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).

  • Method and device for packaging a substrate
    Patent number: 8682130
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Mems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lauren Palmateer, William J. Cummings, Brian Gally, Mark Miles, Jeffrey B. Sampsell, Clarence Chui, Manish Kothari
  • Drive scheme for a display
    Patent number: 8669926
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for writing a display image to a display having an array of pixels according to a selected driving sequence. In one aspect, display elements in a row are driven using a tall and narrow voltage pulse. This allows display elements of a row to be driven in a shorter line time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc M. Mignard, Clarence Chui, Alan G. Lewis
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD OF SENSING ACTUATION AND RELEASE VOLTAGES OF AN INTERFEROMETRIC MODULATOR
    Publication number: 20130300439
    Abstract: A method for sensing the actuation and/or release voltages of a electromechanical system or a microelectromechanical device include applying a test pulse to the device and sensing its state. 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: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: MARC MIGNARD, CLARENCE CHUI, MITHRAN C. MATHEW, JEFFREY B. SAMPSELL
  • Apparatus and system for writing data to electromechanical display elements
    Patent number: 8514169
    Abstract: Charge balanced display data writing systems, apparatuses, and methods use write and hold cycles of opposite polarity during selected frame update periods. A release cycle may be provided to reduce the chance that a given display element will become stuck in an actuated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence Chui, Manish Kothari
  • High density metal-insulator-metal trench capacitor
    Patent number: 8492874
    Abstract: Higher capacitance density is achieved by increasing a surface area of a capacitor. A larger surface area may be obtained by forming isotropic ball shapes (a concave surface) in the trenches on the semiconductor die. The concave surfaces are fabricated by depositing bilayers of amorphous-silicon and silicon oxide. Openings are patterned in the silicon oxide hard mask for trenches. The openings are transferred to the amorphous-silicon layers through isotropic etching to form concave surfaces. Conducting, insulating, and conducting layers are deposited on the concave surfaces of the trenches by atomic layer deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Je-Hsiung Lan, Matthew Michael Nowak, Evgeni P. Gousev, Jonghae Kim, Clarence Chui
  • System and method of sensing actuation and release voltages of an interferometric modulator
    Patent number: 8487846
    Abstract: A method for sensing the actuation and/or release voltages of a electromechanical system or 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: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Mignard, Clarence Chui, Mithran C Mathew, Jeffrey B Sampsell
  • DRIVE SCHEME FOR A DISPLAY
    Publication number: 20130135271
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for writing a display image to a display having an array of pixels according to a selected driving sequence. In one aspect, display elements in a row are driven using a tall and narrow voltage pulse. This allows display elements of a row to be driven in a shorter line time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc M. Mignard, Clarence Chui, Alan G. Lewis
  • Interferometric modulator array with integrated MEMS electrical switches
    Patent number: 8437071
    Abstract: An array of display elements, such as interferometric modulators, is integrated with collapsible cavity microelectromechanical system (MEMS) electrical switches. The electrical switches and the display elements may be at least partially formed with the same manufacturing operations. The switches may form row or column select functions for the display elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Clarence Chui
  • Photonic MEMS and structures
    Patent number: 8405899
    Abstract: An optical device includes a non-transparent substrate. The optical device further includes a first optical layer which is at least partially transmissive and at least partially reflective to incident light. The optical device further includes a second optical layer which is at least partially reflective to incident light. The second optical layer is spaced from the first optical layer. At least one of the first optical layer and the second optical layer is movable between a first position at a first distance from the first optical layer and a second position at a second distance from the first optical layer. Movement of the at least one of the first optical layer and the second optical layer between the first and second positions modulates the reflectivity of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Qualcomm Mems Technologies, Inc
    Inventor: Clarence Chui
  • Low voltage driver scheme for interferometric modulators
    Patent number: 8405649
    Abstract: A method of driving electromechanical devices such as interferometric modulators includes applying a voltage along a common line to release the electromechanical devices along the common line, followed by applying an address voltage along the common line to actuate selected electromechanical devices along the common line based on voltages applied along segment lines. Hold voltages may be applied along common lines between applications of release and address voltages, and the segment voltages may be selected to be sufficiently small that the segment voltages will not affect the state of the electromechanical devices along other common lines not being written to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan G. Lewis, Marc M. Mignard, Clarence Chui, Wilhelmus Johannes Robertus Van Lier, Mark M. Todorovich, William Cummings
  • Methods of manufacturing illumination systems
    Patent number: 8402647
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing light panels having at least one re-entrant turning feature. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a light panel includes providing a base layer, providing a cover layer, and coupling the cover layer to the base layer to form at least one re-entrant turning feature between the base layer and the cover layer. In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a light panel includes providing a base layer, forming at least one receiving space in the base layer, providing at least one prismatic block, and coupling at least a portion of the prismatic block into the receiving space such that re-entrant turning features are formed between the prismatic block and the base layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Qualcomm Mems Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence Chui, Gaurav Sethi, Jonathan Charles Griffiths, Manish Kothari
  • BACKPLATE INTERCONNECT WITH INTEGRATED PASSIVES
    Publication number: 20130063415
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for manufacturing display devices having electronic components mounted within a display device package. In one aspect, the electronic component connects to the exterior of the display device through pads that run below a seal that holds a substrate and a backplate of the display device together. In another aspect the electronic components also connect to an electromechanical device within the display device, as well as connecting to pads that are external to the display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravindra V. Shenoy, Marc Maurice Mignard, Manish Kothari, Clarence Chui
  • Conductive bus structure for interferometric modulator array
    Patent number: 8390547
    Abstract: Embodiments of an interferometric modulator are disclosed having various enhancements and features including a conductive bus. In certain embodiments, the interferometric modulator has a first conductive layer suspended over a second electrode layer. In certain embodiments, a second conductive layer is provided over the first conductive layer. One of the first and/or second conductive buses may further connect to the first electrode layer and/or the second electrode layer. Other disclosed features can be incorporated into embodiments of the interferometric modulator to improve response time, power consumption, and image resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence Chui, Jeffrey B. Sampsell
  • Electromechanical devices having etch barrier layers
    Patent number: 8368124
    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 micro electromechanical systems device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Miles, John Batey, Clarence Chui, Manish Kothari
  • ENHANCED GRAYSCALE METHOD FOR FIELD-SEQUENTIAL COLOR ARCHITECTURE OF REFLECTIVE DISPLAYS
    Publication number: 20130027440
    Abstract: A field-sequential color architecture is included in a reflective mode display. The reflective mode display may be a direct-view display such as an interferometric modulator display. The reflective mode display may include three or more different subpixel types, each of which corresponds to a color. Data for each color may be written sequentially to all subpixels of the display. Flashing of a corresponding colored light, e.g., from a front light of the display, may be timed to immediately follow a process of writing data for that color. Colors other than the field color may be used to produce grayscale. The field color may correspond to the most significant bit (MSB) and the other colors may correspond to other bits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Russel Allyn Martin, Zhanpeng Feng, Jyotindra Raj Shakya, Paul Eric Jacobs, Clarence Chui
  • FIELD-SEQUENTIAL COLOR ARCHITECTURE OF REFLECTIVE MODE MODULATOR
    Publication number: 20130027444
    Abstract: A field-sequential color architecture is included in a reflective mode display. The reflective mode display may be a direct-view display such as an interferometric modulator display. In some implementations, the reflective mode display may include three or more different subpixel types, each of which corresponds to a color. In some such implementations, the colors include primary colors. Data for each color may be written sequentially to subpixels for that color, while subpixels of the remaining colors are written to black. Alternatively, data for each color may be written sequentially to all subpixels of the display. Flashing of a corresponding colored light, e.g., from a front light of the display, may be timed to immediately follow a process of writing data for that color.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Clarence Chui, Marc Maurice Mignard
  • Free space optical communication with optical film
    Patent number: 8351793
    Abstract: Devices and systems are provided for free space optical communication using optical films. Some embodiments involve using an optical film for the transmission and/or reception of light in a free space optical communication system. Some free space optical communication systems may involve devices, such as laptop computers, desktop computers, mobile communications devices, etc., that are configured for communication via an optical film. The optical film may be disposed on a device, on a wall, a window, furniture, etc., according to the implementation. Many types of free space optical communication systems are provided, including line of sight and non line of sight free space optical communication systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Qualcomm Mems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence Chui, Manish Kothari
  • Electromechanical devices having support structures
    Patent number: 8344470
    Abstract: Embodiments of MEMS devices comprise a conductive movable layer spaced apart from a conductive fixed layer by a gap, and supported by rigid support structures, or rivets, overlying depressions in the conductive movable layer, or by posts underlying depressions in the conductive movable layer. In certain embodiments, both rivets and posts may be used. In certain embodiments, these support structures are formed from rigid inorganic materials, such as metals or oxides. In certain embodiments, etch barriers may also be deposited to facilitate the use of materials in the formation of support structures which are not selectively etchable with respect to other components within the MEMS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Sampsell, Clarence Chui, Manish Kothari, Mark W. Miles, Teruo Sasagawa, Wonsuk Chung, Ming-Hau Tung
  • Method and system for writing data to electromechanical display elements
    Patent number: 8344997
    Abstract: Methods and devices for applying bias potentials of opposite polarities to columns of electromechanical display elements are described herein. The bias potentials may be applied such that a column and an adjacent column receive bias potentials of opposite polarity. The bias potentials may be applied such that a polarity of bias voltages received by columns of a first set of the display elements is opposite a polarity of bias voltages received by columns of a second set of the display elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence Chui, Manish Kothari
  • Rendering an image pixel in a composite display
    Patent number: 8319703
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Qualcomm Mems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Clarence Chui