Method and apparatus for illuminating a display

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for illuminating an image display, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for illuminating a color sequential image display.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example and the drawings and will be herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

#The present invention may be better understood, and it's numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings.

#FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a transmissive type device for producing colored light and an image generating apparatus;

#FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a system having a light transmissive type device for producing colored light and an image generating apparatus. FIG. 1 shows a light source 100 for generating white light 102, collimation optics 104, switchable optics system 108, image display system 112 having an image display surface 114 typically comprising an array of pixels for displaying monochromatic data, image control circuit 116, and illumination control circuit 118.

#White light 102 generated by light source 100 is received by collimation optics 104. Collimation optics 104, in turn, collimates white light 102 to produce collimated white light 106. Switchable optics system 108 receives collimated white light 106 and produces at least three distinct bandwidths of illumination light in response thereto. In the preferred embodiment, switchable optics system 108 generates red (R), green (G), and blue (B) bandwidth illumination lights. Switchable optics system 108 produces the illumination lights as a result of shaping, filtering, focusing, and/or correcting collimated white light 106. Additionally, switchable optics system 208 selectively directs illumination lights onto subsurfaces of the image display surface.

#The switchable optics system 108 simultaneously illuminates at least three distinct subsurface areas of image display surface 114 with the illumination lights R, G, B, respectively. Preferably, the three subsurfaces are of equal size. With reference to FIG. 1, switchable optics system 108 simultaneously illuminates the entire surface 114 by illuminating each of three adjacent subsurfaces 114A-114C with one of the illumination lights R, G, B. The switchable optics system 108, or any of the switchable optics systems described below, should not be limited to simultaneously illuminating the entire surface 114 with the three illumination lights. The switchable optics system 108 may simultaneously illuminate three subsurfaces of lesser size than that shown in FIG. 1. For example, the switchable optics system 108, or any other switchable optics system described herein, may simultaneously illuminate each of only three lines of pixels on the display surface with a respective one of the three illumination lights. Additionally, the switchable optics system 108, or any other switchable optics system described herein, may simultaneously illuminate each of only three pixels on the display surface with a respective one of the three illumination lights.