Patents by Inventor Douglas J. McKnight

Douglas J. McKnight 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).

  • Publication number: 20020024628
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Tobias W. Walker, Douglas J. McKnight, Paul L. Roselle, Mary Tilton, Jay R. Ahling
  • Patent number: 6326958
    Abstract: A system and method to reduce power consumption in a miniature display system. The system is formed on three distinct substrates with different feature sizes and operating in different power zones. The display controller and other high speed logic are formed on one substrate. The display, DACs and LUTs are formed on a second substrate, and high voltage circuitry for driving the LEDs and the cover glass voltage is formed on a third substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Zight Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas J. Gorny, Douglas J. McKnight, Lowell F. Bohn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6295054
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventor: Douglas J. McKnight
  • Patent number: 6275277
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Colorado MicroDisplay, Inc.
    Inventors: Tobias W. Walker, Douglas J. McKnight, Paul L. Roselle, Mary Tilton, Jay Ahling
  • Patent number: 6243072
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving image quality and in particular to an apparatus and method for converting binary images to grey-scale or color images and displaying those images. The apparatus and method utilize the natural process of integration which occurs when a person views images at sufficiently high rates and involves identifying least significant subframes within a group of subframes and reducing the intensity of those subframes or extending the duration of subframes other than the least significant subframes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventor: Douglas J. McKnight
  • Patent number: 6225991
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventor: Douglas J. McKnight
  • Patent number: 5959598
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventor: Douglas J. McKnight
  • Patent number: 5919606
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembly of liquid crystal cells with a thin (<4 pm), uniform (.+-.100 .mu.m) cell gap. The method can be used for the assembly of either individual or multiple liquid crystal cells on a single substrate. The method uses a photo-definable polymeric resin as both an edge seal and a spacer and has several important steps: spin-coating defines the cell gap, patterning defines the cell structure, and thermocompression bonding provides adhesion. The method for assembling liquid crystal cells having a thin, uniform cell gap, comprises the steps of: diluting a photo-definable polymeric resin with a solvent; applying the diluted photo-definable polymeric resin on a substrate; patterning the diluted photo-definable polymeric resin by selective exposure to a light; and selectively removing portions of the diluted photo-definable polymeric resin based upon exposure to the light resulting in a resin pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: University Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Peter T. Kazlas, Douglas J. McKnight, Kristina M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5868951
    Abstract: A method for making an electro-optic device or electro-optic display system having enhanced performance over conventional flat-panel displays, wherein a planarizing polymeric resin layer is spin-cast on a flat-panel backplane containing pixel circuitry. The spin-cast layer is cured to provide a flat backplane. Vias are opened in the cured polymeric resin to each pixel. Metal is deposited to fill the vias and to form a confluent, overlying metal layer on the upper surface. The metal layer is patterned and etched to form individual mirrors over each pixel. The metal acts as both a switchable electrode and as a high aperture, highly reflective mirror over each pixel. Electro-optic devices which may be made using such a process are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: University Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Miller H. Schuck, III, Douglas J. McKnight, Kristina M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5767828
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving image quality and in particular to an apparatus and method for converting binary images to grey-scale or color images and displaying those images. The apparatus and method utilize the natural process of integration which occurs when a person views images at sufficiently high rates and involves identifying least significant subframes within a group of subframes and reducing the intensity of those subframes or extending the duration of subframes other than the least significant subframes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventor: Douglas J. McKnight