Abstract: An illumination system for illuminating a spatial light modulator. An integrator rod is positioned in the light path between an arc lamp and the spatial light modulator. At the input surface of the integrated rod, there is positioned a field lens for defocusing areas of turbulence within the arc lamp. In the output surface of the integrated rod there is positioned a plate effective to prevent dust from being attracted to the output surface of the integrator rod. The integrator rod is effective to combine light from two separate light sources.

Abstract: A projecting display system includes a light source (101) which produces light which is spatially modulated by a number of spatial light modulators (105, 107). A splitting means (103) is provided in the light path between the light source (101) and the spatial light modulators (105 and 107) such that the overall luminous flux produceable by the system is not determined by the maximum luminous flux which each spatial light modultors (105, 107) can accommodate.

Abstract: A projection device which includes a plurality of deflectable mirror arrays arranged to spatially modulate incident light. A totally internal reflecting surface is arranged to direct light to and from the deformable mirror array. The device includes on or more dichroic layers arranged at an angle relative to the incident light dependent on the spread of angles on the incident beam relative to the optical axis. Additionally or alternatively, the totally internally reflecting surface may be arranged to direct non-spatially modulated light towards a beam dump.

Abstract: The present invention provides automated systems for performing electrostatic discharge (ESD) device efficacy monitoring and recording the results for an ESD auditing program. Systems of the present invention comprise at least one ESD device monitoring unit. A communication system allows the monitoring unit to communicate with a central computer which collects, stores and allows the manipulation of the test data. Systems of the present invention are therefore useful in testing the ESD devices, documenting their performance, and controlling access to particular work areas based on testing results.

Abstract: A processing system for a spatial light modulator in the form of an array of defomable mirror devices receives a gamma-corrected, video input signal. A de-gamma processor removes all or part of the gamma-correction of the video input signal to match the data to the form of the spatial light modulator.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator in the form of a deformable mirror device (110) receives from a frame store (116) data which has been formatted by a data formatter (114) subsequent to gamma correction in a ROM look-up table (112). The DMD (110) displays different light levels by being ON for selected periods of a series of durations 4, 8, 16 . . . 1024 varying in proportion to a basic period multiplied by powers of two. The shortest duration 4 for which the DMD can be turned on is a multiple of the basic period, and the series includes additional durations 5, 6 and 7 in the series between the shortest displayable duration 4 and the next power of two 8. Durations 1, 2 and 3 of less than the shortest displayable duration can be displayed by adjusting the turn-on time of a proportion of the adjacent mirrors. The longest duration for which the mirror can be turned on can be employed twice.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for driving a display device including a matrix array of deflectable mirror devices is described. The deflectable mirror devices are divided into blocks of N rows. Selected groups of mirror devices within each block are loaded with single bit data in a cycle of loading operations During at least some of the loading operations, two series of reset cycles are used enabling one single bit cycle in one group to terminate and another single bit cycle in another group to commence within a single loading operation. Active bit data may be loaded and displayed in the otherwise unused time intervals between the active bits.