Method and device for modulating light

• US 20060028708A1
• Filed: 07/28/2005
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snaptrack Incorporated (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: IDC, LLC
• Inventors: Miles, Mark W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,463,421 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/290
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/26 using multiple reflection, e.g. Fabry-Perot interferometer, variable interference filters
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12104 Mirror; Reflectors or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/001 based on interference in an adjustable optical cavity interference filters G02B5/28; devices or arrangements using multiple reflections in spectrometry or monochromators G01J3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/02 for controlling the intensity of light G02B26/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0833 the reflecting element being a micromechanical device, e.g. a MEMS mirror, DMD G02B26/0825 takes precedence; micromechanical devices in general B81B
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0841 the reflecting element being moved or deformed by electrostatic means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/085 the reflecting means being moved or deformed by electromagnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0858 the reflecting means being moved or deformed by piezoelectric means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/12 of the integrated circuit kind electric integrated circuits H01L27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13725 based on guest-host interaction G02F1/13762, G02F1/13737, take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/169 based on orientable non-spherical particles having a common optical characteristic, e.g. suspended particles of reflective metal flakes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/216 using liquid crystals, e.g. liquid crystal Fabry-Perot filters
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/03 scattering
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1431 using a single graphics controller
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0408 Integration of the drivers onto the display substrate
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0452 : Details of colour pixel setup, e.g. pixel composed of a red, a blue and two green components
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/001 : using specific devices not provided for in groups G09G3/02 - G09G3/36, e.g. using an intermediate record carrier such as a film slide; Projection systems; Display of non-alphanumerical information, solely or in combination with alphanumerical information, e.g. digital display on projected diapositive as background slide projectors per se G03B23/00 = 42 HP
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2014 : by modulation of the duration of a single pulse during which the logic level remains constant
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2074 : using sub-pixels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2077 : by a combination of two or more gradation control methods
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3466 : based on interferometric effect
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/02 : characterised by the way in which colour is displayed details of colour display specific for CRTs G09G1/28; specific for flat matrix panels other than liquid crystal displays G09G3/2003; specific for liquid crystal displays G09G3/3607
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/26 : with folded element or elements, the folded parts being spaced apart a small fraction of operating wavelength resonant loop antennas H01Q7/00

Abstract

An Interferometric Modulator (IMod) is a microelectromechanical device for modulating light using interference. The colors of these devices may be determined in a spatial fashion, and their inherent color shift may be compensated for using several optical compensation mechanisms. Brightness, addressing, and driving of IMods may be accomplished in a variety of ways with appropriate packaging, and peripheral electronics which can be attached and/or fabricated using one of many techniques. The devices may be used in both embedded and directly perceived applications, the latter providing multiple viewing modes as well as a multitude of product concepts ranging in size from microscopic to architectural in scope.

Claims

1-39. -39. (canceled)

40. A system for selecting spectral frequencies of light, comprising:

a tunable filter comprising an interferometric light modulator configured to select and reflect a particular range of the spectral frequency of light;

a light source configured to illuminate said interferometric light modulator; and

a photosensitive device, wherein said interferometric light modulator is configured to reflect onto said photosensitive device at least a portion of said selected spectral frequency of light.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein said tunable filter is part of a digital camera.

42. The system of claim 40, wherein said system is a fiber optic communication system.

43. The system of claim 42 wherein said tunable filter is configured to reflect light along a fiber optic channel.

44. The system of claim 40, wherein said light source comprises a laser light source.

45. The system of claim 40, wherein said system is a chemical analysis system.

46. A method of manufacturing a system for selecting spectral frequencies of light, the method comprising:

providing a first mirror;

providing a second mirror, wherein the first and second mirrors are configured to define a gap therebetween, wherein the second mirror is moveable with respect to the first mirror, and wherein the first and second mirrors are configured to select and reflect a particular range of the spectral frequency of light;

providing a light source configured to illuminate said first and second mirrors; and

providing a photosensitive device, wherein said first and second mirrors are configured to reflect onto said photosensitive device at least a portion of said selected spectral frequency of light.

47. A system manufactured according to the method of claim 46.

48. A system for selecting spectral frequencies of light, comprising:

means for selecting and reflecting a particular range of the spectral frequency of light;

means for illuminating said means for selecting and reflecting a particular range of the spectral frequency of light; and

means for receiving at least a portion of light reflected by said means for selecting and reflecting a particular range of the spectral frequency of light.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein said selecting and reflecting means comprises at least one interferometric modulator.

50. The system of claim 48, wherein said illuminating means comprises a light source.

51. The system of claim 48, wherein said receiving means comprises a photosensitive device.

52. A system for responding to a mode of use of a product, comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a change in a mode of use of a product; and

a display device comprising an interferometric light modulator, wherein said display device is configured to display a selected image in response to a changing mode of use detected by said sensor.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein said product comprises a product selected from the group consisting of:

a shoe, a ski, a thermometer, an automobile, a motorcycle, a sailboat, a bus, a billboard, an airplane, a building, a piece of jewelry, a watch, a compact disk player, a personal electronic product, an appliance, and an article of clothing.

54. The system of claim 52, wherein said sensor is a piezoelectric sensor.

55. The system of claim 52, wherein said sensor is part of a control device configured to respond to a selection made by a user.

56. The system of claim 52, wherein the mode of use corresponds to an internal status of the product or the result of a completed internal process.

57. The system of claim 52, wherein the sensor is located within the product.

58. The system of claim 57, wherein the internal sensor detects a change of use that is internal to the product.

59. The system of claim 57, wherein the internal sensor detects a change of use that is external to the product.

60. The system of claim 52, wherein the sensor is external to the product.

61. The system of claim 52, wherein the sensor comprises a control element configured to receive a user selection of appearance of the product.

62. The system of claim 52, wherein the mode of use corresponds to a state of process performed by the product.

63. The system of claim 52, further comprising a device configured to play recorded media.

64. The system of claim 63, wherein the recorded media comprises a compact disk.

65. The system of claim 52, wherein the mode of use comprises a vibration.

66. The system of claim 52, wherein the mode of use comprises a temperature.

67. The system of claim 52, wherein the mode of use comprises a speed of use of an athletic device.

68. The system of claim 52, wherein the mode of use comprises strength of stride.

69. The system of claim 52, wherein the selected image comprises information relating to the mode of use.

70. A method of manufacturing a system for responding to a mode of use of a product, the method comprising:

providing a sensor configured to detect a change in the mode of use of a product;

providing a first mirror;

providing a second mirror, wherein the first and second mirrors are configured to define a gap therebetween, wherein the second mirror is moveable with respect to the first mirror, and wherein the first and second mirrors are configured to modulate light and display at least a portion of a selected image in response to a changing mode of use detected by said sensor.

71. A system manufactured according to the method of claim 70.

72. A system for responding to a mode of use of a product, comprising:

means for detecting a change in a mode of use of a product; and

means for displaying a selected image in response to a changing mode of use detected by said means for detecting a change in a mode of use of a product.

73. The system of claim 72, wherein said detecting means comprises at least one of the following:

a user interface, a sensor, an interferometric modulator.

74. The system of claim 72, wherein said displaying means comprises at least one interferometric modulator.