Modular Laser Sub-Modules for Cinema Projection Speckle Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current laser systems for cinema projection face challenges with high power requirements and performance degradation due to issues like viewer metamerism and speckle, which affect brightness and color consistency across different viewers and display systems.

Innovation Solution

The development of a laser system with modular architecture, comprising sub-modules of laser emitters with adjustable operating conditions, controlled by a controller module to optimize power spectrum uniformity and reduce speckle through advanced fiber configurations and vibration techniques, allowing for higher power output and improved color gamut.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If laser systems use high power output to improve brightness, then illumination intensity is improved, but speckle and viewer metamerism effects worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebrightnessVSAvoidspeckle
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The laser system is divided into multiple independent laser modules, each operating at a different wavelength. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high total power output while distributing the light across multiple wavelengths, which reduces speckle effects and viewer metamerism by preventing coherent interference patterns that occur with single-wavelength high-power lasers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the wavelength parameter by using multiple laser modules operating at different wavelengths (e.g., red, green, blue lasers). This parameter diversity allows the system to achieve high brightness through combined power while reducing speckle and metamerism effects, as different wavelengths interfere differently and human viewers perceive color combinations differently than single wavelengths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If laser systems use multiple wavelength bands to reduce speckle, then speckle is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovespeckleVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses multiple independent laser modules, each containing a limited number of laser diodes at specific wavelengths. This modular segmentation reduces overall system complexity by allowing each module to be designed, tested, and maintained independently, while still achieving the benefit of multi-wavelength operation for speckle reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each laser module is designed to be multi-functional, serving both as a high-power light source and as a speckle-reduction element through its specific wavelength. The modules can be combined in various configurations to achieve different color gamuts and brightness levels, providing universal applicability across different projection requirements without requiring entirely different system designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Stability of the object's composition

If laser modules are controlled individually to optimize power spectrum uniformity, then power spectrum uniformity is improved, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower spectrum uniformityVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller module incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the output power and wavelength of each laser module individually. Based on this feedback, the controller adjusts the drive current and operating parameters of each module to maintain uniform power spectrum distribution. This automated feedback control achieves stable power spectrum uniformity without requiring complex manual calibration or adjustment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 efficient, high-power laser systems that minimize performance degradation, enhance brightness, and reduce speckle, ensuring consistent color perception across different viewers and applications, while maintaining the efficiency and reliability of laser technology.

Implementation Method 1

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, also known as laser, refers to the emission of light from excited atoms

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation: Laser

Implementation Method 2

The disclosed laser system may further include a vibration device operably coupled to the fiber optic cable and operable to reduce speckle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS9229156B2Laser systems and methods
Publication Date: 2016.01.05 REALD INC

AI summary

An architecture comprising laser sub-modules may be used to reach the optical output powers desired for projection display for 2D and 3D viewing. Monitoring and control of the laser sub-modules within the architecture may be performed to achieve desired performance metrics.