Nano Engine for Personal Projector Speckle Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro projection devices face issues such as laser speckle, high power consumption, complex optical systems, low focus depth, and large size, which hinder the development of small, safe, and efficient personal projectors with high brightness and reduced speckle phenomena.
Innovation Solution
An ultra-compact 2-D projection nano engine with a thin profile collimated backlight source that uses a multi-layer switchable liquid crystal device to combine RGB lasers into collinear de-speckled white light, or an RGB LED embodiment with a light mixing cavity for color mixing, both of which produce a speckle-free beam and are designed for low power consumption and embeddability in mobile devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If laser illumination is used in micro projection devices, then brightness is improved, but laser speckle phenomena occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the laser beam into multiple discrete beams using a diffractive optical element, which divides the single coherent laser source into multiple incoherent beams. This segmentation eliminates laser speckle phenomena while maintaining high brightness output, as the multiple beams illuminate different portions of the spatial light modulator independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a diffractive optical element as an intermediary component between the laser source and the spatial light modulator. This intermediary element processes the laser beam to create a multi-beam pattern, serving as a mediator that converts coherent laser light into an incoherent illumination pattern suitable for speckle-free projection.
2Illumination intensity
If high power laser is used to achieve sufficient brightness, then illumination intensity is improved, but safety issues arise from high power flying spot
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the high power laser output into multiple lower-power beams, distributing the total optical power across several spatial locations. This reduces the power density at any single point, eliminating the hazardous flying spot effect while maintaining overall system brightness through the combined illumination of multiple beams on the spatial light modulator.
3Productivity
If micro-mirror scanning display is used, then projection capability is achieved, but high frequency large scan angle micro-mirror is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical micro-mirror scanning system with a static spatial light modulator that performs beam steering through electronic control of liquid crystal pixels. This substitution eliminates the need for high-frequency mechanical scanning mirrors, reducing device complexity and eliminating moving parts while maintaining full projection capability through electronic beam deflection.
4Productivity
If laser illuminated panel based micro projection is used, then projection is achieved, but device size and weight are larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical functions (beam splitting, spatial modulation, and projection) into a single integrated spatial light modulator component. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate scanning mirrors, beam splitters, and projection lenses, dramatically reducing the overall engine size and weight while maintaining full projection functionality through the modulator's electronic beam steering capability.
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 solution results in a small, lightweight, high-brightness, and efficient projector with reduced speckle phenomena, capable of producing high-quality images with scalable resolution and long operating life, suitable for handheld appliances and mobile phones.
Implementation Method 1
A multi-layer switchable liquid crystal device to combine RGB lasers into collinear de-speckled white light
Implementation Method 2
combine RGB lasers into collinear de-speckled white light
Implementation Method 3
Only a laser beam that has an internal incident angle at the wedge plate top surface less than the total reflection critical angle inside the wedge plate is emitted from the optical wedge plate
Implementation Method 4
A beam diverging flat optic component diverges a laser beam and directs it into the light illumination cavity
Implementation Method 5
A light illumination cavity that emits collimated light
Implementation Method 6
emits collimated light and angle management films are used for a thin illumination module
Implementation Method 7
illuminates a transmissive spatial light modulation means which preferably takes the form of an advanced spatial light modulation (ASLM) panel
Data Source
AI summary
A projector has a transmissive spatial light modulator backlit by a collimated illuminator that includes a light source that outputs red, green, blue (RGB) light, and a combiner disposed in light-receiving relation to the light source for mixing or combining the RGB light. The combiner has cavity features associated therewith for outputting collimated light, where such light preferably has a divergent cone angle less than plus or minus fifteen degrees (+/−15°).