Ornamental display device

• US 20060066543A1
• Filed: 08/20/2005
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snaptrack Incorporated (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: IDC, LLC
• Inventors: Gally, Brian J., Cummings, William J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,369,294 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/85
• CPC Class Codes: B44F 1/10 Changing, amusing, or secret pictures
• 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: G09G 3/3466 based on interferometric effect
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/239 Complete cover or casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24868 Translucent outer layer

Abstract

An ornamental display device having an interferometric modulator for displaying an ornamental image. The ornamental device may have a patterned diffuser formed on a transparent substrate to provide an ornamental image. The ornamental device may also be a piece of jewelry or an article that may be worn. The image displayed may have an iridescent appearance. A controller may also be used to control images displayed on multiple ornamental device to provide coordinated images based on externals received or pre-programmed images.

Claims

1. An ornamental device, comprising:

a display device having at least one interferometric modulator;

a signal receiver configured to receive an external signal; and

a processor configured to control an image on the display based on the external signal, wherein the external signal is emitted from a controller configured to control a plurality of ornamental devices to display coordinated images.

2. The ornamental device of claim 1, wherein the ornamental device is jewelry.

3. The ornamental device of claim 1, further comprising a switch configured to activate the display.

4. The ornamental device of claim 3, wherein the switch is configured to activate at least a first mode and a second mode of the display, wherein the display reflects a first set of colors when the first mode is activated and the display reflects a second set of colors when the second mode is activated.

5. The ornamental device of claim 3, wherein the switch is configured to activate at least a first mode and a second mode of the display, wherein the display reflects a first image when the first mode is activated and the display reflects a second image when the second mode is activated, wherein the first and second images are different.

6. The ornamental device of claim 1, further comprising a memory device in electrical communication with said processor, wherein the processor is in electrical communication with said display, said processor being configured to process image data.

7. The ornamental device of claim 6, further comprising a driver circuit configured to send a second signal to said display.

8. The ornamental device of claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to send at least a portion of said image data to said driver circuit.

9. The ornamental device of claim 6, further comprising an image source module configured to send said image data to said processor.

10. The ornamental device of claim 9, wherein said image source module comprises at least one of a receiver, transceiver, and transmitter.

11. The ornamental device of claim 6, further comprising an input device configured to receive input data and to communicate said input data to said processor.

12. A method of making an ornamental device, comprising:

providing a display having an interferometric modulator;

providing a signal receiver configured to receive an external signal; and

coupling a processor with the display and the signal receiver, wherein the processor is configured to control an image on the display based on the external signal, wherein the external signal is emitted from a controller configured to control a plurality of ornamental devices to display coordinated images.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the ornamental device is jewelry.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising coupling a switch to the display, wherein the switch is configured to activate the display.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the switch is configured to activate at least a first mode and a second mode of the display, wherein the display reflects a first set of colors when the first mode is activated and the display reflects a second set of colors when the second mode is activated.

16. An ornamental device formed by the method of claim 12.

17. An ornamental device, comprising:

means for interferometrically modulating light;

receiving means for receiving an external signal; and

processing means for controlling an image on the modulating means based on the external signal, wherein the external signal is emitted from a controller configured to control a plurality of ornamental devices to display coordinated images.

18. The ornamental device of claim 17, wherein the receiving means comprises an antenna.

19. The ornamental device of claim 17, wherein the processing means comprises a processor.

20. The ornamental device of claim 17, wherein the ornamental device is jewelry.

21. The ornamental device of claim 17, further comprising a switching means for activating the modulating means.

22. The ornamental device of claim 21, wherein the switching means is configured to activate at least a first mode and a second mode of the modulating means, wherein the modulating means reflects a first set of colors when the first mode is activated and the modulating means reflects a second set of colors when the second mode is activated.

23. The ornamental device of claim 21, wherein the switching means is configured to activate at least a first mode and a second mode of the modulating means, wherein the modulating means reflects a first image when the first mode is activated and the modulating means reflects a second image when the second mode is activated, wherein the first and second images are different.

24. An ornamental article, comprising:

an array of interferometric modulators configured to form a programmable display; and

a processor configured to maintain a video sequence on the display, wherein the video sequence is pre-programmed or based on an external signal.

25. The article of claim 24, further comprising a signal receiver configured to receive the external signal.

26. The article of claim 24, wherein the article further comprises a switch configured to rotate the display through the video sequence.

27. The article of claim 24, wherein the display is configured to display an image based on user input.

28. The article of claim 27, wherein the article may be connected to an external source for programming.

29. The article of claim 28, wherein the external source is a computer.

30. The article of claim 24, further comprising an attachment element whereby the article may be worn.

31. The article of claim 24, wherein an image presented by the video sequence is static.

32. The article of claim 24, wherein the video sequence is dynamic.

33. The article of claim 24, wherein the video sequence displayed is based on a detected temperature of an environment surrounding the article.

34. The article of claim 24, wherein the video sequence displayed is based on image data received from an external source.

35. The article of claim 24, wherein the article is a watch.

36. An ornamental article, comprising:

means for interferometrically modulating light for forming a programmable display; and

processing means for maintaining a video sequence on the display, wherein the video sequence is based on either a pre-programmed image or an external signal.

37. The article of claim 36, further comprising a receiving means for receiving the external signal.

38. The article of claim 37, wherein the receiving means comprises an antenna.

39. The article of claim 36, wherein the article further comprises a switching means for rotating the display through the plurality of images.

40. The article of claim 36, wherein the display is configured to display an image based on user input.

41. The article of claim 40, wherein the article may be connected to an external source for programming.

42. A method of making an ornamental article, comprising:

providing a plurality of interferometric modulators;

configuring the interferometric modulators into an array to form a programmable display; and

electrically connecting a processor to the display for maintaining a video sequence on the display based on either a pre-programmed image or an external signal.

43. The method of claim 42, further comprising electrically connecting a signal receiver to the processor, wherein the signal receiver is configured to receive the external signal.

44. The method of claim 42, further comprising providing a switching means for rotating the display through the plurality of images.

45. The method of claim 42, wherein the display is configured to display an image based on user input.

46. The method of claim 45, further comprising connecting the article to an external source for programming.

47. The method of claim 42, wherein the image displayed is based on a detected temperature of an environment surrounding the article.

48. The method of claim 42, further comprising providing an attaching means for attaching the article, whereby the article may be worn.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the attaching means comprises a chain.

50. An ornamental article formed by the method of claim 42.

51. An interferometric modulator configured to display an iridescent image, comprising:

a first surface for reflecting light; and

a second surface for reflecting light, the second surface separated from the first surface by a cavity, wherein the first and second surfaces interferometrically modulate light such that more than one distinct color is reflected by the interferometric modulator.

52. The interferometric modulator of claim 51, wherein a height of the cavity is a distance between the first and second surfaces and the height of the cavity is at least about 0.5 μ

m.

53. The interferometric modulator of claim 52, wherein the height of the cavity is about 1 μ

m.

54. The interferometric modulator of claim 51, wherein the first surface is insulated from the second surface.

55. The interferometric modulator of claim 51, wherein the interferometric modulator is configured as jewelry.

56. An interferometric modulator configured to display an iridescent image, comprising:

a first means for reflecting light; and

a second means for reflecting light, wherein the second reflecting means is separated from the first reflecting means by a cavity, wherein the first and second reflecting means interferometrically modulate light such that more than one distinct color is reflected by the interferometric modulator.

57. The interferometric modulator of claim 56, wherein a height of the cavity is a distance between the first and second reflecting means and the height of the cavity is at least about 0.5 μ

m.

58. The interferometric modulator of claim 57, wherein the height of the cavity is about 1 μ

m.

59. The interferometric modulator of claim 56, wherein the first reflecting means is insulated from the second reflecting means.

60. The interferometric modulator of claim 56, wherein the interferometric modulator is packaged as jewelry.

61. A method of forming an interferometric modulator, comprising:

providing a first reflective layer; and

separating a second reflective layer from the first reflective layer by a cavity, wherein the first and second reflective layers interferometrically modulate light such that more than one distinct color is reflected by the interferometric modulator.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein separating comprises spacing the first reflective layer apart from the second reflective layer such that a height of the cavity is a distance between the first and second reflective layers and the height of the cavity is at least about 0.5 μ

m.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the height of the cavity is about 1 μ

m.

64. The method of claim 61, further comprising insulating the first reflective layer from the second reflective layer.

65. An interferometric modulator formed by the method of claim 61.

66. A method of forming a display device, comprising:

providing an interferometric modulator comprising a transparent substrate, a partially reflective layer and a substantially reflective layer spaced apart and separated from the partially reflective layer by a cavity;

forming a diffuser film on the transparent substrate of the interferometric modulator; and

patterning the diffuser film to have an ornamental effect.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the partially reflective layer and the diffuser film are formed on opposite sides of the transparent substrate.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein the diffuser film is formed after fabrication of the interferometric modulator.

69. The method of claim 67, wherein the diffuser film is applied using an adhesive.

70. The method of claim 66, wherein the diffuser film is formed on the transparent substrate prior to fabrication of the interferometric modulator.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein the diffuser film is formed on the transparent substrate by spin-coating.

72. The method of claim 66, further comprising providing an attachment means on the display device whereby the display device is configured to be worn.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein the attachment means comprises a strap.

74. A display device formed by the method of claim 66.

75. The display device of claim 74, wherein the display device is configured as jewelry.

76. A display device, comprising:

a transparent substrate having a first side and a second side;

a first surface for reflecting light formed over the first side of the transparent substrate;

a second surface for reflecting light, the second surface being substantially parallel to the first surface, wherein the second surface is separated from the first surface by a cavity; and

a patterned diffuser film formed over the second side of the transparent substrate, wherein the patterned diffuser film has an ornamental design.

77. The display device of claim 76, wherein the diffuser film has a varied thickness.

78. The display device of claim 76, wherein the diffuser film comprises a polymer film.

79. The display device of claim 78, wherein the polymer film is polyester.

80. The display device of claim 78, wherein the polymer film is polycarbonate.

81. The display of claim 78, wherein the diffuser film further comprises optical beads.

82. The display device of claim 78, wherein the diffuser film further comprises an inorganic component.

83. The display device of claim 78, wherein the diffuser film further comprises an organic component.

84. The display device of claim 76, wherein the diffuser film is about 50-100 μ

m thick.

85. A display device, comprising:

means for transmitting light, the transmitting means having a first side and a second side;

a first reflecting means formed over the first side of the transmitting means;

a second reflecting means substantially parallel to the first reflecting means, wherein the second reflecting means is separated from the first reflecting means by a cavity; and

diffusing means for diffusing light, wherein the diffusing means is patterned and formed over the second side of the transmitting means, wherein the diffusing means has an ornamental design.

86. The display device of claim 85, wherein the first reflecting means comprises a first reflective layer and the second reflecting means comprises a second reflective layer.

87. The display device of claim 85, wherein the means for transmitting light comprises a transparent substrate.

88. The display device of claim 85, wherein the diffusing means comprises a diffuser film.

89. The display device of claim 85, wherein the diffusing means has a varied thickness.

90. The display device of claim 85, wherein the diffusing means comprises a polymer film.

91. The display device of claim 90, wherein the polymer film is polyester.

92. The display device of claim 90, wherein the polymer film is polycarbonate.

93. The display of claim 90, wherein the diffusing means further comprises other optical beads.

94. The display device of claim 90, wherein the diffusing means further comprises an inorganic component.

95. The display device of claim 90, wherein the diffusing means further comprises an organic component.

96. The display device of claim 85, wherein the diffusing means is about 50-100 μ

m thick.