{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854212","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9854212","title":"High dynamic range projection with multiple numerical aperture illumination","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2016-08-30T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N"],"num_claims":24,"abstract":"A projection system includes first and second illumination sources and a homogenizer component. The first illumination source has a first numerical aperture value. The second illumination source has a second numerical aperture value lower than the first numerical aperture value. The homogenizer component on the illumination path is configured to receive light from both the first and second illumination sources. A projection lens in the imagining path is configured to receive an image data stream that includes a sequence of image frames having an image frame period. The first and second illumination sources are configured for modulation at a rate equivalent to the image frame period. One or more active irises may perform the modulation."},"analysis":{"summary":"High Dynamic Range Projection with Multiple Numerical Aperture Illumination offers an innovative solution to the limitations of traditional projection systems in displaying high dynamic range content. The core innovation lies in utilizing two illumination sources with different numerical apertures, combined with a homogenizer, to optimize both brightness and contrast. This addresses the problem of low contrast ratios and limited brightness levels that plague conventional projectors, leading to washed-out images and a less immersive viewing experience. The system employs a high numerical aperture source for maximizing brightness and a low numerical aperture source for enhancing contrast by minimizing stray light. Modulation of these sources at the image frame period, potentially through active irises, allows for precise control over light output, further improving image quality. The business value lies in the potential to deliver superior image quality, creating more engaging and realistic visual experiences across various applications, including home theater, professional cinema, and augmented/virtual reality. This technology presents a significant market opportunity as demand for HDR content grows, offering a competitive advantage to manufacturers who can integrate this innovation into their products. The system’s compatibility with existing projector architectures also makes it a viable option for upgrades and retrofits, expanding its market reach.","layman_explanation":"The High Dynamic Range Projection with Multiple Numerical Aperture Illumination patent addresses a fundamental problem in display technology: the difficulty of achieving both high brightness and high contrast in projection systems. Existing solutions often fall short because they struggle to reproduce the full range of light and dark tones present in modern HDR (High Dynamic Range) content, resulting in images that appear washed out and lacking in detail.\n\nThis innovation works by using two separate light sources within the projector, each optimized for a different aspect of image quality. One light source is designed to produce high brightness levels, ensuring that the bright parts of the image are vivid and impactful. The other light source is designed to enhance contrast, making the dark parts of the image deeper and more distinct. By combining the output of these two light sources, the system is able to achieve a much wider range of light and dark tones than traditional projectors.\n\nThis matters because it allows for a more realistic and immersive viewing experience. With improved brightness and contrast, images appear more lifelike, colors are more vibrant, and details are more clearly visible. This has significant implications for a variety of applications, including home theater systems, professional presentations, and virtual reality displays. The market opportunity is substantial, as consumers and businesses alike are increasingly demanding higher-quality visual experiences.\n\nLooking ahead, this technology has the potential to become a standard feature in high-end projection systems. As HDR content becomes more prevalent, the need for projectors that can accurately reproduce its wide range of tones will only increase. This innovation positions itself as a key enabler of this trend, offering a compelling value proposition for both manufacturers and consumers. The investment implications are positive, as companies that adopt this technology are likely to gain a competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving display market.","technical_analysis":"The High Dynamic Range Projection with Multiple Numerical Aperture Illumination patent details a system designed to enhance the contrast and brightness of projected images. The technical architecture centers around the use of two distinct illumination sources, each characterized by a different numerical aperture (NA). The first source, possessing a high NA, is primarily responsible for generating high brightness levels, crucial for displaying HDR content effectively. The second source, with a lower NA, minimizes stray light and enhances black levels, thereby improving the overall contrast ratio. A homogenizer component is strategically placed in the illumination path to ensure uniform light distribution from both sources, mitigating artifacts and maintaining consistent image quality across the projection area.\n\nThe implementation details involve modulating the light output from each source at a rate equivalent to the image frame period. This modulation can be achieved through the use of active irises, which dynamically adjust the light intensity based on the content being displayed. The precise control afforded by these irises allows for real-time optimization of the image, enhancing both bright highlights and deep blacks. The algorithm controlling the irises would likely need to take into account the specific characteristics of the display and the content being projected to maximize the effectivness of the system.\n\nIntegration of this system into existing projection architectures is relatively straightforward, requiring the addition of a second illumination source and a homogenizer component. The active irises can be easily integrated into the existing control circuitry. Performance characteristics are significantly improved, with the system demonstrating a substantial increase in contrast ratio and brightness levels compared to traditional single-source projection systems. Code-level implications would primarily involve the development of control algorithms for the active irises and the image processing pipeline to optimize the HDR output. This approach offers a compelling solution for achieving high-quality HDR projection with minimal disruption to existing manufacturing processes.","business_analysis":"The High Dynamic Range Projection with Multiple Numerical Aperture Illumination patent represents a significant advancement in display technology, offering substantial business opportunities. The market for HDR-capable displays is rapidly expanding, driven by the increasing availability of HDR content and the growing consumer demand for immersive viewing experiences. This technology directly addresses the limitations of existing projection systems in reproducing HDR content effectively, thereby capturing a significant share of this growing market.\n\nThe competitive advantages of this system stem from its ability to deliver superior image quality compared to traditional projection systems. The use of multiple illumination sources with varying numerical apertures allows for a more precise control over light output, resulting in higher contrast ratios and brighter images. This translates into a more engaging and realistic viewing experience, which can be a key differentiator in the marketplace. The revenue potential is substantial, with applications ranging from home theater systems to professional cinema projectors and AR/VR displays. The business model can be based on licensing the technology to display manufacturers or integrating it into proprietary projector designs.\n\nStrategic positioning involves targeting high-end display markets where image quality is paramount. This includes home theater enthusiasts, professional filmmakers, and AR/VR developers. ROI projections are highly favorable, given the relatively low cost of implementation and the high demand for HDR-capable displays. The system's compatibility with existing projector architectures allows for a phased rollout, minimizing risk and maximizing returns. This innovation offers a compelling value proposition for investors seeking to capitalize on the growing demand for HDR technology.","faqs":null,"topics":["High Dynamic Range Projection","numerical aperture illumination","HDR projection","projection technology","display technology"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"High Dynamic Range Projection with Multiple Numerical Aperture Illumination - Patent US-9854212","description":"Discover how High Dynamic Range Projection with Multiple Numerical Aperture Illumination delivers brighter images and higher contrast. Full patent analysis, claims, and technical details.","keywords":["High Dynamic Range Projection","numerical aperture illumination","HDR projection","projection technology","display technology","patent US-9854212"]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854212","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854212","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"High dynamic range projection with multiple numerical aperture illumination\" (US-9854212). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854212","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854212","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9854212","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-30T01:53:09.507Z"}