Multi-SLM Optical Display Using Offset Sub-Frame Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital projection systems face challenges in increasing image resolution without significantly increasing the size or cost of spatial light modulators (SLMs) and optics, while maintaining high-quality image display without artifacts.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using multiple SLMs to simultaneously project offset sub-frame images with diagonal spatial offsets, swapping color information within frame times, and applying filtering to compensate for pixel overlap, allowing for higher resolution images to be displayed using lower resolution SLMs without the need for increased pixel counts or optical complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of pixels in SLM is increased to achieve higher resolution, then image resolution is improved, but device cost and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The image is divided into multiple sub-frames that are displayed sequentially on the SLM. Each sub-frame contains a portion of the final image data, and by combining multiple lower-resolution sub-frames, the system achieves higher overall resolution without requiring a single high-resolution SLM.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension by displaying multiple sub-frames in sequence, and a spatial dimension through optical shifting. Instead of increasing pixel count in a single frame, the system uses time-multiplexed sub-frames that are optically shifted and combined to create the high-resolution image.
2Measurement precision
If the number of pixels in SLM is increased to achieve higher resolution, then image resolution is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image data is segmented into multiple sub-frames that can be processed and displayed using existing lower-resolution SLM technology. This avoids the need to manufacture expensive high-resolution SLMs while still achieving high-resolution output through the combination of multiple sub-frames.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple copies of the SLM display function by showing different sub-frames in sequence. Each sub-frame is a lower-resolution copy that, when optically shifted and combined, reconstructs the high-resolution image, eliminating the need for expensive high-resolution SLM manufacturing.
3Measurement precision
If optical elements are improved to support higher resolution, then image resolution is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic optical shifting that moves the projected image by sub-pixel amounts between sub-frame displays. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to achieve high resolution through temporal and spatial multiplexing rather than through static high-resolution optical elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of image display by showing multiple lower-resolution sub-frames in sequence with different temporal and spatial parameters. By varying the display timing and optical shift amounts, the system achieves high-resolution output without requiring high-resolution optical components.
4Measurement precision
If pixel size is decreased to increase pixel count, then image resolution is improved, but diffraction effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single high-resolution SLM with small pixels that suffer from diffraction, the patent segments the image into multiple sub-frames that can be displayed on larger pixels. This segmentation allows the use of larger pixel sizes that are less susceptible to diffraction effects while still achieving high overall resolution through the combination of multiple sub-frames.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for displaying a high resolution video image utilizing multiple spatial light modulators includes at least one illumination source configured to provide illumination to multiple spatial light modulators; a video data image processor coupled to receive video image data at a first visual resolution of X by Y pixels; and multiple spatial light modulators each having an image resolution lower than the first visual resolution, each configured to project an image sub-frame onto a focal plane using an image projection system; wherein the image projection system is configured to project a first sub-frame image of a first color portion while simultaneously projecting at least a second sub-frame image of a second color portion onto the focal plane, and the first and second sub-frame images are offset from one another, so that when viewed together a viewed image has at least the first visual resolution. Methods are disclosed.