Abstract: A pixel circuit includes a light emitting device, a storage device configured to represent a level of illumination, and a driving device used to drive the light emitting device. Configuring the storage device includes changing a voltage difference across the storage device to a level larger than a threshold voltage of the driving device. The driving device reduces driving of the light emitting device while the storage device is being configured. After the storage device has been configured, the driving device is permitted to drive the light emitting device to emit light having a luminance level corresponding to the level of illumination represented by the storage device.

Abstract: An active matrix display includes a plurality of pixels arranged in an array, a first transistor and a second transistor associated with each pixel, the first and second transistors positioned within the array for controlling current flow through each pixel, a light emitting diode associated with each pixel; and a storage capacitor associated with each pixel, wherein, during a time period for establishment of a threshold voltage on the storage capacitor for the first transistor, a voltage equal to the sum of the threshold voltage and a voltage for compensating for turnoff of the second transistor is established on the storage capacitor.

Abstract: A pixel circuit includes a light emitting device, a storage device configured to represent a level of illumination, and a driving device used to drive the light emitting device. Configuring the storage device includes changing a voltage difference across the storage device to a level larger than a threshold voltage of the driving device. The driving device reduces driving of the light emitting device while the storage device is being configured. After the storage device has been configured, the driving device is permitted to drive the light emitting device to emit light having a luminance level corresponding to the level of illumination represented by the storage device.

Abstract: A pixel circuit comprises an organic light emitting diode (OLED), and a static memory for storing data that represents an operational state of the OLED. In alternative embodiments, a pixel circuit may include a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuit for controlling the OLED, a protection circuit for protecting the CMOS circuit from an over-voltage condition, and a current source with a field effect transistor (FET) having a static gate to source voltage that is greater than a threshold voltage of the FET.

Abstract: There is provided a method for driving an organic light emitting diode (OLED) pixel circuit. The method includes applying a first signal to a terminal of the OLED when setting a state of the pixel circuit, and applying a second signal to the terminal when viewing the state. There is also provided a driver for an OLED pixel circuit, where the driver employs this method.

Abstract: There is provided a display apparatus. The apparatus includes (1) a substrate, (2) a display element disposed on the substrate, the display element having (a) a first electrical conductor, (b) a second electrical conductor, and (c) a light switching material disposed between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor, and (3) a via through the substrate for electrically coupling a signal to the first electrical conductor.

Abstract: A pixel circuit comprises an organic light emitting diode (OLED), and a static memory for storing data that represents an operational state of the OLED. In alternative embodiments, a pixel circuit may include a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuit for controlling the OLED, a protection circuit for protecting the CMOS circuit from an over-voltage condition, and a current source with a field effect transistor (FET) having a static gate to source voltage that is greater than a threshold voltage of the FET.

Abstract: A pixel circuit comprises an organic light emitting diode (OLED), and a static memory for storing data that represents an operational state of the OLED. In alternative embodiments, a pixel circuit may include a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuit for controlling the OLED, a protection circuit for protecting the CMOS circuit from an over-voltage condition, and a current source with a field effect transistor (FET) having a static gate to source voltage that is greater than a threshold voltage of the FET.

Abstract: There is provided a method for driving an organic light emitting diode (OLED) pixel circuit. The method includes applying a first signal to a terminal of the OLED when setting a state of the pixel circuit, and applying a second signal to the terminal when viewing the state. There is also provided a driver for an OLED pixel circuit, where the driver employs this method.

Abstract: There is provided a display apparatus. The apparatus includes (1) a substrate, (2) a display element disposed on the substrate, the display element having (a) a first electrical conductor, (b) a second electrical conductor, and (c) a light switching material disposed between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor, and (3) a via through the substrate for electrically coupling a signal to the first electrical conductor.

Abstract: A pixel circuit comprises an organic light emitting diode (OLED), and a static memory for storing data that represents an operational state of the OLED. In alternative embodiments, a pixel circuit may include a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuit for controlling the OLED, a protection circuit for protecting the CMOS circuit from an over-voltage condition, and a current source with a field effect transistor (FET) having a static gate to source voltage that is greater than a threshold voltage of the FET.

Abstract: An LCD reflection display array implementing two or more layers of reflecting front surface mirrors with an upper layer mirror(s) having absorbing back surface(s). The mirror surfaces associated with each pixel are electrically connected to the pixel output electrode. The lower mirrors are appropriately positioned in the three dimensions to achieve nearly 100% aperture fill.

Abstract: A twisted nematic liquid crystal (TNLC) cell used in reflective spatial light modulators (SLMs) of displays is disclosed. The TNLC cell includes front and rear substrates, and a TNLC material having a thickness d and a left-handed or right-handed twist angle .phi.. The TNLC material is sandwiched between the front and rear substrates, and the twist angle .phi. is approximately from 46.degree. to 62.degree.. A direction of directors of the TNLC material located nearest the front substrate forms an initial angle .beta. with a direction of linearly polarized light incident thereon. The initial angle .beta. is approximately from -6.degree. to 60.degree.. A birefringence .DELTA.n of the TNLC material times the thickness d is between approximately 0.7.lambda. to 1.25.lambda., where .lambda. is a wavelength of light incident on the front substrate.

Abstract: A structural principle is described for control of the gap and the area around the periphery of a liquid crystal display by the formation of an insulating layer out of which, gap dimension maintaining posts and contaminant diffusion inhibiting segmented walls, remain after the display area is etched back out of the layer.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator designed to use a minimum area on the surface of a silicon substrate. This invention comprises a silicon substrate on a back plate with a glass cover that is used to seal liquid crystal between the glass cover and the silicon substrate. Most importantly, the glue seal formed to contain the liquid crystal material is between the cover glass plate and the Si substrate on only one side and the back plate on the remaining three sides. This structure allows a smaller semiconductor substrate to be used.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus are provided for obtaining multiple fluid samples from subterranean formations of interest. The present invention is particularly well suited for testing nuclear migration in ground water utilizing test wells surrounding a nuclear test site. A plurality of flow ports are provided in the casing each at a depth of a formation of interest, and a sliding sleeve is positioned over each port. A wireline tool is lowered to the selective depth, and downhole electric motor energized to power a pump and pass pressurized fluid to move a first dog radially outward. The downhole tool may be axially moved until the first dog locks into a groove provided in the casing. Fluid entering the casing is sealed above and below the sliding sleeve. Fluid pressure may then be applied to move a second dog radially outward to engage the sliding sleeve, and a control valve regulated to apply fluid pressure to axially move the sleeve and open the port.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus are provided for obtaining multiple fluid samples from subterranean formations of interest. The present invention is particularly well suited for testing nuclear migration in ground water utilizing test wells surrounding a nuclear test site. A plurality of flow ports are provided in the casing each at a depth of a formation of interest, and a sliding sleeve is positioned over each port. A wireline tool is lowered to the selective depth, and downhole electric motor energized to power a pump and pass pressurized fluid to move a first dog radially outward. The downhole tool may be axially moved until the first dog locks into a groove provided in the casing. Fluid entering the casing is sealed above and below the sliding sleeve. Fluid pressure may then be applied to move a second dog radially outward to engage the sliding sleeve, and a control valve regulated to apply fluid pressure to axially move the sleeve and open the port.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus are provided for sealing at the uppermost end of a casing string to provide circulation from adjacent the lower end of the casing string and into a well bore to enable the casing string to be more easily lowered into the well bore. A casing circulator is provided for lowering into the uppermost end of the casing string above the rig floor, and for sealing with an interior surface of the uppermost end of the casing string. An external sealing member of the casing circulator may be moved axially with respect to an inner packer tube, thereby allowing the sealing member to become inflated while also enabling fluid to pass through the casing circulator and into the casing string. The techniques of the present invention may also be used to fill the casing string as it is lowered into the well bore.

Abstract: An inflatable packer is provided for setting downhole in an oil or gas well to prevent fluid flow past the packer. The packer is of the type which includes an upper and lower packer head, an inflatable elastomer bladder, a radially outward tubular packer cover, and a plurality of overlapping metal reinforcing members positioned in the annulus between the bladder sleeve and the tubular packer cover. Each reinforcing member is slidably movable relative to another reinforcing member during setting of the packer, and includes a stop member between the packer heads for limiting to a preselected amount the relative sliding movement, such that gaps between reinforcing members are minimized or eliminated. These stop members on the reinforcing members may be formed by a stamping operation, wherein a recess stamped in one reinforcing member is adapted to receive a lip stamped in an adjacent reinforcing member.

Abstract: A downhole tool is provided suitable for multiple setting and unsetting operations in a well bore during a single trip. The downhole tool is suspended in the wellbore from a tubing string, and is activated by dropping a metal ball which plugs the passageway through the tubing string, such that tubing pressure may thereafter be increased to activate the downhole tool. A sleeve is axially movable within a control sub from a ball stop position to a ball release position, and has a cylindrical-shaped interior surface with a diameter only slightly greater than the ball. Collet fingers carried on the sleeve are radially movable from an inward position to an outward position to stop or release the ball as a function of the axial position of the sleeve.