Display apparatus incorporating multi-level shutters
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a light blocking layer, including an aperture for passing light;
a first shutter disposed at a first height over a substrate, the first shutter configured to modulate light propagating through the aperture; and
a second shutter disposed at a second height over the substrate, the second height being unequal to the first height, the second shutter configured to modulate light propagating through the aperture;
wherein the apparatus is configured to operate in at least four states including;
a transmissive state in which the first shutter does not obstruct the aperture and the second shutter does not obstruct the aperture;
a first partially transmissive state in which the first shutter obstructs a first portion of the aperture in a first closed position and the second shutter does not obstruct the aperture;
a second partially transmissive state in which the first shutter does not obstruct the aperture and the second shutter obstructs a second portion the aperture in a second closed position; and
an obstructive state in which the first shutter obstructs the first portion of the aperture and the second shutter obstructs the second portion of the aperture,wherein the extent to which the first and second shutters cover the aperture in their respective closed positions is different.
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Abstract
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing multi-level multi-state shutter assemblies. The shutter assembly includes at least a first shutter at a first height over a substrate and a second shutter at a second height over the substrate. Both the first shutter and the second shutter can be operated in an open or closed state for passing or partially blocking light propagating through an aperture. In some implementations, the shutter assembly can operate in four states: a fully transmissive state, a fully obstructive state and two partially transmissive states based on the open or closed states of the first and second shutters.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a light blocking layer, including an aperture for passing light; a first shutter disposed at a first height over a substrate, the first shutter configured to modulate light propagating through the aperture; and a second shutter disposed at a second height over the substrate, the second height being unequal to the first height, the second shutter configured to modulate light propagating through the aperture; wherein the apparatus is configured to operate in at least four states including; a transmissive state in which the first shutter does not obstruct the aperture and the second shutter does not obstruct the aperture; a first partially transmissive state in which the first shutter obstructs a first portion of the aperture in a first closed position and the second shutter does not obstruct the aperture; a second partially transmissive state in which the first shutter does not obstruct the aperture and the second shutter obstructs a second portion the aperture in a second closed position; and an obstructive state in which the first shutter obstructs the first portion of the aperture and the second shutter obstructs the second portion of the aperture, wherein the extent to which the first and second shutters cover the aperture in their respective closed positions is different. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for forming a multi-level display device, comprising:
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forming an aperture in an aperture layer positioned over a substrate; forming a first mold over the substrate; patterning a first shutter material over the first mold to form a first shutter such that, in a first closed position, the first shutter covers a first portion of the aperture; forming a second mold over the first shutter; and patterning a second shutter material over the second mold to form a second shutter such that, in a second closed position, the second shutter covers a second portion of the aperture, wherein the extent to which the first and second shutters cover the aperture in their respective closed positions is different. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. An apparatus, comprising:
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light blocking means including an aperture for passing light; first light modulating means, disposed at a first height over a substrate, for modulating light propagating through the aperture; and second light modulating means, disposed at a second height over the substrate, the second height being unequal to the first height, for modulating light propagating through the aperture; wherein the apparatus is configured to operate in at least four states including; a transmissive state in which the first light modulating means does not obstruct the aperture and the second light modulating means does not obstruct the aperture; a first partially transmissive state in which the first light modulating means obstructs a first portion of the aperture in a first closed position and the second light modulating means does not obstruct the aperture; a second partially transmissive state in which the first light modulating means does not obstruct the aperture and the second light modulating means obstructs a second portion the aperture in a second closed position; and an obstructive state in which the first light modulating means obstructs the first portion of the aperture and the second light modulating means obstructs the second portion of the aperture, wherein the extent to which the first and second shutters cover the aperture in their respective closed positions is different. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification