Abstract: Embodiments of MEMS devices comprise a conductive movable layer spaced apart from a conductive fixed layer by a gap, and supported by rigid support structures, or rivets, overlying depressions in the conductive movable layer, or by posts underlying depressions in the conductive movable layer. In certain embodiments, both rivets and posts may be used. In certain embodiments, these support structures are formed from rigid inorganic materials, such as metals or oxides. In certain embodiments, etch barriers may also be deposited to facilitate the use of materials in the formation of support structures which are not selectively etchable with respect to other components within the MEMS device.

Abstract: Embodiments of exemplary MEMS interferometric modulators are arranged at intersections of rows and columns of electrodes. In certain embodiments, the column electrode has a lower electrical resistance than the row electrode. A driving circuit applies a potential difference of a first polarity across electrodes during a first phase and then quickly transition to applying a bias voltage having a polarity opposite to the first polarity during a second phase. In certain embodiments, an absolute value of the difference between the voltages applied to the row electrode is less than an absolute value of the difference between the voltages applied to the column electrode during the first and second phases.

Abstract: Embodiments of exemplary MEMS interferometric modulators are arranged at intersections of rows and columns of electrodes. In certain embodiments, the column electrode has a lower electrical resistance than the row electrode. A driving circuit applies a potential difference of a first polarity across electrodes during a first phase and then quickly transition to applying a bias voltage having a polarity opposite to the first polarity during a second phase. In certain embodiments, an absolute value of the difference between the voltages applied to the row electrode is less than an absolute value of the difference between the voltages applied to the column electrode during the first and second phases.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing video data and display signals. In one embodiment, a system is configured to display video data on an array of bi-stable display elements, where the system includes a processor, a display comprising an array of bi-stable display elements, a driver controller connected to the processor and configured to receive video data from the processor, and an array driver configured to receive video data from the driver controller and display signals from the processor, and to display the video data on the array of bi-stable display elements using the display signals.

Abstract: A light modulator device includes a first electrical conduit, a second electrical conduit electrically isolated from the first conduit, a first display element, and a second display element. The first display element is in an actuated state when a voltage difference between the first conduit and the second conduit has a magnitude greater than a first actuation voltage and is in a released state when the voltage difference has a magnitude less than a first release voltage. The second display element is in an actuated state when the voltage difference has a magnitude greater than a second actuation voltage and is in a released state when the voltage difference has a magnitude less than a second release voltage. Either the actuation voltages are substantially equal and the release voltages are different, or the actuation voltages are different and the release voltages are substantially equal.

Abstract: A bit depth of a pixel comprising multiple display elements, such as interferometric modulators, may be increased through the use of display elements having different intensities, while the lead count is minimally increased. An exemplary pixel with at least one display element having an intensity of 0.5 and N display elements each having an intensity of one can provide about 2N+1 shades (e.g., 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, [N+0.5]). In comparison, a pixel having N display elements, each having an intensity of one, can only provide about N+1 shades (e.g., 0, 1, 2, . . . , N). Thus, using at least one display element having an intensity lower than the intensity of each of the other display elements increases the number of shades provided by the pixel by an approximate factor of two and increases the bit depth of the pixel, while minimizing the number of additional leads.

Abstract: Embodiments of exemplary MEMS interferometric modulators are arranged at intersections of rows and columns of electrodes. In certain embodiments, the column electrode has a lower electrical resistance than the row electrode. A driving circuit applies a potential difference of a first polarity across electrodes during a first phase and then quickly transition to applying a bias voltage having a polarity opposite to the first polarity during a second phase. In certain embodiments, an absolute value of the difference between the voltages applied to the row electrode is less than an absolute value of the difference between the voltages applied to the column electrode during the first and second phases.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator includes an array of elements to modulate light in accordance with image data. The modulator has a display panel having first and second surfaces arranged adjacent to the array of elements such that the second surface is directly adjacent the array of elements to allow a viewer to view an image produced by modulation of light The modulator may also include a light source to provide light to the display panel and illumination dots on the first surface of the display panel to reflect light from the source to the array of elements.

Abstract: In various embodiments, devices, methods, and systems for adjusting the reflectivity spectrum of a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device are described herein. The method comprises depositing a reflectivity modifying layer with the optical cavity of an interferometric modulator, where the reflectivity modifying layer shifts or trims the shape of the interferometric modulator's wavelength reflectivity spectrum relative to the absence of the reflectivity modifying layer.

Abstract: A light modulator device includes a first electrical conduit, a second electrical conduit electrically isolated from the first conduit, a first display element, and a second display element. The first display element is in an actuated state when a voltage difference between the first conduit and the second conduit has a magnitude greater than a first actuation voltage and is in a released state when the voltage difference has a magnitude less than a first release voltage. The second display element is in an actuated state when the voltage difference has a magnitude greater than a second actuation voltage and is in a released state when the voltage difference has a magnitude less than a second release voltage. Either the actuation voltages are substantially equal and the release voltages are different, or the actuation voltages are different and the release voltages are substantially equal.

Abstract: A front light guide panel including a plurality of embedded surface features is provided. The front light panel is configured to deliver uniform illumination from an artificial light source disposed at one side of the font light panel to an array of display elements located behind the front light guide while allowing for the option of illumination from ambient lighting transmitted through the light guide panel. The surface embedded surface relief features create air pockets within the light guide panel. Light incident on the side surface of the light guide propagates though the light guide until it strikes an air/light material guide interface at one on the air pockets. The light is then turned by total internal reflection through a large angle such that it exits an output face disposed in front of the array of display elements.

Abstract: Various devices and methods of lighting a display are disclosed. In one embodiment, for example, a display device includes a transmissive display configured to be illuminated through a back surface and a reflective display configured to be illuminated through a front surface. A light source is disposed with respect to the back of the transmissive display to illuminate the transmissive display through the back surface. A light pipe is disposed with respect to the light source to receive light from the light source and is configured to propagate the light such that this light provides front illumination of the reflective display.

Abstract: Light guides of various shapes are configured to adjust the angle of the individual light rays in a bundle of light within the light guide so that the angle of the respective rays are adjusted towards an acceptance angle of a hologram embedded within the light guide. The hologram embedded in the light guide is configured to eject individual rays towards the display elements when the respective rays are within a range of acceptance angles.

Abstract: A system and method of reducing color shift in a display includes an interferometric modulator display configured to reflect light from at least one light source and through at least one converging optical element in an optical path from the light source to a viewer via the display. In one embodiment, the converging optical element comprises a diffractive optical element.

Abstract: A light modulator device includes a first electrical conduit, a second electrical conduit electrically isolated from the first conduit, a first display element, and a second display element. The first display element is in an actuated state when a voltage difference between the first conduit and the second conduit has a magnitude greater than a first actuation voltage and is in a released state when the voltage difference has a magnitude less than a first release voltage. The second display element is in an actuated state when the voltage difference has a magnitude greater than a second actuation voltage and is in a released state when the voltage difference has a magnitude less than a second release voltage. Either the actuation voltages are substantially equal and the release voltages are different, or the actuation voltages are different and the release voltages are substantially equal.

Abstract: In various embodiments, devices, methods, and systems for adjusting the reflectivity spectrum of a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device are described herein. The method comprises depositing a reflectivity modifying layer with the optical cavity of an interferometric modulator, where the reflectivity modifying layer shifts or trims the shape of the interferometric modulator's wavelength reflectivity spectrum relative to the absence of the reflectivity modifying layer.

Abstract: A shielding material that can be arranged with respect to display elements to reduce potential damage or degraded performance caused by incident EM, such as UV and/or IR. The shielding material can be configured to be substantially transparent in visible light wavelengths. The shielding material can include inorganic materials, such as oxides including zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Display elements can include a shielding material and an outer coating to reduce undesirable optical characteristics of an air/shielding material interface. The shielding material can be electrically conductive and function as a conductive layer in a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. In some embodiments, the shielding material can be disposed forward (closer to the viewer) of the electrodes of the display elements to prevent the high energy UV light from building up electrical charge in the electrodes.

Abstract: A front light guide panel including a plurality of embedded surface features is provided. The front light panel is configured to deliver uniform illumination from an artificial light source disposed at one side of the font light panel to an array of display elements located behind the front light guide while allowing for the option of illumination from ambient lighting transmitted through the light guide panel. The surface embedded surface relief features create air pockets within the light guide panel. Light incident on the side surface of the light guide propagates though the light guide until it strikes an air/light material guide interface at one on the air pockets. The light is then turned by total internal reflection through a large angle such that it exits an output face disposed in front of the array of display elements.

Abstract: A transmissive backlit display is disclosed. In one aspect, the backlit display comprises a backlight and an array of transmissive interferometric modulators. Each interferometric modulator comprises a fixed and moving dielectric mirror stack. The interferometric modulators cause light within the desired wavelength range to be transmitted while reflecting at least a portion of the remaining light.

Abstract: One inventive aspect relates to a display comprising a display element configured to selectively reflect light of a first wavelength in the infrared range and light of a second wavelength in the visible spectrum. Another inventive aspect relates to a color display comprising at least three reflective display elements. Each display element is configured to selectively reflect light of a different wavelength in the visible range. At least one of the three reflective display element is further configured to selectively reflect light of a wavelength in the infrared range.