Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Plural physical display element control system – Display elements arranged in matrix
Reexamination Certificate
1997-06-26
2001-01-16
Chow, Dennis-Doon (Department: 2775)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Plural physical display element control system
Display elements arranged in matrix
C345S099000, C345S103000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06175352
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an address generator for a display or spatial light modulator. The invention also relates to a display and to a spatial light modulator.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(Not Applicable)
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an address generator for a display or spatial light modulator, comprising a first shift register having a plurality of cascade-connected stages for controlling respective first address electrodes of the display or spatial light modulator, characterised in that the stages of the first shift register include a first reconfigurable shift register stage which is selectively operable in an alternate mode, in which the output of the first reconfigurable shift register stage follows the output of a preceding stage.
The first shift register may be an analogue shift register. As an alternative, the first shift register may be a digital shift register.
Each stage of the first shift register may comprise a first memory having a first memory.enable input connected to a first phase of a first bi-phase clock line and a second memory having a second memory enable input connected to a second phase of the first bi-phase clock line, the first memory enable input of the first reconfigurable shift register stage of the first shift register being selectively connectable to the second phase of the first bi-phase clock line. Each of the first and second memories may comprise a bistable circuit. Each of the stages subsequent to a first stage of the first shift register may comprise a switch for selectively connecting the first memory enable input to the first or second phase of the first bi-phase clock line. The generator may comprise a first further shift register having a plurality of cascade-connected stages for controlling respective ones of the switches of the first shift register.
The first shift register may comprise a first sub-shift register having a first plurality of cascade-connected sub-stages and a second sub-shift register having a second plurality of cascade-connected sub-stages, the first plurality of sub-stages being interlaced with the second plurality of sub-stages.
The generator may comprise a second shift register having a plurality of cascade-connected stages for controlling respective second address electrodes of the display or spatial light modulator, the stages of the second shift register including a second reconfigurable shift register stage which is selectively operable in the alternate mode.
The second shift register may be an analogue shift register. As an alternative, the second shift register may be a digital shift register,
Each stage of the second shift register may comprise a third memory having a third memory enable input connected to a first phase of a second bi-phase clock line and a fourth memory having a fourth memory enable input connected to a second phase of the second bi-phase clock line, the third memory enable input of the second reconfigurable shift register stage of the second shift register being selectively connectable to the second phase of the second bi-phase clock line. Each of the third and fourth memories may comprise a bi-stable circuit. Each of the stages of the second shift register subsequent to a first stage thereof may comprise a switch for selectively connecting the third memory enable input to the first or second phase of the second bi-phase clock line. The generator may comprise a second further shift register having a plurality of cascade-connected stages for controlling respective ones of the switches of the second shift register.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a spatial light modulator including an address generator in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.
The spatial light modulator may be of the matrix type, for instance of the active matrix type, and may be of liquid crystal type.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a display including an address generator according to the first aspect of the invention.
The display may be of matrix type, for instance of active matrix type, and may be of liquid crystal type.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a display characterised by a display device, a tracking for determining an observed region of the display device at which an observer is looking, and an image data generator responsive to the tracker for generating image data with a first spatial resolution for the observed region and with a second spatial resolution less than the first resolution for another region of the display device.
The display device may comprise a display according to the third aspect of the invention.
It is thus possible to provide an arrangement which allows variable resolution to be achieved in a display or spatial light modulator. In regions of such a device where the full spatial resolution of the device is not required, the device may be operated at reduced resolution. This allows the addressing speed of the device to be increased while reducing the amount of data required to update each frame. The device itself does not require modification to achieve this. In particular, the address generator or generators supply signals which allow variable resolution to be achieved without modification of the basic device.
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Kay Andrew
Robinson Michael Geraint
Tombling Craig
Chow Dennis-Doon
Renner , Otto, Boisselle & Sklar, LLP
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
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