Abstract: A novel method for asynchronously driving a display device including a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows includes the steps of receiving a first multi-bit data word indicative of a first grayscale value to be displayed on a pixel of a first row of the display, defining a first time period during which an electrical signal corresponding to the first grayscale value can be asserted on the pixel of said first row, receiving a second multi-bit data word indicative of a second grayscale value to be displayed on a pixel of a second row of the display, and defining a second time period that is temporally offset from the first time period during which an electrical signal corresponding to the second grayscale value can be asserted on the pixel of said second row. A novel display driver for performing the methods of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel method for asynchronously driving a display device including a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows includes the steps of receiving a first multi-bit data word indicative of a first grayscale value to be displayed on a pixel of a first row of the display, defining a first time period during which an electrical signal corresponding to the first grayscale value can be asserted on the pixel of said first row, receiving a second multi-bit data word indicative of a second grayscale value to be displayed on a pixel of a second row of the display, and defining a second time period that is temporally offset from the first time period during which an electrical signal corresponding to the second grayscale value can be asserted on the pixel of said second row. A novel display driver for performing the methods of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel method for asynchronously driving a display device including a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows includes the steps of receiving a first multi-bit data word indicative of a first grayscale value to be displayed on a pixel of a first row of the display, defining a first time period during which an electrical signal corresponding to the first grayscale value can be asserted on the pixel of said first row, receiving a second multi-bit data word indicative of a second grayscale value to be displayed on a pixel of a second row of the display, and defining a second time period that is temporally offset from the first time period during which an electrical signal corresponding to the second grayscale value can be asserted on the pixel of said second row. A novel display driver for performing the methods of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel method for asynchronously driving a display device including a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows includes the steps of receiving a first multi-bit data word indicative of a first grayscale value to be displayed on a pixel of a first row of the display, defining a first time period during which an electrical signal corresponding to the first grayscale value can be asserted on the pixel of said first row, receiving a second multi-bit data word indicative of a second grayscale value to be displayed on a pixel of a second row of the display, and defining a second time period that is temporally offset from the first time period during which an electrical signal corresponding to the second grayscale value can be asserted on the pixel of said second row. A novel display driver for performing the methods of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel method for asynchronously driving a display device including a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows includes the steps of receiving a first multi-bit data word indicative of a first grayscale value to be displayed on a pixel of a first row of the display, defining a first time period during which an electrical signal corresponding to the first grayscale value can be asserted on the pixel of said first row, receiving a second multi-bit data word indicative of a second grayscale value to be displayed on a pixel of a second row of the display, and defining a second time period that is temporally offset from the first time period during which an electrical signal corresponding to the second grayscale value can be asserted on the pixel of said second row. A novel display driver for performing the methods of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electro-optical projection system includes a polarizer, a reflective light modulator, an analyzer, and a compensation element. The polarizer polarizes an illumination beam to form a polarized illumination beam. The reflective light modulator receives the polarized illumination beam along a first optical path, modulates the polarized illumination beam to form an imaging beam, and reflects the imaging beam along a second optical path. The compensation element is disposed in the polarized illumination beam and the imaging beam to compensate for polarization aberrations resulting from the birefringent property of the material of the reflective light modulator. The compensation plate has a retardation generally equal in magnitude and opposite in sign as compared to the retardation of the liquid crystal material of the reflective light modulator.

Abstract: A novel method for asynchronously driving a display device including a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows includes the steps of receiving a first multi-bit data word indicative of a first grayscale value to be displayed on a pixel of a first row of the display, defining a first time period during which an electrical signal corresponding to the first grayscale value can be asserted on the pixel of said first row, receiving a second multi-bit data word indicative of a second grayscale value to be displayed on a pixel of a second row of the display, and defining a second time period that is temporally offset from the first time period during which an electrical signal corresponding to the second grayscale value can be asserted on the pixel of said second row. A novel display driver for performing the methods of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multiplexed pixel display includes a plurality of pixel electrodes, a plurality of storage elements, a first voltage supply terminal, a second voltage supply terminal, a common electrode, and a plurality of multiplexers each selectively coupling an associated one of the pixel electrodes with one of the first voltage supply terminal and the second voltage supply terminal responsive to a value of a data bit stored in an associated one of said storage elements. A controller is configured to sequentially write each bit of multi-bit data words to the storage elements, and assert, while each bit is stored in the storage elements, a first predetermined voltage on the first voltage supply terminal, a second predetermined voltage on the second voltage supply terminal, and a third predetermined voltage on the common electrode, for a time dependent on the significance of the stored bit. Various alternate controllers facilitate the use of additional driving schemes.

Abstract: An electro-optical projection system includes a polarizer, a reflective light modulator, an analyzer, and a compensation element. The polarizer polarizes an illumination beam to form a polarized illumination beam. The reflective light modulator receives the polarized illumination beam along a first optical path, modulates the polarized illumination beam to form an imaging beam, and reflects the imaging beam along a second optical path. The compensation element is disposed in the polarized illumination beam and the imaging beam to compensate for polarization aberrations resulting from the birefringent property of the material of the reflective light modulator. The compensation plate has a retardation generally equal in magnitude and opposite in sign as compared to the retardation of the liquid crystal material of the reflective light modulator.

Abstract: A multiplexed pixel display includes a plurality of pixel electrodes, a plurality of storage elements, a first voltage supply terminal, a second voltage supply terminal, a common electrode, and a plurality of multiplexers each selectively coupling an associated one of the pixel electrodes with one of the first voltage supply terminal and the second voltage supply terminal responsive to a value of a data bit stored in an associated one of said storage elements. A controller is configured to sequentially write each bit of multi-bit data words to the storage elements, and assert, while each bit is stored in the storage elements, a first predetermined voltage on the first voltage supply terminal, a second predetermined voltage on the second voltage supply terminal, and a third predetermined voltage on the common electrode, for a time dependent on the significance of the stored bit. Various alternate controllers facilitate the use of additional driving schemes.

Abstract: A multi channel video engine (10) for accepting, dividing, modifying and recombining light to project an image. A housing (12) encloses an optical assembly (28) having a dichroic mirror assembly (58) and a color cube (60). A plurality of LCD assemblies (30) accept light from the dichroic mirror assembly (58), modifies it, and reflects it to the color cube (60). A lens assembly (16) is affixed to a bulkhead (24) of the housing (12) using a lens cradle (14) and lens retainer (18). An output prism (54) aligns light onto a second plane (70) to coincide with an optical axis (72) of the lens assembly (16).

Abstract: A reflective LCD array (10) configured to minimize distortion in mirrors (14) thereof produced by attachment of a plurality of vias (16) to the mirrors (14). The vias (16) electrically connect the mirrors (14) to a metal layer (12) having circuitry thereon associated with the mirrors (14). The vias (16) are positioned equidistant about a center (30) of the mirrors (14) such that spacing of the vias (16) is generally equidistant from an X axis (26) and Y axis (28) of the reflective LCD array 10. The vias (16) are positioned such that such symmetry is retained even where circuitry associated with adjacent mirrors (14) is a reflected image copy of the reference mirror (14). Where even spacing about either the X axis (26) or the Y axis (28) is not practical, the vias (16) are grouped near the center (30) of the mirror (14) along that axis such that the effect is that of there being only a single via (16) along such axis.

Abstract: A row decoder (10) for a video display system (12) wherein row output lines (28) of a row predecoder (20) are physically arranged such that adjacent iterations of the output lines (28) will generally not be switching simultaneously where addressing of the output lines (28) is sequential according to numbering and application. A ground trace (32) is provided between iterations of the output lines (28) which will be switching simultaneously. The output lines (28) provide input to a decoding circuit (34) within the row decoder (10). A plurality iterations of predecoder subcircuits (21) each having a compliment of the output lines (28) is to provided such that all of the rows of a pixel array (14) can be addressed.

Abstract: A magnetic chuck (10) for temporarily holding an LCD imager (14) to a convergence device (12) during an alignment or convergence operation. A substrate (16) of the imager (14) is made of a magnetically permeable material. A knob (38) turns an armature assembly (22) such that in an on position 10b a second magnetic flux path (46b) is allowed to permeate the substrate 16 thereby holding the imager (14) to a grip face 18 of the magnetic chuck (10). When the knob (28) is rotated to shunt flux through a first magnetic flux path (49a) through a pair of steel grip shoes (20), then the imager (14) is released form the grip face (18).

Abstract: A reflective LCD array (10) having a plurality of mirrors (40) in a mirror layer (14) of material layers (12). Underlying the mirror layer (12) are at least a second metal layer (18) and a third metal layer (20). The second metal layer (18) and the third metal layer (20) will each have a first plurality of power traces (50) and (51), arrayed such that the power traces (50) and (51) generally completely underlie a plurality of gaps (44, 46) between the mirrors (40). The power traces (50) are positioned such that the average voltage presented thereby is ½(V0+V1). This will generally prevent the buildup of a residual DC bias between the mirrors (40) and an ITO layer (32) which might otherwise cause the production of ions (38) which could degrade the performance of and perhaps damage the reflective LCD array (10).

Abstract: A reflective LCD array (10) having a plurality of mirrors (40) in a mirror layer (14) of material layers (12). Underlying the mirror layer (12) are at least a second metal layer (18) and a third metal layer (20). The second metal layer (18) and the third metal layer (20) will each have a first plurality of power traces (50) and (51), arrayed such that the power traces (50) and (51) generally completely underlie a plurality of gaps (44, 46) between the mirrors (40). The power traces (50) are positioned to shield light (30) from reaching a plurality of silicon junctions (26) where traces on a poly layer (22) intersect traces on a diffusion layer (24).

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the intensity output response time of a liquid crystal display is disclosed. A display driver circuit selectively substitutes compensation data words for data words in a data stream, in order to reduce the intensity output rise time of a liquid crystal display. In one embodiment, the display driver circuit includes a buffer and a rise time compensator. The buffer receives and stores a first data word intended to be written to a particular pixel. The rise time compensator, upon receipt of a second data word intended for the same pixel, retrieves the first data word from the buffer, compares the value of the second data word to the value of the first data word, and selectively outputs either the second data word or a compensation data word, depending on the relative values of the first and second data words.

Abstract: A method for creating dummy fill metal patterns (10) in a reflective LCOS array (11) in order to minimize distortion in images reflected from mirrors (14) thereof. A metal fill pattern (50) is selected from an area near a functional circuitry (32) pattern. The functional circuitry (32) pattern is grown to create a margin area (34) leaving a fill area (38) to be filled. The metal fill pattern (50) is trimmed to the outline of the fill area (38). Metal sliver(s) (66) or other such artifacts are removed to conform to design specifications, thereby creating a second trimmed metal traces (74) pattern. The second fill metal traces (74) are combined with the functional circuitry (32) traces to form a completed metal trace pattern (76) in an overlay functional and dummy patterns operation (78).

Abstract: An improved imager assembly (10) having an imager subassembly (11) with an LCD device (14) mounted on a substrate (12) with a connector ribbon electrically and mechanically attached thereto. An improved mounting frame (20) has a plurality of mounting screw holes (36). A plurality of stress reducing recesses (28) prevent stress from being transferred though an isolation border (26) of the mounting frame (20) to the LCD device (14). An image mask (22) is affixed to the mounting frame (20) by an adhesive (24) and the adhesive (24) is further used to affix the mounting frame (20) to the imager subassembly (11).

Abstract: A convergence device 10 for assembly an LCD imaging device 14 to a fixed housing 12. The convergence device 10 has a frame 25 with a plurality of retention arms 26 protruding therefrom. Each of the retention arms 26 has a retention barb 27 for hooking behind a retention land 28 on the imaging device 14. The imaging device 14 has a retainer 18 with a plurality of preload flexures 24 for providing some outward pressure on the frame 15 of the convergence device 10. After the imaging device 14 is positioned on the fixed housing 12, an adhesive 30 is applied to a housing adhesive gap 32 and to a plurality of imager fixing adhesive gaps 34 to hold the convergence device 10 in place relative to the fixed housing 12 and further to hold the imaging device 14 in place relative to the convergence device 10.