A design and implementation of a new optical architecture: space, time, and angular division multiplexed image transfer by Digital Micromirror Device. The method, like various multiplexing methods employed in communication engineering, enables image transfer via an angular band-limited data channel such as an optical image guide by dynamically redistributing a signal into multiple domains such as space, time, angle, wavelength, and polarization.

Described examples include an apparatus having a substrate with a substrate surface. The apparatus also includes an element with a planar surface facing the substrate surface and with a nonplanar surface opposite the planar surface facing away from the substrate surface.

An electronic imager (1) for imaging a photographic medium, comprising at least one array (6) of micromirrors (2), each of which is suitable for reflecting, during a change in position, a light beam coming from at least one light source (3) towards a projecting optical element (4), the change in position of the micromirrors (2) being controlled by a signal modulated at a toggling frequency (fb) of the micromirrors comprised between 1 Hz and 100 kHz.

A kit for projecting an image onto an architecture is provided. The kit includes projectors each including a housing containing an image sensor sub-system and an image projector sub-system; a lens assembly in cooperation with the image sensor sub-system or the image projector sub-system; a port for receiving and/or sending data signals; and a processor operably connected to the image sensor sub-system, the image projector sub-system, and the at least one port of the projector apparatus. The plurality of projectors include a line of sight to each of a plurality of surfaces of the architecture in which the image is to be projected. A mechanism is configured to mount one or more of the plurality of projectors in a fixed orientation prior to a rendering of the image to be projected. A control unit includes a housing, a port for receiving and/or sending data signals, and a processor.

One embodiment can provide a machine-vision system. The machine-vision system can include a structured-light projector, a first camera positioned on a first side of the structured-light projector, and a second camera positioned on a second side of the structured-light projector. The first and second cameras are configured to capture images under illumination of the structured-light projector. The structured-light projector can include a laser-based light source.

A projector includes a lens, a beam processing module, a plurality of digital micromirror devices, a reflecting module and an illumination module. The beam processing module is disposed with respect to the lens. The digital micromirror devices are disposed around the beam processing module, wherein a beam projecting path is defined between the lens and the digital micromirror device. The reflecting module is disposed with respect to the digital micromirror devices and located beyond the beam projecting path. The illumination module is disposed with respect to the reflecting module. An initial beam projected by the illumination module is reflected to the digital micromirror devices by the reflecting module, such that the digital micromirror devices generate a plurality of image beams. The beam processing module combines the image beams to form a projecting beam and projects the projecting beam onto the lens along the beam projecting path.

Described examples include an apparatus having a substrate with a substrate surface. The apparatus also includes an element with a planar surface facing the substrate surface and with a nonplanar surface opposite the planar surface facing away from the substrate surface.

A method of projecting imagery. In one embodiment, the method comprises projecting on a surface, from a projector device, a projected image of a matte displayed on a display device; adjusting the size, shape, position, orientation, or any combination thereof, of the projected image of the matte by adjusting the matte displayed on the display device; associating imagery content with the matte; and projecting the associated imagery in the projected image of the matte.

Projection systems and components thereof are described that are well suited to miniaturization. These systems and components may use one or more of the following features: a folded optical path, as in a reflective cavity or a beamsplitter; an illumination beam that is converging at the place where it impinges upon the spatial light modulator; a beamsplitter that uses opposed prisms of substantially different sizes; a beamsplitter whose obliquely disposed partial reflector defines a first rectangular reference space, and where at least a portion of the light source or at least a portion of the projector lens is disposed within such first rectangular reference space; a system in which a ratio of areas of the first rectangular reference space and a second rectangular reference space is within a specified range, where the second rectangular reference space is just large enough to encompass the optical components of the projector; a system in which the projector lens is small compared to the spatial light modulator.

Projection systems and components thereof are described that are well suited to miniaturization. These systems and components may use one or more of the following features: a folded optical path, as in a reflective cavity or a beamsplitter; an illumination beam that is converging at the place where it impinges upon the spatial light modulator; a beamsplitter that uses opposed prisms of substantially different sizes; a beamsplitter whose obliquely disposed partial reflector defines a first rectangular reference space, and where at least a portion of the light source or at least a portion of the projector lens is disposed within such first rectangular reference space; a system in which a ratio of areas of the first rectangular reference space and a second rectangular reference space is within a specified range, where the second rectangular reference space is just large enough to encompass the optical components of the projector; a system in which the projector lens is small compared to the spatial light modulator.