Interferometric modulation of radiation

• US 7,605,969 B2
• Filed: 10/05/2007
• Issued: 10/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Snaptrack Incorporated (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: IDC, LLC
• Inventors: Miles, Mark W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben; Loha
• Application Number:
  US11/868,414
• Publication Number:
  US 20080080038A1
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 359290-292, 359/295, 359/298, 359/245, 359/483, 359/485, 359/486, 353/30, 353/69, 353/84, 353/102, 348/42, 348/46, 348/445, 348/750, 348/758, 348/759, 349/7, 349/96, 349/105, 349/113, 345/84, 345/85
• US Class Current: 359/290
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/26 using multiple reflection, e.g. Fabry-Perot interferometer, variable interference filters
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/12104 Mirror; Reflectors or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0112 comprising device for genereting colour display
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/001 based on interference in an adjustable optical cavity interference filters G02B5/28; devices or arrangements using multiple reflections in spectrometry or monochromators G01J3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/02 for controlling the intensity of light G02B26/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0833 the reflecting element being a micromechanical device, e.g. a MEMS mirror, DMD G02B26/0825 takes precedence; micromechanical devices in general B81B
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0841 the reflecting element being moved or deformed by electrostatic means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/085 the reflecting means being moved or deformed by electromagnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0858 the reflecting means being moved or deformed by piezoelectric means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/12 of the integrated circuit kind electric integrated circuits H01L27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13725 based on guest-host interaction G02F1/13762, G02F1/13737, take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/216 using liquid crystals, e.g. liquid crystal Fabry-Perot filters
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/03 scattering
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0452 Details of colour pixel setup, e.g. pixel composed of a red, a blue and two green components
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2074 using sub-pixels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3466 : based on interferometric effect

Abstract

An Interferometric Modulator (IMod) is a microelectromechanical device for modulating light using interference. The colors of these devices may be determined in a spatial fashion, and their inherent color shift may be compensated for using several optical compensation mechanisms. Brightness, addressing, and driving of IMods may be accomplished in a variety of ways with appropriate packaging, and peripheral electronics which can be attached and/or fabricated using one of many techniques. The devices may be used in both embedded and directly perceived applications, the latter providing multiple viewing modes as well as a multitude of product concepts ranging in size from microscopic to architectural in scope.

Claims

1. A personal communication device comprising:

a housing;

an operational element enclosed within the housing;

communications hardware coupled to the operational element; and

a display element connected to the operational element, wherein the display element comprises an array of interference modulators of light.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the interference modulators comprises a first mirror layer and a second mirror layer, and wherein the first mirror layer has a refractive index which is less than that of the second mirror layer.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the personal communication device comprises a cellular radiotelephone.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the personal communication device comprises a pager.

5. A personal information tool comprising:

a housing;

an operational element enclosed within the housing;

input controls coupled to the operational element; and

a display element connected to the operational element, wherein the display element comprises an array of interference modulators of light.

6. The personal information tool of claim 5, wherein each of the interference modulators comprises a first mirror layer and a second mirror layer, and wherein the first mirror layer has a refractive index which is less than that of the second mirror layer.

7. The personal information tool of claim 5, wherein the personal information tool comprises a portable digital assistant (PDA).

8. The personal information tool of claim 5, wherein the personal information tool comprises a laptop computer.

9. A control panel comprising:

a housing;

an operational element enclosed within the housing;

a sensor coupled to the operational element configured to provide information to the operational element; and

a display element connected to the operational element, and configured to display the information provided by the sensor, wherein the display element comprises an array of interference modulators of light.

10. The control panel of claim 9, wherein each of the interference modulators comprises a first mirror layer and a second mirror layer, and wherein the first mirror layer has a refractive index which is less than that of the second mirror layer.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the control panel comprises a vehicular control panel.

12. The control panel of claim 9, wherein the control panel comprises an instrument control panel.

13. A fashion product comprising:

a housing coupled to a fabric;

an operational element enclosed within the housing; and

a display element connected to the operational element, wherein the display element comprises an array of interference modulators of light.

14. The fashion product of claim 13, wherein each of the interference modulators comprises a first mirror layer and a second mirror layer, and wherein the first mirror layer has a refractive index which is less than that of the second mirror layer.

15. The fashion product of claim 13, wherein the fashion product comprises a shoe.

16. The fashion product of claim 13, wherein the fashion product comprises an article of clothing.

17. A kitchen appliance comprising:

a housing;

an operational element enclosed within the housing;

a sensor configured to provide information to the operational element, wherein the information is indicative of a cooking process; and

a display element connected to the operational element, and configured to provide a display based on the information provided by the sensor, wherein the display element comprises an array of interference modulators of light.

18. The kitchen appliance of claim 17, wherein each of the interference modulators comprises a first mirror layer and a second mirror layer, and wherein the first mirror layer has a refractive index which is less than that of the second mirror layer.

19. The kitchen appliance of claim 17, wherein the kitchen appliance comprises a microwave oven.

20. The kitchen appliance of claim 17, wherein the kitchen appliance comprises a bread baking machine.

21. A vehicle having a device, the device comprising:

a housing;

an operational element enclosed within the housing; and

a display element connected to the operational element and positioned on an exterior surface of the vehicle, wherein the display element comprises an array of interference modulators of light.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein each of the interference modulators comprises a first mirror layer and a second mirror layer, and wherein the first mirror layer has a refractive index which is less than that of the second mirror layer.

23. The device of claim 21, wherein the device is configured to display an aesthetic feature on the display element in response to a state of use of the vehicle.

24. The device of claim 21, wherein the device is configured to display an aesthetic feature which is downloaded or derived from an external source.

25. The device of claim 21, wherein the device is configured to display an aesthetic feature on the display element, and wherein the aesthetic feature comprises graphics.

26. A device comprising:

an operational element having a display element,

wherein the display element comprises an array of interference modulators of light on a viewable surface, and

wherein liquid crystals, field emission, plasma, or organic emitter based technologies and associated electronics are used as the array of interference modulators.

27. A device comprising:

an operational element having a display element,

wherein the display element comprises aggregate arrays of interference modulators of light, and

wherein the arrays are used to display information on signs or billboards.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein each of the interference modulators comprises a first mirror layer and a second mirror layer, and wherein the first mirror layer has a refractive index which is less than that of the second mirror layer.

29. A projection display unit comprising:

a housing;

an operational element enclosed within the housing;

a modulation element connected to the operational element, wherein the modulation element comprises an array of interference modulators of light; and

a light source, wherein light from the light source is transmitted through the array of interference modulators so as to project an image.