Abstract: A pixel is driven with pulse width modulation (PWM). A cycle for the PWM signal is divided into a plurality of super-intervals. Each of the super-intervals is divided into a plurality of intervals. An interval index is stored for the pixel. The timing at which the pixel is changed from one state to another is selected based on an enable signal and the stored interval index.

Abstract: In a display refresh period, an array of display elements (e.g., pixels) forming a display device (e.g., a spatial light modulator) may be driven using selectively updated pulse width modulated waveforms. Decoupling of digital storage, storing display data that generates updated pulse width modulated waveforms, from the array of pixels may provide decoupling of pixel data and pulse width modulated waveform updates. In one embodiment, an update value of pixel data is provided to a display element. Using once the update value, a modulated signal may be generated for a display refresh period to drive the display element, significantly reducing updates required for the pixel data at the display element.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a drive circuit may be coupled to a spatial light modulator, wherein the drive circuit provides a non-linear analog ramp signal to the spatial light modulator. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A controller to programmably provide stored values of drive control data (e.g., a ramp value) to a display device. Using the stored values of drive control data, modulated signals, such as pulse width modulation waveforms may be formed to digitally drive display elements of a display device, as an example. In a display refresh period, a first count indicative of a modulation characteristic may be compared to a stored value that corresponds to the first count. This comparison may determine an update for a second count indicative of a display data characteristic based on the stored value. Because only unique stored values may be stored in a programmable storage device, such as a look-up-table, a relatively smaller number of table entries may be stored and programmed in one embodiment. This may substantially reduce the size of the look-up-table and significantly decrease programming time and effort.

Abstract: An array of display elements (e.g., pixels) in a display device (e.g., a spatial light modulator) may be digitally driven using pulse width modulated waveforms. Pulse width modulated waveforms may be locally generated to controllably drive each pixel in display systems with digital storage. A pixel drive circuit having a waveform generator may receive first digital data indicative of an optical output from an associated first display element. Moreover, second digital data indicative of a common reference with respect to a second display element may also be received at the first display element for comparison purposes. As a result, in one embodiment, a pulse width modulated waveform that includes only a single transition separating a first pulse interval and a second pulse interval may be generated based on a pixel value and a global count value instead of relying upon adding up multiple non-overlapping waveforms to drive a pixel.

Abstract: A sharing mechanism is herein disclosed for multiple logical processors using a translation lookaside buffer (TLB) to translate virtual addresses, for example into physical addresses. The mechanism supports sharing of TLB entries among logical processors, which may access address spaces in common. The mechanism further supports private TLB entries among logical processors, which for example, may each access a different physical address through identical virtual addresses. The sharing mechanism provides for installation and updating of TLB entries as private entries or as shared entries transparently, without requiring special operating system support or modifications. Through use of the disclosed sharing mechanism, fast and efficient virtual address translation is provided without requiring more expensive functional redundancy.

Abstract: Pulse-width modulation may be utilized to drive one or more display elements of a display (e.g. pixels of a liquid crystal display system) comprising a controller that supplies digital information including global and local digital information to a respective signal generator associated with each display element operably coupled to the controller for receiving the digital information. In one embodiment, a spatial light modulator includes a respective local drive circuit associated with each pixel of a pixel array, and a global drive circuit operably coupled to the pixel array for digitally driving the pixel electrodes. Each local drive circuit may include a pixel logic, a digital storage, and pulse-width modulation circuitry. The global drive circuit may include a control logic, and a memory storing global digital information indicative of a common reference (e.g., a count value) and local digital information (e.g., a pixel value) indicative of an optical output from each pixel.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator having a double-buffering pixel value storage mechanism. A double-buffering mechanism enabling sparse refresh. A double-buffering value storage mechanism suitable for use with a serial or raster value producer and a value consumer, especially those in which it is desirable to consume an entire, completed frame or set of values at a time, and particularly those in which it is desirable to enable the producer to continue producing serially while the consumer is consuming in parallel fashion.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator is adapted to receive bidirectional drive signals.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and signal-bearing medium for sending to a display device modified regions of a frame buffer. A frame buffer is divided into the regions, and data in the frame buffer represents pixels on the display device. The frame buffer accumulates writes until the region being written to changes, at which time the region is copied to the display device.

Abstract: A first pixel of a pixel array of a microdisplay is driven with a first pulse having a duration determined on the basis of a value loaded into a counter. A second pixel of the pixel array is driven with a second pulse having a duration determined on the basis of (a) the value loaded into the counter and (b) a value stored in a register.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and signal-bearing medium for sending to a display device only those regions of the display screen that change. A frame buffer is divided into tiles, which may be composed of one or more regions, and data in the frame buffer represents pixels on the display screen. When data representing a pixel is modified in the frame buffer, the region or tile associated with the pixel is marked as dirty, and those tiles or regions that are dirty in the frame buffer are written to the display.

Abstract: A first pixel of a pixel array of a microdisplay is driven with a first pulse having a duration determined on the basis of a value loaded into a counter. A second pixel of the pixel array is driven with a second pulse having a duration determined on the basis of (a) the value loaded into the counter and (b) a value stored in a register.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator is adapted to receive bidirectional drive signals.

Abstract: A pixel is driven with pulse width modulation (PWM). A cycle for the PWM signal is divided into a plurality of super-intervals. Each of the super-intervals is divided into a plurality of intervals. An interval index is stored for the pixel. The timing at which the pixel is changed from one state to another is selected based on an enable signal and the stored interval index.

Abstract: A single chip liquid crystal imaging device includes active circuitry under the connection area for the cover glass. For example, at least a portion of on-chip dual frame buffers is located under the epoxy bead which secures the cover glass to the silicon substrate.

Abstract: A single chip liquid crystal imaging device includes active circuitry under the connection area for the cover glass. For example, at least a portion of on-chip dual frame buffers is located under the epoxy bead which secures the cover glass to the silicon substrate.

Abstract: A sharing mechanism is herein disclosed for multiple logical processors using a translation lookaside buffer (TLB) to translate virtual addresses into physical addresses. The mechanism supports sharing of TLB entries among logical processors, which may access address spaces in common. The mechanism further supports private TLB entries among logical processors, which may each access a different physical address through identical virtual addresses. The sharing mechanism provides for installation and updating of TLB entries as private entries or as shared entries transparently, without requiring special operating system support or modifications. Sharability of virtual address translations by logical processors may be determined by comparing page table physical base addresses of the logic processors. Using the disclosed sharing mechanism, fast and efficient virtual address translation is provided without requiring more expensive functional redundancy.

Abstract: A sharing mechanism is herein disclosed for multiple logical processors using a translation lookaside buffer (TLB) to translate virtual addresses into physical addresses. The mechanism supports sharing of TLB entries among logical processors, which may access address spaces in common. The mechanism further supports private TLB entries among logical processors, which may each access a different physical address through identical virtual addresses. The sharing mechanism provides for installation and updating of TLB entries as private entries or as shared entries transparently, without requiring special operating system support or modifications. Sharability of virtual address translations by logical processors may be determined by comparing page table physical base addresses of the logic processors. Using the disclosed sharing mechanism, fast and efficient virtual address translation is provided without requiring more expensive functional redundancy.

Abstract: A controller to programmably provide stored values of drive control data (e.g., a ramp value) to a display device. Using the stored values of drive control data, modulated signals, such as pulse width modulation waveforms may be formed to digitally drive display elements of a display device, as an example. In a display refresh period, a first count indicative of a modulation characteristic may be compared to a stored value that corresponds to the first count. This comparison may determine an update for a second count indicative of a display data characteristic based on the stored value. Because only unique stored values may be stored in a programmable storage device, such as a look-up-table, a relatively smaller number of table entries may be stored and programmed in one embodiment. This may substantially reduce the size of the look-up-table and significantly decrease programming time and effort.