Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation

Christie Digital Systems Usa, Inc.

Nathan Shawn Wainwright

Martin John Richards

Duane Scott Dewald

Barret Lippey

Douglas J Gorny

John David Jackson

Juan P Pertierra

Michael Perkins

Brad Walker

Darren Hennigan

Trevor Davies

Dzhakhangir V Khaydarov

A novel projection system includes a base signal source, a highlight signal source, a base/highlight destination, and a shared optical element. A base signal provided by the base source and a highlight signal provided by the highlight source are combined by the shared optical element. In a particular embodiment, the base signal source and the highlight signal source each include a light source, a spatial light modulator, and optics, and the base/highlight destination includes optics and a spatial light modulator. In a more particular embodiment, the base signal source and the highlight source provide spatially modulated lightfields to the shared optical element. In another particular embodiment, the base signal and the highlight signal are modulated by the spatial light modulator of the base/highlight destination after being combined.

Aperture sharing for highlight projection

A projection system and calibration method therefor relate to a light source configured to emit a light in response to an image data, an illumination optical system configured to steer the light, the illumination optical system including a first mirror and a second mirror, a digital micromirror device (DMD) including a plurality of micromirrors respectively configured to reflect the steered light to a filter as on-state light or to reflect the steered light as off-state light to a light dump; determining a deviation between an actual angle of orientation and an expected angle of orientation of the DMD; calculating a first amount of angle adjustment corresponding to the first mirror and a second amount of angle adjustment corresponding to the second mirror; and actuating the first mirror according to the first amount and the second mirror according to the second amount.

Projection system and method with adjustable angle illumination

A projection display system comprises a light source configured to emit a light in response to a content data; an optical modulator configured to modulate the light; and a controller configured to adjust a light level of the projection display system based on the content data and a metadata relating to a future frame, thereby to reduce a perceptibility of a visual artifact.

Projector light source dimming using metadata from future frames

Projection systems and/or methods for efficient use of light by recycling a portion of the light energy for future use are disclosed. In one embodiment, a projection display system is disclosed comprising a light source; an integrating rod that receives light from said light source at a proximal end that comprise a reflective surface which may reflecting/recycle light down said integrating rod; of reflecting light down said integrating rod; a relay optical system, said relay optical system further comprising optical elements that are capable of moving the focal plane of the projector display system; and a modulator comprising at least one moveable mirror that reflects light received from the integrating rod in either a projection direction or a light recycling direction.

Methods and systems for high dynamic range image projectors

A projector system comprising a laser light source, a collimating lens, a fly-eye lens, an integrating rod and a first modulator is disclosed. The light from a laser light source/fiber illuminates a collimator to substantially collimate the light and then is transmitted through a fly's-eye lens. The fly's-eye lens provides a desired angular/spatial light distribution for further processing to a first modulator of the projector system.

Optical system for image projectors

Projection systems and/or methods comprising a blurring element are disclosed. In one embodiment, a blurring element may comprise a first plate having a pattern on a first surface and second plate. The first plate and the second plate may comprise material having a slight difference in their respective index of refraction. In another embodiment, a blurring element may comprise a first plate having a pattern thereon and a second immersing material. The blurring element may be placed in between two modulators in a dual or multi-modulator projector system. The blurring element may be configured to give a desired shape to the light transmitted from a first modulator to a second modulator.

Control of light spreading with blurring element in projector systems

Prism assemblies for projector display systems disclosed receive inputs from discrete color channels (e.g., red, green and blue channels. In one embodiment, 'off state' light from the red, green, and blue DLP modulation may be reflected away from on-state light paths within the prism, tending to avoid uncontrolled scatter. In other embodiments, by keeping the colors separate for much of the prism path length, power levels may be significantly reduced at typical failure points. Light efficiency may be increased significantly when using discrete light sources like LEDs and lasers by removal of the additional red, green, and blue separation and re-combination losses.

High contrast discrete input prism for image projectors

Integrating rod modules are disclosed comprising a plurality of single and/or solid integrating rods that are mated together by straps. Such modules tend to comprise a greater length than the single and/or solid integrating rods and provide good illumination to a modulator that light from a light source is transmitted through the integrating rod module. The straps may comprise a material (e.g., glass) that has substantially same or similar thermal characteristics as the integrating rods. The straps may be glued to the integrating rods by a glue having a substantially different (e.g., lower) index of refraction than the integrating rods, so as not to disturb the internal reflectance of the rods. The straps may be reinforced by braces that may allow the integrating rod module to be set within a projection display system at an angle substantially different from horizontal.

Growing community of inventors

Melissa, TX, United States of America

Nathan Shawn Wainwright