Interferometric modulation of radiation

• US 7,280,265 B2
• Filed: 05/12/2004
• Issued: 10/09/2007
• 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:
  US10/844,802
• Publication Number:
  US 20050002082A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,245 Days
• Field of Search: 359/290, 359/291, 359/292, 359/295, 359/298, 359/237, 359/247, 359/318, 359/578, 359/577, 359/585, 359/287, 353/69, 353/38, 345/84, 345/85, 356/632, 356/504, 356/477, 349/113, 349/105
• 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 device comprising:

a personal communication device comprising a housing, an operational element enclosed within the housing, and a display element connected to the housing, the display element including a surface that is viewable by a user; and

an array of interference modulators of light on the surface.

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. A device comprising:

a personal informationa tool comprising a housing, an operational element enclosed within the housing, and a display element connected to the housing, the display element including a surface that is viewable by a user; and

an array of interference modulators of light on the surface.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein each of the interference modulators comprises a first mirror layer, and wherein the first mirror layer has a refractive index which is less than that of the second mirror layer.

5. A device comprising:

a vehicular control panel comprising a display element, the display element including a surface that is viewable by a user; and

an array of interference modulators of light on the surface.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein each of the inteference 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. A device comprising:

an instrument control panel comprising a display element the display element including a surface that is viewable by a user; and

an array of interference modulators of light on the surface.

8. The device of claim 7, 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.

9. A device comprising:

a time keeping device comprising a display element, the display element including a surface that is viewable by a user; and

an array of interference modulators of light on the surface.

10. The device 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. A device comprising:

an article of clothing comprising display element, the display element including a surface that is viewable by a user; and

an array of interference modulators of light on the surface.

12. The device of claim 11, 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.

13. A device comprising:

an item of jewelry comprising a housing, an operational element enclosed within the housing, and display element connected to the housing, the display element including a surface that is viewable by a user; and

an array of interference modulators of light on the surface.

14. The device 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. A device comprising:

a sporting good comprising a housing, an operational element enclosed within the housing and display element connected to the housing, the display element including a surface that is viewable by a user; and

an array of interference modulators of light on the surface.

16. The device of claim 15, 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.

17. A device comprising:

an aesthetic or decorative surface having a display element, the display element including a surface that is viewable by a user; and

an array of interference modulators of light on the viewable surface.

18. The device of claim 17 in which the aesthetic features are downloaded or derived from an external source.

19. The device of claim 17 in which the aesthetic features are downloaded or derived from an external source.

20. The device of claim 17 wherein the array also provides information.

21. A device comprising:

an operational element having a display element, the display element including a surface that is viewable by a user; and

an array of interference modulators of light on the viewable surface,

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

22. A device comprising:

an operational element having a display element, the display element including a surface that is viewable by a user; and

aggregate arrays of inteference modulators of light on the viewable surface,

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

23. The device of claim 22, 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.