Patent ID: 7488082

Claim:
A discretely controlled micromirror array device comprising: a substrate with a control circuitry; and a plurality of micromirrors forming a micromirror array; wherein the micromirrors have rotational and translational motions and the micromirrors in the micromirror array form at least one surface profile and wherein each micromirror in the micromirror array comprises: a micromirror structure having a reflective surface on one side; a plurality of segmented electrodes disposed on the substrate surface and electronically coupled to the control circuitry for activating the segmented electrodes selectively; at least one flexible structure, wherein the flexible structure connects the micromirror structure and the substrate and provides restoring force to the micromirror structure; and at least one pillar structure, wherein the pillar structure supports the flexible structure and provides connection between the substrate and the flexible structure; wherein the motion of the micromirrors is controlled by selectively activated segmented electrodes and wherein the control circuitry is coupled with the segmented electrodes and selectively activates or deactivates the segmented electrodes.