Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adjusting or reducing intrinsic DC offset potential in a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) are taught. The methods allow the upper and lower assemblies of the LCD device to be manufactured with selected materials while achieving adjusted or reduced intrinsic DC offset potential in the finished LCD device. The methods are especially useful for reflective LCD designs where it is not possible to build the LCD with symmetric assemblies.

Abstract: This application deals with display systems which include pixel electrodes that control an electro-optic layer. In one exemplary embodiment, a display system includes an electro-optic layer, a first electrode which has a substantially flat surface and is operatively coupled to the electro-optic layer, and a first substrate which has a plurality of pixel electrodes. For each of the pixel electrodes, a first pixel electrode surface is substantially flat and parallel to the first electrode and has a first distance relative to the first electrode and a second pixel electrode surface is substantially flat and parallel to the first electrode and has a second distance relative to the first electrode which is different than the first distance. Other display systems are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to liquid crystal displays and method of making liquid crystal displays. One liquid crystal display invention has as an element an optically transmissive first substrate that may be positioned to receive light incident from the light source. A reflective second substrate is positioned adjacent to this first substrate. The second substrate has an active area that may include a circuit panel and a perimeter seal area surrounding that active area. To separate the first substrate from the second substrate, spacers are configured about the perimeter seal area of the second substrate. Between the first substrate and the second substrate is a liquid crystal material. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus employing lookup tables in a time sequential manner. A substrate has a display, a digital to analog converter, and a lookup table (LUT) formed thereon. The LUT is loaded with a LUT data set corresponding to an image subframe to be driven to the display. Successive LUT data sets corresponding to the next subframe are loaded after each subframe is driven to the display.

Abstract: This application deals with display systems which include pixel electrodes that control an electro-optic layer. In one exemplary embodiment, a display system includes an electro-optic layer, a first electrode which has a substantially flat surface and is operatively coupled to the electro-optic layer, and a first substrate which has a plurality of pixel electrodes. For each of the pixel electrodes, a first pixel electrode surface is substantially flat and parallel to the first electrode and has a first distance relative to the first electrode and a second pixel electrode surface is substantially flat and parallel to the first electrode and has a second distance relative to the first electrode which is different than the first distance. Other display systems are described.

Abstract: A display system comprises an electro-optic layer having first and second opposite major surfaces, a first electrode proximate the first surface of the electro-optic layer, and an electrode array. The electrode array includes a first plurality of pixel electrodes operatively coupled to the electro-optic layer proximate it's second surface and is separated from the first electrode by a first optical path length. The electrode array also includes a second plurality of pixel electrodes operatively coupled to the electro-optic layer proximate it's second surface and is separated from the first electrode by a second optical path length. The first and second pluralities of pixel electrodes form an irregular pattern.

Abstract: This application deals with display systems which include pixel electrodes that control an electro-optic layer. In one exemplary embodiment, a display system includes an electro-optic layer, a first electrode which has a substantially flat surface and is operatively coupled to the electro-optic layer, and a first substrate which has a plurality of pixel electrodes. For each of the pixel electrodes, a first pixel electrode surface is substantially flat and parallel to the first electrode and has a first distance relative to the first electrode and a second pixel electrode surface is substantially flat and parallel to the first electrode and has a second distance relative to the first electrode which is different than the first distance. Other display systems are described.

Abstract: A drive circuit for a time sequential color LED based display device allows the overall brightness of a display device to be adjusted without affecting the color balance. The circuit includes a boost switching converter, which provides constant power to each of a plurality of different colored LEDs associated with a pixel, independent of the forward voltage across each LED. The boost switching converter receives a pulse width modulated drive signal for activating each LED, when enabled, during a frame. The on-time of the drive signal varies during each frame according to which LED is to be activated at a particular point in time, to provide the appropriate power to the LED. The LEDs are enabled sequentially during a frame by separate enable signals. The cathode of each LED is connected to a positive power supply voltage when the LED is enabled.

Abstract: A device such as a display device or a spatial light modulator can store pixel data in a plurality of small circuit coupled to pixel mirrors and simultaneously drive these pixel mirrors a frame at a time. This device is particularly beneficial for implementing improved image quality techniques which can convert binary images to grey-scale images and/or separate red, green and blue images into color images and displaying those images using the natural process of integration which occurs when a person views images at sufficiently high rates.

Abstract: The methods and apparatuses of the invention relate to liquid crystal displays. In one exemplary embodiment, a liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal layer which has a twist angle in a range of about 60° to about 90° and includes a polarizer positioned to polarize light from a light source to create polarized light such that an angle &bgr; exists between a vector of the polarized light and a first alignment direction of the liquid crystal layer. The angle &bgr; is in a range of about −13° to about +13° and a value of &Dgr;nd is in a range of about 0.1 &mgr;m to about 0.2 &mgr;m where &Dgr;n is a birefringence of the liquid crystal layer and d is a thickness of the liquid crystal layer. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and description.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical devices. In one embodiment, a display apparatus includes a display medium, a transparent substrate, a non-transparent substrate. The display medium is disposed between the first and second substrates and an adhesive coupling material couples the substrates together. The adhesive material is disposed proximate to a channel, which is in at least one of the substrates.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adjusting or reducing intrinsic DC offset potential in a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) are taught. The methods allow the upper and lower assemblies of the LCD device to be manufactured with selected materials while achieving adjusted or reduced intrinsic DC offset potential in the finished LCD device. The methods are especially useful for reflective LCD designs where it is not possible to build the LCD with symmetric assemblies.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of fabricating a light modulation system having a semiconductor substrate. In one exemplary method, an optical layer is applied over a semiconductor substrate which includes a plurality of integrated circuits. Each of these integrated circuits is capable of creating a separate display device. A protective layer is then applied over the optical layer. The plurality of integrated circuits is then singulated. Various other embodiments of apparatuses and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to predict the DC offset potential of a liquid crystal display (LCD) device are described. Surface potential measurements of each half of an LCD device are made before final assembly into the finished LCD device, thereby providing a method of predicting the DC offset potential that will exist in the finished LCD device. The surface potentials of the surfaces that mate with the liquid crystal layer, control the DC offset potential that exists in the finished LCD device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of fabricating a light modulation system having a semiconductor substrate. In one exemplary method, an optical layer is applied over a semiconductor substrate which includes a plurality of integrated circuits. Each of these integrated circuits is capable of creating a separate display device. A protective layer is then applied over the optical layer. The plurality of integrated circuits is then singulated. Various other embodiments of apparatuses and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A device such as a display device or a spatial light modulator can store pixel data in a plurality of small circuits coupled to pixel mirrors and simultaneously drive these pixel mirrors a frame at a time. This device is particularly beneficial for implementing improved image quality techniques which can convert binary images to grey-scale images and/or separate red, green and blue images into color images and displaying those images using the natural process of integration which occurs when a person views images at sufficiently high rates.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting a display from fault conditions. An oscillator independent of a display clock of a display to be protected is formed on a substrate with the display. The oscillator generates a periodic signal which is used to define a period during which a register collects indicators of normal system operation. Combinational logic is used to determine if the set of indicators collected matches the set of indicators expected during the time period. If the set matches, operation is deemed normal and no action is taken. If an indicator is missing, the combinational logic generates a signal that causes the display to be driven into a safe state until such time as all indicators are again collected within the defined time period.

Abstract: A method and apparatus employing lookup tables in a time sequential manner. A substrate has a display, a digital to analog converter, and a lookup table (LUT) formed thereon. The LUT is loaded with a LUT data set corresponding to an image subframe to be driven to the display. Successive LUT data sets corresponding to the next subframe are loaded after each subframe is driven to the display.

Abstract: A device such as a display device or a spatial light modulator can store pixel data in a plurality of small circuits coupled to pixel mirrors and simultaneously drive these pixel mirrors a frame at a time. This device is particularly beneficial for implementing improved image quality techniques which can convert binary images to grey-scale images and/or separate red, green and blue images into color images and displaying those images using the natural process of integration which occurs when a person views images at sufficiently high rates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus employing lookup tables in a time sequential manner. A substrate has a display, a digital to analog converter, and a lookup table (LUT) formed thereon. The LUT is loaded with a LUT data set corresponding to an image subframe to be driven to the display. Successive LUT data sets corresponding to the next subframe are loaded after each subframe is driven to the display.