Texas Instruments Corporation

Carl W Davis

Robert J Gove

Donald B Doherty

Scott D Heimbuch

Joseph G Egan

Jeffrey Brian Sampsell

Stephen Wesley Marshall

Henry C Chu

Claude E Tew

Richard O Gale, Jr

Richard C Meyer

Gary L Sextro

Harlan Paul Cleveland

Randall S Lawson

A method of implementing pulse-width modulation in a display system (10, 20) that uses a spatial light modulator (SLM) (15) Each frame of data is divided into bit-planes, each bit-plane having one bit of data for each pixel of the SLM and representing a bit weight of the intensity value to be displayed by the pixels. Each bit-plane has a display time corresponding to a portion of the frame period, with bit-planes of more significant bits having longer portions. Then, the display times for one or more of the more significant bits are segmented so that the data for those bits can be displayed in segments rather than for a continuous time. (FIG. 3A). The segments are distributed throughout the frame period to reduce visual artifacts. (FIG. 3B).

Bit-splitting for pulse width modulated spatial light modulator

A system (30) for packing data into a video processor is provided. System (30) comprises demultiplexer (32), first and second first in-first out buffer memories (34) and (36), and multiplexer (38). Demultiplexer (32) divides a field of video data into first and second parts (42) and (44). First and second parts (42) and (44) are stored in first first in-first out buffer memories (34) and (36), respectively. Multiplexer (38) combines one line from first first in-first out buffer memory (34) with one line from second first in-first out buffer memory (36) to form a single line for processing.

System and method for packaging data into video processor

A sequential color system is provided in which a processor (22) is coupled to a memory (24) and a receiver (27). Images are generated by shining light from a light source (28) through a color wheel (30) and onto DMD array (26). Light from the DMD array (26) is shone on screen (32). By adjusting the speed and make-up of color wheel (30) color separation is greatly reduced or eliminated. Also there are techniques for sequential imaging which may be applied to other technologies, such as CRT technologies.

Method and apparatus for sequential color imaging

A method for controlling a digital micromirror device 40 resulting in decreased mechanical stress, longer device lifetimes, decreased incidence of spontaneous bit reset, and increased pulse-width modulation accuracy. To reduce the device stress, the bias voltage 142 applied to the mirror 50 may be reduced after the mirror 50 has been latched. To prevent premature mirror changes, the address electrode bias voltage 140 may be reduced after the mirror is driven to the desired position. To ensure that the mirror 50 returns to the neutral position during reset, the mirror bias voltage 142 may be raised from ground potential to approximately halfway between the two addressing voltages during the reset period 152. To reduce the effects of hinge memory and to ensure that the mirror 50 rotates toward the proper address electrode, the mirror bias voltage 142 may be gradually increased to allow the mirror 50 time to rotate towards the proper address electrode.

Optimized electronic operation of digital micromirror devices

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Plano, TX, United States of America

Carl W Davis