Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US8362987B2/en
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 03:11:58+00:00

Document:
2005-07-19 Assigned to IDC, LLC reassignment IDC, LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CUMMINGS, WILLIAM J., GALLY, BRIAN J.
A method and device for manipulating color in a display is disclosed. In one embodiment, a display comprises interferometric display elements formed to have spectral responses that produce white light. In one embodiment, the produced white light is characterized by a standardized white point.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/613,491 filed Sep. 27, 2004; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/623,072 filed Oct. 28, 2004; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/613,535 filed Sep. 27, 2004. Each of the foregoing applications is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
One embodiment is a display. The display includes a plurality of interferometric modulators. The plurality of interferometric modulators includes at least one interferometric modulator configured to output red light, at least one interferometric modulator configured to output green light, and at least one interferometric modulator configured to output blue light. The combination of said output red light, said output green light, and said output blue light combine to produce said output white light having a standardized white point.
One embodiment is a display. The display includes at least one interferometric modulator, the modulator comprising a reflective surface configured to be positioned at a distance from a partially reflective surface. The distance of the at least one modulator is selected so as to produce white light characterized by a standardized white point.
Another embodiment is a display. The display includes a plurality of displays elements, each comprising a reflective surface configured to be positioned at a distance from a partially reflective surface. The plurality of display elements configured to output white light characterized by a standardized white point.
Another embodiment is a method of fabricating a display. The method includes forming a plurality of display elements configured to output light. Each of said plurality of display elements is formed comprising a reflective surface configured to be positioned at distance from partially reflective surface. The plurality of display elements is formed having said respective distances selected so that white light produced by the plurality display element is characterized by a standardized white point.
Another embodiment is a method of fabricating a display. The method includes forming a plurality of display elements configured to output light. Each of the plurality of display elements comprises a reflective surface configured to be positioned at distance from partially reflective surface. Each of the display elements are formed with respective areas from which light is reflected. Each of the respective areas is selected so that white light produced by the plurality display element is characterized by a standardized white point.
Another embodiment is a display including first means for outputting white light characterized by a standardized white point, and second means for outputting white light characterized by a standardized white point, the first and second means comprising microelectromechanical systems.
Another embodiment is a display. The display includes at least one interferometric modulator configured to selectively reflect green light incident thereon. The display further includes at least one filter associated with the at least one interferometric modulator and configured to selectively transmit visible wavelengths associated with magenta light and substantially filter other visible wavelengths when illuminated with white light.
Another embodiment is a method of fabricating a display. The method includes forming at least one interferometric modulator configured to selectively reflect green light incident thereon. The method further includes forming a layer of material positioned with respect to the modulator such that light modulated by the at least one interferometric modulator is filtered by the layer of material. The layer of material selectively transmits visible wavelengths associated with magenta light and substantially filters other visible wavelengths when illuminated with white light.
Another embodiment is a display. The display includes first means for outputting light, second means for outputting light, and third means for outputting light. The output light of the first, second, and third means is combined to produce white light characterized by a standardized white point. The first, second, and third means comprising microelectromechanical systems.
Another embodiment is a display. The display includes at least one first display element configured to selectively output cyan light. The display further includes at least one second display element configured to selectively output yellow light and positioned proximately to the at least one first display element. Each of the at least one first display element and the at least one second display element comprises reflective surface and a partially reflective surface.
Another embodiment is a method of fabricating a display. The method includes forming at least one first interferometric modulator configured to selectively reflect cyan light incident thereon. The method also includes forming at least one second interferometric modulator proximately to the at least one first interferometric modulator. The at least one second modulator is configured to selectively reflect yellow light incident thereon.
One embodiment is a display. The display includes means for outputting green light and means for outputting magenta light. One of the means for outputting green light and the means for outputting magenta light comprise a microelectromechanical system.
Another embodiment is a display. The display includes means for outputting cyan light and means for outputting yellow light. The means for outputting cyan light and the means for outputting yellow light comprise microelectromechanical systems.
FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of an interferometric modulator illustrating optical paths through the modulator.
FIG. 8 is a graphical diagram illustrating the spectral response of one embodiment that includes cyan and yellow interferometric modulators to produce white light.
FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the interferometric modulator having a layer of material for selectively transmitting light of a particular color.
FIG. 10 is a graphical diagram illustrating the spectral response of one embodiment that includes green interferometric modulators and a “magenta” filter layer to produce white light.
Various embodiments include displays comprising interferometric display elements that are formed to produce white light having selected spectral properties. One embodiment includes a display that produces white light using interferometric modulators that are configured to reflect cyan and yellow light. Another embodiment includes a display that produces white light using interferometric modulators that reflect green light through a color filter that selectively transmits magenta light. Embodiments also include displays that reflect white light that is characterized by a standardized white point. The white point of such a display may be different from the white point of light illuminating the display.
The details of the structure of interferometric modulators that operate in accordance with the principles set forth above may vary widely. For example, FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate three different embodiments of the moving mirror structure. FIG. 6A is a cross section of the embodiment of FIG. 1, where a strip of metal material 14 is deposited on orthogonally extending supports 18. In FIG. 6B, the moveable reflective material 14 is attached to supports at the corners only, on tethers 32. In FIG. 6C, the moveable reflective material 14 is suspended from a deformable layer 34. This embodiment has benefits because the structural design and materials used for the reflective material 14 can be optimized with respect to the optical properties, and the structural design and materials used for the deformable layer 34 can be optimized with respect to desired mechanical properties. In addition, a layer 104 of dielectric material is formed on the fixed layer. The production of various types of interferometric devices is described in a variety of published documents, including, for example, U.S. Published Application No. 2004/0051929. A wide variety of well known techniques may be used to produce the above described structures involving a series of material deposition, patterning, and etching steps.
As discussed above with reference to FIG. 1, the modulator 12 (i.e., both modulators 12 a and 12 b) includes an optical cavity formed between the mirrors 14 (i.e., mirrors 14 a and 14 b) and 16 (mirrors 16 a and 16 b, respectively). The characteristic distance, or effective optical path length, d, of the optical cavity determines the resonant wavelengths, λ, of the optical cavity and thus of the interferometric modulator 12. A peak resonant visible wavelength, λ, of the interferometric modulator 12 generally corresponds to the perceived color of light reflected by the modulator 12. Mathematically, the optical path length d is equal to ½ N λ, where N is an integer. A given resonant wavelength, λ, is thus reflected by interferometric modulators 12 having optical path lengths d of ½ λ (N=1), λ (N=2), 3/2 λ (N=3), etc. The integer N may be referred to as the order of interference of the reflected light. As used herein, the order of a modulator 12 also refers to the order N of light reflected by the modulator 12 when the mirror 14 is in at least one position. For example, a first order red interferometric modulator 12 may have an optical path length d of about 325 nm, corresponding to a wavelength λ of about 650 nm. Accordingly, a second order red interferometric modulator 12 may have an optical path length d of about 650 nm. Generally, higher order modulators 12 reflect light over a narrower range of wavelengths, e.g., have a higher “Q” value, and thus produce colored light that is more saturated. The saturation of the modulators 12 that comprise a color pixel affects properties of a display such as the color gamut and white point of the display. For example, in order for a display using a second order modulator 12 to have the same white point or color balance as a display that includes a first order modulator reflecting the same general color of light, the second order modulator 12 may be selected to have a different central peak optical wavelength.
Note that in certain embodiments such as illustrated in FIG. 1, the optical path length, d, is substantially equal to the distance between the mirrors 14 and 16. Where the space between the mirrors 14 and 16 comprises only a gas (e.g., air) having an index of refraction of approximately 1, the effective optical path length is substantially equal to the distance between the mirrors 14 and 16. Other embodiments, such as illustrated in FIGS. 6C, include the layer 104 of dielectric material. Such dielectric materials typically have an index of refraction greater than one. In such embodiments, the optical cavity is formed to have the desired optical path length d by selecting both the distance between the mirrors 14 and 16 and the thickness and index of refraction of the dielectric layer 104, or of any other layers between the mirrors 14 and 16. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6c, in which the optical cavity includes the layer 104 of a dielectric in addition to the air gap, the optical path length d is equal to d1n1+d2n2, where d1 is the thickness of layer 1, n1 is the index of refraction of layer 1 and similarly d2 is the thickness of layer 2 and n2 is the index of refraction of layer 2.
Generally, the color of light reflected by an interferometric modulator 12 shifts when the modulator 12 is viewed from different angles. FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of an interferometric modulator 12 illustrating optical paths through the modulator 12. The color of light reflected from the interferometric modulator 12 may vary for different angles of incidence (and reflection) with respect to an axis AA as illustrated in FIG. 7. For example, for the interferometric modulator 12 shown in FIG. 7, as light travels along the off-axis path A1, the light is incident on the interferometric modulator at a first angle, reflects from the interferometric modulator, and travels to a viewer. The viewer perceives a first color when the light reaches the viewer as a result of optical interference between a pair of mirrors in the interferometric modulator 12. When the viewer moves or changes his/her location and thus view angle, the light received by the viewer travels along a different off-axis path A2 corresponding to a second different angle of incidence (and reflection). Optical interference in the interferometric modulator 12 depends on optical path length of light propagated within the modulator, d. Different optical path lengths for the different optical paths A1 and A2 therefore yield different outputs from the interferometric modulator 12. With increasing view angle, the effective optical path of the interferometric modulator is decreased according to the relationship 2d cosβ=Nλ, where β is the view angle (the angle between the normal to the display and the incident light). With increasing view angle, the peak resonant wavelength of the reflected light is decreased. The user therefore perceives different colors depending on his or her angle of view. As described above, this phenomenon is referred to as a “color shift.” This color shift is typically identified with reference to a color produced by an interferometric modulator 12 when viewed along the axis AA.
Another consideration in the design of displays incorporating interferometric modulators 12 is the generation of white light. “White” light generally refers to light that is perceived by the human eye to include no particular color, i.e., white light is not associated with a hue. While black refers to an absence of color (or light), white refers to light that includes such a broad spectral range that no particular color is perceived. White light may refer to light having a broad spectral range of visible light at approximately uniform intensity. However, because the human eye is sensitive to certain wavelengths of red, green, and blue light, white can be created by mixing intensities of colored light to produce light that has one or more spectral peaks which is perceived by the eye as “white.” Moreover, the color gamut of a display is the range of colors that the device is able to reproduce, e.g., by mixing red, green, and blue light.
White point is the hue that is considered to be generally neutral (gray or achromatic) of a display. The white point of a display device may be characterized based on a comparison of white light produced by the device with the spectral content of light emitted by a black body at a particular temperature (“black body radiation”). A black body radiator is an idealized object that absorbs all light incident upon the object and which reemits the light with a spectrum dependent on the temperature of the black body. For example, the black body spectrum at 6,500° K. may be referred to as white light having a color temperature of 6,500° K. Such color temperatures, or white points of approximately 5,000°-10,000° K are generally identified with daylight.
The International Commission on Illumination (CIE) promulgates standardized white points of light sources. For example, light source designations of “d” refer to daylight. In particular, standard white points D55, D65, and D75, which correlate with color temperatures of 5,500° K., 6,500° K., and 7,500° K., are standard daylight white points.
A display device may be characterized by the white point of the white light produced by a display. As with light from other light sources, human perception of a display is at least partially determined by the perception of white light from the display. For example, a display or light source having a lower white point, e.g., D55, may be perceived as having a yellow tone by a viewer. A display having a higher temperature white point, e.g., D75 may be perceived as having a “cooler” or bluer tone to a user. Users generally respond more favorably to displays having higher temperature white points. Thus, controlling the white point of a display desirably provides some control over a viewer's response to a display. Embodiments of the interferometric modulator array 30 may be configured to produce white light in which the white point is selected to conform to a standardized white point under one or more anticipated lighting conditions.
White light can be produced by the pixel array 30 by including one or more interferometric modulators 12 for each pixel. For example, in one embodiment, the pixel array 30 includes pixels of groups of red, green, and blue interferometric modulators 12. As discussed above, the colors of the interferometric modulators 12 may be selected by selecting the optical path length d using the relation of d=½ N λ. In addition, the balance, or relative proportions, of the colors produced by each pixel in the pixel array 30 may be further affected by the relative reflective areas of each of the interferometric modulators 12, e.g., of the red, green, and blue interferometric modulators 12. Further, because the modulators 12 selectively reflect incident light, the white point of reflected light from the pixel array 30 of interferometric modulators 12 is generally dependent on the spectral characteristics of incident light. In one embodiment, the white point of reflected light may be configured to be different than the white point of incident light. For example, in one embodiment, the pixel array 30 may be configured to reflect D75 light when used in D65 sunlight.
In one embodiment, the distances d and areas of the interferometric modulators 12 in the pixel array 30 are selected so that white light produced by the pixel array 30 corresponds to a particular standardized white point in an anticipated lighting condition, e.g., in sunlight, under fluorescent light, or from a front light positioned to illuminate the pixel array 30. For example, the white point of the pixel array 30 may be selected to be D55, D65, or D75 in particular lighting conditions. Moreover, the light reflected by the pixel array 30 may have a different white point than the light of an anticipated or configured light source. For example, a particular pixel array 30 may be configured to reflect D75 light when viewed under D65 sunlight. More generally, the white point of a display may be selected with reference to a source of illumination configured with the display, e.g., a front light, or with reference to a particular viewing condition. For example, a display may be configured to have a selected white point, e.g., D55, D65, or D75, when viewed under anticipated or typical sources of illumination such as incandescent, fluorescent, or natural light sources. More particularly, a display for use in a handheld device, for example, may be configured to have a selected white point when viewed under sunlight conditions. Alternatively, a display for use in an office environment may be configured to have a selected white point, e.g., D75, when illuminated by typical office fluorescent lights.
Table 1 illustrates optical path lengths of one embodiment. In particular, Table 1 illustrates the air gap of red, green, and blue interferometric modulators in two exemplary embodiments of the pixel array 30 that produce D65, and D75 white light using modulators 12 of substantially equal reflective areas. Table 1 assumes a dielectric layer comprising two layers, 100 nm of Al2O3 and SiO2 of 400 nm. Table 1 also assumes substantially identical reflective areas for each of the red, green and blue interferometric modulators 12. One of skill in the art will recognize that a range of equivalent air gap distances can be obtained by varying the thickness or index of refraction of the dielectric layer.
It is to be recognized that in other embodiments, different distances d and areas of modulators 12 may be selected to produce other standardized white point settings for different viewing environments. Further, the red, green, and blue modulators 12 may also be controlled so as to be in reflective or non-reflective states for different amounts of time so as to further vary the relative balance of reflected red, green, and blue light, and thus the white point of reflected light. In one embodiment, the ratio of reflective areas of each of the color modulators 12 may be selected so as to control the white point in different viewing environments. In one embodiment, the optical path length d may be selected so as to correspond to a common multiple of more than one visible resonant wavelength, e.g., first, second, or third order peaks of red, green, and blue, so that the interferometric modulator 12 reflects white light characterized by three visible peaks in its spectral response. In such an embodiment, the optical path length d is selected so that the white light produced corresponds to a standardized white point.
In addition to groups of red, green, and blue interferometric modulators 12 in the pixel array 30, other embodiments include other ways of generating white light. For example, one embodiment of the pixel array 30 includes cyan and yellow interferometric modulators 12, i.e., interferometric modulators 12 that have respective separation distances d so as to produce cyan and yellow light. The combined spectral response of the cyan and yellow interferometric modulators 12 produces light with a broad spectral response that is perceived as “white.” The cyan and yellow modulators are positioned proximately so that a viewer perceives such a combined response. For example, in one embodiment, the cyan modulators and yellow modulators are arranged in adjacent rows of the pixel array 30. In another embodiment, the cyan modulators and yellow modulators are arranged in adjacent columns of the pixel array 30.
FIG. 8 is a graphical diagram illustrating the spectral response of one embodiment that includes cyan and yellow interferometric modulators 12 to produce white light. The horizontal axis represents the wavelength of reflected light. The vertical axis represents the relative reflectance of light incident on the modulators 12. A trace 80 illustrates the response of the cyan modulator, which is a single peak centered in the cyan portion of the spectrum, e.g., between blue and green. A trace 82 illustrates the response of the yellow modulator, which is a single peak centered in the yellow portion of the spectrum, e.g., between red and green. A trace 84 illustrates the combined spectral response of a pair of cyan and yellow modulators 12. The trace 84 has two peaks at cyan and yellow wavelengths but is sufficiently uniform across the visible spectrum so that reflected light from such modulators 12 is perceived as white.
In one embodiment, the pixel array 30 includes a first order yellow interferometric modulator and a second order cyan interferometric modulator. When such a pixel array 30 is viewed from increasingly larger off-axis angles, light reflected by the first order yellow modulator is shifted toward the blue end of the spectrum, e.g., the modulator at a certain angle has an effective d equal to that of a first order cyan. Concurrently, light reflected by the second order cyan modulator shifts to correspond to light from the first order yellow modulator. Thus, the overall combined spectral response is broad and relatively uniform across the visible spectrum even as the relative peaks of the spectrum shift. Such pixel array 30 thus produces white light over a relatively large range of viewing angles.
In one embodiment, a display having a cyan and yellow modulators may be configured to produce white light having a selected standardized white point under one or more viewing conditions. For example, the spectral response of the cyan modulator and of the yellow modulator may be selected so that reflected light has a white point of D55, D65, D75, or any other suitable white point under selected illumination conditions that include D55, D65, or D75 light such as sunlight for a display suited for outdoor use. In one embodiment, the modulators may be configured to reflect light that has a different white point than incident light from an expected or selected viewing condition.
FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the interferometric modulator 12 having a layer 102 of material for selectively transmitting light of a particular color. In an exemplary embodiment, the layer 102 is on the opposite side of the substrate 20 from modulator 12. In one embodiment, the layer 102 of material comprises a magenta filter through which green interferometric modulators 12 are viewed. In one embodiment, the layer 102 of material is a dyed material. In one such embodiment, the material is a dyed photoresist material. In one embodiment, the green interferometric modulators 12 are first order green interferometric modulators. The filter layer 102 is configured to transmit magenta light when illuminated with a broadly uniform white light. In the exemplary embodiment, light is incident on the layer 20 from which filtered light is transmitted to the modulator 12. The modulator 12 reflects the filtered light back through the layer 102. In such an embodiment, the light passes through the layer 102 twice. In such an embodiment, the thickness of the layer 102 of material may be selected to compensate for, and utilize, this double filtering. In another embodiment, a front light structure may be positioned between the layer 102 and the modulator 12. In such an embodiment, the layer 102 of material acts only on light reflected by the modulator 12. In such embodiments, the layer 102 is selected accordingly.
FIG. 10 is a graphical diagram illustrating the spectral response of one embodiment that includes the green interferometric modulators 12 and the “magenta” filter layer 102. The horizontal axis represents the wavelength of reflected light. The vertical axis represents the relative spectral response of light incident on the green modulator 12 and filter layer 102 over the visible spectrum. A trace 110 illustrates the response of the green modulator 12, which is a single peak centered in the green portion of the spectrum, e.g., near the center of the visible spectrum. A trace 112 illustrates the response of the magenta filter formed by the layer of material 102. The trace 112 has two relatively flat portions on either side of a central u-shaped minimum. The trace 112 thus represents the response of a magenta filter that selectively transmits substantially all red and blue light while filtering light in the green portion of the spectrum. A trace 114 illustrates the combined spectral response of the pairing of the green modulator 12 and the filter layer 102. The trace 114 illustrates that the spectral response of the combination is at a lower reflectance level than the green modulator 12 due to the filtering of light by the filter layer 102. However, the spectral response is relatively uniform across the visible spectrum so that the filtered, reflected light from the green modulator 12 and the magenta filter layer 102 is perceived as white.
In one embodiment, a display having a green modulator 12 with the magenta filter layer 102 may be configured to produce white light having a selected standardized white point under one or more viewing conditions. For example, the spectral response of the green modulator 12 and of the magenta filter layer 102 may be selected so that reflected light has a white point of D55, D65, D75, or any other suitable white point under selected illumination conditions that include D55, D65, or D75 light such as sunlight for a display suited for outdoor use. In one embodiment, the modulator 12 and filter layer 102 may be configured to reflect light that has a different white point than incident light from an expected or selected viewing condition.
wherein the at least one interferometric modulator includes a reflective surface and a partially reflective surface defining an optical cavity, the optical cavity having an optical path length that is substantially equal to one half of a wavelength associated with green light.
2. The display of claim 1, wherein the filter includes an absorption filter.
3. The display of claim 1, wherein the filter is configured to filter light incident on the at least one interferometric modulator and to filter light reflected by the interferometric modulator.
4. The display of claim 1, wherein the at least one interferometric modulator and the filter produce white light having a standardized white point.
5. The display of claim 4, wherein the standardized white point is a standard white point D55 which correlates with a color temperature of 5,500° K.
6. The display of claim 4, wherein the standardized white point is a standard white point D65 which correlates with a color temperature 6,500° K.
7. The display of claim 4, wherein the standardized white point is a standard white point D75 which correlates with a color temperature 7,500° K.
9. The display of claim 8, further comprising a driver circuit configured to send at least one signal to the at least one interferometric modulator.
10. The display of claim 9, further comprising a controller configured to send at least a portion of the image data to the driver circuit.
wherein the modulating means includes a reflective surface and a partially reflective surface defining an optical cavity, the optical cavity having an optical path length that is substantially equal to one half of a wavelength associated with green light.
12. The display of claim 11, wherein the filtering means includes an absorption filter.
13. The display of claim 11, wherein the modulating means and the filtering means produce white light having a standardized white point.
14. The display of claim 13, wherein the standardized white point is a standard white point D55 which correlates with a color temperature of 5,500° K.
15. The display of claim 13, wherein the standardized white point is a standard white point D65 which correlates with a color temperature 6,500° K.
16. The display of claim 13, wherein the standardized white point is a standard white point D75 which correlates with a color temperature 7,500° K.
17. The display of claim 11, wherein the filtering means is configured to filter light incident on the modulating means and to filter light reflected by the modulating means.
18. The display of claim 11, wherein the means for modulating light includes a means for interferometrically modulating light.
19. The display of claim 11, wherein the means for modulating light includes an interferometric modulator.
MX2007003581A MX2007003581A (en) 2004-09-27 2005-09-14 Method and device for manipulating color in a display.
MXPA05009863A MXPA05009863A (en) 2004-09-27 2005-09-14 Method and device for manipulation color in a display.
"CIE Color System," from website hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu.hbase/vision/cie.html, (Cited in Notice of Allowance mailed Jan. 11, 2008 in U.S. Appl. No. 11/188,197.
Amendment After Allowance Under 37 C.F.R. § 1.312, Issue Fee, and Information Disclosure Statement in U.S. Appl. No. 11/178,211, dated Feb. 17, 2011.
Amendment and Information Disclosure Statement in U.S. Appl. No. 11/213,659, dated Feb. 25, 2010.
Amendment and Summary of Interview in U.S. Appl. No. 12/427,670, dated Feb. 18, 2011.
Amendment in U.S. Appl. No. 11/178,211, dated Mar. 31, 2010.
Amendment in U.S. Appl. No. 11/178,211, dated Sep. 21, 2009.
Amendment in U.S. Appl. No. 11/178,211, dated Sep. 30, 2010.
Amendment in U.S. Appl. No. 11/188,197, dated Nov. 26, 2007.
Applicant Interview Summary in U.S. Appl. No. 11/188,197, dated Mar. 9, 2009.
Aratani, et. al., "Surface micromachined tuneable interferometer array", Sensors and Actuators A, vol. A43, No. 1/3, May 1, 1994, pp. 17-23.
Austrian Search Report dated Aug. 12, 2005 in U.S. Appl. No. 11/118,110.
Austrian Search Report for U.S. Appl. No. 11/051,258 dated May 13, 2005.
Austrian Search Report for U.S. Appl. No. 11/140,561 dated Jul. 12, 2005.
Austrian Search Report in U.S. Appl. No. 11/083,841 mailed Jul. 14, 2005.
Austrian Search Report No. 167/2005, mailed on Jul. 14, 2005.
Chinese Office Action for Chinese Application No. 200510105840.5, dated May 9, 2008.
Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/188,197, dated Mar. 17, 2009.
EP Search Report for Co-Pending EP application No. EP 05255636.2-02217, dated Jan. 19, 2006.
European Search Report for European Patent Application No. 06077032.8 dated May 25, 2007, 8 pages.
Examination Report in Australian Application No. 2005204236, dated Dec. 14, 2009.
Examiner Interview Summary in U.S. Appl. No. 11/188,197, dated Feb. 10, 2009.
Extended European Search Report for App. No. 05255635.4 dated Jan. 19, 2006; (European Publication No. EP 1640761).
Extended European Search Report for App. No. 05255636.2 dated Apr. 28, 2006; (European Publication No. EP 1640762).
Extended European Search Report for App. No. 05255657.8 dated Dec. 7, 2005; (European Publication No. EP 1640767).
Extended European Search Report in Application No. 06077032, dated May 25, 2007.
Hohlfeld et al., "Micro-machined tunable optical filters with optimized band-pass spectrum," 12th International Conference on Transducers, Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems, vol. 2, pp. 1494-1497, Jun. 2003.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability in Application No. PCT/US2005/030526, dated Mar. 27, 2007.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability in Application No. PCT/US2005/032773, dated Mar. 27, 2007.
International Preliminary Report on Patentability in PCT/US2005/032633; International Publication No. WO 2006/036540) dated Apr. 5, 2007.
International Search Report and Written Opinion in PCT/US2005/030526(International Publication No. WO 2006/036421) dated Dec. 30, 2005.
Interview Summary in U.S. Appl. No. 12/427,670, dated Feb. 8, 2011.
ISR and WO dated Dec. 30, 2005 in International Application No. PCT/US2005/030526 (International Publication No. WO 2006/036421).
ISR and WO dated Jan. 10, 2006 in International Application No. PCT/US2005/032773 (International Publication No. WO 2006/36559).
ISR and WO dated Jan. 11, 2006 in International Application No. PCT/US2005/032426 (Publication No. WO 2006/036524).
ISR and WO dated Nov. 2, 2007 in International Application No. PCT/US07/08790 (International Publication No. WO 2007/127046).
Jerman et al. "A Miniature Fabry-Perot Interferometer Fabricated Using Silicon Micromaching Techniques," IEEE Electron Devices Society, pp. 372-375, 1988.
Jerman et al. "A Miniature Fabry-Perot Interferometer with a Corrugated Silicon Diaphragm Support", pp. 140-144, 1990.
Lau "Infrared characterization for microelectronics" New Jersey: World Scientific, Oct. 1999, pp. 55-71, ISBN 981-02-2352-8.
Manzardo, et al., "Optics and Actuators for Miniaturized Spectrometers," International Conference on Optical MEMS, 12(6):23-24 (Dec. 2003).
Mark W. Miles, "A New Reflective FPD Technology Using interfermotric modulation" Journal of the Society or Information Display vol. 5 No. 4 pp. 379-382, 1997.
Mark W. Miles, "Interferometric Modulation: A MEMS Based Technology for the Modulation of Light," Final Program and Proceedings IS&T's 50th Annual Conference, pp. 674-677, 1997.
Mark W. Miles, "MEMS-based Interferometric Modulator for Display Applications," Proceedings of SPIE Micromachined Devices and Components, pp. 20-28, 1999.
Mehregany et al., "MEMS applications in Optical Systems," IEEE/LEOS 1996 Summer Topical Meetings, pp. 75-76, Aug. 1996.
Miles, Mark, W., "A New Reflective FPD Technology Using Interferonnetric Modulation", The Proceedings of the Society for Information Display (May 11-16, 1997).
Miles, MW "A MEMS Based Interferometric Modulator (IMOD) for Display Applications" Proceedings of Sensors Expo, Oct. 21, 1997 © 1997 Helmer's Publishing, Inc. (Oct. 21, 1997), pp. 281-284 XP009058455.
Miles, MW "A MEMS Based Interferometric Modulator (IMOD) for Display Applications" Proceedings of Sensors Expo, Oct. 21, 1997 © 1997 Helmer's Publishing, Inc. (Oct. 21, 1997), pp. 281-284.
Minutes of the Oral Proceedings in European Application No. 05 792 314, dated Aug. 6, 2008.
Nakagawa et al. "Wide-Field-of-View Narrow-Band Spectral Filters Based on Photonic Crystal Nanocavities", Optical Society of America, Optics Letters, vol. 27, No. 3, pp. 191-193, 2002.
Notice of Abandonment in U.S. Appl. No. 12/831,517, dated Mar. 28, 2011.
Notice of Allowance in Korean Patent Application No. 2005-0089441, dated Feb. 16, 2012.
Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/178,211, dated Jun. 28, 2010.
Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/178,211, dated May 25, 2011.
Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/178,211, dated Nov. 19, 2010.
Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/188,197, dated Dec. 18, 2008.
Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/188,197, dated Jan. 11, 2008.
Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/188,197, dated Jul. 9, 2008.
Notice of Allowance in U.S. Appl. No. 11/213,659, dated Apr. 8, 2010.
Notice of Intention to Grant in European Application No. 05800920, dated Jun. 2, 2010.
Office Action and Interview Summary in U.S. Appl. No. 12/427,670, dated Jun. 10, 2011.
Office Action in Chinese Application No. 200580032161, dated Dec. 3, 2010.
Office Action in Chinese Application No. 200580032161, dated May 18, 2011.
Office Action in Mexican Application No. MX/a/2007/003581, dated Aug. 27, 2009.
Office Action in Russian Application No. 2007115885/28, dated Sep. 24, 2010.
Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/178,211, dated Dec. 31, 2009.
Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/178,211, dated Jun. 22, 2009.
Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 11/188,197, dated Jun. 25, 2007.
Office Action in U.S. Appl. No. 12/427,670, dated Oct. 19, 2010.
Official Communication in Chinese Application No. 200510105840, dated Feb. 27, 2009.
Official Communication in Chinese Application No. 2005-80030995, dated Mar. 7, 2008.
Official Communication in Chinese Application No. 2005-80032161, dated Aug. 7, 2009.
Official Communication in Chinese Application No. 2005-80032161, dated Nov. 14, 2008.
Official Communication in European Application No. 05 255 636.2, dated Mar. 1, 2010.
Official Communication in European Application No. 05 255 636.2, dated May 1, 2007.
Official Communication in European Application No. 05 792 314, dated Aug. 6, 2008.
Official Communication in European Application No. 05 792 614, dated Jul. 19, 2007.
Official Communication in European Application No. 06 077 032.8, dated Mar. 1, 2010.
Official Communication in Japanese Application No. 2005-259341, dated Oct. 7, 2008.
Official Communication in Japanese Application No. 2007-533541, dated Aug. 13, 2010.
Official Communication in Japanese Application No. 2007-533541, dated Mar. 15, 2011.
Official Communication in Korean Patent Application No. 2005-0089441, dated Sep. 22, 2011.
Official Communication in Mexican Application No. PA/a/2005/009863 dated Apr. 4, 2008.
Official Communication in Russian Application No. 2007115885/28, dated Nov. 17, 2009.
Partial European Search Report for App. No. 06077032.8 dated Feb. 22, 2007; (European Publication No. EP 1767981).
Petschick et al. "Fabry-Perot-Interferometer," available at http://pl.physik.tu-berlin.de/groups/pg279/protokolless02/04-fpi.pdf, pp. 50-60, May 14, 2002.
Petschick et al. "Fabry-Perot-Interferometer," available at http://pl.physik.tu-berlin.de/groups/pg279/protokolless02/04—fpi.pdf, pp. 50-60, May 14, 2002.
Preliminary Amendment in U.S. Appl. No. 13/016,107, dated Apr. 25, 2011.
Raley et al. "A Fabry-Perot Microinterferometer for Visible Wavelengths," IEEE Solid-State Sensor and Actuator Workshop, Hilton Head, SC, pp. 170-173 (1992).
Request for Continued Examination and Informatin Disclosure Statement in U.S. Appl. No. 11/213,659, dated Oct. 19, 2009.
Request for Continued Examination and Information Disclosure Statement in U.S. Appl. No. 11/188,197, dated Apr. 10, 2008.
Request for Continued Examination and Information Disclosure Statement in U.S. Appl. No. 11/213,659, dated Feb. 17, 2010.
Request for Continued Examination and Information Disclosure Statement in U.S. Appl. No.11/188,197, dated Oct. 8, 2008.
Request for Continued Examination and Petition to Withdraw after Payment of Issue Fee in U.S. Appl. No. 11/178,211, dated May 13, 2011.
Request for Continued Examination in U.S. Appl. No. 11/178,211, dated Sep. 27, 2010.
Request for Continued Examination, Information Disclosure Statement, and Petition to Withdraw from Issue in U.S. Appl. No. 11/213,659, dated Aug. 18, 2010.
Response to Rule 312 Communication in U.S. Appl. No. 11/178,211, dated Mar. 9, 2011.
Response to Rule 312 Communication in U.S. Appl. No. 11/178,211, dated May 6, 2011.
Second Preliminary Amendment in U.S. Appl. No. 13/016,107, dated May 24, 2011.
Sperger et al. "High Performance Patterned All-Dielectric Interference Colour Filter for Display Applications", SID Digest, pp. 81-83, (1994).
Substantive Examination Adverse Report in Malaysian Application No. PI 20054446, dated Nov. 20, 2009.
Summary of Interview in U.S. Appl. No. 12/427,670, dated Mar. 7, 2011.
Summons to Attend Oral Proceedings in European Application No. 05 792 614, dated Apr. 4, 2008.
Supplemental Amendment in U.S. Appl. No. 12/427,670, dated Mar. 10, 2011.
U.S. Appl. No. 12/831,517, dated Jul. 7, 2010.
U.S. Appl. No. 13/032,519, dated Feb. 22, 2011.
U.S. Application No. 13/016,107, dated Jan. 28, 2011.
U.S. Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 11/208,085, dated Dec. 10, 2008.
Walker et al. "Electron-beam-tunable Interference Filter Spatial Light Modulator", Optics Letters vol. 13, No. 5, pp. 345-347, (May 1988).

References: Application No. 60
 Application No. 60
 Application No. 60
 Application No. 2004
 § 1
 Application No. 200510105840
 Application No. 06077032
 Application No. 2005204236
 Application No. 06077032
 Application No. 05
 Application No. 2005
 Application No. 05800920
 Application No. 200580032161
 Application No. 200580032161
 Application No. 2007115885
 Application No. 200510105840
 Application No. 2005
 Application No. 2005
 Application No. 2005
 Application No. 05
 Application No. 05
 Application No. 05
 Application No. 05
 Application No. 06
 Application No. 2005
 Application No. 2007
 Application No. 2007
 Application No. 2005
 Application No. 2007115885
 Application No. 05
 Application No. 13