Optical switch for single and multiple projectors

A projection system, comprising:

• a first light source configured to emit a first-eye light, wherein the first-eye light includes a first set of wavelengths;
• a second light source configured to emit a second-eye light, wherein the second-eye light includes a second set of wavelengths;
• a first projector including first projection optics configured to receive a first input light;
• an optical switch configured to be switched between a first mode and a second mode;
• and
• a second projector including second projection optics configured to receive a second input light,
• wherein the optical switch is configured to, in the first mode, combine the first-eye light and the second-eye light into a combined light and direct the combined light to the first projection optics as the first input light,
• wherein the optical switch includes a first filter and a reflective element,
• wherein, when the optical switch is in the first mode:
• the first filter is configured to allow the first-eye light and the second-eye light to pass to the first projection optics as the combined light, and
• wherein, when the optical switch is in the second mode:
• the first filter is configured to reflect the first-eye light and a first portion of the second-eye light to the reflective element as first-eye reflected light, and to transmit a second portion of the second-eye light as the first input light, and
• the reflective element is configured to direct the first-eye reflected light to the second projector.

A method of image projection comprising:

• emitting a first-eye light by a first light source, wherein the first-eye light includes a first set of wavelengths;
• emitting a second-eye light by a second light source, wherein the second-eye light includes a second set of wavelengths;
• receiving a first input light by a first projector including first projection optics;
• and
• switching an optical switch between a first mode and a second mode,
• wherein the optical switch is configured to, in the first mode, combine the first-eye light and the second-eye light into a combined light and direct the combined light to the first projection optics as the first input light,
• wherein
• the optical switch includes a reflective element and a first filter, and
• switching the optical switch to the first mode comprises:
• moving the reflective element to a first position, so as to reflect the first-eye light to the first filter as first-eye reflected light, and
• causing the first filter to reflect a first portion of the second-eye light, to transmit a second portion of the second-eye light as a first portion of the combined light, and to reflect the first-eye reflected light as a second portion of the combined light.

A method of image projection comprising:

• emitting a first-eye light by a first light source, wherein the first-eye light includes a first set of wavelengths;
• emitting a second-eye light by a second light source, wherein the second-eye light includes a second set of wavelengths;
• receiving a first input light by a first projector including first projection optics;
• and
• switching an optical switch between a first mode and a second mode,
• wherein the optical switch is configured to, in the first mode, combine the first-eye light and the second-eye light into a combined light and direct the combined light to the first projection optics as the first input light, wherein
• the optical switch includes a first filter and a reflective element, and
• switching the optical switch to the first mode comprises:
• moving the first filter to a first position, so as to allow the first-eye light and the second-eye light to pass to the first projection optics as the combined light.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor of a projection device, cause the projection device to perform a set of operations comprising:

• controlling a first light source to emit a first-eye light, wherein the first-eye light includes a first set of wavelengths;
• controlling a second light source to emit a second-eye light, wherein the second-eye light includes a second set of wavelengths;
• controlling a first projector to receive a first input light, the first projector including first projection optics;
• and
• controlling an optical switch to switch between a first mode and a second mode,
• wherein the optical switch, in the first mode, combines the first-eye light and the second-eye light into a combined light and directs the combined light to the first projection optics as the first input light,
• wherein
• the optical switch includes a reflective element and a first filter, and
• controlling the optical switch to switch to the first mode comprises:
• controlling the reflective element to move to a first position, so as to reflect the first-eye light to the first filter as first-eye reflected light, and
• causing the first filter to reflect a first portion of the second-eye light, to transmit a second portion of the second-eye light as a first portion of the combined light, and to reflect the first-eye reflected light as a second portion of the combined light.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor of a projection device, cause the projection device to perform a set of operations comprising:

• controlling a first light source to emit a first-eye light, wherein the first-eye light includes a first set of wavelengths;
• controlling a second light source to emit a second-eye light, wherein the second-eye light includes a second set of wavelengths;
• controlling a first projector to receive a first input light, the first projector including first projection optics;
• and
• controlling an optical switch to switch between a first mode and a second mode,
• wherein the optical switch, in the first mode, combines the first-eye light and the second-eye light into a combined light and directs the combined light to the first projection optics as the first input light,
• wherein the optical switch includes a reflective element and a first filter, and
• wherein controlling the optical switch to switch to the first mode comprises:
• controlling the reflective element to move the first filter to a first position, so as to allow the first-eye light and the second-eye light to pass to the first projection optics as the combined light.