Method for making a micromirror-based projection system with a programmable control unit for controlling a spatial light modulator

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a spatial light modulator and a control unit associated with the spatial light modulator for controlling the spatial light modulator;

wherein the spatial light modulator comprises an array of reflective micromirror devices capable of modulating light;

wherein the control unit is composed of a field-programmable-gate-array and lacks of an application-specific-integrated-circuit; and

wherein the control unit comprises a data conversion module designated for converting a set of image data into a set of bitplane data, said module being implemented in the field-programmable-gate-array through a set of configuration data such that the field-programmable-gate-array is capable to output the bitplane data to the spatial light modulator; and

building a projection system using the received spatial light modulator and control unit, further comprising:

modifying the set of configuration data so as to modify a default configuration of the received control unit according to a desired specific configuration; and

delivering the projection system to an end user.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the field-programmable-gate-array is a volatile field-programmable-gate-array that is connected to a non-volatile memory stored therein a set of data for configuring and initializing the field-programmable-gate-array.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the field-programmable-gate-array is a non-volatile field-programmable-gate-array stored therein a set of data for configuring and initializing the field-programmable-gate-array at a time when the field-programmable-gate-array is turned ON or OFF.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of configuration data is such that the field-programmable-gate-array, after being configured and initialized with such set of data, is capable of converting a set of image data of a desired image into a set of bitplane data.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the built projection system is a front-projector.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the built projection system is a rear-projection TV.

7. The method of claim 1 , before the step of building the projection system using the received spatial light modulator and control unit, further comprising:

obtaining an access to the default configuration of the field-programmable-gate-array.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of building the projection system using the spatial light modulator and control unit, further comprises:

assembling the spatial light modulator and control unit to a set of elements of the projection system that comprises: an illumination system and a projection lens.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the illumination system comprises: an arc lamp, a lightpipe, and a beam splitter.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the beam splitter comprises a color wheel composed of a set of color segments.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the illumination system comprises a LED.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the LED is a member of an array of LEDs characterized by different characteristic spectrums.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the LEDs of the LED array are capable of producing red, green, and blue colors.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of modifying the set of configuration data so as to modify the default configuration of the received control unit according to a desired specific configuration further comprises:

modifying an entire module from which the set of configuration data that is derived while after the modification, the modified field-programmable-gate-array is still capable of converting image data to bitplane data.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of modifying the set of data so as to modify the default configuration of the received control unit according to a desired specific configuration further comprises:

modifying a portion of the set of configuration data that is derived while after the modification, the modified field-programmable-gate-array is still capable of converting image data to bitplane data.

16. A method, comprising:

fabricating a spatial light modulator and a control unit associated with the spatial light modulator for controlling the spatial light modulator;

wherein the spatial light modulator comprises an array of reflective micromirror devices capable of modulating light;

wherein the control unit is composed of a field-programmable-gate-array and lacks of an application-specific-integrated-circuit; and

wherein the control unit comprises a data conversion module designated for converting a set of image data into a set of bitplane data, said module being implemented in the field-programmable-gate-array through a set of configuration data such that the field-programmable-gate-array is capable to output the bitplane data to the spatial light modulator; and

delivering the fabricated spatial light modulator and control unit to a customer for building a projection system, further comprising:

providing to the customer an access to the pre-programmed configuration so as to allow the customer to modify the field-programmable-gate-array.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the field-programmable-gate-array is a volatile field-programmable-gate-array that is connected to a non-volatile memory stored therein the set of configuration data for configuring and initializing the field-programmable-gate-array.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the field-programmable-gate-array is a non-volatile field-programmable-gate-array stored therein a set of data for configuring and initializing the field-programmable-gate-array at a time when the field-programmable-gate-array is turned ON or OFF.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the set of configuration data is such that the field-programmable-gate-array, after being configured and initialized with such set of data, is capable of converting a set of image data of a desired image into a set of bitplane data.

20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the built projection system is a front-projector.

21. The method of claim 16 , wherein the built projection system is a rear-projection TV.

22. The method of claim 16 , wherein an application-specific-integrated-circuit is absent from the control unit.

23. A method, comprising:

making a spatial light modulator and a control unit, said spatial light modulator comprising an array of reflective and deflectable micromirror devices; and said control unit comprising a set of programmable codes for controlling the spatial light modulator in an operation; and

providing to a customer an access to the set of programmable codes such that the customer is capable of modifying the codes according to a specific configuration; and

delivering the spatial light modulator and the control unit to the customer.