Sequential Color Recapture for Projection Systems

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 ). The illuminated portion of the dynamic filter ( 206 ) is imaged onto the modulator ( 210 ) and a controller ( 216 ) provides appropriate image data for each portion of the modulator ( 210 ) in synchronization with the sweep of the primary color bands across the modulator surface. The primary color bands are modulated by the spatial light modulator ( 210 ) and the modulated light is focused by lens ( 212 ) onto the image plane ( 214 ). The viewer integrates the light arriving at each portion of the image plane ( 214 ) over a frame period to provide the perception of a full-color image.

1 - 48 . (canceled)  
   
   
       49 . A display system comprising: 
 a light source for producing a beam of light;    a dynamic filter for filtering said beam of light to provide at least three beams of light having different spectral composition traveling along a first path while sweeping perpendicular to said first path;    a spatial light modulator for receiving and modulating said at least three beam.    
   
   
       50 . The display system of  claim 49 , said dynamic filter comprising an integrator rod and a filter assembly.  
   
   
       51 . The display system of  claim 49 , said dynamic filter comprising a homogenizer and a color wheel.  
   
   
       52 . The display system of  claim 49 , said dynamic filter comprising a homogenizer and a filter assembly.  
   
   
       53 . The display system of  claim 52 , said homogenizer comprising a reflective enclosure.  
   
   
       54 . The display system of  claim 52 , said homogenizer comprising a glass rod.  
   
   
       55 . The display system of  claim 52 , said homogenizer comprising a mirrored glass rod.  
   
   
       56 . The display system of  claim 52 , said homogenizer comprising a hollow cylinder.  
   
   
       57 . The display system of  claim 52 , said homogenizer comprising a reflective hollow rectangular cylinder.  
   
   
       58 . The display system of  claim 52 , said homogenizer comprising a reflective entrance aperture.  
   
   
       59 . The display system of  claim 52 , said homogenizer comprising a retro-reflective entrance aperture.  
   
   
       60 . The display system of  claim 52 , said homogenizer comprising a fiber-optic bundle.  
   
   
       61 . The display system of  claim 52 , said homogenizer comprising a prism.  
   
   
       62 . The display system of  claim 52 , said homogenizer having an aspect ratio equal to an aspect ratio of said modulator.  
   
   
       63 . The display system of  claim 52 , said filter assembly comprising filter segments to selectively separate a red, green, and blue portions of said light beam.  
   
   
       64 . The display system of  claim 52 , said filter assembly comprising filter segments to selectively separate a red, green, blue, and white portions of said light beam.  
   
   
       65 . The display system of  claim 52 , said filter assembly comprising a color wheel.  
   
   
       66 . The display system of  claim 52 , said filter assembly comprising a three primary color plus white color wheel.  
   
   
       67 . The display system of  claim 52 , said filter assembly comprising a color wheel having a plurality of filter segments.  
   
   
       68 . The display system of  claim 52 , said filter assembly comprising a color wheel having a plurality of filter segments arranged in a spiral.  
   
   
       69 . The display system of  claim 52 , said filter assembly comprising a color wheel having a plurality of radial filter segments.