Patents by Inventor William J. Cummings
William J. Cummings 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).
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Patent number: 8385714Abstract: A method is provided for visual inspection of an array of interferometric modulators in various driven states. This method may include driving multiple columns or rows of interferometric modulators via a single test pad or test lead, such as test pad, and then observing the array for discrepancies between the expected optical output and the actual optical output of the array. This method may particularly include, for example, driving a set of non-adjacent rows or columns to a state different from the intervening rows or columns and then observing the optical output of the array.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2011Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: William J Cummings, Brian J Gally
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Publication number: 20130038565Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for touch sensing on a display device. In one aspect, a method is provided for reducing electrical interference on a display including bi-stable display elements and touch sensing elements without a grounded shielding layer between display elements and touch sensing elements. The method may include placing at least a portion of an array of bi-stable display elements in a selected state with display driver circuitry, maintaining the display elements in the selected state, and obtaining a signal from a touch-sensing element using touch sensing driver circuitry different from the display driver circuitry when the display elements remain in the selected state.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2011Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Donald J. Elloway, Mark M. Mignard, William J. Cummings, Russel A. Martin
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Patent number: 8362987Abstract: A method and device for manipulating color in a display is disclosed. In one embodiment, a display comprises interferometric display elements formed to have spectral responses that produce white light. In one embodiment, the produced white light is characterized by a standardized white point.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian J. Gally, William J. Cummings
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Publication number: 20130021303Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus relating to touch sensing display devices that include a sensing device and a display device. In one aspect, a touch sensing display device can include adaptive addressing architecture to adjust an addressing characteristic based at least in part in a sensing characteristic of a sensing device. In another aspect, a touch sensing display device can include adaptive sensing architecture to adjust a sensing characteristic of a sensing device based at least in part on an addressing characteristic of a display device and/or on an electrical interference characteristic altered by an addressing circuit of the display device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2011Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Russel A. Martin, William J. Cummings
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Patent number: 8358459Abstract: An ornamental display device having an interferometric modulator for displaying an ornamental image. The ornamental device may also have a signal receiver configured to receive an external signal. The ornamental device may further have a processor configured to control an image on the display based on the external signal. The external signal is emitted from a controller configured to control a plurality of ornamental devices to display coordinated images. The ornamental device may have a patterned diffuser formed on a transparent substrate to provide an ornamental image or information. The ornamental device may be a piece of jewelry or an article that may be worn. The image displayed may have an iridescent appearance. A controller may also be used to control images displayed on multiple ornamental device to provide coordinated images based on externals received or pre-programmed images.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2011Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian J Gally, William J. Cummings
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Publication number: 20130009855Abstract: Embodiments include methods and devices for controlling the spectral profile and color gamut of light produced by an interferometric display. Such devices include illuminating a display with selected wavelengths of light. Embodiments also include a display comprising separate sections that output different predetermined colors of light. Other embodiments include methods of making the aforementioned devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Brian J. Gally, William J. Cummings
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Patent number: 8344377Abstract: Optical filter functionality is incorporated into a substrate of a display element thereby decreasing the need for a separate thin film filter and, accordingly, reducing a total thickness of a filtered display element. Filter functionality may be provided by any filter material, such as pigment materials, photoluminescent materials, and opaque material, for example. The filter material may be incorporated in the substrate at the time of creating the substrate or may be selectively diffused in the substrate through a process of masking the substrate, exposing the substrate to the filter material, and heating the substrate in order to diffuse the filter material in the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2008Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian J. Gally, William J. Cummings
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Publication number: 20120249519Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for preventing the edge subpixels of a display from actuating. Some implementations provide a small conductive via inside edge subpixels of a passively-addressed display, such as a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based display. The vias may be configured to make an electrical connection between a movable conductive layer and another conductive layer of the edge subpixel. Electricity may be provided to the active subpixel array by way of these vias in the edge subpixels. The concepts provided herein apply to other types of passively-addressed displays, such as organic light-emitting diode (“OLED”) displays and field emission displays.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: William J. Cummings
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Publication number: 20120236042Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for tuning the white point of a display device. In one aspect, a display device includes a set of display elements configured to output light and electronics configured to drive the display elements. Each display element can have an on-state where a reflective surface can be positioned at a distance from a partially reflective surface such that the display element can reflect incident light. Each distance can be dependent on a bias voltage. At least one of the bias voltages for the display elements can be non-zero in the on-state, and one or more of the bias voltages may be adjustable to control a white point of the display device. The electronics can be electrically connected to the display elements to provide the at least one non-zero bias voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Manu Parmar, Koorosh Aflatooni, William J. Cummings
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Patent number: 8244092Abstract: One embodiment provides a method of testing humidity, comprising: i) determining a property of a device which encloses a plurality of interferometric modulators and ii) determining a relative humidity value or a degree of the relative humidity inside the device based at least in part upon the determined property, wherein the determined property comprises at least one of i) the thickness and width of a seal of the device and ii) adhesive permeability of a component of the device. In one embodiment, the determined property further comprises at least one of the following: i) temperature-humidity combination inside the device, ii) a desiccant capacity inside the device and iii) a device size.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian J. Gally, Lauren Palmateer, Manish Kothari, William J. Cummings
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Patent number: 8213075Abstract: A multi-state light modulator comprises a first reflector. A first electrode is positioned at a distance from the first reflector. A second reflector is positioned between the first reflector and the first electrode. The second reflector is movable between an undriven position, a first driven position, and a second driven position, each having a corresponding distance from the first reflector. In one embodiment, the three positions correspond to reflecting white light, being non-reflective, and reflecting a selected color of light. Another embodiment is a method of making the light modulator. Another embodiment is a display including the light modulator.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2010Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Clarence Chui, William J Cummings, Brian J Gally
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Publication number: 20120139976Abstract: A multi-state light modulator comprises a first reflector. A first electrode is positioned at a distance from the first reflector. A second reflector is positioned between the first reflector and the first electrode. The second reflector is movable between an undriven position, a first driven position, and a second driven position, each having a corresponding distance from the first reflector. In one embodiment, the three positions correspond to reflecting white light, being non-reflective, and reflecting a selected color of light. Another embodiment is a method of making the light modulator. Another embodiment is a display including the light modulator.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2012Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: CLARENCE CHUI, WILLIAM J. CUMMINGS, BRIAN J. GALLY
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Publication number: 20120127556Abstract: A package structure and method of packaging for an interferometric modulator. A transparent substrate having an interferometric modulator formed thereon is provided. A backplane is joined to the transparent substrate with a seal where the interferometric modulator is exposed to the surrounding environment through an opening in either the backplane or the seal. The opening is sealed after the transparent substrate and backplane are joined and after any desired desiccant, release material, and/or self-aligning monolayer is introduced into the package structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2012Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Brian J. Gally, William J. Cummings, Lauren Palmateer, Philip D. Floyd, Clarence Chui
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Publication number: 20120098847Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus including computer programs encoded on computer storage media for producing line multiplied images with better visual appearance. The line multiplying is shifted for one of the colors of the display with respect to at least one other color of the display.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2010Publication date: April 26, 2012Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Manu Parmar, Jennifer L. Gille, William J. Cummings, Koorosh Aflatooni
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Publication number: 20120099177Abstract: A spatial light modulator comprises an integrated optical compensation structure, e.g., an optical compensation structure arranged between a substrate and a plurality of individually addressable light-modulating elements, or an optical compensation structure located on the opposite side of the light-modulating elements from the substrate. The individually addressable light-modulating elements are configured to modulate light transmitted through or reflected from the transparent substrate. Methods for making such spatial light modulators involve fabricating an optical compensation structure over a substrate and fabricating a plurality of individually addressable light-modulating elements over the optical compensation structure. The optical compensation structure may be a passive optical compensation structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2011Publication date: April 26, 2012Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Clarence Chui, Jeffrey B. Sampsell, William J. Cummings, Ming-Hau Tung
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Patent number: 8124434Abstract: A package structure and method of packaging for an interferometric modulator. A transparent substrate having an interferometric modulator formed thereon is provided. A backplane is joined to the transparent substrate with a seal where the interferometric modulator is exposed to the surrounding environment through an opening in either the backplane or the seal. The opening is sealed after the transparent substrate and backplane are joined and after any desired desiccant, release material, and/or self-aligning monolayer is introduced into the package structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2005Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian J. Gally, William J. Cummings, Lauren Palmateer, Philip D. Floyd, Clarence Chui
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Publication number: 20120044563Abstract: A display element, such as an interferometric modulator, includes a transparent conductor configured as a first electrode and a movable minor configured as a second electrode. Advantageously, the partial reflector is positioned between the transparent conductor and the movable mirror. Because the transparent conductor serves as an electrode, the partial reflector does not need to be conductive. Accordingly, a greater range of materials may be used for the partial reflector. In addition, a transparent insulative material, such as a dielectric, may be positioned between the transparent conductor and the partial reflector, for example, in order to decrease a capacitance of the display element without changing a gap distance between the partial reflector and the movable minor. Thus, a capacitance of the display element may be reduced without changing the optical characteristics of the display element.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2011Publication date: February 23, 2012Applicant: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: William J. Cummings, Brian J. Gally
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Patent number: 8115988Abstract: An interferometric modulator is formed by a stationary layer and a mirror facing the stationary layer. The mirror is movable between the undriven and driven positions. Landing pads, bumps or spring clips are formed on at least one of the stationary layer and the mirror. The landing pads, bumps or spring clips can prevent the stationary layer and the mirror from contacting each other when the mirror is in the driven position. The spring clips exert force on the mirror toward the undriven position when the mirror is in the driven position and in contact with the spring clips.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Clarence Chui, William J Cummings, Brian J Gally, Ming-Hau Tung
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Patent number: 8111445Abstract: A spatial light modulator comprises an integrated optical compensation structure, e.g., an optical compensation structure arranged between a substrate and a plurality of individually addressable light-modulating elements, or an optical compensation structure located on the opposite side of the light-modulating elements from the substrate. The individually addressable light-modulating elements are configured to modulate light transmitted through or reflected from the transparent substrate. Methods for making such spatial light modulators involve fabricating an optical compensation structure over a substrate and fabricating a plurality of individually addressable light-modulating elements over the optical compensation structure. The optical compensation structure may be a passive optical compensation structure.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2008Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Clarence Chui, Jeffrey B. Sampsell, William J. Cummings, Ming-Hau Tung
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Patent number: 8111446Abstract: In various embodiments of the invention, an interferometric display device is provided having an external film with a plurality of structures that reduce the field-of-view of the display. These structures may comprise, for example, baffles or non-imaging optical elements such as compound parabolic collectors. The baffles may comprise a plurality of vertically aligned surfaces arranged, e.g., in a grid. In certain preferred embodiments these baffles are opaque or reflective. These vertical surfaces, therefore, can substantially block light from exiting the interferometric display device in a substantially non-perpendicular direction. These vertical surfaces may, however, permit light directed in a substantially vertical direction to exit the display. The non-imaging optical elements, e.g., compound parabolic collectors, redirect light from large incident angles into more normal angles towards the display. As a result, the light reflected by the display to the user is also at a more normal angle.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Brian J. Gally, William J. Cummings