Sampler for a picture display device

Abstract

The invention relates to a sampler ( ) and a method for converting a signal (S ) into a multiple signal (S . . . S ), comprising a stage ( ) of sample & hold circuits ( ). The sampler ( ) comprises an input circuit ( ) having means ( ) for applying a signal (S ) in bursts (S ) to the stage ( ). Successive bursts are separated by a time interval (&Dgr;t , &Dgr;t ). In this way, an increased sample time of the signal (S ) in the last channel is provided for a display panel ( ) or a subsequent sample & hold circuit. In general, use of the invention ensures that the number of stages in a sampler can be reduced. The resulting, more compact design is very suitable for integration because the power consumption can be kept low. The arrangement requires less buffering, which makes it simpler to avoid uniformity problems and ghost images. A signal input in bursts requires memories. By using memories that are already present in the display device for scaling and frame buffering ( ), no additional memories are required.