US5382961A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Bistable DMD addressing method
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1993-11-05
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Granted: 1995-01-17
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Expires: 2013-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method of addressing a digital micromirror device (DMD) having an array of electromechanical pixels (20) comprising deflectable beams (30) wherein each of the pixels (20) assume one of two or more selected stable states according to a set of selective address voltages. A first step of the preferred method is electromechanically latching, by applying a bias voltage with an AC and a DC component to the array of pixels (20), each of the pixels (20) in one of the selected stable states. A second step is applying a new set of selective address voltages to all the pixels (20) in the array. A third step is electromechanically unlatching, by removing the bias voltage from the array, the pixels (20) from their previously addressed state. A fourth step is allowing the array of pixels (20) to assume a new state in accordance with the new set of selective address voltages. A fifth step is electromechanically latching, by reestablishing the bias voltage with the AC component and the DC component, each of the pixels (20 ). Other devices, systems and methods are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard O. Gale, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:07
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; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/12; G06K15/1238; G09G2310/00; G09G2310/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S345/00; Y10S345/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
31 words
A method of addressing an array of electromechanical pixels, said method comprising the step of applying a bias voltage with an AC and a DC component to said array of pixels.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
31 words
A method of addressing an array of electromechanical pixels, said method comprising the step of applying a bias voltage with an AC and a DC component to said array of pixels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein each of said pixels assume one of two or more selected stable states according to a set of selective address voltages.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of electromechanically unlatching said pixels from their previously addressed state by removing said bias voltage from said array.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said pixel comprises deflectable beams and said AC and DC components are adjusted such that said beams are in periodic contact with an underlying substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said pixel comprises deflectable beams and said AC component is selected to have the same frequency as the electromechanical resonant frequency of said beams.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said DC component is approximately 16 volts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said DC component has a negative polarity with respect to all phases of the AC component.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the magnitude of said AC component is approximately 5 volts.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of addressing a digital micromirror device (DMD) having an array of electromechanical pixels comprising deflectable beams wherein each of said pixels assume one of two or more selected stable states according to a set of selective address voltages, said method comprising the steps of electromechanically latching each of said pixels in one of said selected stable states by applying a bias voltage with an AC and a DC component to said array of pixels.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of addressing a digital micromirror device (DMD) having an array of electromechanical pixels comprising deflectable beams wherein each of said pixels assume one of two or more selected stable states according to a set of selective address voltages, said method comprising the steps of electromechanically latching each of said pixels in one of said selected stable states by applying a bias voltage with an AC and a DC component to said array of pixels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said AC and said DC components are adjusted such that said beams are in periodic contact with an underlying DMD substrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said AC component is selected to have the same frequency as the electromechanical resonant frequency of said beams.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of addressing an array of electromechanical pixels wherein each of said pixels comprises beams and assume one of two or more selected stable states according to a set of selective address voltages, said method comprising the steps of: a. electromechanically latching each of said pixels in one of said selected stable states by applying a bias voltage with an AC and a DC component to said array of pixels, wherein said AC and DC components are selected such that said beams are in periodic contact with an underlying substrate thus avoiding deleterious effects caused by sustained contact between the beam and the underlying substrate; b. applying a new set of selective address voltages to all said pixels in said array; c. electromechanically unlatching said pixels from their previously addressed state by removing said bias voltage from said array; d. allowing said array of pixels to assume a new state in accordance with the new set of selective address voltages; and e. electromechanically latching each of said pixels by reestablishing said bias voltage.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of addressing an array of electromechanical pixels wherein each of said pixels comprises beams and assume one of two or more selected stable states according to a set of selective address voltages, said method comprising the steps of: a. electromechanically latching each of said pixels in one of said selected stable states by applying a bias voltage with an AC and a DC component to said array of pixels, wherein said AC and DC components are selected such that said beams are in periodic contact with an underlying substrate thus avoiding deleterious effects caused by sustained contact between the beam and the underlying substrate; b. applying a new set of selective address voltages to all said pixels in said array; c. electromechanically unlatching said pixels from their previously addressed state by removing said bias voltage from said array; d. allowing said array of pixels to assume a new state in accordance with the new set of selective address voltages; and e. electromechanically latching each of said pixels by reestablishing said bias voltage.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said AC component is selected to have the same frequency as the electromechanical resonant frequency of said beams.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said allowing step is approximately 10 to 20 μs in duration.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said DC component has a magnitude of approximately 16 volts and said AC component has a magnitude of approximately 5 volts.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said electromechanical latching step is approximately 10 to 20 μs in duration.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
95 words
A digital micrormirror device (DMD), said DMD comprising: a. an array of electromechanical pixels comprising deflectable beams wherein each of said pixels assume one of two or more selected stable states according to a set of selective address voltages; b. a means for applying said set of selective address voltages to said array of electromechanical pixels; c. a means for electromechanically latching each of said pixels in one of said selected stable states by applying a bias voltage; and d. a means for forming said bias voltage to have an AC and a DC component.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
95 words
A digital micrormirror device (DMD), said DMD comprising: a. an array of electromechanical pixels comprising deflectable beams wherein each of said pixels assume one of two or more selected stable states according to a set of selective address voltages; b. a means for applying said set of selective address voltages to said array of electromechanical pixels; c. a means for electromechanically latching each of said pixels in one of said selected stable states by applying a bias voltage; and d. a means for forming said bias voltage to have an AC and a DC component.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The DMD of claim 17 wherein said AC and said DC components are adjusted such that said beams are in periodic contact with an underlying DMD substrate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The DMD of claim 17 wherein said AC component is selected to have the same frequency as the electromechanical resonant frequency of said beams.
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) | 1998-01-16 | 1998-07-18 | 1999-01-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-16 | 2002-07-18 | 2003-01-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-16 | 2006-07-18 | 2007-01-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |