Patents by Inventor Russell Flack

Russell Flack 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: 6922224
    Abstract: A silicon-backed microdisplay with reduced flicker and a protected glass-side conductive layer. The silicon-backed microdisplay includes a silicon die, a silicon-side conductive layer disposed on the silicon die, and a silicon-side passivation layer arranged on the silicon-side conductive layer. The silicon-backed microdisplay also includes a cover glass, a glass-side conductive layer disposed on the cover glass and a glass-side passivation layer of a predetermined material and thickness arranged on the glass-side conductive layer. Liquid crystal material is sandwiched between the glass-side passivation layer and the silicon-side passivation layer in the silicon-backed microdisplay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Douglas Penry, Russell Flack
  • Publication number: 20040263458
    Abstract: An LCD pixel device is provided of the type deployed in a matrix of pixels selectively energized by a plurality of row lines and plurality of column lines and wherein a video voltage is stored on at least one pixel capacitor and coupled to an image-generating device. First and second source regions are formed near the surface of a semiconductor substrate. A drain region is likewise formed in the substrate between the first and second source regions forming the channels of first and second field-effect-transistors. An insulating layer is formed on the substrate, and first and second gate electrodes are provided in the insulating layer between the first source region and the drain region and the second source region and the drain region respectively. First and second mirrors are provided on the surface of the insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Jerome A. Frazee, Russell Flack, Joseph T. Smith
  • Patent number: 6762738
    Abstract: An LCD pixel device is provided of the type deployed in a matrix of pixels selectively energized by a plurality of row lines and plurality of column lines and wherein a video voltage is stored on at least one pixel capacitor and coupled to an image-generating device. First and second source regions are formed near the surface of a semiconductor substrate. A drain region is likewise formed in the substrate between the first and second source regions forming the channels of first and second field-effect-transistors. An insulating layer is formed on the substrate, and first and second gate electrodes are provided in the insulating layer between the first source region and the drain region and the second source region and the drain region respectively. First and second mirrors are provided on the surface of the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Brillian Corporation
    Inventors: Jerome A. Frazee, Russell Flack, Joseph T. Smith
  • Patent number: 6756963
    Abstract: An LCD micro display for generating an image of a video signal includes a matrix of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, which are selectively energized to create the image. The rows are connected to a row select circuit for energizing each of the rows in accordance with a first predetermined sequence. The columns are coupled to a column select circuit coupling the video signal to each of the columns in accordance with the second predetermined sequence. The column select circuit includes a plurality of video switches, each of which include a high speed current mirror level shifter for shifting the control signal from a first potential to a second higher potential. A transmission gate couples the video signal to one of the columns upon receipt of the higher potential control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Three-Five Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome A. Frazee, Russell Flack, Joseph T. Smith
  • Patent number: 6744415
    Abstract: A matrix of liquid crystal pixels (160) is provided. A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) (150) is coupled to the matrix and produces an output voltage that can be applied to one or more pixels in the matrix. The DAC (150) receives a multi-bit digital input and generates its output voltage to correspond to the digital input. The conversion function of the DAC is adapted to have a higher resolution within a voltage range in which most grayshade changes of the LCD occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Brillian Corporation
    Inventors: John Karl Waterman, Russell Flack, Terry Klein, Andreas Grubert
  • Patent number: 6717561
    Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus for driving a cholesteric display system using a dynamic drive scheme. The dynamic drive scheme is used to drive the electrodes of the cholesteric display in order to provide desired pixel states. Pixel states are controlled by the voltage applied across the pixel. The present invention uses pulse width modulation (PWM) during the dynamic drive scheme in order to control the voltage applied across the pixels. PWM modulation may be used during any phase (e.g., preparation phase, selection phase, evolution phase, and/or final phase) of the dynamic drive waveform depending on the needs of the cholesteric display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Three-Five Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Pfeiffer, Russell Flack, Anna Prakash
  • Publication number: 20030063056
    Abstract: An LCD pixel device is provided of the type deployed in a matrix of pixels selectively energized by a plurality of row lines and plurality of column lines and wherein a video voltage is stored on at least one pixel capacitor and coupled to an image-generating device. First and second source regions are formed near the surface of a semiconductor substrate. A drain region is likewise formed in the substrate between the first and second source regions forming the channels of first and second field-effect-transistors. An insulating layer is formed on the substrate, and first and second gate electrodes are provided in the insulating layer between the first source region and the drain region and the second source region and the drain region respectively. First and second mirrors are provided on the surface of the insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: Three-Five System, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome A. Frazee, Russell Flack, Joseph T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030063061
    Abstract: A row driver circuit applies a boosted access voltage to a selected row of an LCD matrix so as to permit a higher video voltage to be stored on the pixel capacitor. The row driver circuit includes an input stage that operates at a first potential for receiving at least first and second control signals. The output of the input stage is coupled to a level shifting stage that operates at a second higher operating potential. The output of the level shifting stage is coupled to an output stage that generates a boosted access voltage having a potential that is higher than the operating potential of the level shifting stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: Three-Five Systems
    Inventors: Jerome A. Frazee, Russell Flack, Joseph T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030063055
    Abstract: An LCD micro display for generating an image of a video signal includes a matrix of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, which are selectively energized to create the image. The rows are connected to a row select circuit for energizing each of the rows in accordance with a first predetermined sequence. The columns are coupled to a column select circuit coupling the video signal to each of the columns in accordance with the second predetermined sequence. The column select circuit includes a plurality of video switches, each of which include a high speed current mirror level shifter for shifting the control signal from a first potential to a second higher potential. A transmission gate couples the video signal to one of the columns upon receipt of the higher potential control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: Three-Five System, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome A. Frazee, Russell Flack, Joseph T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030025663
    Abstract: A matrix of liquid crystal pixels (160) is provided. A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) (150) is coupled to the matrix and produces an output voltage that can be applied to one or more pixels in the matrix. The DAC (150) receives a multi-bit digital input and generates its output voltage to correspond to the digital input. The conversion function of the DAC is adapted to have a higher resolution within a voltage range in which most grayshade changes of the LCD occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: John Karl Waterman, Russell Flack, Terry Klein, Andreas Grubert