Spatial light modulator with improved peak white performance

• US 5,815,641 A
• Filed: 06/27/1996
• Issued: 09/29/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Marshall, Stephen W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coles, Edward L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WALLERSON, MARK E
• Application Number:
  US08/671,468
• Time in Patent Office: 824 Days
• Field of Search: 395/108, 395/109, 345/58, 345/84, 345/85, 345/87, 345/147, 345/136, 345/138, 345/149, 345/431, 345/432, 348/203, 348/207, 348/750, 348/756, 348/597, 348/602, 382/256, 382/257, 382/258
• US Class Current: 358/1.8
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2018 by time modulation using two or more time intervals
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2051 with use of a spatial dither pattern
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2059 using error diffusion
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/34 by control of light from an independent source
• 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 2005/7466 Control circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7458 the modulator being an array of deformable mirrors, e.g. digital micromirror device [DMD]

Abstract

A spatial light modulator based imaging system (30) with improved peak white performance characteristics. The apparent dynamic range of the spatial light modulator (74) is increased by adding light to pixels neighboring a saturated pixel. An apparent bloom effect is created with the pixels neighboring the saturated pixel appearing brighter, to give sunlight reflecting from the surface of a lake, for instance, more sparkle or highlights. Charts or equations are utilized to determine the degree to which pixel brightness is increased for neighboring pixels. The closer a pixel to a saturated pixel, and the greater the saturation of a particular pixel, the greater increase in brightness for neighboring pixels.

Claims

1. A display system, comprising:

a light source generating light;

a spatial light modulator having an array of pixels modulating said light in response to processed video data to display a video image on a viewing surface; and

processing circuitry processing an incoming stream of video data to provide said processed video data by determining if first data for a first said pixel corresponds to saturation of said pixel, then increasing said video data for pixels neighboring said first pixel to create a bloom effect about said first pixel.

2. The display system as specified in claim 1 wherein said processing circuitry adjusts the value of said data for said pixels neighboring said first pixel as a function of the degree said first data exceeds said predetermined range.

3. The display system as specified in claim 1 wherein said processing circuitry adjusts the value of said data for said pixels neighboring said first pixel as a function of the proximity of said neighboring pixels from said first pixel.