Optical Assembly Complementary Subpixel Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multimedia projection systems face inefficiencies due to costly optics, resource waste, and reduced brightness in single-path architectures, and microlens arrays suffer from light processing inefficiencies in color separation and polarization filtering.
Innovation Solution
An optical assembly providing complementary illumination to subpixels of a light valve pixel using randomly polarized light bundles, focused by a lens array to increase light transmission and efficiency, and incorporating polarization recycling to enhance contrast and brightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a microlens array is used to focus primary colors onto separate subpixels, then color separation and simultaneous modulation are achieved, but light processing inefficiencies occur due to color separation and polarization filtering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of polarization filtering losses into a benefit by implementing polarization recycling. The polarization beam splitter that previously discarded orthogonal polarization light is instead used to redirect this light through a wave plate and back to the light valve, converting the loss into useful illumination for the subpixels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers light that would otherwise be discarded by the polarization beam splitter. The orthogonal polarization light that was previously thrown away is now captured, redirected through a wave plate, and reused to illuminate the subpixels, thereby recovering valuable light energy.
2Productivity
If polarization filtering is used to separate colors, then color modulation is achieved, but light transmission is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of polarization filtering losses into a benefit by implementing polarization recycling. The polarization beam splitter that previously discarded orthogonal polarization light is instead used to redirect this light through a wave plate and back to the light valve, converting the loss into useful illumination for the subpixels.
3Device complexity
If a single-path architecture with color wheel filtering is used, then sequential illumination is achieved, but resource waste increases and brightness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the illumination process by providing separate illumination paths for different colors to different subpixels within the same pixel. Each subpixel receives color-specific light through dedicated optical paths, allowing simultaneous multi-color illumination without the sequential filtering losses of traditional color wheel designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from sequential illumination in time to simultaneous illumination in space by directing different colored light bundles to different subpixels within the same pixel structure, effectively adding a spatial dimension to the illumination process.
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 enhances the brightness, efficiency, and contrast of the projection system by optimizing light transmission through subpixels and reducing resource waste, while being cost-effective compared to traditional architectures.
Implementation Method 1
focused by a lens array to increase light transmission and efficiency
Implementation Method 2
incorporating polarization recycling to enhance contrast and brightness
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system, and method for an optical assembly providing illumination to subpixels of a pixel in a manner to complement characteristics of the subpixels are disclosed herein.