Patents Assigned to Pixtronix, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20160077640
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: PIXTRONIX, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick Forrest Brinkley, Sriram Akella, Wilhelmus Adrianus De Groot
  • Publication number: 20160077327
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Dunn, Andrew William Sparks
  • Patent number: 9274333
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Nesbitt W. Hagood, IV, John J. Fijol, Jasper Lodewyk Steyn, Richard S. Payne, Jignesh Gandhi
  • Patent number: 9261694
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Payne, Je Hong Kim, Jignesh Gandhi, Mark B. Andersson, Javier Villarreal
  • Patent number: 9250437
    Abstract: Provided is a display device, including: a light shielding film including a plurality of fixed apertures, each allowing passage of light; a lens arranged above the plurality of fixed apertures; a plurality of shutters, which are arranged between the light shielding film and the lens and correspond to the plurality of fixed apertures, respectively, for controlling passage and blocking of the light; and a drive portion for driving each of the plurality of shutters to move between a position above each of the plurality of fixed apertures and a position retracted from each of the plurality of fixed apertures. The plurality of fixed apertures each have an elongated shape including a long-side direction and a short-side direction. The lens has a light refractive power that is larger in the short-side direction than in the long-side direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Takahiko Muneyoshi, Naohisa Ando, Takahide Kuranaga, Mitsuhide Miyamoto, Kazufumi Watabe
  • Patent number: 9243774
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Je Hong Kim, Jignesh Gandhi
  • Patent number: 9245311
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for actuating an electromechanical systems (EMS)-based light modulator. An actuator for an EMS-based light modulator can be formed from the combination of a drive electrode, an anchored shutter electrode, and a suspended shutter electrode. A parallel plate portion of the drive electrode along with the suspended shutter electrode form a parallel plate portion of the actuator. A zipper portion of the drive electrode and the anchored shutter electrode form a zipper portion of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikhil Jayant Joshi, Joyce Wu
  • Publication number: 20160018635
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a display device with a more uniform and wider view angle not dependent upon orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: PIXTRONIX, INC.
    Inventor: Masaya Adachi
  • Publication number: 20160018636
    Abstract: [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 10 stacked with a circuit layer 48 for displaying an image, the circuit layer 48 covered by an insulating film 38, the circuit layer 48 including a first conductive film 54, formed with a penetration hole 56 in the insulating film 38, and formed with a hole in a first conductive film 54; a second substrate formed with a second conductive film 40, disposed so that insulating film 38 and the second conductive film 40 are opposed; and a conductive material 60 interposed between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 12, so that the conductive material touches an inner face of the hole 58 in the first conductive film 54 and the second conductive film 40.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: PIXTRONIX INC.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kawanakago, Naohisa Andou
  • Patent number: 9239457
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Lewis, Stephen English, Jianguo Yao, John DeRoo, Roger W. Barton
  • Patent number: 9239487
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Takeomi Morita, Masataka Okamoto, Takahiko Muneyoshi, Shigeki Nishizawa, Katsumi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9235999
    Abstract: A display device includes a plurality of pixels each including a mechanical shutter. The display device electrically controls the position of the mechanical shutter to provide image display. Each of the pixels includes a pixel circuit for electrically controlling the position of the mechanical shutter. The pixel circuit includes a first control electrode and a second control electrode provided as a pair with respect to the mechanical shutter; a first mean for applying a prescribed control voltage to the first control electrode and the second control electrode to put the mechanical shutter and the first control electrode or the second control electrode into contact with each other; and a second mean for, in a state where the mechanical shutter is at a stop, decreasing a potential difference between the mechanical shutter and the first control electrode or the second control electrode which is in contact with the mechanical shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Hajime Akimoto, Takahiko Muneyoshi, Kenta Kajiyama
  • Patent number: 9235046
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Javier Villarreal, Timothy J. Brosnihan, Jasper L. Steyn, Richard S. Payne, Stephen R. Lewis
  • Patent number: 9235047
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitsuhide Miyamoto, Katsumi Matsumoto, Takahide Kuranaga
  • Publication number: 20160005361
    Abstract: [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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenta Kajiyama, Katsumi Matsumoto, Hideki Nakagawa, Takahide Kuranaga, Takeomi Morita
  • Patent number: 9229222
    Abstract: This invention relates to MEMS display apparatus and methods for assembly thereof that include a plurality of light modulators having components substantially surrounded in a liquid that reduces the effects of stiction and improves the optical and electromechanical performance of the display apparatus. The invention also relates to methods for aligning components of a MEMS display to establish a correspondence between the plurality of light modulators and a plurality of apertures to regulate the transmission of light through the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Nesbitt W. Hagood, John J. Fijol, Jasper Lodewyk Steyn, Richard S. Payne, Jignesh Gandhi
  • Patent number: 9230345
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for image formation improve power efficiency of display devices by displaying low resolution composite color subfields. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Buckley
  • Patent number: 9223128
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Jignesh Gandhi, Stephen R. Lewis, Timothy J. Brosnihan
  • Patent number: 9224324
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Blaing Nadiguebe, Nada Vukovic-Radic, Didier Henri Farenc
  • Patent number: 9225972
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard S. Payne, Jignesh Gandhi, Jianru Shi