Abstract: A system of an embodiment of the invention includes an array of micro-electromechanical (MEM) device assemblies and a testing mechanism situated outside of the array of the MEM device assemblies. Each MEM device assembly includes a MEM device capable of being individually written to, but incapable of being electrically read. The testing mechanism tests each MEM device assembly for proper operation without directly reading the MEM device of the MEM device assembly.

Abstract: A control circuit for a MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) has a semiconductor switch which has a source, a drain and a gate, which is associated with a selected one of spatially arranged fixed and movable plates of a variable capacitor, and is arranged to selectively connect the selected one of the fixed and movable plates with a voltage source. A charge injection control circuit is associated with the semiconductor switch and attenuates current injection into the selected one of the fixed and movable plates of the capacitor.

Abstract: A light delivery device defining an optical path with a feedback device is disclosed. The feedback device dispatches actual illumination characteristics of the light delivery device to a control system, which compares the actual illumination characteristics with desired illumination characteristics to determine an offset for driving the light delivery device.

Abstract: A charge control circuit for controlling a micro-electromechanical device having a variable capacitance is disclosed. In one embodiment, a charge storage device is configured to store a charge amount. A switch circuit is configured to control the variable capacitance of the micro-electromechanical device by sharing the charge amount between the charge storage device and the micro-electromechanical device to equalize the charge storage device and the micro-electromechanical device to a same voltage.

Abstract: A charge control circuit for controlling a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device having variable capacitor formed by first conductive plate and a second conductive plate separated by a variable gap distance. The charge control circuit comprises a switch circuit configured to receive a reference voltage having a selected voltage level and configured to respond to an enable signal having a duration at least as long as an electrical time constant constant of the MEMS device, but shorter than a mechanical time constant of the MEMS device, to apply the selected voltage level across the first and second plates for the duration to thereby cause a stored charge having a desired magnitude to accumulate on the variable capacitor, wherein the variable gap distance is a function of the magnitude of the stored charge.

Abstract: An electronic device of an embodiment of the invention is for at least partially displaying a pixel of a displayable image. The electronic device includes a first reflector and a second reflector that define an optical cavity therebetween, and which is selective of a visible wavelength at an intensity by optical interference. The electronic device also includes a charge-controlling mechanism to allow optical properties of the optical cavity to be varied by controlling a predetermined amount of charge stored on the first and the second reflectors. The visible wavelength and/or the intensity are thus variably selectable in correspondence with the pixel of the displayable image.

Abstract: A charge control circuit for controlling a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device having variable capacitor formed by first conductive plate and a second conductive plate separated by a variable gap distance. The charge control circuit comprises a switch circuit configured to receive a reference voltage having a selected voltage level and configured to respond to an enable signal having a duration at least as long as an electrical time constant constant of the MEMS device, but shorter than a mechanical time constant of the MEMS device, to apply the selected voltage level across the first and second plates for the duration to thereby cause a stored charge having a desired magnitude to accumulate on the variable capacitor, wherein the variable gap distance is a function of the magnitude of the stored charge.

Abstract: The present invention provides a data controller for controlling an electrostatically-controlled micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device having a variable operating characteristic based on control data. The data controller comprises a data comparator and an update circuit. The data comparator is configured to receive control data of a present update cycle, to compare the control data of the present update cycle to control data of a previous update cycle on which the variable operating characteristic of the MEMS device is presently based, and to provide an update signal having a first state when the control data of the present update cycle is substantially equal to the control data of the previous update cycle.

Abstract: An electronic device of an embodiment of the invention is disclosed that at least partially displays a pixel of a display image. The device includes a first reflector and a second reflector defining an optical cavity therebetween that is selective of a visible wavelength at an intensity. The device includes a mechanism to allow optical properties of the cavity to be varied such that the visible wavelength and/or the intensity are variably selectable in correspondence with the pixel of the displayable image. The device also includes one or more transparent deposited films, one or more absorbing layers, an integral micro-lens, and/or one or more anti-stiction bumps. The deposited films are over one of the reflectors, for self-packaging of the device. The absorbing layers are over one of the reflectors, to reduce undesired reflections. The integral micro-lens is over one of the reflectors, and the anti-stiction bumps are between the reflectors.

Abstract: A charge control circuit for controlling a micro-electromechanical device having a variable capacitance is disclosed. In one embodiment, a charge storage device is configured to store a charge amount. A switch circuit is configured to control the variable capacitance of the micro-electromechanical device by sharing the charge amount between the charge storage device and the micro-electromechanical device to equalize the charge storage device and the micro-electromechanical device to a same voltage.

Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling a MEMS actuator are disclosed. The device includes a pair of parallel plates having a gap therebetween. The size of the gap is responsive to a voltage differential between the pair of plates. The device also includes a controller adapted to apply a voltage profile to at least one of the pair of plates to maintain a desired gap size. The voltage profile has a time-varying voltage.

Abstract: An array of MEMS devices having column lines and row lines, such as a light modulator array, is controlled in response to an input signal by providing a number of discrete voltages, multiplexing from the discrete voltages a selected voltage to be applied to each MEMS device of the array, and enabling application of the selected discrete voltage to each MEMS device of the array.

Abstract: A display system including a projector and a display. The projector is adapted to wirelessly transmit image information associated with an image to be displayed. The display includes a plurality of display cells that are configured to collectively display the image based on the image information transmitted by the projector. Each display cell includes a receiver, display element and storage device. The receiver is configured to wirelessly receive a portion of the image information, and the storage device is adapted to store a control signal corresponding to the received portion of the image information. The display element is configured to display the corresponding portion of the image in response to application of the control signal from the storage device.

Abstract: A display system and method are provided. The system typically includes a display configured to control visible light, as well as to sense an optical signal projected thereon, the display being adapted to freeze a projected image by storing the optical signal associated with the live projected image in memory associated with the display and controlling visible light corresponding to the stored optical signal to form a frozen projection image.

Abstract: An optically addressable display includes a plurality of receptor and emitter pairs where each pair is for receiving optical display information and for generating light indicative of the display information. Each individual receptor and emitter pair is coupled electrically by an associated control circuit that facilitates driving the emitter so it generates either the received display information or annotation information generated by a light wand that is capable of being optically coupled to individual ones of the plurality of receptors. Each control circuit has a pulse density capture circuit that receives a pulse train signal indicative of a desired brightness or hue levels and drives an individual one of the emitters on and off at a determined duty cycle to produce the desired brightness or hue levels. In another embodiment sets of receptor and emitter pairs are grouped in cells, where each cell is capable of generating N of shades of different colors.

Abstract: A painting tool with a carriage having a control switch, control circuitry, and an ink jet pen connected to the carriage and control circuitry. An ink jet pen may be included in the carriage, and more than one switch may be provided, with one switch controlling hue, and the other controlling flow rate. An on-board power source may be included to provide cordless operation.

Abstract: A baling machine for making large rectangular bales of straw or hay has a bale chamber with an entry opening at one end. Material is fed under compression to the entry opening to fill the chamber. So that the bale is formed of consolidated columns of material a guide is located adjacent the entry opening and can be moved in and out of the chamber after each column is formed.Pivoting of the guide pushes completed columns along the chamber to make way for incoming material.