Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for making and using x-axis gyroscopes, y-axis gyroscopes, z-axis gyroscopes, two-axis accelerometers and three-axis accelerometers. Combining fabrication processes for such devices can enable the monolithic integration of six inertial sensing axes on a single substrate, such as a single glass substrate. Such devices may be included in a mobile device, such as a mobile display device.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for making and using accelerometers. Some such accelerometers include a substrate, a first plurality of electrodes, a second plurality of electrodes, a first anchor attached to the substrate, a frame and a proof mass. The substrate may extend substantially in a first plane. The proof mass may be attached to the frame, may extend substantially in a second plane and may be substantially constrained for motion along first and second axes. The frame may be attached to the first anchor, may extend substantially in a second plane and may be substantially constrained for motion along the second axis. A lateral movement of the proof mass in response to an applied lateral acceleration along the first or second axes may result in a change in capacitance at the first or second plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for making and using gyroscopes. Such gyroscopes may include a central anchor, a sense frame disposed around the central anchor, a plurality of sense beams configured for connecting the sense frame to the central anchor and a drive frame disposed around and coupled to the sense frame. The gyroscope may include pairs of drive beams disposed on opposing sides of the sense frame. The gyroscope may include a drive frame suspension for substantially restricting a drive motion of the drive frame to that of a substantially linear displacement along the first axis. The sense frame may be substantially decoupled from drive motions of the drive frame. Such devices may be included in a mobile device, such as a mobile display device.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for making and using gyroscopes. Such gyroscopes may include a sense frame, a proof mass disposed outside the sense frame, a pair of anchors and a plurality of drive beams. The plurality of drive beams may be disposed on opposing sides of the sense frame and between the pair of anchors. The drive beams may connect the sense frame to the proof mass. The drive beams may be configured to cause torsional oscillations of the proof mass substantially in a first plane of the drive beams. The sense frame may be substantially decoupled from the drive motions of the proof mass. Such devices may be included in a mobile device, such as a mobile display device.

Abstract: Devices for providing illumination to a display and method for manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, a display device includes a reflective display and turning features for turning light propagating from opposite directions in a light guide to the reflective display.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing the power consumption necessary for updating a display are provided. The methods include determining a row addressing order based on an attribute of the image data that minimizes the number of column charging transitions necessary to write the image data to the display. In some embodiments, the row-addressing order is determined based on a determination of a whiteness value for the row. In some embodiments, a power-optimized row-addressing order is embedded in image data, allowing a display device to write the image data to the display more efficiently.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for detecting proximity and/or color of an object. In one aspect, an optical sensor includes a plurality of transmissive interferometric elements, a plurality of detectors positioned to detect the presence and/or intensity of light transmitted through the elements, and a processor to determine the proximity of an object based at least in part upon input from the detectors. An optical signal can be sensed by selectively actuating certain elements in a set of transmissive interferometric elements in an array to allow transmission of optical signals within a first spectrum through the array, and detecting optical signals transmitted through the array.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for controlling analog display elements. In one aspect, a control scheme can be used for controlling analog display elements, including interferometric modulators. This control scheme can be used to drive the analog display elements to a plurality of discrete different states, and can be referred to as “digital” control of the display element state.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for displaying an image using voltage shifting. In one aspect, a display device includes an array of display elements, each display element configurable into one of a plurality of states upon application of one of a plurality of voltages, and an array of voltage shifters, each voltage shifter associated with one or more of the display elements and configured to receive at least one input voltage from a display driver circuit and output at least one output voltage different than the input voltage to the associated one or more display elements. The voltage shifters can include, for example, at least one of an amplifier, a differential amplifier, an operational amplifier, a charge pump, a level shifter and a digital-to-analog converter.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for sharing image data between interconnected pixels in a display device. Some implementations of a display device may include an array of pixels, where each pixel includes a display element, a memory element, one or more data interconnect lines connecting the pixel to one or more other pixels, one or more switches positioned in one or more of the interconnect lines and one or more scroll data lines connected to one or more of the switches. Some implementations may enable scrolling of image data on a display without writing new image data to the display. Further, in some implementations, the display element may be an interferometric modulator (IMOD). Some other implementations may additionally include a display, a processor configured to communicate with the display and a memory device that is configured to communicate with the processor.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for parallel dithering images are disclosed. In one aspect, a display device includes: a front substrate; a backplate opposing the front substrate; an array of display elements associated with the front substrate; and an array of processing units associated with the backplate. Each of the processing units is configured to process data for one or more of the display elements for dithering an image. Each of the processing units is spatially arranged to correspond to the one or more display elements for which it is configured to process data. The array of processing units can perform a faster dithering process than a single processor sequentially performing all computation for dithering. Further, the position of the array of processing units allows effective image data processing in an active-matrix type display device while utilizing the space of the backplate thereof.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods, systems and apparatus for storing and processing image data at the pixel using augmented active matrix pixels. Some implementations of a display device may include a substrate, an array of display elements associated with the substrate and configured to display an image, an array of processor units associated with the substrate, wherein each processor unit is configured to process image data for a respective portion of the display elements and an array of memory units associated with the array of processor units, wherein each memory unit is configured to store data for a respective portion of the display elements. Some implementations may enable color processing image data at the pixel, layering of image data at the pixel or temporal modulation of image data at the pixel. Further, in some implementations, the display element may be an interferometric modulator (IMOD).

Abstract: A spatial light modulator comprises an integrated optical compensation structure, e.g., an optical compensation structure arranged between a substrate and a plurality of individually addressable light-modulating elements, or an optical compensation structure located on the opposite side of the light-modulating elements from the substrate. The individually addressable light-modulating elements are configured to modulate light transmitted through or reflected from the transparent substrate. Methods for making such spatial light modulators involve fabricating an optical compensation structure over a substrate and fabricating a plurality of individually addressable light-modulating elements over the optical compensation structure. The optical compensation structure may be a passive optical compensation structure.

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: In one embodiment of the invention, a display is provided and includes a plurality of interferometric display elements. The display further includes at least one diffuser. Optical properties of the diffuser are selected to reduce color shift of the display when viewed from at least one angle.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein involve making connections with the display leads on more than one side of the display array, e.g., on 2 sides, 3 sides or all 4 sides of the display array. By making connections with the display leads on more than one side of the display array, the available area for bonding leads and control circuitry may be increased. The driver chip(s), discrete components, and other active components necessary for addressing the display panel may be attached to the top or the bottom of a flexible printed circuit (“FPC”) or a similar device. Some embodiments involve attaching an FPC to the display such that that the backplate is substantially encased by the FPC.

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.

Abstract: Power efficient power supply regulator circuits are disclosed. The circuits are configured to modify their overhead current according to current load. This is particularly advantageous for use in display devices with widely varying current loads. Such displays include bi-stable displays, such as interferometric modulation displays, LCD displays, and DMD displays.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing perceived color shift as a function of viewing angle is disclosed. One embodiment is a display device that includes a color light modulator and a color filter. The filter is configured to filter wavelengths of light that would be perceived as color shifted light when reflected by the modulator at an off-axis viewing angle. Another embodiment includes a color light modulator and a color light source configured to provide light having a spectral content that lacks the wavelengths that would be perceived as color shifted light by a view of the display at an off-axis viewing angle. Another embodiment are methods of making such display devices.

Abstract: A package structure and method for packaging a MEMS device is described. In one embodiment, the MEMS base device can include a substrate having a MEMS device formed thereon, a backplate, an exposed or activated desiccant disposed between the backplate and the transparent substrate, and a cover at least partially encapsulating said desiccant. In another embodiment, a MEMS display device can be manufactured by contacting the substrate and/or backplate with a cover which at least partially encapsulates a desiccant, joining the backplate and the substrate to form a package, and exposing or activating the desiccant.