Micromirror-based projection system and a method of making the same

• US 20060115923A1
• Filed: 01/12/2006
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Richards, Peter, Huibers, Andrew, Patel, Satyadev
• Granted Patent: US 7,459,333 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 438/72
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0841 the reflecting element being moved or deformed by electrostatic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7458 the modulator being an array of deformable mirrors, e.g. digital micromirror device [DMD]

Abstract

A projection system is disclosed herein. The projection system employs a spatial light modulator comprising an array of individually addressable pixels for modulating the incident light based on image data. The modulated light is projected on a screen for viewing.

Claims

1-24. -24. (canceled)

25. A method, comprising:

receiving a spatial light modulator and a control unit associated with the spatial light modulator for controlling the spatial light modulator;

wherein the spatial light modulator comprises an array of reflective micromirror devices capable of modulating light;

wherein the control unit is composed of a field-programmable-gate-array and lacks of an application-specific-integrated-circuit; and

wherein the control unit comprises a data conversion module designated f or converting a set of image data into a set of bitplane data, said module being implemented in the field-programmable-gate-array through a set of configuration data such that the field-programmable-gate-array is capable to output the bitplane data to the spatial light modulator; and

building a projection system using the received spatial light modulator and control unit, further comprising;

modifying the set of data so as to modify the default configuration of the received control unit according to a desired specific configuration; and

delivering the projection system to an end user.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the field-programmable-gate-array is a volatile field-programmable-gate-array that is connected to a non-volatile memory stored therein the set of data for configuring and initializing the field-programmable-gate-array.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the field-programmable-gate-array is a non-volatile field-programmable-gate-array stored therein a set of data for configuring and initializing the field-programmable-gate-array at a time when the field-programmable-gate-array is turned ON or OFF.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the set of data is such that the field-programmable-gate-array, after being configured and initialized with such set of data, is capable of converting a set of image data of a desired image into a set of bitplane data.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein the built projection system is a front-projector.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein the built projection system is a rear-projection TV.

31. The method of claim 25, before the step of building the projection system using the received spatial light modulator and control unit, further comprising:

obtaining an access to the default configuration of the field-programmable-gate-array.

32. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of building the projection system using the spatial light modulator and control unit, further comprises:

assembling the spatial light modulator and control unit to a set of elements of the projection system that comprises;

an illumination system and a projection lens.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the illumination system comprises:

an arc lamp, a lightpipe, and a beam splitter.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the beam splitter comprises a color wheel composed of a set of color segments.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the illumination system comprises a LED.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the LED is a member of an array of LEDs characterized by different characteristic spectrums.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the LEDs of the LED array are capable of producing red, green, and blue colors.

38. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of modifying the set of data so as to modify the default configuration of the received control unit according to a desired specific configuration further comprises:

modifying the entire module from which the set of data that is derived while after the modification, the modified field-programmable-gate-array is still capable of converting image data to bitplane data.

39. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of modifying the set of data so as to modify the default configuration of the received control unit according to a desired specific configuration further comprises:

modifying the a portion of the set of data that is derived while after the modification, the modified field-programmable-gate-array is still capable of converting image data to bitplane data.

40-67. -67. (canceled)

68. A method, comprising:

fabricating a spatial light modulator and a control unit associated with the spatial light modulator for controlling the spatial light modulator;

wherein the spatial light modulator comprises an array of reflective micromirror devices capable of modulating light;

wherein the control unit is composed of a field-programmable-gate-array and lacks of an application-specific-integrated-circuit; and

wherein the control unit comprises a data conversion module designated f or converting a set of image data into a set of bitplane data, said module being implemented in the field-programmable-gate-array through a set of configuration data such that the field-programmable-gate-array is capable to output the bitplane data to the spatial light modulator; and

delivering the fabricated spatial light modulator and control unit to a customer for building a projection system, further comprising;

providing to the customer an access to the pre-programmed configuration so as to allow the customer to modify the field-programmable-gate-array.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein the field-programmable-gate-array is a volatile field-programmable-gate-array that is connected to a non-volatile memory stored therein the set of data for configuring and initializing the field-programmable-gate-array.

70. The method of claim 68, wherein the field-programmable-gate-array is a non-volatile field-programmable-gate-array stored therein a set of data for configuring and initializing the field-programmable-gate-array at a time when the field-programmable-gate-array is turned ON or OFF.

71. The method of claim 68, wherein the set of data is such that the field-programmable-gate-array, after being configured and initialized with such set of data, is capable of converting a set of image data of a desired image into a set of bitplane data.

72. The method of claim 68, wherein the built projection system is a front-projector.

73. The method of claim 68, wherein the built projection system is a rear-projection TV.

74. The system of claim 68, wherein an application-specific-integrated-circuit is absent from the control unit.

75-82. -82. (canceled)

83. A method, comprising:

making a spatial light modulator and a control unit, said spatial light modulator comprising an array of reflective and deflectable micromirror devices; and

said control unit comprising a set of programmable codes for controlling the spatial light modulator in an operation; and

providing to a customer an access to the set of programmable codes such that the customer is capable of modifying the codes according a specific configuration; and

delivering the spatial light modulator and the control unit to the customer.

84. (canceled)