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 encapsulating electromechanical systems devices. In one aspect, large arrays of electromechanical systems devices can be encapsulated. In one aspect the encapsulation includes an encapsulation layer supported over the electromechanical systems devices by encapsulation layer supports. The encapsulation layer can also include a plurality of orifices. The orifices can be sealed such that the electromechanical systems devices below are not damaged.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus to produce a plurality of virtual light sources and at least partially collimate light. In one aspect, a manifold to collimate light can produce a plurality of virtual light sources used to inject light into a light guide for illuminating a display. The manifold can be formed of optically transmissive material and can have a backside for receiving light from a light source and a front wall, opposite the backside, for outputting light. The front wall can include first and second output portions separated by a non-light emitting area, each of the output portions providing a separate virtual light source. The upper, bottom, and side walls of the manifold can extend along a curve from the backside to the front wall and can be configured to collimate light propagating in directions extending out of the plane of the light guide.

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: 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 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 display assemblies. In one aspect, a display assembly may include a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel. The second panel may be spaced apart from the first panel, and the third panel may be spaced apart from the second panel. A first perimeter frame may join the first panel and the second panel, with the first perimeter frame defining a first cavity in between the first panel and the second panel. The first cavity may be substantially filled with a first liquid. A second perimeter frame may join the second panel and the third panel, with the second perimeter frame defining a second cavity in between the second panel and the third panel. The second cavity may be substantially filled with a second liquid.

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: This disclosure provides implementations of electromechanical systems (EMS) resonator structures, devices, apparatus, systems and related processes. In one aspect, a resonator structure includes a lower conductive layer of electrodes; a lower piezoelectric layer; a middle conductive layer of electrodes; an upper piezoelectric layer; and an upper conductive layer of electrodes. In one aspect, a first arrangement of the electrodes includes a first-type drive electrode in the lower conductive layer, a second-type drive electrode in the middle conductive layer, and a first-type drive electrode in the upper conductive layer; a second arrangement of the electrodes includes a second-type drive electrode in the lower conductive layer, a first-type drive electrode in the middle conductive layer, and a second-type drive electrode in the upper conductive layer; the first-type drive electrodes are coupled to receive a first input signal; and the second-type drive electrodes are coupled to receive a second input signal.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for providing a gesture-responsive user interface for an electronic device. In one aspect, an apparatus or electronic device has an interactive display that provides an input/output (I/O) interface to a user of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a processor, a light emitting source and at least two light sensors. A secondary optical lens structures emitted light from the light emitting source into at least one lobe. Each light sensor outputs, to the processor, a signal representative of a characteristic of received light, where the received light results from scattering of the structured emitted light by an object. The processor effectuates the I/O interface by recognizing, from the output of the light sensors, an instance of a user gesture, and to control the interactive display and/or the apparatus in response to the user gesture.

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 fabricating thin film transistor (TFT) devices. In one aspect, a substrate having a source area, a drain area, and a channel area is provided. Metal cations are implanted in the oxide semiconductor layer overlying the source area and the drain area of the substrate. The metal cation implantation forms a doped n-type oxide semiconductor in the oxide semiconductor layer overlying the source area and the drain area of the substrate.

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 glass-encapsulated pressure sensors. In one aspect, a glass-encapsulated pressure sensor may include a glass substrate, an electromechanical pressure sensor, an integrated circuit device, and a cover glass. The cover glass may be bonded to the glass substrate with an adhesive, such as epoxy, glass frit, or a metal bond ring. The cover glass may have any of a number of configurations. In some configurations, the cover glass may partially define a port for the electromechanical pressure sensor at an edge of the glass-encapsulated pressure sensor. In some configurations, the cover glass may form a cavity to accommodate the integrated circuit device that is separate from a cavity that accommodates the electromechanical pressure sensor.

Abstract: This disclosure provides photovoltaic apparatus and methods of forming the same. In one implementation, a method of forming a photovoltaic device includes forming a plurality of substrate features on a surface of a glass substrate, the substrate features having a depth dimension in the range of about 10 ?m to about 1000 ?m and a width dimension in the range of about 10 ?m to about 1000 ?m. The method further includes forming a thin film solar cell over the surface of the glass substrate including over the plurality of substrate features.

Abstract: A touch sensor may include thin, conductive wires as at least some of the sensor electrodes. Some or all of the conductive wires may be metal wires. The sensor electrodes may not be noticeable to a human observer. In some such implementations, the sensor electrodes may be laid out in a pattern and/or grouped to create a spatial gradient. Some such implementations involve spatial interweaving, spatial interposing and/or length modulation of sensor electrodes. Such implementations can create a spatial gradient such that fewer rows and columns are required to provide a touch sensor panel with a given level of accuracy.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for processing multiple substrates in a batch cluster tool. A batch cluster tool can include a transfer chamber, an etch process chamber, and one or both of an ALD process chamber and an SAM process chamber. Multiple substrates are transferred from a transfer chamber into an etch chamber. The substrates are exposed to a vapor phase etchant. The substrates can then transferred to an atomic layer deposition (ALD) chamber and exposed to vapor phase reactants to form a thin film on the substrates by ALD. The substrates can be transferred either from the etch process chamber or the ALD chamber to a third chamber and exposed to vapor phase reactants to form a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on the substrates.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for determining a presence and/or a location of an object interacting with a touchscreen display having a user interface surface. The device also includes a source of a radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic signal, a plurality of detectors, a processor, and a grid including a number of electrically conductive transmission lines. Each transmission line is electrically coupled, at a first end, to the signal source, and, at a second end, to a respective one of the plurality of detectors. The grid is disposed near to and behind the user interface surface. The detectors are configured to detect an output signal of a respective transmission line. The processor collects, from each detector, a respective detector output, and determines, from the detector outputs, a presence and/or a location of an object near to the user interface surface.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing illumination by using a light guide to distribute light. In an aspect, an illumination system is provided with a substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first. The substrate can be optically transmissive and form part of the light guide for distributing light. The first side of the substrate is processed using a first processing technology. Processing the first side includes forming a light turning feature on the first side and forming a protective layer over the light turning feature. The second side is processed using a second processing technology to form display elements, while the protective layer protects the first side from damage. The first and second processing technologies can be performed using the same tool set. In addition to protecting the first side, the protective layer may function as an optical cladding and/or passivation layer.

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.