Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for assessing a surface using a piezoelectric element. In one aspect, the method includes applying a device to the surface, wherein the device includes at least one piezoelectric element and at least one EMS device, wherein the EMS device includes a conductive first layer separated from a conductive second layer, and wherein the piezoelectric element is electrically coupled to the EMS device such that a force applied to the piezoelectric element results in a voltage applied across the first and second layers.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for enhancing the brightness and/or contrast ratio of display devices. In one aspect, the display devices can include an annular diffuser that is configured to scatter light into a ring shaped region. The annular diffuser can include a plurality of axicon lenses or holographic features. The reflective display can include an annular diffuser to shift the direction along which most of the modulated light is scattered away from the direction along which light is specularly reflected by the display devices to reduce specular glare and enhance brightness and/or contrast ratio.

Abstract: This disclosure provides implementations of systems, devices, components, computer products, methods, and techniques for correcting or compensating for moving visual object distortions. In one aspect, a method includes combining image data from a first frame with image data from a second frame to generate a fused image frame. Additionally or alternatively, the method can include applying a shear transformation to the image data in the first frame to generate a sheared image frame. One of, or a combination of, the fused image frame and the sheared image frame may be displayed as a pre-distorted image frame so that, when viewed on the display, the pre-distorted image frame compensates for distortion that can otherwise be perceived by a user when viewing the displayed moving visual object.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for an analog or multistate electromechanical systems display devices including movable absorber together with a movable reflective layers. In one aspect, an electromechanical systems display device may include a movable reflector assembly and a movable absorber assembly. The absorber assembly may be disposed between the reflector assembly and a substrate. The absorber assembly may be configured to move to an absorber white state position proximate the reflector assembly and defining a first gap when the reflector assembly is in a reflector white/black position. The absorber assembly may be configured to move to a closed position closer to the substrate, defining a second gap, when the reflector assembly is in the reflector white/black position. The reflector assembly may be configured to move from the reflector white/black position to increase a height of the second gap when the absorber assembly is in the closed position.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus related to acoustic resonators that include composite transduction layers for enabling selective tuning of one or more acoustic or electromechanical properties. In one aspect, a resonator structure includes one or more first electrodes, one or more second electrodes, and a transduction layer arranged between the first and second electrodes. The transduction layer includes a plurality of constituent layers. In some implementations, the constituent layers include one or more first piezoelectric layers and one or more second piezoelectric layers. The transduction layer is configured to, responsive to signals provided to the first and second electrodes, provide at least a first mode of vibration of the transduction layer with a displacement component along the z axis and at least a second mode of vibration of the transduction layer with a displacement component along the plane of the x axis and they axis.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, apparatus and techniques by which electromechanical resonators are implemented. In one aspect, by mechanically loading the resonator body in specific ways, multiple resonance modes are created within the resonator body resulting in wider bandwidths.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing illumination by using a light guide to distribute light and for determining spacing between light turning features in the light guide. In one aspect, a light intensity profile along a first axis is determined and the pitch of light turning features along that first axis is varied based upon this profile, while the pitch along a second crossing axis (for example, an orthogonal axis) and the sizes of the light turning features remain unchanged. In some implementations, an apparatus includes a light guide having an array of light turning features configured to turn light from at least one light emitter. The light turning features can be non-uniformly spaced apart along a first axis such that pitches vary non-monotonically and, along a second axis that crosses the first axis, the light turning features are spaced apart with substantially the same progression.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a display device with at least one transparent antenna. In one aspect, the transparent antenna is formed on a surface of a transparent substrate and may be electrically reinforced with one or more electrically conductive traces. The transparent antenna can avoid substantial interference with images produced by the display device.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for through substrate via inductors. In one aspect, a cavity is defined in a glass substrate. At least two metal bars are in the cavity. A first end of each metal bar is proximate a first surface of the substrate, and a second end of each metal bar is proximate a second surface of the substrate. A metal trace connects a first metal bar and a second metal bar. In some instances, one or more dielectric layers can be disposed on surfaces of the substrate. In some instances, the metal bars and the metal trace define an inductor. The inductor can have a degree of flexibility corresponding to a variable inductance. Metal turns can be arranged in a solenoidal or toroidal configuration. The toroidal inductor can have tapered traces and/or thermal ground planes. Transformers and resonator circuitry can be realized.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a display device with at least one transparent antenna. In one aspect, a transparent antenna is formed on the surface of a transparent substrate and is cooperatively coupled with a second antenna. The transparent antenna can avoid substantial interference with images produced by the display device.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for electromechanical systems (EMS) device packages having integrated sensors. In one aspect, electrodes within a packaged EMS device can be used in conjunction with an electrode disposed on another substrate within the EMS device package to form one or more capacitive sensors. The capacitive sensor may be used to determine the relative deformation of substrates within the EMS device package, which can in turn be used as part of a pressure, touch, mass, or impact measuring system.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses reduce stress and/or reduce stiffness in a movable layer of an electromechanical systems (EMS) device. Stress or stiffness can be reduced by including one or more compressive stress layers to compensate for the tensile stress exhibited by other layers of the movable layer. The movable layer can include a dielectric core with a first tensile stress layer and a first compressive stress layer on a first side of the dielectric core, and a second tensile stress layer and a second compressive stress layer on a second side of the dielectric core.

Abstract: A mobile device may include a sensor array. The sensor array may be a touch sensor array, such as a projected capacitive touch (PCT) sensor array. The mobile device may be configured to determine whether one or more sensor signals from the sensor array indicate an ear gesture and/or the presence of an ear. One or more device operations may be invoked according to the determination.

Abstract: A transmissive micromechanical device includes a substrate, an optical stack over the substrate and a moveable membrane over the optical stack. The moveable membrane may include a partially reflective mirror and be configured to move from a first position to a second position. When the movable membrane is in the first position the transmissive micromechanical device is configured to pass light of a predetermined color and when the movable membrane is in the second position, the micromechanical device is configured to block substantially all of light incident on the substrate.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for an electromechanical systems (EMS) device with one or more protrusions connected to a surface of the EMS device. In one aspect, the EMS device includes a substrate, a stationary electrode over the substrate, and a movable electrode over the stationary electrode. The movable electrode is configured to move to three or more positions across a gap by electrostatic actuation between the movable electrode and the stationary electrode. When the protrusions contact any surface of the EMS device at one of the positions across the gap, the protrusions change the stiffness of the EMS device. At least one of the surfaces in contact with the one or more protrusions is non-rigid. In some implementations, the protrusions have a height greater than about 20 nm.

Abstract: An optical device suitable for forming a pixel in a video display. The optical device includes a first layer having a first refractive index; a second layer over the first layer, the second layer having a second refractive index less than the first refractive index; and a third layer over the second layer, the third layer having a third refractive index larger than the second refractive index; and a fourth layer that is at least partially optically absorptive, wherein the optical stack and the fourth layer are a first distance from one another when the device is in a first state and are a second distance from one another when the device is in a second state, the first distance different from the second distance.

Abstract: A package structure and method of packaging for an interferometric modulator. A thin film material is deposited over an interferometric modulator and transparent substrate to encapsulate the interferometric modulator. A gap or cavity between the interferometric modulator and the thin film provides a space in which mechanical parts of the interferometric modulator may move. The gap is created by removal of a sacrificial layer that is deposited over the interferometric modulator.

Abstract: The present invention introduces a new class of lightweight tile-based illumination systems for uses wherein thin directionally-illuminating light distributing engines are embedded into the body of otherwise standard building materials like conventional ceiling tiles along with associated means of electrical control and electrical power interconnection. As a new class of composite light emitting ceiling materials, the present invention enables a lighter weight more flexibly distributed overhead lighting system alternatives for commercial office buildings and residential housing without changing the existing materials. One or more spot lighting, task lighting, flood lighting and wall washing elements having cross-sectional thickness matched to that of the building material or tile into which they are embedded, are contained and interconnected within the material body's cross-section.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to physical vapor deposition. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a magnet assembly including a magnet element, a substrate holder configured to hold a substrate, a target holder configured to hold a target positioned between the magnet assembly and the substrate, a motor configured to move the magnet assembly across a face of the substrate, and a controller. The controller includes program instructions for conducting a process including moving the magnet assembly across the face of the substrate using the motor to sputter material from the target onto the substrate. The material sputtered onto the substrate may have a substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: Methods and devices for calibrating and controlling the actuation of an analog interferometric modulator configured to have a plurality of actuation states. Devices and methods for calibrating an analog interferometric modulator to respond in linear relation to an applied voltage.