Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for displaying high bit-depth images using spatial vector screening and/or temporal dithering on display devices including display elements that have multiple primary colors. The systems, methods and apparatus described herein can be configured to select a method of rendering high bit-depth images and/or videos on low bit-depth devices based on the operating speed of the display device.

Abstract: Some implementations described herein involve defining a viewing angle range, also referred to herein as a viewing cone. The viewing cone may be produced by an array of optical fibers on a display. The optical fiber array may include tapered optical fibers that are capable of increasing the amount of light transmitted through the optical fiber array. The optical fiber array may be a graded index optical fiber array, wherein the refractive index of the optical fiber cores varies along the axis of the optical fibers.

Abstract: This disclosure provides circuits and methods for resetting a movable element, such as a mirror of an interferometric modulator (IMOD), to a consistent starting point or reset position. In one example, a circuit may include three electrodes with a capacitor coupled between two of the electrodes. Additionally, the polarity of one of the electrodes may be configured to switch and reverse in polarity relative to another electrode. Accordingly, the movable element may be moved to a reset position.

Abstract: An optical touch sensor may include traces of photoconductive material formed on a substantially transparent substrate. Each photoconductive trace may be capable of responding to an incident light intensity increase on a portion of the photoconductive trace by increasing the number of charged carriers, thereby raising the electrical conductivity of that portion of the photoconductive trace. An incident light intensity decrease on a portion of the photoconductive trace will lower the electrical conductivity of that portion of the photoconductive trace. The corresponding changes in voltage may be measured by circuits that include conductive traces formed substantially perpendicular to, and configured for electrical connection with, the traces of photoconductive material. A diode (such as a Schottky diode) may be formed at the electrical connections between the conductive traces and the photoconductive traces.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses an antenna module and an electronic system. The antenna module includes a waterproof protective cover, a transparent cap, a printed circuit board, a wireless communication unit and an antenna unit. The waterproof protective cover is removably assembled onto an opening on a metal shielding case of the electronic system. The water-proof protective cover has a housing slot. The transparent cap is mounted on the waterproof protective cover. A first part of the printed circuit board is inserted into the housing slot. A second part of the printed circuit is located within the metal shielding case. The wireless communication unit is disposed on the second part of the printed circuit board. The antenna unit is disposed on the first part of the printed circuit board and electrically connected with the wireless communication unit.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for enhancing the brightness and/or contrast ratio of display devices. In one aspect, the display devices can include an annular diffuser that is configured to scatter light into a ring shaped region. The annular diffuser can include a plurality of axicon lenses or holographic features. The reflective display can include an annular diffuser to shift the direction along which most of the modulated light is scattered away from the direction along which light is specularly reflected by the display devices to reduce specular glare and enhance brightness and/or contrast ratio.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for enhancing the brightness and/or contrast ratio of display devices. In one aspect, the display devices can include an annular diffuser that is configured to scatter light into a ring shaped region. The annular diffuser can include a plurality of axicon lenses or holographic features. The reflective display can include an annular diffuser to shift the direction along which most of the modulated light is scattered away from the direction along which light is specularly reflected by the display devices to reduce specular glare and enhance brightness and/or contrast ratio.

Abstract: A power converter includes a full-bridge converter circuit and a regulation circuit. The full-bridge converter circuit includes a full-bridge circuit having a first and a second input terminals and a first and a second output terminals. The regulation circuit is bridged across the first and the second input terminals of the full-bridge circuit and connected to the first output terminal of the full-bridge circuit. The regulation circuit is configured for operatively regulating an output voltage across the first and the second output terminals of the full-bridge circuit by cooperating with the full-bridge converter circuit, such that the output voltage across the first and the second output terminals of the full-bridge circuit has more than three voltage levels. A method for controlling a power converter is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for an electromechanical systems (EMS) device with one or more protrusions connected to a surface of the EMS device. In one aspect, the EMS device includes a substrate, a stationary electrode over the substrate, and a movable electrode over the stationary electrode. The movable electrode is configured to move to three or more positions across a gap by electrostatic actuation between the movable electrode and the stationary electrode. When the protrusions contact any surface of the EMS device at one of the positions across the gap, the protrusions change the stiffness of the EMS device. At least one of the surfaces in contact with the one or more protrusions is non-rigid. In some implementations, the protrusions have a height greater than about 20 nm.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for electromechanical systems devices including one or more storage capacitors. In one aspect, a device includes a substrate structure, a movable element configured to move relative to the substrate structure, and at least one switch. The movable element includes a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer that form a storage capacitor. The switch is configured to control a flow of charge between a source and the storage capacitor.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for enhancing the brightness and/or contrast ratio of display devices. In one aspect, the display devices can include an annular diffuser that is configured to scatter light into a ring shaped region. The annular diffuser can include a plurality of axicon lenses or holographic features. The reflective display can include an annular diffuser to shift the direction along which most of the modulated light is scattered away from the direction along which light is specularly reflected by the display devices to reduce specular glare and enhance brightness and/or contrast ratio.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for driving three-terminal electromechanical systems (EMS) devices. The driving systems and methods described herein include a switched capacitor charge injection circuit that is configured to isolate a single EMS device and transfer a desired amount of charge to the isolated device such that the device can be actuated to produce a desired optical, electrical or mechanical effect. The charge injection circuit can include an operational amplifier and can be connected such that the EMS device is placed in the feedback path of the operational amplifier.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for an electromechanical systems display device. In one aspect, a grey scale electromechanical systems display device may include a reflector assembly disposed on a support dielectric layer, a substrate, and an absorber assembly. The absorber assembly may include a metal layer. The absorber assembly may be configured to move to a first position defining a first cavity between the absorber assembly and the substrate such that the device reflects a white light. The absorber assembly also may be configured to move to a second position defining a second cavity between the absorber assembly and the reflector assembly such that the device substantially does not reflect light.

Abstract: Interferometric modulators may include a movable layer including both permanently anchored and programmable hinges. Unactuated programmable hinges may exert little or no force on the movable layer. When actuated, programmable hinges may exert a mechanical force on the movable layer in a direction approximately opposite to the direction of force exerted by the permanently anchored hinges. By increasing a voltage between the programmable hinges and an electrode, a progressive number of programmable hinges may be engaged. The mechanical force exerted on the movable layer by these hinges may change the relative position of the movable layer within an IMOD device.

Abstract: An OAOA measurement system uses optical elements to converge incoming light from multiple sources onto an FPA as respective crosshair patterns made from lines which are oblique with respect to the FPA's axes, such that each pattern's location indicates the angular position of its corresponding source. The optical elements are arranged such that each crosshair's center point is at least twice as bright as the lines which form the crosshair's arms. The position of each crosshair is interpolated by defining regions around each arm of one of the crosshairs, determining the points of peak intensity in each row or column within each region, and curve-fitting the points to define each arm. Multiple crosshair patterns are accommodated by assigning a small magnitude value to each pixel of a defined arm, and then repeating the interpolation process for another crosshair.

Abstract: A two-stage drive waveform switches a DFLC from a high tilt state to a low tilt state quickly and without scattering. A relaxation voltage is applied to delay the onset of the high amplitude high frequency kick voltage when switching from a high tilt state to a low tilt state. The relaxation voltage allows the molecules to ‘relax’ in accordance with their own elasticity towards their low tilt state in the direction of the average azimuth angle of the low tilt state. The kick voltage is then applied to drive the molecules quickly to the low tilt state. Optimal switching time and the desired molecular response is achieved by delaying the onset of the large kick voltage via application of the relaxation voltage. The relaxation voltage may constitute a lower amplitude holding voltage, a small or zero DC voltage or a smooth windowing of the kick voltage.

Abstract: Solar energy concentrator architectures employ an array of electro-optical liquid prism modules to deflect sunlight onto PV cells. Without any mechanical moving parts, the dynamic liquid prism allows the concentrator to adaptively track the daily changes of the sun's orbit. The liquid prism modules may be arranged, for example, into a sheet-shaped beam steering array; a condenser device such as a Fresnel lens is then used to focus the light deflected by the modules onto one or more PV cells—preferably CPVs. Another possible concentrator architecture requires arranging a plurality of liquid prism modules into a semi-spherical pattern, such that light impinging on the modules is directed onto one or more PV cells or CPVs.

Abstract: An optical tracking system comprises an array of point source emitters that output respective optical emissions, and a plurality of angle of arrival sensors. Each sensor comprises one or more optical elements and a focal plane array (FPA), with the optical elements arranged to resolve the optical emissions into one or more linear patterns on the FPA. A processing system in communication with the sensors establishes the orientation and position of each of the optical emitters using the linear patterns. A headgear tracking system employs point source emitters on a piece of headgear, with front and rear arrays of angle of arrival sensors located in an aircraft cockpit; a processing system in communication with the sensor arrays establishes an orientation and position for each of the optical emitters on the headgear.

Abstract: An OAOA measurement system uses optical elements to converge incoming light from multiple sources onto an FPA as respective crosshair patterns made from lines which are oblique with respect to the FPA's axes, such that each pattern's location indicates the angular position of its corresponding source. The optical elements are arranged such that each crosshair's center point is at least twice as bright as the lines which form the crosshair's arms. The position of each crosshair is interpolated by defining regions around each arm of one of the crosshairs, determining the points of peak intensity in each row or column within each region, and curve-fitting the points to define each arm. Multiple crosshair patterns are accommodated by assigning a small magnitude value to each pixel of a defined arm, and then repeating the interpolation process for another crosshair.

Abstract: A fast, electro-optically switched zoom lens system operates across a broad spectral and thermal range while correcting for birefringent aberrations by means of a polarizing system that preferably includes polarizing reticles.