System and method of implementation of interferometric modulators for display mirrors
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A mirror, comprising:
- a substrate; and
an array of reflective elements configured to specularly reflect incident light so as to portray a reflected image, each element comprising;
a partially reflective layer; and
a substantially reflective layer separated from the partially reflective layer by a predetermined space, wherein the space defines an interferometric cavity;
wherein one or more of the elements are configured to be selectably reflective.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A specular interferometric modulator array is configured to be at least partially selectably reflective. As such, the array forms a mirror surface having the capability of displaying information to the user while simultaneously being used as a specular mirror. The displayed information may be based on information from an external source, may be programmable, and may be based on user input.
324 Citations
59 Claims
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1. A mirror, comprising:
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a substrate; and an array of reflective elements configured to specularly reflect incident light so as to portray a reflected image, each element comprising; a partially reflective layer; and a substantially reflective layer separated from the partially reflective layer by a predetermined space, wherein the space defines an interferometric cavity;
wherein one or more of the elements are configured to be selectably reflective. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A vehicle comprising:
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a steering mechanism; and a mirror configured to be positioned such that light coming from behind the vehicle is reflected to a location for an operator to see when positioned to use the steering mechanism, the mirror comprising; a substrate; and an array of reflective elements configured to specularly reflect incident light so as to portray a reflected image, each element comprising; a partially reflective layer; and a substantially reflective layer separated from the partially reflective layer by a predetermined space, wherein the space defines an interferometric cavity. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A device comprising:
a mirror comprising; a substrate; and an array of reflective elements configured to specularly reflect incident light so as to portray a reflected image, each element comprising; a partially reflective layer; and a substantially reflective layer separated from the partially reflective layer by a predetermined space, wherein the space defines an interferometric cavity and the wavelength band of light reflected from the element is based on a dimension of the cavity; and a mount configured to attach the mirror to a vehicle, a wall, an article of furniture, an ornamental object, an article of clothing, or a person. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A mirror device, comprising:
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means for interferometrically and specularly reflecting incident light in at least one wavelength band; and means for selectably and interferometrically reflecting incident light in at least one wavelength band, wherein the interferometrically and specularly reflecting means and the selectably and interferometrically reflecting means are cooperatively configured to specularly reflect incident light so as to portray a reflected image. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A method of using a display device comprising:
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establishing a communication link between the device and an information source, the device comprising a mirror comprising a substrate; and
an array of reflective elements configured to specularly reflect incident light so as to portray a reflected image, each element comprising;
a partially reflective layer; and
a substantially reflective layer separated from the partially reflective layer by a predetermined space, wherein the space defines an interferometric cavity and the wavelength band of light reflected from the element is based on a dimension of the cavity; and
a mount configured to attach the mirror to a vehicle, a wall, an article of furniture, an ornamental object, an article of clothing, or a person;receiving information from the source; and displaying the information on the array. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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47. The method of 46, wherein displaying the information comprises displaying the information based upon at least one of input from an external source, user input, and programming.
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53. A method of manufacturing a device comprising:
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forming a substrate; and forming an array of reflective elements arranged on the substrate so as to produce an array of reflective elements configured to specularly reflect incident light so as to portray a reflected image, each element comprising; a partially reflective layer; a substantially reflective layer separated from the partially reflective layer by a predetermined space, wherein the space defines an interferometric cavity; and wherein one or more of the elements are configured to be selectably reflective. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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Specification