Abstract: A multi-format display system including hardware and algorithms for digital and High Definition Television. The system includes a light source (120), a tuner/preprocessor unit (114), a processor unit (116), a spatial light modulator (118), and a display surface (128). The processor unit can scale and format the data for a number of standardized-format video broadcast signals, and can perform additional interpolation to eliminate artifacts.

Abstract: An optical projection system comprises a non-point white light source, a source lens, a source stopper, an optical means, a first, a second and a third arrays of M.times.N actuated mirrors, a beam splitting means including a first and a second dichroic lens, a first, a second and a third field lenses, a projection stopper, a projection lens and a projection screen. Each of the field lenses is located between each of the dichroic mirrors and each of the arrays of actuated mirrors and is used for collimating each of the primary light beams onto the corresponding array of actuated mirrors and refocussing each of the reflected primary light beams from the via the beam splitting means, and the optical means, and eventually onto the projection stopper.

Abstract: An optical projection system includes a non-point white light source for emanating a white light, a source lens for focusing the white light, a source stopper having a source aperture for shaping the white light into a predetermined configuration, an optical means having a reflection surface for reflecting the white light, a field lens for collimating the white light, an array of M.times.N thin film actuated mirrors for changing the optical path of the white light reflected therefrom, a projection stopper having a projection aperture for passing a predetermined amount of the white light, a relay lens system having a plurality of lenses for modulating the size of the predetermined configuration of the white light, a RGB pixel filter for dividing the white light into the primary light beams, a projection lens for projecting the primary light beams and a projection screen for displaying an image made up of M.times.N number of pixels thereon.

Abstract: Methods of processing pixel data for display on a spatial light modulator (SLM) (15) having staggered pixels. An analog image signal in interlaced field format is sampled to provide staggered pixel data in field format, where pixel values in odd lines are offset from pixel values in even lines. This staggered pixel data may be converted to progressive scan frame format using special calculations to accommodate the line-to-line offset of the pixels (FIGS. 2-6). Vertical scaling may also be performed, either before or after the data is converted to frame format (FIGS. 7 and 8).

Abstract: It is possible to replace a standard tuning unit in a television with spatial light modulator circuitry to improve the resolution seen by the viewer. The invention herein provides a system architecture, individual part of the system and techniques for minimizing the burst data rate while maintaining a reasonable system speed. The resultant system provides better resolution with a manageable data rate and bandwidth.

Abstract: An image projection system includes a bright light source of polarized light, and in one form of the invention, a spatial light modulator, having an alignment layer, to modulate the polarized projection light, wherein the bright polarized light source is aligned with the alignment layer to permit the polarized light to pass therethrough without the need for unwanted light blocking polarizers. The spatial light modulator generates output light representative of the image, which is projected by a projection lens system onto a remote viewing surface to form a bright image thereon. In another form of the invention, three different colored images are each produced by three separate polarized light sources illuminating three individual light valves, and are superimposed to produce a full color image while all three light sources are maintained fully activated to provide a brightly illuminated image.

Abstract: A digitized video display for displaying and image utilizing a light source, a spatial light modulator that receives substantially all of a cross-section of beam from the light source and directing it along a different direction, and a surface positioned in the different direction for receiving the image from the modulator.

Abstract: Disclosed is a digital micromirror device (DMD) based projector in which the position of a stylus with respect to a projected image can be determined automatically. In one embodiment, the stylus includes a detector capable of detecting illumination from a single pixel and the plurality of pixels in the DMD array are sequentially energized until a pixel reflects light to the stylus detector. Since the location of that pixel is known, the position of the stylus adjacent that pixel on the image is also known. In another embodiment, light is emitted from the stylus and the DMD array is sequenced in order to reflect light from the array to a photodetector. Again, when a pixel is sequenced so as to reflect light to the detector, the position of the stylus with respect to the image is related to the image of the pixel with respect to the pixel's location in the array.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator array with adaptable multiplexed memory architecture. The modulator has an array of individually controllable pixels, where a predetermined number of pixels are assigned to a memory cell (16). The memory cell receives data from an input bus (14). On a signal (22), the memory cell transfers its data to a secondary memory (18), and to the activation circuitry (20) of one of its assigned pixels. On a second signal, the pixel responds to the data on the activation circuitry. When the display time of the data is less than the load time for the memory cell, the secondary memory is set with a second signal (24) so as to make the pixel dark and another control signal makes the pixels respond to the memory. In this way, the load time is lengthened and the data rate remains relatively low, even though the number of bits of intensity may not be the same as the number of bits of intensity used to determine the number of pixels assigned to each memory cell.

Abstract: A multi-format display system including hardware and algorithms for digital and High Definition Television. The system includes a light source (120), a tuner/preprocessor unit (114), a processor unit (116), a spatial light modulator (118), and a display surface (128). The processor unit can scale and format the data for a number of standardized-format video broadcast signals, and can perform additional interpolation to eliminate artifacts.

Abstract: A display system (20) that uses multiple SLMs (25) to enhance horizontal or vertical resolution, or both. For example, to approximate a two-fold increase in horizontal resolution, the input data is sampled at a doubled rate, and each SLM (25) receives every other sample. Each SLM (25) generates an image, and the two images are partially superposed with a horizontal offset and simultaneously displayed. The resulting output image has a perceived resolution that approximates that of an image generated by an SLM with twice as many pixels per row.

Abstract: An optical projection system comprises a non-point white light source, a source lens, a source stopper, an optical means including a first and a second dichroic mirrors, a first, a second and a third arrays of M.times.N actuated mirrors, a first, a second and a third field lenses, a projection stopper, a projection lens and a projection screen. Each of the field lenses is located between each of the dichroic mirrors and each of the arrays of actuated mirrors and is used for collimating each of the primary light beams onto the corresponding array of actuated mirrors and refocussing each of the reflected primary light beams from the arrays of actuated mirrors onto the optical means and eventually onto the projection stopper.

Abstract: An illumination control unit (17) for a projection display system (10) that uses a digital mirror device (DMD) (15) to generate images. The illumination control unit (17) has a first set of lenses (23) for receiving light from a source and focussing the light to a color filter (24). A second set of lenses (25) receives the colored light and directs it to a prism (28). The prism (28) bends the light toward the reflective mirrors (30) of the DMD (15), and a collimating lens (28a) provides a beam that is approximately the size of the mirror array of the DMD (15). An optical shutter (26) is interposed between the second set of lenses (25) and the prism (28a), and permits the system (10) to achieve a "black state" between image displays or to achieve modulated brightness levels of images being displayed.

Abstract: A sequential color system is provided in which a processor (22) is coupled to a memory (24) and a receiver (27). Images are generated by shining light from a light source (28) through a color wheel (30) and onto DMD array (26). Light from the DMD array (26) is shone on screen (32). By adjusting the speed and make-up of color wheel (30) color separation is greatly reduced or eliminated. Also there are techniques for sequential imaging which may be applied to other technologies, such as CRT technologies.

Abstract: A high contrast illumination system particularly suitable for use with light valves that have an array of reflective pivotable pixels. The light valve is arranged in light path which extends from a projection lamp to a projection lens. By the action of the pivotable pixels the light is directed either into the projection lens (ON) or away from the projection lens (OFF) to modulate the light with video information. An asymmetric aperture is disposed in the light path with its longitudinal axis located along the pivot axis of the pixels. This configuration provides maximum brightness without adversely affecting contrast. The system may be used in either a monochrome or color (RGB) system and in single or multiple light valve systems.

Abstract: An SLM-based video receiver (10) receives a video input on a field-by-field basis at a signal interface unit (11) and passes the input to a processor (12). The processor (12) performs analog-to-digital conversion if the pixel data is analog and also performs other enhancements to prepare the pixel data for loading into a video memory (14). Pixel data from the processor (12), representing a field of pixel data, is stored into the memory (14) for loading into rows of pixel elements of a spatial light modulator (16). The spatial light modulator (16) receives the pixel data in rows. The addressing functions of the spatial light modulator (16) are used to generate additional display rows of pixel data per field. Thus, the SLM-based video receiver (10) displays a video frame having more lines than the field of pixel data.

Abstract: A dynamic holographic display has an array of reflective surfaces formed on cantilever structures substantially parallel to the surface of a substrate, such as a silicon wafer. A holographic image is formed by controlling electrical currents passed through the cantilever structures to position the reflective surfaces of the cells in the array so the topography forms a hologram, and reflected light interferes to form a holographic image. In a preferred embodiment, control is by computer and positions of reflective surfaces are determined by calculation from dimensional data available to the control computer.

Abstract: A visual display system in which light from a light source is modulated by a spatial light modulator having a plurality of controllable elements arranged in a first dimension. The modulated light is scanned by an optical scanning device along a second dimension to display an image. An exposure control apparatus has a lens, a photoelectric conversion device, and a spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator varies the amount of light received from the lens and supplied to the photoelectric conversion device, thereby controlling the exposure of the image focused by the lens.

Abstract: A video projection system using a light modulating display device having a row and column matrix of picture elements is improved by imparting an oscillatory motion to the display image in the plane of the image, to thereby reduce the visibility of the individual picture elements of the matrix. The resolution of the image can be increased by displaying different video information at different parts of the oscillatory cycle.

Abstract: A video signal is recorded on unexposed cinematographic film by shining light from a light source onto a deformable mirror device (DMD), which comprises a micro-mechanical array of electronically-addressable mirror elements, the elements corresponding to individual pixels. The elements of the DMD are controlled or modulated in response to the video signal. Light is selectively reflected by the DMD onto an image plane containing the film such that the light reaching the film is representative of the video signal.

Abstract: It is possible to replace a standard tuning unit in a television with spatial light modulator circuitry to improve the resolution seen by the viewer. The invention herein provides a system architecture, individual part of the system and techniques for minimizing the burst data rate while maintaining a reasonable system speed. The resultant system provides better resolution with a manageable data rate and bandwidth.

Abstract: It is possible to use an oriented monolayer to limit the Van der Waals forces between two elements by passivation. An oriented monolayer (34) is formed upon the landing electrode (10) of a spatial light modulator element. When the element is activated and deflects to come in contact with the landing electrode, the oriented monolayer decreases the Van der Waals forces and prevents the element from sticking to the electrode.

Abstract: A method and circuit for improving a video signal. They can be used to nullify the gamma correction applied at the broadcast end for cathode-ray tube signals when using a spatial light modulator display. Additionally, the method and circuit can be used to generally improve the quality of the display for computer monitors or other formats that do not require the gamma nullification.