Abstract: Display systems and methods for mobile devices and mobile devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a display system for a mobile device is provided. The mobile device is handheld and includes a primary display screen. The display system includes an auxiliary screen and a connecting device coupled to the auxiliary screen and attachable to the mobile device. An image from the mobile device is producible on the auxiliary screen. The display system is removable from the mobile device.

Abstract: A three dimensional display system 100 using two spatial light modulators and a single projection path. Light source 102 emits a white light beam 104 which is focused onto a clear aperture of a recycling integrator 106. The light beam travels through the recycling integrator 106 and is reflected several times by the walls of the integrator 106. The sequential color filter creates a filtered light beam comprised of at least three spatially separated light beams. The filtered light beam, containing the colored filtered sub-beams, is separated by a polarizing beam splitter 116 into two separate light beams, each comprising a portion of each color sub-beam created by the sequential color filter. A first portion of the light beam having a first polarization state is passed to a first spatial light modulator 112. A second portion of the light beam having a second polarization state is reflected to a second spatial light modulator 114.

Abstract: A sequential color display system using a white light source (202) to create a full color image projected onto an image plane (214). A dynamic filter (206), typically a series of moving dichroic filters, generates a series of primary colored light beams that are swept across the surface of a spatial light modulator (210). Light rejected by the dynamic filter (206) enters a light recycler (204) and is reapplied to the dynamic filter (206). The light recycler is typically one or more reflective surfaces, including mirrors, baffles, enclosures, lamp reflectors, TIR surfaces, or specially coated material arranged in such a way as to encourage light toward an aperture separating the light recycler (204) and the dynamic filter (206). Typically all three primary colors are produced simultaneously by the dynamic filter (206).

Abstract: Prism elements having TIR surfaces placed in close proximity to the active area of a SLM device 302 to separate unwanted off-state 324 and/or flat-state 326 light from the projection ON-light bundle 322. The TIR critical angle of these prisms is selected to affect either the off-state light or additionally, any portion of flat-state light reflected from the SLM. These TIR surfaces are placed to immediately reflect the unwanted light as it comes off the SLM, thereby preventing the contamination of light along the projection path, which tends to degrade the system contrast. To further improve the optical performance of the system, these TIR prism can be attached directly to the SLM package 300, completely eliminating the package window.

Abstract: Described is a rear projection television with reduced cabinet depth and method of manufacturing thereof. An anamorphic projection lens compresses an image and projects it along an optic path, where a cylindrical mirror expands and reflects the image within the optic path. The combination of compression and expansion facilitates in the design of a rear projection television with reduced cabinet depth.

Abstract: The addition of DMD illumination modulator(s) 702 in series with projection SLM(s) 706/709 to produce high-performance projection displays with improved optical efficiency, reliability, and lower maintenance requirements. This approach eliminates the vibration, audible noise, and safety problems associated with high speed rotating color filter wheels 203 commonly used in SLM projectors and controls the light applied to individual areas of the projection SLM(s).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a projection display system includes a spatial light modulator and a volume illumination hologram. The spatial light modulator comprises a digital micromirror device, and the projection system includes a laser light source to produce a sequence of collimated, colored, light beams for the illumination hologram. Waste light produced by the spatial light modulator is transmitted to the illumination hologram, and the illumination hologram emits waste light from at least one of its edges. Waste light emitted from an edge of the illumination hologram is absorbed by a light sensor to control the intensity of the light beams. A projection focusing element is mounted proximate a side of the illumination hologram to focus the image beam from the spatial light modulator for viewing. A projection hologram is interposed between the side of the illumination hologram and the projection focusing element to manage waste light.

Abstract: System and method for improving efficiency in driving LEDs. A preferred embodiment comprises a switch current regulator coupled to a current control signal input, the switch current regulator to control an amount of current provided to the LED based upon a magnitude of a voltage on the current control signal input, a switching voltage regulator coupled to the switch current regulator and the LED, the switching voltage regulator to provide current to the LED, and a sensor coupled to the switch current regulator, the LED, and a signal feedback circuit, the sensor to measure status information regarding the switch current regulator and the LED and provides the information to a controller, wherein the status information can be used to adjust the current on the current control signal input.

Abstract: System and method for enhancing performance in an SLM display system using LED illumination. A preferred embodiment comprises computing a set of spectral characteristics, analyzing the set of spectral characteristics, and modulating a light produced by a light source of a display system based upon the analysis, wherein the light source comprises one or more light-emitting diodes. The spectral characteristics can provide information regarding either the images being displayed by the display system or an operating environment of the display system. Either can have an impact upon the quality of the images being displayed on the display system and can be used to make adjustments to the light source.

Abstract: A sequential color display system using a white light source (202) to create a full color image projected onto an image plane (214). A dynamic filter (206), typically a series of moving dichroic filters, generates a series of primary colored light beams that are swept across the surface of a spatial light modulator (210). Light rejected by the dynamic filter (206) enters a light recycler (204) and is reapplied to the dynamic filter (206). The light recycler is typically one or more reflective surfaces, including mirrors, baffles, enclosures, lamp reflectors, TIR surfaces, or specially coated material arranged in such a way as to encourage light toward an aperture separating the light recycler (204) and the dynamic filter (206). Typically all three primary colors are produced simultaneously by the dynamic filter (206).

Abstract: Described is an optical device for combining multiple light sources in an optical projection system. One embodiment of the optical device includes having at least two light sources entering an aperture and being substantially aligned by a light refraction element. The substantially aligned beams of light are combined and confined within a housing element and become substantially homogenized mixed light.

Abstract: An optical system is provided for projecting an image having x and y axes onto print material. The system includes an SLM device spaced from the print material, the SLM device having a plurality of pixels operable to project pixels of the image onto the print material and positioned such that the individual pixels of the projected image are oriented at substantially 45 degrees relative to the x and y axes of the image. The system further includes a modulating device operable to create relative movement between the print material and the projected image to provide increased image resolution and dithering.

Abstract: An optical system for projecting an image having x and y axes onto a image plane is provided. The system includes an SLM device spaced from the image plane, the SLM device having a plurality of pixels operable to project pixels of the image onto the image plane and positioned such that the individual pixels of the projected image are oriented at substantially 45 degrees relative to the x and y axes of the image. The system further includes an optic element disposed between the SLM device and the image plane and a linear displacement device operatively connected to and operable to selectively displace at least one of the SLM device and the optic element. A method for projecting an image onto a image plane is also provided.

Abstract: A method for transmitting light in an image display system includes generating a first cone of light from a first light source. The first cone of light includes a plurality of light beams. A first portion of the first cone is projected in an illumination path. A second portion of the first cone is projected at a surface of a reflector. The second portion of the first cone is reflected to project the second portion of the first cone in the illumination path. The first and second portions of the first cone are received at an entrance of an integrator rod. The second portion of the first cone increases the intensity of light received by the integrator rod.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for modulating light in an image display system includes generating a plurality of light beams. The amount of light beams that are received by a modulator is selectively varied, and the modulated light beams are received at the modulator.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical component, which comprises a prism element adjacent to a lens element, where the two elements are separated by a small air gap. In disclosed embodiments, the elements have adjacent and parallel surfaces which are substantially planar and which, with the small air gap, operate through Total Internal Reflection (“TIR”) to direct light beams that strike the planar surfaces. Light beams that strike at less than the critical angle are internally reflected, while light beams which strike at greater than the critical angle pass through. The TIR surfaces thereby separate the desired optical signals from the spurious ones. The combined TIR prism lens operates as a single and integrated component which directs desired light beams to a reflective optical processing element such as a Spatial Light Modulator and which focuses the processed light beams as they leave the combined TIR prism lens.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for color illumination for an image display system includes field sequentially operating an array of emitters to generate a sequence of light beams. Each light beam includes one color. A first light beam of a first color is combined with a second light beam of a second color. The first and second light beams are combined in an optical path to travel concurrently. The combination of the first and second light beams results in a composite color coordinate. The combination of the first and second light beams are directed at a spatial light modulator operable to receive the combination and produce a desired color on a display.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for transmitting sources of light in an image display system includes generating a first plurality of light beams at a first light source. The first plurality of light beams are transmitted at a first illumination angle. A second plurality of light beams are generated at a second light source. The second plurality of light beams transmitted at a second illumination angle. The transmission of the first and second pluralities of light beams are oscillated from the first and second light sources such that each of the first and second light sources alternate between an active state and an inactive state.

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: A method for transmitting light in an image display system includes generating a beam of light from a light source. The beam of light is directed at a first segment of an electronically-switchable filter. A first portion of the beam of light is accepted by the first segment of the electronically-switchable filter, and a second portion of the beam of light is rejected by the first segment of the electronically-switchable filter. The first portion of the light beam is modulated to produce at least a portion of a displayed image. The second portion of the light beam is recycled to redirect the second portion of the light beam at a second segment of the electronically-switchable filter. The second portion of the light beam is accepted by the second segment of the electronically-switchable filter. The second portion of the light beam is modulated to produce at least a portion of the displayed image.