EP0477566A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Improvements in or relating to light modulation
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
•
Filing: 1991-08-28
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2011-08-28
Abstract
Abstract It is possible to describe how to control the amplitude and phase modulation of light independently and simultaneously do so by dividing a picture element into smaller modulating elements, providing independent addressing for each element, setting the necessary angle for each element and then resolving them into the picture element. The invention also shows one embodiment of the invention. <IMAGE>
Inventors
- 👤 James M. Florence
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:56
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F2/00; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/20; G09G3/34; G09G3/3433; G09G3/346; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/001; G02B26/06; G02B26/08; G02B26/0816; G02B26/0833; G02B26/0841; G09F; G09F9/00; G09F9/30; G09F9/37; G09F9/372; G09G2300/00; G09G2300/04; G09G2300/0439; G09G2300/0443
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for modulation of light comprising the following steps: a) dividing a picture element into a number of modulating elements; b) providing addressing circuitry for each said modulating element; c) selecting the desired phase angle and amplitude of modulation; d) determining appropriate displacement angles of said modulating elements to achieve said phase angle and amplitude; e) addressing said modulating elements to achieve desired angle; and f) resolving said modulation elements as said picture element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: a) said addressing of said modulating elements consists of applying a predetermined voltage to an electrode; located directly under said modulating element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 and wherein said modulation is amplitude modulation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 and wherein said modulation is full complex modulation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
103 words
A spatial light modulator, comprising: a) a plurality of picture elements formed in a layered structure, each pixel being divided into a number of modulating elements; b) said layered structure including a substrate, a spacer layer on said substrate, a reflecting layer on said spacer, and electrical addressing circuitry; c) each of said modulating elements being an electrostatically deflectable element formed in said reflecting layer, and said spacer defining a well located between said deflectable element and a plurality of activation electrodes arranged to affect said electrostatic deflection; and d) electrical addressing circuitry such that each of said modulating elements are independently addressable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The modulator of claim 5, wherein: a) said modulator is divided into two halves.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The modulator of claim 1, 5 or claim 6, wherein: a) said addressing circuitry includes a plurality of activation electrodes; one electrode corresponding to each modulating element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
A picture element modulator divided into a number of individual modulating elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
A deformable mirror device divided into a number of individual modulating elements.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.