Beam Combining for Highlight Projection in Movie Theaters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current projection systems, especially those in movie theaters, face challenges in achieving realistic imagery due to low peak brightness, which is exacerbated by the high cost and maintenance requirements of separate highlight projectors needed for 3D and 2D film projections.
Innovation Solution
A projection system that includes a first and second light source, a spatial light modulator, and a beam steering device to selectively add highlights to image data, allowing for increased brightness in both 2D and 3D projections with minimal additional cost and complexity, using dual modulation and polarization techniques to enhance image clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a separate highlight projector is added to increase peak brightness, then the brightness capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the highlight projection function with the main projector by using a single spatial light modulator (SLM) to modulate both the main illumination beam and the highlight illumination beam. The beam combining optics merge these two beams into a single combined beam that illuminates the SLM, eliminating the need for separate highlight projectors and reducing system complexity while maintaining enhanced peak brightness capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The SLM is designed to perform multiple functions: it modulates both the main illumination beam for general image projection and the highlight illumination beam for bright spot enhancement. This multi-functional approach allows a single component to serve dual purposes, reducing the number of components needed and simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Illumination intensity
If a separate highlight projector is added to increase peak brightness, then the brightness capability is improved, but the maintenance cost and time burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the highlight projection functionality into the main projector system, the patent reduces the number of separate components that require maintenance. The single SLM and integrated beam combining optics eliminate the need to maintain separate highlight projectors, alignment mechanisms, and associated components, thereby reducing maintenance time and costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple projectors are used for 3D projection, then the 3D projection capability is achieved, but the capital investment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple illumination beams (main and highlight) into a single optical path that shares common components including the SLM, beam combining optics, and projection lens. This merging approach allows the system to achieve enhanced capabilities while using fewer physical projectors, thereby reducing capital investment while maintaining 3D projection capability.
4Manufacturing precision
If highlight regions are added to improve realism, then the image quality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the highlight addition process into the existing image modulation process by using the SLM to modulate both main and highlight beams simultaneously. The beam combining optics integrate these modulated beams into a single combined beam, allowing highlight regions to be added to improve realism without requiring separate complex highlight projection systems.
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
The system effectively increases the peak brightness of projected images, improving realism without the need for separate highlight projectors, reducing maintenance and operational costs, and allowing for efficient operation in both 2D and 3D modes.
Implementation Method 1
a spatial light modulator (SLM), which is disposed to receive light from the first light source and is operative to modulate the light from the first light source based on the image data to generate an imaging beam
Implementation Method 2
The beam steering device steers the second illumination beam to highlight regions of the SLM based on the highlight data
Implementation Method 3
the SLM also modulates light from the second light source according to the image data to impart highlights in the imaging beam
Implementation Method 4
Projection optics are disposed in the path of the imaging beam and focus the imaging beam on a viewing surface
Data Source
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AI summary
A novel projection system includes first and second light sources (e.g., sets of lasers), a spatial light modulator (SLM) that receives light from the first light source, and a beam steering device that receives light from the second light source and steers the light to highlight regions of the SLM. The SLM then modulates the light from both light sources to generate a highlighted imaging beam which can then be projected on a viewing surface. The highlighted imaging beam can represent a highlighted 2D image or a highlighted left- or right-eye view of a 3D image. The projection system thus improves peak brightness in the displayed highlighted images without incorporating a separate highlight projector or other expensive equipment. Methods for highlighting projected images are also described.