Abstract: A microelectromechanical system is made by establishing a flexure protection layer over a portion of at least one flexure which is located on a substrate. The flexure protection layer is deposited such that a portion of the flexure is left exposed. Contact is established between a flexure-engaging element and the exposed portion of the flexure. The remaining flexure protection layer is removed after the flexure-engaging element is patterned and etched.

Abstract: Ambient light that is modified for use in a projection system is described. In an embodiment of the present invention, a projection system includes a projection screen and an ambient light source. The projection screen reflects and/or emits one or more ranges of wavelengths of visible light. The projection screen also absorbs visible wavelengths of light in at least one other range that is not included in the one or more ranges. The ambient light source outputs visible wavelengths of light in the at least one other range. The at least one other range of wavelengths have a greater intensity as weighted by the sensitivity of a human eye than that of the wavelengths of light output by the ambient light source in the one or more ranges.

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: 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 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: 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: 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.