Laser local dimming for projectors and other lighting devices including cinema, entertainment systems, and displays

A display, comprising:

• an array of light sources configured to adjust energy levels of the light sources based on control signals;
• a spreader configured to spread light from the light sources and provide spread illumination patterns of the light;
• a processor configured to determine an approximation of an image based on image data representing the image, calculate energy levels of the light sources based on the approximation of the image and the spread illumination patterns, and generate the control signals for adjusting the energy levels of the light sources for producing the approximation of the image through the spread illumination patterns;
• and
• a display modulator configured to receive the light representing the approximation of the image through the spread illumination patterns and modulate the light to reproduce the image.

A method of content display, comprising:

• determining an approximation of an image based on image data representing the image;
• adjusting energy levels of an array of light sources based on the approximation of the image and spread illumination patterns associated with the light sources;
• spreading light emitted from the light sources for providing the spread illumination patterns;
• receiving, by a display modulator, the light representing the approximation of the image through the spread illumination patterns;
• and
• modulating, by the display modulator, the light to reproduce the image.