3M Innovative Properties Company

Via Optronics Gmbh

Peter Richard Oehler

Arlie R Conner

Sean M Donnelly

Bruce L Cannon

T Scott Engle

Daniel R Doyle

Gary B Kingsley

Frederic R Engstrom

Maria Emma Crouser

Andrew Mitchell Robinson

Embodiments of methods and systems to generate an enhanced layered display system are described herein. In one embodiment, a method of generating an enhanced layered display system is provided including dispensing an optical bonding liquid onto a first substrate; forming an adhesive preform unit by curing the optical bonding liquid on the first substrate; and laminating the adhesive preform unit to a second substrate to form the enhanced layered display system, where one of the first substrate and the second substrate is a display.

Enhanced liquid crystal display system and methods

An illumination source includes a number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) operating at a first wavelength. Light from the LEDs illuminates a phosphor material that generates light at a second wavelength. A reflective polarizer transmits light at the second wavelength in a first polarization state and reflects light at the second wavelength in a second polarization state orthogonal to the first polarization state. The light at the second wavelength reflected by the reflective polarizer is directed back towards the phosphor material without an increase in angular range. In some embodiments the LEDs, having a conformal layer of phosphor material, are attached directly to the first surface of a liquid cooled plate. A liquid coolant contacts a second surface of the plate.

Illumination source with liquid cooled plate

Polarized, LED-based illumination source

Polarized, led-based illumination source

The present invention is particularly useful for projection systems in which portions of an unwanted light beam overlap with the image beam. Such an overlap reduces the image contrast. Under the present invention, an aperture is used to restrict the extent of the unwanted beam while an integrator changes the shape of the light beam illuminating the image display device. The integrator changes the illumination beam so as concentrate the light in those areas of the illumination beam that are transmitted through the aperture. When the aperture and the integrator are used together in the projection system, both the image brightness and the image contrast are increased.

Contrast and brightness enhancing apertures for illumination displays

A light engine ( ) for a projection display is provided which employs: 1) at least one light source ( ), 2) at least one TIR prism assembly ( ), and 3) at least one digital micromirror device ( ), wherein: (a) the illumination path ( ) between the light source ( ) and the prism assembly ( ) is unfolded, i.e., the illumination path is free of fold mirrors; and (b) the angle &ggr; between the illumination path ( ) and the device's horizontal axis ( ) is preferably less than or equal to about 20&deg;.

TIR prism for DMD projector

Growing community of inventors

Aloha, OR, United States of America

Peter Richard Oehler