By Changing Physical Characteristics (e.g., Shape, Size Or Contours) Of An Optical Element Patents (Class 359/290)
  • Publication number: 20150138624
    Abstract: A substrate for an electrowetting display device including a pixel electrode, a partition wall pattern and a water-repellent pattern. The pixel electrode is formed on a base substrate. The partition wall pattern is disposed along an edge of the pixel electrode to expose the pixel electrode. The water-repellent pattern is disposed at a space formed by the pixel electrode and the partition wall pattern to be extended along a lower portion of side surfaces of the partition wall pattern from an area on which the pixel electrode is formed. The water-repellent pattern exposes an upper portion of the side surfaces and an upper surface of the partition wall pattern. Thus, a manufacturing reliability of a substrate for an electrowetting display device is improved to prevent a display quality from being reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Seung Bo Shim, Jin-Ho Ju, Dae Ho Kim, Sang-Il Kim, Sung-Kyun Park, Jae-Jin Lyu
  • Publication number: 20150138623
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) photonic switch includes a first plurality of collimators including a first collimator configured to receive a first traffic optical beam having a traffic wavelength and a first control optical beam having a control wavelength, where a first focal length of the first collimators at the traffic wavelength is different than a second focal length of the first collimators at the control wavelength. The MEMS photonic switch also includes a first minor array optically coupled to the first plurality of collimators, where the first mirror array including a first plurality of first MEMS minors integrated on a first substrate and a first plurality of first photodiodes integrated on the first substrate, where the photodiodes are disposed in interstitial spaces between the MEMS mirrors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: FutureWei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Frank Graves, Dominic John Goodwill
  • Publication number: 20150138510
    Abstract: A system for variable distribution of light is provided. The system comprises: a plurality of reflective optical devices having a first variable reflective beam splitter configured to receive light along an input light path and direct a first portion of the light along a first light path and direct a second portion of the light to another one of the plurality of reflective optical devices, and a last reflective optical device configured to receive remaining light from a second last reflective optical device and to perform one of: direct the remaining light along a last light path; and, divide the remaining light into two portions, and direct the two portions along two different light paths. At least one optical property of one or more of the plurality reflective optical devices is adjustable to variably apportion received light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: CHRISTIE DIGITAL SYSTEMS CANADA INC.
    Inventor: John DOMM
  • Patent number: 9036243
    Abstract: On/off digital drive signals are used to create arbitrary spatial and temporal ribbon movement patterns in MEMS ribbon arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Alces Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David M Bloom, Matthew A Leone
  • Publication number: 20150131106
    Abstract: A method and system described for sensing a displacement by receiving and propagating a laser light signal with an etched waveguide that is configured to enable an evanescent optical field above the waveguide surface. A movable perturber can be positioned so the perturber interacts with the evanescent optical field above the waveguide surface. An optical phase shift can be induced in the waveguide when the movable perturber is displaced in the evanescent optical field, and the optical phase shift can be measured with an optical readout circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Marcel W. Pruessner, Todd H. Stievater, William S. Rabinovich
  • Patent number: 9030727
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of an electrowetting display apparatus, in which a pixel electrode is formed on a substrate including pixel areas, a first mixture including a hydrophobic material and a solvent is disposed on the substrate to form a hydrophobic insulating layer, and a first heat process is performed to remove a portion of the solvent. Then, a second mixture including a material for a barrier and the solvent is disposed on the hydrophobic insulating layer, and the second mixture is patterned to form a barrier wall surrounding the pixel electrode in each pixel area. A second heat process is performed to remove the solvent in the hydrophobic insulating layer and the barrier wall, and a polar fluid and a non-polar fluid are disposed on the pixel electrode to form an electrowetting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Taimei Kodaira
  • Patent number: 9030728
    Abstract: A display element comprises a reservoir and a channel connected to the reservoir. The channel extends across an area including a visible area of the display element, and the reservoir is substantially outside the visible area. The display element further comprises at least one electrode and a luminescent fluid in the reservoir and movable, by means of signals applied to the at least one electrode, between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the luminescent fluid is substantially contained in the reservoir outside the visible area and in the second position, the luminescent fluid extends along the channel to occupy the visible area. The luminescent fluid absorbs light in a first color waveband and converts the absorbed light to light in a second color waveband different from the first color waveband.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Gary Gibson, Xia Sheng, Dick Henze
  • Patent number: 9030391
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for accurately positioning a movable conductive layer of a reflective display element. In one aspect, an initial position of the movable conductive layer with respect to at least one or more fixed conductive layers is sensed. A charging voltage may be determined based at least in part on the initial position. The charging voltage may be applied to the movable conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Hong, Chong U. Lee, Cheonhong Kim, Edward K. Chan
  • Patent number: 9028078
    Abstract: Lens apparatus includes adjacent concave and convex lens surfaces adjacent with an air layer therebetween. At least one of the lens surfaces includes an antireflection film including multiple subwavelength structures at an average pitch of 400 nm or smaller. The surface satisfies: 0.7<R1/R2<1.3, and |?2??1|>15°, provided that: D=f/FNo, ?1=sin?1(D/(2×fi)), and ?2=sin?1((h×D)/R2), where f and FNo represent focal length and F-number of the entire optical system, f1 represents focal length of an optical system on object side with respect to the air layer between the lens surfaces, h represents axial conversion beam height on the at least one surface having anti-reflection film, R1 and R2 represent curvature radii of surfaces of respective object and image sides between the lens surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yutaka Iriyama
  • Publication number: 20150124311
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electrowetting optical device is disclosed. The method involves applying, in a dielectric enclosure of the electrowetting optical device, a direct current voltage or an alternative current voltage having a frequency f lower than 10 Hz to a liquid/liquid interface formed by a non-conductive liquid and a conductive liquid and movable by electrowetting under the application of the voltage. The conductive liquid comprises at least one multivalent salt, and the dielectric enclosure is coated with both a poly-para-xylylene linear polymer and a low surface energy coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Bruno Berge, Mathieu Maillard
  • Publication number: 20150124310
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an electrowetting display comprising: a dielectric barrier layer formed on a substrate; a hydrophobic layer formed on the dielectric barrier layer, wherein the dielectric barrier layer maintains a separation between the hydrophobic layer and the substrate; a patterned pixel grid formed on the hydrophobic layer, wherein the patterned pixel grid comprises rows and columns of pixel walls that form field pixels and border pixels; an oil film overlying the hydrophobic layer, wherein the oil film is partitioned by the patterned pixel grid; and an electrolyte overlying the oil film and the patterned pixel grid, wherein one or more of the rows or the columns of pixel walls of the patterned pixel grid includes a substantially nonlinear-shaped portion to reduce sheer stress between the patterned pixel grid and the hydrophobic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Figura, Toru Sakai, Christian Etienne Hendriks
  • Patent number: 9025236
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an electrophoretic display device, comprising: a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein electrophoretic liquid is filled between the first substrate and the second substrate; at an inner surface of the second substrate, there are formed with a plurality of cavities, each of the cavities accommodating one full-color display ball therein; at least two magnetic elements are disposed on the inner surface of the cavity, and one magnetic element is disposed at each of two poles of the full-color display ball. The electrophoretic display device provided by the embodiment of the present invention can achieve better color display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiaoxiong Tian
  • Patent number: 9025234
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to luminance enhancement structure for reflective display devices. The luminance enhancement structure comprises columns and grooves, wherein said grooves have a triangular cross-section and the pitches of the structure vary. The structure not only can enhance the brightness of a display device, but also can reduce the Moiré effect of the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: E Ink California, LLC
    Inventor: Craig Lin
  • Publication number: 20150116813
    Abstract: Provided is a technology for controlling an electrowetting cell. The electrowetting cell may be controlled by applying a preset first voltage to the electrowetting cell, measuring a first circuit parameter between any one side surface and a conductive liquid disposed in the electrowetting cell and determining whether a reset second voltage is to be applied to the electrowetting cell based on the measured first circuit parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicants: SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY R&DB FOUNDATION, SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong-joo KWON, Kyu-hwan CHOI, Yun-hee KIM, Jung-mok BAE, Yoon-sun CHOI, Jung-hoon LEE, Seung-yul CHOI
  • Publication number: 20150116814
    Abstract: A device according to an embodiment includes: a simulated skin portion being located near a photoelectric pulse wave sensor to simulate a blood flow of the skin; a reflectance changing unit located on an opposite side of the simulated skin portion to the photoelectric pulse wave sensor, the reflectance changing unit changing, in time series, reflectance of light emitted from the light-emitting unit of the photoelectric pulse wave sensor and passing through the simulated skin portion; a reflectance change control unit that transmits a reflectance control signal to the reflectance changing unit to control changes in reflectance of the reflectance changing unit; and a synchronization signal output unit that outputs a signal in sync with the reflectance control signal to an external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Junya TAKAKURA, Kanako NAKAYAMA, Sawa FUKE, Takuji SUZUKI, Yasunobu YAMAUCHI
  • Publication number: 20150116684
    Abstract: The spatial light modulator is provided with: a substrate; a fixed electrode disposed on a surface of the substrate; a connecting section, which has one end of the connecting section connected to the surface of the substrate; a movable section, which is connected to another end of the connecting section; a supporting post section, which extends in the thickness direction of the substrate with one end of the supporting post section connected to the movable section; a reflecting member, which is connected to another end of the supporting post section; a movable electrode, which is disposed on a surface of the reflecting member, the surface of the reflecting member facing the fixed electrode; and a conductive layer, which is disposed on the supporting post section with a film thickness larger than that of the movable electrode, and which electrically connects between the movable section and the movable electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Junji Suzuki, Yoshihiko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9019589
    Abstract: An electrowetting display device comprising a picture element comprising a first fluid and a second fluid immiscible with the first fluid. At least one wall comprises a first surface and a second surface at different locations on a perimeter of a display area, the first surface being less wettable to the second fluid than the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Pavel Novoselov, Toru Sakai, Henricus Petronella Maria Derckx
  • Patent number: 9019587
    Abstract: A display device provided with an MEMS light valve, comprising: a substrate, a fixed grating located on the substrate, an MEMS light valve for controlling the opening and closing of the fixed grating; a guide is disposed on the substrate. The MEMS light valve comprises: a movable grating, a movable electrode and fixed electrodes; the moveable grating is located in the guide and is electrically connected to the guide when contacting the guide; one end of the movable electrode is fixedly connected with the movable grating, and the other end is suspended; and the fixed electrodes and the movable electrode form a capacitor. When a potential difference forms between the fixed electrodes and the movable electrode, the movable electrode drives the movable grating to move in the guide, thereby opening and closing the fixed grating. Therefore, the MEMS light valve sensitivity can be enhanced and reliability is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Lexvu Opto Microelectronics Technology (Shanghai) Ltd
    Inventors: Jianhong Mao, Deming Tang
  • Patent number: 9019426
    Abstract: A method for generating image data includes adjusting an angle formed by each of a plurality of lenses attached to the imaging device relative to a reference plane based on a photography mode, obtaining at least one first image data using the plurality of adjusted lenses, and generating second image data corresponding to the photography mode using the at least one first image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee-chul Han, Yang-lim Choi, Seung-ki Cho
  • Patent number: 9019612
    Abstract: A wavelength selective switch for selectively switching optical wavelength components of an optical signal uses both LCoS and MEMs switching technologies to improve device performance. Specific performance improvements may include more ports, better spectral performance and isolation, improved dynamic crosstalk, more flexible attenuation options, integrated channel monitoring and compressed switch heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Nistica, Inc.
    Inventor: Jefferson Wagener
  • Publication number: 20150109655
    Abstract: Functional multilayer systems and are used in the manufacture of various devices such as detecting and sensor devices. More specifically, porous multilayer systems are capable of switching from a transparent state to a Bragg reflector state by introducing a suitable composition into the porous multilayer system, or via displacement of a suitable composition through the porous multilayer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Universite de Namur
    Inventors: Jean-Pol Vigneron, Olivier Deparis, Priscilla Simonis, Eric Gaigneaux, Mohammed N. Ghazzal, Joël De Coninck, Hakim Kebaïli
  • Publication number: 20150109656
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrowetting display device and a manufacturing method for the same, using a UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer. The UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer can include a UV-cured fluorine based material positioned above a cured UV reactive material. In an embodiment, the electrowetting display device can also include a substrate with a layer of pixel electrodes formed over the substrate, and partition walls formed over at least a portion of the layer of pixel electrodes. In one embodiment, the UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer can be formed between the partition walls and above an inter-layer insulation film. In another embodiment, the UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer can be formed between the partition walls and above the layer of pixel electrodes. The electrowetting display can also include a water repellent layer formed over the UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Taimei Kodaira
  • Patent number: 9013779
    Abstract: An electrowetting display apparatus includes an array substrate, an opposite substrate, and an electrowetting layer. The array substrate includes a base substrate having a plurality of pixel areas and a plurality of pixel electrodes respectively arranged in each of the pixel areas. The pixel electrodes in each pixel area are spaced apart from each other at regular intervals and each have an island pattern shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee-Keun Lee, pilsook Kwon, Jinbo Shim
  • Publication number: 20150103392
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a retroreflector pixel that includes multiple retroreflector sub-pixels. Each retroreflector sub-pixel includes a reflective surface configured to reflect incident light. Each retroreflector sub-pixel also includes a filter element configured to filter out from the incident light an electrically-controllable amount of light over a particular wavelength range. The filter element may utilize an electrophoretic technique based on charged particles, an electrowetting technique based on a dyed fluid, or an evanescent-wave coupling technique. The apparatus may include a controller communicably coupled to the retroreflector pixel and operable to control the filter element of each retroreflector sub-pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: SYNOPSYS, INC.
    Inventor: Michael L. Rieger
  • Patent number: 9007676
    Abstract: An electrostatic display employing MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) technology is disclosed. The transition from white to black pixel color occurs as two cantilevers covering the pixel area are electrostatically turned from their position parallel to the substrate plane to the position normal to the substrate plane. Four electrode pixel control circuits are used to form row and column matrix. This matrix employs a bi-stability effect resulting from the difference in voltages needed to move the cantilever into an upright position and hold the cantilever in this position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Copytele, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Kastalsky, Anthony J. Campisi
  • Patent number: 9001412
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEMS) device includes a substrate, a movable element over the substrate, and an actuation electrode above the movable element. The movable element includes a deformable layer and a reflective element. The deformable layer is spaced from the reflective element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence Chui, William Cummings, Brian James Gally, Lior Kogut, Ming-Hau Tung, Yeh-Jiun Tung, Chih-Wei Chiang, Denis Endisch
  • Patent number: 9001411
    Abstract: A light control device 1 includes a light source 10, a prism 20, a spatial light modulator 30, a drive unit 31, a control unit 32, a lens 41, an aperture 42, and a lens 43. The spatial light modulator 30 is a phase modulating spatial light modulator, includes a plurality of two-dimensionally arrayed pixels, is capable of phase modulation in each of these pixels in a range of 4? or more, and presents a phase pattern to modulate the phase of light in each of the pixels. This phase pattern is produced by superimposing a blazed grating pattern for light diffraction and a phase pattern having a predetermined phase modulation distribution, and with a phase modulation range of 2? or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Naoya Matsumoto, Taro Ando, Takashi Inoue, Yoshiyuki Ohtake
  • Patent number: 8999050
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an anthraquinone based dye having excellent solubility in a low polar solvent and having high absorption coefficient and high light resistance and an ink containing the same. The present invention relates to an ink comprising a specific anthraquinone based dye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Mio Ishida, Yasushi Shiga, Utako Takeda, Masami Kadowaki
  • Publication number: 20150092261
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus utilizing flexures in a display. In some implementations, an electromechanical systems (EMS) device can include flexures that have low stiffness along the axis of motion of a light modulator, and high stiffness in other directions. The flexures may include one or more beams mechanically coupling a MEMS structure to an anchor. The beams may be coupled to a hinge portion, the hinge portion being configured to suppress out of plane motion by the MEMS structure and the flexures. The flexures also may suppress out-of-plane motion using a stiffened portion. The stiffened portion can be mechanically coupled to the hinge portion or at least one beam of the flexure. By varying the cross-section geometry of the stiffened portion, the stiffness of the stiffened portion may be controlled to increase the force required to move the flexure in an out-of-plane direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Tyler Dunn, Mark Andersson, Andrew William Sparks, Joyce Wu, Hideki Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 8995043
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus related to an electromechanical display device. In one aspect, an analog interferometric modulator includes a reflective display pixel having a reflector, and a movable first absorbing layer positionable at a distance d1 from the reflector, the first absorbing layer and the reflector defining a first gap therebetween. The apparatus also includes a second absorbing layer disposed at a distance d2 from the first absorbing layer, the first absorbing layer disposed between the second absorbing layer and the reflector, the second absorbing layer and the first absorbing layer defining a second gap therebetween. In addition, at least two of the reflector, the first absorbing layer and second absorbing layer are movable to synchronously either increase or decrease the thickness dimension of the first gap and the second gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian J. Ma, Tallis Y. Chang, John H. Hong
  • Patent number: 8995044
    Abstract: The invention relates to controllable Fabry-Perot interferometers which are produced with micromechanical (MEMS) technology. Micromechanical interferometers of the prior art have a disadvantage of significantly attenuating infrared radiation. In the inventive solution there is a gap in at least one mirror, serving as a layer of the mirror. The other layers of the mirrors can be made of polycrystalline silicon, which has a negligible attenuation at the infrared range. It is also preferable to provide a hole or a recess in a substrate at the optical area of the interferometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventor: Martti Blomberg
  • Publication number: 20150085342
    Abstract: An electrowetting element comprising: a first fluid and a second fluid immiscible with the first fluid; and a surface. The first and second fluids are switchable to a first configuration by application of a voltage, the first fluid adjoining a first area of the surface and the second fluid adjoining a second area of the surface in the first configuration. The electrowetting element includes at least one reconfiguration reducer for reducing a reconfiguration of the first and second fluids from the first configuration to a second configuration. The second configuration has the first fluid adjoining the second area and the second fluid adjoining the first area, there being a tendency for said reconfiguration to occur when maintaining said applied voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gor MANUKYAN, Bokke Johannes FEENSTRA
  • Publication number: 20150085343
    Abstract: An electrowetting element includes a first fluid and a second fluid and a support plate having a first surface adjoining less than all of a perimeter of a second surface. The first surface has a wettability for the first fluid lower than a wettability of the second surface for the first fluid. An electrode is associated with the support plate for use in applying a voltage for switching the first and second fluids between a first configuration with the first fluid adjoining a first area of the second surface; and a second configuration with the first fluid adjoining a second area of the second surface, the second area being smaller than the first area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Bokke Johannes FEENSTRA, Roy VAN DIJK, Robert HAYES
  • Patent number: 8988760
    Abstract: Encapsulation is provided to electromechanical devices to protect the devices from such environmental hazards as moisture and mechanical shock. In addition to the encapsulation layer providing protection from environmental hazards, the encapsulation layer is additionally planarized so as to function as a substrate for additional circuit elements formed above the encapsulation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Je-Hsiung Lan
  • Patent number: 8988759
    Abstract: An apparatus to modify an incident free space electromagnetic wave includes a block of an artificially structured material having an adjustable spatial distribution of electromagnetic parameters (e.g., ?, ?, ?, ?, and n). A controller applies control signals to dynamically adjust the spatial distribution of electromagnetic parameters in the material to introduce a time-varying path delay d(t) in the modified electromagnetic wave relative to the incident electromagnetic wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bowers, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Nathan Kundtz, Bruce Marshall McWilliams, John Brian Pendry, David Schurig, David R. Smith, Anthony F. Starr, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8988761
    Abstract: A transflective display apparatus includes a first electrode and a second electrode, which face each other and are separated from one another by a pixel electrode. In addition, a preparation voltage is applied to the first electrode or the second electrode before applying a driving voltage to the pixel electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Seung-Jin Baek, Sangil Kim, Yeun Tae Kim, Hyeon Gu Cho
  • Publication number: 20150077833
    Abstract: An electrowetting display includes first and second substrates facing each other, an electrowetting layer, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a hydrophobic barrier layer. The electrowetting layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and includes a first fluid and a second fluid, and the first fluid has an electrical conductivity or a polarity. The first electrode is disposed on the first substrate, and the second electrode forms an electric field in cooperation with the first electrode to control a position of the first fluid. The hydrophobic barrier layer is disposed between the first substrate and the electrowetting layer to cover the first electrode and includes a first surface making contact with the first electrode and a second surface having a hydrophobicity stronger than a hydrophobicity of the first surface and making contact with the electrowetting layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: SungHoon Yang, Woo Yong Sung
  • Publication number: 20150077834
    Abstract: An electrowetting display device includes a wall layer having a first part located on a first area of a surface of a hydrophobic layer and a second part located on a second area of the surface. The second area has a lower hydrophobicity than the first area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Paul VERMEULEN, Bruce SCOTT, Mick EVANS, Ivar SCHRAM
  • Patent number: 8982447
    Abstract: A display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate and a plurality of pixel units. The pixel units are disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and each of the pixel units includes a reflective electrode disposed on the first substrate, a plurality of colored charged particles located between the reflective electrode and the second substrate and a lateral electrode disposed on the first substrate and extended towards the second substrate. When a first voltage is applied to the reflective electrode, the charged particles are repelled to the second substrate to display the color of the charged particles due to the affection of a first electric field, when a second voltage is applied to the lateral electrode, the charged particles are attracted to the lateral electrode due to the affection of a second electric field. Further, a driving method of a display panel is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Weng-Chang Shen, Hsu-Hsiang Tseng
  • Patent number: 8982445
    Abstract: A variable optical device array includes: a transparent substrate; an addressing layer including an electrode wire arranged on the transparent substrate; a barrier wall portion disposed on the addressing layer to define cell regions and including conductive barrier walls that are electrically connected to the electrode wire, wherein pairs of the conductive barrier walls are arranged to form double walls; an insulation material filling a region between each pair of conductive barrier walls; a conductive first fluid and a nonconductive second fluid disposed in each of the cell regions, wherein the first and second fluids are not mixed; an insulation coating layer disposed on a top surface of each of the conductive barrier walls and on side surfaces of each of the cell regions; a transparent electrode layer covering the cell regions; and a voltage applying unit to apply a voltage between the transparent electrode layer and the addressing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Seoul National University R&DB Foundation
    Inventors: Eok-su Kim, Yong-joo Kwon, Jung-mok Bae, Yoon-sun Choi, Jung-hoon Lee, Seung-yul Choi
  • Patent number: 8982444
    Abstract: The present inventive concept relates to an electrowetting display device including a lyophobic colloid material and a polymer resin such as an organic layer or a polyimide (PI), and a lyophobic layer including a supporting layer supporting the lyophobic colloid material and using a photoreactive fluorine-based surfactant for a fluorine-based material to be positioned above and for a hardened photoreactive material layer to be positioned below through exposure in a single step without separately performing a hydrophilic treatment and then a water-repellent treatment, thereby reducing the number of processes, the manufacturing time, and the cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Ram Lee, Taimei Kodaira, Dae Jin Park, Joo-Han Bae, Seung-Jin Baek, Da Hye Yoon, Hyeon Gu Cho
  • Patent number: 8982448
    Abstract: An electrowetting device includes: a liquid-confining member including a base and an electrode unit supported on the base, the liquid-confining member defining an inner chamber; a first liquid of a magnetic ink disposed in the inner chamber; and a second liquid of a polar material disposed in the inner chamber and immiscible with the first liquid. The first and second liquids contact each other to define a liquid-liquid interface therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: National Chung-Hsing University
    Inventor: Incha Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20150070748
    Abstract: The reflective display device includes: a cell having: a display surface; a rear surface; side surfaces; and an interior space; a partition in a shape having radial extension dividing the rear surface into N regions; N rear electrodes respectively provided for the N regions on the rear surface; first side electrodes disposed on a display surface side and second side electrodes disposed on a rear surface side; N display-side electrodes separated by a separator zone in a shape having radial extension; a dielectric layer covering the N rear electrodes; polar liquid portions of N colors respectively disposed in N portions in the interior space; and polarity fluid placed within the interior space. A center of the partition matches with a center of the separator zone. A direction of the radial extension of the partition is different from that of the separator zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: MASATO ISHINO, ATSUSHI OMOTE, TAKAYUKI ISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20150070747
    Abstract: This disclosure provides circuits and methods for resetting a movable element, such as a mirror of an interferometric modulator (IMOD), to a consistent starting point or reset position. In one example, a circuit may include three electrodes with a capacitor coupled between two of the electrodes. Additionally, the polarity of one of the electrodes may be configured to switch and reverse in polarity relative to another electrode. Accordingly, the movable element may be moved to a reset position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Keat Leem Chan, Cheonhong Kim, Wilhelmus Johannes R. Van Lier, Bing Wen, Chandra Shekar Reddy Tupelly, Ningning Zhou, Richard Yeh
  • Publication number: 20150070671
    Abstract: An illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus comprises a spatial light modulator which is arranged between a light source and a pupil plane. The spatial light modulator includes an array of micromirrors or other light deflecting elements each being capable of individually deflecting impinging projection into various directions. An irradiance distribution on the mirror array or its envelope has, along a direction X an increasing slope and a decreasing slope. The control unit controls the mirrors in such a way that a first mirror, which is located at the increasing slope, and a second mirror, which is located at the decreasing slope, deflect impinging projection light so that it at least partly overlaps in the pupil plane. This ensures that the angular irradiance distribution at mask level is substantially independent from beam pointing fluctuations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Michael Patra
  • Patent number: 8976441
    Abstract: A digital micromirror device (“DMD”) is used to alter the shape of light that is projected onto a stage. The DMD selectively reflects some light, thereby shaping the light that is projected onto the stage. The control for the alteration is controlled by an image. That image can be processed, thereby carrying out image processing effects on the shape of the light that is displayed. One preferred application follows the shape of the performer and illuminates the performer using a shape that adaptively follows the performer's image. This results in a shadowless follow spot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, LLC
    Inventor: William E. Hewlett
  • Patent number: 8976436
    Abstract: A display device comprising a pixel, where the pixel includes: (a) a polar fluid that is at least one of colored and black, (b) a non-polar fluid that is at least one of transparent and translucent, (c) a first substrate, (d) a second substrate arranged relative to the first substrate to define a channel occupied by the polar fluid and the non-polar fluid, wherein at least one of the polar fluid and the non-polar fluid is visible, (e) a reflector having a plurality of features, comprising at least one of concavities and projections, that alter an angle of reflected light from a specular reflection to provide the appearance of a diffuse reflection, the display device also including a plurality of electrodes configured to cause repositioning of the polar fluid in the channel to displace at least a first portion of the non-polar fluid and a voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Dean, John Rudolph, Shu Yang
  • Patent number: 8974066
    Abstract: Embodiments provided herein describe optical coatings, panels having optical coatings thereon, and methods for forming optical coatings and panels. A transparent substrate is provided. An optical coating is formed on the transparent substrate. The optical coating includes a plurality of plate-shaped silicon dioxide particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventors: Nikhil Kalyankar, Richard Blacker, Scott Jewhurst, James Mulligan
  • Patent number: 8976442
    Abstract: Electro-wetting display devices are disclosed. The electro-wetting display may include an upper structure and a lower structure opposite to each other, a hydrophobic insulating layer covering a bottom surface of the upper structure, hydrophilic partitions disposed between the hydrophobic insulating layer and the lower structure to define pixel regions, and a colorless conductive fluid and a colored non-conductive fluid filling each of the pixel regions. A specific gravity of the colored non-conductive fluid may be smaller than a specific gravity of the colorless conductive fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventor: Gi Heon Kim
  • Patent number: RE45511
    Abstract: A deformable optical device includes a reflection device having a first reflecting surface and a second surface, an actuator (e.g., an integrated circuit piezoelectric actuator) having a support device and moveable extensions extending therefrom, which are coupled to the second surface, and electrodes coupled to corresponding ones of the extensions. Wavefront aberrations are detected and used to generate a control signal. The extensions are moved based on the control signal. The movement deforms the reflecting surface to correct the aberrations in the wavefront.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Pradeep K. Govil, Andrew Guzman