Electro-mechanical Patents (Class 359/230)
  • Patent number: 11927726
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, an electronic device comprises a window member; a display panel stacked on a rear surface of the window member; a lens assembly; an iris; and an image sensor including an image plane configured to form an electronic signal representing an image formed by the lens assembly, wherein the iris is fixed with respect to the image plane, wherein at least a portion of the iris is located on a same plane as at least a portion of the display panel, and the iris is located closer to an object-side than an object-side surface of a lens closest to the object-side of the lens assembly on an optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jungpa Seo, Hokeun Kwak, Seungyong Kim, Sungwook Choi
  • Patent number: 11917853
    Abstract: A display device includes: a substrate including an opening area, a display area surrounding the opening area, and a non-display area between the opening area and the display area; a first insulating layer arranged on the substrate and including a first recess in the non-display area; an organic pattern layer arranged on an upper surface of the first insulating layer in the non-display area and including a side wall in contact with a first side wall of the first recess; and a display element arranged on the first insulating layer to overlap the display area and including a first electrode, an emission layer, and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode includes a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, and the first layer includes at least one of titanium (Ti), titanium nitride (TiN), molybdenum (Mo), and amorphous silicon (a-Si) to which a dopant is added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chungi You
  • Patent number: 11719970
    Abstract: A display device capable of suppressing light leakage is provided. The display device includes a panel, a transparent region provided in a display region of the panel, a frame region provided between the transparent region and the display region, a backlight unit, and a bezel. In the frame region, the panel, the backlight unit, and the bezel are adhered by a tape, and the bezel and the tape have a function of blocking visible light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventor: Kaoru Inoue
  • Patent number: 11719990
    Abstract: A method of controlling tint of a tintable window to account for occupant comfort in a room of a building. The tintable window is between the interior and exterior of the building. The method predicts a tint level for the tintable window at a future time based on lighting received through the tintable window into the room at the future time and space type in the room. The method also provides instructions over a network to transition tint of the tintable window to the tint level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason David Zedlitz, Erich R. Klawuhn, Stephen Clark Brown
  • Patent number: 11573296
    Abstract: An optical module includes a support, a movable part supported by the support so as to be swingable about an axis, a mirror provided to the movable part, a drive coil provided to the movable part, a temperature monitoring element provided to the support, and a magnet that generates a magnetic field acting on the drive coil. The support is thermally connected to the magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Yuki Morinaga, Daiki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11421470
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer, a conductor, and optional ink. The on-glass transparent conductor may be patterned into different areas. If shutter coil skew is detected, voltage(s) may be applied one or more areas of the on-glass transparent conductor to compensate for or otherwise attempt to correct the detected coil skew.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: GUARDIAN GLASS, LLC
    Inventors: Yabei Gu, Rudolph Petrmichl
  • Patent number: 11381749
    Abstract: A camera module has: a lens holder for holding a lens unit; an image sensor holding unit that is arranged spaced apart from the lens holder in a first direction along the optical axis of the lens unit and holds an image sensor; and a drive unit that moves the image sensor holding unit with respect to the lens holder in a second direction and a third direction which are perpendicular to the optical axis and are perpendicular to each other, and that rotates the image sensor holding unit around the optical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohiko Osaka
  • Patent number: 11372232
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a light valve, a display device and a display method. The light valve includes: at least one fixation member fixed onto a substrate; and at least one movable member capable of moving relative to the fixation member to switch the light valve between a first state where the light valve is provided with a slit through which a light beam passes and a second state where the light valve prevents the light beam from passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignees: CHENGDU BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jiao Fang, Wei He, Xinghua Li, Shi Cheng, Jian Yang, Wenqiang Chen, Qing Chang, Lixia Huang, Shou Ye
  • Patent number: 11347124
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a camera and a liquid crystal panel including a display portion which overlaps the camera. The liquid crystal panel includes a first transparent electrode which overlaps the camera and a light-shielding layer including a first opening having a circular shape and superposed on the first transparent electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventor: Takanori Tsunashima
  • Patent number: 11243164
    Abstract: There is provided a terahertz device including: a terahertz element configured to generate an electromagnetic wave; a reflection film provided at a position facing the terahertz element and configured to reflect the electromagnetic wave generated from the terahertz element in one direction; and an encapsulating material configured to encapsulate the terahertz element and the reflection film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuisao Tsuruda
  • Patent number: 11120752
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a display panel, a driving method thereof, and a display device. The display panel includes: a first substrate; a second substrate, a light absorbing layer disposed on a surface of the first substrate facing the second substrate, a color film disposed on a surface of the second substrate facing the first substrate, a plurality of MEMS light valve units disposed between the light absorbing layer and the color film. The MEMS light valve unit includes a light shielding plate and a light reflecting layer disposed on a surface of the light shielding plate facing the color film. The plurality of MEMS light valve units is respectively located in a plurality of sub-pixel regions of the display panel, and an area of the light absorbing layer is smaller than an area of the color film in any one of the sub-pixel regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiangxiang Zou, Kuanjun Peng
  • Patent number: 11006525
    Abstract: A display device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The display device includes a display panel having a display region and a non-display region that are divided in a plane where a light-emitting surface of the display panel is located, a drive circuit plate being disposed on the non-display region; a light transmission layer which is extended from the display region to above the drive circuit plate within the non-display region and has an opening, the opening being adjacent to a boundary of the drive circuit plate close to the display region and being disposed on a side of the drive circuit plate close to the display region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignees: CHENGDU BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dexiong Song, Zhiyong Yang, Kaimin Wang, Dongpan Yao, Gong Chen, Chengyi Li, Guangjie Yang, Jiming Zhang, Caihua Cheng, Yu Du, Xuemei Deng
  • Patent number: 10931857
    Abstract: A camera module includes: a housing including a lens module; an aperture module disposed on the lens module and configured to form an incidence hole having various sizes through a plurality of blades; and an aperture driving part including a magnet unit including a driving magnet facing a driving coil. The magnet unit is configured to linearly reciprocate. A first blade among the plurality of blades is connected to the magnet unit, and is connected to remaining blades among the plurality of blades by a gear to transmit driving force from the magnet unit to the remaining blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae Woo Jun
  • Patent number: 10890781
    Abstract: A lens driving device includes two pairs of an image-stabilization coil part and an image-stabilization magnet part disposed along a first side and a second side that are adjacent to each other, respectively. An autofocus movable part is disposed eccentrically with respect to a central axis along the direction of the optical axis. An image-stabilization fixed part includes connection terminal parts that are respectively disposed on the first side and the second side, and are connected to power supply wiring of the image-stabilization coil part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yulin Zhang, Masayoshi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 10854909
    Abstract: A skin panel with an energy-storing layer for an aircraft or spacecraft comprises structural layers for providing structural stability to the skin panel, at least one of the structural layers forming an exterior supporting layer of the skin panel and at least one of the structural layers forming an interior supporting layer of the skin panel. Primary functional layers are embedded between the exterior supporting layer and the interior supporting layer for providing functional capabilities to the skin panel. The structural layers and the primary functional layers are formed together as a composite laminate and the functional layers comprise an energy-storing layer configured as a structural electro-chemical battery. The present disclosure further pertains to a method for manufacturing such an energy-storing layer for a skin panel of an aircraft or spacecraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Benthien, Peter Linde, Matthias Hegenbart
  • Patent number: 10715771
    Abstract: Apparatus for capturing a wide-color-gamut image includes a broadband electronic image sensor; optics gathering light from a scene and focusing an image formed by the gathered light along a light path onto the electronic image sensor; a filter interposed in the light path, constructed and arranged so as to allow individual wavelengths of the wide-gamut-color to pass through it in narrow bands of wavelengths having bandwidths narrower than a few tens of nanometers at each point in time; and a processor connected to the image sensor to capture a sequence of images synchronous with each narrow-band wavelength passed by the filter at each point in time, the processor combining the sequence of images into the wide-gamut-color image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Gerlach Consulting Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Gerlach
  • Patent number: 10613319
    Abstract: A micro-machined optical shutter includes an entry layer with a through-passage having an input side adapted to receive incoming light and an output side, and an exit layer with a through-passage having an input side comprising a pinhole and an output side. The entry and exit layers are vertically aligned, thereby providing an optical path such that light exiting the entry layer enters the exit layer via the pinhole unless the optical path is interrupted. An actuation plane positioned between the entry and exit layers comprises a shutter blade and an actuator arranged to move the shutter blade laterally with respect to the pinhole when actuated. The shutter blade preferably has a reflective angled surface such that, when the blade covers the pinhole, the angled surface redirects light on the optical path away from the pinhole, preferably into a micromachined beam dump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignees: Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC, Coldquanta, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Mihailovich, Alex Papavasiliou, Philip Stupar, Jeffrey DeNatale, Maximillian A. Perez
  • Patent number: 10574900
    Abstract: An optical instrument, comprising an optical system including a focus lens group, an aperture that restricts light flux that passes through the optical system, an aperture motor that sets opening amount for the aperture, a memory that stores first information that represents a relationship between position of the focus lens group and appropriate aperture value and second information that represents a relationship between the aperture value and opening amount of the aperture, and a controller that, when controlling opening amount of the aperture using the aperture motor in accordance with position of the focus lens group, calculates an appropriate aperture value based on the first information and position of the focus lens group, calculates opening amount of the aperture based on the second information and the aperture value that has been calculated, and controls the opening amount to the opening amount of the aperture that has been calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Ruiju Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 10495515
    Abstract: A spectrometer for capturing two dimensional images of observed scenes in a sequence of spectral sub-bands wherein each measurement of a sub-band occurs over a two dimensional detector array at the same time. Sub-band measurement sequences are executed based upon, a) environmental conditions, b) user priorities, and, c) results of real-time analysis of the two dimensional spectral scene data outputs from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Irvine Sensors Corp.
    Inventors: James Justice, Medhat Azzazy
  • Patent number: 10437044
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a MEMS light valve, which includes: a fixed grating partitioned into first regions and second regions, which are arranged alternately, wherein the fixed grating comprises reflective units configured within the first regions for reflecting at least part of incident light and the second regions do not reflect light; and a movable grating located at a side of the fixed grating to which outside light is incident and movable in a plane where the movable grating is located, wherein the movable grating is capable of block part or all of the reflective units during moving. The embodiments of the present disclosure are adopted to manufacture of a MEMS light valve and a display device including the MEMS light valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhen Liu, Feng Guan, Ming Zhu, Jikai Yao
  • Patent number: 10312266
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses a display substrate and a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device, the display substrate comprises a display region and a periphery region, a first electrode line is arranged at the periphery region, an insulating layer is arranged on the first electrode line, a first through hole is provided in the insulating layer at a position corresponding to the first electrode line, a contact electrode is provided in the first through hole, a second electrode line is arranged on the insulating layer, the second electrode line is electrically connected to the first electrode line through the contact electrode. In the disclosure, the contact electrode is provided between the first and second electrode lines, thus when the second electrode line is etched, the first electrode line is protected by the contact electrode from being damaged by etchant, thus saving production cost and improving production efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., HEFEI BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Zhang, Gaofei Shi, Ru Zhou, Jianying Zhan
  • Patent number: 10283282
    Abstract: Energy storage devices are disclosed that store both electrical and mechanical energies, making the total energy stored larger than either an electrical or mechanical means alone. The energy storage device is charged by the application of a voltage, which charges a capacitor to store electrical energy while simultaneously exerting a force on the mechanical system that deforms the mechanical system, resulting in mechanical energy storage. When the charged device is discharged, both the electrical and mechanical energy are extracted in electrical form. Its unique features include, but are not limited to, the potential for long lifetime, improved safety, better portability, a wide operating temperature range, and environment friendliness. Arrays of energy storage devices can be assembled in various configurations to build high capacity energy storage units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventors: Shamus Patrick McNamara, Pranoy Deb Shuvra
  • Patent number: 10167933
    Abstract: An actuator system can be used to adjust a position of a component in a spatial light modulator. The actuator system has a pair of actuators that are coupled together by a frame that is used to adjust the height of the component relative to the substrate. The frame includes a pair of moment arms that are coupled to the actuators and a pair of connecting arms that are coupled to the moment arms. The connecting arms are then connected together at about the center of the frame, which portion of the frame can be used to raise or lower the plate. The center of the frame can be raised or lowered by a shortening or lengthening of the connecting arms relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Inventors: C. Anthony Hester, Charles F. Hester
  • Patent number: 10061203
    Abstract: A beam distribution optical unit serves for splitting an incident beam of illumination light into at least two emergent illumination-light beams. The beam distribution optical unit has at least one blazed reflection grating having reflective grating structures. The result is an optical unit in which a plurality of illumination-light beams are efficiently produced from one incident beam of illumination light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Deguenther, Michael Patra, Thomas Korb
  • Patent number: 10048127
    Abstract: An optical assembly is disclosed including two laterally variable bandpass optical filters stacked at a fixed distance from each other, so that the upstream filter functions as a spatial filter for the downstream filter. The lateral displacement may cause a suppression of the oblique beam when transmission passbands at impinging locations of the oblique beam onto the upstream and downstream filters do not overlap. A photodetector array may be disposed downstream of the downstream filter. The optical assembly may be coupled via a variety of optical conduits or optical fibers for spectroscopic measurements of a flowing sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: VIAVI Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Paula Smith, Curtis R. Hruska, Benjamin F. Catching, Paul G. Coombs
  • Patent number: 9851553
    Abstract: An optical shutter apparatus has a baseplate that defines an aperture in a plane and that has at least first and second tabs that extend outward from the plane. At least a first linear actuator is coupled to the first tab and drives a magnetic shaft between the first and second tabs according to an electrical signal. A shutter blade is coupled to the magnetic shaft and is linearly translatable along a translation path in the direction of the plane between a first and a second position, wherein the shutter blade blocks at least a first portion of the aperture in the first position and unblocks the first portion of the aperture in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Melles Griot
    Inventor: Stanley W. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 9823486
    Abstract: An optical imaging system having an aperture comprised of a plurality of concentric annuli. The outer radius of each annulus is proportional to the square root of the number of annuli. Each annulus also having an azimuthally linearly increasing phase profile comprising for a given light wavelength. The system also includes a birefringent plate and the aperture and birefringent plate are adapted to jointly encode the full spatial and polarimetric degrees of freedom of a point source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: STC. UNM
    Inventor: Sudhakar Prasad
  • Patent number: 9784435
    Abstract: The improvements include an illuminator for a gun comprising a manually manipulated and storable external IR filter with a plurality of radially directed circumferential tabs integrally extending from the frame to allow a manual torque to be applied to the frame to manually screw it into and out of the bezel in the field. A high g-force diaphragm shock mount for the lamp includes a receptacle which positions the longitudinal axis of the lamp on the optical axis of the reflector. The field serviceable lamp assembly is an integrated or modular and sealed unit. A field serviceable electronics module is accessed by removing the rear bezel. The illuminator handle includes a double locked latch lever. A T-Slot to Picatinny adapter allows a SureFire T-rail fitting of the handle to fit a conventional Picatinny rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: SureFire LLC.
    Inventors: Gregory Z. Jigamian, Michael D. Picciotta, Ronald S. Gibson
  • Patent number: 9703094
    Abstract: Electromechanical light modulators and backlight providing efficient, low cost and high performance displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventor: Edward Pakhchyan
  • Patent number: 9703095
    Abstract: Electromechanical light modulators and backlight providing efficient, low cost and high performance displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventor: Edward Pakhchyan
  • Patent number: 9702529
    Abstract: A lamp unit with a relay lens that allows two different focus points. Two different optical altering elements are hence simultaneously in focus. The elements can be taken in and out of focus to allow different effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hough, James Bornhorst
  • Patent number: 9685251
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an image of a target using radiation and a diffraction grating and apparatus for x-ray imaging. The method comprises directing a beam of radiation to the target to produce a modified beam through interaction with the target, directing the modified beam to an diffraction grating to produce an interference pattern, detecting the interference pattern using a detector, and forming an image of the target using the interference pattern measured. According to the invention, the diffraction grating is modified n the plane of the grating during the imaging so that at least two interference patterns are detected using the detector different configurations of the diffraction grating. Further, the image of the target using the at least two interference patterns measured. The invention provides a simple configuration, less radiation exposure and/or better image quality then conventional imaging methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventor: Sergey Gorelick
  • Patent number: 9638913
    Abstract: A wavelength tunable gain medium with the use of micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) based Fabry-Perot (FP) filter cavity tuning is provided as a tunable laser. The system comprises a laser cavity and a filter cavity for wavelength selection. The laser cavity consists of a gain medium such as a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier (SOA), two collimating lenses and an end reflector. The MEMS-FP filter cavity comprises a fixed reflector and a moveable reflector, controllable by electrostatic force. By moving the MEMS reflector, the wavelength can be tuned by changing the FP filter cavity length. The MEMS FP filter cavity displacement can be tuned discretely with a step voltage, or continuously by using a continuous driving voltage. The driving frequency for continuous tuning can be a resonance frequency or any other frequency of the MEMS structure, and the tuning range can cover different tuning ranges such as 30 nm, 40 nm, and more than 100 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: InPhenix, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad Kamal, Tongning Li, David Eu, Qinian Qi
  • Patent number: 9395533
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus including devices that include a layer of passivation material covering at least a portion of an exterior surface of a thin film component within a microelectomechanical device. The thin film component may include an electrically conductive layer that connects via an anchor to a conductive surface on a substrate. The disclosure further provides processes for providing a layer of passivation material on an exterior surface of a thin film component and for electrically connecting that thin film component to a conductive surface on a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventor: Teruo Sasagawa
  • Patent number: 9350977
    Abstract: An optical imaging system having an aperture comprised of a plurality of concentric annuli. The outer radius of each annulus is proportional to the square root of the number of annuli. Each annulus also having an azimuthally linearly increasing phase profile comprising for a given light wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: STC.UNM
    Inventor: Sudhakar Prasad
  • Patent number: 9291285
    Abstract: A fluidic actuator includes a basic arrangement having at least one cavity formed therein, an activatable substance within the cavity, and a deformable seal arrangement. The activatable substance, exemplarily an electrolyte, may be converted, at least partly, by suitable activation and thus cause a change in pressure in the cavity. The deformable seal arrangement serves for sealing the cavity. The seal arrangement includes an element containing paraffin and may be deformed when activating the activatable substance due to the change in pressure of the activatable substance. A corresponding method of manufacturing includes the following steps: providing the basic arrangement; forming a cavity, which is open on at least one side, in the basic arrangement; introducing the activatable substance into the cavity; and sealing the cavity using the deformable seal arrangement which includes an element containing paraffin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Technische Universitaet Chemnitz
    Inventors: Thomas Otto, Joerg Nestler, Thomas Gessner
  • 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: 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: 9164276
    Abstract: A micro optical switching device is provided, including a substrate, a first electrode disposed on a first surface of the substrate and including a first opening array including having a first plurality of openings, a second electrode disposed over the first electrode and including a second opening array including a plurality of second openings which do not overlap with the plurality of first openings, and a support member disposed on the substrate. The support member has a thickness greater than a distance from the first surface of the substrate to the second electrode and protrudes above the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dong-sik Shim
  • Patent number: 9134532
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for generating images using dual-shutter shutter assemblies. Such shutter assemblies include two shutters that move over a common aperture to selectively obstruct the passage of light there through. In the closed position, portions of one of the shutters overlaps a portion of the other shutter to provide such light obstruction without the two shutters needing to come into contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Brosnihan, Javier Villarreal, Mark B. Andersson, Eugene Fike
  • Patent number: 9131135
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a camera module for acquiring still and video digital images of a subject. A light source such as a light-emitting diode may serve as a flash for the camera module. A shutter may be mounted above the light-emitting diode. When the light-emitting diode is not being used to produce a flash of light for illuminating the subject, the shutter may be closed to block the light-emitting diode from view by a user. During image acquisition operations in which it is desired to illuminate the subject, the shutter may be opened to allow light from the light-emitting diode to exit the electronic device. The electronic device may have a touch screen display with an active region and an inactive region. The camera module and light source may be mounted under a portion of the inactive region of the display. The shutter may include a filter structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Jarvis, Richard P. Howarth, David Tupman, Richard H. Tsai
  • Patent number: 9128289
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for enabling a display to have a faster switching rate and an increased aperture ratio by using looped electrical interconnects with a reduced footprint. In one aspect, a display apparatus includes an array of display elements and a high-aspect ratio electrical interconnect connected to at least one display element in the array of display elements, wherein the high-aspect ratio electrical interconnect forms a loop that defines a closed boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Gianni Taraschi, Mark B. Andersson, Jasper Lodewyk Steyn
  • Patent number: 9088264
    Abstract: A resonator includes: a resonator element including a base portion, and a pair of vibrating arms which are integrally provided with the base portion, extend in a first direction from the base portion, and are arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; a base which supports the resonator element; and a fixing portion which fixes the resonator element with respect to the base, and the resonator element is configured so as to satisfy conditions shown by the following formula (1). Q Ln < Q 1 ? f n f 1 ? ( L 1 L n - 1 ) - 1 .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akinori Yamada
  • Patent number: 9041994
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a plurality of pixels including a first pixel. The first substrate includes first openings through which a light is transmitted. The pixels are disposed on at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate. The first pixel includes a first flexible electrode, a second flexible electrode, and a shutter including second openings and disposed between the first and second flexible electrodes. The first flexible electrode receives a first voltage. The second flexible electrode receives a second voltage different from the first voltage. The shutter receives a third voltage. The shutter moves to the first flexible electrode or the second flexible electrode according to a level of the third voltage, thereby controlling the position of the second openings relative to the first openings to control the transmission of the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seon-Tae Yoon, Jae Byung Park, Hyun Min Cho, Dong-Hoon Lee, Mun-Ki Sim
  • Publication number: 20150138617
    Abstract: Provided is a display device, including: a sealing member including an opening and surrounding a space defined by a pair of light transmissive substrates; an end seal for closing the opening of the sealing member to form an encapsulation space; oil filled in the encapsulation space; a spacer for maintaining an interval between the pair of light transmissive substrates; a shutter; a drive portion arranged in the oil, for mechanically driving the shutter; and a wall portion formed on at least one of opposed surfaces of the pair of light transmissive substrates. The wall portion includes a part arranged at a position interrupting a shortest path between the opening of the sealing member and a display region. The wall portion is made of a material forming the spacer, the shutter, and the drive portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Masataka OKAMOTO, Hidekazu NITTA, Jun FUJIYOSHI
  • Patent number: 9036238
    Abstract: A micro electro mechanical display module including a first substrate, a light source and a color filter layer is provided. The first substrate includes a first substrate body, a light-shielding pattern layer and light-shielding units. The light-shielding pattern layer has first openings. Each light-shielding unit includes a light-shielding shutter having one second opening. The shutter light-shielding shutter is movable relative to the light-shielding pattern layer. When one of the light-shielding units is enabled, the second opening is aligned with one of the first openings, so that the white light provided by the light source passes through the light-shielding pattern layer and the one of the light-shielding units and then passes through the color filter layer. When the one of the light-shielding units is not enabled, the second opening is not aligned with the one of the first openings, so that the white light is blocked by the light-shielding shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventor: Weng-Chang Shen
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9030723
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods are provided for increasing the aperture ratio of a display by increasing the total travel distance of respective light modulating bodies in a display while maintaining fast switching speeds. Increasing the total travel distance allows for a larger aperture ratio in a display, which provides greater power savings and increased display brightness. The total travel distance of a light modulating body includes the distance the body travels from an open position to a closed position, and vice-versa. In one example, the travel distance of a light modulating body (e.g., any of the light modulators as described above) is asymmetric: from a neutral position, the body travels a greater distance in a first direction than in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Joyce H. Wu, Jianru Shi
  • Patent number: 9025229
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromagnetically actuated microshutter comprising: a moveable plate that can rotate about an axis, connected to a stationary frame by two arms aligned on both sides of the plate to said axis, and comprising on its periphery a conductive loop; and below the assembly formed by the stationary frame and the moveable plate, a group of magnets having distinct magnetic orientations, arranged in such a manner so as to create, in regard to the moveable plate, a lateral magnetic field, in the plane of the frame, oblique in relation to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Orphee Cugat, Nicolas Abele
  • 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