Active Mask Projector Diffracted Light Animation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projectors lack the ability to accurately control and animate lighting effects, often requiring expensive and large video projectors that produce undesirably bright and diffuse light, leading to video black issues and insufficient sparkle or specular quality for applications like theme parks and entertainment settings.
Innovation Solution
A projector system utilizing an active mask with addressable pixels or optical shutter elements, controlled by a controller to selectively project diffracted light from a light source, such as lasers, allowing for programmable patterns and animation by altering the set of pixels over time, using a diffraction assembly with rotating disks and additional diffraction materials to create desired lighting effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If video projectors are used to provide bright lighting effects, then illumination intensity is improved, but device size and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the projection system into three functional modules: a light source module (laser), a diffraction module (holographic element), and a shutter module (LCD panel). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, achieving high brightness through laser concentration while keeping the overall device compact and cost-effective compared to traditional video projectors.
2Area of stationary object
If video projectors are used to illuminate large surfaces, then area coverage is improved, but light quality becomes diffuse and loses sparkle
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by using a holographic diffraction element to create concentrated specular highlights and sparkle effects at specific locations on the projection surface. The LCD shutter module selectively blocks or transmits light at individual pixel levels, maintaining sharp, punchy light quality even when projecting across large areas, unlike video projectors that produce uniformly diffuse illumination.
3Adaptability or versatility
If video projectors are used to create lighting effects, then versatility is improved, but precision control of light patterns is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements dynamics through the LCD shutter module, which can dynamically and precisely control which pixels transmit or block light on a frame-by-frame basis. This allows for exact positioning and shaping of light patterns while maintaining versatility through programmable control, enabling both static patterns and animated sequences with precise spatial and temporal control.
4Adaptability or versatility
If rotating diffraction gratings are used to create random lighting displays, then visual interest is improved, but control precision over light patterns is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses the LCD shutter module as an intermediary between the rotating diffraction grating and the projection surface. The shutter precisely controls which diffracted light paths are allowed to reach the screen, enabling accurate placement and shaping of light patterns even as the grating rotates, thus maintaining precision control while achieving pattern variety.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise control and animation of lighting effects with high-quality, punchy, and specular light, providing a compact and cost-effective solution for creating sparkling, cosmic, or magical lighting displays without the limitations of traditional video projectors.
Implementation Method 1
a diffraction assembly in the path of the light source to generate diffracted light from the light provided by the light source
Data Source
AI summary
A projector for projecting diffracted light in a selectable pattern and/or animation on a display surface. The apparatus includes a light source providing one or more beams of coherent light from one or more lasers. The apparatus includes a diffraction assembly in the path of the light source to generate diffracted light by diffracting the laser light with one, two, or more diffraction grating patterns and, optionally, with a diffraction glass or other material. An active mask is provided with a raster that receives the diffracted light and that includes a plurality of optical shutter elements that are selectively operable to project a portion of the diffracted light from the active mask toward the display surface. In one example, the active mask includes a liquid crystal display panel to provide a grid of addressable programmable pixels that are turned on and off to project portions of the diffracted light.