System and method for display device with end-of-life phenomena

Abstract

Systems and methods of displaying an end-of-life image on an electronic display are disclosed. An end-of-life image is displayed on a MEMS display device in the presence of sufficient water vapor and without continued activation of the display. The image can be displayed in response to user input, in response to detection of a predefined level of water vapor within the display package, according to a prestored lifetime of the device, or according to the natural expiration of the lifetime of the display device and packaging.

1 . A method of displaying an image on a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) display comprising a plurality of display elements, the method comprising:
 storing data representing a predetermined lifetime of the MEMS display in memory coupled to control circuitry configured to control operation of the display;   determining when the predetermined lifetime of the MEMS display has expired; and   displaying a predefined image in response to determining that the predetermined lifetime of the MEMS display has expired.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predefined image comprises at least one of text and one or more graphics. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predefined image comprises at least one of a user selected image and a prestored image. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising determining when the current life of the MEMS display is within a predefined range of the predetermined lifetime, and displaying a warning image in response to determining that the current life the MEMS display is within the predefined range. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the MEMS display is an interferometric modulator display. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the interferometric modulator display includes an array of pixels. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predefined image is displayed without continued activation of the MEMS display. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining step is based at least in part on a measured level of water vapor. 
     
     
         9 . A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) display device configured to display a predefined image at the end of an operational lifetime, comprising a plurality of display elements each comprising a mechanical layer and a substantially fixed conductive layer separated by a cavity in an undriven state, wherein a cavity height for a plurality of preselected display elements is less than a cavity height for unselected display elements, such that the mechanical layers of the plurality of preselected display elements remain in contact with the substantially fixed conductive layers of the plurality of preselected display elements in the presence of sufficient water vapor such that a predefined image is displayed according to the preselected display elements. 
     
     
         10 . The MEMS display device of  claim 9 , wherein the predefined image comprises at least one of text and one or more graphics. 
     
     
         11 . The MEMS display device of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of preselected display elements include an array of interferometric pixels. 
     
     
         12 . The MEMS display device of  claim 11 , wherein pixels within the array are configured to remain activated without an applied voltage. 
     
     
         13 . A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) display device configured to display a predefined image at the end of an operational lifetime, comprising:
 a substrate including a MEMS device formed thereon, wherein the MEMS device comprises a plurality of MEMS elements configured to remain in an active state in the presence of sufficient water vapor;   a backplane;   a seal, positioned between the backplane and the substrate, wherein the MEMS device is encapsulated within the substrate and the backplane; and   a desiccant deposited on the backplane proximate the MEMS device, wherein the desiccant comprises one or more preselected areas with substantially less desiccant than unselected areas, such that a plurality of the MEMS elements proximate the predefined areas of the desiccant remain in an active state in the presence of less water vapor than a plurality of the MEMS elements proximate the unselected areas of the desiccant.   
     
     
         14 . A method of displaying an image on a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) display, comprising:
 applying a temperature differential to selective areas of a MEMS display package; and   displaying an image on the display corresponding to the selective areas.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the temperature differential is applied with a stylus. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein applying the temperature differential comprises applying a reduced temperature. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein applying the temperature differential comprises applying an increased temperature. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising detecting water vapor above a predefined level in the MEMS display package, and notifying a user in response to said detection. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising activating a plurality of MEMS elements of the MEMS display. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the image includes at least one of text and one or more graphics.