Zonal Illumination for LCoS Displays Using Micro-LED Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LCoS projector systems face challenges in achieving adequate contrast, extended lamp life, and reduced power consumption, primarily due to inherent limitations in global illumination methods.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a zonal illumination system that uses addressable sources, concentrator optics, and catadioptric illumination imaging optics to deliver RGB light specifically to targeted zones of the LCoS panel, enhancing spatial uniformity, color mixing, and optical etendue efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If global illumination is used to illuminate the entire LCoS panel, then uniform illumination is achieved, but power consumption increases and contrast ratio decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is segmented into multiple independently controllable light sources positioned at different locations around the LCoS panel. Each light source can be individually activated or deactivated based on the specific imaging requirements, allowing selective illumination of only those zones needed for the current image content, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining uniform illumination where required.
Solution Approach 2:
Different zones of the LCoS panel are illuminated with different qualities and intensities based on local requirements. The system uses multiple light sources at different positions to provide localized illumination that matches the specific imaging needs of different panel regions, rather than uniformly illuminating the entire panel, thus reducing power consumption in dark or low-contrast areas.
2Area of stationary object
If global illumination is used to illuminate the entire LCoS panel, then adequate coverage is achieved, but contrast ratio and lamp life are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system divides the LCoS panel into multiple zones served by independently controllable light sources. This segmentation allows the system to illuminate only the specific zones required for the current image, preventing unnecessary illumination from degrading the contrast ratio in dark areas and extending lamp life by reducing overall operational hours of individual LEDs.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system employs periodic or pulsed activation of light sources based on the imaging requirements. Rather than maintaining continuous global illumination, the system activates specific light sources periodically according to the image content, which maintains adequate coverage when needed while preserving contrast ratio and extending lamp life during non-illuminated periods.
3Use of energy by moving object
If multiple light sources at different locations are used for zonal illumination, then power efficiency and contrast ratio are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system uses multiple light sources positioned at different locations around the LCoS panel, with each source independently controllable. This segmentation enables zonal illumination that improves power efficiency by activating only necessary light sources, while the modular nature of the system helps manage complexity through standardized components and controlled illumination zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor image content and lighting requirements to dynamically adjust which light sources are activated. This feedback control optimizes power efficiency by matching illumination to actual needs while managing system complexity through automated decision-making based on image analysis and lighting conditions.
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 improves the power efficiency and contrast ratio of non-emissive displays by selectively illuminating only the necessary areas, reducing power wastage, and extending the life of optical sources.
Implementation Method 1
at least one concentrator array overlying the source array in which each individual concentrator is configured to condition spatial and angular distribution of light from a respective source of the source array
Implementation Method 2
an illumination optical system configured to image the output of the concentrator array onto the non-emissive display such that the output of the individual concentrators is magnified onto the display
Implementation Method 3
a projection optical system configured to collimate light from the non-emissive display and deliver the collimated light to a projection screen
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination system includes a micro-LED array having a plurality of individually addressable diodes, a concentrator array overlying an output of the micro-LED array and configured to decrease a numerical aperture of light emitted by the array, and a non-emissive display panel arranged to receive light from the concentrator array.