Patent ID: 6031656
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A flat-panel direct-view display, comprising:a background;an array of electrostatically-actuated cantilevered micromirrors on a substrate in front of said background, said micromirrors having a hinge that is capable of deflecting the micromirror over a range from a first state in which the micromirror covers a portion of the background to a second state in which the micromirror uncovers a substantial majority of said portion of the background;a reference surface; anda flat-panel source that addresses either said array of micromirrors or said reference surface with a plurality of electron beams a row at a time while the other is held at a reference potential to modulate the potential difference between each said micromirror and said reference surface and thereby adjust the deflection of said micromirrors over said range to produce a direct-view image.