Patents by Inventor Brett Mangrum
Brett Mangrum 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).
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Patent number: 8501023Abstract: An apparatus for use with a digital micromirror device includes a hinge layer that is disposed outwardly from a substrate. The hinge layer including a hinge that is capable of at least partially supporting a micromirror that is disposed outwardly from the hinge. In one particular embodiment, the hinge and the substrate are separated by a first air gap. The device also including a first hinge support that is disposed outwardly from the substrate and inwardly from at least a portion of the hinge layer. The first hinge support being capable of transmitting a voltage to the hinge. At least a portion of the hinge support coupled to at least the portion of the hinge layer. In one particular embodiment, the first hinge support is formed in a process step that is different than a process step that forms the hinge layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2011Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Brett A. Mangrum
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Publication number: 20120285925Abstract: An apparatus for use with a digital micromirror device includes a hinge layer that is disposed outwardly from a substrate. The hinge layer including a hinge that is capable of at least partially supporting a micromirror that is disposed outwardly from the hinge. In one particular embodiment, the hinge and the substrate are separated by a first air gap. The device also including a first hinge support that is disposed outwardly from the substrate and inwardly from at least a portion of the hinge layer. The first hinge support being capable of transmitting a voltage to the hinge. At least a portion of the hinge support coupled to at least the portion of the hinge layer. In one particular embodiment, the first hinge support is formed in a process step that is different than a process step that forms the hinge layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2011Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventor: Brett A. Mangrum
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Patent number: 7911679Abstract: An apparatus for use with a digital micro-mirror 100 includes a hinge 116 disposed outwardly from a substrate 102. The hinge 116 is capable of at least partially supporting a micro-mirror 104 disposed outwardly from the hinge 116. The micro-mirror 104 is capable of being selectively transitioned between an on-state position and an off-state position. In one particular embodiment, the hinge 116 comprises a substantially flat profile for at least a portion of the hinge 116 disposed between a first hinge post 108 of the hinge 116 and a mid-point of the hinge 116. The apparatus also includes a plurality of process control voids formed within a conductive layer 120 disposed inwardly from the hinge 116. In one particular embodiment, the substantially flat profile is at least partially created from the plurality of process control voids.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2007Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Brett A. Mangrum, Clayton L. Stevenson, John P. Ossenfort
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Patent number: 7764418Abstract: A method of tilting a micromirror includes providing a substrate, a sloped electrode outwardly from the substrate, and a sloped electrode positioning system outwardly from the substrate. The method also includes applying, by the sloped electrode positioning system, forces sufficient to position the sloped electrode in an orientation that slopes away from the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2008Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Brett A. Mangrum
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Publication number: 20090097091Abstract: A method of tilting a micromirror includes providing a substrate, a sloped electrode outwardly from the substrate, and a sloped electrode positioning system outwardly from the substrate. The method also includes applying, by the sloped electrode positioning system, forces sufficient to position the sloped electrode in an orientation that slopes away from the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2008Publication date: April 16, 2009Applicant: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Brett A. Mangrum
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Patent number: 7466476Abstract: A method of tilting a micromirror includes providing a substrate, a sloped electrode outwardly from the substrate, and a sloped electrode positioning system outwardly from the substrate. The method also includes applying, by the sloped electrode positioning system, forces sufficient to position the sloped electrode in an orientation that slopes away from the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2006Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Brett A. Mangrum
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Patent number: 7362495Abstract: A MEMS device includes a hinge that is disposed outwardly from a substrate and capable of at least partially supporting a conductor that is disposed outwardly from the hinge. The conductor being capable of pivoting about a first axis. The device also includes one or more electrostatic fins that are disposed inwardly from and in contact with the conductor. The one or more electrostatic fins being disposed substantially along a second axis that is different than the first axis. The MEMS device further includes one or more electrodes that are formed outwardly from the substrate and inwardly from the conductor. The one or more electrodes being separated from the conductor by a first air gap. The one or more electrodes also being separated from the one or more electrostatic fins by a second air gap that is different than the first air gap.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2006Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Brett A. Mangrum
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Publication number: 20080030842Abstract: An apparatus for use with a digital micro-mirror 100 includes a hinge 116 disposed outwardly from a substrate 102. The hinge 116 is capable of at least partially supporting a micro-mirror 104 disposed outwardly from the hinge 116. The micro-mirror 104 is capable of being selectively transitioned between an on-state position and an off-state position. In one particular embodiment, the hinge 116 comprises a substantially flat profile for at least a portion of the hinge 116 disposed between a first hinge post 108 of the hinge 116 and a mid-point of the hinge 116. The apparatus also includes a plurality of process control voids formed within a conductive layer 120 disposed inwardly from the hinge 116. In one particular embodiment, the substantially flat profile is at least partially created from the plurality of process control voids.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2007Publication date: February 7, 2008Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Brett Mangrum, Clayton Stevenson, John Ossenfort
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Publication number: 20080030840Abstract: A method of tilting a micromirror includes providing a substrate, a sloped electrode outwardly from the substrate, and a sloped electrode positioning system outwardly from the substrate. The method also includes applying, by the sloped electrode positioning system, forces sufficient to position the sloped electrode in an orientation that slopes away from the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2006Publication date: February 7, 2008Inventor: Brett A. Mangrum
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Publication number: 20070273954Abstract: An apparatus for use with a digital micromirror device includes a hinge layer that is disposed outwardly from a substrate. The hinge layer including a hinge that is capable of at least partially supporting a micromirror that is disposed outwardly from the hinge. In one particular embodiment, the hinge and the substrate are separated by a first air gap. The device also including a first hinge support that is disposed outwardly from the substrate and inwardly from at least a portion of the hinge layer. The first hinge support being capable of transmitting a voltage to the hinge. At least a portion of the hinge support coupled to at least the portion of the hinge layer. In one particular embodiment, the first hinge support is formed in a process step that is different than a process step that forms the hinge layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2006Publication date: November 29, 2007Inventor: Brett Mangrum
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Publication number: 20070247699Abstract: A MEMS device includes a hinge that is disposed outwardly from a substrate and capable of at least partially supporting a conductor that is disposed outwardly from the hinge. The conductor being capable of pivoting about a first axis. The device also includes one or more electrostatic fins that are disposed inwardly from and in contact with the conductor. The one or more electrostatic fins being disposed substantially along a second axis that is different than the first axis. The MEMS device further includes one or more electrodes that are formed outwardly from the substrate and inwardly from the conductor. The one or more electrodes being separated from the conductor by a first air gap. The one or more electrodes also being separated from the one or more electrostatic fins by a second air gap that is different than the first air gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2006Publication date: October 25, 2007Inventor: Brett Mangrum
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Patent number: 7253941Abstract: An apparatus for use with a digital micro-mirror includes a hinge disposed outwardly from a substrate. The hinge is capable of at least partially supporting a micro-mirror disposed outwardly from the hinge. The micro-mirror is capable of being selectively transitioned between an on-state position and an off-state position. In one particular embodiment, the hinge comprises a substantially flat profile for at least a portion of the hinge disposed between a first hinge post of the hinge and a mid-point of the hinge. The apparatus also includes a plurality of process control voids formed within a conductive layer disposed inwardly from the hinge. In one particular embodiment, the substantially flat profile is at least partially created from the plurality of process control voids.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2003Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Brett A. Mangrum, Clayton L. Stevenson, John P. Ossenfort
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Patent number: 7106491Abstract: A system and method of providing a micromirror pixel 400 that is highly resistant to bright failure states. The micromirror 400 uses an asymmetric yoke 402 to ensure the mirror is only attracted to the address electrode in one rotation direction. The landing mechanism on the other side of the torsion binge axis also is altered to allow the pixel to over rotate in the “off” direction. The over rotation ensures that light reflected by the mirror when in the off direction will miss the projection lens pupil, allowing the corresponding pixel to remain dark in both an operational and failed state.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2002Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Thomas J. Meyer, Brett A. Mangrum, Mark F. Reed, James D. Huffman, Michael A. Mignardi, Wei-Yan Shih
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Patent number: 7106492Abstract: An apparatus for use with a digital micro-mirror includes a hinge disposed outwardly from a substrate and capable of at least partially supporting a micro-mirror disposed outwardly from the hinge. The micro-mirror capable of being selectively transitioned between an on-state position and an off-state position based at least in part on a bias voltage received by a conductive conduit. The apparatus also includes a conductive layer disposed inwardly from the at least one micro-mirror. In one particular embodiment, the conductive layer enables a conductive path for the bias voltage substantially inwardly from a periphery of the micro-mirror.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Brett A. Mangrum
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Publication number: 20060132890Abstract: An apparatus for use with a digital micro-mirror includes a hinge disposed outwardly from a substrate and capable of at least partially supporting a micro-mirror disposed outwardly from the hinge. The micro-mirror capable of being selectively transitioned between an on-state position and an off-state position based at least in part on a bias voltage received by a conductive conduit. The apparatus also includes a conductive layer disposed inwardly from the at least one micro-mirror. In one particular embodiment, the conductive layer enables a conductive path for the bias voltage substantially inwardly from a periphery of the micro-mirror.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2004Publication date: June 22, 2006Inventor: Brett Mangrum
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Publication number: 20050134956Abstract: An apparatus for use with a digital micro-mirror includes a hinge disposed outwardly from a substrate. The hinge is capable of at least partially supporting a micro-mirror disposed outwardly from the hinge. The micro-mirror is capable of being selectively transitioned between an on-state position and an off-state position. In one particular embodiment, the hinge comprises a substantially flat profile for at least a portion of the hinge disposed between a first hinge post of the hinge and a mid-point of the hinge. The apparatus also includes a plurality of process control voids formed within a conductive layer disposed inwardly from the hinge. In one particular embodiment, the substantially flat profile is at least partially created from the plurality of process control voids.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2003Publication date: June 23, 2005Inventors: Brett Mangrum, Clayton Stevenson, John Ossenfort
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Patent number: 6724518Abstract: A system and method of providing a micromirror pixel 400 that is highly resistant to bright failure states. The micromirror 400 uses an asymmetric yoke 402 to ensure the mirror is only attracted to the address electrode in one rotation direction. The landing mechanism on the other side of the torsion binge axis also is altered to allow the pixel to over rotate in the “off” direction. The over rotation ensures that light reflected by the mirror when in the off direction will miss the projection lens pupil, allowing the corresponding pixel to remain dark in both an operational and failed state.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Thomas J. Meyer, Brett A. Mangrum, Mark F. Reed, James D. Huffman, Michael A. Mignardi, Wei-Yan Shih
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Publication number: 20030123126Abstract: A system and method of providing a micromirror pixel 400 that is highly resistant to bright failure states. The micromirror 400 uses an asymmetric yoke 402 to ensure the mirror is only attracted to the address electrode in one rotation direction. The landing mechanism on the other side of the torsion binge axis also is altered to allow the pixel to over rotate in the “off” direction. The over rotation ensures that light reflected by the mirror when in the off direction will miss the projection lens pupil, allowing the corresponding pixel to remain dark in both an operational and failed state.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventors: Thomas J. Meyer, Brett A. Mangrum, Mark F. Reed, James D. Huffman, Michael A. Mignardi, Wei-Yan Shih