Exposure Data Generation for DMD via Column-to-Row Rearrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The generation of exposure data for two-dimensional display devices like DMDs is hindered by numerous accesses to the cell coordinate table, slowing down the data generation process.
Innovation Solution
An exposure-data generating apparatus with a first memory for bitmap data, a second memory for data units converted to a cell resolution, and an exposure data memory for raster data, where data is rearranged from a column direction to a row direction, reducing the number of accesses to the cell coordinate table by performing burst transfers at the column unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If exposure data is generated by reading cell coordinate from cell coordinate table at every cell unit, then the exposure data can be generated with accurate cell coordinate mapping, but the number of accesses to cell coordinate table becomes equal to the number of cells, slowing down the generation speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cell coordinate data into multiple segments stored in different memory locations. Instead of accessing a single large cell coordinate table for every cell, the data is segmented and distributed across first memory, second memory, and exposure data memory. This segmentation reduces the access frequency to any single memory location and enables parallel processing of different data segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary data preparation by converting bitmap data to cell resolution data and storing it in the second memory before the actual exposure data generation. The cell coordinate information is pre-processed and organized in the first memory. This preliminary action reduces the computational burden during the actual exposure data generation, allowing faster processing when exposure data is needed.
Solution Approach 3:
The patent introduces a second memory as an intermediary between the bitmap data storage and the exposure data memory. This second memory stores data at cell resolution, acting as a buffer that reduces direct accesses to the cell coordinate table. The intermediary memory layer allows data to be pre-converted and staged, reducing the number of accesses required to the cell coordinate table during exposure data generation.
2Reliability
If cell coordinate table is accessed for every cell to generate exposure data, then complete and accurate exposure data can be produced, but the numerous accesses hinder the speed-up of exposure data generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple data storage functions into a coordinated memory system. The first memory stores bitmap data, the second memory stores cell-resolution data, and the exposure data memory stores the final output. By combining these memory functions and enabling them to work together with pre-processed data, the system ensures complete exposure data generation while reducing access time through the merged memory architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary conversion of bitmap data to cell resolution data and stores it in the second memory before exposure data generation. This preliminary action ensures that when exposure data is generated, the data is already in the correct format and resolution, eliminating the need for time-consuming conversions during the actual exposure data generation process while ensuring data completeness.
Data Source
AI summary
An exposure-data generating apparatus comprises a first memory, a second memory, and an exposure data memory. The first memory stores drawing data in bitmap format as first data that is used for an exposure. The second memory stores second data whose data unit in a column direction is converted to a resolution unit of information of each cell based on the first data. The exposure data memory stores exposure data that is raster data obtained by a burst transfer of third data at every column unit. The second data is rearranged and converted to the third data, where an arrangement of data of each cell of the second data in the column direction is changed to a row direction. The cell constitutes a display element of a Digital Micro-mirror Device that performs the exposure based on said exposure data.