DIRECT-VIEW MEMS DISPLAY DEVICES AND METHODS FOR GENERATING IMAGES THEREON
A direct-view display includes an array of MEMS light modulators and a control matrix formed on a transparent substrate, where each light modulator can be driven into at least two states, and a controller for controlling the states of each light modulator in the array. The control matrix transmits data and actuation voltages to the array. The controller includes an input, a processor, a memory, and an output. The input receives image data encoding an image frame for display. The processor derives a plurality of sub-frame data sets from the image data, where each sub-frame data set indicates desired states of light modulators in multiple rows and multiple columns of the array. The memory stores the plurality of sub-frame data sets. The output outputs the plurality of sub-frame data sets according to an output sequence to drive light modulators into the states indicated in the sub-frame data sets.
1 . An electromechanical device comprising:
an array of light blocking elements having at least two positions;
at least one light source;
a controller for controlling the position of the light blocking elements, and for controlling illumination of the at least one light source, and for
obtaining from a memory a plurality of sub-frame data sets corresponding to an image frame; and
processing the sub-frame data sets according to an output sequence to drive the light blocking elements into the positions indicated in the sub-frame data sets, and illuminate the at least one light source according to the sub-frame data sets to form an image; and
a sequence parameter calculation module for determining changes to the output sequence to alter the image.
2 . The electromechanical device of claim 1 , wherein the controller identifies data within a respective image frame and the sequence parameter calculation module determines changes to the output sequence based on the identified data.
3 . The electromechanical device of claim 2 , wherein the sequence parameter calculation module adjusts a frame rate.
4 . The electromechanical device of claim 2 , wherein the sequence parameter calculation module adjusts a number of sub-images to be displayed for the image frame.
5 . The electromechanical device of claim 1 , wherein the sequence parameter calculation module changes a timing value associated with a light blocking element movement event.
6 . The electromechanical device of claim 1 , wherein the sequence parameter calculation module changes a timing value associated with a light source illumination event.
7 . The electromechanical device of claim 1 , wherein the sequence parameter calculation module changes an intensity value for the at least one light source.
8 . The electromechanical device of claim 1 , wherein the controller identifies a characteristic of a respective image frame and the sequence parameter calculator changes at least one of the plurality of sub-frame data sets based on the identified characteristic.
9 . The electromechanical device of claim 1 , comprising a memory for storing the output sequence.
10 . The electromechanical device of claim 1 , wherein the light blocking elements are electromechanical shutters formed on a transparent substrate, the electromechanical shutters moving transverse to the transparent substrate to modulate light.
11 . A method for displaying an image, comprising:
obtaining from memory a plurality of sub-frame data sets corresponding to an image frame, the respective sub-frame data sets indicating positions of light blocking elements in an array;
processing the plurality of sub-frame data sets according to an output sequence to drive the light blocking elements into the positions indicated in the respective sub-frame data sets; and
changing the output sequence to alter the displayed image.
12 . The method of claim 11 , comprising identifying data within the image frame and changing the output sequence based on the identified data.
13 . The method of claim 11 , comprising changing timing values stored in relation to at least one light blocking element movement event included in the output sequence.
14 . The method of claim 11 , comprising changing timing values stored in relation to at least one light source illumination event included in the output sequence.
15 . The method of claim 11 , comprising changing at least one light source intensity value stored in relation to at least one light source illumination event included in the output sequence.