Method and device for manipulating color in a display

Abstract

Embodiments include methods and devices for controlling the spectral profile and color gamut of light produced by an interferometric display. Such devices include illuminating a display with selected wavelengths of light. Embodiments also include a display comprising separate sections that output different predetermined colors of light. Other embodiments include methods of making the aforementioned devices.

1 . A display comprising:
 at least one interferometric modulator configured to selectively reflect light having a characteristic color, the at least one interferometric modulator having a spectral response characterized by a first spectral peak having a spectral width when illuminated with white light; and   a photoluminescent material configured to emit colored light having a spectral distribution characterized by a second spectral peak having a spectral width, wherein the emitted light is modulated by the at least one interferometric modulator so that the selectively reflected light is characterized by a third spectral peak,   wherein the third spectral peak has a spectral width that is substantially equal to or narrower than the spectral width of the first spectral peak and wherein the spectral width of the first spectral peak is the range of wavelengths of the first spectral peak at the full width at half maximum of intensity of the selectively reflected light, the spectral width of the second spectral peak is the range of wavelengths of the second spectral peak at the full width at half maximum of intensity of the spectral distribution of the emitted light and the spectral width of the third spectral peak is the range of wavelengths of the third spectral peak at the full width at half maximum of intensity of the selectively reflected light.   
     
     
         2 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the photoluminescent material includes photoluminescent materials configured to emit red, green, and blue light. 
     
     
         3 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the photoluminescent material is configured to absorb ultraviolet light and emit the colored light in response thereto. 
     
     
         4 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one interferometric modulator is configured to output light wherein the output light includes ambient light incident on and reflected by the at least one interferometric modulator and the emitted light incident on and reflected by the at least one interferometric modulator. 
     
     
         5 . The display of  claim 4 , wherein the reflected emitted light is greater in intensity than the reflected ambient light whereby color saturation of the at least one interferometric modulator is improved. 
     
     
         6 . The display of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one interferometric modulator includes an interferometric modulator configured to output red light, an interferometric modulator configured to output green light, and an interferometric modulator configured to output blue light. 
     
     
         7 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the photoluminescent material is configured to emit the colored light in response to receiving ambient light. 
     
     
         8 . The display of  claim 7 , wherein the ambient light includes sunlight. 
     
     
         9 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the spectral width of the second spectral peak is substantially equal to or narrower than the spectral width of the first spectral peak. 
     
     
         10 . The display of  claim 1 , wherein the spectral width of the third spectral peak is substantially equal to or narrower than the spectral width of the second spectral peak. 
     
     
         11 . The display of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a processor that is configured to communicate with the at least one interferometric modulator, the processor being configured to process image data; and   a memory device that is configured to communicate with the processor.   
     
     
         12 . The display as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a driver circuit configured to send at least one signal the at least one interferometric modulator.   
     
     
         13 . The display as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a controller configured to send at least a portion of the image data to the driver circuit.   
     
     
         14 . The display as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 an image source module configured to send the image data to the processor.   
     
     
         15 . The display as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the image source module includes at least one of a receiver, transceiver, and transmitter. 
     
     
         16 . The display as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 an input device configured to receive input data and to communicate the input data to the processor.   
     
     
         17 . A display comprising:
 means for selectively reflecting light having a characteristic color, the means having a spectral response characterized by a first spectral peak having a spectral width when illuminated with white light; and   means for emitting colored light having a spectral distribution characterized by a second spectral peak having a spectral width, wherein the emitted light is modulated by the at least one interferometric modulator so that the selectively reflected light is characterized by a third spectral peak,   wherein the third spectral peak has a spectral width that is substantially equal to or narrower than the spectral width of the first spectral peak and wherein the spectral width of the first spectral peak is the range of wavelengths of the first spectral peak at the full width at half maximum of intensity of the selectively reflected light, the spectral width of the second spectral peak is the range of wavelengths of the second spectral peak at the full width at half maximum of intensity of the spectral distribution of the emitted light and the spectral width of the third spectral peak is the range of wavelengths of the third spectral peak at the full width at half maximum of intensity of the selectively reflected light.   
     
     
         18 . The display of  claim 17 , wherein the means for selectively reflecting light includes at least one interferometric modulator. 
     
     
         19 . The display of  claim 17 , wherein the means for emitting colored light includes a photoluminescent material. 
     
     
         20 . The display of  claim 17 , wherein the means for selectively reflecting light includes means for emitting red, green, and blue light. 
     
     
         21 . The display of  claim 20 , wherein the means for selectively reflecting light includes means for selectively reflecting red light, means for selectively reflecting green light, and means for selectively reflecting blue light. 
     
     
         22 . The display of  claim 17 , wherein the means for emitting colored light includes means for emitting colored light in response to receiving ambient light. 
     
     
         23 . The display of  22 , wherein the ambient light includes sunlight. 
     
     
         24 . A method of making a display comprising:
 forming at least one interferometric modulator configured to selectively reflect light having a characteristic color, the at least one interferometric modulator having a spectral response characterized by a first spectral peak having a spectral width when illuminated with white light; and   forming a layer including photoluminescent material configured to emit colored light having a spectral distribution characterized by a second spectral peak having a spectral width, wherein the emitted light is modulated by the at least one interferometric modulator so that the selectively reflected light is characterized by a third spectral peak,   wherein the third spectral peak has a spectral width that is substantially equal to or narrower than the spectral width of the first spectral peak and wherein the spectral width of the first spectral peak is the range of wavelengths of the first spectral peak at the full width at half maximum of intensity of the selectively reflected light, the spectral width of the second spectral peak is the range of wavelengths of the second spectral peak at the full width at half maximum of intensity of the spectral distribution of the emitted light and the spectral width of the third spectral peak is the range of wavelengths of the third spectral peak at the full width at half maximum of intensity of the selectively reflected light.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the photoluminescent material includes photoluminescent materials configured to emit red, green, and blue light. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the at least one interferometric modulator includes an interferometric modulator configured to output red light, an interferometric modulator configured to output green light, and an interferometric modulator configured to output blue light. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the photoluminescent material is configured to emit the colored light in response to receiving ambient light.