Patent ID: 6064366
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: G09G,H04N

Abstract:
A spatial light modulator comprising:an array of deformable mirror elements; andcontrol circuitry for applying control signals to the individual mirror elements of the array such that the mirror elements are selectively switchable between ""ON"" and ""OFF"" orientations, each mirror element being ""ON"" for a chosen duration varying substantially in proportion to integer multiples of a basic period determined by the control signals so as to display a chosen light level, each of the mirror elements having a minimum ""ON"" duration which is greater than the basic period,said control circuitry being arranged such that light levels corresponding to durations of less than the minimum ""ON"" duration for any particular mirror elements are displayed by setting the control signals to the particular mirror elements to produce zero ""ON"" durations and modifying the control signals to a proportion of the other mirror elements in the array to increase the ""ON"" durations of said proportion of the other mirror elements.