Patent ID: 7800811

Claim:
A spatial light modulator device for providing an alterable spatial light pattern, the spatial light modulator device comprising: a first modulator element with a pixel for receiving and, in response to a first electric signal, processing a light beam incident thereon, a second modulator element with a pixel for receiving and in response to a second electric signal, processing a light beam incident thereon, signal-processing circuitry; and light-directing elements configured and arranged with the signal-processing circuitry configured, in response to the respective first and second electric signals, for operating the pixels in two opposing binary states to facilitate formation of the spatial light pattern with the respectively-processed light beams being aligned, the states including a first state for processing the first light beam such that a portion of the light beam incident on the pixel is part of the spatial light pattern and a second different state for processing the light beam incident on the pixel such that the spatial light pattern is substantially free of the portion of the light beam.