Optical: systems and elements – Optical modulator – Light wave temporal modulation
Reexamination Certificate
2002-12-20
2004-09-21
Ben, Loha (Department: 2873)
Optical: systems and elements
Optical modulator
Light wave temporal modulation
C359S291000, C359S295000, C359S238000, C359S245000, C359S276000, C359S572000, C358S001700, C372S026000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06795227
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to optical systems. The present invention relates more particularly to micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) for modulating optical signals.
2. Description of the Background Art
A two-dimensional projection image may be formed by using one or more linear arrays of light-modulating elements. The light-modulating elements may comprise, for example, GRATING LIGHT VALVE (GLV) devices or other types of devices that modulate optical signals in a controllable manner. Publications describing GLV devices and their application to display systems include: “The Grating Light Valve: Revolutionizing Display Technology,” by D. M. Bloom, Projection Displays III Symposium, SPIE Proceedings, Volume 3013, San Jose, Calif., February 1997; “Grating Light Valve Technology: Update and Novel Applications,” by D. T. Amm and R. W. Corrigan of Silicon Light Machines in Sunnyvale, Calif., a paper presented at the Society for Information Display Symposium, May 19, 1998, Anaheim, Calif.; and “Optical Performance of the Grating Light Valve Technology,” David T. Amm and Robert W. Corrigan of Silicon Light Machines, a paper presented at Photonics West-Electronics Imaging, 1999. Each of the above-mentioned publications is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Such projection systems may be configured so that a linear array of light modulating elements modulates an incident light beam to display pixels along a column (or, alternatively, a row) of the two-dimensional (2D) image being formed. A scanning system is used to move the column horizontally such that each light-modulating element is able to generate a row of the 2D image. In this way, the entire 2D image is displayed.
SUMMARY
One embodiment of the invention relates to a method for driving a plurality of light-modulating elements. The method includes, for each element, providing an amplitude modulation signal and providing a width modulation signal. Modulation of light by the element is determined with respect to height by the amplitude modulation signal and with respect to width by the width modulation signal.
Another embodiment of the invention pertains to an apparatus for driving a plurality of light-modulating elements. Circuitry is included that provides for each element an amplitude modulation signal at a base frequency. Circuitry is also included that provides for each element a width modulation signal at the base frequency.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to a system for modulating a plurality of micro-electromechanical (MEM) devices. The system includes a means for providing an amplitude modulation signal to each MEM device at a base frequency and a means for providing a width modulation signal at the base frequency. In addition, the system includes a clock means for providing a higher-frequency clock signal with a frequency that is a multiple of the base frequency. In this embodiment, the width modulation signal for each MEM device indicates at least one position on the higher-frequency clock signal.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5764664 (1998-06-01), Yip et al.
patent: 6215579 (2001-04-01), Bloom et al.
patent: 6362898 (2002-03-01), McDonald
patent: 6587248 (2003-07-01), Gyoten
D.M. Bloom, et al, “The Grating Light Valve: revolutionizing display technology” Feb. 1997, 10 sheets, vol. 3013; Projection Displays III Symposium, San Jose, CA.
D.T. Amm, et al. “Grating Light Valve Technology: Update and Novel Applications”, May 19, 1998, pp. 1-4, Silicon Light Machines. Presented at Society for Information Display Symposium, Anaheim, CA.
David T. Amm, et al, “Optical Performance of the Grating Light Valve Technology”. 1999, pp. 1-8, Silicon Light Machines. Presented at Photonics West-Electronics Imaging.
R.W. Corrigan, et al. “An Alternative Architecture for High Performance Display”, Nov. 20, 1999, pp. 1-5, Silicon Light Machines. Presented at SMPTE Technical Conference and Exhibition, New York, NY.
R.W. Corrigan, et al. “Calibration of a Scanned Linear Grating Light Valve Projection System”, May 18, 1999, pp. 1-4, Silicon Light Machines. Presented at Society for Information Display Symposium, San Jose, CA.
Robert Corrigan, et al. “Silicon Light Machines—Grating Light Valve Technology Brief”, Jun. 2001, pp. 1-8; Sunnyvale, California.
Ben Loha
Okamoto & Benedicto LLP
Silicon Light Machines Inc.
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