Active mask projector providing diffracted light with animation and non-random patterns

摘要

A projector for projecting diffracted light in a selectable pattern and/or animation on a display surface. The apparatus includes a light source providing one or more beams of coherent light from one or more lasers. The apparatus includes a diffraction assembly in the path of the light source to generate diffracted light by diffracting the laser light with one, two, or more diffraction grating patterns and, optionally, with a diffraction glass or other material. An active mask is provided with a raster that receives the diffracted light and that includes a plurality of optical shutter elements that are selectively operable to project a portion of the diffracted light from the active mask toward the display surface. In one example, the active mask includes a liquid crystal display panel to provide a grid of addressable programmable pixels that are turned on and off to project portions of the diffracted light.

主权项

1. An apparatus for projecting light in one or more patterns on a display surface, comprising:
a light source outputting light; a diffraction assembly comprising one or more diffraction grating patterns diffracting the output light from the light source to generate a number of points, spots, or shapes in the output light from the light source; and an active mask with a raster receiving the output light from the diffraction assembly, the raster comprising a plurality of programmable optical shutter elements selectively operable to pass portions of the output light in the one or more patterns on the display surface, including a subset of the number of points, spots, or shapes provided in the output light received by the raster from the diffraction assembly for projection from the active mask, wherein the passed portions are projected at differing locations over time on the display surface such that the passed portions move over time on the display surface.