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).

  • 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
  • Method of manufacture for microelectromechanical devices
    Patent number: 7476327
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: IDC, LLC
    Inventors: Ming-Hau Tung, Brian James Gally, Manish Kothari, Clarence Chui, John Batey
  • Composite display
    Publication number: 20090002270
    Abstract: A composite display is disclosed. A first paddle has a first plurality of pixel elements wherein the first paddle is arranged to sweep out a first area during a first paddle cycle. A second paddle has a second plurality of pixel elements wherein the second paddle is arranged to sweep out a second area during a second paddle cycle and wherein the first and second areas include first and second nonoverlapping portions. A first pixel element on the first paddle is configured to be activated when the first pixel element coincides with a first image pixel. A second pixel element on the second paddle is configured to be activated when the second pixel element coincides with a second image pixel. An image corresponding to the first and second image pixels is represented on the composite display by activating the first and second pixel elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Clarence Chui
  • Image to temporal pixel mapping
    Publication number: 20090002362
    Abstract: Image pixel to temporal pixel mapping is disclosed. In some embodiments, a grid of stochastically arranged temporal pixels is employed in a composite display. An image pixel may be mapped to one or more temporal pixels in the grid. One or more of the one or more temporal pixels in the grid to which the image pixel is mapped are employed to render the image pixel in the composite display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Clarence Chui
  • Composite display
    Publication number: 20090002293
    Abstract: A composite display is disclosed. In some embodiments, a composite display comprises a paddle configured to sweep out an area and a plurality of pixel elements mounted on the paddle. Selectively activating one or more of the plurality of pixel elements during a fractional rotation of the paddle within its sweep area causes an image to be rendered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Clarence Chui
  • Composite display
    Publication number: 20090002272
    Abstract: A composite display is disclosed. In some embodiments, a composite display comprises a compound paddle comprising a plurality of components and configured to sweep out an area. A plurality of pixel elements is mounted on at least one component of the plurality of components. Selectively activating one or more of the plurality of pixel elements while the compound paddle sweeps the area causes at least a portion of an image to be rendered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Clarence Chui
  • Data flow for a composite display
    Publication number: 20090002273
    Abstract: A system for generating a display is disclosed. The system includes a base on which one or more paddles are mounted, wherein each paddle includes a plurality of pixel elements and is configured to sweep out an area during a paddle cycle, a processor configured to generate a script based at least in part on a pixel map and an image, and a pixel element driver configured to receive at least a portion of the script and activate a pixel element on a paddle when the pixel element coincides with an image pixel of the image. At least a portion of the image is represented on the display by activating the pixel element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Clarence Chui
  • Rendering an image pixel in a composite display
    Publication number: 20090002290
    Abstract: Rendering an image pixel in a composite display is disclosed. In some embodiments, an image pixel is mapped to a plurality of temporal pixels, and the image pixel is rendered in a composite display using at least a subset of the plurality of temporal pixels to which it is mapped, with the intensity of the image pixel spread across the subset of temporal pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Clarence Chui
  • Luminance balancing
    Publication number: 20090002288
    Abstract: A composite display is disclosed. In some embodiments, a composite display comprises a paddle configured to sweep out an area and a plurality of pixel elements mounted on the paddle. Selectively activating one or more of the plurality of pixel elements while the paddle sweeps the area causes at least a portion of an image to be rendered. In some embodiments, a characteristic of at least one pixel element of the plurality of pixel elements that is associated with balancing luminance across at least a portion of the composite display associated with the paddle is based at least in part on a radial distance of the one pixel element from an axis of rotation of the paddle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Clarence Chui
  • Composite display
    Publication number: 20090002271
    Abstract: A composite display is disclosed. In some embodiments, a composite display comprises a set of one or more paddles, a plurality of pixel elements installed on each paddle, and an optic configured to substantially collimate light attached to a surface of each pixel element. In some embodiments, a diffuser film is mounted in front of the set of paddles, wherein the diffuser film diffuses incident collimated light from the pixel elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Clarence Chui
  • Composite display
    Publication number: 20090002289
    Abstract: A composite display is disclosed. In some embodiments, a composite display comprises a paddle configured to sweep out an area and a plurality of pixel elements mounted on the paddle. Selectively activating one or more of the plurality of pixel elements while the paddle sweeps the area causes at least a portion of an image to be rendered. In some embodiments, at least one pixel element of the plurality of pixel elements is mounted on an edge of the paddle such that at least a portion of the at least one pixel element extends beyond the edge of the paddle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Clarence Chui
  • MIRROR AND MIRROR LAYER FOR OPTICAL MODULATOR AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20080314866
    Abstract: Described herein are systems, devices, and methods relating to packaging electronic devices, for example, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices, including optical modulators such as interferometric optical modulators. The interferometric modulator disclosed herein comprises a movable mirror. Some embodiments of the disclosed movable mirror exhibit a combination of improved properties compared to known mirrors, including reduced moving mass, improved mechanical properties, and reduced etch times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: IDC, LLC.
    Inventors: Clarence Chui, Jeffrey B. Sampsell
  • Separable modulator
    Patent number: 7460291
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: IDC, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Brian Sampsell, Mark W. Miles, Clarence Chui, Manish Kothari
  • MEMS switch with set and latch electrodes
    Patent number: 7446927
    Abstract: A MEMS device is electrically actuated with a voltage placed across a first electrode (702) and a moveable material (714). The device may be maintained in an actuated state by latch electrodes (730a, 730b) that are separate from the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: IDC, LLC
    Inventor: Clarence Chui
  • Packaging for an interferometric modulator
    Patent number: 7443563
    Abstract: A package is made of a transparent substrate having an interferometric modulator and a back plate. A non-hermetic seal joins the back plate to the substrate to form a package, and a desiccant resides inside the package. A method of packaging an interferometric modulator includes providing a transparent substrate and manufacturing an interferometric modulator array on a backside of the substrate. A back plate is provided and a desiccant is applied to the back plate. The back plate is sealed to the backside of the substrate with a back seal in ambient conditions, thereby forming a package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: IDC, LLC
    Inventors: Lauren Palmateer, Brian J. Gally, William J. Cummings, Manish Kothari, Clarence Chui
  • MEMS DISPLAY
    Publication number: 20080252959
    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: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Clarence Chui, Mithran C. Mathew, Marc Mignard
  • METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MULTISTATE INTERFEROMETRIC LIGHT MODULATION
    Publication number: 20080247028
    Abstract: A multi-state light modulator comprises a first reflector. A first electrode is positioned at a distance from the first reflector. A second reflector is positioned between the first reflector and the first electrode. The second reflector is movable between an undriven position, a first driven position, and a second driven position, each having a corresponding distance from the first reflector. In one embodiment, the three positions correspond to reflecting white light, being non-reflective, and reflecting a selected color of light. Another embodiment is a method of making the light modulator. Another embodiment is a display including the light modulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: IDC, LLC
    Inventors: Clarence Chui, William J. Cummings, Brian J. Gally