System and method for displaying images

Abstract

System and method for simultaneous display of multiple images using a single light modulator array. A preferred embodiment comprises a light source that produces a light with desired spectral characteristics, a color filter optically coupled to the light source, and an array of light modulators optically coupled to the color filter. The color filter filters light from the light source to produce light of desired wavelengths and the array of light modulators simultaneously displays multiple images onto a display plane. Portions of the array of light modulators are designed so that each portion can independently display an image and the light source provides needed light to display the image.

1 . A micro-electromechanical device having an array of light modulators, the device comprising: 
 a first subset of light modulators, wherein each light modulator in the first subset of light modulators modulates light along a first axis of reflection; and    a second subset of light modulators, wherein each light modulator in the second subset of light modulators modulates light along a second axis of reflection.    
   
   
       2 . The micro-electromechanical device of  claim 1 , wherein the light modulators in the first subset of light modulators and the light modulators in the second subset of light modulators are distributed substantially evenly throughout the array of light modulators.  
   
   
       3 . The micro-electromechanical device of  claim 2 , wherein adjacent light modulators in at least one planar axis of the array of light modulators belong to different subsets of light modulators from each other.  
   
   
       4 . The micro-electromechanical device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one planar axis is a row, column, or diagonal of the array of light modulators.  
   
   
       5 . The micro-electromechanical device of  claim 2 , wherein adjacent rows, columns, or diagonals of the array of light modulators belong to different subsets of light modulators, and wherein each light modulator within a respective single row, column, or diagonal belongs to a single subset of light modulators.  
   
   
       6 . The micro-electromechanical device of  claim 1 , wherein the first axis of reflection of the first subset of light modulators is substantially orthogonal to the second axis of reflection of the second subset of light modulators.  
   
   
       7 . The micro-electromechanical device of  claim 6 , wherein a single design layout is used for all light modulators in the array of light modulators, and wherein a light modulator in the second subset of light modulators is rotated by an amount substantially equal to a difference between the first axis of reflection and the second axis of reflection with respect to a light modulator in the first subset of light modulators.  
   
   
       8 . A display system comprising: 
 a light source configured to produce a light with desired spectral characteristics;    a color filter optically coupled to the light source, the color filter configured to filter light provided by the light source to produce light of desired wavelengths; and    an array of light modulators optically coupled to the color filter, the array of light modulators configured to simultaneously display multiple images onto a display plane, wherein the light source provides light used to display each image.    
   
   
       9 . The display system of  claim 8 , wherein the array of light modulator comprises: 
 a first subset of light modulators, wherein each light modulator in the first subset of light modulators modulates light along a first axis of reflection; and    a second subset of light modulators, wherein each light modulator in the second subset of light modulators modulates light along a second axis of reflection.    
   
   
       10 . The display system of  claim 8 , wherein each image simultaneously displayed by the display system contains image data for a different component color of an image, and the display system further comprises a beam splitter optically coupled between the light source and the color filter, the beam splitter configured to split the light produced by the light source into a plurality of light beams, wherein there is one light beam for each image simultaneously displayed.  
   
   
       11 . The display system of  claim 8 , wherein two images are simultaneously displayed by the display system, wherein the two images are components of a three-dimensional stereoscopic image, and the display system further comprising a polarizing beam splitter optically coupled between the color filter and the array of light modulators, the polarizing beam splitter configured to split the light produced by the light source into two light beams, wherein a first light beam is polarized with a first polarization and a second light beam is polarized with a second polarization, and wherein the first polarization and the second polarization are orthogonal.  
   
   
       12 . The display system of  claim 8 , wherein the array of light modulators is an array of micromirrors.  
   
   
       13 . The display system of  claim 12 , wherein the array of light modulators is a digital micromirror device (DMD).  
   
   
       14 . The display system of  claim 12 , wherein the array of light modulators is an array of deformable mirrors.  
   
   
       15 . The display system of  claim 8 , wherein each image is displayed using optical dithering to increase an effective resolution of the displayed images.  
   
   
       16 . A method for simultaneously displaying multiple images with a single array of light modulators, the method comprising: 
 providing first light along a first light path to illuminate an array of light modulators, wherein the first light has a first set of optical properties;    providing second light along a second light path to illuminate the array of light modulators, wherein the second light has a second set of optical properties;    setting a first light modulator state in a first subset of light modulators in the array of light modulators corresponding to a first set of image data; and    setting a second light modulator state in a second subset of light modulators in the array of light modulators corresponding to a second set of image data.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first subset of light modulators reflects the first light onto a display plane depending upon the first light modulator state in the first subset of light modulators, and the second subset of light modulators reflects the second light onto the display plane depending upon the second light modulator state in the second subset of light modulators.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first light is polarized with a first polarity, wherein the second light is polarized with a second polarity, wherein the first polarity and the second polarity are orthogonal, and wherein the first set of image data and the second set of image data are components of a three dimensional stereoscopic image.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first light comprises a first color of light, wherein the second light comprises a second color of light, wherein the first color of light and the second color of light are different and each color is a subset of colors used to display an image, and wherein the first set of image data comprises image data for the first color of light for the image and the second set of image data comprises image data for the second color of light for the image.  
   
   
       20 . A method for fabricating an array of light modulators on a substrate, the method comprising: 
 forming electrical addressing circuitry on the substrate;    forming a first subset of first hinges over a first portion of the electrical addressing circuitry, wherein the first subset of first hinges has a first axis of rotation;    forming a second subset of second hinges over a second portion of the electrical addressing circuitry, wherein the second subset of second hinges has a second axis of rotation; and    forming mirrors on each of the first hinges and each of the second hinges.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation are substantially orthogonal.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the first subset of first hinges and the second subset of second hinges are distributed substantially evenly throughout the array of light modulators.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the first hinges and the second hinges are formed in alternating rows, columns, or diagonals on the substrate.