Multi-Segment Imager

Abstract

Several embodiments of projection systems are disclosed that comprise a plurality of controllable emitters, each said emitter providing light for a light path; a plurality of first optical elements, each said first optical element receiving light from one of said emitters; a controllable modulator receiving light from said plurality of first optical elements; a plurality of conduits, each said conduit disposed over a portion of said controllable modulator; a plurality of second optical elements, each of said second optical elements receiving light from at least one of said plurality of conduits, and a controller for sending control signals to said controllable emitters and said controllable modulator. The illumination from the emitters may form a plurality of overlapping areas of illumination upon a projection screen where the image is intended to be formed.

1 . A projection system comprising:
 a plurality of controllable emitters, each said emitter providing light for a light path;   a plurality of first optical elements, each said first optical element receiving light from one of said emitters;   a controllable modulator receiving light from said plurality of first optical elements;   a plurality of conduits, each said conduit disposed over a portion of said controllable modulator;   a plurality of second optical elements, each of said second optical elements receiving light from at least one of said plurality of conduits;   a controller, said controller sending control signals to said controllable emitters and said controllable modulator, said control signals applied according to image data to be rendered upon a screen by projected light from said plurality of second optical elements.   
     
     
         2 . The projection system of  claim 1  wherein said controllable emitters comprises one of a group, said group comprising: LED, OLED and quantum dots. 
     
     
         3 . The projection system of  claim 2  wherein said first optical elements comprise one or more of a group, said group comprising: lens, collimating lens, condenser and polarizing re-capture elements. 
     
     
         4 . The projection system of  claim 3  wherein said controllable modulator comprises a LCD panel. 
     
     
         5 . The projection system of  claim 3  wherein said projection system further comprises:
 a plurality of controllable modulators, said plurality of controllable modulators disposed to receive light from said plurality of said first optical elements; and 
 further wherein said plurality of controllable modulators are disposed to transmit light to affect a plurality of overlapping areas of illumination upon a projection screen. 
 
     
     
         6 . The projector system of  claim 5  wherein said plurality of controllable modulators are disposed to transmit light fanning inward to illuminate said projection screen. 
     
     
         7 . The projection system of  claim 5  wherein said plurality of controllable modulators are disposed to transmit light fanning outward to illuminate said projection screen. 
     
     
         8 . The projector system of  claim 5  wherein each of said plurality of overlapping areas of illumination comprise one of a group, said group comprising: substantially circular areas of illumination and substantially rectangular areas of illumination. 
     
     
         9 . The projection system of  claim 8  wherein said plurality of overlapping areas of illumination comprising one of a group, said group comprising: substantially rectangular array pattern of areas of illumination and substantially hexagonal array pattern of areas of illumination. 
     
     
         10 . The projection system of  claim 1  wherein said projection system further comprises:
 a second controllable modulator, said second controllable modulator disposed to receive light from said controllable modulator, said second controllable modulator receiving control signals from said controller; and 
 further wherein each of said conduit is disposed over a portion of said second controllable modulator. 
 
     
     
         11 . The projection system of  claim 5  wherein said plurality of controllable modulators comprise an array of controllable modulators and further wherein each said controllable modulator provides illumination for one of said second optical elements. 
     
     
         12 . The projection system of  claim 5  wherein said plurality of controllable modulators comprise an array of controllable modulators and further wherein each said controllable modulator provides illumination for two of said second optical elements. 
     
     
         13 . The projection system of  claim 1 , wherein said second optical element comprises a projector lens. 
     
     
         14 . A projection system comprising:
 a plurality of controllable emitters, each said emitter providing light for a light path;   a plurality of first optical elements, each said first optical element receiving light from one of said emitters;   an array of controllable modulators, each controllable modulator receiving light from said plurality of first optical elements;   a plurality of conduits, each said conduit disposed over a portion of said array of controllable modulators;   a plurality of second optical elements, each of said second optical elements receiving light from at least one of said plurality of conduits; and   a controller, said controller sending control signals to said controllable emitters and said controllable modulator, said control signals applied according to image data to be rendered upon a projection screen by projected light from said plurality of second optical elements; and   further wherein light transmitted by said array of controllable modulators is transmitted in a fanning direction and affects a plurality of overlapping areas of illumination upon said projection screen.   
     
     
         15 . The projection system of  claim 14  wherein said fanning direction is one of a group, said group comprising: a fanning inward direction and a fanning outward direction. 
     
     
         16 . The projection system of  claim 15  wherein each of said plurality of overlapping areas of illumination comprise one of a group, said group comprising: substantially circular areas of illumination and substantially rectangular areas of illumination. 
     
     
         17 . The projection system of  claim 16  wherein said plurality of overlapping areas of illumination comprising one of a group, said group comprising: substantially rectangular array pattern of areas of illumination and substantially hexagonal array pattern of areas of illumination. 
     
     
         18 . The projection system of  claim 14  wherein said projection system further comprises:
 an array of second controllable modulators, said second controllable modulators disposed to receive light from said controllable modulator, said second controllable modulator receiving control signals from said controller; and 
 further wherein each of said conduit is disposed over a portion of said second controllable modulator and further wherein light transmitted by said array of second controllable modulators is transmitted in a fanning direction and affects a plurality of overlapping areas of illumination upon said projection screen.