Supplemental reset pulse

• US 7,884,988 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2004
• Issued: 02/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Hewlett, Gregory J., McCosky, Darren T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lester; Evelyn A.
• Application Number:
  US10/886,755
• Publication Number:
  US 20050030609A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,406 Days
• Field of Search: 359/315, 359/223, 359/224, 359/290, 359/292, 359/295, 359/298, 359/302, 359/316, 359318-320, 345/85, 345/98, 345/108, 348770-774, 361/290
• US Class Current: 359/224.1
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/0235 Field-sequential colour display
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/061 for resetting or blanking
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/063 Waveforms for resetting the whole screen at once
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0247 Flicker reduction other than flicker reduction circuits used for single beam cathode-ray tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/001 using specific devices not provided for in groups G09G3/02 - G09G3/36, e.g. using an intermediate record carrier such as a film slide; Projection systems; Display of non-alphanumerical information, solely or in combination with alphanumerical information, e.g. digital display on projected diapositive as background slide projectors per se G03B23/00 = 42 HP
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2037 with specific control of sub-frames corresponding to the least significant bits
• 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 9/3114 by using a sequential colour filter producing one colour at a time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3123 using pulse width modulation

Abstract

A micromechanical device and system utilizing a supplemental reset pulse to ensure deflectable members deflect to the desired position. After loading data into a micromechanical device, a reset pulse is used to position the deflectable member to a position indicated by the data. A supplemental reset pulse is then applied to ensure the deflectable member is driven to the position indicated by the data. The method and system are also used to ensure the deflectable members are driven to a neutral position.

Claims

1. A method of operating a micromechanical device, the method comprising:

providing a micromirror device comprising a deflectable member;

loading position data in said micromechanical device;

providing a primary reset to an input of said micromirror device intended to drive said deflectable member to a position corresponding to said position data;

delaying while holding said input at a intermediate voltage;

providing a damping pulse to said input, said intermediate voltage between the level of said primary reset and said damping pulse; and

after a delay period after the primary reset, providing a supplemental reset intended to drive said deflectable member to said position.

2. A method of operating a micromechanical device, the method comprising:

providing a micromirror device comprising a deflectable member;

providing a primary reset to an input of said micromirror device intended to drive said deflectable member to a neutral position;

delaying while holding said input at a intermediate voltage;

providing a damping pulse to said input, said intermediate voltage between the level of said primary reset and said damping pulse; and

after a delay period after the primary reset, providing a supplemental reset intended to drive said deflectable member to said neutral position.

3. A micromechanical system comprising:

a micromirror device comprising a deflectable member; and

electronics to provide a primary reset having a first voltage, an intermediate voltage level, a damping pulse having a second voltage, and a supplemental reset delayed from the primary reset to said deflectable member, and wherein said intermediate voltage level is between said first and said second voltage levels.