Spatial Light Modulator Off-State Light Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current display systems employing spatial light modulators discard OFF-state light, leading to reduced optical efficiency and image distortion due to varying intensity of recycled light over bitplanes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an off-state light recycling mechanism that captures and reroutes OFF-state light back to the spatial light modulator, and calibrating bitplanes to account for recycled light intensity variations, as well as dynamically adjusting clock speeds based on the number of off-state pixels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If OFF-state light is discarded to maintain high contrast ratio, then image contrast is improved, but optical efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers OFF-state light that would otherwise be discarded by the display system. A light recycling mechanism captures the OFF-state light from the spatial light modulator and redirects it back to illuminate the modulator, converting previously wasted energy into useful illumination that increases overall optical efficiency while maintaining image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of OFF-state light (which causes image distortion when recycled) into a beneficial resource. By calibrating bitplanes to account for recycled light intensity variations, the system transforms what was previously a source of distortion into a source of enhanced optical efficiency and extended light source lifespan
2Loss of energy
If OFF-state light is recycled to improve optical efficiency, then light usage is improved, but image distortion occurs due to varying intensity over bitplanes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary calibration to bitplanes before displaying them. The system calculates the intensity of recycled light for each bitplane based on the number of OFF-state pixels and pre-adjusts the bitplane data to compensate for expected intensity variations. This preliminary action ensures that image quality remains consistent across all bitplanes even as recycled light intensity varies
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors and calculates the intensity of recycled light based on the current bitplane's OFF-state pixel count. This feedback information is used to dynamically adjust subsequent bitplane displays, maintaining image quality consistency while utilizing recycled light for improved optical efficiency
3Productivity
If clock speed is increased to display bitplanes faster, then productivity is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to insufficient light recycling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the display system's operation based on real-time conditions. The clock speed for displaying bitplanes is not fixed but is adapted according to the number of OFF-state pixels and the resulting recycled light intensity. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between speed and image quality, maintaining brightness while improving productivity through efficient light recycling
Data Source
AI summary
In display systems employing spatial light modulators, the OFF-state light from OFF-state pixels of the spatial light modulator can be captured and directed back to the pixels of the spatial light modulator so as to recycle the OFF-state light in the display system. Bitplanes derived from the desired image to be produced are calibrated to include the recycled off-state light to properly produce the desired image using the display system.