array. In this example, the phosphor 112 may be a static phosphor or a phosphor wheel.

[0061] The projection system 700 operates similarly to the projection system 100 described above. Light propagates along the paths shown in the projection system 700 (e.g., paths 126, 706, 708, 710, and 712). However, in this example, the condenser lens 702 produces an image of the phosphor spot on the color wheel 110. The condenser lens 702 receives the divergent light from the phosphor 112 and produces a converging beam that converges onto the color wheel 110. Therefore, the condenser lens 702 reduces the spot size on the color wheel 110, which allows a smaller color wheel 110 while maintaining a useful spoke size. In some examples, a smaller color wheel 110 can reduce cost. The spokes refer to the color segment transition period on the light beam when the color wheel 110 rotates. In some examples, the SLM 122 is turned off during these color segment transitions, otherwise the projection system may produce overlapping colors (e.g., such as red plus green), which reduces the color performance of the projection system. Light from phosphor 112 and condenser lens 702 is focused to an image plane at color wheel 110 and then diverges. Collimator 704 receives the diverging light from color wheel 110 and directs the light toward lens array 106. Collimator 704 narrows the light beam to help focus the light onto lens array 106.

[0062] In other examples, phosphor 112 may be located within light tunnel 302 ( Figure 7 The condenser lens 702 generates an output image of the light tunnel 302 on the image plane where the color wheel 110 is located.

[0063] Figure 8 8 is a block diagram of a system 800 for controlling the optical projection system described above. The system 800 includes a processor 802, a first controller 804, a second controller 806, an illumination source 808, an illumination optics 810, a projection optics 812, a digital video input (DVI) 814, and an SLM 122.

[0064] In operation, the processor 802 is a microprocessor, a mixed signal processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), or other processor that executes instructions that cause the processor 802 to output a digital video signal for display. Various sources can provide digital video signals at the DVI 814, such as an Internet browser, a file stored in a video card, a flash memory card, a universal serial bus (USB) drive, a solid-state drive (SSD), a camera, a personal computer, a game console, a smart phone, a camcorder, etc. The processor 802 is coupled to a second controller 806. The second controller 806 can be a digital SLM controller integrated circuit (IC), which is a digital video processing integrated circuit. In this example, the first controller 804 controls the intensity and power of the illumination source 808. In one example, the illumination source 808 can be a laser 102. The second controller 806 provides digital data to the SLM 122 for modulating the illumination light that reaches the reflective surface of the SLM 122. The first controller 804 provides power and analog signals to the SLM 122. Light from an illumination source 808 is provided to an illumination optics 810 (e.g., illumination optics 118). The colored light strikes the surface of the SLM 122. As described above, reflected modulated light for projection leaves the surface of the SLM 122 and propagates into projection optics 812, which in one example is projection optics 124. Thus, ICs such as the first controller 804 and the second controller 806 operate with the SLM 122 and the optical components to project an image.

[0065] In other examples, there may be only one controller, or there may be more than two controllers in the system 800. As one example, one controller may control the illumination source 808 and the SLM 122. In another example, one controller may control the illumination source 808, and two controllers may control the SLM 122.

[0066] Fig. 9 900 is a flowchart of a method 900 for projecting an image according to various examples herein. The steps of method 900 may be performed in any suitable order. In some examples, the above reference Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 8 The described hardware components can perform the method 900. In some examples, any suitable hardware, software, or digital logic can perform the method 900. In one example, the method 900 describes how blue light is generated and transmitted toward a SLM.

[0067] Method 900 begins at 910 , where one or more lasers 102 generate a first color light. In one example, the first color light can be blue light. The first color light from laser 102 is directed toward beam splitter 104 .

[0068] The method 900 continues at 920, where the beam splitter 104 reflects the first color light. The beam splitter 104 can be a dichroic mirror that is configured to reflect the first color light, but transmit light of other wavelengths. The beam splitter 104 can also be a polarizer that transmits certain polarizations of the first color light. As described above, in one example, the beam splitter 104 reflects blue light from the laser 102, and then transmits the blue light after the blue light is polarized by the quarter wave plate 108. The beam splitter 104 is also configured to transmit all other wavelengths of light, such as red light or green light as described above.

[0069] Method 900 continues at 930, where the first color light reflected by beam splitter 104 is transmitted through lens array 106 and quarter wave plate 108. In one example, lens array 106 can be a fly's eye array. Lens array 106 is configured to homogenize the first color light. Quarter wave plate 108 rotates the polarization of the first color light by 90 degrees. In another example, a light tunnel (such as light tunnel 302) homogenizes the light, and lens array 106 is not present.

[0070] Method 900 continues at 940 where the first color light is reflected by a reflective segment of color wheel 110. Color wheel 110 may have multiple segments as described herein to produce different colors, and in some examples may have multiple reflective segments. The segments may be of any size and orientation.

[0071] The method 900 continues at 950 where the reflected first color light is transmitted through the quarter wave plate 108 to rotate the polarization of the first color light another 90 degrees. Compared to the light generated by the laser 102, the first color light is now rotated 180 degrees.

[0072] Method 900 continues at 960 where the polarized first color light is again transmitted through lens array 106. Lens array 106 may again homogenize the first color light.

[0073] Method 900 continues at 970 where the polarized first color light is transmitted through beam splitter 104. Beam splitter 104 is configured to reflect the first color light from laser 102 but to transmit the first color light after it has been polarization rotated twice by quarter wave plate 108.

[0074] Method 900 continues at 980 where the first color light is directed toward an SLM, such as SLM 122. The first color light may be transmitted or reflected via various mirrors, lenses, or illumination optics between beam splitter 104 and SLM 122. After the first color light reaches SLM 122, SLM 122 may direct the light toward various projection optics for image projection. In this example, there is no prism, which reduces the cost and size of the projection system.

[0075] Fig.10 1 is a flow chart of a method 1000 for projecting an image according to various examples herein. The steps of method 1000 may be performed in any suitable order. In some examples, the above reference Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 8 The described hardware components can perform method 1000. In some examples, any suitable hardware, software, or digital logic can perform method 1000. In one example, method 1000 describes how a second color light is generated and projected toward the SLM. The second color light can be red light, green light, or light of another color. Using the steps of method 1000, by using appropriate segments of a color wheel as described below, any other color of light can also be generated and projected.

[0076] Method 1000 begins at 1010, where one or more lasers 102 generate a first color light. The first color light from laser 102 is directed toward beam splitter 104. In one example, the first color light can be blue light.

[0077] Method 1000 continues at 1020, where beam splitter 104 reflects the first color light. Beam splitter 104 may be a dichroic mirror configured to reflect the first color light but transmit light of other wavelengths. Beam splitter 104 may also be a polarizer that transmits certain polarizations of the first color light.

[0078] Method 1000 continues at 1030, where the first color light reflected by beam splitter 104 is transmitted through lens array 106 and quarter wave plate 108. In one example, lens array 106 can be a fly's eye array. Lens array 106 is configured to homogenize the first color light. Quarter wave plate 108 rotates the polarization of the first color light by 90 degrees.

[0079] Method 1000 continues at 1040 where the first color light is transmitted through a second color segment of the color wheel 110. After passing through the second color segment of the color wheel 110, the light may pass through a collimator 114. The second color may be red, green, or any other color.

[0080] The method 1000 continues at 1050 where the light excites the yellow phosphor 112 to produce yellow light. In other examples, the phosphor 112 may be a white phosphor that produces white light. The yellow light produced by the yellow phosphor 112 is transmitted back toward the color wheel 110.

[0081] Method 1000 continues at 1060 where the yellow light from yellow phosphor 112 is transmitted through a second color segment of color wheel 110 to produce second color light. After passing through color wheel 110, the second color light passes through quarter wave plate 108 and lens array 106 a second time.

[0082] The method 1000 continues at 1070 where the second color light is transmitted through the beam splitter 104. The beam splitter 104 is configured to transmit light at the wavelength of the second color light.

[0083] Method 1000 continues at 1080 where the second color light is directed toward an SLM, such as SLM 122. The second color light may be transmitted or reflected via various mirrors, lenses, or illumination optics between beam splitter 104 and SLM 122. After the second color light reaches SLM 122, SLM 122 may direct the light toward various projection optics for image projection.

[0084] Fig.11 1 is a flow chart of a method 1100 for projecting an image according to various examples herein. The steps of method 1100 may be performed in any suitable order. In some examples, the above reference Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 8 The described hardware components can perform method 1100. In some examples, any suitable hardware, software, or digital logic can perform method 1100. Method 1100 describes how a second color light is generated and projected toward an SLM in one example having a light tunnel 302 containing a phosphor 112. The second color light can be red light, green light, or light of another color. Using the steps of method 1100, any other color of light can also be generated and projected by using appropriate segments of a color wheel as described below.

[0085] The method 1100 begins at 1110, where one or more lasers 102 generate a first color light. The first color light from the laser 102 is directed toward a beam splitter 104. In one example, the first color light can be blue light.

[0086] Method 1100 continues at 1120, where beam splitter 104 reflects the first color light. Beam splitter 104 may be a dichroic mirror configured to reflect the first color light but transmit light of other wavelengths. Beam splitter 104 may also be a polarizer that transmits certain polarizations of the first color light.

[0087] Method 1100 continues at 1130, where the first color light reflected by beam splitter 104 is transmitted through quarter wave plate 108. Quarter wave plate 108 rotates the polarization of the first color light by 90 degrees. In some examples, aperture 502 can reside between beam splitter 104 and quarter wave plate 108. Aperture 502 blocks any stray light that exits beam splitter 104.

[0088] The method 1100 continues at 1140 where the first color light is transmitted through the second color segment of the color wheel 110. After passing through the second color segment of the color wheel 110, the light may pass through the collimator 114 and enter the light tunnel 302.

[0089] The method 1100 continues at 1150, where the light excites the yellow phosphor 112 in the light tunnel 302 to produce yellow light. The light tunnel 302 can be any suitable type of light tunnel as described above and is configured to homogenize the light. In other examples, the phosphor 112 can be a white phosphor that produces white light. The yellow light produced by the yellow phosphor 112 is transmitted back toward the color wheel 110.

[0090] The method 1100 continues at 1160 where the yellow light from the yellow phosphor 112 is transmitted through the second color segment of the color wheel 110 to produce a second color light. The second color light passes through the quarter wave plate 108 and the aperture 502 after passing through the color wheel 110.

[0091] The method 1100 continues at 1170 where the second color light is transmitted through the beam splitter 104. The beam splitter 104 is configured to transmit light at the wavelength of the second color light.

[0092] Method 1100 continues at 1180 where the second color light is directed toward an SLM, such as SLM 122. The second color light may be transmitted or reflected via various mirrors, lenses, or illumination optics between beam splitter 104 and SLM 122. After the second color light reaches SLM 122, SLM 122 may direct the light toward various projection optics for image projection.

[0093] In the examples herein, a projector architecture including a laser phosphor and non-telecentric optics is described. Non-telecentric optics eliminate the need for prisms and certain expensive projection optics, which reduces the cost of the system. In some examples, the laser phosphor system can produce 500-1,000 lumens, providing greater brightness than the LED architecture. In one example, a dual-channel lens array 106 homogenizes the light, and a quarter-wave plate 108 rotates the polarization of the blue light from the laser 102. The laser 102 provides blue light, and the phosphor produces white or yellow light, which is converted to red or green light by the color wheel 110. The red, green, and blue light are provided to the SLM 122 and then projected through the projection optics 124 to produce an image. In another example, a light tunnel 302 optically coupled to the phosphor 112 homogenizes the light instead of using a lens array 106. The examples herein may include a static phosphor or a moving phosphor wheel. The examples may have a yellow or white phosphor.

[0094] Examples herein provide compact projection systems with high brightness at reduced cost. In some examples, common lasers, color wheels, and projection optics may be useful. The lack of prisms and fewer projection lenses reduces the cost and complexity of the systems described herein. By using the same optics, but using more or fewer lasers, scalable brightness can be obtained. Some examples have higher contrast capabilities due to slower F / # optics.

[0095] In this specification, the term "coupled" may encompass connections, communications, or signal paths that achieve a functional relationship consistent with this description. For example, if device A generates a signal to control device B to perform an action: then (a) in a first example, device A is coupled to device B via a direct connection, or (b) in a second example, if the intermediate component C does not change the functional relationship between device A and device B, then device A is coupled to device B via the intermediate component C, so that device B is controlled by device A via the control signal generated by device A.

[0096] A device "configured to" perform a task or function may be configured (e.g., programmed and / or hardwired) by a manufacturer at the time of manufacture to perform the function, and / or may be configurable (or reconfigurable) by a user after manufacture to perform the function and / or other additional or alternative functions. The configuration may be programmable through the device's firmware and / or software, through the construction and / or layout of the device's hardware components and interconnections, or a combination thereof.

[0097] In this specification, unless otherwise stated, "about," "approximately," or "substantially" preceding a parameter means within + / - 10% of the parameter. Modifications are possible in the described examples, and other examples are possible within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A system comprising: a beam splitter configured to reflect first light having a first wavelength and a first polarization, transmit light having the first wavelength and a second polarization, transmit light having a second wavelength, and transmit light having a third wavelength; a quarter wave plate optically coupled to the beam splitter; a color wheel optically coupled to the quarter wave plate, the color wheel having a first filter segment, a second filter segment, and a third filter segment; and A phosphor is optically coupled to the color wheel, the phosphor configured to generate a second light in response to receiving the first light, and the color wheel is configured to receive the second light and generate light having the second wavelength or the third wavelength.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a spatial light modulator optically coupled to the color wheel; as well as One or more projection lenses are optically coupled to the spatial light modulator.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: A homogenizing element is optically coupled to the beam splitter.

4. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: A collimator is optically coupled between the color wheel and the phosphor.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first filter segment is configured to transmit a first color, the second filter segment is configured to transmit a second color, and the third filter segment is a reflective segment. The system of claim 1 , wherein the phosphor is a yellow phosphor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the phosphor is a static phosphor.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the phosphor is a phosphor wheel, and wherein the color wheel and the phosphor wheel share a common motor.

9. The system of claim 3, wherein the homogenizing element is a light tunnel.

10. The system of claim 3, wherein the uniformizing element is a fly's eye array.

11. A system comprising: Spectrum splitter; a color wheel optically coupled to the beam splitter, the color wheel having a first filter segment, a second filter segment, and a third filter segment; a homogenizing element optically coupled to the color wheel; a phosphor optically coupled to the homogenizing element; a quarter wave plate optically coupled between the beam splitter and the color wheel; as well as A spatial light modulator is optically coupled to the beam splitter.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first filter segment is configured to transmit a first color, the second filter segment is configured to transmit a second color, and the third filter segment is a reflective segment.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the beam splitter, the color wheel, and the phosphor are in a non-telecentric optical path.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the phosphor is a static phosphor or a phosphor wheel.

15. The system of claim 11, further comprising: A condenser lens is optically coupled to the phosphor and the color wheel, the condenser lens being configured to focus light onto the color wheel.

16. A system comprising: a beam splitter configured to receive first light having a first color and to reflect the first light to produce reflected first light; a homogenizing element optically coupled to the beam splitter and configured to homogenize the reflected first light to produce a first homogenized light; a color wheel optically coupled to the uniformizing element, the color wheel having a first filter segment configured to reflect the first light and a second filter segment configured to transmit the first light; as well as a phosphor optically coupled to the color wheel, the phosphor configured to generate second light in response to receiving the first light, the second light having a second color, wherein the second filter segment of the color wheel is configured to filter the second light to generate third light having a third color, and the beam splitter is configured to transmit the third light having the third color.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising: A light emitting device is configured to generate the first light having the first color.

18. The system of claim 16, further comprising: A third filter segment on the color wheel is configured to filter the second light to produce fourth light having a fourth color.

19. The system of claim 16, further comprising: A spatial light modulator is optically coupled to the phosphor, the spatial light modulator being configured to modulate the first light or the third light to produce an image.

20. The system of claim 16, further comprising: A quarter wave plate is optically coupled between the beam splitter and the color wheel and is configured to rotate polarization of the first light and the third light.

Images