Patents by Inventor Clayton L. Stevenson

Clayton L. Stevenson 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).

  • Patent number: 7911679
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Brett A. Mangrum, Clayton L. Stevenson, John P. Ossenfort
  • Patent number: 7253941
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Brett A. Mangrum, Clayton L. Stevenson, John P. Ossenfort