US5289172A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of mitigating the effects of a defective electromechanical pixel
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1992-10-23
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Granted: 1994-02-22
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Expires: 2012-10-23
Abstract
Abstract Methods are disclosed by which the effects of a defective electromechanical pixel (20) having a beam (30) and a hinge (34,36) are mitigated. These methods may damage the hinge (34,36) or the beam (30) and comprise the step of applying a voltage sufficient to damage the hinge (34,36) or beam (30) of said electromechanical pixel (20) by mechanical overstress, thermal overstress, electrochemical reaction, or thermally induced chemical reaction. Other methods are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard O. Gale, Jr.
- 👤 Brian C. McCormack
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:07
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/20; G09G3/34; G09G3/3433; G09G3/346; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/0816; G02B26/0833; G02B26/0841; G09F; G09F9/00; G09F9/30; G09F9/37; G09F9/372; G09G2330/00; G09G2330/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of mitigating the effects of a bright defective electromechanical pixel which transmits light into an observer's field of view, the pixel having a beam and a hinge, comprising the step of applying a voltage sufficient to damage the electromechanical pixel in such a manner that the pixel no longer transmits said light into said field of view.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of mitigating the effects of a bright defective electromechanical pixel which transmits light into an observer's field of view, the pixel having a beam and a hinge, comprising the step of applying a voltage sufficient to damage the electromechanical pixel in such a manner that the pixel no longer transmits said light into said field of view.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said voltage is of a long duration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said voltage is of a high amplitude.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said voltage is a set of periodic pulses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said damage is by mechanical overstress.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said damage is by thermal overstress.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said thermal overstress occurs in a vacuum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said thermal overstress occurs in a gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said gas has a viscosity greater than air at one atmosphere of pressure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said damage is caused by a thermally induced chemical reaction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said thermally induced chemical reaction occurs in a gas.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said damage is caused by an electrochemical reaction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said electrochemical reaction is a vapor phase electrochemical reaction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said damaged electromechanical pixel has a planar surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said planar surface is parallel to an underlying substrate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said hinge is damaged.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said beam is damaged.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said defective pixel is part of an array of electromechanical pixels and further comprising the step of selectively addressing said defective pixel and applying said voltage only to said selectively addressed pixel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said defective pixel is part of an array of electromechanical pixels and further comprising the step of applying a voltage to a plurality of said electromechanical pixels sufficient to damage said defective pixel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
83 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said defective pixel is deflected and electrically non-responsive among an array of normally undeflected and electrically responsive electromechanical pixels and further comprising the steps of: a) providing said array of pixels within an environment having a gas with a viscosity greater than air at one atmosphere of pressure; and b) applying a periodic set of voltage pulses sufficient to damage said defective electromechanical pixel, yet insufficient to damage at least one of the undeflected, electrically responsive pixels.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-02-21 | 1997-08-23 | 1998-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-21 | 2001-08-23 | 2002-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-21 | 2005-08-23 | 2006-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |