Digital light projector with improved contrast
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorBlaise Rene Joseph Robitaille
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for projecting light including an arrangement for illuminating an array of digital micro-mirror devices with light; projecting light reflected by the array elements in an ‘on’ state thereof; and trapping light reflected by the array elements in an ‘off’ state thereof. The light trap is implemented with an anodized metal foam matrix. The matrix is secured relative to the array. The invention may be used in a variety of applications. In a digital light projector, a light source is included along with a prism and a projection lens. The metal foam matrix acts not only as a light trap but also as a heat-sink.
Claims18
A system for projecting light including:
- means for illuminating an array of digital micro-mirror devices with light;
- means for projecting light reflected by said array elements in an ‘on’ state thereof;
- and
- means for trapping light reflected by said array elements in an ‘off’ state thereof.
An optical light trap comprising:
- a metal foam matrix and
- means for securing said matrix relative to a source of electromagnetic energy.
A digital light projector comprising:
- a light source;
- an array of digital micro-mirror devices in functional alignment with said source;
- a projection lens in alignment with said array;
- and
- an optical light trap mounted to receive energy from said array.
A digital light projector comprising:
- a source;
- an array of reflective devices;
- an arrangement for directing energy from said source to said array;
- a projection lens adapted to receive and project energy from at least one element in said array in an ‘on’ state thereof;
- and
- an optical light trap disposed relative to said array to trap energy from said element in an ‘off’ state thereof.
A method for projecting light including the steps of:
- illuminating an array of digital micro-mirror devices with light from a source;
- projecting light reflected by said array elements in an ‘on’ state thereof;
- and
- trapping light reflected by said array elements in an ‘off’ state thereof in a light trap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.