Patents by Inventor Andrew B. Sontheimer

Andrew B. Sontheimer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • System and method for hinge memory mitigation
    Patent number: 7710635
    Abstract: System and method for reducing failures due to hinge memory in a microdisplay display system. A preferred embodiment includes setting the state of each micromirror in a digital micromirror device based on an image being displayed, recording a usage history for the micromirrors, and providing a sequence of states to each micromirror when the display system is in an inactive mode. The sequence of states provided to a micromirror is based on the micromirror's usage history. The operation of the micromirrors while a display system containing the digital micromirror device is not in active use can help to reverse or eliminate hinge memory, thereby extending the lifetime of the digital micromirror device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael R. Douglass, Andrew B. Sontheimer, David J. Mehrl
  • System and Method for Hinge Memory Mitigation
    Publication number: 20090231674
    Abstract: System and method for reducing failures due to hinge memory in a microdisplay display system. A preferred embodiment includes setting the state of each micromirror in a digital micromirror device based on an image being displayed, recording a usage history for the micromirrors, and providing a sequence of states to each micromirror when the display system is in an inactive mode. The sequence of states provided to a micromirror is based on the micromirror's usage history. The operation of the micromirrors while a display system containing the digital micromirror device is not in active use can help to reverse or eliminate hinge memory, thereby extending the lifetime of the digital micromirror device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Michael Richard Douglass, Andrew B. Sontheimer, David Joseph Mehrl
  • System and method for hinge memory mitigation
    Patent number: 7349146
    Abstract: System and method for reducing failures due to hinge memory in a microdisplay display system. A preferred embodiment includes setting the state of each micromirror in a digital micromirror device based on an image being displayed, recording a usage history for the micromirrors, and providing a sequence of states to each micromirror when the display system is in an inactive mode. The sequence of states provided to a micromirror is based on the micromirror's usage history. The operation of the micromirrors while a display system containing the digital micromirror device is not in active use can help to reverse or eliminate hinge memory, thereby extending the lifetime of the digital micromirror device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Richard Douglass, Andrew B. Sontheimer, David Joseph Mehrl
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HINGE MEMORY MITIGATION
    Publication number: 20080055708
    Abstract: System and method for reducing failures due to hinge memory in a microdisplay display system. A preferred embodiment includes setting the state of each micromirror in a digital micromirror device based on an image being displayed, recording a usage history for the micromirrors, and providing a sequence of states to each micromirror when the display system is in an inactive mode. The sequence of states provided to a micromirror is based on the micromirror's usage history. The operation of the micromirrors while a display system containing the digital micromirror device is not in active use can help to reverse or eliminate hinge memory, thereby extending the lifetime of the digital micromirror device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Richard Douglass, Andrew B. Sontheimer, David Joseph Mehrl