Reduced field angle projection display system

An optical system for use in a rear projection display system having a housing and a screen, wherein the optical system comprises:

• a) a light engine positioned in an upper portion of the optical system, the light engine being adapted to project a beam of light to form a projected image;
• b) a first mirror positioned in a lower portion of the optical system, the first mirror being adapted to reflect the projected image to form a first reflected image that is reflected upward and away from the screen;
• c) a second mirror positioned to one side of the first mirror, the second mirror being adapted to reflect the first reflected image to form a second reflected image with light rays having a desired angular range with respect to a screen normal of the screen to allow collimation via total internal reflection;
• and,
• d) a total internal reflection Fresnel lens, positioned generally opposite the second mirror, the Fresnel lens being adapted to reflect the light rays of the second reflected image along the direction of the screen normal to form a final image that is displayed on the screen.

A method for producing a final image on a screen of a rear projection display system, the display system having a housing, wherein the method comprises:

• positioning a light engine in an upper portion of the housing for projecting a beam of light to form a projected image;
• positioning a first mirror in a lower portion of the housing for reflecting the projected image to form a first reflected image that is reflected upward and away from the screen;
• positioning a second mirror to one side of the first mirror for reflecting the first reflected image to form a second reflected image with light rays having a desired angular range with respect to a screen normal of the screen to allow collimation via total internal reflection;
• and,
• positioning a total internal reflection Fresnel lens generally opposite the second mirror for reflecting the light rays of the second reflected image along the direction of the screen normal to form the final image that is displayed on the screen.