|Publication number||US8054532 B2|
|Application number||US 12/815,136|
|Publication date||Nov 8, 2011|
|Filing date||Jun 14, 2010|
|Priority date||May 5, 1994|
|Also published as||US6674562, US6867896, US7012732, US7379227, US7463421, US7532381, US7692844, US7846344, US7848001, US7848004, US8059326, US8105496, US8284474, US20020015215, US20040240032, US20050231790, US20050244949, US20060028708, US20060262279, US20070121205, US20070132843, US20070229936, US20070253054, US20080084601, US20080130089, US20100309540|
|Publication number||12815136, 815136, US 8054532 B2, US 8054532B2, US-B2-8054532, US8054532 B2, US8054532B2|
|Inventors||Mark W. Miles|
|Original Assignee||Qualcomm Mems Technologies, Inc.|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (80), Non-Patent Citations (69), Referenced by (6), Classifications (56), Legal Events (4)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/742,271, filed on Apr. 30, 2007 which is a division application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/192,436, filed Jul. 28, 2005 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,463,421), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/056,571, filed Feb. 11, 2005 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,379,227), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/966,843, filed Sep. 28, 2001 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,867,896), which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/056,975, filed Apr. 8, 1998 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,674,562), which is a continuation-in-part of each of the following: (1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/769,947, filed Dec. 19, 1996 (now abandoned), (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/554,630, filed Nov. 6, 1995 (now abandoned), and (3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/238,750, filed May 5, 1994 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,835,255). The disclosures of each of these prior applications are considered part of, and are incorporated by reference into, the disclosure of this application.
This invention relates to visible spectrum (which we define to include portions of the ultra-violet and infrared spectra) modulator arrays and interferometric modulation.
The first patent application cited above describes two kinds of structures whose impedance, the reciprocal of admittance, can be actively modified so that they can modulate light. One scheme is a deformable cavity whose optical properties can be altered by deformation, electrostatically or otherwise, of one or both of the cavity walls. The composition and thickness of these walls, which comprise layers of dielectric, semiconductor, or metallic films, allows for a variety of modulator designs exhibiting different optical responses to applied voltages.
The second patent application cited above describes designs which rely on an induced absorber. These designs operate in reflective mode and can be fabricated simply and on a variety of substrates.
The devices disclosed in both of these patent applications are part of a broad class of devices which we will refer to as IMods (short for “interferometric modulators”). An IMod is a microfabricated device that modulates incident light by the manipulation of admittance via the modification of its interferometric characteristics.
Any object or image supporter which uses modulated light to convey information through vision is a form of visual media. The information being conveyed lies on a continuum. At one end of the continuum, the information is codified as in text or drawings, and at the other end of the continuum, it is abstract and in the form of symbolic patterns as in art or representations of reality (a picture).
Information conveyed by visual media may encompass knowledge, stimulate thought, or inspire feelings. But regardless of its function, it has historically been portrayed in a static form. That is, the information content represented is unchanging over time. Static techniques encompass an extremely wide range, but in general include some kind of mechanism for producing variations in color and/or brightness comprising the image, and a way to physically support the mechanism. Examples of the former include dyes, inks, paints, pigments, chalk, and photographic emulsion, while examples of the latter include paper, canvas, plastic, wood, and metal.
In recent history, static display techniques are being displaced by active schemes. A prime example is the cathode ray tube (CRT), but flat panel displays (FPD) offer promise of becoming dominant because of the need to display information in ever smaller and more portable formats.
An advanced form of the FPD is the active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD). AMLCDs tend to be expensive and large, and are heavy users of power. They also have a limited ability to convey visual information with the range of color, brightness, and contrast that the human eye is capable of perceiving, using reflected light, which is how real objects usually present themselves to a viewer. (Few naturally occurring things emit their own light.)
Butterflies, on the other hand, achieve a broad range of color, brightness, and contrast, using incident light, processed interferometrically, before delivery to the viewer.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a system for responding to a mode of use of a product is provided, the system comprising: a sensor configured to detect a change in the mode of use of a product; and a display device comprising 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.
In another embodiment, a system for responding to a mode of use of a product is provided, the system 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.
In general, in one aspect, the invention features a modulator of light having an interference cavity for causing interference modulation of the light, the cavity having a mirror, the mirror having a corrugated surface.
In general, in another aspect of the invention, the interference modulation of the light produces a quiescent color visible to an observer, the quiescent color being determined by the spatial configuration of the modulator.
In implementations of the invention, the interference cavity may include a mirror and a supporting structure holding the mirror, and the spatial configuration may include a configuration of the supporting structure, or patterning of the mirror. The supporting structure may be coupled to a rear surface of the mirror. The invention eliminates the need for separately defined spacers and improves the fill-factor.
In general, in another aspect of the invention, the structure for modulating light includes modulators of light each including an interference cavity for causing interference modulation of the light, each of the modulators having a viewing cone. The viewing cones of the modulators are aligned in different directions.
In implementations of the invention, the viewing cones of the different modulators may be aligned in random directions and may be narrower than the viewing cone of the overall structure. Viewing a randomly oriented array of interference modulators effectively reduces the color shift.
In general, in another aspect of the invention, the modulators may be suspended in a solid or liquid medium.
In general, in another aspect of the invention, an optical compensation mechanism is coupled to the modulators to enhance the optical performance of the structure. In implementations of the invention, the mechanism may be a combination of one or more of a holographically patterned material, a photonic crystal array, a multilayer array of dielectric mirrors, or an array of microlenses. The brightness and/or color may be controlled by error diffusion. An array of modulators may be viewed through a film of material which, because of its tailored optical properties, enhances the view from a limited range of angles, or takes incident light of random orientation and orders it. The film may also enhance the fill factor of the pixel. The film may also comprise a patterned light emitting material to provide supplemental lighting.
In general, in another aspect of the invention, an optical fiber is coupled to the interference cavity. The invention may be used in the analysis of chemical, organic, or biological components.
In general, in another aspect of the invention, there is an array of interference modulators of light, a lens system, a media transport mechanism and control electronics.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features an information projection system having an array of interference modulators of light, a lens system, mechanical scanners, and control electronics. In implementations of the invention, the control electronics may be configured to generate projected images for virtual environments; and the array may include liquid crystals or micromechanical modulators.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features an electronics product having an operational element, a housing enclosing the operational element and including a display having a surface viewed by a user, and an array of interference modulators of light on the surface.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The operational element may include a personal communications device, or a personal information tool, or a vehicular control panel, or an instrument control panel, or a time keeping device. The array may substantially alter the aesthetic or decorative features of the surface. The aesthetic component may respond to a state of use of the consumer product. The array may also provide information. The modulation array of the housing may comprise liquid crystals, field emission, plasma, or organic emitter based technologies and associated electronics.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features devices in which aggregate arrays of interference modulators are assembled as a display, e.g., as a sign or a billboard.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features a vehicle having a body panel, an array of interference modulators of light on a surface of the body panel, and electronic circuitry for determining the aesthetic appearance of the body panel by controlling the array of interference modulators.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features a building comprising external surface elements, an array of interference modulators of light on a surface of the body panel, and electronic circuitry for determining the aesthetic appearance of the surface elements by controlling the array of interference modulators.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features a full color active display comprising a liquid crystal medium, and interferometric elements embedded in the medium.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features a structure including a substrate, micromechanical elements formed on the substrate, and electronics connected to control the elements, the electronics being formed also on the substrate.
Individual pixels of the array may consist of arrays of subpixels, allowing brightness and color control via the activation of some fraction of these subpixels in a process known as spatial dithering. Individual pixels or subpixel arrays may be turned on for a fraction of an arbitrary time interval to control brightness in a process known as pulse width modulation (PWM). Individual pixels or subpixel arrays may be turned on for a fraction of the time required to scan the entire array to control brightness in a process known as frame width modulation (FWM). These two schemes are facilitated by the inherent hysteresis of the IMod which allows for the use of digital driver circuits. Neighboring pixels yield a brightness value which is the average of the desired value when error diffusion is used. Brightness control may be achieved via a combination of spatial dithering, PWM/FWM, or error diffusion. Color control may be achieved by tuning individual colors to a particular color, or by combining pixels of different colors and different brightness. The terms pixels and IMods are interchangeable, but in general, pixel refers to a controllable element which may consist of one or more IMods or subpixels, and which is “seen” directly or indirectly by an individual.
The arrays may fabricated on a solid substrate of some kind which may be of any material as long as it provides a surface, portions of which are optically smooth. The material may be transparent or opaque. The material may be flat or have a contoured surface, or be the surface of a three dimensional object. The arrays may be fabricated on the surface, or on the opposite or both sides if the substrate is transparent. In a further aspect the invention can be viewed in a variety of ways.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The array may be directly viewed in that an individual can look at the array and see the represented information from any angle. The array may be directly viewed from a fixed angle. The array may be indirectly viewed in that the information is projected on to a secondary surface, or projected through an optical system, or both.
In yet another aspect the invention can be electrically controlled and driven in several ways.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The array may be fabricated on a substrate and the driver and controller electronics are fabricated on a separate substrate. The two substrates may be connected electrically or optically via cables, or optically, magnetically, or via radio frequencies via a free space connection. The array may be fabricated with driver, controller, or memory electronics, or some combination thereof, mounted on the same substrate and connected via conducting lines. The array may be fabricated on a substrate along with the driver, controller or memory electronics, or some combination thereof. The substrate may include active electronics which constitute driver, controller, or memory electronics, or some combination thereof, and the array may be fabricated on the substrate. The electronics may be implemented using microelectromechanical (MEM) devices.
In an additional aspect the invention modulates light actively, using an array of modulators or sections of arrays which are addressed in several ways.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. Individual pixels or arrays of pixels may be connected to a single driver and may be activated independently of any other pixel or pixel array in a technique known as direct addressing. Individual pixels or arrays of pixels may be addressed using a two-dimensional matrix of conductors and addressed in a sequential fashion in a technique known as matrix addressing. Some combination of matrix or direct addressing may be used.
Among the advantages of the invention are one or more of the following.
Because interference modulators are fabricated on a single substrate, instead of a sandwich as in LCDs, many more possible roles are made available. The materials used in their construction are insensitive to degradation by UV exposure, and can withstand much greater variations in temperature. Extremely saturated colors may be produced. Extremely high resolutions make possible detail imperceptible to the human eye. Either transmitted or reflected light may be used as an illumination source, the latter more accurately representing how objects and images are perceived. The ability to fabricate these devices on virtually any substrate makes possible the surface modulation of essentially any man-made or naturally occurring object. It is possible to realize images which are much closer to what exists in nature and more realistic than what is possible using current printing methods.
Interferometric modulation uses incident light to give excellent performance in terms of color saturation, dynamic range (brightness), contrast, and efficient use of incident light, performance which may approach the perceptual range of the human visual system. The fabrication technology allows interference modulators to be manufactured in a great variety of forms. This variety will enable active visual media (and superior static visual media) to become as ubiquitous as the traditional static media which surround us.
In general, the invention provides the tools for creating an array of products and environments which are as visually rich and stimulating as anything found in nature.
Other advantages and features will become apparent from the following description and from the claims.
In general, an IMod which has either no voltage applied or some relatively steady state voltage, or bias voltage, applied is considered to be in a quiescent state and will reflect a particular color, a quiescent color. In the previously referenced patent applications, the quiescent color is determined by the thickness of the sacrificial spacer upon which the secondary mirror is fabricated.
Each IMod 114, 116 is rectangular and connected at its four corners to four posts 118 via support arms such as 120 and 122. In some cases (see discussion below), the IMod array will be operated at a stated constant bias voltage. In those cases, the secondary mirror 102 will always maintain a quiescent position which is closer to corresponding primary mirror 128 than without any bias voltage applied. The fabrication of IMods with differently sized support arms allows for the mechanical restoration force of each IMod to be determined by its geometry. Thus, with the same bias voltage applied to multiple IMods, each IMod may maintain a different biased position (distance from the primary mirror) via control of the dimensions of the support arm and its resulting spring constant. The thicker the support arm is, the greater its spring constant. Thus different colors (e.g., red, green, and blue) can be displayed by different IMods without requiring deposition of different thickness spacers. Instead, a single spacer, deposited and subsequently removed during fabrication, may be used while color is determined by modifying the support arm dimensions during the single photolithographic step used to define the arms. For example, in
As shown in
The mirror layer 308 in
Reducing Color Shift and Supplying Supplemental Illumination
As shown in
As seen in
As seen in
In another example, seen in
Consequently, light is either reflected or transmitted depending on the incidence angle with respect to the mirror. In this case, layer 612 is oriented to reflect light 609 of high incidence that enters the film 610 closer to the perpendicular. Layer 614 reflects light 613 of lower incidence into a more perpendicular path. Layer 616 modifies the even lower angle incident light 615. Because the layers minimally affect light which approaches perpendicularly, they each act as a separate “angle selective incidence filter” with the result that randomly oriented incident light couples into the substrate with a higher degree of perpendicularly. This minimizes the color shift of a display viewed through this film.
In another example,
In another example,
By patterning a mirror on the front of the display, this light can be reflected back upon the IMod array. Peripherally mounted light sources in conjunction with films relying on total internal reflection are yet another approach.
The apparent dynamic range of the display may also be enhanced using a process known as error diffusion. In some applications, the number of bits available for representing the full range of brightness values (dynamic range) may be limited by the capabilities of the drivers, for example. In such a situation, the dynamic range may be enhanced by causing neighboring pixels to have a brightness value, the average of which is closer to an absolute value that cannot be obtained given the set number of bits. This process is accomplished electronically within the controller logic, and can be accomplished without significantly affecting the display resolution.
In a digital driving scheme, as shown in
In another example,
Reflected light 1202 or transmitted light 1212, or a combination of the two, may be manipulated by macro lens system 1206. A more complicated or space critical application might require more elaborate optics. In such a case, a lens system might be implemented using a micro-lens array 1208 with or without the aid of redirection mirrors 1214.
Packaging and Driving Electronics
The electronics 1410 comprise all of the row and column drivers, memory, and controller logic required to actuate the IMods in a controlled fashion. Exactly where each of these functions reside would depend on the application and degree of integration required for an application. Specific examples will be discussed in subsequent portions of this patent application. In
In one case, substrate 1600 is an electronically inactive medium upon which the IMod array and electronics 1608 are fabricated separately or in a fabrication process with some overlap. Electronics may be fabricated using a number of techniques for building thin film transistors using materials such as amorphous silicon, polysilicon, or cadmium selenide. Electronics may also be fabricated using microelectromechanical (MEM) switches instead of, or in conjunction with thin film transistors. All of these materials are deposited on the surface of the substrate, and provide the electronically or electromechanically active medium for circuits. This implementation demonstrates a powerful approach to surface micromachining, which could be described as epi-fab. Essentially, in epi-fab all components of any microelectromechanical structure, both the mechanical and the electronic, are fabricated entirely on the surface of an inert substrate.
In the second case, the substrate is active silicon or gallium arsenide and the electronics are fabricated as a part of it. The IMod array is then fabricated on its surface. The electronics may also include more complex electronic circuits associated with the particular applications. Application specific circuits, e.g., microprocessors and memory for a laptop computer can be fabricated as well, further increasing the degree of integration.
Product and Device Applications
The remaining figures illustrate product and device applications which use the fabrication, drive, and assembly techniques described thus far.
The IMod as an easily fabricated, inexpensive, and capable modulator can be placed in an exceptional number of roles which require the manipulation of light. These areas fall into at least two categories: IMods which are used to modulate or otherwise affect light for purposes which do not result in direct visually perceived information (embedded applications); and IMods which are used to convey codified, abstract or other forms of information via light to be visually perceived by an individual (perceived applications). All of these applications, both embedded and perceived, can be roughly divided according to array size and geometry, however these boundaries are for descriptive purposes only and functional overlap can exist across these categories. They do not represent an exhaustive list of possibilities.
One category of applications utilizes single or individual modulators which are generally for embedded applications. These maybe coupled to optical fibers or active electronics to provide, among other things, a mechanism for selecting specific frequencies on a wavelength division multiplexed fiber-optic communication system, as well as a low data rate passive fiber optic modulator. Single modulators may be coupled to semiconductor lasers to provide, among other things, a mechanism for selecting specific frequencies transmitted by the laser, as well as a low data rate laser modulator. Single modulators may be coupled to optical fibers, lasers, or active electronics to alter the phase of light reflected.
Linear arrays, though generally for embedded applications, also begin to have potential in perceived roles. Devices for printing imagery may utilize a linear array as the mechanism for impressing information on to reflected or transmitted light which is subsequently recorded in a light sensitive medium. Devices for scanning images may utilize a linear array to select different colors of a printed or real image for subsequent detection by a light sensitive device.
Yet another category of applications includes microscopic two-dimensional arrays of IMods which may be used to provide reconfigurable optical interconnects or switches between components. Such arrays may also be used to provide optical beam steering of incident light. Using a lens system, to be discussed later, may allow such an array to be readable.
Small arrays, on the order of 2″ square or smaller, may find a variety of uses for which this size is appropriate. Applications include direct view and projection displays. Projection displays can be used individually or in arrays to create virtual environments (VEs). A theater is an example of a single channel VE, while an omnimax theater, with many screens, represents a multi-channel virtual environment. Direct view displays can be used for alphanumeric and graphic displays for all kinds of consumer/commercial electronic products such as calculators, cellular phones, watches and sunglasses (active or static), jewelry, decorative/informative product labels or small format printing (business card logos, greeting card inserts, product labels logos, etc.); decorative clothing patches or inserts (sneakers, badges, belt buckles, etc.); decorative detailing or active/static graphic printing on products (tennis rackets, roller blades, bike helmets, etc.); and decorative detailing or active/static graphic printing on ceramic, glass, or metal items (plates, sculpture, forks and knives, etc.). Very large (billboard sized) displays may be produced by combining arrays of small arrays which are themselves directly driven. Embedded applications may include spatial light modulators for optical computing and optical storage. Modulator arrays fabricated on two dimensional light sensitive arrays, such as CCDs, may be used as frequency selective filter arrays for the selection of color separations during image acquisition.
Another size category of devices, medium arrays, may be defined by arrays of roughly 2″ to 6″ square. These include direct view displays for consumer electronic products including organizers, personal digital assistants, and other medium sized display-centric devices; control panels for electronic products, pocket TVs, clock faces (active and static); products such as credit cards, greeting cards, wine and other product labels; small product exteriors (walkmen, CD cases, other consumer electronic products, etc.); and larger active/static graphical patches or inserts (furniture, clothing, skis, etc.)
For arrays on the order of 6″ to 12″ square, large arrays, there exist other compelling applications. These include direct view displays for large format display-centric products (TVs, electronic readers for digital books, magazines and other traditionally printed media, special function tools); signs (window signs, highway signs, public information and advertising signs, etc.); large consumer product exteriors/active surfaces and body panels (microwave oven, telephone, bicycle, etc.); and furniture exteriors and lighting fixtures, high end products. Direct view 3-D displays and adaptive optics are also possible.
Arrays approximately 12″ square or larger, and aggregate arrays (which are combinations of smaller arrays to achieve a larger one), further define a unique set of devices, and provide the potential to affect our overall environment. These include direct view displays for very large formats (billboards, public spaces, highway, industrial/military situation displays, etc.); Body panels and active exteriors for very large products (cars, motorcycles, air and water craft, sails, refrigerators); and active/static exteriors/interiors for very large objects (buildings, walls, windows).
For example, a reflective mode IMod could act as a modulator of light which is incident through the optical fiber. Using a design which switches between absorbing or reflecting, the intensity of the reflected light may be modulated. Using a transmissive IMod, the device could act as a transceiver. Switching the IMod between fully transmissive or fully reflective would also modulate the reflected light and thus perform as a data transmitter. Holding it in the fully transmissive state would allow the detector 1906 to respond to light incident through the fiber, thus acting like a receiver. Use of a tunable IMod would allow the device to act as a frequency sensitive detector, while not precluding modulation as well.
Alternatively, component 2100 could be a light source which uses lens system 2102 to couple and collimate light through IMod array 2104 onto media 2108. In this case, the media would be a photosensitive material which would undergo exposure as it passed beneath the array. This would provide a mechanism for the printing of high resolution color images. No electronic components reside on the array substrate in this example.
The skis of
It should be noted that several alternative display technologies may also be applicable to some of the less rigorous aesthetic applications, in particular, small AMLCDs, LCDs fabricated on active crystalline silicon, field emission displays (FEDs), and possibly plasma based displays. These technologies are deficient due to their price, manufacturing complexity, and non-reflective (emissive) operation. However, certain high-end fashion oriented products (luxury watches, jewelry and clothing) may command a price and provide an environment which could make these viable approaches. Organic emitters could be particularly suited for exterior applications which are not necessarily exposed to environmental extremes and which might be seen in dimly lit situations. They are the only emissive technology which offers the potential for very low-cost and ease of manufacture. The Alq/diamine structures and poly(phenylene vinylene) materials, which were described before, could be patterned and directly addressed on a variety of substrates (plastic clothing inserts for example) to provide dynamic exteriors.
An application in chemical analysis is illustrated in
Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
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|U.S. Classification||359/291, 359/290|
|International Classification||G09G3/20, G02B26/02, G02B6/12, G02F1/21, G02F1/137, G02B26/00, G09G3/34, G01J3/26, G02B26/08|
|Cooperative Classification||G02B2006/12104, G02B26/0841, G09G3/2077, G09G3/001, G02B26/0833, G09G3/2074, G09G2300/0452, G02B26/001, G09G3/3466, G09G5/02, G06F3/147, G02B26/085, G09G3/2014, G02B26/0858, G09G2300/0408, G02B27/017, G02F1/19, G06F3/1431, G02F1/13725, G02B27/01, G06F3/1446, G01J3/26, G02F1/216, B82Y20/00, G02B6/12, G02B26/02, G02F2203/03, H01Q9/26|
|European Classification||G02B26/00C, G02B27/01, G09G3/34E8, G02B6/12, G09G5/02, G02F1/137D, G01J3/26, G02B26/08M4P, G02B27/01C, G02B26/08M4E, H01Q9/26, G09G3/20G14, B82Y20/00, G02F1/19, G02B26/02, G02B26/08M4, G02B26/08M4M|
|Feb 11, 2011||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: IDC, LLC, CALIFORNIA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:IRIDIGM DISPLAY CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:025780/0340
Effective date: 20041001
Owner name: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC., CALIFORNIA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:IDC, LLC;REEL/FRAME:025780/0595
Effective date: 20090925
Owner name: IRIDIGM DISPLAY CORPORATION, CALIFORNIA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MILES, MARK W.;REEL/FRAME:025780/0346
Effective date: 20050303
|Jun 19, 2015||REMI||Maintenance fee reminder mailed|
|Nov 8, 2015||LAPS||Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees|
|Dec 29, 2015||FP||Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee|
Effective date: 20151108