Abstract: A method and system for improving the contrast ratio of a projected image. An asymmetric aperture stop improves the contrast ratio of a projected image. Using slightly offset projection, the majority of the on-state projection light from the modulator array passes through a region that is not centered in the projection lens pupil. The blocked region of the asymmetric aperture is oriented toward the illumination path and away from the specular reflection path. The asymmetric aperture is able to block a significant portion of the diffracted light using the blocked region, without blocking much of the desired projection light passing through the remainder of the aperture. The result is that dark regions of the image become significantly darker, while light regions remain about the same. The same effect occurs without offset illumination.

Abstract: A method and system for improving the contrast ratio of a projected image. An asymmetric aperture stop within a lens is used to provide a 20-30% improvement in the contrast ratio of a projected image when used with offset projection. Using slightly offset projection, the majority of the on-state projection light from the modulator array passes through a region (512) that is not centered in the projection lens pupil. The blocked region (504) of the asymmetric aperture is oriented toward the illumination path (510) and away from the specular reflection path (508). The asymmetric aperture (502) is able to block a significant portion of the diffracted light using the blocked region (504), without blocking much of the desired projection light passing through the remainder of the aperture. The result is that dark regions of the image become significantly darker, while light regions remain about the same. The same effect occurs without the offset illumination shown in FIG. 3, but to a lesser extent.

Abstract: A method and system for improving the contrast ratio of a projected image. An asymmetric aperture stop within a lens is used to provide a 20-30% improvement in the contrast ratio of a projected image when used with offset projection. Using slightly offset projection, the majority of the on-state projection light from the modulator array passes through a region (512) that is not centered in the projection lens pupil. The blocked region (504) of the asymmetric aperture is oriented toward the illumination path (510) and away from the specular reflection path (508). The asymmetric aperture (502) is able to block a significant portion of the diffracted light using the blocked region (504), without blocking much of the desired projection light passing through the remainder of the aperture. The result is that dark regions of the image become significantly darker, while light regions remain about the same. The same effect occurs without the offset illumination shown in FIG. 3, but to a lesser extent.

Abstract: An optical system and method of increasing the contrast of a projected image. The optical system 1800 comprises a combination of aperture stops 1810, 1812 in at least one of the illumination and projection paths to filter scattered light and/or light prone to scatter into the projection aperture.

Abstract: Distortion optics are used to efficiently couple a spiral color wheel and an orthogonal modulator. Light 602 from a light source enters an aperture in a reflective end of a recycling integrator rod 604. The light travels through the rod and exits the end of the rod adjacent a sequential color filter 606, shown as a spiral color wheel. The shape of the light beam 608 exiting the integrator rod 604 is determined by the shape of the exit aperture of the integrating rod 606. The exit aperture of the integrating rod 606 typically is formed by a reflective exit aperture on the exit face. A cross section of the light beam 608 exiting the sequential color filter includes several bands of filtered light, one for each of the filter segments of the color wheel illuminated by the light beam. The curvature of the color bands makes it difficult for a row addressed spatial light modulator to efficiently use the light.

Abstract: A display system (300) providing the efficiency improvements of sequential color recapture (SCR) display systems without the need for a spiral color wheel. A color filter array (312) is positioned at the exit face of an integrator rod (310). The color filter array (312) filters light reaching the end of the integrator rod (310) into a plurality of colored light beams. The various single color light beams are directed by a scrolling element (322). Scrolling element (322) typically is one or more rotating prisms that cause each single color beam to sweep across the face of the spatial light modulator (116). The preceding abstract of the disclosure is submitted with the understanding that it only will be used to assist in determining, from a cursory inspection, the nature and gist of the technical disclosure as described in 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b). In no case should this abstract be used for interpreting the scope of any patent claims.

Abstract: Distortion optics are used to efficiently couple a spiral color wheel and an orthogonal modulator. Light 602 from a light source enters an aperture in a reflective end of a recycling integrator rod 604. The light travels through the rod and exits the end of the rod adjacent a sequential color filter 606, shown as a spiral color wheel. The shape of the light beam 608 exiting the integrator rod 604 is determined by the shape of the exit aperture of the integrating rod 606. The exit aperture of the integrating rod 606 typically is formed by a reflective exit aperture on the exit face. A cross section of the light beam 608 exiting the sequential color filter includes several bands of filtered light, one for each of the filter segments of the color wheel illuminated by the light beam. The curvature of the color bands makes it difficult for a row addressed spatial light modulator to efficiently use the light.

Abstract: A method and system for improving the contrast ratio of a projected image. An asymmetric aperture stop within a lens is used to provide a 20-30% improvement in the contrast ratio of a projected image when used with offset projection. Using slightly offset projection, the majority of the on-state projection light from the modulator array passes through a region (512) that is not centered in the projection lens pupil. The blocked region (504) of the asymmetric aperture is oriented toward the illumination path (510) and away from the specular reflection path (508). The asymmetric aperture (502) is able to block a significant portion of the diffracted light using the blocked region (504), without blocking much of the desired projection light passing through the remainder of the aperture. The result is that dark regions of the image become significantly darker, while light regions remain about the same. The same effect occurs without the offset illumination shown in FIG. 3, but to a lesser extent.

Abstract: A method of and system for improving the saturation of the primary colors in a display system. A color correction filter (218) removes unwanted wavelengths from a beam of light. A color splitter (228) separates the beam of light into at least three primary color beams of light. The primary color beams of light are selectively modulated by spatial light modulators (220, 222, 224) before passing through a projection lens (104) which focuses the beams of light onto an image plane.

Abstract: A projection lens (400) having a BFD:EFL, ratio in the range of 0.80:1 to 1.60:1, an air equivalent BFD of at least 4.3 inches, a throw ratio in the range of 3:1 to 6:1, and lateral color correction of one-quarter pixel when used with an SXGA modulator having pixels on 0.17 &mgr;m centers, and operating with its chief rays telecentric at the plane of the modulator. The projection lens comprises an objective lens group (402), a telecentric lens group (404), and an aperture stop (414) between the objective lens group and the telecentric lens group.