Abstract: A method and system for reducing power consumption in a display includes driving a display comprising a plurality of display elements having selectable resolution, wherein the display device is configured to operate at a plurality of selectable operational modes. In a first operational mode, data at a first resolution is provided to the display at a first data rate, and in a second operational mode, data at a second resolution is provided to the display at a second data rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying image data on a display device is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes updating at least a portion of the display device based on image update data identifying pixels that changed from the preceding image to the following image.

Abstract: A system and method for processing video data are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes generating halftone data for a first video frame and generating halftone data for a second video frame. The method further includes, to reduce at least one visual artifact, selectively copying the halftone data for the first video frame into the halftone data for the second video frame, the selectively copying being based upon a comparison between an adaptive threshold and the change resulting due to the copying of the data, in the human visual system model-based perceptual error of the halftone data for the second video frame.

Abstract: The efficiency of an etching process may be increased in various ways, and the cost of an etching process may be decreased. Unused etchant may be isolated and recirculated during the etching process. Etching byproducts may be collected and removed from the etching system during the etching process. Components of the etchant may be isolated and used to general additional etchant. Either or both of the etchant or the layers being etched may also be optimized for a particular etching process.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for selectively allowing light to pass through a substantially transparent substrate or blocking the light, at least to some degree. Some embodiments provide a plurality of reflective vanes that can be positioned in at least two positions. According to some such implementations, when the vanes are in an open position, incident light is allowed to pass through the window. The light may reflect from two or more vanes before passing through the window. When a sufficient voltage is applied between vane electrodes and other electrodes, the vanes are pulled down, reflecting back at least some of the incident light. The voltage may be controlled according to detected temperature, ambient light intensity, etc.

Abstract: A system and method for an optical component that masks non-active portions of a display and provides an electrical path for one or more display circuits. In one embodiment an optical device includes a substrate, a plurality of optical elements on the substrate, each optical element having an optical characteristic which changes in response to a voltage applied to the optical element, and a light-absorbing, electrically-conductive optical mask disposed on the substrate and offset from the plurality of optical elements, the optical mask electrically coupled to one or more of the optical elements to provide electrical paths for applying voltages to the optical elements. In another embodiment, a method of providing an electrical signal to optical elements of a display comprises electrically coupling an electrically-conductive light-absorbing mask to one or more optical elements, and applying a voltage to the mask to activate the one or more optical elements.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: This disclosure provides implementations of electromechanical systems resonator structures, devices, apparatus, systems, and related processes. In one aspect, resonator apparatus includes a first conductive layer including a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode is coupled to receive a first input signal, and the second electrode is coupled to provide a first output signal. A piezoelectric layer includes a piezoelectric material. The piezoelectric layer has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side is proximate the first conductive layer, and the second side is electrically isolated from ground. In some examples, the second side of the piezoelectric layer can be exposed and/or electrically de-coupled from one or more components.

Abstract: Embodiments of MEMS devices include a movable layer supported by overlying support structures, and may also include underlying support structures. In one embodiment, the residual stresses within the overlying support structures and the movable layer are substantially equal. In another embodiment, the residual stresses within the overlying support structures and the underlying support structures are substantially equal. In certain embodiments, substantially equal residual stresses are be obtained through the use of layers made from the same materials having the same thicknesses. In further embodiments, substantially equal residual stresses are obtained through the use of support structures and/or movable layers which are mirror images of one another.

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: The efficiency of an etching process may be increased in various ways, and the cost of an etching process may be decreased. Unused etchant may be isolated and recirculated during the etching process. Etching byproducts may be collected and removed from the etching system during the etching process. Components of the etchant may be isolated and used to general additional etchant. Either or both of the etchant or the layers being etched may also be optimized for a particular etching process.

Abstract: Charge balanced display data writing methods use write and hold cycles of opposite polarity during selected frame update periods. A release cycle may be provided to reduce the chance that a given display element will become stuck in an actuated state.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing white light color output from an electromechanical systems (EMS) device with reduced likelihood of stiction. In one aspect, interferometric modulators are configured to provide a white color output while having a non-zero modulator gap dimension. Such a feature can reduce problems associated with zero modulator gap dimensions such as stiction. Various methodologies can be used to yield such a non-zero modulator gap and a white color output. In some implementations, for example, an optical element that introduced wavelength dependent phase shift is used. In some implementations this wavelength dependent phase shifting optical element includes a stack of color filters, a hologram, a diffraction grating, or layers of material having specific thicknesses and wavelength dependent indices of refraction.

Abstract: A system and method for processing video data are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes generating halftone data for a first video frame and generating halftone data for a second video frame. The method further includes, to reduce at least one visual artifact, selectively copying the halftone data for the first video frame into the halftone data for the second video frame, the selective copying being based upon a comparison between a predetermined fixed threshold and the difference in the human visual system model-based perceptual error of the originally generated halftone data for the second video frame and the human visual system model-based perceptual error of the halftone data for the second video frame after the copying is done.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus relating to pixel designs for use in active matrix displays which employ poly-silicon (p-Si) thin-film transistors (TFTs) having dual gate structures to control the pixels. The poly-silicon island of the TFT is configured to take advantage of the black mask area attributable to other non-reflective display components, thus enhancing the fill factor of the display.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable storage media, for calibrating a display. In one aspect, a method of calibrating a display includes determining one or more array voltages and, based on the determined array voltages, determining one or more drive scheme voltages. The determined drive scheme voltages may include, for example, a single segment voltage applied to all of the display elements of the array, and multiple common voltages applies to multiple subsets of the display elements of the array.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a projected capacitive touch (PCT) sensor that may include thin sensor electrodes coated with additional layers to form an optical cavity that reinforces a wavelength range or color of incident light. The sensor electrodes and a cover glass border and/or decorations may be fabricated simultaneously. In some implementations, the thickness of the optical cavity will be selected such that the “color” of reflected light is black. The sensor electrodes may not be noticeable to a human observer. However, in some other implementations, the thickness of the optical cavity may be selected such that the sensor electrodes and/or the decorative portions will have another color. Routing wires of the touch sensor may be shielded by a grounded conductive layer in the border.

Abstract: This disclosure provides implementations of electromechanical systems resonator structures, devices, apparatus, systems, and related processes. In one aspect, a sacrificial layer is deposited on an insulating substrate. A lower electrode layer is formed proximate the sacrificial layer. A piezoelectric layer is deposited on the lower electrode layer. An upper electrode layer is formed on the piezoelectric layer. At least a portion of the sacrificial layer is removed to define a cavity such that at least a portion of the lower electrode layer is spaced apart from the insulating substrate.

Abstract: Methods of forming a protective coating on one or more surfaces of a microelectromechanical device are disclosed comprising the steps of forming a composite layer of a sacrificial material and a protective material, and selectively etching the sacrificial material to form a protective coating. The protective coatings of the invention preferably improve one or more aspects of the performance of the microelectromechanical devices in which they are incorporated. Also disclosed are microelectromechanical devices formed by methods of the invention, and visual display devices incorporating such devices.

Abstract: A reflective electronic display includes a front light assembly with a diffuser for enlarging the viewing cone of the display. The front light may include a substrate, a plurality of optical turning features, and a diffuser formed therebetween. The haze of the diffuser may be spatially non-uniform and switchable between two or more levels.