US5287096A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Variable luminosity display system
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1992-09-18
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Granted: 1994-02-15
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Expires: 2012-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A digitized video display system has a spatial light modulator which has individual elements which are controllable to produce individual beams which form an image. The individual elements are controllable at a frequency which is less than the critical flicker frequency of the human eye to produce individual beams which form an image. The individual elements are controlled to provide a luminosity control over individual pixels or voxels of the image.
Inventors
- 👤 E. Earle Thompson
- 👤 Thomas W. DeMond
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:33
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/20; G09G3/34; G09G3/3433; G09G3/346; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/0816; G02B26/0833; G02B26/0841; G02B27/00; G02B27/48; G09F; G09F19/00; G09F19/12; G09F19/16; G09F19/18; G09F9/00; G09F9/30; G09F9/37; G09F9/372; G09G3/3406; H; H04; H04N; H04N9/00; H04N9/12; H04N9/31; H04N9/3141; H04N9/315; H04N9/3161; G09G2300/00; G09G2300/08; G09G2300/0809; G09G2300/0814; G09G2300/0842; G09G2310/00; G09G2310/02; G09G2310/0235; G09G2310/06; G09G2310/066; G09G2320/00; G09G2320/06; G09G2320/0626; G09G2320/0633; G09G3/2007; G09G3/2018; G09G3/2022; G09G3/2025; G09G3/3413
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A variable luminosity visual display system comprising: (a) a light source for generating light along an optical path; and (b) a spatial light modulator located in said optical path, said spatial light modulator including a plurality of elements, each said element individually and digitally controlled between a first transferring state and second non-transferring state and then between said second non-transferring state and said first transferring state for an associated portion of said light at an operating frequency equal to or higher than the critical flicker frequency of the human eye, wherein said associated portion of said light is controlled by the total amount of time said element resides in said first transferring state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A variable luminosity visual display system comprising: (a) a light source for generating light along an optical path; and (b) a spatial light modulator located in said optical path, said spatial light modulator including a plurality of elements, each said element individually and digitally controlled between a first transferring state and second non-transferring state and then between said second non-transferring state and said first transferring state for an associated portion of said light at an operating frequency equal to or higher than the critical flicker frequency of the human eye, wherein said associated portion of said light is controlled by the total amount of time said element resides in said first transferring state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
System as in claim 1 wherein said operating frequency varies partly dependent upon luminosity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
System as in claim 1 wherein said elements include mirror devices.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
System as in claim 1 wherein said spatial light modulator includes light valves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
83 words
System as in claim 1 wherein said spatial modulator includes: (a) an array of said elements; (b) each said element having at least two different memory cells associated therewith, each said element selectively directly connected with one of said memory cells for control of said element cell; (c) a first decoder for addressing said memory cells for storing information therein; and (d) a second decoder operating independently of said first decoder for selecting which of said memory cells is directly connected for control.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
System as in claim 5 wherein each memory cell includes at least two components.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
System as in claim 6 wherein one component is a transistor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
System as in claim 6 where in one component stores capacitively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
System as in claim 6 wherein both components are transistors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
System as in claim 8 wherein one component stores capacitively.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
System as in claim 5 wherein said memory cell is implemented in NMOS.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
System as in claim 5 wherein said memory cell is implemented in PMOS.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
System as in claim 5 wherein said second decoder simultaneously addresses one memory cell associated with substantially all of said display cells to display an image.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
System as in claim 5 wherein said second decoder simultaneously addresses one memory cell associated with all of said display cells to display an image.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
System as in claim 5 wherein said first decoder addresses a row of said array at a time.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of displaying an image comprising the steps of: (a) generating light along an optical path; and (b) controlling elements individually and digitally between a first transferring state and second non-transferring state, and then between said second state and said first state for an associated portion of said light at an operating frequency equal to or higher than the critical flicker frequency of the human eye, wherein said associated portion of said light is controlled by the total amount of time said element resides in said first transferring state.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of displaying an image comprising the steps of: (a) generating light along an optical path; and (b) controlling elements individually and digitally between a first transferring state and second non-transferring state, and then between said second state and said first state for an associated portion of said light at an operating frequency equal to or higher than the critical flicker frequency of the human eye, wherein said associated portion of said light is controlled by the total amount of time said element resides in said first transferring state.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
Method as in claim 16 includes the step of varying said operating frequency partly dependent upon luminosity.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
Method as in claim 16 wherein said step of controlling includes actuating deformable mirror devices.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
Method as in claim 16 wherein said step of controlling includes actuating light valves.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
131 words
A variable luminosity visual display system comprising: (a) a light source for generating light in an optical path; (b) a spatial light modulator located in said optical path, said spatial light modulator having a plurality of indivicually controllable elements; (c) each of said elements having a first state for allowing an associated portion of said light to impinge on a remote surface and a second state for preventing said associated portion of said light from impinging on said remote surface with each element selectably controllable between said first and second states a plurality of times at a frequency equal to or greater than the critical flicker frequency of the human eye, wherein the perceived intensity is controlled by the total amount of time said element resides in said first transferring state.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
131 words
A variable luminosity visual display system comprising: (a) a light source for generating light in an optical path; (b) a spatial light modulator located in said optical path, said spatial light modulator having a plurality of indivicually controllable elements; (c) each of said elements having a first state for allowing an associated portion of said light to impinge on a remote surface and a second state for preventing said associated portion of said light from impinging on said remote surface with each element selectably controllable between said first and second states a plurality of times at a frequency equal to or greater than the critical flicker frequency of the human eye, wherein the perceived intensity is controlled by the total amount of time said element resides in said first transferring state.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
System as in claim 20 includes the step of varying said operating frequency partly dependent upon luminosity.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-02-14 | 1997-08-16 | 1998-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-14 | 2001-08-16 | 2002-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-14 | 2005-08-16 | 2006-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |