An optical isolation structure is incorporated into a display between the display elements and the transparent substrate for the display elements. The optical isolation structure reflects light rays within the substrate that impact the structure at high angles relative to normal to the structure, thereby permitting the substrate to be used as an integrated light guide for distributing light over the display from a light source on the edge of the substrate. The optical isolation structure may include a single layer having an index of refraction less than the substrate or a plurality of thin-film interference layers.
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30. A display, comprising:
a plurality of display elements; and
at least a first, second and third interference layer disposed over the display elements, wherein the interference layers are adapted to reflect more than 40% of light incident on the layers at angles greater than 70 degrees relative to normal to the layers, wherein the first interference layer has an index of refraction greater than 1.5109, the second interference layer has an index of refraction less than the index of refraction of the first interference layer, and the third interference layer has an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the second interference layer.
39. A light guide, comprising:
a transparent substrate; and
a plurality of material layers disposed on the transparent substrate, wherein the plurality of material layers comprise a first material layer disposed over the transparent substrate having an index of refraction greater than the transparent substrate, a second material layer disposed over the first material layer having an index of refraction lower than the first material layer, and a third material layer disposed over the second material layer having an index of refraction greater than the second material layer, wherein the combined plurality of material layers is adapted to reflect more than 40% of light incident on the plurality of material layers within the substrate at angles greater than 70 degrees relative to normal to the plurality of material layers.
46. A display, comprising:
means for displaying image content;
means disposed over the displaying means for reflecting light; and
means disposed over the reflecting means for propagating light, wherein the reflecting means comprises at least a first, second, and third material layer, wherein the first material layer has an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the propagating means, the second material layer has an index of refraction less than the index of refraction of the first material layer, and the third material layer has an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the second material layer, and wherein the reflecting means is adapted to reflect more light incident on the reflecting means from within the propagating means at non-zero angles of incidence relative to normal than at normal incidence.
1. A display with integrated front or back light guide, comprising:
a plurality of display elements;
an optical isolation structure disposed over the display elements, wherein the optical isolation structure comprises at least a first, second, and third non-gaseous material layer; and
a transparent substrate disposed over the optical isolation structure, wherein the first material layer has an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the transparent substrate, the second material layer has an index of refraction less than the index of refraction of the first material layer, and the third material layer has an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the second material layer, and wherein the optical isolation structure is adapted to reflect more light incident on the optical isolation structure from within the substrate at non-zero angles of incidence relative to normal than at normal incidence.
25. A display with integrated front or back light guide, comprising:
a plurality of display elements;
an optical isolation structure disposed over the display elements, wherein the optical isolation structure comprises at least a first, second, and third dielectric layer; and
a transparent substrate disposed over the optical isolation structure, wherein the first dielectric layer has an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the transparent substrate, the second dielectric layer has an index of refraction less than the index of refraction of the first dielectric layer, and the third dielectric layer has an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the second dielectric layer, and wherein the optical isolation structure is adapted to reflect more light incident on the optical isolation structure from within the substrate at non-zero angles of incidence relative to normal than at normal incidence.
2. The display of
9. The display of
10. The display of
11. The display of
12. The display of
13. The display of
15. The display of
16. The display of
17. The display of
a processor that is in electrical communication with said display elements, said processor being configured to process image data; and
a memory device in electrical communication with said processor.
18. The display of
a first controller configured to send at least one signal to said display elements; and
a second controller configured to send at least a portion of said image data to said first controller.
19. The display of
20. The display of
21. The display of
24. The display of
26. The display of
29. The display of
35. The display of
38. The display of
42. The light guide of
43. The light guide of
44. The light guide of
45. The light guide of
48. The display of
49. The display of
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Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) include micro mechanical elements, actuators, and electronics. Micromechanical elements may be created using deposition, etching, and or other micromachining processes that etch away parts of substrates and/or deposited material layers or that add layers to form electrical and electromechanical devices. One type of MEMS device is called an interferometric modulator. As used herein, the term interferometric modulator or interferometric light modulator refers to a device that selectively absorbs and/or reflects light using the principles of optical interference. In certain embodiments, an interferometric modulator may comprise a pair of conductive plates, one or both of which may be transparent and/or reflective in whole or part and capable of relative motion upon application of an appropriate electrical signal. In a particular embodiment, one plate may comprise a stationary layer deposited on a substrate and the other plate may comprise a metallic membrane separated from the stationary layer by an air gap. As described herein in more detail, the position of one plate in relation to another can change the optical interference of light incident on the interferometric modulator. Such devices have a wide range of applications, and it would be beneficial in the art to utilize and/or modify the characteristics of these types of devices so that their features can be exploited in improving existing products and creating new products that have not yet been developed.
One embodiment disclosed herein includes a display with integrated front or back light guide that has a plurality of display elements, an optical isolation structure disposed over the display elements, wherein the optical isolation structure comprises at least one non-gaseous material layer, and a transparent substrate disposed over the optical isolation structure, wherein the material layers has an index of refraction less than the index of refraction of the transparent substrate.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a display with integrated front or back light guide that has a plurality of display elements, an optical isolation structure disposed over the display elements, wherein the optical isolation structure comprises one or more dielectric layers, and a transparent substrate disposed over the optical isolation structure.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a display that has a plurality of display elements and one or more interference layers disposed over the display elements, wherein the interference layers are adapted to reflect more than 40% of light incident on the layers at angles greater than 70 degrees relative to normal to the layers.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a light guide that has a transparent substrate and a plurality of material layers disposed on the transparent substrate, wherein at least one of the material layers has an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the transparent substrate and wherein at least one of the material layers has an index of refraction less than the index of refraction of the transparent substrate, wherein the combined plurality of material layers is adapted to reflect more than 40% of light incident on the plurality of material layers within the substrate at angles greater than 70 degrees relative to normal to the plurality of material layers.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a display that has a means for displaying image content, means disposed over the displaying means for reflecting light, and means disposed over the reflecting means for transmitting light.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a method of manufacturing a display by depositing one or more material layers on a first side of a transparent substrate, wherein at least one of said material layers has an index of refraction less than the index of refraction of the transparent substrate, and wherein the combined one or more material layers are adapted to reflect more than 40% of light incident on the layers from within the substrate at angles greater than 70 degrees relative to normal to the layers and forming a plurality of display elements on the material layers.
Another embodiment disclosed herein includes a method of illuminating a display that includes transmitting light into an edge of a transparent substrate such that the light reflects at least once off an optical isolation structure comprising one or more non-gaseous material layers on the substrate and redirecting the light to pass through the substrate and optical isolation structure into a display element without the light passing through air.
The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied in a multitude of different ways. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout. As will be apparent from the following description, the embodiments may be implemented in any device that is configured to display an image, whether in motion (e.g., video) or stationary (e.g., still image), and whether textual or pictorial. More particularly, it is contemplated that the embodiments may be implemented in or associated with a variety of electronic devices such as, but not limited to, mobile telephones, wireless devices, personal data assistants (PDAs), hand-held or portable computers, GPS receivers/navigators, cameras, MP3 players, camcorders, game consoles, wrist watches, clocks, calculators, television monitors, flat panel displays, computer monitors, auto displays (e.g., odometer display, etc.), cockpit controls and/or displays, display of camera views (e.g., display of a rear view camera in a vehicle), electronic photographs, electronic billboards or signs, projectors, architectural structures, packaging, and aesthetic structures (e.g., display of images on a piece of jewelry). MEMS devices of similar structure to those described herein can also be used in non-display applications such as in electronic switching devices.
Some display applications require lighting for all conditions, for example transmissive displays. In other display applications, for example reflective or transflective displays, it is necessary to provide supplemental illumination of the display, particularly in dark ambient conditions. Accordingly, in some embodiments, illumination (whether supplemental or full-time) is provided by an integrated front or back light, utilizing the transparent substrate of the display elements as a light guide. Use of the substrate as a light guide is facilitated by incorporation of an optical isolation structure between the substrate and the display elements. The optical isolation structure has the properties of reflecting a substantial portion of light within the substrate that impact the optical isolation structure at high angles relative to normal to the optical isolation structure. This high angle reflection maintains the light within the substrate until the light rays encounter light redirectors that redirect the light into the display elements. Thus, light entering the substrate from a source on the edge of the substrate can distribute over substantially all of the display area before being redirected into the display elements to illuminate the display.
One interferometric modulator display embodiment comprising an interferometric MEMS display element is illustrated in
The depicted portion of the pixel array in
The optical stacks 16a and 16b (collectively referred to as optical stack 16), as referenced herein, typically comprise several fused layers, which can include an electrode layer, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), a partially reflective layer, such as chromium, and a transparent dielectric. The optical stack 16 is thus electrically conductive, partially transparent and partially reflective, and may be fabricated, for example, by depositing one or more of the above layers onto a transparent substrate 20. The partially reflective layer can be formed from a variety of materials that are partially reflective such as various metals, semiconductors, and dielectrics. The partially reflective layer can be formed of one or more layers of materials, and each of the layers can be formed of a single material or a combination of materials.
In some embodiments, the layers of the optical stack are patterned into parallel strips, and may form row electrodes in a display device as described further below. The movable reflective layers 14a , 14b may be formed as a series of parallel strips of a deposited metal layer or layers (orthogonal to the row electrodes of 16a, 16b) deposited on top of posts 18 and an intervening sacrificial material deposited between the posts 18. When the sacrificial material is etched away, the movable reflective layers 14a , 14b are separated from the optical stacks 16a, 16b by a defined gap 19. A highly conductive and reflective material such as aluminum may be used for the reflective layers 14, and these strips may form column electrodes in a display device.
With no applied voltage, the cavity 19 remains between the movable reflective layer 14a and optical stack 16a, with the movable reflective layer 14a in a mechanically relaxed state, as illustrated by the pixel 12a in
In one embodiment, the processor 21 is also configured to communicate with an array driver 22. In one embodiment, the array driver 22 includes a row driver circuit 24 and a column driver circuit 26 that provide signals to a display array or panel 30. The cross section of the array illustrated in
In typical applications, a display frame may be created by asserting the set of column electrodes in accordance with the desired set of actuated pixels in the first row. A row pulse is then applied to the row 1 electrode, actuating the pixels corresponding to the asserted column lines. The asserted set of column electrodes is then changed to correspond to the desired set of actuated pixels in the second row. A pulse is then applied to the row 2 electrode, actuating the appropriate pixels in row 2 in accordance with the asserted column electrodes. The row 1 pixels are unaffected by the row 2 pulse, and remain in the state they were set to during the row 1 pulse. This may be repeated for the entire series of rows in a sequential fashion to produce the frame. Generally, the frames are refreshed and/or updated with new display data by continually repeating this process at some desired number of frames per second. A wide variety of protocols for driving row and column electrodes of pixel arrays to produce display frames are also well known and may be used in conjunction with the present invention.
In the
The display device 40 includes a housing 41, a display 30, an antenna 43, a speaker 44, an input device 48, and a microphone 46. The housing 41 is generally formed from any of a variety of manufacturing processes as are well known to those of skill in the art, including injection molding, and vacuum forming. In addition, the housing 41 may be made from any of a variety of materials, including but not limited to plastic, metal, glass, rubber, and ceramic, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment the housing 41 includes removable portions (not shown) that may be interchanged with other removable portions of different color, or containing different logos, pictures, or symbols.
The display 30 of exemplary display device 40 may be any of a variety of displays, including a bi-stable display, as described herein. In other embodiments, the display 30 includes a flat-panel display, such as plasma, EL, OLED, STN LCD, or TFT LCD as described above, or a non-flat-panel display, such as a CRT or other tube device, as is well known to those of skill in the art. However, for purposes of describing the present embodiment, the display 30 includes an interferometric modulator display, as described herein.
The components of one embodiment of exemplary display device 40 are schematically illustrated in
The network interface 27 includes the antenna 43 and the transceiver 47 so that the exemplary display device 40 can communicate with one ore more devices over a network. In one embodiment the network interface 27 may also have some processing capabilities to relieve requirements of the processor 21. The antenna 43 is any antenna known to those of skill in the art for transmitting and receiving signals. In one embodiment, the antenna transmits and receives RF signals according to the IEEE 802.11 standard, including IEEE 802.11(a), (b), or (g). In another embodiment, the antenna transmits and receives RF signals according to the BLUETOOTH standard. In the case of a cellular telephone, the antenna is designed to receive CDMA, GSM, AMPS or other known signals that are used to communicate within a wireless cell phone network. The transceiver 47 pre-processes the signals received from the antenna 43 so that they may be received by and further manipulated by the processor 21. The transceiver 47 also processes signals received from the processor 21 so that they may be transmitted from the exemplary display device 40 via the antenna 43.
In an alternative embodiment, the transceiver 47 can be replaced by a receiver. In yet another alternative embodiment, network interface 27 can be replaced by an image source, which can store or generate image data to be sent to the processor 21. For example, the image source can be a digital video disc (DVD) or a hard-disc drive that contains image data, or a software module that generates image data.
Processor 21 generally controls the overall operation of the exemplary display device 40. The processor 21 receives data, such as compressed image data from the network interface 27 or an image source, and processes the data into raw image data or into a format that is readily processed into raw image data. The processor 21 then sends the processed data to the driver controller 29 or to frame buffer 28 for storage. Raw data typically refers to the information that identifies the image characteristics at each location within an image. For example, such image characteristics can include color, saturation, and gray-scale level.
In one embodiment, the processor 21 includes a microcontroller, CPU, or logic unit to control operation of the exemplary display device 40. Conditioning hardware 52 generally includes amplifiers and filters for transmitting signals to the speaker 45, and for receiving signals from the microphone 46. Conditioning hardware 52 may be discrete components within the exemplary display device 40, or may be incorporated within the processor 21 or other components.
The driver controller 29 takes the raw image data generated by the processor 21 either directly from the processor 21 or from the frame buffer 28 and reformats the raw image data appropriately for high speed transmission to the array driver 22. Specifically, the driver controller 29 reformats the raw image data into a data flow having a raster-like format, such that it has a time order suitable for scanning across the display array 30. Then the driver controller 29 sends the formatted information to the array driver 22. Although a driver controller 29, such as a LCD controller, is often associated with the system processor 21 as a stand-alone Integrated Circuit (IC), such controllers may be implemented in many ways. They may be embedded in the processor 21 as hardware, embedded in the processor 21 as software, or fully integrated in hardware with the array driver 22.
Typically, the array driver 22 receives the formatted information from the driver controller 29 and reformats the video data into a parallel set of waveforms that are applied many times per second to the hundreds and sometimes thousands of leads coming from the display's x-y matrix of pixels.
In one embodiment, the driver controller 29, array driver 22, and display array 30 are appropriate for any of the types of displays described herein. For example, in one embodiment, driver controller 29 is a conventional display controller or a bi-stable display controller (e.g., an interferometric modulator controller). In another embodiment, array driver 22 is a conventional driver or a bi-stable display driver (e.g., an interferometric modulator display). In one embodiment, a driver controller 29 is integrated with the array driver 22. Such an embodiment is common in highly integrated systems such as cellular phones, watches, and other small area displays. In yet another embodiment, display array 30 is typical display array or a bi-stable display array (e.g., a display including an array of interferometric modulators).
The input device 48 allows a user to control the operation of the exemplary display device 40. In one embodiment, input device 48 includes a keypad, such as a QWERTY keyboard or a telephone keypad, a button, a switch, a touch-sensitive screen, a pressure- or heat-sensitive membrane. In one embodiment, the microphone 46 is an input device for the exemplary display device 40. When the microphone 46 is used to input data to the device, voice commands may be provided by a user for controlling operations of the exemplary display device 40.
Power supply 50 can include a variety of energy storage devices as are well known in the art. For example, in one embodiment, power supply 50 is a rechargeable battery, such as a nickel-cadmium battery or a lithium ion battery. In another embodiment, power supply 50 is a renewable energy source, a capacitor, or a solar cell, including a plastic solar cell, and solar-cell paint. In another embodiment, power supply 50 is configured to receive power from a wall outlet.
In some implementations control programmability resides, as described above, in a driver controller which can be located in several places in the electronic display system. In some cases control programmability resides in the array driver 22. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the above-described optimization may be implemented in any number of hardware and/or software components and in various configurations.
The details of the structure of interferometric modulators that operate in accordance with the principles set forth above may vary widely. For example,
In embodiments such as those shown in
In uses where an interferometric modulator display is operated in low ambient light, it may be desirable to provide supplemental lighting. In some embodiments, a supplemental light source can be incorporated into the display. In some such embodiments, the supplemental lighting is provided by using the substrate (e.g., substrate 20 in
In various embodiments, the optical isolation structure in between the substrate and the display elements is adapted to reflect more than about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about 35%, about 40%, about 45%, about 50%, about 55%, about 60%, about 65%, about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 95% or higher of light incident on the optical isolation structure from within the substrate at angles greater than about 50 degrees, about 55 degrees, about 60 degrees, about 65 degrees, about 70 degrees, about 75 degrees, about 80 degrees, or about 85 degrees relative to normal to the optical isolation structure.
In some embodiments, in addition to providing relatively high reflectivity for high-angle light rays, the optical isolation structure is adapted to provide high transmittance of low-angle light rays. Such high transmittance permits light within the substrate to be redirected into the display elements as well as permitting light reflected from the display elements or ambient light to pass freely through the optical isolation structure. In some embodiments, the optical isolation structure is adapted to transmit more than about 60%, about 65%, about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, or about 95% of light incident on the structure at angles less than about 15 degrees, about 20 degrees, about 25 degrees, about 30 degrees, about 35 degrees, or about 40 degrees relative to normal to the structure.
The display may additionally include light redirectors to redirect certain of the light rays 110 into the display elements 100. The light redirectors may be incorporated within a film 112 positioned on the side of the substrate 102 opposite the optical isolation structure 108. The film 112 may be constructed of a material having substantially the same index of refraction as the substrate 102. Thus, light rays 110 may proceed between the substrate 102 and the film 112 without substantial reflection from the film 112-substrate 102 interface. Light rays 110 reflected from the optical isolation structure 108 may proceed through the substrate 102 and through the film 112 until they either encounter a light redirector or the air interface with the film 112 from which they are reflected due to total internal reflection. Once a light ray 110 encounters a light redirector, the light is reflected at an angle such that the reflected light ray 114 is directed into a display element 100. The light redirectors may be configured to redirect light having angles greater than about 50, about 60, about 70, or about 80 degrees relative to normal to the substrate 102 into the display elements 100.
As discussed above, the optical isolation structure 108 may be adapted to transmit a substantial portion of light rays having low angles relative to normal to the structure 108. Thus, light 114 redirected from the light redirectors can pass freely through the optical isolation structure 108 and into the display elements 100. Furthermore, light reflected back from the display elements can pass freely through the optical isolation structure 108, substrate 102, and film 112 to a viewer 116. In addition, ambient light rays 118 can pass freely through the film 112, substrate 102, and optical isolation structure 108 to contribute to the illumination of the display.
Although the integrated front light has been described above for use with reflective interferometric modulator display elements, it will be appreciated that the front light may also be used with other reflective display technologies such as reflective or transflective LCD elements. In addition, the same integrated lighting scheme may be used to create an integrated back light for use with transmissive display technologies (e.g., transmissive or transflective LCDs). For example, in back lighting implementations, the display elements 100 may be transmissive display elements such that light 114 redirected into the display elements continue through the elements to a viewer 120.
Optical isolation structures 108 having the desired characteristics of high angle reflection and low angle transmission may include a variety of structures. In one embodiment, the optical isolation structure 108 comprises of a single layer of material (e.g., a dielectric material) having an index of refraction less than the index of refraction of the substrate 102 and a thickness of at least a few wavelengths (i.e., cladding). The difference in indices of refraction between the substrate 102 and the optical isolation structure 108 (cladding) causes high-angle light rays to be totally internally reflected from this interface. In this embodiment, the high angle may be at or above the critical angle necessary for reflection of 100% of the incident light, according to Snell's law. Light at lower angles is partly reflected and partly refracted. In other embodiments, depicted in cross section in
Any suitable light redirector may be incorporated into the film 112 to redirect light into the display elements 100.
Because the optical isolation structure 108 is integrated within the display, it may be formed during manufacture of the display elements 100. For example, in manufacturing an interferometric modulator display, the optical isolation structure 108 may be deposited onto the substrate 102 as a first step of the manufacturing. The deposition may be by any suitable deposition technique, including but not limited to chemical vapor deposition and/or physical vapor deposition. In embodiments where the optical isolation structure 108 comprises of multiple layers of material (e.g., layers 200, 202, and 204 in
An optical isolation structure consisting of three interference layers was deposited onto a glass substrate. First, a 100 nm thick layer of TiO2 was deposited onto the glass substrate. Next, a 163 nm thick layer of MgF2 was deposited onto the TiO2 layer. Then a 138 nm thick layer of TiO2 was deposited onto the MgF2 layer. Finally, a layer of glass was optically coupled onto the final TiO2 layer with an index matching fluid. The predicted reflectance as a function of light incidence angle was determined using a thin-film interference optical model. Actual reflectance values as a function of incidence angle were measured using a directed light source and a photodetector.
Reflectance as a function of light incidence angle from an interferometric modulator display containing an optical isolation structure was modeled using optical modeling software and compared to the same optical model lacking the optical isolation structure. The components included in the optical model with the optical isolation structure present are indicated in Table 1. The optical isolation structure consisted of the Ta2O5—Na3AlF6—Ta2O5 three-layer structure. The remaining layers make up the interferometric modulator operational layers with the MoCr partially reflective layer and the Al reflective layer making up a Fabry-Perot interferometer. The same components minus the Ta2O5—Na3AlF6—Ta2O5 three-layer structure were used to model an interferometric modulator without the optical isolation structure. The 210 nm air thickness was used to model the unactuated state (e.g., bright state) of the interferometric modulator. In an actuated state (e.g., dark state), the Al reflective layer collapses against the Al2O3 layer. Accordingly, the dark state was modeled by eliminating the 210 nm air gap.
TABLE 1
Interferometric modulator design with
integrated optical isolation structure.
Refractive
Extinction
Material
Index
Coefficient
Thickness (nm)
Glass substrate
1.5109
0
incoming medium
Ta2O5
2.1182
0
117
Na3AlF6
1.35
0
167
Ta2O5
2.1182
0
117
ITO
1.6678
0.045355
42
MoCr
4.0109
3.93266
7
SiO2
1.4621
0
50
Al2O3
1.665
0
4
Air
1
0
210
Al
1.99
7.05
>30
To verify the optical modeling results, a static interferometric modulator was constructed having the layers indicated in Table 2. The optical isolation structure consisted of the TiO2—MgF2—TiO2 three-layer structure. The 193 nm SiO2 layer replaces the air gap in a modulating interferometric modulator and provides an optical response similar to an unactuated bright state interferometric modulator.
TABLE 2
Static interferometric modulator design with
integrated optical isolation structure.
Material
Thickness (nm)
Glass substrate
incoming medium
TiO2
110
MgF2
163
TiO2
153
Cr
7
SiO2
193
Al
>30
Although the invention has been described with reference to embodiments and examples, it should be understood that numerous and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the following claims.
Xu, Gang, Lewis, Alan, Mienko, Mark, Gally, Brian
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