Method for controlling operation of optical systems and devices

• US 5,179,274 A
• Filed: 07/12/1991
• Issued: 01/12/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Sampsell, Jeffrey B.
• Primary Examiner(s): FIELDS, CAROLYN
• Application Number:
  US07/728,925
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 250/213 A, 250/205, 250/208.2, 250/214 DC, 250/214 AL
• US Class Current: 250/208.2
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 19/14 using opto-electronic devices, i.e. light-emitting and photoelectric devices electrically- or optically-coupled optical logic elements G02F3/00

Abstract

The invention described herein details a method to control the operating window of illumination for an optical device or system. By connecting together two light sensitive devices (46a and 46b), one very sensitive to light (46a), the other mildly sensitive to light (46b), it is possible to designate when essential signals (38) are allowed to pass to a device or system. The outputs of the two devices are fed through logic circuitry (52 and 54) which determines the output. The logic circuitry is selected dependent upon which operation window is chosen. The output of the logic is then connected to the control signal.

Claims

1. A method to control the operation of an optical system comprising:

a. impinging visible light upon a spatial light modulator in said optical system from a visible light source;

b. providing at least two light-sensitive devices with outputs as part of said devices, wherein in at least one of said light-sensitive devices is more sensitive to said visible light than other of said devices;

c. inputting at least two said light-sensitive device outputs to a logic device; and

d. selectively inhibiting a signal essential for operation of said spatial light modulator in response to the output of said logic device.

2. The method as in claim 1 wherein said inputting step includes inverting at least one of said at least two-light sensitive device outputs.

3. The method as in claim 1 wherein said inhibiting step includes connecting said output of said logic device to the gate of a transistor and connecting said signal to the input line of said transistor.

4. The method as in claim 1 wherein said light-sensitive devices are phototransistors.

5. The method as in claim 1 wherein said logic device is a NOR gate.

6. The method as in claim 1 wherein said logic device includes a inverter.

7. A system to control the operation of an optical system comprising:

a. a visible light source for illuminating said optical system;

b. a spatial light modulator for receiving said visible light;

c. at least two light-sensitive devices adjacent said spatial light modulator, wherein at least one of said light-sensitive devices is more sensitive to light from said source than others of said devices;

d. a logic device connected to at least two of said light-sensitive devices;

e. circuitry connected to the output of said logic device for selectively inhibiting a signal essential for operation of said spatial light modulator as to when it can pass to said optical system.