Abstract: Various methods and apparatus relating to a multi-level layer (140, 440, 540, 640, 740) are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a conductive interconnect structure includes the steps of: electrodepositing a metal on a conductive surface (4) of a carrier (2) to form a first elongate conductive interconnect (12); and electrodepositing a dielectric material (14) on said conductive interconnect (12) while the conductive interconnect (12) is in contact with the conductive surface (4).

Abstract: A method for forming a metal-insulator-metal device includes imprinting at least one first layer to form a first impression, removing a portion of at least one second layer through the first depression to form a recess in the at least one second layer bordered by a first side, a first overhang along the first side, a second opposite side and a second overhang along the second side. The method also includes depositing a first metal in the recess spaced from the first side and the second side and oxidizing the first metal to create a non-linear dielectric.

Abstract: A projection screen is provided that includes a display surface having a plurality of elements. Each element has an optical property that is responsive to an appropriate applied voltage. The display surface may be configured so that the optical properties of each element may be coordinated with the projected image.

Abstract: A bistable nematic liquid crystal device includes an array of holes (8) in an alignment layer (6) on at least one cell wall (2). The alignment layer (6) induces a substantially planar local alignment of liquid crystal molecules. The holes (8) have a shape and/or orientation to induce the liquid crystal director adjacent the holes (8) to adopt two different tilt angles in substantially the same azimuthal direction. The arrangement is such that two stable liquid crystal molecular configurations can exist after suitable electrical signals have been applied to the electrodes.

Abstract: A projection screen is provided that includes a display surface having a plurality of elements. Each element has an optical property that is responsive to an appropriate applied voltage. The display surface may be configured so that the optical properties of each element may be coordinated with the projected image.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device has a surface alignment structure comprising a random or pseudorandom two dimensional array of alignment features (10) which are shaped and/or orientated to produce a desired alignment. Depending on the geometry and spacing of the features (10), the liquid crystal may be induced to adopt a planar, tilted, or homeotropic alignment.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device has a surface alignment structure comprising a random or pseudorandom two dimensional array of alignment features (10) which are shaped and/or orientated to produce a desired alignment. Depending on the geometry and spacing of the features (10), the liquid crystal may be induced to adopt a planar, tilted, or homeotropic alignment.

Abstract: A projection screen is provided that includes a display surface having a plurality of elements. Each element has an optical property that is responsive to an appropriate applied voltage. The display surface may be configured so that the optical properties of each element may be coordinated with the projected image.

Abstract: An electro optic display (10) provides an electrode configuration adjacent each pixel which allows a non-uniform electrical field to be applied across the pixel (22) so that the optical output varies in the direction transverse to the pixel thickness. This allows only part of the pixel to be turned ON, or for shading within the pixel, depending on the characteristics of the electro-optic material. In a preferred embodiment the row and column electrodes (14, 17) are each made up of a group of conductive tracks (12, 18) connected into groups by impedance elements (13, 19). Voltage ramps are applied across the electrodes via input electrodes 15 and 20. A multiphase drive scheme is described for ferro-electric and similar materials in which a number of different voltage ramps are applied to a row in succession, and at each phase the appropriate ramps are applied simultaneously to the column electrodes to build up the required pixel shape over a number of phases.

Abstract: An active screen reflects a high contrast projected image. The screen has (1) an active layer having visible optical properties changed by an electric field provided by electrodes and (2) a photosensitive layer. The photosensitive layer is such that the electric field across a localized area of the active layer depends on the illumination incident on the photoconductor in that area. The local reflectance of the projection screen thus depends on the intensity of light incident upon it. In one embodiment, the reflectance of the screen increases with increasing light intensity to produce a high contrast reflected image.

Abstract: A liquid crystal cell includes a liquid crystal layer between upper and lower substrates. A series of insulating ridges forming a monograting structure overlay a first electrode overlaying the lower substrate. The ridges carry second electrodes connected together and displaced from the first electrode along the thickness dimension of the cell. The second electrodes lie within a “bulk region” of the liquid crystal bounded by the farthest extent reached by the liquid crystal in the thickness dimension. As the gap between electrodes is small, low drive voltages produce between the electrodes a significant electric field adjacent the surface.

Abstract: A bistable nematic liquid crystal device includes an array of holes (8) in an alignment layer (6) on at least one cell wall (2). The alignment layer (6) induces a substantially planar local alignment of liquid crystal molecules. The holes (8) have a shape and/or orientation to induce the liquid crystal director adjacent the holes (8) to adopt two different tilt angles in substantially the same azimuthal direction. The arrangement is such that two stable liquid crystal molecular configurations can exist after suitable electrical signals have been applied to the electrodes.

Abstract: An electro optic display (10) provides an electrode configuration adjacent each pixel which allows a non-uniform electrical field to be applied across the pixel (22) so that the optical output varies in the direction transverse to the pixel thickness. This allows only part of the pixel to be turned ON, or for shading within the pixel, depending on the characteristics of the electro-optic material. In a preferred embodiment the row and column electrodes (14, 17) are each made up of a group of conductive tracks (12, 18) connected into groups by impedance elements (13, 19). Voltage ramps are applied across the electrodes via input electrodes 15 and 20. A multiphase drive scheme is described for ferro-electric and similar materials in which a number of different voltage ramps are applied to a row in succession, and at each phase the appropriate ramps are applied simultaneously to the column electrodes to build up the required pixel shape over a number of phases.

Abstract: This invention relates to a screen (16) for reflecting a projected image (18), in particular to an active screen (16) for reflecting a projected image (18) having improved contrast. The screen (16) has an active layer (24) whose optical properties in the visible region of the spectrum can be changed under the influence of an electric field; a first electrode (28) and a second electrode (26) for applying an electric field across the active layer (24),; and a photosensitive layer (30). The photosensitive layer is arranged such that the electric field across a localized area of the active layer (24) is dependent on the illumination incident on the photoconductor in that area, with the result that the local reflectance of the projection screen (16) is dependent on the intensity of light incident upon it. In one embodiment, the reflectance of the screen (16) will increase with increasing light intensity, which produces a reflected image (18) with improved contrast.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device has a surface alignment structure comprising a random or pseudorandom two dimensional array of alignment features (10) which are shaped and/or orientated to produce a desired alignment. Depending on the geometry and spacing of the features (10), the liquid crystal may be induced to adopt a planar, tilted, or homeotropic alignment.

Abstract: An electro optic display provides an electrode configuration adjacent each pixel which allows a non-uniform electrical field to be applied across the pixel so that the optical output varies in the direction transverse to the pixel thickness. This allows only part of the pixel to be turned ON, or for shading within the pixel, depending on the characteristics of the electro-optic material. In a preferred embodiment the row and column electrodes are each made up of a group of conductive tracks connected into groups by impedance elements. Voltage ramps are applied across the electrodes via input electrodes. A multiphase drive scheme is described for ferro-electric and similar materials in which a number of different voltage ramps are applied to a row in succession, and at each phase the appropriate ramps are applied simultaneously to the column electrodes to build up the required pixel shape over a number of phases.

Abstract: A user interface device for intuitive sequencing through displayed information comprises a cue block 10 with a top smooth curved control surface 12 and downwardly inclined ribbed or textured control surfaces 14, which suggest the smooth surfaces of the exposed pages of an open book, and the ribbed edges of the page edges to either side, respectively. The device detects the location or movement of a user's finger on or near the control surfaces and maps this to appropriate page turning commands to control the speed, direction and/or mode of sequencing.

Abstract: An LCD panel controller includes a panel display driver driving a display panel having an inherent line input buffer, a memory/interface block, a frame memory and a host computer. The memory interface block implements a non-uniform asynchronous transfer protocol for memory access and arbitration between requests for memory access by the display driver and one or more other interfaces shown in the memory/interface block. The nonuniform or asynchronous transfer provides a good level of memory access to other memory users, without requiring significant amounts of additional memory or significantly faster memory.