Abstract: A multi-state light modulating system having grayscale based on a series of time intervals includes an arrangement that establishes the duration of each time interval such that the time intervals in the series have progressively varying duration. The arrangement also determines a drive signal for each time interval that causes the light modulator to assume a specific light modulating state. The arrangement also causes the light modulator to produce a desired time-averaged light level over the series of time intervals by in part driving the light modulator using the drive signal that corresponds to a particular time interval for a duration that is longer than the duration of the time interval. The arrangement also or alternatively arranges the series of time intervals such that the light modulator is in the same state immediately prior to the particular time interval as the light modulator is in immediately after the time interval.

Abstract: A display system includes a light modulator divided into an array of individually controllable pixels and an input-driven illumination device. The illumination device is adapted to receive a variable input and is configured to direct light of variable intensity onto the modulator, depending on the input. The display system further includes a calibrating arrangement for establishing the input to the illumination device to produce a desired intensity level of light. The calibrating arrangement includes a light sensing mechanism, which senses the light from the illumination device while the illumination device is driven by an initial input. The calibration arrangement is configured to determine a comparison between the sensed light and a value representative of the desired-intensity level. The calibration arrangement further includes a control arrangement responsive to the comparison for varying the input so as to provide light of the desired intensity level.