Patents Assigned to QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies
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Publication number: 20160027389Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for directing light from a remote light source into interferometric modulator structures. Light redirectors, including reflective structures, scattering centers, and fluorescent or phosphorescent material, are used to redirect light from a light source into interferometric modulator structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2013Publication date: January 28, 2016Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, IncInventors: Brian J. Gally, William J. Cummings
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Patent number: 9244212Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for illumination devices. In one aspect, an illumination device having a longitudinal axis includes a light source and a light guide. The light guide has a peripheral edge, a transmissive illumination surface, a center portion, and an upper surface. The transmissive illumination surface is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and disposed between the center portion and the peripheral edge. The upper surface is oriented relative to the illumination surface to define an angle ? therebetween. In some implementations, the angle ? can be greater than 15 degrees, for example.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2014Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Louis Holman, Matthew Brian Sampsell
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Patent number: 9223080Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for providing illumination. In one aspect, a light guide can be configured to propagate light received from a light source. The light can be propagated by total internal reflection (TIR) within the light guide. The light guide can include an output surface configured to output light and one or more light extraction elements, which are configured to redirect the light propagating in the light guide so that the light exits the light guide through the output surface. The light guide can have tapered side walls that are configured to at least partially collimate the light that is to exit out of the output surface. In some implementations, the light guide can be used to provide illumination for display devices, other electromechanical systems, or for lighting a room or task area.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2012Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Robert L. Holman
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Publication number: 20150351207Abstract: This disclosure provides apparatus and methods for mitigating electrostatic discharge (ESD) in display devices. In one aspect, a display device includes an encapsulation substrates having an anti-static coating on one or more of surfaces of the encapsulation substrate. The display devices can include transparent substrates having display elements thereon such that the encapsulation substrate that covers the display elements. The anti-static coating on one or more surfaces of the encapsulation substrate can dissipate charge that may build up during fabrication or operation of the display device. The anti-static coating can be conductive and transparent, with examples of such coatings including transparent conducting oxides (TCOs), thin metal films, thin carbon films, and networks of conductive nanostructures.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2014Publication date: December 3, 2015Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ming-Hau Tung, Nassim Khonsari, Edward Keat Leem Chan, Ion Bita, William J. Cummings, Alan G. Lewis
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Publication number: 20150348472Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing voltages to an arrangement of display modules in a display. In one aspect, a group including multiple rows of display modules may be provided a reset signal at the same time. Each row may be provided its own driver circuit to provide a row enable signal such that each row of display modules in the group may be biased row-by-row following the reset. Additionally, driver circuitry providing a variety of voltages to the display modules may be implemented in chip-on-glass (COG).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2014Publication date: December 3, 2015Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Edward Keat Leem Chan, Bing Wen, Wilhelmus Johannes Robertus Van Lier
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Patent number: 9190208Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for metal-insulator-metal capacitors on glass substrates. In one aspect, an apparatus may include a glass substrate, with the glass substrate defining at least one via in the glass substrate. A first electrode layer may be disposed over surfaces of the glass substrate, including surfaces of the at least one via. A dielectric layer may be disposed on the first electrode layer. A second electrode layer may be disposed on the dielectric layer, with the dielectric layer electrically isolating the first electrode layer from the second electrode layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2014Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jon Bradley Lasiter, Ravindra V. Shenoy, Donald William Kidwell, Victor Louis Arockiaraj Pushparaj, Kwan-yu Lai, Ana Rangelova Londergan
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Patent number: 9190013Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for selecting a temporal modulation method according to an analysis of image data and for controlling a pixel array according to the temporal modulation method. The analysis may involve analyzing at least one of image content data or image gamut data.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2013Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Pouya Bastani, Alok Govil, Behnam Bastani
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Patent number: 9182851Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a front illumination device with metalized light-turning features. In one aspect, an illumination device with integrated touch sensor capability includes a light guide having a metalized light-turning feature and an electrode system for sensing changes to the capacitance between electrodes in the electrode system induced by the proximity of an electrically conductive body, such as a human finger. The metalized light-turning features may be electrically connected to and/or part of the electrode system.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2014Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ion Bita, Stephen P. Dhanens, Evgeni P. Gousev, Kollengode S. Narayanan
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Patent number: 9178256Abstract: This disclosure provides implementations of electromechanical systems (EMS) resonator structures, devices, apparatus, systems, and related processes. In one aspect, a device includes an evanescent-mode electromagnetic-wave cavity resonator. In some implementations, the resonator includes an isotropically-etched cavity operable to support one or more evanescent electromagnetic wave modes. In some implementations, the resonator also includes a cavity ceiling arranged to form a volume in conjunction with the isotropically-etched cavity. In some implementations, the resonator also includes a capacitive tuning structure having a portion that is located at least partially within the volume so as to support the evanescent electromagnetic wave modes. In some implementations, a distal surface of the tuning structure is separated from the closest surface to it by a gap distance, a resonant electromagnetic wave mode of the cavity resonator being dependent at least partially on the gap distance.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2012Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Philip Jason Stephanou, Sang-June Park, Ravindra V. Shenoy
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Patent number: 9171960Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a thin film transistor (TFT) device on a substrate. In one aspect, the TFT device includes a gate electrode, an oxide semiconductor layer, and a gate insulator between the gate electrode and the oxide semiconductor layer. The oxide semiconductor layer includes at least two metal oxides, with the two metal oxides having a varying concentration relative to one another between a lower surface and an upper surface of the oxide semiconductor layer. The TFT device also includes a source metal adjacent to a portion of the oxide semiconductor layer and a drain metal adjacent to another portion of the oxide semiconductor layer. The composition of the oxide semiconductor layer can be precisely controlled by a sequential deposition technique using atomic layer deposition (ALD).Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John Hyunchul Hong, Hong-Son Ryang, Cheonhong Kim, Tze-Ching Fung
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Patent number: 9170474Abstract: A projector can include a projection lens that is positioned substantially one focal length away from a spatial light modulator. The projector may also include a non-imaging optic configured to illuminate the spatial light modulator. The non-imaging optic may include a light emitter and an etendue-preserving reflector. The projector can be configured to project an image created by the spatial light modulator at a distance using light from the non-imaging optic.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2012Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Holman, Matthew Brian Sampsell
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Patent number: 9156678Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a laminated film enclosing an array of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) structures. In one aspect, a MEMS apparatus includes a substrate having a device region and an edge region surrounding the device region and an array of MEMS structures on the substrate at the device region. A protective layer is disposed over the array of MEMS structures. A laminated film is disposed over the protective layer and in contact with the substrate to form a seal at the edge region, where the laminated film forms a cavity between the substrate and the laminated film at the device region. The laminated film includes a moisture barrier layer facing away from the array of MEMS structures, and a desiccant layer facing toward the array of MEMS structures.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2013Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Wenguang Li, Tsongming Kao
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Publication number: 20150287367Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for recycling charge. In one aspect, a circuit may include amplifiers with power supplies provided by a capacitor voltage divider. A storage capacitor may be configured to be coupled one at a time and in parallel with individual capacitors of the voltage divider. The storage capacitor may store charge that may be reused.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2014Publication date: October 8, 2015Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Wilhelmus Johannes Robertus Van Lier, Edward Keat Leem Chan, Vincent Anthony Condito
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Patent number: 9140830Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2014Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jian Ma, John Hyunchul Hong, Bing Wen
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Patent number: 9134591Abstract: A projector can include a projection lens that is positioned substantially one focal length away from a spatial light modulator. The projector may also include a non-imaging optic configured to illuminate the spatial light modulator. The non-imaging optic may include a light emitter and an etendue-preserving reflector. The projector can be configured to project an image created by the spatial light modulator at a distance using light from the non-imaging optic.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2012Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Robert Holman, Matthew Brian Sampsell
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Patent number: 9135843Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for driving a display array with a waveform having a plurality of voltage levels, wherein a first subset of the plurality of voltages is different from a second subset of the plurality of voltages by a defined amount. In one aspect, a display driver circuit comprises a power supply configured to generate the first subset of said plurality of voltages, and a charge pump having the first subset of the plurality of voltages as inputs and the second subset of the plurality of voltages as outputs. The charge pump may not include a switch between each output voltage and a corresponding capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2012Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Didier H. Farenc, Nada Vukovic-Radic
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Patent number: 9121979Abstract: Illumination devices and methods of making same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a display device includes a light modulating array and a light guide configured to receive light into at least one edge of the light guide. The light guide can be characterized by a first refractive index. The display device can also include a light turning layer disposed such that the light guide is at least partially between the turning layer and the array. The turning layer can comprise an inorganic material characterized by a second refractive index that is substantially the same as the first refractive index.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2010Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ion Bita, Sapna Patel, Clayton Ka Tsun Chan, SuryaPrakash Ganti, Brian W. Arbuckle
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Patent number: 9110281Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for masked reflective structures which can be integrated into display devices. In one aspect, masks and etch leading layers can be used to control the etching of a stack of layers to form masked reflective structures having a desired profile. In particular, tapered edges at a particular angle can be formed, and the resulting structures used in a roll-to-roll process to fabricate a device component.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2012Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ming-Hau Tung, Srinivasan Kodaganallur Ganapathi
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Patent number: 9109949Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for sensing touch and/or gestures in the near-field area overlying a light-guiding layer within a device or other optical sensing system. In one aspect, modulated infrared light is emitted into the overlying area, and the light reflected by objects within the overlying area is redirected through the light-guiding layer to infrared sensors. In one aspect, a masking structure can be located between the light-guiding layer and the infrared sensors. In some aspects, probability mapping or backtracing can be used to estimate the locations of objects within the overlying area.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Xiquan Cui, Muhammed I Sezan, Russell Wayne Gruhlke, Qiang Zhang
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Patent number: 9105728Abstract: This disclosure provides implementations of multi-gate transistors, structures, devices, apparatus, systems, and related processes. In one aspect, a device includes a thin-film semiconducting layer arranged over a substrate. A drain and source are coupled to the semiconducting layer. The device also includes first, second and third gates all arranged adjacent the semiconducting layer and configured to receive first, second, and third control signals, respectively. Dielectric layers insulate the gates from the semiconducting layer and from one another. In a first mode, the first, second, and third gates are configured such that charge is stored in a potential well in a region of the semiconducting layer adjacent the second gate. In a second mode, the first, second and third gate electrodes are configured such that the stored charge is transferred through the region of the semiconducting layer adjacent the third gate electrode and through the source to a load.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2012Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John Hyunchul Hong, Cheonhong Kim, Tze-Ching Fung