Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080247028 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MULTISTATE INTERFEROMETRIC LIGHT MODULATION - A multi-state light modulator comprises a first reflector. A first electrode is positioned at a distance from the first reflector. A second reflector is positioned between the first reflector and the first electrode. The second reflector is movable between an undriven position, a first driven position, and a second driven position, each having a corresponding distance from the first reflector. In one embodiment, the three positions correspond to reflecting white light, being non-reflective, and reflecting a selected color of light. Another embodiment is a method of making the light modulator. Another embodiment is a display including the light modulator. | 10-09-2008 |
20080314866 | MIRROR AND MIRROR LAYER FOR OPTICAL MODULATOR AND METHOD - Described herein are systems, devices, and methods relating to packaging electronic devices, for example, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices, including optical modulators such as interferometric optical modulators. The interferometric modulator disclosed herein comprises a movable mirror. Some embodiments of the disclosed movable mirror exhibit a combination of improved properties compared to known mirrors, including reduced moving mass, improved mechanical properties, and reduced etch times. | 12-25-2008 |
20090002270 | Composite display - A composite display is disclosed. A first paddle has a first plurality of pixel elements wherein the first paddle is arranged to sweep out a first area during a first paddle cycle. A second paddle has a second plurality of pixel elements wherein the second paddle is arranged to sweep out a second area during a second paddle cycle and wherein the first and second areas include first and second nonoverlapping portions. A first pixel element on the first paddle is configured to be activated when the first pixel element coincides with a first image pixel. A second pixel element on the second paddle is configured to be activated when the second pixel element coincides with a second image pixel. An image corresponding to the first and second image pixels is represented on the composite display by activating the first and second pixel elements. | 01-01-2009 |
20090002271 | Composite display - A composite display is disclosed. In some embodiments, a composite display comprises a set of one or more paddles, a plurality of pixel elements installed on each paddle, and an optic configured to substantially collimate light attached to a surface of each pixel element. In some embodiments, a diffuser film is mounted in front of the set of paddles, wherein the diffuser film diffuses incident collimated light from the pixel elements. | 01-01-2009 |
20090002272 | Composite display - A composite display is disclosed. In some embodiments, a composite display comprises a compound paddle comprising a plurality of components and configured to sweep out an area. A plurality of pixel elements is mounted on at least one component of the plurality of components. Selectively activating one or more of the plurality of pixel elements while the compound paddle sweeps the area causes at least a portion of an image to be rendered. | 01-01-2009 |
20090002273 | Data flow for a composite display - A system for generating a display is disclosed. The system includes a base on which one or more paddles are mounted, wherein each paddle includes a plurality of pixel elements and is configured to sweep out an area during a paddle cycle, a processor configured to generate a script based at least in part on a pixel map and an image, and a pixel element driver configured to receive at least a portion of the script and activate a pixel element on a paddle when the pixel element coincides with an image pixel of the image. At least a portion of the image is represented on the display by activating the pixel element. | 01-01-2009 |
20090002288 | Luminance balancing - A composite display is disclosed. In some embodiments, a composite display comprises a paddle configured to sweep out an area and a plurality of pixel elements mounted on the paddle. Selectively activating one or more of the plurality of pixel elements while the paddle sweeps the area causes at least a portion of an image to be rendered. In some embodiments, a characteristic of at least one pixel element of the plurality of pixel elements that is associated with balancing luminance across at least a portion of the composite display associated with the paddle is based at least in part on a radial distance of the one pixel element from an axis of rotation of the paddle. | 01-01-2009 |
20090002289 | Composite display - A composite display is disclosed. In some embodiments, a composite display comprises a paddle configured to sweep out an area and a plurality of pixel elements mounted on the paddle. Selectively activating one or more of the plurality of pixel elements while the paddle sweeps the area causes at least a portion of an image to be rendered. In some embodiments, at least one pixel element of the plurality of pixel elements is mounted on an edge of the paddle such that at least a portion of the at least one pixel element extends beyond the edge of the paddle. | 01-01-2009 |
20090002290 | Rendering an image pixel in a composite display - Rendering an image pixel in a composite display is disclosed. In some embodiments, an image pixel is mapped to a plurality of temporal pixels, and the image pixel is rendered in a composite display using at least a subset of the plurality of temporal pixels to which it is mapped, with the intensity of the image pixel spread across the subset of temporal pixels. | 01-01-2009 |
20090002293 | Composite display - A composite display is disclosed. In some embodiments, a composite display comprises a paddle configured to sweep out an area and a plurality of pixel elements mounted on the paddle. Selectively activating one or more of the plurality of pixel elements during a fractional rotation of the paddle within its sweep area causes an image to be rendered. | 01-01-2009 |
20090002362 | Image to temporal pixel mapping - Image pixel to temporal pixel mapping is disclosed. In some embodiments, a grid of stochastically arranged temporal pixels is employed in a composite display. An image pixel may be mapped to one or more temporal pixels in the grid. One or more of the one or more temporal pixels in the grid to which the image pixel is mapped are employed to render the image pixel in the composite display. | 01-01-2009 |
20090015579 | MECHANICAL RELAXATION TRACKING AND RESPONDING IN A MEMS DRIVER - The invention comprises systems and methods for adjusting a driving voltage based on relaxation information of a movable reflective layer of an interferometric modulator. In one example, a device for driving a MEMS device having a movable reflective layer comprises a sensing unit configured to generate information related to one or more of time, environmental exposure, and frame rate of a movable reflective layer of at least one MEMS device, and a driver circuit configured to apply voltages to drive said at least one MEMS device, said voltages being based at least in part on said information. | 01-15-2009 |
20090059342 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PACKAGING A SUBSTRATE - A package structure and method of packaging for an interferometric modulator. A thin film material is deposited over an interferometric modulator and transparent substrate to encapsulate the interferometric modulator. A gap or cavity between the interferometric modulator and the thin film provides a space in which mechanical parts of the interferometric modulator may move. The gap is created by removal of a sacrificial layer that is deposited over the interferometric modulator. | 03-05-2009 |
20090080060 | SEPARABLE MODULATOR - A separable modulator architecture is disclosed. The modulator has a mirror suspended from a flexible layer over a cavity. The flexible layer also forms supports and support posts for the mirror. An alternative separable modulator architecture has a mirror suspended over a cavity. The modulator is supported by supports and support posts. The support posts comprise a flexible layer over support post plugs. A bus structure may be formed upon the flexible layer arranged over the support posts. | 03-26-2009 |
20090195856 | METHODS OF REDUCING CD LOSS IN A MICROELECTROMECHANICAL DEVICE - Methods of fabricating an electromechanical systems device that minimize critical dimension (CD) loss in the device are described. The methods provide electromechanical systems devices with improved properties, including high reflectivity. | 08-06-2009 |
20090231666 | Microelectromechanical device with thermal expansion balancing layer or stiffening layer - An interferometric modulating device is provided with a thermal expansion balancing layer on a side of the movable flexible layer opposite the movable reflector such that when temperature changes the distance between the movable reflector and the optical stack does not change significantly, thereby leading to stable color. Additionally, an interferometric modulating device is provided with a stiffening layer between the movable flexible layer and the movable reflector and at least one hollow void exists on the surface where the movable reflector and the stiffening layer contact each other so that the movable reflector is more rigid to bending, thereby reducing the temperature sensitivity of the movable reflector. | 09-17-2009 |
20090262412 | METHOD OF FABRICATING INTERFEROMETRIC DEVICES USING LIFT-OFF PROCESSING TECHNIQUES - Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method of fabricating interferometric devices using lift-off processing techniques. Use of lift-off processing in the fabrication of various layers of interferometric modulators, such as an optical stack or a flex layer, advantageously avoids individualized chemistries associated with the plurality of materials associated with each layer thereof. Moreover, use of lift-off processing allows much greater selection in both materials and facilities available for fabrication of interferometric modulators. | 10-22-2009 |
20090267934 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SELECTIVE ADJUSTMENT OF HYSTERESIS WINDOW - The width and location of a hysteresis window of an interferometric modulator may be altered by adjusting various physical characteristics of the interferometric modulator. Thus, depending on the particular application for which the interferometric modulators are manufactured, the width and location of the hysteresis window may be altered. For example, in some applications, reducing the power required to operate an array of interferometric modulators may be an important consideration. In other applications, the speed of the interferometric modulators may be of more importance, where the speed of an interferometric modulator, as used herein, refers to the speed of actuating and relaxing the moveable mirror. In other applications, the cost and ease of manufacturing may be of most importance. Systems and methods are introduced that allow selection of a width and location of a hysteresis window by adjusting various physical characteristics. | 10-29-2009 |
20090279162 | PHOTONIC MEMS AND STRUCTURES - An optical device includes a non-transparent substrate. The optical device further includes a first optical layer which is at least partially transmissive and at least partially reflective to incident light. The optical device further includes a second optical layer which is at least partially reflective to incident light. The second optical layer is spaced from the first optical layer. At least one of the first optical layer and the second optical layer is movable between a first position at a first distance from the first optical layer and a second position at a second distance from the first optical layer. Movement of the at least one of the first optical layer and the second optical layer between the first and second positions modulates the reflectivity of the device. | 11-12-2009 |
20090279173 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A STATIC INTERFEROMETRIC DISPLAY DEVICE - Disclosed are apparatus and methods for fabricating a static interferometric display device. A plurality of sputtering modules is used to form static interferometric elements on a substrate. These elements each have a plurality of interferometric sub-elements that each has an interferometric stack. A first sub-element of each element is formed so that an interferometric modulation of light due to the first element's stack transmits at a first color, and a second sub-element of each element is formed so that a second color is transmitted. The sub-elements of each element are arranged with respect to each other so that all of the elements appear as a third color to a user if all the sub-elements of each element are left unmasked. A printing system is then used to mask one or more sub-elements of one or more elements so as to form, with the elements, a static image having multiple colors. | 11-12-2009 |
20090323144 | ILLUMINATION DEVICE WITH HOLOGRAPHIC LIGHT GUIDE - An illumination device includes a holographic film and a light source, such as a point light source. The point light source is positioned at an edge of the holographic film and has a light emitting face that faces the edge of the holographic film. The holographic film includes a hologram formed of diffractive refractive index structures. The density of the diffractive refractive index structures increases with increasing distance from the light source. Light is propagated from the light source through the holographic film, such as by total internal reflection. The diffractive refractive index structures turn the light, thereby causing the light to propagate out of the holographic film in a desired direction. In some embodiments, the light propagating out of the holographic film has a high uniformity across the surface of the holographic film. | 12-31-2009 |
20090323168 | ELECTROMECHANICAL DEVICES AND METHODS OF FABRICATING SAME - In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for fabricating a microelectromechanical systems device. The method comprises fabricating a first layer comprising a film having a characteristic electromechanical response, and a characteristic optical response, wherein the characteristic optical response is desirable and the characteristic electromechanical response is undesirable; and modifying the characteristic electromechanical response of the first layer by at least reducing charge build up thereon during activation of the micro electromechanical systems device. | 12-31-2009 |
20100019336 | MEMS DEVICES HAVING OVERLYING SUPPORT STRUCTURES AND METHODS OF FABRICATING THE SAME - Embodiments of MEMS devices comprise a conductive movable layer spaced apart from a conductive fixed layer by a gap, and supported by rigid support structures, or rivets, overlying depressions in the conductive movable layer, or by posts underlying depressions in the conductive movable layer. In certain embodiments, portions of the rivet structures extend through the movable layer and contact underlying layers. In other embodiments, the material used to form the rigid support structures may also be used to passivate otherwise exposed electrical leads in electrical connection with the MEMS devices, protecting the electrical leads from damage or other interference. | 01-28-2010 |
20100019993 | Calibrating pixel elements - A composite display is disclosed. In some embodiments, a composite display includes a paddle configured to sweep out an area, a plurality of pixel elements mounted on the paddle, and one or more optical sensors mounted on the paddle and configured to measure luminance values of the plurality of pixel elements. Selectively activating one or more of the plurality of pixel elements while the paddle sweeps the area causes at least a portion of an image to be rendered. | 01-28-2010 |
20100019997 | Calibrating pixel elements - A composite display is disclosed. In some embodiments, a composite display includes a paddle configured to sweep out an area, a plurality of pixel elements mounted on the paddle, and one or more optical sensors mounted on the paddle and configured to measure luminance values of the plurality of pixel elements. Selectively activating one or more of the plurality of pixel elements while the paddle sweeps the area causes at least a portion of an image to be rendered. | 01-28-2010 |
20100020107 | Calibrating pixel elements - A composite display is disclosed. In some embodiments, a composite display includes a paddle configured to sweep out an area, a plurality of pixel elements mounted on the paddle, and one or more optical sensors mounted on the paddle and configured to measure luminance values of the plurality of pixel elements. Selectively activating one or more of the plurality of pixel elements while the paddle sweeps the area causes at least a portion of an image to be rendered. | 01-28-2010 |
20100026680 | APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR WRITING DATA TO ELECTROMECHANICAL DISPLAY ELEMENTS - Charge balanced display data writing systems, apparatuses, and methods use write and hold cycles of opposite polarity during selected frame update periods. A release cycle may be provided to reduce the chance that a given display element will become stuck in an actuated state. | 02-04-2010 |
20100079421 | INTERFEROMETRIC MODULATORS HAVING CHARGE PERSISTENCE - An interferometric modulator is formed having a dielectric with charge persistence. The interferometric modulator is addressed by a method making advantageous use of the charge persistence property, wherein the interferometric modulator is pre-charged in such a way that the pre-charging is not observable to a viewer, and the actuation voltage threshold of the imod is significantly lowered. Subsequently the interferometric modulator may be actuated with a significantly lower actuation voltage, thereby saving power. | 04-01-2010 |
20100095707 | FABRICATING OPTICAL WAVEGUIDES - Methods and devices are provided for fabricating waveguides. Some such methods involve forming at least a portion of the waveguide using an embossing process for shaping a substrate and/or other components. Some implementations provide processes for making waveguide features by omitting what may previously have been regarded as essential steps in forming waveguides via a semiconductor fabrication process. Some implementations provide processes of forming waveguide features by deliberately causing what would heretofore have been regarded as defects in a semiconductor fabrication process. Some such methods and devices can produce waveguides at a substantially lower cost than was heretofore possible. | 04-22-2010 |
20100098430 | FREE SPACE OPTICAL COMMUNICATION WITH OPTICAL FILM - Devices and systems are provided for free space optical communication using optical films. Some embodiments involve using an optical film for the transmission and/or reception of light in a free space optical communication system. Some free space optical communication systems may involve devices, such as laptop computers, desktop computers, mobile communications devices, etc., that are configured for communication via an optical film. The optical film may be disposed on a device, on a wall, a window, furniture, etc., according to the implementation. Many types of free space optical communication systems are provided, including line of sight and non line of sight free space optical communication systems. | 04-22-2010 |
20100110526 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MULTISTATE INTERFEROMETRIC LIGHT MODULATION - A multi-state light modulator comprises a first reflector | 05-06-2010 |
20100147790 | SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR MEMS DEVICE AND METHODS THEREFOR - A microelectromechanical systems device having support structures formed of sacrificial material surrounded by a protective material. The microelectromechanical systems device includes a substrate having an electrode formed thereon. Another electrode is separated from the first electrode by a cavity and forms a movable layer, which is supported by support structures formed of a sacrificial material. | 06-17-2010 |
20100149627 | SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR MEMS DEVICE AND METHODS THEREFOR - A microelectromechanical systems device having support structures formed of sacrificial material surrounded by a protective material. The microelectromechanical systems device includes a substrate having an electrode formed thereon. Another electrode is separated from the first electrode by a cavity and forms a movable layer, which is supported by support structures formed of a sacrificial material. | 06-17-2010 |
20100165443 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING INTERFEROMETRIC OPTICAL MODULATORS AND DIFFUSERS - Various embodiments include interferometric optical modulators comprising a substrate layer having a thickness between about 0.1 mm to about 0.45 mm thick and a method for manufacturing the same. The interferometric modulator can be integrated together with a diffuser in a display device. The thin substrate permits use of a thicker diffuser. The thinner substrate may increase resolution and reduce overall thickness of the inteferometric modulator. The thicker diffuser may provide increased diffusion and durability. | 07-01-2010 |
20100214645 | SEPARABLE MODULATOR - A separable modulator architecture is disclosed. The modulator has a mirror suspended from a flexible layer over a cavity. The flexible layer also forms supports and support posts for the mirror. An alternative separable modulator architecture has a mirror suspended over a cavity. The modulator is supported by supports and support posts. The support posts comprise a flexible layer over support post plugs. A bus structure may be formed upon the flexible layer arranged over the support posts. | 08-26-2010 |
20100245311 | LOW VOLTAGE DRIVER SCHEME FOR INTERFEROMETRIC MODULATORS - A method of driving electromechanical devices such as interferometric modulators includes applying a voltage along a common line to release the electromechanical devices along the common line, followed by applying an address voltage along the common line to actuate selected electromechanical devices along the common line based on voltages applied along segment lines. Hold voltages may be applied along common lines between applications of release and address voltages, and the segment voltages may be selected to be sufficiently small that the segment voltages will not affect the state of the electromechanical devices along other common lines not being written to. | 09-30-2010 |
20100245313 | LOW VOLTAGE DRIVER SCHEME FOR INTERFEROMETRIC MODULATORS - A method of driving electromechanical devices such as interferometric modulators includes applying a voltage along a common line to release the electromechanical devices along the common line, followed by applying an address voltage along the common line to actuate selected electromechanical devices along the common line based on voltages applied along segment lines. Hold voltages may be applied along common lines between applications of release and address voltages, and the segment voltages may be selected to be sufficiently small that the segment voltages will not affect the state of the electromechanical devices along other common lines not being written to. | 09-30-2010 |
20100315398 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR WRITING DATA TO ELECTROMECHANICAL DISPLAY ELEMENTS - Methods and devices for applying bias potentials of opposite polarities to columns of electromechanical display elements are described herein. The bias potentials may be applied such that a column and an adjacent column receive bias potentials of opposite polarity. The bias potentials may be applied such that a polarity of bias voltages received by columns of a first set of the display elements is opposite a polarity of bias voltages received by columns of a second set of the display elements. | 12-16-2010 |
20100320555 | CONTROLLING ELECTROMECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF STRUCTURES WITHIN A MICROELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS DEVICE - In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for fabricating a microelectromechanical systems device. The method comprises fabricating a first layer comprising a film having a characteristic electromechanical response, and a characteristic optical response, wherein the characteristic optical response is desirable and the characteristic electromechanical response is undesirable; and modifying the characteristic electromechanical response of the first layer by at least reducing charge build up thereon during activation of the microelectromechanical systems device. | 12-23-2010 |
20100321352 | PASSIVE CIRCUITS FOR DE-MULTIPLEXING DISPLAY INPUTS - A display array which can reduce the row connections between the display and the driver circuit and methods of manufacturing and operating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a display device comprises an array of MEMS display elements and a plurality of voltage dividers coupled to the array and configured to provide row output voltages to drive the array, wherein each row is connected to at least two inputs joined by a voltage divider. | 12-23-2010 |
20110032427 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF HALFTONE VIDEO USING A FIXED THRESHOLD - A system and method for processing video data are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes generating halftone data for a first video frame and generating halftone data for a second video frame. The method further includes, to reduce at least one visual artifact, selectively copying the halftone data for the first video frame into the halftone data for the second video frame, the selective copying being based upon a comparison between a predetermined fixed threshold and the difference in the human visual system model-based perceptual error of the originally generated halftone data for the second video frame and the human visual system model-based perceptual error of the halftone data for the second video frame after the copying is done. | 02-10-2011 |
20110044496 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MULTISTATE INTERFEROMETRIC LIGHT MODULATION - A multi-state light modulator comprises a first reflector. A first electrode is positioned at a distance from the first reflector. A second reflector is positioned between the first reflector and the first electrode. The second reflector is movable between an undriven position, a first driven position, and a second driven position, each having a corresponding distance from the first reflector. In one embodiment, the three positions correspond to reflecting white light, being non-reflective, and reflecting a selected color of light. Another embodiment is a method of making the light modulator. Another embodiment is a display including the light modulator. | 02-24-2011 |
20110053304 | METHOD OF MAKING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH A CURVED BACKPLATE - A package is made of a transparent substrate having an interferometric modulator and a back plate. A non-hermetic seal joins the back plate to the substrate to form a package, and a desiccant resides inside the package. A method of packaging an interferometric modulator includes providing a transparent substrate and manufacturing an interferometric modulator array on a backside of the substrate. A back plate includes a curved portion relative to the substrate. The curved portion is substantially throughout the back plate. The back plate is sealed to the backside of the substrate with a back seal in ambient conditions, thereby forming a package. | 03-03-2011 |
20110095973 | INTERFEROMETRIC MODULATOR ARRAY WITH INTEGRATED MEMS ELECTRICAL SWITCHES - An iterferometric modulator array is integrated with collapsible cavity MEMS electrical switches. The electrical switches may have similar physical geometry as the display elements. The switches may form row or column select functions for the display. | 04-28-2011 |
20110115762 | MEMS DEVICES HAVING OVERLYING SUPPORT STRUCTURES AND METHODS OF FABRICATING THE SAME - Embodiments of MEMS devices comprise a conductive movable layer spaced apart from a conductive fixed layer by a gap, and supported by rigid support structures, or rivets, overlying depressions in the conductive movable layer, or by posts underlying depressions in the conductive movable layer. In certain embodiments, portions of the rivet structures extend through the movable layer and contact underlying layers. In other embodiments, the material used to form the rigid support structures may also be used to passivate otherwise exposed electrical leads in electrical connection with the MEMS devices, protecting the electrical leads from damage or other interference. | 05-19-2011 |
20110188109 | ELECTROMECHANICAL DEVICE WITH OPTICAL FUNCTION SEPARATED FROM MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL FUNCTION - A microelectromechanical (MEMS) device includes a substrate, a movable element over the substrate, and an actuation electrode above the movable element. The movable element includes a deformable layer and a reflective element. The deformable layer is spaced from the reflective element. | 08-04-2011 |
20110199669 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING INTERFEROMETRIC OPTICAL MODULATORS AND DIFFUSERS - Various embodiments include interferometric optical modulators comprising a substrate layer having a thickness between about 0.1 mm to about 0.45 mm thick and a method for manufacturing the same. The interferometric modulator can be integrated together with a diffuser in a display device. The thin substrate permits use of a thicker diffuser. The thinner substrate may increase resolution and reduce overall thickness of the inteferometric modulator. The thicker diffuser may provide increased diffusion and durability. | 08-18-2011 |
20110205197 | ELECTROMECHANICAL DEVICES HAVING SUPPORT STRUCTURES AND METHODS OF FABRICATING THE SAME - Embodiments of MEMS devices comprise a conductive movable layer spaced apart from a conductive fixed layer by a gap, and supported by rigid support structures, or rivets, overlying depressions in the conductive movable layer, or by posts underlying depressions in the conductive movable layer. In certain embodiments, both rivets and posts may be used. In certain embodiments, these support structures are formed from rigid inorganic materials, such as metals or oxides. In certain embodiments, etch barriers may also be deposited to facilitate the use of materials in the formation of support structures which are not selectively etchable with respect to other components within the MEMS device. | 08-25-2011 |
20110234603 | CONDUCTIVE BUS STRUCTURE FOR INTERFEROMETRIC MODULATOR ARRAY - Embodiments of an interferometric modulator are disclosed having various enhancements and features including a conductive bus. In certain embodiments, the interferometric modulator has a first conductive layer suspended over a second electrode layer. In certain embodiments, a second conductive layer is provided over the first conductive layer. One of the first and/or second conductive buses may further connect to the first electrode layer and/or the second electrode layer. Other disclosed features can be incorporated into embodiments of the interferometric modulator to improve response time, power consumption, and image resolution. | 09-29-2011 |
20110290552 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PACKAGING MEMS DEVICES WITH INCORPORATED GETTER - Methods and systems for packaging MEMS devices such as interferometric modulator arrays are disclosed. One embodiment of a MEMS device package structure includes a seal with a chemically reactant getter. Another embodiment of a MEMS device package comprises a primary seal with a getter, and a secondary seal proximate an outer periphery of the primary seal. Yet another embodiment of a MEMS device package comprises a getter positioned inside the MEMS device package and proximate an inner periphery of the package seal. | 12-01-2011 |
20120001962 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ILLUMINATING INTERFEROMETRIC MODULATORS USING BACKLIGHTING - An interferometric modulator array device with backlighting is disclosed. The interferometric modulator array device includes a plurality of interferometric modulator elements. Each of the interferometric modulator elements includes an optical cavity. The interferometric modulator array includes an optical aperture region, and at least one reflecting element is positioned so as to receive light passing through the optical aperture region and reflect at least a portion of the received light to the cavities of the interferometric modulator elements. The interferometric modulator elements may be separated from each other such that an optical aperture region is formed between adjacent interferometric modulator elements. | 01-05-2012 |
20120002266 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PACKAGING A SUBSTRATE - A package structure and method of packaging for an interferometric modulator. A thin film material is deposited over an interferometric modulator and transparent substrate to encapsulate the interferometric modulator. A gap or cavity between the interferometric modulator and the thin film provides a space in which mechanical parts of the interferometric modulator may move. The gap is created by removal of a sacrificial layer that is deposited over the interferometric modulator. | 01-05-2012 |
20120069232 | CURVILINEAR CAMERA LENS AS MONITOR COVER PLATE - Disclosed are various implementations of a camera lens that can be positioned between a display device and a user viewing the display device. The camera lens can be transparent to allow such viewing by the user, and also be configured to capture light rays from the user and turn such rays to an imaging sensor to form an image of the user. Such turning of light rays can be achieved by curved features formed on the camera lens. In some implementations, the camera lens is a substantially flat layer having such curved features. Various examples of the curved features are disclosed. Also disclosed are systems and methods for enhancing the image of the user in situations where a portion of a display being viewed is captured by the camera lens and combines with the image of the user. | 03-22-2012 |
20120092396 | LUMINANCE BALANCING - A composite display is disclosed. In some embodiments, a composite display comprises a paddle configured to sweep out an area and a plurality of pixel elements mounted on the paddle. Selectively activating one or more of the plurality of pixel elements while the paddle sweeps the area causes at least a portion of an image to be rendered. In some embodiments, a characteristic of at least one pixel element of the plurality of pixel elements that is associated with balancing luminance across at least a portion of the composite display associated with the paddle is based at least in part on a radial distance of the one pixel element from an axis of rotation of the paddle. | 04-19-2012 |
20120099177 | SPATIAL LIGHT MODULATOR WITH INTEGRATED OPTICAL COMPENSATION STRUCTURE - A spatial light modulator comprises an integrated optical compensation structure, e.g., an optical compensation structure arranged between a substrate and a plurality of individually addressable light-modulating elements, or an optical compensation structure located on the opposite side of the light-modulating elements from the substrate. The individually addressable light-modulating elements are configured to modulate light transmitted through or reflected from the transparent substrate. Methods for making such spatial light modulators involve fabricating an optical compensation structure over a substrate and fabricating a plurality of individually addressable light-modulating elements over the optical compensation structure. The optical compensation structure may be a passive optical compensation structure. The optical compensation structure may include one or more of a supplemental frontlighting source, a diffuser, a black mask, a diffractive optical element, a color filter, an anti-reflective layer, a structure that scatters light, a microlens array, and a holographic film. | 04-26-2012 |
20120127556 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PACKAGING A DISPLAY - A package structure and method of packaging for an interferometric modulator. A transparent substrate having an interferometric modulator formed thereon is provided. A backplane is joined to the transparent substrate with a seal where the interferometric modulator is exposed to the surrounding environment through an opening in either the backplane or the seal. The opening is sealed after the transparent substrate and backplane are joined and after any desired desiccant, release material, and/or self-aligning monolayer is introduced into the package structure. | 05-24-2012 |
20120139976 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MULTISTATE INTERFEROMETRIC LIGHT MODULATION - A multi-state light modulator comprises a first reflector. A first electrode is positioned at a distance from the first reflector. A second reflector is positioned between the first reflector and the first electrode. The second reflector is movable between an undriven position, a first driven position, and a second driven position, each having a corresponding distance from the first reflector. In one embodiment, the three positions correspond to reflecting white light, being non-reflective, and reflecting a selected color of light. Another embodiment is a method of making the light modulator. Another embodiment is a display including the light modulator. | 06-07-2012 |
20120169743 | MICROELECTROMECHANICAL DEVICE WITH THERMAL EXPANSION BALANCING LAYER OR STIFFENING LAYER - An interferometric modulating device is provided with a thermal expansion balancing layer on a side of the movable flexible layer opposite the movable reflector such that when temperature changes the distance between the movable reflector and the optical stack does not change significantly, thereby leading to stable color. Additionally, an interferometric modulating device is provided with a stiffening layer between the movable flexible layer and the movable reflector and at least one hollow void exists on the surface where the movable reflector and the stiffening layer contact each other so that the movable reflector is more rigid to bending, thereby reducing the temperature sensitivity of the movable reflector. | 07-05-2012 |
20120199949 | High Density Metal-Insulator-Metal Trench Capacitor - Higher capacitance density is achieved by increasing a surface area of a capacitor. A larger surface area may be obtained by forming isotropic ball shapes (a concave surface) in the trenches on the semiconductor die. The concave surfaces are fabricated by depositing bilayers of amorphous-silicon and silicon oxide. Openings are patterned in the silicon oxide hard mask for trenches. The openings are transferred to the amorphous-silicon layers through isotropic etching to form concave surfaces. Conducting, insulating, and conducting layers are deposited on the concave surfaces of the trenches by atomic layer deposition. | 08-09-2012 |
20120256819 | INTERFEROMETRIC MODULATOR ARRAY WITH INTEGRATED MEMS ELECTRICAL SWITCHES - An array of display elements, such as interferometric modulators, is integrated with collapsible cavity microelectromechanical system (MEMS) electrical switches. The electrical switches and the display elements may be at least partially formed with the same manufacturing operations. The switches may form row or column select functions for the display elements. | 10-11-2012 |
20130027440 | ENHANCED GRAYSCALE METHOD FOR FIELD-SEQUENTIAL COLOR ARCHITECTURE OF REFLECTIVE DISPLAYS - A field-sequential color architecture is included in a reflective mode display. The reflective mode display may be a direct-view display such as an interferometric modulator display. The reflective mode display may include three or more different subpixel types, each of which corresponds to a color. Data for each color may be written sequentially to all subpixels of the display. Flashing of a corresponding colored light, e.g., from a front light of the display, may be timed to immediately follow a process of writing data for that color. Colors other than the field color may be used to produce grayscale. The field color may correspond to the most significant bit (MSB) and the other colors may correspond to other bits. | 01-31-2013 |
20130027444 | FIELD-SEQUENTIAL COLOR ARCHITECTURE OF REFLECTIVE MODE MODULATOR - A field-sequential color architecture is included in a reflective mode display. The reflective mode display may be a direct-view display such as an interferometric modulator display. In some implementations, the reflective mode display may include three or more different subpixel types, each of which corresponds to a color. In some such implementations, the colors include primary colors. Data for each color may be written sequentially to subpixels for that color, while subpixels of the remaining colors are written to black. Alternatively, data for each color may be written sequentially to all subpixels of the display. Flashing of a corresponding colored light, e.g., from a front light of the display, may be timed to immediately follow a process of writing data for that color. | 01-31-2013 |
20130063415 | BACKPLATE INTERCONNECT WITH INTEGRATED PASSIVES - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for manufacturing display devices having electronic components mounted within a display device package. In one aspect, the electronic component connects to the exterior of the display device through pads that run below a seal that holds a substrate and a backplate of the display device together. In another aspect the electronic components also connect to an electromechanical device within the display device, as well as connecting to pads that are external to the display device. | 03-14-2013 |
20130069958 | ELECTROMECHANICAL DEVICE WITH OPTICAL FUNCTION SEPARATED FROM MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL FUNCTION - A microelectromechanical (MEMS) device includes a substrate, a movable element over the substrate, and an actuation electrode above the movable element. The movable element includes a deformable layer and a reflective element. The deformable layer is spaced from the reflective element. | 03-21-2013 |
20130135271 | DRIVE SCHEME FOR A DISPLAY - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for writing a display image to a display having an array of pixels according to a selected driving sequence. In one aspect, display elements in a row are driven using a tall and narrow voltage pulse. This allows display elements of a row to be driven in a shorter line time. | 05-30-2013 |
20130176518 | BACK-TO-BACK DISPLAYS - Two-sided, back-to-back displays are formed by sealing the backplates of two displays against one another. Mechanical parameters of the backplates, e.g., stiffness and strength, do not meet the requirements for standalone one-sided displays which are otherwise similar to the two displays. However, when sealed against one another, the backplates reinforce each other to meet or exceed the requirements for both one-sided and two-sided displays. The presence of backplates on each of the constituent one-sided displays allows one or both of those displays to be individually tested, thereby increasing the production yield of the back-to-back displays. The display elements of the displays can comprise interferometric modulators. | 07-11-2013 |
20130212859 | METHODS OF MANUFACTURING ILLUMINATION SYSTEMS - Methods of manufacturing light panels having at least one re-entrant turning feature. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a light panel includes providing a base layer, providing a cover layer, and coupling the cover layer to the base layer to form at least one re-entrant turning feature between the base layer and the cover layer. In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a light panel includes providing a base layer, forming at least one receiving space in the base layer, providing at least one prismatic block, and coupling at least a portion of the prismatic block into the receiving space such that re-entrant turning features are formed between the prismatic block and the base layer. | 08-22-2013 |
20130300439 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF SENSING ACTUATION AND RELEASE VOLTAGES OF AN INTERFEROMETRIC MODULATOR - A method for sensing the actuation and/or release voltages of a electromechanical system or a microelectromechanical device include applying a test pulse to the device and sensing its state. In one embodiment, the device is part of a system comprising an array of interferometric modulators suitable for a display. The method can be used to compensate for temperature dependent changes in display pixel characteristics. | 11-14-2013 |
20140063588 | CONDUCTIVE BUS STRUCTURE FOR INTERFEROMETRIC MODULATOR ARRAY - Embodiments of an interferometric modulator are disclosed having various enhancements and features including a conductive bus. In certain embodiments, the interferometric modulator has a first conductive layer suspended over a second electrode layer. In certain embodiments, a second conductive layer is provided over the first conductive layer. One of the first and/or second conductive buses may further connect to the first electrode layer and/or the second electrode layer. Other disclosed features can be incorporated into embodiments of the interferometric modulator to improve response time, power consumption, and image resolution. | 03-06-2014 |
20140192079 | ADAPTIVE TEMPORAL DITHER SCHEME FOR DISPLAY DEVICES - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for displaying high resolution images using an adaptive temporal dithering scheme on display devices having two or more color planes. The adaptive temporal dithering scheme includes identifying the dither visibility of an image to be displayed by the color planes and adaptively applying temporal dithering to the color plane having the highest dither visibility. In one aspect, temporal dithering can be adaptively applied between two different color planes on a frame-by-frame basis based at least partly on the dither visibility of the image content. | 07-10-2014 |