Abstract: A light shutter includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode, wherein the first and second electrodes are capacitively coupled to each other by the third electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode can be segmented and the segments separately addressed. In a display having a light shutter and an EL panel stacked on the same side of a substrate, there is a common front electrode and separate rear electrodes for operating the light shutter and the EL panel. The common electrode is electrically floating and the rear electrodes are capacitively coupled to each other by the common front electrode. The rear electrodes can be segmented and the segments separately addressed.

Abstract: A power supply for driving an EL panel includes an inverter that produces a polarity reversing voltage at a pair of output terminals. A switching circuit coupled to the output terminals and to at least one EL lamp applies alternating current to the at least one EL lamp in the on state and blocks current from the EL lamp in the off state. The switching circuit includes a first bidirectional switch connecting a first terminal of the EL lamp to a first output terminal and a second bidirectional switch connecting a second terminal of the EL lamp to a second output terminal.

Abstract: A light shutter includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode, wherein the first and second electrodes are capacitively coupled to each other by the third electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode can be segmented and the segments separately addressed. In a display having a light shutter and an EL panel stacked on the same side of a substrate, there is a common front electrode and separate rear electrodes for operating the light shutter and the EL panel. The common electrode is electrically floating and the rear electrodes are capacitively coupled to each other by the common front electrode. The rear electrodes can be segmented and the segments separately addressed.

Abstract: A driver for electrically causing a MEMS device to change shape or position includes an amplifier having a first feedback loop and a second feedback loop. The first feedback loop stabilizes output voltage and the second feedback loop reduces current changes through the MEMS device to zero.

Abstract: A luminous touch sensor includes a major surface on the touch sensor, a thin plastic sheet overlying at least a portion of the major surface, and at least one light emitting diode optically coupled to the plastic sheet. The light emitting diode emits light from an edge into an edge of the plastic sheet, which acts as a light guide and redirects the light away from the major surface. The touch sensor can be opaque or transparent, with the plastic sheet positioned accordingly.

Abstract: An inverter for supplying alternating current to an EL lamp includes a first charging path, a first discharging path, a second charging path, a second discharging path, the paths intersecting at a node, wherein the node is the output of the inverter from which the alternating current flows. The charging paths include inductive boost circuits having a common inductor.

Abstract: An inverter for driving an EL lamp is tapped to provide voltage or current for driving one or more EL lamps and an LCD. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, one side of the pump inductor is tapped for a voltage that drives the LCD.

Abstract: An inverter for driving an EL lamp is tapped to provide voltage or current for driving one or more EL lamps and an LCD. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, one side of the pump inductor is tapped for a voltage that drives the LCD.

Abstract: An inverter for driving an EL lamp is tapped to provide voltage or current for driving one or more EL lamps, LEDs, and an LCD. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, one side of the pump inductor is tapped for a voltage that drives one or more LEDs and the LCD. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the LEDs are in series with a storage capacitor and are driven by the current pulses to the storage capacitor.

Abstract: A driver for an EL lamp includes a voltage boost circuit and an H-bridge output having an AC diagonal and a DC diagonal. An EL lamp is coupled across the AC diagonal. A current path is coupled in series with the DC diagonal and limits current through the EL lamp. The current path is either internal or external to the semiconductor device implementing the driver.

Abstract: A driver for an EL lamp includes a voltage boost circuit and an H-bridge output having an AC diagonal and a DC diagonal. An EL lamp is coupled across the AC diagonal. A current path is coupled in series with the DC diagonal and limits current through the EL lamp. The current path is either internal or external to the semiconductor device implementing the driver.

Abstract: An inverter for driving an EL lamp is tapped to provide voltage or current for driving one or more EL lamps, LEDs, and an LCD. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, one side of the pump inductor is tapped for a voltage that drives one or more LEDs and the LCD. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the LEDs are in series with a storage capacitor and are driven by the current pulses to the storage capacitor.

Abstract: A personal electronic device includes and inverter having a single inductor for powering an EL lamp and a buzzer. The lamp and the buzzer are coupled together to the output of the inverter and are in parallel with each other or are coupled in series between a source of direct current and ground.