US Patent 7463421 - Image capturing using MEMS

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7463421.html

Iridigm Display Corporation (IDC), a pioneer in MEMS based interferometric displays, was acquired by Qualcomm a few years ago. This patent from IDC has some very basic claims to image capturing devices (e.g. cameras, printers) using MEMS filters with early priority going back to May 5, 1994. Claim 1 reads:

1. A system for selecting spectral frequencies of light, comprising:

a tunable filter comprising a MEMS device comprising a movable layer, said MEMS device configured to select a range of spectral frequencies of light; and

a photosensitive device spaced apart from the movable layer, wherein said MEMS device is disposed to direct at least a portion of said selected spectral frequencies onto said photosensitive device.