System and method for multi-level brightness in interferometric modulation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A display device, comprising:
- at least one array of interferometric modulators, selected interferometric modulators comprising at least one electrode having a plurality of active areas of different sizes, the selected interferometric modulators actuating depending upon varying electrostatic forces in the interferometric modulators, the electrostatic forces in the interferometric modulators varying at least in part due to variations in the sizes of the active areas of electrodes in the selected interferometric modulators, wherein each of the interferometric modulators comprises a cavity and light is interferometrically modulated by the cavity and the electrodes.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A display having a plurality of reflective display elements. In one embodiment, the display elements comprise at least one electrode having a plurality of active areas. In one embodiment, at least two of the sizes of the active areas are different with respect to each other, e.g., they are non-uniform in size. The interferometric modulators have a plurality of states, wherein selected ones of the interferometric modulators are configured to be actuated depending differing electrostatic forces in the interferometric modulators. The electrostatic forces in the interferometric modulators are different at least in part due to variations in the sizes of the active areas of the electrodes.
-
Citations
26 Claims
-
1. A display device, comprising:
at least one array of interferometric modulators, selected interferometric modulators comprising at least one electrode having a plurality of active areas of different sizes, the selected interferometric modulators actuating depending upon varying electrostatic forces in the interferometric modulators, the electrostatic forces in the interferometric modulators varying at least in part due to variations in the sizes of the active areas of electrodes in the selected interferometric modulators, wherein each of the interferometric modulators comprises a cavity and light is interferometrically modulated by the cavity and the electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
7. A display comprising:
-
a plurality of reflective display elements, each of the display elements having; a first electrode; a second electrode having a substantially non-uniform width, wherein the second electrode spans at least two display elements; and a cavity between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein light is interferometrically modulated by the cavity and the first and second electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method comprising:
-
providing a voltage to an electrode having a substantially non-uniform width; in response to the provided voltage, activating selected ones of a plurality of reflective display elements, the reflective display elements including an interferometric modulator comprising a second electrode and a cavity between the non-uniform width electrode and the second electrode; and interferometrically modulating light by the cavities and the first and second electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A reflective display element comprising:
-
a first electrode having a non-uniform width; and a second electrode, wherein selected portions of the first electrode are configured to be activated in response to varying a difference in the voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode, the first and second electrode included within an interferometric modulator and forming a cavity therebetween, wherein light is interferometrically modulated by the cavity and the first and second electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
-
-
25. A method comprising:
-
varying a difference in voltage between a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode has a non-uniform shape, and wherein the varied voltage results in a change in an optical characteristic of an interferometric modulator; in response to the varied voltage, selectively activating or deactivating fractional portions of the second electrode; and interferometrically modulating light by a cavity of the interferometric modulator and the first and second electrodes, the cavity of the interferometric modulator being between the first and second electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (26)
-
Specification