Abstract: Interferometric modulators and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, an interferometric modulator includes an interferometric reflector having a first reflective surface, a second reflective surface, and an optical resonant layer defined by the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface. The interferometric reflector can be configured to transmit a certain spectrum of light at a transmission peak wavelength such that the interferometric modulator has a diminished reflectance of light at the transmission peak wavelength.

Abstract: Electromechanical systems resonator structures, devices, circuits, and systems are disclosed. In one aspect, an oscillator includes an active component and a passive component connected in a feedback configuration. The passive component includes one or more contour mode resonators (CMR). A CMR includes a piezoelectric layer disposed between a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer. The conductive layers include an input electrode and an output electrode. The passive component is configured to output a first resonant frequency and a second resonant frequency, which is an odd integer harmonic of the first resonant frequency. The active component is configured to output a signal including the first resonant frequency and the second resonant frequency. This output signal can be a substantially square wave signal, which can serve as a clock in various applications.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing power consumption in a display includes driving a display comprising a plurality of display elements characterized by a display state. In a first mode of operation, the display state of substantially all the display elements is periodically re-set so as to display a first series of image frames. Upon changing to a second mode of operation, a second mode of operations comprises re-setting the display state of only a portion of the display elements so as to display a second series of image frames at a display element resolution which is less than said display element resolution used to display said first series of image frames.

Abstract: Devices and methods for determining an operational state of a selected display device in an array of display devices. One method includes determining the operational state of a particular display device in the array by measuring an electrical characteristic of a plurality of the display devices, and determining the operational state based at least in part on the three measurements. In some embodiments, the electrical characteristic is capacitance, in other embodiments impedance can be the measured electrical characteristic. Such methods can be applied to interferometric modulator displays and other displays, including liquid crystal display displays.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for testing an electromechanical systems (EMS) device. In one aspect, a laser is directed at a driven EMS device, and the reflected light pattern is analyzed to provide information regarding the characteristics of the driven EMS device. In some aspects, the reflected light pattern is analyzed to determine a resonant frequency of the EMS device or the damping forces acting on the EMS device. The resonant frequency can then be used to determine stresses within the EMS device, or pressure or temperature within a device package encapsulating the EMS device.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, apparatus, and computer programs encoded on computer storage media for displaying a target color on an electronic display having display devices capable of displaying a set of native colors. In one aspect, the method includes identifying a plurality of weights including at least a first weight and one or more other weights, selecting a first color from the set of native colors that is closest to the target color and assigning it to the first weight, determining an error between the first color and the target color, recursively assigning a subsequent color from the set of native colors to the one or more other weights. Each subsequent color is selected based on the target color and an error normalized by previously assigned weights. The method also displays each assigned color according to its weight on the electronic display.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for driving an array of tri-state devices. The array of tri-state devices may form an array of display elements, and the array may be passively addressed. According to one aspect, the array includes two segment lines and one common line connected to each tri-state display element. According to another aspect, the array includes two common lines and one segment line connected to each tri-state display element.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a display device having a front light to provide front illumination to the display element included in the display device and an optical touch screen to provide a touch input to the display device. In one aspect, the display device includes a light source disposed to inject light into a backplate of the display device rearward of the display elements and a light redirector disposed to receive light from the backplate and redirect the received light forward of the display elements for optical touch purpose.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for writing a display image to a display having an array of pixels according to a selected driving sequence. In one aspect, display elements in a row are driven using a tall and narrow voltage pulse. This allows display elements of a row to be driven in a shorter line time.

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.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for calibrating and controlling the actuation of an analog interferometric modulator. In one aspect, an electrode of a movable layer of the analog interferometric modulator may include a part for receiving a drive voltage, and an electrically isolated part. A voltage may be sensed from the electrically isolated part, and used to determine the position of the movable layer and/or provide feedback to the drive voltage.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for calibrating and controlling the actuation of an analog interferometric modulator are described herein. An electrode of a movable layer of the analog interferometric modulator may include a part for receiving a drive voltage, and an electrically isolated part. A charge may be sensed from the electrically isolated part, and used to determine the position of the movable layer or provide feedback to the drive voltage.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, apparatus, and computer programs encoded on computer storage media for converting drive instructions for a plurality of display devices to drive instructions for a first display device. In one aspect, a method includes processing the drive instructions for the plurality of display devices to produce a first color in a set of potential colors for the plurality of display devices, selecting a color for the first display device that approximates the produced first color, displaying the selected color with the first display device, determining an error between the selected color and the produced first color, and diffusing the error by displaying at least another color on at least a portion of the plurality of display devices.

Abstract: An ornamental display device having at least one interferometric modulator, a signal receiver configured to receive an external signal and a processor configured to control the display based on the external signal is disclosed. In one aspect, the external signal is emitted from a controller. In another aspect, the external signal is emitted from a computer.

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.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for driving electromechanical display devices that suffer from adhesion forces. In one aspect, a method for driving a display element is provided that includes applying a first series of voltages to a first electrode and applying a second series of voltages from a set of voltage levels to a second electrode to selectively place a movable layer into an actuated state or un-actuated state based on a voltage difference between the first and second electrodes. The method further includes applying a third series of voltages levels from the set of voltage levels to a third electrode. The third series of voltage levels are applied to the third electrode such that a non-zero voltage exists between the third and second electrodes during a release time period where a desired state is the un-actuated state.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling the actuation of an analog interferometric modulator. In one aspect, a voltage may be determined from a sense electrode. A distance between one or more of the electrodes may be determined based on the voltage. The sense electrode may be capacitively coupled to another electrode, and may be implemented in a mirror of a movable layer of an interferometric modulator, or may be implemented in a floating fixed layer of an interferometric modulator.

Abstract: Displays, and methods of displaying images with the displays, which have quantized display characteristics for each of the pixels are disclosed. The displays and methods relate to both spatially and temporally dithering images so that the effective resolution of the display is higher than the result of the native spatial and intensity resolutions of the display, defined by pixel size, pitch, and number of quantization levels of each of the pixels.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for improving brightness, contrast, and viewable angle of a reflective display. In one aspect, a display includes a structure having a steering layer including steering features. The steering features are configured to direct light away from inactive regions of a display and towards active regions of the display. The structure may also include a diffuser for scattering light incident on the display and reflected by the display.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for writing data to a display. The frame rate is improved by simultaneously and independently writing data to multiple common lines of the display. In some implementations, lines of common color are written simultaneously. In some implementations, more common lines of lower visual importance are written simultaneously than common lines of higher visual importance. In these implementations, colors of higher visual importance can be displayed at a higher resolution to maintain good image quality while still improving frame rate. Display element electrodes may be coupled along common lines in various ways to implement simultaneous writing to multiple common lines.