Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed which provide a means for both spatially and temporally resolving the on/off states of a two-state display device such as a liquid cystal display to provide apparent shades of gray. A particular feature of this method is that the cycling between on and off states is not performed in a discernible pattern. Rather, a pseudo-random pattern is utilized which repeats only after many cycles. Additionally, when the method disclosed herein is utilized, adjacent pixels, when selected to display the same shade of gray, do not cycle on and off in synchronization, but rather utilize out-of-phase cycling patterns. This spatial resolution reduces perceived flicker in the display and provides a more stable image. In one embodiment, eight shades of gray are provided. The shades are generated by cycling individual pixels such that when averaged over time, they are: always off; on 20% of the time; 33% of the time; 40% of the time; 60% of the time; 67% of the time; 80% of the time; or, on at all times.

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First Claim