Multicolor synthetic optical imaging system

Abstract

This invention provides a multicolor composite optical imaging system, relating to the technical field of projection imaging devices. The multicolor composite optical imaging system includes a laser light source, a spatial light modulator, a color combining element, and a projection lens; the laser light source, spatial light modulator, color combining element, and projection lens are arranged sequentially along the direction of light propagation; there are multiple laser light sources and spatial light modulators, each corresponding to the other, with each laser light source transmitting light to the color combining element through its corresponding spatial light modulator. This achieves the technical effect of conveniently expanding the multicolor scheme of the projection system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of projection imaging equipment technology, and more specifically, to a multicolor composite optical imaging system. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of laser projection display, traditional color combining and separation technologies are generally based on the spectral characteristics of dichroic optical elements (dichroic mirrors). The basic principle is to utilize the selective transmission or reflection of specific wavelengths of light by dichroic mirrors to combine red, green, and blue primary color lasers, or to separate composite light. A typical three-color (red, green, blue) system works as follows: the system is usually equipped with lasers that emit red, green, and blue primary color lasers respectively. Dichroic mirror A is designed to reflect red light while transmitting green and blue light. When a red light beam strikes its surface at a specific angle of incidence, it is reflected in the same direction, while the mixed green and blue light beam passes through the mirror. Dichroic mirror B is designed to reflect blue light while transmitting green light. The blue light beam is reflected by B and merges with the green light beam that has passed through mirror A, and further combines with the red light beam reflected from mirror A. Through the filtering and guidance of the above two (or more) dichroic mirrors, three beams of light of different colors are combined into a complete beam of colored light, which is finally guided to the light modulator (such as DMD or LCD).

[0003] Existing technologies employ a "color-combining before imaging" architecture. Multi-color beams are combined into a single beam using color-combining devices (such as prisms or beam splitters), then projected onto a color wheel and onto a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device). The color wheel's rotation selects the light, and the DMD displays the corresponding color image for the specified time period. After the individual color images are projected onto a screen, the persistence of vision combines them into a complete image. However, existing technologies face significant challenges in multi-color expansion, making it difficult to develop multi-color schemes and limiting their ability to optimize color rendering, color richness, and power allocation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a multicolor composite optical imaging system to alleviate the technical problem that existing projection systems are unable to expand multicolor schemes.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a multicolor synthesis optical imaging system, including a laser light source, a spatial light modulator, a color combining element, and a projection lens; The laser light source, the spatial light modulator, the color combining element, and the projection lens are arranged sequentially along the direction of light propagation. There are multiple laser light sources and spatial light modulators, and they correspond one-to-one. Each laser light source is transmitted to the color mixing component through its corresponding spatial light modulator.

[0006] In conjunction with the first aspect, the present invention provides a possible implementation of the first aspect, wherein the above-mentioned multicolor composite optical imaging system further includes a spatial light modulator controller, wherein the spatial light modulator controller individually controls each of the spatial light modulators to adjust the optical power.

[0007] In conjunction with the first aspect, the present invention provides one possible implementation of the first aspect, wherein the number of the aforementioned laser light sources is not less than three.

[0008] In conjunction with the first aspect, the present invention provides a possible implementation of the first aspect, wherein the laser light source includes a red laser source, a green laser source, a blue laser source and a yellow laser source, and the red laser source, the green laser source, the blue laser source and the yellow laser source are all transmitted to the color combining element through their respective spatial light modulators.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, the present invention provides a possible implementation of the first aspect, wherein the color combining component adopts a color combining optical waveguide, and the optical paths of the plurality of spatial light modulators are connected to the color combining optical waveguide.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, the present invention provides a possible implementation of the first aspect, wherein the number of the above-mentioned color-combining waveguides is multiple, and the multiple color-combining waveguides include a first color-combining waveguide and multiple second color-combining waveguides; The light rays output from the multiple second color combining waveguides are output to the projection lens through the first color combining waveguide; Each of the second color-combining waveguides is connected to a plurality of the spatial light modulators.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, the present invention provides a possible implementation of the first aspect, wherein the above-mentioned color-combining waveguide is provided with multiple coatings along the light propagation direction, the coatings being used to transmit or reflect light of a specified wavelength.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, the present invention provides a possible implementation of the first aspect, wherein the lengths of the transmitted or reflected wavelengths of the multiple coatings arranged in the above-described order are arranged sequentially.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, the present invention provides one possible implementation of the first aspect, wherein the aforementioned color-combining waveguide includes a plurality of prisms bonded together with each other.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, the present invention provides one possible implementation of the first aspect, wherein the aforementioned color-combining waveguide is cuboid.

[0015] Beneficial effects: This invention provides a multicolor composite optical imaging system, including a laser light source, a spatial light modulator, a color combining element, and a projection lens; the laser light source, spatial light modulator, color combining element, and projection lens are arranged sequentially along the direction of light propagation; there are multiple laser light sources and spatial light modulators, and they correspond one-to-one, with each laser light source transmitting light to the color combining element through its corresponding spatial light modulator.

[0016] Specifically, multiple laser sources emit laser beams of different colors, which then illuminate their respective spatial light modulators, forming an image. After passing through the spatial light modulators, these beams illuminate a color combining component. The multiple laser images of different colors, based on their wavelengths, illuminate different positions on the color combining component, which then merges these images into a full-color image. This full-color image is then projected outward through a projection lens. By first imaging the laser beams and then performing color combining, this setup allows for multi-color scalability and integration, enhancing color combining capabilities to multiple colors. Adding new color channels does not require optical path reconstruction, and the independent color channels increase multi-color light power, improving image quality. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the principle of the multicolor composite optical imaging system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] icon: 100 - Laser source; 110 - Red laser source; 120 - Green laser source; 130 - Blue laser source; 140 - Yellow laser source; 200 - Spatial light modulator; 210 - Spatial light modulator controller; 300 - Color-matched parts; 310 - First coating; 320 - Second coating; 330 - Third coating; 400-Projection lens. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0022] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0023] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0024] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0025] See Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides a multicolor composite optical imaging system, including a laser light source 100, a spatial light modulator 200, a color combining element 300, and a projection lens 400; the laser light source 100, the spatial light modulator 200, the color combining element 300, and the projection lens 400 are arranged sequentially along the direction of light propagation; there are multiple laser light sources 100 and spatial light modulators 200, and they correspond one-to-one, with each laser light source 100 transmitting light to the color combining element 300 through its corresponding spatial light modulator 200.

[0026] Specifically, multiple laser light sources 100 emit laser beams of different colors, which then illuminate their respective spatial light modulators 200, forming an image. After passing through the spatial light modulators 200, the laser beams illuminate a color combining element 300. The multiple laser images of different colors, based on their wavelengths, illuminate different positions on the color combining element 300, which then merges these images into a full-color image. This full-color image is then projected outward through a projection lens 400. By first imaging the laser beams and then performing color combining, this setup allows for multi-color scalability and integration, enhancing color combining capabilities to multiple colors. Adding new color channels does not require optical path reconstruction, and the independent color channels increase multi-color light power, improving image quality.

[0027] It should be noted that the spatial light modulator 200 can be a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device), or, as those skilled in the art may choose according to their actual needs.

[0028] It should also be noted that the multicolor composite optical imaging system provided in this embodiment can be used for multi-graphic splicing of projections. That is, the entire image is divided into multiple small graphic blocks, and each graphic block is processed by "first imaging and then color merging". Then, multiple graphic blocks are spliced ​​together for projection. Through this process, the imaging quality and resolution are improved.

[0029] See Figure 1 As shown, in the optional scheme of this embodiment, the number of laser light sources 100 is not less than three.

[0030] The laser source 100 includes a red laser source 110, a green laser source 120, a blue laser source 130, and a yellow laser source 140. The red laser source 110, green laser source 120, blue laser source 130, and yellow laser source 140 are all transmitted to the color combining component 300 through their respective spatial light modulators 200.

[0031] See Figure 1 As shown, in the optional scheme of this embodiment, the color combining component 300 adopts a color combining optical waveguide, and the optical paths of multiple spatial light modulators 200 are connected to the color combining optical waveguide.

[0032] The color-combining waveguide has multiple coatings along the direction of light propagation, which are used to transmit or reflect light of a specified wavelength.

[0033] Among them, the wavelengths of the multiple coatings arranged in sequence for transmission or reflection are arranged in order of length.

[0034] Specifically, laser beams of different colors are imaged after passing through corresponding spatial light modulators 200. These images then illuminate a color-combining waveguide. For example, the color-combining waveguide has a first coating 310, a second coating 320, and a third coating 330 arranged sequentially from left to right. A red laser image illuminates the first coating 310 from the leftmost side of the waveguide, allowing the red laser to pass through. Then, a yellow laser image illuminates the first coating 310, which reflects the yellow laser. Other color laser channels... This causes the red laser to follow the yellow laser along the color-combining waveguide; then the green laser image illuminates the second coating 320, which reflects the green laser and other color laser channels, thus causing the red and yellow lasers to follow the green laser along the color-combining waveguide; then the blue laser image illuminates the third coating 330, which reflects the blue laser and other color laser channels, thus causing the red, yellow, and green lasers to follow the blue laser along the color-combining waveguide, and finally projected to the outside by the projection lens 400.

[0035] It should be noted that the color-combining waveguide comprises multiple prisms bonded together. Furthermore, the color-combining waveguide is rectangular. This arrangement simplifies the optical path and effectively reduces the system's size. Moreover, the rectangular shape of the color-combining waveguide further simplifies the optical path, reduces the size, minimizes mirror reflection and transmission, and lowers costs.

[0036] See Figure 1 As shown, in the optional embodiment, the multicolor composite optical imaging system further includes a spatial light modulator controller 210, which individually controls each spatial light modulator 200 to adjust the optical power.

[0037] Specifically, the multicolor composite optical imaging system provided in this embodiment is equipped with multiple independent color channels, so that each spatial light modulator 200 can be adjusted individually, that is, the light power of the specified color laser can be adjusted to improve the imaging quality.

[0038] Furthermore, the multicolor composite optical imaging system provided in this embodiment uses only one color-combining waveguide to refract and reflect light, and does not have the multiple prism reflector lamp structure found in existing technologies. Therefore, it can reduce light scattering and imaging light loss, thereby further improving imaging quality. It also solves the limitations and problems of power distribution in existing technologies.

[0039] In the optional embodiment, there are multiple color-combining waveguides, including a first color-combining waveguide and multiple second color-combining waveguides; the light output from the multiple second color-combining waveguides is output to the projection lens 400 through the first color-combining waveguide; each second color-combining waveguide is correspondingly connected to multiple spatial light modulators 200.

[0040] Specifically, when the system has multiple laser light sources 100, for example, 10 laser light sources 100, these multiple laser light sources 100 illuminate the corresponding spatial light modulators 200. Then, the multiple laser images are grouped and illuminated onto multiple second color-combining waveguides. The laser images output from the multiple second color-combining waveguides then illuminate the first color-combining waveguide, where the final color combination is performed. This setup overcomes the limitation of existing technologies that only support RGB colors, enabling multi-color scalable integration. The color combination capability is improved from RGB to multiple colors, supporting the addition of new color channels without reconstructing the optical path; only the addition of laser light sources 100, corresponding spatial light modulators 200, and coatings on the color-combining waveguides is required.

[0041] It should be noted that the different colored laser images are distributed in order of laser color wavelength, from large to small, or from small to large, to ensure that all laser images can be combined through the second color combining waveguide and the first color combining waveguide.

[0042] It should also be noted that the multicolor composite optical imaging system provided in this embodiment improves color rendering and significantly enhances color tolerance by using independent DMD imaging and color combining waveguide design, without relying on the phenomenon of human eye shadowing, which greatly alleviates the problem of poor color detail in the prior art.

[0043] It should also be noted that the multicolor synthesis optical imaging system provided in this embodiment has a regular structural design, is easy to integrate, significantly improves system stability, and is compatible with various application scenarios of multicolor fusion / separation, such as distributed projection system deployment.

[0044] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multicolor composite optical imaging system, characterized in that, include: Laser light source (100), spatial light modulator (200), color combiner (300) and projection lens (400); The laser light source (100), the spatial light modulator (200), the color combining element (300), and the projection lens (400) are arranged sequentially along the direction of light propagation; The number of laser light sources (100) and spatial light modulators (200) are both multiple and correspond one-to-one. Each laser light source (100) is transmitted to the color mixing component (300) through its corresponding spatial light modulator (200).

2. The multicolor composite optical imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a spatial light modulator controller (210), which individually controls each of the spatial light modulators (200) to adjust the optical power.

3. The multicolor composite optical imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of laser light sources (100) is not less than three.

4. The multicolor composite optical imaging system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The laser source (100) includes a red laser source (110), a green laser source (120), a blue laser source (130), and a yellow laser source (140). The red laser source (110), the green laser source (120), the blue laser source (130), and the yellow laser source (140) are all transmitted to the color combining component (300) through their respective spatial light modulators (200).

5. The multicolor composite optical imaging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The color combining component (300) employs a color combining optical waveguide, and the optical paths of the plurality of spatial light modulators (200) are connected to the color combining optical waveguide.

6. The multicolor composite optical imaging system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The number of color-combining waveguides is multiple, and the multiple color-combining waveguides include a first color-combining waveguide and multiple second color-combining waveguides; The light rays output from the multiple second color combining waveguides are output to the projection lens (400) through the first color combining waveguide. Each of the second color-combining waveguides is correspondingly connected to a plurality of the spatial light modulators (200).

7. The multicolor composite optical imaging system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The color-combining waveguide has multiple coatings along the light propagation direction, and the coatings are used to transmit or reflect light of a specified wavelength.

8. The multicolor composite optical imaging system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The multiple layers of the coating are arranged in sequence according to the length of the transmitted or reflected wavelengths.

9. The multicolor composite optical imaging system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The color-combining waveguide includes multiple prisms glued together.

10. The multicolor composite optical imaging system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The color-combining waveguide is rectangular.

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