Methods and apparatus for spatial light modulation
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A display apparatus comprising:
- a first reflective surface defining a plurality of light-transmissive regions,a second reflective surface, at least partially facing the first reflective surface, for reflecting light towards the plurality of light-transmissive regions,a light guide for distributing light substantially throughout a cavity formed between the first and second reflective surfaces, andan array of light modulators for selectively obstructing the plurality of light-transmissive regions thereby forming pixels on the display apparatus, wherein the array of light modulators is separated from the first reflective surface by a gap, wherein the gap is less than about 100 μ
m wide.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Improved apparatus and methods for spatial light modulation are disclosed which utilize optical cavities having both front and rear reflective surfaces. Light-transmissive regions are formed in the front reflective surface for spatially modulating light.
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Citations
66 Claims
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1. A display apparatus comprising:
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a first reflective surface defining a plurality of light-transmissive regions, a second reflective surface, at least partially facing the first reflective surface, for reflecting light towards the plurality of light-transmissive regions, a light guide for distributing light substantially throughout a cavity formed between the first and second reflective surfaces, and an array of light modulators for selectively obstructing the plurality of light-transmissive regions thereby forming pixels on the display apparatus, wherein the array of light modulators is separated from the first reflective surface by a gap, wherein the gap is less than about 100 μ
m wide. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A display apparatus comprising:
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a first reflective surface defining a plurality of light-transmissive regions, a second reflective surface, at least partially facing the first reflective surface, for reflecting light towards the plurality of light-transmissive regions, a light guide for distributing light substantially throughout a cavity formed between the first and second reflective surfaces, and an array of light modulators for selectively obstructing the plurality of light-transmissive regions thereby forming pixels on the display apparatus, wherein light modulators in the array of light modulators correspond to respective light-transmissive regions of the plurality of light-transmissive regions. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
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64. A display apparatus comprising:
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a first reflective layer defining a plurality of light-transmissive regions, a second reflective layer, at least partially facing the first reflective layer, for reflecting light towards the plurality of light-transmissive regions, a light guide for distributing light substantially throughout a cavity formed between the first and second reflective layers to illuminate pixels of the display apparatus, wherein the first reflective layer is deposited directly on a surface of the light guide.
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65. A spatial light modulator comprising:
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a first reflective surface defining a plurality of light-transmissive regions, a second reflective surface, at least partially facing the first reflective surface, for reflecting light towards the plurality of light-transmissive regions, and an array of liquid crystal light modulators for selectively obstructing the plurality of light-transmissive regions, wherein light modulators in the array of light modulators correspond to respective light-transmissive regions of the plurality of light-transmissive regions.
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66. A spatial light modulator comprising:
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a first reflective surface defining a plurality of light-transmissive regions, a second reflective surface, at least partially facing the first reflective surface, for reflecting light towards the plurality of light-transmissive regions, and an array of liquid crystal light modulators for selectively obstructing the plurality of light-transmissive regions, wherein the first reflective surface is substantially parallel to the array of liquid crystal light modulators.
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Specification