Abstract:
By varying the spacing between a partially-reflective, partially-transmissive surface 16 and a highly reflective surface 14 positioned behind the partially-reflective, partially-transmissive surface 16, an interferometric modulator 12 selectively creates constructive and/or destructive interference between light waves reflecting off the two surfaces 14, 16. The spacing can be varied by applying a voltage to create electrostatic attraction between the two surfaces 14, 16, which causes one or both surfaces 14, 16 to deform and move closer together. In the absence of such attraction, the surfaces 14, 16 are in a relaxed position, where they are farther apart from one another. An actuation voltage is needed to create sufficient electrostatic attraction to cause a surface 14, 16 to deform. The actuation voltage can be modified by implanting ions in a dielectric layer 102 attached to one or both surfaces 14, 16. Upon the application of a voltage, the ions create a baseline level of repulsion or attraction between the two surfaces 14, 16, which thus require more or less voltage, respectively, to cause a surface 14, 16 to deform. The degree of ion implantation can be chosen to set the actuation voltage as desired, or the surfaces 14, 16 can be made to deform at a given voltage by appropriately selecting the degree of ion implantation.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides methods, systems and apparatus for storing and processing image data at the pixel using augmented active matrix pixels. Some implementations of a display device may include a substrate, an array of display elements associated with the substrate and configured to display an image, an array of processor units associated with the substrate, wherein each processor unit is configured to process image data for a respective portion of the display elements and an array of memory units associated with the array of processor units, wherein each memory unit is configured to store data for a respective portion of the display elements. Some implementations may enable color processing image data at the pixel, layering of image data at the pixel or temporal modulation of image data at the pixel. Further, in some implementations, the display element may be an interferometric modulator (IMOD). Some other implementations may additionally include a display, a processor configured to communicate with the display and a memory device that is configured to communicate with the processor.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for sharing image data between interconnected pixels in a display device. Some implementations of a display device may include an array of pixels, where each pixel includes a display element, a memory element, one or more data interconnect lines connecting the pixel to one or more other pixels, one or more switches positioned in one or more of the interconnect lines and one or more scroll data lines connected to one or more of the switches. Some implementations may enable scrolling of image data on a display without writing new image data to the display. Further, in some implementations, the display element may be an interferometric modulator (IMOD). Some other implementations may additionally include a display, a processor configured to communicate with the display and a memory device that is configured to communicate with the processor.
Abstract:
Various embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for thermal compensation of a MEMS device. In certain embodiments, an interferometric modulator includes a first electrode and a flexible second electrode situated on a substrate. The flexible second electrode is a movable layer that can comprise aluminum or an aluminum-containing material, while the substrate can comprise glass. When the interferometric modulator undergoes a temperature change, the difference in thermal expansion rates results in a decrease in the tensile strain on the movable layer. Embodiments of the present invention provide a film configured to compensate for the thermal expansion. The film has a thermal expansion coefficient less than the substrate so as to compensate for expansion of the movable layer with respect to the substrate when the MEMS is exposed to thermal energy. The film compensates for mismatch in thermal expansion between the materials of the substrate and movable layer so as to inhibit undesirable optical characteristics.
Abstract:
A method of presenting multiple frames on a touch screen is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes detecting multiple touch locations on a touch screen of an electronic device for at least an activation time. The method also includes splitting a display area of the touch screen into a first frame and a second frame based on the multiple touch locations.
Abstract:
A display device includes an array of display elements, (Do) each display element configurable into one of a plurality of states upon application of one of a plurality of voltages, and an array of voltage shifters, (510) each voltage shifter associated with one or more of the display elements and configured to receive at least one input voltage from a display driver circuit and output at least one output voltage different than the input voltage to the associated one or more display elements. The voltage shifters can include, for example, at least one of an amplifier, a differential amplifier, an operational amplifier, a charge pump, a level shifter and a digital - to - analog converter.
Abstract:
Various embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems for generating the color white in displays created from interferometric modulators and more specifically, to the generation of the color white through the use of reflected light at two wavelengths. In one embodiment, a display device displays the color white. The color white is generated by reflecting light from two pluralities of interferometric modulator types. The first modulator type reflects colored light at a specific wavelength. The second modulator type reflects colored light selected to be at a wavelength complementary to the first. The combined light reflected from the two types appears white in the display.
Abstract:
A method of presenting multiple frames on a touch screen is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes detecting multiple touch locations on a touch screen of an electronic device for at least an activation time. The method also includes splitting a display area of the touch screen into a first frame and a second frame based on the multiple touch locations.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides methods, systems and apparatus for storing and processing image data at the pixel using augmented active matrix pixels. Some implementations of a display device may include a substrate, an array of display elements associated with the substrate and configured to display an image, an array of processor units associated with the substrate, wherein each processor unit is configured to process image data for a respective portion of the display elements and an array of memory units associated with the array of processor units, wherein each memory unit is configured to store data for a respective portion of the display elements. Some implementations may enable color processing image data at the pixel, layering of image data at the pixel or temporal modulation of image data at the pixel. Further, in some implementations, the display element may be an interferometric modulator (IMOD). Some other implementations may additionally include a display, a processor configured to communicate with the display and a memory device that is configured to communicate with the processor.
Abstract:
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for parallel dithering images are disclosed. In one aspect, a display device (40) includes: a front substrate (110); a backplate (120) opposing the front substrate (110); an array of display elements (D 11 -D 33 ) associated with the front substrate (110); and an array of processing units (PU 11 -PU 33 ) associated with the backplate (120). Each of the processing units (PUn-PU 33 ) is configured to process data for one or more of the display elements (D 11 -D 33 ) for dithering an image. Each of the processing units (PU 11 -PU 33 ) is spatially arranged to correspond to the one or more display elements (D 11 -D 33 ) for which it is configured to process data. The array of processing units (PU 11 -PU 33 ) can perform a faster dithering process than a single processor sequentially performing all computation for dithering. Further, the position of the array of processing units (PU 11 -PU 33 ) allows effective image data processing in an active-matrix type display device while utilizing the space of the backplate thereof.