A novel projection system includes a light source, a phase modulator, an amplitude modulator, and a controller having temporal lightfield simulation capabilities. The phase modulator spatially modulates a lightfield from the light source to generate an intermediate image on the amplitude modulator. The amplitude modulator spatially modulates the intermediate image to form a final image. The controller models the phase state of the phase modulator during transitions between phase modulator frames and generates lightfield simulations of the intermediate image during the transition. The controller utilizes the lightfield simulations to generate and provide sets of amplitude drive values to the amplitude modulator at a faster rate than that at which the phase modulator is capable of switching.

A novel projection system includes a light source, a phase modulator, an amplitude modulator, and a controller having temporal lightfield simulation capabilities. The phase modulator spatially modulates a lightfield from the light source to generate an intermediate image on the amplitude modulator. The amplitude modulator spatially modulates the intermediate image to form a final image. The controller models the phase state of the phase modulator during transitions between phase modulator frames and generates lightfield simulations of the intermediate image during the transition. The controller utilizes the lightfield simulations to generate and provide sets of amplitude drive values to the amplitude modulator at a faster rate than that at which the phase modulator is capable of switching.

An optical image generation system including: a spatial light modulator (SLM) configured to receive an input collimated laser beam and modulate the wavefront of the laser beam; one or more optical elements configured to project the modulated laser beam onto a focal plane; a first mirror and a second mirror situated at the focal plane, an edge of the first mirror being adjacent to an edge of the second mirror, the first mirror reflects a first portion of the modulated laser beam in a first direction, the second mirror reflects a second portion of the modulated laser beam in a second direction; and an objective lens projects the first and second portions into a combined image; wherein the zeroth order diffraction is block or suppressed at the center of the focal plane.

A dual-modulation projection system (100) includes a light source (102), a phase modulator (104), an amplitude modulator (106), and a controller (110) having temporal lightfield simulation capabilities (114). The phase modulator (104) spatially modulates a lightfield from the light source (102) to generate an intermediate image on the amplitude modulator (106). The amplitude modulator (106) spatially modulates the intermediate image to form a final image. The controller (110) models the phase state of the phase modulator (104) during transitions between phase modulator frames and generates lightfield simulations of the intermediate image during the transition. The controller (110) utilizes the lightfield simulations to generate and provide sets of amplitude drive values to the amplitude modulator (106) at a faster rate than that at which the phase modulator (104) is capable of switching.

A patterned line of optical radiation can be steered in the other two directions (e.g., line patterned in y, steered in x and z) with a 1-D phase shifter array in a Fourier optics configuration. Preferably the patterned line is provided by forming a line focus and modulating it with an array of grating light valve devices in an amplitude modulation configuration. Phase modulation is preferably provided with an array of grating light valve devices in a phase modulation configuration.

A patterned line of optical radiation can be steered in the other two directions (e.g., line patterned in y, steered in x and z) with a 1-D phase shifter array in a Fourier optics configuration. Preferably the patterned line is provided by forming a line focus and modulating it with an array of grating light valve devices in an amplitude modulation configuration. Phase modulation is preferably provided with an array of grating light valve devices in a phase modulation configuration.

A new projector design combines one spatial light modulator that affects only the phase of the illumination, and one spatial light modulator that only affects its amplitude (intensity). The phase-only modulator curves the wavefront of light and acts as a pre-modulator for a conventional amplitude modulator. This approach works with both white light and laser illumination, generating a coarse image representation efficiently, thus enabling, within a single image frame, significantly elevated highlights as well as darker black levels while reducing the overall light source power requirements.

A new projector design combines one spatial light modulator that affects only the phase of the illumination, and one spatial light modulator that only affects its amplitude (intensity). The phase-only modulator curves the wavefront of light and acts as a pre-modulator for a conventional amplitude modulator. This approach works with both white light and laser illumination, generating a coarse image representation efficiently, thus enabling, within a single image frame, significantly elevated highlights as well as darker black levels while reducing the overall light source power requirements.

An imaging system and method evaluates non-uniformity or irregularity in reflective displays, such as assembled display modules of the type found in smartphones, tablets and the like. The system includes an incoherent light, such as a light-emitting diode (LED), which is polarized and collimated. The surface to be evaluated is perpendicular to the collimated light, such that the light impinges directly upon the surface. The polarization of the light is altered before and after reflection, and the reflected light from the surface under evaluation is received by a sensor. Non-uniformity or irregularity of the surface will appear in the sensed image as contrast variation. Because the reflection from the surface under evaluation is a 180-degree reflection, the sensed image can be in sharp focus across the entire surface to be evaluated. Optionally, the system may utilize a single collimation lens without a collection lens for efficiency and compactness.

The present invention describes methods and apparatuses for creating superposition shape images by superposed base and revealing layers of lenslet gratings. The superposition shape images form a message recognizable by a human observer or by an image acquisition and computing device such as a smartphone. The superposition shape images may be created by different superposition techniques ranging from 1D moir, 2D moir and level-line moir superposition techniques to lenticular image and phase shift superposition techniques. Moir superposition techniques enable creating superposition shape images at different apparent depth levels. Applications comprise the protection of documents and valuable articles against counterfeits, the creation of eye-catching advertisements as well as the decoration of buildings and exhibitions.