Rotatable Anamorphic Lenses for Dual-Format Cinema Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital cinema projection systems face inefficiencies due to mismatched aspect ratios between cinema microdisplays and DCI formats, leading to unused pixels and reduced brightness, particularly in DLP and LCD projection systems.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of rotatable anamorphic lenses in the relay lens system to pre-distort images, allowing for adjustable aspect ratios and optimizing illumination to utilize all pixels, thereby increasing brightness and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed aspect ratio is used in the projection system, then the system structure is simple, but pixel utilization is reduced and brightness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces rotatable anamorphic lenses that can dynamically adjust the aspect ratio of the projected image. The lenses can be rotated to different angles (e.g., 0 degrees for 2.35:1 aspect ratio, 90 degrees for 1.85:1 aspect ratio) to match different DCI formats, enabling the system to adapt to various projection requirements and maximize pixel utilization for each format.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the projection system by incorporating anamorphic lenses with specific compression ratios (e.g., 1.13:1). These lenses transform the image geometry and aspect ratio through optical parameter adjustments, allowing the system to optimize pixel utilization for different cinema formats without changing the physical display dimensions.
2Ease of manufacture
If the projection system is optimized for one format, then the optimization is simple, but adaptability to dual formats is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable anamorphic lens assembly provides dynamic adaptability by allowing the operator to rotate the lenses to predetermined angular positions corresponding to different DCI formats. This mechanical adjustment enables the same projection system to be optimized for both 2.35:1 and 1.85:1 aspect ratios without requiring separate optimization processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the projection system universal by equipping it with anamorphic lenses that can handle multiple DCI formats through a single adjustable mechanism. The same optical path and display chip serve both formats, eliminating the need for separate optimization procedures and reducing manufacturing complexity while enhancing versatility.
3Illumination intensity
If all pixels are utilized, then brightness increases, but system complexity increases due to additional optical components
Solution Approach 1:
The anamorphic lenses act as intermediary optical elements that transform the image geometry to match the display chip aspect ratio with the desired projection format. These lenses enable full pixel utilization by pre-distorting the image to compensate for the aspect ratio mismatch, thereby maximizing brightness without requiring complex redesigns of the entire optical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves full pixel utilization by introducing optical components (anamorphic lenses) that change the geometric parameters of the light path. These lenses with specific compression ratios transform the image dimensions to match both the display chip and projection format, enabling 100% pixel utilization and maximum brightness with a relatively simple addition to 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
The use of rotatable anamorphic lenses enhances pixel utilization and brightness by up to 20% in DLP systems and improves efficiency by 8-10%, addressing the dual-format projection issue in cinema applications.
Implementation Method 1
a relay lens system including two or more rotatable anamorphic lenses, the anamorphic lenses oriented about an optical axis to simultaneously transform the uniform pattern of light into a pre-distorted image having a specified aspect ratio
Implementation Method 2
The control circuitry provides electrostatic forces, which cause each mirror to selectively tilt. Incident light on the mirror array is reflected by the 'on' mirrors in one direction and by the 'off' mirrors in the other direction.
Implementation Method 3
at least one projection lens configured to receive the spatially modulated image from the optical path and to project the spatially modulated image with the specified aspect ratio onto an image plane
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are disclosed for projection systems with rotatable anamorphic lenses. In an embodiment, an optical projection system comprises: a light source; an optical integrator configured to receive light from the light source and to distribute a uniform pattern of light; a relay lens system including two or more rotatable anamorphic lenses, the anamorphic lenses oriented about an optical axis to transform the uniform pattern of light into an image having a specified aspect ratio; at least one spatial light modulator configured to receive the image and direct a spatially modulated image along an optical path; and at least one projection lens configured to receive the spatially modulated image from the optical path and to project the spatially modulated image onto an image plane with the specified aspect ratio. In a DLP projection system, the relative angle of the two or more rotatable anamorphic lenses is less than 90 degrees to pre-distort the image, resulting in a more rectangular spatially modulated image having the specified aspect ratio.