Projector Illumination Phase Modulation for Non-Uniform Light

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spatial light phase modulation methods assume uniform incident light intensity, leading to superimposition of non-uniform light intensity distributions on reproduced images, affecting image reproduction robustness and resolution.

Innovation Solution

An illumination apparatus with a phase modulation section and control section that divides the phase modulation plane into domains, using a common phase distribution based on the Freeform method to average light intensity distributions and adjust domain divisions dynamically, ensuring robustness and resolution based on incident light uniformity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If spatial light phase modulation is performed using a conventional Freeform method, then light utilization efficiency is improved, but image reproduction robustness deteriorates when incident light intensity distribution is non-uniform

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight utilization efficiencyVSAvoidimage reproduction robustness

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The phase modulation plane is divided into multiple domains, and independent phase distributions are calculated for each domain based on the Freeform method. This segmentation allows each domain to handle local light intensity variations independently, improving robustness while maintaining overall light utilization efficiency through phase modulation rather than intensity blocking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different phase distributions are applied to different domains of the phase modulation plane according to local light intensity conditions. Each domain's phase distribution is optimized for its specific region, allowing the system to adapt to non-uniform incident light while maintaining high light utilization efficiency through localized phase control rather than global intensity attenuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the phase modulation plane is divided into multiple domains, then image reproduction robustness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage reproduction robustnessVSAvoidcontrol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The phase modulation plane is divided into multiple domains, and independent phase distributions are calculated for each domain based on the Freeform method. This segmentation allows each domain to handle local light intensity variations independently, improving robustness while maintaining overall light utilization efficiency through phase modulation rather than intensity blocking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the number of domains and their boundaries based on the incident light intensity distribution characteristics. When light uniformity is high, fewer domains are used to simplify control; when light uniformity is low, more domains are activated to improve robustness, thus adaptively managing control complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If domain divisions are increased to handle non-uniform light, then image reproduction robustness is improved, but image resolution may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage reproduction robustnessVSAvoidimage reproduction resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the number of domains and their boundaries based on the incident light intensity distribution characteristics. When light uniformity is high, fewer domains are used to simplify control; when light uniformity is low, more domains are activated to improve robustness, thus adaptively managing control complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies phase modulation with sufficient precision in each domain to compensate for the domain boundaries. By using the Freeform method to calculate optimal phase distributions that account for boundary effects, the system ensures that image resolution is maintained even when the phase modulation plane is divided into multiple domains.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 method improves image reproduction robustness by averaging non-uniform light intensity distributions and adjusts resolution according to incident light uniformity, maintaining consistent image quality despite varying light conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a phase modulation section that performs spatial light phase modulation on incident light from the light source section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase modulation: Phase Modulation

Data Source

PatentEP4156866B1Lighting device, lighting method, and projector device

Publication Date: 2025.08.06 SONY GROUP CORP

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AI summary

Provided by the present technology is an illumination apparatus including a light source section, a phase modulation section, and a control section. The light source section has a light emitting element. The phase modulation section performs spatial light phase modulation on incident light from the light source section. The control section controls the phase modulation section in such a manner that a plurality of domains formed by dividing a phase modulation plane of the phase modulation section reproduces a light intensity distribution based on a common phase distribution determined on the basis of a Freeform method in a common region on a projection plane.