Abstract:
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for reducing hotspots in backlit displays. Hotspot artifacts in multi-color backlit displays can be reduced by incorporating optical structures along the edges of light guides incorporated into the backlights. The optical structures are positioned adjacent to light emitting modules that emit light into the light guide. Light emitted from the light emitting modules passes through the optical structures before entering the light guide. Hotspot size can be reduced by appropriately configuring the shapes and sizes of these optical structures. In some implementations, the optical structures may include serrations along the side of the light guide adjacent to the light sources. In some other implementations, the optical structures may include dimples. Size of hotspots may also be reduced by reducing the distance between adjacent light sources of the same color.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for improving an aperture ratio of a display apparatus. In particular, display elements are configured to have a length that is greater in one dimension than that in the other dimension. This implementation can reduce overhead costs associated with components such as actuators and actuator circuitry and improves the aperture ratio. Furthermore, display elements within the display apparatus can be arranged in a staggered manner. The staggered arrangement improves the perceived display element density of the display apparatus. In some implementations, the display elements are staggered along the rows of the display apparatus, while in some other implementations, the display elements are staggered along the columns of the display apparatus. In some implementations, multiple image pixels in one dimension are utilized to generate signals for each display elements.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing stacks of optical films that may be used to provide increased on-axis display brightness. In one aspect, an apparatus or system may be provided that includes a light source, a first optical film having triangular cross-section, prismatic light-turning structures, and a second optical film having trapezoidal cross-section, prismatic light-turning structures. The first optical film may be interposed between the light source and the second optical film. In further aspects, a third optical film, similar to the first optical film, may be interposed between the light source and the first optical film. In yet further aspects, one or more additional optical films, similar to the second optical film, may be positioned in the stack such that the second optical film is between the first optical film and the additional optical film(s).
Abstract:
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.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for modulating light for a display. The system includes a light blocking layer including a reflective layer and a light absorbing layer. The light blocking layer is configured such that any conductive components therein underlie or cover less than a majority of the circuitry controlling the display elements incorporated into the display.
Abstract:
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.