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System and method for displaying imagesSystem and method for displaying images description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070188443, System and method for displaying images. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates generally to a system and a method for displaying images, and more particularly to a system and a method for the simultaneous display of multiple images using a single light modulator array. BACKGROUND [0002] In certain applications, there is a desire to display two (or more) images onto a single display plane of a display system. For example, in the projection of three dimensional (3-D) images using stereoscopy, two component images of a single three dimension image are displayed on the single display plane using polarized light with orthogonal polarizations. Audiences using special optical devices, such as 3-D glasses, can cancel out one of the two images per eye can then see a single 3-D image on the display plane. Additionally, it is possible to reduce color flicker and color banding on a display system if two (or more) images, each being displayed with a different colored light, were displayed simultaneously on a single display plane. Each of the images contains color image data from a single image being displayed by the display system. For example, at a given time, a first image may contain green color image data and a second image may contain blue color image data, whereas at some other time the images displayed may contain blue and red color image data or red and green color image data. In a three-color display system, it may be possible to display image data for all three colors. [0003] With reference now to FIG. 1, there is shown a diagram illustrating a display system 100, wherein the display system can display two images simultaneously on a single display plane 105. In order to display two images onto the single display plane 105, the display system 100 can make use of two arrays of light modulators, with spatial light modulators (SLM) being used as light modulators. The diagram shown in FIG. 1 illustrates the display system 100 making use of a particular implementation of the array of light modulators referred to as a digital micromirror device (DMD). A DMD is an array of positional micromirrors that can reflect light from a light source onto the display plane 105 with the position (state) of the individual micromirrors being dependent upon the value of the image data being displayed. For example, if the image data being represented by a positional micromirror indicates that light should be placed onto the display plane 105, then the positional micromirror will be moved into a position so that light from a light source will reflect off the positional micromirror onto the display plane 105. [0004] The diagram shown in FIG. 1 illustrates two DMDs, a first DMD 110 and a second DMD 111 in the display system 100. A light source 115 and a light source 116 can be used to provide the light needed to project the image data onto the display plane 105. A color filter 120, used in conjunction with the light source 115, and a color filter 121, used in conjunction with the light source 116, can be used to filter light provided by the light source 115 and light source 116 to provide necessary colors, such as red, blue, and green in a three-color display system. Although shown in FIG. 1 as being two distinct light sources, similar lighting performance can be achieved by using a single light source and a light splitter (not shown) that can split the light from the single light source into two light beams. The display system 100 shown in FIG. 1 displays significant components used in the display system 100, but for simplicity purposes, may leave out components that are required for proper operation, such as integrating rods, relay optics, beam shapers, and so forth. [0005] If the display system 100 is to be used to project 3-D images using stereoscopy, the light source 115 and the light source 116 can be configured to produce light with orthogonal polarizations with respect to one another. If the display system 100 is to be used to project images with reduced color flicker and banding, then the light source 115 and the light source 116 can be configured to produce different colored lights. [0006] The display system 100 can be formed from two separate projector systems, with the DMD 110 and the light source 115 forming one projector system and the DMD 111 and the light source 116 forming another projector system. Alternatively, both the DMD 110 and DMD 111 and the light source 115 and the light source 116 can be contained within a single projector system. Although shown as a display system comprised of two separate projector systems or a single projector system with two DMDs, it is possible to make use of more than two separate projector systems or DMDs. For example, in a display system that makes use of three component colors, such as red, green, and blue, it is possible to create three separate projector systems with one separate projector for each of the three component colors. This can be extended to an even larger number of projectors, such as in a display system that makes use of more than three component colors. [0007] One disadvantage of the prior art is that with more than one separate projector or DMD, maintaining good alignment of the individual pixels can be very difficult. A small bump to the display system can result in misalignment of the images produced by the display system. Therefore, expensive optical components and regular calibration must be done regularly to ensure that the images remain aligned. Furthermore, since separate projectors or DMDs are used, differences in thermal expansion may result in a misalignment of the images that occurs only after the display system has been powered for a period of time. [0008] Another disadvantage of the prior art is that the optics required to combine the images from the separate projectors or DMDs can be prohibitively expensive. Therefore the display systems that make use of separate projectors or DMDs are typically too expensive for all but high-end and commercial installations. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] These and other problems are generally solved or circumvented, and technical advantages are generally achieved, by preferred embodiments of the present invention which provides a system and a method simultaneous display of multiple images in a display system using a single light modulator array. [0010] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a micro-electromechanical device with an array of light modulators is provided. The device includes a first subset of light modulators and a second subset of light modulators. Each light modulator in the first subset of light modulators modulates light along a first axis of reflection, while each light modulator in the second subset of light modulator modulates light along a second axis of reflection. [0011] In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a display system is provided. The display system includes a light source, a color filter that is optically coupled to the light source, and an array of light modulators that is optically coupled to the color filter. The array of light modulators simultaneously displays multiple images onto a display plane with light from the light source used to display each image. [0012] In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for simultaneously displaying multiple images with a single array of light modulators is provided. The method includes providing a first light along a first light path to illuminate an array of light modulators and providing a second light along a second light path to illuminate the array of light modulators. The first light has a first set of optical properties and the second light has a second set of optical properties. The method also includes setting a first light modulator state in a first subset of light modulators and setting a second light modulator state in a second subset of light modulators. The first light modulator state corresponds to a first set of image data and the second light modulator state corresponds to a second set of image data. [0013] In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for fabricating an array of light modulators on a substrate is provided. The method includes forming electrical addressing circuitry on the substrate and forming a first subset of first hinges over a first portion of the electrical addressing circuitry. The first subset of hinges has a first axis of rotation. The method also includes forming a second subset of hinges over a second portion of the electrical addressing circuitry. The second subset of hinges has a second axis of rotation. The method further includes forming mirrors on each of the first hinges and each of the second hinges. [0014] An advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that a single array of light modulators in a display system can be used to simultaneously display more than one image on a display plane. The use of a single array of light modulators can simplify the optical system in the display system. A simpler optical system can also be cheaper, therefore, the cost of the display system can be decreased. [0015] A further advantage of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is that the use of the single array of light modulators can significantly reduce the cost of the optics and eliminate the need for frequent and expensive image alignment procedures. This can significantly reduce the operating cost of the display system. [0016] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures or processes for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a prior art display system; [0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary array of light modulators; [0020] FIGS. 3a and 3b are diagrams of exemplary arrays of light modulators for use in simultaneously displaying two images, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Continue reading about System and method for displaying images... Full patent description for System and method for displaying images Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this System and method for displaying images patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like System and method for displaying images or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Display medium and method of manufacturing display medium Next Patent Application: Light-pointing device and light-tracking receiver having a function selection key and system using the same Industry Class: Computer graphics processing, operator interface processing, and selective visual display systems ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the System and method for displaying images patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.13716 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Software: Finance , AI , Databases , Development , Document , Navigation , Error 174 |
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