Patent US5506597A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5506597A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for image projection
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1992-12-22
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Granted: 1996-04-09
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Expires: 2012-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A digitized video display for displaying and image utilizing a light source, a spatial light modulator that receives substantially all of a cross-section of beam from the light source and directing it along a different direction, and a surface positioned in the different direction for receiving the image from the modulator.
Inventors
- 👤 E. Earle Thompson
- 👤 Thomas W. DeMond
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:48
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/0816; G02B26/0833; G02B26/0841; H; H04; H04N; H04N9/00; H04N9/12; H04N9/31; G02B27/00; G02B27/48; G09; G09F; G09F19/00; G09F19/12; G09F19/16; G09F19/18; G09F9/00; G09F9/30; G09F9/37; G09F9/372; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/20; G09G3/34; G09G3/3406; G09G3/3433; G09G3/346; H04N13/00; H04N13/30; H04N13/363; H04N13/388; H04N13/395; H04N13/398; H04N5/00; H04N5/74; H04N5/7416; H04N5/7458; H04N9/3102; H04N9/3111; H04N9/3141; H04N9/315; H04N9/3161; H04N9/3179; G09G2300/00; G09G2300/08; G09G2300/0809; G09G2300/0814; G09G2300/0842; G09G2300/0847; G09G2310/00; G09G2310/02; G09G2310/0235; G09G2310/0262; G09G2310/06; G09G2310/066; G09G2320/00; G09G2320/06; G09G2320/0626; G09G2320/0633; G09G3/2007; G09G3/2018; G09G3/2022; G09G3/2025; G09G3/3413
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A digitized video display for displaying an image comprising: (a) a light source producing a beam of light directed along an optical path, said beam having a first cross-section area; (b) a spatial light modulator for receiving substantially all of said first cross-sectional area of said beam and including an array of mirror cells movable between first and second positions for directing individual portions of said beam associated with said cells in said second position along said optical path to produce said image; and (c) a surface coincident with said optical path to display said entire image simultaneously.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A digitized video display for displaying an image comprising: (a) a light source producing a beam of light directed along an optical path, said beam having a first cross-section area; (b) a spatial light modulator for receiving substantially all of said first cross-sectional area of said beam and including an array of mirror cells movable between first and second positions for directing individual portions of said beam associated with said cells in said second position along said optical path to produce said image; and (c) a surface coincident with said optical path to display said entire image simultaneously.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
System as in claim 1 wherein each mirror cell has at least one memory cell associated therewith.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
System as in claim 1 wherein each mirror cell has a plurality of memory cells associated therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
System as in claim 3 wherein said mirror cell is in electrical communication with one of its memory cells to display said image while one or more of its other memory cells is being loaded with information to display another image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
System as in claim 1 wherein said surface is substantially flat.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
System as in claim 1 wherein said optical path is directed at one side of said surface and viewed from the other side of said surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
System as in claim 1 wherein said spatial modulator includes: (a) each said mirror cell having at least two memory cells for storing video data associated therewith, each said mirror cell selectively directly connected with one of said memory cells for control of said mirror cell; (b) a first decoder for addressing said memory cells for storing information therein; and (c) a second decoder for addressing said memory cells for selecting which of said memory cells is directly connected for control.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
System as in claim 7 wherein each memory cell includes at least two components.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
System as in claim 8 wherein one component is a transistor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
System as in claim 8 where one component stores capacitively.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
System as in claim 8 wherein both components are transistors.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
System as in claim 7 wherein said memory cell is implemented in CMOS.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
System as in claim 7 wherein said memory cell is implemented in NMOS.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
System as in claim 7 wherein said memory cell is implemented in PMOS.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
System as in claim 7 wherein said second decoder simultaneously addresses one memory cell associated with substantially all of said cells to display an image.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
System as in claim 7 wherein said second decoder simultaneously addresses one memory cell associated with all of said cells to display an image.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
System as in claim 7 wherein said first decoder addresses a row of said array at a time.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of displaying an image comprising the steps of: (a) producing a beam of light including a first cross-sectional area; (b) impinging substantially all of said first cross-sectional area of said beam upon an array of mirror cells; (c) forming said image by controlling said array of mirror cells between a first and second position to direct individual portions of said beam associated with said cells in said second position; and (d) impinging said individual portions upon a surface to display the entire image simultaneously.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of displaying an image comprising the steps of: (a) producing a beam of light including a first cross-sectional area; (b) impinging substantially all of said first cross-sectional area of said beam upon an array of mirror cells; (c) forming said image by controlling said array of mirror cells between a first and second position to direct individual portions of said beam associated with said cells in said second position; and (d) impinging said individual portions upon a surface to display the entire image simultaneously.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as in claim 1 wherein said first cross-sectional area encompasses substantially all of said beam.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system as in claim 1 wherein said first cross-sectional area of said beam is substantially uniform in intensity.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as in claim 18 when said first cross-sectional area encompasses substantially all of said beam.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as in claim 18 wherein said first cross-sectional area of said beam is substantially uniform in intensity.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of displaying a two-dimensional image comprising the steps of: (a) producing a beam of light including a first cross-sectional area; (b) impinging substantially all of said first cross-sectional area of said beam upon an array of mirror cells; (c) forming said two-dimensional image by controlling said array of mirror cells between a first and second position to direct individual portions of said beam associated with said cells in said second position; and (d) magnifying the entire two-dimensional image.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of displaying a two-dimensional image comprising the steps of: (a) producing a beam of light including a first cross-sectional area; (b) impinging substantially all of said first cross-sectional area of said beam upon an array of mirror cells; (c) forming said two-dimensional image by controlling said array of mirror cells between a first and second position to direct individual portions of said beam associated with said cells in said second position; and (d) magnifying the entire two-dimensional image.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
Method of claim 23 wherein said magnifying step comprises the use of at least one lens.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
Method of claim 23 wherein said magnifying step comprises the use of at least one mirror.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
99 words
A digitized video display for displaying a two-dimensional image comprising: (a) a light source producing a beam of light directed along an optical path, said beam having a first cross-sectional area; (b) a spatial light modulator for receiving substantially all of said first cross-sectional area of said beam including an array of mirror cells movable between first and second positions for directing individual portions of said beam associated with said cells in said second position along said optical path to produce said two-dimensional image; and (c) a magnifying element coincident with said optical path to enlarge said two-dimensional image.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
99 words
A digitized video display for displaying a two-dimensional image comprising: (a) a light source producing a beam of light directed along an optical path, said beam having a first cross-sectional area; (b) a spatial light modulator for receiving substantially all of said first cross-sectional area of said beam including an array of mirror cells movable between first and second positions for directing individual portions of said beam associated with said cells in said second position along said optical path to produce said two-dimensional image; and (c) a magnifying element coincident with said optical path to enlarge said two-dimensional image.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
System as in claim 26 wherein said magnifying element comprises at least one lens.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
System as in claim 26 wherein said magnifying element comprises at least one mirror.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
System as in claim 26 wherein said magnifying element enlarges said image upon a surface to display said image.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-04-09 | 1999-10-09 | 2000-04-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-09 | 2003-10-09 | 2004-04-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-09 | 2007-10-09 | 2008-04-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |