Patent ID: 7281803
Filing Date: 2007-10-16
Classification: G02B,G03B,H04N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: a light source adapted to produce light having multiple polarization states; a polarization conversion assembly, having a first reflective polarizer, a first mirror, and a polarization conversion device, adapted to receive the light from the light source and to produce light of a first polarization state with an intensity distribution, a light modulator, having an angular transmission distribution, to receive the light from the polarization conversion assembly and to transmit image bearing light; and the intensity distribution adapted to complement the angular transmission distribution, wherein the light modulator has a first axis and a second axis, and the angular transmission distribution is greater on the first axis than the second axis, and the polarization conversion assembly further comprises: a second reflective polarizer adapted to receive a second portion of the light from the light source, to transmit the light of the second polarization state towards the polarization conversion device to be converted to the first polarization state and transmitted as a second portion of the first illumination bundle, and to reflect the light of the first polarization state; and a second mirror adapted to receive the light of the first polarization state reflected from the second reflective polarizer and to redirect it as a third illumination bundle to be substantially centered on the first axis.