Display device having an array of spatial light modulators with integrated color filters
First Claim
1. A display region comprising:
- a plurality of display elements, each of the display elements comprising a fixed surface and a moveable surface configured so as to define a cavity therebetween that is sufficiently large so that light reflected from each of the display elements has a reflectivity spectrum including multiple lines; and
a color filter associated with at least one of the display elements, wherein the color filter is configured to allow a range of wavelengths to pass through the color filter, the display region being configured so that a user views the light that passes through the color filter.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
By selectively placing color filters with different transmittance spectrums on an array of modulator elements each having the same reflectance spectrum, a resultant reflectance spectrum for each modulator element and it'"'"'s respective color filter is created. In one embodiment, the modulator elements in an array are manufactured by the same process so that each modulator element has a reflectance spectrum that includes multiple reflectivity lines. Color filters corresponding to multiple colors, such as red, green, and blue, for example, may be selectively associated with these modulator elements in order to filter out a desired wavelength range for each modulator element and provide a multiple color array. Because the modulator elements are manufactured by the same process, each of the modulator elements is substantially the same and common voltage levels may be used to activate and deactivate selected modulation.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. A display region comprising:
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a plurality of display elements, each of the display elements comprising a fixed surface and a moveable surface configured so as to define a cavity therebetween that is sufficiently large so that light reflected from each of the display elements has a reflectivity spectrum including multiple lines; and
a color filter associated with at least one of the display elements, wherein the color filter is configured to allow a range of wavelengths to pass through the color filter, the display region being configured so that a user views the light that passes through the color filter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An interferometric modulator configured to output multiple lines in a range of wavelengths that are visible to a human eye, the modulator comprising:
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a partially reflective surface;
a reflective surface located with respect to the partially reflective surface such that a gap therebetween is sufficiently large so that light output from the interferometric modulator has a spectrum including multiple lines; and
a filter configured to transmit wavelengths of light that are only within a desired range of wavelengths, wherein the filter is disposed so as to receive light reflected from at least one of the surfaces such that the received light is transmitted through the filter toward a viewer. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. An interferometric modulator comprising:
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a partially reflective surface;
a reflective surface;
a dielectric layer disposed between the partially reflective and reflective surfaces; and
a gap defined between the partially reflective surface and the reflective surface, wherein a gap distance is the distance between the partially reflective surface and the reflective surface;
wherein a thickness of the dielectric layer is sufficiently small such that when the modulator is in a closed state interference of a large range of wavelengths of visible light is frustrated so that the modulator reflects visible light, and wherein when the modulator is in an open state the gap distance is sufficiently large to cause destructive interference, such that the modulator substantially inhibits reflection of visible light. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of manufacturing an interferometric modulator, the method comprising:
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fabricating a partially reflective surface;
fabricating a reflective surface, wherein a gap distance is defines as a distance between the partially reflective surface and the reflective surface;
positioning a dielectric layer between the partially reflective and reflective surfaces, wherein a thickness of the dielectric layer is sufficiently small such that when the modulator is in a closed state interference of a large range of wavelengths of visible light is frustrated so that the modulator reflects visible light, and wherein when the modulator is in an open state the gap distance is sufficiently large to cause destructive interference, such that the modulator substantially inhibits reflection of visible light.
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21. An interferometric modulator manufactured by the process comprising:
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fabricating a partially reflective surface;
fabricating a reflective surface, wherein a gap distance is defines as a distance between the partially reflective surface and the reflective surface;
positioning a dielectric layer between the partially reflective and reflective surfaces, wherein a thickness of the dielectric layer is sufficiently small such that when the modulator is in a closed state interference of a large range of wavelengths of visible light is frustrated so that the modulator reflects visible light, and wherein when the modulator is in an open state the gap distance is sufficiently large to cause destructive interference, such that the modulator substantially inhibits reflection of visible light.
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22. A low-capacitance interferometric modulator comprising:
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a reflective surface;
a partially reflective surface, said reflecting surface and said partially reflecting surface movable with respect to each other to provide an open state and a closed state for said interferometric modulator; and
a dielectric layer disposed between the partially reflective and reflective surfaces, the thickness of the dielectric layer is sufficiently large to cause reflectivity lines at about 370 nanometers and about 730 nanometers when the modulator is in the closed state. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of manufacturing a display region comprising:
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fabricating an array of display elements, each of the display elements comprising a fixed surface and a moveable surface so as to define a cavity therebetween that is sufficiently large so that light reflected from each of the display elements has a reflectivity spectrum including multiple lines;
fabricating a color filter that is configured to allow a range of wavelengths to pass through the color filter; and
coupling the color filter to at least one of the display elements so that a user views the light that passes through the color filter. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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31. A display region, manufactured by the process of:
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fabricating an array of display elements, each of the display elements comprising a fixed surface and a moveable so as to define a cavity therebetween that is sufficiently large so that light reflected from each of the display elements has a reflectivity spectrum including multiple lines;
fabricating a color filter that is configured to allow a range of wavelengths to pass through the color filter; and
coupling the color filter to at least one of the display elements so that a user views the light that passes through the color filter.
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32. A display comprising:
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an array of interferometric modulators each comprising a partially reflective surface comprising a transparent conductor layer and a partially reflective layer;
a reflective surface;
a dielectric layer disposed between the partially reflective and reflective surfaces; and
a gap defined between the partially reflective surface and the reflective surface, wherein a size of the gap is selected so that each interferometric modulator has a reflectance spectrum that includes a reflectivity line centered around first order green and extending to cover at least a portion of first order blue and first order red; and
at least one color filter disposed so as to receive light reflected from the reflective surface such that the received light is transmitted through the filter toward a viewer. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method of manufacturing a display, the method comprising:
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fabricating an array of interferometric modulators each comprising a partially reflective surface, a reflective surface, a dielectric layer disposed between the partially reflective and reflective surfaces, and a gap defined between the partially reflective surface and the reflective surface, wherein a size of the gap is selected so that each interferometric modulator has a reflectance spectrum that includes a reflectivity line centered around first order green and extending to cover at least a portion of first order blue and first order red; and
fabricating at least one color filter so that the color filter transmits light within a range of wavelengths selected to include at least one of the following;
red wavelengths, green wavelengths, and blue wavelengths; and
positioning the color filter so as to receive light reflected from the reflective surface such that the received light is transmitted through the filter toward a viewer.
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42. A display manufacturing by the process:
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fabricating an array of interferometric modulators each comprising a partially reflective surface, a reflective surface, a dielectric layer disposed between the partially reflective and reflective surfaces, and a gap defined between the partially reflective surface and the reflective surface, wherein a size of the gap is selected so that each interferometric modulator has a reflectance spectrum that includes a reflectivity line centered around first order green and extending to cover at least a portion of first order blue and first order red; and
fabricating at least one color filter so that the color filter transmits light within a range of wavelengths selected to include at least one of the following;
red wavelengths, green wavelengths, and blue wavelengths; and
positioning the color filter so as to receive light reflected from the reflective surface such that the received light is transmitted through the filter toward a viewer.
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43. An interferometric modulator comprising:
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means for partially reflecting light;
means for reflecting light, wherein the means for partially reflecting and the means for reflecting are configured so as to provide a reflectivity spectrum including multiple lines; and
means for filtering only a desired one of the multiple lines for viewing by a human eye.
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44. A low-capacitance interferometric modulator comprising:
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a reflective surface;
a partially reflective surface;
a dielectric layer disposed between the partially reflective and reflective surfaces, wherein a thickness of the dielectric layer is sufficiently large to cause reflectivity lines at around first order red and second order blue wavelengths of visible light when the interferometric modulator is in an actuated state. - View Dependent Claims (45)
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Specification