US4564836A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Miniature shutter type display device with multiplexing capability
Assignee: Centre Electronique Horloger SA
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Filing: 1982-06-25
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Granted: 1986-01-14
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Expires: 2002-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A display device comprising an insulating carrier (1) and shutters (V) which are capable of rotating under the effect of an electrical field (E) which is perpendicular to the plane of the carrier. The shutters (V) are grouped in pairs and are controlled by applying a voltage between a shutter and a counter-electrode (c). The control may be multiplexed if the shutters of the same pair have different potentials applied thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond Vuilleumier
- 👤 Paul-Charles Weiss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:49
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F9/00; G09F9/30; G09F9/37; G09F9/372
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
A miniature display device comprising a carrier having cavities therein and shutters which are fastened to the carrier by resilient attachment means at opposite edges of said shutters, said shutters closing said cavities in their rest condition and capable of rotating through a substantial angle under the effect of an electrical field to open the cavities; said device additionally comprising: at least one pair of shutters per cavity, each shutter of a pair being fastened to said carrier by two resilient attachment means which are disposed on respective sides of the shutter and in alignment with the side adjacent to the other shutter of said pair; first electrodes which are disposed on said shutters; second electrodes which are disposed on a bottom of said cavity; means for applying a control voltage between two said first and second electrodes to cause at least one pair of said shutters to rotate to an activated condition substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the corresponding cavity; and means for subsequently applying a holding voltage between the electrodes of the said activated two shutters of each said pair of shutters for holding the said two shutters in the activated condition in the absence of said control voltage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
A miniature display device comprising a carrier having cavities therein and shutters which are fastened to the carrier by resilient attachment means at opposite edges of said shutters, said shutters closing said cavities in their rest condition and capable of rotating through a substantial angle under the effect of an electrical field to open the cavities; said device additionally comprising: at least one pair of shutters per cavity, each shutter of a pair being fastened to said carrier by two resilient attachment means which are disposed on respective sides of the shutter and in alignment with the side adjacent to the other shutter of said pair; first electrodes which are disposed on said shutters; second electrodes which are disposed on a bottom of said cavity; means for applying a control voltage between two said first and second electrodes to cause at least one pair of said shutters to rotate to an activated condition substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the corresponding cavity; and means for subsequently applying a holding voltage between the electrodes of the said activated two shutters of each said pair of shutters for holding the said two shutters in the activated condition in the absence of said control voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The display device of claim 1 further comprising stop means for preventing electrical contact between the electrodes of said shutters when said shutters are activated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The display device of claim 2 wherein said stop means comprise bosses on the bottom of said cavities.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The display device of claim 2 wherein said stop means comprises an insulating layer which at least partially covers the lower surfaces of said shutters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The display device of claim 1 wherein clearance recesses are located in said carrier below said resilient attachment means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The display device of claim 2 disposed within a closed chamber having first and second walls which are substantially parallel to a face of said carrier, and said first wall is transparent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The display device of claim 6 wherein said carrier is fixed with respect to said second wall which forms the bottom of said cavities on which said second electrodes are located.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The display device of claim 7 wherein said second wall at least partially comprises a light-absorbing material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The display device of claim 7 wherein said second wall and said second electrodes are transparent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The display device of claim 2 wherein said pairs of shutters are disposed in rows and in columns and said first electrodes of a row are connected together and said second electrodes of a column are connected together.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The display device of claim 10 additionally comprising means for time multiplexing of the control voltages of said rows.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The display device of claim 10 wherein said second electrodes are each formed by two half-electrodes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The display device of claim 2 wherein said carrier comprises silicon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The display device of claim 13 wherein said shutters and the resilient attachment means thereof comprise aluminum.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A display device according to claim 11 wherein said time multiplexing control means includes means for applying two signals to two respective row electrodes to activate said display.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
A display device according to claim 11 wherein said time multiplexing control means includes means for controlling display of at least one element of a row by applying a signal to the corresponding second electrode simultaneously with activation of said row.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The display device according to claim 15 additionally comprising means for applying a holding voltage between said electrodes for maintaining display of at least one element of a row outside of a period of activation by said two signals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-01-13 | 1989-07-15 | 1990-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-13 | 1993-07-15 | 1994-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-13 | 1997-07-15 | 1998-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |