TWI493273B - A recycling system and method for increasing brightness using light pipes with one or more light sources, and a projector incorporating the same - Google Patents

Description

Light recovery system, method and projector for increasing brightness by using one or more light source tubes [related application]

This application declares that it has the US Provisional Application No. 61/189,139 filed on August 15, 2008, the US Provisional Application No. 61/204,421, which was filed on January 7, 2009, and the application on March 18, 2009. The priority of the US Provisional Application No. 61/161,228 and the provisional application No. 61/168,249 filed on Apr. 10, 2009, the entire contents of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

This application is part of a continuous application for US Application No. 12/321,471 filed on January 20, 2009. This US Application No. 12/321,471 declares that it has the 61st US application filed on January 17, 2008. Provisional application No. 011, No. 458, US Provisional Application No. 61/130,981, filed on June 5, 2008, and US Provisional Application No. 61/130,953, filed on June 4, 2008, in August 2008 US Provisional Application No. 61/137,895, filed on the 4th, US Provisional Application No. 61/200,764, filed on December 3, 2008, and US Provisional Application No. 61/203,503, filed on December 23, 2008 Case, US Provisional Application No. 61/203,950, filed on December 30, 2008, US Provisional Application No. 61/130,002, filed on May 27, 2008, and US application filed on May 30, 2008 The priority of the provisional application No. 61/130,336, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

This application is also a partial application for US Application No. 11/818,308, filed on June 13, 2007. This US Application No. 11/818,308 declares that it has the US application dated June 13, 2006. Provisional Application No. 60/813, No. 186, Provisional Application No. 60/814,605, filed on June 16, 2006, and US Provisional Application No. 60/830,946, filed on July 13, 2006, in 2006 US Provisional Application No. 60/842,324, filed on the 5th of the month, US Provisional Application No. 60/848,429, filed on September 28, 2006, and US Provisional No. 60/855,330, filed on October 30, 2006 The priority of the application, the entire contents of the above application is incorporated into the reference of this case.

The present invention relates to a system and method for efficiently coupling one or more light sources to an output to provide a higher brightness of a screen, and more particularly to a system and method for recovering a light source of one or more light sources to increase brightness, and A projector using this system and method.

Light sources are used in all types of lighting and projection applications, and many applications require a lighting system to have high brightness within an effective emission area. Traditionally, more light sources have been added to increase the brightness. However, it is technically difficult to integrate multiple light sources into a limited space, and the integration and use of multiple light sources is expensive and cannot achieve the purpose of saving. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the number of light sources. The present invention can be developed by increasing the brightness of a light source.

For example, Micro Display TV (MDTV) has the potential of large screen size and low cost. Traditional micro-display TVs are usually illuminated with arc lamps, although the light source is the brightest at lower cost. However, it is unsatisfactory to separate the white light into three colors and the short-life characteristics. With the development of the light-emitting diode technology, the use of the light-emitting diode as the light source of the micro-display television must be considered. To obtain the long-life characteristics and other advantages of the light-emitting diode, such as instant ON, etc.; however, currently used in small image panels or low-cost applications with larger screens, the light-emitting diode The body is not bright enough. The light-recycling structure of the light-emitting diode has been used to increase the brightness of the light source, as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,869,206 to Zimmerman et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Patent No. 6,144,536 to Zimmerman et al. discloses a fluorescent lamp enclosed in a hollow interior filled with gas, wherein the glass envelope of the fluorescent lamp has a phosphor coating and is partially phosphorescent. The light produced by the bulk coating is recovered back to the phosphor coating; the present invention is developing an advantageous method of efficiently coupling lightly to the output using one or more light sources to provide a higher brightness of the screen, particularly a use A system and method for recycling a light pipe having one or more light sources for increased brightness, and a projector using the system and method.

For example, in many lighting applications, such as general lighting, architectural lighting, and recent projection televisions, light-emitting diodes are one type of light source; due to the low brightness of light-emitting diodes, most display or projector systems have Etendue limited, which usually sets the maximum output of the screen. For example, when used in a projector, in order to provide the necessary high light output of the projector screen, the LED must have an effective emission area. High-brightness light is emitted, and in particular, the light-emitting diode must provide a strong, bright beam in a small solid angle of the small emission area.

Although the development of the light-emitting diode has been greatly improved, the output brightness of the generally available light-emitting diode is still insufficient for most projectors, in order to combine the light-emitting diode with the main color and the recyclable output light. In order to increase the brightness, various methods have been proposed, however, most of the methods require the use of expensive components and/or lead to a large and cumbersome device, which limits its development; therefore, in order to provide recovery of one or more light sources The present invention is developed to improve the brightness of light pipes by means of a system and method for increasing brightness, including but not limited to light emitting diodes, arc lamps, ultra high pressure mercury lamps (UHP). A projector, a microwave lamp or the like, the projector of the present invention can also multiplex multiple colors to provide a color pixel display and time sequential display.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a light recovery system and method that uses a light pipe having one or more light sources to increase brightness.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a projector incorporating the above described light recovery system.

In an embodiment of the invention, a light recovery system and method increases the brightness of a light source output by using at least one light pipe that recovers a light source, wherein the light pipe of the recovered light source has at least one light source, and one of the light pipes of the recovered light source The output reflects the first portion of the light back to the light source, reflects the second portion of the light to one of the input ends of the light source of the recovered light source, and transmits the remaining portion of the light as the output, the light recovery system being coupled to The projector provides a color projection image with enhanced brightness, wherein the light source can be a white light emitting diode, a color light emitting diode, and a lamp with a double parabolic reflector (DPR Lamp).

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The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described by reference to the drawings,

Efficiently optically coupling light from one or more sources to the output provides higher brightness of the screen, although in a standard illumination system, the brightness of a source cannot be increased, the present invention utilizes light recovery from multiple sources and Combining to provide a higher output intensity of the screen, the present invention provides a higher light output of one or more light sources by combining light recovery with output light of one or more light sources, which is applicable to light sources of various configurations and embodiments. It is an arc lamp, an ultra high pressure mercury lamp (UHP lamp), a light emitting diode or a microwave lamp.

1 shows a light recovery system 1000 comprising a light pipe 1100, the light pipe 1100 can be solid or hollow, and the light pipe 1100 can be straight or tapered, the input of the light pipe 1100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The end 1200 includes a reflective input surface 1210 or a reflective input, and an input aperture 1220 or a transmissive; the reflective input surface 1210 includes a portion or portion of the input 1200 that is reflective. To reflect light; the input aperture 1220 includes the remainder of the input 1200 that is permeable to transmit input light (IN) into the light pipe 1100; in accordance with the present invention, the input aperture 1220 can be rectangular, round Shape or any suitable shape, reflective input surface 1210 can include an arbitrary wave plate (not shown) for supporting a polarized light system.

The output end 1300 of the light pipe 1100 includes a reflective output surface 1310 or a reflective output portion, and an output aperture 1320 or a transmission output portion. The reflective output surface 1310 includes a portion or portion of the output terminal 1300 that is reflective. The output aperture 1320 includes a remaining portion of the output 1300 that is permeable to transmit or output output light (OUT) from the light pipe 1100; in accordance with the present invention, the output aperture 1320 The rectangular, circular or any suitable shape can be rectangular, or the reflective output surface 1310 can comprise an arbitrary wave plate (not shown) for supporting the polarized light system.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the output aperture 1320 can be shaped to match the shape and size required by the illumination or projection system. For example, the output aperture 1320 can be circular or have an aspect ratio of 6:9 or a rectangular shape of 4:3; the input light (IN) entering the light pipe 1100 via the input hole 1220 is transmitted to the output end 1300 of the light pipe 1100 and partially exits the light pipe 1100 via the output hole 1320, that is, part of the light will be reflected back. The input end 1200 and part of the light will exit the light pipe 1100 via the output hole 1320. The light pipe 1100 reflects the light from the input end 1200 to the output hole 1320; the light source that can be used in the input hole 1220 can be a light emitting diode. , the light output of a light pipe, the light output of a phosphor excited by a light-emitting diode or a laser, or the light of an up-converting material that is excited by a light-emitting diode or a laser The output, and the light source can also be an arc lamp, a microwave lamp or a lamp with a reflector.

2(a) to 2(c) are diagrams showing various aspects of the light recovery system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of a light recovery system 1000. The system includes a tapered light pipe 1100 having a light emitting diode 1400, the light input to the tapered light pipe 1100 is from the light emitting diode 1400, and the output end 1300 of the tapered light pipe 1100 includes an output for transmitting part of the light. The hole 1320 and the reflective output surface 1310 for recovering the remaining portion of the light, the light output from the light emitting diode 1400 is coupled to the tapered light pipe 1100 and part of the light is reflected back to the light emitting diode 1400, and part of the light is again The light emitting diode 1400 reflects (or recovers) and returns to the tapered light pipe 1100 as a light output.

2(b) shows a light recovery system 1000 according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the input end 1200 of the tapered light pipe 1100 is larger than the size of the light emitting diode 1400, and is input to the tapered light pipe 1100. The light source is from the light emitting diode 1400. The output end 1300 of the tapered light pipe 1100 includes an output hole 1320 for transmitting part of the light and a reflective output surface 1310 for recovering the remaining part of the light, as shown in FIG. The 1200 excess area or reflective input surface 1210 is reflective to recover a portion of the light.

2(c) shows a light recovery system 1000 according to another aspect of the present invention, wherein the light input to the light pipe 1100 is from the output of another input light pipe 1500 coupled to the light source, and the light pipe 1500 The light source can be straight, conical, hollow or solid, the light source can be a double parabolic reflector system or an elliptical system, etc.; although not stated, the light recovery system 1000 of the present invention can utilize other light sources including but not limited Light-emitting diodes, microwave lamps, phosphors excited by short-wavelength light-emitting diodes or lasers, up-converting materials subjected to long-wavelength light-emitting diodes or lasers Light, or other similar light.

3 shows a light recovery system 2000 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The light recovery system 2000 includes a six-sided beam combiner 2100 and at least two light pipes 1100. The two light pipes 1100 are respectively LP ₁ and LP. ₂ indicates that the light pipe (LP ₁ ) and the light pipe (LP ₂ ) are substantially similar to the light pipe 1100 of the light recovery system 1000 shown in FIG. 1, and the light recovery system 2000 may include a plurality of light sources, as shown in FIG. The output of the light recovery system 2000 is a combination of two light sources. Each light source 2200 includes a light emitting diode 1400 (represented by LED ₁ and LED ₂ , respectively) and a light pipe (LP ₁ ) or a light pipe (LP ₂ ), which is derived from the light. The light of the diode (LED ₁ ) is coupled to the light pipe (LP ₁ ) and enters the beam combiner 2100. The six sides of the beam combiner 2100 are polished so that all faces can be used for transmission and total reflection ( Total Internal Reflections (TIR), a triangular surface 2400 of the beam combiner 2100 is also polished to cause the beam combiner 2100 to act as a waveguide, thereby directing light from the light pipe (LP ₁ ) and the light pipe (LP ₂ ). In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one of the beam surfaces 2100 has a coating on the diagonal surface 2110 to provide a partially reflective/transferred surface, and the diagonal surface 2110 can be coated with a partially reflective coating as shown in FIG. 4 (FIG. 4) As shown in a), or the spatially distributed reflection portion is as shown in Figs. 4(b) and 4(c) (wherein the reflection portion is indicated by oblique hatching blocks and the transmission portion is indicated by blank blocks). The relative ratio of reflection to transfer can be optimized depending on the maximum output of its application; in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a beam combiner 2100 having six polished faces is provided as a waveguide rather than a conventional bulk optics. The output dimension of the light pipe (LP ₁ ) matches one side of the beam combiner 2100, and the light portion from the light pipe (LP ₁ ) is reflected to the light pipe (LP ₂ ) and is illuminated by the LED (LED ₂ ). Recycling, the light portion from the light pipe (LP ₂ ) is reflected to the light pipe (LP ₁ ) and recovered by the light-emitting diode (LED ₁ ), and the light from the light pipe (LP ₁ ) and the light pipe (LP ₂ ) is partially recovered. The light recovery system 2000 exits the light recovery system 2000 as an output light (OUT) via an output aperture 2130, and the remaining portion of the light is reflected back to the light recovery system 2000 by an end reflector 2120, which optionally includes a reflective surface or a reflection a hole 2140 for reflecting a portion of the light output back to the light recovery system 2000 for recovering a portion of the light output; and, in order to enhance the characteristics of total reflection (TIR), according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the light The recovery system 2000 includes an optional air gap or low reflectance adhesive 2300 between one or more optical components, such as a light pipe (LP ₁ ) and a beam combiner 2100 and a light pipe (LP ₂ ) Between the beam combiner 2100.

5 and FIG. 6 illustrate a light recovery system 2000 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the light pipe 1100 shown in FIG. 1 is used, and the light recovery system 1000 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, FIG. 5 and FIG. The optical components used in the light recovery system 2000 shown in Fig. 6 are common and will not be described herein. As shown in FIG. 5, each of the light-emitting diodes 1400 (represented by LED ₁ and LED ₂ , respectively) is combined with or covers a portion of the input end 1200 of the light pipe 1100 (represented by LP ₁ and LP ₂ , respectively), and the input end The remainder of 1200 is coated with a reflective coating to provide a reflective input surface 1210. The output of the light recovery system 2000 shown in Figure 5 is a combination of two LED inputs; in Figure 6, Figure 5 is shown in Figure 5. The light-emitting diode (LED ₁ ) and the light-emitting diode (LED ₂ ) are replaced by other light sources, including but not limited to light pipes or light lamps (such as arc lamps or microwave lamps), which are mirrors or lenses. Focused output; alternatively, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the optical component of the light recovery system shown in FIG. 6 may be in a linear configuration as shown in FIG. 7; to enhance the characteristics of total reflection (TIR), according to the present invention In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the light recovery system 2000 illustrated in Figures 5-7 includes an air gap or low reflectance adhesive 2300 between one or more optical components, such as a light pipe (LP ₁ ) combined with a beam of light. Between the 2100 and the light pipe (LP ₂ ) and the beam combiner 2100.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8, the light recovery system 2000 of FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 includes at least three light pipes as shown in FIG. 1, that is, in FIG. 8, FIG. 6 or FIG. The end reflector 2120 of the light recovery system 2000 is replaced by a light pipe 1100. In Fig. 8, the output of the light recovery system 2000 is a combination of three light sources, wherein the light source that can be used in the input hole 1220 can be a light emitting diode. , the light output of a light pipe, the light output of a phosphor excited by a light-emitting diode or a laser, or the light of an up-converting material that is excited by a light-emitting diode or a laser Output, etc.; to enhance the characteristics of total reflection (TIR), the light recovery system 2000 of FIG. 8 includes an arbitrary air gap or low reflectance adhesive 2300 between one or more opticals in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Between components.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a light recovery system 3000 includes at least four light pipes 1100 and at least two beam combiners 2100 (represented by 2100a and 2100b, respectively), and the light recovery system 3000 incorporates at least four sets of light sources. The output is output to a single output. Although the light recovery system 3000 has two beam combiners 2100a and 2100b, the light recovery system 3000 shown in FIG. 9 may include two or more beam combiners 2100. From the perspective of the invention, the directions of the diagonal surfaces 2110 of the two beam combiners 2100a, 2100b are different, wherein the direction of the diagonal surface 2110 of the beam combiner 2100a is for the purpose of recovering light, the diagonal surface of the beam combiner 2100b The direction of 2110 is for the purpose of outputting light, and the triangular surface 2400 of the beam combiner 2100a, 2100b is polished, so that the beam combiner 2100a, 2100b serves as a waveguide, thereby guiding the light pipe (LP ₁ ), the light pipe (LP) ₂ ) light of light pipe (LP ₃ ) and light pipe (LP ₄ ); in order to enhance the characteristics of total reflection (TIR), according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the light recovery system 3000 comprises an air gap or a low reflection coefficient adhesion Agent 2300 Between one or more optical elements, such as a light pipe (LP ₁₎ and the beam combiner and 2100b between the light pipe (LP ₂₎ and the beam combiner 2100a room.

FIG. 10 illustrates a light recovery system 4000 including a beam combiner 2100, a two-light tube 1100, and two light sources, the light source being a DPR Lamp 4200a, 4200b having a double parabolic reflector, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. a lamp 4200a having a double parabolic reflector of the first light source and a lamp 4200b having a double parabolic reflector of the second light source, respectively, and the tapered light pipe respectively adopting a first tapered light pipe (TLP ₁ ) and a second cone A light pipe (TLP ₂ ) indicates that the lamp 4200a of the first light source having a double parabolic reflector is coupled to a first tapered light pipe (TLP ₁ ), and the first tapered light pipe (TLP ₁ ) is coupled to the light pipe The input aperture 1220a of (LP ₁ ) is coupled, the lamp 4200b of the second source having a double parabolic reflector is coupled to a second tapered light pipe (TLP ₂ ), and the second tapered light pipe (TLP ₂ ) is coupled to the light. The input hole 1220b of the tube (LP ₂ ) is coupled; the operation of the light pipe (LP ₁ , LP ₂ ) and the beam combiner 2100 of the light recovery system 4000 is the light pipe of the light recovery system 2000 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 (LP _1, LP ₂₎ and the beam combiner similar operation 2100, the light recycling system 4000 of the second light source using a beam combiner 2100 binding The output of the lamp 4200b having a double parabolic reflector and the lamp 4200a of the first source having a double parabolic reflector to provide a single output; to enhance the characteristics of total reflection (TIR), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, The light recovery system 4000 includes an air gap or low reflectance adhesive 2300 between one or more optical components, such as between a light pipe (LP ₁ , LP ₂ ) and a beam combiner 2100, and a tapered light pipe ( TLP ₁ , TLP ₂ ) and light pipe (LP ₁ , LP ₂ ).

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 11, the output surface of the beam combiner 2100 of the light recovery system 2000, 3000, 4000 of the present invention is a reflective output surface 2500 having a transfer aperture or output aperture 2130, in accordance with the present invention. From the point of view, the shape, size and position of the output aperture 2130 can be planned to meet the needs of a particular application.

As shown in FIG. 12, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the light recovery system 1000 of FIG. 1 additionally includes a reflective polarizing film 1600 coupled to the output aperture 1320 of the light pipe 1100 to provide a polarized light output; Increasing efficiency, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the reflective input surface 1210 of the light pipe 1100 can include an arbitrary wave plate 1230.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 13, the light recovery system 2000 shown in FIG. 7 additionally includes a reflective polarizing film 1600 coupled to the output aperture 2130 of the beam combiner 2100 to provide a polarized light output; To increase efficiency, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the reflective input surface 1210 of the light pipe 1100 can include an arbitrary wave plate 1230, and the beam combiner 2100 of the light recovery system 2000 shown in FIG. 13 combines two separate sets of light sources. To produce a single output of polarized light.

Referring to FIG. 14, FIG. 15(a) and FIG. 15(b), a light recovery system 5000 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the light recovery system 5000 includes a tapered polarized light tube having a light recovery function. System 5100 is for use with a lamp 4200 or system having a double parabolic reflector, the tapered polarized light pipe system 5100 comprising a first tapered light pipe (TLP ₁ ) and a second tapered light pipe (TLP ₂ ) It has a common surface filled with a transparent material, preferably a transparent material is an index-matching adhesive, an epoxide or a fluid 5500; an input light (IN) entering the first tapered light pipe (TLP ₁ ) is Coupling into the second tapered light pipe (TLP ₂ ) and exiting the second tapered light pipe (TLP ₂ ) in a polarized light output pattern; as shown in FIG. 15a, part of the output light is reflected by the arbitrary reflective hole 5300, and the output is An example of a reflective aperture, as shown in Figure 15b, the shape and size of the transfer opening 5310 can vary with different applications, and the unused polarized light is reflected back to the lamp 4200 having a double parabolic reflector by the reflective polarizing film 5400, tapered polarization light pipe system 5100 of the second tapered light pipe (TLP ₂₎ comprises a reflective table 5200, which is a line having an arbitrary wave plate 5210, the light to be reflected back to the reflective polarizing film portion 5400.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the light recovery system 6000 of FIG. 16 includes a beam combiner 2100 and at least two tapered polarized light pipe systems 5100 as shown in FIG. 15(a) as a light source. It should be particularly noted that since the output of the two-cone polarized light pipe system 5100 shown in FIG. 16 is coupled to the beam combiner 2100, the tapered polarized light pipe system 5100 shown in FIG. 16 is not required. A reflective polarizing film 5400 and an optional reflecting hole 5300 are provided; the output end of the beam combiner 2100 shown in FIG. 16 includes a reflective polarizing film 6100 and an arbitrary reflecting hole 6200, which is similar to the reflective polarizing film 5400 and Any reflective aperture 5300 having a transfer opening 5310; although not shown in FIG. 16, each tapered polarized light pipe system 5100 of FIG. 16 can be coupled to a dual parabolic reflector as shown in FIG. The lamp combiner 2100 of the light recovery system 6000 can combine at least two sets of light sources, that is, two sets of tapered polarized light pipe systems 5100, as a single polarized output beam; it is particularly reminded that the light is recovered. System 6000 can incorporate more than two sets of light sources by using one or more beam combiners 2100, similar to light recovery system 3000 shown in FIG.

With the increase of the light output of the light-emitting diode, the LED projection system has rapidly progressed. The general LED projection system uses three colors of light-emitting diodes, namely red, green and blue. For time sequential multiplexing, the light output of each light-emitting diode is combined into a single output to produce a color output image. The three-color light-emitting diode system is manufactured using different materials and has different Temperature dependencies, in order to maintain the fixed color of the screen, there must be a feedback control, making the typical projection system expensive and complicated. Because the white LED does not have enough red content, the traditional use of white LED illumination It has been considered to be of poor color.

The present invention overcomes the limitations of conventional illumination systems and projection systems using white light-emitting diodes. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a light-recycling white LED projector can enhance red color, as shown in FIG. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a projector 7000 incorporating a light recovery system includes an image panel 7300, a projection engine 7100, a projection lens 7200, and a relay lens 7400. The projector 7000 utilizes Light emitted by a light-emitting diode 1400 in which a portion of the light emitted by the light-emitting diode 1400 is recovered by light back to the light-emitting diode 1400 to increase brightness. Although FIG. 17 shows a projector 7000 in combination with the light recovery system 1000, it is particularly noted that the projector can also be combined with other light recovery systems mentioned in the present invention, and the output of the tapered light pipe 1100 is via A playback lens 7400 is coupled to a color wheel 7500 to the projection engine 7100 to form a continuous color system.

The light-emitting diode 1400 can be a white phosphor light-emitting diode 1400, the white phosphor is excited by a light-emitting diode or a laser, preferably blue or ultraviolet light, and the light-emitting diode 1400 is not limited to white. For the light-emitting diode, the present invention can utilize a color light-emitting diode to provide an LED projector with color enhancement. Preferably, the light-emitting diode 1400 is mounted on a heat-dissipating substrate 1410, and the output of the light-emitting diode 1400 is Coupled to a light pipe 1100, the light pipe 1100 can be hollow or solid, tapered or straight, such that the output can be adapted for a particular application, and the light pipe 1110 is located at the output of the light-emitting diode 1400 and is aligned ( Aligned) to obtain maximum optical coupling efficiency, a portion of the surface of the output end 1300 of the light pipe 1100 is coated with a reflective coating or a mirror or reflector is used to form a reflective output surface 1310, such that the light pipe 1100 has only a portion The output is coupled to the projection engine 7100 via the color wheel 7500, and then the output of the light pipe 1110 is projected to the imaging or image panel 7300 via the playback lens 7400 and the projection engine 7100, and the final image on the image panel 7300 is then The projection lens 7200 is projected to the screen (not shown).

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the output of the light pipe 1110 can be coated with an output coating such that only selective wavelengths of light are reflected, while other bands of light are transmitted, causing a desired color to be enhanced. For example, the output end 1300 of the light pipe 1100 can be coated to reflect blue light and transmit light of other colors, that is, the light recovery system 1000 recovers the light that enhances the blue light, thereby enhancing the other colors that are transmitted to the projection engine 7100. Light.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the color wheel 7500 includes two or more filters having different colors, such as red, blue, and green of a three-color system, or red, green, blue, and colorless. Thus, color projector 7000 utilizes a continuous color system in which each color is sequentially displayed to produce a color image.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the light emitting diode 1400 is driven using a DC circuit. Alternatively, the light-emitting diode 1400 can be driven by a varing current accompanying the color wheel 7500. For example, the light-emitting diode 1400 can have different current values depending on which color wheel 7500 A colored portion is located at the front end of the light pipe 1100. In a particular embodiment, when the red portion is at the front end of the light pipe, a higher current is used, so that the lack of red light is overcome by the higher current.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the image panel 7300 may be a Digital Mirror Device (DMD), such as a digital mirror manufactured by Texas Instruments or other manufacturers, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The image panel 7300 can be a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) panel. The light recovery system 1000 shown in FIG. 17 can include an optional reflective polarizing film 5400 disposed at the output end of the light pipe 1100. 1300, such that unwanted polarized light can be reflected back to the light pipe 1100 for recovery.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the white phosphor of the LED 1400 can be driven by the blue light emitted by the LED 1400. During the light recovery of the light recovery system 1000, the recovered blue light is illuminated by the LED. The 1400 phosphor absorbs and is re-emitted with green or red light, so the recovered light has a lower blue output and a higher red and green output.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, for applications with high output power requirements, projector 7000 utilizes multiple light emitting diodes 1400 to drive a single or multiple phosphor portions such that the emitted light can be coupled to a light recovery system 1000 light pipe 1100, it should be specially noted that a prism, a light pipe and other analog optical elements can be used as a waveguide to combine the outputs of the plurality of light emitting diodes to produce a comparison on the screen (not shown). The high output, by way of example, can be used as a waveguide if each side of the prism is polished and polished to enhance total reflection (TIR).

The advantages of using light from white phosphor LEDs include:

1. The white phosphor light-emitting diode has a shorter wavelength and a larger band gap, and thus can operate at a higher junction temperature and relax the heat dissipation restriction.

2. A single color light emitting diode can be used to eliminate the need to multiplex multi-color light emitting diodes.

3. The color wheel is a successfully developed component and has a long life.

4. Standard projection engine construction can be used, and manufacturers with many years of experience can mass produce these standard projection engines.

5. Many manufacturers produce white phosphor light-emitting diodes.

6. A large emission area can be obtained using a plurality of smaller white phosphor light-emitting diodes, and the emission area does not have blank cracks between the light-emitting diodes, and these cracks can reduce light recovery efficiency.

As shown in FIG. 18, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an LED projector 8000 additionally includes a light recovery reflector 8100 for recovering light, and the light recovery reflector 8100 reflects a portion of the output of the LED. The light-emitting diode 1400 recovers light, and the light-emitting diode 1400 can be a white or color light-emitting diode. Preferably, the light-recovering reflector 8100 is spherical, toroidal or elliptical. An elliptical reflector such that the light emitting diode is reflected back to itself, and an opening of the light recycling reflector 8100 is used as the output aperture 1320. According to the present invention, the size of the opening can be changed to achieve different light recovery. By using a collection of optical lenses 7600 or a lens system having more than one lens to couple the light output and concentrating on a light pipe 1100, the light pipe 1100 homogenizes the light to produce a uniform output at the output of the light pipe 1100. The brightness distribution, other optical components of the LED projector 8000 are similar to the LED projector 7000 shown in FIG. 17, and the configuration of the color wheel 7500 is either at the input of the light pipe 1100 or at the output of the light pipe 1100.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 19 shows an LED projector 8000 using one or more LEDs 1400. The light recovery reflector 8100 reflects a light emitting diode to other LEDs to increase LED projection. The light recovery efficiency of the machine 8000, as shown in FIG. 20, is that two or four sets of light-emitting diodes 1400 are mounted on the heat dissipation substrate 1410, which can be used in the LED projector 8000. In the example of four groups of light-emitting diodes, The light recycling reflector 8100 reflects a first light emitting diode to a second light emitting diode, and the second light emitting diode system and the first light emitting diode are diagonally arranged, for example, the light emitting diode A (Fig. 20 1400 is reflected in the light-emitting diode A' (indicated by A' in FIG. 20) 1400 and the light-emitting diode B' (indicated by B' in FIG. 20) 1400 is reflected to the light-emitting diode B (Fig. 20 is indicated by B) 1400; the collecting lens 7600 is coupled to the light output of the light-emitting diode 1400.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the light recycling reflector 8100 can be a solid optical component, as shown in FIG. 21, such as a piece of glass having a partial reflection and transfer surface, and the surface has an optimized curvature. To achieve maximum output efficiency, the solid glass system as the light recovery reflector 8100 is placed on the output of the LED 1400 and is aligned to obtain maximum light recovery. The output surface of the solid glass is partially coated with reflection. The layer is coated to provide a reflective surface 8110, and the remaining portion of the output surface is transmissive to serve as an output aperture 8120. The output aperture 8120 and the reflective surface 8110 can be formed on the same continuous surface, or can be designed to have different The curvature is optimized for optical coupling.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 22 to 24, an LED projector 8000 is disposed without a light pipe to reduce the manufacturing cost of the LED projector 8000. The LED projector 8000 shown in FIG. The collecting lens 7600 is replaced by a lenslet array 8200, and the lenslet array 8200 may be a circle as shown in FIG. 23 or a rectangle as shown in FIG. The lens or the lenslet, the lenslet can be configured as a symmetrical matrix, or arbitrarily configured, or designed as a pattern to achieve maximum efficiency and uniformity, each lens reflects the light The spot of the polar body to a flat plate A (shown in FIG. 22), it should be particularly noted that the light collecting spot on the flat plate A is substantially at the same position, like the output end 1300 or the output surface of the light pipe 1100. (Fig. 17), since the condensed spot on the flat panel A is composed of images generated by each lenslet, the overall intensity distribution is made uniform, and the output is then transmitted through the image panel 7300, the projection engine 7100, and the projection lens 7200. And coupled to the projection screen (not shown), In view of the present invention, the lenslet array set 8200 can convert a square light emitting diode 1400 into a rectangular output to match different projection aspect ratio formats. In general, the output pattern can be any size. , shape and required intensity distribution.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a light recovery system 9000 includes a beam splitting/bonding (BSC) system 9100 in which all surfaces that are reflectively polished to enhance total reflection (TIR) and two sets of light emitting diodes 1400 are shown 25, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a beam splitting/bonding (BSC) system 9100 includes two triangular prisms (all surfaces are polished to enhance total reflection) with a portion of the reflective interface 9120 bonded together, and a partial reflective interface 9120 can The partially reflective coating is partially or partially coated with a reflective coating. Specifically, the reflectance can be controlled by the size of the coated surface area. For example, the partially reflective interface 9120 can include reflective stripes 9125 (shown in the figure). ) or reflection point (not shown).

The output of the light emitting diode 1400 is coupled to a beam splitting/bonding (BSC) system 9100, and a portion of the light from the light emitting diode 1400 is reflected to the output 1300 of the light pipe 1100 as an output, with a portion of the light directed to Other light-emitting diodes 1400, and the remaining portion of the light is directed toward the reflective surface of the beam splitting/bonding (BSC) system 9100, with particular mention that since all six surfaces are polished, and preferably reflective polishing is used to enhance Total Reflection (TIR), such that the Beam Split/Join (BSC) system 9100 acts as a waveguide. In general, the light emitted by the light-emitting diode that is not directed at the output end of the light pipe 1100 as an output will be recovered by light and eventually exits the light pipe 1100 as an output; depending on the particular application, the beam split/combination (BSC) system 9100 The output can be further output as an output or via an output light pipe (not shown) to the output, the output light pipe can be straight, tapered, hollow or solid; the light pipe 1100 and the output light pipe (not shown) It can be a well-balanced light pipe or a light-recovering light pipe having a partially reflective output surface 1610, and can further include a reflective polarizing film 1600 disposed at the output end 1300 to provide a polarization output to a liquid crystal. On silicon, LCOS) panel, a liquid crystal display panel or other polarization dependent system.

Although the light recovery system 9000 includes a single waveguide system that includes a beam split/combination (BSC) system 9100, two light emitting diodes 1400, and a light pipe 1100, the light recovery system 9000 can be extended to include a mesh waveguide. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 26 shows a two-light-emitting diode light recovery system 9000 as a waveguide (light tube 1100, a triangular prism 9200 whose surfaces are all polished, preferably reflective polishing to increase Total reflection (TIR), and beam split/combination (BSC) system 9100 with reflective surface 9110, wherein the light emitting diode system is disposed on the same plane; FIG. 27 shows a three light emitting diode light recovery system 9000, The light beam separation system 9000 is not limited to one, including three sets of light-emitting diodes 1400, two light pipes 1100, two light beam splitting/combining (BSC) systems 9100 having reflective surfaces 9110, and a triangular prism 9200. , two or three sets of light-emitting diodes, but a plurality of light-emitting diodes, which can recover light using a mesh waveguide (light pipe 1100, triangular prism 9200, and beam split/combination (BSC) system 9100) together.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 28(a) to 28(f) show different configurations of a plurality of light emitting diodes 1400 or light emitting diode chips, wherein the light emitting diodes labeled "C" are shown. The body 1400 or the light-emitting diode chip means that the light-emitting diode 1400 is a color light-emitting diode chip, which can be a white light-emitting diode chip, a red light-emitting diode chip, a green light-emitting diode chip, and a blue light. Color-emitting diode chips or other color light-emitting diode chips, each pair of light-emitting diodes are imaged for light recovery due to the image quality of the light-recovering reflector 8100, and preferably each For the same color of the light-emitting diode system, for example, as shown in FIG. 28(c), the light-emitting diode C ₁ and the light-emitting diode C ₁ ' of the image pair are the same color, and the image is opposite to the light-emitting diode. C ₂ and the light-emitting diode C ₂ ' are the same color or the like, and FIG. 28(e) shows the red (R), green (G), and blue (B) versions of FIG. 28(c), where (R) , R'), (B, B') and (G, G') imaging pairs, Figure 28 (d) and Figure 28 (f) show other combinations of LED arrays, special instructions Yes, the light-emitting diode chip is also possible other combinations and configurations, and should be considered as being included in the present invention. It is worth noting that the configuration of the special light-emitting diode wafer is based on the application of the light recovery system of the present invention. .

29 shows an RGB continuous projection system or RGB continuous projector 9500, which includes a projection engine 7100, an imaging panel 7300, a projection lens 7200, a playback lens 7400, and a light pipe, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 1100, a light recycling reflector 8100, an RGB light emitting diode 1400, and a lenslet array 8200. Using an image panel 7300 as a pixel intensity control, the RGB continuous projector 9500 can multiplex three colors in time to generate a color image on a screen (not shown), and recover the RGB light-emitting diode by the light recovery reflector 8100. The output of the body 1400 is optically coupled using a lens, a lens array set, and/or a lenslet array set 8200 as described herein. In particular, since the RGB light emitting diode 1400 can be time multiplexed, Thus color wheel 7500 is no longer needed and is not shown in FIG.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 30, the light source 9600 includes the light emitting diode 1400 mounted on the heat dissipation substrate 1410, the light recovery reflector 8100, and any lens system 9650 can be used as a general lighting device or In combination with the various projectors described herein, the light-emitting diode 1400 can be a single color or multiple color light emitting diodes 1400, and the lens system 9650 can be mounted such that the light source output can have a predetermined divergence angle (angle of In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, lens system 9650 can be mounted such that the light source output is concentrated at a target, such as light pipe 1100 of the same projector 9500 (FIG. 29).

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, light source 9600 can include an arbitrary diffuser 9610 that can be inserted in front of or behind lens system 9650 to provide further adjustments to the source output distribution. The diffuser 9610 can be a glass, a holographic astigmatism or a lens matrix. According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the light recovery reflector 8100, the lens system 9650 and any diffuser 9610 can be cast using plastic or glass. Integral to ease assembly and reduce manufacturing costs.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, lens system 9650 can be collimated such that light source 9600 can replace a standard luminaire having a parabolic reflector, and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, lens system 9650 can be collectively configured such that the light source The 9600 can replace a standard luminaire having an elliptical reflector. According to the present invention, the lens system 9650 can be dispersively configured such that the light source 9600 can replace the standard luminaire for general spotlight applications. Specifically, the lens system 9650 can be extra An arbitrary diffuser 9610 is included to further adjust the source output distribution for best results.

The present invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments described herein, and the scope of the invention should be construed as being limited to the embodiments described herein. It is covered by the patent of the present invention.

1000. . . Light recovery system

1100, LP ₁ , LP ₁ , LP ₃ , LP ₄ . . . Light pipe

1200. . . Input

1210. . . Reflective input surface

1220. . . Input hole

1230. . . Wave board

IN. . . Input light

1300. . . Output

1310. . . Reflective output surface

1320. . . Output hole

OUT. . . Output light

1400, LED ₁ , LED ₂ . . . Light-emitting diode

1410. . . Heat sink substrate

1500. . . Light pipe

1600. . . Reflective polarizing film

1610. . . Partially reflective output surface

2000. . . Light recovery system

2100, 2100a, 2100b. . . Beam combiner

2110. . . Diagonal surface

2120. . . End reflector

2130. . . Output hole

2140. . . Reflection hole

2300. . . Adhesive

2400. . . Triangular surface

2500. . . Reflective output surface

3000. . . Light recovery system

4000. . . Light recovery system

4200. . . Lamp with double parabolic reflector

4200a. . . First light source with double parabolic reflector

4200b. . . Second light source with double parabolic reflector

TLP ₁ . . . First tapered tube

TLP ₂ . . . Second tapered tube

5000. . . Light recovery system

5100. . . Conical polarized light pipe system

5200. . . Reflective surface

5210. . . Wave board

5300. . . Reflection hole

5310. . . Transfer opening

5400. . . Reflective polarizing film

5500. . . fluid

6000. . . Light recovery system

6100. . . Reflective polarizing film

6200. . . Reflection hole

7000. . . Projector

7100. . . Projection engine

7200. . . Projection lens

7300. . . Image panel

7400. . . Replay lens

7500. . . Color wheel

7600. . . Collecting lens

8000. . . Projector

8100. . . Light recycling reflector

8110. . . Reflective surface

8120. . . Output hole

8200. . . Lens array group

A. . . flat

9000. . . Light recovery system

9100. . . Beam splitting/combining system

9110. . . Reflective surface

9120. . . Partial reflection interface

9125. . . Reflection stripe

9200. . . Triangle prism

9500. . . Projector

9600. . . light source

9610. . . Diffuser

9650. . . Lens system

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments of the present invention, and the same elements and features in the drawings may have similar reference numerals.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a light recovery system including a light pipe 1100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

2(a) to 2(c) are schematic cross-sectional views showing various aspects of a light recovery system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a cross-sectional view of a light recovery system including a six-sided beam combiner and at least two light tubes, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4(a) to 4(c) are perspective schematic views of a diagonal surface of a six-sided beam combiner having a partially reflective coating or spatial distribution, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The reflection part.

5 and FIG. 6 are schematic cross-sectional views showing the light recovery system of FIG. 3 and at least two light pipes shown in FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the optical components of the light recovery system of Figure 3 in a straight line configuration, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the light recovery system of Figures 6 and 7 including at least three of the light pipes of Figure 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a perspective schematic view of a light recovery system including at least four sets of light pipes of FIG. 1 and at least one six-sided beam combiner, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a light recovery system including a beam combiner, a two-light tube, and two lamps having double parabolic reflectors as light sources, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a beam combiner in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the light recovery system of Figure 1 including a reflective polarizing film in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the light recovery system of Figure 7 including a reflective polarizing film in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a light recovery system including a tapered polarized light pipe system and a lamp having a double parabolic reflector, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 15a is a cross-sectional view of the tapered polarized light pipe system of Figure 14 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 15b is a perspective schematic view of a reflective aperture of the tapered polarized light pipe system of Figure 15a, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a light recovery system including at least two sets of tapered polarized light pipe systems and a beam combiner as shown in Figure 14 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

17 is a cross-sectional view of an LED projector incorporating a light recovery system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of an LED projector incorporating a light recovery system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing an LED projector using two sets of light emitting diodes according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective view showing the mounting of two sets and four sets of light emitting diodes on a heat dissipation substrate according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view showing a light-recycling reflector as a solid optical component in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

22 through 24 are schematic cross-sectional views of a light projector including a lenslet array group in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

25 through 27 are schematic cross-sectional views of a light recovery system including a beam splitting/bonding (BSC) system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

28(a) to 28(f) show different configurations of a light emitting diode wafer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 29 is a cross-sectional view showing an RGB continuous projector in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 30 is a cross-sectional view of a light source in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

1000. . . Light recovery system

1100. . . Light pipe

1200. . . Input

1210. . . Reflective input surface

1220. . . Input hole

1300. . . Output

1310. . . Reflective output surface

1320. . . Output hole

IN. . . Input light

OUT. . . Output light

Claims (17)

An LED projector comprising a light emitting diode for providing input light, a projection engine, a projection lens, an image panel, a lenslet array group, a color wheel, and a recycling reflector, the recycling reflector having a The center hole is configured to output a portion of the input light received from the light emitting diode to the lenslet array group, and has a spherical, circular or elliptical shape for reflecting the remaining portion of the input light back to the light emitting diode The body is for recycling; and the lenslet array group couples different colors of light to the projection engine in time through the color wheel, the playback lens, and the image panel to provide a continuous color image to be used by the projection lens Project onto a screen. The LED projector of claim 1, wherein the lenslet array assembly is configured as a circular array or a rectangular array. The LED projector of claim 1, further comprising: a recovery light pipe, comprising an input end and an output end; wherein the input end of the recovery light pipe comprises a receiving end from the lenslet array group An input aperture of the light and a reflective input surface; wherein the output end of the recovery light tube includes an output aperture for outputting light from the recovery light pipe to the projection engine and a reflective output surface, the reflective output surface ???a portion of the light directed to the output end is reflected to the input end of the recovery light pipe; and wherein the input hole transmits a portion of the portion of the light reflected by the reflective output surface to the light emitting diode For recycling, the reflective input surface reflects the remaining portion of the light to the output end of the recovery light tube, thereby enhancing the brightness of the light exiting the output aperture by light recovery. The LED projector of claim 3, wherein at least one of the reflective input surface and the reflective output surface of the recovery light tube comprises a wave plate. The LED projector of claim 3, further comprising at least two light emitting diodes, at least two a recovery light pipe and a six-sided beam combiner that combines the outputs of the at least two recovery tubes to provide a single output beam, wherein each side of the six sides of the beam combiner is polished to enhance total reflection (TIR), the beam The combiner acts as a waveguide. The LED projector of claim 5, wherein the beam combiner comprises a pair of coated angular surfaces to provide a partially reflective surface. The LED projector of claim 6, wherein the diagonal surface of the beam combiner comprises a spatial reflecting portion to provide the partially reflective surface. The LED projector of claim 5, further comprising an air gap or a low refractive index adhesive between each of the recovery tubes and the beam combiner. The LED projector of claim 5, wherein the beam combiner comprises a reflective polarizer to provide a single polarized light output beam. The LED projector of claim 3, further comprising at least three light emitting diodes, at least three light recovery tubes, and a six-sided beam combiner; and wherein the beam combiner combines the output of the at least three light recovery tubes To provide the single output beam. The LED projector of claim 3, wherein the number of the light sources is at least four, the number of the light pipes of the recovered light source is at least four, and the number of the beam combiners is at least two groups, including a first beam combination. And a second beam combiner; and wherein a diagonal surface of the first beam combiner is for recovering light, and a diagonal surface of the second beam combiner is for outputting light by the light recovery device; and wherein The diagonal surfaces of the first beam combiner and the second beam combiner are different from each other. The LED projector of claim 3, further comprising a reflective polarizer at the output end of the recovery light pipe; and wherein the recovery light pipe comprises a first tapered light pipe having a coplanar surface and a second a conical light pipe, the first conical light pipe and the second conical light pipe are coplanarly filled with an index matching adhesive, an epoxide or a fluid; wherein the first tapered light pipe is entered Input light is coupled into the second tapered light pipe; and wherein the reflective polarizer will utilize unused polarization Light is reflected back to the source for recycling, thereby increasing the brightness of the light output. The LED projector of claim 3, further comprising at least two light emitting diodes, a light collecting tube associated with each of the light emitting diodes, and a output end of each of the light collecting tubes a reflective polarizer; and each of the light pipes of the recovered light source comprises a first tapered light pipe and a second tapered light pipe having a coplanar surface, the first tapered light pipe and the second tapered light The coplanar face of the tube is filled with an index matching adhesive, epoxide or fluid; wherein the input light entering the first tapered light pipe is coupled into the second tapered light pipe; and each of the recycling The reflective polarizer of the light pipe reflects the unused polarized light back to a corresponding source for recovery, thereby increasing the brightness of the light output. The LED projector of claim 3, further comprising: at least two light emitting diodes; and a six-sided beam splitting/bonding (BSC) system, wherein all surfaces are reflectively polished to provide a reflective surface and enhance total reflection (TIR) Causing the beam splitting/combining system as a waveguide; and wherein the beam splitting/bonding system reflects light from the first portion of each of the light emitting diodes to the output of the light collecting tube as an output, and Light from the second portion of each of the light-emitting diodes is reflected to the other light-emitting diodes for recycling, and light from the remainder of each of the light-emitting diodes is directed to the reflective surface of the beam splitting/bonding system. The LED projector of claim 14, wherein the beam splitting/combining system comprises a partially reflective diagonal interface. A projection system comprising a light source having at least one red, at least one green, and at least one blue light emitting diode (RGB LED) to provide output light; a recycling reflector having a center hole for output receiving a portion of the input light from the RGB LED, and having a spherical, circular or elliptical shape for reflecting the remainder of the input light back to the RGB LED for recycling; a lenslet array set for receiving from the recycling Reflector light; one Retrieving a light pipe for receiving light from the lenslet array group; and an RGB continuous projector for receiving light from the light recovery tube; wherein the RGB continuous projector has a projection engine, a projection lens, and a An image panel, and wherein the RGB continuous projection produces a continuous color image for projection onto a screen by the projection lens. The projection system of claim 16, wherein the image panel is a digital mirror (DMD) or a germanium-based liquid crystal (LCOS) panel.