Abstract: A projection system and method therefor comprises a first light source configured to emit a first-eye light, wherein the first-eye light includes a first set of wavelengths; a second light source configured to emit a second-eye light, wherein the second-eye light includes a second set of wavelengths; a first projector including first projection optics configured to receive a first input light; and an optical switch configured to be switched between an a first mode and a second mode, wherein the optical switch is configured to, in the first mode, combine the first-eye light and the second-eye light into a combined light and direct the combined light to the first projection optics as the first input light.

Abstract: A novel spatial light modulator (SLM) includes a cover glass, and modulation layer, and a plurality of pixel minors, and separates unwanted, reflected light from desired, modulated light. In one embodiment, a geometrical relationship exists between the cover glass and the pixel minors, such that light that reflects from the cover glass is separated from light that reflects from the pixel minors and is transmitted from the SLM. In one example, one of the cover glass or the pixel minors is angled with respect to the modulation layer. In another example embodiment, the cover glass has a particular thickness, which introduces destructive interference between light that reflects from the top and bottom surfaces of the cover glass. In another embodiment antireflective coatings are disposed between optical interfaces of the SLM. In another embodiment, light from the SLM is directed through an optical filter to remove unwanted light.

Abstract: One or more perforation hole pattern methods are applied (402) to generate a spatial distribution of perforation holes forming a semi-random pattern for an image display screen. The image display screen is perforated (404) with the spatial distribution of perforation holes forming the semi-random pattern. Image rendering light is emitted (406) with a light projector toward the image display screen that is installed in an image rendering environment. At least a portion of the image rendering light emitted from the light projector is reflected (408) by the image display screen, toward a viewer.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A novel projection system includes a light source, a phase modulator, an amplitude modulator, and a controller having temporal lightfield simulation capabilities. The phase modulator spatially modulates a lightfield from the light source to generate an intermediate image on the amplitude modulator. The amplitude modulator spatially modulates the intermediate image to form a final image. The controller models the phase state of the phase modulator during transitions between phase modulator frames and generates lightfield simulations of the intermediate image during the transition. The controller utilizes the lightfield simulations to generate and provide sets of amplitude drive values to the amplitude modulator at a faster rate than that at which the phase modulator is capable of switching.

Abstract: A novel spatial light modulator (SLM) includes a cover glass, and modulation layer, and a plurality of pixel mirrors, and separates unwanted, reflected light from desired, modulated light. In one embodiment, a geometrical relationship exists between the cover glass and the pixel mirrors, such that light that reflects from the cover glass is separated from light that reflects from the pixel mirrors and is transmitted from the SLM. In one example, one of the cover glass or the pixel mirrors is angled with respect to the modulation layer. In another example embodiment, the cover glass has a particular thickness, which introduces destructive interference between light that reflects from the top and bottom surfaces of the cover glass. In another embodiment antireflective coatings are disposed between optical interfaces of the SLM. In another embodiment, light from the SLM is directed through an optical filter to remove unwanted light.

Abstract: One or more perforation hole pattern methods are applied (402) to generate a spatial distribution of perforation holes forming a semi-random pattern for an image display screen. The image display screen is perforated (404) with the spatial distribution of perforation holes forming the semi-random pattern. Image rendering light is emitted (406) with a light projector toward the image display screen that is installed in an image rendering environment. At least a portion of the image rendering light emitted from the light projector is reflected (408) by the image display screen, toward a viewer.

Abstract: 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 minor and a second minor, 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 minor 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.

Abstract: A novel projection system includes a light source, a phase modulator, an amplitude modulator, and a controller having temporal lightfield simulation capabilities. The phase modulator spatially modulates a lightfield from the light source to generate an intermediate image on the amplitude modulator. The amplitude modulator spatially modulates the intermediate image to form a final image. The controller models the phase state of the phase modulator during transitions between phase modulator frames and generates lightfield simulations of the intermediate image during the transition. The controller utilizes the lightfield simulations to generate and provide sets of amplitude drive values to the amplitude modulator at a faster rate than that at which the phase modulator is capable of switching.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method for mitigating modal noise includes applying a time-varying mechanical force to a fiber segment of the multimode optical fiber in at least a first direction orthogonal to a fiber axis of the multimode optical fiber within the fiber segment. A modal-noise mitigator for a multimode optical fiber includes an actuator configured to apply a time-varying mechanical force to a fiber segment of the multimode optical fiber in at least a first direction orthogonal to a fiber axis of the multimode optical fiber within the fiber segment.

Abstract: A novel projection system includes first and second light sources (e.g., sets of lasers), a spatial light modulator (SLM) that receives light from the first light source, and a beam steering device that receives light from the second light source and steers the light to highlight regions of the SLM. The SLM then modulates the light from both light sources to generate a highlighted imaging beam which can then be projected on a viewing surface. The highlighted imaging beam can represent a highlighted 2D image or a highlighted left- or right-eye view of a 3D image. The projection system thus improves peak brightness in the displayed highlighted images without incorporating a separate highlight projector or other expensive equipment. Methods for highlighting projected images are also described.

Abstract: Three dimensional (3D) glasses suited for wearers with varying facial geometries are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes a frame adapted to position spectrally filtering lenses at a particular distance from the eyes of the wearer. In a more particular embodiment, the 3D glasses include a means for adjusting the distance between the lenses and the eyes of the wearer. In another particular embodiment, the lenses include positive runout.

Abstract: A projector controller includes an object detector and control electronics, and is configured to protect audience members from intense light imposing an exclusion zone in front of a projector. The object detector is configured to optically sense a presence of an object in a detection region beneath the exclusion zone and above the audience members. The control electronics is configured to control the projector when the object detector indicates the presence of the object in the detection region. A method for protecting audience members from intense light imposing an exclusion zone in front of an output of a projector includes: (i) optically sensing a presence of an object in a detection region between the exclusion zone and the audience members, and (ii) controlling the projector when the presence of the object is sensed in the detection region.

Abstract: A novel light source for a 3D display system includes a plurality of left eye light emitters and a plurality of right eye light emitters. The left eye emitters include a broad spectral distribution emitter and an overlapping narrow spectral distribution emitter in each of the blue, green, and red color bands. Similarly, the right eye emitters include a broad spectral distribution emitter and an overlapping narrow spectral distribution emitter in each of the blue, green, and red color bands. The combined spectral distributions of each of the broad and narrow emitters provide a primary light for each color and for each eye that has a desirable spectral shape, including wide bandwidth and short tail(s). The invention thus minimizes cross-talk and speckling in left- and right-eye images of 3D display systems.

Abstract: A novel spatial light modulator (SLM) includes a cover glass, and modulation layer, and a plurality of pixel mirrors, and separates unwanted, reflected light from desired, modulated light. In one embodiment, a geometrical relationship exists between the cover glass and the pixel mirrors, such that light that reflects from the cover glass is separated from light that reflects from the pixel mirrors and is transmitted from the SLM. In one example, one of the cover glass or the pixel mirrors is angled with respect to the modulation layer. In another example embodiment, the cover glass has a particular thickness, which introduces destructive interference between light that reflects from the top and bottom surfaces of the cover glass. In another embodiment antireflective coatings are disposed between optical interfaces of the SLM. In another embodiment, light from the SLM is directed through an optical filter to remove unwanted light.

Abstract: A projection system and method therefor comprises a first light source configured to emit a first-eye light, wherein the first-eye light includes a first set of wavelengths; a second light source configured to emit a second-eye light, wherein the second-eye light includes a second set of wavelengths; a first projector including first projection optics configured to receive a first input light; and an optical switch configured to be switched between an a first mode and a second mode, wherein the optical switch is configured to, in the first mode, combine the first-eye light and the second-eye light into a combined light and direct the combined light to the first projection optics as the first input light.

Abstract: Three dimensional (3D) glasses suited for wearers with varying facial geometries may include a frame adapted to position spectrally filtering lenses at a particular distance from the eyes of the wearer. The 3D glasses may include a means for adjusting the distance between the lenses and the eyes of the wearer. The lenses may include positive runout.