Patent ID: 7394597

Claim:
A broad spectrum two-DMD color illumination system for a two-SLM projection display engine, comprising: light from a white light source passing through a first turning mirror into a first TIR prism where said white light is split into yellow and magenta light; said yellow light reflecting off an internal surface of said first TIR prism on to the reflective surface of a yellow DMD illumination modulator; said magenta light passing through said first TIR prism onto the reflective surface of a magenta DMD illumination modulator; said yellow light being pre-modulated and reflected by said yellow DMD illumination modulator back into said first TIR prism; said yellow liqht being reflected off an internal surface of said first TIR prism on to surface of said first turning mirror; said yellow light being further reflected from said first turning mirror on to the surface of a second turning mirror; said yellow light being further reflected from said second turning mirror into a second TIR prism, said yellow light being split into red and blue light; said magenta light being pre-modulated and reflected by said magenta DMD illumination modulator back through said first TIR prism, on to the surface of said first turning mirror; said magenta light being further reflected from said first turning mirror on to the surface of said second turning mirror; said magenta light being further reflected from said second turning mirror into said second TIR prism, said magenta light being split into red and green light; said red light being split off from both said yellow and magenta light being reflected off an internal surface of said second TIR prism, on to the reflective surface of a dedicated red SLM; remaining blue and green light passing through said second TIR prism on the reflective, surface of a dedicated blue-green SLM; and said yellow and magenta DMD illumination modulators being sequentially turned ON and OFF to provide controlled sequential blue and green light, said red light being continuously provided.