Projector Optical Pixel Sharing for Spatially Varying Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current projector technologies face a cost-effective challenge in achieving higher resolution, as reducing pixel size in light modulators to increase resolution leads to a linear increase in cost, making high-resolution projectors expensive.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a projector system with two light modulators and an optical element between them, allowing for spatially varying pixel density by temporally multiplexing lower and higher resolution outputs to create an image with enhanced resolution in specific regions without decreasing pixel size, using optical pixel sharing to achieve higher pixel density at edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pixel size in light modulator is decreased to increase resolution, then resolution is improved, but cost increases linearly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the modulator into multiple light modulators (e.g., four 2-megapixel modulators to achieve 4-megapixel resolution). Each modulator handles a portion of the image, and their outputs are combined optically to produce the final high-resolution image, avoiding the need for a single expensive high-pixel-density modulator
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the outputs of multiple lower-resolution light modulators using optical elements (such as beam combiners or lens arrays) to create a single high-resolution projected image. This merging approach achieves high resolution without requiring each individual modulator to have high pixel density
Solution Approach 3:
The patent transitions from a single-plane modulator architecture to a multi-plane or multi-path optical architecture. By using multiple modulators arranged in different spatial positions or optical paths and combining their outputs, the system achieves higher effective resolution without increasing pixel density in any single modulator plane
2Measurement precision
If pixel size in light modulator is decreased to increase resolution, then pixel density is improved, but light information loss between source and projected image increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the image into multiple lower-resolution components that are processed separately and then combined, the system maintains larger pixel sizes in each modulator, reducing light information loss while achieving high overall resolution through the combination of multiple modulator outputs
3Measurement precision
If uniform high resolution is achieved across entire image, then resolution is improved, but cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different resolution levels to different regions of the image based on importance. Critical regions (such as edges or areas with fine detail) are rendered at high resolution using multiple modulators, while less important regions use lower resolution, optimizing the balance between image quality and system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A projector configured to provide higher resolution output without increasing pixel resolution in a light modulator is disclosed. The projector may introduce an optical element between a light modulator and an imaging lens. The optical element may provide pixel sharing of a target image. The pixel sharing may be produced by, for example, making smaller copies of pixels. Selected copies of pixels may be passed to the imaging lens to display an output image with selected areas of higher density pixels.