Scanning Beam Spatial Light Modulator for Brightness and Bit Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spatial light modulators illuminate all colors sequentially, leading to reduced display time for each color, resulting in a less bright image and limited bit depth due to the reliance on human eyes to blend colors.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a scanning beam to continuously illuminate a spatial light modulator with multiple colored beams, where each beam scans along the modulator while maintaining a gap between them, allowing simultaneous illumination and modulation of brightness to increase bit depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If sequential illumination of multiple colors is used, then color display is achieved, but illumination time for each color is reduced and image brightness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuous illumination by using multiple light sources (red, green, blue) that illuminate the spatial light modulator simultaneously and continuously, rather than sequentially. This ensures the modulator is constantly illuminated with full color information, eliminating the time loss associated with sequential color switching and thereby maintaining high image brightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the illumination function by using separate light sources for each color (red, green, blue) that operate independently and simultaneously. Each light source continuously illuminates its respective color portion of the modulator, allowing all colors to be displayed at full brightness without time multiplexing losses.
2Loss of information
If sequential color illumination is used, then color blending is achieved through human eyes, but bit depth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses continuous illumination with multiple color light sources simultaneously present on the spatial light modulator. This continuous presence of all color information allows for higher bit depth representation because the full color data is available at all times rather than being temporally multiplexed, enabling more precise color and intensity control.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are used for continuous illumination, then image brightness increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spatial light modulator that serves multiple functions: it modulates multiple color wavelengths simultaneously, acts as a beam splitter for different colors, and directs different color portions to different display areas. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle multiple light sources efficiently without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
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 results in a brighter image and increased bit depth by ensuring continuous illumination and precise color modulation, reducing color bleeding and enhancing image detail.
Implementation Method 1
a spatial light modulator may first be illuminated in red light and then it may be illuminated in green light
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes generating a plurality of beams that each illuminate a separate portion of a spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator has a first dimension of a first length and a second dimension of a second length. Each of the beams spans a portion of the first length of the first dimension and a portion of the second length of the second dimension. The method also includes scrolling the plurality of beams along the second dimension of the spatial light modulator while maintaining at least a first gap between each of the plurality of beams.