Method and system for interferometric modulation in projection or peripheral devices
An Interferometric Modulator (IMod) is a microelectromechanical device for modulating light using interference. The colors of these devices may be determined in a spatial fashion, and their inherent color shift may be compensated for using several optical compensation mechanisms. Brightness, addressing, and driving of IMods may be accomplished in a variety of ways with appropriate packaging, and peripheral electronics which can be attached and/or fabricated using one of many techniques. The devices may be used in both embedded and directly perceived applications, the latter providing multiple viewing modes as well as a multitude of product concepts ranging in size from microscopic to architectural in scope.
1. A system for projecting images, comprising:
an array of interferometric modulators configured to form a first image;
an optical imaging system configured to form on a viewing surface a second image based on the first image; and
a light source disposed with respect to the array of interferometric modulators to illuminate the array of interferometric modulators,
wherein said system for projecting images comprises a head mounted display.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the array of interferometric modulators, the optical imaging system and the light source is disposed on the head mounted display.
3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a reflector configured to reflect the projected image onto the viewing surface.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein light from the light source is transmitted through the array of interferometric modulators.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein light from the light source is reflected from the array of interferometric modulators.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein one or more interferometric modulators in the array of interferometric modulators are reflective modulators.
7. The system of claim 1 , configured to provide a dynamic external look.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein interferometric modulators in the array of interferometric modulators comprise a primary mirror and a secondary mirror, said secondary mirror configured to be actuated.
9. A system for projecting images, comprising:
a photosensitive medium;
an array of interferometric modulators configured to form a first image;
a light source, said light source and said array of interferometric modulators defining an optical path;
a transport mechanism configured to move the photosensitive medium such that the photosensitive medium passes through said optical path; and
an optical imaging system configured to form on the photosensitive medium a second image based on the first image.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the photosensitive medium undergoes exposure to light when moved relative to the array of interferometric modulators.
11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the array of interferometric modulators is transmissive and light from the light source is transmitted through the array of interferometric modulators.
12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the array of interferometric modulators is reflective and light from the light source is reflected from the array of interferometric modulators.
13. The system of claim 9 , wherein the array of interferometric modulators is a linear array.
14. The system of claim 9 , wherein the array of interferometric modulators is a two dimensional array.
15. The system of claim 9 , wherein the array of interferometeric modulators is configured to form an image when illuminated by at least visible light.
16. The system of claim 9 , wherein the optical imaging system comprises a lens.
17. The system of claim 9 , wherein light from the light source is transmitted through the optical imaging system.
18. The system of claim 9 , wherein the array of interferometric modulators is configured to form an image when illuminated by at least hyperspectral light.
19. The system of claim 9 , wherein the array of interferometric modulators is configured to form an image when illuminated by at least ultraviolet light.
20. The system of claim 9 , wherein the array of interferometric modulators is configured to form an image when illuminated by at least infrared light.
21. The system of claim 9 , wherein interferometric modulators in the array of interferometric modulators comprise a primary mirror and a secondary mirror, said secondary mirror configured to be actuated.
22. A system for projecting images, comprising:
means for capturing optical information;
means for interferometrically modulating light to form a first image;
a means for illuminating, said illuminating means and said interferometrically light modulating means defining an optical path;
means for moving the capturing means across the modulating means; and
means for optically imaging for forming a second image based on the first image on the capturing means.
23. The system of claim 22 , wherein said capturing means undergoes exposure to light when moved relative to the light modulating means.
24. The system of claim 22 , further comprising means for illuminating the light modulating means.
25. The system of claim 24 , wherein the illuminating means illuminates with at least hyperspectral light.
26. The system of claim 24 , wherein the illuminating means illuminates with at least ultraviolet light.
27. The system of claim 24 , wherein the illuminating means illuminates with at least infrared light.
28. The system of claim 24 , wherein the light modulating means is transmissive and light is transmitted through the light modulating means.
29. The system of claim 24 , wherein the light modulating means is reflective and light is reflected from the light modulating means.
30. The system of claim 24 , wherein the illuminating means illuminates with at least visible light.
31. The system of claim 22 , wherein the light modulating means comprises an array of interferometric modulators.
32. The system of claim 22 , wherein said capturing means comprises a photosensitive medium.
33. The system of claim 22 , wherein the optically imaging means comprises a lens.
34. The system of claim 22 , wherein the moving means comprises a transport mechanism.
35. A display device comprising:
an array of interferometric modulators configured to form a first image;
an optical imaging system configured to form on a viewing surface a second image based on the first image; and
a light source disposed with respect to the array of interferometric modulators to illuminate the array of interferometric modulators,
wherein said array of interferometric modulators, said optical imaging system and said light source are disposed in an automobile.
36. The display device of claim 35 , further comprising a reflector disposed with respect to the optical imaging system, said reflector configured to reflect the second image on a viewing surface.
37. The display device of claim 36 , wherein light from the light source is transmitted through the interferometric modulator.
38. The display device of claim 35 , wherein said second image is formed on a windshield.
39. The display device of claim 35 , wherein said array of interferometric modulators and said optical imaging system are mounted to an automobile dashboard.
40. The display device of claim 35 , wherein one or more interferometric modulators in the array of interferometric modulators are reflective modulators.
41. The system of claim 35 , wherein said array of interferometric modulators, said optical imaging system and said light source are disposed in a heads-up display in an automobile.
42. The system of claim 35 , wherein light from the light source is transmitted through the array of interferometric modulators.
43. The system of claim 35 , wherein light from the light source is reflected from the array of interferometric modulators.
44. The system of claim 35 , wherein light from the light source is transmitted through the optical imaging system.
45. The system of claim 35 , wherein interferometric modulators in the array of interferometric modulators comprise a primary mirror and a secondary mirror, said secondary mirror configured to be actuated.
46. A system for projecting images, comprising:
an array of interferometric modulators configured to form a first image;
a light source, said light source and said array of interferometric modulators defining an optical path;
a transport mechanism configured to move a photosensitive medium such that the photosensitive medium passes through said optical path; and
an optical imaging system configured to form on the photosensitive medium a second image based on the first image.
47. The system of claim 46 , wherein the photosensitive medium undergoes exposure to light when moved relative to the array of interferometric modulators.
48. The system of claim 46 , wherein the array of interferometric modulators is transmissive and light from the light source is transmitted through the array of interferometric modulators.
49. The system of claim 46 , wherein the array of interferometric modulators is reflective and light from the light source is reflected from the array of interferometric modulators.
50. The system of claim 46 , wherein the array of interferometric modulators is a linear array.
51. The system of claim 46 , wherein the array of interferometric modulators is a two dimensional array.
52. The system of claim 46 , wherein the optical imaging system comprises a lens.
53. A display device comprising:
an array of interferometric modulators configured to form a first image;
an optical imaging system configured to form on a viewing surface a second image based on the first image; and
a light source disposed with respect to the array of interferometric modulators to illuminate the array of interferometric modulators,
wherein said array of interferometric modulators, said optical imaging system and said light source are disposed on eyewear.
54. The system of claim 53 , wherein interferometric modulators in the array of interferometric modulators comprise a primary mirror and a secondary mirror, said secondary mirror configured to be actuated.
55. The display device of claim 53 , further comprising a reflector disposed with respect to the optical imaging system, said reflector configured to reflect the second image on a viewing surface.
56. The display device of claim 53 , wherein light from the light source is transmitted through the interferometric modulator.
57. The display device of claim 53 , wherein the second image is formed using a lens of said eyewear.
58. The display device of claim 53 , wherein said second image is viewable by others looking at a wearer of the eyewear.
59. The system of claim 53 , wherein light from the light source is transmitted through the array of interferometric modulators.
60. The system of claim 53 , wherein light from the light source is reflected from the array of interferometric modulators.
61. The system of claim 53 , wherein light from the light source is transmitted through the optical imaging system.
62. The system of claim 53 , wherein one or more interferometric modulators in the array of interferometric modulators are reflective modulators.