Display device comprising a light transmitting first plate and light-absorbing means

• Main Authors: VAN GORKOM GERARDUS G.P, DUINE PETER A, KUNNEN HENRICUS J, CREEMERS TIJSBERT M.H
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 17.08.2006
• Subjects: ADVERTISING; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; DISPLAYING; EDUCATION; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS, OR APPARATUS; OPTICS; PHYSICS; SEALS; SIGNS

The display device ( 1 ) comprises a light transmitting first plate ( 2 ), a second plate ( 4 ) facing the first plate ( 2 ), a movable element ( 3 ) between the first plate ( 2 ) and the second plate ( 4 ) able to decouple light out of the first plate ( 2 ). The first plate ( 2 ) has a first surface ( 40 ) facing away from the movable element ( 3 ) and a second surface ( 14 ) facing the movable element ( 3 ), and electrodes ( 5,6,25 ) on the first plate ( 2 ), the second plate ( 4 ) and the movable element ( 3 ), able to locally bring the movable element ( 3 ) into contact with the first plate ( 2 ) by applying voltages to the electrodes ( 5,6,25 ). Including light absorption means ( 41 ), able to absorb light decoupled out of the first plate ( 2 ) by the movable element ( 3 ), and optical coupling means ( 43 ) at at least one of the first and second surface ( 40, 14 ) for having light directed into the first plate ( 2 ) via the first surface ( 40 ), reflected at the second surface ( 14 ) and directed out of the first plate ( 2 ) via the first surface ( 40 ), the display device ( 1 ) requires relatively little energy to be operated.