Single Light Source Illuminator for High Dynamic Range Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display technologies face challenges in achieving high dynamic range with a simple configuration, as they require separate light sources for main and highlight projectors, leading to a complex optical system.
Innovation Solution
An illuminator with a light source section emitting both S-polarized and P-polarized light, where an optical phase modulator generates SDR and HDR illumination light from a single source, allowing these lights to be modulated for different luminance regions, simplifying the optical system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate light sources are used for main projector and highlight projector, then freedom of light source selection is increased, but configuration of optical system becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light sources of the main projector and highlight projector into a single light source. The light source emits light containing both S-polarized and P-polarized components, which are then separated by a polarization beam splitter to create the first and second illumination lights respectively. This eliminates the need for separate light sources while maintaining the functionality of both projectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a polarization beam splitter as an intermediary device to separate the single light source into two distinct illumination paths. The polarization beam splitter divides the light from the single source into S-polarized light for the main projector and P-polarized light for the highlight projector, thereby achieving functional separation without requiring separate light sources.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate light sources are used for main projector and highlight projector, then freedom of light source selection is increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light sources of the main projector and highlight projector into a single light source. The light source emits light containing both S-polarized and P-polarized components, which are then separated by a polarization beam splitter to create the first and second illumination lights respectively. This eliminates the need for separate light sources while maintaining the functionality of both projectors.
3Manufacturing precision
If phase modulation is applied to both polarization components, then image quality in high luminance region is improved, but diffraction loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating the two polarization components differently based on their intended use. The S-polarized light component is used for the main projector displaying the entire image and passes through the liquid crystal layer without phase modulation. The P-polarized light component is used for the highlight projector displaying only high luminance regions and undergoes phase modulation. This selective application minimizes diffraction loss while maintaining image quality where needed.
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 enables the achievement of high dynamic range with a simplified configuration, allowing for flexible light distribution and improved peak luminance and contrast by using a single light source, reducing diffraction loss and optical complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the optical phase modulator performs phase modulation on light of a second polarization component on a basis of an image in a second luminance region, and emits the phase-modulated light as the second illumination light
Implementation Method 2
Light from the light source section is S-polarized light and P-polarized light
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
An illuminator according to the present disclosure includes a light source section (30) and an optical phase modulator (1). The light source section (30) emits light including a first polarization component and a second polarization component that are different from each other in polarization direction. The optical phase modulator (1) generates first illumination light (SDR illumination light) and second illumination light (HDR illumination light) on the basis of the light emitted from the light source section (30) and emits the first illumination light (SDR illumination light) and the second illumination light (HDR illumination light). The first illumination light (SDR illumination light) is used in a light intensity modulator (51) to generate an image in a first luminance region. The second illumination light (HDR illumination light) is used in the light intensity modulator (51) to generate an image in a second luminance region having a luminance higher than that of the first luminance region. The optical phase modulator (1) emits, as the first illumination light, light of the first polarization component of the light emitted from the light source section without performing phase modulation. The optical phase modulator (1) performs phase modulation on light of the second polarization component of the light emitted from the light source section on the basis of the image in the second luminance region, and emits the phase-modulated light as the second illumination light.