US6201589B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spatial light modulator and display with picture elements having electrically floating electrodes
Assignee: Sharp Corp
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Filing: 1998-03-12
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Granted: 2001-03-13
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Expires: 2018-03-12
Abstract
Abstract A spatial light modulator, for instance of the diffractive liquid crystal type, comprises an addressing circuit and a plurality of pixels. Each of the pixels has a plurality of first elongate electrodes and a plurality of second elongate electrodes interdigitated with the first electrodes. The first electrodes are connected to the addressing circuit whereas the second electrodes are electrically floating.
Inventors
- 👤 Craig Tombling
- 👤 Michael Geraint Robinson
- 👤 Nicholas Mayhew
- 👤 Paul Bonnett
- 👤 Michael John Towler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:04
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/29; G02F1/292; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1343; G02F1/134309; G02F1/134336; G02F1/137; G02F1/139; G02F1/141; G02F2201/00; G02F2201/12; G02F2201/124
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A spatial light modulator comprising: an addressing circuit; and a plurality of picture elements, each of which has a plurality of first elongate electrodes and a plurality of second elongate electrodes interdigitated with the first electrodes, the first electrodes being connected to the addressing circuit, wherein the second electrodes are electrically floating.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
A spatial light modulator comprising: an addressing circuit; and a plurality of picture elements, each of which has a plurality of first elongate electrodes and a plurality of second elongate electrodes interdigitated with the first electrodes, the first electrodes being connected to the addressing circuit, wherein the second electrodes are electrically floating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A modulator as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a layer of electro-optic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A modulator as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the electro-optic material comprises a liquid crystal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A modulator as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the liquid crystal comprises a ferroelectric liquid crystal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A modulator as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the first and second electrodes are disposed adjacent a first surface of the layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A modulator as claimed in claim 5 , wherein each of the picture elements has a third electrode disposed adjacent a second surface of the layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A modulator as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the picture elements are arranged as rows and columns and the first and second electrodes extend in the direction of the columns.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A modulator as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the picture elements are arranged as rows and columns and the first and second electrodes extend in the direction of the columns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A modulator an claimed in claim 7 , wherein at least some of the picture elements in each column share common first and second electrodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A modulator as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the first electrodes are connected to a data signal generator of the addressing circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A modulator as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the third electrodes extend in the direction of the rows.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A modulator as claimed in claim 11 , wherein at least some of the picture elements in each row share a common third electrode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A modulator as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the third electrodes are connected to a strobe signal generator of the addressing circuit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A modulator as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each of the picture elements is switchable between a diffractive state and a non-diffractive state.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A display comprising: a modulator as claimed in claim 1 ; a light source for illuminating the modulator; and an optical system for gathering light from the modulator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A display comprising; a modulator as claimed in claim 14 ; a light source for illuminating the modulator; and an optical system for gathering light from the modulator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A display an claimed in claim 16 , wherein the optical system is arranged to gather light from the picture elements of the modulator when in the diffractive state.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A display as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the optical system is a projection optical system.
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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) | 2004-03-12 | 2004-09-11 | 2005-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-12 | 2008-09-11 | 2009-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-12 | 2012-09-11 | 2013-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |