Interferometric modulation of radiation

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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A modulator of light comprising 
 an interference cavity for causing interference modulation of the light, the cavity having a mirror, the mirror comprising a corrugated surface.    
     
     
         2 . A modulator of light comprising 
 an interference cavity for causing interference modulation of the light to produce a color condition visible to an observer, the color condition being determined by the spatial configuration of the modulator.    
     
     
         3 . The modulator of  claim 2  wherein the interference cavity comprises 
 a mirror and  
 a supporting structure holding the mirror,  
 and wherein the spatial configuration comprises the configuration of the supporting structure.  
 
     
     
         4 . The modulator of  claim 2  wherein the interference cavity comprises p 1  a mirror, and wherein 
 the spatial configuration comprises patterning of the mirror.  
 
     
     
         5 . The modulator of  claim 2  wherein the interference cavity comprises 
 a mirror, and  
 a supporting structure holding the mirror, and wherein the supporting structure is coupled to a rear surface of the mirror.  
 
     
     
         6 . A structure for modulating light comprising 
 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 different ones of the modulators being aligned in different directions.    
     
     
         7 . The structure of  claim 6  in which the viewing cones of the different modulators are aligned in random directions.  
     
     
         8 . The structure of  claim 6  in which the viewing cones of the modulators are narrower than the viewing cone of the overall structure.  
     
     
         9 . A structure for modulating light comprising 
 modulators of light each including an interference cavity for causing interference modulation of the light, and    a liquid medium in which the modulators are suspended.    
     
     
         10 . A structure for modulating light comprising 
 modulators of light each including an interference cavity for causing interference modulation of the light, and    an optical compensation mechanism coupled to the modulators which enhances the optical performance of the structure.    
     
     
         11 . The structure of  claim 10  in which the mechanism comprises 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.  
     
     
         12 . The structure of  claim 1  wherein the brightness and/or color are controlled by error diffusion.  
     
     
         13 . A modulator of light comprising 
 an interferometric modulator, and    an optical fiber coupled to the interferometric modulator.    
     
     
         14 . The application of  claim 13  wherein the IMod is used in the analysis of chemical, organic, or biological components.  
     
     
         15 . An information printing system comprising 
 an array of interference modulators of light,    a lens system, and    a media transport mechanism.    
     
     
         16 . An image capture system comprising 
 an array of interference modulators of light,    a lens system, and    a media transport mechanism.    
     
     
         17 . An information projection system comprising 
 an array of interference modulators of light,    a lens system,    mechanical scanners, and    control electronics.    
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  in which the control electronics are configured to generate projected images for virtual environments.  
     
     
         19 . The application of  claim 18  in which the array includes liquid crystals or microelectromechanical modulators.  
     
     
         20 . A product comprising 
 an operational element, a display element,    a housing enclosing the operational element and having a display element, the display element including a surface viewed by a user, and    an array of interference modulators of light on the surface.    
     
     
         21 . The product of  claim 20  in which the operational element comprises a personal communications device.  
     
     
         22 . The product of  claim 20  in which the operational element comprises a personal information tool.  
     
     
         23 . The product of  claim 20  in which the operational element comprises a vehicular control panel.  
     
     
         24 . The product of  claim 20  in which the operational element comprises an instrument control panel.  
     
     
         25 . The product of  claim 20  in which the operational element comprises a time keeping device.  
     
     
         26 . The product of  claim 20  in which the operational element comprises an article of clothing or portion thereof.  
     
     
         27 . The product of  claim 20  in which the operational element comprises an item of jewelry.  
     
     
         28 . The product of  claim 20  in which the operational element comprises a sporting good.  
     
     
         29 . The product of  claim 20  in which the array substantially alters the aesthetic or decorative features of the surface.  
     
     
         30 . The product of  claim 29  in which the aesthetic component responds to a state of use of the consumer product.  
     
     
         31 . The product of  claim 29  in which the aesthetic component is downloaded or derived from an external source.  
     
     
         32 . The product of  claim 29  wherein the array also provides information.  
     
     
         33 . The application of  claim 29  wherein liquid crystals, field emission, plasma, or organic emitter based technologies and associated electronics are used as the modulation array.  
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 1  comprising an application incorporating aggregate arrays of IMods.  
     
     
         35 . The application of  claim 34  wherein the array is used to display information on signs or billboards.  
     
     
         36 . A vehicle comprising 
 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.    
     
     
         37 . 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.    
     
     
         38 . A full color active display comprising 
 a liquid crystal medium, and    interferometric elements embedded in the medium.    
     
     
         39 . A structure comprising 
 a substrate,    micromechanical elements formed on the surface of the substrate, and    electronics connected to control the elements, the electronics being formed also on the surface of the substrate.