CN115826332A

CN115826332A - Image generation device, related equipment and image projection method

Info

Publication number: CN115826332A
Application number: CN202111093756.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 舒湘平; 方志方; 李和文
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-09-17
Filing date: 2021-09-17
Publication date: 2023-03-21
Also published as: WO2023040662A1

Abstract

The application discloses an image generation device, related equipment and an image projection method, and belongs to the technical field of display. The image generation device comprises a light source, a light splitting unit, a modulation unit and a projection device. The light source is used for providing a light beam. The light splitting unit is used for splitting the light beam into at least two sub-light beams which are respectively input into the modulation unit. The modulation unit is used for respectively carrying out optical modulation on the at least two sub-beams according to the image data and outputting at least two paths of imaging light. The projection device is used for projecting the at least two paths of imaging light. The projection of at least two paths of imaging light can be realized by utilizing one light source, the space occupied by the image generation device is reduced, and the installation is convenient.

Description

Image generation device, related equipment and image projection method

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of display technologies, and in particular, to an image generating apparatus, a display device, a vehicle, and an image projection method.

Background

With the development of display technology, display devices, such as projectors, head-up devices (HUDs), and the like, are increasingly used. The display device projects light carrying image information (hereinafter referred to as imaging light) onto an imaging device (e.g., a screen) through an image generation unit (PGU), and forms an image with the imaging device for viewing by a user.

In the related art, the PGU includes a light source and a modulation unit. The light source is used for providing a light beam, the modulation unit is used for carrying out light modulation on the light beam according to data of an image to obtain a path of imaging light, and the path of imaging light is projected onto the imaging device to form an image.

If a plurality of images need to be projected simultaneously, a plurality of PGUs need to be adopted, the occupied space is large, and the installation is complicated.

Disclosure of Invention

The present application provides a PGU, a display apparatus, a vehicle, and an image projection method capable of providing at least two images through one PGU.

In one aspect, the present application provides a PGU, also known as a light machine. The PGU comprises a light source, a light splitting unit, a modulation unit and a projection device. The light source is used for providing a light beam. The light splitting unit is used for splitting the light beam into at least two sub-light beams which are respectively input into the modulation unit. The modulation unit is used for respectively carrying out optical modulation on the at least two sub-beams according to the image data and outputting at least two paths of imaging light. The projection device (which may be referred to as a projection device) is used for projecting the at least two imaging lights.

A light beam provided by a light source is divided into at least two sub-light beams by a light splitting unit, the at least two sub-light beams are respectively subjected to light modulation by a modulation unit according to image data to obtain at least two paths of imaging light, and the at least two paths of imaging light are projected to form at least two images. The data of one light source and at least two images can be used for realizing the formation of the at least two images, the space occupied by the image generating device is reduced, and the installation is convenient.

In the embodiment of the present application, the number of imaging lights output by the modulation unit is equal to the number of images. In some examples, the number of sub-beams output by the light splitting unit is greater than the number of images. In other examples, the number of sub-beams output by the light splitting unit is equal to the number of images.

In some examples, the light splitting unit performs light splitting based on the polarization state of light, which is beneficial to simplifying the light path design and reducing the structural complexity of the image generation device and improving the space utilization rate. For example, the light beam provided by the light source is circularly polarized light or elliptically polarized light, one of the at least two sub-light beams is first linearly polarized light, and the other of the at least two sub-light beams is second linearly polarized light. The polarization direction of the first linearly polarized light is perpendicular to the polarization direction of the second linearly polarized light.

Exemplarily, the light splitting unit includes: a first polarizing beam splitter. The first polarization beam splitter is used for dividing circularly polarized light or elliptically polarized light provided by the light source into the first linearly polarized light and the second linearly polarized light and guiding the first linearly polarized light and the second linearly polarized light to the modulation unit respectively. The light splitting unit comprises one device of the first polarization light splitter, and the PGU comprises a small number of devices, so that the PGU is simple in structure and low in cost.

Illustratively, the light splitting unit includes: a first polarizing beamsplitter and an optical directing structure. The first polarization beam splitter is used for dividing the circularly polarized light or the elliptically polarized light provided by the light source into the first linearly polarized light and the second linearly polarized light and guiding the first linearly polarized light to the modulation unit; and the optical guide structure is positioned on a light path between the first polarization beam splitter and the modulation unit and is used for guiding the second linearly polarized light to the modulation unit.

In one possible embodiment, the optical guiding structure comprises: a second polarizing beam splitter for directing the second linearly polarized light to the modulation unit. In this embodiment, the number of devices included in the optical guide structure is small, and the structure of the image generating apparatus is further simplified.

In some examples, the modulation unit outputs the corresponding imaging light through the first polarization beam splitter and the second polarization beam splitter to control an output direction of the imaging light.

In another possible embodiment, the optical guiding structure comprises: the optical rotator is positioned on a light path between the first polarization beam splitter and the second polarization beam splitter and used for rotating the polarization direction of the incident second linearly polarized light by a set angle to obtain third linearly polarized light and guiding the third linearly polarized light to the second polarization beam splitter; the second polarization beam splitter is used for guiding the third linearly polarized light to the modulation unit.

In yet another possible embodiment, the optical guiding structure comprises: the second polarization beam splitter is positioned on a light path between the first polarization beam splitter and the optical rotator and used for guiding the second linearly polarized light to the optical rotator; the optical rotator is used for rotating the polarization direction of second linearly polarized light by a set angle to obtain third linearly polarized light and guiding the third linearly polarized light to the second polarization beam splitter; the second polarization beam splitter is further configured to guide the third linearly polarized light to the modulation unit.

Through the cooperation of the optical rotator and the second polarization beam splitter, the polarization direction and/or the propagation direction of the second linearly polarized light can be changed, so that the arrangement of the modulation unit is more flexible.

Illustratively, the first polarization beam splitter and the second polarization beam splitter are of an integrated structure, for example, two splitting surfaces are arranged in one polarization beam splitter prism, one splitting surface is used for splitting light, and the other splitting surface is used for guiding light, so as to further reduce the assembling difficulty of the PGU.

In some examples, the splitting plane of the second polarizing beam splitter is parallel to the splitting plane of the first polarizing beam splitter.

In other examples, the splitting plane of the second polarizing beam splitter is at an angle, e.g., perpendicular, to the splitting plane of the first polarizing beam splitter.

Optionally, the optical rotator comprises at least one of the following: faraday rotator mirror and wave plate.

In some examples, the polarization light output by the light splitting unit to the modulation unit has the same propagation direction, and the modulation unit includes a spatial light modulator, where the spatial light modulator has at least two modulation regions, and the at least two modulation regions are respectively used for performing light modulation on the at least two sub-beams to obtain the at least two imaging lights.

In other examples, the modulation unit includes at least two spatial light modulators, and the at least two spatial light modulators are respectively configured to perform light modulation on the at least two sub-beams to obtain the at least two imaging lights. Optionally, the types of the spatial light modulators included in the modulation units are the same, or there are at least two different types of spatial light modulators in the spatial light modulators included in the modulation units.

In some examples, when the optical guiding structure comprises: and the second polarization beam splitter is used for guiding the second linearly polarized light to the modulation unit, and the modulation unit comprises a first spatial light modulator and a second spatial light modulator. The first spatial light modulator is positioned on one side of the first polarization beam splitter and is positioned in the propagation direction of the first linearly polarized light; the second spatial light modulator is located on one side of the second polarization beam splitter and located in the propagation direction of the third linearly polarized light. The first spatial light modulator and the second spatial light modulator are of the same type, for example, both are liquid crystal on silicon modulators, the first spatial light modulator outputs the corresponding imaging light through the first polarization beam splitter, and the second spatial light modulator outputs the corresponding imaging light through the second polarization beam splitter.

In another aspect, the present application provides a display device. The display device comprises a main processor and an image generating device, wherein the image generating device is any one of the image generating devices, and the main processor is used for sending image data to the modulation unit.

In some examples, the display device further includes a power supply to power the main processor and the PGU.

Optionally, the display device further includes a reflection device, and the reflection device is configured to perform reflection imaging on the at least two imaging lights projected by the image generation device to form at least two images.

In some examples, the display device is a projector and the reflective device is a light screen. In other examples, the display device is Augmented Reality (AR) glasses.

In yet another aspect, the present application provides a display device. The display device is a head-up display device. The display device comprises any one of the image generating devices, and the image generating device is used for projecting the at least two paths of imaging light to the windshield to form at least two images.

In yet another aspect, the present application provides a vehicle comprising any of the foregoing display devices. Illustratively, vehicles include, but are not limited to, automobiles, airplanes, trains, or ships, and the like.

In yet another aspect, the present application provides an image projection method. The method comprises the following steps: acquiring image data; respectively carrying out light modulation on at least two sub-beams according to the image data to obtain at least two paths of imaging light; and projecting the at least two imaging lights. Wherein, the at least two sub-beams are obtained by splitting a beam provided by the light source.

In some examples, the corresponding sub-beams are light modulated by at least two spatial light modulators, each spatial light modulator for light modulating a corresponding one of the sub-beams. Then, the respectively modulating the light of the at least two sub-beams according to the image data to obtain at least two paths of imaging light includes: and performing light modulation on the corresponding sub-beams through at least two spatial light modulators according to the image data, wherein the number of the spatial light modulators is equal to that of the images corresponding to the image data.

In other examples, the corresponding sub-beam is optically modulated by a spatial light modulator having at least two modulation regions, each modulation region for optically modulating a corresponding one of the sub-beams. Then, the respectively performing optical modulation on at least two sub-beams according to the image data to obtain at least two paths of imaging light, including: and carrying out light modulation on the corresponding sub-beams through at least two modulation areas of a spatial light modulator according to the image data, wherein the number of the modulation areas used for light modulation is equal to the number of images corresponding to the image data.

In any one of the above aspects, the spatial light modulator is a reflective spatial light modulator and has a function of changing a polarization direction of incident linearly polarized light, and is, for example, a liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) modulator.

In other examples, the spatial light modulator is a reflective type spatial light modulator and does not have a function of changing a polarization direction of incident linearly polarized light, such as a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) or a digital micro-mirror device (DMD).

In still other examples, the spatial light modulator is a transmissive spatial light modulator, such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or the like. Compared with a transmission-type spatial light modulator, the reflective-type spatial light modulator has higher light utilization efficiency, and is beneficial to saving energy.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a usage state of a display device according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a usage status of another display device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of an image generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of another image generating apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of another image generating apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of another image generating apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of another image generating apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of another image generating apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of another image generating apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of another image generating apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the perspective structure of the first polarizing beam splitter and the second polarizing beam splitter in FIG. 10;

fig. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a light source provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a HUD according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 14 is a schematic flow chart diagram illustrating an image projection method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 15 is a circuit schematic diagram of a display device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 16 is a functional framework diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The image generation device, the display device, and the vehicle according to the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The image generating device provided by the embodiment can project at least two imaging lights outwards, so as to provide at least two images. The image generating apparatus may be used alone or integrated as a component in a display device, including but not limited to a projector, a head-up display device, a vehicle lamp having a display function, and the like. As shown in fig. 1, the image generating apparatus is integrated in a projector 100a, and the projector 100a projects an image onto a wall surface or a projection screen. As shown in fig. 2, the image generation means is integrated in a head-up display device HUD100b, and the head-up display device 100b projects an image onto the windshield 2 to form images S1 and S2.

Fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of an image generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 3, the image generating apparatus includes: a light source 110, a light splitting unit 120, a modulation unit 130, and a projection device 140. The light source 110 is used for providing a light beam B0. The light splitting unit 120 is used for splitting the light beam B0 into at least two sub-light beams B1, and respectively inputs the sub-light beams to the modulation unit 130. The modulation unit 130 is configured to perform optical modulation on at least two sub-beams B1 according to the image data, and output at least two imaging lights B2. The projection device 140 is used for projecting the at least two imaging lights B2.

In the embodiment of the present application, the modulating unit respectively modulates each sub-beam according to image data, which means that the modulating unit controls the modulating unit to modulate each sub-beam based on different image sources. The data of the images corresponding to different image sources is different. For example, the modulation unit controls the modulation unit to perform light modulation on one sub-beam based on one image source, and controls the modulation unit to perform light modulation on another sub-beam based on another image source.

In the embodiments of the present application, the imaging light refers to light carrying image information for forming an image.

In some examples, projecting the imaging light refers to projecting the imaging light directly onto the imaging device to form a corresponding image (real image) on the surface of the imaging device, or to form a corresponding image (virtual image) on an image plane outside the imaging device. In other examples, projecting imaging light refers to projecting imaging light onto one or more optical devices via which the imaging light is projected onto the imaging device to form a corresponding image on a surface of the imaging device, or on an image plane external to the imaging device.

The light beam provided by the light source is divided into at least two sub-beams by the light splitting unit, the at least two sub-beams are respectively subjected to light modulation by the modulation unit according to image data to obtain at least two paths of imaging light, and the at least two paths of imaging light are projected by the projection device to form at least two images. The space occupied by the image generating device can be reduced and the installation is convenient according to the formation of at least two images by utilizing one light source.

In the embodiment of the present application, the number of paths of the imaging light output by the modulation unit 130 is equal to the number of images corresponding to the acquired data. For example, when the modulation unit 130 acquires data corresponding to 2 images, the number of imaging lights output by the modulation unit 130 is 2. In some examples, the maximum number of sub-beams that can be processed by the modulation unit 130 is greater than the number of acquired sub-beams, and the number of sub-beams output by the light splitting unit 120 is greater than the number of images corresponding to the data acquired by the modulation unit 130. That is, the modulation unit 130 may perform optical modulation on only a part of the sub-beams output from the light splitting unit 120. In other examples, the maximum number of sub-beams that can be processed by the modulation unit 130 is equal to the number of sub-beams acquired, and the number of sub-beams output by the light splitting unit 120 is equal to the number of images corresponding to the data acquired by the modulation unit 130. That is, the modulation unit 130 may perform optical modulation on all the sub-beams output from the light splitting unit 120.

The following describes embodiments of the present application in detail by taking an example that the beam splitting unit splits a beam into two sub-beams.

In some examples, the light splitting unit splits the light beam provided by the light source into two sub-beams based on the polarization state of the light. For example, the light source provides a light beam that is circularly polarized or elliptically polarized. One of the two sub-beams obtained after the beam passes through the light splitting unit is a first linearly polarized light, and the other sub-beam is a second linearly polarized light. The polarization direction of the first linearly polarized light is different from that of the second linearly polarized light. For example, the polarization direction of the first linearly polarized light is perpendicular to the polarization direction of the second linearly polarized light.

Fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of an image generation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 4, the image generating apparatus includes: a light source 110, a light splitting unit 220, a modulation unit 230, and a projection device 240. The light source 110 is used for providing a light beam B0. The splitting unit 220 is used for splitting the light beam B0 into two sub-light beams B1. The modulation unit 230 is configured to perform light modulation on the two sub-beams B1 according to data of the two images, and output two paths of imaging light B2. The projection device 240 is used for projecting the two imaging lights B2 to form two images.

The light beam B0 may be circularly polarized light or elliptically polarized light, and the two sub-light beams B1 may be linearly polarized light.

The light splitting unit 220 includes a first polarization beam splitter 221 and an optical guide structure (a second polarization beam splitter 222 in fig. 4). The first polarization beam splitter 221 is configured to split circularly polarized light or elliptically polarized light from the light source 110 into first linearly polarized light and second linearly polarized light, and guide the first linearly polarized light to the modulation unit 230. The optical guiding structure is located on the optical path between the first polarization beam splitter 221 and the modulation unit 230, and is used for guiding the second linearly polarized light to the modulation unit 230.

Illustratively, the first polarization beam splitter 221 is capable of reflecting a first linearly polarized light B1 in the received light beam B0 and transmitting a second linearly polarized light in the light beam B0, so as to split the light beam B0 into two sub-light beams B1, one sub-light beam B1 being the first linearly polarized light and the other sub-light beam B1 being the second linearly polarized light. The polarization direction of the first linearly polarized light is vertical to that of the second linearly polarized light. The first linearly polarized light is S light, and the second linearly polarized light is P light.

As shown in fig. 4, the splitting plane of the first polarization beam splitter 221 forms an angle of 45 ° with the propagation direction of the light beam B0, the propagation direction of the first linearly polarized light forms an angle of 90 ° with the propagation direction of the light beam B0, and the propagation direction of the second linearly polarized light is the same as the propagation direction of the light beam B0.

The optical directing structure includes a second polarizing beamsplitter 222. The second polarization beam splitter 222 is used to guide the second linearly polarized light to the modulation unit 230. The second polarization beam splitter 222 can transmit the second linearly polarized light, thereby guiding the second linearly polarized light to the modulation unit 230.

As shown in fig. 4, the splitting plane of the second polarization beam splitter 222 is parallel to the splitting plane of the first polarization beam splitter 221, and forms an included angle of 45 degrees with the propagation direction of the second linearly polarized light, so that the second linearly polarized light can directly pass through the second polarization beam splitter 221, that is, the second linearly polarized light reaches the modulation unit 230 without changing the propagation direction.

Illustratively, the first polarization beam splitter 221 is a polarization beam splitter prism, and the second polarization beam splitter 222 is a polarization beam splitter prism.

In the embodiment of the application, the polarization splitting prism comprises two right-angle prisms and a dielectric layer, wherein the inclined planes of the two right-angle prisms are opposite, and the dielectric layer is clamped between the right-angle prisms.

Illustratively, the modulation unit 230 includes two spatial light modulators, a first spatial light modulator 231 and a second spatial light modulator 232, respectively. The first spatial light modulator 231 is located on the first polarization beam splitter 221 side and is located in the propagation direction of the first linearly polarized light. The first spatial light modulator 231 is configured to perform light modulation on the first linearly polarized light according to data of an image, so as to obtain a path of imaging light B2.

The second spatial light modulator 232 is located on one side of the second polarization beam splitter 222 and located in the propagation direction of the emergent light of the second linear polarized light after passing through the second spatial light modulator 222, and the second spatial light modulator 232 is configured to perform light modulation on the emergent light of the second linear polarized light after passing through the second spatial light modulator 222 according to data of another image to obtain another path of imaging light B2.

Illustratively, the projection device 240 includes lenses, such as two lenses 241, and the two lenses 241 are respectively used for projecting a path of the imaging light B2.

In the example shown in fig. 4, the spatial light modulator is a reflective type spatial light modulator, and is capable of changing the polarization direction of incident light. That is, the polarization directions of the incident light and the emergent light of the spatial light modulator are different, for example, at an angle of 90 °. In this way, the first linearly polarized light (S light) passes through the first spatial light modulator 231 and then propagates in the reverse direction, and the polarization direction is rotated by 90 degrees, so that the obtained imaging light B2 is P light, which is opposite to the propagation direction of the first linearly polarized light. The image light B2 passes through the first polarization beam splitter 221 and exits. The second linearly polarized light (P light) passes through the second spatial light modulator 232 and then propagates in the reverse direction, and the polarization direction rotates by 90 degrees, so that the obtained imaging light B2 is S light, which is opposite to the propagation direction of the second linearly polarized light. The imaging light B2 is reflected by the splitting surface of the second polarization beam splitter 222 and then emitted. In this embodiment, the first polarization beam splitter 221 and the second polarization beam splitter 222 may be P-reflective S-beam splitters, i.e., P-light is transmitted and S-light is reflected.

As shown in fig. 4, the two imaging lights B2 have the same propagation direction, so as to form images in the same direction.

Illustratively, the reflective spatial light modulator is a liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) modulator. In some examples, a liquid crystal on silicon modulator may include an array substrate, a glass cover plate, and liquid crystal disposed therebetween. The array substrate comprises a control circuit array layer and a reflecting layer. The control circuit array layer is used for controlling the deflection of the liquid crystal so as to change the polarization direction of the received linearly polarized light, and the reflecting layer can reflect the received linearly polarized light to change the propagation direction of the linearly polarized light.

In the embodiment, the projection of the double images can be realized through the two polarization beam splitters and the two spatial light modulators, and the dual-image projection system has the advantages of few used devices, low cost, simple structure and easiness in assembly.

Fig. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of another image generation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. The image generating apparatus shown in fig. 5 is different from the image generating apparatus shown in fig. 4 in the configuration of the modulation unit.

As shown in fig. 5, the modulation unit 230 includes two spatial light modulators and two optical rotators. The two spatial light modulators are a first spatial light modulator 231 and a second spatial light modulator 232, respectively, and the two optical rotators are a first optical rotator 233 and a second optical rotator 234, respectively.

The first optical rotator 233 is located on the optical path between the first polarization beam splitter 221 and the first spatial light modulator 231, and is configured to guide the polarization direction of the first linearly polarized light to the first spatial light modulator 231 after rotating it by 45 degrees, and guide the polarization direction of the linearly polarized light from the first spatial light modulator 231 to the first polarization beam splitter 221 after rotating it again by 45 degrees. That is, the polarization direction of the polarized light output by the first polarization beam splitter 221 to the first spatial light modulator 231 and the polarization direction of the polarized light received by the first polarization beam splitter 221 from the first spatial light modulator 231 are relatively rotated by 90 degrees, S light becomes P light, and then P light is transmitted from the first polarization beam splitter 221.

The second optical rotator 234 is located on the optical path between the second polarization beam splitter 222 and the second spatial light modulator 233, and is configured to guide the polarization direction of the polarized light from the second polarization beam splitter 222 to the second spatial light modulator 232 after rotating the polarization direction by 45 degrees, and guide the polarization direction of the polarized light from the second spatial light modulator 232 to the second polarization beam splitter 222 after rotating the polarization direction by 45 degrees again. That is, the polarization direction of the polarized light output by the second polarization beam splitter 222 to the second spatial light modulator 232 and the polarization direction of the polarized light received by the second polarization beam splitter 222 from the second spatial light modulator 232 are relatively rotated by 90 degrees, and the P light becomes the S light, and then the S light is reflected by the second polarization beam splitter 222. In this embodiment, the first polarization beam splitter 221 and the second polarization beam splitter 222 may be P-reflective S-beam splitters, i.e., P-light is transmitted and S-light is reflected.

Illustratively, the optical rotator includes a wave plate and/or a faraday rotator, etc., as long as the above-described change in polarization direction can be achieved. When the optical rotator includes a wave plate, the wave plate is a 1/2 wave plate or a 1/4 wave plate.

In this example, the spatial light modulator is a reflective spatial light modulator, and the polarization direction of the outgoing light is not changed. I.e. the polarization direction of the incident light and the exit light of the spatial light modulator is the same. For example, the reflective spatial light modulator is a MEMS, a DMD, or the like.

In this example, the polarization direction and/or propagation direction of the second linearly polarized light can be changed by cooperation of the optical rotator and the second polarization beam splitter, so that the arrangement of the modulation unit is more flexible. In addition, in the present embodiment, the light path design is realized by using the reflective spatial light modulator without changing the polarization direction of the emergent light in cooperation with the optical rotator, and the light utilization efficiency can be improved compared with the case of using the LCoS.

Fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of another image generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. The image generating apparatus shown in fig. 6 is different from the image generating apparatus shown in fig. 4 in the configuration of the modulation unit. As shown in fig. 6, the modulation unit 230 includes two spatial light modulators, and the spatial light modulators are transmissive spatial light modulators. Such as a liquid crystal display.

The two spatial light modulators are a first spatial light modulator 231 and a second spatial light modulator 232, respectively. The first spatial light modulator 231 is located in the propagation direction of the first linearly polarized light (the sub-beam B1 of the S light), and is configured to perform light modulation on the first linearly polarized light to obtain one path of imaging light B2, and transmit the path of imaging light B2, where the propagation direction of the path of imaging light B2 is the same as the propagation direction of the first linearly polarized light. The second spatial light modulator 232 is located in the propagation direction of the emergent light of the second linearly polarized light (the sub-beam B1 of the P light) after passing through the second polarization beam splitter 222, and is configured to perform light modulation on the emergent light to obtain another path of imaging light B2, and transmit the another path of imaging light B2, where the another path of imaging light B2 is the same as the propagation direction of the emergent light of the second linearly polarized light after passing through the second polarization beam splitter 222.

As shown in fig. 6, the two imaging lights B2 travel in perpendicular directions. In this way, two images can be formed in different directions. Optionally, if two imaging lights are required to be imaged in the same direction, the propagation direction of one or two imaging lights may be changed by at least one optical device, for example, a mirror is added in the propagation direction of one or two imaging lights B2.

It should be noted that in the example shown in fig. 6, the second polarization beam splitter 222 may be eliminated, and the second linearly polarized light enters the second spatial light modulator 232 directly. That is, the light splitting unit includes the first polarization beam splitter 221 and does not include the optical guide structure. The first polarization beam splitter 221 is configured to split circularly polarized light or elliptically polarized light provided by the light source 110 into first linearly polarized light and second linearly polarized light, and guide the first linearly polarized light and the second linearly polarized light to the modulation unit 230, respectively.

In this example, the PGU can project two paths of imaging light in different directions to adapt to different application scenarios.

Fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of another image generation apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application. The image generating apparatus shown in fig. 7 is different from the image generating apparatus shown in fig. 4 in the structures of the light dividing unit and the modulating unit.

As shown in fig. 7, the light splitting unit 220 includes a first polarization beam splitter 221 and an optical guiding structure (a beam rotator 223 and a second polarization beam splitter 222 in fig. 7). The first polarization beam splitter 221 is configured to split circularly polarized light or elliptically polarized light from the light source 110 into first linearly polarized light and second linearly polarized light, and guide the first linearly polarized light to the modulation unit 230.

The optical guiding structure is located on the optical path between the first polarization beam splitter 221 and the modulation unit 230, and is used for guiding the second linearly polarized light from the first polarization beam splitter 221 to the modulation unit 230; the polarization direction of the first linearly polarized light is vertical to that of the second linearly polarized light.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 7, the optical directory structure comprises: and an optical rotator 223 and a second polarization beam splitter 222, wherein the optical rotator 223 is located on the optical path between the first polarization beam splitter 221 and the second polarization beam splitter 222, and is configured to rotate the polarization direction of the second linearly polarized light from the first polarization beam splitter 221 by a set angle to obtain a third linearly polarized light, and guide the third linearly polarized light to the second polarization beam splitter 222. The second polarization beam splitter 222 is used to guide the third linearly polarized light from the optical rotator 223 to the modulation unit 230. In the example shown in fig. 7, the set angle is 90 degrees. Thus, when the second linearly polarized light is P light, the third linearly polarized light is S light. Accordingly, the third linearly polarized light is reflected by the splitting surface of the second polarization beam splitter 222 to be directed to the modulation unit 230.

Illustratively, the optical rotator 223 includes, but is not limited to, a wave plate, a faraday rotator mirror, and the like. The optical rotator 223 is, for example, a 1/2 wave plate.

The modulation unit 230 may include two spatial light modulators, and the two spatial light modulators are respectively configured to perform light modulation on the two sub-beams to obtain two paths of imaging light. The two spatial light modulators are a first spatial light modulator 231 and a second spatial light modulator 232, respectively. The first spatial light modulator 231 is located on the first polarization beam splitter 221 side and is located in the propagation direction of the first linearly polarized light. The second spatial light modulator 232 is located on one side of the second polarization beam splitter 222 and located in the propagation direction of the third linearly polarized light.

As shown in fig. 7, the splitting plane of the first polarization beam splitter 221 and the splitting plane of the second polarization beam splitter 222 are parallel, so the propagation directions of the first linearly polarized light and the third linearly polarized light are the same, and the first spatial light modulator 231 and the second spatial light modulator 232 are located on the same side of the light splitting unit 220.

Since the two spatial light modulators are located on the same side of the light splitting unit 220, an integral structure can be adopted, so as to further simplify the structure of the image generating apparatus. In this case, the modulation unit includes a spatial light modulator, and the spatial light modulator has two modulation regions, and the two modulation regions are respectively used for performing light modulation on the two sub-beams to obtain two paths of imaging light.

In this embodiment, the types of the spatial

light modulators

231 and 232 are the same as those of the spatial

light modulators

231 and 232 in fig. 4. It should be noted that the type and configuration used in fig. 5 or fig. 6 may be substituted.

Fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of another image generation apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application. The image generating apparatus shown in fig. 8 is different from the image generating apparatus shown in fig. 4 in the structures of the light dividing unit and the modulating unit.

As shown in fig. 8, the light splitting unit 220 includes a first polarization beam splitter 221 and an optical guiding structure (a beam rotator 223 and a second polarization beam splitter 222 in fig. 8). The first polarization beam splitter 221 is configured to split circularly polarized light or elliptically polarized light from the light source 110 into first linearly polarized light and second linearly polarized light, and guide the first linearly polarized light to the modulation unit 230. The optical guiding structure is located on the optical path between the first polarization beam splitter 231 and the modulation unit 230, and guides the second linearly polarized light from the first polarization beam splitter 221 to the modulation unit 230. The polarization direction of the first linearly polarized light is vertical to that of the second linearly polarized light.

The optical guiding structure includes an optical rotator 223 and a second polarization beam splitter 222, the second polarization beam splitter 222 is located on the optical path between the first polarization beam splitter 221 and the optical rotator 223, and is used for guiding the second linearly polarized light from the first polarization beam splitter 221 to the optical rotator 223; the optical rotator 223 is configured to rotate the polarization direction of the second linearly polarized light from the second polarization beam splitter 222 by a set angle to obtain a third linearly polarized light, and guide the third linearly polarized light to the second polarization beam splitter 222; the second polarization beam splitter 222 is also used to guide the third linearly polarized light from the optical rotator 223 to the modulation unit 230.

In this embodiment, the first linearly polarized light emitted by the first polarization beam splitter 221 is S light, and the second linearly polarized light is P light.

Illustratively, the optical rotator 223 can make incident light propagate in a reverse direction and can change the polarization direction of the incident light so that the polarization direction of the emergent light forms an angle of 90 ° with the polarization direction of the incident light. Since the linearly polarized light guided to the optical rotatory plate 223 by the second polarization beam splitter 222 is P light, in the case where the polarization direction is rotated by 90 °, the P light becomes S light and is incident again to the second polarization beam splitter 222, and is then reflected by the second polarization beam splitter 222 to the modulation unit 230.

Illustratively, the splitting plane of the first polarization beam splitter 221 is perpendicular to the splitting plane of the second polarization beam splitter 222. The propagation direction of the first linearly polarized light and the propagation direction of the third linearly polarized light form 90 degrees, and the propagation direction of the third linearly polarized light is perpendicular to the propagation direction of the second linearly polarized light.

In fig. 8, the first polarization beam splitter 221 and the second polarization beam splitter 222 are both polarization beam splitting prisms and are an integral structure, so as to further simplify the structure of the device. One right-angle prism of the first polarization beam splitter 221 and one right-angle prism of the second polarization beam splitter 222 are integrated.

In the example shown in fig. 8, the first spatial light modulator 231 and the second spatial light modulator 232 are integrated. That is, the first spatial light modulator 231 and the second spatial light modulator 232 are two modulation regions of the same spatial light modulator, and the two modulation regions are respectively used for performing light modulation on two sub-beams to obtain two paths of imaging light.

Alternatively, the first polarization beam splitter 221 and the second polarization beam splitter 222 may also adopt a split structure, and the modulation unit in fig. 8 may also adopt the same structure of the modulation unit in fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of another image generation apparatus provided in an embodiment of the present application. The image generating apparatus shown in fig. 9 is different from the image generating apparatus shown in fig. 8 in the structures of the light dividing unit and the modulating unit.

As shown in fig. 9, the light splitting unit 220 includes a first polarization beam splitter 221 and an optical guiding structure (a beam rotator 223 and a second polarization beam splitter 222 in fig. 9). The first polarization beam splitter 221 is configured to split circularly polarized light or elliptically polarized light from the light source 110 into first linearly polarized light and second linearly polarized light, and to guide the first linearly polarized light to the modulation unit. The optical guiding structure is located on the optical path between the first polarization beam splitter 231 and the modulation unit, and is used for guiding the second linearly polarized light from the first polarization beam splitter 221 to the modulation unit. The polarization direction of the first linearly polarized light is vertical to that of the second linearly polarized light.

The optical guiding structure includes an optical rotator 223 and a second polarization beam splitter 222, the second polarization beam splitter 222 is located on the optical path between the first polarization beam splitter 221 and the optical rotator 223, and is used for guiding the second linearly polarized light from the first polarization beam splitter 221 to the optical rotator 223; the optical rotator 223 is configured to rotate the polarization direction of the second linearly polarized light from the second polarization beam splitter 222 by a set angle to obtain a third linearly polarized light, and guide the third linearly polarized light to the second polarization beam splitter 222; the second polarization beam splitter 222 is also used to guide the third linearly polarized light from the optical rotator 223 to the modulation unit.

In this embodiment, the first linearly polarized light emitted by the first polarization beam splitter 221 is S light, and the second linearly polarized light is P light. Illustratively, the optical rotator 223 can make the incident light propagate in the opposite direction and can change the polarization direction of the incident light, so that the polarization direction of the emergent light and the polarization direction of the incident light form an angle of 90 °, and the third linearly polarized light is S light.

The splitting plane of the first polarization beam splitter 221 is parallel to the splitting plane of the second polarization beam splitter 222, so that the propagation directions of the first linearly polarized light and the third linearly polarized light are opposite.

As shown in fig. 9, the modulation unit includes a first spatial light modulator 231 and a second spatial light modulator 232. The first spatial light modulator 231 is a reflective spatial light modulator, is located in the propagation direction of the first linearly polarized light, and is configured to modulate the first linearly polarized light output by the first polarization beam splitter 221 and change the polarization direction and the propagation direction of the first linearly polarized light, so as to output one path of imaging light B2. The second spatial light modulator 232 is a transmissive spatial light modulator, is located in the propagation direction of the third linearly polarized light, and is configured to modulate the third linearly polarized light and transmit the third linearly polarized light to output another path of imaging light B2.

In this example, two paths of imaging light B2 traveling in the same direction are provided using a spatial light modulator of a different type.

Fig. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of another image generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. The image generating apparatus shown in fig. 10 is different from the image generating apparatus shown in fig. 7 in the structures of the light dividing unit and the modulating unit.

As shown in fig. 10, the light splitting unit 220 includes a first polarization beam splitter 221 and an optical guiding structure (a beam rotator 223 and a second polarization beam splitter 222 in fig. 10). The first polarization beam splitter 221 is configured to split circularly polarized light or elliptically polarized light from the light source 110 into first linearly polarized light and second linearly polarized light, and guide the first linearly polarized light to the modulation unit 230. The polarization direction of the first linearly polarized light is vertical to that of the second linearly polarized light.

The optical guide structure includes: a rotator 223 and a second polarization splitter 222. The optical rotator 223 is located on the optical path between the first polarization beam splitter 221 and the second polarization beam splitter 222, and is configured to rotate the polarization direction of the second linearly polarized light from the first polarization beam splitter 221 by a set angle to obtain a third linearly polarized light, and guide the third linearly polarized light to the second polarization beam splitter 222. The second polarization beam splitter 222 is used to guide the third linearly polarized light from the optical rotator 223 to the modulation unit 230.

As shown in fig. 10, the propagation direction of the first linearly polarized light is 90 degrees to the propagation direction of the third linearly polarized light, and the propagation direction of the third linearly polarized light is perpendicular to the propagation direction of the second linearly polarized light. For example, the first linearly polarized light propagates downward parallel to the paper, the second linearly polarized light propagates rightward parallel to the paper, and the third linearly polarized light propagates inward perpendicular to the paper.

Illustratively, an included angle is formed between the splitting surfaces of the first polarization beam splitter 221 and the second polarization beam splitter 222, and the included angle enables the propagation directions of the first linearly polarized light, the second linearly polarized light and the third linearly polarized light to satisfy the foregoing relationship.

Fig. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the first polarization beam splitter 221 and the second polarization beam splitter 222. With reference to fig. 10 and 11, the first polarization beam splitter 221 and the second polarization beam splitter 221 are both polarization beam splitters, and the splitting surface 222a of the second polarization beam splitter 221 is rotated clockwise by 90 degrees around the propagation direction of the light beam B0 and then is parallel to the splitting surface 221a of the first polarization beam splitter 221.

The modulation unit 230 includes two spatial light modulators, and the two spatial light modulators are respectively configured to perform light modulation on the two sub-beams to obtain two paths of imaging light. The spatial light modulator 231 is located at one side of the first polarization beam splitter 221 and in the propagation direction of the first linearly polarized light, and is configured to perform light modulation on the first linearly polarized light to obtain a path of imaging light B2. The other spatial light modulator 232 is located at one side of the second polarization beam splitter 222 and in the propagation direction of the third linearly polarized light, and is configured to perform light modulation on the third linearly polarized light to obtain another path of imaging light B2. The propagation directions of the two imaging lights B2 are vertical.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the type of the spatial light modulator is the same as that of the spatial light modulator in fig. 4. In other embodiments, the types and configurations used in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 may be substituted.

In the present embodiment, the light source 110 is used to provide white light. Fig. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a light source provided in the present application. As shown in fig. 12, in some examples, the light source 110 includes a plurality of light emitting units 111, a light combining unit 112, and an output unit 113. Each light emitting unit 111 is for emitting light of a different color. For example, the light source 110 includes three light emitting units 111, and the three light emitting units 111 are a red light emitting unit R for emitting red light, a green light emitting unit G for emitting green light, and a blue light emitting unit B for emitting blue light, respectively. The light combining unit 112 is used for mixing the lights with different colors emitted by the light emitting units 111 to obtain a beam of white light. The output unit 113 is configured to output the white light from the light combining unit 1121.

Illustratively, each light emitting unit 111 includes at least one light emitting device 111a, and the light emitting device 111a is a semiconductor light emitting device including, but not limited to, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) device or a Laser Diode (LD). Optionally, each light emitting unit 111 further includes a collimating lens 111b for collimating light emitted from the corresponding light emitting device 111 a.

As shown in fig. 12, the green light emitting unit G and the red light emitting unit R are sequentially arranged along the light emitting direction of the blue light emitting unit B, and the light emitting direction of the green light emitting unit G and the light emitting direction of the red light emitting unit R are both perpendicular to the light emitting direction of the blue light emitting unit B, that is, the green light propagation direction and the red light propagation direction are both perpendicular to the blue light propagation direction. The light combining unit 112 includes a first dichroic mirror 112a and a second dichroic mirror 112b. First dichroic mirror 112a arranges at the intersection of the blue light that blue light-emitting unit B sent out and the green light that green light-emitting unit G sent out, and the contained angle between the propagation direction of first dichroic mirror 112a and blue light and the propagation direction of green light is 45. The first dichroic mirror 112a serves to transmit blue light and reflect green light to guide mixed light of the blue light and the green light to the second dichroic mirror 112b. The second dichroic mirror 112b is arranged at an intersection of the red light emitted by the red light emitting unit R and the mixed light of the blue light and the green light output by the first dichroic mirror 11a, and the second dichroic mirror 112b is parallel to the first dichroic mirror 112 a. The second dichroic mirror 112b serves to transmit blue and green light and reflect red light to mix the blue, green, and red light into white light and guide the white light to the output unit 113.

The output unit 113 may include one or more lenses, for example, a fly-eye lens, which is located on the optical path between the second dichroic mirror 112b and the light splitting unit. The fly-eye lens 113a is used to achieve uniform output of white light.

In other examples, the light source 110 may also directly employ a white light emitting LED device. In this case, the color combining unit is not required. It should be noted that, the structure of the light source is not limited in the present application, and any white light beam capable of providing circularly polarized light or elliptically polarized light in a polarization state may be used.

It should be noted that, in fig. 4 to 11, the light splitting unit is taken to divide a light beam provided by the light source into two sub-light beams, but when the light splitting unit needs to divide a light beam provided by the light source into more sub-light beams, the light beam may be split by the beam splitter first, and then the light beam from the beam splitter may be split by the polarization beam splitter, so as to obtain a plurality of sub-light beams, where each sub-light beam is linearly polarized light.

Illustratively, the beam splitter includes, but is not limited to, a transflective film, and the like.

It should be further noted that, in the embodiments shown in fig. 5 to 11, the projection device is omitted, and the position of the projection device is located in the traveling direction of the imaging light B2. Further, in the examples shown in fig. 5 to 11, the lens 241 corresponding to the imaging light B2 formed by the reflective spatial light modulator is provided with an imaging function; the lens 241 for the imaging light B2 formed by the transmissive spatial light modulator does not need to have imaging light energy, and only needs to be transparent to the imaging light B2.

The embodiment of the application also provides display equipment which comprises a main processor and an image generation device, wherein the image generation device is any one of the image generation devices. The main processor is used for sending image data to the image generating device.

Optionally, the display device further comprises a reflection device, the image generation device is used for projecting the at least two imaging lights on the reflection device, and the reflection device is used for performing reflection imaging on the at least two imaging lights transmitted by the image generation device to form at least two images.

Optionally, the display device further includes a power supply for supplying power to the main processor and the PGU.

In some examples, the display device is a projector and the reflective device is a light screen. In other examples, the display device is AR glasses.

An embodiment of the present application further provides a display device, which includes an image generation apparatus, where the image generation apparatus is any one of the foregoing image generation apparatuses. The image generating device is used for projecting at least two paths of imaging light onto the windshield so as to form at least two images. Illustratively, the display device is a HUD.

The structure of the HUD is described in detail below with reference to fig. 13.

Fig. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a HUD according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 13, the HUD includes an image generating device 1, which is any one of the image generating devices described above, for projecting two imaging lights B2 onto a windshield 2 to form two images S1 and S2.

Windshield 2 is illustratively a vehicle windshield. Vehicles include, but are not limited to, automobiles, airplanes, trains, or ships, etc.

As shown in FIG. 11, the type of HUD is an Augmented Reality (AR) -HUD. For AR-HUD, the two images S1 and S2 are each imaged at different distances from the windshield 2. For example, the distance between S1 and windshield 2 is greater than the distance between S2 and windshield 2. In some examples, the image S1 is an augmented reality display image for displaying information such as indication information and navigation information of an external object. The indication information of the external object includes, but is not limited to, a safe distance, a surrounding obstacle, a reverse image, and the like. The navigation information includes, but is not limited to, directional arrows, distance, travel time, and the like. The image S2 is a status display image for displaying status information of the vehicle. Taking an automobile as an example, the state information of the vehicle includes, but is not limited to, information of driving speed, driving mileage, fuel amount, water temperature, lamp state, and the like.

It should be noted that the imaging light projected by the image generating device may also be imaged on the same plane, for example, both images are imaged on the windshield 2.

Optionally, in order to project the imaging light output by the image generating device to a suitable position on the windshield, the HUD further comprises a spatial light path structure for directing the two imaging lights to different positions of the windshield. The spatial light path structure comprises one or more of the following optical devices: lenses, flat mirrors, curved mirrors, etc.

The embodiment of the application also provides a vehicle, and the vehicle comprises any one of the display devices. Vehicles include, but are not limited to, automobiles, airplanes, trains, or ships, etc.

Fig. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of an image projection method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method may be applied to any of the image generating apparatuses described above. As shown in fig. 14, the method includes:

s1: image data is acquired.

Illustratively, the image data includes data for at least two images, each of which may serve as an image source. The image content corresponding to different images may be the same or different. For example, the image data may be obtained from a control device, such as a driving computer (also referred to as a car machine system), a mobile terminal, and the like.

S2: and respectively carrying out light modulation on the at least two sub-beams according to the image data to obtain at least two paths of imaging light.

The at least two sub-beams are split by a beam provided by the light source, for example, any one of the splitting units.

In S2, the sub-beams are optically modulated by a spatial light modulator.

In some examples, each spatial light modulator is configured to perform light modulation on a corresponding sub-beam, the number of spatial light modulators used is equal to the number of images corresponding to the acquired data, and the data of each image is used to control a corresponding one of the spatial light modulators. S2 comprises the following steps: and performing light modulation on the corresponding sub-beams through at least two spatial light modulators according to the image data.

In other examples, one spatial light modulator is used to modulate light of at least two sub-beams. The spatial light modulator is provided with at least two modulation regions, each modulation region is used for carrying out light modulation on a corresponding sub-beam, the number of the modulation regions used for light modulation is equal to the number of images corresponding to the acquired data, and the data of each image is used for controlling a corresponding modulation region. S2 comprises the following steps: and performing light modulation on the corresponding sub-beams through at least two modulation areas of the spatial light modulator according to the image data.

S3: at least two imaging lights are projected.

Illustratively, at least the at least two imaging lights may be transmitted through a projection lens. Through S3, the at least two imaging lights can be projected onto an imaging device to form an image with the imaging device.

Fig. 15 is a circuit schematic diagram of a display device provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 15, the circuits in the display device mainly include a main processor (host CPU) 1101, an external memory interface 1102, an internal memory 1103, an audio module 1104, a video module 1105, a power supply module 1106, a wireless communication module 1107, an i/O interface 1108, a video interface 1109, a display circuit 1110, a modulator 1111, and the like. The main processor 1101 and peripheral components such as an external memory interface 1102, an internal memory 1103, an audio module 1104, a video module 1105, a power module 1106, a wireless communication module 1107, an i/O interface 1108, a video interface 1109, and a display circuit 1110 may be connected via a bus. Main processor 1101 may be referred to as a front end processor.

In addition, the circuit diagram illustrated in the embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the display device. In other embodiments of the present application, a display device may include more or fewer components than shown, or some components may be combined, some components may be split, or a different arrangement of components. The illustrated components may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

Among other things, main processor 1101 includes one or more processing units, such as: the main Processor 1101 may include an Application Processor (AP), a modem Processor, a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), an Image Signal Processor (ISP), a controller, a video codec, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a baseband Processor, and/or a Neural-Network Processing Unit (NPU), among others. The different processing units may be separate devices or may be integrated into one or more processors.

A memory may also be provided in the main processor 1101 for storing instructions and data. In some embodiments, the memory in main processor 1101 is a cache memory. The memory may hold instructions or data that the main processor 1101 has just used or cycled. If the main processor 1101 needs to use the instruction or data again, it can be called directly from the memory. Avoiding repeated accesses reduces the latency of the main processor 1101, thereby increasing the efficiency of the system.

In some embodiments, the display device may also include a plurality of Input/Output (I/O) interfaces 1108 connected to the main processor 1101. The Interface 1108 may include an Integrated Circuit (I2C) Interface, an Inter-Integrated Circuit built-in audio (I2S) Interface, a Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) Interface, a Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART) Interface, a Mobile Industry Processor Interface (MIPI), a General-Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) Interface, a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Interface, and/or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Interface, etc. The I/O interface 1108 may be connected to a mouse, a touch panel, a keyboard, a camera, a speaker/speaker, a microphone, or a physical button (e.g., a volume button, a brightness button, a switch button, etc.) on the display device.

The external memory interface 1102 may be used to connect an external memory card, such as a Micro SD card, to extend the storage capability of the display device. The external memory card communicates with the main processor 1101 through the external memory interface 1102, implementing a data storage function.

The internal memory 1103 may be used to store computer-executable program code, which includes instructions. The internal memory 1103 may include a program storage area and a data storage area. The storage program area may store an operating system, an application program (such as a call function, a time setting function, and the like) required by at least one function, and the like. The storage data area may store data (such as a phone book, world time, etc.) created during use of the display device, and the like. In addition, the internal memory 1103 may include a high-speed random access memory, and may further include a nonvolatile memory, such as at least one magnetic disk Storage device, a Flash memory device, a Universal Flash Storage (UFS), and the like. The main processor 1101 executes various functional applications of the display device and data processing by executing instructions stored in the internal memory 1103 and/or instructions stored in a memory provided in the main processor 1101.

The display device may implement audio functions through the audio module 1104 and an application processor, etc. Such as music playing, talking, etc.

The audio module 1104 is used to convert digital audio information into an analog audio signal output and also to convert an analog audio input into a digital audio signal. The audio module 1104 may also be used to encode and decode audio signals, such as for playback or recording. In some embodiments, the audio module 1104 may be disposed in the processor 101, or some functional modules of the audio module 1104 may be disposed in the processor 101.

The Video Interface 1109 may receive an audio/Video signal input from the outside, and may specifically be a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), a Digital Video Interface (DVI), a Video Graphics Array (VGA), a Display Port (DP), or the like, and the Video Interface 1109 may further output a Video to the outside. When the display device is used as a head-up display, the video interface 1109 may receive a speed signal and an electric quantity signal input from a peripheral device, and may also receive an AR video signal input from the outside. When the display device is used as a projector, the video interface 1109 can receive a video signal input from an external computer or a terminal device.

The video module 1105 may decode video input by the video interface 1109, such as h.264 decoding. The video module may also encode video collected by the display device, for example, h.264 encoding video collected by an external camera. The main processor 1101 may decode video input from the video interface 1109 and output the decoded image signal to the display circuit 1110.

The display circuit 1110 and the modulator 1111 are used to display corresponding images. In this embodiment, the video interface 1109 receives a video source signal input from the outside, the video module 1105 decodes and/or digitizes the video signal and outputs one or more paths of image signals to the display circuit 1110, and the display circuit 1110 drives the modulator 1111 to image the incident polarized light according to the input image signal, thereby outputting at least two paths of imaging light. In addition, the main processor 1101 may output one or more image signals to the display circuit 1110.

In this embodiment, the display circuit 1110 and the modulator 1111 belong to electronic components in the modulation unit 230, and the display circuit 1110 may be referred to as a driving circuit.

The power module 1106 is used for supplying power to the main processor 1101 and the light source 110 according to the input power (e.g., direct current), and the power module 1106 may include a rechargeable battery, which may supply power to the main processor 1101 and the light source 110. Light from light source 110 may be transmitted to modulator 1111 for imaging to form an image light signal.

The Wireless Communication module 1107 may enable the display device to perform Wireless Communication with the outside, and may provide solutions for Wireless Communication such as Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) (e.g., wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) network), bluetooth (Bluetooth, BT), global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), frequency Modulation (FM), near Field Communication (NFC), infrared (Infrared, IR), and the like. Wireless communication module 1107 may be one or more devices that integrate at least one communication processing module. The wireless communication module 1107 receives electromagnetic waves via an antenna, performs frequency modulation and filtering processing on an electromagnetic wave signal, and transmits the processed signal to the main processor 1101. The wireless communication module 1107 can also receive a signal to be transmitted from the main processor 1101, perform frequency modulation and amplification on the signal, and convert the signal into electromagnetic waves through an antenna to radiate the electromagnetic waves.

In addition, the video data decoded by the video module 1105 can be received wirelessly through the wireless communication module 1107 or read from an external memory, besides being input through the video interface 1109, for example, the display device can receive video data from a terminal device or a vehicle-mounted entertainment system through a wireless local area network in a vehicle, and the display device can also read audio and video data stored in the external memory.

The display device may be mounted on a vehicle, please refer to fig. 16, and fig. 16 is a schematic diagram of a possible functional framework of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 16, various subsystems may be included within the functional framework of the vehicle, such as the illustrated sensor system 12, the control system 14, one or more peripheral devices 16 (one illustrated as an example), a power supply 18, a computer system 20, and a heads-up display system 22. Optionally, the vehicle may also include other functional systems, such as an engine system for powering the vehicle, and the like, and the application is not limited thereto.

The sensor system 12 may include a plurality of sensing devices, which sense the measured information and convert the sensed information into electrical signals or other information output in a desired form according to a certain rule. As shown, the detection devices may include a Global Positioning System (GPS), a vehicle speed sensor, an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), a radar unit, a laser range finder, a camera, a wheel speed sensor, a steering sensor, a gear sensor, or other elements for automatic detection, and the like, which are not limited in the present application.

The control system 14 may include several elements, such as illustrated steering units, braking units, lighting systems, autopilot systems, map navigation systems, network time tick systems, and obstacle avoidance systems. Optionally, the control system 14 may further include elements such as a throttle controller and an engine controller for controlling the driving speed of the vehicle, which is not limited in this application.

The peripheral devices 16 may include several elements such as a communication system, a touch screen, a user interface, a microphone, and a speaker, among others, as shown. Wherein the communication system is used for realizing network communication between the vehicle and other devices except the vehicle. In practical applications, the communication system may employ wireless communication technology or wired communication technology to implement network communication between the vehicle and other devices. The wired communication technology may refer to communication between the vehicle and other devices through a network cable or an optical fiber, and the like.

Power source 18 represents a system that provides electrical or energy to the vehicle, which may include, but is not limited to, rechargeable lithium or lead acid batteries, or the like. In practical applications, one or more battery assemblies in the power supply are used for providing electric energy or energy for starting the vehicle, and the type and material of the power supply are not limited in the present application.

Several functions of the vehicle are controlled by the computer system 20. The computer system 20 may include one or more processors 2001 (illustrated as one processor being illustrative) and memory 2002 (also referred to as storage). In practical applications, the memory 2002 may also be internal to the computer system 20, or external to the computer system 20, for example, as a cache in a vehicle, and the like, and the present application is not limited thereto. Wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the processor 2001 may include one or more general-purpose processors, such as a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). The processor 2001 may be configured to execute the relevant programs stored in the memory 2002 or instructions corresponding to the programs to implement the corresponding functions of the vehicle.

The memory 2002 may include volatile memory (RAM); the memory may also include a non-volatile memory (non-volatile memory), such as a ROM, a flash memory (flash memory), a HDD, or a Solid State Disk (SSD); the memory 2002 may also comprise a combination of memories of the kind described above. The memory 2002 may be used to store a set of program codes or instructions corresponding to the program codes, such that the processor 2001 calls the program codes or instructions stored in the memory 2002 to implement the corresponding functions of the vehicle. The functions include, but are not limited to, some or all of the functions in the functional framework diagram of the vehicle shown in fig. 16. In the present application, the memory 2002 may store a set of program codes for controlling the vehicle, and the processor 2001 may call the program codes to control the safe driving of the vehicle, which is described in detail below in the present application.

Alternatively, the memory 2002 may store information such as road maps, driving routes, sensor data, and the like, in addition to program codes or instructions. The computer system 20 may be combined with other elements of the functional block diagram of the vehicle, such as sensors in a sensor system, GPS, etc., to implement the relevant functions of the vehicle. For example, the computer system 20 may control the driving direction or driving speed of the vehicle based on the data input from the sensor system 12, which is not limited in this application.

The heads-up display system 22 may include several elements, such as a front windshield, a controller, and a heads-up display as illustrated. The controller 222 is configured to generate an image according to a user instruction (for example, generate an image including a vehicle state such as a vehicle speed, an electric quantity, an oil quantity, and the like, and an image of augmented reality AR content), and send the image to the head-up display for display; the head-up display can comprise an image generation unit and a reflector combination, and the front windshield is used for being matched with the head-up display to realize the light path of the head-up display system so as to present a target image in front of a driver. It should be noted that the functions of some of the components in the head-up display system may also be implemented by other subsystems of the vehicle, for example, the controller may also be a component in the control system.

FIG. 16 of the present application illustrates the inclusion of four subsystems, sensor system 12, control system 14, computer system 20, and heads-up display system 22, by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. In practical applications, a vehicle may combine several elements in the vehicle according to different functions, thereby obtaining subsystems with corresponding different functions. In practice, the vehicle may include more or fewer systems or components, and the application is not limited thereto.

The vehicle may be a car, a truck, a motorcycle, a bus, a boat, an airplane, a helicopter, a lawn mower, an amusement car, a playground vehicle, construction equipment, a trolley, a golf cart, a train, a trolley, etc., and the embodiment of the present application is not particularly limited.

Unless defined otherwise, technical or scientific terms used herein shall have the ordinary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The use of "first," "second," "third," and similar terms in the description and claims of the present disclosure are not intended to indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. Also, the use of the terms "a" or "an" and the like do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one. The word "comprise" or "comprises", and the like, means that the element or item listed before "comprises" or "comprising" covers the element or item listed after "comprising" or "comprises" and its equivalents, and does not exclude other elements or items. "A and/or B" means that the following three conditions exist: A. b, and A and B.

The above description is only one embodiment of the present application and should not be taken as limiting the present application, and any modifications, equivalents, improvements and the like made on the basis of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An image generation apparatus, comprising:

the light source is used for providing a light beam;

the light splitting unit is used for splitting the light beam into at least two sub-light beams which are respectively input into the modulation unit;

the modulation unit is used for respectively carrying out optical modulation on the at least two sub-beams according to image data and outputting at least two paths of imaging light;

and the projection device is used for projecting the at least two paths of imaging light.

2. The image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light splitting unit includes:

the first polarization beam splitter is used for dividing circularly polarized light or elliptically polarized light provided by the light source into first linearly polarized light and second linearly polarized light, guiding the first linearly polarized light and the second linearly polarized light to the modulation unit respectively, and the polarization direction of the first linearly polarized light is perpendicular to that of the second linearly polarized light.

3. The image generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light splitting unit includes:

the first polarization beam splitter is used for dividing circularly polarized light or elliptically polarized light provided by the light source into first linearly polarized light and second linearly polarized light and guiding the first linearly polarized light to the modulation unit, and the polarization direction of the first linearly polarized light is vertical to that of the second linearly polarized light;

and the optical guide structure is positioned on a light path between the first polarization beam splitter and the modulation unit and used for guiding the second linearly polarized light to the modulation unit.

4. The image generation apparatus of claim 3, wherein the optical guide structure comprises: a second polarizing beam splitter for directing the second linearly polarized light to the modulation unit.

5. The image generation apparatus of claim 3, wherein the optical guide structure comprises: a light rotator and a second polarization beam splitter,

the optical rotator is positioned on a light path between the first polarization beam splitter and the second polarization beam splitter and is used for rotating the polarization direction of the incident second linearly polarized light by a set angle to obtain a third linearly polarized light and guiding the third linearly polarized light to the second polarization beam splitter;

the second polarization beam splitter is used for guiding the third linearly polarized light to the modulation unit.

6. The image generation apparatus of claim 3, wherein the optical guide structure comprises: a light rotator and a second polarization beam splitter,

the second polarization beam splitter is positioned on a light path between the first polarization beam splitter and the optical rotator and is used for guiding the second linearly polarized light to the optical rotator;

the optical rotator is used for rotating the polarization direction of the second linearly polarized light by a set angle to obtain a third linearly polarized light and guiding the third linearly polarized light to the second polarization beam splitter;

the second polarization beam splitter is further configured to guide the third linearly polarized light to the modulation unit.

7. The image generating apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the splitting plane of the second polarizing beam splitter is parallel or perpendicular to the splitting plane of the first polarizing beam splitter.

8. The image generation apparatus of claim 5 or 6, wherein the optical rotator comprises at least one of: faraday rotator mirrors and wave plates.

9. The image generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the modulating unit includes a spatial light modulator, the spatial light modulator has at least two modulating regions, and the at least two modulating regions are respectively configured to perform light modulation on the at least two sub-beams to obtain the at least two imaging lights.

10. The image generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the modulating unit includes at least two spatial light modulators, and the at least two spatial light modulators are respectively configured to perform light modulation on the at least two sub-beams to obtain the at least two imaging lights.

11. An image generating device as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the spatial light modulator is a MEMS, a liquid crystal display, a digital micromirror device or a liquid crystal on silicon.

12. The image generation apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the modulation unit includes a first spatial light modulator and a second spatial light modulator,

the first spatial light modulator is positioned on one side of the first polarization beam splitter and is positioned in the propagation direction of the first linearly polarized light;

the second spatial light modulator is positioned on one side of the second polarization beam splitter and is positioned in the propagation direction of the third linearly polarized light;

wherein the first spatial light modulator and the second spatial light modulator are of the same type.

13. An image generation apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first linearly polarized light is P light and the second linearly polarized light is S light;

the first spatial light modulator and the second spatial light modulator are both silicon-based liquid crystal modulators, the first spatial light modulator outputs the corresponding imaging light through the first polarization beam splitter, and the second spatial light modulator outputs the corresponding imaging light through the second polarization beam splitter.

14. An image generating apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the optical rotator is a 1/2 wave plate.

15. A display device comprising a main processor for transmitting image data to the modulation unit, and the image generation apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The display device according to claim 15, further comprising:

and the reflecting device is used for carrying out reflection imaging on the at least two paths of imaging light projected by the image generating device so as to form at least two images.

17. A display device comprising an image generating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14 for projecting the at least two imaging lights onto a windshield to form at least two images.

18. A vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a display device according to any one of claims 15-17.

19. An image projection method, comprising:

acquiring image data;

respectively carrying out light modulation on at least two sub-beams according to the image data to obtain at least two paths of imaging light, wherein the at least two sub-beams are obtained by splitting a beam provided by a light source; and

and projecting the at least two imaging lights.

20. An image projection method according to claim 19, wherein the performing optical modulation on at least two sub-beams according to the image data to obtain at least two paths of imaging light respectively comprises:

and performing light modulation on the corresponding sub-beams through at least two spatial light modulators according to the image data, wherein the number of the spatial light modulators is equal to that of the images corresponding to the image data.

21. The image projection method according to claim 19, wherein the performing optical modulation on at least two sub-beams according to the image data to obtain at least two paths of imaging light comprises:

and carrying out light modulation on the corresponding sub-beams through at least two modulation areas of a spatial light modulator according to the image data, wherein the number of the modulation areas used for light modulation is equal to the number of images corresponding to the image data.