Patent ID: 7268932

Claim:
A micromirror device comprising: a reflecting element supported on a hinge for oscillating and positioning at least three states; two separate independently controllable electrodes disposed on two opposite sides of said hinge wherein each of said electrodes is connected to a control circuit for independently applying a control voltage thereon to control said reflecting element to oscillate to different positions; each of said electrodes is connected to a transistor having a gate connected to a common wordline and each transistor having a source connected to an independently controllable bitline for independently controlling said reflecting element to oscillate to different positions; and each bitline connected to said source of said transistor is provided for receiving a binary bit represented by zero and one for applying a voltage to said electrodes for applying one of three digital signals represented by (1,0), (0,1) and (0,0) for controlling said reflecting element to oscillate to angular positions oriented substantially at a positive angle, a negative angle and 0° relative to a perpendicular axis to said reflecting element.