Abstract: A method and system are presented directed to a light valve projector with a laser-phosphor light converter. The phosphor converter converts excitation light in order to provide light to a light valve projector. The phosphor converter reduces the étendue of laser-phosphor light sources using a light pipe integrator system. The light pipe integrator system includes a light pipe integrator configured to mix the excitation light and reduce the spot size of excitation light entering the system from, e.g., a laser array. The excitation light is imaged onto a phosphor as it exits the light pipe integrator. The phosphor emits fluorescent light, in response to being illuminated by the excitation light, that enters the light pipe integrator. The light pipe integrator reduces the emission angles of the fluorescent light while maintaining the étendue of the fluorescent light. The system and method may include a reflective polarizer to polarize the fluorescent light.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a projector comprising an optical engine, a projection lens, a means for light deviation, and an afocal lens system, wherein the projector has a total throw ratio between 0.7 and 0.8. Such a projector can be used to build a very compact and cost-effective back-projection system. The invention also pertains to a projection assembly comprising such a projector, followed by a means for light gradation and a front-surface mirror. The invention also pertains to a display system comprising at least one such projection and a display screen.

Abstract: A method and system are presented directed to a light valve projector with a laser-phosphor light converter. The phosphor converter converts excitation light in order to provide light to a light valve projector. The phosphor converter reduces the étendue of laser-phosphor light sources using a light pipe integrator system. The light pipe integrator system includes a light pipe integrator configured to mix the excitation light and reduce the spot size of excitation light entering the system from, e.g., a laser array. The excitation light is imaged onto a phosphor as it exits the light pipe integrator. The phosphor emits fluorescent light, in response to being illuminated by the excitation light, that enters the light pipe integrator. The light pipe integrator reduces the emission angles of the fluorescent light while maintaining the étendue of the fluorescent light. The system and method may include a reflective polarizer to polarize the fluorescent light.

Abstract: A color display (100, 200) for displaying an image is described wherein the color display (100, 200) is adapted for displaying a number of basic color light channels (102a, 102b, 102c). The color display (100, 200) comprises a basic color combiner (112, 212) for combining the basic colors and at least one basic color light channel (102a, 102b, 102c) comprising at least two light sources (104) having different spectral characteristics. The color display (100, 200) furthermore comprises an adjuster (106, 206) for adjusting a basic color by adjusting a relative proportion of a luminous output from the at least two light sources (104) in the basic color light channel (102a, 102b, 102c). A corresponding adjuster/controller, a multi-display system and a corresponding method for setting and/or adjusting a display system also is described.

Abstract: A display system (100, 200, 300, 350, 400, 450) for displaying an image is described. The display system (100, 200, 300, 350, 400, 450) typically comprises one or a plurality of individual light sources (102) and a light collecting stage (110, 210, 310, 410) which comprises a separate light collecting sub-system associated with each light source (102), or group of light sources (102). The display system (100, 200, 300, 350, 400, 450) typically comprises at least one light modulator (120) which is operable to modulate light received from the light collecting stage (110, 210, 310, 410) according to an image which is to be displayed. Finally a projection stage (130) is provided for projecting the image, typically on a projection screen. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method. The present invention is especially useful with light sources having a packaging around the light emitting surface such that the light sources cannot be physically placed adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A polariser or a system for lighting using such a polariser in a polarisation recuperation system. The polariser comprises first and second polarising beam splitters (212a, 212b) for splitting first and second unpolarised beams each into at least first and second polarised beams of different polarisation states. The first and second polarised beams are guided to first and second light paths respectively. On these light paths controllable polarisation conversion elements (218a, 218b) are arranged such that the second polarised beam from the first unpolarised beam time-shares a same path through the polarisation conversion element (218a, 218b) as the first polarised beam from the second unpolarised beam. The controllable polarisation conversion elements are switchable to alternately convert and not convert the polarisation state, depending on which beam is switched to pass through the polarisation conversion elements (218a, 218b), corresponding with which of the first or second unpolarised beams are present.

Abstract: A dimming system (300) for dimming electromagnetic radiation intensity of a radiating unit, such as e.g., an optical system. The dimming system (300) is adjusted to provide a constant electromagnetic radiation intensity over the cross-section of the impinging electromagnetic radiation beam by providing at least two dimming units (320, 330) each having a spatially variable position-dependent dimming behavior, such that the degree of dimming for the whole cross-section can be chosen to be a fixed selectable dimming factor. The dimming units (320, 330) may be based on spatially variable position-dependent dimming devices based on transparent substrates having a coating with a position-dependent varying transmission/reflection coefficient, on spatially variable position-dependent diffusing devices or on polarizer devices.

Abstract: A display system (100, 200, 300, 350, 400, 450) for displaying an image is described. The display system (100, 200, 300, 350, 400, 450) typically comprises one or a plurality of individual light sources (102) and a light collecting stage (110, 210, 310, 410) which comprises a separate light collecting sub-system associated with each light source (102), or group of light sources (102). The display system (100, 200, 300, 350, 400, 450) typically comprises at least one light modulator (120) which is operable to modulate light received from the light collecting stage (110, 210, 310, 410) according to an image which is to be displayed. Finally a projection stage (130) is provided for projecting the image, typically on a projection screen. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method. The present invention is especially useful with light sources having a packaging around the light emitting surface such that the light sources cannot be physically placed adjacent to each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polariser or a system for lighting using such a polariser in a polarisation recuperation system. The polariser comprises first and second polarising beam splitters (212a, 212b) for splitting first and second unpolarised beams each into at least first and second polarised beams of different polarisation states. The first and second polarised beams are guided to first and second light paths respectively. On these light paths, controllable polarisation conversion elements (218a, 218b) are positioned arranged such that the second polarised beam from the first unpolarised beam time-shares a same path through the polarisation conversion element (218a, 218b) as the first polarised beam from the second unpolarised beam.

Abstract: A colour display (100, 200) for displaying an image is described wherein the colour display (100, 200) is adapted for displaying a number of basic colour light channels (102a, 102b, 102c). The colour display (100, 200) comprises a basic colour combiner (112, 212) for combining the basic colours and at least one basic colour light channel (102a, 102b, 102c) comprising at least two light sources (104) having different spectral characteristics. The colour display (100, 200) furthermore comprises an adjuster (106, 206) for adjusting a basic colour by adjusting a relative proportion of a luminous output from the at least two light sources (104) in the basic colour light channel (102a, 102b, 102c). A corresponding adjuster/controller, a multi-display system and a corresponding method for setting and/or adjusting a display system also is described.

Abstract: The invention describes a dimming system (300) for dimming electromagnetic radiation intensity of a radiating unit, such as e.g. an optical system. The dimming system (300) is adjusted to provide a constant electromagnetic radiation intensity over the cross-section of the impinging electromagnetic radiation beam by providing at least two dimming units (320, 330) each having a spatially variable position-dependent dimming behavior, such that the degree of dimming for the whole cross-section can be chosen to be a fixed selectable dimming factor. The dimming units (320, 330) may be based on spatially variable position-dependent dimming means based on transparent substrates comprising a coating with a position-dependent varying transmission/reflection coefficient, on spatially variable position-dependent diffusing means or on polarizer means.