Light Field Projector Dynamic Redistribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light projection systems face challenges such as high energy consumption, limited peak luminance, and the need for dark viewing environments due to subtractive spatial light modulation technologies and limitations in achieving desired contrast and color saturation.
Innovation Solution
A system that dynamically re-distributes light from one or multiple sources to achieve a desired light field efficiently, using a data processor, software, light sources, and dynamically-addressable optical elements to redirect light and create specified luminance profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If subtractive spatial light modulation technologies are used, then spatial light distribution can be controlled, but energy consumption increases and peak luminance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of subtractively removing light to create patterns (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by additively projecting light only where needed. The system uses spatial light modulators to selectively transmit or reflect light, building up the desired luminance pattern from zero rather than subtracting from a full field, thereby achieving high peak luminance with minimal energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by enabling different regions of the projection to have different luminance characteristics independently. Each pixel or region can be controlled to emit light only when needed, with varying intensities, allowing high peak luminance in bright regions while consuming minimal energy in dark regions, thus resolving the contradiction between peak luminance and energy consumption.
2Illumination intensity
If subtractive spatial light modulation technologies are used, then spatial light distribution can be controlled, but contrast and color saturation are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary light for the desired image or pattern and removes unnecessary light before it reaches the projection surface. By using spatial light modulators to block unwanted light paths and transmit only required light, the system achieves high contrast without the energy waste associated with absorbing light in subtractive methods, thereby improving contrast while minimizing energy loss.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional light projection systems are used, then images can be projected, but dark viewing environments are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action through time-multiplexed projection, where different color channels or image elements are projected in rapid succession rather than simultaneously. This temporal separation allows the system to achieve high brightness for each component while the human visual system integrates them, reducing the impact of ambient light interference and eliminating the need for dark viewing environments.
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 achieves efficient light distribution with minimal waste, allowing for high peak luminance and improved contrast and color saturation, enabling effective light field creation for various applications without the need for dark viewing environments.
Implementation Method 1
dynamically-addressable optical elements to redirect light and create specified luminance profiles
Data Source
AI summary
Undesirably high energy-consumption in illuminating devices can be caused at least in part by wasted (attenuated) light. Optically efficient illumination systems that may be used to project light, including images, use light redirection. Phase modulating devices may be applied to create desired light fields. Some embodiments provide dual or multiple modulation display or projection systems in which some or all of the modulators not only attenuate amplitude, but also amplify amplitude, or change the phase, frequency and polarization of the light provided by the light source.