Abstract: A projection assembly is provided herein for use in display systems. According to one exemplary embodiment, the projection assembly includes a multi-mirror reflective ring-field type lens assembly. According to such an exemplary embodiment, the projection assembly also includes a light modulator assembly in optical communication with the multi-mirror ring-field type lens assembly.

Abstract: A projection system comprising an illumination relay, a coupling lens, a modulation device, and a projection lens is provided. The illumination relay is configured to provide an illumination beam to the coupling lens along an illumination path having a first optical axis. The coupling lens is configured to direct the illumination beam onto the modulation device. The modulation device is configured to modulate the illumination beam to form an imaging beam and reflect the imaging beam into the coupling lens. The coupling lens is configured to direct the imaging beam into the projection lens along a projection path having a first optical axis such that the second optical axis is substantially parallel with the first optical axis.

Abstract: A projection system includes a modulator and a field lens. The modulator is to modulate light in accordance with image data. The field lens is to at least partially collect the light modulated by the modulator. The field lens has a number of elements. Each element has a wedged shape different than wedged shapes of neighboring elements.

Abstract: A projection assembly is provided herein. According to one exemplary embodiment, the projection assembly includes a plurality of modulator panels in optical series, a color combiner, and at least one field lens associated with at least one of the modulator panels. Further, according to one exemplary embodiment, the field lens is located between the modulator panel and the color combiner.

Abstract: A light modulator device includes a top plate and an angled extender coupled to the top plate. The angled extender includes an incident portion and an exit portion that is relatively thicker than the incident portion.

Abstract: A light coupling system includes a waveguide, configured to receive light from at least two light sources and to internally reflect light therein; a diffraction grating, disposed upon the waveguide; and a switchable Bragg grating, disposed upon the waveguide. The diffraction grating is configured to couple light from at least one of the light sources into the waveguide, and the switchable Bragg grating is configured to selectively couple light out of the waveguide, such that the light from the at least two light sources is selectively directed along a common projection axis.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment discussed herein, an active color wheel is provided. The active color wheel according to one exemplary embodiment includes a plurality of light sources configured to be moved through a period of motion. Further, the plurality of light sources are configured to be activated over a range of the period of motion.

Abstract: A projection system includes a modulator and an Offner relay. The modulator is to modulate light in accordance with sub-frames of a frame of image data. The Offner relay is to differently aim, in accordance with each sub-frame, the light as modulated.

Abstract: A projection assembly includes an illumination system and at least one light modulator panel in optical communication with the illumination system. An illumination path is defined between the illumination system and the light modulator panel. Further, the illumination system is configured to spatially shift at least a portion of the illumination path.

Abstract: An optical relay comprising a first mirror and a second mirror is provided. The first mirror is configured to receive modulated light from a first spatial light modulator and reflect the modulated light onto the second mirror. The second mirror is configured to reflect the modulated light onto the first mirror, and the first mirror is configured to reflect the modulated light onto a second spatial light modulator.

Abstract: A modulator for a projection system includes a surface having a number of pixels defined thereon corresponding to pixels of the projection system. The pixel areas have shapes that counter a distortion of a lens of the projection system, such that distortion effects of the lens are reduced, and/or the side profile of the surface matches a field curvature of the lens of the projection system, such that field curvature effects of the lens are reduced.

Abstract: A projection system is disclosed that has a chromaticity/luminosity module in serial optical communication with a luminosity module. The chromaticity/luminosity module has a pair of chromaticity/luminosity modulators configured to modulate incident light to generate color on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The luminosity module has a pair of luminosity modulators configured to modulate incident light to generate a light image.

Abstract: An embodiment of a double pass modulator includes a reflective polarizer adapted to pass light having a predetermined polarization state therethrough and to reflect substantially all other light, a quarter wave plate positioned to receive and pass light from the reflective polarizer, the quarter wave plate shifting the relative phase of the light passing therethrough by 45° with respect to the optic axis of the plate, and a reflector that receives light from the quarter wave plate and modulates at least a portion of the light incident thereon in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: A projector has at least first and second micro-displays and at least first and second cross total internal reflection prisms respectively optically coupled to the at least first and second micro-displays. Each of the at least first and second cross total internal reflection prisms has first and second total internal reflection interfaces. A combiner is optically coupled to the at least first and second cross total internal reflection prisms.

Abstract: A projection lens assembly is provided that includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth lenses. The second, third, fifth, and sixth lenses of the projection lens assembly form a double gauss-type lens assembly. The first lens is configured to provide telecentricity and the fourth lens in configured to correct aberrations due to variations in the third lens.

Abstract: A projection assembly including a light modulator assembly that includes a dichroic beam splitter, including first and second dichroic surfaces, the dichroic surfaces being crossed relative to one another, and first, second, and third light modulator panels in optical communication with the dichroic beam splitter, and a wobbling polarized plate at an optical pupil of said light modulator assembly in optical communication with the light modulator assembly.

Abstract: A projection assembly includes a dichroic beam splitter having first and second crossed dichroic surfaces, at least one interference type light modulator panel optically coupled to the dichroic beam splitter, and at least one filter at least partially between the light modulator panel and the dichroic beam splitter.

Abstract: A beam splitter includes a first member having at least a first dichroic layer, and a second member having at least a second dichroic layer, the first member being crossed relative to the second member.

Abstract: A light modulator assembly includes first, second, and third light modulators, with first and second dichroic mirrors. The first dichroic mirror is located at an optical pupil of said assembly and is configured to split a beam of light into a first component beam and an intermediate beam. The first dichroic mirror then transmits the first component beam to the first light modulator and reflects the intermediate beam to the second dichroic mirror. The second dichroic mirror is configured to split the intermediate beam into second and third component beams and to direct the second component beam to the second modulator and the third component beam to the third modulator. A third dichroic mirror is configured to receive the output of the first, second, and third modulators and to pass the output from the first, second, and third modulators to display optics.

Abstract: A prism assembly includes a first prism having a first front face, a first side face, and a first rear face, a second prism having a second front face parallel to the first rear face, a second side face, and a second rear face. The second prism is configured to direct a first component beam through the second side face. The prism assembly also includes a third prism having a third front face parallel to the second rear face, a third side face, and a third rear face. The third prism is configured to direct a second component beam through the third side face. The prism assembly also includes a fourth prism having a fourth front face parallel to the third rear face and a fourth rear face, the rear face being parallel to the first front face.