Spatial light modulator and mirror array device

• US 8,179,591 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2008
• Issued: 05/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Olympus Corporation, Silicon Quest Kabushiki-Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Olympus Corporation, Silicon Quest Kabushiki-Kaisha
• Inventors: Sugimoto, Naoya, Maeda, Yoshihiro, Arai, Kazuma, Ishii, Fusao
• Primary Examiner(s): Mack, Ricky
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tra, Tuyen
• Application Number:
  US12/291,915
• Publication Number:
  US 20090128890A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,279 Days
• Field of Search: 359/237, 359290-292, 359/298, 345 30- 32, 345/40, 365/149
• US Class Current: 359/316
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0841 the reflecting element being moved or deformed by electrostatic means
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/0262 The addressing of the pixel, in a display other than an active matrix LCD, involving the control of two or more scan electrodes or two or more data electrodes, e.g. pixel voltage dependent on signals of two data electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/06 Details of flat display driving waveforms
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2077 by a combination of two or more gradation control methods
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/346 based on modulation of the reflection angle, e.g. micromirrors micromirrors devices per se G02B26/0833

Abstract

The present invention provides a spatial light modulator, comprising: a pixel array comprises a plurality of pixel units. Each of the pixel units comprises a memory cell. A plurality of word lines and a plurality of plate lines to electrically communicate with the pixel units. A plurality of bit line sets wherein each of the sets includes a pair of bit lines each connected to a memory cell, wherein at least one pair of the memory cells connected to the pair of bit lines are on a same row connected to a same word line.

Claims

1. A spatial light modulator, comprising:

a pixel array comprises a plurality of pixel units;

each of the pixel units further comprises a memory cell;

a plurality of word lines and a plurality of plate lines for electrically communicating with the pixel units; and

a plurality of bit line sets wherein each of the sets includes a pair of bit lines each connected to a memory cell, wherein at least one pair of the memory cells connected to the pair of bit lines are on a same row connected to a same word line; and

a bit driver for driving the sets of bit lines, wherein the bit driver has a first operation mode and a second operation mode, wherein a combinations of predetermined pieces of data set transmitted to the bit line set are different in the first operation mode and the second operation mode.

2. The spatial light modulator according to claim 1, wherein:

at least two of the memory cells are connected to the set of bit lines in one of the pixel units.

3. The spatial light modulator according to claim 1, wherein:

every other of the memory cells on one row in a direction along the word line is connected to the bit line and plate line.

4. The spatial light modulator according to claim 1, wherein:

the memory cells connected to the bit line and the plate line are configured at common relative location in each row in a direction along the word line of the pixel array.

5. The spatial light modulator according to claim 1, wherein:

the data with a reversed logic state is applied to each bit line of the bit line set in the first operation mode, and the data with the same logic state or reversed logic state is applied to each bit line of the bit line set in the second operation.

6. The spatial light modulator according to claim 1, wherein:

the signal levels of the plate line are changed after the data of the second operation mode is applied by the bit line driver to the memory cell.

7. The spatial light modulator according to claim 1, wherein:

the second operation mode is carried out at least for one time during one sub-frame period for image display.

8. The spatial light modulator according to claim 1, wherein:

each of the pixel units further comprises a mirror.

9. A spatial light modulator, comprising:

a pixel array comprises a plurality of pixel units;

each of the pixel units comprises a memory cell for retaining data applied for driving the pixel unit;

a plurality of word lines and a plurality of plate lines for electrically communicating with the pixel units;

and a plurality of bit lines for transmitting the data to the memory cell, wherein the memory comprises a transistor and a capacitor, a word line is connected to the gate of the transistor, the first plate of the capacitor is connected to a source of the transistor for connecting to the bit line, the second plate of the capacitor is connected to the plate line, a plurality of bit line sets wherein each of the sets includes two of the bit lines, and the plate line is connected to at least one of two of the memory cells connected to the set of bit lines wherein the memory cell are disposed on one row in a direction along the word line of the pixel array; and

each of the pixel units comprises a micromirror, and an ON electrode and an OFF electrode to control the micromirror to deflect within a range of tilt angles, the memory cells are electrically connected correspondingly to an ON electrode and an OFF electrode, the bit line is transmits a data signal for storing in the memory cell, the word line controls the transistor in each of the memory cells for controlling an operation of writing the data signal to the memory cell, and the plate line applies another data signal to the memory cell.

10. A spatial light modulator comprising:

a pixel array comprises a plurality of pixel units;

each of the pixel units further comprises a memory cell;

a plurality of word lines and a plurality of plate lines for electrically communicating with the pixel units; and

a plurality of bit line sets wherein each of the sets includes a pair of bit lines each connected to a memory cell, wherein at least one pair of the memory cells connected to the pair of bit lines are on a same row connected to a same word line; and

each of the pixel units comprises a micromirror and an ON electrode and an OFF electrode to control the micromirror to deflect to a range of tilt angles, the memory cells are electrically connected corresponding to an ON electrode and an OFF electrode, the bit line is transmits a data signal for storing in the memory cell, the word line controls the transistor in each of the memory cells for controlling an operation of writing the data signal to the memory cell, and the plate line transmits another data signal to the memory cell.