Patent ID: 6222519
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: G02B,G09G

Abstract:
Apparatus comprising a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the two surfaces being substantially parallel and substantially parallel to a transmissive window disposed facing the first surface of said substrate and separated from said first surface by a gap,a plurality of at least one string of display beads-on-a-fiber disposed between said substrate first surface and said transmissive window wherein said beads are disposed in at least one row and at least one columneach display bead having an anisotropy for providing at least one electromagnetic dipole moment rendering said display bead electronically responsive,a rotatable disposition of each said display bead being achievable while said display bead is thus disposed between said transmissive window and said substrate first surface,each display bead, when rotatably disposed between said transmissive window and said substrate being disposable in any one of a plurality of at least two rotatable orientations with respect to said transmissive window,each said display bead providing a plurality of unique optical modulations, one for each of said plurality of at least two rotatable orientations,electrode means disposed on first substrate surface adjacent to each said display bead,connectivity means whereby when an electric signal is connected to said electrode means an electromagnetic field results which tends to rotate said display bead into alignment with the field.