Abstract: Light sources are disclosed utilizing LED dies having at least one emitting surface. An optical element is provided for efficiently extracting light out of an LED die by controlling the angular distribution of the emitted light. The optical element is optically coupled to but is mechanically decoupled from the emitting surface of the LED die. The optical element has an input surface that is optically coupled to the emitting surface, an output surface that is larger in surface area than the input surface, and at least one intermediate surface.

Abstract: A projection display system includes a projection lens assembly that has multiple projection lens elements that are configured to receive light imparted with display information by a pixelated display device. The projection lens elements project the light toward a display screen. A pixel-shifting element is included within the projection lens assembly to cyclically shift between at least two positions within the projection lens assembly to form at a display screen at least two interlaced arrays of pixels. An electro-mechanical transducer is coupled to the pixel-shifting element to impart on it the cyclic shifting between positions.

Abstract: Illumination systems are disclosed, which include a plurality of light source modules, each having a light-emitting surface, and a system of optical elements configured to image the emitting surfaces onto an illumination target. The shape of the emitting surface or of the image of the emitting surface produced by the system of optical elements may substantially match the shape of the target. In addition, illumination systems are disclosed that utilize a plurality of source modules having light-emitting surfaces of different colors. Furthermore, the present disclosure is directed to illumination systems including a plurality of light source modules disposed in an array within a non-radially symmetrical aperture and to illumination systems in which the light source modules and the system of optical elements are configured to form a plurality of channels aimed substantially into the illumination target.

Abstract: A table-top rear projection television employs a single large-panel (e.g., 7 inch-15 inch, 17.5 cm-38 cm, diagonal), multi-color transmissive imaging device (e.g., an amorphous silicon liquid crystal display). The rear projection television has a cabinet with a pedestal having a height and a depth that are each less than or equal to about 0.65 the height of the display screen. The display screen may have any aspect ratio of a wide format (e.g., 16:9, 15:9, 16:10) or a conventional format (i.e. 4:3).

Abstract: Light source modules are disclosed, which include an emitter having a light-emitting surface and a pyramid collector mounted onto the emitter over the emitting surface. Also disclosed are illumination systems, including a plurality of light source modules, each light source module comprising an emitter having a light-emitting surface and a pyramid collector mounted onto the emitter over the emitting surface. The illumination systems further include an illumination target and a system of optical elements disposed between the at least one light source module and the illumination target.

Abstract: Methods for illuminating the display area of a liquid crystal panel (13) are provided. Illumination light (17) is compressed into a stripe which is scanned across the display area in synchronization with the display's refresh cycle. In particular, the scanning is performed so that for each row of the display, the majority of the illumination light which impinges on the row as a result of the scan is in the last half of the cycle fresh period for the row. In this way, the ability to display moving objects is improved.

Abstract: A projection display system includes a projection lens assembly that has multiple projection lens elements that are configured to receive light imparted with display information by a pixelated display device. The projection lens elements project the light toward a display screen. A pixel-shifting element is included within the projection lens assembly to cyclically shift between at least two positions within the projection lens assembly to form at a display screen at least two interlaced arrays of pixels. An electro-mechanical transducer is coupled to the pixel-shifting element to impart on it the cyclic shifting between positions.

Abstract: A projection system having an imager panel uses a scrolling prism assembly to illuminate different portions of the imager panel with light of different color simultaneously. The scrolling prism assembly can split light from a white light source into two or more different color bands that propagate through the scrolling prism in different directions, and it can reflectively combine the light so that the different color bands pass out of the scrolling prism assembly parallel. The scrolling prism assembly can also compensate for chromatic aberrations in the light received from the light source.

Abstract: 1266-03028 A color display system includes a color light separator that separates incident white illumination light into red, green and blue wavelength bands to be directed to distinct color component sub-pixels (sometimes called dots) that are arranged in a dot-matrix, color triad arrangement (e.g., stripe or delta) to form individual picture elements (pixels) on a pixelated electronic image device (e.g., LCD of DMD). The entire picture is optically shifted from one set of color component sub-pixels to another in a 3-field sequence. As a result, the sets of red, green and blue color component sub-pixels appear to an observer as a single full-color image, thereby providing a dot sequential color display.

Abstract: A color display system includes a color light separator that separates incident white illumination light into red, green and blue wavelength bands to be directed to distinct color component sub-pixels (sometimes called dots) that are arranged in a dot-matrix, color triad arrangement (e.g., stripe or delta) to form individual picture elements (pixels) on a pixelated electronic image device (e.g., LCD of DMD). The entire picture is optically shifted from one set of color component sub-pixels to another in a 3-field sequence. As a result, the sets of red, green and blue color component sub-pixels appear to an observer as a single full-color image, thereby providing a dot sequential color display.

Abstract: A single-panel LCD projection system includes a color prefilter positioned between an illumination system and a multi-color liquid crystal display (LCD). The color prefilter functions to shape the spectrum of illumination provided by the illumination system so as to increase relative panel transmission and to reduce heat absorption by color component filters (e.g., red, green and blue) incorporated in the LCD. The color prefilter is selected to eliminate from or greatly reduce in the illumination light the intensity of certain wavebands that do not materially contribute to generating pure primary colors. A consequence of adding the color prefilter is that the LCD color component filters can be desaturated and the overall total transmission of the projection system can be improved. In one implementation, the color prefilter is able to remove the wavebands of highest absorption by the LCD color component filters before such light strikes the LCD, so that there is less heat build-up in the LCD.

Abstract: Methods for illuminating the display area of a liquid crystal panel (13) are provided. Illumination light (17) is compressed into a stripe which is scanned across the display area in synchronization with the display's refresh cycle. In particular, the scanning is performed so that for each row of the display, the majority of the illumination light which impinges on the row as a result of the scan is in the last half of the cycle fresh period for the row. In this way, the ability to display moving objects is improved.

Abstract: A single-panel LCD projection system includes a color prefilter positioned between an illumination system and a multi-color liquid crystal display (LCD). The color prefilter functions to shape the spectrum of illumination provided by the illumination system so as to increase relative panel transmission and to reduce heat absorption by color component filters (e.g., red, green and blue) incorporated in the LCD. The color prefilter is selected to eliminate from or greatly reduce in the illumination light the intensity of certain wavebands that do not materially contribute to generating pure primary colors. A consequence of adding the color prefilter is that the LCD color component filters can be desaturated and the overall total transmission of the projection system can be improved. In one implementation, the color prefilter is able to remove the wavebands of highest absorption by the LCD color component filters before such light strikes the LCD, so that there is less heat build-up in the LCD.

Abstract: An electronic (e.g., LCD) projector combines multiple projection lens assemblies with equal color component optical path lengths to provide improved display images and a compact arrangement. In one implementation, the projector includes a successive pair of angled dichroic mirrors that fold the red and blue color components of light in opposed directions. The green color component of light passes through the dichroic mirrors toward a pixelated electronic light modulator, such as a liquid crystal display, and an associated projection lens assembly. The red and blue color components of light are each folded again to propagate parallel with the green color component toward a pixelated electronic light modulator, such as a liquid crystal display, and an associated projection lens assembly. The separate projection lens assemblies are arranged in a non-linear, close-packed arrangement to receive the color components of light.

Abstract: A polarization conversion system provides generally uniform polarized illumination light while maximizing illumination brightness by utilizing all illumination light, particularly the typically brightest illumination light available in a central region. In one implementation, the polarization conversion system includes a pair of lens arrays that successively receive light from an illumination source. A planar array of polarization beamsplitters is positioned adjacent the latter lens array. Each polarization beamsplitter includes a pair of elongated right-angle prisms having their respective inclined faces positioned against each other and their lengths extending vertically across multiple lenslets of the latter lens array. The polarization beamsplitter array includes coplanar top and bottom array segments, the inclined faces of the prisms of the polarization beamsplitters of the top array segment being oriented at substantially one angle (e.g.

Abstract: 1266-03028 A color display system includes a color light separator that separates incident white illumination light into red, green and blue wavelength bands to be directed to distinct color component sub-pixels (sometimes called dots) that are arranged in a dot-matrix, color triad arrangement (e.g., stripe or delta) to form individual picture elements (pixels) on a pixelated electronic image device (e.g., LCD of DMD). The entire picture is optically shifted from one set of color component sub-pixels to another in a 3-field sequence. As a result, the sets of red, green and blue color component sub-pixels appear to an observer as a single full-color image, thereby providing a dot sequential color display.

Abstract: A color display system includes a color light separator that separates incident white illumination light into red, green and blue wavelength bands to be directed to distinct color component sub-pixels (sometimes called dots) that are arranged in a dot-matrix, color triad arrangement (e.g., stripe or delta) to form individual picture elements (pixels) on a pixelated electronic image device (e.g., LCD of DMD). The entire picture is optically shifted from one set of color component sub-pixels to another in a 3-field sequence. As a result, the sets of red, green and blue color component sub-pixels appear to an observer as a single full-color image, thereby providing a dot sequential color display.

Abstract: A multi-path reflective color liquid crystal display projection system utilizes one color separating dichroic mirror in combination with polarizing beam splitters and reflective liquid crystal displays to provide a high resolution, high brightness display. The dichroic mirror separates two color components (e.g., green and one of the red and blue components) and from the other (e.g., the other of the red and blue components). A color light separating polarizing beam splitter the receives the two selected color components of light and separates them from each other.

Abstract: A color liquid crystal display projector having a light source with a radiating element and a liquid crystal display (LCD). The LCD includes an array of multiple picture elements or pixels that each has separate color component elements. A microlens array is positioned adjacent to the liquid crystal display to direct light from the light source into the picture elements. Illumination imaging components cooperate with the microlens array to image the radiating element toward the separate color component elements of the liquid crystal display. Multiple differently inclined dichroic mirrors split the light into light beams of different color components that are imaged onto the appropriate color component elements of the liquid crystal display.

Abstract: A visual display device is provided for delivering a generated image, preferably combinable with environment light, to the eye of a user. Light from an image generator such as a CRT, LED or LCD is reflected from a fold mirror away from a user's eye towards a combiner. The image is reflected from the combiner and magnified, optionally combined with light from the environment and passes back through the fold mirror towards the eye of the user. In one embodiment, an optical element such as a meniscus lens or PCX lens is used to present the user with a substantially flat focal field and/or a Fresnel lens or diffractive optical element is used to aim rays from the image to the field curvature corrective lens in order to maintain maximum contrast.