Patents by Inventor Jeffrey B. Sampsell

Jeffrey B. Sampsell 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: 9377183
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatuses for low-profile lighting systems. In one aspect, a lighting apparatus can include a lighting apparatus having a light emitter and an electronics substrate including an electrical circuit. An unrolled capacitive film can be attached to the lighting apparatus and electrically coupled to the electrical circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert L Holman, Jeffrey B Sampsell, Matthew B Sampsell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9086564
    Abstract: Embodiments of an interferometric modulator are disclosed having various enhancements and features including a conductive bus. In certain embodiments, the interferometric modulator has a first conductive layer suspended over a second electrode layer. In certain embodiments, a second conductive layer is provided over the first conductive layer. One of the first and/or second conductive buses may further connect to the first electrode layer and/or the second electrode layer. Other disclosed features can be incorporated into embodiments of the interferometric modulator to improve response time, power consumption, and image resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Qualcomm Mems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence Chui, Jeffrey B. Sampsell
  • Patent number: 9019590
    Abstract: A spatial light modulator comprises an integrated optical compensation structure, e.g., an optical compensation structure arranged between a substrate and a plurality of individually addressable light-modulating elements, or an optical compensation structure located on the opposite side of the light-modulating elements from the substrate. The individually addressable light-modulating elements are configured to modulate light transmitted through or reflected from the transparent substrate. Methods for making such spatial light modulators involve fabricating an optical compensation structure over a substrate and fabricating a plurality of individually addressable light-modulating elements over the optical compensation structure. The optical compensation structure may be a passive optical compensation structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence Chui, Jeffrey B. Sampsell, William J. Cummings, Ming-Hau Tung
  • Publication number: 20150084998
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing power consumption in a display includes driving a display comprising a plurality of display elements having selectable resolution, wherein the display device is configured to operate at a plurality of selectable operational modes. In a first operational mode, data at a first resolution is provided to the display at a first data rate, and in a second operational mode, data at a second resolution is provided to the display at a second data rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Sampsell
  • Patent number: 8878825
    Abstract: Embodiments includes methods and systems for updating display devices at a variable refresh rate. One embodiment includes a method of updating an image displayed on a display device. The method includes setting an indicator to a first state that indicates that image data has been received subsequent to a previous update of a display device and periodically updating at least a portion of the display device to display the image. The updating is deferred for at least one period when the indicator is in a state other than the first state. In another embodiment, updates of the display are substantially asynchronous and occur as the processor writes data to one or more shift registers. When a shift register is filled, for example, having received data for a row within the display, the data in the shift register is written to the display. Other embodiments include methods of manufacturing such devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Manish Kothari, Clarence Chui, Gaurav Sethi, Jeffrey B. Sampsell
  • Patent number: 8878771
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing power consumption in a display includes driving a display comprising a plurality of display elements having selectable resolution, wherein the display device is configured to operate at a plurality of selectable operational modes. In a first operational mode, data at a first resolution is provided to the display at a first data rate, and in a second operational mode, data at a second resolution is provided to the display at a second data rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Sampsell
  • Publication number: 20140268872
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatuses for low-profile lighting systems. In one aspect, a lighting apparatus can include a lighting apparatus having a light emitter and an electronics substrate including an electrical circuit. An unrolled capacitive film can be attached to the lighting apparatus and electrically coupled to the electrical circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Robert L. Holman, Jeffrey B. Sampsell, Matthew B. Sampsell, JR.
  • Patent number: 8714023
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for assessing a surface using a piezoelectric element. In one aspect, the method includes applying a device to the surface, wherein the device includes at least one piezoelectric element and at least one EMS device, wherein the EMS device includes a conductive first layer separated from a conductive second layer, and wherein the piezoelectric element is electrically coupled to the EMS device such that a force applied to the piezoelectric element results in a voltage applied across the first and second layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Sampsell
  • Patent number: 8682130
    Abstract: A package structure and method of packaging for an interferometric modulator. A thin film material is deposited over an interferometric modulator and transparent substrate to encapsulate the interferometric modulator. A gap or cavity between the interferometric modulator and the thin film provides a space in which mechanical parts of the interferometric modulator may move. The gap is created by removal of a sacrificial layer that is deposited over the interferometric modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Mems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lauren Palmateer, William J. Cummings, Brian Gally, Mark Miles, Jeffrey B. Sampsell, Clarence Chui, Manish Kothari
  • Patent number: 8674616
    Abstract: The present invention introduces a new class of lightweight tile-based illumination systems for uses wherein thin directionally-illuminating light distributing engines are embedded into the body of otherwise standard building materials like conventional ceiling tiles along with associated means of electrical control and electrical power interconnection. As a new class of composite light emitting ceiling materials, the present invention enables a lighter weight more flexibly distributed overhead lighting system alternatives for commercial office buildings and residential housing without changing the existing materials. One or more spot lighting, task lighting, flood lighting and wall washing elements having cross-sectional thickness matched to that of the building material or tile into which they are embedded, are contained and interconnected within the material body's cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Holman, Matthew B. Sampsell, Jeffrey B. Sampsell
  • Publication number: 20130300439
    Abstract: A method for sensing the actuation and/or release voltages of a electromechanical system or a microelectromechanical device include applying a test pulse to the device and sensing its state. In one embodiment, the device is part of a system comprising an array of interferometric modulators suitable for a display. The method can be used to compensate for temperature dependent changes in display pixel characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: MARC MIGNARD, CLARENCE CHUI, MITHRAN C. MATHEW, JEFFREY B. SAMPSELL
  • Publication number: 20130286667
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for securing a light fixture in place. In one aspect, the light fixture can be configured to retain an LED-based light engine, which may be thinner and/or lighter than conventional light engines. In another aspect, the light fixture can be configured to be installed in a pre-cut aperture in a structural member, such as a ceiling, soffit, or wall. In another aspect, the light fixture may include a serrated upper edge configured to cut into a structural member to form an aperture, without the need to pre-cut the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Sampsell, Robert L. Holman, Matthew B. Sampsell
  • Publication number: 20130249964
    Abstract: The invention comprises systems and methods for controller and driver features for displays, and in particular, controller and driver features that relate to displays. In one embodiment, such a display includes at least one driving circuit and an array comprising a plurality of display elements, where the array is configured to be driven by the driving circuit, and where the driving circuit is programmed to receive video data and provide a subset of the received video data to the array based on a frame skip count. In some embodiments, the frame skip count is programmable or dynamically determined. In another embodiment, a method of displaying data on an array having a plurality of display elements comprises receiving video data comprising a plurality of frames, displaying selected frames based upon a frame skip count, measuring the change between each selected frame and a frame previous to the selected frame, and displaying non-selected frames if the measured change is greater than or equal to a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Sampsell, Karen Tyger, Mithran Cheriyan Mathew
  • Patent number: 8487846
    Abstract: A method for sensing the actuation and/or release voltages of a electromechanical system or a microelectromechanical device include applying a varying voltage to the device and sensing its state and different voltage levels. In one embodiment, the device is part of a system comprising an array of interferometric modulators suitable for a display. The method can be used to compensate for temperature dependent changes in display pixel characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Mignard, Clarence Chui, Mithran C Mathew, Jeffrey B Sampsell
  • Patent number: 8471808
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing power consumption in a display includes driving a display comprising a plurality of display elements characterized by a display state. In a first mode of operation, the display state of substantially all the display elements is periodically re-set so as to display a first series of image frames. Upon changing to a second mode of operation, a second mode of operations comprises re-setting the display state of only a portion of the display elements so as to display a second series of image frames at a display element resolution which is less than said display element resolution used to display said first series of image frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Sampsell
  • Patent number: 8411026
    Abstract: Various devices and methods of lighting a display are disclosed. In one embodiment, for example, a display device includes a transmissive display configured to be illuminated through a back surface and a reflective display configured to be illuminated through a front surface. A light source is disposed with respect to the back of the transmissive display to illuminate the transmissive display through the back surface. A light pipe is disposed with respect to the light source to receive light from the light source and is configured to propagate the light such that this light provides front illumination of the reflective display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Sampsell
  • Patent number: 8390916
    Abstract: A system and method for determining humidity based on determination of an offset voltage shift are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for determining humidity comprises an electromechanical device comprising a first layer, a second layer, and a dielectric between the two layers, wherein the dielectric is spaced apart from at least one of the first and second layers in an unactuated state of the electromechanical device, and wherein the dielectric contacts both the first and second layers in an actuated state of the electromechanical device, a voltage source configured to apply, between the first and second layers, one or more voltages, and a processor configured to control the voltage source, to determine an offset voltage shift based on the applied voltages, and to determine information regarding humidity about the device based on the offset voltage shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Sampsell
  • Patent number: 8390547
    Abstract: Embodiments of an interferometric modulator are disclosed having various enhancements and features including a conductive bus. In certain embodiments, the interferometric modulator has a first conductive layer suspended over a second electrode layer. In certain embodiments, a second conductive layer is provided over the first conductive layer. One of the first and/or second conductive buses may further connect to the first electrode layer and/or the second electrode layer. Other disclosed features can be incorporated into embodiments of the interferometric modulator to improve response time, power consumption, and image resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence Chui, Jeffrey B. Sampsell
  • Patent number: 8373821
    Abstract: A front light guide panel including a plurality of embedded surface features is provided. The front light panel is configured to deliver uniform illumination from an artificial light source disposed at one side of the font light panel to an array of display elements located behind the front light guide while allowing for the option of illumination from ambient lighting transmitted through the light guide panel. The surface embedded surface relief features create air pockets within the light guide panel. Light incident on the side surface of the light guide propagates though the light guide until it strikes an air/light material guide interface at one on the air pockets. The light is then turned by total internal reflection through a large angle such that it exits an output face disposed in front of the array of display elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Sampsell, Russell W. Gruhlke, Mark Mienko, Gang Xu, Ion Bita
  • Patent number: 8344470
    Abstract: Embodiments of MEMS devices comprise a conductive movable layer spaced apart from a conductive fixed layer by a gap, and supported by rigid support structures, or rivets, overlying depressions in the conductive movable layer, or by posts underlying depressions in the conductive movable layer. In certain embodiments, both rivets and posts may be used. In certain embodiments, these support structures are formed from rigid inorganic materials, such as metals or oxides. In certain embodiments, etch barriers may also be deposited to facilitate the use of materials in the formation of support structures which are not selectively etchable with respect to other components within the MEMS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Sampsell, Clarence Chui, Manish Kothari, Mark W. Miles, Teruo Sasagawa, Wonsuk Chung, Ming-Hau Tung