초록 ▼

A system for producing modulated light is disclosed. The system comprises a spatial light modulator including a light modulating medium switchable between different states so as to act on light in ways which form overall patterns of modulated light. The system also includes an arrangement for switch

A system for producing modulated light is disclosed. The system comprises a spatial light modulator including a light modulating medium switchable between different states so as to act on light in ways which form overall patterns of modulated light. The system also includes an arrangement for switching the modulating medium between the different states in a controlled way and an illumination arrangement for producing a source of light. The system further includes an optics arrangement for directing light from the source of light into the spatial light modulator and for directing light from the spatial light modulator through a predetermined source imaging area. The optics arrangement cooperates with the illumination arrangement and the spatial light modulator so as to produce a real image of the source of light within the source imaging area such that an individual is able to view a virtual image of the overall patterns of modulated light from the source imaging area. A variety of novel optics arrangements are disclosed including specific combinations of different light sources, diffusing plates, polarizers, beam splitters, analyzers, lenses, mirrors, and holographic optical elements which allow the overall optical arrangement to be miniaturized to the same degree and in coordination with the spatial light modulator. The different light sources include using a plurality of light sources, such as LEDs, to form an array of light sources, each of the light sources providing light to a corresponding portion of the spatial light modulator.

대표청구항 ▼

[What is claimed is:] [1.](a) a spatial light modulator including a light modulating medium switchable between different states so as to act on light in ways which form overall patterns of modulated light;(b) means for switching said modulating medium between said different states in a controlled wa

[What is claimed is:] [1.](a) a spatial light modulator including a light modulating medium switchable between different states so as to act on light in ways which form overall patterns of modulated light;(b) means for switching said modulating medium between said different states in a controlled way;(c) illumination means for producing a source of light; and(d) optics means for directing light from said source of light into said spatial light modulator and for directing light from said spatial light modulator through a predetermined source imaging area, said optics means cooperating with said illumination means and said spatial light modulator so as to produce a real image of said source of light within said source imaging area such that a virtual image of only said overall patterns of modulated light produced by said spatial light modulator is directly visible by said viewer from said source imaging area, said optics means including a curved surface beam splitter for directing at least a portion of the light from the source of light into the spatial light modulator.