Abstract: The present invention is directed to reflective display devices with a luminance enhancement structure on its viewing side and at least an auxiliary layer and/or edge sealing. The structure increases the overall reflectance by reducing the total internal reflection, and as a result, the brightness of a display device is increased.

Abstract: An integrated circuit having a receiver that selectively inhibits incoming data from being used to update adaptively generated controls. Sampling circuitry generates a plurality of samples of an incoming signal. Control circuitry generates an inhibit signal in either a first state or a second state according to whether the plurality of samples meets a randomness criterion. Tap weight update circuitry receives the inhibit signal from the control circuitry and updates a plurality of equalizer tap weights based on the plurality of samples if the inhibit signal is in the first state. The tap weight update circuitry refrains from updating the plurality of equalizer tap weights based on the plurality of samples if the inhibit signal is in the second state.

Abstract: This invention relates to an object having a functional element embedded in its top surface and processes for its manufacturing. The object is in general formed by molding, stamping, lamination or a combination thereof. The functional element is includes any electrical or mechanical elements that are capable of performing a function.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for partial image updates. Such methods provide the display controller the ability to update selected areas of an image that require updating and leave other areas unchanged. The methods also allow for multiple waveforms to be used for specific regions, giving the display the capability of updating each region with its own waveform.

Abstract: An integrated circuit having a receiver that selectively inhibits incoming data from being used to update adaptively generated controls. Sampling circuitry generates a plurality of samples of an incoming signal. Control circuitry generates an inhibit signal in either a first state or a second state according to whether the plurality of samples meets a randomness criterion. Tap weight update circuitry receives the inhibit signal from the control circuitry and updates a plurality of equalizer tap weights based on the plurality of samples if the inhibit signal is in the first state. The tap weight update circuitry refrains from updating the plurality of equalizer tap weights based on the plurality of samples if the inhibit signal is in the second state.

Abstract: Described are methods and circuits for margin testing digital receivers. These methods and circuits prevent margins from collapsing in response to erroneously received data, and can thus be used in receivers that employ historical data to reduce intersymbol interference (ISI). Some embodiments detect receive errors for input data streams of unknown patterns, and can thus be used for in-system margin testing. Such systems can be adapted to dynamically alter system parameters during device operation to maintain adequate margins despite fluctuations in the system noise environment due to e.g. temperature and supply-voltage changes. Also described are methods of plotting and interpreting filtered and unfiltered error data generated by the disclosed methods and circuits. Some embodiments filter error data to facilitate pattern-specific margin testing.

Abstract: Described are communication systems that convey differential and common-mode signals over the same differential channel. Noise-tolerant communication schemes use low-amplitude common-mode signals that are easily rejected by differential receivers, thus allowing for very high differential data rates. Some embodiments employ the common-mode signals to transmit backchannel signals for adjusting the characteristics of the differential transmitter. Backchannel control signals are effectively conveyed even if the forward channel transmitter is so maladjusted that the received differential data is unrecognizable. Systems in accordance with the above-described embodiments obtain these advantages without additional pins or communications channels, and are compatible with both AC-coupled and DC-coupled communications channels. Data coding schemes and corresponding data recovery circuits eliminate the need for complex, high-speed CDR circuits.

Abstract: Described are methods and circuits for margin testing digital receivers. These methods and circuits prevent margins from collapsing in response to erroneously received data, and can thus be used in receivers that employ historical data to reduce intersymbol interference (ISI). Some embodiments detect receive errors for input data streams of unknown patterns, and can thus be used for in-system margin testing. Such systems can be adapted to dynamically alter system parameters during device operation to maintain adequate margins despite fluctuations in the system noise environment due to e.g. temperature and supply-voltage changes. Also described are methods of plotting and interpreting filtered and unfiltered error data generated by the disclosed methods and circuits. Some embodiments filter error data to facilitate pattern-specific margin testing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for adjusting or selecting driving waveforms in order to achieve a consistent optical performance of a display device. When a method of the present invention is applied, even if there are changes in the display medium due to temperature variation, photo-exposure or aging, the optical performance can be maintained at a desired level.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed toward driving methods and a driving circuit which are particularly suitable for bi-stable displays. In certain embodiments, methods provide the fastest and most pleasing appearance to the desired image while maintaining the optimal image quality over the life expectancy of an electrophoretic display device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrophoretic displays and methods of addressing such displays. The displays and methods are especially suitable for large size electronic boards or signs.

Abstract: Described are communication systems that convey differential and common-mode signals over the same differential channel. Noise-tolerant communication schemes use low-amplitude common-mode signals that are easily rejected by differential receivers, thus allowing for very high differential data rates. Some embodiments employ the common-mode signals to transmit backchannel signals for adjusting the characteristics of the differential transmitter. Backchannel control signals are effectively conveyed even if the forward channel transmitter is so maladjusted that the received differential data is unrecognizable. Systems in accordance with the above-described embodiments obtain these advantages without additional pins or communications channels, and are compatible with both AC-coupled and DC-coupled communications channels. Data coding schemes and corresponding data recovery circuits eliminate the need for complex, high-speed CDR circuits.

Abstract: Described are communication systems that convey differential and common-mode signals over the same differential channel. Noise-tolerant communication schemes use low-amplitude common-mode signals that are easily rejected by differential receivers, thus allowing for very high differential data rates. Some embodiments employ the common-mode signals to transmit backchannel signals for adjusting the characteristics of the differential transmitter. Backchannel control signals are effectively conveyed even if the forward channel transmitter is so maladjusted that the received differential data is unrecognizable. Systems in accordance with the above-described embodiments obtain these advantages without additional pins or communications channels, and are compatible with both AC-coupled and DC-coupled communications channels. Data coding schemes and corresponding data recovery circuits eliminate the need for complex, high-speed CDR circuits.

Abstract: A receive circuit having a sampling circuit and a threshold generating circuit. The sampling circuit generates a first sample value having either a first state or a second state according whether an incoming signal exceeds a first threshold level, the first threshold level corresponding to a first threshold value. The threshold generating circuit combines a first control value and a second control value to generate the first threshold value and provides the first threshold value to the sampling circuit.

Abstract: A high-speed signaling system with adaptive transmit pre-emphasis. A transmit circuit has a plurality of output drivers to output a first signal onto a signal path. A receive circuit is coupled to receive the first signal via the signal path and configured to generate an indication of whether the first signal exceeds a threshold level. A first threshold control circuit is coupled to receive the indication from the receive circuit and configured to adjust the threshold level according to whether the first signal exceeds the threshold level. A drive strength control circuit is coupled to receive the indication from the receive circuit and configured to adjust a drive strength of at least one output driver of the plurality of output drivers according to whether the first signal exceeds the threshold level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrophoretic displays and methods of addressing such displays. The displays and methods are especially suitable for large size electronic boards or signs.

Abstract: A signaling system having an equalizing transmitter and equalizing receiver. The equalizing transmitter transmits a signal to a receive circuit. A first sampling circuit within the equalizing receiver samples the signal to determine whether the signal exceeds a first threshold, and a second sampling circuit within the equalizing receiver samples the signal to determine whether the signal exceeds a second threshold. A drive strength of the equalizing transmitter and a drive strength of an equalizing signal driver within the equalizer are adjusted based, at least in part, on whether the first signal exceeds the first and second thresholds.

Abstract: This invention relates to an object having a functional element embedded in its top surface and processes for its manufacturing. The object is in general formed by molding, stamping, lamination or a combination thereof. The functional element is includes any electrical or mechanical elements that are capable of performing a function.

Abstract: Conditionally updating equalization tap weights within an equalized signaling system based on a measure of correlation that indicates a difference between the number of received data values that have matching bits at a first pair of predetermined bit positions, and the number of received data values that have non-matching bits at the first pair of predetermined bit positions.

Abstract: In a data-precessing receiver, a sampling circuit generates a plurality of samples of an incoming signal and stores the plurality of samples one after another in a first storage buffer. A first subset of the plurality of samples are transferred from the first storage buffer to a decoder circuit in response to each assertion of a first control signal, and a second subset of the plurality of samples are transferred from the first storage buffer to a tap weight update circuit in response to each assertion of a second control signal, the second strobe signal being asserted asynchronously with respect to the first control signal. The tap weight update circuit generates a plurality of updated tap weights based, at least in part, on the second subset of the plurality of samples.