The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 14, 2000
Filed:
Jul. 16, 1999
Applicant:
Inventors:
James M Florence, Richardson, TX (US);
James D Huffman, Richardson, TX (US);
Rodney D Miller, Frisco, TX (US);
Assignee:
Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas, TX (US);
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G02B / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
359290 ; 359224 ; 359226 ; 359850 ;
Abstract
A spatial light modulator (70) comprised of an array of micromirrors (72) each having support post (74). The support post (74) defines support post edges (76) in the upper surface of the mirrors (72). These support post edges (76) are all oriented at 45 degree angles with respect to an incident beam of light from a light source (80) to minimize diffraction of light from the edges (76) into the darkfield optics when the mirrors are oriented in the off-state. The present invention achieves an increased contrast ratio of about 20% over conventional designs.