Pixtronix, Inc Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160117993 | IMAGE FORMATION IN A SEGMENTED DISPLAY - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for forming an image on a display in a display device including a plurality of backlight segments. Each backlight segment is capable of illuminating a respective illumination display segment of a plurality of illumination display segments. In one aspect, a controller associated with the display device is capable of decomposing an image frame into a plurality of frame segments to be displayed on the plurality of illumination display segments. The controller can determine a separate frame segment specific contributing color (FSSCC) for each frame segment based on content of the respective frame segment and a criterion limiting the color difference between a pair of FSSCCs based on the spatial proximity of the respective display regions. The controller can display the image frame according to the plurality of determined FSSCCs. | 04-28-2016 |
20160117968 | DISPLAY INCORPORATING DYNAMIC SATURATION COMPENSATING GAMUT MAPPING - This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for generating images on a display. A multi-primary display can include control logic that converts input image data into the multi-primary color space employed by the display by mapping the input pixel values into the XYZ color space according to a gamut mapping function and then decomposing the XYZ tristimulus values into color subfields associated with the display's primary colors. For example, such a process can be used to covert image frames encoded in an RGB color space into a RGBW color space. In some implementations, the control logic can adapt the gamut mapping and/or the decomposition processes based on a saturation level of the image being processed. | 04-28-2016 |
20160086574 | ADAPTIVE FLICKER CONTROL - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for reducing flicker in display devices. In some image formation processes, a controller can form an image by utilizing a set of color subfields and displaying subframes associated with each of the color subfields. In some implementations, the controller can determine a critical flicker frequency (CFF) associated with each subframe. The CFF for a subframe of a color is the minimum frequency at which the subframe of that color must be illuminated to avoid the perception of flicker by a viewer. If the CFF for any subframe is above an illumination frequency for that subframe, then the controller can employ flicker mitigation measures to reduce the perception of flicker of the subframe. In some implementations, the controller may carry out flicker mitigating measures such as dividing the display of subframes based on environmental factors such as ambient light. | 03-24-2016 |
20160086529 | DISPLAY APPARATUS INCORPORATING AMBIENT LIGHT DEPENDENT SUBFRAME DIVISION - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for reducing flicker in display devices. In some image formation processes, a controller can form an image by utilizing a set of color subfields in displaying subframes associated with each of the color subfields. In some implementations, the controller may determine whether to divide or split the display of certain subframes based on environmental factors such as ambient light with or without concern for flicker. In some implementations, the controller may determine to divide or split the display of an x-channel subframe based on the ambient light. The controller can monitor the ambient light levels via an ambient light sensor, and compare the ambient light level to an ambient light threshold. If the ambient light levels go below the ambient light threshold, the controller can employ subframe division or splitting. | 03-24-2016 |
20160077640 | DISPLAY APPARATUS INCORPORATING TOUCH SENSORS FORMED FROM LIGHT-BLOCKING MATERIALS - This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for incorporating a touch sensor into a display device. In one aspect, a display device can be formed from two opposing substrates coupled by an edge seal. An aperture plate can be fabricated on a rear surface of the front substrate. Apertures corresponding to display elements can be formed through the aperture plate. Conductive layers can be deposited over the rear surface of the front substrate and patterned to form portions of a capacitive touch sensor. The conductive layers also can be patterned to include apertures aligned with the apertures formed in the aperture plate. The apertures formed through the conductive layers may permit the conductive layers to be formed from light-blocking material without substantially impacting the optical quality of the display. | 03-17-2016 |
20160077327 | LIGHT MODULATORS INCORPORATING CENTRALLY ANCHORED DRIVE ELECTRODES - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for reducing actuation voltage and switch time for an electrostatic actuator capable of actuating a light modulator. In one aspect, a light modulator can be formed on a substrate. The light modulator can include an electrostatic actuator. The electrostatic actuator can include a load beam electrode coupled to a shutter of the light modulator, and a drive beam electrode. The drive beam electrode can have a front end and a rear end. An anchor can be coupled to the drive beam and positioned away from the front end and the rear end. | 03-17-2016 |
20160018636 | DISPLAY DEVICE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD OF SAME - [Problem] An object of the present invention is to electrically connect a substrate and an opposing substrate. [Resolving Means] A display device includes a first substrate | 01-21-2016 |
20160018635 | DISPLAY DEVICE - [Problem] To provide a display device with a more uniform and wider view angle not dependent upon orientation. | 01-21-2016 |
20160005361 | DISPLAY DEVICE - [PROBLEM] To provide substantially the same voltage to a shutter electrode and a pair of control electrodes, and to prevent degradation of the mechanical shutter, during a discharge period in a movable shutter system in an image display device. [RESOLUTION MEANS] A plurality of pixels are provided each having a mechanical shutter, wherein the mechanical shutter comprises a shutter electrode and first and second control electrodes provided in a pair with respect to the shutter electrode; and the display device displays images by electrically controlling a position of the shutter electrode; wherein the display device comprises a discharge period and a display period, and in the display period, a low voltage drive voltage of VL, or a high voltage drive voltage of VH with a voltage higher than the low voltage drive voltage of VL, is supplied to the shutter electrode, the first control electrode, and the second control electrode, and |Vs−Vp | 01-07-2016 |
20150325180 | Fast Symmetric Drive Pixel Circuits And Methods - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for addressing an array of pixels in a display. In one aspect, an electromechanical device includes an array of pixels and control circuitry including, for each pixel in the array of pixels, a first switch coupled to a first node for discharging an accumulated charge across the first node, a second switch coupled to a second node for discharging an accumulated charge across the second node, and a third switch coupled to the first switch, the second switch and a third node, the third switch capable of discharging an accumulated charge across the third node. In certain implementations, a method for addressing an array of pixels in a display is provided including charging a first and second node to an actuate voltage, charging a third node to a V | 11-12-2015 |
20150318308 | LOW TEMPERATURE POLYCRYSTALLINE SILICON BACKPLANE WITH COATED APERTURE EDGES - This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for forming a display apparatus. In some implementations, a conductive material used for the formation of terminal contacts of a transistor can be also used to form a light absorbing coating over sidewalls of a plurality of apertures formed in an aperture layer of a display apparatus. In some implementations, the conductive material can be patterned such that the display apparatus also includes front facing light absorbing coating over the aperture layer. In some implementations, the front facing light absorbing coating can be electrically connected to a shutter assembly formed over the aperture layer. | 11-05-2015 |
20150317935 | DISPLAY CIRCUIT INCORPORATING DATA FEEDBACK LOOP - This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for providing pixel circuits for controlling the state of operation of light modulators in a display device. The state of operation of the light modulator can be controlled by the pixel circuit based on a data voltage stored in a data storage element of the pixel circuit. The pixel circuit includes an actuation circuit for providing an actuation voltage to the light modulator and a feedback circuit for providing a positive feedback voltage from an output node of the actuation circuit to an input node of the actuation circuit. In some implementations, the feedback circuit includes the data storage element connected between the input node and the output node. | 11-05-2015 |
20150301332 | ENCAPSULATED SPACERS FOR ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS DISPLAY APPARATUS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for displaying images. A display apparatus includes display elements formed on a transparent substrate. An elevated aperture layer (EAL) is fabricated over the display elements. An opposing substrate is coupled to the transparent substrate, with the display elements and the EAL positioned between the two substrates. To prevent the opposing substrate from coming into contact with the EAL and potentially damaging the EAL or the display elements, a spacer is built from the same materials used to form the display elements and the EAL. The spacer extends to a distance above the transparent substrate beyond upper surface of the EAL and encapsulates layers of polymer material used in creating a mold for the EAL. | 10-22-2015 |
20150194089 | CASCODE DRIVER CIRCUIT - This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for providing a cascode driver circuit for providing positive and negative polarities of two or more voltages at an output node. The voltages provided by the cascode driver circuit can be used to provide voltages to various interconnects and terminals of the display apparatus. The cascode driver circuit includes a first circuit for providing a positive polarity of two or more voltages to an output node via a first set of cascode transistors and a second circuit for providing negative polarities of the two or more voltages via a second set of cascode transistors. The driver circuit includes body-effect mitigation circuitry for reducing the impact of body-effect on the performance of the driver circuit. The driver circuit also includes circuitry for reducing substrate leakage current. | 07-09-2015 |
20150192634 | DISPLAY APPARATUS INCLUDING DUMMY DISPLAY ELEMENT FOR TFT TESTING - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a display apparatus including dummy display elements that can be switched between being coupled to a test bus and a drive bus. When connected to the drive bus, the circuit components, including thin-film transistors, of the dummy display element experience exposure to typical operating loads. When connected to the test bus, the display apparatus can test the operating parameters of the dummy display element circuit components. | 07-09-2015 |
20150187239 | DISPLAY APPARATUS INCORPORATING CORRUGATED BEAM ACTUATORS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for shutter-based EMS light modulators controlled by electrode actuators that include complementary sets of corrugations or teeth along the opposing beams of the actuators. The complementary sets of corrugations substantially engage one another when drawn together via an actuation voltage. By applying the actuation voltage across the opposing beams of such an actuator, the beams are drawn together both by the electromotive force resulting from the electric field acting between the portions of the beams that are substantially perpendicular to the direction of actuation of the actuator, and by fringing fields between the sides of the corrugations, which are substantially parallel to the direction of actuation. The additional fringing fields provide for increased electromotive force for a given input voltage. | 07-02-2015 |
20150185466 | SHUTTER-BASED LIGHT MODULATORS INCORPORATING TIERED BACKPLANE SLOT STRUCTURES - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a MEMS display apparatus incorporating a tiered backplane slot structure. The backplane can include two or more light-blocking layers defining optical windows and positioned at different heights. Light can pass through the optical windows of the display apparatus at an angle. In some implementations, the angle can be based on the index of refraction of a transparent material inside the display apparatus. The transmission of off-axis and on-axis light can be improved by varying the widths of the optical windows in each layer of the backplane. In some implementations, the difference in the widths of optical windows of adjacent layers can be substantially equal to the separation distance between the layers. | 07-02-2015 |
20150154920 | HUE SEQUENTIAL DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHOD - This disclosure provides systems, methods, non-transitory computer readable storage media, and apparatus for displaying images using hue-based frame-specific contributing colors (FSCCs). In one aspect, an input is configured to receive image data corresponding to a current image frame. Contributing color selection logic is configured, based on received image data, to obtain a set of FSCCs for use in conjunction with a set of frame-independent contributing colors (FICCs) to generate the current or a subsequent image frame on a display. The set of FSCCs are obtained from determining the dominant hues in the image frame. The image frame is displayed such that subframes associated with displaying the FSCCs have weights that are greater than the subframes associated with displaying the FICCs. | 06-04-2015 |
20150138617 | DISPLAY DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME - Provided is a display device, including: a sealing member including an opening and surrounding a space defined by a pair of light transmissive substrates; an end seal for closing the opening of the sealing member to form an encapsulation space; oil filled in the encapsulation space; a spacer for maintaining an interval between the pair of light transmissive substrates; a shutter; a drive portion arranged in the oil, for mechanically driving the shutter; and a wall portion formed on at least one of opposed surfaces of the pair of light transmissive substrates. The wall portion includes a part arranged at a position interrupting a shortest path between the opening of the sealing member and a display region. The wall portion is made of a material forming the spacer, the shutter, and the drive portion. | 05-21-2015 |
20150116297 | CIRCUITS AND METHODS FOR SWITCHING OF MEMS SYSTEMS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for addressing an array of pixels in a display. In one aspect, an electromechanical device includes a movable element coupled between a first and second actuator, and a charge distribution circuit arranged to electronically couple the first actuator to the second actuator and capable of equalizing a potential between the first actuator and the second actuator. In certain implementation, a method for addressing an array of pixels in a display, where a given pixel in the array of pixels includes a light modulator coupled between first and second actuator capacitors, includes equalizing a potential between the first actuator capacitor and the second actuator capacitor prior to discharging and re-charging the actuator capacitors. Equalizing a potential may include transferring charge from one actuator capacitor to another actuator capacitor until the voltage across each actuator capacitor is approximately equal. | 04-30-2015 |
20150108479 | THIN-FILM TRANSISTORS INCORPORATED INTO THREE DIMENSIONAL MEMS STRUCTURES - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for forming electromechanical systems (EMS) displays where the area of a substrate occupied by a pixel circuit can be reduced if portions of the pixel circuit can be built in three dimensions. In some aspects, certain EMS displays can incorporate structures that are substantially normal to the surface of a substrate. Incorporating circuit components, such as transistors, into such structures, can reduce the area they occupy within the plane of the substrate. In some aspects, the components of a transistor can be fabricated directly into a MEMS anchor that supports a light modulator or a portion of an actuator over the substrate. In some other aspects, the transistor can be fabricated on one or more sidewalls of any MEMS structure. | 04-23-2015 |
20150103387 | SHUTTER-BASED LIGHT MODULATORS INCORPORATING INTEGRATED SIDEWALL REFLECTORS - This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for a MEMS display incorporating integrated sidewall reflectors. The display can include a light blocking component suspended over a substrate. The light blocking component can include an aperture in its surface that is parallel to the substrate. The display can include one or more sidewall reflectors positioned within the aperture. The one or more sidewall reflectors can be arranged at least partially normal to the surface of the light blocking component. Light that is directed through the aperture can be reflected off of the sidewall reflectors to escape from the display at a higher angle than would otherwise be possible. | 04-16-2015 |
20150091932 | DISPLAY APPARATUS CONFIGURED FOR DISPLAY OF LOWER RESOLUTION COMPOSITE COLOR SUBFIELDS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for improving power efficiency of display devices. In some implementations, a display controller receives data indicative of a plurality of pixel values included in an image frame and derives a plurality of initial component color subfields. The display controller then derives a composite color subfield including a plurality of common composite color intensity values assigned to respective pixel blocks. Each pixel block is associated with a plurality of pixels. The display controller derives a plurality of updated component color subfields based on the initial component color subfields and the composite color subfield. | 04-02-2015 |
20150091911 | MOVABLE MEMS ELEMENT WITH STICTION MITIGATING SPRING - Systems, methods and methods of manufacture for, among other things, a MEMS device may be provided with a pair of electrodes that are separated by a gap. At least one of the electrodes is movable toward the other electrode. The MEMS device may include a beam that is positioned within the gap and arranged between the electrodes. As the movable electrode moves toward the other electrode, a portion of the MEMS device also moves towards, comes into contact with, and deflects the beam. As the beam deflects, it applies a force upon the MEMS device that opposes the movement of electrode toward the other electrode. | 04-02-2015 |
20150055205 | MEMS DISPLAY INCORPORATING EXTENDED HEIGHT ACTUATORS - This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for a MEMS display incorporating extended height actuators. A light modulating component can be positioned between a substrate and an opposing surface coupled to the substrate. A suspended electrode can be coupled to the light modulating component and suspended between the substrate and the opposing surface. An extended-height electrode can be positioned immediately adjacent to the suspended electrode, and can extend from the substrate up to a height beyond the height of the suspended electrode. The suspended electrode and the extended-height electrode can be configured to move the light modulating component laterally with respect to the substrate. | 02-26-2015 |
20150049122 | Display Apparatus Configured For Image Formation With Variable Subframes - This disclosure provides systems, methods, non-transitory computer readable media and apparatus for improving power efficiency of display devices. Control logic of a display device can reduce a number of subframes used to display a series of image frames. In some implementations, the control logic can detect a scene change in the series of image frames and reduce the number of subframes utilized for displaying a following image frame. Subsequently, the control logic can monotonically increase the number of subframes utilized for displaying a first set of successive image frames. In some implementations, the control logic may monotonically increase the number of subframes for a first set of image frames and then monotonically decrease the number of subframes for a second set of image frames. | 02-19-2015 |
20140333598 | Display Apparatus Incorporating Varying Threshold Voltage Transistors - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for controlling pixels of a display apparatus. An apparatus including a plurality of pixels can be controlled by a control matrix. The control matrix includes for each pixel a first transistor that has a first threshold voltage and a second transistor that has a second threshold voltage. A single data interconnect provides a common data voltage to the first and second transistors to control the states of corresponding first and second light modulators. | 11-13-2014 |
20140327948 | DISPLAY ELEMENTS INCORPORATING ASYMMETRIC APERTURES - This, disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for improving the angular light distribution of a display apparatus. Smaller shutter-based display apparatus that modulate light passing through at least two apertures in an aperture or light blocking layer can provide similar viewing angle characteristics as larger shutter-based modulators by disproportionately reducing the width of a subset of the at least two apertures in relation to the remainder of the apertures. As the width of such apertures is one of the primary determinants of viewing angle, allowing a greater percentage of the light throughput of a shutter assembly to pass through wider apertures helps maintain a wider viewing angle for the display. | 11-06-2014 |
20140292738 | DISPLAY ELEMENT PIXEL CIRCUIT WITH VOLTAGE EQUALIZATION - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for improving the reliability of dual actuator light modulators by equalizing voltages provided to the two actuators of the light modulator. A pixel circuit for driving the dual actuator light modulator can include a data loading circuit coupled to an actuation circuit. The data loading circuit is utilized to store data received from a controller for a pixel associated with the light modulator. The actuation circuit is utilized to control a first actuator and a second actuator of the dual actuator light modulator based on the data stored by the data loading circuit. The actuation circuit includes a first stabilization capacitor and the second stabilization capacitor for stabilizing voltages provided to the first and second actuators. The actuation circuit also includes an equalization switch for equalizing voltages provided to the first and second actuators. | 10-02-2014 |
20140268294 | MEMS SHUTTER ASSEMBLIES FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION DISPLAYS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for generating images using dual-shutter shutter assemblies. Such shutter assemblies include two shutters that move over a common aperture to selectively obstruct the passage of light there through. In the closed position, portions of one of the shutters overlaps a portion of the other shutter to provide such light obstruction without the two shutters needing to come into contact. | 09-18-2014 |
20140268293 | Display Apparatus with Narrow Gap Electrostatic Actuators - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for incorporating tip-gap adjustment features (TGAF) in actuators of shutter assemblies. The TGAF are incorporated into a drive beam of the actuator during the formation of the shutter assembly over a mold. The TGAF are configured such that they develop a mechanical stress or stress gradient. When the shutter assembly is released from the mold, the stress or stress gradient in the TGAF bend the drive beam such that a tip-gap between the drive beam and a load beam of the actuator is reduced. The reduced tip-gap, in turn, reduces an actuation voltage needed to actuate the shutter assembly. | 09-18-2014 |
20140268292 | MULTI-STATE SHUTTER ASSEMBLIES HAVING SEGMENTED DRIVE ELECTRODE SETS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus incorporating display elements having light modulators that can operate in more than two states. In some implementations, the light modulator assembly includes an electrostatic actuator that includes a load electrode coupled to a shutter and a drive electrode set positioned proximate to the load electrode. The drive electrode set includes a plurality of discrete portions that are configured to drive the light modulator assembly to a plurality of different light modulator states. In some such implementations, the portions of the drive electrode set are positioned opposite to corresponding regions of the load electrode. In some implementations, the portions are arranged such that the portions are configured to electrostatically engage with adjacent regions of the load electrode. | 09-18-2014 |
20140268275 | DISPLAY APPARATUS INCORPORATING AN INTERCONNECT-SUPPORTING ELEVATED APERTURE LAYER - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for displaying images. Some such apparatus include a transparent substrate, a display element formed on the substrate, a light blocking elevated aperture layer (EAL) supported over the substrate by an anchor formed on the substrate, and an electrical interconnect disposed on the EAL for carrying an electrical signal to the display element. The electrical interconnect can include one or more of a data voltage interconnect, a scan-line interconnect or a global interconnect. In some implementations, a dielectric layer can separate the electrical interconnect from the EAL. The EAL can include an aperture formed through it that corresponds to the display element. In some implementations, a second electrical interconnect disposed on the substrate can be electrically coupled to a plurality of display elements. | 09-18-2014 |
20140268274 | Display Apparatus Incorporating an Elevated Aperture Layer and Methods of Manufacturing the Same - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for displaying images. Some such apparatus include an array of display elements coupled to a substrate and an elevated aperture layer (EAL) suspended over the array of display elements. The EAL is coupled to the substrate, and includes, for each of the display elements, at least one aperture for allowing passage of light therethrough. Methods for manufacturing such apparatus include at least one of forming etch holes through the EAL, employing an at least partially sublimatable sacrificial mold, employing a two phase release process, and releasing the apparatus such that a portion of a sacrificial mold remains surrounding portions of the apparatus. | 09-18-2014 |
20140268273 | INTEGRATED ELEVATED APERTURE LAYER AND DISPLAY APPARATUS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for displaying images. One such apparatus includes a substrate, an elevated aperture layer (EAL) defining a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, a plurality of anchors for supporting the EAL over the substrate and a plurality of display elements positioned between the substrate and the EAL. Each of the display elements may correspond to at least one respective aperture of the plurality of apertures defined by the EAL. Each display element also includes a movable portion supported over the substrate by a corresponding anchor supporting the EAL over the substrate. In some implementations, one or more light dispersion elements may be disposed in optical paths passing through the apertures defined by the EAL. | 09-18-2014 |
20140268272 | MEMS SHUTTER ASSEMBLIES FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION DISPLAYS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing compact shutter assemblies. Shutter assemblies can be formed in a more compact fashion, allowing for higher pixel-per-inch displays, by incorporating shutters that during actuation pass over or under portions of the actuators that control those shutters. | 09-18-2014 |
20140267445 | Display Apparatus Configured For Selective Illumination of Image Subframes - Systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed herein for displaying images. One such apparatus includes an input, subfield derivation logic, subframe generation logic, dark subframe detection logic, and output logic. The input is configured to receive image data associated with an image frame. The subfield derivation logic is configured to derive at least one color subfield for the received image frame. The subframe generation logic is configured to generate a plurality of subframes for each of the at least one derived color subfields. The dark subframe detection logic is configured to identify dark subframes. The output logic is configured to, in response to identification of a dark subframe, suppress the outputting of the dark subframe and to modify a display parameter associated with at least one other subframe based on a timing value associated with the identified dark subframe. | 09-18-2014 |
20140267360 | OPERATING SYSTEM-RESIDENT DISPLAY MODULE PARAMETER SELECTION SYSTEM - A display module parameter selection system is presented. A processor can be coupled to a display. The processor can be configured to execute software applications, each having corresponding graphical output specifications. The processor can execute a display control module resident in an operating system. The display control module can maintain an application data structure to store the corresponding graphical output specifications of each of the plurality of software applications. The display control module can maintain a display capability data structure to store a plurality of settings for each of the variable display parameters. In response to one of the plurality of software applications being launched, the display control module can process data stored in the application data structure and the display capability data structure to generate a set of display parameter settings to output to the display module for use in outputting graphical output from the launched application. | 09-18-2014 |
20140267331 | DISPLAY APPARATUS INCORPORATING DUAL-LEVEL SHUTTERS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for modulating light to form an image on a display, as well as methods manufacturing such apparatus. The display apparatus includes dual-level shutter assemblies. Each dual-level shutter assembly includes front and rear light obstructing levels positioned adjacent to respective front and rear light blocking layers. The front and rear light blocking layers define apertures providing optical paths from a backlight to the front of the display. The dual-level shutters selectively obstruct these optical paths to generate an image. | 09-18-2014 |
20140267314 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MICROBUBBLE GENERATION IN A LIQUID-FILLED DISPLAY - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a display including a fluid-filled cavity. The display can include a plurality of light modulators, and a viewable portion and a non-viewable portion. A bubble generator can be positioned within the non-viewable portion of the cavity and arranged to form a bubble within the non-viewable portion. The non-viewable portion of the display may include a region in which a bubble or bubbles are generated and allowed to move. The display may include a controller arranged to control the operation of the bubble generator. The display also may include a temperature sensor or pressure sensor arranged to measure the temperature or pressure of the display apparatus. The controller may control the operation of the bubble generator in response to a signal from either the temperature sensor, pressure sensor, or both. | 09-18-2014 |
20140267196 | DISPLAY APPARATUS INCORPORATING DUAL-LEVEL SHUTTERS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for modulating light to form an image on a display, as well as methods manufacturing such apparatus. The display apparatus includes shutters having asymmetric light obstructing portions extending out from opposing sides of a shutter aperture along an axis of motion of the shutter. Actuators move the shutters laterally along the axis of motion to move the shutter between fully closed, partially open, and fully open states to modulate light, thereby forming an image. | 09-18-2014 |
20140266999 | MULTI-STATE SHUTTER ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN AN ELECTRONIC DISPLAY - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a multi-state shutter assembly. The multi-state shutter assembly can be used in an electronic display. The shutter assembly can include a movable light obstructing component. The shutter assembly also can include first and second actuators configured to move the light obstructing component between three states, including a fully light obstructive state, a substantially transmissive state, and a partially transmissive state. At least one of the three states is a neutral state in which both the first and second actuators are in an unactuated state. The shutter assembly also can include a controller configured to control the first and second actuator to selectively move the light obstructing component into each of the three states. | 09-18-2014 |
20140253562 | DISPLAY APPARATUS UTILIZING INDEPENDENT CONTROL OF LIGHT SOURCES FOR UNIFORM BACKLIGHT OUTPUT - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for improving light output resolution of a backlight by individually controlling light sources in the backlight. Illumination intensity levels of light sources are individually controlled such that an overall illumination intensity level of all the light sources is substantially equal to a desired whole backlight illumination intensity value. The individual illumination levels of the light sources or a group of the light sources is controlled such that the backlight is uniformly illuminated. In some implementations, the illumination intensity levels are varied over different portions of an illumination period to provide uniform illumination of the backlight. | 09-11-2014 |
20140247293 | DISPLAY DEVICE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - Provided are a display device that can suppress occurrence of a color breakup as well as occurrence of a false contour, and a control method therefor. In the display device, a plurality of sub-frame periods forming one frame period are divided into a first group to which sub-frame periods with the same length of light transmission periods belong; and a second group to which sub-frame periods with lengths of light transmission periods shorter than those of the sub-frame periods in the first group and different from each other belong. Further, among the sub-frame periods that belong to the first group, sub-frame periods having the light transmission period increase in number from a middle of the one frame period toward a start point and an endpoint of the one frame period in accordance with an increase of the gray level. | 09-04-2014 |
20140232728 | Display Apparatus Incorporating Reflective and Absorptive Polarizers - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for reducing ambient light reflections from a surface of a display device in a power efficient manner. The display device includes a reflecting circular polarizer (RCP) and an absorbing circular polarizer (ACP) having the same polarity. The RCP provides light recycling functionality, while the ACP provides ambient light reflection suppression. In some implementations, the light generated by the display device is polarized by the RCP before it is incident on the ACP, which is located at the front of the display device. Because the polarities of the RCP and the ACP are the same, the ACP substantially passes all of the incident polarized light towards the front of the display device. | 08-21-2014 |
20140218374 | Display Apparatus Incorporating Multi-Level Shutters - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing multi-level multi-state shutter assemblies. The shutter assembly includes at least a first shutter at a first height over a substrate and a second shutter at a second height over the substrate. Both the first shutter and the second shutter can be operated in an open or closed state for passing or partially blocking light propagating through an aperture. In some implementations, the shutter assembly can operate in four states: a fully transmissive state, a fully obstructive state and two partially transmissive states based on the open or closed states of the first and second shutters. | 08-07-2014 |
20140210864 | LOW-VOLTAGE MEMS SHUTTER ASSEMBLIES - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing relatively thinner and less stiff compliant beams for a shutter assembly. A protective coating is deposited and patterned over the shutter assembly before it is released from a sacrificial mold over which the shutter assembly is formed. Because some primary surfaces of the compliant beams are in contact with the sacrificial mold, these primary surfaces are not coated with the protective coating. Therefore, when the shutter assembly is finally released, the resulting compliant beams are relatively thinner and less stiff providing a reduction in an actuation voltage used to operate the shutter assembly. In some instances, the protective coating is patterned into discontinuous segments before release. | 07-31-2014 |
20140210802 | AMBIENT LIGHT AWARE DISPLAY APPARATUS - Systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed herein for adjusting the operation of a display based on ambient lighting conditions. One such apparatus includes a sensor input for receiving sensor data indicative of an ambient lighting condition, output logic and color gamut correction logic. The output logic is configured to simultaneously cause light sources of at least two colors to be illuminated to form each of at least three generated primary colors. The color gamut correction logic is configured to cause the output logic to adjust the output of at least one display light source for each of the at least three generated primary colors to change the saturation of each of the at least three generated primary colors based on the received ambient light sensor data. | 07-31-2014 |
20140204132 | DISPLAY DEVICE - A display device includes: a light emission control part which allows a light source to emit the light having one of the plural different main wavelengths in each of plural sub frames; a display panel which controls the transmission of light in each pixel; and a display control part which controls the display panel corresponding to a gray level value with respect to the each pixel, wherein the light emitting control part performs the light emission of light having a first main wavelength in a first sub frame in accordance with a light emission amount weighted based on a time for calculation including a first interval which is a interval between the first sub frame where the first main wavelength is emitted and a second sub frame where the first main wavelength is emitted after the first sub frame. | 07-24-2014 |
20140204097 | ASYMMETRIC TRAVEL FOR MEMS LIGHT MODULATOR - Systems, apparatuses and methods are provided for increasing the aperture ratio of a display by increasing the total travel distance of respective light modulating bodies in a display while maintaining fast switching speeds. Increasing the total travel distance allows for a larger aperture ratio in a display, which provides greater power savings and increased display brightness. The total travel distance of a light modulating body includes the distance the body travels from an open position to a closed position, and vice-versa. In one example, the travel distance of a light modulating body (e.g., any of the light modulators as described above) is asymmetric: from a neutral position, the body travels a greater distance in a first direction than in a second direction. | 07-24-2014 |
20140204096 | ASYMMETRIC OVERLAP AND SUSPENDED SHUTTER STRUCTURE - Systems and methods for displays that have a moveable shutter formed on a substrate having an aperture. The shutter, in at least one position, is asymmetrically aligned over the aperture. The asymmetric alignment provides an overlap between shutter and the substrate on one side of the aperture that is larger than an overlap between the shutter and the substrate on another side of the aperture. Typically, the larger overlap increases the ability of the shutter to reduce light passing through though the aperture when then shutter is the in the at least one position. | 07-24-2014 |
20140192061 | ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS HAVING SIDEWALL BEAMS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for electromechanical systems having sidewalls beams. In one aspect, a device includes a substrate having a first electrode and a second electrode, and a movable shuttle monolithically integrated with the substrate, and having a first wall, a second wall, and a base. The first and second walls each have a first dimension at least four times larger than a second dimension. The first and second walls define substantially parallel vertical sides of the shuttle, and the base is positioned orthogonally to the first and second walls and forms a horizontal bottom of the shuttle, providing structural support to the first and second walls. The first wall and the first electrode define a first capacitor, and the second wall and the second electrode define a second capacitor. | 07-10-2014 |
20140185127 | PREVENTING GLASS PARTICLE INJECTION DURING THE OIL FILL PROCESS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for preventing particles from entering electromechanical systems (EMS) display devices. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a plate, a substrate supporting at least one EMS device, a seal joining the plate and the substrate to define a cavity therebetween and at least one port for receiving a fluid, and a filter disposed between the port and the EMS device. The filter includes elements formed on at least one of a surface of the substrate and a surface of the plate, defining a gap sized to allow the received fluid to pass and to inhibit non-fluidic particles carried in the fluid from the EMS device. | 07-03-2014 |
20140185121 | DISPLAY APPARATUS INCORPORATING HIGH-ASPECT RATIO ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for enabling a display to have a faster switching rate and an increased aperture ratio by using looped electrical interconnects with a reduced footprint. In one aspect, a display apparatus includes an array of display elements and a high-aspect ratio electrical interconnect connected to at least one display element in the array of display elements, wherein the high-aspect ratio electrical interconnect forms a loop that defines a closed boundary. | 07-03-2014 |
20140184621 | DISPLAY APPARATUS INCLUDING DUAL ACTUATION AXIS ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS LIGHT MODULATORS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for modulating light to form an image on a display. A light modulator in the display may include a substrate, a shutter, a first actuator and a second actuator. The shutter can be configured to selectively obstruct an optical path through the substrate. The first actuator can be configured to move the shutter in a first direction along a first axis in a plane substantially parallel to a plane defined by the substrate, thereby moving the shutter from a first state to a second state. The second actuator can be configured to move the shutter in a second direction along a second axis. The second axis can be substantially orthogonal to the first axis and also within a plane parallel to the substrate. In some implementations, moving the shutter along the second axis moves the shutter into a third state. | 07-03-2014 |
20140184573 | Electromechanical Systems Color Transflective Display Apparatus - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for modulating light in reflective and transmissive modes of operation. In one aspect, an apparatus may include an array of electromechanical systems (EMS) light modulators. Each light modulator can be configured to achieve at least three states, including a non-transmissive, non-reflective state, a light transmissive state in which the light modulator transmits light, and a first reflective state in which the light modulator reflects a color. | 07-03-2014 |
20140176570 | INTERFEROMETRIC LIGHT ABSORBING STRUCTURE FOR DISPLAY APPARATUS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus related to light absorbing structures. In one aspect, a light absorbing structure has a metal layer and a semiconductor layer in contact with the metal layer. Each layer has a thickness up to about 50 nm. The metal layer can include at least one of titanium (Ti), molybdenum (Mo), and aluminum (Al). The semiconductor layer can include a layer of amorphous silicon (a-Si). The light absorbing structure can be included in a display apparatus having a substrate supporting an array of display elements. The light absorbing structure can include a dielectric layer in contact with the metal layer and a thick metal layer in contact with the semiconductor layer. In another aspect, a light absorbing structure has a metal layer and an ITO layer in contact with the metal layer. The thickness of the ITO layer can be less than about 100 nm. | 06-26-2014 |
20140175909 | Systems and Methods for Supporting a Movable Element of an Electromechanical Device - An electromechanical device includes a movable body that is movable along an axis of a direction of motion. The device also includes an actuator beam and a compliant support beam arranged to support the movable body. The compliant support beam includes a first end connected to an anchor and an actuating portion extending from the anchor and in a direction that is transverse to the axis of the direction of motion and away from the anchor. The actuating portion is also arranged adjacently and spaced apart from the actuator beam. The compliant support beam also includes a connector portion that is contiguous with the actuating portion and coupled to the movable body. The connector portion extends at least partially back toward the anchor while being arranged adjacently and spaced apart from the actuating portion. | 06-26-2014 |
20140168278 | DISPLAY WITH LIGHT MODULATING PIXELS ORGANIZED IN OFF-AXIS ARRANGEMENT - Displays having a plurality of shutter assemblies with movable shutters. Typically, the shutter assemblies are arranged in a grid of rows and columns, and the grid has a horizontal axis aligned with a horizontal axis of the display. The shutter assembly is aligned within the grid to have the axis of motion of respective shutters extend at an angle relative to the horizontal axis of the grid. In certain implementations, the shutter assemblies have a rectangular peripheral edge, and are arranged in the grid to have the square peripheral edge disposed at an angle relative to the horizontal axis of the grid. This can arrange the shutter assemblies into a diamond layout within the grid and place the shutter assemblies of adjacent columns into spatially offset rows of the grid. In some implementations, this increases the pixels per inch of the display, in other implementations, increases the aperture ratio. | 06-19-2014 |
20140168235 | DISPLAY APPARATUS WITH DENSELY PACKED ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS DISPLAY ELEMENTS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for reducing undesired capacitance and electrostatic attraction among components of electromechanical systems (EMS) displays. An apparatus includes an array of display elements, a control matrix, and an electric insulation layer. The display elements each include a movable light blocking component coupled to a conductive beam. The control matrix includes a plurality of interconnects, including at least one switched interconnect, which passes under and is electrically isolated from at least one of the conductive beam and the movable light blocking component | 06-19-2014 |
20140168224 | DISPLAY DEVICE INCORPORATING MULTIPLE DIELECTRIC LAYERS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing multiple dielectric coatings for a shutter assembly. The multiple dielectric coatings include an outer dielectric coating and one or more inner dielectric coatings. The outer dielectric coating has an electrical trap density that is lower than electrical trap densities of the one or more inner dielectric coatings. The lower electrical trap density reduces the amount of charge buildup over various surfaces of the shutter assembly. This reduction in charge buildup also reduces electrostatic forces that may cause incorrect operation of the shutter assembly. | 06-19-2014 |
20140145926 | DISPLAY APPARATUS WITH STICTION REDUCTION FEATURES - A display apparatus includes a plurality of electromechanical systems (EMS) devices disposed on a first surface defined by a face of a substrate. Each EMS device includes a component which is movable in a plane that is substantially parallel to the first surface. The apparatus also includes a second surface positioned proximate to the substrate such that the plurality of EMS devices are located between the first surface and the second surface. In addition, each EMS device includes at least one anti-stiction projection positioned between the movable component and the second surface. | 05-29-2014 |
20140132649 | SUBFRAME CONTROLLING CIRCUITS AND METHODS FOR FIELD SEQUENTIAL TYPE DIGITAL DISPLAY APPARATUS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for improving image quality of images displayed by a display apparatus. In one aspect, an apparatus for display images includes a plurality of pixels having at least two display elements configured to be controlled by a common data signal. The apparatus also includes a control matrix having, or each pixel, a single data interconnect that is configured to provide a data voltage. The control matrix also includes, for a set of pixels, an area modulation control logic for selecting a number of display elements included in each pixel of the set of pixels to respond to the corresponding data voltage provided by the data interconnect. The control matrix also includes at least one area modulation control interconnect for controlling the area modulation control logic. | 05-15-2014 |
20140118427 | DISPLAY APPARATUS EMPLOYING FRAME SPECIFIC COMPOSITE CONTRIBUTING COLORS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for displaying images using multiple frame-specific contributing color (FSCC). In one aspect, an input is configured to receive image data corresponding to a current image frame. Contributing color selection logic is configured, based on received image data, to obtain multiple FSCCs for use in conjunction with a set of frame-independent contributing colors (FICCs) to generate the current image frame on a display. In addition, subframe generation logic is configured to process the received image data for the current image frame to generate at least two subframes for each of the FICCs and the obtained multiple FSCCs such that an output by the display of the generated subframes results in the display of the current image frame. | 05-01-2014 |
20140118388 | DISPLAY APPARATUS EMPLOYING FRAME SPECIFIC COMPOSITE CONTRIBUTING COLORS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for displaying images using a frame-specific contributing color (FSCC). In one aspect, an input is configured to receive image data corresponding to a current image frame. Contributing color selection logic is configured, based on received image data, to obtain a FSCC for use in conjunction with a set of frame-independent contributing colors (FICCs) to generate the current image frame on a display. In addition, subframe generation logic is configured to process the received image data for the current image frame to generate at least two subframes for each of the FICCs and the obtained FSCC such that an output by the display of the generated subframes results in the display of the current image frame. | 05-01-2014 |
20140118385 | DISPLAY APPARATUS EMPLOYING MULTIPLE COMPOSITE CONTRIBUTING COLORS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for displaying images using at least five contributing colors (CCs). The at least five CCs include three input contributing colors (ICCs) and at least two composite contributing colors (CCCs). Each CCC is formed from the combination of at least two of the ICCs. According to one aspect, an input is configured to receive image data corresponding to an image frame, where the image data includes pixel intensity values for each of three ICCs. Subfield derivation logic is configured to process the received image data for the image frame to derive color subfields for the three ICCs and the at least two CCCs, and output logic is configured to output the color subfields for the at least five CCs to a plurality of display elements for display of the image frame. | 05-01-2014 |
20140118384 | DISPLAY APPARATUS EMPLOYING COMPOSITE CONTRIBUTING COLORS GATED BY POWER MANAGEMENT LOGIC - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for selecting display primary colors based on comparative energy consumption analysis. According to one aspect, an input is configured to receive image data corresponding to an image frame. The image data includes pixel data associated with at least three input contributing colors (ICCs). Subfield derivation logic is configured to derive for the received image frame a first set of color subfields corresponding to the ICCs and a second set of color subfields including a composite contributing color (CCC) subfield and a set of replacement ICC subfields derived based on the CCC subfield. Power management logic is configured to calculate an energy consumption comparison between the presentation sets of color subfields and to selectively cause the presentation of one of the sets of color subfields based on the calculated energy consumption comparison. | 05-01-2014 |
20140118360 | THINFILM STACKS FOR LIGHT MODULATING DISPLAYS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for absorption film stacks. In one aspect, the absorption film stack is an interferometric absorption film stack that, for a selected wavelength of light, reduces light reflected from a surface of the stack by setting up a standing wave within the stack of materials. In some implementations, an absorbing layer may be placed at the peak of the standing wave interference pattern. The absorbing layer can be implemented to absorb selected wavelengths of light and substantially reduce the amount of unwanted reflections. In some other implementations, a reflective surface may be formed on the surface of the stack opposite the absorbing layer. | 05-01-2014 |
20140085698 | MEMS ANCHORS - The invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for the design and manufacture of MEMS anchoring structures for light modulators in order to address the stresses of beams mounted on them. | 03-27-2014 |
20140085274 | DISPLAY DEVICES AND DISPLAY ADDRESSING METHODS UTILIZING VARIABLE ROW LOADING TIMES - An apparatus includes an array of pixels formed on a substrate, a set of data drivers, and a controller. The set of data drivers is configured to output data signals to the pixels. The data signals are representative of subsequent states of each respective pixel. The controller is configured to allocate a first period of time and a second period of time for the data drivers. The first period of time is used to load data into the first set of the pixels, which are located within a first distance from the data drivers. The second period of time is used to load data into a second set of pixels, which are located at distance from the data drivers that is greater than the first distance. The second period of time is longer than the first period of time. | 03-27-2014 |
20140078154 | DISPLAY APPARATUS WITH MULTI-HEIGHT SPACERS - A device includes an array of devices formed on a first substrate. A second substrate is spaced away from the first substrate such that the array of devices are positioned between the first and second substrates. A plurality of spacers are coupled to the first substrate to maintain at least a minimum gap between the first substrate and the second substrate. The plurality of spacers include a first set of spacers and a second set of spacers. The spacers in the first set of spacers are shorter than the spacers in the second set of spacers. In some implementations, the device is a display device and the MEMS devices are modulators. | 03-20-2014 |
20140071142 | DISPLAY APPARATUS INCORPORATING VERTICALLY ORIENTED ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for enabling a display to have a faster switching rate and an increased aperture ratio by using vertically oriented electrical interconnects with a reduced footprint. In one aspect, a display apparatus includes an array of display elements and an electrical interconnect connected to at least one display element in the array of display elements. A cross sectional aspect ratio of the electrical interconnect can be up to 1:1 or greater than 1:1. | 03-13-2014 |
20140049722 | DISPLAY DEVICE - A display device includes a first substrate; a second substrate; a plurality of pixels; a shutter mechanism section formed in correspondence with each of the pixels, a fluid sealed in an space between the first substrate and the second substrate; and an impact absorption section located to face one substrate among the first substrate and the second substrate, on the side opposite to the side on which the fluid is located. The shutter mechanism section is formed on the second substrate and includes a movable shutter section for controlling a light transmittance of each of the pixels. The impact absorption section includes a third substrate located to face the one substrate, on the side opposite to the fluid, a sealing section for bringing together the one substrate and the third substrate, and a predetermined gap formed among the one substrate, the third substrate and the sealing section. | 02-20-2014 |
20140043370 | THREE DIMENSIONAL (3D) IMAGE GENERATION USING ELECTROMECHANICAL DISPLAY ELEMENTS - An apparatus for displaying three-dimensional (3D) images includes an array of display elements and a controller. The controller can control a set of display elements in the array to form, at a first time, a first eye image corresponding to input data by causing the light modulators to be driven into a first set of positions. The first eye image includes an angular distribution of light weighted towards a first side of the display. The controller also can control the same set of display elements to form, at a second time, a second eye image corresponding to input data by causing the light modulators to be driven into a second set of positions. The second eye image includes an angular distribution of light weighted towards an opposite side of the display. | 02-13-2014 |
20140043223 | CIRCUITS FOR CONTROLLING DISPLAY APPARATUS - An apparatus includes a plurality of display elements arranged in an array and a control matrix coupled to the plurality of display elements to communicate data and drive voltages to the display elements. For each display element, the control matrix includes an actuation circuit coupling a voltage source to the display element. The control matrix is configured to apply an actuation voltage to an actuator of the display element throughout an actuation stroke of the actuator and to initiate the actuation of the actuator after a pre-charging signal that initiated the application of the actuation voltage to the actuator has been deactivated. | 02-13-2014 |
20130343086 | LIGHT GUIDES AND BACKLIGHT SYSTEMS INCORPORATING LIGHT REDIRECTORS AT VARYING DENSITIES - Light guides and backlight systems are disclosed that include one or more groups of geometric light redirectors whose arrangement and/or orientation across the surface of a light guide varies to improve light emission uniformity and to reduce visual artifacts. | 12-26-2013 |
20130342522 | CIRCUITS FOR CONTROLLING DISPLAY APPARATUS - The invention relates to methods and apparatus for forming images on a display utilizing a control matrix to control the movement of MEMs-based light modulators. | 12-26-2013 |
20130335806 | MECHANICAL LIGHT MODULATORS WITH STRESSED BEAMS - The invention relates to a light modulator including a substrate having a surface and a modulation assembly coupled to the substrate that includes a modulation element and a first compliant beam. The first compliant beam includes a first segment that extend away from a first anchor and a second segment that extends back towards the first anchor. The length of the first segment is different than the length of the second segment. | 12-19-2013 |
20130330995 | METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING COLD SEAL FLUID-FILLED DISPLAY APPARATUS - This methods and devices described herein relate to displays and methods of manufacturing cold seal fluid-filled displays, including MEMS. The fluid substantially surrounds the moving components of the MEMS display to reduce the effects of stiction and to improve the optical and electromechanical performance of the display. The invention relates to a method for sealing a MEMS display at a lower temperature such that a vapor bubble does not form forms only at temperatures about 15° C. to about 20° C. below the seal temperature. In some embodiments, the MEMS display apparatus includes a first substrate, a second substrate separated from the first substrate by a gap and supporting an array of light modulators, a fluid substantially filling the gap, a plurality of spacers within the gap, and a sealing material joining the first substrate to the second substrate. | 12-12-2013 |
20130322058 | MICROELECTROMECHANICAL DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING - A display apparatus includes a backlight and an aperture layer that is positioned in front of the backlight and defines a plurality of apertures. The display apparatus also includes a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) light modulator configured to modulate light emitted by the backlight passing through the apertures to form an image on the display apparatus. The MEMS light modulator includes a shutter that has a light blocking portion having an aperture layer-facing surface and a front-facing surface and at least one depression formed in the light blocking portion. The width of the at least one depression accounts for at least 50% but less than 100% of a distance separating two edges of the shutter. | 12-05-2013 |
20130321477 | DISPLAY DEVICES AND METHODS FOR GENERATING IMAGES THEREON ACCORDING TO A VARIABLE COMPOSITE COLOR REPLACEMENT POLICY - This disclosure provides systems, methods and display apparatus including pixels and a controller. The controller controls the amount of light emitted by the display apparatus for each of the pixels. Controlling the amount of light emitted includes controlling the luminance of at least four contributing colors emitted for the pixel. At least one of the contributing colors is a composite color which substantially corresponds to a combination of at least two of the remaining contributing colors, and the combined luminance of the at least four contributing colors results in a set of color tristimulus values for the pixel. The controller is further configured to generate substantially the same color tristimulus values for first and second pixels of an image frame by causing the display apparatus to emit a different composite color luminance for the first pixel than for the second pixel. | 12-05-2013 |
20130250619 | LIGHT GUIDES AND BACKLIGHT SYSTEMS INCORPORATING PRISMATIC STRUCTURES AND LIGHT REDIRECTORS - Improved apparatus and method for collecting and directing light from a source via a light guide and modulated display assembly in an efficient manner through the design and use of prismatic optical structures, diffusers and/or light redirectors. | 09-26-2013 |
20130176611 | CIRCUITS FOR CONTROLLING DISPLAY APPARATUS - A display apparatus includes an array of light modulators. Each light modulator has a first actuator configured to drive the light modulator into a first state and a second actuator configured to drive the light modulator into a second state. The display apparatus also includes a control matrix including, for each light modulator in the array, a single actuation voltage interconnect. The actuation voltage interconnect is configured to apply a first drive voltage to the first actuator of the light modulator and apply a second drive voltage to the second actuator of the light modulator. In addition, the actuation voltage interconnect is configured to control application of a data voltage to a latch circuit to control the application of the first and second drive voltages to the first and second actuators. | 07-11-2013 |
20130135193 | ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS DISPLAY APPARATUS INCORPORATING CHARGE DISSIPATION SURFACES - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for dissipating charge buildup within a display element with a conductive layer. The conductive layer is maintained in electrical contact with a fluid within the display element. The fluid, in turn, remains in contact with light modulators within the display elements. Any charge buildup that may be caused by the filling of the fluid during fabrication of the display device, or during operation of the light modulators can be dissipated by the conductive layer. Thus, by dissipating the charge buildup, the conductive layer reduces or eliminates electrostatic forces due to the charge buildup that may affect the operability of the light modulators. The display can include conductive spacers in an active display region of the display and a spacer-free region that allows the substrates to deform while retaining an electrical connection between the conductive layer and the spacers in the active display region. | 05-30-2013 |
20130082607 | REFLECTIVE AND TRANSFLECTIVE OPERATION MODES FOR A DISPLAY DEVICE - A direct-view display apparatus includes a transparent substrate, an internal light source, a plurality of light modulators coupled to the transparent substrate, and a controller for controlling the states of the plurality of light modulators and the internal light source. The controller is configured to cause the display to transition from one of a transmissive, reflective and transflective mode, to a second of said modes. | 04-04-2013 |
20130069929 | CIRCUITS FOR CONTROLLING DISPLAY APPARATUS - A display includes an array of light modulators each having a first actuator and a second actuator. A control matrix includes a circuit having a first state inverter having an output coupled to an input of a second state inverter. A data store capacitor is coupled to an input of the first inverter and configured to store a data voltage corresponding to a future pixel state of the pixel. A first update interconnect is coupled to the first state inverter and configured such that altering a voltage applied to the first update interconnect causes the first actuator to respond to the stored data voltage. A second update interconnect is coupled to the second state inverter and configured such that altering a voltage applied to the second update interconnect causes the second actuator to respond to a voltage state of the first inverter. | 03-21-2013 |
20130021781 | DISPLAY DEVICE WITH TAPERED LIGHT REFLECTING LAYER AND MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR SAME - A display device includes a substrate having an upper surface. The display device also includes a light reflecting layer to reflect light, formed over the upper surface of the substrate. The display device also includes a light absorbing layer to absorb light, formed over the upper surface of the light reflecting layer. A plurality of apertures are defined through the light reflecting layer and the light absorbing layer such that, at an edge of each of the plurality of apertures, the light absorbing layer partially overhangs the light reflecting layer. | 01-24-2013 |
20130021662 | DISPLAYS HAVING SELF-ALIGNED APERTURES AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME - A display for imaging includes an aperture layer and a set of light modulators. The aperture layer includes a light absorbing layer disposed over a light reflecting layer, each layer having a set of apertures defined therein. The light absorbing layer includes light absorbing material suspended in a photosensitive resin. The set of light modulators are for modulating light passing through the apertures defined in the aperture layer. | 01-24-2013 |
20130010344 | CIRCUITS FOR CONTROLLING DISPLAY APPARATUS - The invention relates to methods and apparatus for forming images on a display utilizing a control matrix to control the movement of MEMs-based light modulators. | 01-10-2013 |
20130010342 | DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURE THEREOF - Display devices incorporating shutter-based light modulators are disclosed along with methods of manufacturing such devices. The methods are compatible with thin-film manufacturing processes known in the art and result in displays having lower power-consumption. | 01-10-2013 |
20130010341 | ALIGNMENT METHODS IN FLUID-FILLED MEMS DISPLAYS - This application relates to a display including a first layer of material including a first aperture having at least one side, a first substrate separated from the first layer of material by a gap, where the first substrate is arranged to pass through a portion of light emitted from a light source into the gap. The display further includes a movable shutter arranged within the gap, where the shutter is movable to at least a first position and a second position, to obstruct passage of the portion of light through the first aperture at the first position. The movable shutter has a first edge, and in the first position, the movable shutter is aligned with the first aperture such that the first edge extends a first length past the at least one side of the first aperture. | 01-10-2013 |
20120326179 | DISPLAY DEVICE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD OF THE DISPLAY DEVICE - The MEMS shutter includes a shutter having an aperture part, a first spring connected to the shutter, a first anchor connected to the first spring, a second spring and a second anchor connected to the second spring, an insulation film on a surface of the shutter, the first spring, the second spring, the first anchor and the second anchor, the surfaces being in a perpendicular direction to a surface of a substrate, and the insulation film is not present on a surface of the plurality of terminals, and a surface of the shutter, the first spring, the second spring, the first anchor and the second anchor, the surfaces being in a parallel direction to a surface of the substrate and on the opposite side of the side facing the substrate. | 12-27-2012 |
20120320113 | DIRECT-VIEW MEMS DISPLAY DEVICES AND METHODS FOR GENERATING IMAGES THEREON - A direct-view display includes an array of MEMS light modulators and a control matrix formed on a transparent substrate, where each light modulator can be driven into at least two states, and a controller for controlling the states of each light modulator in the array. The control matrix transmits data and actuation voltages to the array. The controller includes an input, a processor, a memory, and an output. The input receives image data encoding an image frame for display. The processor derives a plurality of sub-frame data sets from the image data, where each sub-frame data set indicates desired states of light modulators in multiple rows and multiple columns of the array. The memory stores the plurality of sub-frame data sets. The output outputs the plurality of sub-frame data sets according to an output sequence to drive light modulators into the states indicated in the sub-frame data sets. | 12-20-2012 |
20120320112 | DIRECT-VIEW MEMS DISPLAY DEVICES AND METHODS FOR GENERATING IMAGES THEREON - A direct-view display includes an array of MEMS light modulators and a control matrix formed on a transparent substrate, where each light modulator can be driven into at least two states, and a controller for controlling the states of each light modulator in the array. The control matrix transmits data and actuation voltages to the array. The controller includes an input, a processor, a memory, and an output. The input receives image data encoding an image frame for display. The processor derives a plurality of sub-frame data sets from the image data, where each sub-frame data set indicates desired states of light modulators in multiple rows and multiple columns of the array. The memory stores the plurality of sub-frame data sets. The output outputs the plurality of sub-frame data sets according to an output sequence to drive light modulators into the states indicated in the sub-frame data sets. | 12-20-2012 |
20120320111 | DIRECT-VIEW MEMS DISPLAY DEVICES AND METHODS FOR GENERATING IMAGES THEREON - A direct-view display includes an array of MEMS light modulators and a control matrix formed on a transparent substrate, where each light modulator can be driven into at least two states, and a controller for controlling the states of each light modulator in the array. The control matrix transmits data and actuation voltages to the array. The controller includes an input, a processor, a memory, and an output. The input receives image data encoding an image frame for display. The processor derives a plurality of sub-frame data sets from the image data, where each sub-frame data set indicates desired states of light modulators in multiple rows and multiple columns of the array. The memory stores the plurality of sub-frame data sets. The output outputs the plurality of sub-frame data sets according to an output sequence to drive light modulators into the states indicated in the sub-frame data sets. | 12-20-2012 |
20120306842 | LATCHING CIRCUITS FOR MEMS DISPLAY DEVICES - The described latching circuits can be formed using transistors of a single conductivity type. The transistors can be n-type transistors or p-type transistors. The latching circuits include at least one pre-charge transistor and at least one output terminal discharge transistor. Timing schemes are also described for operating the latching circuits. Pixel circuits and display devices that include these latching circuits are also described. The display devices are formed from an arrangement of the latching circuits. | 12-06-2012 |
20120306562 | MEMS DISPLAY PIXEL CONTROL CIRCUITS AND METHODS - This disclosure provides novel latching circuits, and pixel circuits and display devices that include such latching circuits. The latches herein include a switch positioned on an inverter coupling interconnect which couples two cross-coupled inverters of the latch. The switch is configured to control a passage of a current between the first and second inverters. By switching the switch OFF at a time a data voltage is transferred to the inverters, any leak current between the inverters can be interrupted. As a result, a malfunctioning of the data latch is prevented. | 12-06-2012 |
20120300497 | LIGHT GUIDES AND BACKLIGHT SYSTEMS INCORPORATING LIGHT REDIRECTORS AT VARYING DENSITIES - Light guides and backlight systems are disclosed that include one or more groups of geometric light redirectors whose arrangement and/or orientation across the surface of a light guide varies to improve light emission uniformity and to reduce visual artifacts. | 11-29-2012 |
20120295058 | MEMS ANCHOR AND SPACER STRUCTURE - A display apparatus includes a first substrate, a plurality of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) light modulators formed from a structural material coupled to the first substrate and a second substrate separated from the first substrate. A plurality of spacers extend from the first substrate to keep the second substrate a minimum distance away from the plurality of light modulators. The spacers include a first polymer layer having a surface in contact with the first substrate, a second polymer layer encapsulating the first polymer layer and a layer of the structural material encapsulating the second polymer layer. The spacers can be used as fluid barriers and configured to surround more than one but less than all of the MEMS light modulators in the display apparatus. | 11-22-2012 |
20120280971 | CIRCUITS FOR CONTROLLING DISPLAY APPARATUS - The invention relates to methods and apparatus for forming images on a display utilizing a control matrix to control the movement of MEMs-based light modulators. | 11-08-2012 |
20120275184 | LIGHT GUIDES AND BACKLIGHT SYSTEMS INCORPORATING PRISMATIC STRUCTURES AND LIGHT REDIRECTORS - Improved apparatus and method for collecting and directing light from a source via a light guide and modulated display assembly in an efficient manner through the design and use of prismatic optical structures, diffusers and/or light redirectors. | 11-01-2012 |
20120200906 | MEMS ANCHORS - The invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for the design and manufacture of MEMS anchoring structures for light modulators in order to address the stresses of beams mounted on them. | 08-09-2012 |
20120169795 | DISPLAY METHODS AND APPARATUS - The invention relates to methods and apparatus for forming images on a display utilizing a control matrix to control the movement of MEMs-based light modulators. | 07-05-2012 |
20120154455 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MEMS LIGHT MODULATOR ARRAYS WITH REDUCED ACOUSTIC EMISSION - Systems and methods for a display having an array of pixels, a substrate, and a control matrix formed on the substrate are described. The array of pixels includes mechanical light modulators that can be referred to as micro-electro-mechanical or MEMS light modulators. The MEMS light modulators may be shutter-based light modulators, and an array of apertures may be formed on the substrate corresponding spatially to the shutters in the array of shutter-based light modulators. Each modulator is configured to be driven from a-light-blocking state to a-light-transmissive state through a movement direction. The array of light modulators are arranged to reduce the correlations in movement directions of neighboring pixels, thereby reducing the amplitude of acoustic emissions from the display. | 06-21-2012 |
20110267668 | DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURE THEREOF - Display devices incorporating shutter-based light modulators are disclosed along with methods of manufacturing such devices. The methods are compatible with thin-film manufacturing processes known in the art and result in displays having lower power-consumption. | 11-03-2011 |
20110255146 | MANUFACTURING STRUCTURE AND PROCESS FOR COMPLIANT MECHANISMS - The invention relates, in various aspects, to systems and methods for MEMS actuated displays that can be driven at high speeds and at low voltages for improved image quality and reduced power consumption. | 10-20-2011 |
20110242844 | LIGHT GUIDES AND BACKLIGHT SYSTEMS INCORPORATING LIGHT REDIRECTORS AT VARYING DENSITIES - Light guides and backlight systems are disclosed that include one or more groups of geometric light redirectors whose density and/or orientation across the surface of a light guide varies to improve light emission uniformity and to reduce visual artifacts. | 10-06-2011 |
20110205756 | LIGHT GUIDES AND BACKLIGHT SYSTEMS INCORPORATING PRISMATIC STRUCTURES AND LIGHT REDIRECTORS - Apparatus and method for collecting and directing light from a source via a light guide and modulated display assembly in an efficient manner through the design and use of prismatic optical structures, diffusers and/or light redirectors. The prismatic optical structures may include a plurality of rear-facing prisms and/or front-facing prisms, each with an associated prism apex angle. The prism apex angle for each of the prisms may be selected such that on-axis brightness intensity and/or total optical power extraction of the display are improved. | 08-25-2011 |
20110205259 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTING DISPLAY MODES - A field sequential display includes at least two lamps which output different colors and a controller. The controller is configured for receiving information from a host device in which the field sequential display is incorporated, selecting, based on the received information, a display mode from a plurality of preset display modes, and outputting signals indicating brightness levels with which to illuminate the at least two lamps based on the selected display mode. | 08-25-2011 |
20110164067 | CIRCUITS FOR CONTROLLING DISPLAY APPARATUS - The invention relates to methods and apparatus for forming images on a display utilizing a control matrix to control the movement of MEMS-based light modulators. | 07-07-2011 |
20110157679 | METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING COLD SEAL FLUID-FILLED DISPLAY APPARATUS - This methods and devices described herein relate to displays and methods of manufacturing cold seal fluid-filled displays, including MEMS. The fluid substantially surrounds the moving components of the MEMS display to reduce the effects of stiction and to improve the optical and electromechanical performance of the display. The invention relates to a method for sealing a MEMS display at a lower temperature such that a vapor bubble does not formforms only at temperatures about 15° C. to about 20° C. below the seal temperature. In some embodiments, the MEMS display apparatus includes a first substrate, a second substrate separated from the first substrate by a gap and supporting an array of light modulators, a fluid substantially filling the gap, a plurality of spacers within the gap, and a sealing material joining the first substrate to the second substrate. | 06-30-2011 |
20110148948 | CIRCUITS FOR CONTROLLING DISPLAY APPARATUS - A method of operating a display including loading image data to pixels in multiple rows of pixels in an array of pixels during a data loading phase, actuating the pixels in the multiple rows during an update phase, and illuminating at least one lamp during an lamp illumination phase to illuminate the actuated pixels to form an image on the display, in which each of the loading, actuating and illuminating phases partially overlap in time. | 06-23-2011 |
20110122474 | DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURE THEREOF - Display devices incorporating light modulators are disclosed along with methods of manufacturing such devices. According to some aspects of the invention, a control matrix for controlling light modulators of a display includes a light absorbing layer that includes a material having a substantially light absorbing property. | 05-26-2011 |
20100188443 | SENSOR-BASED FEEDBACK FOR DISPLAY APPARATUS - The invention relates to methods and apparatus for feedback control of image and color quality in a direct-view MEMS display apparatus. The display apparatus includes a lamp capable of providing light, a sensor capable of detecting information indicative of characteristics of light provided by the lamp and outputting a sensor signal based at least partially on the information, and control circuitry for controlling illumination of the lamp based at least partially on the sensor signal. | 07-29-2010 |
20100110518 | MEMS ANCHORS - The invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for the design and manufacture of MEMS anchoring structures for light modulators in order to address the stresses of beams mounted on them. | 05-06-2010 |
20100027100 | Display with controlled formation of bubbles - The invention relates to a display apparatus including a first substrate supporting an array of light modulators, a second substrate separated from the first substrate by a gap, a fluid substantially filling the gap, sealing material joining the first substrate to the second substrate, and a bubble trapping region within a space enclosed by the sealing material for substantially constraining a location of a bubble trapped within the gap. In some embodiments, the bubble trapping region extends along a majority of a side of at least one of the substrates. In some embodiments, the fluid has a viscosity less than 70 centipoise. | 02-04-2010 |
20090257245 | LIGHT GUIDES AND BACKLIGHT SYSTEMS INCORPORATING PRISMATIC STRUCTURES AND LIGHT REDIRECTORS - Improved apparatus and method for collecting and directing light from a source via a light guide and modulated display assembly in an efficient manner through the design and use of prismatic optical structures, diffusers and/or light redirectors. | 10-15-2009 |
20090244678 | DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURE THEREOF - Display devices incorporating shutter-based light modulators are disclosed along with methods of manufacturing such devices. The methods are compatible with thin-film manufacturing processes known in the art and result in displays having lower power-consumption. | 10-01-2009 |
20090195855 | MECHANICAL LIGHT MODULATORS WITH STRESSED BEAMS - The invention relates to a spatial light modulator including a substrate having a surface and a modulation assembly coupled to the substrate including a modulation element and a compliant beam. The modulation assembly is configured to limit the bending of the compliant beam towards an opposing surface that would otherwise be caused by inherent stresses within the compliant beam. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a spatial light modulator including the steps of forming and releasing a modulation assembly that has a modulation element and a compliant beam formed in a pre-release position to have an intended inherent stress state. As a result of the stress state in the compliant beam, upon release of the compliant beam, the compliant beam bends into a rest position which is different than the pre-release position, where the rest position is based in part on the intended inherent stress state. | 08-06-2009 |
20090103164 | Spacers for maintaining display apparatus alignment - The invention relates to methods and apparatus for forming a display apparatus. According to one aspect of the invention, the display apparatus includes a first substrate having an aperture layer formed thereon, a light guide for guiding light towards the aperture layer, a plurality of MEMS light modulators for modulating light passing through the aperture layer from the light guide, and a spacer substantially surrounding the light guide for keeping the light guide and the first substrate a predetermined distance apart from one another, thereby forming a gap between the first substrate and the light guide. Alternatively or in addition, the first substrate may have a control matrix formed thereon. | 04-23-2009 |
20090034052 | Methods and apparatus for actuating displays - This invention relates to display apparatuses having an array of light modulators for transmissively displaying an image and a reflective aperture layer defining a plurality of apertures, for reflecting light not passing through apertures in the reflective aperture layer away from the array. The reflective aperture layer is formed on a first substrate and positioned adjacent the array. The image is formed by modulating light passing through the apertures in the reflective aperture layer. A light guide, separated from the first substrate by a gap, may guide light towards the reflective aperture layer. A layer of low-refractive index material may be positioned on a side of the reflective aperture layer opposite the array. | 02-05-2009 |
20080283175 | Methods for manufacturing fluid-filled mems displays - This invention relates to methods of manufacturing fluid-filled MEMS displays, where the fluid is sealed in the display assembly and substantially surrounds the moving components of the display to reduce the effects of stiction and to improve the optical and electromechanical performance of the display. | 11-20-2008 |
20080278798 | MEMs display apparatus - This invention relates to display apparatuses having an array of light modulators and a plurality of spacers distributed within the interior of the array. The display apparatus may also include a reflective aperture layer disposed on a front facing surface of a substrate included in the display apparatus. | 11-13-2008 |