Field updated deformable mirror device

• US 5,280,277 A
• Filed: 11/17/1992
• Issued: 01/18/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Hornbeck, Larry J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weldon, Ulysses
• Application Number:
  US07/978,300
• Time in Patent Office: 427 Days
• Field of Search: 340/764, 340/815.05, 340/815.17, 340/815.26, 340/815.29, 359/230
• US Class Current: 345/108
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0841 the reflecting element being moved or deformed by electrostatic means
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/061 for resetting or blanking
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2014 by modulation of the duration of a single pulse during which the logic level remains constant
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2018 by time modulation using two or more time intervals
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2022 using sub-frames
• 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 3/12 by switched stationary formation of lamps, photocells or light relays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7458 the modulator being an array of deformable mirrors, e.g. digital micromirror device [DMD]

Abstract

The bistable deformable mirror device (DMD) used in a high-definition television (HDTV) application must be capable of supporting at least 128 grey levels, using pulse-width modulation. If the DMD is line-updated, then the minimum field time to support 128 grey levels cannot be achieved because of the time required to perform a resonant reset once each line. This disclosure shows how the DMD can be field-updated in order to achieve the minimum required field time.

Claims

1. The method of field addressing an array of electromechanical pixels wherein each of said pixels assume one of two or more selected stable states according to a set of selective address voltages, said method comprising the steps of:

electromechanically latching, by applying a bias voltage to said array of pixels, each of said pixels in one of said selected stable states wherein each of said pixels is trapped in a potential energy well;

applying a new set of selective address voltages to all said pixels in said array;

electromechanically unlatching, by removing said bias voltage from said array, said pixels from their previously addressed state;

allowing said array of pixels to assume a new state in accordance with the new set of selective address voltages; and

electromechanically latching, by reestablishing said bias voltage, each of said pixels.

2. The method of claim 1 and further comprising the step of applying a reset pulse to all of said pixels of said pixels of said array subsequent to said allowing step and prior to said electromechanically latching step to assure each of said pixels assumes an appropriate state according to said new set of selective address voltages.

3. The method set forth in claim 2 wherein said reset pulse is a pulse train.

4. The method set forth in claim 3 further comprising the step of selecting said pulse train to have the same electromechanical frequency of said pixels.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said array of electromechanical pixels has a plurality of rows, each of said rows having a plurality of address electrodes.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the selective set of address voltages is applied to each of said plurality of rows one row at a time.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said bias voltage is above a tristable threshold voltage for at least one of said electromechanical pixels.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said array of electromechanical pixels is used to form images on a projection screen of an HDTV system.