Abstract: A method to design projection lenses or zoom lenses with distorted or uncorrected pupil aberration (mostly Spherical Aberration or spherochromatism). By introducing some pupil aberration, the designer has a new variable to correct for field and aperture aberrations. The result is a design that requires fewer lens count for the same performance parameters than more complex projection lenses, and is more compact. Lenses designed by the method are illustrated.

Abstract: A pixel array display system including an illumination source of discrete emitters with uniform emitting areas, a separate collimator in front of each emitter, and a condenser in front of said collimators which focuses collimated light from the emitters onto the pixel array. The pixel array display system does not include a light homogenizing optical element such as a light pipe. Each emitter is focused onto at least 75 percent of the pixels. A portion of the emitters which provide collimated light cones proximate to a modulated light optical cone from the pixel array may be provided reduced power in a high contrast operating mode.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for illuminating a target includes a light source configured to emit one or more light beams with a first divergence. The system further includes a lens separated from the light source. The lens is configured to substantially satisfy the sine condition without removing spherical aberrations from the one or more light beams. The lens is further configured to receive the one or more light beams with the first divergence. The lens is further configured to change the first divergence of the one or more light beams to a second divergence. The second divergence is less than the first divergence. The second divergence is greater than zero. The lens is further configured to transmit the one or more light beams with the second divergence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an outer dome configured to provide protection and optical correction to a system of projection optics and the output thereof. More particularly, an optical projection system having an optical offset of greater than 100% is comprised within a projector housing having an outer dome comprised of an optically active material mounted onto an opening approximately coinciding with the optical projection system's exit pupil. The outer dome is configured to be decenterized from the exit pupil (e.g., the center of the dome is offset from the exit pupil in one or more of an x, y, and z direction) such that it provides optical correction to a projected image. Therefore, an outer dome is configured to provide protection to optical elements provided therein and improvement of projected image quality (e.g., reduced image distortion, reduced aberration).

Abstract: A projection lens for projecting images with high degrees of image offset while limiting the physical offset of the projection lens elements. The projection lens arrangement limits the displacement of the optical elements relative to the optical axis of the display panel and enables a very thin, efficient projector.

Abstract: A system and method for correcting optical distortion in an off-axis system is provided. The offset between the center of a display plane and the optical axis of the projection lens system is configured such that the offset is greater than half the vertical dimension of the display plane. In this manner, the distortion, such as a pincushion-type or barrel-type of distortion, is not symmetrical about the horizontal axis. In this scenario, the display plane, the projection lens system, a folding mirror, and/or the spatial light modulator may be tilted such that a keystone effect is induced. This keystone effect may be used to offset the distortion, particularly the pincushion-type or barrel-type of distortions.

Abstract: A projection display system and method is provided. One or more light sources, such as solid state lasers, generates light of various colors that is modulated by a spatial light modulator, such as a digital micro-mirror device. The projection optics of the system include a telecentric rear group of lenses followed by a pair of aspheric lenses formed of a continuous piece of material. A folding mirror, such as a single-piece or multi-piece angular mirror, is disposed along the optical path between the aspheric lenses, to reduce the depth of the enclosure, and an aspheric mirror projects the image onto a projection screen. A folding mirror may be used after the aspheric mirror to further reduce the depth of the enclosure.

Abstract: A system and method for using an optical lightguide in a projection display system. A plurality of light sources provides a plurality of colored light to a lightguide. The lightguide may include alternating layers of a relatively high refractive index material and a relatively low refractive index material. In an embodiment, the layers of the lightguide are tapered. In another embodiment, the lightguide includes a light pipe having a lenticular array on the entrance face of the light pipe. Optionally, the light pipe may be tapered. The lightguide provides a line of light to a scanning element, which in turn redirects the light to a spatial light modulator.

Abstract: A method and system of projecting images with high degrees of image offset while limiting the physical offset of the projection lens elements. The methods and systems provided limit the displacement of the optical elements relative to the optical axis of the display panel and enable a very thin, efficient projector.

Abstract: A pixel array display system including an illumination source of discrete emitters with uniform emitting areas, a separate collimator in front of each emitter, and a condenser in front of said collimators which focuses collimated light from the emitters onto the pixel array. The pixel array display system does not include a light homogenizing optical element such as a light pipe. Each emitter is focused onto at least 75 percent of the pixels. A portion of the emitters which provide collimated light cones proximate to a modulated light optical cone from the pixel array may be provided reduced power in a high contrast operating mode.

Abstract: A micro-mirror based projection display system in an enclosure with minimum chin and depth measurements is disclosed. A light source, such as a solid state laser light source, generates light of multiple primary colors that is modulated by a digital micro-mirror device. The projection optics of the system include a telecentric rear group of glass lenses with spherical surfaces, followed by a pair of aspheric lenses formed of plastic. A folding mirror, such as a single-piece or multi-piece angular mirror, is disposed between the aspheric lenses, to reduce the depth of the enclosure, and an aspheric mirror projects the image onto a TIR Fresnel projection screen. The aspheric lenses are magnifying to reduce the magnification required of the aspheric mirror, and the aspheric lenses and mirror are clipped to reduce enclosure volume. A folding mirror may be used after the aspheric mirror to further reduce the depth of the enclosure.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for illuminating a target includes a light source configured to emit one or more light beams with a first divergence. The system further includes a lens separated from the light source. The lens is configured to substantially satisfy the sine condition without removing spherical aberrations from the one or more light beams. The lens is further configured to receive the one or more light beams with the first divergence. The lens is further configured to change the first divergence of the one or more light beams to a second divergence. The second divergence is less than the first divergence. The second divergence is greater than zero. The lens is further configured to transmit the one or more light beams with the second divergence.

Abstract: System and method for utilizing two prisms spatially separated is provided. The two prisms spatially separated allows the two prisms typically found in a TIR optical relay system to be spatially separated. In an embodiment, one or more optical relay lenses are interposed between the two prisms. The prism positioned on the object side may be integrated into one or more of the optical relay lenses, thereby further simplifying the optical relay design. In another embodiment, the one or more optical relay lenses may have an optical axis that is offset from the optical axis of incoming light to cause a pupil shift. An aspherical lens may be included to correct for the pupil shift and create a more uniform illumination image.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for illuminating a target includes a light source configured to emit one or more light beams with a first divergence. The system further includes a lens separated from the light source. The lens is configured to substantially satisfy the sine condition without removing spherical aberrations from the one or more light beams. The lens is further configured to receive the one or more light beams with the first divergence. The lens is further configured to change the first divergence of the one or more light beams to a second divergence. The second divergence is less than the first divergence. The second divergence is greater than zero. The lens is further configured to transmit the one or more light beams with the second divergence.

Abstract: A system and method for collimating light emitted from a light source, such as a light-emitting diode (LED), is provided. The system and method includes two lenses, both lenses having a positive power for converging the light rays. In one example, the first lens is a hemispherical ball lens and the second lens is configured such that one surface conforms to the exiting surface of the first lens. The exiting surface of the second lens may be, for example, a Fresnel lens or an aspherical lens. In another example, the first lens may be a hemispherical or a hyperhemispherical ball lens. The second lens has an outer circumference having two aspherical surfaces. The inner portion of the second lens is in direct contact with the first lens. This configuration creates a dual-channel collimator.

Abstract: An optical architecture comprises a refractive cylinder that is movable relative to the incident light. By moving the refractive cylinder, the output light from the refractive cylinder is capable of sweeping through a spatial angle. Examples of the optical architecture can be implemented in an imaging system, such as a display system, for sequentially illuminating the target, such as a light valve in a display system with a high brightness.

Abstract: System and method for utilizing two prisms spatially separated is provided. The two prisms spatially separated allows the two prisms typically found in a TIR optical relay system to be spatially separated. In an embodiment, one or more optical relay lenses are interposed between the two prisms. The prism positioned on the object side may be integrated into one or more of the optical relay lenses, thereby further simplifying the optical relay design. In another embodiment, the one or more optical relay lenses may have an optical axis that is offset from the optical axis of incoming light to cause a pupil shift. An aspherical lens may be included to correct for the pupil shift and create a more uniform illumination image.

Abstract: System and method for utilizing two prisms spatially separated is provided. The two prisms spatially separated allows the two prisms typically found in a TIR optical relay system to be spatially separated. In an embodiment, one or more optical relay lenses are interposed between the two prisms. The prism positioned on the object side may be integrated into one or more of the optical relay lenses, thereby further simplifying the optical relay design. In another embodiment, the one or more optical relay lenses may have an optical axis that is offset from the optical axis of incoming light to cause a pupil shift. An aspherical lens may be included to correct for the pupil shift and create a more uniform illumination image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an outer dome configured to provide protection and optical correction to a system of projection optics and the output thereof. More particularly, an optical projection system having an optical offset of greater than 100% is comprised within a projector housing having an outer dome comprised of an optically active material mounted onto an opening approximately coinciding with the optical projection system's exit pupil. The outer dome is configured to be decenterized from the exit pupil (e.g., the center of the dome is offset from the exit pupil in one or more of an x, y, and z direction) such that it provides optical correction to a projected image. Therefore, an outer dome is configured to provide protection to optical elements provided therein and improvement of projected image quality (e.g., reduced image distortion, reduced aberration).

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for illuminating a target includes a light source configured to emit one or more light beams with a first divergence. The system further includes a lens separated from the light source. The lens is configured to substantially satisfy the sine condition without removing spherical aberrations from the one or more light beams. The lens is further configured to receive the one or more light beams with the first divergence. The lens is further configured to change the first divergence of the one or more light beams to a second divergence. The second divergence is less than the first divergence. The second divergence is greater than zero. The lens is further configured to transmit the one or more light beams with the second divergence.