Abstract: A driver circuit operating in stages that comprise a programming stage and a reproduction stage, the circuit comprising: a plurality current paths each of which passes through the circuit, a current driven element, a transistor connected so as operatively to control the current supplied to the said element, a capacitor connected for storing an operating voltage of the transistor during the programming stage, and switching means which control the current paths, the arrangement being such that one of the current paths does not include the said element. No current is applied to the current driven element by the current controlling transistor during the programming stage and thus the overall power consumption is reduced. Furthermore, the circuit can be operated from a normal supply voltage rather than requiring a high bias voltage. During the programming stage, the circuit uses a current sink rather than a current source. Preferably, the current driven element is an electroluminescent element.

Abstract: A compensated pixel driver circuit for an organic electroluminescent device, wherein the circuit comprises a unity gain buffer which is preferably implemented as an operational amplifier. The circuit provides a unity gain sample and hold function, thereby compensating the current supply to the electroluminescent element by providing a self adjusting load.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method. In the method, a fiducial transistor is provided in an integrated circuit. Also in the method, a power conductor is coupled to a first terminal of the transistor. Also in the method, a ground conductor is coupled to a second terminal of the transistor. Also in the method, a control conductor is coupled to a third terminal of the transistor. Also in the method, other circuitry is provided, the other circuitry is operatively decoupled from the fiducial transistor and the other circuitry is operable without the fiducial transistor.

Abstract: A sensing circuit comprises a charge integrating sense amplifier 4 serially coupled to a discriminator 6. The sensing circuit can be used to sense the logic status of the cells in a random access memory (RAM) system, including ferroelectric RAMs. The use of a charge integrating sense amplifier enables the effect of bit line capacitance intrinsic to RAM circuits to be overcome and also provides efficient charge to voltage conversion gain.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method. In the method, a fiducial transistor is provided in an integrated circuit. Also in the method, a power conductor is coupled to a first terminal of the transistor. Also in the method, a ground conductor is coupled to a second terminal of the transistor. Also in the method, a control conductor is coupled to a third terminal of the transistor. Also in the method, other circuitry is provided, the other circuitry is operatively decoupled from the fiducial transistor and the other circuitry is operable without the fiducial transistor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for comparing two input voltages. The apparatus being a comparator circuit comprising a pair of series connected polycrystalline transistors, two capacitors and a switch, the switch being connected between the point of series connection of the transistors and a node to which one side of each capacitor and the gates of the transistors are connected in common, with the other side of each capacitor being operably connected to a respective input.

Abstract: The invention provides an electronic circuit that can include a programming path and a reproduction path. The circuit can further include a current driven element, a transistor in the production path arranged so as to operatively control a current supplied to the current driven element, a capacitor arranged for storing an operating voltage of the transistor, an additional transistor arranged in parallel to the transistor in the programming path for storing the capacitor and the operating voltage, and a switching device that controls the programming path and the reproduction path.

Abstract: A waveform generator comprising an input terminal connected to one terminal of a first capacitor, a first switch connecting the other terminal of the first capacitor to one terminal of a second capacitor, a second switch connected for operatively discharging the second capacitor, the said one terminal of the second capacitor also being connected to the input of a buffer the output of which is connected to the output of the generator, and a third switch connected so as operatively to feed back the output of the buffer to the other terminal of the first capacitor. The generator can be implemented using polysilicon TFTs. The invention also relates to a display device and to electronic apparatus which include at least one of the described waveform generators.

Abstract: A compensated pixel driver circuit for an organic electroluminescent device, wherein the circuit comprises a unity gain buffer which is preferably implemented as an operational amplifier. The circuit provides a unity gain sample and hold function, thereby compensating the current supply to the electroluminescent element by providing a self adjusting load.

Abstract: A monolithic semiconductor device comprising a substrate, a layer of photoconductive material formed on the substrate, a transparent insulator formed on the photoconductive material and a layer of material which emits light when electrically stimulated, said layer of light emitting material being formed on the transparent insulator. The light emitting material is preferably an organic electro-luminescent material such as a polymer. Particular application of the device is in implementing an analog based neural network and by selection and arrangement of various components the device may also act as a display. A method of manufacturing the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A display device comprising a driver circuit which modulates the duty cycle of the on-state of a pixel during a frame period. Preferably the driver circuit comprises a comparator and more preferably the comparator is formed of thin film transistors constituting a differential pair and an inverter. Also provided is a method of driving a display device comprising the step of modulating the duty cycle of the on-state of a pixel during a frame period. Beneficially the display device is an organic electroluminescent active matrix display device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for comparing two input voltages. The apparatus being a comparator circuit comprising a pair of series connected polycrystalline transistors, two capacitors and a switch, the switch being connected between the point of series connection of the transistors and a node to which one side of each capacitor and the gates of the transistors are connected in common, with the other side of each capacitor being operably connected to a respective input.

Abstract: A display device comprising a plurality of pixels, each pixel containing a light emitting element and a plurality of substantially rectangular shaped circuit areas, the circuit areas comprising two current mirror circuit areas and two input pair circuit areas; the two current mirror circuit areas abutting each other so as to have a side of their rectangular areas in common, the two input pair circuit areas abutting each other so as to have a side of their rectangular areas in common, with both of the input pair circuit areas abutting a respective one of the current mirror circuit areas so as each to have a side of their rectangular areas in common. This arrangement of circuit areas overcomes the problem of spatial variation of TFT characteristics while avoiding the use of compensating circuits. Additionally, this arrangement of circuit areas can reduce to a minimum the p-type and n-type doping area required within each pixel.

Abstract: A waveform generator comprising an input terminal connected to one terminal of a first capacitor, a first switch connecting the other terminal of the first capacitor to one terminal of a second capacitor, a second switch connected for operatively discharging the second capacitor, the said one terminal of the second capacitor also being connected to the input of a buffer the output of which is connected to the output of the generator, and a third switch connected so as operatively to feed back the output of the buffer to the other terminal of the first capacitor. The generator can be implemented using polysilicon TFTs. The invention also relates to a display device and to electronic apparatus which include at least one of the described waveform generators.

Abstract: A driver circuit operating in stages that comprise a programming stage and a reproduction stage, the circuit comprising: a plurality current paths each of which passes through the circuit a current driven element, a transistor connected so as operatively to control the current supplied to the said element, a capacitor connected for storing an operating voltage of the transistor during the programming stage, and switching means which control the current paths, the arrangement being such that one of the current paths does not include the said element. No current is applied to the current driven element by the current controlling transistor during the programming stage and thus the overall power consumption is reduced. Furthermore, the circuit can be operated from a normal supply voltage rather than requiring a high bias voltage. During the programming stage, the circuit uses a current sink rather than a current source. Preferably, the current driven element is an electroluminescent element.

Abstract: A driver circuit comprises a p-channel transistor and an n-channel transistor connected as a complementary pair of transistors to provide analog control of the drive current for a current driven clement, preferably an organic electroluminescent element (OEL element). The transistors, being of opposite channel, compensate, for any variation in threshold voltage &Dgr;VT and therefore provide a drive current to the OEL element which is relatively independent of &Dgr;VT. The complementary pair of transistors can be applied to either voltage driving or current driving pixel driver circuits.

Abstract: An interactive video entertainment distribution network utilizing a subscriber information maintenance system wherein the subscriber information maintenance system comprises a set-top box (STB) at the premises of an individual subscriber. A service provider headend is connected for video and bi-directional data communications with the STB, and to provide enhanced services and traditional video programming to the subscriber through the STB. A billing and subscriber management system (BSMS) maintains a BSMS database with billing information regarding individual subscribers and with information regarding traditional video programming provided to such subscribers. An interactive subscriber services program (ISS) maintains an ISS database with additional information related to enhanced services provided to individual subscribers that is not included in the BSMS database. An interactive application program executes on the STB.

Abstract: A compound clamp ring secures a semiconductor wafer having a wafer flat portion to a wafer pedestal during wafer processing while maintaining a continuous seal between the wafer edges and the wafer pedestal to prevent leakage of coolant gases circulated at the backside of the wafer into the process environment. The clamp ring has an annular wafer clamp surface adapted to press a round portion of the wafer into sealing abutment with the wafer pedestal. A cavity formed in the clamp ring securely receives a comb-like array of resilient flexures that are adapted to apply a yieldable bias to the flat portion of the wafer to complete the seal between the wafer and the pedestal at the flat portion of the wafer; and encloses the flexures to shield the flexures from process gases.