Single-Source Full-Color Holographic Projector With Variable Image Distance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing holographic projectors require a large number of components, which increases weight and cost, making them less desirable for certain applications.

Innovation Solution

A holographic projector design utilizing a single coherent light source, a wavelength conversion structure, a spatial filter with a pinhole, and a spatial light modulator to generate full-color images with reduced components, weight, and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If three lasers and three spatial light modulators are used for full-color holographic projection, then image quality and color accuracy are improved, but device complexity, weight, and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges three separate laser sources and three spatial light modulators into a single laser source and a single spatial light modulator. The single laser generates all three primary colors through wavelength conversion using phosphor materials, and the single SLM modulates all colors sequentially at different wavelengths, thereby reducing component count while maintaining full-color holographic projection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single laser source is designed to perform multiple functions by converting to different wavelengths (red, green, blue) through phosphor materials. Similarly, the single spatial light modulator handles all three color channels by sequentially modulating light at different wavelengths, making these components universal rather than dedicated to a single color channel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Illumination intensity

If three lasers and three spatial light modulators are used for full-color holographic projection, then color accuracy is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor accuracyVSAvoidprojector weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines three separate laser sources and three spatial light modulators into a single laser source and a single spatial light modulator. This consolidation dramatically reduces the overall weight of the holographic projection system while maintaining the capability to produce accurate full-color images through sequential wavelength conversion and modulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Illumination intensity

If three lasers and three spatial light modulators are used for full-color holographic projection, then full-color capability is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefull-color capabilityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges three separate laser sources and three spatial light modulators into a single laser source and a single spatial light modulator. This consolidation reduces the bill of materials and manufacturing costs while maintaining full-color holographic projection capability through efficient wavelength conversion using phosphor materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single laser source and single spatial light modulator are designed to handle all three color channels universally, reducing the need for multiple dedicated components and thereby lowering overall system cost while maintaining full-color capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution achieves full-color holographic projection with fewer components, reducing weight and cost while maintaining image quality and coherence.

Implementation Method 1

a wavelength conversion structure downstream the light source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWavelength conversion: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

a spatial filter downstream the wavelength conversion structure... the spatial filter is constructed and arranged to enhance spatial coherence

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpatial coherence enhancement: Diffraction

Implementation Method 3

a spatial light modulator downstream the spatial filter... convert the spatially coherent first primary color light to spatially and temporally enhanced first primary color light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHolographic modulation: Interference

Data Source

PatentUS20250324020A1Full color holographic projector with variable virtual image distance using single coherent light source

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

Disclosed is a product that may include a light source, a wavelength conversion structure downstream the light source, a spatial filter downstream the wavelength conversion structure, and a spatial light modulator downstream the spatial filter. Also disclosed is a method that may include sending a first light from a light source through a wavelength conversion structure to down convert the first light into a first primary color light, sending the first primary color light through a spatial filter to convert the first primary color light to spatially coherent first primary color light, sending the spatially coherent first primary color light through a spatial light modulator to convert the spatially coherent first primary color light to spatially and temporally enhanced first primary color light.