System configurations and method for controlling image projection apparatuses

• US 8,228,593 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2008
• Issued: 07/24/2012
• 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: Shirai, Akira, Maeda, Yoshihiro, Nishino, Hirokazu, Ishii, Fusao
• Primary Examiner(s): Mack, Ricky
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tra, Tuyen
• Application Number:
  US12/286,816
• Publication Number:
  US 20090103158A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,392 Days
• Field of Search: 359/290, 359/291, 359/292, 359/237, 359/242, 359/443, 359/453, 359/456, 359/460, 353/31, 345/32, 345/38
• US Class Current: 359/290
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0841 the reflecting element being moved or deformed by electrostatic means
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0261 in the context of movement of objects on the screen or movement of the observer relative to the screen
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0266 Reduction of sub-frame artefacts
• 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 3/346 based on modulation of the reflection angle, e.g. micromirrors micromirrors devices per se G02B26/0833

Abstract

A projection apparatus implemented with a mirror device that includes a first electrode and a second electrode with an elastic hinge disposed between the first electrode part and second electrode. The elastic hinge supports a mirror and the mirror is controlled to deflect when drawn by a Coulomb force generated between the mirror and electrodes by applying a voltage to the electrodes. The projection apparatus further includes a light source for projecting a light to the mirror for modulating the light by deflecting the mirror to different deflection states. The light source suppresses the emission of the illumination light during a period when the mirror performs a series of operations to shift from a non-deflection state, placing the mirror in a stationary and non-deflection state, to a predetermined deflection state.

Claims

1. A projection apparatus, comprising:

a mirror device includes a first electrode and a second electrode with an elastic hinge disposed between the first electrode and second electrode for supporting a mirror controlled by applying a voltage to the first and second electrodes to draw the mirror with a Coulomb force toward one of said electrodes;

a light source for emitting a light for projecting to the mirror for modulating and then reflected by the mirror, wherein the light source is controlled to coordinate with a designated operation of the mirror to suppress an emission of the light during a period when the mirror performs the designated operation; and

the first electrode and the second electrode are connected to a single drive electrode for applying the voltage to the first and second electrodes and wherein the first electrode and the second electrode having different permittivities.

2. The projection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the light source is controlled to suppress an emission of the light during a period when the mirror performs the designated operation of changing from a first deflection state of operation with the mirror deflect to a first angle to a second deflection state of operation the mirror deflected to a second angle.

3. The projection apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

a controller to control the mirror to operate in at least three states including a non-deflection state when said mirror is in a natural non-deflection position, a first deflection state and a second deflection when said mirror is deflected to a first deflection angle and a second deflection angle respectively.

4. The projection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein:

the first electrode and the second electrode have different cross section areas facing the mirror for generating different drawing forces to deflect the mirror toward the first and second electrodes.

5. The projection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the mirror device further comprises a main power supply for supplying power to said light source, and the designated operation of the mirror is carried out after the main power supply is turned on.

6. The projection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the light source suppresses the emission of the light during a period when the mirror performs the designated operation.

7. A projection apparatus comprising:

a mirror device includes a first electrode and a second electrode with an elastic hinge disposed between the first electrode and second electrode for supporting a mirror controlled by applying a voltage to the first and second electrodes to draw the mirror with a Coulomb force toward one of said electrodes;

a light source for emitting a light for projecting to the mirror for modulating and then reflected by the mirror, wherein the light source is controlled to coordinate with a designated operation of the mirror to suppress an emission of the light during a period when the mirror performs the designated operation; and

,

the first electrode and the second electrode have different permittivities.

8. A projection apparatus comprising:

a mirror device includes a first electrode and a second electrode with an elastic hinge disposed between the first electrode and second electrode for supporting a mirror controlled by applying a voltage to the first and second electrodes to draw the mirror with a Coulomb force toward one of said electrodes;

a light source for emitting a light for projecting to the mirror for modulating and then reflected by the mirror, wherein the light source is controlled to coordinate with a designated operation of the mirror to suppress an emission of the light during a period when the mirror performs the designated operation; and

,

the light source is controlled to suppress an emission of the light during a period when the mirror performs the designated operation of changing from a natural non-deflection state to a first deflection state of operation with the mirror deflect to a first deflection angle, and also during a period when the mirror changing from said first deflection state to a second deflection state of operation with the mirror deflected to a second deflection angle.

9. A projection apparatus comprising:

a mirror device includes a first electrode and a second electrode with an elastic hinge disposed between the first electrode and second electrode for supporting a mirror controlled by applying a voltage to the first and second electrodes to draw the mirror with a Coulomb force toward one of said electrodes;

a light source for emitting a light for projecting to the mirror for modulating and then reflected by the mirror, wherein the light source is controlled to coordinate with a designated operation of the mirror to suppress an emission of the light during a period when the mirror performs the designated operation; and

,

the mirror device is controlled with externally inputted image data, and the designated operation is carried out after completing display of each frame of the image data.

10. A method for controlling and operating an image projection apparatus implemented with a light source projecting a light to a mirror device having a plurality of micromirrors deflectable to different deflection states for modulating and reflecting the light for projecting images, the method comprising:

controlling an intensity of the light projected from the light source by suppressing the light intensity during an entire time period when the micromirrors are controlled in a non-deflection state; and

continue to suppress the light intensity during the entire time period when the micromirror is deflected to move from the non-deflection state to a deflection state; and

controlling the light source to project a normal intensity for image display when said micromirror is stabilized in the deflection state.

11. A method for controlling and operating a projection apparatus implemented with a light source projecting a light to a mirror device having a plurality of micromirrors each includes electrodes for receiving voltages to deflect to different deflection states for modulating and reflecting the light for projecting images, the method comprising:

controlling an intensity of the light projected from the light source by suppressing the light intensity during an entire time period when the micromirror is controlled in a non-deflection state; and

applying a voltage to the electrodes to control and deflect the micromirror to a first deflection state followed by turning off the voltage applied to the electrode for deflecting the micromirror to a second deflection state according to a natural elastic force of a hinge supporting the micromirror; and

controlling the light source to project a normal intensity for image display when said micromirror is stabilized in the second deflection state.

12. The method for controlling and operating a projection apparatus according to claim 11, wherein:

said step of applying voltages to said electrode further comprising applying a same voltage to a first electrode and a second electrode for controlling the micromirror.