MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS DISPLAY ELEMENT WITH PHOTOVOLTAIC STRUCTURE
First Claim
1. A display element comprising:
- a first layer at least partially transmissive of light;
a second layer at least partially reflective of light, the second layer spaced from the first layer, the second layer selectably movable between a first position in which the display element has a first reflectivity and a second position in which the display element has a second reflectivity, the first reflectivity greater than the second reflectivity; and
a photovoltaic element formed on the first layer or the second layer or formed between the first layer and the second layer, the photovoltaic element at least partially absorptive of light and configured to convert a portion of absorbed light into electric energy at least when the second layer is in the second position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) display element may include a photovoltaic structure configured to generate electric energy from incident light. In one embodiment, the display element includes a first layer that is at least partially transmissive of light, a second layer that is at least partially reflective of light, and a photovoltaic element that is formed on the first layer or the second layer or formed between the first layer and the second layer. The second layer is spaced from the first layer and is selectably movable between a first position in which the display element has a first reflectivity and a second position in which the display element has a second reflectivity. The first reflectivity is greater than the second reflectivity. The photovoltaic element is at least partially absorptive of light and is configured to convert a portion of the absorbed light into electric energy, at least when the second layer is in the second position.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A display element comprising:
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a first layer at least partially transmissive of light; a second layer at least partially reflective of light, the second layer spaced from the first layer, the second layer selectably movable between a first position in which the display element has a first reflectivity and a second position in which the display element has a second reflectivity, the first reflectivity greater than the second reflectivity; and a photovoltaic element formed on the first layer or the second layer or formed between the first layer and the second layer, the photovoltaic element at least partially absorptive of light and configured to convert a portion of absorbed light into electric energy at least when the second layer is in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of fabricating an electromechanical systems display device, comprising:
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forming a photovoltaic structure over a substantially transparent substrate; forming a sacrificial layer over the photovoltaic structure; forming a reflective layer over the sacrificial layer; and removing at least a portion of the sacrificial layer below the reflective layer, thereby forming a region into which the reflective layer can be selectively moved. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of generating electric energy with a an electromechanical systems display element, the method comprising:
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providing a display element comprising; a first layer at least partially transmissive of light; a second layer at least partially reflective of light, the second layer spaced from the first layer, the second layer selectably movable between a first position in which the display element has a first reflectivity and a second position in which the display element has a second reflectivity, the first reflectivity greater than the second reflectivity; and a photovoltaic element formed on the first layer or the second layer or formed between the first layer and the second layer, the photovoltaic element at least partially absorptive of light and configured to convert a portion of absorbed light into electric energy at least when the second layer is in the second position; applying a first voltage to the display element to place the second layer in the first position; generating a first electric energy using the photovoltaic element when the second layer is in the first position; applying a second voltage to the display element to place the second layer in the second position; and generating a second electric energy using the photovoltaic element when the second layer is in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. A display device comprising:
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a substrate; and a plurality of interferometric modulators formed on the substrate, each of the interferometric modulators comprising a photovoltaic structure configured to absorb at least a portion of the light incident the interferometric modulator and, in response, to generate electric energy. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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31. An optical display element comprising:
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means for transmitting light; means for partially reflecting light, the partially reflecting means spaced from the transmitting means, the partially reflecting means selectably movable between a first position in which the optical display element has a first reflectivity and a second position in which the optical display element has a second reflectivity, the first reflectivity greater than the second reflectivity; and means for generating electric energy, the generating means at least partially absorptive of light and configured for converting a portion of absorbed light into electric energy at least when the partially reflecting means is in the second position, the generating means formed on the transmitting means or the partially reflecting means or formed between the transmitting means and the partially reflecting means. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification