US4879602A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrode patterns for solid state light modulator
Assignee: New York Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1988-08-18
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Granted: 1989-11-07
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Expires: 2008-08-18
Abstract
Abstract A solid state light modulator apparatus is disclosed for displaying images represented by video signals. The system includes an array of semiconductor devices having electrodes which extend over the tops of their respective devices. The devices are used, in conjuction with related circuitry, for applying sampled video signals to the electrodes. The resulting charge pattern deforms a conductive/reflective layer, and the deformations are converted to a viewable image by an optical system. The electrodes are divided into separate fingers which decreases the effective grating line spacing of the light modulator and accordingly increases resolution. Electrodes of the array have at least three electrically connected fingers such that at least one of the fingers is interleaved with fingers of an electrode in a row above in said array and at least another of said fingers is interleaved with fingers of an electrode in a row below in said array.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Glenn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:55
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/0808; G02B26/0816; G02B26/0833; H; H04; H04N; H04N3/00; H04N3/10; H04N3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
In a video display apparatus for generating images represented by input video signals, said apparatus including: an array of semiconductor devices arranged in a pattern of rows and columns and having respective electrodes to which charge can be applied in accordance with the input video signals; a layer of deformable material disposed over said electrodes; a conductive/reflective layer disposed over said deformable layer; and optical means for converting deformations of the conductive/reflective layer into an image; the improvement comprising: the electrodes of said array having at least three electrically connected fingers such that at least one of said fingers is interleaved with fingers of an electrode in a row above in said array and at least another of said fingers is interleaved with said fingers of an electrode of a row below in said array; and means for applying video signals to said devices.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
In a video display apparatus for generating images represented by input video signals, said apparatus including: an array of semiconductor devices arranged in a pattern of rows and columns and having respective electrodes to which charge can be applied in accordance with the input video signals; a layer of deformable material disposed over said electrodes; a conductive/reflective layer disposed over said deformable layer; and optical means for converting deformations of the conductive/reflective layer into an image; the improvement comprising: the electrodes of said array having at least three electrically connected fingers such that at least one of said fingers is interleaved with fingers of an electrode in a row above in said array and at least another of said fingers is interleaved with said fingers of an electrode of a row below in said array; and means for applying video signals to said devices.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said means for applying video signals comprises means for applying, during one display field, input video signals to devices of odd rows and a reference potential to devices of even rows, and for applying, during the next display field, input video signals to devices of even rows and a reference potential to devices of odd rows.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said fingers are of generally rectangular shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 2, wherein said fingers are of generally rectangular shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 3, wherein said fingers have their lengthwise dimensions in a direction parallel to said rows.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 4, wherein said fingers have their lengthwise dimensions in a direction parallel to said rows.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said electrodes comprise at least one portion extending vertically in said array, with said fingers extending horizontally from said at least one vertical portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 2, wherein said electrodes comprise at least one portion extending vertically in said array, with said fingers extending horizontally from said at least one vertical portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 3, wherein said electrodes comprise at least one portion extending vertically in said array, with said fingers extending horizontally from said at least one vertical portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 5, wherein said electrodes comprise at least one portion extending vertically in said array, with said fingers extending horizontally from said at least one vertical portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
137 words
A video display apparatus for generating images represented by input video signals, comprising: an array of semiconductor devices arranged in a pattern of rows and columns and having respective electrodes to which charge can be applied in accordance with the input video signals, the electrodes of said array having at least three electrically connected fingers such that at least one of said fingers is interleaved with fingers of an electrode in a row above in said array and at least another of said fingers is interleaved with said fingers of an electrode of a row below in said array, a layer of deformable material disposed over said electrodes; a conductive/reflective layer disposed over said deformable layer; optical means for converting deformations of the conductive/reflective layer into an image; and means for applying video signals to said devices.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
137 words
A video display apparatus for generating images represented by input video signals, comprising: an array of semiconductor devices arranged in a pattern of rows and columns and having respective electrodes to which charge can be applied in accordance with the input video signals, the electrodes of said array having at least three electrically connected fingers such that at least one of said fingers is interleaved with fingers of an electrode in a row above in said array and at least another of said fingers is interleaved with said fingers of an electrode of a row below in said array, a layer of deformable material disposed over said electrodes; a conductive/reflective layer disposed over said deformable layer; optical means for converting deformations of the conductive/reflective layer into an image; and means for applying video signals to said devices.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 11, wherein said means for applying video signals comprises means for applying, during one display field, input video signals to devices of odd rows and a reference potential to devices of even rows, and for applying, during the next display field, input video signals to devices of even rows and a reference potential to devices of odd rows.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 11, wherein said fingers are of generally rectangular shape.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 12, wherein said fingers are of generally rectangular shape.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 13, wherein said fingers have their lengthwise dimensions in a direction parallel to said rows.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 14, wherein said fingers have their lengthwise dimensions in a direction parallel to said rows.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 11, wherein said electrodes comprise at least one portion extending vertically in said array, with said fingers extending horizontally from said at least one vertical portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 12, wherein said electrodes comprise at least one portion extending vertically in said array, with said fingers extending horizontally from said at least one vertical portion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 13, wherein said electrodes comprise at least one portion extending vertically in said array, with said fingers extending horizontally from said at least one vertical portion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 15, wherein said electrodes comprise at least one portion extending vertically in said array, with said fingers extending horizontally from said at least one vertical portion.
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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) | 1992-11-06 | 1993-05-08 | 1993-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-06 | 1997-05-08 | 1997-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-06 | 2001-05-08 | 2001-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |