Apparatus and method for digitized video system utilizing a moving display surface

• US 5,162,787 A
• Filed: 05/30/1991
• Issued: 11/10/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Thompson, E. Earle, DeMond, Thomas W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brier, Jeffery A.
• Application Number:
  US07/709,089
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 340/702, 340/705, 340/716, 340/729, 340/755, 340/763, 340/764, 340/794, 340/795, 358/3.6, 358/3.67, 358/3.68, 358/269, 358/88, 358/90, 358/230-236, 358/61, 358/62, 352/86, 353/30, 353/31, 359/212, 359/629, 359/865, 359/478
• US Class Current: 345/32
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0841 the reflecting element being moved or deformed by electrostatic means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/50 the image being built up from image elements distributed over a 3D volume, e.g. voxels
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/54 the 3D volume being generated by moving a 2D surface, e.g. by vibrating or rotating the 2D surface
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/18 involving the use of optical projection means, e.g. projection of images on clouds projection apparatus per se G03B
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/346 based on modulation of the reflection angle, e.g. micromirrors micromirrors devices per se G02B26/0833
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/189 Recording image signals; Reproducing recorded image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/194 Transmission of image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/275 from 3D object models, e.g. computer-generated stereoscopic image signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/286 having separate monoscopic and stereoscopic modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/324 Colour aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/363 using image projection screens volumetric display H04N13/388
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/365 using digital micromirror devices [DMD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/39 the picture elements emitting light at places where a pair of light beams intersect in a transparent material
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/393 the volume being generated by a moving, e.g. vibrating or rotating, surface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/395 with depth sampling, i.e. the volume being constructed from a stack or sequence of 2D image planes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/398 Synchronisation thereof; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/597 specially adapted for multi-view video sequence encoding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3129 scanning a light beam on the display screen scanning a light beam on a screen in displays other than projection devices G09G3/02; scanning systems in general G02B26/10; projectors using laser light sources in general H04N9/3161

Abstract

A digitized video system utilizing a spatial light modulator which includes deformable mirror devices to form an image. The image is projected onto a moving surface which intersects each point within a three dimensional space to allow the display of a three dimensional image. Each mirror cell is capable of projecting an individual beam. The individual beams form one portion of an image.

Claims

1. An digitized video system for displaying an image within a three dimensional space comprising:

(a) a 360 degree spiral surface extending from a first boundary to a second boundary of said three dimensional space, rotating to intersect every point within said three dimensional space once during each revolution, and located along an optical path;

(b) a beam of light directed along said optical path; and

(c) an array of deformable mirror devices movable between a first and second positions and located along said optical path and directing portions of said beam associated with individual devices in said first position along said optical path.

2. A method of displaying an image comprising:

(a) rotating a surface to intersect every point within a predetermined three dimensional space at least once during each revolution;

(b) directing a beam of light along an optical path, said optical path extending into said three dimensional space; and

(c) controlling an array of display cells disposed along said optical path to cause portions of said beam associated with individual ones of said display cells to impinge upon said surface thereby forming said image within said three dimensional space.

3. A digitized video system for displaying an image comprising:

(a) a surface moving to define a predetermined three dimensional space by intersecting each point within said three dimensional space;

(b) a beam of light; and

(c) a spatial light modulator incident to said beam and operative to subdivide said light beam into a plurality of portions and to selectively allow said portions of said beam to impinge upon said surface forming said image within said three dimensional space.

4. System as in claim 3 wherein said spatial modulator includes:

(a) an array of individual display cells;

(b) each said display cell having at least two memory cells associated therewith, each said display cell selectively directly connected with one of said memory cells for control of said display cell;

(c) a first decoder for addressing said memory cells for storing information therein; and

(d) a second decoder for addressing selecting which of said memory cells is directly connected for control.

5. System as in claim 4 wherein each memory cell includes at least two components.

6. System as in claim 5 wherein one component is a transistor.

7. System as in claim 5 wherein one component stores capacitively.

8. System as in claim 5 wherein both components are transistors.

9. System as in claim 4 wherein said memory cell is implemented in CMOS.

10. System as in claim 4 wherein said memory cell is implemented in NMOS.

11. System as in claim 4 wherein said memory cell is implemented in PMOS.

12. System as in claim 4 wherein said second decoder simultaneously addresses one memory cell associated with substantially all of said display cells to display an image.

13. System as in claim 4 wherein said second decoder simultaneously addresses one memory cell associated with all of said display cells to display an image.

14. System as in claim 4 wherein said first decoder addresses a row of said array at a time.