Method and device for modulating light

• US 7,463,421 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2005
• Issued: 12/09/2008
• 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): Choi; William C
• Application Number:
  US11/192,436
• Publication Number:
  US 20060028708A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,230 Days
• Field of Search: 359/245, 359/247, 359/260, 359/290, 359/291, 359/295, 359/298, 359/577, 359/578, 356/454, 356/480, 356/506, 356/519
• US Class Current: 359/578
• 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 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 27/017 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 1/169 based on orientable non-spherical particles having a common optical characteristic, e.g. suspended particles of reflective metal flakes
• 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: G06F 3/1431 using a single graphics controller
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0408 Integration of the drivers onto the display substrate
• 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 3/001 : using specific devices not provided for in groups G09G3/02 - G09G3/36, e.g. using an intermediate record carrier such as a film slide; Projection systems; Display of non-alphanumerical information, solely or in combination with alphanumerical information, e.g. digital display on projected diapositive as background slide projectors per se G03B23/00 = 42 HP
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2014 : by modulation of the duration of a single pulse during which the logic level remains constant
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2074 : using sub-pixels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2077 : by a combination of two or more gradation control methods
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3466 : based on interferometric effect
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/02 : characterised by the way in which colour is displayed details of colour display specific for CRTs G09G1/28; specific for flat matrix panels other than liquid crystal displays G09G3/2003; specific for liquid crystal displays G09G3/3607
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/26 : with folded element or elements, the folded parts being spaced apart a small fraction of operating wavelength resonant loop antennas H01Q7/00

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 system for selecting spectral frequencies of light, comprising:

a tunable filter comprising a MEMS device comprising a movable layer, said MEMS device configured to select a range of spectral frequencies of light;

and a photosensitive device spaced apart from the movable layer, wherein said MEMS device is disposed to direct at least a portion of said selected spectral frequencies onto said photosensitive device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said system comprises a fiber optic communication system.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said tunable filter is configured to reflect light along a fiber optic channel.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a light source configured to illuminate said MEMS device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said light source comprises a laser light source.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the said MEMS device comprises an interferometric modulator.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said movable layer comprises a reflective surface.

8. A system for selecting spectral frequencies of light, comprising:

a tunable filter comprising a MEMS device configured to select a range of spectral frequencies of light;

and a photosensitive device,

wherein said MEMS device is disposed to direct at least a portion of said selected spectral frequencies onto said photosensitive device,

wherein said tunable filter is part of a digital camera.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said MEMS device comprises an interferometric modulator.

10. A system for selecting spectral frequencies of light, comprising:

a tunable filter comprising a MEMS device configured to select a range of spectral frequencies of light;

and a photosensitive device,

wherein said MEMS device is disposed to direct at least a portion of said selected spectral frequencies onto said photosensitive device,

wherein said system comprises a chemical analysis system.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said MEMS device comprises an interferometric modulator.

12. A system for selecting spectral frequencies of light, comprising:

means for selecting a range of spectral frequencies of light, said means for selecting a range of spectral frequencies of light comprising a MEMS device;

means for illuminating said means for selecting a range of spectral frequencies of light; and

and means for receiving at least a portion of light selected by said means for selecting a range of spectral frequencies of light,

wherein the means for selecting a range of spectral frequencies of light further comprises a movable means,

wherein said receiving means is spaced apart from said movable means, and

wherein said receiving means comprises a photosensitive device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said selecting means comprises at least one interferometric modulator.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein said illuminating means comprises a light source.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein said movable means comprises a movable layer.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein said movable means comprises a mirror.

17. A system for selecting spectral frequencies of light, comprising:

a tunable filter comprising a MEMS device configured to select a range of spectral frequencies of light; and

a photosensitive device disposed apart from the MEMS device,

wherein said MEMS device is disposed to direct at least a portion of said selected spectral frequencies onto said photosensitive device.

18. A system for selecting spectral frequencies of light, comprising:

means for selecting a range of spectral frequencies of light, said means for selecting a range of spectral frequencies of light comprising a MEMS device;

means for illuminating said means for selecting a range of spectral frequencies of light; and

means for receiving at least a portion of light selected by said means for selecting a range of spectral frequencies of light,

wherein said receiving means is disposed apart from said means for selecting a range of spectral frequencies of light, and

wherein said receiving means comprises a photosensitive device.