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:
Nov. 16, 2004
Filed:
Feb. 06, 2003
Robert E. Meier, Dallas, TX (US);
James D. Huffman, Richardson, TX (US);
Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas, TX (US);
Abstract
An improved DMD type spatial light modulator having an array of pixels ( ). The pixels ( ) are of the “hidden hinge” design, each pixel having a mirror ( ) supported over a hinged yoke ( ). Addressing electrodes ( ) on an underlying metallization layer and addressing electrodes ( ) at the yoke level provide electrostatic forces that cause the mirrors to tilt and then to return to their flat state. The pixels ( ) are designed to provide increased clearance between the leading edge of the yoke ( ) and the underlying metallization layer when the mirrors ( ) are tilted. Various features of the improved pixel ( ) also improve the contrast ratio of images generated by the DMD.