Display devices comprising of interferometric modulator and sensor

• US 8,059,326 B2
• Filed: 04/30/2007
• Issued: 11/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Snaptrack Incorporated (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies Incorporated (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Inventors: Miles, Mark W.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHOI, WILLIAM C
• Application Number:
  US11/742,271
• Publication Number:
  US 20070253054A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,660 Days
• Field of Search: 359/247, 359/260, 359/578, 359/230, 359/290, 356/454, 356/480, 356/506, 356/519
• 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 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 responding to a mode of use of a product, comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a change in a mode of use of a product; and

a display device including an interferometric light modulator, wherein said display device is configured to display a selected image in response to a changing mode of use detected by said sensor,

wherein said interferometric light modulator includes a movable reflective layer, said movable reflective layer being configured to be movable to provide modulation, and

wherein said product includes a product selected from the group consisting of;

a shoe, a ski, a thermometer, an automobile, a motorcycle, a sailboat, a bus, an airplane, a building, a piece of jewelry, a watch, and an article of clothing.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is located within the product.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the mode of use corresponds to a state of process performed by the product.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a device configured to play recorded media.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the recorded media includes a compact disk.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor is part of a control device configured to respond to a selection made by a user.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor is a piezoelectric sensor.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the mode of use corresponds to an internal status of the product or the result of a completed internal process.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor detects a change of use that is internal to the product.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a control element configured to receive a user selection of appearance of the product.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected image comprises includes information relating to the mode of use.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the mode of use is a vibration or a temperature.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said product includes a shoe.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein said product includes a ski.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein said product includes a thermometer.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein said product includes an automobile.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein said product includes a motorcycle.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein said product includes a sailboat.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein said product includes a bus.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein said product includes an airplane.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein said product includes a building.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein said product includes a piece of jewelry.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein said product includes a watch.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein said product includes an article of clothing.

25. A system for responding to a mode of use of a product, comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a change in a mode of use of a product; and

a display device including an interferometric light modulator, wherein said display device is configured to display a selected image in response to a changing mode of use detected by said sensor,

wherein said interferometric light modulator comprises

a substrate;

a movable reflective element including a first electrode;

a partially reflective optical stack disposed on the substrate, the optical stack including a second electrode; and

a deformable cavity defined between the movable reflective element and the optical stack, said movable reflective element being configured to be movable by electrostatic force between a first position and a second position when a voltage is applied across the first and second electrodes.

26. A system for responding to a mode of use of a product, comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a change in a mode of use of a product; and

a display device including an interferometric light modulator, wherein said display device is configured to display a selected image in response to a changing mode of use detected by said sensor,

wherein said interferometric light modulator comprises

a substrate;

a movable reflective element including a first electrode;

a partially reflective optical stack disposed on the substrate, the optical stack including a second electrode; and

a deformable cavity defined between the movable reflective element and the optical stack, said movable reflective element being configured to be movable by electrostatic force between a first position and a second position when a voltage is applied across the first and second electrodes,

wherein said sensor is part of a control device configured to respond to a selection made by a user.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the selected image selection made by a user includes one or more graphical patterns.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the selection made by a user includes an external appearance of the product.

29. The system of claim 26, further comprising a power supply and a display circuitry configured to provide a plurality of exterior appearances when the power is supplied.

30. A system for responding to a mode of use of a product, comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a change in a mode of use of a product; and

a display device including an interferometric light modulator, wherein said display device is configured to display a selected image in response to a changing mode of use detected by said sensor,

wherein said interferometric light modulator comprises

a substrate;

a movable reflective element including a first electrode;

a partially reflective optical stack disposed on the substrate, the optical stack including a second electrode; and

a deformable cavity defined between the movable reflective element and the optical stack, said movable reflective element being configured to be movable by electrostatic force between a first position and a second position when a voltage is applied across the first and second electrodes,

wherein the mode of use corresponds to an internal status of the product or the result of a completed internal process.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the mode of use corresponds to an internal status of the product.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein the mode of use corresponds to the result of a completed internal process.

33. A system for responding to a mode of use of a product, comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a change in a mode of use of a product; and

a display device including an interferometric light modulator, wherein said display device is configured to display a selected image in response to a changing mode of use detected by said sensor,

wherein said interferometric light modulator comprises

a substrate;

a movable reflective element including a first electrode;

a partially reflective optical stack disposed on the substrate, the optical stack including a second electrode; and

a deformable cavity defined between the movable reflective element and the optical stack, said movable reflective element being configured to be movable by electrostatic force between a first position and a second position when a voltage is applied across the first and second electrodes,

wherein the sensor detects a change of use that is internal to the product.

34. A system for responding to a mode of use of a product, comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a change in a mode of use of a product; and

a display device including an interferometric light modulator, wherein said display device is configured to display a selected image in response to a changing mode of use detected by said sensor,

wherein the sensor detects a change of use that is external to the product.

35. A system for responding to a mode of use of a product, comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a change in a mode of use of a product; and

a display device including an interferometric light modulator, wherein said display device is configured to display a selected image in response to a changing mode of use detected by said sensor,

wherein the sensor is external to the product.

36. A system for responding to a mode of use of a product, comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a change in a mode of use of a product; and

a display device including an interferometric light modulator, wherein said display device is configured to display a selected image in response to a changing mode of use detected by said sensor,

wherein said interferometric light modulator comprises

a substrate;

a movable reflective element including a first electrode;

a partially reflective optical stack disposed on the substrate, the optical stack including a second electrode; and

a deformable cavity defined between the movable reflective element and the optical stack, said movable reflective element being configured to be movable by electrostatic force between a first position and a second position when a voltage is applied across the first and second electrodes,

wherein the sensor includes a control element configured to receive a user selection of appearance of the product.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the selected image includes one or more graphical patterns.

38. The system of claim 36, wherein the user selection includes an external appearance of the product.

39. The system of claim 36, further comprising a power supply and display circuitry configured to provide a plurality of exterior appearances when the power is supplied.

40. A system for responding to a mode of use of a product, comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a change in a mode of use of a product; and

a display device including an interferometric light modulator, wherein said display device is configured to display a selected image in response to a changing mode of use detected by said sensor,

wherein the mode of use is a vibration or a temperature.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the mode of use is a vibration.

42. The system of claim 40, wherein the mode of use is a temperature.

43. A system for responding to a mode of use of a product, comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a change in a mode of use of a product; and

a display device including an interferometric light modulator, wherein said display device is configured to display a selected image in response to a changing mode of use detected by said sensor,

wherein the mode of use is a speed of use of an athletic device or strength of stride.

44. A system for responding to a mode of use of a product, comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a change in a mode of use of a product; and

a display device including an interferometric light modulator, wherein said display device is configured to display a selected image in response to a changing mode of use detected by said sensor,

wherein said interferometric light modulator comprises a movable reflective element;

said movable reflective layer being configured to be movable to provide modulation, and

wherein the selected image comprises information relating to the mode of use.

45. A system for responding to a mode of use of a product, comprising:

means for detecting a change in a mode of use of a product; and

means for displaying a selected image in response to a changing mode of use detected by said means for detecting a change in a mode of use of a product, wherein said displaying means includes at least one interferometric modulator,

wherein said interferometric light modulator comprises

a substrate;

a movable reflective element including a first electrode;

a partially reflective optical stack disposed on the substrate, the optical stack including a second electrode; and

a deformable cavity defined between the movable reflective element and the optical stack, said movable reflective element being configured to be movable by electrostatic force between a first position and a second position when a voltage is applied across the first and second electrodes.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein said product includes a product selected from the group consisting of:

a shoe, a ski, a thermometer, an automobile, a motorcycle, a sailboat, a bus, a billboard, an airplane, a building, a piece of jewelry, a watch, a compact disk player, an appliance, and an article of clothing.

47. The system of claim 45, wherein said detecting means includes at least one of the following:

a user interface, a sensor, an interferometric modulator.

48. A system for responding to a mode of use of a product, comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a change in a mode of use of a product wherein the sensor detects a change of use that is external to the product; and

a display device including an interferometric light modulator, wherein said display device is configured to display a selected image in response to a changing mode of use detected by said sensor,

wherein said interferometric light modulator includes a movable reflective element, said movable reflective layer being configured to be movable to provide modulation, and

wherein said product includes a product selected from the group consisting of;

a shoe, a ski, a thermometer, an automobile, a motorcycle, a sailboat, a bus, a billboard, an airplane a building jewelry, a watch, a compact disk player, an appliance, and an article of clothing.

49. A system for responding to a mode of use of a product, comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a change in a mode of use of a product, wherein the sensor is external to the product; and

a display device including an interferometric light modulator, wherein said display device is configured to display a selected image in response to a changing mode of use detected by said sensor,

wherein said interferometric light modulator includes a movable reflective element, said movable reflective element being configured to be movable to provide modulation, and

wherein said product includes a product selected from the group consisting of;

a shoe, a ski, a thermometer, an automobile, a motorcycle, a sailboat, a bus, a billboard, an airplane a building, a piece of jewelry, a watch, a compact disk player, an appliance, and an article of clothing.

50. A system for responding to a mode of use of a product, comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a change in a mode of use of a product, wherein the sensor detects a change of use that is external to the product, and wherein the mode of use is one of a speed of use of an athletic device or strength of stride or a vibration or a temperature; and

a display device including an interferometric light modulator, wherein said display device is configured to display a selected image in response to a changing mode of use detected by said sensor,

wherein said interferometric light modulator includes a movable reflective element, said movable reflective layer being configured to be movable to provide modulation, and

wherein said product includes a product selected from the group consisting of;

a shoe, a ski, a thermometer, an automobile, a motorcycle, a sailboat, a bus, a billboard, an airplane, a building, a piece of jewelry, a watch, a compact disk player, an appliance, and an article of clothing.

51. A system for responding to a mode of use of a product, comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a change in a mode of use of a product; and

a display device including an interferometric light modulator, wherein said display device is configured to display a selected image in response to a changing mode of use detected by said sensor,

wherein said interferometric light modulator comprises

a substrate;

a movable reflective element including a first electrode;

a partially reflective optical stack disposed on the substrate, the optical stack including a second electrode; and

a deformable cavity defined between the movable reflective element and the optical stack, said movable reflective element being configured to be movable by electrostatic force between a first position and a second position when a voltage is applied across the first and second electrodes.

wherein the mode of use corresponds to a state of progress in the internal process of the product.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the state of progress in the internal process of the product comprises includes the completed internal process.

53. A system for responding to a mode of use of a product, comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a change in a mode of use of a product; and

a display device including an interferometric light modulator, wherein said display device is configured to display a selected image in response to a changing mode of use detected by said sensor,

wherein said interferometric light modulator includes a movable reflective layer, and

wherein the mode of use corresponds to mechanical power of movement.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the movement includes walking.

55. The system of claim 53, wherein the movement includes ski flexing.

56. The system of claim 53, wherein the product includes a shoe.

57. The system of claim 53, wherein the product includes a ski.

58. A system for responding to a mode of use of a product, comprising:

a sensor configured to detect a change in a mode of use of a product; and

a display device including an interferometric light modulator, wherein said display device is configured to display a selected image in response to a changing mode of use detected by said sensor,

wherein said interferometric light modulator comprises

a substrate;

a movable reflective element including a first electrode;

a partially reflective optical stack disposed on the substrate, the optical stack including a second electrode; and

a deformable cavity defined between the movable reflective element and the optical stack, said movable reflective element being configured to be movable by electrostatic force between a first position and a second position when a voltage is applied across the first and second electrodes;

wherein said product includes a product selected from the group consisting of;

a billboard, a compact disk player, and an appliance.

59. The system of claim 58, wherein said product includes a billboard.

60. The system of claim 58, wherein said product includes a compact disk player.

61. The system of claim 58, wherein said product includes an appliance.