Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Plural physical display element control system – Display elements arranged in matrix
Reexamination Certificate
1995-11-21
2001-10-09
Wu, Xiao (Department: 2674)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Plural physical display element control system
Display elements arranged in matrix
C348S771000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06300924
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to video display systems, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for displaying video data on a spatial light modulator.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
A recent development in video display systems is the use of spatial light modulators (SLMs) instead of raster-scan electronic beam devices. An SLM consists of an array of electronically addressable pixel elements. Each element either emits or reflects light to be projected on a display screen. For many applications, an SLM is binary in the sense that each pixel element may have either of two states. The element may be off and deliver no light or the element may be on and deliver light at a maximum intensity. Recent developments in SLM technology greatly impact the parallel development of high quality video display systems.
An SLM frequently used in display systems is the digital mirror device (DMD), in which each pixel element is a tiny mirror capable of individual mechanical movement in response to an electrical input. Each pixel element of a DMD reflects and modulates incident light in direction, phase, or amplitude. Recent advances in the fabrication and use of SLMs, and DMDs in particular, permit a high pixel density suitable for operation in high quality video display systems.
Standard television systems receive and display “interlaced” video data. This means that each frame of video data displayed on the standard system contains two or more fields. In a two field format, the first field may, for example, include the odd rows of the video frame. The second field may include the even rows of the same video frame. The interlaced fields making up the single frame are received and displayed successively on a standard raster-scan system and appear to a viewer as a single frame.
SLMs are capable of addressing all pixel elements of each video frame simultaneously, rather than scanning them. Various techniques for exploiting this capability to provide high quality images are being developed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a method and apparatus for displaying video data on an SLM substantially eliminate or reduce the disadvantages and problems with prior SLM video display systems. The present invention contemplates a method and apparatus for displaying a complete video frame from a single field of video data without an appreciable increase in memory or processing by exploiting the addressing characteristics of the SLM.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a spatial light modulator includes an array of pixel elements arranged in display rows. Each display row receives a row of pixel data specifying the state of pixel elements. A row selector connects to each display row by an enable line and addresses two adjacent display rows so that both receive the same pixel data.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method is disclosed to use an SLM to display a video frame having a number of display rows that is a multiple of the number of rows of incoming pixel data per field. The spatial light modulator contains an array of pixel elements arranged in display rows. A row of pixel data is received into an input register of the spatial light modulator. The pixel elements in at least two adjacent display rows of the spatial light modulator change state in response to the row of pixel data in the input register.
It is a technical advantage of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for displaying video data that exploit SLM addressability. Address circuitry that enables SLM pixel elements can efficiently display a video frame from a field of interlaced video data. Addressing signals cause two adjacent display rows on the SLM to be loaded, thereby transforming a field of interlaced video data into a video frame for display. For example, for standard two-field interlaced video data, the present invention addresses rows of pixel elements on the SLM at twice the speed of receiving and storing the video data.
It is another technical advantage of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for displaying video data using an SLM that use less video data processing and storage than other display systems. By exploiting addressing functions residing on the SLM, the present invention stores a single field of video data in memory to display an entire video frame on the SLM. Furthermore, by performing addressing and data manipulation on the SLM, the present invention reduces the amount of front end processing of the video data and reduces the data bandwidth into the SLM.
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Doherty Donald B.
Easwar Venkat V.
Gove Robert J.
Markandey Vishal
Marshall Stephen W.
Brady III Wade James
Brill Charles A.
Telecky , Jr. Frederick J.
Texas Instruments Incorporated
Wu Xiao
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