Patents Assigned to QUALCOMM MEMS
  • Patent number: 8836681
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for reducing artifacts in an image generated by a display device. In one aspect, data is written to a display and a position of display elements is maintained based on the application of a bias voltage pattern. The bias voltage pattern includes alternating polarities along one dimension in a pattern having a first frequency spectrum, and alternating polarities along a second dimension in a pattern having a second frequency spectrum that is different than the first frequency spectrum. At least one of the first and second frequency spectrums may include a plurality of frequency components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Manu Parmar, Jeho Lee, Nao S. Chuei, Koorosh Aflatooni
  • Publication number: 20140254007
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus related to displaying 3D images. In one aspect, an apparatus includes an array of display elements and a plurality of parallax barrier shutters. Each parallax barrier shutter corresponds to one of the display elements and is configured to be driven into a first state in which an angular distribution of light passing the parallax barrier shutter from the corresponding display element is weighted towards a first side of the apparatus or a second state in which the angular distribution of light passing the parallax barrier shutter from the corresponding display element is weighted towards a second side of the apparatus opposite the first side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (QMT)
    Inventors: Jian Ma, John Hong
  • Publication number: 20140253611
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for rending colors in displays, such as adjustable interferometric modulation displays that can produce many colors with different sub-sets of primary colors. Received colors to be rendered are analyzed to determine when the colors to be rendered are within a predefined neutral region of a color space. Temporal primary colors may be generated to be used for rendering the received colors in a color space that are generated by temporal modulation using at least two temporal subframes to mix first and second primary colors of a display, such as white and black primaries. The temporal primary colors are used when rendering colors that lie within the predefined neutral region of the color space. When white and black primaries are used for temporal modulation, the produced grayscale temporal primaries are more robust than using two complementary colors, affording more robust neutral and near neutral colors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies. Inc.
    Inventors: Huanzhao ZENG, Jian J. MA, Tallis Y. CHANG
  • Patent number: 8830557
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating an electromechanical systems (EMS) device with spacers between plates and EMS devices formed by the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a EMS device is fabricated by laminating a front substrate and a carrier, each of which has components preformed thereon. The front substrate is provided with stationary electrodes formed thereover. A carrier including movable electrodes formed thereover is attached to the front substrate. The carrier may be released after transferring the movable electrodes to the front substrate. In other embodiments, the carrier stays over the front substrate, and serves as a backplate for the EMS device. Features are formed by deposition and patterning, by embossing, or by patterning and etching. Spacers are provided between the front substrate and the backplate to maintain a gap therebetween. The resulting EMS devices can trap smaller volumes between laminated substrates and are less susceptible to pressure variations and moisture leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Brian Sampsell, Brian James Gally, Philip Don Floyd
  • Publication number: 20140247269
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for three-dimensional (3-D) through-glass via inductors. In one aspect, the through-glass via inductor includes a glass substrate with a first cavity, a second cavity, and at least two through-glass vias. The through-glass vias include metal bars that are connected by a metal trace. The metal bars and the metal trace define the inductor, and each cavity is at least partially filled with magnetic material. The magnetic material can include a plurality of particles having an average diameter of less than about 20 nm. The first cavity can be inside the inductor and the second cavity can be outside inductor. In some implementations, the first and the second cavity can be vias that extend only partially through the glass substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8824706
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for glass-encapsulated microphones. In one aspect, a glass-encapsulated microphone may include a glass substrate, an electromechanical microphone device, an integrated circuit device, and a cover glass. The cover glass may be bonded to the glass substrate with an adhesive, such as epoxy, or a metal bond ring. The cover glass may have any of a number of configurations. In some configurations, the cover glass may define an aperture for the electromechanical microphone device at an edge of the glass-encapsulated microphone. In some configurations, the cover glass may define a cavity to accommodate the integrated circuit device that is separate from a cavity that accommodates the electromechanical microphone device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Jason Stephanou, David William Burns
  • Publication number: 20140240813
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Ma, John Hyunchul Hong, Bing Wen
  • Patent number: 8816567
    Abstract: This disclosure provides implementations of electromechanical systems resonator structures, devices, apparatus, systems, and related processes. In one aspect, a resonator structure includes a first conductive layer of electrodes and a second conductive layer of electrodes. A piezoelectric layer including a piezoelectric material is disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. One or more trenches can be formed in the piezoelectric layer on one or both sides in space regions between the electrodes. In some implementations, a process for forming the resonator structure includes removing an exposed portion of the piezoelectric layer to define a trench, for instance, by partial etching or performing an isotropic release etch using a XeF2 gas or SF6 plasma. In some other implementations, a portion of a sacrificial layer is removed to define a trench in the piezoelectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chengjie Zuo, Changhan Yun, Chi Shun Lo, Jonghae Kim
  • Patent number: 8817357
    Abstract: This disclosure provides mechanical layers and methods of forming the same. In one aspect, an electromechanical systems device includes a substrate and a mechanical layer having an actuated position and a relaxed position. The mechanical layer is spaced from the substrate to define a collapsible gap. The gap is in a collapsed condition when the mechanical layer is in the actuated position and in a non-collapsed condition when the mechanical layer is in the relaxed position. The mechanical layer includes a reflective layer, a conductive layer, and a supporting layer. The supporting layer is positioned between the reflective layer and the conductive layer and is configured to support the mechanical layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Tao, Fan Zhong, Wilhelmus A. de Groot
  • Patent number: 8817358
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a thin film stack with surface-conditioning buffer layers. In one aspect, the thin film stack includes a plurality of thin film layers each having a thickness greater than about 10 nm and a plurality of surface-conditioning buffer layers each having a thickness between about 1 nm and about 10 nm. The surface-conditioning buffer layers are alternatingly disposed between the thin film layers. Each of the surface-conditioning buffer layers are formed with the same or substantially the same thickness and composition. In some implementations, the surface-conditioning buffer layers are formed by atomic layer deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hyunchul Hong, Isak Clark Reines, Chong Uk Lee, Tallis Young Chang, Yaoling Pan, Edward Keat Leem Chan
  • Patent number: 8811636
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for microspeaker devices. In one aspect, a microspeaker element may include a deformable dielectric membrane that spans a speaker cavity. The deformable dielectric membrane can include a piezoactuator and a dielectric layer. Upon application of a driving signal to the piezoactuator, the dielectric layer can deflect, producing sound. In some implementations, an array of microspeaker elements can be encapsulated between a glass substrate and a cover glass. Sound generated by the microspeaker elements can be emitted through a speaker grill formed in the cover glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Jason Stephanou, David William Burns, Ravindra V. Shenoy
  • Patent number: 8810528
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ion Bita, Stephen P. Dhanens, Evgeni P. Gousev, Kollengode S. Narayanan
  • Publication number: 20140225905
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Gang Xu
  • Publication number: 20140225912
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for spectral color processing for multi-primary display devices. In one aspect, the display device can include display elements and a processor. The processor can create an output color palette of colors and transform the output color palette to a spectral space color palette. The processor also can receive data on an input color to be output by the display device, separate the input color into a combination of the primary colors that can create the input color, and transform the input color to the spectral space. Furthermore, the processor can select a color in the spectral space color palette based at least in part on the input color in the spectral space. The selected color can reduce metamerism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Alok Govil, Pouya Bastani, Behnam Bastani
  • Publication number: 20140224971
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for subtractive image detection using interferometric subtractive color imaging. The methods and apparatus employ an electromagnetic wave reflecting device, and at least one photoresponsive detector at either a fixed or variable distance from one another, with a gap in between, that may include a dielectric. The distance is set such that the detector is positioned at one or more zero nodes of standing electromagnetic waves resultant from incident electromagnetic waves reflected by the reflecting device. The zero node of the electromagnetic wave will corresponds to a zero energy point of a particular frequency of the electromagnetic wave. By using interferometric detection, less loss of light may be achieved, and positioning the detector at known zero energy points for known light frequencies, affords subtractive detection, which reduces computational complexity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John H. HONG
  • Patent number: 8803861
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for EMS devices. In one aspect, an EMS device includes an array of display elements and a plurality of driver lines with at least a portion of the plurality of driver lines routed above or below the array between one or more driver circuits and the array. In some implementations, at least a portion of the plurality of driver lines is disposed above a non-active area of the array. In one aspect, an EMS device can form a portion of at least one of the plurality of driver lines. In some implementations, movable layers of the array can be disposed between at least a portion of the plurality of driver lines and stationary electrodes of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsongming Kao, Charles Leu, Kostadin Djordjev, Rihui He
  • Patent number: 8803648
    Abstract: This disclosure provides implementations of inductors, transformers, and related processes. In one aspect, a device includes a substrate having first and second surfaces. A first inducting arrangement includes a first set of vias, a second set of vias, a first set of traces arranged over the first surface connecting the first and second vias, and a second set of traces arranged over the second surface connecting the first and second vias. A second inducting arrangement is inductively-coupled and interleaved with the first inducting arrangement and includes a third set of vias, a fourth set of vias, a third set of traces arranged over the first surface connecting the third and fourth vias, and a fourth set of traces arranged over the second surface connecting the third and fourth vias. One or more sets of dielectric layers insulate portions of the traces from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chi Shun Lo, Jonghae Kim, Chengjie Zuo, Changhan Hobie Yun
  • Publication number: 20140218418
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Pouya Bastani, Alok Govil, Behnam Bastani
  • Publication number: 20140218784
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for an electromechanical systems reflective display device. In one aspect, an electromechanical systems display device includes a reflective layer and an absorber layer. The absorber layer is spaced apart from the reflective layer to define a cavity between the absorber layer and the reflective layer. The absorber layer is capable of transmitting light into the cavity, absorbing light, and reflecting light, and includes a metal layer. A plurality of matching layers are on a surface of the absorber layer facing away from the cavity, the plurality of matching layers including a first matching layer disposed on the absorber layer and a second matching layer disposed on the first matching layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Hyunchul Hong, Jian Jim Ma, Tallis Young Chang, Chong Uk Lee
  • Publication number: 20140218284
    Abstract: An integrated illumination apparatus includes a light injection portion having a first end for receiving light. The light injection portion supports propagation of light along the length of the light injection portion. Turning microstructure disposed on a first side of the light injection portion is configured to turn light incident on the first side and to direct light out a second opposite side of the light injection portion. A slit disposed along the length of the light injection portion forms an optical interface on the second opposite side of the light injection portion. The optical interface further transmits light turned by the turning microstructure. A light distribution portion is disposed with respect to the slit to receive the light transmitted through the slit. At least one bridge mechanically connects the light injection portion to the light distribution portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Marek Mienko, Gang Xu, Ion Bita, Lai Wang, Russell Wayne Gruhlke