Abstract: A device and system for optically analyzing food products is provided. The device comprises first and second imaging devices respectively sensitive to first and second wavelengths; the imaging devices include a line-scan camera to acquire images of food products at a line in a food-path-facing direction, and a line-scan spectrometer to acquire spectroscopic images at the line. The device includes an optical filter configured to: convey the first wavelengths from the line to the first imaging device; and convey the second wavelengths from the line to the second imaging device. The device includes a frame to align the optical filter and respective optical axes of the first and second imaging devices, relative to each other and the food-path-facing direction, such that the first imaging device and the second imaging device are optically aligned via the optical filter to image the line.

Abstract: A system for producing an output light beam of a given spectrum is provided. The system comprises: a light source; a separator configured to separate an input light beam, from the light source, into a retained light beam directed along a first path and an excess light beam directed along a second path, based on wavelength of the input light beam; an optical power shifter positioned to intercept the excess light beam, the optical power shifter configured to convert the excess light beam into a power-shifted light beam comprising at least some wavelengths and/or power red-shifted relative to the excess light beam; and a combiner positioned to intercept both the retained light beam and the power-shifted light beam, the combiner configured to combine the retained light beam and the power-shifted light beam onto a common path to produce the output light beam.

Abstract: A wavelength conversion material array is provided, including a system comprising: a light source configured to emit excitation light at an excitation wavelength; a heatsink; a wavelength conversion material located on the heatsink, the wavelength conversion material comprising a relative wavelength conversion area of unity divided into an array of spots, a number of the spots in a range of 4 to 12, the wavelength conversion material configured to emit light at a wavelength greater than the excitation wavelength when irradiated by the excitation light; and, an array of lenslets configured to: receive the excitation light from the light source and irradiate each of the spots of the wavelength conversion material with the excitation light, the lenslets in a one-to-one relationship with the number of spots; and collect the light emitted by the wavelength conversion material.

Abstract: A light emitting device with a heat sink composed of two materials is provided. The device comprises: a light emitting material; and, a heat sink comprising: a first material configured to cool the light emitting material, the first material comprising a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE); and, a second material bonded to the first material at an interface there between, the second material comprising a second CTE lower than the first CTE, the light emitting material bonded to the first material but not the second material.

Abstract: A system for producing an output light beam of a given spectrum is provided. The system comprises: a light source; a separator configured to separate an input light beam, from the light source, into a retained light beam directed along a first path and an excess light beam directed along a second path, based on wavelength of the input light beam; an optical power shifter positioned to intercept the excess light beam, the optical power shifter configured to convert the excess light beam into a power-shifted light beam comprising at least some wavelengths and/or power red-shifted relative to the excess light beam; and a combiner positioned to intercept both the retained light beam and the power-shifted light beam, the combiner configured to combine the retained light beam and the power-shifted light beam onto a common path to produce the output light beam.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for dynamically distributing light are provided. The apparatus includes a source conduit configured to collect light from a light source and transmit the collected light for emission towards an optical switch. The optical switch is moveable between several discrete resting positions, each corresponding to a different one of a plurality of projector conduits. In each resting position, the optical switch directs light from the source conduit to a corresponding projector conduit. Each projector conduit receives the directed light from the optical switch and transmits the light to a corresponding one of a plurality of projectors. The optical switch is also configured to rest at each of the resting positions for respective portions of a given period of time, to regulate what amount of the light emitted by the source conduit during the period of time is received by each projector conduit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed that use one or more of advanced signal processing or auxiliary metadata to detect maximum video pixel drive levels required, in advance, for quickly reducing light source power levels to only supply what is absolutely required by the spatial light modulator for that time period. A spatial light modulator is controlled so as to compensate proportionally by increasing its throughput. Thus, the image brightness can be preserved at a lower average source power level resulting in increased lifetime of the light source and lower operating cost on a per-hour basis and/or projection at a desired brightness using a lower cost light source than prior art systems.

Abstract: A wavelength conversion material array is provided, including a system comprising: a light source configured to emit excitation light at an excitation wavelength; a heatsink; a wavelength conversion material located on the heatsink, the wavelength conversion material comprising a relative wavelength conversion area of unity divided into an array of spots, a number of the spots in a range of 4 to 12, the wavelength conversion material configured to emit light at a wavelength greater than the excitation wavelength when irradiated by the excitation light; and, an array of lenslets configured to: receive the excitation light from the light source and irradiate each of the spots of the wavelength conversion material with the excitation light, the lenslets in a one-to-one relationship with the number of spots; and collect the light emitted by the wavelength conversion material.

Abstract: A system for order alignment of diffractively produced images is provided. The system comprises: a diffractive spatial light modulator (DSLM) configured to provide a computer generated hologram of an image; a substantially coherent light source configured to illuminate the DSLM which responsively produces the image along each of different diffractive order paths; and, at least one set of optical components located along respective diffractive order paths of the DSLM, the at least one set of optical components configured to align at least one respective image diffracted from the DSLM with at least another diffracted image at a common image plane.

Abstract: A light engine is provided for a projection system, comprising a color wheel having a plurality of color phosphor portions; at least two light sources for illuminating the wheel at different locations for generating at least two time-sequenced beams of red, green and blue light, wherein the output beams are highly synchronized and exhibit substantially similar colorimetry, including spectrum and balance of red, green and blue light; and a digital micromirror device for modulating the time-sequenced beams of red, green and blue light to create an image.

Abstract: A system for forming stereoscopic images is provided, comprising: a first set of materials configured to emit light comprising a first set of primary colours when excited; a second set of materials configured to emit further light comprising a second set of primary colours when excited, the first and second sets of primary colours corresponding to one another, respective wavelengths of a given primary colour in each of the sets different from one another; one or more light sources configured to irradiate the sets of materials with an excitation wavelength so that both sets of primary colours are emitted; and, a light modulator positioned for irradiation by both sets of primary colours, the light modulator configured to form a first image from the first set of primary colours and a second image from the second set of primary colours.

Abstract: A light emitting device with a heat sink composed of two materials is provided. The device comprises: a light emitting material; and, a heat sink comprising: a first material configured to cool the light emitting material, the first material comprising a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE); and, a second material bonded to the first material at an interface there between, the second material comprising a second CTE lower than the first CTE, the light emitting material bonded to the first material but not the second material.

Abstract: A method and system for zonal switching for light steering to produce an image having high dynamic range is described. The system comprises: a light source for providing light along an optical path; a spatial light modulator for directing portions of the light to off-state and on-state light paths, thereby producing an image, the spatial light modulator having a plurality of illumination zones corresponding to the image; and a set of sequentially-arranged optical elements in the optical path for steering at least some of the light from a first subset of the plurality of illumination zones to a second subset of the plurality of illumination zones to increase the dynamic range of the image. The dwell time of the one or more sequentially arranged optical elements can be modified to steer light.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for dynamically distributing light are provided. The apparatus includes a source conduit configured to collect light from a light source and transmit the collected light for emission towards an optical switch. The optical switch is moveable between several discrete resting positions, each corresponding to a different one of a plurality of projector conduits. In each resting position, the optical switch directs light from the source conduit to a corresponding projector conduit. Each projector conduit receives the directed light from the optical switch and transmits the light to a corresponding one of a plurality of projectors. The optical switch is also configured to rest at each of the resting positions for respective portions of a given period of time, to regulate what amount of the light emitted by the source conduit during the period of time is received by each projector conduit.

Abstract: A method and system for zonal switching for light steering to produce an image having high dynamic range is described. The system comprises: a light source for providing light along an optical path; a spatial light modulator for directing portions of the light to off-state and on-state light paths, thereby producing an image, the spatial light modulator having a plurality of illumination zones corresponding to the image; and a set of sequentially-arranged optical elements in the optical path for steering at least some of the light from a first subset of the plurality of illumination zones to a second subset of the plurality of illumination zones to increase the dynamic range of the image. The dwell time of the one or more sequentially arranged optical elements can be modified to steer light.

Abstract: A zonal illumination system for use in a projector, comprising a source of illumination; a first modulation stage for dividing light from the source of illumination into a plurality of zones having respective light intensities based on zonal lighting intensity of an image to be projected; and a second modulation stage for modulating light from the first modulation stage to generate the image to be projected.

Abstract: A method and system for zonal switching for light steering to produce an image having high dynamic range is described. The system comprises: a light source for providing light along an optical path; a spatial light modulator for directing portions of the light to off-state and on-state light paths, thereby producing an image, the spatial light modulator having a plurality of illumination zones corresponding to the image; and a set of sequentially-arranged optical elements in the optical path for steering at least some of the light from a first subset of the plurality of illumination zones to a second subset of the plurality of illumination zones to increase the dynamic range of the image. The dwell time of the one or more sequentially arranged optical elements can be modified to steer light.

Abstract: A light engine is provided for a projection system, comprising a color wheel having a plurality of color phosphor portions; at least two light sources for illuminating the wheel at different locations for generating at least two time-sequenced beams of red, green and blue light, wherein the output beams are highly synchronized and exhibit substantially similar colorimetry, including spectrum and balance of red, green and blue light; and a digital micromirror device for modulating the time-sequenced beams of red, green and blue light to create an image.

Abstract: A system for order alignment of diffractively produced images is provided. The system comprises: a diffractive spatial light modulator (DSLM) configured to provide a computer generated hologram of an image; a substantially coherent light source configured to illuminate the DSLM which responsively produces the image along each of different diffractive order paths; and, at least one set of optical components located along respective diffractive order paths of the DSLM, the at least one set of optical components configured to align at least one respective image diffracted from the DSLM with at least another diffracted image at a common image plane.

Abstract: A zonal illumination system for use in a projector, comprising a source of illumination; a first modulation stage for dividing light from the source of illumination into a plurality of zones having respective light intensities based on zonal lighting intensity of an image to be projected; and a second modulation stage for modulating light from the first modulation stage to generate the image to be projected.