Digital micro-mirror device with block data loading
First Claim
1. A spatial light modulator (SLM), comprising:
- an array of pixel-generating elements, each pixel-generating element being individually addressable with data, said array of pixel-generating elements having an associated array of memory cells for storing said data;
at least one bit-line associated with each column of memory cells for delivering data to said column of memory cells;
a row of shift registers for receiving row data for one row of said array from an external source for delivery to said memory cells;
a row of latches for receiving said row data from said shift registers, and for holding said row data on said bit-lines;
a block load circuit, interposed between said latches and said memory cells, for sequencing the delivery of said row data to a selected row of said memory cells by delivering a write signal to different blocks of said selected row of memory cells, with each block receiving said write signal at a different time; and
a row decoder for delivering a row select signal to said block load circuit for determining which row of said memory cells is said selected row of memory cells.
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Abstract
A digital micro-mirror device (20) for imaging applications, having an array (21) of mirror elements for forming the image and data loading circuitry (22, 23, 24) for loading data for addressing the mirror elements. The data loading circuitry (22, 23, 24) has a row of shift registers (24), which receive one row of data at a time, which they deliver to latches (23). The latches (23) hold the data on bit-lines, which run down columns of the array (21). The row to be loaded is selected with a row decoder (25). A block load circuit (22), comprised of a shift register (35) and logic gates (33) divides each row of memory cells into blocks (31) and ensures that each block of a row of memory cells is sequentially loaded.
130 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A spatial light modulator (SLM), comprising:
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an array of pixel-generating elements, each pixel-generating element being individually addressable with data, said array of pixel-generating elements having an associated array of memory cells for storing said data; at least one bit-line associated with each column of memory cells for delivering data to said column of memory cells; a row of shift registers for receiving row data for one row of said array from an external source for delivery to said memory cells; a row of latches for receiving said row data from said shift registers, and for holding said row data on said bit-lines; a block load circuit, interposed between said latches and said memory cells, for sequencing the delivery of said row data to a selected row of said memory cells by delivering a write signal to different blocks of said selected row of memory cells, with each block receiving said write signal at a different time; and a row decoder for delivering a row select signal to said block load circuit for determining which row of said memory cells is said selected row of memory cells. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of loading data to a spatial light modulator having individually addressable pixel-generating elements, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a row of data into a row of shift registers; delivering said row of data to a row of latches; holding said row of data on bit-lines that run down columns of said pixel-generating elements; selecting a row of pixel-generating elements to be addressed with said row of data by means of a row select signal; sequentially loading memory cells of said row of pixel-generating elements in blocks of said memory cells; and repeating the above steps for different rows of data to be loaded to said spatial light modulator. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A digital micro-mirror device (DMD), comprising:
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an array of mirror elements, each mirror element being individually addressable with data, said array of mirror elements having an associated array of memory cells for storing said data; at least one bit-line associated with each column of memory cells for delivering data to said column of memory cells; a row of shift registers for receiving row data for one row of said array from an external source for delivery to said memory cells; a row of latches for receiving said row data from said shift registers, and for holding said row data on said bit-lines; a block load circuit, interposed between said latches and said memory cells, for sequencing the delivery of said row data to a selected row of said memory cells by delivering a write signal to different blocks of said selected row of memory cells, with each block receiving said write signal at a different time; and a row decoder for delivering a row select signal to said block load circuit for determining which row of said memory cells is said selected row of memory cells.
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Specification