Having Shutters Patents (Class 345/109)
  • Patent number: 11054792
    Abstract: Disclosed are platforms for communicating among one or more otherwise independent systems involved in controlling functions of buildings or other sites having switchable optical devices deployed therein. Such independent systems include a window control system and one or more other independent systems such as systems that control residential home products (e.g., thermostats, smoke alarms, etc.), HVAC systems, security systems, lighting control systems, and the like. Together the systems control and/or monitor multiple features and/or products, including switchable windows and other infrastructure of a site, which may be a commercial, residential, or public site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Dhairya Shrivastava, Stephen Clark Brown, Vijay Mani, Ronald F. Cadet
  • Patent number: 10859983
    Abstract: A site monitoring system may analyze information from sites to determine when a device, a sensor, a controller or other structure associated with optically switchable devices has a problem. The system may, if appropriate, act on the problem. In certain embodiments, the system learns customer/user preferences and adapts its control logic to meet the customer's goals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Dhairya Shrivastava, Stephen C. Brown, Vijay Mani
  • Patent number: 10775613
    Abstract: An ambient light blocker that may include an array of spatial filters of microscopic width and microscopic length; and transparent elements that are surrounded by the spatial filters of the array and are of microscopic width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Inventors: Arie Heiman, Shraga Tsur
  • Patent number: 10768582
    Abstract: A site monitoring system may analyze information from sites to determine when a device, a sensor, a controller, or other structure associated with optically switchable devices has a problem. The system may, if appropriate, act on the problem. In certain embodiments, the system learns customer/user preferences and adapts its control logic to meet the customer's goals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Dhairya Shrivastava, Stephen Clark Brown, Vijay Mani
  • Patent number: 10571683
    Abstract: An illustrative example MEMS device includes a base and a plurality of mirror surfaces supported on the base. The plurality of mirror surfaces are respectively in a fixed position relative to the base. The plurality of mirror surfaces are at respective angles relative to a reference. The respective angles of at least some of the mirror surfaces are different from the respective angles of at least some others of the mirror surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Yew Kwang Low
  • Patent number: 9897794
    Abstract: An electrowetting display device includes a base substrate, a hydrophobic layer disposed on the base substrate and including at least about 49 atomic percent (at %) of fluorine atoms in a surface thereof, a wall disposed on the base substrate which partitions a pixel area, and an electrowetting layer that includes a first fluid and a second fluid, which are disposed in the pixel area and are immiscible with each other. The second fluid has an electrical conductivity or a polarity. The electrowetting display device further includes an electronic device is configured to apply an electric field to the electrowetting layer to control the electrowetting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: MyungHwan Kim, Sang-II Kim, Byeong-Jin Lee
  • Patent number: 9691837
    Abstract: An organic light emitting diode display includes a plurality of pixels. At least one pixel is connected to a scan line receive a scan signal, a data line to receive a data signal, and voltage line to receive a driving voltage. The at least one pixel includes a switching transistor including a switching drain electrode to output the data voltage, a driving transistor including a driving source electrode connected to the switching drain electrode, and an organic light emitting diode connected to a driving drain electrode of the driving transistor. The driving source electrode is separated from the data line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mi Hae Kim, Min Ho Ko, Seung Woo Sung, Ki Myeong Eom, Jin Jeon
  • Patent number: 9272898
    Abstract: There is provided an electric device including a base member, a beam elastically deformable to bend upward and having an outline partially defined by a slit formed in the base member, a conductive pattern provided on a top surface of the beam, a contact electrode provided above the conductive pattern, the contact electrode coming into contact with the conductive pattern, and a bridge electrode elastically deformable, the bridge electrode connecting the conductive pattern and a portion of the base member outside the outline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Tadashi Nakatani, Hisao Okuda, Takashi Katsuki
  • Patent number: 9030403
    Abstract: A pixel circuit includes a first control electrode and a second control electrode between which a mechanical shutter is put, and a first control voltage application circuit for inputting a first control voltage to the first control electrode according to an image signal. The first control voltage application circuit includes an input transistor, a retaining capacitor and a first transistor. One of current terminals of the input transistor is connected to a signal line. A gate of the input transistor is connected to a scanning line. One terminal of the retaining capacitor is input with a capacitor control signal and the other terminal is connected to the input transistor. The first transistor has a gate connected to the retaining capacitor and two current terminals, one of which is connected to a first control electrode and the other of which is input with a first control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Hajime Akimoto, Toshio Miyazawa
  • Publication number: 20150116297
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for addressing an array of pixels in a display. In one aspect, an electromechanical device includes a movable element coupled between a first and second actuator, and a charge distribution circuit arranged to electronically couple the first actuator to the second actuator and capable of equalizing a potential between the first actuator and the second actuator. In certain implementation, a method for addressing an array of pixels in a display, where a given pixel in the array of pixels includes a light modulator coupled between first and second actuator capacitors, includes equalizing a potential between the first actuator capacitor and the second actuator capacitor prior to discharging and re-charging the actuator capacitors. Equalizing a potential may include transferring charge from one actuator capacitor to another actuator capacitor until the voltage across each actuator capacitor is approximately equal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: PIXTRONIX, INC.
    Inventors: Nikolay I. Nemchuk, Jianguo Yao
  • Patent number: 8970940
    Abstract: The MEMS shutter includes a shutter having an aperture part, a first spring connected to the shutter, a first anchor connected to the first spring, a second spring and a second anchor connected to the second spring, an insulation film on a surface of the shutter, the first spring, the second spring, the first anchor and the second anchor, the surfaces being in a perpendicular direction to a surface of a substrate, and the insulation film is not present on a surface of the plurality of terminals, and a surface of the shutter, the first spring, the second spring, the first anchor and the second anchor, the surfaces being in a parallel direction to a surface of the substrate and on the opposite side of the side facing the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Takuo Kaitoh, Takeshi Kuriyagawa, Ryou Sakata, Osamu Karikome, Timothy J. Brosnihan
  • Patent number: 8963827
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a micro-shutter including first and second electrodes, a latch circuit including first and second input nodes, and first and second output nodes to receive an operation voltage and a common voltage, a capacitor including a first electrode and a second electrode applied with a shutter voltage, a first switching device applying a data signal to the first electrode of the capacitor in response to a gate signal, and a second switching device applying the voltage of the first electrode of the capacitor to the first input node of the latch circuit in response to an update voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-taek Kim, Unggyu Min, Cheolwoo Park
  • Patent number: 8928684
    Abstract: An overdrive device includes a training unit, an analysis unit and a Contrast adjustment unit. The training unit establishes a luminance difference look-up table (LUT) having an R2 number of luminance differences. Each of the R2 number of luminance differences represents a luminance difference between a measured display luminance value and a target luminance value of a display device when each of first and second viewing angle images correspond to any value of a grayscale range R. With respect to first and second viewing angle input image data, for pixel data therein corresponding to a same pixel position, the analysis unit looks up the luminance difference LUT to obtain a looked-up luminance difference, and accordingly calculates a luminance difference index. The contrast adjustment unit partially adjusts the grayscale of the second viewing angle image according to the luminance value index to obtain headroom for an overdrive operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Guang-Zhi Liu, Jian-De Jiang
  • Publication number: 20140266999
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a multi-state shutter assembly. The multi-state shutter assembly can be used in an electronic display. The shutter assembly can include a movable light obstructing component. The shutter assembly also can include first and second actuators configured to move the light obstructing component between three states, including a fully light obstructive state, a substantially transmissive state, and a partially transmissive state. At least one of the three states is a neutral state in which both the first and second actuators are in an unactuated state. The shutter assembly also can include a controller configured to control the first and second actuator to selectively move the light obstructing component into each of the three states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: PIXTRONIX, INC.
    Inventors: Joyce Wu, Tsutomu Kobayashi, Mark B. Andersson, Gianni Taraschi, Jasper Lodewyk Steyn
  • Patent number: 8803789
    Abstract: A display comprises a front-end component having light shutters and a plurality of backlight devices, wherein the display operates in a full screen video display mode and partial screen energy-saving auxiliary mode. In the full screen video display mode, the backlight devices are activated and in the partial screen energy-saving auxiliary mode, at least one backlight device is not activated. In the auxiliary mode, the light shutters can control luminance or the light shutters along with attenuating the backlight device control luminance. In the auxiliary mode, the backlight devices are driven via enabled inputs, a digital bus system, or an analog control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Anton Werner Keller
  • Patent number: 8692762
    Abstract: In a display apparatus and a method of driving the same, microshutters are successively arranged and each microshutter includes a plurality of sub-microshutters that are opened to transmit light or closed to block light in response to a voltage. The sub-microshutters are opened or closed during predetermined different time periods to display various gray scales.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jaehyuk Chang
  • Patent number: 8629816
    Abstract: An emission control driver including a plurality of stages, each including a first unit adapted to generate a first output signal at a first node thereof based on an input signal, a clock signal, a inverted input signal, first and second power source voltages, a second unit adapted to output an emission control signal based on the first output signal and the input signal, a third unit adapted to transmit the first or second power source to the first unit based on the emission control signal, a inverted clock signal and an inverted emission control signal when a first path between the first power source and the first node and a second path between the second power source and the first node are blocked by the clock signal, and a fourth unit adapted to output a inverted emission control signal based on the emission control signal and the first output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyung-Hoon Chung
  • Patent number: 8599462
    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: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Takeomi Morita, Masataka Okamoto, Takahiko Muneyoshi, Shigeki Nishizawa, Katsumi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8519945
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for forming images on a display utilizing a control matrix to control the movement of MEMs-based light modulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Nesbitt W. Hagood, Stephen R. Lewis, Abraham McAllister, Roger W. Barton
  • Patent number: 8508516
    Abstract: A display device includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix with columns and rows. A source driver provides either analogue or digital image data for the pixels. Each pixel includes a plurality of sub-pixels. Each sub-pixel includes a display components, a memory unit for memorizing gradation display data included in the digital image data provided by the source driver for the display component, and a data switching unit for switching data providing for the display component to either the gradation display data memorized in the memory unit or the analogue image data provided by the source driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Chimei Innolux Corporation
    Inventors: Keitaro Yamashita, Yoshikazu Matsui
  • Patent number: 8462416
    Abstract: A micro-shutter includes a reflective layer, a shutter, and a first actuator. The reflective layer includes a plurality of first openings transmitting a portion of external light, and reflecting the remaining portion of the external light. The shutter includes a plurality of second openings corresponding to the first openings to transmit the portion of the external light. The first actuator is provided at one side of the shutter and includes at least three electrodes. The first actuator adjusts an overlap area between the first openings and the second openings according to a level of a voltage applied to the actuator electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seon-Tae Yoon, Gunwoo Kim, Jae Byung Park, Hyun Min Cho
  • Patent number: 8416224
    Abstract: Operating methods of an array of electromechanical pixels resulting in efficient and reliable operation of light modulating elements. The invention simplifies the design of electromechanical light modulators and permits the construction of large size displays with greater mechanical tolerances on glass substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventors: Edward Pakhchyan, Haik Mesropian, Syuzi Pakhchyan
  • Patent number: 8310442
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for forming images on a display utilizing a control matrix to control the movement of MEMs-based light modulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Nesbitt W. Hagood, Stephen Lewis, Abraham McAllister, Roger W. Barton, Richard S. Payne, Jasper Lodewyk Steyn
  • Patent number: 8077117
    Abstract: An electronic image device and a driving method thereof. An image of one frame is displayed in a frame period divided into at least two periods including first and second periods. A barrier layer includes a first barrier driven during the first period and a second barrier driven during the second period. The same plane image is repeatedly displayed during the first and second periods in an area for displaying the plane image on the display unit, and a first image displayed during the first period and a second image displayed during the second period are respectively images combined in different sequences in an area for displaying a stereoscopic image on the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Mobile Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Beom-Shik Kim, Hui Nam, Chan-Young Park, Ja-Seung Ku
  • Patent number: 7986283
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a multi-dimensional image selectable display device having an image panel adapted to output an image, and a barrier panel at an upper-side portion of the display device so as to display the image as a two dimensional image or a three dimensional image. The barrier panel may include a first substrate having a first electrode and a second electrode arranged so as to apply a horizontal between the first and second electrodes, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates. A phase delay value ?n*d may range from approximately 700 to 800 nm, wherein the phase delay value ?n*d may be a product of a double refraction value ?n of a liquid crystal constituting the liquid crystal layer, and a cell gap d between the first and second substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Mobile Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji-eun Park, Kyung-ho Choi
  • Patent number: 7880736
    Abstract: This invention provides a display control system that includes: a) a micromirror array comprising a plurality of mirrors; b) a first control function for controlling the mirrors in a first state; c) a second control function for controlling the mirrors in a second state; d) and a switchover controller for switching from the first state to second state, or from the second state to first state, wherein the switchover controller switches the state of at least two mirrors simultaneously at a same predetermined point within a frame period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignees: Silicon Quest Kabushiki-Kaisha, Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Fusao Ishii, Taro Endo, Yoshihiro Maeda, Kazuma Arai, Hirokazu Nishino
  • Patent number: 7812809
    Abstract: The display device includes a backlight unit including a field sequential light source operated using a sequential partition method and an optical shutter using an electrowetting phenomenon disposed on a light emitting surface of the backlight unit and switching light outputted from the backlight unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-young Choi, Jee-hwan Jang, Byung-do Oh
  • Patent number: 7755582
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for forming images on a display utilizing a control matrix to control the movement of MEMs-based light modulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Incorporated
    Inventors: Nesbitt W. Hagood, Abraham McAllister, Stephen Lewis, Roger Barton
  • Publication number: 20100162315
    Abstract: A method for displaying program information and a display apparatus thereof are provided. According to the present method for displaying program information, an EPG screen in which a plurality of items are aligned is generated and displayed. Accordingly, a user may view an EPG screen with better perspective and check program information more intuitively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dae-eun HYUN, Yong-seok JANG
  • Patent number: 7705826
    Abstract: A flat panel display has a linear array of switchable light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) to emit bands of light across the display, providing a light pattern programmable at video frequencies and a two-dimensional electropolymeric shutter array to convert the light pattern into a video image. The light pattern can be varied or controlled spatially, with respect to both hue and intensity, by suitable drive signals, at points along the array determined by the location of individual LEDs, or groups of LEDs, and temporally as the shutters in the array are opened and closed to provide a pleasing full color gamut for every pixel in the display. Closed shutters, displaying a reflective appearance, can be employed for background or other effects. The shutter array can be flexibly constructed and supported on a flexible substrate to provide a flexible display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: New Visual Media Group, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Charles G. Kalt, Thomas F. Kalt, Robert Miller, William G. Seeley, Mark S. Slater
  • Publication number: 20100005396
    Abstract: An alternate display content controller provides a technique for controlling a video display separately from and in addition to the content displayed on the operating system display surface. Where the display is a computer monitor, the alternate display content controller interacts with the computer utility operating system and hardware drivers to control allocation of display space and create and control one or more parallel graphical user interfaces in addition to the operating system desktop. An alternate display content controller may be incorporated in either hardware or software. As software, an alternate display content controller may be an application running on the computer operating system, or may include an operating system kernel of varying complexity ranging from dependent on the utility operating system for hardware system services to a parallel system independent of the utility operating system and capable of supporting dedicated applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: D. David Nason, Carson Kaan
  • Patent number: 7626581
    Abstract: Embodiments of an exemplary MEMS interferometric modulator comprise a movable layer and a fixed layer separated by an air gap. A driving scheme employs row/column actuation protocols which maintain voltages to the MEMS interferometric modulator that are above or below the voltage range necessary to place the MEMS interferometric modulator within a “hysteresis window” or “stability window.” Stable operation of the MEMS interferometric modulator is achieved by selecting mechanical design features that optimize the actuation and release times of the interferometric modulator. Some of the features affecting the release and actuation times include altering post spacing, altering internal stress or tension of the movable layer, altering the thickness or composition of the movable layer, altering the bulkiness of the tethers, perforating the movable layer and providing vias in the fixed layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: IDC, LLC
    Inventors: Clarence Chui, Manish Kothari
  • Patent number: 7616368
    Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for displays are disclosed that utilize light concentration array between mechanical light modulators and the viewing surface of the display. The light concentration array includes an array of optical elements that concentrate light on respective ones of the light modulators to maximize the contrast ratio and off axis viewing of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Nesbitt W. Hagood, IV
  • Patent number: 7586484
    Abstract: The invention comprises systems and methods for partitioning displays, and in particular, displays of interferometric modulator displays. In one embodiment, a display system includes one driving circuit configured to provide signals based on video data intended for display, and a bi-stable display comprising an array having a plurality of bi-stable display elements. The array is configured to display video data using signals received from the driving circuit, and the driving circuit is configured to partition the array into two or more fields, each field including at least one bi-stable display element, and refresh each of the two or more fields in accordance with a refresh rate associated with each field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: IDC, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Sampsell, Karen Tyger, Mithran Mathew
  • Patent number: 7535435
    Abstract: The invention provides a projector a lighting optical system, a micro-lens array, a shutter array, a liquid crystal light valve, a projection optical system, and a modulation control portion. The modulation control portion can control the shutter array and the liquid crystal light valve in response to levels of gray-scale of colors specified by input image signals. When the gray-scale value is 1% or less, time-interval control is effected in such a manner that 1% of light is allowed to pass through by the shutter array, while a fine gray-scale expression is achieved by the liquid crystal light valve. Also, when the gray-scale value is 0%, light is shut out completely by the shutter. When configured in this manner, it is possible to improve the reproducibility at darker levels of gray-scale and the contrast characteristics. Accordingly, the display characteristics of an image from a liquid crystal projector can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Fumio Koyama
  • Publication number: 20090002313
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus used for a projection type display is provided, which can change the incident ray volume to an optical modulation device without changing the optical output intensity of the lamp, and can exhibit excellent effects in expressive power of an image and adaptability to the use environment. The lighting apparatus of the present invention comprises; a light source, two fly-eye lenses constituting a uniform lighting device, and a shading plate arranged between these fly-eye lenses and constituting a dimming device for adjusting the amount of light of the outgoing light from the light source. The angle of inclination of the shading plate is controlled based on an image signal supplied to the optical modulation device, thereby enabling adjustment of the amount of light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidehito Iisaka, Shoichi Uchiyama
  • Publication number: 20080303781
    Abstract: A micro electromechanical shutter device and a pixel arrangement in which respective shutter elements are configured to controllably take a first geometrical state open and a second geometrical state closed by different degrees of actuation, and wherein the first geometrical state of the shutter element is configured to correspond to a non-actuated rest state of the shutter element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: Sony Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Teijido, Wilfried Noell, Michael Zickar, Nicolaas F. De Rooij
  • Patent number: 7417618
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus used for a projection type display is provided, which can change the incident ray volume to an optical modulation device without changing the optical output intensity of the lamp, and can exhibit excellent effects in expressive power of an image and adaptability to the use environment. The lighting apparatus of the present invention comprises; a light source, two fly-eye lenses constituting a uniform lighting device, and a shading plate arranged between these fly-eye lenses and constituting a dimming device for adjusting the amount of light of the outgoing light from the light source. The angle of inclination of the shading plate is controlled based on an image signal supplied to the optical modulation device, thereby enabling adjustment of the amount of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hidehito Iisaka, Shoichi Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 7405852
    Abstract: Display devices incorporating shutter-based light modulators are disclosed along with methods of manufacturing such devices. The methods are compatible with thin-film manufacturing processes known in the art and result in displays having lower power-consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Brosnihan, Nesbitt W. Hagood, IV, Jasper Lodewyk Steyn, Jignesh Gandhi, John J. Fijol, Richard S. Payne, Roger Barton
  • Publication number: 20080129681
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for forming images on a display utilizing a control matrix to control the movement of MEMs-based light modulators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Nesbitt W. Hagood, Stephen R. Lewis, Abraham McAllister, Roger W. Barton
  • Patent number: 7158278
    Abstract: Electromechanical shutter and display comprising a two-dimensional matrix of such shutters are proposed, in which the membrane under the force of electrostatic attraction moves from its original position parallel to the substrate plane into a final position normal to the substrate plane, thereby transferring the shutter, or display pixel, from its “off” state into its “on” state. To produce the “on” state, the electrostatic force is applied only to a narrow conductive strip placed on the side of the membrane and rotates the membrane around the torsion hinges attached to this strip. Two-and three-electrode shutter and pixel configurations are considered. Both versions provide a bi-stable membrane behavior, which implies that the voltage needed to transfer the membrane into the “on” state is larger than the voltage needed to maintain the membrane in this state. This feature of bi-stability allows realization of functions “pixel hold” and “pixel select” using a simple passive matrix architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Alexander Kastalsky
  • Patent number: 7121454
    Abstract: A moving-film display device includes a moving-film having fixed and movable ends, and a stationary body having a counter face that is shaped more distant from the moving-film as a position of the counter face shifts from the fixed end side to the movable end side. A colored portion is disposed at the movable end of the moving-film. An auxiliary electrode is disposed on the moving-film between the fixed end and the movable end. A scanning electrode and holding electrode are disposed on the counter face to face the auxiliary electrode on the fixed end side and movable end side, respectively. A signal line is electrically connected to the holding electrode to supply an image signal. A drive section is configured to control voltages to be supplied to the auxiliary electrode, the scanning electrode, and the holding electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugahara, Yuko Kizu, Kenichi Mori, Isao Amemiya
  • Patent number: 7116295
    Abstract: A method and a system for testing a plurality of driver circuits of an AMOLED before OLEDs are formed are provided. Each driver circuit includes a terminal, which is connected to an OLED after the OLED is formed, and is connected to a test element to form an electrical loop during the test. The system selects one specific driver circuit to test. The method and the system measure the value of a current signal flowing through the test element, and then analyze it to determine the status of the driver circuit. The said steps executed repeatedly, all driver circuits of the AMOLED are tested efficiently and precisely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: TPO Displays Corp.
    Inventor: An Shih
  • Patent number: 7113158
    Abstract: An image display apparatus comprising an image display device, a shield member, and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism drives the shield member in synchronization with display of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouji Fujiwara, Tomohiko Yamamoto, Keiichi Tanaka, Naoto Inoue, Hideki Ichioka
  • Patent number: 7030854
    Abstract: A first apparatus for displaying drawings comprises a housing having an aperture, a drawing sheet comprising electro-optic material movable through the aperture between closed and open positions, and a writing device for writing on the sheet as it moved between its closed and open positions. A second apparatus comprises a display member having a viewing surface, support means for supporting this display member above a floor, an electro-optic medium disposed on the display member, and a movable writing head for writing on the electro-optic medium. Another display comprise an optic medium with two display states visible through a viewing surface. A touch screen is disposed on the opposed side of the optic medium from the viewing surface, and the optic medium is deformable such that pressure applied to the viewing surface will be transmitted to the touch screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Allan Scott Baucom, Ara N. Knaian, Heather A. Linden, Timothy J. O'Malley, Russell J. Wilcox
  • Patent number: 6967641
    Abstract: An image display apparatus includes a light valve for controlling at least the intensity of light projected along an optical path from a light source through the light valve. The light valve has a plurality of light transmitting elements at least the translucency of each of which may be adjusted periodically such that the translucency of each element is substantially constant except during intervals within which the translucency is being adjusted. A shutter is provided to obstruct the light path through at least one of the light transmitting elements during intervals within which the translucency of the element is being adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Thomson Training & Simulation Limited
    Inventor: Eric Macellin-Dibon
  • Patent number: 6963330
    Abstract: An actuated film display device comprises a first fixed electrode, a first movable film electrode, which is placed to face the first fixed electrode to form a first optical path on an opposing side to the first fixed electrode, and which has a fixed end and a movable end, the movable end being displaced toward the first fixed electrode by application of a first potential difference between the first fixed electrode and the first movable film electrode, thereby shutting off the first optical path, a second fixed electrode placed at a predetermined distance from the first fixed electrode, and a second movable film electrode, which is placed to face the second fixed electrode to form a second optical path on an opposing side to the second fixed electrode, which has a fixed end and a movable end, the movable end being displaced toward the second fixed electrode by application of a second potential difference between the second fixed electrode and the second movable film electrode, thereby shutting off the second
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Atsushi Sugahara, Richard Lang
  • Patent number: 6950089
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes a fader controller comprised of a longitudinally extending track having a portion thereof extending over an image area of an electronic display, and a fader cap joined to the track for longitudinal sliding translation therealong. A plurality of permanent magnets are spaced along the track, and the fader cap includes at least one electromagnet. Conductive rails extend longitudinally on the track, and the fader cap includes contacts that electrically engage the conductive rails. The electromagnets are actuated to translate the fader cap distally or proximally along the track. In another aspect, the invention provides a magnetic arrangement for removably joining one or more controller device to a flat panel electronic display, whereby controllers such as switches, knobs, and faders (slide controllers) may be superposed on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: NBOR Corporation
    Inventor: Denny Jaeger
  • Patent number: 6844959
    Abstract: A projection system, a spatial light modulator, and a method for forming micromirrors are disclosed. A substrate comprises circuitry and electrodes for electrostatically deflecting micromirror elements that are disposed within an array of such elements forming the spatial light modulator. In one embodiment, the substrate is a silicon substrate having circuitry and electrodes thereon for electrostatically actuating adjacent micromirror elements, and the substrate is fully or selectively covered with a light absorbing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Reflectivity, Inc
    Inventors: Andrew G. Huibers, Satyadev R. Patel, Robert M. Duboc, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6741225
    Abstract: In order to provide a device for generating an image on an image surface with N×M image elements which can be illuminated individually, comprising a plurality of semiconductor radiation sources, each of which generates radiation with at least one color, an optical imaging means with a beam guidance, by means of which a plurality of image elements can be illuminated with each of the semiconductor radiation sources, with which it is possible to generate an image on an image surface in as simple a manner as possible using radiation sources, it is suggested that the image surface (12) be divided into a plurality of continuous image surface sections (14), each comprising a two-dimensional ensemble of image elements (16), that an illumination unit (20, 220, 320) be associated with each of the image surface sections (14) and that each illumination unit (20, 220, 320) have at least one semiconductor radiation source (30) and at least one optical imaging means (40, 240, 340) of its own associated with this illum
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.
    Inventors: Uwe Brauch, Hans Opower