Patents by Inventor Robert M. Duboc

Robert M. Duboc 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: 8778741
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device package that comprises a device having a top substrate that is disposed on a supporting surface of a package substrate. A package frame contacts the top surface of the top substrate and top surface of the package substrate, and hermetically seals the device between the top surfaces of the top substrate and package substrate. The device can be a semiconductor device, a microstructure such as a microelectromechanical device, or other devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert M. Duboc, Terry Tarn
  • Patent number: 7866036
    Abstract: A micromirror device and a method of making the same are disclosed herein. The micromirror device comprises a mirror plate, hinge, and post each having an electrically conductive layer. One of the hinge, mirror plate, and post further comprises an electrically insulating layer. To enable the electrical connections between the conducting layers of the hinge, mirror plate, and post, the insulating layer is patterned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Doan, Satyadev R. Patel, Robert M. Duboc, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090098685
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device package that comprises a device having a top substrate that is disposed on a supporting surface of a package substrate. A package frame contacts the top surface of the top substrate and top surface of the package substrate, and hermetically seals the device between the top surfaces of the top substrate and package substrate. The device can be a semiconductor device, a microstructure such as a microelectromechanical device, or other devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Robert M. Duboc, Terry Tarn
  • Patent number: 7508063
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device package that comprises a device having a top substrate that is disposed on a supporting surface of a package substrate. A package frame contacts the top surface of the top substrate and top surface of the package substrate, and hermetically seals the device between the top surfaces of the top substrate and package substrate. The device can be a semiconductor device, a microstructure such as a microelectromechanical device, or other devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert M. Duboc, Terry Tarn
  • Publication number: 20090039536
    Abstract: A micromirror device and a method of making the same are disclosed herein. The micromirror device comprises a mirror plate, hinge, and post each having an electrically conductive layer. One of the hinge, mirror plate, and post further comprises an electrically insulating layer. To enable the electrical connections between the conducting layers of the hinge, mirror plate, and post, the insulating layer is patterned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Doan, Satyadev R. Patel, Robert M. Duboc, JR.
  • Patent number: 7436573
    Abstract: A micromirror device and a method of making the same are disclosed herein. The micromirror device comprises a mirror plate, hinge, and post each having an electrically conductive layer. One of the hinge, mirror plate, and post further comprises an electrically insulating layer. To enable the electrical connections between the conducting layers of the hinge, mirror plate, and post, the insulating layer is patterned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Doan, Satyadev R. Patel, Robert M. Duboc, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7380947
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of operating display systems with reduction of the warm-up time of an arc lamp in the event of an accidental or unintentional turn-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert M. Duboc, Andrew G. Huibers
  • Patent number: 7307775
    Abstract: A projection system, a spatial light modulator, and a method for forming a MEMS device is disclosed. The spatial light modulator can have two substrates bonded together with one of the substrates comprising a micromirror array. The two substrates can be bonded at the wafer level after depositing a getter material andlor solid or liquid lubricant on one or both of the wafers. The wafers can be bonded together hermetically if desired, and the pressure between the two substrates can be below atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Satayadev R. Patel, Andrew G. Huibers, Steve Chiang, Robert M. Duboc, Thomas J. Grobelny, Hung Nan Chen, Dietrich Dehlinger, Peter W. Richards, Hongqin Shi, Anthony Sun
  • Patent number: 7071907
    Abstract: A display (50) with enhanced image contrast contains an image-producing component (60) and a set of shutter strips (80). The image-producing component, typically a flat-panel device, has multiple imaging lines that provide light to produce an image. Each shutter strip is situated in front of one or more associated imaging lines. By appropriately switching the shutter strips between light-absorptive and light-transmissive states, the image contrast is enhanced. The shutter strips are typically implemented with a liquid-crystal display structure. The switching of the shutter strips is typically performed with a control component (52/76) which utilizes light to control the shutter switching and which is synchronized to signals (90 or/and 100) that control the imaging lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignees: Candescent Technologies Corporation, Candescent Intellectual Property Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Duboc, Jr., Christopher J. Curtin, William A. Crossland, Anthony B. Davey, Theodore S. Fahlen
  • Patent number: 6952302
    Abstract: A method and spatial light modulator are provided herein. The spatial light modulator has a higher resolution and an increased fill factor. The spatial light modulator also provides an increased contrast ratio. Furthermore, the spatial light modulator of the present invention can be operated in the absence of polarized light and that has improved electro-mechanical performance and robustness with respect to manufacturing. A method and its alternative are disclosed herein by the present invention for manufacturing the spatial light modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Reflectivity, Inc
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Doan, Satyadev R. Patel, Robert M. Duboc, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6853135
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing contaminants from a display device is disclosed. In one embodiment, an auxiliary chamber is adapted to be coupled to a surface of a display device such that contaminants within the display device can travel from the display device into the auxiliary chamber. A getter is disposed in the auxiliary chamber. The getter is adapted to capture the contaminants once the contaminants travel from the display device into the auxiliary chamber. In other embodiments, the getter is disposed in the border region surrounding the active area of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignees: Candescent Technologies Corporation, Candescent Intellectual Property Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Fritz, Igor L. Maslennikov, Robert M. Duboc, Jr., Theodore S. Fahlen, George B. Hopple, Christopher J. Curtin, Colin D. Stanners, Petre H. Vatahov, Christopher J. Spindt, Ronald L. Hansen
  • Patent number: 6844959
    Abstract: A projection system, a spatial light modulator, and a method for forming micromirrors are disclosed. A substrate comprises circuitry and electrodes for electrostatically deflecting micromirror elements that are disposed within an array of such elements forming the spatial light modulator. In one embodiment, the substrate is a silicon substrate having circuitry and electrodes thereon for electrostatically actuating adjacent micromirror elements, and the substrate is fully or selectively covered with a light absorbing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Reflectivity, Inc
    Inventors: Andrew G. Huibers, Satyadev R. Patel, Robert M. Duboc, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040156089
    Abstract: A method and spatial light modulator are provided herein. The spatial light modulator has a higher resolution and an increased fill factor. The spatial light modulator also provides an increased contrast ratio. Furthermore, the spatial light modulator of the present invention can be operated in the absence of polarized light and that has improved electro-mechanical performance and robustness with respect to manufacturing. A method and its alternative are disclosed herein by the present invention for manufacturing the spatial light modulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Doan, Satyadev R. Patel, Robert M. Duboc
  • Publication number: 20040100680
    Abstract: A projection system, a spatial light modulator, and a method for forming micromirrors are disclosed. A substrate comprises circuitry and electrodes for electrostatically deflecting micromirror elements that are disposed within an array of such elements forming the spatial light modulator. In one embodiment, the substrate is a silicon substrate having circuitry and electrodes thereon for electrostatically actuating adjacent micromirror elements, and the substrate is fully or selectively covered with a light absorbing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: REFLECTIVITY, INC., California corporation
    Inventors: Andrew G. Huibers, Satyadev R. Patel, Robert M. Duboc
  • Patent number: 6731061
    Abstract: A low-contaminant dual layer apparatus adapted for use in a flat panel display device is described. The apparatus includes a dual layer electroplated structure for containing the movement of electrons. The electroplated structure resides within an active region of the flat panel display device. The electroplated structure has a cavity adapted to having sub-pixel forming material deposited within and contains substantially no organic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignees: Candescent Technologies Corporation, Candescent Intellectual Property Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Curtin, Ronald S. Besser, Robert M. Duboc, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6596146
    Abstract: An electroplated structure for a field emission display device and method for forming an electroplated structure for a field emission display device. In one embodiment, the present invention forms a molded structure over selected portions of a flat panel display device. Next, the present embodiment deposits an electroplating seed layer over the molded structure. After the deposition of the electroplating seed layer, the present embodiment electroplates material onto portions of the electroplating seed layer such that an electroplated structure is formed at desired regions of the flat panel display device. In such an embodiment, the present invention provides an electroplated structure which contains substantially no polyimide material. As a result, the present embodiment eliminates the cost and production of outgassed contaminants associated with prior art structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Candescent Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald S. Besser, Robert M. Duboc, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6590338
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing contaminants from a display device using an auxiliary chamber, and a method for attaching the auxiliary chamber to the display device. In one embodiment, an auxiliary chamber is adapted to be coupled to a surface of a display device. The auxiliary chamber is adapted to be coupled to the surface of the display device such that contaminants within the display device can travel from the display device into the auxiliary chamber. The auxiliary chamber further includes a getter which is disposed therein. The getter is adapted to capture the contaminants once the contaminants travel from the display device into the auxiliary chamber. In so doing, the present invention eliminates the need for getter material to be placed within the active area of the display device. As a result, the present invention increases the usable amount of space available within the display device. This extra space can then be utilized by features such as, for example, additional field emitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Candescent Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William C. Fritz, Igor L. Maslennikov, Robert M. Duboc, Jr., Theodore S. Fahlen, George B. Hopple
  • Patent number: 6571464
    Abstract: Methods and structures are provided which support spacer walls in a position which facilitates installation of the spacer walls between a faceplate structure and a backplate structure of a flat panel display. In one embodiment, spacer feet are formed at opposing ends of the spacer wall. These spacer feet can be formed of materials such as ceramic, glass and/or glass frit. The spacer feet support the corresponding spacer wall on the faceplate (or backplate) structure. Tacking electrodes can be provided on the faceplate (or backplate) structure to assert an electrostatic force on the spacer feet, thereby holding the spacer feet in place during installation of the spacer wall. The spacer wall can be mechanically and/or thermally expanded prior to attaching both ends of the spacer wall to the faceplate (or backplate) structure. The spacer wall is then allowed to contract, thereby introducing tension into the spacer wall which tends to straighten any inherent waviness in the spacer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignees: Candescent Technologies Corporation, Candescent Intellectual Property Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore S. Fahlen, Alfred S. Conte, Robert M. Duboc, Jr., George B. Hopple, John K. O'Reilly, Vasil M. Chakarov, Robert L. Marion, Steve T. Cho, Robert G. Neimeyer, Jennifer Y. Sun, David L. Morris, Christopher J. Spindt, Kollengode S. Narayanan
  • Patent number: 6541912
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing contaminants from a display device is disclosed. In one embodiment, an auxiliary chamber is adapted to be coupled to a surface of a display device such that contaminants within the display device can travel from the display device into the auxiliary chamber. A getter is disposed in the auxiliary chamber. The getter is adapted to capture the contaminants once the contaminants travel from the display device into the auxiliary chamber. In other embodiments, the getter is disposed in the border region surrounding the active area of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Candescent Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William C. Fritz, Igor L. Maslennikov, Robert M. Duboc, Jr., Theodore S. Fahlen, George B. Hopple, Christopher J. Curtin, Colin D. Stanners, Petre H. Vatahov, Christopher J. Spindt, Ronald L. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20010032735
    Abstract: Methods and structures are provided which support spacer walls in a position which facilitates installation of the spacer walls between a faceplate structure and a backplate structure of a flat panel display. In one embodiment, spacer feet are formed at opposing ends of the spacer wall. These spacer feet can be formed of materials such as ceramic, glass and/or glass frit. The spacer feet support the corresponding spacer wall on the faceplate (or backplate) structure. Tacking electrodes can be provided on the faceplate (or backplate) structure to assert an electrostatic force on the spacer feet, thereby holding the spacer feet in place during installation of the spacer wall. The spacer wall can be mechanically and/or thermally expanded prior to attaching both ends of the spacer wall to the faceplate (or backplate) structure. The spacer wall is then allowed to contract, thereby introducing tension into the spacer wall which tends to straighten any inherent waviness in the spacer wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Theodore S. Fahlen, Alfred S. Conte, Robert M. Duboc, George B. Hopple, John K. O'Reilly, Vasil M. Chakarov, Robert L. Marion, Steve T. Cho, Robert G. Neimeyer, Jennifer Y. Sun, David L. Morris, Christopher J. Spindt, Kollengode S. Narayanan