Abstract: A display device consisting of a multi-color light emitting layer and method of depositing the multi-color light emitting layer over a glass substrate are provided. The display device consists of multiple light emitting materials deposited over a glass substrate in coplanar relationship to each other. The method provides depositing one light emitting polymer material over one portion of the glass substrate and depositing other light emitting polymer materials over other portions of the glass substrate, such that the multiple light emitting polymer materials are deposited in a coplanar relationship to each other. The light emitting polymer materials are deposited using flexographic mats, the relief portion of which have patterns corresponding to the respective portions of the glass substrate being covered by the light emitting polymer materials being deposited.

Abstract: An LCD micro display for generating an image of a video signal includes a matrix of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, which are selectively energized to create the image. The rows are connected to a row select circuit for energizing each of the rows in accordance with a first predetermined sequence. The columns are coupled to a column select circuit coupling the video signal to each of the columns in accordance with the second predetermined sequence. The column select circuit includes a plurality of video switches, each of which include a high speed current mirror level shifter for shifting the control signal from a first potential to a second higher potential. A transmission gate couples the video signal to one of the columns upon receipt of the higher potential control signal.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus for driving a cholesteric display system using a dynamic drive scheme. The dynamic drive scheme is used to drive the electrodes of the cholesteric display in order to provide desired pixel states. Pixel states are controlled by the voltage applied across the pixel. The present invention uses pulse width modulation (PWM) during the dynamic drive scheme in order to control the voltage applied across the pixels. PWM modulation may be used during any phase (e.g., preparation phase, selection phase, evolution phase, and/or final phase) of the dynamic drive waveform depending on the needs of the cholesteric display system.

Abstract: A matrix of liquid crystal pixels (22) is provided. A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) (102, 114, and 126) is coupled to the matrix and produces an output voltage that can be applied to one or more pixels in the matrix. The DAC (102, 114, and 126) receives a calibrated multi-bit digital input and generates its output voltage to correspond to the digital input. A reference voltage generator (128) generates at least two reference voltages at an output that is coupled to one input of a comparator (132). Another input of the comparator (132) is coupled to the DAC (102, 114, and 126) output. When the comparator (132) is activated, it outputs one of two signals: a first signal when one input receives a higher voltage; and a second signal when the other input receives a higher voltage. A digital calibrator (100) has at least one output and at least one input. The digital calibrator (100) is adapted to receive an uncalibrated multi-bit digital signal at the input.

Abstract: A display device operable to generate images and a border image is disclosed. The display device in one example of the invention comprises an electrode structure coupled to a spatial light modulator display layer. The electrode structure is configured to define an active display area. The display also comprises a first electrode surrounding the electrode structure and a second electrode coupled to the spatial light modulator display layer. The second electrode is located above the first electrode and a voltage difference between the second electrode and the first electrode is used to generate the border image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for altering a contrast of an as-manufactured LCD device is described. The LCD device includes a contrast-setting circuit and a printed circuit flex. During the assembly process, a shunt around a resistor in a voltage divider subcircuit of the contrast-setting circuit extends onto a portion of the printed circuit flex. Due to the shunt, the resistor is initially in a shorted state such that the resistor does not influence the contrast-setting circuit. During a stage of the assembly process, a current contrast of the liquid crystal display device is determined. If the current contrast deviates from an intended contrast, the portion of the printed circuit flex is severed from the rest of the printed circuit flex such that the resistor becomes unshorted and thereby influences the contrast-setting circuit to provide a contrast closer to the intended contrast.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) system, comprising a matrix of pixels, actuates each pixel by applying positive and negative voltage differences across a liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal layer is parallel to a transparent cover. The transparent cover is adjacent to a cover electrode. Each pixel includes a pixel electrode positioned on the opposite side of the liquid crystal layer from the cover electrode. The positive and negative voltage differences are asymmetric to compensate for polarity-dependent characteristics of the LCD materials. The positive and negative voltage differences are applied for durations that counterbalance the asymmetric rates of charge accumulation.

Abstract: A liquid crystal on silicon device comprises a mirror layer comprising a plurality of mirror electrodes, a passivation layer formed on the surface of the mirror layer comprising a plurality of openings to the mirror electrodes, and a liquid crystal layer being arranged on top of the alignment layer. Ions trapped in the alignment layer are discharged through the opening by means of the mirror electrodes of the mirror layer.

Abstract: This application deals with display systems which include pixel electrodes that control an electro-optic layer. In one exemplary embodiment, a display system includes an electro-optic layer, a first electrode which has a substantially flat surface and is operatively coupled to the electro-optic layer, and a first substrate which has a plurality of pixel electrodes. For each of the pixel electrodes, a first pixel electrode surface is substantially flat and parallel to the first electrode and has a first distance relative to the first electrode and a second pixel electrode surface is substantially flat and parallel to the first electrode and has a second distance relative to the first electrode which is different than the first distance. Other display systems are described.

Abstract: A drive circuit for a time sequential color LED based display device allows the overall brightness of a display device to be adjusted without affecting the color balance. The circuit includes a boost switching converter, which provides constant power to each of a plurality of different colored LEDs associated with a pixel, independent of the forward voltage across each LED. The boost switching converter receives a pulse width modulated drive signal for activating each LED, when enabled, during a frame. The on-time of the drive signal varies during each frame according to which LED is to be activated at a particular point in time, to provide the appropriate power to the LED. The LEDs are enabled sequentially during a frame by separate enable signals. The cathode of each LED is connected to a positive power supply voltage when the LED is enabled.

Abstract: A compact virtual image electronic display system including a beamsplitting magnification optic on which a source object is projected, the beamsplitting magnification optic having a refractive surface and a partially reflective surface for magnifying and reflecting the source object as a magnified virtual image, and a reflective element positioned for receiving and reflecting the magnified virtual image back to the beamsplitting magnification optic. The beamsplitting magnification optic receives the reflected magnified virtual image and magnifies and transmits it through the beamsplitting magnification optic as a compound magnified image of the magnified virtual image to an observer.

Abstract: A controlled angle retarder and method for making same is presented. In one embodiment, the invention is a liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal cell having an extraordinary axis. The liquid crystal display also includes a first retarder connected to the liquid crystal cell, the first retarder having an extraordinary axis. The extraordinary axis of the first retarder is aligned at an angle to the extraordinary axis of the liquid crystal cell. This angle is sufficient to produce a desired effective retardance of the first retarder within the display different from a specified retardance of the first retarder.

Abstract: The present invention provides an enhanced viewing eyepiece for a micro-display. In one embodiment, the invention is an optical imaging system that includes a prism having a first face directed toward a display to receive light from the display and direct it through a second face, a converging optical element between the second face of the prism and the display, and a reflective converging optical element adjacent the second face of the prism to receive the display light through the second face of the prism and reflect it back into the second face of the prism, the invention further includes a diverging optical element aligned with the reflective converging optical element to receive the display light reflected back into the first prism and direct it to an exit pupil.

Abstract: An LCD micro display for generating an image of a video signal includes a matrix of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, which are selectively energized to create the image. The rows are connected to a row select circuit for energizing each of the rows in accordance with a first predetermined sequence. The columns are coupled to a column select circuit coupling the video signal to each of the columns in accordance with the second predetermined sequence. The column select circuit includes a plurality of video switches, each of which include a high speed current mirror level shifter for shifting the control signal from a first potential to a second higher potential. A transmission gate couples the video signal to one of the columns upon receipt of the higher potential control signal.

Abstract: An LCD pixel device is provided of the type deployed in a matrix of pixels selectively energized by a plurality of row lines and plurality of column lines and wherein a video voltage is stored on at least one pixel capacitor and coupled to an image-generating device. First and second source regions are formed near the surface of a semiconductor substrate. A drain region is likewise formed in the substrate between the first and second source regions forming the channels of first and second field-effect-transistors. An insulating layer is formed on the substrate, and first and second gate electrodes are provided in the insulating layer between the first source region and the drain region and the second source region and the drain region respectively. First and second mirrors are provided on the surface of the insulating layer.

Abstract: An enhanced illumination system for a micro-display comprises an illuminator for a reflective display panel having a light source and a prism. The prism has a first substantially planar face proximate to the light source and to the display panel, so that light propagates from the light source into the prism through the first face and is redirected to the display panel through the first face. A second face of the prism is positioned opposite the light source so that light reflected from the display panel impinges on the second face and propagates to imaging optics. The illuminator may also include an auxiliary prism optically coupled to the second face of the first prism to correct for astigmatism of the reflected light from the display panel and a beam splitter between the first prism and the auxiliary prism.

Abstract: The invention provides an illumination system for a head-mounted display. The illumination system includes a plurality of illuminators which irradiate light over an area. The area has a central region where the light has a selective intensity, and outer regions on opposing sides of the central regions where the light has higher intensities than the selective intensity.

Abstract: A compact and efficient illumination system is provided that is particularly suitable for illuminating a micro display and places the light source within the view of the display. In one embodiment, the illumination system comprises a light source, a package for the light source having a reflective surface on at least one side of the light source, and a diffuser opposite the reflective surface in direct view of the light source. The invention further comprises a film stack to receive light through the diffuser, the film stack transmitting light within a maximum exit angle and reflecting substantially all other light to the diffuser.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of fabricating a light modulation system having a semiconductor substrate. In one exemplary method, an optical layer is applied over a semiconductor substrate which includes a plurality of integrated circuits. Each of these integrated circuits is capable of creating a separate display device. A protective layer is then applied over the optical layer. The plurality of integrated circuits is then singulated. Various other embodiments of apparatuses and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a flat panel display, such as a liquid crystal microdisplay having a plurality of square and rectangular pixel electrodes that are addressable separately to produce a fine resolution display or addressable in combination to create a lower resolution display. By providing an array of square pixel electrodes with adjacent rectangular electrodes, the display is capable of displaying, for example, XGA or SXGA video data, full-size undistorted and in its native display format, thus obviating the need for expensive image processing chips to convert the image data from one format to another.