Color video display system comprising electrostatically deflectable light valves

Claim 1

A video imaging system comprising: a. a cathode ray tube including at least one electron gun; b. an electrostatically deflectable light valve array target comprising a light transmissive substrate, a plurality of groupings of three spaced apart generally planar light reflective elements individually supported by a spacer-post member extending from the substrate, the spacer-post member being of substantially less cross-section than the light reflective element, and being located entirely beneath the light reflective element, and a light transmissive potential electrode disposed upon the substrate in the space between reflective elements, with respective reflective elements of each grouping of three being deflectable along three respective symmetrically offset primary color axes of deflection in response to a specific primary color video signal; c. optical means and a light source for directing light onto the respective reflective elements and including selective transmissive portions of the optical means for passing light of a specific primary color from the deformed reflective element to permit focusing of a color image upon a screen, which selective transmissive portions are symmetrically spaced about the central optical axis of the optical means in correspondence to the respective primary color axes of deflection; d. means for scanning the electron beam from the electron gun and for synchronizing and modulating a video signal to permit sequential activation of respective primary color designated reflective elements.