Patents Assigned to Brillian Corporation
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Publication number: 20080165288Abstract: A boot-up method for a digital television device is disclosed which significantly reduces the boot-up time when the power is turned on. At power-on, the control processor first loads a first subset of all the required registers, and start to perform a display function using the first subset of the register values. While the user is viewing the displaying images, the processor loads the remaining registers and completes the boot-up process. The first subset of registers to load may be determined based on information about the last state of the television device before it was last turned off, e.g., what input source a viewer was viewing. Alternatively, it maybe a predetermined subset of registers corresponding to a predetermined initial function.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Applicant: SYNTAX-BRILLIAN CORPORATIONInventor: Samuel MILLER
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Patent number: 7161570Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for driving a liquid crystal microdisplay. The apparatus comprises more than one display driver integrated circuit where a liquid crystal microdisplay receives video information from at least two separate and distinct display driver integrated circuits. One of the display driver integrated circuits is designated as producing a master clock. The internal clocks of the other display driver integrated circuits are compared to the master clock and adjusted to reduce the phase difference to a delay that does not produce visible artifacts on the microdisplay. The frame polarity is compared to be the same from each integrated circuit driving the microdisplay before outputting video information. A frame synchronization signal is also generated from each display driver integrated circuit to ensure that they are all ready to provide information to the microdisplay.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2003Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Brillian CorporationInventor: John Karl Waterman
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Patent number: 6999052Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) system, comprising a matrix of pixels, analyzes a video data stream for grayscale level jumps from extreme black to moderate gray levels. Transitions in grayscale levels are restricted between adjacent pixels so as to reduce image degradation due to fringe field effects. A memory, such as a plurality of shift registers, may be used to store grayscale levels of adjacent pixels which are compared and if a ratio between these grayscale levels exceeds a desire value then at least one of the grayscale levels is modified.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2004Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Brillian CorporationInventors: Matthias Pfeiffer, Terence R. Klein, Russell J. Flack, John Karl Waterman
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Patent number: 6972745Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) system, comprising a matrix of pixels, analyzes a video data stream for grayscale level jumps from extreme black to moderate gray levels. Transitions in grayscale levels are restricted between adjacent pixels so as to reduce image degradation due to fringe field effects. A memory, such as a shift register, may be used to store and then grayscale levels to be written to adjacent pixels are compared and if a difference between these grayscale levels exceed a certain value then at least one of the grayscale levels is modified.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Brillian CorporationInventors: Matthias Pfeiffer, Terence R. Klein, Russell J. Flack, John Karl Waterman
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Patent number: 6890786Abstract: This invention relates to a method of fabricating a light modulation system having a semiconductor substrate. In one exemplary method, an optical layer is applied over a semiconductor substrate which includes a plurality of integrated circuits. Each of these integrated circuits is capable of creating a separate display device. A protective layer is then applied over the optical layer. The plurality of integrated circuits is then singulated. Various other embodiments of apparatuses and methods are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2002Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Brillian CorporationInventors: Tobias W. Walker, Douglas J. McKnight, Kam Wan
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Patent number: 6888583Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adjusting or reducing intrinsic DC offset potential in a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) are taught. The methods allow the upper and lower assemblies of the LCD device to be manufactured with selected materials while achieving adjusted or reduced intrinsic DC offset potential in the finished LCD device. The methods are especially useful for reflective LCD designs where it is not possible to build the LCD with symmetric assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2001Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Brillian CorporationInventors: Kevin J. Ilcisin, Douglas J. McKnight
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Patent number: 6867839Abstract: This application deals with display systems which include pixel electrodes that control an electro-optic layer. In one exemplary embodiment, a display system includes an electro-optic layer, a first electrode which has a substantially flat surface and is operatively coupled to the electro-optic layer, and a first substrate which has a plurality of pixel electrodes. For each of the pixel electrodes, a first pixel electrode surface is substantially flat and parallel to the first electrode and has a first distance relative to the first electrode and a second pixel electrode surface is substantially flat and parallel to the first electrode and has a second distance relative to the first electrode which is different than the first distance. Other display systems are described.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2003Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Brillian CorporationInventor: Douglas J. McKnight
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Patent number: 6864861Abstract: An image generator having an illuminator, a reflective display device (in one embodiment) and a beamsplitter which produces a virtual image of an image created in a light modulating medium on said reflective display device. In one embodiment, the image generator is a miniature image generator for a relatively small, lightweight head-mounted display which provides a magnified virtual image which is viewed by a viewer. The beamsplitter is optically coupled to the reflective display device. The beamsplitter comprises a film having a plurality of layers including at least a first layer which comprises an oriented birefringent material. The beamsplitter has a wide angle of acceptance.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1998Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Brillian CorporationInventors: Kevin Schehrer, William Cassarly, Douglas McKnight, Russell M. Hudyma, Jonathan Biles, Miller Schuck, Karl Armagost
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Patent number: 6850218Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) having a matrix of liquid crystal pixels is provided. A plurality of digital-to-analog converters (DACs) are coupled to the LCD matrix through analog voltage switches and are adapted to produce output voltages that are applied to the pixels in the LCD matrix. Through the combination of DACs and analog voltage switches, groups of pixels are pre-written to an average value of the pixels in that group which is fairly close to their final voltage values of each pixel so that the liquid crystal material can begin slewing and settling as early as possible. Then one or more writes to each of the pixels is made of the precise voltage value desired at each of the pixels. Alternate, adjacent odd and even rows of pixels may be written together and then only the even or odd rows are finally written to obtain the desired final voltage values at each of the pixels in the LCD.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2000Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Brillian CorporationInventor: John Karl Waterman
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Patent number: 6829027Abstract: A controlled angle retarder and method for making is presented. In one embodiment, the invention is a liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal cell having an extraordinary axis. The liquid crystal display also includes a first retarder connected to the liquid crystal cell, the first retarder having an extraordinary axis. The extraordinary axis of the first retarder is aligned at an angle to the extraordinary axis of the liquid crystal cell; the angle is sufficient to produce a desired effective retardance of the first retarder within the display different from a specified retardance of the first retarder. The invention in an alternate embodiment is a method of making a liquid crystal display (LCD). The method includes measuring a retardance of a retarder.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2003Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: Brillian CorporationInventor: Douglas McKnight
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Patent number: 6825909Abstract: The invention relates to liquid crystal displays and method of making liquid crystal displays. One liquid crystal display invention has as an element an optically transmissive first substrate that may be positioned to receive light incident from the light source. A reflective second substrate is positioned adjacent to this first substrate. The second substrate has an active area that may include a circuit panel and a perimeter seal area surrounding that active area. To separate the first substrate from the second substrate, spacers are configured about the perimeter seal area of the second substrate. Between the first substrate and the second substrate is a liquid crystal material. Other embodiments are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2001Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Brillian CorporationInventors: Tobias W. Walker, Douglas J. McKnight, Paul L. Roselle, Mary Tilton, Jay Ahling
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Publication number: 20040196237Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) system, comprising a matrix of pixels, analyzes a video data stream for grayscale level jumps from extreme black moderate gray levels. Transitions in grayscale levels are restricted between adjacent pixels so as to reduce image degradation due to fringe field effects. A memory, such as a shift register, may be used to store and then grayscale levels to be written to adjacent pixels are compared and if a difference between these grayscale levels exceed a certain value then at least one of the grayscale levels is modified.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2004Publication date: October 7, 2004Applicants: BRILLIAN CORPORATION, THREE-FIVE SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Matthias Pfeiffer, Terence R. Klein, Russell J. Flack, John Karl Waterman
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Publication number: 20040196238Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) system, comprising a matrix of pixels, analyzes a video data stream for grayscale level jumps from extreme black to moderate gray levels. Transitions in grayscale levels are restricted between adjacent pixels so as to reduce image degradation due to fringe field effects. A memory, such as a plurality of shift registers, may be used to store grayscale levels of adjacent pixels which are compared and if a ratio between these grayscale levels exceeds a desire value then at least one of the grayscale levels is modified.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2004Publication date: October 7, 2004Applicants: THREE-FIVE SYSTEMS, INC., BRILLIAN CORPORATIONInventors: Matthias Pfeiffer, Terence R. Klein, Russell J. Flack, John Karl Waterman
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Patent number: 6801213Abstract: A system and method are provided for driving a digital display adapted to depict a first number of bits per color field during each frame. In use, a second number of bits is displayed which is greater than the first number of bits. This is accomplished by alternating the display of the bits between frames. To this end, additional bits of color are displayed without increasing the number of bits per color field during each frame.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2001Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: Brillian CorporationInventors: Neil Bergstrom, Dick Huston, Gang Xu
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Patent number: 6762738Abstract: An LCD pixel device is provided of the type deployed in a matrix of pixels selectively energized by a plurality of row lines and plurality of column lines and wherein a video voltage is stored on at least one pixel capacitor and coupled to an image-generating device. First and second source regions are formed near the surface of a semiconductor substrate. A drain region is likewise formed in the substrate between the first and second source regions forming the channels of first and second field-effect-transistors. An insulating layer is formed on the substrate, and first and second gate electrodes are provided in the insulating layer between the first source region and the drain region and the second source region and the drain region respectively. First and second mirrors are provided on the surface of the insulating layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: Brillian CorporationInventors: Jerome A. Frazee, Russell Flack, Joseph T. Smith
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Patent number: 6744443Abstract: A method and apparatus employing lookup tables in a time sequential manner. A substrate has a display, a digital to analog converter, and a lookup table (LUT) formed thereon. The LUT is loaded with a LUT data set corresponding to an image subframe to be driven to the display. Successive LUT data sets corresponding to the next subframe are loaded after each subframe is driven to the display.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2001Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Brillian CorporationInventors: Douglas J. McKnight, Douglas J. Gorny, Lowell F. Bohn, Jr.
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Patent number: 6744415Abstract: A matrix of liquid crystal pixels (160) is provided. A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) (150) is coupled to the matrix and produces an output voltage that can be applied to one or more pixels in the matrix. The DAC (150) receives a multi-bit digital input and generates its output voltage to correspond to the digital input. The conversion function of the DAC is adapted to have a higher resolution within a voltage range in which most grayshade changes of the LCD occur.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2001Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Brillian CorporationInventors: John Karl Waterman, Russell Flack, Terry Klein, Andreas Grubert
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Patent number: 6738056Abstract: A system for handling an input video stream comprises an internal clock generator generating a first clock and a synchronization unit receiving the input video stream having an associated second clock being slower than the first clock. The synchronization unit samples the second clock with the first clock thereby generating a third clock synchronized with the first clock having no signal in case of a data gap. This signal can be used to determine the dwelling time for a charge being applied to a pixel which will be constant even without a buffer memory.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2001Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Brillian CorporationInventor: John Karl Waterman
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Patent number: 6731257Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) system, comprising a matrix of pixels, analyzes a video data stream for grayscale level jumps from extreme black to moderate gray levels. Transitions in grayscale levels are restricted between adjacent pixels so as to reduce image degradation due to fringe field effects. A memory, such as a plurality of shift registers, may be used to store grayscale levels of adjacent pixels which are compared and if a ratio between these grayscale levels exceeds a desire value then at least one of the grayscale levels is modified.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2001Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Brillian CorporationInventors: Matthias Pfeiffer, Terence R. Klein, Russell J. Flack, John Karl Waterman
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Patent number: 6727872Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) system, comprising a matrix of pixels, analyzes a video data stream for grayscale level jumps from extreme black to moderate gray levels. Transitions in grayscale levels are restricted between adjacent pixels so as to reduce image degradation due to fringe field effects. A memory, such as a shift register, may be used to store and then grayscale levels to be written to adjacent pixels are compared and if a difference between these grayscale levels exceed a certain value then at least one of the grayscale levels is modified.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2001Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Brillian CorporationInventors: Matthias Pfeiffer, Terrence R. Klein, Russell J. Flack, John Karl Waterman