System and method for enhanced image projection
AssigneeBarco N.V.
InventorDirk Maes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for projecting images including an illumination light beam (emitted by a source) and a collimated light beam (emitted by a laser source). The two light beams being combined into one light via a microlens array combined with a pinhole matrix located in the focal plane of the microlens array. The collimated beam is transmitted through this array and the base beam is reflected therefrom.
Claims20
A system for combining light for a projection system comprising:
- a first light source providing a base illumination light beam,
- a second light source providing a collimated light beam,
- a micro-lens array for providing angular diversity to the collimated light beam, and
- transmissive-reflective means for combining the base illumination light beam and the collimated light beam into a combined beam,
- the micro-lens array being positioned in the optical path of the second light source before the transmissive-reflective means,
- wherein the transmissive-reflective means comprises areas being reflective for reflecting the base illumination light beam and areas being transmissive for transmitting the light of the collimated light beam, the transmissive parts of the transmissive-reflective means being in a plane wherein a focus point of each micro-lens of the micro-lens array lies within the plane of the transmissive parts of the transmissive-reflective means.
A method for projecting images with a system comprising a base illumination light beam, and a collimated light beam, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing angular diversity to the collimated light beam using a micro-lens array,
- combining the base illumination light beam and the collimated light beam with transmissive-reflective means, the transmissive-reflective means comprising a reflective area and transmissive area,
- wherein the step of combining is performed by reflecting with a reflective area of the transmissive-reflective means the base illumination light beam and transmitting with the transmissive areas of the transmissive-reflective means collimated light beam, the transmissive parts of the transmissive-reflective means being in a plane wherein the focus point of each micro-lens of the micro-lens array lies within the plane of the transmissive parts of the transmissive-reflective means.
An arrangement of optical components for use in combining light for a projection system having a first light source providing a base illumination light beam and a second light source providing a collimated light beam, the arrangement comprising:
- a micro-lens array for providing angular diversity to the collimated light beam, and
- transmissive-reflective means for combining the base illumination light beam and the collimated light beam into a combined beam,
- the micro-lens array being positioned in the optical path of the second light source before the transmissive-reflective means,
- wherein the transmissive-reflective means comprises areas being reflective for reflecting the base illumination light beam and areas being transmissive for transmitting the light of the collimated light beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.