Array addressing of pneumatically switched image display device

Apparatus for controlling a multiple pixel image display device, each of said pixels having at least one element with a reflective state in which incident light undergoes total internal reflection and with a non-reflective state in which said total internal reflection is prevented, and having a member positioned adjacent said element for deformation of said member between a first position in which a gap remains between said member and said element and a second position in which said member is in optical contact with said element, said apparatus comprising:

• a. a support structure;
• b. a plurality of display chambers in said support structure, each one of said display chambers corresponding to one of said pixels and containing one of said elements and one of said members;
• c. a plurality of first apertures in said support structure, each one of said first apertures for air communication between one of said display chambers and a corresponding one of a plurality of second chambers in said support structure;
• d. a plurality of valve members, each one of said valve members in a corresponding one of said second chambers, said valve members respectively deformable between a closed position in which said valve member is biased against a corresponding one of said first apertures to prevent air communication through said first aperture and an open position in which said valve member is biased away from said corresponding first aperture to permit air communication through said corresponding first aperture;
• e. a plurality of second apertures in said support structure, each one of said second apertures for air communication against a base of a corresponding one of said valve members;
• and,
• f. a plurality of third apertures in said support structure, each one of said third apertures for air communication through a corresponding one of said second chambers and through a corresponding one of said first apertures when said corresponding valve member is in said open position.

Apparatus for controlling a multiple pixel image display device, each of said pixels having at least one element with a reflective state in which incident light undergoes total internal reflection and with a non-reflective state in which said total internal reflection is prevented, and having a member positioned adjacent said element for deformation of said member between a first position in which a gap remains between said member and said element and a second position in which said member is in optical contact with said element, said apparatus comprising:

• a. first and second plates;
• b. a plurality of display chambers formed in said first plate, each one of said display chambers corresponding to one of said pixels and containing one of said elements and one of said members;
• c. a first aperture in each one said display chambers, each one of said first apertures for air communication between one of said display chambers and a corresponding one of a plurality of second chambers in said first plate;
• d. an elastomeric sheet disposed between said plates to provide a separate portion of said sheet adjacent a corresponding one of said second chambers, each of said portions deformable between a closed position in which said portion is biased against a corresponding one of said first apertures to prevent air communication through said first aperture and an open position in which said portion is biased away from said corresponding first aperture to permit air communication through said corresponding first aperture;
• e. a plurality of second apertures in one of said plates, each one of said second apertures for air communication against a base of a corresponding one of said elastomeric sheet portions;
• and,
• f. a plurality of third apertures in one of said plates, each one of said third apertures for air communication through a corresponding one of said second chambers and through a corresponding one of said first apertures when said corresponding elastomeric sheet portion is in said open position.

A method of controlling an image display device having at least one element with a reflective state in which incident light undergoes total internal reflection and a non-reflective state in which said total internal reflection is prevented, and having a member positioned adjacent said element for deformation of said member between a first position in which a gap remains between said member and said element and a second position in which said member is in optical contact with said element, said method comprising the steps of:

• a. isolating said element and said member within a display chamber;
• b. controlling pressurized air communication between said display chamber and a second chamber by:
• i. opening an air communication path between said display chamber and said second chamber;
• ii. while said air communication path is open, either:
• (1) connecting a pressurized air source to said second chamber;
• or,
• (2) disconnecting said pressurized air source from said second chamber;
• and,
• iii. closing said air communication path.

A method of controlling a multiple pixel image display device, each of said pixels having at least one element with a reflective state in which incident light undergoes total internal reflection and with a non-reflective state in which said total internal reflection is prevented, and having a member positioned adjacent said element for deformation of said member between a first position in which a gap remains between said member and said element and a second position in which said member is in optical contact with said element, said method comprising the steps of:

• a. isolating said elements and members within said display chambers, with one of said elements and one of said members in each one of said display chambers;
• b. controlling pressurized air communication between each one of said display chambers and a corresponding second chamber by:
• i. opening an air communication path between said one display chamber and said corresponding second chamber;
• ii. while said air communication path is open, either:
• (1) connecting a pressurized air source to said corresponding second chamber;
• or,
• (2) disconnecting said pressurized air source from said corresponding second chamber;
• and,
• iii. closing said air communication path.