Interferometric modulator array with integrated MEMS electrical switches

• US 7,859,739 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2008
• Issued: 12/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Snaptrack Incorporated (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies Incorporated (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chui, Clarence
• Primary Examiner(s): Choi; William C
• Application Number:
  US12/050,094
• Publication Number:
  US 20080158647A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,016 Days
• Field of Search: 359/198, 359/224, 359/230, 359/247, 359290-292, 326/112, 326/119, 326/121, 326/104, 345/85, 345598-600, 356/454
• US Class Current: 359/290
• 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: G09G 2300/0473 Use of light emitting or modulating elements having two or more stable states when no power is applied
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/06 Passive matrix structure, i.e. with direct application of both column and row voltages to the light emitting or modulating elements, other than LCD or OLED
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/0267 Details of drivers for scan electrodes, other than drivers for liquid crystal, plasma or OLED displays
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2310/0275 Details of drivers for data electrodes, other than drivers for liquid crystal, plasma or OLED displays, not related to handling digital grey scale data or to communication of data to the pixels by means of a current
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/021 Power management, e.g. power saving
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3466 based on interferometric effect
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49105 Switch making

Abstract

An interferometric modulator array is integrated with collapsible cavity MEMS electrical switches. The electrical switches may have similar physical geometry as the display elements. The switches may form row or column select functions for the display.

Claims

1. A two input logic gate device comprising no more than two electromechanical switch devices, each electromechanical switch device comprising four terminals, wherein the no more than two electromechanical switch devices perform a digital logic function on a first input and a second input, the digital logic function generating an output based on the first input and the second input applied to the two electromechanical switch devices.

2. The device of claim 1, configured to perform a logical AND operation.

3. The device of claim 1, configured to perform a logical OR operation.

4. A two input logic gate device comprising no more than two electromechanical switch devices, wherein the electromechanical switch devices each comprise:

a first terminal connected to at least one circuit element;

a second terminal configured to be connected to another circuit; and

a conductive strip, configured to move between at least first and second positions, wherein the conductive strip is electrically connected to the first and second terminals when in the first position, and the conductive strip is electrically disconnected from the first and second terminals when in the second position wherein the no more than two electromechanical switch devices perform a digital logic function on a first input and a second input, the digital logic function generating an output based on the first input and the second input applied to the two electromechanical switch devices.

5. The device of claim 4, configured to perform a logical AND operation.

6. The device of claim 4, configured to perform a logical OR operation.

7. A method of using a two input logic gate device comprising no more than two electromechanical switch devices, each electromechanical switch device comprising four terminals, the method comprising:

applying first and second input signals to the no more than two electromechanical switch devices; and

generating an output signal based on the first and second input signals, wherein the output signal is applied to an output of the device, and wherein the output signal is a digital logic function of the first and second input signals.

8. The method of claims 7, wherein generating the output signal comprises performing a logical AND function on the first and second inputs signals.

9. The method of claims 7, wherein generating the output signal comprises performing a logical OR function on the first and second inputs signals.

10. The method of claims 7, additionally comprising changing the state of at least one of the electromechanical switch devices in response to changing one of the input signals.

11. The method of claims 7, additionally comprising electrically connecting the output of the device to one of the first and second inputs.

12. A method of using a two input logic gate device comprising no more than two electromechanical switch devices, wherein the electromechanical switch devices each comprise:

a first terminal connected to at least one circuit element;

a second terminal configured to be connected to another circuit; and

a conductive strip, configured to move between at least first and second positions, wherein the conductive strip is electrically connected to the first and second terminals when in the first position, and the conductive strip is electrically disconnected from the first and second terminals when in the second position;

the method comprising;

applying first and second input signals to the no more than two electromechanical switch devices; and

generating an output signal based on the first and second input signals, wherein the output signal is applied to an output of the device, and wherein the output signal is a digital logic function of the first and second input signals.

13. The method of claims 12, wherein generating the output signal comprises performing a logical AND function on the first and second inputs signals.

14. The method of claims 12, wherein generating the output signal comprises performing a logical OR function on the first and second inputs signals.

15. The method of claims 12, additionally comprising changing the state of at least one of the electromechanical switch devices in response to changing one of the input signals.

16. The method of claims 12, additionally comprising electrically connecting the output of the device to one of the first and second inputs.