Projector Light Modulation for Contrast and Speckle Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current projection systems, particularly those using lasers, face challenges in achieving high contrast ratios due to speckle patterns and inefficiencies in light distribution, which affect image quality and viewer attention.

Innovation Solution

The projector employs a light modulation module with multiple wavelengths or wavelength ranges for each primary color, allowing for dynamic adjustment of light intensity to optimize contrast, using a controller to manage the light sources and modulators to enhance contrast ratios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple wavelengths are used for each primary color, then contrast ratio is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrast ratioVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light source is segmented into multiple discrete wavelengths for each primary color (e.g., blue, cyan, green, yellow, red, magenta), allowing independent control and optimization of each wavelength's contribution to the final image contrast

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the intensity of each wavelength independently through individual dimming control, enabling real-time optimization of contrast ratio based on image content and viewing conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If light intensity is dynamically adjusted per wavelength, then image clarity is improved, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage clarityVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller dynamically adjusts the intensity of each wavelength independently in real-time, allowing optimization of image clarity for different scene conditions while maintaining color accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the intensity parameter of each wavelength independently, enabling fine-tuned control over the spectral composition to enhance contrast and reduce speckle patterns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If multiple light sources are used to reduce speckle, then image quality is improved, but loss of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidloss of energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and removes speckle patterns through wavelength diversity, using multiple wavelengths to interfere with and reduce the coherent speckle effect while maintaining overall energy efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

By changing the wavelength parameter across multiple discrete values, the system reduces speckle coherence without requiring excessive total light output, thereby minimizing energy loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 significantly improves both ANSI and sequential contrast ratios, reducing speckle and enhancing image clarity, while maintaining compliance with digital cinema standards.

Implementation Method 1

the two or more wavelengths or wavelength ranges have different diffraction properties on the at least one light modulator such that images generated by each of the two or more wavelengths or wavelength ranges individually have a different contrast ratio

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP3465345B1Projector with improved contrast
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 BARCO NV
  • EP3465345B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2B
  • EP3465345B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3465345B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A projector, comprising a light modulation module comprising at least one light modulator illuminated by light of at least two primary colours, light of each primary colour having at least two wavelengths or wavelength ranges, wherein the optical power emitted at a wavelength or wavelength range associated with a lower contrast of a projected image is lower than the optical power emitted at a wavelength associated with a higher contrast of the projected image.