Spatial light modulation display system

• US 20060066540A1
• Filed: 09/27/2004
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Hewlett, Gregory J., Doherty, Donald B.
• Application Number:
  US10/951,995
• Publication Number:
  US 20060066540A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/84
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/0235 Field-sequential colour display
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0606 Manual adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/062 Adjustment of illumination source parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0633 by amplitude modulation of the brightness of the illumination source
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/064 by time modulation of the brightness of the illumination source
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3413 Details of control of colour illumination sources
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/346 based on modulation of the reflection angle, e.g. micromirrors micromirrors devices per se G02B26/0833

Abstract

An improved display system includes LED light sources for providing red, green, and blue light. A controller for the display system includes a sequencer that controls the timing and sequence of image data to a spatial light modulator (e.g., a DMD) and activation of the light sources. The sequencer can control the timing and sequence of the light sources according to a display mode that can include such things as white point information, color-look information, timing of PWM sequences, and/or color cycle rate information. The display mode can be set during manufacturing or can be programmable. In some embodiments, the controller can include memory for storing multiple display modes and a user can select among the display modes to change the look of a displayed image. In some embodiments, a programming device can be provided allowing a user to customize the display modes.

Claims

1. A display system comprising:

a plurality of light sources;

a spatial light modulator located to receive light from the light sources, the spatial light modulator including a plurality of independently controllable elements that can be activated for a period of time for directing light from the light sources for display; and

a sequencer for receiving image data and issuing control signals for modulation of selected light sources.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources comprises at least one light emitting diode.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of independently controllable elements comprises a digital micromirror device mirror.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the image data is organized in a series of frames and the sequencer issues control signals for activating each of the light sources a specified number of times per frame.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the specified number of times per frame is based on display mode data.

6. A system according to claim 5, further comprising a display mode interface for receiving display mode data.

7. A system according to claim 5, further comprising a display mode memory for storing display mode data for one or more display modes.

8. A system according to claim 7, further comprising a display mode interface for receiving a mode-select signal and instructing the sequencer to set a display mode based on the received mode-select signal.

9. A system according to claim 8, further comprising a programming device for allowing a user to set the specified number of times per frame for each light source.

10. A system according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of light sources comprises light sources for emitting respective colors of light, and wherein the specified number of times per frame is unique for each color.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources comprises light sources for emitting respective colors of light, and wherein the sequencer controls issues control signals for providing a unique intensity for each color.

12. A system controller for a display system having a spatial light modulator and a plurality of light sources, the controller comprising:

an interface for receiving video signals and issuing image data based on the video signals; and

a sequencer for controlling a transfer of said image data to the spatial light modulator and for issuing instructional color data for controlling activation of the light sources.

13. A system controller according to claim 12, further comprising a light controller for decoding instructional color data received from the sequencer and issuing control signals according to the instructional color data.

14. A system controller according to claim 13, further comprising a display mode memory for storing display mode data, wherein the sequencer controls activation of the light sources according to display mode data received from the display mode memory.

15. A system controller according to claim 14, further comprising a display mode interface for receiving display mode data from a programming device and storing the display mode data in the display mode memory.

16. A system controller according to claim 14, further comprising a display mode interface for receiving a mode-select signal from a mode selector and instructing the sequencer to operate according to a selected display mode according to the mode-select data.

17. A method of displaying pixel data, the method comprising:

receiving image data;

determining an activation duration of a spatial light modulator element based on the received image data;

determining a color of light used to display the pixel data;

controlling a plurality of light sources to selectively emit light.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of light sources comprises at least one light emitting diode.

19. A method according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of independently controllable elements comprises a digital micromirror device mirror.

20. A method according to claim 17, wherein the image data is organized in a series of frames and the controlling of the plurality of light sources includes issuing control signals for activating each of the light sources a specified number of times per frame.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the specified number of times per frame is based on display mode data.

22. A method according to claim 21, further comprising receiving display mode data from a display mode interface.

23. A method according to claim 21, further comprising storing display mode data for one or more display modes in a display mode memory.

24. A method according to claim 23, further comprising a step of receiving a mode-select signal and instructing the sequencer to set a display mode based on the received mode-select signal.

25. A method according to claim 24, further comprising a step of receiving instructions from a user to set the specified number of times per frame for each light source.

26. A method according to claim 20, wherein the plurality of light sources comprises light sources for emitting respective colors of light, and wherein the specified number of times per frame is unique for each color.

27. A method according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of light sources comprises light sources for emitting respective colors of light, and wherein the controlling of the plurality of light sources includes providing a unique intensity for each color.