Adjustable lens aperture element in a projection lens - Patents.com

Abstract

By configuring the lens aperture element in the projector, the image contrast of the projected image on the screen may be adjusted. The projector may be set in a theater to emit a projection light that represents the projected image on the screen. The projected image may be projected onto the theater screen such that the light level of the projection light is at a target light level. The lens aperture element in a projection lens of the projector may be configured to change the image contrast of the projected image. In response to insertion of the lens aperture element, settings of light emitting elements in the projector may be adjusted such that the light level of the projected light is at the target light level.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to theater projectors, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to projection lenses for theater projectors.

[0002] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 222,752, filed July 16, 2021, entitled “Adjustable Lens Aperture Element in a Projection Lens,” which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0003] Laser projection systems with laser light sources are increasingly used in movie theaters to achieve improved display quality and brighter light levels. Theater screens for displaying projected images may vary in size, and therefore may require different lumens to achieve a target light level and image contrast of the projected image on the screen. For example, a projector may have a certain lumen capacity for projecting light onto a large screen. If the projector is used to project light onto a small screen, the light level may be too high and the projected image may be too bright.

[0004] Light levels may be adjusted by removing, adding, and reconfiguring lens elements in the projection lens of a projector. However, a significant inventory of lens elements may be required to accommodate different target light levels for different screens, which may increase costs. Reconfiguring lens elements in a theater environment may be difficult or time consuming.

[0005] The amount of light required to illuminate a cinema screen can be significant. Cinema lens design seeks to select glass types and coatings with low thermal absorption so that image clarity is not degraded by thermal effects, including thermal lenses. Additionally, the aperture of the entire cinema lens, including the pupil, can be designed to absorb only light that might otherwise degrade image quality. With cinema lenses designed with fixed apertures, etc., care must be taken to ensure that this absorption does not result in thermal effects that could degrade image quality, cause permanent lens degradation, or raise concerns of hardware failure. Fixed aperture designs can be difficult to modify to address changing theater conditions, etc. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a theater environment according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0007] [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a projector according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0008] [Diagram 3] 3 is a side view of a projection lens in a projector such as the projector shown in FIG. 2 according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0009] [Figure 4] 13 is a flowchart of a process for determining a modification of a lens aperture element in a projector according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0010] [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart of a process for determining an aperture setting of a lens aperture element in a projector according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0011] [Figure 6]4 is a flowchart of a process for setting a projector to emit projection light such that the projection light reflecting from a screen has a target light level according to an example of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Certain aspects, features, and examples of the present disclosure relate to modifying the image contrast of a projected image on a screen by changing or configuring a lens aperture element in a projector, such as a projector used in a commercial movie theater with high light output power levels. Configuring a lens aperture element in a projector may include installing a lens aperture element or reconfiguring an existing lens aperture element to modify the performance of the existing lens aperture element. The projector may be a laser projector that may project light including the projected image toward a theater screen. The projected light may reflect from the screen at a predetermined light level. The projector may include a projection lens comprising a plurality of lens elements. One of the plurality of lens elements may be a lens aperture element with an aperture that may be configured in the field such that the lens aperture element has a different aperture size or shape. The projection lens may have a lens aperture element that is replaceable with another lens aperture element with a different size aperture, or a lens aperture element whose aperture size can be adjusted. Additionally or alternatively, the projection lens may be configured with a lens aperture element with an adjustable aperture. The size of the aperture may be changed to reduce the amount of projection light passing through the projection lens. Rather than placing a lens element in any part of the light path in the illumination system or in the projector, the lens aperture element may be inserted into the projection lens at a location that is the pupil or any conjugate plane to the pupil. By configuring the aperture size of the lens aperture element placed at the pupil, the light level of the projection light reflected from the screen may be evenly reduced without adversely affecting the image contrast of the projected image on the screen. This may be achieved by controlling the angular range of the projection light passing through the projection lens. For example, modifying or adjusting the aperture size of an appropriately placed lens aperture element allows the f-number of the projection light passing through the projection lens to be changed. In some examples, changing the lens aperture element placed at the pupil may improve the image contrast of the projected image on the screen.The examples provided refer to an adjustable lens aperture, and the term adjustment also refers to adjustment made by replacing a lens element with another lens element having a different aperture size or shape, adjustment made by mechanical means to change the aperture size or shape, or mechanical means having a control device, or adjustment made by replacing internal parts of a lens element to achieve a different aperture size or shape.

[0013] The lens aperture element may have an aperture with a particular size and shape. The particular size and shape may correspond to a particular reduction in light level due to light loss. The size and shape of the aperture may be fixed or variable and may be designed to optimize the increase in contrast of the projector for a given light loss. In some examples, adjusting the lens aperture element to change the light level may include removing a first lens aperture element with a first aperture causing a first light loss from the projection lens and replacing it with a second lens aperture element with an aperture of a different size and shape causing a second light loss different from the first light loss. Alternatively, the lens aperture element may have an aperture setting that allows the size, position, or shape of the aperture to be adjusted.

[0014] The lens aperture element may be adjusted in conjunction with adjusting the light power of the light emitting element in the projector so that the light level of the reflected light meets the target light level. For example, during the theater design stage, the system may determine a setting for the projector to emit a projection light that reflects light from the screen at a target light level. This setting may be based on various theater specifications such as theater size, screen size, screen reflectance, distance between the projector and the screen, variable aperture size of the lens aperture element that may be inserted into the projector, etc. The projector setting may include an aperture setting to adjust the aperture shape or size of the lens aperture element. The projector setting may include an optical power setting of the light emitting element in the projector. For example, the light emitting element may be capable of emitting a projection light at 50,000 lumens and the target light level of the reflected light may require only 30,000 lumens. The system may determine that the projector setting includes a light emitting element that emits a projection light at 40,000 lumens and a lens aperture element with an aperture of a predetermined size that is inserted into the projection lens. Light emitting element power may be reduced from a capacity of 40,000 lumens to meet a target light level of 30,000 lumens. The increased capacity of light emitting element power over time may then be used to overcome light losses due to various theater conditions.

[0015] In some examples, the projector may include a light controller that measures the light level of the projected light reflected by the screen and determines adjustments to the aperture lens elements and light emitting elements so that the projector can emit light that reflects from the screen at a target light level. The light emitting elements may be solid-state light sources, which may include lasers and light emitting diodes ("LEDs"). The projector may include illumination optics to direct light from the light emitting elements to illuminate an image modulator, which may be based on DLP, LCOS, or LCD technology. The projector may include imaging optics to direct light from the image modulator to form an image on the screen. The target light level may include a target brightness and a target color. By adjusting the aperture setting of the lens aperture elements, the brightness of the projected light may be adjusted so that the projected light can be reflected at a target brightness.

[0016] In some examples, the projector may be configured to project light onto a screen in a two-dimensional ("2D") mode. The projector may be configured to project light onto a screen in a three-dimensional ("3D") mode. The target brightness may differ between the modes, and the aperture settings may be adjusted accordingly. For example, the projector may require higher brightness when displaying a 3D projected image on a screen than a 2D image.

[0017] In some examples, the lens aperture elements may be coated black to avoid back reflection and scattering of the projected light that may degrade the optical integrity of the lens elements. In one example, the coating on the lens aperture elements is rated at 10 W / cm 2 It may be possible for the device to withstand constant RGB laser illumination of up to 1000 dpi.

[0018] Because the lens aperture elements can be easily and quickly adjusted or replaced in the projection lens, further adjustments to the lens aperture elements may be made to fine-tune the light levels after the projector is installed in the theater environment. Although the projector settings of the light emitting elements and lens aperture elements may be predetermined, the conditions of the theater environment may require further adjustments. For example, the screen, lenses, and other theater components may degrade over time, reducing the light levels of the reflected light. The light controller may determine adjustments to the light emitting elements and lens aperture elements to account for the loss of reflected light.

[0019] In some examples, the lens aperture element may be adjusted without the use of a specialized tool. The lens aperture element may be adjusted in a theater environment, which may not be a clean room environment, and may be performed by a theater technician. The adjustment of the lens aperture element may be performed quickly after removing the projection lens from the projector. In one example, the adjustment may be completed in less than five minutes. In some examples, the aperture setting may be adjusted continuously while the projector is projecting light onto the screen, without removing the lens aperture element from the projection lens.

[0020] Determining the adjustment of the lens aperture elements to emit at a target light level for a particular theater environment may depend on a variety of factors, such as screen characteristics. This may include the type, width, height, curvature, and tilt of the screen in the theater environment. Additionally, the screen may be designed to preferentially direct light to a seating deck within the auditorium. The bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of such a screen may be modeled and used to determine the resulting luminance at any location within the auditorium.

[0021] Other considerations for determining adjustments to the lens aperture element may include the location of the projector relative to the screen, the focal length of the projection lens, the distortion characteristics of the lens, and the tilt and lens offset of the projector used to direct light to the screen. Additionally, a projection mode, such as 2D or 3D mode, may be required along with a target brightness for these two projection modes to determine the adjustments to the lens aperture element. In some examples, the adjustment determination may be based on the degradation of components in the theater environment. A detailed model of the degradation mechanisms may be used to determine the appropriate aperture to be used over time. All of the above may be used to predict, at the time the theater is designed, the aperture needed to optimize contrast while maintaining the target light level. Additionally, designers may use this information at design time to adjust other parameters of the theater design to improve overall system performance.

[0022] The decision to make adjustments to the aperture settings of the aperture lens elements may be based on meeting light requirements for a projected image on a screen. For example, the aperture settings may be adjusted so that the projected image has a desired image quality or image contrast. In some examples, a calibration method may be used to calibrate the aperture settings for a particular theater environment. Also, the aperture settings may be adjusted to reduce light levels so as not to exceed a predefined safe operating light level.

[0023] These examples are provided to introduce the reader to the general subject matter discussed herein and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed concepts. The following section describes various additional features and examples with reference to the drawings, in which like numbers refer to like elements, but as examples should not be used to limit the disclosure.

[0024] 1 is a side view of a theater environment 100 according to an example of the present disclosure. The theater environment 100 may include a projector 102, a screen 104, and seats 106a-106f. The projector 102 may emit projection light 108 to display an image on the screen 104. Audience members may sit in the seats 106a-106f to view the image on the screen 104. The seats 106a-106f may be arranged in a tiered configuration within the theater environment 100, although in some examples, the seats 106a-106f may be arranged in a different configuration.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a projector 102 according to an example of the present disclosure. The components of FIG. 2 are described below with reference to the components described above in connection with FIG. 1. The projector 102 may include light emitting elements 202, a projection lens 204, an image modulation device 205, and a light controller 206. The light controller 206 may control the light emitting elements 202 to emit projection light 108 that may pass through the image modulation device 205. The image modulation device 205 may be controlled by the light controller 206 to modulate the projection light 108 to generate a projection image 203 that may pass through the projection lens 204 and arrive on the screen 104. The projection lens 204 may include a lens aperture element 208 that may be adjustable to adjust the light level of the projection light 108 reflecting from the screen 104. An example of an adjustment of the lens aperture element 208 may include adjusting an aperture size of the lens aperture element 208. Another example of the adjustment may include replacing the lens aperture element 208 with a different lens aperture element. 2, the lens aperture element 208 may include an aperture setting 210 that may be adjusted to change the aperture of the lens aperture element 208. Examples of the aperture setting 210 may include an adjustable iris mechanism or an electronic aperture mask. The light controller 206 may also control the light emitting elements 202 and the image modulation device 205 to adjust the light level of the reflected projection light 108.

[0026] The light controller 206 may include a light meter 212, which may be communicatively coupled to a memory 216. The memory 216 may be communicatively coupled to the processor 218. The light meter 212 may measure the light level of the projected light 108 reflected from the screen 104 and transmit to the memory 216. The memory 216 may include a target light level 220. The target light level 220 may be predetermined or calculated by the processor 218. The projector 102 may adjust the lens aperture element 208, the image modulation device 205, and the light emitting elements 202 to project light at the target light level 220 and desired image contrast for the projected image 203 on the screen 104.

[0027] In some examples, the light emitting elements 202 may include an RGB laser (not shown) for emitting the projection light 108. The target light level 220 may include a target brightness and a target color. The target brightness and color of the reflected projection light 108 may vary depending on the theater environment, and the aperture setting 210 may be adjusted to adjust the projection light 108 emitted from the RGB laser such that the reflected projection light 108 has the target brightness and target color.

[0028] Processor 218 may include a single processor or multiple processors. Non-limiting examples of processor 218 include field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), microprocessors, etc. Processor 218 may perform operations by executing instructions stored in memory 216. The instructions may include processor-specific instructions generated by a compiler or interpreter from code written in any suitable computer programming language, such as C, C++, C#, etc.

[0029] The memory 216 may include a single memory or multiple memories. The memory 216 may be non-volatile and may include any type of memory that retains stored information when powered off. Non-limiting examples of the memory 216 include Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), flash memory, or any other type of non-volatile memory. At least some of the memory 216 may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium from which the processor 218 can read instructions. The computer-readable medium may include electronic, optical, magnetic, or other storage devices that can provide computer-readable instructions or other program code to the processor 218. Non-limiting examples of the computer-readable medium include magnetic disk(s), memory chip(s), ROM, random access memory (RAM), ASIC, configuration processor, optical storage, or any other medium from which a computer processor can read instructions.

[0030] In some examples, the light controller 206 may use a processor 218, which may execute instructions to perform operations. For example, the projector 102 may emit a projection light 108 that may be reflected from the screen 104 at a first light level. The light controller 206 may measure the first light level using a light meter 212. The light controller 206 may determine a difference between the first light level and a target light level 220. The light controller 206 may determine adjustments to the lens aperture element 208 and the light emitting element 202 based on the difference between the light levels. In some examples, the light controller 206 may determine adjustments to the lens aperture element 208 and the light emitting elements 202 based on factors that affect the reflected light level, such as screen characteristics, the aspect ratio of the projected image 203, optical degradation of the lens aperture element 208, dimming of the projection light source within the projector 102, dimming received by the projection lens 204, dimming due to screen degradation, color stability of the projector 102, or brightness stability of the projector 102. After the lens aperture element 208 is adjusted, the projector 102 may emit a reflected projection light 108 at a target light level 220.

[0031] In some examples, the light controller 206 may record the measurements taken by the light meter 212. The light controller 206 may transmit the measurements off-site, such as to a service center or a centralized cloud storage location. A theater technician at the service center may monitor trends in the measurements to determine adjustments to the lens aperture element 208.

[0032] 3 is a side view of a projection lens 204 in a projector, such as the projector 102 shown in FIG. 2, according to an example of the present disclosure. The projection lens 204 includes lens elements 302a-b. The projection lens 204 may include fewer lens elements or additional lens elements than the number of lens elements 302 shown. In some examples, the projection lens 204 may include between 10 and 15 lens elements 302. An image modulation device 205, such as a DMD array illuminated by an RGB laser assembly (not shown), may emit projection light 108 that may pass through the lens elements 302a-b from the projection lens 204 to be projected onto the screen 104.

[0033] The lens aperture element 208 may be located between the lens elements 302a-b at a location known as the pupil. The pupil may be a location within the projection lens 204 where the angle that light rays make at the pupil determines where the projection light 108 emitted by the projector 102 strikes the screen 104. The location of the pupil may depend on the number, type, and placement of the lens elements 302a-b. Placing the lens aperture element 208 at the pupil may improve the image contrast of the projected image 203 without degrading the image quality of the projected image 203 by uniformly removing the large angle light rays 304a-b from the image modulation device 205 to reduce the light level. The image contrast may depend on the light level and the noise light level. The noise light level may include noise due to non-zero off-state light from the image modulation device 205 within the projector 102, bulk scattering from the lens elements 302a-b, surface scattering from the lens elements 302a-b, and reflections from the lens elements 302a-b due to limitations of anti-reflective coatings. The lens aperture element 208 may block large angle light rays from the image modulation device 205, which may result in a lower noise light level than the light level of the projection light 108 and improved image contrast.

[0034] In some examples, the optical element 306 may be disposed in the path of the projected light 108. The projected light 108 may pass through the optical element 306 after being projected through the projection lens 204. The optical element 306 may be disposed in the path of the projected light 108. For example, the optical element 306 may be disposed between the projection lens 204 and the screen 104. In some examples, the optical element 306 may be a linear polarizer or a circular polarizer. Examples of linear polarizers or circular polarizers may include a 3D encoder that may encode the projected light 108. The optical element 306 may be disposed in the path of the projected light 108 reflected by the screen 104, such as optical elements associated with 3D glasses that may be worn by a viewer of the projected image on the screen 104.

[0035] 4 is a flow chart of a process for determining a change in lens aperture element 208 in projector 102 according to an example of this disclosure. Other examples may include more steps, fewer steps, different steps, or a different order of steps than shown in FIG 4. The steps of FIG 4 are described below with reference to the components previously described in connection with FIG 2.

[0036] In block 402, the light controller 206 in the projector 102 determines the difference between the target light brightness and the measured brightness of the projected light 108. As shown in FIG. 3, in some examples, the projected light 108 may be projected light reflecting off the screen 104. In other examples, the projected light 108 may come directly from the projection lens 204 towards the screen 104. In further examples, the projected light 108 may be light incident on the screen 104. The measured brightness of the projected light 108 may be a measurement of light coming directly from the projection lens 204 towards the screen 104, a measurement of light incident on the screen 104, a measurement of light reflected from the screen 104, or a combination thereof. The measured brightness may be measured by a light meter 212 in the light controller 206. In some examples, the measured brightness of the projected light 108 may be measured via the optical element 306.

[0037] In block 404, the light controller 206 determines the difference between the target color and the measured color. The measured color may be measured by the light meter 212. In some examples where the light emitting elements 202 of the projector 102 are an RGB laser assembly, the target color may include the target color of the reflected projected light emitted from the red, green, and blue lasers.

[0038] In block 406, the light controller 206 uses the model to determine changes to the lens aperture elements 208 and light emitting elements 202 of the projector 102 based on the luminance and color differences. The model may determine changes to the lens aperture elements 208 and light emitting elements 202 that allow the projected light 108 reflecting from the screen 104 to have a target luminance and a target color. In some examples, it may be difficult to configure the projector 102 such that the projected light 108 reflecting from the screen 104 reaches both the target luminance and the target color. Thus, the model may determine changes to the lens aperture elements that allow the projected light 108 to have a luminance and color closer to the target luminance and the target color, respectively, than the measured luminance and the measured color. In some examples, the model may be included in the memory 216 of the light controller 206. Alternatively, the model may be included in the memory of an external computing device of the projector 102. The light controller 206 may transmit the luminance and color differences to the external computing device. The external computing device may determine changes to the lens aperture elements 208.

[0039] 5 is a flow chart of a process for determining an aperture setting 210 for a lens aperture element 208 in a projector 102 according to an example of this disclosure. Other examples may include more steps, fewer steps, different steps, or a different order of steps than shown in FIG 5. The steps of FIG 5 are described below with reference to the steps described above in connection with FIG 4.

[0040] In block 502, the projector 102 is configured for 2D mode by emitting a projected light 108 onto the screen 104. The projected light 108 may include a projected image 203. The projected light 108 that reflects from the screen 104 may have a predetermined light level.

[0041] At block 504, the light controller 206 in the projector 102 measures the color and brightness of a given light level using a light meter 212. In some examples, the light meter 212 may include a light meter for measuring the brightness of the projected light 108 reflecting off of the screen 104. In some examples where the projector 102 includes an RGB laser assembly, the measured color may include measurements of the red, green, and blue colors emitted by the lasers in the projector 102. The light meter 212 may include a colorimeter for measuring the color of the projected light 108 reflecting off of the screen 104.

[0042] In block 506, the light controller 206 allows for degradation of the system and determines whether the target color and target brightness have been achieved. The light controller 206 can determine whether the target color and target brightness have been achieved by comparing the measured color to the target color and comparing the measured brightness to the target brightness. If the target color and target brightness have not been achieved, the process proceeds to block 502, where the projector 102 is reconfigured to emit the projected light 108 to have a different color and a different brightness after reflection from the screen 104 that is closer to the target color and target brightness. If the target color and target brightness have been achieved, the process proceeds to block 508.

[0043] In block 508, the projector 102 is configured for 3D mode by emitting the projection light 108 onto the screen 104. For example, the projection light 108 for the 3D mode may include left-eye and right-eye images. Viewers in the theater environment 100 may wear glasses to assist in viewing the left-eye and right-eye images. The target brightness and target color for the 3D mode may not be the same as the target brightness and target color for the 2D mode. For example, the projection light 108 reflected from the screen 104 including the left-eye and right-eye images in the 3D mode may have a lower brightness than the projection light in the 2D mode. The target colors of the left-eye and right-eye images in the projection light 108 reflected from the screen 104 for the 3D mode may be different compared to the target colors of the projection light 108 for the 2D mode.

[0044] In block 510 , the light controller 206 uses the light meter 212 to measure the color and brightness of the projected light 108 reflected from the screen 104 .

[0045] In block 512, the light controller 206 allows for degradation of the system and determines whether the target color and target brightness have been achieved. The light controller 206 can determine whether the target color and target brightness have been achieved by comparing the measured color to the target color and comparing the measured brightness to the target brightness. If the target color and target brightness have not been achieved, the process proceeds to block 508, where the projector 102 is reconfigured to emit the projected light 108 to have a different color and a different brightness after reflection from the screen 104 that is closer to the target color and target brightness. If the target color and target brightness have been achieved, the process proceeds to block 514.

[0046] At block 514, the light controller 206 determines a brightness setting for the projector 102 for the 3D mode. In some examples, the brightness setting determination may be based on the difference between the measured brightness and a target brightness for the 3D mode. The brightness setting determination may also be based on other factors in the theater environment 100 that may affect the brightness of the projected light 108, such as the distance between the projector 102 and the screen 104, the BRDF of the screen 104, ambient light, etc. The brightness setting may cause the projector 102 to project light that reflects off the screen 104 at a target brightness.

[0047] In block 516, the light controller 206 determines color correction settings of the projector 102 for the 2D mode and the 3D mode. The color correction settings for the 2D mode may be different from the color correction settings for the 3D mode. In an example where the projector 102 includes an RGB laser assembly, the color correction settings may include color correction settings for the red, green, and blue lasers. In some examples, the determination of the color correction settings for the 2D mode and the 3D mode may be based on the difference between the measured color and the target color for the 2D mode or the 3D mode. The determination of the color correction settings may be based on other factors in the theater environment 100 that may affect the color of the projected light 108, such as laser degradation, screen degradation, the optical integrity of the projection lens 204, etc. The color correction settings may cause the projector 102 to project light that reflects off the screen 104 in the target color.

[0048] In block 518, the light controller 206 determines adjustments to the aperture setting 210 of the lens aperture element 208 for the 2D and 3D modes based on the brightness setting and the color correction setting. For example, if the brightness setting includes reducing the projector's emitted light below a level necessary to maintain that light over time due to degradation, the adjustments may include adjusting the aperture setting 210 to reduce the size of the aperture of the lens aperture element 208. The adjustments to the aperture setting 210 for the 2D mode may be different than the adjustments to the aperture setting 210 for the 3D mode.

[0049] At block 520, the projector 102 outputs the projected light 108 with the adjusted aperture setting 210. If the projector 102 is outputting the projected light 108 in a 2D mode, the projector 102 may use the adjustments to the aperture setting 210 determined for the 2D mode. If the projector 102 is outputting the projected light 108 in a 3D mode, the projector 102 may use the adjustments to the aperture setting 210 determined for the 3D mode. The projected light 108 reflected from the screen 104 may have a target brightness and target color for the 2D mode or the 3D mode.

[0050] Figure 6 is a flow chart of a process for configuring a projector 102 to emit a projection light 108 such that the projection light 108 reflecting from a screen 104 has a target light level according to one example of the present disclosure. Other examples may include more steps, fewer steps, different steps, or a different order of steps than shown in Figure 6. The steps of Figure 6 are described below with reference to the components previously described in connection with Figures 1-3.

[0051] In block 602, a projector 102 in the theater environment 100 is configured by a theater technician to emit projection light 108 representing a projected image 203 onto a screen 104 such that the light level of the projection light 108 reflected by the screen 104 is a target light level 220. The projector settings may be predetermined during the design stage of the theater environment 100. The settings of the projector 102 may include settings for the projection lens 204, the light emitting elements 202 that emit the projection light 108, the image modulation device 205 that generates the projected image 203, and any other settings for configuring the projector 102.

[0052] At block 604, a theater technician configures a lens aperture element 208 in the projection lens 204 of the projector 102. The lens aperture element 208 may be inserted into a location in the projection lens 204 that is the pupil. The lens aperture element 208 may be configured by adjustment and reconfigured while in the projection lens 204. For example, the size or shape of the aperture in the lens aperture element 208 may be adjusted by a mechanical tool. The configured lens aperture element 208 may reduce some of the larger angle rays 304a-304b of the projection light 108, thereby reducing the light level of the projection light 108 reflected by the screen 104.

[0053] At block 606, the theater technician adjusts settings of the light emitting elements 202 in the projector 102 so that the light level of the projected light 108 reflected by the screen 104 is the target light level 220. This setting may include increasing the light output emitted by the light emitting elements 202 to account for the reduction in the projected light 108 reflected by the screen 104 due to a lens aperture element 208 configured to block a portion of the projected light 108.

[0054] Optionally, at block 608, the process may include, by a theater technician, configuring the lens aperture element 208 to maintain the target light level 220. The lens aperture element 208 may be configured when the setting of the light emitting element 202 reaches a maximum light output level. The maximum light output level of the light emitting element 202 may decrease over time. For example, when the light emitting element 202 is new, a lower setting of the light emitting element 202 may be used to reach the target light level 220. However, after a predetermined amount of time, the light emitting element 202 may be increased to a maximum setting to cause the projected light 108 to reach the target light level 220. Thus, when the light emitting element 202 is set to its maximum brightness level, the target light level 220 can be maintained over time by configuring the lens aperture element 208. In one example, the lens aperture element 208 may be configured to block less of the projected light 108. Blocking less of the projection light 108 can reduce image contrast by allowing more of the projection light 108 to be projected by the projection lens 204, allowing the projection light 108 to reach the target light level 220 without increasing the light emitting element settings of the projector 102. This technique can be used to extend the life of the light emitting elements 202. The foregoing description of specific examples, including the illustrated examples, has been presented for purposes of illustration and description only and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications, variations, and uses thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the examples described herein can be combined together to generate further examples.

Claims

1. Setting a projector in a theater to emit the projection light representing a projection image on a screen in the theater so that the light level of the projection light becomes a target light level; Replacing a lens aperture element in a projection lens of the projector in the theater so as to change the image contrast of the projection image; Adjusting the setting of a light emitting element in the projector so that the light level of the projection light becomes the target light level in response to replacing the lens aperture element; A method comprising:

2. Adjusting the setting of the light emitting element to a maximum output with respect to the target light level; Replacing the lens aperture element so as to maintain the target light level; The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the light level of the projection light is a level of the projection light reflected from the screen.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the light level of the projection light is a level of the projection light passing through an optical element outside the projection lens.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising replacing the lens aperture element so as to change the image contrast of the projection image.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the lens aperture element is removable from the projection lens.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the lens aperture element is removable in a theater environment.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein replacing the lens aperture element includes replacing the lens element with an adjustable aperture setting that can be continuously adjusted during projection and the lens aperture element.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the screen has a bidirectional reflectance distribution function that increases the luminance from a position on the screen with respect to at least one seat of the audience in the theater.

10. A first lens aperture element in a first projection lens has a first aperture with a first shape, and a second lens aperture element in a second projection lens has a second aperture with a second shape. The first lens aperture element has a first light loss, and the second lens aperture element has a second light loss. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first light loss is different from the second light loss based on a difference between the first shape and the second shape.

11. In a projector configured to be disposed within a theater, a light emitting element configured to emit the projection light representing a projection image toward a screen within the theater such that a light level of the projection light becomes a target light level; a light controller; and a projection lens including an exchangeable lens aperture element wherein the light controller is configured to determine a difference between the light level and the target light level, determine a change of the light emitting element based on the difference, and determine a change of the lens aperture element based on the difference A projector configured to perform the above.

12. The projector according to claim 11, wherein the light level of the projection light is a level of the projection light reflected from the screen.

13. The projector according to claim 11, wherein the light level of the projection light is a level of the projection light passing through an optical element outside the projection lens.

14. The projector according to claim 11, wherein the lens aperture element is exchangeable to change an image contrast of the projection image.

15. The projector according to claim 11, wherein the lens aperture element is removable from the projection lens.

16. The projector according to claim 11, wherein the lens aperture element is removable in a theater environment.

17. The projector according to claim 11, wherein the exchangeable lens aperture element has an aperture setting that is continuously adjustable during projection.

18. The projector according to claim 11, wherein the screen has a bidirectional reflectance distribution function configured to increase luminance from a position on the screen with respect to at least one seat of the audience in the theater.

19. A step of determining a difference between a light level of projection light within a theater and a target light level, wherein the projection light is emitted by a projector within the theater and represents a projection image; A step of determining an adjustment of an exchangeable lens aperture element of a projection lens within the projector so as to adjust an image contrast of the projection image on the screen based on a difference between the light level and the target light level; Determining an adjustment for a light-emitting element in the projector based on a difference between the light level and the target light level; Outputting the adjustment; A method comprising.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the light level of the projected light is the level of the projected light reflected from the screen.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the light level of the projected light is the level of the projected light passing through an optical element outside the projection lens.

22. The step of determining an adjustment for the lens aperture element includes determining the adjustment of an aperture element that is replaceable so that the projected light reflected by the screen is set to the target light level. The method according to claim 19.

23. The method according to claim 19, wherein the lens aperture element is removable from the projection lens.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the lens aperture element is removable in a theater environment.

25. The method according to claim 19, wherein the replaceable lens aperture element has an aperture setting that can be continuously adjusted during projection.

26. The method according to claim 19, wherein the screen has a bidirectional reflectance distribution function that increases the luminance from a position on the screen with respect to at least one seat of the audience in the theater.

27. The first lens aperture element in the first projection lens has a first aperture with a first shape, and the second lens aperture element in the second projection lens has a second aperture with a second shape. The first lens aperture element has a first light loss, and the second lens aperture element has a second light loss. The method according to claim 19, wherein the first light loss is different from the second light loss based on a difference between the first shape and the second shape.

28. Determining an adjustment for the replaceable lens aperture element includes the size of the screen on which the projected light is displayed, the aspect ratio of the projected image, optical degradation of the replaceable lens aperture element, dimming of the projection light source of the projector, decrease in the amount of light received by the projection lens, dimming due to screen degradation, the color stability of the projector, and the stability of the luminance of the projector Based on a change in the projected light reflected by the screen caused by, the method according to claim 19.

29. The light requirements of the projected image, A calibration method for calibrating the replaceable aperture element, and The predetermined safe operating light level of the projection light The method according to claim 28, further comprising determining an adjustment of the replaceable aperture element based on

30. A light meter configured to measure the light level of projection light representing a projected image in a theater, wherein the projection light is emitted from a projector in the theater, the light meter, A processor, A non-transitory memory including instructions executable by the processor And the instructions cause the processor to Receive a first light level from the light meter, Determine a difference between the first light level and a target light level, Based on the difference between the first light level and the target light level, determine an adjustment to a replaceable lens aperture element of a projection lens in the projector to adjust the image contrast of the projected image on a screen in the theater, and Output the adjustment of the replaceable lens aperture element A light controller that causes

31. The light level of the projection light is the level of the projection light reflected from the screen. The light controller according to claim 30.

32. The light level of the projection light is the level of the projection light passing through an optical element outside the projection lens. The light controller according to claim 30.

33. The instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the processor to determine an adjustment to the replaceable lens aperture element such that the projection light reflected by the screen is set to the target light level. The light controller according to claim 30.

34. The replaceable lens aperture element is removable from the projection lens. The light controller according to claim 30.

35. 0019 The lens aperture element is removable in a theater environment. The light controller according to claim 30.

36. The replaceable lens aperture element has an aperture setting that can be continuously adjusted during projection. The light controller according to claim 30.

37. The light controller according to claim 30, wherein the screen has a bidirectional reflectance distribution function that increases the luminance from a position on the screen with respect to at least one seat of the audience in the theater.

38. The first lens aperture element in the first projection lens has a first aperture with a first shape, and the second lens aperture element in the second projection lens has a second aperture with a second shape. The first lens aperture element has a first light loss, and the second lens aperture element has a second light loss. The light controller according to claim 30, wherein the first light loss is different from the second light loss based on a difference between the first shape and the second shape.

39. The instructions the size of the screen that displays the projection light, the aspect ratio of the projection image, the optical degradation of the replaceable lens aperture element, the dimming of the projection light source of the projector, the reduction in the amount of light received by the projection lens, the dimming due to screen degradation, the color stability of the projector, and the stability of the luminance of the projector The light controller according to claim 30, which is further executable by the processor to cause the processor to determine an adjustment of the replaceable lens aperture element based on a change in the projection light reflected by the screen due to the above.

40. The instructions the light requirements of the projection image, a calibration method for calibrating the replaceable aperture element, and a predetermined safe operating light level of the projection light The light controller according to claim 39, which is further executable by the processor to cause the processor to determine an adjustment of the replaceable aperture element based on the above.

41. A processor, a non-transitory computer-readable memory including instructions executable by the processor and the instructions cause the processor to receive theater specifications, determine a light level for the projector based on the theater specifications, and determine a replaceable lens aperture element in the projection lens of the projector so as to adjust the image contrast of the projection image in the projection light emitted by the projector based on the light level A system that performs.

42. The theater specifications include the size of the screen in the theater, the reflectance of the screen, The maximum light level related to the projector, and the distance between the screen and the projector The system according to claim 41, including the above.

43. The projector generates a target light level of projection light reflected from a theater screen. The system according to claim 41.

44. The system according to claim 41, wherein the command is further executable by the processor to cause the processor to determine settings of light-emitting elements in the projector based on the light level.

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