Abstract:
Disclosed are various implementations of a camera lens that can be positioned between a display device and a user viewing the display device. The camera lens can be transparent to allow such viewing by the user, and also be configured to capture light rays from the user and turn such rays to an imaging sensor to form an image of the user. Such turning of light rays can be achieved by curved features formed on the camera lens. In some implementations, the camera lens is a substantially flat layer having such curved features. Various examples of the curved features are disclosed. Also disclosed are systems and methods for enhancing the image of the user in situations where a portion of a display being viewed is captured by the camera lens and combines with the image of the user.
Abstract:
Two-sided, back-to-back displays (100) are formed by sealing the backplates (130, 230) of two displays (110, 210) against one another. Mechanical parameters of the backplates (130, 230), e.g., stiffness and strength, do not meet the requirements for standalone one-sided displays which are otherwise similar to the two displays (110, 210). However, when sealed against one another, the backplates (130, 230) reinforce each other to meet or exceed the requirements for both one-sided and two-sided displays. The presence of backplates (130, 230) on each of the constituent one-sided displays (110, 210) allows one or both of those displays (110, 210) to be individually tested, thereby increasing the production yield of the back-to-back displays (100). The display elements (150) of the displays (110, 210) can comprise interferometric modulators.
Abstract:
Methods of writing display data to MEMS display elements (12a, 12b) are configured to minimize charge buildup and differential aging. Simultaneous to writing rows of image (56, 60) data, a pre-write operation (58, 62) is performed on a next row. The pre-write operation writes either image data or the inverse of the image data to the next row. In some embodiments, the selection between writing image data and writing inverse image data is performed in a random or pseudo-random manner.
Abstract:
Methods of writing display data to MEMS display elements are configured to minimize charge buildup and differential aging. Simultaneous to writing rows of image data, a pre-write operation is performed on a next row. The pre-write operation writes either image data or the inverse of the image data to the next row. In some embodiments, the selection between writing image data and writing inverse image data is performed in a random or pseudo-random manner.
Abstract:
MEMS devices (such as interferometric modulators) may be fabricated using thin film transistor (TFT) manufacturing techniques. In an embodiment, a MEMS manufacturing process includes identifying a TFT production line and arranging for the manufacture of MEMS devices on the TFT production line. In another embodiment, an interferometric modulator is at least partially fabricated on a production line previously configured for TFT production.
Abstract:
Various embodiments include interferometric optical modulators comprising a substrate layer having a thickness between about 0.1 mm to about 0.45 mm thick and a method for manufacturing the same. The interferometric modulator can be integrated together with a diffuser in a display device. The thin substrate permits use of a thicker substrate. The thinner substrate may increase resolution and reduce overall thickness of the inteferometric modulator. The thicker diffuser may provide increased diffusion and durability.
Abstract:
Described is an apparatus, method for manufacturing, and systems comprising a MEMS device, for example, an interferometric modulator, comprising a substrate, a movable mirror, a deformable layer, and a support structure. In some embodiments, the support structure comprises a plurality of support posts. A connector secures the movable mirror secured to the deformable layer. At least one of the connector and the support post is a composite comprising a first component and a second component, where at the first component forms at least a portion of at least one of the perimeter of the connector and support post.
Abstract:
The width and location of a hysteresis window of an interferometric modulator may be altered by adjusting various physical characteristics of the interferometric modulator. Thus, depending on the particular application for which the interferometric modulators are manufactured, the width and location of the hysteresis window may be altered. For example, in some applications, reducing the power required to operate an array of interferometric modulators may be an important consideration. In other applications, the speed of the interferometric modulators may be of more importance, where the speed of an interferometric modulator, as used herein, refers to the speed of actuating and relaxing the movable mirror. In other applications, the cost and ease of manufacturing may be of most importance. Systems and methods are introduced that allow selection of a width and location of a hysteresis window by adjusting various physical characteristics.
Abstract:
The time required for an interferometric modulator (501) to switch from a state with a collapsed cavity to a state with an open cavity or vice versa, i.e., the switch time, is decreased by decreasing the viscosity of the gas filling the cavity. The viscosity is decreased by forming at least a partial vacuum in the cavity. The partial vacuum is formed, in turn, by forming a cavity in a housing (706) holding the interferometric modulator (501). The vacuum can be generated by a vacuum pump (710). By decreasing the switch time, interferometric modulators in an array of interferometric modulators can be switched more quickly, thereby advantageously increasing the refresh rate for a display (700) having an array of interferometric modulators.
Abstract:
A separable modulator architecture is disclosed. The modulator has a mirror suspended from a flexible layer over a cavity. The flexible layer also forms supports and support posts for the mirror. An alternative separable modulator architecture has a mirror suspended over a cavity. The modulator is supported by supports and support posts. The support posts comprise a flexible layer over support post plugs. A bus structure may be formed upon the flexible layer arranged over the support posts.