Patent US1397479A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5517347A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5517347A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Direct view deformable mirror device
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1993-12-01
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Granted: 1996-05-14
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Expires: 2013-12-01
Abstract
Abstract A faceplate (10a) for directly viewing an image generated by a digital micromirror device (10b), which generates images by tilting tiny mirror elements (11) to on or off positions. The faceplate (10a) has a number of optical fibers (12) parallel to each other and closely spaced together. The ends of the optical fibers (12) are the top and bottom surfaces of the faceplate (10a). Both ends of each fiber (12) is sliced at an angle determined by the on position of the mirror elements (11). This permits light to travel down the fibers (12) and be reflected back to the viewer by only those mirror elements (11) that are on.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey B. Sampsell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:36
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/0816; G02B26/0833; G02B26/0841; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S359/00; Y10S359/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of directly viewing an image generated by a digital micromirror device (DMD) having mirror elements that tilt to an on tilt angle, comprising the steps of: forming both ends of a number of optical fibers at a bias angle that is determined by said on tilt angle; grouping said optical fibers into a faceplate having a planar bottom surface and a planar top surface defined by said ends; placing said bottom surface parallel to and near the reflective surface of said DMD; and viewing an image generated by said DMD at said top surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
A method of directly viewing an image generated by a digital micromirror device (DMD) having mirror elements that tilt to an on tilt angle, comprising the steps of: forming both ends of a number of optical fibers at a bias angle that is determined by said on tilt angle; grouping said optical fibers into a faceplate having a planar bottom surface and a planar top surface defined by said ends; placing said bottom surface parallel to and near the reflective surface of said DMD; and viewing an image generated by said DMD at said top surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of placing a transparent color filter of differently colored sections of material directly above or directly below said faceplate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of aligning said optical fibers with said mirror elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said grouping step is accomplished by grouping a number of fibers that is approximately the same as the number of mirror elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said grouping step is accomplished by grouping a number of fibers that exceeds the number of mirror elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said grouping step is accomplished by grouping a number of fibers that is less than the number of mirror elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of placing a light source between said faceplate and said DMD at an edge of said faceplate in the direction of said bias angle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said light source is a set of differently colored light sources, and further comprising the step of sequentially activating said light sources in accordance with data being delivered to said DMD.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
132 words
A direct view display system, comprising: a digital micromirror device for generating images by tilting an array of mirrors to on or off tilt angles; an image data processing system for generating image data representing said image and for delivering said data to said digital micromirror device; and a faceplate having a number of optical fibers, attached together such that they are parallel to each other and closely spaced, wherein said fibers are of equal length so as to provide a planar shape of said faceplate, and wherein the end surfaces of said fibers comprise an upper and a lower surface of said faceplate, and wherein said optical fibers have a bias angle with respect to the plane of said faceplate that is determined by said tilt angle of said mirror elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
132 words
A direct view display system, comprising: a digital micromirror device for generating images by tilting an array of mirrors to on or off tilt angles; an image data processing system for generating image data representing said image and for delivering said data to said digital micromirror device; and a faceplate having a number of optical fibers, attached together such that they are parallel to each other and closely spaced, wherein said fibers are of equal length so as to provide a planar shape of said faceplate, and wherein the end surfaces of said fibers comprise an upper and a lower surface of said faceplate, and wherein said optical fibers have a bias angle with respect to the plane of said faceplate that is determined by said tilt angle of said mirror elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The direct view display system of claim 9, wherein said faceplate has a bias angle of approximately ninety degrees minus the value of said tilt angle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The direct view display system of claim 9, further comprising a light source between said faceplate and said DMD at a side of said DMD corresponding to the direction of said bias angle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The direct view display system of claim 9, further comprising a transparent color filter at the upper or lower surface of said faceplate, said color filter having sections of differently colored material.
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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) | 1999-05-14 | 1999-11-13 | 2000-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-05-14 | 2003-11-13 | 2004-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-05-14 | 2007-11-13 | 2008-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |