Interferometric modulation of radiation

• US 20050002082A1
• Filed: 05/12/2004
• Published: 01/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snaptrack Incorporated (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Iridigm Display Corporation (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Inventors: Miles, Mark W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,280,265 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/276
• 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

1-19. -19. (Cancelled)

20. A product comprising

an operational element, a display element,

a housing enclosing the operational element and having a display element, the display element including a surface viewed by a user, and

an array of interference modulators of light on the surface.

21. The product of claim 20 in which the operational element comprises a personal communications device.

22. The product of claim 20 in which the operational element comprises a personal information tool.

23. The product of claim 20 in which the operational element comprises a vehicular control panel.

24. The product of claim 20 in which the operational element comprises an instrument control panel.

25. The product of claim 20 in which the operational element comprises a time keeping device.

26. The product of claim 20 in which the operational element comprises an article of clothing or portion thereof.

27. The product of claim 20 in which the operational element comprises an item of jewelry.

28. The product of claim 20 in which the operational element comprises a sporting good.

29. The product of claim 20 in which the array substantially alters the aesthetic or decorative features of the surface.

30. The product of claim 29 in which the aesthetic component responds to a state of use of the consumer product.

31. The product of claim 29 in which the aesthetic component is downloaded or derived from an external source.

32. The product of claim 29 wherein the array also provides information.

33. The application of claim 29 wherein liquid crystals, field emission, plasma, or organic emitter based technologies and associated electronics are used as the modulation array.

34. The device of claim 20 comprising an application incorporating aggregate arrays of IMods.

35. The application of claim 34 wherein the array is used to display information on signs or billboards.

36-39. -39. (Cancelled)