Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for enhancing display viewability in high ambient conditions without excessive increase in power consumption. In one aspect, a controller associated with the display device can be configured to obtain an indication of ambient light conditions from an ambient light sensor or from a host device hosting the display device. Upon receiving an image frame, the controller can derive a set of color subfields and determine a bit-depth value for each color subfield based on the obtained indication of current ambient light conditions and mapping data which maps ranges of ambient light to respective bit-depth values on a color subfield by color subfield basis. The controller can then generate a number of subframes for each color subfield based on the respective determined bit-depth value and cause the generated subframes to be displayed.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for supporting a bezel region of a display device. A display device can include a first substrate and a second substrate coupled by an edge seal. An array of shutter-based display elements can be positioned within an image forming region between the first and second substrates. A plurality of mechanical supports can be positioned within a bezel region outside of the image-rendering region and within the edge seal. Along a side of the bezel region that extends in a direction perpendicular to a direction of shutter motion, adjacent mechanical supports can be separated from one another by a gap that is longer than each of the mechanical supports in the direction perpendicular to the direction of shutter motion.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for enhancing display viewability in high ambient conditions without excessive increase in power consumption. In one aspect, a controller associated with the display device can be configured to obtain an indication of ambient light conditions from an ambient light sensor or from a host device hosting the display device. Upon receiving an image frame, the controller can derive a set of color subfields and determine a bit-depth value for each color subfield based on the obtained indication of current ambient light conditions and mapping data which maps ranges of ambient light to respective bit-depth values on a color subfield by color subfield basis. The controller can then generate a number of subframes for each color subfield based on the respective determined bit-depth value and cause the generated subframes to be displayed.

Abstract: Systems, methods and methods of manufacture for, among other things, a MEMS display that has a substrate with a first and a second array of apertures. The first and second arrays are, typically, formed on the substrate so that the arrays are adjacent and define a field boundary line that may extend between the two arrays and along a width of the substrate. In at least one array, the apertures that are proximate the field boundary line are placed at locations on the substrate to reduce differences in luminance between one portion of the display and another portion of the display.

Abstract: This invention relates to MEMS display apparatus and methods for assembly thereof that include a plurality of light modulators having components substantially surrounded in a liquid that reduces the effects of stiction and improves the optical and electromechanical performance of the display apparatus. The invention also relates to methods for aligning components of a MEMS display to establish a correspondence between the plurality of light modulators and a plurality of apertures to regulate the transmission of light through the apparatus.

Abstract: This invention relates to display apparatuses having an array of light modulators and a plurality of apertures formed in a layer of material. Each light modulator corresponds to one or more apertures and has a portion which may overlap a corresponding aperture, where the size of the overlap is proportional to a distance between the array and the layer of material.

Abstract: This invention relates to display apparatuses having an array of light modulators and a plurality of apertures formed in a layer of material. Each light modulator corresponds to one or more apertures and has a portion which may overlap a corresponding aperture, where the size of the overlap is proportional to a distance between the array and the layer of material.

Abstract: Display devices incorporating shutter-based light modulators are disclosed along with methods of manufacturing such devices. The methods are compatible with thin-film manufacturing processes known in the art and result in displays having lower power-consumption.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to a method of fabricating a three-dimensional structure from an etchable substrate. The method includes steps of specifying a unit cell size for a plurality of unit cells. Each unit cell corresponds to an area on a mask. Generating a plurality of measurement values is another step of the method. Each measurement value corresponds to a portion of the structure. Further, each measurement value is associated with a specific unit cell. The steps of the method also include converting the plurality of measurement values to a plurality of unit cell fill factor values and generating a gray tone data set in response to the unit cell fill factor values. The gray tone data set includes a plurality of distinct rectangular areas and distinct square areas, each distinct area corresponding to a unique gray tone level.

Abstract: A liquid crystal cell having a first substrate with a plurality of parallel columns of director alignment material disposed on a surface of the first substrate. Each one of the columns has a longitudinal axis disposed at an oblique angle with respect the surface of the first substrate. Each one of the columns terminates in a distal end having a surface substantially flat and substantially parallel to the surface of the first substrate. A second substrate is provided. A liquid crystal material is disposed between the surfaces of the first and second substrates with portions of such liquid crystal material being in contact with the parallel columns of director alignment material. A method for forming a liquid crystal substrate structure is provided. The method includes providing a substrate in a chamber.

Abstract: A mode converter including a silicon waveguide core deposited over a first silicon dioxide cladding layer. The silicon waveguide core is formed such that a first end of the silicon waveguide core has a larger cross-sectional area than a second end of the silicon waveguide core. The silicon waveguide core may include a vertical taper and/or a lateral taper.

Abstract: A liquid crystal cell having a first substrate with a plurality of parallel columns of director alignment material disposed on a surface of the first substrate. Each one of the columns has a longitudinal axis disposed at an oblique angle with respect the surface of the first substrate. Each one of the columns terminates in a distal end having a surface substantially flat and substantially parallel to the surface of the first substrate. A second substrate is provided. A liquid crystal material is disposed between the surfaces of the first and second substrates with portions of such liquid crystal material being in contact with the parallel columns of director alignment material. A method for forming a liquid crystal substrate structure is provided. The method includes providing a substrate in a chamber.