CN101455078A - Digital cinema projection system with increased etendue - Google Patents

Abstract

A digital cinema projection apparatus having an illumination source with a first etendue value for providing polarized polychromatic light. A first lens element lies in the path of the polarized polychromatic light for forming a substantially telecentric polarized polychromatic light beam. A color separator separates the telecentric polarized polychromatic light beam into at least two telecentric color light beams. At least two transmissive spatial light modulators modulate the two telecentric color light beams. There is an etendue value associated with each spatial light modulator. The etendue value is within 15% or greater than the first etendue value corresponding to the illumination source. A color combiner combines the modulated color beams along a common optical axis, forming a multicolor modulated beam thereby; and a projection lens directs the multicolor modulated beam toward a display surface.

Description

Digital cinema projection systems with light exhibition amount of increase

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to electronic projection, relate more specifically to use a plurality of transmissive light modulators panels to form the electronic projection apparatus of panchromatic projected image.

Background technology

Along with digital camera and the arrival on opportunity of relevant electronic imaging, considerable concern is at the development of electronic projection apparatus.In order to provide for the competitive possibility of the cinematographic projector of traditional film quality, digital projection equipment must satisfy high performance standard, high-resolution (2048 x, 1080 pixels or higher) is provided, wide colour gamut, high brightness (5000 lumens or bigger), and frame sequential (frame-sequential) contrast ratio that surpasses 1500:1.

Liquid crystal (LC) technology is used for a lot of display application by exploitation successfully, from monochromatic alphanumeric display panel to laptop computer, even to extensive full-color display.As is well known, the LC device by for each respective pixel optionally the polarization state of modulating the incident light image is formed pel array.The updating to have produced of LC technology reduces cost, boosts productivity and reliability, and reduces the benefit of power consumption, and has and stablize improved imaging characteristic, such as resolution, speed and color.

Although developed the LC device of the pixelation of number of different types, any specific LC device is constructed according to one of two kinds of basic frameworks:

The micro-display framework provides the pixel control structure based on the high density micro-lithography that is similar to the integrated circuit (IC) apparatus that is used for making on semiconductor wafer.This comprises LCOS (liquid crystal over silicon) and HTPS (high temperature polysilicon) transmission LCD, and wherein dot structure is less than 50 μ m, usually in the magnitude of 8-20 μ m.

Direct-viewing type TFT (thin-film transistor) framework, wherein the pixel control structure is formed on the transparency carrier, generally is amorphous silicon (glass), and Pixel Dimensions is visible (about 50 μ m) for eyes.

In first kind of basic LC framework, LCOS utilizes making of microminiaturization and microlithography technology to be used for making the spatial light modulator of highly dense, and wherein the liquid crystal light-modulating prepared material is sealed on the structuring backboard of silicon circuit.In fact, LCOS makes and has made up LC designing technique and complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS) (CMOS) manufacturing process.

As if LCOS LCD have some advantages as the spatial light modulator of high-quality digital cinema projection systems.These advantages comprise little gap between manageable device size (diagonal is up to about 1.7 "), the pixel and good device yield.Use the LCOS technology, the LC chip that has usually less than one square inch imaging region can form the image with millions of pixels.The fast development that the level that etch techniques is ripe relatively has been proved to be for the LCOS device that shows high-speed and outstanding resolution is favourable.The LCOS device is used as spatial light modulator in the application such as rear-projection TV and commercial projector equipment.

Referring to Figure 1A, shown the simplified block diagram of the conditional electronic projector equipment 10 that uses LCOS LCD device.Each color path (r=redness, g=green, b=blueness) uses similar parts to form modulated beam of light.Individual component in each path suitably marks with additional r, g or b.Follow red path, red light source 20r provides unmodulated light, and this light is regulated so that even illumination to be provided by homogenizing optics 22r.The light that polarization beam apparatus 24r guiding has suitable polarization state is to spatial light modulator 30r, and this spatial light modulator 30r optionally modulates the polarization state of incident ruddiness on the array of pixel position (pixelsite).The effect of spatial light modulator 30r forms the red component of full-colour image.From this image along optical axis O _rTransmission is directed to dichroic combiner 26 through the light modulated of polarization beam apparatus 24r, it typically is color splitting and mixing block prism (X-cube) or Philips prism.26 combinations of dichroic combiner are from independent optical axis O _r/ O _g/ O _bRedness, green and blue modulation image, to form for the multicolor image that is projected to the combination on the display surface 40 (such as projection screen) along the projecting lens 32 of common optical axis O.The light path of blueness and green light modulation is similar.The green glow of regulating by homogenizing optics 22g from green light source 20g is directed to through polarization beam apparatus 24g arrival spatial light modulator 30g.The light modulated along optical axis Og transmission from this image is directed to dichroic combiner 26.Similarly, the blue light of regulating by homogenizing optics 22b from blue-light source 20b is directed to through polarization beam apparatus 24b and arrives spatial light modulator 30b.From this image along optical axis O _rThe light modulated of transmission is directed to dichroic combiner 26.

In utilization has example with the electronic projection apparatus of the LCOS LCD spatial light modulator of the similar configuration of Figure 1A, have U.S. Patent number 5808795 (people such as Shimomura); U.S. Patent number 5798819 (people such as Hattori); U.S. Patent number 5918961 (Ueda); U.S. Patent number 6010221 (people such as Maki); U.S. Patent number 6062694 (people such as Oikawa); U.S. Patent number 6113239 (people such as Sampsell); And in the U.S. Patent number 6231192 people such as () Konno disclosed those.

A kind of relevant spatial light modulator LC technology that is similar to the LCOS device on space scale is the transmission LCD micro-display.The example of this technology is high temperature polysilicon (HTPS) the TFT device that Seiko Epson announces recently, and it is 2048 x, 1080 pixels, 1.6 " and diagonal device (diagonal device).The HTPS modulator is the method that is similar to those methods that the manufacturing of traditional LC OS device followed by use, and photoengraving is carved and formed on quartz wafer.

Second type the basic LC framework that is generally used for laptop computer and big display device is so-called " direct-viewing type " LCD panel, and wherein liquid crystal layer is clipped between two thin slices of glass or other transparent materials.Backlight illumination assembly uses with panel.This backlight illumination assembly adds that by illumination source a series of opticses and optical thin film constitute usually, described illumination source such as cold cathode fluorescent tube or light-emitting diode, described a series of optical module and optical thin film are used to improve uniformity, polarization state, and the angle distribution that is sent to the light of transmission panel.Updating of thin-film transistor (TFT) technology confirms to be of value to direct-viewing type LCD panel, allows transistor is encapsulated in the zone of single sheet glass further thick and fast.In addition, developed and realized more thin layer and the new LC material of faster response time.This helps to provide the direct-viewing type LCD panel of the speed with improved resolution and increase again.Therefore, have improved resolution and color bigger, the LCD panel just is being designed and is being successfully used to the display imaging faster.These development are primarily aimed at the target of improved performance in desktop monitor and the domestic TV market.

Shown in the patent of quoting as mentioned, the developer of film quality projector equipment mainly concentrates its attentiveness and energy at the first kind of framework that uses LCOS LCD technology on, rather than concentrates at the second kind of framework that uses based on the direct-viewing type LC panel of TFT.This is existed many very significantly reasons.For example, make the compact as far as possible requirement support of projector equipment adopt microminiaturized parts, comprise microminiaturized spatial light modulator such as LCOS LCD, or such as the microdisplay device of the other types of Digital Micromirror Device (DMD).The pixel size pixel arrangement of the highly compact in 8 to 20 micrometer ranges usually allows single LCOS LCD to provide enough resolution for big projection screen, this big projection screen need be at 2048 x 1080 or 4096 x, 2160 pixels or the better image in the scope, and is desired as the film and Television Engineer association (SMPTE) standard of digital movie theatre projection.Compare direct-viewing type LCD panel, relevant with the attribute of performance of current available LCOS parts to the more interested other reasons of LCOS LCD, described attribute is such as less than the response speed of 4ms, bigger colour gamut and 2000:1 and higher contrast ratio.In addition, reflection-type LCOS parts allow higher power density when being equipped with heat radiation, have to be higher than 70% aperture opening ratio, and do not adopt color filter array or back light unit usually.

It is relevant with the dimensional properties of the film that will change to tend to make projecting apparatus development work to be partial to the another factor of microminiaturized device.That is to say that the size of the imaging region of LCOS LCD spatial light modulator or its Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) homologue is suitable with area from the picture frame of film print film projection.This can simplify the design of some projection optical devices to a certain extent, comprises that adaptation is from the existing design based on the imaging of film.Yet also result from designer's hypothesis for this interest of LCOS LCD or DMD device: with less scale imaging will be best.Therefore, for the consciousness reason, and meet conventional reasoning and expectation, the developer has supposed that microminiaturized LCOS LCD or DMD provide the most feasible image forming part to be used for high-quality digital camera projection.

Although the advantage that the LCD device architectures that compact size and good response speed are based on wafer provides, these same devices have some intrinsic shortcomings, make their uses in extensive motion-picture projection is used become complicated.Use a built in problem of microminiaturized LCOS and DMD spatial light modulator relevant with brightness and efficient.Technical staff as technical field of imaging is known, any optical system is subjected to how much constraints of considering, consider according to light exhibition amount (etendue) for described how much, perhaps alternatively, represent that according to Lagrange (Lagrange) invariant Lagrange invariant is at the product of accepting solid angle (acceptance solid angle) and aperture size on any given plane in the optical system.Under the system situation of coupling and symmetry, Lagrange is consistent with light exhibition amount.Do not match or asymmetric optical system in, light exhibition amount be allow by the light of system minimum value (with reference to Michael G.Robinson, Jianmin Chen, Gary D.Sharp, John Wiley﹠amp; The PolarizationEngineering for LCD Projection of Sons Ltd, England, 2005, the 41 pages)

Light exhibition amount and thing followed Lagrange invariant provide a kind of mode to quantize the principle of direct observation: can only provide so many light from the zone of a certain size.Shown as Lagrange invariant, when emission area hour, need wide-angle emission light to realize specific brightness degree.Processing causes the complexity and the cost that increase than the requirement of the illumination of wide-angle.The commonly assigned U.S. Patent number 6758565 that is entitled as " Projection Apparatus Using TelecentricOptics " of authorizing people such as Cobb; Authorize the U.S. Patent number 6808269 that is entitled as " ProjectionApparatus Using Spatial Light Modulator " of Cobb; And authorize this problem of having mentioned and solved high density LCOS device in people's such as Cobb the U.S. Patent number 6676260 that is entitled as " Projection Apparatus Using Spatial LightModulator with Relay Lensand Dichroic Combiner ".These patent disclosures on spatial light modulator, use electronic projection apparatus's design of high-NA more, reduce other local angle requirements simultaneously to be used for obtaining essential light in system.

The other problems relevant with LCD is the high angle about required light modulated.When incident illumination is high angle, the interior contrast and the color quality that can obtain from these devices that limited in birefringence that in the LCD device, forms the mechanism of image and LCD self.For the contrast that is fit to grade is provided, in the LCD system, must usually use one or more compensator devices.Yet this has further increased the complexity and the cost of optical projection system.Such example discloses in the commonly assigned U.S. Patent number 6831722 that is entitled as " Compensation Films for LCDs " of authorizing people such as Ishikawa to some extent, this patent disclosure the using compensation device be used for the angle polarization effect (angular polarization effect) of wire-grid polarizer and LCD device.Owing to these reasons, should be appreciated that micro-display LCOS, HTPS LCD and DMD solution face the inherence restriction relevant with part dimension and light path geometries.

Except area and the consideration of optic angle degree, relevant consideration is that image forming part also has the restriction on the energy density.Utilize microminiaturized spatial light modulator, particularly utilize LCD, only can bear so many energy densities with this parts grade.That is to say that the brightness degree that surpasses a certain threshold levels can damage device self.Usually, be higher than about 15W/cm ²Energy density for LCOS LCD, be excessive with inorganic alignment film.This is restricted to available brightness when to use diameter be 1.3 inches LCOS LCD and is no more than about 15000 lumens.Must prevent that also heat from promoting, because this will cause the inhomogeneous and chromatic aberation of image, and can shorten the useful life of optical modulator and support component thereof.For example, the behavior of the absorption-type polarization member of use can be subjected to the harm that heat promotes significantly.This need be used for the sufficient cooling mechanism of spatial light modulator self and consider for the careful engineering of support of optical parts.Again, this has increased the cost and the complexity of design of Optical System.

Make this problem more complicated be persistent trend further microminiaturized in the wafer device manufacturing technology so that obtain higher rate of finished products and improved manufacturing efficient.This same trend towards higher closeness and microminiaturization is just being followed in the development of clearly ongoing LCD spatial light modulator.Developed near 0.5 inch cornerwise optical modulator, reduced these size of devices significantly from 1.3 inches diagonal early for device.Yet, light exhibition amount (perhaps similarly as previously described, Lagrange invariant) and the consideration of energy density show that further microminiaturization will hinder the development of the large-scale theater quality projector equipment that uses the LCD device because provide required brightness to become more and more difficult from more and more littler optical modulation device.Another difficulty relates to relative flaw size and fabrication yield.Along with pixel becomes more and more littler, such as in the scope of 8-20 micron, on the size only 1 or 2 micron little defective may tangible influence be arranged to display quality.Defective with identical size on the device of bigger pixel is correspondingly less to the picture quality influence.

Except the restriction of light exhibition amount, for any LC device, the essential inherent limitations of considering aperture opening ratio.Generally, provide the aperture by " black matrix " pattern for each pixel, so that prevent that incident light from influencing negatively may be photosensitive oxide-semiconductor control transistors, causes the loss of contrast.This aperture has reduced effective transmission of device, causes 60% or littler aperture opening ratio for HTPS LC device, in contrast to about 90% of LCOS.Under the situation of much bigger transmission panel and therefore bigger pixel region, so relatively little aperture opening ratio still can provide acceptable brightness.Yet under the situation of the small pixel size of micro-display (such as the HTPS device), so low aperture opening ratio is disadvantageous especially.About picture quality, this aperture opening ratio can cause visible " shield door (screen door) " pseudomorphism when being amplified to desired about 40 feet wide or wideer screen size of typical theater.In addition, in the micro-display of the scale of HTPS array, the device effective coverage is still less relatively, also can influence the performance of optical modulator, the perhaps performance of its support of optical parts negatively from the heat dissipation in this light absorption aperture of intense light source.Therefore, although this type of device is for using and may be fit to such as the digital projection in the less place of projection room or commercial exhibition, as if it can not be enough to handle desired light quantity in typical movie theatre screen environment, the average screen size generally requires minimum 10000 lumens in the typical cinema screen environment, and wherein maximum movie theatre display screen may require to surpass 60000 lumens.If do not take significantly to increase the additional measures that is used for thermal compensation and other factors of the implicit costs of optical projection system, this high request can provide at their physics limit place far above LCD microdisplay device (that is, having less than 2 inches cornerwise HTPS and LCOS device).

In projector design, use the traditional optical scheme, assembled, make it have width of light beam narrow as can obtaining towards the illumination light beam of color-separated and modulating part guiding.This strategy is preferred, because it allows advantageously to determine lens, colour filter, and the size of polarizer and other each optics, and allow to be used for to regulate division, the compact package of the whole optical system of modulation and reorganization light.In the traditional LC OS of Figure 1A embodiment, need narrow illumination light beam in case with light gather little LCOS spatial light modulator from one's body.

Thereby a critical limitation of the traditional design scheme of use LCOS device is relevant with brightness.As mentioning about Lagrange invariant before, can only obtain the light of specified quantitative from the light beam of the narrow angle of given width (being given two-dimensional areas).The angle that increases light beam is reduced in the picture quality that obtains when using two look beam splitters and combiner, because their spectral edges as the function of angle of dichroic coating skew.On any part of light path, assemble or extensible beam requirement insertion lens or other light adjusting optics.Thereby the task of shrinking or expanding illumination and modulated beam of light in each color channel has increased cost and complexity to optical design.Figure 1B illustrates embodiment early, wherein incident angle of light at LCOS device place be tilt significantly so that increase collection efficiency, but reducing before and afterwards so that reduce the spectral shift effect of coating, and the speed of optics.When the traditional optical design of this problem application is put into practice, the design that has shown the electronic color projector equipment that high light output is provided has challenge especially, because the additional optics of each in this system trends towards reducing light output, and introduce trading off between picture quality and the light output.Traditional solution restriction light output level and overall image quality.

The electronic projection based on LCOS of low side designs by successfully commercialization, be used at the rear-projection TV that discharges about 1000 lumens for household usely, and to be used for the optical efficiency of low-cost moderate amount down wherein and brightness and suitable preferable image quality be suitable commercial exhibition market.Yet,, as if must make sizable compromise in order to satisfy the needs of exporting with the projecting apparatus of comparing competitive more high brightness and improvement picture quality based on the projector equipment of film.Be lower than 10% optical efficiency in order to compensate, traditional very bright light source of the essential employing of the electronic imaging device based on LC.For example, Sanyo PLVHD20 a kind ofly has 1.6 " the HTPS LCD microdisplay projector of diagonal Seiko-Epson LC chip, use four 300W UHP lamps, yet only send 7000 lumens.In the case, use a plurality of lamps of low wattage, increase output and light exhibition amount can be amplified to, increase fast available excessively wattage because the arc gap of lamp goes up in size (illumination light exhibition amount) as using single height watt lamp so big.Similarly, having 1.55 " SonySRX-R110 of LCOS micro-display uses two more expensive 2.0kW lamps to send 10000 lumens.In both cases, lamp output does not all have fully to mate with the LC spatial light modulator, is accompanied by to heat cost, and the influence in lamp life-span.To optimize the required high-energy-density level of brightness in order withstanding, must in illumination and modulation light path, to use more expensive component.For example, the absorptive polarizers of lower cost is replaced by more expensive wire grid polarizer in a lot of designs.Thereby, obtaining in the effort of each available lumen in output place, traditional design is adopted expensive, the scheme of low reliability, described scheme is used expensive, high performance optics, perhaps uses the parts of a plurality of lower costs, lower-performance.

In electronic projection apparatus, the light of each color component or band is modulated separately; Then usually the light modulated of these color component passages is recombinated so that full-colour image to be provided.The reorganization of light modulated can directly be carried out in projection surface when each color channel uses independent projection optical device; Alternatively, the color component of modulation can be recombinated so that from the projection of single projecting lens assembly.When being single projecting lens assembly reorganization color, a target is the light path that equal length is provided in each color channel.Make some traditional solutions that optical path length equates at the U.S. Patent number 4864390 that is entitled as " Display System with Equal Path Lengths " of authorizing McKechnie etc. and authorize in people's such as Tiao the U.S. Patent number 6431709 that is entitled as " Triple-Lens TypeProjection Display with Uniform Optical Path Lengths forDifferent Color Components " and provide.

Using under the situation of creating the so big challenge of high lumen projection instrument existence such as the micro-display LCD device of HTPS and LCOS, it is seemingly desirable to create projecting apparatus with big panel " direct-viewing type " LC panel.These " direct-viewing types " LC panel has improved their resolution greatly, contrast and speed, make they than initially discover more compatibly as the substitute of micro-display.Yet, can not be applicable to high lumen projection instrument well as " direct-viewing type " panel that is used for dull and stereotyped application of present manufacturing.For example, the use of absorptive polarizers is disadvantageous for picture quality, and these absorptive polarizers can directly be attached on the TFT LCD panel when making TFT LCD panel usually.Heat surpassed the about 20% of luminous energy usually because light absorption produces in these polarizers, and the result causes the LCD material heating, caused the inhomogeneity loss of contrast on the loss of contrast and the panel potentially.

Similarly, high-speed, the high-contrast LC panel that are exclusively used in desktop monitor and TV comprise color filter array (CFA) usually in the structure of panel, so that provide these to use required colouristic properties.These absorptive-type color filter arrays will not be suitable in the high lumen projection instrument, still because the heat absorption meeting causes uneven image artifacts and to components from being damaged.Although made the high-resolution monochrome panel for health care industry, these panels are owing to being normally used for watching static radiographic images to have the slow response time.Developing panel technology so that improve video performance with renewal of response time faster.The most important thing is a kind of panel technology that is called optical compensation bending mode (OCB), it provides the speed of about 2ms.Flat panel industry is being pursued this pattern, with allow to provide on " direct-viewing type " back lighting cost minimizing and along with the field sequence colourama of the lower panel cost of removing expensive CFA according to (field sequential colorillumination).Ocb mode will be ideally suited for high lumen digital projection system.

The projector equipment solution of the optional direct-viewing type TFT LC of various uses panel has been proposed.Yet, under most of situation, propose these equipment and be in order to be used for special application, and be not intended for use high-end digital cinema applications.For example, U.S. Patent number 5889614 people such as () Cobben discloses TFT LC panel device as the image source of shooting high projector equipment.U.S. Patent number 6637888 (Haven) discloses the back of the body screen TV display of TFT LC panel that a kind of use has the single segmentation in redness, green and blue color source, and it uses independent projection optical device for each color path.Commonly assigned U.S. Patent number 6505940 people such as () Gotham discloses a kind of low-cost digital projecting apparatus, and it has and is embedded in the booth structure (kioskarrangement) to reduce the big panel LC device that vertical space requires.Although each of these examples all uses bigger LC panel to carry out image modulation, these designs are not intended for use high-resolution motion-picture projection.Example before these does not have sufficiently high brightness degree, perhaps suitable with traditional film film color, perhaps acceptable contrast or high-grade overall film picture quality yet.As a result, neither one can be the suitable candidate of competing with traditional motion-picture projection equipment in the scheme of these propositions.

The trial that the projector equipment that uses TFT LC panel is provided is disclosed in the U.S. Patent number 5758940 that is entitled as " Liquid Crystal Projection Display " of authorizing people such as Ogino.In people's such as Ogino ' 940 equipment, one or more Fresnel (Fresnel) lens provide the panel to LC in order to the illumination with collimation; Then, another Fresnel lens serves as concentrator so that light is provided to projection optical device.Because it provides imaging beam with illumination uniformity of proofreading and correct on large tracts of land, so based on the consideration of Lagrange invariant as described above, people's such as Ogino ' 940 equipment are favourable for its high relatively light output.It should be noted that people's such as Ogino ' 940 has also described the modulation that single panel is used for all three kinds of primary colours RGB (redness, green and blue).Yet, provide color with sequence fast for the illumination of monochromatic LC panel.This system is the effective real estate coloured silk that adds lustre to not, also can not modulate continuous color framing fast enough to prevent correction of motion artefacts.Therefore, although it may have some hope for the projector equipment and the small size projecting apparatus of TV size, people's such as Ogino ' the 940 open sequential colour solutions that proposed still lack the required performance rate of high-resolution optical projection system that the high-intensity imaging output with 5000 lumens and above grade is provided.

The another kind that recently direct-viewing type TFT LC panel is used for the projection in order and control centre market attempts having disclosed at the U.S. Patent number 6924849 that is entitled as " Image Projection System WithMultiple Arc Lamps and Flyseye Lens Array Light HomogenizerDirecting Polychromatic Light on a Liquid Crystal Display " of authorizing people such as Clifton.In Clifton ' 849 equipment, use have colour filter 15 " TFT LC panel is as 67 " optical modulator of diagonal optical projection system.The solution that proposes in Clifton ' 849 is open is to use a plurality of light sources of combination to form little efficient light sources in by the layout at reflecting surface, thus increase brightness and do not have the loss of contrast.In the illumination part of Clifton ' 849 equipment, use windmill (pinwheel) mirror structure makes up the light from a plurality of lamps.This structure helps almost perpendicular to the low incidence angle of preferred LC optimum contrast direction the LC panel being carried out illumination, thereby helps to improve the contrast ratio of projector equipment and using compensation film not.The scheme of describing in the patent of ' 849 Clifton etc. also comprises revises direct-viewing type LCD panel so that increase contrast, and the wide visual angle film that provides with panel usually is provided.Claim by with illumination with the angular reorientation that deviates from normal by the LCD panel so that utilize the intrinsic optical modulation property of LC material, further increased contrast.The then Fresnel lens of the output light side of LCD compensation being redirected in the illumination of the input side of LCD.

Although taked some significant measures in ' 849 Clifton solutions, yet it is relatively low that the efficient of the projector apparatus that obtains still keeps.In addition, although may improve contrast in the disclosed equipment of people such as ' 849 Clifton, this equipment does not still satisfy the brightness requirement of digital camera projection.Particularly, the solution that proposes of people's such as ' 849 Clifton design not have to utilize the light exhibition amount that increases when the big LC panel size of use.Some parts in the people such as ' 849 Clifton that propose open may influence picture quality unfriendly.For example, using the output Fresnel lens before the LC panel may be acceptable for the SXGA level of resolution of described equipment, but may cause serious contrast and image artifacts when using in the optical projection system with minimum 2048 x, 1080 pixels and 5000 lumens.The lamp that use has up to the arc gap of 7mm will can not provide high efficiency, even under the situation of using 2 inches cornerwise LC panels.It will can not be effective that single sided board colour of describing in people's patents such as ' 849 Clifton or monochrome are configured in when utilizing colourama, no matter be to use the common absorption-type color filter array that can cause high lumen intersystem problem, also be to use and cause the forsequential color of correction of motion artefacts.In addition, comprise that the Continual Improvement in the LCD panel designs of overall contrast of raising can avoid for removing the needs that film obtains high-contrast, perhaps be redirected the needs of solution for illumination, the two is all in ' proposition in people such as 849Clifton open.

Thereby, as can be seen,, when using microminiaturized LCOS LCD parts for this purpose, have the inherence restriction of brightness and efficient although some digital camera projector equipment solutions form based on using LCOS LCD to carry out image.On the other hand, because do not have with the light exhibition amount relevant restriction identical with the LCOS device, direct-viewing type TFT LC panel solution potentialization provides the enhanced brightness that is better than LCOS solution grade.Yet, although the projector equipment of public use TFT LC panel, but the level of efficiency that these equipment lists reveal is disappointing, and be not well suited for film and Television Engineer association overcritical brightness degree as yet for standardized digital cinema projector regulation, and contrast ratio, color uniformity, the additional requirement of colour gamut and resolution.

Film and Television Engineer association (SMPTE) are setting up one group of standard about standardized digital camera projector equipment at present.The association of film factory that is called digital camera association (DCI) has set up these benchmark requirements.DCI has set up strict performance parameter, comprises contrast ratio, pixel resolution, the light grade on the screen, ANSI contrast, and colour gamut and pseudomorphism tolerance.Except general competitive market, these standard-required digital cinema projector have in the sequential contrast of 2000:1 magnitude and do not have color offset, about 10000 lumens or higher (for most of screens), and the pixel count of 2048 x 1080 or 4096 x 2160.

The business of the arenas projection of film is different from the displaying of projection in family or the traditional commerce environment in essence.Traditionally, arenas is around the use of film, film projection equipment, and wherein different film factories provides content to arenas and share stream with the part income in return of the price of ticket sales and set up their business.Equipment is split on ten to 30 years usually to the cost of arenas, in this period technique variation is arranged seldom.Maintenance is minimum, has only mechanical part fault once in a while, and periodic lamp is changed.The wattage that profit trends towards being squeezed projection lamp self can be the degree that influences an important cost factor of solvency.

Digital projection has changed this business prototype at all, but is emitting the risk of setting up more expensive a little infrastructure for the arenas place.Use traditional projecting apparatus based on micro-display of expensive high performance unit architecture, three times of the costs that may spend film projection equipment are so much.In addition, be unknown the life expectancy of modern digital projector equipment.The history of other benchmark from electronics industry (such as Digital Television, computer and communication equipment) judges that this life-span may be less than the life-span of conventional film projector equipment, and possible range was in five to ten years.But the outmoded and unit failure of following the conditional electronic projector equipment of plan has increased the misgivings of rentability.In the immediate future, if not about cost efficiency, the remarkable gain of light output and optical efficiency, digital camera can not come and projection competition based on film by balance advantageously.

Thereby, as can be seen, exist for utilizing the LC device technology with favourable cost, having the needs of panchromatic projector equipment of the digital camera performance rate of the optical efficiency of increase and overall light throughput.

Summary of the invention

According to one embodiment of present invention, solve above-mentioned demand by a kind of digital camera projector equipment is provided, this digital camera projector equipment comprises: illumination source, and it has first light exhibition value, is used to provide the polarization polychromatic light; First lens element is arranged in the heterogeneous light light path of polarization, is used to form the polarization multicolour light beam of the basic heart far away; Colour annalyzer is used for heart polarization multicolour light beam far away is divided at least two heart column of colours far away; At least two transmissive spatial light modulator, it is modulated these two heart column of colours far away and forms at least two color modulation light beams, wherein have the light exhibition value related with each spatial light modulator, and wherein said light exhibition value corresponding to first light exhibition value of illumination source 15% within or open up value greater than first light; Color combiner is used for along common optical axis combination color modulation light beam, thereby forms the polychrome modulated beam of light; And projecting lens, be used for polychrome is modulated beam direction to display surface.

Feature of the present invention is, unlike the scheme of the LCOS or the LCD device of current use microminiaturization, equipment of the present invention will use big TFT LCD panel to carry out imaging in being intended for use the projector equipment that high-end electronic imaging uses.

Advantage of the present invention is the brightness of its permission for the increase of at least 5000 lumens of projected image.Can use various types of light sources.

Read following detailed description the in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, these and other feature of the present invention and advantage will become apparent to those skilled in the art, and be shown in the drawings and described exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Description of drawings

Although this specification with particularly point out and clearly claims of claimed theme of the present invention believe in conjunction with the accompanying drawings to will be better understood the present invention as summary according to following description, in the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1A is the block diagram that the projector equipment of traditional use LCOS LCD device is shown;

Figure 1B is the block diagram that projector equipment early is shown;

Fig. 2 is the block diagram that the projector equipment that uses large scale TFT LC display according to an embodiment of the invention is shown;

Fig. 3 is the block diagram that illustrates according to the supplementary features of the projector equipment of Fig. 2 of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is the perspective view that illustrates by the beam path of projector equipment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is the block diagram that is used for the illumination source of equipment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is the plane graph of lateral chromatic aberration (lateral color) effect that telecentric lens of the present invention is shown;

Fig. 7 A is the cross section of the big panel LC device of tradition;

Fig. 7 B is the cross section according to the big panel LC device of simplification of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is the end view that the projecting lens that is used for equipment of the present invention is shown;

Fig. 9 is the end view of the projecting lens parts in the one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 10 is the perspective view that the alternative arrangement of modulating light path middle part part according to an embodiment of the invention is shown, and it uses a pair of reflecting surface;

Figure 11 is the nearer perspective view of seeing from the angle that is different from Figure 10, and the alternative arrangement of modulating reflecting surface in the light path according to an embodiment of the invention is shown;

Figure 12 is the plane graph that the distortion of visual field when using reflecting surface is shown;

Figure 13 is the block diagram that the alternative arrangement of one of them modulator rotation is shown;

Figure 14 is the curve chart of the projecting apparatus throughput under the different f/# values of comparison;

Figure 15 is the curve chart that the lateral chromatic aberration effect relevant with the LC panel size is shown;

Figure 16 is the block diagram that the selectable location of analyzer is shown;

Figure 17 is the block diagram that uses one embodiment of the present of invention of projecting lens in each color path;

Figure 18 is the perspective view according to the parts in the embodiment of the invention of the three projecting lens models of Figure 17;

Figure 19 A, 19B, 19C is the curve chart of intensity He other characteristic of more operable two different lamp type with 19D;

Figure 20 A and 20B illustrate the point overlapping (spot overlap) and the energy density distribution characteristic of the embodiment of the invention that has the xenon bubble lamp of polarization recovery for use;

Figure 21 A, 21B and 21C are front view, the end views that uses the embodiment that steeps the light photograph in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention and pursue image (image-wise) view.

Figure 22 A and 22B illustrate the end view and the front view of the led array with polarization recovery parts respectively;

Figure 23 illustrates to use the schematic diagram of led array as the alternate embodiment of light source;

Figure 24 illustrates a three-dimensional embodiment, and the light path of two linear polarizations is separated into the path of the projection that is used for each eye thus;

Figure 25 is the block diagram that is illustrated in the layout of parts relevant with spatial light modulator in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 26 illustrates the perspective view of the embodiment with different light path lengths; And

Figure 27 illustrates the perspective view of the embodiments of the invention that use shake (dither) mechanism.

Embodiment

This specification especially at form according to the part of equipment of the present invention or more directly with element according to device cooperation of the present invention.Should be understood that the element that does not specifically illustrate or describe can adopt various forms well-known to those skilled in the art.

Film and Television Engineer association (SMPTE) are setting up one group of standard about standardized digital camera projector equipment at present.The association of film factory that is called digital cinema initiative (DCI) has set up these benchmark requirements.DCI has set up strict performance parameter, comprises contrast ratio, pixel resolution, the light grade on the screen, ANSI contrast, and colour gamut and pseudomorphism tolerance.Except general competitive market, these standard-required digital cinema projector have in the sequential contrast of 2000:1 magnitude and do not have color offset, about 10000 lumens or higher (for most of screens), and the pixel count of 2048 x 1080 or 4096 x 2160.

The invention provides a kind of digital camera projector equipment that has high brightness level, uses extensive TFT light modulator panel to carry out light modulation.Alternatively, the big transmission panel of other type also can be used to the present invention, and the display pannel device based on magnetic-light polarization switching such as from Panorama Labs Inc. is called magnetic-photonic crystal (MPC) device.Unlike the digital cinema projector design of traditional microminiaturized LCOS LC of traditional use or transmission LCD device, the present invention adopts big transmission device, and such as LC or MPC device, described device forms panel and has about at least 5 inches diagonal.The light that provides on the bigger area can be provided for large-sized LC or MCP, thereby according to light exhibition amount or the Lagrange invariant principle in the background technology part, described before, the available light that increase can provide.Advantageously, the present invention only needs a spot of slow relatively lens, mirror, perhaps other parts in light path.All provide relative wide light beam with modulation in the light path in illumination, make the brightness maximization and not usually with the dichromatic surfaces performance high-brightness projection device association, that follow and trading off of complex optical components fast.Unlike the design of using such as the microdisplay device of LCOS LC device, the light exhibition amount and the light exhibition amount close match of illumination source of each LC modulator or extensive MPC modulator are perhaps above the light exhibition amount of illumination source.

With reference to figure 2, the embodiment of the projector equipment 50 of high-brightness projection Application Design is shown according to of the present invention to extensive.When with the background technology that provides above part in traditional projector equipment of describing relatively the time, projector equipment 50 has the optics of minimum number, yet the high brightness of projector equipment of the LC transmission panel design of the micro-display that surpasses more complicated employing such as LCOS LC modulator or other type can be provided.For example, system early, such as describe in the U.S. Patent number 6758565 that is presented to people such as Cobb and be shown in system among Figure 1B, perhaps need relay lens to come to create intermediate image from microdisplay device, so that allow simple relatively projecting lens, perhaps need the low f# projecting lens of long reach.In either case, these solutions need complicated and very expensive lens.Color separation also must be able to handle the relative high-octane light of high angle with the polarization optics device and not produce polarization inhomogeneous.Traditionally, this need use expensive specific glass, and wire-grid polarizer.In addition, solution early all requires considerable cooling for microdisplay device and at least some polarizers, so that handle high-energy-density.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, projector equipment 50 has illumination source 28, colour annalyzer 76, color modulation part 90, color combiner 92, and projecting lens 70.Illumination source 28 has the polychromatic source 20 of the light that the polarization homogenizing is provided, and telecentric lens 62, and the light that described telecentric lens is used to regulate this polarization homogenizing is to provide the heart far away, polarization, multicolour light beam as the illumination that is used to modulate and show.Cold Mirrors 52 is used to bend light path and the multicolour light beam heart far away, polarization is directed to colour annalyzer 76.

Colour annalyzer 76 has first dichromatic surfaces 54 that is used for heterogeneous light spectral separation, first band reflected towards the first spatial light modulator 60b, and in the present embodiment as the heart column of colour far away that is used for the blue light modulation, and other light of transmission.Light whereabouts second dichromatic surfaces 56 of transmission is so that further separate spectrum, wherein second band is used as heart column of colour far away and reflects towards the second spatial light modulator 60g, second spatial light modulator is used for the green glow modulation in the present embodiment, and other light of transmission.Reflecting surface 58 also can be a dichromatic surfaces, its 3rd spectral light modulator 60r that then the 3rd band led.From spatial light modulator 60r, the color modulation light beam of each is sent to color combiner 92 among 60b and the 60g.In color combiner 92, use dichromatic surfaces 68 and 72 combinations light from each color modulation light beam, and with this light along common optical axis 0 towards projecting lens 70 guiding coaxial with common optical axis.Mirror 64,66 is used for the combined optical device bending light path towards dichromatic surfaces 68 and 72.Be that a projecting lens 70 shown in the embodiment will be directed on the display surface 40 through the multicolour light beam of the combination of ovennodulation and (not be shown among Fig. 2, but be shown in Fig. 1 and 8) in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9.

The block diagram view of Fig. 3 and the perspective view of Fig. 4 illustrate yardstick and the spatial relationship that the projector equipment 50 to Fig. 2 is suitable for.As shown in Figure 4, can in the illumination path, advantageously use optionally bending mirror 102.

Notice that the following fact is useful: use the design of Fig. 2 to the projector equipment 50 of the layout of Fig. 4, (or a plurality of) Fresnel field lens except contiguous panel, may not need optics between two parties, described optics between two parties in illumination source 28 telecentric lens 62 and projecting lens 70 between have power in the light path of extending.Can provide the aperture to come minimum stray light.Yet, do not need the lens that add in this embodiment in the light path between lens 62 and projecting lens 70.The simplicity of this design obtains low relatively manufacturing cost, and makes it possible to be configured to the device of the low weight of high-brightness projection.

Efficient and light exhibition amount are considered

As mentioning in the background technology part, the electronic projection apparatus of traditional employing LCOS micro-display parts has poor efficiency, usually at most less than 10%.Limited the efficient of these legacy systems for how much as their optics that shows with light exhibition scale, output has slight influence to light thereby make the trial of the increase brightness such as use has the lamp of wattage of increase.

A kind of simple calculating of light exhibition amount is useful for this restriction that shows the equipment that uses micro-display.As first example, have 1.2 with the taper rayed at f/2 place " (30.48mm) rectangle micro-display SLM (spatial light modulator) panel of diagonal (supposition standard digital movie theatre form is 1.9:1).According to " Projection Displays " p.244, eq.11.3, use following formula to calculate light exhibition amount:

$E=\frac{\mathrm{\πA}}{4{(f/\#)}^2}---\left(1\right)$

Wherein:

E is the light exhibition amount of panel

A is the area of panel

F/# is an illumination cone

For the value that provides in this example, light exhibition amount E=.12 square inch sterad (tolerance: 75mm ²Sterad).This expression can make the exhibition amount of using up from the maximum of the light source in this projector equipment.In practice, the f/2 illumination cone is very fast, and practical design can be used fast a lot of value unlike about f/2.3.Also have, shown in follow-up example, aspect system effectiveness, also must count because the loss that aperture opening ratio causes.This value, has reduced area A, thereby has reduced light exhibition amount pro rata usually in 0.60 to 0.90 scope for micro-display.For example, for the 75mm that calculates above ²The sterad value, the light exhibition amount of reality is usually at about 45-53mm when counting aperture opening ratio ²Sterad.

By drawing distribution curve, can observe the significant difference of throughput between this micro-display and bigger direct-viewing type TFT LC or the MPC type device about the cornerwise theoretical throughput of SLM.The curve chart of Figure 14 is illustrated on about 1.3 inches to 20 inches scope the relation as the throughput of the cornerwise function of SLM.Four curves are shown, F/2, F/4, F/6 and F/8 optical system respectively have one.As earlier mentioned, the F/2 optics will be unpractiaca under most of situation.System with optics slower than F/8 (such as the F/16 optics) also can be used, and the result defers to the general modfel shown in Figure 14.Vertical dotted line with and the indication of the zone on right side be used for the zone of LC TFT device when the use method of the present invention.Generally, this comprises 5 inches diagonal or bigger SLM device.Under these sizes, throughput is low relatively, and throughput significantly descends when using slower optics.Be higher than on about 5 inches cornerwise preferred range scales, acquisition 70% or better throughput, promptly using relatively, the optics of slow (F/8) also is like this.

The problem that the angle of using slower f/# to simplify color offset in the color separation and contrast ratio greatly changes was as mentioning in the prior art.Dichroic coating designs according to stacks of thin films, with respect to their spectral edges of incidence angle skew.Although the amplitude of this variation changes, it drops on about every degree usually and changes 2nm.Similarly, in the prior art, dichroic coating is normally used for making polarization member, such as beam splitter.Like this, the contrast ratio of parts also reduces as the function of the angle that increases.In addition, in some cases, may increase the light exhibition amount of panel (that is, catching more light and the bigger brightness of generation on screen) by f/# is reduced to littler value from F/8.

In order to obtain high efficiency projector equipment, the light exhibition amount at expectation coupling light source place, make it near or less than the light exhibition amount at spatial light modulator place.Attention is for micro-display equipment, so does to have the very illumination system of small light source.This requires conversely obtainable smooth output variable (that is, to arriving the amount of lumens of screen) have been set restriction.In traditional arc lamp, need bigger arc gap so that higher lamp output is provided, yet this bigger arc gap has also increased illumination light exhibition amount simultaneously.Thereby at the illumination end, the major part that increases lumen output makes great efforts also light exhibition amount to be increased on the available light exhibition amount grade in LC modulator place.So, the result of the design of traditional use microdisplay device is that restricted system is measured in the light exhibition of very poor efficiency, and waste power also produces the meeting heat harmful especially to little electrooptic block.

Equipment of the present invention and method provide a kind of projector equipment, and it can use the device of monochromatic direct-viewing type TFT LC of transmission or MPC type that higher light exhibition amount is provided.These spatial light modulator devices are that several times of the tradition optional micro-display LC device that is used for projector equipment are big, higher lumen output level not only is provided, the advantage that also provides is a low energy densities more on the parts, the optics of simplifying, and by the improved optical processing of color-separated with the reorganization parts.

Projector equipment 50 provides the efficient of high brightness and increase, adopts minimum optics simultaneously.An embodiment who provides in Fig. 3 shows two positions that light exhibition amount equates substantially in the light path, makes that this design height is effective, substantially exceeds obtainable efficient when using traditional LC OS LC device.About Fig. 3, have basically:

Illumination light exhibition amount=light modulated exhibition amount

Other embodiment can further increase the light exhibition amount of modulator.Although can not obtain further gain in the lumen output, will obtain energy density lower on the parts.In addition, will bigger for given resolution at the Pixel Dimensions at modulator place, other advantage of discussing later is provided.

Figure 19 A, 19B, 19C and 19D illustrate 1.5kW and the 2.4kW that arranges for complex reflector Xenon arc lamp and 1.9kW bubble lamp are in the light intensity and the angular distribution of best possibility focal position.Use this data, can use the equation (1) that early provides to calculate use can be from PerkinElmerInc., Wellesley, the 2.4kW that MA obtains The illumination light exhibition amount of xenon arc lamp, this light fixture has the 1.9mm arc gap, provide 20mm diameter light source (use big in Figure 19 A normalized intensity for the upper left corner 1/e of the curve chart of focal position ²Put the value at place) and the f/1.3 reflector.This set will be at the exhibition of the typical light below lens 62 places provide value: E=146mm ²-sr (supposition does not have light loss).

If use polarization recovery (polarization recovery), effective light exhibition amount of lamp system is doubled to 292mm ²-sr.Notice that this lamp provides a kind of relative opposite extreme situations, because this is for available so little arc gap provides the highest wattage rating because it allows the ceramic structure of higher air pressure.More typical lamp (such as the Osram xenon bubble lamp of 2kW) has the arc gap of 5mm.

The light modulated exhibition amount at LC spatial light modulator place can approximate or be higher than this illumination light exhibition value greatly.Reuse equation (1), the light modulated exhibition that can calculate TFT embodiment measures to determine the panel size and the f# combination of close match illumination and modulator light exhibition amount.Following form illustrates the calculating that discuss for the CERMAX lamp system that has and do not have polarization recovery the front:

Light exhibition amount=light exhibition amount=

Device 146 292

Diagonal

Inch f/# f/#

5 6.0 4.2

10 12.0 8.5

15 17.9 12.7

20 23.9 16.9

When the light of illumination system and modulating system is opened up when flux matched, whole system is as much as possible near efficient.Use even light output that bigger LC modulator panel or optical system can not change projecting apparatus significantly.Although panel size can be bigger, the size of panel is subjected to the restriction that other system considers.Dispose this system best, make and to have collected most of light exhibition amount at least, and panel size becomes according to panel cost (material cost and ease of manufacture) and is supplied to the definite compromise parameter of optical element cost (material cost and ease of manufacture) of energy.

As an illustration, it is useful distinguishing that the light exhibition amount of high lumen microdisplay projector of the existing LCOS of utilization LCD technology and the light exhibition amount of using equipment of the present invention to obtain do not match.For example, a manufacturer has introduced a kind of 10000 lumen digital cinema projector, and it uses 1.55 " diagonal L COS modulator and two 2kW lamps.Digital cinema applications needs minimum 5000 lumens to illuminate minimum actual theater place suitably.This 10000 lumen grade is important, because this is the needed light quantity of cinema screen that suitably illuminates the U.S. about 80%.In addition, be 1.7 by the maximum LCD chip of commercial exhibition " diagonal (4:3), however also do not utilize the projecting apparatus of this chip to appear on the market.

Use the equipment of first example, under the illumination optics of F/2.3 (in more extreme example, because slower on the example projecting apparatus optics), the light exhibition amount of modulating system will be 95mm ²-sr.Two xenon bubble lamps are used in illumination in the equipment hereto, provide polarization recovery in this illumination system.For extreme comparison, suppose the CERMAX lamp that use is early mentioned once more with 1.9/mm arc gap.If the light exhibition amount that does not have combination or polarization recovery (PCS) owing to two lamps to cause in the illumination system increases, so 146mm ²Not matching between the illumination light exhibition amount of-sr and the light modulated exhibition amount will be 54%.This becomes under the situation of polarization recovery (PCS) and surpasses 200%, and if have the light exhibition amount increase from a plurality of lamps to have bigger not matching.

Figure 20 A and 20B illustrate point overlapping (spotoverlap) and the energy density distribution characteristic of embodiment that has the xenon bubble lamp of polarization recovery for use.As shown in Figure 20 A, can see that two points 206 have a little overlapping.As shown in Figure 20 B, their intensity curve 208 also can show the place of measuring before the homogenizing optics have a little space overlap.

Observe the comparison that this same optical projection system can help to strengthen this situation that do not match once more.For this reason, with reference to coming people such as free F.E.Doany at IBM J.Research Development Vol.42, the data in " Projection Display Throughput:Efficiency of Optical Transmission and Light Source Collection " among the No.3/4May/July1998.In this paper, (Fig. 6,394 pages), people such as F.E.Doany have showed about the parameter that is similar to light exhibition amount (being that numerical aperture (NA) multiply by the modulator diagonal) to collect how many gross powers from have the arc lamp that changes arc gap.For the amplitude of the light exhibition amount of determining 5mm arc gap lamp, consider two kinds of situations in the scope of the work f/# of microdisplay projector.This total power value is actually the unmatched coefficient figure of merit (figuremerit) between modulator light exhibition amount and the illumination light exhibition amount.The rough estimate of illumination light exhibition amount can be calculated divided by the ratio from the system effectiveness of the measurement in people's documents such as F.E.Doany of early mentioning by getting sensor light exhibition amount.F/# changes, because illumination is uneven really on space and angle, and in fact illumination is Gauss more in essence, and is shown as the 1.9kW ORC xenon bubble lamp of arranging for complex reflector in the curve chart in the upper left corner among Figure 19.The illumination light exhibition amount that provides estimation is below calculated:

For f/2.3:

NAD _SLMOr 4.28 have PCS (mm)=8.56

For f/4:

NAD _SLMOr 2.46 have PCS (mm)=4.92

For light source with 5mm arc gap, from Fig. 6 of the F.E.Doany article early mentioned, obtain for f/2.3 system with PCS, the power of collection approximately is 22%.F/4 system for having PCS is approximately 11%.As mentioned, this supposition light exhibition amount can be calculated by using sensor light exhibition amount and percentage to catch.Thereby, be 94.950/.22=431.59mm for the light exhibition amount (using the f/2.3 information calculations) of 5mm gap lamp ²Sterad.It is 31.393/.11=285.39mm when with the f/4 data computation ²Sterad.Thereby, utilize this new estimation based on independent measurement, for high lumen projection instrument, illumination system does not further match modulating system.Although the estimation of the actual light irradiation exhibition amount that this is to use is used conservative supposition for the f/# value, suppose that not having the significant light exhibition amount that causes owing to two lamps of combination increases.Thereby the conventional micro-display solution that is used for high lumen digital cinema projector as can be seen has the considerable light loss that does not match and cause owing to light exhibition amount.

As a comparison, utilize equipment of the present invention, light modulated exhibition amount is mated within 20%, perhaps surpasses illumination light exhibition amount.This and existing equipment based on micro-display form contrast, open up value and can differ about 50% or more each other usually for this existing equipment output and light modulated based on micro-display.

Figure 13 illustrates an optional embodiment, and it uses the identical basic layout shown in Fig. 2, but changes on the orientation of parts, so that more help encapsulation.In Figure 13, for example, spatial light modulator 60b has rotated 90 degree with respect to its initial position in Fig. 2.The configuration that an embodiment shown in Figure 26 operates with the arenas projection booth that is suitable for digital camera is packaged with three big direct-viewing type TFT LC spatial light modulators and three follow-up projecting lens.

Illumination source and optics

Another advantage of design is relevant with light source 20 shown in Fig. 2-4.Light source 20 can be any one of the lamp of many types or other luminous component.Be appreciated that with particularly advantageous be to select commercial available parts as light source 20 so that utilize low cost and the availability that obtains owing to high manufacture.In one embodiment, use can be from PerkinElmer Inc., Wellesley, the tradition that MA obtains

Xenon arc lamp.Compare with traditional bubble lamp, the advantage of CERMAX xenon lamp is to provide the encapsulation of the more high pressure of littler arc gap.This littler arc gap is expected under the situation based on the system of micro-display, because it makes that more light can be by the limited light exhibition amount utilization of system.Yet these lamps are generally more expensive, because their output is less than traditional xenon bubble lamp.Because its higher light exhibition amount, big panel LC can more easily be applicable to the traditional xenon bubble lamp with big arc gap size, and still keeps high system effectiveness.When using the TFT LC device of large-size, it is particularly advantageous using the ability of the device that this routine can be purchased off the shelf.

Xenon bubble lamp can be configured to effective light exhibition amount is eased down in the layout under effective light exhibition amount of the most cheap normally used elliptical reflector in the cinematographic projector.These are furnished with difference, but the modal complex reflector system that is to use, such as GE Taleria designed system.Other configuration of using comprise wherein from the rectangular side profile of arc gap self produce rectangular dots, from Bohemia, the scheme of the EELE of NY, and more other people well-designed configurations.These ease down to effective illumination light exhibition amount usually and are similar near the grade that CERMAX design provides.(with reference to each curve chart that among Figure 19 the 1.9kW ORC bubble lamp in 1.5kW Cermax and the complex reflector layout is compared).They have also significantly increased the cost and the complexity of illumination system.In fact the simplification of EELE scheme arranges it is the most cheap and the most effective method that will couple light to preferred embodiment.Wherein from the side to the imaging of conventional xenon bubble lamp, make the width of arc gap image approximate match panel image, and carry out polarization recovery so that make the matched depth-width ratio; Follow-up then homogenizing optics is such as microlens array (lenslet array).

Figure 21 A illustrates the plane graph that has arc gap 182 and be contained in the bubble lamp 180 in the reflector 184.Figure 21 B illustrates this illumination structure with focus 186 with end view.Figure 21 C illustrates when using polarization recovery, along with image enters the homogenizing optics, from the image 188 of the plasma of arc gap 182.This structural advantages be two round dots be converted into rectangle in case better in the homogenizing process of matching image ratio loss less.

Similarly, use multi-lamp syste to utilize less arc gap, and so lower light exhibition amount.Because illumination point and angle roughly are Gauss in form, a plurality of Gaussian curves of several lamps are combined only to utilize the peak value of Gaussian curve, make that replicative function is to increase overall output in tail region.This scheme still can be used with preferred embodiment, still catches simultaneously considerable part in the illumination of tail region.This forms contrast with using less micro-display parts, and less micro-display parts need one or more in these more conventional light source solutions usually, so that required output is provided.

Other optional light source comprises high-capacity LED, and they can be distributed in the array with polarization recovery, shown in Figure 22 A and 22B.Led array 190 has the layout that is formed on the LED200 on the chip substrate 198.The fastening that led array 190 is equipped with radiator 196 or other to be used to cool off.Each LED200 has the polarization beam apparatus 202 of the correspondence that is arranged in polarization beam apparatus array 192.Half-wave plate 194 provides polarization recovery, as previously described.

Figure 23 illustrates the embodiment that big panel LCD is used for digital camera, and this big panel LCD has independent led array 190r, 190g, and 190b is used for the color channel 250r of each display pannel, 250g, every kind of primary colours among the 250b all have a led array.Uniformization element 22 and illumination relaying 204 and each led array 190r, 190g, 190b uses together.An example as shown in Figure 22 A and 22B will be to make the area array of monochromatic light bands of a spectrum LED, and for this array provides the device of polarization recovery, such as being each LED use beam splitter and half-wave plate.Can utilize lenticule or other technology that homogenizing is carried out in this illumination, and then this illumination is relayed to one of them display pannel.Similarly, each panel will have its oneself spectrum special LED array.

Another selection is for example to use extra-high-pressure mercury vapour lamp.The LED scheme can be to substitute for the direct of xenon lamp, wherein makes up LED to provide homogenized and white light source beam split.From Lumiled, has their PhlatLight such as Luxeon line with them ^TMThe Luminus of line, the perhaps Ostar of Osram and their high-capacity LED chip ^TMThe latest developments of the LED power of the company of line, at present according to color at 200-400mW/mm ²Between send power.The advantage of LED is to select wavelength to send the specific colour gamut of expectation, and does not need filter light output, thereby the efficient of increase is provided.Yet as light source, these devices are relatively large, about 4 square millimeters of single chip.Thereby these devices have big light exhibition amount.Therefore, compare with micro-display, the embodiment of proposition is favourable for using LED as light source.

Fig. 5 illustrates the structure of the illumination source 28 that is used to provide heart polarization multicolour light beam far away in one embodiment.Light source 20 provides non-polarizable polychrome (white light) collimated light to shine.This illumination can be by using paraboloidal mirror or collimating by the oval shape mirror of use with the collimating optics combination of devices.Light source 20 is directed to the illumination light beam 38 that broad band wavelength polarizer 34 provides basic polarization with the illumination of collimation.Polarizer 34 sends the light with p polarization.Polarization beam apparatus 36 sends the light with p polarization and reflects the light with s polarization.Then, polarization by reflection sensitive coating 44 will have the photoconduction of s polarization to passing through half-wave plate 42.Half-wave plate 42 converts this incident light to the p polarization.In this way, complete polarised light irradiation bundle has identical polarization state.This polarised light can then be used the method homogenizing such as the basic maintenance polarized state of light of the microlens array that does not illustrate among the figure.Thereby, export the heart homogeneous, multi-color light far away that is converted into same state of polarization from whole light of light source 20 basically.This method is provided at than the light on the large tracts of land, and can with bigger transmission LC panel (such as in equipment of the present invention, use those) use.Although traditional LC OS LCD optical projection system is used polarization recovery scheme similarly, they are subjected to more restrictions of light exhibition amount restriction inherently, thereby they can not utilize the light output of such expansion fully.

In an embodiment of this polarization recovery method, polarization beam apparatus 36 uses wire-grid polarizers, such as disclosed polarizer type in the U.S. Patent number 6452724 that is entitled as " Polarizer Apparatus for Producinga Generally Polarized Beam of Light " of authorizing people such as Hansen.Various types of wire-grid polarizers can be from Moxtek on market, Inc., and Orem, Utah has bought.The polarizer of wiregrating type is for handling high light intensity grade advantageous particularly, and for the angle relative insensitivity, unlike the film beam splitter of traditional type.In this embodiment, this wire-grid polarizer is placed as make the system-oriented imaging of kind of thread elements path on its line face side.This specific configuration can reduce thermally induced birefringence, as authorizes in people's such as Kurtz the commonly assigned U.S. Patent number 6585378 that is entitled as " Digital Cinema Projector " disclosed.Polarization beam apparatus 36 can alternatively be traditional prism polarizers, and such as the MacNeille polarizer, this polarizer is familiar with for the technical staff in electronic imaging field.

Collaborative lamp and polarization recovery system, big TFT LC projection utilizes homogenizing optics 12 to come to provide uniform illumination from light source 20.The output that homogenizing optics 12 is regulated from light source 20 is so that the illumination light beam of the uniform luminance that is provided for modulating.In one embodiment, long-pending optical wand (integrating bar) provides homogenizing optics 12.Alternate embodiment comprises certain combination of using microlens array or lenticule and other long-pending light parts.

Polarization

The quality of polarized state of light of trying hard to remain to spatial light modulator is so that realize that the 1500:1 or the better high contrast ratio that require are important.In the polarization recovery scheme, the homogenizing optics perhaps can use additional polarizer after the telecentric lens 62, so that further increase the polarization ratio of illumination.The angle at energy density height or polarizer place requires under the quite harsh situation therein, the preferred non-absorbing polarization device that uses such as wire-grid polarizer, and its center line is towards modulator.Under and the situation that spatial area is big low in energy density, because cost or component availability, the preferred polarizer that uses based on film is such as absorbing dye or iodine polarizer, perhaps as the DBEF that is called the diffuse reflective polarizer film ^TMThe complicated polarization structure of film.Under any situation, notice that the illumination grade is important to the influence of optics.

In a preferred embodiment,, can before the LCD panel, place polarizer if after telecentric lens 62, need the Polarization Control of adding, but preferred and the LCD panel is spaced apart.

Compensation

An advantage of the invention is not to need compensator, perhaps the needs for compensator can be minimized at least.The compensator film that several fundamental types are arranged as known in the art.The uniaxial film that a kind of its optical axis is parallel to membrane plane is called as A-plate.A kind of its optical axis is called as C-plate perpendicular to the uniaxial film of membrane plane.Refractive index changes on all three dimensions in the biaxial film, is commonly referred to O-plate.Alternatively, A-plate can be described as be in the plane of compensator XY birefringence (anisotropic medium with XY sluggishness) is provided, and C-plate provides Z birefringence along beam propagation by the optical axis on the direction of compensator.n _eGreater than n _oUniaxial material be called positive birefringence.Similarly, n _eLess than n _oUniaxial material be called negative birefringence.The n that depends on them _eAnd n _oValue, A-plate and C-plate can be positive or negative.As known in the art, C-plate can usually make by the polymer or the casting acetate fiber that use uniaxial compression, and A-plate can make by the polymer film such as the stretching of polyvinyl alcohol or Merlon.Since use bigger LC panel as modulator panel 60r, the angle sensitivity that 60b, 60g obtain reducing, and the present invention minimizes or has eliminated the needs for the C-plate compensator.Similarly, can use biaxial film, wherein refractive index is at x, and y and z-plane change, and come the optimization system contrast so that required sluggishness to be provided.

At first, the light of the substantially linear polarization of illumination must be matched with the preferred polarization axle of LC material.Make its orientation parallel or during at LC,, may only need an a spot of A-plate compensate the fine tuning polarized matching such as in vertically aligned structure perpendicular to the bending in the system.Panel is under the situation of TN therein, and this polarization rotates with 45 degree that become of illumination polarization usually.This need proofread and correct this polarization state near the sluggishness of half-wave plate.May expect at last that C-plate compensates and handle the small-angle that enters panel, its normally 12 degree or under.Improved contrast and do not needed the C-plate compensation although reduce to the angle of the input awl of LC, suitable compensation is by commercialization; For example, the monitor that LG Philips LCD has the 1600:1 contrast ratio, and 100 " show the contrast of having showed 3000:1 on the LCD panel.

In the place that needs optical compensation, expectation is with optical compensation members or be placed on after this " arrangement " Prepolarization device, perhaps just is placed on the LCD panel afterwards and before first polaroid analyze.In one embodiment, compensation just can be subjected to before the LCD panel and the just influence of the combination of the parts after the LCD panel.

Energy density

Use a significant advantage of big panel TFT LC device rather than micro-display to relate at the optical modulator place and the energy density at other parts place in light path.Energy density is the misgivings when designing with microdisplay device, and is main because the heat that produces from light absorption can be destructive.Because energy density misgivings, use that the high-brightness projection equipment of micro-display is essential to be used more expensive and for the more sane more resilient parts of higher hot grade, perhaps must provide complicated cooling device.For example, thin absorptive-type polarizer films can not be used in strong energy light beam; On the contrary, must use and have more thermoelastic wiregrating device.

As a comparison, for such as the application of Fig. 2 shown in the embodiment of Fig. 4, even when high a lot of output is provided, spatial light modulator 60r, energy needed density when the energy density at 60b and 60g place designs far below usefulness high brightness micro-display.For example, for using 1.3 inches diagonal L CD microdisplay device and providing the projector equipment of about 10000 to 15000 lumens in output place, the energy density that is used for interior lights modulation and polarization member is at about 6W/cm ²Scope in, and have about 15W/cm such as the component limitations of LCD device ²Damaging thresholding, light quantity is restricted to and is no more than about 20000 lumens the most at last.As a comparison, when use based on 15 inches big panel LCD of diagonal, when output place provides the system of 70000 lumens nearly, the energy density that is used for interior lights modulation and polarization member is much lower, at about 1W/cm ²Scope in.Before this lower density means because of high density heat misgivings the support light parts of disabled lower cost such as film absorption type polarizer, can in the electronic projection apparatus that high light output is provided, use now.Conversely, higher light output capacity means and can illuminate larger sized display screen.By this and similar mode, use the equipment of the present invention of high light exhibition amount design and method to obtain higher performance with lower cost.

As relevant energy density misgivings, the material in the telecentric lens 62 is selected as or has low light absorption, perhaps has low stress birfringence coefficient, so that reduce the influence of thermally induced birefringence.High-quality molded Fresnel lens is usually with the acrylic acid manufacturing with quite high-grade thermal endurance and high transmission.Because from the lower inherent birefringence of this technology, it is preferred using the acrylic acid parts of compression forming manufacturing.Alternatively, can be that this telecentric lens 62 uses glass or the higher polymer of tolerance, such as from Zeon Chemicals, Louisville, the Zeonex of KY.

Telecentric lens

Later with reference to figure 2, telecentric lens 62 is regulated illumination heart behavior far away is provided.Lens can be at object space, and image space perhaps is the heart far away among both.Under the situation of heart light far away, the chief ray of being had a few on object or the image be collimation and be parallel to optical axis.In fact, the entrance pupil of telecentric lens and emergent pupil are at infinity, and be quite even thereby the angle of the light of scioptics distributes.Yet in Fig. 2 embodiment, only the emergent light pupil is at infinity.Here be the heart far away only at image space (near the LCD panel); The emergent light pupil is projected to the result of infinity.Disposition far away is important in this application, because if comprise different spaces, angle from the different pixels in the spatial light modulator, will cause the color at final image place inhomogeneous from independent color light according to the color artifacts of passage and the panel angle of variation.This is a major issue in multiaspect plate optical projection system.Telecentric lens 62 can be sphere or aspheric.In one embodiment, telecentric lens 62 is Fresnel lenses.Be to use at least one reflecting element for a kind of possibility that uses Fresnel lens as telecentric lens 62.Reflecting element does not cause the moir due to lateral chromatic aberration (lateral color) or the structure, and can be easier to make, for example by moulding big plastic cement element.Although the disposition far away from lens 62 is important for this scheme, be acceptable from some deviations of perfection disposition far away, and expectation is as allowing less light beam compromise by dichroic beam splitters.In this case, optical beam expander can also be utilized so that suitably determine the illumination size at display floater place.

As shown in the embodiment of Fig. 2, the heart polarization multicolour light beam of exporting from illumination source 28 far away enters colour annalyzer 76, and is divided into two or more a plurality of band.For panchromatic operation, colour annalyzer 76 forms the band of at least three separation, is generally red, green and blue.Advantageously, the incidence angle during most of polychromatic light shines is in limited scope, and the spectral shift effect that causes on the angle is minimized.

For equipment of the present invention, telecentric lens 62 can be quite big, at spatial light modulator 60r, on the magnitude of the size of any one effective area among 60g or the 60b.One when using large diameter lens element relatively may difficulty relate to lateral chromatic aberration, and lateral chromatic aberration causes different color channels to form slightly different dimensionally image.With reference to the plane graph of figure 6, show redness respectively, the image 14r of the stack of blueness and green channel, 14g, the relative size of 14b.Because lateral chromatic aberration, the image 14r of red channel is respectively less times greater than the image 14g and the 14b of green and blue channel.The image of blue channel, image 14b, minimum dimensionally.The curve chart of Figure 15 shows lateral chromatic aberration with respect to spatial light modulator 60r, the increase of the Diagonal Dimension of 60g or 60b.

The correction of lateral chromatic aberration can obtain by use optional correcting lens in the illumination path.In one embodiment, Fresnel lens can be added to one or more color channel and proofread and correct lateral chromatic aberration.These lens can be placed with telecentric lens 62, perhaps place along the light path between lens 62 and the LCD panel.

But the possibility of compensate for lateral aberration is to use optional dispersion element before telecentric lens 62, makes to cause equal in light path the lateral chromatic aberration of opposite magnitude.A kind of scheme will be that design has the telecentric lens 62 of optimum performance for center light bands of a spectrum (for example green wavelength), and allow lateral chromatic aberration appear in red and the blue channel.Then can design the optional lens that cause lateral chromatic aberration, these lens have the dispersion characteristics of lateral chromatic aberration intrinsic in the compensation telecentric lens 62.

Under any circumstance, importantly design the illumination path, make the edge comprise each spectrum channel roll-off the illumination grade of (edge rolloff) and those illumination grade and uniformities that uniformity is the most closely mated adjacency channel, thereby make optical efficiency can not be wasted in on the inhomogeneity color balance on the screen.

Generally, thinking best is to realize the optical path length that equates in the imaging path (between display floater and the projecting lens) at each color channel, for example early mentioning ' people's such as 390Mckechnie patent is with ' disclosed in people's such as 709Tiao the patent.Yet, shown that be favourable for projector equipment 50 to the adjusting of optical path length in the illumination path when using large-sized TFT LCD panel, as in an embodiment of the present invention.Under specific arrangements of the present invention, along the focus of the light of the light path of illumination become do not have under the traditional design so crucial.For example this means and regulate one of them spatial light modulator 60r that 60g, the relative position of 60b can not need modulator to be placed on definitely on the focus of telecentric lens 62 and finish along optical axis O.This allows to adjust the path of considering equalization imaging sidelight device, and its path for coupling is more responsive.

More's compensation

Moir is a kind of potential pseudomorphism that uses Fresnel lens 84 as shown in Figure 17 to cause with the repetitive structure such as big panel LCD.A kind of possible strategy that reduces Moire effect is illumination light fully to be spread out into be enough to reduce the imaging attribute of Fresnel lens, makes intensity periodic vibration (intensity beating) can not take place.A kind of possibility will be the crossed cylinder lens that utilizes with suitable angle rotation, make that the frequency period vibration between two space patterns is reduced or eliminates.With reference to Figure 25, can use very low-angle diffusion to remove residual structure from optional diffusing layer 146.In addition, by Fresnel field lens 84 is removed from the LCD panel, moire pattern reduces and finally from visually disappearing.

A kind of mode of proofreading and correct this problem is to increase the size penetrate the telecentric beam on field lens 84, thereby even make field lens and LCD panel that a certain amount of interval be arranged, the light beam of convergence is still big must to be enough to fill up whole front panel.Have at least two kinds of technology can realize this result.A kind of technology is to revise telecentric lens (certain position before the illumination dichroic beam splitters), thereby makes and be wider than the LCD panel width from its light beam that comes out.Another kind of technology is by increasing negative lens, with its increase, making the heart far away enter light beam and form divergent beams after light beam process dichroic beam splitters.Then, field lens 84 will intercept the light beam of amplification and it will be redirected to the projecting lens pupil.

In a preferred embodiment, Fresnel field lens 84 is in the illumination side of LCD panel.Although this has advantage, it means that also the light penetrated on the LC panel is not the heart far away.This requires panel to have good angle polarization compensation (C-plate on about 12 degree fields).Otherwise contrast ratio will descend towards device edge.Optional embodiment is the position that Fresnel field lens 84 is moved to (that is, in the imaging side) before the LCD modulator panel.This will require good relatively picture quality and require to proofread and correct Moire effect by over-over mode.Combine except top method or with top method, diffusing layer can be increased to the absorptive polarizers before the panel between telecentric lens 62 and the polarizer, so that further reduce Moire effect.

Spatial light modulator 60r, 60g, the configuration of 60b

For the embodiment of Fig. 2-4, spatial light modulator planar plate 60r, 60g, 60b are transmission TFTLC panels, and each all has 5 inches or bigger diagonal.Resolution panels parts (2048x 1080 or 4096 x, 2160 pixels) are for the application advantageous particularly such as digital camera.At Fig. 2 in the embodiment of Fig. 4, with LC modulator panel 60r, 60g, 60b makes amendment and simplifies from using as the tradition of " direct-viewing type " panel, in projection application.At first, the traditional LC modulator panel 118 that is provided for display application by manufacturer is shown with reference to figure 7A.In this traditional structure, its control electrode comprises that the LC material 120 of ITO layer 124 and thin-film transistor 122 is sandwiched between the glass plate 126 with color filter array 132.Preceding polarizer and rear polarizer 128 are absorption-type sheet materials, and its performance is subjected to the infringement of high hot grade.Absorptive-type essence has reduced contrast and spectral transmission, and has influenced the performance of liquid crystal layer by heat conduction from infringement.Finally, high hot grade causes the contrast and the image that change inhomogeneous.The film 130 that also affords redress comes enhancing contrast ratio, particularly in the effort of watching the visual angle that increases display.These compensate films are usually designed to reservation may utilize this device fully in 180 degree on two dimension the acceptable contrast level of direct viewing person.In a lot of devices, use other reinforcing membrane, but not shown, such as diffusing layer, be used to help the layer of recirculation polarization, and even make from illumination backlight come out layer.Then with panel and back light unit combination, back light unit makes up cold cathode fluorescent tube usually, and these cold cathode fluorescent tubes are put in the total internal reflection optics (being photoconduction), and its permission is luminous towards panel relatively equably.

Fig. 7 B illustrates the LC spatial light modulator 60r as employed simplification among the present invention, 60g, the structure of 60b panel.This LC panel comprises the structure of pixelation, and wherein transistor is arranged in the border that surrounds regional transmission.Transistor is protected by black matrix, yet, do not need the sub-pixel and the color filter array of color.The LC material clip has between two transmission substrates of at least some rigidity.This substrate preferably has dielectric anti (this can be provided on the independent film base), but does not have anti-dazzle or other diffusion processing.Remove polarizing coating, and diffuser, angle controlling diaphragm, and other specific function film.Can remove compensate film 130; Even keep, also significantly reduced the performance requirement and the cost of compensate film 130, because the angular deviation of light and LC surface normal is extremely low.Although typical " direct-viewing type " display usually need be in the even contrast ratio on the whole axle of beholder (all high to 180 degree on the both direction), native system is for 15 " panel has the angle requirements of about 2 degree.Before polarizer and rear polarizer 128 also by from spatial light modulator 60r, 60g gets rid of in the direct contact of 60b self.Attempt big LCD panel is used for the system of low lumen such as in the Clifton that early mentions is open other people.In this technology, the scheme of describing during Clifton is open is used color filter array (CFA), and has the extra black matrix related with sub-pixel.All there is defective in these two kinds of parts when attempting high lumen and big effectively light exhibition amount are provided.In addition, Clifton has discussed and has removed such as polarizer, and the material of compensate film and anti-glare layer makes and can strengthen sequential contrast by the little incidence angle that remains to panel.Although with polarizer tell for high lumen use be expectation preventing to influence inhomogeneity heat, compensate film may be more expect and when suitable design, will improve contrast.Clifton does not also recognize needs antireflecting coating to prevent back reflection from substrate, and this can cause the loss (reducing of the contrast of black picture element and adjacent white pixels) of ANSI or tessellate contrast.For digital cinema projector, need 200:1 or bigger high ANSI contrast.In addition, traditional solution is not recognized the negative effect of seeing from the picture quality angle of the aperture opening ratio that causes " shield door " pseudomorphism.

Be positioned near the optional wire-grid polarizer of LC panel and can handle high light grade and not absorb a lot of luminous energy, and the high strength that is suitable for particularly well in the projector equipment 50 is used.Wire-grid polarizer is designed to reflect the polarization state of not transmission.Ideally, the polarizer of sheet form will be not expensive, and will be disclosed in the U.S. Patent Application Publication 2006/0061862 as people such as Mi.Contrast ratio does not need very high (in the magnitude of 100:1, because Prepolarization device can provide the polarization of suitable grade).In the imaging side of display floater, expectation is placed on wire-grid polarizer and makes this reverberation not get back to the position of LCD, so that do not influence the ANSI contrast.This has two kinds of optional ways to implement: first kind of polarization by reflection state that is to use imaging.Second kind of optional way is that wiregrating is tilted, thereby makes the back light of reflection avoid the LCD modulator, perhaps by the aperture diaphragm blocking-up, perhaps by simple separated by spaces blocking-up.In this case, the plate of the image light transmission of dispersing by tilting, this is with in the optical aberration drawing-in system.Use thin wire grid construction that this effect is minimized.In addition, angle that can be opposite is placed into second plate in the light beam, so that the astigmatism in the direct compensation light beam.Remaining aberration generally can seriously not keep picture quality to being enough to the further compensation of needs.

Polarizer and LC material 120 separated prevented the inhomogeneity heat conduction of negative effect image.No longer need color filter array 132, separate because spectral light is the space.The removal of this color filter array is for being particularly advantageous such as the high lumen system that will be used for digital camera, and wherein the absorption power of color filter array will exist performance and degenerate problem owing to the heat that produces.It is possible using the reflection-type color filter array, yet catoptrical loss is not expected.Can use color rendition (color recovery) system to keep system-level brightness in this case.The part of color filter array structure comprises black mask, and it is provided as the device that blocking light directly is mapped to transistor arrangement, and is used to provide the holding device of color filter materials.Although still need photoresistance disconnected, no longer need holding device.Can use such as other device or the continuation of reflectance coating uses black mask to come protective transistor to avoid incident light.Can on two outer surfaces of glass 126, all provide optional antireflecting coating 134,136.Antireflecting coating 134,136 will help to reduce the checkerboard pattern effect and increase the ANSI contrast ratio, will minimize from the reciprocation of the neighbor of stray light.

In a preferred embodiment, in the imaging side of LCD panel, the absorptive polarizers that uses high relatively transmission is as the first level analyzer in the system.This makes that the polarized state of light that sees through this analyzer is linear substantially, thus less being subjected to owing to may be incorporated into the influence of any phase shift of the reflection part in the system.Place after this contrast ratio subsequently can be as shown in figure 17 be placed in the system by the inclination polarizer 137 with less higher contrast ratio is improved, for example, the wiregrating or other polarizer that tilt in the projecting lens space that use is fit to for this energy density, thus make back light can not be mapped on the spatial light modulator.For example, this can be placed on before the projecting lens or for less parts, is placed near the projecting lens of aperture diaphragm.

The shield door effect

Because the aperture opening ratio of " direct-viewing type " LCD display is compared greatly with the aperture opening ratio of microdisplay device, the border around the pixel influences picture quality negatively.Different with the situation of direct-viewing type, these borders are quite obvious on large-screen, particularly under the situation that demonstration is exaggerated.This effect is commonly referred to the shield door pseudomorphism, and to be considered to that high-quality for the digital camera projection requires be unacceptable.Might be by in the exposure (exposure) of single motion frame, the pixel image of individuality being offset the distance on border, about 1/2 aperture (aperture boarder), make pixel edge that these are clear and definite and the border reduction of surrounding them.In this way, the luminous energy of pixel expands in the aperture area, and average in time this effect of the eyes of watching, thereby makes pixel seem to fill this zone.Can adjust timing or drive signal and control the exposure profile; For example, can use sine or step function.This technology that is called shake is sometimes used in printing, so that the resolution that edge reduction is provided or increases, as shown in the U.S. Patent number 6930797 of the Ramanujan of common transfer.Shake can be carried out by a lot of methods, comprises by mobile display floater, by the mobile projector lens, perhaps passes through the flat optical sheet or the wedge of the inclination in the rotation tomography path.In one embodiment, just be arranged on projecting lens wire-grid polarizer before and on two orthogonal directions, repeatedly tilt, thus the apical pore footpath and the lateral aperture that provide motion to come smooth pixel.Be shown among the embodiment among Figure 27 in part, using does not have the friction flexural pivots and holds 139 shuttle board 138 is installed to dual-axis universal joint.The jitter motion of pivoting can be used the cam on the motor, the piezoelectricity pusher, and solenoid, perhaps certain other controlled actuators is carried out.In one embodiment, the jitter motion that requires at this point in system is less than 5 degree.

Activate the possibility that reduces the shield door effect for the physics of element and will be to use polarization to blur filter, as normally used in digital camera.Defocusing may be the simplest mode that is used for the shield door artifact compensation, yet this causes energy certain crossover from a pixel to its neighbor.Utilization defocuses, and loses some edge sharpness, causes some minimizings on the modulation transfer function.Another kind of scheme is the cut-off frequency filter of setting up for the characteristic frequency in aperture, and this is designed in the system.

The mounting structure of spatial light modulator

(not shown) in one embodiment, spatial light modulator 60r, 60g is nominally 60b is installed in the prealignment assembly of adjacent maintenance in common plane together.For example, use typical case's " direct-viewing type " Pixel Dimensions between the 100-250um, mechanically can more easily make three spatial light modulator 60r, 60g, the 60b prealignment is to remaining projection optical device, make the projecting lens adjustment can carry out at the scene with correct focusing is provided with the image of assembling.This modular arrangement is favourable for digital cinema applications, because comprise spatial light modulator 60r, and 60g, the whole parts of 60b can be used as Field Replaceable Unit and are removed and change.For example, the damage or technical outmoded if panel becomes can be replaced this assembly with parts unspoiled or that performance is higher.This is not so easy for the optical projection system based on micro-display.

In addition, this spatial light modulator assembly can be protected with window 142,143, and window 142,143 is spaced apart with spatial light modulator assembly self, is positioned at the imaging and/or the illumination side of modulator.These windows can be used to the dust that scatters and may accumulate in operation.These identical windows can be the parts of polarization and/or compensation assembly, and wherein film becomes window, perhaps join window substrate self to.Under any situation, need AR coating (147,148) to reduce back reflection and light loss.In addition, also expectation has the durable surface that can be cleaned, and is used for long period of operation.Ventilating opening 144 shown in Figure 25 may be incorporated between sub-panel and the LC panel, there can be with cooling off panel and polarizer parts fully through filtered air.

Similarly, panel to the tolerance of panel significantly greater than the tolerance under the micro-display system.For example, remaining to being aligned in the microdisplay device of 1/2 pixel approximately is 5 microns, and this approximately is 50 to 100 microns in big panel.Therefore, the single panel in the possible replacement system, and or have factory with respect to the benchmark architecture in the modulator installation system with reference to aligning, perhaps at the scene two of single panel and other are aimed at again simply.This is for the blue channel particular importance, because LCD material and polyimide alignment layer are the most responsive for the higher power spectrum of blue and UV light.Therefore, estimate that blue spatial light modulator will have each panel and install with respect to machine and/or short reference relative to each other.Example can be included in and isolatedly before the LCD comprise the sub-panel of polarizer at least and isolatedly after LCD be included in the sub-panel that all there is the polarizer of AR coating both sides at least.

The LC modulator panel

As early mentioning about Figure 14, the size of LC modulator panel 60 can the optimised performance requirement that is fit to projector equipment 50.Opposite with previously used microminiaturized LCOS LCD solution, LC modulator panel 60 can be the device than large scale greater than typical display on knee, about 5 to 20 diagonal inches or more.Although early stage LC panel is slow fallaciously, ongoing work provides 100% or better speed improvement, and seems that the speed that increases is feasible.4 milliseconds or shorter improved response time have been reported.For the harsh requirement of digital camera, importantly between all code values of each panel that uses, attempt and these response times of balance.This will help to reduce correction of motion artefacts.Use covering or hides and concealing the light that also can be used to block effectively during the image transition of shutter.

Ideally, size that can modulator panel 60 is set to big the lamp system light exhibition amount completely that just be enough to utilize, and little as to be enough to provide the fastest response time, have the dot structure of use standard TFT LC panel method manufacturing and the optimum size of electronic device.In addition, size dimension influences the projecting lens size, thereby manufacturing and the technical factor related with the projecting lens design are important considerations.The consideration of a key be can realize and commercial available Pixel Dimensions under realize the resolution that Digital Theater System requires so that the big panel that utilizes TV and monitor to use is made infrastructure.

Tradition TFT LC panel device has the aperture opening ratio in the 60-70% scope, is significantly less than about 90% aperture opening ratio of LC microdisplay device.Some ratios of the opening of loss are because driving transistors and interconnecting member.Yet the part of the aperture opening ratio of minimizing is because the black matrix of making as the part of the color filter array 132 (Fig. 7 A) of LC device.Yet,, do not need and removed the color filter array of LC device because the present invention uses the embodiment of the color channel with separation.At least black matrix a kind of color and another kind of color are separated that part ofly also can be removed, thereby the feasible aperture area that loses between redness and the green portion of for example obtaining again produces extra effective coverage (Fig. 7 B).This can obtain improving up to 8-12% or more aperture opening ratio for some LC panel designs.This is the high-resolution TFT LC panel that the direct-viewing type medical applications is made although most of monochromatic LC panel for example keeps, and this application will be benefited from and no longer keep the customization panel that these pixels are covered.Yet, importantly keep the photoresistance of top on the transistor arrangement disconnected, because to compare the light grade relative higher with traditional big panel direct-viewing type illumination.

Big TFT LC panel has produced light loss arbitrarily between the 20-40% with respect to this aperture opening ratio that reduces of micro element.Can focus the light into the not open area of LCD structure by using lenticule (micro-lens), obtain higher efficient according to basis by pixel.This lenticule (micro-lens) array can separate with panel, but preferably under the same process that forms transistor or aperture blocking-up array, it is on glass to be manufactured on LCD, thereby makes that aiming between pixel and the lens is the part of manufacturing process.Similarly, can utilize lenticule (micro-lens) array, fill because the light gap that the disconnected aperture of the photoresistance in the panel causes in the image-side of panel.

Projection optical device

Under the embodiment of Fig. 2-4, the projecting lens 70 shown in Fig. 8 has sizable parts lens on diameter.For all light in the column of colour of suitably catching modulation, the lens diameter of first lens element (Far Left in the structure of Fig. 9) can be roughly and spatial light modulator 60r, 60g, and the diagonal of 60b is identical.Although this is difficult for traditional glass optics, increase although should be understood that the size of lenticular unit and modulator, the luminous power of element and the optical surface quality that needs descend.Thereby, can more easily make traditional thin glass or plastic optical component, even can be by molded these devices of making.Can consider Fresnel optics, diffraction optical device, gradient index, and reflective optical device is used for this application.

Use the exemplary embodiment of reflection part to be shown among the embodiment of Figure 10 and 11.These use reflective optical devices to bend and assemble from spatial light modulator 60g and the polychrome modulation column of colour that obtains from spatial light modulator 60r and 60b (not shown Figure 10 and 11), use dichromatic surfaces 68,72 that this light is recombined on the single output shaft.As previously mentioned, reflecting surface has superiority, because they do not show laterally or axial chromatic aberration.Yet they show other error, the asymmetric distortion shown in Figure 12.First curved reflection surface 78 shown in Figure 11 is modulated column of colour with polychrome and is redirected towards second curved reflection surface 80.Use this configuration, second curved reflection surface 80 can be placed on the place, focal plane of projecting lens 70, perhaps can be used to bend light path.In shown embodiment, first curved reflection surface 78 is recessed, and second curved reflection surface 80 is protruding.Arbitrary in the first, the second curved reflection surface 78,80 or both can be aspheric surfaces.First reflecting surface 78 can be annular help reduce distortion along two main shafts.Figure 12 illustrates real image 14a is compared with better paraxial image 14p, the distortion on vertical and horizontal field of view.Can use various types of coatings to come the cremasteric reflex surface, comprise dichroic coating.

Another advantage of structure shown in Figure 10 and 11 relates to polarization.Under more polarizations were useful situation, this structure allowed to increase single polarizer when the projecting lens that uses separately, such as wire-grid polarizer, rather than all needs polarizer in each color channel.

Except in light path, increasing parts, may be favourable in certain embodiments to the change of color mode (color profile).For example, although Fig. 2,3, with 13 illustrate and use traditional redness, the projector equipment 50 of the set of green and blue color component, other structure also is possible, comprise and use extra color, the colour gamut of enhancing is provided, follow the variation that these colors is merged to the correspondence in the light path.Perhaps, can use different color components to form the coloured image of projection.

By comparing with the traditional projector equipment 10 among Figure 1A, Fig. 2 and afterwards in the structure of projector equipment 50 a kind of system that can realize much higher brightness degree is provided.The spatial light modulator 30r of the traditional structure in Figure 1A, 30g and 30b are under the situation of microminiaturized LC device, the Lagrange invariant of these devices and energy bearer cap are restricted to about 5000 to the scope that is no more than about 25000 lumens with the amount of available brightness.On the contrary, Fig. 2 and embodiment afterwards enjoy the lumen range of expansion, allow to substantially exceed 30000 lumens, up to 70000 lumens or more projection.

Many projecting lens embodiment

With reference to Figure 17, be depicted as the embodiment that each color channel uses the projector equipment 50 of independent projection optical device.Projecting lens 70r, 70g and 70b are respectively red, and green and blue channel provide.In each color channel, also have extra lens 84 to be used to each projecting lens 70r, 70g and 70b converging light.The perspective view of Figure 18 illustrates the layout of an optics among the embodiment.This embodiment advantage is that the lens element that needs is not very big, and makes quite easily, and comparing with the projecting lens in the micro-display system provides cost advantage.Although can make the configuration of alternative many projecting lens, such as level with circle, the vertical orientated advantage that has is to utilize single anamorphote to change the aperture opening ratio of projection.Digital cinema applications sometimes has the format differences of scope from 1.85 to 2.39 for specific picture.Therefore, the picture format form of modulator that may not match.Usually, use letter boxing (letter-boxing) to obtain different aperture opening ratios, yet, can the valuable pixel of loss in using this scheme.This can proofread and correct optically by using anamorphote, and image its corresponding normal axis of axial ratio is amplified more whereby.Being arranged vertically of these a plurality of projecting lens allows the single anamorphote annex of application (cylindrical lens) to stretch or the wide ratio of downscaled images in the preferred embodiment.

Because spatial light modulator 30 may be bigger, if the optical axis of modulator is directly oriented to projecting apparatus, these a plurality of projecting lens will spatially suitable at interval naturally amount.The disadvantageous place of the projecting lens that separates on these spaces is that they will cause parallax in the image, and needs a plurality of anamorphote annexes, perhaps needs very large single annex.Similarly, keep together and the mechanism that adjusts all three lens focuss will increase.In a preferred embodiment, use periscope as shown in Figure 26 to arrange 152 with the distance minimization between the lens.This mirror structure further advantageously aims at control panel landscape images each other to aim at by allowing to rotate mirror, and need not rotate actual panel image.

Because polarization recovery, the light cone on the horizontal direction that projecting lens must be caught are that the twice that needs in vertical direction is so big.The straightforward procedure that the projecting lens of all light is caught in manufacturing is to construct it with the rotation symmetry, thereby makes the f/# of lens be enough to catch on all directions the fastest taper from illumination system.The illumination light beam is the underfill lens only in vertical direction.

For considering that there is not so significantly reason in the projecting lens that has different f/# on two orthogonal directions.This can realize by oval diaphragm is placed in the projecting lens.An advantage of doing like this is that less in vertical direction aperture will help to eliminate stray light and thereby improve system contrast potentially.Another advantage of slower f/# is that the projecting lens clear aperature becomes littler on this direction on the vertical direction, and allows to cut away the top and the bottom of (slaboff) projecting lens; Correspondingly, allow the more approaching lens of installing each other, thereby reduce influence from the parallax of three projecting lens that separate.

The stereoeffect projection

For projection based on movie theatre, obtain three-dimensional or so-called " 3-D " projection aspect suitable interest is arranged, particularly along with the appearance of the digital projector in the arenas.The stereoeffect system of first water uses different polarization states for left eye and right eye, utilizes the glasses of the suitable design that the beholder uses to come according to polarisation of light transmission and blocking light.Usually, use left hand and right hand circular polarization state for two different views.The LC switching device that the polarized state of light of projecting apparatus is left in rotation passes through can handle the full spectrum with color artifacts better with these two kinds of polarization state work.Big panel LC is projected in advantage in this application and is to leave the light of imaging system because the essence of LC modulation and with the particular state polarization.Thereby, can or be incorporated in wherein conversion equipment and projecting lens merging, the output state with polarization on the basis of sequential is transformed into the correct status that is used for each eye.This system is better than the system based on DMD in brightness, must carry out polarization to light before carrying out this conversion based on the system of DMD.At present, only shown lambert's 5ft large-screen numeral 3-D projection, this is starkly lower than for standardized lambert 14ft of conventional digital movie theatre projection.Very clear current system is discontented can be with the optimal imaging performance that is provided by this high light exhibition amount system.

With reference to Figure 16, such as from Colorlink, Boulder, Co, ALPS ^TmThe polarization converter device 82 of device can be placed on the outlet side of the imager after " arrangement " analyzer.Under the situation of simple lens system, polarization converter device 82 need be all color band colour killings.In the three projecting lens schemes of Figure 17, can use three independent polarization converter devices (the rotatory polarization state is used for left eye and right eye).This alternative arrangement has been simplified the structure of polarization converter device, thereby makes it only need allow to use linear polarization potentially in the colour killing performance on the less band.Linear polarization has cost advantage, because it need not have the polarizer of hysteresis material, watches glasses unlike normally used circular polarization.

Another kind of stereoeffect embodiment uses linearly polarized light, and the light that wherein is used for left eye by cross-polarization once more, and be left eye and the independent LC panel of eye image use with respect to the light that is used for right eye, as shown in Figure 24.Polarization beam apparatus 210 is a kind of polarization first 90a of color modulation portion that leads, and with cross-polarization second 90b of color modulation portion that leads, only represents with profile in Figure 24; In the practice, second 90b of color modulation portion will have and be used for the identical arrangements of components of first 90a of color modulation portion.Utilize this layout, two kinds of different polarization states can be projected to eyes simultaneously, and do not have appreciable flicker between the eyes, and this flicker takes place when having the dark state that replaces for each eye.In addition, by using independent LC panel will reduce correction of motion artefacts, do not implement to drive these panels because do not need to double single sided board for each eye so soon.Correspondingly, a projected channel (left side or right eye) goes up and uses half-wave plate to come rotatory polarization therein, makes that two light paths are consistent, use the identical preferred polarization state that enters optics and LC device up to modulation LC panel.For example, be not to use the polarization recovery scheme that the illumination polarization is rotated to single status, but each orthogonal polarization state can be used to send illumination to one group big TFT panel, every group is used for watching by single eyes.Thereby before panel, use half-wave plate to make that the polarization state that enters panel is identical.In the imaging side, need another half-wave plate to rotate the polarization state of a panel, make each eye see the light of orthogonal polarization state.

Using polarization that a kind of possibility of information different between left eye and the right eye is provided is the spectrum point that adopts skew.In this case, the illumination source of each eye can make spectral shift take place in a sequential manner, and the beholder wears the device that only allows preferred spectrum to enter each eyes thus.Another selection will be that illumination is directed to suitable panel sets thus for each eye provides independent LC panel sets.In either case, each eye of color balance suitably importantly, thus make white point mate substantially.

Have the ability of the brighter light source of use and for the use of picture of large image scale generator, as the use TFT LC modulator panel 60r in Fig. 2 and the back, 60g, the projector equipment 50 of 60b is provided at the overall efficiency of 40-50% magnitude.The typical efficiencies of the LCOS LCD design early shown in this and Figure 1A forms contrast, and therein, as earlier mentioned, much lower efficient is common.In addition, projector equipment 50 of the present invention provides higher brightness than the conventional projector design, with higher light exhibition amount work, causes the universal of more complicated and expensive optical design to form contrast with the light exhibition amount that increases.

Describe the present invention in detail with particular reference to some preferred embodiment, but will understand, as mentioned above and in the scope of putting down in writing in as appended claims of the present invention, those skilled in the art can realize variations and modifications under the situation that does not depart from scope of the present invention.For example, can use the TFT unit type that optionally proposes recently, comprise OTFT (OTFT), and utilize the thin-film transistor that scatters good individual layer Single Walled Carbon Nanotube based on conjugated polymer, oligomer or other molecule.Spatial light modulator can use liquid crystal technology to carry out light modulation, perhaps can use the sub-crystal of magneto-optic (MPC) device nearest exploitation, that use the Faraday effect light modulated.Therefore, provide equipment and the method for using TFT LC panel to form the electronic projection apparatus of projected image.

List of parts

10. projector equipment

12. homogenising optics

14a, 14p, 14r, 14g, 14b. image

20. light source

20r, 20g, 20b. light source, redness; Light source, green; Light source, blueness

22. uniformization element

22r, 22g, 22b. uniformization element, redness; Uniformization element, green; Uniformization element, Blue

24r, 24g, 24b. polarization beam apparatus, redness; Polarization beam apparatus, green; Polarization beam apparatus, Blue

26. dichroic combiner

28. illumination source

30r, 30g, 30b. spatial light modulator, redness; Spatial light modulator, green; Spatial light is transferred Device processed, blueness

32. projecting lens

34. polarizer

36. polarization beam apparatus

38. illumination light beam

40. display surface

42. half-wave plate

44. coating

48r, 48g, 48b. polarizer

50. projector equipment

52. Cold Mirrors

54,56. dichromatic surfaces

58. reflecting surface

60r, 60g, 60b spatial light modulator

62. telecentric lens

64,66 mirrors

68. dichromatic surfaces

70,70r, 70g, 70b. projecting lens

72. dichromatic surfaces

76. colour annalyzer

78,80. reflecting surfaces

82. polarization converter device

84. Fresnel field lens

90,90a, 90b. color modulation portion

92. color combiner

94. half-wave plate

96. polarizer

98. mirror

102. mirror

118.LC modulator panel

120.LC material

122. thin-film transistor

124.ITO layer

126. glass

128. polarizer

130. compensate film

132. color filter array

134,136. antireflecting coating

137. the polarizer that tilts

138. shuttle board

139. not having the friction flexural pivots holds

140. medium electronic circuit

141. power supply

142,143. windows

146. optional scattering layer

147,148. antireflecting coating

150. dedusting sealing

152. periscope (periscopic mirror) is arranged

180. bubble lamp (bubble lamp)

182. arc gap

184. reflector

186. focus

188. image

190,190r, 190g, 190b.LED array

192. polarization beam apparatus

194. ripple plate

196. radiator

198. chip substrate

200.LED

202. polarization beam apparatus

204. illumination relaying

206. the point

208. intensity curve

210. polarization beam apparatus

250r, 250g, 250b. color channel

O, O _r, O _g, O _b. optical axis

Claims (40)

1. digital camera projector equipment comprises:

A) at least the first and second illumination source, each illumination source has first light exhibition value and is used to provide polarised light, wherein first illumination source provides the polarised light of first color to first color channel, and wherein second illumination source provides the polarised light of second color to second color channel;

Wherein each color channel comprises:

I) first lens element is arranged in the path of polarised light, is used to form the light beam of the basic heart far away;

Ii) transmissive spatial light modulator, light beam of the basic heart far away of its modulation forms the color modulation light beam,

Wherein have the light exhibition value related with each spatial light modulator, and wherein this light exhibition value corresponding to first light exhibition value of illumination source 15% in or open up value greater than this first light;

Iii) projecting lens is used for the polychrome modulated beam of light is led towards display surface.

2. equipment as claimed in claim 1 also comprises first convergent lens, is used for first heart column of colour guiding far away by the first transflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator.

3. equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein first spatial light modulator has greater than about 5 inches active surface diagonal

4. equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polychrome modulated beam of light surpasses 5000 lumens.

5. equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein first lens element comprises Fresnel lens.

6. equipment as claimed in claim 1 also comprises second lens element in the path of at least one color modulation light beam.

7. equipment as claimed in claim 1 also comprises first compensator in the path of at least one color modulation light beam.

8. equipment as claimed in claim 7 also comprises first polaroid analyze that is arranged between first compensator and the projecting lens.

9. equipment as claimed in claim 7 also comprises second compensator in the path of at least one heart column of colour far away.

10. equipment as claimed in claim 1 also comprises the polarization rotator in the path of at least one color modulation light beam.

11. equipment as claimed in claim 1 also comprises the homogenizing device of optical coupled to illumination source.

12. equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein illumination source comprises from LED, led array, the element of getting in the group that laser and laser array constitute.

13. equipment as claimed in claim 11, wherein the homogenizing device comprises microlens array.

14. equipment as claimed in claim 11, wherein the homogenizing device comprises long-pending optical wand.

15. equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein illumination source also comprises the polarization rotation element that is used for a part of illumination.

16. equipment as claimed in claim 1 also comprises the reflection-type of color recirculation color filter array is provided.

17. equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one spatial modulator is a transmission tft liquid crystal modulator.

18. equipment as claimed in claim 17, wherein thin-film transistor is an OTFT.

19. equipment as claimed in claim 17, wherein thin-film transistor comprises carbon nano-tube.

20. equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein illumination source also comprises wire-grid polarizer.

21. equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein illumination source also comprises the diffuse reflective polarizer film.

22. equipment as claimed in claim 1 also comprises the polarizer in the path of at least one color modulation light beam.

23. equipment as claimed in claim 22, wherein polarizer is to get from the group of absorptive polarizers and reflective polarizer formation.

24. equipment as claimed in claim 1 also comprises the diffuse reflective polarizer film in the path that is arranged in heart polarised light far away.

25. equipment as claimed in claim 1 also comprises the chromatic dispersion formula optics in the path that is arranged in first heart column of colour far away.

26. equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one transflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator has greater than about 10 inches active surface diagonal.

27. equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one transflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator is formed on the noncrystal substrate.

28. equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one transflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator comprises antireflecting coating.

29. equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical path length difference between illumination source and this at least two spatial light modulators.

30. equipment as claimed in claim 10, wherein polarizer comprises and piles up polarizer.

31. equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein projecting lens comprises anamorphote.

32. equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one transflective liquid crystal spatial light modulator comprises the dust stopper.

33. equipment as claimed in claim 1 also comprises the reflecting surface of concave surface bended, is used for the reflecting surface of polychrome modulated beam of light towards convex bending is redirected.

34. equipment as claimed in claim 33, wherein the reflecting surface of convex bending is placed near the focal plane of projecting lens.

35. equipment as claimed in claim 33, wherein the reflecting surface of convex bending is an aspheric surface.

36. equipment as claimed in claim 33, wherein the reflecting surface of concave surface bended is annular.

37. equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one transmissive spatial light modulator is installed as single Field Replaceable.

38. equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one transmissive spatial light modulator is used magnetic-photonic crystal modulation.

39. equipment as claimed in claim 1 comprises that also at least one periscope assembly closer is packaged together projecting lens.

40. equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one transmissive spatial light modulator is used magnetic-photonic crystal modulation.

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