Originally published December 14 2005
Small projection system could be put into cell phones
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Upstream Engineering is working on a prototype LED projector the size of a matchbox. The small size is attributed to Upstream's technique for channeling the light in thousands of small beams creating a "photon vacuum."
Finland's Upstream Engineering is working on an LED (light-emitting diode) projection system that potentially could, because of its small size and relatively low cost, allow manufacturers to put projectors inside MP3 players, cell phones or other portable electronics for a few dollars.
Instead of passing around a phone to show off a video or a picture, the image (or video) could be blasted onto a wall.
The picture brightness won't be as high as that of standard projectors, but it would let pictures on phones and music players escape the confines of the small screens on those devices.
The current prototype projector optical engine created by the company is about the size of a matchbox.
What's new: A company in Finland is developing an ultra-compact image projector that uses an LED technology called "photon vacuum" to project pictures with relatively high efficiency.
The reduction in size comes from a technique invented by Upstream for channeling the light from LEDs to a display in thousands of small beams.
"The idea is to collect every single ray and direct it to the display itself," said Mikko Alasaarela, president and founder of Upstream.
Researchers in Japan hope to use the lights to wirelessly transmit data between automobiles while TV and display makers are putting them in more products.
The optical shell will be stamped out of plastic on injection-mold production lines.
Despite many obstacles, the two continued to pursue the idea until, at one point, his cousin realized that, although it is not possible to reach perfect light-power performance in a small space, a device could be developed that would come close.
Currently, Upstream illumination performance is not yet good enough for a commercial launch, but the company believes the technology could approach 70 percent to 80 percent illumination efficiency.
The pattern on the mold is created with lithography, the same technique used for making chips.
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