Patent US5742373A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5742373A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Color microdisplays and methods of manufacturing same
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1995-10-13
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Granted: 1998-04-21
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Expires: 2015-10-13
Abstract
Abstract A color microdisplay utilizes diffraction gratings to provide an array of high efficiency color pixels. The microdisplay includes a semiconductor substrate and source of light disposed adjacent thereto. A cover plate may be disposed above the substrate and has a layer of conductive material on a surface of the cover plate opposite the substrate. An optically active material, such as liquid crystal material, may be disposed between the substrate and the cover plate. An array of pixels are formed on the substrate. The pixel array includes an array of diffraction grating elements. Each element includes one or more diffraction gratings. The pitch of each diffraction grating can be a function of the angle of the incident light and the desired diffraction output spectrum. An optical system directs the diffracted light from each grating through the optically active material into viewing optics.
Inventors
- 👤 Phillip Alvelda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:57
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1335; G02F1/1336; G02F1/133621; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/01; G02B27/017; G02B27/0172; G02B27/0101; G02B2027/0132; G02B27/0149; G02B2027/0154; G02F1/136; G02F1/1362; G02F1/136277; G02F2201/00; G02F2201/30; G02F2201/305; G02F2203/00; G02F2203/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for manufacturing a color generation device comprising: providing a source of incident light; providing a semiconductor substrate; forming an array of pixels on the substrate, which comprises a) forming a planar array of diffraction grating elements, such that each pixel diffracts color components of the incident light from the source into a single order having a specific direction; and b) forming an array of driving and addressing circuitry on the substrate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for manufacturing a color generation device comprising: providing a source of incident light; providing a semiconductor substrate; forming an array of pixels on the substrate, which comprises a) forming a planar array of diffraction grating elements, such that each pixel diffracts color components of the incident light from the source into a single order having a specific direction; and b) forming an array of driving and addressing circuitry on the substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein each diffraction grating element comprises a triad of diffraction gratings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein each diffraction grating element comprises a single diffraction grating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2 or 3 further comprising blazing each diffraction grating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 or 3 wherein each diffraction grating acts as a color filter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the source comprises at least one white light source, a pseudo-white light source or tri-band light source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the source of light comprises multiple narrow band light sources.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the source of light provides collimated light.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pitch of each diffraction grating element is a function of the angle of the incident light.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: positioning a cover plate above the substrate, the cover plate having a layer of conductive material on a surface of the cover plate opposite the substrate; providing an optically active material between the substrate and the cover plate; and forming an array of optical elements adjacent the array of pixels for directing the primary colors for each pixel into the optically active material.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for manufacturing a color generation device comprising: providing a source of incident light; providing a semiconductor substrate; forming an array of pixels on the substrate, which comprises a) forming a planar array of diffraction grating elements each having a pitch which compensates for incident uncollimated light, such that each pixel diffracts color components of the incident light from the source into a specific direction; and b) forming an array of driving and addressing circuitry on the substrate.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for manufacturing a color generation device comprising: providing a source of incident light; providing a semiconductor substrate; forming an array of pixels on the substrate, which comprises a) forming a planar array of diffraction grating elements each having a pitch which compensates for incident uncollimated light, such that each pixel diffracts color components of the incident light from the source into a specific direction; and b) forming an array of driving and addressing circuitry on the substrate.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for manufacturing a color display comprising: providing a source of light; providing a semiconductor substrate; positioning a cover plate above the substrate; forming a layer of conductive material on a surface of the cover plate opposite the substrate; providing an optically active material between the substrate and the cover plate; forming an array of pixels on the substrate including a) forming a planar array of diffraction grating elements wherein the pitch of each diffraction grating element is a function of the angle of incident light from the source, such that each pixel (i) compensates for at least one of incident uncollimated light and position of the pixel in the array, and (ii) diffracts color components of the incident light into a specific direction; b) forming a array of driving and addressing circuitry; and forming an array of optical elements adjacent the array of pixels for directing the primary colors for each pixel into the optically active material.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for manufacturing a color display comprising: providing a source of light; providing a semiconductor substrate; positioning a cover plate above the substrate; forming a layer of conductive material on a surface of the cover plate opposite the substrate; providing an optically active material between the substrate and the cover plate; forming an array of pixels on the substrate including a) forming a planar array of diffraction grating elements wherein the pitch of each diffraction grating element is a function of the angle of incident light from the source, such that each pixel (i) compensates for at least one of incident uncollimated light and position of the pixel in the array, and (ii) diffracts color components of the incident light into a specific direction; b) forming a array of driving and addressing circuitry; and forming an array of optical elements adjacent the array of pixels for directing the primary colors for each pixel into the optically active material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 12 wherein each diffraction grating element comprises a triad of diffraction gratings.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12 wherein each diffraction grating element comprises a single diffraction grating.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for manufacturing a color generation device comprising: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming an array of pixels on the substrate, which comprises a) forming a triad of diffraction gratings for each pixel, wherein the pitch of each diffraction grating is a function of the angle of incident light for each grating, such that each pixel compensates for incident uncollimated light and diffracts color components of the incident light into a specific direction; and b) forming an array of driving and addressing circuitry on the substrate.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for manufacturing a color generation device comprising: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming an array of pixels on the substrate, which comprises a) forming a triad of diffraction gratings for each pixel, wherein the pitch of each diffraction grating is a function of the angle of incident light for each grating, such that each pixel compensates for incident uncollimated light and diffracts color components of the incident light into a specific direction; and b) forming an array of driving and addressing circuitry on the substrate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 15 further comprising providing a source of light.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the source of light provides collimated or uncollimated light.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the source comprises multiple narrow band light sources.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the source is a white light source, a pseudo-white light source or tri-band light source.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the forming step further comprises blazing each diffraction grating in each triad.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method of claim 15 further comprising: positioning a cover plate above the substrate, the cover plate having a layer of conductive material on a surface of the cover plate opposite the substrate; providing an optically active material between the substrate and the cover plate; and forming an array of optical elements over the array of pixels for directing the primary colors for each pixel into the optically active material.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
74 words
A color generation device comprising: a source of light; a semiconductor substrate; and an array of pixels formed on a semiconductor substrate, the array including (i) a planar array of diffraction grating elements, such that each pixel diffracts color components of the incident light into a single order having a specific direction, and (ii) an array of driving and addressing circuitry for providing column and row selection to activate each pixel in the array.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
74 words
A color generation device comprising: a source of light; a semiconductor substrate; and an array of pixels formed on a semiconductor substrate, the array including (i) a planar array of diffraction grating elements, such that each pixel diffracts color components of the incident light into a single order having a specific direction, and (ii) an array of driving and addressing circuitry for providing column and row selection to activate each pixel in the array.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 22 wherein each diffraction grating element comprises a triad of diffraction gratings.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 22 wherein each diffraction grating element comprises a single diffraction grating.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 23 or 24 wherein each diffraction grating is blazed.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 23 or 24 wherein the pitch of each diffraction grating is a function of the angle of the incident light.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 22 wherein the source is a white light source, a pseudo-white light source or tri-band light source.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 22 wherein the source of light comprises multiple narrow band light sources.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 22 wherein the source of light provides collimated light.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
71 words
The color generation device of claim 22 further comprising: a cover plate positioned above the substrate, the cover plate having a layer of conductive material on a surface of the cover plate opposite the substrate; an optically active material disposed between the substrate and the cover plate; and an array of optical elements over the array of pixels for directing the primary colors for each pixel into the optically active material.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
87 words
A color microdisplay comprising: a light source; a semiconductor substrate; an array of pixels formed on the substrate, each pixel including (i) a triad of diffraction gratings, wherein the pitch of each diffraction grating is a function of the angle of the incident light, such that each pixel compensates for incident uncollimated light and diffracts color components of the incident light into a specific direction, and (ii) an array of driving and addressing circuitry for providing column and row selection to activate each pixel in the array.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
87 words
A color microdisplay comprising: a light source; a semiconductor substrate; an array of pixels formed on the substrate, each pixel including (i) a triad of diffraction gratings, wherein the pitch of each diffraction grating is a function of the angle of the incident light, such that each pixel compensates for incident uncollimated light and diffracts color components of the incident light into a specific direction, and (ii) an array of driving and addressing circuitry for providing column and row selection to activate each pixel in the array.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
The color microdisplay of claim 31 wherein the light source comprises a collimating lens and a non-collimated light emitter.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
The color microdisplay of claim 31 wherein the light source is a white light source, a pseudo-white light source or tri-band light source.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
The color microdisplay of claim 31 wherein the source comprises multiple narrow band light sources.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
12 words
The color microdisplay of claim 31 wherein each diffraction grating is blazed.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
70 words
The color microdisplay of claim 31 further comprising: a cover plate positioned above the substrate, the cover plate having a layer of conductive material on a surface of the cover plate opposite the substrate; an optically active material disposed between the substrate and the cover plate; and an array of optical elements over the array of pixels for directing the primary colors for each pixel into the optically active material.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
24 words
The color microdisplay of claim 31 wherein each pixel diffracts color components of the incident light into first order light having a specific direction.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
158 words
A color microdisplay comprising: a light source; a semiconductor substrate; a cover plate disposed above the substrate, the cover plate having a layer of conductive material on a surface of the cover plate opposite the substrate; an optically active material disposed between the substrate and the cover plate; an array of pixels formed on the substrate, each pixel comprising a) at least one diffraction grating, wherein the pitch of each diffraction grating is a function of the angle of the incident light, such that each pixel compensates for at least one of incident uncollimated light and position of the pixel in the array and diffracts color components of the incident light into a single order having a specific direction, and b) an array of driving and addressing circuitry providing column and row selection for each pixel in the array; and an optical system for directing the primary colors of light for each pixel into the optically active material.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
158 words
A color microdisplay comprising: a light source; a semiconductor substrate; a cover plate disposed above the substrate, the cover plate having a layer of conductive material on a surface of the cover plate opposite the substrate; an optically active material disposed between the substrate and the cover plate; an array of pixels formed on the substrate, each pixel comprising a) at least one diffraction grating, wherein the pitch of each diffraction grating is a function of the angle of the incident light, such that each pixel compensates for at least one of incident uncollimated light and position of the pixel in the array and diffracts color components of the incident light into a single order having a specific direction, and b) an array of driving and addressing circuitry providing column and row selection for each pixel in the array; and an optical system for directing the primary colors of light for each pixel into the optically active material.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
97 words
A color microdisplay comprising: a plurality of light sources; a semiconductor substrate disposed in close proximity to the sources; an array of pixels formed on the substrate, each pixel including a single diffraction grating, wherein the pitch of each diffraction grating is a function of the angle of the incident light, such that each pixel compensates for incident uncollimated light and combines color components of the incident light from the sources into a specific direction, and (ii) an array of driving and addressing circuitry for providing column and row selection to activate each pixel in the array.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
97 words
A color microdisplay comprising: a plurality of light sources; a semiconductor substrate disposed in close proximity to the sources; an array of pixels formed on the substrate, each pixel including a single diffraction grating, wherein the pitch of each diffraction grating is a function of the angle of the incident light, such that each pixel compensates for incident uncollimated light and combines color components of the incident light from the sources into a specific direction, and (ii) an array of driving and addressing circuitry for providing column and row selection to activate each pixel in the array.
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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) | 2001-04-20 | 2001-10-20 | 2002-04-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-20 | 2005-10-20 | 2006-04-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-20 | 2009-10-20 | 2010-04-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |