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:
Jan. 20, 2009
Filed:
Apr. 25, 2006
Applicant:
Ivan Kmecko, Plano, TX (US);
Inventor:
Ivan Kmecko, Plano, TX (US);
Assignee:
Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas, TX (US);
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G02B 7/02 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
The disclosed embodiments combine an electrothermal actuator system with an electrostatic attraction system, in order to orient bistable micromirrors in digital micromirror devices (DMDs). The micromirror, pivotally supported, can switch between two orientations. While typical DMD systems use electrostatic electrodes to orient the micromirror, stiction forces can restrict micromirror motion, affecting optical performance. The disclosed embodiments use an electrothermal actuation system to mechanically assist the electrodes, overcoming stiction without the need for a high-voltage reset pulse.