Illumination system having an intensity calibration system

An illumination system, comprising:

• a) an array of individual light emitting elements emitting light, said light emitted by each of said light emitting elements having an intensity;
• b) a light mixing device mixing said light in a lateral direction;
• c) a spatial light modulator having an array of pixel elements illuminated by said mixed light;
• d) a plurality of light sensors positioned about a periphery of said spatial light modulator adjacent said spatial light modulator and integral to said spatial light modulator providing a light sensor output, said light sensors also illuminated by said mixed light;
• and
• e) adjustment circuitry individually adjusting said intensity of said individual light emitting elements as a function of said light sensor output.

A method of calibrating individual light emitting elements of an array of light emitting elements which comprises the steps of:

• providing an array of light emitting elements, each of said light emitting elements emitting light of a measurable intensity;
• mixing the light emitted from said light emitting elements to provide a mixed light output;
• providing a spatial light modulator having an array of pixels illuminated by said mixed light, said pixels arranged as a plurality of pixel zones, each pixel zone containing a subarray of said array of pixels, each of said light emitting elements having a greater potential illuminating effect on certain ones of said subarray of pixels relative to other ones of said subarrays of pixels;
• modulating the mixed light output received from said light emitting elements with said spatial light modulator;
• providing a light sensor for sensing said modulated mixed light and providing a light sensor output indicative of the amount of light sensed by said light sensor;
• providing an indicator for an acceptable range for the amount of light sensed by said light sensor;
• and
• selectively controlling individual ones of said subarrays of said array of pixels for light transmission to said light sensor and, in response to said light sensor output and individually adjusting the intensity of said individual light emitting elements of said light emitting device more closely associated with illumination of the selected subarray as a function of said light sensor output in accordance with said indicator.