Patents by Inventor Clarence Chui

Clarence Chui 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).

  • Device and method for manipulation of thermal response in a modulator
    Patent number: 7554714
    Abstract: By varying the spacing between two surfaces, one of which is disposed in front of the other, an interferometric modulator selectively creates constructive and/or destructive interference between light waves reflecting off the two surfaces. The desired spacing can be achieved by deforming one or both surfaces. A heating element associated with a particular surface causes the deformation by heating the material that forms one or both of the surfaces. By varying the amount of applied heat, the amount of deformation is varied, thus allowing the distance between the surfaces to be controlled and thereby creating constructive and/or destructive interference as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: IDC, LLC
    Inventors: Clarence Chui, Marc Mignard
  • System and method of sensing actuation and release voltages of an interferometric modulator
    Patent number: 7551159
    Abstract: A method for sensing the actuation and/or release voltages of a microelectromechanical device include applying a varying voltage to the device and sensing its state and different voltage levels. In one embodiment, the device is part of a system comprising an array of interferometric modulators suitable for a display. The method can be used to compensate for temperature dependent changes in display pixel characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: IDC, LLC
    Inventors: Marc Mignard, Clarence Chui, Mithran C. Mathew, Jeffrey B. Sampsell
  • Method and system for maintaining partial vacuum in display device
    Patent number: 7550912
    Abstract: The time required for an interferometric modulator to switch from a state with a collapsed cavity to a state with an open cavity or vice versa, i.e., the switch time, is decreased by decreasing the viscosity of the gas filling the cavity. The viscosity is decreased by forming at least a partial vacuum in the cavity. The partial vacuum is formed, in turn, by forming a cavity in a housing holding the interferometric modulator. The vacuum can be generated by a vacuum pump. By decreasing the switch time, interferometric modulators in an array of interferometric modulators can be switched more quickly, thereby advantageously increasing the refresh rate for a display using the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: IDC, LLC
    Inventor: Clarence Chui
  • Micromechanical systems device comprising a displaceable electrode and a charge-trapping layer
    Patent number: 7550794
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for fabricating a microelectromechanical systems device. The method comprises fabricating a first layer comprising a film having a characteristic electromechanical response, and a characteristic optical response, wherein the characteristic optical response is desirable and the characteristic electromechanical response is undesirable; and modifying the characteristic electromechanical response of the first layer by at least reducing charge build up thereon during activation of the microelectromechanical systems device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: IDC, LLC
    Inventors: Mark W. Miles, John Batey, Clarence Chui, Manish Kothari
  • MEMS display
    Patent number: 7545554
    Abstract: A display comprising: a plurality of MEMS elements arranged in rows, wherein the MEMS elements of each of the rows are further arranged in subrows and wherein the subrows of each row are electrically connected; and wherein the physical property of at least one MEMS element in at least one subrow is different from the physical property of at least one MEMS element in other subrows. The physical property can be a spring constant associated with a movable mirror, a film thickness, an electrode width, a damping force caused by air between a movable mirror and a fixed mirror, a mass of a movable mirror, a material or geometry of the respective MEMS element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: IDC, LLC
    Inventors: Clarence Chui, Mithran C. Mathew, Marc Mignard
  • METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MULTISTATE INTERFEROMETRIC LIGHT MODULATION
    Publication number: 20090135466
    Abstract: A multi-state light modulator comprises a first reflector 104. A first electrode 142 is positioned at a distance from the first reflector 104. A second reflector 14 is positioned between the first reflector 104 and the first electrode 142. The second reflector 14 is movable between an undriven position, a first driven position, and a second driven position, each having a corresponding distance from the first reflector 104. In one embodiment, the light modulator has latch electrodes 17 and 143, which hold the light modulator in a driven state. In another embodiment the latch electrodes 17 and 143 are used to alter the actuation and release thresholds of the light modulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: IDC, LLC
    Inventor: Clarence Chui
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTI-LEVEL BRIGHTNESS IN INTERFEROMETRIC MODULATION
    Publication number: 20090135465
    Abstract: A display having a plurality of reflective display elements. In one embodiment, the display elements comprise at least one electrode having a plurality of active areas. In one embodiment, at least two of the sizes of the active areas are different with respect to each other, e.g., they are non-uniform in size. The interferometric modulators have a plurality of states, wherein selected ones of the interferometric modulators are configured to be actuated depending differing electrostatic forces in the interferometric modulators. The electrostatic forces in the interferometric modulators are different at least in part due to variations in the sizes of the active areas of the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: IDC, LLC
    Inventor: Clarence Chui
  • AREA ARRAY MODULATION AND LEAD REDUCTION IN INTERFEROMETRIC MODULATORS
    Publication number: 20090135464
    Abstract: A light modulator is arranged as an array of rows and columns of interferometric display elements. Each element is divided into sub-rows of sub-elements. Array connection lines transmit operating signals to the display elements, with one connection line corresponding to one row of display elements in the array. Sub-array connection lines electrically connect to each array connection line. Switches transmit the operating signals from each array connection line to the sub-rows to effect gray scale modulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: IDC, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Brian Sampsell, Clarence Chui, Manish Kothari
  • Support structure for MEMS device and methods therefor
    Patent number: 7534640
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical systems device having support structures formed of sacrificial material that is selectively diffused with a dopant material or formed of a selectively oxidized metal sacrificial material. The microelectromechanical systems device includes a substrate having an electrode formed thereon. Another electrode is separated from the first electrode by a cavity and forms a movable layer, which is supported by support structures formed of a diffused or oxidized sacrificial material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Teruo Sasagawa, Clarence Chui, Manish Kothari, SuryaPrakash Ganti, Jeffrey B. Sampsell
  • Driver voltage adjuster
    Patent number: 7532194
    Abstract: A display system uses a standardized display driver to provide row and column address voltages. The row and address column voltages are used by an array of interferometric elements through a voltage adjuster to adjust the row address voltages to provide adjusted row address voltages to the array of interferometric elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: IDC, LLC
    Inventor: Clarence Chui
  • MEMS SWITCH WITH SET AND LATCH ELECTRODES
    Publication number: 20090086305
    Abstract: A MEMS device is electrically actuated with a voltage placed across a first electrode and a moveable material. The device may be maintained in an actuated state by latch electrodes that are separate from the first electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: IDC, LLC
    Inventor: Clarence Chui
  • SEPARABLE MODULATOR
    Publication number: 20090080060
    Abstract: A separable modulator architecture is disclosed. The modulator has a mirror suspended from a flexible layer over a cavity. The flexible layer also forms supports and support posts for the mirror. An alternative separable modulator architecture has a mirror suspended over a cavity. The modulator is supported by supports and support posts. The support posts comprise a flexible layer over support post plugs. A bus structure may be formed upon the flexible layer arranged over the support posts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: IDC, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Brian Sampsell, Mark W. Miles, Clarence Chui, Manish Kothari
  • METHOD OF MANUFACTURE FOR MICROELECTROMECHANICAL DEVICES
    Publication number: 20090068781
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microelectromechanical device includes forming at least two conductive layers on a substrate. An isolation layer is formed between the two conductive layers. The conductive layers are electrically coupled together and then the isolation layer is removed to form a gap between the conductive layers. The electrical coupling of the layers mitigates or eliminates the effects of electrostatic charge build up on the device during the removal process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: IDC, LLC
    Inventors: Ming-Hau Tung, Brian James Gally, Manish Kothari, Clarence Chui, John Batey
  • METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PACKAGING A SUBSTRATE
    Publication number: 20090059342
    Abstract: A package structure and method of packaging for an interferometric modulator. A thin film material is deposited over an interferometric modulator and transparent substrate to encapsulate the interferometric modulator. A gap or cavity between the interferometric modulator and the thin film provides a space in which mechanical parts of the interferometric modulator may move. The gap is created by removal of a sacrificial layer that is deposited over the interferometric modulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: IDC, LLC
    Inventors: Lauren Palmateer, William J. Cummings, Brian Gally, Mark Miles, Jeffrey B. Sampsell, Clarence Chui, Manish Kothari
  • Method of fabricating a free-standing microstructure
    Patent number: 7492502
    Abstract: Provided is a MEMS device comprising an integrated post and deformable layer. In some embodiments, the transition between the post and deformable layer comprises substantially a single arcuate or convex surface, thereby providing a mechanically robust structure. Some embodiments provide a method for fabricating a MEMS device comprising the use of a self-planarizing sacrificial material, which provides a surface conducive to the formation of a relatively uniform deformable layer thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: IDC, LLC
    Inventors: Clarence Chui, Jeffrey B. Sampsell
  • System and method for multi-level brightness in interferometric modulation
    Patent number: 7492503
    Abstract: A display having a plurality of reflective display elements. In one embodiment, the display elements comprise at least one electrode having a plurality of active areas. In one embodiment, at least two of the sizes of the active areas are different with respect to each other, e.g., they are non-uniform in size. The interferometric modulators have a plurality of states, wherein selected ones of the interferometric modulators are configured to be actuated depending differing electrostatic forces in the interferometric modulators. The electrostatic forces in the interferometric modulators are different at least in part due to variations in the sizes of the active areas of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: IDC, LLC
    Inventor: Clarence Chui
  • Area array modulation and lead reduction in interferometric modulators
    Patent number: 7489428
    Abstract: A light modulator is arranged as an array of rows and columns of interferometric display elements. Each element is divided into sub-rows of sub-elements. Array connection lines transmit operating signals to the display elements, with one connection line corresponding to one row of display elements in the array. Sub-array connection lines electrically connect to each array connection line. Switches transmit the operating signals from each array connection line to the sub-rows to effect gray scale modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: IDC, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Brian Sampsell, Clarence Chui, Manish Kothari
  • Method and device for multistate interferometric light modulation
    Patent number: 7486429
    Abstract: A multi-state light modulator comprises a first reflector 104. A first electrode 142 is positioned at a distance from the first reflector 104. A second reflector 14 is positioned between the first reflector 104 and the first electrode 142. The second reflector 14 is movable between an undriven position, a first driven position, and a second driven position, each having a corresponding distance from the first reflector 104. In one embodiment, the light modulator has latch electrodes 17 and 143, which hold the light modulator in a driven state. In another embodiment the latch electrodes 17 and 143 are used to alter the actuation and release thresholds of the light modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: IDC, LLC
    Inventor: Clarence Chui
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MICRO-ELECTROMECHANICAL OPERATION OF AN INTERFEROMETRIC MODULATOR
    Publication number: 20090022884
    Abstract: An interferometric modulator is formed by a stationary layer and a mirror facing the stationary layer. The mirror is movable between the undriven and driven positions. Landing pads, bumps or spring clips are formed on at least one of the stationary layer and the mirror. The landing pads, bumps or spring clips can prevent the stationary layer and the mirror from contacting each other when the mirror is in the driven position. The spring clips exert force on the mirror toward the undriven position when the mirror is in the driven position and in contact with the spring clips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: IDC,LLC
    Inventors: Clarence Chui, William J. Cummings, Brian J. Gally, Ming-Hau Tung
  • MECHANICAL RELAXATION TRACKING AND RESPONDING IN A MEMS DRIVER
    Publication number: 20090015579
    Abstract: The invention comprises systems and methods for adjusting a driving voltage based on relaxation information of a movable reflective layer of an interferometric modulator. In one example, a device for driving a MEMS device having a movable reflective layer comprises a sensing unit configured to generate information related to one or more of time, environmental exposure, and frame rate of a movable reflective layer of at least one MEMS device, and a driver circuit configured to apply voltages to drive said at least one MEMS device, said voltages being based at least in part on said information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Ramez Nachman, Clarence Chui, Manish Kothari