SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ILLUMINATING INTERFEROMETRIC MODULATORS USING BACKLIGHTING
First Claim
1. A light-modulating array comprising:
- a first light-modulating element comprising a first reflective surface disposed on a substrate and a second reflective surface spaced from the first reflective surface of the first light-modulating element;
a second light-modulating element comprising a first reflective surface disposed on the substrate and a second reflective surface spaced from the first reflective surface of the second light-modulating element;
a light source disposed on a side of the first and second light-modulating elements opposite to a side from which the light-modulating array is configured to be viewed;
an optical aperture region between the first light-modulating element and the second light-modulating element, light propagating from the light source configured to pass through the optical aperture region; and
a reflecting element configured to reflect at least a portion of the passed light towards at least one of the first and second light-modulating elements.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interferometric modulator array device with backlighting is disclosed. The interferometric modulator array device comprises a plurality of interferometric modulator elements, wherein each of the interferometric modulator elements comprises an optical cavity. The interferometric modulator array includes an optical aperture region, and at least one reflecting element is positioned so as to receive light passing through the optical aperture region and reflect at least a portion of the received light to the cavities of the interferometric modulator elements. In some embodiments, the interferometric modulator elements may be separated from each other such that an optical aperture region is formed between adjacent interferometric modulator elements.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A light-modulating array comprising:
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a first light-modulating element comprising a first reflective surface disposed on a substrate and a second reflective surface spaced from the first reflective surface of the first light-modulating element; a second light-modulating element comprising a first reflective surface disposed on the substrate and a second reflective surface spaced from the first reflective surface of the second light-modulating element; a light source disposed on a side of the first and second light-modulating elements opposite to a side from which the light-modulating array is configured to be viewed; an optical aperture region between the first light-modulating element and the second light-modulating element, light propagating from the light source configured to pass through the optical aperture region; and a reflecting element configured to reflect at least a portion of the passed light towards at least one of the first and second light-modulating elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification