Patent ID: RE42119

Claim:
A microelectromechanical systems device comprising: a plurality of elements each having at least two layers, the layers being disposed in a stacked relationship with a gap therebetween when the element is in an undriven state, the plurality of elements being of at least two different types, defining at least a first region having elements only of a first type and a second region having elements only of a second type, wherein each type differing differs in a height of its gap , wherein the elements within the first region are substantially co- planar, and wherein the elements within the second region are substantially co - planar ; and a driving mechanism circuit configured to drive the plurality of elements to a driven state, wherein one of the layers of each element is configured to electrostatically displace d relative to the other layer to close the gap between the layers, and wherein a minimum voltage required to actuate the driving mechanism electrostatically displace the layer to a driven state is substantially different for each type of element.