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: Dual or multi-modulation display systems are disclosed that comprise projector systems with at least one modulator that may employ non-mechanical beam steering modulation. Many embodiments disclosed herein employ a non-mechanical beam steering and/or polarizer to provide for a highlights modulator.

Abstract: Theater designs including social media, and theater entrances configured to draw patrons into a main area of the theater including an entrance having a curved wall and curved walkway having a horizon drop-off for display of content related to a motion picture or other feature to be shown in the theater. The content may be interactive or otherwise linked to patrons passing a hallway including the curved wall. Spatialized sound corresponding to the video “moves” with objects in the video and with patrons as they traverse walkway.

Abstract: A speckle damping system for dampening speckle on a projection screen for a projection display system employing coherent or partially coherent light sources (e.g., lasers, LEDs) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a rotatably coupled system is disclosed, comprising: a set of actuators; a set of rotatably coupled mounts, each of said set of rotatably coupled mount capable of mounting at least one said actuator; and wherein said at least one actuator mounted on said rotatably coupled mount is in moveable mechanical communication with said projection screen. In another embodiment, a linearly coupled system is disclosed comprising: a set of actuators; a set of linearly coupled mounts, each of said set of linearly coupled mount capable of mounting at least one said actuator; and wherein said at least one actuator mounted on said linearly coupled mount is in moveable mechanical communication with said projection screen.

Abstract: Projector display systems comprising a light dimmer and first modulator are disclosed. The light dimmer may comprise an adjustable iris, adjustable light sources and/or LCD stack that is capable of lowering the luminance of the light source illuminated the first modulator. The first modulator may comprise a plurality of analog mirrors (e.g. MEMS array) and the second modulator may comprise a plurality of mirrors (e.g., DMD array). The display system may further comprise a controller that sends control signals to the light dimmer and first modulator. The display system may render a desired dynamic range for rendering a projected image by a combination of such control signals.

Abstract: Dual or multi-modulation display systems are disclosed that comprise projector systems with at least one modulator that may employ non-mechanical beam steering modulation. Many embodiments disclosed herein employ a non-mechanical beam steering and/or polarizer to provide for a highlights modulator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cinema screen that improves audience perception of brightness at, for example, a premium theater without additional illumination cost. The screen is produced from materials that also help mitigate speckle from laser illumination. The screen has properties and includes structures that may be tuned to the specific capabilities of the projection system, arrangement of the theater, and projector (and angle of projection, angle of viewing). Light reflected from the screen are direct toward audience members and away from walls and ceilings.

Abstract: A speckle damping system for dampening speckle on a projection screen for a projection display system employing coherent or partially coherent light sources (e.g., lasers, LEDs) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a rotatably coupled system is disclosed, comprising: a set of actuators; a set of rotatably coupled mounts, each of said set of rotatably coupled mount capable of mounting at least one said actuator; and wherein said at least one actuator mounted on said rotatably coupled mount is in moveable mechanical communication with said projection screen. In another embodiment, a linearly coupled system is disclosed comprising: a set of actuators; a set of linearly coupled mounts, each of said set of linearly coupled mount capable of mounting at least one said actuator; and wherein said at least one actuator mounted on said linearly coupled mount is in moveable mechanical communication with said projection screen.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Dual or multi-modulation display systems are disclosed that comprise projector systems with at least one modulator that may employ non-mechanical beam steering modulation. Many embodiments disclosed herein employ a non-mechanical beam steering and/or polarizer to provide for a highlights modulator.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Systems and methods of rendering DCI-compliant image data on Enhanced Dynamic Range (EDR) display systems are disclosed. One embodiment of an EDR projector system comprises a first modulator and a second modulator. One method for rendering DCI-compliant image data on an EDR projector system comprises: receiving input image data, said image data comprising a plurality of image formats; determining whether the input image data comprises DCI image data; if the input image data comprises DCI image data, then performing dynamic range (DR) processing on the DCI image data; and rendering the dynamic range processed DCI image data on the EDR projector system. One DR processing method is to set the first modulator to a desired luminance level—e.g., fully ON or a ratio of DCI max luminance to the EDR max luminance. In addition, a desired minimum level of luminance may be set for the EDR projector.

Abstract: A speckle damping system for dampening speckle on a projection screen for a projection display system employing coherent or partially coherent light sources (e.g., lasers, LEDs) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a rotatably coupled system is disclosed, comprising: a set of actuators; a set of rotatably coupled mounts, each of said set of rotatably coupled mount capable of mounting at least one said actuator; and wherein said at least one actuator mounted on said rotatably coupled mount is in moveable mechanical communication with said projection screen. In another embodiment, a linearly coupled system is disclosed comprising: a set of actuators; a set of linearly coupled mounts, each of said set of linearly coupled mount capable of mounting at least one said actuator; and wherein said at least one actuator mounted on said linearly coupled mount is in moveable mechanical communication with said projection screen.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Systems and methods of rendering DCI-compliant image data on Enhanced Dynamic Range (EDR) display systems are disclosed. One embodiment of an EDR projector system comprises a first modulator and a second modulator. One method for rendering DCI-compliant image data on an EDR projector system comprises: receiving input image data, said image data comprising a plurality of image formats; determining whether the input image data comprises DCI image data; if the input image data comprises DCI image data, then performing dynamic range (DR) processing on the DCI image data; and rendering the dynamic range processed DCI image data on the EDR projector system. One DR processing method is to set the first modulator to a desired luminance level—e.g., fully ON or a ratio of DCI max luminance to the EDR max luminance. In addition, a desired minimum level of luminance may be set for the EDR projector.