Interferometric modulation of radiation
AssigneeIdc, LLC
InventorMark W. Miles
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims29
A personal communication device comprising:
- a housing;
- an operational element enclosed within the housing;
- communications hardware coupled to the operational element;
- and
- a display element connected to the operational element, wherein the display element comprises an array of interference modulators of light.
A personal information tool comprising:
- a housing;
- an operational element enclosed within the housing;
- input controls coupled to the operational element;
- and
- a display element connected to the operational element, wherein the display element comprises an array of interference modulators of light.
A control panel comprising:
- a housing;
- an operational element enclosed within the housing;
- a sensor coupled to the operational element configured to provide information to the operational element;
- and
- a display element connected to the operational element, and configured to display the information provided by the sensor, wherein the display element comprises an array of interference modulators of light.
A fashion product comprising:
- a housing coupled to a fabric;
- an operational element enclosed within the housing;
- and
- a display element connected to the operational element, wherein the display element comprises an array of interference modulators of light.
A kitchen appliance comprising:
- a housing;
- an operational element enclosed within the housing;
- a sensor configured to provide information to the operational element, wherein the information is indicative of a cooking process;
- and
- a display element connected to the operational element, and configured to provide a display based on the information provided by the sensor, wherein the display element comprises an array of interference modulators of light.
A vehicle having a device, the device comprising:
- a housing;
- an operational element enclosed within the housing;
- and
- a display element connected to the operational element and positioned on an exterior surface of the vehicle, wherein the display element comprises an array of interference modulators of light.
A device comprising:
- an operational element having a display element,
- wherein the display element comprises an array of interference modulators of light on a viewable surface, and
- wherein liquid crystals, field emission, plasma, or organic emitter based technologies and associated electronics are used as the array of interference modulators.
A device comprising:
- an operational element having a display element,
- wherein the display element comprises aggregate arrays of interference modulators of light, and
- wherein the arrays are used to display information on signs or billboards.
A projection display unit comprising:
- a housing;
- an operational element enclosed within the housing;
- a modulation element connected to the operational element, wherein the modulation element comprises an array of interference modulators of light;
- and
- a light source, wherein light from the light source is transmitted through the array of interference modulators so as to project an image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.