Angular Light Modulator for 3D Display Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D display technologies require doubling the Degrees of Freedom (DOF) to project two images for each eye, which limits the information bandwidth and resolution, and existing methods for angular and spatial light modulation are not efficient in projecting images in different angular directions.
Innovation Solution
The use of an angular light modulator (ALM) with actuatable elements, such as digital micromirror devices, grating light valves, or reflection-type LCOS phase modulators, to project images at different angles by diffracting light into specific diffraction orders, allowing for increased angular and spatial modulation of light beams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional Spatial Light Modulators are used to project images, then spatial resolution is achieved through pixel density, but the Degrees of Freedom are limited and information bandwidth is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional 2D spatial modulation to 4D modulation by adding angular dimensions. The spatial light modulator modulates both spatial position and angular direction of light beams, creating a four-dimensional data cube with two spatial dimensions and two angular dimensions. This dimensional expansion increases information bandwidth without requiring proportional increases in pixel density.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two images are projected for 3D display using conventional methods, then the 3D effect is achieved, but the Degrees of Freedom must be doubled which limits information bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent encodes multiple images (including 3D stereoscopic pairs) along angular dimensions rather than requiring separate spatial channels. By modulating beam angles in addition to spatial positions, the system can project multiple images through the same spatial aperture, achieving 3D capability without doubling the spatial Degrees of Freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The spatial light modulator is configured to perform multiple functions simultaneously: spatial positioning, angular steering, and multiplexing of multiple images. A single SLM device handles both spatial and angular modulation, making the system universal for 2D and 3D display applications without requiring separate dedicated components for each function.
3Loss of information
If angular light modulation is added to spatial light modulation, then information bandwidth and resolution are increased, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines spatial light modulation and angular light modulation into a single integrated spatial light modulator system. The SLM simultaneously controls both the spatial position and angular direction of light beams through coordinated activation of its pixel array, merging two modulation functions into one unified device rather than requiring separate cascaded modulators.
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
This approach enables the projection of images in multiple angular directions, increasing the information bandwidth and resolution, and allows for more efficient 3D image creation without the need for doubling the DOF, thereby enhancing the display capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
an angular light modulator (ALM) with actuatable elements, such as digital micromirror devices, grating light valves, or reflection-type LCOS phase modulators, to project images at different angles by diffracting light into specific diffraction orders
Data Source
AI summary
A light projection system including a light source and a light controller to generate modulatable beams of light and an angular light modulator (ALM) positioned to selectively direct the light from each beam. The light controller can be a spatial light modulator or a processor programmed to control light output. The angular light modulator may be a digital micromirror device (DMD). The ALM may be configured to direct the images into diffraction orders or using scanning the images. A LIDAR system to detect a position of an object including a first source of a two-dimensional array of beams of light and ALM to project light into a selected one of a plurality of directions. An illumination system, comprising a first angular-spatial light modulator (ASLM) and a second ASLM system configured such a first beam and a second beam of light intersect.