Projector Light Alignment via Temporal Signal Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-color projectors are complex to manufacture and calibrate due to the need for precise alignment of light generation units, which is not possible after assembly, leading to mismatched color components and a blurred picture.
Innovation Solution
A projection apparatus with a processor that time-shifts the output of light generation units to align color components by adjusting their output times, allowing for software-based calibration and alignment of light beams without hardware adjustments, using a carrier with a pivoting mirror to project picture elements onto a projection area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If light generation units are precisely aligned in hardware before assembly, then color component alignment is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical alignment system (hardware adjustment of light generation units) with a software-based time-shifting system. The processor adjusts the output timing of each light generation unit to compensate for spatial misalignment, thereby achieving color component alignment through temporal adjustment rather than mechanical positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the light generation units from spatial positioning to temporal output timing. By adjusting the output time of each light generation unit based on its spatial displacement, the system achieves color component alignment without requiring precise mechanical alignment during manufacturing.
2Manufacturing precision
If hardware alignment adjustments are made after assembly, then color component matching is improved, but the system becomes more complex and time-consuming to calibrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical adjustment process with an automated software-based time-shifting process. The processor automatically calculates and applies the necessary time shifts to each light generation unit based on pre-determined spatial displacements, eliminating the need for manual hardware adjustment and significantly reducing calibration time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the alignment compensation in advance by pre-determining the spatial displacements of light generation units and calculating the corresponding time shifts. This preliminary calculation is stored and automatically applied during operation, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-assembly calibration adjustments.
3Ease of manufacture
If light generation units are mounted at different positions, then device assembly is simplified, but color components become misaligned and picture quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical alignment requirement with a software-based time-shifting mechanism. Light generation units can be mounted at different positions without affecting assembly simplicity, as the processor automatically compensates for the spatial misalignment by adjusting the output timing of each unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to compensate for spatial misalignment. By adjusting the output time of light generation units in the time domain, the system compensates for positional differences in the spatial domain, effectively transforming a spatial alignment problem into a temporal adjustment problem.
4Manufacturing precision
If beam combiners and collimation optics are precisely aligned, then color component coherence is improved, but manufacturing complexity and adjustment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical alignment of beam combiners and collimation optics with a software-based time-shifting system. The processor adjusts the output timing of light generation units to compensate for any spatial misalignment in the optical components, thereby achieving color component coherence without requiring precise mechanical alignment of the optical system.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective production of projectors with improved color alignment, resulting in sharper and clearer images by minimizing the distance between projected color components, and compensating for mirror movement and non-linear trajectories.
Implementation Method 1
a mirror mounted on the carrier, being configured to pivot about two axes... each light generation unit projects, via the pivoting mirror, the first component of the picture element
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (1) for projecting a picture element (2i) based on at least a first and a second sample (s1,i, s2,i), comprising a mirror (3) configured to pivot about two axes (17, 18), at least a first and a second light generation unit (61, 62), and a processor (9) being configured to output the first sample (s1,i) received at a first point in time (ti) at a second point in time (tn) to the first light generation unit (61) and the second sample (s2,i) received at a first point in time (ti) at a third point in time (tm) to the second light generation unit (61), wherein at least one of the second and third points in time (tn, tm) is determined such that the distance between the actual first and second positions (p1,a, p2,a) is reduced.