Time-interleaved bit-plane, pulse-width-modulation digital display system

An apparatus for providing weighted pulse width modulation to each of a plurality of signals within a frame time, comprising:

• a. a memory for storing a plurality of collection of data bits representative of each of the signals wherein each of the collections comprises a like number of bits such that each bit in a collection represents one of a predetermined different event duration;
• b. a selecting circuit for selecting from a first subset of the plurality one bit per collection forming a first set of selected bits all having a predetermined event duration;
• and
• c. a circuit for generating a plurality of modulated signals corresponding to the selected bits;
• and
• d. a control circuit for controlling the selecting circuit to select from a second subset of the plurality one bit per collection forming a second set of selected bits such that only those bits are replaced during a next clock cycle for which the different event duration will expire at a next clock pulse and further wherein only one set of bits can expire at any one clock pulse.

A display comprising:

• a. an array of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns;
• b. a register having a plurality of storage elements for temporarily storing data, the register having as many storage elements as pixels in a row;
• c. a control circuit coupled to the memory and to the register for controlling a transfer of the data into a predetermined one of the rows;
• d. a memory for storing a collection of bits for each of the pixels wherein each of the collections comprises a like number of bits such that each bit in a collection represents one of a predetermined different event duration;
• and
• e. a selection circuit for selecting one bit per row forming a set of selected bits having a predetermined event duration, and then for a different row selecting a new set of selected bits such that only those bits are replaced for which the different event duration has expired.

A method of forming a plurality of pulse width modulating signals comprising the steps of:

• a. storing a predetermined number of bits for each signal, wherein the bits are sufficient for defining the signal, such that each one of the bits represents a different duration event;
• b. selecting a collection of bits, one for each signal, such that bits for at least two different duration events are selected;
• and
• c. selecting a replacement bit for any event that will expire at a next clock pulse.